Thanks for starting out with the departure of Jen Psaki. I will miss her in that role but look forward to watching Karine take over. I sure hope Beto prevails and Abbott is left literally, out in the cold. And Kemp…well, he has a very formidable opponent in Stacey Abrams. I pray she kicks his ass to the curb.
Imo, Jen Psaki brought the exceptional talents needed to conduct democratic discourse under challenging conditions. While I expect that Karine Jean Pierre will be yet another great asset, I cannot help but mourn to loss of Jen Psaki and her unfailing competence. Thank heavens there were a few weeks of lead time to this development, as the news hit hard.
Wasn't meant to be satire. Not sure I understand your meaning. Seriously - during the Trump administration we had Sean Spicer, Sarah Sanders Huckabee, Sarah Grisham, and of course Kayleigh McEnany. They either could safely be characterized as clowns, or could be safely characterized as no-shows, or both. All seemed like children to me, compared to the adult in the room Psaki.
Ah, I get it and I agree with you! Indeed she was a wonderful propagandist. She had to cover for perhaps the most disastrous presidency in modern history. One in which the US handled a pandemic worse than any nation on Earth and no, not because people didn't get vaccinated. We have one of the highest vaccination rates and the highest death rate. She also had to cover for our absolutely disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan whereby we shutdown the principle air base, Bagram, before evacuations were complete and instead relied on Kabul International. 2.5 TRILLION dollars later, our sole achievement was to turn the Taliban into a conventional military armed with Billions of Dollars of our weapons. Obama expanded that war, Trump signed the Doha Agreement to eventually end it and Biden absolutely whiffed on the execution. But I know Trump Bad, Anything not Trump Good! Everything Trump say and do Bad!
Now in the midst of Economic Collapse and skyrocketing inflation, not to mention millions imprisoned and homeless, Psaki has to sell the American people on yet another war and has succeeded for about 30% of them. Indeed, she is an absolutely wonderful propagandist. No wonder she’s about to make millions at MSNBC.
Not going to get angry or rant, Charles. But I have to tell you, your response covers too much to address at one time (in debates it is called a Gish Gallop"). I will focus on one item - Covid. I agree that "the US handled a pandemic crisis worse than any nation on earth". But that is where my agreement ends. If you look at the nations who got on top of the pandemic quickly and permanently - nations like New Zealand, but there are more - they locked down very quickly and very completely. They took the virus very seriously, and were able to open up carefully with minimal impact, and minimal sickness and death. The US did the opposite - The Trump administration saw covid as a damper on its version of a booming economy, and simply tried to wish it away or to outright deny it. They cared not one iota about the well being of the people; only the stock market. It resisted any kind of a lock-down, mocked masks when they were and are very effective, and once locking down became a no brainer, it was too late. The virus won. The Trump administration, although it correctly authorized emergency work to develop vaccines, was slow to advocate them, and was quick to push for quack fixes like hydroxychloroquine, quick to knock down the experts like Fauci, and quick to point out that getting vaccinated was just a personal choice and nothing more. There is a reason why the US surpassed all other civilized nations in covid death rates and infections - and that distinction falls directly in Trump's lap. When Biden took office, he inherited an unmitigated covid disaster, thanks to the previous administration. And had to make it his priority number one emergency. Thanks to the efforts of his administration, the country gradually turned the corner, and most of us can now breath a sigh of relief and can see light at the end of the tunnel. I say most of us because there still a large segment of the population who want to own the libs and refuse to take the vaccinations. Wonder if you are in that group....
After 4 years of the would-be emperor, I can't imagine anyone whose first year in office would appear as a shining jewel. It started with a pair of coveralls and a broom, while the slob who vacated the place was still bellowing bulls**t at high volume. The US failure in Afganistan started when we failed to learn the lesson directly in front of us as the Soviet Union turned tail and ran after a decade trying to pacify Afganistan. They just couldn't see the compassion in our eyes behind the tactical gear, the armored vehicles, the anti-opium raids and failure to grasp the power of conservative Islamic traditions.
Marlene, I don't remember a W.H. press secretary that I appreciated more than Psaki. Her replacement, Karine Jean-Pierre, in addition to more than 20 years of political experience, brings a very different personal background to the job. I wonder whether the yellow jacket (you know who I mean) will try to sting her. Today is her first day. My comment is about Jean-Pierre, actually, she does a superb job of it herself.
Yes, Fern, Karine brings many years of experience and I look forward to hearing her command the room. No one wants to go back to the years of 2016-2020 with the absolute worst press secretaries we have ever had! Psaki was a diamond; quick-witted, honest but never brutal, brilliant and resilient. Karine is controversial and I kinda like that she will be dealing with the likes of the Faux News folks as they try to tear her down. She is also the first black woman and a lesbian to have this role. I call that progression!
Marlene, I saw Karine quite a few times on MSNBC. She is polite, succinct and has a beautiful smile. You have pointed to one of the connections that I most want to see -- how will she deal with the provocateurs? Psaki was an Ace of Diamonds in so many ways, one of which was how to use their jabs in the interest of a message the administration wanted to send. We feel the same about Jen; she came with a full deck and knew how to deal. I lived in Queens, NY for much of my childhood - so did the 'yellow jacket' and Karine. All three of us have stingers. Eager to share notes with you.
My gut feeling at present is that the GA GOP will eventually rally together around Kemp. Sad to say, their hatred of Abrams is SO strong it will serve as the glue to unite them. Perdue is so far out of the race it really is no contest. I also expect T***p will distance himself from Perdue because Perdue is losing, and T***p hates being associated with losers. Kemp has thus far refrained from attacking T***p directly and has very deftly skated around the lack of a T***p endorsement. He's obviously not doing anything to antagonize the T***p base so they will not feel so bad ending up voting for him in November. At this point the numbers show Kemp ahead of Abrams and I don't think there will be a serious enough rift within the GA GOP to adversely affect Kemp's numbers. Kemp's ads are already attacking Abrams--she's a "socialist" and leading the "woke mob", two of the terms Republicans are all using in lock-step. The right-wing is already REALLY mobilised and fired up about this election, so the only way to fight this is with a huge turn-out among Democrats.
Yes well, the “numbers” were not in Warnock’s or Ossoff’s favor either, at first, as I recall. Hope Stacey comes out swinging, like she normally does, and hits the Pro-Rape party between the eyes.
But, if memory serves, the numbers for Warnock vs Loeffler and Ossoff vs Perdue by the election (which was in January) were much closer than the most recent numbers I've seen for a hypothetical match-up of Kemp vs Abrams right now. That could easily change. Abrams certainly has her work cut out for her.
Let's hope that the currently-lethargic Dems here in Georgia have been energized by the leaked Alito draft. In the primaries that are currently underway, the turnout has been record-breaking, even compared to 2020, so fingers crossed.
Camilla, that's great news. I voted last Sunday, and it was slow, but I'm guessing that many people didn't get the word that Sunday voting has been initiated. We're in Gwinnett, which is usually proactive. We had many women on our ballot, too. Hoping!
That covers a big piece for today, Marlene. I’m keeping Stacey Abrams in mind today and active, young black women today as I attend power gatherings. I believe they are a big piece of the puzzle future.
Ditto to all you say, Marlene. I fail to understand the people of Texas who are so supportive of Abbot. But then, I could say that about anywhere there is a Republican uber-lord. I wonder if the abortion fracas at the SCROTUS (Supreme Court Republicans of the US) is meant as a deterrent from attention to the erratic leaders whose failures are becoming obvious?
It’s not all Texans, a fact to which I can attest. However, the barbarians are at the door, many dressed as little old ladies. It’s not just the macho MAGAts. This is true of any state, even the “reddist.” It’s why my preference for The United States to ditch the South will never fly. I could move (with much difficulty) but many cannot. Hence, blues must fight on, wherever they may be.
They did a tribute to Psaki and Peter Doocey on Steve Doocey's FOX show that was sincere. Peter Doocey gave sincere praise to Psaki and even went to far as to say Psaki made him a better reporter.
It's a win-win for democracy if both things happen at the same time -- that the TFG-backed candidate loses in the Republican primary, AND that Stacy Abrams soundly defeats Kemp in the general election. That's the optimal outcome (and of course, keeping the two Democrat senators in their seats). Now, if Georgia would just wake up and ditch the radicals in the State government who are holding its citizens hostage via a Republican-led (sorry, I mean right-wing radical-infested) legislature.
You can dream but the Democrats are going to get walloped as they ought to. As the 40 BILLION aid package to Raytheon I mean Ukraine just demonstrated, the anti-war component of the Democratic Party that used to exist during the Dubya years is gone. Everyone, aside from the most sheltered and privileged amongst us, can plainly see that the Democratic Party is a catastrophic lie. We have two right-wing parties to choose from in this country and right now, the "Democratic" one is worse.
Sadly, you have chosen to back the wrong people. I generally oppose war, but when a peaceful country is invaded by an authoritarian war monger, we need to defend.
The Dems are too beholden to corporate donors for my taste, BUT! And it's a very big but. Dems are pro democracy while Republicans are doing all they can to reduce and remove the people's voice by voter suppression and filling vote administration's with corrupt people who are willing to flip votes to candidates of their choosing.
If Trump had really won, Repubs wouldn't need to stack administrative positions with flunkies, nor would they need to suppress votes.
Respectfully, you are backing the wrong people. You really bought into the lie that the Democratic Party is "Pro Democracy" didn't you? Remember when we were lied into invading Iraq? That was supposed to be about "Spreading Democracy". Instead we spread death and destruction. How about Afghanistan? How did that turn out? How about when we armed extremist Islamic groups to fight the Syrian Government? Did we successfully spread Democracy then?
None of those wars would have happened without Democratic Party support. In fact, despite promises of "Hope and Change" the Democratic Party became full Neo-Con under Obama who started 3 new wars (Libya, Syria, Yemen) with US involvement and the expansion of an existing one, Afghanistan.
No madam, you are supporting the wrong people. Do you really think 40 BILLION to Raytheon I mean Ukraine is going to help bring about peace? This is not about peace. At the moment, the only opposition to this madness is in the Republican Party so if we have to choose the less rotten of two apples, I guess for now mine is red.
Time to wake up people! HRC I mean HCR is not your friendly historian. She is propagandizing you for profit.
Yessir, Republican Primary in Virginia is June 21st. I'd be happy to discuss with you please feel free to call (434) 284-2525 or email c.blundon@gmail.com
If you keep backing Republicans, you will soon find that we will have no elections at all. The fact that Trump and too many Republican members of congress helped plan and support the violent overthrow of our government should tell you something, but evidently, it does not.
P.S. George W. Bush, a REPUBLICAN President lied us into Iraq.
Cheryl , It appears that your intentions are well. Regarding your apparent confusion, I mostly blame the corporate propaganda that lies to you every day, but, If I'm being honest, I also blame you. Had you have had a consistent motivation to dig for and understand the truth yourself, I'm sure you would have succeeded. Instead it would certainly appear that you doubled down on your partisan worldview.
You seem to be unaware of the evil that you defend because you have been sheltered from the violence and propagandized your entire life. When I talk about evil in this context, I speak of that which leads to a form of suffering that is beyond comprehension, as a result of war . For our part, the suffering that arises from multiple foreign US-led wars of aggression without popular consent or real understanding: Vietnam, Panama, Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya, Syria, Yemen and now Ukraine.
We have lived in a country that is responsible for having wrought untold suffering on populations across the globe. This has been a bi-partisan effort. I feel that it is my patriotic duty to ensure that my fellow citizens are free of propaganda and fully aware of the reality of this suffering such that future suffering might be mitigated with the goal of outright avoidance.
We were dealt this hand: Two corrupt parties. What is the way out of this mess? My take: Never pledge allegiance to either one. Go with whichever is the less evil at that particular moment. There are times in modern history when the Democratic Party has clearly been the more sinister of the two (LBJ massively escalating the Vietnam War, Clinton era sanctions on Iraq resulting in death of ~ 500,000 children) and vice-versa (Illegal invasion of Iraq under Dubya resulting in ~ 1,000,000).
I'm happy to talk to you about this in greater depth anytime. c.blundon@gmail.com
I am surprised that Dr Richardson switched to other topics so suddenly, with no further comment about Karine Jean-Pierre. K J-P bears more scrutiny. Her anti-Israel rhetoric concerns me as I wonder about the administration’s general stance on Israel. Time will tell, I hope this blog will keep an eye on her.
Pat, Sorry, but John Lennon wrote "Give Peace a Chance". A link to the man himself singing it is below.
The next link is to the song sung in Ukraine in 2014 (the year Russia took a big bite of it.)
To hear the great Les Brown, deliver 'Your Dream is Possible", see the 3rd link below. After an improbable start, Les made his dream come true, and that's exactly what he wants for you.
Fern, you knocked it out of the park. Fresh from a women's march and news of yet another terrorist murder of 10 innocent Black grocery shoppers by a tactical geared white supremacist, get out the tissues. Then get out the vote.
Well I’ll be darned! The truth comes to the light of day despite excellent propaganda. Let that be a warning. She has a two hour head-start on most of us. Thanks for the truth again and the music.That damn Fern, I tell you.
Who be 'darned', you propagandist! You, Mr. Pat Cole, had a two hour head start to spread 'false news'. Soon, we hope, to be passe. In the past, got that? We want the TRUTH! Try, Pat, to 'Imagine' that!
Honestly, reading & seeing news regarding the killing of an American-Palestinian journalist by Israel soldiers? Then the disruption (to put it mildly) of the funeral of that journalist? I think that changes many peoples views of Israel! Then there is the destruction of Palestinian homes?? And so much more. The underdog Israel has become the bully. Sadly, thats nothing new.
Yes Spooky. And for all second guessing Karine Jean-Pierre already, isn’t that just typical. Never do I see a male appointee to anything pre-judged so vociferously as women are. LETS SEE HOW SHE DOES AS PRESS SEC’Y become convening a jury. This is a day to praise and hold up women as high as you can.
I believe that Beto can fix Texas...the problem child. On more than one occasion, we've seen Texas wanting to go at it alone and listened to their tantrums of their quest for independence from the United States. We all know that cooperation builds strength and separation weakens. Texas needs to learn a lesson by observing the human body. Cells love working together in tandem to produce optimum health. What happens when a cell goes rogue? Cancer.
I like that Beto actually wants the job and is working hard to reach voters. He did the same in 2018 when he ran for U.S. Senate. He visited every one of 254 counties in the state--a daunting prospect given Texas' size. Some he visited more than once. He answers questions and treats people with respect. He's what we need.
I modified this post. Please see Barbara's post about 12 comments below this one with links to Beto O'Rourke's accomplishments and also comparing his accomplishments with Ted Cruz (which are nearly non-existent.
I think Beto O'Rourke would be better for Texas than anyo of the others who are running.
Do you count Beto’s actions during the winter grid failure? While Cruz fled and Abbott gouged, Beto organized a lot of people to check on their neighbors and if needed bring them to safety.
Instead of asking what has he done, maybe you should be asking why not ask what has the current people done?
Seems like the people of TX don't seem to mind paying more money for bad decisions.
Look at the over priced electric bill of 26+ billion, the billions he lost with his stunt at the border and now that Mexican rail line (I think that was it) that I am sure will cost more billions.
Maybe think about helping Beto and making sure he hires experienced people to help him.
The governor, much like the president doesn't really do the actual work, it's the people that they hire that does it.
So instead of talking about what he hasn't done talk about what he can.
What exactly do you have to lose?
By the way, I was planning on moving to TX after my husband passes so I could be close to my grandson. Those plans are on hold because I can't move to a state that treats it citizens like they do.
Beth, I like the idea of focussing on what the existing governor has not done, and, of course that is a lot and if I include what he has done, Gerrymandered to minimize the minority votes in Harris County and around Austin, then it looks even worse.
But, I also think it is reasonable to want to see someone who has a history of accomplishment go into leadership. It bodes well.
I know, we have history of electing people with no accomplishments: Reagan, Bush II, Trump, BUT, look what happened after those low accomplishment folks got in power.
They DID hire people. People who knew how to rip us off and steal us blind.
Hiring people and hiring the right people are two different things. Trump's cabinet was physically the ugliest group of people I've ever seen--because they were ugly on the inside, focused on deconstructing the government by destroying watchdogs so that they could enrich themselves as much as possible...yeck....
I would argue that a D in front of the name does not assure competence, capability, or good intentions. Trump did hire people who were competent in the jobs they were hired to do, they just went doing the jobs we thought they were doing, and in the public interest.
You got it Beth--surrounding yourself with the right people is the key. I feel for your trepidation about moving to TX. The political polarization in this country is affecting people to the point that they are moving to states more conducive to their leanings. I have two friends whose relatives moved to TX after drinking the QAnon koolaid. If, God forbid, the worst case scenario happens in this country, my husband and I are planning to infiltrate Vancouver, Canada, via friends....
according to a good many columns written many years ago, by Ms. Ivins, the governor doesn't have as much power as the lieutenant governor. Beto needs to surround himself with experienced people and hope a strong supporter wins the "Lite Guv" office. Of course that could have changed in the 20 to 30 years since I first read about Texas' strange governmental arrangements.
To some degree, I think, but mainly because the current gov represents the interests of those who look after their own interests. Texas has had some very good people as gov, who were trashed the whole way. Johnson, though not a perfect man, somehow emerged from that system with the ability to use his political talent to support a set of programs that enhanced human dignity. The overflow from the war in Viet Nam (and his personal shortcomings) did him in politically. He was a good lesson that sometimes a flawed human being can be a better choice than someone who presents as a savior. Later on, GW was the pure product of the distorted Texas way of doing things, and carried it right into the White House. Between Reagan's legacy and his, our political culture changed. In Texas, it kind of looks like a continuing downward spiral since then. Sad when you think of some of the really fine individuals who have been part of Texas politics and then discarded.
Here is some information. What is frustrating is that it took me all of 5 minutes to research O'Rourke. I hope the people of Texas can see a clear difference between O'Rourke, Abbot and Cruz. It only takes a minute to look into issues.
"Former Rep. Beto O’Rourke’s (D-Texas) voter mobilization organization launched a new voter registration tool on Thursday, days after the Texas legislature approved a controversial elections overhaul bill that many say will restrict access to the ballot box.
The group, Powered by People, launched the “Drive-to-You” program, an on-demand voter registration service that will allow eligible Texas voters to register to vote from their homes.
Over their six years in Congress, what have Cruz and O'Rourke gotten done? We dug into their legislative histories and asked both men for their top accomplishments in the Capitol.
Send him the support of a few good electrical engineers. It is only the quality of individuals who work for you that will bridge the gaps. The leadership of a man is found in the people he chooses.
It is the team you build that makes it happen. Back in the day I ran a team that put in a new 5 stand hot mill, in today's dollars a half billion project. We took out the old mill and put in the new in 45 days 10 and a half hours. What did I do? I got the signs made and installed that put the company name on the side of the mill. The team of about 20 did the project. Plus all of the production folks kept the rest of the plant running during those 45 days.
If you have been on a commercial aircraft in the last 30 years you flew on metal rolled on that mill. It the team that did this, I just built the team.
It strikes me that what you did at the outset was provide a focus, and identity for your project that your team could identify with, a prerequisite for teamwork. And gave it visibility and purpose. Going to assume you also had support from the community which makes a big difference too. Big difference in scale, but good basic principle. I think that's pretty much what Biden is doing. It strikes that in spite of the obstacles and brickbats constantly being thrown his way, he continues to respect the ability of his team to handle things, and sets the tone for success.
What you say is focus true and the project itself was an out growth of a board modernization plan that I was part of leading up to this project. One of the interesting things was that in many ways the team itself was made up of "rejects". The lead electrical engineer was a very quite, but experienced engineer that turned out to be very creative and very effective at building relationships with a foreign suppler. His old boss was happy to give him up and the team was happy to have him. (He didn't fit "the mold" so to speak.) The lead mechanical engineer was just considered too young to do the job - but once again very creative and very hardworking. The piping designer was this "old guy" from the corporate design department that just wanted to move back to his home town for his coming retirement. Damn he was good and fit right in. Same with the assigned purchasing agent that handled all of the local suppliers and contractors. The mill was designed and built in Germany by an outstanding supplier and one of the key team building aspects was taking team members to Germany - for a week or in some cases 2 weeks. Nothing helps build a team like getting them away from home for a short period and just being with other team members and building one on one relationships with each other and with members of the suppliers team. Besides German beer is really good.
One other thing, I had the experience of living with our young family in Wales working with very difficult technical problems in a plant there. You get a chance to learn that just because the way you would do things "at home" isn't the only way things can be done. People that are different from you doesn't mean that they can't be just as effective as you can be.
Jeeze Mike. I am half way across the South Fork of the Flathead river pulling 8 loaded mules. Why don’t I just rein that lead mare to a halt and see how many of them hot mountain canary’s decide to roll? Been there done that! Bad decision to pull a halt now. How bout we get on to camp before we start running into more downfall?
You are so right,Barbara. Most of the accolades and successes CEOs get come from outstanding individuals who work for them. In my own businesses I hired the best I could find. Their well earned accolades make me look purty smart.
Yes, experience and accomplishments matter, but, character matters more. That’s the quality I’m looking for in candidates.
And the Democrats’ tendency to find fault in our own doesn’t serve us well. We need to support and protect decent candidates willing to enter the brutal ring of politics.
Geez Louise--look at what's the alternative! For God's sake, I've never had political experience, but I can be governor of Texas! All one has to do is pick the right people and cheerlead. Beto is a one-man-band....
Mike, I've been thinking about your post. Zelensky had very little political experience before he was elected President of Ukraine, although he did have significant business and creative accomplishments. Imo, Beto should run on an anti-corruption campaign as Zelensky did, perhaps combined with a "pro-democracy in Texas" platform. Anti-corruption is a courageous stance and it resonates with people deeply. Russia is a good example of the danger of no effective opposition to corruption, right? I see Sandra has mentioned Zelensky also. Imo, your Texan friends would do well to shift their focus from Beto's bio to the deeper issues facing their state.
Mike is not saying HE thinks Beto would not be a good governor, he saying the PEOPLE of TX might not think he'll be a good governor because he doesn't have a lot of important accomplishments. And, because of that, he might not be a good candidate because he might not be able to beat the Republican. It's an excellent point. Democrats need to consider electability I'm the general election. They didn't with Hillary and look what happened.
Hillary was eminently qualified, but, decades of Republican lies caused voter mistrust. Unfortunately many Democrats and independents believed those lies. And still she won the popular vote, but, sadly not the electoral votes. All Democrats need to back our candidates regardless of who we would have preferred. Stop shooting ourselves in the foot.
Hind sight is 100 per centavos. Hillary won! The election was stolen! Or is that just “owning the libs”? I think the world of Mike who built his empire in the Empire State. The toughest venue in planet USA. But the father of the bride should be on time for the wedding.
It's not hindsight, it's intelligent analysis. We Democrats get too insulated in our own world. In 2016, I was a Conservative Republican who was sick of the Republican establishment and the establishment in general. I planned to vote for Bernie, but like many, I never would have voted for Hillary. I am now a Progressive. I would vote for her now but only as an absolute last resort. And speaking of stealing elections, I believe there were bad actors involved in the Primaries and that Bernie would have won had those bad actors not done what they did.
Congratulations you and millions came to the same conclusion. As did I. Except….. I recognized Trump and chose the lessor of my 2 evils. While I was unhappy She was competent, capable, and far and away more presidential. Not a hard choice at all in hindsight!
I know he’s passionate. My sons and I went to one of his rallies in Charleston when he was running for President. I think he would be great if elected AND had solid democratic support under him in the Tx legislature. That’s where so many well-intentioned governors get screwed. Things have gotten that bad all over.
I so agree with your wonderful comparison to the body being made by cooperating cells and comparing rogue cells to cancer. I tend to think of humans as strange, undifferentiated cells, keeping the comparison. We can clump together to do something good, otherwise we just wander around trying to stay out of trouble.
My husband is an engineer in power generation, in the field for 40 years. He says nobody can fix the Texas grid. It's going to take a great deal of federal legislation to even make it functional, something that most Texans will not support, and certainly not the powerful in Texas, stuffing their pockets.
Yes, get rid of the existing corruption is the necessary start and where greeds are involved, they will be reluctant to let go of ill gotten gains. However, it needs to happen, so we will be donating to Beto. I am thinking now about my grandfather who went many places as the head of a crew building large boilers for power. I have no idea if he actually did some of the building.
That's a good list, but absent what I've read so far? Texans must be willing to pay to fix the system. They have consistently voted to 1) reduce costs in lieu of quality and long-game risks 2) fill their flood absorbing sponges around Houston, and 3) protect industry over citizens in regard to toxic chemical releases.
Medicaid picks up the tab for the impoverished citizens downwind battling cancer. The National Flood Program picks up the tab every time Houston floods. Interestingly, Texas is absolutely fine with federalizing risk. They are not willing to pay for a reliable grid and may have been caught off guard when the rest of the country couldn't come to the rescue with the electricity problems.
The best part of the Texas power problems is companies needing reliable power will think twice about relocating there. That and the culture wars—wait until vigilantes go after tech employees, accusing them of having out of state abortions.
I agree. We might be more successful helping the Republican nation realize the features and benefits of progress over regression rather than our current failing philosophy of calling them losers and stupid. How many advertisers call their target audience unsavory. Perhaps we should instead offer them a value approach and give them the respect with which we allow them to choose. I don’t mean to be cheesy here like selling vacuums. Instead we are a political option, a party that offers an agenda with many of the bells and whistles people, of both parties need. As long as the Republican leadership has come out representing themselves as the do nothing party, the going nowhere party, and the party taking away, we might as well put forward our better options allowing them a choice. If we give them their respect back and squelch some of our rhetoric I feel strongly that many will begin to realize we have a better platform. This is a matter of choice, perhaps we should take advantage.
Thanks, Pat. Well said. I've been saying much the same thing for years (and so has Heather). So very tired of name calling that gets us nowhere and just displays the egotistical superiority felt by too many people who think of themselves as liberal but are not. They end up boxing all of us into a corner.
Pat, I appears that you live in one of the hubs of the ultra-conservative, right-wing's reach for control. The primary between Lt. Gov. Janice McGeachin and Gov. Brad Little is this Tuesday. Do you have a perspective about this struggle for power? Both sides (Republicans) are very much to the right, with one side seeming to want independence from the federal government.
'A Fracture in Idaho’s G.O.P. as the Far Right Seeks Control
Ahead of a primary vote, traditional Republicans are raising alarm about the future of the party, warning about the growing strength of militia members, racists and the John Birch Society.'
'BONNERS FERRY, Idaho — At a school gymnasium in northern Idaho, Lt. Gov. Janice McGeachin regaled a crowd with stories of her feuds with the current governor, a fellow Republican, including the time when he briefly left the state and she issued a mutinous but short-lived ban on coronavirus mask mandates.'
'Gov. Brad Little had worked in recent years to slash taxes and ban abortion, but for Ms. McGeachin and the hundreds gathered at a candidates’ forum sponsored by the John Birch Society in late March, the governor was at cross purposes with their view of just how conservative Idaho could and should be.'
'They clapped as one candidate advocated “machine guns for everyone” and another called for the state to take control of federal lands. A militia activist, who was once prosecuted for his role in an infamous 2014 standoff with federal agents in Nevada, promised to be a true representative of the people. A local pastor began the meeting with an invocation, asking for God to bless the American Redoubt — a movement to create a refuge anchored in northern Idaho for conservative Christians who are ready to abandon the rest of the country.'
“We’re losing our state,” said Ms. McGeachin, who is now seeking to take over the governor’s job permanently. “We’re losing our freedoms.”
'The bitter intraparty contest between Ms. McGeachin and Mr. Little, set to be settled in the state’s primary election on Tuesday, reflects the intensifying split that is pitting Idaho’s conventional pro-gun, anti-abortion, tax-cut conservatives against a growing group of far-right radicals who are agitating to seize control of what is already one of the most conservative corners of the Republican Party in the country.'
'The state has long been a draw for ultraconservatives disillusioned with the liberal drift in other parts of the nation, many of them settling off the grid in the mountains of northern Idaho or among like-minded people in towns like Bonners Ferry. Over the years, the Idaho panhandle has been home to white supremacist groups and people ready to take up arms against the U.S. government. Such groups and their allies have been particularly wary of the changing nature of Idaho’s cities, including the legions of other newcomers responding to a booming job market in Boise.' (NYTimes) Link to the article is gifted.
Hi Holly, I completely understand that no one can fix the Texas Grid. I think, however, it is a great slogan desIgned to get people's attention and address the environment of failure and corruption prevelant in Texas today.
The most common mental disorder in the United States is anxiety, which affects about 40 million adults or about 18.1% of the population. Anxiety disorders are highly treatable; however, less than 40% of those suffering (36.9%) receive treatment.
Thank you for your observations on Kemp; this highlights that what some call “Reasonable Republicans” (I dubbed them “Remorseful Republicans” — for having held their noses and embraced Trump when his poll numbers read well) are still enemies of fair elections, enemies of the welfare of the people (he’s against taxation for reasonable services a government should provide), and enemies of freedom (bodily autonomy among freedoms enshrined in the Preamble of our Constitution). They simply back a slightly different stank of fascism than Trump’s clownish Gröpenführer persona.
In local races here in northern Michigan, we are seeing candidates advertise they are "moderate Republican" as they go up against incumbent tRumpers in the primaries. The Split!
There are virtually no truly moderate Rs as they have all bought into the mantra of the party of death. Years ago I could feel OK voting for Rs like Mark Hatfield, but I have voted a straight D ticket for many years now. Our election day is Tuesday and the turnout (vote by mail easy) is putrid. Hopefully it will pick up in the remaining days.
Same here. In those days, Packwood and Hatfield worked for what was best for Oregon; we also had some decent Republican governors. Even though I never voted for him, I always appreciated Gordon Smith, who made it a point to meet with Ron Wyden and often the two of them walked into the senate together.
I voted for Norma Paulus who I actually met once. I also met the Packwood lawyers after he got into trouble being a jerk with women. That was too bad because both he and Hatfield did well by Oregon. I never voted for a R for president having lived through Nixon and Ray Gun. I have been registered as a R a few times especially the first time I signed up to vote as my dad stood over to me to make sure I did. I remember thinking that I had no intention of voting R in most races as I did it.
I read the entire Oregon election pamphlet. I'm neither Dem nor GOP, so I didn't get to lodge a vote for the primary. Non-partisan positions and measures did not generate much political traction. I voted anyway, but it's the general election that matters most here.
It is an indication of Joe Biden’s executive abilities that in the midst of inflation, the Ukraine invasion, a lingering pandemic, and the constant barrage of stink bombs thrown in his direction from the GOP, that he still looks to the future by reaching out to our Asian neighbors.
I am not ready, at this point, to label Joe Biden a great president, but I will call him a goddamn good one.
Yet, David Gergen is on PBS trashing all the oldsters, some of whom are helping democracy hang on by a thread. Me thinks he is more partisan than he pretends. Can we just end one crisis (well, an onslaught) before inviting more instability. That said, he had a point, just his timing is worse than bad…
I beg to differ. Gergen wasn't "trashing all the oldsters". He was simply saying that it's time for us to step aside and let younger more agile minds lead. It doesn't have to be a "wipe out" for our generation. Just a recognition that someone who is 40, 50 or 60 will have fresher skills and a sharper mind. Time to hand the batons off to them before they are old farts, too.
THE single biggest issue that draws support away from Joe Biden - a man who IMO is doing an exemplary job - is his age and stumbling speech. You and I know he has always had a speech impediment. But many Americans see him as "doddering". Sad but true.
I am 75 and I still participate in leadership roles. But I know that I and everyone I have met who is this age (plus or minus 5 years) do not have the same stamina, sharp memory or awareness of current technology that someone 20 or 30 years younger could have.
And I think the Democrats would attract a lot more younger voters if Biden, Pelosi and Schumer would gracefully step aside when the time is right. There are a lot of bright rising stars who believe as we do who will fill the void instantly. They are being held back.
Raskin, Booker, Schiff, Abrams, Demmings, Bass, etc.
Less a matter of being held back as waiting until they are ready. People my age are in the process of getting things in place for younger people (though there are some who hang on because they are used to status quo). All those you named and more at national level. More at the state and local level. The problem has been getting more people in those younger age groups involved to strengthen the base. It's the kids who are really active. I don't think many people, including most of the folks on this forum, realize how very critical the local and state races are to preparation for 2024. Mid-terms historically have lower turn-outs because of the unfortunate emphasis on national races. But this one in particular has potentially historic outcomes.
BTW, thanks to whoever posted the Beto O'Roarke speech. I'm not on Instagram and tend to avoid Twitter, so might not have picked it up. Dynamic. I love that he spoke directly to the audience about things that mattered to them, without leaving out the underlying factors. We need more of that kind of thing. Biden also speaks this way though his style is more low-key. I hope we don't get too far into the "style" assessment trap of response, which ends up hurting everybody.
Thanks for starting out with the departure of Jen Psaki. I will miss her in that role but look forward to watching Karine take over. I sure hope Beto prevails and Abbott is left literally, out in the cold. And Kemp…well, he has a very formidable opponent in Stacey Abrams. I pray she kicks his ass to the curb.
STACEY ABRAMS❤❤❤ Donate to her campaign
And to Beto, Texas cannot survive under Abbott any longer!
Done!
Donating monthly!
You don't stand with Ukraine, you stand with Raytheon and Lockheed Martin as your fellow citizens languish.
I bet you feel so virtuous with your Ukraine flag profile picture! It's like you really have skin in the game now!
Imo, Jen Psaki brought the exceptional talents needed to conduct democratic discourse under challenging conditions. While I expect that Karine Jean Pierre will be yet another great asset, I cannot help but mourn to loss of Jen Psaki and her unfailing competence. Thank heavens there were a few weeks of lead time to this development, as the news hit hard.
Psaki was just wonderful. And a gigantic change from the clowns who were in there during Trump's reign.
Thanks for the satire
Wasn't meant to be satire. Not sure I understand your meaning. Seriously - during the Trump administration we had Sean Spicer, Sarah Sanders Huckabee, Sarah Grisham, and of course Kayleigh McEnany. They either could safely be characterized as clowns, or could be safely characterized as no-shows, or both. All seemed like children to me, compared to the adult in the room Psaki.
Ah, I get it and I agree with you! Indeed she was a wonderful propagandist. She had to cover for perhaps the most disastrous presidency in modern history. One in which the US handled a pandemic worse than any nation on Earth and no, not because people didn't get vaccinated. We have one of the highest vaccination rates and the highest death rate. She also had to cover for our absolutely disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan whereby we shutdown the principle air base, Bagram, before evacuations were complete and instead relied on Kabul International. 2.5 TRILLION dollars later, our sole achievement was to turn the Taliban into a conventional military armed with Billions of Dollars of our weapons. Obama expanded that war, Trump signed the Doha Agreement to eventually end it and Biden absolutely whiffed on the execution. But I know Trump Bad, Anything not Trump Good! Everything Trump say and do Bad!
Now in the midst of Economic Collapse and skyrocketing inflation, not to mention millions imprisoned and homeless, Psaki has to sell the American people on yet another war and has succeeded for about 30% of them. Indeed, she is an absolutely wonderful propagandist. No wonder she’s about to make millions at MSNBC.
Not going to get angry or rant, Charles. But I have to tell you, your response covers too much to address at one time (in debates it is called a Gish Gallop"). I will focus on one item - Covid. I agree that "the US handled a pandemic crisis worse than any nation on earth". But that is where my agreement ends. If you look at the nations who got on top of the pandemic quickly and permanently - nations like New Zealand, but there are more - they locked down very quickly and very completely. They took the virus very seriously, and were able to open up carefully with minimal impact, and minimal sickness and death. The US did the opposite - The Trump administration saw covid as a damper on its version of a booming economy, and simply tried to wish it away or to outright deny it. They cared not one iota about the well being of the people; only the stock market. It resisted any kind of a lock-down, mocked masks when they were and are very effective, and once locking down became a no brainer, it was too late. The virus won. The Trump administration, although it correctly authorized emergency work to develop vaccines, was slow to advocate them, and was quick to push for quack fixes like hydroxychloroquine, quick to knock down the experts like Fauci, and quick to point out that getting vaccinated was just a personal choice and nothing more. There is a reason why the US surpassed all other civilized nations in covid death rates and infections - and that distinction falls directly in Trump's lap. When Biden took office, he inherited an unmitigated covid disaster, thanks to the previous administration. And had to make it his priority number one emergency. Thanks to the efforts of his administration, the country gradually turned the corner, and most of us can now breath a sigh of relief and can see light at the end of the tunnel. I say most of us because there still a large segment of the population who want to own the libs and refuse to take the vaccinations. Wonder if you are in that group....
After 4 years of the would-be emperor, I can't imagine anyone whose first year in office would appear as a shining jewel. It started with a pair of coveralls and a broom, while the slob who vacated the place was still bellowing bulls**t at high volume. The US failure in Afganistan started when we failed to learn the lesson directly in front of us as the Soviet Union turned tail and ran after a decade trying to pacify Afganistan. They just couldn't see the compassion in our eyes behind the tactical gear, the armored vehicles, the anti-opium raids and failure to grasp the power of conservative Islamic traditions.
Plop
The White House Press briefing has become a regular feature of my day. Psaki did a terrific job! The contrast with the former admin is night and day.
Thanks for the satire
Kudos to Jen Psaki and her most admirable work🌼🌿
Thanks for the satire
Are you that "reporter" from Fox News? You sure seem to have a problem with the justifiable praise being given to Psaki.
Marlene, I don't remember a W.H. press secretary that I appreciated more than Psaki. Her replacement, Karine Jean-Pierre, in addition to more than 20 years of political experience, brings a very different personal background to the job. I wonder whether the yellow jacket (you know who I mean) will try to sting her. Today is her first day. My comment is about Jean-Pierre, actually, she does a superb job of it herself.
Yes, Fern, Karine brings many years of experience and I look forward to hearing her command the room. No one wants to go back to the years of 2016-2020 with the absolute worst press secretaries we have ever had! Psaki was a diamond; quick-witted, honest but never brutal, brilliant and resilient. Karine is controversial and I kinda like that she will be dealing with the likes of the Faux News folks as they try to tear her down. She is also the first black woman and a lesbian to have this role. I call that progression!
Marlene, I saw Karine quite a few times on MSNBC. She is polite, succinct and has a beautiful smile. You have pointed to one of the connections that I most want to see -- how will she deal with the provocateurs? Psaki was an Ace of Diamonds in so many ways, one of which was how to use their jabs in the interest of a message the administration wanted to send. We feel the same about Jen; she came with a full deck and knew how to deal. I lived in Queens, NY for much of my childhood - so did the 'yellow jacket' and Karine. All three of us have stingers. Eager to share notes with you.
Where in Queens? I spent a couple of decades in an apartment in Kew Gardens, a block from Forest Park.
Bayside.
And the GA GOP is divided and angry lowering their vote
My gut feeling at present is that the GA GOP will eventually rally together around Kemp. Sad to say, their hatred of Abrams is SO strong it will serve as the glue to unite them. Perdue is so far out of the race it really is no contest. I also expect T***p will distance himself from Perdue because Perdue is losing, and T***p hates being associated with losers. Kemp has thus far refrained from attacking T***p directly and has very deftly skated around the lack of a T***p endorsement. He's obviously not doing anything to antagonize the T***p base so they will not feel so bad ending up voting for him in November. At this point the numbers show Kemp ahead of Abrams and I don't think there will be a serious enough rift within the GA GOP to adversely affect Kemp's numbers. Kemp's ads are already attacking Abrams--she's a "socialist" and leading the "woke mob", two of the terms Republicans are all using in lock-step. The right-wing is already REALLY mobilised and fired up about this election, so the only way to fight this is with a huge turn-out among Democrats.
Yes well, the “numbers” were not in Warnock’s or Ossoff’s favor either, at first, as I recall. Hope Stacey comes out swinging, like she normally does, and hits the Pro-Rape party between the eyes.
But, if memory serves, the numbers for Warnock vs Loeffler and Ossoff vs Perdue by the election (which was in January) were much closer than the most recent numbers I've seen for a hypothetical match-up of Kemp vs Abrams right now. That could easily change. Abrams certainly has her work cut out for her.
Yes she does but she’s in it to win it!
🤞🏻🙏🏻
Let's hope that the currently-lethargic Dems here in Georgia have been energized by the leaked Alito draft. In the primaries that are currently underway, the turnout has been record-breaking, even compared to 2020, so fingers crossed.
Nancy, I live in Columbia County and voted a few days ago. My fingers are crossed, too. I’ve never seen so many women on a ballot before.
Camilla, that's great news. I voted last Sunday, and it was slow, but I'm guessing that many people didn't get the word that Sunday voting has been initiated. We're in Gwinnett, which is usually proactive. We had many women on our ballot, too. Hoping!
🤞
That covers a big piece for today, Marlene. I’m keeping Stacey Abrams in mind today and active, young black women today as I attend power gatherings. I believe they are a big piece of the puzzle future.
Salud, Marlene! 🗽🙋🏻🙋🏼🙋🏽🙋🏾🙋🏿
Salud, Christine! 🦾💪🏼💪🏻💪🏽💪🏾
Ditto to all you say, Marlene. I fail to understand the people of Texas who are so supportive of Abbot. But then, I could say that about anywhere there is a Republican uber-lord. I wonder if the abortion fracas at the SCROTUS (Supreme Court Republicans of the US) is meant as a deterrent from attention to the erratic leaders whose failures are becoming obvious?
It’s not all Texans, a fact to which I can attest. However, the barbarians are at the door, many dressed as little old ladies. It’s not just the macho MAGAts. This is true of any state, even the “reddist.” It’s why my preference for The United States to ditch the South will never fly. I could move (with much difficulty) but many cannot. Hence, blues must fight on, wherever they may be.
Abbott is a gerrymandered autocrat, the majority of Texans do not support him.
I appreciate your correction of my assumption. I think I should worry more about gerrymandering.
SCROTUS
They did a tribute to Psaki and Peter Doocey on Steve Doocey's FOX show that was sincere. Peter Doocey gave sincere praise to Psaki and even went to far as to say Psaki made him a better reporter.
Wow. Every little bit of honesty on FOX helps.
No kidding! Ms. Kaleigh (former Press Sec under TFG) must be furious.
I call him Dookie but nice to hear that he praised her.
Dear God, please grant Marlene's prayers.
💞💞💞💞💞💞
It's a win-win for democracy if both things happen at the same time -- that the TFG-backed candidate loses in the Republican primary, AND that Stacy Abrams soundly defeats Kemp in the general election. That's the optimal outcome (and of course, keeping the two Democrat senators in their seats). Now, if Georgia would just wake up and ditch the radicals in the State government who are holding its citizens hostage via a Republican-led (sorry, I mean right-wing radical-infested) legislature.
A girl can dream, can't she?
You can dream but the Democrats are going to get walloped as they ought to. As the 40 BILLION aid package to Raytheon I mean Ukraine just demonstrated, the anti-war component of the Democratic Party that used to exist during the Dubya years is gone. Everyone, aside from the most sheltered and privileged amongst us, can plainly see that the Democratic Party is a catastrophic lie. We have two right-wing parties to choose from in this country and right now, the "Democratic" one is worse.
Plop
Sadly, you have chosen to back the wrong people. I generally oppose war, but when a peaceful country is invaded by an authoritarian war monger, we need to defend.
The Dems are too beholden to corporate donors for my taste, BUT! And it's a very big but. Dems are pro democracy while Republicans are doing all they can to reduce and remove the people's voice by voter suppression and filling vote administration's with corrupt people who are willing to flip votes to candidates of their choosing.
If Trump had really won, Repubs wouldn't need to stack administrative positions with flunkies, nor would they need to suppress votes.
Respectfully, you are backing the wrong people. You really bought into the lie that the Democratic Party is "Pro Democracy" didn't you? Remember when we were lied into invading Iraq? That was supposed to be about "Spreading Democracy". Instead we spread death and destruction. How about Afghanistan? How did that turn out? How about when we armed extremist Islamic groups to fight the Syrian Government? Did we successfully spread Democracy then?
None of those wars would have happened without Democratic Party support. In fact, despite promises of "Hope and Change" the Democratic Party became full Neo-Con under Obama who started 3 new wars (Libya, Syria, Yemen) with US involvement and the expansion of an existing one, Afghanistan.
No madam, you are supporting the wrong people. Do you really think 40 BILLION to Raytheon I mean Ukraine is going to help bring about peace? This is not about peace. At the moment, the only opposition to this madness is in the Republican Party so if we have to choose the less rotten of two apples, I guess for now mine is red.
Time to wake up people! HRC I mean HCR is not your friendly historian. She is propagandizing you for profit.
So, you'll share your preferred slate of candidates?
Yessir, Republican Primary in Virginia is June 21st. I'd be happy to discuss with you please feel free to call (434) 284-2525 or email c.blundon@gmail.com
If you keep backing Republicans, you will soon find that we will have no elections at all. The fact that Trump and too many Republican members of congress helped plan and support the violent overthrow of our government should tell you something, but evidently, it does not.
P.S. George W. Bush, a REPUBLICAN President lied us into Iraq.
Cheryl , It appears that your intentions are well. Regarding your apparent confusion, I mostly blame the corporate propaganda that lies to you every day, but, If I'm being honest, I also blame you. Had you have had a consistent motivation to dig for and understand the truth yourself, I'm sure you would have succeeded. Instead it would certainly appear that you doubled down on your partisan worldview.
You seem to be unaware of the evil that you defend because you have been sheltered from the violence and propagandized your entire life. When I talk about evil in this context, I speak of that which leads to a form of suffering that is beyond comprehension, as a result of war . For our part, the suffering that arises from multiple foreign US-led wars of aggression without popular consent or real understanding: Vietnam, Panama, Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya, Syria, Yemen and now Ukraine.
We have lived in a country that is responsible for having wrought untold suffering on populations across the globe. This has been a bi-partisan effort. I feel that it is my patriotic duty to ensure that my fellow citizens are free of propaganda and fully aware of the reality of this suffering such that future suffering might be mitigated with the goal of outright avoidance.
We were dealt this hand: Two corrupt parties. What is the way out of this mess? My take: Never pledge allegiance to either one. Go with whichever is the less evil at that particular moment. There are times in modern history when the Democratic Party has clearly been the more sinister of the two (LBJ massively escalating the Vietnam War, Clinton era sanctions on Iraq resulting in death of ~ 500,000 children) and vice-versa (Illegal invasion of Iraq under Dubya resulting in ~ 1,000,000).
I'm happy to talk to you about this in greater depth anytime. c.blundon@gmail.com
Yes, yes, yes and yes!
AMEN!!!
I, too, will miss Jen Psaki.
I am surprised that Dr Richardson switched to other topics so suddenly, with no further comment about Karine Jean-Pierre. K J-P bears more scrutiny. Her anti-Israel rhetoric concerns me as I wonder about the administration’s general stance on Israel. Time will tell, I hope this blog will keep an eye on her.
Remember the song Les Brown wrote. “Give Peace a Chance”?
Pat, Sorry, but John Lennon wrote "Give Peace a Chance". A link to the man himself singing it is below.
The next link is to the song sung in Ukraine in 2014 (the year Russia took a big bite of it.)
To hear the great Les Brown, deliver 'Your Dream is Possible", see the 3rd link below. After an improbable start, Les made his dream come true, and that's exactly what he wants for you.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ayZbP6XCKoE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=etYeu7gDlm8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cHxbNEZwDvw
Fern, you knocked it out of the park. Fresh from a women's march and news of yet another terrorist murder of 10 innocent Black grocery shoppers by a tactical geared white supremacist, get out the tissues. Then get out the vote.
Ellie, I cannot write now -- it not tissues Ellie --unbearable. We'll talk.
Well I’ll be darned! The truth comes to the light of day despite excellent propaganda. Let that be a warning. She has a two hour head-start on most of us. Thanks for the truth again and the music.That damn Fern, I tell you.
Who be 'darned', you propagandist! You, Mr. Pat Cole, had a two hour head start to spread 'false news'. Soon, we hope, to be passe. In the past, got that? We want the TRUTH! Try, Pat, to 'Imagine' that!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YkgkThdzX-8
I had hoped Les Brown would bring you out. Now tell us some good news! This forum is ready for good news not squabbling over semantics.
Fern is such a fabulous rascal.
Yes, rascal
Honestly, reading & seeing news regarding the killing of an American-Palestinian journalist by Israel soldiers? Then the disruption (to put it mildly) of the funeral of that journalist? I think that changes many peoples views of Israel! Then there is the destruction of Palestinian homes?? And so much more. The underdog Israel has become the bully. Sadly, thats nothing new.
Yes Spooky. And for all second guessing Karine Jean-Pierre already, isn’t that just typical. Never do I see a male appointee to anything pre-judged so vociferously as women are. LETS SEE HOW SHE DOES AS PRESS SEC’Y become convening a jury. This is a day to praise and hold up women as high as you can.
Salud!
Ever so true! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
Yeah Jen's propaganda was good, let's see if Karine can match!
"I will fix the grid.” – Beto O'Rourke
A short and sweet message that should be on billboards throughout the State of Texas!
I believe that Beto can fix Texas...the problem child. On more than one occasion, we've seen Texas wanting to go at it alone and listened to their tantrums of their quest for independence from the United States. We all know that cooperation builds strength and separation weakens. Texas needs to learn a lesson by observing the human body. Cells love working together in tandem to produce optimum health. What happens when a cell goes rogue? Cancer.
I like that Beto actually wants the job and is working hard to reach voters. He did the same in 2018 when he ran for U.S. Senate. He visited every one of 254 counties in the state--a daunting prospect given Texas' size. Some he visited more than once. He answers questions and treats people with respect. He's what we need.
Cruz cheated.
and fled to Cancun while people suffered....
Sophia.
I modified this post. Please see Barbara's post about 12 comments below this one with links to Beto O'Rourke's accomplishments and also comparing his accomplishments with Ted Cruz (which are nearly non-existent.
I think Beto O'Rourke would be better for Texas than anyo of the others who are running.
Do you count Beto’s actions during the winter grid failure? While Cruz fled and Abbott gouged, Beto organized a lot of people to check on their neighbors and if needed bring them to safety.
After watching Zelenski I realize that sometimes leaders are created in crisis and leadership emerges. Abbott needs to go.
Joan, thank you. Yes, this counts from my perspective.
Instead of asking what has he done, maybe you should be asking why not ask what has the current people done?
Seems like the people of TX don't seem to mind paying more money for bad decisions.
Look at the over priced electric bill of 26+ billion, the billions he lost with his stunt at the border and now that Mexican rail line (I think that was it) that I am sure will cost more billions.
Maybe think about helping Beto and making sure he hires experienced people to help him.
The governor, much like the president doesn't really do the actual work, it's the people that they hire that does it.
So instead of talking about what he hasn't done talk about what he can.
What exactly do you have to lose?
By the way, I was planning on moving to TX after my husband passes so I could be close to my grandson. Those plans are on hold because I can't move to a state that treats it citizens like they do.
Beth, I like the idea of focussing on what the existing governor has not done, and, of course that is a lot and if I include what he has done, Gerrymandered to minimize the minority votes in Harris County and around Austin, then it looks even worse.
But, I also think it is reasonable to want to see someone who has a history of accomplishment go into leadership. It bodes well.
I know, we have history of electing people with no accomplishments: Reagan, Bush II, Trump, BUT, look what happened after those low accomplishment folks got in power.
They DID hire people. People who knew how to rip us off and steal us blind.
Hiring people and hiring the right people are two different things. Trump's cabinet was physically the ugliest group of people I've ever seen--because they were ugly on the inside, focused on deconstructing the government by destroying watchdogs so that they could enrich themselves as much as possible...yeck....
All those you mention were Republicans.
I would argue that a D in front of the name does not assure competence, capability, or good intentions. Trump did hire people who were competent in the jobs they were hired to do, they just went doing the jobs we thought they were doing, and in the public interest.
Gerrymandered in Tarrant county too......
You got it Beth--surrounding yourself with the right people is the key. I feel for your trepidation about moving to TX. The political polarization in this country is affecting people to the point that they are moving to states more conducive to their leanings. I have two friends whose relatives moved to TX after drinking the QAnon koolaid. If, God forbid, the worst case scenario happens in this country, my husband and I are planning to infiltrate Vancouver, Canada, via friends....
according to a good many columns written many years ago, by Ms. Ivins, the governor doesn't have as much power as the lieutenant governor. Beto needs to surround himself with experienced people and hope a strong supporter wins the "Lite Guv" office. Of course that could have changed in the 20 to 30 years since I first read about Texas' strange governmental arrangements.
I miss Molly. She knew the Texas “‘leg” so well and did satire/inform with excellence.
I honor her, and Ann Richard, and Jim Hightower, and some others who had the courage to speak up.
To some degree, I think, but mainly because the current gov represents the interests of those who look after their own interests. Texas has had some very good people as gov, who were trashed the whole way. Johnson, though not a perfect man, somehow emerged from that system with the ability to use his political talent to support a set of programs that enhanced human dignity. The overflow from the war in Viet Nam (and his personal shortcomings) did him in politically. He was a good lesson that sometimes a flawed human being can be a better choice than someone who presents as a savior. Later on, GW was the pure product of the distorted Texas way of doing things, and carried it right into the White House. Between Reagan's legacy and his, our political culture changed. In Texas, it kind of looks like a continuing downward spiral since then. Sad when you think of some of the really fine individuals who have been part of Texas politics and then discarded.
Propaganda works, Karl Rove knows
Bad when both are MAGAt idjits
We are looking purple
💪🏽
Here is some information. What is frustrating is that it took me all of 5 minutes to research O'Rourke. I hope the people of Texas can see a clear difference between O'Rourke, Abbot and Cruz. It only takes a minute to look into issues.
"Former Rep. Beto O’Rourke’s (D-Texas) voter mobilization organization launched a new voter registration tool on Thursday, days after the Texas legislature approved a controversial elections overhaul bill that many say will restrict access to the ballot box.
The group, Powered by People, launched the “Drive-to-You” program, an on-demand voter registration service that will allow eligible Texas voters to register to vote from their homes.
https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/570567-beto-orourke-launches-a-voter-registration-tool-allowing-texans-to-register/#:~:text=Beto%20O%E2%80%99Rourke%20launches%20tool%20allowing%20Texas%20voters%20to%20register%20at%20home
and
Over their six years in Congress, what have Cruz and O'Rourke gotten done? We dug into their legislative histories and asked both men for their top accomplishments in the Capitol.
https://www.texastribune.org/2018/11/02/ted-cruz-beto-orourke-congressional-accomplishments-texas/#:~:text=Ted%20Cruz%20and%20Beto%20O%E2%80%99Rourke%20entered%20Congress%20at%20the%20same%20time.%20Here%E2%80%99s%20what%20they%20have%20accomplished.
Barbara.
Thank you.
I will send these links to folks I know in Texas.
Also, these links are really very good.
Lastly, apology for bringing on a sense of frustration. My own search, which I did do, did not turn up much at all.
Mike, you asked an honest, sincere question, and it was answered. This is exactly the discourse we need on this forum.
Miselle, I did try to find stuff but maybe my searches were not good.
I wasn't fussing at you Mike. Just venting in general. Sorry.
Barbara,
Everything you did was exactly correct. I appreciate your kind post with good information.
I modified my post to reference yours.
Well done and thank you again.
Powered by people, my favorite monthly donation…
Thank you.
Send him the support of a few good electrical engineers. It is only the quality of individuals who work for you that will bridge the gaps. The leadership of a man is found in the people he chooses.
It is the team you build that makes it happen. Back in the day I ran a team that put in a new 5 stand hot mill, in today's dollars a half billion project. We took out the old mill and put in the new in 45 days 10 and a half hours. What did I do? I got the signs made and installed that put the company name on the side of the mill. The team of about 20 did the project. Plus all of the production folks kept the rest of the plant running during those 45 days.
If you have been on a commercial aircraft in the last 30 years you flew on metal rolled on that mill. It the team that did this, I just built the team.
Hot mill. One piece of Hot Shot Leadership! You are the right stuff.
Annie D Stratton (VT, PacNW)
just now
It strikes me that what you did at the outset was provide a focus, and identity for your project that your team could identify with, a prerequisite for teamwork. And gave it visibility and purpose. Going to assume you also had support from the community which makes a big difference too. Big difference in scale, but good basic principle. I think that's pretty much what Biden is doing. It strikes that in spite of the obstacles and brickbats constantly being thrown his way, he continues to respect the ability of his team to handle things, and sets the tone for success.
What you say is focus true and the project itself was an out growth of a board modernization plan that I was part of leading up to this project. One of the interesting things was that in many ways the team itself was made up of "rejects". The lead electrical engineer was a very quite, but experienced engineer that turned out to be very creative and very effective at building relationships with a foreign suppler. His old boss was happy to give him up and the team was happy to have him. (He didn't fit "the mold" so to speak.) The lead mechanical engineer was just considered too young to do the job - but once again very creative and very hardworking. The piping designer was this "old guy" from the corporate design department that just wanted to move back to his home town for his coming retirement. Damn he was good and fit right in. Same with the assigned purchasing agent that handled all of the local suppliers and contractors. The mill was designed and built in Germany by an outstanding supplier and one of the key team building aspects was taking team members to Germany - for a week or in some cases 2 weeks. Nothing helps build a team like getting them away from home for a short period and just being with other team members and building one on one relationships with each other and with members of the suppliers team. Besides German beer is really good.
One other thing, I had the experience of living with our young family in Wales working with very difficult technical problems in a plant there. You get a chance to learn that just because the way you would do things "at home" isn't the only way things can be done. People that are different from you doesn't mean that they can't be just as effective as you can be.
Jeeze Mike. I am half way across the South Fork of the Flathead river pulling 8 loaded mules. Why don’t I just rein that lead mare to a halt and see how many of them hot mountain canary’s decide to roll? Been there done that! Bad decision to pull a halt now. How bout we get on to camp before we start running into more downfall?
Agree Pat. No CEO knows every skill needed for her/his span of control. She/he hires good people.
You are so right,Barbara. Most of the accolades and successes CEOs get come from outstanding individuals who work for them. In my own businesses I hired the best I could find. Their well earned accolades make me look purty smart.
And I'll bet you did not take credit for their work like some bosses I've had.
But they sure think they do. And many can’t abide a smart woman.
Absolutely!!
…and gets rid of the wrong people too.
He can simply do what has been done in El Paso. Tie the grid to the federal system, diversify the sources of power to Texas.
Or...doesn't the Sun ever shine in Texas? So there must be a way to make solar energy there a d shut down the disfunctional grid.
Yes, experience and accomplishments matter, but, character matters more. That’s the quality I’m looking for in candidates.
And the Democrats’ tendency to find fault in our own doesn’t serve us well. We need to support and protect decent candidates willing to enter the brutal ring of politics.
That’s nail on the head. First don’t be cruel or corrupt.
Ain’t that the truth…
Yes!
Geez Louise--look at what's the alternative! For God's sake, I've never had political experience, but I can be governor of Texas! All one has to do is pick the right people and cheerlead. Beto is a one-man-band....
He’s not Abbott, he has a fire in the belly, go Beto.
Mike, I've been thinking about your post. Zelensky had very little political experience before he was elected President of Ukraine, although he did have significant business and creative accomplishments. Imo, Beto should run on an anti-corruption campaign as Zelensky did, perhaps combined with a "pro-democracy in Texas" platform. Anti-corruption is a courageous stance and it resonates with people deeply. Russia is a good example of the danger of no effective opposition to corruption, right? I see Sandra has mentioned Zelensky also. Imo, your Texan friends would do well to shift their focus from Beto's bio to the deeper issues facing their state.
I am unfamiliar with what Abbott had accomplished before he was elected. Definitely he has accomplished some of the extreme right agenda items since.
Mike is not saying HE thinks Beto would not be a good governor, he saying the PEOPLE of TX might not think he'll be a good governor because he doesn't have a lot of important accomplishments. And, because of that, he might not be a good candidate because he might not be able to beat the Republican. It's an excellent point. Democrats need to consider electability I'm the general election. They didn't with Hillary and look what happened.
Hillary was eminently qualified, but, decades of Republican lies caused voter mistrust. Unfortunately many Democrats and independents believed those lies. And still she won the popular vote, but, sadly not the electoral votes. All Democrats need to back our candidates regardless of who we would have preferred. Stop shooting ourselves in the foot.
She called deplorables deplorables and was trashed for it. Never a more appropriate truth
But that was such an ignorant move that cost her so many votes. She put her ego above all else.
Bernie savaged Hillary—splitting creating the destructive chasm we have today.
BS. He had different opinions than she did. The savaging came via the media, looking to pit one candidate against another.
Hind sight is 100 per centavos. Hillary won! The election was stolen! Or is that just “owning the libs”? I think the world of Mike who built his empire in the Empire State. The toughest venue in planet USA. But the father of the bride should be on time for the wedding.
HRC should have changed gender to please plenty of men I know. WTH
She didn't need to wear a toga and testify, although her tetification put many men to shame. She still is a leader.
It's not hindsight, it's intelligent analysis. We Democrats get too insulated in our own world. In 2016, I was a Conservative Republican who was sick of the Republican establishment and the establishment in general. I planned to vote for Bernie, but like many, I never would have voted for Hillary. I am now a Progressive. I would vote for her now but only as an absolute last resort. And speaking of stealing elections, I believe there were bad actors involved in the Primaries and that Bernie would have won had those bad actors not done what they did.
Congratulations you and millions came to the same conclusion. As did I. Except….. I recognized Trump and chose the lessor of my 2 evils. While I was unhappy She was competent, capable, and far and away more presidential. Not a hard choice at all in hindsight!
Bernie would have won in a fair contest. No doubt.
What exactly was/is the problem with Hillary?
He’s got my vote!
A lot of things get fixed when a leader puts the needs and wants of the people ahead of her or his own.
I think it was HST who said that great things can be accomplished if who gets the credit is not an issue, or something like that
Texas grid independence is just a smokescreen for giving contracts to their friends who in turn donate to their campaigns.
Exactly
Check this out, he’s about as genuine and passionate as they come: https://www.instagram.com/tv/Cda4_YoLHwm/?igshid=MDJmNzVkMjY=
I know he’s passionate. My sons and I went to one of his rallies in Charleston when he was running for President. I think he would be great if elected AND had solid democratic support under him in the Tx legislature. That’s where so many well-intentioned governors get screwed. Things have gotten that bad all over.
Yes, very true, hoping also to get rid of Lt. Gov. Patrick who's equally corrupt and replace him with Mike Collier - a phenomenal candidate!
I so agree with your wonderful comparison to the body being made by cooperating cells and comparing rogue cells to cancer. I tend to think of humans as strange, undifferentiated cells, keeping the comparison. We can clump together to do something good, otherwise we just wander around trying to stay out of trouble.
Even slime (one cell) can do better than we do (The Secret Mind of Slime, NOVA, PBS). Best NOVA n years…
As in Koch and the cattle industry
That’s good to know. Thanks.
Excellent comment, Sophie.
My husband is an engineer in power generation, in the field for 40 years. He says nobody can fix the Texas grid. It's going to take a great deal of federal legislation to even make it functional, something that most Texans will not support, and certainly not the powerful in Texas, stuffing their pockets.
Holly,
I am sure there is some real difficulty in "fixing" the Texas grid since it is truly a deadly mix of bad engineering and corruption.
But, it is not impossible. It would just require:
1. Getting rid of the corruption.
2. Then, committing to long term re-engineering of subsystems and systems.
3. As the engineering goes complete, construction would streamline behind it.
BUT, the hardest part of the above?
Number 1: Getting rid of the existing corruption.
Because, a LOT of people are getting rich and staying rich off the current mess.
Yes, get rid of the existing corruption is the necessary start and where greeds are involved, they will be reluctant to let go of ill gotten gains. However, it needs to happen, so we will be donating to Beto. I am thinking now about my grandfather who went many places as the head of a crew building large boilers for power. I have no idea if he actually did some of the building.
That's a good list, but absent what I've read so far? Texans must be willing to pay to fix the system. They have consistently voted to 1) reduce costs in lieu of quality and long-game risks 2) fill their flood absorbing sponges around Houston, and 3) protect industry over citizens in regard to toxic chemical releases.
Medicaid picks up the tab for the impoverished citizens downwind battling cancer. The National Flood Program picks up the tab every time Houston floods. Interestingly, Texas is absolutely fine with federalizing risk. They are not willing to pay for a reliable grid and may have been caught off guard when the rest of the country couldn't come to the rescue with the electricity problems.
Repubs have cheated for decades, and have no intention of stopping. But we try
Texans definitely don't want to be taxed. But, as Houston nears 101F in MAY, lets see if keeing the grid lit becomes a priority.
And THAT is exactly why Beto won't be able to fix the grid.
Mike, thanks.
daria, thank you as well.
The best part of the Texas power problems is companies needing reliable power will think twice about relocating there. That and the culture wars—wait until vigilantes go after tech employees, accusing them of having out of state abortions.
I agree. We might be more successful helping the Republican nation realize the features and benefits of progress over regression rather than our current failing philosophy of calling them losers and stupid. How many advertisers call their target audience unsavory. Perhaps we should instead offer them a value approach and give them the respect with which we allow them to choose. I don’t mean to be cheesy here like selling vacuums. Instead we are a political option, a party that offers an agenda with many of the bells and whistles people, of both parties need. As long as the Republican leadership has come out representing themselves as the do nothing party, the going nowhere party, and the party taking away, we might as well put forward our better options allowing them a choice. If we give them their respect back and squelch some of our rhetoric I feel strongly that many will begin to realize we have a better platform. This is a matter of choice, perhaps we should take advantage.
Thanks, Pat. Well said. I've been saying much the same thing for years (and so has Heather). So very tired of name calling that gets us nowhere and just displays the egotistical superiority felt by too many people who think of themselves as liberal but are not. They end up boxing all of us into a corner.
Yes Annie. We should go back to love and logic.
Pat, I appears that you live in one of the hubs of the ultra-conservative, right-wing's reach for control. The primary between Lt. Gov. Janice McGeachin and Gov. Brad Little is this Tuesday. Do you have a perspective about this struggle for power? Both sides (Republicans) are very much to the right, with one side seeming to want independence from the federal government.
'A Fracture in Idaho’s G.O.P. as the Far Right Seeks Control
Ahead of a primary vote, traditional Republicans are raising alarm about the future of the party, warning about the growing strength of militia members, racists and the John Birch Society.'
'BONNERS FERRY, Idaho — At a school gymnasium in northern Idaho, Lt. Gov. Janice McGeachin regaled a crowd with stories of her feuds with the current governor, a fellow Republican, including the time when he briefly left the state and she issued a mutinous but short-lived ban on coronavirus mask mandates.'
'Gov. Brad Little had worked in recent years to slash taxes and ban abortion, but for Ms. McGeachin and the hundreds gathered at a candidates’ forum sponsored by the John Birch Society in late March, the governor was at cross purposes with their view of just how conservative Idaho could and should be.'
'They clapped as one candidate advocated “machine guns for everyone” and another called for the state to take control of federal lands. A militia activist, who was once prosecuted for his role in an infamous 2014 standoff with federal agents in Nevada, promised to be a true representative of the people. A local pastor began the meeting with an invocation, asking for God to bless the American Redoubt — a movement to create a refuge anchored in northern Idaho for conservative Christians who are ready to abandon the rest of the country.'
“We’re losing our state,” said Ms. McGeachin, who is now seeking to take over the governor’s job permanently. “We’re losing our freedoms.”
'The bitter intraparty contest between Ms. McGeachin and Mr. Little, set to be settled in the state’s primary election on Tuesday, reflects the intensifying split that is pitting Idaho’s conventional pro-gun, anti-abortion, tax-cut conservatives against a growing group of far-right radicals who are agitating to seize control of what is already one of the most conservative corners of the Republican Party in the country.'
'The state has long been a draw for ultraconservatives disillusioned with the liberal drift in other parts of the nation, many of them settling off the grid in the mountains of northern Idaho or among like-minded people in towns like Bonners Ferry. Over the years, the Idaho panhandle has been home to white supremacist groups and people ready to take up arms against the U.S. government. Such groups and their allies have been particularly wary of the changing nature of Idaho’s cities, including the legions of other newcomers responding to a booming job market in Boise.' (NYTimes) Link to the article is gifted.
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/05/15/us/idaho-republican-primary-little-mcgeachin.html?unlocked_article_code=AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAACEIPuomT1JKd6J17Vw1cRCfTTMQmqxCdw_PIxftm3iWka3DIDm8fiPkORImM8kfKILBuf8Y52zWQTdkEKKUuQfVo36pbPlBxTwTtp5CLlZ0OIyQz74KvW2d8l7T8YYcFyx64JG-oNLU4g7SloxONNDX3X_DZ2HB1JQ96oZAxJUWti3AM2vzFF-Fq24R61f4iU5EqRTpWdzDK66ezc2h2O9SCahzY6AckCaoOCXyIw4nqu_9Xex5SCFnGUHp4_W47jdtaM9kRN6z8RAUyLIu82f5CTzw1c_r6QsE5VIPWlL51sLHSqRHqyMe-xfg-Fq08r6ol_YggLy30G-oa6J6IIa50&smid=url-share
My son is a nuclear engineer, he concurs Holly.
Hi Holly, I completely understand that no one can fix the Texas Grid. I think, however, it is a great slogan desIgned to get people's attention and address the environment of failure and corruption prevelant in Texas today.
The most common mental disorder in the United States is anxiety, which affects about 40 million adults or about 18.1% of the population. Anxiety disorders are highly treatable; however, less than 40% of those suffering (36.9%) receive treatment.
...
Mental Health Statistics by State 2022.
State % of Adults
Virginia 5.53%
Texas 5.28%
Alaska 5.20%
Tennessee 5.17%
46 more rows
And why is the TX grid such a mess? Because they went rogue....
Is it that bad?
Beto will "fix" all of Texas as well. Abbott is a disgrace....vying with deathSantis for biggest disgrace.
DeSantis is fascist. Abbott is Far far right extremist.
Or a billboard of Abbot, “I alone haven’t fixed it”
Good one!
Was that a most excellent statement no one can argue with? Go Beto!!
Ya hear that Mad Dog, get to it…
Good morning, Daria. Good to see you here.... Hope all is well there in Mexico.
Hey Pam! Good Sunday!! I thought I replied yesterday but my internet is acting very oddly the last couple of days🌷❤
Glad to know all is well. Hope the internet is back behaving.
Agree 1000%. What better is there to say, Beto?
Gov Abbott, “ I will redirect the Jewish Space lasers to a solar farm outside Waco to fix the grid”
Direct it to the state capitol
🤣
Thank you for your observations on Kemp; this highlights that what some call “Reasonable Republicans” (I dubbed them “Remorseful Republicans” — for having held their noses and embraced Trump when his poll numbers read well) are still enemies of fair elections, enemies of the welfare of the people (he’s against taxation for reasonable services a government should provide), and enemies of freedom (bodily autonomy among freedoms enshrined in the Preamble of our Constitution). They simply back a slightly different stank of fascism than Trump’s clownish Gröpenführer persona.
The “good guys” ain’t good
It’s really terrifying when Kemp is the relative good guy.
In local races here in northern Michigan, we are seeing candidates advertise they are "moderate Republican" as they go up against incumbent tRumpers in the primaries. The Split!
Except it’s Diet Coke vs Coke One or whatever. No choice.
There are virtually no truly moderate Rs as they have all bought into the mantra of the party of death. Years ago I could feel OK voting for Rs like Mark Hatfield, but I have voted a straight D ticket for many years now. Our election day is Tuesday and the turnout (vote by mail easy) is putrid. Hopefully it will pick up in the remaining days.
Same here. In those days, Packwood and Hatfield worked for what was best for Oregon; we also had some decent Republican governors. Even though I never voted for him, I always appreciated Gordon Smith, who made it a point to meet with Ron Wyden and often the two of them walked into the senate together.
I voted for Norma Paulus who I actually met once. I also met the Packwood lawyers after he got into trouble being a jerk with women. That was too bad because both he and Hatfield did well by Oregon. I never voted for a R for president having lived through Nixon and Ray Gun. I have been registered as a R a few times especially the first time I signed up to vote as my dad stood over to me to make sure I did. I remember thinking that I had no intention of voting R in most races as I did it.
As a fellow Oregonian, I hear and feel you.
Have read that Oregon's turnout (all mail-in or drop-off ballots) could be a record low. Depressing.
I hope that people are going to vote this weekend and Monday and Tuesday. A lot of people do put it off.
**meekly raises hand-**
Yes, hope.
It might help that ballots postmarked on Tuesday will be counted if received within a week later. New rule.
Yes, and I hope that helps.
I read the entire Oregon election pamphlet. I'm neither Dem nor GOP, so I didn't get to lodge a vote for the primary. Non-partisan positions and measures did not generate much political traction. I voted anyway, but it's the general election that matters most here.
Very
It is an indication of Joe Biden’s executive abilities that in the midst of inflation, the Ukraine invasion, a lingering pandemic, and the constant barrage of stink bombs thrown in his direction from the GOP, that he still looks to the future by reaching out to our Asian neighbors.
I am not ready, at this point, to label Joe Biden a great president, but I will call him a goddamn good one.
Yet, David Gergen is on PBS trashing all the oldsters, some of whom are helping democracy hang on by a thread. Me thinks he is more partisan than he pretends. Can we just end one crisis (well, an onslaught) before inviting more instability. That said, he had a point, just his timing is worse than bad…
I beg to differ. Gergen wasn't "trashing all the oldsters". He was simply saying that it's time for us to step aside and let younger more agile minds lead. It doesn't have to be a "wipe out" for our generation. Just a recognition that someone who is 40, 50 or 60 will have fresher skills and a sharper mind. Time to hand the batons off to them before they are old farts, too.
THE single biggest issue that draws support away from Joe Biden - a man who IMO is doing an exemplary job - is his age and stumbling speech. You and I know he has always had a speech impediment. But many Americans see him as "doddering". Sad but true.
I am 75 and I still participate in leadership roles. But I know that I and everyone I have met who is this age (plus or minus 5 years) do not have the same stamina, sharp memory or awareness of current technology that someone 20 or 30 years younger could have.
And I think the Democrats would attract a lot more younger voters if Biden, Pelosi and Schumer would gracefully step aside when the time is right. There are a lot of bright rising stars who believe as we do who will fill the void instantly. They are being held back.
Raskin, Booker, Schiff, Abrams, Demmings, Bass, etc.
Less a matter of being held back as waiting until they are ready. People my age are in the process of getting things in place for younger people (though there are some who hang on because they are used to status quo). All those you named and more at national level. More at the state and local level. The problem has been getting more people in those younger age groups involved to strengthen the base. It's the kids who are really active. I don't think many people, including most of the folks on this forum, realize how very critical the local and state races are to preparation for 2024. Mid-terms historically have lower turn-outs because of the unfortunate emphasis on national races. But this one in particular has potentially historic outcomes.
BTW, thanks to whoever posted the Beto O'Roarke speech. I'm not on Instagram and tend to avoid Twitter, so might not have picked it up. Dynamic. I love that he spoke directly to the audience about things that mattered to them, without leaving out the underlying factors. We need more of that kind of thing. Biden also speaks this way though his style is more low-key. I hope we don't get too far into the "style" assessment trap of response, which ends up hurting everybody.