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6 months in office: where is Biden most vulnerable?

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US President Joe Biden on jobs

On Tuesday, President Joe Biden will mark 6 months in office.  He has had strong successes, but there is much more to accomplish ahead

Biden’s popularity is positive and steady above 50 per cent.  His policy proposals have met with strong approval:  how he has managed the pandemic, the vigorous jobs gains and economic recovery, the direct financial support to families and workers, a more normal summer of being together with friends and family and travelling again, and an overall sense of optimism about the future. 

The troops have come home from Afghanistan, American leadership on the world stage is valued again by US allies.  There was direct engagement with President Putin. Biden is strengthening policy across Asia and will soon engage more directly with China. 

Biden’s Cabinet officials are performing well. His White House staff is viewed as exceptionally able.  Processes are orderly.  The chaos of the Trump years is gone. The press is no longer the enemy of the people.

While it has been an exceptionally good six months, there are many challenges yet to be faced and overcome

Partisanship in the capital is at poisonous levels. 

The Senate Republican leader says he is committed to “100%” opposition to what Biden is doing. Legislation that passes the House of Representatives faces death by filibuster in the Senate.

President Joe Biden speaks about his administration’s response to the coup in Myanmar in the South Court Auditorium on the White House complex, Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)

There is no movement on issues that tear at the fabric of American life:  voting rights, gun control, immigration reform. 

What is the Republicans game-plan?

While Biden supporters clamour for action but there is no clear road ahead.  The Republican game-plan is simple:  stop Biden from governing and take that failure to the midterm elections next year and take back control of Congress.

Former US President Donald Trump

The next crucial piece of economic recovery – rebuilding the country with a vigorous infrastructure program and advancing Biden initiatives on education, climate, and health care – are all in the balance in the Senate. Whether the bipartisan infrastructure agreement truly holds – will it die because of lack of sufficient Republican support? – will be the crucial test of whether any meaningful engagement between the president and the Republicans is possible. Votes are expected this month.

But where is Biden really vulnerable? 

Republicans have not been successful in attacking Biden frontally on his major legislative achievements:  curbing the pandemic, rolling out the vaccines, financial support, jobs and growth, infrastructure, education and skills.  

Instead, their focus is on cultural issues that tap into the raw emotions Trump unleashed throughout his presidency, and they are pushing these hot buttons:

  • Crime, and the rise in crime violence in American cities.  Over the weekend, there was a shooting outside National Stadium in Washington, where a ballgame was underway.
  • Immigration, and whether the southern border is “out of control.” There have been as million arrests at the border this year, and over 180,000 in June – a 20-year high.
  • Inflation, where there are sharply rising costs for petrol, housing, and some foods, and whether the massive Biden spending programs are fueling these price rises.
  • Instability in Cuba and Haiti, and whether this will trigger as wave of refugees headed to Florida.
  • Afghanistan, and whether the Taliban will take control over the country and threaten terrorism.

Republicans will take these culture war issues into next year’s elections.

Biden knows all this. He is focused.  He knows what he wants to get done. And he believes he can.

Bruce Wolpe is a Ticker News US political contributor. He’s a Senior Fellow at the US Studies Centre and has worked with Democrats in Congress during President Barack Obama's first term, and on the staff of Prime Minister Julia Gillard. He has also served as the former PM's chief of staff.

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Is this the next James Bond?

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In a huge shift for the iconic James Bond franchise, reports indicate that British actor Aaron Taylor-Johnson has been formally extended an offer to step into the coveted role, succeeding Daniel Craig.

The revelation, as per The Sun, comes amid much anticipation surrounding the future of the long-standing spy thriller series.

Eon Productions, the entity behind the Bond films, appears poised to commence production this year, with Taylor-Johnson seemingly primed to don the mantle of 007.

Sources close to the production suggest that the formal offer has been made, awaiting Taylor-Johnson’s response.

“Should he wish to accept it, Bond is Aaron’s job,” an insider remarked.

The last James Bond actor, Daniel Craig.

“The formal offer is on the table, and they are waiting to hear back. As far as Eon is concerned, Aaron is going to sign his contract in the coming days, and they can start preparing for the big announcement.”

This development follows a period of speculation regarding who would inherit the role, with Taylor-Johnson emerging as a contender alongside other notable actors such as Cillian Murphy, Idris Elba, Henry Cavill, and James Norton.

In response to inquiries about his potential involvement, Taylor-Johnson expressed gratitude, stating, “I find it charming and wonderful that people see me in that role. I take it as a great compliment.”

Best Supporting Actor

The actor’s journey to the cusp of the Bond franchise has been marked by a diverse array of roles, including notable performances in films like “Nocturnal Animals,” for which he received a Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actor.

Insiders cite this as evidence of Taylor-Johnson’s suitability for the role, asserting that his talent and range make him an ideal successor to Craig’s portrayal.

Daniel Craig, who portrayed Bond across five films, bid farewell to the character following the release of 2021’s “No Time To Die,” a film that concluded with a dramatic finale, leaving the fate of 007 ambiguous.

With Aaron Taylor-Johnson potentially stepping into the iconic role, fans await eagerly for further developments as the next chapter of the Bond saga begins to take shape.

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Are audiences already fed up with AI?

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One of the standout moments from the recently concluded SXSW in Austin, Texas, was the crowd’s reaction during the film premiere of “The Fall Guy,” featuring Ryan Gosling.

Attendees voiced their displeasure with an AI video sizzle reel, which failed to resonate with the everyday consumer, resulting in boos from the audience.

The incident underscores the growing importance of understanding and catering to the human experience in technology and entertainment.

 

 

 

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A surge of Hollywood actors dive headfirst into Gaming

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Exciting news has emerged from the gaming world as a beloved video game franchise gears up for a television adaptation.

The official Among Us account recently revealed that an animated TV series is in development, featuring stars such as Ashley Johnson, Elijah Wood, Randall Park, and Yvette Nicole Brown, courtesy of CBS Studios.

Meanwhile, Summer Game Fest 2024 has announced its return, promising a showcase of new video game announcements, trailers, and first looks on June 7th, hosted by Geoff Keighley.

Anticipation mounts for potential reveals from industry giants like Rockstar Games, Kojima Productions, Insomniac Games, and Santa Monica Studios.

Getting Pro with Playstation

In other news, rumours surrounding the PlayStation 5 Pro have gained traction following leaks reported by Insider Gaming. According to leaked documentation, the PS5 Pro boasts enhancements including 45% faster rendering, 2-3 times the ray-tracing capability, and a custom machine learning architecture, potentially slated for a holiday 2024 release.

However, Insider Gaming notes that plans may be subject to change based on Sony’s release strategy for first-party titles.

Games out this week

As the gaming community eagerly awaits these developments, this week also sees the release of notable titles such as “Princess Peach Showtime!” on Nintendo Switch, “Rise of the Ronin” on PlayStation 5, and “Dragon’s Dogma II” on Xbox Series, PC, and PS5, promising diverse experiences for players worldwide.

 

 

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