Election 2020

[Alan Klein]

But why did all the quitting candidates endorse him?

They either want to be his VP choice and/or they were told to support him if they wanted to continue having a successful career in the Democrat party.

[LesPalenik]

They either want to be his VP choice and/or they were told to support him if they wanted to continue having a successful career in the Democrat party.

Based on Joe's observations of aging Biden, why didn't they endorse Bloomberg instead?

[Alan Klein]

Based on Joe's observations of aging Biden, why didn't they endorse Bloomberg instead?

I think the Democratic party was hoping for Bloomberg but he did terrible in the debates.  When Biden won the South Carolina primary, and Bloomberg lost big time, the Democrats were stuck with Biden too late to change anything.  So as they say, they'll put lipstick on a pig and hoped no one will notice their candidate has four legs. 

[Robert Roaldi]

Rob, it’s one after the other now, and they are increasing becoming more odd.  In the last weeks he has forget Obama, mistook his wife for another campaign official, could not remember the first sentence of the Decloration of Imfependence (perhaps the single most important document in our country), thought Super Tuesday was Thursday and had to be corrected by Mayor Pete, forgot what state he was in again, and the list goes on. 

I don't pay attention to the day to day of US electioneering, and I know less about Biden than I do about Iceland. You may very well be correct about him. But if verbal miscues are any guide to anything, Trump doesn't exactly shine in that department. It seems to me that politicians are thrust in front of cameras a bit too often, they (and we) might benefit from more thinking time and less talking time. I don't find that them being "on" camera all the time gives us any more information. What seems to happen is that people who are good on camera get votes, not sure that's the most important criterion. We seem to want them to put on a good show more than we want them to do a good job, although maybe we're not that good at judging what doing a good job even means.

[Alan Klein]

I don't pay attention to the day to day of US electioneering, and I know less about Biden than I do about Iceland. You may very well be correct about him. But if verbal miscues are any guide to anything, Trump doesn't exactly shine in that department. It seems to me that politicians are thrust in front of cameras a bit too often, they (and we) might benefit from more thinking time and less talking time. I don't find that them being "on" camera all the time gives us any more information. What seems to happen is that people who are good on camera get votes, not sure that's the most important criterion. We seem to want them to put on a good show more than we want them to do a good job, although maybe we're not that good at judging what doing a good job even means.

Biden's been in politics for 40 years including as a US Senator running senate committees including Judicial. His lapses now are new indicating a slowing down.

[Frans Waterlander]

Biden's been in politics for 40 years including as a US Senator running senate committees including Judicial. His lapses now are new indicating a slowing down.

Slowing down? The man has totally lost it.

[LesPalenik]

Shouldn't the Dems ask Bloomberg to come back and save the world?

[Robert Roaldi]

Shouldn't the Dems ask Bloomberg to come back and save the world?

Apparently if you're not quick on your feet in a TV debate, it means you're not qualified. That's how we analyze things now.

[Alan Klein]

Apparently if you're not quick on your feet in a TV debate, it means you're not qualified. That's how we analyze things now.

He wasn't prepared.  What's interesting is how it shows that all the complaints about different people and groups spending lots of money doesn't necessarily mean anything.  First you have to have the goods.  Second you have to be able to present it well.  Third, there's money on the other side taking the opposite positions.

[John Camp]

New political term spotted in the New York Times (from Bret Stephens): Sandersnista

[Alan Klein]

New political term spotted in the New York Times (from Bret Stephens): Sandersnista

Well the NY Times is left, but not quite Marxist.  PLus they're getting on-board the Democrat gravy train and piling up on Sanders to support Biden.  The word has gone out.    This is the swamp in action Trump talks about. 

[Alan Klein]

Now that Biden won Michigan, it's all over.  I suspect Sanders will cancel his campaign and throw his support to Biden to convince Sanders voters to not stay home.  So Biden it is.  He could well win in November.  I don't think he's capable of running America and will allow a Svengali direct him.  Not good for the country if this happens. 

[John Camp]

I think Warren may endorse Biden, I'm less sure about Sanders. I think Sanders gets a deep thrill from screaming at crowds, and he could still do that for a few more months. Biden gave a very gracious speech tonight. If he gets the nomination, it will be a very interesting contrast between the two presidential candidates. I just wish there were a better Republican nominee. In fact, I wish there were a better Democratic nominee, but I'll take Biden.

[Rob C]

I think Warren may endorse Biden, I'm less sure about Sanders. I think Sanders gets a deep thrill from screaming at crowds, and he could still do that for a few more months. Biden gave a very gracious speech tonight. If he gets the nomination, it will be a very interesting contrast between the two presidential candidates. I just wish there were a better Republican nominee. In fact, I wish there were a better Democratic nominee, but I'll take Biden.

The human dilemma: which is the lesser of two evils?

Instead, in an ideal world, it should be a matter of choosing the best of the good. Why can't politics attract the latter to be players?

;-(

[Alan Klein]

I think Warren may endorse Biden, I'm less sure about Sanders. I think Sanders gets a deep thrill from screaming at crowds, and he could still do that for a few more months. Biden gave a very gracious speech tonight. If he gets the nomination, it will be a very interesting contrast between the two presidential candidates. I just wish there were a better Republican nominee. In fact, I wish there were a better Democratic nominee, but I'll take Biden.

Well, some people predict he'll try to influence the Democratic platform at the convention, using his followers as a hook to get the DNC to include his socialist policies in the platform.  They'll go along to get  his people to vote for Biden and not stay home on election eve.  The problem with Biden is I don't think he'll be his own man, more of a puppet. I don;t think he'll protect America like Trump can and does against some of the world's worst people like Xi and even with our friends who often take advantage of America. We need a president who's tough.  The VP selection is going to be important as he or she might become president if Biden doesn;t finish his term or run for office the second term, which is most probable.  Trump is sharp and would onley be there another four years.  Biden would be around 85 or 86 at the end of 8 years.  He isn't going to make it.   

[LesPalenik]

Biden would be around 85 or 86 at the end of 8 years.  He isn't going to make it.   

If Biden wins this fall, it is extremely unlikely that he would run again in [EDIT] 2024. OTOH, his VP might.

[RSL]

Which is why Hillary is sort of throwing her hair scarf into the ring. If she's VP and Biden somehow were to commit suicide she'd be IN!

[Alan Klein]

Which is why Hillary is sort of throwing her hair scarf into the ring. If she's VP and Biden somehow were to commit suicide she'd be IN!

She's not a spring chicken either.

[Frans Waterlander]

If Biden wins this fall, it is extremely unlikely that he would run again in 2026. His VP might.

Come again? In America we elect a president every 4 years.

[LesPalenik]

My mistake, thanks for the correction, I must have confused it with Russia (they have a 6 year term).
Of course, it will be the year 2024.