There are many things I would like to write, but I am home, finally, after many months on the road, and it has been a long week. I am going to bed. Tomorrow, I will be out in my kayak in the place where I took this photograph, no matter what the skies decide to throw at me.
Heather, thanks for your very cogent comments about Biden's part in the debate and the way the. Trump maneuvers may have been a cause. Makes me think that Biden was set up by the MAGA squad who learned about the "Gip Gallop" trick.
Robin, In my view, if we persist solely in blaming the press, no matter how valid, we are failing our candidate with concrete means to evaluate missed opportunities. I elaborate on this point in my comment, which is part of this thread.
Barbara When I saw President Biden walk out unsteady, looking like a tired old man, for me this felt like a gut punch. As he looked askance and spoke with a flatness that was in sharp contrast to State-of-the-Union Joe, my wife and I were appalled.
Trump was at top decibel with his blatant lies and below the belt attacks. But Biden knew who and what Trump was.
For the moment, I have difficulty in identifying how best Trump can be defeated in November. President Biden’s age is now on the front burner. In October Trump need only post videos of Biden’s initial debate minutes.
I am normally infused with hope. Perhaps this will return shortly.
When I heard it was at 9 pm, I was thinking how am I going to stay up for it? And I'm 63!!! And with a bad cold on top of it? And it wasn't all glitches by any stretch as some poeple make it sound. He added some solid zingers at Trump, and answered the questions well in many cases. I think some people who have a huge fear of old age and dying were focused on the optics, which I admit were not good, more than anything.
Yes, certainly not at 9pm after running the country and the world all day! I've never trusted CNN and the lack of fact checking during the verbal dia**r+a from the other podium. But what's done is done and we must all work hard going forward. Never, ever give up!
Thank you, Heather, for resting and for the beautiful uplifting photograph. Have a great day on the water.
I, too, thought the CNN format was absolutely abysmal. Was there even ONE quotable comment from "pmurt" in the debate worth repeating? They let him lie, "gish gallop" and obfuscate his way through all 90 minutes. I will NEVER trust CNN news again. He should have been stopped instead of reminding him that "you have 28 seconds left , so would you like to answer the question?" DUH!!
Well, poor old man was riding his golf buggy on the course most of the time. He missed just about everything else (apart from the YUGE crowds at his (cough) inauguration.)
And don't forget what Heather said about Gish Gallop and how it's especially difficult for someone who stutters to manage the torrent of lies. I want President Biden's coach to give Biden a collection of one-sesntence responses to each possible lie. Then say, First, say as loud as you can, "You are lying or That's a lie!" Then make this ONE sentence statement. Loud and Proud!!!
For example, Trump. "I was the one who got insulin prices down, not you." Biden, "That's a lie!" You got prices down for a few people, temporarily. I got prices down to $35 for everyone on medicare, and I"m working to make that true for everyone." That's it!!! Nothing else!!! REpeat if you have to.
The fact is that power is very intoxicating. Witness Ginsburg and Feinstein. Biden should step down now and let a younger person step up. Biden's age along with the prospect that he might not finish his term so that Kamala Harris could become POTUS are two negative factors for many. We're in a tight spot. Though Biden has done a great job, this is a new ball game and one that we absolutely must win. Biden needs to recognize this, that he is in fact a liability that has to be overcome.
Step down in favor of whom? Why can none of you armchair pundits come up with both (1) a name, and (2) a persuasive case for why that individual can build up the name recognition to win in barely four months. IMO VP Harris is qualified to be president, but racism and sexism are at least as powerful in the electorate as ageism, and if you have any imagination at all you can probably guess what the GOP and Dark Money attack ads will look like.
I encourage all to read the transcript of the debate.President Biden(without the stutters , hoarse voice from a cold and trying too rapidly to refute the massive barrage of lies) is more than fine….and totally sane.Convicted criminal Trump is/was his usual unhinged self.
I encourage all who are concerned to do whatever is in their comfort zone to boost Biden/Harris, retain the Senate and flip the House..Action really does help alleviate the stress of countering MAGA. Trust me, I live in MAGA-vile, Florida.
✍️📲💲🚶🏻👕🪧
“YOU CAN'T WRING YOUR HANDS AND ROLL UP YOUR SLEEVES AT THE SAME TIME.”
Patricia Schroeder '64, Former United States Representative
Kathy They said much the same about the difference between the TV and radio aspects of the Kennedy-Nixon debate in 1960. Nixon had been in the hospital for a few days shortly before coming to the TV debate. He also refused to use make up. He looked scraggly.
By contrast, JFK, despite all his real ailments, looked robust and aggressive. Unfortunately, Trumpists can play and replay the video of Biden’s first half hour, when age is a valid issue.
The convicted felon was spouting gibberish from the very beginning, while President Biden was actually answering the questions.
It's amazing how much the sound and picture affects us! Biden's voice was soft and raspy while the felon was loud and clear in spite of the fact that what he was saying was lies at best, mostly gibberish.
Keith, Regrettably, dating back 2 years, Democrats who had harbored doubts about Biden’s capacity to serve effectively for 4 more years, were they to have gone public, would have faced marginalization by a bunker mentality that has persisted to the present.
Clearly, if it ends up that Biden is our nominee out of the Convention, then everyone who cares about our democracy has to do everything they can to help Biden defeat Trump. However, because Thursday’s debate, which reinforced considerable doubt, was scheduled early enough to take stock and have conversations, particularly in the White House, as to whether this is the best way to beat Trump, we need to make sure that we are putting our best foot forward here.
I further would add that the enemy is not the NYTimes and other publications that are raising the issue of Biden stepping aside. These journalists are raising the issue precisely because they care so much about beating Trump and feel the urgency to raise these questions.
I understand that, but when many more column inches were taken up with Biden than with Trump, I get upset. Trump's behavior is frightening and that should be focused on so much more than it is, regardless of who the Dem candidate is.
Kim, I agree not nearly enough attention is focused on Trump. That said, because the stakes are so high, I believe the Press currently is driven by its best assessment of how to fulfill its fundamental role of preserving our democratic republic.
Kim, i too am upset and refuse to read any of it. On Friday we watched the local news, but not the national news and that may the rule for a while. We have agreed that we cannot do a thing about it (except vote and donate), and we don't want to raise our BP everyday.
Joe is NOT in this race for Joe; Trump is in this race for Trump. That should be a Known at this point and it alone makes voting the decision easy. We have to trust that when Joe recognizes he's not up to the job, he'll resign from it. Some trust, too much to ask?? Joe has never been an orator; he's a doer and he has done plenty even with a do-nothing House for the past 2 years. I sent my weekly letter to the editor of the local paper on Friday and stipulated AFTER the debate that this will be the easiest election I've ever been in. The choice is obvious and when voting commences on 9/20 here in VA, I'll happily try to re-elect the best President we've had in at least 50 years.
Michael, I merely would respond with the assurance that regardless of whether we agree we’re putting our best foot forward with Joe Biden, if he’s our nominee, I expect most, if not all, of us will come together to try to save our democratic republic.
If you read what the experts are saying there is no possible mechanism at this point then for Harris to take the rein. People should inform themselves before they start promoting wacko, chaotic, crazy, democracy suicide ideas
I am allowing for the possibility of Biden stepping down. Whitmer looks like a good alternative. I am continuing to work on Getting Out The Vote for the Democratic candidate for President. Whomever.
MaryPat, I believe were Biden to release his delegates and the Convention were contested, your governor would rise to the top of Democrats under consideration for the nomination.
It’s too late to get anyone else on the ticket. I’d like to see the whole Democratic Party get him ready for the next debate. He can do this. I’d like to see as much support for our party as the other side has for theirs! They’re incredibly organized, well prepared and confident. I don’t see those kinds of things here except for donations mostly. Donations are important, however when’s the last time you attended a school board meeting?
You have substantially more respect for what used to be called the journalism profession than I do. I don't think that even Thomas Friedman, who made an almost tearjerking effort to explain why Biden should drop out, is anywhere near as concerned about beating the failed insurrectionist as he is about selling newspapers, generating clicks, and picking up subscriptions to his column. If they were, the clamor for Biden to get out of the race would be overwhelmed in volume by the demands for an explanation from Republicans why they continue to support a convicted felon and rapist who is liable for almost 1/2 a billion dollars in civil judgements. There really is no comparison between the two and we dare not let anyone lose sight of that.
Dave, Respectfully, every piece I have read leaves me with the same impression. Journalists are raising questions because they want to beat Trump. In my view, it’s precisely because they care so much about defeating Trump that they’re raising these questions.
As for demanding an explanation from Republicans for their continued support for Trump, I imagine the journalists I’ve read would view that as an exercise in futility.
The New York Times is anti-Biden as is the Washington Post. Since 2016 these publications have gone to great effort to showcase trump. The NYT is getting clicks for cash. The editors feel less than zero patriotism nor concern for our Democracy. This is a business to them. The media has become the enemy of our Democracy.
How has the media been operating these past few years? Creating a false reality too many Americans have bought into that trump is a normal, viable candidate. Calling an insurrection a rally. Going for clicks and cash because of Biden's age. Ignoring the fact that trump is a convicted rapist and felon running for office. Ignoring the facts of trump's mental decline. Ignoring the facts of trump sweating, looking panicked and becoming incoherent by the end of the debate. Ignoring the cabal of dark money behind Project 2025 and their mission of electing trump. Ignoring trump's threat to our democracy. Ignoring what Democrats stand for. Emphasizing every single moment and move trump makes.
The media drives the message. And down is up and up is down.
If I landed from Mars and scanned these 2 newspapers, I would think trump was President. That is how much his pictures are published and endless stories about him are written. When was the last time there was a headline or even a story about one of Biden's speeches? He gives them all the time. Yet trump's rallies are covered.
When was the last time what Biden has been doing for the American people has been covered. How much press does the results of the Infrastructure Bill get covered? When were the good guys in Congress covered such as Raskin? Yet Comer sure does get his pound of flesh every week sometimes daily. How is it the President is honorable in the face of his son's conviction but is ignored because the media wants to cover trumps lies and whining? How is it that the 200 news stations owned by MAGA Sinclair Media Empire all spouted the same exact news on the same day?
How in the name of everything is it possible that a felon out on bail who stood up and hated on America, loved on Putin, told a lie every 100 seconds, and was incoherent was declared the winner of the debate by the media while the good, sane, moral and hardworking man who has achieved historical gains for this country be pilloried because he has an awful night?
The media has become the enemy Barbara. We must, for the sake of our Democracy, we must become wise and knowledgeable and turn our gaze towards credible news organizations besides the main-stream media.
My apologies for the length and fervor of this essay. It is borne of terror at the brainwashing of America as they stare at their smart phones hour after hour.
Thanks Barbara, don't apologise: you're reminding us of what seems temporarily to have been forgotten and which we've never ceased to lament, all of us, about the news bias.
Barbara, Because I stated in its coverage of Biden’s meandering debate performance that the Press, in my view, is not the enemy, I never intended my statement to nullify all the ways the Press has failed to be a rigorous watchdog of those in power and those who wish to be in power.
I have to disagree that their reporting is meant to help beat trump. They need to beat trump by publishing far and wide Biden's accomplishments and the positive impact those are having on ordinary Americans and their communities.
DebbieM, In my view, the Press, in part, is calling for Biden to release his delegates so Democrats have a shot at a nominee who would take full advantage of the Bully Pulpit, speaking fluently and extemporaneously in situations from which Biden’s handlers regularly protect him. Were we to have a nominee of this caliber, we wouldn’t have to rely on published text that we have no guarantee even would be read.
Keith, having written my first inspiration only to accidentally delete it, trying again. En bref,, the Democratic Party leaders are behind the president and more people have been turned off by Trump than by Biden. Mika Brzezinski said it best: the “firehouse of lies” was, IMHO, what stopped a tired (three transatlantic trips in a week), lovingoving truth teller in disbelief at so much lying hatred being spewed at their country.
Newsom, Shapiro, are telling US to get back to work. So back to postcards. You can find your local writers and send them stamp money to get as many $.53 as possible before Trump’s DeJoy raises the price to $.57 on July 14.
Bring back the hope Keith. The President's age is important only to Republicans and the press who have remarkably little else to criticize him for. As long as we keep ourselves from panicking, remember to get out the vote, and have ready a list of the things Biden has actually gotten done while in office, the 70% or so of Americans who aren't cultists will, when the chips are down, bet on 4 more years of old and steady at the wheel.
Despite the polls, despite all the BS, Trump is the worst candidate of all time. If we work, a yellow dog can beat Trump. I just doubled down on my contribution to the FT 6 TextArcade. Object: sunset Rick Scott. Has a 34% favorability rating. That group must not know much about him. Largest fine for Medicare fraud in history. Wants to "sunset" all benefits. Plus he's ugly, supports a guy who hates dogs and stole from kids with cancer, assaulted women, and was convicted of 34 felonies.
I disagree. I am a staunch democrat and supporter of Biden. But he should never have run for a second term. He is too old. He can't articulate his positions. He obviously would be better than Trump, but if he runs I don't think we'll find out. He will lose. Or on the tiny chance that he wins he would degenerate more as time passes. Which once again would be better than Trump, but it wouldn't be good. We can't risk him running.
I suspect that most of us would have preferred a single term transition to a stronger successor candidate, but that's not what we've got. The only one who can forestall a Biden-Trump rematch is God, and we won't know that unless it happens. In the meantime, we have to do everything we can to ensure Biden's re-election.
Bryan, if I take you literally, then you know/interact with Forensic Psychiatrists? Please ask them why the American Psychiatric Assoc. (or whatever that collective's name is) came up with "The Goldwater Effect" and years ago forbade Psychiatrists from commenting on candidate's mental/emotional fitness for running for POTUS? Had the nation had a model, a repeating tutorial on narcissistic personality disorder, definition of a sociopath, and possibly most of all, defining gaslighting... would the democracy be in the peril it is in? The "basketful of deplorables" include Stephen Miller, Steve Bannon and on and on. Would there still be so many followers of that ilk? Would otherwise formerly sane Republicans have allowed themselves to kiss the ring? What if? What if? What if Psychiatrists had gathered and educated the populace long ago? Why not? Why not?
I do interact with active group of Forensic Psychiatrists.
The APA is the institutional enemy of this Team Led by Dr. Bandy Lee the ex-Yale Professor & worldwide expert known for her lectures on Violence. Dr. Lee is joined by nationally Forensic Psychiatrists as well.
This group of Psychiatrists take risks both personal physical & Professional risks but, their public political activity leading to the July 11 DJT Sentencing is now starting to appear. I just watched DON LEMONS' interview of Dr Lee: "Is Trump Mental ly Fit -- Dr. Bandy Lee on The Don Lemon Show".
FYI, Dr. Lee's professional attacker has been removed as President of the APA on other grounds. The APA has a long despicable record.
I felt the same, but people who understand what it’s like to keep his schedule and then be ill on top of that will probably look at it differently than he’s lost it. Well, he has lost some of it. We all do as we age and the presidency aged everyone except TFG who didn’t really work at it. I know when I get tired I can hardly remember my name some days. He isn’t who he was 4 years ago, but TFG is worse than he was 4 years ago. Now he’s emboldened and will add these clips to his attacks. What I understand is that behind TFG are people worse than he is, much worse. Behind Biden are capable people who can carry on. That should be a political ad! The MSM is doing us no favors at all. As folks keep asking, where’s the cry for TFG to step down after his convictions? Nowhere. The NYT - gone, and WaPo not far behind. Actually, those who know these things are more IMHO willing and fired up to step up and support the democratic ticket.
Bad debate nights happen. Trust me, I know. But this election is still a choice between someone who has fought for ordinary folks his entire life and someone who only cares about himself. Between someone who tells the truth; who knows right from wrong and will give it to the American people straight — and someone who lies through his teeth for his own benefit. Last night didn’t change that, and it’s why so much is at stake in November.
Barbara The video of President Biden, especially during the first half hour, I consider a dagger on the ‘age issue.’ Would you want that man piloting your plane?
Personally, my answer would be yes, compared to Trump, but that’s not the national impact.
The President is not my pilot. This is an apples to oranges comparison.
This President was sick, had just returned from an extremely successful and vigorous overseas trip, watched his son get convicted, continued to govern all the while.
It was a 90 minute frankly useless debate. Did you see President Biden's Raleigh speech the next day?
If you are going to entertain in purity tests then I invite you to examine just how there could be a convicted rapist and felon out on bail who stood up and hated America, loved on Putin and told a lie every 100 seconds? Why isn't this the narrative?
The bottom line is this. President Biden continues to have my trust and vote. I respect and trust his Cabinet and the rest of his Administration. I am thrilled with the job he has done and anticipate giving him 4 more years of doing it.
With respect. If President Biden has lost your confidence that is your right.
What I am sincerely asking people to ponder is this.
Is this constant dialog about President Biden's age undermining the Democratic Party's chances of winning this election thus installing a madman and fascist as President?
Keith, after trying to edit twice and losing my encouraging words each time, all I can do before coffee is recommend taking Newsom
‘s and Shapiro’s advice and get to work. If you know a postcard writer, fund the stamps, lots of them at $.53 before Trump’s mole in the PO raises the price to $.57 on July 14th. And KEEP WRITING.
It would be helpful if the press coverage ALSO pointed out how much Trump lied and his plans for the country. Young people in particular need to understand how much they have to lose under Trump.
Keith, I don’t want to use his age as when we look at blue zones we can see people his age quite robust, but I agree his health is of great concern. He has appears like a person with Parkinson’s. I am not saying he has this, but something is wrong, President’s don’t have the luxury of a “bad night” He is the commander in chief and has to be ready for that 3am call. He has done wonderful things for the country and I believe was a great choice following the horrible Trump years, but we live in unprecedented times when a convicted felon, proven rapist, proven to have committed fraud can run for president. I know in Illinois a felon can’t own a gun. How can a felon have the control of nuclear bombs? The Federalist Society and the Heritage Foundation have been undermining democracy for years. The Supreme Court the 5th circuit Court,, and the Red states have ben the testing ground for Project 2025. I hope President Biden will step down and let someone who can fight back against bullies in front of the American people with facts like Elizabeth Warren will run. Climate change is the only existential problem facing our species and we desperately need someone who can fight these narcissistic christofascists who care nothing for others or the environment,
Linda Personally, I would vote for Lena the Hyena to retain the soul of America from Trumpmaniacs. I greatly admire and would vote for President Biden, were he the candidate.
However, I believe that the age issue, after his first half hour during the debate, greatly diminished Biden’s chances of winning in 2024. If Jill and Joe agree, we have a better chance with a younger Dem.
I am not really that concerned. The way our news cycles go, this will be as old as both of the candidates and superseded by other, more timely, news. I also focus on the fact that it takes "Joe skills" to be an excellent president: thoughtful and analytical, able to rely on strong advisors input, and a steady diplomatic hand.
Especially when I consider the tug of war between the Jewish and Palestinian populations within this country and the challenges of "negotiating" the narrow pathway in that middleast mess, I am grateful for Joe's experience and steadiness.
I don't solely blame the press, but they exacerbate the problem. Any other candidate would be pressed for an accurate answer. DT has been allowed to get away with whatever he wants. I suspect because, from the beginning, he was not considered a serious candidate. Well he IS, and he needs to be treated that way. The poor persecuted little boy needs to be drilled on his stupid nonsensical non-answers.
Debbie, I would grant I found it appalling that Daniel Dale’s live fact-check was not permitted to appear in the news crawl throughout the CNN debate. The very fact that a deal was cut before-hand that there would be no fact-checking during the debate not only was injurious to Biden but also to the American people. Said terms were also an invitation for Trump to invent an entirely false narrative, which, indeed, he did.
Kathy, Because I don’t watch CNN, I neither can comment nor offer an explanation. That said, I mostly am baffled by the resistance to the contested Convention increasingly more Press is urging that offers us the best shot at a nominee who would take full advantage of the bully pulpit, speaking fluently and extemporaneously in situations from which Biden’s handlers regularly protect him.
Dana Bash was the only voice pressing hard to get the yammering orange idiot to answer a question. He NEVER answered ANY question and would lie about everything all Goebbels playbook night.
Kit, Though I, too, valued Heather’s methodical account of the firehose of lies spewing from Trump throughout the debate, while I am choosing to speak out with some amount of discomfort, I believe we discount at our peril Biden allowing virtually every distortion and deception to go unanswered. Frankly, given Biden had spent the prior week at debate camp, I was perplexed Biden hadn’t emerged with the tools to communicate fluently both his achievements and his plans moving forward while also aggressively (albeit selectively) dismantling the more egregious lies fueling Trump’s deplorable narrations.
I would add, despite how well Biden performed the next day in North Carolina reading from prepared remarks, to ensure we win this November, we ought not turn away from the failure even to approximate that performance when speaking extemporaneously in front of an audience of nearly 50 million. Admittedly, it might have helped if Biden’s initiation of his closing remarks at the debate had resembled remarks at the rally, wherein he stated, “I know I’m not a young man. I don’t walk as easily as I used to. I don’t speak as smoothly as I used to. I don’t debate as well as I used to. But I know what I do know. I know how to tell the truth. I know right from wrong. And I know how to do this job; I know how to get things done.”
I think the format really worked against Biden because he couldn't interrupt The Spew given that the mics were muted. I'm also of the opinion that he was over-prepared. They prepped him as if he was in an actual debate rather than dealing with an eel. Hillary Clinton had the most cogent pre-debate comment: "It is a waste of time to try to refute Mr. Trump’s arguments like in a normal debate. It’s nearly impossible to identify what his arguments even are. He starts with nonsense and then digresses into blather." Unfortunately it was published the day before the debate when the damage was done.
@MisTBlu, Based on my understanding, the one piece of your comment with which I thoroughly concur is that the team that prepped Biden did him a great disservice. Otherwise, I stand by my original comment and won’t defer to excuses for Biden’s meandering debate performance that not only failed to put to rest the doubts about his capacity to win the election, but also reinforced those doubts.
I agree that Biden will have to wear this but I also think all the pundit hysteria about the imperative of getting a replacement is simply wrong. If there were someone else, we would know who that is by now. I also think this drumbeat of "Biden is too old" is part of the culture that worships youth and abhors being old. We don't respect elders. We treat them as an embarrassment and make fun of them. Biden has the advantage of long experience. We should judge him on his record of success (except for Gaza but that's not the point right now), not on the failures of one appearance. The choice America has is Biden or Trump. Period. Yes, he is flawed but Trump is unmitigated disaster.
@NL, The issue never has been about 1 meandering debate performance. Doubts about whether staying the course with Biden date back 2 years. The reason no one has spoken up is due to leadership’s bunker mentality that every elected official understood would marginalize anyone who spoke out in public. I believe what we’ve recently seen from the Press reflects having reached a critical mass, wherein, given the stakes, journalists felt compelled to fulfill their fundamental obligation of preserving our democratic republic.
The age issue is actually interesting. Trump is 48 months younger than Biden. The other aspect is how many old people, really old people, young people admire. Yes, most of them are performers so we can't say for certain how they are in real life or whether they'd be able to manage the federal government and serve as the ceremonial head of the nation as well as President Biden has done.
You are wise, as always. I am making excuses. It's cataclysmic thinking: if I can't think of ways around the disaster I would have to accept that Thursday marked the end of our democracy. It's part of a larger worry about the hard right's take over of Europe. The only bright spot on the global stage at this moment is the UK, which is set to shellac the Tories, bigly.
@MisTBlu, I, too, am eager to see the Labour Party back in power. Moreover, despite for example election results in France, it is incumbent upon all of us to view every win as helping to strengthen the resistance elsewhere.
This is a response to all the pundits, amateur and professional, who've been saying that President Biden should step down: Notice how virtually none of them seriously address the question "In favor of whom?" We're barely four months out from the election, people. The Dems do have a deep bench, but virtually none of them currently has the national name recognition necessary to get elected and that's not something that can be built up in four months. The one individual who does have national name recognition is VP Kamala Harris. IMO she is qualified to be president, but could she get elected in her own right right now? Racism and sexism are real, and not just on the right. She's also been a lightning-rod for racist, sexist right-wing hate, and unfortunately that stuff trickles down into the general electorate. Keep in mind that most US voters pay little attention to national politics except in election years -- when the barrage of ads makes it very hard to become informed, and even the relatively responsible media outlets get caught up in the breathless breaking-news cycle. Short version: If you're insisting that President Biden step down, please give us a couple of options for "in favor of whom" and then make a case for how they can win in November.
Exactly and right on. I will vote for President Biden no matter what. And if VP Harris must take the reins at some point then great. Let the US citizens see just what an intelligent woman can do. Cheers!
To start, nowhere in my comment have I insisted on anything. I’m merely suggesting, because we have the time, it’s wholly appropriate to take stock as to whether staying the course is the best way to defeat Trump.
That said, were Biden to release his delegates resulting in a contested Convention, I imagine a roster of Democrats would battle for the nomination. I also would expect the chosen nominee, far more than Biden whose staff protects him from situations requiring he speak extemporaneously, would take full advantage of the bully pulpit, engaging, for example, with the Press until every question received an answer. Thus, I feel confident offering assurances the nominee would accrue “national name recognition necessary to get elected.”
While the decision would rest with the delegates, who likely would not nominate Harris for reasons you cited, I simply would note my pick would be Gretchen Whitmer.
Yes-let’s skip over Kamala in favor of Whitmer because she has white skin. I thought the VP was there to step in if needed. If DJT is “qualified” so is Kamala. The problem
Is America (Rs and Ds) will never relinquish white supremacy.
There's no doubt in my mind that VP Harris is qualified to be president, but I doubt that she can get elected in her own right in 2024. Keep in mind that most USians aren't aware of her accomplishments as VP, that the attack ads will be vicious, and that racism and misogyny are very real, and not just on the right.
Gina, While you couldn’t possibly know, since the 60s, my life’s work has been devoted to our increasingly becoming a more inclusive, pluralistic, democracy. Regrettably, at this most terrifying moment in our nation’s history, I see no choice but to do all I can to curb how far we’ve regressed in hopes of rebuilding.
To be clear, had your response not read as though it were directed at me personally, I likely would have appreciated it as someone who has worked tirelessly to contest every negative perception of Harris.
In addition to agreeing with Kit, I'll add that Biden was set up by CNN. They spent the whole next day talking to pundit after pundit arguing that Biden must step down because he's old and literally no one mentioned that Trump should step down because he wants the most powerful nation on Earth to stop being an egalitarian democracy and start being an authoritarian autocracy with him in charge.
Trump is why Biden is the Democratic candidate. If Trump loses, it will be because Biden didn't step down. If Trump wins because Biden stepped down, CNN and all those same pundits will be saying how terrible Biden was for stepping down. Of course it's not their fault. They're just pundits. Nothing is ever their fault.
If Biden stood on the stage the whole 90 minutes staring at the camera saying nothing, I'd give him a D-, but he'd pass because, irrespective of his competence, he cares about the whole country. I'd be worried he wouldn't to any good as president, but I know he won't do any harm. I know Trump will do harm by serving himself at the country's expense. And I thank God he's not competent. An evil genius would have been much worse that that evil idiot.
As it is, I'll give Biden a C-, but Trump, CNN, and most (not all) pundits get an F because they're all happily serving themselves at the country's expense. And if anyone from CNN is reading this, what you're doing to Biden is the opposite of journalism.
James, In my view, your comment neglects to address that Biden’s meandering debate performance not only failed to put to rest doubts that, for some time, have troubled supporters, but, to the contrary, also reinforced those doubts.
Thanks for that reply, but I assumed I'd addressed Biden's performance by giving him a C-. I didn't think I needed to go into any more detail because I'm hearing too much of that detail from others.
Regardless, a decision must be made with one criterion and two options. The one criterion is that Trump must be defeated, and the two options are for Biden to run or step down. From what I know, I'm confident but not certain Biden will win, and I'm confident but not certain Trump will win if Biden steps down. If I'm wrong, then someone knows something I don't know, and they're keeping it to themselves.
Here's the closest I got from a CNN pundit yesterday. He said a majority of Democrats want Biden to set down, and then he refused to say who would replace him. That was his whole argument. So, lets say Biden is forced to follow his advice, then Trump wins because the Democratic Party implodes, and then Trump says "every day is day one!" Then what would that pundit say? Oops?
Again, competence is a concern, but without knowing intent, it's irrelevant. Biden intends to serve the whole country, so his intent is good, and he's doing a great job in his first term. In my view, he's as competent as any president in the modern era. Whether he can hold it together for another term is a legit question, but don't compare him to the Almighty. Instead, compare him to the alternative, which if he wins is Harris (I'm okay with that), and if he steps down is Trump.
Trump's competence is a concern, and because I know his intent, the more incompetent he is the better off we all are if he ever gets back in the Whitehouse. And yet, that too is irrelevant because he's got evil geniuses who hope he'll win and be their useful idiot while they put their 2025 plan together.
James, I simply would note, given what Trump is serving up, I believe it is wholly appropriate to question why the election is so close and to take stock, while there’s still time, to make sure that we’re putting our best foot forward.
I agree entirely, and in addition to agreeing, I think voters who recognize the danger Trump posses should take stock of everything, not just one thing. Allow me to explain.
To me, intent is much easier to judge and much more important than competence, Biden and Harris are obviously well meaning, and Trump is obviously in it for himself and nobody else. To me, the choice could not be clearer, and the choice is independent of competence.
So, why are the polls so close? Should we be taking stock of Biden, or should we be taking stock of the implicit assumptions that lie hidden in the status quo?
If an individual is not rigorously skeptical of the individual's own implicit assumptions, then those assumptions will distort how that individual interprets their observations. Like the interview of the lady from a focus group who said she was hoping to listen to adults debate and she was watching children argue.
That is not fair. How would she feel if her maturity was questioned because she was attempting to have a serious and important conversation with someone who only wanted to engage in a pissing contest? Just one example.
And, aside from stepping down, what is Biden supposed to say to the double haters? All he can do is his best and hope people take some time to think about what's really going on.
When I try to put myself in Biden's shoes, all I can think is it's my job to defeat Trump, and Trump wins if I step down. I'm not certain I'm right, but when I put everything I know together, including your comments, it tells me Biden is doing the right thing.
Dems keep trying to convince people what they have done. The MSM should have reported that all along. Dems left it to Joe to recap the accomplishments of his years so fast that one had trouble understanding. They knew chump was a snake and they tried to ignore that and appear serious and competent, it sure backfired. Dems, stop being your own worst enemies. You have enough already.
Jeri, I fear looking on whom we can pin the blame keeps us from doing the critical work, for which we still have time—taking stock and having conversations as to whether staying the course is the best way to defeat Trump. Ultimately, if we’re all going to come together to try to save our democracy, we need to make sure that we’re putting our best foot forward.
Have you ever actually tried changing horses in mid stream? The more treacherous the river, the more dangerous it is. America now is the most dangerous of rivers. There's a reason changes horses in mid stream has its own saying to warn against doing it. There is long experience behind it. It's too late. Especially when the only people calling to dump Biden are the elite pundit class who aren't really representative of your typical Democratic supporter.
NL, As I just replied to another of your comments, given what Trump is serving up, I believe we have every reason to be concerned that the race is so tight. I would add, while I generally am not a fan of polls, when they trend similarly over time, though I don’t view them as predictive, I see value in viewing them as instructive.
I hope RFKJR remains an independent and does not go back with the Democrats. Their corruption through unfair rules and attempts to keep him off the ballots for me has burned that bridge.He has a composure that is exemplary, and are a great example for all of us.
I disagree. Joe did try to rebut Trump. Many younger Republicans have stood in the same place Biden was Thursday night and lost. They didn’t have a cold. It is the worst case of Murphy’s law striking I have ever seen. If something is going to go wrong it will and at the least opportune time. Polls show little movement. If anything Joe got a little post debate bump. I’m not ready to abandon him. I don’t think Democrat leadership is either.
Wayne, To be clear, I didn’t say we should abandon Biden. Still, I believe it wholly appropriate, while there’s still time, to take stock, particularly given how tight the race is despite what Trump is serving up.
So there’s no confusion, I would note, while I’m no fan of polls, I do believe when they trend similarly over time, though not predictive, I see value in viewing them as instructive.
This is exactly how I feel Barbara and what I've been saying as well. Great points. It's not about convincing us, people who are informed. It's about the low information voters who only tuned into 30min of the debate, of the apathetic voters who are on the fence and aren't excited about either candidate. Dems need to do a better job communicating why Biden and they need to win, unfortunately I don't think Biden did that...
What I saw was a side-effect of something. It gradually wore off, but at the start, all he knew was that that was a microphone and he had to get those facts out. Trump is an extraordinarily unattractive character.
when crazy enters the room, people stop what they are doing and pay attention. Courtesy of John Bradshaw many years ago. Back then people could identify crazy and not be so enamored by it. Now, Rupert and clones, and our CNN apparently, treat crazy as just another politician, one who is immune to being called out for his lying crazy. Chump is not only unattractive, he oozes evil from every ugly pore..,
And for the previous fortnight the word on the street was that Trump wouldn't even show up. No, they did a job on the President, and until everybody gets their head screwed back on, they'll have been successful.
So right. Dems need to “flood the zone” with truth about our history, present and what the future would look like if we perfect our democracy vs. what Project 2025 will bring us.
Wish Dems had the organizational skills of the cretins. Of course they have had 40+ years, with a specific goal to pull their dirty tricks with unethical intent, overtly and covertly. Dems, including me, were slow to catch on. But I wasn’t the slowest. Some still haven’t caught, sad to say
I am always so pleased when you take a day or two off, Prof. Richardson. You work so hard keeping us informed as you teach us the histroy we never learned in school. Enjoy your quiet kayak time. We will be here when you return. And....Hi to Buddy!
Up at 6:30 figuring to meet my kayaking group for a Potomac paddle in a couple of hours. It’s a wonderful way to relax and recharge. Several of us oldsters are north of the president; he might take this up, not vie with TFG in slamming little balls.
Heather, you carry a heavy burden for all of us in your thorough, thoughtful, truthful reporting of the days’ events. The photos of the time when you find peace make us all believe that there is just that, peace, and hope, and truth in these tumultuous times. Rest easy and breathe deeply.
A friend shared your letter after the debate. It was the first thing I read on Friday morning. Thank you! Let’s not despair folks. We know how to tell the truth!! Rest well everyone. Enjoy Sunday in the kayak, Heather.
Why are few people understanding that When we choose a President, we're not just picking one person – we're choosing their entire team, including cabinet members, advisors, staff, and judges. It's about more than just the candidate's likeability or debate performance.
Although President Biden is elderly, he has a very capable and experienced team. And President Biden knows the job of presidency. In contrast, even though Trump is also elderly, he’s a convicted felon, he knows nothing about government except how he can profit from it. He knows nothing about the constitution except that it gets in his way. His team no doubt includes individuals with criminal backgrounds, and who will do the job of destroying democracy and turning it into an autocracy.
Please stop making this huge job of keeping the government working into a referendum on the “so-called” debate.
Heather, thanks for your very cogent comments about Biden's part in the debate and the way the. Trump maneuvers may have been a cause. Makes me think that Biden was set up by the MAGA squad who learned about the "Gip Gallop" trick.
Trump did not debate- He staged a rally, with Biden as a prop-
CNN never pressed him to answer the actual questions- They allowed his free-for-all-
Robin, In my view, if we persist solely in blaming the press, no matter how valid, we are failing our candidate with concrete means to evaluate missed opportunities. I elaborate on this point in my comment, which is part of this thread.
Barbara When I saw President Biden walk out unsteady, looking like a tired old man, for me this felt like a gut punch. As he looked askance and spoke with a flatness that was in sharp contrast to State-of-the-Union Joe, my wife and I were appalled.
Trump was at top decibel with his blatant lies and below the belt attacks. But Biden knew who and what Trump was.
For the moment, I have difficulty in identifying how best Trump can be defeated in November. President Biden’s age is now on the front burner. In October Trump need only post videos of Biden’s initial debate minutes.
I am normally infused with hope. Perhaps this will return shortly.
Biden is a morning person, trump is a night person. At 80 years, that makes a big difference even in the healthy and sharp. Next debate 7 a.m.!!
When I heard it was at 9 pm, I was thinking how am I going to stay up for it? And I'm 63!!! And with a bad cold on top of it? And it wasn't all glitches by any stretch as some poeple make it sound. He added some solid zingers at Trump, and answered the questions well in many cases. I think some people who have a huge fear of old age and dying were focused on the optics, which I admit were not good, more than anything.
I'm 81 and I didn't stay up. By 8pm I'm in my PJs. By 9pm I'm in bed. I'm up at 4am.
Yes, certainly not at 9pm after running the country and the world all day! I've never trusted CNN and the lack of fact checking during the verbal dia**r+a from the other podium. But what's done is done and we must all work hard going forward. Never, ever give up!
Thank you, Heather, for resting and for the beautiful uplifting photograph. Have a great day on the water.
Yes. HCR will enjoy her kayak on the ocean no matter what falls from the sky, exactly the way these letters are written--carefully and accurately.
I, too, thought the CNN format was absolutely abysmal. Was there even ONE quotable comment from "pmurt" in the debate worth repeating? They let him lie, "gish gallop" and obfuscate his way through all 90 minutes. I will NEVER trust CNN news again. He should have been stopped instead of reminding him that "you have 28 seconds left , so would you like to answer the question?" DUH!!
MaryPat The presidency is a 24/7 job. Of course Trump never realized this.
Trump never considered the Presidency a job. He saw it as a great grifting opportunity, greatly expanding his pool of potential targets.
Well, poor old man was riding his golf buggy on the course most of the time. He missed just about everything else (apart from the YUGE crowds at his (cough) inauguration.)
And don't forget what Heather said about Gish Gallop and how it's especially difficult for someone who stutters to manage the torrent of lies. I want President Biden's coach to give Biden a collection of one-sesntence responses to each possible lie. Then say, First, say as loud as you can, "You are lying or That's a lie!" Then make this ONE sentence statement. Loud and Proud!!!
For example, Trump. "I was the one who got insulin prices down, not you." Biden, "That's a lie!" You got prices down for a few people, temporarily. I got prices down to $35 for everyone on medicare, and I"m working to make that true for everyone." That's it!!! Nothing else!!! REpeat if you have to.
Yes. Except you can NEVER win against a malicious narcisist like trump, so don't debate at all, don't give trump a microphone.
The fact is that power is very intoxicating. Witness Ginsburg and Feinstein. Biden should step down now and let a younger person step up. Biden's age along with the prospect that he might not finish his term so that Kamala Harris could become POTUS are two negative factors for many. We're in a tight spot. Though Biden has done a great job, this is a new ball game and one that we absolutely must win. Biden needs to recognize this, that he is in fact a liability that has to be overcome.
Step down in favor of whom? Why can none of you armchair pundits come up with both (1) a name, and (2) a persuasive case for why that individual can build up the name recognition to win in barely four months. IMO VP Harris is qualified to be president, but racism and sexism are at least as powerful in the electorate as ageism, and if you have any imagination at all you can probably guess what the GOP and Dark Money attack ads will look like.
But he isn't. Read Kathy's post about the transcript. ( Now I really see what gaslighting is. It was that.)
The fear that Harris may become president is indeed limiting support for Biden, as it has all during his term.
Read Simon Rosenberg and you'll feel much, much better!!!
https://www.hopiumchronicles.com/p/it-is-time-for-strength-leadership?utm_source=post-email-title&publication_id=1223483&post_id=146131967&utm_campaign=email-post-title&isFreemail=true&r=1exgz&triedRedirect=true&utm_medium=email
I encourage all to read the transcript of the debate.President Biden(without the stutters , hoarse voice from a cold and trying too rapidly to refute the massive barrage of lies) is more than fine….and totally sane.Convicted criminal Trump is/was his usual unhinged self.
⬇️
https://www.cnn.com/2024/06/27/politics/read-biden-trump-debate-rush-transcript/index.html
I encourage all who are concerned to do whatever is in their comfort zone to boost Biden/Harris, retain the Senate and flip the House..Action really does help alleviate the stress of countering MAGA. Trust me, I live in MAGA-vile, Florida.
✍️📲💲🚶🏻👕🪧
“YOU CAN'T WRING YOUR HANDS AND ROLL UP YOUR SLEEVES AT THE SAME TIME.”
Patricia Schroeder '64, Former United States Representative
Or they could watch the video of his NC rally the next day.
Dave Too little, too late, when about 80 million people saw the start of the ‘debate.’
Both.
Kathy They said much the same about the difference between the TV and radio aspects of the Kennedy-Nixon debate in 1960. Nixon had been in the hospital for a few days shortly before coming to the TV debate. He also refused to use make up. He looked scraggly.
By contrast, JFK, despite all his real ailments, looked robust and aggressive. Unfortunately, Trumpists can play and replay the video of Biden’s first half hour, when age is a valid issue.
According to Simon Rosenberg, the numbers haven't changed since the debate. Biden remains on top.
Thank you for posting this, Kathy!
Reading the transcript makes a big difference!
The convicted felon was spouting gibberish from the very beginning, while President Biden was actually answering the questions.
It's amazing how much the sound and picture affects us! Biden's voice was soft and raspy while the felon was loud and clear in spite of the fact that what he was saying was lies at best, mostly gibberish.
It comes naturally to him - doesn't have to think.
Keith, Regrettably, dating back 2 years, Democrats who had harbored doubts about Biden’s capacity to serve effectively for 4 more years, were they to have gone public, would have faced marginalization by a bunker mentality that has persisted to the present.
Clearly, if it ends up that Biden is our nominee out of the Convention, then everyone who cares about our democracy has to do everything they can to help Biden defeat Trump. However, because Thursday’s debate, which reinforced considerable doubt, was scheduled early enough to take stock and have conversations, particularly in the White House, as to whether this is the best way to beat Trump, we need to make sure that we are putting our best foot forward here.
I further would add that the enemy is not the NYTimes and other publications that are raising the issue of Biden stepping aside. These journalists are raising the issue precisely because they care so much about beating Trump and feel the urgency to raise these questions.
I understand that, but when many more column inches were taken up with Biden than with Trump, I get upset. Trump's behavior is frightening and that should be focused on so much more than it is, regardless of who the Dem candidate is.
Kim, I agree not nearly enough attention is focused on Trump. That said, because the stakes are so high, I believe the Press currently is driven by its best assessment of how to fulfill its fundamental role of preserving our democratic republic.
Kim, i too am upset and refuse to read any of it. On Friday we watched the local news, but not the national news and that may the rule for a while. We have agreed that we cannot do a thing about it (except vote and donate), and we don't want to raise our BP everyday.
Joe is NOT in this race for Joe; Trump is in this race for Trump. That should be a Known at this point and it alone makes voting the decision easy. We have to trust that when Joe recognizes he's not up to the job, he'll resign from it. Some trust, too much to ask?? Joe has never been an orator; he's a doer and he has done plenty even with a do-nothing House for the past 2 years. I sent my weekly letter to the editor of the local paper on Friday and stipulated AFTER the debate that this will be the easiest election I've ever been in. The choice is obvious and when voting commences on 9/20 here in VA, I'll happily try to re-elect the best President we've had in at least 50 years.
Michael, I merely would respond with the assurance that regardless of whether we agree we’re putting our best foot forward with Joe Biden, if he’s our nominee, I expect most, if not all, of us will come together to try to save our democratic republic.
Thank you for mentioning the awful Gov of my home state, Virginia. Please, Virginia voters, do not re-elect him!
Trump is in this for Putin. Read Freezing Order by Bill Browder. it’s right under our noses!
I am allowing myself to let go of Biden. But then, I am from Michigan, and know that Gretchen Whitmer will make a phenomenal President.
👎🏻👎🏻👎🏻 that’s a bonkers idea letting go of Biden. Are you a troll???
If you read what the experts are saying there is no possible mechanism at this point then for Harris to take the rein. People should inform themselves before they start promoting wacko, chaotic, crazy, democracy suicide ideas
I am allowing for the possibility of Biden stepping down. Whitmer looks like a good alternative. I am continuing to work on Getting Out The Vote for the Democratic candidate for President. Whomever.
I think she will too, 4 years from now when she follows Biden.
MaryPat, I believe were Biden to release his delegates and the Convention were contested, your governor would rise to the top of Democrats under consideration for the nomination.
It’s too late to get anyone else on the ticket. I’d like to see the whole Democratic Party get him ready for the next debate. He can do this. I’d like to see as much support for our party as the other side has for theirs! They’re incredibly organized, well prepared and confident. I don’t see those kinds of things here except for donations mostly. Donations are important, however when’s the last time you attended a school board meeting?
It will be hard for so many of us to let go of Biden, if that happens.
She would indeed, a breath of fresh air.
Yea Whitmer!! She has what it takes.
You may like your governor, but the only thing I have ever heard about her is that some crazies from her own state planned to kidnap her.
You have substantially more respect for what used to be called the journalism profession than I do. I don't think that even Thomas Friedman, who made an almost tearjerking effort to explain why Biden should drop out, is anywhere near as concerned about beating the failed insurrectionist as he is about selling newspapers, generating clicks, and picking up subscriptions to his column. If they were, the clamor for Biden to get out of the race would be overwhelmed in volume by the demands for an explanation from Republicans why they continue to support a convicted felon and rapist who is liable for almost 1/2 a billion dollars in civil judgements. There really is no comparison between the two and we dare not let anyone lose sight of that.
Dave, Respectfully, every piece I have read leaves me with the same impression. Journalists are raising questions because they want to beat Trump. In my view, it’s precisely because they care so much about defeating Trump that they’re raising these questions.
As for demanding an explanation from Republicans for their continued support for Trump, I imagine the journalists I’ve read would view that as an exercise in futility.
With respect Barbara.
The New York Times is anti-Biden as is the Washington Post. Since 2016 these publications have gone to great effort to showcase trump. The NYT is getting clicks for cash. The editors feel less than zero patriotism nor concern for our Democracy. This is a business to them. The media has become the enemy of our Democracy.
How has the media been operating these past few years? Creating a false reality too many Americans have bought into that trump is a normal, viable candidate. Calling an insurrection a rally. Going for clicks and cash because of Biden's age. Ignoring the fact that trump is a convicted rapist and felon running for office. Ignoring the facts of trump's mental decline. Ignoring the facts of trump sweating, looking panicked and becoming incoherent by the end of the debate. Ignoring the cabal of dark money behind Project 2025 and their mission of electing trump. Ignoring trump's threat to our democracy. Ignoring what Democrats stand for. Emphasizing every single moment and move trump makes.
The media drives the message. And down is up and up is down.
If I landed from Mars and scanned these 2 newspapers, I would think trump was President. That is how much his pictures are published and endless stories about him are written. When was the last time there was a headline or even a story about one of Biden's speeches? He gives them all the time. Yet trump's rallies are covered.
When was the last time what Biden has been doing for the American people has been covered. How much press does the results of the Infrastructure Bill get covered? When were the good guys in Congress covered such as Raskin? Yet Comer sure does get his pound of flesh every week sometimes daily. How is it the President is honorable in the face of his son's conviction but is ignored because the media wants to cover trumps lies and whining? How is it that the 200 news stations owned by MAGA Sinclair Media Empire all spouted the same exact news on the same day?
How in the name of everything is it possible that a felon out on bail who stood up and hated on America, loved on Putin, told a lie every 100 seconds, and was incoherent was declared the winner of the debate by the media while the good, sane, moral and hardworking man who has achieved historical gains for this country be pilloried because he has an awful night?
The media has become the enemy Barbara. We must, for the sake of our Democracy, we must become wise and knowledgeable and turn our gaze towards credible news organizations besides the main-stream media.
My apologies for the length and fervor of this essay. It is borne of terror at the brainwashing of America as they stare at their smart phones hour after hour.
Barbara Mullen-Thank you for articulating so well the media’s complicity in the propaganda game.
There has never been enough scrutiny and reporting about DJT’s life long grift, cheating, lies etc. Who has called for him to step down?
Thanks Barbara, don't apologise: you're reminding us of what seems temporarily to have been forgotten and which we've never ceased to lament, all of us, about the news bias.
Barbara, Because I stated in its coverage of Biden’s meandering debate performance that the Press, in my view, is not the enemy, I never intended my statement to nullify all the ways the Press has failed to be a rigorous watchdog of those in power and those who wish to be in power.
dumb phones
I have to disagree that their reporting is meant to help beat trump. They need to beat trump by publishing far and wide Biden's accomplishments and the positive impact those are having on ordinary Americans and their communities.
DebbieM, In my view, the Press, in part, is calling for Biden to release his delegates so Democrats have a shot at a nominee who would take full advantage of the Bully Pulpit, speaking fluently and extemporaneously in situations from which Biden’s handlers regularly protect him. Were we to have a nominee of this caliber, we wouldn’t have to rely on published text that we have no guarantee even would be read.
Keith, having written my first inspiration only to accidentally delete it, trying again. En bref,, the Democratic Party leaders are behind the president and more people have been turned off by Trump than by Biden. Mika Brzezinski said it best: the “firehouse of lies” was, IMHO, what stopped a tired (three transatlantic trips in a week), lovingoving truth teller in disbelief at so much lying hatred being spewed at their country.
Newsom, Shapiro, are telling US to get back to work. So back to postcards. You can find your local writers and send them stamp money to get as many $.53 as possible before Trump’s DeJoy raises the price to $.57 on July 14.
Thanks, Virginia - I kept trying to catch your post, and have succeeded at last!
Bring back the hope Keith. The President's age is important only to Republicans and the press who have remarkably little else to criticize him for. As long as we keep ourselves from panicking, remember to get out the vote, and have ready a list of the things Biden has actually gotten done while in office, the 70% or so of Americans who aren't cultists will, when the chips are down, bet on 4 more years of old and steady at the wheel.
I keep sayin'.
Despite the polls, despite all the BS, Trump is the worst candidate of all time. If we work, a yellow dog can beat Trump. I just doubled down on my contribution to the FT 6 TextArcade. Object: sunset Rick Scott. Has a 34% favorability rating. That group must not know much about him. Largest fine for Medicare fraud in history. Wants to "sunset" all benefits. Plus he's ugly, supports a guy who hates dogs and stole from kids with cancer, assaulted women, and was convicted of 34 felonies.
https://www.fieldteam6.org/all-volunteer-ops
I disagree. I am a staunch democrat and supporter of Biden. But he should never have run for a second term. He is too old. He can't articulate his positions. He obviously would be better than Trump, but if he runs I don't think we'll find out. He will lose. Or on the tiny chance that he wins he would degenerate more as time passes. Which once again would be better than Trump, but it wouldn't be good. We can't risk him running.
I suspect that most of us would have preferred a single term transition to a stronger successor candidate, but that's not what we've got. The only one who can forestall a Biden-Trump rematch is God, and we won't know that unless it happens. In the meantime, we have to do everything we can to ensure Biden's re-election.
No worries Everybody; with others I had to help to calm a community of Forensic Psychiatrists on Saturday & those Docs are headed to the front lines.
Trump's sentencing is on 7/11.
Bryan, if I take you literally, then you know/interact with Forensic Psychiatrists? Please ask them why the American Psychiatric Assoc. (or whatever that collective's name is) came up with "The Goldwater Effect" and years ago forbade Psychiatrists from commenting on candidate's mental/emotional fitness for running for POTUS? Had the nation had a model, a repeating tutorial on narcissistic personality disorder, definition of a sociopath, and possibly most of all, defining gaslighting... would the democracy be in the peril it is in? The "basketful of deplorables" include Stephen Miller, Steve Bannon and on and on. Would there still be so many followers of that ilk? Would otherwise formerly sane Republicans have allowed themselves to kiss the ring? What if? What if? What if Psychiatrists had gathered and educated the populace long ago? Why not? Why not?
They tried. There were MAGA psychiatrists trying to shut them up.
Dr. Bandy Lee even lost her job because of Dershowitz. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-shared-psychosis-of-donald-trump-and-his-loyalists/
I do interact with active group of Forensic Psychiatrists.
The APA is the institutional enemy of this Team Led by Dr. Bandy Lee the ex-Yale Professor & worldwide expert known for her lectures on Violence. Dr. Lee is joined by nationally Forensic Psychiatrists as well.
This group of Psychiatrists take risks both personal physical & Professional risks but, their public political activity leading to the July 11 DJT Sentencing is now starting to appear. I just watched DON LEMONS' interview of Dr Lee: "Is Trump Mental ly Fit -- Dr. Bandy Lee on The Don Lemon Show".
FYI, Dr. Lee's professional attacker has been removed as President of the APA on other grounds. The APA has a long despicable record.
For just 1 example see., "Investigation Concludes APA Colluded with Government to Enable Torture" at www.humanrightsclinic.law.harvard.edu.
Note the split screen interview of Dr. Lee as this group of Docs is Tech savy. Digital security protocols are in place.
More leading up to July 11.
I felt the same, but people who understand what it’s like to keep his schedule and then be ill on top of that will probably look at it differently than he’s lost it. Well, he has lost some of it. We all do as we age and the presidency aged everyone except TFG who didn’t really work at it. I know when I get tired I can hardly remember my name some days. He isn’t who he was 4 years ago, but TFG is worse than he was 4 years ago. Now he’s emboldened and will add these clips to his attacks. What I understand is that behind TFG are people worse than he is, much worse. Behind Biden are capable people who can carry on. That should be a political ad! The MSM is doing us no favors at all. As folks keep asking, where’s the cry for TFG to step down after his convictions? Nowhere. The NYT - gone, and WaPo not far behind. Actually, those who know these things are more IMHO willing and fired up to step up and support the democratic ticket.
My favorite clip was one that summarized the substance of each one of them. https://decodingfoxnews.substack.com/p/two-men-two-views-of-america?r=ek732&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR2WXaEfN5VOSUqb6yLFGXo0uFQUlqp4EEKIwoD-u6P-W4pplMSS65btbBw_aem_CnpmyktOgQ7EfI-_uW5Slw&triedRedirect=true
Thanks, Lynn!
Bad debate nights happen. Trust me, I know. But this election is still a choice between someone who has fought for ordinary folks his entire life and someone who only cares about himself. Between someone who tells the truth; who knows right from wrong and will give it to the American people straight — and someone who lies through his teeth for his own benefit. Last night didn’t change that, and it’s why so much is at stake in November.
Barack Obama
Barbara The video of President Biden, especially during the first half hour, I consider a dagger on the ‘age issue.’ Would you want that man piloting your plane?
Personally, my answer would be yes, compared to Trump, but that’s not the national impact.
The President is not my pilot. This is an apples to oranges comparison.
This President was sick, had just returned from an extremely successful and vigorous overseas trip, watched his son get convicted, continued to govern all the while.
It was a 90 minute frankly useless debate. Did you see President Biden's Raleigh speech the next day?
If you are going to entertain in purity tests then I invite you to examine just how there could be a convicted rapist and felon out on bail who stood up and hated America, loved on Putin and told a lie every 100 seconds? Why isn't this the narrative?
The bottom line is this. President Biden continues to have my trust and vote. I respect and trust his Cabinet and the rest of his Administration. I am thrilled with the job he has done and anticipate giving him 4 more years of doing it.
With respect. If President Biden has lost your confidence that is your right.
What I am sincerely asking people to ponder is this.
Is this constant dialog about President Biden's age undermining the Democratic Party's chances of winning this election thus installing a madman and fascist as President?
Keith, after trying to edit twice and losing my encouraging words each time, all I can do before coffee is recommend taking Newsom
‘s and Shapiro’s advice and get to work. If you know a postcard writer, fund the stamps, lots of them at $.53 before Trump’s mole in the PO raises the price to $.57 on July 14th. And KEEP WRITING.
Miłego weekendu!
It would be helpful if the press coverage ALSO pointed out how much Trump lied and his plans for the country. Young people in particular need to understand how much they have to lose under Trump.
Based on his past appearances, I don't think Trump would have passed a drug test that night.
Steve Trump is on a perpetual Burger King high, with ketchup on the wall.
Keith, I don’t want to use his age as when we look at blue zones we can see people his age quite robust, but I agree his health is of great concern. He has appears like a person with Parkinson’s. I am not saying he has this, but something is wrong, President’s don’t have the luxury of a “bad night” He is the commander in chief and has to be ready for that 3am call. He has done wonderful things for the country and I believe was a great choice following the horrible Trump years, but we live in unprecedented times when a convicted felon, proven rapist, proven to have committed fraud can run for president. I know in Illinois a felon can’t own a gun. How can a felon have the control of nuclear bombs? The Federalist Society and the Heritage Foundation have been undermining democracy for years. The Supreme Court the 5th circuit Court,, and the Red states have ben the testing ground for Project 2025. I hope President Biden will step down and let someone who can fight back against bullies in front of the American people with facts like Elizabeth Warren will run. Climate change is the only existential problem facing our species and we desperately need someone who can fight these narcissistic christofascists who care nothing for others or the environment,
Read the latest Simon Rosenberg, and you'll feel MUCH MUCH BETTER!!!
https://www.hopiumchronicles.com/p/it-is-time-for-strength-leadership?utm_source=post-email-title&publication_id=1223483&post_id=146131967&utm_campaign=email-post-title&isFreemail=true&r=1exgz&triedRedirect=true&utm_medium=email
Your observations echo in the minds of many of us now.
Linda Personally, I would vote for Lena the Hyena to retain the soul of America from Trumpmaniacs. I greatly admire and would vote for President Biden, were he the candidate.
However, I believe that the age issue, after his first half hour during the debate, greatly diminished Biden’s chances of winning in 2024. If Jill and Joe agree, we have a better chance with a younger Dem.
Trump Is the one who is “greatly diminished”. Biden has served America honorably. He’s human and not perfect but far more competent than DJT.
I’m so disappointed in the Democrats and the way we shoot ourselves in the foot. We’re only helping the Rs to elevate their agenda.
Look at Biden’s record! This debate was 90 minutes out of one day.
I am not really that concerned. The way our news cycles go, this will be as old as both of the candidates and superseded by other, more timely, news. I also focus on the fact that it takes "Joe skills" to be an excellent president: thoughtful and analytical, able to rely on strong advisors input, and a steady diplomatic hand.
Especially when I consider the tug of war between the Jewish and Palestinian populations within this country and the challenges of "negotiating" the narrow pathway in that middleast mess, I am grateful for Joe's experience and steadiness.
I don't solely blame the press, but they exacerbate the problem. Any other candidate would be pressed for an accurate answer. DT has been allowed to get away with whatever he wants. I suspect because, from the beginning, he was not considered a serious candidate. Well he IS, and he needs to be treated that way. The poor persecuted little boy needs to be drilled on his stupid nonsensical non-answers.
Debbie, I would grant I found it appalling that Daniel Dale’s live fact-check was not permitted to appear in the news crawl throughout the CNN debate. The very fact that a deal was cut before-hand that there would be no fact-checking during the debate not only was injurious to Biden but also to the American people. Said terms were also an invitation for Trump to invent an entirely false narrative, which, indeed, he did.
We can win against the media as well. Push back on them too. There IS power in numbers and we certainly have that 😉
CNN continues to show Biden in his worse stumbles; they are not showing the other debater in his worse lies.
Kathy, Because I don’t watch CNN, I neither can comment nor offer an explanation. That said, I mostly am baffled by the resistance to the contested Convention increasingly more Press is urging that offers us the best shot at a nominee who would take full advantage of the bully pulpit, speaking fluently and extemporaneously in situations from which Biden’s handlers regularly protect him.
You can't debate a foghorn whether your young or an experienced debater. It's like speaking into the receiving end of a wind tunnel on full blast.
The female moderator did pressure Trump to answer
Dana Bash was the only voice pressing hard to get the yammering orange idiot to answer a question. He NEVER answered ANY question and would lie about everything all Goebbels playbook night.
She was complicit, also. The predicates to most of her questing were based on BS rumors.
Exactly right!
They never corrected any of his lies. They were juast left hanging out there.
Kit, Though I, too, valued Heather’s methodical account of the firehose of lies spewing from Trump throughout the debate, while I am choosing to speak out with some amount of discomfort, I believe we discount at our peril Biden allowing virtually every distortion and deception to go unanswered. Frankly, given Biden had spent the prior week at debate camp, I was perplexed Biden hadn’t emerged with the tools to communicate fluently both his achievements and his plans moving forward while also aggressively (albeit selectively) dismantling the more egregious lies fueling Trump’s deplorable narrations.
I would add, despite how well Biden performed the next day in North Carolina reading from prepared remarks, to ensure we win this November, we ought not turn away from the failure even to approximate that performance when speaking extemporaneously in front of an audience of nearly 50 million. Admittedly, it might have helped if Biden’s initiation of his closing remarks at the debate had resembled remarks at the rally, wherein he stated, “I know I’m not a young man. I don’t walk as easily as I used to. I don’t speak as smoothly as I used to. I don’t debate as well as I used to. But I know what I do know. I know how to tell the truth. I know right from wrong. And I know how to do this job; I know how to get things done.”
I think the format really worked against Biden because he couldn't interrupt The Spew given that the mics were muted. I'm also of the opinion that he was over-prepared. They prepped him as if he was in an actual debate rather than dealing with an eel. Hillary Clinton had the most cogent pre-debate comment: "It is a waste of time to try to refute Mr. Trump’s arguments like in a normal debate. It’s nearly impossible to identify what his arguments even are. He starts with nonsense and then digresses into blather." Unfortunately it was published the day before the debate when the damage was done.
Exactly. They were dealing with an eel, a slippery, slimy eel with gall to match his bloated ego. HRC was right on. She should have done the prep.
@MisTBlu, Based on my understanding, the one piece of your comment with which I thoroughly concur is that the team that prepped Biden did him a great disservice. Otherwise, I stand by my original comment and won’t defer to excuses for Biden’s meandering debate performance that not only failed to put to rest the doubts about his capacity to win the election, but also reinforced those doubts.
I agree that Biden will have to wear this but I also think all the pundit hysteria about the imperative of getting a replacement is simply wrong. If there were someone else, we would know who that is by now. I also think this drumbeat of "Biden is too old" is part of the culture that worships youth and abhors being old. We don't respect elders. We treat them as an embarrassment and make fun of them. Biden has the advantage of long experience. We should judge him on his record of success (except for Gaza but that's not the point right now), not on the failures of one appearance. The choice America has is Biden or Trump. Period. Yes, he is flawed but Trump is unmitigated disaster.
@NL, The issue never has been about 1 meandering debate performance. Doubts about whether staying the course with Biden date back 2 years. The reason no one has spoken up is due to leadership’s bunker mentality that every elected official understood would marginalize anyone who spoke out in public. I believe what we’ve recently seen from the Press reflects having reached a critical mass, wherein, given the stakes, journalists felt compelled to fulfill their fundamental obligation of preserving our democratic republic.
But it's significant that the loudest voices saying Biden's gotta go are the pundit class, not the general public.
The age issue is actually interesting. Trump is 48 months younger than Biden. The other aspect is how many old people, really old people, young people admire. Yes, most of them are performers so we can't say for certain how they are in real life or whether they'd be able to manage the federal government and serve as the ceremonial head of the nation as well as President Biden has done.
You are wise, as always. I am making excuses. It's cataclysmic thinking: if I can't think of ways around the disaster I would have to accept that Thursday marked the end of our democracy. It's part of a larger worry about the hard right's take over of Europe. The only bright spot on the global stage at this moment is the UK, which is set to shellac the Tories, bigly.
@MisTBlu, I, too, am eager to see the Labour Party back in power. Moreover, despite for example election results in France, it is incumbent upon all of us to view every win as helping to strengthen the resistance elsewhere.
Proper response: I stopped counting and listening after the 10th lie
This is a response to all the pundits, amateur and professional, who've been saying that President Biden should step down: Notice how virtually none of them seriously address the question "In favor of whom?" We're barely four months out from the election, people. The Dems do have a deep bench, but virtually none of them currently has the national name recognition necessary to get elected and that's not something that can be built up in four months. The one individual who does have national name recognition is VP Kamala Harris. IMO she is qualified to be president, but could she get elected in her own right right now? Racism and sexism are real, and not just on the right. She's also been a lightning-rod for racist, sexist right-wing hate, and unfortunately that stuff trickles down into the general electorate. Keep in mind that most US voters pay little attention to national politics except in election years -- when the barrage of ads makes it very hard to become informed, and even the relatively responsible media outlets get caught up in the breathless breaking-news cycle. Short version: If you're insisting that President Biden step down, please give us a couple of options for "in favor of whom" and then make a case for how they can win in November.
Exactly and right on. I will vote for President Biden no matter what. And if VP Harris must take the reins at some point then great. Let the US citizens see just what an intelligent woman can do. Cheers!
To start, nowhere in my comment have I insisted on anything. I’m merely suggesting, because we have the time, it’s wholly appropriate to take stock as to whether staying the course is the best way to defeat Trump.
That said, were Biden to release his delegates resulting in a contested Convention, I imagine a roster of Democrats would battle for the nomination. I also would expect the chosen nominee, far more than Biden whose staff protects him from situations requiring he speak extemporaneously, would take full advantage of the bully pulpit, engaging, for example, with the Press until every question received an answer. Thus, I feel confident offering assurances the nominee would accrue “national name recognition necessary to get elected.”
While the decision would rest with the delegates, who likely would not nominate Harris for reasons you cited, I simply would note my pick would be Gretchen Whitmer.
Yes-let’s skip over Kamala in favor of Whitmer because she has white skin. I thought the VP was there to step in if needed. If DJT is “qualified” so is Kamala. The problem
Is America (Rs and Ds) will never relinquish white supremacy.
There's no doubt in my mind that VP Harris is qualified to be president, but I doubt that she can get elected in her own right in 2024. Keep in mind that most USians aren't aware of her accomplishments as VP, that the attack ads will be vicious, and that racism and misogyny are very real, and not just on the right.
Gina, While you couldn’t possibly know, since the 60s, my life’s work has been devoted to our increasingly becoming a more inclusive, pluralistic, democracy. Regrettably, at this most terrifying moment in our nation’s history, I see no choice but to do all I can to curb how far we’ve regressed in hopes of rebuilding.
To be clear, had your response not read as though it were directed at me personally, I likely would have appreciated it as someone who has worked tirelessly to contest every negative perception of Harris.
In addition to agreeing with Kit, I'll add that Biden was set up by CNN. They spent the whole next day talking to pundit after pundit arguing that Biden must step down because he's old and literally no one mentioned that Trump should step down because he wants the most powerful nation on Earth to stop being an egalitarian democracy and start being an authoritarian autocracy with him in charge.
Trump is why Biden is the Democratic candidate. If Trump loses, it will be because Biden didn't step down. If Trump wins because Biden stepped down, CNN and all those same pundits will be saying how terrible Biden was for stepping down. Of course it's not their fault. They're just pundits. Nothing is ever their fault.
If Biden stood on the stage the whole 90 minutes staring at the camera saying nothing, I'd give him a D-, but he'd pass because, irrespective of his competence, he cares about the whole country. I'd be worried he wouldn't to any good as president, but I know he won't do any harm. I know Trump will do harm by serving himself at the country's expense. And I thank God he's not competent. An evil genius would have been much worse that that evil idiot.
As it is, I'll give Biden a C-, but Trump, CNN, and most (not all) pundits get an F because they're all happily serving themselves at the country's expense. And if anyone from CNN is reading this, what you're doing to Biden is the opposite of journalism.
James, In my view, your comment neglects to address that Biden’s meandering debate performance not only failed to put to rest doubts that, for some time, have troubled supporters, but, to the contrary, also reinforced those doubts.
Thanks for that reply, but I assumed I'd addressed Biden's performance by giving him a C-. I didn't think I needed to go into any more detail because I'm hearing too much of that detail from others.
Regardless, a decision must be made with one criterion and two options. The one criterion is that Trump must be defeated, and the two options are for Biden to run or step down. From what I know, I'm confident but not certain Biden will win, and I'm confident but not certain Trump will win if Biden steps down. If I'm wrong, then someone knows something I don't know, and they're keeping it to themselves.
Here's the closest I got from a CNN pundit yesterday. He said a majority of Democrats want Biden to set down, and then he refused to say who would replace him. That was his whole argument. So, lets say Biden is forced to follow his advice, then Trump wins because the Democratic Party implodes, and then Trump says "every day is day one!" Then what would that pundit say? Oops?
Again, competence is a concern, but without knowing intent, it's irrelevant. Biden intends to serve the whole country, so his intent is good, and he's doing a great job in his first term. In my view, he's as competent as any president in the modern era. Whether he can hold it together for another term is a legit question, but don't compare him to the Almighty. Instead, compare him to the alternative, which if he wins is Harris (I'm okay with that), and if he steps down is Trump.
Trump's competence is a concern, and because I know his intent, the more incompetent he is the better off we all are if he ever gets back in the Whitehouse. And yet, that too is irrelevant because he's got evil geniuses who hope he'll win and be their useful idiot while they put their 2025 plan together.
James, I simply would note, given what Trump is serving up, I believe it is wholly appropriate to question why the election is so close and to take stock, while there’s still time, to make sure that we’re putting our best foot forward.
I agree entirely, and in addition to agreeing, I think voters who recognize the danger Trump posses should take stock of everything, not just one thing. Allow me to explain.
To me, intent is much easier to judge and much more important than competence, Biden and Harris are obviously well meaning, and Trump is obviously in it for himself and nobody else. To me, the choice could not be clearer, and the choice is independent of competence.
So, why are the polls so close? Should we be taking stock of Biden, or should we be taking stock of the implicit assumptions that lie hidden in the status quo?
If an individual is not rigorously skeptical of the individual's own implicit assumptions, then those assumptions will distort how that individual interprets their observations. Like the interview of the lady from a focus group who said she was hoping to listen to adults debate and she was watching children argue.
That is not fair. How would she feel if her maturity was questioned because she was attempting to have a serious and important conversation with someone who only wanted to engage in a pissing contest? Just one example.
And, aside from stepping down, what is Biden supposed to say to the double haters? All he can do is his best and hope people take some time to think about what's really going on.
When I try to put myself in Biden's shoes, all I can think is it's my job to defeat Trump, and Trump wins if I step down. I'm not certain I'm right, but when I put everything I know together, including your comments, it tells me Biden is doing the right thing.
The election is close based on polls. Remember the red tsunami?
Dems keep trying to convince people what they have done. The MSM should have reported that all along. Dems left it to Joe to recap the accomplishments of his years so fast that one had trouble understanding. They knew chump was a snake and they tried to ignore that and appear serious and competent, it sure backfired. Dems, stop being your own worst enemies. You have enough already.
Jeri, I fear looking on whom we can pin the blame keeps us from doing the critical work, for which we still have time—taking stock and having conversations as to whether staying the course is the best way to defeat Trump. Ultimately, if we’re all going to come together to try to save our democracy, we need to make sure that we’re putting our best foot forward.
Maybe looking realistically at mistakes can point the way, without detours and potholes
Jeri, I agree and also would add curbing our resistance when having to confront hard truths.
Have you ever actually tried changing horses in mid stream? The more treacherous the river, the more dangerous it is. America now is the most dangerous of rivers. There's a reason changes horses in mid stream has its own saying to warn against doing it. There is long experience behind it. It's too late. Especially when the only people calling to dump Biden are the elite pundit class who aren't really representative of your typical Democratic supporter.
NL, As I just replied to another of your comments, given what Trump is serving up, I believe we have every reason to be concerned that the race is so tight. I would add, while I generally am not a fan of polls, when they trend similarly over time, though I don’t view them as predictive, I see value in viewing them as instructive.
It was Biden's campaign that screwed up. They are in charge with advise him.
Exactly.
I hope RFKJR remains an independent and does not go back with the Democrats. Their corruption through unfair rules and attempts to keep him off the ballots for me has burned that bridge.He has a composure that is exemplary, and are a great example for all of us.
Lord, I do too. Let the crazies claim anything except Democrat bona fides. Nothing is a greater enemy to current Dems than disaffected ones.
Barbara Spot on!
Thank you, Keith. I very much appreciate the affirmation.
Barbara I believe that excellence should be applauded.
Keith, Given my morning has been consumed largely replying to strong opposition, your kind words are most welcome.
I disagree. Joe did try to rebut Trump. Many younger Republicans have stood in the same place Biden was Thursday night and lost. They didn’t have a cold. It is the worst case of Murphy’s law striking I have ever seen. If something is going to go wrong it will and at the least opportune time. Polls show little movement. If anything Joe got a little post debate bump. I’m not ready to abandon him. I don’t think Democrat leadership is either.
Wayne, To be clear, I didn’t say we should abandon Biden. Still, I believe it wholly appropriate, while there’s still time, to take stock, particularly given how tight the race is despite what Trump is serving up.
So there’s no confusion, I would note, while I’m no fan of polls, I do believe when they trend similarly over time, though not predictive, I see value in viewing them as instructive.
This is exactly how I feel Barbara and what I've been saying as well. Great points. It's not about convincing us, people who are informed. It's about the low information voters who only tuned into 30min of the debate, of the apathetic voters who are on the fence and aren't excited about either candidate. Dems need to do a better job communicating why Biden and they need to win, unfortunately I don't think Biden did that...
@PhillyT, After a morning of contending with overwhelming resistance, I must say your reply very much is appreciated.
What I saw was a side-effect of something. It gradually wore off, but at the start, all he knew was that that was a microphone and he had to get those facts out. Trump is an extraordinarily unattractive character.
when crazy enters the room, people stop what they are doing and pay attention. Courtesy of John Bradshaw many years ago. Back then people could identify crazy and not be so enamored by it. Now, Rupert and clones, and our CNN apparently, treat crazy as just another politician, one who is immune to being called out for his lying crazy. Chump is not only unattractive, he oozes evil from every ugly pore..,
Remember, the Biden Campaign asked for the "debate." Everyone involved should get the boot, IMO. (Not Biden; I am a huge Biden fan.)
And for the previous fortnight the word on the street was that Trump wouldn't even show up. No, they did a job on the President, and until everybody gets their head screwed back on, they'll have been successful.
*Gish Gallop
One of Goebbels best, a Bannon stated goal. And now Bannon is going to be interviewed on his way to prison. Can the MSM get any more off the rails…
So right. Dems need to “flood the zone” with truth about our history, present and what the future would look like if we perfect our democracy vs. what Project 2025 will bring us.
Wish Dems had the organizational skills of the cretins. Of course they have had 40+ years, with a specific goal to pull their dirty tricks with unethical intent, overtly and covertly. Dems, including me, were slow to catch on. But I wasn’t the slowest. Some still haven’t caught, sad to say
Do you think HCR’s assessment that President Biden was “ sharp as attack” when she did that interview with him may have changed?
So he was sick as well as exhausted. Competency is so much more exhausting than pretending
Me too! But they had to have someone as full of lies as Trump for it to work!
I am always so pleased when you take a day or two off, Prof. Richardson. You work so hard keeping us informed as you teach us the histroy we never learned in school. Enjoy your quiet kayak time. We will be here when you return. And....Hi to Buddy!
Have a lovely sleep and wonderful kayaks adventure tomorrow! Thank you for all you do!
Up at 6:30 figuring to meet my kayaking group for a Potomac paddle in a couple of hours. It’s a wonderful way to relax and recharge. Several of us oldsters are north of the president; he might take this up, not vie with TFG in slamming little balls.
Heather, you carry a heavy burden for all of us in your thorough, thoughtful, truthful reporting of the days’ events. The photos of the time when you find peace make us all believe that there is just that, peace, and hope, and truth in these tumultuous times. Rest easy and breathe deeply.
Let’s all find our peace, then get at it…
Rest well & thoroughly. And may you have joy & peace.
Thank you for sharing this lovely photo. And thank you for all you do.
Thank you for helping us maintain an even keel. Rest well and have a good day on the water!
Paddle On!!...
Praying for good weather and a deep rest!
A friend shared your letter after the debate. It was the first thing I read on Friday morning. Thank you! Let’s not despair folks. We know how to tell the truth!! Rest well everyone. Enjoy Sunday in the kayak, Heather.
What a lovely thing to look forward to! Sleep well. Thank you for your letters.
Thanks for all you do Heather. I hope you rest well and have a great little YOU trip tomorrow. Cheers!
Welcome home!
Beautiful and peaceful. Rest well.
These are such worrisome times. I look forward each day to your centered clarity. Thank you!
You deserve it!
Why are few people understanding that When we choose a President, we're not just picking one person – we're choosing their entire team, including cabinet members, advisors, staff, and judges. It's about more than just the candidate's likeability or debate performance.
Although President Biden is elderly, he has a very capable and experienced team. And President Biden knows the job of presidency. In contrast, even though Trump is also elderly, he’s a convicted felon, he knows nothing about government except how he can profit from it. He knows nothing about the constitution except that it gets in his way. His team no doubt includes individuals with criminal backgrounds, and who will do the job of destroying democracy and turning it into an autocracy.
Please stop making this huge job of keeping the government working into a referendum on the “so-called” debate.