Walter Shapiro

FDR was almost killed by an assassin before he took office in March 1933.

Only cold takes from me for a while. And nothing that has not been and confirmed again by the mainstream news media.

amplify this not unverified reports until we know more

Another brutally honest assessment in the subject line of a DNC fund-raising email: "You deserve an explanation." Boy, do I ever.

A small reminder that Thomas was appointed by the supposedly sainted GOP president, George H. W. Bush.

The sad folly of Biden’s defiance - Roll Call The most successful intervention in modern political history took place a half-century ago on Aug. 7, 1974. After the Supreme Court ordered the release of the Watergate “smoking gun” tape, three leadi...

My Roll Call column: "For all the hyper-partisanship of the Reagan era, a GOP president was not a threat to democracy. This is not a moment to say — as the Democrats did in the 1980s — that Mondale and Dukakis are laudable public figures, and we cannot abandon them." rollcall.com/2024/07/09/t...

I cannot stress how important being vetted is in a presidential candidate. No surprises with Harris unlike every other would-be.

Love that detail.

The greatest scene in any film. Once again, I teared up watching it. I hope and pray that never changes. Viva La France on a day like today.

My mental health strategy for the rest of the weekend (if I can manage it) : Hidin from Biden.

Not sure this is the best subject line for the Biden campaign fund-raising efforts today: "Trump is closer than ever to retaking power." And why is that?

Sunak axed, the cast eviscerated: at last, it’s the Tories’ season finale | Marina Hyde It was worthy of a TV special. Truss, Rees-Mogg, Shapps, Liam Fox: so many erased after 14 years of dystopian soap opera, says Guardian columnist Marina Hyde

My favorite British columnist on the election: Marina Hyde
in Guardian. Her kicker invoking Sir Edward Gray saying in 1914, "The lights are going out in Europe," is powerful. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

I noticed the same thing. I was surprised by "cuppa" after the "tuppence" debacle. Chimney sweeps like Dick Van Dyke should sue.

I assume if Sunak loses, Tory supporters will storm the Parliament.

Biden Tells Governors He Needs More Sleep and Less Work at Night The president’s opening remark to a group of key Democratic leaders — that he was in the race to stay — chilled any talk of his withdrawal, participants said.

"After Gov. Josh Green of Hawaii, a physician, asked Mr. Biden questions about the status of his health, Mr. Biden replied that his health was fine. 'It’s just my brain,' he added." Joke or reality? You make the call. www.nytimes.com/2024/07/04/u...

It says something about my mood over politics that my escape has been to belatedly binge watch "Babylon Berlin." When Berlin in 1929 looks good, boy, are we in trouble.

Such an important point -- everything is up for grabs at an open convention. All you need is a majority to change the rules. And, yes, superdelegates can vote on rule changes.

Democrats Are Panicking. Why Aren’t Their Leaders Doing Anything? For years, party leaders mocked Republicans for sticking with Trump when it was clear he was unfit for office. Now that Joe Biden is unfit for office, they’re silent.

My latest in @tnr.bsky.social: "For years, party leaders mocked Republicans for sticking with Trump when it was clear he was unfit for office. Now that Joe Biden is unfit for office, they’re mostly silent." newrepublic.com/article/1834...

Another day in which I better stay away from sharp objects and open windows.

Barney Greengrass. Dagon. Nice-Matin.

My current mood: "Bring it on."

Joe Biden Is Facing the Biggest Decision of His Political Career Can he beat Trump and save American democracy? If not, he should step aside.

I have never been a panicked Democrat. But the Atlanta debacle changed the equation for me. Biden must withdraw to save the nation from Trump. Me in @tnr.bsky.social. newrepublic.com/article/1832...

You have undoubtedly made the right life choice.

Medical mystery: I can't tell if my sense of mal de mer is caused by Covid bounce-back or debate fears.

Teddy White on JFK on debate day in 1960: "[He] lay on his bed in a white, open-necked T-shirt...and fired questions at his intimates. He held in his hand the fact cards that Goodwin and Feldman had prepared for him...and, as he finished each, he sent it spinning off the bed to the floor."

I hope to hell that Joe Biden is happily sleeping right now and not staring at the ceiling thinking of debate one-liners.

It has been an amazing four years for getting me to dramatically change my opinion of the Cheney family.

I thought they would be writing the previews in finger paint without a particular political bias.

Joe Biden Should Be Boring in Thursday’s Debate Voters don’t need zingers or put-downs. They need to be reminded that an adult is in charge.

Me in @tnr.bsky.social: "In keeping with the enduring principles of journalistic overkill, the only entities that have not yet weighed in with debate previews are two laggard preschools in Wichita, Kansas, and isolated pockets of Ukrainian soldiers in heavy combat." newrepublic.com/article/1831...

Coincidence I am sure.