I have a friend who is determined to make her primary vote a protest vote because of Biden’s age and Gaza. She’s a lifelong liberal Democrat. I finally got through to her to reconsider when I said that this election is not about only two candidates. It’s about the thousands of people in the executive branch who shape every department affecting our lives. It’s between maintaining our democracy or our government being transformed by Project 2025. She had never heard of this 900 page paper led by the Heritage Society whose goal is to give absolute power over the executive branch to the President.
I hope you can devote many letters, Robert, to explaining the details of this potential takeover.
People like that always seem super short sighted, protests votes don't really work in the US since we really don't have a parliamentary style government. Additionally, Trump has already said he was bringing back his Muslim Ban if he gets elected back in, he thinks sending aid to Gaza is a waste, he doesn't support a two state solution or ceasefire, and finally he says he would deport Palestinians in the US who are on a temporary visa. If people think not voting for Biden is better for Palestinians then they are just not serious people and they don't live in reality imo.
For those who liked Reagan, vote for sturmfuehrer and the Heritage Foundation. I read that Reagan adopted about 75% of the Heritage Foundation’s recommendations at that time. Project 25 is the guide book for dismantling our republic and destroying our democracy.
Oh, btw, Project 2025 is the plan for any ultra-conservative candidate (and moderately conservative, perhaps?) who becomes president, i.e. we must keep working in 2024 and beyond, at all levels of government, but especially the federal level, to keep these people from destroying our country.
Great that you were able to make a difference, Jacqueline, by making your friend aware of Project 2025. Before casting a vote either in the primaries or in November every voter should at least have read the Project's 17 page introduction erroneously titled 'A Promise to America' – it reads more like 'A Threat to America.' Here is a link to the whole paper
Heritage Foundation President Roberts in a recent interview stated that not all of the goals and methods of how to take over the country have been published in the paper as they didn't want to give "the Left" too much information on what was in store.
One of the instruments to fulfill the 'promise' surely will be Schedule F, which is part and parcel of Project 2025. Here is a link to an excellent piece about it by Jonathan Swan
Thanks for the Axios link,Stefan ! Also, good to hear Rep Connolly is persistent with amendment to prevent future presidents from resurrecting Schedule F.
Agreed ,we do need to make more aware of Project 2025.📣 I had a talk with my left-leaning (“I’m not political”) nephew who has a mid-level civil service job, and believes he is “safe”. He and my brother live in Tallahassee surrounded by GOP supporters, including some friends. I encouraged them to start a conversation. The Heritage Foundation, and DeSantis’ education advisor, are promoting birth control as evil and no recreational sex. That should get the attention of his 30-40ish year-old friends..
What people—including most of the commentariat—fail to recognize (or at least to acknowledge) is that it doesn’t matter whether Joe Biden wins Michigan today. What matters is whether he wins it in November. So let the protest-voters stay home or vote uncommitted in the primaries, but spare no effort to get them out in the fall. Perhaps by reminding them ceaselessly of what an Islamophobic, racist and mentally-defective (not to mention corrupt) individual Tump is.
I wish that I could agree with you. What is happening in Israel and Palestine now is horrible. But this situation has a history that goes way back before October 7. Living in Gaza and the West Bank has been horrendous for decades and the situation is far more complex than most people (including me) can even begin to comprehend. There needs to be a solution, and for me, the two-state solution, as I understand it, is it.
What concerns me about today's "uncommitted" vote movement in Michigan, and perhaps soon elsewhere, is that if the numbers who vote that way are significant it will weaken whatever leverage or influence the Biden administration may have in the area. As an old-time protestor I get the emotion of it, but I think that it is a mistake strategically. I'm confident that Biden is well aware of what the sentiments are in this country about this issue. A strong pro-Biden vote, even in just the primary, would lend strength to his voice in trying to reach a resolution..
I certainly agree with you. If I were in Michigan I would surely vote for Biden and tell others to do so. And you make a larger point that I ignored--I was thinking only of the political class and its knee-jerk reaction to today's vote. Thank you for your observation.
You make excellent points. Like you, I'm confident Biden is well aware of what people are thinking on this issue, and that he will take Palestinians' interest to heart when it comes time to negotiate, and that clear support for him will make his voice louder in the eventual negotiations. Thank you!
Good for you for getting through to your friend. We cannot let our emotions cloud our voting. One thing we haven’t been good at is letting everyone know the good things President Biden and his Administration have done. It’s as if there has been a wall of silence constructed to tune out success. The 2025 report sound chilling.
"Some readers respond, 'I don’t have to say what I will do. Criticizing Biden is the right of every American.'”
To those readers, I say having the right to criticize is exactly why they should vote for Biden, because that right to criticize will certainly be taken away under a Trump administration, of that I have no doubt.
Thanks, Robert, for another great newsletter. Love that photo of the Mighty Ol' Miss!
“… of that I have no doubt”. I am with you and let me say that ‘doubt’ may not belong in the same sentence as anything having to do with a trump administration that extols the suffocation of our democracy and the rights of the American people. We don’t need to infer what trump is promising- he keeps saying it. out loud. to our face.
I thought about say that a trump admin would hobble democracy and rights but hobbling is something a movement, person, or animal can survive. Suffocation on the other hand…
Well said Lynell. The quote sounds a bit like "you're not the boss of me" that we used to use when we were kids and someone reminded us of what we were supposed to do when we really didn't want to. I think Jon Margolis has hit on the key, which is to let them play now, but make sure they're in a voting booth on Nov. 5 casting a vote for Biden.
It seems clear from the comments reaching Robert that still complain about President Biden, the public statements by people like the Michigan representative urging her constituents not to vote for our president in the state Democratic primary and a large majority of college students and other "busy" people who aren't reading enough about our political situation (yet?), that there needs to be a much stronger message from Democrats that our democracy is at stake in this upcoming presidential election.
Those of us who have been reading Robert's newsletter may have been clear about this for years. But it is not clear to enough voters that you vote for President Biden if you want to preserve and strengthen our democracy. Or you abstain from voting, vote third party or vote for Trump, if you don't mind losing our democracy and being "ruled" by an aspiring authoritarian who has repeatedly announced his plans to tear our current government apart.
I hear a lot of coverage about Trump's insane rantings. But whatever President Biden is saying is still not getting enough media attention. This country needs a lot more constant, strong messaging reaching the masses if we want the existential difference between President Biden and defendant Trump to be crystal clear to the majority of voters.
I totally agree, CC! Because of reading Robert's newsletter since 2016, I never lose hope. I feel better informed than friends who want Biden to win but are fearful that he cannot win. However, Nikki Haley has said multiple times lately that Trump cannot beat Biden. Even Nikki Haley knows that! Of course, she puts down Biden, but she's got the electorate's choice correct if Trump is the nominee!
Another helpful post, Robert. I needed that. Thank you.
Over the last two days I spent too many hours producing a piece that cites you and Simon Rosenberg numerous times, to counter the "Replace Biden!" stance taken up recently by my friend since 1978, Todd, with whom I usually agree on society and politics. That piece is here and may be useful for other readers being Information Warriors, as Simon calls it as we work to spread Hopium:
(I welcome feedback too, especially on solid data whether -- because of Biden's handling of Israel and Gaza -- any significant number of otherwise-Biden voters would stay home or vote for Trump.)
The Dems and Biden are Winning. Stay with Joe and Kamala.
Subtitle: “Replace Biden” is Based on Many Unanswerable Questions and At Least Two Dozen Unsupportable or False Premises
Synopsis:
My support for the Biden-Harris ticket is based on the most reliable election data we have: Actual election results in 2020, 2022, 2023 and 2024. Additional data-driven, verified observations I rely on include: Trump is weak, getting weaker, and not winning. The GOP is broken, and broke. Joe Biden is a good president. The country is better off. The Democratic Party is strong and winning elections all across the country.
In contrast, the “Replace Biden” position is based on many unasked and unanswerable questions. It relies on at least two dozen unsupportable or provably false premises. Moreover, and this is something I have not heard a single “Replace Biden!” promoter address: Let's say Biden’s basic functioning decreases to the point that he resigns. I am not afraid of a President Kamala Harris. Are you?
There is no replace Biden rationale that justifies supporting Trump. Biden is old, Trump is not much younger and election is not about age but capability and intent.
The Republicans (along with the Russians) have figured out “divide and conquer”. We need to be strategic in our criticizing a President Biden. He’s in a difficult situation, but if we start calling each other names and tearing each other down, the other side wins. This is not a normal election and we have to keep that in mind. Otherwise we end up with Chaos and a psychotic dictator.
A friend said to me- Biden has supporters - trump has followers... and so supporters and indeed “Democratic” values allow for dissent. I am sure it is exhausting however, to have the same arguments over and over with people. The alternative to Biden is complete chaos- the choice, to me is clear and indeed simple.
I like to think of it as a choice between democracy and chaos. President Biden has done a good job in a tough situation without a lot of support or credit for his successes and lots of criticism for everything else. This isn’t all about Biden. It is about us as a country, a people, who we are and who we want to be. The party of Putin, MAGA and Trump are not it.
Action Alert - In CA-22, Volunteers Urgently Needed to Prevent a Potential Dem Shutout!
California grassroots organizers are coordinating a time-sensitive effort to turn out likely voters for Rudy Salas in California’s 22nd Congressional District. Our help is crucial because there’s growing concern that this competitive race may end up with NO democrats on the ballot in November! This linktree has a range of volunteer activities in including phonebanking, canvassing, and texting: https://linktr.ee/gotvforrudysalasinca22
How could that happen? Well, in California’s Primary Elections, the top two vote-getters advance to the General Election - regardless of their party. The divisive CA-22 Republican primary, between incumbent Valadao and Mathys, a right-wing MAGA extremist, is mobilizing large numbers of Republicans to get out and vote. Enthusiasm is high.
Conversely, for the Democratic primary, turnout in this district has historically been low. Among Democratic organizers, some are skeptical that Rudy could be shut out. But the following data points are concerning. In an election that could come down to a handful of votes, in a Biden +13 District, do we want to underreact and have regrets later?
Organizers and canvassers working extensively in CD-22 over the last several months are sounding alarm bells, along with CADEM, the DCCC & House Majority PAC, for the reasons listed below:
CADEM and the DCCC are concerned. In fact, the DCCC, the Salas Campaign, and House Majority PAC are spending about $2.4 million to boost Rudy in the primary. This level would not be happening if a lockout were not a serious risk.
The DCCC has added a texting campaign in CA 22 - no other districts - to increase the Salas GOTV effort.
The math that underlies this concern is that the second Republican, Chris Mathys, was so competitive in 2022’s Primary (Valadao ‘s 26.6 vs. Mathys 23.4) — he was essentially tied with Valadao. If that dynamic plays out again, and the real possibility that Republicans and Republican-leaning NPP voters could make up 60% of the primary electorate, Rudy could beat Hurtado by ten points and still not advance. Salas, Valadao and Mathys could split the vote, e.g. 30-30-30. Hurtado’s 5% could effectively prevent Salas from making the Top 2.
Per Governor Newsom, “Because of the unique nature of California's primaries — where the top 2 advance regardless of party — we are in DEEP risk of having two Republicans make the general election ... and in a district Joe Biden won by 13 points.
Given that this district did not exist before the 2022 election cycle (½ of the district was CD-21) there is no easily accessible district-level historical turnout data. But, if you look at a similar district, CD13, where Adam Gray (D) is running again, they had over 133k votes cast while CA22 had merely 103k.
Historically, CD-22 has garnered a low level of in-district volunteers. The District unfortunately suffers from low out-of-district volunteers as well, being too far away from the LA area and Bay Area. According to CADEM, BAC is doing the lion’s share of canvassing in CD-22.
These elections will be so close that even a few conversations with voters can change the outcome! Please pitch in for Rudy and help ensure that Democrats continue to have a shot at winning a seat in CA-22!
I am neither an expert on polling nor knowledgeable about the polls -- good quality and bad. It would not be a shock, though, if the polls collected information from women in the way that information has been collected in the past. Nor would it be a shock if there was a higher percentage of women voting in the past and voting differently from the past. There are consequences to the Hobbs decision, to the anti-abortion position Republicans have taken, and, finally, no matter how much they disavow it, the Alabama IVF decision.
The Rs will support the candidate irrespective of differences - McConnell may soon endorse Trump. And yet the Dems will rip themselves apart and harm themselves and their cause because they have a hard time supporting the big picture, the macro dynamics. It’s a sad and difficult challenge for Dems. And thus, for us - this group.
I will vote for Biden, no question. I am already doing letter writing for Democrats. And I am Jewish, my sister has lived on a kibbutz in Israel for 50 years.
I have been shattered by Israel’s actions, and outraged by Biden’s unwillingness to be tougher on Israel.
And I am tired of being “spanked “ by you Robert. Telling us that criticizing my President on Gaza is “enabling Trump” minimizes our concerns and is infuriating and counterproductive.
To use your words Robert — what Would you have us do when we see my President knowingly abet genocide? Just shut up, suck it up?
If anything one could argue that the criticism of Biden on Gaza is a wake up call that he needs to hear in order to win. Look at Ro Khanna on Michigan.
Robert you speak of the “moral” thing to do. Yes, I get the stakes. I hope you understand that some of us feel so morally betrayed by this President that to function as human beings AND to be able to support him with vigor we Must speak out.
Acknowledging this rather than simply telling us to be quiet would be helpful.
You skipped over the part where I said that it was fair to advocate for policy changes by Biden. But attacking Biden personally decreases the likelihood he will be elected. I know people understand that. And yet they continue to do so. Attack the policy not the man.
Robert I did not skip over that part, I would be startled for you to say otherwise. You are upset that I am "attacking him personally."? I am vociferously advocating for a ceasefire and trying not to make it about Biden -- fair point. HOWEVER Dear Robert -- in THIS forum, among allies -- I feel compelled to voice my strong frustration with his policy -- and yes, I am very sorry to say -- my disappointment in what it says about his character. And it has impacted me and my enthusiasm. This is very clearly HIS policy and thus I hold him personally accountable for the impacts.
And -- I have written to Simon Rosenberg about this -- people like you and he -- and US - we DO have some effect. I feel like the more Biden and his crew can see that thoughtful activist voices are very troubled by his actions the more possibility there is of changing course.
Again I think it is important that you recognize the deep division that this specific issue has caused. Because it has.
But I too speak out against the Gaza devastation. Israel is home to some of the smartest and most sophisticated people on the planet. The October 7th murders (and other violations of basic humanity) need to be addressed. Hamas must be held accountable and eliminated.
But certainly, there are creative and wise warriors in Israel who could have found and eradicated Hamas with less destruction and death and suffering. It would have taken much longer. And perhaps Israelis would have experienced more casualties. But THIS has been the most reputation damaging event in the modern history of Jews.
Nothing will ever erase (nor should it) the centuries of persecution, torture, expulsions and murders of Jews over the centuries. But THIS has clouded the memories for too many.
Biden has been wrong on this one. I will vote for Biden/Harris. I will encourage others to vote for Biden/Harris. I will donate to Biden/Harris. But Biden has been too supportive of the monster called Bibi.
Thanks Bill. IMHO Israel has been indulged in far too long by all US Presidents, this is just the most ghastly. The colonization and oppression of the West Bank Palestinians is criminal. And though it has not been said I have no doubt that AIPAC is a strong influence on this policy -- it certainly has been a factor in keeping Congress quiet. Right?
The Palestinians started this war with no plan to defend their own soldiers let alone the citizens of Gaza if their plans went awry. As you know they spent billions on tunnels and war when they could have been building bridges of peace instead of a machine of hatred and destruction. They are proxies for Iran.
I think we are in agreement...
Also, the Arab world cheered when Hamas attacked Israel...this includes many in America. If Hamas succeeded further, and they were laying siege and destruction on Israel, would the world come to Israel's defense and say "stop the genocide. ceasefire now."
That’s an interesting question. War solves nothing. Just an endless cycle of death, destruction and revenge. Would that we would study peace with the same fervor that we study war.
Yes, Hamas is guilty and must be held accountable. Yet the conduct of this war has been reprehensible -- from day One Biden has quietly urged restraint and more aid and greater protection of civilians. Yet Netanyahu and his cronies have cavalierly ignored his pleas. For whatever reasons Biden has chosen to keep his mouth pretty shut and is thus seen as an accomplice.
And to your question --yes -- I do not know about the "whole world" but certainly most of the West has been very very supportive of Israel -- far more than of the Palestinians -- and has come to its defense many times.
Daniel -- well, obviously you disagree with my statement. I would just say that there are a growing number of Jewish and Israel historians and experts and citizens who are starting to say the same thing -- if quietly , because of the pushback.
Your Concluding Thoughts reminded me of something I've said several times: "Vote character first, integrity second, and policy third; policy can change." With President Biden, the first two are certain to most; the third is where we can have influence if done nondestructively. With the Quadefendant, we lose in all three.
Thanks Robert. I do believe that Trump is in league with Putin to create chaos in the Mideast to create chaos in the Mideast and to support his friend Netanyahu. Why else would he try to control the GOP. Biden is the only President in my memory ( I could be wrong) that has proffered a two state solution. As far as being tougher on Israel I would remind everyone that a criminal runs Israel and is there out of desperation to keep out of Jail, much like his counterpart here. All talk of Biden supporting genocide is pure and utter nonsense ( I want to use another word) .
2 State solutions have been offered many times. The politics of the Middle East is more complicated than a war or even watching 2 teams play in the Superbowl. So many people try to reduce it to something simple.
Hamas, funded by Iran, if you wish to simplify is Anti-Semitic, Anti-Israel, and Anti-USA. Please be aware that this propaganda is flooding the United States daily and bringing the war to our streets.
Nobody wants to see innocent people die. Even today, there is actual combat. As a predicate to attacking Biden, first beseech Hamas, the PA, all Arab governments involved. Hundreds of thousands of Arabs killed in Syria, Yemen, etc do not bring this kind of a reaction.
I also was a mediator, settlement judge for over 40 years. But for Trump, US policy remains the Oslo Accords. It takes at least 2 parties to bargain. Apparently, negotiations are ongoing. Hamas says it attacked to prevent a deal between Saudi and Israel. Give Biden encouragement, give peace a chance.
I have mentioned a history professor from the University of Montana several times. His name is Dr. Mehrdad Kia. He was born in Iran. He has called Hamas peace assassins. More on Dr. Kia. He cannot go back to Iran. Years ago he was tried in abstenia. He will be killed/executed/murdered if he goes back. His father was a political prisoner in Iran for 15 years. Some nights he was brought blindfolded in front of a firing squad with bullets going off next to his head. Eventually this man was able to make it to Missoula, MT. Professor Kia was very devoted to his mother and father until their natural passing.
My point here is that these are the type of people in Iran and Gaza. These are the type of people that Israel must defend herself.
When you talk about people "who know they are next" I am reminded of the last Syrian Ambassador to the USA, Dr. Imed Moustaffa. He was recalled back to Syria not long after he spoke at the University of Montana. Very clever man speaking like Syria would honor "land for peace." How has that worked out for Syrian citizens, having gassed thousands of their own people?
I will not be paying ANY ATTENTION to Nate Kohn's polls about the election. His group intentionally put its finger on the scale by excluding a certain demographic to support its hypothesis. That's the same as lying; Kohn shot down his credibility.
Trump and Netanyahu are trying to keep their sorry hides out of jail. They are not running because they have good ideas for the country. Trump, the Putin puppet, has no ideas. Others come up with horrendous ideas, and he jumps onboard.
Voting for Biden means there's a chance that problems can be solved. Voting for Trump and Republicans or writing in someone means chaos will reign. The Republicans only care about money, power, and the morbidly rich libertarians like Charles Koch.
How right you are. People who fail to vote for Biden--or those who effectively vote for Trump by voting for someone else or staying home-- fail to realize that may be their last opportunity to vote freely. Even Putin was democratically elected - once!
Last night on the Rachel Maddow show she interviewed Barbara McQuade about her newly published book called “ Attack from Within which is being published today and is a must read for all of us.
It’s an urgent, comprehensive explanation of the ways disinformation is impacting democracy, and practical solutions that can be pursued to strengthen the public, media, and truth-based politics. The reality is disinformation from multiple sources including Russia is drowning out the legitimate messaging regarding the threats to Democracy as well as the accomplishments of the Biden Administration and is resulting in the authoritarian leaning right developing an emotional relationship with Trump and MAGA whom they view as their savior. It’s frightening and this book outlines the disinformation challenges and what we need to do about it. Disinformation is a larger threat to Biden’s re-election than any single other challenge and in the 2024 it will be even bigger than it was in 2016 and 2020.
I have a friend who is determined to make her primary vote a protest vote because of Biden’s age and Gaza. She’s a lifelong liberal Democrat. I finally got through to her to reconsider when I said that this election is not about only two candidates. It’s about the thousands of people in the executive branch who shape every department affecting our lives. It’s between maintaining our democracy or our government being transformed by Project 2025. She had never heard of this 900 page paper led by the Heritage Society whose goal is to give absolute power over the executive branch to the President.
I hope you can devote many letters, Robert, to explaining the details of this potential takeover.
People like that always seem super short sighted, protests votes don't really work in the US since we really don't have a parliamentary style government. Additionally, Trump has already said he was bringing back his Muslim Ban if he gets elected back in, he thinks sending aid to Gaza is a waste, he doesn't support a two state solution or ceasefire, and finally he says he would deport Palestinians in the US who are on a temporary visa. If people think not voting for Biden is better for Palestinians then they are just not serious people and they don't live in reality imo.
For those who liked Reagan, vote for sturmfuehrer and the Heritage Foundation. I read that Reagan adopted about 75% of the Heritage Foundation’s recommendations at that time. Project 25 is the guide book for dismantling our republic and destroying our democracy.
Oh, btw, Project 2025 is the plan for any ultra-conservative candidate (and moderately conservative, perhaps?) who becomes president, i.e. we must keep working in 2024 and beyond, at all levels of government, but especially the federal level, to keep these people from destroying our country.
Great that you were able to make a difference, Jacqueline, by making your friend aware of Project 2025. Before casting a vote either in the primaries or in November every voter should at least have read the Project's 17 page introduction erroneously titled 'A Promise to America' – it reads more like 'A Threat to America.' Here is a link to the whole paper
https://thf_media.s3.amazonaws.com/project2025/2025_MandateForLeadership_FULL.pdf
Heritage Foundation President Roberts in a recent interview stated that not all of the goals and methods of how to take over the country have been published in the paper as they didn't want to give "the Left" too much information on what was in store.
One of the instruments to fulfill the 'promise' surely will be Schedule F, which is part and parcel of Project 2025. Here is a link to an excellent piece about it by Jonathan Swan
https://www.axios.com/2022/07/22/trump-2025-radical-plan-second-term
Thanks for the Axios link,Stefan ! Also, good to hear Rep Connolly is persistent with amendment to prevent future presidents from resurrecting Schedule F.
Agreed ,we do need to make more aware of Project 2025.📣 I had a talk with my left-leaning (“I’m not political”) nephew who has a mid-level civil service job, and believes he is “safe”. He and my brother live in Tallahassee surrounded by GOP supporters, including some friends. I encouraged them to start a conversation. The Heritage Foundation, and DeSantis’ education advisor, are promoting birth control as evil and no recreational sex. That should get the attention of his 30-40ish year-old friends..
https://twitter.com/realchrisrufo/status/1760704767771431360
https://twitter.com/Heritage/status/1662534135762624520
Scary!
What people—including most of the commentariat—fail to recognize (or at least to acknowledge) is that it doesn’t matter whether Joe Biden wins Michigan today. What matters is whether he wins it in November. So let the protest-voters stay home or vote uncommitted in the primaries, but spare no effort to get them out in the fall. Perhaps by reminding them ceaselessly of what an Islamophobic, racist and mentally-defective (not to mention corrupt) individual Tump is.
I wish that I could agree with you. What is happening in Israel and Palestine now is horrible. But this situation has a history that goes way back before October 7. Living in Gaza and the West Bank has been horrendous for decades and the situation is far more complex than most people (including me) can even begin to comprehend. There needs to be a solution, and for me, the two-state solution, as I understand it, is it.
What concerns me about today's "uncommitted" vote movement in Michigan, and perhaps soon elsewhere, is that if the numbers who vote that way are significant it will weaken whatever leverage or influence the Biden administration may have in the area. As an old-time protestor I get the emotion of it, but I think that it is a mistake strategically. I'm confident that Biden is well aware of what the sentiments are in this country about this issue. A strong pro-Biden vote, even in just the primary, would lend strength to his voice in trying to reach a resolution..
I certainly agree with you. If I were in Michigan I would surely vote for Biden and tell others to do so. And you make a larger point that I ignored--I was thinking only of the political class and its knee-jerk reaction to today's vote. Thank you for your observation.
You make excellent points. Like you, I'm confident Biden is well aware of what people are thinking on this issue, and that he will take Palestinians' interest to heart when it comes time to negotiate, and that clear support for him will make his voice louder in the eventual negotiations. Thank you!
I agree.
“There needs to be a solution, and for me, the two-state solution, as I understand it, is it.”
“The two-state solution” is merely a chant. The overriding issue is *what kind of* two-state solution?
Agree about it being a "chant." My two-state solution is Israel and Palestine as two separate independent sovereign counties.
Similar struggle for me, Jacqueline, as you can see in my comment here. Good work on your part!
Good for you for getting through to your friend. We cannot let our emotions cloud our voting. One thing we haven’t been good at is letting everyone know the good things President Biden and his Administration have done. It’s as if there has been a wall of silence constructed to tune out success. The 2025 report sound chilling.
"Some readers respond, 'I don’t have to say what I will do. Criticizing Biden is the right of every American.'”
To those readers, I say having the right to criticize is exactly why they should vote for Biden, because that right to criticize will certainly be taken away under a Trump administration, of that I have no doubt.
Thanks, Robert, for another great newsletter. Love that photo of the Mighty Ol' Miss!
“… of that I have no doubt”. I am with you and let me say that ‘doubt’ may not belong in the same sentence as anything having to do with a trump administration that extols the suffocation of our democracy and the rights of the American people. We don’t need to infer what trump is promising- he keeps saying it. out loud. to our face.
I thought about say that a trump admin would hobble democracy and rights but hobbling is something a movement, person, or animal can survive. Suffocation on the other hand…
Well said Lynell. The quote sounds a bit like "you're not the boss of me" that we used to use when we were kids and someone reminded us of what we were supposed to do when we really didn't want to. I think Jon Margolis has hit on the key, which is to let them play now, but make sure they're in a voting booth on Nov. 5 casting a vote for Biden.
It seems clear from the comments reaching Robert that still complain about President Biden, the public statements by people like the Michigan representative urging her constituents not to vote for our president in the state Democratic primary and a large majority of college students and other "busy" people who aren't reading enough about our political situation (yet?), that there needs to be a much stronger message from Democrats that our democracy is at stake in this upcoming presidential election.
Those of us who have been reading Robert's newsletter may have been clear about this for years. But it is not clear to enough voters that you vote for President Biden if you want to preserve and strengthen our democracy. Or you abstain from voting, vote third party or vote for Trump, if you don't mind losing our democracy and being "ruled" by an aspiring authoritarian who has repeatedly announced his plans to tear our current government apart.
I hear a lot of coverage about Trump's insane rantings. But whatever President Biden is saying is still not getting enough media attention. This country needs a lot more constant, strong messaging reaching the masses if we want the existential difference between President Biden and defendant Trump to be crystal clear to the majority of voters.
I totally agree, CC! Because of reading Robert's newsletter since 2016, I never lose hope. I feel better informed than friends who want Biden to win but are fearful that he cannot win. However, Nikki Haley has said multiple times lately that Trump cannot beat Biden. Even Nikki Haley knows that! Of course, she puts down Biden, but she's got the electorate's choice correct if Trump is the nominee!
Another helpful post, Robert. I needed that. Thank you.
Over the last two days I spent too many hours producing a piece that cites you and Simon Rosenberg numerous times, to counter the "Replace Biden!" stance taken up recently by my friend since 1978, Todd, with whom I usually agree on society and politics. That piece is here and may be useful for other readers being Information Warriors, as Simon calls it as we work to spread Hopium:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/17z4jWvVZK43zIjr0oEaeudrZq5RTBxRO4Wsubu2i76o/edit?usp=sharing
(I welcome feedback too, especially on solid data whether -- because of Biden's handling of Israel and Gaza -- any significant number of otherwise-Biden voters would stay home or vote for Trump.)
The Dems and Biden are Winning. Stay with Joe and Kamala.
Subtitle: “Replace Biden” is Based on Many Unanswerable Questions and At Least Two Dozen Unsupportable or False Premises
Synopsis:
My support for the Biden-Harris ticket is based on the most reliable election data we have: Actual election results in 2020, 2022, 2023 and 2024. Additional data-driven, verified observations I rely on include: Trump is weak, getting weaker, and not winning. The GOP is broken, and broke. Joe Biden is a good president. The country is better off. The Democratic Party is strong and winning elections all across the country.
In contrast, the “Replace Biden” position is based on many unasked and unanswerable questions. It relies on at least two dozen unsupportable or provably false premises. Moreover, and this is something I have not heard a single “Replace Biden!” promoter address: Let's say Biden’s basic functioning decreases to the point that he resigns. I am not afraid of a President Kamala Harris. Are you?
There is no replace Biden rationale that justifies supporting Trump. Biden is old, Trump is not much younger and election is not about age but capability and intent.
Thanks. I will check it out when I get some time this morning.
The Republicans (along with the Russians) have figured out “divide and conquer”. We need to be strategic in our criticizing a President Biden. He’s in a difficult situation, but if we start calling each other names and tearing each other down, the other side wins. This is not a normal election and we have to keep that in mind. Otherwise we end up with Chaos and a psychotic dictator.
Well said. I try to avoid name calling and generalizations.
A friend said to me- Biden has supporters - trump has followers... and so supporters and indeed “Democratic” values allow for dissent. I am sure it is exhausting however, to have the same arguments over and over with people. The alternative to Biden is complete chaos- the choice, to me is clear and indeed simple.
I like to think of it as a choice between democracy and chaos. President Biden has done a good job in a tough situation without a lot of support or credit for his successes and lots of criticism for everything else. This isn’t all about Biden. It is about us as a country, a people, who we are and who we want to be. The party of Putin, MAGA and Trump are not it.
If trump wins you won't be allowed to criticize your president any longer. Among a host of other rights you will no longer have.
Action Alert - In CA-22, Volunteers Urgently Needed to Prevent a Potential Dem Shutout!
California grassroots organizers are coordinating a time-sensitive effort to turn out likely voters for Rudy Salas in California’s 22nd Congressional District. Our help is crucial because there’s growing concern that this competitive race may end up with NO democrats on the ballot in November! This linktree has a range of volunteer activities in including phonebanking, canvassing, and texting: https://linktr.ee/gotvforrudysalasinca22
How could that happen? Well, in California’s Primary Elections, the top two vote-getters advance to the General Election - regardless of their party. The divisive CA-22 Republican primary, between incumbent Valadao and Mathys, a right-wing MAGA extremist, is mobilizing large numbers of Republicans to get out and vote. Enthusiasm is high.
Conversely, for the Democratic primary, turnout in this district has historically been low. Among Democratic organizers, some are skeptical that Rudy could be shut out. But the following data points are concerning. In an election that could come down to a handful of votes, in a Biden +13 District, do we want to underreact and have regrets later?
Organizers and canvassers working extensively in CD-22 over the last several months are sounding alarm bells, along with CADEM, the DCCC & House Majority PAC, for the reasons listed below:
CADEM and the DCCC are concerned. In fact, the DCCC, the Salas Campaign, and House Majority PAC are spending about $2.4 million to boost Rudy in the primary. This level would not be happening if a lockout were not a serious risk.
The DCCC has added a texting campaign in CA 22 - no other districts - to increase the Salas GOTV effort.
The math that underlies this concern is that the second Republican, Chris Mathys, was so competitive in 2022’s Primary (Valadao ‘s 26.6 vs. Mathys 23.4) — he was essentially tied with Valadao. If that dynamic plays out again, and the real possibility that Republicans and Republican-leaning NPP voters could make up 60% of the primary electorate, Rudy could beat Hurtado by ten points and still not advance. Salas, Valadao and Mathys could split the vote, e.g. 30-30-30. Hurtado’s 5% could effectively prevent Salas from making the Top 2.
Per Governor Newsom, “Because of the unique nature of California's primaries — where the top 2 advance regardless of party — we are in DEEP risk of having two Republicans make the general election ... and in a district Joe Biden won by 13 points.
Given that this district did not exist before the 2022 election cycle (½ of the district was CD-21) there is no easily accessible district-level historical turnout data. But, if you look at a similar district, CD13, where Adam Gray (D) is running again, they had over 133k votes cast while CA22 had merely 103k.
Historically, CD-22 has garnered a low level of in-district volunteers. The District unfortunately suffers from low out-of-district volunteers as well, being too far away from the LA area and Bay Area. According to CADEM, BAC is doing the lion’s share of canvassing in CD-22.
These elections will be so close that even a few conversations with voters can change the outcome! Please pitch in for Rudy and help ensure that Democrats continue to have a shot at winning a seat in CA-22!
I just looked for texting opportunities for Rudy CA-22. Here’s one link.
https://www.mobilize.us/volunteerblue/event/606717/
Thanks, Colleen! That is also on the link tree, but glad you called it out!
Oops. Sorry I missed it. 💙
I am neither an expert on polling nor knowledgeable about the polls -- good quality and bad. It would not be a shock, though, if the polls collected information from women in the way that information has been collected in the past. Nor would it be a shock if there was a higher percentage of women voting in the past and voting differently from the past. There are consequences to the Hobbs decision, to the anti-abortion position Republicans have taken, and, finally, no matter how much they disavow it, the Alabama IVF decision.
And this article demonstrates a challenge for the Dems given classic Dem culture.
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/02/26/us/politics/michigan-ro-khanna-biden-election.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare&sgrp=c-cb
The Rs will support the candidate irrespective of differences - McConnell may soon endorse Trump. And yet the Dems will rip themselves apart and harm themselves and their cause because they have a hard time supporting the big picture, the macro dynamics. It’s a sad and difficult challenge for Dems. And thus, for us - this group.
I will vote for Biden, no question. I am already doing letter writing for Democrats. And I am Jewish, my sister has lived on a kibbutz in Israel for 50 years.
I have been shattered by Israel’s actions, and outraged by Biden’s unwillingness to be tougher on Israel.
And I am tired of being “spanked “ by you Robert. Telling us that criticizing my President on Gaza is “enabling Trump” minimizes our concerns and is infuriating and counterproductive.
To use your words Robert — what Would you have us do when we see my President knowingly abet genocide? Just shut up, suck it up?
If anything one could argue that the criticism of Biden on Gaza is a wake up call that he needs to hear in order to win. Look at Ro Khanna on Michigan.
Robert you speak of the “moral” thing to do. Yes, I get the stakes. I hope you understand that some of us feel so morally betrayed by this President that to function as human beings AND to be able to support him with vigor we Must speak out.
Acknowledging this rather than simply telling us to be quiet would be helpful.
Thank you for all you do.
Rich Streitfeld, Providence
You skipped over the part where I said that it was fair to advocate for policy changes by Biden. But attacking Biden personally decreases the likelihood he will be elected. I know people understand that. And yet they continue to do so. Attack the policy not the man.
Robert I did not skip over that part, I would be startled for you to say otherwise. You are upset that I am "attacking him personally."? I am vociferously advocating for a ceasefire and trying not to make it about Biden -- fair point. HOWEVER Dear Robert -- in THIS forum, among allies -- I feel compelled to voice my strong frustration with his policy -- and yes, I am very sorry to say -- my disappointment in what it says about his character. And it has impacted me and my enthusiasm. This is very clearly HIS policy and thus I hold him personally accountable for the impacts.
And -- I have written to Simon Rosenberg about this -- people like you and he -- and US - we DO have some effect. I feel like the more Biden and his crew can see that thoughtful activist voices are very troubled by his actions the more possibility there is of changing course.
Again I think it is important that you recognize the deep division that this specific issue has caused. Because it has.
Thanks for all you do, Robert
Democracy is messy. I too will vote for Biden.
But I too speak out against the Gaza devastation. Israel is home to some of the smartest and most sophisticated people on the planet. The October 7th murders (and other violations of basic humanity) need to be addressed. Hamas must be held accountable and eliminated.
But certainly, there are creative and wise warriors in Israel who could have found and eradicated Hamas with less destruction and death and suffering. It would have taken much longer. And perhaps Israelis would have experienced more casualties. But THIS has been the most reputation damaging event in the modern history of Jews.
Nothing will ever erase (nor should it) the centuries of persecution, torture, expulsions and murders of Jews over the centuries. But THIS has clouded the memories for too many.
Biden has been wrong on this one. I will vote for Biden/Harris. I will encourage others to vote for Biden/Harris. I will donate to Biden/Harris. But Biden has been too supportive of the monster called Bibi.
Now I am ready for my spanking.
Thanks Bill. IMHO Israel has been indulged in far too long by all US Presidents, this is just the most ghastly. The colonization and oppression of the West Bank Palestinians is criminal. And though it has not been said I have no doubt that AIPAC is a strong influence on this policy -- it certainly has been a factor in keeping Congress quiet. Right?
Desert Island. 2 Jews. 3 synagogues.
That genocide remark is blood libel revisited.
The Palestinians started this war with no plan to defend their own soldiers let alone the citizens of Gaza if their plans went awry. As you know they spent billions on tunnels and war when they could have been building bridges of peace instead of a machine of hatred and destruction. They are proxies for Iran.
I think we are in agreement...
Also, the Arab world cheered when Hamas attacked Israel...this includes many in America. If Hamas succeeded further, and they were laying siege and destruction on Israel, would the world come to Israel's defense and say "stop the genocide. ceasefire now."
That’s an interesting question. War solves nothing. Just an endless cycle of death, destruction and revenge. Would that we would study peace with the same fervor that we study war.
Would you say that World War II solved nothing? No – it created the groundwork for the spread of democracy and widespread prosperity.
American (and “UN”) entrance into the Korean War prevented subjugation of South Korea (enabling its enormous rise to prosperity and democracy).
Some of America’s more recent wars … well, not so great (being kind).
Yes, Hamas is guilty and must be held accountable. Yet the conduct of this war has been reprehensible -- from day One Biden has quietly urged restraint and more aid and greater protection of civilians. Yet Netanyahu and his cronies have cavalierly ignored his pleas. For whatever reasons Biden has chosen to keep his mouth pretty shut and is thus seen as an accomplice.
And to your question --yes -- I do not know about the "whole world" but certainly most of the West has been very very supportive of Israel -- far more than of the Palestinians -- and has come to its defense many times.
Thanks for posting
Daniel -- well, obviously you disagree with my statement. I would just say that there are a growing number of Jewish and Israel historians and experts and citizens who are starting to say the same thing -- if quietly , because of the pushback.
I too am Jewish and believe that Israel has every right to defend itself. And rape isn't resistance. Period.
Your Concluding Thoughts reminded me of something I've said several times: "Vote character first, integrity second, and policy third; policy can change." With President Biden, the first two are certain to most; the third is where we can have influence if done nondestructively. With the Quadefendant, we lose in all three.
Thanks Robert. I do believe that Trump is in league with Putin to create chaos in the Mideast to create chaos in the Mideast and to support his friend Netanyahu. Why else would he try to control the GOP. Biden is the only President in my memory ( I could be wrong) that has proffered a two state solution. As far as being tougher on Israel I would remind everyone that a criminal runs Israel and is there out of desperation to keep out of Jail, much like his counterpart here. All talk of Biden supporting genocide is pure and utter nonsense ( I want to use another word) .
2 State solutions have been offered many times. The politics of the Middle East is more complicated than a war or even watching 2 teams play in the Superbowl. So many people try to reduce it to something simple.
Hamas, funded by Iran, if you wish to simplify is Anti-Semitic, Anti-Israel, and Anti-USA. Please be aware that this propaganda is flooding the United States daily and bringing the war to our streets.
Nobody wants to see innocent people die. Even today, there is actual combat. As a predicate to attacking Biden, first beseech Hamas, the PA, all Arab governments involved. Hundreds of thousands of Arabs killed in Syria, Yemen, etc do not bring this kind of a reaction.
I grew up in a town with many Arab Americans, most variations on the theme of Christians who know they are next, and oppose Islamists. I knew the lawyer who got most of them out. He was able to get funding from foundations, even sued in Israeli courts. Those who don't know history..... https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2015/05/gaza-palestinians-tortured-summarily-killed-by-hamas-forces-during-2014-conflict/
I also was a mediator, settlement judge for over 40 years. But for Trump, US policy remains the Oslo Accords. It takes at least 2 parties to bargain. Apparently, negotiations are ongoing. Hamas says it attacked to prevent a deal between Saudi and Israel. Give Biden encouragement, give peace a chance.
Hello,
I have mentioned a history professor from the University of Montana several times. His name is Dr. Mehrdad Kia. He was born in Iran. He has called Hamas peace assassins. More on Dr. Kia. He cannot go back to Iran. Years ago he was tried in abstenia. He will be killed/executed/murdered if he goes back. His father was a political prisoner in Iran for 15 years. Some nights he was brought blindfolded in front of a firing squad with bullets going off next to his head. Eventually this man was able to make it to Missoula, MT. Professor Kia was very devoted to his mother and father until their natural passing.
My point here is that these are the type of people in Iran and Gaza. These are the type of people that Israel must defend herself.
When you talk about people "who know they are next" I am reminded of the last Syrian Ambassador to the USA, Dr. Imed Moustaffa. He was recalled back to Syria not long after he spoke at the University of Montana. Very clever man speaking like Syria would honor "land for peace." How has that worked out for Syrian citizens, having gassed thousands of their own people?
I will not be paying ANY ATTENTION to Nate Kohn's polls about the election. His group intentionally put its finger on the scale by excluding a certain demographic to support its hypothesis. That's the same as lying; Kohn shot down his credibility.
Trump and Netanyahu are trying to keep their sorry hides out of jail. They are not running because they have good ideas for the country. Trump, the Putin puppet, has no ideas. Others come up with horrendous ideas, and he jumps onboard.
Voting for Biden means there's a chance that problems can be solved. Voting for Trump and Republicans or writing in someone means chaos will reign. The Republicans only care about money, power, and the morbidly rich libertarians like Charles Koch.
How right you are. People who fail to vote for Biden--or those who effectively vote for Trump by voting for someone else or staying home-- fail to realize that may be their last opportunity to vote freely. Even Putin was democratically elected - once!
Last night on the Rachel Maddow show she interviewed Barbara McQuade about her newly published book called “ Attack from Within which is being published today and is a must read for all of us.
It’s an urgent, comprehensive explanation of the ways disinformation is impacting democracy, and practical solutions that can be pursued to strengthen the public, media, and truth-based politics. The reality is disinformation from multiple sources including Russia is drowning out the legitimate messaging regarding the threats to Democracy as well as the accomplishments of the Biden Administration and is resulting in the authoritarian leaning right developing an emotional relationship with Trump and MAGA whom they view as their savior. It’s frightening and this book outlines the disinformation challenges and what we need to do about it. Disinformation is a larger threat to Biden’s re-election than any single other challenge and in the 2024 it will be even bigger than it was in 2016 and 2020.