Happy to see the discussions about Tim Ryan increasing. He seems like the most obvious and best option for VP. Wondering what the political scuttlebutt is about him. Did he piss off the wrong people like Nancy Pelosi? He codes like an Alpha male, but the good aspects. He seems like he could authentically talk trash with union, working class guys of all races from the ‘old’ traditional Dem party that are being lost to Trump and RFK. He’s a former college QB with a midwestern accent in his early 50s. He has been outwardly defending Kamala. Maybe his ambition is the problem?
Tim, you need to pump the brakes on Axelrod. He’s the Bellichick of politics. Rode the GOAT, Obama, to fame and fortune. Now it’s clear he’s an idiot with stale ideas. It’s time for him to step aside for someone younger.
To the folks in these comments knocking the Bulwark as being part of a coordinated effort to “take Biden out”…the effort was, by all accounts, quarterbacked almost singlehandedly by one Nancy D’Alesandro Pelosi.
Whatever your personal opinions are about Biden leaving the race, none of us understand more about winning than the Speaker Emerita. And no one’s opining on a podcast had the power of her influence.
So you can quibble with the judgment of the most powerful Speaker of our lifetimes, but I don’t recommend it.
Perfect ending with Charli XCX to close out the Kamala Harris discussion in light of the latest brat frenzy. Somehow I can envision Harris dancing to this at the convention. Love the music you always choose. See you in Dallas!
Not a good look, Tim, referring to The Meidas Touch people as "a bunch of idiots who don't know anything," especially given that Ron Filipkowksi (their editor0in-chief) has been a guest more than once. They are just as important in the fight to protect democracy as The Bulwark, and comments like that don't exactly model the respectful discourse that JVL so often (rightly) champions and consistently follows himself. If you care about protecting democracy, then you appreciate every group out there doing it, whether they agree with you or not. You won, Tim. Biden stepped aside. Take the win and show a little grace.
I agree a small apology for the "idiots" might be in order. But the Meidas touch folks are hardly wilting violets given their job. I think they can handle some ribbing if it proves they were indeed wrong.
Tim and the Bulwark throw a four week temper tantrum. They got their way. On top of that, they are spiteful of all who disagreed with them along the way. Now they want us to let them play their biz as usual horsey racey games as if they hadn’t just tried to burn the house down.
Must dissent. Their tone was anguished for weeks, yes, but it did not turn into a temper tantrum until just a week ago when the GOP convention made it look like it might be getting too late for Dems to change horses.
Tim JVL Sarah put in many months of vocal Biden support (Bill K not so much!) before they sensed that the GOP strong vs weak frame was an inexorable trap that "greatest generation" Biden was locked into and would be unable to break.
We don't know the ultimate outcome but grim "stay the course" fatalism did not seem to be energizing the Dem party even earlier in the year before the debate and the calls to step down. Now Biden looks like a hero for thinking longer term.
The current excitement and sense of relief suggests that Tim JVL Sarah etc had their finger on new Dem possibilities, and it is obvious that Trump and MAGA are howling at the loss of their Biden punching-bag.
Plus I like the idea of Biden now freed from campaigning CYA now able to do some strong Democracy-protecting actions as FU president to cause MAGA to flip out about his "executive overreach" even as they tie themselves in knots about strong presidenting and executive immunity.
I’ll dissent part of your dissent. There was never any support for Biden, it’s been months and weeks of gnashing of teeth and, at the very best, begrudging support assuming they were stuck with a choice they didn’t like. The full-throated temper tantrum started the minute the debate was over and was nonstop until they got their way.
There are a lot of very bitter and disappointed Biden supporters (guilty!) that, yes, are excited for Kamala.
Anyways, I may eventually forgive but I’ll never forget the Bulwark’s role in forcing Biden to exit in a very ugly and public way.
The winning strategy in the newly shuffled deck of American politics may be for Democrats to take the opportunity to move beyond identity politics, and the tradition of building coalitions by appealing to separate vocal interests groups by promising to address their specific aspirations. An appeal to principles of good government would go far toward dispelling voter cynicism, while pricking the balloon of GOP anti DEI sentiment and the growing movement of the broad electorate against progressive overreach. There is a predominant feeling that politicians are in it for themselves and will say only what their patrons want to hear. Bribery is done for the most part legally with no visible strings when interests are able to concentrate very large amounts of money for their causes.
In the past their existed statesmen for whom honor and public interest were the medium of their personal ambition. A healthy community is a society of persons each exercising their individual causality in pursuit of their own needs and ambitions in ways consistent with the wellbeing of the community, all striving to ‘do the right thing’. Government is established to provide for the common good, and those who would serve in government are obliged to that mission. Political theory precedent to the Constitution, distinguished between ambition, or the love of power, useful as it may be to the aims of the community—think Adam Smith and capitalism, that society benefits from the pursuit of individual interests—and “love of fame, the ruling passion of the noblest minds” (Hamilton, Federalist #72), by which, in contradistinction to celebrity, ambitious persons pursue the transgenerational regard of their communities, thereby the distinction between the petty politician and the statesman.
If we are to transcend universal and personal decline we need act unilaterally and collectively to restore the health of the body politic. Individual causality is the first mover but can do but little of constructive purpose without support of likeminded persons. Nor can causes or the interests of groups be advanced except the consensus of the larger community be developed.
A government in the model of a democratic republic will find it difficult to function effectively if its institutions are not perceived to represent and to act in the interest of the collective will of the people, to express some overarching consensus of the balance of competing interests, rather than being in the thrall of certain of those interests. Absent the perception of legitimacy people will be inclined to disregard the laws or to support government policies only when they are seen to promote their parochial interests. Absent governmental efficiency and public safety, person’s, aware of their own inadequacies and having lost faith in reality, will succumb to fantasy, be receptive to conspiracy theories, will look for strong leadership offering simplistic solutions, and be especially vulnerable to demagogic figures promising collective empowerment and redress of perceived indignities.
It is telling that in consideration of possible candidates to replace Biden on the ticket, pros and cons seem largely those of appeal to interest: a black woman versus a white male, etc., or that of cosmetic celebrity. It seems not to have occurred to many pundits that voters, though long trained to consider first what’s in it for them, might be open to the promise of sacrifice for the common weal, realizing that their own interest is wrapped up with the viability the larger community.
The reluctance of many to see Biden step down was that it was too late to change horses, even that maintenance of the status quo was more important than defeating the orange menace. But if this is not the moment to plainly address the concerns of the nation, then when? And is a return to first principles often not the proper reset?
The walls have fallen. Now the administration retreats to the inner citadel. Harris represents a continuation of that instinct to maintain the status quo under all threats even at the expense of losing the election. Harris is no more popular than Biden, comes from further to the left, is seen by many as inconstant and to lack the gravitas suitable to the office. The hesitant must come from the shadows now. It is time for potential candidates to examine their hole cards in light of the new reality. If the inevitability of Harris is to be checked, those who harbor presidential ambitions, but till now have kept their own council, kept their powder dry, to play those cards, to cross the Rubicon. Time is essential. Harris, with the endorsement of Biden as his successor is moments away from having the nomination sewn up. Silence from those waiting for the ideal opening, an irresistible wave of popular acclaim, may find that window closed. The fallback position of the deadenders will be to close speculation on potential choices by a preemptive virtual rollcall of delegates. Ambitious challengers would do well to come forth now before that happens.
The argument that prospects without national name recognition are at a distinct disadvantage ignores the phenomenon of celebrity creation in the current foreshortened news cycle and ubiquity of social media, a thing that can be created in 15 minutes or so. Name recognition would fall immediately to anyone stepping into the glare of the hyper-sensitized moment. And the electorate may resent a top down mandate to replace the man they elected.
Harris is the republican’s wet dream of the candidate to replace Biden. All of the old tropes, the tried and true anti-Biden memes, except the senility argument, now come to bear on Harris together with her own liabilities, an added layer to the cake. Just as they feared Biden’s withdrawal, that fear has been transferred. They fear running against anyone other than Harris.
The electorate, sick unto death of established politics, will respond only to truly new possibilities rather than to remixes of the same old shit.
Tim, I've been sitting with this and red-dog doesn't seem to be catching on. Might I suggest "Coconut Conservative"?
Happy to see the discussions about Tim Ryan increasing. He seems like the most obvious and best option for VP. Wondering what the political scuttlebutt is about him. Did he piss off the wrong people like Nancy Pelosi? He codes like an Alpha male, but the good aspects. He seems like he could authentically talk trash with union, working class guys of all races from the ‘old’ traditional Dem party that are being lost to Trump and RFK. He’s a former college QB with a midwestern accent in his early 50s. He has been outwardly defending Kamala. Maybe his ambition is the problem?
I have never cared for Gin , tastes like Christmas trees to me...lol
I am a Bourbon Girl
Harris Shapiro will possess a chemistry that rivals Clinton Gore. You heard it here first.
A vodka martini is called a vodka martini. A gin martini is called a martini.
Who is this Miitch guy for VP? I like Carville, but I am afraid I am missing half of what he says.
Mitch Landrieu...who will most certainly not end up as VP.
No, but he’s going to be a fantastic piece of the puzzle and messaging machine.
Carville is my fave Dem EVER. Smart. But never forgets how to talk to normal votes. And funny AF. Love him!
Tim, you need to pump the brakes on Axelrod. He’s the Bellichick of politics. Rode the GOAT, Obama, to fame and fortune. Now it’s clear he’s an idiot with stale ideas. It’s time for him to step aside for someone younger.
Grocery stores aren't monopolies? Have you looked at Kroger?
My favorite gin is Castle & Key, made here in KY by the first female master distiller.
https://www.castleandkey.com/craft-and-heritage/a-brief-history
My wife and I were there back at the end of May. I don't even like gin and I bought a bottle of their gin...their Restoration Rye is amazing too!
I'll try the rye. They have a seasonal gin, too, but I prefer the standard. I do miss the old bottle.
To the folks in these comments knocking the Bulwark as being part of a coordinated effort to “take Biden out”…the effort was, by all accounts, quarterbacked almost singlehandedly by one Nancy D’Alesandro Pelosi.
Whatever your personal opinions are about Biden leaving the race, none of us understand more about winning than the Speaker Emerita. And no one’s opining on a podcast had the power of her influence.
So you can quibble with the judgment of the most powerful Speaker of our lifetimes, but I don’t recommend it.
If I may, I think the recent RNC now looks like premature ejaculation.
Perfect ending with Charli XCX to close out the Kamala Harris discussion in light of the latest brat frenzy. Somehow I can envision Harris dancing to this at the convention. Love the music you always choose. See you in Dallas!
Still like Wes Moore.
Tim—please list your music!!!
Not a good look, Tim, referring to The Meidas Touch people as "a bunch of idiots who don't know anything," especially given that Ron Filipkowksi (their editor0in-chief) has been a guest more than once. They are just as important in the fight to protect democracy as The Bulwark, and comments like that don't exactly model the respectful discourse that JVL so often (rightly) champions and consistently follows himself. If you care about protecting democracy, then you appreciate every group out there doing it, whether they agree with you or not. You won, Tim. Biden stepped aside. Take the win and show a little grace.
I agree a small apology for the "idiots" might be in order. But the Meidas touch folks are hardly wilting violets given their job. I think they can handle some ribbing if it proves they were indeed wrong.
Tim and the Bulwark throw a four week temper tantrum. They got their way. On top of that, they are spiteful of all who disagreed with them along the way. Now they want us to let them play their biz as usual horsey racey games as if they hadn’t just tried to burn the house down.
No thanks.
Must dissent. Their tone was anguished for weeks, yes, but it did not turn into a temper tantrum until just a week ago when the GOP convention made it look like it might be getting too late for Dems to change horses.
Tim JVL Sarah put in many months of vocal Biden support (Bill K not so much!) before they sensed that the GOP strong vs weak frame was an inexorable trap that "greatest generation" Biden was locked into and would be unable to break.
We don't know the ultimate outcome but grim "stay the course" fatalism did not seem to be energizing the Dem party even earlier in the year before the debate and the calls to step down. Now Biden looks like a hero for thinking longer term.
The current excitement and sense of relief suggests that Tim JVL Sarah etc had their finger on new Dem possibilities, and it is obvious that Trump and MAGA are howling at the loss of their Biden punching-bag.
Plus I like the idea of Biden now freed from campaigning CYA now able to do some strong Democracy-protecting actions as FU president to cause MAGA to flip out about his "executive overreach" even as they tie themselves in knots about strong presidenting and executive immunity.
I’ll dissent part of your dissent. There was never any support for Biden, it’s been months and weeks of gnashing of teeth and, at the very best, begrudging support assuming they were stuck with a choice they didn’t like. The full-throated temper tantrum started the minute the debate was over and was nonstop until they got their way.
There are a lot of very bitter and disappointed Biden supporters (guilty!) that, yes, are excited for Kamala.
Anyways, I may eventually forgive but I’ll never forget the Bulwark’s role in forcing Biden to exit in a very ugly and public way.
Biden out, now what?
The winning strategy in the newly shuffled deck of American politics may be for Democrats to take the opportunity to move beyond identity politics, and the tradition of building coalitions by appealing to separate vocal interests groups by promising to address their specific aspirations. An appeal to principles of good government would go far toward dispelling voter cynicism, while pricking the balloon of GOP anti DEI sentiment and the growing movement of the broad electorate against progressive overreach. There is a predominant feeling that politicians are in it for themselves and will say only what their patrons want to hear. Bribery is done for the most part legally with no visible strings when interests are able to concentrate very large amounts of money for their causes.
In the past their existed statesmen for whom honor and public interest were the medium of their personal ambition. A healthy community is a society of persons each exercising their individual causality in pursuit of their own needs and ambitions in ways consistent with the wellbeing of the community, all striving to ‘do the right thing’. Government is established to provide for the common good, and those who would serve in government are obliged to that mission. Political theory precedent to the Constitution, distinguished between ambition, or the love of power, useful as it may be to the aims of the community—think Adam Smith and capitalism, that society benefits from the pursuit of individual interests—and “love of fame, the ruling passion of the noblest minds” (Hamilton, Federalist #72), by which, in contradistinction to celebrity, ambitious persons pursue the transgenerational regard of their communities, thereby the distinction between the petty politician and the statesman.
If we are to transcend universal and personal decline we need act unilaterally and collectively to restore the health of the body politic. Individual causality is the first mover but can do but little of constructive purpose without support of likeminded persons. Nor can causes or the interests of groups be advanced except the consensus of the larger community be developed.
A government in the model of a democratic republic will find it difficult to function effectively if its institutions are not perceived to represent and to act in the interest of the collective will of the people, to express some overarching consensus of the balance of competing interests, rather than being in the thrall of certain of those interests. Absent the perception of legitimacy people will be inclined to disregard the laws or to support government policies only when they are seen to promote their parochial interests. Absent governmental efficiency and public safety, person’s, aware of their own inadequacies and having lost faith in reality, will succumb to fantasy, be receptive to conspiracy theories, will look for strong leadership offering simplistic solutions, and be especially vulnerable to demagogic figures promising collective empowerment and redress of perceived indignities.
It is telling that in consideration of possible candidates to replace Biden on the ticket, pros and cons seem largely those of appeal to interest: a black woman versus a white male, etc., or that of cosmetic celebrity. It seems not to have occurred to many pundits that voters, though long trained to consider first what’s in it for them, might be open to the promise of sacrifice for the common weal, realizing that their own interest is wrapped up with the viability the larger community.
The reluctance of many to see Biden step down was that it was too late to change horses, even that maintenance of the status quo was more important than defeating the orange menace. But if this is not the moment to plainly address the concerns of the nation, then when? And is a return to first principles often not the proper reset?
The walls have fallen. Now the administration retreats to the inner citadel. Harris represents a continuation of that instinct to maintain the status quo under all threats even at the expense of losing the election. Harris is no more popular than Biden, comes from further to the left, is seen by many as inconstant and to lack the gravitas suitable to the office. The hesitant must come from the shadows now. It is time for potential candidates to examine their hole cards in light of the new reality. If the inevitability of Harris is to be checked, those who harbor presidential ambitions, but till now have kept their own council, kept their powder dry, to play those cards, to cross the Rubicon. Time is essential. Harris, with the endorsement of Biden as his successor is moments away from having the nomination sewn up. Silence from those waiting for the ideal opening, an irresistible wave of popular acclaim, may find that window closed. The fallback position of the deadenders will be to close speculation on potential choices by a preemptive virtual rollcall of delegates. Ambitious challengers would do well to come forth now before that happens.
The argument that prospects without national name recognition are at a distinct disadvantage ignores the phenomenon of celebrity creation in the current foreshortened news cycle and ubiquity of social media, a thing that can be created in 15 minutes or so. Name recognition would fall immediately to anyone stepping into the glare of the hyper-sensitized moment. And the electorate may resent a top down mandate to replace the man they elected.
Harris is the republican’s wet dream of the candidate to replace Biden. All of the old tropes, the tried and true anti-Biden memes, except the senility argument, now come to bear on Harris together with her own liabilities, an added layer to the cake. Just as they feared Biden’s withdrawal, that fear has been transferred. They fear running against anyone other than Harris.
The electorate, sick unto death of established politics, will respond only to truly new possibilities rather than to remixes of the same old shit.