Joe > Recent Status Updates

Asserts "When he was running against Biden, then Harris, I didn't see one story about Trump's age"

You can find over 100 examples using this google search
intitle:trump intitle:age before:2024-11-01 after:2024-03-01

The real complaint seems to be Biden was covered more, which makes sense as the President at the time.

Appears to take personally being questioned about prior responses given, after circumstances change.

Mad CNN asked about Biden forgetting dead people died during speeches.

Chapter mostly directed and about black women post-2024. Feels they are taken advantage of.

Believes Biden was great for women and minorities.

Discusses bad polling with both parties, especially Dems.

Argues being independent is a good way to be listened to, not ignored. Suggests not voting republican, but considering it if they support something you do (like charter schools).

Believes progressives should run a bot network to counter the right wing bot network.

Seems to mention progressive policies a bit more, critical of the Dem party.

Says you shouldn't vote third party, especially now.

Ultimately, appears to believe Independents receive more attention from party leadership and it gives you a place of leverage.

Alludes to running for office in the future.

Thinks Harris was set up for success.

When considering leaving the party, mentions not being able to be a republican in the current incarnation. But, Dems were in disarray.

To me, the subtext implies party loyalty was nearly as great as ideals and being Republican had a small consideration.

Directly states Dems should have ignored the bad debate, and stuck behind Biden like the Republicans would Trump. Republicans "whether out of fear or blind loyalty were in it to win it"

Quoted Biden as not being "surprised" Harris lost, due to racism and sexism. Doesn't address that he said he thought he would win.

Criticizes politicians for being public with their concerns, seemingly fails to factor in her complaints last chapter of "backstabbing" behind the scenes.

Felt betrayed by suggestions of an open convention, thought that the VP is owed to be the nominee next time.

Alleged behind the scenes pushing for a convention.

Talked about a coworker leaking things to the press to damage her, doesn't necessarily address if they were false.

Calls for building coalitions, like protecting immigrants with anti-abortion advocates.

References "9 timezones" Biden crossed as a reason for the Clooney experience. Sounds like a lot, but to be clear, that's 9 hours apart and an entire day to adjust on a private plane.

Exact times aren't available, but he left Friday night and arrived Saturday morning. Plenty of time for a nap (to prevent forgetting a friend) before a night event.

More arguments from Tapper (tired from travel, debate prep, heart broken from Hunter trial)

Interestingly, the turning point seems to be the Clooney op-ed

Alleges there was a coordination from conservative dems because of his record on workers rights (lmao)

Praised the George interview, downplays criticism (cites nameless Dems)

Says he "hopscotched" post-debate to talk to voters. His travel record is public! He did 3 campaign events prior to the George interview (over a week) and ~2 in the week after. This was widely criticized as insufficient.

Complains that:

- Incumbents always get support from their party, even Nixon who had support for 2 years into Watergate.

- Mentions Clinton getting support and being acquitted (lmao)

- Called it a pile on

- States only Biden beat Trump (another Tapper claim from his book)

More whataboutism ("Was Trump taking cold medicine?" lol)

Mentions conspiracies of Biden knowing about diagnosis early, but interestingly offers no substantial rebuttal (never says "I didn't know" or "first I heard")

Instead, states stage 4 cancer would not have impacted Biden's ability to make decisions.

Acknowledged, but downplayed, the role that abortion had in the midterms. Alleged Biden policies were a major factor.

Barely addressed economic concerns of voters, blames politicians for not crediting Biden.

Downplayed George Stephanopoulus interview, seems to think it was good?

Blames media for asking about the debate performance during first press pool and not the topics they wanted.

Oof.
Says didn't read Tapper book, quickly goes on to say/do a lot of what he alleges.

- Bad debate from a cold
- Mad debate was early
- Ignores interview fuck-ups
- Blames Dems for "betrayal"
- Blames media for "double standards"
- Downplays age concerns, citing primaries
- Downplays polling
- Says Biden (not abortion) caused the blue wave
- Neutrally mentions Gazan genocide ("Palestinians killed by military")

I'm getting more used to the writing style

The first book was funny and really good. Taking the advice of other readers, I'm going to pause here and come back.

I'm not really sure how I feel about it. The writing comes of mechanical, but I get the impression it's mechanical.

The first 10%~ of the book was less gripping. It seems to be getting better/picking up pace. I thought some of the dialogue/thoughts that are made are strange/not really justified, which I felt like was mainly a way to connect it to the genre.

Ex: In the beginning, a doctor mentioned aliens as a potential cause but there wasn't any indication aliens exist in this universe. It was a strange leap.

I'm enjoying the book so far. Biggest complaint is I don't feel like JK did enough to actually establish the romances she's starting.
It's not diminishing my enjoyment of the book though, I recognize it's not going to be that deep.

Mildly annoyed with how Harry has been acting. The amount slack that Snape and Draco are given also gets annoying.

Seems like the story is finally moving away from that though.