Josh Shapiro

Four Democrats, Straight White Christian Men, May Be Best Alternatives For 2028!

Ronald 5 Comments

In a time of so much division and conflict in America, it is noticeable that most of the potential Democratic Party Presidential contenders are perceived as having disadvantages in a time of white Christian nationalist extremism taking over the Republican Party, encouraged by Donald Trump.

The following list of 20 potential Presidential contenders is quite revealing, as we have the elections next week in NYC, New Jersey, Virginia, and the California vote on reapportionment of Congressional seats.

So we have potential Presidential contenders who are females—Kamala Harris, Gretchen Whitmer, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Amy Klobuchar.

So we have potential Presidential contenders who are African Americans or Latino or Asian ethnicity—Wes Moore, Cory Booker, Raphael Warnock, Stephen A. Smith, Ruben Gallego, Ro Khanna.

So we have potential Presidential contenders who are Jewish—JD Pritzker, Josh Shapiro, Jared Polis, Jon Ossoff, Josh Green.

So we have potential Presidential contenders who are gay—Pete Buttigieg, Jared Polis.

And then, we have white male “straight” Christian Presidential contenders—Gavin Newsom, Andy Beshear, Chris Murphy, Mark Kelly.

One could argue that in the present political climate, the latter four names—all white male “straight” Christian contenders—might be the best bet moving forward, although saying that is tragic, as it should not matter if one is a female, a racial minority, Jewish, or Gay individual.

Other than Barack Obama, the sad truth is that no woman, racial minority, Jewish, or gay politician, has been able to break through to this point, a sad commentary on American life!

Kamala Harris Memoir Burns Bridges, Likely Insures End Of Political Career!

Ronald 2 Comments

Former Vice President Kamala Harris, by publishing a memoir with strong statements about many political leaders she has worked with, is likely burning her bridges, making it highly doubtful that she will ever again hold public office.

History records that once a Presidential nominee has lost election to the White House, the odds are extremely high that such individual will never be President.

There are only six cases of a defeated Presidential nominee going on to be elected President–three before the Civil War, once in the Gilded Age, once in the mid 20th century, and finally, Donald Trump.

Two of the cases–Grover Cleveland and Donald Trump– won the Presidency, then lost, and then returned, so unusual and special cases. In the case of Cleveland, he won in 1884, lost in 1888, and won in 1892. Trump won in 2016, lost in 2020, and won in 2024.

The three before the Civil War were Thomas Jefferson, who lost in 1796 and won in 1800; Andrew Jackson, who lost in 1824, and won in 1828; and William Henry Harrison, who lost in 1836 and won in 1840.

Finally, Richard Nixon lost in 1960, but then won in 1968 and 1972.

So the odds of Harris coming back are very low, but additionally, by being critical of Joe and Jill Biden and the Biden Staff, and stating her reasons for not selecting Josh Shapiro or Pete Buttigieg as her Vice Presidential running mate instead of Tim Walz, has caused controversy and a sense of anger by those individuals and others.

And it is generally well known that Kamala Harris was not an easy person to work for, losing staff regularly in the Senate and the Vice Presidency.

One gets the feeling from her appearance on Rachel Maddow, and on “The View”, that she does not seem to have the “fire in the belly” to compete in another strenuous Presidential campaign.

It would have been easier for Harris to have run for California Governor, with assurance of an easy victory, and a major role in the largest state’s impact in reaction to Donald Trump and the Republican Party, just like Gavin Newsom is now waging.

So it seems clear this is the end of any serious “comeback” by Kamala Harris to national politics.

Instead, she is on a major speaking tour to promote her book, and to spread the argument of strong opposition to the horrors of Donald Trump, but not a formal national or state role in that effort.

The 2028 Democratic Presidential Race Has Begun!

Ronald 3 Comments

Here we are just 114 days since the second Trump Presidency began, a constant barrage of actions and abuses of power, far surpassing Franklin D. Roosevelt in actions, and Richard Nixon in abuses of power.

But also, already, there are clear cut signs of Democratic Presidential activity for the 2028 Presidential election beginning.

Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg had a massive crowd in Iowa last night, amid hints of his planning to run, although he made clear that it was too early for such action to begin now.

Illinois Governor JD Pritzker has thrown down the gauntlet to Donald Trump and the Republicans, with aggressive rhetoric and calls for mass resistance.

Connecticut Senator Chris Murphy has been actively speaking out on the abuses of Trump, and going into Republican congressional districts with Florida Congressman Maxwell Frost to bring pressure on Republicans who could make the difference in the pasaage or failure of Donald Trump’s plans for a “beautiful” budget bill.

Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear has emphasized how he has been able to accomplish goals as a Democratic Governor in a Republican controlled state legislature.

Hints are starting to be dropped that New York Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is flirting with the possibility of running for President.

Arizona Senator Ruben Gallego is giving combative retorts to Republicans who are undermining the rights of Latinos, and observers see him potentially running for President.

New Jersey Senator Cory Booker, after his amazing 25 hour personal filibuster against the Trump Administration, is perceived as likely to announce a run for the Presidency.

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, the Democratic Vice Presidential nominee in 2024, is also making speeches as he travels around Midwest states and Republican Congressional districts.

Kamala Harris, the Democratic Presdidential candidate in 2024, is weighing whether to run for the California Governorship, which she would have the edge for, or instead, to try another run for the Oval Office.

This is just a list of the most obvious cases of “hints” of plans to run, but there are many other potential candidacies, including, in no special order:

California Governor Gavin Newsom
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro
Maryland Governor Wes Moore
Colorado Governor Jared Polis
North Carolina Governor Josh Stein
Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar
Georgia Senator Raphael Warnock
California Congressman Ro Khanna
Former Chicago Mayor and Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel
Former Rhode Island Governor and Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo
Sports Media Personality Stephen A. Smith
Corporate Leader Mark Cuban

This potential list of 22 contenders may have others join it, once the Midterm Elections for Congress and the Governorships are resolved!

Speculation About Futures Of Prominent Democrats In Second Trump Presidency

Ronald 3 Comments

As Donald Trump and Elon Musk run rampant in doing grievious harm to the federal government bureaucracy, speculation about the futures of prominent Democrats in the second Trump Presidency is being considered.

Will Kamala Harris run for California Governor, or wait to be a candidate for President in 2028?

Will Pete Buttigieg run for the open Senate seat in Michigan, or wait to be a candidate for President in 2028?

Will Tim Walz run for the open Senate seat in Minnesota, or wait to be a candidate for President in 2028?

Will Andy Beshear run for the open Senate seat in Kentucky, or wait to be a candidate for President in 2028?

Will Gavin Newsom in California; Jared Polis in Colorado; and Gretchen Whitmer in Michigan, all term limited as Governors of their states, be candidates for President in 2028?

Will Josh Shapiro in Pennsylvania; JB Pritzker in Illinois; Wes Moore in Maryland; and Josh Stein of North Carolina, all Governors of their states, be candidates for President in 2028?

Will members of the US Senate, including Cory Booker of New Jersey; Ruben Gallego of Arizona; Raphael Warnock of Georgia; Chris Murphy of Connecticut; Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota; and Jon Ossoff of Georgia be candidates for President in 2028?

Could sitting House of Representatives members, including Ro Khanna of California and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York, be candidates for President in 2028?

Who, among these 19 Democrats mentioned above, would have a way forward to the Democratic Presidential nomination in 2028?

Magnificent, Dramatic, Inspiring Third Evening Of Democratic National Convention!

admin 2 Comments

What a magnificent, dramatic, inspiring third evening of the Democratic National Convention of 2024!

Among the speakers:

Bill Clinton—Nancy Pelosi—Hakeem Jeffries—Chris Murphy—Josh Shapiro—Wes Moore—Amy Klobuchar—Pete Buttigieg —Republicans Olivia Troye and Geoff Duncan—Oprah Winfrey–and of course, Vice Presidential nominee Tim Walz!

The speeches by the above individuals and others were among the most exceptional that this author and blogger can remember over the decades of paying attention to national conventions.

The sense is that there is definite momentum in the Harris-Walz Presidential campaign.

It was wonderful seeing the speech, particularly, of Oprah Winfrey, which is bound to have an effect, due to the great regard millions of people have for her!

Bill Clinton gave one of his best speeches in his post Presidency, and Josh Shapiro gave a masterful performance of his oratory. Wes Moore and Pete Buttigieg are both young leaders who will be heard from in the future, and their presentations were outstanding!

And ultimately, Tim Walz, who very few knew much about a few weeks ago, is clearly a tremendous asset and talent, adding greatly to Kamala Harris’s campaign, and will inspire many Americans, not only to vote, but also as an example of compassion, empathy, and common decency, in the vein of Joe Biden!

THe Harris-Walz team will make history in November, and help to advance America!

Republican Party Openly Promoting Misogyny, Racism, Nativism, Anti Semitism, Without Shame!

Ronald Leave a comment

It is clear that the Republican Party is openly promoting misogyny, racism, nativism, and Anti Semitism, without shame or apology.

Republicans are demonstrating they do not care about women’s right to control their own bodies, and many of those seeking office wish to put women back in the bedroom and the kitchen, rather than being independent and pursuing careers.

Senator Tommy Tuberville of Alabama openly promotes racism against African Americans in particular, as he did at a campaign rally in Arizona for Donald Trump!

The attack on immigration continues in the Republican Party, making it a major issue promoted by the likes of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, Texas Governor Greg Abbott, and Arizona Governor Doug Ducey!

And Pennsylvania Republican gubernatorial nominee Doug Mastriano is openly anti semitic, including attacking his Jewish opponent, Democratic gubernatorial nominee Josh Shapiro!

And these examples are just the tip of the iceberg, as the Republican Party has become the party of Fascism, and right wing extremism, and out to destroy all of the good done by the Democratic Party since the time of Franklin D. Roosevelt through Lyndon B. Johnson, Barack Obama, and now Joe Biden!

Liz Cheney Vows To Do What Has To Be Done To Keep Donald Trump Out Of White House!

Ronald Leave a comment

Republican Congresswoman Liz Cheney of Wyoming was interviewed at the Texas Tribune Festival in Austin, Texas, on Sunday.

Vice Chair of the January 6 House Committee investigating the US Capitol Insurrection, but defeated for renomination in her home state, Cheney has vowed that she will do what has to be done to keep Donald Trump out of the White House in the Presidential Election of 2024.

She has hinted at running for President, to stop Trump, and willing to support Democrats, even though she does not believe in many of their ideas, but sees Trump as a “clear and present danger” to American democracy.

She plans to campaign for Democrats in states where Republicans are election deniers, including for Katie Hobbs in Arizona and against Kari Lake, one of the wackiest Republicans running for Governor in the midterm elections. Also, she will campaign against Doug Mastriano in Pennsylvania, running against Democrat Josh Shapiro for Governor.

And Cheney has said that if Donald Trump is nominated for President in 2024, she will no longer be a Republican!

Doug Mastriano, Pennsylvania Republican Gubernatorial Nominee, Clear And Present Danger!

Ronald 1 Comment

Doug Mastriano, the Republican nominee for Governor of Pennsylvania, is seen as a clear and present danger, were he to be elected.

He is an extreme far right winger, promoting Christian nationalism, the idea that there is no separation of church and state, and he has embraced Q-Anon conspiracy theories.

Additionally, he was involved in the US Capitol Insurrection on January 6, 2021, and breached US Capitol police barriers, although claiming not being involved in assault and destruction.

He is Isamophobic, antisemitic, and homophobic, and has promoted September 11 conspiracy theories in the past.

Mastriano comes across as unhinged, and nine Pennsylvania Republicans have repudiated him as too extremist for them to support him, after he won the gubernatorial nomination with only 40 percent of the vote against multiple candidates more moderate than he is in his views.

He has only been a Pennsylvania State Senator since mid 2019, having spent his career in the military, reaching the level of Colonel in the US Army.

He opposed removal of Confederate monuments, and has been a bitter critic of COVID 19 Policies, including opposing masking, and promoting drug treatments that are shown to be sham.

Mastriano has made clear that if elected, he would appoint a Secretary of State who would only accept that the Republican Presidential nominee in 2024 won the state’s electoral votes, no matter what the popular vote demonstrates.

He is against any exceptions for abortion, including rape, incest, and life of the mother; and supports gun rights without restrictions; and is a major critic of the Environmental Protection Agency regulations.

Also, Mastriano has said his governorship, if elected, would be much more right wing conservative than Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, calling him an “amateur”!

Democratic nominee, state Attorney General Josh Shapiro leads in polls, but every effort to prevent this right wing extremist from being elected must be mounted, as Mastriano’s election would be disastrous for Pennsylvania and American politics!

Pennsylvania Gubernatorial Race Crucial For Future Of Women’s Rights

Ronald Leave a comment

Pennsylvania is the 5th largest state in population, and will have 19 Electoral votes in the Presidential Election of 2024.

It is the most crucial “battleground” state due to its population and electoral votes, and already was the center of controversy in the Presidential Election of 2020, due to challenges by Donald Trump and his seditionists!

So the gubernatorial race in Pennsylvania between present Democratic Attorney General Josh Shapiro and Republican State Senator Doug Mastriano is crucial, as Mastriano is a right wing Christian extremist, who wants to ban all abortions in the state, including rape, incest and life of the mother.

Mastriano has also indicated that he would appoint a state Secretary of State who would refuse to accept the popular vote in the Presidential Election of 2024 and beyond, creating a constitutional crisis whereby the people’s vote would be thrown out by a power cabal promoting authoritarianism and Fascism!

Josh Shapiro has been an exceptional State Attorney General, and it is essential that he become Governor to keep the “Keystone State” on the proper path of constitutional government, and preservation of women’s rights, including abortion rights!

Already, nine Pennsylvania Republicans, including former Congressman Charlie Dent; a former State Supreme Court Justice; a former State House Speaker; and a former Lieutenant Governor, along with others, have endorsed Josh Shapiro.

The fact that Mastriano was at the January 6 Capitol Insurrection, and has refused to testify, is another warning sign of how dangerous he is!

Doug Mastriano: Authoritarian Christian Nationalist Election Denier A Massive Threat!

Ronald Leave a comment

Pennsylvania and the nation at large has a new threat to American democracy, in the nomination of Doug Mastriano as the Republican Gubernatorial nominee for the upcoming state election in November.

Mastriano is a far right authoritarian Christian nationalist, a retired US Army Colonel, who is a Donald Trump loyalist, and has promoted the “Big Lie”, that Trump won the Presidential Election of 2020 over President Joe Biden.

He was present at the January 6, 2021 US Capitol Insurrection, and breached barriers set up by the US Capitol Police, although he did not enter the Capitol during the riot and bloodshed that followed.

Mastriano was subpoenaed by the January 6 House Committee on February 22, to explain his involvement with Trump, but has not responded to the subpoena.

He has indicated that he will, if elected Pennsylvania Governor, appoint a Secretary of State who will insure that the electoral votes of the Keystone state go to Trump or whoever is the Republican nominee in the Presidential Election of 2024, no matter what the popular vote results are.

He has also promoted the idea of limiting voting, and outlawing abortion in all circumstances, including rape, incest, and even life of the mother. He invokes Christian religious rhetoric, and has promoted conspiracy theories. He has also limited media ability to cover his public events. There are many Republicans who think he is an direct threat to their party’s success in the Fall elections, due to his clearcut extremism.

Matriano also resisted the promotion of masking to deal with the COVID 19 Pandemic, and has demonstrated that he is very dangerous in his views on public health matters.

It is essental that Democratic Gubernatorial nominee Josh Shapiro, presently the Attorney General, defeat Mastriano in the upcoming election, as Mastriano is perceived as a “clear and present danger” to the state of Pennsylvania and American democracy!