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Reader Reaction to Press Conference / Politics Panel / Phoebe & a Mach-E / Okoboji Writers’ and Songwriters’ Retreat
Today’s column explores the tumult surrounding President Joe Biden, including reactions from readers of this column.
Did his press conference last night change minds? Check out the thread I launched earlier today to read what Iowans and others have to say. The link is below.
Is it unfair that Joe Biden is being asked to step aside? Is it right for him to do so? Both can be true.
President Joe Biden is a decent man, father, grandfather, son, husband, and successful public servant. In contrast to his opponent, he is respected around the world.
And if you have a 401K, has it ever been higher?
The silver lining in this hysteria is that—finally—the media is focusing on the current president and his accomplishments, although it took a rocky debate performance for him to get the spotlight. Finally, we are spared the shots of the former president scowling or sleeping in the courtroom where he was found guilty on 34 counts.
Let’s hope that with equal coverage of the two candidates for the highest office in the land, the difference between being a Trump Republican and the Democratic Party nominee, Biden or Harris, is abundantly clear.
There is a choice…
Biden’s opponent is a convicted felon who cheats. He cheats at golf. He cheats in business. He cheats on wives. He cheated on his debts and taxes, and he tried like hell to cheat on American democracy by trying to stop the verification of an election he lost.
‘Liar’ is too mild for Donald Trump’s behavior. He is a cheat. He cheats, and he lies.
A weird amnesia seems to seep into our collective consciousness about what happened during the Trump era.
Do you remember, with the weight of a global pandemic about to invade and kill hundreds of thousands and then millions of Americans, at a Fox News town hall in March 2020, he said the pandemic would all be over by Easter, which was less than a month away? He knew that was a lie.
Do you recall the countless tell-all books written during the Trump administration by those who worked for him or interviewed him, documenting his lies and dysfunction? (Has there been ONE reputable tell-all Biden book? I can’t think of one).
Robert Woodward wrote THREE: “Fear,” “Rage,” and “Peril” based on hundreds of exhaustive interviews and reviewing volumes of phone transcripts during the Trump administration.
The debate…
Donald Trump lied throughout the debate. Here is Politifact’s analysis of both candidates: https://www.politifact.com/article/2024/jun/28/2024-presidential-debate-fact-check-biden-trump/
I watched it from beginning to end. Within five minutes of Biden’s first remarks, my text messages started blowing up:
WTF
He’s toast
OMG
The Trump performance was predictable, but the night's shock was Biden's inability to handle the onslaught of lies. And ‘shock’ is what makes news.
Is that fair? Some say no.
If you listen to the IWC Political Panel’s first podcast episode, uploaded yesterday, you’ll hear a variety of points of view on this from our members. The link is below.
Last night’s press conference - did you watch it?
This morning, I launched a thread here on Substack asking readers who watched the Biden press conference last night to say what they think today. We have a terrific, intelligent dialogue here, and I invite you to weigh in, too. We have great responses from all over Iowa and beyond. Click on ‘Read full story'.
What do I think?
It doesn't matter, but I hope and expect that the grown-ups in the room are meeting, planning, and taking action. If Biden is the standard bearer, everyone with a pulse who cares about preserving the U.S. Constitution must saddle up to the best of their ability to uphold our democracy.
If it is clear Biden must step aside, he does so as a hero and leaves the presidency at the top of his game, with the thanks of a grateful nation. During the press conference, he said the delegates were free to vote their conscience (I can imagine his campaign staff having a fit over that remark since most delegates are bound to Biden on the first ballot). We shall see what unfolds.
What IS clear
There could not be a more stark contrast in the response to the men who lead the two major political parties. Did GOP members of Iowa’s congressional delegation stand up to a man who lies, cheats, mocks the disabled, women, war heroes, and the homeless (I could go on) and has a genuine blueprint to destroy Democracy as we know it?
Biden had a bad debate. I did not hear one Democrat say he didn’t. They called it as they saw it. They saw a problem, named it, and spoke out. That’s leadership.
Unlike members of the GOP who continue to stand by a man who lost re-election and has a track record of supporting losing candidates, some Democrats are saying the stakes are too high not to get this 2024 election right.
And they are speaking up because Biden’s debate performance could cause voters to stay home or vote for his opponent. It also could indicate Biden’s ability to govern, and the stakes are too high to be silent. So, they are making bold calls for the president to step down. Unlike their GOP counterparts, they are not denying what they saw with their own eyes.
Think back to the GOP’s initial response condemning the assault on the U.S. Capitol for what it was: an attack on Democracy. And then a trip to Mar-a-Lago had them singing a different tune. It's the same with Pussygate. It's the same with Stormygate. Same with stolen classified documents-Lago. Every day, there is a new outrage, and yet the members of the GOP don’t dare call it what it is.
The Iowa Writers’ Collaborative Political Panel
Iowa Writers’ Collaborative (IWC) members recorded our first political podcast this week.
, former KCCI news manager, was the facilitator. The panel consists of an all-star lineup of political reporters and analysts, all members of the IWC. Other panelists on this episode: , , , , , Dana James of , Ty Rushing (will launch his column mid-August) . Other panelists for future podcasts will include Kathie Obradovich, , and . We will be rotating panelists and hosts through the 2024 election.The episode was recorded on Wednesday and yesterday
had additional reporting from two Iowa Democrats seeking U.S. House seats, who said they thought Biden should step down.Here is the podcast:
Have Some Fun with Phoebe
Hey, published her ‘Shifting Gears’ column today! It’s a fun romp about leasing a new Mustang Mach-E. You’ll get a sense of her style, and I predict you will want to become a subscriber.
We have great new content for you every week. Be sure to subscribe to the Iowa Writers’ Collaborative for a roundup of our members’ columns each Sunday morning. There’s a lot to love. And we have more exciting announcements forthcoming!
Please consider subscribing to those you wish to and can support.
Okoboji
A few spots remain for the renowned Okoboji Writers’ and Songwriters’ Retreat! All skill levels are welcome! You will love every minute of this experience. Just added. Since Ruth Harkin attended OWR III, she has a book of essays published and soon available. She’ll talk about the publishing experience with Steve Semken, , with other authors and .
Sign up NOW:
I was in second grade -- After lunch, we were all in line in the hallway waiting - do not know why. The boy in front of me pushed me and then the boy behind pushed me. They did this back and forth until I got mad and was going to fight them. The principal came along just I started to fight back, I was the one who got dressed down. Much of the Biden criticism is not fair - especially compared to Trump. The political reality is President Biden has lost the faith of the majority of Americans and Democrats to serve as president until 2029. His debate performance was a confirmation of the fears and doubts, not a one off. Senator Udall once said, "the voters have spoken, damn them" Incumbency kept us from a real decision.
Thanks Julie. You said it all.