This forum (unsurprisingly) reflects mixed reactions to last night's event. I personally relate to Biden as a fellow-octogenarian, so I know it would be a waste of energy to rattle on any further. But I need to note that he clearly has a graduate-school grasp of foreign policy and an LBJ/FDR level of insights about how domestic policy impacts economic, cultural and historic issues of the *whole* population. That includes citizens and undocumented adults and dependents who are part of our cultural and economic life, and have been for most of American history.
Speaking of which, your history note about the income tax is a reminder that the federal income tax (like the 14th Amendment) is part of our Civil War legacy. Lincoln signed into law a revenue-raising measure to help pay for Civil War expenses. The measure created a Commissioner of Internal Revenue and the nation's first income tax. It levied a 3 percent tax on incomes between $600 and $10,000 and a 5 percent tax on incomes of more than $10,000.
Boy, you sure had a different take on that presser than I did. I watched the whole thing, and the BS about him leading in all the polls at the end was the capper. The DNC will stick with him to the very end - right up to when he loses and the D's lose both houses of Congress also. The tone of discussion in my house has changed from "what if .... " to now that it's fait accompli that Trump will win this election. Positioning my life accordingly, sadly.
I read an article that said Biden hadn't met with the full cabinet since October. Is that true? Is that normal? Those are the people that I think should have the most contact with the president. They should know about any decline. There was been no comments from any I have seen.
That is true - and I would also say that those Cabinet members are just like members of Congress as I detailed in the newsletter today, in that most of them don't see the President that much. I would bet that outside of the Secretary of State and Secretary of Defense, most of them don't have that much direct contact with the President. It's mainly top White House aides, key Congressional leaders, and a couple of Cabinet officials.
Jamie, thank you for providing insight to the day to day business of our government. I first became acquainted with you when I was listening the Sean Hannity years ago. I was trying to listen to all sides of politics. I would tune in only when I knew you would be on. I always enjoyed listening to your segments. I can no longer stomach Hannity. I also consider “Regular Order” one of the best places for reliable political information. Cheers!
I half listened while eating dinner and scrolling my phone from a hotel room in San Antonio because my home in Houston is without power. Yes, Biden bored me. Yes, I was happy about that. And yes, I will vote for anyone against Trump.
I have been happy to see the anti-project 2025 gain momentum after learning about that a few years ago. And I didn't mention ia earlier but that promise about not taxing tips -- that has to be due to lobbying from Darden restaurants and other conglomerates as a way to decrease costs in cities like Seattle with the higher wages for servers. I'm curious about what's happening there with that one.
Jamie, I get it that the press isn't in the room with a president. Totally with you. The question I have in general is why wasn't the press more earlier on asking more questions about some of his actions where he seemed to be wondering, etc.
First - those wandering videos have been repeatedly debunked. Second, who are you going to call? Which Biden aide is going to go on the record and tell you that the President is losing it? Let's say he didn't have that bad night at the debate - what do I anchor my questions on, other than the obvious fact that he's getting older???
Hey, not pointing at you. But, like you said, the obvious fact that he's clearly getting older and slowing down, rapidly it would seem, is reason enough to drive questions. But, alas, it's past us so let's move forward and ask questions of both candidates as to their cognition.
His performance reminded me of the decline that Glen Campbell went through. He never lost his ability to play amazing guitar, but his cognitive decline was sad to watch. Not that Biden has Alzheimer’s, but his ability to recall his foreign policy expertise (ad nauseam) does not make last night’s effort “solid.” As with the debate, it was hard to watch and we all know where this is going to end up.
You and others who make that same point tend to overlook that Joe Biden has been "gaffe-prone" his whole public life. But grasping the nuances of foreign policy and domestic economics in real time, unlike making music, reflects exactly the kind of insights and leadership guidance expected of a US president.
This is a man who learns from mistakes.
Clarence Thomas is on the Supreme Court in large part thanks to how Joe Biden maligned the sworn testimony of Anita Hill during his confirmation hearing. Check the videos at You Tube. Then reflect on the significance of Biden's selection and enthusiastic endorsement of his vice president.
I disagree on that. Playing guitar, like knitting and other physical activities, is based on muscle memory. Even those deep in dementia can do those things. (I've seen a video of a former prima ballerina, deep into dementia, do all the half movements to a complicated ballet she used to perform. Not the footwork because she wasn't physically able. But she didn't forget.) Biden's deep foreign policy knowledge and understanding has nothing to do with muscle memory. And he's still got it.
I'm now inclined to put his debate performance down to being physically ill, as he said. I know that when I'm sick, I can't think well.
Although I think he is more than capable of doing the job, I'm not sure he's capable of winning this election.
This forum (unsurprisingly) reflects mixed reactions to last night's event. I personally relate to Biden as a fellow-octogenarian, so I know it would be a waste of energy to rattle on any further. But I need to note that he clearly has a graduate-school grasp of foreign policy and an LBJ/FDR level of insights about how domestic policy impacts economic, cultural and historic issues of the *whole* population. That includes citizens and undocumented adults and dependents who are part of our cultural and economic life, and have been for most of American history.
Speaking of which, your history note about the income tax is a reminder that the federal income tax (like the 14th Amendment) is part of our Civil War legacy. Lincoln signed into law a revenue-raising measure to help pay for Civil War expenses. The measure created a Commissioner of Internal Revenue and the nation's first income tax. It levied a 3 percent tax on incomes between $600 and $10,000 and a 5 percent tax on incomes of more than $10,000.
Boy, you sure had a different take on that presser than I did. I watched the whole thing, and the BS about him leading in all the polls at the end was the capper. The DNC will stick with him to the very end - right up to when he loses and the D's lose both houses of Congress also. The tone of discussion in my house has changed from "what if .... " to now that it's fait accompli that Trump will win this election. Positioning my life accordingly, sadly.
No, we didn't have a different take. I don't think he's quitting and I do think Trump is the favorite
I read an article that said Biden hadn't met with the full cabinet since October. Is that true? Is that normal? Those are the people that I think should have the most contact with the president. They should know about any decline. There was been no comments from any I have seen.
That is true - and I would also say that those Cabinet members are just like members of Congress as I detailed in the newsletter today, in that most of them don't see the President that much. I would bet that outside of the Secretary of State and Secretary of Defense, most of them don't have that much direct contact with the President. It's mainly top White House aides, key Congressional leaders, and a couple of Cabinet officials.
Thank you for your reply
Jamie, thank you for providing insight to the day to day business of our government. I first became acquainted with you when I was listening the Sean Hannity years ago. I was trying to listen to all sides of politics. I would tune in only when I knew you would be on. I always enjoyed listening to your segments. I can no longer stomach Hannity. I also consider “Regular Order” one of the best places for reliable political information. Cheers!
I half listened while eating dinner and scrolling my phone from a hotel room in San Antonio because my home in Houston is without power. Yes, Biden bored me. Yes, I was happy about that. And yes, I will vote for anyone against Trump.
I have been happy to see the anti-project 2025 gain momentum after learning about that a few years ago. And I didn't mention ia earlier but that promise about not taxing tips -- that has to be due to lobbying from Darden restaurants and other conglomerates as a way to decrease costs in cities like Seattle with the higher wages for servers. I'm curious about what's happening there with that one.
Jamie, I get it that the press isn't in the room with a president. Totally with you. The question I have in general is why wasn't the press more earlier on asking more questions about some of his actions where he seemed to be wondering, etc.
First - those wandering videos have been repeatedly debunked. Second, who are you going to call? Which Biden aide is going to go on the record and tell you that the President is losing it? Let's say he didn't have that bad night at the debate - what do I anchor my questions on, other than the obvious fact that he's getting older???
Hey, not pointing at you. But, like you said, the obvious fact that he's clearly getting older and slowing down, rapidly it would seem, is reason enough to drive questions. But, alas, it's past us so let's move forward and ask questions of both candidates as to their cognition.
His performance reminded me of the decline that Glen Campbell went through. He never lost his ability to play amazing guitar, but his cognitive decline was sad to watch. Not that Biden has Alzheimer’s, but his ability to recall his foreign policy expertise (ad nauseam) does not make last night’s effort “solid.” As with the debate, it was hard to watch and we all know where this is going to end up.
You and others who make that same point tend to overlook that Joe Biden has been "gaffe-prone" his whole public life. But grasping the nuances of foreign policy and domestic economics in real time, unlike making music, reflects exactly the kind of insights and leadership guidance expected of a US president.
This is a man who learns from mistakes.
Clarence Thomas is on the Supreme Court in large part thanks to how Joe Biden maligned the sworn testimony of Anita Hill during his confirmation hearing. Check the videos at You Tube. Then reflect on the significance of Biden's selection and enthusiastic endorsement of his vice president.
https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2021/10/01/30-years-after-her-testimony-anita-hill-still-wants-something-from-joe-biden-514884
I disagree on that. Playing guitar, like knitting and other physical activities, is based on muscle memory. Even those deep in dementia can do those things. (I've seen a video of a former prima ballerina, deep into dementia, do all the half movements to a complicated ballet she used to perform. Not the footwork because she wasn't physically able. But she didn't forget.) Biden's deep foreign policy knowledge and understanding has nothing to do with muscle memory. And he's still got it.
I'm now inclined to put his debate performance down to being physically ill, as he said. I know that when I'm sick, I can't think well.
Although I think he is more than capable of doing the job, I'm not sure he's capable of winning this election.