DATA. JOE. BIG TEN. — The Weekly Opine

The beat of Trump’s death cabal continues. (Photo credit The Weekly Opine)

Numbers that cannot be spun

We learned from Bob Woodward’s audio tapes that Trump knew - and admitted to – the severity of the coronavirus in February. Now, thanks to a brilliant article in The Daily Beast, we have an accurate estimate of what the United States COVID-19 death toll would be if the Trump administration reacted sooner, with purpose. And if the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention did not abdicate their professional obligation to protect citizens.

The Daily Beast’s Michael Tomasky painstakingly details how U.S. virus deaths compare with 50 other countries. Tomasky reveals that, on a per capita comparison Taiwan, with a population of 24 million, is beating the hell out of the U.S., as are many other nations Americans typically frown upon.

Brace yourself: Taiwan recently announced its seventh COVID death. If the U.S. employed a serious, scientific-led approach such as Taiwan did, based on a per capita comparison, the U.S. should have 97 deaths. That is not a typo. We should have 97 deaths from coronavirus.

Absurd? Not at all. The Obama administration successfully protected Americans during the Ebola crisis. Only 11 cases and two deaths were recorded in the U.S. because, unlike Trump, Obama is a competent, empathetic man who believes and understands science.

Below is a sample of countries Tomasky compared to the U.S., along with how many deaths each country has (C-19 Deaths). The far right-hand column shows the number of virus deaths the U.S. should have, based on per capita data versus each country. Again, all credit goes to Tomasky and The Daily Beast for pulling together this data.

No amount of spin by CDC Director Dr. Robert Redfield, Coronavirus Task Force Coordinator Dr. Deborah Birx, U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Jerome Powell, or Trump and Pence changes this fact: the U.S., in less than nine months, has been undeniably, and possibly irreversibly, reduced in stature because of Trump’s unprecedented failure to manage the pandemic.

Here is a sample of how the U.S. fares versus 15 other countries.

Going “high” does not work

Too often Democratic leaders get outmaneuvered by Republicans. It’s as if they tie their own arm behind their back before entering the fray.

Furthermore, the last thing Dems should worry about is Russia messing with the 2020 election. While Russia is certainly up to no good, Russia has become a worn out, convenient excuse for Democrats. In 2016, if Hillary’s campaign had run through the tape instead of resting near the finish line, she would have won. If the supposed progressive media had doggedly pursued and exposed Trump, rather than submit to the allure of audience ratings, the game would have been over.

“When they go low, we go high” is the wrong mantra, given the political climate we find ourselves in. The COVID-19 deaths data shown above undoubtedly exposes a high crime. Two hundred thousand deaths represent purposeful negligence on Trump’s part that Speaker Pelosi should reward with another round of impeachment. But Democrats often shy away from tenaciously standing up to Trump and McConnell.

Consequently, Dems were (earlier this year) and likely are incapable of generating overwhelming public support to not only impeach, but to convict. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and others, like California (D) Rep. Eric Swalwell, regularly appear on cable news handwringing and talking tough, while America sits like the Titanic moments before the unsinkable ship plunged into the sea.

Do not count on Dems to save us. We the people will have to repeat what we did the last time the Affordable Care Act was in deep trouble. Show up at Republican senator’s offices and make it clear they will be defeated at the polls if they take healthcare away from tens of millions of Americans.

The Joe and Kamala Show

I am committed to the cause and remain “all in.” However, Joe is lulling me to sleep. Where is the persistent fire? Where is Kamala? The ticket seemingly has ceded the moment (and airwaves) to Trump.

Advice for the Biden camp as they prep for Tuesday’s debate: ignore the moderators. Biden should ask questions of Trump. Such as…

Why didn’t you tell Americans how dangerous the coronavirus is, immediately after you learned how serious it was? Why have you continually instructed the CDC to revise/soften language that is intended to keep Americans safe? Why did you suggest injecting Clorox as a cure for the virus? Why on Earth would you label America’s military and veterans “losers” and “suckers?”

But wait, there’s more…

Where are your tax returns? Why did your charity steal money from donors? Why did you brag about entering a dressing room full of half-naked teen girls? Why have over 20 women credibly accused you of sexual assault? You have failed America, doing almost nothing as 15 coronavirus cases exploded into 7 million cases. Why would anyone in their right mind vote for you?

Faced with a barrage of questions like these, there is a chance Trump would walk off the stage, unless moderators intervene on his behalf.

Biden needs to be alert for trigger words and tie them back to Trump failures. Farming questions? Always connect to Trump’s tariffs. For example, “We absolutely need to do better by our farming community. However, Trump’s tariffs were a disaster for America’s farmers.”

Questions about endless war in the Middle East? Biden should respond, “Look, we have to finally get our Middle East policy right and bring our brave troops home. But it is sickening that Trump believes these courageous warriors are “losers” and “suckers.” Always tie military questions, e.g. Pentagon budget, back to Trump calling our troops “losers” and “suckers.”

Want more advice? My rate is $500/hour.

Of course, the Democratic National Committee likely will not go with a no holds barred, aggressive confrontation of Trump in front of a national television audience. If Biden wants to motivate folks who are undecided* he’d better “bring it.”

*Usually, pundits refer to undecided voters as people on the fence between Biden and Trump. I do not believe there are very many undecideds in that sense. I do believe there are undecided voters who are determining whether they will vote for president, i.e. they will vote down ballot but may leave president blank. Another group of undecideds are deciding whether they will show up to vote at all.

The Big Ten will soon be guilty of too many men on the field. (Photo credit The Weekly Opine)

The Big Ten Fumbles

“Money talk$” was never more apparent than when the Big Ten recently said “Ye$” to playing college football this fall. Washed away is last month’s proclamation by Big Ten Commissioner Kevin Warren, who took a page out of Roger Penske’s book by saying the decision to cancel fall football “would not be revisited.” (You may recall last spring, when Penske boldly announced the Indianapolis 500 would not run without fans. A few weeks later, after the scientists were done with him, Penske said the 2020 race would not have fans. And it didn’t.)

Commissioner Warren was a human heat shield for the 11 weak-kneed university presidents who voted not to play football in mid-August. Uninformed parents, players, and fans launched into protest mode, congregating near Big Ten headquarters rather than at university president’s homes. After days of rumors and speculation, the Big Ten officially reversed their previous (correct) decision. The 11 presidents who initially said “no” joined Iowa, Nebraska, and Ohio State in a 14-0 unanimou$ vote to play ball.

$imply put, the Big Ten folded after seeing the SEC and ACC playing football. This has little to do with rapid testing, contact tracing or any other sudden medical breakthrough. The Big Ten acted like a recently minted vegetarian who, catching the scent of BBQ coming from his neighbor’s patio, runs over and wolfs down a slab of pork ribs. In the Heartland, protecting athletes immediate and long-term health takes a back seat. Figure$.

Voting is more important than Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, Sunday Night Football, Cyber Monday, Trick or Treating, or cooking the perfect Thanksgiving turkey. Get out the vote! (Photo credit The Weekly Opine)

With apologies to both

No disrespect to RGB or Breonna Taylor because both are important and at the center of this week’s news cycle. However, with just six weeks to go until the most important election since 1864, a singular focus is needed: getting out the vote to defeat Trump. Protests around the country should focus not on police brutality but on getting out the vote to defeat Trump. We need a landslide victory.