Last night in Chicago, President Joe Biden struggled to deliver what was supposed to be a fiery speech, ultimately passing the baton to the electoral candidate Kamala Harris. True to form, Biden slurred his way through more anti-Trump jabs, dredging up the tired and discredited claim that Trump called Neo-Nazis and white supremacists “very fine people” after Charlottesville. For those keeping score, Trump was referring to those defending a statue of General Robert E. Lee, not the extremists. Biden also doubled down on the “bloodbath” hoax, whilst saying under Trump, women do not have “electoral” power…
Biden finished strong, welling up as Harris came onto the stage after saying farewell to his party: “I made a lot of mistakes in my career, but I gave my best to you.” Bye-den…
Starmer has generally made a decent effort at holding back the nuts pro-Kremlin wing of his own party – and has so far navigated an apparently supportive policy on Ukraine. Over the weekend, however, Volodymyr Zelensky swiped hard at Starmer – saying British support was “slowing down”…
The Ukranian leader said:
“Unfortunately, the situation has slowed down recently… we will discuss how to fix this because long-range capabilities are vital for us. The whole world sees how effective Ukrainians are – how our entire nation defends its independence…”
Starmer has refused to allow UK manufactured Storm Shadow missiles (with a range of 190 miles) to be used inside Russian territory for offensive purposes during the latest series of Ukrainian incursions. UK kit like the Challenger 2 tank has, however, been used on Russian soil…
In order to unlock the use of the decisive weaponry, both the UK, France and the US must sign off on the plan. The White House yesterday denied reports that the US was blocking an ask from the UK for the use of the missiles to be approved, saying no such request had been made. So Starmer has not picked up the phone to Biden about it – why the delay?
Left-wing politicos were winded by Biden’s genius economic strategy of… protectionism. The Inflation Reduction Act, a $369 billion subsidy programme for US-based companies, was met with breathless reactions from Labour politicians in the UK. Ed Miliband accused Grant Shapps of being “deeply complacent” by failing to replicate the policy and said plainly of the “global race for green jobs“: “We should match the ambition of President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act and stop moaning about it.” The IRA’s early results don’t bode well for its replication in the UK…
The FT now reports 40% of the largest manufacturing investments announced as part of Biden’s flagship bills have been paused or delayed. High costs and slowing demand are kiboshing eco-investment projects – foregoing the “green growth” that was promised with them. Reeves announced that “globalisation as we know it is dead” while unveiling Labour’s replica of the Biden subsidy programme. Labour is starting to realise the myth of “state-driven growth” won’t save them now they’re actually in power…
Joe Biden gave his long-awaited explanatory address last night as he waved goodbye to his hopes for a second term. In slow, hoarse notes he said everything he’d done “merited a second term” but he made his decision in the interests of “saving our democracy.” If that’s the energy he could manage in his first public appearance since Sunday it’s no wonder the Democrat establishment moved quickly to replace him…
Biden basically refused to acknowledge his age or declining cognitive ability apart from saying that “fresher voices” were needed. Somehow not giving the impression he’s too thrilled to pass the torch to Cackling Kamala…
Biden announces his pulling out on Twitter:
“My Fellow Americans,
Over the past three and a half years, we have made great progress as a Nation.
Today, America has the strongest economy in the world. We’ve made historic investments in rebuilding our Nation, in lowering prescription drug costs for seniors, and in expanding affordable health care to a record number of Americans. We’ve provided critically needed care to a million veterans exposed to toxic substances. Passed the first gun safety law in 30 years. Appointed the first African American woman to the Supreme Court. And passed the most significant climate legislation in the history of the world. America has never been better positioned to lead than we are today.
I know none of this could have been done without you, the American people. Together, we overcame a once in a century pandemic and the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression. We’ve protected and preserved our Democracy. And we’ve revitalized and strengthened our alliances around the world.
It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve as your President. And while it has been my intention to seek reelection, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and to focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term.
I will speak to the Nation later this week in more detail about my decision.
For now, let me express my deepest gratitude to all those who have worked so hard to see me reelected. I want to thank Vice President Kamala Harris for being an extraordinary partner in all this work. And let me express my heartfelt appreciation to the American people for the faith and trust you have placed in me.
I believe today what I always have: that there is nothing America can’t do – when we do it together. We just have to remember we are the United States of America.”
Harris vs Trump looking likely…
UPDATE: Biden endorses Harris.
UPDATE II: Trump responds:
“Crooked Joe Biden was not fit to run for President, and is certainly not fit to serve – And never was!
He only attained the position of President by lies, Fake News, and not leaving his Basement.
All those around him, including his Doctor and the Media, knew that he wasn’t capable of being President, and he wasn’t – And now, look what he’s done to our Country, with millions of people coming across our Border, totally unchecked and unvetted, many from prisons, mental institutions, and record numbers of terrorists.
We will suffer greatly because of his presidency, but we will remedy the damage he has done very quickly. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”
