Biden must dump Summers as advisor or risk splitting the party and losing credibility

[Fiendish Thingy]

Just found out Neoliberal hack Larry Summers is advising Biden on economic issues.

For the sake of his campaign, and for the sake of the “soul of the nation”, Summers must go.

https://apple.news/AekGC_JlsR0WBIwBkzl4MLQ

[The Magistrate]

1. No One Cares, Sir

The number who do could be comfortably congregated in the gym of a rural high school.

The sort of 'red rose' dead-enders who proclaim they won't vote for Mr. Biden because of Summers being one of dozens of people who have given advice to the campaign are never going to vote for Mr. Biden anyway, and can be safely discarded.


"Defeat of a dangerous enemy is something to be for."

[trackfan]

6. +1

[HarlanPepper]

13. +1

It’s petty grievances and boutique issues. Also known as noise. The only thing that matters is beating Trump.

[DenverJared]

16. +1 .. it is just self-inflicted outrage

[greenjar_01]

27. +1

[Hekate]

28. +1

Thank you for saying it for me. Good grief.

[GoCubsGo]

47. Thank you.

That's a lot more polite than I would have put it.

[yardwork]

54. Well said.

[MH1]

81. I support Biden and am not a dead-ender, but I care. Where's Stiglitz?

From the article, emphasis added:

Biden’s campaign has confirmed the names of just a few of the dozens of economists who are advising him, including two of Biden’s former White House chief economists, Jared Bernstein and Ben Harris, and Heather Boushey, president and CEO of the Washington Center for Equitable Growth.

I'll admit I didn't bother with the whole article, but I did a "find" and there is no mention of Joseph Stiglitz. Why? Does Stiglitz not want the partisan association? (I kind of doubt it but I guess it is possible)

My point is, the argument "one of dozens" loses efficacy when there are no equivalent heavyweights that lend liberal credibility. I certainly appreciate the value of having a team of advisors with a diversity of viewpoints and expertise. But if a well known and broadly disliked voice like Summers is there, there should be an equally well-known and accomplished voice on the more liberal side of things.

[SoonerPride]

87. +1,000,000

[Hortensis]

96. "Neoliberal" is dogwhistle equating to ruthless RW laissez-faire economics.

Fiendish Thingy is reading some very corrupting material.

Thingy, that word is a giant red flag for hostile propaganda.

It's used dishonestly ONLY by enemies of the Democratic Party on the right (including real neoliberals!) and hostile nations like Russia. AND ruthless, viciously dishonest anti-Democratic leftists who are allied with extremely bad people.

It's useful to fool those easily suckered because it has the word liberal in it while actually meaning hard-core liberterian and conservative economic policies.

Now you know.

[Dem2]

110. Came here to say the same

I really REALLY hate these purity tests.

On the other side there's what? 100's of despicable people, we're going to throw the election over one? Are we that stupid?

[Blue_true]

116. I generally agree with you Sir. But in this case, you are wrong, IMO.

I am a left-center business person. I believe that the people that want Summers voice counter-balanced by other voices is a big slice of both the democratic electorate and independents. Summers cannot be the only or the last voice that Biden listens to, if Biden does put Summers on a pedestal, then he will show that he learned nothing about the causes of the 2008 economic debacle, we need the voices of economists that put working people's interests at a high level advising Biden, and he MUST listen to those economists and his policies must reflect their input.

[The Magistrate]

136. Since Summers Is But One Of Many, My Friend

What question is there of Mr. Biden raising him on a pedestal, and make him the only voice he listens to?

It seems to me this is just the latest attempt to find some grounds for raising anger against Mr. Biden on the left. In present circumstances no good purpose is served by increasing hostility on the left to Mr. Biden. Like him or not, approve or not of the crowd he runs with, he remains the only available vehicle for the mass repudiation of Trump and his enablers which must be the result of this election.


"Defeat of a dangerous enemy is something to be for."

[grantcart]

144. Lol "only or last"

The article I read said that he was simply one of dozens giving Biden advice.

It also said the Summers had issued a paper outlining how to raise $ 4 Trillion in taxes on the rich.

[we can do it]

118. +1

[BlueLucy]

119. Exactly!

No one cares is 100% right. It's just a handful of rose warriors who look for any excuse not to vote anyway.

[PassingFair]

129. I care.

Many younger and informed voters care too. Summers is unnecessary. Why ask for trouble?

[Cha]

131. I CARE about Getting trump the **** OUT..

Link to tweet

[PassingFair]

139. I do too.

Couldn’t Biden just call the vile creature on the phone. Why name him as an adviser and tick off a skittish voting block?

[The Magistrate]

143. From the Link In the Heading Post, Sir

"Summers is among dozens of economists currently informally advising the campaign, Bloomberg first reported Thursday. HuffPost later confirmed the report with the Biden campaign."

Please explain to me where Summers is appointed a campaign advisor, or indicated to be more important a voice than any of the other 'dozens of economists currently informally advising the Biden campaign'?

The fact is this is a attempt by groups left forsaken by Sanders apparent capitulation to continue inciting people on the left against Mr. Biden's campaign and the Democratic Party. No more, and no less.


"Defeat of a dangerous enemy is something to be for."

[PatSeg]

163. I seem to recall similar outrage

when Summers was appointed director of the National Economic Council during the Obama administration and everyone seemed to get over it. It is understanding that Summers might now be one of the economists who Biden chose to consult with, but as you point out, he is among "dozens of economists currently informally advising the campaign".

Sounds like people are looking for excuses to be outraged, at a time when we need to keep our focus on removing a tyrant from the White House.

[Cha]

145. The "skittish" voting Block doesn't Care about our country, her

people, the Planet, OR the Supreme Court.. IF they're going to sit home over this.

They have no concept of the Whole picture.. that assisted in bringing us fucking trump in the first place.

Thank Goodness The Moderates Decisively brought us the House Victory in 2018.

[mcar]

152. He's one of many advisors. Why single him out?

Signed, an older and informed voter.

[Skittles]

158. don't you know, PassingFair?

doesn't matter what Biden does, all that matters is "getting rid of Trump".....or something like that

[The Magistrate]

162. As A Matter Of Curiousity, Sir

Can you tell me any way in which a liberal left and progressive agenda will be advanced by continuing the cheap thug and his christo-fascist enablers in national office four more years?

What elements of the legacy of Mr. Roosevelt's New Deal to suppose might survive for more years of Federalist Society shills packed into the Federal courts. and four more years of the cheap thug in the White House with McConnell in the Senate?

You are damned right nothing matters more than defeating Trump. And it is towards what matters most all combative energy must be directed.

[Skittles]

164. we can demand and expect better

we don't have to sacrifice everything because of that fascist piece of shit

[The Magistrate]

165. Helping Him Hold Office Sacrifices Everything, Sir

And anything short of energetic support of Mr. Biden, come what may, amounts to just that.

This isn't rocket surgery, nor is it false dilemma --- it really is an all or nothing binary choice. people need to get themselves square with that.


"Defeat of a dangerous enemy is something to be for."

[Skittles]

166. I'm not a SIR

and I am done here

[Meowmee]

170. " Helping Him Hold Office Sacrifices Everything" I agree and I get it totally

I am not sure why that is so hard to comprehend for many.

[TheFarseer]

150. It's true that

Most people have no idea who Larry Summers is but they sure as hell care about the presidential nominee’s economic policies. A large part of what Trump does is try to out-flank us from the left on economic policy.

[The Magistrate]

159. And If The Left Cooperates, Sir, That Might Be Managed

If groups like Justice Democrats, and the 'red rose' choir, whip up anger and division among leftists against Mr. Biden, then attempts like that by the cheap thug will find ground prepared for purchase, and in its lunatic search for 'balance' the media will not fail to point out the 'bipartisan' natures of this line of attack. It really is neither necessary or wise to hand a dagger to your enemy, pommel first. People on the further left really ought to refrain from doing that again this year....


"Defeat of a dangerous enemy is something to be for."

[TheFarseer]

168. Don't act like it's just Justice Democrats

That dislike hedge fund managers and think they have too much influence in our government.

[The Magistrate]

169. The Article Cited Several Groups, Sir, Listing That One First

And as the best organized body among those listed, with a long record of attacking Democratic party leadership, it seems only courteous to recognize their effort to stir up this pointless agitation. Thinking that Summers being one of dozens advising Mr. Biden is a matter of little importance in the scheme of things is not incompatible with disliking hedge fund influence. It seems a safe guess that most calling out this overblown exercise in poutrage for what it is dislike hedge fund influence and would prefer it curbed.


"Defeat of a dangerous enemy is something to be for."

[mcar]

151. Thank you

[EllieBC]

161. +100. I didn't count but I feel like there are that many.

You nailed it!

[Hoyt]

2. Biden has a bunch of economic advisers. That's a good/smart thing.

[MH1]

83. Who is the liberal heavyweight to counter Summers, though?

I am a Biden supporter. I despise Trump and am going to work hard to elect Biden. But dammit that doesn't mean I can't be disappointed when he does stuff that doesn't seem right.

[Cha]

103. Please read this...

Link to tweet

[Raven123]

3. Summers has to go

[The Magistrate]

10. He's Not Really There Anyway, Sir

So there is no need to indulge in poutrage over this nonesense. Unless of course you have nothing better to do on a Sunday morning than invite people to laugh at you....


"Defeat of a dangerous enemy is something to be for."

[uponit7771]

4. No, ... this is beyond silly and Biden has enough sense not to repeat what didn't work

[Demsrule86]

9. It did work. The economy was save via using the Fed...so that is not true.

[HarlanPepper]

5. All I care about is beating Trump.

Who is Larry Summers.

[Fiendish Thingy]

11. Summers is an incompetent pal of Jeffery Epstein

Who put his thumb on the scale for bankers and hedge funds when advising Obama. He opposed Warren’s proposed reforms in 2008-09.

[HarlanPepper]

12. Like I said, who is Larry Summers.

[irisblue]

19. And this who he is Harlan, Mr Biden is, hanging with a flea ridden dog

Source--https://www.theguardian.com/science/2005/jan/18/educationsgendergap.genderissues


snip--"He made his remarks at a private conference on the position of women and minorities in science and engineering, hosted by the National Bureau of Economic Research."


snip--" He went on to argue that boys outperform girls on high school science and maths scores because of genetic difference. "Research in behavioural genetics is showing that things people previously attributed to socialisation weren't due to socialisation after all..."


snip--" Dr Summers also played down the impact of sex bias in appointments to academic institutions."

snip--" During Dr Summers's presidency, the number of tenured jobs offered to women has fallen from 36% to 13%. Last year, only four of 32 tenured job openings were offered to women."

More at article.



Mr Summers brings very little to Mr Biden, and in the fall I suspect, will be a BFD of a problem with the republican leaning suburban white women Dems are going to need.

YMMV

[HarlanPepper]

20. ...

Cool. All I care about is beating Trump.

[Fiendish Thingy]

34. Biden can beat Trump without Summers nt

[HarlanPepper]

37. Sure. And he can beat him with him too.

The important thing to remember is the primaries have concluded. It’s time to set aside grievances and purity issues for the greater good of beating Trump. Inside baseball stuff is of little importance.

[irisblue]

42. Your dismissive behavior is noted.

Good luck with your life and times ahead.

[HarlanPepper]

46. All I care about is beating Trump.

The primaries have concluded. It’s time to set aside grievances and ideological purity issues for the greater good. I will vote for Biden joyfully in the fall.

[The Magistrate]

31. I Agree, Ma'am, The Man Shows Every Pug-Mark Of An Old-School Chauvenist

But he is not going to be an issue in the general election campaign because he is one among many whom Mr. Biden has occasional telephone conversations with.


"Defeat of a dangerous enemy is something to be for."

[treestar]

92. I wouldn't agree with all that if true

but how does it affect his expertise on economic matters?

[irisblue]

101. Mr Summers, IMO, has problems on many levels

With his history towards women and minorities at Harvard and his economic theories, among other reasons. I posted info from 15 years ago to show he has a long history of issues.

The Dem Party needs women voters, many women who have been in the US Work force know a male supervisor who shows Mr Summers traits.

Accepting info from Summers is one thing, Mr Biden has known him for decades, having Summers as an advisor is an unforced error.

[treestar]

106. We all have our opinions on these things

I don't work full time on campaigns, so it's not that easy to determine an "error." It's not sports. It's also not as if Summers will rule the roost, Biden will listen to others and he'll run the roost. This is overly minute as a concern.

[Cha]

107. According to this...

Link to tweet

[DenverJared]

21. The economy was saved and saved rapidly

There are two kinds of people. Some people look at how much money is in someone else's wallet and begrudge it, others look in their own wallet and make their decisions based upon that.

Obama's policies put money in everyone's pocket while saving their jobs and houses. That is more important than to kvetch about billionaires and hedge funds.

[Fiendish Thingy]

33. Tell that to all the folks who had their homes foreclosed on illegally

And the bankers got away with it.

[DenverJared]

36. The point is that without the policies put in place

far far more people would have lost their homes.

Even in a booming economy, some people still lose their homes. The benchmark standard is not "everybody saved their home."

[Demsrule86]

40. We had FHA help that saved homes including mine...so again not true...and we had GOP types who would

not help so try blaming those who deserve it for a change.

[Blue_true]

124. The economy could have been saved just as fast or faster by prioritizing people over banks.

Banks were bailed out from the shitpile that they drive creation of, working families lost their homes and life savings, many that didn't kill themselves rent from the very people that their tax money bailed out. What should happened is homeowners that were not greedy bastards should have had help from the government in either making their loans rightside up, or preventing banks that got bailed out from foreclosing, forcing the banks instead to work out loan repayment plans with homeowners that kept people in their homes.

[DenverJared]

140. Banks are like transmissions of the economy

Cars without transmissions don't run.

[Blue_true]

153. Transmissions without cars sit on shop shelves.

Consumers are the engine of our economy, everything else revolves around them, transmissions without engines do didly-squat. Everyday people should have gotten help in 2008 and 2009, if that had happened, my argument is we would likely be in a far better place today.

[DenverJared]

167. If you have ever been in business

you'd know that there would be no business without banks.

Wishing the banks would fail is not right at all. More regulations is something I support but letting the banks fail will spell doom.

The only ones who let the banks fail were Robert Mugabe and Idi Amin - and they tanked their countries' economies in a very short time.

There is NO COMMERCE without banks. PERIOD.

[Blue_true]

171. Where did I ever write that I wanted banks to fail?

Giving more to struggling homeowners and other everyday people as part of the bailout would have helped banks and greatly sped up the recovery, IMO, since the engine of commerce in the country , consumers, would have had money to spend.

I am a business owner and also failed at business before that. I understand how critical banks are to the flow of commerce. But that, again, doesn't justify them being first in line for a bailout, then turning around and foreclosing on millions of Americans that underwrote the funds that bailed them out. There should have been more equity, and Summers was a key reason why there wasn't.

Maybe Summers has grown, one person did write that Summers is providing the intellectual impetus for a 4 trillion dollar tax increase on the rich, so maybe he saw how the past bailout went that think that it could have been fairer to everyday people, I hope that he has, but I would be comfortable only if Biden is listening to other people also, as a couple people have wrote that Biden is.

[Demsrule86]

23. Link about Epstein or delete it.

[Fiendish Thingy]

32. Boy, you're really doubling down on Summers, aren't you?

https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-lists/jeffrey-epstein-political-connections-sex-trafficker-856642/lawrence-a-summers-856679/

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/harvard-science-professors-kept-meeting-donor-jeffrey-epstein-despite-his-n1028536

https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2019/07/11/how-jeffrey-epstein-made-himself-into-harvard-man/m672RjwFJFwWOVzF9WRNjO/story.html

https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/education/article235058882.html

[Demsrule86]

53. First link, they served on advisory panels. The second link has the following information...

"Disgraced hedge fund manager Jeffrey Epstein was attending on-campus meetings as recently as 2014 with professors at Harvard University, a school he had supported with at least one multimillion-dollar donation, even though the registered sex offender's ties to the school had already raised questions." Summers isn't mentioned but even if he was there it was a group event and hardly what you implied.

Third article:
Before Jeffrey Epstein was disgraced — before he was arrested this month and charged with sex trafficking dozens of minors, before he received a slap on the wrist in 2008 for molesting girls at his mansion in Palm Beach, Fla. — he aimed to be a Harvard man.

He contributed millions to the university, reportedly funding the construction of Harvard Hillel’s building, and helping to establish the Program for Evolutionary Dynamics. He frequented an office blocks from campus, and flew up in his private plane to host seminars there with some of Harvard’s most prominent professors, according to Alan Dershowitz, an emeritus professor of law at Harvard who served as one of Epstein’s lawyers. Among Epstein’s close associates, according to a 2003 Harvard Crimson article, were former president Lawrence Summers, former dean of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences Henry Rosovsky, and professor emeritus of psychology Stephen Kosslyn. Again summers not mentioned but not as you implied.

4th Link

"No university or charity or scientific society has been more closely associated in the public eye with Jeffrey Epstein than Harvard University, which received approximately $9 million from him over the years.

And no organization has seemingly been more adamant that it had nothing to explain, nothing to review, nothing to refund — even after Epstein later became the nation’s most notorious sexual predator.

That silence ended Thursday."

I looked at all the articles and three of them had to with Harvard with little or no mention of Larry Summers. The fourth one had to do with a committee...which Epstein and Summers served on with others... so you are smearing summers unfairly. The fact is you don't like him. I get that but smearing a person as you did is disturbing to me. Whether you like it or not Summers help craft the strategy of using the fed for stimulus when the GOP scoundrels would not help save the economy. And it worked. Neither Obama nor Summers went after Wall Street for their many crimes...that is true. But let me remind you, they made the same calculus Franklin Roosevelt did during the great depression that going after Wall Street would only lead to a further collapse of the economy. I tend to agree with this analysis. both in 2009 and in 1932. And instead of disagreeing with Summers, you attempt link him to a sexual predator. That is just plain wrong and hardly a persuasive or fair argument.

[Demsrule86]

60. Also, I am not a Summers fan particularly but Biden has the right to consult any expert he chooses

during this crisis without the left crying about it constantly. If the GOP hold the Senate we may have to craft a plan similar to what Pres. Obama did in 09 and 10 using the banking system. Thus perhaps some (notice I didn't say 'you') should support the nominee and stop trashing him. I have no doubt you will vote for Joe Biden.

[FoxNewsSucks]

71. I'd rather have a better plan,

that favors people, homeowners, workers etc.

Bringing in anyone like Summers, Geithner or any of the banksters is a mistake. There are other and better people Biden can and should get.

[Demsrule86]

77. Biden has multiple advisors and will craft a strategy that will work. As for Summers whether you

like him or not, he helped Pres. Obama save the economy.

[FoxNewsSucks]

79. Not saying Obama didn't turn the BushCo economy around.

But I think things could have been even better yet had people like Summers & Geithner aimed the recovery more in the direction of banks and corporations instead of giving direct help to homeowners and workers.

[Demsrule86]

89. No doubt. But the GOP and some conservadems refused to help. They used the only avenue available to

them, and it worked.

[Blue_true]

121. Summers advice to President Obama on how to rescue the economy in 2009

gave NOTHING to working men and women. In my view, that led directly to the massive surge of populism that we are seeing okay out worldwide, average people feel disenfranchised by government policy and that has given rise to hate merchants that tell people what they long to hear, to the detriment of an orderly and compassionate society.

[HarlanPepper]

135. This is 2020

The only thing that matters is beating Trump. Anything not advancing that goal is noise.

[Blue_true]

157. Like a person pointed out, we can best Trump and make the same mistakes made in 2009, only

to face a Trump 2.0 in 2024, likely a much smarter and ultimately corrosively devious person, all because everyday people got left behind again by well meaning, but poorly focused economic polices. We have to take this one chance to kill populism in it's infancy, I am not sure that Summers facilitates such an objective.

[mvd]

7. Summers shouldn't be advising anyone, based on his record

But another worry is the bad advice he could give the campaign when beating Trump is so important.

Let’s hope there are liberals on the team to counteract him.

[The Magistrate]

17. Literally Dozens Provide Mr. Biden Advice, Sir

Summers seems to have no official position, he is merely one among many who have some standing as a man of some experience, who has served in both recent Democratic administrations. My own view is that Summers is unsound on tax cuts, and has made unforgivably retrograde comments on women's native abilities. But he is hardly important enough to amount to a feather against a fistful of lead in the balance of whether all persons to the left of the far right need to band together to defeat the christo-fascist right and the cheap thug propped up under a hairspray crown to enable their ruin of our people and our country.

It really is time for people on the further left to cease their threats of disunion and sabotage. People who engage in it may tell themselves whatever they like, but in fact they are serving as the left auxiliary of the christo-fascist right, and ought to be regarded as such. They simply do not share in the goal we share, whatever our differences may be otherwise --- the defeat of the cheap thug Trump.


"Defeat of a dangerous enemy is something to be for."

[mvd]

44. Hi Magistrate

Hope you are well. How have you been feeling lately? I know you have been battling some things.

I’m not going to threaten not to vote for Biden over this. I just don’t understand it. He’s been wrong about Russia and the economy. But I hope you are right about his voice meaning little. That would be a change at least.

[The Magistrate]

52. I Appreciate That, Sir

I know we are at bottom on the same side in this.

I must be quick because people are waiting for our weekly outing for groceries.

I am appreciably better from the pneumonia that put me in hospital, I have some energy and spirit again. I try and enjoy it while I can.

Be well, and stay safe!

[Demsrule86]

8. No he doesn't. The party is fine with Summers who helped Obama save the economy.

The left who lost the primary are outraged. And as the primary showed they are a minority. Biden should choose who he wants without interference period. We are going after votes in red states particularly for the Senate. This is not just a 'base' election. So please stop running our nominee down. It discourages Democratic voters.

[Fiendish Thingy]

14. Summers advice help perpetuate and worsen economic inequality

And prop up the banksters who should have gone to jail.

Biden should be listening to Krugman, not Summers. Summers is a perfect fit for the Trump administration, not Biden’s.

[The Magistrate]

25. And There Is Your Problem, Sir

Your view is not nearly so widely held as you seem to imagine, and this matters far more at present than whether or not your view is correct regarding the man's personal merits. Someone who has served in the last two Democratic administrations, albeit with mixed reviews, is not likely to be taken as 'the enemy' by very many among the leadership or the rank and file of the Democratic Party. He is more likely to be taken as a man with some experience and standing who it may be worth listening to, as one among other counselors.

Summers being one among many economic advisors to Mr. Biden's campaign is a minor matter. It hardly involves him in government, it is not even any particular indication he will be selected for an important government post when Mr. Biden becomes President. It is my view Summers deserves the criticism he has received; he is particularly unsound on the question of cutting taxes, and has certainly expressed retrograde social views. This does not, however, make him my enemy, certainly not one to rank with the christo-fascist right and the cheap thug propped up under a hairspray crown to enable their crusade to restore this country to the social conditions of the 1920s. Defeating these people is the essential task. Any attempt at rousing popular opposition on the left to any element of the Democratic Party's campaign in this general election weakens this effort, which must succeed. People who push division aid the enemy. Leftists who do this may deny it all they wish, but objectively, as a good Leninist might say, they serve as a left auxiliary for the christo-fascist right.

Summers being a campaign advisor is simply not important enough to pitch a fight over. I neither support Summers nor wish him appointed to any office --- I simply do not give the north end of a southbound rat about him at this time.


"Defeating a dangerous enemy is something to be for."

[DrToast]

137. Exactly

Your view is not nearly so widely held as you seem to imagine,

This just doesn't sink in for some people. Larry Summer is going to tear apart the party? Oh please...

[Demsrule86]

26. He saved the economy. We were on the brink of depression...and frankly the left has some

responsibility. Had they had Obama's back in 10 and 14 things would be better, but the didn't. Summers developed the strategy to use the Fed to stimulate the economy in lieu of traditional Keynesian stimulus which Republicans blocked. And it worked. Republicans are to blame for inequality...not Pres. Obama or even Summers. Time to support the Democratic nominee and stop the nitpicking , looking for trouble kind of nonsense...or the left will once again help elect Trump as they did in 16 during the General when some calling themselves progressive voted for Stein, stayed home or even voted for Trump all the while encouraging others to join them via social media.

[Fiendish Thingy]

41. Summers advice perpetuated the status quo inequality

A “traditional Keynesian stimulus” is exactly what was needed to help the people suffering, would have provided good paying jobs rebuilding infrastructure, instead of propping up criminal banks.

Biden doesn’t need Summers to win in November, and he doesn’t need Summers to convince Goldman Sachs and Jamie Dimon et al that he’s better for them than Trump.

Opposing Summers is not “nitpicking” or “looking for trouble”; it is advocating what is best for the “soul of the nation”.

[Demsrule86]

64. Nonsense. He helped get people back to work by using the fed to stimulate the economy. There was

nothing else to do after Obama was stabbed in the back in 10...if the left had Obama's back in 10, it would be a different world. The GOP opposed traditional Keynesian economics so this was the only path.

[Fiendish Thingy]

70. He helped people get back to work...at 2,3, even 4 part time low paying jobs

And protected the banks from the consequences of their crimes.

He let them keep their gains, and socialized the losses on the backs of the taxpayers.

I can see you are cut from the cloth of the “blind faith” tribe, and not even video of Summers handing a bag of cash to Jamie Dimon while partying at Epstein’s private island would dissuade you from supporting him (which is wholly different from supporting Biden).

Summers is bad for America, and voters should let Biden know they object to him as an advisor- I’m sure he can handle the feedback.

[Demsrule86]

84. Not going after the banks was Pres. Obama's decision and the right one...destroying the banking

system would have been a very bad strategy. Roosevelt made the same decision you know. Did you post a video showing Jaime Dimon handing Summers cash on Epstein's infamous island or is this more Ad hominem attacks against Summer? It truly is reprehensible to try to paint Summers as some sort of sexual predator which in the information I looked at after hearing this shocking allegation is not true; none of your links supported this. Certainly, attacking Summer for actions having to do with his decisions regarding the 09 successful attempt to save the economy which you disagree with is fine...I fail to see how this helps us beat Trump but whatever. However, the Epstein thing is pretty awful and completely unsupported thus far.

Trump is bad for America. Biden has the right to have advisors that he chooses. I suggest you consider that Trump has done more to foster income inequality than any president. He will do worse should he win reelection. And posts such as this do not help Biden defeat Trump. It is a binary choice Biden or Trump.

[Fiendish Thingy]

105. Summers helped legitimize Epstein among power brokers in academia and beyond

That is documented in the links I provided - I made no allegations about Summers being a predator or pedophile.

Biden can, and should, win the WH without Summers’ involvement in his campaign and administration.

[HarlanPepper]

148. We've got 55,000 dead and people are worried about Larry Summers

Plot lost. Officially.

[Demsrule86]

172. Sorry, I don't see it in the links you provided. Epstein gave away tons of money...he bought himself

influence...and I think that part of your posts are unfair to Summers, and you linked him to Epstein...by doing so, you intimated he was somehow involved in Epstein's pedophilia. I think it was wrong to do this. One can and many do disagree with Summer's policies of course. My reply is simply my opinion for what it is worth. You can of course disagree and post as you choose.

[treestar]

94. Biden can make up his own mind after hearing from

many; that's what makes him different than Dotard. If Summers really had that power, too - you'd have to blame Clinton and Obama for following his advice, no?

And there is nothing wrong with listening to anyone; that doesn't mean you are going to become their cult follower.

[HarlanPepper]

15. +10000

The only thing that matters is winning. Everything else is just noise and grievances.

[not_the_one]

18. In a basic, visceral response, IF I were the presidential candidate,

NO ONE would dictate to me what I would or wouldn't do.

I'm just sayin'.

[theaocp]

22. That's pretty inflexible.

Biden is free to get advice from whomever he wishes, obviously. Summers is a loss on policy and a loss on optics. Tell him to fuck off.

[The Magistrate]

24. The Only People Paying Attention, Sir, Are Political Junkies On the Furthest Left

No one else notices, and damned near n o one else would care if the matter were forced on their attention. As it would have to be, in the midst of a murderous contagion being rendered more lethal by the malfeasance and misgovernment of the cheap thug and his christo-fascist enablers.


"Defeat of a dangerous enemy is something to be for."

[Demsrule86]

30. Some on the left (not talking about the OP) helped elect Trump by voting third party, staying home

or even voting for Trump.

[gibraltar72]

29. i also am of that opinion. I will of course vote for him but won't contribute

if Summers is an item.

[Demsrule86]

35. Really?

Yeah well that is a form of kneecapping isn't it? You need money to run. Just ask yourself if you and others on the left do the minimum to help elect Biden, and Trump wins, can you live with this (not all in)? I couldn't. Let me say, despite the efforts by some left voters as viewed on twitter recently that attack Biden and only help Trump, I still say Trump loses. But if the left isn't fully onboard they lose too; they lose influence and credibility which would be a shame.

[The Magistrate]

48. There Is Only One Principle Today, Sir

Kick the cheap thug and his christo-fascist enablers out of office.

Anyone who pretends anything else matters is an unprincipled loon or worse.


"I am a man of principles, and chief among them is flexibility."


"Defeat of a dangerous enemy is something to be for."

[gibraltar72]

51. I will assume if he has Summers he has big money

if that is not gonna be a problem. I'll put mine in Senate races. I think it is a big problem.

[The Magistrate]

56. Money In Politics Is Ammunition, Sir

As necessary as bullets in battle. Complaining a unit has plenty of bullets and shells is silly.

"Defeat of a dangerous enemy is something to be for."

[gibraltar72]

58. I certainly understand that. However exactly the reason he wasn't my first choice.

and if he reverts, It is not going to be good. Summers will cost him more than he'll ever gain from him.

[HarlanPepper]

67. You couldn't round up 10 people on your block who know who summers is if your life depended on it.

[FoxNewsSucks]

72. The fact that the average person

doesn't pay as much attention to politics as do the members of a site such as this is not a very good argument.

Summers is a bad pick. Biden should consult Warren, or people she recommends

[HarlanPepper]

73. Its a great argument when there are those claiming summers will drive down turnout all by himself.

If you had followed the OP and responses in the thread you’d know that is the case being made. That people won’t vote for Biden because of Summers.

Ideological purity grievances are of no consequence to me at this stage.

[FoxNewsSucks]

80. They may not know exactly who Summers is,

but knowing whether Biden's cabinet and advisors are wall street or main street will matter to them. Even if they don't know the names.

People will be a lot more likely to turn out if they perceive it will help them

[gibraltar72]

112. Exactly and it will be used against him. Screw me once. The Repubs will play it big. Unforced error

if he goes that way.

[Demsrule86]

66. Bernie lost. And Biden won.

[gibraltar72]

68. Bernie wasn't my choice either.

[Demsrule86]

85. Biden has to be his own person...and we need to support him. If Democrats don't become more

loyal to the party and to our nominees, we will continue to lose. Time to vote blue no matter who.

[Demsrule86]

174. That is your opinon. I think the way the fed was used to stimulate the economy despite a hostile

no loyal opposition was brilliant...Summers is a favorite boogeyman of the left...many who disagreed with Obama.

[Fiendish Thingy]

45. It's not either/or, it's both/and

If I oppose Summers, I’m not opposing Biden.

We can both support Biden AND oppose him using harmful, incompetent advisors.

[The Magistrate]

50. That, Sir, Barely Qualifies As Semantic Slight Of Hand

You might as well be Trump denying the video feed shows he advised injecting bleach.

You began this by declaring Summers being one of many advising Mr. Biden was a matter that could split the Party, which everyone recognizes and understands is a threat to undermine Mr. Biden's campaign if he does not disown Summers.


"Defeat of a dangerous enemy is something to be for."

[muriel_volestrangler]

65. The OP is not just about splitting the party

It's also about Biden's credibility. When he makes a dumb move like resurrecting Summers, he needs to be told.

"Defeat of a dangerous enemy is something to be for."

Just because Summers isn't as dangerous as Trump, that doesn't mean people can't say "don't do this, it makes you look stupid".

[The Magistrate]

134. And Yet, Sir

It may be at best foolish to spend much energy on it, if the view of the matter one takes is in the minority, or the matter is of no importance whatever to the minds of most voters. People who have a sufficient grasp of political life to know who Summers is ought to be reliably disposed to tossing out Trump, so it cannot make a smidgen of difference who is one among many Mr. Biden accepts advice from --- they will turn out to vote against the cheap thug, because they know he must be defeated. No one else will know or care about Summers.

Even if one accepts that figures like Summers within the Democratic Party are an enemy, still they are not the paramount enemy, and to go into battle against your chief enemy while cultivating and pressing quarrels within your own camp is to court defeat.


"One war at a time is about all we can comfortably handle."

[muriel_volestrangler]

154. But that applies to Biden as well as to Sanders' supporters

Why use Summers when there's no voter that thinks "ah, that tips the balance in favour of Joe", but there are plenty who think he'll make the wrong calls for the economy?

[The Magistrate]

160. Not Really, Sir

First, there will not be an appreciable number of people who will think Summers tips the balance against Mr. Biden. The man's name is a talisman of evil only in an extremely limited circle, after all. People on the left who know who he is ought to have the good sense to vote against Trump, regardless. Even were Summers to be handed the Treasury, Mr. Biden is still an immensely superior choice to Trump. Everyone here knows this. So why is this being brought up at all?

Second, the majority faction in a Party is not under the same degree of obligation to conciliate as is the minority faction. Insisting the minority faction calls the tune betokens flat ignorance of how things work, and certainly of how things work in a democratic polity or organization. In any collision of wills, it is the minority faction which must give way in a pinch. Like it or not, and I do not like it, the liberal and progressive left, as people here are wont to conceive it, is a minority faction in the Democratic Party. The strategy of 'appease me or I'll sulk and them you'll be sorry' has not helped the left to gain power in the Party. Perhaps it is time to try cooperating, and demonstrating reliability, as a route to increased influence in a party that amounts to a broad 'popular front' coalition.


"Defeat of a dangerous enemy is something to be for."

[treestar]

95. Biden can't tell? If the advice being followed would

lead to harm?

[treestar]

90. Can you at least write to or call the campaign

to tell them this? If it's really going to affect that many people, they could then dump Summers. Or just consider you a crackpot, depending on how much they hear on this subject.

[SoonerPride]

43. Oh FFS

Fuck this noise

It’s every single person against Agolf Twitler

I don’t care if Biden gets advice from Homer Simpson or the ghost of John McCain

You have one choice.

Twitler or SOMEONE ELSE

and the someone is Biden.

That’s it.

Nothing else matters !!

NOTHING!!

[yardwork]

55. I like your style!

[we can do it]

120. YES

[Politicub]

49. Why don't your write an email to the Biden campaign and air your opinion there?

While I agree that Summers would not be my first choice, it's too risky to indulge in perfectionism in the cabinet. Since perfection is something that can be achieved only in the mind, there will inevitably be something else disappointing to someone.

Biden needs all of the support he can get so we beat Trump.

[mzmolly]

57. My vote for Biden,

remains intact.

Thanks anyhow!

[comradebillyboy]

59. Nonsense. Few people even know or care who Larry Summers is.

Is Larry Summers going to be the new excuse for the left wing to sit this election out now that the other anti-Biden smears aren't getting traction? This is the kind of anti-Democratic crap I see at Jacobin and The Intercept from people who want to damage Joe Biden and the Democratic Party.

[Kashkakat v.2.0]

61. BUT I WANT Jos. Stiglitz, not the guy who was primary architect of financial deregulation & repeal

of glass steagall!!! .

NOWHERE am I saying I wont crawl over broken glass and risk exposure to any manner of disease and pestilence to vote for Joe Biden.

As a progressive and Dem voter, I get to have an opinion and express it and maybe change people's minds and maybe it percolates upward to affect our leaders actions and agenda. Or maybe not !

[stopdiggin]

76. but unfortunately people are saying (or implying)

that their votes depend on minutia such as this. And the Democratic party is largely responding, here and elsewhere, by saying, "F**K OFF." Not going to be bullied around by people who lost!

[MH1]

82. I agree with you but economic policy is not "minutiae"

And in the opinion of this Biden supporter, in this case it is FLAT WRONG to have Summers there without an equally well known and highly-accomplished liberal economist like Stiglitz.

And it is also wrong to take a "Fuck Off" attitude on something like this. It is a team of advisors, for chrissakes. Have a well-rounded team, then we can make an argument that Summers doesn't matter that much.

[stopdiggin]

93. agreed. economic policy is important

and the term minutiae probably ill advised in this context. Also agreed .. Summers might not be a good look, or a particularly good economics advisor. But the problem lies with people who go around saying, "If you don't change this .." -- "If I don't get what I want .." "Then I'm taking my bat and ball and going home!" And, no .. I'm not going to agree with you that it deserves anything other than a big "F Off!" If your support for the effort to bring down this creature in the WH is so TEPID as to hinge on whether Biden has conversations with a single individual ... Then, no .. I have no desire to curry favor with that ilk. We're probably better off without them.
--- ---

[Renew Deal]

62. I guess Mnuchin is more up your alley?

Anybody that is "split" by about Biden over random advisers is a moron.

[HarlanPepper]

69. +1

How can someone look around with 50,000 dead and say “But! But! Larry Summers!1!111”

GMAFB.

[Fiendish Thingy]

78. Summers is not a "random" advisor - he has left a long trail of damage over 30 years

Your personal attack shows a lack of critical thinking on your part rather than an absence of intelligence on mine.

For the record, I would prefer Biden be listening to Stiglitz and Krugman.

[Renew Deal]

86. People are dying by the tens of thousands

But you choose to attack Biden with your petty ideological grudges. I’m more worried about Mnuchin and Miller than Summers. Can you say the same thing for yourself?

[Fiendish Thingy]

100. Anti-Summers does not equal Anti-Biden

I just don’t want Biden taking Summers advice.

I think beyond Black & white dichotomies; I can both want to be rid of Miller and Mnuchin, and oppose Summers being included in Biden’s inner circle of advisors- they are not mutually exclusive positions.

[Renew Deal]

141. So who are you speaking for when you said he was "splitting the party."

I see through your threats and party splitting BS.

[treestar]

98. It appears he worked for Clinton and Obama

Do you have an equal beef with them over the way they handled the economy?

It seems like the fight should be with Summers, not Biden/Obama/Clinton. How would Summers be powerful enough to leave a long trail of damage? He wasn't President.

[aikoaiko]

63. There are some things we won't be able to change about Joe Biden.

Until the GE, let's focus on getting Trump out of the White House.

[qazplm135]

74. He's one dude

He's not Satan. He didn't kill anyone. As long as he has progressive economic advisors who cares!?

[Kingofalldems]

75. There's an OP like this every freaking day.

[Demsrule86]

88. or worse.

[Kingofalldems]

99. Feels coordinated to me.

[Demsrule86]

173. Just another Biden attack by those who can't accept that Sen. Sanders or maybe Sen. Warren lost.

[JHB]

91. Did you notice the words "among dozens" in that article, including the subhead?

Summers is among dozens of economists currently informally advising the campaign, Bloomberg first reported Thursday. HuffPost later confirmed the report with the Biden campaign.

Priorities:

1) Beat Trump.

2) Beat Trump.

3) Beat Trump.

4) Beat Trump.

5) Joe makes his picks for the transition team. Let him know your views, especially once we get to November and know that Priorities 1-4 have been accomplished.

We're never going to pull things leftward if The Lefts keep spalling off. Conservatives can get away with that crap because they have M O N E Y, multiple propaganda outlets, M O N E Y, and because if they lose the country is in sane hands while they bide their time for another push.

[mcar]

155. The OP apparently didn't notice those words

in his haste to post a Biden-bashing thread.

[ancianita]

97. Calm down, already. Better research would have saved you all this public hand wringing.

This would have taken you less than a minute to find.

Biden's Economic Team, per Reuters:

Biden has some part-time progressive economic advisers, which the campaign has not been shy about advertising.

They include
-- Jared Bernstein, Biden’s chief economic adviser when he was vice president;
-- Heather Boushey, head of the Washington Center for Equitable Growth;
-- Richard Cordray, former head of the Warren-sponsored Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. His former chief of staff, the progressive
-- Ted Kaufman, who later served the final two years of Biden’s senate term, is also in the mix.

Feel better?

[Hermit-The-Prog]

102. trashed. Don't need this SHIT. Attack twitler, not Joe.

[treestar]

108. +1

One has to wonder why that's so much to ask!

[crickets]

109. +1

[bronxiteforever]

114. +100

[Cha]

132. Mahalo, Hermit!

[Cha]

104. So Much OUTRAGE!!!

Link to tweet

[Takket]

111. there is literally no one on earth Biden could employ on his campain that would make me

not vote for him.

[Silent3]

113. Here's how big that terrible split will be:

The Rosseta comet represents those who now support Biden and will support him regardless of Summers.

One of the residents in one of the buildings represents the portion of voters Biden will lose.

[Blue_true]

115. It is ok for Summers to advise Biden, under one important condition, there

MUST be advisers that counterbalance his input and Biden must seriously listen to that more left input.

People like Summers helped fuel the worldwide scourge of populism. Working people made mistakes like buying more house that their income could afford, but the bankers that Summers drove policy to bailout were also culpable, in fact they were the primary villains, people that lied and manufactured favorable ratings for garbage collections of bonds. The bankers were quickly back to getting their fat salaries and bonuses while working people were losing their homes and everything else that they had worked for. We simply cannot repeat that mistake because that was the central mistake that has us in the USA trying to find our way out of the dark and dangerous tunnel that we are in.

[Yavin4]

123. What good is it to defeat Trump only to have to contend with Trump 2.0 in 2024? n/t

[Blue_true]

125. A smarter Trump 2.0 who will do evil stuff and make it look good, a more corrosive

Ronald Reagan.

We simply can't have economic advisers that want to take us down the same road that has us where we are now.

[Yavin4]

127. Republicans must have some sort of Terminator factory.

They'll be back.

[mcar]

156. Did you notice the dozen others?

Is that enough balance?

[we can do it]

117. Just stop. Only an asshole won't vote Biden.

[Yavin4]

122. We have two phase political war to fight/win. Phase one - Defeat Trump.

Phase two - prevent another Trump or even worse from happening.

Summers does not help us with Phase two. What good is beating Trump when it will be Biden who will be blamed if the recovery is slow? If the masses do not see almost immediate improvement in 2021, then we will have a Republican majority in the congress in 2022.

[Cha]

126. I posted this to you before and I got Crickets...

Link to tweet

[Yavin4]

128. Here's my response to you.

Summers shouldn't be any where near the campaign nor the White House. I don't care how fucking smart he is. His very presence is a bad omen.

[Cha]

130. "..bad omen.." omg Biden is Going to Win.. I'm

sick of all negative Bullshite dragging on him on this Board.

[Yavin4]

142. I want Biden to win. I am voting for him. I am supporting him.

Defeating Trump is half the battle. We have to prevent another Trump from ever taking the WH.

Summers advised Clinton, and we got a Republican controlled congress then Bush II.

Summers advised Obama, and we got a Republican controlled congress then Trump.

Notice the pattern here.

[Cha]

146. ".. summers.. " didn't bring a repub congress.. the

fucking hate & LIES on Obamacare brought that.. from the tea party and those who didn't think it was pure enough.. so they sat home on their own little feelings instead of caring about the country, her people, the Planet, and the SCOTUS.

[BlueLucy]

133. Meh. The same people who seem outraged about Summers are OK with Rogan and Cenk,

[Fiendish Thingy]

138. Rogan and Cenk are advising the Biden campaign?

I’d oppose both of them too.

[LanternWaste]

149. Well, you'd allege to oppose them, anyways...

regardless of how accurate that allegation may or may not be... much as your original allegation.

It's a creative concern you've constructed, regardless of the benign nature on which you predicate your 'sky is falling' narrative.

[mcar]

147. ...