Suggested Debate Questions For Donald Trump

 Sunday, September 27th, 2020

My Dear America:

It is Sunday, September 27th and the time seems to be flying by very quickly right now as we race to the Presidential Finish Line in early November.  Joe Biden was on television today railing against the reprehensible conduct of Donald Trump and Mitch McConnell as they try to Jam through Super Conservative Amy Coney Barrett, Trump's Nominee to fill Ruth Bader Ginsberg's barely empty seat on the United States Supreme Court.  Former Vice President Biden pointed out that what is on the line in the upcoming Supreme Court appointment are some extremely important topics including The prospective end to protecting Pre Existing Conditions and Obamacare, also Reproductive Rights for Women, among many other important issues that the Court will undoubtedly be discussing and deciding.

From what I can gather it sounds like Chris Wallace will be asking some very important and relevant questions of the candidates on this coming Tuesday's First Presidential Debate between Donald Trump and Joe Biden.  Although there has been some criticism of the Choice of Chris Wallace as Tuesday's Debate Moderator I feel confident that Wallace will do a good job as host of Tuesday's Debate.  Although Chris Wallace has been a Fox News Personality for many years he has shown himself to be more than a cut above many of the other disturbingly biased and reckless Fox News Personalities.

I realize that Chris Wallace and the other individuals who will be hosting the other Presidential Debates do not need, and probably do not want, my suggestions regarding what possible questions they might ask either Vice President Biden or President Donald Trump.  Regardless, whether they want my suggestions or not I am going to voice some statements and questions that I hope might be topics of discussion in the debates primarily with regard to Donald Trump that I feel strongly are topics of discussion which should be included in the upcoming debates.

Here Goes.

Mr. President, you have done a terrible job in your Administration in virtually all areas of your Responsibilities.

Why have you have failed to control the Coronavirus with over 200 thousand American Citizens dead and no end to the death toll in sight.  While you certainly can't be blamed for all of the Americans killed by the Virus, many Americans died needlessly because they followed your encouragement not to wear a mask and not to socially distance, as well as your other very controversial and frankly terrible advice that you gave your followers.

Why have you also failed terribly with regard to the issue of Immigration where you ordered the separating of children from their families and incarcerating Immigrants and separately incarcerating their children with no thought or planning regarding how these immigrant families might be reunited.

Why have you corrupted the United States Justice Department and every other Agency in the Government of the United States by loading the top echelon of government agencies with toadies and yes men and women who are too frightened of your power and control to think for themselves or protest your illegal or unwise orders.

Why have you disgraced the United States Armed Services, especially those who have died in service to America by describing them as "Losers" and "Suckers"

Why have you also disgraced America by treating our Allies as Enemies and our Enemies as Friends.

Why have you Disgraced America by believing Vladimir Putin over virtually all of the American Intelligence Services with regard to whether or not Russia interfered in the 2016 Election.

Why have you disgraced America by your constantly lying about nearly everything throughout your Administration.

Why have you clearly risked the Fall of Democracy in Ukraine by illegally holding back funds that had been approved by almost the full Congress to provide for munitions so that Ukraine, which is situated on the border with Russia, could successfully resist Armed Russian Aggression.      

Speaking of Allies, Why did you abandon the Kurds in Syria, who did the great majority of fighting and dying in the fight against ISIS in Iraq and Syria.  Why did you unilaterally pull out American Troops from Syria opening the door for Russian and Turkish Troops to enter Syria and wantonly slaughter our Kurdish Allies.

Why did you approve Pardons for Roger Stone and Michael Flynn but tried to punish Michael Cohen by having your Attorney General put him back in jail because he would not relinquish his right to write a book about his years of service to you.  

Why have you constantly and seemingly seriously recommended jailing Hillary Clinton and other Democrats who committed no crimes other than opposing you.

Why have you encouraged "Second Amendment People" like Kyle Rittenhouse to take their guns to Portland, Seattle, Kenosha and other American towns and cities where Black Lives Matter Protests were taking place.  Also why have you sent Federal Secret Police to those same cities and towns where protests are taking place to arrest and intimidate protesters.

Why do you continue to lie to the American people about Health Care stating that you intend to present a Health Care Plan that will protect Pre Existing Conditions while your Administration fights in the Supreme Court to eliminate the Pre Existing Conditions Protections of Obamacare.

You have nominated to the Supreme Court and Federal Courts around the country Right Wing Judges who seem ready to eliminate Obamacare and the Reproductive Rights of Women.  You are now in collusion with Republicans in the United States Senate trying to cement the Right Wing Takeover of the Supreme Court by stealing the Supreme Court seat held by recently deceased Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg   

Although you skillfully manipulated the American Press to help you get elected you have throughout your Administration demeaned and disparaged the Press when they have shown the backbone to tell the truth about Donald Trump and the Trump Administration .  You have called the Press "Enemies of the People" just like Adolph Hitler and all of those Dictators who you seem to admire have done.

You seem to be obsessed with undoing whatever President Obama has done in his Administration such as pulling America out of the Iran Nuclear Deal and the Paris Climate Accord.  Why are you so obsessed with President Obama.  Is it Jealousy, as Michael Cohen has said.

Well these are my proposed Questions and Statements about Donald Trump.  It is my hope that some of these issues may be discussed in the coming debates.  I hope for the best from Joe Biden and hope that Gentleman Joe is not too much of a Gentlemen with the Ignorant Fool who will be trying to destroy Joe Biden just like he has tried to destroy our country for the past four years.  

You Go, Joe.  We are with you and we will be turning out in droves to vote for you, whether it is on election day or before.  We are not going to buy Donald Trump's Malarky about mail in ballots. We support the Post Office System and oppose Donald Trump's efforts to destroy it.  Whether it is with mail in ballots or at the polls on election day we will be turning out to vote for you and vote for every Democrat we can find running on Election Day.   

Have A Great Debate on Tuesday, Joe.  

We will all be with you in the coming final days of this Enormously Important Election.

Sincerely Yours

Jerry Gallagher

A Fond Farewell To The Notorious RBG

 Sunday, September 20th, 2020

My Dear America:

The News Friday Night was shocking.  I was playing Music in my basement with two of my closest Democratic Musician Friends on the Jamkazam Internet Music Website when My wife blinked the lights to get my attention.  "Ruth Bader Ginsberg died" my wife told me and I, in turn, told my friends.  We were all devastated and talked for a long time about the Notorious RBG before we finally went back to playing music.  We tried to play some songs in her honor.

It wasn't that the prospect of her death was unexpected.  RBG had endured  some serious bouts with cancer and she was, after all, 87 years old.  I simply think that we had all gotten used to hearing that she was having health concerns at points and then hearing that she was back to work at the Supreme Court almost immediately.   I think we all thought that after working on the Supreme Court for 27 years that she would certainly be around to vote for Joe Biden, see him elected and see him inaugurated.

RBG clearly had no use for Donald Trump.  She had made it clear at one time that she recognized what a dangerous fool he was.  Of course, Donald Trump, who never seemed to have any problems saying inappropriate things about others, called her comments about him inappropriate.  She apologized for what she had said about Trump.

One of my daughters is a successful lawyer who graduated from Rutgers Law School after RBG had left her position there as a Rutgers Law Professor. My daughter was certainly the beneficiary of some of the prestige that Professor Ginsberg brought to Rutgers, though and although RBG could not find a job in her day after graduating at the top of her class in Law School, in today's Justice system Women and Men are rather evenly divided throughout the legal profession.  

Women have come a long way in many professions but they have certainly made tremendous strides in the Legal profession.  While RBG was a Law Professor at Rutgers Law School I found out in the Hollywood movie about Ruth Bader Ginsberg and her husband, Marty Ginsberg, She proudly shepherded several groundbreaking cases under the auspices of the American Civil Liberties Union in which she ended up as Legal Counsel in the Supreme Court making great strides  with regard to gender equality for both Women and Men.  In some ways RBG's gender equality cases before the Supreme Court were just as important overall as the cases she dealt with while she was an Associate Justice on The Supreme Court.

One thing that did not change with her over the course of her Long Legal Career was the fact that in all of her jobs she was a very hard and a very serious worker who held the law in high esteem and had high (almost impossible) standards that she had for herself as a Lawyer.  

She was not only well liked by those who worked with her.  She was loved by most people who interacted with her.  Certainly she was loved by her husband and children and grandchildren.  Her students loved her as well, as did judges and lawyers she worked with and her clients, of course. She was also highly respected by those who knew her.  It was well known that RBG was a very Progressive (Left Leaning) Supreme Court Justice.  It was also well known that Justice Antonin Scalia was a very Conservative (Right Leaning) Supreme Court Justice.  It would seem as though these two people whose Legal views couldn't have been farther apart from one another would never have gotten along.  They were, however, the best of friends. They had both worked together on the DC Circuit Court and had gotten along well there, as well.  When RBG was appointed to the Supreme Court they continued to be good friends, sharing an interest in opera, as well as the law.

It was interesting to learn from the CNN Documentary Film about Ruth Bader Ginsberg that in the later years of her life she seemed to get a kick out of the fact that she was known as the Notorious RBG.  She, indeed, had a notorious style to her.  Although she apparently had not seen the brilliant portrayal of herself by Kate McKinnon on Saturday Night Live, the movie producers sat her down in front of a television and had her watch Mckinnon's Notorious RBG Skits.  Like the outstanding person she was, she laughed loudly and gave Kate McKinnon an enthusiastic thumbs up for her brilliant performances

Ruth Bader Ginsberg's last words according to her Granddaughter were that she hoped that efforts to replace her would wait until after November's election and the Inauguration of a new President.  

Clearly Donald Trump and Senator Mitch McConnell do not seem willing to accede to RBG's wishes.   Although Ruth Bader Ginsberg's life was beautiful and uplifting what Trump and McConnell are planning to do in order to steal RBG's Supreme Court seat before the November election is going to be an ugly and disgusting exercise in Brute Power, something RBG had little use for.

I only hope that their revolting plan backfires on them and puts Joe Biden in the White House as his New Permanent Residence.  I am sure that RBG would get a kick out of that.

Rest in Peace RBG.  We will always love you, respect you and admire you.

And We will never ever Forget You.

Sincerely Yours

Jerry Gallagher

 

Candidates In Kenosha - Extreme Contrast In Reasons For Going

Saturday, September 5th, 2020

My Dear America:

It is Saturday, September 5th and it is Labor Day Weekend.  My wife and I just had a Zoom Training Session with a young man named Jay who is working with the Biden- Harris Campaign.  Jay strikes me as being highly motivated and Competent.  It will be good to work with him as we all struggle to get Joe Biden and Kamala Harris elected on  November 3rd of this year.  

This has been a hellish year with One Hundred and Eighty Five Thousand Americans dead from the Coronavirus, or in Donald Trumpspeak, the China Virus.  I guess Trump thinks that if we all think of it as the China Virus that somehow that will clear him of responsibility for failing to act in a responsible way that might have ended up killing the virus instead of the virus ending up killing a Hundred and Eighty Five Thousand American Souls.  

At this point in time it is incomprehensible to me that Donald Trump could gather even five percent of voters polled nationwide let alone over 40 percent of Americans.  But once again like a dangerous snake Trump continues to crawl up in the polls as his efforts to suppress the vote intensify. What in the world is wrong with so many Americans willing to not only tolerate Donald Trump's behavior, but actually to support it.  

Many decades ago Walter Cronkite used to narrate a black and white television program called "You Are There" on CBS.  The program featured staged recreations of historical events with Walter and other correspondents interviewing participants in the historical happenings.  At the end of each program Walter used to say something like "What you have seen will Alter and Illuminate our Time and You Are There."

What we Americans are seeing every day of our lives in the time of Donald Trump is certainly Altering and Illuminating our lives, and as much as sometimes we don't want to be there to see what Donald Trump is doing to us and to our Country We Are There, whether we like it or not.

After the Coronavirus Superspreader Event on the White House Lawn that ended the last night of the Republican Convention it almost seemed as though nothing could have topped the insanity of that monstrously insensitive move.  Once again, however, we were wrong.  Donald Trump had more in store for us and this week we found out what it was.

Before August 23rd, 2020 almost none of us knew the name Jacob Blake.  But once again someone with the capability of taking a video took a very shocking one in Kenosha, Wisconsin featuring a young man by the name of Jacob Blake.  

The details of the incident involving the shooting of Jacob Blake are sketchy, at best.  Witnesses of the event do not seem to be in agreement on all of the details of what happened.  What is known is that the Kenosha police department was called to an incident of what was described as a domestic disturbance.  Apparently they were notified by Jacob Blake's girlfriend that Blake was defying a Protection From Abuse order of Protection by coming to her home and was trying to steal her car.  Some witnesses to the incident state that when the police arrived Jacob Blake was trying to break up a fight between two women on the sidewalk.  Police tried to grab Jacob Blake and when he resisted he was tasered.  Some witnesses said Blake wrestled with police and when he broke free he walked around a vehicle and attempted to get in.  Police surrounded him and one of the officers standing behind him shot him several times.  The police officers gun shot Blake either 7 or 8 times from behind, although reports are that only 4 shots hit Blake.  Those four shots did a lot of damage but they did not kill Blake.  He continues at this time to be hospitalized and most of his small intestines have been removed.  One bullet smashed through his spinal column and reports are that doctors do not see much hope that Blake will ever walk again.

As has been the situation in other cities around the country this disturbing incident set off protests in Kenosha some of which got out of hand and resulted in some buildings being burned.  Immediate reactions from Blake's family differed depending on who was speaking.  Jacob's father was outraged and angry.  His mother prayed, not only for her son but for the police officer who shot him.  She also prayed for the community and advised the community that her son asked for the community to respect him and each other and stop the violence.

The reaction of the President of the United States was, not surprisingly, divisive and disturbing.  His only reaction to the Kensoha shooting was to back the police and never did he express any remorse for the shooting of Jacob Blake.  Apparently, in reaction to Trump's insensitivity regarding the shooting of Jacob Blake a number of "Second Amendment People" began to show up in Kenosha fully armed and ready for battle with protesters.  One of those Armed gunmen was not even a man.  He was a teenager named Kyle Rittenhouse, who walked through the streets of Kenosha shooting people, two of whom died.  

Donald Trump could have called on his followers not to follow in the footsteps of Kyle Rittenhouse and ruin their lives, as Kyle has ruined his, as well as the lives of others.  He didn't do that, however.  Trump clearly failed to condemn  the teenagers actions and presented what Rittenhouse did as a matter of self defense.  Certainly Rittenhouse would not have been in a position of needing to defend himself if he had stayed home and didn't come to Kenosha with a long rifle and a displaced allegiance to Donald Trump.

This past week we saw two reactions by the 2020 Presidential Candidates who both went to Kenosha with two separate reasons to go to this Wisconsin city.

Donald Trump went to Kenosha despite the fact that the Mayor of Kenosha and the Governor of Wisconsin requested that he should not come.  Clearly they were obviously worried that Trump would come to Kenosha with the intention of fanning the flames of hate rather than trying to tamp down the violence. He did come to Kenosha and stayed away from the Kenosha government figures, or rather they stayed away from him.  Trump found some business figures and members of the police department who met with him.  It is hard to see why he came, what he got out of this visit or what the city of Kenosha got out of his visit. 

Also this past week Joe Biden also visited Kenosha.  His visit was extremely different than that of Trump.  Biden met with Community Leaders and he also met with members of Jacob Blake's family.  He even had a conversation with Jacob Blake on the phone.  Biden took the opportunity during his visit to call out Racism and Violence in the streets.

The reactions of and the reactions to both Joe Biden and Donald Trump in Kenosha, Wisconsin are contrasts that are stark and stunning and are lessons that should be paid attention to by all Americans prior to the November Presidential Election.    

Sincerely Yours

Jerry Gallagher

   

 

Unmoored - A Weeks Worth Of Alternative Facts At The Republican National Convention Ends With A Super Spreader Nightmare On Pennsylvania Avenue

 Sunday, August 30th, 2020

My Dear America:

Like the Democratic Convention the week before, the Republican National Convention was also a mainly Televised Convention.  

Unlike the Democratic Convention that featured some very well known Republicans including John Kasich and Colin Powell, among others, stumping for Joe Biden there were only a few virtually unknown Democrats willing to show up for Donald Trump at his Convention.  

In fact, most of the people who showed up to support Donald Trump at his Convention were mainly unknown people, although he did score a few Republican Legislators who were willing to put their already soiled reputations on the line for Donald Trump.  Representative Steve Scalise showed up, as did Kevin McCarthy.  Also Senators Tom Cotton, Joni Erst and Mitch McConnell gave short speeches of support for President Trump.  

I did fully watch the first night, third and fourth nights of the Convention.  I taped the second night but after watching some of the "highlights" on Stephen Colbert's show as well as on MSNBC and CNN I decided not to put myself through the torture of watching Eric and Melania Trump extol the virtues of Donald Trump.

For God's Sake didn't anyone in the Trump Campaign staff have the good sense to tell Donald and Melania that her immigrant story is tone deaf to a nation that is tired of seeing immigrants locked up, locked out and immigrant children separated from their families.

In addition, to the very long Week Of A Thousand lies (At Least) we saw some additional very out of touch behaviors and speeches on the part of a lot of the Trump Surrogates.  

NIGHT ONE

Certainly on night one the award for the loudest and the weirdest speech of the night went to Kimberly Guilfoyle, Donald Junior's girlfriend and former Fox News Contributor, who is also inexplicably the Ex Wife of California Gavin Newsom. 

Other Trump Panderers on Night One of the Convention included Representatives Matt Gaetz and Jim Jordan.  Jordan actually put on a suit coat for this event. Senator Tim Scott seemed sincere but misguided and former South Carolina Governor and United Nations Representative Nikki Haley took care to look good and feather her own nest as she proclaimed her loyalty to Donald Trump.

Mark and Patricia McClosky, two gun toting Lawyers who got a lot of press and a visit from the police for brandishing guns outside of their home in St. Louis during Black Lives Matter Protests also showed up to profess fealty to Donald Trump. Don Junior was also there on Monday night prompting some people to speculate as to whether Junior might be hopped up on something other than family loyalty.

NIGHT TWO

Some of those showing up to praise the President on night two of the Convention in addition to Melania and Eric Trump were Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, live from Jerusalem where he was traveling on the taxpayers dime and Senator Rand Paul, who had nothing good to say about Donald Trump when they were running against each other in 2016. Now apparently they're Best Buddies. Who could have predicted that. 

Former Florida Attorney General, Pam Bondi, who killed her investigation into Trump University after receiving a Very Substantial Campaign Contribution from Donald Trump, had the audacity to try to revive the corruption allegations against Hunter Biden that she pedaled when she was one of Trump's Defense Attorney's during the Senate Impeachment Trial.  

Do these people have so little common sense that they scream Nepotism when both Ivanka and Jared are working in the White House and Don Junior and Eric Trump are taking full advantage of making money while their father is the President and Eric's wife is working on the Campaign.  Not to mention the recent allegations that Donald Trump Senior was having his self appointed Ambassador trying to procure the British Open Golf Tournament for one of Trump's golf courses in the British Isles.

NIGHT THREE

Night Three of the Trump Republican Convention was rather light on stars.  Mike Pence and Karen Pence both had their turn and I have to say that I thought Mike was more impressive than I expected.  Of course after Mike's speech he was joined onstage  by Donald Trump.  At Fort McHenry where Pence gave his speech there seemed to be some people making an attempt at social distancing and some people wearing masks.  

Prior to Mile Pence there were presentations by the Governor of South Dakota and Congressional Representatives from Tennessee, Texas and New York, as well as Trump Operatives Kayleigh McEnenny and Kellyanne Conway.  Conway had announced at the beginning of the week that she would be leaving the White House where she had worked as an advisor since Trump's Inauguration to try to work out some issues at home with her daughter, who along with Kellyanne's husband, George Conway, had been discrediting Donald Trump for a very long time.  

A Sacred Heart Nun and Surgeon must have held her nose as she talked about her support for Trump because she was against abortion.  

Football Coach, Lou Holtz, also spoke in Trump's behalf on Night 3, as did Lara Trump and Richard Grenell, Former Acting Director of National Intelligence.  Grenell had not lasted long as DNI Director because even the Republicans thought he was someone who had no experience in Intelligence gathering.

NIGHT FOUR

Night Four was somewhat of a Rogues Gallery with Donald Trump being the Rogue in Chief.  The exception to the Rogue Rule was the inclusion of Carl and Marsha Mueller, parents of Kayla Mueller, a young aid worker who was kidnapped in Syria and after being tortured and raped repeatedly was eventually killed.  Although none of this occurred during the Trump Administration Mr. and Mrs. Mueller somehow seemed to feel that the Obama Administration policy of not paying ransom was responsible for their daughter's death and you can't blame them for how they feel.  I doubt whether Donald Trump is deserving of their loyalty to him but regardless the Muellers are riding on the Trump Train and I would certainly not judge them harshly.

Alice Johnson was another person who some might judge harshly.  Alice spent 22 years in prison serving a life sentence for what I believe were drug offenses.  Donald Trump commuted her sentence and more recently pardoned her.  Again, I don't blame this woman for supporting the man who pardoned her.  I would be surprised if she didn't support Donald Trump.  

Other members of the Thursday Night Rogues Gallery beside Trump were Ben Carson, Mitch McConnell live from Kentucky, Senator Tom Cotton, Representative Kevin McCarthy, Representative Jeff Van Drew, who when he saw he was going to lose his New Jersey Congressional seat left the Democratic Party and became a Republican.  Other Thursday Night Rogues included Ivanka Trump (Beautiful, but a Rogue Nevertheless), Rudy Giuliani, Franklin Graham and Dana White, President of the UFC Ultimate Fighting Championship.

Then there is the Rogue in Chief, Donald Trump, who after a stirring introduction by his daughter, Ivanka came walking out of the White House with his wife looking like a South American or Middle Eastern or Russian Dictator shuffling out to meet his minions.  

And his minions were there.  All of his Acting Secretaries of Various Cabinet Agencies.  Many members of the Border Patrol.  Many Politicians and many friends and Relations.  Almost all of them were not wearing masks and were sitting close together making a mockery of CDC Covid 19 Guidelines.  

On and On Trump went with Grievance after Grievance for 70 minutes in the middle of possibly the worst Pandemic the world has ever seen unloading on Joe Biden and the Democrats.

There were many things that Donald Trump left out of his speech and were hardly mentioned by anyone at the Republican National Convention.

There was no mention of the at the time 170 thousand (Now Higher than that) Dead Americans filling up American Graveyards because Donald Trump wanted to pretend that the Pandemic wasn't happening because it didn't look good for his Re Election Campaign.  But it was happening.  

There was also no mention of the numerous Trump Campaign Leaders who are either in jail or pardoned by Trump or his Attorney General, William Barr.  Three of his Campaign Managers have been charged with crimes, Paul Manafort, Steve Bannon and Corey Lewandowski.  

There was no mention of the Senate Intelligence Committee report stating clearly that there certainly was Cooperation between the Trump Campaign and Russian Intelligence.

There was a mention, however, of the danger of immigrants and black and brown people who are causing problems for American cities according to Donald Trump.

The Convention was very skillfully done, I must admit.  The Republicans presented a rather positive view of the United States from their point of view.  If some alien craft picked up a signal from earth and watched the Convention on C- Span they certainly would have thought that Donald Trump was a terriffic President with a lot of great supporters who gathered in the White House Garden to celebrate one hell of a President.  Did you see all those people sitting there loving this guy, they would say.

Yes Sir,  Donald Trump Put on one hell of a Reality Show during the Republican Convention.

Too bad it wasn't Reality.

Sincerely Yours

Jerry Gallagher

  

   

Thanks Democrats For Showing Us How To Run Things In A Pandemic By Putting On An Outstanding Virtual Democratic Convention

 Saturday, August 22nd, 2020

My Dear America:

I have been watching Democratic Conventions since 1960 and I have seen a lot of good ones, some better than others, but all of them pretty good.  I remember the stunning black and white television sight of John F. Kennedy accepting the nomination for President, Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton, Barack Obama and many other outstanding Convention Speakers.  Even though I really enjoyed the excitement and pageantry of all of the Democratic Conventions there were times that I thought that parts of the Convention were a bit boring and unnecessary.  Sometimes the Conventions went on too long every day with lots of gaps in which many speakers who were unfamiliar to us were getting their 15 minutes of Democratic Party Fame. 

There were, however, some exciting moments of conflict between Democratic Rivals.

John Kennedy and Lyndon Johnson

Ted Kennedy and Jimmy Carter 

Bill Clinton and Jerry Brown

There had been some knock down drag out fights in some Past Democratic Party Conventions.

There were No Real Democratic Conflicts this time around, Though.

Nobody on the Democratic Party side this time around was putting their interests ahead of the Democratic Party's interests, or more importantly the Country's interests or the interests of the Prospective Democratic Nominees for President and Vice President.

The Democratic Party under the leadership of Tom Perez deserves some serious kudos.  You guys not only did a good job.  You did a Great Job, An Outstanding Job throughout the four nights of the First and Only (So Far) Virtual Democratic Convention.

Speaking as a Democrat and speaking for some of my Democratic Friends who I talked to about the Convention, We are in agreement that this Convention was certainly one of the best and most memorable and successful Conventions of our lifetimes.  

A Democratic Convention is meant to decide who will represent the Party in running for President every four years.  It is also meant to present the chosen Candidates for President and Vice President to not only the Democratic Party Members but in the age of Television to the American Television Audience.

This year's Virtual Television Spectacular accomplished so much more than it had in years past that I am sure future Democratic Convention Planners, even those not in the age of Covid, will be using this years Convention as a model for future Conventions even in those future days when Covid is a thing of the past. 

The Virtual Democratic Party Convention featured countless Democratic Luminaries such as Bernie Sanders, Michelle Obama, Barack Obama, Hillary and Bill Clinton, John Kerry, almost all of Joe Biden's Democratic Party Presidential Rivals, Alexandria Ocasio Cortez, Kamela Harris and so many others, as well as a few of those increasingly rare birds these days, Moderate Republicans, such as John Kasich and Colin Powell.

Hollywood Glamour was also represented by the beautiful Democratic Activists who Emceed the festivities every night including Eva Longoria, Tracee Ellis Ross, Kerry Washington and Julia Luis-Dreyfuss.

There were a lot of young people involved in the Convention this time around singing, as well as talking.  The amazing southwestern young lady who had lost her father to Covid was heartbreaking as she explained that her father's only pre -existing condition was that he trusted Donald Trump when Trump dismissed wearing masks and social distancing.

The most impressive young man at the Convention, I thought was Braydon from Maine who had met Joe Biden on the Campaign Trail and Biden had taken him under his wing because Braydon had a stuttering problem. Joe Biden had overcome his own stuttering difficulties in his younger days and trusted Brayden to speak at the Virtual Convention.  Yes, Braydon did stutter occasionally through his presentation but he made it through his speech successfully and the look of pride on his face when he finished was precious.  The fact that Joe Biden showed empathy, compassion and trust in this  young man was in direct contrast to the complete lack of empathy and compassion for others that is shown by Donald Trump every day of his life and the life of our country.

And then on the last night of the Convention Joe Biden topped off the Convention with the speech of his life.  No, he wasn't Barack Obama but he was the man who Barack Obama chose to be his right hand man in his admirable and successful Administration. Those in the Republican Party such as Trump who have tried to paint Joe Biden as some sort of senile old man who doesn't know what he is doing must have been extremely disappointed in the stirring and stunning speech that Joe gave accepting his party's nomination for President.  It was certainly a good night for Joe Biden on Democratic Party Convention Thursday and it was a good week overall for the First Virtual Democratic Party Convention of 2020.

Now its on to the Campaign Trail for Joe Biden and Kamela Harris and hopefully on to The White House for these two highly skilled Democratic Politicians after one of the best Democratic Party Conventions that I have ever seen.   

Sincerely Yours

Jerry Gallagher

The First Night Of The First Virtual Democratic Party National Convention

August 17th, 2020

My Dear America:

Any concerns about how things would go during the First Virtual Democratic Convention are over now.  Whoever organized and produced this fine All Star filled Television Extravaganza should be extremely proud of their accomplishment.  The evening was loaded with not only Democratic Luminaries but also plenty of lesser known Democrats, many of whom stole the show.

The Emcee for the Night was the lovely and talented Desperate Housewife herself and long time Democratic Party supporter, Eva Longoria.  Eva did a great job keeping the show going strong.  Except for a missed cue by Congressman James Clyburn, the Democratic Party TV Special running live on CNN, MSNBC and C-Span ran with the precision of a Barbra Streisand Special from back in the day when she still did Television Specials.

The show (And it truly was a show from start to finish) was fast paced and interesting, as well as very relevant.  It started off with young kids from all over the country singing "The Star Spangled Banner" on Zoom.  These kids could sing and sing they did.  There were segments featuring several of Joe Biden's Democratic opponents in the Democratic Party Debates stating why they were now Joe Biden Supporters rather than rivals.  It reminded me of the Doris Kearns Goodman's book, "Team of Rivals" and the unprecedented move by Barack Obama in hiring his Presidential Campaign Rival, Hillary Clinton to work as Secretary of State in the Obama Administration.

Speaking of Rivals, Bernie Sanders, looking fit and trim made it clear that he was on the Biden Team and he was strongly advising any and all of his Primary Election Supporters to get on board the Biden Train also.  

Another surprising endorsement of Joe Biden was John Kasich, one of Donald Trump's opponents in the 2016 Republican Presidential Primary.  Kasich's appearance tonight was no surprise by the time he appeared tonight, but it was still a stirring, encouraging request for Unity against Donald Trump who had proved to be incredibly, outrageously, reckless and a horribly disgraceful President.  Kasich was joined by other well known long time Republicans who have had it with Donald Trump and recognize that their Country is far more important than their party.  Of Course, Donald Trump, as well as Chris Christie railed against Kasich almost immediately on Twitter.  Certainly Kasich had to expect some serious blowback from his Republican Party Toadies.

One of the most stunning speakers on the Democratic Party Convention Special was a young woman from the Southwest who explained that her father passed away about a month ago after listening to Trump telling his followers that they didn't need masks and didn't need to socially distance.  She stated that her Father had been healthy before he listened to Trump and wore no mask when he went to a Karaoke Bar.  According to the man's daughter the man's only Pre Existing Condition was that he trusted Donald Trump.

The main and last speaker of the night was Keynote Speaker, Michelle Obama. In her charming and sensible manner Michelle did what she had done on other Monday nights in past Convention Speeches.  This very bright graduate of Princeton University  and Harvard Law School and wife of former President Barack Obama once again hit it out of the park and made Democrats wish that she didn't hate politics so much.   

All in all it was a Great night for Democrats and it was only the first night of this unusual but fascinating Virtual Democratic Convention.

My only criticism is that at the end of the night when Stephen Stills played guitar and Billy Porter sang "For  What it's Worth" CNN and MSNBC cut to their Commentators.  There was a simple solution, though.  I switched to C-Span and listened to the great song in its entirety.

I can't wait for Tuesday Night.

Sincerely Yours

Jerry Gallagher

 

Democrats Rejoice - The Dream Team Has Arrived

 August 12th, 2020

My Dear America:

Well it has finally happened.  With only days to go before the start of the 2020 Democratic Convention, Joe Biden has made his Vice Presidential Choice.   Like Bill Clinton's choice of Al Gore and Barack Obama's choice of him, Joe Biden has made the truly Sensational choice of California United States Senator Kamala Harris to serve as his Vice President.  

Democrats across the board are thrilled with this choice of Senator Harris, as well they should be.  

Although I had liked and admired several other VP prospects under consideration, as well, including Stacy Abrams, Elizabeth Warren and Susan Rice, I recognize that the extraordinary talents and experience of Senator Harris will certainly help Joe Biden garner votes in the final days of the 2020 Presidential race and that she will add a Great Deal of depth to the 2020 Democratic Ticket.

Of course Donald Trump has already chimed in with his denigrating comments about Senator Harris.  She is "Mean" and "Nasty" according to Trump's present assessment of Kamala Harris.

Never mind the fact that a month ago when asked about her as a prospective VP Candidate for Joe Biden Trump said he thought she was a "Good Choice."  Today she is "Mean" and "Nasty."

Where does Donald Trump get the gall to call anyone Mean and Nasty when he is the Meanest and Nastiest Politician in America.

Its unbelievable.  Of course everything that Donald Trump says is unbelievable.

Trump should be reminded that he contributed a substantial amount of money to the Kamela Harris Campaign for Attorney General of California.  I guess that was back when he was still a Democrat.

Trump has a point, though.  Harris did give Trump Appointees, Brett Kavanaugh (Supreme Court) and William Barr (Attorney General) a thorough going over when they appeared before the Senate Judiciary Committee.

In fact Harris also gave Joe Biden one of his worst nights on the debate stage in the first televised Democratic Presidential Candidate Debate.

Harris may not have been intentionally mean and nasty on that night but she certainly knocked Job Biden back on his heels a bit.  If Vice President Biden was an unforgiving grudge holder like Donald Trump certainly he never would have even considered Kamela Harris for the VP spot after that debate incident but lucky for us Joe let bygones be bygones and Kamela Harris will after next week's Convention certainly be on the ticket.

In addition to Kamela Harris being a very attractive candidate she is both a black woman and an Asian American woman, certainly appealing to both demographic groups.  Kamela is also a Bright and Accomplished woman who has served as the District Attorney of San Francisco, The Attorney General of the State of California and most recently the United States Senator from California.

Following the example of Barack Obama even though Kamela Harris was in her First Term as Senator she joined the multi candidate extravaganza in the 2020 Presidential race.

Although she was clearly a fiery and an accomplished debater she recognized reality somewhat quicker than many other candidates and saw that although she had some very high profile and committed supporters that most were not well heeled enough to Keep her campaign afloat so she left the race and returned to concentrating on her work as a Senator.  

Although she has not been in the Presidential race for some time she has not been a stranger to Television Viewers.  Many people know who she is and like her.  

I am sure that representatives of the Trump Campaign will be looking through her record to find dirt on Kamela Harris but I think they are not going to find Ms. Harris's record easy to distort.  

They are already trying to paint her as a Liberal, which she is, but she is also a Law and Order Advocate with an extensive record of Law and Order accomplishments. 

So on today's date as we sprint toward the Virtual Democratic Convention in the age of the Dangerous Donald Trump Plague in America I want to add my welcome to those of so many Democrats who are extremely happy to see Kamela Harris as Joe Biden's brilliant choice for the Vice President.   

Now its on to the Convention and after that lets get Trump out of the White House as soon as possible before he does any more damage to our Democracy.

Let's Go Kamela And Joe.

Sincerely Yours

Jerry Gallagher