Reason Magazine’s Jacob Sullum discusses the case against Joe Biden, including his record on crime, the war in Iraq and the surveillance state. Sullum focuses on Biden’s history as a “tough on crime” democrat, explaining the ways Biden worked closely with senate Republicans during the 1980s to pass laws creating differential sentencing for crack and powder cocaine, establishing mandatory minimums and abolishing parole. Sullum says that Biden wanted to position himself as a moderate, who could attract conservative voters and even attack Republicans from the right. Any reconsideration of his former positions, Sullum adds, have been very recent changes in the face of a Democratic electorate that has moved much further to the left.

Discussed on the show:

“The Case Against Biden: Joe Biden’s Politics of Panic” (Reason)

Yesterday’s Man: The Case Against Joe Biden

“Violent Crime Control Act of 1991 ” (C-SPAN)

Jacob Sullum is a senior editor at Reason Magazine. He is the author of Saying Yes: In Defense of Drug Use and For Your Own Good: The Anti-Smoking Crusade and the Tyranny of Public Health. Follow him on Twitter @jacobsullum.

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