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Biden's Bid at a Crossroads

Plus, touring for good.

July 02, 2024

The Flag

Good morning and Happy Tuesday! Here are the Flag’s Top Five stories that should be on your radar to start the day:

  • US: Trump is immune from prosecution for some acts in federal election case (POLITICO)

  • World: Hurricane Beryl makes landfall as life-threatening Category 4 storm (CNN)

  • Business: Boeing agrees to buy fuselage maker Spirit AeroSystems in $4.7 billion deal (CNBC)

  • Technology: Some Apple Intelligence Features Likely to Require Paid Subscription (MacRumors)

  • Sports: Simone Biles qualifies for her third Olympics as Hezly Rivera snags fifth spot on the team (NBC News)

And of course, some good news: How Noah Kahan has quietly used his tour to raise $2M for rural mental health.

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Right: Democratic Voters Feel They've Been Lied To, Mark Hemingway, The Federalist

Right: The Lies We Have Lived Through, Victor Davis Hanson, American Greatness

Left: Behind the Curtain: Biden's Salvation Plan, Mike Allen & Jim VandeHei, Axios

Left: Obama Needs To Lead Democrats Through This Crisis, Michael Tomasky, The New Republic

2024

Biden's Bid at a Crossroads

Today’s Top Story in One Sentence: Following President Biden’s performance in last week’s presidential debate. The New York Times Editorial Board published a piece calling for the President to step down as the Democratic 2024 presidential candidate.

Reporting from the Right: New York Times editorial board urges Biden to step aside after debate fallout (Washington Examiner)

Reporting from the Left: The New York Times editorial board calls for Biden to drop out of the presidential race (NBC News)

RIGHT-LEANING SENTIMENT

Democrats in Disarray

The Top Argument From The Right: Better men than Biden have known when to step aside, Ben Rothove, Washington Examiner: “President Joe Biden’s disastrous debate performance proved that he is unfit for office. However, his campaign insists that he is not dropping out. Biden’s legacy will likely be determined by this decision, and history will not be kind to him. Biden has been especially focused on his legacy, regularly meeting with historians to discuss his actions and how he will be viewed in the future. But for a man who has lived through so much U.S. history, his decision-making process is short-sighted. Biden is not the first president to face strong pressure from within his party to step aside. After narrowly winning the 1948 presidential election, Harry S. Truman was on thin ice within the Democratic Party. His approval rating dipped to historic lows… In 1952, Truman was defeated by Tennessee Sen. Estes Kefauver in the New Hampshire primary and announced soon afterward that he would not run for reelection. … In 1968, Lyndon B. Johnson was forced to make a similarly tough decision. While Johnson had major victories with the Civil Rights Act and the Great Society, disagreement over the Vietnam War within the Democratic Party made it clear that he had no path to victory. While Johnson narrowly fended off Sen. Eugene McCarthy in the New Hampshire primary, the closeness of that race convinced Sen. Robert F. Kennedy to challenge Johnson. He withdrew from the election soon after…”

Honorable Mention #2: Joe Biden Isn’t Going Anywhere, Dominic Pino, National Review.

LEFT-LEANING SENTIMENT

A Difficult Decision

The Top Argument From The Left: To Serve His Country, President Biden Should Leave the Race, The Editorial Board, The New York Times: “Mr. Biden has been an admirable president. Under his leadership, the nation has prospered and begun to address a range of long-term challenges, and the wounds ripped open by Mr. Trump have begun to heal. But the greatest public service Mr. Biden can now perform is to announce that he will not continue to run for re-election. As it stands, the president is engaged in a reckless gamble. There are Democratic leaders better equipped to present clear, compelling and energetic alternatives to a second Trump presidency. There is no reason for the party to risk the stability and security of the country by forcing voters to choose between Mr. Trump’s deficiencies and those of Mr. Biden. It’s too big a bet to simply hope Americans will overlook or discount Mr. Biden’s age and infirmity that they see with their own eyes. …the president’s performance cannot be written off as a bad night or blamed on a supposed cold, because it affirmed concerns that have been mounting for months or even years. Even when Mr. Biden tried to lay out his policy proposals, he stumbled. It cannot be outweighed by other public appearances because he has limited and carefully controlled his public appearances. … The truth Mr. Biden needs to confront now is that he failed his own test.”

Honorable Mention #2: Democrats fear replacement scenarios as much as keeping Biden, Edward-Isaac Dovere, CNN.

FLAG THIS

Growing Calls

Aside from The New York Times, several publications have published calls for Biden to step down, including The New Yorker, The Economist, Chicago Tribune, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, and several others (The Hill).

Additionally, polling from Morning Consult revealed that 60% of respondents across party lines believe Biden should be replaced by the Democratic Party for the upcoming election, with an additional 11% undecided.

Interestingly, despite criticism of his debate performance, the same poll found Biden's popularity remains relatively stable, holding a slight lead over Trump by 45% to 44% (The Guardian).

Should Biden step down as the presumptive presidential nominee for the Democratic party?

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WATERCOOLER

Vanished, House History, Exploding Nuts

Amelia Earhart standing under nose of her Lockheed Model 10-E Electra.

On This Day in 1937, the Lockheed aircraft carrying American aviator Amelia Earhart and navigator Frederick Noonan is reported missing near Howland Island in the Pacific. The pair were attempting to fly around the world when they lost their bearings during the most challenging leg of the global journey: Lae, New Guinea, to Howland Island, a tiny island 2,227 nautical miles away, in the center of the Pacific Ocean.

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Stock up on tasty treats, supplies and toys to keep your pal entertained, fed and healthy. Today's Deal: $30 off $100 or more plus free shipping.

Why Chewy.com? 

  • Wide Selection: Explore a vast inventory of high-quality pet supplies including food, toys, grooming products, and more for dogs, cats, birds, fish, and small pets.

  • Great Savings: Take advantage of the special deal to get $30 off on purchases over $100, making pet care more affordable.

  • Fast Shipping: Most orders arrive within 1-2 days, ensuring you get what you need quickly.

  • Exceptional Customer Service: Experience top-notch customer support that’s ready to help with any questions or issues.

  • User-Friendly Shopping: Enjoy an easy-to-navigate website with detailed product descriptions and reviews from other pet owners.

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