651 Comments

What a wonderful history lesson. FDR used pleasantly colorful language. Trump uses disgustingly ugly language. The contrast could not be more stark.

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Biden wins on substance. Trump has a miserable record.

On form, Trump can't take a punch. Biden, unlike Trump is a counter puncher. In 2020 Biden roped a dope when a post-debate CNN/SSRS poll found that 60% of debate-viewers thought that Biden had won and 28% thought Trump had, with a margin of error of six points..

I want the media to bring an olfactometer. https://scentroid.com/products/olfactometers/#:~:text=Olfactometers%20are%20devices%20used%20to,then%20presented%20to%20a%20panel.

#trumpstinks

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Daniel ; even if one has lost the sense of smell; there is plenty of garbage that comes out of his mouth, and harm that his words and deeds have done. He is rubbish that belongs on the trash heap of history!

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My worry is that instead of the tough, hard-hitting Joe Biden we'll get the soft-spoken, trying-to-be-reassuring Biden and that will mean more voters for the tough guy, the attacker, and fewer votes for the nice guy, who doesn't want to offend and who seems to be fading into the background.

Biden doesn't have to be like a mini-Trump. As Dr. Reich noted, FDR was tough, called a spade a spade and did so in ringing tones, exactly the tough kind of voice that people can get excited about and rally behind. Much of the support for Trump comes from his attacks, whether based on fact or not. Meanwhile, Biden doesn't have to be nice, just strong and fact-based and hitting Trump hard, however he can.

If Trump were to win the White House, horrendous events would follow, and Joe's job in the debate will be to counter attacks and attack back, hard. People have to come out of watching the debate saying that Biden has done a great job and he's the type of person to be in the White House, not a fascist dictator who likes every thug and dictator he's ever seen.

Joe's offense will win the debate, if it's strong and pulls no punches. Hit Trump hard and often and he'll leave the debate wounded in mind and in spirit. And we'll have four years of sanity as a result.

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We don’t have to worry about the debate: there won’t be one. Following his own precedent, Trump will weasel his way out of it, claiming bone spurs or some other fictional ailment.

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Along with the MSM that promotes it.

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Especially Rupert Murdoch family products, like Fox "News". OAN, Newsmax, and any other media full of lies, like X. and "Truth Social".

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Jun 20Edited
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How it was designed to work anyway. Today there is blatant corruption in the Judicial branch (SCOTUS).

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Jun 20
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They have investigated Joe Biden starting when Trump was President. In 6 years they have FAILED to find evidence to show he as involved. So drop it.

Twice impeached felon Trump thwarted the Russian investigation against him. He also called out for Russia’s help on national TV. Mueller DID implicate Trump but felt a sitting president couldn’t be convicted. However, “In July 2019, Mueller testified to Congress that a president could be charged with crimes including obstruction of justice after the president left office.” - Wikipedia

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@Paul. That is pure hogwash. That is a right wing spin story.

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Obama has been out of office for 9 years. Your bullshit has nothing to do with today. You Trump humpers can't stop deflecting can you?

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Indeed, much in life is not as it seems. There's a lot of rot on both sides of the equator.

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Donald Trump, with the infamous Roy Cohn by his side, was notorious for leveraging connections to influence judges and evade legal consequences. Imagine John Doe, standing in court with his modest neighborhood attorney, facing off against Mega Corp's elite million-dollar legal team. Is that a fair fight? It hardly seems so.

In this light, consider the Supreme Court, perceived by many as compromised by the sway of big money. When decisions favor their affluent benefactors, where does that leave ordinary citizens like John Doe seeking justice?

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Yes ; how about 330 or so million humans, trying to self govern ; as in "government of, by and for the people (humans, not corporations)." they take away our attempts at self rule and raid our treasury, buy off our representatives and even Supreme court judges. Lower court "Judge" Cannon blocks the "open and shut" Documents case, just because she can: apparently, to please the mob boss criminal who appointed her. We need a revolution!

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Jun 20
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As a plaintiff I once went to small claims court and won, but the defendant simply disobeyed the law and did not respond. A roadblock I never anticipated.

Yes, going to court does affect your life. As well as that of others. The "others" part is often overlooked.

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What counts is winning in the ballot box. I sincerely hope(as George Conway says) that Joe beats the psycho! Vote BLUE!!!!!

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You said "Biden, unlike Trump is a counter puncher". As I recall, Trump is the one who proclaimed to all the world that he is a "counter puncher".

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There's going to be a debate?

I have it on good authority that Trump will find a way to not debate President Biden. If he does show up, he'll get creamed. There will be awkward pauses while Donald waits for applause from the non-existent audience.

This "vote removes stubborn orange stains" shirt is perfect for November 👇 🤣

libtees-2.creator-spring.com/listing/vote24

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It’s hard to imagine that the rescumliCons could dare let trump on stage with Biden. But I would love to see it! No news stations would report on the watching loser trump show off his dementia and danger.

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I am not convinced either will do well.

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Joan, Did you not listen to the SOTU? Your comment is baseless.

Here are some accomplishments by Biden despite the useless rescumliCons.

*Biden passed much needed legislation after trump mangled the pandemic, destroyed the economy and led a deadly INSURRECTION to overthrow the government.

*Biden lowered unemployment from 6.3% to 3.5% and has held the unemployment rate below 4% for the longest period in 50 years!

*Biden created 15 million jobs in a little over 3 years (A Record).

*Bidenomics grew the economy at 3.1% last year and reduced inflation to 1.9% from 9%.

*Biden cut child poverty in half through the American Rescue Plan

*Re-joined the Paris Agreement to fight Climate Change

*Provided $10k-$20k college debt relief for those who earn under $125k/yr.

*Biden united the West to help Ukraine fight Russia.

*Biden passed the first gun safety legislation in thirty years.

The following legislation was also passed during Biden's first term:

*bipartisan Infrastructure legislation

*The Electoral Count Act

*Science and CHIPS Act

*Respect for Marriage Act

*American Rescue Plan

*PACT Act (expands VA health benefits)

*Inflation Reduction Act (2022)

*Biden cracked down on junk fees

*Banned non-competes for workers

*Banned medical debt from Credit Reports

*Capped drug prices for seniors

*Expanded overtime pay

*Capped credit card fees

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Joan Halgren ; I'm not convinced that you are not a troll. the microphone would have to have a mute button to allow a fair debate, tRUMP does not share the floor well. President Biden supports Democracy, and the Common Good. tRUMP does not!

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you're either a troll or nuts

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Joan : I am not convinced by your post that you do much thinking

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@Heather B. Is this true?

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It is stated Republican strategy not to answer questions and not to engage in debates. Their policy is to use media to promote their contention that Dems support the "globalist elites" in control of the "deep state." Trump will claim that he, and he alone, can liberate "America", hence they hate him. It seems to me that the most effective response is to ridicule him and point out his inconsistencies, especially hi flip-flopping over women's rights.

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Hey Heather who's the "good authority" - James Carville? The same James Carville who just expressed doubts about Biden's ability to win the election? Well, let the chips fall where they may. Here's hoping Biden can pull it together to throw a few counter-punches - maybe even some sneaky below-the-belt attention grabbers. 🍿🍿 Let the show begin.

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He isn't, Dr. Bloxom. He is notoriously thin skinned! He has no problem hurting others but simply cannot take what he dishes out. I hope President Biden makes it clear that the orange stain answers to the big money powers. He doesn't represent the people. For him, we are just cannon fodder! He has told his cult followers he doesn't care about them just their vote!! I want President Biden to wipe the floor with him!! Vote Blue, America!!

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I'm waiting for him to start foaming at the mouth and go on ANOTHER 20-minute ramble about toilet pressure and/or wind mills, aka wind TURBINES.

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Trump has a glass jaw. You are an jaw expert and should know BS. Whatta loser.

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Who is the "Whatta loser" you are talking about? Me, Trump or Whataloserburger?

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Trump is the loser, Dr. Bloxom. but I am worried sick about this election. The Democratic Party should have had some backbone and welcomed presidential candidate Bernie Sanders or Elizabeth Warren, .. I also like Kamala Harris, who, being a good vice president, has stayed in the background but she sounds good and progressive to me, and she carries herself well.She looks presidential, as do Elizabeth Warren and brilliant Bernard Sanders.. Biden is good, too. He actually took action on infrastructure and gun law. But the slimy felon beckons. Trump is really a WOLF IN SHEEPS CLOTHING. BEWARE. . A puppet of the wealthy corporations who pretends to be for working people.

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Marjorie, bless your heart, I agree with *every* *single* *word* of what you said. Beautifully stated. Trump aside, Warren and Sanders were my favorites. I feel sad about their national political demise.

I feel even more sad, no angry, about the looming Trump threat. Basically, I'm pissed off about the entire state of affairs. Sorry for unloading on you.

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Remember that the felon always spouts his self-reflection in just about anything he says about others; it’s his “tell.” He also grabs the attention by “stealing” people, places, things, in a sense. He has no original thought or vision. It’s what he does that I’ve noticed years ago.

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Right!! As kids we said whatever you say bounces off me and sticks to you. This behavior you mention of people accusing others of what they themselves are doing is very common. I see it alsoi.

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Sometimes, tRUMP is punchy, for sure!

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Just because tRUMP said he is a "counterpuncher" does not mean he is, it also does not mean that Joe isn't or can't. Joe Biden certainly has more ammo.

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Even though I’ve lost my sense of smell, he can cause me to want to 🤮

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That or a REALTIME fact-checker! When Bunkerboy inevitably lies, the debate can stop, and a person with common sense can IMMEDIATELY debunk his claim that, "THE SOUTHERN BORDER IS BEING CONSTIPATED BY BIGLY CARAVANS!!!" (He meant "bombared with," but he thought instigated because he likely has Alzheimers like Freddy and has CONSTANT Phonemic Paraphasias.)

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The scent that Trump & his mob exude is that of sulfur, the miasma of a sulfurous cloud, mistaken by comedians for flatulence, but it carries the stench of the Trump mob's malevolent plans.

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Still and always neck and neck !

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It occurs to me that the problem with all the wonky polling numbers is that they focus on the voters rather than the electoral votes. From that view, even the '16 polls were correct in that Clinton won a majority of the popular vote, that was not reflected in the electoral college outcomes.

At very least, there should be a poll for each state, independent of all other states, with respect to how those states award electoral votes. ONLY THEN, based on the collective outcomes from the individual states can we possibly project outcomes that have a snowball's chance in hell of being anything vaguely accurate and predictive.

I know this has nothing to do with your comparison of the candidates, but I think it will become important in understanding the apparent cognitive dissonance between what the polls >seem< to say and the outcomes that have come to pass. Indeed, I wouldn't object to having this observation spread around to the pollsters for consideration.

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knew FDR was a supporter of the Workers, Their Union, their wages but I never heard of his acceptance Speech …

Masterful and Amazing in its intelligence and Clarity of the Rich Driving the Workers Economic Lives…

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Three points: 1) FDR operated in an era of no Internet. 2) FDR reminds me of MLK

3) Both FDR and MLK remind me of Barack Obama.

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Donald Trump reminds me of the cartoon character Bluto!

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Oh My God - - - I can't stop laughing!

There are hundreds of things I could say about that, but I will constrain myself.

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Trump gave a campaign speech in Racine, Wisconsin on Tuesday. CNN fact-checked Trump's speech and found thirty lies.

Almost everything Trump says is a lie.

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Exactly. This is from my post a few moments ago:

Given the unique advantage of debating someone who was documented by the Washington Post for lying 32,000 times, I think it's necessary for Biden to make it clear to Americans that Trump is a compulsive liar with zero credibility. In fact, Trump told 32 THOUSAND lies as President. Do the math! A year is only 365 days.

Biden can easily establish that Trump is a pathological liar. Promises to stop illegal immigration are empty because he had a chance to build the wall. It didn't work. Recently, 60 Minutes showed a slew of people climbing over a few rocks where the wall starts. Most were Chinese. The wall failed at the first foot. Trump has nothing but lies, broken promises and failed policies. This record must be juxtaposed.

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What I do not understand is whether Trump knows he lies and doesn't care, or whether he is oblivious to the fact that he lies. That may be unknowable because he is a psychopath. What do you think? In all seriousness (no joking around) . . . I have long been trying to figure this out. Thanks in advance for your input.

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Remember the time the whole world laughed at tRUMP at the United Nations when he said something to the effect that he is the greatest American President in History?

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Daniel, the fact checkers are having a hard time calling out every one of trump's lies!! It's a 24/7 job!!

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CNN fact checked Biden and found he also tells lies!

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Trump lies and the MAGA love it, because, in their minds, it demonstrates his contempt for the "elites," "the mainstream," "the consensus." If so, accusing him of lying does him a favor.

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Also Bulto was not a coward ; Chris Christi Said It Best “ Donald Trump is a coward and a liar”

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Bluto was smarter. More like and aggressive obnoxious Wimpy.

“I will gladly pay you tomorrow for a hamburger today” running a bigger Confidence Game on a much Bigger Audience …

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The advent of radio was a big change, much like the internet has been, for those times. FDR used it very effectively, but so did that Father Coughlin guy (notorious anti-semite and general bad guy.) And there were big meetings of Nazi groups in the big cities, all doing the “ Heil Hitler” thing. And FDR had his opponents, rich guys that didn’t like the sound of his new programs. So it was no slide for FDR. Man, he was great, though, wasn’t he?

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Yeah really - and so was Eleanor. 🦸🏻‍♀️🦸‍♂️

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Yes, he was!!

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Took him a couple of try’s but he learned from his opponents stole their good ideas and added them to his own ideas .

Social security etc…We were lucky to have Him .

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Thank you dnkarr for mentioning Eleanor Roosevelt. In my recollection (I’m 83), she was the one who influenced many, if not most, of the great things FDR accomplished.

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She was a force to be reckoned with wasn't she, Judith! I loved her frankness and her ability to speak plainly so that everyone could understand. She was a great lady!

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Eleanor stepped in to repair what the DAR did to stop Marian Anderson singing in DC in 1939. She was so terrific. She went to my husband's Unitarian, NYC youth group when he was a teen and said What do you want me to talk about?

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The bank bailouts, the ppp loans, were poor good intentions The wealthy were helped even further and the average person like me who really needed the help could not have benefited. I liked Obama, but feel there were so many opportunities for him to show us what 8 years of our first black president could do…and he was somewhat lackluster. I think he could have made a huge difference. If you want my thoughts about that, just ask

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Yes, as much as Obama was such a breath of fresh air after eight years of Bush, Obama didn’t achieve as much as we wanted him to. But consider the stiff opposition from Reptilians. Remember how Mitch McConnell announced in 2008-09 that the number-one goal of the Senate was to make sure that Obama failed?

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Stan ; That statement under the circumstances was treasonous, because he was telegraphing that he was going to work against the process of running the country. He was not worth his pay! We saw what he helped to do with the Supreme court!

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Nancy, I agree. Obama was by far a more effective big-crowd communicator than a man who actually got things done. And, from my recollection, when he did inaugurate some smaller legislation, that was nevertheless very important to those affected, he barely communicated them. Remember the phrase, 'lead from behind?' And again, if I remember correctly, it was Biden who first voiced support for same-sex marriage.

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Barack Obama really wanted to get more inclusive health care as his number one accomplishment. He did it, not perfect but others like the Clintons and even Truman tried for decades and ran into major resistance. He was a moderate president, never pretended otherwise. That's ok. Being the first black president was great though. Also I like Michele being there as well. Bright people

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Marjorie, yes, Obama did the one big thing -- healthcare. And as I mentioned in my post, he actually did more 'good' things, but they were not communicated well, if at all in some cases. Do I wish, though, we could bring Obama back? Hell yes!

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Nancy, I also like President Obama. He basically had his hands tied because of McConnell and the republicans. I felt bad for him that he couldn't get as much done as he would have liked.

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The 2010 mid-term elections delivered Congress to the Republicans, who did their utmost to make Obama a one-term president. Now they are doing their utmost to protect Trump from a similar fate.

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Except that the bank bailout happened under Obama, while the overextended mortgage holders were left open to foreclosure.

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Double-like to double-post. No comparison FDR to Obama. FDR: A true activist (with flaws and blind spots). Obama: Said a lotta inspiring words during his campaign. Got some things done. Not near enough. And o yeah. There was that closing Guantanamo Bay torture chamber first-100-day-promise. Of course we could reply: And what about FDR Japanese internment camps? So there is that comparison.

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Agreed. Let us remember that FDR had much more support from Congress than did Obama.

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Depends which term doesn't it?

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This one? President Bush signed the bill into law within hours of its enactment, creating a $700 billion dollar Treasury fund to purchase failing bank assets. The revised plan left the $700 billion bailout intact and appended a stalled tax bill.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emergency_Economic_Stabilization_Act_of_2008#:~:text=President%20Bush%20signed%20the%20bill,appended%20a%20stalled%20tax%20bill.

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Terry, thank you for this very important reminder.

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Interesting! Going by memory here - maybe I remember this wrong?

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Possibly. I try to check on Wikipedia or some such before I put something out there like this. My memory is never perfect. :)

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Good to hear.

I live outside the US and was following this from afar. I imagine that what I heard was not the whole story.

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Unquestionably Obama 8 yrs was the most enlightened President in spite of Mitch McConnell and the

States Rights ( AKA Pro Slavery ) Republicans …

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Here's a recording of FDR's original speech. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IjSTQwamo8M

Biden could literally repeat this speech and it would be spot on.

And in case you never saw it before, here's FDR's speech in defense of Fala during the 1944 campaign https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3NnS9874GB4

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Terry, thank you so very much for your astounding comment and link. I hope everyone will listen to it.

FDR said "We have an administration that has rolled up it's sleeves and will keep it's sleeves rolled up". Just think of that imagery.

What Biden should do instead of repeating FDR's speech is to incorporate parts of FDR's speech into political ads demonstrating the intentions of the next Biden administration. I think that would be highly effective.

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Imagery is awesome. Both President Biden and Obama roll their sleeves.

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I have never heard the Fala response. It’s priceless, and FDR’s delivery is perfect. Thanks for lifting my spirits this morning. I hate Trump and what he has been encouraged to do to our country. I know. I know it started with Nixon and worked its way through the decades. The election of a capable Black man to the presidency triggered all those folks who then came out from under their rocks and all those wealthy people who were planning for control for decades. It’s time we understood they know no bottom and recognize the hard work it will take to put them in their place. GOTV. Register people. Knock doors. Support Democrats at your local level and on up the ballot. Look for the people who stay home for primaries and get them to VOTE 🔵!

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2 things. FDR understood the power of media and was able to harness it before anyone else. He knew TV was coming after the war and would have been a great candidate for a 5th term....but alas!

This all started way before Nixon. Look up Father Coughlin.

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

He knew the power of the media as well but he used it to promote evil and hate over the airwaves and in theaters. A real fascist, condoned by the Roman Catholic Church.

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It’s been happening since the very beginning of our Republic. Most people of my generation remember Nixon, so it’s a common reference. You are correct. There’s someone in every generation when we look for one.

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Wrapped in the flag and carrying a bible......

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Reagan is the one I dislike. started out firing the Air Traffic Controllers who were on strike.

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Trump hates dogs.

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Dogs hate Trump.

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Dr. Bloxom, you and Daniel always provide a laugh for me almost every day! Thanks, I enjoyed that!

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Hahahahahahaha! This gets me every time!! Thanks, Daniel!

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Thank you Terry! I love those! I’ve been realizing how much I love FDR. Can Biden channel his own inner FDR?

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FDR was the first President who understood the power of the media and was able to harness it for 4 elections. Republicans thought that just being mean should have been enough to put one of their guys in.

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Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. The NYT just revealed that Tim Mellon donated $50,000.000 to Trump's campaign the day after the jury convicted the law-beaker. Maybe that's just like $5.00 to you and me. Still...

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I can not imagine someone having 50 mm to give to a crook. Not only a crook, but to a lying crook on top of that. Your analogy to $5.00 made me smile.

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Professor Reich, thank you for your reminder of what a good president FDR was and the high standard he set for the office itself. Granted, he did not do everything right (remembering the disaster of the SS St. Louis) but he gave Americans pride (WPA)and confidence in their country. In today’s MAGA world, these Trumpy morons would only mock a handicapped man in a wheelchair.

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President Tammy Duckworth would've been a beautiful ticket this November. Unfortunately instead of a principled politician in a wheelchair, we get an establishment hack who's lost as much of his faculties as he has his soul.

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Who is the establishment hack with lost faculties and lost soul to whom you refer, and why do you say that?

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