The latest tall tale from the president

Trump is no longer beating Biden in the polls. The tide is turning and they are usually neck and neck or Biden a bit ahead.

Biden dropped out of the 1980's primary because, I believe, he had a brain aneurysm.

Of course we don't know what physical conditions Trump has. When he had COVID and received oxygen, he was furious that his medical team had mentioned that in a press briefing. Every doctor, nurse, CNA, or lab tech he sees now has to sign an NDA.

What is the antonym for transparency? "Cunning, secrecy."

He has never had a transparent medical report. First doctor signed a note written by Trump brought up to the office by a chauffeur. Second doctor, Dr. Oz, had Trump on his show and let him spout absolute nonsense about his health while the host nodded assent. Third doctor had an alcoholic past and was rewarded for his "cunning and secrecy" by getting a Congressional seat in Texas earmarked especially for him.

And so I follow my six senses (the sixth is, of course, common sense.) Both candidates are old, but Biden knows his stuff, has tons of experience and the respect of world leaders, and has assembled a very qualified, experienced team. Trump is so focused on "what's in it for me?" that he pays no attention to any other aspect of policy. His body, mind, and behavior show someone who has overindulged in so many vices that he's falling apart.

And third candidate RFK, Jr. has a worm in his brain (although he seems more competent than Mr. Trump.)

Fantine said:

Of course not. But your criticisms are all insubstantial and silly.

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Hmm. I was just thinking the same thing about many of your criticisms.

I can detect tribal loyalty a mile away, and you exhibit it in spades. To you, nothing Biden does is bad and nothing Trump does is good. It's no different than when you criticize Republicans who can see no good in Biden and no wrong in Trump. It's all the same blind, tribal loyalty.

The difference being the character, accomplishments, and criminality of Biden and Trump.

Fantine said:

The difference being the character, accomplishments, and criminality of Biden and Trump.

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Tribal loyalty is not a good trait regardless of how wonderful you think someone is. It's why I've been a registered independent since 2017. I didn't like the tribal loyalty of the Republicans to Trump, so I changed my affiliation. Now I see that same tribal loyalty from Democrats with Biden, and it's amusing to me that they think it's somehow different.

We think it's different because Biden's loyalty has been earned.

Is he perfect? No. He is struggling to keep our ties to Israel despite trying to keep Netanyahu's scorched earth war mongering in check. Is he doing enough?

I also think he should have stepped aside. I have no concerns about his current capabilities but a lot can happen on the road from 82 to 86.

On the other hand, I believe Trump has some cognitive and a boatload of psychiatric impairments.

probinson said:

Tribal loyalty is not a good trait regardless of how wonderful you think someone is. It's why I've been a registered independent since 2017. I didn't like the tribal loyalty of the Republicans to Trump, so I changed my affiliation. Now I see that same tribal loyalty from Democrats with Biden, and it's amusing to me that they think it's somehow different.

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Because it IS different.

Trump loyalists support their candidate despite 4 indictments, 91 charges of criminal activity, and several guilty verdicts including fraud and sexual assault. Not to mention the whole "stolen election" lie and his attempt to foment an insurrection.

Biden supporters may not have the same degree of fealty toward their candidate, but they do feel he has one very specific and definitive qualification: He ain't Trump.

-- A2SG, as to why that's a qualification, see above....

A2SG said:

Because it IS different.

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No, it's not. I mean, you can try to pretend it is, and I'm sure all the tribal loyalists to Biden will agree that it is, but it absolutely isn't.

A2SG said:

Trump loyalists support their candidate despite 4 indictments, 91 charges of criminal activity, and several guilty verdicts including fraud and sexual assault.

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And yet, Trump is still leading in the polls. It must really gnaw at Democrats that despite the Republicans choosing to run one of the absolute WORST candidates in the history of time, they are STILL behind.

A2SG said:

Not to mention the whole "stolen election" lie and his attempt to foment an insurrection.

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This hand has been severely overplayed and only sounds compelling to those already firmly in the tribe. As evidenced by the polls, the majority of voters just aren't buying it. I suggest you look at actual insurrections before you go throwing words around that sound bad but that you clearly don't understand.

A2SG said:

Biden supporters may not have the same degree of fealty toward their candidate, but they do feel he has one very specific and definitive qualification: He ain't Trump.

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It must terrify the Democrats that the sole thing they can hang their hopes on this election is that their candidate "ain't Trump".

probinson said:

No, it's not. I mean, you can try to pretend it is, and I'm sure all the tribal loyalists to Biden will agree that it is, but it absolutely isn't.

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You don't see Biden supporters buying NFTs or bits of his mug shot suit, nor are they attending rallies or dressing up in shirts depicting Biden with Jesus, or in Jesus like poses.

The fervor Trump acolytes display is not duplicated by Biden supporters in any way whatsoever.

Also, if Biden were indicted as many times as Trump has been, for as many charges, his support would not intensify, as it has for many Trump acolytes.

There is a marked difference in the support given for the two.

probinson said:

And yet, Trump is still leading in the polls. It must really gnaw at Democrats that despite the Republicans choosing to run one of the absolute WORST candidates in the history of time, they are STILL behind.

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No kidding. I fully agree, the Democratic party would be better served by a better candidate. Say, Corey Booker, for example.

Though, to be fair, most polls I've seen show the two neck and neck, with differences within the margin of error. So it doesn't seem as lopsided as you seem to hope it is.

probinson said:

This hand has been severely overplayed and only sounds compelling to those already firmly in the tribe. As evidenced by the polls, the majority of voters just aren't buying it. I suggest you look at actual insurrections before you go throwing words around that sound bad but that you clearly don't understand.

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Oh, I understand what happened completely. I watched it play out myself. I know what happened.

You are, of course, free to interpret the facts however you wish. As is everyone else.

As to what a majority of voters will do come November, let's not forget, Trump has never gotten the majority of the vote. Not ever.

probinson said:

It must terrify the Democrats that the sole thing they can hang their hopes on this election is that their candidate "ain't Trump".

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It's a strong argument in Biden's favor, though.

-- A2SG, possibly the strongest.....

Fantine said:

Telling an innocent family history story that his grandparents had never fact checked is sweet, folksy, unintentional.
The fact that this is the only negative you can find is a testament to his good character.

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You can't be serious...right?

A2SG said:

You don't see Biden supporters buying NFTs or bits of his mug shot suit, nor are they attending rallies or dressing up in shirts depicting Biden with Jesus, or in Jesus like poses.

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No, they're not. They are still very much a part of the tribe though.

A2SG said:

No kidding. I fully agree, the Democratic party would be better served by a better candidate. Say, Corey Booker, for example.

Though, to be fair, most polls I've seen show the two neck and neck, with differences within the margin of error. So it doesn't seem as lopsided as you seem to hope it is.

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I just got done saying that the Republicans have chosen the worst candidate in the history of time (TWICE), and yet you somehow interpret that to mean that I hope he wins. Amazing.

FTR, I think both candidates are awful. Horrible. Pathetic. A sad commentary on the state of the politics in the US. That these are the two choices we've been given is utterly appalling. I don't understand why ANYONE would support EITHER of these candidates.

A2SG said:

As to what a majority of voters will do come November, let's not forget, Trump has never gotten the majority of the vote. Not ever.

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And yet, he still won.

probinson said:

No, they're not. They are still very much a part of the tribe though.

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That tribe could most accurately be described as something of a center-left-progressive tribe. It's not really a "Democrat" tribe and it is most definitely not a "Biden" tribe; it's more "anti-Republican" and "anti-Trump" than it is either of those. People on the left generally band together because they agree on a certain set of beliefs and policies that they wish to be enacted. It's not substantially different than the way the right used to be.

This fealty to Trump is something different. Neither party has exhibited anything like this in my lifetime.

iluvatar5150 said:

it's more "anti-Republican" and "anti-Trump" than it is either of those.

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I couldn't agree more. The only thing Biden has going for him is that he's not Trump.

In the same way, there are people who support Trump simply because he's not Biden.

This is not an election primarily FOR a candidate, but AGAINST the opposing candidate.

probinson said:

In the same way, there are people who support Trump simply because he's not Biden.

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That's true, but those numbers seem to be in decline. If this sentiment were representative of the party, Trump wouldn't have been renominated.

iluvatar5150 said:

That's true, but those numbers seem to be in decline. If this sentiment were representative of the party, Trump wouldn't have been renominated.

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I am absolutely dumbfounded that Republicans renominated Trump. They are squandering a prime opportunity to completely obliterate the Democrats this election cycle. With Biden's popularity near record lows, if they had chosen a better candidate it wouldn't have even been close. Instead, they inexplicably hitched their wagon to Trump (AGAIN) and all of his baggage. It's almost like they want to lose.

probinson said:

I couldn't agree more. The only thing Biden has going for him is that he's not Trump.

In the same way, there are people who support Trump simply because he's not Biden.

This is not an election primarily FOR a candidate, but AGAINST the opposing candidate.

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While I think (to some extent) that has been a reality for a while, it DOES seem like this particular cycle has ramped that up....beyond what anyone could have possibly (nightmarishly) envisioned.

probinson said:

No, they're not. They are still very much a part of the tribe though.

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Well, more a part of a political party than a tribe, I'd say. Far less of an almost religious fervor.

Trump acolytes are truly a breed apart.

probinson said:

I just got done saying that the Republicans have chosen the worst candidate in the history of time (TWICE), and yet you somehow interpret that to mean that I hope he wins. Amazing.

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I call's 'em as I see's 'em.

Look, I understand not particularly liking Biden as a president. But, harping on his exaggerating an accomplishment (something pretty much every politician has done at one time or another) seems to discount the amazingly dangerous whoppers Trump has told during and since his term in office. Sure, claiming that inflation was higher at the start of his term than it was wasn't the truth...although it did reach that height, and he did work to lower it over time. But compared to Trump's constant and baseless lies about nonexistent election fraud and his telling his followers to "fight like hell" to keep him in power despite losing the election, it seems rather a weak comparison.

And only serves to improve Trump's chances of winning next time.

Thus, how I interpret your point.

probinson said:

FTR, I think both candidates are awful. Horrible. Pathetic. A sad commentary on the state of the politics in the US. That these are the two choices we've been given is utterly appalling. I don't understand why ANYONE would support EITHER of these candidates.

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Can't say I disagree all that much...but when left with the choice of a lesser of two evils, Biden is far, far less of one than Trump. And to prevent Trump from attaining the power he so desperately craves (for his own personal aggrandizement as well as the desire to evade accountability for his crimes), voting for President Biden come November seems the better choice.

Even a mediocre president is better than Trump.

probinson said:

And yet, he still won.

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Yeah, well, that's the electoral college for ya.

-- A2SG, still, when talking about what the majority of voters want...it's never been Trump.....

A2SG said:

Sure, claiming that inflation was higher at the start of his term than it was wasn't the truth...

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Yep. And Biden has now repeated it twice.


Biden is not exactly at the top of his game. Maybe he actually believes inflation was at 9% when he took office. Well-meaning elderly men with poor memories sometimes do that.

A2SG said:

But, harping on his exaggerating an accomplishment (something pretty much every politician has done at one time or another) seems to discount the amazingly dangerous whoppers Trump has told during and since his term in office.

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This seems a rather strange position. It's entirely possible to call out both candidates on their lies. That's what I would expect any objective person to do.

But I can understand why you would want to downplay Biden's lies. Anything to make sure Trump doesn't get elected again, amirite?

probinson said:

Yep. And Biden has now repeated it twice.

https://www.cnn.com/2024/05/14/politics/fact-check-biden-inflation-when-he-became-president/index.html

Biden is not exactly at the top of his game. Maybe he actually believes inflation was at 9% when he took office. Well-meaning elderly men with poor memories sometimes do that.

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True enough. Though, I gotta say, as lies go, it's pretty benign. Especially when compared to Trump's.

-- A2SG, and far less dangerous....