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As usual, terrific thinking and writing, Brother Jim. I think, absent some serious health event for one or both of them, we're stuck with Trump and Biden next November. I do not think even a criminal conviction for the Orange Guy changes the dynamics (although there has been some polling to the contrary).

I share your belief that hope, by itself, is not a winning strategy.

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On the health event, honestly, Trump looks like Bernie in “Weekend at Bernie’s.”

Biden is still articulate and lucid.

Neither matters to the MAGA cult, who now believe God is on their side.

Red states have succeeded in dumbing down their education systems so that students are sorely ignorant.

Thank goodness for at least some of the transplants moving to Texas who see through this nonsense. Sadly, many of those people moved here to support what they believe is the higher moral ground 😜

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…Also it is time for Joe to understand that he is not the only answer to the election. Yes he did a great job at a most difficult time in our history, but he has diminished his base on his immigration and Israel policy and, yes, his age. We can’t afford a crap shoot on this election.

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Obviously, I agree. But I do believe is that he believes, because he beat Trump once, he is still the best candidate to do it this time. But boy have things changed. The environment is wildly different than 2020.

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From your words to the voters’ and delegates’ ears.

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Exactly my thoughts. I think Biden may need to step down to prevent a Trump presidencey. But who? I can't think of anybody with the necessary charisma except maybe a Bernie Sanders who faces the same age issue. You are a brilliant thinker and writer, and I can't understand why you are not syndicated.

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I think Gavin Newsom of Calif., Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan, Transportation Sec. Pete Buttigieg, especially Michelle Obama, and even Oprah Winfrey would all defeat Trump handily, Rog. Right now, though, I am increasingly confident he's going to be convicted and his candidacy may even be destroyed before the convention or his trials. I think even a decent number of his supporters have Trump fatigue. If Haley is close in NH, and even wins her home state, she might have a fighting chance. She's only slightly better than Trump but not an existential threat to the republic.

And thanks for the kind words about my writing. I'm not sure there are any real syndication services around any more. About the only way to get a national audience is with the NYT or the Wash. Post, or by being a cable yakker who gets a huge following on their website or substack. Heather Cox Richardson makes a few million with just paid subscribers on her substack "Letters from an American." I'd be happy to get a broader readership, at least enough to make some beer money.

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For the Iowa Caucus I was kind of hoping Harold Stassen had just been taking a gap year or two. :)

Always honored by your replies. None necessary here. Thanks

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Nice writing there . 4 years ago Biden seemed like the only candidate who could beat Trump. Now he seems like the only candidate who cant beat Trump. Maybe he will win. Still time before ballots are cast. In the meantime, please replace Kamala HArris. Im s big Gretchen Whitmer fan. Strange times. The consequences of this election are too great to allow Biden to pull a Ruth Bader Ginsberg and lose the seat in part due to age. If Biden stays on i hope he recognizes his veep choice is big. Go Gretchen.

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Thanks, Chris. I’m afraid Biden will be compelled to make Kamala his VP again. Could not toss her over without disrupting Black vote.

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As a life long Democrat and a monetary supporter of Democrats running for office, I get tons of requests for opinions and funding which in the onslaught of the internet have blended into uselessness if the DNC can't figure out how to get meaningful information from people like me. I don't respond to the hundreds of "Who are you going to vote for - Biden or Trump?" because down the page there is the "Are you willing to sacrifice - and How Much?" and my answer doesn't get counted unless I pledge to Rep so and so or Senator so and so (Who I usually am already sending monthly contributions to). I am not contacted by anything that looks like a Poll other than these emails so I doubt I am counted in the national polls and I doubt that I am alone in this predicament. When I come face to face with that voting machine I will be voting a straight Democratic ticket (old fashioned as that sounds) here in the state of Texas.

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