On this one, I don't agree with Steve Schmidt. Biden's legacy over the years is frankly heroic. He shouldn't have run for a second term, but there is no guarantee that things would have gone better for the democrats if he hadn't. His actual political accomplishments during his term were a product of his political skill with congress and have been very good for the country (Infrastructure Bill, Chips and Science Act). These were badly, desperately needed. Steve, sometimes your desire for purity amounts to letting the perfect be the enemy of the good. It would be better for you to focus on the abdication of the Republicans than on bashing Joe Biden.
Mary, Joe Biden failed at Job #1...preventing a second Trump term. Everything else (CHIPS act, IRA, etc) pales by comparison. He just needs to retire to Delaware and write his memoirs. Add to that the gaslighting out of his administration in the last 1.5 years about his fitness for the job and here we are.
No, the Democrats failed at preventing the second trump term. Of course, they were assisted by the outrageous claims and lies by the trump team that too many bought into.........I do agree that Biden is responsible for his own delusional quest for a second term and short changing the process of the DEMS choosing a candidate. Harris may have grown a lot during her years as VP but in the end she simply wasn't a strong enough candidate with her own voice.
Having Putin in his corner helped DT get re-elected and few ppl speak of it. Along w/DT & Co’s constant propaganda, Harris just could not bring it home. CLOSE but not close enough. Add to that the millions of Dems who sat out the election & here we are. I’d like to know what our elected Democrats are doing these days?! Playing cribbage? Why aren’t they making more noise?! You know the R’s would be talking every chance they could get. 🤦♀️
What are the Democrats doing? Watch C-Span if you can. Sen. Murphy, Dem. CT is speaking out forcefully. Who gives him the mic? Jon Stewart., that's who. Where are the networks with their microphones? Where can Democrats find a platform? Go on FOX?
We need new leadership in the Democratic party. The old guard is not able to install confidence or offer an appealing platform or alternative to Trump.
Sara, I agree with you. We need to turn leadership over to men like Senators Murphy and Schiff and Rep. Swalwell; we need women like Sen. Warren and Rep's like A.O.C. and Jayapal to be given the power and status in the Democratic party they have earned.
Steve is overly harsh on Biden. I agree he should step aside; however, as has been stated innumerable times on "The Warning," Biden accomplished a great deal of good during his tenure in office.
And it's all being obliterated -and the some - at warp speed. Biden now adds nothing to the drastic change needed to try to survive and do combat. Likewise his enablers.
Let us also not forget voter suppression on a scale not seen before. If we don’t get a handle on voter suppression we will never see another democrat in the WH after trump 3.0!
Joe Biden failed at protecting us from a second trump term. He governed well but ultimately failed his nation in facilitating the rise of trump 2. Had he followed through on his plans for a single term Presidency, there would have been a Primary and a Candidate who could have carried the popular vote and crushed the domestic terrorist revolt against Democracy and fair elections.
I don't think so. If there were candidates who really wanted to run against Trump, they would have made a primary challenge to Biden. NOBODY wanted to jump into that vipers' pit. Don't blame them. Trump has fed the Kool-Aid to an eagerly violent army that will attack at the least provocation.
Agree, I was about to sign up for the upgrade to my paid subscription, but no, you are going off track Steve. I watched you for years on Nicole Wallace's fantastic show, and I was so impressed, even though, frankly , you two brought us to Sarah Palin, who, one could argue, brought us to this place today. So stop it, stop Biden bashing, it repels me, and I am sure others, who are looking forward.
Instead, let's put our energy and focus into a going-forward collaboration of oldsters and youngsters. Bernie and AOC!
I subscribe to The Warning and will keep my paid subscription as long as I can afford it (I'm a "geriatric" voter, who relies heavily on Social Security), because I think it's good to know what Steve Schmidt's angry about.
By the time Trump is done, Biden will have no legacy other than Trump. Trump will undo all of Biden’s admittedly great work. And he will dredge up all of his family’s ethically questionable dealings.
To be clear, nobody in their 70’s should be running for President. That’s not to say 70’s folks can’t do the job. I’m sure there are many people in the 70’s and 80’s who can be successful as an American President. However viable Joe was when he decided to run, that age is so prone to neurological issues s at any time. Look at thing in the White House now! All the political experience you have won’t save you from decline when your brain has begun its decline. I hope we can agree that 70’s are too old to run and be President. How about someone younger?
“there is no guarantee that things would have gone better for the Democrats if he hadn’t” (run).
While that is true, to believe that the Democrats lost in spite of Joe Biden, rather than because of Joe Biden, stretches credulity. Given his observable decline it’s simply impossible to believe that that decline was unrelated (to some degree) to his resounding defeat. Remember, those accomplishments cited were achieved before the decline.
I admire Biden tremendously but he should have been the transitional president he promised to be in 2020 and he and the DNC should have been actively promoting a new democratic candidate for 2024 - and it should not have been Kamala Harris. I am not sure she would have won as the presidential candidate even if she had started earlier - she was a weak VP to begin with a ran a campaign where she preached to the choir instead of going on Fox and other hostile dem media outlets and actively cultivating non vote instead of concentrating on a handful of undecided voters who made zero difference in the end. With the amount of money she raised she could have done so much more - and different than sending me - a registered democrat, 20 text messages and emails a day asking for yet more money and holding "joyful rallies" where her already committed voters attended.
Democrats continue to be terrible at messaging - and messaging the right people. Three things must be considered going forward:
1) The democratic status quo must change. Schumer is way past his expiration date. He is weak and ineffective. He prefers the status quo over change - and the status quo is the end of The American Experiment.
2) Trump is King of the former Republican Party, now The Cult of Trump. Never before have we faced this kind of challenge. For reasons both inexplicable and predictable, This malignant narcissist who cares for no one but himself has convinced 1/2 of this country that he cares deeply for them. By the time they figure out he always was and remains a liar, it will be too late. He has compromised judges and other elected officials who pledged allegiance to the constitution but have been corrupted from the inside out and see no conflict in the ongoing fealty to a convicted felon.
3) We must remember that 21% of Americans are illiterate - 43 million Americans cannot read, write, or both. When you cannot read or write, Trump's anger is a powerful communication technique. There is no ability to compare, contrast, or think critically. No wonder Trump loves the "uneducated" - they helped to elect him.
And one more:
4) The Democratic Party and its anti-Israel stance must stop. When we allow the media to take the word of Hamas as a legitimate source of information, we have lost the plot. The college campus anti-Jewish riots were allowed in democratic controlled states. While it appear that most American Jews backed Harris, it is sad to think that Trump is (at least presently and publicly) pro-Israel, while Biden and Harris were weak and confused. Harris refused to attend the UN speech by PM Netanyahu. While the line is always "Israel has a right to defend itself" the support ends there. The right to defend means it can never win - only defend. American Jews and Israel know what the calls for cease fires are: a chance for Hamas (Al Queda, Hezbollah, etc) to restock their tunnels with weapons from Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Iran. The Democratic Party used to be the pro-Israel party, now it is dominated by silence or the anti-Israel AOC, Rashida Tlaib and Ilhan Omar. It is an intolerable double standard that must cease as we remake the Democratic Party.
Although I can only guess, but it’s likely the majority of voiced opposition to Israel is actually directed at the Netanyahu regime, Specifically 60k+ innocent Palestinians compared to 1k+ innocent Jews. Both tally’s are atrocious, but one is an atrocity.
The Democratic Party has abandoned the Independents and working class. They have embraced the 1 percenters. The Democratic Party spends all day worried about non-gender bathrooms and defending far-left extremist. I am all for not discriminating against transgender. But allowing a 6 foot 6" biologically born male to compete against girl athletes is just a losing proposition to all parents of little girls. It is what it is.
Bravo. Well said. I think it’s now time to let sleeping dogs lie. I’ll stack Biden’s judgment way ahead of Trump’s given his edicts since Jan 20 and how he’s turned against former allies and friends. We all agree that Biden was getting old, well trump is even more deranged with advanced age. No one feared Biden being in command of the nuclear codes, but I worry about it now as the inept duo is in charge. Steve, please stop. You are consumed by this man and his family. Time to get over it.
Steve, while I might agree with some of what you’re saying, when are you going to write about how this past election was really lost…to VOTER SUPPRESSION! 3 million plus votes were either never counted, thrown off the registration rolls or given provisional ballots that were simply ignored. Kamala Harris would be sitting in the WH today if the Democratic party had been PAYING ATTENTION to VOTER SUPPRESSION! And if we (you) don’t start to address it and recognize it, we will never see a Dem in the WH again after TRUMP 3.0. WAKE UP!
A little strong, Steve. Agreed, Biden and Schumer are not the way forward. Should Biden have withdrawn from race much, much sooner? Yes. Was he enabled by his wife and staff? Yes. Is he the sole reason we are in this mess? No. I hold the sycophantic MAGA voters to just as much account. People who were told repeatedly the house was on fire, but now claim “but we didn’t know it would be this bad. We just voted for change! Who knew Trump would actually follow through with his threats?” Trump is back in power breaking all the dishes because idiots voted for him. Idiots who would have voted that way no matter what candidate the Dems put up.
Unfathomable ignorance, serial liar, sexual predator, convicted fraud artist, Putin stooge - I'm still trying to forgive those Americans who took a long look at all this and said, yes please.
We need 'all hands on deck' - stop fighting in the dugout, and get back on the field to fight (together) the real opposition. If there's no place for some of us, there may not be a place for any of us.
I think you’re being a bit rough on the Bidens, Jill in particular. She has never come across as someone lusting for power, or insincere to me! I’ve always thought that she is very highly regarded.
I have high regard for Dr. Jill Biden. But I recall a photograph of her looking at Kamala at one of their many public appearances, and she could not hide the contempt she had for the Vice President. I have even higher regard for Harris, who took on the task of running for President with just about insurmountable odds, and managed to come very close to beating the most despicable candidate who has ever run for office.
The blame should not go to Joe Biden: the Republicans should shoulder most of it. In the end, they voted for the orange sonofabitch. And the country showed just how racist and misogynistic and indifferent it still is.
I call bullshit. She was Joe's closest adviser, yet failed to be honest with herself, him, and the American people about his ability to run. Hiding this fact for well over a year put us in an adverse position in the election and gave trump the appearance of a truth sayer about Biden's ability to run. That we ceded truth to the biggest liar in American political history is hard to process, yet true. What else, other than a lust for power, could be the possible motivation for such poor judgment with such devastating results?
Hmmm. Could it be Jill loved Joe? And I am wondering how Trump's sorry performance in that debate didn't get the attention Biden's poor performance got? I think it's because Trump's supporters rallied 'round him, the press often sanewashed his remarks and FOX covered up his lies. Biden's party could have closed ranks around him, celebrated his accomplishments for passing bi]partisan bills for infrastructure and rescuing the economy without a single Republican vote.
It's never been a question of love. But as his closest and most trusted advisor, when it comes to the country, our future, and democracy, love HAS to be secondary. She had to be honest and failed to do so. Being honest would have had absolutely nothing to do with love, so another nonsensical excuse. You imply that she had to lie to everyone because she loved him. Both things could have and should have been true: she loves him AND she needed to be honest.
And it also has nothing to do with Biden's many accomplishments. But no one will remember any of that because all of it will be overshadowed by the loss of this country at the hands of trump, hand delivered by Biden twice. That's the tough, harsh reality of the way things work.
And it's also nonsensical to believe the press would not sane wash trump, something they've done non-stop. He has always been graded on a curve, so why would you expect differently? In the debate, trump blustered and bullshitted as always and Biden couldn't put a coherent thought together. If you think otherwise, go watch a few clips of it. Biden failed to make his opening statement and it got worse from there.
Where are ALL the other living past presidents??? Obama? Clinton(s)? Bush? Why are they not banding together and speaking out to fight this monstrous takeover of our government?
YES - this is the question I keep asking!! The Obamas especially are still very highly regarded and popular and when they speak, people listen. They need to be at the very least writing opinion pieces, commenting in podcasts and substacks, issuing statements when Trump does something that is clearly unconstitutional - speak up - our democracy is being destroyed. Everything they worked for and the people they served deserve to hear from them! And the Bushes and Clintons - as former Presidents and First Ladies, they need to be heard from when their country is being destroyed.
I think it's questionable whether people listen to the Obamas. At the time he went on his great tour to scold Black men, I thought the message was tone deaf, and election results bear that out.
They, and Biden, cannot lead us out of this mess. It is those who will govern next, a new generation, who will rise from the ashes. It is hubris on the Biden’s part to think that Joe can fund raise when his own team rarely let him speak in public. He did some good in his day and he should be good with that.
Steve, I was terribly offended by this piece. Let me start by saying that at 74 years old, I was fully aware of the disgraceful Nixon presidency as well as the disgraceful Reagan presidency ( Iran- Contra and ignoring the AIDS crisis) , and the disgraceful W. Bush presidency( ignored the August 2001 PDB warning of impending aviation attack on our country; one month later, 9/11, followed by a war on Iraq , which was wrong, that lasted until Joe Biden ended it. Joe Biden is ranked 14th among Presidents , above Reagan. Jill Biden was an English teacher at a Community college. She was horribly mischaracterized in this piece. Joe Biden did not leave this country in an economic crisis and had no scandals related to his administration. I am a proud Democrat and frankly do not care about favorability polls. As for Schumer, he did what he thought was right. Period. He is not a sycophant or idiot like Mike Johnson. You have badly taken your eye off the ball in this diatribe against Joe Biden. From where I sit, the Republican Party is dead and our democracy is on the brink of collapse. Glad I never had to renounce my party.
Steve, I adore your work, and I also adore Joe Biden. When it comes to Democrats who have given their hearts to country and party, I see a stark disconnect between courageous never-Trumpers (such as yourself) and Democrats. Specifically, the Never Trumpers are still conservatives, and we Dems are still largely liberals — it’s just that we all support democracy, and the MAGAts don’t.
I have never believed that Joe Biden had completely lost his marbles or that his staff was covering for him. If anyone really believed that he couldn’t debate, they would have put a stop to it. (My own suspicion is that he was already suffering from Covid and should have announced that he wasn’t going on that night, and that he’d drop out if he didn’t get well quickly).
I was convinced from the beginning that Biden should not run for a second term, but I don’t believe we can blame ANY Democrat for the second Trump victory. I DO believe that we can blame the now equally feeble Mitch McConnell, who refused to gather the votes to convict Trump in the Senate and bar him from public office. We can also blame the Supreme Court, whose Citizens United and similar decisions allowed Musk to buy the election legally. Most importantly, we can blame the MAGA voters, who didn’t care that the U.S. is now headed by a new Mussolini, or even a Hitler. If those voters wanted Fascism — and I believe they did — NOTHING would have diverted them; the Democrats could have run Jesus and we still would have lost the election.
As another Democratic voter, let me just say that you're seeing what you want to see. It wasn't a bad night or a cold or COVID. If he was sick, they should have postponed. He was old and out of it. And in the end he put his hubris before the party and - even worse - before the country.
Audrey, 8 million DEMOCRATS did not vote in the last presidential election. If they had, Harris would have won. There is plenty of Democrat blaming to go around. Biden and Jill were wrong to run, the Democrat (Harris's) message was all wrong, hence the huge number of Democrats who decided to stay home, and Biden's Democrat inner circle was all wrong for their obvious choices. Only the Democrats are to blame for the most important loss in history up to now.
There are many younger Democrats who are stepping up. If Biden wants to join in, no big fu**ing deal. Ranked 14th among presidents. I was never ashamed to have voted for him,
As one old dude to another, I've been screaming for young blood to replace the dead wood for years. The bummer is we have to suffer Schumer for four more years.
As a gal getting older by the day I know that some of what I had is gone, and I leave the heavy lifting for those younger and more flexible. I still speak my mind, but I also find myself listening more so that I can learn from those in the trenches of building an amazing life, while I'm enjoying mine.
If Joe speaks to donors, it’s okay. That’s all behind-the-scenes, inside-baseball stuff. Just keep him away from the media, out of the view of normal voters and far away from any decision-making.
These people are selling out our country and everyone wants to wait for the midterms that at this rate ARE NEVER FUCKING COMING! Like I said:
“But when a long Train of Abuses and Usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object, evinces a Design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their Right, it is their Duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future Security.“
For those who don’t recognize these words above they are from our Declaration of Independence!
Sorry, I disagree with Steve, this time. Biden left Trump with a great economic record! The stocks were never higher, jobs were at a long time low, he rescued us from a horrible pandemic, he helped people pay off their student loans, he helped to lower the cost of perscription drugs, he passed a bipartisan bill to help our infrastructure, etc. Biden is a human being, and of course he made mistakes along the way-name me anyone who didn't. But, Biden loves this country, and every citizen in it! Can you say the same for Trump, Musk, and MAGA?
In just two months, Trump has destroyed what Biden did to help America and its people! and now we might be heading for a recession! Seniors might loose their Social Security, Medicare, and/or Medicaid. He has destroyed our FBI, they are wiping out all the history of minorities who helped to make America great! He gleefully got rid of the Department of Education. Trump is the total opposite of Biden! Trump is full of hate, and anger! I don't get why he is so angry and hateful towards the US, since his family gained wealth and "prestige" only in America; but the man is out to destroy everything that America stands for! And everyone, except for Trump, Musk, and the ultra-rich, are suffering the consequences!
If Biden wants to be in the wings, to help the Democratic Party, and America and its people, let him! He deserves recognition on being a life long member of Congress. He deserves our respect! Unlike Trump, Musk, and the rest; Biden loves America and its people! Biden will do anything to help us, unlike the MAGA in Congress! Yes, Biden is no longer in the political spotlight; but at least he is willing to continue to help America and the American people, at a time of crisis! Can you say that about any of the other former POTUS's out there?
Your hostility boardering on hatred of Biden is palpable Steve. What's that about? I don't disagree with some of your assessment but your hatred of him is almost obsessive....which tells me about you as much as about him. Just a little hay-wire in my humble opinion!
I think now is the wrong time to hear anything from Joe Biden, and especially any of this campaign strategists. It is time to lean into the new leaders that have stepped forth out of this mess and give them all attention and a microphone.
I am a senior citizen, and I know when it is time to step back and let the next generation take over. I am sorry Biden has not learned this lesson. I am hopeful that the DNC will start putting forward AOC and other younger candidates that can appeal to a broader segment of the populace.
Biden should not have run for a 2nd term. But to blame this on all him is short sighted and unfair. Instead of going after Biden, let's focus on the real troublemakers that are the true cause of Trump winning - Zuck, Elon (all the Tech-Bros), Leonard Leo (how about a post covering him and his creepy beliefs and dark money undermining Democracy?), and white males who would never have voted for a black woman no matter how superior and experienced she is compared to Trump.
Dear Lord. Where is the Democratic Caucus in the Senate? Where is the DNC? Trotting out elderly fellas to represent the Party..when we are already gearing up for midterms and need a reboot..political suicide and a guarantee of a full four years of the GOP. Email and call your Democratic Senators and the DNC. Tell them to give Grampy the hook. (Ok, maybe Joe can attend some dinners for his age cohort and get them to open their wallets.) No big public presence , or the Democratic Party will shatter.
Nor do I necessarily agree with Steve on this one. While there may be plenty of blame to spread around, it's mostly on willfully ignorant voters, Mitch McConnell, Charlie Kirk, a Supreme Court majority of sycophants, a feckless Congress, and... I could go on and on. But I can't agree with Steve's relentless badgering of Biden, the Dems, and legacy media. This just isn't helpful or accurate. Just seems like more gaslighting. I'm not looking for a safe space, just more objectivity.
On this one, I don't agree with Steve Schmidt. Biden's legacy over the years is frankly heroic. He shouldn't have run for a second term, but there is no guarantee that things would have gone better for the democrats if he hadn't. His actual political accomplishments during his term were a product of his political skill with congress and have been very good for the country (Infrastructure Bill, Chips and Science Act). These were badly, desperately needed. Steve, sometimes your desire for purity amounts to letting the perfect be the enemy of the good. It would be better for you to focus on the abdication of the Republicans than on bashing Joe Biden.
Mary, Joe Biden failed at Job #1...preventing a second Trump term. Everything else (CHIPS act, IRA, etc) pales by comparison. He just needs to retire to Delaware and write his memoirs. Add to that the gaslighting out of his administration in the last 1.5 years about his fitness for the job and here we are.
No, the Democrats failed at preventing the second trump term. Of course, they were assisted by the outrageous claims and lies by the trump team that too many bought into.........I do agree that Biden is responsible for his own delusional quest for a second term and short changing the process of the DEMS choosing a candidate. Harris may have grown a lot during her years as VP but in the end she simply wasn't a strong enough candidate with her own voice.
Harris wasn’t “strong enough”?
What do you think - GENDER and RACE had to do with it?
54% of women voters went for Trump.
Harris was better prepared than any presidential candidate in the past!
Having Putin in his corner helped DT get re-elected and few ppl speak of it. Along w/DT & Co’s constant propaganda, Harris just could not bring it home. CLOSE but not close enough. Add to that the millions of Dems who sat out the election & here we are. I’d like to know what our elected Democrats are doing these days?! Playing cribbage? Why aren’t they making more noise?! You know the R’s would be talking every chance they could get. 🤦♀️
What are the Democrats doing? Watch C-Span if you can. Sen. Murphy, Dem. CT is speaking out forcefully. Who gives him the mic? Jon Stewart., that's who. Where are the networks with their microphones? Where can Democrats find a platform? Go on FOX?
We need new leadership in the Democratic party. The old guard is not able to install confidence or offer an appealing platform or alternative to Trump.
Sara, I agree with you. We need to turn leadership over to men like Senators Murphy and Schiff and Rep. Swalwell; we need women like Sen. Warren and Rep's like A.O.C. and Jayapal to be given the power and status in the Democratic party they have earned.
Steve is overly harsh on Biden. I agree he should step aside; however, as has been stated innumerable times on "The Warning," Biden accomplished a great deal of good during his tenure in office.
And it's all being obliterated -and the some - at warp speed. Biden now adds nothing to the drastic change needed to try to survive and do combat. Likewise his enablers.
Let us also not forget voter suppression on a scale not seen before. If we don’t get a handle on voter suppression we will never see another democrat in the WH after trump 3.0!
Agree
Joe Biden failed at protecting us from a second trump term. He governed well but ultimately failed his nation in facilitating the rise of trump 2. Had he followed through on his plans for a single term Presidency, there would have been a Primary and a Candidate who could have carried the popular vote and crushed the domestic terrorist revolt against Democracy and fair elections.
I don't think so. If there were candidates who really wanted to run against Trump, they would have made a primary challenge to Biden. NOBODY wanted to jump into that vipers' pit. Don't blame them. Trump has fed the Kool-Aid to an eagerly violent army that will attack at the least provocation.
He backed down so late THERE WAS NO TIME !
Doesn't prove there was no chance, but he did, maybe unwittingly, sabotage our best hope
No, voters failed us. They were uninformed and got caught up in the lies. And those that didn't vote also failed us.
Yeah, Job #1, Preventing Fascism. All else pales.......
Agree, I was about to sign up for the upgrade to my paid subscription, but no, you are going off track Steve. I watched you for years on Nicole Wallace's fantastic show, and I was so impressed, even though, frankly , you two brought us to Sarah Palin, who, one could argue, brought us to this place today. So stop it, stop Biden bashing, it repels me, and I am sure others, who are looking forward.
Instead, let's put our energy and focus into a going-forward collaboration of oldsters and youngsters. Bernie and AOC!
I subscribe to The Warning and will keep my paid subscription as long as I can afford it (I'm a "geriatric" voter, who relies heavily on Social Security), because I think it's good to know what Steve Schmidt's angry about.
By the time Trump is done, Biden will have no legacy other than Trump. Trump will undo all of Biden’s admittedly great work. And he will dredge up all of his family’s ethically questionable dealings.
But they can't undo roads!
If only they were started.
To be clear, nobody in their 70’s should be running for President. That’s not to say 70’s folks can’t do the job. I’m sure there are many people in the 70’s and 80’s who can be successful as an American President. However viable Joe was when he decided to run, that age is so prone to neurological issues s at any time. Look at thing in the White House now! All the political experience you have won’t save you from decline when your brain has begun its decline. I hope we can agree that 70’s are too old to run and be President. How about someone younger?
“there is no guarantee that things would have gone better for the Democrats if he hadn’t” (run).
While that is true, to believe that the Democrats lost in spite of Joe Biden, rather than because of Joe Biden, stretches credulity. Given his observable decline it’s simply impossible to believe that that decline was unrelated (to some degree) to his resounding defeat. Remember, those accomplishments cited were achieved before the decline.
The Democrats lost the 2024 presidential election because of misogyny and racism....
And $250 million from the Muskrat.
Do you mean to suggest it’s MAGA that’s regarded by majority voters as the true guardian of equality and decorum?😳
I admire Biden tremendously but he should have been the transitional president he promised to be in 2020 and he and the DNC should have been actively promoting a new democratic candidate for 2024 - and it should not have been Kamala Harris. I am not sure she would have won as the presidential candidate even if she had started earlier - she was a weak VP to begin with a ran a campaign where she preached to the choir instead of going on Fox and other hostile dem media outlets and actively cultivating non vote instead of concentrating on a handful of undecided voters who made zero difference in the end. With the amount of money she raised she could have done so much more - and different than sending me - a registered democrat, 20 text messages and emails a day asking for yet more money and holding "joyful rallies" where her already committed voters attended.
Democrats continue to be terrible at messaging - and messaging the right people. Three things must be considered going forward:
1) The democratic status quo must change. Schumer is way past his expiration date. He is weak and ineffective. He prefers the status quo over change - and the status quo is the end of The American Experiment.
2) Trump is King of the former Republican Party, now The Cult of Trump. Never before have we faced this kind of challenge. For reasons both inexplicable and predictable, This malignant narcissist who cares for no one but himself has convinced 1/2 of this country that he cares deeply for them. By the time they figure out he always was and remains a liar, it will be too late. He has compromised judges and other elected officials who pledged allegiance to the constitution but have been corrupted from the inside out and see no conflict in the ongoing fealty to a convicted felon.
3) We must remember that 21% of Americans are illiterate - 43 million Americans cannot read, write, or both. When you cannot read or write, Trump's anger is a powerful communication technique. There is no ability to compare, contrast, or think critically. No wonder Trump loves the "uneducated" - they helped to elect him.
And one more:
4) The Democratic Party and its anti-Israel stance must stop. When we allow the media to take the word of Hamas as a legitimate source of information, we have lost the plot. The college campus anti-Jewish riots were allowed in democratic controlled states. While it appear that most American Jews backed Harris, it is sad to think that Trump is (at least presently and publicly) pro-Israel, while Biden and Harris were weak and confused. Harris refused to attend the UN speech by PM Netanyahu. While the line is always "Israel has a right to defend itself" the support ends there. The right to defend means it can never win - only defend. American Jews and Israel know what the calls for cease fires are: a chance for Hamas (Al Queda, Hezbollah, etc) to restock their tunnels with weapons from Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Iran. The Democratic Party used to be the pro-Israel party, now it is dominated by silence or the anti-Israel AOC, Rashida Tlaib and Ilhan Omar. It is an intolerable double standard that must cease as we remake the Democratic Party.
I agree on all, except # 4.
Although I can only guess, but it’s likely the majority of voiced opposition to Israel is actually directed at the Netanyahu regime, Specifically 60k+ innocent Palestinians compared to 1k+ innocent Jews. Both tally’s are atrocious, but one is an atrocity.
But, 3 outta 4 ain’t bad.
The Democratic Party has abandoned the Independents and working class. They have embraced the 1 percenters. The Democratic Party spends all day worried about non-gender bathrooms and defending far-left extremist. I am all for not discriminating against transgender. But allowing a 6 foot 6" biologically born male to compete against girl athletes is just a losing proposition to all parents of little girls. It is what it is.
Bravo. Well said. I think it’s now time to let sleeping dogs lie. I’ll stack Biden’s judgment way ahead of Trump’s given his edicts since Jan 20 and how he’s turned against former allies and friends. We all agree that Biden was getting old, well trump is even more deranged with advanced age. No one feared Biden being in command of the nuclear codes, but I worry about it now as the inept duo is in charge. Steve, please stop. You are consumed by this man and his family. Time to get over it.
Steve, while I might agree with some of what you’re saying, when are you going to write about how this past election was really lost…to VOTER SUPPRESSION! 3 million plus votes were either never counted, thrown off the registration rolls or given provisional ballots that were simply ignored. Kamala Harris would be sitting in the WH today if the Democratic party had been PAYING ATTENTION to VOTER SUPPRESSION! And if we (you) don’t start to address it and recognize it, we will never see a Dem in the WH again after TRUMP 3.0. WAKE UP!
Totally agree with you.
A little strong, Steve. Agreed, Biden and Schumer are not the way forward. Should Biden have withdrawn from race much, much sooner? Yes. Was he enabled by his wife and staff? Yes. Is he the sole reason we are in this mess? No. I hold the sycophantic MAGA voters to just as much account. People who were told repeatedly the house was on fire, but now claim “but we didn’t know it would be this bad. We just voted for change! Who knew Trump would actually follow through with his threats?” Trump is back in power breaking all the dishes because idiots voted for him. Idiots who would have voted that way no matter what candidate the Dems put up.
Unfathomable ignorance, serial liar, sexual predator, convicted fraud artist, Putin stooge - I'm still trying to forgive those Americans who took a long look at all this and said, yes please.
Not forgivable.
And voter suppression in swing states is a huge problem that must be solved if we are to win national elections.
Oh there are soooo many issues
Yeah, like the 50% of Democratic voters who are too lazy to vote I bet they too have regrets today..
Agreed! Anyone who for a minute plays innocent about not knowing a liar would continue to be a liar is just an idiot.
We need 'all hands on deck' - stop fighting in the dugout, and get back on the field to fight (together) the real opposition. If there's no place for some of us, there may not be a place for any of us.
I think you’re being a bit rough on the Bidens, Jill in particular. She has never come across as someone lusting for power, or insincere to me! I’ve always thought that she is very highly regarded.
Pat
I have high regard for Dr. Jill Biden. But I recall a photograph of her looking at Kamala at one of their many public appearances, and she could not hide the contempt she had for the Vice President. I have even higher regard for Harris, who took on the task of running for President with just about insurmountable odds, and managed to come very close to beating the most despicable candidate who has ever run for office.
The blame should not go to Joe Biden: the Republicans should shoulder most of it. In the end, they voted for the orange sonofabitch. And the country showed just how racist and misogynistic and indifferent it still is.
To say Jill Biden lusts for power makes me doubt your judgement Steve. It's like you have ben infected with MAGA venom.
I call bullshit. She was Joe's closest adviser, yet failed to be honest with herself, him, and the American people about his ability to run. Hiding this fact for well over a year put us in an adverse position in the election and gave trump the appearance of a truth sayer about Biden's ability to run. That we ceded truth to the biggest liar in American political history is hard to process, yet true. What else, other than a lust for power, could be the possible motivation for such poor judgment with such devastating results?
Hmmm. Could it be Jill loved Joe? And I am wondering how Trump's sorry performance in that debate didn't get the attention Biden's poor performance got? I think it's because Trump's supporters rallied 'round him, the press often sanewashed his remarks and FOX covered up his lies. Biden's party could have closed ranks around him, celebrated his accomplishments for passing bi]partisan bills for infrastructure and rescuing the economy without a single Republican vote.
It's never been a question of love. But as his closest and most trusted advisor, when it comes to the country, our future, and democracy, love HAS to be secondary. She had to be honest and failed to do so. Being honest would have had absolutely nothing to do with love, so another nonsensical excuse. You imply that she had to lie to everyone because she loved him. Both things could have and should have been true: she loves him AND she needed to be honest.
And it also has nothing to do with Biden's many accomplishments. But no one will remember any of that because all of it will be overshadowed by the loss of this country at the hands of trump, hand delivered by Biden twice. That's the tough, harsh reality of the way things work.
And it's also nonsensical to believe the press would not sane wash trump, something they've done non-stop. He has always been graded on a curve, so why would you expect differently? In the debate, trump blustered and bullshitted as always and Biden couldn't put a coherent thought together. If you think otherwise, go watch a few clips of it. Biden failed to make his opening statement and it got worse from there.
I agree with him about Jill.
Where are ALL the other living past presidents??? Obama? Clinton(s)? Bush? Why are they not banding together and speaking out to fight this monstrous takeover of our government?
YES - this is the question I keep asking!! The Obamas especially are still very highly regarded and popular and when they speak, people listen. They need to be at the very least writing opinion pieces, commenting in podcasts and substacks, issuing statements when Trump does something that is clearly unconstitutional - speak up - our democracy is being destroyed. Everything they worked for and the people they served deserve to hear from them! And the Bushes and Clintons - as former Presidents and First Ladies, they need to be heard from when their country is being destroyed.
EXACTLY!
I think it's questionable whether people listen to the Obamas. At the time he went on his great tour to scold Black men, I thought the message was tone deaf, and election results bear that out.
They, and Biden, cannot lead us out of this mess. It is those who will govern next, a new generation, who will rise from the ashes. It is hubris on the Biden’s part to think that Joe can fund raise when his own team rarely let him speak in public. He did some good in his day and he should be good with that.
Exact - where are they? Crickets!
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Steve, I was terribly offended by this piece. Let me start by saying that at 74 years old, I was fully aware of the disgraceful Nixon presidency as well as the disgraceful Reagan presidency ( Iran- Contra and ignoring the AIDS crisis) , and the disgraceful W. Bush presidency( ignored the August 2001 PDB warning of impending aviation attack on our country; one month later, 9/11, followed by a war on Iraq , which was wrong, that lasted until Joe Biden ended it. Joe Biden is ranked 14th among Presidents , above Reagan. Jill Biden was an English teacher at a Community college. She was horribly mischaracterized in this piece. Joe Biden did not leave this country in an economic crisis and had no scandals related to his administration. I am a proud Democrat and frankly do not care about favorability polls. As for Schumer, he did what he thought was right. Period. He is not a sycophant or idiot like Mike Johnson. You have badly taken your eye off the ball in this diatribe against Joe Biden. From where I sit, the Republican Party is dead and our democracy is on the brink of collapse. Glad I never had to renounce my party.
I feel the same way, Sharon!
Well said, Sharon!
I am offended too Sharon. Thank you!
Yes Sharon!
Steve, I adore your work, and I also adore Joe Biden. When it comes to Democrats who have given their hearts to country and party, I see a stark disconnect between courageous never-Trumpers (such as yourself) and Democrats. Specifically, the Never Trumpers are still conservatives, and we Dems are still largely liberals — it’s just that we all support democracy, and the MAGAts don’t.
I have never believed that Joe Biden had completely lost his marbles or that his staff was covering for him. If anyone really believed that he couldn’t debate, they would have put a stop to it. (My own suspicion is that he was already suffering from Covid and should have announced that he wasn’t going on that night, and that he’d drop out if he didn’t get well quickly).
I was convinced from the beginning that Biden should not run for a second term, but I don’t believe we can blame ANY Democrat for the second Trump victory. I DO believe that we can blame the now equally feeble Mitch McConnell, who refused to gather the votes to convict Trump in the Senate and bar him from public office. We can also blame the Supreme Court, whose Citizens United and similar decisions allowed Musk to buy the election legally. Most importantly, we can blame the MAGA voters, who didn’t care that the U.S. is now headed by a new Mussolini, or even a Hitler. If those voters wanted Fascism — and I believe they did — NOTHING would have diverted them; the Democrats could have run Jesus and we still would have lost the election.
I completely agree with you, Audrey!
Agree 100%.
You are so right Audrey. Thank you!
Audrey: You are so right. Exactly my thoughts!!
As another Democratic voter, let me just say that you're seeing what you want to see. It wasn't a bad night or a cold or COVID. If he was sick, they should have postponed. He was old and out of it. And in the end he put his hubris before the party and - even worse - before the country.
Audrey, 8 million DEMOCRATS did not vote in the last presidential election. If they had, Harris would have won. There is plenty of Democrat blaming to go around. Biden and Jill were wrong to run, the Democrat (Harris's) message was all wrong, hence the huge number of Democrats who decided to stay home, and Biden's Democrat inner circle was all wrong for their obvious choices. Only the Democrats are to blame for the most important loss in history up to now.
i am an old guy but we desperately need young blood. stay home, joe...and take schumer w/ you.
There are many younger Democrats who are stepping up. If Biden wants to join in, no big fu**ing deal. Ranked 14th among presidents. I was never ashamed to have voted for him,
As one old dude to another, I've been screaming for young blood to replace the dead wood for years. The bummer is we have to suffer Schumer for four more years.
As a gal getting older by the day I know that some of what I had is gone, and I leave the heavy lifting for those younger and more flexible. I still speak my mind, but I also find myself listening more so that I can learn from those in the trenches of building an amazing life, while I'm enjoying mine.
If Joe speaks to donors, it’s okay. That’s all behind-the-scenes, inside-baseball stuff. Just keep him away from the media, out of the view of normal voters and far away from any decision-making.
“I see real crisis
How about you?”
Here is what I see:
These people are selling out our country and everyone wants to wait for the midterms that at this rate ARE NEVER FUCKING COMING! Like I said:
“But when a long Train of Abuses and Usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object, evinces a Design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their Right, it is their Duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future Security.“
For those who don’t recognize these words above they are from our Declaration of Independence!
"If not us, who? If not now, when?"
~ Unknown
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Sorry, I disagree with Steve, this time. Biden left Trump with a great economic record! The stocks were never higher, jobs were at a long time low, he rescued us from a horrible pandemic, he helped people pay off their student loans, he helped to lower the cost of perscription drugs, he passed a bipartisan bill to help our infrastructure, etc. Biden is a human being, and of course he made mistakes along the way-name me anyone who didn't. But, Biden loves this country, and every citizen in it! Can you say the same for Trump, Musk, and MAGA?
In just two months, Trump has destroyed what Biden did to help America and its people! and now we might be heading for a recession! Seniors might loose their Social Security, Medicare, and/or Medicaid. He has destroyed our FBI, they are wiping out all the history of minorities who helped to make America great! He gleefully got rid of the Department of Education. Trump is the total opposite of Biden! Trump is full of hate, and anger! I don't get why he is so angry and hateful towards the US, since his family gained wealth and "prestige" only in America; but the man is out to destroy everything that America stands for! And everyone, except for Trump, Musk, and the ultra-rich, are suffering the consequences!
If Biden wants to be in the wings, to help the Democratic Party, and America and its people, let him! He deserves recognition on being a life long member of Congress. He deserves our respect! Unlike Trump, Musk, and the rest; Biden loves America and its people! Biden will do anything to help us, unlike the MAGA in Congress! Yes, Biden is no longer in the political spotlight; but at least he is willing to continue to help America and the American people, at a time of crisis! Can you say that about any of the other former POTUS's out there?
Your hostility boardering on hatred of Biden is palpable Steve. What's that about? I don't disagree with some of your assessment but your hatred of him is almost obsessive....which tells me about you as much as about him. Just a little hay-wire in my humble opinion!
It really does seem personal doesn't it......
Agree Lark. What is this hatred about?
I think now is the wrong time to hear anything from Joe Biden, and especially any of this campaign strategists. It is time to lean into the new leaders that have stepped forth out of this mess and give them all attention and a microphone.
I am a senior citizen, and I know when it is time to step back and let the next generation take over. I am sorry Biden has not learned this lesson. I am hopeful that the DNC will start putting forward AOC and other younger candidates that can appeal to a broader segment of the populace.
Biden should not have run for a 2nd term. But to blame this on all him is short sighted and unfair. Instead of going after Biden, let's focus on the real troublemakers that are the true cause of Trump winning - Zuck, Elon (all the Tech-Bros), Leonard Leo (how about a post covering him and his creepy beliefs and dark money undermining Democracy?), and white males who would never have voted for a black woman no matter how superior and experienced she is compared to Trump.
Dear Lord. Where is the Democratic Caucus in the Senate? Where is the DNC? Trotting out elderly fellas to represent the Party..when we are already gearing up for midterms and need a reboot..political suicide and a guarantee of a full four years of the GOP. Email and call your Democratic Senators and the DNC. Tell them to give Grampy the hook. (Ok, maybe Joe can attend some dinners for his age cohort and get them to open their wallets.) No big public presence , or the Democratic Party will shatter.
Nor do I necessarily agree with Steve on this one. While there may be plenty of blame to spread around, it's mostly on willfully ignorant voters, Mitch McConnell, Charlie Kirk, a Supreme Court majority of sycophants, a feckless Congress, and... I could go on and on. But I can't agree with Steve's relentless badgering of Biden, the Dems, and legacy media. This just isn't helpful or accurate. Just seems like more gaslighting. I'm not looking for a safe space, just more objectivity.