Just Ask The Question Newsletter - 8.1.24
Trump's racism, Kamala's momentum, and JD continues to pine after couches.
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Kamala Harris turns the GOP into the gang that couldn’t shoot straight
Trump embarrasses himself at the NABJ conference while Vance can’t escape his cat lady obsession
In celebration of his 100th birthday (On August 2, coincidentally the same day my wife and I went on our first date), I recently found myself channeling my inner James Baldwin.
“Why would I want to be accepted by this world culture?” Baldwin famously asked in 1964. I, like him, disapprove of our politics, inherent racism and misogyny and I remember, “Where all human connections are distrusted, the human being is very quickly lost.”:
And thus, there we are at the nexus of 2024 politics: Two extremes of our major political parties sometimes hate the same people and also hate each other because the extremists don’t hate the same people for the same reasons. Human beings are quickly consumed by the hate – particularly that which is generated on social media. Some of us are unable to decipher fact from fiction and have taken to shouting at each other behind anonymous handles. Of course, some of us are just, as George Carlin once famously said, either stupid, full of shit or f**king nuts. Sometimes they are all three.
That brings us to Donald Trump. In what passes for wisdom in that void between his ears, Trump found himself visiting the National Black Journalists Association’s gathering in Chicago Wednesday where he offered his keen insight on the current presidential race. Trump falsely claimed in an interview with three Black women reporters that Vice President Kamala Harris “happened to turn Black” a few years ago, saying that “all of a sudden, she made a turn” in her identity.
You can imagine how well that went over. Of course, Trump began the interview with the reporters at the NABJ by insulting co-moderator Rachel Scott of ABC News because the event was delayed about 30 minutes for technical reasons. For those of us who covered the Trump presidency for any length of time, that was not only hypocritical but hilarious. We routinely used to bet on just how late Trump or any of his staff would be at any event it hosted. After a while we automatically assumed that when the Trump administration announced a set time for an event we would have at least 45 minutes after that announced time before the event actually occurred.
Ep : 282 - Just Ask the Press - Harris, Trump, and SCOTUS
Featuring guest host Tom Arnold!
In this episode of Just Ask the Press, host Brian Karem, along with John T. Bennett and Tom Arnold, discuss various political topics. They start by discussing Kamala Harris taking over the Democratic Party and her potential vice president picks. They also talk about JD Vance and his controversial statements. The conversation covers themes such as the transition of power within the Democratic Party, the challenges Harris may face in swing states, and the authenticity of political figures. The conversation covers various topics including the impact of Joe Biden's policies on job creation, the selection of a vice presidential candidate, and the role of the media in shaping public opinion. The hosts and guest discuss the importance of trade schools and vocational training in revitalizing communities. They also touch on the influence of evangelical Christians on US-Israel relations and the need for a fair and trustworthy press. The conversation concludes with a discussion on the potential actions Joe Biden could take in his last months in office.
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Why JD Vance might not carry Trump’s MAGA torch into the future
Some GOP delegates are big fans of Rep. Byron Donalds
ANALYSIS — It’s too soon to brand Sen. JD Vance as the surefire heir to Donald Trump’s “Make America Great Again” throne.
At least that was the consensus of some Republican delegates and lawmakers interviewed as they milled about the Fiserv Forum or the vast space outside last week in Milwaukee, sipping local brews and congregating between sessions of their national political convention.
Many of those wearing Trump or MAGA gear enthusiastically said his movement would survive beyond the 78-year-old Republican nominee’s political career — and life. In fact, many said there essentially is no difference between Trump and the party.
What there was disagreement on was any notion Vance, a 39-year-old self-described “hillbilly” with populist conservative views tapped to be Trump’s running mate, would inevitably be the one to carry the MAGA torch into the future.
Dan Musholt, a delegate from Canton, Mo., described Vance as “just one of many because, look, we’ve got a really deep bench.”
“I think Donald Trump picked Vance to complement himself and his strengths on the ticket,” Musholt said on July 17, the day after several potential future presidential candidates addressed the Republican convention. “But there are others that I really, really like. You’ve got Byron Donalds. Tim Scott also is someone I like. Marco Rubio, I think, let everyone know last night he’s interested in the future.” (He was referring to the Florida House member, South Carolina senator and Florida senator, respectively.)
Ep : 281 - Max Ziegfeld - How did comedy save his life?
Quick Warning this episode discusses suicide.
Max Ziegfeld is an L.A. based comedian who may or may not be Satan. He joins us to talk about cancel culture, suicide and the Holocaust.
And he makes us all laugh - by offending everyone.
Maybe the Almighty weighed in: Joe Biden passes the torch — but won't say why
Donald Trump is now the last old white man in the presidential race — and Joe Biden isn't happy about it
The great thing about America is here, kings and dictators do not rule. The people do. History is in your hands. The power is in your hands. The idea of America lies in your hands.
— Joe Biden
On Wednesday night, at his first public appearance in nine days, President Biden spoke from behind the Resolute Desk in the Oval Office. It was a short but historic speech.
Biden told the American people what we already knew: He is giving up his bid for re-election and stepping away from the biggest bully pulpit in the free world. It was obvious, as he stared at a teleprompter and occasionally swallowed hard, that he was taking a victory lap but was not entirely happy about it. He never once mentioned his health as a reason for this decision.
“The defense of democracy is more important than any title,” Biden said. “I draw strength, and find joy, in working for the American people. But this sacred task of perfecting our Union is not about me. It’s about you. Your families. Your futures. It’s about ‘We the People.’”
He stumbled over his words occasionally and appeared to be battling with his emotions. In short, he looked like a man trussed up and carried before the camera to tell his family that his kidnappers were treating him well. Biden said he was stepping down to make peace with his party, unify it and move forward to fulfill our ideals. He fell on his sword…
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