The second incomplete debate of 2024 Republican Presidential candidates will take place this coming Wednesday, September 27, at the Reagan Library in Simi Valley, California. The worst yet highest-polling candidate in that field will skip this debate, as he skipped the first. This time Donald Trump says he’ll fly to Michigan to pretend that he supports striking auto workers. (Real labor President Joe Biden will join the UAW picket line in Michigan Tuesday.)
We perhaps shouldn’t mind Trump’s absence from any debate. He’s never really participated in or contributed to debates as degraded and destroyed them.
The Reagan Foundation certainly won’t mind Trump’s absence from its hallowed grounds. As Politico reports, the Reaganites have declined to invite Trump to previous speaking events at Simi Valley because Trump contradicts much of what Reagan stood for:
One member of the foundation’s board of trustees, granted anonymity to discuss internal foundation matters, called Trump a “spoiled brat in a sandbox.” “So many of the things that Trump did, and what he stood for, are just not consistent with the Reagan philosophy,” the board member said.
“I wouldn’t want to condone what Trump had done by inviting him to speak,” this trustee said. “That would be sort of an acceptance of his behavior over the years.”
…For at least some members of the board, the adviser told me, Trump “drives them nuts.”
“The legacy of Reagan, fair or unfair, right or wrong, was ‘shining city on a hill’ — upbeat and positive and have a beer with Tip O’Neill,” the adviser said. “And Trump is Voldemort. He was the opposite. He wanted to burn everything to the ground, attack people.”
It’s that choice, as much as any policy distinction between candidates, that Republicans are making in the run-up to 2024. It’s the tension between a sunnier brand of conservatism and the more menacing, grievance-fueled politics of Trump. It’s the difference between a former president who, upon announcing his Alzheimer’s diagnosis, wrote, “I know that for America there will always be a bright dawn ahead,” and a former president who has cast his election as the “final battle” to reclaim a country that is “rigged, crooked, and evil” [David Siders, “‘Spoiled Brat in a Sandbox’: Inside the Feud Between Donald Trump and the Reagan Library,” Politico, 2023.09.22].
I remember the good old days when Republicans at least elected politicians who believed in and brought out the best in America. Now they’ve turned into a cult dedicated to the worst in America.
Ronald Reagan was a horrible human who used chemical weapons on students at Berkeley and manipulated the hostages in Iran as tools to defeat Jimmy Carter.
James Maher has produced bronzes of many of the horrific losers in US presidential history for the City of Presidents Foundation: Andrew Jackson, James Buchanan, Woodrow Wilson, Hoobert Heever, Harry Truman, Ronald Reagan and George W. Bush. Now he’s working a sculpture of Donald Trump.
Someone needs to nominate someone qualified for president fast. They are manuvering to get Trunp the nonination for the repubs. Trump and Biden are too old. Fact. Kamala and Kristi aren’t qualified. Fact. No idea what Kamala has been doing these past few years, or Kristi for that matter.
Surely Dems and Republicans can try harder. I assume voter turnout will be terrible with the current potential list.
Trump? Meh
Larry, is there anything that you like?
sx123, with all due respect, neither of these statements constitute a “fact” – “Trump and Biden are too old. . . . . Kamala and Kristi aren’t qualified.” These statements are obviously mere opinons.
FWIW, I disagree with your opinion about both Trump’s and Biden’s ages and Kamala’s qualifications, but agree with your opinion about Noem’s lack of qualifications.
Declaring age to be a disqualifying factor is based on a stereotype that simply doesn’t hold up. I look to health , which can deteriorate at any age, and past performance. For example forms of dementia, such as Alzheimers, can disable people in their 30’s and 40’s.
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/alzheimers-disease/earlyonset-alzheimer-disease#:~:text=Alzheimer%20disease%20most%20commonly%20affects,have%20the%20early%2Donset%20form.
And given what limited information I have about Biden’s health, coupled with his experience and success in office, (both actual facts) seems to make him one of the most highly qualified individuals ever to run for President (opinion). And regardless of his age, certain facts such as Trump’s deception (over 30,000 documented lies as President), behavior (placing incompetents and outright dishonest people in important government positions, etc, etc) and public failures (dealing with Covid, etc, etc), rather than his age, tag him as one of the least qualified people ever to to run for President (opinion).
As for Kamala Harris, I am unsure what particular qualifications for VP she might be missing that would lead to comparing her to Noem. In my opinion Kamala may not be the most experienced (if qualifications are based on experience) individual ever to run for VP, but I am unaware of any fact that makes her unqualified for the position (including her past performance in leadership roles), especially compared to past VPs. Noem, on the other hand has a clear past performance record of deception, self-promotion, nepotisim and inability to do a competent job as both a Governor and a congressperson.
BCB-that is one great ‘take’ on that age topic! I agree with you 100%, sir!
The greatest trait I love about Biden? His DESIRE and DRIVE to serve us-the American people first, as POTUS and not himself…….
I think there’ll be a HUGE turnout in 2024, because there are a lot of people all fed up with DJT and want him to go away and never be heard of again, and the general current “burning it to the ground” school of Republican governance in the House. Oh, and let’s talk about pro-life:
“Bill Krueger, 79, head of Door County Wisconsin’s Right to Life chapter, thinks that in an ideal world, there would be no exceptions to an abortion ban.
If a woman dies? ‘That’s God’s plan,” he said.'”
Damn straight, I’m voting against anybody – and their party – who even comes close to saying that.
Senator John Warner, at age 80, decided not to seek another term of office as senator from
Virginia. As I recall, his statement was something like this: ” I am 80 years old and I am still strong
and vigorous, but I can’t promise my people that I will be that way for 8 more years.” John Warner
was a pretty intelligent man. I think he set a good example for others to follow.
It is my fervent hope that both of our major political parties can find some younger, qualified
candidates for president than what seems to be on the horizon right now.
Edwin, do you think anyone of any age can actually promise what his or their health and mental capacity will be for the next 8 years?
Binden and Trump are both too old and their health will soon decline exponentially.
They should be spending time with the grandkids. Surely there are younger, more interesting, qualified options out there. It’s not like these two are the only people on the planet
BCB, you can’t promise, but you certainly figure the odds. A person of 60 can reasonably
expect to have 10 years of good health. A person of 82 would have decidedly worse odds.
Mr. Arndt, the only two Republicans who don’t deserve my loathing are Liz Cheney and Adam Kinzinger so all the rest of you should be raptured.
dumbass Grassley is 90 plus and has not been of sound mind or body for decades, imho.
Ms. Cheney is very pretty and should run for president. Bah on Mr. Trump. BAH I say *spittle flies*
Edwin knows Trump can’t beat President Joe “Steady” Biden. Age has nothing to do with it. George Soros (90) and Charles Koch (85) are still making the other political parties apoplectic. Once Joe beats Trump we liberals will handle the rest.
Edwin, “you can’t promise” – exactly, no one can. And generic odds can’t take into account the specific circumstances of a single individual, only broad measurements from the masses.
https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/understanding/traits/longevity/
It would seem that it might make more sense to examine Joe Biden’s lifestyle and habits, rather than merely considering his age and generic statistical calculations, and use that information as a basis to speculate how long he will be able to continue function intellectually as well as he has during the years of his presidency. Using age alone doesn’t strike me as much different than judging someone based on race, skin color, sex, or national origin, which are all factors that might support generic conclusions about some limited group characteristics but are totally inappropriate for making individual judgments.
Indeed, even a healthy lifestyle cannot guarantee a longer life life than someone that doesn’t live a healthy lifestyle. Shel Silverstein explains the concept with Bob Gibson’s help:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9EU936aZcKc
Mick Jagger and the Rolling Stones will release a new album next month. I have heard a cut from it and it’s pretty good. Now Mick is 80 and on tour now with his bandmates, Keith Richards for one. These guys have not lived a healthy lifestyle, but can still make the girls smile. Commenters who say that Joe is old prolly suffer frim ED and are just grouchy cause they can’t get it up. Take the pill boys, along with a gummy, and get after it. Put a smile on your best gal’s face and even yourself, go on ya big lug.
That goes double for you Edwin, come on man, as Joe would say
ALL “Natural Born Citizens” are QUALIFIED to become President, does not have a thing to do with age, execpt for the fact, you have to 35 years old, typically, cause they want someone who has gone to Highschool ( first 18 years of life), and those who have actually resided, worked, and become vested withing the State of _____.
Kristi Noem is in fact QUALIFIED, however, Kamala Harris IS NOT a natural born citizen despite the fact she is born in the United States. Neither of her parents were “Naturalized” into the County at the time of her birth in 1962. The same for Obama, and the same for Ted Cruz whould should not have even been considered as a candidate in 2016 ,thank god ‘we’ chose TRUMP, or we would have had a mess…
Again, Zit is full of sheit. https://www.factcheck.org/2020/08/kamala-harris-is-eligible-to-serve-as-president/
Mr. Z. Please read the U.S. Supreme Court opinion – U.S. v. Wong Kim Ark, 169 U.S. 649 (1898).
Zit is full of it about Obama and possibly Cruz as well. The question about Cruz being potus comes down to whether he should be that close to the top.
https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/native-son/
Warner was married to Miss Piggy, aka Elizabeth Taylor, who at any moment of their days together might have fallen on him and shortened his life considerably.
However incapacitated anyone thinks Biden is, he is still more capable than any of the current challengers. Age is a number.
Mike, do you think that to be qualified one must be born in the US to US citizens? Parental citizenship makes no difference to the citizenship status of those born in the US.
Most people who did actual physical work will laugh at the idea that age is
a number. At age 69 I was still carrying calves through the mud. No way
can I do that now.
Edwin, I have tried and tried to find pictures of Joe Biden or trump (red tie would get muddy), carrying calves. Not in the mud or not for the pictures. So I guess you maybe correct, at 69, you should stop carrying calves in the mud. Good point to remember. Most lawyers and politicos in general, have seen their parents or their grandparents do that physical work. Those folks then told them to find another line of work and only get clean muddy in the public arena. So here we are.
Edwin, that’s narrow thinking about a specific type of work. As Jerry suggests, we don’t elect a President to carry calves through mud. Physical labor requires physical power, which generally declines with age. Governing requires wisdom, which generally increases with age (though exceptions abound—consider Donald Trump, who has never gained wisdom, empathy, or any other admirable and useful intellectual or emotional quality but has remained a selfish, spoiled brat his entire life).
What this country really needs is people able and willing to do the physical work of
making sure there is water when you turn on the tap, that the sewers work and the lights
stay on. (Going down in trenches, climbing poles.)
I honestly do not believe that anyone should be seeking public office at age 82. There have
got to be qualified younger candidates in both parties. If not, then I consider that this country
has failed.
When I was 58 I was no longer capable of climbing into a tractor or stepping up into feed bunks or carrying scoops of ground ear corn through several bunks to feed cattle. At age 70 I do all gardening while sitting, including digging holes for poltato seed and hoeing weeds. I also sit on my Grass Hopper and pick apples from the semi dwarf trees.
My health and boidy continue to deteriorate and this season was almost a complete garden disaster. I havbe lined up 3-4 old 8 foot water tanks for raised beds and next year will see me plant far less than 200 hills of potyatoes ad more onions, lettuce, tomatoes (which thrive in my old raised bed, and bell peppers, Big Berthas if I can find them.
I give much of my produce to friends and anyone who wants them. Same with the large amounts of asparagus.
Joe should take the Medicare memory test. He would come out a genius, like Trump. My 86 year old neighbor was jumping rope in his driveway the other day. People age in different ways. Take care of your body and it will take care of you.
grudznick eats asparagus, Mr. onion.
Mick sings yet today “I went down to the demonstration, to get my fair share of abuse, we’re gonna vent our frustration,…she was practiced at the art of deception,…I could tell by her blood stained hands….”
Vast experience. Biden has it. And a good heart to deal with the corrupt Putin, MSB, Kim Jong Un, Xi, McConnell, Thune, McCarthy, Koch and Murdochs with their “blood stained hands”.
The medicare memory test is a joke. Remember 3 words while you draw a clock
that shows 11:10. And the three words never change.
The Medicare memory test is not a diagnostic tool, but a screening tool. If any cognitive impairments are detected during the test, further comprehensive evaluation by a healthcare professional may be recommended to confirm a diagnosis.
During the Medicare memory test, healthcare providers administer various cognitive screening tools such as the Mini-Cog test or the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). These tests assess different cognitive domains such as memory, attention, language, and visuospatial skills. The purpose of these tests is to detect any cognitive impairments and determine if further evaluation or treatment is necessary.
Hardly a joke, Edwin. Your factual input and reasoning are what’s a joke.
Donald Trump is a career criminal.
https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-letitia-james-fraud-lawsuit-1569245a9284427117b8d3ba5da74249
Who, besides magats, would want a career criminal at their debate? NY judge just stuckl it to drumpf about tax fraud….. https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/sep/26/trump-liable-fraud-new-york
Herr Trump was chanting, “hang Mike Pence” during the siege of the US Capitol. Think that will come during the Earth haters debate tonight?
https://www.rawstory.com/trump-new-york-fraudster/?cx_testId=4&cx_testVariant=cx_undefined&cx_artPos=4&cx_experienceId=EXC93HV4HK4I#cxrecs_s
drumpf corporate death penalty in NY.
And somewhere where used cars are sold, a drumpf lover laments……. There must be a cloud in my hea-ea-ea-ead
Rain keeps falling from my eye, eyes
Oh no they can’t be teardrops
For a man ain’t supposed to cry
So it must be rai-ain drops, so many raindrops
It feels like raindrops
Falling from my eye,eyes
Falling from my eyes
Bwahahahahahahahahahahahaha!!
Lawrence O’Donnell reports drumpf the dumb#uck told Australian billionaire how many warheads out nukular subs carry and how close to Russkies they could get before being detected. What did drumpf get for revealing nukular secrets? Another Aussie bought a membership to Mar-a-Lago and that money went into drumpf’s pocket.
This is why Biden refused to let drumpf have access to more secret info. He can’t keep his mouth shut.
“HACKNEY DIAMONDS”, the new Rolling Stones album is out, and it’s going to be a hot rock and roll stage extravaganza.
PS … Mick Jagger and Joe Biden are the same age. Keith Richards is only one year younger.
What makes your brain old and rusty is spending day after day claiming to be a victim, huh Donald Trump?
e platypus–thank you for quoting Dee Clark, circa 1958, with the golden nugget ” Teardrops”, my guess is a Cub Records release, to describe Donald Trump’s angst. Very Prescient. my good man.