95 Comments

Gratuitous obtuse hit job. Biden talking about “the situation he inherited” was not something that happened in 2021 or something that ended in 2021. Putting back the integrity and smooth functioning government and good faith commitment to Constitutional processes that Trump’s train wreck destroyed in four years is taking longer than four years if just with the antics of Trump judges especially the Supreme Court. NATO needs protecting from Trump, basic rights need protecting from a religio-fascist takeover of the Republican Party. There are plenty of fundamental issues facing the country for which President Biden’s expertise is invaluable, naked agism in the media piranha tank not withstanding.

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Well said Jonathan. Got to hear Carville live at Aspen Ideas last month (just hours before the debate) and he is as sharp (and funny) as ever.

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Jul 13·edited Jul 13

Sounds like we have Biden's back here. That's good to see. Very much disagree with Jonathan's article. James Carville's ideas? He is a corporate shill who was very much part of the Dems selling out to big money in the 1990s. Best to ignore him.

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Jeeze Jonathan, you got a tough crowd here.

Please all watch the debate again.

Keys need to be taken away and Biden needs to go enjoy retirement

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Thanks: another sign of the News-less media: I live in Kansas and read most news pretty thoroughly. I never saw a glimpse of a story about that, only the Baltimore bridge so thank you for correcting my mistake. I do see it as another media fail when they say local national and international news, there should be at least a one-liner somewhere about things that important, even though I’m in another state. It’s still the US.

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Vehemently disagree. If anyone is hurting our chances of defeating trump, it's the chattering class. Of which you are a part. Your focus on HOW President Biden says it, rather than WHAT he says is myopic.

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I doubt that Biden has read this post. But his address in Michigan yesterday works effectively as a reply’s to it—as did the response of the crowd.

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I don't think we have time. It's Kamala for me. This could be a list of VP candidates.

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None of this is helpful. Watch what happens if Biden steps aside and we fight tooth nail and claw at an embarrassing convention. None of those in your list have a proven track record. Harris does but she will never be elected. At least not now. Why do you waste your talents on something like this. Let it go.

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There is no way I can fully express my disappointment in the position you have taken. It’s almost as if you have tossed all the knowledge you have about US politics out the window. I dissent!

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All right, a modest proposal: we go big, we go with our strengths, we get around all the hazards.

How? Biden gives a heart-wrenching resignation speech. Harris becomes president—and the nominee. This way, she already IS the first African American, woman president. Fait accompli. The campaign money is all safe, so is the ballot access.

Does Harris have to stay in Washington a lot and sign really great stuff into law and make great speeches? Of course she does! She also nominates Gretchen Whitmer to be her VP. (We don't bother with an actual confirmation, which Speaker Johnson and his minions in the House will block anyway).

It becomes the "Sisters Are Doin' It" campaign, the Aretha/Annie Lenox song everywhere. But beyond that, the campaign pivots on Biden's offhanded remark last December that "only about 50" Democrats could beat Trump. We get the 50 out there. Or more. Bernie and Warren, Clooney and Oprah, the Obamas, the Clintons, Whitmer and all those moderate governors.

The whole presentation is, "We are the country, we are you, this is all of America, not the sorry sycophants of a dictatorial psychopath." I think this—going big, going bold—could work. I don't think keeping a declining Joe Biden in office to appease white men will work. (And yes, Joe and Jill can have a role on the stump, too.)

This moment will bring a familiar relief to all those families who have had to take the car keys away from Dad, and finally got him to accept it. Now we can concentrate on what we need to do. Donald Trump will melt like the Wicked Witch of the West.

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If that happens, yes Harris is President, but guess who is VP? Speaker Johnson. Yes, that Johnson.

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Let's do it...now !!!

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Terrific Jon. Excellent on all levels.

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The discussion about Biden continuing should have been had a year ago! Now, anything that happens will be messy! Really messy! Advantage Trump!

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Democracy is messy

Where we are right now is already really messy.

Biden handing the reigns over is something that Trump fears

Advantage the country

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The Biden-Trump polls are all within the margin of error, both before and after the debate. Play it safe with Biden.

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Stop it!!! He's the only person who can win! There's not time to get another candidate.

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Kamala Harris will step up and gather a huge majority with no loss of momentum in the campaign. Joe Biden will proudly serve as consigliere.

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If you listen to his explanation as to why he changed his mind he was clear he did not realize what a mess the orange one left, so he chose to do a second term. No one stepped up for the primary. he has vast instutional knowledge and experience. He is not a Clinton or a n Obama when he speaks , but he got a good start on getting the job done. Now he wants to finish it. Progressives in congress and th black caucus is sticking with him and so am I.

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The Democratic party pretty much said that Biden was the candidate, period. end of sentence. end of story.

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