Laffy
EVERY damn headline from WaPo and NYT is anti-Biden BS.
No need to tell me you've canceled subscriptions, I already know and good on ya.
But we need to counter this stuff.
We need to blast.
And we need to tell them DIRECTLY, as many of you have done, to stop this and go after FASCIST TRUMP and his cohorts.
HistoPol (#HP) 🥥 🌴
#Elections2024
(1/n)
It is true that the #US mainstream media have very much lost their legitimacy as the Fourth Estate.
However, there are foreign media that do a superb job. One of them is #TheEconomist, which maintains a bureau in the capital and has its own research arm, e.g. modeling (US) elections.
In the intro of this week's #USpol podcast, #ChecksAndBalance, the 3 #US journalists agree that #Biden's chances of being re-eleclected have shrunk considerably...
HistoPol (#HP) 🥥 🌴
#Elections2024
(2/n)
They talk about a so-called #PreferenceCascade with regard to opinion polls: people will often not tell their true feelings/preferences when interviewed. Until something outstanding happens
And then people change their opinion all at once.
This happened with #JoeBiden this week.
Looking at the betting market, the odds that he will quit went from 20% to over 80% after the debate.
Oh, and yes, these kinds of market are quite efficient.
I think Biden...
HistoPol (#HP) 🥥 🌴
#Elections2024 #Biden
(3/n)
...has been one of the most successful presidents since WWII at least with regard to the economy. (Foreign policy, Russia, Afghanistan, and Israel, has not gone well.)
However, from now on, any further misstep, verbal or otherwise, will be seen as proof of the shrinking mental and physical abilities.
I am very sorry to say this, but it is now very unlikely that he can still turn this around.
I also agree that getting a woman, in particular,...
HistoPol (#HP) 🥥 🌴
(4/n)
...of color, elected is also highly unlikely.
#Reagan went from governor of California to US president.
#GavinNewsom has the national standing to take on #TFG. In addition, he is much younger than Grandpa Donald. I think, the best course of action would be for Biden to step down as a candidate ASAP and for the DNC to support him as a candidate. Maybe he could be nominated as a Cabinet member after the election, and Harris could stay on the ticket as veep...
HistoPol (#HP) 🥥 🌴
(5/n)
...safeguarding a smoother transition of power while maintaining diversity. In 2028, there would be 2 potential POTUS candidates thus.
After the summer holidays, it will be too late in midstream to change horses.
If TFG does not decease, he will be almost unstoppable for any replacement candidate.
At least, this is my current opinion.
//
HistoPol (#HP) 🥥 🌴
(1/2)
"I'm confident that they will after SCOTUS has given them a taste of what #Project2025 would be like."
I would love that.
However, we need to look outside of our bubbles 🫧 : a huge crowd of people does not follow politics, even though they might still swing by the polling stations at the last minute.
If the mainstream media were shouting the calamities of #Project2025 from the rooftops during primetime on a daily basis, there would be a solid...
Kevin Leecaster
@HistoPol @GottaLaff
Hopefully enough Americans will vote for Joe Biden since he's who is going to be on their ballots this November.
I'm confident that they will after SCOTUS has given them a taste of what #Project2025 would be like.
Mastodon Migration
PROJECT 2025 SUMMARY
- Privatize Medicare and repeal drug price negotiation
- Kill student debt relief
- Gut clean energy programs, repeal climate legislation, and withdraw from UN climate change conventions
- Gut the federal workforce and install loyalists
- Deploy the military against American citizens
- Allow ICE to conduct raids at schools, churches, hospitals, and playgrounds.
1/
Mastodon Migration
PROJECT 2025 SUMMARY (continued)
- Establish marriage is only between a man and a woman
- Withdraw federal protections for transgender students, and ban transgender military service
- Reverse the FDA's approval of abortion medication, ban shipment of abortion pills, compel states to report every abortion, and ban employers from providing abortion care coverage
2/fin
HistoPol (#HP) 🥥 🌴
(2/2)
chance. They aren't. And even if they were doing it, 30-40% of the electorate only consumes #FauxNews. Their ears would be impermeable to those shouts.
The more I rack my brain with this, the more I see no other solution for the #Elections2024. I really wish it were otherwise.
Biden's ship 🚢 for a second term had sailed ⛵️. The US and the Free World 🌎 cannot stomach another term of a MAGAt. He needs to step down and name a successor, ASAP.
//
HistoPol (#HP) 🥥 🌴
Lol, yes I know your opinion, however, given my independent thinking, I reserve to have my own opinion, as stated.
In any case, this time round, I'd even PAY to be wrong!
Kevin Leecaster
@HistoPol @GottaLaff
You know what my opinion is on how best to run a political campaign in the USA is?
My opinion is to listen to the person that has the most experience at it. Joe Biden's our top expert on how to beat Trump and the Republicans so I'm going to follow his lead.
CynBlogger™️-47NotMyPrez
Do you know how California is perceived in most flyover states, and in particular its governor, who was once mayor of San Francisco? Do you know the population attrition since Gov. Cutie has been in office, many of which former residents left precisely because of his policies (like both of my sons)?
I like & support Gov. Newsom, but his speeches aren’t exactly thrilling or inspiring, and his personal life would be scrutinized to death. One fancy dinner enjoyed publicly during Covid almost led to another recall effort.
He may be president someday (and would have my vote), but please God not when our democracy is on the line and we’re down to the wire.
There will be no battleground state wins with a California governor on the ticket. His immigration, homelessness, crime, taxes, reparation policies will lead to a Trump win.
WE HAVE A NOMINEE WHO IS POTUS-46. #StandWithJoe
HistoPol (#HP) 🥥 🌴
Thank you for this inside look at CA politics.
"There will be no battleground state wins with a California governor on the ticket. His immigration, homelessness, crime, taxes, reparation policies will lead to a Trump win. "
If this is true, Dems basically don't have a viable candidate in 2024 if Biden should step down.
I'm sure similar things could be found about any other potential contender, like #GretchenWhitmer.
That'd be tragic.
HistoPol (#HP) 🥥 🌴
#Elections2024
(1/2)
Newsom:
"He has publicly said he is not doing it."
Lol. I have seen many elections in Western democracies where throwing your hat into the ring to be a successor almost always led to that candidate's prospects disintegrating.
If anything, this shows that Newsom knows how to play this game.
Like I wrote, I'd live to be wrong this time and 4 more years of #Bidenomics would be good for the economy and battling...
Randy Hall
@HistoPol @GottaLaff respectfully, you have no idea what you're saying.
Suggesting ANY candidate other than the one who successfully received enough delegates through the primary election process is anti-democratic and pretty much exactly the playbook that got us #TFG last time. Newsom is a nonstarter. He has publicly said he is not doing it. Jesus, will you all stop fantasizing over a nameless, faceless Dem who will save the ticket?
Laffy
@HistoPol @randy Please un-tag me, Histo.
I sent you this, yet you're still including me in this pointless convo.
Thanks and have a good one.
HistoPol (#HP) 🥥 🌴
Economist.com
Have been reading it and listening to it for many years.
T.Wllms
The same Economist that just had a picture of a walker with the presidential seal on it???... that Economist???
HistoPol (#HP) 🥥 🌴
#Elections2024
(2/2)
...happening anymore. As do some long-time international journalists who do not much else than covering politics from a nonpartisan perspective.
And, no, I often now have to quit listening to or reading US mainstream media like the WaPo b/c of their partisan views. The Economist is not part of that group. So are other European media that do not belong to Murdoch and other US billionaires.
//
HistoPol (#HP) 🥥 🌴
Just did so in the 2 previous posts. Hope it's enough.
HistoPol (#HP) 🥥 🌴
@goodreedAJ
Thanks for posting this. I hold HCR in high esteem. Will try to watch it.
Ande Jacobson
Exactly! Sounds like people really need to watch Heather Cox Richardson's recent CNN interview. She talks about this in some detail, and historically, a late replacement after the electorate has chosen its candidate will lose. It's a sure-fire way to hand the election to the other side.
Just look at the 1968 election - Johnson declined the nomination after being selected through the primaries, and switching to Hubert Humphrey gave Nixon the presidency. We all know what happened after that.
https://www.cnn.com/2024/07/03/tv/video/amanpour-heather-cox-richardson
Laffy
@HistoPol Thank you!
HistoPol (#HP) 🥥 🌴
(1/2)
I can agree with most of what HCR says. In fact, her short analysis of this term's SCOTUS decisions pretty much coincides with TheEconomist's from yesterday. 1)
However, I dare say that even though I love to look at history a lot (LOL,), people from the stockmarket in particular know that the past is a poor truthsayer for the future.
Following her argument that LBJ's replacement lost in 1968, I..
1)
https://www.economist.com/audio/podcasts/checks-and-balance
HistoPol (#HP) 🥥 🌴
(2/3)
...could provide a counter example:
In 1992, the really successful billionaire entrepreneur, #Ross Perot, founder of #EDS, competed for the US presidency. He only received 18.9 % of the vote.
From this, we could learn that a billionaire with no political track record would never win the presidency. Except that, we all know, in 2016 this is what happend.
No,...
HistoPol (#HP) 🥥 🌴
#Elections2024 #USpol #History
(3/3)
...history does not go round in circles and does not repeat itself. However, we can still learn a lot from it.
Furthermore, this is too important not to have a Plan B. And "B" not being Biden.
A lot younger and healthier candidates have had to drop out on the campaign trail.
Hopefully, it will be TFG and not Joe Biden.
//
HistoPol (#HP) 🥥 🌴
I'd love that. However, taking the reins for the remainder of this term, OFC, if Joe Biden were to step down as POTUS:
With regard to a replacement candidate, I don't see why she should have greater "legitimacy" than other top Democrats.
And when it comes to beating TFG, there seems to be only one person that can do it. And it is not Joe Biden. It is (drums) #MichelleObama who's ALSO said she would not be running this year:
Kelly Wheaton :warriors:🦫💧🐸📃🥥🌴
@randy @HistoPol @GottaLaff the only person I am suggesting take the reins from Joe is Kamala. That is precisely why we have a Vice President.
HistoPol (#HP) 🥥 🌴
#elections2022
(1/2)
I can see your point, however the "slap in the face" that women will have in a Republic of Gilead that TFG will usher in with Project2025 will trample women's right into the dust.
Only the Democrat with the highest likelyhood of beating TFG should run. If it isn't Harris or Newsom but Michelle Obama, then she should run.
As H.C. Richardson said in her CNN interview (my words): this is the wake-up call...
Sean
@GottaLaff @randy @HistoPol also, the idea of having ANYONE other than Harris step up, especially another white man, would be a huge slap in the face to women and people of color. It already feels like she was solely used to appeal to that voter base, not choosing her would cement that idea. I understand the need to vote against Trump at all costs, but the thought of sitting out would still cross my mind.
Laffy
Exactly, Randy. Again, it's also pointless. Who are they/HistoPol trying to convince? WE don't decide, Biden does:
HistoPol (#HP) 🥥 🌴
(2/2)
... for US democracy. The fight is NOW (or never.)
Other than that, it is high time that one of the oldes democracies in the world finally get a female leader of Government as most other civilized countries have experienced. ;)
//
P J Evans
@goodreedAJ @randy @HistoPol @GottaLaff
Johnson withdrew after the New Hampshire primary, but had decided in January not to run again. It *wasn't* after the primaries.
HistoPol (#HP) 🥥 🌴
My support goes to almost any candidate that is NOT TFG.
Kevin Leecaster
@HistoPol @GottaLaff
The pollsters and mainstream media seem to have gotten you convinced that they can predict the future somehow. I can't.
I can predict that Americans are going to choose #ClimateAction #Ukraine #AbortionRights #TaxingWealth and numerous other policies that Joe Biden supports over #Project2025
Maybe I can't convince you that they will and perhaps the #FossilFools will trick them into voting for the GOP and global warming yet again, but I don't think so.🤞
Lt.Cpl Хуёвый Пчеловод
@HistoPol @kwheaton @randy Only Kamala can use Biden-Harris campaign funds. No other "magic replacement candidate" can touch that money. They would have to build entire presidential campaign, on a national level, from scratch 4mo before the election.
Reason why "magic replacement candidates" poll so great is because they are not being targeted by MAGA/GOP. Michelle will be lucky to poll in double digits by the time trump is done smearing her.
HistoPol (#HP) 🥥 🌴
#Elections2024
(1/2)
The campaign funds issue I had not thought about, thank you.
Yes, I agree.
OFC once you become a candidate you will be targeted by your oponent, that's politics and true for ANY candidate, including Joe Biden.
Hm, I don't think she'd do it, but a Kamela/Michelle ticket would look very good to me...if she could be convinced.
Speculation, OFC, but the next couple of summer weeks will show if such thoughts are necessary...
HistoPol (#HP) 🥥 🌴
#Elections2024
(2/2)
...In view of what is at stake, NOT having at least a plan B is nothing but irresponsible.
//
Incognitim
@HistoPol @squizzleflip @randy @HistoPol
Newsome has a higher unfavorable than favorable rating IN CALI.
60+% don't like where the state is headed, especially fiscally. Add to that, the MSM would focus on his negatives 1st & foremost, because that's what they do. So he'd be on defense, as trump gets a free pass.
Plus- 'keeping the diversity' by leapfrogging Kamala would be incredibly insulting. Not to mention- both of them are polling lower vs. trump than Biden...
HistoPol (#HP) 🥥 🌴
I can agree with everything you write, Kevin.
Ostrich politics will not help either.
The cat is out of the bag. It's not going back in.
We accuse the MAGAts of being the members of a cult, blindly following their leader.
Dems should not copy that.
That said, I'll try to bite my tongue (err fingers ;)) for the time being.
I fear that this discussion has unleashed a huge momentum that it might not be stopped again.
Hope I'm wrong.
Kevin Leecaster
@HistoPol
I know. I don't think that calling for someone to drop out of the race is the kind of support that's required at this moment though.
Regardless, the issue is definitely out in the public discourse now so the DNC will be closely evaluating their options and we'll see what they've decided to do at their convention so I don't think it's helpful to undermine his political capital at this point in the campaign.
HistoPol (#HP) 🥥 🌴
Excellent point, Beth. I had not thought of her in a long time.
Hey Beth
Gavin can't take on Trump because of Kimberly Guilfoyle. There is no reason to believe she would not unleash a deluge of lies.
HistoPol (#HP) 🥥 🌴
@Incognitim
Agreed. Good points.
Kelly Wheaton :warriors:🦫💧🐸📃🥥🌴
@HistoPol @randy #Biden should withdraw from the election. I don't think he is so far gone he can't finish his term. But if he does withdraw it would be good yo give Harris higher profile responsibilities.
HistoPol (#HP) 🥥 🌴
I can agree to all that, Kelly. In particular, as I had the gut feeling when she was named that Biden withdrawing for "health reasons" somewhere down the line was their game plan...
(unsubstantiated, as of today, sure.)
As written earlier in this thread, I'd kindly ask Michelle to run for Veep. ;)
HistoPol (#HP) 🥥 🌴
" They are worried that he won't make it to 2028, and Harris will be President."
LOL, as I just wrote, that was my gut feeling for Biden's 1st term. Would've been a clever strategy.
What do you mean by "270"?
Hey Beth
Yes, nameless is not a great candidate.
Newsom is a non-starter because of Kimberly Guilfoyle. The lies she would tell about Newsom would take weeks to refute.
And then misogyny, racism, and homophobia make the clear path to 270 for Harris, Whitmer, Booker, Moore, and Buttigieg a little murky.
Misogyny and racism are probably the reason some of calling for Biden to step down. They aren't thinking that he's unelectable. They are worried that he won't make it to 2028, and Harris will be President.
Kelly Wheaton :warriors:🦫💧🐸📃🥥🌴
@HistoPol @hu_logic @randy the interview was is some ways worse than the debate. I am calling this now. If Biden remains the candidate we Lose. Bookmark it if you want.
HistoPol (#HP) 🥥 🌴
@kwheaton
Alas, I can't disagree with you, as I think the avalanche has already been kicked lose...
Hey Beth
@HistoPol @squizzleflip @randy
And she also warned about changing candidates this late. Her points about LBJ and how Democrats felt about not voting for the top of the ticket were need to be considered.
Lt.Cpl Хуёвый Пчеловод
@HistoPol @kwheaton @randy Kamela/Michelle ticket wouldn't work. Sure, you'll energize black/progressive turnout but you'll lose the Biden appeal - centrists and independents.
Another issue with Michelle is that for all her accomplishments as an individual she'll be labeled "Obama's wife", and ppl are kinda tired of ruling families.
HistoPol (#HP) 🥥 🌴
@Hey_Beth
Ah! Thanks.
Hey Beth
Getting to 270 in the Electoral College.
HistoPol (#HP) 🥥 🌴
@Hey_Beth
Did you see my comment on HCR's interview?
Kevin Leecaster
@HistoPol @hu_logic @kwheaton @randy
People bring up Michelle Obama as potential POTUS quite a bit, but hopefully we'll never again elect someone to that office without any legislative or executive experience in government seeing how it turned out the last time the voters did that.
A poll of 154 presidential historians who are current and recent members of the American Political Science Association named Trump as the worst ever.
https://www.npr.org/2024/02/19/1232447088/historians-presidents-survey-trump-last-biden-14th
HistoPol (#HP) 🥥 🌴
I agree. However, I'd say being FLOTUS does give you quite some political experience. And it would not be the top job (in my scenario.)
Incognitim
@HistoPol @squizzleflip @randy
If Dems were going to do this, it needed to be done months (if not years) ago.
If Biden decides for whatever reason to drop out, then we all have to get behind Harris (who's unfortunately polling worse vs trump than other options).
But the best hope at this point is to devote all this circular firing squad energy into trump, scotus, project2025, climate change, healthcare, wealth inequality, lgbtq+ rights, abortion, scotus again, etc.
HistoPol (#HP) 🥥 🌴
"If Dems were going to do this, it needed to be done months (if not years) ago.
If Biden decides for whatever reason to drop out, then we all have to get behind Harris (who's unfortunately polling worse vs trump than other options)."
I agree, however in my view it is not an IF but a WHEN.
As one commentator said (don't remember which,) Biden had but one job that fatal evening at the debate: to show that he has up to do the job.
Hey Beth
It's a connection that people forget.
But the internet doesn't. https://nymag.com/intelligencer/article/gavin-newsom-kimberly-guilfoyle-rug-photo.html
HistoPol (#HP) 🥥 🌴
(1/2)
Thank for this interesting article. I had not seen the pic back then.
"Most elected officials with their eyes on the future wouldn’t be caught dead basking in that level of luxury, let alone allow a photographer to capture the image for a national magazine. “I was totally surprised when I saw him on the floor,” Collins says. “How many politicians curl up with their wife on the floor for Harper’s Bazaar? It was kind of a sexy picture in terms of politics. There...
HistoPol (#HP) 🥥 🌴
(2/2)
...they were, kind of Mark Antony and Cleopatra.”"
I can see all that. However, after the imperial extravagance of Trump and MAL in particular, Newsom vs. TFG would be easiest to counter attack, don't you think? ;)
HistoPol (#HP) 🥥 🌴
Maybe this one:
"ABC News interview was undoubtedly an improvement from the debate—the image of him as a doddering old man has sunk in. That Mr Biden has done fewer interviews or press conferences than any president since Ronald Reagan does not help on that score."
Timo
@HistoPol @GottaLaff I didn't see it, but my spouse has been ranting for days about an 'biden should quit' article she saw in the economist.
HistoPol (#HP) 🥥 🌴
#Elections2024 #Harris
(1/2)
" I get what you're trying to say, it's important to put our strongest candidate forward."
Yes, this is an all-out election war. As HCR said (my words,) if we lose this fall, the American Experiment will have failed.
Therefore, it is the only way to go.
"This is the closest we've ever been to a woman being president, to an Asian person being president. "
Yes and yes. However, this sounds like the...
Sean
@HistoPol @randy I get what you're trying to say, it's important to put our strongest candidate forward. But to me the lingering question is "why isn't that Kamala Harris, why isn't it the person who we ALREADY elected to be president should Biden not be able fulfill his duties?"
When people suggest a white man like Newsom, without even acknowledging why it shouldn't be Harris, it just sends the message that people like me are a "nice to have, but not this time. Maybe next time!" This is the closest we've ever been to a woman being president, to an Asian person being president. And to just pass on Harris would make me think "people like me are never going to be enough here."
I'm gonna vote blue no matter, I know the stakes here. And I know trump is way worse, of course. But sitting out doesn't mean someone is supporting Trump, it means they feel like they aren't included so why even bother?
HistoPol (#HP) 🥥 🌴
(2/3)
...guy in one of this game shows who's already one 80% what is possible and then is asked whether he'd go "all in" to win the great cash price, risking it all.
We cannot risk it all, that is the point.
"But sitting out doesn't mean someone is supporting Trump, it means they feel like they aren't included so why even bother?"
B/C the Christofascists will make you not...
HistoPol (#HP) 🥥 🌴
(3/4)
...only 2nd but 3rd class citizens. They are trying to turn the clock back to the 19th century (no typo!)
Apart from that, I originally was quite thrilled that an "Asian" (#Indian) was elected to the highest office in Great Britain last year. #RishiSunak, who voters disposed this week with a landslide victory for...
HistoPol (#HP) 🥥 🌴
(4/4)
... Labour is a clear point that the color of the skin is no protection against racism (look for "#Rwanda.) #Sunak was probably one of the worst British Prime Ministers of all time.
Regardless, voting Blue ist the only way to go.
//
HistoPol (#HP) 🥥 🌴
https://mastodon.social/@HistoPol/112644423864089727
"The Years of Lyndon Johnson” series" by Rober E. Caro.
The issue is, the fifth book, starting in 1965, seems not to be published yet:
https://apnews.com/article/robert-caro-lyndon-johnson-book-editor-a8c4d210dd1582494a4146505df2d298
It will cover the period in question.
Hey Beth
@HistoPol @squizzleflip @randy
I did! And I know very little about LBJ and the decision not to run for reelection.
Incognitim
@HistoPol @squizzleflip @randy
To do WHAT job though?
Keep up with a trump gish gallop, or be an effective President?
He'd have trouble doing the former even without the cold...but so far he seems to be doing the latter pretty well (a couple of his policies aside).
I was disappointed in his performance, too. But anyone who's seen him over the last couple of years and was expecting a willy wonka somersault into a good debater was fooling themselves.
HistoPol (#HP) 🥥 🌴
I agree with everything you write. Alas.
And having read this book,
https://mastodon.social/@HistoPol/112644423864089727, I can so much agree with this sentence:
"like them to have more experience doing the work of bringing together coalitions and keeping them together without sacrificing too much in order to find a working compromise."
This is what LBJ was a grand master of.
Yes, Michelle wouldn't work as POTUS as of today, but maybe as Veep.
Kevin Leecaster
@HistoPol @hu_logic @kwheaton @randy
Yeah and I'm all for putting more competent women into power, but I would like them to have more experience doing the work of bringing together coalitions and keeping them together without sacrificing too much in order to find a working compromise.
Regardless too, I just shudder to think of putting a ticket of two Black women on the ballot together in 2024. I don't think the electorate is ready for that sadly.
But anyways, I'm not a campaign advisor.
Kelly Wheaton :warriors:🦫💧🐸📃🥥🌴
@HistoPol @hu_logic @randy there is no Joy in being right. Just sadness that he didn't have Beau here to say. "Last time you were the right man to steady the ship Dad. Your time came, you stepped up and were a steady hand. I am so proud of you. But Dad it's time to padd the reins. Fill out your term hiold your head high. We ove you Dad, but its time to stop fighting. It isn't about you, its about the survival of democracy." #Biden
HistoPol (#HP) 🥥 🌴
I really hate to agree with you, Kelly, just hate it.
deskJet95
@GreenFire @HistoPol @GottaLaff Americans do care about abortion, but most registered voters do not care about the war in Ukraine. I'm not making the argument that that's right, just observing it. Issue number 1 is inflation.
It's a Maslow's hierarchy thing... you're not going to pay attention to someone else struggling, when you yourself are pissed off about current high interest rates on home mortgages.
HistoPol (#HP) 🥥 🌴
Also true, alas.
Americans WILL care a lot about abortion within 24 months after the Orange Dictator returns to office on Jan 6.
HistoPol (#HP) 🥥 🌴
Thanks for checking back.
I have to agree with you, that photo is uncalled for and unacceptable. I am dismayed.
Timo
@HistoPol I just checked with her and it was this one that has "Why Biden must withdraw: with a walker photo. https://www.economist.com/leaders/2024/07/04/why-biden-must-withdraw
HistoPol (#HP) 🥥 🌴
@Incognitim
Excellent question, however when you are campaigning as a sitting president, alas you have to do BOTH.
As said earlier, I think Biden is one of the best presidents since WWII.
But he was an abysmal campaigner on the debate stage.
And having watched his last State of the Union address, which I really liked, I know he used to be way better.
TFG has never been up to the job. And yet, a exasperating number of people still believe it.
HistoPol (#HP) 🥥 🌴
Available without paywall here:
"Leaders | American politics
Why Biden must withdraw
The president and his party portray themselves as the saviours of democracy. Their actions say otherwise"
"THE PRESIDENTIAL debate was awful for Joe Biden, but the cover-up has been worse. It was agony to watch a befuddled old man struggling to recall words and facts. His inability to land an argument against a weak opponent was dispiriting. But the operation by his..."
Incognitim
@HistoPol @squizzleflip @randy
One big thing that Biden has going that NOBODY else does- he's the President.
If he can get a ceasefire in Gaza, or a nuclear deal with Iran, or really any kind of decent October surprise, then that will put the last debate well into the rearview mirror. Especially if the economy (inflation most of all) is trending in a positive direction.
Of course, he'll have to be better on stage, but fortunately that bar is set pretty low now.
HistoPol (#HP) 🥥 🌴
#USpol #BidenDebate #TheEconomist
(1/n)
I agree with you that the photograph is indecent.
However, I have been listening to the US correspondents for years and what I saw there was not what I am accustomed to.
That said, I agree with most of the analysis, though I do not really like the tone, I have to say.
"There is another option. Mr Biden should withdraw from the campaign. That way, the election might refresh the body politic. The virtue of...
Timo
@HistoPol I'm dismayed also because I had someone in the house ranting about it for two days. so far. I have followed The Economist in the past, but this is a permanent black eye for The Economist. The MAGA are pulling out all the stops. Are they behind in the race?
HistoPol (#HP) 🥥 🌴
@timo21
#USpol #BidenDebate #TheEconomist
(2/2)
...democracy is that voters can choose their rulers, but Mr Biden and Mr Trump offer a choice between the incapable and the unspeakable. Americans deserve better."
This is the wrong wording. Biden is not incapable. However, in the debate, he was incapacitated. He was not up to the debate job that night.
ANYONE who who's honest to themselves has to admit that this is not the performance needed for a leader of a superpower.
HistoPol (#HP) 🥥 🌴
(1/n)
Randy, I don't like your tone. Read some of my 50k posts, and you'll see where I stand.
Even though I don't like the picture and the tone either, The non-"fascist right" newspaper The Economist puts it even more bluntly:
https://archive.is/X3pGZ#selection-1223.0-1223.297
And, no, we haven't lost. But chances are increasing that TFG will regain the WH b/c Biden does not put his candidacy to rest.
THIS is what most of the European...
Randy Hall
@kwheaton @HistoPol @hu_logic so, by your reasoning, we've already lost. Your defeatist take is terrible. Your framing is straight from the mouths of the fascist right.
I'm with Laffy on this; if you're going to engage in defeatist circlejerking about Biden, go ahead and drop me from the thread, as my next likely move is muting all of you for being defeatist.
HistoPol (#HP) 🥥 🌴
#USpol #BidenDebate #TheEconomist
(2/n)
... press would agree with, though in other wording:
" The more he is seen as a stubborn old man who leaves the real work to his courtiers, the more he will undermine Americans’ faith in their system of government. Representing America abroad, Mr Biden will project decrepitude—to the delight of China and Russia and the dismay of America’s allies." 1)
It is harsh but in fact,..
HistoPol (#HP) 🥥 🌴
(3/3)
...so few months out from election day, the gloves might need to be taken off.
Oh, and I intend to fight on even after Jan 6, 2025.
//
Kelly Wheaton :warriors:🦫💧🐸📃🥥🌴
@hu_logic @HistoPol @randy no I am mot being played. Just talked to a nurse friend. She suggested he has Parkinsons or something akin to it. My Dad had Parkinsons and it does make sense. The stiff gait, shuffling, mask face, mental acuity decline. My Dad had no shaking, ever. Even though I believe Joe is tethered to reality and Trump is not---appearances mean alot. Joe looks old and frail. He speaks like he added 20 years to his life in the past year. I don't need politicos or media pundits to tell me what I can see with my own eyes.
Lt.Cpl Хуёвый Пчеловод
@kwheaton @HistoPol @randy What was wrong with the interview? Fact that Biden wouldn't commit to an exam that would get picked apart in great detail for the next 4 months? Exam that somehow only Biden is asked to take, no trump?
Congrats, you've been played. NYT has successfully splintered Dem base and we're fucked either way it goes.
Kelly Wheaton :warriors:🦫💧🐸📃🥥🌴
@randy @HistoPol @hu_logic Not at all. Harris takes over the campaign. Joe stays in office until January. We win with an energized party. I'll put Kamala up against Trump any day of the week. Right now its hard to attack Trumps mental decline and lies foe obvious reasons. It is DEFEATIST to say the only way we can win is beating the half-dead horse across the finish line. Excuses or his own lies won't cut it when asked if he is more frail and his answer is no.
HistoPol (#HP) 🥥 🌴
" It is DEFEATIST to say the only way we can win is beating the half-dead horse across the finish line. "
Very true.
There are other, more potentially successful options.
Kelly Wheaton :warriors:🦫💧🐸📃🥥🌴
@HistoPol @hu_logic @randy i hate to agree with me. We owe Joe an eternal debt of gratitude. But our debt is not greater than the risk to the republic, the #democracy. The only blame is on the persons closest to Joe encouraging him to fight. He is not going to improve. This just goes poorly for all.
HistoPol (#HP) 🥥 🌴
@kwheaton
I can't contradict, alas.
HistoPol (#HP) 🥥 🌴
As I differentiated, he now has 2 jobs.
1) President
2) Candidate
But even for 1) you need to be able to debate, many high-level talks are done in long talks.
And YES, Biden has done an AMAZING job so far.
Barney
I don't know that any particular kind of debate performance is needed for the leader of a superpower. He is, in fact, leading a superpower, and he's doing a good job.
Erika Sumner
@kwheaton @HistoPol @hu_logic @randy
It’s heartbreaking & I hope his people transition to encouraging #Biden to preserve his legacy by gracefully stepping aside IN TANDEM w/ quickly & vociferously rallying behind #KamalaHarris. Same goes for all #Democrats & the #DNC. We must accept reality & move forward powerfully.
#election2024
https://www.cnn.com/2024/07/06/opinions/kamala-harris-only-viable-alternative-for-democrats-burton?cid=ios_app
HistoPol (#HP) 🥥 🌴
@ErikaSumner
Agreed.
HistoPol (#HP) 🥥 🌴
In this vein: #EverythingIsConnected:
#MainstreamMedia and #TFG
https://sfba.social/@skykiss/112733531304965410
#CampaignFinance
#CitizensUnitedVsFEC must be neutralized by Congressional legislation.
Ande Jacobson
@PJ_Evans @randy @HistoPol @GottaLaff
Point taken, though he dropped out at the end of March, not January, and the replacement didn't go well.
Nonetheless, we are now in July 2024. The primaries have completed, and Biden has the delegates for the convention at this point based on how the primary voters voted.
I'm with Laffy on this one. I'm not going to argue it anymore either. I'm just going to vote for the Democratic candidates on my ballot this fall as we all should because Project 2025 is the existential threat that faces us if we do not do that.
Kelly Wheaton :warriors:🦫💧🐸📃🥥🌴
@Extra_Special_Carbon @HistoPol @randy that is nonsense. Fear tactics. If he died tomorrow your saying the Democrats couldn't be on the ballot. We could have an open convention and who is selected would be on the ballot.
Kelly Wheaton :warriors:🦫💧🐸📃🥥🌴
@Extra_Special_Carbon @HistoPol @randy if we don't mount a serious forcefully oposition, Trump WILL win. My 100 uear old neighbor is more firceful than Joe. Both in vouce and deed. This is not a media created crisis it is an extisential one created by a failure to face reality.
Extra_Special_Carbon
@kwheaton @HistoPol @randy That opposition had better include President Biden at the head of the ticket, or we wont even have a candidate on the ballot.
Extra_Special_Carbon
@kwheaton @HistoPol @randy That’s the dumbest thing I’ve heard. There is no legal grounds to remove him. The ballots in many states have been set.
Who will challenge him? Shortsighted Democrats that think they know best, that’s who. And they will install Trump doing it.
Kelly Wheaton :warriors:🦫💧🐸📃🥥🌴
@Extra_Special_Carbon @HistoPol @randy He probably can't stay in without significant legal challenges to his competency. Guess what this is WAR, as far as Trump is concerend. They have bought the court, judges---no matter who is running they will pull out all the stops. I will take a competent strong prosecutor any day over a frail old man who won't face realty. This ia going to be a blood bath no matter what. As Democrats we bring marhmallows and tidly winks while the Repyblucans are assembling armies. I would rather fight with the strongest candidate then lead with a frail man who won't even accept that he is. I get your argument and its not a bad one but I just disagree. Joe's strength is in the past. We need someone whose strength is in the future.
Extra_Special_Carbon
@kwheaton @HistoPol @randy Are you guys listening? Biden can’t step down without serious legal challenges that the Republicans are ready to spring on.
Suggesting its a practical option suggests you’re no better than Biden.
HistoPol (#HP) 🥥 🌴
I agree. The American Experiment is NOT thus far derailed. In 2028, however, it would be if the Orange Peril takes office again next January.
If that should happen, one of the Amendments that will be neutralized will be the 22nd, just like in Russia.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twenty-second_Amendment_to_the_United_States_Constitution
Linda
@HistoPol @GreenFire @GottaLaff have to admit I totally agree with you and most of us outside the USA would broadly agree. You’ve articulated it much less clumsy that I do. It is now estimated Trump has a 66% chance of being elected. Trump has a low approval rating, but to counter him it does seem illogical that the Dems have renominated someone with an equally low approval rating. Every gaff Biden makes now will cast doubts in soft Dem voters.
HistoPol (#HP) 🥥 🌴
#Elections2024 #Harris
UPDATE
#KamelaHarris is the most successful (and maybe even mist qualified) #VEEP of the last decades.
The reason why the general public doesn't know this is that the mainstream media hardly ever report on it.
How do I know? Well, I don't follow #USpol for a living, like #PoliticsGirl, but knowing where to look for this kind of information helps a great deal.
After listening to this deep-dive, U2:
HistoPol (#HP) 🥥 🌴
I wrote this 19 days ago.
In a week, events from a decade unfolded.
#Harris has raised a Fortune in no-time, all(?) top Dems have voice support for her.
Things have changed significantly.
There is a reason why it has said #TeamHarrus in my bio, ever since Joe Biden recommended her. 😉
alastair87
@HistoPol@mastodon.social @kwheaton@sfba.social @randy@social.coop I think saying Michelle Obama is "the only person who can do it" because she's the only one currently leading in polls four months out is flawed reasoning and leaning massively into a desirable framing for the Republicans.
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