More this, less that - the week in review for July 28th, 2024
Following Joe Biden’s decision to step back from the 2024 nomination while simultaneously putting his endorsement behind Kamala Harris, there was a flurry of activity. That may be an understatement. Despite the change in tone on the left and a change in focus from the media, there’s still plenty of things we’d like to see less of:
- Corporate media continues to normalize Trump and the threat he poses to democracy. During Turning Point Action’s “Believers Summit” in West Palm Beach on Friday, Trump told the conservative Christian crowd, “in 4 years you don’t have to vote again we’ll have it fixed so good you’re not gonna have to vote.” This was not hyperbole, this was Trump meaning exactly what he said. He wants the right-wing to vote in numbers that have never been seen so he can deliver them a Christofascist autocracy. While this story was carried by corporate media outlets, it was, as usual, given second class coverage. Given what is widely known about Project 2025, Trump’s personal and selfish desires and the right-wing’s push to suppress - if not altogether end - democracy, these statements should be given the serious consideration they deserve; as a 4-alarm fire not a run of the mill afterthought.
- Trump and the MAGA machine continue to fight tooth and nail to claim the old, flatulent rapist’s ear was grazed by a bullet. When someone attempts to assassinate a presidential candidate, it’s a big deal. That’s all that the orange bag of gas needs to have for a story. Yet Trump, who is obsessed with bigger/better/badder/more, has threatened his entire campaign staff with firing and law suits if they release any information. In addition, he refuses to release the medical records from the Butler hospital that treated him. Finally, he has Ronny Drunken “Johnson” standing in as a credible source of medical truth when George Clooney is a more credible doctor at this point. Can we just let the ear soap opera go?
- This was such a positive week. I think most people liberal-minded people would agree that we need less of the internal division and self-mutilation that was taking place in prior weeks. There’s too much at stake to go back. We must stay united and stay focused.
On a positive note, this week provided an emotional rejuvenation for the pro-democracy movement. There is plenty to cheer and plenty of progress that needs to be continued in the weeks ahead.
- The current administration continues to work for the people. This week we saw one of Mexico’s drug lords arrested. The Sinaloa cartel’s co-founder, Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada, was reportedly lured by the son of notorious (former) drug lord El Chapo to view real estate investment options in northern Mexico. Instead of landing in Mexico, though, the private jet landed in southern Texas where US authorities were waiting. This is a major arrest since El Mayo’s cartel is one of the world’s largest traffickers of fentanyl.
- The administration also had good news economically. The 2nd quarter real GDP was announced at 2.8% (annualized & seasonally adjusted). That beat the forecast of 2.1% and doubled the Q1 rate of 1.4%.
- This week saw the Democrats go on offense like we haven’t seen in a long time. Kamala Harris attacked Trump as the criminal, weak and old man that he is. Those on Harris’ short list of VP candidates were doing the media tour, attacking Trump, Vance and the MAGA agenda while promoting progress of the Biden/Harris administration and the progress of Democrat governors across the country. It was good to see the offensive focus rather than always being on the defensive.
- On an entertainment note, it was hilarious to see the social media attacks on JD Vance spawned by a shitpost about him having “sectional” relations which a couch. The relentless attacks on social media caused news outlets including the AP to publish fact-checks that the event did not actually happen (as far as anyone knows at least 😏). JD is forever a couch-f*cker now. There’s no escaping that.
- The launch of Kamala Harris as the new 2024 candidate for President could not have been more flawless. She hit the ground running as did the whole campaign apparatus. In addition, the pro-democracy coalition also responded in a huge way.
- $200M: The Harris campaign raised over $200M in her first a week. In addition, big donors committed to $150M in future funds. These are huge numbers. This is much needed after donations slowed greatly for the Biden campaign after the June debate debacle.
- 170,000: The campaign had 170,000 volunteers sign up in Harris’ first week. This is remarkable number to add the already strong campaign apparatus.
- 66%: Two-thirds of the contributors to the Harris campaign during the week were first time donors in 2024. While many on the right, including Rupert Murdoch’s New York Times, tried to paint the enthusiasm for Harris as fabricated, all of these numbers tell a decidedly different tale. People are genuinely fired up again.
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