I'm your age, Dr. Reich, and I, too, think my generation — including Bill and Hillary, George W., Trump, Newt Gingrich, Clarence Thomas, Nancy Pelosi, Chuck Schumer, and Biden – have fucked it up royally. But it's not simply a matter of age: I'd take you or Bernie over DeSantis or MTG any day of the week. I'd take Biden over any of the GQP. He'd not be my first choice, just as he wasn't my first choice in the primaries, but up against any of the ReThuglicans, I'd vote for him. In fact, I'd vote for him over any of the few Republicans who actually still have a sense of honor, like Liz Cheney , Adam Kinzinger, or Mitt Romney: they'd still be to the right of him. The big question is: who do the Democrats have among their younger members who can win?
Here is a list of potential "winners". Because they can speak well and passionately. Because they are on the correct side (the word "right" has been murdered) of the issues. And because the Republican Party and its "platform" is extremely vulnerable. Just read Senator Scotts proposal. Think about the damage done by the Supremely Sick Court. Think about the massacres. Think about how tainted the GOP is with nutcase after nutcase.
No. He's a GoldmanSachs oreo. Blew a golden opportunity to rein in Wall Street and the banks, and didn't give them so much as a slap on the wrist. MAJOR mistake. Whaddaya think Occupy was about? Robert Bork was a law professor too, and so was Ken Starr. Don't mean sheeit.
TRUTH, Rex! And he had a SECOND term where he COULD have made great strides w/inequality & he wouldn’t take the chance! He enjoys being part of the 1%!
That's the going meme based on Hillary losing though getting 3 million more votes than Trump, when there were numerous other factors that hurt her campaign. That is flimsy evidence.
By the way, 2 of the 5 main contenders for the Democratic nomination were women until the Democratic establishment decided to go all in for Biden last time
He won me over in his handling of the impeachment hearings. His closing arguments were thorough, succinct, and right to the point. His view of what America stands for had me in tears actually. I think he is more progressive than meets the eye. I also like that as a lawyer he knows the law and articulates it well. He's fair and unflappable. Together with Warren, they would make a formidable team! But I do want Warren in charge. Schiff could easily take on the presidency after her. This is my dream for what it's worth.
I agree about Rep. Schiff, I always find his interviews on CNN and MSNBC insightful and informative. And his book is a must read. And he has been a hero in both
the impeachment hearings and the Jan. 6 hearings. I don't think Sen. Warren has a chance for POTUS in 2024 unless more women in the U.S. will vote for a woman. I think Schiff has a better chance in 2024 with Warren as VP!
He's a lot more principled than most politicians & very eloquent at expressing his thoughts.
I wasn't aware of where he sat on the ideological spectrum & have wondered. He has been in the spotlight on matters of justice & democracy & little else. Would be interesting knowing where he stands on various issues.
Thanks. I'd go with Pete for brains and presentation. He was the favorite in my circle of old people. But I think Brown is the most electable. However, he probably doesn't want the job (again).
He hasn't been a leader on the environment when that should be our #1 priority (along with recovering our democracy), which is why I prefer Merkley, Inslee, Bernie, Warren, Whitehouse, Markey, Grijalva, Schatz, Tlaib & AOC, all of whom recognize the urgency of confronting climate chaos, ecosystem collapse & mass extinction.
I don't think the country as a whole is ready for a progressive candidate in 2024. I know that sucks, but I think the move to progressivism will take a generation.
I love Ed Markey, but he is my age and Trump’s age. Some too old, some too young, too female, too “coastal.” I don’t know Brown’s policies. He would be 72 in 2024.
I'd reverse that. We need Warren as our President. Schiff would make a good VP or AG. Other good VP choices are Booker, Beto, Buttigieg, Castro (either twin), Merkley, Lieu & AOC.
She's a somewhat polarizing figure, but she's fearless & brilliant, & whomever the Democrats choose will be pummeled by the opposition & the media regardless & AOC can handle it a lot better than most.
She is brilliant but has not one lick of political savvy. She is the future I think, I hope, but always, like all Bernie supporters is ineffective because she often lets the perfect spoil the good. Like Bernie, who holds the same goals I do, she has had little legislative success because our very broken system requires sausage making and compromise. They both may just be politicians who hold up the vision we need to move toward but likely never achieve. But for me, I like to see Democrats win with legislation not just settle for being right, but with no solid achievement.
This is what Fox and the talking heads are saying but she was the one 'out there' to help her constituents in person. She has been so maligned unjustly and the media has done a good job of minimizing her, afraid as all the patriarchy is of a powerful woman. She cares; she is brilliant, and she speaks truth to power. I believe that she has the makings of an outstanding President someday.
I would like to see a candidate that wasn't another root from the same corporate-backed Democratic (or Republican) plant. We need candidates that are not dependent on money from corporations. It seems to me it doesn't matter who you put forth as a candidate if they are beholden to their funders. Money has saturated our political system, when are we going to change this pattern.
Susan, there will be no attempt to get money out until we get a larger Democratic majority. Then we must work on seating more progressives who are will to remove money from this corrupted system. But we have to get to step one first.
Well, it feels like a hopeless situation if we have to rely on the Democrats to meet step one. Examples include Manchin, Sinema and the endorsements of a long term prominent Democrat who supported a conservative Democratic candidates over the more progressive Democratic candidate (Texas).Having a majority of Democrats won't guarantee a better outcome because it depends on who our current party will accept into their group, and this is up to the people with big money. Progressives have been branded taboo, radical, which they are not, and is very convenient for both Republicans and Democrats. This is how it feels to me.
Dream on. Since the Citizens United decision by the far right SC, such a dream went completely up in smoke. Of course, we’d been watching the costs of campaigning rise each election cycle. CU put all that on steroids.
Pete and Liz works for me. I think Kamala Harris is brilliant and tough but misogyny and racism are against her winning. I HATE having to say that!!!!!!!!
I don't agree with your comments on Kamala Harris. She came across brilliant as a prosecuting attorney questioning members of Congress. She has completely fizzled out as a V.P. She would probably make a good AG.
Of your list I’ll take Gavin for President and Val or Cory for VP. Gavin because he has run California and weathered many political storms. Val or Cory because they are passionate about democracy, and they are both kind and compassionate humans.
Adam Schiff is impressive in his stands. However, he is too wooden to excite a lot of people who need charisma. We will never have another Obama in that way, but we do need someone who motivates enthusiasm.
Add Jeff Merkley, Sheldon Whitehouse, Brian Schatz, Raul Grijalva & Ted Lieu to that list. I would also include Pramila Jayapal, Ro Khanna, Rashida Tlaib & AOC although I've been told they are too "radical" to get elected, although they are a lot closer to mainstream opinion than many Republicans who get elected with ease, & have ideas that we desperately need to get back on the right track. Jay Inslee is another I like a lot who has the proper emphasis on the environment, but I've been told he is too dull to excite voters.
I didn’t add AOC, but I’m not sure she’s ready. I have the utmost respect & admiration for her. I think she’s be a superb president. She is NOT too radical. She is painted that way & it infuriates me.
I’d take Sheldon Whitehouse for just about any leadership role if he could be replaced with someone as good. Honestly, Democrats have a solid bank of strong candidates if we could quit fighting among our any selves to get them elected.
I do admire the women you include. They are even closer to my personal views. IMHO it's too dangerous for them to run. We Need to stop the national slide into hell! They can continue to fight and then run next cycle.
So how is it that the Republican Party gets to run truly dangerous extremist candidates that want to take away the liberty, equality & democracy our nation was founded on as well as divide the nation, trash the environment & siphon all wealth & power from the vast majority of Americans to a few billionaires & giant multinational corporations, & actually win with those candidates, & we dare not run "dangerous" candidates that do the reverse & try to make this a much better country & world?
Very very good question. Maybe we underestimate our fellow countrymen’s good sense because most news features the outrageous authoritarian-strongman-loving types?
Yes! Jeff Merkley and Jay Inslee are right up there. I lived in both OR and WA and they are strong, clear headed supporters of civil rights, climate change amelioration and safety net. I really admire them both.
A lot of talk a good game till they get pushed in a corner. Because they are Congress they don't have to make hard choices which is why no one should be elected from Congress ever again.
I was surprised he didn't do much better in 2020. He was the most consistently strong performer in all the debates, & he has a very positive, unifying presence. I hope he tries again.
True, but Booker trailed Biden even among Blacks. Biden got the most votes from Blacks, & I think his poll numbers were higher than Booker & Harris combined. If I recall correctly, Bernie was 2nd among Blacks.
I have noticed that Blacks show very little racial discrimination when voting. Policy & familiarity are the main considerations. They were familiar with Biden & generally liked what he stood for, so he got their votes.
Interesting, I see lists of names and no one mentions Kamela Harris. If Biden would run again with her she would become POTUS that is if he wins. That alone would be a huge factor in the campaign.
I would take Kamela Harris over any republican candidate (except), but I fear she would be locked out of the Senate like most Democrats are today. I would take Liz Chaney if she were to run..as a Democrat. She 'is' not afraid to stand up for the USA's ideals. Also, Adam Schiff with Liz as Vice President. Please, not a nutball republican!
Liz Cheney was all for losing Roe V Wade at fed level and handing it over to the many theocratic states. She has stepped forward to do her duty and recognized truth over lies. She is very right wing and if you haven’t learned a lesson on putting ANY republican in office after seeing what is happening now. I wouldn’t trust your judgement.
I’m thankful she had the integrity to stand for facts! But it does NOT make her a good candidate for us!
Absolutely, and totally. Liz Cheney is okay with suppressing the votes, take a look at her history. She's been amazing in this situation but she's everything the GOP is doing to us today otherwise.
I’d only vote for her if she was on the ticket as VP with a Democrat. I think she’ll run- without Rep endorsement. She and her father are a strategy team that will be differing beat
She'd have to radically change her views that she has held throughout her career, which I can't see her doing on most issues, plus she is much more valuable to us if she runs in the Republican primary & humiliates her competition there.
Warren/Schiff yes. Cheney should run in the Republican primary & destroy Trump & others of his ilk. If it's Trump vs. Biden again, I might vote for Cheney if she runs as an Independent, depending on what she runs on & the respective VP choices. I think it would be a mistake to run Harris unless she shows substantial growth, initiative & wisdom in the next year or so.
Right of, that’s where. The wholesale perfidy of tfg and what used to be known as the Republican Party in all likelihood hasn’t caused that leopard to change her spots that much.
Kamala Harris seems to be uncomfortable in front of a camera. She seems to be reading her speeches rather than delivering them from the heart. I’m wondering when the next Obama-like candidate will emerge from relative obscurity.
Obama was the biggest disappointment of any candidate I’ve ever supported. He squandered his opportunities and let banks off the hook. I’ll give him grudging credit for watered down health care reform and for having presidential bearing. Hilary would have gotten more done. Obama would have trounced Trump.
Are you serious?! Why would someone as right -wing as Cheney run as a Dem! Her father did enough damage to this country—we don’t need her in a higher position!!
And politically she’s just like daddy. I am grateful She and Kinzinger are willing to tell the truth and in doing so face threats. But they are abiding by their oath to the Constitution. It doesn’t make either one a desirable political candidate. It just says they are one of VERY few RetrumpliCons who have sanity.
I said...If she would be a democrat! Not a Democrat like Munchin..a Democrat..Like me. We need strength in the Democrat party and not so hard line like, like so many Democrats are. Someone to balance things out instead of wanting it right NOW! In business you have to be firm, but able to negotiate. I don't see the Democrats standing firm. Being aggressive. There isn to enough Democrats in our government with, heaven for bid I should use this term, but here goes..with the balls to make change.
Harris appears to be a neo liberal! So is Obama & neither of them let us know this when they ran! Where has she been all this time! If people think she’s being “ held back”—that’s on her! She needs to SPEAK Up!
this is a strong list and I'd like to see some of these folks make serious headway in Congress. However, I also feel like we need someone who is electable to the independents and centrist Dems (and even Repubs...they exist...really!!). I think Pete B fits that bill. Possibly Booker too. Newsom is too polarizing though he runs a huge state.
Agree. Pete B is would be a great president--I voted for him in the primary--and so would Cory B. But that would require homophobia and racism among voters to not exist. Is that realistic?
Our candidates need to be inspiring, preferably charismatic & hopefully problem solvers with creative ideas. Trying to overthink someone's electability like, oh that person is too progressive, a woman can't win, nobody will vote for a gay man, Americans are too racist for a Black to win, will give us a dull candidate that hardly anybody really wants.
Politics, like a game of chess, is about strategy. I wish inspiration, charisma, problem-solving and creativity were enough, but they're not. Politicians need to know their competition, the political landscape, and must know what's important to voters, what biases they have, how many voters are in their bas, and how to unite that base. They must use social media and other digital tools effectively, and they must campaign effectively--both offensively and defensively.
Those are all important in running a campaign, but my point is that the character & characteristics of candidates & what they stand for are more important than their race, sex, etc.
He gets a pretty positive response from Fox viewers, so it doesn't sound like he is too polarizing.
His biggest problem, based on what I saw in the 2020 debates, is that his replies are too canned, making him sound insincere. But he is capable of much better & would likely fare significantly better next time. He is extremely intelligent.
All these choices are well-qualified, but the question is, who can reliably WIN against right wing kooks like Trump or DeSantis?
HINT: It's not how qualified the Dem candidate is.
Hilary Clinton was one of the most accomplished and qualified women to have run for office, and while she won the popular vote, she lost the EC. It's sad to say, but the majority of people still will not elect a woman for president, even though there are so many qualified women available. The only way a woman will become president is if she's VP, and the president dies.
Yes, Obama was elected, but look at the extreme racist swingback we're getting now. It's horrible, but I don't see Booker, Demmings, or Abrams winning the presidency in 2024.
Adam Schiff–or anyone on the J6 committee, including Republicans–holds very little sway with the middle swath of the country, even though they are all highly qualified.
I voted for Buttigieg in the primary--he's utterly brilliant and well-spoken, but the way voters are, he'd only work as VP–and we'd be lucky to have him.
That leaves Newsom, Swallwell, Brown, and I'll offer Pritzger as an option, too. The big question is, who could realistically win against whatever candidate the GOP choses?
Voter turnout was at an all-time high of 67% in 2020. That's great it was so high, but it still means ONE THIRD of this country did not make their voices heard.
Let's hope voter turnout in 2024 will be better, because our democracy is hanging on by a frayed thread.
IMHO, Ron de Santis is not a "kook" He spouts the kooky krap that has become the GOP mainstream platform, but he is extremely smart and extremely ambitious. And extremely dangerous. I can't imagine how effed up things would be now had he won the GOP nomination and the election in 2016.
Ron de Santis won because of the maternal backlash when they discovered CRT had quietly slipped into their third-graders' math books. The real lesson: Don't screw around with a mom's third-grader's math book, but focus on Math! CRT could be introduced in a Social Studies or History class in Middle or High school. Third-graders get along fine. They have not been taught prejudice unless they came from a really radical home.
It is simply not true that only children who come "from a really radical home" learn prejudice. My parents never said anything I remember about the races generally or specifically. They never used pejoratives like the N-word, and considered themselves enlightened and open-minded. Yet somehow my siblings and I learned that we white kids were better. Lesson: It is as much in things that are not said, as in things that are, from which kids learn prejudice. Kids infer all sorts of things. To assert that "only children who come from a really radical home learn prejudice is dangerously ignorant.
Rex: Bet you also had the same attitude towards poor white kids. I remember passing you in the hall at school and being invisible to people like you. I believe it's called being a SNOB.
Rex, This is your personal experience. I am aware that racism is a societal fact, and my use of the word. "radical," was indicative of real haters or white supremacists. I was raised in a poor, white family. and the only belief I remember was witnessing the pain of my black neighbors and feeling helpless, that I lived in a world in which I was powerless to change it. How you and your siblings adopted the idea that you were better than other races may have been instilled in you by your response to others who felt that way in your own little tribal world. I really don't know you, but I bet you came from a well-to-do family and lived in an all-white, exclusive (understand that word?). neighborhood with white schools or newly-segregated ones . Maybe I am mistaken. I DO KNOW YOU are mistaken that I am dangerously ignorant. I consider your choice of words to be condescending, hateful and judgmental.. Your response is radically prejudicial in itself. That alone tells me a lot about you.
Biden & Dems inherited a 4-year mess from Trump & are doing the best they can, but the Party is WAY off course to win the mid-terms & next Presidential election. Here are my perceptions:
1. A ONE major blunder is advocating school authorities to tell ANY parent that a parent has no rights in the classroom (Biden comment)! F ACT: Gender issues should be between parents, doctors/& their psychologists. Teachers should teach reading, writing and math. This ONE issue could make DeSantis our next President.
2. Elevating the Woke Culture to an extreme has become ridiculous to the average voter. I am a true liberal on sexual identity/freedom to choose, etc. Too many silly examples to mention.
3. A BIG PLUS is the gun issue. Quit using the term "gun reform." (reform has a bad connotation & implies the person must change his view). A better psych term would be "AMEND gun laws." The evangelicals will hear "AMEN" with out the "d" over and over.
4. Same principle with the term "Defund the Police." Whoever thought of that one should be fired. It implies "Fire the Police" or something WAY more sinister than the intent. WORDS MATTER.
I just saw the presumptive Dem candidates on The Hill. NONE of them will make it! We need someone who is passionate, articulate. intelligent and knowledgeable in all governmental issues Many are influenced by charisma. Not everyone can have the charm and wit of Obama, but it is an influential factor. We need a leader who can inspire and move people! Why not Jamie Raskin? I also like Hakeem Jeffries. Susan Rice would be a great Sec of State - black, female, government experience in domestic & international affairs, articulate, poised and DIGNIFIED! Sorry, but Kamala Harris has proved to be a terrible choice for V.P. She should stay in her lane and would make a good Atty. Genl.
Me too. Someone has said Americans would not vote to see a woman get older on TV. With a real majority in the Senate, Warren would show her stuff and make a huge difference there.
Elizabeth Warren is a wonderful person. However, she has a schoolmarm persona that might lead to considerable “negatives” in the polls. I seem to remember that voters in her own state didn’t support her quest for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2020.
By then, the party establishment had decided who should win the primary & voters followed them like sheep.
Through the first 3 primaries, the Top 3 votegetters were Bernie Buttigieg & Warren, in that order. I think that even Klobuchar was ahead of Biden. Then the party establishment weighed in, tipped the scales for Biden for his first win in South Carolina, got Buttigieg (who even after South Carolina had placed ahead of Biden overall), Klobuchar & Steyer to withdraw (when at least 95% of the delegates remained to be chosen) before Super Tuesday (when the Massachusetts primary took place), & from then on it was skewed in favor of Biden as both Bernie & especially Warren were marginalized & told by the party establishment to get out of the way of the Biden steamroller.
Sure she can & she would if people would stop listening to "conventional wisdom" propagated by the establishment about who can or cannot win, & vote for the person they believe would make the best president.
Dammit! We face multiple existential crises -- our democracy, national unity, stability, sovereignty, climate, environment & biosphere are all in imminent peril -- & only an extraordinary politician like Warren, who keeps churning out well thought-out plans to solve our problems, has what it takes to meet these challenges.
We should eliminate candidates based on their obvious inability to rise to the occasion (there goes over 95% of the potential candidates; Warren is one of the few left standing), not on some outdated, poorly founded rationale about who is or isn't electable that has repeatedly proven to be mistaken.
I beg to differ. We created the World Wide Web, a social revolution, world wide music, the clean air act, the voting rights act, the clean water act, the Indian Child Welfare Act, the Toxic Substances Control Act, the Superfund Law, the Fungicide, insecticide etc act, and I can go on at length. All the groaning about our errors are imprecise. The truth is that we got beat by murder, money, and media. You want to blame someone for money in politics? Who did that? Not us. We are the people who fought against corruption and wars. Stand up straight and proud and the next time someone says we made a mess of things tell them what I said. Now let’s get some work done and show our stuff again.
Things would undoubtedly be worse without the accomplishments of our generation, but it also cannot be denied that we could have done more. We were complacent given the gravity of the problems that confronted us. And we let the conservatives within the Dem party exclude those of us who saw the need for fundamental change. And they proceeded to make colossal mistakes, e.g. letting the working class and rural Americans go to the GOP.
Unfortunately pointing to the good things the democrats have done in the past won't do a bit of good in the current milieu and has the distinct danger of being a distraction that can lull people into a false sense of pride. The Democrats need vision NOW and they need to find something within them NOW that will move them off their collective duffs.
Buttigieg will be 40 in Jan 0f 2024. Kennedy became President at 43. Pete just looks young, but he is brilliant on his feet. I saw the documentary "Mayor Pete" on Prime Video. It made me realize that he is a warm, caring person, but learned early in life to mask his emotions because of being a closet gay. A very tough lady in his campaign worked hard to make him emote more during the presidential run. If he learns to do this better, he is a winner. His husband is also very kind and well-spoken. His Wikipedia reveals he actually has a lot of experience on many levels - please read.
Biden was what the times called for. He may still be. Please don't weaken our party by a focus on him now. IT'S WHAT GOP WANTS. Not debate on democracy and women's freedom.
Carolyn Callaway ; beneath the pit as it I don't trust polls because with very few exceptions they can be bought. Our corporate owned media love to game opinions with their opinion polls.
I disagree. I do not want another centrist POTUS willing to bend to the will of big corporations. We need to push for a progressive tax system. We need to repeal Citizens United. We need to make living in America affordable again, and a politician who has lined his pockets with the endorsements of big pharma. Companies do not care who wins the political ticket as long as they can hold them by the purse strings. https://www.opensecrets.org/industries/indus.php?cycle=2020&ind=H4300
Shisa: I agree. I fully supported Bernie Sanders, and look how the Dem Party screwed him for Hillary. A lot of people I know voted for Trump because they despised Hillary. (I did vote for her in the General). History is slow to change. When Bernie ran, the term "democratic socialism" was made out to be a scary word; now it is acceptable. Also, the general populace tends to vote on emotional issues, and the Republican Party knows how to manipulate that fact. The Repugnants equated socialism with communism, and many ignorant people shook in fear.
But it’s not about what you want. If Democrats are going to govern as the party it professes to be, then a centrist OT a slightly left of center candidate has got to be fielded. There are a lot of things people under this big umbrella want but we don’t govern as a monarchy. We got away from that, remember? It’s the voters who decide The Who, what, when and where these issues are dealt with and it all begins on the local level. Look around. This is what republicans realized and have been doing for years. Democrats just got lazy and forgot about putting forth solid candidates in at the local level then supporting them all the way through to the federal level. Al Franken had a great guest on his You Tube cast today. His guest is David Pepper who has written a book titled “Laboratories of Autocracy” which, if you don’t want to read the book, at least have a listen to Al’s You Tube cast for today(10/30/22).
Exactly! Who are we(Democrats) grooming ? Where is the combination of a Johnson who could manipulate and denigrate and still get things done? Where is a Bobby Kennedy who finally got compassion, where are those who understand the facts about a strong middle class? Where are those who actually believe in a strong working class?
Every time we actually get a tiny taste of a strong ,moral ,dedicated ,educated ,and compassionate person we flip.
We play the same game over and over until most of us lose hope(?a terrible place to get).
We all know that money in politics coming from corporations is not working, we know that the Supreme Court us not working, we know that non-unionized working conditions are not working. We know that the tax system is not working for most of us. We know that arming ourselves simply means WE die as a nation. We know that hating simply destroys us. We know that lobbying by the wrong groups is anti-democracy.
We know so much and yet we blather and blather over and over. We know that social media is simply big business in control completely. We know that teachers and nurses carry the load and get demeaned with low wages and terrible working
conditions. We know that corporate buying up of real estate leaves most people homeless. We know that we use the words mental health to describe those who have suffered alone and yet we are busy filling our very own Congress with mentally shaky individuals. Who are we? What is it we really want? Who is it we can trust and support in leading us?
Or is this more blather?
President Biden should not run again and he should not in honor of all of us who know we couldn’t take the rigors of the responsibility. We are wise, loyal, educated, caring of one another. Let’s help one another by actually demanding of ourselves to want a leader who will show us how to give back, take care of, be responsible for our own actions, live within the law, demand facts and put regulation back into our vocabulary.
Where are you fearless , moral, compassionate and hugely intelligent leader?
I wish it were true that boomers on the whole are wise and compassionate. Maybe a small majority of them are, and I hope so. But I am AMAZED at how reactionary many of my former schoolmates have turned out. AMAZED and FLABBERGASTED.
Jean, Great thoughts! ONE big thing they don't talk about: Our economy went on a slow ride to Hell when big corporations starting going overseas to produce with slave labor. They have always said "to cut costs," but we know it has always been about PROFITS. The Congress needs to vigorously pass tax laws on their imports here, their tax havens and any other measure to bring the good manufacturing jobs back to the USA.
Lots of good thoughts this morning on the subject of age as it relates to physical and mental capabilities to do a job…any job.
Just an example, Jean, regarding who is fearless, super intelligent, knows what the middle class is and why it is diminished, as well unions ….. Bernie! and he has integrity plus. Many others who fit bill, and have vast Experience, in the U.S. and the world, as we all live on the same planet, are out there too….and may just be over 65. We in the U.S. have fought very hard and long against age, sex, ethnic or color barriers, and still have frightening way to go!
I believe age is not restricting. However, we always have to be grooming the next generation. They have to feel that they are a major part of our Nation as leaders. And they only learn from an example made by older and wiser teachers! Or better said “adults”.
You are correct Bonnie. And as “older” adults we can play a powerful role in preparing our younger selves to be ready to take the lead.
My 20+ year old granddaughter did the same thing riding her bicycle to work…landed in cactus…all caught on security camera. She posted it for all to see!
A response I made to someone else, whose comment is waaaaaaaaay down at the bottom of the list:
Unlike many here, I still like Andrew Cuomo. HE stood up and told ol' Chins McConnel off about "blue state bailouts," while everyone else was behaving like Uvalde cops. Of course, the political retribution meted out to him - and his brother - was swift and devastating. Nevertheless, I'm a Cuomo guy, and would vote for him for anything without hesitation.
IMHO, he has every trait you call for in your statement:
"IMO we need a charismatic, TOUGH democratic candidate that isn't necessarily a "professional" politician, who isn't owned by private/corporate interests - not that Joe is - and is fit for a deep mud fight with the vile and treasonous opposition now in place."
(I'm not convinced an amateur politician has necessarily been appropriate for a long, long time - ol' Tweety comes immediately to mind - regardless of Republicans who decry, but still consistently elect their own crop of wankers! If a pro politician is inevitable, >make it Cuomo.<)
Omg, Maureen, my very sentiments!!! Yeah, and I'm 76 and I am mortified that these septuagenarians and octogenarians are dominating the country with their utterly selfish, greedy, STUPID, regressive politics ruining the country.
I agree that there are Democratic politicians who would probably do a good job. But why is it that we seem to need to dig to find them? What aren't they leaping off the pages into the public eye?
Maybe because the pages have become web pages and mass media is a soup of confusion and misinformation. Not only that but we've got an addiction to what I'd call fear porn that drives people to look for and publicize stupid garbage initiated by unqualified experts, like the Canadian doctor group pushing fear-based misinformation about vaccines. Porn addicts absolutely love that stuff.
It all works together to build an environment of confusion, fear and distrust. All it takes to shoot the good guys down is an unfounded explosive accusation. These things don't hurt the crazies because their appeal isn't about integrity or authenticity. Maybe ammunition is needed that exposes weakness, uncertainty, and other things that their followers would feel disdain for?
Is there a way, or are there ways, to clean things up? I know Dr. Reich's group is working at that. I hope it will catch on and spread to others who'll do similar work.
If you've been following what I've been saying, looking for a "clean" candidate.
People don't seem to have any idea where the "bench" is. 22 state governors. Probably 3-4 in the cabinet. I like Inslee, Gretchen Whitmer, Martin O'Malley, Pete Buttigieg. I think Deb Haaland would break the mold. How about Deval Patrick? I want someone who is an inspirational speaker. I also want someone who can pass the foreign service test and a lie detector test. No surprises.
What I find frustrating is how progressive Democrats are often characterized as radical. The really radical people are the radical regressives on the right. They are NOT conservative at all. They want to drag us so far backward it will take generations to make up lost ground. Look at the high court as as prime example. They are best best majority Charles Koch, et. al could buy.
Joe Biden is a decent person, but I am not sure he has enough fire in his belly to be the warrior democracy needs at this time. But he does not deserve to be screamed at because he doesn’t have enough people in Congress to get stuff done for the American people. The voters in state elections did not send enough to Congress to get legislation passed. That filibuster is one of the STUPIDEST things I have ever heard of. The horrendous laws the Regressives are passing are done by majorities, not supermajorities. If anyone thinks the Regressives would not get rid of the filibuster in a skinny minute, you’re crazy!
Sadly, Dems are divided. 'Progressive' Dems couldn't be satisfied with a partial win on 'Build Back Better' -- so no part of BBB was passed. Again and again, we see a lack of team playing by Dems in congress.
Unlike Republicans, who no matter what, vote in unison on legislation, resulting in a full or partial win toward theur overall goal.
It's easy: If we want our Democrat leaders to be in lockstep, just threaten their lives and their kids and other family members lives..That is how the Wingers do it, how they get everyone in line. It has been shown to be so. I get tired of hearing that Democrats can't get it together. Big money is what threatens the Democrats every time. Wingers have little to offer but threats and the ability to buy off the Supreme Court, and other 'people'. Oh, and people like Manchin and Sinema.
Don't overthink a candidate's electability. The winners tend to be the ones that inspire (think Obama & Bernie until the Democratic establishment propagated the notion that he couldn't win despite faring much better in the polls against Trump, using outdated conventional wisdom that makes no sense in the anti-establishment environment we live in today). AOC is inspiring & would get millions of younger people to vote for her that wouldn't vote otherwise. Those trying to figure out electability always seem to ignore that factor. They say younger people should vote regardless, but they won't unless inspired by the candidates, & they're not the only ones. When voting in the primaries, go with your heart & you won't go wrong
yes, but it is time for capable women, POC and gender diversity to be seen equally qualified or even better qualified when they are so --- white males have the appearance that old people like and failed to see in Hillary ONLY because she was a woman. I did not prefer Hillary, but voted for her. Still I was older people who claimed to be Democrats rationalizing why a woman isn't best for leading the most powerful nation in the world. That has got to stop to see progress in all the other equality areas too.
I agree that misogyny had a lot to do with her defeat. However, there's also a deep-seated Hillary hatred that goes all the way back to Watergate. You know she was involved with the impeachment committee that went after Nixon, don't you? That may have been ol' Tweety's "edge." I don't think it was any kind of accident the Republicans went after her husband, ol' "Slick Willie."
Oh, I'm sure you're right. I'm just sayin' that if he ever did make pass at the slippery pole, I'd vote for him without reservation. Whatever his sins or shortcomings, I admire his guts in standing up to McConnell and sticking his head in a buzz saw. Helluva shame it came down on his brother, too. I liked his news commentary.
So so so true - totally shree with you. How is it possible that there are no experienced, smart, humane, adult (in the best sense) Democrats to run for President? Someone who can WIN.
Good, you beat me to my response. Check him out on Youtube etc. He has tremendous gravitas, in which nattering conspiracy theorists will fall aside like bugs in a bug lamp on a summer's eve.
His legislative results with a razor slim Senate majority in the most toxic political environment imaginable is better than President Obama who was much younger but had less time clocked up in Federal politics. President Biden’s International performance is also outstanding. His physical fitness level is way beyond most Americans close to his age. His diet may well be a very healthy one to support that which would also support mental processes. The criticism of his alertness was a gas-lighting GOP trick to divert attention from Trump’s raving tangents and physical limitations and now Democrats have ben influenced. I’ve seen that happen before, it’s very unfortunate. When you compare your mental acuity to Joe Biden’s are you as fit? Do you keep your mind as focused on multiple tasks? His results as President are what matters to me. This is too pivotal a time for someone younger to be learning on the job. The only other person I wanted to see in that office is Elizabeth Warren, also in her 70’s. I think Joe Biden is exactly who we need right now and he’s proving that to be true.
As a retired ICU nurse and then clinician for a huge medical device company where I was responsible for four patents when in my 60’s, I think I would compare my IQ and abilities with President Biden. As you age there are changes in your abilities that happen to every one. Also the world belongs to the younger ages… we will die soon. Don’t you think they have a different point of view and commitment that reflects that. We made a real mess of things.
Biden isn't on the 2022 ballot. Let's get the 2022 election taken care of before we talk about who should be running in 2024. That is critical and should be our current focus.
Completely agree! In fact I wonder if the issue of Biden’s age has been amped up by the GOP to throw Democrats off our game. We need to expand our Senate majority, hold the House and elect as many Democrats as we can for State and local positions as a matter of urgency.
we also need to think practically and strategically by focusing our money and time and expertise on races we actually CAN win, or that we probably can win. we cannot afford to waste our resources on races that we have no chance of winning.
I actually think this is what the democrats have been doing. focusing on the wrong candidates. for instance, they have offered no support to Gary Chambers running in Louisiana (our poorest state against a racially insensitive nutter). and they did the same to AOC & still do. Nina Turner in Ohio, yet they supported Fetterman in Pennsylvania so quickly even I was surprised. i guess they fear Dr.Oz or something. My point is that they are doing what they have always done & I don’t think it works anymore. i don’t think the, only the races we can win, is a good strategy because it makes large swaths of the country feel alienated. and when people are struggling & alienated at the same time? that’s when people turn sides & become radical. just my opinion of course, i’ve no stats to back this up other than living in Mississippi.
I live in PA. I can tell you Dr. Oz is a nitwit. The last thing the US needs is another lying charlatan in the senate. The last I read, he still is not living in PA. His residence is in NJ.
The only differences between him and the quack _rump is that he isn't morbidly obese and never sexually assaulted one his family members . . . as far as we know.
i cannot understand how investing in a candidate running for public office in a race that s/he cannot possibly win is a realistic or sound strategy. i don't know about you, but i have extremely limited resources (money, time, energy, brain space) and i wish to use those limited resources to the benefit of those who CAN win and then, who can and will use their platform and influence (neither or which i have) to pull others up afterwards.
I support many people who haven’t been winners, including myself. One can never create a sense of community if you are only supporting winners. In doing so, you are alienating the very people that made those said “winners” winners. They did not do it on their own. Arnold Schwarzenegger mentioned this recently when he said he takes no credit for his success because it was many other people that made him successful. Nina Turner didn’t win her primary, but I can tell you I would throw down for that woman in a heartbeat. Sometimes the losers end up helping your winners as was done with Joe Biden before he turned his back on some people.
agreed! besides house and senate elections, we also need to be working hard for every democrat all the way up the ballot from school board to governor and secretary of state!
here's some motivation (after i saw that, i kinda freaked out, so maybe take a valium before following that link?):
Oh, BOO...HISS. I've given up on polls. They lead either to complacency or despair; neither is useful for Dems at this point.
I can't believe that women's loss of bodily autonomy--of equality itself!-- with the overturning of Roe vs. Wade, hasn't utterly galvanized and fired up every female in this country...that instead we are all obsessed with inflation/gas prices, etc.--things that aren't even under the control of the government (at least not this government), let alone one single man, even if he be President.
That we cannot even sustain our outrage over the radical rightwing activist Injustices for 3 or 4 months, because we all have the attention span of fruit flies? What is wrong with us?
TL Mills. I am a woman. I don't believe in murdering babies. Many women feel as I do. Why you are NOT seeing us galvanize. In today's world use birth control. It is easier than ever. If you are going to have sex be responsible. Women today are smart and savvy. In case of rape or incest each case will be handled to do what is best for the victim. If we as Americans would work on compromises we could move forward with love and compassion.
Oh Cecelia, just watch us galvanize! Pregnant people are not "murdering babies" when they choose to terminate pregnancy. That sentiment is a reflection of your belief system. As for the rest of your post, you're pontificating (pun intended) and the "advice" is pretty banal and not very helpful. Do you really think that cases of rape or incest will be handled on an individual basis "to do what is best for the victim?" Perhaps I should ask who it is that you consider a victim in these cases. The states which have banned abortion even in cases of rape or incest are letting women know that their lives are worth nothing and that they are regarded only as vessels for reproduction. That's MISOGYNY. We repudiate it entirely.
It's not entirely about abortion, Ma'am. That is only a small part of this decision. I am more concerned about "small government" poking it's nose into matters that are between a woman and her doctor only and should be of no concern to anyone else. Also there are many more dire implications in HOW the Court is researching and reaching it's conclusions--it is not just about abortion.
As for birth control...it is naive to assume that all women are able to access or afford or can physically tolerate birth control pills. Condoms can break and rapists cannot be persuaded to use them. No birth control method is 100% effective. Add to that, perfervid deep red legislatures in some states are even suggesting that ALL birth control should be outlawed. How does that fit into your view of things?
If you are not outraged by the usurpation of your right to bodily autonomy...I guess that is your own issue and we will have to agree to disagree. You have yourself a blessed day.
@Cecelia. That was a really dumb thing to say. Stupid. Contraception is not murdering babies. Medically appropriate abortions are not murdering babies. What is murdering babies is right wing social policies against women's health, child health, early education, nutritional support for children in poverty and all the such related "money-over-people" policies from the right. How can someone say they are "right to life" when they are unwilling to take care of people already born?
Right wing is NOT against women's health, child health, early education or support for children in poverty. What is STUPID is your comment back to me. Republicans know and believe government is NOT the solution to domestic social problems. State control should trump federal control. The free market is the perfect decision-maker. There need be no interference in the market because ultimately, the needs and desires of manufacturers and consumers will resolve themselves correctly in an unregulated market. Religion is important to many Republicans. In America we all have the right to pray to our chosen God. Republicans believe in people taking RESPONSIBLITY! Get out and work. Get a job. Contribute to your community. If you are sick and poor in America there are hundreds and thousand of charities and non profits. Most of these organization being paid for my capitalism. Republicans want to take care of babies before they are born and help them to grow up in a country that has strong values. Republicans stand for the flag and kneel for the fallen. So don't tell me that what I said was really dumb. That is my opinion. In the USA we are free to say and think what we believe without being bullied by left wing citizens that call republicans by stupid names.
You are sadly deluded if you think there is truth in your list of right-wing talking points. I grew up in a large family in which my parents and siblings' EXPERIENCES refute and negate many if not all of them.
You are correct when you deplore being bullied for stating your opinion. Civility in the discourse can make a world of difference. Please understand that when you write things like "murdering babies" and invoke the stereotypes that you have, you're inviting an extreme reaction, just understand that.
And, by the way, you're not exactly in the most sympathetic forum here.
You are completely brain-washed on every point. I won't waste my time going over each one. Information is out there. You just mimic the Republican Party. Look at the real world around you. Unless you are rich, the only thing between you and a homeless person is a well-paying job, and NOT minimum wage. Unfortunately, most well-paying jobs went overseas years ago for slave labor - not to "cut costs," but for profits for their rich stockholders. Free market?! Big Business and their thousands of lobbyists own this country and most of its politicians. The Rich own both.
@Cecelia. It was one of your own who said that "moderations in pursuit of liberty is no virtue." Maybe it seems harsh what I said, but in the same vein, "that is my opinion." The Ayn Randian perspectives you just espoused are wrong according to all responsible, mainstream economists everywhere. The debate is about how much regulation, not at all about whether markets must be regulated. Everyone knows, since the bank runs of 1929, that capitalism must be regulated. Hell, there is even a movie about it staring Henry Fonda.
Yet babies are murdered every day with guns. Where’s the republican battle against that! You do support abortion in the case of rape or incest? Does that make you supportive of “baby killing” after all?
Seeking Reason. It is people like you that continue to divide our great country. Guns don't murder people. People murder People. Each case of rape and incest needs to be evaluated to help the victim. In this country we need to find compromise and not be so divisive. YOU are exactly why I quit being an Independent voter.
And it’s people like you who keep fascist authoritarian leaders in office. Yes, people murder people with GUNS genius! Or can they hold up their finger andcyell bang bang with the same results? You think there is “compromise” for a victim. You’re opinion is in the very very low minority. Do some reading, your comment was asinine. I just pointed out the facts.
Birth control doesn't always work. Many adverse situations can happen to a woman or fetus during a pregnancy. Any decision should be made by a woman and her physician - not by yours or anyone else.
Cecelia, have you ever read or seen photos of ANENCEPHALY babies? I challenge you to do so. Would you choose to continue developing in the womb if you were one of them? Make your own choices. Other women also have the right to make their own.
This is a big topic, and I'm going to write some thoughts that cannot be fully developed but which I'll try to outline briefly. I'm a geriatrician; when we look at people over, say, 60, chronologic age is not a good predictor of function. There is a big variation in function among people who share chronologic age cohorts. It's quite different from the predictability of what is considered normal for children and teenagers of specific ages.
While there are things that are considered parts of normal aging, such as a predictable delay in word/name recall, these are not signs of developing dementia. Forgetting where one put something is done by people of all ages, but in our current culture we tend to obsess about it if a person is older. Some years ago a young person (early twenties) in a writing group I'm in forgot completely about a Skype meeting and came scooting in late, with profuse apologies, saying "I totally forgot! My mind just went blank!" I thanked her, saying I absolutely love it when a young person forgets—had it been me, people would start talking about taking away my car keys.
There is nothing essentially wise or skillful about being young or younger.
What we need are skills and function. Does Biden have them? Does someone else have a better combination?
The Democratic Party is over-filled with corporate types who both are incapable of doing a good job for ordinary Americans and who also just don't come across as genuine (for good reason). Some of our governors come to mind, as well as some of the people in the current cabinet. Flailing around looking for "attractive" "young" people isn't the way to go. We need people who have wisdom and political experience. Not just a good looking face and the ability to be elected a few times. In recent decades we've had too many inexperienced presidents, of both parties.
Whom do you like? You mentioned Sherrod Brown, who struck me as good in the past, but he has held back and not been willing to run. Is he? If we're going to name specific people, I don't think Buttigieg has what it takes, nor does Newsom. We need someone who can connect with working people. And who has some wisdom.
Stop attacking Biden for his age. Come up with real candidates, if you want someone else. If all you can do is come up with younger people and talk about the fact that you can't play a good game of tennis anymore, you're off the track. Seriously.
I agree. And thank you. I turn 79 in August and am healthy, active in my writing and art, my community, and I care little, if at all, that I cannot nor want to, run four miles a day. My walks are more measured rather than high-powered, while I gather in fresh air early morning, actually stop to say 'hello' to my neighbors, greet all the wonderful dogs by name, and arrive home to stretch, do qigong, and start my day.
I am a 'wisdom keeper' or 'wise woman' and I value my purpose and contributions I have made, and continue to make, in this precious life. Let us not devalue Biden's historical knowledge and wisdom. And let us keep our eye upon those things we need to accomplish this fall in Congress so that meaningful legislation is passed, wrongs are made right, bad laws are reversed. This takes experience, knowledge, and the heart of a warrior. Biden is a warrior in his quiet, steady way. True warriors take their armor off. They don't need it. He is white-haired, slight in stature, stumbles in speech, but he hasn't truly faltered in any way. He inherited a nightmare and has persevered through new nightmares in his first two years as president. I say BRAVO, Joe. Keep going!
I love and respect all that you have said. But our generation is not viewed so favorably by today's youth. I am referring to political participation. Younger candidates are more likely to get our potential voters to show up. Biden has been challenged in ways that no other President has ever been challenged. And I am proud of him. But the world needs a younger leader who will inspire. While you and I may be bowled over by all that you describe, Joe Biden is yesterday's news for the vast majority of younger Americans. So are Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer. JMO. We need leadership that feels like Kennedy or Obama.
Thank you, Bill. I do not entirely disagree with you. But Biden has two more years and our focus must be, needs to be, on this fall. Hopefully, we will have a Congress for two more years where he will be able to actualize his vision, making historic changes for the better. 2024 is on my mind, too, realizing that, sadly, our country practices ageism on many levels. Our youth doesn't seem to care much about anything beyond themselves and their phones. I do not know how that affects their political apathy and opinions about candidates. That said, I have to agree it is time for the 'elders' to pass their batons to the next generation. But who in the Democratic party is a viable presidential candidate for 2024? What Kennedy and Obama (and Roosevelt) had was oratory that soared high, inspired, and raised the hearts and minds of our nation's people to think beyond themselves. I wonder if that's even possible in our divided country today given the loudest oratory resides with the reactionary majority who choose racism, misogyny, hate, and violence.
Thank you so much for confirming what I’ve unofficially observed. Thank you also for using the word ‘wisdom’ twice to describe what the best candidates need. Accumulated personal experience leads to wisdom. Adding to that I think the perspective that comes with first hand memory of global and national events is useful for world leaders. Elizabeth Warren’s memory of how she gained her education in a different era when higher education was more accessible, for example, is one catalyst for her brilliant policies. Finally, I think this discussion of Biden’s age started with GOP negative trolling now unfortunately taken up by Democrats. It’s an unfortunate distraction from the issue at hand which is the midterms. With far-right extremism so well entrenched in the courts and every level of government, these midterms are the most pivotal in American history. Biden’s age is irrelevant and even less consequential than Hillary’s emails. It’s frightening that Democrats have so eagerly taken the bait.
Thank you for this. I'm 77 and can still do most things I did 20 or 30 years ago. Some of those things, I no longer have the desire to do. For those I do, it just takes a little longer.
I'm appalled. My first reaction was to cancel my subscription and not be party to such potentially harmful age discrimination. Then I
thought that running away is rarely the constructive answer. Now, I'm undecided. I don't hold much hope for anything changing the viewpoint in question.
Perhaps it's easier to hold such an opinion when one is still allowed to practice one's profession. Perhaps one hasn't fully experienced the cost of age discrimination and doesn't realize the harm such statements can do. Perhaps one doesn't fully realize that it doesn't matter what specific age one has in mind as "too old". Those wishing for personal benefit to practice age discrimination can grab onto today's post and use it against anyone over 40 if it suits. Therefore (!), I view such a post from a person in the public light as negative and harmful.
There's a dire shortage of airline pilots. Because of that, training is being shortened below what was already unsafe. Pilots are being hired or promoted to Captain with far too little experience -- all while I and a lot of my peers sit on the ground, "put out to pasture," twiddling our proverbial thumbs due to federal age discrimination. The reason for that age discrimination is a union run by younger pilots who want career advancement. The reason is not safety. As our pensions were terminated, it conveniently became "safe" to try to shut us up by throwing us a bone in the form of raising the retirement age by five years. Now that the airlines can barely operate, there's talk of raising the age further, because, again, that age has never had anything to do with safety or actual performance. It has always been based purely on greed and self-serving of younger pilots. Although not so obvious, that workplace age discrimination happens more subtly in many occupations. Today's post has just handed a great piece of ammunition to those who, based on their greed, cause careers of experienced, talented, and capable human beings to be ended, and in our case, have even contributed to putting the flying public in danger.
I have much more to say based on studies, examples, and personal experience, but as I've already posted several such comments, I don't see much hope. I'm just appalled, disheartened, and disgusted that "one of our own" would provide ammunition so useful for destroying careers, especially while doing so from the privilege of being still employed in his own.
Mo, please let us know what we can do to help the pilot situation. As I’ve mentioned before, my husband is a private pilot and a passionate aviation enthusiast. He will do anything he can to help and so will I. If you want to take the conversation private please email me: paula@writingshow.com. And I had a similar reaction to Robert’s post, so much so that I almost deleted it without reading. Thank you for your pushback.
Thank you, Paula. I think it's fine for an individual to say that they don't feel equal to some or many tasks, but to use a public platform to assign one's own feelings to an entire, large group of people seems, to me, beyond what is justified.
In case my opinion sounds like an allegedly age-based curmudgeonly attitude, it isn't. Many years ago, I was diagnosed as an "authentic." I believe the world would be in better shape if people would try to say, as civilly as possible, what they genuinely think rather than promoting confusion, or worse, with false politeness or unconstructive anger.
As to the pilot situation, I suppose, as with many issues, the best one might do is to write one's government representatives along with airline CEOs to let them know that one opposes age-discriminatory regulations and supports evaluation of each pilot as an individual. Airlines and the FAA certainly evaluate individuals in training and during FAA medical exams every six months. There's no reason why they can't do so when deciding whether to relieve a pilot of his or her career. In expressing my opinion, I mention, also, that younger union officials have been seen to push for age-related retirements. I'm not sure that many government reps are aware of that. They may just blindly trust union recommendations, since unions are supposed to be on their members' side. Unions unfortunately are necessary, but one would be naive to believe that power cannot, as elsewhere in life, corrupt.
I'll add, also, trying to incorporate all sides, that there are pilots younger than 65 who should be retired, but in the current system, that rarely, if ever, happens.
Thanks for your interest and best to your pilot partner. I'll send you my email address in case either of you have further comments or questions. And unless I'm booted out, I'll look forward to more of the insightful posts that prompted me to join this forum.
Thank you, Paula. I think it's fine for an individual to say that they don't feel equal to some or many tasks, but to use a public platform to assign one's own feelings to an entire, large group of people seems, to me, beyond what is justified.
In case my opinion sounds like an allegedly age-based curmudgeonly attitude, it isn't. Many years ago, I was diagnosed as an "authentic." I believe the world would be in better shape if people would try to say, as civilly as possible, what they genuinely think rather than promoting confusion, or worse, with false politeness or unconstructive anger.
As to the pilot situation, I suppose, as with many issues, the best one might do is to write one's government representatives along with airline CEOs to let them know that one opposes age-discriminatory regulations and supports evaluation of each pilot as an individual. Airlines and the FAA certainly evaluate individuals in training and during FAA medical exams every six months. There's no reason why they can't do so when deciding whether to relieve a pilot of his or her career. In expressing my opinion, I mention, also, that younger union officials have been seen to push for age-related retirements. I'm not sure that many government reps are aware of that. They may just blindly trust union recommendations, since unions are supposed to be on their members' side. Unions unfortunately are necessary, but one would be naive to believe that power cannot, as elsewhere in life, corrupt.
Thanks for your interest and best to your pilot partner. I'll send you my email address in case either of you have further comments or questions. And unless I'm booted out, I'll look forward to more of the insightful posts that prompted me to join this forum.
Thank you! I, too, had a similar reaction to the Professor's whole essay. (See my comments above,) which differ from yours but the message is the same: don't throw 'wisdom keepers' out because of ageism. I don't believe Mr. Reich is an ageist, but I was stunned to see his headline and commentary. Thank you, again.
Thank you, Judy!!! Perfectly said. The US reveres youth but in other countries people recognize that older people have a lot to contribute. And you’re right that people can be forgetful, weak, or just plain stupid at any age. A million hearts!
In my view, the question of whether Biden should run again should be deferred until after the midterms. Meantime, I understand that Senate Democratic leadership presently is whipping votes to pass whichever budget reconciliation provisions (BBB) can gain support from 50 Senators. As stated previously, I would advise that the legislation that passes be presented to voters as a down payment of more to come if Dems hold the House and pick up at least 2 Senate seats.
Though, admittedly, Biden connects less well with audiences when reading from a teleprompter, still, while the Senate does its work, a tougher, stronger Biden needs to amplify the Senate’s efforts by engaging everyday people nationwide and asking, “Who do you want here—somebody who doesn’t want to cut the price of insulin or those who do?” “Somebody who doesn’t want to expand the child tax credit or those who do?” Doesn’t want to provide affordable, quality childcare and universal Pre-K or those who do?” Doesn’t want to make investments in housing, in eldercare, and in climate or those who do?”
Because I believe that Democrats have a compelling narrative, if only they would deliver it, between now and the midterms, we, their constituents, need to have a felt sense that there are serious discussions with serious people engaged in an honest effort to arrive at compromises that will improve life for tens of millions of working people. Additionally, seeing that young people between 18 and 30 mainly are concerned about climate, gun control, and reproductive rights, and also fear losing increasingly more rights overall, Biden needs aggressively to enact whatever executive orders he can to show, unequivocally, that he is in this fight with us.
We Dems/Leftists really suck at messaging while the right aka wrong wing have perfected it to a vile art. I continue to believe, perhaps foolishly, that America is a slightly left-of-center nation somewhere underneath the bumper crop of bullshit plaguing this once maybe not great but still pretty darn good republic. But we desperately need those who can articulate a genuine populist vision (I rankle every time tRump is called a populist) that addresses people's true needs and concerns and can inspire a noble desire that together we can foster and build a better future.
Which is why I support, as I did in 2000, the ascension of the feisty and artoculate Elizabeth Warren to the top job in the land. Who better to battle Republicanism than someone who once was one and saw its flaws and came over to the better side?
Plus, as we men have so ratfucked America and the world, it's time we let the women take charge. They certainly couldn't do any worse than my gender has.
The reason Dems are so bad at messaging vs. the Republicans is that the Rs use every opportunity to whip up hatred and anger. It’s pretty hard to make oneself heard over all that noise. Which doesn’t excuse them but does make it awfully difficult unless Dems go negative too. A very sad and frustrating fact of life.
Rob, While I appreciate your perspective, given the stakes, I hope all of us, in 22, principally are focused, at the federal level, on holding the House and picking up at least 2 Senate seats and, at the state level, on preventing Republicans, in select states, from attaining trifecta control—control of both legislative Houses and the governorship.
To that end, I will continue to press for messaging aimed at galvanizing the base, moving voters to vote who otherwise wouldn’t, and dissuading reasoned Republicans from voting Republican.
@SeekingReason, Because I expect Biden to be reticent about enforcing certain actions, I need to educate myself to ensure I am aware of every tool in his executive order tool box.
Yes, there are some things he cannot do without Congressional support. We know the issue there. But look at the massive number of exec orders 45 gave. Basically the republicans say, if it isn’t in black and white and pasted to my forehead, it’s not illegal. We need to do the same thing to reverse as much as possible. Push it to the limits, like they did. We’re in a crisis. I wonder if Biden wants to wait for indictment, but we’re too short on time to leave any stone unturned.
Whoa whos whos! If it isn’t written it isn’t illegal? Then why is abortion illegal? What about unenumerated rights? (Is that the word?) I’m not criticizing you, Seeking. I’m pointing out their hypocrisy.
Thanks for pointing out that wasn’t at me. Whew! But you are so correct. They are the biggest hypocrites on the planet bar none. Democrats need to shake off worrying about how it looks and save us! Save our country!
I’m your age and marvel at how some old woman manages to jump in front of the camera every time someone takes a picture of me. It’s interesting that I feel like the same young me on the inside, but the inevitable effects of time and gravity are screaming otherwise.
I also wondered why, with everyone wearing masks, I had such trouble hearing conversations. It took me a while to realize I had been reading lips - probably for quite a while - before masks.
Then there’s the language issue. My words, in many instances, relate to reference points no longer in existence. After one of my reconstructive surgeries for arthritis, I commented to the young woman at reception, “It won’t be long before we’re completely bionic.” The blank expression on her 20 something sweet face informed me she’d never seen The Six Million Dollar Man with Lee Majors.
The companies neatly listed on my old CV don’t exist anymore (victims of mergers and acquisitions). Does anyone even know what a ditto machine is?
So, the question is… do we have relevance? Yes, there’s a lot to be said for experience. But, if that experience is no longer relevant or relatable to others, are we obsolete? Does someone who’s pushing 80 possess the vitality to compete?
For me character matters. An older, experienced individual with integrity - one who has paid his/her dues and can see the overview, as well as the particular. A person who has a balanced perspective, whose actions match their words, and their words don’t swing from one side to the other with every wayward breeze.
Lorraine Marketta ; The truth is still true, no matter the latest style of speaking it. Democracy and the Constitution have the same status as ideas. Lies are still lies, like the blatant misreadings of the the first and second amendments. Facts do not have alternatives and are still important
I like to comment about my career as a nightclub musician - a half a lifetime ago - that I worked all the best parking lots in town! (It's true, too!) LOL!
You might turn it around, Lorraine. Maybe younger people’s failure to understand you is a lack on their part. After all, if we lose our collective memory, what happens to our history?
I believe, Dr. Reich, people like Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren and yourself of course, should help to prepare a new generation of Democrats to win and preserve Social Justice. Your guidance is what many young men and women may need when it comes to politics. On how to deal with Massive Media, how to not let yourself get drowned by some Trumpster in a debate. I know this may be too general speaking, but I believe your advices must count for something and nothing to better for it than a new generation of young leaders that bring us back Hope.
How Biden maintains his cool when dealing with McConnell or Manchin is an excellent question. But my problem with that is more about WHY he is dealing with them at all?
Bipartisanship doesn’t exist any longer (and yes, I know Manchin calls himself a Democrat, but really!) How can you reach across the aisle to people you simply cannot trust? How do you reason with the completely unreasonable, (and in some cases, the completely insane?)
The time for reaching across the aisle is gone. At least for now. Until the Republican Party regains some kind of decency, civility and rationality, there is no dealing with them.
How can Biden deal with a man who prevented a former Democratic president from seating a Supreme Court Justice, as was his right, claiming “because it was an election year.” Yet when a Republican president has an opportunity to seat a Justice not one month before the actual election, suddenly this new, arbitrary rule flies out the window? He’s deceitful, traitorous and he’s been in the senate for FAR too damn long. He’s one man, and he has controlled this country and held up progress and harmed the most vulnerable, and Biden making deals with him doesn’t just confuse me, it makes me angry.
I’d rather see the filibuster obliterated and let Democrats pass what they can to help the American People while they can. Build up the Supreme Court and set term limits, codify Roe v Wade and enact serious climate policies to reverse the extreme damage Trump and Republicans have done. (I worry every day for my son’s future, and for all those his age or younger.)
If your generation fucked things up royally, my generation didn’t do a damn thing to try and fix it. They sailed along, more worried about Y2K than real problems (I include myself in here.) The county where I live is predominantly Republican, and they’ve used their vote as a weapon against against everyone’s best interests for years. I know many who don’t so much as vote FOR Republicans but AGAINST Democrats. They watch nothing but Fox Propaganda and it makes them feel good to see Democrats lose. And this has been going on for far longer than the last six to eight years. Even before Obama, but much worse after.
As far as ageism, and whether or not Biden has the faculties to run and serve again, I’d rather not see him run, if only because I don’t think he’ll ever stop trying to play nice with Republicans. Capital Hill isn’t what it was in his day, and I don’t think he quite gets that. And that doesn’t have much to do with age, I don’t believe.
after giving this "biden's too old" idea some serious thought since you pointed it out in last week's poll, i've decided my perfect democrat ticket is katie porter for president and pete buttigieg for vice president. on one hand, i doubt this ticket will pass in front of voters, but i still like to think about it!
@Grrl. I like your thinking too, but I'm picking up on your internal doubt - politics is nasty business and the country is large enough, the Democratic Party is large enough, that we need to apply statistical thinking to election strategy. I'll keep this reply short, but I believe there are serious critiques of both Katie and Pete that would prevent them winning the nomination in a primary contest among Democrats. I also worry that Newsome will be like Jerry Brown - objectively qualified but not popular enough. I'd tend to look at Beto, Cory, Sherrod and DeBlasio.
Being the same guy I've >always< been, I'm continually perplexed by the old coot I keep seein' a'starin' back at me in the damn mirror! Like the man on the stair who wasn't there, I too wish he'd go the hell away - until I realize it's the man who was >always< there! I wouldn't know what to do without him! I'm also continually perplexed by all the whippersnappers a'millin' about out there, particularly when I realize they're approaching middle age! Of course, I became aware early on that my generation is a total cluster-fuck, and have been watching events unfold over my 72 year sojourn in this old world like an inevitable, tediously slow-motion train wreck. (So much for "the rain gettin' colder.") Although I'm seldom surprised by >anything< that comes to pass, I still look forward to getting up in the morning just to see what hair-brained horseshit is comin' down the pike at us next. For example, I made a comment a day or two ago about how >no< "big brother" will >impose< a surveillance state on us, because we'll willingly set that infrastructure in place >at our own expense.< I just saw an article on the morning broadcast news regarding concerns being expressed over where the data gathered by the "Ring" doorbells is goin' and who has access to it. Ring is assuring us all it's confidential, and the police have no access to it - unless they have a warrant! LOL!
(If you're among those who like to bleed about your privacy being invaded by "the government," look first to the private sector, who you have the >completely< ill-advised notion is more trustworthy. It's >not< "big brother" a'watchin' you! Many times, the cops bust guys based on what they've found the busted has been braggin' 'bout to their buddies at the beer-joint! Generalize the damn concept - fer chrissake! BTW: If you're one of the law & order, blue lives matter types, who doesn't like "the government," you're aware - aren't you - that the cops >are< "the government ‽")
That's why I've never been overly concerned with my lot in life, and consider myself lucky as hell to be as well off as I am. Hell! I've even managed to avoid spending it in the penitentiary - the common career expectation of the social stratum I was born to, where a good job was >always< hard to come by. See the TV series "Justified!" (Generalize that too! Sheesh!) Still, I was always aware there were folks who were far worse-off than me. Oh vanity of vanities, all is vanity!
Thank you for the article. I am 95, seen a lot of bad stuff, (Joe McCarthy, JFK,, RFK, MLK, etc.) and yet here we are. Has anyone asked Biden if he wants to run again? Who would want another 4 years, after living through these past two years? I was happy to read several comments about concentrating on 2022, making sure we are not held hostage to Mitch McConnell and his band of not so merry men, or Manchin and Sinema. I do resent the question "should Biden and Trump run again". It is an insult to have both names in the same sentence.
Loved this! Am sharing with all my friends. I am 79 and have every one of the “symptoms” of an aging brain but I, like you Robert have not lost my sense of humor. Thank God, as I need it more than ever now.
Sadly, even if Biden is still sharp as a tack and is doing everything right, he does not inspire confidence and does not appear to be the strong leader Americans feel they need and want. For the sake of the country, he should not run, unless there is no better man who will take up the gauntlet.
By the way, Robert, I’d love you no matter how tall you are.
No he's not too old because the context he's in led him to run for POTUS, and he's won, and has been pushing a splendid agenda (except for aspects of his foreign policy, especially alas with regard to Israel's continued destruction of the Palestinian people and Saudi Arabia's monster gov't, also on Central and South America). These are big excepts but he's what we've got. Many of these polls making him so unpopular are taken by conservative news media -- corporations loath Biden for his FDR agenda (which they've stymied). Yes I'm 75 and yesterday came home exhausted from having goe to two affairs, and when I was younger would not have felt this at all. But I'm not in Biden's position in a increasingly rotting system, now increasingly undermined shamelessly by GOP people. If you don't want Biden as POTUS next time because he has not passed the FDR stuff, or because he won't do certain kinds of things (expand the Supreme court), then say so. Polls from democratic pollsters show Biden a thorough favorite.
Love this! It infuriates me that Democrats, who did not give him a solid Senate majority, are now criticizing him for anything. He wasn't my choice, but he's amazed me with the schedule he maintains, how he addresses 17 crises at once, always sets the right tone for the tragedies we've suffered, and always fights the good fight. Why aren't the senators we have doing the work of courting moderate Republican votes, which has worked in recent weeks, to pass more of his agenda?
He is the President we have and is getting things done in spite of the sad state of Democracy in this country. People should at least suggest a viable candidate who is interested in running, if they want to pressure Biden to not run again.
So whom do we have in mind as a Democratic candidate? Also, speaking as your gerontological equal, I do wish we would avoid the use of vulgar language in public spaces. As you point out, because aging wolves suffer the pack turning against them, it’s increasingly necessary to maintain our dignity. President Biden is creating a great historical record. He is restoring our standing around the world. Honor is.
If you are hoping to become President of the United States of America, with all due respect I suggest that you not follow the bad grammatical example of the dRumpf . I refer to your sentence "I'm not that good of a salesmanship". Or is that just a matter of non-existent proofreading?
"I am not that good of a salesman" is a reference to the movie "In Good Company". If you have not seen it, I suggest that you do. It is about a young talented executive that eventually earns the respect of a senior salesman among certain progress traps...
[Shakespeare was alright, this is more modern. This is more apropos to the America at large.]
Unfortunately, Trump's base has been manipulated and the only positive-in is to entertain and inspire positivity through these modes.
I'm your age, Dr. Reich, and I, too, think my generation — including Bill and Hillary, George W., Trump, Newt Gingrich, Clarence Thomas, Nancy Pelosi, Chuck Schumer, and Biden – have fucked it up royally. But it's not simply a matter of age: I'd take you or Bernie over DeSantis or MTG any day of the week. I'd take Biden over any of the GQP. He'd not be my first choice, just as he wasn't my first choice in the primaries, but up against any of the ReThuglicans, I'd vote for him. In fact, I'd vote for him over any of the few Republicans who actually still have a sense of honor, like Liz Cheney , Adam Kinzinger, or Mitt Romney: they'd still be to the right of him. The big question is: who do the Democrats have among their younger members who can win?
Here is a list of potential "winners". Because they can speak well and passionately. Because they are on the correct side (the word "right" has been murdered) of the issues. And because the Republican Party and its "platform" is extremely vulnerable. Just read Senator Scotts proposal. Think about the damage done by the Supremely Sick Court. Think about the massacres. Think about how tainted the GOP is with nutcase after nutcase.
Corey Booker
Gavin Newsom
JB Pritzker
Adam Schiff
Stacy Abrams
Eric Swalwell
Val Demmings
Sherrod Brown
Amy Klobuchar
Elizabeth Warren
Pete Buttigieg
You forgot Katie Porter! Her white board can be her vice president! It's all she needs.
Yes, I momentarily thought of her then forgot her on my list, too. She's one of my favorites.
Jaime Ramirez ; I forgot Katie Porter too, after getting distracted at work. Senioritis! I can work and not chew gum!
Haha! Same problem I have
YES!
Yes!
Definitely!
😄👍🏼
Good list of choices, Bill. I'll go with Adam Schiff for Prez with Elizabeth Warren the VPrez.
I want Warren on the Supreme Court. Actually, I want to clone Warren and put a bunch of them on the Supreme Court.
I was hoping for Obama on the Court. He's a constitutional law professor, after all.
No. He's a GoldmanSachs oreo. Blew a golden opportunity to rein in Wall Street and the banks, and didn't give them so much as a slap on the wrist. MAJOR mistake. Whaddaya think Occupy was about? Robert Bork was a law professor too, and so was Ken Starr. Don't mean sheeit.
IMHO, Obama's major legacy is Donald Trump.
Exactly!! He pretended he was Bernie & fooled us all‼️
Not at all! Disappointing in some ways, but still our best president of the last half-century
TRUTH, Rex! And he had a SECOND term where he COULD have made great strides w/inequality & he wouldn’t take the chance! He enjoys being part of the 1%!
Michelle
I like her, too, but it seems she wants to get out of the public life, as much as she shines in it.
Think Michelle would say “I don’t think so”.
I don't think so either. She's smart and charismatic, and less experienced than most lawyers.
Both Obamas!!
Yeah, he was so good at getting his SCOTUS appointment through the Senate. Another loser.
Yes, and it could happen again. Bad combination ..M.McConnell and apparently no law saying how long Congress can hold up a SCJ nomination.
I want her as President, VP, AG, Senate Majority Leader, & Supreme Court Justice, but we're forced to settle for only 1 position.
She was already on the Supreme Court lol , oh that's a different Warren...
seriously, that is a good idea, and take Garland with her.
Jamie Raskin needs to be either on the SC or at DOJ!
Garland is spineless.
I would prefer Elizabeth Warren as President and Adam Schiff as VP
Warren can't win.
Why, because Americans are essentially mysogenistic ?????
YES. PURE AND SIMPLE. THIS COUNTRY FEARS AND HATES POWERFUL WOMEN AND IT IS PATHETIC.
Does the pope $hi7 in Rome?
That's the going meme based on Hillary losing though getting 3 million more votes than Trump, when there were numerous other factors that hurt her campaign. That is flimsy evidence.
By the way, 2 of the 5 main contenders for the Democratic nomination were women until the Democratic establishment decided to go all in for Biden last time
What has made you decide that?
Clinton had her theories. https://www.vox.com/2016/7/11/12105960/hillary-clinton-popularity-poll-approval-ratings
I wonder what do you see in Adam Schiff that I don't. He's always been a centrist.
He won me over in his handling of the impeachment hearings. His closing arguments were thorough, succinct, and right to the point. His view of what America stands for had me in tears actually. I think he is more progressive than meets the eye. I also like that as a lawyer he knows the law and articulates it well. He's fair and unflappable. Together with Warren, they would make a formidable team! But I do want Warren in charge. Schiff could easily take on the presidency after her. This is my dream for what it's worth.
I agree about Rep. Schiff, I always find his interviews on CNN and MSNBC insightful and informative. And his book is a must read. And he has been a hero in both
the impeachment hearings and the Jan. 6 hearings. I don't think Sen. Warren has a chance for POTUS in 2024 unless more women in the U.S. will vote for a woman. I think Schiff has a better chance in 2024 with Warren as VP!
He's a lot more principled than most politicians & very eloquent at expressing his thoughts.
I wasn't aware of where he sat on the ideological spectrum & have wondered. He has been in the spotlight on matters of justice & democracy & little else. Would be interesting knowing where he stands on various issues.
I read his book, "Midnight in Washington" and agree with his views even though I am a progressive.
And the problem with having a centrist?!
I agree but at this time in this country, I think the reverse has a better chance!
Thanks. I'd go with Pete for brains and presentation. He was the favorite in my circle of old people. But I think Brown is the most electable. However, he probably doesn't want the job (again).
I like Buttigieg as VP under Warren. Or is that too much brain power?
Other way around. Warren isn't chrismatic she would be fine as a cabinet member or the courts.
I like Sherrod Brown for his presidential look and voice and message, and that he has been electable in Ohio. He was born in 1952. He seems younger.
He hasn't been a leader on the environment when that should be our #1 priority (along with recovering our democracy), which is why I prefer Merkley, Inslee, Bernie, Warren, Whitehouse, Markey, Grijalva, Schatz, Tlaib & AOC, all of whom recognize the urgency of confronting climate chaos, ecosystem collapse & mass extinction.
I don't think the country as a whole is ready for a progressive candidate in 2024. I know that sucks, but I think the move to progressivism will take a generation.
I love Ed Markey, but he is my age and Trump’s age. Some too old, some too young, too female, too “coastal.” I don’t know Brown’s policies. He would be 72 in 2024.
Yes, add him to the list. He is passionate, articulate, and personable.
I'd reverse that. We need Warren as our President. Schiff would make a good VP or AG. Other good VP choices are Booker, Beto, Buttigieg, Castro (either twin), Merkley, Lieu & AOC.
Yes! AOC.....why aren't more people mentioning her??
She's a somewhat polarizing figure, but she's fearless & brilliant, & whomever the Democrats choose will be pummeled by the opposition & the media regardless & AOC can handle it a lot better than most.
She is brilliant but has not one lick of political savvy. She is the future I think, I hope, but always, like all Bernie supporters is ineffective because she often lets the perfect spoil the good. Like Bernie, who holds the same goals I do, she has had little legislative success because our very broken system requires sausage making and compromise. They both may just be politicians who hold up the vision we need to move toward but likely never achieve. But for me, I like to see Democrats win with legislation not just settle for being right, but with no solid achievement.
Have you seen Mayor Pete on FOX News getting standing ovations?
Too soon. Hopefully down the road. I love her too.
She hasn’t proven herself to me- she knows how to work the media- but she’s hasn’t done much for her constituents- hard pass on her
This is what Fox and the talking heads are saying but she was the one 'out there' to help her constituents in person. She has been so maligned unjustly and the media has done a good job of minimizing her, afraid as all the patriarchy is of a powerful woman. She cares; she is brilliant, and she speaks truth to power. I believe that she has the makings of an outstanding President someday.
Because she's whipped. Did she come out against Ukraine? Did she come out against Syria, Yemen, Libya? What has she done?
I don't think she has enough experience to be effective in those areas yet.
She's not even 35 yet. Maybe 2028!
I think she will be by Inauguration Day in 2025. But I agree that she's probably not ready for it yet.
I'd rather see Schiff as AG. But my dream AG is Malcolm Nance. The AG doesn't need a law degree (neither do SCOTUS justices.)
Good choices Wolfger
Yes! That ticket has my vote!!
No more congress people for PREZ!
I would like to see a candidate that wasn't another root from the same corporate-backed Democratic (or Republican) plant. We need candidates that are not dependent on money from corporations. It seems to me it doesn't matter who you put forth as a candidate if they are beholden to their funders. Money has saturated our political system, when are we going to change this pattern.
Susan, there will be no attempt to get money out until we get a larger Democratic majority. Then we must work on seating more progressives who are will to remove money from this corrupted system. But we have to get to step one first.
Well, it feels like a hopeless situation if we have to rely on the Democrats to meet step one. Examples include Manchin, Sinema and the endorsements of a long term prominent Democrat who supported a conservative Democratic candidates over the more progressive Democratic candidate (Texas).Having a majority of Democrats won't guarantee a better outcome because it depends on who our current party will accept into their group, and this is up to the people with big money. Progressives have been branded taboo, radical, which they are not, and is very convenient for both Republicans and Democrats. This is how it feels to me.
There will never be any changes in the House as long as Nancy (do nothing) Pelosi is speaker.
It won't/can't change until there are enough "not old white people" in Cong. who will legislate away Citizens United and protect voting rights.
Who can afford a run these days without a big war chest?
We need to move to direct democracy. We've got the internet to support that move and send all these scumbags packing.
Or the Parliamentary system similar to England.
Dream on. Since the Citizens United decision by the far right SC, such a dream went completely up in smoke. Of course, we’d been watching the costs of campaigning rise each election cycle. CU put all that on steroids.
Pete and Liz works for me. I think Kamala Harris is brilliant and tough but misogyny and racism are against her winning. I HATE having to say that!!!!!!!!
She is fabulous, but a STRONG women (good thing). I don't see her as a diplomat or top leader.
I don't agree with your comments on Kamala Harris. She came across brilliant as a prosecuting attorney questioning members of Congress. She has completely fizzled out as a V.P. She would probably make a good AG.
I'd love to see more people return to the Senate or House after serving. The Senate could use Kamala Harris back in its ranks. Desperately.
Of your list I’ll take Gavin for President and Val or Cory for VP. Gavin because he has run California and weathered many political storms. Val or Cory because they are passionate about democracy, and they are both kind and compassionate humans.
Adam Schiff stands tall in this group because he was the star of the Trump impeachments. I think he’d be a superb President.
Adam Schiff is impressive in his stands. However, he is too wooden to excite a lot of people who need charisma. We will never have another Obama in that way, but we do need someone who motivates enthusiasm.
if you want charisma, intelligence, and compassion; CORY BOOKER
if you want charisma, intelligence, and compassion; CORY BOOKER
Add Jeff Merkley, Sheldon Whitehouse, Brian Schatz, Raul Grijalva & Ted Lieu to that list. I would also include Pramila Jayapal, Ro Khanna, Rashida Tlaib & AOC although I've been told they are too "radical" to get elected, although they are a lot closer to mainstream opinion than many Republicans who get elected with ease, & have ideas that we desperately need to get back on the right track. Jay Inslee is another I like a lot who has the proper emphasis on the environment, but I've been told he is too dull to excite voters.
I didn’t add AOC, but I’m not sure she’s ready. I have the utmost respect & admiration for her. I think she’s be a superb president. She is NOT too radical. She is painted that way & it infuriates me.
I’d take Sheldon Whitehouse for just about any leadership role if he could be replaced with someone as good. Honestly, Democrats have a solid bank of strong candidates if we could quit fighting among our any selves to get them elected.
I do admire the women you include. They are even closer to my personal views. IMHO it's too dangerous for them to run. We Need to stop the national slide into hell! They can continue to fight and then run next cycle.
I hate to say I agree about running “dangerous” candidates whom I actually prefer. Likely it is DeSantis we would be up against.
So how is it that the Republican Party gets to run truly dangerous extremist candidates that want to take away the liberty, equality & democracy our nation was founded on as well as divide the nation, trash the environment & siphon all wealth & power from the vast majority of Americans to a few billionaires & giant multinational corporations, & actually win with those candidates, & we dare not run "dangerous" candidates that do the reverse & try to make this a much better country & world?
Very very good question. Maybe we underestimate our fellow countrymen’s good sense because most news features the outrageous authoritarian-strongman-loving types?
Yes! Jeff Merkley and Jay Inslee are right up there. I lived in both OR and WA and they are strong, clear headed supporters of civil rights, climate change amelioration and safety net. I really admire them both.
Agree!!
Nice list. I especially love Rashida.
Yes, she is really active, doing a lot of good things.
A lot of talk a good game till they get pushed in a corner. Because they are Congress they don't have to make hard choices which is why no one should be elected from Congress ever again.
Don't need to risk losing senate seats.
I love Cory Booker. Brains and heart, what more do you want? The others listed have these qualities too. Which one has the best chance at winning?
He’s wonderful.
I was surprised he didn't do much better in 2020. He was the most consistently strong performer in all the debates, & he has a very positive, unifying presence. I hope he tries again.
Yes, he seems like a really good guy. His color (absurd) probably hurts him with the racists, of whom there seem to be many. Tragic.
True, but Booker trailed Biden even among Blacks. Biden got the most votes from Blacks, & I think his poll numbers were higher than Booker & Harris combined. If I recall correctly, Bernie was 2nd among Blacks.
I have noticed that Blacks show very little racial discrimination when voting. Policy & familiarity are the main considerations. They were familiar with Biden & generally liked what he stood for, so he got their votes.
Biden's fortune shot up with the endorsement of the black Rep. Clyburn of SC.
Interesting, I see lists of names and no one mentions Kamela Harris. If Biden would run again with her she would become POTUS that is if he wins. That alone would be a huge factor in the campaign.
I would take Kamela Harris over any republican candidate (except), but I fear she would be locked out of the Senate like most Democrats are today. I would take Liz Chaney if she were to run..as a Democrat. She 'is' not afraid to stand up for the USA's ideals. Also, Adam Schiff with Liz as Vice President. Please, not a nutball republican!
Liz Cheney was all for losing Roe V Wade at fed level and handing it over to the many theocratic states. She has stepped forward to do her duty and recognized truth over lies. She is very right wing and if you haven’t learned a lesson on putting ANY republican in office after seeing what is happening now. I wouldn’t trust your judgement.
I’m thankful she had the integrity to stand for facts! But it does NOT make her a good candidate for us!
Absolutely, and totally. Liz Cheney is okay with suppressing the votes, take a look at her history. She's been amazing in this situation but she's everything the GOP is doing to us today otherwise.
I’d only vote for her if she was on the ticket as VP with a Democrat. I think she’ll run- without Rep endorsement. She and her father are a strategy team that will be differing beat
Thank you, but you missed my point.....if she ran as a Democrat!
A Democrat like Manchin or Sinema is no Democrat at all.
She'd have to radically change her views that she has held throughout her career, which I can't see her doing on most issues, plus she is much more valuable to us if she runs in the Republican primary & humiliates her competition there.
Warren/Schiff yes. Cheney should run in the Republican primary & destroy Trump & others of his ilk. If it's Trump vs. Biden again, I might vote for Cheney if she runs as an Independent, depending on what she runs on & the respective VP choices. I think it would be a mistake to run Harris unless she shows substantial growth, initiative & wisdom in the next year or so.
Agree big time. Liz has the balls to revitalize the republic. Do worry a bit about where her policy "center" would be.
Right of, that’s where. The wholesale perfidy of tfg and what used to be known as the Republican Party in all likelihood hasn’t caused that leopard to change her spots that much.
So far not at all on major policy votes in the House, but it appears that Adam Kinzinger has had a more heartening change of heart.
She’s a devour conservative on abortion, gun rights etc!
She’s doing the right thing now—but I wouldn’t vote for her as POTUS!
DEVOUT
Kamala Harris seems to be uncomfortable in front of a camera. She seems to be reading her speeches rather than delivering them from the heart. I’m wondering when the next Obama-like candidate will emerge from relative obscurity.
Obama was the biggest disappointment of any candidate I’ve ever supported. He squandered his opportunities and let banks off the hook. I’ll give him grudging credit for watered down health care reform and for having presidential bearing. Hilary would have gotten more done. Obama would have trounced Trump.
Are you serious?! Why would someone as right -wing as Cheney run as a Dem! Her father did enough damage to this country—we don’t need her in a higher position!!
And politically she’s just like daddy. I am grateful She and Kinzinger are willing to tell the truth and in doing so face threats. But they are abiding by their oath to the Constitution. It doesn’t make either one a desirable political candidate. It just says they are one of VERY few RetrumpliCons who have sanity.
I said...If she would be a democrat! Not a Democrat like Munchin..a Democrat..Like me. We need strength in the Democrat party and not so hard line like, like so many Democrats are. Someone to balance things out instead of wanting it right NOW! In business you have to be firm, but able to negotiate. I don't see the Democrats standing firm. Being aggressive. There isn to enough Democrats in our government with, heaven for bid I should use this term, but here goes..with the balls to make change.
Gerald We’ve negotiated 40 years to the Republicans demands and here we are. We don’t negotiate with terrorists and seditionists.
IF??? You think she’s going to change parties?? We have PLENTY of STRONG progressive women to run❗️
I do not agree. Kamala would lose.
Harris appears to be a neo liberal! So is Obama & neither of them let us know this when they ran! Where has she been all this time! If people think she’s being “ held back”—that’s on her! She needs to SPEAK Up!
I would also add Jamie Raskin and Hakeem Jeffries, Congressman from N.Y. Loved the video of him addressing Clarence Thomas.
Add Jamie Raskin and Hakeem Jeffries - loved the video addressing Clarence Thomas.
this is a strong list and I'd like to see some of these folks make serious headway in Congress. However, I also feel like we need someone who is electable to the independents and centrist Dems (and even Repubs...they exist...really!!). I think Pete B fits that bill. Possibly Booker too. Newsom is too polarizing though he runs a huge state.
Agree. Pete B is would be a great president--I voted for him in the primary--and so would Cory B. But that would require homophobia and racism among voters to not exist. Is that realistic?
Our candidates need to be inspiring, preferably charismatic & hopefully problem solvers with creative ideas. Trying to overthink someone's electability like, oh that person is too progressive, a woman can't win, nobody will vote for a gay man, Americans are too racist for a Black to win, will give us a dull candidate that hardly anybody really wants.
Politics, like a game of chess, is about strategy. I wish inspiration, charisma, problem-solving and creativity were enough, but they're not. Politicians need to know their competition, the political landscape, and must know what's important to voters, what biases they have, how many voters are in their bas, and how to unite that base. They must use social media and other digital tools effectively, and they must campaign effectively--both offensively and defensively.
Those are all important in running a campaign, but my point is that the character & characteristics of candidates & what they stand for are more important than their race, sex, etc.
Pete B is way more polarizing than even Newsom—so, no, not a good choice at all!
PLUS—where has he been all this time?!
(He was actually on paternity leave when the supply chain issues started—that made me realize he doesn’t walk his talk!)
He gets a pretty positive response from Fox viewers, so it doesn't sound like he is too polarizing.
His biggest problem, based on what I saw in the 2020 debates, is that his replies are too canned, making him sound insincere. But he is capable of much better & would likely fare significantly better next time. He is extremely intelligent.
All these choices are well-qualified, but the question is, who can reliably WIN against right wing kooks like Trump or DeSantis?
HINT: It's not how qualified the Dem candidate is.
Hilary Clinton was one of the most accomplished and qualified women to have run for office, and while she won the popular vote, she lost the EC. It's sad to say, but the majority of people still will not elect a woman for president, even though there are so many qualified women available. The only way a woman will become president is if she's VP, and the president dies.
Yes, Obama was elected, but look at the extreme racist swingback we're getting now. It's horrible, but I don't see Booker, Demmings, or Abrams winning the presidency in 2024.
Adam Schiff–or anyone on the J6 committee, including Republicans–holds very little sway with the middle swath of the country, even though they are all highly qualified.
I voted for Buttigieg in the primary--he's utterly brilliant and well-spoken, but the way voters are, he'd only work as VP–and we'd be lucky to have him.
That leaves Newsom, Swallwell, Brown, and I'll offer Pritzger as an option, too. The big question is, who could realistically win against whatever candidate the GOP choses?
Voter turnout was at an all-time high of 67% in 2020. That's great it was so high, but it still means ONE THIRD of this country did not make their voices heard.
Let's hope voter turnout in 2024 will be better, because our democracy is hanging on by a frayed thread.
IMHO, Ron de Santis is not a "kook" He spouts the kooky krap that has become the GOP mainstream platform, but he is extremely smart and extremely ambitious. And extremely dangerous. I can't imagine how effed up things would be now had he won the GOP nomination and the election in 2016.
Ron de Santis won because of the maternal backlash when they discovered CRT had quietly slipped into their third-graders' math books. The real lesson: Don't screw around with a mom's third-grader's math book, but focus on Math! CRT could be introduced in a Social Studies or History class in Middle or High school. Third-graders get along fine. They have not been taught prejudice unless they came from a really radical home.
It is simply not true that only children who come "from a really radical home" learn prejudice. My parents never said anything I remember about the races generally or specifically. They never used pejoratives like the N-word, and considered themselves enlightened and open-minded. Yet somehow my siblings and I learned that we white kids were better. Lesson: It is as much in things that are not said, as in things that are, from which kids learn prejudice. Kids infer all sorts of things. To assert that "only children who come from a really radical home learn prejudice is dangerously ignorant.
Rex: Bet you also had the same attitude towards poor white kids. I remember passing you in the hall at school and being invisible to people like you. I believe it's called being a SNOB.
Rex, This is your personal experience. I am aware that racism is a societal fact, and my use of the word. "radical," was indicative of real haters or white supremacists. I was raised in a poor, white family. and the only belief I remember was witnessing the pain of my black neighbors and feeling helpless, that I lived in a world in which I was powerless to change it. How you and your siblings adopted the idea that you were better than other races may have been instilled in you by your response to others who felt that way in your own little tribal world. I really don't know you, but I bet you came from a well-to-do family and lived in an all-white, exclusive (understand that word?). neighborhood with white schools or newly-segregated ones . Maybe I am mistaken. I DO KNOW YOU are mistaken that I am dangerously ignorant. I consider your choice of words to be condescending, hateful and judgmental.. Your response is radically prejudicial in itself. That alone tells me a lot about you.
Biden & Dems inherited a 4-year mess from Trump & are doing the best they can, but the Party is WAY off course to win the mid-terms & next Presidential election. Here are my perceptions:
1. A ONE major blunder is advocating school authorities to tell ANY parent that a parent has no rights in the classroom (Biden comment)! F ACT: Gender issues should be between parents, doctors/& their psychologists. Teachers should teach reading, writing and math. This ONE issue could make DeSantis our next President.
2. Elevating the Woke Culture to an extreme has become ridiculous to the average voter. I am a true liberal on sexual identity/freedom to choose, etc. Too many silly examples to mention.
3. A BIG PLUS is the gun issue. Quit using the term "gun reform." (reform has a bad connotation & implies the person must change his view). A better psych term would be "AMEND gun laws." The evangelicals will hear "AMEN" with out the "d" over and over.
4. Same principle with the term "Defund the Police." Whoever thought of that one should be fired. It implies "Fire the Police" or something WAY more sinister than the intent. WORDS MATTER.
I just saw the presumptive Dem candidates on The Hill. NONE of them will make it! We need someone who is passionate, articulate. intelligent and knowledgeable in all governmental issues Many are influenced by charisma. Not everyone can have the charm and wit of Obama, but it is an influential factor. We need a leader who can inspire and move people! Why not Jamie Raskin? I also like Hakeem Jeffries. Susan Rice would be a great Sec of State - black, female, government experience in domestic & international affairs, articulate, poised and DIGNIFIED! Sorry, but Kamala Harris has proved to be a terrible choice for V.P. She should stay in her lane and would make a good Atty. Genl.
Just some thoughts - don't know everyone.
I think the most important factor is how inspirational the candidate is. Some of them are moderately inspirational.
Warren is 73.
With far more energy & mental acuity than others her age & a lot younger, always with great ideas to solve our problems
Good point. I voted for her in the primary. But perhaps her presidential ship has sailed.
Me too. Someone has said Americans would not vote to see a woman get older on TV. With a real majority in the Senate, Warren would show her stuff and make a huge difference there.
Policy wonks seldom win.
Elizabeth Warren is a wonderful person. However, she has a schoolmarm persona that might lead to considerable “negatives” in the polls. I seem to remember that voters in her own state didn’t support her quest for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2020.
By then, the party establishment had decided who should win the primary & voters followed them like sheep.
Through the first 3 primaries, the Top 3 votegetters were Bernie Buttigieg & Warren, in that order. I think that even Klobuchar was ahead of Biden. Then the party establishment weighed in, tipped the scales for Biden for his first win in South Carolina, got Buttigieg (who even after South Carolina had placed ahead of Biden overall), Klobuchar & Steyer to withdraw (when at least 95% of the delegates remained to be chosen) before Super Tuesday (when the Massachusetts primary took place), & from then on it was skewed in favor of Biden as both Bernie & especially Warren were marginalized & told by the party establishment to get out of the way of the Biden steamroller.
She can't win.
Sure she can & she would if people would stop listening to "conventional wisdom" propagated by the establishment about who can or cannot win, & vote for the person they believe would make the best president.
Dammit! We face multiple existential crises -- our democracy, national unity, stability, sovereignty, climate, environment & biosphere are all in imminent peril -- & only an extraordinary politician like Warren, who keeps churning out well thought-out plans to solve our problems, has what it takes to meet these challenges.
We should eliminate candidates based on their obvious inability to rise to the occasion (there goes over 95% of the potential candidates; Warren is one of the few left standing), not on some outdated, poorly founded rationale about who is or isn't electable that has repeatedly proven to be mistaken.
Not Newsome—he did a great job w/the pandemic w/41 million people in CA, but he isn’t ready to run for President & he’s too controversial.
Agree, as CA voter. Coastal pols are a suspicious bunch from pov of middle country folks, I think.
Interesting perspective.
I beg to differ. We created the World Wide Web, a social revolution, world wide music, the clean air act, the voting rights act, the clean water act, the Indian Child Welfare Act, the Toxic Substances Control Act, the Superfund Law, the Fungicide, insecticide etc act, and I can go on at length. All the groaning about our errors are imprecise. The truth is that we got beat by murder, money, and media. You want to blame someone for money in politics? Who did that? Not us. We are the people who fought against corruption and wars. Stand up straight and proud and the next time someone says we made a mess of things tell them what I said. Now let’s get some work done and show our stuff again.
Things would undoubtedly be worse without the accomplishments of our generation, but it also cannot be denied that we could have done more. We were complacent given the gravity of the problems that confronted us. And we let the conservatives within the Dem party exclude those of us who saw the need for fundamental change. And they proceeded to make colossal mistakes, e.g. letting the working class and rural Americans go to the GOP.
I am traveling right now and can only reply in brief. Need to know what happened, and we not they could not defeat the culture.
Unfortunately pointing to the good things the democrats have done in the past won't do a bit of good in the current milieu and has the distinct danger of being a distraction that can lull people into a false sense of pride. The Democrats need vision NOW and they need to find something within them NOW that will move them off their collective duffs.
They have Pete Buttigieg, Gretchen Whitmer, Adam Schiff, Amy Klobuchar, Jamie Raskin, but of all, I think Pete Buttigieg is by far the best.
Jamie Raskin is on my list too
Buttigieg will be 40 in Jan 0f 2024. Kennedy became President at 43. Pete just looks young, but he is brilliant on his feet. I saw the documentary "Mayor Pete" on Prime Video. It made me realize that he is a warm, caring person, but learned early in life to mask his emotions because of being a closet gay. A very tough lady in his campaign worked hard to make him emote more during the presidential run. If he learns to do this better, he is a winner. His husband is also very kind and well-spoken. His Wikipedia reveals he actually has a lot of experience on many levels - please read.
And he goes on Fox News often, which not many others brave, & hands Fox themselves in his responses 😂. He is generally well received by those viewers.
Biden was what the times called for. He may still be. Please don't weaken our party by a focus on him now. IT'S WHAT GOP WANTS. Not debate on democracy and women's freedom.
I so agree. I also wonder how this theme might affect Biden’s poll numbers…certainly not positively.
His polls are
Carolyn Callaway ; beneath the pit as it I don't trust polls because with very few exceptions they can be bought. Our corporate owned media love to game opinions with their opinion polls.
I disagree. I do not want another centrist POTUS willing to bend to the will of big corporations. We need to push for a progressive tax system. We need to repeal Citizens United. We need to make living in America affordable again, and a politician who has lined his pockets with the endorsements of big pharma. Companies do not care who wins the political ticket as long as they can hold them by the purse strings. https://www.opensecrets.org/industries/indus.php?cycle=2020&ind=H4300
Shisa: I agree. I fully supported Bernie Sanders, and look how the Dem Party screwed him for Hillary. A lot of people I know voted for Trump because they despised Hillary. (I did vote for her in the General). History is slow to change. When Bernie ran, the term "democratic socialism" was made out to be a scary word; now it is acceptable. Also, the general populace tends to vote on emotional issues, and the Republican Party knows how to manipulate that fact. The Repugnants equated socialism with communism, and many ignorant people shook in fear.
But it’s not about what you want. If Democrats are going to govern as the party it professes to be, then a centrist OT a slightly left of center candidate has got to be fielded. There are a lot of things people under this big umbrella want but we don’t govern as a monarchy. We got away from that, remember? It’s the voters who decide The Who, what, when and where these issues are dealt with and it all begins on the local level. Look around. This is what republicans realized and have been doing for years. Democrats just got lazy and forgot about putting forth solid candidates in at the local level then supporting them all the way through to the federal level. Al Franken had a great guest on his You Tube cast today. His guest is David Pepper who has written a book titled “Laboratories of Autocracy” which, if you don’t want to read the book, at least have a listen to Al’s You Tube cast for today(10/30/22).
Well said. Corporate power is a huge factor and one the the chains that binds our political system.
Agree!
Exactly! Who are we(Democrats) grooming ? Where is the combination of a Johnson who could manipulate and denigrate and still get things done? Where is a Bobby Kennedy who finally got compassion, where are those who understand the facts about a strong middle class? Where are those who actually believe in a strong working class?
Every time we actually get a tiny taste of a strong ,moral ,dedicated ,educated ,and compassionate person we flip.
We play the same game over and over until most of us lose hope(?a terrible place to get).
We all know that money in politics coming from corporations is not working, we know that the Supreme Court us not working, we know that non-unionized working conditions are not working. We know that the tax system is not working for most of us. We know that arming ourselves simply means WE die as a nation. We know that hating simply destroys us. We know that lobbying by the wrong groups is anti-democracy.
We know so much and yet we blather and blather over and over. We know that social media is simply big business in control completely. We know that teachers and nurses carry the load and get demeaned with low wages and terrible working
conditions. We know that corporate buying up of real estate leaves most people homeless. We know that we use the words mental health to describe those who have suffered alone and yet we are busy filling our very own Congress with mentally shaky individuals. Who are we? What is it we really want? Who is it we can trust and support in leading us?
Or is this more blather?
President Biden should not run again and he should not in honor of all of us who know we couldn’t take the rigors of the responsibility. We are wise, loyal, educated, caring of one another. Let’s help one another by actually demanding of ourselves to want a leader who will show us how to give back, take care of, be responsible for our own actions, live within the law, demand facts and put regulation back into our vocabulary.
Where are you fearless , moral, compassionate and hugely intelligent leader?
I wish it were true that boomers on the whole are wise and compassionate. Maybe a small majority of them are, and I hope so. But I am AMAZED at how reactionary many of my former schoolmates have turned out. AMAZED and FLABBERGASTED.
Yes, the hippies of the 60s and 70s have become the CEOs of today.
Jean, Great thoughts! ONE big thing they don't talk about: Our economy went on a slow ride to Hell when big corporations starting going overseas to produce with slave labor. They have always said "to cut costs," but we know it has always been about PROFITS. The Congress needs to vigorously pass tax laws on their imports here, their tax havens and any other measure to bring the good manufacturing jobs back to the USA.
Lots of good thoughts this morning on the subject of age as it relates to physical and mental capabilities to do a job…any job.
Just an example, Jean, regarding who is fearless, super intelligent, knows what the middle class is and why it is diminished, as well unions ….. Bernie! and he has integrity plus. Many others who fit bill, and have vast Experience, in the U.S. and the world, as we all live on the same planet, are out there too….and may just be over 65. We in the U.S. have fought very hard and long against age, sex, ethnic or color barriers, and still have frightening way to go!
I supported Bernie last time and Warren.
I believe age is not restricting. However, we always have to be grooming the next generation. They have to feel that they are a major part of our Nation as leaders. And they only learn from an example made by older and wiser teachers! Or better said “adults”.
You are correct Bonnie. And as “older” adults we can play a powerful role in preparing our younger selves to be ready to take the lead.
I think genetics play a part too and unfortunately I don’t see Joe prospering in that arena. Looks at least his age. He should stay off of bicycles
My 20+ year old granddaughter did the same thing riding her bicycle to work…landed in cactus…all caught on security camera. She posted it for all to see!
Excellent points and very well put.
Thank you Martin. I am fairly new to this whole experience so feel validated. That is nice!
I'm glad you're having a good experience!
Wow. Great comment and sums up my frustration. Thank you and I think we are reduced to only prayers. We need to get serious
A response I made to someone else, whose comment is waaaaaaaaay down at the bottom of the list:
Unlike many here, I still like Andrew Cuomo. HE stood up and told ol' Chins McConnel off about "blue state bailouts," while everyone else was behaving like Uvalde cops. Of course, the political retribution meted out to him - and his brother - was swift and devastating. Nevertheless, I'm a Cuomo guy, and would vote for him for anything without hesitation.
IMHO, he has every trait you call for in your statement:
"IMO we need a charismatic, TOUGH democratic candidate that isn't necessarily a "professional" politician, who isn't owned by private/corporate interests - not that Joe is - and is fit for a deep mud fight with the vile and treasonous opposition now in place."
(I'm not convinced an amateur politician has necessarily been appropriate for a long, long time - ol' Tweety comes immediately to mind - regardless of Republicans who decry, but still consistently elect their own crop of wankers! If a pro politician is inevitable, >make it Cuomo.<)
Omg, Maureen, my very sentiments!!! Yeah, and I'm 76 and I am mortified that these septuagenarians and octogenarians are dominating the country with their utterly selfish, greedy, STUPID, regressive politics ruining the country.
I'm 64 and fed up with them making the rest of us who are older look bad, and fed up with younger voters assuming we are all the same.
So well said. Agree 100%
Thank you. There are younger Democrats I'd vote for in a heartbeat--like AOC--but I don't think they could win.
Good candidates among 22 Democratic governors.
https://democraticgovernors.org/governors/
From the cabinet. https://www.whitehouse.gov/administration/cabinet/
I personally recommend finding a "clean" candidate. Someone willing to be completely open. Who can pass the Foreign Service Officer Test (FSOT)?
https://www.wsj.com/articles/foreign-service-officer-test-state-department-diplomat-american-foreign-service-association-afsa-diversity-inclusion-merit-corruption-transparency-11651526027
We are a celebrity culture. Nothing will change in government until that culture dies. Cultures die hard!
I agree.
I agree that there are Democratic politicians who would probably do a good job. But why is it that we seem to need to dig to find them? What aren't they leaping off the pages into the public eye?
Maybe because the pages have become web pages and mass media is a soup of confusion and misinformation. Not only that but we've got an addiction to what I'd call fear porn that drives people to look for and publicize stupid garbage initiated by unqualified experts, like the Canadian doctor group pushing fear-based misinformation about vaccines. Porn addicts absolutely love that stuff.
It all works together to build an environment of confusion, fear and distrust. All it takes to shoot the good guys down is an unfounded explosive accusation. These things don't hurt the crazies because their appeal isn't about integrity or authenticity. Maybe ammunition is needed that exposes weakness, uncertainty, and other things that their followers would feel disdain for?
Is there a way, or are there ways, to clean things up? I know Dr. Reich's group is working at that. I hope it will catch on and spread to others who'll do similar work.
Politicians never do a good job; they allow a good job to happen
Lol
If you've been following what I've been saying, looking for a "clean" candidate.
People don't seem to have any idea where the "bench" is. 22 state governors. Probably 3-4 in the cabinet. I like Inslee, Gretchen Whitmer, Martin O'Malley, Pete Buttigieg. I think Deb Haaland would break the mold. How about Deval Patrick? I want someone who is an inspirational speaker. I also want someone who can pass the foreign service test and a lie detector test. No surprises.
I don't remember why Pete Buttigieg didn't make the cut last time but I like him. His action in TX was great.
What I find frustrating is how progressive Democrats are often characterized as radical. The really radical people are the radical regressives on the right. They are NOT conservative at all. They want to drag us so far backward it will take generations to make up lost ground. Look at the high court as as prime example. They are best best majority Charles Koch, et. al could buy.
Joe Biden is a decent person, but I am not sure he has enough fire in his belly to be the warrior democracy needs at this time. But he does not deserve to be screamed at because he doesn’t have enough people in Congress to get stuff done for the American people. The voters in state elections did not send enough to Congress to get legislation passed. That filibuster is one of the STUPIDEST things I have ever heard of. The horrendous laws the Regressives are passing are done by majorities, not supermajorities. If anyone thinks the Regressives would not get rid of the filibuster in a skinny minute, you’re crazy!
Sadly, Dems are divided. 'Progressive' Dems couldn't be satisfied with a partial win on 'Build Back Better' -- so no part of BBB was passed. Again and again, we see a lack of team playing by Dems in congress.
Unlike Republicans, who no matter what, vote in unison on legislation, resulting in a full or partial win toward theur overall goal.
It's easy: If we want our Democrat leaders to be in lockstep, just threaten their lives and their kids and other family members lives..That is how the Wingers do it, how they get everyone in line. It has been shown to be so. I get tired of hearing that Democrats can't get it together. Big money is what threatens the Democrats every time. Wingers have little to offer but threats and the ability to buy off the Supreme Court, and other 'people'. Oh, and people like Manchin and Sinema.
Good points!
Don't overthink a candidate's electability. The winners tend to be the ones that inspire (think Obama & Bernie until the Democratic establishment propagated the notion that he couldn't win despite faring much better in the polls against Trump, using outdated conventional wisdom that makes no sense in the anti-establishment environment we live in today). AOC is inspiring & would get millions of younger people to vote for her that wouldn't vote otherwise. Those trying to figure out electability always seem to ignore that factor. They say younger people should vote regardless, but they won't unless inspired by the candidates, & they're not the only ones. When voting in the primaries, go with your heart & you won't go wrong
And boyhowdy, doesn't that idea make me depressed.
Me too!
CORY BOOKER
What about the "fit and fighting" young Kamala Harris?!
On what basis - polls, for example - do you conclude that any person of color could win?
Just don't think she can win
Here's another possibility - along with a little food for thought: https://youtu.be/-HPA3BVorZA
yes, but it is time for capable women, POC and gender diversity to be seen equally qualified or even better qualified when they are so --- white males have the appearance that old people like and failed to see in Hillary ONLY because she was a woman. I did not prefer Hillary, but voted for her. Still I was older people who claimed to be Democrats rationalizing why a woman isn't best for leading the most powerful nation in the world. That has got to stop to see progress in all the other equality areas too.
I agree that misogyny had a lot to do with her defeat. However, there's also a deep-seated Hillary hatred that goes all the way back to Watergate. You know she was involved with the impeachment committee that went after Nixon, don't you? That may have been ol' Tweety's "edge." I don't think it was any kind of accident the Republicans went after her husband, ol' "Slick Willie."
Oh, I'm sure you're right. I'm just sayin' that if he ever did make pass at the slippery pole, I'd vote for him without reservation. Whatever his sins or shortcomings, I admire his guts in standing up to McConnell and sticking his head in a buzz saw. Helluva shame it came down on his brother, too. I liked his news commentary.
So so so true - totally shree with you. How is it possible that there are no experienced, smart, humane, adult (in the best sense) Democrats to run for President? Someone who can WIN.
And how is it that Republicans have no problem electing people lacking these characteristics?
I'll add Sheldon Whitehouse to this list. Smart, verbal, charismatic enough, dedicated and not able to be intimidated.
Please educate me and ( us) on Sheldon Whitehouse.
So much coming at us that one has limited time to think.
Thank you Tom Pope
Mr.Pope, I looked up Senator from Rhode Island. Yes, I see he would be a good candidate. Good to know. It gives us hope in so many ways.
Sincerely,
Good, you beat me to my response. Check him out on Youtube etc. He has tremendous gravitas, in which nattering conspiracy theorists will fall aside like bugs in a bug lamp on a summer's eve.
Pete Buttigieg
Well said. Thank you
Please Joe, I am your age and you are too old. The Democrats have an embarrassment of riches in fabulous candidates. Let’s give them a chance!
I strongly disagree. I think Joe Bidens experience is a plus in such a fraught political environment.
But his mental faculties are slower and less reliable. I know I am his age. Frustrating as it is; we are old.
His legislative results with a razor slim Senate majority in the most toxic political environment imaginable is better than President Obama who was much younger but had less time clocked up in Federal politics. President Biden’s International performance is also outstanding. His physical fitness level is way beyond most Americans close to his age. His diet may well be a very healthy one to support that which would also support mental processes. The criticism of his alertness was a gas-lighting GOP trick to divert attention from Trump’s raving tangents and physical limitations and now Democrats have ben influenced. I’ve seen that happen before, it’s very unfortunate. When you compare your mental acuity to Joe Biden’s are you as fit? Do you keep your mind as focused on multiple tasks? His results as President are what matters to me. This is too pivotal a time for someone younger to be learning on the job. The only other person I wanted to see in that office is Elizabeth Warren, also in her 70’s. I think Joe Biden is exactly who we need right now and he’s proving that to be true.
As a retired ICU nurse and then clinician for a huge medical device company where I was responsible for four patents when in my 60’s, I think I would compare my IQ and abilities with President Biden. As you age there are changes in your abilities that happen to every one. Also the world belongs to the younger ages… we will die soon. Don’t you think they have a different point of view and commitment that reflects that. We made a real mess of things.
Biden isn't on the 2022 ballot. Let's get the 2022 election taken care of before we talk about who should be running in 2024. That is critical and should be our current focus.
Completely agree! In fact I wonder if the issue of Biden’s age has been amped up by the GOP to throw Democrats off our game. We need to expand our Senate majority, hold the House and elect as many Democrats as we can for State and local positions as a matter of urgency.
we also need to think practically and strategically by focusing our money and time and expertise on races we actually CAN win, or that we probably can win. we cannot afford to waste our resources on races that we have no chance of winning.
I actually think this is what the democrats have been doing. focusing on the wrong candidates. for instance, they have offered no support to Gary Chambers running in Louisiana (our poorest state against a racially insensitive nutter). and they did the same to AOC & still do. Nina Turner in Ohio, yet they supported Fetterman in Pennsylvania so quickly even I was surprised. i guess they fear Dr.Oz or something. My point is that they are doing what they have always done & I don’t think it works anymore. i don’t think the, only the races we can win, is a good strategy because it makes large swaths of the country feel alienated. and when people are struggling & alienated at the same time? that’s when people turn sides & become radical. just my opinion of course, i’ve no stats to back this up other than living in Mississippi.
I live in PA. I can tell you Dr. Oz is a nitwit. The last thing the US needs is another lying charlatan in the senate. The last I read, he still is not living in PA. His residence is in NJ.
The only differences between him and the quack _rump is that he isn't morbidly obese and never sexually assaulted one his family members . . . as far as we know.
i cannot understand how investing in a candidate running for public office in a race that s/he cannot possibly win is a realistic or sound strategy. i don't know about you, but i have extremely limited resources (money, time, energy, brain space) and i wish to use those limited resources to the benefit of those who CAN win and then, who can and will use their platform and influence (neither or which i have) to pull others up afterwards.
Limited time, resources, etc is exactly why the winners need the losers. For support and community. A few winners cannot handle the load.
As another person living in Mississippi, I have to agree with every point you made above! Hear, hear!
I support many people who haven’t been winners, including myself. One can never create a sense of community if you are only supporting winners. In doing so, you are alienating the very people that made those said “winners” winners. They did not do it on their own. Arnold Schwarzenegger mentioned this recently when he said he takes no credit for his success because it was many other people that made him successful. Nina Turner didn’t win her primary, but I can tell you I would throw down for that woman in a heartbeat. Sometimes the losers end up helping your winners as was done with Joe Biden before he turned his back on some people.
Heart.
Trump isn’t exactly young. I don’t hear anyone talking about that.
I admit to being concerned about Biden’s age every time I see him on tv and when he speaks.
agreed! besides house and senate elections, we also need to be working hard for every democrat all the way up the ballot from school board to governor and secretary of state!
here's some motivation (after i saw that, i kinda freaked out, so maybe take a valium before following that link?):
https://www.politico.com/2022-election/race-forecasts-ratings-and-predictions/
Oh, BOO...HISS. I've given up on polls. They lead either to complacency or despair; neither is useful for Dems at this point.
I can't believe that women's loss of bodily autonomy--of equality itself!-- with the overturning of Roe vs. Wade, hasn't utterly galvanized and fired up every female in this country...that instead we are all obsessed with inflation/gas prices, etc.--things that aren't even under the control of the government (at least not this government), let alone one single man, even if he be President.
That we cannot even sustain our outrage over the radical rightwing activist Injustices for 3 or 4 months, because we all have the attention span of fruit flies? What is wrong with us?
TL Mills. I am a woman. I don't believe in murdering babies. Many women feel as I do. Why you are NOT seeing us galvanize. In today's world use birth control. It is easier than ever. If you are going to have sex be responsible. Women today are smart and savvy. In case of rape or incest each case will be handled to do what is best for the victim. If we as Americans would work on compromises we could move forward with love and compassion.
Oh Cecelia, just watch us galvanize! Pregnant people are not "murdering babies" when they choose to terminate pregnancy. That sentiment is a reflection of your belief system. As for the rest of your post, you're pontificating (pun intended) and the "advice" is pretty banal and not very helpful. Do you really think that cases of rape or incest will be handled on an individual basis "to do what is best for the victim?" Perhaps I should ask who it is that you consider a victim in these cases. The states which have banned abortion even in cases of rape or incest are letting women know that their lives are worth nothing and that they are regarded only as vessels for reproduction. That's MISOGYNY. We repudiate it entirely.
Excellent points Hyla.
Thank you Hyla and Mr. Solomon...
Hyla, agree completely.
It's not entirely about abortion, Ma'am. That is only a small part of this decision. I am more concerned about "small government" poking it's nose into matters that are between a woman and her doctor only and should be of no concern to anyone else. Also there are many more dire implications in HOW the Court is researching and reaching it's conclusions--it is not just about abortion.
As for birth control...it is naive to assume that all women are able to access or afford or can physically tolerate birth control pills. Condoms can break and rapists cannot be persuaded to use them. No birth control method is 100% effective. Add to that, perfervid deep red legislatures in some states are even suggesting that ALL birth control should be outlawed. How does that fit into your view of things?
If you are not outraged by the usurpation of your right to bodily autonomy...I guess that is your own issue and we will have to agree to disagree. You have yourself a blessed day.
@Cecelia. That was a really dumb thing to say. Stupid. Contraception is not murdering babies. Medically appropriate abortions are not murdering babies. What is murdering babies is right wing social policies against women's health, child health, early education, nutritional support for children in poverty and all the such related "money-over-people" policies from the right. How can someone say they are "right to life" when they are unwilling to take care of people already born?
Right wing is NOT against women's health, child health, early education or support for children in poverty. What is STUPID is your comment back to me. Republicans know and believe government is NOT the solution to domestic social problems. State control should trump federal control. The free market is the perfect decision-maker. There need be no interference in the market because ultimately, the needs and desires of manufacturers and consumers will resolve themselves correctly in an unregulated market. Religion is important to many Republicans. In America we all have the right to pray to our chosen God. Republicans believe in people taking RESPONSIBLITY! Get out and work. Get a job. Contribute to your community. If you are sick and poor in America there are hundreds and thousand of charities and non profits. Most of these organization being paid for my capitalism. Republicans want to take care of babies before they are born and help them to grow up in a country that has strong values. Republicans stand for the flag and kneel for the fallen. So don't tell me that what I said was really dumb. That is my opinion. In the USA we are free to say and think what we believe without being bullied by left wing citizens that call republicans by stupid names.
You are sadly deluded if you think there is truth in your list of right-wing talking points. I grew up in a large family in which my parents and siblings' EXPERIENCES refute and negate many if not all of them.
You are correct when you deplore being bullied for stating your opinion. Civility in the discourse can make a world of difference. Please understand that when you write things like "murdering babies" and invoke the stereotypes that you have, you're inviting an extreme reaction, just understand that.
And, by the way, you're not exactly in the most sympathetic forum here.
Don't go looking for a fight.
You are completely brain-washed on every point. I won't waste my time going over each one. Information is out there. You just mimic the Republican Party. Look at the real world around you. Unless you are rich, the only thing between you and a homeless person is a well-paying job, and NOT minimum wage. Unfortunately, most well-paying jobs went overseas years ago for slave labor - not to "cut costs," but for profits for their rich stockholders. Free market?! Big Business and their thousands of lobbyists own this country and most of its politicians. The Rich own both.
@Cecelia. It was one of your own who said that "moderations in pursuit of liberty is no virtue." Maybe it seems harsh what I said, but in the same vein, "that is my opinion." The Ayn Randian perspectives you just espoused are wrong according to all responsible, mainstream economists everywhere. The debate is about how much regulation, not at all about whether markets must be regulated. Everyone knows, since the bank runs of 1929, that capitalism must be regulated. Hell, there is even a movie about it staring Henry Fonda.
Yet babies are murdered every day with guns. Where’s the republican battle against that! You do support abortion in the case of rape or incest? Does that make you supportive of “baby killing” after all?
Seeking Reason. It is people like you that continue to divide our great country. Guns don't murder people. People murder People. Each case of rape and incest needs to be evaluated to help the victim. In this country we need to find compromise and not be so divisive. YOU are exactly why I quit being an Independent voter.
And it’s people like you who keep fascist authoritarian leaders in office. Yes, people murder people with GUNS genius! Or can they hold up their finger andcyell bang bang with the same results? You think there is “compromise” for a victim. You’re opinion is in the very very low minority. Do some reading, your comment was asinine. I just pointed out the facts.
Cecelia.
Do you support Social Security and Medicare?
Want a $300 child tax credit per month?
@Cecelia. YES! Shooters are murdering babies!!
Birth control doesn't always work. Many adverse situations can happen to a woman or fetus during a pregnancy. Any decision should be made by a woman and her physician - not by yours or anyone else.
Cecelia, have you ever read or seen photos of ANENCEPHALY babies? I challenge you to do so. Would you choose to continue developing in the womb if you were one of them? Make your own choices. Other women also have the right to make their own.
Amen sister. And it takes work and time and action - not just reading commentaries!
Agreed!
Yes!!!!!
This is a big topic, and I'm going to write some thoughts that cannot be fully developed but which I'll try to outline briefly. I'm a geriatrician; when we look at people over, say, 60, chronologic age is not a good predictor of function. There is a big variation in function among people who share chronologic age cohorts. It's quite different from the predictability of what is considered normal for children and teenagers of specific ages.
While there are things that are considered parts of normal aging, such as a predictable delay in word/name recall, these are not signs of developing dementia. Forgetting where one put something is done by people of all ages, but in our current culture we tend to obsess about it if a person is older. Some years ago a young person (early twenties) in a writing group I'm in forgot completely about a Skype meeting and came scooting in late, with profuse apologies, saying "I totally forgot! My mind just went blank!" I thanked her, saying I absolutely love it when a young person forgets—had it been me, people would start talking about taking away my car keys.
There is nothing essentially wise or skillful about being young or younger.
What we need are skills and function. Does Biden have them? Does someone else have a better combination?
The Democratic Party is over-filled with corporate types who both are incapable of doing a good job for ordinary Americans and who also just don't come across as genuine (for good reason). Some of our governors come to mind, as well as some of the people in the current cabinet. Flailing around looking for "attractive" "young" people isn't the way to go. We need people who have wisdom and political experience. Not just a good looking face and the ability to be elected a few times. In recent decades we've had too many inexperienced presidents, of both parties.
Whom do you like? You mentioned Sherrod Brown, who struck me as good in the past, but he has held back and not been willing to run. Is he? If we're going to name specific people, I don't think Buttigieg has what it takes, nor does Newsom. We need someone who can connect with working people. And who has some wisdom.
Stop attacking Biden for his age. Come up with real candidates, if you want someone else. If all you can do is come up with younger people and talk about the fact that you can't play a good game of tennis anymore, you're off the track. Seriously.
I agree. And thank you. I turn 79 in August and am healthy, active in my writing and art, my community, and I care little, if at all, that I cannot nor want to, run four miles a day. My walks are more measured rather than high-powered, while I gather in fresh air early morning, actually stop to say 'hello' to my neighbors, greet all the wonderful dogs by name, and arrive home to stretch, do qigong, and start my day.
I am a 'wisdom keeper' or 'wise woman' and I value my purpose and contributions I have made, and continue to make, in this precious life. Let us not devalue Biden's historical knowledge and wisdom. And let us keep our eye upon those things we need to accomplish this fall in Congress so that meaningful legislation is passed, wrongs are made right, bad laws are reversed. This takes experience, knowledge, and the heart of a warrior. Biden is a warrior in his quiet, steady way. True warriors take their armor off. They don't need it. He is white-haired, slight in stature, stumbles in speech, but he hasn't truly faltered in any way. He inherited a nightmare and has persevered through new nightmares in his first two years as president. I say BRAVO, Joe. Keep going!
I love and respect all that you have said. But our generation is not viewed so favorably by today's youth. I am referring to political participation. Younger candidates are more likely to get our potential voters to show up. Biden has been challenged in ways that no other President has ever been challenged. And I am proud of him. But the world needs a younger leader who will inspire. While you and I may be bowled over by all that you describe, Joe Biden is yesterday's news for the vast majority of younger Americans. So are Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer. JMO. We need leadership that feels like Kennedy or Obama.
Thank you, Bill. I do not entirely disagree with you. But Biden has two more years and our focus must be, needs to be, on this fall. Hopefully, we will have a Congress for two more years where he will be able to actualize his vision, making historic changes for the better. 2024 is on my mind, too, realizing that, sadly, our country practices ageism on many levels. Our youth doesn't seem to care much about anything beyond themselves and their phones. I do not know how that affects their political apathy and opinions about candidates. That said, I have to agree it is time for the 'elders' to pass their batons to the next generation. But who in the Democratic party is a viable presidential candidate for 2024? What Kennedy and Obama (and Roosevelt) had was oratory that soared high, inspired, and raised the hearts and minds of our nation's people to think beyond themselves. I wonder if that's even possible in our divided country today given the loudest oratory resides with the reactionary majority who choose racism, misogyny, hate, and violence.
Yes!!!
Thank you so much for confirming what I’ve unofficially observed. Thank you also for using the word ‘wisdom’ twice to describe what the best candidates need. Accumulated personal experience leads to wisdom. Adding to that I think the perspective that comes with first hand memory of global and national events is useful for world leaders. Elizabeth Warren’s memory of how she gained her education in a different era when higher education was more accessible, for example, is one catalyst for her brilliant policies. Finally, I think this discussion of Biden’s age started with GOP negative trolling now unfortunately taken up by Democrats. It’s an unfortunate distraction from the issue at hand which is the midterms. With far-right extremism so well entrenched in the courts and every level of government, these midterms are the most pivotal in American history. Biden’s age is irrelevant and even less consequential than Hillary’s emails. It’s frightening that Democrats have so eagerly taken the bait.
Thank you for this. I'm 77 and can still do most things I did 20 or 30 years ago. Some of those things, I no longer have the desire to do. For those I do, it just takes a little longer.
I totally agree with you, Judy. Thank you.
I'm appalled. My first reaction was to cancel my subscription and not be party to such potentially harmful age discrimination. Then I
thought that running away is rarely the constructive answer. Now, I'm undecided. I don't hold much hope for anything changing the viewpoint in question.
Perhaps it's easier to hold such an opinion when one is still allowed to practice one's profession. Perhaps one hasn't fully experienced the cost of age discrimination and doesn't realize the harm such statements can do. Perhaps one doesn't fully realize that it doesn't matter what specific age one has in mind as "too old". Those wishing for personal benefit to practice age discrimination can grab onto today's post and use it against anyone over 40 if it suits. Therefore (!), I view such a post from a person in the public light as negative and harmful.
There's a dire shortage of airline pilots. Because of that, training is being shortened below what was already unsafe. Pilots are being hired or promoted to Captain with far too little experience -- all while I and a lot of my peers sit on the ground, "put out to pasture," twiddling our proverbial thumbs due to federal age discrimination. The reason for that age discrimination is a union run by younger pilots who want career advancement. The reason is not safety. As our pensions were terminated, it conveniently became "safe" to try to shut us up by throwing us a bone in the form of raising the retirement age by five years. Now that the airlines can barely operate, there's talk of raising the age further, because, again, that age has never had anything to do with safety or actual performance. It has always been based purely on greed and self-serving of younger pilots. Although not so obvious, that workplace age discrimination happens more subtly in many occupations. Today's post has just handed a great piece of ammunition to those who, based on their greed, cause careers of experienced, talented, and capable human beings to be ended, and in our case, have even contributed to putting the flying public in danger.
I have much more to say based on studies, examples, and personal experience, but as I've already posted several such comments, I don't see much hope. I'm just appalled, disheartened, and disgusted that "one of our own" would provide ammunition so useful for destroying careers, especially while doing so from the privilege of being still employed in his own.
Mo, please let us know what we can do to help the pilot situation. As I’ve mentioned before, my husband is a private pilot and a passionate aviation enthusiast. He will do anything he can to help and so will I. If you want to take the conversation private please email me: paula@writingshow.com. And I had a similar reaction to Robert’s post, so much so that I almost deleted it without reading. Thank you for your pushback.
Thank you, Paula. I think it's fine for an individual to say that they don't feel equal to some or many tasks, but to use a public platform to assign one's own feelings to an entire, large group of people seems, to me, beyond what is justified.
In case my opinion sounds like an allegedly age-based curmudgeonly attitude, it isn't. Many years ago, I was diagnosed as an "authentic." I believe the world would be in better shape if people would try to say, as civilly as possible, what they genuinely think rather than promoting confusion, or worse, with false politeness or unconstructive anger.
As to the pilot situation, I suppose, as with many issues, the best one might do is to write one's government representatives along with airline CEOs to let them know that one opposes age-discriminatory regulations and supports evaluation of each pilot as an individual. Airlines and the FAA certainly evaluate individuals in training and during FAA medical exams every six months. There's no reason why they can't do so when deciding whether to relieve a pilot of his or her career. In expressing my opinion, I mention, also, that younger union officials have been seen to push for age-related retirements. I'm not sure that many government reps are aware of that. They may just blindly trust union recommendations, since unions are supposed to be on their members' side. Unions unfortunately are necessary, but one would be naive to believe that power cannot, as elsewhere in life, corrupt.
I'll add, also, trying to incorporate all sides, that there are pilots younger than 65 who should be retired, but in the current system, that rarely, if ever, happens.
Thanks for your interest and best to your pilot partner. I'll send you my email address in case either of you have further comments or questions. And unless I'm booted out, I'll look forward to more of the insightful posts that prompted me to join this forum.
Thank you, Mo. I don’t think you’re a curmudgeon. I have some of the traits you describe too. I can relate.
I will talk to Alan and get started on those letters. I’ll let you know if I hear anything back. 👍👍
Thank you, Paula. I think it's fine for an individual to say that they don't feel equal to some or many tasks, but to use a public platform to assign one's own feelings to an entire, large group of people seems, to me, beyond what is justified.
In case my opinion sounds like an allegedly age-based curmudgeonly attitude, it isn't. Many years ago, I was diagnosed as an "authentic." I believe the world would be in better shape if people would try to say, as civilly as possible, what they genuinely think rather than promoting confusion, or worse, with false politeness or unconstructive anger.
As to the pilot situation, I suppose, as with many issues, the best one might do is to write one's government representatives along with airline CEOs to let them know that one opposes age-discriminatory regulations and supports evaluation of each pilot as an individual. Airlines and the FAA certainly evaluate individuals in training and during FAA medical exams every six months. There's no reason why they can't do so when deciding whether to relieve a pilot of his or her career. In expressing my opinion, I mention, also, that younger union officials have been seen to push for age-related retirements. I'm not sure that many government reps are aware of that. They may just blindly trust union recommendations, since unions are supposed to be on their members' side. Unions unfortunately are necessary, but one would be naive to believe that power cannot, as elsewhere in life, corrupt.
Thanks for your interest and best to your pilot partner. I'll send you my email address in case either of you have further comments or questions. And unless I'm booted out, I'll look forward to more of the insightful posts that prompted me to join this forum.
Thank you! I, too, had a similar reaction to the Professor's whole essay. (See my comments above,) which differ from yours but the message is the same: don't throw 'wisdom keepers' out because of ageism. I don't believe Mr. Reich is an ageist, but I was stunned to see his headline and commentary. Thank you, again.
Agree. In fact, I thought perhaps he was playing the devil’s advocate.
Judy. You hit the nail on the head.
Thank you, Judy!!! Perfectly said. The US reveres youth but in other countries people recognize that older people have a lot to contribute. And you’re right that people can be forgetful, weak, or just plain stupid at any age. A million hearts!
In my view, the question of whether Biden should run again should be deferred until after the midterms. Meantime, I understand that Senate Democratic leadership presently is whipping votes to pass whichever budget reconciliation provisions (BBB) can gain support from 50 Senators. As stated previously, I would advise that the legislation that passes be presented to voters as a down payment of more to come if Dems hold the House and pick up at least 2 Senate seats.
Though, admittedly, Biden connects less well with audiences when reading from a teleprompter, still, while the Senate does its work, a tougher, stronger Biden needs to amplify the Senate’s efforts by engaging everyday people nationwide and asking, “Who do you want here—somebody who doesn’t want to cut the price of insulin or those who do?” “Somebody who doesn’t want to expand the child tax credit or those who do?” Doesn’t want to provide affordable, quality childcare and universal Pre-K or those who do?” Doesn’t want to make investments in housing, in eldercare, and in climate or those who do?”
Because I believe that Democrats have a compelling narrative, if only they would deliver it, between now and the midterms, we, their constituents, need to have a felt sense that there are serious discussions with serious people engaged in an honest effort to arrive at compromises that will improve life for tens of millions of working people. Additionally, seeing that young people between 18 and 30 mainly are concerned about climate, gun control, and reproductive rights, and also fear losing increasingly more rights overall, Biden needs aggressively to enact whatever executive orders he can to show, unequivocally, that he is in this fight with us.
We Dems/Leftists really suck at messaging while the right aka wrong wing have perfected it to a vile art. I continue to believe, perhaps foolishly, that America is a slightly left-of-center nation somewhere underneath the bumper crop of bullshit plaguing this once maybe not great but still pretty darn good republic. But we desperately need those who can articulate a genuine populist vision (I rankle every time tRump is called a populist) that addresses people's true needs and concerns and can inspire a noble desire that together we can foster and build a better future.
Which is why I support, as I did in 2000, the ascension of the feisty and artoculate Elizabeth Warren to the top job in the land. Who better to battle Republicanism than someone who once was one and saw its flaws and came over to the better side?
Plus, as we men have so ratfucked America and the world, it's time we let the women take charge. They certainly couldn't do any worse than my gender has.
The reason Dems are so bad at messaging vs. the Republicans is that the Rs use every opportunity to whip up hatred and anger. It’s pretty hard to make oneself heard over all that noise. Which doesn’t excuse them but does make it awfully difficult unless Dems go negative too. A very sad and frustrating fact of life.
Paula: Also, the nuances of positive public policy don't translate well to short slogans.
Rob, While I appreciate your perspective, given the stakes, I hope all of us, in 22, principally are focused, at the federal level, on holding the House and picking up at least 2 Senate seats and, at the state level, on preventing Republicans, in select states, from attaining trifecta control—control of both legislative Houses and the governorship.
To that end, I will continue to press for messaging aimed at galvanizing the base, moving voters to vote who otherwise wouldn’t, and dissuading reasoned Republicans from voting Republican.
Barbara Jo Krieger ; Well said!
Thank you, Laurie. I appreciate the validation.
Well said Barbara and every single executive order must be used.
@SeekingReason, Because I expect Biden to be reticent about enforcing certain actions, I need to educate myself to ensure I am aware of every tool in his executive order tool box.
Yes, there are some things he cannot do without Congressional support. We know the issue there. But look at the massive number of exec orders 45 gave. Basically the republicans say, if it isn’t in black and white and pasted to my forehead, it’s not illegal. We need to do the same thing to reverse as much as possible. Push it to the limits, like they did. We’re in a crisis. I wonder if Biden wants to wait for indictment, but we’re too short on time to leave any stone unturned.
Whoa whos whos! If it isn’t written it isn’t illegal? Then why is abortion illegal? What about unenumerated rights? (Is that the word?) I’m not criticizing you, Seeking. I’m pointing out their hypocrisy.
Thanks for pointing out that wasn’t at me. Whew! But you are so correct. They are the biggest hypocrites on the planet bar none. Democrats need to shake off worrying about how it looks and save us! Save our country!
No, not you at all!! They’re the ones with the double standards. But yes, let’s fight fire with fire.
I’m your age and marvel at how some old woman manages to jump in front of the camera every time someone takes a picture of me. It’s interesting that I feel like the same young me on the inside, but the inevitable effects of time and gravity are screaming otherwise.
I also wondered why, with everyone wearing masks, I had such trouble hearing conversations. It took me a while to realize I had been reading lips - probably for quite a while - before masks.
Then there’s the language issue. My words, in many instances, relate to reference points no longer in existence. After one of my reconstructive surgeries for arthritis, I commented to the young woman at reception, “It won’t be long before we’re completely bionic.” The blank expression on her 20 something sweet face informed me she’d never seen The Six Million Dollar Man with Lee Majors.
The companies neatly listed on my old CV don’t exist anymore (victims of mergers and acquisitions). Does anyone even know what a ditto machine is?
So, the question is… do we have relevance? Yes, there’s a lot to be said for experience. But, if that experience is no longer relevant or relatable to others, are we obsolete? Does someone who’s pushing 80 possess the vitality to compete?
For me character matters. An older, experienced individual with integrity - one who has paid his/her dues and can see the overview, as well as the particular. A person who has a balanced perspective, whose actions match their words, and their words don’t swing from one side to the other with every wayward breeze.
Thank you for sharing your wisdom!
Lorraine Marketta ; The truth is still true, no matter the latest style of speaking it. Democracy and the Constitution have the same status as ideas. Lies are still lies, like the blatant misreadings of the the first and second amendments. Facts do not have alternatives and are still important
Absolutely!
I like to comment about my career as a nightclub musician - a half a lifetime ago - that I worked all the best parking lots in town! (It's true, too!) LOL!
Ah, those Technicolor memories!
You might turn it around, Lorraine. Maybe younger people’s failure to understand you is a lack on their part. After all, if we lose our collective memory, what happens to our history?
I believe, Dr. Reich, people like Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren and yourself of course, should help to prepare a new generation of Democrats to win and preserve Social Justice. Your guidance is what many young men and women may need when it comes to politics. On how to deal with Massive Media, how to not let yourself get drowned by some Trumpster in a debate. I know this may be too general speaking, but I believe your advices must count for something and nothing to better for it than a new generation of young leaders that bring us back Hope.
How Biden maintains his cool when dealing with McConnell or Manchin is an excellent question. But my problem with that is more about WHY he is dealing with them at all?
Bipartisanship doesn’t exist any longer (and yes, I know Manchin calls himself a Democrat, but really!) How can you reach across the aisle to people you simply cannot trust? How do you reason with the completely unreasonable, (and in some cases, the completely insane?)
The time for reaching across the aisle is gone. At least for now. Until the Republican Party regains some kind of decency, civility and rationality, there is no dealing with them.
How can Biden deal with a man who prevented a former Democratic president from seating a Supreme Court Justice, as was his right, claiming “because it was an election year.” Yet when a Republican president has an opportunity to seat a Justice not one month before the actual election, suddenly this new, arbitrary rule flies out the window? He’s deceitful, traitorous and he’s been in the senate for FAR too damn long. He’s one man, and he has controlled this country and held up progress and harmed the most vulnerable, and Biden making deals with him doesn’t just confuse me, it makes me angry.
I’d rather see the filibuster obliterated and let Democrats pass what they can to help the American People while they can. Build up the Supreme Court and set term limits, codify Roe v Wade and enact serious climate policies to reverse the extreme damage Trump and Republicans have done. (I worry every day for my son’s future, and for all those his age or younger.)
If your generation fucked things up royally, my generation didn’t do a damn thing to try and fix it. They sailed along, more worried about Y2K than real problems (I include myself in here.) The county where I live is predominantly Republican, and they’ve used their vote as a weapon against against everyone’s best interests for years. I know many who don’t so much as vote FOR Republicans but AGAINST Democrats. They watch nothing but Fox Propaganda and it makes them feel good to see Democrats lose. And this has been going on for far longer than the last six to eight years. Even before Obama, but much worse after.
As far as ageism, and whether or not Biden has the faculties to run and serve again, I’d rather not see him run, if only because I don’t think he’ll ever stop trying to play nice with Republicans. Capital Hill isn’t what it was in his day, and I don’t think he quite gets that. And that doesn’t have much to do with age, I don’t believe.
Well said--very well indeed. Thank you.
after giving this "biden's too old" idea some serious thought since you pointed it out in last week's poll, i've decided my perfect democrat ticket is katie porter for president and pete buttigieg for vice president. on one hand, i doubt this ticket will pass in front of voters, but i still like to think about it!
Grrl Scientist, I like that thought! 😄
@Grrl. I like your thinking too, but I'm picking up on your internal doubt - politics is nasty business and the country is large enough, the Democratic Party is large enough, that we need to apply statistical thinking to election strategy. I'll keep this reply short, but I believe there are serious critiques of both Katie and Pete that would prevent them winning the nomination in a primary contest among Democrats. I also worry that Newsome will be like Jerry Brown - objectively qualified but not popular enough. I'd tend to look at Beto, Cory, Sherrod and DeBlasio.
Being the same guy I've >always< been, I'm continually perplexed by the old coot I keep seein' a'starin' back at me in the damn mirror! Like the man on the stair who wasn't there, I too wish he'd go the hell away - until I realize it's the man who was >always< there! I wouldn't know what to do without him! I'm also continually perplexed by all the whippersnappers a'millin' about out there, particularly when I realize they're approaching middle age! Of course, I became aware early on that my generation is a total cluster-fuck, and have been watching events unfold over my 72 year sojourn in this old world like an inevitable, tediously slow-motion train wreck. (So much for "the rain gettin' colder.") Although I'm seldom surprised by >anything< that comes to pass, I still look forward to getting up in the morning just to see what hair-brained horseshit is comin' down the pike at us next. For example, I made a comment a day or two ago about how >no< "big brother" will >impose< a surveillance state on us, because we'll willingly set that infrastructure in place >at our own expense.< I just saw an article on the morning broadcast news regarding concerns being expressed over where the data gathered by the "Ring" doorbells is goin' and who has access to it. Ring is assuring us all it's confidential, and the police have no access to it - unless they have a warrant! LOL!
(If you're among those who like to bleed about your privacy being invaded by "the government," look first to the private sector, who you have the >completely< ill-advised notion is more trustworthy. It's >not< "big brother" a'watchin' you! Many times, the cops bust guys based on what they've found the busted has been braggin' 'bout to their buddies at the beer-joint! Generalize the damn concept - fer chrissake! BTW: If you're one of the law & order, blue lives matter types, who doesn't like "the government," you're aware - aren't you - that the cops >are< "the government ‽")
That's why I've never been overly concerned with my lot in life, and consider myself lucky as hell to be as well off as I am. Hell! I've even managed to avoid spending it in the penitentiary - the common career expectation of the social stratum I was born to, where a good job was >always< hard to come by. See the TV series "Justified!" (Generalize that too! Sheesh!) Still, I was always aware there were folks who were far worse-off than me. Oh vanity of vanities, all is vanity!
😘😘
I'm shocked that your alleged height is about 5 feet tall. You always seem like a giant in my eyes.
Thank you for the article. I am 95, seen a lot of bad stuff, (Joe McCarthy, JFK,, RFK, MLK, etc.) and yet here we are. Has anyone asked Biden if he wants to run again? Who would want another 4 years, after living through these past two years? I was happy to read several comments about concentrating on 2022, making sure we are not held hostage to Mitch McConnell and his band of not so merry men, or Manchin and Sinema. I do resent the question "should Biden and Trump run again". It is an insult to have both names in the same sentence.
You go, Naomi! My mother is 95 too and also going strong!!
Hi to your mom. Thanks for your response. This is all new to me and not sure how to respond. Very exciting, helps to express my thoughts.
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That was the best description of old age I have ever read.
Love your sense of humor, Robert R. BTW I’m right behind you:)
Loved this! Am sharing with all my friends. I am 79 and have every one of the “symptoms” of an aging brain but I, like you Robert have not lost my sense of humor. Thank God, as I need it more than ever now.
Sadly, even if Biden is still sharp as a tack and is doing everything right, he does not inspire confidence and does not appear to be the strong leader Americans feel they need and want. For the sake of the country, he should not run, unless there is no better man who will take up the gauntlet.
By the way, Robert, I’d love you no matter how tall you are.
No he's not too old because the context he's in led him to run for POTUS, and he's won, and has been pushing a splendid agenda (except for aspects of his foreign policy, especially alas with regard to Israel's continued destruction of the Palestinian people and Saudi Arabia's monster gov't, also on Central and South America). These are big excepts but he's what we've got. Many of these polls making him so unpopular are taken by conservative news media -- corporations loath Biden for his FDR agenda (which they've stymied). Yes I'm 75 and yesterday came home exhausted from having goe to two affairs, and when I was younger would not have felt this at all. But I'm not in Biden's position in a increasingly rotting system, now increasingly undermined shamelessly by GOP people. If you don't want Biden as POTUS next time because he has not passed the FDR stuff, or because he won't do certain kinds of things (expand the Supreme court), then say so. Polls from democratic pollsters show Biden a thorough favorite.
Love this! It infuriates me that Democrats, who did not give him a solid Senate majority, are now criticizing him for anything. He wasn't my choice, but he's amazed me with the schedule he maintains, how he addresses 17 crises at once, always sets the right tone for the tragedies we've suffered, and always fights the good fight. Why aren't the senators we have doing the work of courting moderate Republican votes, which has worked in recent weeks, to pass more of his agenda?
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Two affairs? I’m exhausted by playing Up A Lazy River on my clarinet.
Which is to say your or my age or our state of health is irrelevant to Biden's running for POTUS again. The situations are not comparable.
He is the President we have and is getting things done in spite of the sad state of Democracy in this country. People should at least suggest a viable candidate who is interested in running, if they want to pressure Biden to not run again.
So whom do we have in mind as a Democratic candidate? Also, speaking as your gerontological equal, I do wish we would avoid the use of vulgar language in public spaces. As you point out, because aging wolves suffer the pack turning against them, it’s increasingly necessary to maintain our dignity. President Biden is creating a great historical record. He is restoring our standing around the world. Honor is.
Plenty of viable candidates. See my response above.
Try me. I'm not that good of a salesmanship so please conduct your own research.
Best Regards,
Stephen Alan Leon of Virginia
(D.O.B. 07/26/1981)
| FEC Registered 2024 U.S. Presidential Candidate |
www.stephenleon.us
If you are hoping to become President of the United States of America, with all due respect I suggest that you not follow the bad grammatical example of the dRumpf . I refer to your sentence "I'm not that good of a salesmanship". Or is that just a matter of non-existent proofreading?
"I am not that good of a salesman" is a reference to the movie "In Good Company". If you have not seen it, I suggest that you do. It is about a young talented executive that eventually earns the respect of a senior salesman among certain progress traps...
[Shakespeare was alright, this is more modern. This is more apropos to the America at large.]
Unfortunately, Trump's base has been manipulated and the only positive-in is to entertain and inspire positivity through these modes.
I'm just being myself. It's just how I am.
Thank You & Best Regards x2,
~ Steve