posted
Personally, I have no positive view about Biden's political history, recent or more distant past. I have my doubts that he will resign, as there seems to be a lack of perception of the reality of recent events, particularly economic, that makes it appear that they feel that somehow they shall prevail. I really think one of Joe's best insurances against Impeachment for use of multiple executive orders that usurped congress's authority is Kamala.
Hopefully, should the turnover of party in power prevail, one of their first acts will be to deep six the Soviet Style Show Trial that is the January 6 hearing and turn loose all those persecuted therewith.
Beto and Stacy? I would say not a chance. Both are perennial losers in their home states.
Posts: 2979 | From: Olive Branch MS | Registered: Nov 2002
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Mr. Harris; Beto and Stacy? we're "on the same page"! I noted them because, as you also note, they can't win an election (maybe somewhere for dogcatcher ) in their home states, which sure would make either of them a "sacrificial lamb" unto Trump's altar come '24 (grief: first primaries are fourteen months away; "announcements" in six).
Jan 6 hearings; they're history on New Year's Eve.
I grant that all Joe ever wanted to be in this life was a "career politician". He was active in High School politics, went to the "not exactly renowned for much of anything" University of Delaware (that wasn't nice of me; Blue Hens around here), after attaining a bachelor's, graduated from their law school (towards the bottom of his class but he got that law degree - the "ticket" for aspiring politicians) and from there went on his way to the ultimate prize all too often held by those with Yale, Stanford, et al on the CV. So let's give him credit for that.
Now as to the possibility of Joe's resignation, let's take that up on Nov 9 (or later depending upon how many disputed elections there will be).
Posts: 10967 | From: Clarendon Hills, IL USA (BNSF Chicago Sub MP 18.71) | Registered: Apr 2002
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As this is written, it does not appear that the "Trump Red Wave" is about to crash on shore. As such, the likelihood that Joe will resign is somewhat diminished.
It appears the House will go Red; and I'm sure the Republican leadership has an office on a high floor in the oldest House Office building with a view of a service alley all picked out for Nancy. If Joe can accept the Investigations will be against him, and not Trump, and that Impeachment articles will be sent to the Senate, then maybe he will choose to hang around.
Now if the Senate stays Blue (Fetterman in PA is a "pick up"), then Joe can still control appointments (Justice Thomas retires? There are plenty of well-qualified Black jurists out there, but they're by and large "Libs"), further he still has a veto should any "whacko" legislation, such as repealing some of Joe's agenda or cutting off Ukraine, get passed.
A second term? Oh, please!!!
Posts: 10967 | From: Clarendon Hills, IL USA (BNSF Chicago Sub MP 18.71) | Registered: Apr 2002
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After another nine days to "think it over" and see the largely final election results, we must note that the House is "razor thin Red" and the Senate (regardless of what happens in Georgia between Walker and Warnock) "razor thin Blue".
Here beginneth "Divided Government".
Predictions: Anything remaining of Joe's legislative agenda is dead, however "Spending" ($$$ to keep the lights on; also, Amtrak) and Defense will be funded at consistent levels, and for which both sides will claim "Bipartisanship". For these to pass, it matters not if we have a "First Gentleman".
However, House Investigations will continue but with a change of direction. The January 6 investigation is "finito", and impeachment articles will be filed against Joe (of course going nowhere and for what who knows).
So "I have done what I can to leave our country in better shape than I found it, but it's time to step aside and allow Vice President Harris to sit at The Desk...."
Again, I still hold this will occur after the State Of The Union address.
Joe just looks so tired; as did FDR at Yalta.
Posts: 10967 | From: Clarendon Hills, IL USA (BNSF Chicago Sub MP 18.71) | Registered: Apr 2002
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Well, I will say something just to keep the thread from dying. To say the lack of a true "red wave" has left me disappointed is putting it mildly. At least given the loss of a Democrat majority in the House the J6 show trial should end. How many times can they say, we've got him and nothing happens? It is almost like the old joke about the incompetent high school team that finally made a touchdown. The opposing team failed to show up and after three plays they managed to finally score.
Yes, I remember the pictures of FDR at Yalta. Frankly, Stalin wiped the floor with him. Churchill just did not have enough political clout to stop him and, what was the French guy's name?, was fairly well useless. I think Biden is far worse than that and would have been even when firing on all cylinders, which he obviously is not.
Posts: 2979 | From: Olive Branch MS | Registered: Nov 2002
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Mr. Harris, I have to acknowledge that given Joe's "success" with the mid-terms, i.e. avoiding a "Red Tide" in both houses, I must acknowledge that it is not likely he will voluntarily step down.
All "we the people" can hope for is that no major unforeseen event occurs, e.g. "nukes a popping", and that Joe can hold it together for another 759 days. When it's over, I think the Notable Scholars, who presently rate Trump as 41st of 44, will place Joe in their Fourth Quartile between 35th and 45th.
If Joe chooses to run again (while the second term nomination was denied to elected Franklin Pierce and four other successor VP's in our history - Tyler, Fillmore, A.Johnson, Arthur, the nomination is customarily held open for a sitting POTUS to decide if he wants it), De Santis will mop the floor with him. While I have friends (educators, social workers) who would strongly disagree with any policy a "President DeSantis" would set forth, I acknowledge that he is rational and sane. I don't know who the Democrats have on the bench with a chance of beating him.
The only hope the Democrats have is that Trump, with his "star becoming dimmer by the day", runs as a third-party candidate. That could "siphon" enough votes from the Republican nominee to allow the Democrats "four more years".
Finally, so far as Investigations go, just look for "a change of players" with Trump being replaced by Hunter and Dr. Fauci - and of course, Articles of Impeachment filed against Joe.
And very lastly, I had to "look it up" myself, but the French were not represented at Yalta:
From Wiki--
The French leader General Charles de Gaulle was not invited to either the Yalta or Potsdam Conferences, a diplomatic slight that was the occasion for deep and lasting resentment. De Gaulle attributed his exclusion from Yalta to the longstanding personal antagonism towards him by Roosevelt, but the Soviets had also objected to his inclusion as a full participant. However, the absence of French representation at Yalta also meant that extending an invitation for de Gaulle to attend the Potsdam Conference would have been highly problematic since he would have felt honor-bound to insist that all issues agreed at Yalta in his absence be reopened
Posts: 10967 | From: Clarendon Hills, IL USA (BNSF Chicago Sub MP 18.71) | Registered: Apr 2002
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Ah, yes. De Gualle. I should have remembered that. Yes, I do remember the picture at Yalta showing only those three. (Churchill, Roosevelt, Stalin)
Posts: 2979 | From: Olive Branch MS | Registered: Nov 2002
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Nothing divided about this government, which seems hell-bent on getting Hakeem Jeffries installed as the new Speaker, particularly with the blather and noise over voting (which a man once known on air as Jeff Christie called “Kabuki theater”).
At least the January 6 komissariat ended as it should have, i.e. with nothing whatsoever. Overdue to release all the political prisoners now.
Also, Trump’s “star” does not fade merely because the Uniparty and media try to wish it away.
Posts: 890 | Registered: Mar 2002
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Away from topic, Mr. Harris, but then this is Open Discussion!!!
We should note that the French, while not invited to either Yalta or Potsdam - and for that matter Teheran - there were "Four Powers" recognized with the occupation zones of both Germany and Austria.
I doubt if I was aware of such until I visited Berlin during May 1990, and at Checkpoint Charlie, there were security guards all wearing "quaint and curious costumes" (Class A Dress) with boots that saw more "spit" than dirt from the US, UK, FR, and USSR.
There was also Four Power representation with the division of Vienna; became aware of that watching the movie "The Third Man".
Posts: 10967 | From: Clarendon Hills, IL USA (BNSF Chicago Sub MP 18.71) | Registered: Apr 2002
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Story from CNN about Biden and classified documents in his possession from the time he was VP.
quote:Among the items from Joe Biden’s time as vice president discovered in a private office last fall are 10 classified documents including US intelligence memos and briefing materials that covered topics including Ukraine, Iran and the United Kingdom, according to a source familiar with the matter. …
The documents were dated between 2013 and 2016, according to the source familiar. They were found in three or four boxes also containing unclassified papers that fall under the Presidential Records Act.
The vast majority of the items in the office contained personal Biden family documents, including materials about Beau Biden’s funeral arrangements and condolence letters, the source told CNN. It is not clear if the boxes with classified documents contained personal materials. …
(Merrick) Garland chose to have (John) Lausch conduct the Biden documents investigation because he is one of two remaining Trump-appointed US attorneys, and to avoid the appearance of conflict of interest because he wasn’t appointed by Biden, people briefed on the matter said. …
posted
Surprise anyone, but Hannity is "just getting tuned up".
Joe, best give up any thoughts about a second term (you'll lose), and start thinking about resigning. You will simply be unable to do much more for the next two years than roll Easter eggs, pardon turkeys, and light Xmas trees.
Posts: 10967 | From: Clarendon Hills, IL USA (BNSF Chicago Sub MP 18.71) | Registered: Apr 2002
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If Biden were to resign, or be successfully impeached, at this point or any date forward, whoever completes his term could, in theory at least, run for two full terms. However, should this be Kamala, I don't see here as being electable to anything, so this part of history making will not happen.
Posts: 2979 | From: Olive Branch MS | Registered: Nov 2002
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Joe, you are sinking into this classified "dung" as deeply and quickly as has Trump.
Where's next? your beach house in Rehoboth Beach?
All I know is that if Mr. Harris or myself, who both held security clearances when we served, pulled anything like what now Hillary, Trump, and Joe have evidently done, our home address, even if we served over fifty years ago, would still be Fort Leavenworth.
Posts: 10967 | From: Clarendon Hills, IL USA (BNSF Chicago Sub MP 18.71) | Registered: Apr 2002
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quote:Originally posted by Gilbert B Norman: All I know is that if Mr. Harris or myself, who both held security clearances when we served, pulled anything like what now Hillary, Trump, and Joe have evidently done, our home address, even if we served over fifty years ago, would still be Fort Leavenworth.
Well, maybe not that long, however, my PE licence, which I will have held for 50 years before my next renewal expires, would never have been a possibility, regardless of education and experience. And, along with that lack of license or criminal history or both would have disqualified me for much of what I have done over my working life, plus my wife would have lost her job if she married me, if not been in trouble just for dating me. (Whether or not it serves any purpose to renew my engineer's license, I definitely intend to do so.)
When I began dating my wife, of now 49 years, I was just out of the army and she was an employee of the CIA. Regardless of my history and service, the CIA still investigated me. How do I know? Because people that were friends of my parents started asking them, "What has George done? We have had strange people coming around asking questions about him." (When she was about 9 or 10 our granddaughter asked me, when do you meet Grandma? I answered, we were both working in DC. I was in the Army and she was working for the CIA. The look on her face was priceless. It was like, who are these people? I have never seen them before. She knew us as a grandpa worked on big construction projects and a grandma that was a schoolteacher.)
Posts: 2979 | From: Olive Branch MS | Registered: Nov 2002
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Hey it's open discussion (and it's really the only activity going on around here).
When I retired, for real, during '17 (tried during '03, but I had clients who wouldn't let me), I surrendered my CPA license. I wasn't going to practice anymore and forty class hours of Continuing Professional Education a year (about $30hr) to keep it was a "for what"; professional pride?
The title however, just as I believe is the case with Mr. Harris, is mine for life.
Posts: 10967 | From: Clarendon Hills, IL USA (BNSF Chicago Sub MP 18.71) | Registered: Apr 2002
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Trump was POTUS and was in the right as far as document possession. Garland violated the Fourth Amendment, but the united Democratic Republican uni-party will cover for him.
Posts: 890 | Registered: Mar 2002
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quote:Originally posted by irishchieftain: Trump was POTUS and was in the right as far as document possession.
Agree, Mr. Helfner; so long as he was POTUS. But, absent holding some unfounded belief that he is STILL POTUS (that is what my sister holds and that Joe is some kind of "illegitimate acting POTUS"), he is no longer such and those documents, CLEARLY MARKED with the same cover sheets as when I was "in", should have been surrendered to the Archives.
Reiterate; same equally applied to Joe during '17.
Posts: 10967 | From: Clarendon Hills, IL USA (BNSF Chicago Sub MP 18.71) | Registered: Apr 2002
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posted
No, not so long as he was POTUS. If that was the case, then the spotlight has to be shone on Obama, Bush and Clinton here. And no VPOTUS has the authority that a POTUS has in this arena.
Posts: 890 | Registered: Mar 2002
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OK; I think this will have to be left with that Mr. Helfner holds that President Trump (the title is his for life) is "POTUS in exile". Accordingly, he is empowered to hold the classified documents found at his "Sea to Lake residence in exile", and that when he returns to his rightful "home office with a street number of 1600", so will the documents.
Joe however, upon leaving the VPOTUS during '17, was not lawfully afforded the same privilege and could be subject to prosecution.
Incidentally volks, the State Of The Union address has now been set for Feb 7. I somehow think that will be the venue for Joe to announce "Door #1") seek a second term, "Door #2") not seek such, or "Door #3") resign.
While as I noted above, considering that the mid-term "Red Wave" was only a "Red Ripple" and in only one of two Houses, his legislative victories (COVID relief, infrastructure, and the grab bag titled Inflation Reduction), that Ukraine is a stalemate and not a rout, inflation heading in the right direction, I still hold that "Door #3" remains on the table.
Posts: 10967 | From: Clarendon Hills, IL USA (BNSF Chicago Sub MP 18.71) | Registered: Apr 2002
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An extremely balanced opinion piece regarding Joe's re-election chances "post-docugate" appears in The Times today:
Fair Use:
Imagine instead that the president takes a leaf from Nancy Pelosi and decides not to run. Mr. Comer and the clownish members of his committee would probably end up training most of their fire on Democrats not named Biden. Democrats would “turn the page,” as Mr. Obama recommended in 2008, to a crop of fresher candidates, probably governors, who contrast better with Mr. Trump and would have good odds of beating a younger Republican. And the smiling old gentleman in the Corvette — his shortcomings forgotten and his family protected — would assume his proper place as a bridge between political generations and arguably the most accomplished one-term president in American history.
Posts: 10967 | From: Clarendon Hills, IL USA (BNSF Chicago Sub MP 18.71) | Registered: Apr 2002
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quote:Originally posted by Gilbert B Norman: Quoting from the NYT:
And the smiling old gentleman in the Corvette — his shortcomings forgotten and his family protected — would assume his proper place as a bridge between political generations and arguably the most accomplished one-term president in American history
Do what?? Guess we have to differ. I would call this person to be the most inept person to ever hold the office. I cannot think of one positive accomplishment. With this, I had better shut up.
Posts: 2979 | From: Olive Branch MS | Registered: Nov 2002
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quote:Originally posted by George Harris: Do what?? Guess we have to differ.
Mr. Harris, I presume the caption is directed at The Times columnist, and not necessarily me.
Given the classified documents matter I think Joe will not seek re-election and, even if lessened since the Afghanistan fiasco, there remains the possibility of his resignation.
The Notable Scholars that we have discussed here I continue to hold that they will rank Joe in their fourth quartile, or between 33rd and 45th (Lincoln #1, Buchannon #45, Trump #42)
Posts: 10967 | From: Clarendon Hills, IL USA (BNSF Chicago Sub MP 18.71) | Registered: Apr 2002
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quote:Originally posted by George Harris: Do what?? Guess we have to differ.
Mr. Harris, I presume the caption is directed at The Times columnist, and not necessarily me.
Given the classified documents matter I think Joe will not seek re-election and, even if lessened since the Afghanistan fiasco, there remains the possibility of his resignation.
The Notable Scholars that we have discussed here I continue to hold that they will rank Joe in their fourth quartile, or between 33rd and 45th (Lincoln #1, Buchannon #45, Trump #41)
Absolutely, I was referring to the NYT. That they continue being a cheering section for Biden baffles me. I often wonder if the choice of Kamala as VP was intended to be Joe's assination and impeachment insurance, as it result in her becoming Pres.
Posts: 2979 | From: Olive Branch MS | Registered: Nov 2002
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I have had to make a slight correction to my immediate that which I have now edited. However I cannot edit Mr. Harris' immediate captioning of that post.
The Scholars ranking of Trump as #41 was based upon 44 presidents who have completed their terms (the three below - Pierce 14th, Johnson 17th, Buchannon 15th, are really considered to be the rogues gallery). Now when the Scholars include a ranking of Joe's term(s???), Joe's would need to be placed below Trump's present 41. If not the case, and Trump otherwise holds his own, he would move downward to #42.
Finally and again, here is the survey to which I have made reference throughout this topic:
posted
Looked at the C-span list. Some of it makes no sense to me. Why is George Washington not number 1? I would place Lincoln several points further down the list, but maybe being a Southerner has something to do with that. Several of the lower placements make no sense to me either.
Posts: 2979 | From: Olive Branch MS | Registered: Nov 2002
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Mr.Harris, it's a poll taken of notable scholars. As such, they are certainly more liberal than are you - and for that matter, I.
I have issues as well when reviewing the Presidents since I've been around (born during FDR, cognizant of world and national affairs since Ike). I think Obama is quite overrated being placed in the First Quartile, but I hold Carter deserves more (he saved the railroad industry). Some are so hard to rate; Nixon with his groundbreaking foreign policy achievements of course offset by "guess what". Bill for standing up to Gingrich, yet sitting down to work with him, but offset by his "alley cat morals". If there ever were a President that deserved a second term, it was Bush41, had he prevailed, his low end Second Quartile rating could have easily been within the First displacing Obama.
And Trump? My Evangelical Sister holds he was one of the top five. The Scholars obviously disagree.
But it will be interesting to see where Joe gets placed, whether he has little more than one more month in office (resigns immediately after SOTU) or almost six more years. My prediction, again noted, he will be in the Fourth Quartile, or "neck and neck" with, say, Harding, who also did not complete a term.
Posts: 10967 | From: Clarendon Hills, IL USA (BNSF Chicago Sub MP 18.71) | Registered: Apr 2002
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Another point to consider with these ratings is how the nature and scope of the presidency has changed. Somehow, I think the Fathers envisioned an "almost ceremonial" role (after all, the President is enumerated in Article Two and not first of the Constitution) and being CEO of a "small business". The only real power he had was Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces, to which it could be said "what armed forces?". The real power laid with the States and those their people directly elected (House) and those appointed by State level elected representatives (Senate). The President was elected by a select group (Electors) who came from however a particular state wanted them to come from. I suppose Trump's '20 electoral challenge was based upon that original intent of the Fathers, considering such remains unwritten in the US Constitution.
But now the President is CEO of the largest entity on Earth, with the power to dictate with the purse how entities the Fathers reserved for the States conduct their affairs.
So, I must wonder how the nature and scope of the presidency has changed, have the supposedly fluid Scholars' ratings reflected such?
Posts: 10967 | From: Clarendon Hills, IL USA (BNSF Chicago Sub MP 18.71) | Registered: Apr 2002
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Messrs. Harris and Helfner, if you were invited to join the Notable Scholars panel, where would you rank Joe's presidency to date? Lest we note, such may only have 50 DTG if my thoughts of a resignation announced next week, and, say, to take effect March 31, comes to pass (now, Mr. Harris, did you "Commissioned Officers and Gentlemen" also have those countdown charts??? )
I hope you can say other than "dead last"; for that would place Joe down with Confederacy sympathizing seditionists. As I've noted, I think he will be in the Scholars bottom Quartile, or 35th to 45th. His was to be a "bring us together" presidency. To help those who were financially hurt by COVID, of course. But why didn't the legislation include a provision to exclude Capital Gains and Losses (we CPA's call that MAGI - Modified Adjusted Gross Income), which allowed some to qualify for the Stimulus on a technicality? Infrastructure? yes, too many politicians had ignored it for too long. But legislation like this so-called Inflation Reduction Act as well as all too much of the Infrastructure act, which look like a grab bag of social projects, are not how to go about healing a divided country. Classified documents? Best have laid low on Trump, for Joe has same problem going back far longer than has Trump's.
While I won't call Joe's a "failed presidency", I certainly will call it "disappointing".
Posts: 10967 | From: Clarendon Hills, IL USA (BNSF Chicago Sub MP 18.71) | Registered: Apr 2002
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I would go for dead last, based on general incompetence for both him and cabinet. I would call it a failed presidency. The press cheering section for him is amazing. It is like a ball game where the referees are pushing for one team to win, no matter how bad they play. And yes, we did do countdown charts in some form or fashion for the Nam tour. My tour got shortened by 6 weeks due to the cut in obligated time due to an oversupply of junior officers by mid to late 1971. (For OCS inmates, we referred to OCS time as equivalent to stockage time, as your obligation clock did not start running until your date of commission.)
Posts: 2979 | From: Olive Branch MS | Registered: Nov 2002
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Here's the Scholars'Fourth Quartile and my addition of Joe @38 within such:
35 Taylor 36 Hoover 37 Harding 38 Biden 39 Fillmore 40 Tyler 41 W H Harrison 42 Trump 43 Pierce 44 Johnson 45 Buchanan
I place Joe immediately behind Harding because I still hold that he will not complete the term that will end with a resignation. Such could come as early as tomorrow's SOTU.
Harding had a corrupt administration and died in office; be it assured that there will be 223 House Republicans looking for such in Joe's - in or out of office will matter not.
Finally, I trust it is noted that six of this "rogues gallery" did not serve a full term (seven if Joe joins them)
Posts: 10967 | From: Clarendon Hills, IL USA (BNSF Chicago Sub MP 18.71) | Registered: Apr 2002
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Just my instinct from having followed world and national affairs for over seventy years.
Simply to be in the Scholar's Fourth Quartile is disgrace enough.
However, on the other side, here is a Times columnist holding that Joe has been a "Great" president Presumably worthy of the Scholar's First Quartile, but who should rest on his laurels and not seek a second term:
Fair Use:
When President Biden gives his State of the Union address on Tuesday, he will have a lot to boast about.
He’s presided over record job creation and the lowest unemployment rate in over 50 years. ... His Inflation Reduction Act made a historic investment in clean energy; the head of the International Energy Agency called it the most important climate action since the 2015 Paris climate accord.....Biden rallied Western nations to support Ukraine against Russia’s imperialist invasion and ended America’s long, fruitless war in Afghanistan, albeit with an ugly and ignominious exit. ...and shot down that spy balloon everyone was freaking out about. He’s on track to appoint more federal judges than Trump.
In other words, Biden has been a great president.... But he should not run again.
Messrs. Harris and Helfner, it is my duty to respect that you both appear less Liberal than am I. I also must respect I am considerably less so than my Sister (Bachelor's Smith; Master's Columbia), who considers Trump to have been - and will be again when his eight year term is resumed - as one of our five greatest presidents.
Now I think all should recognize that the Scholars are from academic backgrounds, and as such are likely Liberal leaning. I certainly disagree with their First Quartile rating handed to Obama, who to me was just in the Second. True, he got healthcare, which withstood an attempt to repeal during the Trump administration, but what else? I don't consider him overly successful in pursuing other parts of his legislative agenda, such as gun control.
Posts: 10967 | From: Clarendon Hills, IL USA (BNSF Chicago Sub MP 18.71) | Registered: Apr 2002
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And, he didn't "answer the big question" (will he run in '24?)
addendum: an NBC News correspondent noted Joe's "let's finish the job" was a signal that "he's running".
Posts: 10967 | From: Clarendon Hills, IL USA (BNSF Chicago Sub MP 18.71) | Registered: Apr 2002
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Grief; ostensibly conservative Peggy Noonan, writing in The Journal, as good as holds that Joe has already been re-elected to his second term. The biggest issue to attaining that goal is "the Kamala problem":
Fair Use:
“Their problem is Kamala Harris. She’s an absolute, total lightweight. She doesn’t have the touch.” The touch is that indefinable thing that makes people like you, root for you, sense some magic in you. “Some people have it and some people don’t.” California politicos in both parties, he says, were shocked when Biden chose her as vice president in 2020.
What to do about Ms. Harris? “It’s a real problem. Biden has to show leadership on it and let the party know what he wants—and enforce it. It’s a messy situation but Biden has to be involved in it. He’s gonna have to decide.”
The source of the immediate quote is Stuart Spencer - a now 96yo Reagan operative.
Within the column, there are inferences that Trump is "done for" and that, if the "fire" that Joe had on display to the world at the SOTU, "he's in for '24".
Furthermore, Times columnist Maureen Dowd is even more direct than is Peggy:
Fair Use:
WASHINGTON — Everyone is frantically hunting for clues about whether Joe Biden will run again.
His State of the Union speech was dissected for intimations. When he kept using the phrase “finish the job,” was that a hint?
Where is Daniel Craig’s “Knives Out” detective when we need him?
Asked about his decision in a Telemundo interview on Thursday, the 80-year-old president replied, “I’m just not ready to make it.”
When my colleagues Frank Bruni and Michelle Goldberg, and I write “Hey, Joe, Don’t Give It a Go” columns suggesting that he bow out on top, is the president listening and pondering what we say?
Nah. Guess what, political sleuths? It’s not really a Scooby-Doo mystery. No need to consult a soothsayer and tremble on the edge of your seats.
Joe Biden is running. And that’s no malarkey.
Well, so much for my thoughts that the SOTU was going to be the "Sunset" of Joe's two year presidency. What remains for me is will I vote for him? Could Joe captain the domestic "Ship of State"? Probably; he has shown that he can assemble a group of competent advisors that represent strength and stability (compare turnover to date with Trump's after two years). But what happens when Joe is sitting down "one on one" with Putin, Xi, or whoever the "Mullah of the Day" is in Iran. Will he "give away the store" without realizing it?
Food for thought when trekking to the school, library, or fire house on "that Tuesday in November".
Posts: 10967 | From: Clarendon Hills, IL USA (BNSF Chicago Sub MP 18.71) | Registered: Apr 2002
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quote:Messrs. Harris and Helfner, it is my duty to respect that you both appear less Liberal than am I. …
I try to avoid that loaded term as much as I can, particularly when it has been co-opted by the Marxists for many decades, and again when the term “libertine” would be better with respect to social libertinism such as it is. From the perspective of the USA, one is either pro-Constitution or anti-Constitution.
quote:Now I think all should recognize that the Scholars are from academic backgrounds, and as such are likely Liberal leaning. I certainly disagree with their First Quartile rating handed to Obama, who to me was just in the Second. True, he got healthcare, which withstood an attempt to repeal during the Trump administration, but what else? I don’t consider him overly successful in pursuing other parts of his legislative agenda, such as gun control. …
Again, this redounds to the question as to whether a POTUS is pro-Constitution or anti-Constitution. Obama is infamous for openly stating his desire to “fundamentally transform the United States of America”, which implies either ripping up the Constitution or twisting it into something unrecognizable by the Founding Fathers. That is a goal of the communists:
quote:In (the United States of) America, where a democratic constitution has already been established, the communists must make the common cause with the party that will turn this constitution against the bourgeoisie and use it in the interests of the proletariat …
That quote from Friedrich Engels’ The Principles of Communism shows how far back the targeting of the Constitution goes, whose “negative liberties” (as Obama put it) guaranteed that government could not invasively control people’s lives and protected the rights listed in the Bill of Rights. One of those rights is “the right of the people to keep and bear arms”; the societal irony continues to be that those areas where that right is unconstitutionally removed are the ones most plagued with violence, whether with gun or other weapon. And as for health care, that was extant before the so-called Patient Protection and Affordable Health Care Act, and frankly, there is far less of it now.
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There is a photo on the front page of today's Journal showing "Ukrzaliznytsia Joe" and "Volo" standing in front of an oft-photoed church in Kiev.
Sorry to note that Joe simply looks like "a stiff"; honestly to see this photo simply makes one wonder if he can last through the the 23 months remaining in his term (guess I was mistaken with my prediction of his resignation).
That, as a "not exactly" popular politician standing next to likely the most popular one in the world, does not help in showing off any vitality he may have left.
Addendum:
The Times covered the event.
Posts: 10967 | From: Clarendon Hills, IL USA (BNSF Chicago Sub MP 18.71) | Registered: Apr 2002
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posted
I'm pleased to learn of the Politico report that Mr. Helfner has shared.
As a "career politician", Joe attained the highest prize - the Presidency.
Now why would he wish to go out with a loss - the only one in his career - to the likes of Trump or DeSantis. I think he is starting to recognize that he will lose to either Republican front runner, so it is time now to rest on his laurels from a fifty year political career.
Joe; Champ and Commander want to have a little 'rasslin, and you also would like to take an X-country rail trip or two (the Secret Service will not deny that to a Former President), and maybe leave this planet as revered as Jimmy Carter (Scholars;26th of 44) has become.
Posts: 10967 | From: Clarendon Hills, IL USA (BNSF Chicago Sub MP 18.71) | Registered: Apr 2002
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posted
Here's one Times Guest Columnist and longtime political operative, who to ruling out Kamala as either an effective force to fill out an unexpired term, or as the Dems '24 nominee, is a "not so fast".
Fair Use:
I have watched politicians up close for decades. And I have known Vice President Harris for years and urged Joe Biden to make her his running mate in 2020. I believe that the criticism of her is unrelated to her performance as vice president and fails to account for the role she plays in the White House.
As a consequential and successful vice president himself for eight years under Barack Obama, President Biden has a keen understanding of the job he once held and he has tasked Vice President Harris with major responsibilities. She has done an outstanding job and her record in two years stands up to that of her predecessors. Has she solved every problem? No, but name me one vice president who has.
Posts: 10967 | From: Clarendon Hills, IL USA (BNSF Chicago Sub MP 18.71) | Registered: Apr 2002
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Real Clear composite of polls show that, at this time, Trump will walk away with the '24 GOP nomination. For Joe, should he seek the Democratic nomination, the Convention will simply be a Coronation.
But those same polling sources reviewed as a composite by RCP show that Trump will narrowly beat Joe and become POTUS47.
Surely, there are "powers that be" within the Democratic party that think Joe - because there is a chance he could win - should "take one for the team". That, as I noted earlier, is simply too much to ask of a "career politician" who attained the top prize. Let some of the names Mr. Helfner immediately noted "take the fall". They have still much of their political career ahead and could recover from the "hit".
Now there is much evidentiary out there suggesting that polls, in this day when there has been a communications revolution not seen since the days of Alexander Graham (and maybe even Guttenberg), have lost their way, and it's time to echo the refrain of many a sure loser in the past's favorite quote that "the only poll that counts is that taken on Tuesday November 5th".
Just some additional thoughts arising from Mr. Helfner's astute observation that "there must be indecision in 'Joedom'" as the experts thought he would have announced, one way of the other, by now.
Lest we forget; less than a year to go before the first primary or caucus.
Posts: 10967 | From: Clarendon Hills, IL USA (BNSF Chicago Sub MP 18.71) | Registered: Apr 2002
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![[Razz]](tongue.gif)
) in their home states, which sure would make either of them a "sacrificial lamb" unto Trump's altar come '24 (grief: first primaries are fourteen months away; "announcements" in six).![[Smile]](smile.gif)
