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Democrats, and I have been a card-carrying Democrat since my granddaddy was a Democratic leader in a GOP North Carolina mountain county, are snowflakes. They are crybabies. They have no backbone, while their Trump cultists have not principles.

Talk about cognitive disorder! Where is that conversation regarding Trump? The man looks bewildered and can’t complete a coherent thought.

Frankly, I would rather have 10 percent of a Joe Biden presidency than 100 percent of a vengeful Trump presidency.

Democrats will gum this up whether Biden hangs in the race or not. My Democrats are snowflakes. Instead of rallying around the president, they cry and moan and feel sorry for themselves.

I put my faith in Biden. He will make the right choice.

He and I are about the same age. But each of us encounters our 80s a bit differently, and only one man on the planet is the U.S. president. He may yet decide to quit. But the time is short. If he is unable to complete the compaign and someone is chosen to succeed him in the party, well, Trump and the despotic Supreme Court will finish our democracy.

I would say this. Biden would have better served his country to have not chosen a second term. There was ego involved, yes. But he has no heir apparent. Harris is unlikely to win a presidential race. Others mentioned look good on paper, but as a betting man, I wouldn’t bet on them as a last-minute substitute.

The central point in all of this is more about Trump and his unfitness than about Biden. The country will do far more grievous harm by electing Trump than embracing Biden. I trust those around Biden. I don’t trust those around Trump. I sure as hell don’t trust Trump.

There is no issue about this election regardless of the Biden situation. Don’t elect Trump. How anyone could vote for Trump is the mystery of my lifeltime. Good grief! What is wrong with people? He is alien to everything we have come to love about our country.

Rick Gunter

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Trump's following is huge. Yes, there's the MAGA demented; but there's also Trump support out of the wazoo from what would seem like "well meaning" people. I know many of the ilk who enjoy their wealth and simply do not care about others. Trump suits them just fine. Believe me, they also like the MAGA crazies because they are far from that--well isolated in their country clubs and social clubs. I did not want to believe people with whom I am related have cheered for Trump since before he smirked his way down the escalator. I did not want to believe overheard conversations about trump's genius. I do not like knowing what I know. Maybe there is mystery still, but there should be no mystery about it.

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What I am saying is that those who support this guy (Trump) have lost their moral compass. I never have said that about another Republican and their supporters. Trump is a wannabee autocrat/gangster aided and abetted by the Roberts Court. For Americans to put their self-interests above those of the country simply appals me. It sickens me.

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Truly lost moral compass. Worst part: do not care. And, yes, sickens. Bad. Real bad. Thanks, Rick always for your weigh-ins which I enjoy.

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The notion of dumping Biden to find somebody who will be a standup against Don The Con, somehow creates problems for me. Biden has a stellar record on the economy, and integrity in office. Unlike his opponent who left office, with the highest record of spending and scandals since Herbert Hoover. The office of the presidency is largely a gate keeper. Bush proved how stupid a president may be and still get reelected, Trump is about to prove how corrupt and stupid a president can be and be reelected. The problem with Trump, he believes he is sharpest knife in the drawer. A guy his daddy put through college, left eleven million dollars and managed to go bankrupt six times in business (gambling) that historically has remarkably high probability of success. Trump failed at running a gambling business, running an educational institution and several other business. Dose that makes him a businessperson? Yes, the worst in history. The twice impeached, convicted of 34 felonies and civilly liable for millions for molesting a young lady and later defaming her, paid off an adult film actress to keep quash an affair he had shortly after his wife gave birth, is claiming he is a very stable genius, but has issues determining who he is running against and what war are being fought, the name of the physician that treated him for COVID, called vets who made the ultimate sacrifice loosers is on his way to being the lord of the flies. Congratulations White, Christian Nationalists and all those angry individuals who believe Democrats are socialists you have been successful in bring down the rule of law, due process and democracy without even firing a shot. When Don the con dumps Medicare , social security for tax breaks for his rich friends, outlaws’ abortion, contraceptive and free speech, pulls this country out of the one of the most successful international defense organization in the history of the world, take a lap, you are about to learn what the biblical phrase Inherit THE WIND MEANS!

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One thing I know during these crazy political times--I trust Thomas Mills' political perspective. I came to conclusions about Biden months back and thought it best he forthrightly pass the torch. He never did. While we've got a minute, he still can if his hubris would get outta the way. I'm a Deadhead, "I need a miracle every day." Especially right now. Let's get down and get a move on.

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Thomas, you are 100 percent correct. I don’t fear Biden leaving the ticket. I believe Trump has created a new breed of “Yellow Dog Democrats.” Put any still-capable Democrat at the top of the ticket and they’ll easily win more than 300 electoral votes.

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It's not like we lack a strong bench.

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All the more reason to feel confident if the President withdraws.

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I agree. Too risky to leave Biden as the candidate and further, very doubtful he can perform at a high level for the next 4 years if he is reelected. Selecting another candidate at this juncture also risky but less so, in my opinion. Our own Roy Cooper should be on the short list.

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I'd like to know who actually has a chance against Trump if not Biden. Again, the news media is having a field day with Biden and ignores how Trump lies continuously and rambles on about electric boats and sharks and who knows what else since I avoid listening to him. And again, the news media is choosing our president just like our Republican Legislators are choosing their subjects instead of the people choosing who we want.

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Let's see if Biden can succeed in his interview with George Stephanopoulus on ABC and his rally in Madison, Wisconsin Friday as well as his public event in Philadelphia Sunday. Of note Sen Tammy Duckworth (D-Wisc) scheduled herself to be somewhere else Friday and Gov Roy Cooper reporting on the meeting Biden had with Dem governors tonight says Biden is staying in the race.

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Thomas, I’m with you. I think we’re roughly the same age and know a lot of people in our age group have had parents who are Joe Biden‘s age and seen them pass away or rapidly declined in the last five years. what I saw in the debate was the kind of performance that if Joe Biden were just an ordinary person not a president would lead to discussions like Should this person be driving? Can this person manage their finances? what’s going on with them and what’s the prognosis? What level of care might be needed going forward and how do we obtain that?

What’s particularly disheartening is the effort on the part of people to convince us that we didn’t see what we saw and this was a one off. There starts to become a “who are you gonna believe me or you’re lying eyes” sort of gaslighting.

Finally, even if you did take the risk averse path and it paid off and Biden won reelection does anyone think he’s up for running the country until he’s 86 years old?

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My father suffered with Parkinson's Disease. The visuals of Biden lately remind me of my father's expressions once the disease really took him south. So, no, Biden has not been so diagnosed, but he's not up for the job. Such hubris. The only way out is to bow out like a leader--pass the freaking torch.

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In my view, based on conversations with voters, and polling data, we should be focusing on the economy and specifically inflation. Corporate price gouging and tax breaks for billionaires works really well.

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