something to think about just in case we need a Plan B due to unfortunate circumstances if Joe has to withdraw from the race but stays as President and hands the campaign position, money and staff over to Kamala: Who should she choose as a running mate? Here’s a checklist to use to vet a prospective VP candidate:
Someone who has the necessary nationwide recognition,
is an attack dog,
knowledgeable in foreign affairs,
good credible speaker,
relative youthful and pleasant appearance
knows the White House inside out and how to work the Congress,
but most of all whose selection will stun, entice and intrigue the media, bring back bipartisanship compromise and bridge the national divide gap.
How ’bout Liz Cheney for starters? Ticks off the list as well as ticking off the magaT king and cult.
If not her, who would be your choice to meet those requirements?
today’s thread ‘toon
Stephen Colbert delivers his LIVE monologue following the third night of the Republican National Convention, where the GOP focused on stories of human suffering and Senator J.D. Vance spoke for the first time since being named as Donald Trump’s running mate. Elsewhere, top Democrats are reportedly urging President Biden to drop out of the race.
Forgot the “is a member of Democratic Party” checkbox.
BB,
not “forgot” but intentional. not only are the unaffiliated a third or more registered and voting in most states but it might make for a better campaign to open up the dem tent and let some fresh air in.
an indie add-on might make for a more exciting and inclusive campaign. sure would goose the media coverage.
btw, didn’t the GOPers kick liz out of their party?
I’m still backing Joe. period.
thread topic is meant to be just a mental exercise to explore the possibilities- harkening back to Joe’s state of the union speech in which he declared “America, the land of possibilities, …. the future of what American can and should be…”
Jack, you must have missed the stories about the parkinson’s expert who periodically exams the pres.
WAPO earlier this month in Kevin Cannard, Parkinson’s specialist, evaluated Biden for physicals, White House says – The Washington Post:
PBS: “Trump’s campaign has refused to discuss his condition, release a medical report or records, or make the doctors who treated him available, leaving information to dribble out from Trump, his friends and family.” https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/trumps-campaign-has-given-no-official-info-about-his-medical-care-following-assassination-attempt
in re Joe’s age and disability:
what ever happened to that part of the ADA (American Disabilities Act) that prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities and likewise similar part of the OAA (older americans act)?
craig, would be interesting to see an official trajectory diagram of the bullet (or whatever) piercing the ear and travelling onward. given the location of the wound seems more like a shard or shrapnel did the damage, not one of the bullets shot by Crooks 3 of which caused injury to 2 attendees and death to another.
If we get to it, my pick is NC Gov. Roy Cooper. A Progressive Southern white man to counter Vance’s bubba extremism. He has won five statewide elections, even beat an incumbent Republican to become governor. At 67 he wouldn’t threaten ambitious party rivals down the road. And Harris-Cooper sounds like a Hollywood Western film actor.
Democrats with national name idea who could be on the prospective VP list: Buttigieg, Whitmer, Klobuchar or Newsom would give us a gay man, two women, and someone who hails from the blue, commie state of California.
Any other ideas?
Pat, I was watching the rally live on TV, and when he patted side of his head, then looked at his hand before ducking I knew it wasn’t a direct hit, immediately suspected a shard or whatever. Still think that’s possible.
I’m still with Biden/Harris, but for the sake of hypotheticals (or 2028), I would go with Harris/Buttegieg.
That way, Dems would also have a military veteran on the ticket, and with all of the warring going on around the world, someone with first-hand, military experience isn’t a bad thing.
ps – Dems should spend more time focusing on the evil, MAGAt agenda and Putin’s puppets who would carry it out, no matter who is on our ticket.
Craig – One day, I hope Jon Ossoff will run, but he doesn’t have the name recognition yet.
Folks are used to seeing Sec. Pete on TV talking about airline regulations, etc., even if they aren’t Dems.
I don’t think we’re ready for a ticket with two women on it, but I’d put Duckworth on it before those you named; military experience to go up against theirs.
Newsome is too thirsty. Even when he’s supporting Biden, it comes off as very Eddie Haskell; he’s really just saying those things to get the receipts for later. My relatives in California think it’s a mess there and they especially dislike and blame him for all of it.
Biden Losing Ground in Battlegrounds
New Emerson College battleground poll (in top ten 538 rankings for accuracy and transparency)
Trump either maintains or extends his advantage in the national poll and 6 of 7 swing states.
Arizona: Trump 46%, Biden 36%, other candidates 8.2%
Georgia: Trump 44%, Biden 39%, other candidates 9.3%
Michigan: Trump 43%, Biden 40%, other candidates 8.3%
Nevada: Trump 43%, Biden 40%, other candidates 9.2%
North Carolina: Trump 47%, Biden 38%, other candidates 8.7%
Pennsylvania: Trump 46%, Biden 40%, other candidates 6.3%
Wisconsin: Trump 46%, Biden 43%, other candidates 6.5%
National: Trump 44%, Biden 38%, other candidates 8.4 %
And in a bit of a shocker, Trump now has the advantage in Virginia, 45-43
I may be half blind, but I’m not stupid. As much as I hate to say it, Joe appears to be losing the support of his party for a second term, and while I don’t trust polls for shit, they are trending the wrong way. I can’t, and won’t, say that Joe can’t defeat Dumbass in November, and I still support him and am not jumping off the train yet, but the club I’m in reminds me of the church I grew up in – which was pretty well attended until I left o go to college, and had fewer and fewer members over the next 35 years as my parents’ generation died off and was closed and the small remaining congregation merged with another Presbyterian Church 5 years or so ago.
AXIOS reporters Vanderhei & Allen just posted this: “Several top Democrats privately tell us the rising pressure of party congressional leaders and close friends will persuade President Biden to decide to drop out of the presidential race, as soon as this weekend.”
Makes sense. It has been confirmed that Hulk Hogan, who was thrown out of the WWE for his racist rant on tape, will be speaking before Donald Trump accepts the nomination this evening at the RNC.
Full moon is 7/21; the shadow period before and after is the 19th – 23rd. Biden has a lot of Scorpio placements.
I’m with Biden unless he decides otherwise.
Not pleased with those pushing him out. I believe that Dr. Jill has a level head and if she hasn’t advised him to leave for the sake of the country and/or his health, then he’s capable of serving another term. I know he can win! I hope that those who think they know better aren’t wrong.
Putin’s puppets/Project 2025 Never!
Agree with BID.
Strong comments to follow.
Howard Dean just now on CNN: “I see Kamala Harris and, I would hope, Roy Cooper, who is the current governor of North Carolina. I would favor a Harris-Cooper ticket and we would pick up North Carolina”
[The Washington Post] Former president Barack Obama has told allies in recent days that President Biden’s path to victory has greatly diminished and he thinks the president needs to seriously consider the viability of his candidacy.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2024/07/18/obama-says-biden-must-consider-viability/
I’m with Joe too… but if he decides to go… so be it.
I do think Kamala would make an excellent president.
today’s meme…
Good crop this year for Kennedy Center honors. WaPo
Well deserved for each honoree.
Pat
If not Parkinson’s what is it? He looks and talks just like my father in law who had Parkinson’s.
It is a nasty disease that leaves you unable to eat because of muscle control in your neck. When you do try to eat you endup choking and inhailing food particles. Which means bouts of pneumonia until you decide as Loren did say never mind and let the pneumonia take you.
As far as a letter from his doctor… Can we all say Doctor Ronnie.
Jack
Ooh, ooh. Good one.
https://www.cnn.com/2024/07/18/europe/ukraine-germany-aid-halved-intl/index.html
“Germany plans to halve its military aid to Ukraine next year, despite concerns that US support for Kyiv could potentially diminish if Republican candidate Donald Trump returns to the White House.”
“Germany hopes Ukraine will be able to meet the bulk of its military needs with the $50 billion in loans from the proceeds of frozen Russian assets approved by the Group of Seven, and that funds earmarked for armaments will not be fully used.”
When CNN headlines are deceptive.
Roy Cooper? For the love of gawd, no! We already have a perfectly good, but old, white guy. We don’t need another one.
Roy Cooper will drag down the ticket. NO!
IF President Biden decides to step aside, Harris will need someone she can work with AND it will have to be someone with some name recognition and a track record of helping folks who aren’t billionaires. His name is Pete Buttegeig.
Who exactly is this Roy Cooper supposed to attract? Oof. He’s giving Tim Kaine.
Do not do it!
Kamala about to speak in Fayetteville NC. Video…
CNN: “Kamala Harris is campaigning in North Carolina again today. She is again joined by Gov. Roy Cooper.”
Howard Dean: “North Carolina is close enough to be our checkmate state”
Roy Cooper introducing her now..
NC Gov. Roy Cooper introducing VP Kamala Harris in Fayetteville: “I’ve known Kamala Harris for more than 12 years, from our days together as attorney general for our states. I know she’s a fighter. I know she gets the job done. I know she and Joe Biden need 4 more years to finish the job.”
Kamala speaking now..
craig, you conveniently left out that before howard mentioned anything about cooper he rather clearly said he backs Joe.
he was IMHO pressed by interviewer to talk about hypotheticals.
Pat, all I heard him say was it’s Joe’s decision, never said what he preferred and weirdly wasn’t asked
I like Kamala’s line about Trump: “We’re too busy watching what you’re doing to listen to what you’re saying”
jamie, if it weren’t for the problem that we need every dem (and dem-leaning indie) senator, I’d pick amy for kamala’s veep in a heartbeat. survival of country can’t afford dems not having the majority in either house no matter who wins the presidency in november.
Letter just released from Biden’s longtime family doctor.
VP Harris just now in NC on JD Vance’s RNC speech:
“We’re close to the end”: Biden ally to NBC News. Biden world braces for the possibility that the president steps aside.. https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2024-election/biden-world-braces-possibility-president-steps-rcna162494
Checking convention rules: anyone wanting to challenge Harris, who is already on the ballot, needs 600 delegate signatures just to get on the ballot, with no more than 50 from a single state.
i like that the GoP named “Agenda 47” for President Harris 👍
Whoops
Internet photoshoppers are having a blast. This one: Siegfried and Gaetz
it’s hard to pick up underaged girls when you look 40
Fred Wellman, just another dude with an opinion:
A lot of people ask my why I have steadfastly stood in support of President Biden and VP Harris in the midst of all of this. Aside from their record of astounding success and stability…I live in the real world. I hear from regular voters all the time. This isn’t the West Wing or Fantasy Sports. I am also clearly a target based on the last year of fun things that have happened. I don’t have the luxury to fantasize about woulda, coulda, shoulda. I am here now.
Just like when I flew a scout helicopter designed in 1958 with no weapons into the first modern tank mechanized war in 1991…this is the team and tools I have and I am going to fly the shit out of it and win. We did. I firmly believe we have the message and moment to win this election if our side doesn’t throw it away.
There are people that have decided that there is this magical “better option” less than three months before the election and even less before early voting. If President Biden does change his mind, I will throw myself at whomever the ticket is, but this fantasy politics shit has got to end
We know who our opponents are. They are even worse than a month ago. I’ll take the old ass aircraft that you have to coax into the air today over some fantasy machine that doesn’t even exist tomorrow. We are fighting the wrong people.
the money dried up, man, it’s over
from CC’s nbc link:
“ A person with knowledge of the projections said the Biden campaign now expects it will raise only 25% of the big donor money it had originally projected to raise in July — that’s a further downgrade from the expectation last week that large-dollar fundraising would be down by as much as 50%. The money has “dried up,” this person said. ”
If Joe decides to tough it out….The donors might have another think coming.
Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, 597 U.S. 215 (2022), is a landmark decision of the U.S. Supreme Court in which the court held that the Constitution of the United States does not confer a right to abortion. The court’s decision overruled both Roe v. Wade (1973) and Planned Parenthood v. Casey (1992), returning to individual states the power to regulate any aspect of abortion not protected by federal statutory law.
Just an aside…..this will be first national vote on abortion. Nobody can even pretend to be able to predict how this election will turn out.
No-bod-ee.
One more day, maybe, before I can turn my tv back on. Thanks for all the reports in the meantime or I’d have little to no idea what’s going on.
I’m not excited at all by the prospect of a new ticket. It’s painful to see (or hear of) the shark fest going on around Joe. I don’t see or feel the wisdom in it, but what do I know? However it ends up, I’ll do my part to keep the orange-fanged vampire out of office and in his crypt.
That Fred Wellman piece…just an example….The Step-Doeners….I think they may be underestimating the degree of backlash, so far un focused.
https://www.cnn.com/2024/07/18/entertainment/bob-newhart-death/index.html
Bye, Bob.
Two words for our times.
Oh Bob. Loved that guy. Recently watched this short documentary about his friendship with Don Rickles, very fun..
https://www.cnn.com/2024/07/18/media/lou-dobbs-dead/index.html
Good riddance, Lou.
“Lou Dobbs, the longtime business news anchor who became one of Donald Trump’s most vocal supporters in media, died on Thursday. He was 78.”
Former ABC News Political Director Mark Halperin says…
BREAKING NEWS: Multiples sources outline the apparent state of play on Biden at this time:
* plans to announce withdrawal from nomination as early as this weekend, with Sunday most likely
* Jon Meacham polishing up remarks
* Biden will NOT resign the presidency
* Biden will NOT endorse Harris
* open convention with Harris and about 3 others
* super delegates will not be allowed to vote on 1st ballot
* Harris is vetting at least four possible running mates, including Andy Beshear and possibly Shapiro
https://x.com/MarkHalperin/status/1814049842790006837?t=lRvJp0iH5zIKaTZciB1v_Q&s=19
Shapiro from PA where tRUMPsky was nicked?
Dems, Please don’t be this stupid.
A different Shapiro?
HA!
Andy Beshear makes more sense.
Melonia wouldn’t talk at the convention but Haley did.
The ear patch looks stupider than a mask.
Josh Shapiro, Gov of PA
Ran out of Michelle speeches to purloin?
Looks like they added a no politics clause to her contract.
And total control of the kid.
This Threads comment sums up today’s deaths
As I see it, no need for a bum’s rush on Joe. Kamala is already on the ticket.
Georgia Warren of the Guardian on J D Vance
This whole ~gawd wuz pruhtekting Orange Adolf~ is not only laughable, but it’s tone deaf (no joke intended).
If the liar, grifter, adulterer, rapist, con man was protected was by a supreme being MAGAts pretend to believe in, then what about the guy who was killed and those more seriously injured. I guess average Americans don’t matter.
If you’re wearing a patch on your right ear in solidarity with a madman, you’re in a cult.
Putin’s Puppets/Project 2025 Never!
ps -It seems as if MAGAts are concerned with China (because they are invading through Mexico), but are siding with Russia. Weird.
Appalachian working classes voting republications is like slaves voting for the plantation owners.
Așa Hutchinson îs on PBS right now saying that he is not endorsing T, not voting for him, his election would be a challenge for this country, character is what counts, he can’t vote for a convicted felon, it’s a matter of principle for him and this party is demanding too much when it says R’s must support him.
Unity? Look at who is NOT at this convention: all living party nominees for president or vice president, including three who were elected: Bush, Cheney, Pence.
More from Asa Hutchinson: “I want the Republican Party to be pro American, not pro Putin.”
Biden has given his life to service for American people, this is a sad situation, and if he decides to withdraw he will get a lot of respect for putting the nations’ wellbeing over his own.
Expects Trump’s speech to be introspective, but it is expected to go longer than an hour which runs the risk that he’ll morph into that entertainment mode and no telling what we will get.
MJ, Asa and so many others who were ousted shows the Republican Party is gone. It’s just a MAGAt cult.
https://x.com/OhNoSheTwitnt/status/1813997988618101172
“(Trump is shot by AR-15)
Republicans: Let’s wear fake ear bandages to show how much we love Trump.
(countless schoolchildren are shot and killed by AR-15s)
Republicans: Let’s wear AR-15 pins to show how much we love AR-15s.”
Craig – that is exactly what David Brooks and the PBS commentators (names I do not know I have to admit) are talking about right now. …. noting that the speakers are not talking about “the Republican Party” but talking about “Trump” believes, etc …. a reporter on the floor interviewing a (recovering addict running for office in Maine) woman asked her if Trump wishes to leave the R party and create a MAGA party, or The Freedom Party, or whatever it will be called, would she remain a R and she was adamant about staying with T.
RIP also to the civil rights movement Freedom Singers founder Bernice Johnson Reagon
I’ll take the old ass aircraft that you have to coax into the air today over some fantasy machine that doesn’t even exist tomorrow.
amen, fred wellman
It is hard to stomach him, but Carlson is certainly a better public speaker than JD!
Add this to the mix: Mercury goes retrograde on August 4th and stays that way through the Dem convention; it stations direct on the 28th.
I’m still pondering that article y’all posted yesterday that said Tucker mentioned tRUMPsky needed to choose Vance or risk what almost happened him at the rally.
“Pain is inevitable. Suffering is optional.”
https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2024/7/11/2252988/-Cartoon-Fascism-for-dummies
“Fascism For Dummies”
Yep MJ, unity and cheers are easy when you banish anyone who disagrees — like your former vice president (and past nominees Bush, Cheney, Romney and Ryan). But Tucker Carlson gets a hero’s welcome — says it all.
Wow it must be just a matter of time. Even fierce diehard Chris Coons, asked by Wolf if Biden will drop out, said “I cannot speak to that. I have no direct knowledge”
M. Pressley
Thank you,
@CedricRichmond
. Happening now on
@MSNBC
—> Biden Campaign Co-Chair says POTUS not stepping down
%%%%^^^^^^%^^^^^^^^^^^^^
BlackKnight
BREAKING: CNN admits it engineered the narrative calling for Biden to step aside in order to generate ratings
BREAKING: Hillary Clinton is telling donors to stick with President Biden. She’s never wrong.
CBS News Chief Campaign Correspondent Robert Costas
“Sources close to President Biden tell me tonight they’re *furious* that while the president is trying to recover from Covid in Rehoboth, a pressure campaign keeps picking up speed. Lots of anger toward some donors for talking of $ drying up if he doesn’t quit, toward what they see as muted support from Pres. Obama, and toward Dem leaders who one source says are “hiding” behind statements. If they want him out, they’ll have to push, source adds. Feels disrespected. Still, a fluid moment and no one has figured out an effective way to quiet this drift of nervous Democrats away from Biden and know many Dems want Biden to just break at some point soon.”
9:07 PM · Jul 18, 2024
SumoneDDsnders
Whew. Some heavy hitting local and national names on this list —> 1,400 Black women sign letter of support for Biden, condemn lack of Democratic unity
SylnaZhinka
IMO this is all a psyops to force Biden out based on $. Dems are being bullied by their donors to dump Biden or lose $. Putting money over the voice of voters. Let’s flood Joe’s campaign with donations. RT this over & over.
it’s a good question. Hulk Hogan to GOP convention: “WHAT YOU GONNA DO WHEN DONALD TRUMP AND ALL THE TRUMPA-MANIACS RUN WILD ON YOU, BROTHER?”
Except the time she had cringeworthy Mark Penn as spokesman.
Kid Rock introduces Trump as “the first American bad ass”. This is the most ludicrous convention closing night ever. Hulk Hogan was Drunk. Franklin Graham was insanely pious even for him. But here’s my favorite moronic moment: Kimberly Guilfoyle salutes “the heroes who stormed Normandy and faced down communism”
Divided we fall, whoever said that.
Pumpkin is at the podium
For citizens of every race, color, creed ….. He’s preaching diversity, equity, and inclusiveness!! Z
Kimberly Gargoyle + Matty-likes-em-young Gaetz = Jocelyn Wilddnstein aka The cat woman of NYC
They’ve morphed into looking like the evil they represent.
How soon do you think he’ll break this promise to never talk about it again.
How does “I’m not supposed to be here” also mean it was God’s will for me to live?
Are these MAGA women ignorant or do they study stupid history? D-Day “invasion to stop the commies”. Anyone have the heart to tell Kimberly they were on our side during WWII?
I support for vp Liz Warren or Bernie Sanders
Trump kissing the dead firefighter’s uniform. To quote George W. Bush, “This is some weird shit.”
Why is Trump being so subdued and drugged sounding?
The whole WWE-Kid Rock-BUBBas Rule feel of this convention lacks one thing: Monster Trucks chasing migrants across the stage.
Yep Jamie, guess this is what happens to psychotic narcissists contemplating their mortality
Invaders are killing “hundreds of thousands of people a year”???? HUH????
OK after a brief stroll through self-pity town American Carnage Trump is back, freaking out swing voters with random fear and loathing.
HA MJ, I can tell you haven’t logged hundreds of hours watching Trump rallies like I have. Usually its “millions” invading. This part of the speech I know by heart. He’s really close to praising Hannibal Lecter or claiming wind turbines cause cancer.
107% of the jobs have been taken.
Craig, you are right. I have missed out on his rally speeches every chance I get!!
I am not the brightest bulb around so can someone explain to me how a government brings down prices without some regulatory action, …. Which (regulations) the R’s hate? I am confused.
He could add in “and I am going to kill puppies and kittens every chance I get” and this crowd would still cheer him.
The cat wants to go to bed and her wish is my command. Good night all.
NBC News: Corey Comperatore’s name is misspelled on this firefighter jacket.
MJ real facts aren’t even speed bumps in MAGAt World
I don’t hear his speeches either but I know the refrains because they slip out the mouths of my maggers even when they’re being “discreet” with me.
Do you suppose Comperatore’s name was misspelled by the department he worked for, b/c didn’t T say that the uniform was sent by the family?
GOP operative Mike Murphy:
This is a stunningly, crushingly stupid speech.
11:22 PM · Jul 18, 2024
They make it easy for him because it’s what they want to hear.
Who knows, MJ, they are sloppy about these things. Might have stenciled the letters on a random jacket that didn’t even come from the family.
Here we go with Hannibal Lechter
Told ya Hannibal Lecter was coming
https://www.cnn.com/2023/04/29/politics/fact-check-trump-mental-institutions-migrants-doctor
For all the greatest hits we need the poem about the evil snake killing the nice lady
It’s the old Hannibal Lecture.
— The Atlantic’s Tom Nichols
This crowd is worn out. Listening to a weird old guy ramble on and looking up from their phones and remembering to hoot and clap every now and then.
GOP operative Mike Murphy
What a HORRIBLE writing style …. Lots of one-liners strung together that are not connected … very disjointed.
Every time I look at him I think he should have been introduced by Princess Leah.
An awkward kiss. Hope she got the money up front.
He gave a more passionate kiss to the DIL
He does look like he’s stopped taking the Ozempic. It can cause blood clots, but he had to have stopped before Saturday from the looks of it.
Colbert will be live in a few minutes with Bernie Sanders.
At least late night shows don’t pretend that there’s a lick of normalcy to the MAGAt movement.
David Axelrod: “This speech is the first good thing that’s happened to Democrats in the last three weeks. This reminded everyone why Donald Trump is fundamentally unpopular with everyone outside this room”
i saw how many comments and thought “geez, what must have happened”
i see now reading the thread that there was a Nazi rally
Lincoln Project put up a nutsy rally ad with tonight’s crown yelling “fight.”
Seek help.
Yeah well i’m furious too and i’m a loud left voice in a deep red sea
They’re all high on their own bullshit
it’s no wonder they can’t smell what’s cooking, they let COVID into camp with an aging general, amateur hour
NEW THREAD
Forth, Eorlingás!
Well, i bought a new cowboy hat recently but it’s not one of the douchey white ones that the Nazis like so imma keep wearing it
Maybe i’ll ruin cowboy hats for them, You’re welcome in advance
Oh by the way Nazis, etiquette dictates you take it off indoors