This is what I'm interested to see--how Biden's address balances the dire need to discuss threats vs democracy vs how it deals w/issues of partisanship
They're related but not identical
Having a president directly address the preservation of American democracy is a big event.
They're related but not identical
Having a president directly address the preservation of American democracy is a big event.
https://twitter.com/protctdemocracy/status/1565427774633959430
It will be important to consider who he's talking about, when he talks about "MAGA Republicans" but not Republicans as a whole.
I do think--& have said many times- that we need to step back from the assumption that everything will be fine in the end.
We don't know that.
We don't know how this will end.
I'm not simply spouting off when I say that democracy is at risk.
It is.
We HAVE to protect it.
We don't know that.
We don't know how this will end.
I'm not simply spouting off when I say that democracy is at risk.
It is.
We HAVE to protect it.
There's an assumption that political violence is the opposite of politics.
But it doesn't have to be.
Some political regimes deploy violence as part of their mode of "governance."
That's how dictators seize & maintain power.
But it doesn't have to be.
Some political regimes deploy violence as part of their mode of "governance."
That's how dictators seize & maintain power.
We also have to differentiate bet. policy & ideology. Left & right have clashing policies. They usually do. That's part of democratic governance.
But for our gov't to function, both sides have to sign on to the pact of democratic governance.
Some on the right are NOT signing on
But for our gov't to function, both sides have to sign on to the pact of democratic governance.
Some on the right are NOT signing on
If you're talking about American democracy, you'd be hard pressed to pick a more symbolic location than Independence Hall, home of the creation of both the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution.
I'm obviously....mighty intrigued to know what we're about to hear.
Presidential performance
Public opinion
The meaning of democracy
The distinctive nature of our political crisis
And more....
All in one big bundle.
As someone who is fascinated by political culture, I'm IN.
Presidential performance
Public opinion
The meaning of democracy
The distinctive nature of our political crisis
And more....
All in one big bundle.
As someone who is fascinated by political culture, I'm IN.
When I met with the President last year, I discussed the dynamics of the 1850s.
And now....here we are.
And now....here we are.
And...we're on.
When talking re: American democracy, we must differentiate bet. the goals & ambitions of democracy & the (current) realities of democracy
The possibilities are--& always have been--beyond the realities
That's not a reason to abandon democracy.
It's a reason to strive for better
The possibilities are--& always have been--beyond the realities
That's not a reason to abandon democracy.
It's a reason to strive for better
As I noted -- the President is differentiating between MAGA Republicans and ALL Republicans.
"MAGA Republicans do not respect the Constitution."
Well.
There it is.
Well.
There it is.
Biden: "Respected conservatives" have declared DJT a "clear & present danger to American democracy."
Biden: We are not powerless. We do not have to stand by and watch attacks on American democracy.
We can stop that assault.
We can stop that assault.
Biden: We are at an inflection point. Americans must choose, to move forward or to move backwards.
A nation of optimism or a nation of fear.
A nation of optimism or a nation of fear.
Biden: Together we can choose a different path.
[We really can. We see it all the time. When people come together & push back, it often has an impact. #WeAreTheMajority]
[We really can. We see it all the time. When people come together & push back, it often has an impact. #WeAreTheMajority]
Biden: Democracy is NOT guaranteed. We have to protect & defend it.
Biden: Defend democracy *regardless* of your ideology.
Biden: Violence is not an acceptable political tool. "There is no place for political violence in America. Period. None. Ever."
Biden: We the People must say: 'This is not who we are.'
[Newbie the History Bird says: "Newbie doobie doobie doobie." That's his way of praising democracy. Really.]
Biden: "You can't love your country only when you win."
American democracy only survives if we respect our legitimate political differences..
American democracy only survives if we respect our legitimate political differences..
Biden: We've had some of our brightest moments coming out of our darkest moments.
We can lift America.
Together.
We can lift America.
Together.
Biden: Covid, gun violence, Charlottesville, insurrection -- we're rising above it. We have to look towards the future, beyond the politics of grievance.
Biden: MAGA believes for them to succeed, everyone else must fail.....
Biden: All deserve a shot at lives of prosperity and opportunity. Democracy allows for that.
Biden: We have never fully realized our aspirations, but every generation pushes the door open a bit further.
[Well..some push it open. Some close it a bit. But that's our fight!]
[Well..some push it open. Some close it a bit. But that's our fight!]
Biden: This generation needs to do the work of democracy. Everyone must do their part. Get engaged. Vote. Vote. Vote.
If we do our duty, in 2022 and beyond...will say, we kept the faith. We preserved democracy.
If we do our duty, in 2022 and beyond...will say, we kept the faith. We preserved democracy.
Biden: We have to remember who we are. We are the UNITED States of America.
May God bless you all, and democracy.
May God bless you all, and democracy.
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