It’s not only the ‘elites,’ Mr. President

who want you to step aside!

You may have noticed a full-page advertisement in Sunday’s Wisconsin State Journal encouraging Joe Biden to stand down (but not stand by). “The current ticket is headed for a loss,” it warns. The all-text ad asserts “Trump wants to run against Biden,” which appears unassailable.

“We can run on the issues or we can run defending President Biden’s age and competency.”

 Not a party ‘elite’

The ad was not signed by state Democrat(ic) elites like Gov. Tony Evers, U.S. Rep. Mark Pocan, or Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes Conway (Biden couldn’t remember her name) — all of whom groveled before the President at Sherman middle school 07-05-24 eight days after the President’s disastrous debate on CNN.

The only name affixed to this cry du coeur was one William Nantell. Who?

William Nantell grew up in Waukesha County and retired as executive vice president at Utility Data Contractors, Inc., a GIS company started by Bill Huelsman (his wife Joanne Huelsman was a Republican state legislator from Waukesha in the 1990s). Mr. Nantell moved to Denver with the company 10 years ago. He, two of his brothers, and six others still in Wisconsin paid $8,000 for the ad, their only buy. That’s called putting your money where your mouth is.

Mr. Nantell described himself to this bloggeur as a liberal who fears that Trump is a threat to the Constitution. He pronounces himself pleased with the Biden administration’s record, “but his debate performance and interview afterward persuaded me he’s in his senior moments.”

→ Politico reports on poll that says Hillary Clinton is Dems’ best shot!

→ ‘How badly does Tammy Baldwin not want to talk about Biden?’ — Dan Bice in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
→ Contradicting John Nichols, Baldwin says “a lot of constituents convey concern” about Biden.

 Make his day!

In a telephone call to MSNBC’s Morning Joe program Monday 07-08-24, the President blamed “elites” in his own party for trying to force him out of the race. (More here.)

“I’m getting so frustrated by the elites,” he told Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski. “Now I’m not talking about you guys, but by the elites in the party who — they know so much more. If any of these guys don’t think I should run, run against me. Go ahead, announce for President. Challenge me at the convention.”

Ironic, is it not? “Without the elites, he would have had a serious primary foe,” NBC’s Chuck Todd retorts.

Now age 75, Bill Nantell empathizes with the President. He retired a year ago convinced that a younger person could do a better job. “I get stuck in the middle of a comment and I don’t know point I was going to make.” Said Nikki Haley would have won handily had she been the Republican nominee and that he might have considered her. Bill would like to see Josh Shapiro, governor of Pennsylvania, Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan, or Kamala Harris. If it’s Trump v. Biden, Bill will vote Democrat.

It’s time to seek the middle ground and vote for democracy by appealing to Democrats and Republicans … [and] choose a moderate candidate best positioned in securing the swing states. — the newspaper ad

Will the ad have any effect? In our telephone conversation Mr. Nantell laughed. “I just couldn’t stand here and let this happen,” hoping that it would shake the tree a little. Other than this bloggeur’s contact, he’s gotten no feedback. 

Blaska’s Bottom Line: Joe Biden appears to be doubling down, daring the party establishment to jettison his candidacy. William Nantell expressed satisfaction that, at least, he put his name on the line when it counted. Which is more than the Madison establishment has done. That includes its increasingly Leftist news outlets. If Trump wins, Democrats can’t blame William Nantell.

Think maybe Trump deserves to win?