From #MSNBC ... Bravo AOC for calling out the consequences of what the #NeverBiden people are demanding. She echoes what I've been saying -- rejecting the votes by those who chose #Biden in the primaries seriously damages the party. Divisive lines are already forming with the "wealthy white elite" of the party trying to force out Biden, who's supported by the working class, the minorities, and the union workers.
Another name I saw floated as a possible Harris running mate is Senator Mark Kelly (D-AZ). That might help carry #Arizona again. His popularity in Arizona crosses party lines. His term isn't up until 2028.
And for the record ... I've seen plenty for retired astronauts run for political office. They tend to lose as much (if not more) than they win. "Hey, I'm an astronaut!" doesn't seem to translate to success at the ballot box.
From #CNN: #Biden campaign issues a statement saying he will return to the campaign trail next week.
“I look forward to getting back on the campaign trail next week to continue exposing the threat of Donald #Trump’s Project 2025 agenda while making the case for my own record and the vision that I have for America: one where we save our democracy, protect our rights and freedoms, and create opportunity for everyone."
https://www.cnn.com/politics/live-news/biden-trump-rnc-07-19-24/index.html
I've seen media reports that #NeverBiden people are now withholding money from down-ballot Dem candidates (House and Senate) in a further attempt to force #Biden to drop out.
"Do as I say, or I'll shoot myself in the foot!"
But no one seems to think about the pro-Biden people pulling *their* money if Biden is deposed. I'd be seriously pissed if the "wealthy elite" depose my candidate, chosen by millions of voters. I might withhold my money for their candidate. Nyah.
Generally overlooked in the #NeverBiden saga is that the deadline to depose him isn't the beginning of the Dem convention on August 19.
It's August 7, because the Dems have to submit a nominee to the #Ohio secretary of state by then. The DNC will hold a virtual roll call before August 7 to nominate #Biden.
The "Never Biden" people would have to come up with another candidate suitable to the delegates before the virtual roll call.
I'd still rather go with #Biden but, if he drops out, Harris obviously moves up to be the presidential nominee.
Who should she select as a running mate?
Thinking about it, I came up with Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD). He comes from a safe Democratic distict but, more importantly, he can speak specifically about #J6 because he was on #J6Committee.
He's survived cancer twice, and is generally respected across party lines. Because of his J6 work, he's a recognizable face.
The #NYTimes obtained a copy of a four-page letter from Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD) to #Biden urging him to consult with fellow Democratic leaders about continuing his 2024 campaign.
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/07/18/us/politics/jamie-raskin-biden-letter.html
#Politics From #CNN: Conservative news anchor Lou Dobbs passes away at age 78.
(No tears shed here.)
https://www.cnn.com/2024/07/18/media/lou-dobbs-dead/index.html
#Politics #Disney From #OCRegister, if you can get past the paywall ...
"Disneyland union protesters chant ‘shut it down’ ahead of strike vote"
Where were the "Never #Biden" Democrats a year ago? They could have run their own candidate in the primaries. They didn't.
But now that the primaries are over and Biden is assured the nomination, they're trying to short-circuit the process and foist on us their own personal preference -- without us getting to vote on it.
Only two things have changed in the last year:
(1) We're all a year older, and
(2) Biden's record in office is even better.
I'm a Democratic voter. I voted for Joe #Biden in the primary. He won. In fact, he won across the nation. He earned the Democratic presidential nomination.
But now a few Hollywood elite tell me that my vote shouldn't count. We should find someone else.
Since when do George Clooney, Rob Reiner, and Jeffrey Katzenberg get to negate my vote and tell me who my party's nominee will be? Why did we hold primary elections if Hollywood is going to decide our candidate?
So if anxious Democrats manage to sack their best presidential candidate, and replace him with someone who has no track record, and the polls don't change, then what will they do?
Once you sack him, there's no going back.
If the polls get worse because people think Dems are disloyal and can't be trusted, who will you blame?
From #FloridaToday:
#Florida leads the US in number of #J6 rioters arrested, with 127. Texas is second with 104.
Florida also has more than a third of the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers arrested on J6 charges.
Extra for experts ... Jason Patrick Alday, arrested for threatening to kill President #Biden, is a registered sex offender.
I am a long-time advocate of space exploration, settlement and commerce. Migrated from @WordsmithFL on Twitter.