Halls of Shrewd'm / US Policy❤
No. of Recommendations: 2
From the Washington Post:
{{ In a closed-door meeting with Bruce Reed and Anita Dunn, two of Biden’s closest aides, Sanders argued that the president should revive his candidacy by outlining a plan for his first 100 days that would speak to the frustrations of working-class voters — in part by emphasizing some of the Vermont senator’s favorite progressive policies, according to two people briefed on the meeting, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to describe private conversations.
Two days later at a rally in Michigan, Biden endorsed two ideas Sanders pitched at that meeting — expanding Social Security benefits and eliminating medical debt — as goals for “the first 100 days of my second term.” Sanders immediately tweeted his applause. }}
intercst
No. of Recommendations: 4
Because they have safe seats.
The bleeding edge of elected officials calling for Biden to step aside, or getting cagey on their public statements of support, are those in frontline districts facing competitive elections. If they take a public stand supporting Biden - or even just stay silent - then they're going to pay a heavy price if he goes out at some later event and acts like he's incapable of serving. If Biden isn't able to serve, they have to distance themselves or they'll lose their seats.
Pols like AOC and Bernie don't face such concerns.
Which is a big reason why it appears there's an ideological and demographic split in public support for Biden. Hardcore progressives and minority electeds (especially black electeds) often come from safe seats, and most have already gotten through their primaries.
No. of Recommendations: 0
*** Because they have safe seats. ***
Sure they have safe seats, but they still have to get something for their support.
Nothing in politics is "free".
intercst
No. of Recommendations: 1
Sure they have safe seats, but they still have to get something for their support.
Nothing in politics is "free".
They don't have to get much, because the cost is so low for them - as long as they make sure not to actually give Biden the type of support he most desperately needs. It's childishly easy to affirm support for the things he's done in office they agree with (he spent money to fight climate change! he's cut student debt! he's been Not Donald Trump!), or that his policies in his second term would be better than Trump's.
As soon as we see any of them stating in public, unambiguously, that they believe that Biden's still got the communication skills and dependable verbal acuity necessary to beat Donald Trump - not just the right record or policies - then we'll know that they're putting skin in the game.
