Biden’s Dwindling Support & Ben Shapiro Testifies | 7.11.24
In this episode of Morning Wire, the hosts examine the current political landscape surrounding President Biden's potential re-election bid. They discuss Democratic figures, including Nancy Pelosi and Tim Kaine, who have expressed hesitation about fully endorsing Biden for a second term. The episode also addresses criticism from influential Democrat George Clooney, who publicly called for the party to nominate someone else.
Additionally, the hosts explore recent polling that shows Donald Trump holding a significant lead over Biden nationally, as well as changes in key swing states like Wisconsin that could impact the 2024 election. The episode also covers allegations from Ben Shapiro of The Daily Wire, who testified about potential collusion to suppress conservative media outlets from receiving ad revenue.
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1-Page Summary
The internal Democratic party dynamics
Key Democratic figures express reluctance to fully endorse President Biden's reelection bid, while prominent Democratic donor George Clooney publicly calls for a new nominee, indicating potential challenges ahead.
Hesitation among Democratic leaders
Nancy Pelosi steers clear of definitively endorsing Biden's candidacy, emphasizing that the decision is his to make. Tim Kaine voices his belief that Biden will make a patriotic choice, though he is uncertain about Biden's intentions. Meanwhile, the Biden campaign is strongly discouraging others from challenging his nomination.
George Clooney's criticism
In a scathing op-ed, influential Democratic fundraiser George Clooney calls for the party to nominate someone new, questioning Biden's fitness. His public rebuke, after previously attending a Biden fundraiser, signals a potential shift in support that could impact Biden's chances.
The shifting 2024 electoral landscape
Recent polling shows Donald Trump holding a significant lead over Biden nationally for the first time in over 20 years. The respected Cook Political Report has also shifted several swing states from toss-ups to leaning Republican.
The loss of Hollywood and other influential Democratic figures' support, coupled with Trump's polling advantage, suggests challenges ahead for Biden's reelection bid. Meanwhile, changes like Wisconsin's decision on ballot drop boxes could impact key swing states.
Allegations of media censorship
Ben Shapiro of The Daily Wire testifies that a global advertising coalition, GARM, is colluding to prevent ad revenue from flowing to conservative outlets like his. The House report supports these allegations of suppressing conservative media.
Shapiro encounters pushback from Democrats who suggest certain conservative viewpoints could be justifiably censored, raising free speech concerns. Conservatives demand legislation preventing such suppression and action against potential violations of fiduciary duty.
1-Page Summary
Additional Materials
Counterarguments
- Nancy Pelosi's lack of endorsement could be a strategic political move rather than a lack of support, allowing for a broader range of Democratic candidates to emerge.
- Tim Kaine's uncertainty might reflect a broader strategy within the Democratic Party to keep options open and not appear too committed to one candidate early in the race.
- The Biden campaign's discouragement of challengers could be seen as an attempt to unify the party and avoid divisive primaries.
- George Clooney's call for a new nominee might not reflect the broader Democratic base's opinion, which could still be supportive of Biden.
- Polling data can fluctuate significantly, especially this far out from an election, and may not accurately predict election outcomes.
- The Cook Political Report's shift in swing states could be premature or based on temporary political climates that could change before the election.
- The loss of support from some influential figures does not necessarily translate to a loss of support from the majority of Democratic voters or the general electorate.
- Changes in election procedures, like those in Wisconsin, are subject to legal challenges and may not have the predicted impact on the election.
- Allegations of collusion by GARM could be countered by evidence of non-partisan ad revenue distribution based on content guidelines that apply to all media outlets.
- The House report's support of conservative media suppression allegations could be contested with data showing equal treatment of media outlets across the political spectrum.
- The suggestion of justifiable censorship could be based on the enforcement of community standards and misinformation policies that are applied across political lines.
- Demands for legislation to prevent media suppression could be met with arguments that existing laws already provide adequate protection against such suppression.
Actionables
- You can enhance your political literacy by tracking changes in political endorsements and campaign strategies. Start by creating a simple spreadsheet to log public statements from political figures regarding endorsements. Note the date, person, and the essence of their statement. Over time, this will help you identify patterns and shifts in political support, giving you a deeper understanding of the political landscape.
- Engage in informed voting by researching the impact of electoral changes in your area. Take the initiative to understand local election laws, such as the rules around ballot drop boxes in your state. Visit your state's official election website, attend town hall meetings, or read up on recent legislation to stay informed. This knowledge will empower you to make more informed decisions at the polls and understand how these changes might affect election outcomes.
- Foster media literacy by examining the balance of viewpoints in your news sources. Dedicate a week to scrutinize the content from a range of media outlets, noting if and how they cover stories differently. Create a media diary where you jot down observations about the representation of conservative and liberal viewpoints, any perceived biases, and instances of potential censorship. This exercise will sharpen your ability to discern bias and encourage a more critical consumption of news.
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The internal Democratic party dynamics and the potential Lepto Biden's candidacy
Within the Democratic Party, key figures are showing hesitation to fully endorse President Biden's reelection, while a prominent Democratic donor publicly calls for a new nominee, indicating potential challenges ahead for Biden.
Reluctance to Endorse Among Democratic Leaders
Top Democrats appear to be treading carefully when it comes to supporting Biden’s potential bid for reelection.
Democratic leaders express uncertainty
Nancy Pelosi, during an interview on MSNBC, tiptoed around a definitive endorsement for Biden's candidacy, emphasizing that the decision to run is Biden’s to make and calling attention to the pressing nature of the timeline for him to clarify his intentions.
Similarly, Senator Tim Kaine voiced his belief that Biden will do what is patriotic for the country and added that Biden never disappointed him, still he noted that he will respect whatever decision Biden makes. Kaine's remarks hint at an ongoing perception of uncertainty regarding Biden’s choice to run again or not.
Biden campaign's stance
The Biden campaign is reported to be taking a strong-arming tactic, trying to deter others within the party from challenging Biden's nomination. They are actively discouraging lawmakers by insinuating that any attempt to oppose Biden's bid would be pointless, essentially daring potential contenders to step forward.
George Clooney's Critical Standpoint
High-profile Democratic supporter and fundraiser George Clooney publicly criticizes Biden, adding to the tension within the party.
Clooney’s op-ed advocates for a new Democratic nominee
George Clooney's critical perspective on Biden emerges in a scathing op-ed in the New Y ...
Here’s what you’ll find in our full summary
The internal Democratic party dynamics and the potential Lepto Biden's candidacy
Additional Materials
Counterarguments
- Top Democrats' hesitation could be a strategic move to foster a healthy primary competition, which can strengthen the eventual nominee.
- Pelosi and Kaine's comments may reflect a respect for Biden's autonomy rather than uncertainty about his candidacy.
- The Biden campaign's efforts to deter challengers could be seen as a means to unify the party and avoid divisive primaries.
- George Clooney's op-ed represents only one perspective, and his change of stance might not reflect the broader sentiment within the Democratic Party.
- Public figures like Clooney are entitled to their opinions, but their influence on ...
Actionables
- You can deepen your understanding of political dynamics by starting a journal to track and analyze political endorsements and their impacts. Write down each time a prominent figure makes an endorsement or a public statement about a political candidate. Note the date, the person making the endorsement, their influence, and any subsequent changes in public opinion or media coverage. This will help you see patterns over time and understand the power of endorsements in politics.
- Engage in constructive conversations by initiating a monthly discussion group with friends or community members to talk about current political events and their implications. Each month, choose a topic related to recent political statements or actions, like endorsements or criticisms from public figures. Discuss how these actions could influence public perception and the political landscape. This practice encourages critical thinking and informed discussions about politics without needing expert knowledge.
- Enhance your critical thinking skills by writing op-eds or blog posts from diffe ...
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The shifting political landscape and polling data ahead of the 2024 election
The political environment ahead of the 2024 election is evolving. Recent developments indicate a potential change in the electoral landscape that could pose challenges for the Democratic Party and President Biden's reelection bid.
Polls show Donald Trump holding a significant lead over Biden in the national polls, the first time a Republican has been ahead at this stage in over 20 years.
Donald Trump has gained a five-point lead in the national polls—a position no Republican has held this early in the presidential race in more than two decades. When third-party candidates are included in these polls, Trump’s lead becomes more pronounced.
The respected Cook Political Report has also made several changes to its 2024 forecast, moving several swing states from toss-ups to leaning Republican, indicating an expanding battlefield for the GOP.
The Cook Political Report, an authoritative source on elections, has updated its forecast for the 2024 election. Several states that were previously considered "toss ups," including Arizona, Georgia, and Nevada, have been reclassified as "leans Republican.” Additionally, Minnesota and New Hampshire have been adjusted from "likely Democrat" to "leans Democrat," suggesting that these states are becoming more competitive and expanding the list of battlegrounds.
The potential loss of support from Hollywood and other influential Democratic figures is viewed as a concerning sign for Biden's chances in the 2024 election.
The shift in support away from Biden, coupled with the favorable polling data for Trump, suggests a challenging path forward for the president's reelection bid.
The change in political dynamics and shifting allegiances among influential Democratic supporters hint at a difficult road ahead for President Biden as he seeks reelection. The combination of these factors with Trump's polling lead compounds the challenge.
Meanwhile, the dynamics in crucial swing states, espec ...
Here’s what you’ll find in our full summary
The shifting political landscape and polling data ahead of the 2024 election
Additional Materials
Counterarguments
- Polling data can be volatile and may not accurately predict election outcomes, especially this far from election day.
- The Cook Political Report's forecasts are subject to change as new data emerges and are not definitive predictions of election results.
- The loss of support from Hollywood and influential figures may not significantly impact the broader electorate's voting decisions.
- Shifting allegiances among high-profile supporters do not necessarily reflect the sentiments of the general voting population.
- The impact of ballot drop boxes on elec ...
Actionables
- You can deepen your understanding of political trends by tracking local news sources from swing states. By following local newspapers or news stations from states like Wisconsin online, you'll gain insight into the issues that matter to those communities and how they might influence voting behavior. For example, if you're curious about the impact of the Supreme Court decision on ballot drop boxes, Wisconsin news outlets will likely provide detailed coverage and community reactions that can offer a more nuanced perspective than national news.
- Engage in conversations with people who have differing political views to explore shifting allegiances. Start by finding a discussion partner through social media groups or community forums focused on political discourse. Approach these conversations with an open mind and the intention to understand rather than to persuade. This can help you grasp the reasons behind changing political support and how it might affect future e ...
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The issues around media bias, advertising blacklists, and free speech
Ben Shapiro, the Daily Wire editor emeritus, testifies before Congress alleging collusion by a global advertising coalition, GARM, to prevent advertising dollars from flowing to conservative news outlets. The House report supports these allegations and reveals suppression strategies against a number of conservative media.
Ben Shapiro's Testimony
Allegations of Advertising Blacklists
Shapiro testified before Congress, bringing forth concerns that a coalition referred to as GARM has been actively working to ensure advertising revenue is withheld from conservative news outlets such as The Daily Wire, Breitbart, and Fox News. The House report found evidence of discussions within GARM to place these outlets on exclusion lists, thereby starving them of potential revenue. Shapiro criticizes the coalition for not being transparent about their actions, which he believes shut down the marketplace of ideas and infringes on antitrust laws.
Suppressing Certain Viewpoints
During the congressional hearing, Shapiro encountered opposition from Democrats. Congressman Eric Swalwell questioned Shapiro about his personal religious beliefs regarding sin and sexual orientation. This line of questioning, Shapiro argued, was out of context and potentially discriminatory. Megan Basham reports that Democrats at the hearing appeared to suggest that suppression of some conservative ideas could be justified, which raises free speech concerns.
...
Here’s what you’ll find in our full summary
The issues around media bias, advertising blacklists, and free speech
Additional Materials
Counterarguments
- GARM may argue that their actions are not based on political bias but on ensuring that advertising environments are brand-safe and that they are protecting advertisers from being associated with content that could damage their reputation.
- The House report might be contested on the grounds of partisanship or methodological flaws, suggesting that the evidence for advertising blacklists could be interpreted differently or is not conclusive.
- Transparency in advertising decisions can be complex, and GARM could argue that their processes are proprietary or that full transparency is not feasible due to the competitive nature of the advertising industry.
- The opposition from Democrats during the hearing could be framed as a necessary scrutiny of the witnesses' credibility and relevance of their viewpoints to the issue at hand.
- The suggestion that suppression of certain ideas could be justified might be defended on the basis that not all speech is protected if it incites violence or spreads misinformation.
- The call for new legislation might be met with arguments that existing laws already provide sufficient protection against government overreach and that additional laws could be redundant or stifl ...
Actionables
- You can educate yourself on the principles of free speech and antitrust laws to form your own informed opinions. Start by reading the U.S. Constitution's First Amendment and basic antitrust legislation summaries available on government websites. This will give you a foundational understanding of the legal landscape surrounding the issues discussed.
- Engage with a diverse range of media sources to critically assess bias and transparency in reporting. Make a habit of reading articles from both conservative and liberal outlets, then compare how they report on the same event or issue. This practice can help you identify potential biases and understand different perspectives.
- Write to your local representatives to express y ...
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