President Biden and US politics catchall

[Guy Smiley]

Nah, the Republicans have the numbers but it's still an important move to make...

what with the looming Civil War an all, it's good to get on the front foot and be the first to claim rotten institutions.

[mat the expat]

A Pox on our times it would seem...

[Slick]

He’s fucked if the s’lebs want him gone. I think he’ll go I we the next 2/3 weeks

[Guy Smiley]

He’s fucked if the s’lebs want him gone. I think he’ll go I we the next 2/3 weeks

I hope so... bearing in mind the fucked up idea US politics has about candidates and suitability could throw up a lame duck, surely, as Jon Stewart said last week, the desire and appetite for someone who can speak and shoot straight is there, the US is crying out for someone who can walk without falling, talk without falling and fucking be a decent human being...

who have the Democrats got? Someone who can cut through Trump's bullshit and call it how it is without alienating more than 50% of an electorate that thinks it's god fearing, honest and there to protect against the evils of homersexuals, aliens and commies.

[Slick]

He’s fucked if the s’lebs want him gone. I think he’ll go I we the next 2/3 weeks

I hope so... bearing in mind the fucked up idea US politics has about candidates and suitability could throw up a lame duck, surely, as Jon Stewart said last week, the desire and appetite for someone who can speak and shoot straight is there, the US is crying out for someone who can walk without falling, talk without falling and fucking be a decent human being...

who have the Democrats got? Someone who can cut through Trump's bullshit and call it how it is without alienating more than 50% of an electorate that thinks it's god fearing, honest and there to protect against the evils of homersexuals, aliens and commies.

As the piece I read said, there is no way Clooney does that without Obamas blessing, so it’s got serious.

I guess that Californian guy is the obvious choice

[Tichtheid]

He’s fucked if the s’lebs want him gone. I think he’ll go I we the next 2/3 weeks

I hope so... bearing in mind the fucked up idea US politics has about candidates and suitability could throw up a lame duck, surely, as Jon Stewart said last week, the desire and appetite for someone who can speak and shoot straight is there, the US is crying out for someone who can walk without falling, talk without falling and fucking be a decent human being...

who have the Democrats got? Someone who can cut through Trump's bullshit and call it how it is without alienating more than 50% of an electorate that thinks it's god fearing, honest and there to protect against the evils of homersexuals, aliens and commies.

As the piece I read said, there is no way Clooney does that without Obamas blessing, so it’s got serious.

I guess that Californian guy is the obvious choice

There was a thing I saw last week that showed polls on one Democrat who beats Trump handily, unfortunately Michelle Obama doesn’t want to run.

[Guy Smiley]

unfortunately Michelle Obama doesn’t want to run.

Yeah... she's said it just isn't in her soul.

Shame, she'd nail it. I don't think the US is ready for an AOC tilt and I couldn't deal with her voice. It's going to have to be some white ass dude that fits the machine while promising to be something more.

[troglodiet]

The best 4 options for the Dems imo:

1) Biden goes, Harris takes over as prez, and she runs, with Williamson as her running mate. Harris 2024.

2) Bernie + AOC: Bernie 2024 in a tough race. Chance of it going the wrong way by a fraction of a percent, giving us Orange Vaginabreath.

3) Biden/Harris: as per #2 above.

4) Hillary + Newsom: Clinton by a landslide.


I can't see any other option that could be competitive against the Fascist Nazi.

[Biffer]

The best 4 options for the Dems imo:

1) Biden goes, Harris takes over as prez, and she runs, with Williamson as her running mate. Harris 2024.

2) Bernie + AOC: Bernie 2024 in a tough race. Chance of it going the wrong way by a fraction of a percent, giving us Orange Vaginabreath.

3) Biden/Harris: as per #2 above.

4) Hillary + Newsom: Clinton by a landslide.


I can't see any other option that could be competitive against the Fascist Nazi.

Bernie Sanders? He’s older than Biden!

News on as candidate is also a serious option, as is the governor of Michigan, Gretchen Whitmer.

[Biffer]

Article in the FT pointing out that even if Biden keeps the nomination, and then wins the election, this issue is all that will be talked about for four years

If the past two weeks are any indication, we already know what a second Biden term would look like. Any public appearance will be subjected to forensic examination for gaps in the president’s memory. Any effort to shield him from the public or the press will be met with a ferocious backlash — which could then force him to do even more public appearances, inevitably restarting the hand-wringing over his competence should a slip-up occur. And this for a politician who was gaffe-prone in the best of times.

Policy initiatives will be overshadowed by questions over who is pulling the president’s strings. Calls for regular cognitive and neurological tests will become a regular part of the political discourse. A second presidential term that was already burdened with the political disadvantages that faced Biden’s predecessors will be incalculably more difficult because of questions about his age.
[\quote]

[TedMaul]

The best 4 options for the Dems imo:

1) Biden goes, Harris takes over as prez, and she runs, with Williamson as her running mate. Harris 2024.

2) Bernie + AOC: Bernie 2024 in a tough race. Chance of it going the wrong way by a fraction of a percent, giving us Orange Vaginabreath.

3) Biden/Harris: as per #2 above.

4) Hillary + Newsom: Clinton by a landslide.


I can't see any other option that could be competitive against the Fascist Nazi.

Bernie Sanders? He’s older than Biden!

News on as candidate is also a serious option, as is the governor of Michigan, Gretchen Whitmer.

I placed a bet 4 months ago: 100 quid at 30 to 1 that Hillary is the nominee. Cash out growing daily…

[sockwithaticket]

The best 4 options for the Dems imo:

1) Biden goes, Harris takes over as prez, and she runs, with Williamson as her running mate. Harris 2024.

2) Bernie + AOC: Bernie 2024 in a tough race. Chance of it going the wrong way by a fraction of a percent, giving us Orange Vaginabreath.

3) Biden/Harris: as per #2 above.

4) Hillary + Newsom: Clinton by a landslide.


I can't see any other option that could be competitive against the Fascist Nazi.

It was either News Agents or The Rest Is Politics, but they mentioned that Harris would have to stay involved if Biden's chucked because the whole ticket being scrapped would mean the Dems would have to give back all the money they've already fundraised and start again.

From what little I've seen of him, Newsome seems the only choice from the prominent Dems. I suspect they've been grooming him to run in 2028 anyway.

[Biffer]

The best 4 options for the Dems imo:

1) Biden goes, Harris takes over as prez, and she runs, with Williamson as her running mate. Harris 2024.

2) Bernie + AOC: Bernie 2024 in a tough race. Chance of it going the wrong way by a fraction of a percent, giving us Orange Vaginabreath.

3) Biden/Harris: as per #2 above.

4) Hillary + Newsom: Clinton by a landslide.


I can't see any other option that could be competitive against the Fascist Nazi.

It was either News Agents or The Rest Is Politics, but they mentioned that Harris would have to stay involved if Biden's chucked because the whole ticket being scrapped would mean the Dems would have to give back all the money they've already fundraised and start again.

From what little I've seen of him, Newsome seems the only choice from the prominent Dems. I suspect they've been grooming him to run in 2028 anyway.

I've seen that mentioned as well. They could find some kind of way to transfer the money by setting up a PAC or something but it would be difficult and laborious, but if the candidate was Harris it'd pass through seamlessly.

I get the fear that she's a black woman so there's a substantial subset that would be put off by her, but more and more I reckon that'd be mostly trump voters anyway, and someone eloquent and passionate would reinvigorate the centre ground to the Democrats. I think the vast majority are less susceptible to old prejudices than many think.

[troglodiet]

The best 4 options for the Dems imo:

1) Biden goes, Harris takes over as prez, and she runs, with Williamson as her running mate. Harris 2024.

2) Bernie + AOC: Bernie 2024 in a tough race. Chance of it going the wrong way by a fraction of a percent, giving us Orange Vaginabreath.

3) Biden/Harris: as per #2 above.

4) Hillary + Newsom: Clinton by a landslide.


I can't see any other option that could be competitive against the Fascist Nazi.

It was either News Agents or The Rest Is Politics, but they mentioned that Harris would have to stay involved if Biden's chucked because the whole ticket being scrapped would mean the Dems would have to give back all the money they've already fundraised and start again.

From what little I've seen of him, Newsome seems the only choice from the prominent Dems. I suspect they've been grooming him to run in 2028 anyway.

Interesting about the fundraising rules. I think there are so many rules and regulations that comes into play should Biden bow out, that this saga might be one of the worst political blunders in history.

I don't actually follow politics anymore, not South African nor any other country, especially not the US'S. Politics have become such a shit-show even the jokes about it isn't funny anymore.

My whole post about the possibilities was not really meant to be taken seriously, it was a trolling attempt.

From the bits I've read and saw, Newsom isn't that popular either, apparently California isn't exactly running like a Swiss watch.

But i can't really opine, I'm not really up to date.


Who does the bookies say it's going to be Trumps VP pick?

[sockwithaticket]

The best 4 options for the Dems imo:

1) Biden goes, Harris takes over as prez, and she runs, with Williamson as her running mate. Harris 2024.

2) Bernie + AOC: Bernie 2024 in a tough race. Chance of it going the wrong way by a fraction of a percent, giving us Orange Vaginabreath.

3) Biden/Harris: as per #2 above.

4) Hillary + Newsom: Clinton by a landslide.


I can't see any other option that could be competitive against the Fascist Nazi.

It was either News Agents or The Rest Is Politics, but they mentioned that Harris would have to stay involved if Biden's chucked because the whole ticket being scrapped would mean the Dems would have to give back all the money they've already fundraised and start again.

From what little I've seen of him, Newsome seems the only choice from the prominent Dems. I suspect they've been grooming him to run in 2028 anyway.

I've seen that mentioned as well. They could find some kind of way to transfer the money by setting up a PAC or something but it would be difficult and laborious, but if the candidate was Harris it'd pass through seamlessly.

I get the fear that she's a black woman so there's a substantial subset that would be put off by her, but more and more I reckon that'd be mostly trump voters anyway, and someone eloquent and passionate would reinvigorate the centre ground to the Democrats. I think the vast majority are less susceptible to old prejudices than many think.

I'm no expert, but I get the impression that she's not particularly liked by the democratic establishment - not disliked either, mind - as she's particularly bland and non-commital, so neither aligns that well with the progressives or the centre right of the party. Consensu seems to be that she was largely selected as Biden's running mate in 2020 to be the literal opposite of his 'male, pale & stale' rather than because anyone particularly rates her.

This recent article contains some interesting polling info. 62% of independents thinking she's unlikely to win is definitely a problem. Although that's obviously presented in a vacuum and could actually be better than potential alternates like Newsome or Sanders.

https://www.politico.com/news/2024/06/1 ... l-00162093

[sockwithaticket]

The best 4 options for the Dems imo:

1) Biden goes, Harris takes over as prez, and she runs, with Williamson as her running mate. Harris 2024.

2) Bernie + AOC: Bernie 2024 in a tough race. Chance of it going the wrong way by a fraction of a percent, giving us Orange Vaginabreath.

3) Biden/Harris: as per #2 above.

4) Hillary + Newsom: Clinton by a landslide.


I can't see any other option that could be competitive against the Fascist Nazi.

It was either News Agents or The Rest Is Politics, but they mentioned that Harris would have to stay involved if Biden's chucked because the whole ticket being scrapped would mean the Dems would have to give back all the money they've already fundraised and start again.

From what little I've seen of him, Newsome seems the only choice from the prominent Dems. I suspect they've been grooming him to run in 2028 anyway.

Interesting about the fundraising rules. I think there are so many rules and regulations that comes into play should Biden bow out, that this saga might be one of the worst political blunders in history.

I don't actually follow politics anymore, not South African nor any other country, especially not the US'S. Politics have become such a shit-show even the jokes about it isn't funny anymore.

My whole post about the possibilities was not really meant to be taken seriously, it was a trolling attempt.

From the bits I've read and saw, Newsom isn't that popular either, apparently California isn't exactly running like a Swiss watch.

But i can't really opine, I'm not really up to date.


Who does the bookies say it's going to be Trumps VP pick?

J.D. Vance and Doug Burnum are the front runners apparently. I have no idea who they are.

I didn't think your were particularly serious, just seemed the most appropriate post to piggyback with my tidbit of info.

[Biffer]

It's absolutely unbelievable that in a country the size of the USA there are no better candidates coming to prominence on either side.

[Flockwitt]

There are better candidates... there's a real issue with their system though where the dodery old muckers are installed and don't go anywhere once they've got their hands on the reins.

[Jockaline]

I hope so... bearing in mind the fucked up idea US politics has about candidates and suitability could throw up a lame duck, surely, as Jon Stewart said last week, the desire and appetite for someone who can speak and shoot straight is there, the US is crying out for someone who can walk without falling, talk without falling and fucking be a decent human being...

who have the Democrats got? Someone who can cut through Trump's bullshit and call it how it is without alienating more than 50% of an electorate that thinks it's god fearing, honest and there to protect against the evils of homersexuals, aliens and commies.

As the piece I read said, there is no way Clooney does that without Obamas blessing, so it’s got serious.

I guess that Californian guy is the obvious choice

There was a thing I saw last week that showed polls on one Democrat who beats Trump handily, unfortunately Michelle Obama doesn’t want to run.

Maybe Clooney should offer himself up as a candidate if he's so against Biden.

[Conor]

Whoever becomes the new candidate gets a big boost.

Polling shows currently "x" does not beat Trump misses the massive increase in status the new Dem candidate receives.

[troglodiet]

A post about Biden only, no mention about "the other side" (rare these days):

I really dislike Biden. Or i should say disliked. Because this isn't about politics anymore.

Putting politics and my opinion about him aside, I really feel sorry for him. His family and medical team should not allow him to carry on. He's clearly very unwell. My guess would be Parkinson's.

This is not a statement influenced by politics. It's about feeling for an elderly person.

[JM2K6]

The best 4 options for the Dems imo:

1) Biden goes, Harris takes over as prez, and she runs, with Williamson as her running mate. Harris 2024.

2) Bernie + AOC: Bernie 2024 in a tough race. Chance of it going the wrong way by a fraction of a percent, giving us Orange Vaginabreath.

3) Biden/Harris: as per #2 above.

4) Hillary + Newsom: Clinton by a landslide.


I can't see any other option that could be competitive against the Fascist Nazi.

Bernie Sanders? He’s older than Biden!

News on as candidate is also a serious option, as is the governor of Michigan, Gretchen Whitmer.

I placed a bet 4 months ago: 100 quid at 30 to 1 that Hillary is the nominee. Cash out growing daily…

She's much less popular with the base than she was when she lost to trump the first time round. Why on earth would they expect it to go any better?

[Sandstorm]

Hillary much less popular with the base than she was when she lost to trump the first time round. Why on earth would they expect it to go any better?

Exactly. Plus she's 76 years old. Dems should bin Biden and bring in someone much younger and run that narrative against Old Man Orange.

[troglodiet]

(Re: Hillary Clinton)

She's much less popular with the base than she was when she lost to trump the first time round. Why on earth would they expect it to go any better?

It's not so much that they think she'll do better this time, she might just get the nomination because the Dems in charge are not keen on "involuntary assisted suicide"


[/joke]

[fishfoodie]

Bernie Sanders? He’s older than Biden!

News on as candidate is also a serious option, as is the governor of Michigan, Gretchen Whitmer.

I placed a bet 4 months ago: 100 quid at 30 to 1 that Hillary is the nominee. Cash out growing daily…

She's much less popular with the base than she was when she lost to trump the first time round. Why on earth would they expect it to go any better?

Exactly !

She lost against the traitor before despite all the advantages she had because she was always a shit candidate. Biden & Harris on the other hand beat him like a redheaded step child, & they are now incumbents.

Biden needs to resign, & let Harris become President, & pick her own VP, & then she'll be the incumbent, & all the talk about geriatric candidates flips to the GOP ticket !

[Niegs]

Hillary much less popular with the base than she was when she lost to trump the first time round. Why on earth would they expect it to go any better?

Exactly. Plus she's 76 years old. Dems should bin Biden and bring in someone much younger and run that narrative against Old Man Orange.

Could easily spin it too...

Joe: It's clear I'm too old to lead into the next four years. I endorse this young buck...

Younger, Sharper Orator: Here's a reminder of all the ways that rambling orange pile of blubber you keep saying is better is also too old and senile for it (plus having no plan, his racism, Project 2025 and all his convictions)

[fishfoodie]

Hillary much less popular with the base than she was when she lost to trump the first time round. Why on earth would they expect it to go any better?

Exactly. Plus she's 76 years old. Dems should bin Biden and bring in someone much younger and run that narrative against Old Man Orange.

Could easily spin it too...

Joe: It's clear I'm too old to lead into the next four years. I endorse this young buck...

Younger, Sharper Orator: Here's a reminder of all the ways that rambling orange pile of blubber you keep saying is better is also too old and senile for it (plus having no plan, his racism, Project 2025 and all his convictions)

There's no spinning her facing the same opposition & losing previously. None !

[Niegs]

Sorry, I meant in general with someone younger than all of them.

[Dogbert]

Dear God , They really need to get him to step down. the optics now are truly awful

[Uncle fester]

Article in the FT pointing out that even if Biden keeps the nomination, and then wins the election, this issue is all that will be talked about for four years

If the past two weeks are any indication, we already know what a second Biden term would look like. Any public appearance will be subjected to forensic examination for gaps in the president’s memory. Any effort to shield him from the public or the press will be met with a ferocious backlash — which could then force him to do even more public appearances, inevitably restarting the hand-wringing over his competence should a slip-up occur. And this for a politician who was gaffe-prone in the best of times.

Policy initiatives will be overshadowed by questions over who is pulling the president’s strings. Calls for regular cognitive and neurological tests will become a regular part of the political discourse. A second presidential term that was already burdened with the political disadvantages that faced Biden’s predecessors will be incalculably more difficult because of questions about his age.
[\quote]

This unfortunately.
I think Biden has been a fine public servant and has the nation's best interests at heart but the hard call needs to be made here.

[Enzedder]

Dear God , They really need to get him to step down. the optics now are truly awful

For all that, with his team he is still miles ahead of Trump.

[Kiwias]

For all that, with his team he is still miles ahead of Trump.

This, over and over and over again. It is utterly mind-boggling that 40%+ of Americans support the Orange Buffoon.

[Guy Smiley]

For all that, with his team he is still miles ahead of Trump.

This, over and over and over again. It is utterly mind-boggling that 40%+ of Americans support the Orange Buffoon.

If there's one thing we need to get our heads around regarding politics over the last say, 10 year span. That is that populism is winning and it throws up inconvenient realities for those of us who are probably relatively progressive in our outlook. We are the enemy... progressives are seen by a sizeable chunk of westerners as the cause of their daily problems. It's arrogant of us (as a collective) to assume the 'other side' are simplistic or ill informed, yet many do. Hilary Clinton and her 'deplorables' comment is an example...

what the Left consistently fails to understand or articulate is the need for simple, clear messaging about down to earth, daily problems... lofty concepts like man made climate change forcing mass migrations and food production failures mean jack shit to Otis losing his job down at the John Deere factory.

It's terrifyingly understandable that Trump has such appeal. His rivals have their heads up their own arses.

[petej]

For all that, with his team he is still miles ahead of Trump.

This, over and over and over again. It is utterly mind-boggling that 40%+ of Americans support the Orange Buffoon.

If there's one thing we need to get our heads around regarding politics over the last say, 10 year span. That is that populism is winning and it throws up inconvenient realities for those of us who are probably relatively progressive in our outlook. We are the enemy... progressives are seen by a sizeable chunk of westerners as the cause of their daily problems. It's arrogant of us (as a collective) to assume the 'other side' are simplistic or ill informed, yet many do. Hilary Clinton and her 'deplorables' comment is an example...

what the Left consistently fails to understand or articulate is the need for simple, clear messaging about down to earth, daily problems... lofty concepts like man made climate change forcing mass migrations and food production failures mean jack shit to Otis losing his job down at the John Deere factory.

It's terrifyingly understandable that Trump has such appeal. His rivals have their heads up their own arses.

In the USA and UK in particular no one has done anything about 40 or so years of widening economic inequality. Economic growth means fuck all if all of it is taken by top 1%.

[Blackmac]

For all that, with his team he is still miles ahead of Trump.

This, over and over and over again. It is utterly mind-boggling that 40%+ of Americans support the Orange Buffoon.

If there's one thing we need to get our heads around regarding politics over the last say, 10 year span. That is that populism is winning and it throws up inconvenient realities for those of us who are probably relatively progressive in our outlook. We are the enemy... progressives are seen by a sizeable chunk of westerners as the cause of their daily problems. It's arrogant of us (as a collective) to assume the 'other side' are simplistic or ill informed, yet many do. Hilary Clinton and her 'deplorables' comment is an example...

what the Left consistently fails to understand or articulate is the need for simple, clear messaging about down to earth, daily problems... lofty concepts like man made climate change forcing mass migrations and food production failures mean jack shit to Otis losing his job down at the John Deere factory.

It's terrifyingly understandable that Trump has such appeal. His rivals have their heads up their own arses.

It's much like the ridicule we have seen about the "rise of the far right" in Europe from many media outlets in this country. Instead of looking down at these people they really need to do more to start understanding their concerns as most are nowhere near "far right".

[Tichtheid]

If Trump had made that “Putin” gaffe we’d be shouting that this was proof that he’s not up to the job

[Guy Smiley]

It's much like the ridicule we have seen about the "rise of the far right" in Europe from many media outlets in this country. Instead of looking down at these people they really need to do more to start understanding their concerns as most are nowhere near "far right".

Most angry people are basically afraid. It's an overly simplistic take but perhaps it would help sell a political position to bear that in mind. People like Trump know it... they prey upon it.

The wealth redistribution of the last 40 years is a massive contributor. I dunno how we go about turning that around but we need to, to avoid massive civil unrest and political stagnation.

[Guy Smiley]

If Trump had made that “Putin” gaffe we’d be shouting that this was proof that he’s not up to the job

Yeah, for sure... but as Jon Stewart quipped some time in the last week or so... we've been shouting about Trump's fuckups for the last ten years. It doesn't stop him.

[troglodiet]

Dear God , They really need to get him to step down. the optics now are truly awful

12:13. Sounds like "I was fucking your wife"

[Kiwias]

For all that, with his team he is still miles ahead of Trump.

This, over and over and over again. It is utterly mind-boggling that 40%+ of Americans support the Orange Buffoon.

If there's one thing we need to get our heads around regarding politics over the last say, 10 year span. That is that populism is winning and it throws up inconvenient realities for those of us who are probably relatively progressive in our outlook. We are the enemy... progressives are seen by a sizeable chunk of westerners as the cause of their daily problems. It's arrogant of us (as a collective) to assume the 'other side' are simplistic or ill informed, yet many do. Hilary Clinton and her 'deplorables' comment is an example...

what the Left consistently fails to understand or articulate is the need for simple, clear messaging about down to earth, daily problems... lofty concepts like man made climate change forcing mass migrations and food production failures mean jack shit to Otis losing his job down at the John Deere factory.

It's terrifyingly understandable that Trump has such appeal. His rivals have their heads up their own arses.

I understand all of that and the failure of the Democrats (or more liberal parties) to generate a clear message about what their policies are intended to achieve particularly in the short-term but at the same time, it is strange that genuine improvements in wages, employment, inflation, etc., those issues that are important to your example of Otis at John Deere, are not recognised by the people who actually benefit from them.

That can surely not be down solely to the Dems inability to generate a clear message.

I also get the appeal of a populist demagogue but struggle to understand why that appeal is strong enough to override the negatives of a candidate such as Trump.