Biden Is Ceding Presidential Influence to Trump, and Some Democrats Are Furious

[WhiskeyGrinder]

https://www.wsj.com/politics/policy/biden-is-ceding-presidential-influence-to-trump-and-some-democrats-are-furious-e7ae2c04

The American tradition is that the nation has only one president at a time. Right now, that president looks like Donald Trump—because President Biden is ceding the spotlight. While Biden remained in Washington, it was the president-elect who met on Saturday in Paris with French President Emmanuel Macron and Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky, who is lobbying Trump to continue wartime aid.

At the time they met, Damascus was falling to rebels in Syria. While Trump briefly spoke to reporters about Ukraine and posted online about U.S. interests in Syria—saying “this is not our fight”—Biden didn’t make a public appearance on Saturday and waited until Sunday to comment on Syria. The fragility of these two regions in the world has many leaders and businesses on edge.

(snip)

This has left a number of Democrats perturbed that Biden and party leaders, after spending years casting Trump as a threat to democracy, have left a communications and policy vacuum during the transition period. These critics believe top Democrats have bypassed chances to make the case against nominations by the president-elect that they see as instruments of his promised “retribution.”

“We should be less hobbled and more spurred. We should be vocal, pushing back against these nominees who are nothing but a disaster in the making,” said Washington’s Democratic Gov. Jay Inslee.

[julmur]

1. Biden

I’m not seeing much of any democrat leadership at this point, who’s stepping up?! Seems trump is going full steam ahead with plans to destroy the country & constitution & dems are busy still asking for money. It really appears we’re doomed, the rich on both sides of the aisle will survive at the expense of the rest of us

[Blue_Tires]

14. What have YOU done to "step up"?

Folks need to start engineering their own salvation...

[Orrex]

15. Oh yes. Let me wield my executive authority to get that shit done.

Other than finger-wagging, what exactly do you propose that private, non-super-wealthy citizens should be doing to effect change in the absence of a clear path set forth by those in power?

[Blue_Tires]

19. You lack imagination.

[Orrex]

21. Not true. I can imagine several replies to you, in fact.

But instead I will repeat my request that you articulate the clear direction you envision for us.

[senseandsensibility]

84. You apparently value your own imagination very highly

Yet you are not sharing your imaginative ideas with us.

[DontBelieveEastisEas]

98. Show us yours. nt

[live love laugh]

64. "We" who?

[live love laugh]

68. It doesn't. Who is "we" then?

[live love laugh]

72. You don't speak for "The democratic constituency".

[senseandsensibility]

85. Yes what is the point of political parties then?

The lengths that some will go to to defend a complete lack of leadership by establishment Dems is unbelievable.

[awesomerwb1]

44. Oh come on

[orangecrush]

45. Translation

Man the lifeboats

[Disaffected]

79. Such as??

Get rich?

Buy Bitcoin?

Buy a politician?

Build a bunker?

Join a cult?

Move to another country?

I'm open to suggestions.

[Scrivener7]

107. This was the dumbest argument ever when it was wielded ad nauseam

during the Garland fights, and it's the dumbest argument now.

What I am doing has nothing to do with what Biden is doing. Look up "spheres of influence.'

But for the record, I disagree with the OP. Let trump take meetings. It frees up Biden to arrange to get more money to Ukraine.

[themaguffin]

109. You know the context is leadership in office. Oof.

[HuskyOffset]

36. Can we PLEASE use proper grammar: it's "Democratic leadership", not "democrat leadership"

I know it's probably pissing-into-the-wind futile, but goddammit, I refuse to cede this ground without a fight.

[dflprincess]

58. Thank you

It's bad enough when Repiblicans do that but when Democrats go along with it I grind my teeth.

[CousinIT]

2. Is this more "Dems in Disarray" or is it true?

I suspect a bit of both.

[onecaliberal]

10. Where are the Dems? I don't see or hear from anyone.

I’m done giving money and time to people who never planned to fight for us. They’re all in for the social security casino money we worked it entire lives for.

[CousinIT]

33. Yes I'm MORE than a little pissed that Dems are dead silent on so many issues.

WTF are they waiting for, the DNC Chair choice - waiting to get marching orders?

WTAF?

They're not on media, they're not much on social media (NONE OF THEM SHOULD BE ON X!) and many are still not on BlueSky.

They need to get their asses out on mainstream media every DAY, socials too. ALL of it -- and hammer on SHitler's cabinet picks, HAMMER on his cult's plans to decimate Social Security, HAMMER on RFKJr's idiocy - there's SO MUCH they could hammer on yet they are doing... WHAT exactly?

Ugh.

[onecaliberal]

39. When they need me they better hope they don't get it in kind.

The elected are only out for themselves. Should have realized that when they refused to stop the legal insider trading for themselves.

[DontBelieveEastisEas]

100. I sounds like you are saying that our Democratic Leaders are only out for themselves. Is that

what you are saying? If so, I don't think it is supporting our elected Democrats.

[Ocelot II]

31. It's from the Wall Street Urinal. Consider the source.

[emulatorloo]

56. Rupert Murdoch owns The Wall Street Journal. As well as Fox News and The New York Post.

IMHO just more “Dems in disarray” garbage from the master of misinformation.

[live love laugh]

73. It's shit stirring.

[Mike Nelson]

3. Hey, Media...

... why is this news? January is right around the corner. I know a bigger story: The US is going to swear-in its first felon-rapist President. It's not did he, or didn't he... was it consensual or not... it's been decided. Our FIRST FELON-RAPIST PRESIDENT! That's a big news story. Maybe that should always be mentioned alongside his name, too.

[speak easy]

4. Biden is giving our allies an opportunity to prepare.

Assessing first hand TSF's plans could be valuable intelligence for them.

[Phoenix61]

102. Thank you. nt

[Grins]

5. Absolutely correct!!!

There are a ton of things Biden could do to set landmines for Trump's assault on Democracy - just ask Bill Barr! - and I don't see any of it happening.

There must be a disease in the Democratic Party that cause them to think reason, common sense, and decency by "working across the aisle," with Republicans is the ultimate answer. Obama tried that with health care and look what it got him.

[Maru Kitteh]

9. IT GOT 'HIM' RELIEF AND A CHANCE TO LIVE FOR MILLIONS OF AMERICANS. How DARE you.

I absolutely cannot express what I want to say to you now but how DARE you. What President Obama did for this country was nothing short of a FUCKING MIRACLE given the climate of the time and MILLIONS of people are alive and lead healthier more productive lives because of him.

Fuck.

[Rebl2]

43. Maybe Biden and other democrats

are laying traps quietly. Doubtful, but who knows, maybe they are.

[awesomerwb1]

46. Pardon me for being cynical

but based on the past 20 years there is zero chance of that happening imhco

[Rebl2]

47. Like I

said, doubtful.

[GemDigger]

48. Maybe it is happening

If you see it, then so does the rapist.

[bluestarone]

6. Well, for one thing, The news media jumps right to TFG

If there is any breaking news. Media has become tRUMPS co-conspirators as far as i'm concerned.

[Maru Kitteh]

7. When I heard his voice on the radio after work yesterday, I realized

I had almost forgotten he was still president. The truth is, I dont think that we ever heard enough from Joe Biden throughout his presidency. This was not the sole fault of the media, for those who are inclined to go there immediately. A good portion of this must lay at the feet of his team of presumably, good Democrats.

What we did, collectively, it didn’t work out, and it wasn’t everybody else’s fault. We don’t know exactly what went wrong right now, but blaming everyone else for absolutely everything will result in zero change on our part, and hence our further destruction.

[Felicita]

52. "'I had almost forgotten he was still President?"

Have you read post 256 by FightFight? Biden did scores of positive things for people, our country, and the earth. I will never forget this and that he is still our President until Jan. 20. Yes, the media's focus on the Felon-Rapist-Fraudster-Psychoath and the rw media's propaganda is the main reason. Biden has confirmed numerous judges in recent weeks and is no doubt busy with the transition. Schiff, Jeffries and others have spoken out about democracy issues, among others, but they do not get the media attention of the Felon-Rapist-Fraudster-Psychopath and his thugs.

[Jack Valentino]

97. I miss Joe already---

except he isn't actually gone yet.


I will certainly miss his relative calmness on social media---
not having to worry about a nuclear war being declared on 'Truth Social' while I sleep,
and all that....

[DemMedic]

8. I'm ready to join the Rebel Empire!

I just need AOC to tell me where and when!

[Blue_Tires]

11. Fuck all of them... Biden owes them Jack Fuckin' Shit

Dems backstabbed Biden when they got in a mass panic and forced him out of the race, and then they betrayed him AGAIN by not giving Harris their full support! And now they've got the unmitigated gall to ask why a lame-duck Biden isn't putting his ass on the line when he knows beyond all doubt that nobody in his own party will stand up for him??

[Vegan4life]

30. He gave his entire adult life to our country

Then his own party pulled out the long knives and publicly attacked and hounded him until he pulled out of the race.

I wish him a long retirement with his family, including his beloved dogs, and many beautiful beach days.

[senseandsensibility]

86. The people he should be communicating with and trying to protect are average Americans

not party insiders. This is not about him, his ego, or his status as a moral person. It's about doing what he can to protect the powerless.

[DontBelieveEastisEas]

103. When in the course of human events, it becomes obvious that a person needs to step aside, it must be called out by those

brave enough to do so. I noticed that the individual is often, no almost always, not the one that can make that judgement call.
That does not make the brave person a bad person.;

I wish a long and happy life to them all, as well.

[DontBelieveEastisEas]

101. Dems didn't backstab Biden. Dems backstabbed Dems that knew Biden had to go. And they are still doing it.

[Blue_Tires]

110. Whut?

[cate94]

12. Biden is supposed to save the world?

Are these the same leaders who pushed Biden out of the race? Are these the same leaders who didn’t back him up after one lousy debate?

[DontBelieveEastisEas]

104. I could no longer back him when I saw that he had lost the capacity to be effective. It is wrong, in my opinion to have

not called it out. Yes, it took courage. Many knew they would be condemned for doing the necessary thing.

[JohnSJ]

13. What bullshit. No surprise this is from murdoch's WSJ. However, those suppossed unamed Democrats who are so

perturbed, where are YOU speaking out against the sociopath?

President Biden's term is over, and frankly the party, and the media has treated him disgracefully, from the beginning of his term.

[niyad]

75. PRESIDENT BIDEN's term ends January 20, 2025, at 12:01 pm, 43 days

from now.

[JohnSJ]

76. That is only a technicality, the reality is the media is only focused on the sociopath now.

[CrispyQ]

16. We should have established a marketing department back in Reagan's time.

We're so far behind the 8-ball now, I don't know how we ever bust the repub myths they are better at the economy, foreign policy, & family values.

The dem base is demoralized. We got out the vote in 16, 20, 24 & that orange piece of shit is still sucking all the oxygen out of the room. What the fuck?





I'm pretty sure the repubs would have effectively dealt with a president who orchestrated the above. Why the fuck couldn't we?

[Kid Berwyn]

18. A Tale of Two Trials NEVER TOLD

Last edited Mon Dec 9, 2024, 11:57 AM - Edit history (1)

Now the traitor is back to do even more damage to the People, the Nation and the Constitution. And it’s OK. La-de-da-de-da.

[CrispyQ]

63. Too much caution turns into immunity. -Adam Schiff

If you can keep it. -Ben Franklin

[bdamomma]

61. Classified documents being

stored in a bathroom, that's what the felon thinks about our country. This is sickening that he is going to be in the WH, in what 6 weeks?????

[CrispyQ]

65. I still cannot believe that he wasn't arrested as soon as they discovered the scope of his theft.

How many boxes of documents were there? I count 60 in this image alone.

I can't be the only American who feels rage when they see this picture.

[bdamomma]

81. Nope

you're not alone. This is just not right, but I believe he will have his judgement day.

[DontBelieveEastisEas]

99. What's behind the curtain?

[NameAlreadyTaken]

17. Trump is ceding it to Elon Musk

[PSPS]

20. trump is the de-facto president now, as far as the media is concerned.

We're back to the breathless "outrage of the hour" broadcast 24/7 starting the day after the election. Joe who? Besides the orgasm the five media owners are having over not paying taxes, it garners more clicks, viewers, listeners and, hence, more money!!111!!1!11!!

As Les Moonves said, "It May Not Be Good for America, but It’s Damn Good for CBS!"

[OldBaldy1701E]

34. BINGO!! (n/t)

[arthritisR_US]

106. Isn't that sad and disgusting and fecking frightening 😡

[OldBaldy1701E]

111. Very! (n/t)

[Magoo48]

22. They must step up, all together with Biden leading, and lay out a plan for he next sic weeks.

Otherwise, it looks like the grassroots will be carrying the load for four years.
Any real success, of course, will be on Us anyway.

Unfortunately, We, seem unwilling to be inconvenienced, even on our own behalf.

[Dave says]

28. Partly because many don't know what to do

What can we mere proles do to influence what happens to us over the next 4 years?

[Magoo48]

60. What I'm gonna do is get in the fucking way as often as I can and in as many ways as I can

[mzmolly]

23. The WSJ can F off with this bullshit.

Trump cosplaying as President and King should be the story. NOT Biden 'ceding' a damn thing.

[PortTack]

27. Exactly...President Biden was where he should be with what was going on in Syria. The thing is France was

Just photo ops

[JI7]

41. Yup, they are blaming Biden for their own failure

they were tougher on Biden after his debate and after he pardined Hunter.

They ignored gave Trump a pass on everything and now they want to put the blame on Biden.

They suck so bad.

[BumRushDaShow]

25. Actual "governing" is boring and the media wants a "reality show"

full of drama and hyperbole and cliff-hangers to get their views and clicks.

This is what happens when "news departments" are combined with "entertainment departments" to "save money".

Biden had been traveling and having departments finalize Rules. He gave remarks about what happened in Syria yesterday but the media dutifully drowned it out with bemoaning the "end" of the Taylor Swift tour. Biden ordered attacks on ISIS in Syria and it sortof got a mention but the re-opening of Notre Dame was bigger news.

Both chambers of Congress have been holding leadership/Ranking Member elections so they can go ahead and jockey for attention as "messengers".

[Celerity]

26. archived link

https://archive.ph/jzEe4

[Lulu KC]

50. Thank you

Now maybe I can find out which Democrats, if they are named.

[IzzaNuDay]

29. This reminds me of Muhammad Ali's Rope a Dope

Let the dotard think he is really winning, and let him reap the consequences.

[OrangeJoe]

32. Stay on point

Every single Democrat should answer every question they get from the media by stating: “Donald Trump’s nominee for (insert cabinet position here) is corrupt/incompetent/not qualified/etc”. Repeat every time they try to change the subject.

Or you can mix it up by pointing out some specific examples of J6 traitors who were convicted of beating police and asking why he is pardoning them. Make their names as famous as the Repubs have with people murdered by illegal aliens.

The secret is simplicity and repetition. The Republicans always do this and it works! Stop answering the question and start building a narrative.

[mountain grammy]

42. This!

Last edited Mon Dec 9, 2024, 02:26 PM - Edit history (1)

And also mention we are the ONLY “first world “ country without universal health care.

Build a narrative!

[niyad]

77. You mean "without"???

[mountain grammy]

83. Yes I did

Thank you for noticing. I fixed it

[OrangeJoe]

88. Yeah, but no

Right now it is the Trump cabinet and the J6ers. Health care can wait. KISS Keep It Simple Stupid.

[mountain grammy]

89. Nope

Medicare for all is keeping it simple. We’ve waited too long. Too many have died.

[DontBelieveEastisEas]

112. Medicare for all without payments.

[mountain grammy]

113. I think premiums would be acceptable to most people if reasonable

Like Medicare and many should be exempt.

[DontBelieveEastisEas]

116. Then, what do you do if they do not pay? And a system that uses exemptions can never be applied in a

completely fair way. Also, it opens up a lot of administration and effort to adhere to and apply for, etc.

[IcyPeas]

108. This should be screamed from the mountaintop...

Unfortunately Democrats get campaign money from health insurance companies too.

Too many politicians are bought and sold.

[JI7]

35. The media that propped up Trump wants to blame Biden

Such a shitty article.

[usonian]

37. Eisenhower is doing nothing while Germany takes over Europe!

Unlike "Our Farter" who desecrated a historical cathedral and football team, Joe knows his history, and I trust him to do all he can to safeguard the country.

And not to publish the playbook on the internet.

Does anyone think that the team of Biden and Harris is content to sit back and watch the country incinerate?

[WhiskeyGrinder]

38. In the face of what they called a threat to democracy, what safeguards do you think that playbook includes?

[usonian]

51. People keep asking me that question.

But until I get a badge, clearance, access to intelligence, power, a suite of law experts, and paycheck of high rating, I have to defer to those who do.

Not being snide, I just don't know what's doable.

If all the court documents planned to be incinerated on Jan 20 could be released, appropriately redacted for national security reasons and safety of persons, that would be good in principle.

But that's just one suggestion. (U)

[soandso]

91. Speaking of Harris

Where the heck is she?

[usonian]

92. I could tell you that but then you'd have to be shredded. (J/K)

I send positive energy to Biden and Harris.

• For all that they have been through.
• For their dedication to people and loyalty to America.

Wouldn't they do whatever it took (TS/FYEO) to safeguard people and democracy from a fascict takeover and ensuing destruction.

I am hoping for bold and decisive moves.

[soandso]

93. She should have been at Notre Dame

not Jill. She is still the VP and represents the US.

[usonian]

94. More proof she's hard at work.

Public figures don't keep a low profile, especially after an intense campaign.

Unless it's on purpose. My opinion.

If they are reshaping history, then the time for active public engagement will come shortly thereafter.

Meanwhile.

[soandso]

95. Well, I did just see a vid with her at the Kennedy Center

[usonian]

96. I, too, enjoy music to relax and even sharpen my brain.

Realist? Yes. But the future is not the past. Not even yesterday. Learning from it is good. Dwelling on it is not improving it. The future is created today.

Fight.

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100219759252

[Initech]

40. Why are we continuing to treat them with the kid gloves on?

None of this is normal. These assholes want to completely destroy and annihilate the United States government from within, they are ruthless and bloodthirsty. They want to take our rights back to the stone ages and cause a second Great Depression worse than the first one. It’s fucking insane.

[Javaman]

49. Huh, so now the Wall Street journal is on the side of "helping" Dems?

I’ll pass, thank you very much.

[emulatorloo]

53. Rupert Murdoch's Wall Street Journal! Can you post a link from Murdoch's Fox and NYPost too?

Just to be to be thorough /s

Why so gullible?

[LearnedHand]

54. Ugh i hate to agree with WSJ but THIS

I'm gobsmacked at the lack of engagement from the White House while TSF is prancing around acting like he's already POTUS. And Eloon is acting like Co-POTUS.

[ecstatic]

55. He should step aside and let Kamala handle the rest

I don't like what I'm seeing (or NOT seeing) either.

[Polybius]

67. I haven't heard much from her either though

I hope she breaks her silence soon, we all need her.

[ecstatic]

78. true.

We're all kind of fending for ourselves. The people we are hearing from seem to be more concerned about Hunter's pardon or pardoning trump smh.

[Lulu KC]

57. Bad source and headline doesn't match content

Biden and others are doing their jobs—their real jobs. The only one still campaigning is DT, as usual. Self-reflection is necessary and it is obvious that our party is regrouping after a narrow but crucial loss. Taking time to think is not a fault. Not being a blustering jerk is not a fault. And the reporter has no idea what Kamala Harris has been doing, while calling her work mundane. One more thing—saying she went on “vacation to Hawaii” is nothing but snark. Grrrrrr.

[dawg]

59. Syria's Russian-backed dictator just fell. Trump says the U.S. should stay out of it.

Biden just carried out massive air-strikes against ISIL forces inside Syria in an attempt to prevent them from assuming power in the wake of Assad's collapse.

Biden is ceding nothing.

He is quietly doing his job, just like he has always done.

[orwell]

62. But 'Murica voted...

...for the Rapist45.

They are getting what they asked for.

Please proceed...

[Renew Deal]

70. It's true and the media has picked up on it.

Amanpour from CNN referred to "President Trump" when discussing Syria a couple days ago. So did another major news outlet. No mention about Biden.

[czarjak]

71. Use Presidential authority the way they will.

T-H-E-Y sanctioned it. Like it or not.

[karynnj]

74. As to not making the case re nominees, this may make sense

This is not something that depends on the majority of the country being against them. He needs 50 votes in the Senate. Than means if all Democrats are against, we need 4 Republicans.

If it is seen that the opposition is led by Democrats or liberal media, as they call it, it might be harder for 4 to oppose.

As to Syria, I suspect US intelligence did not see this coming. What is true is that part of the reason was Assad was supported by both Russia and Iran. The Biden led support of Ukraine and opposition to Iranian attacks on Israel was very likely a key factor. However, there is still a lot not yet known as to what happens to Syria. Remember that though they might have moderated, the rebels used to be Al Nusra, which was allied to AQ. This is why Biden spoke of us not supporting either side.

Trump, on the other hand, has spouted word salad, blaming Obama not attacking when the red line was crossed. Ignoring that his strategic attack, similar to what Obama threatened, did very little, but the Obama administration diplomacy with Russia and Syria led to huge stockpiles of chemical weapons being taken and destroyed. He also claimed Russia entered then to help, but Russia had a base there from 1971 and they were part of the problem.

On Ukraine, it is not surprising they want to speak to Trump. It is in their interest to do so and I assume they will keep Biden in the loop.

[Keepthesoulalive]

80. Please stop going down the Murdoch rabbit hole

The media has screwed us in every way possible and still you go insane every time these jackasses post a hit piece. Stop buying the bull droppings.

[returnee]

82. Just because tsf won...

…doesn’t mean we should stop opposing him. He is an adjudicated insurrectionist, an adjudicated sexual offender, he is threatening his political opposition with incarceration. Biden, of all people, with nothing to lose, should be speaking out loudly and clearly against tsf.

[MacKasey]

87. Well, I think seeing Macron crush 45's hand shake and see him grimace made my day

And Macron smiling thru it all

[Nululu]

90. Disagree

Biden has continued to work hard. Ceasefire with Israel and more.

The media is pushing Trump news every time the man farts.

[Hope22]

105. The media runs the message and they say Biden is not performing his duties

All the while giving TSF more coverage than any president elect in history. In the meantime Biden continues to work to safeguard the country and represent the US around the globe. He has not stopped. Once again you can’t educate people who watch Fox! In the olden days the aftermath of the election was a quiet time of transition for the in going and out going president. Not with T. He has to continue his angry lies and manipulation of all of us. Wearing our nerves and imune systems to a bloody pulp.

[bigtree]

114. wsj gaslighting Democrats into believeing President Biden is their problem

...the man exiting the stage in days.

Weird flex to promote and cheer on.

You can't see that this is a diversion, a distraction, bait?

WSJ with old, timeworn wedge politics. Classic hook.

[lees1975]

115. There's been a vacuum of coverage of the Biden administration during the whole time he was in office.

Trump, Trump, Trump was all we got from the media, 24-7. Why should now be any different?