By Colleen O’Connor
As I predicted in an OB Rag column on December 12, 2022. “Thus, the big predictions. Neither Biden nor Trump will be the U.S. President.”
Simple reason two years ago. Same simple reason today.
As I also stated in another OB column. “It’s the Women, Stupid” who will decide in 2024. Despite all the chaos, the cruelty, the ignorance and the fear, good things have already happened and will continue.
Credit women. The suffragettes. Access to colleges, universities, law and med schools, the #MeToo movement. The massive political work that moved women (and their champions) from the status of chattel to equal rights (almost).
That, too, (the ERA amendment to the constitution, as promised by both Rep.Nancy Pelosi and Senator Elizabeth Warren, along with the codification of Roe v. Wade) will, if the Democrats can win the trifecta of House, Senate and President, usher in a new Era of Enlightenment.
It was the Dark Ages just weeks ago.
Anti-abortion advocates scored a big win on June 24, 2022, when the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, restricting women’s health care rights. But it has come unglued ever since.
Since then, abortion has been on the ballot in seven states since that landmark court decision one year ago and in each instance, in red states and blue states, anti-abortion advocates have lost.”
Cheer up. The global political tables are turning. Democracy and the peaceful transfer of power is winning in the U.K., Iran, Japan and even France! Shocks all around. More gains.
Japan
Governor Governor Yuriko Koike of Tokyo overcame the COVID epidemic and won the rights to the 2020 Olympics and was just elected to 3 rd term in office.
In addition, women have won two Nobel Prizes this year. One for medicine. Katalin Karikó re: the “discoveries concerning nucleoside base modifications that enabled the development of effective mRNA vaccines against COVID-19.”
Iran
Another win for women. The Nobel Peace awarded Narges Mohammadi last year for her fight against the oppression of women in Iran and her fight to promote human rights and freedom for all. Altogether, the regime has arrested her 13 times, convicted her five times, and sentenced her to a total of 31 years in prison and 154 lashes.
The motto “Woman – Life – Freedom” – suitably expresses the dedication and work of Narges Mohammadi. And, the Reformist candidate Masoud Pezeshkian won Iran’s runoff presidential election besting hard-liner Saeed Jalili by promising to reach out to the West and ease enforcement on the country’s mandatory headscarf law!
France
Enter France. Four days after Macron called the election, a cluster of parties banded together to form the New Popular Front – a coalition meant to resurrect the original Popular Front that blocked fascists from gaining power in 1936.” France enjoyed a peaceful transfer of power and stopped the neo-fascist party of La Pen from a takeover.
What gains.
United Kingdom
The Labour Party won the UK general election in a landslide. The new Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, pledged to steer the country towards “calmer waters” and his opponent accepted the results. What a difference a day makes.
Also impressive was the appearance of Princess Kate Middleton at Wimbledon’s men’s finals tennis match. Still recovering from abdominal cancer, undergoing chemo, and managing to present a remarkable courage and grace that garnered a standing ovation from the crowd and cheers around those wishing for a more stable Europe.
Middleton and her daughter stole the show.
United States
And now the U.S. President Biden has made way for his V.P., Kamala Harris to become the first female President of the country. As the financial website Bloomberg blared today. Still an open question as the Bloomberg headlines say: “Soros Backs Harris as Other Billionaire Donors Want an Open Contest”
Whether or not Harris can win remains an open question. But, the stakes have changed.
What is not in doubt is that former Speaker of the. U.S. House of Representatives and still a member, has delivered the political will of the people that no one else could. She ushered President Joe Biden out of office to save the country. She, the 3-dimensional chess player.
Cheer up. Pelosi also wants a fair and Open Convention. Harris may have no opponents, but her presence alone has unnerved former President Donald Trump. His favored candidate is no longer in the arena.
Now, who is the “old man” in the race?”
One down. Two to go.
And finally, the majority of Americans who overwhelmingly want “neither candidate—Joe Biden or Donald Trump” to be President can start to hope again.
Cheer up.
Pelosi endorses Harris this am: “My enthusiastic support for Kamala Harris for president is official, personal and political,” Pelosi said in a statement. “Politically make no mistake: Kamala Harris as a woman in politics is brilliantly astute – and I have full confidence that she will lead us to victory in November.”
I actually feel more than a little cheered, thanks, Colleen.
I think the Election just got lit up full blast like a major league stadium at night. Energized.
Send that other guy to jail – an orange jumpsuit will blend in well with his complexion.
Don’t forget, MEXICO just elected its first female President, Claudia Steinbaum: A scientist, daughter of scientists, Berkley educated, former Mayor of Mexico City.
We can’t let Mexico outdo us on this, now can we???
Just for the record, it’s President Sheinbaum in Mexico.
And yes, Kamala Harris is the dream candidate to vanquish the aging felon, fraudster and predator, Donald Trump. Kamala is perfect for this task. Let’s get behind her and make it happen. This country is so ready for a woman President — the right woman at the right time.
Think of all the young people who now have been energized to vote by Kamala’s candidacy; think of all the Independents, Republicans and Democrats who will respond to her call for national restoration of women’s reproductive rights. Think of all the people who will rally to this vibrant, accomplished, qualified, articulate Democratic Party candidate to help her win in November.
Such a great moment — I am happy as a clam at high tide.
Yes, Sheinbaum, my typo mistake. Thanks for correcting it!
“And Just Like That, Black Folks Mobilized For Kamala, Raising Millions Into the Night”
Harris and Dems have now raised over $50M since Harris became the leading candidate.
Pelosi delivered. “The transition was clinched at about 9:30 p.m. yesterday when former Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who worked behind the scenes to persuade Biden to leave the race, moved to deliver California’s 300-plus convention delegates on an emergency Zoom call.”
Colleen, you are exactly right, we must cheer up, and we have reason to feel hopeful. Thanks for giving us this global picture of the power of perseverance.
Colleen’s predictions are absolutely uncanny! Who would have thought neither Biden or Trump would be president this election back in 2022? She also had a prediction of sorts about Kamala Harris. Colleen — you must have a direct line into Nancy Pelosi’s cellphone.