U.S. President Joe Biden delivers remarks on preserving and protecting democracy at Union Station in Washington, D.C. on November 2, 2022. (Photo: Michael A. McCoy/Getty Images)
'Biden Is Right' That 'Democracy Itself' Is at Stake in Midterms: Progressives
"Democracy itself is on the ballot, and Americans across the political spectrum must come together to defeat election deniers and preserve our fundamental freedoms, including our freedom to choose our leaders," said the president of Stand Up America.
Progressives responded to U.S. President Joe Biden's Wednesday night speech by agreeing with his warning that "democracy itself" is at stake in the November 8 midterm elections.
"MAGA Republicans are running up and down the ballot, including for election administration positions, to undermine our democracy and the will of voters."
"Biden is right," declared a statement from the advocacy organization Stand Up America.
"With less than a week until Election Day, President Biden sounded the alarm that this is not a typical midterm election," said the group's president and founder, Sean Eldridge. "MAGA Republicans are running up and down the ballot, including for election administration positions, to undermine our democracy and the will of voters."
"At the end of the day, this election is not just about Democrats versus Republicans," he added. "Democracy itself is on the ballot, and Americans across the political spectrum must come together to defeat election deniers and preserve our fundamental freedoms, including our freedom to choose our leaders."
Biden's speech was hosted by the Democratic National Committee (DNC). He spoke at Union Station, a few blocks away from the U.S. Capitol:
Biden began by addressing the recent attack of Paul Pelosi, the husband of U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), at their San Francisco home. David DePape, who was allegedly looking for the speaker, has been charged with attempted kidnapping and assault. The president connected the incident to the invasion of the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021.
Former President Donald Trump's "Bie Lie" that he won the 2020 election has "fueled the dangerous rise in political violence and voter intimidation over the past two years," Biden said, echoing his September speech in Philadelphia. "In this moment, we have to confront those lies with the truth. The very future of our nation depends on it."
"My fellow Americans," he continued, "we're facing a defining moment--an inflection point--and we must, with one overwhelming, unified voice, speak as a country and say there's no place... for voter intimidation or political violence in America, whether it's directed at Democrats or Republicans."
"I know there's a lot at stake in these midterm elections, from our economy, to the safety of our streets, to our personal freedoms, the future of healthcare, Social Security, Medicare--it's all important," the president said. "But there's something else at state: democracy itself."
Biden's message to the nation comes as several Republican candidates running for various public offices--including roles that could impact future elections--continue to spread Trump's Big Lie and push for policies that undermine the will of voters.
"President Biden is right to raise the alarm about threats facing our democracy," the ACLU tweeted late Wednesday. "The real threat to democracy is those who would discourage participation through myths of election fraud and baseless and dangerous theories that deny the outcome of valid election results."
"Politicians are using these unfounded claims to try to undermine confidence in our democratic process. But we know our rights," the group added. "Access to the ballot is the cornerstone of democracy--and come Election Day, we will vote."
Urgent. It's never been this bad.
Dear Common Dreams reader, It’s been nearly 30 years since I co-founded Common Dreams with my late wife, Lina Newhouser. We had the radical notion that journalism should serve the public good, not corporate profits. It was clear to us from the outset what it would take to build such a project. No paid advertisements. No corporate sponsors. No millionaire publisher telling us what to think or do. Many people said we wouldn't last a year, but we proved those doubters wrong. Together with a tremendous team of journalists and dedicated staff, we built an independent media outlet free from the constraints of profits and corporate control. Our mission from the outset was simple. To inform. To inspire. To ignite change for the common good. Building Common Dreams was not easy. Our survival was never guaranteed. When you take on the most powerful forces—Wall Street greed, fossil fuel industry destruction, Big Tech lobbyists, and uber-rich oligarchs who have spent billions upon billions rigging the economy and democracy in their favor—the only bulwark you have is supporters who believe in your work. But here’s the urgent message from me today. It’s never been this bad out there. And it’s never been this hard to keep us going. At the very moment Common Dreams is most needed and doing some of its best and most important work, the threats we face are intensifying. Right now, with just four days to go in our Spring Campaign, we are not even halfway to our goal. When everyone does the little they can afford, we are strong. But if that support retreats or dries up, so do we. Can you make a gift right now to make sure Common Dreams not only survives but thrives? There is no backup plan or rainy day fund. There is only you. —Craig Brown, Co-founder |
Progressives responded to U.S. President Joe Biden's Wednesday night speech by agreeing with his warning that "democracy itself" is at stake in the November 8 midterm elections.
"MAGA Republicans are running up and down the ballot, including for election administration positions, to undermine our democracy and the will of voters."
"Biden is right," declared a statement from the advocacy organization Stand Up America.
"With less than a week until Election Day, President Biden sounded the alarm that this is not a typical midterm election," said the group's president and founder, Sean Eldridge. "MAGA Republicans are running up and down the ballot, including for election administration positions, to undermine our democracy and the will of voters."
"At the end of the day, this election is not just about Democrats versus Republicans," he added. "Democracy itself is on the ballot, and Americans across the political spectrum must come together to defeat election deniers and preserve our fundamental freedoms, including our freedom to choose our leaders."
Biden's speech was hosted by the Democratic National Committee (DNC). He spoke at Union Station, a few blocks away from the U.S. Capitol:
Biden began by addressing the recent attack of Paul Pelosi, the husband of U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), at their San Francisco home. David DePape, who was allegedly looking for the speaker, has been charged with attempted kidnapping and assault. The president connected the incident to the invasion of the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021.
Former President Donald Trump's "Bie Lie" that he won the 2020 election has "fueled the dangerous rise in political violence and voter intimidation over the past two years," Biden said, echoing his September speech in Philadelphia. "In this moment, we have to confront those lies with the truth. The very future of our nation depends on it."
"My fellow Americans," he continued, "we're facing a defining moment--an inflection point--and we must, with one overwhelming, unified voice, speak as a country and say there's no place... for voter intimidation or political violence in America, whether it's directed at Democrats or Republicans."
"I know there's a lot at stake in these midterm elections, from our economy, to the safety of our streets, to our personal freedoms, the future of healthcare, Social Security, Medicare--it's all important," the president said. "But there's something else at state: democracy itself."
Biden's message to the nation comes as several Republican candidates running for various public offices--including roles that could impact future elections--continue to spread Trump's Big Lie and push for policies that undermine the will of voters.
"President Biden is right to raise the alarm about threats facing our democracy," the ACLU tweeted late Wednesday. "The real threat to democracy is those who would discourage participation through myths of election fraud and baseless and dangerous theories that deny the outcome of valid election results."
"Politicians are using these unfounded claims to try to undermine confidence in our democratic process. But we know our rights," the group added. "Access to the ballot is the cornerstone of democracy--and come Election Day, we will vote."
Progressives responded to U.S. President Joe Biden's Wednesday night speech by agreeing with his warning that "democracy itself" is at stake in the November 8 midterm elections.
"MAGA Republicans are running up and down the ballot, including for election administration positions, to undermine our democracy and the will of voters."
"Biden is right," declared a statement from the advocacy organization Stand Up America.
"With less than a week until Election Day, President Biden sounded the alarm that this is not a typical midterm election," said the group's president and founder, Sean Eldridge. "MAGA Republicans are running up and down the ballot, including for election administration positions, to undermine our democracy and the will of voters."
"At the end of the day, this election is not just about Democrats versus Republicans," he added. "Democracy itself is on the ballot, and Americans across the political spectrum must come together to defeat election deniers and preserve our fundamental freedoms, including our freedom to choose our leaders."
Biden's speech was hosted by the Democratic National Committee (DNC). He spoke at Union Station, a few blocks away from the U.S. Capitol:
Biden began by addressing the recent attack of Paul Pelosi, the husband of U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), at their San Francisco home. David DePape, who was allegedly looking for the speaker, has been charged with attempted kidnapping and assault. The president connected the incident to the invasion of the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021.
Former President Donald Trump's "Bie Lie" that he won the 2020 election has "fueled the dangerous rise in political violence and voter intimidation over the past two years," Biden said, echoing his September speech in Philadelphia. "In this moment, we have to confront those lies with the truth. The very future of our nation depends on it."
"My fellow Americans," he continued, "we're facing a defining moment--an inflection point--and we must, with one overwhelming, unified voice, speak as a country and say there's no place... for voter intimidation or political violence in America, whether it's directed at Democrats or Republicans."
"I know there's a lot at stake in these midterm elections, from our economy, to the safety of our streets, to our personal freedoms, the future of healthcare, Social Security, Medicare--it's all important," the president said. "But there's something else at state: democracy itself."
Biden's message to the nation comes as several Republican candidates running for various public offices--including roles that could impact future elections--continue to spread Trump's Big Lie and push for policies that undermine the will of voters.
"President Biden is right to raise the alarm about threats facing our democracy," the ACLU tweeted late Wednesday. "The real threat to democracy is those who would discourage participation through myths of election fraud and baseless and dangerous theories that deny the outcome of valid election results."
"Politicians are using these unfounded claims to try to undermine confidence in our democratic process. But we know our rights," the group added. "Access to the ballot is the cornerstone of democracy--and come Election Day, we will vote."