Up early as I am on vacation in Italy. My heart sunk as I read the NYT headline about Biden’s increasing isolation and saw the quotes from Adam Schiff. How glad I was to find the you were addressing that very topic in today’s edition. Thank you for affirming my initial response to the article. It will come down to us. The grassroots. We have to dig in and do the heavy lifting. Change the narrative and move forward. The debate is the blip. Let it go!!
Trump will not be able to distance himself from this and neither will JD Vance. I have been writing to any press that has a contact email and telling them I want them to cover Project 2025. I am also reading it with a group from Democrats Abroad. We want to prepare one page handouts targeting different voter constituencies. My daughter and niece and nephews are gen-Zers. She told me they did not watch the debate, don't read newspapers and do not follow the mainstream press. They are going to vote for whoever fits the bill of their interests. The Department of Education section should be quite interesting to them, if we break it down and make it personal. It should be interesting to anyone who has school age or college age children. The absence of public schools will affect even elite private schools, as they totally defund them so they can put money into the pockets of home schoolers and charter schools, targeted at the White Christian Nationalists like the Duggars of Shiny, Happy People infamy. How about learning that college loans will all be privatized, at the same time that there is no defaulting (can we say prison? military?) and the unis to attend will not be accredited or not as they are now. My daughter and her boyfriend are just leaving their Italian vacation in Italy today. I did not even discuss what was going on with her because she deserves to believe in her candidates Joe Biden and Kamala Harris. Together they are reviving the US along with their Democratic colleagues in Congress.
Thank you, Linda ! Might I also add that we need to educate that Project 2025 is not a future event.
In Florida, public schools are being rapidly defunded with vouchers that allow students, regardless of income, to attend private schools.The majority in Fl are religious and not accredited. There is NO teacher certification and school accreditation requirements for private schools. Vouchers can also be used for such things as standup paddle boards wide screen TV’s and theme park tickets. The Fl legislature was supposed to address that issue this year but apparently too busy banning heat protection for workers, living wage legislation,lab-grown meat and pronouns.Project 2025 is happening NOW.
Not to mention there will be fewer and fewer students enrolling for degrees in education! There is a teacher shortage now. Who will educate my grandchildren? What chaos!
Not only that, but what training will they be getting? I can imagine by looking at the teaching priorities. No CRT, No DEI, No gender affirming care. Kudos to CA for making gender designations that children choose in school private from their parents.
While I favor most of what you say, I oppose CRT and DEI at least the way they are often taught, and in a book I proofed, I read horror stories about teachers who encourage children to switch genders even without such children bringing it up themselves. Being a guy who was never classically masculine--I didn't like playing ball or war, as a 5 and 6 year old I wore a woman's toy watch, because I found men's watches ugly and women's watches pretty (I did switch to guy's watches when I got a real one), and I took up knitting for a while when I was 9--I can well imagine having switched genders at a tender age.
Alas, that would probably have effed me up something fierce. My sexual interests were strictly in girls as a kid, and women as an adult.
David, it’s a complex world in 2024 and will continue to be so beyond our lifetime. CRT is a false news headline. Let’s be clear that knowing our history in relation to what has brought us to this point is important for each of us and future generations so they can appreciate how to move forward without repeating our mistakes, which appears to be what we are doing or going to do if the right wing extremists win this election.
As for DEI, here again you need to step into the world of 2024 and onward. Talk to some young people about their views and their sexual identity. I, for one, am glad to see a new generation coming out to have conversations and be better understood as they make choices and create a path that serves them well. I would suggest that the DEI efforts are made in good faith to help us accept and respect our differences.
CRT & DEI shouldn't be a simple Y/N, as David suggests. I have general agreement, but there are practical and specific aspects that need discussion. E.g., application of DEI statements for college appointments: there are some disturbing tales there.
It's like when college profs had to sign loyalty oaths to sign to teach at some schools back in the '50s and '60s. I might have grown up in Berkeley instead of Boston had UC not had loyalty oaths.
I totally agree Kathy. I have been watching Florida with horror and talked one nephew out of going there for grad school, and another out of going there for a job. The fascism was begun under Trump when he was president, and as you point out, wannabe DeSantis embraced the Cult of Fascism that Trump represents and has been governing like a fascist. I really recommend Prof. Ruth Ben-Ghiats book called Strongmen. In it, she teaches us about fascists. Not just how they get to power, and what they do in power, but also how they have lost power and how people have successfully addressed it. She discusses Pinochet, Mussolini, Berlusconi, Hitler, Putin, Franco, Gadaffi, Mobuto, and Trump. She wrote it during his presidency and pretty much what is in Project 2025 was the goal, but some people prevented his implementation of it. Those he currently plans on replacing, but I am grateful that he has selected JD Vance, because he is noxious to both the mainstream Americans in the Democratic party and the most right in the MAGA cult of fascism according to The Guardian this morning. They said that the right wing is upset because Vance's wife is part Indian just like Kamala. Apparently White Supremacists don't like that, but they don't care that Trump's wife is an immigrant even though they are against them too, but only the ones who they do not consider to be "White."
DeSantis basically already seized at least one public university there. I was astonished at what he was able to do there, but I would no more encourage anyone to go to even the best FL educational institution than I would to encourage them to swim with the sea snakes. Imagine entering one only to have the MAGAt cultists replace the president and most of the faculty and the curriculum... and watching your diploma's reputation plummet.
The Yougov is interesting, and really shows how much more work needs to be done on educating people on the contents of Project 2025. I am almost always astonished at how little so many people know. 51% of Independents don't know anything about it? Gobsmacking.
I watched the Red Wine & Blue webinar with HCR the other night. It was excellent (of course), and attendees were provided with links to their toolkit for spreading the word:
Jocelyn, please do post it. I signed up for it knowing I could not attend because of the 6 hour time difference, but hoping that would lead to a recording later.
This is Joe Biden's official schedules. Yesterday, he was in Vegas doing 3 events, including an interview with BET and addressing NAACP. Today, before he leaves Vegas, he has 3 new events. So much for Biden's isolation!
Robert, I'm trying again to ask if there's any leeway in starting the donations at $25 for your small donor zoom fundraisers. ($10 would be so welcome) I wanted to attend the last event, but I've already committed to a monthly donation to President Biden as well several other candidates. I'm retired on SS only, (an ex -nun/actor/writer's legacy) and my rent just went up 180/month. I am blessed with three subsidies for housing, healthcare and transportation in DC. I know it may sound unbelievable but after paying all my bills, my discretionary income for food etc is $16/day. And I know I'm not the only one because someone else responded to my earlier request for this consideration. I don't expect to be able to attend in-person dinner fundraisers. But I would love to participate in these zoom fundraisers that you organize for us. Thank you!
I had the same reaction to hearing that Adam Schiff no longer supports President Biden for re-election. I like Adam Schiff... I respect him... I think he is dead wrong. As Robert mentioned, the only people I know that are not behind Biden are his Democrats (and maybe a few Republicans)??? I think his party is just making it more difficult for him. If they would start actively supporting Biden, I bet his numbers would skyrocket. Thank you ,Robert... I feel better after reading your post!
Gabrielle, please regard whatever you read in the NYT or the WaPo as pure fiction. Whatever they say 99% of the time has zero basis in reality. It's the fevered brain vomit of some egotistical self-described "journalist" (whatever that means these days). So, enjoy your morning fiction just as if it were JRR Tolkien or some writer of dark, doomsday sci-fi.
Here in Baghdad By the Sea, the abortion issue is primary. We can flip this state.
Schiff spoke at the Focus for Democracy program last night but I had a conflict with our DEC meeting where some members expressed similar reservations. I'm asking for a report.
Swamp Republicans. Millions of unregistered trend Democratic.
FT 6 has texted well over a million in the past several days. Thanks to a donor, texts to Arizona yesterday and today. https://www.fieldteam6.org/
I was on the Focus on Democracy call last night and Adam Schiff spoke but did not mention Biden at all and clearly outlined the extent of the threat to our democracy
✍️Postcarding opportunity for Amendment 4 in Fl. A donation is not required.
The Reform Movement through RAC-FL and Women of Reform Judaism is partnering with the "YES on 4, Floridians Protecting Freedom" campaign to protect reproductive freedom through a November ballot amendment.
I have read more than once that 538 has done 1000 simulations and 51% of the time, Biden gets to 270. It’s not over. I also saw today, though, that there is some kind of letter circulating among Democratic leaders asking that the virtual roll call be postponed to allow for more discussion. It’s so harmful at this point! Especially when no name emerges, at least not publicly, that they propose really could win. In the meantime, Biden is rockin’ every appearance.
This morning, the simulations show Biden winning 53 percent of the time. Given that polls these days tend to have a Republican bias, I'm wondering what's behind the narrative that Democrats will get "crushed" in November
I agree. Is anyone else having trouble making sense of polls? Rs and media are acting like this race is over, with CNN’s John King saying Trump could win by a landslide. Then I see that Biden has edged ahead and has a more than 50-50 chance of winning.
Are others making sense of this? It truly seems all over the place right now.
Ignore polls and mainstream media just spend every moment to mobilize and educate about Project 2025 even if Trump waffles and lies about his support for it.
Personal opinion: Republican and Russian disinformation and junk polls that the media (and some party leaders) are falling victim to. If the party elites know something concrete (not just predictions) that we don't, they should make that public. Otherwise, they should STFU. Some of us are trying to win an election.
Even the media is apparently recognizing that the stock market is booming, jobs are up through the roof, inflation is easing off a bit, and greedflation is the result of corporate CEO gluttony, not the Biden administration. Result? Media silence on the economy. Heaven forbid they systematically praise Pres. Biden for anything.
I don't make sense of the polls. I ignore them. I do not trust how they are done, and I am with former journalist Mike Royko. He says, "It ain't over 'til it's over of elections, so I just wait and see. Even with short memories of the misery of covid under Trump being horrid, there is so much more that we know that we should be getting out the vote for. JD Vance is not going to help Trump's ticket.
Some racist MAGA nut commented negatively about Vance today, saying "how can we (meaning white supremist MAGAs) trust somebody who has an Indian wife and named their kid Vivek." The ugliness of these hate-filled, pre-adolescent-minded, bullying MAGA people is almost unbelievable.
That's why I say Vance is not a good choice. The Heritage Foundation is happy because they need a bootlicker, and they need someone to carry out the agenda if Trump does not. Of course the way the first section of Project 2025 is written, I can see that they are wanting the Chief of Staff to really run the White House. They might be assuming Trump is their useful idiot. However, the elite in Germany made that mistake with Hitler and he actually turned them into his useful idiots. This shows how crazy it is to concentrate all that power in the President.
Cathy, please remember polls are like fortune-telling. Polls are often (mostly?) wrong in hindsight. And polls are only taken by people who make a habit of answering phone calls labeled "potential spam" or "number unknown." Is that you or any Democrat you know??
What’s behind the narrative that Democrats will be crushed in November? Disdain for and dislike of Biden by certain types of Democrats.
Throughout much of his Presidency, Biden has had to cope with sniping and undercutting from both left- and right-wings of the Democratic Party. Add to that the fact that so many exalt style over substance; Biden’s Presidency has had the substance but has lacked style.
Democrats should recognize that Biden has been a *gift* to liberal/progressive ideals, should get behind his candidacy, and should be spurred on by the dangers Trump poses. Enough of this egotistic posturing!
Exactly!! I just read about the recent AP/NORC poll showing that "most" Democrats want Biden to drop out. Really? They polled every single Dem in America?? If not, how could they possibly make such a sweeping statement? Not only that, but I could find no data about (a) how many Dems they polled, or (b) what the demographics of the responders were. Clearly, none of the Dems I know were among them! Also, there was no data on the demographic apocalypse that would come the Democrats' way if Biden were forced out, given how strong his support is among African Americans. Polls like this are both upsetting and useless -- except to discourage us. Don't let it happen! I get angry instead. And write more postcards for Blue Wave. In fact, I'm about to order some more right now!
Which constituency are they thinking can win over? The people who are not on electronics all the time in my demographic is the one that has the largest percentage of voters are mostly not for Biden still and putting so much skin in the game. It is the millennials with their no reading, instant gratification, on tech all the time that are driving this, in my opinion. As my Gen-Z, 19-year old says, no one her age watched the debate or is paying attention to the mainstream press. They get their information from parents or tiktok or friends. The press just started discussing Project 2025 in the last few days and already they are shifting the numbers. A week of reporting on it, which they might not do will make a big difference. However, we can inform ourselves and spread the word.
On Monday day night Red, Wine and Blue had a zoom event with Heather Cox Richardson explaining Project 2025. 70,000 people registered, and 42,000 showed up, which is an incredible turnout. The recording was posted on Facebook and by Monday afternoon it had 200,000 views. Yes, spread the word! That is a lot of people watching reliable information so they can be prepared to talk about it in their own social circles. And that was in one day. I’m sure the video has continued to be viewed.
I heard it too and recommend it highly. Also Red Wine and Blue has a free Project 2025 kit available. I haven’t explored it yet but assume it’s up to their usual high standards.
Yes, and as others have noted, the concerted efforts of Russian propaganda, however subtly disguised and Americanized, must not be discounted. The Republicans have become much more targeted and sophisticated in their messaging than in 2016, and they are getting a lot of help from their billionaires and the Russians. They have seen that the media and the American people don't care about Russian interference in our election, and welcome the likes of Musk and Mellon and others buying an election for DJT.
Remember, they don't have to beat Biden on issues and ideas or even on the vision of Project 2025. Trump has told the public he knows very little about it and the media and business leaders saying, "Well, it can't be that bad." (See Jamie Dimon saying at Davos that Trump did a lot of good things for the economy and "He was kind of right about NATO." He is now reportedly being considered for Secretary of Treasury in the presumptive Trump cabinet.)
It's a close race and all the enemies of democracy have to do is sow doubts in the minds of x number of independents in swing states and sow despair and confusion in lukewarm Democrats. Right now they are doing a good job at both task, right up to Adam Schiff and Jared Huffman and the Democrats who want to have a delayed roll-coll "discussion" at the convention about who the nominee should be.
Let's ask ourselves, "What would the Republicans and Russia love to see?"
1) Chaos at the Democratic National Convention
2) Constant dithering by delegates and Democratic office holders about Biden's "fitness."
3) These office holders and delegates then having to campaign for Biden with the best case they can make being something like, "Well, you know, Joe is old and not my choice and I wish we would have gone with younger and more dynamic person X, who I can't think of his name (and it most certainly will be a "his" in their minds), but, I mean, Joe's not perfect and Kamala is "untested" but, I have thought about this long and hard and, you know what, Joe Biden is better than Trump. So, if it's not too much trouble and it's not raining or snowing on Election Day, I think it might be a good idea if you vote for Biden, but of course you are free to follow your own conscience. Isn't that what democracy is all about, at least until Donald Trump's next inauguration, after which I plan to view with great alarm every thing Trump does with shock on my face?"
I am gravely disappointed in Adam Schiff. I've written to him. And will send him your edition today. But he won't read it because he will be too busy clucking to the media that the sky is falling. And we worry about Biden's confusion and dithering!
I mourn Alexi Navalny and his courage, and I wish our leaders would live by his words, "You are not allowed to give up!" I will try my best to honor his words by my work and I know thousands in the Hubbell community will do the same joined by millions (I hope) of our fellow Americans. It will be a lot of work, but it will be easier fighting tyranny now than after our bumbling Democratic politicians, our homegrown oligarchs, and our feckless "thought leaders" and "wise heads" and "media wonks," read the tea leaves and deliver the crown of absolute power to Donald Trump. We don't have to make him King to create a monarchy. All we have to do is elect him President. He and Project 2025 stand ready to the rest.
I have been concerned about Russian bots not just in the US election but the EU as well. I know that the Republicans are like Russian bots as well. I have been waking up friends to the Project 2025 reality. I know they think I am exaggerating, although I have a track record of being right about things that are seemingly too scary to contemplate. Having read the Dept. of Education section has been really helpful. I also wrote to Schiff by the way. It annoys me that elected reps only will take emails from people in their district so one has to find an address to use. It sucks. They should serve us all. In any case, a friend just told me today that when she gets back to the States, she and her daughter who is in college will be working on the election for Biden too. I have alarmed them enough. I will be alarming more people as well.
they can't take emails from people not in their districts because of campaign finance laws, I think. I respect that. You can email them at their campaign websites if and only if they are up for re-election, no matter your zip code, so check that. I went to the post office and bought 100 pre-paid postcards, so anytime I see someone I want to mail, I just grab one and look up their D.C. address online. It takes about 190 seconds. It's worth it to save our democracy.
Yes. As a member of Democrats Abroad we all know that even if our spouses share our finances, if they are American they cannot buy swag for fundraising, or donate directly. It has to come from us. But, I am in Germany and it is easier to email than send a post card that will take 3 weeks to get there. It is just not immediate enough. So, I use hospitals, and grocery stores for addresses.
"And we worry about Biden's confusion and dithering!"
There are so many other quotes here that perfectly sum up so much of how it stands right now.
Thank you for writing and I hope many many others do as well. If we want to make one letter count, we should send it to as many of the people as we can (politicians and journalists and editors) who affect tens or hundreds of opinions by even a hint of a tint with their vocal, public opinions.
And yes it is going to be so much easier now than afterwards. Ask Navlany or his widow.
It seems like we are in a race between Biden proving he can still win and the Democrats who are not so sure but have no meaningful process to figure it out.
The race has always been whether Biden can win. It was in 2020 as well. He did win. The Democrats who are trying to get rid of him have no candidate to replace him with, very little time to raise money to even get name awareness beyond state or region, and have to get that person on the ballot. If they think that against the self assured Trump, Harris is going to win, when she did not win last time, in the primaries, then what are they basing that on? This is the most chaotic, idiotic turn of events. No way would I have let my forth graders or third graders stay with such sloppy thinking. I think we need to be asking them whether they are getting paid by secret monies and planning to jump party. That is the effect it is having of sabotage of the Dems ticket and front runner who won fair and square. I think they should all get a copy of Project 2025 and slog through it and then let their constituents know why they should vote for them as well as Biden to avoid the certain HELL that will bring.
I think you’re mixing apples and oranges. The issues such as 2025 are on the table and have to be part of the conversation but so is the issue of the age and capability of Joe Biden in the minds of many voters regardless of the polls. The Democrats have a reason to evaluate if Joe Biden can win because there is too much at stake. The problem is it’s taking too long and what is the viable alternative. My gut today is it’s too late to change horses so let’s win with what we have.
It is too late to change Candidates, and if age were really the issue, then Trump being 3 years younger and showing just as many if not more signs of age would be an issue as well, and it is not. Any person can win given the right supports. Biden has already won, so we know he can win. There is no other candidate. So, why discuss it. Do these people really think there is one candidate that people would rally behind? No, they would spend the rest of the time trying to argue that out, and then, they would have so demoralized the people who have been out there working hard for the candidate, and spending time getting people to vote, like me, that they might not have the energy to get the vote out last minute for whichever Joe Blow Sixpack is selected by people who did not vote that person in. And, I am not mixing apples and oranges to say, this is energy poorly spent. This whole other candidate is a myth. And why are people so worried about Biden's age? Because they don't believe in Harris, who will step in if need be.
Quick thanks to you, Linda Weide, for all your detailed and thoughtful posts. I look forward to more education from you and all in the Hubbell community in the weeks ahead. Remember Navalny! His battle is our battle. We have to hammer home what the abandonment of NATO and Ukraine would mean.
80% of voters are locked into their choices and they won’t change their minds regardless. This election will be won on the fringes. The fringe voters are younger and not in love with either candidate. They will determine the election. The question is how to win their votes.
I am sure learning about how Project 2025 will effect them will make them more interested. We don't have to be in love with our home to pay the rent or mortgage and we don't have to be in love with the president to vote. Those who don't vote, don't vote. So, there are those who might vote if they had a reason. It can be a person or an issue. Let us work on giving them the issues.
The answer is information, thoughtful conversation, and ads and money and work and reminding them what Trump will mean. Helping them remember what Trump did, and just accentuating the "ick" factor. All of the above. Vance and Trump are sleezeballs.
Linda, you hit the nail on the head: "Why discuss it?"
(And I adore Harris, while at the same time I know that my fellow citizens hate women and hate black people enough that the combination will tank her right now. Our best hope is Biden/Harris wins a second term and then, if God forbid anything happens to Joe, the super-competent, super-bright, super-excellent American citizen Harris steps into his shoes and proves herself that way.)
While my gut has been telling me Biden will carry on fine as he has been not only these past almost four years but these past few months when allowed to simply tend to the business of running the country rather than being our performing pony, and that Kamala Harris is a fully competent back stop should there be any medical issues that arise later, and that one of the biggest injuries now being inflicted on his candidacy is the vocal hand wringing of our own party members - far worse than the transparent and lying slings and arrows from the right - I also think it's too late so "let's win with what we have". We end up in the same place.
Right, Stephen, who is this mythical, perfect, non-existent Democrat who will suddenly materialize out of the ether because Adam Schiff dreams of him, and magically win the election with no preparation, no background, no experience, and no name-factor recognition among any Democrats? What are they drinking??
I agree. We need to attack the nay-saying doubting Democrats, ask them if they are jumping party and getting secret money, jam down their throats that they are sabotaging the Democratic victory with their doubts, etc. Call or write them every day.
Heaven help us, we Dems are fiercely engaged in snatching defeat from the jaws of victory. Each remaining clear-thinking person has got to step up their game--calling, writing, donating, talking. Don't give up.
As far as I'm concerned, Kamala Harris can win. Is Biden refusing to step aside because he thinks he is the only Democrat that can win? Freedom is on the ballot. The Constitution is on the ballot. A woman's right to control her own body is on the ballot. LGBTQ rights are on the ballot. Restructuring the SCOTUS is on the ballot. Social Security is on the ballot. A fairer tax structure is on the ballot.
Biden is our only hope? Which Democrats will vote for Trump instead of Kamala Harris? She would make a great President - with the support of all of us. Biden has no special knowledge of the outcome of the election. He could help any Democrat win, so why doesn't he?
Do you have brown skin? If not, I do. While I would hope Harris can win eventually, my day to day life experiences make me skeptical about that. No Democrat will vote for Trump, and Harris is not the presidential candidate she is the VP candidate. So, everyone that votes for Biden votes for her. However, there is a lot of sexism and racism in the Democratic party, so we shall see. I am working for the Biden-Harris ticket. I still think Biden is the best. Harris is getting there. I value experience not just youth. I hope you do too. We have a very complex foreign policy and it would be good to keep that going. I think the youth would still vote for Harris, and Blacks, and Indian-Americans, but she did not win before when she ran for President, whereas Biden has.
No, my skin color is white. And I think Harris is a great public servant. I am a lawyer, and Harris has great credentials. I think Biden has held her back from showing her full qualities. What do you mean Harris did not win before when she ran for President? She didn't get the nomination. She, like other Democrats, were not given the nomination for President of the Democrat party. Biden won against Trump, but this is not 2020. But Harris has distinguished herself in other elected public offices. But, what's important is that all things are not equal right now, when it matters. Biden is aging and there is a lot of support for the idea that he should not risk this election being lost. It's certainly not a risk I think he should be willing to take. It's a big gamble and the stakes are too high, in my opinion. If the leadership of our party is concerned, how can we not be?
I meant in the primaries in 2020 both Biden and Harris were candidates. Biden won the primary and the general election. If the Democratic leadership didn't sabotage our candidate who is only 3 years older than Trump, who is treated like a Superman by the Republicans, then we would be well on our way to focusing the people and the press on Project 2025 and how it will destroy our country.
I can't wait for smart Kamala to debate JD Vance....she will destroy him. She also carries a lot of black and brown votes with her. We have the Dems, the Unions and the Blake/Brown vote people. It may be the Puerto Ricans that he threw toilet paper to that take us home.....
If you don't get that white men hate Black women, I'm not sure what will convince you. These aren't debates and will change nothing. The headlines while the show is happening will all be "angry Black woman." WHY do we keep playing these stupid games where the outcome won't change anything.
Janet, come on. Americans hate even white women enough that they didn't elect Hillary president. A woman who is also a person of color has no real chance in 2024. Credentials be damned. Evidence and proof too. This is about the secret emotional and psychological sexist and racist bias deep in the heart of many Americans. Not just men but women too. People "vote with their feet" and it's still a secret ballot, so no one will know the depths to which they sink with their votes.
I don't deny there are voters who can't vote for a woman - or even for a person of color. But we are talking about people who like fascists to choose Trump over Kamala Harris. And I initially objected to the comment that while men hate black women. I completely disagree with that.
With Biden you get Kamala and Biden. She is the VP. Who would be her VP? Kamala is not only standing behind Biden, she's standing by him which since you value her opinion, should definitely be taken into account.
Thank you for this post Janet. To me the endless agonizing is what is destructive. There is no way Biden can have another debate against Trump; his increasing limitations have been hidden by the upper echelons of the Party for several years. We need to thank him for his tremendous service and move on. I would be thrilled to get behind Kamala.
I am continually amazed by the rah-rah boosterism of the posts here. The Lester Holt interview confirmed for me that President Biden isn't willing or able to understand how disastrous his debate was. In fact he admits he still hasn't watched the entire mess to analyze where he needs to make changes. Similar to Trump (though lacking the stupidity and nastiness) he is arrogant, egotistical and in denial. And the "tremendous service" of his term threatens to go immediately into the dumpster later this year if he keeps driving toward the cliff.
From my small perspective (and hearing about others -- such as the tremendous turnout for HCR's talk with Red, Wine and Blue), I don't see evidence of the grassroots giving up. I'm not. My local Indivisible group isn't.
But, some of our leaders in Congress have and are continuing to let us down. I also was horrified at the article about Schiff today. I conveyed my feelings in messages at all three of his office numbers. I expressed also that I hoped it was untrue, but as you say - if he hasn't offered a rebuttal or correction to that story, we have to assume it's true. I used to feel the way you express in this post about Schiff. He was one of my heroes. No longer. I will not support him and I have lost all respect. It's unconscionable what he's done. Jared Huffman is my representative -- now I struggle to understand how he could say what you report. How can they betray us, our party and Biden - our nominee (unless he decides otherwise) in this backhanded and undermining way? It's the most dispiriting thing ever.
I support Biden 100%. If we end up with another nominee, I will support that nominee 100%. I continue to think that Biden OR another nominee can win IF we all get behind whomever our nominee is and do the work I will continue to work as hard as I am able, but I fear that the grassroots efforts will be undone by our "leaders". It's beyond unbelievable.
I too have been hugely disappointed by Schiff, as he was one of my heroes until he ran against Katie Porter and helped elevate the Republican Steve Garvey to split the vote, and then turned around to fundraise off the surge in Republicans supporting Garvey.
Now these statements he supposedly made about Biden, if true, reveal a new low and I've lost any remaining bit of respect.
What was he thinking. Apparently wasn’t.,. Are Dems incapable of getting their schitt together. We can’t always depend on Repubs to defeat themselves. This time they have a life long con artist and evil bastard. It will take ALL of us.
What was he thinking? Adam Schiff is a loyal American. I am confident he was thinking exactly what he wrote. Do you really think he was thinking something different and wrote it for the heck of it? I am sure it was hard for him to write that. I'm sure he gave it a lot of thought. I believe it was brave of him, even if he was wrong to write it. It's not easy being in the public eye, I'm sure.
I imagine that he is one of the most frustrated members of Congress. That said, why, oh why, would he write something that likely resulted in the NYT headline “Biden v. His Party.” If he gave it a lot of thought, that is even more depressing. I am struggling with whether to go into debt to contribute but I have watched Dems shoot themselves in their proverbial feet for decades. Repubs eat shit for their horror show. Dems could stomach a little indigestion for theirs.
Since I am weak when it comes to expressing myself (no, really), I have been donating more than contacting, Lynn. But I did send him a postcard several weeks ago. Now that you mention it, I can do more postcarding to Joe and Jill.
I too support Bden completely. I have respected Schiff in the past but his statements are inappropriate at best. At worst I'm going to suggest his ego is getting ahead of him. Presidential aspirations perhaps? Too many Washington egos making outrageous predictions and who knows what is really behind it all. We need to trust ourselves and carry on!
OMG Robert- YOU answered my cry out into the ethers tonight. I was devastated to see the news clip about MY beloved Representative Schiff, throwing our POTUS under the bus, and consequently throwing ME under the bus. WHAT GOT INTO HIM? Maybe George Clooney (and other H’wood elite money??? ) I, like you, have been a faithful supporter of Schiff. Always have been. I give my small dollars (that’s all I have) to his campaign, I call his office OFTEN with my concerns and THANKING him for the work he has done for our nation. BUT tonight my heart broke. I have been formulating what I will say- perhaps in a letter to him- it is truly unconscionable to declare such a defeat if POTUS stays in the race. It is truly despicable. Where is loyalty, and where is the smarts???? We must NOT show a crack of light as a Democratic Party.
The recent op Ed taken out by Mr. Clooney reminded me how he tried to interfere with the WGA/SAG Strike last year, by suggesting he, and other A-List actors throw a bunch of money into the Guild’s pot and let’s move on - get back to work to make his movies. Nevermind the overall factors that the work force was fighting for AND EVENTUALLY WON. No thanks to his wrench in the works.
SHeesh. Not to sound cliche, but WE THE PEOPLE are who is going g to save this country - and it will be THE WOMEN. Our rights have been taken away. Our futures, our sisters' and our daughters' and nieces' and all the girls’ lives are ON THE LINE this November and how DARE THESE Democrats not HAVE OUR BACKS. We will win 2024, with or without the spineless backbone of the Democratic Party.
I'm really angry and sick of hearing about Democratic politicians trying to push President Biden to quit and insisting we won't win if he is our candidate. First they were saying it publicly and dragging the discussion out for weeks after "the debate." President Biden said he's definitely going to continue running for his second term as President. Now I heard these disgruntled politicians are saying the same thing to various people more privately, but it's being leaked just the same. Anti-Trump Republicans on TV are just shaking their heads at the damage being done to President Biden's campaign by the moaning and hand-wringing going on for weeks in public by Democrats in Congress.
Dear Democratic Politicians: Millions of voters do not share your view. Unless you have accurate information that makes your opinions more valuable than those of Biden's supporters, other than just polling, gossip from other anxious Democratic politicians and your gut feelings, then please stop sabotaging the Democratic voters and President Biden in this upcoming Presidential election.
(And if you have such irrefutably damaging evidence of President Biden's inability to win this election and perform his duties as president, then you should have done a much better, faster and more discreet job of making your case privately before uttering a word in public.)
One thing is for certain. If you keep grumbling, spreading doomsday scenarios about President Biden's chances of winning and making sure the media still knows, whether directly or indirectly, that you don't believe our president can prevail, you will definitely hurt our chances of winning.
Please stop sabotaging President Biden and your own reputations. Decide which side you're on and please start being part of the solution instead of part of the problem.
I needed a political morale boost today and watched the PBS/Ken Burns film about the Statue of Liberty that aired in 1985. Oh my, so inspiring, especially the parts featuring immigrants. I highly recommend it! It's at https://www.pbs.org/video/statue-liberty-statue-liberty/
The film also reminds me again be grateful I live where I can work openly with others to openly resist authoritarianism, bigotry, and corruption. It is not an easy struggle, but if my ancestors hadn't left Ukraine, Russia, and Poland in the 1880's, well, I wouldn't be alive.
Sure hope Adam Schiff clears this up. As Robert pointed out, Adam Schiff is one of our most valuable and trusted leaders. Those thoughts could have been spoken at one dark moment, and he may think differently now.
Even wise old Ben Franklin admitted to changing his mind:
“For having lived long, I have experienced many instances of being obliged by better information, or fuller consideration, to change opinions even on important subjects, which I once thought right, but found to be otherwise.”
Except for local news, mostly for the weather and dangerous storm team predictions, I have disengaged from any "news" broadcasting. Since having done that, I don't have any feeling of potential defeat, and in fact feel quite optimistic.
D. Earl Stephens posted this on Substack yesterday, and sums up how I have felt about this for a couple months now:
" NOTE: I want you to understand something, because it's very important. The Republicans want you to feel like another trump Administration is inevitable, precisely because they know it isn't.
They are priming the war pump, because WHEN the Orange Stain gets trampled at the polls in November, they will say 'But he was inevitable. The election must be rigged.'
Please trust me on this".
So, being as we will win in November, my question is, what is going to be done about a revolt and/or insurrection that will surely follow after the election?
Meanwhile, in my reality, my email inbox this morning includes a message from "Postcards to Swing States" that they have had to put orders on hold as they are overwhelmed by the 5.5 million postcards that were ordered in the last 2 weeks! They will resume taking orders August 1st.
Agree. One can focus on what is wanted and take aligned action, or one can accept every bit of “news” as factual and inevitable. Considering the “clickbait and fear mongering” media business model, it takes daily focus to stay the course and maintain optimism. I remain optimistic.
THANK YOU for your excellent writing about the three bodies and its relationship to Biden and democrats. The negative comments and responses are dangerous and the more are heard, the more likelihood that Democratic voters, supporters, leaders will give up. I struggled for a while, then looked at Biden's work and values during the three years, his positive approach, his commitment to democracy, and the team he has working with him. There may be three bodies, but Biden and his team must win, must be loud and clearly positive.
Living in France we get a little different slant on the debate concerning whether President Biden should or should not step down. Whatever you belief it should not be aired in public, especially by rich donors nor high profile democrats holding office. What gets me the most is this has all arisen since the terrible debate by Biden. What changed over the last 9 to 12 months in Biden's health, stamina or cognitive abilities. Come on folks these facts were know a long time ago, especially by people like Adam Schiff and close workers in the White House. This was the time to have open primaries and encourage more people to run and to pressure Biden to not go forward with another term. No one did anything in this regard and Biden won all the delegates with the exception of Samoa. Now face up to the mistake and work extra harder to draw the distinction between the wonderful things done under the Biden administration and the horrible platform of the Republicans in the 2025 platform laid out for all to see. Democrats unite and spread the message of difference and the choice you have to elect Democrats who will fight for you or the other side which will lead to the loss of rights, help the rich and destroy our Democracy. Fight for what is right and not try to second guess what could have been and play the cards you are dealt with an extra effort.
Richard, WHAT terrible debate by Biden?? It was a terrible debate by Trump! He lied constantly. He garbled sentences. He claimed credit for things he did not do. He evinced zero knowledge of any fact or issue. He is a convicted felon and rapist. HE had a terrible debate, and you (and all of us) should be calling it that and demanding that he withdraw from the race due to his terrible debate! Biden's debate was mediocre.
Robert, it broke my heart to hear about Schiff's alleged comments.
If he and all other Democratic "leaders" who are voicing doubt about Joe winning, they have less spine than those Republican leaders who are blindly supporting Trump.
We are arguably witnessing the most successful presidency in at least the past 75yrs. If our "leaders" are unable to support our president with a record like that, they need to step down and let someone who can. Just don't get in the way of our support for and confidence in Joe.
Robert, thank you for the strong talking to that so many of us needed. We are the party of grassroots people. We can do this!
We have decency and good morals on our side. I’m not ready to give up to fascism and a dictator. This is America after all, founded by people who believe in rights for all people.
We have to carry on for the sake of our children and grandchildren. They need to see us being decent people to ALL people. Thats who we are and should continue to be!!
I think the American public can distinguish a good man from a bad one. I also think, if presented with the Republican platform (which is in fact Project 2025 despite their protestations to the contrary), the American public will recoil in horror. All we need to do is not shoot ourselves in the foot in the process. Democrats must support the good man who is our nominee and get the word out about Biden’s success as a president, and at the same time get the word out about what Project 2025 will mean if it is enacted. If we do both things we should be able to relegate Trump, Kevin Roberts, et. al. to the dust bin where they belong,
I agree. The data is backing up that as people learn about project 2025 they are against it. I am telling everyone I know, mostly family and friends who are teachers about Project 2025 and the Dept. of Education section. It is truly horrifying. Time to fight fascism in our own country and vote, vote, vote!
About 30% of the "American public" loves Trump no matter what he does. And 6 out of nine US Supreme Court Justices feel that way. Only some of the American public is able to distinguish good men from bad. That's the primary problem.
I am guessing that this 30% live in ignorance of what Biden has accomplished, and who he actually is. They are likely equally ignorant about what Project 2025 is all about as well. So I think we can make some inroads with these people too. We have, as I imagine you well know, a news delivery system that allows for people to be fooled. We can’t reach everyone, but we should try, in my opinion.
Have Democrats lost all self respect? It is astoundingly disturbing, that having delivered the most significant social programs for Americans in 75 years and aligned with the best values of the Democratic Party, it seems to be collectively conceeding defeat. Have we succumbed to the "ageism" attack? Have we given up on our values on how a good and just society should operate? Have we bought into the perverse fantasy that the New York Times and the liberal MSM picks presidents. Not us? Are we somehow embarrassed by the astounding record Joe Biden and Kamala Harris have achieved in their first term? The great succeses are too numerous to list in this comment, but I'm sure everyone on this newsletter can list 10 quickly.
Have we simply been bullied into fear and submission by a heinous juvenile delinquent and his band of grifter fascists?
We have an ASTOUNDINGLY GREAT record to run on. Better than Obama achieved in 8 years. We are not just fighting for our liberal democracy. We are fighting to save our civil society for the sake of all Americans. Given the way Joe Biden is being treated by his own party, it's a further measure of this steady character, that he hasn't resigned and told the failure loving Democrats to take a long walk off a short plank.
Everyone should read the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights today.
Then wake up tomorrow and double down on winning We have sooo much more to offer the country than the MAGA GOP grievance party who are trying to take us back to the middle 18th century.
Astoundingly, all the accomplishments of the last 4 years were the policies of (gasp) an old geezer who somehow made it into the White House. I'm writing more postcards today and might toss in another Biden donation.
I read several sources today that claimed Elon Musk is donating $45 million a month to a PAC in support of Trump, while Adam Schiff reportedly told DONORS that not only Biden can't win, but Democrats will lose the Senate and not regain control of the House. What's wrong with the Democratic elite in Washington and elsewhere? Now is not the time to be defeatist. Don't they realize that their words and actions can discourage people from both donating and voting? We need a united front and definitely not a contested Convention. I hope they get their act together and the Democratic National Convention can focus on supporting a candidate (hopefully, deservedly, Biden/Harris), clearly express a “for the people” agenda, and draw a sharp comparison to Trump.
I have taken your advice, Robert, and remain hunkered down to promote registering Democrats for the 2024 election.
The press IMO is now portraying Republicans in lockstep in its backing of Trump while reporting about "Dems in Disarray." HCR in her FB chat last evening avers that the party "has a serious civil war going on right now," and then she goes on to talk about the results of some Republican primaries a few months ago. https://www.facebook.com/heathercoxrichardson
According to this WaPo article, "President Biden is finalizing plans to endorse major changes to the Supreme Court in the coming weeks, including proposals for legislation to establish term limits for the justices and an enforceable ethics code, according to two people briefed on the plans. He is also weighing whether to call for a constitutional amendment to eliminate broad immunity for presidents and other constitutional officeholders, the people said, speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss private deliberations." The article maintains that Biden was on a call with Laurence Tribe to discuss the SCOTUS presidential immunity ruling and the arguments for and against reforming the court. Gifted: https://wapo.st/4bGC9gI
Up early as I am on vacation in Italy. My heart sunk as I read the NYT headline about Biden’s increasing isolation and saw the quotes from Adam Schiff. How glad I was to find the you were addressing that very topic in today’s edition. Thank you for affirming my initial response to the article. It will come down to us. The grassroots. We have to dig in and do the heavy lifting. Change the narrative and move forward. The debate is the blip. Let it go!!
So glad I do not read NYT any more. As people find out about Project 2025 they are not happy. See the data. https://today.yougov.com/politics/articles/50035-what-americans-think-about-project-2025
Trump will not be able to distance himself from this and neither will JD Vance. I have been writing to any press that has a contact email and telling them I want them to cover Project 2025. I am also reading it with a group from Democrats Abroad. We want to prepare one page handouts targeting different voter constituencies. My daughter and niece and nephews are gen-Zers. She told me they did not watch the debate, don't read newspapers and do not follow the mainstream press. They are going to vote for whoever fits the bill of their interests. The Department of Education section should be quite interesting to them, if we break it down and make it personal. It should be interesting to anyone who has school age or college age children. The absence of public schools will affect even elite private schools, as they totally defund them so they can put money into the pockets of home schoolers and charter schools, targeted at the White Christian Nationalists like the Duggars of Shiny, Happy People infamy. How about learning that college loans will all be privatized, at the same time that there is no defaulting (can we say prison? military?) and the unis to attend will not be accredited or not as they are now. My daughter and her boyfriend are just leaving their Italian vacation in Italy today. I did not even discuss what was going on with her because she deserves to believe in her candidates Joe Biden and Kamala Harris. Together they are reviving the US along with their Democratic colleagues in Congress.
Thank you, Linda ! Might I also add that we need to educate that Project 2025 is not a future event.
In Florida, public schools are being rapidly defunded with vouchers that allow students, regardless of income, to attend private schools.The majority in Fl are religious and not accredited. There is NO teacher certification and school accreditation requirements for private schools. Vouchers can also be used for such things as standup paddle boards wide screen TV’s and theme park tickets. The Fl legislature was supposed to address that issue this year but apparently too busy banning heat protection for workers, living wage legislation,lab-grown meat and pronouns.Project 2025 is happening NOW.
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/education/2023/04/24/florida-private-school-voucher-expansion/11688114002/
https://floridapolitics.com/archives/632365-expanded-education-voucher-pays-for-theme-park-tickets-big-screen-tvs-paddleboards-and-more/
Similar situation with no income level private school vouchers in NC
I applaud the work you are doing, Linda, with Democrats Abroad. Your partnership is indeed a welcome sight!
Not to mention there will be fewer and fewer students enrolling for degrees in education! There is a teacher shortage now. Who will educate my grandchildren? What chaos!
Not only that, but what training will they be getting? I can imagine by looking at the teaching priorities. No CRT, No DEI, No gender affirming care. Kudos to CA for making gender designations that children choose in school private from their parents.
While I favor most of what you say, I oppose CRT and DEI at least the way they are often taught, and in a book I proofed, I read horror stories about teachers who encourage children to switch genders even without such children bringing it up themselves. Being a guy who was never classically masculine--I didn't like playing ball or war, as a 5 and 6 year old I wore a woman's toy watch, because I found men's watches ugly and women's watches pretty (I did switch to guy's watches when I got a real one), and I took up knitting for a while when I was 9--I can well imagine having switched genders at a tender age.
Alas, that would probably have effed me up something fierce. My sexual interests were strictly in girls as a kid, and women as an adult.
David, it’s a complex world in 2024 and will continue to be so beyond our lifetime. CRT is a false news headline. Let’s be clear that knowing our history in relation to what has brought us to this point is important for each of us and future generations so they can appreciate how to move forward without repeating our mistakes, which appears to be what we are doing or going to do if the right wing extremists win this election.
As for DEI, here again you need to step into the world of 2024 and onward. Talk to some young people about their views and their sexual identity. I, for one, am glad to see a new generation coming out to have conversations and be better understood as they make choices and create a path that serves them well. I would suggest that the DEI efforts are made in good faith to help us accept and respect our differences.
CRT & DEI shouldn't be a simple Y/N, as David suggests. I have general agreement, but there are practical and specific aspects that need discussion. E.g., application of DEI statements for college appointments: there are some disturbing tales there.
It's like when college profs had to sign loyalty oaths to sign to teach at some schools back in the '50s and '60s. I might have grown up in Berkeley instead of Boston had UC not had loyalty oaths.
Thanks for this!
I totally agree Kathy. I have been watching Florida with horror and talked one nephew out of going there for grad school, and another out of going there for a job. The fascism was begun under Trump when he was president, and as you point out, wannabe DeSantis embraced the Cult of Fascism that Trump represents and has been governing like a fascist. I really recommend Prof. Ruth Ben-Ghiats book called Strongmen. In it, she teaches us about fascists. Not just how they get to power, and what they do in power, but also how they have lost power and how people have successfully addressed it. She discusses Pinochet, Mussolini, Berlusconi, Hitler, Putin, Franco, Gadaffi, Mobuto, and Trump. She wrote it during his presidency and pretty much what is in Project 2025 was the goal, but some people prevented his implementation of it. Those he currently plans on replacing, but I am grateful that he has selected JD Vance, because he is noxious to both the mainstream Americans in the Democratic party and the most right in the MAGA cult of fascism according to The Guardian this morning. They said that the right wing is upset because Vance's wife is part Indian just like Kamala. Apparently White Supremacists don't like that, but they don't care that Trump's wife is an immigrant even though they are against them too, but only the ones who they do not consider to be "White."
From your lips to God's ears, Linda!
DeSantis basically already seized at least one public university there. I was astonished at what he was able to do there, but I would no more encourage anyone to go to even the best FL educational institution than I would to encourage them to swim with the sea snakes. Imagine entering one only to have the MAGAt cultists replace the president and most of the faculty and the curriculum... and watching your diploma's reputation plummet.
The Yougov is interesting, and really shows how much more work needs to be done on educating people on the contents of Project 2025. I am almost always astonished at how little so many people know. 51% of Independents don't know anything about it? Gobsmacking.
I watched the Red Wine & Blue webinar with HCR the other night. It was excellent (of course), and attendees were provided with links to their toolkit for spreading the word:
https://redwine.blue/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/project_2025_toolkit.pdf?utm_campaign=Engagement&utm_source=email&utm_medium=email&utm_content=®ion=National&oa_audience=&oa_medium=email&oa_source=email&oa_content=&oa_campaigntype=Engagement&emci=319fb090-9143-ef11-86c3-6045bdd9e096&emdi=5402e745-9b43-ef11-86c3-6045bdd9e096&ceid=326509
There is also a link for people to (re) watch it, which I can also post if anyone wants it.
Jocelyn, please do post it. I signed up for it knowing I could not attend because of the 6 hour time difference, but hoping that would lead to a recording later.
If you signed up, you might be getting the links, but I'll post it anyway, just in case.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZSM7LJgKXAo
I urge you and others to go to this site daily: https://rollcall.com/factbase/biden/topic/calendar/ I have it bookmarked.
This is Joe Biden's official schedules. Yesterday, he was in Vegas doing 3 events, including an interview with BET and addressing NAACP. Today, before he leaves Vegas, he has 3 new events. So much for Biden's isolation!
I also get What Did Joe Biden Do Today.
https://whatdidbidendotoday.substack.com/
Robert, I'm trying again to ask if there's any leeway in starting the donations at $25 for your small donor zoom fundraisers. ($10 would be so welcome) I wanted to attend the last event, but I've already committed to a monthly donation to President Biden as well several other candidates. I'm retired on SS only, (an ex -nun/actor/writer's legacy) and my rent just went up 180/month. I am blessed with three subsidies for housing, healthcare and transportation in DC. I know it may sound unbelievable but after paying all my bills, my discretionary income for food etc is $16/day. And I know I'm not the only one because someone else responded to my earlier request for this consideration. I don't expect to be able to attend in-person dinner fundraisers. But I would love to participate in these zoom fundraisers that you organize for us. Thank you!
YES - I’m with you.
I had the same reaction to hearing that Adam Schiff no longer supports President Biden for re-election. I like Adam Schiff... I respect him... I think he is dead wrong. As Robert mentioned, the only people I know that are not behind Biden are his Democrats (and maybe a few Republicans)??? I think his party is just making it more difficult for him. If they would start actively supporting Biden, I bet his numbers would skyrocket. Thank you ,Robert... I feel better after reading your post!
Gabrielle, please regard whatever you read in the NYT or the WaPo as pure fiction. Whatever they say 99% of the time has zero basis in reality. It's the fevered brain vomit of some egotistical self-described "journalist" (whatever that means these days). So, enjoy your morning fiction just as if it were JRR Tolkien or some writer of dark, doomsday sci-fi.
Amen, Gabrielle!
Here in Baghdad By the Sea, the abortion issue is primary. We can flip this state.
Schiff spoke at the Focus for Democracy program last night but I had a conflict with our DEC meeting where some members expressed similar reservations. I'm asking for a report.
Swamp Republicans. Millions of unregistered trend Democratic.
FT 6 has texted well over a million in the past several days. Thanks to a donor, texts to Arizona yesterday and today. https://www.fieldteam6.org/
Thursday is Florida day on FT 6 Textarcade. https://secure.actblue.com/donate/ft6arcade24bamk.
Also Florida day on FT 6 phonebank. https://www.fieldteam6.org/actions
I was on the Focus on Democracy call last night and Adam Schiff spoke but did not mention Biden at all and clearly outlined the extent of the threat to our democracy
And no one asked him about his comments???
The moderator controlled that portion of the call and had another agenda
Oh, I'm so glad to hear that, Stephen!
Well, I suppose at least "do no harm". . . although that's weak sauce.
✍️Postcarding opportunity for Amendment 4 in Fl. A donation is not required.
The Reform Movement through RAC-FL and Women of Reform Judaism is partnering with the "YES on 4, Floridians Protecting Freedom" campaign to protect reproductive freedom through a November ballot amendment.
https://rac.org/take-action/rac-your-state/rac-fl/guidelines-writing-postcards-floridians-about-reproductive-freedom
Daniel, I won’t be able to attend tomorrow’s Fl FT6 TextArcade so others can text away on my dime….or should I say my $25 !
Off topic but wanted to share as I know you do a lot of outreach with fellow veterans: Project 2025: How It Limits Veteran Disability Benefits
https://open.substack.com/pub/project2025istheocracy/p/project-2025-how-it-limits-disability?r=fqsxl&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=email
Thanks. I've forwarded it to my Vets groups.
Hope you don't eat those words. I am nervous as hell.
I have read more than once that 538 has done 1000 simulations and 51% of the time, Biden gets to 270. It’s not over. I also saw today, though, that there is some kind of letter circulating among Democratic leaders asking that the virtual roll call be postponed to allow for more discussion. It’s so harmful at this point! Especially when no name emerges, at least not publicly, that they propose really could win. In the meantime, Biden is rockin’ every appearance.
This morning, the simulations show Biden winning 53 percent of the time. Given that polls these days tend to have a Republican bias, I'm wondering what's behind the narrative that Democrats will get "crushed" in November
I agree. Is anyone else having trouble making sense of polls? Rs and media are acting like this race is over, with CNN’s John King saying Trump could win by a landslide. Then I see that Biden has edged ahead and has a more than 50-50 chance of winning.
Are others making sense of this? It truly seems all over the place right now.
Ignore polls and mainstream media just spend every moment to mobilize and educate about Project 2025 even if Trump waffles and lies about his support for it.
Exactly!
Personal opinion: Republican and Russian disinformation and junk polls that the media (and some party leaders) are falling victim to. If the party elites know something concrete (not just predictions) that we don't, they should make that public. Otherwise, they should STFU. Some of us are trying to win an election.
Cathy “its the economy, stupid!”
Er rather “its the reporting, stupid”
Even the media is apparently recognizing that the stock market is booming, jobs are up through the roof, inflation is easing off a bit, and greedflation is the result of corporate CEO gluttony, not the Biden administration. Result? Media silence on the economy. Heaven forbid they systematically praise Pres. Biden for anything.
I don't make sense of the polls. I ignore them. I do not trust how they are done, and I am with former journalist Mike Royko. He says, "It ain't over 'til it's over of elections, so I just wait and see. Even with short memories of the misery of covid under Trump being horrid, there is so much more that we know that we should be getting out the vote for. JD Vance is not going to help Trump's ticket.
Some racist MAGA nut commented negatively about Vance today, saying "how can we (meaning white supremist MAGAs) trust somebody who has an Indian wife and named their kid Vivek." The ugliness of these hate-filled, pre-adolescent-minded, bullying MAGA people is almost unbelievable.
That's why I say Vance is not a good choice. The Heritage Foundation is happy because they need a bootlicker, and they need someone to carry out the agenda if Trump does not. Of course the way the first section of Project 2025 is written, I can see that they are wanting the Chief of Staff to really run the White House. They might be assuming Trump is their useful idiot. However, the elite in Germany made that mistake with Hitler and he actually turned them into his useful idiots. This shows how crazy it is to concentrate all that power in the President.
Vance IS a good choice--for Biden.
As has been suggested many times, I am paying no attention to the polls. It spares a great deal of empty anxiety.
Cathy, please remember polls are like fortune-telling. Polls are often (mostly?) wrong in hindsight. And polls are only taken by people who make a habit of answering phone calls labeled "potential spam" or "number unknown." Is that you or any Democrat you know??
What’s behind the narrative that Democrats will be crushed in November? Disdain for and dislike of Biden by certain types of Democrats.
Throughout much of his Presidency, Biden has had to cope with sniping and undercutting from both left- and right-wings of the Democratic Party. Add to that the fact that so many exalt style over substance; Biden’s Presidency has had the substance but has lacked style.
Democrats should recognize that Biden has been a *gift* to liberal/progressive ideals, should get behind his candidacy, and should be spurred on by the dangers Trump poses. Enough of this egotistic posturing!
Desire to keep the conversation going in order to drive donations, subscriptions, and clicks.
Russian rumor mills and troll farms, maybe?
Exactly!! I just read about the recent AP/NORC poll showing that "most" Democrats want Biden to drop out. Really? They polled every single Dem in America?? If not, how could they possibly make such a sweeping statement? Not only that, but I could find no data about (a) how many Dems they polled, or (b) what the demographics of the responders were. Clearly, none of the Dems I know were among them! Also, there was no data on the demographic apocalypse that would come the Democrats' way if Biden were forced out, given how strong his support is among African Americans. Polls like this are both upsetting and useless -- except to discourage us. Don't let it happen! I get angry instead. And write more postcards for Blue Wave. In fact, I'm about to order some more right now!
Which constituency are they thinking can win over? The people who are not on electronics all the time in my demographic is the one that has the largest percentage of voters are mostly not for Biden still and putting so much skin in the game. It is the millennials with their no reading, instant gratification, on tech all the time that are driving this, in my opinion. As my Gen-Z, 19-year old says, no one her age watched the debate or is paying attention to the mainstream press. They get their information from parents or tiktok or friends. The press just started discussing Project 2025 in the last few days and already they are shifting the numbers. A week of reporting on it, which they might not do will make a big difference. However, we can inform ourselves and spread the word.
On Monday day night Red, Wine and Blue had a zoom event with Heather Cox Richardson explaining Project 2025. 70,000 people registered, and 42,000 showed up, which is an incredible turnout. The recording was posted on Facebook and by Monday afternoon it had 200,000 views. Yes, spread the word! That is a lot of people watching reliable information so they can be prepared to talk about it in their own social circles. And that was in one day. I’m sure the video has continued to be viewed.
I heard it too and recommend it highly. Also Red Wine and Blue has a free Project 2025 kit available. I haven’t explored it yet but assume it’s up to their usual high standards.
I posted links to the YouTube recording of the event, above. Also the tool kit.
Yes, and as others have noted, the concerted efforts of Russian propaganda, however subtly disguised and Americanized, must not be discounted. The Republicans have become much more targeted and sophisticated in their messaging than in 2016, and they are getting a lot of help from their billionaires and the Russians. They have seen that the media and the American people don't care about Russian interference in our election, and welcome the likes of Musk and Mellon and others buying an election for DJT.
Remember, they don't have to beat Biden on issues and ideas or even on the vision of Project 2025. Trump has told the public he knows very little about it and the media and business leaders saying, "Well, it can't be that bad." (See Jamie Dimon saying at Davos that Trump did a lot of good things for the economy and "He was kind of right about NATO." He is now reportedly being considered for Secretary of Treasury in the presumptive Trump cabinet.)
It's a close race and all the enemies of democracy have to do is sow doubts in the minds of x number of independents in swing states and sow despair and confusion in lukewarm Democrats. Right now they are doing a good job at both task, right up to Adam Schiff and Jared Huffman and the Democrats who want to have a delayed roll-coll "discussion" at the convention about who the nominee should be.
Let's ask ourselves, "What would the Republicans and Russia love to see?"
1) Chaos at the Democratic National Convention
2) Constant dithering by delegates and Democratic office holders about Biden's "fitness."
3) These office holders and delegates then having to campaign for Biden with the best case they can make being something like, "Well, you know, Joe is old and not my choice and I wish we would have gone with younger and more dynamic person X, who I can't think of his name (and it most certainly will be a "his" in their minds), but, I mean, Joe's not perfect and Kamala is "untested" but, I have thought about this long and hard and, you know what, Joe Biden is better than Trump. So, if it's not too much trouble and it's not raining or snowing on Election Day, I think it might be a good idea if you vote for Biden, but of course you are free to follow your own conscience. Isn't that what democracy is all about, at least until Donald Trump's next inauguration, after which I plan to view with great alarm every thing Trump does with shock on my face?"
I am gravely disappointed in Adam Schiff. I've written to him. And will send him your edition today. But he won't read it because he will be too busy clucking to the media that the sky is falling. And we worry about Biden's confusion and dithering!
I mourn Alexi Navalny and his courage, and I wish our leaders would live by his words, "You are not allowed to give up!" I will try my best to honor his words by my work and I know thousands in the Hubbell community will do the same joined by millions (I hope) of our fellow Americans. It will be a lot of work, but it will be easier fighting tyranny now than after our bumbling Democratic politicians, our homegrown oligarchs, and our feckless "thought leaders" and "wise heads" and "media wonks," read the tea leaves and deliver the crown of absolute power to Donald Trump. We don't have to make him King to create a monarchy. All we have to do is elect him President. He and Project 2025 stand ready to the rest.
I have been concerned about Russian bots not just in the US election but the EU as well. I know that the Republicans are like Russian bots as well. I have been waking up friends to the Project 2025 reality. I know they think I am exaggerating, although I have a track record of being right about things that are seemingly too scary to contemplate. Having read the Dept. of Education section has been really helpful. I also wrote to Schiff by the way. It annoys me that elected reps only will take emails from people in their district so one has to find an address to use. It sucks. They should serve us all. In any case, a friend just told me today that when she gets back to the States, she and her daughter who is in college will be working on the election for Biden too. I have alarmed them enough. I will be alarming more people as well.
they can't take emails from people not in their districts because of campaign finance laws, I think. I respect that. You can email them at their campaign websites if and only if they are up for re-election, no matter your zip code, so check that. I went to the post office and bought 100 pre-paid postcards, so anytime I see someone I want to mail, I just grab one and look up their D.C. address online. It takes about 190 seconds. It's worth it to save our democracy.
Yes. As a member of Democrats Abroad we all know that even if our spouses share our finances, if they are American they cannot buy swag for fundraising, or donate directly. It has to come from us. But, I am in Germany and it is easier to email than send a post card that will take 3 weeks to get there. It is just not immediate enough. So, I use hospitals, and grocery stores for addresses.
Very fine commentary, Patrick!
"And we worry about Biden's confusion and dithering!"
There are so many other quotes here that perfectly sum up so much of how it stands right now.
Thank you for writing and I hope many many others do as well. If we want to make one letter count, we should send it to as many of the people as we can (politicians and journalists and editors) who affect tens or hundreds of opinions by even a hint of a tint with their vocal, public opinions.
And yes it is going to be so much easier now than afterwards. Ask Navlany or his widow.
It seems like we are in a race between Biden proving he can still win and the Democrats who are not so sure but have no meaningful process to figure it out.
The race has always been whether Biden can win. It was in 2020 as well. He did win. The Democrats who are trying to get rid of him have no candidate to replace him with, very little time to raise money to even get name awareness beyond state or region, and have to get that person on the ballot. If they think that against the self assured Trump, Harris is going to win, when she did not win last time, in the primaries, then what are they basing that on? This is the most chaotic, idiotic turn of events. No way would I have let my forth graders or third graders stay with such sloppy thinking. I think we need to be asking them whether they are getting paid by secret monies and planning to jump party. That is the effect it is having of sabotage of the Dems ticket and front runner who won fair and square. I think they should all get a copy of Project 2025 and slog through it and then let their constituents know why they should vote for them as well as Biden to avoid the certain HELL that will bring.
I think you’re mixing apples and oranges. The issues such as 2025 are on the table and have to be part of the conversation but so is the issue of the age and capability of Joe Biden in the minds of many voters regardless of the polls. The Democrats have a reason to evaluate if Joe Biden can win because there is too much at stake. The problem is it’s taking too long and what is the viable alternative. My gut today is it’s too late to change horses so let’s win with what we have.
It is too late to change Candidates, and if age were really the issue, then Trump being 3 years younger and showing just as many if not more signs of age would be an issue as well, and it is not. Any person can win given the right supports. Biden has already won, so we know he can win. There is no other candidate. So, why discuss it. Do these people really think there is one candidate that people would rally behind? No, they would spend the rest of the time trying to argue that out, and then, they would have so demoralized the people who have been out there working hard for the candidate, and spending time getting people to vote, like me, that they might not have the energy to get the vote out last minute for whichever Joe Blow Sixpack is selected by people who did not vote that person in. And, I am not mixing apples and oranges to say, this is energy poorly spent. This whole other candidate is a myth. And why are people so worried about Biden's age? Because they don't believe in Harris, who will step in if need be.
Quick thanks to you, Linda Weide, for all your detailed and thoughtful posts. I look forward to more education from you and all in the Hubbell community in the weeks ahead. Remember Navalny! His battle is our battle. We have to hammer home what the abandonment of NATO and Ukraine would mean.
80% of voters are locked into their choices and they won’t change their minds regardless. This election will be won on the fringes. The fringe voters are younger and not in love with either candidate. They will determine the election. The question is how to win their votes.
I am sure learning about how Project 2025 will effect them will make them more interested. We don't have to be in love with our home to pay the rent or mortgage and we don't have to be in love with the president to vote. Those who don't vote, don't vote. So, there are those who might vote if they had a reason. It can be a person or an issue. Let us work on giving them the issues.
The answer is information, thoughtful conversation, and ads and money and work and reminding them what Trump will mean. Helping them remember what Trump did, and just accentuating the "ick" factor. All of the above. Vance and Trump are sleezeballs.
Linda, you hit the nail on the head: "Why discuss it?"
(And I adore Harris, while at the same time I know that my fellow citizens hate women and hate black people enough that the combination will tank her right now. Our best hope is Biden/Harris wins a second term and then, if God forbid anything happens to Joe, the super-competent, super-bright, super-excellent American citizen Harris steps into his shoes and proves herself that way.)
Exactly!
While my gut has been telling me Biden will carry on fine as he has been not only these past almost four years but these past few months when allowed to simply tend to the business of running the country rather than being our performing pony, and that Kamala Harris is a fully competent back stop should there be any medical issues that arise later, and that one of the biggest injuries now being inflicted on his candidacy is the vocal hand wringing of our own party members - far worse than the transparent and lying slings and arrows from the right - I also think it's too late so "let's win with what we have". We end up in the same place.
Right, Stephen, who is this mythical, perfect, non-existent Democrat who will suddenly materialize out of the ether because Adam Schiff dreams of him, and magically win the election with no preparation, no background, no experience, and no name-factor recognition among any Democrats? What are they drinking??
“Biden’s age” is a distraction.
Here’s the *real* issue: Should a voter, citing Biden’s age, turn toward a candidate who espouses *dictatorship* ?
It’s that straightforward: *vote against the would-be dictator*.
Not only did he win, he got the most votes out of any president ever.
I agree. We need to attack the nay-saying doubting Democrats, ask them if they are jumping party and getting secret money, jam down their throats that they are sabotaging the Democratic victory with their doubts, etc. Call or write them every day.
Heaven help us, we Dems are fiercely engaged in snatching defeat from the jaws of victory. Each remaining clear-thinking person has got to step up their game--calling, writing, donating, talking. Don't give up.
As far as I'm concerned, Kamala Harris can win. Is Biden refusing to step aside because he thinks he is the only Democrat that can win? Freedom is on the ballot. The Constitution is on the ballot. A woman's right to control her own body is on the ballot. LGBTQ rights are on the ballot. Restructuring the SCOTUS is on the ballot. Social Security is on the ballot. A fairer tax structure is on the ballot.
Biden is our only hope? Which Democrats will vote for Trump instead of Kamala Harris? She would make a great President - with the support of all of us. Biden has no special knowledge of the outcome of the election. He could help any Democrat win, so why doesn't he?
Do you have brown skin? If not, I do. While I would hope Harris can win eventually, my day to day life experiences make me skeptical about that. No Democrat will vote for Trump, and Harris is not the presidential candidate she is the VP candidate. So, everyone that votes for Biden votes for her. However, there is a lot of sexism and racism in the Democratic party, so we shall see. I am working for the Biden-Harris ticket. I still think Biden is the best. Harris is getting there. I value experience not just youth. I hope you do too. We have a very complex foreign policy and it would be good to keep that going. I think the youth would still vote for Harris, and Blacks, and Indian-Americans, but she did not win before when she ran for President, whereas Biden has.
A vote for Biden is also a vote for Harris. This is a simple truth.
No, my skin color is white. And I think Harris is a great public servant. I am a lawyer, and Harris has great credentials. I think Biden has held her back from showing her full qualities. What do you mean Harris did not win before when she ran for President? She didn't get the nomination. She, like other Democrats, were not given the nomination for President of the Democrat party. Biden won against Trump, but this is not 2020. But Harris has distinguished herself in other elected public offices. But, what's important is that all things are not equal right now, when it matters. Biden is aging and there is a lot of support for the idea that he should not risk this election being lost. It's certainly not a risk I think he should be willing to take. It's a big gamble and the stakes are too high, in my opinion. If the leadership of our party is concerned, how can we not be?
She ran, Biden won. It is as clear as that. What has changed? Are Americans more enlightened now? I don't think so.
What did she run for where Biden won? Except for his VP. Maybe I'm confused about what you are saying.
I meant in the primaries in 2020 both Biden and Harris were candidates. Biden won the primary and the general election. If the Democratic leadership didn't sabotage our candidate who is only 3 years older than Trump, who is treated like a Superman by the Republicans, then we would be well on our way to focusing the people and the press on Project 2025 and how it will destroy our country.
I can't wait for smart Kamala to debate JD Vance....she will destroy him. She also carries a lot of black and brown votes with her. We have the Dems, the Unions and the Blake/Brown vote people. It may be the Puerto Ricans that he threw toilet paper to that take us home.....
If you don't get that white men hate Black women, I'm not sure what will convince you. These aren't debates and will change nothing. The headlines while the show is happening will all be "angry Black woman." WHY do we keep playing these stupid games where the outcome won't change anything.
Where is your evidence that white men hate Black women? I find that pronouncement without any evidentiary proof. Where does your belief come from?
Janet, come on. Americans hate even white women enough that they didn't elect Hillary president. A woman who is also a person of color has no real chance in 2024. Credentials be damned. Evidence and proof too. This is about the secret emotional and psychological sexist and racist bias deep in the heart of many Americans. Not just men but women too. People "vote with their feet" and it's still a secret ballot, so no one will know the depths to which they sink with their votes.
I don't deny there are voters who can't vote for a woman - or even for a person of color. But we are talking about people who like fascists to choose Trump over Kamala Harris. And I initially objected to the comment that while men hate black women. I completely disagree with that.
With Biden you get Kamala and Biden. She is the VP. Who would be her VP? Kamala is not only standing behind Biden, she's standing by him which since you value her opinion, should definitely be taken into account.
Thank you for this post Janet. To me the endless agonizing is what is destructive. There is no way Biden can have another debate against Trump; his increasing limitations have been hidden by the upper echelons of the Party for several years. We need to thank him for his tremendous service and move on. I would be thrilled to get behind Kamala.
I am continually amazed by the rah-rah boosterism of the posts here. The Lester Holt interview confirmed for me that President Biden isn't willing or able to understand how disastrous his debate was. In fact he admits he still hasn't watched the entire mess to analyze where he needs to make changes. Similar to Trump (though lacking the stupidity and nastiness) he is arrogant, egotistical and in denial. And the "tremendous service" of his term threatens to go immediately into the dumpster later this year if he keeps driving toward the cliff.
Biden is great when he isn't over managed, over scripted. Hope he throws out the playbook and just goes after Trump.
You're probably in the wrong blog, then.
From my small perspective (and hearing about others -- such as the tremendous turnout for HCR's talk with Red, Wine and Blue), I don't see evidence of the grassroots giving up. I'm not. My local Indivisible group isn't.
But, some of our leaders in Congress have and are continuing to let us down. I also was horrified at the article about Schiff today. I conveyed my feelings in messages at all three of his office numbers. I expressed also that I hoped it was untrue, but as you say - if he hasn't offered a rebuttal or correction to that story, we have to assume it's true. I used to feel the way you express in this post about Schiff. He was one of my heroes. No longer. I will not support him and I have lost all respect. It's unconscionable what he's done. Jared Huffman is my representative -- now I struggle to understand how he could say what you report. How can they betray us, our party and Biden - our nominee (unless he decides otherwise) in this backhanded and undermining way? It's the most dispiriting thing ever.
I support Biden 100%. If we end up with another nominee, I will support that nominee 100%. I continue to think that Biden OR another nominee can win IF we all get behind whomever our nominee is and do the work I will continue to work as hard as I am able, but I fear that the grassroots efforts will be undone by our "leaders". It's beyond unbelievable.
I too have been hugely disappointed by Schiff, as he was one of my heroes until he ran against Katie Porter and helped elevate the Republican Steve Garvey to split the vote, and then turned around to fundraise off the surge in Republicans supporting Garvey.
Now these statements he supposedly made about Biden, if true, reveal a new low and I've lost any remaining bit of respect.
What was he thinking. Apparently wasn’t.,. Are Dems incapable of getting their schitt together. We can’t always depend on Repubs to defeat themselves. This time they have a life long con artist and evil bastard. It will take ALL of us.
What was he thinking? Adam Schiff is a loyal American. I am confident he was thinking exactly what he wrote. Do you really think he was thinking something different and wrote it for the heck of it? I am sure it was hard for him to write that. I'm sure he gave it a lot of thought. I believe it was brave of him, even if he was wrong to write it. It's not easy being in the public eye, I'm sure.
I imagine that he is one of the most frustrated members of Congress. That said, why, oh why, would he write something that likely resulted in the NYT headline “Biden v. His Party.” If he gave it a lot of thought, that is even more depressing. I am struggling with whether to go into debt to contribute but I have watched Dems shoot themselves in their proverbial feet for decades. Repubs eat shit for their horror show. Dems could stomach a little indigestion for theirs.
In this day and age they don't have to be true. The damage continues either way.
I support Biden 100% and have been writing the White House regularly to ask him to stay in the game.
Thank you Linda. I feel it's important for Joe and Jill and their staff to hear from us. I have been calling and sending them postcards as well.
Since I am weak when it comes to expressing myself (no, really), I have been donating more than contacting, Lynn. But I did send him a postcard several weeks ago. Now that you mention it, I can do more postcarding to Joe and Jill.
It does feel good to thank them for the incredible work they have been doing. And BTW, I totally disagree with your first sentiment here!
LOL thank you, Lynn!
Bravo!!!
I too support Bden completely. I have respected Schiff in the past but his statements are inappropriate at best. At worst I'm going to suggest his ego is getting ahead of him. Presidential aspirations perhaps? Too many Washington egos making outrageous predictions and who knows what is really behind it all. We need to trust ourselves and carry on!
Grassroots WILL carry the day!!!
My sister was on a grassroots call last weekend with 35,000 women.
OMG Robert- YOU answered my cry out into the ethers tonight. I was devastated to see the news clip about MY beloved Representative Schiff, throwing our POTUS under the bus, and consequently throwing ME under the bus. WHAT GOT INTO HIM? Maybe George Clooney (and other H’wood elite money??? ) I, like you, have been a faithful supporter of Schiff. Always have been. I give my small dollars (that’s all I have) to his campaign, I call his office OFTEN with my concerns and THANKING him for the work he has done for our nation. BUT tonight my heart broke. I have been formulating what I will say- perhaps in a letter to him- it is truly unconscionable to declare such a defeat if POTUS stays in the race. It is truly despicable. Where is loyalty, and where is the smarts???? We must NOT show a crack of light as a Democratic Party.
The recent op Ed taken out by Mr. Clooney reminded me how he tried to interfere with the WGA/SAG Strike last year, by suggesting he, and other A-List actors throw a bunch of money into the Guild’s pot and let’s move on - get back to work to make his movies. Nevermind the overall factors that the work force was fighting for AND EVENTUALLY WON. No thanks to his wrench in the works.
SHeesh. Not to sound cliche, but WE THE PEOPLE are who is going g to save this country - and it will be THE WOMEN. Our rights have been taken away. Our futures, our sisters' and our daughters' and nieces' and all the girls’ lives are ON THE LINE this November and how DARE THESE Democrats not HAVE OUR BACKS. We will win 2024, with or without the spineless backbone of the Democratic Party.
I'm really angry and sick of hearing about Democratic politicians trying to push President Biden to quit and insisting we won't win if he is our candidate. First they were saying it publicly and dragging the discussion out for weeks after "the debate." President Biden said he's definitely going to continue running for his second term as President. Now I heard these disgruntled politicians are saying the same thing to various people more privately, but it's being leaked just the same. Anti-Trump Republicans on TV are just shaking their heads at the damage being done to President Biden's campaign by the moaning and hand-wringing going on for weeks in public by Democrats in Congress.
Dear Democratic Politicians: Millions of voters do not share your view. Unless you have accurate information that makes your opinions more valuable than those of Biden's supporters, other than just polling, gossip from other anxious Democratic politicians and your gut feelings, then please stop sabotaging the Democratic voters and President Biden in this upcoming Presidential election.
(And if you have such irrefutably damaging evidence of President Biden's inability to win this election and perform his duties as president, then you should have done a much better, faster and more discreet job of making your case privately before uttering a word in public.)
One thing is for certain. If you keep grumbling, spreading doomsday scenarios about President Biden's chances of winning and making sure the media still knows, whether directly or indirectly, that you don't believe our president can prevail, you will definitely hurt our chances of winning.
Please stop sabotaging President Biden and your own reputations. Decide which side you're on and please start being part of the solution instead of part of the problem.
TRUTH to all of this. But WE must remain steadfast. We must win. 🙌
Beautifully said, CC. Please photocopy it and mail it to all the saboteurs once a week.
Touché
I needed a political morale boost today and watched the PBS/Ken Burns film about the Statue of Liberty that aired in 1985. Oh my, so inspiring, especially the parts featuring immigrants. I highly recommend it! It's at https://www.pbs.org/video/statue-liberty-statue-liberty/
The film also reminds me again be grateful I live where I can work openly with others to openly resist authoritarianism, bigotry, and corruption. It is not an easy struggle, but if my ancestors hadn't left Ukraine, Russia, and Poland in the 1880's, well, I wouldn't be alive.
We must persevere. We must prevail.
Wow Laurie! I am a huge Kens Burns fan and did not know about this particular film of his. I will check it out. Thanks so much!
Thanks for sharing this link, Laurie!
Sure hope Adam Schiff clears this up. As Robert pointed out, Adam Schiff is one of our most valuable and trusted leaders. Those thoughts could have been spoken at one dark moment, and he may think differently now.
Even wise old Ben Franklin admitted to changing his mind:
“For having lived long, I have experienced many instances of being obliged by better information, or fuller consideration, to change opinions even on important subjects, which I once thought right, but found to be otherwise.”
Love this
Except for local news, mostly for the weather and dangerous storm team predictions, I have disengaged from any "news" broadcasting. Since having done that, I don't have any feeling of potential defeat, and in fact feel quite optimistic.
D. Earl Stephens posted this on Substack yesterday, and sums up how I have felt about this for a couple months now:
" NOTE: I want you to understand something, because it's very important. The Republicans want you to feel like another trump Administration is inevitable, precisely because they know it isn't.
They are priming the war pump, because WHEN the Orange Stain gets trampled at the polls in November, they will say 'But he was inevitable. The election must be rigged.'
Please trust me on this".
So, being as we will win in November, my question is, what is going to be done about a revolt and/or insurrection that will surely follow after the election?
Meanwhile, in my reality, my email inbox this morning includes a message from "Postcards to Swing States" that they have had to put orders on hold as they are overwhelmed by the 5.5 million postcards that were ordered in the last 2 weeks! They will resume taking orders August 1st.
https://www.turnoutpac.org/postcards/
Press on. We will win. Biden/Harris2024
Agree. One can focus on what is wanted and take aligned action, or one can accept every bit of “news” as factual and inevitable. Considering the “clickbait and fear mongering” media business model, it takes daily focus to stay the course and maintain optimism. I remain optimistic.
Maybe we'll have to make our own postcards. Buy stock in postcard companies! Yay!
THANK YOU for your excellent writing about the three bodies and its relationship to Biden and democrats. The negative comments and responses are dangerous and the more are heard, the more likelihood that Democratic voters, supporters, leaders will give up. I struggled for a while, then looked at Biden's work and values during the three years, his positive approach, his commitment to democracy, and the team he has working with him. There may be three bodies, but Biden and his team must win, must be loud and clearly positive.
Living in France we get a little different slant on the debate concerning whether President Biden should or should not step down. Whatever you belief it should not be aired in public, especially by rich donors nor high profile democrats holding office. What gets me the most is this has all arisen since the terrible debate by Biden. What changed over the last 9 to 12 months in Biden's health, stamina or cognitive abilities. Come on folks these facts were know a long time ago, especially by people like Adam Schiff and close workers in the White House. This was the time to have open primaries and encourage more people to run and to pressure Biden to not go forward with another term. No one did anything in this regard and Biden won all the delegates with the exception of Samoa. Now face up to the mistake and work extra harder to draw the distinction between the wonderful things done under the Biden administration and the horrible platform of the Republicans in the 2025 platform laid out for all to see. Democrats unite and spread the message of difference and the choice you have to elect Democrats who will fight for you or the other side which will lead to the loss of rights, help the rich and destroy our Democracy. Fight for what is right and not try to second guess what could have been and play the cards you are dealt with an extra effort.
right Richard-job performance! job performance! job performance! That's what matters.
… and convincing communications: gotta get the *messages* through to voters.
The message must also hit the dangers DJT and Trumpublicans pose to our democratic way of life.
Richard, WHAT terrible debate by Biden?? It was a terrible debate by Trump! He lied constantly. He garbled sentences. He claimed credit for things he did not do. He evinced zero knowledge of any fact or issue. He is a convicted felon and rapist. HE had a terrible debate, and you (and all of us) should be calling it that and demanding that he withdraw from the race due to his terrible debate! Biden's debate was mediocre.
Robert, it broke my heart to hear about Schiff's alleged comments.
If he and all other Democratic "leaders" who are voicing doubt about Joe winning, they have less spine than those Republican leaders who are blindly supporting Trump.
We are arguably witnessing the most successful presidency in at least the past 75yrs. If our "leaders" are unable to support our president with a record like that, they need to step down and let someone who can. Just don't get in the way of our support for and confidence in Joe.
Robert, thank you for the strong talking to that so many of us needed. We are the party of grassroots people. We can do this!
We have decency and good morals on our side. I’m not ready to give up to fascism and a dictator. This is America after all, founded by people who believe in rights for all people.
We have to carry on for the sake of our children and grandchildren. They need to see us being decent people to ALL people. Thats who we are and should continue to be!!
I think the American public can distinguish a good man from a bad one. I also think, if presented with the Republican platform (which is in fact Project 2025 despite their protestations to the contrary), the American public will recoil in horror. All we need to do is not shoot ourselves in the foot in the process. Democrats must support the good man who is our nominee and get the word out about Biden’s success as a president, and at the same time get the word out about what Project 2025 will mean if it is enacted. If we do both things we should be able to relegate Trump, Kevin Roberts, et. al. to the dust bin where they belong,
I agree. The data is backing up that as people learn about project 2025 they are against it. I am telling everyone I know, mostly family and friends who are teachers about Project 2025 and the Dept. of Education section. It is truly horrifying. Time to fight fascism in our own country and vote, vote, vote!
About 30% of the "American public" loves Trump no matter what he does. And 6 out of nine US Supreme Court Justices feel that way. Only some of the American public is able to distinguish good men from bad. That's the primary problem.
I am guessing that this 30% live in ignorance of what Biden has accomplished, and who he actually is. They are likely equally ignorant about what Project 2025 is all about as well. So I think we can make some inroads with these people too. We have, as I imagine you well know, a news delivery system that allows for people to be fooled. We can’t reach everyone, but we should try, in my opinion.
Have Democrats lost all self respect? It is astoundingly disturbing, that having delivered the most significant social programs for Americans in 75 years and aligned with the best values of the Democratic Party, it seems to be collectively conceeding defeat. Have we succumbed to the "ageism" attack? Have we given up on our values on how a good and just society should operate? Have we bought into the perverse fantasy that the New York Times and the liberal MSM picks presidents. Not us? Are we somehow embarrassed by the astounding record Joe Biden and Kamala Harris have achieved in their first term? The great succeses are too numerous to list in this comment, but I'm sure everyone on this newsletter can list 10 quickly.
Have we simply been bullied into fear and submission by a heinous juvenile delinquent and his band of grifter fascists?
We have an ASTOUNDINGLY GREAT record to run on. Better than Obama achieved in 8 years. We are not just fighting for our liberal democracy. We are fighting to save our civil society for the sake of all Americans. Given the way Joe Biden is being treated by his own party, it's a further measure of this steady character, that he hasn't resigned and told the failure loving Democrats to take a long walk off a short plank.
Everyone should read the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights today.
Then wake up tomorrow and double down on winning We have sooo much more to offer the country than the MAGA GOP grievance party who are trying to take us back to the middle 18th century.
Yes!!
Astoundingly, all the accomplishments of the last 4 years were the policies of (gasp) an old geezer who somehow made it into the White House. I'm writing more postcards today and might toss in another Biden donation.
I read several sources today that claimed Elon Musk is donating $45 million a month to a PAC in support of Trump, while Adam Schiff reportedly told DONORS that not only Biden can't win, but Democrats will lose the Senate and not regain control of the House. What's wrong with the Democratic elite in Washington and elsewhere? Now is not the time to be defeatist. Don't they realize that their words and actions can discourage people from both donating and voting? We need a united front and definitely not a contested Convention. I hope they get their act together and the Democratic National Convention can focus on supporting a candidate (hopefully, deservedly, Biden/Harris), clearly express a “for the people” agenda, and draw a sharp comparison to Trump.
I’d like everyone to send the negative nellies one of Jessica’s lists from Chop Wood, Carry Water. Clooney and others.
I have taken your advice, Robert, and remain hunkered down to promote registering Democrats for the 2024 election.
The press IMO is now portraying Republicans in lockstep in its backing of Trump while reporting about "Dems in Disarray." HCR in her FB chat last evening avers that the party "has a serious civil war going on right now," and then she goes on to talk about the results of some Republican primaries a few months ago. https://www.facebook.com/heathercoxrichardson
According to this WaPo article, "President Biden is finalizing plans to endorse major changes to the Supreme Court in the coming weeks, including proposals for legislation to establish term limits for the justices and an enforceable ethics code, according to two people briefed on the plans. He is also weighing whether to call for a constitutional amendment to eliminate broad immunity for presidents and other constitutional officeholders, the people said, speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss private deliberations." The article maintains that Biden was on a call with Laurence Tribe to discuss the SCOTUS presidential immunity ruling and the arguments for and against reforming the court. Gifted: https://wapo.st/4bGC9gI