Joseph Biden actually said...

"It is a mistake to judge the lack of progress as a failure of sanctions per se."

"Lifting U.S. sanctions at this time will merely strengthen Robert Mugabe and the military circle around him."

"It is the policy of the United States to support the people of Zimbabwe in their struggle to effect peaceful, democratic change, achieve broad-based and equitable economic growth, and restore the rule..."

"U.S. sanctions have been a very powerful and visible bipartisan signal of U.S. policy of standing firm on democracy."