Biden officially announced his campaign

[seeyalater52]

Clearly my feelings about being fucking genocided by the entirety of one major political party while the president essentially ignores it and doesn’t put the weight of the bully pulpit or the justice department behind acknowledging and trying to curb it, and in some cases tries to compromise with them in ways that actively undermine civil rights, are clouding my vision.

As they fucking should.

[sonrisa]

Apr 25, 2023 10:19:31 GMT -5 seeyalater52 said:

.

As they fucking should.

this is part of what I mean by burn it down because the alternative is BLEAK. Stay angry.
and have a hug.

[cattledogkisses]

I mean, bottom line is that Dems have kind of painted ourselves into a corner where we don't have any other options, so we're going to have to figure out how to make this work. Time to start strategizing.

[mpm]

I’m unhappy and I’m going to give myself a day to wallow in it privately before I rally in support. But I’m taking the damn day.

[seeyalater52]

Apr 25, 2023 10:26:23 GMT -5 sonrisa said:

Apr 25, 2023 10:19:31 GMT -5 seeyalater52 said:

.

As they fucking should.

this is part of what I mean by burn it down because the alternative is BLEAK. Stay angry.

I will (continue to) burn it down but I refuse to pretend Biden is an acceptable alternative just because he doesn’t advocate for literal death camps for people like me.

Those of you who know me know I am 100% team “do what needs to be done” when it comes to electoral politics but part of being fucking fed up and mad as hell is refusing to be silenced about how I feel about this. I won’t. I’m mad AT BIDEN, too. Not just at “everything.” He’s part of the problem.

[mpm]

Saying we have no other options becomes a self-fulfilling prophesy. I also think Biden could have done more about that during the last few years. But power is a tricky thing.

[sonrisa]

Honest question: Did anyone not think this was inevitable? Since the last election, I’ve assumed he’d run again (Absent a debilitating reason not to). The chatter about him stepping aside felt like a rumor someone starts because they hope to make it true rather than something from him.

[pixy0stix]

Apr 25, 2023 10:37:44 GMT -5 sonrisa said:

Honest question: Did anyone not think this was inevitable? Since the last election, I’ve assumed he’d run again (Absent a debilitating reason not to). The chatter about him stepping aside felt like a rumor someone starts because they hope to make it true rather than something from him.

We keep having discussions about this - the rumor that he was a one term president came from the Rs and the media. He never said he'd be a one term president.

[seeyalater52]

Apr 25, 2023 10:37:44 GMT -5 sonrisa said:

Honest question: Did anyone not think this was inevitable? Since the last election, I’ve assumed he’d run again (Absent a debilitating reason not to). The chatter about him stepping aside felt like a rumor someone starts because they hope to make it true rather than something from him.

100% inevitable and the stepping aside thing was never real.

But today? I’m still mad about it. Even though I knew it was going to happen. I think what is possibly even more frustrating is that in 4 years we have seen if anything LESS movement on cultivating a new generation of Dem leaders to prepare for future races and pipelines. There is an immense amount of possibility in Dem state legislators right now and the Party seems pretty intent on ignoring them.

[Jalapeñomel]

Apr 25, 2023 10:31:40 GMT -5 seeyalater52 said:

Apr 25, 2023 10:26:23 GMT -5 sonrisa said:

this is part of what I mean by burn it down because the alternative is BLEAK. Stay angry.

I will (continue to) burn it down but I refuse to pretend Biden is an acceptable alternative just because he doesn’t advocate for literal death camps for people like me.

Those of you who know me know I am 100% team “do what needs to be done” when it comes to electoral politics but part of being fucking fed up and mad as hell is refusing to be silenced about how I feel about this. I won’t. I’m mad AT BIDEN, too. Not just at “everything.” He’s part of the problem.

I would say that young people  agree with you, and they aren't thrilled with Biden running again. I'm also unconvinced that they will vote democrat just because they other guy is worse. I'm 100% worried about voter turn out. 

[Velar Fricative]

Apr 25, 2023 10:17:20 GMT -5 sonrisa said:

Apr 25, 2023 10:13:27 GMT -5 cattledogkisses said:

I'm pretty sure she means where we are now relative to the 2024 election (1.5 years out).  So April 2019.

lol! Very true. I still have quick trigger lock down stress. So all spring long I’m on subconscious comparison.

Yes - vela is right.

No problem, I had a feeling there might be confusion. I definitely wasn't la-di-da living my normal life in April 2020 lol.

[glw]

Apr 25, 2023 10:37:44 GMT -5 sonrisa said:

Honest question: Did anyone not think this was inevitable? Since the last election, I’ve assumed he’d run again (Absent a debilitating reason not to). The chatter about him stepping aside felt like a rumor someone starts because they hope to make it true rather than something from him.

At first I thought there was a chance he would step aside and endorse Harris in 2024. I think if they'd made her the face of initiatives that get the attention of younger people and women, and really put her out there to gain popularity ahead of the election, it could have worked. But clearly that didn't happen so I gave up that hope years ago.

[goldengirlz]

Apr 25, 2023 11:05:49 GMT -5 glw said:

Apr 25, 2023 10:37:44 GMT -5 sonrisa said:

Honest question: Did anyone not think this was inevitable? Since the last election, I’ve assumed he’d run again (Absent a debilitating reason not to). The chatter about him stepping aside felt like a rumor someone starts because they hope to make it true rather than something from him.

At first I thought there was a chance he would step aside and endorse Harris in 2024. I think if they'd made her the face of initiatives that get the attention of younger people and women, and really put her out there to gain popularity ahead of the election, it could have worked. But clearly that didn't happen so I gave up that hope years ago.

Yep, unfortunately, the narrative around Harris hasn’t been particularly flattering, almost from the beginning, and her approval rating has suffered a lot because of it. Even as VP … I think replacing her in the next election would be terrible optics, but I don’t think she’s perceived as a major help to him.

[Velar Fricative]

Apr 25, 2023 11:15:23 GMT -5 goldengirlz said:

Apr 25, 2023 11:05:49 GMT -5 glw said:

At first I thought there was a chance he would step aside and endorse Harris in 2024. I think if they'd made her the face of initiatives that get the attention of younger people and women, and really put her out there to gain popularity ahead of the election, it could have worked. But clearly that didn't happen so I gave up that hope years ago.

Yep, unfortunately, the narrative around Harris hasn’t been particularly flattering, almost from the beginning, and her approval rating has suffered a lot because of it. Even as VP … I think replacing her in the next election would be terrible optics, but I don’t think she’s perceived as a major help to him.

This is one of the biggest mysteries in my mind, IMO. Not that the VP traditionally plays an outsized role in various affairs, and I know she does things because I do read news about her visits and stuff, but it's crazy someone who accomplished so many "firsts" as VP has taken a very behind-the-scenes role so far. Particularly when there are concerns about Gen Z voters turning out. 

[pixy0stix]

Yeah, how she disappeared as VP is the biggest mystery of all of this. Usually there's more chatter about the VP and what they are/aren't doing, but I've heard very little about her time in office.

[tacokick]

Apr 25, 2023 10:19:31 GMT -5 seeyalater52 said:

Clearly my feelings about being fucking genocided by the entirety of one major political party while the president essentially ignores it and doesn’t put the weight of the bully pulpit or the justice department behind acknowledging and trying to curb it, and in some cases tries to compromise with them in ways that actively undermine civil rights, are clouding my vision.

As they fucking should.

100%! I think a lot of the people who voted him before aren’t happy. He’s done nothing for Covid and has done nothing to stop the constant (and increasingly successful) overturning of basic civil rights.

I wasn’t happy to vote for him then but honestly, I was banking on he’d die in office and we’d get someone else.

ETA I would and I’m sure many others will vote for him again but it’s purely due to lack of choice just like it was the last time.

[Patsy Baloney]

I wonder if he’ll actually dance with the one that brung him (as my country folk dad would say) during midterms.

Abortion isn’t a dirty word, Joe, let’s go.

[MixedBerryJam]

After the RBG debacle (I’m still mad even though I know I have no *right* to be) and the ongoing Feinstein thing I wish the Olds would take a fucking hint. I can think of a few more on my list. ETA  my comment sounds harsh enough that I feel I should also say that my gratitude for RBG far outweighs my frustration that she chose not to retire.

[gerder3]

Apr 25, 2023 10:02:29 GMT -5 TR said:

I'm confused at people saying Biden is unpopular among Dems. He got the nomination, didn't he? And I think pixy0stix and Velar Fricative are spot on about why this conversation is even happening on this board of majority white women.

I think it's a little more nuanced than that. Remember this article?

www.thenation.com/article/politics/biden-black-vote/

Black women in particular know what's at stake. We are on the path to fascism, we need safety in certainty.

As other posters have pointed out, the Biden administration has not demonstrated they can lead through the horrible sh*t show ahead of us. It is likely going to take DECADES if not the rest of my lifetime digging the US out of the hole we've created in only a few short years.

We should be critical.

[jinkies]

Apr 25, 2023 15:01:39 GMT -5 MixedBerryJam said:

After the RBG debacle (I’m still mad even though I know I have no *right* to be) and the ongoing Feinstein thing I wish the Olds would take a fucking hint. I can think of a few more on my list.

I think this is the elephant in the room. He will be 86 at the end of a second term. All politics aside, I absolutely have concerns about that.

[Bad Dingo]

Apr 25, 2023 16:14:06 GMT -5 jinkies said:

Apr 25, 2023 15:01:39 GMT -5 MixedBerryJam said:

After the RBG debacle (I’m still mad even though I know I have no *right* to be) and the ongoing Feinstein thing I wish the Olds would take a fucking hint. I can think of a few more on my list.

I think this is the elephant in the room. He will be 86 at the end of a second term. All politics aside, I absolutely have concerns about that.

I'm not wishing him ill but I wouldn't be sad about a President Harris if it came to that.

[jinkies]

Apr 25, 2023 16:31:52 GMT -5 Bad Dingo said:

Apr 25, 2023 16:14:06 GMT -5 jinkies said:

I think this is the elephant in the room. He will be 86 at the end of a second term. All politics aside, I absolutely have concerns about that.

I'm not wishing him ill but I wouldn't be sad about a President Harris if it came to that.

I think I am more concerned about cognitive decline a la Feinstein than death. Neither would be fun, but death would be easier to deal with, frankly, because there is a clear process for managing it. 

[Bad Dingo]

"Inside Biden's strategy to repair Harris' image"

[ans1999]

The Daily podcast episode about this made me a little more optimistic this morning. The gist is that structurally only 3 states are in play for the presidency- Wisconsin, Georgia and Arizona. Rs have to sweep all 3 to win. Ds need only 1. This might explain why we haven't seen more challenges on the D side. Now again, this assumes Biden doesn't have any significant medical problems between now and election day. 

[neverfstop]

Apr 26, 2023 8:59:22 GMT -5 ans1999 said:

The Daily podcast episode about this made me a little more optimistic this morning. The gist is that structurally only 3 states are in play for the presidency- Wisconsin, Georgia and Arizona. Rs have to sweep all 3 to win. Ds need only 1. This might explain why we haven't seen more challenges on the D side. Now again, this assumes Biden doesn't have any significant medical problems between now and election day. 

I was just coming to post this after I listened...  But the end part about "what if Biden has a medical issues in the next 18 months (more  likely than not) it will focus issues back on his age, health, and harris" has me crossing my fingers and saying some prayers for Biden.  All the positive issues aside (his record, his chances of winning, etc.) the health risks at his age are just asking to put the Dems (during the election) or the whole country (while he's POTUS or if he's reelected) at a huge risk for turmoil and chaos if something were to happen.

[jeaniebueller]

Apr 25, 2023 9:45:53 GMT -5 Gato said:

I guess I’m the only person who’s happy with Biden and surprised by his ability to move forward some progressive causes.

I’ve always thought Bernie was all talk and no action. The right kind of talk, but if you can’t get it done, what does it matter?

I also think that Trump as the nominee will be a millstone for the Rs. I think fewer people are excited about him than in 2020. He’s definitely having a harder time with the deep pocket donors (although that may change). I think the abortion issue will get women leaning D in swing states.

Yeah, Biden isn't my first choice (Gretchen Whitmer, hello) but I'm okay with it. The country is not going to elect or nominate a far left candidate. People in this thread are acting like he's the second coming of Trump. He's accomplished more than most presidents do in 8 years. He is the most progressive president that we have ever had in history. So far:

1.9 trillion covid relief package (the american rescue plan that literally lifted americans out of poverty), 1 trillion infrastructure spending, the inflation reduction act--the largest climate bill in US history, allowing medicare to negotiate the the prices of certain prescription drugs, Justice Kenanji Brown's confirmation, reauthorization of the Violence against Women Act, Postal Service reform act, the Respect for Marriage Act, the expansion of veterans benefits, affordable care act subsidies extended, the CHIPS act, funds to help states implement red glag laws, the Safer Communities Act, student loan forgiveness which will wipe out deb for 20 million people,  american leadership in response to the invasion of Ukraine, we currently have the lowest uninsured rate ever recorded, 11 million new jobs have been created, we have the lowest unemployment rate in 50 years.

[jeaniebueller]

Apr 25, 2023 11:36:06 GMT -5 tacokick said:

Apr 25, 2023 10:19:31 GMT -5 seeyalater52 said:

Clearly my feelings about being fucking genocided by the entirety of one major political party while the president essentially ignores it and doesn’t put the weight of the bully pulpit or the justice department behind acknowledging and trying to curb it, and in some cases tries to compromise with them in ways that actively undermine civil rights, are clouding my vision.

As they fucking should.

100%! I think a lot of the people who voted him before aren’t happy. He’s done nothing for Covid and has done nothing to stop the constant (and increasingly successful) overturning of basic civil rights.

I wasn’t happy to vote for him then but honestly, I was banking on he’d die in office and we’d get someone else.

ETA I would and I’m sure many others will vote for him again but it’s purely due to lack of choice just like it was the last time.

What do you think he should do? Other than this board, there is not a national appetite for more covid restrictions. This board is the only place I see in depth discussions about how more should be done for covid. And what do you think he should do on the other issue?

[cattledogkisses]

The fate of this country resting on the continued good health of an octogenarian does not do a lot to reassure me.

This should not have been our only option. We need to plan better for the future.

[mpm]

The Democrats aren’t reading the room on the age issue and I really hope it doesn’t come back to bite us. Because it IS an issue, and I worry that left-leaning centrists in my parents’ generation (the ones who for years fancied themselves as economic Republicans when it was socially acceptable to do so) will see it as a reason to hold their noses and vote R despite not really agreeing with their current platform. Someone in the media will say it’s better to ignite our democracy on fire domestically than to hand senile grandpa the key to the nukes and a not insignificant number of people will see the election as presenting two shitty options rather than one shitty option.

I’ve thought for awhile that the only way we’ll ever get a first female president will be through a resignation or death. I’d hoped that Biden and his advisors saw that too, and would make it his legacy to give Harris significantly more power and visibility than a typical VP and then use his experience and connections to get the Dems to rally around her so he could pass the torch and make history. I’m probably going to forever be mad this didn’t happen. But again, power is tricky, once you finally get it after thinking you should have had it decades ago it’s hard to let go of, and we’ve trained presidents to think they’re entitled to 8 years, not 4 or less.

[mpm]

Apr 26, 2023 9:10:49 GMT -5 jeaniebueller said:

Apr 25, 2023 11:36:06 GMT -5 tacokick said:

100%! I think a lot of the people who voted him before aren’t happy. He’s done nothing for Covid and has done nothing to stop the constant (and increasingly successful) overturning of basic civil rights.

I wasn’t happy to vote for him then but honestly, I was banking on he’d die in office and we’d get someone else.

ETA I would and I’m sure many others will vote for him again but it’s purely due to lack of choice just like it was the last time.

What do you think he should do? Other than this board, there is not a national appetite for more covid restrictions. This board is the only place I see in depth discussions about how more should be done for covid. And what do you think he should do on the other issue?

The lack of appetite on covid is 100% the fault of this administration. Public opinion is following the administration’s lead, not the other way around.

What to do? Now, probably nothing. The time to act has long passed. But there was definitely a time when the administration could have done a lot more on covid, and it chose not to.