Let it never be said that Joey Choo-Choo is a quitter!
From CNN, the far-right MAGA organization that rigged the debate against Biden.
Joe Biden's family on Sunday encouraged the president to stay in the 2024 race and privately discussed whether top aides should be fired on the heels of Biden's stunningly poor debate performance, which has thrown his campaign into turmoil.
Biden's family, including first lady Jill Biden, son Hunter Biden and their grandchildren, convened at Camp David for a previously scheduled get-together and implored the president to keep fighting in his bid for reelection, Biden advisers told CNN. One adviser described the family members as having offered their "unequivocal support."
The family -- clearly frustrated with the team that prepared President Biden ahead of his alarming debate with former President Donald Trump -- discussed whether any of Biden's top advisers should be fired and whether campaign staffing changes should be made, one adviser said.
Biden, however, is known for being loyal to and protective of his close advisers, and does not like to fire aides. As of Sunday, it did not appear that any major staffing changes were looming.
The admiration and support that Biden's family showed the president Sunday mirrored the first lady's effusive public praise for her husband in recent days. She told Vogue on Sunday that the family will "not let those 90 minutes define the four years he's been president" and vowed to "continue the fight."
Yes, I forgot to mention: While that article was clearly a puff-piece written a while ago, they did add an update to it, with Evita Biden affirming that she was going to ride this old corpse until the legs and arms fall off.
Editor's Note: The debate on June 27 spurred a discussion about whether President Joe Biden should remain the Democratic nominee. Dr. Jill Biden, the first lady and Vogue's August cover subject, has fiercely defended her husband and stood by him. Reached by phone on June 30 at Camp David, where the Biden family had gathered for the weekend, she told Vogue that they "will not let those 90 minutes define the four years he's been president. We will continue to fight." President Biden, she added, "will always do what's best for the country." Whatever happens in the weeks and months between now and November, it is Dr. Biden who will remain the president's closest confidant and advocate.
Back to MAGA Trumper organization CNN:
Biden is eagerly collecting data -- anecdotal evidence and public polling -- but is awaiting a broader round of Democratic campaign polling and research this week, advisers said, bracing for expected slippage of support across battleground states.
Yeah, that's the problem. If he slips by 3-4 points, after already being behind by 4, the race is essentially over and he'll drop out.
So I'm in the weird position of rooting for a Rally Around the Vegetable effect.
Advisers preemptively blamed tough media coverage for any downfall, rather than Biden's own performance.
It's dangerous to suggest the media is lying to the public. It puts their very lives in danger. Its corrosive to our Shared National Purpose as well as to the Health of Our Precious Democracy.
Unless a Democrat is making the charge, naturally.
I'm genuinely surprised by this news. I have spent two years believing, firmly, that he will not be the candidate in November. I sure hope he stays in.
If he can resist the pressure to drop out here...
The liberal polling group Morning Consult has Trump ahead by only one, post-debate.
I don't believe that -- but I'd like the Democrats to believe it.
Political Polls
@Politics_Polls
2024 National GE:
Donald Trump 44% (+1)
Joe Biden 43%
.@MorningConsult, 10,679 RV, 6/28-30
https://pro.morningconsult.com/trackers/2024-
Another poll finds a two-point gain for Trump, which sounds plausible, given how hardened people already are in their positions:
Political Polls
@Politics_Polls
National @DataProgress
Post-Debate Poll (Shift since 3/29):
Trump 48% (+2)
Biden 45% (-2)
1,011 LV, 6/28
Again, we'd ideally like to see Trump gain some ground -- but not too much ground. At least not until October.
The NY Post finds a bigger Trump bump:
Political Polls
@Politics_Polls
National @Leger360/@nypost Post-Debate Poll (Shift since 6/24):
Trump 45% (+4)
Biden 38% (-5)
841 LV, 6/27-28
This may be causing the Democrats hesitation and consternation about replacing Biden: Other Democrats don't do better than Biden in a race, and some do worse:
Political Polls
@Politics_Poll
National @DataProgress Post-Debate Poll:
Trump 48% (+3)
Biden 45%
Trump 48% (+3)
Harris 45%
Trump 47% (+3)
Newsom 44%
Other candidates fare even more poorly:
Here's another big problem: the Cser Factor.
Almost 40% of Democrats say Kamala should be the replacement, and she leads all other comers:
Political Polls
@Politics_Polls
If Joe Biden decides to drop out, and the Democratic Party holds a convention among party delegates to pick a replacement, who do you think they should pick as the Democratic nominee for U.S. president?
Harris 39%
Newsom 18%
Buttigieg 10%
Booker 7%
Whitmer 6%
Pritzker 2%
Klobuchar 2%
Shapiro 2%
SurveyUSA finds Kamala at 43% support in the Replacement Theory.
Political Polls
@Politics_Polls
If Joe Biden is replaced as the Democratic candidate for President, which Democrat should replace him?
Harris 43%
Newsom 16%
Buttigieg 8%
Whitmer 7%
Shapiro 4%
Moore 2%
.@surveyusa, 879 Likely Democratic Voters, 6/28
A big reason Democrats may find them stuck with Biden is that the party is divided between the left and far left, and for now, with Biden in the presidency, a shaky truce is holding. But if Biden goes, the left and far left will fight for supremacy in the party. (PS, the far left already won that battle, but the left hasn't conceded the fight, yet.)
One betting market is confident of a Trump win, and a win for the GOP in the Senate, too:
olitical Polls
@Politics_Polls
.@Polymarket
- Balance of Power:
Presidency:
Republicans 62% (+24)
Democrats 38%
.
Senate:
Republicans 76% (+52)
Democrats 24%
.
House:
Republicans 51% (+2)
Democrats 49%
Note that last entry -- the percentage chance for Republicans to sweep Presidency, Senate, and House is 49%. The Democrats only have a 17% chance of this trick. I think the number there should be zero. All three? Nah.
You may have heard this news: Trump has taken a tiny 1 point within-the-margin lead... in ultra-blue New Jersey, says coefficient polling:
Political Polls
@Politics_Polls
New Jersey GE:
Trump 41% (+1)
Biden 40%
.@coefficientpoll, 810 LV, 6/26-27
https://coefficient.org/njsenate
Bless your heart.
Below, Devin Nunes and ex-Director of National Intelligence react to news that Mike Morrell organized the "51 Intelligence Officials" lie even when listed as still-active member of the CIA. They note that the Hatch Act makes it illegal for a serving CIA agent to engage in political activity.
Ratcliffe wants the Spies Who Lie put on a debarment list, forbidding them from holding security clearances or serving in the government again.