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Biden En Marche with Macron | ticker VIEWS

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The first reaction out of the White House was cheeky

Ron Klain, Chief of Staff to the President, tweeted right after the exit polls in France were released:  

KLAIN AND BIDEN

“President Macron appears to have secured a double-digit victory over Le Pen, at a time when his approval rating is 36%. Hmmm….” 

Klain linked to a global survey of leader approval ratings. Macron, at 36% approval, is lower than Biden, at 40%, and still won – with 58%+ of the vote – a result would be considered a blowout landslide victory in France on Sunday over Marine Le Pen.  Obama crushed John McCain in 2008 with 54% of the vote.

Who says Biden can’t win in 2024? 

BIDEN 2024 – NY MAG

Macron was beset with violent Yellow Vest riots in Paris and elsewhere fed by working class anger and frustration; by an elitist attitude that talked down to so many French men and women across society; by heavy handed controls during the pandemic involving closures and substantial differential treatments between the vaccinated and unvaccinated; by an attitude of technocratic superiority; by reforms to retirement and other social entitlements that are deeply embedded in French society.  

MACRON AND LE PEN

Macron prevailed in such an environment made more toxic, of course, by Le Pen, whose ugly nativism and anti-immigrant fear-mongering, and her alliance with Russia’s Putin, made her the great divider of France and France’s partnership with the US and NATO. 

The first round of presidential voting, with Le Pen close to Macron, provoked a searing assessment by voters on all sides. 

Her supporters were amped up, eager get her in power and overturn French society.  Macron’s supporters, and those who voted for also-ran candidate on the left, Melenchon, were not confident of the outcome because their enthusiasm for Macron was muted. Would they vote?  Le Pen hit your gut; Macron was saying, vote with your head.

Was France to be a replay of 2016: the UK vote for Brexit and a re-do of Trump’s taking the presidency?  

BREXIT 2016

Those shock results that upended Europe, tore apart US society, and savaged Americas’ engagement with its allies.

Macron beat Le Pen.  It is her third successive defeat.  But is her movement beaten?  EJ Dionne in the Washington Post cautioned, 

“Marine Le Pen’s projected vote is more than double the 17.8 percent that her father, Jean-Marie Le Pen, the founder of the predecessor party to his daughter’s, won in the 2002 runoff against then-president Jacques Chirac.”

This same issue is haunting American politics. 

What does it take – what will it take – to defeat Trump and Trumpism? 

TRUMP

Clearly, successive victories over Trumpism is the key, because over time, the defeated party, to win future elections, will need to absorb the lessons and re-engineer its political DNA.  This is what the Democrats did after getting beaten three successive times by Ronald Reagan and George HW Bush in the 1980s, because the party was seen as so far left.  The successful Democratic presidents in the decades since were Bill Clinton, Barack Obama and Joe Biden.  Centrists all.  As is Macron.

For Biden and Macron, to say this is a daunting task is a huge understatement. 

Each needs to govern effectively to deliver economic security and social and racial equity.  Abroad, democracy needs to be, and be seen as, prevailing over authoritarianism.

BIDEN AND MACRON

Current polls have Biden beating Trump 47%-41%.  Media is reporting that Biden has told Obama that he is running in 2024 and is the only one who can beat Trump. On the record, Biden told reporters in March:

“In the next election, I’d be very fortunate if I had that same man running against me.”

There will be avalanches on the road to neuter Trumpism in American politics.  The Republicans will take the House of Representatives in November, and they are within reach of controlling the Senate. 2024 will decide if Trumpism will truly emerge as a dominant force in American politics.

Biden is “en marche” with Macron. Sunday night, there was Champagne for the Biden team.  And probably some Grey Goose too.

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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Resilience and positivity: Emmilia O’Sullivan’s inspiring health journey

Emilia O’Sullivan’s inspiring journey highlights resilience in overcoming life-threatening health challenges and her mission to help others.

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Emmilia O’Sullivan’s inspiring journey highlights resilience in overcoming life-threatening health challenges and her mission to help others.

In Short

Emmilia O’Sullivan, an award-winning author, has faced severe health challenges since childhood but remains resilient and determined to inspire others through her book, podcast and beyond. She emphasises a positive mindset and actively engages with her medical team while supporting her family during her journey.

Emmilia O’Sullivan, an award-winning author, shared her journey through numerous health challenges starting from childhood.

Born with kidney disease, she had a kidney removed by age two and lived on one kidney until major complications arose at seventeen, requiring a bladder reconstruction and a kidney transplant at twenty-one.

However, shortly after her transplant, she faced a diagnosis of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma at twenty-two. Following remission, she discovered rare EBV-driven smooth muscle tumors.

Over the years, Emmilia dealt with various medical issues, including a tumour requiring a craniotomy and a severe bout of sepsis that led to a coma.

Despite these obstacles, Emmilia demonstrates remarkable resilience, emphasising a positive mindset and a strong desire to survive. She actively engages with her medical team, focusing on treatments and timelines, determined to keep moving forward.

Her support system includes her husband and family, and she also plays a reassuring role for them despite her struggles.

Emmilia views her health challenges not as defining elements but as aspects of her life alongside her ambition to inspire younger individuals facing similar issues.

Through her book, & podcast she aims to provide guidance and support for others.

You can find her podcast on social media platforms and her website, ammeliaosullivan.com. Emmilia’s story is a testament to fighting spirit and the pursuit of life goals despite adversity.

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Mental health services in Australia face funding and access crisis

Mental health support needs increased funding and resources to combat stigma and ensure affordability in Australia.

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Mental health support needs increased funding and resources to combat stigma and ensure affordability in Australia.

In Short

Demand for mental health support is rising in Australia, hindered by affordability, resource shortages, and stigma. Shehara Fernando, CEO of Crowned Cross Healthcare, calls for equal prioritisation of mental health services and systemic changes to improve access and reduce stigma.

The demand for mental health support continues to rise as affordability, resource shortages, and societal stigma present significant hurdles.

Shehara Fernando, founder and CEO of Crowned Cross Healthcare, highlighted the pressing need to prioritise mental health services on par with physical health care in Australia. High out-of-pocket costs hinder access, with current Medicare rebates often inadequate for ongoing therapy and specialised treatment.

Resource shortages, particularly of psychologists and psychiatrists, must be addressed through increased training of healthcare professionals and the expansion of telehealth options, which can reach rural populations effectively. Fernando emphasised the need for tailored services for diverse groups facing unique mental health challenges.

Overcoming societal stigma, especially among men, remains critical. Statistics reveal only 15% of Australian men with mental health conditions seek help, with a substantial number dropping out of treatment. Fernando urged public figures to speak openly about mental health, fostering an environment where seeking help is seen as a sign of strength.

Crowned Cross Healthcare aims to deliver quality mental health services and encourages individuals to connect through their website and social media for support and resources. More systemic changes and discussions are vital for improving mental health care access.

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Hamas agrees to release Israeli hostages after Trump issues ultimatum amid ceasefire uncertainty

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Trump and Netanyahu warn of renewed conflict if hostages are not freed by deadline.

Hamas has confirmed it will release three more Israeli hostages as originally planned, reversing an earlier threat to delay their release.

The terror group had warned that it would withhold the captives unless Israel provided compensation for what it claimed were unmet entitlements.

However, under mounting international pressure, Hamas has agreed to proceed with the release.

The announcement comes amid growing tensions, as both Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. President Donald Trump have made it clear that a failure to release all remaining hostages by Saturday at noon could result in the collapse of the current ceasefire.

Trump, during a press conference, stated that if the deadline is not met, Israel should “cancel it and … let hell break out.”

Netanyahu echoed similar sentiments, reinforcing that Israel would take decisive action if Hamas did not comply.

In a recent meeting, Trump and Netanyahu also discussed the possibility of resettling Palestinians outside of Gaza and even suggested U.S. control over the region—a proposal that has sparked debate among international leaders.

Josh Hasten a Middle East correspondent for JNS, and the co-host of the JNS podcast “Jerusalem Minute” joins Veronica Dudo to discuss.

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