People are clueless. That is the sad and unfortunate situation we find ourselves in. And they aren't going to get any smarter in the next few months. Biden needs to win over ALL of the dislike- despises in at least three of those six swing states, and tomorrows debate would be a good place to start doing that. Let's hope.
Re strategy, playing it cool until the end, and then baiting Trump in the last ten minutes seems like a good plan.
Thinking about tomorrow night with a heavy heart. How did this great country of ours become a place where a reprehensible, lazy, lying, do nothing for the people, uncaring, POS felon is debating a wise statesman who has been in public service for over 50 years?
This might not be an original thought. I have come to view Biden as "old" in that he clings to the way things were/should be in American politics. But it seems the tide has shifted, and a large part of the electorate want something else. They want an entertaining president, a guy with schtick. A performer a la, MTG, Boebert, Jordan, Gaetz and the rest of the Republican circus. I've always seen Trump as Elmer Gantry, a hedonistic conman. For those of you old enough to know the movie...
I worry and pray. Every day. I live in Pennsylvania and everyone I know despises Trump. For what it's worth.
I want to thank Chris Cillizza for the wonderful So What. You're the only Substack I pay money for. You've created a smart, engaged, respectful following who I like interacting with. Forget CNN. You kvetch too much about them, let it go. What you've created here is much more important, engaging, entertaining and thought provoking. You got this, buddy, we love you. Keep up the good work.
Joe Biden is an experienced debater, he is an adult with great restraint and self control. He has an sense of humor, and he displays some humility.Donald Trump is none of these things. That fact will be on clearly on display tomorrow.
And why do we have “swing states”? Why is my vote worth less than others?
Because it is in the Constitution and an amendment to repeal anything in the electoral process requires the Senate to come up with a super majority. At no time in the past decade have the Dems had enough of a majority to push such an amendment through. The Republicans would fight tooth and nail to prevent the repeal of the Electoral College set-up, which has given them, essentially, a 'minority rule' construct in order to obstruct and obfuscate legislation that they don't like.
In the US the dumbest nation in the world?? The American public “trusts” DONALD TRUMP to protect democracy? This is sickening and astounding. Donald TRUMP is leading in the swing states? HOW?? Does anyone listen to the hateful gibberish vomiting out of his mouth? Does anyone remember his COVID press conferences? All of the dead Americans? He brags about ripping away bodily autonomy from women? He is going to PARDON the “J6 hostages”?? He wants to bring back polio?
I just watched Brian Kemp say with a straight face that he will vote for DONALD TRUMP in November. How appalling!! He’s going to vote for the FIND ME 11,000 votes guy.
If we get this guy again, it’s over. The US is over. It will be fully Trumpistan. And we will deserve it.
I hear and completely agree with your frustration. I am deeply saddened and at times dumbfounded by the state of politics in our great country. The same questions you talk about run through my head regularly. But I believe that my grandfather and his 2 brothers fought for this country to protect our democracy. I believe it's important to remember all of the great people here will stand up and loudly proclaim that we will not stand for someone like Trump back in the White House again.
Nothing Chris wrote makes me despair more than the idea that Americans are so effing damned dumb and tuned into Faux Noise that they think tffg is going to >protect< democracy????
I have some highly inappropriate cuss words for that...that I won't put down here...but, how and where on Earth does ANYBODY, let alone alone a citizen in the U.S., with access to every possible source of information, acquire such a 180° degrees of wrong, unbelievably stupid idea???
I have the same thoughts running through my head on an endless loop. And I’m really pissed off. The most gullible among us can take ALL of us down into an abyss that the most gullible seem unable to comprehend.
I also hope that Biden reminds tRump of his CONVICTED FELON status numerous times during the debate. I think he should also challenge him to recite the 10 Commandments that he claims to *love* so much. He should also ask Trump to name the evidence proving that the 2020 election was “stolen.” Just the facts, man, just the facts!😁
Yes, I was shocked by that WaPo poll as well, but I'd like to know how "democracy" was defined in the poll. If it was like that Gallup poll you recently cited -- where "election integrity" was part of it -- that's playing into the bogus argument that there was massive voter fraud in 2020.
The best line from the 2020 debate was when Biden said he would’ve Thad it out with Donald behind the high school gym.
In other words I wouldn’t worry about Biden going too low. He should be ready and eager to rumble. He better fight for us like he’s taking on a bad person. Don’t tell us Donald is evil and then not go there and kick his butt.
Commenting on "song of the day" When I was much younger, Tom Petty and I had a friend in common whose family had a very sad tragedy. He came to the hospital to offer support, and left a touching written note. He was not only an amazingly talented songwriter and lyricist, but a great person. He is sorely missed. There was a documentary done that I viewed on a flight (where I see a lot of movies!) that is well worth watching. PS- thanks to Chris for these posts even while you are here in California- hope everything is going well- you deserve it!
"2024 is.....when we take our nation back and we set a path on a new trajectory for conservative values, like theatre vaping, trashing our coworkers, and 'making out' in public with our partners (so hot!), for Christian morals, that we would be a righteous nation recognized throughout the world once again.” — Colorado Rep. Lauren Boebert
Kinda one sided yet again! How bout the flip side of the coin? Perhaps some quick comments about how to keep Joe awake or keep from stumbling and mumbling incoherently or freezing like a statue?!? He’s been holed up for a week trying to get the stamina to stand there for a hour and a half…. Crickets on all that huh?
Crickets because that’s a MAGA talking point that is heard over and over by those who are bouncing around in the echo chamber of nothing but MAGA talking points. How about those sharks and batteries? Or pumping up Dana White to create IMMIGRANT FIGHT CLUB? How about “they opened it and I closed it and they opened it and I closed it”. Or when Trump, with bulging eyes, intoned “REBOOOOT GAHHHHH” at a rally this spring.
You said it! Imagine if former Pres. Trump just casually took a week off for debate prep while being the President. Democrats would lose it. But old Pres. Biden can take all the time he wants. All in order to pad his own ego because he can’t just be the transitional President he claimed to be. The hubris by both him and former Pres. Trump to believe they are the best the nation has to offer is unreal.
How sad for our nation if we zombie-walk to the polls and get Trump again. How sad for our children and everyone we love. How heartbreaking our dystopian lives will become in very short order.
I completely agree with you Chris. The models are almost as unreliable asl the polls. But the Models are more reliable especially if it's well constructed. Remember in 2016 when a model predictEd that Clinton has more than 70% chance of winning. I will choose a well constructed and transparent model over a poll.
As of this moment it actually says 50% Trump, 50% Biden. The Project 538 model changes daily and often multiple times a day so be careful when you cite it as it will change.
I cite 538 because I believe it's one of those well constructed model and I understand that it will change from day to day and sometimes multiple times within the day because the variables being fed into the model are not static, they are dynamic so we should expect the model to change . My point though is that the models are more reliable than these polls
This is going to be an interesting day and couple days to come! I hope Biden does stoop down to piss Trump off..not go bottom....don't think Biden would go THAT low. Maybe to tell the truth about Trump would be plenty. Mention the conviction. The upcoming sentencing. There is that leeway here. Looking forward to your take on debate tomorrow!
People are clueless. That is the sad and unfortunate situation we find ourselves in. And they aren't going to get any smarter in the next few months. Biden needs to win over ALL of the dislike- despises in at least three of those six swing states, and tomorrows debate would be a good place to start doing that. Let's hope.
Re strategy, playing it cool until the end, and then baiting Trump in the last ten minutes seems like a good plan.
Haha! Dang, just bought one, thanks for the link.
Thinking about tomorrow night with a heavy heart. How did this great country of ours become a place where a reprehensible, lazy, lying, do nothing for the people, uncaring, POS felon is debating a wise statesman who has been in public service for over 50 years?
This might not be an original thought. I have come to view Biden as "old" in that he clings to the way things were/should be in American politics. But it seems the tide has shifted, and a large part of the electorate want something else. They want an entertaining president, a guy with schtick. A performer a la, MTG, Boebert, Jordan, Gaetz and the rest of the Republican circus. I've always seen Trump as Elmer Gantry, a hedonistic conman. For those of you old enough to know the movie...
I worry and pray. Every day. I live in Pennsylvania and everyone I know despises Trump. For what it's worth.
I want to thank Chris Cillizza for the wonderful So What. You're the only Substack I pay money for. You've created a smart, engaged, respectful following who I like interacting with. Forget CNN. You kvetch too much about them, let it go. What you've created here is much more important, engaging, entertaining and thought provoking. You got this, buddy, we love you. Keep up the good work.
Joe Biden is an experienced debater, he is an adult with great restraint and self control. He has an sense of humor, and he displays some humility.Donald Trump is none of these things. That fact will be on clearly on display tomorrow.
And why do we have “swing states”? Why is my vote worth less than others?
Because of the damned Electoral College, that's why.
Well,yes..but why have American not insisted on getting rid of this antique? It is absurd. We have waited too long. And now, it may be too late.
Because it is in the Constitution and an amendment to repeal anything in the electoral process requires the Senate to come up with a super majority. At no time in the past decade have the Dems had enough of a majority to push such an amendment through. The Republicans would fight tooth and nail to prevent the repeal of the Electoral College set-up, which has given them, essentially, a 'minority rule' construct in order to obstruct and obfuscate legislation that they don't like.
Yup.let’s elect enough Democrats to gut this thing.
In the US the dumbest nation in the world?? The American public “trusts” DONALD TRUMP to protect democracy? This is sickening and astounding. Donald TRUMP is leading in the swing states? HOW?? Does anyone listen to the hateful gibberish vomiting out of his mouth? Does anyone remember his COVID press conferences? All of the dead Americans? He brags about ripping away bodily autonomy from women? He is going to PARDON the “J6 hostages”?? He wants to bring back polio?
I just watched Brian Kemp say with a straight face that he will vote for DONALD TRUMP in November. How appalling!! He’s going to vote for the FIND ME 11,000 votes guy.
If we get this guy again, it’s over. The US is over. It will be fully Trumpistan. And we will deserve it.
I hear and completely agree with your frustration. I am deeply saddened and at times dumbfounded by the state of politics in our great country. The same questions you talk about run through my head regularly. But I believe that my grandfather and his 2 brothers fought for this country to protect our democracy. I believe it's important to remember all of the great people here will stand up and loudly proclaim that we will not stand for someone like Trump back in the White House again.
Thank you for your comment. It lifted my heart. I hope fervently that you are right.
You're welcome. I know there are times I need a word of encouragement. We're all in this together
Yes, we are. That’s what Joyce Vance ends all of her substacks with.. We’re in this together. 💙💙💙💙
Nothing Chris wrote makes me despair more than the idea that Americans are so effing damned dumb and tuned into Faux Noise that they think tffg is going to >protect< democracy????
I have some highly inappropriate cuss words for that...that I won't put down here...but, how and where on Earth does ANYBODY, let alone alone a citizen in the U.S., with access to every possible source of information, acquire such a 180° degrees of wrong, unbelievably stupid idea???
Holy crap people...wake tf UP!!!
I have the same thoughts running through my head on an endless loop. And I’m really pissed off. The most gullible among us can take ALL of us down into an abyss that the most gullible seem unable to comprehend.
Not everyone has the same take on things that you do, apparently.
Unfortunately.
You can bet that Biden is going to be honest and call Trump a convicted Felon(fact).
I also hope that Biden reminds tRump of his CONVICTED FELON status numerous times during the debate. I think he should also challenge him to recite the 10 Commandments that he claims to *love* so much. He should also ask Trump to name the evidence proving that the 2020 election was “stolen.” Just the facts, man, just the facts!😁
Yes, I was shocked by that WaPo poll as well, but I'd like to know how "democracy" was defined in the poll. If it was like that Gallup poll you recently cited -- where "election integrity" was part of it -- that's playing into the bogus argument that there was massive voter fraud in 2020.
The best line from the 2020 debate was when Biden said he would’ve Thad it out with Donald behind the high school gym.
In other words I wouldn’t worry about Biden going too low. He should be ready and eager to rumble. He better fight for us like he’s taking on a bad person. Don’t tell us Donald is evil and then not go there and kick his butt.
I think he should come with a baseball bat.
Commenting on "song of the day" When I was much younger, Tom Petty and I had a friend in common whose family had a very sad tragedy. He came to the hospital to offer support, and left a touching written note. He was not only an amazingly talented songwriter and lyricist, but a great person. He is sorely missed. There was a documentary done that I viewed on a flight (where I see a lot of movies!) that is well worth watching. PS- thanks to Chris for these posts even while you are here in California- hope everything is going well- you deserve it!
All I want to know is, if the two men square off to literally fight, does the Secret Service do anything if they both say, ”Stand back.”?
"2024 is.....when we take our nation back and we set a path on a new trajectory for conservative values, like theatre vaping, trashing our coworkers, and 'making out' in public with our partners (so hot!), for Christian morals, that we would be a righteous nation recognized throughout the world once again.” — Colorado Rep. Lauren Boebert
Hey Chris
Kinda one sided yet again! How bout the flip side of the coin? Perhaps some quick comments about how to keep Joe awake or keep from stumbling and mumbling incoherently or freezing like a statue?!? He’s been holed up for a week trying to get the stamina to stand there for a hour and a half…. Crickets on all that huh?
Crickets because that’s a MAGA talking point that is heard over and over by those who are bouncing around in the echo chamber of nothing but MAGA talking points. How about those sharks and batteries? Or pumping up Dana White to create IMMIGRANT FIGHT CLUB? How about “they opened it and I closed it and they opened it and I closed it”. Or when Trump, with bulging eyes, intoned “REBOOOOT GAHHHHH” at a rally this spring.
You said it! Imagine if former Pres. Trump just casually took a week off for debate prep while being the President. Democrats would lose it. But old Pres. Biden can take all the time he wants. All in order to pad his own ego because he can’t just be the transitional President he claimed to be. The hubris by both him and former Pres. Trump to believe they are the best the nation has to offer is unreal.
wishcasting...
Funny that you keep referring to these polls and not the model that claims that Biden's chance of winning is 51 out of 100, and Trump's 49.
I also didn’t mention Nate Silver’s model that has Trump with a 68% chance of winning
How sad for our nation if we zombie-walk to the polls and get Trump again. How sad for our children and everyone we love. How heartbreaking our dystopian lives will become in very short order.
That sentence is going to give me 131 nights of nightmares. 😱
I completely agree with you Chris. The models are almost as unreliable asl the polls. But the Models are more reliable especially if it's well constructed. Remember in 2016 when a model predictEd that Clinton has more than 70% chance of winning. I will choose a well constructed and transparent model over a poll.
Hillary Clinton could tell you all about the value of those models.
As of this moment it actually says 50% Trump, 50% Biden. The Project 538 model changes daily and often multiple times a day so be careful when you cite it as it will change.
I cite 538 because I believe it's one of those well constructed model and I understand that it will change from day to day and sometimes multiple times within the day because the variables being fed into the model are not static, they are dynamic so we should expect the model to change . My point though is that the models are more reliable than these polls
His hair... go after his magnificent locks of gold!
#3 Is terrifying to me. You really have to be ignorant to trust Trump with anything. "Democracy protection"? Really???
This is going to be an interesting day and couple days to come! I hope Biden does stoop down to piss Trump off..not go bottom....don't think Biden would go THAT low. Maybe to tell the truth about Trump would be plenty. Mention the conviction. The upcoming sentencing. There is that leeway here. Looking forward to your take on debate tomorrow!
Their age difference is 1,316 days. Next time the t-Rump supporters mention Biden being too old, this might be a good number to remember.