July 24, 2024

Why is Biden doing an Oval Office address? Does it suggest he plans to do more than explain why he withdrew from the campaign for reelection?

Does the ultra-solemn setting suggest he is going to resign? It feels strange, perhaps even wrong, to use the Oval Office to talk about the political campaign.

Looking for clues, I'm reading this CNN article about the upcoming speech, "Biden to deliver Oval Office address on decision not to seek reelection as Harris and Trump hit the trail":
President Joe Biden’s address to the nation Wednesday evening will serve not only to explain his shocking decision to drop out of the 2024 presidential race but will carry an element of poignancy as he begins the closing chapter of his presidency and half-century in public service.... His speech at 8 p.m. ET will be his first extensive remarks since his announcement Sunday that he was not running and will serve as the first time many Americans see him since he tested positive for Covid-19 last week.....

Oval Office addresses have historically been serious moments for presidents to speak to the American people at times of national crisis or to make major policy announcements. It will be only the fourth time Biden has addressed the nation from the setting as president. And it’s the second time in just 10 days, following Biden’s remarks to the country earlier this month following the assassination attempt against Trump. He’s also used the setting to speak about Hamas’ attack on Israel last year and to laud the passage of a bipartisan budget agreement....

It seems the speech must go beyond campaign-related material. But maybe he needs to explain that he is competent to continue as President. Withdrawing from the campaign for reelection created an inference that he's also not capable of serving out the rest of his term, so maybe explaining withdrawing from the campaign inherently works to explain why he can still serve as President. But I don't like the campaign announcement as an Oval Office address, so I'm raising the question whether he's going to spring a big announcement tonight and resign as President.

Do I want him to resign? Do you? I don't know how bad he is right now, and I don't know if Kamala Harris is ready to jump into the job at the same time she's got to hit the ground running as the candidate in a big time crunch. I don't know which way puts our country and the world in the most danger. And maybe you're also concerned with whether one party or the other has a better chance of winning in November if Kamala Harris ascends to the presidency right away.

I'm not. I'm taking a position of cruel neutrality.

174 comments:

Chris said...

Taking a cruely neutral position here strikes me as Nero playing the fiddle while Rome burned.

Achilles said...

He is doing an Oval Office address so he doesn't have to answer press questions.

NorthOfTheOneOhOne said...

I'm thinking he won't resign because that would mean that Kamala would need to appoint a VEEP and the Senate confirmation process would take time, energy and visibility away from her campaign.

RMc said...

It feels strange, perhaps even wrong

Biden's entire presidency can be described with those words.

RideSpaceMountain said...

"Do I want him to resign? Do you?"

The man is a traitor, a criminal, and a fraud. If the man fled his country like the Shah of Iran he'd be getting far better than he deserves.

Gerda Sprinchorn said...

Here is a photo of LBj's speech saying he would not run for reelection:

https://www.history.com/news/lbj-exit-1968-presidential-race.

Looks like the White House, maybe the Oval Office?

LBJ also spent a lot of the speech talking about Vietnam, so it was a presidential speech too.

Lem Vibe Bandit said...

Did Johnson announced he wasn't running again from the Oval?

Weyland E. Yutani, Super Genius said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
narciso said...

Hes been inpersonating a presidemt for four years why stop now

Gerda Sprinchorn said...

LBJ also had health concerns and was worried he wouldn't be able to complete a second term. From Wikipedia:

"Although it was not made public at the time, Johnson was worried about his failing health and was concerned that he might not live through another term. The previous year, in 1967, he secretly commissioned an actuarial study that accurately predicted he would die at age 64."

Mr. D said...

If he uses the Oval Office, he can sit. Standing at a podium may be beyond his current physical capability.

SoLastMillennium said...

Will his speech include the lines:
"I'm not dead yet!", "I'm feeling fine", and "I think I'll go for a walk".

Kevin said...

I'm thinking he won't resign because that would mean that Kamala would need to appoint a VEEP and the Senate confirmation process would take time, energy and visibility away from her campaign.

I'm thinking he won't resign because he was promised they wouldn't use the 25th amendment if he voluntarily withdrew.

His legacy needs to state he was competent enough to finish his term. Which is why this is the last time we will see him, no matter how it goes tonight.

Achilles said...

The "phone call" was an obvious AI fake.

The walk from the SUV to AF1 and using the big stairs for the first time in a year without saying a word was an obvious stunt double.

In the Oval Office setting the speech can be pre-recorded and professionally rendered. That is likely what they are doing now.

An open convention with a dead candidate you could no longer ridicule because of respect for the dead social norms was the best case scenario for democrats. Someone was running with this plan. It was working as planned when Joe had his medical event in Vegas. Someone wanted to take him to the hospital. This was kanked in route and his body was flown to DC.

Since then it has just been obvious bullshit piled on stupid crap. The only reason to do this is to make sure Kamala is the nominee. There is a group of people trying their damnedest to make this happen.

You can see the tensions that are going on in the background. There are 2 factions in the Democrat Party right now and they are pushing 2 competing plans: Team Kamala and Team Open Convention.

I am rooting for team Kamala by the way.

I hope Biden's pre-recorded AI rendered fictional speech goes flawlessly and Kamala can continue forward as the nominee through the convention.

The dog that isn't barking? The Biden family. When was the last time you didn't hear a word from Jill or Hunter Biden for over a week?

Ann Althouse said...

"Here is a photo of LBj's speech saying he would not run for reelection... Looks like the White House, maybe the Oval Office?"

Here's a list of Oval Office addresses:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Oval_Office_Address

LBJ's dropping out of the reelection campaign isn't one of them.

Leland said...

Would it be appropriate to discuss the state of his political campaign from the Oval Office other than to address that he is not seeking it? Should he be using that setting to show his support for Kamala’s campaign?

Left Bank of the Charles said...

“He is doing an Oval Office address so he doesn't have to answer press questions.”

I agree with Achilles, and I believe the earth is still revolving around the sun.

Kate said...

I hope he resigns. We'll get six months of the first woman POTUS, the box will be checked, and we can all leave that behind. Hillary will need to find something else to rail about during Trump's second term.

Breezy said...

If he campaigns for Kamala he’ll be in violation of the Hatch Act, no? Also, Trump will demand equal time on the networks.

I don’t think he’ll resign. Only people on the right are demanding that. But if he sees Nancy walking down the hall, he just might…

pious agnostic said...

Whether Biden resigns from the presidency or not makes no difference for the remainder of his term. He isn't performing the duties of his office now, and the Veep won't either. Can you imagine that the coterie of functionaries who are currently curating our national policy are going to step aside simply because one figurehead steps down, and another steps up?

tommyesq said...

Maybe Biden will glare into the camera and announce that his staff, the DNC, and senior Democrat office-holders are conspiring against him, and HELL NO I AM NOT STEPPING DOWN! I AM RUNNING AGAIN!

With dementia, this is a real possibility (plus it just might be true).

gilbar said...

well, a few reasons:
a) no witnesses
b) can be prerecorded
c) can be filmed, re-filmed, and re-re-re-re-refilmed, until they get it right
d) makes resident Biden look like a President
e) will be resident Biden's last chance to sit in that chair

RideSpaceMountain said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
RideSpaceMountain said...

"If he campaigns for Kamala he’ll be in violation of the Hatch Act, no?"

There are no rules anymore. They will break what they need to break and deal with the consequences in our totally broken glacial legal system at a later date and time. The truth for these people is but a lie undiscovered and their backs are against a wall. They're desperate.

They. Do. Not. Care.

RCOCEAN II said...

He'll just tell why he dropped out, why he is continuing as POTUS, and why Trump is a bad, bad, man. It'll be snoozeville - like every Biden speech.

Sebastian said...

What is "the job" these days? Clearly Joe hasn't been able to talk and think straight for some time. He hasn't dealt directly with Congress or his own cabinet much. He seemed a bit lost at international events. So a team around him has been running things and making decisions.

Joe's job was being a puppet for progs. They thought they could keep it going a bit longer. Now they'll try with Kamala, who'll be a willing enabler, provided she can "invent" herself as sufficiently moderate and, you know, serious, that some women in the middle will put her over the top.

Bill, Republic of Texas said...

"I'm thinking he won't resign because he was promised they wouldn't use the 25th amendment if he voluntarily withdrew.

His legacy needs to state he was competent enough to finish his term. Which is why this is the last time we will see him, no matter how it goes tonight."

I'm going to change my position and agree with Kevin. I originally said Trump's opponent would either be President Biden or President Harris. That thinking was based on what would be best for the country (a senile president is a danger to the country).

But I think Kevin has a better argument. They'll do what is best politically and appease a venal, egomaniac.

Left Bank of the Charles said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Ann Althouse said...

"... well, a few reasons..."

The reasons you came up with do not justify making this an Oval Office address. They add to the wrongness of the choice.

Left Bank of the Charles said...

LBJ’s speech withdrawing from the 1968 election is on the Wikipedia list of Oval Office addresses, under the somewhat understated title, “On the war in Vietnam and the 1968 election.”

Ann Althouse said...

"lBJ’s speech withdrawing from the 1968 election is on the Wikipedia list of Oval Office addresses, under the somewhat understated title, “On the war in Vietnam and the 1968 election.”"

Thanks.

So that's the point: It has to have a greater national importance than a campaign decision.

"On March 31, 1968, Lyndon B. Johnson appeared on national television and announced that he was partially halting the U.S. bombing of Vietnam, and that he had decided not to seek his party’s nomination for president."

https://www.history.com/news/lbj-exit-1968-presidential-race

Dave Begley said...

My predictions:

1. His expert doctors tell him that he can't serve another four years. But that was the case 1 or 2 years ago and he never should have run for re-election. There should have been a real primary season.

2. He wants to spend more time with family; especially Dr. Jill and Hunter. But not that grandchild in Arkansas.

3. There will be a mention of Beau and that because Beau's life was cut short, he appreciates how life is brief.

All three of these predictions are a lock.

Lilly, a dog said...

I'm hoping he gives us a Howard Beale-esque rant.

Dave Begley said...

The Fake News put Biden into office and then kept him there for nearly four years.

The Fake News is the enemy of the People.

Biden's accomplishments:

1. 300k dead from fentanyl.
2. Handed Bagram AFB and billions in weapons to the Taliban. 13 dead Americans.
3. Russian invaded Ukraine. Probably 300k dead.
4. Hamas invaded Israel. 10k dead?
5. Wild inflation.
6. Billions in federal tax credits for worthless solar and wind.
7. 10m plus illegal aliens.
8. Who knows how like Lakin Reilley who were killed by an illegal alien.
9. Undermined the rule of law with things like his student loan forgiveness.
10. Lawfare against political opponents.

tolkein said...

I remember that speech by LBJ in 1968 (I was 14) - seeing later reports - and the reporting at the time was that he was withdrawing because he'd done badly in New Hampshire and anti-war feeling in the country was very strong.
But just my memory.

Ann Althouse said...

""If he campaigns for Kamala he’ll be in violation of the Hatch Act, no?"/There are no rules anymore."

If he's in the Oval Office, I don't think he can endorse KH, but reason backwards from that: It's a reason to choose the Oval Office: he doesn't want to praise her. He's angry at what they have done to him. He's humiliated. They could have shored him up after the "terrible" debate.

Inga said...

While I’d love to hear “President Harris” today, I think it would be a mistake for President Biden to resign the presidency. We all know what would happen when a President Harris would nominate a VP. The Republican controlled House will create havoc, Americans don’t need more chaos and game playing. The nation will remain safe in the Biden Administration’s hands until we get President Harris in Jan. 2025.

TreeJoe said...

Biden has shown he can spend days resting up, be likely pumped full of drugs, and give a palatable talking points speech or well planned interview. And that's it. That's the entirety of his capacity as President. This has been consistent for years.

And it supports why it's taken ~4-5 days for him to schedule a solemn address in a format where he can be well prepped, scripted, and not take questions.

I do wonder if he will share what the 'medical emergency' was from this past weekend. The evidence supports such an emergency happened.

Keith said...

If he dislikes Kamala he would resign now. That burdens her with a bunch of responsibilities when she is supposed to be campaigning AND means there’s now a female black president which negates the reason to vote for her. It’s already in the books. I don’t know what he’ll say but if he doesn’t like her that would be a good play. Then there’s the question for pardoning the Biden family too.

Ann Althouse said...

Related, from last January, in Axios: "Scoop: Biden warned to stop bringing big donors to Oval Office"

https://www.axios.com/2024/01/10/biden-donors-oval-office-tours-warning-legal

"President Biden was advised last year by the White House Counsel office that giving big-dollar donors tours of the Oval Office might raise legal issues and he has since stopped the practice, according to people familiar with the matter.... Biden has been hosting donors inside the White House residence for private meals and briefings, to help energize them and convince them that he has a plan to beat former President Trump. The donor outreach has caused some concern in the White House Counsel's office, which has allowed the lunches and dinners to proceed with clear restrictions, including on where the meals can take place and who can attend. Biden has been known to show the Oval Office to many of his guests, but he decided to stop including an Oval tour for donors early in the campaign after issues were raised by the counsel's office. ... In order to comply with ethics laws, the donors are not directly solicited for donations and events are required to take place in either the White House map room, the old family dining room or the tennis pavilion on the ground's south lawn.... "President Biden and his team take all rules concerning the White House and re-elections seriously, and we're proud of that," he said. "There are certain rooms in the White House, particularly in the residence that are not covered under the Hatch Act," said Kedric Payne, ethics director at the Campaign Legal Center, referring to the federal law which governing campaigning for elected officials.
"The president is allowed to legally meet with and entertain donors at the White House," Payne said. "But you cannot give campaign contributions or solicit for campaign contributions while in the White House.""
Zoom out: Both Republican and Democratic administrations running for re-election have used the glamour and the glitz of the White House to help donors feel valued and appreciated by the president and his top advisers.

Holiday party invites, state dinners, and even rounds at the White House bowling alley are all standard ways to keep deep-pocketed supporters happy – and ready to write checks when the campaign kicks off.

Gerda Sprinchorn said...

This article says the speech was from the Oval Office.

"During a 40-minute speech on Vietnam delivered from the Oval Office, LBJ waited until the very end to announce he would not seek a full second term."

https://www.yahoo.com/news/biden-withdrawal-echoes-lbj-exit-234016856.html

The trim around the window and door look like the Oval Office. I think the desk is different.

Inga said...

It’s been reported that Biden is also going to speak about what he wants to accomplish in these last 6 months of his presidency. I think his remarks about Harris will be only a small part of his remarks tonight.

Drago said...

Inga: "Americans don’t need more chaos and game playing."

LOL

The oblivious Inga posts are always the most fun!

The party that rigged its 2016, 2020, 2024 primaries and executed a coup against its sitting President which completely cut out voters, sent the addled President into hiding and abdication via an X post has supporters, like Inga, that claim to want no more "chaos and games"!

Left Bank of the Charles said...

“So that's the point: It has to have a greater national importance than a campaign decision.”

Does it? Ronald Reagan announced his January 1984 decision to seek reelection from the Oval Office.

Should I stay or should I go now?
If I go there will be trouble
And if I stay it will be double
So ya gotta let me know
Should I stay or should I go?

Hauptfrau said...

Well, like many people with dementia, he likely thinks he's fine mentally and so doesn't want to admit that he isn't.

But also, I think he won't resign now because Hunter's tax trial is in Sept. and his gun charge sentencing is probably in October. Wouldn't it be problematic (certainly politically, but perhaps also for practical reasons) to pardon or commute Hunter's punishment before Hunter has been tried? I realize Hunter could plead guilty to the tax charges tomorrow and Biden could pardon him next week.But that seems like an even bigger middle finger to the concept of equal justice. And Kamala might not be able to get rid of the stink from that.

Of course, Kamala could pardon Hunter in theory, but would she be willing to do that? Would reek of a quid pro quo. NVM, she probably would. They play by different rules than the normies.

mccullough said...

Biden, like Nixon, is a Quitter.

Trump is indefatigable.

No one gives a shit what Quitters say.

Jess said...

I'm thinking it really won't matter what he does, or says. He hasn't run anything other than a fever in half a decade, and I doubt we'll ever really know who's been running the United States. My suggestion is everybody turn to another channel and continue to wonder how we ever became a nation of hidden rulers.

wendybar said...

Inga: "Americans don’t need more chaos and game playing."

Chaos and game playing like the Progressives in DC have done for the last 8 years. Look at DC today, getting ready for left wing mobs to riot and burn it down because Bibi is in town.
They added 200 NYPD officers to try to quill the violence they are expecting...
https://x.com/capeandcowell/status/1816047117896446201

Of course, your media will call it a peaceful protest, even if federal buildings are set on fire with people inside ala Portland..

https://nypost.com/2020/07/22/portland-protesters-barricade-courthouse-with-federal-officers-inside/

Left Bank of the Charles said...

If I understand the Supreme Court decision earlier this month, a President can’t be prosecuted for violating the Hatch Act as long as he weaves his violation into an official act, such as an Oval Office address. And, would it really be a violation of law if the President has immunity?

tim maguire said...

My biggest reason for doubting Harris will get the nomination is my expectation that they did not go to the trouble of pushing Biden out only to replace him with a loser. The exception to that is if Harris can run as an incumbent. That's her only hope.

Achilles said...

If I was a Democrat I would be absolutely throwing down right now and openly demanding an open convention.

Much the same way I threw down in 2012 when I told the Romney supporters/GOPe sheep what a mistake they were making.

You people should not be letting them do this to you.

PM said...

For Joe, who's been on the public teat..er served the nation for over 50 years..this is a momentous occasion. Please, don't let his last act be installing that ninny as Chief Executive.

Lyle Sanford, RMT said...

I've always appreciated your "cruel neutrality" and think it works especially well here due to all the unknowns. Maybe it's always been this way, but it feels lime we're watching a puppet show with all the important info being kept behind the curtain.

Michael K said...

The Dullard outdoes herself in inane comments:

The nation will remain safe in the Biden Administration’s hands until we get President Harris in Jan. 2025.

As World War III approaches and the incompetents gather in this regime, reality seeks entry. The Capitol riots today may even exceed Jan 6. Nothing will be done to the rioters.

Achilles said...

Left Bank of the Charles said...

If I understand the Supreme Court decision earlier this month, a President can’t be prosecuted for violating the Hatch Act as long as he weaves his violation into an official act, such as an Oval Office address. And, would it really be a violation of law if the President has immunity?

Is campaigning for president or campaigning for another person described as one of the official duties of President in the constitution?

I think that is in the same boat as ordering Seal Team 6 to kill your political opponents.

In other words no, it is not covered by the Supreme Court decision you dishonest jackass, because none of that is listed as one of the official duties of the President of the United States.

Hassayamper said...

He hasn't run anything other than a fever in half a decade

Not true, he is among the world's best at running his mouth.

Jamie said...

I agree with gilbar at 12:35. They're recording it now, while Biden is within his best waking hours.

Of course, they could have chosen any private locale. So I also think they're going for gravitas and a suggestion of "See? I'm still the President - they don't let just anybody sit at this desk. Not a joke!" [whispered] "Not a joke."

But it is a joke. It's all a joke, on all of us. inga et al., surely you see that.

RideSpaceMountain said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
tim maguire said...

My biggest reason for doubting Harris will get the nomination is my expectation that they did not go to the trouble of pushing Biden out only to replace him with a loser. The exception to that is if Harris can run as an incumbent. That's her only hope.

Hassayamper said...

Wouldn't it be problematic (certainly politically, but perhaps also for practical reasons) to pardon or commute Hunter's punishment before Hunter has been tried? I realize Hunter could plead guilty to the tax charges tomorrow and Biden could pardon him next week.

I believe it is well established law that pardons can precede conviction or sentencing, and can even be issued pre-emptively to preclude a trial. For example, Jimmy Carter pardoned a lot of Vietnam-era draft dodgers who fled to Canada but were never even arraigned, let alone put on trial.

I have no doubt Hunter's pardons have already been written and signed, but will only be released after the election.

RideSpaceMountain said...

"He's angry at what they have done to him. He's humiliated."

Angry at who? Who's "they"? Who humiliated him? Who has the power to do such a thing to the President of the United States, the "leader of the free world"? Who can coerce the un-coercible?

The gravity of these questions is immense. Who is actually in charge? Are they "the donors"? Who in the fuck is actually running this shit show and humiliate the President of the United States and do things against his wishes?

Kakistocracy said...

Would bet that Biden is sleeping better at night. Would bet that Trump is not. Independents, you wanted a reason to vote for someone other than Trump? You got it now..

RideSpaceMountain said...

Rich is an ActBlue stooge, no doubt in my mind.

How's the travel plans coming Rich? Make sure you poke holes in that TUMI roll-on for the Thai 7 year old you keep in there. Trying to get through Hong Kong customs with a dead child will be bad for you no matter how many favors you can call in.

Jamie said...

The American Left always talks in the foreign press about how embarrassed they are to be American when a Republican is in office. I've always scoffed because it's so self-serving: the European press (which is what we're always talking about when we refer to "the foreign press," plus al Jazeera now) is even to the left of our ignoble journalist class, as well as being even more elitist; and the American Left dearly loves to try to shed that unfortunate "uncouth American" mantle and join the Euro-bien-pensants. So of course they always say they're embarrassed by Republicans in office.

But right now? God help us as a nation, has anything remotely this embarrassing ever been our doing? The entire world knows that we - and by "we" I mean the politburo running the Biden administration, their abundant media friends, and what have to be a LOT of big names in business, entertainment, and elsewhere who have known about Biden for years now - are literally pretending like children as to who our CinC, our national CEO, our head of state is. And has been, for an unknown period. And the rest of us, who have been saying the truth for years, are shunted aside so we can have a proper hagiography without critique.

But I'll bet some of them out in the world, just for fun, are reviewing the video evidence, to see just when we became Soviet.

kylos said...

I don't think he'll resign, if only because of hubris, but, as you said, dropping from the race raises the question of whether he ought to resign. He needs to address the nation as to whether he's fit to continue serving.

mccullough said...

Biden already quit.

Trump got the TKO.

Losing happens. Quitting is a character flaw.

Narayanan said...

e) will be resident Biden's last chance to sit in that chair
=================
is that same chair that cushioned Geo Washington's manly mighty thights

or technologically updated?

Jamie said...

He needs to address the nation as to whether he's fit to continue serving.

He can't do that. Every public address of any kind he's made since the debate has been a de-facto attempt to answer that question, and every one has been bizarre and troubling. If he brings it up in this address, he's admitting that it's still (still!) an issue. If he lets it lie, his allies - even the ones who have turned against him now - will also let it lie, because the alternative is tacitly to admit that they weren't just lying some of the time.

Narayanan said...

e) will be resident Biden's last chance to sit in that chair
=================
is that same chair that cushioned Geo Washington's manly mighty thighs / thews

or technologically updated?

Narayanan said...

e) will be resident Biden's last chance to sit in that chair
=================
is that same chair that cushioned Geo Washington's manly mighty thighs / thews

or technologically updated?

Drago said...

LLR-democratical Rich: "Would bet that Biden is sleeping better at night. Would bet that Trump is not. Independents, you wanted a reason to vote for someone other than Trump? You got it now."

LOL

From Rasmussen 4 hours ago: "More Harris / Trump data back and a clear image is emerging (release due tomorrow):
-Kamala does much worse with Independents.
-Many republican defectors come back to Trump.
-Kamala doesn't do better than Biden among black voters."

Gerda Sprinchorn said...

The book the "The Best and the Brightest", confirms what you remember. Primary voters were rejecting LBJ, so dropping out was forced on him to some extent.

Drago said...

Thanks for playing LLR-democratical Rich! Give our best to your pal LLR-democratical Chuck! And tell LLR-democratical lonejustice to get ack in the game so we can laugh at his gaslighting nonsense as well!

Critter said...

The message from the Democrat power brokers went something like this:

We lifted you out of obscurity during the 2020 primary (remember you lost the first two primaries) and installed you as president through our "get out the votes" mail-in ballot operation. You didn't win anything. We put you here and we're taking you out of here. We can do it the easy way or the hard way. Either way, you will not be the Democrat Party nominee. If you do it the easy way, you go out with your pride intact and praise from all Democrats. Plus lots of money for your presidential library and your family. If you make us do it the hard way, you'll leave with few friends and no money. Make the smart choice.

Biden's speech will say what the power brokers want for the best electoral interests of the Democrat machine.

To be determined after the election is when Biden steps down as president so Harris can give him and his family a blanket pardon and Hunter's sentence will be commuted before he reports to jail. This has to be done before Trump is sworn in.

Rory said...

I'll guess that Joe will have a special guest(s). If just Jill, then it means he's toast. If a doctor's there, he'll give some description of Joe's condition and explain why he's able to manage his work load.

Clyde said...

Cruel neutrality is a fine position when there is no real difference between the two candidates. Perhaps that is what you think, Althouse. Some would say that both are bad candidates and the election of either of them would be detrimental to the country, albeit in different ways. But even in an election where you might think there are no good choices, there's always one choice that is worse than the other. I personally think that a continuation of the policies of the current administration for another four years would be far worse for the country. YMMV.

minnesota farm guy said...

Jill and Hunter are probably writing the speech now and it will be a humdinger: fingers pointed at every guilty party in the coup and well kept Obama/Clinton secrets laid out for everyone to see. Wouldn't it be loverly?

Earnest Prole said...

So that's the point: It has to have a greater national importance than a campaign decision.

Johnson’s March 31, 1968 Oval Office speech was a detailed policy assessment of the war in Vietnam. His decision not to run for re-election was the last three sentences of that speech.

DINKY DAU 45 said...

The similarities between our 36th and 46th presidents abound. Both became creatures of Washington, D.C., gaining election to Congress at age 29 -- LBJ to the House, Biden to the Senate. Both thrived and developed a keen understanding of the nuances of power in the Senate, where LBJ ascended after 11 years in the lower chamber. Both became vice presidents for charismatic, elegant presidents who elicited inspiration and hope and cast long shadows. And both earned the presidency in their own right, forging consequential tenures around outsize legislative advances.
President Joe Biden delivers remarks at the White House, July 14, 2024. President Lyndon B. Johnson speaks to the nation on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 29, 1963.
© Getty Images
Now, of course, another common denominator will be that both boldly stepped aside—perhaps against their instincts to cling to the presidency—for the good of the country and their party.


It also bears mentioning that both did so for the betterment of their legacies. Had LBJ remained in power, he would have created further divisions and bound himself more inexorably to the Vietnam War. As Lady Bird Johnson said later, "I saluted him for being clearheaded enough to see that he wasn't the man at that particular juncture of time to unite the country." Moreover, Vietnam would have threatened to diminish the mammoth accomplishments of his Great Society, especially those around civil rights, his most enduring legislative triumphs. While it would take over two generations for the dark cloud of Vietnam to recede as passions around the war cooled over time, LBJ today is generally remembered more for his leadership on civil rights than as commander-in-chief of a failed war.


The main pillar of Biden's legacy will be the protection and preservation of democracy, and the revitalization and strengthening of America's alliances around the world, which he included in the list of presidential accomplishments he enumerated in his letter. Biden achieved those ends by wresting the White House from Trump, returning the nation to democratic values and norms, and reviving a weakened NATO around Russia's invasion of Ukraine. But he risked the undoing of those attainments with another Trump presidency as he played an increasingly weak hand in his reelection bid. By folding and advocating the candidacy of Kamala Harris, his vice president and heir apparent, who stands a greater chance of staving off another Trump Administration, he better ensures the protection of his most important contribution to the nation and the world—and ultimately his principal legacy.
Next Monday, the president will visit the LBJ Library to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act that LBJ signed as president. The historical parallels will be hard to ignore. Though neither man may have remained in office as long as he might have wished, both left a greater mark as a result. REAL PATRIOTS..

dbp said...

For the good of the country, I hope Biden announces his resignation. He's clearly not capable of running things and hasn't been for a while. The key change is that now, everyone knows Biden isn't running things. This is an untenable position for our country to be in for the next 6 months.

What I expect is that Biden will announce that while his health doesn't allow him to serve 4 1/2 more years, it will hold up for half a year. The reason he wants to stay-on as president is that he can pardon Hunter a few days after the election.

D.D. Driver said...

The Kamala announcement is a trial balloon to see how everyone reacts. I doubt she will make it through the convention without a revolt.

PM said...

Open on low angle shot of Resolute desk in Oval Office
"Ladies and gentlemen, the President of the United States."
Pan up to Jill Biden seated.

Bruce Gee said...

Queue Charlie Parr's I AIN'T DEAD YET

Achilles said...

RideSpaceMountain said...

"He's angry at what they have done to him. He's humiliated."

Angry at who? Who's "they"? Who humiliated him? Who has the power to do such a thing to the President of the United States, the "leader of the free world"? Who can coerce the un-coercible?

The gravity of these questions is immense. Who is actually in charge? Are they "the donors"? Who in the fuck is actually running this shit show and humiliate the President of the United States and do things against his wishes?


The same people that have been holding Jill and Hunter for the last week.

It seems like more and more "Biden people" are just disappearing right now.

I wonder how long they think they can keep this up.

Quaestor said...

Yes, it would be wrong, unless Biden confines his speech to his resignation only. But that will not be the case, and it will fit completely within the Biden Administration's complete disregard for the proprieties of office. Nothing Biden has ever done as President has been free of partisanship or demonization of good-faith opposition.

Nixon understood the symbolic nature of the Oval Office, so when he resigned he gave his address from a small TV studio in the White House basement. In Biden's defense, Bill Clinton defiled the Oval Office many years ago with the assistance of Monica Lewinsky, so there's little symbolic significance of the Oval Office remaining that isn't pornographic.

D.D. Driver said...

Cruel neutrality is a fine position when there is no real difference between the two candidates. Perhaps that is what you think, Althouse. Some would say that both are bad candidates and the election of either of them would be detrimental to the country, albeit in different ways. But even in an election where you might think there are no good choices, there's always one choice that is worse than the other. I personally think that a continuation of the policies of the current administration for another four years would be far worse for the country. YMMV.

The problem with partisan politics (IMO) is it causes both sides to cut their own dirtbags slack. Biden is unelectable for reasons that the GOP says. Harris is unelectable for all the reasons that the GOP says.

Trump is also a a scary authoritarian with a disrespect for the Constitution.

https://archive.ph/u0vZk

I'd rather stay home than vote for anyone who believes that he has the authority to declare a "time out" for the Constitution. Can anyone imagine Reagan saying something so fucking stupid and scary? My concern is that he actually believes this nonsense.

wendybar said...

Meanwhile, the rioting started in DC

"Police in gas masks use pepper spray on anti-Israel protesters on Capitol Hill as chaos erupts during Benjamin Netanyahu's speech to Congress"

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-13668213/democrats-plan-boycott-israel-netanyahu-congress-address.html

“They’re not going to stop,” Harris said at the time. “This is a movement, I’m telling you. They’re not going to stop and everyone beware, because they’re not going to stop. They’re not going to stop before Election Day in November and they’re not going to stop after Election Day. Everyone should take note of that on both levels. They’re not going to let up and they should not and we should not.”

Achilles said...

One thing I think everyone can take to the bank at this point is that Joe Biden will never answer press questions or say a word in public in a live setting again.

Left Bank of the Charles said...

It would not surprise me if President Biden speaks tonight to what he hopes to accomplish in the last 6 months of his Presidency. My prediction is that achieving a cease fire in Gaza will be the major item on that list.

robother said...

Biden could make history by stepping down and elevating The First Woman President. The only way Kamala Harris could ever achieve that. It could be argued that if she's gonna bear the burden of the last 4 years of failed policies (and she is), she should at least should enjoy the advantage of incumbency. I don't think it would change the results in November, but my gut is that it would make it much closer, perhaps within the margin of fraud.

As for whether the USA would be safer over the next 6 months, that is a much tougher call. Joes's senility has been plainly shown for all the world to see: Taiwan and Israel must be feeling their vulnerability. On the other hand, Harris has shown herself as a complete airhead. Would uncertainty about her be enough to keep the Iranians and Chinese from unleashing their dogs of war, knowing that Trump is who they have to deal with after January 2025?

Lilly, a dog said...

DINKY, do you really think that adding two words (in all caps) to someone else's essay means you can pretend these are your own words?

You even left the photo caption text in it.

Achilles said...

D.D. Driver said...

The Kamala announcement is a trial balloon to see how everyone reacts. I doubt she will make it through the convention without a revolt.

25 days left to the convention.

I am putting my over under at 7 days when the announcement comes it will be an open convention.

Quaestor said...

Remember the infamous "Triumph of the Will" speech Biden gave in front of Independence Hall, with the fasçade of that famous building bathed in an infernal red glow like Milton's Pandemonium? Biden will try to top that disgraceful performance, assuming he remembers it.

Aggie said...

I think Biden climbed the stairs because this was a smaller Air Force One, and it doesn't have kiddie stairs. If you notice, they're nowhere near as extended as the 747 version.

I don't think he's going to resign, but I do agree the Oval Office provides the best / most options for a managed event: No stray photographers, no awkward messaging, 100% controllable with all the post-production options for editing to perfection.

I don't doubt Joe's still alive and reasonably well, yet. I'm not surprised that nary a peep has come from the family, a lot has happened in the past week and they've got a metric sh*t-ton of things to get done before packing time arrives and they're at risk of arrest and prosecution. This is the most delicate stage of Joe's career - for the Biden family.

Quaestor said...

D.D. Driver's non-hyperlink doesn't support his argument, as if that made a difference to D.D. Driver.

Tom T. said...

The Hatch Act expressly does not apply to the President (or the VP).

tommyesq said...

Trump is also a a scary authoritarian with a disrespect for the Constitution.

Specific examples? He didn't use executive orders to force vaccinations, didn't threaten court packing, peacefully left office on inauguration day, didn't attack any other countries, and generally used executive orders to dismantle regulations. Don't be a sheep, prove that you are thinking for yourself by providing us the basis for your statement.

rehajm said...

He’s doing what he should have done instead of his people tweeting on X…

Quaestor said...

"The main pillar of Biden's legacy will be the protection and preservation of democracy, and the revitalization and strengthening of America's alliances around the world, which he included in the list of presidential accomplishments he enumerated in his letter."

Dream on, Dinky. An objective assessment of the Biden presidency is unable to sustain any of your delusions.

The main pillar of Biden's legacy already exists and is contained in a certain APFS Western Digital drive (serial number WX21A19ATFF3)

KJE said...

Bring cruelly neutral…

Isn’t the default assumption that the Vice President is capable of being the President, whether or not the Vice President is also campaigning to be the next President?

Isn’t that how we got to the whole downfall of the current president in the first place?

Inga said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
ga6 said...

Seppuku?

Jim at said...

I can't wait to not watch it.

Goetz von Berlichingen said...

For God's sake, DINKY. Copying someone else's work and passing it off as your own? That's about the lowest thing I've seen in any blog comments section.

Shame. Have you no ethics?

That's a rhetorical question.

Sod off, Swampy!
Lech mich am Arsch!

Goetz von Berlichingen

Indigo Red said...

The Black-Asian-Woman is already running for a chance as President for 8 years; perhaps 8-1/2 years if Biden resigns and she wins. Or, she will be president for 1/2 year if Biden designs and she loses. Maybe by filling out the rest of Biden's term, especially from now to November, people will see what the intersectionalist Black-Asian-Woman is all about and having got that intersectionality out of the way, reject her for a full term.

Harris will be more challenging to defeat than Trump, and the Republicans are willing to admit. She has no relevant record and no indisputable accomplishments; she is a virtual blank slate. BUT, she is a Black-Asian-Woman and the first BAW to run for the presidency. And, she can do it all without a VP as the Constitution does not require a VP. Eighteen presidents have held office without VPs either for partial or full terms. Being the Black-Asian-Woman, Harris can do it all like Peggy Lee's lyrics say,

"I got a twenty-dollar gold piece says there ain't nothing I can't do
I can make a dress out of a feed bag and I can make a man out of you
'Cause I'm a woman! W-O-M-A-N, I'll say it again
'Cause I'm a woman! W-O-M-A-N, and that's all.
(Jerry Leiber, songwriter.)

Do not underestimate the opposition or the stupidity of the American voter.

Original Mike said...

"It feels strange, perhaps even wrong, to use the Oval Office to talk about the political campaign."

They don't give a damn anymore. Who's going to call them on it; the press? When you cross the Rubicon of trying to put your political opponent in jail, this is small potatoes.

Jim at said...

Democrats overwhelmingly want Kamala Harris...

Well, that would certainly explain why she did so well in the 2020 primaries.

RideSpaceMountain said...

"It seems like more and more "Biden people" are just disappearing right now.

I wonder how long they think they can keep this up."


Ok...I'm calling it. If Joe steps down tonight: Joe Biden did not resign himself

Inga said...

“If I was a Democrat I would be absolutely throwing down right now and openly demanding an open convention.

You people should not be letting them do this to you.”

Oh please. As if you care what happens to Democratic voters. Democrats overwhelmingly want Kamala Harris and are VERY pleased she is running for the presidency. Democrats are happy that there won’t be chaos at the convention and it can actually be a celebration that we have a terrific strong, smart, vibrant and well spoken candidate that supports what we Democrats support. And the specter of a Trump presidency with his 2025 agenda is waning every day that Harris is the Democratic candidate and then nominee at the convention.

Caroline said...

I Hope Fox News does a split screen with the border chaos.
And Two: the words “Hitler” and “threat to democracy” are still stuck in Biden’s auto feed.

Sheridan said...

Right after his Oval Office address President Biden will invite Kamala, her family and all her acolytes to a cruise out of National Harbor. Donors and many important politicians will also be invited. President Biden will emcee the event wearing his famous (from Corn Pop days) skippers hat (think Gilligan's Island)! And the boat that will carry everyone around the harbor? SS Sultana II. Poetic justice.

Rick67 said...

Kate wrote: "I hope he resigns. We'll get six months of the first woman POTUS, the box will be checked, and we can all leave that behind."

Excellent point. I hadn't thought of that. That would take a huge amount of the wind out of her sails.

mindnumbrobot said...

A part of me believes the Biden clan wants to bring down Kamala (or whoever the nominee is). They humiliated Joe and forced him to withdraw, so why wouldn't revenge be on the agenda? Easier to sabotage the campaign from inside the Oval Office, so no, he won't resign.

doctrev said...

and it can actually be a celebration that we have a terrific strong, smart, vibrant and well spoken candidate that supports what we Democrats support.

7/24/24, 3:49 PM

Hah! So to be clear, you think that Kamala Harris is smarter than you are?

doctrev said...

Achilles said...

I am putting my over under at 7 days when the announcement comes it will be an open convention.

7/24/24, 2:47 PM

I'll take that action. The DNC insists that any other nominees must throw their hats in by July 27th for the virtual convention. Besides which, they truly are out of options. Harris isn't measurably worse than anyone else they could name.

Aggie said...

@Inga said at 15:49: "Oh please.... Democrats overwhelmingly want Kamala Harris and are VERY pleased she is running for the presidency. Democrats are happy ...it can actually be a celebration that we have a terrific strong, smart, vibrant and well spoken candidate that supports what we Democrats support."

What a refreshing take. Not that I'm skeptical, or challenging your authority to speak on behalf of all Democrats, but could you provide an example of the supporting evidence for this?

Bill Harshaw said...

Trump used the White House for the 2020 Republican convention. Got some criticism for it, but he didn't believe in the Hatch Act anyway.

https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/trump-steps-white-house-rnc-backdrop-ethical-legal/story?id=72624917

Mason G said...

"Well spoken"? Kamala?

JAORE said...

"I believe it is well established law that pardons can precede conviction or sentencing, and can even be issued pre-emptively to preclude a trial."

Ford >>>>> Nixon

Greg the Class Traitor said...

Do I want him to resign? Do you?

Yes, I do. And so should you.

I don't know how bad he is right now

It's irrelevant how bad he is at this particular second. We saw in the debate that he can be completely mentally out of it, and the US can't afford that.

I don't know if Kamala Harris is ready to jump into the job at the same time she's got to hit the ground running as the candidate in a big time crunch.

Tough shit. She signed up to be VP, which means being one heartbeat away from the Presidency.
If she can't take over the job, then she needs to resign along with Biden, and Johnson can be President for the rest of this term. She can run for the office without the distractions, if that's what she needs.

I don't know which way puts our country and the world in the most danger.

A US President with dementia puts our country and our world at the greatest danger.
Babbling moron Kamala Harris as President puts our country in less danger.

If trying to be President means she fails running for President, that's her failure, and the failure of her Party. Which would mean that them losing the election is the proper punishment for their failure.

And maybe you're also concerned with whether one party or the other has a better chance of winning in November if Kamala Harris ascends to the presidency right away.

You are welcome to put the interests of your Party over the interests of America. Just dont' try to claim to be a good American, or even a good human being, while doing so.

typingtalker said...

Why? Maybe it will be sponsored and Biden gets a share.

Yancey Ward said...

I would be shocked if he resigned the Presidency tonight but then the last 10 days have been pretty shocking already.

Yes, he should resign the office and I hope that is what he does. He has always been a waste of space and now a demented waste of space.

Leland said...

Blogger Left Bank of the Charles said...
It would not surprise me if President Biden speaks tonight to what he hopes to accomplish in the last 6 months of his Presidency. My prediction is that achieving a cease fire in Gaza will be the major item on that list.


Refusing to meet with the Israeli PM is not a way to negotiate a cease fire. Still, it would be impressive to see Biden put that chip on the table, considering the terrorist threats being made ahead of the Paris Olympics. Go for it Democrats! Rip the mask off.

Inga said...

“Seventy-eight percent of Americans and 83% of registered voters, as well as a majority of Democrats (86%) and independents (79%), support Biden leaving the presidential race. About half of Americans (48%) support Harris running as the Democratic nominee, including 89% of Democrats.

If the election for president were held today, among registered voters, Harris (44%) and Trump (42%) would be locked in a race that is too close to call.”

https://www.ipsos.com/en-us/most-americans-support-biden-leaving-race-democrats-rally-behind-harris

As the days pass the polls will likely show even more Democratic support for Harris, up into the 90+ percentages, I suspect, but for today 89% support among Democrats is pretty good.

Plus, anecdotally, in my own circle of Democratic friends, relatives and acquaintances, all are thrilled Harris is running.

Yancey Ward said...

The real benefit to Trump will be Harris becoming President locks her into being the candidate since it will be near impossible for the Democrats to dump her, too, if she is the President. Additionally, she won't be able to pretend she had nothing at all to do with the last 3.5 years.

FullMoon said...

Actual Oval Office, or the pretend one?
Kamala will be the speaker, to announce, with minimal cackle, that Joe died in Las Vegas.

JK, Joe possibly mostly alive.

Or, Dr. Jill makes the announcement.

Aggie said...

Thank you, Inga. I don't use Facebook except to check on community notes for my immediate neighborhood - trash pickup and that sort of thing - but for some reason I'm linked in with old acquaintances from way back, many of them are progressive liberals, so I get to see their posts anonymously. The gushing excitement started the day after Joe's announcement, from all of the women. The men haven't dared to speak, yet, apparently.

Mikey NTH said...

To have an open convention you need candidates willing to jump into the race at the end of August and try to pull off a win in the ten weeks +/- following.

Sounds like a bold move career-wise Cotton, let's see if anyone wants to do thst.

Tina Trent said...

Kamala Harris very visibly boycotted Netanyahu's speech to Congress today, also skipping the opportunity to meet hostages who were brutally assaulted by Hamas terrorists. Message: #metoo becomes #sowhat? when the victims are Israelis?

This is today's hot potato for the Biden/Harris administration (made worse by the pro-terrorist riots in DC), and quite likely why the press announcement was planned as a distraction, for it lies at the heart of many choices the Democrats must now make: pander to their terrorist and terrorist-loving wing, or keep good relations with Israel. Open convention? VP choice? Harris has made her choice clear by blowing Netanyahu off.

I suspect Biden isn't well enough to give the speech yet. But his administration isn't just engaged in a massive fraud regarding his competence: they have now upped the ante with several statements that he is in fine health and that sickness is not why he is resigning. His press secretary said that just today.

So who knows what will be said, or even can be said. Base minimum, if Biden reiterates that he is resigning for reasons other than health, they have decided to burden Kamala's run with the continuation of their lies. If he says he is resigning because of his health, they have also decided to burden Kamala's campaign with the scandal of her involvement to this point.

They're likely dripping flop sweat in their martinis.

Achilles said...

Blogger ga6 said...
Seppuku?

If Joe actually did that, then I would admit he died with honor.

Tina Trent said...

Resigning from the election, I mean. I'll be surprised if he resigns from the presidency before the Olympics and the DNC convention, unless he really is much worse suddenly.

Mary Beth said...

Shocking decision? The only part that should be shocking is that he was running again in the first place. I would like to be able to say it was shocking that people covered for him and pretended he was fine, but I'm not shocked about that at all.

Rabel said...

It could be a power play like the Marine guards behind him in the Red Speech.

"I'm Joe Biden and I hold the ring. Fuck you, Biden out."

rehajm said...

Do not for a moment expect a tack back towards sanity. He will try to read the teleprompter to explain the next steps in the campaign a big, sleazy political moment but remember these rat bastards view themselves as the saviors of the republic, so…

Achilles said...

doctrev said...

Achilles said...

I am putting my over under at 7 days when the announcement comes it will be an open convention.

7/24/24, 2:47 PM

I'll take that action. The DNC insists that any other nominees must throw their hats in by July 27th for the virtual convention. Besides which, they truly are out of options. Harris isn't measurably worse than anyone else they could name.

I hope you are right.

I just can't see the people running the democrat party being that stupid. In 2020 we didn't even have X and Kamala Harris had a historically bad primary campaign.

Harris has over 90% staff turnover.

Everyone knows how Harris got into politics.

But the biggest problem for Harris is she kept thousands of black men in jail past their sentence dates and used them as slave labor. At the top of the ticket she will fracture the democrat party.

I fully believe Inga and all her white liberal friends are all for Kamala. But they are racist stupid people.

Old and slow said...

Leland said...
... Go for it Democrats! Rip the mask off.

Mask?

Michael K said...

The Dullard again:

Plus, anecdotally, in my own circle of Democratic friends, relatives and acquaintances, all are thrilled Harris is running.

Both of them ?

John henry said...

My book recommendation of the day is Edwin House 1912 classic "Philip Dru, Administrator"

House was Woodrow Wilson's chief political advisor. Wilson seems to have used the novel as an operating manual for the presidency.

John Henry

John henry said...

SD Daly is reading my mind.

I bet my son $5 tha Brandon was going to go on t and say

1) I am still running. I was quiet for 4 days to see who came out of the woodwork. US Marshals are arresting the guilty and seizi g their offices as we speak. This was an attempted coup and my new acting ag will prosecute it as such.

President emeritus Donald Trump is a worthy opponent and I look forward to a vigorous contest of ideas. May the best man win.

Or

2 I am quitting g to spend more time with my family

I also td my son I am hoping for 1, expecting 2

John Henry

rhhardin said...

What would oval office address mean with a female president.

John henry said...

It has been a long time since I read Philip Dru but I remember it as pretty good read. Batshit crazy and not the best writing. But interesting and worth reading

John Henry

Drago said...

Inga: "...it can actually be a celebration that we have a terrific strong, smart, vibrant and well spoken candidate that supports what we Democrats support."

Which is why she was the first to drop out of the 2020 New Soviet Democratical rigged primary after being 1-punched by Tulsi Gabbard for how Kamala used incarceration of black men as a stepping stone to higher office?

I wonder how Inga would explain that...but that would be like asking a squirrel to explain gravity.

Mason G said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Mason G said...

"I am 100% opposed to all the icky things my political party supports and I will continue to vote for them."

walter said...

I hope he refers to Inga's "migrant" hostel. She deserves kudos for her sacrifice and service to team Pedo Pete.

Goetz von Berlichingen said...

John Henry said:

1) I am still running. I was quiet for 4 days to see who came out of the woodwork. US Marshals are arresting the guilty and seizi g their offices as we speak. This was an attempted coup and my new acting ag will prosecute it as such.

President emeritus Donald Trump is a worthy opponent and I look forward to a vigorous contest of ideas. May the best man win.
-------------
I don't know what you are smoking, but put me in for 2lbs.
Asking for a friend.

MfG
Goetz von Berlichingen

Jamie said...

Democrats are thrilled that Kamala Harris is running? Or relieved that someone with name recognition, though no accomplishments to her name, is willing to do it?

I listened to her Milwaukee campaign speech today. Her big tagline, and my husband confirms that this is the one she's going to be using because he heard it at her Indiana sorority soiree too, is "I know Donald Trump's type" - based on her time in California as a prosecutor, in which she prosecuted sex offenders, frauds, and cheaters.

Mm hmm. She sort of did some of that, among other things , as prosecutor and AG.

I'm wondering if someone who supports Trump - I hope not anyone actually in his campaign, because I think this will hurt him, and I think while he needs to hit her political stance and (lack of) accomplishments hard, he needs to keep it above the waist - points out that according to Democrats though Trump himself denies it, he knows her type just as well.

I don't think it's necessary to go there. She's harmed herself enough with her professional record. But there is such widespread speculation that her relationship with Willie Brown was directly responsible for her rise in California politics that it's hard to imagine someone won't think of the syllogism.

I look forward to the day? maybe? when a male politician will face the same speculation - and I trust it will be as firmly grounded as this is. I want truth in politics, and I want to know how people got their jobs. Was it in The Offer that there's a scene of an agent (a male agent) apparently blowing a producer in a dim restaurant booth in order to get his client an audition?

Original Mike said...

Gack, I feel like I should watch the senile old bastard, but I really don't want to.

Original Mike said...

Yeah, I can't watch…

Jamie said...

Let me add that until the last few decades, it wouldn't have been very reasonable to speculate that a male politician achieved success because of a romantic relationship with a more well-known female politician. There just weren't enough. But now we're getting there.

I'm also reminded of Chrichton's novel Disclosure, I think it was, in which a lower ranking man was accused by his female boss of serious sexual harassment because he was about to blow the whistle on her manufacturing shortcuts... but his (female) lawyer was successful in making the case that sexual harassment involves a power differential that was going the other way. (Also some other evidence.) It was from the 1990s, I think?

These days I believe a lower ranking man MIGHT be able to make that case - there are enough high-ranking women out there. But at the time, Chrichton was, as so often, ahead of his time, IMO.

RMc said...

Well, he's not dead. And he's not resigning.

And he's...not quite all there.

Rory said...

What a horrible human being he is.

Gusty Winds said...

Watching now. Programmed campaign speech for Kamala. What else did we expect?

Leland said...

He beat big Pharma? He buried them with Covid cash.

John henry said...

He looks different. Also sounds different.

Not sure how and I may be all wet but I wonder if that is not an actor

John Henry

rehajm said...

Good for him. He got out the typical leftie accusations of their opponent of what Democrats are guilty.

narciso said...

mission impossible mask, good grief,

Rory said...

Was there anything in that that wasn't partisan?

Leland said...

Over at PJMedia:

Athena Thorne
Okay, so at least we know he is aware he dropped out and is okay with it.


I think that sums it up.

Dave Begley said...

Asshole! It was a fucking campaign speech!

He dumped on Trump and shilled for Harris.

Un-fucking-believable!

tommyesq said...

Looking out the window in the background, no rain despite it raining in DC, plus light levels looked wrong for the time of day. No way that was live.

narciso said...

day ending in y

Mr. Majestyk said...

I heard recently, maybe on Joe Rogan, that the government has super realistic-looking masks that can't be detected by people sitting face-to-face with someone wearing one.

Rabel said...

Damnit.

Blogger ate my amazingly insightful prediction, which is conveniently held in copy* -

"It could be a power play like the Marine guards behind him in the Red Speech.

I'm Joe Biden and I hold the ring. Fuck you, Biden out."

*You'll have to trust me.

Dan from Madison said...

Garbage campaign speech. What a patriot.

Humperdink said...

How does one branch of government "reform" another branch (the Supreme Court)? Not sure, but the Commies-Pinkos are going to give a whirl.

YoungHegelian said...

After the speech, the WH said that a number of family members were in the room off-camera, including Jill Biden. Yet, when asked asked earlier in the week, how come Mrs Biden was nowhere to be seen, the WH said she was in Paris for the Olympics. Interesting how she can be in two places at the same time.

How can it be that in one of the most stressful times in his entire life, Pres. Biden's family is nowhere to be seen? He was surrounded by photos of family, but yet none of them have appeared in public or spoken to the press since. The one exception was his brother who said that he should "enjoy what time he has left" and a Democratic spokesperson told the press "Oh ignore him. He has problems with alcohol". That's certainly a nice thing to say in public about a member of the first family!

There was absolutely no explanation of what changed his mind from "I'm in it to win it" Friday day to a resignation from his candidacy on early Sunday afternoon.

Something is very wrong here.

Greg the Class Traitor said...

Do I want him to resign? Do you?

Yes, I do. And so should you.

I don't know how bad he is right now

It's irrelevant how bad he is at this particular second. We saw in the debate that he can be completely mentally out of it, and the US can't afford that.

I don't know if Kamala Harris is ready to jump into the job at the same time she's got to hit the ground running as the candidate in a big time crunch.

Tough shit. She signed up to be VP, which means being one heartbeat away from the Presidency.
If she can't take over the job, then she needs to resign along with Biden, and Johnson can be President for the rest of this term. She can run for the office without the distractions, if that's what she needs.

I don't know which way puts our country and the world in the most danger.

A US President with dementia puts our country and our world at the greatest danger.
Babbling moron Kamala Harris as President puts our country in less danger.

If trying to be President means she fails running for President, that's her failure, and the failure of her Party. Which would mean that them losing the election is the proper punishment for their failure.

And maybe you're also concerned with whether one party or the other has a better chance of winning in November if Kamala Harris ascends to the presidency right away.

You are welcome to put the interests of your Party over the interests of America. Just don't try to claim to be a good American, or even a good human being, while doing so.

Jamie said...

No way that was live.

It ended at a particular second, so yup.

My husband is reporting that according to the NYT, Axios, and USA Today, Harris was never the "border czar" - she was only surprised to seek out the vaunted "root causes" of "immigration" in the northern triangle.

This despite Axios reporting that she was the "border czar." And despite her being interviewed about her responsibilities as border czar without ever having been to the border (at that point - I know she eventually went, once), and her response was, "I haven't been to Europe either!"

So it sounds as if she thinks she is it was the border czar.

Lem Vibe Bandit said...

Oval Office address protocol doesn't mean a hill of beans in this crazy new normal.

tommyesq said...

CNN showed hundreds of people lined up and marching into the White House to hear the speech. But if it was filmed in the Oval Office, none of them would have fit - it is really no bigger than a large living room. Why would they fake a large audience if it was really live?

Tina Trent said...

Michael K: I agree with you politically. But I think Inga's family is off limits due to horrible tragedy.

Can we agree on that, with respect?

walter said...

I suppose years of Biden-ese can make myopic Dems capable of associating "well spoken" with Jambalaya Kamala. But they need to admit they are stretching..

Greg the Class Traitor said...

Tina Trent said...
Kamala Harris very visibly boycotted Netanyahu's speech to Congress today, also skipping the opportunity to meet hostages who were brutally assaulted by Hamas terrorists. Message: #metoo becomes #sowhat? when the victims are Israelis?

No, Message: #metoo becomes #sowhat? when the victims are Jews