Heidi Li FeldmanFriends, it is important to know that millions of rank and file Democrats are concerned about Biden’s health and/or his ability to beat Trump. Accusing them of wanting a Trump victory is neither accurate nor honest. We have to be the party where people can freely express concerns about Biden — otherwise, we risk degenerating into the current Republican situation, where all dissent has been quashed. 1/
As I have said before, my only interest in the upcoming federal elections is in Democrats holding the White House and Senate and, if at all possible, taking the House. My nightmare is a Republican trifecta at the federal level. None of us can know today the best way to produce the best outcome and avert the worst. Many of us are anxious and afraid. Some crave a certainty that is impossible to achieve until we have the election and winners are inaugurated. Understandable, but impossible. 2/
We have to be able to talk to each other, here and elsewhere, without unduly exacerbating each other’s vulnerabilities, anger, and fears regarding American politics at this particularly difficult juncture. I am grateful to those who clearly make an effort to respond in a measured way to those who differ from them in their assessments of Biden’s health and abilities. I am trying to absorb a wide range of views on these matters. I invite you to join me in this effort. 3/
Whatever your or my most ardent preference is for who does or does not head the Democratic ticket come November, we have to work together to put as many Democrats in office, at every level and every state. We can’t lose our focus on this. It has never worked for Democrats to insist that we all agree on everything. That isn’t the culture of the party nor the temperament of its rank and file. 4/
We don’t agree on when and whether we should discuss our differences. We don’t agree on any number of specific policy issues. I believe that we do agree on the importance of rule of law and secular, pluralistic democracy. In an era when so many do not, I am grateful for every one of you who does. 5/
Let’s be good to one another and hard as hell on the Republican crime syndicate and its theocratic, anti-democratic agenda. 6/6
okanogen VerminEnemyFromWithin@heidilifeldman
How about if we for once become the party that risks solidarity?
There's dissent, and then there is the selfish fuckery that helped Trump win in 2016, and looks poised to tank us yet again and elect Trump again in 2024.
There. Is. No. Way. To. Replace. Biden. At. This. Time!
Even if he died, the right-wing will find a way to prevent replacing him on ballots like Wisconsin, Nevada, etc.
The media knows this. We should, too.
How about if we for once become the party that risks solidarity?
There's dissent, and then there is the selfish fuckery that helped Trump win in 2016, and looks poised to tank us yet again and elect Trump again in 2024.
There. Is. No. Way. To. Replace. Biden. At. This. Time!
Even if he died, the right-wing will find a way to prevent replacing him on ballots like Wisconsin, Nevada, etc.
The media knows this. We should, too.
Louis Ingenthron@Okanogen @heidilifeldman Funny, because assuming our bad candidate will prevail and that we don't need to fix their failing candidacy is what sounds like 2016 to me.
@LouisIngenthron @heidilifeldman
Once again. There is no way to replace Biden. It will trigger thousands of right-wing lawsuits in front of corrupt right-wing judges to block his replacement and challenge their legitimacy if they do actually win. You know that. You aren't here for an honest discussion.
Once again. There is no way to replace Biden. It will trigger thousands of right-wing lawsuits in front of corrupt right-wing judges to block his replacement and challenge their legitimacy if they do actually win. You know that. You aren't here for an honest discussion.
@Okanogen @heidilifeldman
1) I hate to tell you this, but we're going to be going up against lots of right-wing lawsuits this election no matter what. You can't stop them. All we can do is make sure we're on the right side of the law.
2) The smug, condescending way that you assume you know my thoughts and intentions better than I do is everything that's wrong with online democrats these days. You're actively harming the party you claim to support. Take the day off for some introspection.
Kevin Leecaster@Okanogen @LouisIngenthron @heidilifeldman
He called the greatest POTUS in my lifetime that has begun the USA's transition away from fossil fuels a "bad candidate" has proven that he's either a Russian troll working for the fossil fuel industry or just a bad judge of character or something.
I don't want to assume.
@GreenFire @heidilifeldman I didn't say he was a bad president. I said he was a bad candidate. And I stand by that assessment. He just doesn't have the energy and enthusiasm he needs to GOTV or coherently rebut Trump in real-time anymore.
I watched the debate expecting Biden to smash Trump. I was horrified to watch the exact opposite unfold.
@LouisIngenthron @heidilifeldman
Well, you are welcome to vote for whoever you think is the better debater.
I choose to vote for the guy who has proven to be a great POTUS.
@GreenFire @heidilifeldman As I've said many times, it's not my vote you have to worry about.
@LouisIngenthron @heidilifeldman
I'm sticking with the voters on the left as seen in these two pictures from the two major party candidates' speeches given recently at Black churches and I've got an army of women willing to also stick with Joe Biden.
Black and Hispanic women voters provided Biden his winning edge in 2020, as 90 and 69 percent of those blocs respectively voted for him. He'll even when a majority of white women's votes this year post-Dobbs.
Chas Mcgroover@LouisIngenthron @Okanogen @heidilifeldman with all due respect, I don't think that is what is being said at all.
Yes, there will no doubt be legal challenges from the right and there will probably also be spates of violence if Democrats prevail. Trump may once again rally his MAGA zealots to try to seize power.
Many awful things are possible in this extremely fraught election.
But abiding by the rule of law is our shield and that is what Dems are trying to do.
@Okanogen @LouisIngenthron @heidilifeldman as Heather Cox Richardson pointed out last week, there is NO WAY to put another candidate on the ballot at this point. Those windows were securely closed and locked months ago.
The real question is how do we find a way to unite around the candidate we have and look to build support for our favored candidates AFTER we secure democracy? That is really the ONLY question on this ballot.
Onceoday 🩺🕊🏕
Woozle Hypertwin@heidilifeldman I agree that it's good for us to be able to question our choices. As Beau of the Fifth Column pointed out, we're having this discussion because our top candidate did poorly (by some reckonings) in a debate -- so where's the GOP, when their candidate did and has been doing far worse? They can't question their own decisions, and that's why they're fash and we aren't.
That said, it really feels like most of the worry about Biden has been induced by concern-trolling from Russian agitprop and the fash-owned big media.
Let's say it's the day Biden is sworn in. He suddenly drops dead. So what? What's important is the team he has built -- the team which has been doing most of the real legwork behind the scenes. That will go on, and we'll get a Black woman for president into the bargain.
I don't see the problem.
Frank Bennett 🇯🇵@heidilifeldman Actually I'm fine with otherwise sensible people branding me as a Russian asset. They mean well. ☺️
Tawtovo (ܬܘܬܒܐ)@heidilifeldman
What confuses me is how fully the narrative of "Biden's disastrous debate performance" has taken hold. I didn't watch the debate, but I read much of the transcript and many descriptions of the debate, and I don't see anything disastrous other than Trump's continuous falsehoods with no fact-checking from the venue. If Biden had spent all his time fact-checking Trump, he would be criticized for not putting forward a positive vision! Why do people think a quiet voice is a disaster?
What confuses me is how fully the narrative of "Biden's disastrous debate performance" has taken hold. I didn't watch the debate, but I read much of the transcript and many descriptions of the debate, and I don't see anything disastrous other than Trump's continuous falsehoods with no fact-checking from the venue. If Biden had spent all his time fact-checking Trump, he would be criticized for not putting forward a positive vision! Why do people think a quiet voice is a disaster?
@tawtovo @heidilifeldman
It's political technology that has learned to create public opinions using social media along with a few crooked media outlets and a bunch of complicit useful idiot ones that has convinced so many people that Biden lost that debate imo.
It's political technology that has learned to create public opinions using social media along with a few crooked media outlets and a bunch of complicit useful idiot ones that has convinced so many people that Biden lost that debate imo.
@GreenFire @tawtovo @heidilifeldman
Biden did not lose debate. He showed faint voice, lost gaze, incoherent rebuttals. His lisp did not help. His policy was supreme but was not audible
Biden did not lose debate. He showed faint voice, lost gaze, incoherent rebuttals. His lisp did not help. His policy was supreme but was not audible
Arena Cops 🇺🇦✌@Hash @GreenFire @tawtovo @heidilifeldman The covert successes of humble President Biden & his team, publicly not screamingly sold like DOA Trump "products", are, where they belong: In the hands & homes of the American people!
#AmericaMoves #BidenCares #AmericaWon #PresidentBiden #DefendDemocracy #Democracy #VOTE #YourVoiceMatters #YouMatter #USPol #USPolitics
Jonathan Kamens 86 47@tawtovo @heidilifeldman I did watch the debate. Biden's performance in the first half hour was terrifying. We need to be able to acknowledge reality, not gaslight people who know what they saw.
I assure you, the transcripts do not do it justice. I suggest you go back and watch a recording if you want to understand what people are and were concerned about.
I'm not advocating for him to drop out. I don't think that's the right answer. I just think we need to be honest with ourselves.
I assure you, the transcripts do not do it justice. I suggest you go back and watch a recording if you want to understand what people are and were concerned about.
I'm not advocating for him to drop out. I don't think that's the right answer. I just think we need to be honest with ourselves.
@tawtovo @heidilifeldman he was mixing up different points in his answers which did look pretty bad. I think it is a legitimate concern that people can draw from watching it rather than just listening to news outlets
SilkesterHow about looking at past instances where the nominee changed this late. The outlook is not good.
How about acknowledging that the concern was artificially manufactured.
And taking into account the trauma and how it heightens a confirmation bias.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FpCzjLf2BWc
Propaganda works best when people on the target group amplify it.
NYT published 192 articles on the subject since the debate. It's a campaign against Biden not legit concern based on facts.
Is the PRESS out to DESTROY DEMOCRACY?! The Jackals Descend on Biden | #ResistanceLive
Aaron Brick — אהרן בריק@heidilifeldman I agree. Doesn't it stink that this wasn't resolved earlier? I'm concerned that if the party nominating process is broken (apparently true), right before the general election might not be the best time to try to fix it.
@aarbrk @heidilifeldman
The Democratic candidate was selected at the ballot box just like they all have been since the 1970's so what the heck are you talking about?
The Democratic candidate was selected at the ballot box just like they all have been since the 1970's so what the heck are you talking about?
@GreenFire @heidilifeldman Sure. I think the traditional calendar of FPTP primaries in an arbitrary order is a terrible way to agree on a candidate! Other kinds of elections could produce better quality agreements.
@aarbrk @heidilifeldman
I would like to see how just implementing Ranked Choice Voting in all of the primaries might help especially since I would like for that to become our default election method.
I would like to see how just implementing Ranked Choice Voting in all of the primaries might help especially since I would like for that to become our default election method.
@aarbrk @heidilifeldman It was resolved. We had primaries in every state.
@Onceoday @heidilifeldman But holding them in sequence privileges the early states.
Martijn VosYeah, having Biden step down now is a terrible idea. If there was another popular candidate polling stronger against Trump, it might be an option.
Instead of demanding Biden step down, make Harris more visible. If she does well, Biden can easily step down later in favour of his VP.
Another option might be to run a strong third party candidate to test the waters, but with the promise to step down if they don't poll well enough by October. But you've got to make sure you don't end up with a spoiler; either Biden or the alternative has to drop out, but you have got to have that alternative first.
@heidilifeldman Yep, and blaming the media for reporting on what many Democrats are genuinely concerned about is also a very Trumpian tactic that we need to avoid adopting.
Virginia Murr@LouisIngenthron @heidilifeldman
Which MSM outlets have pushed (for weeks) for Trump to drop from the race because he was found to be a rapist? Or because he was found guilty of dozens of felonies?
Rapist vs "too old" are not remotely equivalent.
It's absolutely proper to criticize journalists and media outlets who don't see rape & felonies as worse than old age.
@VirginiaMurr @heidilifeldman Three democratic congressman have called for Biden to step down. That doesn't happen unless a *lot* of normal people and political people are talking about it. It would be journalistic malpractice not to cover the issue.
But, yeah, as Trump (and now some liberals) has found, it's often easier to blame the media than to participate in introspection.
@LouisIngenthron @heidilifeldman
Why did you avoid my question?
Or, do you agree with the media that being too old is worse than rape?
@VirginiaMurr @heidilifeldman If you haven't figured out by now that Republicans are perfectly happy to elect a rapist convict, then I don't know what to tell you.
More importantly, the reason people are calling for Joe to drop out is specifically because they don't think he has what it takes to defeat the rapist convict.
If a big bully at school is screwing with you and the kid you hired to protect you is too weak to handle it, you don't ask the bully to drop out. You fire the kid you hired and elect a tougher one.
@LouisIngenthron @heidilifeldman
You still didn't answer my question.
Let me try again. (As a reminder, you stated that people who are "blaming the media" are using a "Trumpian tactic." My question was a direct response to that.)
The question is:
"Which MSM outlets have pushed (for weeks) for Trump to drop from the race because he was found to be a rapist? Or because he was found guilty of dozens of felonies?"
@VirginiaMurr @heidilifeldman The answer is the same as it is to the question "Which newspapers reported a fart in the wind?"
What's next? Are you going to demand that they all carry exclusive stories about how "water is wet"?
The bottom line is that Republicans aren't concerned about these things. They won't call for their candidate to drop out over those issues. Newspapers demanding Trump drop out are like newspapers demanding the sky change color. We *all* already know he's a shitty person. The only personal question left is whether that's a selling point or a warning sign.
If you can't understand why the news only reports on what's newsworthy, then I can't help you.
@LouisIngenthron @heidilifeldman
You still didn't directly answer the question, so I will. The answer is zero.
Zero MSM outlets for wks called for Trump to drop from the race when he was found to be a rapist or when he was found guilty of dozens of felonies.
And your odd point that the media should *only* call for Trump to drop out if his base wants him to drop is moot.
It's moot because the MSM outlets started pushing Biden to drop *the night of the debate.* They had NO voter input.
@VirginiaMurr @heidilifeldman Lol, really? I was watching it live. They were all on their phones getting texts from scared campaigners and voters and friends.
@LouisIngenthron @heidilifeldman
Sigh.
Yes, campaign people. Senate people. Political establishment. *NOT* voters. Voter feedback takes days.
In sum: You started by slamming people who criticize MSM as "Trumpian." Not because it's a rational, explainable position, but because you agree with MSM about Biden. Thus, you attack people who disagree with you by likening them to a rapist & felon and his ilk. Maybe not the best approach.
I'll save us both some time & end the convo here. Take care.
> Voter feedback takes days.
Lol, no it doesn't. You ask a room of people to raise their hands in response to questions. It takes seconds, and it's only a little less reliable than a massive phone bank.
> You started by slamming people who criticize MSM as "Trumpian." Not because it's a rational, explainable position, but because you agree with MSM about Biden.
I criticize the belief that the media are the cause, rather than the effect, of Biden's unpopularity as being "Trumpian" because, yes, that's exactly the tactic Trump has used.
If the media reports that your candidate is weak, you have a choice. You can either try to deal with that weakness, whether it be perception or reality, or you can complain about how the media isn't focusing on your opponents' weaknesses and they're all part of a conspiracy against your side. Which do you think is the best approach?
No Gods , no Masters! RESIST@VirginiaMurr
Call these people out.
I just read the entire health evaluation for President Biden.
There is nothing wrong with him.
Meanwhile more of the Epstein files have been released and there was a witness that testified about Trump raping a 13 year old.
Call these people out.
I just read the entire health evaluation for President Biden.
There is nothing wrong with him.
Meanwhile more of the Epstein files have been released and there was a witness that testified about Trump raping a 13 year old.
KChernecky For Democracy
2¢@palin @VirginiaMurr yeah, nothing to see here. Move along. Do what you're told.
@LouisIngenthron @VirginiaMurr @heidilifeldman
Yeah! Hen and egg problem. What came first? Obsessive reporting or the concern?
I'd say the age is blown out of proportion. Biden was old in the first term, it didn't stop him from a good performance on the job.
Lawrence: We live in a country where most commentators declared the liar the debate winner
icastico@LouisIngenthron @heidilifeldman
I actually do blame the media for a scandal-focused bias that amplifies controversy over substance. Coverage of politics is just a proxy for coverage of governance- but our media environment has forgotten that. Democratic concern over Biden is exactly that the impression that he is too old will hurt his ability to defeat Trump. That impression is amplified when there are 100 stories about the issue for every 2 stories about Trump’s embrace of far-right and fascist policies - which he does not seem to understand. If every story about Trump emphasized his own limited cognitive ability. His lack of knowledge of details. His inability to express coherent positions, then I could take the media coverage of Democratic Party deliberations about Biden’s age as “reporting” - but what I am seeing are deliberate editorial decisions to create a scandal. For that, the media deserves blame.
> a scandal-focused bias that amplifies controversy over substance
True, but that goes both ways.
> but our media environment has forgotten that. Democratic concern over Biden is exactly that the impression that he is too old will hurt his ability to defeat Trump
It's not their job to get Biden elected. It's their job to report on what others are doing and saying.
We know Trump is incompetent. Why discuss it? But whether or not Biden is competent to make it through the election is a matter for discussion, so it's being covered. That's just how news works. It worked against Trump the last two cycles, but this time we have such a weak candidate that it's working against us this time around.
@LouisIngenthron @heidilifeldman
"t's not their job to get Biden elected. It's their job to report on what others are doing and saying."
No. It is their job to make money for their company. It SHOULD be their job to report on what is happening. The scandal-focus is about the money, not the journalism.
"True, but that goes both ways."
But it doesn't. Count the number of stories about Biden's age versus Trump's cognitive ramblings. Count the number of stories about Democrats expressing doubts about Biden versus the Republicans working against Trump.
"We know Trump is incompetent. Why discuss it? "
Because it is news that an incompetent radical is trying to be president. The radicals that are supporting him are continuing to talk and act That is news. And the story ISN'T just lots of people support him. The story is that he has plans that will have consequences, that he doesn't have the skills to control the radicals that surround him. Reporting on what people are saying and doing during a political campaign should be about the consequences of making one choice over the other - NOT about the popularity contest, primarily.
@icastico @LouisIngenthron @heidilifeldman
Trump is all in, when it comes to white property supremacy.
Trump is not a people's president.
Trump is a sociopathinc malignant narcissistic billionaires president.
The corporate media ia outrage farming. Currently, exploiting Dems anxiety and thereby amplifying said anxiety is more profitable. This is not journalism, that's staged "reality" entertainment.
@LouisIngenthron @heidilifeldman
There is reporting and there is obsessive propaganda. 192 articles on the debate by the NYT is obsessive propagandists.
Biden admits he had a bad 90 minutes.
People, who work with him and foreign allies, confirm that Biden is fine, prepared and up to the task and badass prepared, apparently.
How about moving on and concentrating on what matters. Results! Biden delivered under challenging circumstances.
Impromptu interview + rallies show, it was a one-off.
oracle bonz@heidilifeldman Agreed. It's taken me days to think through Biden's performance, to ask and get answered if there are any viable options if he decides to exit the campaign. I don't appreciate being called a bed-wetter or to put a sock in it, but it's also clear that there's a concerted campaign to undermine the Democrats. @Laffy has seen the worst.
✊🏾WiseGuyEddie@heidilifeldman Nonsense! Democrats are the worst at standing up for our own. We panic and run around like chickens with their head cut off at the slightest hint of adversity (see: Al Franken). The reason we can't have nice things is, unfortunately, because of you "well-ententioned" democrats who consistently cause us to lose elections. I normally agree with you, but this current take of yours sucks.
@wiseguyeddie @heidilifeldman That's the cost of having a pluralistic party instead of a cult.