Yesterday was a major moment in the Presidential campaign of 2020, with Joe Biden confronting an Iowa voter who challenged his age and his son, Hunter Biden.
Biden answered in a very appropriate manner, and gave this blogger renewed confidence in his candidacy, after many doubts earlier.
Biden has gone through the worst tragedy anyone could experience, the loss of a son, Beau Biden, which clearly put him into a period of depression, and Biden has known what tragedy is, with the loss in 1972 of his first wife and their daughter in an auto accident, in which both Biden sons, Beau and Hunter, were seriously injured.
Joe has been a survivor, but has also shown his humanity and compassion as a result of these tragedies in his life, including his aneurysm that nearly killed him in 1988, requiring brain surgery.
One could wish that Joe was younger, but in comparison to Bernie Sanders and Michael Bloomberg, both around the same age, with Bernie 14 months older and Bloomberg nine months older, this author would still prefer Joe in the White House.
Joe needs not to defend his son Hunter, as when one looks at the careers of Donald Trump’s sons and daughter, and how they have used their father’s name and reputation to benefit themselves, there is no need for Joe to defend his son.
As far as the concern with Joe’s age, as with the other two future octogenarians, it would still be preferable to have a younger nominee, such as Pete Buttigieg, but at this point, while this author likes Pete, it will ultimately be up to the voters in the next few months as to whether youth is preferred over age and experience.
Any concerns about Joe’s ability to perform against Trump now seems laid to rest after the way he handled this Iowa voter.
And as far as what if something happens to Joe in the White House, it could not be worse than with Donald Trump, and the same basic concern is there for Sanders, who suffered a mild heart attack, and Bloomberg, as no one can guarantee health.
That makes, however, the smart choice of a Vice President ever more urgent, no matter who the Democratic nominee is in 2020!
Seconded. That moment yesterday eased my concerns too.
“Joe needs not to defend his son Hunter, as when one looks at the careers of Donald Trump’s sons and daughter, and how they have used their father’s name and reputation to benefit themselves, there is no need for Joe to defend his son.”
So the standard of behavior to which we are to hold politicians, their spawn, and how they use their power, connections, and stroke to enrich themselves and their family is now Trump, is it?
If that is the case, Professor, then this nation is not only fiscally and financially bankrupt; it is in moral default, as well.
If Biden was a Republican, would You be so quick to say he has no need to defend his son? Just like if Trump had won the popular vote and Clinton the Electoral vote, would Y’All be screaming for an abolition of that College?
What complete and totally shameless bloody, bleeping [expletive deleted]ing hypocrisy.
Biden and his Bullshit should be investigated ~ with a presumption of corruption, collusion, deceit, and self-enrichment ~ just like Every other present, past, and future elected and appointed politician in Swampland.
So Barack and Michelle just bought themselves a $12.5 million chalet out on the Cape, eh? And how much are BillyBobb and The Hillary worth; given that neither has ever worked for anything but a government for their entire lives, just like the Obamas? How’d those folks get so rich and part of the 1%?
The Game is $ 1 = 1 Vote, and You folks on the Left play it just as hard, fast, and loose as Your colleagues, cohorts, compeers, and un-indicted co-conspirators on the Right and in the Muddled Middle.
Biden doesn’t need to defend his son because of Trump and his kids, eh….. ? FMTD.
Jeffrey, did you ever stop to think that the money earned by the Clintons and the Obamas comes from their fame?
They can give speeches and publish books, and make tens of millions over a decade and more.
That is what happens when one is a public figure, and the American people want to see them speak or read what they publish.
And Hunter Biden is small fry, compared to the corruption and abuses of Donald Jr, Eric, Ivanka, and Jared, whether you want to accept that or not!
“Jeffrey, did you ever stop to think that the money earned by the Clintons and the Obamas comes from their fame?
“They can give speeches and publish books, and make tens of millions over a decade and more.
“That is what happens when one is a public figure, and the American people want to see them speak or read what they publish.”
Heh. Yeah, Professor, i have stopped and thought about that. And laughed about it and forgot about it as a very comfortable and even more convenient myth.
For starters, the Obamas have had less than three years to make their tens of millions from their speeches, book deals, product endorsements, tv talk show appearances, etc.
Second: how much of the Clinton wealth comes from books, speeches, etc, as opposed to their “Foundation,” and other “contributions to their legacies and fame,” if not their political campaigns?
i doubt if it is public information [how about if Obama and the Clintons release THEIR tax records since retiring from the White House?]; but wouldn’t it be interesting to see how much of that wealth comes from speaker fees and book royalties? As opposed to how much comes from what else.
“And Hunter Biden is small fry, compared to the corruption and abuses of Donald Jr, Eric, Ivanka, and Jared, whether you want to accept that or not!”
And whether You want to accept it or not: You [just like the rest of us] do not have a clue as to how corrupt and abusive the young [or the old] Biden is. Or how corrupt and abusive Obama and Clinton were and are. Or how corrupt everybody in Swampland is, regardless of which end of Pennsylvania Avenue they occupy and to which Party they pledge allegiance.
If they weren’t corrupt, they wouldn’t be there in the first place; and certainly wouldn’t stay there very long, in the second.
But again, i see that You have bought 100% into the idea that TRUMP is the new Standard for determining how we judge the morality of our elected officials and their families.
If Trump and his spawn can do do it and get away with it, well, then, why can’t OUR guyz?
Like i said: FMTD.
If this nation doesn’t survive to celebrate its 250th birthday on July 4, 2026, it will not be difficult to understand why.
Jeffrey, you are so much the pessimist.
I assure you with certainty that America and its Constitution will survive to 2026 and beyond.
To live one’s life with such gloomy premonition is not healthy.
We survived the Civil War and the Great Depression, and we will survive the most corrupt administration we have ever seen in American history, and notice how the Democrats won the House, and have brought about what never would have happened if they had not won, a public accountability for the disgrace we are going through.
Even without conviction in the Senate due to lack of principle and courage of the Republicans, Trump will go down in history as the worst President by far in American history.
“Jeffrey, you are so much the pessimist.
“I assure you with certainty that America and its Constitution will survive to 2026 and beyond.
“To live one’s life with such gloomy premonition is not healthy.”
Two points:
1. There is a fine line between gloomy, preminiscient pessimism, and bullet-hits-the bone realism.
2. Hope is not a method.
To be perfectly honest, Professor, i am less interested in July 4, 2026, than i am in November 3, 2020, and January 20, 2021. What would it take to cancel next year’s Election?
How about another 9/11 and/or a financial ¢®isi$ “meltdown? Think that’d get next November’s activities canceled, or at least postponed until further notice? And if those who benefited most from those events determine that they stand to gain even more from a second iteration, who and or what is going to stop them?
And even if there is an election next November, that is no guarantee that there will be an inauguration the following January; regardless of who loses. But especially if it’s Trump.
Who and or what is to prevent that 9/11- or ¢®isi$-II from happening between election day and the parade down Pennsylvania Avenue? And how much fun do You think those parades in DC will be when all those folks who refuse to accept the results of the election show up along with all those folks who do?
“We survived the Civil War and the Great Depression, and we will survive the most corrupt administration we have ever seen in American history.”
The America that “survived” the First American Civil War is not the America that may very soon confront the Second American Civil War. And the America that “survived” ACW-I is the America that laid the foundation for the racial turmoil that has engulfed this nation ever since Appomattox. [And before that, built Slavery into its very Founding Document; but that’s a separate rant.]
And the America that “survived” the First Great Depression is not the America that may very soon confront the Second. Plus, the only reason America and the World got out of GD-1 was because of World War II. And it will no doubt take another War to get America and the World out of GD-2. But after that War, there will be no Pax Americana; or Pax anything, for that matter.
And we only know how corrupt Trump is because he doesn’t bother to attempt to even pretend to hide it; nor does he care whether people think he is corrupt or not. When the Secret Histories of America’s Presidents, Vice Presidents, Cabinet members, Senators and Representatives, and Federal Judges are de-classified, won’t it be interesting to learn exactly how corrupt Swampland was during the Obama, Cheney/Bush the Lesser, Clinton, Bush the Elder and Bozo, and the Peanut Farmer regimes? Exactly Who all their owners, operators, handlers, script writers, and controllers were.
“Even without conviction in the Senate due to lack of principle and courage of the Republicans, Trump will go down in history as the worst President by far in American history.”
i’d be less concerned about whether or not Trump is “the worst President by far in American history,” than i would be about whether or not he will be the Last President in America.
And i find my “gloomy premonition” to be quite healthful. At seventy-three and no longer merely growing old, but actually, really Old, it gives me something to focus on, dig into, and to see if i can understand exactly what is going on.
Jeffrey, I can fully understand your concerns and disillusionment about our government and political system.
I can be certain in saying that there will be an inauguration on January 20, 2021 and an election on November 3, 2020, and that Donald Trump will have to leave when he loses, or else the Secret Service and the FBI will assure his removal in chains if need be.
He cannot overcome our history and our Constitution and Bill of Rights, and the concern about firearms is warranted, but enforcement of the election and the inauguration will move forward, as it has done for 230 years.
And despite your cynicism, the record of Jimmy Carter and Barack Obama is that they were the most scandal free administrations of modern times, while I would not be able to make the same case for Ronald Reagan, George H W Bush, Bill Clinton, and George W. Bush.
There also have been members of Congress and some cabinet members under some Presidents who are corrupt, but I am sure it is a minority, not a majority, and the truth always comes out, even if delayed.
So cheer up and try to have a more positive outlook on the future, and by the way, I am reaching 75 ten days from now, and believe in the American story being renewed by the challenge to Donald Trump, and his eventual accountability for his crimes!
“Jeffrey, I can fully understand your concerns and disillusionment about our government and political system.”
No, Professor; i do not think that You can or do.
“I can be certain in saying that there will be an inauguration on January 20, 2021 and an election on November 3, 2020, and that Donald Trump will have to leave when he loses, or else the Secret Service and the FBI will assure his removal in chains if need be.”
The Secret Service, FBI, and what Army is going to remove Trump ~ particularly in chains ~ if he has mobilized his Trumpatistas to rally around him and keep POTUS Maximus XLV around so he can keep on keeping to “Keep America Great” from those who have stolen the 2020 election? And he and they and their media have witnesses, whistle blowers, evidence, and “proof.”
“He cannot overcome our history and our Constitution and Bill of Rights, and the concern about firearms is warranted, but enforcement of the election and the inauguration will move forward, as it has done for 230 years.”
How much are You prepared to bet on that?
And what happens if Trump wins, and the Democrats and their media have witnesses, whistle blowers, evidence, and “proof” of their own that the election was stolen? What happens then?
“And despite your cynicism, the record of Jimmy Carter and Barack Obama is that they were the most scandal free administrations of modern times, while I would not be able to make the same case for Ronald Reagan, George H W Bush, Bill Clinton, and George W. Bush.”
That depends entirely upon what You mean by “scandal” and “free,” and on who is doing the judging and when.
It would be interesting to see what would come out if the Carter and Obama regimes [along with their successor/predecessor peers] were subjected to an independent criminal investigation/truth commission that de-classified Everything that was done by the federal government on their watches; with particular presumption of ~ and emphasis upon ~ corruption, collusion, fraud, waste, abuse, deceit, deception, and other high crimes and misdemeanors.
So Carter and Obama were cleaner than the other guyz, eh? Now THAT is really something to crow about, isn’t it? That’s like making Trump and his family the standard for judging the behavior of one particular American politician and his son.
“There also have been members of Congress and some cabinet members under some Presidents who are corrupt, but I am sure it is a minority, not a majority, and the truth always comes out, even if delayed.”
As a Professor of American History, can You honestly and sincerely declare that ~ throughout American history ~ it is only a minority of the Leadership of Congress that has been, is, and will forever be corrupt? How do You think they stayed in Congress long enough to become Leaders? But maybe You should first define “corrupt.” i’m sure that Pelosi is the perfect Madonna of Innocence, while McConnell is Satan personified.
And how do You know what “Truths” have come out when You don’t even know what is being kept secret from You? Or which new “Truths” are just more Lies?
Do You know “The Truth” about The USS Maine? The Lusitania? Pearl Harbor? The Kennedys/King/X Assassinations? 9/11? The 2008 ¢®isi$? Who “really” won in 2000 and 2016?
“So cheer up and try to have a more positive outlook on the future, and by the way, I am reaching 75 ten days from now, and believe in the American story being renewed by the challenge to Donald Trump, and his eventual accountability for his crimes!”
Happy Birthday, Professor; may You have as many more as You wish.
But i gotta ask: Which “American story” is it that’s “being renewed,” Doc? There are several that were in place and play when Obama left the throne: the Military-Industrial State and its Forever War? the Corporate Welfare State? the Surveillance/Secrecy/Security/Safety State? the Debtor State? the Wealth Transfer State? the $ 1 = 1 Vote State? the Echo Chamber News Silo Infotainment State? the Guns n Drugs Cartel State? the robo-Cops n Drones State?
Is that the “story” You see being renewed? Or is there a different story ~ based on what has happened in and to this country since 9/11, since the 60s, since the end [or beginning] of World War II ~ that You can point to as actual, real history?
i am sure that there were those who believed that the “story” ~ of the USSR [and the Czars], of Mao’s [and of all the Emperors before him and since] China, of the European Colonial Empires and the Reign of Church and Nobility before them, and all the way back to Rome and Alexander the Great ~ that those stories were in the process of being “renewed,” as well.
Even as those stories were in the process of being shredded by the passage of time and its attendant evisceration of truth, destruction of wealth, and evaporation of power.
i’ll cheer up when i see somebody ~ anybody ~ offer an alternative to what America confronts as its choices right now in 2020. i’ll cheer up when somebody announces how they plan to confront, challenge, combat, defeat, and dismantle The Warfare/Welfare/Surveillance/Secrecy/Security/Debtor/ Propaganda State, Deep and otherwise.
That’s when i’ll cheer up and adopt a positive outlook about the future of America and with it, the World. And given the choices and the alternatives confronting America today as we get inside a year from Election 2020, that may be a while.