I’m with the young kids. I’m old enough to be their parents and young enough to be Joe Biden’s kid and I’ve seen enough of my friends have to deal with aging parents to know what I’m seeing with Joe.
He needs to do what he promised he said he would do and be that bridge. He never should’ve run again. Every time I see him or a member of his family on TV now I just get furious. I’ll vote blue but this is such hubris and selfishness on the part of Biden and his family and his close aides.
For women in the SE US especially, this isn’t sitting well. If the democrats lose because they’ve refused to respond to set optics about Biden’s ability to lead, they’re losing any ability to message to women that their coalition is strategically capable of advocating for women. I’ve called any high-ranking democrat I could think of at the federal level this last week, sent emails to Biden & Harris, asking for Biden to step down. It’s infuriating that this party is walking right into a possible loss due to inaction. I do not solely blame McConnell’s laser calculus on his federalist society goals for where we are. I blame a party that can’t find footing, even in emergencies. This is why I’ve not been a registered democrat for years now. I’ll unenthusiastically vote for Biden but cannot expect that other independents will do the same.
For me, it's difficult to "feel" or "think" wholeheartedly about our presumed Democratic nominee. More disappointed now--post June 27, 2024, TV spectacle referred to as "debate"--than that weird moment. And more saddened than angry. Not heavy sadness. More like betrayed. And bewildered as the Bidens are not who or what I thought. Since communication is not a Democratic Party strong suit writ large, what's there to say? And the jokes are unfunny. And the hubbub, screwy. Different topic--my intuition senses this hurricane season may land rough punches between now and when we vote. It's an "anything can happen" moment--which is how life is always. Thanks for the post as always, Thomas and your firsthand research talking to parents with young voter children and teasing out their views.
Exactly. Besides, that a vote for a third party candidate is a vote for Trump, which one wouldn't be a disaster if they even had a chance? Young people can't get it through their heads that we are very much a 2 party country.
I think the main issue is there is not a consensus alternate. Should it be the VP? Yes, but the Dems who don't want her will be back stabbing her at every turn and that will be the headline every damn day. We are in a shit sandwich and we need to back the incumbent come hell or high water. We as a Country can't afford another Trump presidency in any way, shape, or form. It will be the end of our democracy.
What does it take to get these young people to vote for Biden? If Biden doesn't rise to the challenge what can we do to convince them that by not voting, Trump will win and our country will be in peril. I get their disgust, I am disgusted and disappointed as well, but I don't want to live in a country where my daughters don't have body autonomy, where laws don't mater, where I can't breath the air etc. Don't they understand what is at stake? I am baffled by their selfishness. Vote for their mothers, their girlfriends, their future children. Vote for democracy because we could lose it. Please don't make the perfect the enemy of the good. There is only one clear choice here for our future, the choice is literally between good intentions and evil intentions.
Excellent piece, Thomas. The well-respected Cook Political Report just moved 6 states away from Biden to Trump. They say that Trump's current numbers among black and Latinos are incompatible with any plausible Democratic victory. (that's probably high prices & high interest rates talking) The media's rightfully upset at the White House for not acting honestly. Biden trails Democrat Senators by 8-10%, because 70-80% of public perceives him as too old. His hubris is going to give us Trump.
I think you summed up our dilemma in twelve words: “He has no room for error and the stakes are too high”.
Even since the debate President Biden has shown us that his stumbles, mumbles and gaffes are going to be part of the Biden-Harris campaign and everyone will see them or learn about them.
Regardless who heads the ticket, outreach to the youth vote is critical and hard. The party that nominated Kennedy had stronger leadership. My experience with presidential campaigns were in the years, Biden was a junior Senator. In 1976, candidates saved their support for future runs and did not come together to support the nominee. Bob Bechtel, worked on Biden's first Senate campaign and ran a terrible campaign for Mondale. There was a decision not to disrupt or distract Ferraro's campaign with details. The party is not united now as people needed to let their views known before meeting together. I believe it's possible for Pelosi, Schumer, Jeffries, and Clyburn to craft a compelling plan that might appeal to Biden. The press is another issue. MSNBC pundits were not able to use their prepared thoughts and were lousy at ad libbing but now have a narrative.
… he’ll leave the race and possibly resign the presidency in order to give Democrats the best chance to defeat Trump. If me stays in he has my vote and full support.
I’m with the young kids. I’m old enough to be their parents and young enough to be Joe Biden’s kid and I’ve seen enough of my friends have to deal with aging parents to know what I’m seeing with Joe.
He needs to do what he promised he said he would do and be that bridge. He never should’ve run again. Every time I see him or a member of his family on TV now I just get furious. I’ll vote blue but this is such hubris and selfishness on the part of Biden and his family and his close aides.
For women in the SE US especially, this isn’t sitting well. If the democrats lose because they’ve refused to respond to set optics about Biden’s ability to lead, they’re losing any ability to message to women that their coalition is strategically capable of advocating for women. I’ve called any high-ranking democrat I could think of at the federal level this last week, sent emails to Biden & Harris, asking for Biden to step down. It’s infuriating that this party is walking right into a possible loss due to inaction. I do not solely blame McConnell’s laser calculus on his federalist society goals for where we are. I blame a party that can’t find footing, even in emergencies. This is why I’ve not been a registered democrat for years now. I’ll unenthusiastically vote for Biden but cannot expect that other independents will do the same.
For me, it's difficult to "feel" or "think" wholeheartedly about our presumed Democratic nominee. More disappointed now--post June 27, 2024, TV spectacle referred to as "debate"--than that weird moment. And more saddened than angry. Not heavy sadness. More like betrayed. And bewildered as the Bidens are not who or what I thought. Since communication is not a Democratic Party strong suit writ large, what's there to say? And the jokes are unfunny. And the hubbub, screwy. Different topic--my intuition senses this hurricane season may land rough punches between now and when we vote. It's an "anything can happen" moment--which is how life is always. Thanks for the post as always, Thomas and your firsthand research talking to parents with young voter children and teasing out their views.
I just hope all those 18-30 year olds realize that a third party vote or not voting at all helps ensure that Drumpf will win.
Exactly. Besides, that a vote for a third party candidate is a vote for Trump, which one wouldn't be a disaster if they even had a chance? Young people can't get it through their heads that we are very much a 2 party country.
I think the main issue is there is not a consensus alternate. Should it be the VP? Yes, but the Dems who don't want her will be back stabbing her at every turn and that will be the headline every damn day. We are in a shit sandwich and we need to back the incumbent come hell or high water. We as a Country can't afford another Trump presidency in any way, shape, or form. It will be the end of our democracy.
Continued again…. (Damn fat thumb on a small screen)
We need to redouble our support and contributions to elect Democrats to the House and Senate. We need to backstop our democracy.
What does it take to get these young people to vote for Biden? If Biden doesn't rise to the challenge what can we do to convince them that by not voting, Trump will win and our country will be in peril. I get their disgust, I am disgusted and disappointed as well, but I don't want to live in a country where my daughters don't have body autonomy, where laws don't mater, where I can't breath the air etc. Don't they understand what is at stake? I am baffled by their selfishness. Vote for their mothers, their girlfriends, their future children. Vote for democracy because we could lose it. Please don't make the perfect the enemy of the good. There is only one clear choice here for our future, the choice is literally between good intentions and evil intentions.
Excellent piece, Thomas. The well-respected Cook Political Report just moved 6 states away from Biden to Trump. They say that Trump's current numbers among black and Latinos are incompatible with any plausible Democratic victory. (that's probably high prices & high interest rates talking) The media's rightfully upset at the White House for not acting honestly. Biden trails Democrat Senators by 8-10%, because 70-80% of public perceives him as too old. His hubris is going to give us Trump.
"The media's rightfully upset at the White House for not acting honestly."
WHAT?? Donnie NEVER acts honestly!!!
apples/oranges!
I think you summed up our dilemma in twelve words: “He has no room for error and the stakes are too high”.
Even since the debate President Biden has shown us that his stumbles, mumbles and gaffes are going to be part of the Biden-Harris campaign and everyone will see them or learn about them.
I believe the chances he’ll leave the race
https://blaironthemountain.substack.com/p/the-case-for-an-open-convention
My rebuttal
Regardless who heads the ticket, outreach to the youth vote is critical and hard. The party that nominated Kennedy had stronger leadership. My experience with presidential campaigns were in the years, Biden was a junior Senator. In 1976, candidates saved their support for future runs and did not come together to support the nominee. Bob Bechtel, worked on Biden's first Senate campaign and ran a terrible campaign for Mondale. There was a decision not to disrupt or distract Ferraro's campaign with details. The party is not united now as people needed to let their views known before meeting together. I believe it's possible for Pelosi, Schumer, Jeffries, and Clyburn to craft a compelling plan that might appeal to Biden. The press is another issue. MSNBC pundits were not able to use their prepared thoughts and were lousy at ad libbing but now have a narrative.
Continuing…
… he’ll leave the race and possibly resign the presidency in order to give Democrats the best chance to defeat Trump. If me stays in he has my vote and full support.
All this said, it’s only prudent to redouble