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This week, we review Biden's debate to-do list, pick the celebrity of the week, and suggest some great vacation spots.
You'd be surprised at the huge gap between what engaged voters know and what disengaged voters know. Millions of voters either don't know the basic facts of the Biden administration (e.g., he expanded NATO, crime is down significantly) or are wrong in what they think they know (e.g., they mistakenly believe we're in a recession). It's worth noting that Biden does much better among voters who do know what's actually going on. Not surprisingly, engaging voters when they're starting to pay attention could give Biden great headway.
Besides the convention, the debates will be Biden's largest audience of the campaign, where he can set the record straight and remind voters of the crucial choices they face. If he can deliver seven separate facts in the debates, he can both rally voters' support and remind Democrats that voter turnout is essential to preventing a backlash against authoritarianism.
Donald Trump was found guilty of rapism and liar in court. You may be familiar with the fact that a civil jury found felon and former president Donald Trump sexually abused E. Jean Carroll and lied about it, but you'd be surprised at how many voters failed to take note of this astonishing case. Trump may be outraged if Biden reminds voters that Trump's peers, the public, found him responsible for this despicable act. With no live audience, Biden can't invite Carroll to the debate. But he could recall Carroll for viewers while forcing Republicans to grapple with naming a rapist to court.
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Multiple judges and juries in civil and criminal cases have found Trump fraudulent: Again, informed voters will remember that Trump was fined $2 million for misappropriating charitable funds and was separately held liable for $355 million for fraudulently inflating the value of his assets. The criminal trial, in which ordinary New Yorkers found that Trump falsified business records to deceive voters, is just the latest instance of Trump's deception. To undermine and infuriate Trump's aura of business acumen, Biden should emphasize that Americans have repeatedly found him a con man. Now, he is trying to deceive voters.
Biden's economy is far better than Trump's. Trump's supporters believe his economy was the best in history. Meanwhile, the media seems reluctant to acknowledge Biden's great economic achievements. Biden needs to list the facts: stock market, employment, inflation, manufacturing, wage growth figures. Voters should hear a stark contrast between the mess he inherited and the current US economy that is the envy of the world. Just to be safe, Biden might also explain that one of the reasons Trump's economy was so bad was because Trump did not take COVID-19 and the coronavirus vaccination plan seriously, which led to hundreds of thousands of unnecessary deaths.
Trump will scream, “It's all lies!” Biden has the numbers, his campaign can post them on a website and verify each data point.
Trump wants to be a dictator. In this regard, Biden should only look to Trump's rhetoric and his 2025 plan, which includes deporting protesters, deporting “15 million” immigrants by building concentration camps, using the military to quell protests, amnestying violent criminals from the January 6, 2021 riots, targeting media companies and journalists who don't give MAGA talking points, implementing a nationwide Comstock Act abortion ban and ominous mail surveillance, banning mifepristone, and installing cronies in the government who will do Biden's bidding. Biden's website should include links to Trump's rhetoric and 2025 plan items so voters can see for themselves.
Trump will make the Supreme Court even worse and make America a less livable place. At a fundraiser, Biden told the audience, “If I'm reelected, I'll appoint two more Chief Justices to the Supreme Court.” [justices] Biden added, “The Supreme Court has never been more off balance than it is today. Never, really.” Biden should explain that with partisan reinforcements, justices on the right could follow Justice Clarence Thomas' road map and attack many other rights, including access to contraception and same-sex marriage.
Trump sides with dictators and would undermine freedom and stability in the world. Biden expanded NATO. Trump has said he would welcome Russian President Putin's invasion of NATO countries that don't spend enough on defense. Biden secured international aid for Ukraine. Trump wants to force Ukraine to submit. Biden defends democracy. Trump worships and flatters authoritarians in Hungary, China and North Korea. And Trump has taken to quoting Adolf Hitler (whom Trump praised behind closed doors, according to former Chief of Staff John F. Kelly).
Those who know Trump best will not support him. His former vice president, dozens of former Cabinet members, former press secretaries, former chiefs of staff and senior military officials have all warned that Trump is dangerous and unfit. Never before in American history has a man been rejected by so many people who have served under so many presidents. Those whom Trump handpicked and those who have seen him closely say he is not capable of doing the job or understanding his oath of office.
This week's celebrities
Maryland Governor Wes Moore (Democrat) on Monday issued pardons for about 175,000 people with marijuana-related convictions in his state, “one of the largest pardons in the nation for a drug now widely used for recreational purposes,” The Washington Post reported. As the governor noted, these criminal records have been used to “deny housing, employment, education, and hold back people and their families long after they have completed their sentences.” Rarely does a single unilateral action have such far-reaching effects that extend beyond those directly affected to future generations.
“If we want to achieve inclusive economic growth, we must begin to dismantle these barriers that disproportionately fall on communities of color,” Moore explained. Other governors should follow his example. This would be a dramatic step toward overcoming the racial inequities that have blighted the lives of millions of people of color. Additionally, states should “ban the box,” ensuring that criminal convictions in other states do not disadvantage job seekers in their own states.
Much of the US is experiencing sweltering heat this week, so if you're thinking of cooler (or cooler) getaway destinations, here are some of my favorite places (you might need a light jacket).
San Francisco: “The coldest winter I ever spent was a San Francisco summer,” is a joke misattributed to Mark Twain but rings true nonetheless. The fog and cool ocean breeze may sound inviting right now. San Francisco remains one of America's most enjoyable travel destinations, with great museums, a fantastic zoo, nearby natural wonders, and fantastic restaurants.
Copenhagen: Whether you're looking for delicious food, music at world-famous venues, castles, stunning views or gorgeous interior design, you'll find it in this clean, walkable and classy city. Plan on at least 5-6 days and you'll be amazed at the amount of things to do.
Holland: One of my favorite places to vacation, but you don't have to limit yourself to Amsterdam (although it's beautiful and historic): Utrecht, The Hague, Arnhem, Haarlem and Rotterdam all have beautiful architecture, rich history and world-class performing arts.
Bar Harbor, Maine: Acadia National Park is great, but don't miss the local theater and music festival (held every July). There are lots of performances in lovely little venues. The town has shops, galleries, restaurants and ice cream places, many of which are dog-friendly.
Vancouver, British Columbia: A truly cosmopolitan city with Western and Indigenous art, some of the most eye-catching gardens in North America, and every water sport imaginable. Take a ferry to Victoria Island, enjoy high tea at the historic Empress Hotel, and visit the fascinating Royal BC Museum.
Every other Wednesday at noon, we'll be hosting a Q&A session with our readers. Send in your questions for next time.
