221 Comments
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Sun's avatar

This is excellent. Thank you for sharing.

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Michele's avatar

Thank you for sharing both articles! Reading them gives me hope that our unity will help us win in November! 🇺🇸💙

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Dr. Stephanie Lovely's avatar

Arnstein’s Ladder resonates with me a lot too. It’s a really helpful visualization. Thank you for reading.

Let’s go, Joe!

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Lorraine j smith's avatar

We are 3 months away from the election. We are staying with JoeBiden you don’t change horses in mid stream. What a kick in the teeth that would be. The system provides for the VP to take over , so why all the hullabaloo??? If this is the result of Russian propaganda which has been long for years our leaders have failed us and sure as hell donnie trump and his crowd won’t help straighten that out. They’re in it for the money boys, bottom line Greed, the idea that Paul Manafort and Company are in line for a second round having been pardoned by trump is mind boggling. Wake up America!’ Wake up , vote Blue

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Kate's avatar

Agree! I’ve been using the Formula One analogy — in a F1 race you change tires in a pit stop not the DRIVER!

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Dr. Stephanie Lovely's avatar

Great one, Kate! Thank you for reading!

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Kate's avatar

Thank YOU for being one of the few glimpses of hope we (I) need.

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Andrew Gordon's avatar

Poor analogy. Can’t simply change in a new brain to replace the damaged one as one can with a cars tires.

While I like the man and believe he’s given his best to our country for the past 50+ years, he’s old, tired and feeble with major memory as well as physical issues. We can’t afford to allow him to possibly attempt to make world changing decisions under these circumstances.

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Dr. Stephanie Lovely's avatar

Hi Andrew,

I certainly understand your concern about the President’s age, and I won’t offer my opinion on the points about his capacity to lead here.

I’ll only say that he’s roughly the same age he was when millions of people voted for him a few months ago in the primary, and people took that into consideration along with other weaknesses and his strengths when they voted.

What explanation do you give those voters for their votes being overridden by those with concerns about his age and who has the right to decide who the new candidate? In what way do you see that transition being a fair and equitable process?

Thank you for reading!

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Sharon Shutters's avatar

Don't be a Benedict Arnold. Stay the course and vote for Biden!

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Gisele Dubson's avatar

The folks who don’t want Biden also don’t want Harris.

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Dr. Stephanie Lovely's avatar

Hi Gisele,

Yeah, it's hard to know what exactly Biden's detractors want to do if he does step down. There doesn't seem to be a "then what" plan. Thanks for reading!

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Deborah C's avatar

There’s no plan. So….they’re going to replace Joe Biden with Kamala Harris. She’s already on the ticket and if he decides to step down Kamala Harris would be president. So what the hell? If they think Joe Biden steps down and they take Harris off the ticket as well they have another thing coming. It will turn off a huge segment of voters. Period.

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Gisele Dubson's avatar

The moment Harris declares as a candidate, they will say, she was covering for Biden!

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Sam Jones's avatar

Don’t go Joe! Remember, “we get back up!”

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Dr. Stephanie Lovely's avatar

Thanks for reading, Sam!

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Heidi Jon Schmidt's avatar

It’s Joe vs the corporate media. My money’s on Joe.

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Kathi Ruel's avatar

🤞🤞🤞

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Kerri Grover's avatar

The speech he gave in Detroit was amazing! Motown is JoeTown! The pastor that introduced him was amazing as well! It was nice to see so much positive energy around him and from him! If all the negativity is getting you down, look it up on YouTube and give it a watch-it will leave you smiling and fired up!

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Dr. Stephanie Lovely's avatar

Yes! I loved that one! Thank you for reading!

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Barb Smith's avatar

Called the White House left message totally supporting the President

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Dr. Stephanie Lovely's avatar

I’m sure these messages are much appreciated right now! Thank you all for reading and contributing to this conversation!

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Robyn Cooper's avatar

I emailed them with the same message…from Australia!

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Eli B's avatar

I did the same thing.

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Bobby Messano's avatar

I stand with Biden. I've been a Democrat for 52 years. When things get messy WE whine and think the sky is falling. I'm old too..semi famous. Grow some balls and grow up. I knew that idiot felon, pedophile. Stand tall and back one of the best administrations in history. The media and the no longer GOP want us scared and in disarray. You claim you're a Democrat. SHOW IT OR THEY WILL WIN.

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Dr. Stephanie Lovely's avatar

I do wonder what would happen if everyone just continued on the path from the primary with confidence and backed their candidate.

Are there ways you’ve seen Democrats successfully come together in times of crisis? What do you think is a path forward here?

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Kathi Ruel's avatar

Yes, please! Dems need to stop with the doom and gloom about Biden, PUBLICIZE all the good he has accomplished under some very trying times, keep reminding people that PROJECT 2025 is NOT a joke and it is his and the monied folks real plan for America and TALK to constituents to get a better handle on what is needed/wanted and to understand what us Average Joes/Joans are dealing with on a daily basis.

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Deborah C's avatar

Well, I think most Democrats are for Biden. The doom and gloom is coming from media and that includes left and right wing media.

They have created most of the negativity.

WTH!! Also the hair on fire member members of Congress.

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Mark T Copeland's avatar

Fantastic writing, I've been feeling that Billionaires and Democratic Elites were trying to change the peoples choice, by bullying Biden, why I can't fathom, this election is a perfect case for overturning Citizens United taking money out of politics.

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Jul 19
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Dr. Stephanie Lovely's avatar

I think it’s really important that we all listen to one another right now. I totally understand the fear of losing to Trump. The stakes are incredibly high, and it’s really scary.

Given that, do you see a more likely path to victory for democrats?

Also, as I said above, Biden is roughly the same age he was when millions of people voted for him a few months ago in the primary, and people took that into consideration along with other pros and cons when they voted. What would it mean to disregard the primary results?

What explanation do you give those voters for their votes being overridden by those with concerns about his age, and who has the right to decide who the new candidate? In what way do you see that transition being a fair and equitable process?

Thank you for reading!

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Carol Hartsfield's avatar

Just my opinion. Three and half years of great accomplishments to be thrown away. No. Debates do not win elections nor do polls. There is no precedent that switching a candidate has been successful. Instead, a disaster. I support Joe Biden. Let’s not listen to the naysayers. Go Biden!

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C3's avatar

Thank you, Dr, Lovely, for modeling positive discourse with genuine applicable inquiry. I look forward to seeing equally respectful and relevant responses.

Also, thank you for the great article, and specific insights into the Arnstein’s Ladder and Citizen Power visual; a fantastic learning tool!

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Jul 19
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PeachBlossom's avatar

Every Democrat you know doesn't add up to the 14 million of us who voted for Biden in the primaries and who would be extremely upset to have our chosen candidate ignored by a handful of party elites!

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maggie towne's avatar

He must stay in the… race they must stay in the race Schumer Pelosi, Jeffries, and Schiff are WRONG

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Kate's avatar

Pelosi should not be giving anyone advice about age, health and stepping back. She disgusts me now.

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Susie in OH's avatar

I don’t think she is. They have lied about her before.

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Kate's avatar

Could be. What hasn’t the MSM lied about? That’s a VERY VERY short list.

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Deborah C's avatar

There’s just so much downright lies and disinformation in the media. People that I used to trust, but no longer. I saw it on full display after hearing an interview with Pelosi and she was missed quoted.

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Suzanne Thorson's avatar

I’m Riden with Biden!

Thank you for Arnstein’s Ladder 🪜. It very much resonates for me.

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Timothy Fifer's avatar

The way the MSM tells it, most of upper echelon dems want Biden out, that’s not the case and it seems that most dem voters don’t feel that way. But we have to CHANGE the NARRATIVE so those same voters don’t become discouraged. Let the MSM dipshits, I mean MSM pugnuts, I mean…… oh what the hell, let those guys/gals know STOP talking for us. Let us elect our president !

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Dr. Stephanie Lovely's avatar

Hi Timothy, you’re right to distrust MSM, as a whole. It’s so important to hold a critical perspective when evaluating news sources, especially when something doesn’t seem quite right.

Big question is, who is benefiting the most from this narrative? Who might be invested in its continuation?

Thank you for reading!

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Timothy Fifer's avatar

You’re welcome. Keep up the great work.

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Suzanne Thorson's avatar

I’ve heard from other credible sources that the propaganda has started in earnest on social media from Russia and China. Maybe Orban too.

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Dr. Stephanie Lovely's avatar

Good point. We should add this into our equation when we look to understand our political climate. Thanks for reading and adding to the conversation!

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Jul 19
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Timothy Fifer's avatar

That may be true but unless you get a cross sampling of dem voters you’re not getting an accurate assessment of them. I really want a winning ticket too. If that means KH I’m all in. It it has to be Joe’s decision. If they force him

Out the party will fracture for the rest of the election and MAGA will definitely win. They have to let JRB decide. If he stays we HAVE to support him for the sake of the country. That’s obvious.

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IndigoBlue's avatar

Will note that the same exact ‘you are not using an accurate assessment’ applies to your ‘most dem voters’ statement. Last I heard is about 2/3 would be happier with a more competitive ticket. That said , I agree, Joe needs to decide this, I just wish he would stop pretending that his name wasn’t the only name on the primary ticket.

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Dr. Stephanie Lovely's avatar

It seems like the polls are a bit all over the place and you can make a case for many different scenarios. I haven’t seen the one you are talking about. Please, if possible, cite your sources and be respectful of everyone in this conversation!

Thank you all for reading.

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Timothy Fifer's avatar

So we’re basically on the same page about our desire for a winning ticket and how it should be done. I just hope the DNC doesn’t make the same mistake that they did with Clinton/sanders. Too much is at stake.

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Carol Hartsfield's avatar

I agree with your thoughts. Our votes matter. I am with Joe all the way.

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Dr. Stephanie Lovely's avatar

Absolutely. Thank you for reading!

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Mona's avatar

We should all write to President Biden at WH to run and not withdraw.

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Dr. Stephanie Lovely's avatar

I love this idea! Get fired up about it!

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Robyn Cooper's avatar

I did already, on behalf of his supporters in Australia.

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Dr. Stephanie Lovely's avatar

Very cool, Robyn!

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Gloria Silva Sampaio's avatar

You can text him. Spoutable put out a number.

3024040880

It's good, I texted him. Told him I was definitely voting for him.

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Mary Birdsong's avatar

I’m encouraged with your thoughts. Hopefully the naysayers will pay attention 👏👍🙏👏🇺🇸🙋‍♀️

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Dr. Stephanie Lovely's avatar

Thank you for reading, Mary! I’m with you.

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