Month: July 2024

Who Could Be Running Mate For Kamala Harris?

If Joe Biden were to decide to withdraw as the Democratic nominee for President in 2024, a heavy favorite to replace him would be Vice President Kamala Harris, although other Democrats might decide to contest her nomination at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago in August.

If Harris is the Presidential nominee, the question is who would be a good choice for Vice President?

It would seem to this author and blogger that either a “swing state” Governor or someone who has proved ability to win office in a “Red” state would make the most sense.

So this author and blogger proposes one of the following two individuals:

Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, age 51

Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, age 46

Pennsylvania is a crucial swing state with 19 electoral votes, and Shapiro, who is Jewish, has had years of state experience as Attorney General of his state before being elected Governor by a solid margin, and is very popular, and seen as a future Presidential contender.

Kentucky is a “Red” state, but Beshear has been able to win the Governorship twice, and is highly popular, and could, in theory, put Kentucky’s 8 electoral votes in play, which would be a welcome potential addition to the Electoral College total for the Democrats.

248th Anniversary Of Declaration Of Independence, And America Is In A Constitutional Crisis! :(

We have arrived at the 248th Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, declared on July 2, 1776, but with the final document being formulated and first signed by some of the delegates on July 4.

This is an anniversary with mixed feelings, as the American Republic is in danger of an absolute, authoritarian Fascist government being perpetrated on it by a renegade, right wing extremist majority of the US Supreme Court!

The Supreme Court is out of control, and the majority supporting the right wing, Fascist agenda of former President Donald Trump, and making it nearly impossible to hold him accountable for the January 6, 2021 US Capitol Insurrection and other crimes!

The balance of power of the three branches of government has been upended by the Supreme Court, in favor of an agenda to take away American democracy and the rule of law.

The only possible prevention of further extremism is the victory of the Democratic Party, but with a candidate who clearly is declining in his abilities, and thus causing a crisis that may insure not only his defeat, but a disastrous set of losses in Congress and state governments for the party and the nation!

So it is essential for Joe Biden to recognize reality, that he is not fit to serve until age 86, and therefore, to do the right thing and announce he is withdrawing from the Presidential race!

Kamala Harris Would Be Favored, If Joe Biden Decided To Withdraw: So What?

If Joe Biden were to decide to withdraw as a candidate, after the disastrous CNN Presidential debate five days ago, it is clear that Vice President Kamala Harris would be favored to be the Democratic Presidential nominee against Donald Trump.

So what is this author’s and blogger’s response, as Harris is perfectly capable of being President, and arguably more so than a number of recent Vice Presidents or Vice Presidential candidates.

Would any rational observer say that Spiro Agnew, Dan Quayle, or Mike Pence were better qualified, or that Dick Cheney, with his authoritarian qualities, would have been a preferable choice? And what about Sarah Palin, who was a potential threat to be Vice President?

Most of the opposition from the right wing about Harris is based on her gender and race, as she proved to be perfectly qualified as San Francisco District Attorney, California Attorney General, and California US Senator.

While there would be those who would prefer alternatives, Harris is a hearbeat away from the Presidency already for three and a half years, and is perfectly capable of being President, and doing a good job of upholding the Constitution, American democracy, and the rule of law, and certainly far better than Fascist authoritarian Donald Trump!

Harris would unify African American women, racial minorities in general, and white progressives and moderates who would see Donald Trump as “a clear and present danger”. She would perform very well against Trump in a debate format, as well.

Her Vice Presidential running mate could be Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, who has proved he could win a “Red” State more than once; or Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, leader of a crucial “swing state”.

Further Reflection: Trump V US Creates Constitutional Crisis Of Massive Proportions!

This author and blogger, upon further reflection, reverses his earlier assessment today, and has come to the conclusion that the Supreme Court has created a long term constitutional crisis in Trump V US, making the likelihood of an uncontrollable Presidency long term!

The last few days have been a whirlwind, since the disastrous Presidential debate of June 27.

It has turned everything we thought was stable and manageable into a massive crisis, only made worse by the recklessness of the extremist right wing Supreme Court, which has granted shocking executive authority and immunity to the Presidency beyond all past limits!

President Joe Biden just gave a five minute Oval Office Address to condemn the Trump V US Supreme Court decision, but made it clear he would not use that decision to abuse his powers.

Ultimately, what can stop this abuse is the American people voting in November to repudiate the threat of Donald Trump, and it raises the stakes on the Presidential Election Of 2024, clearly the most dangerous moment since the Civil War!

Trump V US Supreme Court Case A “Mixed” Result!

The case of Trump V US has finally been issued by the Supreme Court, and it is a disappointing decision, but despite strong criticism by many, it is a “mixed” decision, that allows for future prosecution.

It makes “official” acts of a President immune, but does not claim that all acts are official, and there are aspects of Donald Trump’s behavior around the Presidential Election Of 2020 that are clearly not protected.

So while some actions of Trump cannot be prosecutable due to the decision, the ability to move forward and prosecute Trump can only be prevented if Trump wins the Presidency again.

Otherwise, the actions around the Florida case of documents illegally at Mar A Lago, and the Georgia case of pressuring the Secretary of State to find votes to change the results, and some of the actions around January 6 can still be pursued in court.

The crucial action is to insure Donald Trump does not win the Presidential Election Of 2024, and that means the Democrats must do everything possible to insure victory, not only in the race for the White House, but also for the future 119th Congress!

Also, future Supreme Court and other judicial appointments are determined by who wins the White House, and the only way to reform the courts is more Democratic Presidential appointments, so another reason for the urgency to insure victory for the Democrats at all levels!