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* What’s going on?…

posted by Isabel Miller
Monday, Jul 22, 24 @ 7:38 am

Comments

Obviously pretty shell shocked at the Biden news still. Even recognizing that this might be for the best, and the reaction to Harris as the presumptive nominee has been much more positive than I was anticipating, I still deep down don’t like the idea of the party more or less turning on a candidate due to a donor rebellion. I fully understand that many non-donors had legitimate reasons to want Biden out, but ultimately this feels like a total invalidation of the primary process (as the metric has been set… if donors don’t like a nominee, then they can threaten to turn off the funds spigot to force the party to get them to quit). I don’t see this as a one-off thing for very extenuating circumstances, but rather a new norm baked into the system to please donors first and voters second.

I’ll never skip a general election, but I’m thinking that I’m not going to bother with primaries any time soon now.

Comment by TJ Monday, Jul 22, 24 @ 8:13 am
Good weather last weekend/today for outside work and fun, but the latter part of this week looks like a return to form for July.

Comment by Former ILSIP Monday, Jul 22, 24 @ 8:29 am
Big news weekend, huh?

Comment by NewToSpringfield Monday, Jul 22, 24 @ 8:46 am
Beautiful day, with bright blue skies. And I am not talking about the Democratic Party. However, if I were to do so, I would say I am so very humbled by the many, many contributions Mr. Biden has given to our American way of life over his lifetime. I would also say I am so very pleased that Mr. Biden has decided it is in fact time to pass the torch of leadership to a new generation. Godspeed, Mr. President. Godspeed, Madam Vice-President.

Comment by H-W Monday, Jul 22, 24 @ 10:40 am
== never skip a general election, but I’m thinking that I’m not going to bother with primaries … ==

I’ll continue to vote in them and work as an Election Judge. There’s always been big money donors in the shadows pulling strings (yes, I’m a cynic); this cycle they’ve just been more visible.

Comment by RNUG Monday, Jul 22, 24 @ 10:48 am
@ TJ

This is first time io history, a first time President has chosen not accept the nomination of his party, after receiving it. It is a historic event, and a model for patriotism.

James K Polk (the bane of Mexican Americans and their history) chose not to run. LB Johnson announced before he would not accept the nomination.

History is an amazing thing, and the contingencies of this historic moment are fascinating. But I am pretty sure it will be another several decades before we have another presumptive nominee turn down the will of the Peoples of the States.

Attend your primaries. Vote your will during those primaries.

Comment by H-W Monday, Jul 22, 24 @ 11:45 am
Until IL provides open primaries, I prefer to keep my name off the party lists, off the future labels and broad brushes, mailing lists, and requests for donations. I understand the ramifications of accepting the results of the primaries without input/contributing, but my independence is more important.

Comment by shadow docket Monday, Jul 22, 24 @ 5:13 pm
It’s interesting to see some of the views here related to Biden stepping down. Some see it as a patriotic American looking for the nation’s best interest. Others see it as pandering to donors and those who truly drive American politics. I just wish George Carlin was still alive to give us his take. I could see him doing a great and updated version of his “Big Club” skit right now…

Comment by Just a guy Tuesday, Jul 23, 24 @ 9:59 am