Call me a biased Lib if you want, but the "Biden is too old and bumbling" just boggles my mind when the other candidate is Donald Trump. Trump is only a few years younger than Biden and last I checked isn't exactly great on living a healthy lifestyle. But beyond that, what about anything Trump says out loud screams a man with mental acumen right now? I though that McKay Coppins article in The Atlantic was extremely instructive. It's like too many people (and unfortunately too many reporters) have this mental image of Trump rallies from 2016 they refuse to shake when if you go to one its very obvious his ramblings have gotten...well more rambling. Also, there seems to be this weird unspoken "pass" Trump gets when he gets basic geopolitical facts wrong. Like, whatever slack you thought he deserved in 2016 he was president for four years. Either he learned nothing, or his own mental faculties are declining fast (answer is both).
I'm sorry, this dichotomy really speaks to a real failure of media as though they learned nothing from 2016.
Separate topic: Bill Ackman challenged Biden to a series of debates. Obviously Biden shouldn’t debate him, but there could be a path to a landslide win by publicly insulting Ackman again. Anyone who’s heard of him hates that guy.
Seems like on point analysis to me. I share the bafflement you mentioned. Perhaps it’s due to perfectionist staffers who worry they have to spin mistakes like the Sisi/Mexico screw up? They may only see downsides to media hits but the aggregate effect is to reinforce the view that the old guy doesn’t have it anymore.
Here’s my question: in a previous post , you theorized that largely staying out of the public eye and preaching to his base has helped Trump in a strange way. Maybe Biden is doing this too, going for quality over quantity?
Also, what’s your take on the Economist’s article re polling? You mention Quinnipiac’s poll, then mention ABC news’s - with all due respect to the latter, is it the same quality of the former? I ask because the Economist argues that when you eliminate low sample polling (ie, the type practiced by most news outlets), Trump’s lead essentially evaporates.
Sure, there are a few undecided voters but the country is pretty polarized making turn out a huge issue. Running against Trump means Biden's turn out is locked in unless he does something dumb like get filmed falling down or looking really old. Convincing MAGA voters to turn out against an old white moderate like Biden whose image is pro blue collar is a harder task.
On top of that, unlike Trump, Biden's strength has never been reaching people via grand rallies. Those present risks to him while sitting back and letting ads do the talking doesn't.
As Yglesias points out the Dems win in a low turnout election. Don't risk trying to persuade people -- you might also remind them what they dislike and increase engagement. Just focus on negative campaigning -- run ads accusing Trump of abandoning the border to serve his political interests etc..
Also have you seen Biden lately? I believe he's still mentally sharp but he just **looks** soo old. I think there is a justified fear that rather than reassuring the populace he'd lock in a bad image. And it just takes one clip of him looking like he's having a senior moment that the Trump campaign can play on repeat to sink him.
Call me a biased Lib if you want, but the "Biden is too old and bumbling" just boggles my mind when the other candidate is Donald Trump. Trump is only a few years younger than Biden and last I checked isn't exactly great on living a healthy lifestyle. But beyond that, what about anything Trump says out loud screams a man with mental acumen right now? I though that McKay Coppins article in The Atlantic was extremely instructive. It's like too many people (and unfortunately too many reporters) have this mental image of Trump rallies from 2016 they refuse to shake when if you go to one its very obvious his ramblings have gotten...well more rambling. Also, there seems to be this weird unspoken "pass" Trump gets when he gets basic geopolitical facts wrong. Like, whatever slack you thought he deserved in 2016 he was president for four years. Either he learned nothing, or his own mental faculties are declining fast (answer is both).
I'm sorry, this dichotomy really speaks to a real failure of media as though they learned nothing from 2016.
Separate topic: Bill Ackman challenged Biden to a series of debates. Obviously Biden shouldn’t debate him, but there could be a path to a landslide win by publicly insulting Ackman again. Anyone who’s heard of him hates that guy.
Seems like on point analysis to me. I share the bafflement you mentioned. Perhaps it’s due to perfectionist staffers who worry they have to spin mistakes like the Sisi/Mexico screw up? They may only see downsides to media hits but the aggregate effect is to reinforce the view that the old guy doesn’t have it anymore.
Here’s my question: in a previous post , you theorized that largely staying out of the public eye and preaching to his base has helped Trump in a strange way. Maybe Biden is doing this too, going for quality over quantity?
Also, what’s your take on the Economist’s article re polling? You mention Quinnipiac’s poll, then mention ABC news’s - with all due respect to the latter, is it the same quality of the former? I ask because the Economist argues that when you eliminate low sample polling (ie, the type practiced by most news outlets), Trump’s lead essentially evaporates.
I think Biden's strategy is the smart one.
Sure, there are a few undecided voters but the country is pretty polarized making turn out a huge issue. Running against Trump means Biden's turn out is locked in unless he does something dumb like get filmed falling down or looking really old. Convincing MAGA voters to turn out against an old white moderate like Biden whose image is pro blue collar is a harder task.
On top of that, unlike Trump, Biden's strength has never been reaching people via grand rallies. Those present risks to him while sitting back and letting ads do the talking doesn't.
As Yglesias points out the Dems win in a low turnout election. Don't risk trying to persuade people -- you might also remind them what they dislike and increase engagement. Just focus on negative campaigning -- run ads accusing Trump of abandoning the border to serve his political interests etc..
“February’s was revised upward”? Is this a *projection* that was revised, or do I not understand how time works?
Also have you seen Biden lately? I believe he's still mentally sharp but he just **looks** soo old. I think there is a justified fear that rather than reassuring the populace he'd lock in a bad image. And it just takes one clip of him looking like he's having a senior moment that the Trump campaign can play on repeat to sink him.
Maybe write a letter here on the effects migrants are having on city budgets. We could use some clarity.
I agree. He doesn't need to blanket the airwaves, either. Just needs to get out there enough to dispel the notion that he is hiding.