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Ocelot II

(122,618 posts)
Sun Jul 21, 2024, 02:54 PM Jul 2024

Guys, we are *not* doomed! [View all]

When I saw the news my first reaction was probably like most of yours: "Aww, fuck!" and a feeling of despair. But rather than stay on DU and vent about Vichy Democrats and greedy donors and the general suck of the situation, I decided to go for a walk - the rain had stopped and I figured a couple of miles worth of contemplation might calm me down. And it did, and I feel better.

It occurred to me, first, that this isn't Biden's first rodeo, or his second or his third. He's one of the canniest politicians out there, and if anybody can figure out which way the political wind is blowing, it's him. So he must have had a good reason, or reasons, for making this extremely consequential decision. We don't know yet what those reasons were, but they could include a serious drop-off in fund-raising that couldn't be overcome or some worrisome internal polling. Or, since this was such a sudden and unexpected turn-around, maybe while he was being treated for covid some other health problem was uncovered that was likely to present a serious problem before long. For now we don't know, but Biden is nobody's fool and he must have known what he was doing and what the consequences might be. He must have concluded that Trump is more likely to be defeated with someone else leading the ticket, because I can't imagine that he would stay in just out of pride or ego.

So where does that leave us? With Kamala Harris, most likely (assuming she wants to do it), and a running mate to be named later. Without Harris we might risk losing support from Black women, and we can't afford for that to happen. I could be wrong about that but that seems to be the consensus. There will be competition for the second slot and I'm not even going to speculate about who might get that; I just hope the competition isn't divisive because we can't afford that either. In any event, our ticket will be the Not Trump ticket. Regardless who ends up on our ballot, they will be Not Trump. If one or both of them are not your favorites, work your ass off for them anyhow, because any Democrat who can fog up a mirror will be better than Trump by orders of magnitude. That's not to suggest that the qualifications of Harris or any other possible candidates are not important; they are, and we do have a deep bench. But importantly they are Not Trump.

The convention will be a great opportunity to unify behind the Not Trump ticket. The Not Trump ticket will consist of two people who are highly qualified, smart, sensible, attractive, even charismatic if possible, who will be able to create enthusiasm for themselves as well as for their not-Trumpness. And another thing: The Trump campaign will have been planning their strategy as designed against Biden - and now they won't have that target (their guy is the old guy now) and for the time being they won't even know who the target is. That gives the Democrats a big advantage.

Anyhow, I don't think we're screwed; I think we have an opportunity. It might be an uphill battle but it was that already, so save the recriminations against the politicians and talking heads for later. Get ready to donate and GOTV. It's not over.

123 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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Guys, we are *not* doomed! [View all] Ocelot II Jul 2024 OP
More I sit with it the more confident I get. See so many advantages. LizBeth Jul 2024 #1
Kamala and you and me and the Democratic machine is going to kick their ass Eliot Rosewater Jul 2024 #2
Trump is the worst candidate in the history of the US. meadowlander Jul 2024 #3
He's the worst candidate in the history of candidates. Ocelot II Jul 2024 #8
He can't even qualify for NJCher Jul 2024 #20
If that were the case, he would be losing badly . And we just turned him into an incumbent. Demsrule86 Jul 2024 #50
I agree Polybius Jul 2024 #4
I'm beyond caring what Lichtman has to say. This KPN Jul 2024 #22
Let's wait and see who our nominee is. edisdead Jul 2024 #81
Hell No We Are Not... we Are Fighters and WE Cha Jul 2024 #5
I would love to see something that probably won't happen. July Jul 2024 #6
I like that. But probably not going to hsppen. If I were Joe, I'd KPN Jul 2024 #26
Joe-bi Wan Kenobi Metaphorical Jul 2024 #36
Black OR women. Look it's still a 50/50 shot. Mark Warner would be a great VP pick underpants Jul 2024 #7
Good post. Elessar Zappa Jul 2024 #9
Yes!! I was fully on board with Joe Biden InstantGratification Jul 2024 #10
Please, leave Trump's name off our ticket. Sogo Jul 2024 #11
You may have misunderstood my characterization of the ticket. Ocelot II Jul 2024 #12
Fair enough. Sogo Jul 2024 #13
Buttigieg Linda ladeewolf Jul 2024 #29
He would be excellent. NH Ethylene Jul 2024 #92
Don't mistake my anger for despair. Iggo Jul 2024 #14
Nothing wrong with anger; it's warranted. Ocelot II Jul 2024 #16
X100 onecaliberal Jul 2024 #19
Bingo...! regnaD kciN Jul 2024 #31
Am working for down ballot too Attilatheblond Jul 2024 #91
Not only not doomed, I feel we've just been thrown a lifeline Silent3 Jul 2024 #15
Yup. Now their guy is the old guy, and he really does show signs of dementia. Ocelot II Jul 2024 #17
That is the best point yet! He's gonna look like the old greedy bastard he is...no coming back from that PortTack Jul 2024 #46
I agree Kaleva Jul 2024 #24
That was my feeling when I heard birdographer Jul 2024 #85
Recalculating... Recalculating... Recalculating... Hugin Jul 2024 #18
This will be an exciting convention. I look forward to watching it. scarletlib Jul 2024 #21
Nope, certainly not doomed. This change will generate a TON of excitement among Democrats and Independents. beaglelover Jul 2024 #23
Thank you. I hear you, but I'm both heartbroken and pissed off Joinfortmill Jul 2024 #25
I'm in the same camp peggysue2 Jul 2024 #103
Harris/Buttigieg 2024 Linda ladeewolf Jul 2024 #27
never underestimate joe samnsara Jul 2024 #28
Shines a Spotlight on Dems PikaBlue Jul 2024 #30
There's not much canetoad Jul 2024 #32
For the first time in months I'm confident we're going to win! Goodheart Jul 2024 #33
I am curious as to why you feel that way...we have no candidate, a contested convention most likely, issues with Demsrule86 Jul 2024 #67
We will certainly have a candidate: Kamala. There won't be much contest about that. Goodheart Jul 2024 #72
It will be a contested convention so that is not assured. And I have seen posts. Demsrule86 Jul 2024 #97
I may be wrong, of course, but I'm feeling much better today than yesterday. Goodheart Jul 2024 #100
I guess we find out in November assuming we get on the ballots where we need to. Demsrule86 Jul 2024 #102
Marc Elias says we will get on all 50 ballots. SunSeeker Jul 2024 #118
This all Rebl2 Jul 2024 #34
good and bad Skittles Jul 2024 #35
Not so much Metaphorical Jul 2024 #64
we can only hope Skittles Jul 2024 #78
I'll believe that only if Diraven Jul 2024 #37
Not sorry I feel doomed. LakeArenal Jul 2024 #38
You weren't cheated. You voted for Biden with Harris as his backup if you goes out.. SunSeeker Jul 2024 #47
Don't you dare tell me who voted for. LakeArenal Jul 2024 #49
How dare you claim Joe is not exercising his own good judgment. SunSeeker Jul 2024 #54
I dare. LakeArenal Jul 2024 #56
Support Democrats. We need you. There is no time for despair. nt SunSeeker Jul 2024 #57
I support Democratic candidates just fine. LakeArenal Jul 2024 #65
Your negative posts are not supporting Democrats. nt SunSeeker Jul 2024 #71
My negative posts are about what happened today. LakeArenal Jul 2024 #79
Your negativity is exactly what Republicans want. Don't give it to them. SunSeeker Jul 2024 #86
That is your opinion. Demsrule86 Jul 2024 #98
He was forced out...it had nothing to do with his judgement...put it on the donors who care more about bit coin Demsrule86 Jul 2024 #70
Unless you have a billion dollars laying around, we need the big Dem donors. SunSeeker Jul 2024 #75
Really so you are OK with them picking our nominees going forward? Demsrule86 Jul 2024 #99
I am OK with the delegates voting. Party rules provide for this. nt SunSeeker Jul 2024 #119
Now the money people know that if they don't like a bill Bettie Jul 2024 #104
And that is a real problem going forward. Demsrule86 Jul 2024 #109
Yep....I'm certainly not going with the Bettie Jul 2024 #112
And you've had personal conversations with him to know he was not exercising his own judgment? n/t Ms. Toad Jul 2024 #108
He was forced out by Donors..OK so please let's agree to disagree. Demsrule86 Jul 2024 #116
I'm with you, Butterflylady Jul 2024 #93
Nope. I disagree. Hey I will vote for whoever the nominee is but I question with the money thing if all Democrats will Demsrule86 Jul 2024 #53
You didn't vote for Biden Harris in the primary? Come on. SunSeeker Jul 2024 #60
I voted for Joe Biden as the nominee and Kamala Harris as his VP...so no it is not the same ticket. Demsrule86 Jul 2024 #73
Recent polls have shown Kamala does the same or better than Biden--even in PA. SunSeeker Jul 2024 #82
NO it is not. The person we voted for was forced go step down what nine weeks before the election? Demsrule86 Jul 2024 #62
Yes. LakeArenal Jul 2024 #68
I don't know about you, but I voted for the Biden Harris ticket. SunSeeker Jul 2024 #83
Well threre is no Biden /Harris ticket now is there and there won't be going forward. Demsrule86 Jul 2024 #101
Voting for the ticket meant you approved Harris as Joe's backup. SunSeeker Jul 2024 #106
Please don't blow smoke up my butt...Joe was the presidential candidate. It is not the same ticket. Demsrule86 Jul 2024 #110
It is you who is blowing smoke up people's butts and trashing our likely nominee. SunSeeker Jul 2024 #117
Same...talk is cheap. Demsrule86 Jul 2024 #59
And the price of exerted pressure may be very costly. LakeArenal Jul 2024 #69
Thanks. I'm trusting Joe's judgment until something can prove him wrong. Hermit-The-Prog Jul 2024 #39
Don't put this on Joe...it will never be his fault this happened. If we lose, it's not because of Joe. Demsrule86 Jul 2024 #63
Yep, don't blame Joe for this. LisaL Jul 2024 #74
I said nothing about "blame". I assume Joe Biden is going to do what he thinks is best for us all. Hermit-The-Prog Jul 2024 #123
President Joe Biden makes his own decisions. Yes, he's been subjected to outrageous pressure. Hermit-The-Prog Jul 2024 #122
Vice Presidents dsvajda Jul 2024 #40
Best post I've seen on the subject yet! nt Shipwack Jul 2024 #41
Wonder if Biden knew all along he was going to drop out KS Toronado Jul 2024 #42
Who's feeling doomed? I feel great myself! bhikkhu Jul 2024 #43
I work elections I know what it takes to win the rustbelt. We have nine f'ing weeks. And I am convinced Kamala Demsrule86 Jul 2024 #76
Excellent! wordstroken Jul 2024 #44
I am not in despair. I am ready to GOTV for Harris! SunSeeker Jul 2024 #45
It's gotta work out. We still got this. bluestarone Jul 2024 #48
How do you think we got this...we are heading towards a contested convention. We have issues with getting any Demsrule86 Jul 2024 #58
I DO know (in my heart) bluestarone Jul 2024 #61
Really, hearts don't predict elections. Demsrule86 Jul 2024 #80
I agree germanparlor Jul 2024 #51
I agree 100% Ocelot. Irish_Dem Jul 2024 #52
To me, ForgedCrank Jul 2024 #55
"I don't think we're screwed" 58Sunliner Jul 2024 #66
The Masters of the Universe had better be prepared for anger and backlash Warpy Jul 2024 #77
People on DU will vote for our candidate. But I have worked for years to get out the vote and it will really hard Demsrule86 Jul 2024 #107
We have changed the game bucolic_frolic Jul 2024 #84
Still fighting for the Soul of America. Prosecute the felon, every day. Run on Project 2025, every day. Hekate Jul 2024 #87
I am very excited. We will beat Donald. kellytore Jul 2024 #88
Dems coming out against Biden continuing his candidacy hurt Biden's candidacy. Jarqui Jul 2024 #89
The Key Abstractartist Jul 2024 #90
I feel much better now...and historically Demsrule86 Jul 2024 #94
Are you hearing the Klaxon? BurnDoubt Jul 2024 #95
Post removed Post removed Jul 2024 #96
Is there another Kennedy running besides the creepy nutty one? tavernier Jul 2024 #105
No. Kennedy is not a Democrat, and Bernie, 82, is not running. SunSeeker Jul 2024 #113
Bernie isn't a Democrat either, Ocelot II Jul 2024 #115
LOL! Try the humor forum. Ocelot II Jul 2024 #114
Regroup, reunite, charge! Intractable Jul 2024 #111
We're not doomed but trolls here will continue to Chakaconcarne Jul 2024 #120
And that's why we can ignore and alert. Ocelot II Jul 2024 #121
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