Activist Ady Barkan called out former Vice President Joe Biden for the 2020 candidate’s “refusal” to sit down with him to discuss health care policies.
Barkan, who was diagnosed with ALS in 2016, has met with several top 2020 Democratic presidential candidates to talk about his push for more affordable health care and listen to their policies.
{mosads}He said he was “disappointed” that Biden did not take time to talk with him, alleging it shows he’s not ready to take on President Trump in the general election.
“If he’s afraid of a paralyzed man who talks politely and very slowly, how does he expect to survive a debate with Trump?” Barkan quipped.
Barkan’s interviews with the candidates have generated buzz on social media and drawn tens of thousands of views. He said he had hoped to interview every candidate in the field, but doctors advised him to not continue them due to his health.
Barkan added that he would sit down with Biden if the candidate “changes his mind” and accepts the invitation.
“It’s so important to be willing to have tough conversations even with those you might disagree with,” he said.
In a post on Twitter Thursday, Barkan released a compilation of clips from his interview series with candidates titled “Uncovered: Health Care Conversations with Ady Barkan.”
The interview series was a collaboration between his advocacy group Be A Hero, NowThis News and Crooked Media.
Candidates who interviewed with Barkan were South Bend, Ind., Mayor Pete Buttigieg (D), former Housing and Urban Development Secretary Julián Castro and Sens. Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Kamala Harris (D-Calif.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.).
The Hill has reached out to Biden’s campaign for comment.
Barkan has gained increased media attention as his health deteriorates and several candidates reference him in their stump speeches and campaign rallies.
He has been open about his lack of enthusiasm for Biden’s candidacy, recently telling The New York Times that he hopes the nominee is “someone other than Biden.”