BS: American Presidential race 2024

Subject: RE: BS: American Presidential race 2024
From: Helen
Date: 19 Jul 24 - 11:07 PM

Yes, it's too late to change horses in midstream.

I expect that Biden will start making some very strong statements about Trump and his (make believe) policies and about the 2025 Project. And I'm hoping he will also build up awareness and confidence in the outcomes he has already achieved as President, and the outcomes he hopes to achieve, e.g. righting the wrongs done by Trump, including women's right to choose their own health and well-being strategies in conjunction with medical professionals.

Subject: RE: BS: American Presidential race 2024
From: The Sandman
Date: 20 Jul 24 - 02:04 AM

He will not "be replaced." He will choose to continue to run or to step down, no one is doing any replacin QUOTE
your comment is an example of quibbling
HE will not win the presidential race because he wont be there ,because he is in too poor health.

Subject: RE: BS: American Presidential race 2024
From: The Sandman
Date: 20 Jul 24 - 02:57 AM

Lockheed Martin[armaments]donated to both candidates, but twice as much to Trump

Subject: RE: BS: American Presidential race 2024
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 20 Jul 24 - 10:44 AM

Dick, I don't know where you're getting your information - perhaps some of those elite Democratic donors? The rest of us, the mainstream voters, understand that Biden is older but he's doing fine. Way better than asshat Trump. You keep making pronouncements without evidence and I will dismiss them without having to dig out any, except of course that I live here and pay attention to this stuff. Hitchens Razor.

Subject: RE: BS: American Presidential race 2024
From: Raggytash
Date: 20 Jul 24 - 10:49 AM

SRS it's not often that I defend Dick but the media we receive on this side of the pond is very much suggesting that Biden is being asked to step aside by many in his own party.

For example:
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/article/2024/jul/20/biden-resists-democratic-calls-step-down

We are being fed such articles on a daily basis.

Subject: RE: BS: American Presidential race 2024
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 20 Jul 24 - 10:55 AM

He's not being asked by the voters. He's being asked by some of the big donors (who also have a megaphone), and that isn't all of the big donors. And if you think it's a simple matter of switching names on the ballot, you need to go listen to AOC's précis of what is happening in those smoke filled rooms. THE LAST THING WE NEED IS THE COURTS INVOLVED IN WHO IS THE DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE. Right now the DNC is in control. You want to see the Supreme Court wade in? Then, like I said, sit on your hands, be patient, and let us work on this.

Subject: RE: BS: American Presidential race 2024
From: MaJoC the Filk
Date: 20 Jul 24 - 11:04 AM

At risk of this being snipped, I can't help but think: Is this what they mean by Replacement Theory :-) ?

Runs and hides

Subject: RE: BS: American Presidential race 2024
From: Charmion
Date: 20 Jul 24 - 11:43 AM

I enjoy and admire the political and social commentary of a bearded person on YouTube who calls himself "Beau of the Fifth Column". My brother Andrew calls him the Sage of Rural Florida.

Here's his channel: Beau of the Fifth Column

And here's what he has to say about replacing Biden: The Roads to Replacing Biden

Beau often tells his listeners to cool their jets and wait for the media chatter to die down, all the while paying close attention to what people actually do. He also recommends reading widely across the spectrum of opinion. He seems to be politically non-partisan, being interested primarily in parties' and candidates' efforts to support people who are doing less than well in life.

Subject: RE: BS: American Presidential race 2024
From: The Sandman
Date: 20 Jul 24 - 12:07 PM

, and let us work on this quote
you are not involved, are you?,

Subject: RE: BS: American Presidential race 2024
From: Helen
Date: 20 Jul 24 - 02:01 PM

Dick, in a previous post I recall Stilly saying she is involved in encouraging local Democrat-leaning voters to vote in the election.

Give it a rest please. Let the US voters get on with the job and stop quibbling over bits and pieces of posts which are nothing (in my opinion) compared with the important work of ridding the US and the world of a dangerous autocrat.

Subject: RE: BS: American Presidential race 2024
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 20 Jul 24 - 03:26 PM

Helen. Doing anything on an obscure folk music forum will do sweet FA. Cheerleading from the sidelines in Australia will do sweet FA. Telling people to sit on their hands and do nothing is worse than sweet FA. It is dangerous.

First they came for the Communists
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a Communist
Then they came for the Socialists
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a Socialist
Then they came for the trade unionists
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a trade unionist
Then they came for the Jews
And I did not speak out
Because I was not a Jew
Then they came for me
And there was no one left
To speak out for me

I shall speak out against anything I perceive as wrong whether or not my friends agree. And saying nothing about the traction that Trump is gaining with Biden's seeming frailty is simply wrong.

Subject: RE: BS: American Presidential race 2024
From: Neil D
Date: 20 Jul 24 - 05:15 PM

In October of 1919 President Woodrow Wilson suffered a debilitating stroke. His wife Edith and his inner circle hid the extent of his disability and Edith basically ran the country for the next year and a half and no one knew because she put forward his policies. The point is that it doesn't matter if the president succumbs completely to dementia, we still need to vote for him. His policies and agendas will be forwarded by those around. The real disaster would be another term for Trump. A disaster for seniors and the infirm (Project 2025 specifically calls for defunding Medicaid and Medicare). A disaster for the environment (Trump has already vowed to end most regulations on pollution and investment in alternative energy. A disaster for women especially if the GOP also takes the Senate. There will most certainly be a federal ban on abortion. A disaster for workers. Even as Vance

Subject: RE: BS: American Presidential race 2024
From: Neil D
Date: 20 Jul 24 - 05:28 PM

Don't know how I got cut off but let me continue. Even as Vance is telling the convention how they were going to defend the working class against the elites, Trump is meeting with said elites promising another corporate tax cut. A disaster for children as they continue the onslaught against the public school system. Against the true teaching of history and science. A disaster for minorities, immigrants, allies, our constitution. The Dems could elect a farm animal or piece of cheap furniture and it would be a better alternative than Trump.

Subject: RE: BS: American Presidential race 2024
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 20 Jul 24 - 05:36 PM

Dave, what, except complain, do YOU intend to do from the UK? I don't think you can legally donate to campaigns here. You can't vote. So you folks who are nagging are nagging the choir. What is FA? Fuckall? Then just say it.

Those of us who can are working on these things, choosing the avenue that works best. I am participating with a Texas-based group that is working to register voters here in Texas. Donations to non-partisan groups that support voting rights, select politicians, and a group that does excellent videos explaining how politics work (or should work) headed by Professor Robert Reich, former Labor Secretary under Bill Clinton (the group is Inequality Media Civic Action, out of Berkeley, CA, and you might be able to donate to them.)

We don't give a rat's ass what bookies in the UK OR IRELAND think, and we don't need to hear about it repeatedly.

Subject: RE: BS: American Presidential race 2024
From: Helen
Date: 20 Jul 24 - 06:35 PM

Thanks Neil D, for your summary of the key issues at stake.

And thanks Stilly, for working towards encouraging more people to vote in the election.

Two of the main worries I have (from my perspective as an interested outsider in a country allied to the US) are:

that the persistent badgering of President Biden to back down from his election campaign could undermine the chances of Democrat success especially in the absence of a likely alternative candidate at this late stage in the campaign;

and that it may also discourage voters who are told repeatedly that Trump will win regardless of how they vote or even whether they vote.

Endlessly repeated prophecies of doom can generate a sense of hopelessness which can discourage proactive action, and it is made worse when the prophecies of doom are not necessarily based in solid facts and are instead based on opinion and fear, or selective media coverage, or maybe even a secret sense of glee at others' misfortune.

Subject: RE: BS: American Presidential race 2024
From: Rain Dog
Date: 21 Jul 24 - 02:56 AM

BBC Radio 4 had a programme yesterday in their profile series, on J D Vance. (NPR were also mentioned)

Profile - J D Vance

From ‘hillbilly’ roots to becoming Donald Trump’s nominee for vice-president. At 39, if JD Vance is elected, he would be one of America’s youngest ever Vice-Presidents. A lot has been laid bare in his own words, in ‘Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis’. He talks about being raised by his grandparents who moved from the Appalachian Mountains area of Kentucky to Ohio, to a Middle America Rust Belt town looking for a better life. His mother struggled with drug addiction and a string of chaotic relationships. So how did he go from a sometimes unstable, sometimes violent, upbringing to being in the running to take one of the highest offices in American politics? There’s another transformation many wonder about too: why did he change his mind on Trump? Only in 2016 JD Vance said ‘I can't stomach Trump. I think that he's noxious and is leading the white working class to a very dark place.’ Mark Coles finds out.

Credit: NPR Fresh Air

Presenter: Mark Coles
Producers: Phoebe Keane, Diane Richardson
Editor: Penny Murphy


++

An interesting choice of candidate. I do have my doubts that they really get on. Probably both think they are taking advantage of the other in their pursuit of ???

Ride that tiger. Ride that tiger.

Subject: RE: BS: American Presidential race 2024
From: Rain Dog
Date: 21 Jul 24 - 04:03 AM

I see from an article in The Guardian that hard questions will be asked of all those responsible for security at the Trump rally.

Gunman at Trump rally flew drone over fairgrounds earlier on day of shootings

They mention the following:

"New information about Crooks’ intensive planning for the attack has also been gleaned from 14,000 browser history links in his phone. While he did not leave an ideological manifesto common to many mass-shooting perpetrators, FBI investigators have disclosed that online searches linked in his phone showed that he’d researched school shootings. He reportedly searched Michigan school shooter Ethan Crumbley and had a mugshot of him on his phone.

Crooks also performed internet searches on next month’s Democratic convention and Joe Biden, depressive disorder and explosive materials and chemical compounds. Crooks brought a pair of homemade bombs to the rally designed to be set off with a remote fireworks igniter, as well as a bulletproof vest and three 30-round magazines later found in his Hyundai Sonata."

I know that the investigation is still ongoing but are the police obliged to update the media as the investigation continues?

Another story today

US Secret Service rejected previous Trump team requests for more resources – reports

I guess more will come to light when Kimberly Cheatle testifies before the US House of Representatives oversight committee on Monday. Then we will have to wait until the investigation is completed, published and then the various spins applied.

I hope security is improved for the remainder of the campaign.

Subject: RE: BS: American Presidential race 2024
From: Helen
Date: 21 Jul 24 - 04:21 AM

I just watched PBS Washington Week With The Atlantic. One of the members of the panel discussed the difficulty of finding a candidate to run instead of Biden, if he drops out, and especially given that the timing is very tight for a November election campaign. I think it was the same panel member who also mentioned the lack of success when Hillary Clinton ran instead of Barack Obama, although we know that the tricks played by Trump and the election interference made it more difficult for her to succeed.

Another panel member made the point that the Democrats can operate like a proper political party in discussions and decisions, even while weighing up the pros and cons of Biden continuing his campaign, unlike the Republicans who are "all over the shop" [that's my terminology], random and out of control.

Subject: RE: BS: American Presidential race 2024
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 21 Jul 24 - 05:06 AM

"Endlessly repeated prophecies of doom can generate a sense of hopelessness"

While sticking your fingers in your ears and singing "everything's coming up roses" while others despair at what the US electorate have to put up with is very helpful?

Subject: RE: BS: American Presidential race 2024
From: Helen
Date: 21 Jul 24 - 06:42 AM

So how much do you charge for your precognitive readings? And do you use a crystal ball, tea leaves, tarot cards, psychometry, communing with the spirits?

Subject: RE: BS: American Presidential race 2024
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 21 Jul 24 - 07:10 AM

BBC News just now, reporting that Trump has claimed, in a speech, that he ‘took a bullet for democracy’. You really couldn’t make it up, could you?

Unfortunately, there are likely to be a large number of Americans who will fall for it, exactly the same way they’ve fallen for the rest of his shit. Let’s pray they are outnumbered by Americans with intelligence and a well-developed sense of right and wrong.

Subject: RE: BS: American Presidential race 2024
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 21 Jul 24 - 11:12 AM

Give it a break, Dave. No one is saying everything is coming up roses, but since I LIVE HERE I have a better sense of just how pissed off American women are that the GOP and the Supreme Court are taking away our rights. Pete and repeat on the remarks about doom and gloom. Trump doesn't know what is going to hit him in November. And apparently your pundits haven't caught a whiff of that anger and frustration.

Subject: RE: BS: American Presidential race 2024
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 21 Jul 24 - 11:28 AM

You are giving us a glimmer of hope, Stilly, and I sincerely hope that you are right. But being told to shut up by another member is not my idea of open debate. You are not my only US contact for news BTW and my cousin and his wife, both Democrats and fiercely anti Trump, are already making arrangements to move here after November. They are in Florida though so maybe their view is different to that of the average Texan. Are you sure that you are reflecting the view of the typical American and not just that of your own bubble?

Subject: RE: BS: American Presidential race 2024
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 21 Jul 24 - 11:40 AM

...and, Helen, no, I don't use any of those things. I use my eyes and ears on a number of different sources. If you can only come up with sarcastic comments instead if reasoned arguments, your posts are not really worth reading. Tell you what, as soon as you see a post that is from me, ignore it and I will do the same with yours. Deal?

Subject: RE: BS: American Presidential race 2024
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 21 Jul 24 - 12:53 PM

Florida and Texas both have toxic governors who transport immigrants who just arrived in the US to northern "liberal cities." They have clamped down on abortion rights to such an extent that pregnant women with complications are nearly dying before they can receive the care they need.

Delayed and denied: Women pushed to death's door for abortion care in post-Roe America

DENTON, Texas, and NEW YORK -- This is Part II of a three-part special ABC News investigation looking at the impact of abortion restrictions in America after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in June 2022. The "Impact by Nightline" broadcast, "On the Brink," with exclusive interviews by Diane Sawyer and Rachel Scott, brings you inside the raw, intimate and overlooked conversations playing out in clinics and exam rooms as the country continues to confront the realities of a post-Roe America. It premieres Dec. 14 on Hulu.

Her baby was going to die. Abortion laws forced her to give birth anyway

Texas Supreme Court rejects challenge to state's abortion ban over exceptions for pregnancy complications

Five women brought the lawsuit in March 2023, saying they were denied abortions even when issues arose during their pregnancies that endangered their lives. The case grew to include 20 women and two doctors.

The plaintiffs had not sought to repeal the ban, but rather to force clarification and transparency as to the precise circumstances in which exceptions are allowed. They also wanted doctors to be allowed more discretion to intervene when medical complications arise in pregnancy.

A woman who sued Texas for access to abortion seeks a procedure out of state instead

Kate Cox, a 31-year-old woman from the Dallas area facing pregnancy complications who had sued the state of Texas for access to an abortion, has left the state to get the procedure, according to the Center for Reproductive Rights.

New Biden ad blames Trump as Texas woman says she nearly died after abortion ban

The Biden campaign released an ad Monday featuring a Texas woman who said she almost died because she was not able to get the abortion she needed following a miscarriage.

Why it matters: The ad places the blame on former President Trump for the state-level bans on abortion, like in Texas, that lawmakers have passed since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022.

Driving the news: The emotional ad features Amanda Zurawski, an Austin woman who says she had a miscarriage after her water broke at 18 weeks.

When you keep posting the same complaints again and again it doesn't allow the conversation to precede. It annoys the participants. You're telling us we're going to be failures in solving this problem. So, like I said before, stop it. We don't need that kind of negativity.

Subject: RE: BS: American Presidential race 2024
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 21 Jul 24 - 01:32 PM

I have not complained about anything but being told to shut up! And I have never told anyone that they are going to fail. Look back through my posts and I have only ever said that I hope, wish and pray that you are right but I fear the worst. My fears are real to me but they do not reflect on anyone else's ability.

On a tangent here but I forgot to add before - Did anyone else notice that "Hulk" Hogan appeared at Trumps recent rally? Who remembers the Trump vs McMahon nonsense on WWE? I used to worry that so many people seemed to believe that all this stuff was real. Now it is happening in politics and it now scares me to death!

Subject: RE: BS: American Presidential race 2024
From: Neil D
Date: 21 Jul 24 - 02:33 PM

Meanwhile in Ohio a 10-year-old who was raped and impregnated at age 9 was forced to go out of state for an abortion. This was only 6 days after Dobbs but Ohio had a trigger law in place that outlawed all abortion instantly.
Then the Indiana Board of Medicine investigated the performing Dr and hit her with a bogus patient confidentiality charge and a $3000 fine. I say bogus because, though she had commented on the case, she had never mentioned the patient's name.
In April 2023, the head of Cincinnati Right to Life, Laura Strietmann, commented that the girl should have been forced to give birth, explaining that although "a pregnancy might have been difficult on a 10-year-old body, a woman’s body is designed to carry life," and that abortion rights should not be brought to a public vote.[23] Despite Strietmann's argument, a vote was held in November 2023 which amended the Constitution of Ohio to protect abortion rights.
That election last November was quite interesting in Ohio. We not only legalized abortion but we legalized cannabis as well. And this is a fairly deep red state. I think there were 2 factors at work here: the 2 bills supported each other. People who came out for legal pot also voted for legal abortion and vice versa; also, I think that these 2 issues do not break down as much on party lines as people think. I'm certain that many Republican women voted for the abortion bill and I think most people of each party have come to realize that marijuana laws are obsolete. Ohio wasn't the only red state to vote to protect abortion rights after the Dobbs decision. Kansas is one that comes to mind.
Now as to the comments of Laura Streitmann, I'm not big on hyperbole so I'm not going to say that all Repubs are heartless and inhumane, but her views do reflect those of a substantial percentage of that party.
All the more reason we can't let the GOP get control of our government.
.

Subject: RE: BS: American Presidential race 2024
From: The Sandman
Date: 21 Jul 24 - 02:39 PM

Biden has gone?

Subject: RE: BS: American Presidential race 2024
From: robomatic
Date: 21 Jul 24 - 02:41 PM

Let's phrase it in the form of a statement. Biden has issued on on-line announcement that he is departing the race.

Subject: RE: BS: American Presidential race 2024
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 21 Jul 24 - 02:51 PM

At least he lasted longer than Liz Truss...

Subject: RE: BS: American Presidential race 2024
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 21 Jul 24 - 02:56 PM

I must add that I am looking forward to seeing Harris shred Trump at the next debate. It gives me more hope for the future.

Subject: RE: BS: American Presidential race 2024
From: MaJoC the Filk
Date: 21 Jul 24 - 03:02 PM

It's on the Beeb, and on Sky News, here in the UK: Joe Biden's stepped down ("in the best interests of my country"), and nominated Kamala Harris as presidential candidate. Much debate about who will be nominated as Harris's running mate.

Subject: RE: BS: American Presidential race 2024
From: Bill D
Date: 21 Jul 24 - 03:42 PM

I am sad..and worried. Perhaps he should also quit and let her at least be POTUS for a few months.

Subject: RE: BS: American Presidential race 2024
From: Helen
Date: 21 Jul 24 - 04:10 PM

From an article which is being updated at present on ABC (Oz) News:

Barack Obama says says the decision is 'a testament to Joe Biden’s love of country'

"'Former president Barack Obama, who Joe Biden served as VP for two terms, has issued a statement paying tribute to his 'dear friend'.

"He says Biden's 'outstanding track record' gave him 'every right to run for re-election and finish the job he started'.

    "'Joe Biden has been one of America's most consequential presidents, as well as a dear friend and partner to me. Today, we’ve also been reminded – again – that he’s a patriot of the highest order. '

    "'I also know Joe has never backed down from a fight. For him to look at the political landscape and decide that he should pass the torch to a new nominee is surely one of the toughest in his life. But I know he wouldn’t make this decision unless he believed it was right for America.'

    "'It's a testament to Joe Biden's love of country — and a historic example of a genuine public servant once again putting the interests of the American people ahead of his own that future generations of leaders will do well to follow.'"

Subject: RE: BS: American Presidential race 2024
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 21 Jul 24 - 06:04 PM

Deposed by thunder! They tipped him the black spot.

Subject: RE: BS: American Presidential race 2024
From: Helen
Date: 21 Jul 24 - 06:48 PM

Yes I agree, Big Al Whittle, but it looked like the badgering was not going to stop and it has been placing the Democrats in a vulnerable position. It is very late in the game to put in a substitute player but there were limited options, and this is the game they really need to win.

My real hope is that Kamala Harris is chosen as the Presidential candidate, because she has inside knowledge of how the President should operate, and because she will appeal to a lot of the women voters who have serious concerns about a possible future second term for Trump, and because the campaign funds allocated to Biden can flow on to Harris. A new, different candidate could not access those funds and would have to start from scratch and, given the limited time until the election, that could be a major obstacle.

I have arrived at these opinions based on a number of reputable, reliable, fact-based news sources e.g. ABC (Australia) News, ABC America, Planet America on ABC (Oz), PBS Washington Week With The Atlantic, PBS News, and other sources.

And as I have said before, in a democratic system where voting is not compulsory, voters need to be motivated to vote based on a reasonable expectation that their vote will make a positive difference, that there is a high level of hope that their chosen candidate will succeed, and that the successful candidate will achieve the desired outcomes while in office.

I still worry that many voters, but especially white, male voters would not vote for a woman to be President, and even some Democrat supporters who are women may not vote for a woman to be President. To achieve that outcome, I thought that President Biden would continue with his campaign, showing the world that he is capable of campaigning, winning and continuing his Presidential achievements and that possibly his health would decline in the next year or so and he would hand over the reins to VP Harris, but that would have depended on him succeeding in gaining a second term.

Wait and see, hope and pray.

Subject: RE: BS: American Presidential race 2024
From: Neil D
Date: 21 Jul 24 - 08:00 PM

Helen, I think any white, male voters who wouldn't vote for a woman are already staunchly in the other camp. And I just can't picture any Democrat women who wouldn't vote for a woman. She sure is going to have to come on strong in the 3 1/2 weeks left. I think the next round of polling will show she is starting from behind. For what it's worth she has my full support.

Subject: RE: BS: American Presidential race 2024
From: Helen
Date: 21 Jul 24 - 08:19 PM

I hope you are right, Neil D. I'm fearing the worst regarding a woman as Presidential candidate and hoping for the best.

I have worked in a lot of different workplaces and the general belief tended to be that men were promoted to management, and promoted other men to management, and women had "other skills" like typing, admin, people skills etc. That was despite our best efforts as union reps and union members to generate healthy, productive change. Society is changing, so maybe my past decades of experiences are out of date in this century. I sincerely hope so. :-)

Subject: RE: BS: American Presidential race 2024
From: Ebbie
Date: 21 Jul 24 - 09:33 PM

If I weren't pretty sure that too many people would not vote for the pair, my vote would go to Kamala Harris and Pete Buttigieg. He is bright, informed, articulate and engaged.

Failing that, I'd vote for Amy Klobuchar- but no one is going to vote for TWO women. (One might surmise that I'm not in tune with the American people.)

AND failing that, I vote for Mark Kelly.

Subject: RE: BS: American Presidential race 2024
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 21 Jul 24 - 09:57 PM

Since the announcement was made this afternoon in the first five hours the Harris campaign has brought in $46.7M. I sent something (larger than the rest of my individual contributions). The data spoke to Biden.

Joe would have won. Kamala will win. The difference is that the moneyed class got their way on which candidate will be on the ballot. That is a problem, but one to solve another day. The reason the Big Names in the party (Obama, Pelosi, Schumer, etc.) haven't endorsed Harris today is because they wanted this day to honor Biden and his work, and the endorsements will come tomorrow. And Biden is still the president, for six more months.

When it comes to a running-mate, the goal is to benefit the campaign by having someone who will bring in votes on their own. But they also have to be smart and savvy enough to step into the presidency if the need arises. If you choose someone already in office when there is a shortage of Democratic senators and congresspeople, you need to choose someone who doesn't need to be replaced (when in the interim their absence might make a difference in the balance of power.) One strategy is to choose a governor of one of the four or five states that (because of the blankety-blank electoral college) is a battleground state. (That is so unfair to the entire electorate, that the electoral college is the decider instead of the popular vote - perhaps we'll finally get THAT mess fixed soon.)

I think the reason why so many people are stepping up now to endorse Harris is to mute the bullshit that the big dollar donors might try to pull to have some other candidate compete for the presidential position. They made enough trouble, now they need to, as Texas Congress member Jasmine Crockett says "lace up their shoes and get to work."

So far (again, within seven hours of the announcement) five states have announced that their Biden electorates are now committed to Harris. This will continue through the week and by the time of the Democratic Convention hopefully this will be resolved (it also has to be done in time to head off some BS from Ohio that means the candidate has to be selected by their deadline, though the Democratic Convention is scheduled after that deadline.)

Subject: RE: BS: American Presidential race 2024
From: The Sandman
Date: 22 Jul 24 - 10:33 AM

Joe would have won. quote
so why was he dropped?

Subject: RE: BS: American Presidential race 2024
From: The Sandman
Date: 22 Jul 24 - 11:04 AM

from new york times
R.F.K.-Aligned Super PAC Draws Heavily From a Republican Megadonor

A super PAC backing Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s bid for the Democratic nomination received $5 million from a major Republican donor who has supported Donald J. Trump in the past.

Subject: RE: BS: American Presidential race 2024
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 22 Jul 24 - 11:31 AM

Go back and read what is already here, Dick.

Joe wasn't "dropped." The large donors with a megaphone decided they wanted something different. Politicians in states where they fear Biden's coattails wouldn't help sweep them to victory piled on. Nothing needed to change, Biden would have won. But the complaining was likely to scare off those few voters who really didn't have a firm reason for wanting our Democracy to continue or Women's Rights to be restored, and Joe recognized that and chose to leave the race so the party can proceed with a younger candidate who might persuade the undecided. Well, kids you got what you wanted, now pony up.

The $50M that Harris raised in a few hours was all from small donors, individually without and megaphones, bonding together to build their own megaphone that shows huge support. I repeat, big names and big mouths, now is the time to support Harris so she can secure the nomination and a running mate. Get it done and out of harm's way before Putin and Trump and Thiel start meddling.

Subject: RE: BS: American Presidential race 2024
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 22 Jul 24 - 12:42 PM

How popular is Kamala in general?

Subject: RE: BS: American Presidential race 2024
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 22 Jul 24 - 05:55 PM

The thing , in England we're very used to politicians talking incoherent bollocks.....
not a hanging offence over here.

Subject: RE: BS: American Presidential race 2024
From: The Sandman
Date: 22 Jul 24 - 06:24 PM

He wasnt dropped he just dropped out

Subject: RE: BS: American Presidential race 2024
From: Ebbie
Date: 22 Jul 24 - 06:45 PM

Wow! Did anyone else listen to Kamala Harris's speech? She was fantastic, hard hitting and believable. My money is on her. She can win.

Subject: RE: BS: American Presidential race 2024
From: Neil D
Date: 22 Jul 24 - 07:28 PM

I like Cory Booker for VP, but someone like Mark Kelly might be a safer bet.

Subject: RE: BS: American Presidential race 2024
From: Helen
Date: 22 Jul 24 - 07:49 PM

Ebbie, I am cautiously optimistic too. Finally a glimmer of hope!

Subject: RE: BS: American Presidential race 2024
From: Ebbie
Date: 22 Jul 24 - 08:50 PM

Exactly, Helen. Hopes dashed has happened so often but this one feels different. As someone said, she spoke only verifiable truths. He's going to be running scared.

We'll have to brace ourselves for the vitriol he's going to sling her way. The good thing is that I don't think it will faze her.