“We do not have the luxury of demanding perfection from Joe Biden before granting him our vote. He cannot be everything to everyone and still run the nation better than any president in a generation (at least). If a GOP candidate burdened with four indictments, two impeachments, and a multi-million dollar civil judgment for sexual abuse can command near unanimous support among the Republican faithful, we must be able to clear that bar for Joe Biden.”
Thank you- as always!
(And - Oh my, I also cannot believe- don’t want to believe - any people in in this community are seriously “reserving judgement “ about Kennedy. How can that possibly be true??)
Don't count your chickens while the fox is still on the loose!
He will stop at nothing and will cheat any way he can, to avoid accountability for his crimes. The 3rd party nonsense is intended to siphon votes from President Biden.
We need a massive BLUE WAVE to wash away the poisonous RED TIDE!
I hear that. RFK's statements should have sent him to oblivion. His wife should have left him. No group is a monolith. Democrats can embrace conspiracy ideas (theories they are not) just like other groups. People eat them up.
Hopefully we will rally enough young and independent voters to replace the Democrats who lose their minds over nonsense. As one who watched Nader, Perot and Stein destroy elections, I worry.
What Robert says is most key: "We do not have the luxury of demanding perfection from Joe Biden before granting him our vote. He cannot be everything to everyone and still run the nation better than any president in a generation (at least). If a GOP candidate burdened with four indictments, two impeachments, and a multi-million dollar civil judgment for sexual abuse can command near unanimous support among the Republican faithful, we must be able to clear that bar for Joe Biden."
I like AOC, and agree that she is polarizing, but some of that is because this country has drunk the cool-aid of women need to be kind and quiet, and if they are not they are raging lunatics. There is also this sort of corporate culture that is so annoying for some of us, where meetings are started with affirmations as if everyone in the room is Christian and wants to be having a religious experience. Also, if you do not affirm everyone you exclude. So, given that this is the direction that corporations are going in, and I can tell you I have not been to a very intelligent meeting in a long time, because everyone is so busy being social and positive that we overlook that we keep doing the same things over, or nothing gets done. There is no progress, but everyone is busy being affirming and civil, but no one says anything real or gets anything done. In such a culture, AOC is going to seem strident. Most of us who have strong opinions are going to. However, I am hoping she can get the youth vote out, and even if Biden is not able to wreak the miracle of total perfect environmental action that he and we would like, she sticks by him with voting. It is Manchin that has used all the extra energy in this last bill, and now his true Republican colors are exposed in this so called third party that is pretending to be moderate but really is a bunch of overinflated egos, who have absolutely nothing to offer us in terms of leadership, but are backed by deep, dark Republican fascist money!
Linda, thanks for your reply. I don’t think I made my point clear with my AOC comment. I like her as well and I have heard her speak, but I think she is the reason the Democrats get labeled as socialists. The pendulum can only swing so far. It is really far to the right, which makes her look radically left. The pendulum must come back closer to the center. She wants great things, but some of them are for a perfect world and we are not nearly there.
I so agree. I wrote something similar on my FB page - about it not being necessary to "love" a candidate, but that the choice should be whether or not one "loves" democracy or is willing to lose it for a RULER who will dictate life for all. I do not understand the "judgement" of those who choose to stand on the sidelines and contemplate candidates whose only purpose for being on a ballot is to throw the election to the party that is against democracy and freedom.
Chief, you make so much sense when you are sound asleep (as you claim) that I say, sleep on! Ikm going to bite the next person who says they want an alternative to Biden. What do they expect, Jesus? Satan? Biden will always be the most underrated President in our history.
He will be recorded as one our best. But perhaps he might consider a different running mate. I personally believe Kamala Harris has been an excellent VP. And I would sleep soundly if she were the President. But I am in the minority. Harris is a huge drag on the ticket.
Promise Harris the AG job - followed by Chief Justice when the next opening arrives. Find a charismatic replacement who can be an inspiring "attack dog". I'm not sure he is the right choice, but someone who can present like Gavin Newsom would do nicely. Swalwell? Whitehouse? Whitmer? Raimondo? Porter? The bench is very, very deep.
Bill, I appreciate your insights and comments but please stop with the Kamala bashing. She has done an excellent job and hasn’t taken the spotlight away from the President, as it's supposed to be. Rather than looking for ways to replace her, why don’t we look for ways to support her? And, also, removing her for a white dude would be a huge slap in the face to the Black women who were so instrumental in winning the election.
Kamala Harris is the right person for the job. We Californians love her for her smarts, her tenacity, her courage, and her ability to determine the root causes of complicated issues in order to find a solution.
As I said, Harris is an excellent VP. I would be happy to see her as POTUS some day. I would vote for her in a heartbeat.
But my observation about her popularity is rooted in fact. She polls badly. And although most of us here will be her boosters, perhaps someone else would better help us get over the finish line.
If you are concerned about sex and race, how about Barbara Lee or Ayanna Presley? I also love Tammy Duckworth. Many choices.
But don't get me wrong. I think personally Harris is more than a good leader.
Biden polls badly too. Like in the midterms, yet, the polls were not right about how I felt, and apparently enough other people listened to their heads not the polls.
Well, she did win the popular vote, but for some reason states like Montana get more say per person over our elections than say, Illinois. The electoral college is one of the reasons that Trump even had a plan to steal the vote. It is looking more and more like a dinosaur.
I believe the issue might be keeping black voters. The South Carolina primary is what brought Biden to the front of the race, after he promised to choose a black woman for VP. I personally don't like her either, but I feel we can't mess with the ticket.
I would not want Gavin Newsome to replace Biden. One of Biden's strengths is that he has come from Just Plain Folks. Newsom has his fingers in many things I don't like. He is not really the friend of labor the way Joe Biden is, and strong labor elevates the workplace for all. The corporate welfare state that is the USA is a problem. I think Joe should stick with Kamala. I like her, and I know I would rather have her than any Republican. Let us assume that like Joe she is learning while being attached to a sitting president. Still, if you want to protect Biden from the racist entities, he is going to need the Black vote more than the racist, sexist Republican vote in this next election. So, can Kamala get the youth vote out? That might be her mission.
Robert Hubbell wrote, “Meanwhile, some Democrats and Independents cannot forgive Joe Biden for being president when a global pandemic caused inflation.” My friends (who are personally very frugal, but not so needy that they can’t vacation in Spain or Turkey) were really upset about grocery store inflation a few months ago and vowed not to vote for Biden. If not his fault, the fault of the advisers he chose, was their thinking. Giving away too much tax money for pandemic rescue. . .not supply chain issues, corporate price gouging, chicken virus, etc.
I worked with a woman who would parrot that sort of tripe to me about Biden and the economy and I would just argue her down. She would immediately change to whatever I was saying because she knows nothing other then the idiots she listens to. I think one might be her spouse. When my husband says political things I don't agree with, I don't agree with him. These people don't see big picture economy, that we have so much to overcome after decades of corporate rule of the USA. All of the senators who think they might get an industry under control have to learn the hard way that the corporate heads, who are all way overpaid, in. contrast to many who work for them, have set things up so that there is no campaign finance control, nothing that cannot be gotten around, and they just fund, fund, fund, the corrupt ones. So, Biden inherits a mess, and a lot of corrupt people that Trump employed. Working within the rules takes longer, but is hopefully more lasting. Biden has been a miracle worker given the circumstances under which he is in office, thank you very much Donald Trump, humongous tantruming evil Satan worshiper, who has plotted at least a year to steal the election if he did not win and started spreading lies ahead of time. All of the Republican party members are part of a Satanic cult as far as I am concerned. The only times I watched him speak directly was during covid. It is like when my professor wanted us to watch films of how the different colonizers tortured the Africans they had colonized, and I skipped it. He offered me to go watch on my own. I told him I was going to learn nothing useful, but it would be torture for me, so I chose not to watch something that was not enlightening. I would rather hear second hand what he said, because I can cut it off more easily if it starts to make me feel like Colonists brutalizing African indigenous people.
I agree, Linda. Biden did inherit a mess and has dealt with it quite well. Sometimes I feel the need to hear what the Trumpists are listening to, and usually I am shocked by how they could be impressed by it, and not see the attempts to manipulate them. Apparently there is lots of fear that Others are getting benefits they used to get exclusively. Student debt forgiveness can be shown to be a benefit to the economy, but they are fixated on “I struggled, so everyone else should have to struggle like I did (decades ago, when it was possible to put yourself through school with a minimum wage job.) They see a zero sum game whether it actually is, or not.
Trump was one who helped make selfishness respectable.
Hi Carol, I agree with you in part. Although I think Reagan made selfishness fashionable. The way that I saw Reagan being and everyone with him, was ME! ME! ME! A big selfish fest, and it struck me so at the time because the manners changed. The rules of decorum where thrown out the window. It was okay to be selfish, self centered, brag, be ruthless and just make money without considering where it came from. Everyone wanted to get an MBA instead of an MD. Such a switch. It is very clear to me. Trump took advantage of 35 years of selfishness, so almost 2 generations who did not know how things had been before. I am not saying it was all good, just that it was all gone. Trump went farther so that selfishness was replaced by ruthlessness and evilness and one could brag about that. Under him the White Supremacists come out of the wood. NO MORE WHITE SHEETS AND RIDING AT NIGHT! NO! they are bold as you please in daylight, feeling that they are following a new leader. Odin, the Viking God. Is that why Donald Trump keeps his hair red?
Interesting about the red hair. Yes, selfishness became acceptable well before Trump. Ayn Rand was an inspiration for those who hated having been told to share their toys. She wrote The Virtue of Selfishness so they could feel free to think about no one but themselves, without any guilt. Yes, the smartest girl in my class became a social worker, not a corporate lawyer. The smartest boy became a rabbi.
I had a friend in high school who loved Ayn Rand's The Virtue of Selfishness. She had horribly selfish parents. Her father owned a sporting goods store in Indiana, and her mom wrote for a banking newspaper. My friend was a talented writer but her parents did not parent her. She and her sister ended up in foster care. I could not understand her embracing the idea that we are all basically selfish, when we know that there are exceptions. Altruism exists, and when we parent we want our children to grow up to be good people. The nicest words that my daughter's teacher at her graduation, where each teacher speaks directly to a couple of students and tells them what they know about them. and she concluded with saying that my daughter was a good friend. That is not the Ayn Rand in her, but the love of her friends. Totally different motivations. Yet, Donald Trump is the total narcissist who only thinks of himself. I cannot imagine what life is like being married to him. His wife is rarely mentioned these days anyway. I am sure she did not marry him to be tied to scandal and legal problems. Plus it must get so tiring to hear him putting women down.
Jul 19, 2023·edited Jul 19, 2023Liked by Robert B. Hubbell
RFK Jr. is either selling his soul to the Republican party for some type of payoff or he's abandoned reality to live in a cloud of conspiracy theories. I'm sorry his wife, a Democrat, convinced him not to go on Steve Bannon's show, because he would fit in well with that crowd and show his true colors.
No American who understands the stakes of the next presidential election and wants to continue living in a democracy would ever consider voting for a third party candidate in the Democratic primary. Period.
C C, you and Robert are absolutely correct. Given that we are where we are today due to the votes that went to Jill Stein, the United States of America cannot afford another election thrown into the hands of an electoral college. We must win in 2024 and do so without the nonsense of “looking to an alternative” since on the whole President Joseph Biden has served the country admirably even as the Republicans in the House have shown NO willingness to govern and way too much energy obstructing. Tuberville and others need to find accountability at the ballot box if not sooner.
And yes, asleep or awake, Robert has pointed us in the right direction; to analyze every legal maneuver cannot be our priority. Getting Biden overwhelmingly elected must be our laser focused purpose.
I agree. with your statement that, at least, Democrats will not vote for a third party candidate when Democracy is at risk. They shouldn't be playing games like saying they are withholding judgment about Biden. I can't believe Cheryl Hines married RFK! The entire Kennedy family must be horrified, and those who have died are likely turning in their graves.
As an observation, not a defense, it seems like Cheryl Hines wants to preserve her marriage despite not having the same general political views as her husband. She's taken his side, but from some of her comments, I would not be surprised if she often feels like a wishbone from a Thanksgiving turkey.
KENNEDY DEFENDS PUTIN'S INVASION OF UKRAINE. BLAMES THE U.S.
"His extremely isolationist positions on immigration and foreign policy sound more like a candidate in the Republican primary. He says he would "seal the [U.S.-Mexico] border permanently" and blames the U.S. for Russia's invasion of Ukraine, saying Moscow acted in 'good faith.' "
Re the Cannon hearing: It isn't just that there are only a dozen or so documents to review, it's also that they warrant very little review. Their CONTENTS are irrelevant; all that matters is their classification.
Jul 19, 2023·edited Jul 19, 2023Liked by Robert B. Hubbell
I imagine that Trump’s lawyers might try to challenge the classification of each and every document.
Re the issue of how many “documents” could be at issue: In highly classified documents, each *page* can have its own classification; each *paragraph* may be separately classified, so people don’t think less secret information is actually highly secret.
Could Trump’s lawyers want to challenge the classification assigned to every page in every document? Judge Cannon will have to find a way of getting around that delaying tactic.
She might do so by ruling that Trump’s lawyers and ‘experts’ are not qualified to make such judgments, but then, might Trump’s lawyers so thoroughly befuddle her as to bog the trial down with challenges to the documents?
Let’s put RFK, Jr.’s stupidity aside for a moment, please. By the way, his own sister and nephew have denounced him. He is probably going to have other family members do the same. Kinda like Paul Gosar’s siblings. I want to talk about how great that video of the telescope was. Jill is such a grand cheerleader for the adventure and you, Robert, are a wonderful storyteller and videographer. I was totally fascinated by the inner mechanisms of the telescope. No, I cannot even imagine climbing up or down those stairs! That us pure crazy-making!
Are you and Jill the Everready Bunnies? I was exhausted just from your description of coming home at 2am much less babysitting later on! Well, thank you both for taking us with you.
I am in awe of Joe Biden and his accomplishments and we are blessed to have him as our leader . He has guided us through shark infested waters time and time again. I try to stay positive and have faith in Jack Smith's work and pray that democracy will prevail.
Cheers for MI AG Dana Nessel! Those 16 felonious criminals who tried to overturn the 2020 election in Michigan deserve everything she threw at them. We're proud of our women leaders in Michigan, with Nessel and Whitmer at the helm. A clear roadmap for the other states targeted by Trump?
I grew up in Michigan and I am extremely proud of how smart, dedicated, persistent and courageous Whitmer, Benson and Nessel have been, and continue to be, in the face of all the horrors thrown at them for the past many years. I haven't lived there for decades, but I am really, really proud and impressed with these three women warriors guiding and protecting Michigan through this fascist storm. Thank you ladies, from the bottom of my heart.
But, to my surprise, a handful a readers sent notes “reserving judgment” to see which Democratic candidate would “stand up to Big Pharma” or “demonstrate a willingness to take immediate action to protect the environment.”
The standard-issue far lefty morons who are why the Left has never taken power successfully in 150 years. The 30% of the crowd who never get the message. The people who remind me of what Clarence Darrow once said, "I have never killed a man, but I have read many obituaries with great relish."
This no labels party is quite worrisome. Unless someone has a reason otherwise, I do not see it affecting any political office except for the presidency. But there, to the extent that votes would be taken from Biden in swing states, the results would definitely affect the presidential race.
It is hard for me to understand how anyone who regularly reads this newsletter would think that a President Manchin would be better than President Biden. Manchin gave up trying to work with Republicans, and eventually helped pass a weakened infrastructure bill, remember? How in the world can anyone think that he or another like him would get anything done that needs to be done? He blocked voting rights, workers pay, transitioning to clean energy, campaign finance reform.
Try to do anything on those issues, no matter who you are or what party you are from, and the extreme right pivots to culture wars. Tell me, what is the platform of the no labels party. How does a candidate from that party propose to deal with these issues?
I have seen articles that those funding no labels are special interests, notably fossil fuel interests. Is that the case? And what is their position with respect to the newly articulated Heritage Foundation plan to destroy the rule of law as a foundation of democracy in the U.S.
Of course Manchin can’t be elected President. People who vote for him probably know that; their votes will be a protest against Biden (protest against *what*).
The impulse is intrinsically destructive – strike out at Biden because he is not perfect according to their standards (and do they think Manchin embodies perfection?).
Do they think they are “above” Democrats who support Biden?
Robert, thanks for calling out fellow Dems and Indys who feel that we are living in normal times and can complain about our top leaders, with an eye toward “other candidates.” Would that we could live in that space again. We are in a war for the very life of our country, and right now, Joe Biden has proven to be the man for this time! Lesser men might have given with all the soul-sucking issues he has encountered, and never getting the credit or the love he deserved. Biden always understood that he is a public servant, not a celebrity in the making, and he has stayed focused and positive in the worst of times. Do we all wish he were 60, or even 70? Yes! But he’s not, and as talented a Party as I believe the Democrats are, I don’t see anyone else at this time who could bring to the table the record, the experience, and the wisdom of Joe Biden. I agree with you 100% that the BEST quality and perhaps only quality worth mentioning that the GQP offers is a total fealty to their Man, no matter what. Democrats have always been willing to criticize our own. We can still do that. But first, and foremost, we must not allow any GQP candidate to win back the White House!!!!! That trumps any wishful thinking about a possible 3rd party candidate. And if it’s the likes of Joe Manchin, please………..he has loyalty to himself and his millions. I am grateful he’s a Democrat, but he has also prevented us from getting so much done in these last two years. Remember: Joe Biden is our president, and we must protect him at all costs in 2024. After that, let’s vigorously discuss who comes next!!!!!! Stop your bellyachin’ , Dems!
Thank you, Robert, for routinely persevering through sleep deprivation to produce your daily newsletter. It has become an essential (and much appreciated) part of the morning for all of your readers!
Dems choosing to "reserve judgement" are our most consistent Achilles Heel. They exhibit the same obstinate mentality as all the mis-guided souls who decided - often with a wink or a smirk - to vote for the Orange Curse the first time around under the rationalization of hoping for some kind of "change" to release their political boredom. It's stupid, careless and dangerous behavior. We have enough to overcome without having to battle such mindlessness which now is as dangerous as the assault from the right-wing morons. Time to wake up.
You're absolutely right. It doesn't take much effort to educate yourself on the severe dangers the former president brings with him into public office. And besides the reasons you cited that people throw their votes away, here's another one for your list.
A former in-law voted for the Mar-a-Lago crime boss the first time around. She is highly educated and had a very successful career, but has always lacked emotional intelligence.
She refused to vote for Hillary Clinton because she was deeply offended that Hillary did not leave her husband after his public infidelity.
We can all be concerned about programs...after the election is done and Democracy is restored for another 4 years. Voting for a candidate on a singular platform is long gone. This is very Black and White. The Strong Men are here. They have a plan and they are currently implementing the plan to push our great nation over the edge. Just read HCR Letters to an American yesterday. It terrified me and I will vote for JOE BIDEN hands down, no more questions asked. He is a moral compass and ALREADY proved this to us.
Seconded, Suzanne Ciancio, with my thanks as well for your newsletters written both awake and asleep at the computer, Robert Hubbell, keeping my chins up off the floor.
Your Editor’s video of building the swing set is fascinating, adorable -- and unmissable as are your spectacular photos of the Webb Telescope.
Again, alas a worry or three -- Judge Cannon delaying Trial until 2024, Kennedy’s prank presidential spoiler run, and Trump’s terrifying potential win and autocratic plans for the Oval Office.
Too many Democrats tend to be complacent or are even unaware of elections.
The millions of wonderful grassroots leaders and volunteers are currently exploring ways to GOTV so ALL Democrats turn out to vote in every election, including local and State Legislative level elections, and not just National.
The 3 dots to the right of Reply enable you to edit/correct your post. Don't panic if the comment box looks empty after you click to post your correction -your corrected comment is there and will be visible to others, and to yourself if you choose to refresh the comments.
I love this paragraph - and will use it often:
“We do not have the luxury of demanding perfection from Joe Biden before granting him our vote. He cannot be everything to everyone and still run the nation better than any president in a generation (at least). If a GOP candidate burdened with four indictments, two impeachments, and a multi-million dollar civil judgment for sexual abuse can command near unanimous support among the Republican faithful, we must be able to clear that bar for Joe Biden.”
Thank you- as always!
(And - Oh my, I also cannot believe- don’t want to believe - any people in in this community are seriously “reserving judgement “ about Kennedy. How can that possibly be true??)
If we've only learned one thing from TFG, it's:
Don't count your chickens while the fox is still on the loose!
He will stop at nothing and will cheat any way he can, to avoid accountability for his crimes. The 3rd party nonsense is intended to siphon votes from President Biden.
We need a massive BLUE WAVE to wash away the poisonous RED TIDE!
30% of any crowd never gets the message.
I hear that. RFK's statements should have sent him to oblivion. His wife should have left him. No group is a monolith. Democrats can embrace conspiracy ideas (theories they are not) just like other groups. People eat them up.
Hopefully we will rally enough young and independent voters to replace the Democrats who lose their minds over nonsense. As one who watched Nader, Perot and Stein destroy elections, I worry.
RFK is not a democrat. He is a Republican masquerading as a Democrat.
And he is certifiably a dangerous lunatic. He is another egomaniac backed by the Oligarchs.
His father is spinning in his grave.
What are the thoughts of this community about AOC?
I like her. But she would be way too polarizing.
What Robert says is most key: "We do not have the luxury of demanding perfection from Joe Biden before granting him our vote. He cannot be everything to everyone and still run the nation better than any president in a generation (at least). If a GOP candidate burdened with four indictments, two impeachments, and a multi-million dollar civil judgment for sexual abuse can command near unanimous support among the Republican faithful, we must be able to clear that bar for Joe Biden."
I like AOC, and agree that she is polarizing, but some of that is because this country has drunk the cool-aid of women need to be kind and quiet, and if they are not they are raging lunatics. There is also this sort of corporate culture that is so annoying for some of us, where meetings are started with affirmations as if everyone in the room is Christian and wants to be having a religious experience. Also, if you do not affirm everyone you exclude. So, given that this is the direction that corporations are going in, and I can tell you I have not been to a very intelligent meeting in a long time, because everyone is so busy being social and positive that we overlook that we keep doing the same things over, or nothing gets done. There is no progress, but everyone is busy being affirming and civil, but no one says anything real or gets anything done. In such a culture, AOC is going to seem strident. Most of us who have strong opinions are going to. However, I am hoping she can get the youth vote out, and even if Biden is not able to wreak the miracle of total perfect environmental action that he and we would like, she sticks by him with voting. It is Manchin that has used all the extra energy in this last bill, and now his true Republican colors are exposed in this so called third party that is pretending to be moderate but really is a bunch of overinflated egos, who have absolutely nothing to offer us in terms of leadership, but are backed by deep, dark Republican fascist money!
Linda, thanks for your reply. I don’t think I made my point clear with my AOC comment. I like her as well and I have heard her speak, but I think she is the reason the Democrats get labeled as socialists. The pendulum can only swing so far. It is really far to the right, which makes her look radically left. The pendulum must come back closer to the center. She wants great things, but some of them are for a perfect world and we are not nearly there.
I so agree. I wrote something similar on my FB page - about it not being necessary to "love" a candidate, but that the choice should be whether or not one "loves" democracy or is willing to lose it for a RULER who will dictate life for all. I do not understand the "judgement" of those who choose to stand on the sidelines and contemplate candidates whose only purpose for being on a ballot is to throw the election to the party that is against democracy and freedom.
DITTO DITTO--i copied it to repost here as well. Great Gratitude.... the new downgraded rfk is painful to even consider.... sheesh.
Chief, you make so much sense when you are sound asleep (as you claim) that I say, sleep on! Ikm going to bite the next person who says they want an alternative to Biden. What do they expect, Jesus? Satan? Biden will always be the most underrated President in our history.
He will be recorded as one our best. But perhaps he might consider a different running mate. I personally believe Kamala Harris has been an excellent VP. And I would sleep soundly if she were the President. But I am in the minority. Harris is a huge drag on the ticket.
Promise Harris the AG job - followed by Chief Justice when the next opening arrives. Find a charismatic replacement who can be an inspiring "attack dog". I'm not sure he is the right choice, but someone who can present like Gavin Newsom would do nicely. Swalwell? Whitehouse? Whitmer? Raimondo? Porter? The bench is very, very deep.
Bill, I appreciate your insights and comments but please stop with the Kamala bashing. She has done an excellent job and hasn’t taken the spotlight away from the President, as it's supposed to be. Rather than looking for ways to replace her, why don’t we look for ways to support her? And, also, removing her for a white dude would be a huge slap in the face to the Black women who were so instrumental in winning the election.
Kamala Harris is the right person for the job. We Californians love her for her smarts, her tenacity, her courage, and her ability to determine the root causes of complicated issues in order to find a solution.
Here are some examples:
https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/speeches-remarks/2022/09/21/remarks-by-vice-president-harris-in-press-call-on-the-emergency-capital-investment-program-ecip/
https://www.cnn.com/2023/02/06/politics/kamala-harris-migration
As I said, Harris is an excellent VP. I would be happy to see her as POTUS some day. I would vote for her in a heartbeat.
But my observation about her popularity is rooted in fact. She polls badly. And although most of us here will be her boosters, perhaps someone else would better help us get over the finish line.
If you are concerned about sex and race, how about Barbara Lee or Ayanna Presley? I also love Tammy Duckworth. Many choices.
But don't get me wrong. I think personally Harris is more than a good leader.
Biden polls badly too. Like in the midterms, yet, the polls were not right about how I felt, and apparently enough other people listened to their heads not the polls.
Good point, for sure. If the polls were right, Hillary would be in her second term as POTUS!
Well, she did win the popular vote, but for some reason states like Montana get more say per person over our elections than say, Illinois. The electoral college is one of the reasons that Trump even had a plan to steal the vote. It is looking more and more like a dinosaur.
I believe the issue might be keeping black voters. The South Carolina primary is what brought Biden to the front of the race, after he promised to choose a black woman for VP. I personally don't like her either, but I feel we can't mess with the ticket.
I would not want Gavin Newsome to replace Biden. One of Biden's strengths is that he has come from Just Plain Folks. Newsom has his fingers in many things I don't like. He is not really the friend of labor the way Joe Biden is, and strong labor elevates the workplace for all. The corporate welfare state that is the USA is a problem. I think Joe should stick with Kamala. I like her, and I know I would rather have her than any Republican. Let us assume that like Joe she is learning while being attached to a sitting president. Still, if you want to protect Biden from the racist entities, he is going to need the Black vote more than the racist, sexist Republican vote in this next election. So, can Kamala get the youth vote out? That might be her mission.
Kamala Harris was California AG before becoming a Senator – evidently a quite successful AG.
I don’t know that she has the kind of “judicial temperament” that liberal Supreme Court justices should exhibit.
Robert Hubbell wrote, “Meanwhile, some Democrats and Independents cannot forgive Joe Biden for being president when a global pandemic caused inflation.” My friends (who are personally very frugal, but not so needy that they can’t vacation in Spain or Turkey) were really upset about grocery store inflation a few months ago and vowed not to vote for Biden. If not his fault, the fault of the advisers he chose, was their thinking. Giving away too much tax money for pandemic rescue. . .not supply chain issues, corporate price gouging, chicken virus, etc.
I worked with a woman who would parrot that sort of tripe to me about Biden and the economy and I would just argue her down. She would immediately change to whatever I was saying because she knows nothing other then the idiots she listens to. I think one might be her spouse. When my husband says political things I don't agree with, I don't agree with him. These people don't see big picture economy, that we have so much to overcome after decades of corporate rule of the USA. All of the senators who think they might get an industry under control have to learn the hard way that the corporate heads, who are all way overpaid, in. contrast to many who work for them, have set things up so that there is no campaign finance control, nothing that cannot be gotten around, and they just fund, fund, fund, the corrupt ones. So, Biden inherits a mess, and a lot of corrupt people that Trump employed. Working within the rules takes longer, but is hopefully more lasting. Biden has been a miracle worker given the circumstances under which he is in office, thank you very much Donald Trump, humongous tantruming evil Satan worshiper, who has plotted at least a year to steal the election if he did not win and started spreading lies ahead of time. All of the Republican party members are part of a Satanic cult as far as I am concerned. The only times I watched him speak directly was during covid. It is like when my professor wanted us to watch films of how the different colonizers tortured the Africans they had colonized, and I skipped it. He offered me to go watch on my own. I told him I was going to learn nothing useful, but it would be torture for me, so I chose not to watch something that was not enlightening. I would rather hear second hand what he said, because I can cut it off more easily if it starts to make me feel like Colonists brutalizing African indigenous people.
I agree, Linda. Biden did inherit a mess and has dealt with it quite well. Sometimes I feel the need to hear what the Trumpists are listening to, and usually I am shocked by how they could be impressed by it, and not see the attempts to manipulate them. Apparently there is lots of fear that Others are getting benefits they used to get exclusively. Student debt forgiveness can be shown to be a benefit to the economy, but they are fixated on “I struggled, so everyone else should have to struggle like I did (decades ago, when it was possible to put yourself through school with a minimum wage job.) They see a zero sum game whether it actually is, or not.
Trump was one who helped make selfishness respectable.
Hi Carol, I agree with you in part. Although I think Reagan made selfishness fashionable. The way that I saw Reagan being and everyone with him, was ME! ME! ME! A big selfish fest, and it struck me so at the time because the manners changed. The rules of decorum where thrown out the window. It was okay to be selfish, self centered, brag, be ruthless and just make money without considering where it came from. Everyone wanted to get an MBA instead of an MD. Such a switch. It is very clear to me. Trump took advantage of 35 years of selfishness, so almost 2 generations who did not know how things had been before. I am not saying it was all good, just that it was all gone. Trump went farther so that selfishness was replaced by ruthlessness and evilness and one could brag about that. Under him the White Supremacists come out of the wood. NO MORE WHITE SHEETS AND RIDING AT NIGHT! NO! they are bold as you please in daylight, feeling that they are following a new leader. Odin, the Viking God. Is that why Donald Trump keeps his hair red?
Interesting about the red hair. Yes, selfishness became acceptable well before Trump. Ayn Rand was an inspiration for those who hated having been told to share their toys. She wrote The Virtue of Selfishness so they could feel free to think about no one but themselves, without any guilt. Yes, the smartest girl in my class became a social worker, not a corporate lawyer. The smartest boy became a rabbi.
I had a friend in high school who loved Ayn Rand's The Virtue of Selfishness. She had horribly selfish parents. Her father owned a sporting goods store in Indiana, and her mom wrote for a banking newspaper. My friend was a talented writer but her parents did not parent her. She and her sister ended up in foster care. I could not understand her embracing the idea that we are all basically selfish, when we know that there are exceptions. Altruism exists, and when we parent we want our children to grow up to be good people. The nicest words that my daughter's teacher at her graduation, where each teacher speaks directly to a couple of students and tells them what they know about them. and she concluded with saying that my daughter was a good friend. That is not the Ayn Rand in her, but the love of her friends. Totally different motivations. Yet, Donald Trump is the total narcissist who only thinks of himself. I cannot imagine what life is like being married to him. His wife is rarely mentioned these days anyway. I am sure she did not marry him to be tied to scandal and legal problems. Plus it must get so tiring to hear him putting women down.
RFK Jr. is either selling his soul to the Republican party for some type of payoff or he's abandoned reality to live in a cloud of conspiracy theories. I'm sorry his wife, a Democrat, convinced him not to go on Steve Bannon's show, because he would fit in well with that crowd and show his true colors.
No American who understands the stakes of the next presidential election and wants to continue living in a democracy would ever consider voting for a third party candidate in the Democratic primary. Period.
C C, you and Robert are absolutely correct. Given that we are where we are today due to the votes that went to Jill Stein, the United States of America cannot afford another election thrown into the hands of an electoral college. We must win in 2024 and do so without the nonsense of “looking to an alternative” since on the whole President Joseph Biden has served the country admirably even as the Republicans in the House have shown NO willingness to govern and way too much energy obstructing. Tuberville and others need to find accountability at the ballot box if not sooner.
And yes, asleep or awake, Robert has pointed us in the right direction; to analyze every legal maneuver cannot be our priority. Getting Biden overwhelmingly elected must be our laser focused purpose.
Thank you, Robert and Jill.
I agree. with your statement that, at least, Democrats will not vote for a third party candidate when Democracy is at risk. They shouldn't be playing games like saying they are withholding judgment about Biden. I can't believe Cheryl Hines married RFK! The entire Kennedy family must be horrified, and those who have died are likely turning in their graves.
As an observation, not a defense, it seems like Cheryl Hines wants to preserve her marriage despite not having the same general political views as her husband. She's taken his side, but from some of her comments, I would not be surprised if she often feels like a wishbone from a Thanksgiving turkey.
https://www.thedailybeast.com/dont-expect-cheryl-hines-to-denounce-husband-robert-f-kennedy-jr
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/17/us/politics/rfk-jr-remarks-covid-relatives.html
https://slate.com/human-interest/2023/06/robert-f-kennedy-jr-president-campaign-family.html
https://www.npr.org/2023/07/13/1187272781/rfk-jr-kennedy-conspiracy-theories-social-media-presidential-campaign
KENNEDY DEFENDS PUTIN'S INVASION OF UKRAINE. BLAMES THE U.S.
"His extremely isolationist positions on immigration and foreign policy sound more like a candidate in the Republican primary. He says he would "seal the [U.S.-Mexico] border permanently" and blames the U.S. for Russia's invasion of Ukraine, saying Moscow acted in 'good faith.' "
Or run as one!
Re the Cannon hearing: It isn't just that there are only a dozen or so documents to review, it's also that they warrant very little review. Their CONTENTS are irrelevant; all that matters is their classification.
I imagine that Trump’s lawyers might try to challenge the classification of each and every document.
Re the issue of how many “documents” could be at issue: In highly classified documents, each *page* can have its own classification; each *paragraph* may be separately classified, so people don’t think less secret information is actually highly secret.
Could Trump’s lawyers want to challenge the classification assigned to every page in every document? Judge Cannon will have to find a way of getting around that delaying tactic.
She might do so by ruling that Trump’s lawyers and ‘experts’ are not qualified to make such judgments, but then, might Trump’s lawyers so thoroughly befuddle her as to bog the trial down with challenges to the documents?
Let’s put RFK, Jr.’s stupidity aside for a moment, please. By the way, his own sister and nephew have denounced him. He is probably going to have other family members do the same. Kinda like Paul Gosar’s siblings. I want to talk about how great that video of the telescope was. Jill is such a grand cheerleader for the adventure and you, Robert, are a wonderful storyteller and videographer. I was totally fascinated by the inner mechanisms of the telescope. No, I cannot even imagine climbing up or down those stairs! That us pure crazy-making!
Are you and Jill the Everready Bunnies? I was exhausted just from your description of coming home at 2am much less babysitting later on! Well, thank you both for taking us with you.
Thinking about your visit with the telescope, I went outside last night & said “Hi” to the Big Dipper!!
I am in awe of Joe Biden and his accomplishments and we are blessed to have him as our leader . He has guided us through shark infested waters time and time again. I try to stay positive and have faith in Jack Smith's work and pray that democracy will prevail.
Imo, a vote for ANY 3rd party candidate is a vote for trump. That's exactly what the @gop is hoping for...
Susan, cough, Sarandon, cough, Jill, Stein, cough...
Cheers for MI AG Dana Nessel! Those 16 felonious criminals who tried to overturn the 2020 election in Michigan deserve everything she threw at them. We're proud of our women leaders in Michigan, with Nessel and Whitmer at the helm. A clear roadmap for the other states targeted by Trump?
I grew up in Michigan and I am extremely proud of how smart, dedicated, persistent and courageous Whitmer, Benson and Nessel have been, and continue to be, in the face of all the horrors thrown at them for the past many years. I haven't lived there for decades, but I am really, really proud and impressed with these three women warriors guiding and protecting Michigan through this fascist storm. Thank you ladies, from the bottom of my heart.
Yes, they are the mighty Three Musketeers!
But, to my surprise, a handful a readers sent notes “reserving judgment” to see which Democratic candidate would “stand up to Big Pharma” or “demonstrate a willingness to take immediate action to protect the environment.”
The standard-issue far lefty morons who are why the Left has never taken power successfully in 150 years. The 30% of the crowd who never get the message. The people who remind me of what Clarence Darrow once said, "I have never killed a man, but I have read many obituaries with great relish."
This no labels party is quite worrisome. Unless someone has a reason otherwise, I do not see it affecting any political office except for the presidency. But there, to the extent that votes would be taken from Biden in swing states, the results would definitely affect the presidential race.
It is hard for me to understand how anyone who regularly reads this newsletter would think that a President Manchin would be better than President Biden. Manchin gave up trying to work with Republicans, and eventually helped pass a weakened infrastructure bill, remember? How in the world can anyone think that he or another like him would get anything done that needs to be done? He blocked voting rights, workers pay, transitioning to clean energy, campaign finance reform.
Try to do anything on those issues, no matter who you are or what party you are from, and the extreme right pivots to culture wars. Tell me, what is the platform of the no labels party. How does a candidate from that party propose to deal with these issues?
I have seen articles that those funding no labels are special interests, notably fossil fuel interests. Is that the case? And what is their position with respect to the newly articulated Heritage Foundation plan to destroy the rule of law as a foundation of democracy in the U.S.
Of course Manchin can’t be elected President. People who vote for him probably know that; their votes will be a protest against Biden (protest against *what*).
The impulse is intrinsically destructive – strike out at Biden because he is not perfect according to their standards (and do they think Manchin embodies perfection?).
Do they think they are “above” Democrats who support Biden?
Judy, thank you for writing "worrisome" instead of "concerning."
Robert, thanks for calling out fellow Dems and Indys who feel that we are living in normal times and can complain about our top leaders, with an eye toward “other candidates.” Would that we could live in that space again. We are in a war for the very life of our country, and right now, Joe Biden has proven to be the man for this time! Lesser men might have given with all the soul-sucking issues he has encountered, and never getting the credit or the love he deserved. Biden always understood that he is a public servant, not a celebrity in the making, and he has stayed focused and positive in the worst of times. Do we all wish he were 60, or even 70? Yes! But he’s not, and as talented a Party as I believe the Democrats are, I don’t see anyone else at this time who could bring to the table the record, the experience, and the wisdom of Joe Biden. I agree with you 100% that the BEST quality and perhaps only quality worth mentioning that the GQP offers is a total fealty to their Man, no matter what. Democrats have always been willing to criticize our own. We can still do that. But first, and foremost, we must not allow any GQP candidate to win back the White House!!!!! That trumps any wishful thinking about a possible 3rd party candidate. And if it’s the likes of Joe Manchin, please………..he has loyalty to himself and his millions. I am grateful he’s a Democrat, but he has also prevented us from getting so much done in these last two years. Remember: Joe Biden is our president, and we must protect him at all costs in 2024. After that, let’s vigorously discuss who comes next!!!!!! Stop your bellyachin’ , Dems!
Thank you, Robert, for routinely persevering through sleep deprivation to produce your daily newsletter. It has become an essential (and much appreciated) part of the morning for all of your readers!
Dems choosing to "reserve judgement" are our most consistent Achilles Heel. They exhibit the same obstinate mentality as all the mis-guided souls who decided - often with a wink or a smirk - to vote for the Orange Curse the first time around under the rationalization of hoping for some kind of "change" to release their political boredom. It's stupid, careless and dangerous behavior. We have enough to overcome without having to battle such mindlessness which now is as dangerous as the assault from the right-wing morons. Time to wake up.
You're absolutely right. It doesn't take much effort to educate yourself on the severe dangers the former president brings with him into public office. And besides the reasons you cited that people throw their votes away, here's another one for your list.
A former in-law voted for the Mar-a-Lago crime boss the first time around. She is highly educated and had a very successful career, but has always lacked emotional intelligence.
She refused to vote for Hillary Clinton because she was deeply offended that Hillary did not leave her husband after his public infidelity.
We can all be concerned about programs...after the election is done and Democracy is restored for another 4 years. Voting for a candidate on a singular platform is long gone. This is very Black and White. The Strong Men are here. They have a plan and they are currently implementing the plan to push our great nation over the edge. Just read HCR Letters to an American yesterday. It terrified me and I will vote for JOE BIDEN hands down, no more questions asked. He is a moral compass and ALREADY proved this to us.
Seconded, Suzanne Ciancio, with my thanks as well for your newsletters written both awake and asleep at the computer, Robert Hubbell, keeping my chins up off the floor.
Your Editor’s video of building the swing set is fascinating, adorable -- and unmissable as are your spectacular photos of the Webb Telescope.
Again, alas a worry or three -- Judge Cannon delaying Trial until 2024, Kennedy’s prank presidential spoiler run, and Trump’s terrifying potential win and autocratic plans for the Oval Office.
Too many Democrats tend to be complacent or are even unaware of elections.
The millions of wonderful grassroots leaders and volunteers are currently exploring ways to GOTV so ALL Democrats turn out to vote in every election, including local and State Legislative level elections, and not just National.
Correction, with apologies. The tekescope is not Webb! This is the Mount Wilson Hooker Telescope.
The 3 dots to the right of Reply enable you to edit/correct your post. Don't panic if the comment box looks empty after you click to post your correction -your corrected comment is there and will be visible to others, and to yourself if you choose to refresh the comments.
Thank you, Robert, for all your letters, and photos. Heading over to Jill’s to watch the video next.
Our luxury is that we still have the vote and we must use that luxury to ensure it by voting for Joe Biden. Any other President would be a disaster.