16 Nobel Prize winning economists have warned of a Trump Presidency and his economic record doesn’t come close to matching Obama’s or Biden’s. I’ll pile on in asking what’s happening in media that these corporate leaders aren’t grilled about why they support an administration that will not only harm the economy and their shareholders, but like Hungary, potentially create an authoritarian government like Orban. Look at what DeSantis did to Disney; it seems like foreshadowing.
Why does the media let corporate giants like Jamie Diamond falsely claim Trump was and is positive for our economy.
If people don’t care about democracy, can we make them care about the economy?! The SCOTUS wont save us and I’m astounded at the silence of our business leaders.
yeah, I was wondering that too. Can't be Newsom (both from CA), so I'd vote Pete B. Can't decide if "Harris-Buttigieg" or "Kamala-Pete" is the more awkward bumper sticker...
Jeff, I think Phil has the right idea, but agree with you regarding America not being quite ready. I supported Buttigieg when he ran in 2020 due to his intelligence and that he's incredibly articulate. There are others like Gov. Beshear.
I remember recently during a transportation crisis going on over the weekend, Pete Buttigieg was talking to the media about social issues rather than dealing with the transportation crisis at hand. That might not play very well. And of course his political experience is being a mayor of a small town.
Gotta be Whitmer from Michigan, Shapiro from PA, or Cooper from North Carolina. It makes too much sense. All our very popular Democrat Governors of battleground states, who give you their state and help out a lot in WI-MI-PA, where it's all going to be won or lost.
Add Andy Beshear of Kentucky. Former AG and two-term governor in a red state. He's 46 years old which is important as we need younger people to run and win.
I like the Kamala vp question because that is where I'm at. I think there is first going to be debate or discussion as to is she the best candidate to win. Lots of people want some kind of open process where dem voters get to choose our candidate. Is this realistic.
I was wondering the same thing, except specifically about the option of flipping the ticket and having Biden be her veep nominee (he could force that to be a condition of him ceding the presidential nomination).
that's why it's a unity ticket. Kinzinger is pretty conservative too. And two women would be great against the orange man. And imagine her debating JD Vance or some other MAGA insurrectionist.
For me a unity ticket is a hail mary pass at the convention, if it looks like Kamala or whoever is our candidate is going to lose. Right now Kingzinger comes to mind as someone who puts country ahead of party. Hopefully our party is united and winning in the polls by this time. I do think electing a black women is going to be a big challenge.
You often say that you do not think that the dire predictions about what could happen in a second Trump administration will actually take place, because of the strength of our public institutions and the free press. Do you still believe that to be true after Monday's Supreme Court ruling on presidential immunity?
Agreed! Chris, I think you consistently underestimate what Trump and his toadies, appointed judges, Project 25 crazies, Bannon ,and the sure-to-be nut jobs and yes men he'll appoint to his cabinet will try to do - all with Fox news as cheerleader and enforcer. The idea that guard rails, the Supreme Court, public outcry, etc would stop much of the dangerous things from happening is CRAZY, especially now. Now that The Supreme Court told Trump to go for it and now that Trump is playing the victim card because of all the legal matters against him.
Just wanted say thank you Chris, for being here, I've posted plenty here in the last few days (I'm a paid subscriber!) so I'll take a breather now. Let's see if I can go for an hour without having an opinion I have to express, lol.
You keep saying that there are enough guardrails in place to keep Trump from completely destroying or doing unrepairable damage to our democracy. Prior to last few Supreme Court rulings I would have agreed with you. But now I have grave doubts. The Supreme Court just moved even further right, Republican’s have completely surrendered to MAGA zealots, the Heritage Foundation is continuing to press Project 2025 and Trump now has the tools and the apparent backing to gut the DOJ. Do you still that the guardrails are still sufficient in both numbers and strength to hold and is so which guardrails and why?
One horror story I've heard about a 2nd Trump term involves SCOTUS appointments. Billionaires get together and create gold parachute offers to Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito, e.g. no-show corporate board positions, consulting, lectures, etc. They resign in financial splendor, and Trump can appoint younger, more extreme right-wing justices. Associate Justice Aileen Cannon anyone?
I don't see why Chris should be "infuriated/ frustrated" by subscribers who dare to question his opinions about the contest between President Biden and Donald Trump. Some people find his opinions(they are not haters by the way) as biased and unfair while some find them as absolute truths and nothing but the truths.
Is project 2025 a liberal bogey man, a conservative pipe dream, or some thing to be concerned about? I don't hear Trump talking about it directly, but certainly people in his circle are!
Chris - It feels like BDF (Biden Debate Fiasco) is one of the biggest political stories of your 25-year career. Other than political-ADJACENT events like 9/11, The Global Financial Crisis and Covid, in my mind this one maybe sits close to Trump, maybe Obama, and Florida-2000-hanging-chad among the Top 5. Could you rank the top few political stories of the millennium as you see them? You may choose to split Trump-y stuff into multiple events, to allow Jan.6 to stand alone.
Chris - enjoy your insights! Would you comment on the potential connection between Kevin Robert's (CEO Heritage Foundation) statement about a "second American Revolution ... remaining bloodless if the left allows it," and the SCOTUS immunity decision to place so much power in the Presidency. I'd suggest Robert's musing is somewhere between an irresponsible harbinger and a dangerous threat. What do you think is the thinking going on behind the scenes in conservative "backrooms?"
This person is the head of the Federalist Foundation, THE far-right think tank. They have published a roadmap for taking over the Consttutional government and basically tearing the government apart. Google it And be horrified. It’s already started.
Have read. The question is: What is the long-term strategy behind it? Is it a belief that only an autocracy (vs a democracy) can mitigate America's long decline as the world's superpower? Not suggesting it is the right strategy just trying to determine a "big-picture" rationale for such irrational thinking and action. As Einstein posited (I paraphrase), we have to first understand the problem before we can find a proper solution.
They believe America must be a totalitarian state for it to leave the dreaded left destroyed. It will be “bloody only if the left wants it”. Nice huh?😤
Chris, we’re all talking about how the immunity ruling is a victory for trump, but as the sitting president isn’t this a victory for Biden? Do these new powers (or at least immunity from using powers) allow him to dictate the election? Could he have trump thrown in jail for threatening democracy? Could he suspend the election until it’s worked out if trump is being funded by Russia? These might be extreme examples, but can this help Biden at all?
Biden can and should do these things you mentioned above.
Unfortunately Biden and the Democrats would say they are too decent and that they have too much respect for our institutions for all of that and then regret it if Trump wins and start doing those things. Remember that the Democrats refused to go nuclear on Supreme Court nomination process etc.
The Democrats like to take sticks and knives to a fight while the Republicans take guns to the same fight (metaphorically of course)
So Pres. Biden can and should do all the things that you’re terrified of Trump doing? You don’t care about democracy you just care about your guy winning.
Regardless of who wins in Nov, will it be possible to escape violence? I think there is an 80% chance either way, but I’m deeply pessimistic, hoping you have a better outlook.
As a 73 year old former republican who has lived thru Watergate and other scandals I’m throughly upset about the nation. We have a Supreme Court who has taken us back the 1800s a convicted felon running for president and a well meaning old man. I’m taking a break from the news to save my sanity. It just seems so hopeless now.
my plan is to keep hope alive with action, once I know which candidate I am supporting. I haven't volunteered much since Obama's first election but I'm ready to get back out there.
Which writers on substack do you check on a daily basis? Whose opinion do you value the most? I know it is like picking your favorite child but ............Thank you!
A Micael Moore essay showed up in my email. I think it is from substack. While it won't be for everybody, I found it very funny and strangely uplifting.
In the not too distant past you have indicated that you didn't think Trump was a grave threat to democracy. Do you still feel the same way given the recent actions of the supreme court which have essentially given the executive branch dictator like powers along with Trumps continuous statements about weaponizing the DOJ among, other things? Even without the recent supreme court rulings I thought a 2nd Trump term would be disastrous for this country. Now I don't believe this country will survive in its current form if Trump wins reelection.
My understanding is that the elected Prez is given security clearance by default. Given his past history, Trump would not have qualified for clearance during his term in office otherwise.
16 Nobel Prize winning economists have warned of a Trump Presidency and his economic record doesn’t come close to matching Obama’s or Biden’s. I’ll pile on in asking what’s happening in media that these corporate leaders aren’t grilled about why they support an administration that will not only harm the economy and their shareholders, but like Hungary, potentially create an authoritarian government like Orban. Look at what DeSantis did to Disney; it seems like foreshadowing.
Why does the media let corporate giants like Jamie Diamond falsely claim Trump was and is positive for our economy.
If people don’t care about democracy, can we make them care about the economy?! The SCOTUS wont save us and I’m astounded at the silence of our business leaders.
Who might Kamala pick for VP?
yeah, I was wondering that too. Can't be Newsom (both from CA), so I'd vote Pete B. Can't decide if "Harris-Buttigieg" or "Kamala-Pete" is the more awkward bumper sticker...
Sadly, I don't think America is quite ready for a gay VP even though I find Pete highly intelligent and more than qualified.
Jeff, I think Phil has the right idea, but agree with you regarding America not being quite ready. I supported Buttigieg when he ran in 2020 due to his intelligence and that he's incredibly articulate. There are others like Gov. Beshear.
I remember recently during a transportation crisis going on over the weekend, Pete Buttigieg was talking to the media about social issues rather than dealing with the transportation crisis at hand. That might not play very well. And of course his political experience is being a mayor of a small town.
Gotta be Whitmer from Michigan, Shapiro from PA, or Cooper from North Carolina. It makes too much sense. All our very popular Democrat Governors of battleground states, who give you their state and help out a lot in WI-MI-PA, where it's all going to be won or lost.
Add Andy Beshear of Kentucky. Former AG and two-term governor in a red state. He's 46 years old which is important as we need younger people to run and win.
I like the Kamala vp question because that is where I'm at. I think there is first going to be debate or discussion as to is she the best candidate to win. Lots of people want some kind of open process where dem voters get to choose our candidate. Is this realistic.
I was wondering the same thing, except specifically about the option of flipping the ticket and having Biden be her veep nominee (he could force that to be a condition of him ceding the presidential nomination).
or a unity ticket - Harris and Cheney?
It would be Kinzinger. While Liz is a person with sufficient morals, she's too conservative for this.
Not a bad idea, but pure fantasy I think.
ya, but WHAT a fantasy!
that's why it's a unity ticket. Kinzinger is pretty conservative too. And two women would be great against the orange man. And imagine her debating JD Vance or some other MAGA insurrectionist.
For me a unity ticket is a hail mary pass at the convention, if it looks like Kamala or whoever is our candidate is going to lose. Right now Kingzinger comes to mind as someone who puts country ahead of party. Hopefully our party is united and winning in the polls by this time. I do think electing a black women is going to be a big challenge.
What about Beshear, he won in a red state, moderate, and wouldn't outshine top.
Chris --
You often say that you do not think that the dire predictions about what could happen in a second Trump administration will actually take place, because of the strength of our public institutions and the free press. Do you still believe that to be true after Monday's Supreme Court ruling on presidential immunity?
Bill
Agreed! Chris, I think you consistently underestimate what Trump and his toadies, appointed judges, Project 25 crazies, Bannon ,and the sure-to-be nut jobs and yes men he'll appoint to his cabinet will try to do - all with Fox news as cheerleader and enforcer. The idea that guard rails, the Supreme Court, public outcry, etc would stop much of the dangerous things from happening is CRAZY, especially now. Now that The Supreme Court told Trump to go for it and now that Trump is playing the victim card because of all the legal matters against him.
I would also like to hear what do you think how bad a second Trump presidency would be.
Just wanted say thank you Chris, for being here, I've posted plenty here in the last few days (I'm a paid subscriber!) so I'll take a breather now. Let's see if I can go for an hour without having an opinion I have to express, lol.
With my anxiety about a Trump presidency I have had a political obsession since Thursday.
You keep saying that there are enough guardrails in place to keep Trump from completely destroying or doing unrepairable damage to our democracy. Prior to last few Supreme Court rulings I would have agreed with you. But now I have grave doubts. The Supreme Court just moved even further right, Republican’s have completely surrendered to MAGA zealots, the Heritage Foundation is continuing to press Project 2025 and Trump now has the tools and the apparent backing to gut the DOJ. Do you still that the guardrails are still sufficient in both numbers and strength to hold and is so which guardrails and why?
One horror story I've heard about a 2nd Trump term involves SCOTUS appointments. Billionaires get together and create gold parachute offers to Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito, e.g. no-show corporate board positions, consulting, lectures, etc. They resign in financial splendor, and Trump can appoint younger, more extreme right-wing justices. Associate Justice Aileen Cannon anyone?
How do you not get infuriated and/or frustrated by the haters out there who go after you because you dare speak the truth about the President (Biden)?
I don't see why Chris should be "infuriated/ frustrated" by subscribers who dare to question his opinions about the contest between President Biden and Donald Trump. Some people find his opinions(they are not haters by the way) as biased and unfair while some find them as absolute truths and nothing but the truths.
Is project 2025 a liberal bogey man, a conservative pipe dream, or some thing to be concerned about? I don't hear Trump talking about it directly, but certainly people in his circle are!
Chris - It feels like BDF (Biden Debate Fiasco) is one of the biggest political stories of your 25-year career. Other than political-ADJACENT events like 9/11, The Global Financial Crisis and Covid, in my mind this one maybe sits close to Trump, maybe Obama, and Florida-2000-hanging-chad among the Top 5. Could you rank the top few political stories of the millennium as you see them? You may choose to split Trump-y stuff into multiple events, to allow Jan.6 to stand alone.
Chris - enjoy your insights! Would you comment on the potential connection between Kevin Robert's (CEO Heritage Foundation) statement about a "second American Revolution ... remaining bloodless if the left allows it," and the SCOTUS immunity decision to place so much power in the Presidency. I'd suggest Robert's musing is somewhere between an irresponsible harbinger and a dangerous threat. What do you think is the thinking going on behind the scenes in conservative "backrooms?"
This person is the head of the Federalist Foundation, THE far-right think tank. They have published a roadmap for taking over the Consttutional government and basically tearing the government apart. Google it And be horrified. It’s already started.
Have read. The question is: What is the long-term strategy behind it? Is it a belief that only an autocracy (vs a democracy) can mitigate America's long decline as the world's superpower? Not suggesting it is the right strategy just trying to determine a "big-picture" rationale for such irrational thinking and action. As Einstein posited (I paraphrase), we have to first understand the problem before we can find a proper solution.
They believe America must be a totalitarian state for it to leave the dreaded left destroyed. It will be “bloody only if the left wants it”. Nice huh?😤
Chris, we’re all talking about how the immunity ruling is a victory for trump, but as the sitting president isn’t this a victory for Biden? Do these new powers (or at least immunity from using powers) allow him to dictate the election? Could he have trump thrown in jail for threatening democracy? Could he suspend the election until it’s worked out if trump is being funded by Russia? These might be extreme examples, but can this help Biden at all?
Biden can and should do these things you mentioned above.
Unfortunately Biden and the Democrats would say they are too decent and that they have too much respect for our institutions for all of that and then regret it if Trump wins and start doing those things. Remember that the Democrats refused to go nuclear on Supreme Court nomination process etc.
The Democrats like to take sticks and knives to a fight while the Republicans take guns to the same fight (metaphorically of course)
So Pres. Biden can and should do all the things that you’re terrified of Trump doing? You don’t care about democracy you just care about your guy winning.
Regardless of who wins in Nov, will it be possible to escape violence? I think there is an 80% chance either way, but I’m deeply pessimistic, hoping you have a better outlook.
I've been enjoying and appreciate your takes and insights to the post-debate week news cycle.
As a 73 year old former republican who has lived thru Watergate and other scandals I’m throughly upset about the nation. We have a Supreme Court who has taken us back the 1800s a convicted felon running for president and a well meaning old man. I’m taking a break from the news to save my sanity. It just seems so hopeless now.
my plan is to keep hope alive with action, once I know which candidate I am supporting. I haven't volunteered much since Obama's first election but I'm ready to get back out there.
Which writers on substack do you check on a daily basis? Whose opinion do you value the most? I know it is like picking your favorite child but ............Thank you!
I am new to substack. Do most writers have a paywall? Who do you like?
A Micael Moore essay showed up in my email. I think it is from substack. While it won't be for everybody, I found it very funny and strangely uplifting.
https://www.michaelmoore.com/p/we-are-asking-the-wrong-question?utm_source=post-email-title&publication_id=320974&post_id=146267188&utm_campaign=email-post-title&isFreemail=true&r=7ni97&triedRedirect=true&utm_medium=email
In the not too distant past you have indicated that you didn't think Trump was a grave threat to democracy. Do you still feel the same way given the recent actions of the supreme court which have essentially given the executive branch dictator like powers along with Trumps continuous statements about weaponizing the DOJ among, other things? Even without the recent supreme court rulings I thought a 2nd Trump term would be disastrous for this country. Now I don't believe this country will survive in its current form if Trump wins reelection.
Chris
Trump is a convicted felon. He cannot get a security clearance. So then, no PDB, no top secret documents. How will that work if he gets elected?
My understanding is that the elected Prez is given security clearance by default. Given his past history, Trump would not have qualified for clearance during his term in office otherwise.