The Democrats are relying on their abortion stance to draw people to the polls for local, state, and national candidates. Biden had the opportunity to emphasize this issue. His response made no sense to me, “I support Roe v. Wade, which had three trimesters,” Biden said. “The first time is between a woman and a doctor. Second time is between a doctor and an extreme situation. A third time is between the doctor, I mean, between the women and the state.”
Prior to this he discussed how all kinds of people are being raped, not just by immigrants. I think what he was trying to say, or at least what he should have said was, "Of the thousands of people who come into our country, there will be a few who commit atrocities. Most immigrants are seeking a better environment by fleeing dictatorships and poverty. America welcomes and needs immigrants to stay vibrant." But, no, he went off the rails.
As far as replacing Biden, there are a number of swing states where this will not be feasible. If I were a Democratic strategist, I would keep Biden and try to coach Harris to be more presidential and show leadership over the next few months. Unfortunately, for the Democrats, Harris is less popular than Biden. I am not sure how easy it would be for her to change that perception. Simply attacking Trump will not work. Those who despise Trump are already counted in their corner. Independents and undecideds are not going to be drawn toward one candidate by the "lesser of two evils" argument, I do not think. They want to be convinced that a particular candidate can lead. Trump showed that he could lead, at least until COVID hit. There is a type of nostalgia for the Trump term, pre-2020 and the assumption that the President has some control over gas and grocery prices.
Good analysis Jason. After this, my wife and I are back to wondering if the Democratic Convention in Chicago will be the least bit interesting and controversial after the fading student anti-war uprisings or simply a rubber stamp of the status quo to keep the gravy flowing for the Administrative State. David Hathaway
Excellent points on inflation and the national debt. One of the disconcerting things about the new "New Right" is how many conservatives, in the name of not being market absolutists, are willing to pretend that economic laws don't exist, and essentially advocate the same spending policies that Democrats have traditionally favored. Fiscal reform and conservatism seems to not have much of a voice in either party anymore.
Spot on Dr. Jewell, and your thoughts on this, "That could open up a real and long-overdue public debate about the nature of the administrative state " are insightful. It is quite obvious that the handlers are running the country and foreign affairs. Plus your comment about how neither candidate understands inflation nor really cares about national debt is truly disconcerting. And I loved your son's summary. I did not watch the whole debate because in my mind they are not really debates - how I would wish for something substantive.
Excellent analysis.
The Democrats are relying on their abortion stance to draw people to the polls for local, state, and national candidates. Biden had the opportunity to emphasize this issue. His response made no sense to me, “I support Roe v. Wade, which had three trimesters,” Biden said. “The first time is between a woman and a doctor. Second time is between a doctor and an extreme situation. A third time is between the doctor, I mean, between the women and the state.”
Prior to this he discussed how all kinds of people are being raped, not just by immigrants. I think what he was trying to say, or at least what he should have said was, "Of the thousands of people who come into our country, there will be a few who commit atrocities. Most immigrants are seeking a better environment by fleeing dictatorships and poverty. America welcomes and needs immigrants to stay vibrant." But, no, he went off the rails.
As far as replacing Biden, there are a number of swing states where this will not be feasible. If I were a Democratic strategist, I would keep Biden and try to coach Harris to be more presidential and show leadership over the next few months. Unfortunately, for the Democrats, Harris is less popular than Biden. I am not sure how easy it would be for her to change that perception. Simply attacking Trump will not work. Those who despise Trump are already counted in their corner. Independents and undecideds are not going to be drawn toward one candidate by the "lesser of two evils" argument, I do not think. They want to be convinced that a particular candidate can lead. Trump showed that he could lead, at least until COVID hit. There is a type of nostalgia for the Trump term, pre-2020 and the assumption that the President has some control over gas and grocery prices.
It should be an interesting few months.
Good analysis Jason. After this, my wife and I are back to wondering if the Democratic Convention in Chicago will be the least bit interesting and controversial after the fading student anti-war uprisings or simply a rubber stamp of the status quo to keep the gravy flowing for the Administrative State. David Hathaway
Excellent points on inflation and the national debt. One of the disconcerting things about the new "New Right" is how many conservatives, in the name of not being market absolutists, are willing to pretend that economic laws don't exist, and essentially advocate the same spending policies that Democrats have traditionally favored. Fiscal reform and conservatism seems to not have much of a voice in either party anymore.
[Insert obligatory disclaimer that deficits have grown faster under Republicans than Democrats here.]
Spot on Dr. Jewell, and your thoughts on this, "That could open up a real and long-overdue public debate about the nature of the administrative state " are insightful. It is quite obvious that the handlers are running the country and foreign affairs. Plus your comment about how neither candidate understands inflation nor really cares about national debt is truly disconcerting. And I loved your son's summary. I did not watch the whole debate because in my mind they are not really debates - how I would wish for something substantive.