Wow! Barry McCaffrey tweet about Biden's speech today

[highplainsdem]

Link to tweet

Watching Joe Biden political address today very reassuring. He is AMERICAN values. Knows and respects how our gov operates. Needs a younger but talented Vice President like Sen Kamala Harris or Sen Amy Klobuchar. The solution to our dangerous situation.

[Tarheel_Dem]

1. Agree with every word. n/t

[Cha]

4. Aloha, Tarheel!

Link to tweet

[Tarheel_Dem]

6. Hi dear Cha! My hand is behaving much better post-op, so I'll get to participate more here at DU.

[True Blue American]

11. Take care

And good luck.

A friend just had Carpel Tunnel surgery on both hands. Doctor said he could use it in 3 days. A Chef, so you can imagine.Miracle surgery.

[Tarheel_Dem]

14. After physical therapy, steroid injections and acupuncture, I had to finally admit I need surgery.

I could no longer lift my right leg, and I was down to the middle finger of my right hand. It's only been a couple of weeks, but it really is "miracle surgery".

[True Blue American]

57. I awakened one night

My hand was like a block of wood. A trip to the ER, every test you can imagine, even brain scan came out perfect the Doctors decided it was my CP from exercising too much.

Steroid shot and pills, it took a couple of weeks for me to hold something in my hand. That is when I left the machines, went into the pool to exercise.

[Tarheel_Dem]

76. I've heard good things about hydrotherapy. I've still got stiffness & soreness at the site of the..

fusion, but things are finally on the upswing. Unfortunately, for me, the steroid shot did absolutely nothing.

[True Blue American]

80. The Therapy pool

At your local YMCA is great for those suffering leg, back or shoulder problems.

Many of my neighbors started going after they watched me leave at 6AM.

I use the pool because the Therapy is 10 degrees warmer. They have Physical Therapy classes.

I do my own because I have done them for years. I do hope you join because they are both life savers. I did all the machines. They really build your muscles.

[Tarheel_Dem]

81. I have my post-op PT evaluation tomorrow, and I'll ask him about it. Thanks.

[Cha]

19. Oh I'm sorry..

I did notice I hadn't seen much of you but didn't know it was because of a surgery on your hand!

Glad it's healing, Tarheel

Link to tweet

[Tarheel_Dem]

24. Thank you Cha.

[Cha]

2. That really is well stated.. here's another positive tweet!

Link to tweet

Thank You

[saidsimplesimon]

3. How do we get younger voters on board?

I admire the General, who speaks for those younger than 80?

[aeromanKC]

7. Continue to highlight Democratic policies

For example, the Parkland Students get it.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

8. If Joe's not your candidate...

If Joe's not your candidate and you believe he only appeals to octogenarians and those older you have nothing to worry about. He will be easily beaten.

[saidsimplesimon]

10. "From the mouth of babes?"

The primary vote rules, regardless of my preferences. Until then, I support Kamala Harris and Elizabeth Warren.

[jayschool2013]

12. Barry's 76

so that's younger than 80.

[Cha]

16. lol.. so are these whippersnappers!

Link to tweet

[saidsimplesimon]

31. "Bernie" is not on my list, next....

[Cha]

34. Your deflection is weird.. I didn't think

he was.

[saidsimplesimon]

37. I have declared my support

for both Senators Elizabeth Warren and Kamala Harris. Is that weird?

[Cha]

38. Your deflecting the support for Biden

by young Black Voters is weird.

[saidsimplesimon]

40. Sorry Cha,

I have no idea what point you are making about young black voters. Are you say you have evidence that former VP Biden is the choice for young, black voters? I'm a political novice who calls em as i see them, open to facts that support your point of view.

[Cha]

44. Nevermind, simplesimon.. I know

members who are reading this.. get it.

[saidsimplesimon]

46. OK,

"ring around the rosey, pocket full of posies, we all fall down"? Sorry, are you saying I'm not a member, or that I don't get it? I've never aspired to settle for "get it". My screen name is a clue.

After World War II, folklorists theorized that the rhyme’s origin dated back to medieval Europe. Scholars saw similarities between the rhyme’s cryptic lyrics and the circumstances surrounding the deadly plague that swept across Europe and killed many millions of people. They thought the “ring-a-round the rosie” referred to a red circular rash common in some forms of plague. The posies would have represented the different flowers and herbs people carried to ward off disease. The “ashes” or “a-tishoo” and falling down was supposed to mimic sneezing and eventually dying from the disease.

[luvtheGWN]

69. I thought that "a pocketful of posey"

actually referred to pus oozing from the rash.

But, I could be wrong!

[Cha]

15. Are these folks young enough for you?

Link to tweet

[saidsimplesimon]

32. Impressive charts.

I hope Bernie is not the bar for performance amoung young Democrats.

[Cha]

35. Forget BS.. This is about Biden.

[emmaverybo]

59. Good news. Younger voters are less queasy about age than older ones.

[Cha]

60. I'm thinking they just

want the Democratic Candidate who will kick the madman out of our WH and they're not interested in what age they are!

[emmaverybo]

68. A factor. But other factors include that younger voters often have had relationships

with older mentors, whether at work, school, through sports, the arts. As we get older, we engage less with people decades older than we are. We also can begin to fear age, perceiving it as a declining image of ourselves.
I experienced no ageism directly the many years I spent on college campuses, and I taught until I was in my sixties.
When I returned to take a class a few years after retirement, Bernie enthusiasm had taken hold. I saw his name in graffiti on stairways, posters everywhere. He seemed like an adopted grandfather to these students.

I have wondered at how we underestimate the appeal an even much older candidate can have for younger voters.

I think it will turn out that Biden has a more universal appeal than his critics want to acknowledge.

[Cha]

71. Well said.. Thank You, emmaverybo!

[Maru Kitteh]

84. NICE find CHA!

[Cha]

85. Aloha, Maru!

It was on this forum.. now I forget where I got it from.. I was in a hurry to catch a bus!

So we'll thank them, too

[DownriverDem]

17. VP

Come on. Put a progressive Dem woman to run as VP and it will be a great ticket.

[Cha]

42. Well stated youngster!

[highplainsdem]

21. Most of the recent polls show Biden leading in every voter age group except the youngest, and

in most polls Sanders' lead has been shrinking even with that group.

The younger voters are getting on board.

[highplainsdem]

27. Some of the data from last week's Quinnipiac poll of PA voters:

https://poll.qu.edu/pennsylvania/release-detail?ReleaseID=2620


Voters 18-49, asked for whom they'd vote in the primary, chose Biden over Sanders 29% to 27%. (Voters 50 and older chose Biden over Sanders 47% to 4%, with Harris coming in second with that age group, at 11%.)

Voters 18-49 also thought Biden would be the best leader (Biden 45%, Sanders 11%), and they believe Biden has the best chance of beating Trump (52% to 12% for Sanders).

The 18-49 age group liked Sanders' policy ideas more than Biden's -- I'd bet the free-college talk is a huge part of that -- but they clearly are NOT planning on voting on policy ideas as their main priority. (FWIW, Biden and Warren were close to being tied for second place on this polling question, a 1% difference.)

The poll didn't separate out the 18-29 age group from the 30-49 age group. Other polls have shown Sanders leading with the 18-29 year olds, and Biden leading with every other age group...all of which tend to vote more reliably than the youngest voters.

[highplainsdem]

28. Fox News poll: Both Biden & Sanders lead Trump by 18 pts w/voters under 45.

But >45, Biden's +5 & Bernie's -4.

Link to tweet

[Alliepoo]

63. It's only 2 women, but,

My daughter (who is very politically aware) and her best friend (who I’m shocked even knows who Joe Biden is) are both signed up to volunteer for dynamo Joe! In fact the bff texted my daughter “He’s in!!!!!” When she heard that Joe had entered the race! Could’ve knocked me over with a feather! They are both 36 years old and it does my heart good to see younger folks excited about Joe and the election! Admittedly it’s only 2 younger folks but I’m guessing there are millions more across the country.

[Kahuna7]

5. K&R nt

[IndyOp]

9. Barry? Planet on fire 🔥 A return to comforting values isn't

going to do it old man.

(I’m not that young, but I want to see young leaders take this and run v v v fast.)

And yes of course I will support Biden if he gets the nod - if so I want to see a young diverse cabinet.

[BannonsLiver]

18. It actually may do it.

Certainly, there is no evidence at this point to state unequivocally, as you have, that it “will not do it.”

[IndyOp]

23. I definitely don't claim to know all - and we have

no time left to make massive social change happen. I don’t see that happening with Biden.

He’s taken some brave stances in past and I respect him for that.

I don’t see Biden as transformational.

I see more of that in Warren.

Transformation is the essence of Buttigieg - he’s been on that path since he challenged Senator Ted Kennedy as to when Democrats might figure out what they stand for - in the wake of Reagan they’ve been doing what Republicans do only a little less.

[BannonsLiver]

25. I'm not sure the electorate wants someone transformational

And even if they did, I’m not seeing any real transformative candidates in this race anyway. There are a lot of great candidates, but transformative? I’m not so sure. Obama fit that bill. I don’t see any Obamas.

[moonscape]

54. How transformational can any

Last edited Sun May 19, 2019, 06:07 PM - Edit history (1)

Dem be with the great odds McConnell will still have his majority?

The next admin will be challenged and burdened with massive repair work, and Biden hitting the ground running with his deep institutional knowledge would be an asset.

That said, I remain solidly undecided.

[IndyOp]

61. I agree about the benefit of deep institutional knowledge...

I am praying that many members of team Obama will return.

And, the next person in that position is going to have to more capable and more brilliant than any who has come before - Buttigieg or Warren. We need an f’ing miracle.

Remember Obama? Remember how impressive it was that he had filled virtually every job in federal gov’t that is the President’s responsibility to fill before the inauguration? He started hiring the best people even before the general election. Remember no scandals? International respect? I hope so, because my memories are fading.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

77. Between Elizabeth and Mayor Pete vs. Joe, as being transformational, Joe doesn't even come close!

At least with his past record that he seems to be standing on. I'm still hopin to hear from Joe more of a forward-looking vision than a return to normalcy... so far, I'm not feeling it, but, there's plenty more time for Joe to present a transformational agenda that comports with the desires of the American people.


Bernie & Elizabeth 2020!!!
Welcome to the revolution!!

[Honeycombe8]

41. This over-60 person agrees.

I'd like to see a younger, more forward-looking President....as long as he/she could beat Trump. I don't know who can beat Trump and the Russians, frankly.

Biden seems to be sailing along, so .... Yes, I'll vote for him, if he gets the nomination. But I think he'll set us back, not take us forward. I also think he's just too old to be President. The mind starts failing at a certain age. It's inevitable. Both Trump and Biden have reached that age. Happens to the best of us, and all of us. In four years, who knows? It may boil down to who he gets to help him, keep him informed. I just remember that Reagan wasn't really acting as President in his second term; he had Alzheimer's by then, although it was secret. They still won't admit it. But of course he did. The suits behind him were running the country, and some were taking advantage of Reagan.

The VP he picks will be critical, for obvious reasons. If he wins.

[emmaverybo]

70. It is an utter myth that the mind starts failing at a certain age, not among the majority

of older people who stay engaged intellectually. As to geriatric diseases, these are not universal in the aging population.

[Honeycombe8]

73. No, it's not a myth. None of us escapes aging of the mind & body, on the long journey to the end.

The brain faculties start lessening with age, just as the skin loses elasticity, the organs get weaker, your reflexes slow, your immune system gets weaker, etc. That is what age does. The brain is no different from the other parts of the body. Just as you can see age in a face or body, the age is in the brain, as well, but you can't see it.

That's not ageism. That is just a fact of age. Eventually, we die. We don't stay like we are at 25 years old and just die at 90. It's a slow progression for all of us. Some slower or faster than others. Jack Lalanne was in remarkable shape, still, in his 90s. But he most definitely not the same as he was at 25.

I'd buy the fact that Joe may be better off than many his age, since he seems to live a healthy lifestyle and has stayed trim and active. But for someone to argue about what is a medical fact doesn't make sense.

Ageing causes changes to the brain size, vasculature, and cognition. The brain shrinks with increasing age and there are changes at all levels from molecules to morphology. Incidence of stroke, white matter lesions, and dementia also rise with age, as does level of memory impairment and there are changes in levels of neurotransmitters and hormones. Protective factors that reduce cardiovascular risk, namely regular exercise, a healthy diet, and low to moderate alcohol intake, seem to aid the ageing brain as does increased cognitive effort in the form of education or occupational attainment. A healthy life both physically and mentally may be the best defence against the changes of an ageing brain. Additional measures to prevent cardiovascular disease may also be important.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2596698/

[emmaverybo]

74. The age of decline varies individually, as does the amount of the decline. Some abilities

actually improve can with age.
Social and emotional intelligence, the ability to see the bigger picture can improve. Colloquially, we call this wisdom.
There have been many new discoveries about how the brain functions and ages.

[Honeycombe8]

78. Yes, there is wisdom with age.

But the biological weakening happens. Period. Except for Superman.

This is why you don't see 80 year old men hired as CEOs.

If and when he wins the nomination (and it looks like he will), let's just say that his VP choice will be very important. And the fact that Jill Biden is his wife will help.

Actually hearing a First Wife who can talk in complete sentences again will be refreshing.

[emmaverybo]

79. Agreed. A need for a younger VP is common sense. But as has been shown in recent studies,

decision-making can improve with age, and a reservoir of knowledge and experience more than
compensates for slower processing time, and a decline in speed of short term memory retrieval, which actually peaks in most people rather early.

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/make-your-brain-smarter/201508/the-potential-the-aging-mind

[Laura PourMeADrink]

45. Trump has shot the place to hell.. don't you see a

little benefit in having someone who can win coupled with young optimistic and savvy VP? Like it will take someone with deep experience who can get things back to normal asap (with allies as well) and then move forward?

[IndyOp]

86. I don't know. Does Joe have FDR's vision? Can he handle the new deal and WWII at the same time?

The response to the climate crisis has to equal and exceed that from government and citizens during WWII.

[groundloop]

13. I love to hear Joe kick GOPer ass, especially the big orange one.

Even before Joe entered the race I felt that we needed someone who could make good use of the bully pulpit to advance liberal causes. So far Joe is doing a good job at that. Admittedly he's not my first choice, but if he wins the nomination he has my full support.

[saidsimplesimon]

22. A woman for VP?

"Needs a younger but talented VP... AMERICAN values.." The gag reflex..no, I am past that. I support a Harris/Warren or Warren/Harris ticket.

I have a tune playing that would not please Biden supporters.

[BannonsLiver]

36. What tune is that?

[saidsimplesimon]

48. Imagination is a gift, use it or lose it.

[BannonsLiver]

49. Eh, I'm not really that invested but thanks for the tip.

[saidsimplesimon]

50. Not a surprise BannonsLiver,

"thanks for the tip". Love the photo tag of President Obama.

[BannonsLiver]

51. It would be more fun if you at least gave me a genre and era to work with.

[saidsimplesimon]

53. More fun, or fodder?

I'm an Obama Democrat.

[BannonsLiver]

55. It's too late for fodder

So I’ll go with fun. I’m going to guess the song: It’s “Hit me with your best shot” by Pat Benetar?

Am I close?!?

[Laura PourMeADrink]

47. I would love a female prez or VP. But I'm now in TX

and have to say out of all the subjects of bigotry..women are first. They think women are beneath men. Even many women do as well In rural TX anyway. I would say this place is at least one generation probably two behind the rest of the country.

[Honeycombe8]

26. What political address? I thought he gave a speech yesterday? nt

[highplainsdem]

30. Kickoff rally in Philly today. Links:

Biden's speech alone:

https://www.democraticunderground.com/1287124837


Entire rally, including all of Jill's speech:

https://www.democraticunderground.com/1287124611

[Honeycombe8]

33. Thanks! nt

[democratisphere]

29. On board with this 110%.

[BootinUp]

39. Glad he decided to say so. Nt

[Laura PourMeADrink]

43. Don't agree on VP just because I want to turn TX blue

But great endorsement. What it's all about...just don't be trump exude decency!

[LakeArenal]

52. Great speech aside

Joe Biden is the most qualified nationally and globally.

It appears that a good majority agree with me.

[calimary]

56. I'm seriously starting to lean that way.

Biden/Harris. Or Biden/Warren.

Sadly, I’m more convinced than ever that a woman president will be the last non-white-male glass ceiling to break. I’d expect a Latino, a gay (man), even a Muslim President to happen first. The bad guys dragging the anti-choice assault back into the center ring of this freakin’ circus has really grabbed my attention and convince me this might actually be the dynamic in play now.

Just look what’s happened lately. The continuing persecution of Hillary Clinton. The attacks on a woman’s right to choose. The brutal attempts by largely middle-aged white men to assert supremacy by force if necessary. It was a woman who was the sole casualty in Charlottesville. More of the attempted legal assaults on a woman’s privacy and sovereignty over HER body are male-driven. Yes a female governor signed the Alabama Monstrosity into law but a wall of white men, 25 men in that state’s legislature, voted it into her desk.

I think the women protesting about what they’re calling a “war on women” are spot-on. As a woman I feel an ongoing gnawing in my mind about this. I feel almost literally under siege.

[Laffy Kat]

58. I've always admired Gen. McCaffrey.

Down to earth and knowledgeable.

[loyalsister]

62. Teddy Roosevelt's xenophobic language

"The only real Americans are those inside US borders."

Dreamers and many first generation immigrants from the continent south of us are American.
American exceptionalism is yesterday's ideology. A belief in the inherent superiority of the US and it's citizens is only unifying for an exclusive population targeted for a sense of belonging. Millions of people who are born here and in other American countries are denied citizenship and humanity by peers and government. I understand the idealism behind the attraction to pretending that we have ever all been included. But it is a position and celebration of privilege that ignores the reality of lives which are always under threat from militarized police forces and those who are do not see equal opportunity as part of their children's futures among others who don't fit the default image of the "American" Teddy Rooseve imagined and many still cling to.
We need something more forward thinking than this early 20th century vision.

[TryLogic]

64. I agree. Same could be said for Elizabeth Warren even if not so much in-government experience.

[KPN]

65. "Wow"? I agree, but probably for different reasons.

Joe lost me with his comments yesterday. He was in my top 4 -- not now. With all due respect to him, I found his comments about "some Democrats" righteously naive and quite pompous. I'm sure I am not alone.

Maybe he can win me back. We'll see.

For those who will no doubt wonder, I pledge to vote for him if he is in fact our nominee. I'm not nuts! I just disagree with what he said about "some Democrats" yesterday. He didn't need to make that particular remark in order to make his point. He also violated his pledge to not attack other democrats (unless he included the word covertly or a synonym in that pledge).

[colsohlibgal]

66. Saw And Heard The Same.

The 80s are over. When I hear Joe say that his election will cause the republicans to have an “epiphany” if he is elected, that the right will go back to normal....I am pretty sure those days are largely over, at least in the near future, in the Fox News/Rush Limbaugh era.

They are playing serious hardball these days, cheating etc....did we forget Merrick Garland?

Joy Reid got exasperated talking with Dem Congressman Jamie Raskin, who kept talking about the process, taking our time, etc. to see if impeachment is warranted.....really??

This should be a hair on fire moment so give me Elizabeth Warren, Kamala Harris.

Again, if Biden is the nominee I will give my time and money to help him. But he needs to grasp that this is 2019 and the old buddy buddy era is over for now.

[robbedvoter]

67. yeah, make the wiminz bring him coffee!

One for Thomas too, now that our uteri are belong to them!

[cwydro]

75. K and r. Nt

[Gothmog]

82. I agree with General McCaffrey

[IluvPitties]

83. Biden will be the Healer in Chief.

[Go Vols]

87. Fuck Barry McCaffery

https://www.democraticunderground.com/10025043821