The unique perspective and provocative opinions of Joe O’Neill
Dem Notes
Joe Biden: “Is anyone surprised Donald Trump has a problem with strong women across the board?” Is anyone surprised that’s a rhetorical question? Ask Hillary Clinton. Or Elizabeth Warren. Or Angela Merkel. Hell, ask Carly Fiorina or Megyn Kelly.
The Biden campaign raked in $48 million–$39 million of it online–in 48 hours: the 48 hours immediately following the formal announcement of the Biden-Harris ticket. The fund-raising haul included 150,000first-time donors.
“It will energize black voters because they can now see themselves in the ticket.”—That was NAACP President Derrick Johnson, weighing in on the selection of Kamala Harris for vice president.
“Conscience. … It was necessary to do this, and I felt it’s the right thing to do. I believe Biden can bring us together.”—Former Republican Ohio Gov. John Kasich—a 2016 GOP presidential candidate—on accepting a speaking role at the Democratic National Convention. And we won’t be shocked if Presidential Nominee Biden announces another—permanent—role for Kasich to play in a Biden Administration.
As we know, the Dems need a net gain of only three seats to take back a Senate majority if Joe Biden wins. The chances are more than do-able—starting with the top targeted states of North Carolina, Arizona and Colorado. Plus, it’s even money right now in Georgia, Iowa, Maine and Montana. Hell, Lindsey Graham could be ousted by Jaime Harrison in South Carolina. Even Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is feeling heat in Kentucky. According to the non-partisan Cook Political Report, it’s advantage Dems less than three months out from the election. And then there’s this telling-assessment memo issued by Kevin McLaughlin, the executive director of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, to mark the 100-day countdown to the election. “From 30,000 feet, things look pretty bleak.” Too bleaking bad.
No surprise that the 300,000-member National Association of Letter Carriers has endorsed Biden for president. But will they be voting by mail?
It couldn’t hurt if Bernie Sanders, the avatar of democratic socialism and the lodestar of American progressives, didn’t just caucus with the Democratic Party, endorse its presidential nominee and speak at its virtual convention–but formally joined it. Call it the ultimate loyalty pledge—and a politically-pragmatic signal to his rabid base that it’s got to be all in to take out Trump.
“We do not agonize; we organize.”—House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.