As always, excellent advice, Dan. As a 68 year old woman the whole "age thing" makes my blood pressure sky rocket. Especially when it's brought up in conversation by people I normally like. Yes, it's the Hillary situation all over again. Hope everyone heeds your words. Thanks.
I desperately wish Biden had not chosen to run again. But, he did, and here we are. I have two thoughts about things that could help (for whatever that’s worth). One, I tend to agree that the more he can be out there, the better. Yes, that will mean more gaffes, but it also means they will matter less. Bannon/Trump’s “flood the zone with shit” strategy has the effect of making no single Trump moment stand out, because he’s saying so much crazy shit it’s impossible to keep up with. Meanwhile, Biden gives very few public remarks (until recently) so all of them stand out. The more he’s out there, the less any individual gaffe really matters.
The second thing is, he’s gotta get rid of whoever is writing his speeches. It’s just a bad fit. His speech writers spin these loquacious yarns about America, that are technically well written, but it just doesn’t feel very Biden. He mumbles through the verbose stuff because it’s an awkward fit. Biden is folksy, and that doesn’t mean throwing in the word “folks” every few sentences. He needs someone who can write to his strengths and mitigate his weaknesses.
And it does seem to be an issue with prepared remarks. In one on one sit down interviews, he does incredibly well.
I'm a retired academic (71 - old) who survived countless faculty meetings (think about the current House but imagine a bunch of PhDs saying dumb things). Many faculty would begin their comments with "I had a student who..." to either support their position or to argue against someone else's position. Does this remind you of someone (at least the student didn't refer to the faculty member as sir)? It was frequently my job (I was an Associate Dean but with a faculty position - not an administrative position) to point out that this "student" was a sample of one. A sample of one is statistically irrelevant and meaningless. It was usually enough to make the faculty member stop talking, at least for a while, so we could move on. I'm a strong defender of anyone's right to speak, even when I find their speech horrid, but I don't have to pretend to give it any credence.
Dan gives excellent advice. Let's focus on his valuable tips on how to talk in our own networks--be they one person or a thousand--about the age question. I personally pledge not to waste my time or energy bitching about the state of the political press. Nor will I waste my time, or the time of others wish casting for another Dem candidate to appear Deus ex machina to save the day.
I comfort myself with this: would I rather be supporting an 81-year-old with a great record, great ideas, and human appeal, and a shuffling gait or a 78-year-old sack of insanity and cholesterol who is guilty of sexual assault, fraud, and indicted for ninety-one additional felony offenses in four separate jurisdiction? Because unless God, nature, or the legal system imposes its will, that's the choice.
We have to shake off our nerves and move forward. I refuse to engage with people who just want to dream of a world more suitable to them.
Hell, I'm concerned about Biden's age. But I'm far more concerned about the Trump package which includes age, corruption, and a soupçon of totalitarianism. And now he wants to appoint a family member as co-chair of the RNC - as if he doesn't already dictate what they do. I have confidence in Kamala Harris, and I think she needs to get put through pundit school and learn how to talk to the press much more effectively. And yes, Taylor needs to endorse Joe.
Biden’s answer to EVERY SINGLE QUESTION about his memory needs to be: “here’s how good my memory is. 2.9 million. The number of jobs lost under Trump. 3 million. The number of people who lost health insurance under Trump. 6.3%, the unemployment rate under Trump…” etc. just keep citing every bad stat from the Trump years and ask the reporter, do you remember that? Did you forget already what it was like under him? Because I didn’t.”
I am also concerned about Biden's age and often point to the strong team that supports him. He is not running this country by himself and relies on plenty of seasoned experts. I think the biggest problem with this argument is Kamala Harris. Justifiably or not, she is not breaking through as someone who could be a strong leader. I can't help but feel that if we had a strong, popular vice-president, the Biden age issues would be softened. I can't say who that alternative would be, but Kamala is not working.
I don’t know Dan. If you live on the West Coast at least, you may not have these opportunities to talk with friends and family, as they are all blue. I think your vision is utterly optimistic, for a guy who says he leads the pessimism club. To me, the country is so split it is strangers we need to reach, and that is a much harder strategy. And needs huge help from the top which I am not seeing. So I am still pretty frustrated that Biden ran. He did so much, but politics are perception. And ageism worse than ever in a high tech, content filled world in which everyone can now dream of being, say, Usher. The kids are not having it. They are afraid to have kids, they are afraid of climate change, and prior generations are to “blame.” I wish Pete were running. No diss on Joe.
There is a great way to reach beyond the people you already know, people you are connected with but perhaps don't know well or haven't met yet: your neighbors. Get involved with your local Democratic Party, and if they have a Neighborhood Leader program or something similar, volunteer for it. If they don't, build one. Have to admit, I think that's a silly name, but the program is proven to increase turnout. Part of Dan's point is that we can't rely on media, social or otherwise, to inform or persuade marginally engaged voters. WE have to do it directly.
The only way to fix this problem is for someone to persuade Biden to drop out so someone more electable - Harris, Whitmer, or Phillips - can win and save democracy. Trump wants to end democracy and become dictator. If the election were today, Trump would win by a lot. Biden has never been more unpopualar in his 60 year career than he is right now.
One of the challenges I'm seeing, particularly among BIPOC and Muslim communities, is the rage and helplessness they are feeling around the Biden admin's reaction to the violence in Gaza, e.g. people enabling genocide shouldn't get to keep their jobs. So framing Biden as a decent 81 y/o who cares about you does not land at all.
The corrupt 77 y/o criminal who only cares about himself isn't a strong selling point either. Contrast is helpful but we need to provide a positive vision or reason to vote FOR Biden not just AGAINST Trump. For young voters, BIPOC voters, and those disillusioned with the Biden Admin, the alternative is worse doesn't seem to be working.
I also recognize it's early, neither Biden nor Trump are officially the nominees yet, and expressing frustration or a desire to vote neither in February doesn't necessarily mean someone will stay home in November. But it's definitely making my job harder.
Dan, there seems to be a spike in calls for Biden to withdraw from the race. For example, Brian Beutler insists that another nominee could do better in the general election. So does Bill Kristol. Their underlying assumption seems to be that a new candidate could build an effective campaign quickly enough for the general election even if their nomination isn't secured until the convention. How would you respond to that?
As always, excellent advice, Dan. As a 68 year old woman the whole "age thing" makes my blood pressure sky rocket. Especially when it's brought up in conversation by people I normally like. Yes, it's the Hillary situation all over again. Hope everyone heeds your words. Thanks.
I'm 76 and right there with ya.
I desperately wish Biden had not chosen to run again. But, he did, and here we are. I have two thoughts about things that could help (for whatever that’s worth). One, I tend to agree that the more he can be out there, the better. Yes, that will mean more gaffes, but it also means they will matter less. Bannon/Trump’s “flood the zone with shit” strategy has the effect of making no single Trump moment stand out, because he’s saying so much crazy shit it’s impossible to keep up with. Meanwhile, Biden gives very few public remarks (until recently) so all of them stand out. The more he’s out there, the less any individual gaffe really matters.
The second thing is, he’s gotta get rid of whoever is writing his speeches. It’s just a bad fit. His speech writers spin these loquacious yarns about America, that are technically well written, but it just doesn’t feel very Biden. He mumbles through the verbose stuff because it’s an awkward fit. Biden is folksy, and that doesn’t mean throwing in the word “folks” every few sentences. He needs someone who can write to his strengths and mitigate his weaknesses.
And it does seem to be an issue with prepared remarks. In one on one sit down interviews, he does incredibly well.
I'm a retired academic (71 - old) who survived countless faculty meetings (think about the current House but imagine a bunch of PhDs saying dumb things). Many faculty would begin their comments with "I had a student who..." to either support their position or to argue against someone else's position. Does this remind you of someone (at least the student didn't refer to the faculty member as sir)? It was frequently my job (I was an Associate Dean but with a faculty position - not an administrative position) to point out that this "student" was a sample of one. A sample of one is statistically irrelevant and meaningless. It was usually enough to make the faculty member stop talking, at least for a while, so we could move on. I'm a strong defender of anyone's right to speak, even when I find their speech horrid, but I don't have to pretend to give it any credence.
But Hur emails...
Here we go again, just as with Comey in 2016.
Dan gives excellent advice. Let's focus on his valuable tips on how to talk in our own networks--be they one person or a thousand--about the age question. I personally pledge not to waste my time or energy bitching about the state of the political press. Nor will I waste my time, or the time of others wish casting for another Dem candidate to appear Deus ex machina to save the day.
I comfort myself with this: would I rather be supporting an 81-year-old with a great record, great ideas, and human appeal, and a shuffling gait or a 78-year-old sack of insanity and cholesterol who is guilty of sexual assault, fraud, and indicted for ninety-one additional felony offenses in four separate jurisdiction? Because unless God, nature, or the legal system imposes its will, that's the choice.
We have to shake off our nerves and move forward. I refuse to engage with people who just want to dream of a world more suitable to them.
Hell, I'm concerned about Biden's age. But I'm far more concerned about the Trump package which includes age, corruption, and a soupçon of totalitarianism. And now he wants to appoint a family member as co-chair of the RNC - as if he doesn't already dictate what they do. I have confidence in Kamala Harris, and I think she needs to get put through pundit school and learn how to talk to the press much more effectively. And yes, Taylor needs to endorse Joe.
Biden’s answer to EVERY SINGLE QUESTION about his memory needs to be: “here’s how good my memory is. 2.9 million. The number of jobs lost under Trump. 3 million. The number of people who lost health insurance under Trump. 6.3%, the unemployment rate under Trump…” etc. just keep citing every bad stat from the Trump years and ask the reporter, do you remember that? Did you forget already what it was like under him? Because I didn’t.”
Hi Dan! Wonder if you've read Brian Beutler's argument for replacing Biden: https://www.offmessage.net/p/warnings-biden-alternatives-meritless
Is this even a conversation we should be having at this point?
I am also concerned about Biden's age and often point to the strong team that supports him. He is not running this country by himself and relies on plenty of seasoned experts. I think the biggest problem with this argument is Kamala Harris. Justifiably or not, she is not breaking through as someone who could be a strong leader. I can't help but feel that if we had a strong, popular vice-president, the Biden age issues would be softened. I can't say who that alternative would be, but Kamala is not working.
I don’t know Dan. If you live on the West Coast at least, you may not have these opportunities to talk with friends and family, as they are all blue. I think your vision is utterly optimistic, for a guy who says he leads the pessimism club. To me, the country is so split it is strangers we need to reach, and that is a much harder strategy. And needs huge help from the top which I am not seeing. So I am still pretty frustrated that Biden ran. He did so much, but politics are perception. And ageism worse than ever in a high tech, content filled world in which everyone can now dream of being, say, Usher. The kids are not having it. They are afraid to have kids, they are afraid of climate change, and prior generations are to “blame.” I wish Pete were running. No diss on Joe.
There is a great way to reach beyond the people you already know, people you are connected with but perhaps don't know well or haven't met yet: your neighbors. Get involved with your local Democratic Party, and if they have a Neighborhood Leader program or something similar, volunteer for it. If they don't, build one. Have to admit, I think that's a silly name, but the program is proven to increase turnout. Part of Dan's point is that we can't rely on media, social or otherwise, to inform or persuade marginally engaged voters. WE have to do it directly.
Hi Carrie. I was FR Chair of my county Dem Party for years. Did well but needed to get away finally. I guess that is on me but there it is.
Hey, it's a marathon, not a sprint. You have to do what keeps you able to keep at it. Don't apologize!!
The only way to fix this problem is for someone to persuade Biden to drop out so someone more electable - Harris, Whitmer, or Phillips - can win and save democracy. Trump wants to end democracy and become dictator. If the election were today, Trump would win by a lot. Biden has never been more unpopualar in his 60 year career than he is right now.
One of the challenges I'm seeing, particularly among BIPOC and Muslim communities, is the rage and helplessness they are feeling around the Biden admin's reaction to the violence in Gaza, e.g. people enabling genocide shouldn't get to keep their jobs. So framing Biden as a decent 81 y/o who cares about you does not land at all.
The corrupt 77 y/o criminal who only cares about himself isn't a strong selling point either. Contrast is helpful but we need to provide a positive vision or reason to vote FOR Biden not just AGAINST Trump. For young voters, BIPOC voters, and those disillusioned with the Biden Admin, the alternative is worse doesn't seem to be working.
I also recognize it's early, neither Biden nor Trump are officially the nominees yet, and expressing frustration or a desire to vote neither in February doesn't necessarily mean someone will stay home in November. But it's definitely making my job harder.
Dan, there seems to be a spike in calls for Biden to withdraw from the race. For example, Brian Beutler insists that another nominee could do better in the general election. So does Bill Kristol. Their underlying assumption seems to be that a new candidate could build an effective campaign quickly enough for the general election even if their nomination isn't secured until the convention. How would you respond to that?