IMO, this is what caught Trump's campaign off guard.

[no_hypocrisy]

I believe they thought if Joe Biden stepped down, it would be due to a "failing" such as health, mental health, and/or dispiritedness. And they could add that to their campaign, Joe's weakness.

But instead, Joe Biden did step down, but for a higher calling, The Country. A selfless act in the spirit of patriotism.

Trump and his MAGA minions for years have tried to portray themselves as the "true Americans" and "patriots" while Democrats were traitors and the destruction of democracy.

And they are bewildered. Why would anyone give up that power if they didn't have to? (In their eyes, to save the country would not be a valid option.) They don't understand empathy, sympathy, benevolence, answering to a higher call. They just don't get it. And they can't respond. That's why Stephen Miller was crying; it was out of confusion and frustration. And it's not just Stephen Miller.

How do you criticize the equivalent of a saint?

[Irish_Dem]

1. Yes the PutinGOP and Trump are reeling for a number of reasons.

They were pushing hard with a keep Biden campaign, they were sure it would work.
They saw the internal poll numbers and were thrilled.
They attempted to divide the Dem party and create chaos.

It is all backfiring on them. Big time.

[no_hypocrisy]

3. I'll add to your premises, another "strategy" was reverse psychology.

Maybe this is unnecessary 3D chess which renders it irrelevant, but . . . . suppose their campaign to "pressure" Joe Biden to step down/step aside was intended to steel him into staying in the race. Arbitrary contrarian. ("I'll show them!&quot They were caught off-guard that he actually did it.

[Irish_Dem]

7. I carefully observed the obvious Putin/GOP trolls all over the internet

on a number of liberal and Dem forums.

They were totally consistent and unified in their approach.
Down to the all caps, exclamation points, threats, bullying and insults.
It was relentless. And all the same everywhere.

It was a like a Biden cult on steroids. It was Biden or bust.

So no, I do not think they were using reverse strategy.

[AllyCat]

12. I wholeheartedly supported Joe on my SM and was called

“Blue MAGA” and “cult member”.

I’m neither. Not sure I agree with your statement. I doubt it was you calling me that (to be clear)

[Irish_Dem]

43. I did not see this happening here.

Yes on other forums the trolls were handled differently.

[LymphocyteLover]

14. I'm sure Russian bots were pushing both sides, to increase division. Let's not paint only Biden stay supporters

as somehow part of a Russian plot.

[PatSeg]

37. Yes, probably pushing both sides to create chaos and confusion

That is the sort of thing Putin does and he's very good at it.

[Captain Zero]

26. Oh right. A backfire.

Next they want him to resign the presidency.

[emulatorloo]

35. Tough shit...people in hell want ice water.

[Mister Ed]

47. So which do you consider me? A PutinGOP/Trump troll, or just their well-intentioned, hapless dupe?

Some of my friends consider me very articulate, but I can find no words to express my disgust at your first two posts in this thread, and your broad-brush smear of those who supported Biden.

It's clear to me that one needn't be a bot or a troll to spread division and ill will among democrats. Sheer arrogance will often suffice.

[Irish_Dem]

48. Your comments are 100% incorrect about me and my motives.

You could not be more wrong.

(BTW, ad hominem [personal] attacks are considered a weak argument. )

People are free to take or leave my comments.

Comments I make in good faith, and are respectful, logical and accurate to the best
of my ability. I don't agree with many comments made, but I don't lie about people or insult them
to try and win an argument.

I was not discussing you.

The topic of the discussion were the obvious PutinGOP trolls that most people noticed online.

[bucolic_frolic]

2. Flawless analysis

just don't consider MAGA anything other than whining, plundering, pillaging irrational Nazis. It helps to understand them better.

[Maraya1969]

4. I think our Dem reps should start referring to us and each other as patriots. Republicans pull that crap all the time

Time to start reminding Americans that patriots value the lives of all Americans and want everyone to prosper and to live well and healthy. Being a patriot has nothing to do with dressing up like a Trump Clown or chanting "USA, USA" or covering your entire truck with trump flags and stickers.

[Raven123]

6. Or maybe Constitutionalists. We support the Constitution.

[RVN VET71]

8. This a wonderful idea

Take the word -- with its full meaning -- back from the fascists who would use it to justify destroying everything America stands for.

[Cosmocat]

16. Cannot rec this enough

nm

[Raven123]

5. I support Biden because he wakes up every day and asks himself what he can do for his country

That will not change. Need Proof? In his first act as he stepped away, he endorsed Harris.

[johnnyfins]

9. When the racial and misoginistic attacks

Against Kamala come, and they will come, it will hurt no one but repugs.

[FeelingBlue]

30. This will become tricky,

since Vance’s wife is Indian American.

[Squidly]

52. That wont matter

I know a TON of mixed couple MAGAts. They just dont care and spew hate anyway. Boggles the mind.

[Dem4life1234]

53. She will dust it off her shoulders

She doesn't care about those knuckle draggers and the crack baby VP. That's all they have, they are not exactly bright or worth a damn.

She has a strong sense of self.

[jaxexpat]

10. Stephen Miller was crying? What color were the tears? Did they make hissing noises and steam as they touched the ground?

Did plant life in the teardrop zone wither, grow brown and quickly turn to dust? Were there somnolent sounds, like moans of anguish echoing up from a great depth?

If you answered yes to 2 or more of these questions, you have firsthand exposure of demonic possession and are eligible for a greatly discounted exorcism at any participating IHOG (International House of Gullibility) locations. But hurry, supplies are limited, offer good while holy water lasts. Void where prohibited, but remember, the devil never rests.

[no_hypocrisy]

11. Likely Miller's tears were drops of sulfuric acid.

[zanana1]

18. I love your post.

The imagery was superb.

[3Hotdogs]

44. For a quicker cure, $75.00 gets you a 2' x 1" mirror a silver cross 1" x 1/4" and a wooden stea -- sorry. It's STAKE.

Fukkin siri....

The stakes are hand shaped by yours truly, using only the finest pressure treated, scrap lumber from my volunteer boardwalk building weekends at the swamp. All are guaranteed to last through the election. Well the mirror might break on ya and I will replace it one time but you pay the shipping. If you break it more than once you don't appreciate it and I'm not sending ya another one. Ya don't deserve to have one.

They are guaranteed to keep Steve Miller 100 yards distance from you.

3H. Visa and M.C. accepted. I don't except Amex.

[karin_sj]

46. Not crying, but he did have a meltdown

Made me feel better this morning to see this disgusting POS so upset!

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100219210996

From Raw Story:

"The left is giddy over the fact that Stephen Miller, the former senior adviser to then-President Donald Trump, is melting down due to President Joe Biden's decision to end his presidential campaign.

Miller appeared on Fox News on Sunday, where he went off on a rant about the Democratic votes were thrown away as the party rallies around Vice President Kamala Harris.

"They held a primary. They had ballots. They filled out circles!" Miller shouted on Fox News. "They went to the voting booths. They spent money on advertisements!"

Still yelling, Miller says that Republicans also spent money running against Biden.

"They just woke up one morning and said we are cancelling our entire primary. We're getting rid of our candidate," he added.

Some social media users loved watching Miller's Fox rant."

[Metaphorical]

51. Reminds me a lot

of the grinch when he saw the whos in whoville coming together.

And the Grinch, with his grinch-feet ice-cold in the snow,
Stood puzzling and puzzling, how could it be so?
'It came without ribbons! It came without tags!
It came without packages, boxes or bags!'

[3825-87867]

13. GOP?

Republicans are truly "Guardians Of Putin"

[JohnnyRingo]

15. Realistically he is stepping down because of overwhelming pleas.

The pleas are due to his advanced age and fears of diminished mental acuity, and deep down we all know that. Joe Biden has become vulnerable to viscous and effective attacks from the Trump Team. The odds of him winning was waning by the week and he did the right and noble thing.

If we can spin it, we can say he's retiring after a lengthy and distinguished career as a patriot. That is not untrue.

[newdayneeded]

22. Maybe you could

add the option of Biden himself realized he doesn't have the strength. Do you really think he himself didn't know he was getting weaker, and seriously worried about 4 1/2 more years of presidency? Please stop pretending Joe could jog up stairs like 4 years ago. Even he knew it was hard for him to board air force 1.

[DinahMoeHum]

17. NOW, who is the old and senile guy?

With Trump, it is OBVIOUS that he is in dementia - all you need is at least one eye and one ear to notice how he wanders off and can't string two sentences together.

[2naSalit]

19. Miller was CRYING?

I want to see that!

[Renew Deal]

23. Here is the clip

Not sure if he’s crying, but he is a crybaby.

https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=19210996

[2naSalit]

27. Thank you!

[2naSalit]

32. All I saw...

Were xitter links. Thanks anyway.

[Renew Deal]

20. I agree. Trump I. Particular is all about himself.

It’s the same reason he called soldiers suckers and losers.

[apnu]

21. The GOP are King George in Hamilton.

“ They say George Washington’s yielding his power and stepping away.
Is that true?
I wasn’t aware that was something a person could do.
I’m perplexed.
Are they going to keep on replacing whoever’s in charge?
If so, who’s next?
There’s nobody else in their "country" who looms quite as large…”

[Johnny2X2X]

24. They were counting on chaos

For the entire Democratic Party to have their ducks in a row and rally around Kamala is what caught them off guard. And the way Joe did it and how it is being received caught them off guard.

And the timing is good too. Sucks all the air out of the Trump campaign.

[Hope22]

25. Their job is tearing things apart!

Sadly, That is what they are good at! Republicans do not have the brainpower to write laws anymore. They wait for the Dems to do it and then deconstruct it line for line.

[sanduca]

28. President Biden will become a hero...

He will be known as the best president America has ever had. He will have saved the country from a dictator...from a monster...a criminal that wants power for vengeance and to save his ass from prison.
Kamala needs to carry that torch President Biden has passed to her with determination, strength and wisdom.
No need to put too much emphasis on possibly being the first woman president but the woman that will be strong to carry the nation forward.
Also, there should be a tribute to our beloved President Biden at the convention.

[mucifer]

29. But, they lie and will say it's about his health. Buttloads of lies are endless with them

their deplorables eat it up.

[jayschool2013]

31. That's exactly the same sentiment as the NY TImes

From Kathleen Kingsbury's email newsletter today:

JD Vance, while introducing himself to the nation Wednesday evening as Donald Trump’s vice-presidential pick, said of the relatives he has from Appalachia, “That is our homeland. People will not fight for abstractions, but they will fight for their home.”

Vance, of course, is on shaky ground factually — consider the American Revolution as only the first of many conflicts the United States has fought on behalf of the abstract ideal of freedom over tyranny. But since his speech, I keep returning to Vance’s subtext here: The G.O.P. owns the mantle of American patriotism.

President Biden on Sunday proved otherwise. In deciding to drop out of the race, he ensured that history will remember him for putting country over his own aspirations in the fight to prevent the lasting damage of a second Trump presidency. Biden listened to voters’ and his party leaders’ concerns about his age and infirmity and acted.

As the editorial board wrote, “Biden has now done what Trump never will: He has placed the national interest above his own pride and ambition.”

Here's a gift (FREE) link to the full NYT editorial.

[honest.abe]

33. I guarantee they are freaking out now. The entire campaign is now reset.

And they cant do much about it since their convention is done.

[XanaDUer2]

34. Miller was crying?

Chuckle

[malaise]

36. You won't hear another word about Hunter Biden from them

Their approach is now in tatters.
Timing is everything.

[DownriverDem]

38. The MAGAs are

going to sue to keep Harris from getting all the campaign money. Bull. They are even looking into making Biden resign now using the 25th ammendment. I don't get this idea since that would make Harris President. My concern is that I hope the racists and anti women voters don't win.

[sarchasm]

39. Wait a minute. Miller was "crying?"

Please elaborate. I'm sure it's metaphor, but when it comes to that nazi psychopath, who knows?

links please ... just trying to get the facts.

[sarchasm]

40. Ok, I see ... I did a google ...

Stephen Miller Has Hypersonic Fox News Meltdown Over Biden Withdrawal

[ms liberty]

42. Lol thanks! I just posted the same question you asked!

[sarchasm]

45. lol! I was really hoping he was actually crying about it.

But after the caffeine kicked in I realized that guy is incapable of empathy or any human emotion.

[ms liberty]

41. Stephen Miller was crying? That makes me feel happy. Where did this happen?

[somaticexperiencing]

49. Beautiful example of how the right thing will always move hearts and minds in a way that bullshit cannot.

[debm55]

50. agree