Debate Thoughts: 4 Days Out

My initial thoughts have not changed, but in the interim, I have been talking to voters. And they’re singing a completely different tune than the pundits and insiders.

First, let’s look at the CBS snap poll of Democrats:

Now, let’s look at all voters:

To my initial post, I want to add:

• My anger at Tapper, Bash and all of CNN has only grown. I was able to fact-check in real time, they should have AT LEAST pushed back on Charlottesville and Speaker Emeritus Pelosi, not to mention when the Convicted Felon said HE had gotten us out of Covid, and HE had decreased drug prices. These aren’t even hard fact checks, they are part of ALL of our lived experience.

• I’m probably canceling my subscription to the Times. I mean, not the puzzles, but everything else. Like Hobby Lobby, Chic Fil A, and Tractor Supply, they cannot have my money. In the Times case, for the Editorial Board being in the tank for Convicted Felon Trump.

The two voters to whom I’ve spoken who are adamant about President Biden withdrawing do not understand all the reasons that’s a terrible idea. First, there is the process issue. PRIMARIES ARE OVER, DELEGATES HAVE BEEN SELECTED, and if President Biden withdrew prior to the convention, he would need to release his delegates, leading to a brokered convention. If you want to know what that looks like, watch the last couple episodes of Season 6 of The West Wing. It’s pretty ugly, and this imbroglio would occur without the benefit of very good writers.

If he withdrew after the convention, there is a process in place for the DNC to select a new candidate. As I wrote previously, they would pick Vice President Harris, and while she polls better against Convicted Felon Trump than anyone other than President Biden, there would be less of a chance that she would prevail.

The vast majority of voters to whom I’ve spoken, who watched the debate, are appalled, discouraged, and saddened. HOWEVER, they are still committed to voting to re-elect President Biden, and many have given money. In fact, overall, the campaign raised $27 million in the 24 hours post-debate. This has actually energized people in terms of being willing to get out there and talk to other voters.

Further, after the initial “drop out now” from mostly pundits and ex-Obama campaign folks, there have been more calm voices, including (surprisingly) the Philadelphia Inquirer, whose Editorial Board called on Convicted Felon Trump to drop out. It’s worth a read.

Today, it’s highly probable that SCOTUS will drop the immunity decision. While it’s certainly possible with those 6 MAGA heads that they grant Convicted Felon Trump full immunity, while nixing it for any other president, the highest probability is that they will send it back to Judge Chutkin to hold evidentiary hearings to determine what is, and is not, “an official act”. While they SHOULD have just denied cert back in December, and the trial would be over by now, this is not a disaster. It means that all summer, and likely into the fall, the prosecution will be able to present their evidence – things like memos, text messages, documents and phone logs. No jury, no rules of what can and cannot come in, complete with witnesses like Mark Meadows and Mike Pence. Judge Chutkin will set a schedule and then that hearing will go on for weeks. Daily. While there will be no cameras, there will be live blogging and reports and again: DAILY. This won’t be good for the Convicted Felon. Remember, that “60-day rule” does not apply to criminal proceedings underway.

Plus, after this week, which will be light due to the Fourth of July holiday, and the French and British elections, things about the debate will fade.

The following Thursday will be Convicted Felon Trump’s sentencing in front of Judge Merchan. While it’s hard for the side of truth and light to catch a break, it’s possible that there would be restrictions placed on the defendant.

Keep the faith!