The Radical Supreme Court Majority, Teneo Network, and the Urgency of a Biden/Harris Win

abuse of power, current events, democracy, Joe Biden, Kamala Harris, Supreme Court 8 Minutes

If you’re focusing on the damage Trump can do, and you either wish the Democrats would pick a younger candidate who would purportedly be more likely to beat him -or- you feel defeated and confused by calls for Biden to step aside, I hope you’ll read this post carefully and share it with others.

The biased, politically oriented Hur Report has fueled calls for President Biden to step down at the Democratic National Convention. He will not do it–and he should not do it. Period.

Though I’ve said several times that President Biden remains the strongest Democrat–as well as the most qualified–and Biden/Harris is a winning combo–the ill-informed demands appear to have whet the appetites of some destructive forces who should know better.

Yesterday, Robert Hubbell made a persuasive argument against the “Biden must step aside” fallacy.

He was responding to a dopey essay by Ezra Klein in The New York Times that a number of Hubbell’s readers agreed with and others, while disagreeing, thought was worth discussing.

Most of Klein’s piece is a paean to Biden and his accomplishments. With regard to the president’s age–demonstrating what appears to be a total absence of self-scrutiny–Klein said this in the audio essay entitled “Democrats Have a Better Option Than Biden”:

“Since the beginning of Biden’s administration, I have been asking people who work with him: How does he seem? How read in is he? What’s he like in the meetings? Maybe it’s not a great sign that I felt the need to do that, that a lot of reporters have been doing that, but still. And I am convinced, watching him, listening to the testimony of those who meet with him — not all people who like him — I am convinced he is able to do the job of the presidency. He is sharp in meetings; he makes sound judgments. I cannot point you to a moment where Biden faltered in his presidency because his age had slowed him.”

That should have been the end of the story, but Klein nevertheless claims that Biden isn’t up to the task, he might lose to Trump; thus, he should step aside. “I still think Biden might win against Trump, even with all I’ve said,” Klein acknowledges. But “there’s a very good chance he might lose…And Trump is dangerous. I want better odds than that.”

Keep the “Democrats have a better option” in mind as you read what follows.

Hubbell wrote:

“At root, Klein’s idea credits the falsehood being promoted by Robert Hur, Trump, Fox News, and Putin’s army of bots that Joe Biden is incompetent to hold the presidency. We cannot fall for the false narrative that Joe Biden is unfit merely because he is 80 and is not the same person he was at 70 or 60 or 40 or 30.

“Worse, having a ‘respectful public conversation’ about the proposal allows Republicans to change the narrative from the fascist rhetoric that Trump is spewing each day to a made-up controversy that is the functional equivalent of the ‘But her emails . . . ‘ fake controversy that the press swallowed hook, line, and sinker in 2016.“

After citing examples of how terrible Trump is, Hubbell turned to a few of the “flaws in the plan…too numerous to catalog”:

“Every replacement candidate (except one) starts with a 10 to 12 percentage point deficit to Trump, whereas Joe Biden is polling (at least) even with Trump. As Simon Rosenberg wrote on Sunday,

This week’s independent general election polling of registered voters finds a close, competitive race (Biden-Trump): Emerson 44-45 Economist/YouGov 44-44 Morning Consult 42-43 And a reminder that Biden led 47-45 (2 pts) in last NYTimes poll.

“But in polling done in February, Gavin Newsom trails Trump by 10 points and Gretchen Whitmer trails by 12 points. (So far as I can tell, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro isn’t being polled nationally, only in Pennsylvania.)

“But guess who is within striking distance of Trump (3 points)? Vice President Kamala Harris—who is never mentioned by readers who suggest that it is a good idea for Biden to step aside.

“Why pass over the candidate in the strongest position (according to polls) to succeed Joe Biden in favor of candidates who sit at the bottom of a deep gravity well? I will let the readers suggesting the ‘Biden steps aside strategy’ answer that question, but Josh Marshall of Talking Points Memo describes what would happen if Biden steps aside and Kamala Harris is passed over:

I think if Biden stepped aside and then Harris was passed over, that would be like lighting a stick of dynamite at the center of the Democratic coalition. 

“There are no easy or obvious answers, but plenty of bad ones. Ezra Klein’s proposal pretends that none of the bad answers exist.

“Finally, there are no ‘party bosses’ to manage the Democratic Party’s selection process if Biden were to step aside. With no primary election results to guide the process, the 72-hour race on the convention floor for the nomination would be ‘nasty, brutish, and short.’

“So, please, can we stop talking about the Ezra Klein strategy? It is a horrible idea because Joe Biden is a strong candidate who is an incumbent president with a phenomenal track record of success. He has the wisdom and experience to guide the nation through a difficult time. And he beat Donald Trump in 2020. He can do so in 2024.

“The last point (even though I said ‘finally’ above), is that it is incredibly disrespectful to the hundreds of thousands of Americans working their tails off to elect Joe Biden to suggest that their work is part of a big game of, ‘Just kidding, made you look!’ They believe in Joe Biden and are willing to work hard for him because they believe in him. Let’s not abuse their well-placed trust in and admiration for Joe Biden.”

Hubbell’s commentary struck a very responsive chord with me, and not just because I’m one of those working hard for Biden because I believe in him. The arguments that Biden should step aside make no sense in the real world.

I don’t think I need to make the case against Trump, which he makes against himself every day. It’s worth noting, however, that after first bragging he was solely responsible for the Supreme Court majority that overturned Roe, then seeing that reproductive rights is a losing issue for Republicans and trying to find a way to muddy his position, he’s now saying he’d call for a national ban on abortion after sixteen weeks. (Why sixteen weeks? It’s a nice round number, he “explained.”)

Though Trump appointed the three justices that overturned precedent in the Dobbs case, the capture of the Supreme Court majority is really the decades-long work of Leonard Leo. Still not all that well known, Leo has been the brains behind the radicalization of America’s courts–from a number of state and federal courts all the way up to the Supremes.

And the Dobbs decision is just one of a number in which this Supremely arrogant “don’t bother me with precedents” majority has delivered radical decisions affecting everything from the separation of church and state to the quality of our water. Their anti-regulation, anti-voting rights, etc., record is mounting and is a serious threat to our freedoms and quality of life.

So we should take notice of what Leonard Leo, aided by a billion-plus-dollar gift from a right-wing billionaire, has embarked on as his latest “audacious project,” according to the excellent journalists at ProPublica.

This project goes far beyond the courts and is intended to affect every aspect of our society. Leo has taken the helm as chairman of the board of the Teneo Network to move it forward.

The title of ProPublica’s reportage about Leo’s far-reaching plans: “Inside the ‘Private and Confidential’ Conservative Group That Promises to ‘Crush Liberal Dominance.'”

“… ProPublica and Documented have obtained more than 50 hours of internal Teneo videos and hundreds of pages of documents that reveal the organization’s ambitious agenda, influential membership and burgeoning clout. We have also interviewed Teneo members and people familiar with the group’s activities. The videos, documents and interviews provide an unfiltered look at the lens through which the group views the power of the left — and how it plans to combat it.

Teneo’s members include lots of the leading negative forces today, such as Senator J.D. Vance (R-OH), Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY), federal judges, and the leaders of various national Republican organizations.

I note here that I have long objected to journalists’ using the term “conservative” to refer to the current Supreme Court majority, legislators, or right-wing causes that seek to roll back American progress and dismantle the laws and progress we’ve made. This isn’t conservatism; it’s radicalism.

In a low-key video, Leo called Teneo Network “a tremendously important resource for the future of our country.” (Teneo Network is not to be confused with a consulting firm named Teneo that’s run by people who served in the Clinton administration.)

Using the same modus operandi that he employed to take over the courts, he plans to confront and turn back all these purported sources of corruption: so-called “liberal dominance” and “wokeism” in corporations, education, journalism and entertainment. The latter, he says, is “really corrupting our youth.”

“I just said to myself, ‘Well, if this can work for law, why can’t it work for lots of other areas of American culture and American life where things are really messed up right now?”

ProPublica reported:

“Teneo is building what Leo called in the video ‘networks of conservatives that can roll back ‘liberal influence in Wall Street and Silicon Valley, among authors and academics, with pro athletes and Hollywood producers. A Federalist Society for everything.'”

Even before Leo took the helm, Teneo was well-represented in the seats of power. According to ProPublica:

“Teneo co-founder Evan Baehr, a tech entrepreneur and veteran of conservative activism, said in a 2019 video for new members that Teneo had ‘many, many, many dozens’ of members working in the Trump administration, including in the White House, State Department, Justice Department and Pentagon. ‘They’re everywhere.'”

ProPublica cited a fund-raising letter that gives insights into Teneo Network’s game plan.

“To ‘confront’ what he dubbed ‘woke capitalism,’ Jonathan Bunch, a longtime Leo deputy and now Teneo board member, wrote that the group had brought together a coalition of Teneans ‘working with (or serving as) state attorneys general, state financial officers, state legislators, journalists, media executives and best-in-class public affairs professionals’ to launch investigations, hold hearings, pull state investment funds and publish op-eds and news stories in response to so-called environmental, social and governance, or ESG, policies at the corporate level.'”

In other words, they feel threatened by the fact that to some extent, policies that are good for us individually and collectively are becoming a part of corporate America.

Good grief! Mickey Mouse is besting the haters. How can that be?

On a positive note, we can prevent Teneo Network and their ilk from enacting their far-reaching plans–but only if we first fight back with our ballots. It’s another one of the high stakes we face in November.

The opposition is vast, hungry, well-funded, and wants an America that is the antithesis of everything most of us want.

Teneo Network is a part of that opposition. So is The Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025, which plans to replace all the hard-working civil servants in the federal government with their movement “conservatives.”

This is a lengthy battle that will be ongoing. But the tentacles of the Teneo Network et al will be far more likely to seize hold of our freedoms if Trump wins.

I don’t have to tell you how dreadful that would be. So please, let’s all focus on reelecting our terrific, wise, accomplished, elderly president and his terrific, wise, accomplished vibrant VP, supported by Democrats up and down the ballot–and stop agonizing over polls, unworkable theories, third party choices that are being funded by Trump backers, or any other distractions.

Annie

Published by annieasksyou

I've been a nonfiction writer for many years, exploring diverse topics that pique my curiosity, as noted in my first blog posting (Greetings!). I'm seeking dialogue with others committed to joining me in this exploration, sharing my conviction that different views can be exchanged in a respectful, civil discourse where we can learn from one another and be agreeable, even when we disagree. These postings depend for their enrichment on your participation: your ideas, insights, knowledge, opinions, and personal stories.

Published

47 thoughts on “The Radical Supreme Court Majority, Teneo Network, and the Urgency of a Biden/Harris Win”

  1. Klein nevertheless claims that Biden isn’t up to the task, he might lose to Trump; thus, he should step aside.

    Klein is doing what he’s told by his for-profit media employer — to create as much drama as he can outta this Nothingburger — because that’s where they make that sweet sweet bank.

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply

    1. Kamchak: I fear I wasn’t clear enough about the focus of my post. My point was that the “Biden should withdraw” argument is overriding what should be real concerns that transcend Trump and show how important it is to defeat the array of forces trying to propel him into office. AND THAT WE THE PEOPLE CAN AND MUST DO THAT! (Caps for emphasis—not meant as shouting.)

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

      1. AND THAT WE THE PEOPLE CAN AND MUST DO THAT!

        Yes, and addressing the failures of the Fourth Estate — an integral part of our democracy — is part of that.
        I am voting, and I’m encouraging others to do so as well, but we must also demand better from the press.
        Coincidentally, this . . .

        https://www.damemagazine.com/2024/02/20/media-cant-stop-stoking-outrage/

        . . . popped up in my inbox minutes after I commented here. Ms. Hantschel does a totes better job of explaining than I could.

        Liked by 2 people

      2. I am certainly not arguing this point, Kamchak, which I have made numerous times. I think it’s also implicit here. But I was trying to make a more encompassing point in this post. I know my readers are aware of my views on the press. I don’t know how many know about Teneo Network, which is a looming danger that’s gotten little coverage because of the damn press.

        Liked by 1 person

      3. Fair points.
        Other than derisive mockery, I have no ideas how to combat disinformation from both right wing sources and from doofus Ezra Klein of The New York Times. Censorship will only feed into their already overabundant sense of martyrdom/victimhood.
        I’ll make this point again — IMO, giving voters something/someone to vote FOR will get them involved far easier than motivating them AGAINST something/someone. If my personal experience with voter apathy is any indication, not voting is an easier choice than taking a stand against. It’s a poor choice, and one that I made for decades. I came to the realization that I failed my duty as a US citizen and I did that only by experiencing — first hand –the consequences of my choice. No one would’ve/could’ve led me to that decision.
        This article is a good piece, but it’s reactionary and will only fall on the deaf ears of those who need to hear it. And besides that, the last national election saw a turnout we haven’t had since 1960, and I attribute that to a reaction against Donald J. McGriftingGrifterFace. He has done far more in that regard than articles like this. Yes the victory was small, and to get us into that “mandate of the people” zone I think we should explore the motivation of giving the voters that FOR incentive.
        Liberals have tried being center/right since the 80s with some electoral success, and I think we’re stuck in that rut because it’s safe.
        The big mistake was not fighting for the 2000 election tooth and nail. With the election of C-Plus Augustus we got John Roberts. With John Roberts we got the Citizens United decision, and eventually a 6-3 packed SCOTUS.

        Liked by 1 person

      4. I agree that it was a big mistake in 2000; it was also a big mistake (with the benefit of hindsight) that Obama didn’t legally challenge McConnell’s illegal blockage of Garland’s nomination to the Supreme Court.

        I am heavily engaged in the FOR efforts, Kamchak—both here and in other aspects of my life. Feel free to visit some of my previous posts.

        Cheers!

        Liked by 1 person

  2. Polls paid for by Republican-leajning entities are as much lies as sirports in the Civil war. Republicans have no shame, no honesty. Anyone wanting them in power is not living in the real world of 2024. They may as well have been asleep for the past 75 years!

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply

      1. It is the “0overriding what should be real concerns” that I was talking to also. The Republicsns use lies and misdirection like magicians, getting voters to focus on what they say is obvious while scheming behind the scenes. The more the polls say Trump us winning, the more they are trying to demoralize Democrat voters. The Dems need to expose these tactics, along with doing s lot of other things right, or at least better than tgey are right now..

        Liked by 1 person

      2. rawgod, the Dems are doing a lot that’s right that doesn’t reach the public—that’s why I often quote Simon Rosenberg and Robert Hubbell. And there’s much more on the way. Of course, it would be easier if the damn press weren’t always talking about the polls…I agree!

        Liked by 2 people

  4. The strongest weapon in the Democrats armory is an incumbent president. Someone took my advice and Dark Joe is charismatic putting another mark on the board to reelection. This seems to be the time in the lifeboat where we must resist the urge to drown those who need to constantly complain that they are in discomfort. We’ll need them in November.

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply

    1. You’re correct, we oughtn’t drown them. I think we can tell them to sit down, and concentrate on voting and helping others see the issues and vote. (I was tempted to write SDASTFU, but I didn’t.)

      Liked by 3 people

      Reply

      3. That part makes me uncomfortable, too, but I took it as just me being ultra-sensitive to metaphors like that. I think I recall Debbie Reynolds playing Molly Brown telling someone to sit down and shut up, though. 🙂 Anyway, Richard is Richard; I don’t believe he would say drown if he really meant drown. If that makes sense.
        All that said, I don’t think your writing, or Dark Brandon, are “drowning” potential Biden supporters, and if they feel that way, they’re more sensitive than I am. I was hoping to get that stated, and didn’t. And now it could be lost in words, but I said it!

        Liked by 2 people

      1. Two nights in sub freezing cold. It’s not the boys or the cold that usually threatens survival.😂 I love children but for parents.

        Liked by 2 people

    3. I agree about the strength of the incumbent president, Richard. We’ve got so much positivity, including the fury of women and their supporters over Dobbs.

      But I’m perplexed how anything I’ve included in this post suggests wanting to “drown” those who need to constantly complain. The point is to attempt to use logic to assuage their discomfort.

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply

  5. An excellent post, Annie. I shall re-blog either Wednesday afternoon or sometime Thursday, for this needs to be heard and understood by all who care about the future of this nation, the future of democracy, the future of humanity. Thank you!

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply

  6. I think it was Biden who said (although not the original source). “Don’t compare me to the Almighty, compare me to my opponent.” Polls at this point are meaningless. In August we will see the very clear differences between Trump and Biden. If the Electoral College system puts Trump back in office every voter who chose not to vote is the reason.

    Liked by 4 people

    Reply

    1. I agree, Joseph, and we should include every voter drawn to third party candidates who can’t win and are backed by Trump donors.
      But it would be no comfort then. That’s why we must do everything we can now to ensure voters understand the consequences of their action or inaction.

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply

  8. Excellent post and a great reminder. I confess that I, too, wasn’t feeling as if I see or hear her enough, but it’s not true. It’s just that there is too much other noise distracting — it’s a violent, chaotic world. Glad for the facts here, and I feel better. BTW have you seen the remarks from Hillary of late? She speaks of “useful idiots” very well and every time she opens her mouth, i think, too bad, if only that went another way . . . Our current VP doesn’t have that gravitas, or not for me, but she speaks well and clearly, sensibly and strong, and it’s just a question of age . . . thanks for the clips. Informative, as always.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

  9. Funny how the desire for a Hero on a white horse is such a constant in political discussion. The rampent desire for one weakened the French 3rd republic and has the risk now for the US.
    That may be part of the demented ones unshakeable appeal to his minions is that he plays, and poses, as one so well, even if it is only a surface veneer. From his Mussolini postures and pout, another example of a “national savior” when taking power, to his absolutis pronouncements that play to those who do not like nuance in anything.
    Now we have d’s seeking a “savior” even though one is not needed. The human distaste of discovering the clay feet of their leaders, even as they ignore their own, is a paradox of human endeavours.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

    1. Funny, indeed. Also interesting to consider that a measure of Biden’s appeal has been that—though he’s been in politics for decades—he’s still “Joe from Scranton.” But his accomplishments show he’s no “ordinary Joe.”

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  10. With undeniable evidence that Trump and a worryingly substantial grouping of the Republican Party do not care for a Democratic Process in the conventional sense, this is no time for the Democrats or those who feel inclined to wish the Democrats could ‘do better’ (sarcasm) to be fluttering around the place.
    It is a hard and jagged world. It always has been. There is basic underlining theme for buying time for Democracy to remain and eventually flourish:
    This is:
    Sometimes you either:
    Vote AGAINST the worst alternative .
    Or
    You vote FOR what you judge is the least worst alternative.
    Take it or leave (take preferably – Not voting for Biden is throwing the USA to the scavengers)

    Forgive me for my presumption in blowing my own horn, I don’t normally push my own stuff on folk, but I care so much for my adopted Country – The USA.

    Think Ever Carefully When You Next Act(or Not). Later There Might Be Blood Dripping From Your Hands.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

  11. In our stories whenever a human defeats an evil AI they always do it by overloading the data processing. With defense of drowning on my mind this is the MAGA plan, drown the truth in merdo.
    IMO we are witnessing the human equivalent of a computer trying to win a game of tic tac toe. November 6th we will wake up and realize that the only way to win is not to play as we begin a new game. It’s long but that’s why we win.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. I did not. I don’t always read Mr. Reich, for various reasons, mostly surrounding having plenty to read and being relatively certain of what he has to say on subjects, if that makes sense. I’ve clicked through to read and vote. Thank you!

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply

      2. It was kind of exciting(I’m old) By the time I got to (spoiler) where he says the views just expressed were not his my blood pressure was up. I believe in Lichtman and that old adage “Always change horses when in the middle of a flooded stream”.😜

        Liked by 1 person

  15. Pingback: Mike's Blog Round Up ... from Crooks & Liars Batocchio - Tom Bettenhausen's

Leave a comment