Old Men Be Damned

[minx]

Biden is supposed to announce his re-election bid today.

I have serious concerns about a president who will be 80 years old at the start of his term, and already looks frail.
And I don't think he's done a lot in terms of making people aware of his accomplishments in office.
Add on to that the fact that Kamala Harris is not popular, and I see a disaster in the making.

Is this the best the Democrats can offer?

[Dave's Not Here Man]

We're not the only ones with those exact concerns. The first question that comes to mind is whether or not he will be challenged for the nomination or will the DNC even entertain the discussion? The second question is, if not him then who? There doesn't seem to be anyone in the -D party, maybe other than Beto, that stands out in the crowd. Which brings up it's own question, is it political suicide to oppose your party's sitting POTUS? Remember that in order to run against him, you'd have to draw a distinction between yourself and them.

[minx]

I'm thinking Gretchen Whitmer maybe - she has experience running a state and holding back the rabid Republicans there.

But as you noted, it's rare for a challenger to face a sitting incumbent, and the DNC isn't standing up to tell Biden to sit down.
Last person to try it was Teddy Kennedy against Jimmy Carter, and he didn't succeed.

If this is the best the DMC has to offer - an 80 year old white dude - then we're truly screwed.

[Dave's Not Here Man]

Clinton and Obama were highly re-electable. Clinton had a bangin' economy going for him and Obama's lustre was and still is largely untarnished. Biden has none of the above.

[minx]

Agreed.

[k9krap]

I don’t believe Kamala will be his running mate this time. I read somewhere that a different female is being considered but I can’t remember who it was.

[minx]

It would be very unusual for him to not have her as his running mate - a huge sign of weakness on his part. Not only did he choose her (so we should question his judgement - after all these positions are highly vetted), but she's the first woman VP, and the first Black VP. No way can he walk away from that. So she's his running mate. And she was right next to him when he announced.

Sad to say, but the Dems only hope is that a lunatic gets the nod from the Republicans - someone so unhinged that the moderates and independents feel they have to come out in droves to get rid of the threat. Not a good theory to run on.

[Dave's Not Here Man]

I seriously doubt folks will come out and vote in droves come 2024 like they did in 2020, pretty much regardless of the participants. It's certainly a matter of perception and perspective but it could easily argued that we're no better off with Biden than we were with Mango Mussolini and it's not completely implausible to argue we have actually gone in the wrong direction under Sleepy Joe. So why even bother?

You and I know why (because elections have consequences). Just don't see that translating to record turnout on a cold and rainy November day next fall.

[minx]

Yeah - the real issue here is Congress, but no one seems to want to wake up and realize that. And of course MY congresscritter is doing a great job - it's yours that's the issue.

We need to start grilling them all on the big topics and their signature issue.

So for Whittman
-you've been in office for 10 years. You're signature issue is expanding access to broadband for people. How many people have gotten access because of your efforts? What is needed to get others access?
-we haven't had a budget in years. Why has that happened? What have YOU done to prevent this from occurring over and over?
-your party says there's a crisis at the southern border. What do you see as the solution to this issue and what have you done to try and persuade others to look into it?

For Spanberger
-this will be your third term in office. Your signature issue is expanding access to health care and reducing the costs of prescriptions. How many people have gotten access to health care because of your efforts? What is needed to get others access?
-we haven't had a budget in years. Why has that happened? What have YOU done to prevent this from occurring over and over?
-your party says there's a need for immigration reform. What do you see as the solution to this issue and what have you done to try and persuade others to look into it?

Of course this will never happen.

[Dave's Not Here Man]

I firmly believe it's better to know before you ask.

www.congress.gov/

[minx]

My favorite from yesterday
To require the Secretary of the Treasury to mint coins in commemoration of the 75th anniversary of what is recognized as the first sanctioning body created to promote a unified series of competitions, with an organized group of race car drivers. The first such recognized race was held at Daytona Beach on February 15, 1948, under the sanctioning of the "National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing" (NASCAR).

Yup - needed legislation there.

While I do believe it's best to know before asking, I also think that we need to ask.
And congress doesn't make it easy to know for sure.

[Dave's Not Here Man]

So Representative Whitman, you have stated that we have a crisis on our border but browsing your congressional record I see no legislation introduced by you to address such a crisis. Yet I do see you have instead focused on requiring the Treasury of the USA to mint a commemorative coin to honor nascar.

That's what I mean about knowing and yes you should ask because that question would imply to him just how empty his suit is and that his constituency is actually paying attention. He's not our problem here and as far as spanbergerg, at least she holds regular public meetings to answer to hers.