Questions Of The Day (Politics)

[Mick Harper]

Watching President Biden at the podium (and listening to testimony he's been giving to special prosecutors) it is abundantly clear that it would be a kindness to him--and to us--if he was asked to stand down to be replaced by, I understand, a youthful Vice-President for the remainder of his, thankfully, brief term.

I realise this is a fraught matter in the American system, and was not dealt with well when something similar happened towards the end of Woodrow Wilson's and Ronald Reagan's second terms. It is, perhaps, a criticism of the American electorate that it is happening in Mr Biden's first term. Surely they might have had an inkling when they voted him into office at such an advanced age.

We, along with the rest of the world, who need America--and not least America's nuclear stockpile--to be in sound hands look forward to the next administration. Many of us are mildly perturbed by the prospect of Mr Trump returning but does anyone know who the Democrats are planning to run?

[Grant]

Kamala Harris is less popular than Hilary so surely they won't choose her. Michelle Obama is untested in frontline politics.

That means they have to go for a white man.

I think Gavin Newsom, Governor of California, will get the call.

[Mick Harper]

A white Anglo-Saxon Protestant who isn't Donald Trump? It's bold, it's fresh, it could work.

[Mick Harper]

Biden's latest gaffe is confusing Mexico and Egypt. Hardly a big deal, they're both 'cradle civilisations'. I've done it myself on occasion.

[Wile E. Coyote]

[Mick Harper]

There's a 'game' problem though. In order to persuade Biden to not run again (forget about him stepping down) senior Democrats -- of which I get the feeling Kamala is not one -- will have to go public. If they don't succeed, Trump will be a shoe-in because the Democrats won't be able to answer 'Biden's a senile git' arguments, they were saying it themselves. So they dare not. So Biden will run and we'll either get a senile president or Trump. (Mark your ballot papers 1 and 2.)

But it's still pretty astonishing that things have reached this pass. It has to be remembered that if Biden pulls out late in the day -- like Johnson in March 1968 -- there will be an enormous scramble. They had to go round shooting candidates to sort that one out. Terminally for RFK, a wheelchair ride for George Wallace. And ended up with Humbert H Humbert.

[Wile E. Coyote]

[Mick Harper]

On both subjects, Trump confused Pelosi with Nikki Haley. But I count that as a 'line up your enemies and depersonalise them' aide memoire.

[Wile E. Coyote]

Easy mistake to make as they are both attractive women. But I have to say, Nikki gets Wiley's vote.

[Grant]

I'm amused that no-one is allowed to ask the obvious question about Nikki Haley: how you so white, Nimirata Randhawa?

When Michael Jackson bleached his skin the media never stopped reporting it, but Nikki has been given a free pass.

[Wile E. Coyote]

I am sure Donald will use it but only if it gets closer. It's a two horse race and she is a lap behind. Why flog his horse.

[Mick Harper]

[Mick Harper]

Labour wins Wellingborough and Kingswood with stupendous swings

How is it you've never heard pf places holding by-elections? You've heard of everywhere else in the country. Coupla important points (not including the stupendous swings, routine nowadays). First was the good showing by UK Reform (ex-UKIP). People disenchanted with their party normally stay at home. This time Tories have come out in numbers to vote Reform.

This may be the genesis of the second significant development. Rees-Mogg, a neighbour of Kingswood, was on hand to do the usual post-result of shrugging it off. You know the drill. 'The only important vote is the general election etc etc'. Instead he broke the most ancient taboo in party politics, he praised another party. He thought UK Reform did very well and urged 'the coming together of the Conservative family'. He wasn't saying that in UKIP's day.

N.B. Both result announcements featured my favourite AE result announcement phenomenon. Both winning candidates knew way in advance that this would be their first exposure to a national audience. They could spend a bit of time preparing a speech, learn it by heart, practise it at home, deliver it in bravura fashion, wow the country and launch their nascent political careers in an upward trajectory. Both chose to read woodenly from a bit of paper instead.

[Mick Harper]

Some strident words from Scottish Labour at their conference this weekend. According to various delegates, dead Labour folk will not suffer rigor mortis if they are swaddled thoroughly in cloth. Fainthearts should not be downcast because their opponents will not be able to mock them if they wave the cloth about. Even if the rich imprison them -- even execute them -- they can face it with glad heart, if only they have that piece of cloth. It was difficult to follow in detail (I was relying on the signer because of the accents) but here are a few lines I caught

The people's flag is deepest red
It shrouded oft our martyred dead
And ere their limbs grew stiff and cold
Their hearts' blood dyed in every fold
Though cowards flinch and traitors sneer
We'll keep the red flag flying here
With heads uncovered swear we all
To bare it onward 'til we fall
Come dungeons dark or gallows grim
This song shall be our parting hymn.

[Wile E. Coyote]

As a conservative I approve of these traditional anthems. As a socialist I approve of these sentiments. More deep throated flaggery please.