So Seth Moulton claims Biden didn't recognize him. Does

[GPV]

Biden even have regular contact with congress critters?

I'll tell you what, I'm starting my 5th year at the same elementary school. I still don't know every kid by name.

[wryter2000]

1. Your meaning just sank in

Moulton claims Biden is demented? WTAF? Just who the F does that a-hole think he is?

[OnDoutside]

14. That's Seth Moulton for ya ! He's the dweeb that previously tried and spectacularly failed to oust Pelosi. Sad to see

him and Pelosi on the same side.

https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2018/11/26/speaker-nancy-pelosi-revolt-seth-moulton-222686/

All year, Rep. Seth Moulton has insisted it was time for a “new generation of leadership” who would put “people over politics.” The Massachusetts Democrat created the Serve America PAC to endorse candidates he felt fit that bill, starting with military veterans like himself, then broadening to other “service-driven leaders.” He not only raised $8 million for the people he endorsed, he also forged relationships with them by stumping in their districts and providing strategic counsel.

Moulton’s electoral agenda for the midterms ran alongside his long-standing goal of ousting Nancy Pelosi from the House Democratic leadership. He kept up a steady drumbeat of criticism throughout the year, and just before the election, he dismissed the idea of Pelosi serving a few more years as a “transitional speaker” if Democrats won the House. And when 20 of his candidates won, within hours he was burning up the phone lines to assemble his network of candidates, organize a revolt and block Pelosi’s reclamation of the gavel. Two days after the election, Moulton declared that his crew was committed to voting against Pelosi on the House floor, where only a handful of renegade Democrats would be needed to deny her a winning majority. The following week, he said he was “100 percent confident” he had the votes, and Pelosi’s time was up. And yet she’s still here.

No coalition: Moulton’s shrinking band of renegades does not come close to encompassing the whole spectrum of Pelosi critics. Some Democrats further to the left complain Pelosi has been too compromising with Republicans and too close to fat cat donors. They still grouse that in her first stint as speaker she helped pass the 2008 Wall Street bailout, and imposed “PAYGO” rules intended to constrain spending.

Meanwhile, the nine Democratic centrists in the Problems Solvers Caucus have been threatening to withhold votes for Pelosi if she doesn’t accept their proposals for rules changes that are designed to facilitate bipartisan legislation. Moulton failed to unite these factions. There is only one Congressional Progressive Caucus member on his public letter opposing Pelosi, and only one member of the Problem Solvers. Pelosi can’t bank on the Problem Solvers yet, but since they are operating separately from Moulton’s group, both holdout factions lack strength in numbers. If they had joined forces, along with a contingent of progressives, the total size of their coalition would have been more imposing, potentially making it harder for Pelosi to whittle down the opposition with individual side deals.

[NoveltySocks]

18. "Problem Solvers" seem to be

"Problem Causers?"

[OnDoutside]

20. I was going to say Stirrers but I agree Problem Causers is a more accurate name for them, as they're often in bed

with so called "moderate" Republicans, and it often seems the Democrats are easier to be manipulated with soft republican donor money.

[DFab420]

2. That seems more like an indictment on Mr. Moulton than anything else

Imagine publicly stating your such a nobody that the President doesn’t know who you are hahaha

[calimary]

28. And THAT'S the attack line. Right there!!!

Seth Who.

[hlthe2b]

3. I wasn't good with names when I was 10 and no better every decade thereafter... Faces often trigger remembrance

but delay in putting a name to a face and context for how I know them has rarely been automatic for those I did not have regular contact. How, I would ask, is that unusual?

That said, I am probably better than any of my circle of friends, associates, and colleagues (both younger and older than I) at remembering names from the past--even people and their dogs--even if not immediate, I can usually come up with it. And trivia...

But the names of those I did not have regular contact-- I probably never tried to remember. So take THAT, Seth Moulton. I only remember YOU because you tried to knife Nancy Pelosi in the back years ago for the Speakership.

[lame54]

4. Poor forgettable Seth Moulton

[Midnight Writer]

5. Meanwhile, Trump testified in court that E Jean Carroll was his ex-wife, Marla Maples.

Seems more serious that you can't identify your ex-wife than not being able to identify one of 438 Congressmen.

[senseandsensibility]

6. Sounds like Seth's ego was bruised

Sorry, Seth.

[OnDoutside]

15. Not bruised, destroyed.

[Bettie]

7. Yeah, some guy he probably sees occasionally in

a group of other guys, all pretty much dressed the same; look at a group fo congresscritters, there's a "uniform" especially for men, with even the same haircut on most of them.

Just looked up a picture of him: ordinary looking white dude, dark hair version. I doubt he's a guy who meets with the President one on one on regular basis.

But, another guy standing and yelling "Don't you know who I am?" as if he's some major player in the world and everyone should know him on sight.

[duncang]

8. 435 members of the house

100 members of the senate. Plus all the people he interacts with daily, dignitaries, leaders of foreign countries, news people, etc. and he’s supposed to remember everyone. I wonder if he could remember the names of everyone in the house and senate?

[SammyWinstonJack]

63. Exactly.

[dsc]

9. I am a teacher and frankly

I know full well there are students that I had last year that I will see this coming one and I will struggle for their names. Heck it takes me weeks to learn all their names. And while I am not going to be mistaken for a teenager anytime soon, I am not retirement age yet either.

[Blaukraut]

10. He's my congressman and he's forgettable

Tierney was much more in tune with his district.

[NoveltySocks]

11. This guy is very generic and forgettable looking.

He might want to consider adopting some sort of signature flair to be more memorable.

[Frasier Balzov]

12. Is Seth Moulton less memorable than Lloyd Austin?

[peggysue2]

13. if I recall correctly . . .

Seth Moulton wanted to kick Nancy Pelosi to the curb, insisted she pass the torch to a younger generation when Trump was elected in 2016.

Excuse me if I don't put much stock in the man's opinion or current claims.

[flamingdem]

16. Some Hollywood people said this as well

Just imagine how many people Biden knows. And so many have huge egos.

As I get older I'm a bit slower on recognition. I get it. So just in case I stay
quiet until I have name or face recall.

Like that's a big enough deal to stab him in the back!!

[DeterDeter]

34. maybe

Maybe some of those Hollywood types are no longer the spring chickens they imagine themselves to be and don't look the same as they did four years ago.

[flamingdem]

36. I think you're right!

Plus the face lifts, botox, fillers.. LOL!!!

[BlueCheeseAgain]

17. This is from Moulton's op-ed in the Boston Globe

In the early days after my contentious 2014 primary race for the US House of Representatives, when the party establishment had lined up against me, I felt like an outcast even though I had won. Then-Vice President Joe Biden showed up. He held a big rally for my general election campaign in Lynn, and I have treasured him as a mentor and friend ever since.

Perhaps he saw a little of himself in a young upstart taking on an entrenched incumbent. That’s how he won his first race, too.

The next year, after I had won the general election, he would invite me to breakfast at the vice president’s house and teach me about Congress. Sometimes he would pick up the phone to comment on a TV interview. Every time we crossed paths and I caught his eye, he would break into that big, wide Joe Biden grin and say how glad he was to see me. It was like that just last Christmas at the White House Ball.

More recently, I saw him in a small group at Normandy for the 80th anniversary of D-Day. For the first time, he didn’t seem to recognize me. Of course, that can happen as anyone ages, but as I watched the disastrous debate a few weeks ago, I have to admit that what I saw in Normandy was part of a deeper problem.

It was a crushing realization, and not because a person I care about had a rough night but because everything is riding on Biden’s ability to beat Donald Trump in November.

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2024/07/19/opinion/seth-moulton-biden-presidential-race-exit/

[Deminpenn]

45. I'm curious who was in this small group

I'm betting it was some of the remaining survivors of the invasion who are now in their late 90s to 100 yrs old.

Also curious if Moulton just showed up on his own at the 80th anniversary celebration or if he traveled on AF1.

[allegorical oracle]

19. House members 435 + 100 Senate members...

after a while they can begin to look alike. Moulton (D-MA) has been around since 2015. Biden's been around for at least 40 years. Nine years is a bucket drop.

And, no offense to Moulton, but he looks like the guy I bought a '72 Chevy Malibu from in 1972.

[Bev54]

21. Oh did that bruise his ego? What a baby.

[BlueCheeseAgain]

42. According to Moulton, it concerned him...

... because Biden had always recognized him before, including in December.

[Bev54]

46. This is coming from the same person that tried to remove Pelosi from her job

He seems to have something against elder statespeople. Maybe Biden did not want to recognize him.

[FBaggins]

22. An elected democratic congressman trying to undermine his own president?

I don't recognize him either

[GoodRaisin]

23. I wouldn't recognize that guy either.

I don’t see him making news much.

[Freethinker65]

24. Who?

I think my Mom used to watch a Sara Moulton.

Were Seth and Joe fast friends? If so, a bit concerning.

[kacekwl]

25. trump did not

recognize his daughter at the convention. So.....

[Sneederbunk]

26. That's nothing, Moulton doesn't recognize Biden as winning the nomination.

[chouchou]

27. Perhaps Joe actually recognized him but, just didn't give a damn.

[regnaD kciN]

29. Fine. I wouldn't recognize him, either.

[JohnSJ]

30. Fuck him. Boy these jackasses are working overtime to not only lose the election, but

destroy the Democratic Party

[ecstatic]

31. whoa... yikes... If true, that's it. Nothing more to discuss.

We won't be able to stay focused. Remember Feinstein?

On edit: So now that I've read the article, I don't know that it's enough. They only met in 2020 and Biden had a lot on his mind.
As far as Biden greeting him the same cheerful way several times at the same event, someone with more knowledge of Biden would need to speak on that. It might just be a way of filling awkward silences.

[LisaL]

33. There are hundreds of congress critters.

I am not sure it's surprising if Biden doesn't recognize all of them.

[questionseverything]

35. They met in 2014

Read post #17

[ecstatic]

37. oh ok

So my problem is Seth said "he didn't seem" to recognize me. Seth should have confirmed his suspicion (privately) by engaging with Biden directly and seeing what he said. Although, as someone who has been in that situation, I understand the reluctance to confirm something like that. It's kind of painful. But by not confirming, there's still the possibility that Biden saw him but wasn't in the mood to entertain him or anyone else. His last living son is being put through hell. There's a lot going on.

[questionseverything]

39. I'm kinda lost about how everything is going down, just wanted to correct that date

I will vote blue, no matter who!

[BlueCheeseAgain]

41. They first met in 2014.

But they've met many times since then, according to Moulton. The most recent time was last Christmas.

[Doc Sportello]

32. Seth Moulton?

Isn't that the comic actor who is high all the time?

[mcar]

38. Who?

[PuraVidaDreamin]

40. To be fair....

Moulton's not very recognizable

[Hekate]

43. Funny how much company I have in the forgotten names & faces club...

My husband has always been able to place his old students from the community college: he can see the grid of the seats, them in their seat, and the name pops up.

SIGH

It’s kinda nice to know how much company I have.

[ZZenith]

44. His fault for not being more memorable. N/t

[Ms. Toad]

47. Here's a more complete explanation.

In the early days after my contentious 2014 primary race for the US House of Representatives, when the party establishment had lined up against me, I felt like an outcast even though I had won. Then-Vice President Joe Biden showed up. He held a big rally for my general election campaign in Lynn, and I have treasured him as a mentor and friend ever since.

Perhaps he saw a little of himself in a young upstart taking on an entrenched incumbent. That’s how he won his first race, too. The next year, after I had won the general election, he would invite me to breakfast at the vice president’s house and teach me about Congress.

Sometimes he would pick up the phone to comment on a TV interview. Every time we crossed paths and I caught his eye, he would break into that big, wide Joe Biden grin and say how glad he was to see me. It was like that just last Christmas at the White House Ball.

More recently, I saw him in a small group at Normandy for the 80th anniversary of D-Day. For the first time, he didn’t seem to recognize me. Of course, that can happen as anyone ages, but as I watched the disastrous debate a few weeks ago, I have to admit that what I saw in Normandy was part of a deeper problem.

https://archive.li/v6qac#selection-1839.0-1871.313

This supports what I have said - Those who know him and see him regularly have better insight than those of us who simply see him on TV.

[Yorkie Mom]

48. I agree.

There is a reason they are doing what they are...

[GPV]

49. And if that's the case, then why would Joe's team not have said something?

[Ms. Toad]

52. Competing loyalties?

We have no idea what conversations he had had with his team - or (if he is experiencing cognitive decline) whether he is open to hearing any suggestions that he should step aside..

I do know that I have remained silent about my spouse, out of respect for her. Were she in Biden's shoes, I would not have spoken out publicly (as I have refrained from sharing her diagnosis with any of her siblings for more than a decade). But I would do things to protect others from her - such as speaking with others who have fewer competing loyalties, so that they can do tings that I could not.

Again - I am not saying I know what is going on with Biden. I obviously do not. But - because of my personal experience with my spouse - it is my habit to listen carefully to those who are in a position to have first hand knowledge.

[BlueCheeseAgain]

54. I'm very sorry to hear about your spouse.

Best wishes.

[Ms. Toad]

55. Thank you.

Fortunately, we've had a long relatively stable period (after a pretty dramatic early decline). Unfortunately, there has been another recent decline. But her denial (and a doctor who does not engage in standard practices vis-a-vis seeing family member input) make it impossible to explore if there is another cause (which I suspect - since it is not following the standard Alzheimer's pattern).

[BlueCheeseAgain]

56. I know a few people who have Alzheimer's, or who have passed away from it.

It's so sad to see. These folks had Ph.D.s and were at the top of their fields, but by the end couldn't recognize their own children. I don't know if it's better to have one's mind and lose one's body, or vice versa. It's just so distressing either way.

I think it's the hardest on the caregivers such as yourself, both mentally and often financially. I hope you are doing as well as possible under the circumstances.

[Ms. Toad]

60. Thank you.

It is easier now that I am able to talk with one of her siblings. It is emotionally challenging - but as long as she is able to to be independent, I have other outlets (art, theater, diving) which feed me. And since we're both frugal, we'll be fine financially.

[Jk23]

53. I would guess this is a sudden and dramatic decline.

There were simply no real reports about this until earlier this year from proper sources.

There seems top be an understanding he has had a rough four months and is not in the shape he was even during the primaries. Unlike say Fetterman, this is not something that will get better over time.

[tman]

50. This is basically ensuring that, should Biden survive calls for him to stand down...

he is damaged for the general election. Reckless to say the least.

[Blaukraut]

51. Not really. There's nobody here ready to challenge him

And it would be like taking candy from a kid at this point. Our district might be tinged a little bit purple, but the right progressive candidate could unseat Moulton easily. They just all seem to be perfectly content in their current positions.

[tman]

58. Biden would be damaged I meant.

[ecstatic]

59. could be the reason for the silence from everyone else

You can't mortally wound our nominee if there's no way to replace him.

[LisaL]

61. Look at Trump.

Republican seems to think he is the greatest thing since sliced bread, as he blubbers about sharks, planes, boats, electric batteries and Hannibal Lector.
Democrats meanwhile are trying hard to find something wrong with Biden, who is not out there blubbering about sharks, planes, boats, electric batteries, or Hannibal Lector.

[MerrilyMerrily]

57. I think Biden might have just been snubbing him - for good reason

https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2024/06/trump-biden-2024-seth-moulton/678744/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seth_Moulton#:~:text=He%20entered%20politics%20in%202014,traveled%20to%20early%20primary%20states.

Inappropriate to confront a vet at D-Day commemorations, even if that vet is trashing you publicly as too left-leaning, so Joe avoided acknowledging him?

Joe might be OK with saying "Nice to see you" to everyone at a Christmas party - even a rep who inserted himself into the withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021 . At the time, though, government officials complained that he and his Republican travel buddy were taking valuable attention - and seats - away from evacuees, and flat-out accused them of just wanting to get in front of cameras. Moulton responded that they went to give "guidance" to the people actually in charge, whom he characterized as incompetent.

Gee, Joe must not not remember their great friendship in 2015? That's why he acted as though they weren't old friends?

Is it likely that this opportunistic former presidential candidate (2020), and he alone, has "proof" that Joe Biden is sliding into dementia and dutifully called up the press to report it? I don't think so.

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

62. So he had his fefees hurt

Grow the fuck up Moulton.