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Opinion: Biden put Democrats in a pickle. What's the right way out of it?

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Opinion: Biden put Democrats in a pickle.  What's the right way out of it?

Democrats are in quite a pickle.

Actually, they probably wish had pickled their 81-year-old standard bearer — President Biden — to preserve him until November. Biden set off a round of epic hand-wringing following his disastrous debate performance against Donald Trump on June 27 and did little to quell concerns about his fitness in his subsequent interview with ABC’s George Stephanopoulos.

Republicans like me are somewhat amused by this newfound concern over Biden’s age, as it has been obvious for the years. But there was a curious lack of curiosity about it until the debate and the dreadful polls that followed showing Biden losing to Trump in a national landslide (the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal and CNN all show Trump winning by at least six points).

There are now serious concerns about Biden’s capacity to function. Axios’ Alex Thompson reports one former White House aide saying that Biden is “staffed so closely that he’s lost all independence.” The New York Times says Biden’s “lapses appear to have grown more frequent, more pronounced and … more worrisome.”

Biden is not just a candidate, of course. He’s the current commander in chief ! And he has made clear that performing the duties of president (an overseas trip that ended nearly two weeks before the debate and a cold) made him too “exhausted” to debate Trump for 90 minutes. Biden is engaged in his job from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.each day, according to Axios, but is less reliable outside that time window.

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Never mind the 3 a.m. call that Hillary Clinton once warned about. Americans are now hoping that the world’s bad actors don’t cause havoc in the late afternoon.

But Democrats aren’t responding to the alarm that the current president may be unable to execute his duties. If Biden had simply performed in a middling fashion against Trump and remained within striking distance in the post-debate polling, they’d be just fine sticking with a candidate who will be 86 at the end of his second term.

The Democratic freakout is all political. If you think Biden won’t be up to the job in January, you must believe he isn’t up to it today. So why aren’t there more calls for Biden to resign instead of just stand aside as a candidate? As of this writing, the Biden family appears dug in deeper than an Alabama tick. But Democrats are openly wondering: Would we be better off with Vice President Kamala Harris in November?

It’s a good question. Biden never trailed against Trump in 2020, but today he is consistently behind, suffers from a job approval in the high 30s, and faces an electorate that knows he cannot fulfill the duties of the office for four more years.

Let me stipulate that I don’t think Democrats can shift to anyone but Harris. She’s the first Black female vice president of the United States, and Democrats aren’t going to pass over her for another white male. Please. To skip her would be to admit she wasn’t qualified for her current job, the one Biden chose her for in 2020, and that’s simply not going to happen.

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A Harris candidacy might have some appeal — she is far younger, which takes the fitness question off the table. She will get a blast of energy from a political media that hates Trump and has clearly moved on from Biden. And she might have the capacity to reenergize the minority voters who are souring on Biden in poll after poll.

But let’s not sugarcoat this — Harris is not a great politician. Her own approval rating is 37%, about where we find Biden. Her presidential campaign in 2020 was a complete flop, the high-water mark coming when she implied that Biden was a racist during a debate. And her weird speeches featuring the phrase “the significance of the passage of time” and “unburdened by what has been” have become the laughingstock of the internet.

Part of Biden’s 2020 appeal was that he at least he faked the idea of being a genial, middle of the road dealmaker who could resist the extremes of both parties. With Harris, you get an unapologetic, card-carrying progressive who embraces whatever bubbles up from the liberal fever swamps.

It would be reasonable for Democrats to conclude that they’d be better off with anyone but Biden. All of the party’s voters who would pick a stuffed buffalo over Trump will come to a new nominee, and a fresh face would remove the Biden age baggage.

But Biden did beat Trump once (by roughly 44,000 votes in three states) and did win the Democratic nomination in 2024. To remove him now may seem like a knee-jerk reaction to a nation craving strong leadership. There’s some chance Biden could win again, albeit a dwindling one if you believe the data-crunching forecasters. And it would be sort of comical for the self-appointed party of democracy to strip the nomination from someone who won it fair and square in a series of primary contests.

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My money is on Biden remaining the nominee. His wife is on the cover of Vogue in August and his son Hunter gets to hang out at Camp David and the White House while preparing for his felony tax evasion trial in September. Something tells me you’ll have to drag the Biden family out of the White House by the fingernails.

Scott Jennings is a former special assistant to President George W. Bush and a senior CNN political commentator. @ScottJenningsKY

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Video: How Trump’s Speeches Raise Questions About Age

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Video: How Trump’s Speeches Raise Questions About Age

With President Biden out of the 2024 election, former President Donald J. Trump at 78 is now the oldest major party nominee in U.S. history. Peter Baker, senior White House correspondent at The New York Times, explains the change he found in the former president’s speech after reviewing his rallies, interviews, statements and social media posts.

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New York company unveils 100-foot 'Vote for Trump' sign, gets sued by Democratic mayor

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New York company unveils 100-foot 'Vote for Trump' sign, gets sued by Democratic mayor

A 100-foot wide “Vote for Trump” sign in upstate New York is stirring controversy after the City of Amsterdam claimed it’s a big, glowing code violation.

Sticker Mule CEO Anthony Constantino told Fox News Digital he installed the sign on top of the old Fownes glove factory to symbolize the return of American manufacturing and what he calls “the triumph of the underdog against insurmountable adversity.” 

“I think that’s what President Trump did. He triumphed against massive adversity. He’s still doing that with bullets flying by his head,” Constantino said. “And we triumph too. Nobody thought we could build a massive sticker company or a massive tech company in upstate New York.”

But his company now faces adversity in the form of legal action by the City of Amsterdam to prevent the “displaying” and “illumination” of the pro-Trump sign, which is visible from the New York State Thruway. 

TRUMP’S RETURN TO BUTLER, PENNSYLVANIA, SITE OF FIRST ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT, IS ‘GUTSY,’ SUPPORTERS SAY

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Sticker Mule installed a 100-foot “Vote for Trump” sign on the tallest building in Amsterdam, N.Y.  (Sticker Mule)

According to court documents, the sign violates city code because it “presents a dangerous distraction and impacts traffic flow,” especially at night when it is illuminated. Local officials allege Sticker Mule was informed it would need a permit and several variances to install the sign in August, but the company never responded before the sign went up Oct. 1.

Constantino and his legal team contest the city’s claims. The CEO believes Amsterdam’s Democratic Party-endorsed independent mayor is anti-Trump and has vowed to fight a temporary injunction that requires the sign to be covered up. Amsterdam Mayor Michael Cinquanti did not respond to requests for comment. 

Dressed in a black T-shirt that said “Trump For Peace,” Constantino describes Sticker Mule as “the internet’s fastest growing printing company” with 1,200 employees in 39 countries. His online business began by making stickers but has since expanded to print T-shirts, buttons and magnets and even operates its own online store platform, Sticker Mule Stores. He is proud to report that Sticker Mule has created nearly 1,000 manufacturing jobs in the U.S. over the past few years.

“I like to move fast and do interesting things,” Constantino told Fox News Digital. Success in business gave him the means to reinvest in his hometown of Amsterdam, and the Fownes factory was one of several buildings he bought and restored, filling them with machines and workers. 

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FORMER NFL STAR AND TRUMP SUPPORTER ANTONIO BROWN JOINS VOTER REGISTRATION EFFORT IN KEY SWING STATE

Anthony Constantino

Sticker Mule CEO Anthony Constantino speaks at an event in New York.  (Paul Antonelli)

“Fownes was a glove manufacturer that left my hometown when I was 2 years old in 1984,” he said, explaining that Amsterdam was “decimated” by job loss when the factory, with its iconic “Fownes” sign, closed its doors.  

“This Fownes sign for years symbolized American manufacturing going to China,” Constantino said. Now, the $150,000 “Vote for Trump” sign sits in its place, heralding a new era of American manufacturing jobs.

The impossible-to-miss sign attracted “major interest,” according to Constantino. To celebrate its installation, his political action committee, StickerPAC, plans to host a “Trump Sign Lighting Party” Oct. 7 at 6 p.m. A news release about the event says UFC superstars Henry Cejudo, Kelvin Gastelum and Tracy Cortez will join Constantino to speak and support the “historic event.” 

According to a representative for Constantino, House Republican Conference Chair Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., is also expected to speak at the event. Stefanik’s office did not respond to a request for comment. 

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“The enthusiasm just went through the roof. We’ve got three UFC superstars that wanted to come see it. We’ve got people that want to come from all over the state of New York, people that want to fly in or drive in from all over the country, really, to see the sign get lit up,” Constantino said.

‘TIGHTEST RACE SINCE 2000’: HARRIS-TRUMP SHOWDOWN HITS FINAL STRETCH UNTIL ELECTION DAY

The "Vote for Trump" sign in Amsterdam, New York is covered.

The “Vote for Trump” sign in Amsterdam, N.Y., has been covered after a court-issued injunction. (Paul Antonelli)

But the festivities may be cut short by legal action from Amsterdam. On Oct. 3, the city code enforcer sent a notice of violation to Sticker Mule that gave the company two days to remove the “Vote for Trump” sign. The city also requested an injunction from the Supreme Court of the State of New York to prevent the sign from being displayed.

“The affidavit claims, without evidence, that the city will suffer irreparable harm because the sign is a dangerous distraction for drivers due to its novelty and the fear that people will stop to take pictures of it,” said Sal Ferlazzo, general counsel for Sticker Mule. “The court, based solely on the city’s presentation and without any opportunity for me to respond, did initially grant a preliminary injunction and restraining order.” 

A hearing is scheduled for Oct. 8 at 10 a.m. Until that time, the court ordered Sticker Mule to refrain from “displaying any sign and/or illumination of any sign on the roof of 26 Elk Street.” 

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On the advice of legal counsel, Sticker Mule has temporarily covered up the pro-Trump sign to comply with the court order.

TRUMP-VANCE TICKET HAS DONE COMBINED 63 INTERVIEWS SINCE AUGUST COMPARED TO 24 FOR HARRIS-WALZ

Pro-Trump sign on old Fownes factory in Amsterdam, New York

The illuminated “Vote for Trump” sign at 26 Elk St., Amsterdam, N.Y.  (@stickermule | Instagram)

“I think it’s deeply disturbing,” Constantino said of the city’s action. “I brought nearly a thousand jobs to my hometown, which was decimated when the Fownes company and other companies left. And I’m trying to do something positive, exciting for the community.” 

He suggested Mayor Cinquanti has “TDS” — Trump derangement syndrome — and is fighting the sign for political reasons.

“They do know that they are in violation,” Cinquanti told The Daily Gazette. “They’ve been cited, and we’ll just let that play out as we would with any code violation.”

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The mayor, who according to the newspaper has previously called Trump his least favorite president in American history, insisted the city’s objections to the sign are about safety, not politics. 

“I don’t care what the sign says, but distracting the attention of drivers on the freeway is something that needs to be looked at, and that’s what we’re doing,” he told the outlet. 

“Any sign that represents a hazard to the safety of drivers concerns me,” he added. “Anyone who violates city codes is an issue that we deal with, and we are in the process of dealing with it and trying to alleviate what I consider a hazard.”

Regardless of the city’s objections, Constantino said Monday’s event will continue as planned, “featuring UFC Superstars, Free Fish Filets, Cybertrucks and a beautiful Trump sign.”

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“The sign is a beautiful sign whether you’re a Democrat or Republican. The sign is a big win for upstate New York, a big win for Amsterdam, New York. It’s a beautiful and uplifting sign. And I think it’s going to become a major tourist attraction, especially if Trump wins,” Constantino said. 

“It’s going to be a unifying event. I’m inviting Democrats and Republicans alike to come watch me unveil the sign. We don’t want all the division going on in this country anymore.” 

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Column: Melania Trump supports abortion rights. Her husband doesn't. Will he get her vote?

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Column: Melania Trump supports abortion rights. Her husband doesn't. Will he get her vote?

It pays to listen to women.

Republicans have repeatedly ignored that adage, as evident in their demolition of Roe vs. Wade, opposition to IVF and contraception, and derogatory comments about “childless cat ladies” and “women past 50.”

Thursday morning delivered the biggest indicator yet that the MAGA party is losing female voters by the minute when former First Lady Melania Trump delivered a vehemently pro-choice message on her X account.

“Individual freedom is a fundamental principle that I safeguard,” she said in the video meant to publicize her new memoir, scheduled for release on Tuesday. “Without a doubt, there is no room for compromise when it comes to this essential right that all women possess from birth, individual freedom. What does my body, my choice really mean?” At the end of the 28-second ad, viewers see an image of the book’s cover and the option to “order now” from her website.

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So she won’t be voting for her husband?

It would appear so, given that her comments, delivered just one month before the election, run in direct opposition to former President Trump’s crowning achievement: ending the constitutional right to abortion. Twenty states ban abortion or restrict the procedure earlier in pregnancy since the Supreme Court (tipped to the far right by Trump’s appointment of three justices) overturned Roe vs. Wade in 2022.

Despite recent backpedaling, Trump has taken credit for toppling Roe vs. Wade, and a cornerstone of his 2024 platform is restricting women’s reproductive rights. As for what comes next in the lives of women forced to give birth, Trump has no discernible plan — not even a concept of a plan — for child care.

Melania’s rogue stance on a woman’s right to choose may prove to be the biggest blow yet to the MAGA party that’s struggled to win back female voters. Poll after poll shows a loss in support from women, as well as moderate and independent voters.

A recent NBC News national poll found a majority of voters (54%) said the Democratic presidential nominee, Vice President Kamala Harris, would better deal with the issue of abortion, while 33% said the same of Trump. Overall, Harris has an “off-the-charts,” 21-point lead with female voters. And according to a New York Times poll, abortion has overtaken the economy as the single most important issue for women younger than 45.

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No wonder Republicans, Trump and his running mate, JD Vance, are scrambling to soften their post-Roe messaging.

During Tuesday’s vice presidential debate between Vance and Democratic candidate Tim Walz, Vance lied and said he’d never been in favor of a national abortion ban. In an effort to promote a kinder, gentler version of the Republican Party, he said, “My party, we’ve got to do so much better of a job at earning the American people’s trust back on this issue where they, frankly, just don’t trust us. That’s one of the things that Donald Trump and I are endeavoring to do.”

Ms. Trump apparently didn’t get the memo. Or didn’t watch that debate.

On Wednesday evening, the British news site the Guardian published excerpts from her new memoir, “Melania,” with this bombshell: “Why should anyone other than the woman herself have the power to determine what she does with her own body? A woman’s fundamental right of individual liberty, to her own life, grants her the authority to terminate her pregnancy if she wishes.”

Trump recently cast himself as a “protector” of women, saying at a rally in the battleground state of Pennsylvania that he will save them from even having to think about having an abortion. “You will no longer be abandoned, lonely or scared. You will no longer be in danger. … You will no longer have anxiety from all of the problems our country has today,” Trump said. “You will be protected, and I will be your protector.”

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Seems Melania can protect, and advocate for, herself, thanks.

But are her sentiments genuine? Many a conspiracy theorist may wonder if this is a part of a calculated scheme, cooked up years in advance in the Mar-a-Lago Situation Room (aka the document-storage bathroom), to make MAGA appear more in touch with the feminine view. It’s possible, but unlikely. Planning, after all, requires stability.

Let’s suppose Melania is a warrior for women’s rights and she’s not trying to cash in controversy for book sales. Imagine the tension around the family dinner table, assuming they’ve dined together, let alone spent time in the same room, over the last eight years. It would explain the tension captured in photos from their rare and uncomfortable outings together in public. Melania looks like she’d rather be stuck in Ross Dress for Less than standing next to him.

In his presidential debate against Harris last month, Trump would not say whether he supported a national ban on abortion. But on Wednesday, he doubled down on the backpedal, posting an ALL-CAPS declaration across social media platforms: “Everyone knows I would not support a federal abortion ban, under any circumstances, and would, in fact, veto it, because it is up to the states to decide based on the will of their voters (the will of the people!).”

Melania isn’t willing to stand idly by as her husband flip-flops for votes. As the long-suffering spouse of The Donald, she has taken a stand.

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Is it weird? Absolutely. Chalk it up to one more bizarre twist in an election season full of hairpin turns. Or call it what it is: an internal breach in MAGA’s war against women.

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