Daniel, thanks to you, I heard about Focus for Democracy. The work that is being done nationwide to register Democrats is impressive. They ask that it not be mentioned on social media, but I think here I am preaching to the choir and more people involved cannot be a bad thing. It works by word of mouth between friends, and we are friends on this platform. Thank you Heather!
This is great stuff, Daniel. Another source for postcards (free) is https://www.turnoutpac.org/postcards/. They send out blank postcards with the addresses and some suggested text. I just ordered 500 for the 2nd time and made another $25 donation. I have purchased the stamps and will be donating the cards to two groups working on them: 1) Lakeland Democratic Club and 2) Lakeland Democratic Women's Club. "Biden dollars," the increase in the size of my investment portfolio, is paying for it all.
My Indivisible group writes Turnabout cards. There’s also TonyTheDemocrat who has postcards with owls, which put on refrigerator doors, could make voters of children if fully explained by parents!
Janan, great going - we can do this, by the millions upon top of millions. It is the one thing that one person can do all by oneself - and make a difference.
Samm, you do understand it all - I won all three matches against younger players this past Sunday, pocketing $15, which I immediately put to work to defeat the MAGA/KKK agenda.
The U.S. economy, according to the Wall Street Journal (owned by Rupert Murdoch) is "the envy of the world." Great stats and the lowest inflation rate among the industrialized nations. We need to be broadcasting that daily, hourly. My portfolio has soared in value during Biden's three plus years in office.
I did textbanking into GA for the first time too (been writing lots of postcards for months, though). I briefly thought of abandoning my efforts, but just couldn’t.
I'm working my way through a stack of 200 postcards to GOTV in Michigan, but am not to mail them until Oct 17. It's my first time doing postcards so I don't know if that's typical or not.
The following is my philosophical donation to people like you, Daniel, who are on the frontline in the war to save egalitarian democracy from authoritarian autocracy.
The line that struck me from Heather's newsletter is the idea of using names to confuse voters. That's on them. But let's not add to the problem by confusing ourselves.
This is top of mind for me because I was writing to someone yesterday that there is a general confusion about the concept of maturity. To me, maturity and wisdom are the same. A subject (by "subject," I mean a person or an identifiable group) has a circle of influence. A sufficiently mature subject's circle of influence is encompassed by that subject's circle of concern, and the subject is otherwise insufficiently mature.
For example, a mature politician cares about the politician's constituency, and not just a part of that constituency.
My political spectrum is up-down in lieu of left-right. Its baseline is the person I was in fifth grade. If you're choosing between me and that child, choose me because I've learned a lot since I was a child. But if you're choosing between me and a sufficiently mature and reasonably experienced politician, choose them because I don't have the experience.
There is a basement below the baseline that includes people who have forgotten what I knew in fifth grade. What I knew then is that I owe someone who asks me an honest question an honest answer. And I knew that I was more mature than my fifth grade teacher because she refused to give me an honest answer. In addition to remembering, I've learned that that child's knowledge is the most important knowledge of all.
The point is that the fifth grader is a better candidate than any politician who forgot that knowledge. The child won't know what to do, but at least the child won't do any harm, and there are politicians on the left and right who have conveniently forgotten. Also, a prerequisite to the Biden administration's success is that every member of that administration has that knowledge.
Those who have forgotten include every single politician who supports Donald Trump. Just listen to them in interviews. They won't answer the simplest question, and the interviewers allow them to get away with it. It's ridiculous. And not answering a "gotcha" question is not the same as not answering an honest question.
Watch any interview of Pete Buttigieg, then a recent one of Tim Scott. The difference is the same as the difference between up and down (which is because Tim Scott has gone to the dark side).
Maybe it's just me, but that's what I look for in a person who wants my support for a leadership position. If asked to place a bet that a Democratic candidate for elected office winning in a landslide with that message, I'm all in.
I’m glad I didn’t live in the 1850s considering their approach to oratory. I needed to read it a few times to make any sense . Let’s be clear that Lincoln’s great great grandfather owned a slave named, “Jack.” But it’s not surprising that he would evolve into the person he became from almost appeasing enslavement to being the leader to the northern armies.
Noting the French elections as well as the British. Now that some sanity has returned to these countries, I hope the lessons gleamed are that no nation want open unlimited immigration. And this is a clarion call for Americans, too. Biden didn’t do all he could to end the millions rushing across the south border. He had 3 years to do something yet just say on his hands.only at the last moment did he encourage passing weak legislation at the time atrump used his demonic influence to stop passage. So please let me not read that Bid did what he could. He didn’t. If UK and France learned from this, they will restrict immigration. Or they will be back where they stated from; rebuilding the far right.
Bill, it seeems you have forgotten the bipartisan legislation which took a substantial step toward overhauling immigration rules for the first time in decades which Biden helped usher through the Senate but which the House quashed at the Donald's insistence because he wanted an issue to run on in the election, yet another manifestation of the endless means by which the disinformation squads disrupt the effective governing of countries. If one is in opposition to any current government, it would seem all too easy to forget which is the higher obligation, to one's country's best interests or to simply beating the party in power. It would seem Brexit was one of the best examples of this as has been our own Republican party!
John, Biden interrupted the restraints put in place by Trump, his predecessor. Some questionable others down right cruel regarding separation of children from families. Biden wanted to inprint his policy to snub Trump for better or worse. This is the way most leaders behave. Do I need to reiterate how the ancient Egyptian leaders dealt with previous leaders? They believed that life and influence derived from the marble noses of statutes of previous rulers and to end their influence, they frequently had the noses chopped off. Same as when Trump renegotiated NAFTA with no differences except his name was then attached or the dismantling of the Iran nuclear treaty. Rulers do this because they are so freaken insecure of history not rewarding them their place. Maybe this was in Biden’s recesses I don’t know but there is plenty of historic proof to back up my thesis.
You just want to be Biden’s cheerleader. While I have no hesitation voting for him, I’m not his cheerleader. Additionally, Joe Biden has put this nation in grave danger but not securing the border. NO bloody nation wants or accept open borders and he made a mockery of this mess and today, mayor and governors across the country are suffering for this damn mess he created. So please don’t lecture me on this topic I’m well read on it. Sorry if I sound angry but I am angry. The UK experienced Brexit and France almost losses to a Putin supporter. NO NATION WANTS OR ACCEPTS OPEN BORDERS. Capici? i think I’ve made myself clear on this topic.
I would also add what a fool Putin has just made of his useful idiot, Orbán, in dismissing his 'peace-making' charade for Ukraine. If only Independents can understand that Trump, like Orbán, is a disposable stooge.
🥳
Putin may string Trump along for a longer period of time in view of the disparity of size and power of the United States relative to Hungary, but Putin will dismiss his useful idiot when it suits him.
😱
That is: any 'alliance' between Trump and Putin will be the end for Trump, the means for Putin, and the end of our democracy. Sooo, I am voting for President Biden and I would welcome a President Harris.
⚖️
While the Democrats may promulgate policies with which I disagree owing to my conservative temperament, I learned a generation ago that, in the end, the content of character remains my political North Star.
Yes. However, I am doing it from abroad together with my little subsection of Democrats Abroad. We are trying to recruit and inform and help people to understand how they can vote from abroad.
After listening to Joe Scarborough this morning, it is clear that MSNBC is doing everything they can to get President Biden to step down. This apparently is what the donor class is saying. And money talks, especially to the media. People are still dropping cable TV in droves. Since 2013 cable TV subscriptions have dropped by almost 45% from 100 million households to around 57 million in 2023.
Fully 20% of the households in the US have never had cable TV. My cable provider is paying me $10/month to not cancel my subscription by "bundling." And no offense intended but no-one in our household is interested in watching B rated movies from the 1980's on or learning about the sex life of the bot fly in Guatemala.
My point is the debate likely did little to change the mind of voters because hardly anyone watched it.
The MSM is desperate to replace Biden because the donor class has their ear. So as usual money talks.
Again -- thank you Emil and Susan and all of the rest of you for writing postcards and everything else your doing to make sure Project 2025 and convicted felon Donald Trump are never implemented or elected.
Getting Joe Biden to step down gives Trump a better chance at the presidency and the end of American democracy. As a Canadian, I can't vote. I can't even donate. But looking in from the outside, what I see is that it is the monied elites and the "famous" journalists that want to get rid of Biden and it is the so-called ordinary people who support him. They seem to understand what is on the line in this election and that Biden has brought in many government measures and policies that help all the American people. Replacing Biden is just a really bad idea that can only help Trump. Besides, Biden has been chosen by Democrats all over the country and territories (with the exception of American Samoa), which is not democratic. Maybe we can find hope in the election results in France and the UK where the hard right as been definitively and boldly (and joyfully) rejected.
NL Townie-I totally agree with you. Biden made the point that voters selected him as the nominee-now pundits and elites think they know best. So we’re going to throw out the voters’ choice? Sounds like what the Rs want to do.
Joe also said he’s been out talking to the people-who are the pundits and elites talking to but themselves.
Watching and listening to the sh$$ show the Dems have created is heartbreaking. Joe can win if we stop beating him up. Meanwhile Trump is playing golf as the Dems tear themselves apart.
Even with his flaws I’m sticking with Joe knowing that he has America’s best interests at heart and the other guy doesn’t. Joe also has a competent team to back him up.
I hope America gets it act together and like France and Britain say no to fascism.
You have described it perfectly. The anti-Biden movement has always been the anti-Biden movement and the debate-which-was-not-a-debate launched its full-throated assault on him by all those parties, none of which represent the American voters who have selected him as their candidate.
NLTowmie, that is one side of the argument, Other issues are that to anyone watching, President Biden’s health over the past few months has deteriorated. Dis you see him at the Juneteenth celebration? He stood like a statue, his walk has deteriorated, his ability to rebut lies with facts and respond to questions is different than it was 6 months ago. This may be due to neurological affects from covid. He may be a long covid sufferer. I don’t know what the issue is, but I cannot deny my what I can see. If he were to step down now and make Harris the acting president, she could run as the incumbent. By federal campaign laws, she is the only one Biden can pass his campaign funds to, If 1968 history is used, a democratic convention would be disastrous, Given the many rights that this current corrupt Supreme Court has stripped away, this might be the best time for a woman to be elected President, I believe she has a much greater chance of winning than President Biden, Democracy in the US is in the balance and Trump cannot have the opportunity to not run on the issues,
Linda, what about all the racists that have come out of the woodwork, and would never vote for a black person. Can you imagine the outrage, if the country did not choose Harris? Biden's major support comes from the black voter. An open convention will only benefit the media moguls. Putin's trolls will be out in force. The Magats will use their clout to cause chaos among the democrats and every Biden utterance will become a tRump add. Does anyone remember the 1968 democratic convention? When Johnson chose not to run again, Humphrey lost to Richard Nixon. It was a year of violence and murder. King was murdered in April. Robert Kennedy was murdered in June. The Convention followed in August. The country was polarized. Sound familiar? HCR said something yesterday to the effect that when a cardidate running for President steps down, their replacement loses. If Biden is unable to fulfill his full term, Harris can always assume the mantle. He also has a very competent staff and cabinet. Reagan had Alzheimer's long before he left office, FDR was in a wheel hair, had a stroke and managed to win WWII. He died in office shortly thereafter.
Linda - When you get old, things start to deteriorate. Actually, it starts long before that but you don't really start to notice until you're in your seventies. Moving differently happens because your body changes. Your brain changes too, but that doesn't mean the ageing body and mind are useless. Nothing works as quickly as it used to, but the other side of that is that living all those years gives you good experience and knowledge. There's always the David Mamet quote "Old age and treachery will always beat youth and exuberance." Except you can substitute "treachery" with "experience".
To judge an old person's competence negatively by how the walk is ageism. Yes, Biden is old. But between Biden and Trump, it's no contest. And that is the choice. Biden isn't backing down. The ruling class including many opinionators should realize the damage they are doing and the longer they keep this up, the more damage they do.
I abandoned Morning Joe a long time ago. He talks too much, and he’s always whining. All our media has succumbed to selling entertainment rather than presenting reasoned news and commentary. I read, but that’s been tainted, too. Joe can quiet the talk. Take the test, Joe, and honestly release the results. Speak frankly about aging and praise your advisors including VP Kamala Harris.
I told a friend last night I wish Biden would just take his bully pulpit and tell everyone 'Yes, I am old and tired, I get rattled and forget stuff. I have one goal and this is to win this election so our children have a country. Vote for me, get me elected and we will figure the rest out later'.
Marj, I will vote for Biden/Harris ,or Harris/? or Cheeseburger/French Fries, but I think Biden needs to do more than that to quell the concern. The main message should be 1. This is what we've done. 2. This is what we still have to do. 3. This is what happens if the other guy wins.
He should be employing Harris more (which it appears he's doing) to both act as his younger surrogate and show she can handle things if need be.
The "we will figure out the rest later" should be implicit, lest people *really* freak out about what's going on
Marj, Biden told them during the last 15 minutes on Morning Joe! They invited him to call in to the show! I believe Joe must have been watching and he called to straighten them out! It was an amazing phone call. Wish shocked expression on their face they said we have a call from the White House!!!! I missed it but had to rewind to catch it all.....and I am so glad I did!
Only if both he and tRump take the test at the same time, given by an impartial psychologist. The test that tRump took was a dementia test. It went something like this. Repeat after me: Person, man, woman, camera, TV. I'm sure he's lied about the results. The Montreal Cognitive Assessment test is much more comprehensive.
nobody has succumbed to anything unless perhaps reality. We long time supporters of JB know what we've seen these past six months and what we saw at the debate. No responsible person can support Joe for another election cycle.
Carl, yes. I don’t understand why we are not more concerned about this good man’s health, Ever since seeing him standing like a statue at the Juneteenth celebration, seeing the change in his walk, in the expressions on his face, his change in thinking I have been deeply concerned. It feels like elder abuse to ask this President to do more, He has done a great job, if he continues the Trump campaign will flood the media with every fall, mistake, and weird facial expressions. I don’t want this to be what people remember. He has a wonderful legacy that needs to be remembered. Anyone who has been watching has seen his decline in recent months, If he steps down now and makes Harris the President, she can run as the incumbent and carry on the work for the common good that has begun.
Sharon, this morning I turned on my TV & tuned in to MSNBC…listened for a nanosecond before turning it off—still harping on Biden…same old rehashed talking points. Tried emailing them a few day ago but for some reason I get an error message & wouldn’t “send”; then I tried calling them & proceeded thru the phone-tree only to have a “call cannot be completed sort of message” when I got to point of recording a message. Very frustrating…hopefully they are getting inundated with complaints!
Too not caring enough about the negative long-term effect of their actions on others. Too caring about earning short-term profits while ignoring the long-term effect.
An NBC piece today, July 8, identified the 9 Dem House members who the media considers the "rising wave" who most stridently want Biden to step aside. Prepare to be unimpressed:
Rep. Mark Takano, Calif. July 7 During a call with other House Dems
Rep. Jerry Nadler, N.Y. July 7 During a call with other House Dems
Rep. Joe Morelle, N.Y. July 7 During a call with other House Dems
Rep. Adam Smith, Wash. July 7 During a call with other House Dems
Rep. Angie Craig, Minn. July 6 Statement on X
Rep. Mike Quigley, Ill. July 5 Told MSNBC in interview
Rep. Seth Moulton, Mass. July 4 Told WBUR in interview
Rep. Raúl Grijalva, Ariz. July 3 Told New York Times in interview
50 million people watched the debate. An estimated 25 - 30 million others have seen parts of the debate on social media or the news. That’s “hardly anyone”? That’s half the number of people that voted in 2020.
Voters are honestly divided on Biden’s continuing in the election. To ascribe all this noise and doubt and misgivings to the “donor class” is the equivalent of whistling past the graveyard, in my opinion.
I saw the debate and I saw the interview. The debate shocked me, then made me both sad and angry. Sad for a president I have long admired and angry at him and his advisors who put the election at risk. He was incoherent and rhetorically defenseless.
The interview with Stephanopoulos made me squirm in sympathetic embarrassment that such an accomplished leader was being seen in that diminished and only partially coherent state.
It’s your right to disagree, back Biden’s remaining in the race, etc. But don’t underestimate the number of voters who don’t want him to run.
I’ll vote for Biden if he stays in and if he wins, I will pray he soon resigns.
"When media folks describe discussions among Democrats as chaos and disarray, they are implicitly suggesting that it is better for a leader of a party to never be questioned. (Why, after all, is being part of an array a good thing?) An obvious point goes missed: Democrats can say what they want, because none of them is afraid. And that is good! Governor Maura Healey can express her dissent and Joe Biden can express his frustration with her — but no one is worried about her physical safety.
Trump, by contrast, controls his party through stochastic terror, threats issued through social media that his cult followers can be expected to realize. Republicans leave politics because they fear for themselves and their families. Those who remain all obey in advance. That is new, and it should not be normal, and it should not spread any further. But it becomes normal when we treat discussions, and not coercion, as abnormal. " from Professor Timothy Snyder
I think that Morning Joe will change their mind and be for Joe after they talked to President Biden this morning! They ask him a lot of tuff questions that he answered in a heart beat.
I wrote postcards the last election when I lived in another state. I’ve tried to contact my local Democrat party to do this again and waiting to hear back. Is there another National group doing this?
When President Biden called into Morning Joe, the President sounded great and handled all the prop/corporate questions like a pro.The icing on the cake was the smiling eye message from Mika.......to yes, please call in again.
I cancelled my cable years ago..........best move ever.......spending quality time here on these fantastic comment pages is so much better.
Thank you! We just had Persuasive Speaking Training and will be calling Dem and Independent voters who vote inconsistently. It takes practice but can even be used in future discussions with family and friends!
Bravo!! Me too, the postcards but not the 2:30am! There are great suggestions in this chain for where to look to get involved. Here are two more to check out:
You bet. What is so important is communities like these, where we can find support, solidarity, great links and suggestions. We can DO this! I'm grateful Heather has created such a dynamic platform on which we can all connect.
That’s great. But it’s time to appoint a dem majority board member on the Post Office board and oust Louis deJoy before he screws up the mail system more than he has.
Your instincts, I believe, are spot on, Mr. Cissna. It’s insane to even consider switching out an INCUMBENT at this late stage — especially someone who has accomplished all that Biden has.
This “donor class” plays the stock market, for heaven’s sake. Buck the EFF up, you wealthy whiners and hand-wringers, and ride this out! The far-right extremists are afraid Biden WON’T step down. He’s the INCUMBENT! Hold fast. Best bet you will have ever made.
In a poll, 72% of Democratic voters said they think Biden is too old to run for president. This is hardly a freakout confined to the “donor class”. Almost every Dem voter I know is freaked out, to a greater or lesser degree. Putting our heads in the sand and denying what we all saw is pure Richard Pryor —“Who you gonna believe? Me or your lyin’ eyes?”
However this turns out, I refuse to become the equivalent of a MAGA cult member, refusing to acknowledge an obvious flaw in our candidate.
SLWatson, President Biden, for health reasons can step down and make Harris President now . She could have access to the Biden campaign funds and run as the incumbent, I don’t understand why more people are not concerned about this good man’s health, He has been a great President but he has given enough, It feels like elder abuse to ask him to carry on, If he runs, the only thing Trump will do is run round the clock ads showing Biden’s frailty, his falls, his difficulties walking, his frozen stance at the Juneteenth celebration, his altered syntax, his now weird facial expressions, I don’t want this to be what people remember, He has a wonderful legacy that needs to be preserved. Harris can rebut Trumps lies in real time, and can make the race about issues and not about her health or competency to run, Trump would love for Biden to stay in so he could focus on Biden’s health and he could very likely win doing that,
So glad that people are noticing. Too bad that our MAGAts and those who lean towards the “seemingly benevolent anarchy” of chump, Bannon and the monied hucksters, don’t wise up, there is still time. Get it together Dems, time is wasting.
The MSM is doing to Biden what they did to Hillary in 2016. Yesterday’s NYTs had 7 articles on why Biden should not run, his age, etc. Not a single article on tfg. Same with the Chicago Tribune. People better WAKE UP and stop falling for this BS.
I paused my subscription to NYTimes for eight weeks (long enough to decide whether my decision to cancel is pure knee jerk) over a front-page article that enraged me. I'm a month into the pause, and I'm not missing anything they have to say. I have other, better sources for journalism than what NYTimes has become. In the next couple of weeks, I'll cancel, and be done with them.
Joanne-your point is well taken. Will we ever learn? Biden is not perfect but look at the other guy. Thinking that disruption of the democratic process to install a younger person is the key to success is folly. It’s too bad because the MSM is actually turning voters off-I think they know this-It worked in 2016.
Gina, the line that I use is that it is a bus ride, not a marriage. Go with the person who gets you closer to where you want to be, not wait for the "perfect mate".
Joanne, I don’t think it is BS. Trump lying, being unreliable, being behind all that Project 2025 stands for is all news we already know, It is only in the past few months that we have all seen President Biden’s health deteriorate, whether do to neurological effects of long covid or something else, I don’t know, but I know it is true, Having a stellar governing history does not equate to being able to run a successful campaign, I don’t see him winning against Trump, but if he were to step down now , make Harris President, she would get his campaign funds and could run as the incumbent. This denies Trump any further remarks about President Biden’s health and competency and makes this more of a race about the issues that face our country, Democracy in the US is at stake.
I'm hoping that fence-sitters, newly minted 18 year old voters, and those who don't typically follow politics recognized that CFDT didn't answer a single question asked of him and when he did, all his answers seemed untruthful.
I hate to underestimate young voters, but I know that 50 years ago, much of this democracy stuff would have made my eyes glaze over--unless perhaps Donna Summer sang it into a disco song.
I found one issue which I believe matters to young people quite a bit: sex.
I do not think enough emphasis is given to the fact that Project 2025 wants to ban ALL forms of contraceptives. I am not convinced that young men realize that means CONDOMS as well as the pill or IUD.
I recall when I was 18 being a freshman in college, and a sorority sister come right out and tell a bunch of us that she was having sex! She was a 5th year student (Architecture was a 5 year program) AND engaged. Still--while there was suspicions, none of the nice young ladies would admit to having lost their virginity unless whispered in private to a very closest, trusted friend. I recall the uncomfortable silence that met her story.
Does the GOP truly think they are going to create a nation of female virgins? Do young men realize that if there are no legal contraceptives and no abortions, that a single sex act could result in 18 years of financial obligations?
I think anyone with social media accounts needs to hammer that point.
Social media. That's the thing. I remember John Stewart making fun of Biden for putting something on TikTok. I'm hoping that there are orgs out there trying to figure out how to get the message out to young voters. People can sneer all they want about how Biden hasn't done this or that thing but let's face it, CFDT gets in there and it is ALL OVER.
David, did you know that every time .bp Harris was schedule to speak at a college, she spoke to sold out crowds? Younger people like her and what she stands for,
What does CFDT stand for? I know what the “DT” part is but what’s CF?
We must all be very careful what media we consume and boycott the fascists at every turn. CNN has been gobbled up by a right wing MAGAt. I no longer watch it. Ever. And Larry slimeball Ellison buying Paramount? Eeew. He’s another MAGA fascist who contributed to DT, threw some big fundraising bash for him at his home in CA a few years ago. I won’t be giving Paramount a dime.
Thanks Gary, shout it out FOLKS…stay and be the voice that’s truth . Jeri , too I applaud these voices , let the message be carried and a growing roar ….🗣️let it come to be known…👏🇺🇸🗽
If I could like your comment Gary Loft, 1000 time I would to push your statement to the top I would. I am sick to death of all this nay saying. Today I woke up and as usual turned on MSNBC which was airing Morning Joe just in time to hear President Joe Biden call into the show to just talk and answer the questions they posed. He was forceful clear and did not back down. He spoke of his extensive time this weekend going to multiple states and events, no teleprompter just talking with plain ol American voters. He said they backed him and I don’t see any reason to believe differently. And again, the same old question, but are you fit kept coming up. Hell yes he’s fit his running the country with his stellar administration and he is running all over the country speaking The TRUTH. My question is where is the same constant barrage for Trump the CF, lier, so called business man who has filed bankruptcy too many time to count. So scared, yes I am, but I think I am more angry than scared. Please people read Project 2025 and spread the word cause all this chaos is just the beginning of DJT is elected again and this is not the time to change course. The presidency is not just about one man or woman, but their administration as well.
Gary, after the debate’s lackluster performance by Biden, I searched for and read the transcript. My take is Joe delivered facts/policies/vision & TFFFG lied. So, yeah, not good optics for Joe, but he brought substance nonetheless! I’m ridin’ with Biden—he has a great VP in Harris and an excellent/competent admin surrounding him as well. I trust his experience/knowledge and lifelong commitment to public service. 🗽🇺🇸
Gary, I believe we have seen it in the media, Isn’t that where you got this information? I don’t think quibbling over the amount of media coverage gets at what needs to be discussed, We all know Trump is a narcissistic pathological liar. Why are so many denying what we have all seen with our own eyes, President Biden’s health over the past few months has deteriorated. Age is not the issue, but health is. It may be neurological effects of long covid, I don’t know but wishing and hoping don’t change the facts and past successful governing does not equate to being able to run a successful campaign against someone who is as cruel and devious as Trump. If President .Biden resigns now due to ill health, Harris becomes President and can run as the incumbent . Trump can no longer question the health or competency of his opponent and will be forced to answer questions on opposing strategies for solving issues,
Biden does fine when not gished , it is an ancient tactic , worn with disrespect and evil intent. His character stands not only the testament of time but of solid intent..will not waiver. As Kazz McKnight so eloquently wrote :
“Biden is not on the ballot, policies are: reproductive rights, contraception, IVF, gun laws, renewable energies, NATO alliance, global security, separation of church and state, jobs - the list goes on. Polls are rubbish, spread by media owned data collectors. Read what the experts are saying - Robert Hubbell et al and get behind our man.”
Patricia, I don’t think we ca deny what we have seen in the past few months, It wasn’t just a bad night at a debate. did you see his posture at the Juneteenth celebration? His answers in the George Stephanopoulos interview were not reassuring, These were not the responses he would have given just 6 months ago. This is not about age, but about health, I was a neuromuscular nurse, and many neurologists have also voiced similar concerns, This may be neurological damage from long covid, I don’t know but it is real. Past performance and success do not equate to a successful campaign going forward, Trump will be merciless and cruel and the campaign will focus on President Bidens health. I think President Biden has been the best President since FDR and I would like to see his legacy protected. Asking him to cary on looks like elder abuse to me, If he hands the Presidency over to Harris, then policies will not only be on the ballot, they will be talked about during the campaign, Trump wants Biden to stay in because it gives him a better chance of winning. He will repeatedly run ads showing President Biden at his worst, and it will influence voters, Many already believe Trumps repeated lies that he is there to save them. President Biden is a good man and a great President, he is visibly ill and we should be thinking of him.
Biden has a daunting schedule..he needs to rest more as do I at 80+ . I am positive Harris is as capable with the team at hand, and others could be brought in …can she then not pick a VP if …? ( Not sure how that works) ..
NOBODY said a word about Mitch McConnell when he went through this …totally double standards but no surprise
I am confident once the gates close and the votes are in …we’ll be fine. Oh they’ll squawk!
It’s got/gonna to be a BLUE SWEEP .. plenty of that trend/ has been for awhile .
I’d much rather those odds than switching horses in the middle of the stream…this is a convenient harp for the MAGA side …were he not capable he’d admit it…
I agree that is a much better approach than a free-for-all convention. Gavin Newsome is good looking which is the horse racing approach many people take. My neighbor in FL loved CFDT because she admired his looks when he was on the Apprentice. But CFDT's beauty fade years ago.
But I digress. Kamala has proven that she can take the reigns and CFDT, the MAGAs and the Evangelicals will surely all be hard pressed not to pull the racist card. If Biden resigned tomorrow, the MAGAs have control of the House and they are already blocking everything the Democrats have proposed for two years. But I think she can make the most of that and she will. Plus she already has women and young people backing her.
And with the convention coming up still, the Dems can give her 100% support.
For the next question, do you think Pete Buttigieg would be a good VP pick or who would the Dems pick as her running mate?
Gary, I think that he would be great. He is calm, reassuring, and smart, I loved how he discounted all the lies from Scott Perry in his Congressional hearing.
I am 72, and these are by far the strangest times I have ever lived through, Daily I also read New Scientist, Sapiens, and Nature for moments of awe and joy . I just read this amazing article about ants that made me more aware that we do not know what consciousness really is, or all the ways that communication occurs, from microbes, to plants, to animals how communication really happens, The older I get, the more I know that I know so little. Given the elections in Spain, France, and the UK supporting more progressive democratic governments, I am hoping that humans do have some form of collective unconscious , possibly some quantum energy that will help get people to realize that their vote matters.
I love that Linda. I'm 69 and you are right on about knowing so little about so much. I am still working as a computer programmer but only a few days a week. I began programming when I was 22. When people ask me about something computer related, I explain it by hold my hands as far apart as I can and say, "this is how much there is to know about computer science and then I hold my hands about a half inch apart and say, "here is how much I know of all that knowledge -- and I am probably bragging."
Our tree guy is about 40 years old and is very zen about the communication between trees and plants, especially when they are of the same species. I have learned not to ask him to take down any healthy tree because he will ultimately talk me out of it. He hasn't said that he considers taking down healthy trees is murder, but he has implied it.
Much as I admire Biden, the answer is that all eyes were turned to the horrifyingly enfeebled president. I have admired Biden for 40 years, and he has been a great president (more accomplishments than either Clinton or Obama).
That debate shocked me. Sure, I knew Trump was lying. But I was also angry that his lies became even more outrageous (he lowered the cost of insulin? He took care of the vets? The HBCUs?) once he realized his opponent was completely on the ropes.
People are talking anout it because 50 million saw a train wreck.
I really want our government to represent us instead of the corporations.To tell us the truth and protect our health and environment.Don’t you think there is a lot of false information about RFKJR because he does put our needs ahead of the corporations? I’m going to Freeport tomorrow to see him!!
No, I don't. RFK, Jr. was once a very fine environmentalist. But he has gone severely off track, and I seriously doubt his sanity. Once you see him, you may discover this.
For what? To throw away your precious vote? Now is not the time to vote third party. This is the election of your lifetime. Make no mistake. This is the decision between a continued democracy and a fascist dictatorship. Choose wisely. You cast a vote for RFKJR, you may as well vote for Trump. Please don’t waste that vote. Vote BLUE all the way down. Please, for the love of this country and every one of us here who’s fighting against right wing fascism and fighting FOR our freedom.
I’m definitely not voting for the Democratic nominee after the Putin like way they anointed Biden their nominee.It’s insulting for you to tell me I am throwing my vote away, I wouldn’t say that to you because I respect your right to choose , please respect mine .
Biden was not anointed. He won by in a free and fair election. Anyone could have run against him if they felt they could do a better job. In fact one did and he was soundly defeated.
Well RFKJR said the DNC made rules to prohibit him from campaigning in NH before Biden did , or they would not give him the electoral votes there. Are you saying this is not true?
John, he's anti-vaccines. That's enough to disqualifying him in my mind. In other statements, he sounds almost as nuts. Please do your own research. Please don't buy into the conspiracy theories. Follow centrist-focused media sources that stick to mostly facts and don't lean to far to either side.
How about I listen to what RFKJR actually says in the many interviews of diverse interviewers. I certainly don’t trust Fox, CNN, or MSNBC. How could you?
RDK, Jr. is a grifting opportunist who has made millions by preying upon the desperate parents of neurodivergent children.
Any credibility he had by being an excellent environmental lawyer has been long flushed down by his anti-vaxxer grifting. His own family (including his mom) disavowed his anti-vaxxer status a long time ago (but they say they still love him), and are definitely not supporting his wing nut campaign to split the Dem vote.
Don't support the grifting opportunist who preys upon the desperate parents of neurodivergent children.
I read that 2023 opinion article and found it to be conflicting. First, RFKJR is not a product of the right and he is trying to re-establish the ideals of the 1960’s Democratic Party. He has dismissed the possibility of being Trump’s running mate as a “ marriage that could never work “. He was lied to by Trump when Trump told him he would appoint him to work on the vaccine committee, but never did. That remains a bone of contention today. And he does want the values held important to Democrats in the 1960s to be restored today.Values such as being the party of peace and not war. Of representing regular middle class People and not big corporations .Of respectfully disagreeing with Republicans and not building division.We have a big problem with the 2 party system and it’s offering only 2 candidates.If you think that’s ok because we can’t let Trump win I disagree. We can’t make exceptions and still claim to be acting democratically .That’s an authoritarian position. I know RFKJR has made a lot of mistakes in his life. But today I see a matured person who has learned from those mistakes.Good decisions come from people like RFKJR.
I believe RFKJR is one of the tactics HCR pointed to in today's letter, to put in candidates that are meant to pull votes away from their competition. Think of it this way, if RFKJR were not on the ballot who would you vote for? By not voting for the candidate with the best odds of beating the person you least want elected you are actually help that same person win. In 2016 I voted third ticket on principle so I get it, but since then I have come to see why under the system we have it really defeats what we actually want. Please look for videos about how voting third party really works (or doesn't). I wish I knew how to add one here but I don't.
I believe if Trump gets back into the White House he will rig it so he and who he chooses will never leave. This may be our last time to truely vote. Please use yours wisely.
It’s very clear to me that RFKJR is the best (only real) candidate to represent us. Many people agree and I think that is why RFKJR will win.Maybe you should not be afraid of Trump too, but that’s your call.
John, please google how his lies about vaccines have hurt many people. It is proven that MMR vaccines have never caused autism, but the rise in measles is causing death and suffering, “ 2019, more than 1,200 cases of measles were reported in the U.S., and that's the highest number we saw in decades. In 2022, it was 121 reported cases here. And then in 2023, we had 58 measles cases reported. And of course, we're on the verge of surpassing that number from last year, and it's only March.Mar
I think it is wise to fact check what he says. Can you tell me what lies he has stated about the vaccines?Questions about mercury have been completely laid to rest , or are there not many studies to support questioning the safety of vaccines? And the motive Fauci had for pushing the vaccine on us, do you think he is pure as driven snow?
John, I am glad you think it wise to fact check. We are lucky that we have the internet to do this, but it is important to get information from reliable sources,
As a nurse, I have given thousands of vaccines and would never have done so without reading all the information on each vaccine, You can look up safety data sheets on each vaccine, Would you like a world were so many still died from smallpox, polio, measles, rabies, Hepatitis, diphtheria, whooping cough, tetanus, and many more. Vaccines have saved many lives and a tremendous amount of suffering, They are not allowed out to the public without rigorous testing, https://www.who.int/news-room/spotlight/history-of-vaccination/a-brief-history-of-vaccination
As a nurse, Dr Fauci is one of my hero’s, He did not push vaccines! he tried to save lives using covid vaccines and he did. Schools, Kindergarten through college, require children to have their vaccines up to date not just to protect that child, but to protect all the children and their families, Public health is not pushed on people , it is a requirement of a civil society to keep each other safe, Would you prefer not to have public health and and allow people like typhoid Mary who was a typhoid carrier to go around infecting others? During the HIV epidemic Dr. Fauci helped save many lives. He has served under 7 presidents and is recognized as one of our greatest public servants, The lies and subsequent threats to his life and the lives of his family are a horrific injustice,
When the pandemic started, my medical center did not have adequate PPE. Nurses, lab techs, and sterilization techs and their family members died needlessly from covid. I was able to list Dr Fauci’s recommendations at our meetings to help get support for adequate PPE.
I don’t know what has happened to JFK jr.’s brain, grief, drugs, and a brain worm I am sure have played some part, but he is just not a reliable person, Look who he has aligned himself with,
One of the wonderful things about this country is that even if I don’t agree with you, I respect your right to your opinion and to vote for who your conscious says will be the best person for the country, If Trump gets elected that will no longer be a freedom that we have. I hope you do your research before making your decision, Good luck.
President Biden has done more to try and reign in Corporate monopolies and support unions than any president since FDR., He is trying to limit CEO pay, tax stock buy backs, get dark money out of campaigns. He knows that trickle down theory does not work and he has vowed to set policies and laws that help to build fro the middle out like it was after WWII when one family members salary could support a family with a good union job.
Check our this interview with .Elisabeth Warren, If we are going to save this country, we need a Democratic President, House, and Senate
John, PLEASE pay attention to ANYTHING you can cite that he has run effectively or accomplished in his career. I think hehas simply provided a haven for those who fear vaccinations and/or government management of anything.
I can see the corruption caused by big corporations contributing to our government officials. And the failure of congress to stop Mitch McConnell from putting those judges on the Supreme Court.And the government agencies funded by the companies they are supposed to be regulating. RFKJR has cleaned up the Hudson River. He has sued Monsanto to stop selling Round up to us. He will unravel the corporate capture of our agencies and much more that is beneficial to our democracy.Turns out HCR was mistaken about the mental acuity of President Biden and what real democracy is . Real democracy isn’t preventing third party candidates or censoring Facebook because of the virus.
John, yes he was one of many suing Monsanto, but that doesn’t discount the horrific harm his untrue claims have caused, He keeps company with Trump, Bannon, and the MAGA group. What do you think that says about his judgement? his motives? In the past few months I have seen behavior in President .Biden that is concerning regarding his health. It may be related to long covid, I don’t know, but what I do know is that while he may be more frail, he still tells the truth, he still believes in fighting for the working class and against monopolies. His record in getting infrastructure and support for unions surpasses any president since FDR. His strengthening NATO alliances has made us safer, He is honest and reliable in his thinking and policies. That cannot be said of DT or JFK jr, I hope you do more research from reliable sources and think long and hard about the character of the men you are considering, Take care and stay well.
Project 2025 got people’s attention. Finally!!! It’s astounding that Republicans were so sure of themselves that they publicized it, announcing the details to anyone who asked and it turns out Americans are terrified.
I recently spent several weeks in Australia and in New Zealand. What surprised me most pleasantly was the universal disdain folks for TFG among folks with whom we spoke. They expressed near shock that he could hoodwink so many of our electorate -- they thought we were smarter than to fall for him and his hatred.
Hearing these opinions, added to the recent election results in England and France, I hope that there is growing global recognition that the political right is not the right way forward.
Thanks for articulating Jack, it takes courage and leadership to admit one is scared, and the greatest of drive to push forward with principles …Equality and Justice are ringing bells around the world !
Congratulations France, UK, and Spain…we are staying our commitment to Ukraine too!
More and more are seeing the blistering propaganda and drum’s doubled dirge…we HAVE to circle these Democratic Wagons and sisters I call upon you to answer loudly- unite - bring to the ballot box another victory for rights …VOTE and VOTE 💙 …we will STOP THIS COUP…
It’s Truth or Lies
Autonomy or Autocracy, America
Level the playing field or fall for the Felonious Fantasy
We have a choice ..and that needs preserved
Will you still sail the flag so many have only dreamed of …
Land of the free, home of the brave…
I will…
💙💙UNITE💙💙🇺🇸
VOTE THE COMPLICIT CROWD OUT
*WE THE PEOPLE* , yes we have an awesome continuing task to maintain these shores.
Knowledge and faith in democracy is the best way to dispell fear and doubt. Exposing the Trumplican's "Project 2025" plan to dismantle democracy would go a long way in informing voters of the disastrous choice for an alternative to self-governance.
What should be scaring him and his henchmen are the British and French elections results that I wish thrilled us as much as the quick failure of the initial Russian Special Operation expected to take over all of Ukraine within days of the initial assault.
To me, it was Ukraine's Pearl Harbor moment, similar to our own when so few thought we would be attacked in that way.
Like our Pearl Harbor, the attack had united the former opposing factions like the America First in fighting enthusiasts opposing all the Axis powers, not only in our country, but even Russia.
As mentioned in the LFAA, we had a similar uniting and refocusing moment immediately after the passage of the Kansas-Nebraska Act
I would hope the most recent Supreme Court decisions are enough to make the culmination of everything from the Citizens United decision to the Dobbs decision and two most recent abominable decisions has a similar impact to fire up our opposition to anything like the response to Kansas-Nebraska.
I don't know what, if any, other international events in 1854, could have been as encouraging as the British and French election results are now, not only in this country but I imagine in very much of the rest of the free and freedom loving world.
Trump's ongoing success is empowering Putin, Orban, Le Pen, Modi and a host of other right-wing world leaders; they influence/empower each other reflexively across the globe. Various academic and other 'champions' of 'the Western World' side with Trump and the MAGA agenda, which they consider a necessary response to the alleged leftist, multiculturalist and Islamic 'War on the West', to borrow the title of British neocon Douglas Murray's recent book on the subject. It is part of the trend of "Populism, globalisation and social media" https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/1748048519880721?icid=int.sj-full-text.similar-articles.1
DEMOs must address that fear as the party and develop a winnable strategy. They should not make it as a personal fight between two aged men with questionable mental facilities.
It’s scaring them, because they have gone through it prior to tfg. It scares them, because so many Americans have fallen for it. And fallen so hard. This isn’t the case in Germany. Why?
Good for Heather noting Putin's continued schemes against democracies.
He, Putin, for sure exults – as U.S. Dems self-lacerate, lob divisiveness.
But, look, Biden could shine as elder statesman for the coming election.
Turn over office and candidacy to Kamala. Give her his war chest. Help Dem stars (Jamie Raskin, Hakeem Jeffries, Liz Warren, Ro Khanna, Katie Porter, Sheldon Whitehouse, Jasmine Crockett, Bernie, AOC – many more) spread energy and positive cohering for America. Biden stars over all as captain of the ship of state so successful during his tenure.
We need this enthusiastic wave. We need it so Dems win every level in November. We need it to end MAGA – and to end the bribery, dark money, and perjury corruption and ideologue arrogance sleazing that Clarence court (add four more justices there, so total 13 matches the 13 U. S. circuit courts).
I didn't watch that debate because I knew I couldn't stomach that much of tfg and apparently neither could Biden, from what I've heard. I have seen Bidens track record: I don't need a debate to know who I'm voting for in November.
I agree with Susan Knox as well as you, Anne-Louise. But I wanted to note, since we're all tit-for-tatting, that I did read ABC's transcript of the interview with Biden and noticed that George Stephanopoulos had his fair share of false starts, stumbles, and partial words. All to prove, in my mind, that not everyone is cut out to be an eloquent orator!
Joe Biden has been an excellent president. He is not a jazzy campaigner, nor an eloquent orator. Are people going to choose a mentally unstable criminal just because Biden stutters? Who among us could deal with Trump's firehose of sh*t flooding the zone? By the way, has anyone read the transcript of Trump talking about sharks and electric boats? He is delusional.
What disturbs me is that very few news sources can address public issues that are at stake. Instead, they concentrate on the horse race and spectacle to the exclusion of everything else. It’s one big reason that I don’t watch U.S. broadcast news much.
Make America Great Again are the most meaningless words in the English language. I have been asking what CFDT did during his 4 years as President that made America Great. I have only gotten one answer that listed 9 things, including making our NATO allies ante up 2% of their budget and Criminal Justice Reform. The rest were similar talking points.
We all assume that CFDT will bring on board another cabinet of unqualified sycophants that will quickly tire of kneeling to the king that will do nothing, just like last time.
Only tis time, thanks to the Supreme Court he will fire anyone and everyone that looks at him cross-eyed at will.
Oh, they can, for sure. They choose not to as the "horse race" makes it seem like they're not biased, which is, of course, absolute bs. The only broadcast news I consume regularly is PBS NewsHour, which I listen on KQED at 3pm PDT. The moment I hear the word, "poll," I switch to classical music. In 2016 I still had cable TV and had to stop watching MSNBC because even Rachel Maddow focused so much of her show on the polls. I like a British podcast called The Rest is Politics but even though most of the program is focused on policy and substantive interviews, they too have fallen into the polls trap. They excuse it because it's "their poll" but it's still a poll. Sigh...
Yes, Stephanopoulos, himself, gave a highly disappointing performance. What I saw was an interviewer desperately and repeatedly trying to reword his basic question: “Don’t you think you should step down?” He failed to extract the answer he wanted. It was a poor excuse for, what might have been, a real interview.
K Barnes -- Agreed! I thought Stephanopoulos was inappropriately angry and aggressive. It wasn't a real interview -- he was out "to get" the President, and therefore has joined the growing ranks of opinionated, biased media who can't be neutral.
I've read the transcript of Trump's speeches on J6 and Veterans Day (infamous for the reference to vermin). It was painful and illuminating. The media picked two or three click bait quotes and repeated them ad nauseum because there were so few comments that could be reported without long explanations, if not analysis. The rest was gibberish. It hurt to think that people stood for hours so they could listen to repetitious word salads that made James Joyce seem like Ernest Hemingway.
Chump is the poster child for cruel, inane nonsense. Sad that people are hanging half of that moniker around Joe’s neck. Be ashamed Dems. Excoriate chump, not your guy…
Do you recall his Wildwood, NJ speech--where they proclaimed there was anywhere up to over 100K people in attendance?
That was quickly disproven, but got little media traction. There is a clip on Youtube somewhere (I can't find it) but it shows about 30 minutes of that speech, unedited, and it shows people leaving in droves. No joke, they are all walking out on him while you can hear him droning in the background. Shortly after, he did his Bronx speech--again false reporting of attendees--and THOSE clips are also quite telling. People saying how the parking lot was full of out of state cars, other attendees mentioning their attendance as curiosity--almost like people drawn to a car accident.
And don’t forget Trump’s jaunt to a Black church filled with White people because they couldn’t get Black people to participate. Trump’s claim that more Black people are supporting him is another lie.
The Rs are trying to minimize his exposure now because they know how toxic he really is…they’re counting on the Dems’ opposition to Biden.
Trump ALWAYS exaggerates the size of his crowds, starting with his inauguration when he forced Spicer to make a declarative statement ending in "period" that was later claimed by Kelly-Anne Conway to be because Sean had "alternative facts."
The absolute worst for me was January 21 when Trump stood in front of the memorial wall at the CIA and made the same claim. Not only that, he brought his own cheering section; I'm guessing someone knew he might need it as the CIA staffers weren't having it.
Susan, with all the "sounds and bites" being blasted in our weary ears,( can ears get weary?), the words of Lincoln, as stated by Heather today, resonate loudly with me. His words describe our feelings about the recent inane Supreme Court ruling, "We were thunderstruck and stunned; and we reeled and fell in utter confusion. But we rose each fighting;....We struck in the direction of the sound."
I'm hoping that the sounds of MAGA hatred and anarchy can be quieted and even silenced by those of us who have listened to, believed in, and lived to promote the resounding sounds of democracy and freedom.
Yeah … being face to face with a demon is tough. Given the circumstances, I think our president did very well. And doubters need to review the content. I think president Biden actually won
I’m exhausted of the calls for the President to step aside. He can beat Trump, but Trump and Putin will bring their bags of dirty tricks, enabled by their collective minions.
Just no. 100 million people didn’t vote in 2016, 80 million people didn’t vote in 2020. These people need no excuse not to vote but feel they have every right to complain. I’m the base. I voted for him and Kamala and if he needs to step down, she can bloody well step up.
Tracy, you nailed what I have been stating over and over. For all those fears about can Joe make it four years--I point out that our youngest POTUS in history had his term abruptly ended. And our rules of succession had Lyndon Johnson quickly sworn in.
Youth and apparent health is no guarantee of a tomorrow. I have faith in our Constitution and the good people that Biden will have in his cabinet.
Tracy - I said specifically Biden should be replaced a a candidate - not as president. I voted for him in 2020 and ride around with a Biden bumper sticker.
But we can do much better and this is an opportunity to field a better candidate. I would like to see Gretchen Whitmore or Gavin Newsom as the candidate. Will the Democrats do the smart thing and choose them as the candidate? I hope so.
You are free to vote for the alternative, a flagrant liar who shamelessly takes credit for Biden’s accomplishments (policies MAGAs are supposed to hate), who surrounds himself with convicted felons just like himself, and whose “speeches” dissolve into delusional ideation. Be my guest….
David this is NOT about debating ability, it is about ability to govern and run an extraordinarily complex government keeping The People's needs at the center of what's important.
This is specifically about replacing a very weak candidate with a strong candidate. Biden has aways been a weak candidate. Unfortunately the primaries were structured so as to have no real opposition and no debates. Biden was picked as our candidate by the Democratic Old Guard.
he was hidden away for the 2020 campaign. He's been hidden for most of his presidency. He is simply a weak candidate for multiple reasons. We can do better.
AND his ability as a candidate is not the same as his ability governing. They are two different things.
It strikes me as I scroll through (rather quickly, I might add) that this community has some "new" voices today that are in accord about Biden and Harris and not in a good way. It also strikes me that these "new" voices or voices very similar to them took over Twitter when the Muskovite ruined it. They've tried today to take over the dialogue here. I know HCR has a full plate and much more important things to do than to remove people and/or bots who come here to call her names and to trash our president, but I do wish there was some way to clean house a bit. I always enjoy your direct response to people who are here for nefarious reasons!
I only started to watch the debate for a few minutes, enough to see where it was headed. But I watched the full ABC interview with George Stephanopoulos and George was sure tough. But the President is supposed to be able to handle tough questions. And give press conferences.
In the interview, Biden came across as struggling to find and deliver words. And his performance in the interview made his ascertains that he was as good as he was cognitively 4 years ago very hard to believe.
The problems I had with Biden's responses in the interview:
* Refusing to take a cognitive test (Trump should too as well as a mental health evaluation!) while displaying obvious symptoms during the interview
* Saying that only God Almighty, if only he/she would come down from heaven, could convince him not to run
* Convincing himself that he has done ok as long as he gives the campaign his all, even if he loses! Maybe he should value the future of our country higher than that! We are not all going to be ok if Joe is ok.
It wasn’t a debate - it was a “political event” that never should have occurred! Trump didn’t give his primary opponents opportunities to debate him - so why should the Biden campaign have given him the opportunity to “debate” our standard bearer? Trump is not morally qualified to be president of this wonderful and great country so why give him legitimacy … he’s not on par with Biden, nor Harris, nor any of those on the democratic deep bench of qualified individuals who would potentially make superb candidates for the POTUS role should Biden or Harris not be there … Whitmer, Newsom, Moore, Shapiro … just to mention a few!
The Biden campaign made the same mistake trump made: elevating the status of and giving credence to the “little rocket man” in North Korea … trump - several times over - disqualified himself as being a legitimately qualified person to be president of the United States although he had held the position before!!!
I agree. And whoever "prepped" him failed with regard to the Gish Gallup onslaught. Biden came to debate. The other guy came to spew garbage. It's hard to debate a garbage truck.
Susan Knox, I totally agree. The melting orange jello is so revolting that after watching that ‘debate’ for about 3 minutes, I had to switch off. How can anyone compare him to Biden, who’s accomplished so much in his first term? Biden’s a mountain with fresh water streams; t’s a pebble that gets stuck in your shoe or tire.🛞
Biden has achieved such a litany of positive achievements and is surrounded by a team of such talent that I don’t care if he takes naps between sentences. I just returned from Greece where my relatives feared that democracy would be voted out in Europe and that if it was rejected in the US it would meet its demise worldwide. The handwringing was particularly pronounced as this place was the birthplace of democracy. But look what just happened in France and Britain! People woke up before the trigger was pulled. Bannon/Flynn/Miller are in deep depression. My optimism has returned. And thank God we have this nurturing community to support one another…thank you Heather….
Sophia. I am with you and your thinking. I listen to both of the fifth last night and what he said about Biden versus Trump he said yes Biden is old but age doesn’t determine death. Death comes at any time he would rather have Biden because he said at the end of four years he would leave the White House, but if Trump is in there, he might not leave after four years. He will be the dictator.
France is not a good example because of their different electoral system. There are more parties to chose from so the extremes cannot take control. Once people realised what was at stake, the centrist and the left formed a coalition and the right was pushed back.
Here, with only have two parties, each of them containing extremes and centrists but the ideology of those parties is so different being set by the extremes, and centrist in either party cannot cross over.
The legacy media is complicit in pushing the age thing with Biden and causing divisions in the center/left. It raises my ire to hear BBC echoing that line. Biden has a fine track record, a cohesive and effective administration, and as a CEO he would be hailed as a success. He’s far more fit than DJT and definitely grounded in reality. DJT has mastered propaganda and made his living conning the media and the public so it’s no wonder the celebrity-based networks all ignore his ramblings and lies and seek the slick ‘image.’ (Imagine how Biden would look with dyed hair and loads of tan pancake makeup. Bizarre!)
I find Biden refreshingly normal. We don't need the rest of this circus. That is entertainment for some and just a waste of time for governing. Look at the stupid House of Representatives who spend most of their time on vacation.
Maybe one of those $7,000 hairdos would convince some idiots. And a visit to a tanning booth, or a Hollywood make up artist. How very stupid we are to look for empty images. Chump is just empty, period.
Trump is a moral void, a man who will commit any crime to get what he wants, and the SCOTUS majority just tossed away 235 years of the constitutional principle that no official, including the president, is above the law.
Susan-Does anyone really examine polling? Some “poll” 1,000 people and have 4-5 point margins of error. I don’t put much stock in them at all. Most questions are designed to elicit the responses they want.
Yes-Biden’s old-so is Trump. With our two party system this is where we are-the future matters and between these two candidates only one cares about the American people.
Convincing the American voters is the task at hand. The media isn't helping. Fact. DT has been brilliant at driving his own narrative. Fact. Biden is light years better than DT in every conceivable way. Fact. Biden is not doing well in the polls - we should be 20 points ahead of the convicted felon- sex offender- coup plotter. We are not 20 points ahead, we are behind. Fact.
DT has an even chance of winning. Fact.
Put these together and work from that baseline to figure out what you think is the best way forward - without protesting that the facts are the facts. This is what we have to work with. Not "It should be" or "Of course it will be" or anything else.
Respectfully Susan, Who do you think can be substituted at this late stage? Especially since the deadline for getting on the ballot in all 50 states is long past. No one is going to win on a write-in vote. Trump and right wing voters will scream that anyone winning that way will be illegitimate.
How would most Democrats feel about voting first someone they didn’t have a chance to choose in the primaries? Or someone they rejected in the last primary? And what do you think the approximately 25 million black women registered Democrats would do if another candidate was “selected” (by who?) instead of Vice President Kamala Harris? They would certainly feel betrayed. (See Jess Piper’s substack post on that scenario)
I think Harris is the only person positioned to step in. The voters DID vote for her! You make a good point about Republicans immediately filing lawsuits all over the place, thus gumming up the works if someone else is selected. Not to mention throwing the Black woman under the bus because she's no longer convenient.
You are correct, Biden had great achievements but he has the stamina to continue. He does well in scripted situations but is unable to respond to concerted attacks in real time, a quality necessary when dealing with crisis. A good example is his handling of the lead to Russian invasion of Ukraine: he had ample warnings of the massive military buildup on the border with Ukraine but dit not act forcefully to push Putin to pull back.
It would be nice if our government officials would take a beat and stop being so reactive to the media when it (or Russia) is trying to stir the pot. Hopefully, he cancelled because he’s getting on board with Biden.
I hear that John Fetterman will be on Jen Psaki’s MSNBC program tonight—I look forward to hearing what he has to say. He’s been a vocal supporter of the Biden/Harris reelection.
Good news! I wish I could say the same about my Rep, Angie Craig, who jumped on the dump Biden train last week. She is a very good representative but she is dead wrong on this one. I’ve cancelled my monthly donation to her campaign, talked with her campaign staff over the weekend and will call her DC office today to register my displeasure. Stupid, dangerous, arrogant and egotistical behavior among certain leaders in this country……
We have the most important Presidential election in our lifetimes facing us and these ‘leaders’ are leading off a cliff….
Well, because I just learned he scrapped the plan because news of it leaked, it ain't over where Warner is concerned, I suspect. But will stay on it (him) til I know he has stopped.
Laureen, I think that Biden’s stepping down would be a self-fulfilling prophecy. He becomes unelectable only if the majority of Democrats pronounce him unelectable. Why should independents vote for him if we proclaim him to be damaged goods? It’s like people saying to pollsters that their personal economic health is very good, but the country is going to hell—it’s because, everywhere they go, they’re being told that the economy is horrible (I’m not downplaying the seriousness of the economic plight of many people who are hanging on by a thread). So, read What Did Biden Do Today here on Substack and share nuggets with your friends.
Did you watch the debate or the interview with ABC? I don't think you can come away with your opinion that Biden is fine and can win if you did.
Admittedly, I only watched a bit of the debate as I couldn't stomach listening to Trump. But I watched the entire interview with George Stephanopoulos, and while there were tough questions, Biden's responses (coming across as suffering from age notwithstanding) were not encouraging:
* Won't take a cognitive test
* Won't listen to anyone and will only step down "if the Lord Almighty comes down and tells him to"
I watched both, beginning to end. He’s old. I saw what you and everyone else saw. It was concerning, not a good look. Then, I saw him appearing at events, and doing just fine. I was disappointed with the Stephanopolis interview, but not because of Biden. He was borderline harassing him. Biden is seen regularly by good doctors, and they have told him that he shows typical signs of aging, but not dementia. He said he would get tested if his doctors told him it was necessary, which they haven’t. There is a reasonable explanation for his less than stellar performance at the debate. He was sick. He was tired. He has a lifelong stutter. He’s old. Look at the debate transcript. He had full command of the facts, only misspeaking a few times, while Trump refused to answer the questions and spewed lies nonstop. Choose the leader that you want. Don’t let the hysterics from the press manipulate you. Remember they wanted Bill Clinton, Gore, Obama, Hillary Clinton,Fanni Willis, … to step aside too. Time to start demanding that the press investigate Trump’s mental acuity.
Meanwhile, no one has pressed Trump for a cognitive test despite his known disconnected and wandering speeches at his rallies. He also appears to have very obvious personality disorders that do not bode well for his conduct as president. He wants to use his second term in office to illegally take revenge against his critics, and the majority on SCOTUS discarded 235 years of Constitutional principle that no person is above the law, and that this includes the president.
Oh, but wait, Kathy….we have “proof”: Man Woman Person Camera TV doncha know?? At least that’s what I hear from the droves of strong manly-men with tears in their eyes saluting TFFFG’s amazing really HUGE brain.
Yeah that guy has no place in a serious medium, but then, what medium is actually serious these days? After all, anyone can read between our host's lines and see – plain as day – that Russian influence throughout the "Biden Too Old" push. Who is reporting THAT?
He’s already had a cognitive test. The US culture of celebrity has very little patience with speech impediments— and age in general. How many questions were asked in that interview about policy, administration/ team, and successes? Responses to disasters and damage to major overpasses and bridge? The questions were centered around his age. How many questions are posed to DJT, the ignorant rambler, about age?
Commenters and those running for public office -- refer to those best at being in touch with others who experience the pain which our dehumanized elites never see, never imagine:
films like “The Florida Project” and “Winter’s Bone”; novels like Barbara Kingsolver’s “Demon Copperhead,” Walter Mosley’s “Always Outnumbered, Always Outgunned,” and many by Richard Russo and Stephen King; memoirs like Mary Karr’s “The Liars’ Club,” Jeannette Walls’ “The Glass Castle,” and Erin Gruwell’s “The Freedom Writers Diary,” poems such as Philip Levine’s Detroit factory poems, songs like Tim Grimm’s “Broken Truth,” Bob Segers’ “Feel Like a Number,” Carsie Blanton’s “Rich People,” and any number of Bruce Springsteen or hip hop Ari Melber will cite.
Amid all the calls for “cognitive tests” for Biden—but not Trump—journalists are committing malpractice by failing to note that President Biden released a detailed summary of his annual physical in February of this year. The full report is here: Health-Summary-2.28.pdf (whitehouse.gov). The examination included consultations with neurological experts at Walter Reed hospital. I urge you to read the entire report and consider how you would measure up to such a battery of tests!
On the issue of Biden’s neurological health, the report states the following:
An extremely detailed neurologic exam was again reassuring in that there were no findings which would be consistent with any cerebellar or other central neurological disorder, such as stroke, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s or ascending lateral sclerosis, nor are there any signs of cervical myelopathy. This exam did again support a finding of peripheral neuropathy in both feet. No motor weakness was detected. He exhibits no tremor, either at rest or with activity. He demonstrates excellent fine motor dexterity. But a subtle difference in heat/cold sensation could be elicited as it was last year. This heat/cold sensation deficit was detected a couple inches higher on his ankle/calf this year, which is not unexpected, There may, in fact, be day to day subjective variation of these findings, as during last year’s exam, this area of sensation deficit was actually found to be smaller than the year before.
Kathy-Thanks for sharing this link and report. Why hasn’t the media shared this information? Where’s a similar report for Trump?
All of us experience physical maladies that are connected to our minds and spirits. I give Biden a lot of credit for the commitment he’s made to “save the soul of America”.
This election is our chance to move forward-and not backward as a nation struggling to come to grips with the issues we are facing here and abroad.
Americans have a choice. We can sift the wheat from the chaff and stay true to our stated ideals of liberty and justice for all or we can devolve further into a chaotic, deceitful and vengeful atmosphere filled with hate.
If I were in Joe's place on that so-called "debate" stage I would have felt like I was in a bar fight. Or cornered by a hungry mountain lion. In such situations I would become inarticulate, and the adrenalin would produce a "fight or flight" reaction. Being a civilized person, I would have chosen to retreat, rather than act on my instinct. Confronted with an erupting volcano spewing obfuscation and lies, what would any sensible person do? I would seek shelter. No point in trying to fight with an active volcano. Only a short time later Joe was himself again -- out of the proximity with the monster.
David H-thanks for this insightful comment about how human nature can react to “monsters”. As a nation we are truly being challenged by those within and without-the proximity has even reached to “supreme” levels in our court system. We’ll soon see if America can defeat the monster.
Gina, I have always wanted to believe that those who are good, and kind, and true -- would prevail. But I know that it doesn't always turn out that way. The good should prevail, and the not-good should fail. It is very frustrating, to say the least, to see so many people who are basically good-hearted American humans -- fail to discern the difference between the good and the not-good among us.
One of the problems is prolonging this as a news story. Giving medical records just feeds the news cycle. Also the president should not be badgered by all these people. He’s the president.
Cynthia-I share your sentiment about feeding the news cycle. At least people can see that at his age he’s not “cognitively impaired” but having some challenges with aging as we all do.
I like your saying “he’s the president”-it made me wonder whether he’s thinking about all of the “official acts”he can take now that he has “immunity”.
I fully support David H’s comment. This was hardly a presidential debate—it was a debacle. Aside from Biden being tired from traveling, debate training for a week for someone who is not adept at debating, and not feeling well, what CNN produced was simply a platform for convict 34 once again. The media sucks our blood for “ratings”. Ratings are celebrity convict 34’s lifeblood and only optics. I was disappointed that our man was not on his game, but he is not an orator or quick debater material. He is thoughtful, kind and has 50 years plus these past four tumultuous years in our history and proved himself the much better man dedicated to America. I am incredibly disappointed in those who want to oust him after all he has done to keep this country stable for us. I was not sure about him in 2020 but he certainly was not a fascist egomaniac cult leader rigging the systems with putin support.
I challenge any decent person to try and go up against a sociopathic lying bully who thinks he is a Hog, I meant God.
CNN should be excruciatingly ashamed of themselves for not knowing a thing about how a debate works. The moderators were asleep. No rules of engagement with a known bloviator who spewed lies and attacks like a machine gun. It was merely another free round of campaign propaganda for the cult leader who has proven he wants revenge and retribution on a country where he knows he never won the popular vote despite all the cheating and sedition. He is openly proving he wants to be a king supported by fanatic oligarch who want power and control. This is not about Biden and convict 34–this is about taking our country back and strengthening all the weakest spots in our government and across the nation against a totalitarian, fascist leaning takeover. This is not a time to be divided as Heather’s letter teaches us today. This is about standing g together for an administration that has made mostly good decisions after the worst President and his cabal took us down the darkest of paths with their total corruption and miscreants who keep their cult dumbed down. Hitler did the same thing drawing on racism and being a God who could save the white, blue-eyed Aryan race from all other in an attempt to rule the world. Megalomaniacs drool every time the see the fear, chaos and particularly the current division in American democrats/progressives and independent voters wanting to oust or fret so badly the one tried and true president that has a steady hand and strong administration. Jumping ships and clutching you pearls feeds the extremists because all the want are your tears and fears to grow. I say we all need to hire some cajoles and Stan together like Fran e and the UK have done and knock these fascists and oligarchs out of the ring and then get to work to bring our democracy into this century for the safety of our people, our children, our strength with our allies who are petrified watching our homegrown domestic terrorists almost succeed and our planet. Stop wringing your hands and hold hands with all of us together to fight this fight. Join orgs that teach you how to write, call, protest, register and get out the vote in numbers so big we create a tidal wave of blue. Be prepared for some backlash by the cretins about our election because we know know they care nothing for the rule of law, decency nor democracy and critical thinking. Together, right now, is the way we can beat them proving our democracy still works. Check your own voter registration—I live in a blue state and I found, online, that I am not registered, suddenly after 35 years in this state! Am going to the town hall today to see why and re-register if need be. Then I will warn my fellow state citizens not to be complacent about their own voting registrations. I will learn how to teach others to assure their registrations and help new voters learn what they must do to register. I worked with private school students who did not know how to address and envelope or deal with stamps and the post office. That was scary! Registering to vote and learning the process of mail-and finding the voting locations and time needs assistance. Reach out in your communities and help! Get out of pandemic mode—connect and be LOUD!
Pensa-VT Wow-you’ve thoughtfully laid out where we stand and what we need to do if we’re serious about showing the world what human progress looks like as we perfect our democracy.
Descendants of enslaved Africans in America have lived with tyranny for over 200 years. It’s no surprise that they elevated Biden during the primaries in 2020. Biden said his goal is to “save the soul of America”. Trump said his goal is to take us back and exact retribution on those who he personally deems as the “enemy”.
Most Black people vote for Democrats because the Republicans have made it clear that patriarchy and white supremacy are important to them and worth fighting for with all of their might.
Black voters are sticking with Biden even through voter suppression efforts and intimidation.
I’m stepping out on a wing and a prayer hoping that in this election White people will flip the script and the majority will vote for Biden instead of Trump. (In previous elections Trump won the majority of White voters)
Anne-Louise, as is my SOTU custom, I watched my director during rehearsal instead of a televised presidential event. I came home to find my wife a mess because she did watch the debate. I would say that I am glad that I did not watch that fiasco.
What bothered me was Biden’s inability to be completely honest. When asked if he was frail, he should tell us about his spinal arthritis. Why pretend he isn’t aging when it is obvious he is shuffling more? Then he disagreed completely with his polling stats— it just made him seem unwilling to be forthright. And his answer to “did you watch the debate afterwards?” should have been a Yes or No—either he did or not, not “I don’t think I did, no.” It was not reassuring. Yes, I’m voting for him, but that frustrating interview didn’t help at all to convince undecided voters.
I've read the Rebecca Solnit, Wendyl. She's spot on.
But for larger, combined threats, it's not Biden, or Kamala, or Gretchen -- it's Dems united.
This monstrosity of the Clarence court suspending the Constitution (for the sake of their criminality!), allied with the Project 2025, and with MAGA "Christian" fanatics, and their orange felon, and Putin (and other world criminals behind him) all need our Dems to get together -- really together -- regardless of who fronts them.
An interesting reaction to King-gate from judge J. Micheal Luttig;
"The most important thing that I want to say today about the decision is this:
The Supreme Court decided to give absolute immunity to Donald Trump and then wrote the opinion to justify it. How do we know it? This is how we know it. Donald Trump has been charged with the gravest crimes possible against the United States of America. Those charges and those allegations were the only issue before this Supreme. That’s all the court was required to decided and, by the way, for almost 250 years, that’s the only issue that any Supreme Court in history would have decided.
What did this Supreme Court do? It decided the issue of presidential immunity for all times in all contexts, Michael, possible under the Constitution. It’s the precise opposite of what any court, any court of the United States, and especially the Supreme Court of the United States, ever does.
Now why did they do it? There’s only one possible explanation. They had to decide that the president, that Donald Trump had absolute immunity because he’s alleged to have committed the gravest crimes against America. So if they were going to hold that he was immune, they had to adopt his argument that he was absolutely immune from even the gravest crimes that a president could commit against the United States of America. The court had no choice, if it were going to hold that Donald Trump was immune from prosecution for the grave offenses that he committed.
This is a classic case where the Supreme Court decided what it wanted to decide and then went in search of the constitutional reasoning that would support that decision. Unfortunately for America, there was no constitutional reasoning, none based in the Constitution, the court’s precedence, history, anything anywhere, to support that decision that they made before this argument ever took place."
J L Graham, so grateful to Judge Luttig for his honest insights and honor of the Constitution and rule of law. Thanks for posting. I am so distressed by this ruling. It's a hair and pants on fire time. We need to tell everyone we know (and don't know) about this and all of the egregious SC rulings and about the violent Project 2025.
I think the mark of a wise and compassionate leader is credit where credit is due; not just as a mater of justice, but because for democracy to fully function we need to understand, at least in some vague way, the complexity of the functions that hold it all together. I think we all want heroes, and there ARE heroes, but they are not really Superman or Wonder Woman, even though that's what many still cling to; and that can be dangerous. Revisit the rapt crowds, ecstatic in the presence of theatrical phonies such as Hitler and Mussolini.
Falling in love with love is playing with make-believe, falling in love with love is playing the fool.
MT, am doin’ just that…everyone I know AND those I don’t (such as my market checker, the proselytizers at my door and folks I bump into at the Post Office)—surprises me how many have not heard of it, so I tell them to look into it!
Not all conspiracy theories are delusional, and not all out-to-get-you perceptions are paranoid. History shows that. Empirical evidence can sometimes prove it, and some people on the marginalized side of society have always known it.
The are saboteurs of democracy and literal agents of plutocratic autocracy. That pattern has been increasingly evident for some years, especially after "Citizens United". They use any pretext to take down any pro-public authority of the Constitution, but now they strike at the heart. Their malfeasance is over the top.
"Nip the shoots of arbitrary power in the bud, is the only maxim which can ever preserve the liberties of any people." - John Adams
Funny thing is, J L -- we all know about Article 14, section three.
It's right there in the Constitution. But the thugs of the radical right in their conceits deem that we can't read, or shouldn't read -- exactly as they scorn the ability and decency of American women.
I was so very certain that critical thinking would prevail and the SC would not grant immunity. How could I be so wrong? I guess power is that potent of a drug that obliterates shame. What happens to these derelicts when trump is not reelected?
Sophia, by placing trust where none should be given. Money talks. $COTUS is bought and paid for by the oligarchs/Heritage Foundation. For your second question, I hope that the retribution is swift and permanent.
If Trump is defeated plutocracy will still be rearing it's Plutonian head. It never goes away, and thrived(s) even in communist countries. But after the corrupted "Gilded Age" we were teaching it some manners, and trying to reconcile the urge toward self-interest we all share within the limitations of the common weal. "Reaganomics" took a battering ram to that, and too many looked the other way, even some Dems. we have got to proactively fight corruption, before it goes septic. Let's hope the latest turns in European elections is a reminder that resistance ISN'T futile.
J. L. Graham -- "What did this Supreme Court do? It decided the issue of presidential immunity for all times in all contexts, Michael, possible under the Constitution. ..." Just like Roe v. Wade?
"Republicans" appointed little dictators. I have been waiting to here a peep from Anthony Kennedy, the seemingly not fully MAGA justice who pointedly stepped aside so that Trump could appoint Kavanaugh.
So unite!!! I agree with your anxiety about our current situation. I have written to Biden to put Project 2025 front and center in his campaigning. Rebecca Solnit has perfectly stated my thoughts.
By nature, organizing Democrats is like herding cats. We try to avoid groupthink. We embrace and cherish diversity. A dozen people with a dozen opinions, working together to achieve consensus. Our somewhat divergent thinking can, and does, eventually, unite us.
Yup. All that herding looks like chaos to some folks, or maybe just too much work. But the outcome is the payoff (See the mission statement of the Constitution). Unalienable individual rights and liberty and justice for ALL. Or at least our good faith efforts to make it so.
A safe environment for diversity requires solidarity to guard each other's rights. Liberty requires diversity or it's not worthy of the name. E Pluibus Unum.
As for Biden, I did not like his "God Almighty" remark. He is there to serve the public's interest, and that should always be the emphasis. I've always had some mixed feelings about Biden, but whatever the final equation might be, the whole cognitive thing at this point seems like a canard. Bernie Sanders had this to say:
"Biden had a terrible debate performance. I think he's done better since..But I think most importantly, now, this is not a beauty contest, it's not a Grammy Award contest. It is a contest of who stands with the vast majority of the people in this country, the elderly, the children, working class, the poor. And that candidate is obviously Joe Biden.”
Is America ignoring proven performance and flirting with a sociopathic third-rate gameshow host as president (again) because he's possibly smoother (even if a compulsive liar) on TV? What is media doing to our democratic process, our thinking?
JL, speaking of Bernie, and some off-putting things about Joe over the decades, I would have preferred Bernie as President. But I learned a long time ago that you can't always get what you want. Or perhaps, we can't ever get exactly the perfect President we really want. I think the best a President could do would be to try to make stars out of the people around him, give them as much credit as possible for the work they are doing. I know that Joe has good people working with him. They have accomplished admirable work over the past three years.
Media! I don't read the three main Australian newspapers, so it's only their headlines that enrage me at the moment. They're all copy-pasted from the Biden-must-go American press.
I think "unite" here means no herding but lots of quoting, naming, David.
Dems can refer to each other specifically and enthusiastically. Yes, of course shades of priority difference, various tilts of loyalty on different issues (several of them key issues). But over and over Dems can name the good ones, their colleagues, at various levels in various parts of the country.
Even Biden could refer every day to fellow Dems by name, as if what counts were humanity and decency abroad the land, not just the one at the top.
Names matter. It's personal. A nation respecting individuals can trust, celebrate them -- as we trust our fellow American women to decide their own health and family planning, over the MAGA cult Clarence court which can't even read the Constitution to which they took lying oaths.
Sometimes, when we are working together, arguing together, we end up soaring, seeing the big picture from the heights.
It is fascinating to me to watch the coalitions that form in Europe. I look for that sort of alignment here, but I don't see it, or I don't recognize it.
Resorting to violence indicates an abandonment of reason. Unable to muster the intellectual wherewithal to offer compelling or persuasive arguments, they retreat and get all anti-democratic, and devise a plan for 2025 which would involve the use of force instead of suasion.
I wish the Democrats would talk about being democratic. I hope that Jamie Raskin and the group in the House will work against the 2025 cartel, and that the Democrats will at the same time talk about the vision for America's future that we wish they would pursue if they can regain the upper hand. I want them to plan for a future in which Earth is still habitable. I think that if we could lift every American up out of poverty we would see a drastic drop in gun violence. For the past half century the Democrats have been afraid of being called "socialists", so they stick to the political center. We like Bernie because he wants to move to the left of center. I would prefer to be accused of being a Socialist than to cower at the safe center. Our wagon train is stuck in the mud, and the conservatives among us are dragging their feet in the muck and mire instead of helping us to get moving forward again.
The Constitution is an inconvenience to plutocrats. so they fictionalize it and demonize the truth. Just like they say that Jesus will shower them with money and and hand them automated weapons to deal with their enemies. And of course, drive all the impoverished Others from the land.
Gina, exactly! If we are not consciously, intentionally working toward consensus, never giving up, then the society holds together. But if the common agreement to continue to work toward consensus falls apart, then we lapse into a power struggle, such as we have seen these past four or so decades.
In the worst case scenario, diversity, equity, and inclusion -- without the ironclad commitment to steadfastly continue to work toward consensus -- will lead to atomization of society, every one for himself or herself or themselves, toward the extreme case of the Tower of Babel, wherein nobody can understand what anyone else is saying -- the polar opposite of consensus.
LOL, agree David, and is why I try to include the name of the commenter in my response , cuz it can get hard tell, especially if there are multiple responses and THOSE responses then have them too! [as a side note, TC seems to be in a mood today….tho honestly I get a chuckle outta some of his replies!]
Every day same old, same old. Opinion and no real workable plan. This kind of comment tries to "nicely and enthusiastically" undercut a man who has done a stellar job as president. If you read Robert Hubble you will understand that Biden had a physical, including neurological exam in February. He is fine. Read Rebecca Solnit's brilliant article in the Guardian for another perspective.
Thanks Wendy. Here is the answer from the Guardian itself. “From Elon Musk to the Murdochs, a small number of billionaire owners have a powerful hold on so much of the information that reaches the public about what’s happening in the world. The Guardian is different. We have no billionaire owner or shareholders to consider. Our journalism is produced to serve the public interest – not profit motives.” You can google CEO’s of the major media outlets and see that are all DJT donors. This has also been exposed by Ben Misalis on the Midas touch network. So there you have it. Pretty tough on all those newscasters to really be journalists. Not that I can excuse them and keep hoping they will see the light and finally say enough is enough.
Wendy, so glad you read Robert Hubble today and can add some sanity to those who just can’t control their know-it-all-ism even when they “admittedly didn’t watch the whole thing”.
How can convincing 75% work if all the traitorous, money grubbing media pundits are spewing out garbage for click bait and ratings, united in keeping the debate front and center. Where did the 75% figure come from? Biden has been out campaigning strongly. My feeling is that if the Dems would unite behind him, support him enthusiastically, openly, as he has been a great president we could put the debate behind us. The media is trying to defeat Biden. Given the stakes for America and democracy it is utterly shameful, immoral and dangerous.
I’m curious about ‘polls.’ So often they are wrong, or skewed, as we have learned in past elections and as Europe learned in recent elections. I get asked to do polls and don’t usually respond because there’s often a price tag attached to them. I don’t post signs in my yard because I don’t want to invite the vandalism of the MAGAts on my road. I will stand for my party in public gatherings and in writing, and in interpersonal contacts. But I think we are indeed the silent majority in many ways.
Goddamnit. Here you have me convinced you might be intelligent and worthwhile, and then you get taken in by the Vichy Democrats of the Corporatist/DINO caucus. What a disappointment.
One thing I admire about tRump supporters is their undying loyalty to their dumb fat leader. Despite everything. And by everything I mean everything; the endless lies, the rape charges, the endless spew of demented psychobabble, the threat to deny human rights and freedoms, the mess he left the country in when he was escorted out of the building, the obscene commitment to making the rich richer etc. etc. etc. Yet... despite Biden running the country like a superhero, pulling economic growth and prosperity out of a hat, delivering a State of The Union Address that could sit alongside the greatest speeches of all time... he underperforms one night due to a cold, and half of his Democrat constituency want to see him gone.
Gina, they saw a pretend successful and savvy businessman on their TeeVee and loved his schtick as well, so much so that they’d drink the Jim Jones brand of Koolaid if he offered it. Hard to wrap my head around how gullible they are. [Or they are the uber-rich who don’t give a crap about democracy & it’s all about tax cuts & deregulation.]
Kamala as Vice President is only a heart beat away from the presidency should Biden’s health falter. This is no time for Democrats to form a circular firing squad. America survived Reagan’s dementia…America can survive Biden’s mental lapses.
As to entering enthusiasm into the race: agreed. That has been the liberals' forte over time. For me, it is obvious that President Biden's faculties are not what they once were by a discernible margin, but my gut says they are enough, together with his content of character.
😇
Frankly, I prefer and trust a President, notwithstanding his or her specifics in policies, who has grown through suffering and grown beyond adversity. President Biden surely has done both. Both growths refine one's character.
⚖️
In the end, however, President Biden has earned the dignity of making up his own mind. He has earned my trust in his judgement and that of his family. Mrs Biden impresses me as a woman who cares for her husband and would never set him up for humiliation.
Ned-While there does seem to be an enthusiasm issue (and media is piling on), I’ve found that people get enthusiastic about voting for Biden when they learn about Project 2025. Even if it’s not enthusiasm for Biden himself, there’s recognition that it’s do or die time.
The SCOTUS immunity decision generates enthusiasm too because we’ve all been conditioned to believe that “no man is above the law”. Most people certainly don’t want someone like Trump to be “immune”.
Thank you, Gina. That is very perceptive on your part. President Biden is whipping up enthusiasm in most of his speeches when he speaks to his coalition. At least from the few addresses I have watched.
P.S., on immunity: since when is the carrier of a disease immune?
I agree -- Biden as an elder statesman giving his full support to another candidate is the honorable thing for him to do. His defiance is really starting to bother me -- and I admire the man greatly.
Phil, when did we quit looking at people's track records, their previous experience in running anything, when it comes to electing the highest office in our government, perhaps the most powerful office in the world???!!!
JohnM. When? Must have been when a carnival barker taught them it was in their fiscal interest to cover the road show and not the content of either his character or his imagined achievements.
Great letter....It is not dismissing Joe Biden as a leader and beloved person but including him as an "Elder Statesman" and elevating patriots who have proven themselves in "battle" serving this country and preserving its ideals!
One reporter noted that all the funds President Biden has raised are for his candidacy can not be transferred. That spooked me; that assertion appears to be inaccurate of misinformation.
This is wonderful news about France and Britain. There is no reason why the US can't win this election for our Democracy if the Democratic Party is united. You can't have division. That would be an failure that the Democrats can't afford.
In France there was a coalition between parties that defeated the right wing. In Britain there were fourteen years under a bumbling Conservative Party in disarray that caused a major shift to the centre.
The media has reduced the presidential contest to a horse race, and have locked on to one of the candidate’s attributes, literally his appearance (not in the job itself; rather, in the proverbial quiz show).
In doing so, they imply not only that the other candidate looks better, they ascribe to that juxtaposition as being the key barometer to judging who will win the election.
Certainly, the appearance of mental acuity or the lack there of is important, but does it really trump (pun intended) past performance as an indicator of future results?
One guy was previously fired for the same job by voters and he now is running on telling voters the nation is a hellscape and only he can fix it by doing what hasn’t been done in 250 years, swapping out democracy for an authoritarian form of government wherein he’s the dictator and his vanguard party is planning on imposing policies that are widely unpopular.
I find that analysis to be inane.
We don’t have a parliamentarian system but we do have blocks of interests. It is my hope that whoever leads the Democrats can convince a wide tent of voters that it is the country’s interest to reject Trumpism.
The media horse race, Democracy-as-snappy-patter thing stuck us with two terms "B" actor Ronnie Reagan, a dwindling middle class, many preventable disasters, and the descent to the brink of fascism. We chart the future of our society* with our vote, not just who had the best act.
Will Rogers' several quips about disagreements and lack of organization among Democrats are as true today as they were nearly a century ago. That we disagree on the fitness of Biden and whether or not he is a good or even an acceptable choice strikes me as normal. Can this lack of agreement on such a large issue continue and still result in a defeat for the MAGA right? One might hope so, but similar divisions in 1968 led to a very bad outcome. We could use a leader who has the ability to bring us together. Joe is not that guy, but gee, if we're stuck with him, somehow we need to find a way to make that work for a win. That said, I sure wish he would come to his senses and steps aside - and soon.
President Biden has been arguably the best president of my lifetime. I am very pleased and impressed that he has delivered such astonishing results during his three years in office despite the mess he inherited from Trump.
He has my vote as well as my donations and support. My husband says the same. Everywhere we go people say the same. It is quite uplifting.
We could never be "stuck" with Joe Biden. He is a great human being and he has led us well. In my opinion, it is time for him to play another role within the leadership of our nation.
So I totally disagree with this analysis from The Guardian. One of the more valuable lessons that I've learned in life is to try to learn from people with whom one disagrees. Nobody (well almost nobody) is completely wrong all of the time. I have a hard time thinking of good things to say about Ronald Reagan, but he was absolutely masterful in his debate with Carter. Those lines of his that started with "There you go again ..." took Carter's points away from him and even turned them against him. Reagan was great on his feet (in the beginning) and carried the attack to his speaking adversaries.
OK, now let's look at Biden. He has had countless opportunities to go on the attack in forceful ways. And he never misses an opportunity to avoid those chances. Sure he is a good guy, and despite his terribly too soft policy on Israel, most of what his administration has done has been a good thing. But he and his team couldn't sell lollipops to rich ten year-olds with $20 bills in their hands. And that is a HUGE problem for us, and not what we need in a candidate running against Trump. A presidential race, more than any other, is almost exclusively about selling ideas. And this team and its leader are just no good at that.
One is heartened and encouraged by the recent election results of our European cousins.
The intense use of “political technology” by right-wing political organizations is an open and frank admission that they know their philosophy would not survive in an open and honest democracy.
“If we don’t lie, we don’t win.”
“Unity is our enemy.”
“An educated electorate is our enemy.”
All are the unofficial, silent, but real slogans of the modern American Republican Party.
Tiny moment of pride at seeing my prime minister quoted here. No democracy and certainly no leader is perfect, but it's so very easy to see who is working for the best interests of their country and who is just working to enrich themselves. Once you dig past all the crap online, or simply ignore it (no easy feat), it's so blatant. Although I'm not an American, that's what I think about the whole Biden "controversy" too. It shouldn't even be a controversy. Sure, he might have better and worse days, but he's surrounded by competent people who want what's best for the American people and for democracy. Trump only thinks of himself, his ego and his profit, and is surrounded by people who want to install an autocracy as a precursor to an outright dictatorship. There's no choice here!
So many good thoughts, great hope filled words.. I believe Pres Biden is accomplishing so
Much.. and will continue .. I’m so tired of the naysayers misconstruing everything of value to the regular people …working and living as best they can.. gnite
Anne-Louise, I’m able to switch between the American and French “clavier” on my iPad. Or I simply press on the vowel until the it comes up with possible accent marks on a line above the top row of letters on the keyboard. à. é è ê ï etc.
When I’m on FB, it sometimes automatically switches to le clavier français! Bonne journée!
I've been a typist alI my life and can't cope with iPad - I need to use both hands, so I've got a plain old-fashioned laptop set to FR and a separate French keyboard with USB connection. Gets a bit fiddly when I need to use numerals as well. Bonne journée à vous aussi! (ou bonne soirée, selon).
Can moderate Republicans join less factionalized Dems and finally drive a stake in the heart of MAGAs, thus following Spain, UK and France? Far right in Europe is MAGA-lite compared to Trump, are Dems any better united than their European brethren?
The counterbalance is critical thinking through education and by example:
''Cultivating Critical Thinking: A Vital Skill for the Modern World''
Critical thinking is the cornerstone of informed decision-making. It empowers individuals to dissect information, discern and question truth, and navigate a complex world with clarity and confidence.
We could be so lucky here in the States to see a large coalition of progressives, moderates, independents and moderate conservatives rise up and, in spite their many individual world views and political proclivities, reject the fascism that is being promoted by the radical right. We may want different versions of democracy, but if we're united in what we don't want, the absolute rule of a dictator given immunity from prosecution by a radical supreme court, then we will band together to vote the bastards out.
This is TOTALLY CORRECT! Look at how all these disparate countries in Europe are successfully eradicating the Far & Not so far Right . We can do it! TALK ABOUT THIS ! Every where you go… big boxes don’t exist anymore but many of us wander the interiors of old & new shopping malls… talk…Talk … TALK … in the escalators and in the cafes and everywhere… invite everyone’s views…ask if they’re registered to vote. WE MUST VOTE!
Great news that words pointing to the truth won out over lies, lies, and more lies of the far-right violent Le Pen gang in France! And so glad the U.K. kicked the conservatives from power. These are hopeful signs that more people have woke up.
May we wake up more and more people and unite to save ourselves from our own violent far-right whose plan to oppress us with cruelty is coming together quite nicely they say. Stay positive everyone. We have love of country and love of one another, a powerful force and strength our opponents lack.
Keep your writings coming! I believe in group energies overwhelming negativity and fear.
All the Biden naysayers want to install puppet Trump to keep the masses (his ‘base’) entertained and believing they are supporting their “leader”… in fact he’s just a puppet dancing and pronouncing all the tropes they are feeding him
Turns out that, 55 years ago, my Mother was right when she said “next time the Russians will try to get us from the inside.”
She, a nurse from a rural town in a Midwestern state, was far more prescient than our elected officials have been with the vast resources available to them.
Indeed, Marine le Pen’s anointed, Jordan Bardella called the coalition that defeated their party an unnatural and dishonorable alliance, emulating Stephen Douglas. I hope a coalition of sensible Democrats, brave Republicans and pragmatic centrists can come together to defeat the GOP this fall.
Coalitions came together after Black men got the right to vote in the late 1800s. Known as the Fusion Party blocks of voters came together to elect people who cared about American ideals even if they didn’t agree on every issue.
Of course the MAGAS of that day used violence and voter suppression to seize power after losing. This is our chance to say no to fascism. Unity is strength.
The first 5 articles in NYtimes this morning ar negative about Biden. No DT articles at all. I’ve tried emailing editorial board and received a canned response about not being able to read all emails. Any ideas how we can get the media to write about Project 2025 and DT as much as they write about Biden?
The headline in the Washington Post today continues the anti-Biden campaign. I have never seen anything like this in my life. It is frightening. It also makes me and millions of others more determined than ever to see the Democrats win in November.
It's interesting to note that beyond the elections in the UK and France, Iranians also choose a relative moderate in their recent presidential election.
Perhaps voters (some at least) are becoming more savvy and perceptive of manipulation.
Thank you Heather. Our profit driven mainstream media is owned by 6 corporations. They and social media oligarchs, and the operators of hate radio love the revenue generating buzz from Trump’s mafia extortion racket. They love the money and status as perception shapers so much that they keep normalizing the disaster that is Trump’s MAGA cult & Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025 with 6/9 SCOTUS having their backs. The Republican party is already in revolutionary revolt to establish Benito Mussilini style fascism, in league with Putin. Through their compliant propaganda partners they’re projecting confidence this is all a done deal: Democracy dies in January 2025. They’re lying. This is an extortion racket. People need to stay strong and active like never before to mobilize democracy defender patriots to massively vote, and boycott these Putin allies into oblivion, knowing they intend to continue to thwart democracy after they lose at the pols. We have to believe what they tell us. If dems can hold the presidency, senate, & regain the house we need to support impeachment & removal of corrupt SCOTUS judges & replacement with honest, non-partisan jurists.
I think watching Donald Trump and his henchman are scaring the living hell out of the rest of the Western World.
They’re scaring the living hell out of me, that’s for damn sure!
Me too which is why I'm writing postcards at 2:30 am.
We are too. Campaigning is now our full time occupation.
To sweep register more Democrats. On Saturday, FT6 sent 200,000 and Sunday 168,000 texts to GA. We are at it again today.
FT 6. Text Arcades every Thursday 3pm PT/6pm ET
The next training will be on Thursday 07/11 at 3pm PT at our Text Arcade, which requires a $25 donation to get 1400 texts.
https://secure.actblue.com/donate/ft6arcade24 or Saturday Textbanks with the Union starting at 11am PT/ 2pm ET
Training will also be on Saturday 07/13 at 11am PT
https://www.mobilize.us/ft6/event/643009/
Daniel, thanks to you, I heard about Focus for Democracy. The work that is being done nationwide to register Democrats is impressive. They ask that it not be mentioned on social media, but I think here I am preaching to the choir and more people involved cannot be a bad thing. It works by word of mouth between friends, and we are friends on this platform. Thank you Heather!
Perhaps that is why the media has not blown their cover...flying under the radar works! This is our version of the French Resistance.
Yes!
This is great stuff, Daniel. Another source for postcards (free) is https://www.turnoutpac.org/postcards/. They send out blank postcards with the addresses and some suggested text. I just ordered 500 for the 2nd time and made another $25 donation. I have purchased the stamps and will be donating the cards to two groups working on them: 1) Lakeland Democratic Club and 2) Lakeland Democratic Women's Club. "Biden dollars," the increase in the size of my investment portfolio, is paying for it all.
My Indivisible group writes Turnabout cards. There’s also TonyTheDemocrat who has postcards with owls, which put on refrigerator doors, could make voters of children if fully explained by parents!
🙏Richard - just sent for cards with donation…
Janan, great going - we can do this, by the millions upon top of millions. It is the one thing that one person can do all by oneself - and make a difference.
There you go Richard. Another Eagle ⛳️:-)
Samm, you do understand it all - I won all three matches against younger players this past Sunday, pocketing $15, which I immediately put to work to defeat the MAGA/KKK agenda.
I love your comment about "Biden dollars"!
The U.S. economy, according to the Wall Street Journal (owned by Rupert Murdoch) is "the envy of the world." Great stats and the lowest inflation rate among the industrialized nations. We need to be broadcasting that daily, hourly. My portfolio has soared in value during Biden's three plus years in office.
Thank you for all you’re doing, Daniel. I’m signing up to text bank again. Couldn’t live with myself if I didn’t get involved again.
I did textbanking into GA for the first time too (been writing lots of postcards for months, though). I briefly thought of abandoning my efforts, but just couldn’t.
I'm working my way through a stack of 200 postcards to GOTV in Michigan, but am not to mail them until Oct 17. It's my first time doing postcards so I don't know if that's typical or not.
The following is my philosophical donation to people like you, Daniel, who are on the frontline in the war to save egalitarian democracy from authoritarian autocracy.
The line that struck me from Heather's newsletter is the idea of using names to confuse voters. That's on them. But let's not add to the problem by confusing ourselves.
This is top of mind for me because I was writing to someone yesterday that there is a general confusion about the concept of maturity. To me, maturity and wisdom are the same. A subject (by "subject," I mean a person or an identifiable group) has a circle of influence. A sufficiently mature subject's circle of influence is encompassed by that subject's circle of concern, and the subject is otherwise insufficiently mature.
For example, a mature politician cares about the politician's constituency, and not just a part of that constituency.
My political spectrum is up-down in lieu of left-right. Its baseline is the person I was in fifth grade. If you're choosing between me and that child, choose me because I've learned a lot since I was a child. But if you're choosing between me and a sufficiently mature and reasonably experienced politician, choose them because I don't have the experience.
There is a basement below the baseline that includes people who have forgotten what I knew in fifth grade. What I knew then is that I owe someone who asks me an honest question an honest answer. And I knew that I was more mature than my fifth grade teacher because she refused to give me an honest answer. In addition to remembering, I've learned that that child's knowledge is the most important knowledge of all.
The point is that the fifth grader is a better candidate than any politician who forgot that knowledge. The child won't know what to do, but at least the child won't do any harm, and there are politicians on the left and right who have conveniently forgotten. Also, a prerequisite to the Biden administration's success is that every member of that administration has that knowledge.
Those who have forgotten include every single politician who supports Donald Trump. Just listen to them in interviews. They won't answer the simplest question, and the interviewers allow them to get away with it. It's ridiculous. And not answering a "gotcha" question is not the same as not answering an honest question.
Watch any interview of Pete Buttigieg, then a recent one of Tim Scott. The difference is the same as the difference between up and down (which is because Tim Scott has gone to the dark side).
Maybe it's just me, but that's what I look for in a person who wants my support for a leadership position. If asked to place a bet that a Democratic candidate for elected office winning in a landslide with that message, I'm all in.
I’m glad I didn’t live in the 1850s considering their approach to oratory. I needed to read it a few times to make any sense . Let’s be clear that Lincoln’s great great grandfather owned a slave named, “Jack.” But it’s not surprising that he would evolve into the person he became from almost appeasing enslavement to being the leader to the northern armies.
Noting the French elections as well as the British. Now that some sanity has returned to these countries, I hope the lessons gleamed are that no nation want open unlimited immigration. And this is a clarion call for Americans, too. Biden didn’t do all he could to end the millions rushing across the south border. He had 3 years to do something yet just say on his hands.only at the last moment did he encourage passing weak legislation at the time atrump used his demonic influence to stop passage. So please let me not read that Bid did what he could. He didn’t. If UK and France learned from this, they will restrict immigration. Or they will be back where they stated from; rebuilding the far right.
Bill, it seeems you have forgotten the bipartisan legislation which took a substantial step toward overhauling immigration rules for the first time in decades which Biden helped usher through the Senate but which the House quashed at the Donald's insistence because he wanted an issue to run on in the election, yet another manifestation of the endless means by which the disinformation squads disrupt the effective governing of countries. If one is in opposition to any current government, it would seem all too easy to forget which is the higher obligation, to one's country's best interests or to simply beating the party in power. It would seem Brexit was one of the best examples of this as has been our own Republican party!
John, Biden interrupted the restraints put in place by Trump, his predecessor. Some questionable others down right cruel regarding separation of children from families. Biden wanted to inprint his policy to snub Trump for better or worse. This is the way most leaders behave. Do I need to reiterate how the ancient Egyptian leaders dealt with previous leaders? They believed that life and influence derived from the marble noses of statutes of previous rulers and to end their influence, they frequently had the noses chopped off. Same as when Trump renegotiated NAFTA with no differences except his name was then attached or the dismantling of the Iran nuclear treaty. Rulers do this because they are so freaken insecure of history not rewarding them their place. Maybe this was in Biden’s recesses I don’t know but there is plenty of historic proof to back up my thesis.
You just want to be Biden’s cheerleader. While I have no hesitation voting for him, I’m not his cheerleader. Additionally, Joe Biden has put this nation in grave danger but not securing the border. NO bloody nation wants or accept open borders and he made a mockery of this mess and today, mayor and governors across the country are suffering for this damn mess he created. So please don’t lecture me on this topic I’m well read on it. Sorry if I sound angry but I am angry. The UK experienced Brexit and France almost losses to a Putin supporter. NO NATION WANTS OR ACCEPTS OPEN BORDERS. Capici? i think I’ve made myself clear on this topic.
I would also add what a fool Putin has just made of his useful idiot, Orbán, in dismissing his 'peace-making' charade for Ukraine. If only Independents can understand that Trump, like Orbán, is a disposable stooge.
🥳
Putin may string Trump along for a longer period of time in view of the disparity of size and power of the United States relative to Hungary, but Putin will dismiss his useful idiot when it suits him.
😱
That is: any 'alliance' between Trump and Putin will be the end for Trump, the means for Putin, and the end of our democracy. Sooo, I am voting for President Biden and I would welcome a President Harris.
⚖️
While the Democrats may promulgate policies with which I disagree owing to my conservative temperament, I learned a generation ago that, in the end, the content of character remains my political North Star.
"Content of character" indeed.
Character counts and truth matters.
Thanks for posting ft6 so often here...........great reminders for folks.
Yes. However, I am doing it from abroad together with my little subsection of Democrats Abroad. We are trying to recruit and inform and help people to understand how they can vote from abroad.
What is FT6? I'm certain it's not a brand of hockey sticks.
https://www.fieldteam6.org/
Thank you.
I'm abashed that this is the first I've heard of this organization.
Check it out......well structured opportunities to volunteer and/or donate.
Daniel you get it...THANKS for your work
Keep up the good work.
After listening to Joe Scarborough this morning, it is clear that MSNBC is doing everything they can to get President Biden to step down. This apparently is what the donor class is saying. And money talks, especially to the media. People are still dropping cable TV in droves. Since 2013 cable TV subscriptions have dropped by almost 45% from 100 million households to around 57 million in 2023.
https://www.cablecompare.com/blog/us-cable-subscriber-statistics
Fully 20% of the households in the US have never had cable TV. My cable provider is paying me $10/month to not cancel my subscription by "bundling." And no offense intended but no-one in our household is interested in watching B rated movies from the 1980's on or learning about the sex life of the bot fly in Guatemala.
My point is the debate likely did little to change the mind of voters because hardly anyone watched it.
The MSM is desperate to replace Biden because the donor class has their ear. So as usual money talks.
Again -- thank you Emil and Susan and all of the rest of you for writing postcards and everything else your doing to make sure Project 2025 and convicted felon Donald Trump are never implemented or elected.
Getting Joe Biden to step down gives Trump a better chance at the presidency and the end of American democracy. As a Canadian, I can't vote. I can't even donate. But looking in from the outside, what I see is that it is the monied elites and the "famous" journalists that want to get rid of Biden and it is the so-called ordinary people who support him. They seem to understand what is on the line in this election and that Biden has brought in many government measures and policies that help all the American people. Replacing Biden is just a really bad idea that can only help Trump. Besides, Biden has been chosen by Democrats all over the country and territories (with the exception of American Samoa), which is not democratic. Maybe we can find hope in the election results in France and the UK where the hard right as been definitively and boldly (and joyfully) rejected.
NL Townie-I totally agree with you. Biden made the point that voters selected him as the nominee-now pundits and elites think they know best. So we’re going to throw out the voters’ choice? Sounds like what the Rs want to do.
Joe also said he’s been out talking to the people-who are the pundits and elites talking to but themselves.
Watching and listening to the sh$$ show the Dems have created is heartbreaking. Joe can win if we stop beating him up. Meanwhile Trump is playing golf as the Dems tear themselves apart.
Even with his flaws I’m sticking with Joe knowing that he has America’s best interests at heart and the other guy doesn’t. Joe also has a competent team to back him up.
I hope America gets it act together and like France and Britain say no to fascism.
You have described it perfectly. The anti-Biden movement has always been the anti-Biden movement and the debate-which-was-not-a-debate launched its full-throated assault on him by all those parties, none of which represent the American voters who have selected him as their candidate.
Also all the donations go back to the people who donated not to anyone else DONT GIVE UP ON PRESIDENT BIDEN
NLTowmie, that is one side of the argument, Other issues are that to anyone watching, President Biden’s health over the past few months has deteriorated. Dis you see him at the Juneteenth celebration? He stood like a statue, his walk has deteriorated, his ability to rebut lies with facts and respond to questions is different than it was 6 months ago. This may be due to neurological affects from covid. He may be a long covid sufferer. I don’t know what the issue is, but I cannot deny my what I can see. If he were to step down now and make Harris the acting president, she could run as the incumbent. By federal campaign laws, she is the only one Biden can pass his campaign funds to, If 1968 history is used, a democratic convention would be disastrous, Given the many rights that this current corrupt Supreme Court has stripped away, this might be the best time for a woman to be elected President, I believe she has a much greater chance of winning than President Biden, Democracy in the US is in the balance and Trump cannot have the opportunity to not run on the issues,
Linda, what about all the racists that have come out of the woodwork, and would never vote for a black person. Can you imagine the outrage, if the country did not choose Harris? Biden's major support comes from the black voter. An open convention will only benefit the media moguls. Putin's trolls will be out in force. The Magats will use their clout to cause chaos among the democrats and every Biden utterance will become a tRump add. Does anyone remember the 1968 democratic convention? When Johnson chose not to run again, Humphrey lost to Richard Nixon. It was a year of violence and murder. King was murdered in April. Robert Kennedy was murdered in June. The Convention followed in August. The country was polarized. Sound familiar? HCR said something yesterday to the effect that when a cardidate running for President steps down, their replacement loses. If Biden is unable to fulfill his full term, Harris can always assume the mantle. He also has a very competent staff and cabinet. Reagan had Alzheimer's long before he left office, FDR was in a wheel hair, had a stroke and managed to win WWII. He died in office shortly thereafter.
Linda - When you get old, things start to deteriorate. Actually, it starts long before that but you don't really start to notice until you're in your seventies. Moving differently happens because your body changes. Your brain changes too, but that doesn't mean the ageing body and mind are useless. Nothing works as quickly as it used to, but the other side of that is that living all those years gives you good experience and knowledge. There's always the David Mamet quote "Old age and treachery will always beat youth and exuberance." Except you can substitute "treachery" with "experience".
To judge an old person's competence negatively by how the walk is ageism. Yes, Biden is old. But between Biden and Trump, it's no contest. And that is the choice. Biden isn't backing down. The ruling class including many opinionators should realize the damage they are doing and the longer they keep this up, the more damage they do.
I abandoned Morning Joe a long time ago. He talks too much, and he’s always whining. All our media has succumbed to selling entertainment rather than presenting reasoned news and commentary. I read, but that’s been tainted, too. Joe can quiet the talk. Take the test, Joe, and honestly release the results. Speak frankly about aging and praise your advisors including VP Kamala Harris.
I told a friend last night I wish Biden would just take his bully pulpit and tell everyone 'Yes, I am old and tired, I get rattled and forget stuff. I have one goal and this is to win this election so our children have a country. Vote for me, get me elected and we will figure the rest out later'.
Marj, I will vote for Biden/Harris ,or Harris/? or Cheeseburger/French Fries, but I think Biden needs to do more than that to quell the concern. The main message should be 1. This is what we've done. 2. This is what we still have to do. 3. This is what happens if the other guy wins.
He should be employing Harris more (which it appears he's doing) to both act as his younger surrogate and show she can handle things if need be.
The "we will figure out the rest later" should be implicit, lest people *really* freak out about what's going on
And I am perfectly fine with a Weekend At Bernie's scenario, with Biden's head in a jar of blue liquid.
Anything but trump (and his acolytes) in office.
Marj, Biden told them during the last 15 minutes on Morning Joe! They invited him to call in to the show! I believe Joe must have been watching and he called to straighten them out! It was an amazing phone call. Wish shocked expression on their face they said we have a call from the White House!!!! I missed it but had to rewind to catch it all.....and I am so glad I did!
He did say all that the day after the debate
Spread this everywhere https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c977njnvq2do.amp&sa=U&sqi=2&ved=2ahUKEwjQzZeE_JeHAxXVk44IHSASCuwQyM8BKAB6BAghEAE&usg=AOvVaw3AlGz5uEJ-5dZMmZjrhwog
Only if both he and tRump take the test at the same time, given by an impartial psychologist. The test that tRump took was a dementia test. It went something like this. Repeat after me: Person, man, woman, camera, TV. I'm sure he's lied about the results. The Montreal Cognitive Assessment test is much more comprehensive.
MSNBC too has succumbed…
nobody has succumbed to anything unless perhaps reality. We long time supporters of JB know what we've seen these past six months and what we saw at the debate. No responsible person can support Joe for another election cycle.
Carl, yes. I don’t understand why we are not more concerned about this good man’s health, Ever since seeing him standing like a statue at the Juneteenth celebration, seeing the change in his walk, in the expressions on his face, his change in thinking I have been deeply concerned. It feels like elder abuse to ask this President to do more, He has done a great job, if he continues the Trump campaign will flood the media with every fall, mistake, and weird facial expressions. I don’t want this to be what people remember. He has a wonderful legacy that needs to be remembered. Anyone who has been watching has seen his decline in recent months, If he steps down now and makes Harris the President, she can run as the incumbent and carry on the work for the common good that has begun.
I beg to disagree! If you are a Trump supporter I understand you are afraid of President Biden!
Lawrence hasn't!
Sharon, this morning I turned on my TV & tuned in to MSNBC…listened for a nanosecond before turning it off—still harping on Biden…same old rehashed talking points. Tried emailing them a few day ago but for some reason I get an error message & wouldn’t “send”; then I tried calling them & proceeded thru the phone-tree only to have a “call cannot be completed sort of message” when I got to point of recording a message. Very frustrating…hopefully they are getting inundated with complaints!
MLMinET, except for Lawrence O'Donnell.
Too not being left enough? To not following the Biden marching orders?
Which one?
Too not caring enough about the negative long-term effect of their actions on others. Too caring about earning short-term profits while ignoring the long-term effect.
An NBC piece today, July 8, identified the 9 Dem House members who the media considers the "rising wave" who most stridently want Biden to step aside. Prepare to be unimpressed:
Rep. Mark Takano, Calif. July 7 During a call with other House Dems
Rep. Jerry Nadler, N.Y. July 7 During a call with other House Dems
Rep. Joe Morelle, N.Y. July 7 During a call with other House Dems
Rep. Adam Smith, Wash. July 7 During a call with other House Dems
Rep. Angie Craig, Minn. July 6 Statement on X
Rep. Mike Quigley, Ill. July 5 Told MSNBC in interview
Rep. Seth Moulton, Mass. July 4 Told WBUR in interview
Rep. Raúl Grijalva, Ariz. July 3 Told New York Times in interview
Rep. Lloyd Doggett, Texas July 2 In a statement
Notes: Data as of July 8, Source: NBC News
50 million people watched the debate. An estimated 25 - 30 million others have seen parts of the debate on social media or the news. That’s “hardly anyone”? That’s half the number of people that voted in 2020.
Voters are honestly divided on Biden’s continuing in the election. To ascribe all this noise and doubt and misgivings to the “donor class” is the equivalent of whistling past the graveyard, in my opinion.
I saw the debate and I saw the interview. The debate shocked me, then made me both sad and angry. Sad for a president I have long admired and angry at him and his advisors who put the election at risk. He was incoherent and rhetorically defenseless.
The interview with Stephanopoulos made me squirm in sympathetic embarrassment that such an accomplished leader was being seen in that diminished and only partially coherent state.
It’s your right to disagree, back Biden’s remaining in the race, etc. But don’t underestimate the number of voters who don’t want him to run.
I’ll vote for Biden if he stays in and if he wins, I will pray he soon resigns.
"When media folks describe discussions among Democrats as chaos and disarray, they are implicitly suggesting that it is better for a leader of a party to never be questioned. (Why, after all, is being part of an array a good thing?) An obvious point goes missed: Democrats can say what they want, because none of them is afraid. And that is good! Governor Maura Healey can express her dissent and Joe Biden can express his frustration with her — but no one is worried about her physical safety.
Trump, by contrast, controls his party through stochastic terror, threats issued through social media that his cult followers can be expected to realize. Republicans leave politics because they fear for themselves and their families. Those who remain all obey in advance. That is new, and it should not be normal, and it should not spread any further. But it becomes normal when we treat discussions, and not coercion, as abnormal. " from Professor Timothy Snyder
I think that Morning Joe will change their mind and be for Joe after they talked to President Biden this morning! They ask him a lot of tuff questions that he answered in a heart beat.
I wrote postcards the last election when I lived in another state. I’ve tried to contact my local Democrat party to do this again and waiting to hear back. Is there another National group doing this?
Look at https://postcardstovoters.org/ I am in one of those swing states and we need all the help we can get. Thanks!
I am writing cards from both postcardstovoters.org and fieldteam6.org
Both great places to be working with
Me too.
You can get postcards from Field Team 6 also.
https://www.fieldteam6.org/
Vote Save America is an organization that is a really good, comprehensive (and idealistic!) one-stop shop. Visit them online.
Indivisible Chicago, which is part of national Indivisible, writes ostcards. But you can email the Turnabout Project for lists and just write.
When President Biden called into Morning Joe, the President sounded great and handled all the prop/corporate questions like a pro.The icing on the cake was the smiling eye message from Mika.......to yes, please call in again.
I cancelled my cable years ago..........best move ever.......spending quality time here on these fantastic comment pages is so much better.
Me too! I do a few each day so I am prepared when it is time to get them in the mail. Buy your stamps before the price increase!
Thank you! We just had Persuasive Speaking Training and will be calling Dem and Independent voters who vote inconsistently. It takes practice but can even be used in future discussions with family and friends!
So am I!
This is very encouraging. I'm going to listen again to the talk from FT6 from Seniors Taking Action. It was very inspiring!
Same here. The time I've devoted to writiing postcards to GOTV has really picked up in the past two weeks, and I'm almomst ready to order more.
Bravo!! Me too, the postcards but not the 2:30am! There are great suggestions in this chain for where to look to get involved. Here are two more to check out:
https://www.turnoutpac.org/postcards/
https://thirdact.org/act/write-postcards-to-voters-in-2024/ (especially if you are passionate about voting for climate which, in my thinking, will - and already is -- affecting everything else)
Thank you for these links. There are so many ways to get involved. Climate change is a big one indeed.
You bet. What is so important is communities like these, where we can find support, solidarity, great links and suggestions. We can DO this! I'm grateful Heather has created such a dynamic platform on which we can all connect.
That’s great. But it’s time to appoint a dem majority board member on the Post Office board and oust Louis deJoy before he screws up the mail system more than he has.
Me too!!
YES
Thank You.
Thank you, Susan!
I’m scared too. And I’m not at all sure that anyone except Biden can beat Trump.
Your instincts, I believe, are spot on, Mr. Cissna. It’s insane to even consider switching out an INCUMBENT at this late stage — especially someone who has accomplished all that Biden has.
This “donor class” plays the stock market, for heaven’s sake. Buck the EFF up, you wealthy whiners and hand-wringers, and ride this out! The far-right extremists are afraid Biden WON’T step down. He’s the INCUMBENT! Hold fast. Best bet you will have ever made.
In a poll, 72% of Democratic voters said they think Biden is too old to run for president. This is hardly a freakout confined to the “donor class”. Almost every Dem voter I know is freaked out, to a greater or lesser degree. Putting our heads in the sand and denying what we all saw is pure Richard Pryor —“Who you gonna believe? Me or your lyin’ eyes?”
However this turns out, I refuse to become the equivalent of a MAGA cult member, refusing to acknowledge an obvious flaw in our candidate.
SLWatson, President Biden, for health reasons can step down and make Harris President now . She could have access to the Biden campaign funds and run as the incumbent, I don’t understand why more people are not concerned about this good man’s health, He has been a great President but he has given enough, It feels like elder abuse to ask him to carry on, If he runs, the only thing Trump will do is run round the clock ads showing Biden’s frailty, his falls, his difficulties walking, his frozen stance at the Juneteenth celebration, his altered syntax, his now weird facial expressions, I don’t want this to be what people remember, He has a wonderful legacy that needs to be preserved. Harris can rebut Trumps lies in real time, and can make the race about issues and not about her health or competency to run, Trump would love for Biden to stay in so he could focus on Biden’s health and he could very likely win doing that,
I know you are correct don’t let the media blind side you they are all bought and paid for use The Guardian
41% of German citizens believe that Trump it the biggest threat to the world
Nobody on earth could possibly know that better than they do.
Let us hope it is doing that to other Americans as well. Too many will be influenced by Russian bots and stay home.
So glad that people are noticing. Too bad that our MAGAts and those who lean towards the “seemingly benevolent anarchy” of chump, Bannon and the monied hucksters, don’t wise up, there is still time. Get it together Dems, time is wasting.
Why haven't we heard or seen the following in the media since the CNN free-for-all?
1) CFDT told 602 lies--one every 3.9 seconds he had the microphone.
2) CFDT didn't answer a single question asked of him.
3) CFDT's entire administration accomplished zero, nada, zilch for 4 years which would make America great again.
4) MAGA never actually meant Make America Great Again. It actually means Hate, Anger, Resentment and Misinformation.
The MSM is doing to Biden what they did to Hillary in 2016. Yesterday’s NYTs had 7 articles on why Biden should not run, his age, etc. Not a single article on tfg. Same with the Chicago Tribune. People better WAKE UP and stop falling for this BS.
I paused my subscription to NYTimes for eight weeks (long enough to decide whether my decision to cancel is pure knee jerk) over a front-page article that enraged me. I'm a month into the pause, and I'm not missing anything they have to say. I have other, better sources for journalism than what NYTimes has become. In the next couple of weeks, I'll cancel, and be done with them.
Joanne-your point is well taken. Will we ever learn? Biden is not perfect but look at the other guy. Thinking that disruption of the democratic process to install a younger person is the key to success is folly. It’s too bad because the MSM is actually turning voters off-I think they know this-It worked in 2016.
Gina, the line that I use is that it is a bus ride, not a marriage. Go with the person who gets you closer to where you want to be, not wait for the "perfect mate".
<hint: No such thing as a perfect mate>
No wonder this feels familiar, Joanne! It is EXACTLY what they did to Mrs. Clinton.
Joanne, I don’t think it is BS. Trump lying, being unreliable, being behind all that Project 2025 stands for is all news we already know, It is only in the past few months that we have all seen President Biden’s health deteriorate, whether do to neurological effects of long covid or something else, I don’t know, but I know it is true, Having a stellar governing history does not equate to being able to run a successful campaign, I don’t see him winning against Trump, but if he were to step down now , make Harris President, she would get his campaign funds and could run as the incumbent. This denies Trump any further remarks about President Biden’s health and competency and makes this more of a race about the issues that face our country, Democracy in the US is at stake.
I'm hoping that fence-sitters, newly minted 18 year old voters, and those who don't typically follow politics recognized that CFDT didn't answer a single question asked of him and when he did, all his answers seemed untruthful.
And the trick is how to get to them. They don't consume traditional media.
I hate to underestimate young voters, but I know that 50 years ago, much of this democracy stuff would have made my eyes glaze over--unless perhaps Donna Summer sang it into a disco song.
I found one issue which I believe matters to young people quite a bit: sex.
I do not think enough emphasis is given to the fact that Project 2025 wants to ban ALL forms of contraceptives. I am not convinced that young men realize that means CONDOMS as well as the pill or IUD.
I recall when I was 18 being a freshman in college, and a sorority sister come right out and tell a bunch of us that she was having sex! She was a 5th year student (Architecture was a 5 year program) AND engaged. Still--while there was suspicions, none of the nice young ladies would admit to having lost their virginity unless whispered in private to a very closest, trusted friend. I recall the uncomfortable silence that met her story.
Does the GOP truly think they are going to create a nation of female virgins? Do young men realize that if there are no legal contraceptives and no abortions, that a single sex act could result in 18 years of financial obligations?
I think anyone with social media accounts needs to hammer that point.
Social media. That's the thing. I remember John Stewart making fun of Biden for putting something on TikTok. I'm hoping that there are orgs out there trying to figure out how to get the message out to young voters. People can sneer all they want about how Biden hasn't done this or that thing but let's face it, CFDT gets in there and it is ALL OVER.
Mark, every time VP harris was scheduled to speak at colleges, she spoke to sold out crowds and they like her and what she stands for.
David, did you know that every time .bp Harris was schedule to speak at a college, she spoke to sold out crowds? Younger people like her and what she stands for,
That’s great. But the college kids aren’t enough to elect Harris on their own
As the oligarchs gobble up our MSM, our reality is for sale. Latest acquisition is Paramount bought by Larry Ellison’s trust fund baby.
Sad news. Again.
It’s not just the old oligarch’s, they have greedy children slurping from the trough…
Agreed. And the get are often worse…
It appears the Supreme Court as well as the media have not held in our democracy. They have crumbled.
They have been bought
What does CFDT stand for? I know what the “DT” part is but what’s CF?
We must all be very careful what media we consume and boycott the fascists at every turn. CNN has been gobbled up by a right wing MAGAt. I no longer watch it. Ever. And Larry slimeball Ellison buying Paramount? Eeew. He’s another MAGA fascist who contributed to DT, threw some big fundraising bash for him at his home in CA a few years ago. I won’t be giving Paramount a dime.
Convicted Felon
Ah. But of course. Thank you!
Thanks for asking. I had no idea either......
Thanks for asking..lol..😉
Gary Loft - MAGA=HARM
Thanks Gary, shout it out FOLKS…stay and be the voice that’s truth . Jeri , too I applaud these voices , let the message be carried and a growing roar ….🗣️let it come to be known…👏🇺🇸🗽
If I could like your comment Gary Loft, 1000 time I would to push your statement to the top I would. I am sick to death of all this nay saying. Today I woke up and as usual turned on MSNBC which was airing Morning Joe just in time to hear President Joe Biden call into the show to just talk and answer the questions they posed. He was forceful clear and did not back down. He spoke of his extensive time this weekend going to multiple states and events, no teleprompter just talking with plain ol American voters. He said they backed him and I don’t see any reason to believe differently. And again, the same old question, but are you fit kept coming up. Hell yes he’s fit his running the country with his stellar administration and he is running all over the country speaking The TRUTH. My question is where is the same constant barrage for Trump the CF, lier, so called business man who has filed bankruptcy too many time to count. So scared, yes I am, but I think I am more angry than scared. Please people read Project 2025 and spread the word cause all this chaos is just the beginning of DJT is elected again and this is not the time to change course. The presidency is not just about one man or woman, but their administration as well.
Gary, after the debate’s lackluster performance by Biden, I searched for and read the transcript. My take is Joe delivered facts/policies/vision & TFFFG lied. So, yeah, not good optics for Joe, but he brought substance nonetheless! I’m ridin’ with Biden—he has a great VP in Harris and an excellent/competent admin surrounding him as well. I trust his experience/knowledge and lifelong commitment to public service. 🗽🇺🇸
Gary, I believe we have seen it in the media, Isn’t that where you got this information? I don’t think quibbling over the amount of media coverage gets at what needs to be discussed, We all know Trump is a narcissistic pathological liar. Why are so many denying what we have all seen with our own eyes, President Biden’s health over the past few months has deteriorated. Age is not the issue, but health is. It may be neurological effects of long covid, I don’t know but wishing and hoping don’t change the facts and past successful governing does not equate to being able to run a successful campaign against someone who is as cruel and devious as Trump. If President .Biden resigns now due to ill health, Harris becomes President and can run as the incumbent . Trump can no longer question the health or competency of his opponent and will be forced to answer questions on opposing strategies for solving issues,
Biden does fine when not gished , it is an ancient tactic , worn with disrespect and evil intent. His character stands not only the testament of time but of solid intent..will not waiver. As Kazz McKnight so eloquently wrote :
“Biden is not on the ballot, policies are: reproductive rights, contraception, IVF, gun laws, renewable energies, NATO alliance, global security, separation of church and state, jobs - the list goes on. Polls are rubbish, spread by media owned data collectors. Read what the experts are saying - Robert Hubbell et al and get behind our man.”
Thanks again Kazz.
Patricia, I don’t think we ca deny what we have seen in the past few months, It wasn’t just a bad night at a debate. did you see his posture at the Juneteenth celebration? His answers in the George Stephanopoulos interview were not reassuring, These were not the responses he would have given just 6 months ago. This is not about age, but about health, I was a neuromuscular nurse, and many neurologists have also voiced similar concerns, This may be neurological damage from long covid, I don’t know but it is real. Past performance and success do not equate to a successful campaign going forward, Trump will be merciless and cruel and the campaign will focus on President Bidens health. I think President Biden has been the best President since FDR and I would like to see his legacy protected. Asking him to cary on looks like elder abuse to me, If he hands the Presidency over to Harris, then policies will not only be on the ballot, they will be talked about during the campaign, Trump wants Biden to stay in because it gives him a better chance of winning. He will repeatedly run ads showing President Biden at his worst, and it will influence voters, Many already believe Trumps repeated lies that he is there to save them. President Biden is a good man and a great President, he is visibly ill and we should be thinking of him.
What and or who would you suggest then…
Biden has a daunting schedule..he needs to rest more as do I at 80+ . I am positive Harris is as capable with the team at hand, and others could be brought in …can she then not pick a VP if …? ( Not sure how that works) ..
NOBODY said a word about Mitch McConnell when he went through this …totally double standards but no surprise
I am confident once the gates close and the votes are in …we’ll be fine. Oh they’ll squawk!
It’s got/gonna to be a BLUE SWEEP .. plenty of that trend/ has been for awhile .
I’d much rather those odds than switching horses in the middle of the stream…this is a convenient harp for the MAGA side …were he not capable he’d admit it…
I agree that is a much better approach than a free-for-all convention. Gavin Newsome is good looking which is the horse racing approach many people take. My neighbor in FL loved CFDT because she admired his looks when he was on the Apprentice. But CFDT's beauty fade years ago.
But I digress. Kamala has proven that she can take the reigns and CFDT, the MAGAs and the Evangelicals will surely all be hard pressed not to pull the racist card. If Biden resigned tomorrow, the MAGAs have control of the House and they are already blocking everything the Democrats have proposed for two years. But I think she can make the most of that and she will. Plus she already has women and young people backing her.
And with the convention coming up still, the Dems can give her 100% support.
For the next question, do you think Pete Buttigieg would be a good VP pick or who would the Dems pick as her running mate?
Gary, I think that he would be great. He is calm, reassuring, and smart, I loved how he discounted all the lies from Scott Perry in his Congressional hearing.
https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2024/6/28/2249072/--Factually-incorrect-Buttigieg-throws-Rep-Perry-s-EV-lies-back-at-him-in-Congressional-hearing
I also love Elizabeth Warren. She always has a plan, and it is always on the side of equality, equity, and fairness, https://powerbreakers.substack.com/p/the-elizabeth-warren-interview?utm_source=post-email-title&publication_id=2663686&post_id=146021518&utm_campaign=email-post-title&isFreemail=true&r=f14pb&triedRedirect=true&utm_medium=email
I am 72, and these are by far the strangest times I have ever lived through, Daily I also read New Scientist, Sapiens, and Nature for moments of awe and joy . I just read this amazing article about ants that made me more aware that we do not know what consciousness really is, or all the ways that communication occurs, from microbes, to plants, to animals how communication really happens, The older I get, the more I know that I know so little. Given the elections in Spain, France, and the UK supporting more progressive democratic governments, I am hoping that humans do have some form of collective unconscious , possibly some quantum energy that will help get people to realize that their vote matters.
And now , to steal a phrase, your moment of zen,
https://www.newscientist.com/article/mg26034691-200-mystery-of-the-quantum-lentils-are-legumes-exchanging-secret-signals/
https://www.ecowatch.com/ants-wound-cleaning-amputations-behavior.html
I love that Linda. I'm 69 and you are right on about knowing so little about so much. I am still working as a computer programmer but only a few days a week. I began programming when I was 22. When people ask me about something computer related, I explain it by hold my hands as far apart as I can and say, "this is how much there is to know about computer science and then I hold my hands about a half inch apart and say, "here is how much I know of all that knowledge -- and I am probably bragging."
Our tree guy is about 40 years old and is very zen about the communication between trees and plants, especially when they are of the same species. I have learned not to ask him to take down any healthy tree because he will ultimately talk me out of it. He hasn't said that he considers taking down healthy trees is murder, but he has implied it.
Hate, anger, fear, and racism
Much as I admire Biden, the answer is that all eyes were turned to the horrifyingly enfeebled president. I have admired Biden for 40 years, and he has been a great president (more accomplishments than either Clinton or Obama).
That debate shocked me. Sure, I knew Trump was lying. But I was also angry that his lies became even more outrageous (he lowered the cost of insulin? He took care of the vets? The HBCUs?) once he realized his opponent was completely on the ropes.
People are talking anout it because 50 million saw a train wreck.
I really want our government to represent us instead of the corporations.To tell us the truth and protect our health and environment.Don’t you think there is a lot of false information about RFKJR because he does put our needs ahead of the corporations? I’m going to Freeport tomorrow to see him!!
No, I don't. RFK, Jr. was once a very fine environmentalist. But he has gone severely off track, and I seriously doubt his sanity. Once you see him, you may discover this.
For what? To throw away your precious vote? Now is not the time to vote third party. This is the election of your lifetime. Make no mistake. This is the decision between a continued democracy and a fascist dictatorship. Choose wisely. You cast a vote for RFKJR, you may as well vote for Trump. Please don’t waste that vote. Vote BLUE all the way down. Please, for the love of this country and every one of us here who’s fighting against right wing fascism and fighting FOR our freedom.
I’m definitely not voting for the Democratic nominee after the Putin like way they anointed Biden their nominee.It’s insulting for you to tell me I am throwing my vote away, I wouldn’t say that to you because I respect your right to choose , please respect mine .
Well John, voting for Jr is indeed a wasted vote. If you feel insulted, too bad.
We actually have the future of democracy on the line here and nobody is worried about your feelings.
That sounds like something Trump would say, have a nice day
Biden was not anointed. He won by in a free and fair election. Anyone could have run against him if they felt they could do a better job. In fact one did and he was soundly defeated.
Well RFKJR said the DNC made rules to prohibit him from campaigning in NH before Biden did , or they would not give him the electoral votes there. Are you saying this is not true?
Did you feel that way when Trump was the incumbent in 2020?
Stein likes Moscow, so does any fool who follows her
I voted for Jill Stien
John: IMHO…Yours is a VERY unusual comment. Gives one pause. There is nothing more to say to you other than good night and good luck.
John, he's anti-vaccines. That's enough to disqualifying him in my mind. In other statements, he sounds almost as nuts. Please do your own research. Please don't buy into the conspiracy theories. Follow centrist-focused media sources that stick to mostly facts and don't lean to far to either side.
How about I listen to what RFKJR actually says in the many interviews of diverse interviewers. I certainly don’t trust Fox, CNN, or MSNBC. How could you?
RDK, Jr. is a grifting opportunist who has made millions by preying upon the desperate parents of neurodivergent children.
Any credibility he had by being an excellent environmental lawyer has been long flushed down by his anti-vaxxer grifting. His own family (including his mom) disavowed his anti-vaxxer status a long time ago (but they say they still love him), and are definitely not supporting his wing nut campaign to split the Dem vote.
Don't support the grifting opportunist who preys upon the desperate parents of neurodivergent children.
Reject RFK, Jr.
John There are so many warning signs out there. Here’s another.
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/debunking-some-of-rfk-jr-s-contradictory-statements
Thanks, K Barnes. Here is some additional info about JFK, Jr. It's long but worth reading: https://www.vanityfair.com/news/story/robert-kennedy-jr-shocking-history
Carol : Great link. Thank you! The signs are everywhere!!
John: Take heed and read, this one among many credible investigations.
I read that 2023 opinion article and found it to be conflicting. First, RFKJR is not a product of the right and he is trying to re-establish the ideals of the 1960’s Democratic Party. He has dismissed the possibility of being Trump’s running mate as a “ marriage that could never work “. He was lied to by Trump when Trump told him he would appoint him to work on the vaccine committee, but never did. That remains a bone of contention today. And he does want the values held important to Democrats in the 1960s to be restored today.Values such as being the party of peace and not war. Of representing regular middle class People and not big corporations .Of respectfully disagreeing with Republicans and not building division.We have a big problem with the 2 party system and it’s offering only 2 candidates.If you think that’s ok because we can’t let Trump win I disagree. We can’t make exceptions and still claim to be acting democratically .That’s an authoritarian position. I know RFKJR has made a lot of mistakes in his life. But today I see a matured person who has learned from those mistakes.Good decisions come from people like RFKJR.
Thanks for this link. Much appreciated.
I believe RFKJR is one of the tactics HCR pointed to in today's letter, to put in candidates that are meant to pull votes away from their competition. Think of it this way, if RFKJR were not on the ballot who would you vote for? By not voting for the candidate with the best odds of beating the person you least want elected you are actually help that same person win. In 2016 I voted third ticket on principle so I get it, but since then I have come to see why under the system we have it really defeats what we actually want. Please look for videos about how voting third party really works (or doesn't). I wish I knew how to add one here but I don't.
I believe if Trump gets back into the White House he will rig it so he and who he chooses will never leave. This may be our last time to truely vote. Please use yours wisely.
It’s very clear to me that RFKJR is the best (only real) candidate to represent us. Many people agree and I think that is why RFKJR will win.Maybe you should not be afraid of Trump too, but that’s your call.
Glad to see you are making your real reason for being here so clear. Test flunked.
John, Project 2025 is trumps plan for our country, Co you want conservative Catholic and evangelical christianity to dictate our laws? This country was founded on separation of church and state to get away from the tyranny of the church, Please read this substack from Jess Piper who has not only been threatened but had har daughter threatened because that is how these people operate, https://jesspiper.substack.com/p/the-heritage-foundation-is-a-threat?utm_source=post-email-title&publication_id=1960047&post_id=146408539&utm_campaign=email-post-title&isFreemail=true&r=f14pb&triedRedirect=true&utm_medium=email
John, please google how his lies about vaccines have hurt many people. It is proven that MMR vaccines have never caused autism, but the rise in measles is causing death and suffering, “ 2019, more than 1,200 cases of measles were reported in the U.S., and that's the highest number we saw in decades. In 2022, it was 121 reported cases here. And then in 2023, we had 58 measles cases reported. And of course, we're on the verge of surpassing that number from last year, and it's only March.Mar
https://www.ama-assn.org/delivering-care/public-health/measles-outbreak-2024-why-measles-back-us-and-fda-approved-otc-birth#:~:text=In%202019%2C%20more%20than%201%2C200,year%2C%20and%20it's%20only%20March.
https://www.cdc.gov/measles/signs-symptoms/index.html
There are many reasons that the Kennedy family do not endorse him, Be carful what you believe, Always fact check anything that he says,
I think it is wise to fact check what he says. Can you tell me what lies he has stated about the vaccines?Questions about mercury have been completely laid to rest , or are there not many studies to support questioning the safety of vaccines? And the motive Fauci had for pushing the vaccine on us, do you think he is pure as driven snow?
John, I am glad you think it wise to fact check. We are lucky that we have the internet to do this, but it is important to get information from reliable sources,
As a nurse, I have given thousands of vaccines and would never have done so without reading all the information on each vaccine, You can look up safety data sheets on each vaccine, Would you like a world were so many still died from smallpox, polio, measles, rabies, Hepatitis, diphtheria, whooping cough, tetanus, and many more. Vaccines have saved many lives and a tremendous amount of suffering, They are not allowed out to the public without rigorous testing, https://www.who.int/news-room/spotlight/history-of-vaccination/a-brief-history-of-vaccination
As a nurse, Dr Fauci is one of my hero’s, He did not push vaccines! he tried to save lives using covid vaccines and he did. Schools, Kindergarten through college, require children to have their vaccines up to date not just to protect that child, but to protect all the children and their families, Public health is not pushed on people , it is a requirement of a civil society to keep each other safe, Would you prefer not to have public health and and allow people like typhoid Mary who was a typhoid carrier to go around infecting others? During the HIV epidemic Dr. Fauci helped save many lives. He has served under 7 presidents and is recognized as one of our greatest public servants, The lies and subsequent threats to his life and the lives of his family are a horrific injustice,
When the pandemic started, my medical center did not have adequate PPE. Nurses, lab techs, and sterilization techs and their family members died needlessly from covid. I was able to list Dr Fauci’s recommendations at our meetings to help get support for adequate PPE.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anthony_Fauci
I don’t know what has happened to JFK jr.’s brain, grief, drugs, and a brain worm I am sure have played some part, but he is just not a reliable person, Look who he has aligned himself with,
https://apnews.com/article/rfk-kennedy-election-2024-president-campaign-621c9e9641381a1b2677df9de5a09731
One of the wonderful things about this country is that even if I don’t agree with you, I respect your right to your opinion and to vote for who your conscious says will be the best person for the country, If Trump gets elected that will no longer be a freedom that we have. I hope you do your research before making your decision, Good luck.
John,
Is this the kind of character and judgement you want in your President
https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2024/5/2/2238565/-RFK-Jr-sued-Daily-Kos-Things-are-not-going-well-for-him#
President Biden has done more to try and reign in Corporate monopolies and support unions than any president since FDR., He is trying to limit CEO pay, tax stock buy backs, get dark money out of campaigns. He knows that trickle down theory does not work and he has vowed to set policies and laws that help to build fro the middle out like it was after WWII when one family members salary could support a family with a good union job.
Check our this interview with .Elisabeth Warren, If we are going to save this country, we need a Democratic President, House, and Senate
https://powerbreakers.substack.com/p/the-elizabeth-warren-interview?utm_source=post-email-title&publication_id=2663686&post_id=146021518&utm_campaign=email-post-title&isFreemail=true&r=f14pb&triedRedirect=true&utm_medium=email
https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2024/01/29/fact-sheet-biden-harris-administration-announces-new-actions-to-advance-pay-equity-on-the-15th-anniversary-of-the-lilly-ledbetter-fair-pay-act/
Google what are the accomplishments of President Biden.
When you see him John, ask him if he wants to buy my book, “How to Make Money from the Mentally Retarded.”
Love it, RFKJ is a known quality. Split the Dems
John, PLEASE pay attention to ANYTHING you can cite that he has run effectively or accomplished in his career. I think hehas simply provided a haven for those who fear vaccinations and/or government management of anything.
I can see the corruption caused by big corporations contributing to our government officials. And the failure of congress to stop Mitch McConnell from putting those judges on the Supreme Court.And the government agencies funded by the companies they are supposed to be regulating. RFKJR has cleaned up the Hudson River. He has sued Monsanto to stop selling Round up to us. He will unravel the corporate capture of our agencies and much more that is beneficial to our democracy.Turns out HCR was mistaken about the mental acuity of President Biden and what real democracy is . Real democracy isn’t preventing third party candidates or censoring Facebook because of the virus.
John, yes he was one of many suing Monsanto, but that doesn’t discount the horrific harm his untrue claims have caused, He keeps company with Trump, Bannon, and the MAGA group. What do you think that says about his judgement? his motives? In the past few months I have seen behavior in President .Biden that is concerning regarding his health. It may be related to long covid, I don’t know, but what I do know is that while he may be more frail, he still tells the truth, he still believes in fighting for the working class and against monopolies. His record in getting infrastructure and support for unions surpasses any president since FDR. His strengthening NATO alliances has made us safer, He is honest and reliable in his thinking and policies. That cannot be said of DT or JFK jr, I hope you do more research from reliable sources and think long and hard about the character of the men you are considering, Take care and stay well.
Pete Seeger had more to do with cleaning up the Hudson than that crazy bat out of hell.
👏🇺🇸💙👍🫵🗽
Project 2025 got people’s attention. Finally!!! It’s astounding that Republicans were so sure of themselves that they publicized it, announcing the details to anyone who asked and it turns out Americans are terrified.
Like the abortion decision Trump knows Project 2025 is a loser-he’s running away from it.
Yes he’s running away now but if he should get elected it will become his blueprint for “Trumperica”.
Spread that dictatorship crap everywhere let everybody know about it
Their hubris is mind-boggling.
With good reason!
I recently spent several weeks in Australia and in New Zealand. What surprised me most pleasantly was the universal disdain folks for TFG among folks with whom we spoke. They expressed near shock that he could hoodwink so many of our electorate -- they thought we were smarter than to fall for him and his hatred.
Hearing these opinions, added to the recent election results in England and France, I hope that there is growing global recognition that the political right is not the right way forward.
The tides are turning.
I think AOC would be a good choice over there in the US
Thanks for articulating Jack, it takes courage and leadership to admit one is scared, and the greatest of drive to push forward with principles …Equality and Justice are ringing bells around the world !
Congratulations France, UK, and Spain…we are staying our commitment to Ukraine too!
More and more are seeing the blistering propaganda and drum’s doubled dirge…we HAVE to circle these Democratic Wagons and sisters I call upon you to answer loudly- unite - bring to the ballot box another victory for rights …VOTE and VOTE 💙 …we will STOP THIS COUP…
It’s Truth or Lies
Autonomy or Autocracy, America
Level the playing field or fall for the Felonious Fantasy
We have a choice ..and that needs preserved
Will you still sail the flag so many have only dreamed of …
Land of the free, home of the brave…
I will…
💙💙UNITE💙💙🇺🇸
VOTE THE COMPLICIT CROWD OUT
*WE THE PEOPLE* , yes we have an awesome continuing task to maintain these shores.
I know it's terrifying me!
Knowledge and faith in democracy is the best way to dispell fear and doubt. Exposing the Trumplican's "Project 2025" plan to dismantle democracy would go a long way in informing voters of the disastrous choice for an alternative to self-governance.
What should be scaring him and his henchmen are the British and French elections results that I wish thrilled us as much as the quick failure of the initial Russian Special Operation expected to take over all of Ukraine within days of the initial assault.
To me, it was Ukraine's Pearl Harbor moment, similar to our own when so few thought we would be attacked in that way.
Like our Pearl Harbor, the attack had united the former opposing factions like the America First in fighting enthusiasts opposing all the Axis powers, not only in our country, but even Russia.
As mentioned in the LFAA, we had a similar uniting and refocusing moment immediately after the passage of the Kansas-Nebraska Act
I would hope the most recent Supreme Court decisions are enough to make the culmination of everything from the Citizens United decision to the Dobbs decision and two most recent abominable decisions has a similar impact to fire up our opposition to anything like the response to Kansas-Nebraska.
I don't know what, if any, other international events in 1854, could have been as encouraging as the British and French election results are now, not only in this country but I imagine in very much of the rest of the free and freedom loving world.
Jack. I too am scared but HOPEFUL 💙💙💙
As it should!
Ditto!
Trump's ongoing success is empowering Putin, Orban, Le Pen, Modi and a host of other right-wing world leaders; they influence/empower each other reflexively across the globe. Various academic and other 'champions' of 'the Western World' side with Trump and the MAGA agenda, which they consider a necessary response to the alleged leftist, multiculturalist and Islamic 'War on the West', to borrow the title of British neocon Douglas Murray's recent book on the subject. It is part of the trend of "Populism, globalisation and social media" https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/1748048519880721?icid=int.sj-full-text.similar-articles.1
DEMOs must address that fear as the party and develop a winnable strategy. They should not make it as a personal fight between two aged men with questionable mental facilities.
It’s scaring them, because they have gone through it prior to tfg. It scares them, because so many Americans have fallen for it. And fallen so hard. This isn’t the case in Germany. Why?
Good for Heather noting Putin's continued schemes against democracies.
He, Putin, for sure exults – as U.S. Dems self-lacerate, lob divisiveness.
But, look, Biden could shine as elder statesman for the coming election.
Turn over office and candidacy to Kamala. Give her his war chest. Help Dem stars (Jamie Raskin, Hakeem Jeffries, Liz Warren, Ro Khanna, Katie Porter, Sheldon Whitehouse, Jasmine Crockett, Bernie, AOC – many more) spread energy and positive cohering for America. Biden stars over all as captain of the ship of state so successful during his tenure.
We need this enthusiastic wave. We need it so Dems win every level in November. We need it to end MAGA – and to end the bribery, dark money, and perjury corruption and ideologue arrogance sleazing that Clarence court (add four more justices there, so total 13 matches the 13 U. S. circuit courts).
Biden is old, but he is still the candidate despite all of the pressure from people like you and the media to make him step down. Biden/ Harris 2024
I didn't watch that debate because I knew I couldn't stomach that much of tfg and apparently neither could Biden, from what I've heard. I have seen Bidens track record: I don't need a debate to know who I'm voting for in November.
Apparently reading the transcript presents a different picture. Ignorance and juvenile puff vs knowledge and maturity.
I agree with Susan Knox as well as you, Anne-Louise. But I wanted to note, since we're all tit-for-tatting, that I did read ABC's transcript of the interview with Biden and noticed that George Stephanopoulos had his fair share of false starts, stumbles, and partial words. All to prove, in my mind, that not everyone is cut out to be an eloquent orator!
Joe Biden has been an excellent president. He is not a jazzy campaigner, nor an eloquent orator. Are people going to choose a mentally unstable criminal just because Biden stutters? Who among us could deal with Trump's firehose of sh*t flooding the zone? By the way, has anyone read the transcript of Trump talking about sharks and electric boats? He is delusional.
What disturbs me is that very few news sources can address public issues that are at stake. Instead, they concentrate on the horse race and spectacle to the exclusion of everything else. It’s one big reason that I don’t watch U.S. broadcast news much.
Make America Great Again are the most meaningless words in the English language. I have been asking what CFDT did during his 4 years as President that made America Great. I have only gotten one answer that listed 9 things, including making our NATO allies ante up 2% of their budget and Criminal Justice Reform. The rest were similar talking points.
We all assume that CFDT will bring on board another cabinet of unqualified sycophants that will quickly tire of kneeling to the king that will do nothing, just like last time.
Only tis time, thanks to the Supreme Court he will fire anyone and everyone that looks at him cross-eyed at will.
That gets me too. I want substance, not this whatever it is they are doling out.
Oh, they can, for sure. They choose not to as the "horse race" makes it seem like they're not biased, which is, of course, absolute bs. The only broadcast news I consume regularly is PBS NewsHour, which I listen on KQED at 3pm PDT. The moment I hear the word, "poll," I switch to classical music. In 2016 I still had cable TV and had to stop watching MSNBC because even Rachel Maddow focused so much of her show on the polls. I like a British podcast called The Rest is Politics but even though most of the program is focused on policy and substantive interviews, they too have fallen into the polls trap. They excuse it because it's "their poll" but it's still a poll. Sigh...
Yes, Stephanopoulos, himself, gave a highly disappointing performance. What I saw was an interviewer desperately and repeatedly trying to reword his basic question: “Don’t you think you should step down?” He failed to extract the answer he wanted. It was a poor excuse for, what might have been, a real interview.
K Barnes -- Agreed! I thought Stephanopoulos was inappropriately angry and aggressive. It wasn't a real interview -- he was out "to get" the President, and therefore has joined the growing ranks of opinionated, biased media who can't be neutral.
Stephanopoulos was tough, but if you are the President you need to be able to handle tough questions, including at press conferences.
Biden is being over selected for rhetorical stumbles, agreed, and by msm and Dems
Ain’t that the truth.
And look how Cicero finished up.
I've read the transcript of Trump's speeches on J6 and Veterans Day (infamous for the reference to vermin). It was painful and illuminating. The media picked two or three click bait quotes and repeated them ad nauseum because there were so few comments that could be reported without long explanations, if not analysis. The rest was gibberish. It hurt to think that people stood for hours so they could listen to repetitious word salads that made James Joyce seem like Ernest Hemingway.
Chump is the poster child for cruel, inane nonsense. Sad that people are hanging half of that moniker around Joe’s neck. Be ashamed Dems. Excoriate chump, not your guy…
(Laughter). I don't think either Joyce or Hemingway would have been pleased to be chopped into that salad.
Do you recall his Wildwood, NJ speech--where they proclaimed there was anywhere up to over 100K people in attendance?
That was quickly disproven, but got little media traction. There is a clip on Youtube somewhere (I can't find it) but it shows about 30 minutes of that speech, unedited, and it shows people leaving in droves. No joke, they are all walking out on him while you can hear him droning in the background. Shortly after, he did his Bronx speech--again false reporting of attendees--and THOSE clips are also quite telling. People saying how the parking lot was full of out of state cars, other attendees mentioning their attendance as curiosity--almost like people drawn to a car accident.
When trump was in Schnecksville, PA.. he said he had 40,000+ people there. The PA. State Police reported 7,000!!
And don’t forget Trump’s jaunt to a Black church filled with White people because they couldn’t get Black people to participate. Trump’s claim that more Black people are supporting him is another lie.
The Rs are trying to minimize his exposure now because they know how toxic he really is…they’re counting on the Dems’ opposition to Biden.
Trump ALWAYS exaggerates the size of his crowds, starting with his inauguration when he forced Spicer to make a declarative statement ending in "period" that was later claimed by Kelly-Anne Conway to be because Sean had "alternative facts."
The absolute worst for me was January 21 when Trump stood in front of the memorial wall at the CIA and made the same claim. Not only that, he brought his own cheering section; I'm guessing someone knew he might need it as the CIA staffers weren't having it.
I remember watching that exodus, Miselle.
Good to hear that. I'm fed up with sound bites and spin.
Susan, with all the "sounds and bites" being blasted in our weary ears,( can ears get weary?), the words of Lincoln, as stated by Heather today, resonate loudly with me. His words describe our feelings about the recent inane Supreme Court ruling, "We were thunderstruck and stunned; and we reeled and fell in utter confusion. But we rose each fighting;....We struck in the direction of the sound."
I'm hoping that the sounds of MAGA hatred and anarchy can be quieted and even silenced by those of us who have listened to, believed in, and lived to promote the resounding sounds of democracy and freedom.
Where is Lincoln when we need him?
Yeah … being face to face with a demon is tough. Given the circumstances, I think our president did very well. And doubters need to review the content. I think president Biden actually won
I’m exhausted of the calls for the President to step aside. He can beat Trump, but Trump and Putin will bring their bags of dirty tricks, enabled by their collective minions.
I'm less concerned with Putin than with the Christofascists behind Project 2025.
Biden wins hands down with content over gaslighting. No question. Why folks enjoy being lied to never ceases to amaze me.
“Content over gaslighting!” has a perfectly truthful campaign slogan ring to it!!
Iden was terrible. It was so bad it was painful to watch. And Biden is a horrible candidate. That’s why he has been hidden away.
Hopefully Democrats will face reality and replace Biden as a candidate.
Just no. 100 million people didn’t vote in 2016, 80 million people didn’t vote in 2020. These people need no excuse not to vote but feel they have every right to complain. I’m the base. I voted for him and Kamala and if he needs to step down, she can bloody well step up.
Tracy, you nailed what I have been stating over and over. For all those fears about can Joe make it four years--I point out that our youngest POTUS in history had his term abruptly ended. And our rules of succession had Lyndon Johnson quickly sworn in.
Youth and apparent health is no guarantee of a tomorrow. I have faith in our Constitution and the good people that Biden will have in his cabinet.
Tracy - I said specifically Biden should be replaced a a candidate - not as president. I voted for him in 2020 and ride around with a Biden bumper sticker.
But we can do much better and this is an opportunity to field a better candidate. I would like to see Gretchen Whitmore or Gavin Newsom as the candidate. Will the Democrats do the smart thing and choose them as the candidate? I hope so.
You are free to vote for the alternative, a flagrant liar who shamelessly takes credit for Biden’s accomplishments (policies MAGAs are supposed to hate), who surrounds himself with convicted felons just like himself, and whose “speeches” dissolve into delusional ideation. Be my guest….
David this is NOT about debating ability, it is about ability to govern and run an extraordinarily complex government keeping The People's needs at the center of what's important.
This is specifically about replacing a very weak candidate with a strong candidate. Biden has aways been a weak candidate. Unfortunately the primaries were structured so as to have no real opposition and no debates. Biden was picked as our candidate by the Democratic Old Guard.
he was hidden away for the 2020 campaign. He's been hidden for most of his presidency. He is simply a weak candidate for multiple reasons. We can do better.
AND his ability as a candidate is not the same as his ability governing. They are two different things.
Uh, No.
Go drop dead you worthless white male moron embarrassment.
It strikes me as I scroll through (rather quickly, I might add) that this community has some "new" voices today that are in accord about Biden and Harris and not in a good way. It also strikes me that these "new" voices or voices very similar to them took over Twitter when the Muskovite ruined it. They've tried today to take over the dialogue here. I know HCR has a full plate and much more important things to do than to remove people and/or bots who come here to call her names and to trash our president, but I do wish there was some way to clean house a bit. I always enjoy your direct response to people who are here for nefarious reasons!
Your comment should be deleted.
I only started to watch the debate for a few minutes, enough to see where it was headed. But I watched the full ABC interview with George Stephanopoulos and George was sure tough. But the President is supposed to be able to handle tough questions. And give press conferences.
In the interview, Biden came across as struggling to find and deliver words. And his performance in the interview made his ascertains that he was as good as he was cognitively 4 years ago very hard to believe.
The problems I had with Biden's responses in the interview:
* Refusing to take a cognitive test (Trump should too as well as a mental health evaluation!) while displaying obvious symptoms during the interview
* Saying that only God Almighty, if only he/she would come down from heaven, could convince him not to run
* Convincing himself that he has done ok as long as he gives the campaign his all, even if he loses! Maybe he should value the future of our country higher than that! We are not all going to be ok if Joe is ok.
It wasn’t a debate - it was a “political event” that never should have occurred! Trump didn’t give his primary opponents opportunities to debate him - so why should the Biden campaign have given him the opportunity to “debate” our standard bearer? Trump is not morally qualified to be president of this wonderful and great country so why give him legitimacy … he’s not on par with Biden, nor Harris, nor any of those on the democratic deep bench of qualified individuals who would potentially make superb candidates for the POTUS role should Biden or Harris not be there … Whitmer, Newsom, Moore, Shapiro … just to mention a few!
The Biden campaign made the same mistake trump made: elevating the status of and giving credence to the “little rocket man” in North Korea … trump - several times over - disqualified himself as being a legitimately qualified person to be president of the United States although he had held the position before!!!
Excellent points
I agree. And whoever "prepped" him failed with regard to the Gish Gallup onslaught. Biden came to debate. The other guy came to spew garbage. It's hard to debate a garbage truck.
I watched for five minutes. I say enough of tfg to last a lifetime and I didn't need to have the orange jerk spewing lies in my kitchen.
You just said what I said three days ago in two thousand less words. Bravo.
Susan Knox, I totally agree. The melting orange jello is so revolting that after watching that ‘debate’ for about 3 minutes, I had to switch off. How can anyone compare him to Biden, who’s accomplished so much in his first term? Biden’s a mountain with fresh water streams; t’s a pebble that gets stuck in your shoe or tire.🛞
Biden has achieved such a litany of positive achievements and is surrounded by a team of such talent that I don’t care if he takes naps between sentences. I just returned from Greece where my relatives feared that democracy would be voted out in Europe and that if it was rejected in the US it would meet its demise worldwide. The handwringing was particularly pronounced as this place was the birthplace of democracy. But look what just happened in France and Britain! People woke up before the trigger was pulled. Bannon/Flynn/Miller are in deep depression. My optimism has returned. And thank God we have this nurturing community to support one another…thank you Heather….
Sophia. I am with you and your thinking. I listen to both of the fifth last night and what he said about Biden versus Trump he said yes Biden is old but age doesn’t determine death. Death comes at any time he would rather have Biden because he said at the end of four years he would leave the White House, but if Trump is in there, he might not leave after four years. He will be the dictator.
France is not a good example because of their different electoral system. There are more parties to chose from so the extremes cannot take control. Once people realised what was at stake, the centrist and the left formed a coalition and the right was pushed back.
Here, with only have two parties, each of them containing extremes and centrists but the ideology of those parties is so different being set by the extremes, and centrist in either party cannot cross over.
The legacy media is complicit in pushing the age thing with Biden and causing divisions in the center/left. It raises my ire to hear BBC echoing that line. Biden has a fine track record, a cohesive and effective administration, and as a CEO he would be hailed as a success. He’s far more fit than DJT and definitely grounded in reality. DJT has mastered propaganda and made his living conning the media and the public so it’s no wonder the celebrity-based networks all ignore his ramblings and lies and seek the slick ‘image.’ (Imagine how Biden would look with dyed hair and loads of tan pancake makeup. Bizarre!)
I find Biden refreshingly normal. We don't need the rest of this circus. That is entertainment for some and just a waste of time for governing. Look at the stupid House of Representatives who spend most of their time on vacation.
Refreshingly normal... so i have felt, all along.
Maybe one of those $7,000 hairdos would convince some idiots. And a visit to a tanning booth, or a Hollywood make up artist. How very stupid we are to look for empty images. Chump is just empty, period.
Trump is a moral void, a man who will commit any crime to get what he wants, and the SCOTUS majority just tossed away 235 years of the constitutional principle that no official, including the president, is above the law.
SCOTUS is complicit with the right wingers. I am more disappointed in them, an institution I once admired.
MLM, "disappointed" doesn't even begin to touch it for me. I'll leave it at that, or I'll sink to my depths and sound worse than TC...
Moral void says it all, well, add bully
Tony Schwartz, who ghost wrote "The Art of the Deal" said trump was a black hole, that there was nothing there
A black hole, but black holes gobble up Schitt, chump spews Schitt non stop. Maybe he’s a black hole gone rogue.
This isn't about whether Biden is better than DT. Of course he is in every conceivable way!! No need to list the reasons anymore.
But he is not convincing VOTERS that his age doesn't make him unfit. 75% of all voters thought so before the debate. That number has gone up.
The debate gave DT an atom bomb of video clips-real ones this time- to drop hundreds of times a day.
If Biden can't win over the voters in November, all his great qualities are irrelevant. Period.
We have to defeat DT overwhelmingly in Nov. I don't think Biden can do that.
Susan-Does anyone really examine polling? Some “poll” 1,000 people and have 4-5 point margins of error. I don’t put much stock in them at all. Most questions are designed to elicit the responses they want.
Yes-Biden’s old-so is Trump. With our two party system this is where we are-the future matters and between these two candidates only one cares about the American people.
Convincing the American voters is the task at hand. The media isn't helping. Fact. DT has been brilliant at driving his own narrative. Fact. Biden is light years better than DT in every conceivable way. Fact. Biden is not doing well in the polls - we should be 20 points ahead of the convicted felon- sex offender- coup plotter. We are not 20 points ahead, we are behind. Fact.
DT has an even chance of winning. Fact.
Put these together and work from that baseline to figure out what you think is the best way forward - without protesting that the facts are the facts. This is what we have to work with. Not "It should be" or "Of course it will be" or anything else.
Respectfully Susan, Who do you think can be substituted at this late stage? Especially since the deadline for getting on the ballot in all 50 states is long past. No one is going to win on a write-in vote. Trump and right wing voters will scream that anyone winning that way will be illegitimate.
How would most Democrats feel about voting first someone they didn’t have a chance to choose in the primaries? Or someone they rejected in the last primary? And what do you think the approximately 25 million black women registered Democrats would do if another candidate was “selected” (by who?) instead of Vice President Kamala Harris? They would certainly feel betrayed. (See Jess Piper’s substack post on that scenario)
I think Harris is the only person positioned to step in. The voters DID vote for her! You make a good point about Republicans immediately filing lawsuits all over the place, thus gumming up the works if someone else is selected. Not to mention throwing the Black woman under the bus because she's no longer convenient.
Here's a box of Pampers. Go pee your panties somewhere that I don't have to smell the stench of your ignorance and cowardice.
Thanks for your informative and thoughtful response to my opinion.
Learn how to have a real conversation, how about.
You are correct, Biden had great achievements but he has the stamina to continue. He does well in scripted situations but is unable to respond to concerted attacks in real time, a quality necessary when dealing with crisis. A good example is his handling of the lead to Russian invasion of Ukraine: he had ample warnings of the massive military buildup on the border with Ukraine but dit not act forcefully to push Putin to pull back.
Laureen, I just saw a "Breaking News" on Xitter that Mark Warner scrapped the plan to go to WH to urge Biden to step down!
https://x.com/Acyn/status/1810098210196861423
It would be nice if our government officials would take a beat and stop being so reactive to the media when it (or Russia) is trying to stir the pot. Hopefully, he cancelled because he’s getting on board with Biden.
Congressional Dems should flood media with positive statements about Biden and condemnations of tfg’s plans.
I hear that John Fetterman will be on Jen Psaki’s MSNBC program tonight—I look forward to hearing what he has to say. He’s been a vocal supporter of the Biden/Harris reelection.
Good news! I wish I could say the same about my Rep, Angie Craig, who jumped on the dump Biden train last week. She is a very good representative but she is dead wrong on this one. I’ve cancelled my monthly donation to her campaign, talked with her campaign staff over the weekend and will call her DC office today to register my displeasure. Stupid, dangerous, arrogant and egotistical behavior among certain leaders in this country……
We have the most important Presidential election in our lifetimes facing us and these ‘leaders’ are leading off a cliff….
You go, Sheila!
Well hallelujah for that!
That's good news.
Well, because I just learned he scrapped the plan because news of it leaked, it ain't over where Warner is concerned, I suspect. But will stay on it (him) til I know he has stopped.
He appears to be a real jersey with no Integrity. Didn't his mother teach him to keep his big mouth shut if he couldn't say anything nice!
Laureen, I think that Biden’s stepping down would be a self-fulfilling prophecy. He becomes unelectable only if the majority of Democrats pronounce him unelectable. Why should independents vote for him if we proclaim him to be damaged goods? It’s like people saying to pollsters that their personal economic health is very good, but the country is going to hell—it’s because, everywhere they go, they’re being told that the economy is horrible (I’m not downplaying the seriousness of the economic plight of many people who are hanging on by a thread). So, read What Did Biden Do Today here on Substack and share nuggets with your friends.
Did you watch the debate or the interview with ABC? I don't think you can come away with your opinion that Biden is fine and can win if you did.
Admittedly, I only watched a bit of the debate as I couldn't stomach listening to Trump. But I watched the entire interview with George Stephanopoulos, and while there were tough questions, Biden's responses (coming across as suffering from age notwithstanding) were not encouraging:
* Won't take a cognitive test
* Won't listen to anyone and will only step down "if the Lord Almighty comes down and tells him to"
I watched both, beginning to end. He’s old. I saw what you and everyone else saw. It was concerning, not a good look. Then, I saw him appearing at events, and doing just fine. I was disappointed with the Stephanopolis interview, but not because of Biden. He was borderline harassing him. Biden is seen regularly by good doctors, and they have told him that he shows typical signs of aging, but not dementia. He said he would get tested if his doctors told him it was necessary, which they haven’t. There is a reasonable explanation for his less than stellar performance at the debate. He was sick. He was tired. He has a lifelong stutter. He’s old. Look at the debate transcript. He had full command of the facts, only misspeaking a few times, while Trump refused to answer the questions and spewed lies nonstop. Choose the leader that you want. Don’t let the hysterics from the press manipulate you. Remember they wanted Bill Clinton, Gore, Obama, Hillary Clinton,Fanni Willis, … to step aside too. Time to start demanding that the press investigate Trump’s mental acuity.
Biden/Harris 2024
Meanwhile, no one has pressed Trump for a cognitive test despite his known disconnected and wandering speeches at his rallies. He also appears to have very obvious personality disorders that do not bode well for his conduct as president. He wants to use his second term in office to illegally take revenge against his critics, and the majority on SCOTUS discarded 235 years of Constitutional principle that no person is above the law, and that this includes the president.
Oh, but wait, Kathy….we have “proof”: Man Woman Person Camera TV doncha know?? At least that’s what I hear from the droves of strong manly-men with tears in their eyes saluting TFFFG’s amazing really HUGE brain.
Good points. I am extremely grateful for this community. It calms my midnight stomach ache. Action helps.
Pap was harassing, battering away endlessly. I noticed Biden's voice had a lingering touch of cold
Yeah that guy has no place in a serious medium, but then, what medium is actually serious these days? After all, anyone can read between our host's lines and see – plain as day – that Russian influence throughout the "Biden Too Old" push. Who is reporting THAT?
He’s already had a cognitive test. The US culture of celebrity has very little patience with speech impediments— and age in general. How many questions were asked in that interview about policy, administration/ team, and successes? Responses to disasters and damage to major overpasses and bridge? The questions were centered around his age. How many questions are posed to DJT, the ignorant rambler, about age?
Chump is given a pass by all. At first it was Fox, then it was follow the money. And nobody mentions Project 2025
I believe we must all continue to speak up, particularly about Project 2025. We can do this. How can we be more strategic?
It should be on the headlines every day. I finally had a letter printed in Dallas paper. Write and scream it from the rooftops
Good Q, Susan.
Answer: refer to our humanities.
Commenters and those running for public office -- refer to those best at being in touch with others who experience the pain which our dehumanized elites never see, never imagine:
films like “The Florida Project” and “Winter’s Bone”; novels like Barbara Kingsolver’s “Demon Copperhead,” Walter Mosley’s “Always Outnumbered, Always Outgunned,” and many by Richard Russo and Stephen King; memoirs like Mary Karr’s “The Liars’ Club,” Jeannette Walls’ “The Glass Castle,” and Erin Gruwell’s “The Freedom Writers Diary,” poems such as Philip Levine’s Detroit factory poems, songs like Tim Grimm’s “Broken Truth,” Bob Segers’ “Feel Like a Number,” Carsie Blanton’s “Rich People,” and any number of Bruce Springsteen or hip hop Ari Melber will cite.
Robert Hubbell’s post today:⬇️
Amid all the calls for “cognitive tests” for Biden—but not Trump—journalists are committing malpractice by failing to note that President Biden released a detailed summary of his annual physical in February of this year. The full report is here: Health-Summary-2.28.pdf (whitehouse.gov). The examination included consultations with neurological experts at Walter Reed hospital. I urge you to read the entire report and consider how you would measure up to such a battery of tests!
On the issue of Biden’s neurological health, the report states the following:
An extremely detailed neurologic exam was again reassuring in that there were no findings which would be consistent with any cerebellar or other central neurological disorder, such as stroke, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s or ascending lateral sclerosis, nor are there any signs of cervical myelopathy. This exam did again support a finding of peripheral neuropathy in both feet. No motor weakness was detected. He exhibits no tremor, either at rest or with activity. He demonstrates excellent fine motor dexterity. But a subtle difference in heat/cold sensation could be elicited as it was last year. This heat/cold sensation deficit was detected a couple inches higher on his ankle/calf this year, which is not unexpected, There may, in fact, be day to day subjective variation of these findings, as during last year’s exam, this area of sensation deficit was actually found to be smaller than the year before.
https://open.substack.com/pub/roberthubbell/p/person-woman-man-camera-tv-double?r=fqsxl&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
Kathy-Thanks for sharing this link and report. Why hasn’t the media shared this information? Where’s a similar report for Trump?
All of us experience physical maladies that are connected to our minds and spirits. I give Biden a lot of credit for the commitment he’s made to “save the soul of America”.
This election is our chance to move forward-and not backward as a nation struggling to come to grips with the issues we are facing here and abroad.
Americans have a choice. We can sift the wheat from the chaff and stay true to our stated ideals of liberty and justice for all or we can devolve further into a chaotic, deceitful and vengeful atmosphere filled with hate.
Kathy: 🫶🏻👍💪🏼💖
It was all about ageism beginning to end.
If I were in Joe's place on that so-called "debate" stage I would have felt like I was in a bar fight. Or cornered by a hungry mountain lion. In such situations I would become inarticulate, and the adrenalin would produce a "fight or flight" reaction. Being a civilized person, I would have chosen to retreat, rather than act on my instinct. Confronted with an erupting volcano spewing obfuscation and lies, what would any sensible person do? I would seek shelter. No point in trying to fight with an active volcano. Only a short time later Joe was himself again -- out of the proximity with the monster.
Mockery would have been nice, but he was sick.
David H-thanks for this insightful comment about how human nature can react to “monsters”. As a nation we are truly being challenged by those within and without-the proximity has even reached to “supreme” levels in our court system. We’ll soon see if America can defeat the monster.
Gina, I have always wanted to believe that those who are good, and kind, and true -- would prevail. But I know that it doesn't always turn out that way. The good should prevail, and the not-good should fail. It is very frustrating, to say the least, to see so many people who are basically good-hearted American humans -- fail to discern the difference between the good and the not-good among us.
One of the problems is prolonging this as a news story. Giving medical records just feeds the news cycle. Also the president should not be badgered by all these people. He’s the president.
Cynthia-I share your sentiment about feeding the news cycle. At least people can see that at his age he’s not “cognitively impaired” but having some challenges with aging as we all do.
I like your saying “he’s the president”-it made me wonder whether he’s thinking about all of the “official acts”he can take now that he has “immunity”.
Frankly Matt, I’m focused on seeing that a convicted criminal and a wannabe dictator doesn’t get elected in November. Why not join us here?
https://www.justsecurity.org/92714/american-autocracy-threat-tracker/
I too do NOT want to see Trump win. Trump’s “win” would be the American people’s loss.
I fully support David H’s comment. This was hardly a presidential debate—it was a debacle. Aside from Biden being tired from traveling, debate training for a week for someone who is not adept at debating, and not feeling well, what CNN produced was simply a platform for convict 34 once again. The media sucks our blood for “ratings”. Ratings are celebrity convict 34’s lifeblood and only optics. I was disappointed that our man was not on his game, but he is not an orator or quick debater material. He is thoughtful, kind and has 50 years plus these past four tumultuous years in our history and proved himself the much better man dedicated to America. I am incredibly disappointed in those who want to oust him after all he has done to keep this country stable for us. I was not sure about him in 2020 but he certainly was not a fascist egomaniac cult leader rigging the systems with putin support.
I challenge any decent person to try and go up against a sociopathic lying bully who thinks he is a Hog, I meant God.
CNN should be excruciatingly ashamed of themselves for not knowing a thing about how a debate works. The moderators were asleep. No rules of engagement with a known bloviator who spewed lies and attacks like a machine gun. It was merely another free round of campaign propaganda for the cult leader who has proven he wants revenge and retribution on a country where he knows he never won the popular vote despite all the cheating and sedition. He is openly proving he wants to be a king supported by fanatic oligarch who want power and control. This is not about Biden and convict 34–this is about taking our country back and strengthening all the weakest spots in our government and across the nation against a totalitarian, fascist leaning takeover. This is not a time to be divided as Heather’s letter teaches us today. This is about standing g together for an administration that has made mostly good decisions after the worst President and his cabal took us down the darkest of paths with their total corruption and miscreants who keep their cult dumbed down. Hitler did the same thing drawing on racism and being a God who could save the white, blue-eyed Aryan race from all other in an attempt to rule the world. Megalomaniacs drool every time the see the fear, chaos and particularly the current division in American democrats/progressives and independent voters wanting to oust or fret so badly the one tried and true president that has a steady hand and strong administration. Jumping ships and clutching you pearls feeds the extremists because all the want are your tears and fears to grow. I say we all need to hire some cajoles and Stan together like Fran e and the UK have done and knock these fascists and oligarchs out of the ring and then get to work to bring our democracy into this century for the safety of our people, our children, our strength with our allies who are petrified watching our homegrown domestic terrorists almost succeed and our planet. Stop wringing your hands and hold hands with all of us together to fight this fight. Join orgs that teach you how to write, call, protest, register and get out the vote in numbers so big we create a tidal wave of blue. Be prepared for some backlash by the cretins about our election because we know know they care nothing for the rule of law, decency nor democracy and critical thinking. Together, right now, is the way we can beat them proving our democracy still works. Check your own voter registration—I live in a blue state and I found, online, that I am not registered, suddenly after 35 years in this state! Am going to the town hall today to see why and re-register if need be. Then I will warn my fellow state citizens not to be complacent about their own voting registrations. I will learn how to teach others to assure their registrations and help new voters learn what they must do to register. I worked with private school students who did not know how to address and envelope or deal with stamps and the post office. That was scary! Registering to vote and learning the process of mail-and finding the voting locations and time needs assistance. Reach out in your communities and help! Get out of pandemic mode—connect and be LOUD!
Pensa-VT Wow-you’ve thoughtfully laid out where we stand and what we need to do if we’re serious about showing the world what human progress looks like as we perfect our democracy.
Descendants of enslaved Africans in America have lived with tyranny for over 200 years. It’s no surprise that they elevated Biden during the primaries in 2020. Biden said his goal is to “save the soul of America”. Trump said his goal is to take us back and exact retribution on those who he personally deems as the “enemy”.
Most Black people vote for Democrats because the Republicans have made it clear that patriarchy and white supremacy are important to them and worth fighting for with all of their might.
Black voters are sticking with Biden even through voter suppression efforts and intimidation.
I’m stepping out on a wing and a prayer hoping that in this election White people will flip the script and the majority will vote for Biden instead of Trump. (In previous elections Trump won the majority of White voters)
"Admittedly, I only watched a bit of the debate" - there you go. How many times have I read those words, or a variant of them.
Anne-Louise, as is my SOTU custom, I watched my director during rehearsal instead of a televised presidential event. I came home to find my wife a mess because she did watch the debate. I would say that I am glad that I did not watch that fiasco.
Read the transcripts.
What bothered me was Biden’s inability to be completely honest. When asked if he was frail, he should tell us about his spinal arthritis. Why pretend he isn’t aging when it is obvious he is shuffling more? Then he disagreed completely with his polling stats— it just made him seem unwilling to be forthright. And his answer to “did you watch the debate afterwards?” should have been a Yes or No—either he did or not, not “I don’t think I did, no.” It was not reassuring. Yes, I’m voting for him, but that frustrating interview didn’t help at all to convince undecided voters.
Another white male moron heard from. Go fuck off. And when you're done, go fuck off over there, you miserable shitbird.
I hate it when disgusting, ignorant fuckheads claim they're on my side.
I've read the Rebecca Solnit, Wendyl. She's spot on.
But for larger, combined threats, it's not Biden, or Kamala, or Gretchen -- it's Dems united.
This monstrosity of the Clarence court suspending the Constitution (for the sake of their criminality!), allied with the Project 2025, and with MAGA "Christian" fanatics, and their orange felon, and Putin (and other world criminals behind him) all need our Dems to get together -- really together -- regardless of who fronts them.
An interesting reaction to King-gate from judge J. Micheal Luttig;
"The most important thing that I want to say today about the decision is this:
The Supreme Court decided to give absolute immunity to Donald Trump and then wrote the opinion to justify it. How do we know it? This is how we know it. Donald Trump has been charged with the gravest crimes possible against the United States of America. Those charges and those allegations were the only issue before this Supreme. That’s all the court was required to decided and, by the way, for almost 250 years, that’s the only issue that any Supreme Court in history would have decided.
What did this Supreme Court do? It decided the issue of presidential immunity for all times in all contexts, Michael, possible under the Constitution. It’s the precise opposite of what any court, any court of the United States, and especially the Supreme Court of the United States, ever does.
Now why did they do it? There’s only one possible explanation. They had to decide that the president, that Donald Trump had absolute immunity because he’s alleged to have committed the gravest crimes against America. So if they were going to hold that he was immune, they had to adopt his argument that he was absolutely immune from even the gravest crimes that a president could commit against the United States of America. The court had no choice, if it were going to hold that Donald Trump was immune from prosecution for the grave offenses that he committed.
This is a classic case where the Supreme Court decided what it wanted to decide and then went in search of the constitutional reasoning that would support that decision. Unfortunately for America, there was no constitutional reasoning, none based in the Constitution, the court’s precedence, history, anything anywhere, to support that decision that they made before this argument ever took place."
https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2024/7/7/2252223/-The-Supreme-Court-decided-to-give-Donald-Trump-immunity-before-they-crafted-their-opinion
J L Graham, so grateful to Judge Luttig for his honest insights and honor of the Constitution and rule of law. Thanks for posting. I am so distressed by this ruling. It's a hair and pants on fire time. We need to tell everyone we know (and don't know) about this and all of the egregious SC rulings and about the violent Project 2025.
I think the mark of a wise and compassionate leader is credit where credit is due; not just as a mater of justice, but because for democracy to fully function we need to understand, at least in some vague way, the complexity of the functions that hold it all together. I think we all want heroes, and there ARE heroes, but they are not really Superman or Wonder Woman, even though that's what many still cling to; and that can be dangerous. Revisit the rapt crowds, ecstatic in the presence of theatrical phonies such as Hitler and Mussolini.
Falling in love with love is playing with make-believe, falling in love with love is playing the fool.
MT, am doin’ just that…everyone I know AND those I don’t (such as my market checker, the proselytizers at my door and folks I bump into at the Post Office)—surprises me how many have not heard of it, so I tell them to look into it!
Supreme Court = Project 2025.
Not all conspiracy theories are delusional, and not all out-to-get-you perceptions are paranoid. History shows that. Empirical evidence can sometimes prove it, and some people on the marginalized side of society have always known it.
Exactly, the SC did the opposite of what the SC is charged with doing…
The are saboteurs of democracy and literal agents of plutocratic autocracy. That pattern has been increasingly evident for some years, especially after "Citizens United". They use any pretext to take down any pro-public authority of the Constitution, but now they strike at the heart. Their malfeasance is over the top.
"Nip the shoots of arbitrary power in the bud, is the only maxim which can ever preserve the liberties of any people." - John Adams
Funny thing is, J L -- we all know about Article 14, section three.
It's right there in the Constitution. But the thugs of the radical right in their conceits deem that we can't read, or shouldn't read -- exactly as they scorn the ability and decency of American women.
“The Party told you to reject the evidence of your eyes and of your ears. It was their final, most essential command.”
I was so very certain that critical thinking would prevail and the SC would not grant immunity. How could I be so wrong? I guess power is that potent of a drug that obliterates shame. What happens to these derelicts when trump is not reelected?
What happens, Sophia? Hopefully, a Democratic trifecta where the court is expanded.
Power rules, money knows that well
Sophia, by placing trust where none should be given. Money talks. $COTUS is bought and paid for by the oligarchs/Heritage Foundation. For your second question, I hope that the retribution is swift and permanent.
If Trump is defeated plutocracy will still be rearing it's Plutonian head. It never goes away, and thrived(s) even in communist countries. But after the corrupted "Gilded Age" we were teaching it some manners, and trying to reconcile the urge toward self-interest we all share within the limitations of the common weal. "Reaganomics" took a battering ram to that, and too many looked the other way, even some Dems. we have got to proactively fight corruption, before it goes septic. Let's hope the latest turns in European elections is a reminder that resistance ISN'T futile.
Judge Luttig is correct, and I think more people should be heeding what he has to say.
Yup. I think he "nailed" it.
J. L. Graham -- "What did this Supreme Court do? It decided the issue of presidential immunity for all times in all contexts, Michael, possible under the Constitution. ..." Just like Roe v. Wade?
"Republicans" appointed little dictators. I have been waiting to here a peep from Anthony Kennedy, the seemingly not fully MAGA justice who pointedly stepped aside so that Trump could appoint Kavanaugh.
So unite!!! I agree with your anxiety about our current situation. I have written to Biden to put Project 2025 front and center in his campaigning. Rebecca Solnit has perfectly stated my thoughts.
She usually reads my mind
Project 2025 AKA Unser Kampf
By nature, organizing Democrats is like herding cats. We try to avoid groupthink. We embrace and cherish diversity. A dozen people with a dozen opinions, working together to achieve consensus. Our somewhat divergent thinking can, and does, eventually, unite us.
Yup. All that herding looks like chaos to some folks, or maybe just too much work. But the outcome is the payoff (See the mission statement of the Constitution). Unalienable individual rights and liberty and justice for ALL. Or at least our good faith efforts to make it so.
A safe environment for diversity requires solidarity to guard each other's rights. Liberty requires diversity or it's not worthy of the name. E Pluibus Unum.
As for Biden, I did not like his "God Almighty" remark. He is there to serve the public's interest, and that should always be the emphasis. I've always had some mixed feelings about Biden, but whatever the final equation might be, the whole cognitive thing at this point seems like a canard. Bernie Sanders had this to say:
"Biden had a terrible debate performance. I think he's done better since..But I think most importantly, now, this is not a beauty contest, it's not a Grammy Award contest. It is a contest of who stands with the vast majority of the people in this country, the elderly, the children, working class, the poor. And that candidate is obviously Joe Biden.”
https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2024/7/7/2252220/-Bernie-Sanders-Supports-President-Biden-on-Face-the-Nation-By-Simply-Speaking-the-Truth
Is America ignoring proven performance and flirting with a sociopathic third-rate gameshow host as president (again) because he's possibly smoother (even if a compulsive liar) on TV? What is media doing to our democratic process, our thinking?
JL, speaking of Bernie, and some off-putting things about Joe over the decades, I would have preferred Bernie as President. But I learned a long time ago that you can't always get what you want. Or perhaps, we can't ever get exactly the perfect President we really want. I think the best a President could do would be to try to make stars out of the people around him, give them as much credit as possible for the work they are doing. I know that Joe has good people working with him. They have accomplished admirable work over the past three years.
Media! I don't read the three main Australian newspapers, so it's only their headlines that enrage me at the moment. They're all copy-pasted from the Biden-must-go American press.
Go Bernie Yep, I said that
Great question JL!
After hurting us, history proves my point.
What you've written there can be applied neatly to the French.
I think "unite" here means no herding but lots of quoting, naming, David.
Dems can refer to each other specifically and enthusiastically. Yes, of course shades of priority difference, various tilts of loyalty on different issues (several of them key issues). But over and over Dems can name the good ones, their colleagues, at various levels in various parts of the country.
Even Biden could refer every day to fellow Dems by name, as if what counts were humanity and decency abroad the land, not just the one at the top.
Names matter. It's personal. A nation respecting individuals can trust, celebrate them -- as we trust our fellow American women to decide their own health and family planning, over the MAGA cult Clarence court which can't even read the Constitution to which they took lying oaths.
I agree, Phil.
Sometimes, when we are working together, arguing together, we end up soaring, seeing the big picture from the heights.
It is fascinating to me to watch the coalitions that form in Europe. I look for that sort of alignment here, but I don't see it, or I don't recognize it.
Resorting to violence indicates an abandonment of reason. Unable to muster the intellectual wherewithal to offer compelling or persuasive arguments, they retreat and get all anti-democratic, and devise a plan for 2025 which would involve the use of force instead of suasion.
I wish the Democrats would talk about being democratic. I hope that Jamie Raskin and the group in the House will work against the 2025 cartel, and that the Democrats will at the same time talk about the vision for America's future that we wish they would pursue if they can regain the upper hand. I want them to plan for a future in which Earth is still habitable. I think that if we could lift every American up out of poverty we would see a drastic drop in gun violence. For the past half century the Democrats have been afraid of being called "socialists", so they stick to the political center. We like Bernie because he wants to move to the left of center. I would prefer to be accused of being a Socialist than to cower at the safe center. Our wagon train is stuck in the mud, and the conservatives among us are dragging their feet in the muck and mire instead of helping us to get moving forward again.
Vote for Democracy! Vote for Democrats!
The Constitution is an inconvenience to plutocrats. so they fictionalize it and demonize the truth. Just like they say that Jesus will shower them with money and and hand them automated weapons to deal with their enemies. And of course, drive all the impoverished Others from the land.
Go away, you self-important fool. You are disgusting.
Diversity, equity and inclusion are strengths only if we know why, when and how to reach consensus.
Gina, exactly! If we are not consciously, intentionally working toward consensus, never giving up, then the society holds together. But if the common agreement to continue to work toward consensus falls apart, then we lapse into a power struggle, such as we have seen these past four or so decades.
In the worst case scenario, diversity, equity, and inclusion -- without the ironclad commitment to steadfastly continue to work toward consensus -- will lead to atomization of society, every one for himself or herself or themselves, toward the extreme case of the Tower of Babel, wherein nobody can understand what anyone else is saying -- the polar opposite of consensus.
Go fuck off you politically-illiterate shitbird.
TC, who, me? I always find it challenging to try to correlate a comment with its referent.
LOL, agree David, and is why I try to include the name of the commenter in my response , cuz it can get hard tell, especially if there are multiple responses and THOSE responses then have them too! [as a side note, TC seems to be in a mood today….tho honestly I get a chuckle outta some of his replies!]
I agree with you. I think you meant to reply to Phil Balla? I’m not sure he’ll see your comment.
Thanks Laureen. I moved it.🙏
Every day same old, same old. Opinion and no real workable plan. This kind of comment tries to "nicely and enthusiastically" undercut a man who has done a stellar job as president. If you read Robert Hubble you will understand that Biden had a physical, including neurological exam in February. He is fine. Read Rebecca Solnit's brilliant article in the Guardian for another perspective.
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/article/2024/jul/06/biden-trump-race-rebecca-solnit?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Other
Thanks Wendy. Here is the answer from the Guardian itself. “From Elon Musk to the Murdochs, a small number of billionaire owners have a powerful hold on so much of the information that reaches the public about what’s happening in the world. The Guardian is different. We have no billionaire owner or shareholders to consider. Our journalism is produced to serve the public interest – not profit motives.” You can google CEO’s of the major media outlets and see that are all DJT donors. This has also been exposed by Ben Misalis on the Midas touch network. So there you have it. Pretty tough on all those newscasters to really be journalists. Not that I can excuse them and keep hoping they will see the light and finally say enough is enough.
But but bbbbut! Look at the opinion piece the Guardian ran today! I feel mixed about them: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/article/2024/jul/08/the-guardian-view-on-joe-bidens-re-election-bid-democrats-cant-go-on-like-this
TY, Wendy. Thought-provoking article!
Rebecca has another phrase about voting for a candidate: “I think of voting as a chess move, not a valentine”
Thanks! I read the article and posted it on my fb page. I hope it will be widely shared.
Lynell and Wendy: Good for Solnit! Thanks for the post! ❤️
Good article. Reposted!
Wendy, so glad you read Robert Hubble today and can add some sanity to those who just can’t control their know-it-all-ism even when they “admittedly didn’t watch the whole thing”.
You mean like Biden who didn’t think and could not remember that he watched his own debate!?
Good suggestion!
And, Marie, I tell folks to read the transcripts of the debate….tells you who is “really” with it & knows a thing or two (more like a 100!).
Her article is an excellent one. I encourage y'all to read and share it.
I believe you. Over 75% of voters don't. Convincing them has not been working and I don't think it will work. If it doesn't, we get DT.
How can convincing 75% work if all the traitorous, money grubbing media pundits are spewing out garbage for click bait and ratings, united in keeping the debate front and center. Where did the 75% figure come from? Biden has been out campaigning strongly. My feeling is that if the Dems would unite behind him, support him enthusiastically, openly, as he has been a great president we could put the debate behind us. The media is trying to defeat Biden. Given the stakes for America and democracy it is utterly shameful, immoral and dangerous.
I’m curious about ‘polls.’ So often they are wrong, or skewed, as we have learned in past elections and as Europe learned in recent elections. I get asked to do polls and don’t usually respond because there’s often a price tag attached to them. I don’t post signs in my yard because I don’t want to invite the vandalism of the MAGAts on my road. I will stand for my party in public gatherings and in writing, and in interpersonal contacts. But I think we are indeed the silent majority in many ways.
Heather-I’m keeping the faith that there’s a silent majority too. As the saying goes, “still waters run deep”.
Important: instead of making Kamala Harris the candidate, stick with the ticket and she will be there anyway!!
That’s exactly what Republicans are saying as a warning: vote for Biden today, get Kamala tomorrow.
Goddamnit. Here you have me convinced you might be intelligent and worthwhile, and then you get taken in by the Vichy Democrats of the Corporatist/DINO caucus. What a disappointment.
There you go again with your name calling, etc. Have you actually watched either the Biden / Trump debate or the ABC interview?
Vichy Democrats? Corporatist/DINO caucus? Names please.
All nine of the Congressional traitors, and the worthless Mark Warner, for starters.
The nine members of congress that Phil listed as 'stars' are traitors?
I had them listed as spineless asswipes years ago. And Phil Balla is a braindead yuppie striver, a variety of Homo Sap I've never been able to stand.
f. y. i., TCinLA -- yuppie stands for Young Urban Professional.
As to that, I'm closer to 78 than 77.
I live in the mountains of Kyushu, Japan ("inaka" the Japanese word for the countryside here).
Professional? As for that, note I'm not lobbing any copulative-labeling "is" at you, along with any string of adjectives as you rely on.
So if you could run the Democratic Party, what would be your economic, domestic policy, and foreign policy initiatives?
Oh. You're referring to Phil Balla. It looked like you meant Wendyl.
One thing I admire about tRump supporters is their undying loyalty to their dumb fat leader. Despite everything. And by everything I mean everything; the endless lies, the rape charges, the endless spew of demented psychobabble, the threat to deny human rights and freedoms, the mess he left the country in when he was escorted out of the building, the obscene commitment to making the rich richer etc. etc. etc. Yet... despite Biden running the country like a superhero, pulling economic growth and prosperity out of a hat, delivering a State of The Union Address that could sit alongside the greatest speeches of all time... he underperforms one night due to a cold, and half of his Democrat constituency want to see him gone.
Kazz-You’re right. Their undying loyalty is something to behold. What do you think is behind their undying loyalty?
Gina, they saw a pretend successful and savvy businessman on their TeeVee and loved his schtick as well, so much so that they’d drink the Jim Jones brand of Koolaid if he offered it. Hard to wrap my head around how gullible they are. [Or they are the uber-rich who don’t give a crap about democracy & it’s all about tax cuts & deregulation.]
I agree with Barbara, the TV star exactly what got Ronald Reagan into office.
Kamala as Vice President is only a heart beat away from the presidency should Biden’s health falter. This is no time for Democrats to form a circular firing squad. America survived Reagan’s dementia…America can survive Biden’s mental lapses.
To the undocumented extent they are a problem in the first place.
As to entering enthusiasm into the race: agreed. That has been the liberals' forte over time. For me, it is obvious that President Biden's faculties are not what they once were by a discernible margin, but my gut says they are enough, together with his content of character.
😇
Frankly, I prefer and trust a President, notwithstanding his or her specifics in policies, who has grown through suffering and grown beyond adversity. President Biden surely has done both. Both growths refine one's character.
⚖️
In the end, however, President Biden has earned the dignity of making up his own mind. He has earned my trust in his judgement and that of his family. Mrs Biden impresses me as a woman who cares for her husband and would never set him up for humiliation.
Ned-While there does seem to be an enthusiasm issue (and media is piling on), I’ve found that people get enthusiastic about voting for Biden when they learn about Project 2025. Even if it’s not enthusiasm for Biden himself, there’s recognition that it’s do or die time.
The SCOTUS immunity decision generates enthusiasm too because we’ve all been conditioned to believe that “no man is above the law”. Most people certainly don’t want someone like Trump to be “immune”.
Thank you, Gina. That is very perceptive on your part. President Biden is whipping up enthusiasm in most of his speeches when he speaks to his coalition. At least from the few addresses I have watched.
P.S., on immunity: since when is the carrier of a disease immune?
That last sentence--"would set him up for humiliation"??
Did you leave out "n't"?!?!
Good catch, Miselle. Thank you. Change is made. Oy vey; my proof-reading.
Just stop.
The reality is that the president might actually have to step aside AFTER the elections, but
this country would not unite around a different ticket at this late stage. We assure tffg a win if we go this route.
I agree -- Biden as an elder statesman giving his full support to another candidate is the honorable thing for him to do. His defiance is really starting to bother me -- and I admire the man greatly.
Thank you, Phil. I’ve been scolding MSNBC and am happy to see your positive comments.
Phil, when did we quit looking at people's track records, their previous experience in running anything, when it comes to electing the highest office in our government, perhaps the most powerful office in the world???!!!
JohnM. When? Must have been when a carnival barker taught them it was in their fiscal interest to cover the road show and not the content of either his character or his imagined achievements.
Phil Balla,
Great letter....It is not dismissing Joe Biden as a leader and beloved person but including him as an "Elder Statesman" and elevating patriots who have proven themselves in "battle" serving this country and preserving its ideals!
Agreed!!!!
Such cogency makes me shiver. Hear, Hear! Well Said, Phil! I’ll keep the faith!
One reporter noted that all the funds President Biden has raised are for his candidacy can not be transferred. That spooked me; that assertion appears to be inaccurate of misinformation.
https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/4753737-biden-drop-out-rumors-campaign-funding/
This is wonderful news about France and Britain. There is no reason why the US can't win this election for our Democracy if the Democratic Party is united. You can't have division. That would be an failure that the Democrats can't afford.
In France there was a coalition between parties that defeated the right wing. In Britain there were fourteen years under a bumbling Conservative Party in disarray that caused a major shift to the centre.
It goes to show you that nothing is impossible.
The media has reduced the presidential contest to a horse race, and have locked on to one of the candidate’s attributes, literally his appearance (not in the job itself; rather, in the proverbial quiz show).
In doing so, they imply not only that the other candidate looks better, they ascribe to that juxtaposition as being the key barometer to judging who will win the election.
Certainly, the appearance of mental acuity or the lack there of is important, but does it really trump (pun intended) past performance as an indicator of future results?
One guy was previously fired for the same job by voters and he now is running on telling voters the nation is a hellscape and only he can fix it by doing what hasn’t been done in 250 years, swapping out democracy for an authoritarian form of government wherein he’s the dictator and his vanguard party is planning on imposing policies that are widely unpopular.
I find that analysis to be inane.
We don’t have a parliamentarian system but we do have blocks of interests. It is my hope that whoever leads the Democrats can convince a wide tent of voters that it is the country’s interest to reject Trumpism.
The media horse race, Democracy-as-snappy-patter thing stuck us with two terms "B" actor Ronnie Reagan, a dwindling middle class, many preventable disasters, and the descent to the brink of fascism. We chart the future of our society* with our vote, not just who had the best act.
* including how much hotter we want it to get.
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/article/2024/jul/08/temperatures-1-point-5c-above-pre-industrial-era-average-for-12-months-data-shows
Thank you, JM Graham. We’ll thought-out opinion.
Will Rogers' several quips about disagreements and lack of organization among Democrats are as true today as they were nearly a century ago. That we disagree on the fitness of Biden and whether or not he is a good or even an acceptable choice strikes me as normal. Can this lack of agreement on such a large issue continue and still result in a defeat for the MAGA right? One might hope so, but similar divisions in 1968 led to a very bad outcome. We could use a leader who has the ability to bring us together. Joe is not that guy, but gee, if we're stuck with him, somehow we need to find a way to make that work for a win. That said, I sure wish he would come to his senses and steps aside - and soon.
President Biden has been arguably the best president of my lifetime. I am very pleased and impressed that he has delivered such astonishing results during his three years in office despite the mess he inherited from Trump.
He has my vote as well as my donations and support. My husband says the same. Everywhere we go people say the same. It is quite uplifting.
Craig Dupler,
We could never be "stuck" with Joe Biden. He is a great human being and he has led us well. In my opinion, it is time for him to play another role within the leadership of our nation.
Ridin' with Biden. He has let us superbly and he will continue to do so.
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/article/2024/jul/06/biden-trump-race-rebecca-solnit
So I totally disagree with this analysis from The Guardian. One of the more valuable lessons that I've learned in life is to try to learn from people with whom one disagrees. Nobody (well almost nobody) is completely wrong all of the time. I have a hard time thinking of good things to say about Ronald Reagan, but he was absolutely masterful in his debate with Carter. Those lines of his that started with "There you go again ..." took Carter's points away from him and even turned them against him. Reagan was great on his feet (in the beginning) and carried the attack to his speaking adversaries.
OK, now let's look at Biden. He has had countless opportunities to go on the attack in forceful ways. And he never misses an opportunity to avoid those chances. Sure he is a good guy, and despite his terribly too soft policy on Israel, most of what his administration has done has been a good thing. But he and his team couldn't sell lollipops to rich ten year-olds with $20 bills in their hands. And that is a HUGE problem for us, and not what we need in a candidate running against Trump. A presidential race, more than any other, is almost exclusively about selling ideas. And this team and its leader are just no good at that.
One is heartened and encouraged by the recent election results of our European cousins.
The intense use of “political technology” by right-wing political organizations is an open and frank admission that they know their philosophy would not survive in an open and honest democracy.
“If we don’t lie, we don’t win.”
“Unity is our enemy.”
“An educated electorate is our enemy.”
All are the unofficial, silent, but real slogans of the modern American Republican Party.
Tiny moment of pride at seeing my prime minister quoted here. No democracy and certainly no leader is perfect, but it's so very easy to see who is working for the best interests of their country and who is just working to enrich themselves. Once you dig past all the crap online, or simply ignore it (no easy feat), it's so blatant. Although I'm not an American, that's what I think about the whole Biden "controversy" too. It shouldn't even be a controversy. Sure, he might have better and worse days, but he's surrounded by competent people who want what's best for the American people and for democracy. Trump only thinks of himself, his ego and his profit, and is surrounded by people who want to install an autocracy as a precursor to an outright dictatorship. There's no choice here!
So many good thoughts, great hope filled words.. I believe Pres Biden is accomplishing so
Much.. and will continue .. I’m so tired of the naysayers misconstruing everything of value to the regular people …working and living as best they can.. gnite
La France dit NON! a le fascisme.
Mange la marde, Le Pen! Votre ami Putin est un maudit cochon!
recte: merde
Same thing happened in 2021, when her father accidentally got into the second round. The population got together and blocked him.
I love it when those who ignore history get taught a lesson.
For Marine and Vladdy, here's a special song from Montreal (where they spell things differently):
https://youtu.be/XuHODi3Ry2o
Aaaah! C'est crissement bon!
C’était drôle 😹
Ooh! you've got a clavier français!
Anne-Louise, I’m able to switch between the American and French “clavier” on my iPad. Or I simply press on the vowel until the it comes up with possible accent marks on a line above the top row of letters on the keyboard. à. é è ê ï etc.
When I’m on FB, it sometimes automatically switches to le clavier français! Bonne journée!
I've been a typist alI my life and can't cope with iPad - I need to use both hands, so I've got a plain old-fashioned laptop set to FR and a separate French keyboard with USB connection. Gets a bit fiddly when I need to use numerals as well. Bonne journée à vous aussi! (ou bonne soirée, selon).
Can moderate Republicans join less factionalized Dems and finally drive a stake in the heart of MAGAs, thus following Spain, UK and France? Far right in Europe is MAGA-lite compared to Trump, are Dems any better united than their European brethren?
- Pulled Quote -
"... voters woke up.''
We have more hope today. Vote.
Just to note that MAGA's total game plan is this: ''Play on their fears and they'll follow you anywhere''
The counterbalance is critical thinking through education and by example:
''Cultivating Critical Thinking: A Vital Skill for the Modern World''
Critical thinking is the cornerstone of informed decision-making. It empowers individuals to dissect information, discern and question truth, and navigate a complex world with clarity and confidence.
https://www.michaelcorthell.com/2023/10/cultivating-critical-thinking-vital.html
We could be so lucky here in the States to see a large coalition of progressives, moderates, independents and moderate conservatives rise up and, in spite their many individual world views and political proclivities, reject the fascism that is being promoted by the radical right. We may want different versions of democracy, but if we're united in what we don't want, the absolute rule of a dictator given immunity from prosecution by a radical supreme court, then we will band together to vote the bastards out.
This is TOTALLY CORRECT! Look at how all these disparate countries in Europe are successfully eradicating the Far & Not so far Right . We can do it! TALK ABOUT THIS ! Every where you go… big boxes don’t exist anymore but many of us wander the interiors of old & new shopping malls… talk…Talk … TALK … in the escalators and in the cafes and everywhere… invite everyone’s views…ask if they’re registered to vote. WE MUST VOTE!
Great news that words pointing to the truth won out over lies, lies, and more lies of the far-right violent Le Pen gang in France! And so glad the U.K. kicked the conservatives from power. These are hopeful signs that more people have woke up.
May we wake up more and more people and unite to save ourselves from our own violent far-right whose plan to oppress us with cruelty is coming together quite nicely they say. Stay positive everyone. We have love of country and love of one another, a powerful force and strength our opponents lack.
Only fly in the ointment is that Farage got himself a seat.
Anne-Louise Luccarini, true, he's another anti-democratic, Putin tool, far-right monster.
Keep your writings coming! I believe in group energies overwhelming negativity and fear.
All the Biden naysayers want to install puppet Trump to keep the masses (his ‘base’) entertained and believing they are supporting their “leader”… in fact he’s just a puppet dancing and pronouncing all the tropes they are feeding him
Turns out that, 55 years ago, my Mother was right when she said “next time the Russians will try to get us from the inside.”
She, a nurse from a rural town in a Midwestern state, was far more prescient than our elected officials have been with the vast resources available to them.
Indeed, Marine le Pen’s anointed, Jordan Bardella called the coalition that defeated their party an unnatural and dishonorable alliance, emulating Stephen Douglas. I hope a coalition of sensible Democrats, brave Republicans and pragmatic centrists can come together to defeat the GOP this fall.
Coalitions came together after Black men got the right to vote in the late 1800s. Known as the Fusion Party blocks of voters came together to elect people who cared about American ideals even if they didn’t agree on every issue.
Of course the MAGAS of that day used violence and voter suppression to seize power after losing. This is our chance to say no to fascism. Unity is strength.
The first 5 articles in NYtimes this morning ar negative about Biden. No DT articles at all. I’ve tried emailing editorial board and received a canned response about not being able to read all emails. Any ideas how we can get the media to write about Project 2025 and DT as much as they write about Biden?
The headline in the Washington Post today continues the anti-Biden campaign. I have never seen anything like this in my life. It is frightening. It also makes me and millions of others more determined than ever to see the Democrats win in November.
100% for Joe Biden for President
I know exactly what you mean, only I'll be much less polite in stating that "it pisses me off!" to see this go on.
Why wasn't there a headline after Biden's interview with George Stephanopoulos saying
" Biden sits for one in one interview, where the interviewer held Biden's feet to the fire."
Followed by or maybe it should start with: "Why won't trump sit with George Stephanopoulos for one on one interview? What is he afraid of?????"
Jan, buy 2 billion in ads
It's interesting to note that beyond the elections in the UK and France, Iranians also choose a relative moderate in their recent presidential election.
Perhaps voters (some at least) are becoming more savvy and perceptive of manipulation.
Thank you Heather. Our profit driven mainstream media is owned by 6 corporations. They and social media oligarchs, and the operators of hate radio love the revenue generating buzz from Trump’s mafia extortion racket. They love the money and status as perception shapers so much that they keep normalizing the disaster that is Trump’s MAGA cult & Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025 with 6/9 SCOTUS having their backs. The Republican party is already in revolutionary revolt to establish Benito Mussilini style fascism, in league with Putin. Through their compliant propaganda partners they’re projecting confidence this is all a done deal: Democracy dies in January 2025. They’re lying. This is an extortion racket. People need to stay strong and active like never before to mobilize democracy defender patriots to massively vote, and boycott these Putin allies into oblivion, knowing they intend to continue to thwart democracy after they lose at the pols. We have to believe what they tell us. If dems can hold the presidency, senate, & regain the house we need to support impeachment & removal of corrupt SCOTUS judges & replacement with honest, non-partisan jurists.