In the midst of ongoing doomsday naysaying, leave it to Robert to lay out a reasonable set of facts as to how the Republicans have lots of troubles ahead. Hold this in mind as you spend a worthwhile 51 minutes to get your socks blown off by Leigh McGowan:
Now you have additional sources asking Robert's concluding question: "If you don’t belong to an organized group like Swing Left, Indivisible, Sister District, PostCardsToVoters, Fair Fight, or your local Democratic Party, now is a great time to join. What are you waiting for?"
The people labeled Republicans today have gone by other labels in the past. Let’s just use “haves” to describe that party’s current members. The haves have been lying for decades. Back in the ‘80’s, I used to wonder why no one saw through Reagan’s play acting lies. “Voodoo economics” anyone? If nothing else, the R-haves party knows how to stick together to speak with one lying voice. Painting themselves as the virtuous family values party who passes little or no legislation to help regular families has been quite successful.
I have also come to realize what an act of courage it is to go against your tribe or group when the group is wrong. The person’s community exacts often swift and terrible retribution for speaking the truth. That’s one reason there are whistleblower laws.
I’m an unabashed fan of Joe Biden. I prefer him to the alternative
In his column, Jon Gabriel writes that everybody hates Joe Biden.
I like Joe Biden. I approve of Joe Biden. I think it’s great that he has listened to public-health experts to combat the pandemic with widely available vaccines, PPE, tests, and medical support for hard hit regions of the country both red and blue.
I am very happy that my financial situation is very good, partly thanks to direct cash payments (even though my kids are too old for the child tax credit) and lower health insurance premiums for the family. I look forward to better infrastructure.
Most people seem to be unaware that under Joe Biden we have added more jobs in the first year than under any previous president. Unemployment is dropping fast; GDP growth is strong; household wages and savings are up and the stock market is having a great year.
Sometimes a booming economy causes inflation, but there a signs it is slowing. The bond market seems to think Joe’s work on supply chains, oil supplies and computer chips is effective, not anticipating long term inflation.
I look forward to his Build Back Better plan to help average Americans with expenses like child care, Pre-K, college costs (including student loans), prescription drug costs and energy efficiency for homes and cars.
So who besides Mr. Gabriel, doesn’t like President Biden? First there are those who still worship Donald Trump despite his COVID mismanagement causing nearly million deaths and wrecking the economy that Joe is working (not golfing or tweeting) to repair.
These Biden haters include millions of anti-vaxxers, anti-maskers, ivermectin, hydroxychloroquine and urine consumers (to prevent/cure the COVID hoax), the Big Lie believers and Jan. 6 insurrectionist supporters (apparently including almost all Republican elected officials), the Proud Boys, the Oath Keepers, the 3 Percenters and other upstanding citizens. Some liberal Democrats are disappointed that some aspects of the Biden agenda have stalled. So am I, but I’m looking on the glass as half full and remembering the alternative.
Not counted in the Gallup poll are foreign dictators like Putin, Orban, Erdogan, and MBS who definitely preferred the previous president.
Hi, Brad. thanks for sharing your brother's letter. He states in a direct, clear style why Joe Biden has been and is a good president. We need more people like him!
I had the pleasure of reading this letter, in the AZ Republic, this morning. It was in response to a closet Trump supporter, who claims he hates DJT, but parrots the defeated former president's rhetoric, every chance he gets.
Enthralling attitude as usual, much needed in the Chicken Little country at the moment. What on earth is wrong with the press? Thank heavens for Jennifer Rubin. She gets my bid for a Pulitzer.
Great analysis as usual, and happy news. Let's hope the dissolution of the GOP continues. Meanwhile, I have a friend who has consulted with high up Biden folks, and he tells me that they are quite aware of the trouble facing them, no thanks to the media, etc. They asked him what he thinks they should do. He told them to be straight-up honest and not paper over anything with happy talk; the public is too skeptical. I can't share more, but the good news is that they are listening.
"They not learn he media’s predilection for portraying Republicans as tactically brilliant is indicative of their preference for treating politics as a game. They denude their coverage of any qualitative judgment that would inform voters that the party’s “cleverness” is lying, plain and simple."
What I can not understand is why the main media (excluding Fox etc) undercut their very existence for profit? Does the media really sell more news by both-siderism and not calling a spade a spade? By doing so, they leave the door open for Authoritarian rule that could banish them to to the dustbin of history. Did they not learn anything from Trump's reign of terror?
I have given up trying to understand the motivations of the media, except to say that the demands for content are ceaseless and it is easier to write about bad news than good.
Yes; several readers pointed that out. Thank you. I will check out his retirement announcment. Do you know if it was because he feared he would be challenged by a Trump acolyte? Or did he just want to spend more time with his family?
He made a rather poignant statement to the effect that his mother had developed early onset Alzheimer's disease and that he was very much his mother's child - looked like her, sounded like her, etc. He was apprehensive about incurring the same fate, etc. So more time with family.
Although I am not a great admirer, I recognize that he is not a Trump acolyte. I have wondered whether the sheer difficulty of calling himself a Republican at this moment in history was a factor. I have no doubt that he would win re-election in this state if he had opted to run.
So young voters are swinging to the Democrats—although I think that has ever been the case. But what I really wanted to point out that I heard that someone said, “A child shall lead them.”
Jon, you are correct. But what is changing is that (a) the participation rate (nearly doubled in a decade) and (b) the decline in switching party affiliations as they get older. The latter point was included in the link in yesterday's newsletter.
Republicans breed liars. Look at Gorsuch: First, unconstitutionally appointed to the bench and then writes a book about civility titled A Republic if You Can Keep It (original, huh). Simply malevolent.
Your critique of Youngkin might have added that Youngkin's haste to ban school mask mandates, etc., suggests that on his first days in office he may already be looking past his responsibilities as governor to start building a base for a run at the presidency. Poor Virginia.
good point! I had not heard that he has aspirations beyond Virginia, but then again, one of the most common attributes among people who run for president is a monumental lack of self awareness.
Hi...always benefitting from your cogent and mostly calm way to relay the news that matters. I find that specific Twitter posters offer a great deal of help also. In particular, Michael Harriot. He posted a thread today about voter fraud/suppression, etc. Very well researched and reported, in my opinion. The most significant thing I took from the thread is that the changes to voter laws, in and of themselves are not necessarily the issue, it is the change, whatever it is that makes voters unsure, less confident. What a finesse by the republicans. His word, finesse.
In the midst of ongoing doomsday naysaying, leave it to Robert to lay out a reasonable set of facts as to how the Republicans have lots of troubles ahead. Hold this in mind as you spend a worthwhile 51 minutes to get your socks blown off by Leigh McGowan:
https://twitter.com/IAmPoliticsGirl/status/1483590198130720770?s=20
...whose powerful punch is riffing on Anne Applebaum's article on Autocracy Inc.:
https://twitter.com/anneapplebaum/status/1460215744743067648?s=20
Now you have additional sources asking Robert's concluding question: "If you don’t belong to an organized group like Swing Left, Indivisible, Sister District, PostCardsToVoters, Fair Fight, or your local Democratic Party, now is a great time to join. What are you waiting for?"
thanks for the reference to Leigh McGowan and Anne Applebaum. I will check out both today!
Applebaum is always fabulous. Will check out Leigh McGowan. thanks!
The people labeled Republicans today have gone by other labels in the past. Let’s just use “haves” to describe that party’s current members. The haves have been lying for decades. Back in the ‘80’s, I used to wonder why no one saw through Reagan’s play acting lies. “Voodoo economics” anyone? If nothing else, the R-haves party knows how to stick together to speak with one lying voice. Painting themselves as the virtuous family values party who passes little or no legislation to help regular families has been quite successful.
I have also come to realize what an act of courage it is to go against your tribe or group when the group is wrong. The person’s community exacts often swift and terrible retribution for speaking the truth. That’s one reason there are whistleblower laws.
Robert here is my brother Dan in AZ letter by a reader of his news.
Subject: AZ Republic Letter today
The Arizona Republic
OPINIONS.AZCENTRAL.COM
I’m an unabashed fan of Joe Biden. I prefer him to the alternative
In his column, Jon Gabriel writes that everybody hates Joe Biden.
I like Joe Biden. I approve of Joe Biden. I think it’s great that he has listened to public-health experts to combat the pandemic with widely available vaccines, PPE, tests, and medical support for hard hit regions of the country both red and blue.
I am very happy that my financial situation is very good, partly thanks to direct cash payments (even though my kids are too old for the child tax credit) and lower health insurance premiums for the family. I look forward to better infrastructure.
Most people seem to be unaware that under Joe Biden we have added more jobs in the first year than under any previous president. Unemployment is dropping fast; GDP growth is strong; household wages and savings are up and the stock market is having a great year.
Sometimes a booming economy causes inflation, but there a signs it is slowing. The bond market seems to think Joe’s work on supply chains, oil supplies and computer chips is effective, not anticipating long term inflation.
I look forward to his Build Back Better plan to help average Americans with expenses like child care, Pre-K, college costs (including student loans), prescription drug costs and energy efficiency for homes and cars.
So who besides Mr. Gabriel, doesn’t like President Biden? First there are those who still worship Donald Trump despite his COVID mismanagement causing nearly million deaths and wrecking the economy that Joe is working (not golfing or tweeting) to repair.
These Biden haters include millions of anti-vaxxers, anti-maskers, ivermectin, hydroxychloroquine and urine consumers (to prevent/cure the COVID hoax), the Big Lie believers and Jan. 6 insurrectionist supporters (apparently including almost all Republican elected officials), the Proud Boys, the Oath Keepers, the 3 Percenters and other upstanding citizens. Some liberal Democrats are disappointed that some aspects of the Biden agenda have stalled. So am I, but I’m looking on the glass as half full and remembering the alternative.
Not counted in the Gallup poll are foreign dictators like Putin, Orban, Erdogan, and MBS who definitely preferred the previous president.
Andrew March, Phoenix Sent from my iPad
Hi, Brad. thanks for sharing your brother's letter. He states in a direct, clear style why Joe Biden has been and is a good president. We need more people like him!
I had the pleasure of reading this letter, in the AZ Republic, this morning. It was in response to a closet Trump supporter, who claims he hates DJT, but parrots the defeated former president's rhetoric, every chance he gets.
Bravo!
What a great letter! Thanks for sharing!
Enthralling attitude as usual, much needed in the Chicken Little country at the moment. What on earth is wrong with the press? Thank heavens for Jennifer Rubin. She gets my bid for a Pulitzer.
Great analysis as usual, and happy news. Let's hope the dissolution of the GOP continues. Meanwhile, I have a friend who has consulted with high up Biden folks, and he tells me that they are quite aware of the trouble facing them, no thanks to the media, etc. They asked him what he thinks they should do. He told them to be straight-up honest and not paper over anything with happy talk; the public is too skeptical. I can't share more, but the good news is that they are listening.
Thank you, again, Robert, for challenging the doomsday media with intelligent facts and observations!!! I start my day with you.
"They not learn he media’s predilection for portraying Republicans as tactically brilliant is indicative of their preference for treating politics as a game. They denude their coverage of any qualitative judgment that would inform voters that the party’s “cleverness” is lying, plain and simple."
What I can not understand is why the main media (excluding Fox etc) undercut their very existence for profit? Does the media really sell more news by both-siderism and not calling a spade a spade? By doing so, they leave the door open for Authoritarian rule that could banish them to to the dustbin of history. Did they not learn anything from Trump's reign of terror?
I have given up trying to understand the motivations of the media, except to say that the demands for content are ceaseless and it is easier to write about bad news than good.
As Dr. King Jr. often said, “We have to keep our eyes on the prize.”
I am all for advocacy. But let us not mistake advocacy for activism. Let’s all get in the game and play to win not just compete!
100% agree! We must DO something to increase voter participation in the face of voter suppression.
And volunteer and participate in election administrative positions. Everyone is important, everyone must vote, and every vote must count.
Just a nit: Charlie Baker is not running for re-election.
Yes; several readers pointed that out. Thank you. I will check out his retirement announcment. Do you know if it was because he feared he would be challenged by a Trump acolyte? Or did he just want to spend more time with his family?
He made a rather poignant statement to the effect that his mother had developed early onset Alzheimer's disease and that he was very much his mother's child - looked like her, sounded like her, etc. He was apprehensive about incurring the same fate, etc. So more time with family.
Although I am not a great admirer, I recognize that he is not a Trump acolyte. I have wondered whether the sheer difficulty of calling himself a Republican at this moment in history was a factor. I have no doubt that he would win re-election in this state if he had opted to run.
But a well-picked one.
So young voters are swinging to the Democrats—although I think that has ever been the case. But what I really wanted to point out that I heard that someone said, “A child shall lead them.”
Jon, you are correct. But what is changing is that (a) the participation rate (nearly doubled in a decade) and (b) the decline in switching party affiliations as they get older. The latter point was included in the link in yesterday's newsletter.
Sounds good to me!
Thanks Robert-you brought the flashlight again! See you on the 29th for sure! Bill Leeds
Republicans breed liars. Look at Gorsuch: First, unconstitutionally appointed to the bench and then writes a book about civility titled A Republic if You Can Keep It (original, huh). Simply malevolent.
https://abovethelaw.com/2022/01/neil-gorsuchs-call-for-civility-was-always-just-for-show/
Per the NPR article, even the conservatives on the SCOTUS bench can't stand him.
Your critique of Youngkin might have added that Youngkin's haste to ban school mask mandates, etc., suggests that on his first days in office he may already be looking past his responsibilities as governor to start building a base for a run at the presidency. Poor Virginia.
good point! I had not heard that he has aspirations beyond Virginia, but then again, one of the most common attributes among people who run for president is a monumental lack of self awareness.
And an amazing tendency for hubris!
Music to my ears: Let’s you and him fight!
Hi...always benefitting from your cogent and mostly calm way to relay the news that matters. I find that specific Twitter posters offer a great deal of help also. In particular, Michael Harriot. He posted a thread today about voter fraud/suppression, etc. Very well researched and reported, in my opinion. The most significant thing I took from the thread is that the changes to voter laws, in and of themselves are not necessarily the issue, it is the change, whatever it is that makes voters unsure, less confident. What a finesse by the republicans. His word, finesse.
Cheers,
Katherine
Is this true? Could Dem Senators outlast the Rep Senators?https://twitter.com/SenWhitehouse/status/1483832678331912196?s=20