Joe Biden

Thursday August 3, 2023

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Thursday August 3, 2023

Compare and Contrast – Joe Biden vs. Donald Trump 

July 19, 2023

In the world of politics, leaders are often measured against their predecessors. In the case of President Joe Biden and his potential 2024 opponent, Donald Trump, the contrasts are stark. Despite his age, gaffes, and questions raised about his son Hunter Biden, Joe Biden stands as a decent and respectable gentleman by comparison to the divisive, corrupt, and criminal actions of Donald Trump.

The spector of Donald Trump looms large over the GOP, with some House GOP leaders considering an impeachment inquiry against President Biden. The reality of a third indictment against Trump has Republicans and Democrats alike preparing for a potential 2024 rematch between the two men.

What sets Biden apart from his predecessor is his commitment to honesty and integrity. While Trump faced two separate indictments, one involving hush-money payments and the other for inciting an insurrection, Biden has faced no such criminal charges. Despite the relentless efforts by Republicans to paint the Biden administration as corrupt, they have failed to produce any credible evidence of wrongdoing.

News: Republicans don’t dare criticize Trump over Jan. 6. Their silence fuels his bid for the White House

April 26, 2023

The allegations against Biden stem from his son Hunter’s business dealings with foreign companies. GOP lawmakers have been hunting for evidence to support their calls for an impeachment inquiry, but so far, they have relied on uncorroborated information from an FBI document that was already investigated and deemed not worthy of escalation. There is no solid evidence to tie Biden directly to any corruption or bribery.

On the other hand, Trump has been relentless in trying to drag Biden down with him. He pressures GOP lawmakers to pursue an impeachment process against Biden, seemingly driven by a desire for revenge and retribution. But the truth is that Trump’s comparison between his first impeachment and the allegations against Biden is nothing more than an attempt to distract from his own legal troubles.

January 14, 2023

The Trump-led GOP’s threats of impeachment against Biden reek of a lack of a plan and an inability to govern effectively. They struggle to define Biden, alternating between calling him “sleepy Joe” and “corrupt Joe.” However, Biden’s record stands strong, with the Washington Post suggesting that the Republicans may need to find something else to criticize him for, given his economic achievements.

One area where Biden undeniably surpasses Trump is in handling his family’s legal issues. Hunter Biden may have faced charges, but no credible allegations of corruption have been connected to Joe Biden. In contrast, Donald Trump’s tenure was marked by numerous ethical controversies, from nepotism to conflicts of interest. 

Analysis: Why Trump’s poll lead went up after criminal indictments  

May 14, 2021

Despite Trump’s claims and the GOP’s attempts to scandalize the Biden administration, no legitimate charges of corruption have stuck. It is clear that Republicans are trying to deflect from Trump’s own legal problems, using baseless allegations to distract and damage Biden’s reputation.

Joe Biden may not be a perfect president, but he stands as a beacon of decency and integrity when compared to Donald Trump. His leadership is defined by a commitment to truth, honesty, and serving the American people. While the GOP may try to tarnish his reputation with unsubstantiated claims, the truth remains that Biden’s character and leadership are miles apart from the dirty, corrupt, and criminal actions of his predecessor. As the potential 2024 rematch looms, the choice between a respectable and experienced leader and a divisive and scandalous figure is clear. It all comes back to Donald Trump. (AI)

From sketch to finish, see the current way Graeme completes an editorial cartoon using an iPencil, the Procreate app, and a couple of cheats on an iPad Pro. If you’re creative, give illustration a try:

 

Wednesday April 26, 2023

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Wednesday April 26, 2023

Old Titans Clash: Biden vs. Trump Rematch – Who Will Outlast the Other?

April 6, 2023

The upcoming re-election bid of Joe Biden, the 46th President of the United States, has been met with mixed reactions from Democrats and Americans alike. Some see it as a continuation of his legacy and a chance to build on his accomplishments, while others are concerned about his age and the potential challenges he may face during the campaign and if he were to win a second term.

On one hand, Biden’s supporters argue that he has been an underrated president who has accomplished significant legislative wins despite facing challenges. They point to his achievements in passing coronavirus relief, bipartisan infrastructure laws, and historic climate, healthcare, and tax plans, as well as his ability to maintain a narrow majority in Congress and defy historical trends in the midterm elections. Biden’s experience, empathy, and proven electoral success against Donald Trump in 2020 also make him a safe choice in comparison to the alternative.

News: Biden Announces Re-election Bid, Defying Trump and History  

December 8, 2022

On the other hand, there are concerns about Biden’s age and potential health issues, as he would be 86 at the end of a second term, making him the oldest president in US history. There are also concerns about the gap between Democratic officials and public sentiment, with many Americans expressing dissatisfaction with Biden’s job approval rating and citing his age as a concern. Some progressives are disappointed with his policy decisions and view him as representing the status quo, which they believe may not be enough to defeat the Republican party and advance a progressive agenda.

In addition, there are potential challenges that Biden may face during the campaign, including a gruelling schedule, attacks from right-wing media about his age and potential succession by Vice President Kamala Harris, and the need to navigate a polarized political climate. There are also questions about the viability of other potential Democratic candidates, with some seen as too unpopular, too young, too old, or too fringe to be credible alternatives.

Opinion: The Coming Biden Blowout  

May 27, 2020

In many ways, the rematch between Biden and Trump can be likened to the biblical story of David vs. Goliath. Biden, despite his age and potential challenges, represents an experienced and battle-tested politician who has achieved significant accomplishments and proven electoral success. Trump, on the other hand, represents a formidable opponent with his popularity among his base but also faces legal baggage and widespread unpopularity among a majority of Americans.

As the 2024 election approaches, Democrats and Americans will have to weigh the pros and cons of Biden’s re-election bid. Will his experience and accomplishments outweigh concerns about his age and potential challenges? Will he be able to overcome the gap between Democratic officials and public sentiment? Will he be able to fend off attacks from Trump and the Republican party? Only time will tell, but the upcoming rematch between Biden and Trump promises to be an epic battle in American politics, with echoes of the legendary tale of David vs. Goliath. (AI)

 

Friday March 24, 2023

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Friday March 24, 2023

Trudeau’s China Scandal Turns Liberals Into Circus Act

March 3, 2023

Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the circus of Canadian politics! Under the big top, we have quite the spectacle with Justin Trudeau trying to tame the wild accusations of Chinese interference in the federal elections. Katie Telford is high-wiring her way out of questioning, while Jagmeet Singh is performing impressive feats on his unicycle. Watch Han Dong as he’s blown out of a cannon, stepping down from the governing Liberal Party over allegations of involvement in Chinese political interference. 

Trudeau, however, seems to have forgotten the age-old advice of stopping digging when in a hole. The uproar over Chinese interference allegations in the federal elections in 2019 and 2021 is taking centre stage. Trudeau’s attempts to dismiss or lash out at his critics have not gone unnoticed, and his government’s refusal to allow a public inquiry is only adding fuel to the fire.

March 9, 2023

David Johnston, the appointed ringmaster, is not calming the chaos either, as he’s been panned by many for his close relationship to Trudeau. The NDP, the Bloc Québécois, and the Conservatives all want an inquiry, and polls this week show the gap between Liberals and Conservatives is negligible.

But wait, who’s that entering the tent? It’s none other than the President of the United States, Joe Biden, who’s come to see the show! With a message for Canada to ramp up air defence and a goal of charting a path forward in the response to Haiti, he’s brought some surprise to the circus.

And that, ladies and gentlemen, is the Biggest Show on…er… for China. (AI)

From sketch to finish, see the current way Graeme completes an editorial cartoon using an iPencil, the Procreate app, and a couple of cheats on an iPad Pro. If you’re creative, give editorial cartooning a try.

 

Saturday January 14, 2023

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Saturday January 14, 2023

How the Trump, Biden classified documents cases compare

The revelation that classified materials were discovered at think tank offices formerly used by President Joe Biden, as well as at the president’s Delaware home, has prompted questions on how the circumstances compare with the seizure last year of hundreds of documents marked as classified from Mar-a-Lago, the Florida residence of former President Donald Trump.

May 27, 2020

A side-by-side look at the similarities and differences between the two situations:

How many classified documents are we talking about?

BIDEN: It’s unclear precisely how many classified materials have been obtained from Biden’s office and home. Richard Sauber, special counsel to the president, said Monday that “a small number of documents with classified markings” were discovered on Nov. 2, 2022, in a locked closet at the Penn Biden Center for Diplomacy and Global Engagement, a think tank in Washington, as Biden’s personal attorneys were clearing out the offices.

Biden kept an office at the Penn Center after he left the vice presidency in 2017 until shortly before he launched his 2020 presidential campaign. It was affiliated with the University of Pennsylvania and continued to operate independently of the Biden administration.

On Thursday, Sauber said a second batch of documents with classified markings — a “small number,” he said — had been found in a storage space in Biden’s garage in Wilmington, Delaware, with one document being located in Biden’s personal library in his home.

TRUMP: Roughly 300 documents with classification markings — including some at the top secret level — have been recovered from Trump since he left office in January 2021.

Wednesday August 10, 2022

In January 2022, the National Archives and Records Administration retrieved 15 boxes of documents, telling Justice Department officials they contained “a lot” of classified material. In August, FBI agents took about 33 boxes and containers of 11,000 documents from Mar-a-Lago, including roughly 100 with classification markings found in a storage room and an office.

How quickly were the classified documents turned over?

BIDEN: After the materials were discovered at the think tank, Biden’s personal attorneys immediately alerted the White House counsel’s office, which notified NARA, which took custody of the documents the next day, Sauber said.

“Since that discovery, the President’s personal attorneys have cooperated with the Archives and the Department of Justice in a process to ensure that any Obama-Biden Administration records are appropriately in the possession of the Archives,” Sauber said in a statement.

Part of that cooperation, Sauber said this week, included Biden’s personal lawyers examining other locations where records might have been shipped after Biden left the vice presidency in 2017. That search concluded Wednesday night, Biden told reporters at the White House on Thursday, though he did not say when the second batch of documents was found.

Sauber said the Justice Department was “immediately notified” after the documents were found at Biden’s home and that department lawyers took custody of the records.

February 11, 2021

The revelation that additional classified documents were uncovered by Biden’s attorneys came hours after White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre dodged questions about Biden’s handling of classified information and the West Wing’s management of the discovery. She said the White House was committed to handling the matter in the “right way,” pointing to Biden’s personal attorneys’ immediate notification of the National Archives.

TRUMP: A Trump representative told NARA in December 2021 that presidential records had been found at Mar-a-Lago, nearly a year after Trump left office. Fifteen boxes of records containing some classified material were transferred from Mar-Lago to NARA in January.

A few months later, investigators from the Justice Department and FBI visited Mar-a-Lago to get more information about classified materials taken to Florida. Federal officials also served a subpoena for some documents believed to be at the estate.

In August 2022, FBI agents conducting a search retrieved 33 boxes from Mar-a-Lago. The search came after lawyers for Trump provided a sworn certification that all government records had been returned. (Continued: PBS) 

 

Tuesday January 10, 2023

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Tuesday January 10, 2023

Three Amigos Summit 2023

February 23, 2017

Mexico draws millions of international tourists each year with its sandy beaches, mountains, rainforests and rich culture.

But travelling anywhere can come with safety risks, as Canadians in the Mexican state of Sinaloa experienced last week following the Jan. 5 arrest of alleged drug trafficker Ovidio Guzman. Guzman is a son of former cartel boss Joaquin Guzman, also known as El Chapo. His capture resulted in explosions of violence in cities across the state, led by members of the Sinaloa cartel.

As a result of the violence in Sinaloa, the Canadian government has issued an advisory warning travellers to avoid non-essential travel to several states in northern, western and central Mexico and to exercise a “high degree of caution” in other parts of the country. (CTV News) 

November 18, 2021

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is hoping to champion North America free trade while settling trade irritants at the “Three Amigos” summit in Mexico City, but his priorities might be drowned out by more pressing border issues between the United States and Mexico.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is hoping to champion North America free trade while settling trade irritants at the “Three Amigos” summit in Mexico City, but his priorities might be drowned out by more pressing border issues between the United States and Mexico.

“I think as it’s currently framed, the North American Summit is a lot about Mexico,” said Maryscott Greenwood, CEO of the Canadian American Business Council, who noted that Biden preceded his visit to Mexico by inspecting a busy port of entry for migrants at the U.S.-Mexico border.

In that context, Trudeau’s main challenge as he steps foot in Mexico City will be “to be relevant and to be heard,” added Greenwood.

March 23, 2005

“For Canada to be really heard and noticed, it has to have one priority and it has to be really aggressive about it. And I realize that’s sort of un-Canadian,” she said. “But that’s the way it goes with trying to capture the attention and the imagination of the United States, which has a lot going on.”

Speaking from Mexico City, Louise Blais, a former diplomat and now senior special adviser to the Business Council of Canada, said that while the border issues will be “distracting,” she thinks the Canadian delegation will manage to carve out time for the files it feels are important.

“So that’s a challenge, but that’s not to say that it won’t happen,” said Blais.

Trudeau arrived in Mexico City on Monday for a three-day visit, which will include bilateral meetings Tuesday with Biden and Lopez Obrador as well as meetings with business leaders. (The National Post)