Marvin K. Mooney will you please go now.
"The time has come.
The time the time is now.
Just go.
GO!
I don't care how."
Joe Biden won't go. Neither will Dianne Feinstein.
Democratic officeholders, activists, pundits, and gatekeepers are enablers. Democratic voters have moved on, and it is time for the enablers to acknowledge the obvious: Biden and Feinstein are hurting the country and their own policy priorities by hanging on too long. In Hans Christian Anderson's The Emperor's New Clothes, it took a little girl to speak aloud what was apparent to everyone:
“But he hasn’t got anything on."
Dyed-in-the-wool Democrats will follow Biden off the cliff, but the marginal ones necessary for Democrats to avoid a landslide defeat want someone else. Look at the poll: 77% of Independents who lean Democratic want someone other than Biden.
The problem for Biden isn't policy. Republicans call Biden a Communist/Socialist/radical, but he is a centrist Democrat., the sweet spot of moderate bipartisan politics. His job is to communicate competent leadership, and he cannot do that. He now looks and sounds like a figurehead in a job that requires hands-on competence -- his own competence, not the competence of people behind the scenes. A challenger does not need to run as a policy opponent of Biden, and should not. Just be an alternative. Praise Biden. Thank him. Bury him with praise.
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| Josh Shapiro |
You haven't heard of Josh Shapiro? Campaigns can fix that. He isn't a proven presidential winner? He won handily in Pennsylvania. Winning in South Carolina or New Hampshire will show he is presidential material. Winning brings fame and credibility.
Or if not Josh Shapiro, then Gretchen Whitmer. Or Amy Klobuchar. Or Gavin Newsom. Or Jared Polis. Or one of several California U.S. Representatives. But you don't know much about them? Again, campaigns will fix that.
My preference is someone who can win in Pennsylvania. But won't Democrats demand that it is a woman's turn, or a Black person's turn? Some will say that, but most won't. Democrats want a winner and they resent the notion of identity-based turns. Let everyone compete. Biden undermined Justice Jackson by saying he would only pick a Black woman. He should have said he picked her because she was the very best. Uber-progressives and identity-centric Democrats are leaders of the Democratic Party, but they are out of touch with the vast majority of its voters.
Joe Biden thinks no one but him can beat Trump. Any Democrat can beat Trump, so long as the Democrat looks moderate and fully capable. Trump is toxic, except to the 40% of Republicans in thrall to him. Republicans seem bound and determined to nominate the least electable person by sticking with Trump. How self-destructive, Democrats think. And yet Democrats are about to do the same thing.There is a shortage of courage among Democrats to face some instant criticism for voicing aloud the obvious: It is time for Biden to go. Feinstein, too.
Be the little girl.
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29 comments:
I couldn't agree more. I had hoped that Barack Obama's nomination and election would be the start of something new, but no such luck. Ever since his administration, it's as if both parties went out of their way to nominate the least acceptable candidates they could dredge up. There's something seriously wrong with a system that results in a choice between two candidates who are both regarded unfavorably by the majority of the people.
Thank you, Peter, for voicing the obvious so eloquently. Biden has performed, if not magnificently, very well indeed, and now is the time for him to assume the mantle of Senior Statesman, and gracefully step aside for the next generation.
And Dianne Feinstein, for all her good works, is an embarrassment to not only California, but the entire country.
This is more complicated. Three dimensional chess. A few points to consider in no particular order:
Early polls are worthless.
Things could change rapidly if Trump is sidelined.
Biden and his advisors have the best perspective on the political calculation.
His age hasn’t been a problem, except for ageists, so far.
The positive accomplishments are his.
Wisdom and experience do matter.
Yes the bench is good, but he’s the President. He’s proven he can win.
VP can step in no prob. He could resign after the 2026 midterms.
Maybe ANY Democrat could beat Trump, not so much ANY other Republican.
Democratic leadership is united, for once.
None of the bench wants to take on this mess.
We hoped we’d be free of the MAGA nonsense, but not yet. Rock Steady Baby...
My biggest concern is that the COVID campaign gave Biden an advantage in that he didn't have to travel. This time will require more effort.
I thought Elizabeth Warren could have won. If only...
"Do the best you can with what you have" - Teddy Roosevelt
This is ridiculous.
Voters wanted Joe Biden. During the primary, there were many alternatives for the Democratic presidential nominee, including Bernie, Elizabeth, Amy, Eric, Julian, Kamala, Pete, etc. Voters Voted For Joe Biden. People wanted Obama 2.0.
People are just piling on and showing little-to-no appreciation for what Joe Biden has accomplished on our behalf...spoiled, ungrateful, backstabbers. Folks who never supported him have been waiting in the wings to pounce like hungry predators.
If he did step aside, what about Kamala Harris? Will there be a bloodbath among Democrats? How many black, progressive and/or women voters EXPECT Harris to be next?
Joe Biden is low drama. He is the CEO doing his J-O-B, taking care of business like a rational, responsible adult.
Feinstein is different. She is MIA and probably not doing very well. Yes, she should resign gracefully and responsibly today.
Thank you President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden. Thank you for everything that you have accomplished and for saving us from the Great Orange Menace.
Keep on rolling!!!
It’s too bad Biden doesn’t have Peter as an advisor.
To piggyback on Rick's comment from a military point of view: "You go to war with the army you have not the army you might want at a later time." Donald Rumsfeld
Let's not forget we are at war with fascists and extremists masquerading among the ranks of Republicans. The extreme right wing of the party has embraced white separatists, christian nationalists, abortion fanatics and gun nuts. Remember Trump's words: "Stand back and stand by." 2024 will get violent. The midterm elections in 2022 only saw a small picture of what will develop if the millions of AR-15 open carry protestors descend on ballot counting stations in key swing states. True they are a small number but capable of causing considerable disruption.
Trump insists he is the nominee and, at the moment legal trouble not withstanding, he is prevailing. Whether Biden has the chops to take him on again remains to be seen. Biden and the current power structure is the army we have at the moment and it appears the battle is joined. Shall we change generals now, is Peter's question the answer will be known on November 5th, 2024.
Regarding the 2024 election, there’s another factor to consider in the equation. Trump broadened the GOP’s appeal by bringing White nationalists, militia groups and conspiracy theorists into its fold. Let’s say for the sake of argument that Republicans are capable of nominating somebody sane, who doesn’t promote White-wing whackadoodle conspiracies like the “stolen” election or The Great Replacement Theory. Regardless of who the Democratic nominee is, would a Republican stand a chance without the support of Trump's base?
Good points all, Rick!
I was about to suggest that Peter didn’t bother to mention that-last I heard-Biden was ahead of Trump among all voters if the vote were taken that day.
I decided I’d better see if that were still the case sorry, Peter; your position was righteous. Trump's even ahead in that hypothetical case:
“ When asked who they’d support in 2024, 44% said they would “definitely” or “probably” vote for Trump, more than the 38% who said they’d do the same for Biden.” (several pollsters, this from Politico).
I personally think that, in an actual election, people will rally behind Biden. I sure will. And I hope Rick is correct in every way!
Josh Shapiro - yes, a great choice, and someone who can get things done.
Gretchen Whitmer - no
Amy Klobuchar - no
Gavin Newsom - damn no!
Don't Californicate the rest of the US!
I'm glad DeSantis is sinking in the national polls. Let him stay here in Florida to finish his term.
One may not like what DeSantis is doing, but at least he does have the strength and ability to get things done. In 100 days here in Florida, bills were proposed and discussed and 200 were signed and passed into law.
Think hard what the Oregon legislature has accomplished. And yes, I know that the R's have been on walkout yet again to halt things. Before the walkout, how much has Governor Kotek signed into law?
The Democratic candidates should be running already. There's only Biden in the field and unlikely a Democratic candidate will be able to knock him off the nomination.
Yes, they need to keep DeSantis in Florida to finish his fight with Mickey Mouse. And look at all the books he got banned - Black history too! Oregon is undoubtedly green with envy.
Mike; not this Oregonian, and I'm also glad M2inFla decided not to stay and help Oregon.
The USA needs sanity and experience in the White House.
Biden was the man in 2020, and he'll be the man in 2024. I will gladly work/donate to keep him as POTUS and protect democracy.
Agree on both counts. Joe is who I'd want as CEO, Feinstein needs to go.
The militias and other deplorables always vote R.
Florida is ramrodding legislation that will make it a second-rate state. That's not a compliment.
Oregon is purple from laughing so hard at Florida.
Most Americans agree that a person’s legal sex is defined by their biology — not by a private feeling of “gender identity” — according to a Washington Post-KFF poll.
The survey found that most Americans believe that the status of being a man or woman is wholly determined by biology. Fifty-seven percent across the board agree that gender is based on that alone. Just 43 percent believe a person’s sex is determined by a person’s sense of their “gender.”
There is a consensus across all age ranges, including the youngest generation surveyed — those ages 18-34 — where 53 percent agree that sex is based on biology.
The survey also found that most across the board, 77 percent, believe it is “inappropriate” for teachers to discuss transgender identity in public schools with students in kindergarten through third grade. This is a significant admission, given the backlash the Florida received from transgender activists after Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the Parental Rights in Education bill into law.
DeSantis might have gotten more respect if he hadn't presented himself as sent from God to defend us against African American Studies and Mickey Mouse.
DeSantis’ opponents conveniently left out the part about K-3 in their “don’t say gay” propaganda. The mainstream media was right there with them.
Yes, DeSantis has many misinformed critics. Across the political spectrum, D, R, and I, there is much misinformation in place of useful, comprehensive explanation of policy.
I've stated before that it's more useful to actually listen to what elected leaders say in detailed interviews instead of listening or reading to others telling us what a leader said.
One must fully understand the complete story, not just a sound bite or excerpt.
As for Oregonians criticizing Florida and DeSantis, look inward just a bit to how well Oregonians are doing after the Governor Brown trainwreck, and the current Governor Kotek attempts to repair the tracks.
I and others who loved Oregon for decades, finally packed our bags and left for better climes. I'm happy that my tax dollars aren't being wasted on ineffective state and local government.
Yes, Florida does have its share of problems, but for some reason our schools are better, we're attracting 1,000 new residents a day, our budgets are balanced, and problems are being addressed.
Yes, we have conservatives, liberals, and progressives here, but the latter two groups are quite small and getting smaller.
As for Disney...look into the details. The sweetheart deal that Reedy Creek had is being adjusted due to Chapel stepping over the line. The Disney board got rid of Chapel, but some backroom fixing by some execs were uncovered by Iger. We are seeing the fallout.
Don't worry, Disney won't leave Florida or shutdown anything. Rather than Reedy Creek tax themselves and then spend without any state oversight, DeSantis is simply putting on some reigns so Disney doesn't stick their nose in state business and violate the public trust.
We visit Disneyworld frequently, and the national headlines don't seem to affect attendance at all. Yes, there are subtle changes, but Disneyworld has been changing for decades, but mostly for the good. A bit of wokeness did sneak in, though. That's what's behind the sturm and drang.
Chapek, not Chapel...😉
And one other grammatical mistake, but I hope you get the gist.
I'm sure Florida is a fine place for those who can stand the heat and humidity, but it's too bad the governor isn't more concerned about rising sea levels and less obsessed with other people's sexual preferences.
Living below sea level is something that Holland has been doing successfully for centuries. If the Dutch can do it, so can Florida.
Most Americans also want gun control and for women, not lawmakers, to control their own bodies.
You forgot to mention those issues since you're so concerned with what "most Ameicans" want.
Your Disney visits and your taxes are funding both sides of your governor's mission of hate.
Way to go!
“ Living below sea level is something that Holland has been doing successfully for centuries. If the Dutch can do it, so can Florida.”
Not sure about FloriDUH due to the regrettable fact that many of their coastal cities are built at 5+/- feet above mean sea level. Hell, the cities flood WITHOUT sea level rise. A 30 knot wind can generate waves high enough to flood houses, even houses pretty far from the beach. And don’t forget there are so many built on fill, which begin sinking before they’re even finished and occupied.
Also, hurricanes have the strange propensity to raise water levels FAR above coastal neighborhoods.
Mike (and others commenting about DeSantis),
Please keep up.
In 2022, Gov DeSantis signed legislation:
The measure builds upon legislation approved in 2021 that set aside millions of dollars for infrastructure projects and called on the state Department of Environmental Protection to compile flood and sea level rise data for a vulnerability assessment, among other things.
https://wusfnews.wusf.usf.edu/environment/2022-05-28/legislation-help-florida-rising-sea-levels-does-not-address-underlying-cause
There's this thing called Google Search that can help you research.
Seems that some are obsessed with misinformation. Yes, many want to attack, but many, many more are willing to support him here in Florida. His reelection last year was by a large margin.
Like I've stated previously, I and others don't want him to waste his time running for president in 2024.
As for sex matters...he's only trying to protect the young folk from the groomers who don't seem to recall how to raise and protect children.
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