Noise is Off

Biden's Middle East policy has been so quietly sound, that it has been loudly condemned.   We live in a noisy world.  Even the most intimate details are shouted on social media.  Virtue signaling is thought to be virtue.  Many MAGA Republicans favor theatrics over governance.  

Unsurprisingly, millennials are unaware that diplomacy is conducted with an indoor voice.  The population of Israel is less than 10 million.  Taking into account the difference in population, the Hamas slaughter of civilians was as if we lost 35000 during 9/11.  After our terrorist related loses we fought an ill considered war against the wrong country.

So a strong reaction by Israel is understandable, and as an ally we had to offer support.  But that support is not unqualified.  Biden has known Netanyahu for decades.  Publicly proclaiming the necessity of a cease fire, would have the opposite of the desired impact.  Do not wave red in front of a bull.

Behind the scenes the administration has sought to moderate Israel's efforts, and to maximize humanitarian aid to Palestinians.  Biden has also largely kept Hezbollah out of the conflict, and stunted Iranian intervention.

Can someone speak up for a job well done?

Fight for Freedom

 Biden's age is the pounding refrain from the GOP, amplified by late night comedians.  Conversely, the only slightly younger Trump, plays alpha male.  Biden cannot get younger, but he can change the tune.  Perception is everything.

After Trump wraps up the nomination, Biden should challenge him to a 3 round charity fight.  In his youth Joe has bloodied a few opponents, Donald, not so much.  

Biden wins if, as is a near certainty, Trump ducks the fight.  If Donald agrees, the weigh in will be a winner for Biden.  Joe may not have the broad chest of his youth, but in boxing trunks, the tale of the tape will not be kind for Trump.

If Biden wins the fight the presidency is his.  Age would cease to be an issue and Trump would be beta, at best.

Dunkin Youngkin

A giant hole was cut  in the center of  Youngkin's  presidential ambitions.  He glazed the airwaves with  calls to shelf Democratic control of the Virginia State Senate, and to retain GOP control of the State Assembly.  

It was not a sweet night for the governor.  While the Democrats were cooking like Jelly Roll Morton, Youngkin just got rolled.  With his prestige on the line, Youngkin lost both chambers.  The promised sugar coated political compromise of a 15 week abortion ban was just empty calories.

Rope a Dope

President Biden trails Trump in 5 of the key six battleground states in the recent New York Times/ Siena Poll.  Democrats are moistening their mattress pads.  The Biden strategy of only running positive ads against a vulnerable opponent increases the flow.

Understandably, Biden wants to take credit for record job growth.  With the narrowest of legislative margins in the House and Senate he passed the bipartisan infrastructure bill and the first gun reform in 30 years.   His inflation reduction act combats climate change and prescription drug prices.

But although inflation is moderating, and is slightly lower than that in France, Canada and Germany, Biden is crushed by the crazy 8s.  Americans are paying 8 dollars for a pound of bacon or a Big Mac, and the high interest rate inflation cure, saddles home buyers with an 8 per cent mortgage.

But if ever there was a dope, ready to be roped, it is the former president.  That is the plan.  Biden does not want to fire until he sees the whites of his thighs.  Biden wants no obstacles to Trump's nomination.  

As early as the GOP convention the attacks will be withering.  Trump's criminal difficulties provide fodder, but the true vulnerability is that he was held liable for sexual assault.  More women vote than men.  The ads will be devastating.  Once this is a choice election, Trump will be toasted, dry.