In just about EVERY poll out there between Joe Biden and Donald Trump Biden leads on everything EXCEPT the economy….
While the Trade War is out there, unemployment numbers and claims are thru the roof, small businesses are suffering and state are beginning to0 shut down again?
Donald Trump is looked at more favourable on handling the declining economy…
Joe Biden maybe leading things…
But he’s gonna have to do better on the economy, which is getting worst by the minute even though it may not fell that way most Americans…
It also appears that despite the media narrative on Trump’s anti-immigration policies?
Trump’s constant harping on immigrants talking America jobs IS a concern….
Joe Biden is taking aim at President Trump on the economy, hoping to undercut Trump’s strongest argument in his re-election bid.
With COVID-19 wreaking havoc on the economy and unemployment at its highest level in years, Team Biden believes it go on offense on the issue, which had long been a strength for Trump.
Polls continue to show that a majority approve of Trump’s handling of the economy, but Democrats see a vulnerability
“He’s hitting Trump right at the core,” said one Biden ally who speaks to the campaign regularly.
Biden leads Trump in many polls and across various policy areas including healthcare and the handling of the pandemic. But a CNBC All-Economic survey out late last month voters still preferred Trump when it came to the economy.
The poll showed Trump leading Biden 44 percent to 38 percent on which of the two men has the best economic policies.
For that reason, Democrats say it’s critical for Biden to hone in on the issue.
“The economy is the one issue area where voters give Trump the benefit of the doubt so it makes sense that Biden would focus on Trump’s economic record and economic politics, which, upon review, have not served the interests of working and middle class Americans,” said Democratic strategist Joel Payne. “If Biden can soften Trump up vis-a-vis the economy, the bottom could really fall out from under the president and his down ballot allies.”
On Tuesday, in an appearance in his hometown in Wilmington, Del., Biden will discuss his plans to build a clean energy economy. A campaign aide said the former vice president will talk in that context about job creation.
In the coming weeks, campaign officials say Biden will roll out two other initiatives as part of his populist plan aimed at keeping jobs at home. Biden will propose plans on making childcare more affordable as well as proposals aimed at advancing racial equity across the nation, including closing the racial wealth gap and expanding affordable housing.
That announcement is part of the $700 billion “Buy American” jobs plan Biden revealed last week, which outlines ways to revive the struggling economy with job creation across various sectors including manufacturing and clean energy. The plan is designed to take aim at Trump’s “America First” economic agenda….
…
One Democratic strategist said Biden should argue that Trump has done damage to the economy and continues to do so.
“He should be asking the typical question ‘Are you better off than you were four years ago?” I guarantee you that most people would look at where they are and say ‘Hell no.”
Note...
A Biden win will put the Democrat in the position he was in 12 years ago when he and President Obama got Bush II’s dropping economy. to deal with…
image….Tom Brenner | Reuters
New Open Thread IS HERE…
Mark Kelly Maintains Lead In Arizona
A new OH Predictive Insights poll in Arizona finds Mark Kelly (D) with a 9-point lead over Sen. Martha McSally (R) in the U.S. Senate race, 52% to 43%.
McSally seems set to lose both of her state’s senate seats in two cycles.
I know it’s happened before but can’t think of any recent examples.
Through the GOP Senate candidate in Michigan–John James–will very likely do the same this year.
Christine O’Donnell
True. And Scott Brown lost seats in two separate states two cycles in a row
Yup…
Mark Kelley has money and VERY GOOD polls
Republicans will be holding their convention outdoors. Outside in Jacksonville in late August.
I’m guessing either 94 degrees with 85% humidity, or a hurricane.
GOPer senator’s dropping out one by one I hear….
What do you think Biden should do to get better rankings than Trump on the economy James ?
Oh and be specific and save your usual hyperbolic nonsense.
Did You imply that James’s posts aren’t always sufficiently thought provoking?
Jack was a bit grouchy today….
You’re so “simple.“
So Zreebs question is likely buried now but he asked what state we all think Trump could actually perform better in 2020 than 2016
Zreebs guessed North Dakota
My guess is Utah
Anyone else?
Arkansas?
Trump won Arkansas by 27 points in 2016.
I saw a poll recently where he was only up by 4 there,
If Biden was to win Arkansas ?
It would be like winning Texas
It would be Biden @ 400+EV’s
Why would you guess Arkansas? Because of the Hillary connection?
I guessed ND because of the fracking and the lack of environmental regulations.
Red states except North Carolina and Florida?
So that narrows your answer to 20+ states. I was was kind if hoping for something more specific!
I’ll say again the only state where Trump will perform better in 2020 than 2016 will be Utah. In 2016 Trump won the state with 45% while Clinton received 27% and Evan McMullin 21%.
My guess is Trump will win Utah by a minimum of 8-10 points. But with no third party vote of significance he should get 52-54%.
I don’t see him improving on 2016 in any other state at this point.
Happy Bastille Day !
I still get cracked up by the English fans at a France-England match at Wembley Stadium dressing in French blue and singing La Marseillaise/i> after the Paris bombings in 2015:
video
So Trump won Utah by 18 points in 2016. If he only wins by 10 points in 2020, I would say that he did worse in 2020.
OK you are looking at the spread. I thought your question was in regards to what states would Trump get a higher percentage of the vote in 2020 than he did in 2016.
Trump will do slightly better in terms of total vote percentage in Utah but Biden is likely to do far better than Hillary did.
It depends on what one considers “better”, total vote or margin. We should remember for instance that Romney got a larger percent of the total vote in 2012 than Trump did in 2016.
I would think that theoretically maybe Biden would do “worse” than Hillary in Arkansas, because he doesn’t have the ties to the state she does, but perhaps he will like most places do a lot better there. He is, at least thus far, far less polarizing and disliked than Hillary was.
As of now, I think Trump will probably do worse across the board, even in red states, but he was counted out later than this in the 2016 cycle and Dukakis certainly had a larger lead at this point in 1988, and wound up losing in a landslide.
He would have to make a comeback as an incumbent, which would be much harder, but Ford nearly did it (a long time ago now), after being behind by a larger margin, but people did not have as strong feelings pro or con about him then than people do about Trump now.
The bottom line for you Democrats is to not get too cocky and to not expect to be without some rocky days in the campaign before all is said and done.
As a Democrat I don’t see any of my fellow party members being cocky.
Everyone I know is happy that Biden is ahead but thinks the race will tighten, at least somewhat.
It is the Trump Republicans I know that think their man is invincible based only on his winning in 2016.
Scott?
You’ll more of these pieces in Sept if the Biden numbers seem to hold…
CYA for pundits….
Rachel Bitcofer got it right though last time with Trump…
I follow her and we’ll see what her final forecast is
I agree on the worst case numbers on Trump’s popular vote….
Somebody thinks about 10 million behind Biden in the final count….
The headlines from today will be that Trump defended the Confederate flag and got angry at an interviewer who asked him about African-Americans who had been killed by police because “more white people are.”
Trump’s response when asked about African-Americans losing their lives at the hands of law enforcement:
“So are White people. So are White people. What a terrible question to ask. So are White people. More White people, by the way. More White people”
I think he repeated “white people” as many times as Brett Kavanaugh said “I like beer”.
It was a presser from Trump that of course went of the hook like he is….
I’ll post it up a little later….
Tonight was supposed to be the MLB All Star Game and Night 2 of the Democrat National Convention.
Which would have gotten higher ratings?
… The American League …
(Sorry, Cubs and Cards fans.)
Congressman Steve Watkins (R-KS) has been charged with felony voter fraud.
3 charges i think i saw….
Trump won’t mention that I’d assume…
There is voting today….
Anybody think Sessions wins?
Pete Sessions is also in a GOP runoff tonight (in Texas) hoping to make a return to Congress.
POST TIME!
Lock him up!
With 98% reporting, Joe Biden is beating Bernie Sanders in Maine 34-33.
Maybe if the convention was going on this week, it would get more notice.
I surmise though that ranked choice voting in Maine is allowing many Democrats to have the freedom to let their true thoughts on Biden be on display. Yes, they will vote for him against Trump.
I take that back!
My bad. Those were primary results from Maine. Politico is confusing in how they present data.
This is probably my biggest blogging error in 16 years. Oh well.
Results from March
It was considered a major upset for Biden at the time.
I must be overworked.
I could ask james to delete that post from me, but I think I will leave it up as a sign that even I am capable of making a rare mistake.
AP Texas and other voting results for 7/14/2020…
Link…
Still too close to call in TX 23, but Trump’s choice. Tony Gonzalez is slightly trailing Raul Reyes.
Ironically, the candidate endorsed by Trump is also endorsed by the outgoing Congressman Will Hurd.
Reyes had the support of Ted Cruz.
Cruz has been a lot closer politically to Trump than Hurd has been.
Gonzalez would be the stronger general election candidate.
One former Member of Congress named Sessions won a runoff tonight and is likely to be returning to Washington.
AP Politics
@AP_Politics
BREAKING: Pete Sessions wins Republican nomination for U.S. House in Texas’s 17th congressional district. #APracecall at 9:55 p.m. CDT. #Election2020 #TXprimary
AP POLITICS….
BREAKING: Sara Gideon wins Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate in Maine primary election. #APracecall at 9:32 p.m. EDT. #Election2020 #MEprimary
Morning All….
Walmart will require mask wearing in its stores….
Larry Sabato
PENNSYLVANIA: Biden Leads Handily But Many Anticipate Secret Trump Vote | Monmouth University
We’re gonna see more pundits do bet hedging pieces from now to the election …
But yea….
Biden continues to climb in the national and state polls…
Hmmmm?
Rachael Bitecofer
1. Dear everyone: there’s no such thing as a “secret Trump vote.” What there is is a really high turnout rate for Rep voters- like in the 70s- as compared to D turnout which at best hit the mid 60s in my 2018 voter file analysis. Rs will turnout out strong. Polls struggle to
She makes a VERY…VERY ….VERY Good point here…
Fuck all the protests….
People GOTTA COME OUT AND VOTE‼️
EVERYTHING ELSE IS BULL SHIT….
Trump won the office because people ‘thought’ he’d lose….So they sat things out…GOPer’s DID NOT. and won’t this time EITHER…
Are we gonna see the same thing come November?
All the media hype is just THAT….
All the Biden is gonna win is NOT ONE DAMN VOTE!
SERIOUSLY ?????
People HAVE TO TURN OUT AND VOTE….
Yes Republicans usually turn out at higher rates. But if the Alabama Senate runoff is any indication that may not necessarily be the case this year.
I sure hope ur right Scott…
POLITICO
@politico
Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt has tested positive for coronavirus as cases in his state hit record levels just a month after he hosted Trump’s first campaign rally amid the #Covid19 pandemic
(The knucklehead STILL won’t mandate mask wearing in his state)
Getting all worked up about some political “predictor” comparisons to past elections during a pandemic is a waste of time in my opinion.
But hey if that gets you going why yes…
People need to vote!
There!
More foolishness
And finally there’s this nugget from a Monmouth Poll.
Those who dislike both candidates favor Biden by a whopping 42% !
For comparison,in 2016, Trump led Hillary by 17% among these type voters.
I have to add to my Hillary was lousy campaigner the FACT that she was actually MORE unpopular then the polls showed ….
Maybe Trump can do a “charm tour “to improve his standing!
He’s NOT capable of such behavior for more then 20 seconds at a time…
Hey James,it’s time for major panic!
Rasmussen ,which a mere ten days ago showed Trump trailing by 12 points ,now has the margin down to three.!
Obviously the country approves of the commuting of Roger Stone, the attacks on Fauci, and the raging Covid 19 pandemic!
Then there’s Quinnipiac that shows Trump almost in a total collapse trailing by 15 points,52-37!
Nate Silver
A lot of polls today! Our average shows Biden up by 9.1 points, which is similar to recent days. The live-caller polls have shown his lead growing, while the online polls have shown it steady/slightly decreasing, so it mostly evens out.
projects.fivethirtyeight.com/polls/presiden…
Gee I
eomde3wonder which poll will be broadcaet on FOX???New open thread tonight…..
Getting like the old P1 numbers on comments
LOVE IT!
RE ain’t around?
Interesting tidbit from a comment on Politicalwire
In the last three elections Democratic nominees have over performed their polling average 111 days prior to the election (which is where we are today)
In 2008 Obama was polling +4–he won the popular vote by 7 points
In 2012 Obama was polling at +1–he won by 4
In 2016 Clinton was polling at +1–she won the popular vote by 2 points
Right now Biden is running an average of 8.6 points ahead of Trump
The Senator doesn’t wear a mask on airplanes either…
Folks?
Take a look at the RCP graphic for Trump’s job approval….
WOW‼️😳
I remember when Jeff Sessions was first elected to the Senate in 1996. It was considered a minor upset at the time I believe. Now, I am watching the video of his concession and the end of his political career 24 years later. I cannot recall a Senator (sorta) losing after that long of a time when I remember when they first came in.
Sessions is going after Doug Jones in this speech. I don’t think he mentions Trump at all, but does take aim at “globalists” etc.
Tuberville is someone who was never thought of as being very political at all until he decided he wanted to run for Senate and get in this race. Trump says that he will have a direct line to the Oval Office. That might not mean much if Trump is not in the Oval Office next year. Maybe Sessions should have pointed that out.
He got screwed…
He was one of the first to support Trump…
But he Is a PRIME example of how Trump pinmps people for his own good…
I don’t understand how people can say Trump will have power the second Biden would win the election…
I think there ARE gonna be a LOT of political knives out for the big guy the second he leaves the stage or just plain loses…
He just essentially ordered the Republicans in Alabama to make some obvious dummy their Senatorial candidate and you don’t “understand” how rank and file Republicans (not politicians) will keep fawning over Trump?
Of course there are all sorts of things you don’t “understand.”
For those who read political almanacs or might otherwise attempt to memorize all the U.S. House members by Alphabetical state and then district, Alabama Republicans Jerry Carl and Jeff Coleman will be the first two names on the list.
I guess Alabama conservatives love themselves some “JC.”
*rimshot*
Woops, I made another mistake. I can relate to Biden more now.
I was looking at the first round numbers. Barry Moore beat Jeff Coleman.
So, Jerry Carl and Barry Moore will be headed to Congress.
The Alabama delegation will include a Jerry, a Barry, a Gary, and a Mo.
Plus a Terri
I recall now that Barry Moore was the first elected official in America to endorse Trump for President.
A Tommy and a Jerry ?
Let’s hear from our panel of political experts, Sylvester and Tweety.
If Tuberville does not respond to the Senate roll call, can the clerk call out, “Tommy can you hear me?”
Which one of us is Tweety and who is LikeSylvester?
One member of our panel of seasoned political observers was alarmed enough to exclaim:
“I tawt I taw a Demmy-Cat !!!!!!!”
Is Sessions had pointed out to the Trump Republican cult that their leader might not be in office next year hevwoukd have that primary by an even wider margin.
I do enjoy seeing these Republican toadies getting their asses handed to them after they made a deal with the devil.
Susan Collins, Cory Gardner and Martha McSally–you’re next!
Would have lost that primary.
There is an understandable tendency here ,and elsewhere ,to analyze this coming election in the usual way.
I suggest that ,while it fits with all out experiences of course, it’s likely faulty.
Everything in our lives now ,even if we are loathe to acknowledge it, is being driven by this pandemic.
This Election is no different.
Accordingly ,comparing this campaign to past campaigns is of little use.Thats why we are seeing weird polls with states in play (See Texas) that a few short months ago we would have guffawed at suggesting a Democratic victory in.
I expect we will continue to conduct our analysis in the standard way.After all its what we know.
However, if we don’t acknowledge that this pandemic has changed the entire political paradigm ?We are probably missing the big picture.
Exactly. I keep hearing some pundits say that Presidential campaigns can often change gears after the conventions. Really, what are the conventions going to change this year?
Turnout was way down in the Republican runoff yesterday in Alabama and Democratic turnout was way up in the Texas Democratic runoff (must have been all thosc Republican women taking Democratic ballots that spiked turnout).
Wonder why Alabama Republicans were so unenthusiastic?
Good sign for Doug Jones
I have heard nothing elsewhere about “low turnout” in Alabama (and maybe they still have mail in votes to count when there is more of that than ever…), but perhaps those who did not vote in yesterday’s Alabama Republican runoff simply “had to work.”
Oh the irony of someone who is throwing their vote away in the most consequential election in our Republic haranguing someone for failing to vote in a party primary is pretty rich.
Bravo!
Bravo!
You didn’t vote in your state’s primary because you were lazy. Just own up to it. You had every opportunity to vote on Election Day, by mail, or via many days of early voting that were available.
I’m not “throwing away my vote” at all. I am voting my conscience, for all races on the ballot. That’s different that someone not voting altogether and making illogical excuses for it. I know how badly you actually want me to vote for Trump so you can feel more legitimate in your personal vitriol.
When are you going to attack DSD for not voting “in the most consequential election ever?” Certainly if he wanted to vote in American elections, he could have taken steps to have done so a long time ago. It’s his life and his right though. I am glad he does not attempt to vote illegally.
Also, I want to add that since I forced myself to vote in a Democrat primary, then all of you should have done the same.
As I’ve told you before I don’t care who you vote for–it’s the sanctimoniousness with which you hold your protest vote that is pretentious to the point of douchiness.
You care so so very much. It’s obvious. But what seems to bother you most is that I won’t vote for Trump. That is what you really want me to do.
And your other point about me is invalid, because as I have said, I am not asking anyone to do as I am doing. I think it is everyone’s personal choice. While I look down on people voting for Trump (and don’t claim you do not as well), I am not going to say one word or do one thing to stop anyone from voting for Biden.
The sanctimony is on you.
No, I want everyone to vote for the one person who can defeat Trump–Joe Biden. But I know you won’t do that.
And that is your right.
Even though I’m with Zreebs and can’t figure out why you’d vote for Doug Jones in Alabama if you won’t vote for the Democratic nominee facing a GOP nominee who is far more likely to cause lasting damage to our Republic.
But hey, as you say, that’s your right.
“I forced myself to vote in a Democratic Primary”
Did you need a fainting couch after that?
The drama!
It wasn’t easy. I got to bring alcohol with me into the voting booth though. (A swab to safely touch the potentially virus laden touchscreen)
Imagine yourself in a Cubs hat.
Hey Keith check back in the twitter comments …
Season’s opponent ain’t a big favorite down there i think…
No, he’s stupid and a crook.
As to Lindsay Graham’s remarks about Joe Biden?
I imagine any Republican Senator would have said pretty much the same thing so I have no idea why James is making a big deal about it.
In news that should be shocking to no one Kanye West has dropped out of the Presidential race he was never part of.
I guess CG should amend his comment to read,
“Tommy, Kanye hear me?”
New poll from an A+ rated outfit has Biden leading Trump by 13 points–53-40
Isn’t this Pennsylvania?
Oops. Yeah, Pennsylvania poll
excellent news either way
Ivanka Trump likely broke the law today by holding up a can of Goya beans to pose for a picture on her Twitter.
The biggest irony is “Goya” is almost certainly what Jared’s family calls her.
Yo CG?
Her Husband IS the Law….
I call them Shandas, because they are. The whole Kushner family are money grabbers, and Ivanka married up.
Of course Goya gave bigly to the Trump campaign.
And that brings me back to Scott and Zreebs’s question: why won’t Corey vote to put Trump out of office?
Breaking….
TWITTER Hacked BIG TIME…..
I will try to briefly address the question why I would probably vote for Jones for Senate but do not intend to vote for Biden for President. Zreebs’ question is fair enough.
First though, we have to understand and acknowledge that I am not voting for Trump and never would under any circumstance.
One contest is a Senate race. One is a Presidential race. A Senator is 1 of 100. A President has much greater responsibility, in terms of the execution of laws and as the moral leader of the country in my view. I completely accept that Biden is a better person than Trump but there are still issues of personal conscience involved there for me. More on that in a bit.
Biden is going to win Illinois bigly. With or without my vote. It’s not even remotely in question. Does anyone disagree?
In Alabama, I think Jones is probably going to lose, but it will likely be a lot more competitive there in his race against Tuberville than Biden vs. Trump will be in Illinois. It is also different to cast a symbolic vote for an underdog facing an uphill battle than to vote for someone you do not believe in who is already going to win as a foregone conclusion.
Now, I definitely have profound political differences with Doug Jones, especially since he seems so far to the left on an issue like abortion. However, I admire much of his biography as it relates to his prosecution of Klansmen, etc I also admire the fact that it took political courage for him to cast a vote to convict Trump in the Senate, even though it made no difference to the outcome and even though it lessened his chance of reelection. He deserves credit and some reward for that at least.
Again, I admire some things about Biden personally, and as stated I will be “rooting” for him to unseat Trump. I was prepared to vote in a D primary for him if needed in order to stop the possibility of a Sanders nomination, both because I thought Sanders would be easy pickings for Trump and even if I were wrong, a Sanders Presidency would be incredibly scary for America.
Biden is not exactly a person of political courage though, which is a contrast to Jones. He has bent backwards to move to the left in this race. Everyone acknowledges that his platform is to the left of Obama. I can accept he may win and I will wish him success as our leader, but I cannot bring myself to actually vote for him. I know I will likely be opposing him on most issues right from the start. You guys and others would be quick to point to any criticism I would have of him as “well, you voted for him, didn’t you.”
Frankly, if not for one single issue, I probably would suck it up and vote for Biden. He made a choice though as it related to the Hyde Amendment. This is not about him being pro-choice and me being Pro-Life, but about taxpayer funding of abortion and he always stood on principle on this issue. I have voted for many pro-choice Republicans before, even in primaries against Republicans who were closer to my position on the issue. This is different though.
Throughout his entire career, Biden was vehemently in support of the Hyde Amendment. Until this campaign. He answered a question as a Presidential candidate last year saying that yes, of course he still supported the Hyde Amendment. Indeed in his heart of hearts we all know he really still does, and he also knows that there will not be votes in Congress to get away with it. He got pushback though by the left in his party, and he decided he could not be on the wrong side of those people in the primaries, so he folded, the next day, like a cheap suit. Biden has the political spine of a jellyfish.
So, on that one specific issue, he made his choice and he should have more than enough votes to win, considering how horrible Trump is both personally and in terms of governance.
The rest of you can do the dirty work of electing him. I hope you can. America needs a new President and as someone who believes in fate, it may be Biden’s fate to be in this position at this time. For me though voting for a liberal Democrat to be President is indeed dirty.
Hopefully this finally brings to a conclusion the seeming daily hours long discussion as to who you are voting for President.
I have told you from the beginning that I have no feelings as to who you vote for or the reason quite frankly.
Ok you said it.
Should be end of discussion.
I agree
I find myself (as a non-citizen and thus a non-voter) in this completely weird position this election year.
CG and DSA (descended from a group I helped to found in 1972-3, Democratic Socialists of America) share the burning ambition of every American who is for justice, for peace, for social harmony and for rational government — ousting Donald Trump.
But they both reject the only democratic (or if you prefer, republican) thing that will oust Trump, that is, supporting and voting for Joe Biden. And they twist themselves into all kinds of weird (but often similar) logical contortions to rationalize their unplan. The Socialist Feminist caucus of DSA is actually calling for Joe Biden to withdraw because of Tara Reid’s charges. On the other hand, out of the 100,000 members now claimed by DSA, Bernie Sanders and AOC have endorsed Joseph Biden.
DSA’s non-endorsement may actually be a blessing to the Biden campaign because it takes some of the sting out of the forthcoming GOP campaign to cast him as an Evil Socialist who will drag a screaming, protesting country down the path of Venezuela. On the other hand, the D campaign will need every hand, every voice and every dollar.
Correction: I helped to start the Democratic Socialist Organizing Committee in the 1970’s. DSOC later merged (without my involvement or opposition) with the New American Movement (started by SDS veterans) to form Democratic Socialists of America.
https://medium.com/@socialistsurvivors/dsa-socialist-feminists-call-on-joe-biden-to-drop-out-c673d9203a81
[May 22, 2020]
DSA Socialist Feminists Call on Joe Biden to Drop Out
Presumptive Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden stands accused of sexual assault. Members of the Democratic Socialists of America demand that he leave the race.
As socialists, we believe that the lessons of the #MeToo movement must not be forgotten. This movement challenged rape culture and upended myths about sexual violence and the credibility of survivors. For a short period, these issues were even embraced by many liberal politicians and commentators, as evidenced by the widespread support for Dr. Christine Blasey-Ford when she bravely spoke out about incumbent Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh. #MeToo made previously tolerated behavior intolerable, and powerful men in numerous industries faced consequences for their misconduct.
Now, less than two years later, former Vice President Joe Biden is accused of sexually assaulting Tara Reade, a staff assistant who was abruptly let go by his office in 1993. The refusal of progressive and liberal forces to take this accusation seriously threatens to undo the progress made by the movement against sexual assault. This progress is bolstered by #MeToo and built on the foundation of countless other movements against sexual violence that came before it: the battered women’s movement, the anti-rape movement, campus sexual assault activism, and others. Generations have fought and organized against assault and harassment on the shop floor, and freedom from harassment and abuse remains a core issue for working people throughout the country and around the world. By defending Biden and attempting to discredit Reade, public figures and journalists are reviving the old standards of believability that kept generations of survivors from coming forward. Some progressives and feminists have attempted to acknowledge Reade’s legitimacy as a survivor while positing that Biden’s stature in the 2020 election against Trump is too important to risk damaging his chances by addressing the accusations.
We disagree. In fact, we believe it will only strengthen Trump’s agenda, should Biden’s behavior go unchallenged.
Joe Biden’s conduct towards women as described by Tara Reade, as well as the seven other women who have alleged inappropriate and unwanted touching, is precisely the kind of behavior that pushes women and queer folks out of political organizations, including not just the Democratic Party, but also progressive, leftist, and socialist groups. We lose brilliant comrades, either because they experience sexual violence and harassment first hand or because they are asked to overlook sexual violence and harassment. Granting power to accused perpetrators, like Biden, manufactures consent that reverberates back onto our own political communities. We in the DSA know that our organization and its members have work to do in building accountability processes and beginning to repair harm done within our own ranks. How we respond to Tara Reade impacts the multi-racial, multi-gendered, and genuinely liberatory political organization we aim to build.
Just four months ago, the Democratic presidential primary race was full of candidates, most of whom are not facing a well-corroborated accusation of sexual assault. DNC delegates can be transferred to any one of them to replace Joe Biden as the nominee. We don’t think one’s opinion on who should represent the Democratic Party in 2020 has bearing on the crucial point: Joe Biden is replaceable, but the gains of #MeToo are not. This allegation is bigger than one individual politician. We reject the idea that we must sacrifice our principles and swallow our trauma, as though Biden were our only hope against Trump. The general election is still six months away. If we ignore this allegation of sexual assault made against one of the most powerful men in the country, we do an immediate disservice to all survivors of sexual violence, now and in the future.
We, the undersigned, call on Joe Biden to leave the race. We also call on elected officials endorsed by the Democratic Socialists of America to rescind any endorsements of Joe Biden…..
So ur vote seems to be locked to one issue ?
NOT the Greater Good?
I think that Joe Biden HAS the balls to have worked for DECADES WOTH the opposition party to find compromises that has resulted in laws for a country of 300M+…..
He has held his beliefs which are more in the center in the past and is listening to the left now….THAT is miles above the GOPers….
Joe Biden is the anti-Trump and the media and the left may want more BUT?
Right Now?
She’ll of a lot of American’s and Foreigners are praying Joseph R. Biden knocks Trump out of the box and things can move back to something normal…
No, James (you or your hand-held) need to concentrate more than the Commander-in-Chief.
I’m saying that ultimately both leftists and Never-Trumpers who won’t work (or at least speak) for the only alternative to Trump are holding an untenable position. I think DSA is crazy not to support the only alternative.
Yo…
My Bad…
But that WAS a long one and yea it’s tough looking at all that with glasses with my old assed eyes….
These DAD people work for Trump?
They sure gave Trump debate talking points…
Sorry about that, James, that Socialist Feminist statement was too long to repost verbatim, and really only a side issue.
What’s more important is the official position of DSA’s National Political Committee, reflecting a pre-campaign resolution of the 2019 National Convention.
I still think it represents an irresponsibly purist sectarianism (although not being endorsed by DSA might well be a relief for the Biden campaign). I support Medicare for All, for example, but failing to do everything possible to unseat Trump means Medicare for Few or Medicare for None.
More eye-pleasing version of the DSA NPC statement at the link; I’m pasting the 3-paragraph text here below the link.
https://www.dsausa.org/statements/beyond-bernie-a-statement-from-the-dsa-national-political-committee/
Beyond Bernie: a Statement from the DSA National Political Committee
MAY 12, 2020
Following the withdrawal of Bernie Sanders from the presidential race, our country has lost the only viable Presidential candidate advocating the comprehensive reform we need to address this pandemic head-on. Sanders’s exit leaves Joe Biden as the presumptive Democratic nominee for president. His differences with Sanders and the broader left could not be starker, as was recently made clear when he committed to vetoing Medicare for All, Sanders’s signature legislative priority. Biden’s recent, disgraceful embrace of anti-Chinese xenophobia in his general election campaign, and credible allegations against him, are dangerous examples of how corporate Democrats continue to fail at stopping the ugly advance of far-right politics, racism, and misogyny.
The Democratic Socialists of America will not be endorsing Biden. We fully agree with Senator Sanders that taking on the reactionary, racist, and nationalist right wing represented by Donald Trump is imperative for the survival of millions of working-class people across the country and the world. We believe that the only way to beat the radical right once and for all is through a socialist movement that draws millions of disillusioned working-class people, here and abroad, into the political arena. We will continue to welcome the millions of people who supported Bernie’s platform and are looking for a political home.
We also recognize this moment to strategically strengthen our movements and power. We will fight like hell against the Trump agenda by running pressure campaigns, engaging in mutual aid, helping to build strong, democratic unions, building coalitions with those organizing against capitalism, acting in solidarity with immigrants and incarcerated people against deportation and detention, working to protect tenants and unhoused people, organizing to expand voting rights, locations, and the right to vote by mail. We will demand COVID relief that addresses inequality through a lens of reparations, push for an end to sanctions that are killing millions and fuel militarism in many parts of the world, and will back democratic socialist candidates at the grassroots level. That’s because we know that politics does not begin every four years with a national election: when we get organized, we become the agents of the change that will win the better world the working class desires and deserves.
Biden may not be perfect for those on the left….
But YES….
Having HIM as President IS going in the right Direction as a start ‼️
And finally,James can rest easy…
Quinnipiac says that in who can best handle the economy?
Biden now leads Trump 50/45.
Amen!
We’ll need confirmation on that poll with a few more ….
But THATIS good news Jack…
A win for Biden is gonna have the collapsing economy fall in his lap just he had with Obama in 2008/2009….
A President Biden is gonna be a VERY busy man his first year in office and that’s why he doesn’t need a inexperienced VP…
Just to be fair, I think that George W. Bush had to manage (which he didn’t do well) the burst of the Internet Bubble from the Clinton administration —— just as Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton and Barack Obama (as well as, for that matter, Herbert Hoover and FDR), inherited the slumps and crashes of their (Republican) predecessors. And JFK inherited the recession of 1959.
I don’t really understand this whole Twitter situation, but people were freaking out today. Apparently, all the “verified” accounts were locked out and the unverified ones were still able to Tweet.
I think that means that for however long it lasted Donald Trump was not President today. Instead, that position would have belonged to Pierre Delecto, the Twitter alter ego of Mitt Romney.