2024 Elections Thread

[Sun_Worshiper]

It is quite a mess for the Dems. I think Biden will ride it out and he might manage to win since Trump is such an awful candidate. That said, I'm of the mind that he should leave the race at this point. It is risky, yes, but if properly managed it could create some excitement around whoever the new face is - and Americans would probably welcome a new face. The problem, of course, is that it is not clear who that face will be. Perhaps an exit from Biden would be accompanied by a more-or-less immediate endorsement of someone by him and the rest of the leading Democratics. I know people are not enthusiastic about Harris and she is not really a new face, but maybe she could be persuaded to stay on as VP while Biden is replaced at the top of the ticket by Whitmer or Newsom or Warnock.

This all seems pretty far fetched as I'm typing it...

[Ruralguy]

Yes. People have discussed Trump flipping MN or NY, though i think both are stretches.
People have also thought Trump might flip VA, the easiest of the three, but probably prohibitive in a high turn out election.

I doubt Biden could flip a true red state, but Dems habe always hoped for TX, SC or maybe even conservative, but compassionate conservativeish, UT. I doubt any will happen this election.

[Langue_doc]

Biden's Family Tells Him to Keep Fighting as They Huddle at Camp David
President Biden is trying to figure out how to tamp down Democratic anxiety after last week's disastrous debate performance.

President Biden's family is urging him to stay in the race and keep fighting despite last week's disastrous debate performance, even as some members of his clan privately expressed exasperation at how he was prepared for the event by his staff, people close to the situation said on Sunday.

Mr. Biden huddled with his wife, children and grandchildren at Camp David while he tried to figure out how to tamp down Democratic anxiety. While his relatives were acutely aware of how poorly he did against former President Donald J. Trump, they argued that he could still show the country that he remains capable of serving for another four years.

One of the strongest voices imploring Mr. Biden to resist pressure to drop out was his son Hunter Biden, whom the president has long leaned on for advice, said one of the people informed about the discussions, who, like others, spoke on condition of anonymity to share internal deliberations.

One of the people informed about the situation said "the entire family is united" and added flatly that the president was not getting out of the race and had not discussed doing so. "You get up and keep fighting," the person said.

While the campaign has forcefully rejected advice that Mr. Biden step aside for another candidate just weeks before the roll call vote to formalize his nomination, many Democrats, including some working for the president, said they did not think the door was yet closed on that possibility.

[Langue_doc]

Yes. People have discussed Trump flipping MN or NY, though i think both are stretches.
People have also thought Trump might flip VA, the easiest of the three, but probably prohibitive in a high turn out election.

I doubt Biden could flip a true red state, but Dems habe always hoped for TX, SC or maybe even conservative, but compassionate conservativeish, UT. I doubt any will happen this election.

Not quite; New Yorkers haven't been too happy with the Democrats.

From the Gothamist:

New York Democrats have a Joe Biden problem

The NYT articles on Joe Biden are even more depressing as it appears that Jill and Hunter are the ones propping up Joe, despite his ability to be alert only during part of the day.

The Road to a Crisis: How Democrats Let Biden Glide to Renomination
An 81-year-old candidate and no Plan B. "How did we get here?" one leading Democrat asks. The answer is complicated.

[apl68]

Hunter Biden does not strike me as a sound source of advice.

AmLitHist points out a crucial problem with our political system in general.  It has become far too much of a personality contest, with presidential candidates in both parties being identified too much with the party as a whole.  There's something fundamentally toxic about that, even when the particular candidate isn't somebody as personally toxic as Trump.

It's not a problem peculiar to the U.S.  We see more and more of this around the world.  A byproduct of modern media and celebrity culture, I guess.  Those boring candidates and parties of not so long ago were a solution to the problem of over-mighty individual rulers that we apparently failed to appreciate sufficiently.

[Sun_Worshiper]

We know Hunter Biden has great judgement...

[spork]

SCOTUS just gave us a king.

Prepare for Gilead.

[AmLitHist]

SCOTUS just gave us a king.

Prepare for Gilead.

Exactly. Either today's ruling wakes up and gets the "I don't really pay attention to politics" and "they're both too old" crowd off their sorry asses to vote for democracy, or it empowers the MAGA crowd to feel, probably rightly, that they have carte blanche to do with impunity whatever the hell the Cheetoh in Chief says. In olden days (pre 2016) I'd have said the former would be the case; today, I fear the latter will rule the day, the election, and the foreseeable future.

The decision on what, exactly, are "duties of the office" are to be sent back to the lower courts, as I read it, but it'll be a moot point--he'll win in November, dismantle the Justice Dept., and this will all be forgotten save as a tale of poor Donald being persecuted.

Think Putin and China aren't watching this and licking their lips in anticipation?

That was one hell of a time to have a senior moment, Joe.  Way to go, bud.

[Langue_doc]

We know Hunter Biden has great judgement...

Yes, according to Joe and Jill. Hunter's been in attendance at all the state dinners, acting practically as the host of the event.

[secundem_artem]

Biden's Family Tells Him to Keep Fighting as They Huddle at Camp David
President Biden is trying to figure out how to tamp down Democratic anxiety after last week's disastrous debate performance.

President Biden's family is urging him to stay in the race and keep fighting despite last week's disastrous debate performance, even as some members of his clan privately expressed exasperation at how he was prepared for the event by his staff, people close to the situation said on Sunday.

Mr. Biden huddled with his wife, children and grandchildren at Camp David while he tried to figure out how to tamp down Democratic anxiety. While his relatives were acutely aware of how poorly he did against former President Donald J. Trump, they argued that he could still show the country that he remains capable of serving for another four years.

One of the strongest voices imploring Mr. Biden to resist pressure to drop out was his son Hunter Biden, whom the president has long leaned on for advice, said one of the people informed about the discussions, who, like others, spoke on condition of anonymity to share internal deliberations.

One of the people informed about the situation said "the entire family is united" and added flatly that the president was not getting out of the race and had not discussed doing so. "You get up and keep fighting," the person said.

While the campaign has forcefully rejected advice that Mr. Biden step aside for another candidate just weeks before the roll call vote to formalize his nomination, many Democrats, including some working for the president, said they did not think the door was yet closed on that possibility.

I don't know who said it first, but the only cure for political ambition is embalming fluid. 

[dismalist]

The trick is knowing when to stop!

[lightning]

SCOTUS just gave us a king.

Prepare for Gilead.

Exactly. Either today's ruling wakes up and gets the "I don't really pay attention to politics" and "they're both too old" crowd off their sorry asses to vote for democracy, or it empowers the MAGA crowd to feel, probably rightly, that they have carte blanche to do with impunity whatever the hell the Cheetoh in Chief says. In olden days (pre 2016) I'd have said the former would be the case; today, I fear the latter will rule the day, the election, and the foreseeable future.

The decision on what, exactly, are "duties of the office" are to be sent back to the lower courts, as I read it, but it'll be a moot point--he'll win in November, dismantle the Justice Dept., and this will all be forgotten save as a tale of poor Donald being persecuted.

Think Putin and China aren't watching this and licking their lips in anticipation?

That was one hell of a time to have a senior moment, Joe.  Way to go, bud.

The first thing Biden and/or his handlers should do on Tuesday morning, is use the new shield (power) of immunity and make a bunch of official acts and end the Trump & MAGA BS. He (they) has a little more than six months to make good.

It's time to stop taking the high road. Either Joe (and/or his handlers) do, or Trump does it to the Dems, if he's the president getting sworn in next January.

[Parasaurolophus]

SCOTUS just gave us a king.

Prepare for Gilead.

Exactly. Either today's ruling wakes up and gets the "I don't really pay attention to politics" and "they're both too old" crowd off their sorry asses to vote for democracy, or it empowers the MAGA crowd to feel, probably rightly, that they have carte blanche to do with impunity whatever the hell the Cheetoh in Chief says. In olden days (pre 2016) I'd have said the former would be the case; today, I fear the latter will rule the day, the election, and the foreseeable future.

The decision on what, exactly, are "duties of the office" are to be sent back to the lower courts, as I read it, but it'll be a moot point--he'll win in November, dismantle the Justice Dept., and this will all be forgotten save as a tale of poor Donald being persecuted.

Think Putin and China aren't watching this and licking their lips in anticipation?

That was one hell of a time to have a senior moment, Joe.  Way to go, bud.

The first thing Biden and/or his handlers should do on Tuesday morning, is use the new shield (power) of immunity and make a bunch of official acts and end the Trump & MAGA BS. He (they) has a little more than six months to make good.

It's time to stop taking the high road. Either Joe (and/or his handlers) do, or Trump does it to the Dems, if he's the president getting sworn in next January.

You forget that the court has also ruled that the executive branch is not allowed to govern (when Democratic). So it would have to be a series of crimes.

What he should do is pack the court, then gin up some cases for it to reverse their restoration of the monarchy.

[kaysixteen]

Joe can use his new powers to round up all MAGA leaders and disappear 'em into the Alaskan backcountry.  Who's to stop him?  He does not have to care.   And as for Trump, well...he'd look real fine tossed out of a hurricane chaser plane, straight into the eye.   All Hail His Majesty King Joseph I of the House of Biden.

I have tried to tell Trumpanzees of this sort of danger for years, but, well...?

[Langue_doc]

The first thing Biden and/or his handlers should do on Tuesday morning, is use the new shield (power) of immunity and make a bunch of official acts and end the Trump & MAGA BS. He (they) has a little more than six months to make good.

Biden's too far gone to make any policy decisions. We do have to thank him, though, for Clarence Thomas. The article below goes back to the 2019 campaign, but is still relevant.

Joe Biden Expresses Regret to Anita Hill, but She Says 'I'm Sorry' Is Not Enough