George Washington was great because he repeatedly walked away from political and military power when he could have easily become king, emperor or tyrant. Instead, he set in motion the peaceful transition of power that lasted from 1797 until 2021, when it was bloodied by Donald Trump and a seditious mob of political extremists. It was America’s most shameful day since the attack on Fort Sumter, which marked the official beginning of the Civil War. It will endure as such for as long as the United States exists.
I've said this before to Bill Kristol, so I'll repeat it to you:
Biden will be the 2024 nominee unless he has a medical reason not to be.
Call that stubbornness or political "suicide" if you like. The simple fact is that it is late for this kind of hand-wringing and drama.
Pete Buttigieg, Gavin Newsom, Kamala Harris, etc. etc. etc. are not prepared, and are not preparing, to take the reins of the free world. They were gearing up to have Biden's back to take the fight to MAGA for 2 years, not a week ago. They are not about to stop on a dime and prepare for a Democrat presidential primary now. We've seen how that circus starts and ends.
Rather, we have to ask ourselves if, indeed, we have lost faith in the Biden administration over the last week over these events, of all events. If so, it would be because, bluntly speaking, we have no faith in our leaders, our politics, our system, or the public to weather any kind of storm.
If, on the other hand, we have some faith and confidence in ourselves and our principles, I suggest we man up a little. The enemy has complete, sneering confidence in their own foul principles; we could stand to be at least half as stalwart.
Biden is our leader, and there's a good reason why. Let's not wishcast otherwise, and proceed accordingly.
Strongly disagree. Yes the MAGA world will do all they can against Biden. I also believe that this is when MAGA will be shown for the hollowness and evil they are When the truth emerges and the MAGA lies are exposed Biden will be left standing
Skill and capacity are the determining factors not age. Different people “age” at different rates. Will not buy the age argument
If Biden chooses not to run it is his decision and not being driven out by the MAGA mob
Yes, I believe that Biden’s best days are behind him and that a change is necessary. However the transition won’t be easy. I also believe that only Biden can beat the Republican nominee and if it was Trump all the better. Here’s my plan for Papa Joe, change VP candidates from Harris to Whitmer and turn the keys of the White House over to her after 1.5 to 2.0 years in. Harris hasn’t the chops for prime time and Whitmer is a proven winner and leader. Look at what Michigan did in the last cycle, and it would solidify its electoral votes.
I find it difficult to let go of that large volume of political intelligence because of age. I understand the opposite position, but Biden has done a great job and has brought sanity to most of the country. If he chooses to pass the torch, we have a deep bench to choose from which the primary will display for us all. My hope for now is that he stays healthy. I believe DeSantis will be the republican candidate, not Trump. I don't believe that DeSantis has the national popularity to win the general election, but he will almost certainly win the republican primary. To be sure that Biden wins the media should cease talking about his age. I would also look for us to pick a new VP. As much as I like our current VP, she seems to be hiding under a blanket. Zero press.
It would never have been a good idea for Biden to run again. Now, he can turn “walking away” into a power move.
We don’t need to worry about who is the next person up. That will sort itself. It might even be better that there is no “heir apparent” that needs to survive the pre-campaign media cycle. The only question for Biden is - “when do I tell everyone that I am not running?”
Even before this ridiculous and careless mistake was made public, every time I saw Joe Biden on the tube, I wondered: When will he announce that he is not running? Who is the candidate to replace him? What kind of leader should his replacement be? Will that Obama-like feeling of hope come back? I'm ready for a new generation of leaders carved from stone, polished like chrome, more intelligent than wisdom, and incorruptible like my grandma. But until we find it, I'll stick with Joe.
I agree, President Biden should follow the example of George Washington and step aside. His age and acuity are a problem. He did a marvelous job of repairing our stance with our alliances. However, he has mishandled the withdrawal from Afghanistan and now his mishandling of classified documents is a bridge too far. We need a young blood with new ideas on how to bind the wounds and unite us. I do not know who that person is yet but he or she is out there and needs to step up and serve. We have been on a carousel of scandals for far too long. It is time to get off the ride and get back on solid ground steady our stance and handle the Challenges ahead not the challenges of a scandalous past.
Agree. Someone needs to step up that can handle messaging. Who can be forceful and start fighting back. Unfortunately, that is not our VP and the Dem party is so bad at this. I agree with Robbie on Gavin Newsome. It is time for a new generation and hopefully Biden realizes this.
Steve, I think you've been correct all along and even moreso now. But the scenario from here requires wisdom. This administration has done truly efficient, professional work. It's time to game out how you capitalize and continue that work (possible) while jettisoning (transitioning) the top of that administration to some stranger. I think your buddy Tim Ryan could win a presidential election. I think Gavin Newsome could. I think Josh Shapiro might. But how to move from here to there and with a Vice President who would be pilloried but could logically lay claim to next in line. It's a mess with and without Biden. As you say, it could be a grand final political act and would make Biden one of the "great" presidents, but 50-year political egos walk away with the same logic and grace as Tom Brady.
This would not be the discussion if the justice dept, (Merick Garland) was doing something about 1/6. No matter how egregious, the documents found at Bidens residence, might be, and I doubt that, if those including McCarthy, Jordan, Meadows, MTG, etc., are not held accountable, we will be giving them free reign to do and say whatever it takes to trample Biden and every Democrat holding office. Where is the pressure from the house democratic leadership to push back on these low life, do nothing, lying sacks of ass kissing sycophants?
It's just stunning to consider what occurred Jan 6, 2021, particularly in the context as you've described.
The paradigm, temperature and dynamics are as you've described, but it is all, every bit of it, underscored by the notion of the devastatingly subpar common denominator as the litmus for this country- the utter nondiscerning, anti-intellectual, radically joyfully uninformed miasma in which we find ourselves, exacerbated by side ways morals of media entities and cultivation of cult worship by low information peddlers and purchasers. Were we more enlightened, savvy and aware, none of this would gain traction
I've said this before to Bill Kristol, so I'll repeat it to you:
Biden will be the 2024 nominee unless he has a medical reason not to be.
Call that stubbornness or political "suicide" if you like. The simple fact is that it is late for this kind of hand-wringing and drama.
Pete Buttigieg, Gavin Newsom, Kamala Harris, etc. etc. etc. are not prepared, and are not preparing, to take the reins of the free world. They were gearing up to have Biden's back to take the fight to MAGA for 2 years, not a week ago. They are not about to stop on a dime and prepare for a Democrat presidential primary now. We've seen how that circus starts and ends.
Rather, we have to ask ourselves if, indeed, we have lost faith in the Biden administration over the last week over these events, of all events. If so, it would be because, bluntly speaking, we have no faith in our leaders, our politics, our system, or the public to weather any kind of storm.
If, on the other hand, we have some faith and confidence in ourselves and our principles, I suggest we man up a little. The enemy has complete, sneering confidence in their own foul principles; we could stand to be at least half as stalwart.
Biden is our leader, and there's a good reason why. Let's not wishcast otherwise, and proceed accordingly.
Strongly disagree. Yes the MAGA world will do all they can against Biden. I also believe that this is when MAGA will be shown for the hollowness and evil they are When the truth emerges and the MAGA lies are exposed Biden will be left standing
Skill and capacity are the determining factors not age. Different people “age” at different rates. Will not buy the age argument
If Biden chooses not to run it is his decision and not being driven out by the MAGA mob
Yes, I believe that Biden’s best days are behind him and that a change is necessary. However the transition won’t be easy. I also believe that only Biden can beat the Republican nominee and if it was Trump all the better. Here’s my plan for Papa Joe, change VP candidates from Harris to Whitmer and turn the keys of the White House over to her after 1.5 to 2.0 years in. Harris hasn’t the chops for prime time and Whitmer is a proven winner and leader. Look at what Michigan did in the last cycle, and it would solidify its electoral votes.
Many pluses for such a plan.
Biden has accomplished more great things in the past two years than any President in recent memory.
and kick him to the curb because of some six year old documents?
Why didn't anyone miss them?
I find it difficult to let go of that large volume of political intelligence because of age. I understand the opposite position, but Biden has done a great job and has brought sanity to most of the country. If he chooses to pass the torch, we have a deep bench to choose from which the primary will display for us all. My hope for now is that he stays healthy. I believe DeSantis will be the republican candidate, not Trump. I don't believe that DeSantis has the national popularity to win the general election, but he will almost certainly win the republican primary. To be sure that Biden wins the media should cease talking about his age. I would also look for us to pick a new VP. As much as I like our current VP, she seems to be hiding under a blanket. Zero press.
How bad a security breech can it be if no one notcied the documents in question were missing for six years?
Yes, it's bad to misplace secret documents. But how bad can this be?
Biden certainly wasn't weapondizing them for his own use, unlike a certain someone.
Do you SERIOUSLY think a democratic blood bath over the nomination in 2024 would be a good thing?
You really want Bernie Sanders in the mix again?
Come on, Steve. What the hell are you thinking?
It would never have been a good idea for Biden to run again. Now, he can turn “walking away” into a power move.
We don’t need to worry about who is the next person up. That will sort itself. It might even be better that there is no “heir apparent” that needs to survive the pre-campaign media cycle. The only question for Biden is - “when do I tell everyone that I am not running?”
Joe Biden will do the right thing and step aside for new, younger, more vibrant talent to emerge. Nancy Pelosi’s example produced Hakeem Jeffries.
Even before this ridiculous and careless mistake was made public, every time I saw Joe Biden on the tube, I wondered: When will he announce that he is not running? Who is the candidate to replace him? What kind of leader should his replacement be? Will that Obama-like feeling of hope come back? I'm ready for a new generation of leaders carved from stone, polished like chrome, more intelligent than wisdom, and incorruptible like my grandma. But until we find it, I'll stick with Joe.
As sad and as scared as I am, I must agree with you, Steve. But who? Who can we now look to?
I agree, President Biden should follow the example of George Washington and step aside. His age and acuity are a problem. He did a marvelous job of repairing our stance with our alliances. However, he has mishandled the withdrawal from Afghanistan and now his mishandling of classified documents is a bridge too far. We need a young blood with new ideas on how to bind the wounds and unite us. I do not know who that person is yet but he or she is out there and needs to step up and serve. We have been on a carousel of scandals for far too long. It is time to get off the ride and get back on solid ground steady our stance and handle the Challenges ahead not the challenges of a scandalous past.
Agree. Someone needs to step up that can handle messaging. Who can be forceful and start fighting back. Unfortunately, that is not our VP and the Dem party is so bad at this. I agree with Robbie on Gavin Newsome. It is time for a new generation and hopefully Biden realizes this.
Steve, I think you've been correct all along and even moreso now. But the scenario from here requires wisdom. This administration has done truly efficient, professional work. It's time to game out how you capitalize and continue that work (possible) while jettisoning (transitioning) the top of that administration to some stranger. I think your buddy Tim Ryan could win a presidential election. I think Gavin Newsome could. I think Josh Shapiro might. But how to move from here to there and with a Vice President who would be pilloried but could logically lay claim to next in line. It's a mess with and without Biden. As you say, it could be a grand final political act and would make Biden one of the "great" presidents, but 50-year political egos walk away with the same logic and grace as Tom Brady.
This would not be the discussion if the justice dept, (Merick Garland) was doing something about 1/6. No matter how egregious, the documents found at Bidens residence, might be, and I doubt that, if those including McCarthy, Jordan, Meadows, MTG, etc., are not held accountable, we will be giving them free reign to do and say whatever it takes to trample Biden and every Democrat holding office. Where is the pressure from the house democratic leadership to push back on these low life, do nothing, lying sacks of ass kissing sycophants?
Just the fact that everyone writes off Kamala Harris as a candidate.
Do you think this isn't going to cause a lot of hard and hurt feelings? She has a lot of support within the party.
It's just stunning to consider what occurred Jan 6, 2021, particularly in the context as you've described.
The paradigm, temperature and dynamics are as you've described, but it is all, every bit of it, underscored by the notion of the devastatingly subpar common denominator as the litmus for this country- the utter nondiscerning, anti-intellectual, radically joyfully uninformed miasma in which we find ourselves, exacerbated by side ways morals of media entities and cultivation of cult worship by low information peddlers and purchasers. Were we more enlightened, savvy and aware, none of this would gain traction