Yves here. Tom Neuburger’s latest “What to Do About Biden” piece raises many interesting talking points, even if yours truly doesn’t necessarily agree with them. The one that bothers me the most is the principle that voters should have a say. Operationally, with the primaries over, there is no mechanism for that to happen. On top of that, it has long been clear that Democrats view ordinary voters as mere fools, to be used and discarded. The party does not support the policies that the majority of Americans, not just self-described Democrats, want, starting with raising the minimum wage, strengthening Medicare and Social Security, taxing the rich, and cutting military spending. The party cheated like crazy to beat Sanders and has not even bothered to throw a single political bone to its supporters. They also used incredibly aggressive methods to exclude Biden’s primary competitors, particularly RFK, Jr., and even declared outright that Biden was the nominee, with no opposition allowed.
And as for conventions that seem legitimate and feel good, come on. Trump had an absolutely horrible convention in 2016, where his team had a hard time getting anyone on stage other than his family members. And remember the horrible, long argument he had with the father of the deceased Gold Star soldier? He still won.
As for the deal Biden might accept, I would say the opposite of what Tom suggests. The Bidens seem to be spending at their best, and then some. One contact with a keen eye (as he points out the Bidens’ expensive-to-maintain home, among other lifestyle indicators) estimates that it would take $200 million to get Biden out, which is what it would cost to keep him and his extended family at the level they have become accustomed to, plus pay legal fees, particularly Hunter’s.
By Thomas Neuburger. Originally published on God’s Spies
The Donors Convention is happening right now — behind the scenes (kind of) discussions are currently taking place among major donors and party figures to (a) force Biden to resign or step down, and (b) determine who should replace him.
The takeaway: None of this includes voters, except indirectly. (Questions like “Can Harris beat Trump?” include voters indirectly, by guessing their choices.)
The problem: Even if everyone in the party seems to want to beat Trump, including most voters close to the party, some may feel offended by the blatantly undemocratic nature of the process and thus stay away. At this point, the party needs every vote it can get. It’s a tough circle to break.
Requirements for candidates
What are the requirements that the candidate must meet in this process? I think there are four:
- Donors must approve of this person and give freely to their race.
- Party officials – MPs and senators, especially those running for re-election – must fully support this choice.
- The press must also fully support this choice. We must no longer speak of “uncertain future.” No more “Democrats in disarray.”
- Voters, whether they are close to Democrats or truly independent, must think either
• Donors have chosen well, or
• Voters had a real say in the process.
All of these things seem necessary, but especially 1 and 4. When donors decide who to open their wallets to — and do it together — the party and the press will follow. Nervous Democrats need not worry about them.
But at votersThe process cannot seem too undemocratic. As Ryan Grim has stated wrote“For an open convention to be legitimate in the eyes of the public, it is essential that it be perceived as open.”
Grim is absolutely right. A product cannot simply be good for you; it is necessary that feel It’s good for you too. That’s why they put fizz in some brands of toothpaste: It sparkles, that means it works. Of course, the fizz is often hydrogen peroxide, which has its benefits. But it feels beneficial, and that’s what drives the product forward.
If the various candidates and their allies go on television regularly and give speeches on their behalf, with up-to-the-minute information on the endorsements of influential figures, unions, environmental groups, etc., it will resemble what we mean today by authentically real and democratic: reality TV.
Reality TV. Why would it work?
The show will captivate the world and create a connection between the viewer and the stars of the show — especially if there is a sense that social media sentiment plays a real role in how things play out. If that sentiment is seen as contributing to the choice of the next nominee, Trump is toast. If the Democratic leaders nominate someone, that person is toast.
I’m not sure I’m as confident in the outcome as Grim, but I agree that the process needs to feel right to voters, or few will adhere to it.
The Intelligence Community Speaks Out
I can’t stress enough that the intelligence community’s “vote” matters too. They’ve already given their opinion at least twice and they don’t want Biden.
The first time was in September of last year. David Ignatius is like ghost-adjacent as a journalist can be. In 2023, he wrote in the Washington Post“President Biden is unlikely to run again in 2024His reason, Biden’s two “liabilities”: his age and Kamala Harris.
After all, if every giver knew early on that Biden was fragile (as Krystal Ball said on her show), didn’t the Shadow State know this too? Ignatius and his whisperers may have changed their minds about Harris, but not about Joe.
The second time it happened this week. Matt Taibbi wrote this About Senator Mark Warner (subscriber’s post; emphasis added): “The (Washington) Job According to the report, Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Sen. Mark Warner of Virginia was plans to bring together prominent Democrats to ask Biden to consider resigning. THE the perspective of the elected official with perhaps the closest ties to the intelligence community “It wasn’t hard to decipher this news so soon before Biden’s biggest TV interview since the debate.”
Supreme Court watchers and King Lear’s “God’s spies,” please take note. Do you think they want Trump? The IC gets a vote too.
How Donors Could End Biden’s Reign
Before you say that, please remember that I have no horse in the Democratic Party race. There is no real progressive option. I do, however, want the strongest candidate, and I want it soon. That is why I am offering this to you.
If all donors agreed that Mrs. Someone Else was their choice, the way to get rid of Biden and the people who stiffened his back would be simple and clear: Refusing to fund your retirement and that of your family.
You know what I mean. No money for the library, less speeches, total indifference of all kinds of big money. It’s not even a bribe; it’s a afterwards carrot which is also a perfect stick. Even the Court says afterwards Tipping is nice.
And it would work. Any modern former president would accept this deal. The Bidens and their closest friends, if they made the right choice, would sail to the Sun Isles on golden boats, surrounded by flowers and praise.
And we, the public, would finally know what our choices are.
