600 Comments

Now is the time for Kamala to put on her prosecutor suit and take Trump and all of his enablers to the mat. Unless the corporate media decide that Joe was not the only necessary trophy for this year and works to tear her down (lookin at you NYT), this campaign is now about Trump, his criminality, Project 2025, Bullshitbilly Vance and all of their enablers. C'mon Dems, get behind Kamala, prosecute the case, take no prisoners!

Expand full comment

Get behind Kamala if youʼve never smoked dope. If you have, donʼt tell anyone. She should do just fine if Republicans have, she can try to put them all in jail. All sheʼll get from me is my vote, if sheʼs the nominee. The Democrats attempt to commit hara-kiri. Letʼs hope it doesnʼt work. As Heidi says, nice win for the Kremlin.

Expand full comment

Please, just stop. I'm a lifelong Democrat, and I was the ultimate dope head, but Maine made pot legal and we sell it here legally.

I will get behind any Democrat that has the full backing of the Democratic party. God only knows why they did this to the President, but it has.

Expand full comment

I have been thinking that he is more ill than we know. When he came onto the debate stage he actually looked like he had suffered a stroke. That was my very first thought. Remember how his arm was sort of hanging down and not moving with his steps? I believe the poor man is very ill.

Expand full comment

And he did not look like that the following day when speaking at a campaign rally in Raleigh NC, or his 2 speeches at the NATO Summit, or his speech at the NAACP Convention.

Nonetheless, what's done is done and the only important thing now is to vote for whoever becomes the Democratic nominee.

Expand full comment

Leave him alone. He made a choice that was right for him, his family, and the country. Most smart and kind people on here are graciously thanking him for all he’s done.

Expand full comment

An interesting story dropped on Politico last night. It suggests that on Saturday President Biden was advised by two close aides that, given mediocre polls and falling fundraising, he had no path to victory in November. And that's what prompted him to drop out of the race and endorse VP Harris. Full story here: https://www.politico.com/news/2024/07/21/why-biden-dropped-out-00170106

Expand full comment

Biden was not a victim.....

Expand full comment

All I can say is "think about paying more attention in future."

Expand full comment

PUTIN HAS WON! NOW WE GET TO WATCH THE PRESS GO TO TOWN ON HARRIS.

Expand full comment

Linda, is someone paying you to rant like this? Just curious. And what exactly are you doing to support pro-democracy candidates where you live?

Expand full comment

No, Suzanne, itʼs just that some of us thought (still think) Biden was fine and had a great chance of winning. I have to admit, since Kamala is local to me, Iʼve never been a real fan, although I will admit her husband is a stand up guy, and a plus for her. I do think Bidenʼs withdrawal is a real plus for Putin, because he has the skills to maneuver Congress, and I donʼt think she does. Biden was the first president since Johnson who could make Congress work to produce meaningful legislation. If Trump (Putin) wins, and the Republicans win Congress, we will see Congress produce anti-USA legislation, which will not be to our benefit. When I was young I thought every president was skilled and experienced like Johnson, but by the time I hit my mid-30s, I knew better. Now I know they rarely come along, and we should keep them while we have them. Thatʼs why I say, Iʼll vote her, but my money will go to congresspeople and senators, preferably Californians in red districts and Iʼll hold my nose and vote for Schiff, too. I hope two Schumers in the Senate arenʼt too much.

Expand full comment

For all those years paying attention to politics it doesn't seem you've picked up a true understanding of how it all works. Shooting your mouth off like you've been doing is not gaining you any influence with the people you direct it to. You just want what you want and don't listen to anyone else. Just remember what goes around comes around even in California.

Expand full comment

Putin lost on this one. Republicans are not liking this one bit.

Expand full comment

No. He pushed out a genius politician. It remains if be seen if Harris has Biden's knack for getting things done globally. If she cannot rally NATO, then what will be left of Ukraine? Also, what Republicans think is not a standard because they are not that bright if they support Trump.

Expand full comment

Get over it please. Biden is no Benjamin Button. I thought Biden was too old in 2016 but nooo.... So the problem we should have averted came up and bit us in the butt in 2024. Too many old people telling millennials and zoomers what's good for them and them being so disrespectful of their elders. This was a situation that could have been avoided.

Expand full comment

Terry, your hatred of old people means some day you will hate yourself. Or, as my 90-year-old mother says, the alternative to getting old is worse. One of the things I do not like about the US is the youth worshiping culture. Glad I only live here part of the time. I did not see Benjamin Button so the reference means nothing to me. You do not respect wisdom or experience, which I had been encountering too. My 19-year-old daughter still thinks there is no one who knows how to raise a child better than me, and has asked me to write a book for her. So, some people earn the respect of people who are younger. I think Biden should too. He is a political genius, but clearly you prefer youth to brilliance.

Expand full comment

Not sure why you think I hate old people. I see way too many comments on here and right wing sites attributing motives to people simply because they don't understand or disagree with what the person is saying. Not a good look.

Rather than tell everyone you don't understand a reference like Benjamin Button, google it. It only takes a minute.

In 2008 my first choice in the democratic primary was Joe Biden. Would have been Biden in 2016 as well but he wasn't running that year. Then came 2020 and I felt Biden and many other senior Democrats should be breaking in new talent. It was time so many of them needed to step aside. Some of them did...Nancy was one of them. But Biden couldn't and didn't and I had many discussions to that effect. As a party the old farts need to know when to step aside and bring up the newbies....and mentor them. They owe it to their constituents, they owe it to their party and they owe it to their country. And in 2020 the DNC didn't stop the nonsense. So here we are. Another fine mess that could likely have been avoided with a little more forbearance on the part of the old farts who are too self important to step aside until they're forced to. Youth will ultimately prevail. Always.

Expand full comment
deletedJul 21
Comment deleted
Expand full comment

Just another White person shutting down a Black woman. How are you going to do if Harris says something you don't like?

Expand full comment

Linda, I supported you on Joyce’ page, but stop. Just stop. We need to prevail in November. Else all is gone.

Expand full comment

Quit thinking like a victim please. This is politics. The question Nancy always asks first is 'What will it take?"

Expand full comment

I am a dual citizen and the way things are done in the USA is not the only way. Is that what you learned when you had ethics in college, or did you not have one? At some point, when you continually do "whatever it takes" you become the reason why many people do not see any difference between the Republican party and the Democrats.

Expand full comment

At least get the quote correct. Instead of "Do whatever it takes." It's "What will it take?" The former is a statement the latter a question. Your clarity of thought leaves a lot to be desired.

Yes, there are other ways of doing things. But we don't have time to change that right now. At least you're on the right side in this one.

Expand full comment

I grew up in Berkeley. I have a distrust of prosecutors and district attorneys and for good reason. Kamala grew up in Berkeley. She doesnʼt have that same distrust. Sheʼs used the law to prosecute people whom we now know shouldnʼt have been prosecuted, to get political points. I will vote for the nominee of the Democratic Party, but thatʼs as far as I go. If she tries to tell you sheʼs been a lefty Californian, donʼt believe her. If she brings Barbara Lee as her vice-president, I will be a lot happier.

Expand full comment

Feeling very virtuous, are you?

Expand full comment

No. Iʼve had a long life and seen a lot, including her. Is there a problem in me voting for her? I have in the past and I will this time, although I would strongly prefer Biden. Iʼm not going to give her any money. You can do that. You have no idea the experience I have voting for people I dislike, just because you have to be realistic about the better and the worst.

Expand full comment

Didn't Barbara Lee just die?

Expand full comment

SHEILA Jackson Lee, congresswoman from Texas, died last Friday.

Expand full comment

Thanks.....wrong Lee.

Expand full comment

Thank you Susanna, when I read Terryʼs comment, my heart sank, because Iʼve adored Barbara for many, many years. But I am sorry about Sheila Jackson Lee, because I like her too.

Expand full comment

Do you really think the first woman of color major-party nominee for president will nominate a woman of color as VP? another woman of color from the same state? No lefty anything is going to get elected president in this US of A.

Expand full comment

Really Susan? Maybe not, but in the Bay Area, color is not really a thing. We have a saying, Barbara Lee speaks for me, and I would have to say that at least half the people in the Bay Area are the same color as Kamala. I was looking forward to Alex Padilla running for president, but I guess youʼre saying he wonʼt be able to run with anyone of color. Honestly, we donʼt care what you look like, itʼs what you think.

Expand full comment

I'm saying the rest of the country isn't the Bay Area. Also it's good to have people from different experiences on a national ticket because this is one huge diverse country. How you're treated when you move through the world affects what you think, and what you're able to see.

Expand full comment

Both the Presidential candidate and the vice presidential candidate can't be from the same state though. I don't see anyone wanting to move. I read a lot of that when the orange one was picking a VP and that was the problem for Rubio, both from Florida.

Expand full comment

Tell that to white males in Michigan's rural areas who have lost their jobs to offshoring to China!

Expand full comment

What's with the dope thing? What are you saying? Be clear

Expand full comment

When she was DA in SF, she prosecuted and convicted many people with small amounts of dope. Some of her actions were questionable, such as withholding evidence about an innocent man until the court forced her to release it and then the charges were dropped. My belief is she was hoping for statewide office, in this case California Attorney General, to which she was eventually elected. She was similar to the DAs in Alameda County, who have been real scum, until the current one.

Expand full comment
founding

Once upon a time (for about ten years), I provided legal advice and opinions supporting federal criminal investigators. On more than one occasion, WE were faced with an apparent criminal law violation whose substance, was "at war with our private feelings". Marijuana smoked while in college???? being only one. Failing to report a one-off high school drunk and disorderly arrest (but no conviction) on a Form SF 171 being another. Our sworn duty was to investigate anyway and to present ALL facts we found to the prosecuting office. Many more times than once, WE ALSO communicated to that office AND to interested legislative offices our "subjective" reservations about the law's requiring us to investigate. On a few occasions, WE were listened to, and laws were tweaked. WE didn't like those laws, but WE were not in a position to flout them.

Expand full comment

Thatʼs fine, but youʼre investigating, not sentencing minor crimes. In my life I have seen people sentenced to prison for minor crimes. Maybe a fine and service would be more appropriate. If you were the DA asking for the strictest sentence possible so you could run and be elected to higher office, thatʼs different. And money talks. I had a boyfriend convicted of assault on an officer with a deadly weapon, a completely manufactured charge, but fortunately with a wealthy father and Dianne Feinsteinʼs first husband as an attorney, he did no time. Most people who are sentenced to jail are young and poor.

Expand full comment

I think a solution is to change the laws, not expect the justice system to skip over laws they don't like. Don't juries do sentencing? I don't think Harris was serving on the juries she was practicing in front of. And, voters decided she would be AG, that was not some backroom deal. I appreciate her appeal as a punching bag for you though.

Expand full comment

The laws have been changed, but she had the option of charging people for a lower charge. She never took that option because she was looking to get votes statewide when she ran for attorney general. Itʼs not easy to get votes statewide when youʼre from the Bay Area, and worse, San Francisco. But if she had principles, I missed them. Given all the negativity Iʼm getting, itʼs really too bad for you that I will be voting for her in November, because whatever she has been in the past, it was better than being Republican. Make sure you donate to her though, because I wonʼt be. Iʼll be donating to Californian Democratic candidates for the House and maybe a few out of state.

Expand full comment

Agree. But not likeky to occur.

Will likely go to an in-house almost secret convention

Expand full comment

My hunch is that President Biden made a deal with the party pooh-bahs: he'd bow out if and only if they'd give the nod to Harris as the nominee. No doubt some of the pooh-bahs (and the plutocrats) will be pissed, but if they want "boots on the ground" they're going to have to STFU.

Expand full comment

Ok I get that speculative..

But what does STFU mean?

Expand full comment

Shut The F**k Up. It's SNAFU's direct descendant. <g>

Expand full comment

Way beyond my intelligence. Sounds offensive.

But thanks for the update

Expand full comment

Situation Normal All Fu*cked Up. Comes from WWII and Catch 22.

Yes, this is a major SNAFU.

Expand full comment

STFU is intended to be offensive.

Expand full comment

Did you watch Morning Joe this morning? See if you can catch it on YouTube.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G90EKMslHmA

Expand full comment

Thanks for the lead. Beshear is very, very impressive!

Expand full comment

Yes...that is exactly what I thought also.

Expand full comment

PUTIN HAS WON! HE HAS PLENTY OF TIME TO CREATE DOUBT ABOUT HER AS A CANDIDATE. SUDDENLY AGE WON'T BE THE ISSUE, BUT EVERYTHING ELSE. The USA will become a fascist nation under Trump or under a Congress that is filled with Republicans because racist, sexist Southern Democrats will not vote for a Black Woman. PUTIN HAS WON!

Expand full comment

Those old "Southern Democrats" are now Republicans. They're not going to vote for a Democrat, period -- although since it's a secret ballot, some of the women might do exactly that. Many, many of today's southern Democrats are Black, and the whites include people like Doug Jones in Alabama. So I think there's at least some hope for the South!

Expand full comment

We the voters are responsible to make the Dem candidate a winner by volunteering and GOTV (getting out the vote) no matter who it is. The moment I heard Joe endorsed Kamala I sent my first donation and I’ll send more. She was privy to all Joe’s successes and she strongly supports women’s rights. What’s not to like? Hope racism and sexism aren’t to be found in this party and that we as Dems are able to speak against it. If not there’s a party called Republicans that will welcome you.

Expand full comment

Actually Marie, I am going to vote for whichever candidate the Dems land on, but I do not trust that this is it. I do not trust them. Jeff Stein of Spy Talk says that just because Biden passed the baton does not mean she will be the candidate. Also, people who wanted to push Biden out did not even think of VP. I have heard people discussing people I have never ever heard of. So, pardon me if I go for being enthusiastic about a candidate I believe would be the best chance to beat Trump, to just backing whomever the Party regulars decide to put into place. I am going to vote Democratic, but I am not enthusiastic. I am disappointed. You cannot point out these things, because if she stands for things and does not win it does not matter and then who has pie on their face? Harris is not Biden. She is not an unknown, but she will not be the same as Biden.

Expand full comment

Same, I smashed that donate button and gave till it hurt. Go Harris!

Expand full comment

Sure, that's what might happen -- if you do nothing but rant on social media.

Expand full comment

As a Black woman when I am upset I am ranting. So what are you going to call Harris if she does something you don't like?

Expand full comment

I *expect* politicians I support to do things I don't like. I know my state legislators. I know the pressures they're under. True, I'm seriously pissed at my congressman (Bill Keating, MA-09) for supporting the very flawed Israel Security Assistance Support Act, but I'll vote for him anyway because he's good on constituent service and OK on other issues -- and his opponent isn't worth discussing.

Expand full comment

Trust me, sheʼs going to do stuff we donʼt like. If she wins, I hope to push her on anti Netanyahu stuff. She may be more amenable than Biden. Iʼve always used the B word.

Expand full comment

Um, are there any racist, sexist, southern Democrats? I thought they all became Republicans. But I agree, Biden was not fooled by Putin and this is a win (maybe not as big as we fear) for him.

Expand full comment

Not sure. They need to go hard at Trump to pierce his veil of martyrdom and to shift the conversation away from anything but his unfitness.

Expand full comment

But wait! donnie has that huge bandage over his ear (up until yesterday) and doesn't that make him a martyr? /s

Expand full comment

He lost the maxi pad for last night's Nazi rally but he did put on so much makeup it was borderline blackface. He was also more incoherent than usual.

Expand full comment

Did you hear that sanctimonious pig say he "took a bullet for democracy"? I barfed when I heard that.

Expand full comment

The only medical report we have is from demoted, disgraced, lost his medical license, drug pushing Ronnie Jackson. There is no way he was actually shot. Shot at, sure, but shot, no f'king way.

Expand full comment

That's because "I got hit by a shard of glass or plastic" doesn't have the same ring to it. If, if, he had actually been hit by a bullet? His ear would never had been the same.

Expand full comment

I believe that Drumpf is at death's door, at least I hope so. A vote for that ticket is a vote for J.D. Vance and Peter Thiel.

Expand full comment

He's too much of nasty piece of work. We are stuck with Trump until Satan calls him home. But if, somehow, he seizes power, he will do nothing but tell lies and line his pockets. Vance will be the actual president, and we will all be fucked.

Expand full comment

Did you by any chance notice if he's missing the upper edge of his ear? I keep wondering...

Expand full comment

Usually its the candidate that picks the VP.....not the party. But this time could be different.

Expand full comment

I wish it could be Mayor Pete but that is a bridge too far for most folks. I just hope that they will be able to vote for a coffee-colored woman.

Expand full comment

Sheʼs way lighter than coffee, kind of a Bay Area tan worn by the Bay Area. Itʼs the same color as say, a Filipino married to a Mexican. You canʼt tell what the ethnic group is (are), so you just space on it. It doesnʼt mean anything unless they actually tell you that their background means anything to them, because they usually canʼt tell anyone elseʼs background either. Iʼve had this discussion with many women of various mixed backgrounds, and we all have kind of gone zzzzzzz on it.

Expand full comment

"Usually" ok but think it will be different.

Expand full comment

Party is going to want a straight white man from the midwest. IMHO, Andy Beshear is an inspired choice because he puts KY and all of Appalachia in play.

Expand full comment

If they had any guts, they'd push Pete Buttigieg. He was my choice from the beginning and I assure you, I'm as straight as an awrrow.

Expand full comment

If you asked him I'm pretty sure Mayor Pete would tell you now is not the time.

Expand full comment

Beshears and his wife are Deacons in their church....Disciples of Christ As much as I like Mayor Pete, I think we'd be pushing our luck. This is as much a war of religion as it is politics. Breshears has no baggage or McConnell would have found it by now.

Expand full comment

Too risky. He will make a great president someday, but the moment is not now.

Expand full comment

What about that other gay guy Polis? He has been a pretty good governor of my state and also has some libertarian bonfides that can possibly reel in more independents and Republicans

Expand full comment

My sister likes the guy....she's living in The Villages but moved from Southern Indiana just across the river from Kentucky. She's a Republican but can't/won't vote for Trump.

Expand full comment

My step brother lives in The Villages and he is as anti-trump as I am and his wife is even more rabid than that. We are from N.Y. originally so that might explain some of our thinking. I lived 8.7 miles from trump's Jamaica Estates house and it was way too close for my liking.

Expand full comment

How does she survive in the MAGA hell hole that is the Villages? Does she wear the red hat as a disguise?

Expand full comment

he can be VP

Expand full comment

Agree

Expand full comment

I think Mark Kelly would be a great choice!

Expand full comment

Not really. He's the same age and from another western state. Has to be a while male from the rustbeltish part of the country...governors are always better than legislative all things equal. Young is way better than old

Expand full comment

Didn't realize that - same age as Drumpf I assume you meant?

Expand full comment

The same age (close) as Kamala

Expand full comment

Please avoid the drama, Dems. Thanks, Peter, for saying this and, Lucian, for your urging a smart way forward. I’ve been a registered Dem for 60 years and fear the so called “party leaders” will screw up again and throw opportunity down the drain.

If anyone can enlighten me please say who some of these leaders and donors are. I’m one of the “other” who’s been told for too many decades that we’re not ready for a ( fill in the blank). I hang on as a Dem by a thread. I dread that the big probably white male honchos will run the show into the ground.

Expand full comment

You are presuming that Harris will be the nominee. I hope you are right, but let's see how this plays out.

Expand full comment

Biden endorsed her this afternoon. No one will be dumb enough to challenge her. And if they do, they should be kicked out of the party. The task now is to focus on Trump. No more bullshit infighting among the Democrats.

Expand full comment

No kidding. None of the alternatives have national recognition among non-politicos *right now*. Harris will be careful in choosing a running mate. I predict that he will be white, male, straight, and from the Midwest or maybe the South. (Beshear would actually be a good pick.)

Expand full comment

There's an emoji with a person's head exploding. That would symbolize a MAGAist if the VP candidate with Harris is Buttigieg, Insert smiling emoji here.

Expand full comment

Agree

Expand full comment

How do You know?

Expand full comment

Dems have shown they can be pretty dumb.

They only kick out the good ones (Al Franken, now Joe Biden)

Expand full comment

But there are plenty of good ones they *haven't* kicked out -- Warren, Raskin, Whitehouse, etc., etc. My line is "Plenty of Democrats are mediocre, but *all* the really outstanding elected officials -- governors and legislators -- are Democrats." That matters to me. I only donate to candidates and outside organizations, not to the party itself.

Expand full comment

Jamie is the best guy we got highly intelligent,personable,fits with a lot of big shots ,knows the constitution better than Jefferson !

Expand full comment

Yeah;, love that guy but what if his illness comes back?

Expand full comment

Biden had no choice but to recommend Harris.

Expand full comment

Why FFS would he have wanted to do otherwise? Dump Harris and lost the black and women vote.

Expand full comment

Calm down......That's what Cal is saying....he had no choice.

Expand full comment

But he *did* have a choice. Several of them. One of them was to make no recommendation at all. Think strategically, people!

Expand full comment

FFS?

Expand full comment

For F**k's Sake

Expand full comment

His only possible move ! Time ,name recognition,most important access to millions already donated to him ,and Kamala that can’t be used by anyone else! As well as the division that would cripple the party haggling over a new candidate!

Expand full comment

Tell that to Pelosi

Expand full comment

Quit scaring yourself

Expand full comment

How do you know??

Expand full comment

The Sonoran Desert is silent today after a hot wind blew across the sands last nite. Sweeping clean the desert floor. A new day.

Expand full comment

I know nada. I just guess based on 84 years of survival

Expand full comment

I hope your optimistic thoughts are what will happen.

Born and still a pessimist I fear we are headed over the cliffs.

Expand full comment

The only thing that's gonna prevent it is a bunch of us pulling in the other direction!

Expand full comment

You can sit this out the rest of us are gonna have fun with it 😁

Expand full comment

Yes, it is time to move forward, regardless of how we got here, dust ourselves off and support Kamala Harris. And to remember Joe Biden is still our hero! This is up to us.

Expand full comment

President Biden has assured his place in history by running a very successful presidency and selflessly stepping away.

Expand full comment

Don’t bet on that. Carter was a far better president than.most people will ever know. In their book talks two recent biographers, Jonathan Alter and Matt Bai, both admitted they had been surprised to realize all the important things Carter had accomplished as president. They had both expected to find Carter had been a mediocre president but a great ex-president which is the media’s framing of Carter.

The media has not been willing to give Carter for his amazing economic accomplishments and I doubt that will change now. I hope to God I am wrong but I’m not betting on it.

Expand full comment

J.C. Was my first vote for president and my best never regretted backing that gentleman!

Expand full comment

Biden was terrible; Trump was terrible. The post debate polls showed people were seriously turned off by Trump’s lies which is why Biden’s pair-debate poll numbers did not drop much. According to Stuart Stevens incumbent candidates almost always see a significant drop in their poll numbers after their first debate. After Bush debated Kerry the first time Bush’s poll numbers dropped by 6 points. Obama also had a 6 point drop in his polls after his first debate with Romney. Biden dropped less — about 3 points— because people were not only disturbed by Biden’s performance but also appalled by Trump’s incessant lying, a fact most of the media chose to ignore or downplay.

Expand full comment

Yes, it would have been unfortunate if, like Ruth Bader Ginsburg, we remembered him for his final failure instead of for his previous accomplishments.

Expand full comment

He’s going to receive well deserved accolades for stepping aside. It couldn’t have been easy.

Second terms aren’t always that great anyway. So President Biden locked in a solid successful one term. Personally, I’m not sure but what one four year term might be good limit for presidents. One and done.

Expand full comment

Biden said he would listen to the Almighty lord. Then Nancy Pelosi weighed in. He listened. Ergo, Nancy Pelosi is the Almighty Lord. (Incidentally, we will have a race between a former sex crimes prosecutor and an adjudged sexual assailant. Bet Felonious Trump doesn’t show up for the September debate with Kamala.)

Expand full comment
founding

Women can and will kick his rear end! And this time, once and for all.

Expand full comment

Pardon me for advising women, but I think that they should kick the pussy-grabber and rapist in the balls instead.

Expand full comment

The thing has no balls ! Just bullshit! Coward traitor!

Expand full comment

So that's why Stormy Daniels called him orange turd at his NY trial. She must know.

Expand full comment

If they can find them.

Expand full comment

Can’t find what you’re not born with !🤣😂😅

Expand full comment

His what? From what we heard from Stephanie Clifford, that part of his anatomy is not, shall we say memorable? I am sure, over time, all has diminished. Better to stick to the butt, it is amble and memorable.

Expand full comment

Saint Nancy?

Expand full comment

Why should she debate that delusional lump of shit? She should be above such things.

Expand full comment

Visibility. Demonstrate her knowledge, abilities and ability to articulate the issues clearly - unlike the Republican candidate.

Expand full comment

I can’t help but wonder if Nancy Pelosi and Zoe Lofgren have ever looked in the mirror. I love and support them both but they have zero right to criticize Biden’s age.

Expand full comment

I think the criticism is of his unfortunately failing ability to express himself, not his age. Nancy is older than Biden. So am I. If I were failing to communicate, I, too, would be reluctant to acknowledge it, but who better to call my attention to it but someone in my own age cohort? I am saddened Joe — a kid to me — had to make this choice. I am filled with admiration for him that he did. Joe Biden put country above vanity and ego. He is the very definition of a mensch.

Expand full comment

The issue has never been age per se. It is the effect of age on cognition. People age at different rates. Bernie Sanders is a couple of years older than Joe and his mind appears decades younger. Pelosi and Lofgren show no public lapses in functioning. I salute Biden for past accomplishments and for looking at the future face to face.

Expand full comment

Lucian, thank you for these words. I am devastated. I am also angry that those close to him did not reveal his apparent decline within the last 3-6 months. I feel our party members duped us. In the meantime, I will do what I can to throw myself into backing Kamala. I just pray to any goddess who is listening that her running mate will be someone we all respect and know.

Expand full comment

Ideally, I'd love for her running mate to be a woman (Whitmer), but I fear that too many men would not support a two-women ticket.

Expand full comment

I thought of that as well

Expand full comment

It sure would be thrilling, though!

Expand full comment
Jul 21·edited Jul 21

Sadly there are a lot of women I know — mainly swing voters — who wouldn’t like that either.

Expand full comment

Henry, that is exactly what I told my own group and I think you are right.

Expand full comment

No. Misogyny is already going to be running rampant. And Whitmer? Who? The only reason she has any name recognition is some MAGA yahoos tried to kidnap her. No.

Better a man who is recognized as being aware of the bias against Black women and women in general and can out think the Ohio scum who keeps trying to pretend he is from Kentucky and is Peter Thiel's lickspittle. Well, was Thiel's lickspittle, now he is the turd's lickspittle.

Expand full comment
Jul 21·edited Jul 21

You are absolutely right. They might vote for a coffee-colored woman but never a two woman team, Sad. Women get shit done!

Expand full comment

I would take those anonymous reports about Biden slipping with a huge dose of skepticism. Plenty of other top people disagreed. Those leakers had an agenda — forcing Biden out — as did the media which were going out of their way to weaken Biden long beofre the debate gave them a chance to say “We told you so”. In addition they with refusing to report on the amazing strength of our economy and Biden’s other accomplishments while also blaming Biden for the public believing that the US was in a recession.

Expand full comment

Remembering Joes first campaign,he seemed very reluctant and secretive about appearing in public ,could he as the astute politician that he was have been attempting to hide his less than top of form presentation that he had as a younger guy ?… just a thought 💭 ?

Expand full comment

Give me a break. Did you not watch the debate with trump?

May I have some of your escargot?

Expand full comment

I am not a democrat, but I would have and will vote for anyone they nominate. Just like you, I am angry that Biden's handlers hid this from us. It could be a costly mistake. Had Biden been able to put his ego in check sooner, this may have been an easier task. That said, I will still vote for the democrat candidate no matter who it is.

Expand full comment

Thank you for supporting decency.

Expand full comment

Thank you for correctly seeing my motivation.

Expand full comment

Thank you.

Expand full comment

I suggest a Republican named Larrry Hogan.. former Maryland. governor, liberal, sensible, high approval rating.

Expand full comment

Never. I will never vote for a a Republican.

Expand full comment

I took a vow to that effect and I have not yet broken any vows I have made in 76 years.

Expand full comment

Got me beat 68 years without fouling my soul by pulling that R lever!

Actually only 50 seeing as how I didn’t have the vote until I was 18 years old! But I wouldn’t have except for Ike ,the last good Pudlican !😁😜

Expand full comment

Please don't misunderstand, Robert. Joe Biden was the first Democrat I ever voted for. I have been a libertarian and Libertarian since 1969 and 1980, respectively. In 2020, if the Democrats had run a turtle against trump, I would have voted for the turtle. The same is even more true and important this year.

People toss around the word "existential" loosely, but I mean it and take it literally; trump is an existential thread to democracy and so are his minions. I do whatever I can to see that the country that I love and that my father fought for in WW II remains a pillar of democracy.

Expand full comment

76 too, and have never voted for a Republican. I grew up in West Virginia, and remember well that the state started turning red in the mid 60s.

Expand full comment

😀

Expand full comment

I love your cat.

Expand full comment

Thank you. Me too. Unfortunately she's no longer with us. I miss her.

Expand full comment

Larry Hogan is NOT a liberal by any definition.

Expand full comment

Larry is a good man, but he is far from being a liberal. I could support him but I doubt he would accept a nomination. I like your idea, however.

Expand full comment

The Democratic base would hate that and deservedly so.

Expand full comment

I would like JB Pritzker - wealthy, could self-fund, liberal, an attorney, smart and aggressive. He would wipe the floor with the faux hillbilly.

Expand full comment
founding

I like Pritzker or Josh Shapiro.

Expand full comment

Daring move ! Might work ! Anyone willing to be the one to roll those dice?

Expand full comment

Wanna give the MAGATS A FRIGGEN STROKE ? Put Bernie on the ticket it’d kill off 1/4 of their base !😂🤣

Expand full comment

I love that idea!!!

Expand full comment

It might pop shitheads brain vein as a bonus 🤪😂 kill!

Expand full comment

Antony Bliken and others responsible for this current situation.

Expand full comment

Stop looking for scapegoats. We weren't part of the decision. The die is cast, we have crossed the Rubicon and we can not, shall not, will not turn back. Casting blame weakens us, it does not strengthen our case, it gives our foes something to use in the broader picture. Please, don't do it.

Expand full comment

OK I'll follow your advise. What ever a Rubicon is I must have been asleep?

I Guess WE is we the people?

Expand full comment

A plethora of others.

Expand full comment

We were behind the President and his vision. His leadership and accomplishments have been successful and inspiring. We must fight for his legacy and our and the country’s freedom. Rally around the democrats!

Expand full comment

Do you realize how close Biden himself was from destroying his own legacy?

Expand full comment

I truly believe he was more ill than we know. He thought he would recover but realized that he couldn't do that. I think he had a stroke before the debate.

Expand full comment

Totally agree. Kamala will be an excellent president, and we all need to rally behind her right now. I feel a great burst of energy!

Expand full comment

That’s what we are going to need ! We still have the truth behind us and Kamala has the youth and enthusiasm,Joe is going to be beside her for the entire ride to the WHITE HOUSE ! When she’s sworn in I want to see how many different colors the orange imbecile turns before he blows a major blood vessel! 🤬😳🤬🤯

Expand full comment

As we say in Brooklyn, FUGGGHEDABOUTIT!!!

Expand full comment

Support Kamala and end the chaos. Get focused on beating Trump and pick a VP who can deliver a key swing state.

All you young people who thought Joe was too old, you have no excuse now voting for the party that cares about you and your future.

And like everyone else I can’t wait to see the former prosecutor go at it with the convicted felon

Expand full comment

Now some of them will say they can’t vote for a black woman. Obviously these tech bro assholes only want young white men.

Expand full comment

That’s why we’re the Democratic Party. We go with who’s qualified, not their color, ethnicity,religion, etc. That’s América is all about

Expand full comment

If that were true, we would’ve had a woman as president by now.

Expand full comment

Well, we actually had one but the Electoral College mad sure that didn't happen.

Expand full comment

We had several ,Mrs.Wilson ,Mrs.Reagan and a few others way back ,they managed not to blow up the world that looks good on a resume ,bettter than some of their husbands moves !🤔🤫

Expand full comment

Not the Dems fault. Voters favored Hilary over Trump

Expand full comment

Those "tech bro assholes" had better consider their own asses if Trump is elected and implements Project 2025.

Expand full comment

"pick a VP who can deliver a key swing state"

Governor Josh Shipero? It's a long shot for him, but no matter who she/they pick we need to get behind the slate.

Expand full comment

Please set forth evidence that this African-American female can carry Arizona, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin. The point is to defeat Putin’s Poodle not feel good about how non-racist and non-sexist we are.

Expand full comment

The evidence is that Kamala has already energized people with the amount of money she’s raised in the last 18 hours. Obama did it, why not Harris. She should a get a whole new subset of people interested in her campaign. Widen the base. I realize this is all qualitative now but give it some time. Trump is one of the weakest candidates ever. She’ll clean his clock in a debate. Remember, “ the person with the best facts win”.

Expand full comment

We must all unify and work diligently to get behind VP Harris AND to get out the vote,especially in the swing states. I honor President Biden for his service, and may he have continued success in the remaining days of his presidency. He has been there for us in extraordinarily difficult times.

Expand full comment

Well she can campaign since she doesn’t have the responsibility that he has as President. She will have the incumbent advantage whether he resigns now or not.

Expand full comment

I certainly hope he does not resign.

Expand full comment

He won't. There's no reason to and we need Harris as VP to certify the vote.

Expand full comment

Biden still needs to be the biggest campaigner for the democrats.

Expand full comment

I hope you're right. I had wanted him to resign now, because being the incumbent president would give Harris an edge. But someone pointed out that it would also give her less time to campaign.

Expand full comment

We need Joe as president to guide her, he will have access to information faster and more valuable than she as a new President could handle along with a campaign, and he will provide her protection that only he as president can provide , freeing her up to torment Trump into an early Alzheimer’s melt down !

Expand full comment

I like your final phrase re T & Alzheimer's!

Expand full comment

Just doing my civic responsibility !😇

Expand full comment

The problem is that the Democratic moneybags don't want Harris either. I have a horrible feeling that the supposed Democratic donors in fact want Trump back in power so they can keep their big fat tax cuts. This whole thing stinks to high heaven.

Expand full comment

I can speak with some authority that the Democratic donor class definitely does not want Trump back in power

Expand full comment

They’re sure acting like it.

Expand full comment

They don’t like uncertainty, and they want stability ,as well as a unified attack on The reuglycans !

Expand full comment
founding

So can I.

Expand full comment

They do want a circus/horse race to keep the dollars rolling in. What they really want is a DINO or Repub light.

Expand full comment
founding

My goodness, Linda -- I can smell the odor of a cow pasture just reading your comment.

Expand full comment

Is that meant as an insult?

Expand full comment
founding

Linda: "Is that meant as an insult?"

When you write that "the Democratic moneybags don't want Harris... the supposed Democratic donors in fact want Trump back in power so they can keep their big fat tax cuts. This whole thing stinks to high heaven," do you intend that as supportive of party unity and progress?

Of course, if that is just your way of saying "we're all in this together," then you may be right. Remember Franklin's comment, "We must all hang together, or assuredly we shall all hang separately" ?

Expand full comment

I doubt that Franklin's comment has ever been more directly pertinent than to the current state of political affairs. Lots of extra-judicial hangings in store if Trump is elected.

Expand full comment

I read it as such. I’m Derek Smith, and I approve of that comment. 😇

Expand full comment

The tax cuts will pale to what losses they’re going to take if Trump crashes the economy and the stock markets! Which he will!They want someone they can deal with either party it doesn’t matter ,money is their god !

Expand full comment

They're blind. They only see tax cuts and the elimination of those pesky unions. They should study Weimar Germany and the industrialists and conservatives who thought they could both destroy parliamentary democracy and control Hitler. Oops.

Expand full comment

21 July, the first day of the campaign. Let's go! Thanks, Joe, for one superb term and a courageous decision today.

Expand full comment
founding

It’s up to us to show our respect for a citizen who puts his country before political self-interest. And a well prepared woman who deserves our respect!

Expand full comment

How do we show that respect?

Expand full comment

As Willie LeMay writes below: VOTE BLUE NO MATTER WHO!!!

Expand full comment

Thanks once again Lucien for speaking the plain truth. VOTE BLUE NO MATTER WHO!!!

Expand full comment

Joe Biden just demonstrated that he truly is a great American.

Expand full comment

Yes, but one with an ego as big as trump.

Expand full comment

That deserves no response. Shame!

Expand full comment

If you keep denying the truth, you will lead us down the path to ruin. It was nothing more than Biden's ego that kept him from stepping down sooner.

Expand full comment

I stand by my original comment.

Expand full comment

I believe he is more ill than we know. He thought he would recover but realized that he could not. I don't think it was ego at all.

Expand full comment

As a physiologist I know likes to say, "Very seldom do complex phenomena have monocausal etiologies."

Biden's ego and his illness could be contributory causes to his decision to not run--------------- other factors as well.

Expand full comment

Did you EVER see a politician without a huge ego? It’s part of the job description!

Expand full comment

How about Buttigieg? Not much ego there.

Expand full comment

Didn’t win though ,wish he did ,good guy !egos are extremely important in the sleezy ass world of politics ! Nothing wrong with having one if it’s tempered with some ethics !Unfortunitly politics doesn’t require them !

Expand full comment

You nailed that, Robert.

Expand full comment

Fuckin’ A. Hat’s off to Biden for bravely taking this critical step. For a host of reasons we need not repeat, at this point it was inevitable. But you’re so right. We have NO time to lose and we must close ranks behind Kamala. Any further democratic infighting would be at our peril. Let us avoid reliving the oft misquoted Pogo line, “We have met the enemy and it is us”. If we fail to unite now, it’s on our heads.

Expand full comment

Hang together or separately our choice to make !

Expand full comment

Explain to us how a black female will help carry the seven swing states. I am not opposed to Harris but believe cool heads should consider who has the best chance to defeat The Sociopath aka Insurrectionist.

Expand full comment

Borowitz Report—Calling it “the most crooked conspiracy in American history,” on Sunday Donald J. Trump and other Republicans accused Democrats of plotting to nominate a winning presidential candidate.

“I’ve seen the Democrats do some pretty evil things, but I never thought they’d choose a nominee with a chance of winning,” Trump said. “This should never be allowed to happen in our country.”

“What we are witnessing is no more and no less than a shameless scheme to mount a successful election campaign,” House Speaker Mike Johnson charged. “As God is my witness, this will not stand.”

Senator J.D. Vance attacked the Democrats’ “blatant use of strategy” and warned of more sinister machinations to come.

“In a matter of days, be prepared for them to announce that they’ve chosen a qualified and appealing VP candidate,” Vance said. “We Republicans would never do that.”

Expand full comment

Borowitz will have to retire, because no one can satirize Republicans anymore after this from Slate:

Missouri Sen. Josh Hawley, who was a strong supporter of the Jan. 6 insurrection at the time it happened, complained on X that “Now the Democrats are rigging their own elections.”

Expand full comment

Bad habits are hard to break !

Expand full comment

Thanks, Henry!!

Expand full comment

Borowitz made me feel good with this one.

Expand full comment

😆😆😆

Expand full comment