Haley Campaign Press Release - Haley to Media: Don't Give Biden a Pass on His Record on Race

CHARLESTON, S.C. — Nikki Haley for President fired back at Joe Biden's political attacks today during a campaign event at the historic Mother Emanuel Church in Charleston. The Haley campaign highlighted Biden's very long list of racially problematic comments and friendships with segregationists.

The media has thrown a week-long temper tantrum because Nikki Haley failed to mention slavery when asked a question about the Civil War even though she quickly owned up to the misstep. This is the same Nikki Haley who led the successful effort to remove the Confederate flag from the statehouse grounds as South Carolina governor after a white supremacist murdered nine people at Mother Emanuel Church. It's the same Nikki Haley who speaks openly about the racism she and her family faced when she was young and how she used those experiences to bring people together.

The media, however, completely ignores Joe Biden's history of praising segregationists, demeaning Black people, lying about his participation in the Civil Rights movement, and perpetuating negative racial stereotypes. This list spans Biden's long political career from the 1970s to today.

"Before the media rubber stamps Biden's politicized racial speech, it should take a look at his long and controversial record," said communications director Nachama Soloveichik. "If a Republican made the same comments, the media would lose its mind. It's time to hold Joe Biden to the same standard."

Joe Biden's Timeline of Racial Comments and Actions

• From 1971 to 1974, Biden's legal residence had a deed barring ownership by African Americans.

• In 1974, Biden made an analogy of himself as a 29 year old in the Senate to being a "token black."

• In 1975, Biden asked if "the only way a black man or woman can learn is if they rub shoulders with my white child?"

• In 1977, Biden said that busing would cause his children to grow up in "a racial jungle."

• In 1977, Biden voted against Black Justice Department nominees specifically over his opposition to busing.

• In 1977, Biden said he asked to join the Senate Judiciary Committee specifically to lead the charge against busing.

• In 1979, Biden voted to allow racially segregated private schools to keep their tax exempt status.

• In 1981, Biden said George Wallace was "right about some things."

• In 1984, Biden used the word "boy" to refer to Jesse Jackson.

• In 1985, Biden made a favorable comparison between segregationist Senator John Stennis and Confederate General Stonewall Jackson.

• In 1987, Biden "sought to appeal to white voters" by touting an award he received from George Wallace in 1973 where he praised Biden as "one of the outstanding young politicians in America."

• During his 1988 campaign, Biden falsely claimed he was part of the civil rights movement, saying he "marched" in his "youth."

• In 2006, Biden said, "you cannot go to a 7-11 or a Dunkin Donuts unless you have a slight Indian accent."

• In his 2007 book, Promises To Keep, Biden admitted that, as a young person, he had "no real relationships with Black people."

• In 2007, Biden called then-Sen. Barack Obama "the first mainstream African American who is articulate and bright and clean and a nice-looking guy."

• In 2010, Biden delivered a 22-minute eulogy, the longest speech, at Senator Robert Byrd's (D-WV) memorial service, calling the former KKK member a "friend," "mentor," and "guide."

• In 2016, Biden praised segregationist Senator John Stennis as a "friend" and an "honorable" man.

• In 2019, Biden recalled the era when "he was able to get along with segregationist senators."

• In 2019, Biden boasted that segregationist Senator James Eastland called him son, not boy.

• In 2019, Biden said the Obama administration went "into the hood" of Detroit to recruit minorities.

• In 2019, Biden claimed a major problem Black communities face is illiteracy, saying Black "parents can't read or write themselves," leaving Black attendees "shocked and frustrated."

• In 2019, Biden said that "poor kids are just as bright and just as talented as white kids."

• In 2020, Biden suggested some people were able to quarantine during Covid because "some black woman was able to stack the grocery shelf."