What is disheartening to me is that at every opportunity Biden’s team seems like they never see the traps coming. Knife to a gunfight every time. Trumps only play is to say shit with confidence. Why would the Biden team play that pantomime? You can’t bring facts into reality TV. I would have liked to see Biden ask for a chair, sit down and tell the audience that he’s exhausted from actually doing a job instead of cheating at golf all day. I would have liked him to declare that his team of competent experienced men and women have his back, and he doesn’t hold a gun to their head. I would have liked to hear him say what all us women are thinking, that no one does anything alone, there is no such thing as a strong man, and Johnson wasn’t elected so it’s good he has a capable running mate, unlike Trump who doesn’t have friends, just lawyers. Are we all cowards now?! You can’t pussy foot around a bully. You have to just do your thing and call their bluff. This generation of young political minds cherish good manners. I get that, but you have to scrap with a scrapper. There is no go low go high. There is only survival and it’s never guaranteed. For either Biden or Trump.
I think this knife-to-a-gunfight analogy applies to the whole progressive vs conservative dynamic everywhere. How to deal effectively with toxic people without being toxic? Bring a gun or spike their guns.
Thank you, Bill, for your wise and compassionate words this morning. I have not wanted to see as clearly as you see here that it is time for Biden to graciously and selflessly accept his role as great-grandfather and step aside. I know you aren't speaking for Third Act but you understand ageism and you have deep respect for those of us in our Third Act, so I don't and can't dismiss your comments as yet another ageism spear thrown at the gnarled feet of an old guy. I appreciate the point you are making that it isn't that Joe couldn't do a much better job than the T., or lacks the capacity and wisdom to make good decisions and analyze complex situations, but that the loss of his sharpness and ability to expertly articulate...under great pressure....will only worsen the current rigidified standoff we have in our political system. We need a shake-up and maybe this presents Biden and the Democratic party with an opportunity to do just that. An opportunity has opened. A graceful move towards that opportunity would change everything.
Grace, dignity, wisdom and recognition of our limits when the time comes is what is required of us as we age. I believe ageism generally has the effect on us older folks of making us resign from our active participation in things like climate activism far too soon. I have battled its effects on my own thinking about my own agency and watched in sadness as it took power away from others. But I can't dismiss your evaluation as ageism. There comes a time when you can't sail that boat anymore, when your balance is too whacky to ride a bike. With great reluctance we give those things up. With great reluctance, after reading this piece, I agree. It's time for Biden to put the bike away.
Thank you, Bill, for writing this post and supporting President Biden.
Someday soon, try to write a column or two about nordic skiing from time to time. I think your book, Long Distance, was one of my favorites. For me, nordic skiing and training have always been one of those things that makes life tolerable. We need that more than ever now.
Thank you, Bill. I’m startled to see you express my exact feelings at this moment, right down to Gretchen Whitmer being as an excellent choice. And yes, it will take time. Hopefully President Biden, as a man of integrity who cares about the future of this country, will make the right choice.
This is the most genuinely reassuring piece I've read yet since the debates; thank you. I do think he's got it in him to step aside. And honestly, when the thought first occurred to me I felt a surge of energy like it was early 2008 and hope in politics might be something real. In contrast to the fear-based march of going door to door for John Kerry (talk about a person who ended up doing a job he was *much* better suited for), begging people not to let W stay in the White House. It really doesn't have to be like this. And I agree- he seems like somebody who might be able to make that turn. Really appreciate your voicing something other than panic or defensiveness. Ways forward are usually a matter of finding another way.
I couldn't agree with you more, and these were my thoughts exactly when I saw the debate: that this is an opportunity, if Biden is able to let go, for the US to have a much needed reset. I'm in Australia and don't follow US politics as closely as some of you living there obviously, so I hadn't heard of Gretchen Whitmer before, but was thinking with my limited research about Gavin Newsom, he's quite conservative, but seems to have reasonable values, would be interested in any feedback from those of you who know more than I do?
Gretchen Whitmer was the Michigan governor who was the victim of a kidnapping plot by members of the alt right. The amount of visceral hatred of women in power in the US cannot be overstated. It’s why we elected a grifter instead of a former First Lady and Secretary of State. That’s how much we hate women in power. It’s a non starter. As for Ca Gov. Gavin Newsom, the reason that southern states are enjoying such a boost in property values right now is massive flight from California, a high tax state. Either candidate is non viable in the last trimester of this election cycle. It may seem like November is a long way away, but that’s because our election cycles are back to back, unlike anywhere else in the world.
I live in California and Newsom is my governor. He is a split personality. He's done good things--giving money to citizens during the COVID lockdown, pushing anti-gun programs--and bad things--allowing the public utilities commission to remove incentives to install solar panels. He's much better than any of his Republican opponents but he's not exactly a progressive. And because so much of the US is anti-California (for no good reason IMO) he has baggage.
As far as Whitmer is concerned, I'm less familiar with her but I still don't think a woman can become president. Americans are essentially conservative, sexist, and racist, I'm sorry to say. I just don't think enough people would vote for her. This is a terrible problem and the only way to solve it is for some truly beloved woman like Michelle Obama or Oprah Winfrey to run, which will never happen. Michelle Obama hates politics and I don't think Oprah is at all interested. So there we are.
I suspected something like this, thank you for fleshing it out. And I agree with you that from what I can see, Americans are very unlikely to have a woman for president, same as Australians. (and probably for the same reasons).
Clearly both candidates lied - particularly about foreign policy issues and Gaza and with their little child-like egos , neither of them clearly have any capacity to rule a country. Both exhibited a total lack of compassion for Palestinains- these are two very sick individuals
They both lied. The duopoly is a horror show. Neither candidate should hold office under any circumstances.
And neither has compassion for Palestinians because they are racist through and through.
I am Jewish and am so utterly heart broken. Not one person in power has a reasonable thing to say.
The US is committing genocide and to fail to explicitly state that is immoral, wrong, cowardly and ahistorical. What is an education for if you are unwilling to speak the truth.
That's a false equivalency fallacy. Trump lied like a firehose. Biden misspoke but not much. He just didn't fight back strong enough. That's not the same thing.
Bill, You have an excellent take on President Biden. I don't know what happened between CNN and his advisers, but clearly there was a misrepresentation or a misunderstanding. Somebody should get fired. That was nothing anywhere resembling a debate. I think Joe was angered and insulted by Trump, and just couldn't keep it together. I can't explain the banter about golf at the end, other than something that I've always said: Never underestimate the power of denial. That wasn't the Joe we know. I would have walked out early, regardless of what the agreement was with CNN. I heard some talk about real time fact checks, but clearly that didn't happen in any way that helped Joe. Being a Californian, naturally I would favor a Newssom/Harris ticket. But it's all about swing state politics, so you're Whitmer suggestion might work better. By the way, have you ever considered running for Congress?
CNN moderators didn’t push Trump to answer specific questions! He was given the opportunity to select the ones he wanted to answer or just spew his vitriolic insults
Yes. That happened. That's the important part. And the pundits barely mentioned that afterwards. It's despicable. But my point is that Trump and these so called moderators in these how so called debates have been doing this since 2016. Trump has never debated in his life. Biden didn't need to be there. His advisors failed him. There is good news though. Look up what Lawrence O'Donnell said about the debate.
Nicely put. I agree that Biden should step aside. I felt this way before the debate because of the horrendous way he has handled the Gaza situation. I find it strange that his domestic policies lean toward the progressive side, but, on foreign policy, he's totally retrograde. The big picture is that our country needs someone much younger to run it, not an octogenarian. The young are facing a world collapsing from climate change. They deserve more power since they are the ones whose lives will be crushed by bad decision making!
What we'll see next is a steady rollout of commercials featuring Joe Biden looking strong, sounding presidential, confident, commanding, along with messages from Republicans warning about Donald Trump. The debate was a moment in time. The election is still a long way off.
I admire you so much Bill McKibben. Thank you for allowing us space for this dialogue, and I’m going to disagree with you today.
It is not strategic to talk this talk. Makes progressives look weak. Repubs would never dis their candidate, and we shouldn’t either. It’s not strategic. We need to stand together. We need to strengthen our resolve and move forward.
Y’all saw President Biden in NC yesterday- on fire again. He had a bad debate Thursday night. Shake it off. Regroup. Fight again.
This line of thinking is fear driven, and plays right into conservative pundits narrative that progressives are weak.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/i-would-never-turn-my-back-president-biden-newsom-shows-support-presidental-debate.amp (and this is even on Fox News…Gavin has integrity and if it came to everyone agreeing to run him, fine.) But i agree with Newsome that a “bad night” is not a reason to abandon support for Biden . Check out his speech the day after that “debate”. He has amazing stamina. If HE chooses to step aside….i would support him…either way. It was a huge mistake to allow Trump to enact his firehose of lies with no checks on anything he said. Media coverage blew up the “bad performance” instead of being outraged that the whole thing was set up to give Trump a national infomercial . It served Trump’s agenda, not that of the country.
I disagree that the "tectonic plates shifted"... I think nothing changed after the debate! Biden had a bad night for sure, but everybody else could also see trump Gish galloping, word salad lies, disinformation, Putin loving, traitorous, felonious self-dealing BS spewing, corrupt, sexual assaulting self... Biden should not and will not drop out. Trump wants him to drop out which tells me that Biden will beat him if we ALL stay the course, put in the work for the election of our lifetime, children's and grandchildren's lifetime.... we need everyone on board.
The circumstance for us progressives is even more stark and pathetic when we consider an even older but more energetic leader who would NOT be allowed to compete because he so thoroughly scared the corporate capitalist hegemonic establishment. And yet he was gladly embraced by the youthful idealists (future leaders) who again are being put off by the sclerotic insider element that purports to lead our government now.... Oh yes, I happened to have proudly worked for Bernie Sanders!
Gretchen Whitmer would be amazing! Too bad we live in a parallel universe where women are so feared for their power that a gang of MAGA white supremacists have to try to kill her. The Supreme Court’s job now since T and the special interest groups of the Heritage Foundation and their bizarre web of connection is to install T-rump and take us back to the Middle Ages. It’s unfortunate, but in order to win this election we need all the money we can get, a message that will resonate with young voters, (because they’re disenfranchised) and (I hate to say it) a white man who who will appeal to other white men and women, because they’re the ones voting for Trump. This is the reality. It’s unfortunate, but we’re dealing with crooks and the most unsavory elements of our broken society. The laws are now stacked against us. I will also say, In terms of the message galvanizing people, that we are creative. Pull together (use AI) all the inventive ideas and philosophies of the world’s greatest scientists and engineers and artists. Make a list of the accomplishments made since Biden’s election, and the challenges we have overcome. Use Martin Scorsese/ Hollywood’s best script writers, to craft a new narrative for the world to see. Women and minorities, young people and the environment have once again been sent to the back of the bus. This is the biggest game of our lives and we can win! Everyone should understand that in order to win, we have to play by a set of unfair and unfortunate rules.
Republicans may have the money, and been quietly chipping away at Democracy, but we are creative. We can rewrite the future in the positive. There is such a thing as real justice and human rights. Appeal to the greater good. We need our own Evangelist.
The narrative has been lost- We can get it back! And, send it to rural areas where single votes matter!
Gretchen Whitmer would be great, just not sure that the people who would vote for T would cross party lines to vote for a woman… And, then, there’s the Electoral College, schanigans at the polls, and the Supreme Court if things get too close in end. The margin has to be overwhelming, no room for “hanging chads…” Everyone knows this, so let’s get on ball!
What is disheartening to me is that at every opportunity Biden’s team seems like they never see the traps coming. Knife to a gunfight every time. Trumps only play is to say shit with confidence. Why would the Biden team play that pantomime? You can’t bring facts into reality TV. I would have liked to see Biden ask for a chair, sit down and tell the audience that he’s exhausted from actually doing a job instead of cheating at golf all day. I would have liked him to declare that his team of competent experienced men and women have his back, and he doesn’t hold a gun to their head. I would have liked to hear him say what all us women are thinking, that no one does anything alone, there is no such thing as a strong man, and Johnson wasn’t elected so it’s good he has a capable running mate, unlike Trump who doesn’t have friends, just lawyers. Are we all cowards now?! You can’t pussy foot around a bully. You have to just do your thing and call their bluff. This generation of young political minds cherish good manners. I get that, but you have to scrap with a scrapper. There is no go low go high. There is only survival and it’s never guaranteed. For either Biden or Trump.
I think this knife-to-a-gunfight analogy applies to the whole progressive vs conservative dynamic everywhere. How to deal effectively with toxic people without being toxic? Bring a gun or spike their guns.
Thank you, Bill, for your wise and compassionate words this morning. I have not wanted to see as clearly as you see here that it is time for Biden to graciously and selflessly accept his role as great-grandfather and step aside. I know you aren't speaking for Third Act but you understand ageism and you have deep respect for those of us in our Third Act, so I don't and can't dismiss your comments as yet another ageism spear thrown at the gnarled feet of an old guy. I appreciate the point you are making that it isn't that Joe couldn't do a much better job than the T., or lacks the capacity and wisdom to make good decisions and analyze complex situations, but that the loss of his sharpness and ability to expertly articulate...under great pressure....will only worsen the current rigidified standoff we have in our political system. We need a shake-up and maybe this presents Biden and the Democratic party with an opportunity to do just that. An opportunity has opened. A graceful move towards that opportunity would change everything.
Grace, dignity, wisdom and recognition of our limits when the time comes is what is required of us as we age. I believe ageism generally has the effect on us older folks of making us resign from our active participation in things like climate activism far too soon. I have battled its effects on my own thinking about my own agency and watched in sadness as it took power away from others. But I can't dismiss your evaluation as ageism. There comes a time when you can't sail that boat anymore, when your balance is too whacky to ride a bike. With great reluctance we give those things up. With great reluctance, after reading this piece, I agree. It's time for Biden to put the bike away.
Thank you, Bill, for writing this post and supporting President Biden.
Someday soon, try to write a column or two about nordic skiing from time to time. I think your book, Long Distance, was one of my favorites. For me, nordic skiing and training have always been one of those things that makes life tolerable. We need that more than ever now.
Thank you, Bill. I’m startled to see you express my exact feelings at this moment, right down to Gretchen Whitmer being as an excellent choice. And yes, it will take time. Hopefully President Biden, as a man of integrity who cares about the future of this country, will make the right choice.
same experience - and I deeply appreciate your respect for Biden.
Fuck it. I have had enough. I am suffering big time from outrage fatigue overload, and I gotta turn this shit off.
I am a democrat and will vote democrat, whoever that ends up being, come November.
Gonna binge watch "The Sopranos" til then.
This is the most genuinely reassuring piece I've read yet since the debates; thank you. I do think he's got it in him to step aside. And honestly, when the thought first occurred to me I felt a surge of energy like it was early 2008 and hope in politics might be something real. In contrast to the fear-based march of going door to door for John Kerry (talk about a person who ended up doing a job he was *much* better suited for), begging people not to let W stay in the White House. It really doesn't have to be like this. And I agree- he seems like somebody who might be able to make that turn. Really appreciate your voicing something other than panic or defensiveness. Ways forward are usually a matter of finding another way.
I couldn't agree with you more, and these were my thoughts exactly when I saw the debate: that this is an opportunity, if Biden is able to let go, for the US to have a much needed reset. I'm in Australia and don't follow US politics as closely as some of you living there obviously, so I hadn't heard of Gretchen Whitmer before, but was thinking with my limited research about Gavin Newsom, he's quite conservative, but seems to have reasonable values, would be interested in any feedback from those of you who know more than I do?
Gretchen Whitmer was the Michigan governor who was the victim of a kidnapping plot by members of the alt right. The amount of visceral hatred of women in power in the US cannot be overstated. It’s why we elected a grifter instead of a former First Lady and Secretary of State. That’s how much we hate women in power. It’s a non starter. As for Ca Gov. Gavin Newsom, the reason that southern states are enjoying such a boost in property values right now is massive flight from California, a high tax state. Either candidate is non viable in the last trimester of this election cycle. It may seem like November is a long way away, but that’s because our election cycles are back to back, unlike anywhere else in the world.
I live in California and Newsom is my governor. He is a split personality. He's done good things--giving money to citizens during the COVID lockdown, pushing anti-gun programs--and bad things--allowing the public utilities commission to remove incentives to install solar panels. He's much better than any of his Republican opponents but he's not exactly a progressive. And because so much of the US is anti-California (for no good reason IMO) he has baggage.
As far as Whitmer is concerned, I'm less familiar with her but I still don't think a woman can become president. Americans are essentially conservative, sexist, and racist, I'm sorry to say. I just don't think enough people would vote for her. This is a terrible problem and the only way to solve it is for some truly beloved woman like Michelle Obama or Oprah Winfrey to run, which will never happen. Michelle Obama hates politics and I don't think Oprah is at all interested. So there we are.
I suspected something like this, thank you for fleshing it out. And I agree with you that from what I can see, Americans are very unlikely to have a woman for president, same as Australians. (and probably for the same reasons).
bizarre commentary on the debate
Clearly both candidates lied - particularly about foreign policy issues and Gaza and with their little child-like egos , neither of them clearly have any capacity to rule a country. Both exhibited a total lack of compassion for Palestinains- these are two very sick individuals
They both lied. The duopoly is a horror show. Neither candidate should hold office under any circumstances.
And neither has compassion for Palestinians because they are racist through and through.
I am Jewish and am so utterly heart broken. Not one person in power has a reasonable thing to say.
The US is committing genocide and to fail to explicitly state that is immoral, wrong, cowardly and ahistorical. What is an education for if you are unwilling to speak the truth.
That's a false equivalency fallacy. Trump lied like a firehose. Biden misspoke but not much. He just didn't fight back strong enough. That's not the same thing.
Well stated! It's time for new young energy👍🏿
Bill, You have an excellent take on President Biden. I don't know what happened between CNN and his advisers, but clearly there was a misrepresentation or a misunderstanding. Somebody should get fired. That was nothing anywhere resembling a debate. I think Joe was angered and insulted by Trump, and just couldn't keep it together. I can't explain the banter about golf at the end, other than something that I've always said: Never underestimate the power of denial. That wasn't the Joe we know. I would have walked out early, regardless of what the agreement was with CNN. I heard some talk about real time fact checks, but clearly that didn't happen in any way that helped Joe. Being a Californian, naturally I would favor a Newssom/Harris ticket. But it's all about swing state politics, so you're Whitmer suggestion might work better. By the way, have you ever considered running for Congress?
CNN moderators didn’t push Trump to answer specific questions! He was given the opportunity to select the ones he wanted to answer or just spew his vitriolic insults
Yes. That happened. That's the important part. And the pundits barely mentioned that afterwards. It's despicable. But my point is that Trump and these so called moderators in these how so called debates have been doing this since 2016. Trump has never debated in his life. Biden didn't need to be there. His advisors failed him. There is good news though. Look up what Lawrence O'Donnell said about the debate.
Boy, have you nailed it! Biden didn't need to be there. You're right. It was just Trump running off at the mouth.
Nicely put. I agree that Biden should step aside. I felt this way before the debate because of the horrendous way he has handled the Gaza situation. I find it strange that his domestic policies lean toward the progressive side, but, on foreign policy, he's totally retrograde. The big picture is that our country needs someone much younger to run it, not an octogenarian. The young are facing a world collapsing from climate change. They deserve more power since they are the ones whose lives will be crushed by bad decision making!
Biden has done more to fight global warming than anyone in history. He's not in control of Gaza. Terrorists are. Period.
What we'll see next is a steady rollout of commercials featuring Joe Biden looking strong, sounding presidential, confident, commanding, along with messages from Republicans warning about Donald Trump. The debate was a moment in time. The election is still a long way off.
I admire you so much Bill McKibben. Thank you for allowing us space for this dialogue, and I’m going to disagree with you today.
It is not strategic to talk this talk. Makes progressives look weak. Repubs would never dis their candidate, and we shouldn’t either. It’s not strategic. We need to stand together. We need to strengthen our resolve and move forward.
Y’all saw President Biden in NC yesterday- on fire again. He had a bad debate Thursday night. Shake it off. Regroup. Fight again.
This line of thinking is fear driven, and plays right into conservative pundits narrative that progressives are weak.
Thank you for reading now let’s go 🌎🐬🌈🔥👊🏼💪
Gavin Newsom.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/i-would-never-turn-my-back-president-biden-newsom-shows-support-presidental-debate.amp (and this is even on Fox News…Gavin has integrity and if it came to everyone agreeing to run him, fine.) But i agree with Newsome that a “bad night” is not a reason to abandon support for Biden . Check out his speech the day after that “debate”. He has amazing stamina. If HE chooses to step aside….i would support him…either way. It was a huge mistake to allow Trump to enact his firehose of lies with no checks on anything he said. Media coverage blew up the “bad performance” instead of being outraged that the whole thing was set up to give Trump a national infomercial . It served Trump’s agenda, not that of the country.
I disagree that the "tectonic plates shifted"... I think nothing changed after the debate! Biden had a bad night for sure, but everybody else could also see trump Gish galloping, word salad lies, disinformation, Putin loving, traitorous, felonious self-dealing BS spewing, corrupt, sexual assaulting self... Biden should not and will not drop out. Trump wants him to drop out which tells me that Biden will beat him if we ALL stay the course, put in the work for the election of our lifetime, children's and grandchildren's lifetime.... we need everyone on board.
The circumstance for us progressives is even more stark and pathetic when we consider an even older but more energetic leader who would NOT be allowed to compete because he so thoroughly scared the corporate capitalist hegemonic establishment. And yet he was gladly embraced by the youthful idealists (future leaders) who again are being put off by the sclerotic insider element that purports to lead our government now.... Oh yes, I happened to have proudly worked for Bernie Sanders!
Bernie is wonderful and could win if he were younger. It's so frustrating that he hasn't been given the chance.
Gretchen Whitmer would be amazing! Too bad we live in a parallel universe where women are so feared for their power that a gang of MAGA white supremacists have to try to kill her. The Supreme Court’s job now since T and the special interest groups of the Heritage Foundation and their bizarre web of connection is to install T-rump and take us back to the Middle Ages. It’s unfortunate, but in order to win this election we need all the money we can get, a message that will resonate with young voters, (because they’re disenfranchised) and (I hate to say it) a white man who who will appeal to other white men and women, because they’re the ones voting for Trump. This is the reality. It’s unfortunate, but we’re dealing with crooks and the most unsavory elements of our broken society. The laws are now stacked against us. I will also say, In terms of the message galvanizing people, that we are creative. Pull together (use AI) all the inventive ideas and philosophies of the world’s greatest scientists and engineers and artists. Make a list of the accomplishments made since Biden’s election, and the challenges we have overcome. Use Martin Scorsese/ Hollywood’s best script writers, to craft a new narrative for the world to see. Women and minorities, young people and the environment have once again been sent to the back of the bus. This is the biggest game of our lives and we can win! Everyone should understand that in order to win, we have to play by a set of unfair and unfortunate rules.
Republicans may have the money, and been quietly chipping away at Democracy, but we are creative. We can rewrite the future in the positive. There is such a thing as real justice and human rights. Appeal to the greater good. We need our own Evangelist.
The narrative has been lost- We can get it back! And, send it to rural areas where single votes matter!
Gretchen Whitmer would be great, just not sure that the people who would vote for T would cross party lines to vote for a woman… And, then, there’s the Electoral College, schanigans at the polls, and the Supreme Court if things get too close in end. The margin has to be overwhelming, no room for “hanging chads…” Everyone knows this, so let’s get on ball!