7.5 Editor's Pick
July 21, 2024

With Biden’s exit, a few helpful thoughts.

“He did what RBG should have done.” “I will always respect a politician that steps down from a position of power. It’s what separates us from autocracy. Good for Joe.”

    1. Trump is now the “too old” candidate. Oh, also, he’s still a pedo/criminal/hateful/divisive/selfish conman unworthy of and uninterested in democracy, but we knew that.

Trump is now the oldest nominee for President in US history. If elected, he’d be a year or so older than Biden (for all those saying Biden is too old now).

  1. Biden regrounded our country democratically, domestically, internationally, and economically, after an insane, hateful four years.
  2. I hope he enjoys his well-earned retirement. He’s a good man, and served admirably—from Ukraine v Putin to righting our economy to throwing the engine of the government against climate crisis and for the middle class and infrastructure, he went a long way to normalizing a healthier America.
  3. I’d heartily support Buttigieg, Whitmer, Booker, or (favorite vs Trump) Newsom. Wish Warren or Bernie were younger. Don’t love Kamala’s chances, though of course she’s an obvious frontrunner as VP. She’s been deeply unpopular, and has had several chances to right her ship. Don’t love endorsing her—the excitement of an open convention would rivet Americans.
  4. “And take someone along to vote too. Especially if you’re in:
    Pennsylvania:
    Montgomery, Bucks, Delaware, Chester, Allegheny and Philadelphia countiesMichigan:
    Washtenaw, Wayne, Oakland and Genesee counties
    Wisconsin:
    Racine and Kenosha counties
    Georgia:
    Fulton, DeKalb, Cobb, Clayton, Gwinnett, Forsyth, and Cherokee counties
    Arizona:
    Maricopa County, Tuscon and Native American reservations
    Nevada:
    Clark and Washoe countiesThese are battleground states so we have to r̲u̲n̲ ̲u̲p̲ ̲t̲h̲e̲ ̲n̲u̲m̲b̲e̲r̲s̲ in these Democratic-leaning counties to beat the votes outside of these counties (to win the state).ᴅᴏ ʏᴏᴜ ᴡᴀɴᴛ ᴍᴏʀᴇ sᴜᴘʀᴇᴍᴇ ᴄᴏᴜʀᴛ ᴊᴜsᴛɪᴄᴇs ᴀᴘᴘᴏɪɴᴛᴇᴅ ʙʏ ᴛʀᴜᴍᴘ?”
  5. “This will be remembered forever in American history. It takes a lot to put your country ahead of yourself in politics and this is one of the biggest examples of that in American history.Biden defeated Trump in 2020 and I think he just defeated him in 2024. Thank you, Joe!”
  6. “Thanks Joe, for everything. As a healthcare worker, he took COVID seriously. As a person who had student loans and know many who do, he fought for us. He pushed back against price gouging, kept the economy humming, and helped minimize inflation as best as he could. I hope you enjoy some time with your family and know you’re appreciated.I’m on board with whoever is next, be it Kamala, Whitmer, or [insert your Democrat choice], anyone but that traitorous Trump.”
  7. “This happened to us in New Zealand 6 weeks before the election and that’s how we ended up with jacinda ardern for 2 terms.”

What are your thoughts?

From the NY Times, read the full article here.

“…While he has spent most of his elective career seeking the political center, Mr. Biden advanced an expansive progressive agenda after taking office that his allies likened to Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal or Lyndon B. Johnson’s Great Society. Working with the narrowest of partisan margins in Congress, he scored some of the most ambitious legislative victories of any modern president in his first two years.

Among other measures, he pushed through a $1.7 trillion Covid-19 relief package; a $1 trillion program to rebuild the nation’s roads, highways, airports and other infrastructure; and major investments to combat climate change, lower prescription drug costs for seniors, treat veterans exposed to toxic burn pits and build up the nation’s semiconductor industry. He also signed legislation meant to protect same-sex marriage in case the Supreme Court ever reversed its decision legalizing it.

He also appointed Ketanji Brown Jackson to become the first Black woman on the Supreme Court and installed more than 200 other judges on lower federal courts despite the razor-thin control of the Senate, more than any other president to this point of his tenure in the modern era. Roughly two-thirds of his choices were women and roughly two-thirds were Black, Hispanic or members of other racial minorities, meaning he has done more to diversity the federal bench than any president.

Some of the major bills Mr. Biden passed drew Republican votes, but his string of legislative successes effectively ended with the 2022 midterm elections when Republicans won a narrow majority in the House, even if not scoring the “red wave” sweep that they had anticipated.”

 

~

From President Obama, an excerpt (read the full thing here): 

“Since taking office, President Biden has displayed that character again and again. He helped end the pandemic, created millions of jobs, lowered the cost of prescription drugs, passed the first major piece of gun safety legislation in 30 years, made the biggest investment to address climate change in history, and fought to ensure the rights of working people to organize for fair wages and benefits. Internationally, he restored America’s standing in the world, revitalized NATO, and mobilized the world to stand up against Russian aggression in Ukraine.

More than that, President Biden pointed us away from the four years of chaos, falsehood, and division that had characterized Donald Trump’s administration. Through his policies and his example, Joe has reminded us of who we are at our best — a country committed to old-fashioned values like trust and honesty, kindness and hard work; a country that believes in democracy, rule of law, and accountability; a country that insists that everyone, no matter who they are, has a voice and deserves a chance at a better life.

…It’s a testament to Joe Biden’s love of country — and a historic example of a genuine public servant once again putting the interests of the American people ahead of his own that future generations of leaders will do well to follow.

…For now, Michelle and I just want to express our love and gratitude to Joe and Jill for leading us so ably and courageously during these perilous times — and for their commitment to the ideals of freedom and equality that this country was founded on.”

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