Love this idea from Mckibben. We need Amtrack Joe.

[Nanjeanne]

https://billmckibben.substack.com/p/joe-biden-could-save-america-by-going?s=r&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web

But taking advantage of that—saving America—requires two things

A clear and uncompromising stance on the filibuster. He needs to tell Americans in no uncertain terms that they should only vote for candidates who would ditch this archaic rule so that a Democratic congress could actually codify Roe, could actually enact sensible gun control (and not just the minimalist package of last week), could actually start rolling out (immensely popular) solar panels. Biden needs to say “I have served in the Senate most of my life. But the Senate is broken; it can’t defend what America wants from a berserk and out-of-control Supreme Court. We need control of the House, we need a real Senate majority that doesn’t depend on Joe Manchin, and we need that majority to matter.” You have to give people a reason to care; with the filibuster it’s business as usual.

A train. Biden needs to announce that in the 134 days between now and the November election he will not darken the door of the White House. Instead he and his advisors will board a train and criss cross America making the case for this republic. Biden famously loves trains. Americans love trains. And a train trip creates drama—suddenly he’s not a feeble politician mired with some of the lowest approval ratings in history. Suddenly he’s Harry Truman, waging an against-the-odds campaign in 1948. You know the last president to pull the presidential train car out of mothballs? A reasonably good politician named Ronald Reagan, in 1984. Amtrak Joe needs to go all-in.

This article is worth a read. It actually gave me hope and energy. If only Biden would do this!

[usonian]

1. If Joe is not "on board" with this, an idea I posted:

Plain old Tent Revival Democratic Style. So Joe is a mild-mannered reporter for a great metropolitan newspaper. People are unimpressed. So, can he get a team together with a point person on each key issue, with lots of energy and presence? It would demonstrate unity.

That Blues Brothers (1 and 2) music would do it for me!

-----

And if nothing else, the music!

[Nanjeanne]

2. These kinds of ideas are certainly worth considering. We need energy and hope something can be

Accomplished!

You can't just ask people to vote . . . and you can't just fundraise.

[usonian]

3. Many of us remember JFK and the ant and the rubber-tree plant.

I'd settle for Blues Brothers.
"High" energy stuff.

[onenote]

4. Traveling around the country essentially campaigning non-stop

Would be a boon to Republicans who would be all over airwaves saying Biden is ignoring inflation, gas prices etc.

I don't disagree that he should be using his bully pulpit -- but announcing he’s not going to be in DC for the next four months is not an idea he or his advisors are likely to go for.

[usonian]

5. If Joe Biden ties his shoelaces with one loop shorter than the other,

the republicans will be all over the airwaves saying he's demented.

They're going to attack everything. That's all they are about, the Party of Nothing.

That said, see my post above --- "The UNITED Democratic Party" goes on the campaign trail. One issue per point person. Driving it relentlessly. By attacking each and every one, the RW press GIVES everyone the impression that the Democrats are a larger force.

Idiots are going to have a hard time remembering insults for a bunch of people, rather than just one.
MSM and Qpublicans are 100% predictable. USE THAT, don't cower and let them dictate the terms of discussion.

Just a suggestion ...

[Nanjeanne]

6. Congress needs to be in DC. That's where they work. If Biden travels around the

Country with economic advisers he can be speaking about policies that affect peoples lives. Inflation - what is he supposed to do in DC? How does that impact inflation? He’s already laid out his plan in May. Gas prices? How does a President tackle that in DC? Congress needs to pass a windfall tax. Biden needs to put pressure on Congress to do that. Speaking about it would help but being in DC does nothing. And it certainly doesn’t help elect Dems in midterms.

Boon for Rs? How about Dems through Biden take back the narrative? Create excitement and passion and hope by talking to people.

[brooklynite]

7. That's an insanely bad idea...

How many people here complain about how long campaigns last?

Add to which, he's not up for re-election.

Add to which, there are a huge number of domestic and international issues he has to address and be seen addressing.

Add to which, Presidents traveling by train are incredibly disruptive to regular passenger service. Not a smart thing to do at a time of high gas prices.

[Nanjeanne]

8. How about talking to the American people. I guess that's insanely bad as well.

And forgive me if I dont understand but the whole point of the article is how he can be seen as addressing those domestic and international issues in a meaningful way that you say needs to be done. It’s not about “campaigning”.

But I’m sure you can come up with insanely good ideas at your next dinner with the DNC. They are doing so well. I’m sure you are right. It’s a much better visual to recite poems, send out fundraising emails and sing God Bless America. Now that’s a winning strategy for rallying support from voters.

[brooklynite]

9. So your choices are 1) spend NO time in the White House or 2) spend ALL time in the White House?

I have a feeling there's a middle ground.

Biden can go out every weekend.

He can travel by plane.

He can still get work done in the White House.

(nb: I have a call booked with the DNC Exec Director later today; I'll be sure to let him know of your concerns).

[Nanjeanne]

10. I don't have a choice. However I think Biden can do much more than

Going out every weekend giving some speech.

Oh please when you have your heart to heart with the DNC Exec Dir please remember it’s not “my” concerns you should be conveying. I’m way more than “concerned” about the Theocracy taking control of the country. And I’d hope the DNC Exec Dir is more than “concerned” as well. If they think fundraising emails work better to win the House and Senate in the midterms than, oh I don’t know, actually engaging in real ways we can make people’s lives better - well good luck to them.