POLITICO’s Post

By Kathleen Kingsbury Opinion Editor Regular readers of the Times editorial board will not be surprised to learn that our choice in November’s election for the next president is overwhelmingly Kamala Harris. This pick flows from our long-held view that Donald Trump is profoundly unworthy of the job — the former president has demonstrated, again and again, that he is morally and temperamentally disqualified from leading the United States. The editorial board has made its case to that end — that Trump is unfit — repeatedly, but there’s no need to accept our judgment alone: Multitudes of people who have worked closely with and supported Trump have publicly attested to as much for years now. So the choice is obvious. On one side is a candidate who, as she promised in her acceptance speech at the Democratic National Convention, would “move past the bitterness, cynicism and divisive battles of the past.” Harris has pledged to continue the ambitious work started in the Biden administration to strengthen America’s communities, tackle urgent threats like inequality and climate change, and to restore our standing around the globe. Trump, on the other hand, draws oxygen from chaos and unrest. His first instinct is not to address real grievances but to exploit them. Yet, a certain amnesia having taken hold, some Americans have decided that they are not much better off now than they were when Donald Trump was in the White House. We’d urge them to think again, and to look beyond their immediate concerns, to what’s really at issue on the 2024 ballot. Americans can choose to cast a powerful vote for freedom and democratic norms everywhere by electing a candidate who embraces civic obligation, tolerates dissent, encourages open discourse and brings relief and a sense of common purpose to the nation. That person is Kamala Harris. THE NEW YORK TIMES EDITORIAL BOARD The Only Patriotic Choice for President Kamala Harris has demonstrated care, competence and respect for the Constitution — the fundamental qualities necessary for high office. GIFT ARTICLE https://lnkd.in/gqBEa5kn

First, I would like to thank the Philadelphia Inquirer for actually thinking about this topic and for publishing it as well. The Philadelphia Inquirer put out an op-ed on Sept 8, 2024 that includes a list of debate questions the editors came up with that is the only way for moderators to hold Donald Trump accountable. The only problem with the list is that while a lovely idea, more than likely DJT will not answer anything sub native and even if he attempted, it would be unrecognizable word salad. Never in the history of anything has Trump owned his shit. If anything he would point to Project 2025 for his policies, you know that same Project 2025 he on and off acknowledges. He will more than likely beat the drum that the 25th Amendment should include Vice Presidents and those Jan 6th participants are patriots going on about it through the debate…. Or maybe he won’t show up at all. So in case Don doesn’t answer the list of formative questions, you investigate and see for yourself what he stands for. (Remember that merchandise he sells is made in China.) Hint not in the best interest of the United States of America.   The list of questions debate moderators and political reporters should ask Trump to help voters make their decision, according to the Inquirer board, are below: https://lnkd.in/g2Uu5DmK

My latest column in Dawn

Here Are 10 Debate Questions I Wish CNN Would Ask Donald Trump Tonight," by Mehdi Hasa, Founder, CEO, and editor-in-chief of Zeteo. 👉 In 2016, you said – in reference to Hillary Clinton – that “we could very well have a sitting president under felony indictment and ultimately a criminal trial” and that “would grind government to a halt.” Why does that not apply to you in 2024, given a criminal trial found you guilty of 34 felony charges, and you still face another 54 of them? 👉 Can you name at least five members of your Cabinet who have endorsed your presidential bid? 👉 Do you think candidates who call for the “termination” of the Constitution should be disqualified from running for president, given the president is supposed to swear an oath to “preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States”? 👉 You said you have never read ‘Mein Kampf,’ so how did you end up repeatedly echoing Hitler’s words on the campaign trail this year? 👉 Will you apologize tonight for hosting a Holocaust denier for dinner at Mar-a-Lago? 👉 You had the worst jobs record of any president since Herbert Hoover, with three million fewer jobs in America when you left office than when you came to office. So why should Americans give you back the job of president? 👉 Do you support a ceasefire in Gaza? 👉 In a 2020 presidential debate, you said that the “stock market will crash” if Joe Biden is elected president, and yet the Dow Jones hit a record high last month. So why should anyone believe anything you say at this debate tonight? 👉 You have said former Vice President Mike Pence had the “right” to throw out electoral votes for Biden on Jan. 6, 2021, and the power “to change the outcome” of the election? Do you, therefore, believe Vice President Kamala Harris has the “right” to do the same to your electoral votes on Jan. 6, 2025, and the power “to change the outcome” of this coming election? 👉 Will you pledge tonight to accept the result of the presidential election in November? https://lnkd.in/gXU7gyT3

Happy to share what I've been working on since moving home to California last month: the launch of POLITICO's first-ever team covering ballot measures! After reporting on elections and threats to democracy across Europe for the last seven years, I'm excited to dive into one specific democratic mechanism, California's ballot measure system, and the way it functions as an unofficial fourth branch of government in the nation's most populous state. I'll be exploring the role it plays in policymaking, tracking the many millions of dollars spent on it each cycle, and keeping an eye on how it fits into broader trends in direct democracy around the world. Full press release here: https://lnkd.in/d9awasDh -- Thrilled to share a significant move in @POLITICO’s ambitious expansion plans in California: the formation of the first-ever ballot measure team in California!    From settling broad cultural questions to changing obscure governance rules, ballot measures have become a crucial part of California’s political landscape. With more money being spent on contesting ballot measures than on winning most statewide offices, ballot measures have become, in essence, the fourth branch of government in the nation’s most influential state capital. Simply put, ballot measures have an enormous impact on California residents, industries, and the Legislature.    To provide our readers with in-depth insights into the strategies, policy ideas, personalities, and the money driving and influencing ballot measures, our newly formed team will cover this beat with the same rigor and dedication that we apply to reporting on the governor or legislature. In order to deliver this indispensable reporting, POLITICO has added two seasoned reporters, Emily Schultheis and Will McCarthy. Nationally recognized Editor Sasha Issenberg will develop and lead coverage strategy, alongside the collaboration of POLITICO’s robust California team and broader newsroom.    The creation of this beat further demonstrates our commitment to informing our audience in California and beyond on how power is wielded in the Golden State. Read the full press release here: https://lnkd.in/d9awasDh #POLITICOCalifornia #BallotMeasures

A selection from the most recommended comments to this NYT editorial calling for President Biden to leave the race: Comments  The comments section is closed. To submit a letter to the editor for publication, write to letters@nytimes.com. Reader PicksAll SoBlue commented June 28 S SoBlue IllinoisJune 28 Has the editorial board asked Trump to step aside for being a felon? 49 Replies6929 RecommendShare Flag Brett commented June 28 B Brett NCJune 28 He should announce that he is stepping aside for the sake of the country on July 4. He would go down in history forever as a true American patriot. 50 Replies6480 RecommendShare Flag Nathan M commented June 28 N Nathan M Princeton NJJune 28 No undecided voter will be swayed by the argument that “Joe Biden isn’t the best debater, but he is great at governing, and that’s what matters.” Undecided voters saw the full effects of age on Biden, and will not believe Biden’s advisors and top Democrats when they try to convince those voters to ignore what they saw and heard themselves. History will not look kindly on Biden if he does not step aside in the interested of the Republic. 25 Replies4967 RecommendShare Flag Sigh commented June 28 S Sigh OnlineJune 28 To serve his country, Donald Trump should leave the race. 24 Replies4921 RecommendShare Flag William L. commented June 28 W William L. NCJune 28 This whole situation reminds me of the Ruth Bader Ginsburg fiasco. Someone who could have stepped aside at a more appropriate time decided not to and changed the course of history. 11 Replies4417 RecommendShare Flag Cee Kayyem commented June 28 C Cee Kayyem New YorkJune 28 I could not agree more, I'm terrified for our country if they don't swap Joe out. But I'm not sure the powers that be will allow that. Just look at what Barack Obama tweeted earlier today: "Bad debate nights happen. Trust me, I know. But this election is still a choice between someone who has fought for ordinary folks his entire life and someone who only cares about himself. Between someone who tells the truth; who knows right from wrong and will give it to the American people straight — and someone who lies through his teeth for his own benefit. Last night didn’t change that, and it’s why so much is at stake in November" I'm worried. 47 Replies3236 RecommendShare Flag slogan commented June 28

Here is my latest blog in my continuing commentary on the politics of this pivotal year. Free to read or subscribe.

DEBATE TONIGHT TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 10 ON ABC 9:00 PM, EST. As the election approaches, I believe it’s our civic duty to watch and take a good look—not only at the issues, but also at the character, direction, and leadership of the candidates. It’s important to recognize what truly aligns with your values—not just what sounds good. Make an informed choice by diving deeper into the debates, and avoid relying on sound bites or out-of-context clips. For those interested, here’s a neutral source on how and where to watch the debates: Trump-Harris Debate - NPR: