It is sickening. Party hacks and pols say there is no calvary coming but we have to hope for something better. The Dems have a deep bench but it isn’t being used. Trump is an evil man but I wonder if somehow there is a god on his side…he is the absolute luckiest politician I can remember.
I don’t see how Biden gets past this disaster. Agree there are plenty of good people on the bench. How to ramp up a national campaign in a few months is the problem. Raise money. Hire staff. It’s a mess.
I was so disheartened last night that I wasn't going to read this or anything else about the debate. But then, it's Dave Busiek. I have to read it. Good article about a tough subject. I only wish it were different.
I was the ultimate Biden supporter. Until last night. What can we do? Where can we turn? How does this play out in the politics of the moment? Are there options? I truly believe Pete Buttigieg should be called on to step up to the plate and guide the Democratic ship. We cannot afford to have trump for a second term. That is unacceptable.
I asked myself the same question during the last campaign. Is the USA ready for an out gay candidate? Full disclosure, I am proud gay Democratic voter, but also pragmatic, at least I think so. The question, for me, was answered at the last campaign's caucus. I sat with many, many Buttigieg supporters, predominantly straight folks, I am thinking. They were very enthusiastic and there was much conversation about politics. I did not encounter any discussion or concern about Pete being gay. It was primarily about being smart, articulate, progressive, exciting and someone they would like to vote for. Of course, I am sure that was not necessarily an average audience, but since then, Americans have had a chance to see them and their kids and hopefully, become more comfortable and accepting of this new normal. Thank you.
It was disappointing for sure but I’ll take old over convicted felon who will wreak havoc on democracy and continue to take our rights away. One debate doesn’t change that. We know the kind of president each of them are and will be. Biden’s people vs. Trumps? Biden’s cabinet vs Trumps? The media needs to chill. Are we really not going to hold Trump accountable? He certainly wasn’t last night.
Good point, Julie. It doesn’t change Biden’s record of accomplishments or Trump’s record of doing very little. But Biden looked so confused last night. Even solid supporters are very worried about his fitness for office.
I agree completely Dave. Like I indicated on the call, I would hope that Joe and Jill could huddle with their campaign leaders, the top brass at the DNC, D-leadership in the House and Senate and come to a quick resolution that desperate times call for very strategic measures. Find the new team, craft the smart and convincing message, and make the announcement. They have to anchor those few undecided and young voters... Thomas Freidman was spot on this morning.
I watched the debate, and it was indeed embarrassing. In a nation of more than 330 million residents—including scores of qualified political leaders—its disgraceful that voters are asked to select one of these two mediocre candidates as the next president. I will be casting a write-in vote so I won’t comment further. On a media question, although CNN did a relatively good job of trying to control the debate, it’s puzzling that no reporters were allowed in the studio. They would not have interfered with the debate and would have been able to ask the two candidates questions immediately following the end of the live broadcast. I hope this mistake is resolved by the next debate.
When I read your column this morning, it was as if I were reading my own thoughts and impressions exactly. I was so dispirited for the spot we as Americans are in, plus embarrassed for our country. Will the Dems move boldly to put forth a truly viable candidate in the face of the blow to victory that last night was?
I'm not politically savvy but I don't see an easy path out of this situation. My thought is that unless Biden reviews his performance and concludes that he should step aside in the interest of preserving our democracy, we might be in for the same miserable election matchup as before but with a different and devastating outcome.
Regarding the way CNN handled the debate itself, while some things were better like silencing mikes when the other was "live", I'd like to see them use that same technique to silence the speaker if they didn't begin to answer the question. How long would it take suppressing their opportunity to talk at all before they followed the plan/rules?
Not really. I only know that Biden looks to have increased the likelihood of another disastrous Trump term. And no one else can emerge unless Biden ends his campaign. Biden and his team essentially have lied to us about his capabilities. He might still win, but it would be a nervous second term.
Former Ohio Gov. John Kasich, asked years ago by NBC's Brian Williams about his presidential plans, once said, "You played basketball, Brian. You know of you hang around the rim long enough, something's going to happen."
There's been plenty of Dems "hanging around the rim" in the event Biden faltered, including Secretary Clinton and Sen. Warren, among others. But the Democrats have been tradition-bound to the party pecking order for many years. In contrast, Trump blew the GOP's pecking order to pieces in 2016.
Actually when Mr. Biden won in 2020 I initially thought he's be a one termer and his running mate would be a successor in waiting. But Secretary Clinton feels she was denied in 2008 and 2016. The Trump campaign would like nothing better than to see a Tower or Babel style confusion in the Democratic Party. Someone in the Biden campaign had the foresight to schedule this debate early so he could recover if he faltered. Maybe Biden himself.
Liz Cheney has started a Policial Action Committee called "Our Great Task," the professed goal of which is "defending our Constitution and defeating Donald Trump and his enablers." It would seem that group and the Dems have a common purpose and necessarily have to fuse their efforts to achieve it. That might be a stretch of the Dems "big tent" but a necessary one -- much the same way LBJ called on Sen. Everett Dirksen to amass enough northern Republican votes to break a Southern Democrat filibuster 60 years ago on the Civil Rights Act of 1964. If anyone knows how to do that and "hang arond the rim" and rebound it's President Biden.
Fun fact: Sen. Grassley turns 91 Sept. 17. He has four more years left on his term. He was older than Biden will be at the end of his presidency when he was re-elected two years ago.
This patriotic President of ours must see the handwriting on the wall and withdraw after picking a successor team. Maybe Whitmer and Raskin? The Democratic Party must rally rapidly once Biden leads them a bit. Otherwise we are truly in trouble as a Republic or Democracy. If ever there was a reason to pull together, it is the MAGA movement, which is far bigger than Trump.
This is not a phrase that should ever be uttered in political setting, but the competing campaigns appear to juxtapose the better selves against the bitter selves. A strong Dem candidate will have no trouble showing people which side they represent.
It is sickening. Party hacks and pols say there is no calvary coming but we have to hope for something better. The Dems have a deep bench but it isn’t being used. Trump is an evil man but I wonder if somehow there is a god on his side…he is the absolute luckiest politician I can remember.
I don’t see how Biden gets past this disaster. Agree there are plenty of good people on the bench. How to ramp up a national campaign in a few months is the problem. Raise money. Hire staff. It’s a mess.
I was so disheartened last night that I wasn't going to read this or anything else about the debate. But then, it's Dave Busiek. I have to read it. Good article about a tough subject. I only wish it were different.
Thanks, Andrea. Wish I had better news.
I was the ultimate Biden supporter. Until last night. What can we do? Where can we turn? How does this play out in the politics of the moment? Are there options? I truly believe Pete Buttigieg should be called on to step up to the plate and guide the Democratic ship. We cannot afford to have trump for a second term. That is unacceptable.
Can you imagine Pete on a debate stage with Trump? He would destroy Trump. Whether America is ready for an out gay candidate is another issue.
I asked myself the same question during the last campaign. Is the USA ready for an out gay candidate? Full disclosure, I am proud gay Democratic voter, but also pragmatic, at least I think so. The question, for me, was answered at the last campaign's caucus. I sat with many, many Buttigieg supporters, predominantly straight folks, I am thinking. They were very enthusiastic and there was much conversation about politics. I did not encounter any discussion or concern about Pete being gay. It was primarily about being smart, articulate, progressive, exciting and someone they would like to vote for. Of course, I am sure that was not necessarily an average audience, but since then, Americans have had a chance to see them and their kids and hopefully, become more comfortable and accepting of this new normal. Thank you.
One of the reasons I supported Pete the first time is because I wanted to see him on stage with trump!
It was disappointing for sure but I’ll take old over convicted felon who will wreak havoc on democracy and continue to take our rights away. One debate doesn’t change that. We know the kind of president each of them are and will be. Biden’s people vs. Trumps? Biden’s cabinet vs Trumps? The media needs to chill. Are we really not going to hold Trump accountable? He certainly wasn’t last night.
Good point, Julie. It doesn’t change Biden’s record of accomplishments or Trump’s record of doing very little. But Biden looked so confused last night. Even solid supporters are very worried about his fitness for office.
I agree completely Dave. Like I indicated on the call, I would hope that Joe and Jill could huddle with their campaign leaders, the top brass at the DNC, D-leadership in the House and Senate and come to a quick resolution that desperate times call for very strategic measures. Find the new team, craft the smart and convincing message, and make the announcement. They have to anchor those few undecided and young voters... Thomas Freidman was spot on this morning.
I watched the debate, and it was indeed embarrassing. In a nation of more than 330 million residents—including scores of qualified political leaders—its disgraceful that voters are asked to select one of these two mediocre candidates as the next president. I will be casting a write-in vote so I won’t comment further. On a media question, although CNN did a relatively good job of trying to control the debate, it’s puzzling that no reporters were allowed in the studio. They would not have interfered with the debate and would have been able to ask the two candidates questions immediately following the end of the live broadcast. I hope this mistake is resolved by the next debate.
When I read your column this morning, it was as if I were reading my own thoughts and impressions exactly. I was so dispirited for the spot we as Americans are in, plus embarrassed for our country. Will the Dems move boldly to put forth a truly viable candidate in the face of the blow to victory that last night was?
I'm not politically savvy but I don't see an easy path out of this situation. My thought is that unless Biden reviews his performance and concludes that he should step aside in the interest of preserving our democracy, we might be in for the same miserable election matchup as before but with a different and devastating outcome.
Regarding the way CNN handled the debate itself, while some things were better like silencing mikes when the other was "live", I'd like to see them use that same technique to silence the speaker if they didn't begin to answer the question. How long would it take suppressing their opportunity to talk at all before they followed the plan/rules?
And by extension, if he's not strong enough to win an election, he's not strong enough to serve a second term.
There have been warning signs that a performance like this could happen. See report of Hur, Robert.
Anybody in mind, Rich?
Not really. I only know that Biden looks to have increased the likelihood of another disastrous Trump term. And no one else can emerge unless Biden ends his campaign. Biden and his team essentially have lied to us about his capabilities. He might still win, but it would be a nervous second term.
To amend my previous reply, Dave, it seems hard at this late stage for the Democratic party to go with anyone besides VP Harris.
Agree it would be hard to pass her over. I think Corey Booker would be a lot stronger but his name is not in the conversation.
Former Ohio Gov. John Kasich, asked years ago by NBC's Brian Williams about his presidential plans, once said, "You played basketball, Brian. You know of you hang around the rim long enough, something's going to happen."
There's been plenty of Dems "hanging around the rim" in the event Biden faltered, including Secretary Clinton and Sen. Warren, among others. But the Democrats have been tradition-bound to the party pecking order for many years. In contrast, Trump blew the GOP's pecking order to pieces in 2016.
Actually when Mr. Biden won in 2020 I initially thought he's be a one termer and his running mate would be a successor in waiting. But Secretary Clinton feels she was denied in 2008 and 2016. The Trump campaign would like nothing better than to see a Tower or Babel style confusion in the Democratic Party. Someone in the Biden campaign had the foresight to schedule this debate early so he could recover if he faltered. Maybe Biden himself.
Liz Cheney has started a Policial Action Committee called "Our Great Task," the professed goal of which is "defending our Constitution and defeating Donald Trump and his enablers." It would seem that group and the Dems have a common purpose and necessarily have to fuse their efforts to achieve it. That might be a stretch of the Dems "big tent" but a necessary one -- much the same way LBJ called on Sen. Everett Dirksen to amass enough northern Republican votes to break a Southern Democrat filibuster 60 years ago on the Civil Rights Act of 1964. If anyone knows how to do that and "hang arond the rim" and rebound it's President Biden.
Fun fact: Sen. Grassley turns 91 Sept. 17. He has four more years left on his term. He was older than Biden will be at the end of his presidency when he was re-elected two years ago.
This patriotic President of ours must see the handwriting on the wall and withdraw after picking a successor team. Maybe Whitmer and Raskin? The Democratic Party must rally rapidly once Biden leads them a bit. Otherwise we are truly in trouble as a Republic or Democracy. If ever there was a reason to pull together, it is the MAGA movement, which is far bigger than Trump.
Amen. Painful. Scary. Frustrating.
This is not a phrase that should ever be uttered in political setting, but the competing campaigns appear to juxtapose the better selves against the bitter selves. A strong Dem candidate will have no trouble showing people which side they represent.