What is the gravest threat facing America? Do we face foreign invasion? Could China subjugate America? Could Russia? The EU? Canada? (Happy Canada Day, by the way, to those who celebrate. I’ll be celebrating in Ottawa.) The answer is “no” to all of the above. It is an impossibility.
Biden's interview with Nicole Wallace was engaging and informative. Biden is a master of legislation and diplomacy. He tactfully spoke out about SCOTUS. I noticed Biden's kindness, approachability, and professionalism. I didn't notice any 'wandering'. I was not looking for any angle against Biden either. He has my utmost respect, trust, and gratitude. He runs circles around politicians half his age in getting things DONE. The next day his speech on Bidenomics was energetic, effective, and on point. Let's highlight the positive aspects of our President who is rebuilding our country from the bottom up and the middle out, which is what is needed to tun this country around. We need to focus on what Biden IS accomplishing.
Very beautiful, insightful and cogent words here, Lisa. As much as i would prefer to have Gov. Gretchen Whitmer or Gov. Gavin Newsom running for President, whose youth, energy and superlative abilities could absolutely trounce Trump (and any 3rd party candidate), i'd say America would be very lucky to have Joe Biden again as President.
In 2016 and in 2020 i really wanted my favorite old guy, the strongly progressive and visionary Bernie Sanders to win, but for the most part (95% of the time) i've been very happy with Joe & Jill Biden in the White House. Joe has been very inclusive of progressive ideas & policies and yes, as you rightly say, he knows how to get so many things DONE.
I agree with you, Newsom would be awesome and I hope he runs in 2028. Sure looks like he will. I don't care what anyone says, Newsom has done a great job in my state. Would love to see him and his young family in the White House! Maybe Whitmer as a running mate?
If i had a preference, as much as i really admire Newsom (and i was a long-time Californian for 56 years), i'd LOVE to see Gretchen Whitmer sooner than later be our first female president! 🙏✨
The reason that Biden is not stepping down is that Kamala Harris would be crowned as the candidate just like Hillary was, and she would lose. In my opinion, that is the problem.
I feel that Biden isn't stepping down, yet, because we're mid-stream in turning this country around as we come out of a global pandemic, reverse trickle-down economics with Biden's programs, and protect our Democracy from an on-going attempted Fascist-GOP take-over. Our Democracy is on the line. We need to WIN in 2024. Then, I'm sure that Biden has a plan that is up to the level of all the rest of his strategies that have so far saved our country. Thanks.
I agree and I have read comments before that Biden may want to look at another VP candidate but if he is, he better do it fast. That is going to lose Biden votes.
I have no idea why that youtube link # was so long. I watched some of this again, since it is a main topic of "The Warning" today. I see a total contrast (total!) with DJT/GOP's approach to having a conversation. I feel reassured by having sane and caring people on the news and leading our country. I also enjoyed the warmth and the humor. They did shake hands and thank each other twice. Twice! Nicole even made a joke about 'Hotel California'. The interview was clearly over. Biden didn't 'wander' or make a mistake and shame on anyone who is low enough to skip over everything good here and insult our powerful, kind, and wise President of The United States without saying anything positive. Biden did great, given his speech impediment! He is our CHIEF, thankfully. Someone else today commented that Newsom took on Hannity and Biden took on Putin. How True! xo
Agreed. I hope enough voters will too. I do not know what the solution is. But like someone else here said, we'd be lucky to have Biden for a second term.
Lisa, I just saw Nicole’s interview with Joe. What a dear man. We are blessed to have him as our President. Joe Biden is just the right person for this freaking crazy time. He brings a calm, sensible, loving, optimistic, caring sensibility to the Presidency and the country. He doesn’t need to be younger than he is. All is well.
I agree. What happened at the end of that interview was a kind of Rorschach test. I personally didn’t think that there was anything untoward about how the President left the interview. But I can certainly see how others could view it differently and especially people who have a stake in making the President seem “out of it”. I think someone like Steve needs to have a strong word with President Biden and they should do sessions where they work on managing this kind of thing. It’s too important not to have the best people working with Biden and Harris on stage presence, staying on message etc.
It’s not how others see it; it’s how it’s positioned. When anything is made “fake news” it’s jumped on and amplified.
How do we Dems, or DO we counter it? I’ve never worked in politics other than the usual calls/door knocking. Even if I’d done more, today is not even the ‘90s or the Obama campaigns.
I listen to what the young people are saying bc without them we are in deep ----. Yes, they think he’s too old but they think “his people”are doing a good job. If the vote were today, they would vote for him.
I’ve yet to hear anyone speak of VPHarris with confidence or even mention her name for that matter. This is a huge mistake under Biden not to show her strengths bc they are a package deal.
Biden will lose votes if he cannot make strong appearances & whose fault is that? His team for letting him walk out but I can see myself as many of can doing the same damn thing. Give him clear instructions & hold his aids responsible.
Actually, I hear Biden refer to his ticket and the Biden/Harris ticket regularly. And I hear him say things like "Vice President Harris and I beleive . . ." regularly. The White House often sends her out for speeches about democracy, equality, race and social justice. The trick is to get the press to care.
I watched it 3 times because I thought I was missing something. All three times I came up with the same opinion: Biden was finished with the conversation and it seemed to me, so was she.
I’ve been re-running it in my mind having watched on Thurs. I was thinking at the end of the interview “How many times are they going to close?” She was closing but he wanted to stay and talk more, I think. It was an awkward ending since Nicole of course had to go to that ridiculous long commercial at the end just before the 30 second good bye. The President was not about to wait around for that. It was OVER!
U fortunately MAGA will make much ado about "ALL" nothings throughout 2024. We must be on guard ready to defend actions such as this particular gaff by MSNBC and others to cone.
The point IS, as far as I can tell, that Biden isn't afraid of bullies! Period. No matter what our often age and appearance obsessed culture drums up against Biden, he stands up to the toughest challenges and the most vulgar and dangerous people with bravery that is seldom seen. He isn't on an ego trip. He is NOT afraid of Putin, Trump, MAGA, etc. For those people who cannot see this....well, it is frustrating.
I never said the war was “won” yet. It has a long way to go, and many hazards. But Kyiv might have fallen within days or weeks, as many people expected (as I feared myself), were it not for Biden’s achievement in reuniting and putting heart into a NATO that had lost faith in the United States following the disaster that was Trump. Putin’s had some difficulties of late. It was an extremely labile situation to have such a crisis in a country with nuclear arms. I for one was glad that our calm, vastly experienced president and his advisors were on hand in that situation.
The war is extremely dangerous, considering the nuclear possibility, and no one seems interested in getting the shooting stopped. Especially the United States and her vassals.
First of all, Putin started this war, for well-known motives, none of them doing him credit. The other countries in NATO, if I take your meaning correctly, are not “vassals” of the United States. The United States is not deliberately prolonging the war or goading Ukraine into rejecting peace overtures from Putin. Up until just before the invasion, our government attempted to negotiate a withdrawal from Ukrainian borders with Putin. War in Europe involving a nuclear-armed nation is a uniquely dangerous situation, for which experienced and calm reactions are needed as well as a network of diplomatic channels and backchannels. The recent crisis in Russia has just illustrated that.
I saw the tape live. I wished he was not interrupted too many times and I feel the same as you about the walk off. I thought at the time that he was too busy and ran off. I did notice it though.
I watched it as it was occurring and I didn't find it at all off- putting. The interview was over. He wasn't TV savvy enough to know to wait fr the break? So what, he had things to do and places to go..
I too watched the interview and had seen him say earlier to a reporter that he had to go to New York for an interview. I knew it was with Nicole Wallace and I was impressed then as he ran off to a scheduled event. Same when he left that interview. I saw an impressive, busy man and thought good for him.
Yes, and why none of what you and I took away from the interview was mentioned in today's newsletter, rather that he 'wandered', is concerning to me. Disappointing.
I’m very fond of Biden now that he has shepherded this country through the awful quagmire after the orange pustule - BUT I wish there was another candidate that would galvanize all of us democrats for 2024. I’m wondering if STEVE has someone in mind?
First I hope we see 2026 as a Democracy. I am more uncertain about that then I am concerned about any walkoff from Dateline. I see the Ds as the only holders of what we can be.
Biden is now joking about his age (110!) as he should be. He jokes about how he can drone on. He calls out Dark Brandon when needed.
He also accomplishing things no one has in a long time. Infrastructure and onshoring manufacturing. Uniting NATO.
We were not on the Dateline set so we do not know if there were miscues. We do know there was a bag of sand left on a stage where it should have been removed by someone walking the space (Hello Secret Service, having seen their work first hand in other lives, someone wasn’t paying attention)
So yes the advance people need to be better. Yes this needs to be a pitch perfect campaign. Too much is at stake. This year we saw a SCOTUS turning the clock back 70 years. We see Facisim waiting to step in. We need to win and win with no questions
I agree Biden has probably accomplished more in the first two years of his president than any other president in our lifetime. He is old. That’s just a fact. So he’s slow, but he doesn’t seem like he has dementia or anything like that. I wish someone like Josh Shapiro was running. By the time he runs for president I hope we still have a democracy.
I am definitely not an average voter and not really in tune with the political trend. An outlier even. Personally, I see the fire in Biden when big challenges come along and he comes out to say something. When he made comment at the White House on the latest Supreme Court decision for example. He comes out of his cave unfailingly each and every time when the issue he cares about catches fire and he shows the class act. They need to work on showing more of the classic real fired up Biden.
The trouble is that we anplify the MAGA messaging with articles like this and without skipping a beat go on to repeat the next piece of garbage. If we are going to win we need to have the media concentrating on the good stuff that is happening llike job growth, lowered inflation and the infrastructure projects that are starting to happen. The Biden Administration is not a mudslinging admin, it would be unlike Joe Biden, but we can sling a little mud for him. So we should do that instead of taking the time to parrot what the right says and how unfair that is. This route got Trump elected. If you hear something enough, it must be true, Please.
We don’t need mud. The Republicans are giving us everything we need. Just tell what they are doing and what they want to do to you. It is scary and people need to feel it. They say that truth will always prevail, but only if people get a chance to hear it. That’s called communications.
I just want to look at what happened in 2016. The news kept reating all of the awful Trump things, and in spit of that they also ran all of Trump’s rebuttals. This time don’t run the rebuttals.
Steve. You are feeding the beast! If not Biden, who? I admire Gavin Newsom and Chris Murphy and some others but there is too little time and the train has left the station. How Biden left the excellent interview matters far less than what he said while there which was inspiring. He has been a superb president and has guided the country through the mess left by Republicans in their handling of the Pandemic. He has rebuilt the economy, the automatic role of Democrat presidents these days and, in the face of this madness has fostered cooperation with republicans to get major legislation passed like Infrastructure. He has to deal with House Republicans who have now learned there are no checks on their treachery or madness. He has to live with constant insults and attacks but he fights back admirably. All who want to see MAGA buried once and for all have to give 100% support to Biden through this next 17 months.
SCOTUS is just one more example of Republican malfeasance and now the price is being paid through draconian decisions and runaway corruption. They are the ones with lifetime positions just like the dictators we despise. No president has been confronted by a court that has virtually made itself a legislative body.
Instead of attacking and casting shadow on Biden, all that energy needs to employed calling out Republicans in a far more aggressive way. I have been in advertising for 60 years, some of it political. I admire the Lincoln Project. It needs more support. The DNC needs to grow more, aah, teeth. I would suggest a very localized billboard campaign that identifies a local Republican like Tommy Tuber vile , that shows his picture and says, Tommy Tuberville voted against YOU. And show how in not less than 3 or more than 5 examples around abortion, guns, undermining the military, taking credit for infrastructure and let that ad sit there day after day after day calling him out.
Keep hammering at the accomplishments that translate into money in the pockets of Americans and efforts to help the mass of Americans who identify as middle class. Keep calling out Republicans for what they have taken away and always want to take away like healthcare, gun safety, tax breaks for the middle class .
Some of the seeming confusion of Biden stems from his speech impediment as a child. I know about this, having had the same issue. He bumps into a word that doesn’t want to come out and gropes for an alternative. It takes no time at all but does not look sharp. He is very sharp. He has been very good at his job. I would not call him great. I would call him effective in the face of giant obstacles. Yes, he’s 80. Trump is younger, but Trump is made out of cheeseburgers and Diet Coke. I’m 87. It’s not impossible. I’ll go with Biden. Get behind him and PUSH! The country needs it.
Then why are his approval numbers historically low at this point in his presidency? As they have been all along. His team is terrible at messaging, as are democrats in general and always have been. Most people only half pay attention to politics and they hear the loudest voices, which are usually GOP. And he increasingly seems to be slurring his words (I'm not accusing him of drinking or anything), and I don't think it' related to his stuttering. It just makes him sound old, like his dentures are slipping. I live in a blue state and most of my acquaintances are progressives like me, centrist democrats, or dem-leaning independents. Almost to a person. everyone I speak to about 2024 thinks he's too old to run again. It's perception. And all Trump (or DeSantis god forbid) needs is enough people to stay home in the 4 deciding swing states and our democracy is all over. Add in a third-party opponent to siphon away his votes, and Biden almost certainly loses (or wins so narrowly that they could actually steal the election away from him this time). I agree it's too late for another dem to run unless something unforeseen happens. Gavin Newson or Gretchen Whitmer would be fantastic. If Biden loses in 2024, I'm very afraid they'll never have a chance to run in 2028.
Everything you say is right and terrifying. I don’t understand the approval numbers. If somebody was at your door everyday bringing you a Latte, you would think OK. If at the same time somebody was there everyday stealing your newspaper, you’d say WAIT A MINUTE! But that is exactly what is happening and the public does not get it. It is a communications problem and there is likely not time to get it right. The Republicans are tough because they are getting used to having to fight because they have nothing, make that NOTHING else to offer. The Dems are the good guys and the good guys are too rarely tough which is why the country is headed for disaster. If I had a choice I would say Whitmer in a heartbeat, but it is too late. Biden is not too old and he is an excellent president. That’s all you’ve got I am afraid. Thanks for your comment. Bob
Here's the thing: the electorate doesn't care, isn't invested, is guided by how things look, seem. The accomplishments are legion but the pratfall-like behavior is going to be blasted back at the electorate and Biden team as only the superb Reps know how to do. They are very good at it. Very good. I don't have much hope that the Dems are going to start eating red meat; it's not--unfortunately and scarily--not in their DNA. Like Steve, I'm scared.
Of course, they are but only stirring up chaos and sending lies about Biden to the World? Democrats need to play hard ball and get tough! Get some respect!
Bob, yes, this is what I want to yell when I hear people trying to find a new candidate! Since Biden has already declared please get behind him. He is our man and he stands for what we believe in. He is our President who has worked so hard for us, accomplished much, and put up with garbage no other President has encountered. President Biden deserves our backing in this fight for our nation.
You are so right. There is no value in shade. What we need is sunshine. Casting doubt on Biden is counter-productive and maybe lethal. He has given us reason to respect and support him and that is the only path at this point. The Dems are salvation. The Republicans are doom. Simple as that.
Biden, and the administration he assembled and heads, has used executive power -- across the board -- more effectively than ANY in my lifetime, against tremendous headwinds. I’m 65. Perhaps LBJ was every bit as effective, until Vietnam made his re-election untenable. Biden’s age is his Vietnam. If we had an informed and politically intelligent electorate, this would (and should) be no contest. But our electorate is barely informed and seems (not on Substack, but this is a subset) politically unengaged by anything but clickbait. Women’s rights, individual rights no matter sexual orientation and the fate of our democracy are big enough to pull this electorate together, but only if those issues are sold loud, clear and over and over. Selling Biden should be subjunctive to selling a Just and reclaimed Democracy. And while I’m at it, the Democratic Party should include, in its platform, a legislative plan to have a one-to-one number of Supreme Court Justices tied to the number of appellate courts (13) that we have in the U.S. -- if the appellate court number goes up, so does the number of justices, if it goes down, same. And that legislation should include 18-year terms for each justice appointed, with two justices appointed immediately after the presidential election and then two before the next presidential election. How to handle the current lifetime appointments would be a mess, and I’m sure the current court would yell and scream, but we really need to figure a way to ameliorate this particular SCOTUS, because 40 years of rulings like what we’ve seen the past two years will keep us looking over our shoulder to the turn of the next century.
Here, Here. Now what? The Democrats assignment, I’m afraid is to scare the poop out of 100 million people who will crawl to the polls if necessary to get back some control of their lives and their future. At the same time remind everyone who is on their side and who is after everything they’ve got. We are just about at the point where the Only Thing We Have Is Fear!
I cringed too at the end of Nicole Wallace’s interview with President Biden. Is this the best we can do, all accomplishments aside? Dems have a real problem with comms. That’s why The Lincoln Project was so well respected and received. We (Dems) need to hire Hollywood geniuses to sell America on a new story, a vision of the possible, a salute to democracy.
No one is going to run against Biden while he's still in the race, Democrats are too loyal for that. And I will of course crawl a mile over broken glass to vote for him. But it was pretty selfish of him to run again, knowing that a good chunk of even his own party didn't want him to. Compare his speech to a couple of years ago, it sounds like he's slurring his words or his dentures are slipping. All you need are a few thousand people to stay home in each swing state, or vote for a 3rd party candidate, and Trump or DeSantis might very well win. It's horrifying to think about. Dem-leaning democrats and others who are disenchanted with Biden's age might stay home, but would've voted instead for a younger, more dynamic dem.
Biden is another Harry Truman, a President who doesn’t get the respect that he deserves. But the time for niceties and Washington politeness has passed. The Democrats need to get their act together and come out swinging. Name all of those Republicans who vote against new roads etc. and then take credit for them; it’s not just Tommy Tuberville. The media has to step up as well. Trump may give them numbers they want but it’s getting a bit late for them to hide behind a phony cloak of objectivity. It’s very easy to criticize Germans for the rise of Adolf Hitler. Look around American oligarchs, media and corporations jacking up prices and blaming them on inflation. History is looking at you, too.
Inflation was a very real problem. But it was caused by breakdowns in the supply chains more than the government putting money into the economy to survive COVID.
It's dropped by half now. And we still have decent growth and very low unemployment.
This exactly the point. Facts did not matter to Hitler, just his repetition of his lies and a receptive audience. The German nation was in a mess, we are not, except for the talking monkey telling us we are... and for a large part of our country who are afraid of the diversity of America.
So we need to get every breathing qualified voter out to vote against Trump and trust the system that will surround Joe Biden if he is the party choice.
Fact: tfg cannot pick the very best people.... so. Drive me crazy😡😡🤪🤪🤮🤮
Foolishly, "we the people" are looking for a savior, an answer to the prayer for "someone to fix this".
We the people ARE "the calvary".
Media discussions no longer define the enemy we face in our everyday life. It's not Trump or Biden, it's each other. It's our family, friends, co-workers and strangers who no longer value democracy, domestic tranquility, kindness, tolerance or acceptance. We no longer value humanity or dignity.
What if media asked pertinent questions of the current and hopeful crop of candidates relevant to life in America?
How they plan to address the predatory lending practices that led to the student debt crisis.
Or, how "democrats legislating from the bench" explains recent SCOTUS decisions eroding my rights isn't exactly what they vehemently warned us about.
Ask whether they support modernization of infrastructure, immigration, the IRS, and other branches of government. If not, why.
Ask whether they support human rights at home and abroad. Why not?
Ask again and again and again until we see their truth and what they believe is best for all Americans.
Scrutinize their backgrounds and question them on the discrepancies.
We the people deserve a media who interviews candidates for the job, honor and privilege to represent us.
Our failure to afford dignity to human beings living in the United States and beyond is appalling. Perhaps we are selfish, self absorbed and a danger to ourselves.
Ignoring all dignity for others? Everyone is absorbed only in OUR issues!
Working several jobs which will not even cover our expenses, renting because we cannot afford to buy a home, cannot afford to educate our kids satisfactorily, costs of living are out of control, education systems are failing us, health care is out of reach, on and on.
You are scaring me And I am not sure what to do about it. Notably, you were also one of the first people to say that Biden should decline to run in 24. Is Newsome you suggested alternative? What makes you think he can handle the crucible?
We must always reckon with the possibility that we could lose. It’s folly to be overconfident. But the same condition would apply even if Newsom/Whitmer/Shapiro/whatever other younger candidate were slotted in. The disinformation machine would go to straight to work,as it has for Joe Biden and Kamala Harris. But out of this nettle, danger, we pluck this flower, safety - if we don’t give way to fear, do our jobs, and keep our spirits up.
When our youngest president ever ran, he barely defeated a crook. Joe won by some 7 million votes. He's done the best possible job as president; he has a very effective propaganda machine running against him night and day, and even his supporters, like Steve, begin to believe them, in spite of himself.
Joe's team is solid. And I think Kamala could do a good job with their support. Not even George Washington ran the country alone. The Democrats have a good team in the White House; support them, trust them, vote for them. Remember, politics is show business for ugly, old people. You want George Clooney and Julia Roberts? See their latest movie, which, by the way, critics barely liked, but the public loved.
Susan, you may be very right, sorry I mean correct. Endorsements from people the public listen to could be an enormous contribution. It is an advantage I think because not many celebrities are going to stick their necks out for Trump, too much potential downside. Rob Reiner is deep into this and has influence. Excellent place to start!
Thanks, Steve. I was excited that Biden would be on with Nichole. Very quickly I realized we have a problem and my concerns notched up several levels. The reality, for me, was it was a terrible interview. What he said and how he said it. Stumbling around, not completing sentences. Also, for the first time, I realized he really is thinking and acting as if we lived in a time that no longer exists. Wish it did, but for now, it is gone. I also thought his age was showing. Don’t beat me up over that statement, it was my observation at that point in time.
I like Biden, he was exactly what we needed, he has done so many good things. But, when only 38% approve of his handling of the economy, we have a massive communication, perception problem.
When I was working I had to deal with the perception of others a great deal. Many moons ago I was frustrated that what employees thought was not reality. A very wise man told me, that their perception is their truth. His words changed how my team and myself communicated, addressed issues, everything we did and how we did it. Did it always work, nope. You can’t change everyone. But, you have to put it all out there. Let me clarify. I am not a big TV watcher. I do read though. I don’t have the TV on during the day, unless there is an event or Sunday during football season. So, my perception may very well be off and there is more going on than I realize.
Biden is a good man. He really does want the best for this country. My hope is that the majority of voters perceive this and vote accordingly. Otherwise I fear it is game over.
I thought it was a fine interview. And I thought his leaving was absolutely fine, too. He said good bye, shook hands and left... He didn't just "wander off." Good grief!
Keep in mind, it is very unusual for Biden, or any president, to be in a LIVE studio situation. It takes guts for a start. They are usually recorded, then edited and put on the air. His handlers should have told him to sit tight but they didn’t so in the midst of facing into lights and cameras there is no way to know how to get out of there until you figure it out. He did well in the interview. He doesn’t have to complete sentences. Have you listened to Trump’s speech patterns? Biden has the right message every time. Trump hasn’t told the truth in 50 years.
Steve, worried? You ain’t alone. Old? Sure. But Biden has done the job. No serious candidate threatens. Bobby Kennedy’s son is nuts. Charlie Brown running? Peanuts? Charles Darwin’s knock off? Who? Gavin New is old news, he needs a throne somewhere. His state is in chaos. Weather is bad. Homelessness is epidemic. California needs help. Governor Pritzker of Illinois might do better than Governor Adlai Ewing Stevenson.. he and Gov. Chris Christie could corner the heavyweight division. President Trump will be sentenced. Incarceration threatens. Napoleon, move over. Democracy threatened? You bet. Weekly newspapers are toast. Worried? Yes. Frightened. Steve, are you running? Slim and none. Jack Paar and Johnny Carson? How about drafting Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson? She could skip it primaries. AOC ain’t running. Gov. George Elmer Pataki is farming. Ho ho. Dark horse? How dark? Tucker the F-er? The Fox Fix? Fascism is closing in. Mussolini has a granddaughter. Putin is trembling. The born agains are outed. Gov. of Maryland? Wrong color? Gov. of Pennsylvania? Wrong religion. Jack Smith? He’s busy. DeSantis? Never. The Texas Flash? Dark Horse. Jimmy Carter? Too old. Worried about 2024? Sec. Pete B? Cannot spell his last name.
Happy Canada Day, Steve😀 It’s great that you’ll be in Ottawa. I agree with you, defeating Maga is the most important thing. I sincerely hope for all our sakes, it can be done.
I only saw the walk off of Biden that you linked. I say, so what⁉️
He was finished, he is a busy man , he was thru talking, into the next thing . It didn’t look like he was wandering .
ALL WHO WANDER ARE NOT LOST!!
Ridiculous call out
Biden's interview with Nicole Wallace was engaging and informative. Biden is a master of legislation and diplomacy. He tactfully spoke out about SCOTUS. I noticed Biden's kindness, approachability, and professionalism. I didn't notice any 'wandering'. I was not looking for any angle against Biden either. He has my utmost respect, trust, and gratitude. He runs circles around politicians half his age in getting things DONE. The next day his speech on Bidenomics was energetic, effective, and on point. Let's highlight the positive aspects of our President who is rebuilding our country from the bottom up and the middle out, which is what is needed to tun this country around. We need to focus on what Biden IS accomplishing.
Very beautiful, insightful and cogent words here, Lisa. As much as i would prefer to have Gov. Gretchen Whitmer or Gov. Gavin Newsom running for President, whose youth, energy and superlative abilities could absolutely trounce Trump (and any 3rd party candidate), i'd say America would be very lucky to have Joe Biden again as President.
In 2016 and in 2020 i really wanted my favorite old guy, the strongly progressive and visionary Bernie Sanders to win, but for the most part (95% of the time) i've been very happy with Joe & Jill Biden in the White House. Joe has been very inclusive of progressive ideas & policies and yes, as you rightly say, he knows how to get so many things DONE.
I agree with you, Newsom would be awesome and I hope he runs in 2028. Sure looks like he will. I don't care what anyone says, Newsom has done a great job in my state. Would love to see him and his young family in the White House! Maybe Whitmer as a running mate?
If i had a preference, as much as i really admire Newsom (and i was a long-time Californian for 56 years), i'd LOVE to see Gretchen Whitmer sooner than later be our first female president! 🙏✨
"San Francisco Democrat." And I'm a gay Biden voter.
Newsom would redefine "San Francisco Democrat" back to being a good thing, as it should.
The reason that Biden is not stepping down is that Kamala Harris would be crowned as the candidate just like Hillary was, and she would lose. In my opinion, that is the problem.
I feel that Biden isn't stepping down, yet, because we're mid-stream in turning this country around as we come out of a global pandemic, reverse trickle-down economics with Biden's programs, and protect our Democracy from an on-going attempted Fascist-GOP take-over. Our Democracy is on the line. We need to WIN in 2024. Then, I'm sure that Biden has a plan that is up to the level of all the rest of his strategies that have so far saved our country. Thanks.
Right on the mark, Lisa ✨💖
I agree and I have read comments before that Biden may want to look at another VP candidate but if he is, he better do it fast. That is going to lose Biden votes.
I didn’t see the interview. I’m glad that’s how you saw it as I consider you to be an astute observer. I love Joe for what he has given us.
Hi Susan :-) Here's a youtube video of the interview: https://www.google.com/search?q=nicole+wallace+interview+with+joe+biden&sxsrf=AB5stBhy9RssSPFwrzsbP-kIKzg3arqzmw%3A1688242399899&source=hp&ei=34igZJzqNNzB0PEPh7qCyA0&iflsig=AD69kcEAAAAAZKCW745-gI_zDU6V5_62cGArN7BR60vu&ved=0ahUKEwjc1aeEqe7_AhXcIDQIHQedANkQ4dUDCAo&uact=5&oq=nicole+wallace+interview+with+joe+biden&gs_lcp=Cgdnd3Mtd2l6EAM6BwgjEIoFECc6BwguEIoFECc6CwgAEIAEELEDEIMBOgsILhCABBDHARDRAzoRCC4QgAQQsQMQgwEQxwEQ0QM6CwgAEIoFELEDEIMBOgsILhCABBCxAxCDAToFCAAQgAQ6DgguEIMBENQCELEDEIoFOg4ILhCABBCxAxDHARDRAzoOCC4QgAQQsQMQgwEQ5QQ6CwguEIAEEMcBEK8BOgUILhCABDoICC4QgAQQsQM6CAgAEIAEELEDOgsILhCKBRCxAxCDAToRCC4QgwEQxwEQsQMQ0QMQigU6CwguEIMBELEDEIAEOggILhCxAxCABDoLCC4QgAQQsQMQ1AI6DQgAEIAEELEDEIMBEAo6BwgAEIAEEAo6BggAEBYQHlAAWM1zYOl9aABwAHgAgAGKAogBwSSSAQY0LjMzLjKYAQCgAQE&sclient=gws-wiz#fpstate=ive&vld=cid:ae572c50,vid:CmekpMxhFmg
I have no idea why that youtube link # was so long. I watched some of this again, since it is a main topic of "The Warning" today. I see a total contrast (total!) with DJT/GOP's approach to having a conversation. I feel reassured by having sane and caring people on the news and leading our country. I also enjoyed the warmth and the humor. They did shake hands and thank each other twice. Twice! Nicole even made a joke about 'Hotel California'. The interview was clearly over. Biden didn't 'wander' or make a mistake and shame on anyone who is low enough to skip over everything good here and insult our powerful, kind, and wise President of The United States without saying anything positive. Biden did great, given his speech impediment! He is our CHIEF, thankfully. Someone else today commented that Newsom took on Hannity and Biden took on Putin. How True! xo
Very true and well said, Lisa. Your response has inspired me, as I feel the same way.
Agreed. I hope enough voters will too. I do not know what the solution is. But like someone else here said, we'd be lucky to have Biden for a second term.
Lisa, I just saw Nicole’s interview with Joe. What a dear man. We are blessed to have him as our President. Joe Biden is just the right person for this freaking crazy time. He brings a calm, sensible, loving, optimistic, caring sensibility to the Presidency and the country. He doesn’t need to be younger than he is. All is well.
Yes, I found Biden (and Wallace) to be exactly what is needed and has been so sorely missing.
"He brings a calm, sensible, loving, optimistic, caring sensibility to the Presidency and the country." This has real value! xo
For god’s sake YES.
Well said Lisa!!
I agree. What happened at the end of that interview was a kind of Rorschach test. I personally didn’t think that there was anything untoward about how the President left the interview. But I can certainly see how others could view it differently and especially people who have a stake in making the President seem “out of it”. I think someone like Steve needs to have a strong word with President Biden and they should do sessions where they work on managing this kind of thing. It’s too important not to have the best people working with Biden and Harris on stage presence, staying on message etc.
Steve Doesn't think Biden is the best candidate and he tells us that constantly.
He's making claims and arguments that Biden hasn't made.
He is right about one thing- the democrats must defend the President every time the cult party makes an attack against him.
I completely agree. Well said.
It’s not how others see it; it’s how it’s positioned. When anything is made “fake news” it’s jumped on and amplified.
How do we Dems, or DO we counter it? I’ve never worked in politics other than the usual calls/door knocking. Even if I’d done more, today is not even the ‘90s or the Obama campaigns.
I listen to what the young people are saying bc without them we are in deep ----. Yes, they think he’s too old but they think “his people”are doing a good job. If the vote were today, they would vote for him.
I’ve yet to hear anyone speak of VPHarris with confidence or even mention her name for that matter. This is a huge mistake under Biden not to show her strengths bc they are a package deal.
Biden will lose votes if he cannot make strong appearances & whose fault is that? His team for letting him walk out but I can see myself as many of can doing the same damn thing. Give him clear instructions & hold his aids responsible.
Actually, I hear Biden refer to his ticket and the Biden/Harris ticket regularly. And I hear him say things like "Vice President Harris and I beleive . . ." regularly. The White House often sends her out for speeches about democracy, equality, race and social justice. The trick is to get the press to care.
Exactly!! The press does a lot of harm the way it covers politics. I wish they WOULD care more about our Democracy and defend it.
I watched it 3 times because I thought I was missing something. All three times I came up with the same opinion: Biden was finished with the conversation and it seemed to me, so was she.
But they should have cut away, before he started walking.
It struck me after I wrote my comment, that this was a “fail” not on the part of the President, but on the part of the cameraman.
Okay, true.
I’ve been re-running it in my mind having watched on Thurs. I was thinking at the end of the interview “How many times are they going to close?” She was closing but he wanted to stay and talk more, I think. It was an awkward ending since Nicole of course had to go to that ridiculous long commercial at the end just before the 30 second good bye. The President was not about to wait around for that. It was OVER!
Totally agree! Much ado about nothing!
U fortunately MAGA will make much ado about "ALL" nothings throughout 2024. We must be on guard ready to defend actions such as this particular gaff by MSNBC and others to cone.
True, We need to stay on top of the news. The worst of that is I cannot bring myse;lf to watch the crap on Fox!
Gavin Newsom took on Sean Hannity. Joe Biden took on Vladimir Putin. The defense rests.
Right On!
Um... the war in Ukraine isn't over. Don't winners usually get declared when the game is over?
The point IS, as far as I can tell, that Biden isn't afraid of bullies! Period. No matter what our often age and appearance obsessed culture drums up against Biden, he stands up to the toughest challenges and the most vulgar and dangerous people with bravery that is seldom seen. He isn't on an ego trip. He is NOT afraid of Putin, Trump, MAGA, etc. For those people who cannot see this....well, it is frustrating.
Well, this isn't middle school for one.
I never said the war was “won” yet. It has a long way to go, and many hazards. But Kyiv might have fallen within days or weeks, as many people expected (as I feared myself), were it not for Biden’s achievement in reuniting and putting heart into a NATO that had lost faith in the United States following the disaster that was Trump. Putin’s had some difficulties of late. It was an extremely labile situation to have such a crisis in a country with nuclear arms. I for one was glad that our calm, vastly experienced president and his advisors were on hand in that situation.
What exactly is the defense "resting" on here?
The war is extremely dangerous, considering the nuclear possibility, and no one seems interested in getting the shooting stopped. Especially the United States and her vassals.
First of all, Putin started this war, for well-known motives, none of them doing him credit. The other countries in NATO, if I take your meaning correctly, are not “vassals” of the United States. The United States is not deliberately prolonging the war or goading Ukraine into rejecting peace overtures from Putin. Up until just before the invasion, our government attempted to negotiate a withdrawal from Ukrainian borders with Putin. War in Europe involving a nuclear-armed nation is a uniquely dangerous situation, for which experienced and calm reactions are needed as well as a network of diplomatic channels and backchannels. The recent crisis in Russia has just illustrated that.
Are you going to answer my question?
I saw the tape live. I wished he was not interrupted too many times and I feel the same as you about the walk off. I thought at the time that he was too busy and ran off. I did notice it though.
Agree.
I watched it as it was occurring and I didn't find it at all off- putting. The interview was over. He wasn't TV savvy enough to know to wait fr the break? So what, he had things to do and places to go..
I too watched the interview and had seen him say earlier to a reporter that he had to go to New York for an interview. I knew it was with Nicole Wallace and I was impressed then as he ran off to a scheduled event. Same when he left that interview. I saw an impressive, busy man and thought good for him.
Yes, and why none of what you and I took away from the interview was mentioned in today's newsletter, rather that he 'wandered', is concerning to me. Disappointing.
I’m very fond of Biden now that he has shepherded this country through the awful quagmire after the orange pustule - BUT I wish there was another candidate that would galvanize all of us democrats for 2024. I’m wondering if STEVE has someone in mind?
He posted the interview with Newsom…
I wrote mine after yours. Agree.
First I hope we see 2026 as a Democracy. I am more uncertain about that then I am concerned about any walkoff from Dateline. I see the Ds as the only holders of what we can be.
Biden is now joking about his age (110!) as he should be. He jokes about how he can drone on. He calls out Dark Brandon when needed.
He also accomplishing things no one has in a long time. Infrastructure and onshoring manufacturing. Uniting NATO.
We were not on the Dateline set so we do not know if there were miscues. We do know there was a bag of sand left on a stage where it should have been removed by someone walking the space (Hello Secret Service, having seen their work first hand in other lives, someone wasn’t paying attention)
So yes the advance people need to be better. Yes this needs to be a pitch perfect campaign. Too much is at stake. This year we saw a SCOTUS turning the clock back 70 years. We see Facisim waiting to step in. We need to win and win with no questions
I agree Biden has probably accomplished more in the first two years of his president than any other president in our lifetime. He is old. That’s just a fact. So he’s slow, but he doesn’t seem like he has dementia or anything like that. I wish someone like Josh Shapiro was running. By the time he runs for president I hope we still have a democracy.
I am definitely not an average voter and not really in tune with the political trend. An outlier even. Personally, I see the fire in Biden when big challenges come along and he comes out to say something. When he made comment at the White House on the latest Supreme Court decision for example. He comes out of his cave unfailingly each and every time when the issue he cares about catches fire and he shows the class act. They need to work on showing more of the classic real fired up Biden.
The trouble is that we anplify the MAGA messaging with articles like this and without skipping a beat go on to repeat the next piece of garbage. If we are going to win we need to have the media concentrating on the good stuff that is happening llike job growth, lowered inflation and the infrastructure projects that are starting to happen. The Biden Administration is not a mudslinging admin, it would be unlike Joe Biden, but we can sling a little mud for him. So we should do that instead of taking the time to parrot what the right says and how unfair that is. This route got Trump elected. If you hear something enough, it must be true, Please.
We don’t need mud. The Republicans are giving us everything we need. Just tell what they are doing and what they want to do to you. It is scary and people need to feel it. They say that truth will always prevail, but only if people get a chance to hear it. That’s called communications.
I just want to look at what happened in 2016. The news kept reating all of the awful Trump things, and in spit of that they also ran all of Trump’s rebuttals. This time don’t run the rebuttals.
Good point because they know that if his lips are moving he’s lying!
Steve. You are feeding the beast! If not Biden, who? I admire Gavin Newsom and Chris Murphy and some others but there is too little time and the train has left the station. How Biden left the excellent interview matters far less than what he said while there which was inspiring. He has been a superb president and has guided the country through the mess left by Republicans in their handling of the Pandemic. He has rebuilt the economy, the automatic role of Democrat presidents these days and, in the face of this madness has fostered cooperation with republicans to get major legislation passed like Infrastructure. He has to deal with House Republicans who have now learned there are no checks on their treachery or madness. He has to live with constant insults and attacks but he fights back admirably. All who want to see MAGA buried once and for all have to give 100% support to Biden through this next 17 months.
SCOTUS is just one more example of Republican malfeasance and now the price is being paid through draconian decisions and runaway corruption. They are the ones with lifetime positions just like the dictators we despise. No president has been confronted by a court that has virtually made itself a legislative body.
Instead of attacking and casting shadow on Biden, all that energy needs to employed calling out Republicans in a far more aggressive way. I have been in advertising for 60 years, some of it political. I admire the Lincoln Project. It needs more support. The DNC needs to grow more, aah, teeth. I would suggest a very localized billboard campaign that identifies a local Republican like Tommy Tuber vile , that shows his picture and says, Tommy Tuberville voted against YOU. And show how in not less than 3 or more than 5 examples around abortion, guns, undermining the military, taking credit for infrastructure and let that ad sit there day after day after day calling him out.
Keep hammering at the accomplishments that translate into money in the pockets of Americans and efforts to help the mass of Americans who identify as middle class. Keep calling out Republicans for what they have taken away and always want to take away like healthcare, gun safety, tax breaks for the middle class .
Some of the seeming confusion of Biden stems from his speech impediment as a child. I know about this, having had the same issue. He bumps into a word that doesn’t want to come out and gropes for an alternative. It takes no time at all but does not look sharp. He is very sharp. He has been very good at his job. I would not call him great. I would call him effective in the face of giant obstacles. Yes, he’s 80. Trump is younger, but Trump is made out of cheeseburgers and Diet Coke. I’m 87. It’s not impossible. I’ll go with Biden. Get behind him and PUSH! The country needs it.
Well said, Bob! Thank you.
Yes Bob. Well said.
Then why are his approval numbers historically low at this point in his presidency? As they have been all along. His team is terrible at messaging, as are democrats in general and always have been. Most people only half pay attention to politics and they hear the loudest voices, which are usually GOP. And he increasingly seems to be slurring his words (I'm not accusing him of drinking or anything), and I don't think it' related to his stuttering. It just makes him sound old, like his dentures are slipping. I live in a blue state and most of my acquaintances are progressives like me, centrist democrats, or dem-leaning independents. Almost to a person. everyone I speak to about 2024 thinks he's too old to run again. It's perception. And all Trump (or DeSantis god forbid) needs is enough people to stay home in the 4 deciding swing states and our democracy is all over. Add in a third-party opponent to siphon away his votes, and Biden almost certainly loses (or wins so narrowly that they could actually steal the election away from him this time). I agree it's too late for another dem to run unless something unforeseen happens. Gavin Newson or Gretchen Whitmer would be fantastic. If Biden loses in 2024, I'm very afraid they'll never have a chance to run in 2028.
Everything you say is right and terrifying. I don’t understand the approval numbers. If somebody was at your door everyday bringing you a Latte, you would think OK. If at the same time somebody was there everyday stealing your newspaper, you’d say WAIT A MINUTE! But that is exactly what is happening and the public does not get it. It is a communications problem and there is likely not time to get it right. The Republicans are tough because they are getting used to having to fight because they have nothing, make that NOTHING else to offer. The Dems are the good guys and the good guys are too rarely tough which is why the country is headed for disaster. If I had a choice I would say Whitmer in a heartbeat, but it is too late. Biden is not too old and he is an excellent president. That’s all you’ve got I am afraid. Thanks for your comment. Bob
Here's the thing: the electorate doesn't care, isn't invested, is guided by how things look, seem. The accomplishments are legion but the pratfall-like behavior is going to be blasted back at the electorate and Biden team as only the superb Reps know how to do. They are very good at it. Very good. I don't have much hope that the Dems are going to start eating red meat; it's not--unfortunately and scarily--not in their DNA. Like Steve, I'm scared.
The Supreme Court’s power is coming from the very sluggish Congress! The Congress should apply for UNemployment! They are not doing their job!
You mean Republicans in Congress aren’t doing anything, right?
Of course, they are but only stirring up chaos and sending lies about Biden to the World? Democrats need to play hard ball and get tough! Get some respect!
Bob, yes, this is what I want to yell when I hear people trying to find a new candidate! Since Biden has already declared please get behind him. He is our man and he stands for what we believe in. He is our President who has worked so hard for us, accomplished much, and put up with garbage no other President has encountered. President Biden deserves our backing in this fight for our nation.
You are so right. There is no value in shade. What we need is sunshine. Casting doubt on Biden is counter-productive and maybe lethal. He has given us reason to respect and support him and that is the only path at this point. The Dems are salvation. The Republicans are doom. Simple as that.
Biden, and the administration he assembled and heads, has used executive power -- across the board -- more effectively than ANY in my lifetime, against tremendous headwinds. I’m 65. Perhaps LBJ was every bit as effective, until Vietnam made his re-election untenable. Biden’s age is his Vietnam. If we had an informed and politically intelligent electorate, this would (and should) be no contest. But our electorate is barely informed and seems (not on Substack, but this is a subset) politically unengaged by anything but clickbait. Women’s rights, individual rights no matter sexual orientation and the fate of our democracy are big enough to pull this electorate together, but only if those issues are sold loud, clear and over and over. Selling Biden should be subjunctive to selling a Just and reclaimed Democracy. And while I’m at it, the Democratic Party should include, in its platform, a legislative plan to have a one-to-one number of Supreme Court Justices tied to the number of appellate courts (13) that we have in the U.S. -- if the appellate court number goes up, so does the number of justices, if it goes down, same. And that legislation should include 18-year terms for each justice appointed, with two justices appointed immediately after the presidential election and then two before the next presidential election. How to handle the current lifetime appointments would be a mess, and I’m sure the current court would yell and scream, but we really need to figure a way to ameliorate this particular SCOTUS, because 40 years of rulings like what we’ve seen the past two years will keep us looking over our shoulder to the turn of the next century.
I think Liz Cheney answered your question about an informed & politically intelligent citizenry!
Liz Cheney is skilled, capable, and very intelligent woman! However, she is a Republican, loud and strong. And, always will be! Remember that!
Yeah now I know why I stay awake and worry.
Here, Here. Now what? The Democrats assignment, I’m afraid is to scare the poop out of 100 million people who will crawl to the polls if necessary to get back some control of their lives and their future. At the same time remind everyone who is on their side and who is after everything they’ve got. We are just about at the point where the Only Thing We Have Is Fear!
I cringed too at the end of Nicole Wallace’s interview with President Biden. Is this the best we can do, all accomplishments aside? Dems have a real problem with comms. That’s why The Lincoln Project was so well respected and received. We (Dems) need to hire Hollywood geniuses to sell America on a new story, a vision of the possible, a salute to democracy.
Nicolle Wallace
Thank you. I blew it.
And he needs a new press secretary right away
A Democratic primary would be incredibly divisive and expensive. Dance with the one who brung you. I'm sticking with Biden.
No one is going to run against Biden while he's still in the race, Democrats are too loyal for that. And I will of course crawl a mile over broken glass to vote for him. But it was pretty selfish of him to run again, knowing that a good chunk of even his own party didn't want him to. Compare his speech to a couple of years ago, it sounds like he's slurring his words or his dentures are slipping. All you need are a few thousand people to stay home in each swing state, or vote for a 3rd party candidate, and Trump or DeSantis might very well win. It's horrifying to think about. Dem-leaning democrats and others who are disenchanted with Biden's age might stay home, but would've voted instead for a younger, more dynamic dem.
Biden is another Harry Truman, a President who doesn’t get the respect that he deserves. But the time for niceties and Washington politeness has passed. The Democrats need to get their act together and come out swinging. Name all of those Republicans who vote against new roads etc. and then take credit for them; it’s not just Tommy Tuberville. The media has to step up as well. Trump may give them numbers they want but it’s getting a bit late for them to hide behind a phony cloak of objectivity. It’s very easy to criticize Germans for the rise of Adolf Hitler. Look around American oligarchs, media and corporations jacking up prices and blaming them on inflation. History is looking at you, too.
I constantly do this.
Inflation was a very real problem. But it was caused by breakdowns in the supply chains more than the government putting money into the economy to survive COVID.
It's dropped by half now. And we still have decent growth and very low unemployment.
and I argue this constantly with people.
of course, Facts don't matter to MAGA.
This exactly the point. Facts did not matter to Hitler, just his repetition of his lies and a receptive audience. The German nation was in a mess, we are not, except for the talking monkey telling us we are... and for a large part of our country who are afraid of the diversity of America.
So we need to get every breathing qualified voter out to vote against Trump and trust the system that will surround Joe Biden if he is the party choice.
Fact: tfg cannot pick the very best people.... so. Drive me crazy😡😡🤪🤪🤮🤮
Foolishly, "we the people" are looking for a savior, an answer to the prayer for "someone to fix this".
We the people ARE "the calvary".
Media discussions no longer define the enemy we face in our everyday life. It's not Trump or Biden, it's each other. It's our family, friends, co-workers and strangers who no longer value democracy, domestic tranquility, kindness, tolerance or acceptance. We no longer value humanity or dignity.
What if media asked pertinent questions of the current and hopeful crop of candidates relevant to life in America?
How they plan to address the predatory lending practices that led to the student debt crisis.
Or, how "democrats legislating from the bench" explains recent SCOTUS decisions eroding my rights isn't exactly what they vehemently warned us about.
Ask whether they support modernization of infrastructure, immigration, the IRS, and other branches of government. If not, why.
Ask whether they support human rights at home and abroad. Why not?
Ask again and again and again until we see their truth and what they believe is best for all Americans.
Scrutinize their backgrounds and question them on the discrepancies.
We the people deserve a media who interviews candidates for the job, honor and privilege to represent us.
Our failure to afford dignity to human beings living in the United States and beyond is appalling. Perhaps we are selfish, self absorbed and a danger to ourselves.
Ignoring all dignity for others? Everyone is absorbed only in OUR issues!
Working several jobs which will not even cover our expenses, renting because we cannot afford to buy a home, cannot afford to educate our kids satisfactorily, costs of living are out of control, education systems are failing us, health care is out of reach, on and on.
It is a depressing World, out there?
"Their" is "Us".
Amen.
Amen
Am I allowed to enjoy the Biden presidency?
You are scaring me And I am not sure what to do about it. Notably, you were also one of the first people to say that Biden should decline to run in 24. Is Newsome you suggested alternative? What makes you think he can handle the crucible?
It is scary that Trump does have a chance to win in 2024.
I do think Biden is the best chance to defeat him.
We must always reckon with the possibility that we could lose. It’s folly to be overconfident. But the same condition would apply even if Newsom/Whitmer/Shapiro/whatever other younger candidate were slotted in. The disinformation machine would go to straight to work,as it has for Joe Biden and Kamala Harris. But out of this nettle, danger, we pluck this flower, safety - if we don’t give way to fear, do our jobs, and keep our spirits up.
Why does Newsome just not seem appealing on any level to me? It’s visceral.
More why is there no good succession planning in the Party?
Newsome seems to lack Biden's composure.
It’s odd: Newsome projects an image that I’m not sure is who he is.
Is Steve just pointing out what Newsome can do or was this a “good candidate alternative” post?
I feel that Biden could have handled Hannity better than Newsome in that conversation. Biden is understated, but he is wise. He is a class act.
May be. But would Hannity have allowed Biden the space to express his thoughts?
That is why I thought the aggressive Newsom was the right match against the aggressive Hannity
Spell-check: Gavin's last name is Newsom, not "Newsome." I know, we're used to words like handsome, winsome, etc. 🙃
Thanks. It self-populated and I missed it.
Bah! The grass is always greener ...
When our youngest president ever ran, he barely defeated a crook. Joe won by some 7 million votes. He's done the best possible job as president; he has a very effective propaganda machine running against him night and day, and even his supporters, like Steve, begin to believe them, in spite of himself.
Joe's team is solid. And I think Kamala could do a good job with their support. Not even George Washington ran the country alone. The Democrats have a good team in the White House; support them, trust them, vote for them. Remember, politics is show business for ugly, old people. You want George Clooney and Julia Roberts? See their latest movie, which, by the way, critics barely liked, but the public loved.
If politics is show biz for old people maybe have George Clooney and Julia Roberts stand up and speak on behalf of Joe Biden?
Susan, you may be very right, sorry I mean correct. Endorsements from people the public listen to could be an enormous contribution. It is an advantage I think because not many celebrities are going to stick their necks out for Trump, too much potential downside. Rob Reiner is deep into this and has influence. Excellent place to start!
Thanks, Steve. I was excited that Biden would be on with Nichole. Very quickly I realized we have a problem and my concerns notched up several levels. The reality, for me, was it was a terrible interview. What he said and how he said it. Stumbling around, not completing sentences. Also, for the first time, I realized he really is thinking and acting as if we lived in a time that no longer exists. Wish it did, but for now, it is gone. I also thought his age was showing. Don’t beat me up over that statement, it was my observation at that point in time.
I like Biden, he was exactly what we needed, he has done so many good things. But, when only 38% approve of his handling of the economy, we have a massive communication, perception problem.
When I was working I had to deal with the perception of others a great deal. Many moons ago I was frustrated that what employees thought was not reality. A very wise man told me, that their perception is their truth. His words changed how my team and myself communicated, addressed issues, everything we did and how we did it. Did it always work, nope. You can’t change everyone. But, you have to put it all out there. Let me clarify. I am not a big TV watcher. I do read though. I don’t have the TV on during the day, unless there is an event or Sunday during football season. So, my perception may very well be off and there is more going on than I realize.
Biden is a good man. He really does want the best for this country. My hope is that the majority of voters perceive this and vote accordingly. Otherwise I fear it is game over.
I thought it was a fine interview. And I thought his leaving was absolutely fine, too. He said good bye, shook hands and left... He didn't just "wander off." Good grief!
Keep in mind, it is very unusual for Biden, or any president, to be in a LIVE studio situation. It takes guts for a start. They are usually recorded, then edited and put on the air. His handlers should have told him to sit tight but they didn’t so in the midst of facing into lights and cameras there is no way to know how to get out of there until you figure it out. He did well in the interview. He doesn’t have to complete sentences. Have you listened to Trump’s speech patterns? Biden has the right message every time. Trump hasn’t told the truth in 50 years.
I am very worried.
Agree
Steve, worried? You ain’t alone. Old? Sure. But Biden has done the job. No serious candidate threatens. Bobby Kennedy’s son is nuts. Charlie Brown running? Peanuts? Charles Darwin’s knock off? Who? Gavin New is old news, he needs a throne somewhere. His state is in chaos. Weather is bad. Homelessness is epidemic. California needs help. Governor Pritzker of Illinois might do better than Governor Adlai Ewing Stevenson.. he and Gov. Chris Christie could corner the heavyweight division. President Trump will be sentenced. Incarceration threatens. Napoleon, move over. Democracy threatened? You bet. Weekly newspapers are toast. Worried? Yes. Frightened. Steve, are you running? Slim and none. Jack Paar and Johnny Carson? How about drafting Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson? She could skip it primaries. AOC ain’t running. Gov. George Elmer Pataki is farming. Ho ho. Dark horse? How dark? Tucker the F-er? The Fox Fix? Fascism is closing in. Mussolini has a granddaughter. Putin is trembling. The born agains are outed. Gov. of Maryland? Wrong color? Gov. of Pennsylvania? Wrong religion. Jack Smith? He’s busy. DeSantis? Never. The Texas Flash? Dark Horse. Jimmy Carter? Too old. Worried about 2024? Sec. Pete B? Cannot spell his last name.
Let’s run a woman! Gov. R from RI!
Well, that did it for me!😂😂
Happy Canada Day, Steve😀 It’s great that you’ll be in Ottawa. I agree with you, defeating Maga is the most important thing. I sincerely hope for all our sakes, it can be done.
Steve, you are seeding a lot of doubt that Biden can carry this off?