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Joe BidenCongratulations to our presumptive Democratic nominee, Joe Biden!
 

brooklynite

(93,871 posts)
Wed Mar 11, 2020, 05:14 PM Mar 2020

Laurie Garrett: It's time to cancel the Presidential Campaign

(nb - Laurie is a personal friend and a Pulitzer-Prize winning journalist on infectious disease)

Foreign Policy

Let’s get serious, America. It’s time to ask, during a time of plague, whether—and if so, in what form—democracy can continue as usual. The answer is likely to be disappointing. For the first time in the country’s history, the United States must contemplate canceling the Democratic and Republican national conventions and campaign rallies, and give serious consideration to arranging ways of organizing election day that don’t require in-person voting.

Consider the apparent fallout from Super Tuesday voting on March 3. Democrats voted in 14 states in their presidential primaries, with some states showing record turnouts and long voting lines. California voting turnout was especially robust. The following day, the state saw its first COVID-19 death and Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency across California, as evidence surfaced of community transmission in several counties.

But the dangers of the election campaign aren’t just a matter of voting. American democracy is built one handshake at a time, along with selfie poses, baby kisses and photogenic hugs. Democrat front-runners former Vice President Joseph Biden and Sen. Bernie Sanders are inveterate shakers and huggers, making contact with more would-be voters in an hour than most people might in a month of social encounters. A candidate’s hands can be a vector, taking the virus from one eager citizen to the next, and the next, and so on.

That’s been demonstrated by the aftereffects of this year’s Conservative Political Action Conference. On Feb. 29, U.S. President Donald Trump spoke to about 19,000 people gathered inside Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center in National Harbor, Maryland, and met with many adoring followers, shaking hands, hugging and kissing many. Trump had assured the crowd that “everything is really under control,” and his administration’s response to the outbreak was “given very good grades, like an A-plus-plus-plus” from experts.



If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
35 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Laurie Garrett: It's time to cancel the Presidential Campaign (Original Post) brooklynite Mar 2020 OP
No way DownriverDem Mar 2020 #1
Point of contention... brooklynite Mar 2020 #3
why not done? AlexSFCA Mar 2020 #30
No absentee ballots by mail? Hoyt Mar 2020 #33
Don't you have absentee ballots in New York? dragonlady Mar 2020 #34
Interesting idea HarlanPepper Mar 2020 #2
What about cancelling that other convention with a person whom Putin elected and who has irrational jls4561 Mar 2020 #9
Yeah they can do whatever they want HarlanPepper Mar 2020 #31
No way. IluvPitties Mar 2020 #4
Canceling the election? Fuck that Salviati Mar 2020 #5
People need to stop being a bunch of fucking hysterics. Codeine Mar 2020 #6
Bookmarked for two weeks from now. n/t customerserviceguy Mar 2020 #12
Pass me some of that codeine. lol. nt zackymilly Mar 2020 #20
I agree. Serious and worthy of caution, but it's not the plague. Hoyt Mar 2020 #35
Been expecting to hear this captain queeg Mar 2020 #7
F***that ace3csusm Mar 2020 #16
I agree but for the sake of the country I'd settle for him to be gone captain queeg Mar 2020 #25
If I were as paranoid and nutty as a christofascist... Thomas Hurt Mar 2020 #8
I think many here, obviously aren't really aware of who she is dewsgirl Mar 2020 #10
I'm aware of who she is.. cannabis_flower Mar 2020 #29
I can think of one candidate who wouldn't mind cancelling the election n/t Just_Vote_Dem Mar 2020 #11
Fuck NO! 2naSalit Mar 2020 #13
Oh Hell No DesertRat Mar 2020 #14
They ran an election in the middle of a civil war OnlinePoker Mar 2020 #15
5 months til the convention. 8 months til the election. no hurry here nt msongs Mar 2020 #17
This gives voice to republicans..they know they are going to lose and would love that Thekaspervote Mar 2020 #18
I would have them carry me on my deathbed to vote. ananda Mar 2020 #19
Are you saying that the country is better off with keeping Trump as president pink Mar 2020 #21
NO NO NO NO NO: Brooklynite you are misrepresenting: Title says CAMPAIGN NOT ELECTION!!!! hlthe2b Mar 2020 #22
I thought I fixed that... brooklynite Mar 2020 #23
Apparently most on this thread saw it incorrectly referring to election. I'd advise you to hlthe2b Mar 2020 #24
That does change the tone a bit. nt Codeine Mar 2020 #27
Get real honey...the campaign can all be done online apcalc Mar 2020 #26
Better, lets vote now so less people have to die C_U_L8R Mar 2020 #28
No. Demsrule86 Mar 2020 #32
 

DownriverDem

(6,206 posts)
1. No way
Wed Mar 11, 2020, 05:16 PM
Mar 2020

We can vote by mail or email. Campaigns can still go on.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

brooklynite

(93,871 posts)
3. Point of contention...
Wed Mar 11, 2020, 05:17 PM
Mar 2020

Vote by mail is not possible in NYS without a State Constitutional Amendment requiring at least two years.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

Hoyt

(54,770 posts)
33. No absentee ballots by mail?
Wed Mar 11, 2020, 06:10 PM
Mar 2020
If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

dragonlady

(3,577 posts)
34. Don't you have absentee ballots in New York?
Wed Mar 11, 2020, 06:10 PM
Mar 2020

In Wisconsin we can apply for an absentee ballot that will be sent to our home by mail and can be returned the same way, postage paid by the city.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Undecided
 

HarlanPepper

(2,042 posts)
2. Interesting idea
Wed Mar 11, 2020, 05:17 PM
Mar 2020

I'm very interested in the canceling the conventions part given that it would deny a platform for people who have irrational grievances over who Democratic voters selected as their nominee, which made for terrible optics the last time around.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

jls4561

(1,241 posts)
9. What about cancelling that other convention with a person whom Putin elected and who has irrational
Wed Mar 11, 2020, 05:21 PM
Mar 2020

grievances about everything?

I could miss that.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

HarlanPepper

(2,042 posts)
31. Yeah they can do whatever they want
Wed Mar 11, 2020, 05:57 PM
Mar 2020

I have zero interest in the Trump Party Convention. Fact is, I hope they hold it with CPAC like fallout.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

Salviati

(6,002 posts)
5. Canceling the election? Fuck that
Wed Mar 11, 2020, 05:18 PM
Mar 2020

Not with this disaster in chief.

Modifying what it means to campaign? Absolutely.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

Codeine

(25,586 posts)
6. People need to stop being a bunch of fucking hysterics.
Wed Mar 11, 2020, 05:19 PM
Mar 2020

Get a goddamned grip. This ain’t the plague.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

customerserviceguy

(25,183 posts)
12. Bookmarked for two weeks from now. n/t
Wed Mar 11, 2020, 05:23 PM
Mar 2020
If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

zackymilly

(2,375 posts)
20. Pass me some of that codeine. lol. nt
Wed Mar 11, 2020, 05:32 PM
Mar 2020
If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

Hoyt

(54,770 posts)
35. I agree. Serious and worthy of caution, but it's not the plague.
Wed Mar 11, 2020, 06:12 PM
Mar 2020
If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

captain queeg

(10,036 posts)
7. Been expecting to hear this
Wed Mar 11, 2020, 05:20 PM
Mar 2020

You can bet Trump and the rethugs are trying to figure out how to capitalize on this. Best case scenario Trumps get sick and drops dead. Not feeling bad about saying it.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

ace3csusm

(969 posts)
16. F***that
Wed Mar 11, 2020, 05:27 PM
Mar 2020

I want him in an orange jump suits for the rest of his life...what he has done cant be forgiven...

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

captain queeg

(10,036 posts)
25. I agree but for the sake of the country I'd settle for him to be gone
Wed Mar 11, 2020, 05:36 PM
Mar 2020

And his name to go down in history as a criminal and worst president in history and whatever fortune he really has be confiscated and his kids go to prison. Really a lot of rethugs ought to go to prison.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

Thomas Hurt

(13,903 posts)
8. If I were as paranoid and nutty as a christofascist...
Wed Mar 11, 2020, 05:20 PM
Mar 2020

I could hypothesize that Trump made a deal with Xi to loose this plague on the world so that King Donnie the Venal has an excuse to control voting. Between him and his GOP state house majorities they can nudge the turn out, ability to vote and polling places to keep the amoral pig in office.

but I am not so, no.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

dewsgirl

(14,961 posts)
10. I think many here, obviously aren't really aware of who she is
Wed Mar 11, 2020, 05:21 PM
Mar 2020

and why she is saying this.
I am not saying I agree, I do know she is fully aware of the disaster we are facing and that Trump greatly exacerbates the situation.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

cannabis_flower

(3,764 posts)
29. I'm aware of who she is..
Wed Mar 11, 2020, 05:46 PM
Mar 2020

She's a science journalist and author of The Coming Plague: Newly Emerging Diseases in a World Out of Balance; Betrayal of Trust: The Collapse of Global Public Health; and Ebola: Story of an Outbreak. I've read The Coming Plague.

She was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Explanatory Journalism in 1996 for a series of works published in Newsday, chronicling the Ebola virus outbreak in Zaire.[1]

Her website is http://lgarrett.squarespace.com/

Here's the Wikipedia entry: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laurie_Garrett

It doesn't sound like she really thinks the election should be cancelled, just that we find a way to do it that doesn't endanger public health and put millions of people at risk of contracting a dangerous virus.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

Just_Vote_Dem

(2,790 posts)
11. I can think of one candidate who wouldn't mind cancelling the election n/t
Wed Mar 11, 2020, 05:22 PM
Mar 2020
If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

2naSalit

(86,059 posts)
13. Fuck NO!
Wed Mar 11, 2020, 05:24 PM
Mar 2020

Not unless Obama is in office, and he's not so no. I think that's a very dangerous idea and I hope she stops repeating it.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

OnlinePoker

(5,702 posts)
15. They ran an election in the middle of a civil war
Wed Mar 11, 2020, 05:27 PM
Mar 2020

They can get through this with adequate planning and protections in place (even if it means masking up everyone entering the polling precincts or waiting in line outside). This is too important of an election to cancel (all elections are too important to cancel, by the way).

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Undecided
 

msongs

(67,194 posts)
17. 5 months til the convention. 8 months til the election. no hurry here nt
Wed Mar 11, 2020, 05:29 PM
Mar 2020
If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

Thekaspervote

(32,606 posts)
18. This gives voice to republicans..they know they are going to lose and would love that
Wed Mar 11, 2020, 05:30 PM
Mar 2020
If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

ananda

(28,783 posts)
19. I would have them carry me on my deathbed to vote.
Wed Mar 11, 2020, 05:30 PM
Mar 2020

This election matters too much!

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

pink

(497 posts)
21. Are you saying that the country is better off with keeping Trump as president
Wed Mar 11, 2020, 05:33 PM
Mar 2020

and having him call the shots with this pandemic. That is absolute insanity. Sensible measures can be taken during this election period and the example should be set by Trump. If he still insists on holding his rallies he's endangering his own health and that of his base. I dont think he's thought that one through.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

hlthe2b

(101,730 posts)
22. NO NO NO NO NO: Brooklynite you are misrepresenting: Title says CAMPAIGN NOT ELECTION!!!!
Wed Mar 11, 2020, 05:33 PM
Mar 2020

Your subject line misrepresents the entire article and premise.

PLEASE CORRECT without delay!

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

brooklynite

(93,871 posts)
23. I thought I fixed that...
Wed Mar 11, 2020, 05:34 PM
Mar 2020
If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

hlthe2b

(101,730 posts)
24. Apparently most on this thread saw it incorrectly referring to election. I'd advise you to
Wed Mar 11, 2020, 05:36 PM
Mar 2020

self delete and repost with an explanation.

This is not good. People are concerned enough without this kind of misunderstanding.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

Codeine

(25,586 posts)
27. That does change the tone a bit. nt
Wed Mar 11, 2020, 05:38 PM
Mar 2020
If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

apcalc

(4,461 posts)
26. Get real honey...the campaign can all be done online
Wed Mar 11, 2020, 05:37 PM
Mar 2020

Voting is another matter.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

C_U_L8R

(44,895 posts)
28. Better, lets vote now so less people have to die
Wed Mar 11, 2020, 05:39 PM
Mar 2020
If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
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