The Democrats turn on Joe Biden | The News Agents

Last night, the pressure on Joe Biden ramped up a notch - George Clooney called on the President not to stand in November, through a piece in the New York Times.
It's being reported today he ran the op-ed past Barack Obama - who didnt try and dissuade him.
Nancy Pelosi - arguably the Dem's most formidably woman -suggested Biden should 'make his decision...as time was running out'.
And two senators spelled out the words the White House was dreading - Biden will lose to Trump if he doesn't quit the race.
Will Biden reckon he can sit this one out until the media storm passes - or will the focus be unbearable until he chooses to go gracefully?
It's fifty-fifty right now - and the Republican Convention kicks off in Wisconsin this weekend - how will the Democrats start talking about something else?
Later, the new MPs sitting 'behaviour training ' courses - to remind them not to be rude/abusive/drunken in the commons - Aggie Chambré has the story.
And - will Mr. Brightside become the 2024 euros anthem after The Killers Killer moment? We discuss the football, feelgood factors and folklore.
#donaldtrump #joebiden #democrats #republicans #usa #americanpolitics #barackobama #uspresident #uspresidentialelections2024 #keirstarmer #labour #uk #News #Politics #NewsAgents #EmilyMaitlis #JonSopel #LewisGoodall
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Emily Maitlis, Jon Sopel and Lewis Goodall - three of the UK’s top journalists - host a brand-new daily news podcast: The News Agents.
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[@McTruck]

“All he needs is really one other catastrophic performance…”. And then he calls Zelenskyy “Putin”. 🤦

[@hanselmansell7555]

A man's got to know his limitations, and so does his wife 😬

[@ThePageNo1]

But power is just too irresistible

[@hanselmansell7555]

@@ThePageNo1 very true but at this rate Joe and his wife are going to go down in flames having condemned the whole world to Trump 😔

[@debbieshrubb1222]

As a person of over 60 years I feel we should be realistic about how physical and mental ability changes over time. The ageing brain even if someone doesn't have eg dementia starts to work differently. This is why we need to have discussions about how age may need to be a disqualifier for high public office. Additionally the idea you can categorically say someone doesn't have Parkinson's is suggesting a lack of understanding of how difficult neurological conditions can be to diagnose.

[@mikedignum1868]

Out of all the people in the USA, these are the only two they could come up with?.. Amazing.

[@1685mymusic]

Amazing???? Frightening!!!!!

[@AndrewMcColl]

The GOP had plenty of potential candidates, but Trump has them by the short and curlys. Also, most of them refuse to accept Trump's loss in 2020, so this is seen as a form of revenge. For the Dems, I think Biden's only running again because Trump's on the other side and he seems to think he's got the strongest odds against him (which polling showed he did for some time). Are both candidates not really suited for four years running the country? Sure. But the US seems to have a fascination with older candidates, assuming I guess older = better. I guess we just have to hope they get over that.

[@buzzukfiftythree]

Whenever I’ve asked that question, the usual response I get is “who in their right mind would want to be POTUS?”

[@nosuchthingasshould4175]

An ossified system incapable of self correction, all stakeholders, and I mean at all levels of society, have too much to lose to seriously rock the boat, so the only figure capable of mounting a challenge is an unscrupulous, opportunistic sociopath. And at a time of uncertainty, crazy tends to get a following.

[@SEBZERODEGREEs]

The cream of the crop.

[@russelleldridge1358]

Must have been filmed just before he introduced Zelensky as Putin at NATO, and called Harris VP Trump.

[@MrJohndory111]

🫣

[@papamurrth1]

Only going to get worse after tonight's gaffes

[@shyft09]

they actually should do another quick debate, it probably would settle the question

[@ollywright]

Lewis Hamiliton also won at Silverstone a couple of days after Labour won. Something was aligned in the stars.

[@emilymaitlislaptop]

or maybe just co-incidence, with zero fate or pre-meditation! Can't tell if you're serious or not....

[@SL89999]

Thanks for flagging! Beat me to it. Sir Lewis’s achievements often get overlooked despite the guy’s accomplishments far exceeding the success of other British sports people/teams. And credit to Lando for his respectable 3rd at his home circuit and the home of F1.

[@Sausagerolex]

They were all so brilliant in this

[@AndyRossism]

I'm so glad the kind of music acts I'm into would never ambush me with the footy!

[@cjarmstrong5939]

This is the problem with Americans voting for a person, not a party. Elect Biden & worst case, he steps down on Day 1 then another Dem carries out the same policy agenda.

[@RunOfTheHind]

Well, indeed. The problem is the people voting for Trump, the person.

[@SewingandCaring]

Oh no absolutely not. Worst case his dementia worsens and they continue to hide it and we get another Edith Wilson, only this time around these pathetic power crazed lunatics have control over the nukes.

[@jokedejojo]

That is what happens. Wasn't President Johnson sworn in on Air Force One when Kennedy was shot?

[@SewingandCaring]

@@jokedejojo Arguably no one was expecting him to be shot. Jackie certainly wasn't.

[@allanpeters6452]

“There is no fool like an old fool.” 1:57 He should quit whilst he is ahead - like Mandela

[@23HF23]

Literally 30 mins ago he introduced Zelensky as Putin

[@serverthanos]

28:00 that was absolutely brilliant!!!! What an excellent man you are

[@josiahbartlet7840]

It is crazy that these discussions are happening now. We knew Joe Biden's age was an issue in 2020 and the party did nothing to contain those worries.

[@mansnotbot4160]

But it's not just the age. It's the rapid progression of his cognitive decline. He had his moments four years ago, but he also had many sharp moments. Now, it's more of a mood.

[@deadandburied7626]

Biden should be repeating that Democracy is on the ballot.

[@HomemadeBrownies1]

Not just the party. The media (who I don’t like to blame often) have also played a role in dismissing or trivialising concerns about his age and cognition. This then leads to conspiracy theories brewing out of sight.

[@stevenwilliamson6236]

It's the same as Ginsberg. The supreme court is stuffed with right wingers because she sat beyond when she could be replaced.

[@chrisf9377]

IMO for 2020 then they realised that their best chance was to get someone strongly linked to Saint Obama. They were primarily focussed on just winning the election rather than what happens afterwards.

[@petera4985]

Does labour have training not to backchat the swearing in process for MPs Clive Lewis

[@countzeero]

I’m only here for the Emily football jokes 😂

[@MsTravelady]

My money is on Spain😂

[@emilymaitlislaptop]

I'm only here because of my channel name (and the second best UK political pod, behind TRIP) 😆

[@Greaseball01]

I mean he's a bad candidate for sure but if he was going to drop out he should have done 8 months ago at the absolute latest.

[@mockturtle1402]

Vultures? 10 years ago, the gerontology ward took away my father's driving licence. The also told me that my then 79 year old dad was frail, but they didn't know why he was so frail. The licence could be restored, with some paper work but my dad was never capable of assembling that. I tried to help him from overseas, but he couldn't even do the parts that had to be done locally. He didn't live a year after that. He never seemed as frail a Biden did in this debate. I am happy for the New Agents that they don't recognise the tragedy unfolding, that they have never lost a family member to dementia, or parkinson's or some other cruel malady of aging. Most people have - indeed, 30 years before my parents, I saw it in my grandparents. We are not vultures, we just know what we are seeing, and we know what everyone around us is seeing. If I was a US voter, I would still vote Biden. His team better than Trump's. But could I convince my friends?

[@vinlennox7658]

Beautiful post. It's hard to be old . I ve seen this several times. Think I ll die before I get too old if i can! The President is clearly suffering from serious impairment.

[@boipink]

It's very presumptuous that you think they haven't...

[@mockturtle1402]

@@boipink I say it because if they'd experienced it, they would recognise it. That they think those of us who do recognise it are vultures means they have never experienced it. Or they are lying to us.

[@MrJohnnyjinx]

"Vultures" ... Lewis, you're better than that.

[@elliotm]

This is show is fab

[@jandrews6254]

Check out the inspiring and uplifting speech the President gave in Detroit. Then eat your cowardly words, you fairweather friends

[@pelham8910]

I am reminded of Paul von Hindenburg and Maurice Gamelin all rolled up into one old man who will remembered as the one who prevented the saving of democracy. Let us not forget "what it is all about" - Joe Biden "giving it his all", like it's a shuffleboard game at the home.

[@eleanorclub]

... and Petain.

[@markthomas2577]

The Sweet had 13 top ten hits in the UK during the 70s. I had a double album of theirs, one album was pop hits, the other album was heavy rock. They were versatile.

[@stevenwilliamson6236]

There's more than one Michael Jackson and Michael Collins.

[@chriswatson3464]

About time!

[@maureenobrien9661]

My friend's husband is the same age as Joe Biden. He is much frailer this year than a year ago and like Joe Biden, periodically in the middle of a sentence he will freeze, lose his train of thought, then his eyes will shut briefly...and then as quickly as that happened, he's back to normal. But we all know something is going on. Beginnings of dementia, likely, not yet diagnosed, but he is no longer the person he was a year ago. As I look at Joe Biden whom I greatly admire, I see my friend's husband - who could no more run a country than Joe Biden can. I feel sad saying this, he has been a great President. But the stakes are far too high...we cannot take the risk...we cannot allow Trump to win. I am praying that he will do the right thing and step aside and allow a younger, more able candidate to take the fight forward

[@normkeilty]

Love Lewis' impersonations though

[@andyking7621]

Enough ..... This is ridiculous

[@lesleypatriciajordison4890]

Does that mean Starmer wouldn't approve of tee-Shirts saying "Zionist Shitlord", as modelled by Luke Akehurst North Durham?

[@michaelthomas9708]

Gretchen Whitmer would be best to take over...

[@davidhall7744]

Biden is a decent man, but getting on a bit. Trump is not a decent man, but also getting on a bit. Is all that America can come up with? Trump makes Biden look old, but a younger, brighter Democrat could easily do the same to Trump.

[@bryanhanley673]

Remember Wilson

[@openingconsciousness]

"It's coming home" ... Moving forward, keep some duct tape on hand for Lewis' mouth

[@keanusolan2844]

Lewis is just amazing.

[@lisamackenzie9681]

I think you're missing a possibility. Those in control in the democratic party don't want the risk of an open primary. They don't want to risk a left wing candidate winning. After the convention, they then have the opportunity, as I understand it, to parachute in their own hand picked candidate without an open primary. If they can hold out against pressure that long, they can hand pick the person they think represents their interests the best.

[@brettwhittle4526]

Is Sopel superfluous? Is three a crowd?

[@slayr399]

Lewis, please breakout that Charles impression more often.

[@mimilynne]

Interview Alan Lichtman of American University in Washington, DC

[@alexharrison2743]

Impressions of Biden, Charles, & Harold Wilson? You spoil us, News Agents

[@scotland9922]

crazy usa a country of 300 mil and you end up with two 75+ year olds... a real let go of grip from one gen time to move on

[@Setinmywaysalways]

Perhaps a little something in his Horlicks before bed?

[@eleanorclub]

...or a gummy before broadcast 🤔

[@pennywynn8716]

An 84 year old is not going to say that an 82 year old is too old for office especially as she is running again in 2024!! If 345 million Americans can't find better leaders than Trump or Biden then I refuse to hear any criticism of any other leader by them. For context I have been living in Zimbabwe for 44 years.

[@michaelearlwhitejr.7655]

Nancy needs to step down herself.

[@angelliquem810]

The male cohost is a clown, he should be in the gossip section of this channel.

[@chargers001]

And he also called Kamala Harris "Vice President Trump" 😮

[@knowitnone]

Lewis is positively aglow ☀️🕶️

[@Listlesscheese]

Are you not circling too?

[@jondexter1407]

I just don’t get why he doesn’t step aside and let Jill run?

[@RunOfTheHind]

If Biden runs, Trump wins. He should only have ever been a one-term, Trump ridding, place-holder president. But, alas, Jill liked the perks.

[@localshaman]

Hi, I'm from 13 hours in the future.... it got worse.

[@grantwallace1882]

Oh, poo. Trumpy is going to win.

[@mansnotbot4160]

Oh, you two are SOOOOO wrong about Kamala Harris. She is deeply, deeply unpopular.

[@taekwanlew]

Go on, the floor is yours

[@matthewmcdonald9738]

How about Trump’s competency and fitness to lead?

[@kitbag9033]

The only way to mitigate the outcome of the US Presidential election within Europe is for the European nations to start standing up for themselves. Start raising their defense spending

[@davidf2281]

Omar Little for President!

[@robbieshand6139]

Omar's comin'

[@PaulStargasm]

Trchnically Clooney didn't get it wrong in 2016 from a votes perspective as Hilary got more votes. Its the US system that put Trump in the White House.

[@TrevorBarre]

Sorry, but who the **** will replace him? Eeeermmmm...

[@TrevorBarre]

The bottom line is that I would rather vote for a wooden plank than the orange psychopath.

[@michaelthomas9708]

Gretchen Whitner...

[@RunOfTheHind]

Whitmer/Moore for the win.

[@simony2801]

They have plenty of options who would destroy trump.

[@qfnoyvoy6353]

Can Ukraine really become a NATO member? Seems impossible and will lead to widening of conflict

[@stevenwilliamson6236]

They are miles from the north Atlantic.

[@jonathanbowen3640]

@@stevenwilliamson6236 They are closer to the North Atlantic than Turkey (A NATO member).

[@jonathanfell688]

A sudden switch to an energetic, vital, vigorous, candidate would completely flummoxed Maga. Everything they have banked on is Sleepy Joe running.

[@alaninsoflo]

Lewis, it's the DEMOCRATIC Party, not the Democrat Party. Democrat isn't an adjective.

[@Adrian-jk4kx]

O dear... I thought it said demonic....cheap glasses

[@carolscheun4690]

Google 25th Amendment of the Constitution

[@BanjoLuke1]

Such a bizarre story, so oddly presented. Pelosi is a few years older than Biden and until very recently was in a post for which she was demonstrably too frail and too old. Her diction in the very brief soundbite you presented was slurred and wobbly. As to Joe.... #chernenko2.0

[@fijay2400]

With friends like George who needs enemies? He may well be right but Biden has decades of public service which warrant respect and some discretion in dealing with this. To publish this and not even mention Trump's failings is really poor.

[@emilymaitlislaptop]

Hold on - Clooney has every right to publish his thoughts. He also conceded Biden's record. At what time is appropriate to acknowledge this downslide? Whether or not reference to Trump is made, this is a core issue within the Party, like it or not. Time is of the essence (which frankly, the Party leadership should have forced after Jan 2021). Shooting themselves in the foot is one of many unfortunate metaphors.

[@MrJohnnyjinx]

People know Trumps failings. Nothing is surprising about him. The thing that needs explaining to people is Joe Biden, and Clooneys brave and personally hard intervention will hit the WH hard, but will make them rethink their 'don't question Bidens obvious problems' line.

[@jboy9643]

Dear News Agents.......in summary are you advocating George Clooney for president? One point lacking in your piece is your suggestion who could successfully take over from BIden?

[@user-hj2cr7pc8h]

George Cloiney, the insurance salesman?

[@RunOfTheHind]

Coffee machines.

[@user-hj2cr7pc8h]

@@RunOfTheHind oh yeah, him

[@cherray50]

If this election is to defeat Donald Trump, Biden needs to step aside NOW. Harris would be a great top of the ticket, and I believe would be able to defeat Trump. It's not that Biden is too old. IT'S THAT INDEPENDENTS AND MARGINAL VOTERS WILL EITHER VOTE FOR TRUMP OR NOT VOTE AT ALL!

[@SewingandCaring]

No, it's that he's too old. There is a difference between ageism and very clear elder abuse of a man in cognitive decline, and what we all saw at the debate is the latter.

[@AdrianNicholls]

A: No B: Yes C: No, unless it’s Lee Anderson

[@robertallen591]

trump will win and we need to think how we will handle that,,

[@sjt4225]

I think back to a conversation I had with my sister after the 2020 election. She asked, aren't you happy that Joe got elected. I said, "Yes, but there is so much to do and he's an old man." He has done a lot during his term in office. But, you need to pass the torch. Hand it to Gavin Newsom so we can win this thing by a mile.

[@MsTravelady]

You’re looking at things through English centric Rose coloured specs. C’mon folks, Labour has so little support their majority is built on sand and are in a really weak position. Outside your bubble this enthusiasm doesn’t exist - it really doesn’t. As for footie, the Scots, NI and Welsh gave their Spanish flags at the ready. 😂😂

[@davidr7819]

Suspect you need a different podcast

[@emilymaitlislaptop]

and you are merely looking at raw psephological numbers (which have their place). Whether you like it or not, Labour are the pragmatic recipients of popular sentiment against the Tories. Outside YOUR bubble, this momentum really DOES exist - it really does. Congrats, also, on being 'anglophobic' (so much for inclusion, eh?); no fan of England or football, but you are showing your active contempt here, purely based on cultural national boundaries. How crude, misplaced and navie!!

[@lordcharfield4529]

Don’t forget it’s rained almost constantly since Starmer ‘won’ the election! 😂

[@emilymaitlislaptop]

Naughty, naughty, don't start - or the 'Blob' will come after you....!

[@SewingandCaring]

Sir you are in your 70s, why are you spending your twilight years acting like a 14 year old on the internet? Is this really what you want to be doing in your retirement?

[@annaclarke7643]

The rain is helping to wash away the stink of the Conservative’s legacy.

[@emilymaitlislaptop]

That new LBC correspondent needs to learn to avoid the phrase 'basically'; almost as bad as 'literally'. For someone who claims to be a journalist, the lexical range is poor. Looks like this is the 'new normal'. And no, to pre-empt the typical misplaced responses, this is not 'misogynistic'. Sorry to burst the victimhood by proxy bubble that many choose to indulge in. Cue the outrage!

[@colincampbell4261]

Biden needs to stand down.

[@johnvaleanbaily246]

Joe can't win. Time to retire.

[@TrevorBarre]

To be replaced by who? Shamela Harris? Christ on a bike.

[@simony2801]

@@TrevorBarre she’s 10times smarter than trump to start with. Any other democrat will destroy trump.

[@isbestlizard]

I kinda want Biden to hold firm and let Trump win, just to watch America collapse :D

[@Banyan314]

As tempting as it is to let that happen, the consequences are too awful to contemplate.

[@shyft09]

why would you want America to collapse?

[@jamesharvey8835]

​@@Banyan314as a reluctant American I understand your position 100%, but as you say the result is too hideous to contemplate.

[@carrielamarr2845]

I get it, but a weak, volatile America run by a crazy maniac does not bode well for the UK either.

[@keirmitchell5560]

Short memory. I'm sure he was in charge and America did not collapse. Think you need to get out more and play with that unicorn. FJB

[@Listlesscheese]

For clicks, you're contributing to the widening gyre

[@Ali-gb7mf]

Joe Biden is the nominee. He’s not quitting. Get over it.

[@SewingandCaring]

oh it's ok then, as Biden said in his own words, if Trump gets in and the worst happens 'at least I can say I tried my best, and at the end of the day this is what matters'

[@Pietzu10]

TRUMP 2024

[@simony2801]

For jail.

[@simonmetcalfe5926]

This is totally disingenuous, you're pushing a right wing narrative. Actually do some work, rather than taking up 'Meme' journalism!

[@Sion.leon96]

I spent at least 2/3 hours a day digesting political media and these guys have to be the most consistently impartial reporters out there. Maybe you’re just not a fan of their pick for today’s target?

[@colincampbell4261]

Nonsense - not a right wing plot - just observation - people will not elect a frail elderly forgetful person for president.

[@simonmetcalfe5926]

@@colincampbell4261 They're both old. One happens to lie as easily as breathing and worships dictators, the other is Joe Biden and has a stutter.

[@RunOfTheHind]

The right-wing want Joe to run, lol.

[@davidr7819]

Just look at footage of Biden from 4 or 5 years ago. Different bloke 😬