peggysue2
peggysue2's JournalThe Debate From a Slightly Different Perspective
I've just had my cable capacity restored after a major power outage in our area. Lost all my in-house electronic connections--TV, phones and computer. Consequently, my husband and I (and our dog Kiera) listened to last night's debate via my car's Sirius connection. Which meant we sat in the driveway for 2+ hours running the car, switching to battery assist, running the car, etc., etc., etc. We did this bc our pooch gets motion sickness, so a 2+ hour drive was out of the question. Anyway . . .
I listened to the debate devoid of the optics. I was a bit startled the some DUer's were making reference to Joe Biden's appearance or that he sounded 'shaky.' To me (husband and puppy agree), Biden defended himself and threw some punches back without getting nasty. He was also one of the few debate participants who honored the time limits. Only heard Joe go over his time allotment once though I might have missed another occasion running into the house to use the bathroom. 
In any case, he had a much better night than in the first round. He held his own, he answered his critics and he passionately defended President Obama's record.
Kamala Harris had a reversal of fortune last night, IMHO. She was not forthcoming on the details of her healthcare proposal, eg. that people will be kicked off their employer-based insurance programs. Simply saying that private insurance will still be available is tap-dancing around the major issue, specifically removing people from plans they have and want to keep. Then there was the surprise attack from Tulsi Gabbard which was pretty harsh and for which Harris seemed unprepared. Maybe a little karma worked its way into the room!
Cory Booker was as aggressive as I'd anticipated. According to Booker, we're all to believe that every flaw/fault of our criminal justice system is Joe Biden's responsibility. A step too far in my mind. Plus, Booker definitely got prickly when Biden mentioned Booker's own shortcomings in Newark. It was a 'what's okay for thee is off-limits for me' moment. Not an effective approach if you're that thin-skinned. That being said, I'm sure Booker will get the attention he wanted. Whether it will be good or bad remains to be seen. But I must say, criticizing President Obama could result in a huge backlash. Not a good strategy from where I was sitting.
Tulsi Gabbard was ready to rumble last night. Just can't figure her out. She's not going to be the nominee but I wonder if she's hoping for a cabinet position in a Biden Administration. She's not a fan of Kamala Harris that's for damn well sure. But I don't know why the laser focus on Harris' background and AG history? Puzzling.
Inslee is the go-to man for all things climate related. DiBlasio was a jerk for a second time and Gillibrand was ineffective (though I liked her Clorox the Oval Office line).
Castro needs to drop the decriminalization discussion because this is a fatal subject for Dems with all our current immigration problems. More effective would be a call for a renewed push on an actual immigration policy, so everyone knows the rules upfront and underscoring the right of asylum for those at the border. There are other strategies of increasing funds (rather than Trump's cutting) for our southern neighbors to improve their economies and reduce crime so people don't feel the desperation to leave in the first place. But the word 'decriminalization' is toxic in the present atmosphere.
Andrew Yang brings an interesting and important perspective to the discussion--the guaranteed income idea in face of the AI revolution which will decimate employment. It's something we're going to deal with in the future whether we want to or not. But I don't think it's enough to move the needle, at least not yet. Poor Michael Bennet's voice was lost in the noise. What became clear to me, however, is that Bennet shares a lot of Biden's positions, a liberal to moderate pragmatic platform, things we can get done and restore.
So, that was my personal reaction without seeing the expressions, gestures or body language. Biden (who is my choice at the moment) held his own. Harris took a number of slings and arrows and a few I suspect left a mark. As for Booker? Guess we'll have to see the post-debate polling to determine if the pugilistic debate style worked. It didn't for me (my husband and puppy as well). But we're just three entities and Kiera doesn't vote. 
Black Lawmakers Have Joe Biden's Back Following Segregationist Comments
Members of the Congressional Black Caucus were quick to defend Joe Biden after the uproar over comments claiming Biden had worked with segregationists to 'get things done.' Jim Clyburn was quoted as follows:
“I worked with Strom Thurmond all my life,” House Majority Whip James Clyburn (D-S.C.), the highest-ranking African American in Congress, said of the infamous segregationist senator. “You don’t have to agree with people to work with them.”
It appears that a number of CBC members would refute the idea that Biden is the 'most tone deaf politician in American history.'
Which btw would be Donald Trump.
https://www.politico.com/story/2019/06/19/joe-biden-segregationist-comments-1370844
Is There An Anti-Biden Lane for Other Democratic Candidates?
Nate Silver has a pretty interesting discussion up this morning on what candidates might do to knock Biden off his lead. Link here:
https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/is-there-an-anti-biden-lane-in-the-democratic-primary/
I think it's the sort of thing we should keep in mind as time goes by and the debates draw closer. As to be expected the majority of the group are squarely in the 'anti-electability' corner. But even this group is willing to admit that the electability factor (be it real or not) is playing into Biden's early success.
They also agree that knocking off Joe Biden will not be easy. Biggest vulnerability: in their opinion, Joe's age. I'm reading this slant in a number of articles reflecting Biden's casual rollout, the fact that he's not barnstorming the crucial early states as are other candidates. Could it be, the articles query, a lack of stamina?
Also, the attacks on Biden will (they believe) ramp up though the effectiveness is yet to be determined. They made an interesting observation that if a number of Dem candidates start slamming on the same issue, it might break through. For instance the 90s Crime Bill, something Hillary Clinton caught heat over. The same attack from Trump would be less effective since his stance on criminal justice has been historically abysmal, despite the reform bill. The Manhattan Five, anyone?
Anyway, I think the maxim: To be forewarned is to be forearmed is useful to remember. Discussions are heating up even at DU and we're only a tiny slice of the Democratic community. The most recent slam over Joe Biden's attention to the 10-year old girl at the Teachers Union town hall was silly and lame. But that doesn't mean there won't be plenty more where that came from.
The other thing pointed out in the discussion is the determinative power of the debates. I think we all realize this. I have confidence in Biden standing his ground. But this will be the moment that lesser candidates will use as a breakout moment. Which means releasing the Big Guns, even if the fire is ultimately impotent. So far, none of the attacks have lessened Joe's undeniable lead.
Should get very interesting! Did I say ugly? 
Projection, A Thing of Beauty
The word has been out for sometime that Donald Trump is a master of projection. But today, he publicly slammed Nancy Pelosi as 'crazy.' He's watched her for a long time, Don the Con said and she's simply 'not the same.'
She's losing it, he said adamantly.
I'm sure mental health people will have plenty to say on the matter. But my God, Donald Trump is so obviously deranged with a gargantuan personality disorder on display every day. And he's getting worse.
Frightening when you think this is an individual who could easily tip us into a disastrous war with Iran. Because Bolton another loose cannon has convinced him it will seal the deal on his reelection prospects.
Welcome to Crazy Land. Hopefully, we find the exits before it's too late.
Just heard on MSNBC that Joe raised . . .
$6.3 million in his first 24 hours. Not a bad haul!
Endorsements come flooding in after Biden's Official Announcement
Joe Biden's endorsement list prior to today's official announcement was trailing at 18 pts. Since this morning, 538 has posted him at the head of the herd with 61 points thus far, surpassing even Cory Booker's impressive round up.
Joey Biden is on the move!
https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/2020-endorsements/democratic-primary/?ex_cid=rrpromo
Turns Out the Philadelphia Inquirer Got It Wrong. Which Means So Did I.
Just read then heard on Chris Matthews' show that Charlottesville will not be Biden's kickoff venue. I'm disappointed by the change but also the Inquirer's reported admission that this was a 'rumor,' rather than a done deal. Also read that though the idea was discussed between Biden's advisors, there was pushback from activists in the state who felt the kickoff would be using Heather Heyer's death as a political football, somehow diminishing her death.
Really?
I thought just the opposite, thought the announcement would remind us all of that awful day and Donald Trump's incredibly callous response.
But then, these decisions are certainly above my pay grade.
So I guess we wait and find out Wednesday where the official announcement is made. Philly? Pittsburgh? Scranton?
Up for grabs now.
Joe Biden's Kickoff Next Wednesday in Charlottesville is a Strong, Profound Message
The Charlottesville kickoff will be a meaningful shot across the bow, a strong reminder of who exactly we're dealing with when it comes to the Trumpster and his hateful enablers. No one should forget the neo-Nazi sympathizers with their tiki torches chanting antisemitic slogans or the death of Heather Heyer or the infamous, Trumpian reaction:
"I'm sure there are fine people on both sides."
Really?
In that moment the Trumpster revealed himself as a wanna-be white nationalist and no decent human being should ever forget the disgusting display of ignorance and hate manifested during that rally.
I think this choice is brilliant on Biden's part. Start knocking teeth on Day 1.
Just Changed My Preference from Undecided to Joe Biden
To be honest? Joe Biden has always been at the top of my list because I think he gives us the best chance of knocking the Trumpster and his enablers out of orbit.
Why now?
The incoming political attacks from the Left & the Right which only underscores the threat that a Biden presidential run really represents to other candidates but more importantly to Trumplandia. Of course, I could change my mind; there are several other candidates I could easily support. But none with the knockdown power of a Joe Biden.
So for now? Joey B and his extensive experience in domestic and foreign policy is my main guy.
Biden 2020!
Beto O'Rourke jumps into New Hampshire, All Jets Fired
Whether you're convinced that Beto O'Rourke is the real deal or not, I find this pretty damn amazing. The next 48 hours? O'Rourke is planning to blast through every county in the state.
There's energy and then there's Beto Energy. Whoosh!
https://twitter.com/BetoORourke/status/1108115528357421057
Profile Information
Name: PegGender: Female
Hometown: New Jersey
Home country: USA
Current location: Wilmington, DE
Member since: Sat Feb 6, 2016, 08:31 PM
Number of posts: 11,354