Exactly. Want to start a campaign from scratch with no time and the GOP absolutely pelting you the whole time? Anyone who'd want that probably would be a lousy candidate to start with.
I'm well aware, but I still think "Candidates" is silly talk. It's either Biden or it's Harris. There's no mechanism to transfer the Biden/Harris campaign infrastructure and money to anyone but Biden/Harris.
Otherwise, thanks for clarifying, I read you saying you fantasized about Trump winning and thought "hmmm that feels like a change in direction from Jay."
It's a damnably unique situation and the parties are, due to generations of path dependence, set up to strongly prefer to renominate a successful president. It's not an easy thing to coordinate and, of course, there's no simple organizational structure that can do it (nor should there likely be).
Personally I don't think Biden has done enough to dispel the doubts that his horrible performance at the debate raised which gives me a not inconsiderable fear that he is unable to do what is needed to dispel those doubts. For the record I'd be 110% fine with Harris taking Bidens' place- I have no particular illusions about her capability as a candidate but I am entirely confident that, with her background, she could mount a fierce effort and not get run over by Trump in the next debate the way Biden was. Further, in this runup point to the nomination I think that Biden-step-downers have a right and obligation to make their case though I agree that any of those people who aren't also 110% pro-Harris are unserious.
Once Biden has the nomination 100% sewn up instead of the 99% sewn up he has now I'll, of course, be entirely in the tank for Biden.
A very great piece, thank you for opening up about it Will. I have a severely autistic cousin who was diagnosed decades ago. His parents have done as well as they could with him and, it being Canada, there are some good resources available for him but there's no doubt he'll be dependant on them for the rest of their lives. I am glad Lain isn't facing that level of challenge (early in your piece I was very worried she was). So I have a certain senses of a shadow of the feelings you're facing and you have all my sympathy.
No. There has never been a point in history where violence doesn't, ultimately, redound to the detriment of the marginalized and the minorities. It is the enemy of liberalism and the bane of the powerless and the comfort of the already comfortable who stroke their chins and dismiss the claims of the marginal because they supported violence. I hope it ultimately turns out that this was some right wing nutbag but if the shooter is in any way affiliated with anything related to the left the only response from us should be a blanket denunciation. That idiot. That indescribable idiot.
Agreed. And with such a fine record for his first term it's awfully high risk for him to stay in but you can easily see why he's so furiously bridling at the pressure to step down.
I think David Frums article (now there's a guy who's come around from the Bush lesser days) is quite on point in the Atlantic today.
The difference this time around is that, in the past, it'd be left wing parties that stood down candidates and essentially supported centrist parties. This time in many cases the centrist parties and candidates stood down and supported leftist parties.
I can't believe I'm typing this but well done to the french.
I think that a LOT of leftists have to eat crow now too. They all said that the centrists would rather see the Pennists take control than be junior partners with the left. They have been entirely and totally refuted.
Dude did you watch the debate? It was a heck of a lot more than the raspiness. If it was just raspy I wouldn't give a fish. This man eviscerated Paul Ryan in 2016 and served him his own libertarian posterior on a plate with a cheeky irish grin. Last night he just stood there choking while Trump waddled around the stage lobbing softballs at him. It was not adequate, it wasn't remotely close to adequate. Biden needs to do better.
Sure, he has two options, deliver publicly, a lot or step down. Looks like he's trying to go the first route- good for him I wish him well. But if he tries to go back into his shell it ain't gonna fly.
Speaking as a gay man married to a black man I think I have plenty of skin in the game but I also reject the identarian framing in general. Biden is not a messiah or a great thinker, he's the nominee of our party and he owes his party members his very best. If last night wasn't his very best, he needs to demonstrate he can still deliver better and if he can't he needs to make way for an alternative candidate. As Chip said, the country is potentially at stake.
I'm not saying Biden must go. I'm saying that a major fish up happened last night and Biden's previous strategy of low visibility has to go or he'll have to step down. This is quite the opposite of learned helplessness. This is a concerned member of Bidens' party and a personal fan of his saying "step up or step out sir. It's one or the other."
I'm thinking more about the times the Republicans tanked their own border security for Ukraine aid bill because the Dems had the temerity to agree to it personally.
On “From The Los Angeles Times: Schiff calls on Biden to drop out, citing ‘serious concerns’ he can’t win”
Exactly. Want to start a campaign from scratch with no time and the GOP absolutely pelting you the whole time? Anyone who'd want that probably would be a lousy candidate to start with.
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He's entitled to of course. As for the Clintons... ehhh...
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I'm well aware, but I still think "Candidates" is silly talk. It's either Biden or it's Harris. There's no mechanism to transfer the Biden/Harris campaign infrastructure and money to anyone but Biden/Harris.
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Biden and his team will be saying "we're in it all the way" until 2 minutes before he steps back or all the way to the election.
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Just so we're clear: NotBiden is Harris.
Otherwise, thanks for clarifying, I read you saying you fantasized about Trump winning and thought "hmmm that feels like a change in direction from Jay."
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Interesting, you'd like Trump to win this year?
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Implied by lots of people other than Biden. We've been over this- he never promised or even suggested he'd be a one term president.
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That open convention nonsense is pure Halperin wank fantasy. No way they're going to try that. It's Biden or it's Harris.
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Well I agree with you that any conversation about not going with BIden that doesn't conclude "and therefore it's Harris" is just silly.
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You and me both.
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It's a damnably unique situation and the parties are, due to generations of path dependence, set up to strongly prefer to renominate a successful president. It's not an easy thing to coordinate and, of course, there's no simple organizational structure that can do it (nor should there likely be).
"
Personally I don't think Biden has done enough to dispel the doubts that his horrible performance at the debate raised which gives me a not inconsiderable fear that he is unable to do what is needed to dispel those doubts. For the record I'd be 110% fine with Harris taking Bidens' place- I have no particular illusions about her capability as a candidate but I am entirely confident that, with her background, she could mount a fierce effort and not get run over by Trump in the next debate the way Biden was. Further, in this runup point to the nomination I think that Biden-step-downers have a right and obligation to make their case though I agree that any of those people who aren't also 110% pro-Harris are unserious.
Once Biden has the nomination 100% sewn up instead of the 99% sewn up he has now I'll, of course, be entirely in the tank for Biden.
On “Struggling For Normal”
A very great piece, thank you for opening up about it Will. I have a severely autistic cousin who was diagnosed decades ago. His parents have done as well as they could with him and, it being Canada, there are some good resources available for him but there's no doubt he'll be dependant on them for the rest of their lives. I am glad Lain isn't facing that level of challenge (early in your piece I was very worried she was). So I have a certain senses of a shadow of the feelings you're facing and you have all my sympathy.
On “Trump was just shot at a rally. He appears to be fine.”
I pray to agnostic jebus that it's some obvious right coded kook or some nut but I fear you're right.
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No. There has never been a point in history where violence doesn't, ultimately, redound to the detriment of the marginalized and the minorities. It is the enemy of liberalism and the bane of the powerless and the comfort of the already comfortable who stroke their chins and dismiss the claims of the marginal because they supported violence. I hope it ultimately turns out that this was some right wing nutbag but if the shooter is in any way affiliated with anything related to the left the only response from us should be a blanket denunciation. That idiot. That indescribable idiot.
"
Ugh, whoever that dumb fisher is can rot in hell. The absolutely worst thing to do.
On “From WaPo: Post-debate Battleground State Polling”
Agreed. And with such a fine record for his first term it's awfully high risk for him to stay in but you can easily see why he's so furiously bridling at the pressure to step down.
I think David Frums article (now there's a guy who's come around from the Bush lesser days) is quite on point in the Atlantic today.
On “French Far-Right Place Shocking 3rd In Legislative Elections”
The difference this time around is that, in the past, it'd be left wing parties that stood down candidates and essentially supported centrist parties. This time in many cases the centrist parties and candidates stood down and supported leftist parties.
"
I can't believe I'm typing this but well done to the french.
I think that a LOT of leftists have to eat crow now too. They all said that the centrists would rather see the Pennists take control than be junior partners with the left. They have been entirely and totally refuted.
On “About Last Night: Debate Debacle Edition”
Here's hoping it's the case. A bit early to say.
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Dude did you watch the debate? It was a heck of a lot more than the raspiness. If it was just raspy I wouldn't give a fish. This man eviscerated Paul Ryan in 2016 and served him his own libertarian posterior on a plate with a cheeky irish grin. Last night he just stood there choking while Trump waddled around the stage lobbing softballs at him. It was not adequate, it wasn't remotely close to adequate. Biden needs to do better.
"
Sure, he has two options, deliver publicly, a lot or step down. Looks like he's trying to go the first route- good for him I wish him well. But if he tries to go back into his shell it ain't gonna fly.
"
Speaking as a gay man married to a black man I think I have plenty of skin in the game but I also reject the identarian framing in general. Biden is not a messiah or a great thinker, he's the nominee of our party and he owes his party members his very best. If last night wasn't his very best, he needs to demonstrate he can still deliver better and if he can't he needs to make way for an alternative candidate. As Chip said, the country is potentially at stake.
"
I'm not saying Biden must go. I'm saying that a major fish up happened last night and Biden's previous strategy of low visibility has to go or he'll have to step down. This is quite the opposite of learned helplessness. This is a concerned member of Bidens' party and a personal fan of his saying "step up or step out sir. It's one or the other."
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I'm thinking more about the times the Republicans tanked their own border security for Ukraine aid bill because the Dems had the temerity to agree to it personally.