28 Comments

It's good that Biden apologized but the DNC should also issue a statement apologizing, especially Sarafina Chitika.

I also thought it was shitty that the DCCC was propping up Jan 6ers to win congressional races.

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Agree. I think the mistake Democrats can make is using the "well Trump would do it" logic. Remember that Biden REPEATEDLY said he was running to restore dignity to the White House. He promised to be BETTER than Trump, not stoop to his level.

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founding

And by all metrics Biden has lived up to that promise. There is decency and respect in the White House. How many Cabinet Members have left his administration and compare that with Trump's first 3 years. Biden said the Press is not an enemy of the people and I can go on and on. This decency in the White House is going to remain there with Biden for another FIVE YEARS!!

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I sadly agree with all of your points. Trump's popularity is a damning indictment of so many people in this country.

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President Biden has more decency in his little finger than Donald J Trump has in his entire bloated garbage bag of a body. I hope that conservatives who dislike Trump’s bad behavior and autocratic tendencies might see Biden as deserving of their vote, to preserve decency and by extension, democracy. Thanks, Chris,for sharing a really good example of nonpartisan action by our very perceptive and kind President.

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100% agree. Thank you for this post to make sure that we were aware of this incident of the DNC gratuitously humiliating Asa Hutchinson, the corrective, morally admirable, politically astute actions and statements by the Biden White House in contrast to the morally deplorable, reflexive bullying by Donald Trump that is rewarded by his Republucan supporters and enablers.

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I was disappointed in reading the comments to JVL's piece on this (mentioned by Chris in his post) that there were a substantial number of people arguing that this was no big deal, and we shouldn't think any persuadable voters would care, and that we should chill.

I saw the DNC crack as an easily exploitable error, providing MAGA types with ammunition of the "see what horrible people the Democrats are" variety, and I was really surprised that the DNC was amateurish enough to put out a statement like that with zero potential upsides. I think both Democrats and non-Democratic anti-Trumpers have a right to demand that the DNC be serious and competent this year. If a major operation within the Biden and Congressional campaigns is under the control of people with no awareness of audiences beyond Democratic insiders we're in major trouble. What a diversion for Biden if he has to divert attention to making up for his own party's campaign mistakes while running his campaign.

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Yeah, Robert, I think there's an element of the Democratic party that are fine with saying and doing ANYTHING to Republicans because they know Trump would do it to them. But that's getting down in the mud with Trump, which he loves -- and which, I don't believe, is a winning strategy for Biden.

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I think the DNC is in too much of a bubble. President Biden needs to kick all those loafing smartmouthed little juvies the heck outta their little club and bring in fresh, experienced people from all over the country and get a PROFESSIONAL campaign going--you know, like the excellent piece The Lincoln Project just put out.

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Well said Chris! Glad to see the apology, it was the right and mature thing to do.

I wish Democratic staffers were a lot smarter about what and how they say things, especially on social media. It’s another use case that some of these staffers need social media disabled or like at least dual control where someone else has to approve it. To your point Chris, Democrats need voters in the Asa tent to consider voting for Biden. You might not agree with all of their policy positions but it’s time to make some compromises!

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This tells me that the DNC isn't up to the task of running a good, hard-hitting (above the belt) campaign with good impactful messaging. Already the apostate Republicans of The Lincoln Project are doing a better job than the strange, déclassé crew of the DNC.

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founding

Chris, well said. I’m a democrat, but think what dnc did shows it needs new leadership. They should be applauding Hutchinson for being one of few republicans who calls out their leader for his many faults rather than making fun of him like a middle school wise guy.

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This is why I call the MAGAts "The Seething Inadequates" now. They really are despicable.

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“The Republican party — led by Donald Trump — delights in all of that. He LOVES to mock people who aren’t as strong or as popular as he is. He revels in the failures of his opponents. Bullying is built-in to his appeal.” — I sure hope you are wrong about this. I DO believe that those that attend his rallies probably do, that’s why they attend – for the crass entertainment value. But I have trouble characterizing the entire party that way. Regardless, the Republican Party, for the most part, no longer has a spine to stand up to Trump’s bullying antics. They are destroying the party and I’m afraid it will never recover. We need a two-party system, but not THIS two party system.

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This is really spot on, Chris, thank you! The DNC was really wrong to have mocked Hutchinson; in a way, they are echoing Trump. And credit to President Biden for consistently modeling as a moral, bipartisan leader. The problem is that he is part of a fading generation that included John McCain, Mitt Romney, that could disagree without demonizing. There is obviously no place for such a person in the GOP but the Dems should not stoop to that level. And, I completely agree with your second point, regarding Trump. His followers don't support him in spite of his cruelty but because of it and that is a scary thought that Trumpism may outlast Trump. President Biden said it very well himself when he said that we know who Trump is; the 2024 election will be about who we are as a country. I am very worried about that outcome.

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Agree with you, Chris.

No need to bash a actual Republican "Normie."

Obviously the DNCC allowed a twenty-something wannabe comedian staffer too close to the official email.

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110% agree with the post, Chris - and thank you for sneaking in the “Ada” - Trump is not only cruel but stupid and ignorant

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Again we see the difference between Class in Biden and Crass in Trump.

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If I was of a conspiracist mindset, I might think the DNC purposely did this so that President Biden could come out and show class and grace. Showing the contrast between himself and Trump. Really anyone on the right.

Also, has anyone checked to see that Trump hasn’t dumped all over Asa Hutchinson? Hard to believe he wouldn’t since Asa was a critic. He can’t help himself.

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founding

Ge will still do that when he busy done with his secual assault trial( defamation) in NewYork

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For me it is about having character and it is obvious who does and who doesn't!

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We are going to find out in 9 + months just how many decent folks are left. Let's hope there are enough of them in PA, GA, WI, MI, and AZ to save us.

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