NYT and WaPo report Biden is close to stepping down

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Funny that you chose Charlie Kirk's retweet rather than anyone else's (I have seen this from others on X). Hmm.

Here's Halperin's report:https://twitter.com/2waytvapp/status/1814101445232189691

Halperin is a sex pest who works for NewsMax who doesn’t have any actual Democratic sources.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

jsteele wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

jsteele wrote:Of equal importance, if not more so, is what will happen with the Biden/Harris campaign funds. They have something like $90 million. My understanding is that only Harris can access it if Biden drops out. If that is true, she is really the only option to replace him.

Do you really think she can win?

Yes, and fairly easily.

But Americans are brutal to female leaders.

Yes but times have changed and she is running against a sketchy guy.

The last time we had a female nominee was against the same sketchy guy. And it wasn't very long ago.

Dems screwed up. Hillary was too arrogant to campaign harder in states that weren’t a shoe in for her. She never should have been complacent in such a critical race.

She was set up for failure by Robby Mook-her data obsessed campaign manager who over relied on the polls. She should’ve listened to Bill. Bill didn’t like Robby and told Hillary to keep campaigning and talking to people. The millennials running the campaign told Bill he was old fashioned and they were running a new “modern campaign” where the data told all the info they needed . Huge huge huge fail.

Trump ran an old fashioned campaign and earned every vote . He went to every back water town and flyover state you can think of

The only thing Trump did in that campaign was perform in rallies and earn free media attention. It wasn’t old fashioned at all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

jsteele wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

jsteele wrote:Of equal importance, if not more so, is what will happen with the Biden/Harris campaign funds. They have something like $90 million. My understanding is that only Harris can access it if Biden drops out. If that is true, she is really the only option to replace him.

Do you really think she can win?

Yes, and fairly easily.

But Americans are brutal to female leaders.

Yes but times have changed and she is running against a sketchy guy.

The last time we had a female nominee was against the same sketchy guy. And it wasn't very long ago.

Dems screwed up. Hillary was too arrogant to campaign harder in states that weren’t a shoe in for her. She never should have been complacent in such a critical race.

She was set up for failure by Robby Mook-her data obsessed campaign manager who over relied on the polls. She should’ve listened to Bill. Bill didn’t like Robby and told Hillary to keep campaigning and talking to people. The millennials running the campaign told Bill he was old fashioned and they were running a new “modern campaign” where the data told all the info they needed . Huge huge huge fail.

Trump ran an old fashioned campaign and earned every vote . He went to every back water town and flyover state you can think of

She also picked a very uninspired VP choice. Imagine if she had gone with Corey Booker. I knew as soon as picked Tim Kaine (white mail safe choice) it was over. She needed to be daring.

I always hope that there are some DC staffers with influence reading these boards. So if anyone is here who has influence - Dems you need to be daring! I’m watching the GOP convention now. The only way we will win is if you lean into making change. We can say all we want that things are good. But the country is not buying it. It’s the grocery store, cost of college for our kids, and too much DEI (although my fear is that the Dems with over counter correct on this issue).

[Anonymous]

jsteele wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

jsteele wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

jsteele wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

jsteele wrote:Of equal importance, if not more so, is what will happen with the Biden/Harris campaign funds. They have something like $90 million. My understanding is that only Harris can access it if Biden drops out. If that is true, she is really the only option to replace him.

Do you really think she can win?

Yes, and fairly easily.

Jeff, normally I agree with your take and find you very reasonable. But this response baffles me. Why do you think Kamala can easily win? She did poorly in the primary and dropped out early. The unfair misogyny that plagued Hilary hasn’t disappeared. Polls show her faring not much better than Biden. To be fair, they don’t show any Democrat with much of an edge, but lack of name recognition is a factor for the less known Dems. Everyone knows who Kamala is.

My theory is that Biden actually has a great legislative record. My single complaint is his handling of the Israel-Gaza war. The economy is in pretty good shape with high employment, the stock market hitting record highs, and inflation under control. If Biden were 20 years younger, this election wouldn't even be close. But, Biden is not 20 years younger. However, Kamala Harris is. She can take credit for many of Biden's achievements because she was part of the team and she can promise to keep the same course. She will be a very credible messenger on women's health issues and I think she will inspire young people.

I don't believe Hillary Clinton lost because of misogyny, She lost because she ran a poor campaign and because of James Comey's attempting to act politically and screwing it up royally.

In short, Harris just has to campaign on a message to continue the path that has dug the U.S. out of the hole Trump put us in, the path that has made our economy the envy of the world, and promise to protect reproductive rights. And then show energy. She will out hustle Trump and can campaign everywhere. Her historic candidacy will be inspiring and create a lot of excitement.

You think her hypothetical VP pick matters (I think it does)? If yes, who’s your prediction?

I expect that the VP choice will be a White male former or current governor. I don't think it matters which one.

Who’s a former governor who could be on the radar? Obviously NC and Kentucky’s current govs are on the radar.

[Anonymous]

It is surreal to think that the following will happen:

1. Elite members of the ruling political party will select a candidate who won zero primaries.

2. That unelected nominee will then suggest that a vote for the opposition party is the end of democracy.

You can almost picture the English-language subtitles explaining that *true* democracy means excluding [the bourgeois / the anti-revolutionaries / the ____]

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It is surreal to think that the following will happen:

1. Elite members of the ruling political party will select a candidate who won zero primaries.

2. That unelected nominee will then suggest that a vote for the opposition party is the end of democracy.

You can almost picture the English-language subtitles explaining that *true* democracy means excluding [the bourgeois / the anti-revolutionaries / the ____]

It is sad to see Biden's decline, so like my father's decline. I'm glad that you have not lived with that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It is surreal to think that the following will happen:

1. Elite members of the ruling political party will select a candidate who won zero primaries.

2. That unelected nominee will then suggest that a vote for the opposition party is the end of democracy.

You can almost picture the English-language subtitles explaining that *true* democracy means excluding [the bourgeois / the anti-revolutionaries / the ____]

It is sad to see Biden's decline, so like my father's decline. I'm glad that you have not lived with that.

It is sad. What is also sad is that it was evident for years to those paying attention. It was the Democrats and the complicit media that attempted to destroy anyone who brought it up - see Robert Hur. Schiff et al owe him a huge apology especially in light of Schiff calling on Biden to quit the race.

[Anonymous]

The country and the media are both nuts. Biden dropping out should not even be a talking point.

The media should be whining for Trump to drop out.

All this to sell advertising.

[Anonymous]

That would be a plus but I fear it may be too late. The shift is in motion.

The Dems really shot themselves in the foot by dismissing voters’ wishes and insisting on Biden’s reelection, and now all the far left ideas they hitched their wagon to are coming back to haunt them. Also the sheer dishonesty of this mess is appalling.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:In 2016, Democrats rigged the super delegate process in their primary to stop Bernie Sanders.

In 2024, they wouldn’t allow debates. Biden won the primary.

Now Biden is being forced out before the convention. Rich donors will select a new candidate.

The party of democracy.

The super delegate process was already in place.
Bernie is not and never was, and isn't currently, a democrat. Kind of a necessary component of being a viable party candidate.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

jsteele wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It will be a huge mess, and the ballots in some states may not be able to be changed. But it needs to happen.

Biden may release his delegates to Harris or he may release them generally to have an open or semi-open conference.

I don't believe that ballots are an issue. The Democrats don't have an official candidate yet so what would be on the ballots at this point?

Heritage Foundation has identified potential issues
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/heritage-working-election-legal-challenges-case-biden-pulled-from-dnc-nomination
Heritage points out that many states — including swing states such as Georgia, Nevada and Wisconsin — might not allow a replacement on the ballot.

Wisconsin does not allow a candidate's name to be withdrawn from the ballot except due to death. Nevada allows changes to its ballot up until 5:00pm on the fourth Friday of June in the election year — it also allows special consideration for if nominees die or are determined to be mentally unable to proceed.

Georgia would allow Biden to withdraw up to 60 days before the election. If Biden withdraws afterward, his name would remain on the ballot but votes for him would be discarded.

Which is why the right and the media created this mess. If even one of these states follows through on not allowing the dem candidate, Trump will win.

[Anonymous]

The wanted Biden. Pushed out all challengers. No debates during Dem primaries. Shame on the Dems for cramming Biden down our throats. Now we are stuck with him. If he steps down from the election, the voters have NO say in the next Dem nominee. It’s all by delegates and party elites! WTH!

And then you think of who is actually running the country Right now!!! If Biden steps down, the whole administration is done for.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

jsteele wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

jsteele wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It will be a huge mess, and the ballots in some states may not be able to be changed. But it needs to happen.

Biden may release his delegates to Harris or he may release them generally to have an open or semi-open conference.

I don't believe that ballots are an issue. The Democrats don't have an official candidate yet so what would be on the ballots at this point?

Heritage Foundation has identified potential issues
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/heritage-working-election-legal-challenges-case-biden-pulled-from-dnc-nomination
Heritage points out that many states — including swing states such as Georgia, Nevada and Wisconsin — might not allow a replacement on the ballot.

Wisconsin does not allow a candidate's name to be withdrawn from the ballot except due to death. Nevada allows changes to its ballot up until 5:00pm on the fourth Friday of June in the election year — it also allows special consideration for if nominees die or are determined to be mentally unable to proceed.

Georgia would allow Biden to withdraw up to 60 days before the election. If Biden withdraws afterward, his name would remain on the ballot but votes for him would be discarded.

Yeah, I wouldn't bet on the Heritage Foundation being accurate about this. Again, there is no official candidate yet. Who would be on those ballots?

Couldn’t the official candidate have to be the one who won the primary in the state, though?

I’ve been leaning towards Biden staying in, just like I was leaning toward him running again, because I knew anything else that followed would be chaos. I watched the debate and was incredibly disappointed, and I blame him for a very bad night, but it will bother me now and forever that the media seems to have made this happen in their quest for a more exciting election.

Each state nominates delegates. The delegates vote at the convention. It is ridiculous to expect that a state primary winner must also be the candidate on the ballot.

I mean if Trump had been incapacitated last week, the GOP would be having an open convention right now, and no one would suggest that Trump should remain on any ballot in the fall.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

jsteele wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

jsteele wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It will be a huge mess, and the ballots in some states may not be able to be changed. But it needs to happen.

Biden may release his delegates to Harris or he may release them generally to have an open or semi-open conference.

I don't believe that ballots are an issue. The Democrats don't have an official candidate yet so what would be on the ballots at this point?

Heritage Foundation has identified potential issues
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/heritage-working-election-legal-challenges-case-biden-pulled-from-dnc-nomination
Heritage points out that many states — including swing states such as Georgia, Nevada and Wisconsin — might not allow a replacement on the ballot.

Wisconsin does not allow a candidate's name to be withdrawn from the ballot except due to death. Nevada allows changes to its ballot up until 5:00pm on the fourth Friday of June in the election year — it also allows special consideration for if nominees die or are determined to be mentally unable to proceed.

Georgia would allow Biden to withdraw up to 60 days before the election. If Biden withdraws afterward, his name would remain on the ballot but votes for him would be discarded.

Yeah, I wouldn't bet on the Heritage Foundation being accurate about this. Again, there is no official candidate yet. Who would be on those ballots?

Couldn’t the official candidate have to be the one who won the primary in the state, though?

I’ve been leaning towards Biden staying in, just like I was leaning toward him running again, because I knew anything else that followed would be chaos. I watched the debate and was incredibly disappointed, and I blame him for a very bad night, but it will bother me now and forever that the media seems to have made this happen in their quest for a more exciting election.

It's more than the debate, though. It's possible that he could have just had a bad night, been over-prepared, etc. But he doesn't take questions or if he does, doesn't answer them. He can barely walk at all. He has been somewhat invisible for the recent past, and now we can see why. He has declined significantly. And age (or dementia) only goes in one direction.

That actually isn't true. He returned to DE from NV where he did three campaign stops. He was heavily campaigning between the debate and NV and had the NATO conference in between. He also had at least three nationally televised interviews and an open press conference.

Hardly invisible.

The problem is the media decided he needed to go and here we are.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

jsteele wrote:Of equal importance, if not more so, is what will happen with the Biden/Harris campaign funds. They have something like $90 million. My understanding is that only Harris can access it if Biden drops out. If that is true, she is really the only option to replace him.

Republican lawyers have argued that even if Harris' name in on the campaign funds, along with Biden, she would be able to access them only as the VP nominee - that is, if Biden were already the nominee and then dropped out.

There is a workaround, however, if Biden drops out now: the funds revert to the DNC and they can funnel them to whichever candidate they want. Since the DNC is full of Biden stalwarts, I imagine they'll look first at Harris.

That is my current understanding.

The campaign is the Biden Harris campaign. She is a legal officer of the entity. If Joe isn't part of it, she is the one legally entitled to manage it. Pretty cut and dried.