Vice President Joe Biden’s office announced today that the veep will not be attending the Human Rights Campaign annual dinner. The event which is being held on Saturday evening will no longer have its keynote speaker. Biden’s office says that he will not be able to attend because of the government shutdown.
“Unfortunately, because of the government shutdown, the vice president is not going to be able to attend Saturday evening’s Human Rights Campaign National Dinner," Biden's office said in a statement.
Mr. Biden has long been known as a gay rights activist and it is shocking that he would allow petty party politics come between him and the human rights that the gay community deserve.
The dinner, which is sold out, is expected to draw 3,400 guests. Perhaps Biden is just taking a page out of the President’s book. Earlier this week the President and First Lady also cancelled an appearance at the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute’s Annual Awards Dinner.
It seems pretty shocking that both the President and his Vice President are willing to give up so easily on two of their biggest demographics; especially seeing as both of these events are hosted by independent organizations. What is stopping Mr. Biden from getting in his car and driving over to the Washington, DC event? He has not been an important part of these negotiations and I am sure even if he was needed, it wouldn’t be on a Saturday evening.
Clearly the political game is too much to wager in order to support an organization you have long stood behind. Classy.
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