Saturday, August 24, 2024

D.L. Gardner: Who's in Charge?

We’re at another political crossroads deciding whether to turn or keep on going. The big difference this year is both parties contending for the presidency have actual track records inside the White House that are quite different. Which administration is better for the nation? Which is better for me and my family? In the only presidential debate in 1980, Ronald Reagan asked voters, “Are you better off than you were four years ago?” Voters resoundingly replied “NO” that year and elected Ronald Reagan as President.

Donald Trump and his VP selection JD Vance have been asking voters essentially the same question after three and a half years of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris. Democrats will try to answer affirmatively during their convention in Chicago this week.

1980 is not that different from 2024. In 1979, Iran took 66 Americans hostage and held 52 of them for more than a year. The hostage crisis ended one day before Reagan was sworn into office January 20, 1981. This year also features a Middle East crisis involving Iran. Which candidate do we trust to deal with all the players in that conflict? Inflation, gasoline availability and affordability then and now. Who would be better to handle the economy? Will candidates debate their policies so voters can make informed decisions?

Presidential debates are especially important this year due to … problems inside the Democratic Party. President Joe Biden debated former president Donald Trump June 27. Clearly Trump won that debate so convincingly that the party had to maneuver quickly to persuade Biden to withdraw from the race for the “good of the party.” Biden threw his support to VP Kamala Harris who became the presumptive Democratic nominee. Harris should be recognized as the party’s official nominee at the convention. It’s complicated.

VP Harris has agreed to debate former president Trump September 10 on NBC News one day before the 911 anniversary. Trump has suggested another debate on Fox News September 4, and one on ABC News September 25. The dates cut it close because of early voting in some states. Early voting dates in September include Minnesota, South Dakota and Virginia on the 20th, and Illinois on the 26th.

Former president Trump dominated GOP primaries and was never in doubt as the leading Republican nominee. Democrats have had problems from the get-go. The DNC convention in Chicago this week could be a make or break deal for the Harris-Walz ticket. But, at least Democrats are in control of their fate this week unless fate decides otherwise.

Back in February I asked “what if” President Biden had to bow out of the race due to health concerns before the August convention. Questions are still swirling about what might happen at the convention and beyond. Will VP Harris debate Donald Trump? Considering how the Biden/Trump debate was resolved, would the DNC take a chance allowing Harris to step into the ring with Trump on September 10?

Of course, some are raising other concerns that very well might “interfere with the election.” What if America suffers terrorist attacks at home between now and the election? During recent testimonies before Congressional committees, FBI Director Wray warned about the increasing probability of a terrorist attack. Who’s in charge in case of an attack or some other national crisis?

Daniel L. Gardner is a columnist who lives in Starkville, MS. You may contact him at PJandMe2@gmail.com.

24 comments:

Anonymous said...

The question I have is do I want a convicted felon as president and the answer is No.

Anonymous said...

My 401k has grown leaps and bounds during the Biden presidency. I am much better off.

Anonymous said...

This is DL's most cogent post. Harris and Walz are eager to debate.
A prosecutor and a teacher both know how to handle those who behave badly.
By the way, KF and DL any chance you would seek out Trump's college annuals at Fordham ( first went there and transferred) and Penn? I'll let you wonder what one activity he was in at Fordham while he had a deferment from the draft and what he didn't do that other "geniuses". did at Penn?

Kingfish said...

His deferment? Were you cats saying anything about the draft dodger when he ran for President in 1992? "Does maintain "My political viability" ring a bell? Defended Clinton to the hilt on his draft dodging or completely ignored it, didn't you. You made that bed, now lie in it.

Anonymous said...

7:55 Your 401k grew under Trump as well. The difference is you could also afford gas and groceries. The world was much more stable during the Trump administration. No one is truly better off under Biden/Harris, except maybe illegal immigrants.

Anonymous said...

Kingfish, you know very well that, in order to have been of voting age in 1992, you would now have to be nearly fifty years old. While your site does cater to miserable old men who throw stuff and scream at the television every time Obama comes in the screen, you do have readers who aren’t fifty and who weren’t near old enough to be defending Bill back in 1992. That argument is so clearly absurd, that I am surprised that you bothered to make it. What’s next, are you gonna ask me why we didn't contemporaneously criticize Woodrow Wilson when he was campaigning?

The fact is that Trump is a draft dodger, and your weak attempt to deflect dows nothing to change that.

Kingfish said...

Waaaah. I just find it funny you are whining about draft dodging when your boy did the same thing. Wasn't an issue for you, was it? Hypocrite.

Anonymous said...

Hold on a minute, Kingfish. We don't have to go that far back. You know, the ones posting what you responded to are still wet behind the ears.

No, sir, we can use his boy Walz, the stolen valor warrior. Trump getting the deferment wasn't even close to lying about one's service, or claiming a rank they hadn't earned.

They may try to get away from Clinton, who by the way had some stupid ass remark about Trump acting improperly in the Oval Office. Talking about a straight-up hypocrite, that Bill "Slick Willie" Clinton is the king of hypocrites. They can't get away from tampon Tim.

Anonymous said...

KF you're wrong. I served during Clinton's term, and it was definitely brought up in military circles at FTCKY.

Anonymous said...

If Bill did, in fact, dodge the draft, then yes, I would have a problem with it. I was 4 in 1992, and that’s why I wasn’t outspoken about it back then (since you mistakenly believe that’s any of your business).

Classy move with the name calling though, Kingfish. Typically, when people resort to name calling, it means they have no intelligent points to make. Its clear that’s what is happening here.

Kingfish said...

Yup. It was heavily talked about in military circles. As for 12:43, don't blame me because you were ignorant.

Anonymous said...

12:43, you can't read what you wrote at 9:47? You were name-calling with the "miserable old men" remark.

What about your boy Walz? You don't have anything to say about him?

Anonymous said...

That’s because you don’t see the whole picture, just what CNN has told you. Try researching sometimes.

Don Drane said...

"The question I have is do I want a convicted felon as president and the answer is No."

@ 4:11 .m. - If any of your friends, dorm buddies, relatives or even boys you didn't know, went to Parchman prison for possession of half an ounce of Marijuana (and many did) in the sixties and seventies, they are also convicted felons. And they didn't have a chance to exaggerate the value of a property for sale.

Anonymous said...

Well, since I have to spell everything out for you and your ilk, Kingfish: draft dodgers, including Trump and possibly Bill, should not hold office. Only one of those individuals (Trump) is running for office now. The other (Bill) is term limited out, and is, therefore, simply irrelevant to this conversation.

Nice try at whataboutism though. You also have no idea how old you sound bitching about Bill when there are a shit ton of eligible voters who weren’t old enough to vote for Bill during either of his terms, you Boomer.

Kingfish said...

Biden received no kess than five deferments. And you people were defending clinton to the hilt when his draft dodging was reported.

Anonymous said...

“What about, what about, what about, what about, what about…”

-Kingfish

Anonymous said...

Kingfish is crying like a little girl. I love MAGA tears. Keep them coming Kingfish. You’re making my week.

Anonymous said...

Praying for a terrorist attack on our country to keep Donald from having to debate Kamala is a new low Daniel. Just when we think you’ve hit rock bottom, you just keep sinking lower and lower. Someone throw this man a lifeline, Trump has grabbed onto him and isn’t letting go of this poor soul.

Anonymous said...

i will vote for whoever will bring the most chaos at any given point

Anonymous said...

All the what about Bill posts are not going to age well for MAGA’s like Kimgfish. In the future, you won’t be able to criticize a single thing without being reminded that Donald Trump did 100 times worse. Oh the democratic candidate had an affair baby, well what about Donald? He had an affair with a pornstar, while his wife was pregnant, and the bribed the pornstar to stay silent so he could scam the religious types into believing he was a godly man. What about that Kingfish. If the new bar to pass is Donald Trump, then you’ve got no high ground to criticize from. That’s the risk in putting your reputation behind a career fraudster and rapist.

Anonymous said...

I’m guessing DL wrote this before Donald’s rant last night where he pulled out of the debate. Donald sure had a way of making his true believers like DL show their ignorance.

Anonymous said...

I am definitely better off these last almost four years!

Anonymous said...

Every man and woman should be a part of the draft. There would be almost zero warmongers in power and maybe finally the United States would be rid of the billions upon billions military industrial complex.


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In the spirit of helping those who are less fortunate, Trollfest '09 adopts a cause for which a portion of the proceeds and donations will be donated: Keeping Frank Melton in his home. The “Keep Frank Melton From Being Homeless” booth will sell chances for five dollars to pin the tail on the jackass. John Reeves has graciously volunteered to be the jackass for this honorable excursion into saving Frank's ass. What's an ass between two friends after all? If Mr. Reeves is unable to um, perform, Speaker Billy McCoy has also volunteered as when the word “jackass” was mentioned he immediately ran as fast as he could to sign up.


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If you get tired come relax at the Fox News Tent. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both will entitle you to free drinks.Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required, just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '07 is for EVERYONE!!!

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