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Authored by Mike Shedlock via MishTalk.com,

From many corners, there’s intense pressure on Biden to stand down. Nate Silver suggests Biden is bluffing, perhaps in a MAD way. I disagree.

George Clooney Implores Biden to Step Aside

In a New York Times Op-Ed, George Clooney says I Love Joe Biden. But We Need a New Nominee.

Stephanopoulos Says Biden Cannot Serve Four More Years

The Guardian reports ABC anchor caught on video saying Biden cannot serve four more years.

Top House Democrat Adam Smith calls on President Joe Biden to End Candidacy

USA Today reports Top House Democrat Adam Smith calls on President Joe Biden to End Candidacy

Senator Tester

Translation: Dear president, I beg you to stand down, but I don’t want it to look like that’s what I am saying.

Adam Smith

Nancy Pelosi

Vermont Senator Calls on Biden to Drop Out

Inside the Room

• One House Democrat supportive of Biden told me it “felt like a funeral.”
• Rep. Jahana Hayes (D-Conn.) said that putting Harris atop the ticket would be setting her up for failure.
• Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.) said he saw a poll recently that had Biden losing in his district. Biden won his district with 62% of the vote last time.

Hmm, I see an inside the room musical tribute.

There’s a world where I can go
And tell my secrets to
In my room
In my room

In Wisconsin from Nate Silver

Is Biden Bluffing?

Nate Silver has an interesting article Biden Has a Weak Hand (emphasis mine)

A Bluff or a Strategy?

Does Biden understand what he is doing?

Is it possible he has no idea what he is doing other than what his handlers tell him?

Is it possible Biden’s handlers know exactly what they are doing?

The last question is the key one. And there is a very plausible explanation for Biden not to voluntarily stand down now.

If Biden can hang on until the DNC makes it official, Democrats can avoid a messy open convention.

How Long Before Biden Drops Out or Is Forced Out of the Election?

On July 8, I asked How Long Before Biden Drops Out or Is Forced Out of the Election?

The DNC meets on July 21. The date was set for practical reasons. Ohio had a requirement that the nominee be set by August 7 but that has been resolved.

Although there is no longer a need to settle things early, the DNC is still meeting on July 21.

I made these comments, but the Ohio issue is no longer applicable so strike those references.

If Biden released his delegates now we would have an open convention. If Biden did not release the delegates they would be obligated to him for one round except for the in “good conscience” rule.

Everyone is screaming their fool heads off for Biden to step down but that risks an open convention or at a minimum messy explanations why there is no open convention.

The DNC does not want an open convention. And the way to ensure there is no open convention is for Biden to hang on long enough for the DNC to make Biden/Harris the official nominees.

So rather than this being a bluff, hanging on can easily be a strategy. And it can be a strategy whether or not Biden is even away of the strategy.

It’s a plausible theory.

Might I suggest it’s more plausible than the assumption that none of Biden’s handlers know what they are doing and don’t care what the polls or anyone else says?

But please note my theory could be correct even if Biden drops out early. Plans can blow up.

If the live convention comes and goes with Biden still on the ticket, then my theory is wrong.