Biden Thread

[CrossLOPER]

What an interesting framing of the dilemma.

bOtH sIdZ r tHe SaMe!

[Montmorency]

bOtH sIdZ r tHe SaMe!

Joe Biden? Communist.

Eugene Debs? Ran for president from prison, like Trump might. Communist.

So you see, the American system is really offering us a choice between two Communists.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

There are even people who think this way.

[Montmorency]

You can always count on Rep. Matt Gaetz for a good laugh [debt ceiling]:

I think my conservative colleagues for the most part support Limit, Save, Grow, & they don’t feel like we should negotiate with our hostage.

For years, scholars and commentators have pointed out that the US government is constitutionally required to pay its debts, and the federal government collects enough revenue on an ongoing basis to finance much of its daily operation at least. But the issue of raising new debt to finance previously-budgeted spending that has not yet been reauthorized in a new budget is not as clearcut, so the mere fact of the uncertainty (given the Republican judiciary) is a threat to the US dollar's standing in the event that push comes to shove and the executive has to unilaterally raise bonds. Gaetz' comment is another reminder that mainstream Republicans have been fully invested in the concept of "rule or ruin" for many years.

[Montmorency]

I don't think we'll ever comment on the 2024 election per se, since it's pretty straightforward, but here goes:

De Santis and the rest of the Republican slate are so weak that Trump wouldn't even have to campaign to sail into the GOP nomination. 2024 is a Trump-Biden rematch.

There will probably not be a recession starting a year from now.

The relative popularity of the presumptive nominees is unchanged and will almost certainly remain substantially unchanged.

Biden only needs to win one of Georgia-Arizona-Wisconsin - states he won in 2020 - to win in the Electoral College if the rest of the battleground states stay Democratic, which is widely predicted. Biden will win the popular vote.

The Supreme Court, and moreover the sitting governments of the three states, preclude any shenanigans such as unilaterally awarding EC votes to a preferred candidate.

More speculatively, out of 150 million votes (~10 million fewer than were case in 2020), Biden will receive 51% and Trump will receive 46.9%, and I give an equal chance of the Democrats either holding the Senate 50-50 or losing it by one seat. The House can fall either way, but within a five-seat majority.

[CrossLOPER]

I want my 3+ party clownshow with Trump livestreaming from a cell and DeSantis, Christie and some other random alt-righter calling each other the f-slur, while Newsom stares blankly at all of this, with Biden ultimately winning in a landslide, despite falling asleep. Also, MTG comes out as bi.

[Idaho]

I really don't understand American politics. Why is anyone in their right mind not screaming for a viable democratic candidate? Seem to somehow be sleepwalking into another politically and morally bankrupt election between two awful candidates.

[Montmorency]

Biden's been pretty good actually, the best president in 45 years. Which isn't saying much, but it puts him comfortably in the top 10. I certainly can't think of anyone who'd do better on the current political scene.

Don't assume he's our equivalent to the British Labour "there isn't an endless supply of money" Party's Keir Starmer!

[CrossLOPER]

I really don't understand American politics. Why is anyone in their right mind not screaming for a viable democratic candidate? Seem to somehow be sleepwalking into another politically and morally bankrupt election between two awful candidates.

Part of it is the rise of "independent thinkers". People who won't be slaughtered like sheep. They won't drink the fluoride, they won't take the vaccine, they won't wear the face diaper. Also, NIMBYs. Very popular strategy with both right and left. Publicly say something about a particular group, but don't apply that to family members. Trans rights? Sure. Hormones? NOT FOR MY SON. I HAVE A BOY. A REAL BOY. HE IS NOT A GIRL. HE IS A BOY.

Biden is actually the best specimen for the current climate. Frustratingly boring, but stable and capable of understanding and accepting long term consequences. I was pleasantly surprised.

Also, how is Brexit going?