Here is journalist Philip Bump's critical analysis of how the Parkinson story got ahead of the facts. Published in the Washington Post.
"Cannard’s visits were not exceptional given the number of known visits he made during the Obama administration. Visitor records maintained by the National Archives show 64 visits from 2012 through 2016, …
Here is journalist Philip Bump's critical analysis of how the Parkinson story got ahead of the facts. Published in the Washington Post.
"Cannard’s visits were not exceptional given the number of known visits he made during the Obama administration. Visitor records maintained by the National Archives show 64 visits from 2012 through 2016, including a White House tour and Cannard’s attendance at a holiday party. There are no public records from the Trump administration." [The
Before Project 2025, Ginni Thomas was going to the Trump White House with lists of who should be hired and fired by the executive branch.
"A central focus for Ms. Hair and Ms. Thomas was administration appointments that they wanted made and that they accused the president’s aides of blocking."
"A group led by Ginni Thomas has targeted officials in the administration, and lobbied for its own preferred choices. As the president’s distrust in those serving him has grown, so has its sway."
"A well-connected network of conservative activists with close ties to Trump and top administration officials is quietly helping develop these "Never Trump"/pro-Trump lists, and some sent memos to Trump to shape his views, per sources with direct knowledge.
Members of this network include Ginni Thomas, the wife of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, and Republican Senate staffer Barbara Ledeen."
The Parkinson's story is not relevant. The disastrous debate is the issue. It is time for Letters to state the obvious. Time for Biden to retire from the campaign.
No, Beth. Looking at the Parkinson's story exposes the way Biden is being unfairly characterized by those who want to downplay policy issues, his record, and his values. The madness of Trump ought to be the story being told. Except it's not a "story"; it is horrifying potential reality.
The hitch is that there *is* something up with Biden. It's apparent. He still gets my vote. Where the public can see changes that seem to be happening quickly, and the official response is simply 'he's old and there's nothing to see here', it leaves room for all this wild speculation. We don't even know how much our foreign adversaries are pumping in here, but the gap has been left and they continue to fill it with expanding foam. Meanwhile, everything alarming about Trump, as HCR notes here, is getting covered up.
If Biden were to get to a point where he cannot function as leader, Harris would just take over. That's pretty much the worst that would happen, especially since Dems wouldn't be afraid to use Article 25 the way R's seem to be. Contrast that with what will very likely happen if Trump is elected.
but is it it reasonable to ask the people to vote for a man who quite likely will not be able to do the job in 3 years? I will, but I am a politics nerd terrified of a trump administration and all that implies. We are a small minority.
If you're playing the long game, it's perfectly reasonable. Let's say Biden resigns in June, 2026 and Kamala becomes President. She would have 2+ years to show that she is up to the job.
I'm with John Fugelsang of Progress Radio. I will vote for Biden even if he's just a brain in a jar.
But, I WON'T vote for Harris-Biden. He will need to totally be out of politics if he resigns.
Quite likely is a mathamatical statement for which you have no evidence. Statistically Biden is better off at his age than Trump is at his. In a study which I believe Atlantic author Derek Thompson talked about the average American life expectancy was lower than comparable wealthy countries until the age of 80, and then it becomes higher than the average age of comparably wealthy countries. So, Biden is already in a category where people live longer, which Trump is not yet in. It is unreasonable to ask people to vote for anyone who is not a good candidate. Biden is a GIFTED politician. He gets things done that no one else could, and that scares the far right because they have been grifting for so long and they are so greedy they do not want to give up any opportunity to make lots of money and not pay taxes on it. However, Biden has been brave enough to take them on, and is the first one turning things around since Reagan messed the USA up and of course the planet. He was one who was carrying out a the Heritage Foundation plans. The claim Reagan got about 67% done, but Trump got more like 89% done. It will be over 100% because they ask for even more now if Trump goes back. One thing you can do, is there is a form on Mastadon, which is to file a tax fraud complaint with the IRS which you can use to complain about the Heritage Foundation. They even have suggested how you can fill it out. I am posting the links, and ask you to please download it, fill it out, mail it in, and ask friends to do the same.
Seen on Mastodon. At this link you can download a PDF form to file a complaint to the IRS, requesting that they revoke the Heritage Foundation‘s non-profit status. Fill out the form and mail it to: eoclass@irs.gov
This is what is suggested on the sample form to fill in:
Based on the statements of Kevin Roberst, the Heritage Foundation’s president, on June 11 and July 2, the foundation’s mission is no longer solely “research and education,” but now includes preparing for a possibly bloody revolution.
Specifically, in an interview on “The War Room” on July 2, Roberts stated that the Heritage Foundation has developed a prominent series of policy plans (Project 2025) to overhaul the federal government under a Republican president, and that the country was “in the process of the second American Revolution, which will remain bloodless if the left allows it to be”
Sure sounds like Roberts and the other authors of Project 2025 are planning to start a bloody war as part of the Heritage Foundation’s mission.
Trump has lost the popular vote both time he ran. The first time he only won because of the structure of the electoral college. The second time he lost that. Please explain how he has gained MORE supporters with all of his criminal activity exposed. I believe we are in the definite majority.
There seems to be, or there is suspicion of a cover-up of Biden's physical and mental health. There is a lack of forthrightness that caused alarm after the debate. Biden is losing to Trump in the polls which cannot be totally discounted much longer. Biden is a risky choice. Kamala is doing well. I agree. It's a big deal if people are really voting for Kamala Harris.
I am alarmed by all those who are defending Biden to the point of belligerance and not asking vital questions.
I don't Agree...I still believe After asking All the right questions POTUS Biden is capable and the nay sayers are over emphasizing the negatives..I don't believe POLLS...Remember Hillary vs. Trump in 2016???How accurate were the polls???...Kamala and the other candidates (potential) mentioned would be even More risky than POTUS Biden.....They are all untried...Look at Biden's presidential history...OUTSTANDING...Yeah...and the debate was poor but CAN be Explained by...exhaustion, over prepartion, & jet lag...Trumps quick succession of spewing lies...So many rapidly one does not know which to respond to first..(called GISH GALLOP...look in Wikipedia....) A full report of POTUS Biden's health was released by the Whitehouse...His health is good...I don't believe there is a cover-up...WHAT they have Not done is to frequently remind people of Biden's LIFELONG stuttering problem....which can produce lifelong slight impairment of speech fluidity (can also impair thought briefly)...which EXPLAINS most of POTUS Biden's gaffes...Not fair because intellect is Not involved!...Nor senility!
Have you listened to his speeches? Every time he talks to people, calls them on the phone, does interviews he shows great strength. He's my president and he has my vote.
I don't understand. I don't particularly like the guy, but he is entitled to his opinion and like he says, he pays for this site like the rest of us. Heather makes it available and we pay. So his opinion, even if you disagree with it, is just as valid as any other opinion. You can hate it but you really shouldn't be able to censor it. Otherwise, you are not even engaging in a true debate about this, you are just sticking your head into the proverbial hole.
I am not censoring him. I blocked him. He is mounting attacks on various comments, including mine. I checked him out. He is MAGA. I don't engage with the MAGA because they are a cult and not open to reason.
But the most important thing is this--platforms give us the ability to block people for a reason. It would be unbearable otherwise. I get to choose who I allow in my space, and have decided against this person. It in no way affects his ability to exist on this platform.
As to his opinion being "just as valuable", that is simply not true. The fact that we all have a RIGHT to an opinion does not make all opinions equal. If you doubt that I must ask--if you thought you had a serious illness, would you consult your bartender? Or your doctor?
If both of their opinions are equal, it should not matter to you. But I bet it does.
"This isn't about Trump. Its about whether an 81 year with Dementia should be the Commander in Chief."
Of course this is about Trump - and the entire right wing apparatus repurposing our Democratic republic as a corporate-clerical fascist state. Through corruption of the Supreme Court. Misdirection of Congressional authority. And through Project 2025, establishing an imperial executive.
Biden is diminished. That is an undeniable observation, it is not a medical diagnosis. This is a significant political problem. With a political solution. Or resolution.
The more significant, perhaps fatal, problem is the American electorate. Those who are disaffected and disengaged and will not vote. Those who will enthusiastically vote for authoritarianism in the person of Trump. Those who mistake voting as an individual exercise in personal expression and will help elect Trump by voting for Stein, RKFJR et al.
That leaves the rest of us. To dedicate ourselves from now to November in Getting Out The Vote for whomever is the Democratic candidate.
Ageist Russian Bot! Mouthpiece for Putin. Trump should be in a prison for the criminally insane, not the White House. Biden does not have dementia. So you lie. At least what I am saying is true. Trump is a criminal and he is insane. My paternal great-grandmother lived on her own until the age of 109. Then she died. My maternal grandmother lived to be 99.5. My mom is now 90 and is living independently in a senior community, where I have been to dinner in their dinning room with men in their mid-90s who are lively and interesting. I am in Germany in an art group with a woman who is 92. She is vivacious, still drives, also takes public or her bike, does interesting art work, and has interesting things to say about art, and politics and other topics. She is lively and a incisive. She lives on her own in her home for many, many years. Wisdom is needed for this job, that is why Biden gets it done. Biden does not have any signs on dementia. This does not come on overnight. If he does have it he will make room for his great vice president. If not, she gets more practice to take over.
I have studied neuropsychology in my program on School Psychology and have over 30 years experience as a teacher where my expertise is cognition amongst other things. George Clooney is an actor not a doctor or a politician. Who is all? You are not all, neither is Clooney. So far, it seems less than 95% of democratic politicians are turning on Biden, and that is pretty good for the democratic party where differences are part of the brand. There is no one at this point in time. There are details about that which have to do with how many delegates he has, how much money he has in his campaign that cannot be transferred, and the history of later candidates not being transferred. When I had my first class in psychology my freshman year of college, our whole class had to read a story where aliens came and took someone. Everyone in my class normalized it to it being the person was having a mental breakdown. Really, it was a story about aliens, and I am the only one who recognized that. I was unbiased by it being a psych class. I will say, keep an open mind. You have never been president nor do you know what it entails. Biden does. No one I personally know wants to lose Biden, or is against him, although of my younger friends there is some waffling. I also have to say they are less sure of themselves, and they have Republican family members, which I do not. So, they have a world view that they may be less sure of. I am very, very sure that I am neither worried about Biden, because I understand the whole set up which is he has a vice president if something goes wrong. Kennedy was not "cognitively challenged" and yet his vice president had to step in for him, and he did. So, you can stop insulting me just because I am older and do not look at age as decrepitude. My 19 year old daughter wants to make TikToks with me to get my points across. So, we will be bridging the age gap. Perhaps I am not on earth but if you don't like Biden you have options.
James A, I am not going to accuse you of trolling but you look half my age (and the President's three years younger than I am).
But I do just hope for your sake that, when you're approaching our age you'll be treated with far more respect than you've shown.
I wish you a long life, good health and none of the tragedies that have struck Joe Biden and his family; yet to remember these words when you too begin (excuse me, Leonard Cohen) to ache in the places where you used to play...
I'm a foreigner, a Brit -- with plenty of Irish forebears, like Biden -- but if there's one thing that stinks about people's behavior in both countries, it is the way in which so many dare quite gratuitously to pass judgment on fellow human beings -- on THEM, not even their actions. All this, on the basis of gross ignorance, prejudices and the most superficial appearances.
With all due respect, what do you know about the political, social and economic record of this president who has been too damned busy with the tough job of governing the country to find time to entertain you? A job made all the tougher by having at every stage to cross political minefields, all too often under fire from freebooting snipers.
Most American presidents have been mediocrities... or worse. This one has signal achievements to his name, laboring to serve the people, not the 0.01% and their miraculous money siphon. That's why so many occult movers and shakers are working so hard to destroy him and all his work and to replace him and the Republic by a harsh dictatorship:
Government of Mammon, by Mammon, exclusively, for Mammon.
Yes except for your last paragraph which goes off the deep end and sounds conspiratorial. As well Biden has done well but another 4 years is asking too much from what we see.
Potter, you'll note that I have not yet come down off the fence on the question of the President's ability to win and to serve, but I'll admit that my (positive) intuition is at war with the more usual analysis. In part, this may be to do with the sense that DT is very close to the limit of his own physical resources. Another intuitive insight, which I am bound to suspect until proven right or wrong.
That said, I do recommend that close attention be paid to DT's choice of Vice-Presidential candidate.
I must add that, under today's conditions, FDR, one of the greatest statesmen of the past two centuries, would be unelectable.
*
If I pay so much attention to intuition, it is because it has, in the past four decades, so often turned out to be right on target. But this "Cassandra effect" is disheartening...
It is no help to see what's coming when no one else does, or to see how often those in power gravely misconstrue events like 9/11 or 10/7 and multiply the damage inflicted.
On September 10th 2001 I compared our democracies to a dog asleep in the middle of the road, adding "One doubts our survival instincts"...
The friend to whom I wrote this responded "You're exaggerating, as usual".
I suppose "sounds conspiratorial" must refer to the closing sentence of the penultimate paragraph, in particular the word "occult".
The work of the Heritage Foundation and the Federalist Society and its practical outcome do amount to a conspiracy, much of which has been carried out in broad daylight. Occult are many, but not all of the paymasters who have invested in this project... and therefore have every reason to use President Biden's every failing to maximum effect.
It is his successful policies that they -- and "they" include Putin and the Kremlin -- fear and are out to destroy.
The media banderilleros do their job before the torero moves in to deliver the moment of truth.
The bull, of course, is the 234-year old American Republic.
*
Potter, you aren't blind to the onset of physical enfeeblement symptoms in a man, the President -- symptoms that tend to manifest in a series of sudden failures to perform... but which do not in fact affect cognitive functions any more than a cerebral hemorrage necessarily does.
What most Americans, most "modern men" everywhere, are blind to is the dementia, the mass psychosis besetting a huge proportion of the American population.
[As though we'd not seen such things or their immeasurably awful consequences before...
2024-25 is intrinsically a more dangerous moment than that of Hitler's rise to power in 1933... because the military and financial power of the USA are incommensurably greater than those of Nazi Germany... let alone America's current nemesis, Putin's Russia.]
Unfortunately, it is not I who am "going off the deep end", it is too many people today falling into the deep end of an empty swimming pool...
You don't know that he has dementia. You are out on a limb. By your reasoning Trump should be in a straight jacket in an asylum, not running for president as an oath breaking insurrectionist ongoing.
Trump has memory loss ( he fakes, covers it up). He's apparently got reduced concentration and definitly personality or behaviour changes ongoing and worsening in recent years. He has had problems with language and "speed of thought" He also has a major departure from reality and frequently does not make sense. Comedians are having a ball. But he covers it and puts it out there as an act as entertainment. People go for it. Those knowledgeable in the field consistently say he is a sociopath as well:
What are the 7 symptoms of a sociopath?
Symptoms
Ignoring right and wrong.
Telling lies to take advantage of others.
Not being sensitive to or respectful of others.
Using charm or wit to manipulate others for personal gain or pleasure.
Having a sense of superiority and being extremely opinionated.
Having problems with the law, including criminal behavior.
The debate. Seeing is believing. The middle who is necessary to win will not support Joe Biden. I'm sorry. I love Joe. I'll vote for whoever the Democrats put up. George Clooney And Nancy Pelosi have now publicly come out for Joe to step aside. The dam is starting to break. Check out Clooney's excellent opinion piece.
Given the symptoms, very similar to Parkinson's, there was concern, actually alarm. Biden's campaign and viability for the next 4 years has him as the ONLY ONE standing between us and Trump.
I credit you with being pro-democracy, but your desire for Biden to retire from the campaign misconstrues our chances for success. Biden is fine, and is our strongest possible candidate to win this election.
I watched his speech at the 75th Anniversary of NATO. He knows the heads of countries that are members personally, and they know they can trust him.
Do not be fooled by a poor debate performance! Debating is not a part of Presidential duties.
President Biden's debate performance overall was not horrible, the first 20 mins were awful I agree, Trump however continued to lie for another 70 mins.
Trump was himself, Biden was not. Don’t try to downplay it as a bad day. that doesnt happen to my 84 year old dad. I am a doctor that spends a lot of time with old folks, something is up.
Biden was not feeling well. Also, he's not an actor (as is tffg). Biden is not perfect but he is honest and reliable. I believe his mind is good and he has good people working with him. I'm sure he would like to rest, but he loves our country and will save our democracy. Who would you suggest to take his place?
Well, I would CERTAINLY suggest either Kamala Harris or Gretchen Whitmer. In fact, I now think BOTH of them should run on the ticket, because I think we can't really take Kamala off as she has been VP for almost 4 years, but Gretchen would be the strongest candidate in the states that are "swing". This is a NARROW election in which the important thing is to win 4 of the states out of Wisconsin, Michigan, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Georgia, Arizona and Nevada. And those two women, who on every talkshow, every news program, both appear FAR FAR superior intellectually to Biden at this point (regardless of whether they actually are or not, right now appearance is the MOST IMPORTANT ASPECT OF WINNING) can do it. I believe Biden can not any more.
You need to face the reality... Many people now have and they are starting to come out of the woodwork. We are in the last dying days of the Biden campaign and I am hopeful that it will help turn this election around.
People not feeling well don't have a blank stare, fumbling speech, monotone and weak voice, loss of thought. That's called dementia.
You are insulting everyone's intelligence with the spin.
As for saving democracy? What did you call the COVID lock down? A police state? Locked in your home, fired from your job, and your free speech censored? That sounds a lot like a loss of democracy.
Why, oh why is the Lincoln Project and Progress Radio the only ones on the offensive? Nothing gets to Trump more than challenging his lies or anything personal about him.
The Biden campaign needs to ask Trump to step down for lying 602 times during the CNN so called debate. And they need to call out CNN for being AWFUL at their jobs.
Plus they need to call out the RNC platform that is Project 2025 lite,
Tell Trump we don't want anymore HARRM done--
NO HATE
NO ANGER
NO REVENGE
NO RESENTMENT
NO MISINFORMATION
And start showing Trump's fat ass as he shuffles off stage. He is a dotard as Kim Jon Un called it.
Here's Convicted Felon Donald Trump's first three sentences of the debate.
You count the lies.. 4 lies in 3 sentences. I know you said to name ONE lie, but he is so good at compound lying, I couldn't help myself.
"We had the greatest economy in the history of our country. We had never done so well. Every – everybody was amazed by it. Other countries were copying us.
and media has not made relevant all the lies told that evening and at his rally or speaking in public and forgotten names and countries and........................................................................
Asking Biden to step aside is asking him to step aside so that Trump can be the only candidate because there is no one else. No other dem can win this late in the game because they never have. One, they will not have any money because Biden's immense war chest which is growing does not legally transfer, and two, because his delegates pledged to him don't either. So, why? Because of the debate or over his performance on the job. He is gifted at politics and is the best president of my lifetime. Are you bigoted against stutterers or an agist? Neither is appealing and I cannot support you or people who think like you in that. You are being manipulated by media who is supporting a fascist to get clicks.
You look at one 90-minute debate and are ready to throw the president under the bus? You've not been reading Professor Richardson's letters explaining how changing the candidate for president 100 days before the election would throw the Democratic party into complete chaos. You've fallen for the right leaning media who can only address that and not every word out of tfg's mouth which was a lie. He didn't answer one question. Pathetic that the news refuses to cover that. Biden's age is the ONLY issue retrumplicans have to claim to make Joe look bad. He is the best president our country has had since FDR in my view and I've been around for quiet a few of them.
Look, I have the greatest respect for Heather Richardson. But like anyone else in life, I believe she is wrong on this point (that the democratic party will devolve into chaos if we choose someone other than Biden). One of the things I love about this stack is that we are open to disagree.
The simple facts are that there are only 6-7 states in play for this election and Biden is clearly going to lose almost all of them if he stays in the race. And that means Trump will win.
Almost any Democrat who has some stature could run instead of Biden and do better. Could they beat Trump? I don't know for sure, but I suspect several of them could. My personal favorite ticket is Harris/Whitmer but others could be considered. There is plenty of time, we aren't even to the GOP convention let alone the Democratic convention yet.
Biden's age IS the only issue. You can try to explain it away all you want, but it is what it is. He has lost several steps both physically and mentally in the past 3-1/2 years and age is not an "illness" which you can get better from. It is inevitable. He isn't going to "get better".
And you can say that isn't fair, and I AGREE with you, its horribly UNFAIR, but when you choose to get into politics, you have to take the game as it is played. Shouting "unfair" isn't going to get those people in the purple states who are undecided to vote for Biden.
Thanks for the honesty. That seems to be a rare quality here.
This problem is COMPLETELY at the feet of the Biden Campaign, the media, and DNC. They have been hiding Biden's condition for years.
Did they think they could hide it for another campaign season? They've been lying and they got caught. This was a ticking time bomb and they CHOSE to ignore it.
That's what's unfair. America doesn't to know if the commander in chief is up to the job.
Is this far more organized than what I imagine a Quizling list looked like?
Trump appointees were frightening enough, more frightening is the list of people who prefer to operate in the shadows instead of as elected or appointed officials more exposed to public view.
The hidden level of effort they are putting into it may stun the public into reconsidering some careless choices.
I also notice Sabastian Gorka seemed to want Republicans to not mention too much about Project 2025 (I assume because of the backlash that would be generated as the public learns more details), while I believe Steve Bannon suggests that Project 2025 is just a shadow of what’s coming after the power grab, and considers Trump a moderate (I believe hinting that even Trump will be removed when the hidden backers take over).
"...Project 2025 is the Trump movement’s vehicle for enacting Bannon’s vision of retaliation, which goes far beyond what’s in the Mandate for Leadership.
“On the spectrum of MAGA,” he recently told NBC News, “I would say President Trump is a moderate in our movement. And I think the MAGA movement is shifting day by day to the right.”
Under a second Trump presidency, not only would the administration likely draw on the Project 2025 framework, but it would also be under pressure from Bannon and his supporters to go significantly further..."
But why isn’t everyone more concerned about the dishwashers! we should focus on the substance of this congressional legislation! they are hard at work.....
Here is journalist Philip Bump's critical analysis of how the Parkinson story got ahead of the facts. Published in the Washington Post.
"Cannard’s visits were not exceptional given the number of known visits he made during the Obama administration. Visitor records maintained by the National Archives show 64 visits from 2012 through 2016, including a White House tour and Cannard’s attendance at a holiday party. There are no public records from the Trump administration." [The
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2024/07/09/biden-debate-physical-issues/
"Breaking with the practice of President Donald Trump’s predecessor, the White House is keeping secret the lists of visitors to the building."
https://apnews.com/united-states-government-9ed190feb84c4d6081b27f0775260f43
Before Project 2025, Ginni Thomas was going to the Trump White House with lists of who should be hired and fired by the executive branch.
"A central focus for Ms. Hair and Ms. Thomas was administration appointments that they wanted made and that they accused the president’s aides of blocking."
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/26/us/politics/trump-ginni-thomas-meeting.html
"A group led by Ginni Thomas has targeted officials in the administration, and lobbied for its own preferred choices. As the president’s distrust in those serving him has grown, so has its sway."
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/24/us/politics/trump-purge-ginni-thomas.html
"A well-connected network of conservative activists with close ties to Trump and top administration officials is quietly helping develop these "Never Trump"/pro-Trump lists, and some sent memos to Trump to shape his views, per sources with direct knowledge.
Members of this network include Ginni Thomas, the wife of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, and Republican Senate staffer Barbara Ledeen."
https://www.axios.com/2020/02/23/trump-memos-deep-state-white-house
The Parkinson's story is not relevant. The disastrous debate is the issue. It is time for Letters to state the obvious. Time for Biden to retire from the campaign.
No, Beth. Looking at the Parkinson's story exposes the way Biden is being unfairly characterized by those who want to downplay policy issues, his record, and his values. The madness of Trump ought to be the story being told. Except it's not a "story"; it is horrifying potential reality.
The hitch is that there *is* something up with Biden. It's apparent. He still gets my vote. Where the public can see changes that seem to be happening quickly, and the official response is simply 'he's old and there's nothing to see here', it leaves room for all this wild speculation. We don't even know how much our foreign adversaries are pumping in here, but the gap has been left and they continue to fill it with expanding foam. Meanwhile, everything alarming about Trump, as HCR notes here, is getting covered up.
If Biden were to get to a point where he cannot function as leader, Harris would just take over. That's pretty much the worst that would happen, especially since Dems wouldn't be afraid to use Article 25 the way R's seem to be. Contrast that with what will very likely happen if Trump is elected.
but is it it reasonable to ask the people to vote for a man who quite likely will not be able to do the job in 3 years? I will, but I am a politics nerd terrified of a trump administration and all that implies. We are a small minority.
If you're playing the long game, it's perfectly reasonable. Let's say Biden resigns in June, 2026 and Kamala becomes President. She would have 2+ years to show that she is up to the job.
I'm with John Fugelsang of Progress Radio. I will vote for Biden even if he's just a brain in a jar.
But, I WON'T vote for Harris-Biden. He will need to totally be out of politics if he resigns.
Quite likely is a mathamatical statement for which you have no evidence. Statistically Biden is better off at his age than Trump is at his. In a study which I believe Atlantic author Derek Thompson talked about the average American life expectancy was lower than comparable wealthy countries until the age of 80, and then it becomes higher than the average age of comparably wealthy countries. So, Biden is already in a category where people live longer, which Trump is not yet in. It is unreasonable to ask people to vote for anyone who is not a good candidate. Biden is a GIFTED politician. He gets things done that no one else could, and that scares the far right because they have been grifting for so long and they are so greedy they do not want to give up any opportunity to make lots of money and not pay taxes on it. However, Biden has been brave enough to take them on, and is the first one turning things around since Reagan messed the USA up and of course the planet. He was one who was carrying out a the Heritage Foundation plans. The claim Reagan got about 67% done, but Trump got more like 89% done. It will be over 100% because they ask for even more now if Trump goes back. One thing you can do, is there is a form on Mastadon, which is to file a tax fraud complaint with the IRS which you can use to complain about the Heritage Foundation. They even have suggested how you can fill it out. I am posting the links, and ask you to please download it, fill it out, mail it in, and ask friends to do the same.
IRS complaint
https://www.irs.gov/charities-non-profits/irs-complaint-process-tax-exempt-organizations
Seen on Mastodon. At this link you can download a PDF form to file a complaint to the IRS, requesting that they revoke the Heritage Foundation‘s non-profit status. Fill out the form and mail it to: eoclass@irs.gov
This is what is suggested on the sample form to fill in:
Based on the statements of Kevin Roberst, the Heritage Foundation’s president, on June 11 and July 2, the foundation’s mission is no longer solely “research and education,” but now includes preparing for a possibly bloody revolution.
Specifically, in an interview on “The War Room” on July 2, Roberts stated that the Heritage Foundation has developed a prominent series of policy plans (Project 2025) to overhaul the federal government under a Republican president, and that the country was “in the process of the second American Revolution, which will remain bloodless if the left allows it to be”
Sure sounds like Roberts and the other authors of Project 2025 are planning to start a bloody war as part of the Heritage Foundation’s mission.
See NYTimes reporting of this incident on July 3rd: https://www.nytimes.com/2024/07/03/us/politics/heritage-foundation-2025-policy-america.html
Trump has lost the popular vote both time he ran. The first time he only won because of the structure of the electoral college. The second time he lost that. Please explain how he has gained MORE supporters with all of his criminal activity exposed. I believe we are in the definite majority.
Yes, it's reasonable. A brief look at history shows us that there is no certainty that whom we elect as POTUS will be in the job for 4 years.
There seems to be, or there is suspicion of a cover-up of Biden's physical and mental health. There is a lack of forthrightness that caused alarm after the debate. Biden is losing to Trump in the polls which cannot be totally discounted much longer. Biden is a risky choice. Kamala is doing well. I agree. It's a big deal if people are really voting for Kamala Harris.
I am alarmed by all those who are defending Biden to the point of belligerance and not asking vital questions.
I don't Agree...I still believe After asking All the right questions POTUS Biden is capable and the nay sayers are over emphasizing the negatives..I don't believe POLLS...Remember Hillary vs. Trump in 2016???How accurate were the polls???...Kamala and the other candidates (potential) mentioned would be even More risky than POTUS Biden.....They are all untried...Look at Biden's presidential history...OUTSTANDING...Yeah...and the debate was poor but CAN be Explained by...exhaustion, over prepartion, & jet lag...Trumps quick succession of spewing lies...So many rapidly one does not know which to respond to first..(called GISH GALLOP...look in Wikipedia....) A full report of POTUS Biden's health was released by the Whitehouse...His health is good...I don't believe there is a cover-up...WHAT they have Not done is to frequently remind people of Biden's LIFELONG stuttering problem....which can produce lifelong slight impairment of speech fluidity (can also impair thought briefly)...which EXPLAINS most of POTUS Biden's gaffes...Not fair because intellect is Not involved!...Nor senility!
Have you listened to his speeches? Every time he talks to people, calls them on the phone, does interviews he shows great strength. He's my president and he has my vote.
Correct!!!!!!
What in the hell are you talking about? Biden shouldn't be president, he should be in the Delaware Senior Citizens Home.
The media covered up and lied about it for years. This isn't about Trump. Its about whether an 81 year with Dementia should be the Commander in Chief.
You sir, are a troll. Thank goodness I can block trolls. Good day to you.
Sorry if the truth is too much for you to handle.
Who in the hell are you to tell me what I can say? I pay for this site.
I don't understand. I don't particularly like the guy, but he is entitled to his opinion and like he says, he pays for this site like the rest of us. Heather makes it available and we pay. So his opinion, even if you disagree with it, is just as valid as any other opinion. You can hate it but you really shouldn't be able to censor it. Otherwise, you are not even engaging in a true debate about this, you are just sticking your head into the proverbial hole.
I am not censoring him. I blocked him. He is mounting attacks on various comments, including mine. I checked him out. He is MAGA. I don't engage with the MAGA because they are a cult and not open to reason.
But the most important thing is this--platforms give us the ability to block people for a reason. It would be unbearable otherwise. I get to choose who I allow in my space, and have decided against this person. It in no way affects his ability to exist on this platform.
As to his opinion being "just as valuable", that is simply not true. The fact that we all have a RIGHT to an opinion does not make all opinions equal. If you doubt that I must ask--if you thought you had a serious illness, would you consult your bartender? Or your doctor?
If both of their opinions are equal, it should not matter to you. But I bet it does.
I reported it. You might want to do the same.
Buzz off
"This isn't about Trump. Its about whether an 81 year with Dementia should be the Commander in Chief."
Of course this is about Trump - and the entire right wing apparatus repurposing our Democratic republic as a corporate-clerical fascist state. Through corruption of the Supreme Court. Misdirection of Congressional authority. And through Project 2025, establishing an imperial executive.
Biden is diminished. That is an undeniable observation, it is not a medical diagnosis. This is a significant political problem. With a political solution. Or resolution.
The more significant, perhaps fatal, problem is the American electorate. Those who are disaffected and disengaged and will not vote. Those who will enthusiastically vote for authoritarianism in the person of Trump. Those who mistake voting as an individual exercise in personal expression and will help elect Trump by voting for Stein, RKFJR et al.
That leaves the rest of us. To dedicate ourselves from now to November in Getting Out The Vote for whomever is the Democratic candidate.
Ageist Russian Bot! Mouthpiece for Putin. Trump should be in a prison for the criminally insane, not the White House. Biden does not have dementia. So you lie. At least what I am saying is true. Trump is a criminal and he is insane. My paternal great-grandmother lived on her own until the age of 109. Then she died. My maternal grandmother lived to be 99.5. My mom is now 90 and is living independently in a senior community, where I have been to dinner in their dinning room with men in their mid-90s who are lively and interesting. I am in Germany in an art group with a woman who is 92. She is vivacious, still drives, also takes public or her bike, does interesting art work, and has interesting things to say about art, and politics and other topics. She is lively and a incisive. She lives on her own in her home for many, many years. Wisdom is needed for this job, that is why Biden gets it done. Biden does not have any signs on dementia. This does not come on overnight. If he does have it he will make room for his great vice president. If not, she gets more practice to take over.
Is George Clooney a Russian troll too? His NY Times Op-ed today
said what we all saw during the debate, Biden has significant cognitive decline and has to go.
I can't imagine a dumber post. Your proof that we are ALL WRONG is your
some maternal grandmother? Is this a joke?
Time to roll down your window and join us back on earth.
I have studied neuropsychology in my program on School Psychology and have over 30 years experience as a teacher where my expertise is cognition amongst other things. George Clooney is an actor not a doctor or a politician. Who is all? You are not all, neither is Clooney. So far, it seems less than 95% of democratic politicians are turning on Biden, and that is pretty good for the democratic party where differences are part of the brand. There is no one at this point in time. There are details about that which have to do with how many delegates he has, how much money he has in his campaign that cannot be transferred, and the history of later candidates not being transferred. When I had my first class in psychology my freshman year of college, our whole class had to read a story where aliens came and took someone. Everyone in my class normalized it to it being the person was having a mental breakdown. Really, it was a story about aliens, and I am the only one who recognized that. I was unbiased by it being a psych class. I will say, keep an open mind. You have never been president nor do you know what it entails. Biden does. No one I personally know wants to lose Biden, or is against him, although of my younger friends there is some waffling. I also have to say they are less sure of themselves, and they have Republican family members, which I do not. So, they have a world view that they may be less sure of. I am very, very sure that I am neither worried about Biden, because I understand the whole set up which is he has a vice president if something goes wrong. Kennedy was not "cognitively challenged" and yet his vice president had to step in for him, and he did. So, you can stop insulting me just because I am older and do not look at age as decrepitude. My 19 year old daughter wants to make TikToks with me to get my points across. So, we will be bridging the age gap. Perhaps I am not on earth but if you don't like Biden you have options.
James A, I am not going to accuse you of trolling but you look half my age (and the President's three years younger than I am).
But I do just hope for your sake that, when you're approaching our age you'll be treated with far more respect than you've shown.
I wish you a long life, good health and none of the tragedies that have struck Joe Biden and his family; yet to remember these words when you too begin (excuse me, Leonard Cohen) to ache in the places where you used to play...
I'm a foreigner, a Brit -- with plenty of Irish forebears, like Biden -- but if there's one thing that stinks about people's behavior in both countries, it is the way in which so many dare quite gratuitously to pass judgment on fellow human beings -- on THEM, not even their actions. All this, on the basis of gross ignorance, prejudices and the most superficial appearances.
With all due respect, what do you know about the political, social and economic record of this president who has been too damned busy with the tough job of governing the country to find time to entertain you? A job made all the tougher by having at every stage to cross political minefields, all too often under fire from freebooting snipers.
Most American presidents have been mediocrities... or worse. This one has signal achievements to his name, laboring to serve the people, not the 0.01% and their miraculous money siphon. That's why so many occult movers and shakers are working so hard to destroy him and all his work and to replace him and the Republic by a harsh dictatorship:
Government of Mammon, by Mammon, exclusively, for Mammon.
Yes except for your last paragraph which goes off the deep end and sounds conspiratorial. As well Biden has done well but another 4 years is asking too much from what we see.
Potter, you'll note that I have not yet come down off the fence on the question of the President's ability to win and to serve, but I'll admit that my (positive) intuition is at war with the more usual analysis. In part, this may be to do with the sense that DT is very close to the limit of his own physical resources. Another intuitive insight, which I am bound to suspect until proven right or wrong.
That said, I do recommend that close attention be paid to DT's choice of Vice-Presidential candidate.
I must add that, under today's conditions, FDR, one of the greatest statesmen of the past two centuries, would be unelectable.
*
If I pay so much attention to intuition, it is because it has, in the past four decades, so often turned out to be right on target. But this "Cassandra effect" is disheartening...
It is no help to see what's coming when no one else does, or to see how often those in power gravely misconstrue events like 9/11 or 10/7 and multiply the damage inflicted.
On September 10th 2001 I compared our democracies to a dog asleep in the middle of the road, adding "One doubts our survival instincts"...
The friend to whom I wrote this responded "You're exaggerating, as usual".
I suppose "sounds conspiratorial" must refer to the closing sentence of the penultimate paragraph, in particular the word "occult".
The work of the Heritage Foundation and the Federalist Society and its practical outcome do amount to a conspiracy, much of which has been carried out in broad daylight. Occult are many, but not all of the paymasters who have invested in this project... and therefore have every reason to use President Biden's every failing to maximum effect.
It is his successful policies that they -- and "they" include Putin and the Kremlin -- fear and are out to destroy.
The media banderilleros do their job before the torero moves in to deliver the moment of truth.
The bull, of course, is the 234-year old American Republic.
*
Potter, you aren't blind to the onset of physical enfeeblement symptoms in a man, the President -- symptoms that tend to manifest in a series of sudden failures to perform... but which do not in fact affect cognitive functions any more than a cerebral hemorrage necessarily does.
What most Americans, most "modern men" everywhere, are blind to is the dementia, the mass psychosis besetting a huge proportion of the American population.
[As though we'd not seen such things or their immeasurably awful consequences before...
2024-25 is intrinsically a more dangerous moment than that of Hitler's rise to power in 1933... because the military and financial power of the USA are incommensurably greater than those of Nazi Germany... let alone America's current nemesis, Putin's Russia.]
Unfortunately, it is not I who am "going off the deep end", it is too many people today falling into the deep end of an empty swimming pool...
You don't know that he has dementia. You are out on a limb. By your reasoning Trump should be in a straight jacket in an asylum, not running for president as an oath breaking insurrectionist ongoing.
...Should be anywhere but free.
Benedict Arnold was a patriot by comparison with this creature.
Unfortunately there is a stubborn thing called facts:
Blank stare
Memory loss
Weak speech
Fumbling speech
These are the symptoms of dementia. Trump doesn't have any of them.
Nice try
Trump has memory loss ( he fakes, covers it up). He's apparently got reduced concentration and definitly personality or behaviour changes ongoing and worsening in recent years. He has had problems with language and "speed of thought" He also has a major departure from reality and frequently does not make sense. Comedians are having a ball. But he covers it and puts it out there as an act as entertainment. People go for it. Those knowledgeable in the field consistently say he is a sociopath as well:
What are the 7 symptoms of a sociopath?
Symptoms
Ignoring right and wrong.
Telling lies to take advantage of others.
Not being sensitive to or respectful of others.
Using charm or wit to manipulate others for personal gain or pleasure.
Having a sense of superiority and being extremely opinionated.
Having problems with the law, including criminal behavior.
Are you kidding? FACTS do not prove DEMENTIA. That maybe the dumbest post I've ever read.
Feelings do?
The debate. Seeing is believing. The middle who is necessary to win will not support Joe Biden. I'm sorry. I love Joe. I'll vote for whoever the Democrats put up. George Clooney And Nancy Pelosi have now publicly come out for Joe to step aside. The dam is starting to break. Check out Clooney's excellent opinion piece.
Given the symptoms, very similar to Parkinson's, there was concern, actually alarm. Biden's campaign and viability for the next 4 years has him as the ONLY ONE standing between us and Trump.
I credit you with being pro-democracy, but your desire for Biden to retire from the campaign misconstrues our chances for success. Biden is fine, and is our strongest possible candidate to win this election.
I watched his speech at the 75th Anniversary of NATO. He knows the heads of countries that are members personally, and they know they can trust him.
Do not be fooled by a poor debate performance! Debating is not a part of Presidential duties.
President Biden's debate performance overall was not horrible, the first 20 mins were awful I agree, Trump however continued to lie for another 70 mins.
Trump was himself, Biden was not. Don’t try to downplay it as a bad day. that doesnt happen to my 84 year old dad. I am a doctor that spends a lot of time with old folks, something is up.
Biden was not feeling well. Also, he's not an actor (as is tffg). Biden is not perfect but he is honest and reliable. I believe his mind is good and he has good people working with him. I'm sure he would like to rest, but he loves our country and will save our democracy. Who would you suggest to take his place?
Well, I would CERTAINLY suggest either Kamala Harris or Gretchen Whitmer. In fact, I now think BOTH of them should run on the ticket, because I think we can't really take Kamala off as she has been VP for almost 4 years, but Gretchen would be the strongest candidate in the states that are "swing". This is a NARROW election in which the important thing is to win 4 of the states out of Wisconsin, Michigan, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Georgia, Arizona and Nevada. And those two women, who on every talkshow, every news program, both appear FAR FAR superior intellectually to Biden at this point (regardless of whether they actually are or not, right now appearance is the MOST IMPORTANT ASPECT OF WINNING) can do it. I believe Biden can not any more.
You need to face the reality... Many people now have and they are starting to come out of the woodwork. We are in the last dying days of the Biden campaign and I am hopeful that it will help turn this election around.
No other choice, really.
Do you believe in Ronald McDonald too?
People not feeling well don't have a blank stare, fumbling speech, monotone and weak voice, loss of thought. That's called dementia.
You are insulting everyone's intelligence with the spin.
As for saving democracy? What did you call the COVID lock down? A police state? Locked in your home, fired from your job, and your free speech censored? That sounds a lot like a loss of democracy.
Debate was not horrible? What were you watching?
By the way name 1 lie?
Biden lied blatantly about being endorsed by the Border Patrol Union. During the debate the Union tweeded "We have never endorsed Joe and never will"
It takes a lot stones to lie like that.
Why, oh why is the Lincoln Project and Progress Radio the only ones on the offensive? Nothing gets to Trump more than challenging his lies or anything personal about him.
The Biden campaign needs to ask Trump to step down for lying 602 times during the CNN so called debate. And they need to call out CNN for being AWFUL at their jobs.
Plus they need to call out the RNC platform that is Project 2025 lite,
Tell Trump we don't want anymore HARRM done--
NO HATE
NO ANGER
NO REVENGE
NO RESENTMENT
NO MISINFORMATION
And start showing Trump's fat ass as he shuffles off stage. He is a dotard as Kim Jon Un called it.
Name One LIE?
Here's Convicted Felon Donald Trump's first three sentences of the debate.
You count the lies.. 4 lies in 3 sentences. I know you said to name ONE lie, but he is so good at compound lying, I couldn't help myself.
"We had the greatest economy in the history of our country. We had never done so well. Every – everybody was amazed by it. Other countries were copying us.
I tell the truth, then give my opinion.
1) GDP before the pandemic was 3-4%, after Obama never exceeded 2%
2) Unemployment was historically low, best since the 1950's
3) Economic mood was good.
Was it the greatest economy in history, NO. It was it very good historically YES. The greatest is an exaggeration.
We did have the best economy in the world circa 2016,-2019.
Did Biden lie about the border patrol union?
and media has not made relevant all the lies told that evening and at his rally or speaking in public and forgotten names and countries and........................................................................
Asking Biden to step aside is asking him to step aside so that Trump can be the only candidate because there is no one else. No other dem can win this late in the game because they never have. One, they will not have any money because Biden's immense war chest which is growing does not legally transfer, and two, because his delegates pledged to him don't either. So, why? Because of the debate or over his performance on the job. He is gifted at politics and is the best president of my lifetime. Are you bigoted against stutterers or an agist? Neither is appealing and I cannot support you or people who think like you in that. You are being manipulated by media who is supporting a fascist to get clicks.
You look at one 90-minute debate and are ready to throw the president under the bus? You've not been reading Professor Richardson's letters explaining how changing the candidate for president 100 days before the election would throw the Democratic party into complete chaos. You've fallen for the right leaning media who can only address that and not every word out of tfg's mouth which was a lie. He didn't answer one question. Pathetic that the news refuses to cover that. Biden's age is the ONLY issue retrumplicans have to claim to make Joe look bad. He is the best president our country has had since FDR in my view and I've been around for quiet a few of them.
Look, I have the greatest respect for Heather Richardson. But like anyone else in life, I believe she is wrong on this point (that the democratic party will devolve into chaos if we choose someone other than Biden). One of the things I love about this stack is that we are open to disagree.
The simple facts are that there are only 6-7 states in play for this election and Biden is clearly going to lose almost all of them if he stays in the race. And that means Trump will win.
Almost any Democrat who has some stature could run instead of Biden and do better. Could they beat Trump? I don't know for sure, but I suspect several of them could. My personal favorite ticket is Harris/Whitmer but others could be considered. There is plenty of time, we aren't even to the GOP convention let alone the Democratic convention yet.
Biden's age IS the only issue. You can try to explain it away all you want, but it is what it is. He has lost several steps both physically and mentally in the past 3-1/2 years and age is not an "illness" which you can get better from. It is inevitable. He isn't going to "get better".
And you can say that isn't fair, and I AGREE with you, its horribly UNFAIR, but when you choose to get into politics, you have to take the game as it is played. Shouting "unfair" isn't going to get those people in the purple states who are undecided to vote for Biden.
I wish it weren't so, but it is.
Thanks for the honesty. That seems to be a rare quality here.
This problem is COMPLETELY at the feet of the Biden Campaign, the media, and DNC. They have been hiding Biden's condition for years.
Did they think they could hide it for another campaign season? They've been lying and they got caught. This was a ticking time bomb and they CHOSE to ignore it.
That's what's unfair. America doesn't to know if the commander in chief is up to the job.
No, it’s Time for subscribers to cancel Nyt
Cancellation is the LEFTIST way. Anyone who puts out news you don't like
has suffered the same fate for the last four years
No!
NO
Is this far more organized than what I imagine a Quizling list looked like?
Trump appointees were frightening enough, more frightening is the list of people who prefer to operate in the shadows instead of as elected or appointed officials more exposed to public view.
The hidden level of effort they are putting into it may stun the public into reconsidering some careless choices.
I also notice Sabastian Gorka seemed to want Republicans to not mention too much about Project 2025 (I assume because of the backlash that would be generated as the public learns more details), while I believe Steve Bannon suggests that Project 2025 is just a shadow of what’s coming after the power grab, and considers Trump a moderate (I believe hinting that even Trump will be removed when the hidden backers take over).
I couldn't find Bannon's exact words, but see the following at https://www.mediamatters.org/steve-bannon/where-steve-bannon-leaves-us
"...Project 2025 is the Trump movement’s vehicle for enacting Bannon’s vision of retaliation, which goes far beyond what’s in the Mandate for Leadership.
“On the spectrum of MAGA,” he recently told NBC News, “I would say President Trump is a moderate in our movement. And I think the MAGA movement is shifting day by day to the right.”
Under a second Trump presidency, not only would the administration likely draw on the Project 2025 framework, but it would also be under pressure from Bannon and his supporters to go significantly further..."
But why isn’t everyone more concerned about the dishwashers! we should focus on the substance of this congressional legislation! they are hard at work.....
I liked it better when they called it the HOOHA bill . .