dave cieslewicz

Same Old, Same Old For Dems

The Republicans are having a good convention. There is less red meat (though still plenty of it) to excite the base and more attempts (some pretty disingenuous) to win over the small, but crucial, number of independent voters. Last night we saw Black speakers talk about crime (it’s down, but you’d think it was rampant)Continue reading “Same Old, Same Old For Dems”

The Advance on Vance

Before we take a look at J.D. Vance, the thing that really struck me about the first night of the Republican convention was the appearance of Sean O’Brien, the head of the Teamsters Union. It was the first time the Teamsters had ever appeared at a GOP conclave. And he didn’t change a word ofContinue reading “The Advance on Vance”

Moment of Truth

Nothing has moved the needle much in our politics. Will an assassination attempt do it? Before Saturday evening I had intended to write that the Republicans should see if they could get their deposit back on the Fiserv Forum and cancel their convention. There’s an old rule in politics that when your opponent is diggingContinue reading “Moment of Truth”

An Odd Angle

Porter Boat House casts its shadow on Addams Hall while a bike path meanders through the narrow gap between the two buildings toward the Lakeshore Path on the UW campus. It was a hot Friday afternoon when I took this photo on my way to a beer and some music on the Memorial Union Terrace.Continue reading “An Odd Angle”

The Q&Q For 7/13/24

This week’s quote comes to us from none other than Donald J, Trump, Jr. In his podcast this week he discussed potential running mates for his father and he had this to say when he came to Marco Rubio: “By the time my father’s hand moves off the Bible in the swearing-in process, the secondContinue reading “The Q&Q For 7/13/24”

Biden Whiplash

I’m suffering from Joe Biden whiplash. I wanted him to run in 2016. Had he done so and secured the nomination — I ‘m not so sure he would have prevailed over Hillary Clinton — I’m confident there never would have been a Trump presidency. By 2020 I had moved on. I liked Pete ButtigiegContinue reading “Biden Whiplash”

YSDA Special: Biden’s Press Conference

Pres. Joe Biden held his first news conference in a very long time this evening. Here are some thoughts.

It’s Not Just Elites

We here at YSDA complain pretty much all the time about the “elite” wing of the Democratic Party. So, we were hurt to hear Pres. Joe Biden lump us in with all those NPR tote bag carriers when he attacked anybody who wants him to step aside after his disastrous debate performance as an “elite.”Continue reading “It’s Not Just Elites”

The Silence of the Donald

Here’s a line I’ve never written before: Donald Trump has spent the last couple of weeks doing smart things. The first smart thing he’s done is shut the heck up. Trump always sounds smarter when he’s not talking. Since the debate he has shown the unusual discipline to not step on Joe Biden’s self-destruction story.Continue reading “The Silence of the Donald”

Understanding Biden

Credit Joe Biden with self-awareness. He is the person he describes himself to be. He is, above all, a survivor. And that pretty much explains how we got to where we are right now. The key trait that has animated Biden’s long career is a keen desire and an ability to remain in office. HeContinue reading “Understanding Biden”