The debate, in addition to the convention, provides Biden with his largest audience this election cycle, where he can expose voters to reality and remind them of the consequential choice they face. If he can convey seven discrete facts during the debate, he can make headway with voters while reminding Democrats that turnout is essential to prevent our descent into authoritarianism.
Donald Trump is an adjudicated rapist and liar: You may know all too well that civil juries found felon and former president Donald Trump had sexually abused E. Jean Carroll and lied about it, but you would be surprised how many voters never focused on this astonishing case. Trump might well wig out if Biden reminds voters that ordinary people, a jury of Trump’s peers, found him liable for this vile conduct. Because there will be no live audience, Biden cannot invite Carroll to the debate. However, he can certainly conjure her up for those watching while forcing Republicans to grapple with their party’s nomination of an adjudicated rapist.
Multiple judges and juries in civil and criminal cases found Trump committed fraud: Again, informed voters remember that Trump was fined $2 million for fraudulently misusing charitable funds on himself and, separately, was found liable for $355 million for fraudulently inflating the value of his properties. The criminal trial in which ordinary New Yorkers found he falsified business records to pull the wool over voters’ eyes is just the most recent case in which Trump’s deceit caught up with him. Biden, both to puncture the aura of Trump’s business prowess and to infuriate him, should emphasize that fellow Americans repeatedly found Trump to be a con man. Now, he is trying to con the voters.
Biden’s economy is much better than Trump’s: Trump’s voters believe his economy was the greatest of all time. The media, meanwhile, seem disinclined to credit Biden for substantial economic accomplishments. Biden needs to tick through the facts. He can run through the numbers on the stock market, jobs, inflation, manufacturing and wage growth. Voters should hear a stark contrast between the mess he inherited and the current American economy, the envy of the world. For good measure, Biden might also explain that one reason Trump’s economy was so terrible was his refusal to take covid-19 — and coronavirus inoculation plans — seriously, leading to the unnecessary deaths of hundreds of thousands of people.
Let Trump holler that it is “All lies!” Biden has the numbers — which his campaign can put up on a website to verify each data point.
Trump wants to become a dictator: Here, Biden should draw purely from Trump’s statements and his 2025 plan, which envision deporting protesters; deporting “15 million” migrants by building dentention camps; using the military to quell protests; pardoning violent criminals from the insurrection on Jan. 6, 2021; targeting media companies and journalists that won’t regurgitate MAGA talking points; instituting a nationwide abortion ban and ominous surveillance of the mail through the Comstock Act; banning mifepristone; and installing cronies in government to do his bidding. Biden’s website should provide links to Trump comments and items in the 2025 plan so voters can check for themselves.
Trump will make the Supreme Court even worse and America, therefore, unlivable: At a fundraising event, Biden reminded the audience that “if he’s reelected, he’s going to appoint two more [justices] flying flags upside down,” a dig at Justice Samuel A. Alito Jr. Biden added, “The Supreme Court has never been as out of kilter as it is today. I mean never.” Biden should explain that, with more partisan reinforcements, the right-wing justices can follow Justice Clarence Thomas’s road map to attack a slew of other rights (e.g., access to contraception, same-sex marriage).
Trump sides with authoritarians and will make the world less free and stable: Biden expanded NATO; Trump says Russian President Vladimir Putin is welcome to invade NATO countries that don’t spend enough on defense. Biden has secured international aid for Ukraine; Trump wants to force Ukraine to capitulate. Biden defends democracy; Trump has idolized and flattered authoritarians in Hungary, China and North Korea. And Trump has even taken to quoting Adolf Hitler (whom former chief of staff John F. Kelly said Trump praised behind closed doors).
People who know Trump best won’t support him: Trump’s own former vice president, dozens of former cabinet officials, former press secretaries, a former chief of staff and top military figures have all warned that Trump is dangerous and unfit. Never in American history have so many people who served with a president repudiated him. People who he chose and who saw Trump up close tell us he is incapable of doing the job or understanding his oath.
Distinguished person of the week
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore (D) on Monday issued a mass pardon of approximately 175,000 state marijuana-related convictions, “one of the nation’s most sweeping acts of clemency involving a drug now in widespread recreational use,” The Post reported. As the governor noted, these criminal records have been used to “deny housing, employment and education, holding people and their families back long after their sentences have been served.” It’s not often that a single, unilateral action can have such far-reaching consequences not only for those directly affected but for generations to come.
Moore explained, “If you want to be able to create inclusive economic growth, it means you have to start removing these barriers that continue to disproportionately sit on communities of color.” Other governors should take note and follow his example. It would be a dramatic step toward overcoming racial injustice, which has ruined the lives of millions of people of color. Moreover, states should also “ban the box” so that convictions in other states will not be used against job seekers in their current state of residence.
This week, much of the United States has endured sweltering temperatures. If that got you thinking about some cool(er) getaway vacation destinations, here are a few of my favorites (where you might even need a light jacket):
San Francisco: The wisecrack that “the coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in San Francisco,” falsely attributed to Mark Twain, nevertheless has a ring of truth. Right around now, fog and cool ocean breezes might sound attractive. It remains one of America’s most delightful travel spots — with fine museums, a terrific zoo, natural wonders close by and great restaurants.
Copenhagen: Whether you like great food, music in a world-famous location, castles, great scenery or gorgeous interior design, you’ll find it in this pristine, walkable and genteel city. Plan at least five to six days. You’ll be surprised how much there is to do.
Netherlands: One of my favorite places to vacation. But don’t limit yourself to Amsterdam (as beautiful and historic as it is). Utrecht, The Hague, Arnhem, Haarlem and Rotterdam feature beautiful architecture, plenty of history and world-class performing arts.
Bar Harbor, Maine: Acadia National Park is spectacular, but do not miss local theater and music (the annual festival is in July) with many performances in lovely, small settings. In town, you’ll find shops and galleries, restaurants and ice cream places — many of which are dog friendly!
Vancouver, B.C.: A truly international city with Western and First Nations art, some of the most eye-catching gardens in North America and every water sport you can imagine. Take the ferry over to Victoria on Vancouver Island, enjoy high tea at the historic Empress Hotel and visit the fascinating Royal BC Museum.
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