Preparing for the 2024 Democratic Party Primary

President Biden told 60 Minutes correspondent Scott Pelley last Thursday that while he intends to run for reelection in 2024, the decision is still up in the air.

“Sir, are you committed to running again, or are there certain conditions that have to be right?” Pelley asked.

“Look, if I were to say to you, I’m running again, all of a sudden, a whole range of things come into play that I have– requirements I have to change and move and do,” Mr. Biden said. “In terms of election laws. and it’s much too early to make that kind of decision. I’m a great respecter of fate. And so, what I’m doing is I’m doing my job. I’m gonna do that job. And within the time frame that makes sense after this next election cycle here, going into next year, make a judgment on what to do.”

“You say that it’s much too early to make that decision,” Pelley said. “I take it the decision has not been made in your own head?”

“Look, my intention as I said to begin with is that I would run again,” the president said. “But it’s just an intention. But is it a firm decision that I run again? That remains to be seen.”

Vice President Kamala Harris and California Governor Gavin Newsom have received the message.  They have discretely started to prepare for the 2024 primary. 

Newsom ads in other states have begun.  “Need an abortion? California is ready to help.” That’s one of the billboard advertisements that the Newsome campaign is paying for.  The billboards will be displayed in states including Texas, Mississippi and Ohio.

Harris has been traveling around the country talking about defending democracy and appearing at every photo op from 9/11 ceremonies to abortion rights events and recently appeared on Meet the Press.  All meant to improve her communication skills. She may be the heir apparent but in the rough tumble world of politics it is not a given.

Is the American Democracy Coming to an End?

A Trump supporter attends the former president’s rally in Wilkes-Barre, Pa. (Demetrius Freeman/The Washington Post)

Too many Americans believe that elections are fixed. That is a problem for the survival of the American democracy.

In a survey by The Washington Post of 19 of the most closely watched statewide races in the country, the contrast between Republican and Democratic candidates was stark. While seven GOP nominees committed to accepting the outcomes in their contests, 12 either refused to commit or declined to respond. On the Democratic side, all 19 nominees contacted by The Post said they would accept the outcome.

President Joe Biden gave a speech at Independence Hall in Philadelphia on September 1, 2022 about democracy in America. In that speech he said

“And here, in my view, is what is true: MAGA Republicans do not respect the Constitution.  They do not believe in the rule of law.  They do not recognize the will of the people.” 
 
“They refuse to accept the results of a free election.  And they’re working right now, as I speak, in state after state to give power to decide elections in America to partisans and cronies, empowering election deniers to undermine democracy itself.”

The Washington Post survey proves that many GOP candidates are in opposition to the idea of winners and losers in every election. That should frighten everyone. It frightens me.

The British Soap Opera

The British soap opera was on full display today. If no one was watching none of this would be happening. But the soap opera has great TV ratings.

https://cdn.cnn.com/…/220917131038-01-queen…

Prince William, Prince Harry and Queen Elizabeth II’s other grandchildren held a vigil at her lying in state on Saturday, as the royal family prepares to bid farewell to the late monarch at her state funeral.

The brothers stood watch for 15 minutes over the Queen’s coffin in Westminster Hall, where it has been displayed to the public since Wednesday.

They were joined by Princess Anne’s children Zara Tindall and Peter Phillips, Prince Andrew’s daughters Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, and Lady Louise and Viscount Severn, who are the children of Prince Edward. The Earl and Countess of Wessex were present to support their children as Louise and James are comparatively younger than their cousins, a royal source told CNN.

I Really Don’t Want Any Problems in this Country

Hugh Hewitt, a conservative radio broadcaster interviewed Donald Trump today on his show. Former president Donald Trump warned that if he were indicted on a charge of mishandling classified documents after leaving the White House, there would be “problems in this country the likes of which perhaps we’ve never seen before.” And added “I don’t think the people of the United States would stand for it.”

If ever the implied threat was stated that was it. Recall this:

Who said I will make you an offer you can’t refuse?

Image result for let me make you an offer you can't refuse

He says, “I’m gonna make him an offer he can’t refuse.” It’s actually Al Pacino, playing Vito’s son Michael Corleone, who said, “I’ll make him an offer he can’t refuse.”

Personally as I parked my car in downtown Los Angeles a young man approached and said, “Can I watch your car to make sure it is safe?” I handed him $5. “Thanks for the help.”

The difference between Donald Trump and Al Pacino. Pacino is an actor. Donald Trump? Well, you can figure that out.

Old Men Ruling the World

Sadly we have a world of government leaders who are old. They hold a perspective based on the past. I know. I’m old myself. It’s not just President Joe Biden (79) and King Charles III (73). Xi Jinping is 69. Vladimir Putin is also 69. Donald Trump is 76.

What new ideas can we expect from these people? Donald Trump dreams of becoming president again but we have not heard one new idea. His focus is on his loss of the 2020 election and getting even with his supposed enemies. Joe Biden has not been a uniter and has expressed no vision for the future (think JFK putting a man on the moon). Charles III says he will follow his mother’s example but what did she do other than sit on the British throne?

Leaders of the U. S. congress includes Speaker of the house Nancy Pelosi who is 82. Leader of the Senate Chuck Schumer is 71. Republican Senate leader Mitch Mitchell McConnell is 80. Some other old timers in the Senate

StateFirst NameLast NamePartyAgeBirthdate
CaliforniaDianneFeinsteinDemocratic876/22/33
IowaChuckGrassleyRepublican879/17/33
AlabamaRichardShelbyRepublican865/6/34

Queen Elizabeth II – A Wasted Life

Queen Elizabeth II arrives for a state banquet in her honor in Berlin during a royal visit to Germany in June 2015.

Queen Elizabeth II, who has died age 96 after the longest reign in British history, will be mourned around the globe as one of the last monarchs born to a classic age of European royalty, when kings and queens wielded genuine political power.

A wasted life. She could have and should have done things to make the world a better place. She did none of that.

We can only hope that King Charles III, with all his power, does more than sit on the throne.

Queen Elizabeth II was the central character in the world’s longest running soap opera

Queen Elizabeth was crowned when Great Britain was a world power. Today the UK is no longer considered a consequential power in the world. What did the queen do to stop the end of GB’s declining power? Nothing. What did the queen stand for in all her years? Nothing. MARY MCNAMARA is correct. This is a soap opera.

For Americans, Queen Elizabeth II was the central character in the world's longest running soap opera

LATIMES.COM

For Americans, Queen Elizabeth II was the central character in the world’s longest running soap opera

Queen Elizabeth II Failed to Sustain the Empire

If I was English I would not be celebrating the reign of Queen Elizabeth II. On her watch the British Empire deteriorated to a nation where some of its remaining parts are contemplating withdrawing from the UK.

Above is a map of the British Empire as it was on 6 February 1952, the day Queen Elizabeth II began her reign. Colonies, protectorates and mandates are shown in dark red, while dominions are shown in pink. The United Kingdom itself is shown in light red.

The British Empire does not exist today. However, the Commonwealth is a free association of sovereign states comprising the United Kingdom and many of its former dependencies that acknowledge the British monarch as the association’s symbolic head. Canada, Australia, and New Zealand are the primary remaining Commonwealth nations. Other countries that are part of the Commonwealth are The Bahamas, Belize, Grenada, Jamaica, Papua New Guinea, St Lucia, Tuvalia, St Christopher and Nevis. Gibraltar and The Falkland Islands are a self-governing British Overseas Territories.

So exactly what are the British honoring with the death of the queen? She had no authority and did nothing to help sustain the UK.

Donald Trump Admires Authoritarians

At a rally on Saturday August 3 the former president described Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin as “fierce” and “smart” before anticipating the reaction from the media. He called both leaders “fierce,” adding that Xi is “smart” to rule China with an “iron fist.”

“He rules with an iron fist, 1.5 billion people, yeah I’d say he’s smart,” he continued. “Wouldn’t you say he’s smart?”

Xi, whose authoritarian tenure has been marked by an increase in censorship and mass surveillance, has been accused by Human Rights Watch of starting a “broad and sustained offensive on human rights” since he became China’s leader in 2012.

Imagine what a second term for Trump would be like. He would be taking revenge on those who opposed him. There would be no guard rails preventing him from withdrawing from NATO. Military parades in Washington D.C. would be the order of the day.

Donald Trump dreams of absolute power and our system of government could permit him to obtain his objective.