Walter Shapiro
@mrwaltershapiro.bsky.social
Covering my 12th presidential campaign for the New Republic. Columnist for Roll Call and teach at Yale. New Yorker whose idea of adventure travel is crossing West 86th Street against the light. And Twitter refugee.
Only cold takes from me for a while. And nothing that has not been and confirmed again by the mainstream news media.
July 13, 2024 at 10:46 PM
Only cold takes from me for a while. And nothing that has not been and confirmed again by the mainstream news media.
Reposted by Walter Shapiro
amplify this not unverified reports until we know more
July 13, 2024 at 10:24 PM
amplify this not unverified reports until we know more
Another brutally honest assessment in the subject line of a DNC fund-raising email: "You deserve an explanation." Boy, do I ever.
July 10, 2024 at 3:34 PM
Another brutally honest assessment in the subject line of a DNC fund-raising email: "You deserve an explanation." Boy, do I ever.
A small reminder that Thomas was appointed by the supposedly sainted GOP president, George H. W. Bush.
Two Democratic U.S. senators announced Tuesday that they are seeking a criminal investigation of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas over gifts of travel, a loan for a recreational vehicle and other benefits he received from wealthy benefactors.
Democratic lawmakers seek criminal investigation of Justice Thomas
Sens. Sheldon Whitehouse and Ron Wyden want a special counsel to investigate Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas for possible tax and ethics violations.
wapo.st
July 9, 2024 at 10:35 PM
A small reminder that Thomas was appointed by the supposedly sainted GOP president, George H. W. Bush.
My Roll Call column: "For all the hyper-partisanship of the Reagan era, a GOP president was not a threat to democracy. This is not a moment to say — as the Democrats did in the 1980s — that Mondale and Dukakis are laudable public figures, and we cannot abandon them." rollcall.com/2024/07/09/t...
The sad folly of Biden’s defiance - Roll Call
The most successful intervention in modern political history took place a half-century ago on Aug. 7, 1974. After the Supreme Court ordered the release of the Watergate “smoking gun” tape, three leadi...
rollcall.com
July 9, 2024 at 7:32 PM
My Roll Call column: "For all the hyper-partisanship of the Reagan era, a GOP president was not a threat to democracy. This is not a moment to say — as the Democrats did in the 1980s — that Mondale and Dukakis are laudable public figures, and we cannot abandon them." rollcall.com/2024/07/09/t...
My mental health strategy for the rest of the weekend (if I can manage it) : Hidin from Biden.
July 6, 2024 at 8:37 PM
My mental health strategy for the rest of the weekend (if I can manage it) : Hidin from Biden.
Not sure this is the best subject line for the Biden campaign fund-raising efforts today: "Trump is closer than ever to retaking power." And why is that?
July 5, 2024 at 5:48 PM
Not sure this is the best subject line for the Biden campaign fund-raising efforts today: "Trump is closer than ever to retaking power." And why is that?
My favorite British columnist on the election: Marina Hyde
in Guardian. Her kicker invoking Sir Edward Gray saying in 1914, "The lights are going out in Europe," is powerful. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
in Guardian. Her kicker invoking Sir Edward Gray saying in 1914, "The lights are going out in Europe," is powerful. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Sunak axed, the cast eviscerated: at last, it’s the Tories’ season finale | Marina Hyde
It was worthy of a TV special. Truss, Rees-Mogg, Shapps, Liam Fox: so many erased after 14 years of dystopian soap opera, says Guardian columnist Marina Hyde
www.theguardian.com
July 5, 2024 at 3:13 PM
My favorite British columnist on the election: Marina Hyde
in Guardian. Her kicker invoking Sir Edward Gray saying in 1914, "The lights are going out in Europe," is powerful. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
in Guardian. Her kicker invoking Sir Edward Gray saying in 1914, "The lights are going out in Europe," is powerful. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
I assume if Sunak loses, Tory supporters will storm the Parliament.
July 4, 2024 at 7:33 PM
I assume if Sunak loses, Tory supporters will storm the Parliament.
"After Gov. Josh Green of Hawaii, a physician, asked Mr. Biden questions about the status of his health, Mr. Biden replied that his health was fine. 'It’s just my brain,' he added." Joke or reality? You make the call. www.nytimes.com/2024/07/04/u...
Biden Tells Governors He Needs More Sleep and Less Work at Night
The president’s opening remark to a group of key Democratic leaders — that he was in the race to stay — chilled any talk of his withdrawal, participants said.
www.nytimes.com
July 4, 2024 at 6:24 PM
"After Gov. Josh Green of Hawaii, a physician, asked Mr. Biden questions about the status of his health, Mr. Biden replied that his health was fine. 'It’s just my brain,' he added." Joke or reality? You make the call. www.nytimes.com/2024/07/04/u...
It says something about my mood over politics that my escape has been to belatedly binge watch "Babylon Berlin." When Berlin in 1929 looks good, boy, are we in trouble.
July 3, 2024 at 10:20 PM
It says something about my mood over politics that my escape has been to belatedly binge watch "Babylon Berlin." When Berlin in 1929 looks good, boy, are we in trouble.
My latest in @tnr.bsky.social: "For years, party leaders mocked Republicans for sticking with Trump when it was clear he was unfit for office. Now that Joe Biden is unfit for office, they’re mostly silent." newrepublic.com/article/1834...
Democrats Are Panicking. Why Aren’t Their Leaders Doing Anything?
For years, party leaders mocked Republicans for sticking with Trump when it was clear he was unfit for office. Now that Joe Biden is unfit for office, they’re silent.
newrepublic.com
July 3, 2024 at 3:10 PM
My latest in @tnr.bsky.social: "For years, party leaders mocked Republicans for sticking with Trump when it was clear he was unfit for office. Now that Joe Biden is unfit for office, they’re mostly silent." newrepublic.com/article/1834...
Another day in which I better stay away from sharp objects and open windows.
July 1, 2024 at 3:49 PM
Another day in which I better stay away from sharp objects and open windows.
I have never been a panicked Democrat. But the Atlanta debacle changed the equation for me. Biden must withdraw to save the nation from Trump. Me in @tnr.bsky.social. newrepublic.com/article/1832...
Joe Biden Is Facing the Biggest Decision of His Political Career
Can he beat Trump and save American democracy? If not, he should step aside.
newrepublic.com
June 28, 2024 at 4:32 AM
I have never been a panicked Democrat. But the Atlanta debacle changed the equation for me. Biden must withdraw to save the nation from Trump. Me in @tnr.bsky.social. newrepublic.com/article/1832...
Medical mystery: I can't tell if my sense of mal de mer is caused by Covid bounce-back or debate fears.
June 27, 2024 at 3:11 PM
Medical mystery: I can't tell if my sense of mal de mer is caused by Covid bounce-back or debate fears.
Teddy White on JFK on debate day in 1960: "[He] lay on his bed in a white, open-necked T-shirt...and fired questions at his intimates. He held in his hand the fact cards that Goodwin and Feldman had prepared for him...and, as he finished each, he sent it spinning off the bed to the floor."
June 27, 2024 at 2:56 PM
Teddy White on JFK on debate day in 1960: "[He] lay on his bed in a white, open-necked T-shirt...and fired questions at his intimates. He held in his hand the fact cards that Goodwin and Feldman had prepared for him...and, as he finished each, he sent it spinning off the bed to the floor."
I hope to hell that Joe Biden is happily sleeping right now and not staring at the ceiling thinking of debate one-liners.
June 27, 2024 at 6:26 AM
I hope to hell that Joe Biden is happily sleeping right now and not staring at the ceiling thinking of debate one-liners.
Me in @tnr.bsky.social: "In keeping with the enduring principles of journalistic overkill, the only entities that have not yet weighed in with debate previews are two laggard preschools in Wichita, Kansas, and isolated pockets of Ukrainian soldiers in heavy combat." newrepublic.com/article/1831...
Joe Biden Should Be Boring in Thursday’s Debate
Voters don’t need zingers or put-downs. They need to be reminded that an adult is in charge.
newrepublic.com
June 26, 2024 at 2:57 PM
Me in @tnr.bsky.social: "In keeping with the enduring principles of journalistic overkill, the only entities that have not yet weighed in with debate previews are two laggard preschools in Wichita, Kansas, and isolated pockets of Ukrainian soldiers in heavy combat." newrepublic.com/article/1831...
Extra! Extra! Stunning news from the NY Times: "With less than five months to go, new poll averages from The New York Times, which debut today, show a very close race nationally and in the critical battleground states." www.nytimes.com/2024/06/25/u...
Introducing Our 2024 Poll Tracker
It starts by showing a very close race nationally and in critical battleground states.
www.nytimes.com
June 25, 2024 at 6:56 PM
Extra! Extra! Stunning news from the NY Times: "With less than five months to go, new poll averages from The New York Times, which debut today, show a very close race nationally and in the critical battleground states." www.nytimes.com/2024/06/25/u...
Next year I will live out my dream and go on the road as a rock star. It will be my Errors Tour.
June 25, 2024 at 2:50 AM
Next year I will live out my dream and go on the road as a rock star. It will be my Errors Tour.
I hate this headline formulation: "Why Do We Love ‘The Bear’ So Much?" I have never seen the show, so while I am sure it is great, I hate being lumped in with the "We." www.nytimes.com/2024/06/24/d...
Why Do We Love ‘The Bear’ So Much?
The grit, the merch, the biceps. Charting the cultural phenomenon that sparked new interest in the people behind the scenes at restaurants — or at least, in their stuff.
www.nytimes.com
June 25, 2024 at 1:16 AM
I hate this headline formulation: "Why Do We Love ‘The Bear’ So Much?" I have never seen the show, so while I am sure it is great, I hate being lumped in with the "We." www.nytimes.com/2024/06/24/d...
This afternoon—a century ago—the Democrats began their 1924 convention that lasted 103 exhausting ballots and climaxed with a battle over denouncing the KKK by name. In two parts for the New Republic, I bring the chaos to life with the help of a fellow named Mencken. newrepublic.com/article/1830...
The Craziest Convention in American History
Think this year’s Democratic convention is going to be nuts? One hundred years ago, Democrats took 103 ballots—and more than two weeks—to choose a candidate.
newrepublic.com
June 24, 2024 at 5:24 PM
This afternoon—a century ago—the Democrats began their 1924 convention that lasted 103 exhausting ballots and climaxed with a battle over denouncing the KKK by name. In two parts for the New Republic, I bring the chaos to life with the help of a fellow named Mencken. newrepublic.com/article/1830...
No one should be enough of a martyr to rewatch a Trump 2020 super-spreader debate. www.wsj.com/politics/ele...
www.wsj.com
June 23, 2024 at 4:40 PM
No one should be enough of a martyr to rewatch a Trump 2020 super-spreader debate. www.wsj.com/politics/ele...
The Guardian on Will Lewis with a bit about the effort "codenamed Operation Save Big Dog – that tried but ultimately failed to salvage Johnson’s premiership. Lewis was awarded a knighthood in 2023 for his political service to the conservative prime minister." www.theguardian.com/media/articl...
Washington Post publisher alleged to have advised Boris Johnson to ‘clean up’ phone during Partygate Covid scandal
Sources’ claim suggests advice by Will Lewis, an informal adviser to then prime minister, contradicted instructions to staff
www.theguardian.com
June 19, 2024 at 6:26 PM
The Guardian on Will Lewis with a bit about the effort "codenamed Operation Save Big Dog – that tried but ultimately failed to salvage Johnson’s premiership. Lewis was awarded a knighthood in 2023 for his political service to the conservative prime minister." www.theguardian.com/media/articl...
Throw into the mix the issue of whether tv ads five months before the election have much interest for meh voters who won't be paying attention for months.
Part of the explanation that is missing here is that advertising should be expected to matter less in a rematch between two well-known candidates.
Biden has had a massive advantage in swing state advertising so far, though it has not translated to increased polling support. His new ads more directly attack Trump's conviction, but it is unclear whether they (or any ads) are working.
www.vox.com/politics/355...
www.vox.com/politics/355...
June 19, 2024 at 4:15 PM
Throw into the mix the issue of whether tv ads five months before the election have much interest for meh voters who won't be paying attention for months.