Reports suggest Biden is thinking hard about stepping aside.
As I've said (repeatedly), the blob will only take Biden out if a) they believe he won't/can't win and b) they have a candidate who they think can/will beat Trump.
I want to tweak my POV based on what I've been reading today. A third factor, I'll call it c), is whether Biden's likely impact on down-ticket races is now thought to be so much worse than some other candidate's that he has to go...even if the Dem's have not found another candidate who they think can beat Trump.
This is also where the donors come in. If I'm a donor, I may not want to support Biden, but I might well also refuse to support down-ticket candidates. This could lead to a landslide against both Biden and also Dem House and Senate candidates.
So, I can now see more clearly why Obama, Schumer, Pelosi, etc are telling Biden he has to step aside.
To avert a catastrophic (for them) loss in the Senate and the House (and state and local races around the country), he has to go. Even if the blob can't find a condidate with a better chance than Biden has of beating Trump.
There are undoubtedly a zillion loose ends that need to be addressed before he steps aside, including a) who will the new candidate be?, b) who will the VP candidate be?, c) will Biden also step down from his presidency now, d) can campaign funds be transferred, and e) will Biden pardon himself and his family?
Agreed. I, too, have come to the conclusion that it's all about the down-ballot at this point.
I don't think they'll put anyone new ahead of Kamala, not merely by reason of the bad optics demographically, but because they know it's a loss anyway and don't want to throw away a viable 2028 prospect. So, I suspect they'll install a new VP candidate who could bring voters out by appearing to balance the ticket somewhat. Losing as VP wouldn't be as damaging to a 2028 hopeful because it's bottom of the ticket to Kamala and there's always the excuse of a hastily-reshuffled campaign. Someone like a Josh Shapiro (swing state and can talk like a moderate--by current Dem standards, at least) might be willing to do it and still survive for 2028.
Neocons share the same characteristic as the Extreme Left: their accusations are always confessions. What they project on people like Trump, they are a thousands more guilty of themselves. BTW, Boot still looks youngish and fit. Shouldn't he serving in one of the wars he is so enthusiastic about?
I use to love reading Max and Al Hunt going at each other in the WSJ. I use to use Max’s opinion on things as a basis for what I should think about believing. When the choice of him or Hunt it was relatively easy, When Max would fill in for a vacationing Hunt he would assure readers, no Al was not vacationing in the Soviet Union🤣
Somewhere along the way he lost his mind, beltway disease or “Asian flu” I’m not sure.
Well, at least Vance is impersonating Trump. At no point did Pence even act like he was on board with Trump’s agenda. Instead, in his inimitable smug way, he either merely mouthed standard GOP talking points or, whenever he appeared with Trump, pretended he was above it all.
Yesterday was rough for *neocons and Ukraine stans.* First JD Vance was picked for VP. Then I called out the warmongers for their provoked war. Cope and seethe, grifters.
Start the countdown clock for when Obama tells allies that Kamala should seriously consider the viability of her candidacy:
Quote

The Washington Post @washingtonpost
Breaking news: 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://wapo.st/3W8gf0c
https://theconservativetreehouse.com/blog/2024/07/18/report-biden-will-announce-his-withdrawal-from-democrat-nomination-sunday-open-dnc-convention-will-select-consensus-candidate/
Open convention? Does that mean the donor class buys a candidate of their choice?
Looks like it.
However it turns out, and however they try to spin it, it won't be 'democratic'. Ironic, huh?
Yes (for the most part).
Q: better comparison - JFK and Trump (and not just because of the assassination/attempt)?
Fang Fang lives!
Let's re-examine where we are.
Reports suggest Biden is thinking hard about stepping aside.
As I've said (repeatedly), the blob will only take Biden out if a) they believe he won't/can't win and b) they have a candidate who they think can/will beat Trump.
I want to tweak my POV based on what I've been reading today. A third factor, I'll call it c), is whether Biden's likely impact on down-ticket races is now thought to be so much worse than some other candidate's that he has to go...even if the Dem's have not found another candidate who they think can beat Trump.
This is also where the donors come in. If I'm a donor, I may not want to support Biden, but I might well also refuse to support down-ticket candidates. This could lead to a landslide against both Biden and also Dem House and Senate candidates.
So, I can now see more clearly why Obama, Schumer, Pelosi, etc are telling Biden he has to step aside.
To avert a catastrophic (for them) loss in the Senate and the House (and state and local races around the country), he has to go. Even if the blob can't find a condidate with a better chance than Biden has of beating Trump.
There are undoubtedly a zillion loose ends that need to be addressed before he steps aside, including a) who will the new candidate be?, b) who will the VP candidate be?, c) will Biden also step down from his presidency now, d) can campaign funds be transferred, and e) will Biden pardon himself and his family?
He can do the pardons but he still needs political backup. That I suppose is a subject of "negotiations."
Agreed. I, too, have come to the conclusion that it's all about the down-ballot at this point.
I don't think they'll put anyone new ahead of Kamala, not merely by reason of the bad optics demographically, but because they know it's a loss anyway and don't want to throw away a viable 2028 prospect. So, I suspect they'll install a new VP candidate who could bring voters out by appearing to balance the ticket somewhat. Losing as VP wouldn't be as damaging to a 2028 hopeful because it's bottom of the ticket to Kamala and there's always the excuse of a hastily-reshuffled campaign. Someone like a Josh Shapiro (swing state and can talk like a moderate--by current Dem standards, at least) might be willing to do it and still survive for 2028.
Neocons share the same characteristic as the Extreme Left: their accusations are always confessions. What they project on people like Trump, they are a thousands more guilty of themselves. BTW, Boot still looks youngish and fit. Shouldn't he serving in one of the wars he is so enthusiastic about?
Just another iteration of Groucho’s famous “If you don’t like my principles, I have others!”
Anybody who quotes Groucho gets a +1 from me! :)
Ha! We must be brothers from another mother, ML! Was going to type exactly that!
…you mean “sister”!
Ha! Sister from another mister! Which ever of the 956.5 genders you hail from, ML, I always love your comments!
I use to love reading Max and Al Hunt going at each other in the WSJ. I use to use Max’s opinion on things as a basis for what I should think about believing. When the choice of him or Hunt it was relatively easy, When Max would fill in for a vacationing Hunt he would assure readers, no Al was not vacationing in the Soviet Union🤣
Somewhere along the way he lost his mind, beltway disease or “Asian flu” I’m not sure.
Well, at least Vance is impersonating Trump. At no point did Pence even act like he was on board with Trump’s agenda. Instead, in his inimitable smug way, he either merely mouthed standard GOP talking points or, whenever he appeared with Trump, pretended he was above it all.
David Sacks @DavidSacks
Yesterday was rough for *neocons and Ukraine stans.* First JD Vance was picked for VP. Then I called out the warmongers for their provoked war. Cope and seethe, grifters.
I’m going to remember “cope and seethe”
What is driving the charges of Max Boots wife?
Unregistered foreign agent unless there is a Trump connection (Paul Manafort), nothing happens (Tony Podestra).
Is it to send a message to South Korea?
Good question! If anything appears to be on the "up and up" in the Biden admin it certainly is worthy of suspicion.
Aaron Maté @aaronjmate
Start the countdown clock for when Obama tells allies that Kamala should seriously consider the viability of her candidacy:
Quote

The Washington Post @washingtonpost
Breaking news: 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://wapo.st/3W8gf0c
Do we start shorting Biden's stock holdings?
I would say short Burisma - although I don't know what their trading status or even their corporate status is anymore.
H/t Cassander for this link to the Bloomberg interview:
https://archive.is/N07Zl
So if you are from Ohio, watch out?