Come for the politics, stay for the snark.

“Loving your country does not mean lying about it’s history.”

You are so fucked. Still, I wish you the best of luck.

When you’re in more danger from the IDF than from Russian shelling, that’s really bad.

Dear Washington Post, you are the darkness now.

No offense, but this thread hasn’t been about you for quite a while.

The republican speaker is a slippery little devil.

Let’s bury these fuckers at the polls 2 years from now.

The revolution will be supervised.

Optimism opens the door to great things.

Is it negotiation when the other party actually wants to shoot the hostage?

Why is it so hard for them to condemn hate?

Some judge needs to shut this circus down soon.

They are lying in pursuit of an agenda.

Let the trolls come, and then ignore them. that’s the worst thing you can do to a troll.

The cruelty is the point; the law be damned.

Marge, god is saying you’re stupid.

Historically it was a little unusual for the president to be an incoherent babbling moron.

Putting aside our relentless self-interest because the moral imperative is crystal clear.

I see no possible difficulties whatsoever with this fool-proof plan.

The republican ‘Pastor’ of the House is an odious authoritarian little creep.

Give the craziest people you know everything they want and hope they don’t ask for more? Great plan.

Teach a man to fish, and he’ll sit in a boat all day drinking beer.

In my day, never was longer.

That’s my take and I am available for criticism at this time.

You are here: Home / John Cole Presents "This Fucking Old House" / Sunday Night Open Thread

Sunday Night Open Thread

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This post is in: 

Some quick housekeeping- I regret to inform you all that Sammie, aka Samantha, Tammy’s doggo, died over the weekend:

Sunday Night Open Thread 15

She was a wonderful dog, and it is a real testament to what a doting mom is that Sam actually outlived her by two years. I still remember the day Tammy got her. We were driving home and I was holding Sam while Tammy was behind the wheel, and Samantha started to throw up and we were rolling down country roads with me holding the dog out the window as she streamed vomit the length of the outside of the car. I love those two so much. This is also one of my favorite pics, for obvious reasons:

Sunday Night Open Thread 16

RIP, Samantha. I love you.

***

In other news, the fireworks have finally died down, mostly because the rednecks are either sober for work tomorrow or have run out. Regardless, my news feed has been filled with the usual fireworks accidents, but this one is real special. Remember when we were kids and you didn’t have a care in the world because the adults were in charge and they knew what they were doing? Meanwhile, the adults the last 50 years:

Sunday Night Open Thread 17

***

When I was in the army, there were all sorts of saying and phrases I heard that I have never heard anywhere else. And I don’t mean military acronyms. I mean regular idioms and sayings that you would hear all the time, but I have never heard out in the world. For example, if a soldier was a hot mess and just unkempt and doing stupid things, you would commonly hear someone say they were “ate up like a soup sandwich.” Another one I remember is being told I was “moving like you’re carrying cannonballs” to say they were slow. I remember people calling bad breath the “zactlys” because your breath smells “exactly like your ass.”

And I could go on and on. I don’t know why they are specific to the military, but my guess is because there is a predominant southern and also african-american influence on the enlisted ranks, or at least was while I was in. At any rate, one of the sayings you heard a lot was when someone was angry or in a generally bad mood, it was said that they “had a case of the ass.” Meaning they were just in a shit mood and going to be unpleasant to be around.

All of which is a really roundabout way of me saying I have “had a case of the ass” the last four days, and I just can not with the pundit and donor class and our worthless fucking media anymore. I can’t with the speculation and the rumor-mongering.

As of right now, Joe Biden is our President. I can not predict the future, obviously, but I am 99% certain that he will be nominated again. Anything else is just clouding the work we need to do. And only ONE man gets to decide if he is not the nominee.

So all this replace Biden stuff is just fanfic. Actually, it isn’t even fanfic, because fan fiction is written by the fans for the fans. This is the elites having cold feet or maneuvering for influence or pushing their agenda, and they are not paying any attention to what the fans (voters) want. All this bullshit about “generic democrats” polling better is just nonsense. There are really only two scenarios in which the Democrats win in November. One, if Biden and Harris are the nominees. Two, if Biden decides to step aside, Harris/unnamed white guy as the nominee.

Anything else is a bloodbath. And don’t think I don’t see through all the bullshit and realize what you really don’t want, which is Harris on the ticket. That’s what this is about for a lot of these guys.

If Harris is not on this ticket as President or VP, we lose. You simply will not keep the Democratic coalition together if you shit on women and black people. I dunno if you have paid attention, but Harris has been preparing for this job for four fucking years and has spent the last two years on a nationwide reproductive rights tour, and she has been fucking great.

Again, I can not predict the future, but if it is not Biden and Harris, I think it will be grim. And not just at the top of the ticket, but all the way down.

***

I had a delicious BLT for dinner and will now go Netflix and chill. You all behave in the comments.

Reader Interactions

253Comments

  3. 3.

    comrade scotts agenda of rage

    Weep not for me though I am gone into that gentle night.
    Grieve if you will, but not for long upon my soul’s sweet flight.
    I am at peace, my souls at rest.
    There is no need for tears.
    For with your love I was so blessed.
    For all those many years.
    There is no pain, I suffer not,
    The fear now all is gone.
    Put now these things out of your thoughts,
    In your memory I live on.
    Remember not my fight for breath
    Remember not the strife.
    Please do not dwell upon my death,
    But celebrate my life.
    Constance Jenkins, c. 1992 All Rights Reserved

  4. 4.

    Geoduck

    The 80’s Twilight Zone revival had an episode titled Crazy as a Soup Sandwich, so the phrase has been heard by others.

    And people haven’t heard about Harris because the mainstream press hates her and doesn’t cover her activities. (Of course, any VP has an uphill struggle in this department…)

  6. 6.

    lurker

    sorry to have you reminded of Tammy’s loss – sad to say I suspect you feel that a little bit on many days, some higher and some lower – and losing Sam likely compounds it

  7. 7.

    lurker

    on another note, the idea of you going for Netflix and chill when you are home alone (most likely?) … well, thanks for that image …

    ; – )

  9. 9.

    Lee H

    John, in re Biden and Harris, you are spot on. Unlike our “elite” “punditocracy”

  11. 11.

    Princess

    I had a chat today with my normie mother and step-father who aren’t even American. SF was all het up about Biden taking a cognitive test like that is going to change anyone’s mind. Then couldn’t accept the idea of Harris as nominee. Yeah. Then suggested…wait for it…Joe Manchin. Maybe the single least popular politician in the country, liked by no one, despised by many. “You’re not my real dad,” I said under my breath. Then my mother, who is Biden’s age and has dementia, is somehow completely clued in to the fact that if Trump wins, he may be able to choose another right winger for SCOTUS, that SCOTUS is dominated by Trump appointees and otherwise awful people, and that everyone should be very motivated to vote against Trump on account of the court alone. Which was all pretty impressive, frankly. So my mother with dementia who doesn’t even live in the States gets it better than a lot of people who stayed home or voted third party in 2016

    PS Is it bad that when i saw the SC firework story my first thought was, one less Trump voter?

  12. 12.

    henqiguai

    From the OP –

    “had a case of the ass.”

    I’m a generation older than you, Cole, from DC. My wife is from Mpls. Both of us are familiar with the phrase and it is occasionally used around the house. And, yeah, we Black.

  14. 14.

    Goku (aka Amerikan Baka)

    @rikyrah:

    Sounds like Warner’s plans are falling apart, perhaps? Maybe they saw that poll saying 91% of Dem voters enthusiastically back Biden

  15. 15.

    Mike E

    @Princess: white man’s veto is ubiquitous and never cloaked. Fucking obnoxious patriarchy needs the Villago treatment, stat.

  16. 16.

    RaflW

    I’ve had a case of the ass since 10am EDT on July 1, 2024. I’ve had short reprieves, like on July 4 when a dear friend from college days and his wife came for an overnight stay at the lake place.

    But I’m extremely grumpy and pissed off. Not without reason.

  17. 17.

    rikyrah

     

    Mikel Jollett (@Mikel_Jollett) posted at 8:32 AM on Sun, Jul 07, 2024:

     

     

    I’ve noticed this a lot with former Republicans like this one who are now part of the anti-Trump coalition: They do not understand what motivates the base.

     

    Essentially, this race is about 2 things:

     

    1. Motivating the base for a super-turnout (especially in places like Philly and Atlanta).

     

    and

     

    2. Winning over the small percentage of low-info swing voters in additional places like AZ and NC.

     

    The anti-Trump Republicans are only thinking about the swing voters (number 2) and thus screaming at the top of their lungs to dump Joe because it feels right, emotionally, without giving any thought to the disastrous effect this would have on turning out the base (number 1). Because they’re Republicans and the Trump messaging about Biden works on them.

     

    It doesn’t work on the base, though. And the cold, hard math is that Trump can’t win without Pennsylvania. That’s our Alamo. And we don’t win Pennsylvania without Obama-level turnouts in Philly. We don’t get Obama-level turnouts without (a vigorous and engaged) Joe Biden.

     

    (https://x.com/Mikel_Jollett/status/1809943517634207887?t=N5yYEloPSucxM0glnc4IZA&s=03)

  19. 19.

    Elizabelle

    Sammie and brave Lily in her chemo treatment bow.  And Tammy.  Love is love.

    I think our elites shit the bed, and we are going to see some serious backtracking in the coming week.  Maybe the UK and French election results will clue these dumbasses in that Trump is not inevitable.

  24. 24.

    Elizabelle

    I have been sending microdonations — $10 a pop, everytime I get an email from Joe Biden or Biden-Harris, ever since this lunacy blew up, and I do think they are using the small donor fundraising as a metric to consider.

  25. 25.

    cain

    @Goku (aka Amerikan Baka):
    I hope they realize unlike Schiff and Nadler (another disappointing thing) that you are playing with fire.
    It’s still 4 month away and the polls are all over the place, but most people like Biden. If you think you can force him out and we know they will also try to torpedo Harris – it will lead to a schism – the messaging will move from “Biden is old” to “Democratic party in disarray” – because the media set up the whole thing. They’ll also start chiming on whether Harris is also fit for the role.
    Once you get into that – you’re going to be spending all your energy on that and not on campaigning, not on grass roots outreach because nobody has a nominee. You’ve also depressed your base because the party looks like they are waffling.

    Even better, once you pick one – the media is going to start doing a vetting process and if something comes up – we’re toast because you would have built up resentment from tossing Biden out. The fingers will be flying. The FTFNYT will have achieved its mission.​

  26. 26.

    RaflW

    @Goku (aka Amerikan Baka): NYT is f*king the chicken yet again. No link, but there’s brand new “private reports” of four “top” (but unnamed) House members allegedly shiving Biden.

    This is so nakedly, aggressively an attack on Biden’s candidacy that I’m now extremely angry. I went out of my way to show up and cast a ballot for Joe in MN’s primary specifically because I wanted to say “I’m with him”.

    The FTFNYT thinks they can veto 14+ million of primary votes. Fuck off, Mr. Sulzberger.

  30. 30.

    moonbat

    Those are great photos. Lovely puppies. Sammie looks like a sweetie.

    I hope you and Tammy’s husband are doing okay.

  31. 31.

    BellyCat

    Cole, here’s to all the great memories of Tammy and Sammy!

    BTW: Your military service, replete with useful expressions, clearly predated the meaning of “Netflix and chill”. Not that there’s anything wrong with that in a singular fashion, even if my Catholic priest when growing up inveighed against it!

  33. 33.

    rikyrah

    VoteHeaux is one of my favorite posters on TikTok. She is always on point.

     

    This thread 👏🏾

    VoteHeaux™; A creole banjee bitch from ⚜️ (@voteheaux) posted at 5:12 AM on Sun, Jul 07, 2024:

    How insane is the hate for Black ppl, that non-Blacks would sacrifice their daughters & sisters in order to keep power over the country out of Black hands? Sacrificing *women* isn’t that surprising, but risking fascism just to avoid a Black woman as president? My God. 🧵1/22 https://t.co/cNZmeesGn6

    (https://x.com/voteheaux/status/1809893232416825675?t=3jiNXpEQNeIlEp-M4db8Pg&s=03)

  34. 34.

    JimV

    My reaction to Biden’s first remarks at the debate was “Biden is sun-downing”. It was unwatchable for me, so I switched to Shark Tank. Shark Tank was much more uplifting. I switched back several times and never saw Biden recover. Trump just lied and lied, and the moderators said, “Thank you, Mr. President” in reply, as he ignored their questions.

    I can’t consider Biden fully fit to be President any more, sorry. I’ll vote for him over Trump, of course, but with a lot of foreboding. Heck, I’ve deteriorated in my 70’s, in memory and eyesight and energy; and can’t do the jobs I used to do. I recognize that fact and have lost respect for Biden because he apparently refuses to.  It may well be too late for him to step down now, but he should have announced he was not re-running last year.

  35. 35.

    E.

    I am absolutely seething. I feel like I am watching it all disintegrate in real time, like the night of the 2016 election.

  36. 36.

    cain

    @rikyrah:

    Ha! I said exactly the same thing – in the past few threads. VoteHeaux is awesome. These people are fucking ridiculous.

  37. 37.

    3Sice

    Somebody actually typed this up, and no one in the approval chain said: this is the stupidest fucking thing I’ve ever read….

    The “blitz primary” would involve weekly forums with each candidate moderated by cultural icons (Michelle Obama, Oprah, and Taylor Swift are among the names floated in the memo) in order to engage voters.

  38. 38.

    cain

    @JimV:

    Great  – thanks for weighing in. Please just vote for Biden and let’s not worry about that. You are aware there is a vice president right that is fully capable of taking over? It’s why we have such a thing.

  39. 39.

    lowtechcyclist

    @rikyrah: ​
     

    NEWS: Senate Democrats will NOT meet tomorrow night to discuss Biden’s path forward, I am told.

    The effort was led by Sen. Mark Warner, but because details leaked out, the meeting, which was never solidly scheduled, is no longer.

    GOOD.

    I’m sure I’m far from the only one here who is tired to death of all this talk about whether Biden should step aside. I just don’t want to hear another word about it.

  42. 42.

    oldster

    I’m ready for Harris to be the nominee. I think she has a better chance than Biden does.

    So long as Biden is the nominee, we are going to get hammered about age and mental competence.

    As soon as Harris is the nom, we can hammer *them* about Trump’s age and mental competence.

    Harris is a gamble, but an exciting one. With Biden, I feel like we are sleepwalking into an electoral massacre. Give me the gamble.

  45. 45.

    scav

    @cain: There’s always the soft-serve technique of getting it accepted that “people” have “concerns” to be tested for efficacy. On the internet, no one knows how the dog actually votes.

  46. 46.

    Jay

    New Troll, same old tired debunked meme.

    I watched the Troll’s sex tape on PornHub, weak, tired, unfocused, did not recover, seemed to be phoning it in, will not vote for them as US President.

  47. 47.

    Jay

    @oldster:

    LMFAO,

    so you are willing to bet the end of US Democracy against  racism not existing anymore in the USA.

    You must be white, male, old and comfortable.

  49. 49.

    Chet Murthy

    @schrodingers_cat:

    Actually Biden-Harris is the only choice. Period.

    Regardless of who the choice is, I’ll still do what I gotta do to hopefully help get us all  across the line in November.  But if Biden withdraws, I’m assuming that’s the end of our Republic, it’s the beginning of the MAGAt Reich, or Gilead, or whatever.  But we’ll lose and our Republic will be over.

    I think that’s true even if VP Harris becomes the nominee, b/c I think once the bastards have gotten their pelt, they’ll be back slavering for another, and the MAGAts will be emboldened, proud of having got their kill.  Fascists thrive on a narrative of success, and this will hand them the equivalent of kerosene and a flamethrower full of that success.

  50. 50.

    RSA

    I’ll apply an excellent Army expression I learned a few years ago:

    You know all the political pundits wanting to replace Biden on the Democratic ticket? They’ve obviously been visited by the good idea fairy.

  51. 51.

    oldster

    @Jay:

    We’re all betting, and the stakes are very high. Until a few weeks ago, I put my money on Biden as the safest bet. But the odds have changed.

  52. 52.

    BellyCat

    Biden’s campaign is apparently providing predetermined questions for interviews? This is a HUGE self-own given the current set of concerns.

    ETA: Per Axios and Politico (I know).

  55. 55.

    delphinium

    @cain: Morelle surprises me a bit since he is introducing a constitutional amendment to reverse the Supreme Court’s immunity decision to ensure no president is above the law, so is at least aware of the dangers we face.  But he is an older white guy so maybe not that surprising? In addition, NYS screwed up big time in the mid-terms with redistricting, so maybe he’s feeling some heat to try & hold onto his seat.

    Will note: I don’t trust most of the breathless reporting about this, so will wait to see his full statement.

  56. 56.

    Archon

    @Chet Murthy: NYT already threw out their line of attack against Harris if Biden bows out. She will have to answer “tough questions” about “what she knew” regarding Bidens health.

    At this point Biden should declare war on the beltway press

  60. 60.

    zhena gogolia

    I’m so sorry about Samantha. Such a sweetheart.

    As of right now, Joe Biden is our President. I can not predict the future, obviously, but I am 99% certain that he will be nominated again. Anything else is just clouding the work we need to do. And only ONE man gets to decide if he is not the nominee.

    Exactly.

  61. 61.

    scav

    Soft serve does seem to be the dessert du night thread.  Coordination is the tell I’m reading here.

  63. 63.

    Betty

    Lincoln Project people are getting increasingly annoyed with these panicking Democrats. “Get a grip! You are only helping Trump.”

  65. 65.

    Jay

    @BellyCat:

    If you have watched the MSM of late, no, it’s not an own self own to set the ground rules of “no stupid questions”. That’s all they have.

  66. 66.

    cain

    @oldster: We are always going to get hammered regardless of the nominee.

    We are worried about the polls – let’s ask this question. During most of this election season, I’m lead to believe that it was Trump that was leading in the polls. As the old man who is leading in the polls – why is the concern about the guy who isn’t leading in the polls and his cognitive issues and not the guy who is the front runner?

    Trump skates with no hard questions only softball ones – the man only goes on Fox. How many times has the FTFNYT asked Trump for an interview? Washington Post? Nobody is curious about Trump’s mental acuity?

    That’s why I think this whole thing is bullshit.

    ETA the press has already started questioning Harris and her competency – she’s been hammered the entire time of this presidency either with hit pieces or ignored in general.

  67. 67.

    Archon

    @rikyrah: i knew this thing was fishy from day 1 when the idea was to bypass Harris and basically scoop up two white folks that haven’t won a single primary vote.

  68. 68.

    LaméDuck

    The Philadelphia radio host who admitted to using questions prepared by President Joe Biden’s campaign in his first postdebate interviews has left the station, WURD Radio’s president and CEO announced Sunday. https://t.co/Y3b5Ef7jEn
    — The Philadelphia Inquirer (@PhillyInquirer) July 7, 2024

  69. 69.

    Juju

    @Princess: My mother also has dementia, and every now and again she still gets things. This afternoon she said, I don’t care if you have to move my hand to fill in the ballot, I’m voting for Joe. I hate Trump.

    As far as one less Trump voter goes,  it was in SC.  It won’t matter.

  70. 70.

    satby

    @rikyrah: every platform, every day: read them for the filth they are because it’s working on them. Permanently? Unlikely, but for this skirmish in the longer war, we’re winning.

  71. 71.

    Jay

    @oldster:

    No, they haven’t.

    All that has changed is the MSM, Usual Suspects pile on , on Biden is Old.

    Guess what, he was old in 2020, and 2022.

    91% of Democratic Party Voters are riding with Biden/Harris.

  72. 72.

    TBone

    At the Texas law office, the paralegal I sat next to in the Head Honcho’s quarters was a sweetheart.  She’d give me a heads up first thing in the morning if the ole coot came in and was in a mood, to let me know I should make myself scarce.  “He’s got the red ass today!” She could take anything he dished out all day long, and she protected me, since I was a newbie AND a damned Yankee.  I loved that gentle woman.  So did he!

    My other story involves a vet who’d just come out and yell “WTF, OVER!” any time he felt some sorta way (always at an inappropriate moment 😆).

    It’s what he kept yelling into his walkie talkie when the helicopter couldn’t find him. Eventually he got lifted out. I still yell it sometimes.

    WTF, OVER!?!

  73. 73.

    satby

    @Elizabelle: thank you, they are. And I know we have the BJ stuff here, but IMO the bigger bang for the buck right now is shoring up our nominee.

    Won’t have nothing to organize if the ticket gets blowed up.

  75. 75.

    Jackie

    @Elizabelle:

    I think our elites shit the bed, and we are going to see some serious backtracking in the coming week.  Maybe the UK and French election results will clue these dumbasses in that Trump is not inevitable.

    These thoughts have been my hope all day. The United Kingdom and France voted anti MAGA. And, maybe, just maybe congressional democrats are finally listening to the 91% democratic voters who support Joe.

  76. 76.

    piratedan

    @Jay: to pile on this point, look at the range of questions asked by ABC when they got their exclusive time with the Prez….

    It’s not like there’s Gaza, Ukraine, elections in the Uk, France, Project 2025, the Supreme Court and the slow walking of Trumps other trials… climate change, housing, immigration, womens rights, gender identity… it’s not as if there’s plenty of items worth discussing.

  78. 78.

    BellyCat

    @Elizabelle: mobile device so no linky easily. Google Axios and Politico:
    Radio host resigns after asking Biden questions sent by his campaign in advance

  80. 80.

    Ella in New Mexico

    There are really only two scenarios in which the Democrats win in November. One, if Biden and Harris are the nominees. Two, if Biden decides to step aside, Harris/unnamed white guy as the nominee.

    Anything else is a bloodbath. And don’t think I don’t see through all the bullshit and realize what you really don’t want, which is Harris on the ticket. That’s what this is about for a lot of these guys.

    If Harris is not on this ticket as President or VP, we lose.

    Can you please send this to God-damned Ezra Klein? Because he’s been harping for months that Biden is too old and should step down. Now he’s upped the ante—we can’t “simply anoint Kamala Harris, we have to have some kind of last minute Primary”.

    He used to be so interesting to listen to on Podcasts, but I’m so sick if him I wanna punch him in the dick 30 times

  81. 81.

    Eyeroller

    @BellyCat: Totally normal for political interviews. Please read up on this. List of suggested questions IS NOT the same thing as topics that are off limits, which is what Trump has been doing.

  82. 82.

    cain

    @Ella in New Mexico:

    As I said, they won’t more than one scalp. You really going to replace your entire ticket in a few weeks? Fucking madness. These people are insane.

    Never mind what it does to the base – you know, the black women who vote 100% democratic?

  83. 83.

    Ella in New Mexico

    @rikyrah:

    9 House Democrats (out of 213) have called for President Biden to suspend his campaign.

    Whippy-fucking doo

  84. 84.

    Odie Hugh Manatee

    I’m sorry for your loss, John. That’s the hard part about time marching on and you with it, we lose those who are a huge part of our lives and it really hurts.

  85. 85.

    BellyCat

    @LaméDuck: Thanks for link.

    Amateur move from Biden’s campaign. This *looks* like “our candidate can’t think on his feet.”Joe’s campaign advisors need to go. PRONTO!

  86. 86.

    Elizabelle

    @Ella in New Mexico: I despise Ezra Klein.  Will have to take your word on what he’s saying, because I have not clicked on him for probably nine months now. I forget precisely why and what he disgraced himself over, but he is an excitable boy. And he gets things wrong.

  88. 88.

    Jackie

    @kindness:

    Condolences to Tammy for her pup.  Rainbow bridge gets another crosser.

    Tammy will be at the end of the rainbow waiting to greet her beloved Sammy. 🥰

  90. 90.

    cain

    @satby:

    Sometimes our people really need to be re-assured. But important to state that it doesn’t matter who it is  – they are out to get us. The base from polling shows that they are still with Biden. Despite all this drama.

  91. 91.

    cain

    @BellyCat:

    I agree that they should not have provided questions like that. It makes Biden look weak like he can’t answer dynamic questions.

  92. 92.

    Old Dan and Little Ann

    @RaflW: You’re lucky.  I’ve had a case of the ass since November 8, 2016.  And I’m fucking sick of it.

  93. 93.

    cain

    @Eyeroller: That’s what I assumed it was but the reporting seemed like the biden campaign was telling the interviewer what questions to ask.

  94. 94.

    Slightly_peeved

    @oldster:

    Giving into partisan attacks doesn’t make them stop.

    let’s give Harris a couple of years to prep for her relationship history being front page news rather than springing it on her now.

  95. 95.

    BellyCat

    @Eyeroller: Suggested topics is fine. Off limits questions are…. questionable. Specifically worded questions are bullshit. I don’t care what party. And for the Dem campaign to do this NOW shows how profoundly out of touch they are with the type of media management that is needed given the present (baseless or not) concerns about Joe’s mental acuity.

    They just fed red meat to the MSM.

  96. 96.

    satby

    @BellyCat: amateur move? You’ve won how many elections?

    After pandemic and germ theory experts, and the economic experts on the supply chain, all the experts expounding on the one simple trick to fix the Mideast war and the war in Ukraine, now we have all the election experts. What a full service blog!

  97. 97.

    cain

    Anybody watch “The Diplomat” – there was a theme in there with an old president and young woman vice president. The young vice president got involved in a scandal that is going to come out and they are looking for a replacement before that happens.

  98. 98.

    lurker

    @Ella in New Mexico: yeah, that’s kinda the point – 9 out of 213 – they made some noise but they are not the real deal, just some outlier cranks in this regard, even if some have influence otherwise.

    now, if the get to 10, that would be double digits and a much bigger deal … or not

    ; – )

  99. 99.

    zhena gogolia

    @satby: Yeah, it’s quite creepy. I don’t think it was every this bad, even in the “Brink’s trucks” days.

  101. 101.

    satby

    @cain: That’s what I assumed it was but the reporting seemed like the biden campaign was telling the interviewer what questions to ask.

    You don’t even see your mistake there, do you?

  102. 102.

    sukabi

    @BellyCat: news flash ALL campaigns do that, it’s part of the negotiation over who gets an interview and what topics will be discussed.

  103. 103.

    Elizabelle

    @BellyCat: The Philadelphia inquirer has been offering a one dollar for six months trial subscription. I have one, and I read the article about this. It sounds as though it may have come to light, because Biden was speaking primarily to black media outlets, and the similarity of questions  was noticed.

  104. 104.

    cain

    @lurker: If nothing happens from this they would have gone out on a limb and lost some of their political capital with many people. Me included.

    I’m thinking we should replace these people with some younger people too.

  105. 105.

    Jackie

    @Betty:

    Lincoln Project people are getting increasingly annoyed with these panicking Democrats. “Get a grip! You are only helping Trump.”

    Anti Trump republicans/former republicans know their former (dead) party well.

    Democrats should take notice and heed their words and fears of a MAGA presidency and congress.

  106. 106.

    cain

    @satby: You don’t even see your mistake there, do you?

    lol – yes, you’re right. It did occur to me, but I thought I would extend some grace on this but yeah, just another day of media going against our candidate.

  107. 107.

    Odie Hugh Manatee

    @cain:

    They’re the Tony Harding Caucus of the House Democrats. Republicans have the Freedom Caucus and we have the Dumb Caucus.

  108. 108.

    Ohio Mom

    Here’s a list of dementia symptoms (from an AARP article):

    Dementia shows up in many ways. Early symptoms may include:

    *Forgetting recent events
    * Repeating questions
    *Acting on impulse
    * Struggling with daily tasks
    *Changes in mood and personality
    *Poor judgment and bad choices
    *Inappropriate emotional outbursts
    *Loss of interest in everyday events
    * Losing track of time, place and people
    *Difficulties planning or problem-solving
    *Losing things or misplacing them oddly
    *Not caring about the feelings of others
    *Losing balance and movement problems
    *Trouble keeping track of money and paying bills
    *Hallucinations, delusions or paranoia

    No where do I see “flubbing a debate with a maniac.”

  109. 109.

    delphinium

    @Eyeroller: ​
    That was always my understanding as well, for a variety of reasons: time constraints, relevant/timely issues (especially during elections), recent passage of legislation, etc. I didn’t think completely unscripted interviews were all that common for most politicians.
    But since the media is in overdrive, every single thing will now be overanalyzed, misconstrued, and hyped to the max to induce panic.

  110. 110.

    Elizabelle

    @BellyCat: Fine belly cat. Don’t vote for Joe Biden. But I hope you realize how much many of us support our nominee.

    This is a feeding frenzy. I personally think that our president who has done an amazing job actually has a better chance against Trump.

    This whole thing is so goddamn cruel and ageist.  And you are becoming very tiresome.

  111. 111.

    BellyCat

    @satby: What is it called when one laughs so hard they can’t breathe? Puhlease….

    They appear to be using a playbook written decades ago, even to a “campaign novice”.

  114. 114.

    Odie Hugh Manatee

    @JimV:

    Aww Jimmy, we hardly knew ye. Really. Who are you and why should we care what you think? Do whatever you want, that’s your choice.

    Talking about it here means that we get to respond and my response is:

    Who gives a fuck what you think?

  115. 115.

    No One You Know

    @oldster: No. They haven’t. Agreeing to knuckle under makes the risk the outcome.

    You know what makes your brain happy and why you shouldn’t do it? [Actual book title on neurology- cognition]

    A: Needing to know what’s going to happen.

    And yet, the most reliable predictive strategies we have depend (statistics) depend upon thoughtfully chosen questions,  appropriately chosen distributed samples, honest responses to questions, honest and transparent data management,  and honest reporting.

    That goes for Nate Silver, Steve Kornaki,  and everyone else in the game. At this juncture I’m not even sure I’d believe Pew Research.

    That’s five reasons not to believe polls. Or to put your comfort in “knowing” higher in significance and accuracy than the outcome we want.

  120. 120.

    Odie Hugh Manatee

    @BellyCat:

    Again, your concern about Biden has been noted. Now do Trump. I mean, if you’re going to kneecap someone then why not him?

    Otherwise it seems that Biden is your target, eh?

  123. 123.

    Old School

    According to the radio host, she wasn’t pressured to actually ask the provided sample questions.

    But I’m sure people will still be concerned.  So concerned.

  124. 124.

    BR

    Someone mentioned a new CNN poll that shows unified Dem voter support behind Biden. Anyone have a link?

  125. 125.

    O. Felix Culpa

    @satby:

    they’ve found a gullible audience that lets them play their game.

    @cain:

    They are free to say shit and we are dumb to believe it.

    Yes and Yes. Too many on our side have the memory of goldfish and are as manipulable as Gumby.

    Remember emailz? When Hillary was dying? The birth certificate? Oh, not that one, the long form one? Etc.? Etc.? The press go after scalps, and acceding to their calls for blood yields us worse than nothing, because it gives them permission to pursue their next target of destruction. Which they assuredly will do.

    Biden has said he’s running. Our best response is to figure out how each of us will support the Biden-Harris ticket and fight fascism. That’s all.

  126. 126.

    Odie Hugh Manatee

    @sukabi:

    NONONONONONONO! It’s a huge revelation and BellyachingCat wants to yowl about it as if it’s something that is only done by a weak candidate.

    It’s clearly not something that most responsible campaigns do… oh no, nope.

  127. 127.

    No One You Know

    @RSA: Wow,  this is fantastic. Wish I’d known about these counters when I was managing projects!

  130. 130.

    Scout211

    This is smart of the Biden campaign:

    White House announces Republican National Convention counterprogramming events

    The White House announced several events with President Joe Biden during the Republican National Convention next week as Republicans get set to formally nominate Donald Trump for another presidential run.

    Biden will hold several events reaching out to people of color, delivering remarks commemorating the 60th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act in Austin, Texas, on July 15. On July 16, he will deliver remarks at the NAACP National Convention in Las Vegas, and on July 17, he will stay in the city to give remarks at the UnidosUS Annual Conference.

    All of this comes as the president forges ahead with his reelection campaign amid growing calls among Democrats for him to drop out following a disastrous debate performance last month.

    Moving forward.  Forging ahead.

  131. 131.

    BellyCat

    @Elizabelle:  Your inferences are understandable but entirely incorrect.

    I am 100% backing and voting for Biden/Harris. Furthermore, Kamala would be a superb president if needed.

    Here’s what you don’t realize or know:

    1. My SO is a doctor of geriatrics. I am faaaaar from ageist and I’m 99% sure that there is absolutely no compos mentis issue with Joe.

    2. Assuming there is no mental acuity issue for Joe (which is my position absent substantial evidence to the contrary, not yet presented anywhere) Joe’s campaign needs to go into OVERDRIVE to knock down any doubts.

    3. Why? Because IRL, I know a number of devout Dems who are truly worried by the shitstorm the MSM is concocting over Joe’s debate lapses. They want Trump defeated and need to believe Joe can do it. (I do not share this concern).

    Joe’s debate prep team missed the point of the debate and Joe’s press comm team ain’t helping.

    Let Joe be Joe. He’s good at this and I believe he’s best on his own two feet.

    I want to get some people out of the life jackets they recently strapped on and back on the boat. This should be a shared focus of all us here. So, maybe cut me some slack?

  132. 132.

    No One You Know

    @Ohio Mom: That list covers a lot of executive function disorders, including CPTSD, AuDHD, OCD-Major Depression…

    … not just dementia. Not just old people, either.

  133. 133.

    Jay

    @BellyCat:

    All politicians send the interviewer a list of suggested questions and barred questions.

    If I am running for office, I don’t want to get asked about my penis width and girth, or like George Suffalfighist did three times in a row, about my age and if I am too old.

    There are subjects that you don’t want raised, not out of hiding issues, but “stupid questions”.

    Barbie or Taylor Swift?

    https://timothynoah.substack.com/p/a-brief-history-of-stupid-questions

  134. 134.

    NotMax

    @Scout211

    Eyes fatigued and slow to focus. First read that as the Underoos Annual Conference. (Where one presumes any invited guests speak briefly.)
    :)

  135. 135.

    delphinium

    @BellyCat: Joe’s campaign needs to go into OVERDRIVE to knock down any doubts.

    The problem with this is that there isn’t enough OVERDRIVE that will ever satisfy the media. He could do 10 events a day and the media will still find something to pick at. Let’s stop putting ever increasing expectations on the guy who you know, actually has to also run the country. And instead keep pushing back on the media for their abnormal obsession with this, especially given all the things that actual journalists should be covering regarding the recent SC decisions and Project 2025.

  136. 136.

    piratedan

    @BellyCat: fine, consider slack cut…

    you have to remember Biden/Harris have been doing shit for 3 years and I am absolutely positive that they’ve released the memos, had the videos crowing about their accomplishments and if the media doesn’t talk about it… well… I guess that simply wasn’t newsworthy.  We’re still somewhat tied to the old news paradigms, the Biden/Harris group are looking at non-traditional means to get their news out because (as we’ve seen) the MSM is NOT invested in either informing the public or playing fair.

  137. 137.

    moonbat

    Courtesy of @cbouzy on Spoutible: Google search trends show that since the debate Project 2025 is the most searched term By FAR over the debate, Biden senile, Biden replacement, and Biden dementia combined. People know that the issue here is not Biden. It’s Trump.

  138. 138.

    Eyeroller

    @delphinium: ​I’ve been interviewed by media and my late husband was interviewed a lot more and most of the time there was a “pre-interview” where the topics were discussed in advance. The interviewer doesn’t really want any surprises any more than does the interviewee. This is so tiresome. So many people spouting off on things they don’t know anything about.

  140. 140.

    BellyCat

    @Odie Hugh Manatee: Not sure why I am in your crosshairs right now.

    While we may have picked up some undecideds post-debate, concern was created among some stalwart supporters. To celebrate the former without acknowledging the latter (exploited by the bloody MSM) would be naive and foolish.

    My position is that those with doubts about Biden’s ability need to have these doubts convincingly erased. The stakes are too high — Trump is a deranged, self-interested narcissist and the far right will disassemble democracy as we know it if he’s elected. Look at the friggin’ Supreme Court for a prelude.

    Biden’s often getting bad advice from a team that is woefully outdated. He needs The Yoot to have more input regarding his messaging!

  141. 141.

    Jay

    @BellyCat:

    My position is that those with doubts about Biden’s ability need to have these doubts convincingly erased.

    Guess you weren’t of age in 2016, sweet summer Child.

  142. 142.

    Ghost of Joe Liebling’s Dog

    John – condolences.  I can’t think of anything to say except that I’m so sorry.  For you, for Tammy’s family.

  144. 144.

    wjca

    @rikyrah: The anti-Trump Republicans are only thinking about the swing voters (number 2) and thus screaming at the top of their lungs to dump Joe

    The anti-Trump Republicans that I encounter seem to be more solid Biden supporters than some Democrats.

    Unless by “anti-Trump Republicans” you mean the ones who supported him previously, but have now figured out that Trump is on the road to not only losing, but taking a lot of them down with him.  They may figure their only hope of holding their (down ballot) position is if the Democrats dump Biden and implode.

    But the “never Trumpers”?  Solidly for Biden, precisely because a) they want Trump to lose, and b) because they want as many of his cultists out of office as possible.

  145. 145.

    rikyrah

     

    colmon (@colmonelridge) posted at 7:47 PM on Sun, Jul 07, 2024:

    I’ve heard from Black and Brown folks across the country, especially Black women, down right livid at the privilege of some folks who are willing to abandon @JoeBiden, and what it means for the safety and security of our community and democracy itself. As one woman said to me, “it’s not enough folks know we’ll suffer under Trump, again. They know Trump is an actual threat to our bodies and safety, but some of our allies are greasin the scales, for him because of a bad debate.”

    Here’s how allying works. You can’t dip out when it gets hard. If you have friends or family who are:
    Black or Brown,
    LGBTQIA+,
    Women (especially of child bearing age),
    Sexual assault victims/survivors,
    Educators,
    Need quality and affordable housing, healthcare,
    Muslim

    And this is truncated list…Throwing @JoeBiden and @KamalaHarris to the side is not an option. Mobilizing to re-elect this President and Vice President & defeating MAGA/Project 2025/Trump/Trumpism is the assignment.
    (https://x.com/colmonelridge/status/1810113405090775377?t=RQ4Gh9z4pQVY0fpZd-jiOw&s=03)

  146. 146.

    Odie Hugh Manatee

    @BellyCat:

    You would be a great help to the Biden campaign if you would just shut up about him and his campaign. You offer nothing but concern that does absolutely nothing but try and drag other people into agreeing with you. That’s it. Nothing you say has been beneficial to Biden, despite your claims of being for him. I understand that you enjoy being a Tonya Harding Democrat but the team would be better off without your crap.

    We know how important your criticisms of Biden are to you. We get it! You don’t like what Biden’s doing and you want others to agree with you, thus your presence here posting your concerns despite the fact that it accomplishes nothing positive.

    What a Democrat! With supporters like you, who needs Republicans as the enemy?

  148. 148.

    BellyCat

    @delphinium:

    @piratedan:

    Agreed that the media is a (the?) central problem for us. (I love that Joe has snubbed the FTFNYT!) But, what’s the solution?

    Sending the media a list of predetermined questions (whether this is “commonly done” or not), on its face, looks bad to any reasonable person not in the media. And it especially idiotic if some members of the public are (rightly or wrongly) concerned about the mental fitness of the person being interviewed.

    We need fresh eyes to get more people (back) in the boat.

  149. 149.

    Odie Hugh Manatee

    @Jay:

    No shit. What’s hilarious is that they think they can make a difference all on their lonesome…lol!

    This one is full of itself, that’s for sure.

    I’m out for a bit. Time to process the days harvest…

  150. 150.

    Omnes Omnibus

    Oh good.  I was away for five days and I was really hoping everyone would still be talking about replacing Biden when I got back. Because it’s really the only thing going on in the world worth talking about.  Fuck.

  151. 151.

    BellyCat

    @Jay: That’s funny. I was 50. ButterEmailz!!!1!

    The October Surprise is a classic technique.  I voted for Hillz. Did not imagine Trump could win (nobody here could either).  We ALL underestimated the level of misogyny in America. The email bullshit was just a convenient excuse to sink That Woman.

  153. 153.

    piratedan

    @BellyCat: it “looks” bad when it’s spun out of context to the unaware.  Multiple people have tried to appraise you of this.

    I know that Biden is doing outreach thru media influencers and putting more effort into tiktok, instagram and podcasts…

    this isn’t a Biden problem, as people have tried to explain, but a media hit job, just like HRC’s e-mails.

    its frankly fucking amazing that we’re discussing optics about our candidate when his opponent is a fucking felon.

  158. 158.

    cain

    @BellyCat: Definitely I think people need to stop attacking people and turning this place toxic.

    I think it’s important to note though that changing the ticket is not going to make anybody feeling better – to those who are feeling angsty about it – changing the ticket will only amp that anxiety even more because we’re going down an untested path.

  159. 159.

    BR

    @Omnes Omnibus: ​
    It’s amazing. I saw a screenshot of the NYT and all the above the fold online stories are still Biden. 10 days later (!!)

    (Screenshot because I refuse to ever give NYT the clicks.)

  160. 160.

    comrade scotts agenda of rage

    @O. Felix Culpa:

    Biden has said he’s running. Our best response is to figure out how each of us will support the Biden-Harris ticket and fight fascism. That’s all.

    My now-ancient USMC Command & Staff College training always came back to the “mission statement”.  When in doubt, remember the mission statement.

    The election is about saving US democracy.  Who’s gonna do that, the old guy who’s character and record are pretty awesome or the 34 Felonies who hobnobbed with with a pedophile pimp?

    And Dobbs.

    That’s a mission statement.

  163. 163.

    No One You Know

    @BellyCat: You aren’t in the boat. I’m looking at what you do, not what you say. It’s been pointed out several times.

  166. 166.

    Gwangung

    @BellyCat: Your enthusiasm for the cause is a credit to you. Your naïveté about everyday occurrences in the political world is not. But it’s correctable.

  167. 167.

    Leto

    I posted the SC story the other day, as that happened in my hometown where my parents still live. No, we don’t know the person, and there’s a high likelihood he was a Trumper.

    John, I’m so sorry about Sammie’s passing.

  168. 168.

    cain

    @Omnes Omnibus: I think it’s been easy off in reddit. Unfortunately, House congress people are going about still talking about it when they should be shutting up about the whole thing and start talking up Project 2025.

  169. 169.

    Another Scott

    @BR: Why do you wonder that?

    Google search for “CNN poll”.

    First link:

    Biden’s support among Democratic voters has inched up to 91% from 85% in April, […]

    HTH!

    Cheers,
    Scott.

  170. 170.

    Jay

    @BellyCat:

    Kinda surprised that if you were of voting age in 2016, that you don’t notice the “thumb on the scale” and keep repeating the sabotage.

    192 FTFNYT articles on how Biden is Old, 0 on 34 Felons raping 13 year old girls, making 12 year old girls enact lesbian sex, or the Epstein logs.

    Funny that.

    And other than a few media outlets, everybody is mirroring the FTFNYT.

  171. 171.

    comrade scotts agenda of rage

    @rikyrah:

    I’ve heard from Black and Brown folks across the country, especially Black women, down right livid at the privilege of some folks who are willing to abandon @JoeBiden

    Aka the Base of The Democratic Party.

    Not self-professed progressive, racially tone-deaf whites who promote polices that the Base of The Democratic Party rightly see as bad for them.

    Said people, who think they’re the most politically savvy people on the planet, never ask themselves “Why the hell is the opposition trying so damn hard to get rid of this “weak” candidate?”  Why not just let us run with him and get our asses kicked?

    Because the opposition’s internal polling told them that Biden was gonna kick the Orange Fart Cloud’s ass, that’s why.

  176. 176.

    BellyCat

    @Odie Hugh Manatee:  Apparently the notion of “whatever we can do, we can do better” is a novel concept. You do, however, seem fluent with “kill the messenger”.

    Look, this isn’t an easy situation. Trump has entirely redefined the playbook. My position is that we need to adroitly adjust ours to match the specific needs of the moment. “Clap harder” might work, but what if it’s not enough?

    We’ll know the answer in a few months, regardless.

  177. 177.

    Jay

    @SuzieC:

    So, you can’t see as a commenter if you have been pied by other commenters,

    absence of responses just means absence of responses.

  181. 181.

    BellyCat

    @piratedan: its frankly fucking amazing that we’re discussing optics about our candidate when his opponent is a fucking felon.

    In the old paradigm, yes. However, the fact that so many people don’t care that Trump is now a convicted felon (in fact, some think this is a plus!?!?) suggests a new landscape in which the prior methodology may no longer be as effective as it once was.

    Biden/Harris are indeed doing a great job with social media. My suggestion is simply that the best among this younger group be invited to join the main table upstairs.

  183. 183.

    narya

    I’m looking forward to a time when the long-form emails at the debate subject changes…

  187. 187.

    Ohio Mom

    @No One You Know: Yes, you are right, it’s a rather nonspecific list of symptoms.

    But no one has accused Biden as having any of those other disorders; they are disorders that would have presented sooner.

  188. 188.

    Mousebumples

    @SuzieC: did you pie yourself?

    FYI for anyone who doesn’t already know, you can remove nyms from the pie filter, on a different tab from the add/search options.

  189. 189.

    Mousebumples

    @Omnes Omnibus: Giannis is going to the Olympics!

    He took his first 2 months off, ever (well, while in the NBA), and is still on a minutes restriction, but I’m so happy for him to qualify for Paris!

  190. 190.

    Elizabelle

    @SuzieC: go into Filtered Commenters and remove yourself.  I think just clicking on your name will do it.  Good luck!!

  191. 191.

    Odie Hugh Manatee

    @BellyCat:

    What are you trying to accomplish here, of all places. Please tell me what your blathering is accomplishing? For some reason people like you think that you are indispensable to the rest of us. What do you intend to accomplish here? Spell it out for me, please.

    All I am seeing is concern trolling and tone policing from you and I just want to give you a chance to show that’s not the case. Good luck.

  192. 192.

    Elizabelle

    @SuzieC:  Go into Filtered Commenters and click on your name.  That should remove the pie setting.  Good luck!

    Good on Mousebumples for realizing what happened.  🌻🌻🌻

  193. 193.

    Jay

    Funny thing how US Politics infects, ( and I mean infects, like a virus or flesh eating disease), Canadian politics,

    A bunch of our Media are now on the “Trudeau Must Go” train, not because he’s too old, but because he has been PM “too long”.

    Funny thing, we have a CSIS Classified Report, with names, on Foreign meddling in Canadian Elections and Governance. MP’s and others acting as agents of a Foreign Nation.

    The guy they are pimping for, Pierre Poilievre, the Con, for the next PM, can’t read the report, because he can’t pass a Criminal or NatSec Background check.

    Funny that.

    The Greens did, the NDP did, Trudeau did,……….

  194. 194.

    BellyCat

    @Jay: Oh, I’m well aware of the “thumb on the scale” by the media. What is less clear is what to do about it.

    I spent the majority of my career working with hundreds of undergraduates. I trust their instincts far more than I do elders who have forged their expertise in conditions which no longer exist.  Young people’s abilities have often been underrated (you may recall this from your own youth).

    Simply because the idea of improving the boat is being expressed does not mean one is not in the boat. We all are in the boat and we all need to row like hell.

    Happy to be Tonight’s Enemy ™  if that helps anybody better cope with a concern among  some normies that should not be a concern (but is).

  195. 195.

    Jackie

    @Omnes Omnibus:

    Oh good.  I was away for five days and I was really hoping everyone would still be talking about replacing Biden when I got back. Because it’s really the only thing going on in the world worth talking about.

    I hear you. I’ve checked in sporadically, and…🤷🏼‍♀️🤦🏼‍♀️

  196. 196.

    dc

    @BellyCat:

    What else are you doing in this war (because it is a war) besides posting on this blog? Are you canvassing? Are you phone banking? Are you donating to or working with local Dems or other organizations? The Nazis are knocking on the door, if you want to know what you would have been doing in Germany in the1930s, your answer is nothing except talking out of your backside and claiming that, yes, you’re on the side of good and democracy.

    I am canvassing, registering voters, donating to the local party, other Dems, the president’s campaign and the organizations that Water Girl brings to us (and other similar local organizations) and will even phone bank this week as much as I hate it.

    What are you doing in the trenches besides bothering the people who are actually doing the fighting?

  197. 197.

    Mousebumples

    @Elizabelle: and I just realized that if she did pie herself, my reply would be pied.

    Which is why this is a non link reply, intentionally. Teamwork!

  198. 198.

    BR

    @BellyCat: ​
    Here’s what I’ve been doing. I’ve been calling my senators, rep, and any other high profile elected officials I can every single day to tell them to support Biden. (All Dems.) I rotate the offices I call so that it’s not obvious that I’m calling again and again.

  199. 199.

    Jay

    @BellyCat:

    The only push back against the Media is calling them out on their shit, dropping them, (no clicking, no subscriptions, no trial offers), not buying into and repeating their BS,  and finding better Media.

  200. 200.

    Soprano2

    @Eyeroller: I wondered about that. It seemed normal to me, too, but of course they aren’t going to mention that

    This whole thing has become surreal, down to the appearance of new anti-Biden trolls on every thread.

  201. 201.

    BellyCat

    @Odie Hugh Manatee: See #193.

    Would appreciate you, and others, remaining open-minded that the shared goal is for us all to do the best possible going forward to preserve democracy. This election sure looks like a tipping point.

    It’s been said that criticism is often a suggestion in disguise. I apologize if I’ve inadvertently presented more disguise than suggestion at times. I, like many of you, am truly scared of what will take place if Trump, inconceivably (again), is elected.

  202. 202.

    Soprano2

    @Ohio Mom: The symptoms depend on the type of dementia, which often isn’t known for sure, although they know a lot more now than they did 30 years ago. The neuropsych doctor told me my husband has vascular dementia and may have some features of Alzheimer’s. I know I’m not an expert, but I’ve been caring for a person with dementia for a couple of years now. IMHO no way someone with dementia could do everything Biden has done in the past week. He’s old, but he doesn’t have dementia. (I know you’re not saying he does, I was just adding to that. )

  203. 203.

    wjca

    @comrade scotts agenda of rage: Said people, who think they’re the most politically savvy people on the planet, never ask themselves “Why the hell is the opposition trying so damn hard to get rid of this “weak” candidate?”  Why not just let us run with him and get our asses kicked?

    Because the opposition’s internal polling told them that Biden was gonna kick the Orange Fart Cloud’s ass, that’s why.

    This.

    Over and over and over.  This.

  205. 205.

    scav

    @BellyCat: Then, here’s a clue.  If you’re talking this much, you’re unpersuasive.  (Also a bore, but driving out profitable, practical discussion might be as important a goal as basic disinformation on multiple fronts if one were so inclined.)  If your stated aspirations and goals don’t practically mesh up with the effects you are having in the world, including this very thread, yup, people will doubt your good will.

  206. 206.

    Odie Hugh Manatee

    @BellyCat:

    I read that and there is nothing you can accomplish here other than saying you’re voting Biden and leaving it at that. Anything else is a distraction. You’re not the guidance counselor here, nor are we undergraduates who need your assistance with electing Joe. Stop trying to control the flow of conversation here and stop with the labels and tone policing.

    We. Don’t. Need. What. You. Are. Offering.

    What you are offering is absolutely nothing other than sharing your worries with others under the guise of offering advice. IMO your intent seems to be is the hope of spreading crap and making others despair.

    I’m afraid of a lot of stuff but you won’t see me cutting down our candidate to express my worries. You ought to try it some time.

  207. 207.

    Nettoyeur

    The French center and left buried their differences, coordinated candidate dropouts and GOTV to beat back the Marine Le Pen fascios once more. They did the same thing to elect the (somewhat odious) Chirac over the neo Nazi Jean Marie Le Pen (Marine’ s father) back in the 1990s. Anf they did this in the few weeks between the first and second round of voting. We can do the same. I will vote straight D in any case. Biden has done a great job, but he is vulnerable on age. I suspect Kamala will lead the ticket for practical reasons. It might be smart of Joe to resign to make her POTUS in name, but U leave that decision to the pros.

  209. 209.

    Archon

    Now that some weekend poll numbers have come out to contradict the press narrative I wonder how they will move forward.

    The past week has said ALOT more about the press in this country than it has Joe Biden.

  211. 211.

    Soprano2

    @Mike E: It’s actually kind of hilarious, as soon as I see a new name with the same anti-Biden crap I think “There’s the new one 😂😂😂”.

  212. 212.

    Soprano2

    @Archon: I’m wondering how the 9 House Democrats who publicly shivved Biden are going to manage going forward? What happens when they realize he’s not dropping out? I hope their offices are being lit up with angry responses.

  213. 213.

    TBone

    @Jay: what a coincidence 🙄

    I also read about calls for Trudeau to go earlier today but did not know those gory details, so thank you for that extra knowledge.

  214. 214.

    Archon

    @Soprano2: They miscalculated, if Biden wins re-election their careers are over.

    This wasn’t the election to shiv the incumbent President 4 months before people go to the polls

  217. 217.

    Soprano2

    @NotMax: Maybe the front pagers should anchor a thread for it to the top and forbid discussion of it in the other threads. I agree it’s tiresome, I should quit talking about it.

  218. 218.

    Spc

    @JimV: And a good chunk of the D base just doesn’t get it. It was not simply a bad debate. Never seen so many posters and cpmmenters here or on other blogs off the mark and worst of all yelling at those who are simply addessing the obvious. We have a huge problem that putting ones head in the sand will not solve.

  220. 220.

    Spc

    @cain: That sentiment is a huge problem outside the D core base and those votes are needed. Vote for us – our candidate could drop dead or need to resign at any point, but we got it covered.

  222. 222.

    mrmoshpotato

    @TBone:

    I tried to get people to watch Dr. Tracy Pearson ream out those responsible for this mess. It looks like precious few had the time or attention span. 

    I’ve added it to my playlist for tomorrow.

  223. 223.

    wjca

    @Nettoyeur:  It might be smart of Joe to resign to make her POTUS in name, but U leave that decision to the pros.

    Short of a major medical event, I just can’t see him doing that.  Especially this late in the campaign.  There’s maybe a half dozen people** tops who could persuade him otherwise.  But all of them seem to be totally supportive.

    ** his wife, Obama, perhaps Pelosi or Jeffries, maybe his chief of staff (who I have the impression has been with him for years; if not, not)

  224. 224.

    Odie Hugh Manatee

    @TBone:

    This shit goes on every election. What gets me laughing is that they expect to be taken at their word. No sand here, nothing but clear eyes on the horizon.

    It’s the internet, Jake.

  226. 226.

    scav

    Ah yes, having a deep bench, a competent team, a capable understudy, and a back-up plan are soooooo unappealing.

    Here’s an interesting factoid about male v. female turnout rates in Presidential elections.  Women have consistently out-participated men since 1980.  Imagine the post-Dobbs afterburner on this.  The over-65s only started out-participating other age-strata in ’92 (but started rising during the ’70s) chart.  My favorite one though compares mid-term participation to presidential elections.  Until the 1840s, midterms seemed favored!

  228. 228.

    Gretchen

    @wjca: sad

     

    @Nettoyeur: Biden is vulnerable on being an old white guy. Harris is vulnerable by being a black woman. You think that’s more of a sure thing? Say Biden steps down, Harris succeeds, runs as a black woman. Mike Johnson is next in line for the presidency! Does that seem like a good idea? What has to happen for Harris’s choice for VP to be approved? Is is something like Merrick Garland being approved for the Supreme Court? Let’s think this through before going into Superman vs. Spiderman fantasies.

  229. 229.

    Soprano2

    @Geminid: There are 9 House Democrats openly calling for Biden to drop out. That’s what I’m referencing. I think saying “Biden can’t win” is a shiv when it’s from a member of his party.

    I’m having fun watching our 3 extremely conservative R candidates for governor call each other big liberals and campaign on stopping illegal immigration, which has nothing to do with the job of governor. Oh, and China buying our farmland is evidently a huge threat.

  230. 230.

    Odie Hugh Manatee

    I hope everyone is prepared for the next four months because Joe’s age is the new Hillary’s emails. The press is not going to let up on his age, the tail has a dog to wag. They will be working overtime to feed the perception that Joe’s too old, seizing on anything they can to beat their drum and drive down his support. This is a concerted effort and it’s more than clear to me that this was planned from the beginning. The big money presstitutes were just waiting for an opening and the debate gave them one.

    Next it will be something else and after that another something else. This is not stopping until November 6th. Buck up Biden supporters, you are going to be severely tested in the coming months and the press is betting that they will win this war.

  231. 231.

    Soprano2

    @Gretchen: Oh man, that’s exactly what this reminds me of. The “who would win” threads were legendary on the message boards I hung out at.

  232. 232.

    sab

    @Elizabelle: If she accidentally pied herself and you link to her comment to help she won’t see your response because it is also pied.

    But she might try the toggle to see your comment.

  233. 233.

    Soprano2

    @Odie Hugh Manatee: ITA, one of them is trying to turn ordinary prep for a presidential event into a “this proves Biden is too old” scandal. They know better! They want TCFG back. Biden is bad for their careers.

  234. 234.

    Archon

    @Gretchen: The people that wanted Biden gone wanted Harris bypassed too. They have only pulled back on that because it turns out to most Democrats its an absolutely bonkers idea that makes you sound like a Republican operative to Democrats who really, really want to defeat fascism and like to see the Democratic party hold together to accomplish that goal.

  235. 235.

    Damien

    Christ. Must we again into the breach? Seriously?

    Here’s where it’s at, for anyone keeping score:

    Biden is the candidate, Trump is the enemy, and we can’t count on the press for shit; now can we please shut the ever loving FUCK up about this question and focus on what we’re going to fucking DO TO WIN??

    Just stop. Stop. Stop fucking bringing up what you think Biden should do, because he’s said what he’s gonna do. Now the question is what are you BellyCat, MomSense, oldster, and the rotating cast of supporting nyms who keep pounding this drum, fucking this chicken, and worrying your hands to the bone gonna do?

    To repeat myself: pick up an oar and row.

  236. 236.

    cain

    @Odie Hugh Manatee:

    They will keep hounding him even after he wins and then will be spending 4 years undercutting Kamala.

    We will be doing this again with Kamala next year.

  237. 237.

    cain

    Josh Marshall weighing in and it is a breath of fresh air.

    https://x.com/joshtpm/status/1810028955191365944?t=URQe5SuhFKffxFKEYgJpIA&s=19

    Incredibly silly statement. So silly I can’t believe he believes it. Biden’s age has become a big issue. But the reason we’re in a close race is because a huge number of Americans support Trump. Biden’s age, especially after last week, weakens the Dem campaign. But if you don’t grasp that this is a dog fight and a big chunk of the country wants that despicable degenerate back in power than you’re not going to be able to fight a winning campaign with any candidate.

    2/ And to be clear, my point really has nothing to do with Biden. But a lot of Dem/center-left thinking is based on not appreciating the strength of Trumpism. Oh just a default candidate cld kick his ass. That is not true. Without understanding that you can’t hope to beat him.

    I can feel his frustration.

  239. 239.

    NotMax

    @cain

    Doing what? Repeating, fertilizing and expanding Republican talking points ad nauseum? Let them smear their own poo against the wall; adding ours to the pathetic mural serves no purpose.

  242. 242.

    Odie Hugh Manatee

    @cain:

    I have no doubt about that either. Democrats need to understand that not only are they running against the Republicans, they are also running against the conservative media narrative. There are no liberal big money owned media outlets. Only conservative/libertarian owned media who have hired the requisite token liberals, much like fox did with Alan Colmes, to throw chaff into the air.

    It’s up to us to fight back against these powerful people who manipulate the news to fit their narrative.

  243. 243.

    Dan B

    @rikyrah: Trump would let the Gilead Christian Nationalists run riot on Trans and then Gay Men, then the rest of the spectrum.  Kids would be removed from their same gender parents.  Pete and Chasten would put up a fight but a highly visible family like theirs would be a propaganda coup for the hate filled Christianists.   Immigrants and every non-white person would face the most sadistic white Nationalists.  Our Rep is Adam Smith.  Many of his district’s residents are foreign born and not white.  What is he thinking?  Is his privileged straight, male, white ass capable of understanding?

  244. 244.

    MagdaInBlack

    I swear reading some of the “new” blog commenters this past week makes me feel like I’m stuck in the movie ” Ground Hog Day.”

  245. 245.

    Princess

    WaPo says Ted Lieu is among those demanding Biden resign. I was shocked so I checked. It’s not true and Lieu has denied it forcefully. They’re just making things up now. WaPo and NYT are not just bad papers; they are actively interfering in the election.

  246. 246.

    SiubhanDuinne

    @cain:

    I’ve binged Season One twice through, and cannot wait for Season Two to drop. Allison Janney will play the VP!! It’s a really well-done show.

  247. 247.

    Uncle Cosmo

    Late to the thread, as always, but…

    Re Cole’s remark about expressions he encountered in the Army that never seemed to show up in the wider world: When he thought whatever I was saying was full of shit, my father (diesel mechanic, Pacific Theater, 1943-46), never one to use foul language except in the rarest of circumstances, would sporadically say to me. You talk like a man with a paper asshole. Never encountered that one anywhere else – I had to look it up on the Net.

    (It was part & parcel of the Deru kui wa utareru philosophy that he’d learned through a lifetime of disappointments and meant to instill in me: Hide in the ground clutter, never draw attention to yourself, give others whatever they want from you and hope they leave you alone, or else you’ll be the nail that gets hammered back down.)

  249. 249.

    Chris T.

    @Ohio Mom:

    [early symptoms of dementia list]:
    *Forgetting recent events
    * Repeating questions
    *Acting on impulse
    * Struggling with daily tasks
    *Changes in mood and personality
    *Poor judgment and bad choices
    *Inappropriate emotional outbursts
    *Loss of interest in everyday events
    * Losing track of time, place and people
    *Difficulties planning or problem-solving
    *Losing things or misplacing them oddly
    *Not caring about the feelings of others
    *Losing balance and movement problems
    *Trouble keeping track of money and paying bills
    *Hallucinations, delusions or paranoia

    Whoa, apparently I’ve been demented all of my life!

    Then again I always did like to listen to Dr Demento.

  251. 251.

    Renie

    @BellyCat: Chill out, it’s done all the time.  Media just using it as another headline to slime Biden.   Candidates do this when they want the interviewer to ask them about a  specific topic they want covered.  Nothing malicious about it.

  252. 252.

    brantl

    @JimV:  As been covered here, sundowning doesn’t work like that. He was perfectly fine at a rally just after the debate.

  253. 253.

    brantl

    @oldster: We’ve already said that the age didn’t matter; unless you think they can provide some overwhelming evidence that Stumpy is senile or demented, you’re just going to look like a hypocrite.

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