Eugene Robinson: If Biden's poll numbers head south, Schumer, Pelosi and Clyburn need to intervene

[BeyondGeography]

Biden’s 2024 survival requires a lot more than hope

…It is irresponsible for leading Democrats and the Biden campaign to blithely pretend last Thursday’s presidential debate never happened. We saw what we saw and heard what we heard. Magical thinking does not win elections.
Biden was alarmingly frail and struggled to complete his thoughts, let alone his sentences. And Trump confirmed every fear about what giving him another four years in the White House would mean for the nation and the world.
Before the debate, polls showed the race essentially tied, with Trump narrowly leading in some decisive swing states. If Biden now falls significantly behind, the party must consider alternative candidates.

…The Biden campaign’s response to the debacle has been unconvincing. Biden’s forceful speech at a rally Friday was good, but, of course, there is a difference between the thrust-and-parry of a debate and scripted remarks. It takes time and repetition to erase the kind of impression Biden made at the debate.
One statement from the Biden campaign described those questioning whether Biden should stay in the race as the “bedwetting brigade.” I’ve never had patience for Democrats looking for reasons to freak out. I’ve always believed that voters, in the end, would find Biden’s diminished vigor and record of accomplishment preferable to Trump’s energetic narcissism and record of failure.
They still might. But I wasn’t counting on a spectacle like that debate.

…Biden is determined to stay in the race, and reportedly he has the full backing of his family and inner circle. I can understand why the president might bristle at calls to step aside from a bunch of know-it-all columnists and commentators who have never run a campaign for student council.
But there are voices he respects. It is understandable that veteran Democratic warriors such as Reps. Nancy Pelosi (Calif.) and James E. Clyburn (S.C.), as well as Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer (N.Y.), would repeat the Biden campaign’s talking points right now.
But they cannot unsee how feeble and unsteady Biden was Thursday night. They owe it to their party and their country to watch the polling trends with cold eyes. And if Biden’s numbers head south, they need to organize an intervention.

More at https://wapo.st/4eNbLEt

[Irish_Dem]

1. Thanks for posting BG.

[Deek1935]

13. It's punditry shit and polls don't mean anything right now. It is all SHIT. Biden is the nominee!

[Irish_Dem]

23. For your information, I made an OP saying Biden would be the nominee.

So lecturing me about the topic is pointless.

The topic of this OP is damage control.

Which Biden could easily do since he is a consummate team player and
coalition builder.

[JohnSJ]

94. It doesn't matter. If that is the perception. While I believe today's polling has major flaws, I do believe that they

are a valid indicator of trends, and if the trends continue in the direction they are going beyond the MOE, we cannot ignore it.

[W_HAMILTON]

2. I expected better from Eugene Robinson.

If Biden backs out of the nomination, we will lose.

People suggesting this are naive and aren't looking beyond what happens once Biden steps down from the nomination. They aren't looking at the inevitable in-fighting that will create more resentment than 2016 and will result in lost votes that we can't afford to lose and yet we won't be getting back. They aren't looking at the inevitable calls for Biden to resign the presidency immediately and the chaos resulting from that, which will sour swing voters on our party as a whole.

[Lonestarblue]

4. Exactly right. If Biden steps down, the expectation is that he would give the nod to Harris to replace him.

If that did not happen, a significant bloc of Democratic voters would be alienated. Harris does not poll well, probably because she is black and female. The US is still a racist and misogynistic nation. While I think she would be an excellent president, I am not a swing voter.

Even in an open convention, the two people perceived to have more name recognition and a greater chance of winning are Newsom and Whitmer. I doubt Harris would want to be VP for either of them. Pushing Biden to step down now is ignoring the possibility of significant vote loss.

[Deek1935]

34. Ain't gonna happen. Harris, Whitmer, and Newsom are all 100% behind Biden as we all should be.

[kelly1mm]

180. There is a constitutional issue with VP Harris and Governor Newsom being on a ticket

together anyway. Basically CA's 50+ EC votes would be voided. link below:

https://www.history.com/news/can-the-president-and-vice-president-be-from-the-same-state

[Irish_Dem]

26. Robinson is discussing the issue in good faith.

Making negative comments about one of our own is not productive.

People have a right to get out their concerns.

Until they do, they cannot move forward.

[Deek1935]

33. It is unhelpful punditry shit based on nonsense over one debate. It is shit and he should know better.

[Irish_Dem]

90. You are doing better.

No exclamation points and no caps.

[MorbidButterflyTat]

74. What??

"Making negative comments about one of our own is not productive."

Is President Biden not one of our own?

[Irish_Dem]

92. Highly respected liberals have been discussing a critical issue.

They have a right to do so.

[MorbidButterflyTat]

129. Who said they didn't?

You: "Making negative comments about one of our own is not productive."

Me: President Biden is one of our own.

"Highly respected" is subjective. I have little respect for people attempting to disenfranchise democratic voters with their misplaced "concern."

[Irish_Dem]

131. We must have unity or we are going to lose our democracy.

We must listen to what others are saying right now.

Digging in will not work in the long run.

[LakeArenal]

88. Just because someone doesn't agree doesn't mean they aren't in good faith.

Whether you agree or not , many think Robinson is making negative comments about our BIGGEST own.

[Irish_Dem]

95. He is not alone. Respected liberals are asking questions.

It is time for damage control.

[LakeArenal]

122. And we are not alone in thinking this is not helpful and .... Biden is our candidate. Like it or not.

[Bayard]

104. Robinson, Whitehouse, and Dingell can say what they want in private,

But you don't say this crap to the media. I expected better out of these people. Right now, we need Dems out there pushing all of President Biden's accomplishments, and his plans for his next term. Its a very long list. trump is about destruction, pure and simple.

What we don't need, is Dems stabbing Biden in the back.

[MorbidButterflyTat]

132. Agree.

The pandering is pathetic.

[ARandomPerson]

166. Robinson is the media. (nt)

[Mad_Machine76]

43. Far-left progressives are already holding their noses for Biden

and they don't like Harris much either. If Biden drops out, they'll probably be pushing for Bernie Sanders again or some fantasy left-wing candidate and if they don't get appeased, they may just stay home and not vote. It would get messy really quickly IMHO.

[GPV]

56. I'm a far left voter in favor of Harris.

[Mad_Machine76]

125. Progressives supportive of Harris

are few and far between in my experience. A lot of my far-left friends dismiss her as "a cop"

[LakeArenal]

91. AOC was a far left progressive who wanted "war on the Democratic Establishment."

She is not “holding her nose” to support Biden.

Stop broad brushing everyone.

[Mad_Machine76]

126. Wasn't referring specifically to her

Just a lot of my far left-leaning friends. And I'm sharing this anecdotally based on what I've observed within my personal circles, many of whom never liked or supported Biden.

[wryter2000]

65. I'm with you

He's smarter than this.

[wnylib]

81. Absolutely correct. I am done with these self-destructive calls against Biden.

The "Trash Thread" button is a wonderful tool. I will use it now.

[elleng]

177. Ditto.

This set me off.

[betsuni]

3. Blah blah blah blame "feeble unsteady cold eyes bad bad bad blah blah blah" Democrats.

Idiots.

[Irish_Dem]

27. Calling other Dems names will not achieve your goal.

This is the most important election in our lifetime and insulting and demeaning
each other is not going to be a successful strategy.

[kcr]

79. Supporting and defending anyone who bashes Biden

Will not achieve the goal of democracy, and will in fact harm it.

[MorbidButterflyTat]

78. AGREE.

Must be Mr. Robinson has a substack or a book or blog he needs any kind of publicity for.

I'm shocked at the defeatist cowardice so openly displayed by so many.

[Walleye]

5. So he thinks America would rather have a robust rapist, over an aging good man?

Rapist is the word we need to use more often. Everything he does reflects that personality.

[honest.abe]

6. Eugene is one of the most respected political commentators in the country.

His words carry weight. This is significant and will likely have impact on those he mentioned.

[Deek1935]

8. It is punditry shit. Enough!!!!!!!!!!!! Biden, and ONLY Biden, is the nominee. ONE FUCKING DEBATE means NOTHING!

[honest.abe]

10. Sorry ten exclamation points doesn't convince me.

[Deek1935]

12. Sorry but bed wetting and pants shitting over one fucking debate with no predictive value doesn't convince me.

[honest.abe]

14. You need a timeout.

[Deek1935]

17. And some people need to learn how presidential elections actually work and to stop bed-wetting over one debate.

[demmiblue]

22. +1

[Irish_Dem]

29. Yep. Spot on.

[MarineCombatEngineer]

87. I think some here are misunderstanding who this comment is aimed at,

if I'm correct, it was aimed at those that are advocating for Pres. Biden to drop out and another Dem be nominated for the Presidency, not at anyone in this thread.

Am I correct?

[Peregrine Took]

133. Odd how the term "bedwetting" is coming up over and over meant to shame anyone with any doubts or questions.

Where did the term "bedwetting brigade" stem from.....here maybe?

https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2024/06/30/biden-democrats-election.

SAD how Dems can quickly become so very MAGA like in their outrage (!!!) if anyone dare not jump immediately on their jackwagon.

[Irish_Dem]

66. Maybe people get paid per exclamation point.

[honest.abe]

71. .

[Deek1935]

11. It doesn't mean diddly shit and his logic shows he doesn't know shit about presidential elections. Debates and polls

have ZERO predictive value. None. He doesn't know what the fuck he is talking about. He is another talking head pundit and Biden ain't going anywhere nor should he. It would be a fucking disaster and would guarantee and Trump win because we would lose INCUMBENCY and PARTY UNITY if we abandoned our candidate. Polls go up and go down and are often deeply flawed. Debates have no predictive value.

[honest.abe]

16. I trust his judgement much more than some newbie anonymous DU poster.

[BannonsLiver]

75. But they're so articulate.

[LakeArenal]

83. Wasn't Eug a "liberal" on Fux Youz who used to cave to Fux every time?

That’s my memory but then I’m old. Like Biden. Only not as smart or experienced.

[thebigidea]

93. Of course not. Don't be fucking silly. He's been with WaPo for ages.

He's written many pieces attacking Fox News.

[LakeArenal]

120. I can accept in wrong. But I have maintained a civil discourse and haven't insulted anyone. Thanks.

[ritz719]

164. He's a good writer, but I've noticed that he seem to struggle with his thoughts on Morning Joe.

[Irish_Dem]

28. honest abe yes Eugene Robinson is a respected, thoughtful person.

He is also a good person and is speaking out in good faith.

We need to respect his issues.

[Demsrule86]

157. We do not. He is helping Trump period...screw him.

Biden is the nominee. No one else could win at this point.

[Irish_Dem]

159. We have no idea what is going on right now.

Both Pelosi and Raskin have said Biden is making some decisions.

I think Biden is our best bet, but obviously we don't have all the information
like those inside the beltway who are interacting with Biden.

[Emile]

173. I never voted for Eugene Robinson either.

100% behind President Biden!

[Butterflylady]

76. And that is why he's talking out is *ss.

[Silent3]

148. It's amazing, it a sad way, how judgmental so many DUers are about anyone who suggests Biden drop out

In this case it's not even a straight-out call, just a provisional "If Biden's poll numbers head south" consideration.

As of now, I personally think Biden staying in the race is the best bet, given the horrible logistical problems of switching candidates right now and ending up with someone who will actually (not just in one's imagination) perform better against Trump than Biden.

But I'm willing to give anyone who is motivated by the most important goal, defeating Trump, the benefit of the doubt that they aren't disloyal, bed-wetting defeatists trying to sabotage the election.

This kind of sneering vitriol against someone like Eugene Robinson is awful.

[AllyCat]

153. We need a united front.

The republicans got their help from Putin and SCOTUS and DU, which is supposed to support democrats is picking up the axe to make the split!

[Silent3]

154. You're not going to create a united front using anger and vitriol

DUers might manage to cut down talk of Biden stepping down in the tiny world of DU, but this discussion about Biden remaining our candidate in happening and will continue to happen out in the broader world, at least until polls show Biden performing better (not merely not getting worse) or until Biden succeeds, by doing interviews not just speeches, in demonstrating he's good to go.

Like it or not, a large portion of the public, including loyal Democrats, are not ready, as so many on DU want to believe (or, perhaps make true by constant repetition), to dismiss Biden's performance in the first debate as "just one bad debate". His performance was bad in a way that really rattled a lot of people, people who shouldn't be readily dismissed as traitors and bed-wetters because of their honest, visceral reaction to what they saw.

[AllyCat]

160. 🙄

Whatever. I support our POTUS and MVP.

Apparently a dying breed here.

[Silent3]

161. Yes, and everyone who doesn't see it your way...

...is the ENEMY to be SHUNNED! Good luck with that.

[AllyCat]

162. I don't say that. Have a nice day.

[Silent3]

163. You may not say that in so many words. But a lot of DU reactions...

...sure as hell sound like that.

[TicketyBoo]

183. I was really concerned...

…about Biden from the first words out of his mouth at the debate. His voice was exceedingly weak and it sounded as though he hadn't had a drink of water in a month.

Honestly, I. blame his advisors for letting him go on in that condition.

I only listened to the debate after the first few exchanges. It was so awful I couldn't continue watching.

I was so disappointed because I had expected Biden to hit it out of the park and destroy the lying scumbag.

It is really not easy to get past how awful it was.

We all know how much better than Trump President Biden is. It's too bad he wasn't able to demonstrate that at the debate.

[Deek1935]

7. Please, enough of this punditry SHIT. Biden is the nominee, PERIOD!!!!!!!!!

[FalloutShelter]

31. Exactly!

They are spinning us up and we are buying in like cats following a laser pointer.

Remember that the pundit class is in the business of calling EVERYTHING into question. Even reality itself. It’s how we got here.

[rzemanfl]

182. Cats following a laser pointer. Bravo!

[FalloutShelter]

188. LOL right?

[Deek1935]

9. SHAME ON YOU ROBINSON! Stop the fucking STUPID bed-wetting over this ONE debate with ZERO impact on the election.

[LexVegas]

15. Under the bus goes Eugene. nt

[Deek1935]

20. Yup because that's where he needs to go on this. ONE debate and polls don't mean diddly shit in presidential elections.

[Deminpenn]

18. Ironic that Pelosi and Clyburn are both 82

abd Shumer is 73.

[Deek1935]

19. Where the fuck is Robinson's call for the convicted felon, rapist, and pathological liar to drop out?

Last edited Tue Jul 2, 2024, 08:22 AM - Edit history (1)

This is getting more insane by the moment.

Who had the worst debate? TRUMP! He lied and lied and lied... and THAT is what people should be calling out.

That TRUMP is felon, a rapist, and sick pathological liar. My fucking goodness.

[themaguffin]

21. Oh stop it. He's a Democrat and concerned, like we all are. His writing is in good faith. Come on.

[Irish_Dem]

25. I am glad he is back, he took a hiatus after his wife died.

[Self Esteem]

48. He should return to that hiatus.

[returnee]

30. Agreed.

One thing that I think people tend to forget/ignore/don’t realize, is this this election is like no other. Not just two
presidents, but the overall conditions. For example, consider yesterday’s immunity decision, and the inexcusable delays in all TSFConvict’s court cases. The calls for retribution now backed up by these court rulings and procedures. The 2025 project and calls to dismantle the administrative state, now also backed up by the court. There is no room for error and all contingencies should be considered. I’m not saying Biden should withdraw. I’m saying we need to proceed with extreme care.

[Deek1935]

32. No we are NOT "all concerned". He is a pundit pushing a SHIT narrative based on bed-wetting over one debate. It is SHIT.

[themaguffin]

35. You're not concerned about the election? Good for you.

[TicketyBoo]

187. If you watched the debate...

…I don't see how you can NOT be "concerned."

Look past it, okay. But to not be a bit concerned is like being an ostrich.

[Irish_Dem]

24. Deek1935. This strategy is counter productive.

Adults in the room are trying to have an important and critical discussion.

Hissy fits and temper tantrums will not resolve issues.

[Music Man]

40. My god, thank you for saying it!

[Deek1935]

97. What "issue" do you want to "resolve"? Round and round the mulberry bush and down the rabbit hole is what it is.

Either our candidate is Biden or we will have a party thrown into total chaos and handing the election to MAGA and the Orange Rapist because we would lose INCUMBENCY and PARTY UNITY which are predictive factors in determining presidential winners.

Robinson is an opinion PUNDIT. A columnist. A journalist. He is not a historian. He is not a political scientist. He is wrong on this. Very very wrong.

Do you honestly think dumping our own presidential incumbent nominee over one frigging debate with zero predictive value in determining presidential winners would be a good thing? Do you really want to do that? It would toss us into totally divisive chaos four months before the election. Anyone who thinks it wouldn't is living on some other planet. No party has ever done this. It would be completely stupid and sheer electoral suicide. Talking about it needs to stop and right now. It serves absolutely no purpose.

This ridiculous bet-wetting and pant-crapping that too many people are doing over that debate, and this continued "conversation" about Biden possibly dropping out is not helpful to say the least and is damaging us every moment this crap goes on when our collective fire should be trained solely on The Orange Rapist.

In the meantime, while are going round and round this silly mulberry bush, the Orange Freak Rapist, who lied endlessly during the debate and is a sick criminal, along with his MAGA cultists, are laughing their asses off at us. It is beyond crazy.

[Irish_Dem]

100. By God you are making progress.

Not one exclamation point.

Still using some caps.
Might want to work on that.

Still lecturing and admonishing others.
Might try another approach.

[Deek1935]

107. It seems you are lecturing others on their tone, word choice, etc. It seems rather pompous and patronizing. This is an

online political forum. People are going to have strong views. While things shouldn't go over the top, and rules should of course be respected, it is also true that politics isn't for those with paper-thin skin as strong responses are going to occur. Strong language, even profanity, is allowed here, as it should be.

It would be nice if you would please answer the question. Let's not keep going round and round the mulberry bush. Where do think this rabbit hole conversation over this debate thing is going? What purpose does it serve? Either our candidate is Biden, which is for him to decide and no one else (which he already has and he's not leaving, or it is an extremely divisive chaotic mess trying to launch a whole new campaign four months out and almost certainly handing the win to Rapist Trump. Do you really think changing candidates now actually would not cause massive disruption and contested division in the party? Of course it would.
And we would lose incumbency and party unity which are predictive factors whereas debates are not.

[BannonsLiver]

111. That poor mulberry bush is getting a workout today.

[Irish_Dem]

130. I admit I did lecture you on exclamation point usage.

But who wouldn't stand up for exclamation points when they are being abused?

In terms of discussing your content, I follow Mark Twain's advice about arguing with people.

[edisdead]

109. Nauseating.

Yours.

[edisdead]

108. The conversation IS the problem

Biden is the nominee. That isn’t going to change. The optics of “Having a conversation” are NOT GOOD. Nobody else is going to be the nominee. So why the “conversation”? There is no conversation ti have. It is all just disgusting.

There is however a conversation to have and that is “why is a felon and rapist even on a ticket?”

[DemGoodBoy]

36. Robinson is a MSNBC hack.

Who is this guy? Nobody ever heard of him but everyone knows Joe Biden (best president ever!!!!!). Time to get a real job, Eugene (if that is your real name).

[Music Man]

42. This is the second totally clueless post from you.

In another thread you said a poll from NH didn't matter because NH was a red state. Now you say you've never heard of Eugene Robinson and speculate it might be a fake name?

Three posts, and they're all WAY off base. Interesting.

[honest.abe]

44. A newbie with 3 posts. Hmmm...

[Deek1935]

127. Sometimes the "newbies" know a shit load more that the "oldies".

[Ocelot II]

139. This one sure doesn't.

A liberal who's never heard of Eugene Robinson, the Pulitzer-winning columnist who's been writing for some 30 years? Seriously?

[MarineCombatEngineer]

128. Weren't you a "newbie" at one time also?

Weren't we all "newbies" at one time?

Just because a "newbie" makes a point is no reason to call them out as being a "newbie".

[honest.abe]

140. I never made absurd insulting comments like this person right off the bat.

There are many like him/her/it lately with few posts but posting all sorts of crap and insisting we are all idiots for even considering Joe stepping down.

[DemocraticPatriot]

70. Eugene Robinson was never syndicated to Russia or RedState.... haha

It feels like we're being played. Seems like an over-characterization of what *some people* might think an 'extreme Biden supporter' should sound like....

[BannonsLiver]

77. Yes, it's Someone trying too hard IMO.

[Irish_Dem]

102. Wouldn't most liberals know who Eugene Robinson is?

And certainly know he is not using a fake name?

And know that NH is not a red state?

[highplainsdem]

136. Yes.

[Irish_Dem]

137. If I were going to assume a fake persona I would at least do some homework.

[Skittles]

178. YES

THEY WOULD

[Irish_Dem]

181. Training standards have really slipped.

[John1956PA]

185. "Emehrgancy! Everybody to get from street!"

On a happy note, tomorrow, July 4, 2024, is the 100th birthday anniversary of the wonderful actress Eva Marie Saint who co-starred in the movie from which the above quote is taken.

[Irish_Dem]

186. That is one of my favorite movies.

I have watched it more than once.

Great movie. And yes EMS is one of the best.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

47. HMMM

He's a Pulitzer Prize winning author who has been writing for the Washington Post since Blondie was topping the pop charts

[Ocelot II]

138. Robinson is a very well-known columnist. He's been writing for years,

he's nationally known and highly respected. If you don't know who he is you haven't been paying attention. I don't agree with him on this but I think he offered his opinion in good faith. I've been reading his columns for a long time, he's one of the good guys.

[Skittles]

176. um, you've never heard of Eugene Robinson?

that tells me all I need to know about you

[TicketyBoo]

184. If you haven't heard of Gene Robinson

then I question how plugged in you really are?

Most people (especially Democrats) know who Eugene Robinson is, and most people respect him (and his opinions).

[DemocracyWorks]

37. The problem with this strategy is the other canadates

don't do as well as Biden against Trump according to the polls. The post-debate polls that came out shows a little lead for Trump within the margin of error. I doubt one bad debate changed people's mind.

[Quixote1818]

45. They were 1 point behind Biden. That's not that much and that may change.

That's also because people don't know who they are which would change quite quickly.

[piddyprints]

38. I'm disappointed in Eugene Robinson.

Let's talk about fitness for office. There has never been anyone more unfit for any office or any job than DJT. That almost half the people in this country are mind-numbingly stupid enough to still support that dangerous criminal is just gobsmacking. Joe Biden is our best hope of keeping him out of power. He has proven himself to be one of the greatest presidents of our time. I am not the least bit worried about his fitness for office.

There are numerous videos of DJT stumbling over words, trailing off, and making absolutely no sense at all. Plus he's a convicted criminal.

The past week sure has been challenging. But I will continue to support Joe Biden.

[bigtree]

39. these people need to stop gambling our votes away

...who asked them to replace our votes with their dream choice?

[MorbidButterflyTat]

82. Exactly.

MAGAts got Democrats voluntarily disenfranchising Democratic voters. Who needs Russia?

[suegeo]

41. It's irresponsible to ignore Trump sociopathy

The asshole incited a coup. He is Putin’s puppet. Fascism rising.
Women dying for lack of health care. Machine guns legal. Supreme Court is corrupt and their wives are in on the coup.

The gop is full blown nazi, ffs.

[DemocraticPatriot]

68. There are so many things wrong about and wrong with Donald Trump,

that it is impossible to recall near half of them without an inch-thick file...

but most of our media fail to mention even the lowest points

[Wingus Dingus]

46. The fact that no one in Biden's family seems concerned about his appearance and inability to

communicate well in the debate is a red flag to me. They're like, "Oh well, moving on!" Wouldn't you worry if that was your spouse or parent? Like, want them to have a scan or check for a stroke or something? Which makes me think they have seen him like this before...which is worse for a variety of reasons. There is more here than what we are being shown. In the meantime, I guess we're all going to act like we didn't see it and hope it never happens again.

[Self Esteem]

49. Do you think Biden should resign as president?

[Wingus Dingus]

50. No--if there is an acute but resolvable medical reason for his "off night" or even a chronic issue

like Parkinsons, it doesn't necessarily mean he isn't fit to serve and finish out his term. If he's becoming progressively cognitively impaired for whatever reason, he can finish out his term with reliance on his team and Harris unless it's really debilitating. I don't think he has another four years left in him, however. That's just me being honest. I think we have some hard decisions to make really really quickly, and no one wants to make them.

[Self Esteem]

53. Are you suggesting Biden's administration covers up his medical reports?

That's a pretty strong accusation imo

Every year the White House releases the president's medical update. Withholding a Parkinson's diagnosis from the country for four years would be pretty significant.

https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Health-Summary-2.28.pdf

[Wingus Dingus]

55. I would never suggest that. In fact, I'm not sure they're being transparent with us.

[Self Esteem]

60. Okay. So, you think the White House is lying about Biden's health.

That's pretty damning and if that's the case, expect a real push by the media and Republicans to remove Biden from office over the next few months.

That'll be a fun story to deal with. Likely will become the story of the election.

[Wingus Dingus]

61. Nope. Lack of transparency about something that occurred last week is not lying

about his health. But I expected them to explain it, and they haven't, and thus I am greatly alarmed.

[edisdead]

113. They did. He had a comd.

Why is this so hard to accept?

[Self Esteem]

143. So you're saying he was maybe just recently diagnosed with Parkinson's?

And that it was missed in his yearly physical from just a few months ago? Got it.

[Wingus Dingus]

144. Have no idea if he was diagnosed with anything recently. Have no idea if his family

or campaign are having him worked up medically right now, behind the scenes. I just don't buy the cold explanation.

[Self Esteem]

146. And yet, you're speculating.

And actively pushing the idea, based on nothing really, that not only has something maybe critical happened, but that they're maybe refusing to be transparent about it.

They said it was a cold. You clearly think they're lying since you don't seem to take that answer at face value. If that's the case, they're actively covering it up.

[Bev54]

152. Why the hell would he resign as president, talk about a foolish move. Do you understand that would leave

Harris as president with no vice president and you can be sure the repubs in the house are not going to approve any candidates and that would then leave speaker Johnson next in line. That is far too dangerous to even contemplate.

[Self Esteem]

155. Do you not understand saying Biden isn't fit to run, that will be the next logical question?

[Bev54]

156. It is already a question out there and it is ridiculous to even contemplate.

[Self Esteem]

158. And yet people are.

If Biden steps aside, that will be the next question. That's the whole point of my post: it isn't as simple as Biden just announcing he's not running. That ship has sailed. If he steps down from the campaign, the narrative shifts from whether he should be running to now whether he's fit to be president.

That's why it's so dangerous to speculate. I do not think people understand what they're doing by suggesting he shouldn't run.

[edisdead]

112. The scan reports he had a cold.

Now you are talking about a stroke? Seriously?

[Wingus Dingus]

118. He didn't look right to me. He didn't look right to a LOT of people.

He looked at moments like he was having trouble following the exchanges between Trump and the moderators, when he was on camera but not speaking. Had be been ill, he should have canceled and rested for a day or two--no rallies.

[Silent Type]

51. So far, we've eaten everyone who speaks about this. I hope we don't shun Robinson, he's one of the best.

[edisdead]

114. So...

Ao you are arguing that people can question the president but that people can’t question Robinson.

That’s odd.

[Silent Type]

117. Question away. Eat or bash, not so much.

[Botany]

52. One word

No

[Wednesdays]

54. ...

[iluvtennis]

57. In general, I respect Eugene Robinson's commentary, but I call BS in this.

Biden is our nominee and the Dems powers that be need to draw a line in the sand from the debate and come up with game plan to win this election.

[Freethinker65]

58. And if they don't? I want all of these well meaning idiots taking a break from making public comments

I also want a full 30 second advertisement paid by those same individuals saying they were wrong, got caught up in the media post debate and disinformation spreading frenzy, and fully support Biden's reelection campaign.

[onecaliberal]

59. I hate everyone pushing for this fascist fucking state.

The stupidity is just fucking mind blowing.

[Ferrets are Cool]

62. FU Eugene.

[LakeArenal]

99. Yep.

[JohnnyRingo]

63. Robinson's words are like a cold glass of water in the face.

Contingency plans seem logical if the ship appears to list. I am not reassured to know the band is going to play from the deck as it goes down.

This line is priceless though:
"...know-it-all columnists and commentators who have never run a campaign for student council."

[Passages]

64. Nate Silver

Link to tweet

[DoBW]

67. oh well, fair-weather Democrats

wafting wherever the next poll blows them. ... guess they'll vote for a dictator huh?

[femmedem]

86. Ugh. Thanks for posting it, though.

I'd rather have the facts, even if I don't like them.

[Passages]

89. Exactly, and thank you. That is the point, the facts.

[Peacetrain]

69. I am going to cut Eugene some slack here and I will tell you why

Morning Joe.. even Carville and others.. Unlike us.. they are in a little world of their own.. talking this stuff over 20 hours a day and getting themselves so worked up that it is all they can see. We little people on the ground are talking to family and neighbors, people in the store.. you name it.. but we are mixing with a wider variety of opinions.. I

[DemocraticPatriot]

72. In Eugene's defense, he isn't calling for Biden's immediate withdrawl, as opposed to Carville

and many others.... but is writing about a theoretical situation where the bottom has dropped out of the Biden polls...

I'm all in for the President and disgusted with the pundits right now, but in that nightmare situation, I'm not sure where I would be-- and there seem to be a few bad signs coming up...

Point against Eugene and the others--- their preoccupation with the problem and solutions which don't include Biden would tend to encourage such a drop in President Biden's polling to happen. It all reminds me of 1988, when the media forced Joe out of the Dem. nom race with a distorted charge of plagiarism. I was supporting Joe Biden that time as well...

It's all making me sick to my stomach.

[Peacetrain]

84. I hear that... the fear that media types are hyping themselves into is not good for them

us or even the other party.. And we are starting to get pretty close to that proverbial junction where the indys and unaffiliated and even non participating members of the major parties start to tune in to what is happening..then they have a real impact that could hurt us all..

now last time around Morning Joe gave trump all this exposure.. for good or ill.. and when Hillary lost they were mystified by how that happened. you just want to yell but again they are caught in their own bubbles also..

For what ever reason.. Joe Biden and Barack Obama were held to such higher standards.. they could not have a blip of an incident without the press chewing their backsides off (similar to what the British tabloids do to Harry and Meghan nonstop.. till they just get people hating them for no reason..)

I remember that plagiarism happening.. just nuts..

[XiJang]

80. I'm scared n/t

[marble falls]

149. Get a grip. Joe Biden has this. You afraid of one little blip at a dog and pony show vs the leadership ...

... Joe has shown for decades as a good effective President, a good effective Vice President, a good effective Senator? Buck up and support him against those who would steal your choice of President from YOU!!!!

[XiJang]

165. I'm 19 and first time voting. I cannot bear Trump as president. Please! n/t

[marble falls]

168. Then the only clear choice: hold fast to Biden/Harris. That will go a long way to giving you your future. Stand fast ...

... do not lose one step,

[XiJang]

170. But I'm terrified. I have manic episodes and depressives

[marble falls]

171. Life holds threats real and unreal. At least triage them and give them the energy to their importance to you right now .

... get out of worring the past or the future, be in the now. Seek out someone to help. Over worrying say global warming, something you can have no personal effect on past conserving energy, cut waste is not productive and wastes your own energy. Don't sweat the history past not repeating your own personal part of it. Be in the now.

If this stress is affecting your ability to function, reach our for counseling.

[XiJang]

175. Not helping n/t

[JustAnotherGen]

85. Huge fan of Robinson

But on this - he ignores the 3,894 Delegate Votes Biden (Harris) won in the Primary.

My vote was one of them.

[Paladin]

96. I used to be a Robinson fan.

Not any longer.

[MorbidButterflyTat]

98. The MAGAts

and Putin's Congresspeople and SC Justices thank Mr. Robinson for his service to the criminal felon.

Wave that American flag on Thursday.

[NoMoreRepugs]

101. The purity tests and parsing of all things a Democratic candidate must achieve is why we are where we are.

Stop with the whiny bitching and get 100% behind Biden/Harris, cuz our Democracy is at stake.

[Passages]

103. Lloyd Doggett calls for President Biden to withdraw

https://www.texastribune.org/2024/07/02/lloyd-doggett-joe-biden-withdraw-election/

[honest.abe]

105. This is starting to snowball.

[Passages]

106. Yes.

The events since last Thursday have been devastating, and sad. Lawmakers are just trying to process and do what is best for the country under such deeply intense circumstances.

[MarineCombatEngineer]

110. And calling for Pres. Biden, out nominee, to withdraw is best for the country how?

This late in the game would practically ensure a Been A Dick Donald win, which is best for the country how?

Austin Dem Rep. Lloyd Doggett needs to STFU and withdraw his asinine statement.

[Passages]

115. He said why in his statement.

[MarineCombatEngineer]

116. I don't give a good GD why he said it,

it does nothing more than hurt our cause, making sure Been A Dick Donald doesn't win in Nov.

His statement is uncalled for and he should retract it.

[Passages]

119. Call his office.

[MarineCombatEngineer]

121. I think I will and tell them what an asshole he is for calling on Pres. Biden to withdraw. nt

[MorbidButterflyTat]

123. Agree.

This dude is seventy fucking seven!

And despite supposed years in politics, doesn't give a crap about disenfranchising Democratic voters who chose President Biden.

I noticed he didn't offer an alternative candidate. Must be sending out fundraising e-mails to MAGAts.

Thoroughly disgusted with this stupid, divisive noise.

[JustAnotherGen]

145. Thank you

I need black women delegates to start speaking out to the mainstream press.

With whom do they intend to replace him with.

We have the intergenerational trauma to withstand a Trumpocracy.

The Dominant Culture does not.

Good luck surviving if you bypass Kamala.

[Passages]

124. Clyburn.

“I will support” Vice President Kamala Harris if President Joe Biden “were to step aside,” Rep. James Clyburn (D-SC), Biden-Harris campaign co-chair, told Andrea Mitchell earlier on MSNBC.

Link to tweet

[Wingus Dingus]

135. He's the one who got her the VP job to begin with, so not surprising.

[Passages]

134. Pelosi: Biden's mental fitness is 'legitimate question,' recommends interviews with 'serious journalists'

https://www.msnbc.com/andrea-mitchell-reports/watch/pelosi-biden-s-mental-fitness-is-legitimate-question-recommends-interviews-with-serious-journalists-214089797740

[Passages]

141. James Carville calls on Democratic party to 'deliver change' and replace Biden

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/article/2024/jul/02/james-carville-joe-biden-democrats

[Passages]

142. As Biden digs in, some top Democrats want him out of the race this week

By Edward-Isaac Dovere, Jamie Gangel and Jeff Zeleny, CNN
10 minute read
Updated 3:09 PM EDT, Tue July 2, 2024

CNN
—
Defiance has become as much a part of Joe Biden’s psychology as Delaware.

But as the president and his inner circle dig in following his disastrous debate performance last week, a growing number of Democratic leaders are saying they want him to step aside for the good of the party – and the country.

Democratic Rep. Lloyd Doggett of Texas was the first to break ranks.
https://www.cnn.com/2024/07/02/politics/biden-debate-performance-democrats/index.html

[oasis]

147. 🎼So here's to you Mr. Robinson, there's much

more to Biden than you know. oh oh oh

So keep your cool Mr. Robinson, Joe’ll be here when your old ass will be told to go. oh oh oh🎼

[MorbidButterflyTat]

150. Thanks for the earworm!

Clever post.

[dlk]

151. Eugene Robinson needs to give it a rest

His ageism is not becoming.

[flamingdem]

167. Just lost my respect for Eugene

Is he another deluded Kamala supporter?

Agree he knows nothing about the electoral process.

Another pundit trying to stay relevant.

SHUT UP blathering peanut gallery.

This is Biden's decision alone and I sure as hell think he's staying the course.

[Azathoth]

169. They should have intervened a year ago

I can't believe they were totally in the dark about what was happening at the White House.

They should have privately intervened a year and a half ago, and if they were rebuffed they should have begun publicly demanding that Biden do unscripted press conferences and events. Force them to either prove he was up to the task or to hide, in which case they should have called for a primary race.

[Stinky The Clown]

172. Yeah, thanks. Get back to me when they actually -do- go down.

I love you, Eugene, but this is unhelpful -and- beneath you

[Passages]

174. Another senior House Democrat put it this way of Biden:

“He needs to start showing and stop telling. Otherwise, he will lose more House Dems. It’s that acute.” This lawmaker said the “next wave” of Democrats that come out against Biden will be senior members and veteran senators whose opposition could prove fatal to the president’s reelection bid.

Democrats are also angry with White House and Biden campaign aides. A Democratic senator who was granted anonymity to candidly assess the situation told us that “we kind of just feel lied to” about the president’s condition.

“They’ve been shielding him from those types of settings for months and even after it became undeniable, they’re still lying to us,” the Democratic senator said. “There’s just a lot of frustration right now in the caucus.”

Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.), appearing on MSNBC Tuesday night with Chris Hayes, was asked if he agreed with Doggett. Raskin said “there will be lots of discussion and lots of people weighing in and I know this is a moving target. It’s got to happen quickly.” Raskin added that there will be “massive unity and focus” once Democrats decide whether Biden should be the nominee.


https://punchbowl.news/article/washington/biden-losing-hill-democrats-after-debate/

[YessirAtsaFact]

179. Why are we helping the Republicans

Biden is the nominee.

Unless something horrible happens to him, he's not being replaced.

I think much of this post debate hysteria is being fed by the right.

[LetMyPeopleVote]

189. "We're ridin' with Biden."

Link to tweet