Biden announces he won’t seek reelection

[tamarindy]

Jul 21, 2024 14:07:45 GMT -5 underwaterrhymes said:

I am listening to Christopher Bouzy on Spoutible. It’s calming me down.

He told everyone who thought Biden was dropping out that they were dumbfucks a few days ago. Hopefully he’s addressed that.

[SusanBAnthony]

Jul 21, 2024 14:09:56 GMT -5 AAM2012 said:

Jul 21, 2024 13:10:56 GMT -5 wanderingback said:

Not that I want him to have a serious health problem, the only way this makes sense and I feel somewhat hopeful is him dropping out because of a serious health problem.

Otherwise fuck all these people speaking out now and not 18 months ago and sending everything in to chaos. We continue to live in a horror movie.

I am actually glad he waited as long as he did to allow Trump to pick JD Vance who is has a horrible track record on the abortion issue.

This is a good point.

And also, so many people have "18 months of campaigning" fatigue. It may actually be better to get all the excitement going close enough to the election that it is actually maintained.

[tamarindy]

I think Kelly would be a good VP pick. I just hope they stay away from Newsome; I don’t think that would go well.

[underwaterrhymes]

Jul 21, 2024 14:12:19 GMT -5 tamarindy said:

Jul 21, 2024 14:07:45 GMT -5 underwaterrhymes said:

I am listening to Christopher Bouzy on Spoutible. It’s calming me down.

He told everyone who thought Biden was dropping out that they were dumbfucks a few days ago. Hopefully he’s addressed that.

To be fair, Biden said he intended to stay in as recently as a few days ago.

Deep pocketed billionaires were behind this media push and quite frankly, I think that all of the people pushing that narrative are assholes. I’m angry about it and if I had a platform, I would be sharing just how angry I am too.

[konapoppy]

Jul 21, 2024 14:14:41 GMT -5 tamarindy said:

I think Kelly would be a good VP pick. I just hope they stay away from Newsome; I don’t think that would go well.

I highly doubt they will go this route. Too much California - it’s a no-win ticket.

[msmerymac]

Jul 21, 2024 14:14:41 GMT -5 tamarindy said:

I think Kelly would be a good VP pick. I just hope they stay away from Newsome; I don’t think that would go well.

Honestly, it would create a constitutional issue with Harris being from the same state.

Rachel Maddow said she thinks the party will rally around Harris fairly quickly.

[tamarindy]

Jul 21, 2024 14:20:17 GMT -5 underwaterrhymes said:

Jul 21, 2024 14:12:19 GMT -5 tamarindy said:

He told everyone who thought Biden was dropping out that they were dumbfucks a few days ago. Hopefully he’s addressed that.

To be fair, Biden said he intended to stay in as recently as a few days ago.

Deep pocketed billionaires were behind this media push and quite frankly, I think that all of the people pushing that narrative are assholes. I’m angry about it and if I had a platform, I would be sharing just how angry I am too.

Right; that’s another part of what’s so bad about this timing. Biden never should have sought reelection and no one should’ve been gaslighting people about what was happening in front of their eyes regarding his decline. Bouzy went in hard that Joe was just fine. I doubt he would ever admit an error either.

[cville]

Jul 21, 2024 14:20:58 GMT -5 konapoppy said:

Jul 21, 2024 14:14:41 GMT -5 tamarindy said:

I think Kelly would be a good VP pick. I just hope they stay away from Newsome; I don’t think that would go well.

I highly doubt they will go this route. Too much California - it’s a no-win ticket.

They better fucking not.

[underwaterrhymes]

Jul 21, 2024 14:25:47 GMT -5 tamarindy said:

Jul 21, 2024 14:20:17 GMT -5 underwaterrhymes said:

To be fair, Biden said he intended to stay in as recently as a few days ago.

Deep pocketed billionaires were behind this media push and quite frankly, I think that all of the people pushing that narrative are assholes. I’m angry about it and if I had a platform, I would be sharing just how angry I am too.

Right; that’s another part of what’s so bad about this timing. Biden never should have sought reelection and no one should’ve been gaslighting people about what was happening in front of their eyes regarding his decline. Bouzy went in hard that Joe was just fine. I doubt he would ever admit an error either.

Nah, sorry.

The media and mostly white men driving this are assholes who want a Trump win.

Now, I don’t think Biden would have done this if he didn’t have something going on. But, let’s not pretend that there was anything more going on here than a power grab.

[curbsideprophet]

I am excited. I think this is a good thing. I was skeptical of Biden being able to beat Trump. I would never vote for Trump but did not not really want to vote for Biden either. I think Dems will gain more voters than they will lose with this change, hence why the Republicans are threatening to try and stop it. I think there are a lot of people that want anyone other than Biden or Trump. I do think the choice to replace him should be Harris. I think skipping over her would be a mistake.

I think Biden should be praised for doing the right thing and stepping aside. I can not speak to everyone's motivation, but I think it is a good thing that people pushed back. I don't think supporting your candidate no matter what is a good thing. Trump should absolutely never be allowed near elected office again, yet Republicans refuse to hold him accountable for his actions. I don't think that is something to emulate.

[mrshandy]

I’m honestly relieved! I just wish he had done this 2 years ago after the midterms. Imagine where we would be if he had been propping up Kamala and promoting her as the future of the party.

The writing is on the wall. Age isn’t a train that you can stop. And that train speeds up exponentially in the White House. The idea that he would be 85 when leaving office is just crazy. The vast majority of people are long retired at that age not working the toughest job in the world.

[heyjude]

I haven’t been here in so long I didn’t even remember how to log in at first, but I am so excited about this and feel cautiously hopeful for the first time in ages. I am a huge Kamala stan and have been since SF DA days. AND I say this also as someone who was LIVID that the party turned on Biden so quickly after the first debate. That said I am a little agog at how exited I am. I think we can do this? 12 hours ago I thought we were toast. Let’s do this.

[tamarindy]

Jul 21, 2024 14:27:44 GMT -5 underwaterrhymes said:

Jul 21, 2024 14:25:47 GMT -5 tamarindy said:

Right; that’s another part of what’s so bad about this timing. Biden never should have sought reelection and no one should’ve been gaslighting people about what was happening in front of their eyes regarding his decline. Bouzy went in hard that Joe was just fine. I doubt he would ever admit an error either.

Nah, sorry.

The media and mostly white men driving this are assholes who want a Trump win.

Now, I don’t think Biden would have done this if he didn’t have something going on. But, let’s not pretend that there was anything more going on here than a power grab.

I don’t disagree that there was absolutely a lot at play with the media narrative and the overall push for this, but are you really saying we didn’t all see what we saw regarding Biden’s mental capacity?

[cville]

Okay. I know this board doesn't like constant meme posting. But I needed a moment of levity and this gave me church giggles.

[macmars45]

WHY COULDN'T HE HAVE MADE THIS DECISION SOONER?! *screams into the void*

[aurora]

I'm scared of the turmoil, but was also scared about Biden staying in the race if his health was declining. Hopefully the Ds can coalesce quickly.

Just because Biden endorsed Harris doesn't make her the nominee. I'm still worried about racism and misogyny coming into that decision.

[Bad Dingo]

As soon as he got covid I felt like this was coming. I'm so excited to vote for Kamala for President!

[heyjude]

Jul 21, 2024 14:14:41 GMT -5 tamarindy said:

I think Kelly would be a good VP pick. I just hope they stay away from Newsome; I don’t think that would go well.

I don’t see this happening at all.

[underwaterrhymes]

Jul 21, 2024 14:33:26 GMT -5 tamarindy said:

Jul 21, 2024 14:27:44 GMT -5 underwaterrhymes said:

Nah, sorry.

The media and mostly white men driving this are assholes who want a Trump win.

Now, I don’t think Biden would have done this if he didn’t have something going on. But, let’s not pretend that there was anything more going on here than a power grab.

I don’t disagree that there was absolutely a lot at play with the media narrative and the overall push for this, but are you really saying we didn’t all see what we saw regarding Biden’s mental capacity?

No, I am saying that I think he has - for the most part - done a super job of running this country. I think he has surrounded himself with great people. I think that he did not perform his best at the debate and that he is aging. I cannot rule out more than ordinary cognitive decline, but do not see signs of Alzheimer’s or dementia and feel it was out of the line to suggest that. I do not dispute that a younger candidate is desirable. I am FAR FAR left of any president we have ever had and Biden was not my first choice in 2020. I think expressing concern is normal, although I wish there had been more recognition of the good work he has done and the flailing was (I’m sure not surprising) deeply annoying to me.

I also think the idea that we didn’t have a democratic primary is utter bullshit. And I hate that a narrative regarding Biden’s mental capacity - that was started by wealthy donors who don’t want to pay taxes and hate the idea of a Black woman President - was ultimately carried by people who love our country and want the best for it.

It makes me deeply sad that this compassionate and honorable man has been pushed out by people on our side. This was handled extremely poorly. If people on the inside had concerns about him, they should have expressed this many, many months ago. Instead, they all leapt aboard a Republican-driven train. I’m really hoping we weren’t just driven off a cliff.

[morecoffeeplease]

I have gone through a lot of emotions in the last hour. From just sad to now excited to vote and sad for Biden and his family because this really is a shitty way to end things even if it was needed.

[tamarindy]

Jul 21, 2024 14:42:13 GMT -5 underwaterrhymes said:

Jul 21, 2024 14:33:26 GMT -5 tamarindy said:

I don’t disagree that there was absolutely a lot at play with the media narrative and the overall push for this, but are you really saying we didn’t all see what we saw regarding Biden’s mental capacity?

No, I am saying that I think he has - for the most part - done a super job of running this country. I think he has surrounded himself with great people. I think that he did not perform his best at the debate and that he is aging. I cannot rule out more than ordinary cognitive decline, but do not see signs of Alzheimer’s or dementia and feel it was out of the line to suggest that. I do not dispute that a younger candidate is desirable. I am FAR FAR left of any president we have ever had and Biden was not my first choice in 2020. I think expressing concern is normal, although I wish there had been more recognition of the good work he has done and the flailing was (I’m sure not surprising) deeply annoying to me.

I also think the idea that we didn’t have a democratic primary is utter bullshit. And I hate that a narrative regarding Biden’s mental capacity - that was started by wealthy donors who don’t want to pay taxes and hate the idea of a Black woman President - was ultimately carried by people who love our country and want the best for it.

It makes me deeply sad that this compassionate and honorable man has been pushed out by people on our side. This was handled extremely poorly. If people on the inside had concerns about him, they should have expressed this many, many months ago. Instead, they all leapt aboard a Republican-driven train. I’m really hoping we weren’t just driven off a cliff.

I appreciate the clarity, because we seem to just fundamentally disagree on this. I saw a lot of evidence that he was not well beyond being “old.” This takes nothing away from what he has accomplished at all, and has nothing to do with his insane opponent. Personally I was just getting tired of people acting like he was fine. He’s not and I think it was borderline inhumane for those around him not to step in sooner.

[underwaterrhymes]

Jul 21, 2024 14:49:38 GMT -5 tamarindy said:

Jul 21, 2024 14:42:13 GMT -5 underwaterrhymes said:

No, I am saying that I think he has - for the most part - done a super job of running this country. I think he has surrounded himself with great people. I think that he did not perform his best at the debate and that he is aging. I cannot rule out more than ordinary cognitive decline, but do not see signs of Alzheimer’s or dementia and feel it was out of the line to suggest that. I do not dispute that a younger candidate is desirable. I am FAR FAR left of any president we have ever had and Biden was not my first choice in 2020. I think expressing concern is normal, although I wish there had been more recognition of the good work he has done and the flailing was (I’m sure not surprising) deeply annoying to me.

I also think the idea that we didn’t have a democratic primary is utter bullshit. And I hate that a narrative regarding Biden’s mental capacity - that was started by wealthy donors who don’t want to pay taxes and hate the idea of a Black woman President - was ultimately carried by people who love our country and want the best for it.

It makes me deeply sad that this compassionate and honorable man has been pushed out by people on our side. This was handled extremely poorly. If people on the inside had concerns about him, they should have expressed this many, many months ago. Instead, they all leapt aboard a Republican-driven train. I’m really hoping we weren’t just driven off a cliff.

I appreciate the clarity, because we seem to just fundamentally disagree on this. I saw a lot of evidence that he was not well beyond being “old.” This takes nothing away from what he has accomplished at all, and has nothing to do with his insane opponent. Personally I was just getting tired of people acting like he was fine. He’s not and I think it was borderline inhumane for those around him not to step in sooner.

While we do disagree on this, we both want the same thing.

💙💙💙💪🏻💪🏻💪🏻

[underwaterrhymes]

Some levity:

Someone said something on Twitter to the effect of Biden has six months of full presidential immunity and no worries about reelection and that he should go to town.

[wanderlustmom]

I felt happy butterflies in my stomach. I think this is a really good thing. I'm sad about Biden's health and I hope he will be able to rest and enjoy his family. I have a good feeling we got this!

[tamarindy]

Jul 21, 2024 14:51:28 GMT -5 underwaterrhymes said:

Jul 21, 2024 14:49:38 GMT -5 tamarindy said:

I appreciate the clarity, because we seem to just fundamentally disagree on this. I saw a lot of evidence that he was not well beyond being “old.” This takes nothing away from what he has accomplished at all, and has nothing to do with his insane opponent. Personally I was just getting tired of people acting like he was fine. He’s not and I think it was borderline inhumane for those around him not to step in sooner.

While we do disagree on this, we both want the same thing.

💙💙💙💪🏻💪🏻💪🏻

Agreed. Gotta happen somehow.

[macmars45]

I'm rallying behind whoever is the nominee and Kamala was my pick in 2020! Let's do this!

[eddy]

Let’s fucking go!

I finally feel an ounce of hope.

Thank you Joe. Truly a great man.

[kellady]

I’m just gonna repeat because it makes me feel better that whoever manages this campaign should tout Biden’s accomplishments and Passing the Torch to hopefully have people focus on Trumps age.  I really hope undecided rally behind the Dems now too.  I am excited for that. 

[eddy]

Now I need to sed if I still have my Kamala 2020 sign somewhere….

[laterz]

Kamala is not perfect, but she is perfectly fine and suited to do the job. And goddamit, I want to see a qualified woman elected in my lifetime, preferably one that aligns with my values.

Everyone needs to get behind this; republicans suck, but they are united. And that has gotten them wins. So dems need to all unify. No candidate is going to be perfect - we cannot let perfection be the enemy of good.

And if she's the nominee, I hope she comes out swinging. With a fucking baseball bat.