You want to stop Trump on Election Day?? Remind everyone you know personally, remind everyone on social media repeatedly make sure those people share it until we have a mantra:: Biden was not the one who killed 1million Americans with bungling Covid.
Never in my wildest dreams did I ever imagine that we would have such a damaged man running for the top job in the country. The even scarier part is that there are so many republicans who have closed their eyes to his multiple insane ways and for their own hides are supporting him. Does that sound at all like Germany in the thirties?
Dark days are ahead, no matter the outcome. Do we really think that Trump would accept another loss? Do we really think that his culture followers would hesitate to bring physical violence to what is already a civil war?
I continue to be appalled at the vehemence of his followers, who may not be a majority, but are certainly not sitting back from the race -- as are many dispirited citizens who are weary from the constant vitriol.
Our biggest work must be to shake up those who would show their displeasure with current policies by simply not voting; those who went with "no preference" in the primary to try to wake up the Biden machine to the overwhelming dissatisfaction with his inaction relative to Gaza.
Because if any group decides to make this election a single-issue election, it is likely to be the last election we will see in a very long time.
I worked at a local polling place in this bubble of red in California. It was disheartening to hearcso many voters still parroting the vitriol from the last election. I am very concerned.
Thank you Mr. Rather for your respected analysis. Please continue both written and audio. Your media points earlier this week were right on target. Yours is a voice of calm, fact, and reason, in these tumultuous times.
Oh Dan, it was wonderful to hear your voice again! You made me laugh when you said this primary was as boring as “leftovers”. Look, we have a lot of work to do. In my county in CA, only 20% came out to vote for national, state, and local candidates of issues. That’s pretty pathetic. It is more of a Democratic leaning county but nonetheless, not strong. I was thinking that maybe I should spend my money in making postcards up stating a short & sweet, but concisely worded message and hand-deliver them to people in my neighborhood. The message would let them know that democracy is on the line. Their participation in voting is important in maintaining our freedoms. I would not put out a negative comment on it because that’s not my goal. I would really love some feedback about this. Too Pollyannish?
Our biggest defense against a second Trump presidency is Donald Trump. He is his worst enemy. And he will be his own undoing. It’s not just Trump’s mental lapses or his declining health. Trump absolutely does not have the discipline to be a successful dictator. He is not nearly serious enough. Trump isn’t the Game of Thrones character Stannis Barotheon who Tyrion Lannister described as a “ serious man”. Trump more resembles the typical backyard bully who can dish it out but can’t take it. Being a dictator is hard work. You have to be a serious man to be a 24/7 dictator as opposed to playing one on tv. Putin is a serious man. Xi is a serious man. Kim is a serious man. Trump loves flattery . He’ll follow a monkey if it flatters him. That’s a sign of weakness.
Trump likes calling people schoolyard names- “ Sleepy Joe”, “ Birdbrain”, “ Coco Chow”. He’s not a serious man but he commands enough loyalty from MAGA to seriously hurt our nation. Trump will never hold a dictatorship together like Putin and Kim. He’s too needy. He’s too lazy.
We should be fighting for our democracy but we also should allow Trump to destroy himself by “ Trump being Trump”. He’s the most potent weapon against himself.
I said in 2020 that if Democrats did not win the White House, we would not have another presidential election. And Democrats need to push that point, because if republicans win in 2024, it is our last presidential election. Period.
I would also note that #MassMurderingMoscowMitch, as I call him, today endorsed Pol Potbelly for president. After 2016, I realized when McConnell wouldn't join the bipartisan criticism of Russia's election interference, he was a Russian tool. Don't pay attention to the Ukraine issue. If House republicans weren't trying to stop it, he'd find a way to find someone else to stop it.
Thank you Dan for your wisdom on where we stand on the 2024 Presidential Election and your recording gives your piece the additional dimension and gravitas. President Joe Biden should follow Bernie Sanders’s advice for his State of the Union Speech which he needs to model on Franklin D Rosevelt’s Madison Square Garden speech (1937) and be direct and pithy with the American People. He needs to state that his legislative initiatives have been important but more can be done for the Americans still suffering. He needs to reach out to Americas young and urge them to vote so that Trump does not take away their freedoms. He has to emphasize that Gaza must be freed from Hamas, that the Palestinians need a safe home and that Netanyahu must step aside. He has to do these things and much more to win!
It is hard to hit the like button, but I think you have made it quite clear what is at stake if trump is elected. What was not stated is what will the average American will lose and that I think is a government that works for all of the people, not just those at the top of the income spectrum. The Biden years have quite clearly amplified the difference between supply side and demand side economics. Many of the trump zealots are voting against their own economic interests.
This is only nominally about Donald Trump. This is about the MAGA true believers, the GOP opportunists, and those Americans for whom Trump and the right wing agenda are irrelevant to their priorities. How does one argue 'democracy' to any of them? How does one argue 'democracy' to Charles Koch, Leonard Leo, et al? To Jill Stein, RFK Jr, Cornell West et al?
Yes, this is about repurposing an American democratic republic as a clerical fascist state. And it's been underway since before white supremacist Christian academies were pissed that they'd either have to integrate or give up their tax benefits - and Republicans found a way to propel populist and plutocrat anti tax sentiment to political victory. Trump's just put his brand on American racism, religiosity, and resentment of federal government that goes back at least to the Confederacy.
You want to stop Trump on Election Day?? Remind everyone you know personally, remind everyone on social media repeatedly make sure those people share it until we have a mantra:: Biden was not the one who killed 1million Americans with bungling Covid.
Thank you for your insights on this moment in our history Dan. We must work hard to defeat this MAGA insanity come November.
Never in my wildest dreams did I ever imagine that we would have such a damaged man running for the top job in the country. The even scarier part is that there are so many republicans who have closed their eyes to his multiple insane ways and for their own hides are supporting him. Does that sound at all like Germany in the thirties?
Dark days are ahead, no matter the outcome. Do we really think that Trump would accept another loss? Do we really think that his culture followers would hesitate to bring physical violence to what is already a civil war?
I continue to be appalled at the vehemence of his followers, who may not be a majority, but are certainly not sitting back from the race -- as are many dispirited citizens who are weary from the constant vitriol.
Our biggest work must be to shake up those who would show their displeasure with current policies by simply not voting; those who went with "no preference" in the primary to try to wake up the Biden machine to the overwhelming dissatisfaction with his inaction relative to Gaza.
Because if any group decides to make this election a single-issue election, it is likely to be the last election we will see in a very long time.
Democrats showed up and voted for Biden.
Trump not so much…
Biden will win in November if you vote.
Ignore the media…they only want to make money and PLEASE ignore the polls.
VOTE FOR BIDEN
It’s a vote for your freedom.
I’m putting my money on Democrats running for office. We have to encourage people to vote blue!!
I worked at a local polling place in this bubble of red in California. It was disheartening to hearcso many voters still parroting the vitriol from the last election. I am very concerned.
Thank you Mr. Rather for your respected analysis. Please continue both written and audio. Your media points earlier this week were right on target. Yours is a voice of calm, fact, and reason, in these tumultuous times.
Oh Dan, it was wonderful to hear your voice again! You made me laugh when you said this primary was as boring as “leftovers”. Look, we have a lot of work to do. In my county in CA, only 20% came out to vote for national, state, and local candidates of issues. That’s pretty pathetic. It is more of a Democratic leaning county but nonetheless, not strong. I was thinking that maybe I should spend my money in making postcards up stating a short & sweet, but concisely worded message and hand-deliver them to people in my neighborhood. The message would let them know that democracy is on the line. Their participation in voting is important in maintaining our freedoms. I would not put out a negative comment on it because that’s not my goal. I would really love some feedback about this. Too Pollyannish?
more audio, Dan
Our biggest defense against a second Trump presidency is Donald Trump. He is his worst enemy. And he will be his own undoing. It’s not just Trump’s mental lapses or his declining health. Trump absolutely does not have the discipline to be a successful dictator. He is not nearly serious enough. Trump isn’t the Game of Thrones character Stannis Barotheon who Tyrion Lannister described as a “ serious man”. Trump more resembles the typical backyard bully who can dish it out but can’t take it. Being a dictator is hard work. You have to be a serious man to be a 24/7 dictator as opposed to playing one on tv. Putin is a serious man. Xi is a serious man. Kim is a serious man. Trump loves flattery . He’ll follow a monkey if it flatters him. That’s a sign of weakness.
Trump likes calling people schoolyard names- “ Sleepy Joe”, “ Birdbrain”, “ Coco Chow”. He’s not a serious man but he commands enough loyalty from MAGA to seriously hurt our nation. Trump will never hold a dictatorship together like Putin and Kim. He’s too needy. He’s too lazy.
We should be fighting for our democracy but we also should allow Trump to destroy himself by “ Trump being Trump”. He’s the most potent weapon against himself.
I said in 2020 that if Democrats did not win the White House, we would not have another presidential election. And Democrats need to push that point, because if republicans win in 2024, it is our last presidential election. Period.
I would also note that #MassMurderingMoscowMitch, as I call him, today endorsed Pol Potbelly for president. After 2016, I realized when McConnell wouldn't join the bipartisan criticism of Russia's election interference, he was a Russian tool. Don't pay attention to the Ukraine issue. If House republicans weren't trying to stop it, he'd find a way to find someone else to stop it.
Thank you Dan for your wisdom on where we stand on the 2024 Presidential Election and your recording gives your piece the additional dimension and gravitas. President Joe Biden should follow Bernie Sanders’s advice for his State of the Union Speech which he needs to model on Franklin D Rosevelt’s Madison Square Garden speech (1937) and be direct and pithy with the American People. He needs to state that his legislative initiatives have been important but more can be done for the Americans still suffering. He needs to reach out to Americas young and urge them to vote so that Trump does not take away their freedoms. He has to emphasize that Gaza must be freed from Hamas, that the Palestinians need a safe home and that Netanyahu must step aside. He has to do these things and much more to win!
It is hard to hit the like button, but I think you have made it quite clear what is at stake if trump is elected. What was not stated is what will the average American will lose and that I think is a government that works for all of the people, not just those at the top of the income spectrum. The Biden years have quite clearly amplified the difference between supply side and demand side economics. Many of the trump zealots are voting against their own economic interests.
This is only nominally about Donald Trump. This is about the MAGA true believers, the GOP opportunists, and those Americans for whom Trump and the right wing agenda are irrelevant to their priorities. How does one argue 'democracy' to any of them? How does one argue 'democracy' to Charles Koch, Leonard Leo, et al? To Jill Stein, RFK Jr, Cornell West et al?
Yes, this is about repurposing an American democratic republic as a clerical fascist state. And it's been underway since before white supremacist Christian academies were pissed that they'd either have to integrate or give up their tax benefits - and Republicans found a way to propel populist and plutocrat anti tax sentiment to political victory. Trump's just put his brand on American racism, religiosity, and resentment of federal government that goes back at least to the Confederacy.
We need to defeat these forces. Again
Thank you, Dan. Good advice. I hope those within earshot rise to the occasion accordingly!