Ahh, shit. Dem megadonor and supporter, George Clooney now calling for Biden to drop out. Damn, Damn, Damn

[hlthe2b]

(don't shoot the messenger... I'm not happy either even though I have tons of respect for both and Clooney just had that fundraiser for Biden and Dems. Yeah it is CNN, but reported elsewhere too)

Rep. Ritchie Torres suggests Biden’s candidacy is a ‘political suicide mission,’ while actor George Clooney calls on the president to step aside
https://www.cnn.com/2024/07/10/politics/biden-democratic-lawmakers-analysis/index.html

George Clooney Calls For New Democratic Nominee In Latest Hollywood Plea For Joe Biden To Step Aside
https://deadline.com/2024/07/george-clooney-joe-biden-2024-election-1236005916/

George Clooney, fresh off co-hosting a star-filled fundraiser for Joe Biden last month, is calling on Democrats to pick a new nominee and for the president to be a “hero” in stepping aside.

Clooney cited concerns over Biden’s age, and compared the president’s appearance at the fundraiser, in which he did a sit down with Barack Obama and Jimmy Kimmel, to what he was like just a few years ago.

Clooney wrote in The New York Times, “I love Joe Biden. As a senator. As a vice president and as president. I consider him a friend, and I believe in him. Believe in his character. Believe in his morals. In the last four years, he’s won many of the battles he’s faced.

“But the one battle he cannot win is the fight against time. None of us can. It’s devastating to say it, but the Joe Biden I was with three weeks ago at the fund-raiser was not the Joe big F-ing deal Biden of 2010. He wasn’t even the Joe Biden of 2020. He was the same man we all witnessed at the debate.”

Clooney is one of the most influential celebrity supporters of Democrats, and the Biden campaign used his appearance at the event to raise millions in small-dollar donations, holding a contest in which the winner could meet the actor and Julia Roberts.

In the Times op ed, Clooney also wrote that he was unpersuaded by Biden’s answers to George Stephanopoulos as to why he had such a poor debate performance with Donald Trump.

Clooney wrote, “Was he tired? Yes. A cold? Maybe. But our party leaders need to stop telling us that 51 million people didn’t see what we just saw. We’re all so terrified by the prospect of a second Trump term that we’ve opted to ignore every warning sign. The George Stephanopoulos interview only reinforced what we saw the week before. As Democrats, we collectively hold our breath or turn down the volume whenever we see the president, who we respect, walk off Air Force One or walk back to a mic to answer an unscripted question.”

Clooney also wrote that Biden’s presence in the race threatened down-ballot candidates, suggesting that many Democratic lawmakers harbor big doubts about his candidacy in private.

[Hermit-The-Prog]

1. Piss on 'em both. They're being foolish.

[valleyrogue]

2. Who is he going to support? Trump?

He is a backstabbing piece of shit as far as I am concerned.

[wolfie001]

29. You should read why he said what he said

That's all I'll say. I read it at LBC News website.

[valleyrogue]

32. I saw the excerpts.

Clooney is full of shit.

[wolfie001]

39. Just curious, but why would he think that?

He holds big-time fundraisers for Dems regularly. He despises DT. I want Joe too but. I mean, the Convention next month is gonna be historic/epic either way.

[XanaDUer2]

3. I'm now getting panicky

[Stuckinthebush]

6. I've been panicky

Now I'm getting scared to death!

I think we are about to see an onslaught of dems and people in the Dem sphere calling for a change.

[XanaDUer2]

8. Then hello Trump

I know it. And its going to make his first term look innocuous

[Stuckinthebush]

11. Ugh

I'm afraid you may be correct

[Johonny]

4. The polls actually show down ballot candidates

Out performing Biden and this has been the case for a while. Suggesting Clooney is pulling shit out his ass.

[valleyrogue]

35. Clooney has always pulled shit out of his ass.

He thinks he is important because he is rich and famous. His views are no more valid than mine and probably far less so.

[Cuthbert Allgood]

51. That they are out performing Biden doesn't cause you some trepidation?

[LiberalFighter]

5. So easily manipulated

[ColinC]

7. I wouldn't be surprised if this could be a little more personal than some of the other announcements

As his wife was personally involved in the ICC indictment for Israel and this Administration hasn’t exactly been supportive of those actions.

[hlthe2b]

9. True enough, but it was reported that both talked that through--before the big fundraiser-- and the WH talk mellowed

a bit on that score, I seem to recall thereafter...

[ColinC]

10. Yeah. I just wouldn't be surprised if Clooney still has a chip on his shoulder and this could be an ideal time to

Express it, and maybe even get a concession out of the administration for his renewed support.

Kinda a dangerous wager if I’m right…

But I guess also potentially lucrative policy wise.

[valleyrogue]

37. I believe you are on the right track. I think you nailed it perfectly.

Clooney is not going to tell the truth here.

[dchill]

12. Go back to Malibu, George.

I know an elitist when I see one.

[Ursus Rex]

18. He actually lives in France (near Brad Pitt, lol) and the UK, mostly

... he also has a villa on Italy's most glamorous lake and a nice estate in London. He has nothing to fear except on an intellectual level from a 2nd Trump presidency.

[dchill]

22. He got out while the getting was good?

How fortunate for him.

[Srkdqltr]

13. RUN George. You would win in a heartbeat. Everyone loves you abd you know everything you need to know.

Excellent idea!!!!

[Ursus Rex]

20. He may be ineligible, based on residency requirements

... I'm not sure the "14 years residence" must be immediately prior to running, but he mostly lives in France and the UK these days.

[Srkdqltr]

26. Who cares .....he's adorable... he looks the part.. the magical thinking is winning.

I hope you know that all was

[dchill]

42. I was hoping...

[Srkdqltr]

59. I know im so tired of all this magical thinking from people who should know better.

[Celerity]

33. All you need is a total of 14 years living in the US. It doesn't have to be consecutive either.

I am around 10 years short, so no prezzie for moi. I also am only 27yo, so a fail there too.

Oh well.

[valleyrogue]

41. All we need is another narcissist in the White House.

Don't give him any ideas. It was bad enough, years ago, when people were seriously talking about Warren Beatty running. Thank God he didn't take that seriously.

[leftyladyfrommo]

14. Doesn't he live in Italy? nt

[Tadpole Raisin]

15. Oh for crying out loud!! Why George?

The likelihood of a replacement to Biden (not like we have much of a guidebook for how to do this smoothly) would create so much chaos and fodder for the RW that this would dominate the election conversation and we would probably get a second and much better prepared fascist presidency.

The media would not promote this as democracy at work they would call it a sign of disarray and a fractured democratic party that can’t possibly lead the country if they can’t get their own house in order. All that talk about being a statesman and doing what’s best for the country if he stepped down would be gone. The press would go after dems for blood and so would TCF.

Let’s say all these people are right, and Biden has slowed down, cognitively enough that although he might be able to govern on an average day, he really isn’t up for another term. That’s what a VP is for!!

For me, the risk of losing with Biden topping the ticket is lower than the risk of losing with him replaced. The only bad thing about Kamala replacing him after the next term begins is that she could only run for 1 more term.

I feel like we are in bizarro world, another wonderful thing TFG has brought to this country.

[valleyrogue]

40. And Biden is working his ass off way more than people half his age.

I don't know how Biden does it. I really don't.

[ebbie15644]

16. This is a coordinated effort folks. They will be leaking statements like this up to the convention

[jpug]

23. Tit 4 tat

Then we need to start leaking against them.

Mark Warner learned his lesson and backed off.

Joe's team needs to come out of the corner kicking and screaming NOW!

[ebbie15644]

48. Joe's too smart for that

He knows he needs them after the election to get shit done. They are too f*ing stupid to understand what they are doing to the dem party. If they succeed and we loose in Novemeber there will not be a dem party anymore

[kacekwl]

17. You all want trump

You got him. Good luck.

[flamingdem]

19. George Clooney is full of himself

He's falling for the same garbage about Biden's answer regarding having done his best.

The talking point is that he should be only considering the country and not himself.

Thus, he is selfish.

Clooney is not bright. He's a fucking actor.

Joe is capable and can manage age associated issues.

Sissies and traitors galore now.

[Deminpenn]

21. So much magical thinking

The only people who would be able to spend all that campaign cash Clooney just raised for Biden-Harris are Biden or Harris. If it's not Biden, then Harris has to be the nominee.

[Bev54]

24. I am still not understanding the "need a new candidate" There are two people on this ticket

and if one cannot continue, the other steps up and then a backup is picked. Not now, Biden is still doing the job, and well. I believe he is putting in place guards to stop Trump from trying to overturn another election. I do not believe people are going to vote for Trump or not vote for Biden because of his age, they know the stakes.

[BoomaofBandM]

25. Another rich white man, and an entertainer. Shame.

[keithbvadu2]

27. Who do you have better? Piece of shit Ralph Nader?

[CaptainTruth]

28. Again, the rich elite. Out of touch with average people.

Out of touch with VOTERS.

Rich elites aren't threatened by a Trump presidency the way average people are. His wife won't die if she can't get a needed abortion, they can afford to fly to another country & pay whatever it costs. He won't have his same-sex marriage declared invalid. The list goes on & on.

WE have skin in this game. WE are directly threatened by Trump & Project 2025.

The wealthy elites can STFU already.

[XanaDUer2]

47. They don't rely on social security and Medicare

[FloridaBlues]

30. Wow if anyone thinks this will turn out differently by suddenly replacing

Biden that all will be well with the base. Hello trump, Republican congress etc.
Republicans stand by their people and we run away.

[CaptainTruth]

31. "As Democrats, we collectively hold our breath or turn down the volume whenever we see the president"

NO WE DON'T!!!

Maybe YOU do George but you DO NOT speak for all Democrats & you're clearly out of touch with the real wold outside of your Hollywood bubble!

[Omnipresent]

34. I don't want Biden to drop out either...

But let’s not repost Clooney’s opinion.
We don’t need to unwittingly sow the seeds of doubt about Biden’s condition here on DU.

[hlthe2b]

43. I'm not in the habit, nor do I condone censoring information. Even that with which I disagree, if credible.

That is why there is an ignore function on DU--by the poster or by keyword if you choose not to see these posts or engage in discussion around them.

Clooney is a big supporter, influential, and just (literally weeks ago) had the largest fundraiser this quarter for Biden and Dems. So, this is significant whether we agree or not. You can't address issues that you don't know are occurring.

[Omnipresent]

49. I'm sure clooney started reading or listening to what others were saying and consequently, changed his mind.

All this talk about Biden is a spark for now. We don’t need this to help this become an unnecessary fire.
Let’s talk up biden instead.

[Ms. Toad]

75. From the OP

“But the one battle he cannot win is the fight against time. None of us can. It’s devastating to say it, but the Joe Biden I was with three weeks ago at the fund-raiser was not the Joe big F-ing deal Biden of 2010. He wasn’t even the Joe Biden of 2020. He was the same man we all witnessed at the debate.”

Sounds to me like personal experience, not reading or listening to what others were saying.

[raccoon]

36. Adding him to my shit list.

[dlk]

38. Didn't Clooney just do a fundraiser for Biden?

Does Clooney think his “opinion of the day” outweighs choice of millions of primary voters?

Joe is a president for the people and corporations are fearful of losing their iron grip on government. They are pulling out all the stops to defeat him

Clooney can’t possibly believe Trump would be better for our country. His wife, Amal Clooney is very upset and angry with Biden about the war in Gaza. That may have played into Clooney’s decision to speak out at this time.

Democrats must stand strong in support of our president, full stop. The fascists are here with Project 2025.

[Rebl2]

45. If that

is the problem, does he really think trump would be better? I think his wife would like trump even less.

[Rebl2]

44. I don't

look to movie stars and who they support in elections in deciding who I will vote for. Michael Douglas pretty much said the same thing-he doesn’t think Biden should run.

[MorbidButterflyTat]

46. Well we all better do what Clooney

and other know-nothings who seem determined to disenfranchise Democratic primary voters say! So focused on ONE event, just ignore everything before or since.

I would ask Mr. Clooney why he never released his expose on Gym Jordan's scandal, where is it? What happened to it? Nobody cares I guess. Too busy running around like chicken shits crapping all over Democracy while pretending to understand and know what's best for it.

[oasis]

78. Excellent post.

[cloudbase]

50. It's long past time for DU to wean itself from its fascination with the musings of celebrities.

Fame does not impart any special intelligence or insight, yet when a celebrity opines on a political issue, DU often fawns over it.

[kimbutgar]

52. BS George do you want to get the convicted felon back in the White House?

You have a large voice and you’re hurting the Democratic Party and President Biden!

SHAME ON YOU GEORGE! You have the money to leave this country and not return but the majority of us don’t have that ability. Frickin selfish Hollywood jerk.

[Willis88]

53. Fuck Clooney

That is all.

[Think. Again.]

54. Why do I think...

...that george clooney is secretly wishing he looked like he used to look 15 years ago?

[dem4decades]

55. Clooney is a good Democrat, and knows Biden and was with him a few weeks sgo.

Isn't it fair to ask if there's something he knows that we don't before we call him all kinds of names and question his commitment to the cause of beating Trump?

[shrike3]

60. Self delete.

[dem4decades]

62. Maybe he saw something that concerned him, and then that concern was validated?

I would suspect that Clooney is more concerned than craven.

[shrike3]

63. Logic tells me it has more to do with this:

Biden had sharply criticized a move by the International Criminal Court to issue warrants for Israeli leaders.

George Clooney called one of President Biden’s top aides last month to complain about the president’s criticism of the International Criminal Court’s action against Israeli leaders — a case his wife, Amal Clooney, worked on.

Clooney called Steve Ricchetti, counselor to the president, to express concern about Biden’s denunciation of arrest warrants sought by ICC prosecutors for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, especially his use of the word “outrageous.”

The actor was also upset about the administration’s initial openness to imposing sanctions on the ICC because his wife might be subject to the penalties, the people said, speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss a private conversation.

From WaPo.

People tend to do things for reasons which benefit themselves, and I'm sure George is no exception.

[Ms. Toad]

76. All that happened BEFORE Clooney co-hosted the largest fundraiser ever for Biden.

So he was so pissed about it that dropped out of the fundraiser and then calls for Biden to drop out.

Oh, wait. He didn't drop out of the fundraiser - he helped Biden raise the most money every in a single fundraiser.

Don't you think if that was the reason that he would have dropped support BEFORE the fundraiser?

[shrike3]

80. NY Mag just dropped an article about it. I'm not the only one who thinks there's more to the story.

This is hard ball. Clooney knows that. He's getting pushback, but oh well. He should have known that going in.

You know, NYT's been covered with op-eds by people telling Joe to drop out. Are they all doing it for the good of the country, or just Clooney?

[Ms. Toad]

81. You play hard ball by not participating in the fundraiser you promised.

Don't you think it was rather silly of long-time Democratic supporter and heavy hitting fund-raiser him to help Biden raise all that money AFTER the incident that supposedly triggered his self-interest - money which can't be shifted to other candidates without the donor's consent - if his goal was to get back at Biden.

That makes zero sense. I take him at his word that what he saw at that fundraiser - coupled with the debate - gave him serious pause for concern.

[shrike3]

83. Scads and scads of people have expressed their concern and called for Joe to drop out, in the NYT and on the air.

DU called them partisan hacks. But Clooney is a shining knight who only wants what's good for the country. Makes me laugh, actually.

If you want Joe to drop out because of Clooney said, you do you.

[EndlessWire]

56. All those explanations

of his great respect for President Biden, then the knife in the back, fall on the side of treachery.

Whenever I read such stuff, I think of the clip where Trump is in the golf cart with Barron riding shotgun, where Trump says "I got him outta there." Apparently, he got us ALL outta there. Why shouldn't he lie low and just watch our party disintegrate? He doesn't have to lift a finger.

https://nypost.com/2024/07/03/us-news/trumps-brutally-candid-take-on-biden-harris-after-debate-disaster-video/

You may have to hunt for the vid, but it's there. Just scroll.

Every Dem should be deeply offended by this piece of trash bragging that he ran our candidate off. Every Dem should be proud that the "old broken-down pile of crap" as called by Trump is out there making important speeches, bestowing medals, and strategizing with the NATO bloc to defeat Putin in his war against Ukraine, and the world. And let's not forget the potential of a Hamas cease fire in that other part of the world. All this is ongoing, uninterrupted, and conducted by---Joe Biden.

I am amazed that so many people with high profiles are actually stupid and falling for the Trumpian strategy. It's chicken shit.

Trump thinks Kamala will be easy pickings. Think again, you putrid, pasty, flabby (see his waist in the video) piece of fascist shit.

[Bayard]

57. Come on, George!

You know better than this. You just did a major fundraiser for Biden, and now you're going to stab him in the back? I just read where your wife could be in trouble for work she's been doing with the ICC to have Netanyahu declared a war criminal. I think that's admirable, but apparently there's problems.

I have great respect for you standing up on social issues, even getting arrested. And I like you as an actor. But this is not the time to jump ship, and its too late anyway. I wish all the people screeching about that little fact would face the facts--including the President's history. I KNOW you're not going to vote for the Dark Side.

[leftgirl]

58. Clooney fancies himself a serious voice, donor and now apparently a PRESESIDENT WHISPERER

so sad everyone is vying to be relevant and throw Biden under the bus

Most voters that I know believe Biden is our only chance

I agree with others that something strange is going on.........what ...I don't know
but it seems odd to me that during the campaign when others could have run,
no one stepped up except that one guy Dean Phillips ??

Biden was the same age earlier in the ;yr as he is now.....they were all ok with it during the primary but now ???............
or
did no one want to be the 1st to really step up....and as soon as there was one misstep,
the floodgates opened and they all thought this was an easy back door method
to dispose of JOE.......

all of this teeth gnashing over polls.....

sadly ....it looks like the Dem party has decided it's democracy by polls rather than by ballot.....

again, we voters are apparently inconsequential .....our votes do not matter any more.....

I wonder who the dem elites, the NYTIMES, the CLooneys, the Jon Stewarts and Michael Moores,
and all the other pontificating pundits
have selected to save us ? who is the new designated savior that we are expected to support....
yes....we the peasant voters .....whose votes aren't good enough in the primary but will be
good enough in the election in Nov.........

one never knows about the peasant class .......sometimes they revolt .....

[MustLoveBeagles]

61. George

If you really consider Joe a friend and still believe in him you wouldn't have publicly humiliated him like this. The one thing I really hate is a backstabber.

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

64. And why should I consider his opinion more valid than others?

[IzzaNuDay]

65. For George Clooney-- if you read DU, post here

so we can give you a piece of our minds.

WTF aren't you asking Felon 34x to drop out instead? What are you afraid of?

[Emile]

66. Just what we didn't need, another message about

George Clooney wanting our Democratic candidate to drop out.

[hlthe2b]

69. Just can't resist "attacking the messenger," eh, Emile. At this time this post has 2008 views, 68 replies, 19 recs AND

was posted more than 4 hours ago simultaneous to a CNN alert on my cell phone.

So, no. The "IGNORE" function is your friend, rather than calling out DUers for merely posting news-worthy items--even if it is not the kind of news any of us really want.

[Emile]

70. Your right, I should have responded the first time

I saw this post. Instead I ignored it, but this time I will just trash the whole thread because it's not helping to unify the party behind our elected candidate.

[hlthe2b]

71. My very first sentence made clear I don't agree with Clooney, but attack me anyway for merely posting about it.

Apparently that fulfills some need.

[SunSeeker]

67. George Clooney has no idea what he is talking about.

Pretty disappointed in him and Amal.

[MerrilyMerrily]

68. What angers me the most about Clooney's "take"

"Was he tired? Yes. Did he have a cold? Maybe"

First of all - MAYBE? Get stuffed

More important - "He was tired, but he was the same Joe at the fundraiser as at the debate". The fundraiser he flew straight from Italy to get to, that started at 10:45 PM Washington DC time and 4:45 AM Rome time? I saw the video of him chatting with Kimmel and Obama - I wouldn't have been that alert after such a long, long day and long, long flight. Schmoozing with VIPs afterwards would have made me feel like the sleep deprived POW from Stalag 17. Get stuffed twice.

By the way, Stephanie Miller attended the same fundraiser and found him to be a delight. Watching the debate, she did not think, "Oh no, he's deteriorated into a confused feeble fossil in the last two weeks, this is terrible." She thought, "Oh no, he's sick with the flu or something, this is terrible."

Last - Biden in 2024 is not the Biden of 2020. Duh. Every president except the lazy ones (Reagan, W, Trump) find that a 24/7 job with constant emergencies of vast proportions adds ten years to the FACE. Biden's doctor found NO cognitive problems and no significant health problems except two that affect how he MOVES - numbness in the feet and arthritis in the spine. So he doesn't run up ramps any more, George, unclutch those pearls. And get stuffed.

Lawrence O'Donnell talked to one of PJB's National Security officials last night, who said he has come to Biden with situations at all hours of the day and night and he has NEVER seen him be anything less than focused, ready with sharp questions, etc. NEVER.

[SunSeeker]

72. Clooney has no idea what he is talking about. He suggested Newsom or Whitmer, who have no access to Biden money.

And he completely ignores Kamala Harris, who does have access to Biden campaign money. So he thinks skipping over Kamala will "enliven" the black vote? Clooney's whole replacement plan is completely idiotic.

Clooney argued that it was “disingenuous” to say the matter of Biden’s nomination is settled when “we just received new and upsetting information,” and that a new candidate would “in all likelihood” be able to make use of the Biden campaign’s millions in funds. Clooney encouraged Democrats like Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and California Gov. Gavin Newsom to throw their hats into the ring and partake in debates where they agree not to attack one another.

“Would it be messy? Yes. Democracy is messy. But would it enliven our party and wake up voters who, long before the June debate, had already checked out? It sure would,” the actor said.

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/george-clooney-biden-drop-out_n_668ea511e4b0fabe6c568cee

[lefthandedskyhook]

73. Clooney is being very foolish

You must want to lose. Ronald Reagan was demented during his second run. Biden still has all his marbles although he has clearly slowed down and should remove everyone who set him up for failure in the horrible debate setup

[Pachamama]

74. Thank you for posting this

A mine field around here

[Aussie105]

77. Have people been living in a state of denial?

Not realising both candidates are old?

Don't lose track of the fact that one is an intelligent and experienced politician with a good team around him, while the other is Trump, where those three factors don't apply.

Or were people just delusional, thinking Biden would walk back into the job easily, Trump had no chance - and one bad incident shattered that thought?

It boils down to the voters later this year. No guarantees on that event, but I'm sure that a panic replacement of Biden with someone else now will end in disaster.
But I'm sure Trump, the GOP, etc would love to see that happen.
As would the MSM.

[Mountainguy]

79. Nobody woke up this morning

and said "I wonder what George Clooney thinks."

[BlueTsunami2018]

82. Clooney is salty about his wife's ridiculous warrants being rebuffed.

He’s salty and this is personal.

Fuck him.