This is from Jennifer Rubin. What she thinks President Biden has going for him going into the November Election:
Democrats — freaked out by premature polls, despondent over delays in former president Donald Trump’s trials and still suffering from flashbacks of the 2016 election — are prone to forget the considerable advantages their own side has over his MAGA cult following. To say polls show President Biden would lose “if the election were held today,” is silly. The election isn’t today, and its outcome will largely depend on what happens between now and then.
The election is no more predetermined eight months before Election Day than a Super Bowl winner is decided before the start of the regular season. Considering how much a single speech, such as the State of the Union, or a criminal conviction in one of Trump’s four criminal indictments might change perceptions, no one should underestimate the array of factors that will affect the direction of the race.
As Donald H. Rumsfeld famously said, there are known knowns (e.g., a MAGA movement cocooned from reality), known unknowns (e.g., whether Trump will be convicted) and unknown unknowns (e.g., an international event, a natural disaster necessitating a federal response). Faced with uncertainty, people seek refuge in irrelevant polling. Time is better spent sizing up the comparative advantages of the two sides, which, over time, take on larger significance.
We are all too familiar with Trump’s iron lock on his cult following and the media’s obsession with normalizing him. Shamelessness, some would say, is a superpower. But Biden has real advantages (in addition to sanity, a good governing record and experience) that Democrats should not take for granted. Since the State of the Union, several of these lesser-known advantages have become more evident.
First, Biden has self-awareness. He knows he is old and can joke about it. He and his team understand just how underestimated he is, making it easy to defy expectations. His opening ad was a tour de force in self-deprecation. A little self-awareness and a sense of humor go a long way, as evidenced by the edgier Biden media operation
…………………………………………..
Second, Biden has concrete advantages in resources. He landed a mammoth fundraising haul after the State of the Union, and none of his reserves need to be diverted toward astronomical legal bills. He has cohesive and functioning state parties, unlike trump, and an impressive state-by-state operation to turn out the vote and marshal volunteers, something Trump also lacks so far. Biden hit the airwaves with a $30 million ad buy and has already staffed personnel in key states. Biden’s ability to travel anywhere he wants (and hence run a more, not less, vigorous campaign than Trump) and tout popular projects will also bolster him as the election draws near.
Biden also benefits from the enormously effective surrogates such as Jill Biden and the more combative, confident VP Harris who connects with key parts of the Democrats’ base. That’s not to mention polished members of the administration and other elected Democrats (from Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg to California Gov. Gavin Newsom). Some even go on Fox News (!) to reach members of Trump’s audience, giving them news they would never hear.
………………………………………….
Third, there is something to be said for optimism and good cheer. Trump paints America as a hellscape; his view of a racial invasion and rampant crime (that is statistically nonexistent) is meant to keep his followers in a state of frenzy and despair. But the exhausting drama and aura of foreboding that hangs over Trump might not wear well. It surely didn’t while he was president and campaigning in 2020. Pundits sometimes portray Biden as offering “normalcy.” While it is not exactly “hope and change,” he does convey unalloyed faith in America and the promise of progress that Americans historically embrace.
It’s no coincidence that Vanderbilt professor and acclaimed author Jon Meacham, Biden’s historian-on-call, is around to help channel the president’s natural optimism into a sweeping image of American resilience. “An encyclopedic historical recall and deeply studied presidential biographies give Meacham immense value to Biden, “The two openly embrace American exceptionalism and share a disdain for Trump, Biden’s political opponent and Meacham’s Lucifer, whose chief sins are contesting election results and marching on the Capitol.” Meacham and Biden are betting that Americans want to be proud, inspired and reassured by their president. If they are right, Biden will do just fine.
Biden’s advantages don’t guarantee he will win any more than polls this far out (and often within the margin of error) ensure Trump will win. But Biden’s true advantages make it more likely he will reach, inspire and persuade more voters than Trump. That, after all, is what campaigns are all about.
Nothing is a sure thing, but, President Biden and his team are working hard for America. And, they have a game plan. And, they want to help us retain democracy.
So, get your voting plan in order, and make sure you’ve contacted five other people about voting in November.
JaguarPower (@power_jaguar) posted at 9:09 AM on Tue, Mar 19, 2024:
Orban travelled to the USA to meet Trump at his Florida home for the exact same reason.
Trump is a bankrupt, criminal & Russian organized crime org – mafia. He needs Putin, Saudia Arabia, NK, China to lay his bonds and $million judgements.
Our enemies buy & sell Trump.
(https://x.com/power_jaguar/status/1770090307624820787?t=sr7BVwcKJTjG1uB9t4Hh4A&s=03)
John Harwood (@JohnJHarwood) posted at 8:37 AM on Tue, Mar 19, 2024:
why endorsement of McConnell et al is so contemptible:
“(AP) — Donald Trump has launched his general election campaign not merely rewriting the history of Jan. 6, but positioning the violent siege as a cornerstone of his bid to return to the White House.” https://t.co/YNfA13WEGA
(https://x.com/JohnJHarwood/status/1770082147975528507?t=t2qLR1N90_0TqmsRXzPbnQ&s=03)
The Daily Beast (@thedailybeast) posted at 7:00 AM on Tue, Mar 19, 2024:
EXCLUSIVE: Donald Trump’s golf club in Bedminster, New Jersey, paid $82,500 last week to settle a lawsuit alleging that it had silenced a sexually harassed waitress by tricking her into an unfair hush money deal, according to the ex-employee’s lawyer.
https://t.co/FjCd8Gy11h
(https://x.com/thedailybeast/status/1770057709527744665?t=Xa2zsBx3S0jPre38Xu2rqQ&s=03)
chris evans (@notcapnamerica) posted at 9:36 PM on Mon, Mar 18, 2024:
Tish James filed a 132 page motion with receipts proving Trump’s assets are worth less than the judgments he currently owes https://t.co/cOLjfwpTtF
(https://x.com/notcapnamerica/status/1769915755099771300?s=03)
Jess Piper (@piper4missouri) posted at 5:15 PM on Mon, Mar 18, 2024:
🧵Project 2025 is the blueprint for the next Republican President. In the Education Policy mandate, its states, “elementary and secondary education policy should follow the path outlined by Milton Friedman in 1955.”
That path was school vouchers to combat desegregation…
(https://x.com/piper4missouri/status/1769850170420990327?t=sqr-fPL8Xw_5-vxHSgcH-g&s=03)
Marc E. Elias (@marceelias) posted at 9:49 AM on Tue, Mar 19, 2024:
January 6 showed us that when Donald Trump wants an insurrection he will summon an insurrection. He is more desperate today than ever, so when he says he wants a bloodbath, we need to take it seriously. @Acosta @CNN https://t.co/7XAjeIEpTf
(https://x.com/marceelias/status/1770100390177943630?t=d4JtV1YK-6-18arpQLAP5A&s=03)
This is a compliment towards Sherrod Brown and his new ad out.
David Darmofal (@david_darmofal) posted at 9:48 AM on Tue, Mar 19, 2024:
Great ad…and I have to say, I don’t know whether Tim Ryan could have beaten J.D. Vance, but this is the type of campaign he should have run. One focused on workers without picking unnecessary fights with the Democratic Party. The stakes were really high in that election.
(https://x.com/david_darmofal/status/1770100155355726069?t=0GMGoJeRIS6LgUugC6hRuA&s=03)
I know I shouldn’t be this invested..
But, I don’t think it was Kate Middleton in that TMZ video
Why can’t they produce this woman for a short 3 minute video interview with one of the royal press sychophants?
Dr. Virgo (@DrVirgo1981) posted at 9:00 AM on Sun, Mar 17, 2024:
It took a little over 50 years for the republicans to get rid of abortion. How long y’all think they’ve been preparing for a race war? The bloodbath comments are on brand y’all need to wake up to quit being so worried about a war overseas when one is brewing at your feet.
(https://x.com/DrVirgo1981/status/1769363067609985329?s=02)
Lyndon Baines Johnson (@lyndonbajohnson) posted at 2:25 PM on Sun, Mar 17, 2024:
The United Auto Workers are why I think Biden should put time and effort into Ohio. I don’t think Biden can win Ohio, but every point he can shave off the margin does a world of good for Sherrod Brown.
(https://x.com/lyndonbajohnson/status/1769444904814379390?t=vgHRgCAGTM5GFfexFS8kBQ&s=03)
Biden-Harris HQ (@BidenHQ) posted at 10:28 AM on Sun, Mar 17, 2024:
Trump: We did a lot of things by killing Roe
Fox reporter: Your justices to the Supreme Court made that possible
Trump: They did. They did something that is extremely good https://t.co/fe187QY0eb
(https://x.com/BidenHQ/status/1769385225128116331?t=EwMCqCj-IszZFl51uoWzkQ&s=03)
The Chanteezy Is Real ♉️ (@iamchanteezy) posted at 0:17 PM on Sun, Mar 17, 2024:
I will say this again & again. Vice President Kamala Devi Harris is one of the MOST effective Vice Presidents we had in U.S. History along with Joe Biden (when he was VP to President Obama) as well as surpassing John C. Calhoun’s tie breaking record in the Senate.
(https://x.com/iamchanteezy/status/1769412749472231929?t=3E_sPMiMzcaL0YhmsqsTaA&s=03)
BrooklynDad_Defiant!☮️ (@mmpadellan) posted at 4:16 PM on Sun, Mar 17, 2024:
I guarantee you that if President Biden or President Obama said anything remotely resembling “if I don’t get elected, it’s going to be a bloodbath,” Republicans would be screaming their heads off.
Words matter, folks. If you’re in your 70s, and people constantly have to explain what you meant, you don’t belong in office.
Especially after January 6th, if you use incendiary language after the whole world saw you inciting insurrection, why should anybody give you benefit of the doubt?
(https://x.com/mmpadellan/status/1769472814069764180?t=9gjhQ7vrqjMkpB3pVxmfzQ&s=03)
Hope Restored In DFW (@Kennymack1971) posted at 8:13 PM on Sun, Mar 17, 2024:
A lot of political media/punditry is panicking right now because this may finish Trump for a general election voting audience. Yes the evangelicals and the MAGAS aren’t going anywhere but “bloodbath” is going to stick.
(https://x.com/Kennymack1971/status/1769532658831282329?s=02)
Hope Restored In DFW (@Kennymack1971) posted at 8:47 PM on Sun, Mar 17, 2024:
Trump can’t even pretend that he has anything to run on beyond white grievance and the notion that the 2020 election was stolen from him. He’s toast and a lot of Republicans are going down with him.
(https://x.com/Kennymack1971/status/1769540989130043764?s=02)
Norman Ornstein (@NormOrnstein) posted at 8:14 AM on Mon, Mar 18, 2024:
We are sleepwalking toward autocracy, thanks to our major media. Former president and Republican nominee says immigrants are not people and says if he loses, there will be a bloodbath. Not even mentioned in the front section of the NYT, relegated to page 6 in the WaPo. Shameful.
(https://x.com/NormOrnstein/status/1769713898574217460?t=N8kzn_4KclzX1S7zasC3Tw&s=03)
Go Coco!!
NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) posted at 10:38 AM on Mon, Mar 18, 2024:
The highest-ranked American woman in singles tennis is going to the #ParisOlympics. 🎾 https://t.co/jj0B962k41
(https://x.com/NBCOlympics/status/1769750235666845911?t=SpErlPziwMVKDYqTZhzINw&s=03)
Harper’s BAZAAR (@harpersbazaarus) posted at 8:13 AM on Mon, Mar 18, 2024:
Introducing our April 2024 cover star: @ReginaKing.
For BAZAAR’s Possibility Issue, the Oscar-winning actor and director opens up about the legacy of Shirley Chisholm—who she will portray in the upcoming film, ‘Shirley’— the loss of her son, and finding a way forward.
Read the… https://t.co/0a0LbCzlpy
(https://x.com/harpersbazaarus/status/1769713789077786679?t=jJ8wuBACesA3UgaIUdyOEQ&s=03)
Biden-Harris HQ (@BidenHQ) posted at 8:31 AM on Mon, Mar 18, 2024:
Biden-Harris Principal Deputy Campaign Manager Quentin Fulks: Trump is weak, deeply insecure, and only in it for himself. We saw him call on his supporters to storm the Capitol, he’s doubling down promoting violence now. Trump is saying the quiet part out loud, it’s who he is https://t.co/wNyblZlhuX
(https://x.com/BidenHQ/status/1769718193839370312?t=0wttoBYG49aljbynoo7YDg&s=03)
MSNBC (@MSNBC) posted at 9:59 AM on Mon, Mar 18, 2024:
BREAKING: Donald Trump has been unable to get a bond for the $464 million judgment in his New York civil fraud trial, his lawyers say https://t.co/HhcVcFTulQ
(https://x.com/MSNBC/status/1769740319971549592?t=Y8sTy1vt5vlO_rPypJL9lA&s=03)
Lisa Rubin (@lawofruby) posted at 11:13 AM on Mon, Mar 18, 2024:
NEW: In his reply brief to a NY appeals court today, Trump argues that he is unable to procure a bond covering the $454-plus million judgment, which is still accruing interest. So he wants a stay of enforcement without a bond. But don’t sleep on what else he wants. 1/
(https://x.com/lawofruby/status/1769759065545081294?t=6lJ6SKvGinS6nLKpzfgfGA&s=03)
Lisa Rubin (@lawofruby) posted at 11:17 AM on Mon, Mar 18, 2024:
You might remember that when he first sought a stay, he got some interim relief from a sole judge who decided that the provision barring Trump from borrowing money from any NY registered or chartered financial institution should be stayed. 2/
(https://x.com/lawofruby/status/1769759953630253306?t=fOAPUz_1jQp84kFCUfvbEQ&s=03)
Lisa Rubin (@lawofruby) posted at 11:17 AM on Mon, Mar 18, 2024:
Trump asked for that provision so he could secure a bond, or so his lawyers said. 3/
(https://x.com/lawofruby/status/1769760080226902421?t=NP8lmiMWxCSKv1gsuaRjrg&s=03)
Lisa Rubin (@lawofruby) posted at 11:26 AM on Mon, Mar 18, 2024:
But now, they are asking a full panel of the Appellate Division to stay enforcement of the money portion of the judgment without a bond while “maintain[ing] all other aspects of he interim stay.” 4/ https://t.co/kiMWmX8wio
(https://x.com/lawofruby/status/1769762301685469636?t=hwjeYFJMB-d6424zgczMiQ&s=03)
Lisa Rubin (@lawofruby) posted at 11:28 AM on Mon, Mar 18, 2024:
In other words, Trump is saying to the First Department: “Give me a stay for free but let me keep borrowing money in the meantime.” John Sauer is a good lawyer—but I’m interested in how he squares this circle if and when an oral argument happens. FIN.
(https://x.com/lawofruby/status/1769762701041869072?t=g4QThHxwBnL2iGAbkXjSbw&s=03)
Jay Vegas (@j_nvegas) posted at 11:30 AM on Mon, Mar 18, 2024:
What Trump wants is a stay without a bond. He doesn’t want to put up collateral or part with anything else he deems is his. I hope the appeals court will uphold the judgement and force Trump to come up with the funds. Trump needs to feel the financial pain or he won’t learn.
(https://x.com/j_nvegas/status/1769763354636140826?t=zMfTtvp4NURVAdVD8ePcuw&s=03)
Ricky Davila (@TheRickyDavila) posted at 10:40 AM on Mon, Mar 18, 2024:
MAGA lawyers made a court filing saying the orange traitor hasn’t secured a bond for the $464M civil fraud judgment.
If the bond for full amount isn’t posted by next week, New York AG Letitia James will begin the process of seizing his assets. Happy Monday. 🤣👏🔥
(https://x.com/TheRickyDavila/status/1769750611996659908?t=-y-OV_yHB8zkb8DKktimZQ&s=03)
😳😳😳😳😳😳
Sarah Zhang (@sarahzhang) posted at 1:37 PM on Mon, Mar 18, 2024:
DNA tests have uncovered the surprising prevalence of incest.
A geneticist has found that 1 of 7000 people in the UK Biobank have parents who are themselves brother/sister or parent/child. The genetic genealogist @CeCeMoore told me she’s seen well over 1000 cases.
(https://x.com/sarahzhang/status/1769795251193946597?t=ClI-ySwZmPU6ae21Rrnj-A&s=03)
Kyle Cheney (@kyledcheney) posted at 11:58 AM on Mon, Mar 18, 2024:
JUST IN: Conservative influencer (and former Zeldin intern) Isabella DeLuca has been charged for breaching the Capitol on Jan. 6 and helping steal a table that was later used to attack police.
https://t.co/PswBQO0IMN https://t.co/Ioq6zocVYP
(https://x.com/kyledcheney/status/1769770343890055224?t=ocIXAeI_vqxV8qsZHXaKcg&s=03)
There is nothing in the history of THIS COUNTRY, that would make me, as a Black Woman, ever be comfortable with living with that kind of delusional thinking.
Our survivalist instincts, make it impossible for us to believe such nonsense.
Sons of Killmonger & Disciple of Dark Brandon (@2Strong2Silence) posted at 6:32 AM on Mon, Mar 18, 2024:
The amount of white pundits & journalists contorting themselves to rationalize Trump’s call to violence this weekend should tell you all you need to know. One more time: DON HENLEY WROTE A SONG ABOUT THIS FORTY YEARS AGO.
17 GOP-held Biden districts targeted to flip blue (@Needle_of_Arya) posted at 6:56 AM on Mon, Mar 18, 2024:
it’s largely because most white people from every imaginable political persuasion & even LGBTQ orientation refuse to believe that Trump’s political violence would ever be employed on them
but if they believe that, they are tragically mistaken
(https://x.com/Needle_of_Arya/status/1769694461741633649?t=CjjVL_2BkA7_2ljwLLTL_A&s=03)
ICAM.
Someone on another blog was saying that the Democrats shouldn’t take this question so literally.
And, I replied:
I disagree.
I think we need to take them literally. And show LITERALLY what was happening in this country. And, end the ads with whatever insane thing Trump said in the daily COVID press conference.
What you’re talking about is ‘ context’, or ‘further explanation’.
We can put THAT back on the GOP.
THEY SAID…
Are you better off than you were 4 years ago?
And, we should respond to THAT question with the brutal pictures from the REALITY of America during that time.
Ernie Tedeschi (@ernietedeschi) posted at 10:39 AM on Thu, Mar 14, 2024:
There have been few moments in American history where the “are you better off than four years ago” question has been so trivially easy as now.
(https://x.com/ernietedeschi/status/1768300867499749668?t=L8kCJcBvAzEblio6nmHF3g&s=03)
ICAM
zeddy (@Zeddary) posted at 2:12 PM on Thu, Mar 14, 2024:
Biden camp needs to run a ‘four years ago’ campaign that is just literally whatever was happening that corresponding week. Empty shelves, empty streets, corpse trucks, Trump talking about bleach and how he got a gift of ventilators from Putin that explode. https://t.co/gRmUtAVifU
(https://x.com/Zeddary/status/1768354645376643282?t=fIWgUaAZK6TOxVMj_v0ciA&s=03)
Acyn (@Acyn) posted at 3:45 PM on Sat, Mar 16, 2024:
Trump: Now, If I don’t get elected, it’s gonna be a bloodbath. It’s going to be a bloodbath for the country. https://t.co/qDEPTtl4Bu
(https://x.com/Acyn/status/1769102618213638350?t=XXMFqPKMpON7GaKGIXCqnQ&s=03)
Jean-Michel Connard 좆됐어 (@torriangray) posted at 3:06 PM on Sun, Mar 17, 2024:
Even if you think Trump was just referencing the economy with his bloodbath comments, I would suggest someone running for the highest office in the land shouldn’t employ rhetoric that could be remotely understood as a call for violence.
(https://x.com/torriangray/status/1769455210932699573?t=qxAuoo3F7rXgcJ6m_WjCkw&s=03)
Gameboy from Paradise (@lhommedauphin) posted at 5:18 PM on Sun, Mar 17, 2024:
no amount of meticulously assessed evidence is going to convince those people, the “be honest and fair even to him” stuff could be laughed out at this point
(https://x.com/lhommedauphin/status/1769488425034625287?t=AkiTQ1YvMQ7olZmVpoBcYQ&s=03)
Brian Schatz (@brianschatz) posted at 10:10 PM on Sat, Mar 16, 2024:
Headline writers: Don’t outsmart yourself. Just do “Trump Promises Bloodbath if he Doesn’t Win Election.”
(https://x.com/brianschatz/status/1769199484573995066?t=MxlFxxwLnP5SSNcGo98CPQ&s=03)
Good Morning Everyone 😊😊😊