# Stop Panicking! **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Tags:** trump\ **Created:** [June 28, 2024, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stop-panicking/1003447 "2024-06-28T15:26:12Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 26
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2024, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stop-panicking/1003447/501 "2024-07-03T16:24:46Z")
**Moderating** : Remember, in P&E we frown on bare links. Please ensure you comment on why the link is relevant or key points from it. ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2024, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stop-panicking/1003447/502 "2024-07-03T16:27:35Z")
OK, I tried to edit it just now but the window just closed due to time. The article points out, among other things, that one of the biggest consequences of Biden staying in the race could be the damage down to Democratic races down-ballot as well. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2024, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stop-panicking/1003447/503 "2024-07-03T16:39:46Z")
Indeed. It could also be one of the biggest consequences of replacing him. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2024, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stop-panicking/1003447/504 "2024-07-03T16:54:45Z")
Another reason not to panic - there is a ton of Democratic enthusiasm out there. Circumstances are making tons of Democrats very, very interested in voting for Democrats and Democratic priorities. The SCOTUS may be accelerating and deepening this phenomenon. > > > Brahm Resnik @brahmresnik ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2024, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stop-panicking/1003447/505 "2024-07-03T19:16:22Z")
> [@DWMarch](#): > > From the NYT courtesy of Yahoo News: False, this was from a long time ago. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2024, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stop-panicking/1003447/506 "2024-07-04T00:25:04Z")
We had a test of a scenario like this, at least a little bit, in the '22 PA Senate race. Fetterman had a stroke during the campaign and had a disastrous debate against Oz (another reality TV star), and yet he ended up winning comfortably by 5% in a swing state. Democrats (and many independents) still came out and voted for him because the alternative was so much worse. ---
**Author:** ![DWMarch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dwmarch/32/1010_2.png) [@DWMarch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DWMarch)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2024, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stop-panicking/1003447/507 "2024-07-04T00:39:18Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > False, this was from a long time ago. Sorry, I don’t follow. That article was posted today, it’s dated today and talking heads on the news were discussing it today. There are specific references in there about things that just happened. Were you quoting someone else? Or do you mean Biden has been too old for this shit since the dinosaurs were young kind of thing? Edit: there is now a thread for this topic with a link to the NYT article here: > [@Biden considering dropping out](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-considering-dropping-out/1003690): > > I love Joe Biden. He’s a better president than even Obama. My top priority is ensuring Donald Trump NEVER becomes president again. If dropping Biden and getting Pete Buttgieg or Gavin Newsome would win the presidency, that’s fine. Joe only ran to stop Trump. He presumed in 2016, no need to run since anyone would beat Trump. He deserves a medal. I’m voting Democratic no matter what. ---
**Author:** ![PhillyGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ed655f/32.png) [@PhillyGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhillyGuy)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2024, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stop-panicking/1003447/508 "2024-07-04T01:38:30Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > Fetterman had a stroke during the campaign and had a disastrous debate against Oz (another reality TV star), and yet he ended up winning comfortably by 5% in a swing state. This is a clever point. I do not think the standards are the same for the presidency. No matter how complete his stroke recovery, the chances Fetterman could ever make a credible presidential run are now zero. Part of that is his post-stroke policy preference evolution, but even if he was a mainstream progressive, the stroke history would make him unelectable in presidential primaries. Re your concern about possible down-ballot harm if Biden resigns or drops out, maybe you can explain it to me, but I do not now see much risk. Biden’s speech would humanize him like no other, while also elevating him. Think about how he would – unless his speechwriter is a complete nincompoop – cite the words of George Washington when he dropped out an expected third term bid: [The Address of Gen. Washington to the People of America on His Declining the Presidency of the United States](https://olnir.com/library/washington-farewell) > [@](#): > > Every day the increasing weight of years admonishes me more and more that the shade of retirement is as necessary to me as it will be welcome. After humbling himself by admitting to infirmity, and elevating himself by citing Washington, he would move on to an appeal for support for Kamala Harris, and members of congress who the next, presumably Democratic, president will need. What sort of voter do we think is going to desert, say, my Senator Casey who is running for re-election, because Biden admitted to an illness of old age? ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2024, 4:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stop-panicking/1003447/509 "2024-07-04T04:09:49Z")
> [@DWMarch](#): > > Sorry, I don’t follow. That article was posted today, it’s dated today and talking heads on the news were discussing it today. Yeah, but that article doesn’t say that Biden is considering dropping out, in fact the opposite,- “No one’s pushing me out,” Mr. Biden said in the call. “I’m not leaving.”…“We will not back down. We will follow our president’s lead,” she said. “We will fight, and we will win.” ---
**Author:** ![DWMarch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dwmarch/32/1010_2.png) [@DWMarch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DWMarch)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2024, 4:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stop-panicking/1003447/510 "2024-07-04T04:21:06Z")
Ah, looks like they have updated the story a bit since that initial clickbait headline. I have seen other posts around the board here that suggest the NYT is stealthily pro-Trump because his endless drama sells papers. If that is even the slightest bit true, the OMG BIDEN IS ABOUT TO QUIT headline makes more sense. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2024, 4:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stop-panicking/1003447/511 "2024-07-04T04:35:34Z")
Many pundits bought into it as well. Lots of rumors are flying allover D.C. I’m sure and the news outlets are picking up on it. ---
**Author:** ![Irishman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b487fb/32.png) [@Irishman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Irishman)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2024, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stop-panicking/1003447/512 "2024-07-04T18:03:43Z")
My mom told me the Dem governors had a big phone call and hashed it out and decided to back Biden all the way. I haven’t confirmed this for myself. ---
**Author:** ![bordelond](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bordelond/32/150_2.png) [@bordelond](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bordelond)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2024, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stop-panicking/1003447/513 "2024-07-04T18:21:19Z")
> [@Irishman](#): > > My mom told me the Dem governors had a big phone call and hashed it out and decided to back Biden all the way. I haven’t confirmed this for myself Yes, it was an in-person meeting at the White House rather than a phone call. But the meeting of Democratic state governors—with Biden and Harris—did indeed take place yesterday evening: > **[Biden told governors he had medical checkup after debate and is in good...](https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/biden-told-governors-medical-checkup-after-debate-good/story?id=111665750)** > > During his private meeting with Democratic governors at the White House Wednesday night, President Joe Biden said he had a medical checkup following the debate last week. ---
**Author:** ![Sherrerd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sherrerd/32/8_2.png) [@Sherrerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sherrerd)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2024, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stop-panicking/1003447/514 "2024-07-04T18:45:58Z")
> [@bordelond](#): > > But the meeting of Democratic state governors—with Biden and Harris—did indeed take place yesterday evening: At which Biden told the governors: > [@](#): > > that he needs to work fewer hours, including ending a busy schedule by 8pm each day, according to The New York Times, citing people who participated in the meeting and others briefed on his remarks. > Biden insisted that his health was fine, “it’s just my brain,” he said, according to The Times. I don’t doubt that it would be better for anyone his age to have no calls on their alertness after 8pm. _ **Ask yourself: is this information going to inspire young people and less-engaged voters to get out there and vote for Biden?** _ > **[Biden tells Democrats he had a medical check-up after debate disaster](https://sg.news.yahoo.com/biden-tells-democrats-had-medical-180859840.html)** > > Brief health assessment was allegedly to monitor cold symptoms and included no major tests ---
**Author:** ![filmore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/7993a0/32.png) [@filmore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/filmore)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2024, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stop-panicking/1003447/515 "2024-07-04T18:59:50Z")
I get the feeling that the governors were assured that Biden could do the job of the presidency. I’m not sure they are considering whether he can motivate enough of the unengaged voters to push him over the top. I only see two paths forward to getting these unengaged voters to vote Dem: 1. Biden does a complete turnaround and is engaging and charismatic on camera at all times. Not just in pre-filmed, edited, scripted events. He needs to do stuff like answer lots of questions after press conferences where he’s demonstrating his quick wit and high energy level. (I personally don’t think this is possible). 2. Get someone else on the ticket that the unengaged voters would be favorable towards. I think at this point, Biden has lost the unengaged voter block. Keeping him on the ticket will just get the votes of the people who were going to vote for Dem no matter what. And those are the same votes that would go to Harris as well. Switching to Harris means the headlines will be all about Harris and there’s a chance that the unengaged voters will vote for her. But the unengaged voters aren’t going to be motived for Biden when the headlines are all about whether he’s suffering from dementia, Alzheimer’s, jet lag, or cold medicine. ---
**Author:** ![Irishman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b487fb/32.png) [@Irishman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Irishman)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2024, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stop-panicking/1003447/516 "2024-07-04T19:00:55Z")
> [@Sherrerd](#): > > don’t doubt that it would be better for anyone his age to have no calls on their alertness after 8pm. I’m wondering what Biden’s typical schedule has been, and what Pres Trump’s typical schedule was. Because time sensitive crises aside, winding down his typical day by 8 pm seems reasonable. Especially if he’s up at, say 6am to get an early start on the day. ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2024, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stop-panicking/1003447/517 "2024-07-04T19:03:41Z")
IMHO, at least half or maybe two-thirds of a president’s activities are unnecessary. (Although, during an election, one must make certain in-person appearances.) There is zero need to give commencement speeches. Many meetings could be done by video-call instead of in-person. Is there even really a need to appear at those G7/G20 summits? Biden could also cut out all foreign trips abroad except by extreme necessity. Doing so would greatly reduce strain on him. ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Lendervedder](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_lendervedder/32/8488_2.png) [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2024, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stop-panicking/1003447/518 "2024-07-04T19:04:20Z")
I think most everyone in positions of power are going to be in for Biden 100% publicly until a decision to switch him out is complete. And that’s not going to happen until a clean, respectful exit for Biden is hashed out. Plus I would imagine potential running mates for Harris will need to be vetted. I don’t reckon that anyone wants a public fight for the brass ring. The running mate is going to be decided and announced, period. We don’t have time for jockeying and hashing out differences in public. So until the ducks are in a row, everyone who is everyone is all-in for the big guy, without reservation. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Drake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ad7895/32.png) [@Dr.Drake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Drake)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2024, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stop-panicking/1003447/519 "2024-07-04T19:06:39Z")
This logic keeps cropping up (i.e. not to pick on you), but it’s not helpful. Assessing Biden by comparing him to Trump will certainly make you feel better about Biden, but it’s irrelevant. The result of the election will be Biden or Trump, yes, but people’s choices aren’t Biden or Trump. They are Biden, Trump, third party, or not voting at all (and thus giving more weight to those who do vote). Saying Biden is better than Trump is true for every measure I can think of, but that’s not the issue. The issue is that we need enough voters to _actively vote for Biden come November._ Saying, “look, he’s not that bad” is absolutely a losing strategy, and that’s the tone the national conversation is taking right now. ---
**Author:** ![Sherrerd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sherrerd/32/8_2.png) [@Sherrerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sherrerd)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2024, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stop-panicking/1003447/520 "2024-07-04T19:13:34Z")
> [@Dr.Drake](#): > > Saying, “look, he’s not that bad” is absolutely a losing strategy, and that’s the tone the national conversation is taking right now. 100% (and your entire post is right on-point). If we are EXPLAINING the perceptions people have of Biden, we are losing. Because their perceptions are their perceptions, and telling them they haven’t seen or heard what they’ve seen and heard is NOT going to either convince them or get them to make the effort to vote. In the face of a millions “shoulds” scolding them as to what they Should see and hear and believe, they will simply turn off and go back to paying attention to whatever they enjoy or need to pay attention to. And they won’t vote for Biden. (Likely won’t vote at all.) And Biden’s team has done nothing in the week since the debate to counter the perceptions people took away from the debate. Nothing. No live, unscripted performances from Biden that they could use to blanket the media-verse. Nothing to change the conversation. Nothing but scolding people worried about Trump’s now-looking-inevitable win. The irresponsibility: it burns. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stop-panicking/1003447.md?page=25) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stop-panicking/1003447.md?page=27)