Hello! It looks like you may be in DC (not too far from Pennsylvania), where our 1st and 10th districts (NE of Philly and South Central PA, held by Brian Fitzpatrick and Scott Perry), are on the DCCC’s “Red to Blue” list. Additionally, with a lower chamber of over 200, PA has nearly 20 DLCC “spotlight” races — while it flipped in 2022, when Dems gained 12 seats, there is just a one-seat majority constantly threatened by specials. So come on up!!
Yes, I went to bed on Thursday night thinking I will now have to find an extra five hours a week to volunteer and ensure Biden’s victory. That is the easiest thing in the world for 75-year-old retired guy to do.
Yes, we are working hard to flip our local HD. By flipping one or two seats in the AZ House and Senate the Democrats would control the AZ Legislature. It can be done!!
Guy, same here for a 72 year old woman. I donated money and will volunteer. This isn’t about choosing a candidate, this is about saving our country. It has made me determined to fight for it by working harder.
More determined than ever on behalf of Biden/Harris. Seeing Trump in that debate spewing forth lie after lie, hurling insults and falsehoods at our President, and describing his American Carnage dystopian nightmare only motivates me more. He must be defeated. For our country and the world!
That is by far the most outrageous debate performance I have seen by anyone! It’s far easier to count the truthful statements Trump uttered than his lies, which he was spouting continuously. Not just minor lies; he was trying to flip reality on its head, time and time again.
I saw that too, but I forget which fact-checker that was. CNN’s fact-checker detailed 30 of them. He also mention nine inaccuracies by President Biden, but I recall that five of those were instances of misspeaking, most of which Biden himself corrected. And the other inaccuracies were far less serious than anything Trump said.
Countering Trump's stream of lies is like trying to drink from a fire hose. I'm sure people noticed that he didn't answer a single question posed; he acted as though he were at one of his hate rallies.
Precisely! And I am quite shocked that CNN allowed Trump to treat the Presidential Debate they hosted as just another Trump rally. Where was the pushback such as an interruption and "You’re not answering the question, sir. My question was..."
And that’s not even getting into the issue of zero fact-checking. It is, imho, almost irrelevant that CNN had Daniel Dale do fact-checking *after* their pundit discussion – in other words, long after just about everybody watching had turned off their TV.
Agree for sure. Of course his lies and 180’s from the truth - but I was shocked (even by Trump!) for his description of America as a horrible place, the worst country in the world. He wants people to believe that?!?
Dear Ask A Manager: I am applying to be CEO of a company. I called it the worst company in the world and a real sh*thole. Do you still think I have a chance at the job? Sincerely, Pmurt McPoots
Woodward isn’t a “bedwetter” and has raised a crucial question which I need answered before I can vote for Joe: “ What Happened “ that Joe was so unraveled the night of his he debate?
I can’t speak to Carville’s mental state - I don’t watch him much if at all - but I believe he, and also Plouffe and Axelrod, and others I am sure, who were big muckety-mucks in the Clinton and Obama circles, are just angry and jealous at being relegated to the sidelines by Biden and his team. It may well be that they hoped Obama’s former VP would want them around but nope, Biden is hiring his own staff, which doesn’t seem to include a lot of Clinton and Obama people. Hence the whining and bedwetting.
There is no solution to even discuss because the Biden is the nominee. His supporters are working to re-elect him.
If folks want to continue to chew on this that is their right. This is the last time for me I take time out from campaigning for Joe Biden to even talk about it.
I was on Benadryl for a while about a year and a half ago due to a systemic histamine response from a cardiac medication, and I was shocked by how badly the Benadryl affected my cognitive abilities. It slowed me down in all sorts of ways, gave me brain fog, and essentially gave me a mild, temporary dementia – – which, thankfully, stopped as soon as I stopped the Benadryl. Never underestimate the ability of such medications to mess with your mind.
No way he was taking that. Everyone knows how bad Benadryl affects the elderly; it can cause dizziness and falls that can be fatal. No one would give him that before a debate. When I worked in a juvenile facility in Newark that had violent offenders they were given Benadryl at night because it knocked them out; think about it; tough young guys in their athletic prime "gumbied" by Benadryl. There's no way anyone gave that to Biden. Also, it is one of the medicines clearly linked to the development of dementia, along with other anti-cholinergic medicines.
Wow. What an oddly defensive response. First, I did not say that President Biden was on Benadryl; I only mentioned my own experience with Benadryl as part of a larger point. Second, rather than trying to respond to your post in any detail, I will simply refer you to this:
I write fanfic and I had posted a chapter to the message board which hosted it, and it kind of made no sense…but I was on a massive dose of NyQuil at the time. It was literally like being smacked upside the head. I caught a lot of ribbing for that! (And some new information that visiting Americans in Britain apparently can’t source US-style Benadryl laced cold medicine! I didn’t know that.)
Even if the medication(s) Biden took was not Benadryl - I don’t know they’d have given it to him in the day - even just ordinary cough suppressants or Mucinex can make you kind of woozy. Add that to the general “bleh” feeling a cold gives, and the situation becomes clear.
Thank you for explaining that. It makes a lot more sense. Thank you for sharing the article. I'm sure there are lots of folks like myself who didn't know this about stuttering.
I'd turn that around on you, though: Biden has being held to a standard that Obama, whose debate performance in 2012 was objectively worse (particularly because Mitt Romney gave a very strong performance and clearly won) and Bush weren't. I wasn't around for Reagan's first debate in 1984, but from those who were I get the idea that it was almost an exact mirror to this, with calls for him to drop out because of his age. Wikipedia on that first 1984 debate:
'Reagan was the oldest president to have served to that time (at 73) and there were questions about his capacity to endure the grueling demands of the presidency, particularly after Reagan had a poor showing in the first 1984 United States presidential debates with Mondale on October 7. He referred to having started going to church "here in Washington", although the debate was in Louisville, Kentucky, referred to military uniforms as "wardrobe", and admitted to being "confused", among other mistakes. In the next debate on October 21, however, in response to a question from journalist Henry Trewhitt about his age, Reagan joked, "I will not make age an issue of this campaign. I am not going to exploit, for political purposes, my opponent's youth and inexperience."'
Everyone remembers that quote. No one remembers the first debate.
To some degree the doubts about his energy at 81 are valid, but according to post-debate surveys no one who didn't have those doubts before the debate has them now, and they had them in 2020 too. Watch the Raleigh speech if you want to see Biden at his best.
The Raleigh speech was absolutely amazing. I have l caught it on YouTube three times, and find myself almost cheering every time, even though I’m only watching a video. He’s back, baby!
Why? All of us political insiders have had so many opportunities to see Joe Biden in action. To me, that debate performance wasn’t the Joe I know. The fact that he was demonstrably more himself even at the event with debate watchers later that night and certainly the next day in North Carolina tells me this isn’t the revelation of some fatal flaw but more of a bad night due to illness, incorrect debate prep, the sheer overwhelming experience (especially for someone with a stutter) of being verbally assaulted by a madman, taking a cold medication or something that just isn’t consequential to his ability to serve as president, which, by the way, requires no debating skill.
“Verbally assaulted by a madman“ is the perfect description for what Trump subjected President Biden to. Trump is a highly abusive person, verbally and otherwise. This is something that we all need to bear in mind and emphasize.
Yes, the verbal assault by a mad man is something no one should have to endure, least of all when being required to perform in a high-pressure situation with arbitrary parameters that don’t relate meaningfully to real-world competence.
I recommend reading Heather Cox Richardson. - I'd like see how you would perform with this:
"Gish Gallop" A rhetorical technique in which a dishonest speaker lists a string of falsehoods or misleading items so that their opponent will be unable to counter each one and still be able to make their own counterpoints. To date NO ONE polls as high as Joe does against Trump. 5 months to go and you think any Dem other than Joe can beat Trump? Be realistic.
Note the info coming out that Biden had a cold and took cold medicine, which wore off during the debate which his why he finished with clarity. And went on to rally.
I'd recommend watching the debate again. "What happened" is that Biden, as he usually does, struggled to get going and improved as the event went along (when a lot of people had already dropped into despair). Once he was on his game goading Trump into absurd lies and calling them out, he was fine.
Well, two other polls have Biden 1 and 2 points ahead (Morning Consult and 538), and NYT/Siena and QU both had Trump up 3 in the 2 days before the debate too (Trump has had a good few days of polling here, it happens). The polls are where they are because the non-White base hasn't yet consolidated around the Democrats in the Presidential race, not because of anything related to Biden.
Look at the Data for Progress poll (one of the ones with Trump up 3) if you want one read on voter reality. The share of voters who think Biden is too old for the job hasn't changed since March (the SOTU didn't meaningfully change it either). Independents didn't like Trump's performance (though they preferred it to Biden's). The most memorable moments were generally good for Biden or bad for Trump. Biden did better than any alternative candidate in the horserace.
First - I don't have your personal experience with aging, and I respect it. Joe Biden was 79 in February of 2022 when he rallied 50 nations behind Ukraine and helped them save Kyiv. Barack Obama was 53 when Putin took Crimea and couldn't pull something like that off. Joe Biden was 81 on April 13th when in a span of literal minutes he rallied Arab nations to defend Israel with force of arms, something I certainly didn't expect in my lifetime. Jimmy Carter managed to botch the Iran Hostage Crisis at 55, Bush managed to invade Iraq at 57...
Biden's national security team is excellent. I feel safer with them in charge than I've ever felt about any administration. That won't change by 2028.
I know this community is happy to help you (and anyone) find impactful financial and volunteer ways to help in your geographic area and/ or virtually. While we can’t lose sight of the federal contests, many states have statewide, leg, judicial etc. races where our great candidates have real potential to gain or hold key ground … not to mention ballot initiatives.
I couldn't watch after about 10 minutes. My husband watched and said Biden did get a little better as it went on - a little. But my husband heard the transcripts read on the radio and he said Biden's answers were fine and it wasn't that bad.
Thank you, Susan. I've stated my case in Hopium forums since last Thursday night: I am voting for Joe Biden no matter what—but I'm losing confidence that he can win this campaign in the battleground states. I fear that labelling and name calling—"bedwetters"—are replacing thoughtful reflection and dialogue. Joe Biden isn't going to win in November because those of us in the Hopium community increase our belief in his chances; Joe Biden will win because a tiny slice of the electorate in about six battleground metros think he's a slightly better alternative to Trump. That's what this race will come down to. And last Thursday's debate did little in my mind to convince many of them. I think this is a reason for significant concern. I think the Democratic Party should consider its alternatives. If the alternatives are impractical or impossible to pursue, then I'm sticking with Biden. But absolutely no business, military, or political leader goes to battle with one rigid plan for success and refuses to consider changing course.
It's up to us (and the campaign overall) to remind voters of the following:
1) If a voter is worried about cognitive competency, they sure aren't going to find it in Trump. The man does not read briefings, is not capable of complex thinking, and makes decisions based purely on what will benefit himself. Trump's lack of. cognitive skills has been reported by people in Trump's administration who observed him "in action" for four years. Biden has demonstrated that he can process complex information and exercise good judgment in his decision-making. Trump has not.
2) We should evaluate Joe Biden on how he governs, not how he performed in a debate. The mental capacity required to govern effectively -- to consider and understand facts and context, to weigh the consequences of various possible decisions, and to exercise good judgment when making those decisions is MUCH DIFFERENT than what is required to refute a fire hose of lies within a two-minute time frame.
Yes to both of your points. I’d argue that Trump was never really the sharpest pencil in the box - even in his 80’s Big Bidniss Mogul days. “Art of the Deal” was ghostwritten, and rumor had it that Trump’s first wife, the one now reposing beneath Bedminster Green, was the real brains of the Trump enterprise.
Fast forward to 2024 and Trump is very VERY clearly demented. I think it’s pretty obvious to anyone who hears him speak or even sees him move and interact. He is non compos mentis, not to mention his corpore is not sano.
Joe Biden is doing a great job of governing, he has a first-rate team around him, which means that he’s capable of, well, more than I am, and I’m some 20 odd years younger. (Very odd!)
David, why are you sure the election will be decided by a "tiny slice of the electorate"? What makes you think the Democratic Party isn't considering alternatives?
Thanks, Ed. Simon's own strategy involves winning WI, MI, PA, and the blue dot in NE. These states (and district) manifest the urban/rural divide, meaning that the suburbs/exurbs decide the electoral votes. The same dynamic played out in 2020. So, these suburban and exurban voters in Milwaukee, Detroit, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, and Omaha will, essentially, decide who wins the election. This read is not only Simon's perspective, it's conventional wisdom at this point.
I'm sure the Democratic Part is considering alternatives. I personally believe that they ought to strongly consider them and play out new scenarios.
That being said, if Biden is the ultimate choice, then I am supporting Biden. Full stop.
Without losing sight of the Presidential, would suggest you DM one of the many Hopium members who can help point you to meaningful ways to help candidates and causes in your geographic area (especially if you are in/near any of Simon’s 12 key House districts or the Blue Dot, AZ or NC). Or there are endless virtual opportunities nationwide. It all helps!
i’m speculating he took something for his cold that made him goofy. Maybe he expected it to wear off before it did.
He certainly did perk up toward the end of the debate ( too late as gish had already galloped over him ). he seemed quite his normal self @ the rally later.
Susan, have concerns and question is reasonable. President Biden had a bad night. Are you going to judge him based on one night or the last 3.5 years?
What every your other priorities are, the environment, women's health care, workers rights, having Corporate America and wealthy pay their fair share of taxes, rights of minority communities and the alike, will only get worse under a second Trump term. Anything that doesn't fit into a Christo-Fascist narrative will get worse. If you read any of the SCOTUS rulings that have come down in the last few days, that is the early warning shot as to want direction this country will be heading. If you want the actual road map, read up on Project 2025. It has started.
The next POTUS could well appoint three SCOTUS judges. THREE. The changes in our laws and how they are applied will affect generations to come.
You are free to vote for whomever you want to. The consequences of your vote will effect people for decades or longer.
Thank you Simon. You are correct that the choice we face is monumental, extraordinary and also simple. Are we supporting the man who loves this nation and has shown time and again that he can lead. Or do we run away and allow one of the worst humans on earth and his horrible followers destroy us and our democracy. I’m on Team Biden and will redouble my efforts to win this election.
nobody whos been following the campaign up to now had their minds changed about who to support the battle now is for those who are just waking up and for the youngest voters.
Simon thank you for sharing the email from Ron. Excellent points. I recommend everyone stay away from the talking heads and the news. (I will busy myself with my postcarding and Wimbledon!) They have agendas and its not for what is best for the country or ME! I really do not get it. One bad debate and the knives come out. Biden has been an excellent President. I am sickened by all the negativity. The only candidate that should withdraw is Trump period.
1) Back in 2020, Fox News was weaponizing Biden's lifelong stutter against him when he had a debate stumble similar to the first part of Thursday's debate. This latest media tempest is just a variation of they were doing then, and these are the responses to it from back then:
Which is why it's important to use the leverage we have against them. Cancel your NYT subscriptions and get the national edition of the Philadelphia Inquirer instead:
As an Inquirer subscriber, I would add that as other papers merged or were acquired by non-journalism firms, the “Inky” became a public benefit corporation, another reason to consider supporting it: https://about.inquirer.com
And it’s not even just Fox, these days. It’s “nice mainstream” media like the NYT and NBC. Can a Democrat be “bad at messaging” if nobody wants to relay the message?
Yes, and I stopped watching CNN years ago, after Zucker and others who spoke the truth were pushed out. They give maga people so much airtime now, for "balance." It's maddening. And few are fact-checked. MSNBC is my only cable news source, and I'm hoping they stay independent.
It seems clear, like Heather Cox Richardson said a couple days ago, that the mainstream media is officially a failing model, for many reasons (profit motive, corporate ownership conflicts of interest, etc). Now is the era in which media becomes democratized as well, and sources like hcr and Simon and other independent journalists on Substack become the new beacons of truth. It’s gonna be a bumpy ride, but I think she’s right.
I find myself subscribing to quite a few sub stacks - Chop Wood, Carry Water is another, and there is one local to me by Darryl Owens that focuses mainly on housing and YIMBY issues. I know by subscribing to Simon, Jessica, Darryl, etc. that I am supporting actual writers and not someone like Les Moonves. I think that is important, and will be something that people will consider going forward.
US demand that pmurt abandon his run for POTUS STAT. pmurt is a con man, a liar, a criminal and a traitor, who is not suitable for employment of any kind. pmurt is owned and operated by Vladimir Putin and fascist Russia.
I had to figure out what was a “pmurt” and I thought it was another term for a fart or shart, but then, duh. It’s a Sdrawkcab Name. (I still think that renders it eligible to be a synonym for shart, as in The Shart of the Deal.)
It is his name spelled backwards. I like to refer to him as P01185309 while singing "Jenny I got your number" because I was in college what that came out.
I'm a Boomer. I'm a Karen. I volunteer on campaigns. I sing songs from long ago when Dinosaurs Ruled the Earth. And I love it. I know one thing and that is love always wins. And only one of those candidates knows anything about love.
Yesterday I spent 3 hours knocking doors for Laura Gillen as part of a Vote Forward/Indivisible team. Talked with many people who said they will vote blue no matter what.
"To serve his country, Donald Trump should leave the race. Biden had a horrible night Thursday. But the debate about the debate is misplaced. The only person who should withdraw from the race is Trump."
"Last night’s debate makes it clear that a withdrawal from the race is warranted, and I urge convicted felon Donald Trump to do so as soon as possible."
Philly delivered the KO in 2020 and they'll do it again in 2024. I remember the placard that read (paraphrasing) Philly kicked King George's ass, Tom Brady's ass and DT's ass.
I just sent the video to the NYT and told them The Philadelphia Inquirer will be my new paper. Asked if they thought Trump was fit to be President. Seriously.
Also, it’s high time the New York Times do some proper investigative journalism, and finally uncover precisely what Donald J. Trump was thinking and doing during those 187 minutes on January 6th, 2021.
If only! The “mainstream” media is making no bones about wanting their cash cow back, democracy be damned.
Donald Trump, I am sure, would hear someone say “for the good of the country” and it would translate as “kagoobada kumkum” like in that Saturday Night Live sketch where he’s playing the Scrooge role and is visited by ghosts (Billy Bush, Vladimir Putin, and Hillary Clinton).
Hello! It looks like you may be in DC (not too far from Pennsylvania), where our 1st and 10th districts (NE of Philly and South Central PA, held by Brian Fitzpatrick and Scott Perry), are on the DCCC’s “Red to Blue” list. Additionally, with a lower chamber of over 200, PA has nearly 20 DLCC “spotlight” races — while it flipped in 2022, when Dems gained 12 seats, there is just a one-seat majority constantly threatened by specials. So come on up!!
The pundits and the actual people who vote have never been further apart. It was, and is, smart of Joe to not be Extremely Online.
Wow! I didn't know so many donations were from first time donors!
So great meeting you yesterday, Simon!! And I LOVE THIS EMAIL! ❤️
I second every word.
You’re awesome, Jessica Craven!!!
I signed up my son (who is in DC this summer) for yesterday’s Network NOVA Women’s Summit and have been getting good reports!
Yes, I went to bed on Thursday night thinking I will now have to find an extra five hours a week to volunteer and ensure Biden’s victory. That is the easiest thing in the world for 75-year-old retired guy to do.
Me too!!! I watched with other Dems in AZ and left thinking we need to keep working hard between now and November 5th.
Yup. The Good News is that most of their money is going to Trump’s legal fees or just his back pocket, so that's huge for us.
And it's not just about Biden, especially in AZ, you got the State Legislature to flip!
Yes, we are working hard to flip our local HD. By flipping one or two seats in the AZ House and Senate the Democrats would control the AZ Legislature. It can be done!!
Me, too!
Guy, same here for a 72 year old woman. I donated money and will volunteer. This isn’t about choosing a candidate, this is about saving our country. It has made me determined to fight for it by working harder.
Same!
More determined than ever on behalf of Biden/Harris. Seeing Trump in that debate spewing forth lie after lie, hurling insults and falsehoods at our President, and describing his American Carnage dystopian nightmare only motivates me more. He must be defeated. For our country and the world!
I'm with you Janet, and 100% with Biden/Harris. Let's connect.
AMEN!!!
That is by far the most outrageous debate performance I have seen by anyone! It’s far easier to count the truthful statements Trump uttered than his lies, which he was spouting continuously. Not just minor lies; he was trying to flip reality on its head, time and time again.
Saw an article (Twitter post?) that said that tfg lied 50 times or one lie per 80 seconds.
I saw that too, but I forget which fact-checker that was. CNN’s fact-checker detailed 30 of them. He also mention nine inaccuracies by President Biden, but I recall that five of those were instances of misspeaking, most of which Biden himself corrected. And the other inaccuracies were far less serious than anything Trump said.
Countering Trump's stream of lies is like trying to drink from a fire hose. I'm sure people noticed that he didn't answer a single question posed; he acted as though he were at one of his hate rallies.
Precisely! And I am quite shocked that CNN allowed Trump to treat the Presidential Debate they hosted as just another Trump rally. Where was the pushback such as an interruption and "You’re not answering the question, sir. My question was..."
And that’s not even getting into the issue of zero fact-checking. It is, imho, almost irrelevant that CNN had Daniel Dale do fact-checking *after* their pundit discussion – in other words, long after just about everybody watching had turned off their TV.
Agree for sure. Of course his lies and 180’s from the truth - but I was shocked (even by Trump!) for his description of America as a horrible place, the worst country in the world. He wants people to believe that?!?
Dear Ask A Manager: I am applying to be CEO of a company. I called it the worst company in the world and a real sh*thole. Do you still think I have a chance at the job? Sincerely, Pmurt McPoots
You took the words out of my mouth.
Woodward isn’t a “bedwetter” and has raised a crucial question which I need answered before I can vote for Joe: “ What Happened “ that Joe was so unraveled the night of his he debate?
I can’t speak to Carville’s mental state - I don’t watch him much if at all - but I believe he, and also Plouffe and Axelrod, and others I am sure, who were big muckety-mucks in the Clinton and Obama circles, are just angry and jealous at being relegated to the sidelines by Biden and his team. It may well be that they hoped Obama’s former VP would want them around but nope, Biden is hiring his own staff, which doesn’t seem to include a lot of Clinton and Obama people. Hence the whining and bedwetting.
There is no solution to even discuss because the Biden is the nominee. His supporters are working to re-elect him.
If folks want to continue to chew on this that is their right. This is the last time for me I take time out from campaigning for Joe Biden to even talk about it.
Biden had a cold and was taking cold meds that interfered with his usual stutter suppression methods. It's happened before:
https://niemanreports.org/articles/biden-stutter/
I was on Benadryl for a while about a year and a half ago due to a systemic histamine response from a cardiac medication, and I was shocked by how badly the Benadryl affected my cognitive abilities. It slowed me down in all sorts of ways, gave me brain fog, and essentially gave me a mild, temporary dementia – – which, thankfully, stopped as soon as I stopped the Benadryl. Never underestimate the ability of such medications to mess with your mind.
No way he was taking that. Everyone knows how bad Benadryl affects the elderly; it can cause dizziness and falls that can be fatal. No one would give him that before a debate. When I worked in a juvenile facility in Newark that had violent offenders they were given Benadryl at night because it knocked them out; think about it; tough young guys in their athletic prime "gumbied" by Benadryl. There's no way anyone gave that to Biden. Also, it is one of the medicines clearly linked to the development of dementia, along with other anti-cholinergic medicines.
Wow. What an oddly defensive response. First, I did not say that President Biden was on Benadryl; I only mentioned my own experience with Benadryl as part of a larger point. Second, rather than trying to respond to your post in any detail, I will simply refer you to this:
https://www.newsweek.com/did-cold-medications-affect-bidens-debate-performance-1919099#:~:text=While%20generally%20well%20tolerated%2C%20these,time%2C%20especially%20in%20older%20individuals.
Thank you for the link that reports exactly what I’ve been thinking.
The campaign needs to tell the public!
I write fanfic and I had posted a chapter to the message board which hosted it, and it kind of made no sense…but I was on a massive dose of NyQuil at the time. It was literally like being smacked upside the head. I caught a lot of ribbing for that! (And some new information that visiting Americans in Britain apparently can’t source US-style Benadryl laced cold medicine! I didn’t know that.)
Even if the medication(s) Biden took was not Benadryl - I don’t know they’d have given it to him in the day - even just ordinary cough suppressants or Mucinex can make you kind of woozy. Add that to the general “bleh” feeling a cold gives, and the situation becomes clear.
Thank you for explaining that. It makes a lot more sense. Thank you for sharing the article. I'm sure there are lots of folks like myself who didn't know this about stuttering.
I'd turn that around on you, though: Biden has being held to a standard that Obama, whose debate performance in 2012 was objectively worse (particularly because Mitt Romney gave a very strong performance and clearly won) and Bush weren't. I wasn't around for Reagan's first debate in 1984, but from those who were I get the idea that it was almost an exact mirror to this, with calls for him to drop out because of his age. Wikipedia on that first 1984 debate:
'Reagan was the oldest president to have served to that time (at 73) and there were questions about his capacity to endure the grueling demands of the presidency, particularly after Reagan had a poor showing in the first 1984 United States presidential debates with Mondale on October 7. He referred to having started going to church "here in Washington", although the debate was in Louisville, Kentucky, referred to military uniforms as "wardrobe", and admitted to being "confused", among other mistakes. In the next debate on October 21, however, in response to a question from journalist Henry Trewhitt about his age, Reagan joked, "I will not make age an issue of this campaign. I am not going to exploit, for political purposes, my opponent's youth and inexperience."'
Everyone remembers that quote. No one remembers the first debate.
To some degree the doubts about his energy at 81 are valid, but according to post-debate surveys no one who didn't have those doubts before the debate has them now, and they had them in 2020 too. Watch the Raleigh speech if you want to see Biden at his best.
The Raleigh speech was absolutely amazing. I have l caught it on YouTube three times, and find myself almost cheering every time, even though I’m only watching a video. He’s back, baby!
If he remains the nominee, which seems likely, then yes, that will be the mission.
He has a good team around him and they have shown they’re up to the task of governing.
Why? All of us political insiders have had so many opportunities to see Joe Biden in action. To me, that debate performance wasn’t the Joe I know. The fact that he was demonstrably more himself even at the event with debate watchers later that night and certainly the next day in North Carolina tells me this isn’t the revelation of some fatal flaw but more of a bad night due to illness, incorrect debate prep, the sheer overwhelming experience (especially for someone with a stutter) of being verbally assaulted by a madman, taking a cold medication or something that just isn’t consequential to his ability to serve as president, which, by the way, requires no debating skill.
“Verbally assaulted by a madman“ is the perfect description for what Trump subjected President Biden to. Trump is a highly abusive person, verbally and otherwise. This is something that we all need to bear in mind and emphasize.
Yes, the verbal assault by a mad man is something no one should have to endure, least of all when being required to perform in a high-pressure situation with arbitrary parameters that don’t relate meaningfully to real-world competence.
I recommend reading Heather Cox Richardson. - I'd like see how you would perform with this:
"Gish Gallop" A rhetorical technique in which a dishonest speaker lists a string of falsehoods or misleading items so that their opponent will be unable to counter each one and still be able to make their own counterpoints. To date NO ONE polls as high as Joe does against Trump. 5 months to go and you think any Dem other than Joe can beat Trump? Be realistic.
Note the info coming out that Biden had a cold and took cold medicine, which wore off during the debate which his why he finished with clarity. And went on to rally.
I'd recommend watching the debate again. "What happened" is that Biden, as he usually does, struggled to get going and improved as the event went along (when a lot of people had already dropped into despair). Once he was on his game goading Trump into absurd lies and calling them out, he was fine.
Well, two other polls have Biden 1 and 2 points ahead (Morning Consult and 538), and NYT/Siena and QU both had Trump up 3 in the 2 days before the debate too (Trump has had a good few days of polling here, it happens). The polls are where they are because the non-White base hasn't yet consolidated around the Democrats in the Presidential race, not because of anything related to Biden.
Look at the Data for Progress poll (one of the ones with Trump up 3) if you want one read on voter reality. The share of voters who think Biden is too old for the job hasn't changed since March (the SOTU didn't meaningfully change it either). Independents didn't like Trump's performance (though they preferred it to Biden's). The most memorable moments were generally good for Biden or bad for Trump. Biden did better than any alternative candidate in the horserace.
First - I don't have your personal experience with aging, and I respect it. Joe Biden was 79 in February of 2022 when he rallied 50 nations behind Ukraine and helped them save Kyiv. Barack Obama was 53 when Putin took Crimea and couldn't pull something like that off. Joe Biden was 81 on April 13th when in a span of literal minutes he rallied Arab nations to defend Israel with force of arms, something I certainly didn't expect in my lifetime. Jimmy Carter managed to botch the Iran Hostage Crisis at 55, Bush managed to invade Iraq at 57...
Biden's national security team is excellent. I feel safer with them in charge than I've ever felt about any administration. That won't change by 2028.
I know this community is happy to help you (and anyone) find impactful financial and volunteer ways to help in your geographic area and/ or virtually. While we can’t lose sight of the federal contests, many states have statewide, leg, judicial etc. races where our great candidates have real potential to gain or hold key ground … not to mention ballot initiatives.
I couldn't watch after about 10 minutes. My husband watched and said Biden did get a little better as it went on - a little. But my husband heard the transcripts read on the radio and he said Biden's answers were fine and it wasn't that bad.
Thank you, Susan. I've stated my case in Hopium forums since last Thursday night: I am voting for Joe Biden no matter what—but I'm losing confidence that he can win this campaign in the battleground states. I fear that labelling and name calling—"bedwetters"—are replacing thoughtful reflection and dialogue. Joe Biden isn't going to win in November because those of us in the Hopium community increase our belief in his chances; Joe Biden will win because a tiny slice of the electorate in about six battleground metros think he's a slightly better alternative to Trump. That's what this race will come down to. And last Thursday's debate did little in my mind to convince many of them. I think this is a reason for significant concern. I think the Democratic Party should consider its alternatives. If the alternatives are impractical or impossible to pursue, then I'm sticking with Biden. But absolutely no business, military, or political leader goes to battle with one rigid plan for success and refuses to consider changing course.
I did, extensively
It's up to us (and the campaign overall) to remind voters of the following:
1) If a voter is worried about cognitive competency, they sure aren't going to find it in Trump. The man does not read briefings, is not capable of complex thinking, and makes decisions based purely on what will benefit himself. Trump's lack of. cognitive skills has been reported by people in Trump's administration who observed him "in action" for four years. Biden has demonstrated that he can process complex information and exercise good judgment in his decision-making. Trump has not.
2) We should evaluate Joe Biden on how he governs, not how he performed in a debate. The mental capacity required to govern effectively -- to consider and understand facts and context, to weigh the consequences of various possible decisions, and to exercise good judgment when making those decisions is MUCH DIFFERENT than what is required to refute a fire hose of lies within a two-minute time frame.
Yes to both of your points. I’d argue that Trump was never really the sharpest pencil in the box - even in his 80’s Big Bidniss Mogul days. “Art of the Deal” was ghostwritten, and rumor had it that Trump’s first wife, the one now reposing beneath Bedminster Green, was the real brains of the Trump enterprise.
Fast forward to 2024 and Trump is very VERY clearly demented. I think it’s pretty obvious to anyone who hears him speak or even sees him move and interact. He is non compos mentis, not to mention his corpore is not sano.
Joe Biden is doing a great job of governing, he has a first-rate team around him, which means that he’s capable of, well, more than I am, and I’m some 20 odd years younger. (Very odd!)
David, why are you sure the election will be decided by a "tiny slice of the electorate"? What makes you think the Democratic Party isn't considering alternatives?
Thanks, Ed. Simon's own strategy involves winning WI, MI, PA, and the blue dot in NE. These states (and district) manifest the urban/rural divide, meaning that the suburbs/exurbs decide the electoral votes. The same dynamic played out in 2020. So, these suburban and exurban voters in Milwaukee, Detroit, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, and Omaha will, essentially, decide who wins the election. This read is not only Simon's perspective, it's conventional wisdom at this point.
I'm sure the Democratic Part is considering alternatives. I personally believe that they ought to strongly consider them and play out new scenarios.
That being said, if Biden is the ultimate choice, then I am supporting Biden. Full stop.
Without losing sight of the Presidential, would suggest you DM one of the many Hopium members who can help point you to meaningful ways to help candidates and causes in your geographic area (especially if you are in/near any of Simon’s 12 key House districts or the Blue Dot, AZ or NC). Or there are endless virtual opportunities nationwide. It all helps!
I actually have asked myself the same question, especially since Joe was so much himself the following day.
i’m speculating he took something for his cold that made him goofy. Maybe he expected it to wear off before it did.
He certainly did perk up toward the end of the debate ( too late as gish had already galloped over him ). he seemed quite his normal self @ the rally later.
Susan, have concerns and question is reasonable. President Biden had a bad night. Are you going to judge him based on one night or the last 3.5 years?
What every your other priorities are, the environment, women's health care, workers rights, having Corporate America and wealthy pay their fair share of taxes, rights of minority communities and the alike, will only get worse under a second Trump term. Anything that doesn't fit into a Christo-Fascist narrative will get worse. If you read any of the SCOTUS rulings that have come down in the last few days, that is the early warning shot as to want direction this country will be heading. If you want the actual road map, read up on Project 2025. It has started.
The next POTUS could well appoint three SCOTUS judges. THREE. The changes in our laws and how they are applied will affect generations to come.
You are free to vote for whomever you want to. The consequences of your vote will effect people for decades or longer.
Thank you Simon. You are correct that the choice we face is monumental, extraordinary and also simple. Are we supporting the man who loves this nation and has shown time and again that he can lead. Or do we run away and allow one of the worst humans on earth and his horrible followers destroy us and our democracy. I’m on Team Biden and will redouble my efforts to win this election.
The campaign started Friday.
nobody whos been following the campaign up to now had their minds changed about who to support the battle now is for those who are just waking up and for the youngest voters.
whatever time youve been giving, double it.
Simon thank you for sharing the email from Ron. Excellent points. I recommend everyone stay away from the talking heads and the news. (I will busy myself with my postcarding and Wimbledon!) They have agendas and its not for what is best for the country or ME! I really do not get it. One bad debate and the knives come out. Biden has been an excellent President. I am sickened by all the negativity. The only candidate that should withdraw is Trump period.
Stick to the Philadelphia Inquirer: there is no weaponizing Biden's stutter on the front page of their website today!
Be patient: in 24 hours the SCOTUS decision on Trump’s claimed immunity will drop, and then everything will be all about that.
I was pleased to read their column. Thanks for your reply! And yes, we are all now seeing the SCOTUS' horrific opinion!
Totally agree.
Keep the following materials handy:
1) Back in 2020, Fox News was weaponizing Biden's lifelong stutter against him when he had a debate stumble similar to the first part of Thursday's debate. This latest media tempest is just a variation of they were doing then, and these are the responses to it from back then:
https://niemanreports.org/articles/biden-stutter/
https://www.cnn.com/2020/03/10/opinions/biden-sanders-trump-old-age-disability-perry/index.html
Yes, we are up against a media that is either weaponized or bullied by Trump. Always the tables are slanted against the Dems. Notice this.
Which is why it's important to use the leverage we have against them. Cancel your NYT subscriptions and get the national edition of the Philadelphia Inquirer instead:
https://x.com/mattmfm/status/1807157594034962649?
As an Inquirer subscriber, I would add that as other papers merged or were acquired by non-journalism firms, the “Inky” became a public benefit corporation, another reason to consider supporting it: https://about.inquirer.com
Done!
And it’s not even just Fox, these days. It’s “nice mainstream” media like the NYT and NBC. Can a Democrat be “bad at messaging” if nobody wants to relay the message?
Yes, and I stopped watching CNN years ago, after Zucker and others who spoke the truth were pushed out. They give maga people so much airtime now, for "balance." It's maddening. And few are fact-checked. MSNBC is my only cable news source, and I'm hoping they stay independent.
It seems clear, like Heather Cox Richardson said a couple days ago, that the mainstream media is officially a failing model, for many reasons (profit motive, corporate ownership conflicts of interest, etc). Now is the era in which media becomes democratized as well, and sources like hcr and Simon and other independent journalists on Substack become the new beacons of truth. It’s gonna be a bumpy ride, but I think she’s right.
I agree.
I find myself subscribing to quite a few sub stacks - Chop Wood, Carry Water is another, and there is one local to me by Darryl Owens that focuses mainly on housing and YIMBY issues. I know by subscribing to Simon, Jessica, Darryl, etc. that I am supporting actual writers and not someone like Les Moonves. I think that is important, and will be something that people will consider going forward.
US demand that pmurt abandon his run for POTUS STAT. pmurt is a con man, a liar, a criminal and a traitor, who is not suitable for employment of any kind. pmurt is owned and operated by Vladimir Putin and fascist Russia.
The Philadelphia Inquirer agrees with you:
https://x.com/mattmfm/status/1807157594034962649?
I had to figure out what was a “pmurt” and I thought it was another term for a fart or shart, but then, duh. It’s a Sdrawkcab Name. (I still think that renders it eligible to be a synonym for shart, as in The Shart of the Deal.)
it's his Russian spy codename
Thanks, I've never heard of "Sdrawkcab" before. Learning all kinds of things today!
Still a little confused. A joke meaning Trump's Russian codename? Does it mean something else?
It is his name spelled backwards. I like to refer to him as P01185309 while singing "Jenny I got your number" because I was in college what that came out.
We are of similar vintage...867-5309. :-}
I'm a Boomer. I'm a Karen. I volunteer on campaigns. I sing songs from long ago when Dinosaurs Ruled the Earth. And I love it. I know one thing and that is love always wins. And only one of those candidates knows anything about love.
ohhhhhh 🤦🏻♀️😂😂😂. Thanks!
Yes, what Karen said, plus "Sdrawkcab" = "Backwards."
ohhhhhh 🤦🏻♀️😂😂😂 Thanks!
I’m proud of our president.
Yesterday I spent 3 hours knocking doors for Laura Gillen as part of a Vote Forward/Indivisible team. Talked with many people who said they will vote blue no matter what.
We are going to win this. 💙
Love hearing this positive report from the field!!!
Yes, same here!
FINALLY!
"To serve his country, Donald Trump should leave the race. Biden had a horrible night Thursday. But the debate about the debate is misplaced. The only person who should withdraw from the race is Trump."
– Editorial Board, The Philadelphia Enquirer
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/editorials/first-presidential-debate-joe-biden-donald-trump-withdraw-20240629.html
Now, if only NYT, WaPo and the rest would find their spine and defend democracy!
"Last night’s debate makes it clear that a withdrawal from the race is warranted, and I urge convicted felon Donald Trump to do so as soon as possible."
– Mark Jacob
Philly delivered the KO in 2020 and they'll do it again in 2024. I remember the placard that read (paraphrasing) Philly kicked King George's ass, Tom Brady's ass and DT's ass.
I just sent the video to the NYT and told them The Philadelphia Inquirer will be my new paper. Asked if they thought Trump was fit to be President. Seriously.
Hear, hear!
Also, it’s high time the New York Times do some proper investigative journalism, and finally uncover precisely what Donald J. Trump was thinking and doing during those 187 minutes on January 6th, 2021.
If only! The “mainstream” media is making no bones about wanting their cash cow back, democracy be damned.
Donald Trump, I am sure, would hear someone say “for the good of the country” and it would translate as “kagoobada kumkum” like in that Saturday Night Live sketch where he’s playing the Scrooge role and is visited by ghosts (Billy Bush, Vladimir Putin, and Hillary Clinton).
Wow, thank you for sharing this!!
This is a brilliant editorial. It beautifully summarizes the waking nightmare that was the kleptocracy of the orange POS.
Add the to that list the Boston Globe and The Economist.
LOVE Rob's email!!!! Is it possible to take the key points and make an EASILY sharable image? Thanks.
Simon, thanks for your uplifting remarks.
I will disengage from the media frenzy today and donate for the end of June reporting for President Biden.
agree. uplifting is the word. Thank you, Simon. Now let's go out and win this thing.
Thank you, Simon!