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The Fall Political Season is Now Underway – “The Sunday Political … – GoLocalProv

September 24, 2023

Sunday, September 24, 2023

Mark Curtis, MINDSETTER™

 

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Presidential Debate 2020

We can argue until doomsday as to when the political campaign season actually begins (I argue that it never really ends). It used to be Labor Day of the upcoming election year, but now it’s at least Labor Day of the year prior. But with social media and 24-hour news channels buzzing round the clock, I think you have to assume, “Game on Now!” Like it or not, that’s real-world politics these days. Let’s “brunch” on that this week!

 

“Is the 2024 Race Between Donald Trump & Hunter Biden?” – Attorney General Merrick Garland testified before a House Committee on Wednesday. Front and center was the prosecution of presidential son Huner Biden. The younger Biden once had a plea deal in hand to plead guilty to tax charges, with gun charges being dropped. After an outcry, a special prosecutor who was previously a Trump appointee, was hired. Hunter Biden now faces those gun charges. Garland says his office is not playing favorites, “As the president has said, I reaffirm today, I am not the president’s lawyer. I will add I am not Congress’ prosecutor. The Justice Department works for the American people. Our job is to follow the facts and the law. That is what we do,” Garland said.

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“Hunter Biden IRS Bias Complaint” – Hunter Biden’s own lawyers are likely to blame for the collapse of what critics called a “sweetheart deal” plea bargain. Yes, get rid of the more serious gun charges, but fall on your sword over the misdemeanor tax charges. But for some reason, Hunter’s legal team balked. Now they are suing IRS agents who testified about the case before Congress. The agents “targeted and sought to embarrass Mr. Biden” with the sharing of confidential tax information in press interviews and testimony before Congress, the suit claims. His lawyers say whistleblower protections don’t apply. We’ll see. I would be hard-pressed to believe the IRS agents would bear false witness before Congress, but stranger things have happened.

 

“Where is the Standoff Headed?” – To gain any traction for 2024, Republicans must have solid evidence of Hunter Biden’s wrongdoing, but they also must put President Biden’s fingerprints on the weapons. So far, they haven’t. There are rumors and claims of phone calls where then Vice President Joe Biden was looped in, but still no smoking gun that shows a deal or quid pro quo. Yes, Joe Biden was recorded claiming he got a controversial Ukrainian prosecutor fired, but there is still no “connect the dots” to Hunter Biden’s business dealings with Ukraine interests. Look, there were rumors Billy Carter tried to leverage his relationship with his presidential brother, and Roger Clinton with Bill. And there were accusations Gov. Jeb Bush rigged Florida for brother George. But rumors and inuendo don’t successfully prosecute accusation, evidence does. Bring it!

 

“Trump off the Tracks” – I made the statement above because Donald Trump needs to beat Joe Biden in 2024, not beat Hunter Biden. The former President has all kinds of visual information to put out there that can cast doubts about his successor. The botched departure from Afghanistan and the siege at the Southern Border. From some of the highest inflation on record to the pervasiveness of fentanyl on American streets. All these provide compelling and persuasive images for campaign ads. Photos of Hunter Biden are weak by comparison. Yes, he fathered a child with a stripper, and was way behind on child support, but that’s on Hunter, not his dad. And I know the president’s lax acceptance of this grandchild has been a talking point, but again I argue that’s more on Hunter. It’s going to be a fierce battle in 2024, and I suggest the Republicans need to focus on issues that matter to voters, and not dysfunctional family behavior. I mean, have you noticed prices at the gas pumps lately?

 

“Border Disorder” – The immigration issue was front and center again this past week after President Biden issued an order that allows thousands of Venezuelans who’ve come across the Southern Border temporary legal status, which will allow them to seek employment. But there are concerns that some of the migrants are smuggling deadly fentanyl into the U.S. “If you think we’re doing the right thing there, absolutely in my opinion, you’ve got a blooming screw loose,” said Gov. Jim Justice (R) West Virginia, and a candidate for the U.S. Senate. Again, don’t be surprised to see the visuals in campaign ads.

 

“Shutdown, Shut Down?” – We will see in the coming days if the U.S. government actually shuts down since Congress can’t come to an agreement on next year’s spending bills. The Democrat-controlled Senate has the votes, but rebel ultra-conservatives in the House are poised to block their Speaker, who only has a four-seat majority. The Speaker’s Senate contemporary is not amused. “I think all of you know I’m not a fan of government shutdowns, I’ve seen a few of them over the years, they never have produced a policy change and they’ve always been a loser for Republicans, politically,” Minority Leader McConnell (R) Kentucky told reporters. He’s right, in the handful of government shutdowns I’ve covered, Democrats have been successful for tarring Republicans with the blame. This is a bad idea going into the 2024 election cycle.

 

“Fuss Over Fetterman Dress Code” – Call me “old school,” but I totally disagree with my former boss Sen. Chuck Schumer decision to scrap the dress code in the U.S. Senate. Sen. John Fetterman who has battled some serious physical and mental health issues in recent years, has often showed up on the Senate floor with shorts and a hoodie, without sanction. Now he and everyone else has a free pass to do the same. When I was a House and Senate Aide, and then a reporter on Capitol Hill, we also had a strict dress code for attire in the House and Senate chambers. Coat and tie for the men, business attire for women. To me it upholds the respect and decorum afforded the institution. This is the governance of the United States, not a rock concert. Can the partisan “Trump Sucks” or “Biden Sucks” t-shirts be far behind? This is demeaning!

But I’m sure to some, I sound like Clint Eastwood yelling, “Get off my lawn!”

Mark Curtis, Ed.D., is Chief Political Reporter for the seven Nexstar Media TV stations serving West Virginia, its five neighboring states and the entire Washington, DC media market. He is also a MINDSETTER™ contributing political writer and analyst for www.GoLocalProv.com and its affiliates.


 

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