Thanks to the stubbornness and ego of Joe Biden, we're all screwed. Prepare for an America that will make 1940's Germany look like a walk in the park.
Great way to take decades of a positive legacy and flush it down the drain. History will look back on this and the only take-away will be how Joe Biden ended democracy in America.
The problem is - all the anti-Trump votes are in the heavily-populated coastal states. It's the Republican-controlled low-population fly-over states where the Electoral College will tip the scale towards Trump. The EC is an outdated relic and should either be eliminated or modified so that each Congressional district is worth one vote - not the state-based winner-takes-all rule we're currently under.
The electoral college is a dinosaur. But if US voters really come out in force against Trumpism, we can prevail. The “swing states” are exactly that. If you cannot muster enthusiasm for Democrats, get motivated for your personal future, your vote may save your country.
This is so true. I live in Iowa and my vote here does NOT matter at all. Trump leads in our state 50/32. Is this a democracy? I don't think this is what the originalists intended. Can we dig up their graves to find out?
Or you can just read what they wrote, e.g., the Constitution. They did not want the people voting for POTUS or even for Senator. They wanted people voting for electors, ideally local people judged to have wisdom Then the electors in each state would meet, and collectively decide who to support for POTUS. And Senators were originally chosen by state legislatures.
The originalists did not trust the people, for good reason. We've abandoned that, and here we are.
In many cases I would agree with your comment, however, eliminating or revising the Electoral College would actually mean that voters voices are better heard. As Dan noted above, it is taken for granted that Iowa's Electoral votes will all be going to the Republican candidate. If EC votes were based on each Congressional District (435 votes), Democrats would receive some of the votes instead of the Republican sweeping the state. The flip-side of this is that in inland California and upstate New York, Republicans would pick up some votes instead of the Democrat sweeping the state. At the very least this would force all of the candidates to conduct a more New Hampshire style "retail" campaign. Get your feet on the ground and interact with the voters. Don't base your campaign on slick ad campaigns from over-paid consultants. That sounds a bit more democratic and representative than the current EC system.
Also, just because something has been in place doesn't mean it's right or correct. We've amended the Constitution a couple dozen times, and even self-corrected the matter of prohibition. We've also enacted legislation to correct some horrendous Supreme Court decisions.
Any proposal - including my EC reforms mentioned here - at least deserve some exploration. Unfortunately both sides are so dug in that any proposals are dead-on-arrival, no matter how promising they may be. Perhaps a better America will emerge from the ashes in the 22nd century.
I would have argued for a replacement as well, but I think you're being rather harsh. It's not at all clear that any candidate, as it turns out, could beat the holy Donald Trump with the spear in his ribcage -- I mean a few skin cells missing from his ear.
I spent many hours doom scrolling today. At one point I took a break to watch some star trek clips about how resistance is futile. But not everyone has given up. Some writers out there are still trying to stay positive and rally the troops.
As a fellow Treker, and fan of the three original Star Wars movies (in which the righteous rebels defeated the Evil Empire), I would sincerely be overjoyed if fiction became reality. Between the fact that the corrupt judicial system (future Supreme Court Justice Aileen Cannon) is bending over backwards to protect Trumpty-Dumpty, adding in smart-enough-to-know-better Republicans that don't have the balls to stand up for American democracy, and the fact that the Orange Moron will once again fail to be held accountable for his actions, I fully admit that I'm more than a Debbie Downer today. I hope my hope will return, but tonight I'm resigned to living in a dictatorship next January.
Today the most hopeful longshot idea I came across is a Harris -Kinzinger ticket might win. Also, the election is nearly 4 months away so who knows what other crazy turns it could take.
I very much doubt that the selection of JD Vance will sway any voter that was not already a Trump supporter. The non-Trumpists of the United States are more numerous than MAGA, and faced with the possibility of a second Trump term , we had better get organized and commit to voting. A strong message in loud voices….and millions of votes. Please don’t let the perfect be the enemy of the good.
And - in all of Chris's points, where was a reason related to his qualifications for the job? Oh, yeah, that's right, not required for MAGA world. Look at the top of the ticket.
It will never ever cease to amaze me how craven politicians are in their quest for power. Look up what Vance said about Trump a few years ago. Now he's his VP choice, & a complete lickspittle for him. As a woman, I think how would I feel about my husband if he were that toadyish? Or maybe their wives are just like them🤷🏻♀️
What if repeated polling over the next several weeks shows a steady decline in Biden’s numbers? Does that not constitute a material change in circumstances that requires a different approach, especially given the potential implications of doing nothing?
Biden isn’t going to drop out. But Democrats can vote for Trump if they don’t like Biden. That’s a choice. lol Beating Republicans is going to be much easier with Vance. What he believes is so toxic to democrats and some moderate Republicans. Now Trump is talking in public and with Vance too, Trump’s poll numbers will fall. The key though isn’t for democrats to talk about what Republicans stand for. It isn’t hard to determine what their plan should be. Complaining about Biden is not a good plan. Do I actually have to say that? lol
That still means banning a woman’s right to choose in red states. So that’s still a problem for Republicans in general. And the threat of a nationwide abortion ban is still there. That still runs counter to the majority of Republican women. I also think he’s a fan of Project 2025 too. There are many RINO Republicans who’ll vote for Biden because of it.
A woman’s right to choose is very popular with Republican women. So Vance is toxic to that idea Doesn’t that concern you? If true, Republicans are toast.
Nope. Trump has already defused that. His "leave it to the states" platform was just approved by the Republican convention. Vance will back off to that position also (and likely agreed to do so in order to get the job; Trump's campaign managers are smart enough to make sure that happened).
But backing up to a neutral analysis: Democrats have been trying to demonize Trump for 8 years, and have completely failed to do so (at a level that would allow them to win). Demonizing Vance (a veteran and a self-made man) will not work any better. The swing voters the Democrats need to win are deciding on memeology much more than they are on policy.
I would argue Vance doesn’t have electoral appeal. He ran well behind other Ohio Republicans in the 2022 midterms and his campaign was seen as lackluster.
You allude to it in Point 6, but just how can Mr. Uniter square the Vance pick, especially given the Vance quote, with any pretense to that pose? Oh, I forgot, like evil Mary Poppinses, MAGAs never have to explain anything.
1) I about fell over when the head of Iowa's Republican party, Jeff Kaufmann, invoked the name of Caitlin Clark at the RNC today. Clark has officially jumped the shark....if she hasn't already.
2) Good luck JD. I hope Trump doesn't try to do to you what he tried to do to your predecessor.
Chris Cilliza , elites or not Biden remains the Nominee of the Democrat's party, weather you like it or not.
Like I have said in the past, as this election draws nearer people who have not realized this yet will know that you are not as objective and independent as you claim . I wish you just let your subscribers know that so that your posts can be read in that light
I have been reading lots of substacks since I discovered them a few weeks ago and my impression is that Chris is the most objective of the many that I read. I appreciate his honest insights.
I think Chris is just reporting what’s out there. The problem is nothing out there is good for the dems.
So comrade Trump is really making vlad a happy man. VP Vance and presumably mtg as communications director and we will be a full fledged dictatorship under the direction of the Kremlin.
Fortunately, Trump will only be able to serve another 3 or 4 terms. Old age will eventually catch up to him.
There were 14 million voters that picked Biden/Harris. So you are saying our vote didn’t matter. So the Elites and/or selected will pick one or two candidates. Why have primaries?
Many voters, like me, have changed their mind. 14 million is not that many votes, compared to 81 million he received in the 2020 general election. Besides that, he didn't really have any competition. I voted for him even though I thought he was too old, because I thought it would make him look like a stronger candidate going into the general.
Chris, I'm not getting your columns. It's very hard to find you and it looks like I'm not subscribed. If you can't fix it, I'd like to end my subscription. Cathy Wray
I would add that JD Vance's partner, Usha, seems impressive. Poised, articulate, smart, accomplished lawyer. She's no Melania. Also a registered Democrat at one point. If JD is to be Trump 2.0 in four years, the two of them could be a powerful couple. The big unknown, of course, is what do JD and Usha really believe in and how much is a facade to gain access to the power. Ditto for Donald, I suppose, did he really have a sobering come-to-Jesus moment, kindling a new resolve to be more caring and mellow? Complete with tears at the Republican Convention?
Nothing matters any more.
Thanks to the stubbornness and ego of Joe Biden, we're all screwed. Prepare for an America that will make 1940's Germany look like a walk in the park.
Great way to take decades of a positive legacy and flush it down the drain. History will look back on this and the only take-away will be how Joe Biden ended democracy in America.
If every anti-Trump American votes,Trump loses. Just do it.
The problem is - all the anti-Trump votes are in the heavily-populated coastal states. It's the Republican-controlled low-population fly-over states where the Electoral College will tip the scale towards Trump. The EC is an outdated relic and should either be eliminated or modified so that each Congressional district is worth one vote - not the state-based winner-takes-all rule we're currently under.
The electoral college is a dinosaur. But if US voters really come out in force against Trumpism, we can prevail. The “swing states” are exactly that. If you cannot muster enthusiasm for Democrats, get motivated for your personal future, your vote may save your country.
This is so true. I live in Iowa and my vote here does NOT matter at all. Trump leads in our state 50/32. Is this a democracy? I don't think this is what the originalists intended. Can we dig up their graves to find out?
Or you can just read what they wrote, e.g., the Constitution. They did not want the people voting for POTUS or even for Senator. They wanted people voting for electors, ideally local people judged to have wisdom Then the electors in each state would meet, and collectively decide who to support for POTUS. And Senators were originally chosen by state legislatures.
The originalists did not trust the people, for good reason. We've abandoned that, and here we are.
I like that, let’s change the rules of the game bc my team can’t compete and win as they are…..
In many cases I would agree with your comment, however, eliminating or revising the Electoral College would actually mean that voters voices are better heard. As Dan noted above, it is taken for granted that Iowa's Electoral votes will all be going to the Republican candidate. If EC votes were based on each Congressional District (435 votes), Democrats would receive some of the votes instead of the Republican sweeping the state. The flip-side of this is that in inland California and upstate New York, Republicans would pick up some votes instead of the Democrat sweeping the state. At the very least this would force all of the candidates to conduct a more New Hampshire style "retail" campaign. Get your feet on the ground and interact with the voters. Don't base your campaign on slick ad campaigns from over-paid consultants. That sounds a bit more democratic and representative than the current EC system.
Also, just because something has been in place doesn't mean it's right or correct. We've amended the Constitution a couple dozen times, and even self-corrected the matter of prohibition. We've also enacted legislation to correct some horrendous Supreme Court decisions.
Any proposal - including my EC reforms mentioned here - at least deserve some exploration. Unfortunately both sides are so dug in that any proposals are dead-on-arrival, no matter how promising they may be. Perhaps a better America will emerge from the ashes in the 22nd century.
I would have argued for a replacement as well, but I think you're being rather harsh. It's not at all clear that any candidate, as it turns out, could beat the holy Donald Trump with the spear in his ribcage -- I mean a few skin cells missing from his ear.
I agree.
I sadly can’t argue with you.
I spent many hours doom scrolling today. At one point I took a break to watch some star trek clips about how resistance is futile. But not everyone has given up. Some writers out there are still trying to stay positive and rally the troops.
As a fellow Treker, and fan of the three original Star Wars movies (in which the righteous rebels defeated the Evil Empire), I would sincerely be overjoyed if fiction became reality. Between the fact that the corrupt judicial system (future Supreme Court Justice Aileen Cannon) is bending over backwards to protect Trumpty-Dumpty, adding in smart-enough-to-know-better Republicans that don't have the balls to stand up for American democracy, and the fact that the Orange Moron will once again fail to be held accountable for his actions, I fully admit that I'm more than a Debbie Downer today. I hope my hope will return, but tonight I'm resigned to living in a dictatorship next January.
Today the most hopeful longshot idea I came across is a Harris -Kinzinger ticket might win. Also, the election is nearly 4 months away so who knows what other crazy turns it could take.
I very much doubt that the selection of JD Vance will sway any voter that was not already a Trump supporter. The non-Trumpists of the United States are more numerous than MAGA, and faced with the possibility of a second Trump term , we had better get organized and commit to voting. A strong message in loud voices….and millions of votes. Please don’t let the perfect be the enemy of the good.
and the prize goes to: the best groveler.
And - in all of Chris's points, where was a reason related to his qualifications for the job? Oh, yeah, that's right, not required for MAGA world. Look at the top of the ticket.
It will never ever cease to amaze me how craven politicians are in their quest for power. Look up what Vance said about Trump a few years ago. Now he's his VP choice, & a complete lickspittle for him. As a woman, I think how would I feel about my husband if he were that toadyish? Or maybe their wives are just like them🤷🏻♀️
I am so disheartened. Vote 💙
What if repeated polling over the next several weeks shows a steady decline in Biden’s numbers? Does that not constitute a material change in circumstances that requires a different approach, especially given the potential implications of doing nothing?
Only if you can convince 50% of Biden's pledged delegates to vote against him on the first ballot.
Not likely to happen in a vacuum. I’m just raising the idea that they should consider doing just that, however, if things get worse.
Biden isn’t going to drop out. But Democrats can vote for Trump if they don’t like Biden. That’s a choice. lol Beating Republicans is going to be much easier with Vance. What he believes is so toxic to democrats and some moderate Republicans. Now Trump is talking in public and with Vance too, Trump’s poll numbers will fall. The key though isn’t for democrats to talk about what Republicans stand for. It isn’t hard to determine what their plan should be. Complaining about Biden is not a good plan. Do I actually have to say that? lol
"Beating Republicans is going to be much easier with Vance."
I think that's exactly wrong.
Explain why? Are you a democrat or republican?
That still means banning a woman’s right to choose in red states. So that’s still a problem for Republicans in general. And the threat of a nationwide abortion ban is still there. That still runs counter to the majority of Republican women. I also think he’s a fan of Project 2025 too. There are many RINO Republicans who’ll vote for Biden because of it.
A woman’s right to choose is very popular with Republican women. So Vance is toxic to that idea Doesn’t that concern you? If true, Republicans are toast.
Nope. Trump has already defused that. His "leave it to the states" platform was just approved by the Republican convention. Vance will back off to that position also (and likely agreed to do so in order to get the job; Trump's campaign managers are smart enough to make sure that happened).
I am a registered Democrat, and have been for 50 years, but I now vote straight Republican. This is why:
https://www.goodreads.com/author/list/21990140.Kara_Dansky
https://womensliberationfront.org/news
https://protectkidsca.com
But backing up to a neutral analysis: Democrats have been trying to demonize Trump for 8 years, and have completely failed to do so (at a level that would allow them to win). Demonizing Vance (a veteran and a self-made man) will not work any better. The swing voters the Democrats need to win are deciding on memeology much more than they are on policy.
If you haven't been reading N.S. Lyons, you should. Here's his latest (pre Vance announcement, but that plays right in): https://theupheaval.substack.com/p/the-world-spirit-on-a-golf-cart
And then there's this tweet, which has gone mega-viral:
https://x.com/wildbarestepf/status/1812349004530983364
Vance reinforces that. He's not a beta male like Little Marco or that dude from the state with no people in it.
The Democrats are toast.
I would argue Vance doesn’t have electoral appeal. He ran well behind other Ohio Republicans in the 2022 midterms and his campaign was seen as lackluster.
If Schumer had given Tim Ryan any money at all, Ryan would have beaten Vance. We are our own worst enemies.
frankly I'm amazed that Tump didn't say "After lengthy prayer and deliberation..."
You allude to it in Point 6, but just how can Mr. Uniter square the Vance pick, especially given the Vance quote, with any pretense to that pose? Oh, I forgot, like evil Mary Poppinses, MAGAs never have to explain anything.
2 comments.....
1) I about fell over when the head of Iowa's Republican party, Jeff Kaufmann, invoked the name of Caitlin Clark at the RNC today. Clark has officially jumped the shark....if she hasn't already.
2) Good luck JD. I hope Trump doesn't try to do to you what he tried to do to your predecessor.
Excellent final sentence!
Chris Cilliza , elites or not Biden remains the Nominee of the Democrat's party, weather you like it or not.
Like I have said in the past, as this election draws nearer people who have not realized this yet will know that you are not as objective and independent as you claim . I wish you just let your subscribers know that so that your posts can be read in that light
I have been reading lots of substacks since I discovered them a few weeks ago and my impression is that Chris is the most objective of the many that I read. I appreciate his honest insights.
I think Chris is just reporting what’s out there. The problem is nothing out there is good for the dems.
So comrade Trump is really making vlad a happy man. VP Vance and presumably mtg as communications director and we will be a full fledged dictatorship under the direction of the Kremlin.
Fortunately, Trump will only be able to serve another 3 or 4 terms. Old age will eventually catch up to him.
I hope everyone likes borscht.
There were 14 million voters that picked Biden/Harris. So you are saying our vote didn’t matter. So the Elites and/or selected will pick one or two candidates. Why have primaries?
Many voters, like me, have changed their mind. 14 million is not that many votes, compared to 81 million he received in the 2020 general election. Besides that, he didn't really have any competition. I voted for him even though I thought he was too old, because I thought it would make him look like a stronger candidate going into the general.
Buyer’s remorse is what that’s called. Unless old Joe walks away Ds stuck with him…..
slightly curious as to why you participate in this comment thread- gloating? persuading? I'd prefer brevity if you choose to reply.
We all have different points of view. That’s what makes our county great!
While I don't recall seeing any interesting comments from you so far, I welcome a different perspective. I really don't know any Trumpies.
You should get out more.
Until all 50 states open their primaries things like this are going to continue to happen.
Chris, I'm not getting your columns. It's very hard to find you and it looks like I'm not subscribed. If you can't fix it, I'd like to end my subscription. Cathy Wray
Is it true that Elon Musk is paying $45,000,000 a month to a political PAC so long as JD Vance was picked for VP?
I would add that JD Vance's partner, Usha, seems impressive. Poised, articulate, smart, accomplished lawyer. She's no Melania. Also a registered Democrat at one point. If JD is to be Trump 2.0 in four years, the two of them could be a powerful couple. The big unknown, of course, is what do JD and Usha really believe in and how much is a facade to gain access to the power. Ditto for Donald, I suppose, did he really have a sobering come-to-Jesus moment, kindling a new resolve to be more caring and mellow? Complete with tears at the Republican Convention?
Great analysis Chris.
Although I’ll say — “handsome”? “Rugged looking”? JD is and looks like a pampered bitch. Not exactly one’s idea of a man’s man.