The new Joe Biden.
August 27, 2022
On Friday, Joe Biden paused to take questions from reporters as he walked to Marine One when this exchange occurred:
Reporter: Mr. President: What did you mean by semi-fascism?
The President: You know what I mean.
Biden then turned and walked towards Marine One. It was the presidential equivalent of a mic drop. Joe Biden is done taking guff from reporters trolling for sound bites.
There is a new Joe Biden in town. The truth is that he is the old Joe Biden unleashed from the constraints of the White House. He is on the campaign trail to help Democrats preserve control of Congress—and to protect the final two years of his first term. He is unapologetic and feisty. Fox news is apoplectic, and the RNC has hurt feelings after claiming for two years that Biden did not win the 2020 election.
Biden unleashed is a good thing—gaffes and all. Someone needs to speak the truth about the ugly threat to democracy posed by the Republican Party. It is better that the truth be spoken plainly by a decent and honest man—even if the truth bruises the tender sensibilities of those seeking to destroy democracy.
The redacted FBI affidavit.
The redacted FBI affidavit revealed more damaging information than expected. The affidavit is here: READ: Redacted Mar-A-Lago Affidavit. Bottom line: Trump is in trouble. The DOJ is moving towards an indictment. Andrew Weissman said,
[M]y big overarching takeaway is – and I know this is just a prediction and speculation – but I say it’s an educated one, is that the former president is going to be prosecuted.
There is much exceptional reporting on the affidavit, but I recommend Jennifer Rubin in WaPo, Opinion | Affidavit reveals Trump retained a host of highly sensitive documents. A non-paywall summary is here: The Guardian, Redacted Trump Mar-a-Lago affidavit released: five key takeaways.
Concluding Thoughts.
The Comments section is open to everyone today to allow discussion of the big events of last week. I am heading back to help my wife and Managing Editor with preparations for our youngest daughter’s bridal shower on Sunday.
Talk to you on Monday!
TFG may yet be indicted in one court or another, for one or another of a myriad of crimes. What is on trial now is the American justice system. Given overwhelming amount of evidence publicly available and who knows how much more as yet unrevealed, if we don't see a resolute march to justice pronto, the public will abandon any trust it has left in our system's will and capacity to prosecute the rich and powerful. How ironic, that a criminal destined for a special place in the annals of crime in this nation is actually putting the justice system on trial. So be it; its been a long time coming.
Similarly here in Australia, a proto-Trumpian ex prime minister has been exposed for undermining our democracy. In this case it was called a ministerial ‘power-creep’. If you want to preserve your democracy, you need to charge them, investigate them and prosecute them. The political cancer must be eliminated.