Daily Discussion - May 19, 2024

Biden Tells Bizarre Story About Seeing Hamas Torture Photos

In a commencement speech at Morehouse College today Joe Biden said: "I was there [in Israel] nine days after [October 7] and saw pictures of them tying a mother and daughter in a rope, pouring kerosene on them, burning them, and watching as they died.”

The White House was asked for comment and said that he didn't see the photos.

Senate to Vote on Bipartisan Border Bill in High-Stakes Political Maneuver

In a strategic move aimed at addressing one of the most contentious issues in American politics, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer announced that the Senate will vote this week on a bipartisan border bill that had previously been blocked. This announcement comes as a significant effort to put pressure on Republicans, who had withdrawn their support earlier, causing the bill to fail. Schumer's decision to reintroduce the bill underscores the ongoing challenges and divisions within Congress regarding border security and immigration reform.

The bipartisan border bill, which had been the…  Read more subject of long negotiations, aims to enhance security measures along the U.S. border while also addressing humanitarian concerns. Despite the bipartisan nature of the bill, its path to passage remains fraught with political hurdles, as both Democrats and Republicans have expressed reservations. Schumer, acknowledging the difficulties, has nonetheless pushed forward with the vote, signaling the urgency of addressing border security issues amid increasing migration pressures.

President Biden Engages with Detroit Community Ahead of NAACP Fight for Freedom Dinner

President Joe Biden's visit to Detroit has captured the attention of both supporters and critics as he prepares to deliver the keynote address at the NAACP Detroit Branch's 69th annual Fight for Freedom Fund Dinner. This event, a cornerstone in the community's calendar, aims to celebrate and further the cause of civil rights and freedom in the United States. Ahead of this significant speech, President Biden took the opportunity to engage directly with the Black community in Detroit, making a notable stop at CRED Café. This move underscores the administration's commi…  Read moretment to connecting with African American voters and addressing their concerns directly.

Scottish Lib Dem Leader Opens Up About Therapy for Online Abuse

In a candid revelation that has sparked conversations about the toxicity of online environments, Alex Cole-Hamilton, the leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats, has disclosed that he has been undergoing therapy for over two years to cope with the severe online abuse he has faced. This personal admission sheds light on the broader issue of the mental health toll on public figures and the urgent need for a more respectful public discourse in Scotland. Cole-Hamilton's experience underscores the often unseen challenges politicians face, highlighting the darker side of political engagement…  Read more in the digital age.

Senate Democrats don't believe Biden's bad polls

Democratic senators who represent presidential battlegrounds agree with President Biden — polls showing him trailing former President Trump in those key states are wrong.Why it matters: The skepticism is especially notable because a number of Democrats from those states have a polling lead over their Republican opponents in pivotal Senate races.

"No, I do not think that they are accurate," Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) told Axios. Her retirement has triggered one of the most competitive Senate races. Democrat Elissa Slotkin has been leading in early polls, even as Biden lags behind Trump."The polls showed that I was down when I entered my race. And polls didn't look that great for Angela Alsobrooks a couple weeks ago, but she won the primary heartedly," Sen. Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.) told Axios.

GOP Congressman warns Oct. 7 ‘could happen in US’ if Israel not victorious

Slamming US President Joe Biden’s decision to pause a shipment of thousands of bombs, Representative Elise Stefanik on Sunday warned that unless Israel is supplied with the weapons necessary to “achieve total victory,” America could face its own October 7.

Addressing lawmakers in Jerusalem during a session of the Knesset Caucus for Jewish and pro-Israel Students on Campuses around the World, the senior House Republican from New York declared that “there is no excuse for an American president to block aid to Israel — aid that was duly passed by the Congress — or to ease sanctions on Iran, paying a $6 billion ransom to the world’s leading state sponsor of terror, or to dither and hide while our friends fight for their lives.”

Trump Sharpens Vaccine Debate, Targets RFK Jr. in Political Maneuvering

In a strategic shift, former President Donald Trump is intensifying his rhetoric on vaccines, specifically targeting Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a notable figure in the vaccine skepticism movement. Trump, who once hailed the rapid development of COVID-19 vaccines under his administration as a monumental achievement, is now adjusting his stance to solidify his position among conservative voters. This move comes as Trump aims to distinguish his views from those of RFK Jr., amid speculation of Kennedy's potential influence on the vaccine debate within political circles.

Trump's recent commen…  Read morets suggest a deliberate effort to redefine his vaccine narrative, emphasizing his support for vaccine development while simultaneously criticizing Kennedy's skepticism. By doing so, Trump is navigating the complex landscape of vaccine opinions among his base, attempting to maintain support from both vaccine advocates and skeptics within the Republican Party. His strategy includes questioning President Joe Biden's health and fitness for office, further polarizing the vaccine discourse as a political tool.

Election Integrity in Question: Rubio and Other Republicans Refuse to Commit to Accepting 2024 Results

In a series of recent statements, U.S. Senator Marco Rubio, alongside other prominent Republicans, has stirred controversy by refusing to commit to accepting the results of the 2024 presidential election. This stance echoes former President Donald Trump's previous refusals to accept election outcomes, raising concerns about the stability of future electoral processes in the United States. Rubio's comments, suggesting that the acceptance of election results is contingent on perceived fairness, have ignited a debate on the integrity of the electoral system and the potential for politi…  Read morecal unrest.