Comment on The Tumult of Biden’s Presidency

Wall Street Journal: “Democratic donors have gone wild for Harris’s whirlwind bid for the presidency despite her tepid polling for years, invigorated by what they think is an Obama-esque opportunity to create generational change in the Democratic Party — and elect the first female president.” “While Biden’s fundraising efforts sagged for weeks amid questions about his age and fitness for office, his decision to leave the race jolted Democratic donors big and small into action.”

“Heading into the Democratic National Convention, new data suggests that the Trump campaign’s initial attempts to frame the conversation about Vice President Kamala Harris have so far gained relatively little traction,” CNN reports. “Instead, the public’s attention has remained largely focused around the Democratic nominee’s selection of a running mate and other facets of her campaign – a dynamic that could be reinforced for another week as the Democratic Party gathers in Chicago.”

Rachel Maddow: “Imagine an election night this November in which the two parties are trading swing-state victories. The Democrats capture Nevada, while the Republicans take Arizona. The Republicans win the big prize of Pennsylvania, while the Democrats top them in Wisconsin and Michigan. The nation is waiting on Georgia. If Georgia goes red, it’s President Trump; if Georgia goes blue, it’s President Harris.” “Then, local news headlines start to circulate.

“If they’re upset, I’m sorry for them. But, the country is very happy. I don’t know who they are, but that’s their problem, not mine.” — Former Speaker Nancy Pelosi, quoted by Politico, on whether there are still hard feelings at the White House over her role in questioning Joe Biden’s electability.

Gov. Tim Walz made a surprise visit to the Pennsylvania presidential delegation’s breakfast this morning, Politico reports. “His appearance underscores the importance of the biggest swing state in the election — and, perhaps, the need to nurse a few hurt feelings in the room after Vice President Kamala Harris chose Walz over Pennsylvania Gov.

Jeff Greenfield: “It’s a bizarre inversion of a typical convention, full of conflicting emotions for the speaker. The happier Democrats look in Chicago, the prouder Biden must be — and the more it must hurt.”