I don’t have to get into the memory debate. Biden has plenty of people around him to give him advice, which every president should have. The difference with Trump is that he doesn’t listen to advice which has hurt him!! For me, if an earthworm were running against Trump it would get my vote. So this makes no difference to me!! Keeping Trump away is my main goal.
I’m young enough to be Biden’s daughter and I will call for my husband— then forget why. As long as he is surrounded by capable people that are not ass kissers (like Herr Pumpkinfuhrer), I’m good. We have far bigger fish to fry!
There is a big difference between “I can’t remember where I put my keys” or “I misspoke by calling my friend by the wrong name”, and delusional talk. (“I’d encourage Russia to do whatever the hell they want...”)
Adam you are right on point again. Biden if nothing else will protect our democracy while Trump will destroy it. Also Biden has the respect of our allies while they fear Trump and think of him as a clown. I know it would be very hard for you, Liz Cheney and other Republicans fearful of Trump to come together and send a message urging support for Biden. This could however be a wake up call to MAGA supporters.
Adam, thank you for the calming, no nonsense analysis of current standings of the election season. I shudder to think where this country would be if trump had been at the helm during this challenging time in the world. How would trump have navigated the war in Ukraine and the subsequent rallying and strengthening of NATO, the conflict in the Middle East, the economy. The list could go on. But I firmly believe one am glad Biden was in office when all this sh** hit the fan. We all know that trump would have let Putin have free rein Ukraine, probably not given aid to either Israel or Ukraine and instead used those funds to build more miles of wall at the southern border. I think the Biden campaign should put together a power point highlighting all of trump’s ridiculous statements starting with his recorded statement if grabbing women by the privates (he wasn’t even president then) and moving right on to injecting bleach to combat Covid. They would have so many convoluted statements to pick from. Then play this 30 or 45 second clip everywhere and anywhere they can. Maybe if more people could see these all at once, back to back, some blinders might begin to fall off.
Here in SW Arkansas I have to see the Texas Republican campaign attack ads. They are happy to attack each other but boy, do they like blaming everything on Biden. The Democrats do need to lose the nice guy attitude to fight against this. Biden has been doing more of this lately. Trump provides plenty of ammunition.
I know that if Trump is allowed to stay on the ballots, he will lose worse than ever. Then we could have another 4 years of the whiny butt hurt crap. I hope not. He is very likely to run out of money, support, or breath before November. His complete takeover of the RNC is openly going to funnel all of the party's money to his legal defense.
In my 72 years there has always been turmoil in the world. Real people just want to make a decent living so they can live a decent life. Real simple, but not so easy in the US if certain policies are in place. Trump set up suffering for the Americans that make $75,000 and less a year. Add this to the opiates, crime, unrest, etc. all Americans are suffering. Joe Biden's trying to help. Trump just drags us through the ditch.
And as far as Biden debating Trump, all who could stand to watch the first time that happened please raise your hands. Trump doesn't know how to debate, or govern, or repair a car, or clean house, or fix macaroni and cheese. All he can do is scream "I'm not a criminal, you're a criminal".
Well advised, Adam. I myself am not overly concerned about Biden's age. He's not trying to shock the nation into submission and make every citizen a "yes man" or a "yes woman.". From what I can perceive, Trump (Donnieweenie) is on a slippery slope to full dementia. I would normally advocate for a younger national commander, but I would vote for Biden again and I would vote for you in 2028. Hint hint! Please have a fantastic day!
Good advice. It has been a number of years since we had "normal". It may be good to not just remind them, but to paint the picture of what normal should be.
Thank you Adam. We should not and cannot panic. I for one am glad this gets resolved in early Feb and with most voters’ attention span, it is unlikely to be a Comey moment 9 days before the election. That said, the mainstream media is doing Trump’s bidding by spending equal if not more time on Hur’s report than Trump inviting Putin to invade NATO members. We must work our asses off to beat back all these forces against us.
& now, 5 days later don the con says something about it...claiming that he is the US Navalny. The delusions & ridiculousness that is trump is without shame or bounds. He's not fit to lick Navalny's wife's shoes.
I think that one of the parts of the whole is just get people comfortable with the way things are. Yes, he might make some mistakes, but we all do. Normal leaders of all ages have things like assistants, secretaries, chiefs of staff, and a team working with them. So does Biden. He makes a mistake, someone corrects him, everyone moves on.
Contrast that to the way an equally old Trump acts when is reminded he made a mistake or is incorrect. As an example, set the way back machine to September 2019 when a hurricane was headed for Florida. Trump tweeted that states to be hit would include Alabama. The National Weather Service quickly corrected that Alabama was not included. What would a normal person do? They might say they made a mistake, or that they were referencing an older prediction map, or even throw someone else under the bus and say they were shown and older map. Nope. What did Trump do? Insisted he was correct, blaming the media. His aides and family were tweeting in his defense. Days later we get to an in-person FEMA briefing with a hard-copy NOAA hurricane map on a poster board that has been altered with a Sharpie to include Alabama. Just so he could be "correct".
Trump will double-down, triple-down, to infinity insisting he is right about the most minor things.
As a side note, they need to get people more used to seeing Kamala Harris. Not defending Biden or being confrontational, but just showing involvement in the decisions and keeping people informed. Not as a proxy for Biden where it could be interpreted as hiding him, but on the same page with what is going on and participating. Even if she is not, that is the image they need to present.
I totally agree! I believe Adam made some very good points, but perhaps went a little too far with assurances that Hur’s statements will be all but forgotten 9 months from now, so everyone should just calm down. You can be sure that the GOP will keep this ageism/mental fitness alive, so the Dems need to punch back hard with a never ending ad campaign showing trump’s insane statements as a comparison. Because the GOP has adopted the strategy of “if you repeat a lie often enough it becomes the truth, or at least a possibility”, the Dems need to adopt the strategy of addressing each & every lie and outrageous behavior with the truth, and repeating the ever growing list over, and over again. Presenting trump’s lies & stupidity in chronological order, with video clips of him committing them (like proposing we buy Greenland, changing the path of a hurricane, using bleach injections to cure COVID) will be a reminder of what a joke his Presidency was.
Again, a very helpful perspective from Mr. Kinzinger.
I would like to see two additional elements going forward. Another reader has suggested that Biden be shown doing his job effectively. Completely agree. Demonstrating his competency helps overcome the negativity. The unfortunate reality is that Biden does not present to be as physically vigorous as Trump. Shouldn't matter but we are in an overly developed image era. This needs to be countered.
Second need is one I continue to mention. The Democrats would benefit from a designated spokesperson or process that immediately counters the garbage false statements that Trump continues to make. Maybe not "going high", as Michelle Obama said, but Trump's repetitive lies do carry weight the more often he repeats them. It is naive to think otherwise.
Listened to a segment of NPR the other day. They read a comment from a listener who was a neurologist. She recounted a story about how her 30 year old daughter ran through a list of four names before landing on her own SON'S name. She argued that getting facts confused is often more a sign of being way too busy and doesn't necessarily reflect mild dementia.
I myself began to notice word and memory loss at 45 when I had a very busy and stressful job. Since I've been retired, I am doing much better! I suspect a President has the busiest and most stressful job of all! I think the press does a disservice when they deride any President, even Trump, about getting a fact wrong here or there.
Again I go back to my original suggestion that Biden's team need to show him doing day-to-day things that demonstrate his mental acuity rather than continuuing to talk about how fit he is. Pictures and actions speak louder than words!
Thank you, Adam, for writing this. I've been really upset about this ageism issue with Biden. I have commented in other posts regarding this by referencing my 95 year old father who still manages his live quite well at that advanced age with very little assistance. We shouldn't focus on the number but each individual capabilities. Experience and wisdom achieved at 80 are a better indicator of capability than a lower chronological age, less experience and the inability to gain wisdom from life experience.
I don’t have to get into the memory debate. Biden has plenty of people around him to give him advice, which every president should have. The difference with Trump is that he doesn’t listen to advice which has hurt him!! For me, if an earthworm were running against Trump it would get my vote. So this makes no difference to me!! Keeping Trump away is my main goal.
I’m young enough to be Biden’s daughter and I will call for my husband— then forget why. As long as he is surrounded by capable people that are not ass kissers (like Herr Pumpkinfuhrer), I’m good. We have far bigger fish to fry!
There is a big difference between “I can’t remember where I put my keys” or “I misspoke by calling my friend by the wrong name”, and delusional talk. (“I’d encourage Russia to do whatever the hell they want...”)
Actually I should have said “deranged” instead of “delusional “… but I guess both apply.
Can you add despicable?
Adam you are right on point again. Biden if nothing else will protect our democracy while Trump will destroy it. Also Biden has the respect of our allies while they fear Trump and think of him as a clown. I know it would be very hard for you, Liz Cheney and other Republicans fearful of Trump to come together and send a message urging support for Biden. This could however be a wake up call to MAGA supporters.
Adam, thank you for the calming, no nonsense analysis of current standings of the election season. I shudder to think where this country would be if trump had been at the helm during this challenging time in the world. How would trump have navigated the war in Ukraine and the subsequent rallying and strengthening of NATO, the conflict in the Middle East, the economy. The list could go on. But I firmly believe one am glad Biden was in office when all this sh** hit the fan. We all know that trump would have let Putin have free rein Ukraine, probably not given aid to either Israel or Ukraine and instead used those funds to build more miles of wall at the southern border. I think the Biden campaign should put together a power point highlighting all of trump’s ridiculous statements starting with his recorded statement if grabbing women by the privates (he wasn’t even president then) and moving right on to injecting bleach to combat Covid. They would have so many convoluted statements to pick from. Then play this 30 or 45 second clip everywhere and anywhere they can. Maybe if more people could see these all at once, back to back, some blinders might begin to fall off.
Joan. Good idea!👍
Here in SW Arkansas I have to see the Texas Republican campaign attack ads. They are happy to attack each other but boy, do they like blaming everything on Biden. The Democrats do need to lose the nice guy attitude to fight against this. Biden has been doing more of this lately. Trump provides plenty of ammunition.
I know that if Trump is allowed to stay on the ballots, he will lose worse than ever. Then we could have another 4 years of the whiny butt hurt crap. I hope not. He is very likely to run out of money, support, or breath before November. His complete takeover of the RNC is openly going to funnel all of the party's money to his legal defense.
In my 72 years there has always been turmoil in the world. Real people just want to make a decent living so they can live a decent life. Real simple, but not so easy in the US if certain policies are in place. Trump set up suffering for the Americans that make $75,000 and less a year. Add this to the opiates, crime, unrest, etc. all Americans are suffering. Joe Biden's trying to help. Trump just drags us through the ditch.
And as far as Biden debating Trump, all who could stand to watch the first time that happened please raise your hands. Trump doesn't know how to debate, or govern, or repair a car, or clean house, or fix macaroni and cheese. All he can do is scream "I'm not a criminal, you're a criminal".
Well advised, Adam. I myself am not overly concerned about Biden's age. He's not trying to shock the nation into submission and make every citizen a "yes man" or a "yes woman.". From what I can perceive, Trump (Donnieweenie) is on a slippery slope to full dementia. I would normally advocate for a younger national commander, but I would vote for Biden again and I would vote for you in 2028. Hint hint! Please have a fantastic day!
No kidding. Everyone I talk to is so tired of being anxious about what our world has become. We can make it better, and we will!
Good advice. It has been a number of years since we had "normal". It may be good to not just remind them, but to paint the picture of what normal should be.
I sincerely hope the Biden campaign sees this essay.
You should be an advisor to the campaign. It’s not about democrats or republicans anymore. This election is about keeping a lunatic out of office.
Thank you Adam. We should not and cannot panic. I for one am glad this gets resolved in early Feb and with most voters’ attention span, it is unlikely to be a Comey moment 9 days before the election. That said, the mainstream media is doing Trump’s bidding by spending equal if not more time on Hur’s report than Trump inviting Putin to invade NATO members. We must work our asses off to beat back all these forces against us.
And Navalny is dead
I am so sad but not surprised by that. He showed incredible courage. May he be an example for all of us. Compared to him, our work is so much easier.
& now, 5 days later don the con says something about it...claiming that he is the US Navalny. The delusions & ridiculousness that is trump is without shame or bounds. He's not fit to lick Navalny's wife's shoes.
I think that one of the parts of the whole is just get people comfortable with the way things are. Yes, he might make some mistakes, but we all do. Normal leaders of all ages have things like assistants, secretaries, chiefs of staff, and a team working with them. So does Biden. He makes a mistake, someone corrects him, everyone moves on.
Contrast that to the way an equally old Trump acts when is reminded he made a mistake or is incorrect. As an example, set the way back machine to September 2019 when a hurricane was headed for Florida. Trump tweeted that states to be hit would include Alabama. The National Weather Service quickly corrected that Alabama was not included. What would a normal person do? They might say they made a mistake, or that they were referencing an older prediction map, or even throw someone else under the bus and say they were shown and older map. Nope. What did Trump do? Insisted he was correct, blaming the media. His aides and family were tweeting in his defense. Days later we get to an in-person FEMA briefing with a hard-copy NOAA hurricane map on a poster board that has been altered with a Sharpie to include Alabama. Just so he could be "correct".
Trump will double-down, triple-down, to infinity insisting he is right about the most minor things.
As a side note, they need to get people more used to seeing Kamala Harris. Not defending Biden or being confrontational, but just showing involvement in the decisions and keeping people informed. Not as a proxy for Biden where it could be interpreted as hiding him, but on the same page with what is going on and participating. Even if she is not, that is the image they need to present.
I totally agree! I believe Adam made some very good points, but perhaps went a little too far with assurances that Hur’s statements will be all but forgotten 9 months from now, so everyone should just calm down. You can be sure that the GOP will keep this ageism/mental fitness alive, so the Dems need to punch back hard with a never ending ad campaign showing trump’s insane statements as a comparison. Because the GOP has adopted the strategy of “if you repeat a lie often enough it becomes the truth, or at least a possibility”, the Dems need to adopt the strategy of addressing each & every lie and outrageous behavior with the truth, and repeating the ever growing list over, and over again. Presenting trump’s lies & stupidity in chronological order, with video clips of him committing them (like proposing we buy Greenland, changing the path of a hurricane, using bleach injections to cure COVID) will be a reminder of what a joke his Presidency was.
Again, a very helpful perspective from Mr. Kinzinger.
I would like to see two additional elements going forward. Another reader has suggested that Biden be shown doing his job effectively. Completely agree. Demonstrating his competency helps overcome the negativity. The unfortunate reality is that Biden does not present to be as physically vigorous as Trump. Shouldn't matter but we are in an overly developed image era. This needs to be countered.
Second need is one I continue to mention. The Democrats would benefit from a designated spokesperson or process that immediately counters the garbage false statements that Trump continues to make. Maybe not "going high", as Michelle Obama said, but Trump's repetitive lies do carry weight the more often he repeats them. It is naive to think otherwise.
I'd vote for Biden even if he's in a comma over the mentally deranged, criminally indicted trump any day of the week.
Listened to a segment of NPR the other day. They read a comment from a listener who was a neurologist. She recounted a story about how her 30 year old daughter ran through a list of four names before landing on her own SON'S name. She argued that getting facts confused is often more a sign of being way too busy and doesn't necessarily reflect mild dementia.
I myself began to notice word and memory loss at 45 when I had a very busy and stressful job. Since I've been retired, I am doing much better! I suspect a President has the busiest and most stressful job of all! I think the press does a disservice when they deride any President, even Trump, about getting a fact wrong here or there.
Again I go back to my original suggestion that Biden's team need to show him doing day-to-day things that demonstrate his mental acuity rather than continuuing to talk about how fit he is. Pictures and actions speak louder than words!
Deep breath 🧘♀️🙂
Thank you, Adam, for writing this. I've been really upset about this ageism issue with Biden. I have commented in other posts regarding this by referencing my 95 year old father who still manages his live quite well at that advanced age with very little assistance. We shouldn't focus on the number but each individual capabilities. Experience and wisdom achieved at 80 are a better indicator of capability than a lower chronological age, less experience and the inability to gain wisdom from life experience.