I love Biden. He did the right thing for the country. I was never a huge Harris fan but I have grown to really like her and will do whatever I can to help her win.
The debate surrounding Kamala Harris' ability to campaign effectively ignores history. One failed campaign is not a predictor of the future. President Biden had multiple attempts. So did HRC, Reagan, Nixon, etc. Sometimes fate intervenes to create a moment. This might be it.
Plus: There's no guarantee that Whitmer, Shapiro, or Newsom, none of whom have run a national campaign, would be better candidates. History is filled with "future Presidents" who flopped on a national stage. Ask Ron DeSantis.
I’ve always been proud of Joe Biden, his policies (for the most part), and the sincerity of his good heart. I am proud of the decision he’s made, putting country before personal ambition, something that Trump would never and *could* NEVER do.
So Chris: given that the highest likelihood is that Kamala will be the Democratic Party’s nominee for President (I agree with you that she has a lot of upsides as well as a very high “ceiling” she can perform in), I have two questions for you: first, who do you think is most likely to be the VP nominee; and secondly, who would you *like* to see as the VP nominee and why?
As a native Angelino, I’m *very* familiar with Kamala’s background and have voted for her multiple times, starting as AG of my State. Regardless of her “unfavorability” with the broader public, I *know* how strong she is and have been *very* proud of her performance, particularly when she was my Senator and grilled witnesses when she was on the Senate Judiciary Committee. To bring that to bear on Trump will be pure pleasure to watch.
The writer of this article says that Kamala's race and gender are in her favor. This is the United States. Still very racist, still very misogynist. Ask Chris his opinion of Project 2025. Think he's take note of that question?
Van Jones putting it exactly how I feel. It’s what has to happen, but man am I sad about it. I loved him as president and I do believe for me at least he has been one of the greatest. But I am proud of him putting the country first. Absolute legend.
Thank you, Anne. Well found…hat was beautiful! While it IS (kinda) a “human” moment as Van said, I do wonder (politically speaking) why Progressives have been so dug in for Joe these last few weeks, while we “bedwetting moderates” have been screaming “just go, Joe! You’re killing us all!”
Chris - I’m glad that you stopped in that moment and decided to spend time with your family. Time is short with kids and you are right, this story will be here.
I don’t know if Joe Biden is a decent man but I am certain Donald Trump isn’t. Look no further than that utterly disgraceful post he made today. So much for a man who barely escaped tragedy finding grace or humility. Whether Joe is good or not, the man lost two sons - one dead and one disgraced - and yet he gave perhaps his last four years to this country. Maybe that’s hubris, maybe it’s service. Either way, it deserves respect especially from a man who already held the office.
Unfortunately, I have almost as much contempt for Democrats who allowed this to go on for so long knowing full well how Biden was. Further, that they have shown concern only for their silly election prospects and not a peep about the dangers of Biden remaining Commander in Chief right this minute is utterly repulsive. They deserve Donald Trump just as much as his own ignorant supporters do.
Maybe all this upheaval will cough up a serious and moderate candidate who can bring sanity and order to the Democratic Party but I won’t hold my breath. We’ve already seen that no such leader exists for Republicans and even if one does, they want nothing to do with it.
As far as the Biden party goes, I tend to agree. Yes, lying about your candidate is sadly part of the game but they went a step further and tried to discredit anyone who suggested otherwise. Yes I get what Trump does is objectively worse but better than Trump can not become the bar we use for people going forward, if that happens we are well and truly doomed.
For the past year, I have said that this presidential election would be decided by women (including here in your Substack). But little did I know that even the candidate would be a woman. I'm totally delighted..and let's all save our breath...Harris IS the replacement candidate.
It is true that the Biden “machine” should have made this move long ago. But they did not, and now we find ourselves close to an election, with the need to settle on a presidential and a vice-presidential candidate, and to unite as Americans in an effort to defeat Donald J Trump. THE OLDEST NOMINEE IN THE HISTORY OF UNITED STATES ELECTIONS. A guy who cannot give a speech without peppering it with lies, a guy with weird phobias and a list of grievances a mile long.Trump hates the America that we are, wants to make it the throwback America that he’d like it to he, and he has enlisted a faux hillbilly elite flipflopper to help him try to get there. The Democratic Party now has a chance to appeal to all of America, or at least to the America not burdened with the racism, xenophobia,homophobia,misogyny, and anti-semitism of Trumpists. It is a good day, today. I look forward to Chris’ thoughtful take on the process and the people as we go forward!
Politicians that rise to the top of their pile always have big egos. No way to make it past putting yourself forward in front of all those eyes if you don’t. So it took the President of the United States a few weeks to give up running again — when you knew you gave it your all and did a good job — a few weeks. Joe is an honorable man and did the right thing. He deserves our respect.
I can say, gut-wise, I’m feeling somewhat better. It is now older versus younger, prosecutor versus convicted felon. In my completely not knowing how campaigns are run opinion, she can use these. As people here have said, I’d vote for the garbage can before I’d vote for Trump. One thing I worry about a little is that her husband is Jewish. Not that it is a problem, just that the other campaign will use it against her. We will see.
Now, we can focus on Trump’s age and mental acuity!
I agree that Pres. Biden is a good man who really did have the country’s best interest at heart. He will leave a positive legacy behind of his time in Washington and I think he made this decision because he realized it was the right thing to do.
Speaking of things to do, orange Julius, true to form, immediately attacked Pres. Biden as being “the worst president in the history of our country.” He did this in a phone call to CNN. He doesn’t have one redeeming quality. He is truly a waste.
So, now we wait and see what will happen next for VP Harris and for America.
Donald Trump is now the oldest candidate to ever run for President. This deserves strict scrutiny.
Absolutely!!
The whole Too old to be running and in mental decline should now be focused on him!
Won't matter to this guy. He's ignored it for months.
Now though he's standing alone in age spotlight. He must be quaking in his boots...if he can focus long enough.
Haha!! Exactly!!
I love Biden. He did the right thing for the country. I was never a huge Harris fan but I have grown to really like her and will do whatever I can to help her win.
The debate surrounding Kamala Harris' ability to campaign effectively ignores history. One failed campaign is not a predictor of the future. President Biden had multiple attempts. So did HRC, Reagan, Nixon, etc. Sometimes fate intervenes to create a moment. This might be it.
Plus: There's no guarantee that Whitmer, Shapiro, or Newsom, none of whom have run a national campaign, would be better candidates. History is filled with "future Presidents" who flopped on a national stage. Ask Ron DeSantis.
I’ve always been proud of Joe Biden, his policies (for the most part), and the sincerity of his good heart. I am proud of the decision he’s made, putting country before personal ambition, something that Trump would never and *could* NEVER do.
So Chris: given that the highest likelihood is that Kamala will be the Democratic Party’s nominee for President (I agree with you that she has a lot of upsides as well as a very high “ceiling” she can perform in), I have two questions for you: first, who do you think is most likely to be the VP nominee; and secondly, who would you *like* to see as the VP nominee and why?
As a native Angelino, I’m *very* familiar with Kamala’s background and have voted for her multiple times, starting as AG of my State. Regardless of her “unfavorability” with the broader public, I *know* how strong she is and have been *very* proud of her performance, particularly when she was my Senator and grilled witnesses when she was on the Senate Judiciary Committee. To bring that to bear on Trump will be pure pleasure to watch.
The writer of this article says that Kamala's race and gender are in her favor. This is the United States. Still very racist, still very misogynist. Ask Chris his opinion of Project 2025. Think he's take note of that question?
Van Jones. Like having to take the keys away from your grandparent.
https://www.cnn.com/2024/07/21/politics/video/van-jones-reaction-joe-biden-exits-2024-election-digvid
Van Jones putting it exactly how I feel. It’s what has to happen, but man am I sad about it. I loved him as president and I do believe for me at least he has been one of the greatest. But I am proud of him putting the country first. Absolute legend.
Thank you, Anne. Well found…hat was beautiful! While it IS (kinda) a “human” moment as Van said, I do wonder (politically speaking) why Progressives have been so dug in for Joe these last few weeks, while we “bedwetting moderates” have been screaming “just go, Joe! You’re killing us all!”
Ahhh that is powerful and beautiful, thanks for that!!
Biden tried to carefully time his announcement to coincide with Chris's visit to the baseball hall of fame. What does this say about Chris C??
It says his Timing is Terrible! 😊
Chris - I’m glad that you stopped in that moment and decided to spend time with your family. Time is short with kids and you are right, this story will be here.
I don’t know if Joe Biden is a decent man but I am certain Donald Trump isn’t. Look no further than that utterly disgraceful post he made today. So much for a man who barely escaped tragedy finding grace or humility. Whether Joe is good or not, the man lost two sons - one dead and one disgraced - and yet he gave perhaps his last four years to this country. Maybe that’s hubris, maybe it’s service. Either way, it deserves respect especially from a man who already held the office.
Unfortunately, I have almost as much contempt for Democrats who allowed this to go on for so long knowing full well how Biden was. Further, that they have shown concern only for their silly election prospects and not a peep about the dangers of Biden remaining Commander in Chief right this minute is utterly repulsive. They deserve Donald Trump just as much as his own ignorant supporters do.
Maybe all this upheaval will cough up a serious and moderate candidate who can bring sanity and order to the Democratic Party but I won’t hold my breath. We’ve already seen that no such leader exists for Republicans and even if one does, they want nothing to do with it.
I don’t think Biden deserves respect after his terrible decision to attempt to run for a second term.
As far as the Biden party goes, I tend to agree. Yes, lying about your candidate is sadly part of the game but they went a step further and tried to discredit anyone who suggested otherwise. Yes I get what Trump does is objectively worse but better than Trump can not become the bar we use for people going forward, if that happens we are well and truly doomed.
Amen!
For the past year, I have said that this presidential election would be decided by women (including here in your Substack). But little did I know that even the candidate would be a woman. I'm totally delighted..and let's all save our breath...Harris IS the replacement candidate.
“I thought it might have happened sooner”. Yes, but he was BIDEN his time. Sorry…
You did call the end result early on. Credit due!
It is true that the Biden “machine” should have made this move long ago. But they did not, and now we find ourselves close to an election, with the need to settle on a presidential and a vice-presidential candidate, and to unite as Americans in an effort to defeat Donald J Trump. THE OLDEST NOMINEE IN THE HISTORY OF UNITED STATES ELECTIONS. A guy who cannot give a speech without peppering it with lies, a guy with weird phobias and a list of grievances a mile long.Trump hates the America that we are, wants to make it the throwback America that he’d like it to he, and he has enlisted a faux hillbilly elite flipflopper to help him try to get there. The Democratic Party now has a chance to appeal to all of America, or at least to the America not burdened with the racism, xenophobia,homophobia,misogyny, and anti-semitism of Trumpists. It is a good day, today. I look forward to Chris’ thoughtful take on the process and the people as we go forward!
I think Chris believed it would happen by Monday!
Now, if Chris C only had some similar insight on Nvidia or bitcoin....
He also said the Celts would win the NBA title!
Politicians that rise to the top of their pile always have big egos. No way to make it past putting yourself forward in front of all those eyes if you don’t. So it took the President of the United States a few weeks to give up running again — when you knew you gave it your all and did a good job — a few weeks. Joe is an honorable man and did the right thing. He deserves our respect.
100%. You could never say that about Trump and Vance.
Amen 🙌
Excellent article Chris. Really nothing to add to your well-balanced piece.
Joe was a hero in 2020 and he is a hero in 2024.
I can say, gut-wise, I’m feeling somewhat better. It is now older versus younger, prosecutor versus convicted felon. In my completely not knowing how campaigns are run opinion, she can use these. As people here have said, I’d vote for the garbage can before I’d vote for Trump. One thing I worry about a little is that her husband is Jewish. Not that it is a problem, just that the other campaign will use it against her. We will see.
Now, we can focus on Trump’s age and mental acuity!
I agree that Pres. Biden is a good man who really did have the country’s best interest at heart. He will leave a positive legacy behind of his time in Washington and I think he made this decision because he realized it was the right thing to do.
Speaking of things to do, orange Julius, true to form, immediately attacked Pres. Biden as being “the worst president in the history of our country.” He did this in a phone call to CNN. He doesn’t have one redeeming quality. He is truly a waste.
So, now we wait and see what will happen next for VP Harris and for America.