Let the debate begin?

[LDAHL]

The Democrats have quite a problem to solve. Ideally, Biden would step down voluntarily; but that would require a degree of humility and self-sacrifice seldom seen in our upper strata of politics. They could provide a portfolio of financial goodies and prestige jobs to the Biden family by way of incentive, but would need to rely on a fickle media to cover it up or dismiss it as normal practice.

They could try a 25A strategy, or some sort of jiggery-pokery at the convention, but that would be chaotic and embarrassing. And all this will take the focus off Trump and on their own internal struggles, which frustrates their best path to victory.

[Rogar]

While folks were quibbling over the details. Maybe there is hope.

Rep. Mary Peltola (D-Alaska) will not be in attendance for House votes this week, so she can prepare fish for her family.

“This week, Representative Peltola will be in the state putting up fish with family to fill freezers for the winter. Mary’s family—as well as her late husband’s family—relies in part on her for subsistence duties,” her office said in a statement.

[catherine]

While folks were quibbling over the details. Maybe there is hope.

Rep. Mary Peltola (D-Alaska) will not be in attendance for House votes this week, so she can prepare fish for her family.

“This week, Representative Peltola will be in the state putting up fish with family to fill freezers for the winter. Mary’s family—as well as her late husband’s family—relies in part on her for subsistence duties,” her office said in a statement.

Love it.

[LDAHL]

While folks were quibbling over the details. Maybe there is hope.

Rep. Mary Peltola (D-Alaska) will not be in attendance for House votes this week, so she can prepare fish for her family.

“This week, Representative Peltola will be in the state putting up fish with family to fill freezers for the winter. Mary’s family—as well as her late husband’s family—relies in part on her for subsistence duties,” her office said in a statement.

If I was a Democrat, I’d rather gut fish than deal with the President’s mental acuity too.

[gimmethesimplelife]

People in my neighborhood are worried that Trump will win and form an Authoritarian Dictatorship. No one seems to have a grasp on what it truly coming next and this Election is and will be like none other in American history. I don't know what to expect but I am stocking up on pastas on sale and also canned goods on sale. I just don't trust the vibe that society is putting off these days. Rob

[LDAHL]

People in my neighborhood are worried that Trump will win and form an Authoritarian Dictatorship. No one seems to have a grasp on what it truly coming next and this Election is and will be like none other in American history. I don't know what to expect but I am stocking up on pastas on sale and also canned goods on sale. I just don't trust the vibe that society is putting off these days. Rob

How would a newly elected president “form an Authoritarian Dictatorship”? I keep hearing dire warnings about “our democracy” and “existential threats”, but they’re short on practical details about how he would go about overcoming all the obstacles to that we’ve set up since firing George III.

It takes more than a peaked hat and big epaulettes to make a dictator, no matter what vibes you’re feeling.

[iris lilies]

Late yesterday George Clooney delivered a devastating blow to the Biden campaign, saying President Biden is not fit for office.

Three weeks ago Clooney hosted a fundraiser for Joe Biden that brought in $30 million. He is a major player in the Democratic fundraising game.

Nancy Pelosi is coyly advising the president to make his decision soon. She wants him to make a decision about running. She is conveniently ignoring his declarations of two and three days ago. He repeatedly said he’s not stepping down. He’s going to fight he’s going to be the candidate and he’s going to beat Donald Trump.

This is such a wonderful shit show. I am enjoying it except that he’s the leader of the free world and is incompetent which makes everything dangerous because it lacks stability. I’m surprised Wall Street hasn’t had a little blip. instead yesterday it seemed euphoric.

[iris lilies]

I think we'll remain a Constitutional Republic despite Democrats efforts to convert to a pure democracy, and a Supreme Court adhering to constitutional principles rather than the emotional flashpoint du jour is a feature I'd hate to lose.

I'm not up to speed on Project 2025, actually I'd never heard of it prior to yesterday and suspect it's something someone came up with after the Supremes decided that unelected bureaucrats cannot take the legislature's place in creating law. Maybe I'm wrong, I'll have to look a little further into it.

Project 2025 was twittered about and I heard about it on Reddit some weeks ago. Maybe it’s been months. I halfheartedly took a look at it and it’s quite dense, 900 pages. it presents a blueprint for what SOME conservatives would like to see happen to the federal government. Trump may or may not adopt some of it.

I loved what one of the National Review guys said about Trump and his principles, paraphrasing:


Every principal Trump holds is negotiable, but for his one central one which is: Donald Trump Must Win.

[LDAHL]

Late yesterday George Clooney delivered a devastating blow to the Biden campaign, saying President Biden is not fit for office.

Three weeks ago Clooney hosted a fundraiser for Joe Biden that brought in $30 million. He is a major player in the Democratic fundraising game.

Nancy Pelosi is coyly advising the president to make his decision soon. She wants him to make a decision about running. She is conveniently ignoring his declarations of two and three days ago. He repeatedly said he’s not stepping down. He’s going to fight he’s going to be the candidate and he’s going to beat Donald Trump.

This is such a wonderful shit show. I am enjoying it except that he’s the leader of the free world and is incompetent which makes everything dangerous because it lacks stability. I’m surprised Wall Street hasn’t had a little blip. instead yesterday it seemed euphoric.

The Democratic Convention may be the first one worth watching since 1968. Some have pointed out that DNC rules require delegates to vote with the sentiment of the voters that sent them there. If enough of them decide that sentiment has changed since the primaries, we could see some wild floor votes. That, plus some pro-Palestinian demonstrations and Chicago on a hot day should make for excellent theater.

Some of the folks currently insisting they will support the nominee are likely sharpening their knives at the moment.

[Rogar]

Even Paul Krugman, the economic writer for the NYT has turned on him. He'd been praising Biden's economy for months recently. Et Tu Burte? If there is any plan B being planned, I could only hope Harris isn't automatically the default candidate without thinking through the choices, although it's probably the case.