Let's go... Brandon?
ZWF #27: Sunday, August 14, 2022
It’s been a rough go of things for Joe Biden. After enjoying a post-inauguration bump in approval ratings, his favorability has cratered to historically low levels in recent months. After many months of Democratic apathy, however, recent victories for the administration may be turning the tide just in time for the midterms.
Inside this week’s edition of Zander’s Weekend Facts, how Joe Biden seems to have gotten his presidency back on track, and a look at what Zander’s been reading this week. Plus, a recap of the top news and sports headlines from the past week, including everything you need to know about the raid on Mar-a-Lago.
Also, go listen to the latest episode of the Zander’s Facts podcast! Episode 72 features a preview of the upcoming European club soccer season. Zander’s Facts soccer analyst Emma Adams joins the pod to predict who will win the top European leagues and rank the top Premier League clubs. Download and listen to the Zander’s Facts podcast, including this week’s ZF Flashback, wherever you get your podcasts!
Zander’s Weekend Facts is here to give you the facts about what has been going on in the world around us this past week. You’ll just have to read these facts, instead of listening to them on the Zander’s Facts podcast.
Here are Zander’s Weekend Facts for Sunday, August 14, 2022:
ZANDER’S ANALYSIS
The rise of Dark Brandon
The Biden presidency hasn’t exactly been one to brag about. At least, according to many Democrats. Many of Joe Biden’s fellow party members have soured on the 79-year-old president in the 19 months since he became president of the United States. A 50-50 split in the Senate halted much of Biden’s agenda, the economy appears to have overheated coming out of the coronavirus pandemic, and many believed that Biden’s age as the oldest president in history was showing.
However, in August of 2022, the tide appears to be turning. Biden’s approval rating appears to have rebounded somewhat, the main economic headache over the last year, inflation, appears to have reached its peak, as do gas prices, and poll numbers are showing increased optimism for the Democrats in November’s midterm elections.
Oh yeah, and liberals were finally able to take control of the childish “Let’s Go Brandon” cheer and turn it into their own “Dark Brandon” meme. (It’s silly, obviously, but at least it’s not some code a five-year-old would find obnoxious or being put on giant flags.)
But more importantly, the Democrats appear to be gaining, and just at the right time. And while it isn’t all on what Democrats are actually doing, those in Washington haven’t exactly been slouching around.
Most notably, a divided Congress just passed the Inflation Reduction Act, which scores on many of Democrats’ long-awaited goals on climate change response and lowering prescription drugs (and it also is supposed to help lower inflation.) When the bill was announced by Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV) it came as a complete shock. It was Manchin himself who for months negotiated with fellow Democrats on Biden’s Build Back Better Bill, but ultimately decided not to support it. The IRA includes many of BBB’s climate proposals, while also lowering the deficit by raising more revenue than it spends.
If we can remember all the way back to last year, the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act passed Congress and was signed into law by Biden. The $1.2 trillion bill, which received significant Republican support, is the largest investment in America’s crippling infrastructure in decades. Remember how many times it was infrastructure week under the previous president?
Biden has also been on a role with appointments in the federal government. According to the Pew Research Center, Biden has appointed more federal judges at this point in his presidency than any president since John F. Kennedy. That includes Biden’s lone pick for the Supreme Court, Ketanji Brown Jackson, who was confirmed and joined the bench earlier this summer with Republican support.
The first major gun safety legislation in decades was also passed earlier this year after the Uvalde, TX school shooting that left 21 people, including 19 children, dead. A bipartisan bill introduces red-flag laws, increased background checks, closes the “boyfriend loophole,” and includes more funding for mental health services. It’s definitely not enough to stop mass shootings in America, but it’s the most progress we’ve made in 30 years.
More recently, the victories for Biden and the Democrats have appeared in a more consistent fashion.
Just in the past few weeks, the U.S. killed al Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri, a major threat to western peace. (Something Trump could have done, but apparently didn’t because he didn’t recognize the name, according to NBC News.) A nearly unanimous Congress voted to support Finland and Sweden’s admittance into NATO, which has played a massive role in supporting Ukraine against Russia. (Remember, Trump wanted to leave NATO.)
Congress has also recently passed two major pieces of legislation. The CHIPS and Science Act will provide over $50 million in funding to entice semiconductor chip manufacturers to produce their chips in the United States. The PACT Act expands health care access to veterans who were exposed to toxic substances from burn pits while serving in the U.S. military. Both bills were supported by Democrats and Republicans.
Those actions and pieces of legislation, specifically the Inflation Reduction Act, give Democrats things they desperately needed this fall: reasons why people should support them in November.
Now, it’s also pretty important to note that Democrats’ recent gains haven’t been only because of Democratic actions. It’s had a lot to do with what the other side has been up to as well.
Republicans have been on the offensive on issues like critical race theory. They make up lies and say that it’s being taught in public grade schools, which has not been found to be accurate. In several states, they are attempting to remove books and textbooks from the classroom, something that has been found to be deeply unpopular.
Republicans also do not appear to have gotten over former President Trump. The FBI raid on his Florida residence this past week appears to have grown Republican support for a 2024 run, even as he is being investigated at the federal and state level for financial issues, the events before and during January 6, 2021, and now apparently for being in the unlawful possession of classified government information. Republicans can’t break their bond with Trump, even though he is unpopular and hasn’t won the most votes in any election he’s run in.
But most notably, and what can probably be seen as the beginning of the Democrats’ momentum surge, was the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade and no longer recognize abortion as a constitutionally protected right. That decision may prove to be politically harmful to Republicans who have advocated for decades to outlaw abortion.
That topic has been discussed several times before on this newsletter and the podcast, but it’s important to note that that ruling is not supported by the majority of the American people. An NPR/PBS/Marist poll from June found that 56% opposed the ruling, an AP/NORC poll found that only 30% agreed with the decision and Gallup has found that 55% consider themselves pro-choice (a 25-year high) while only 39% consider themselves pro-life (a 25-year low.)
But beyond polling, we have actual evidence for how this could come back to bite conservatives. Earlier this month, Kansas held a constitutional referendum asking voters whether the Kansas legislature should be allowed to enact abortion restrictions. The referendum was required because abortion is currently protected in the Kansas Constitution.
By a stunning 18-point margin, Kansans voted to protect the right to abortion in a state that Trump won by 15-points just two years ago. Obviously, Democrats aren’t going to experience a 32-point swing towards them in the midterms, but it’s notable that in a reliably red state like Kansas, a standard modern-Republican position was so defiantly rejected.
Add to that Justice Clarence Thomas’ opinion that cases that legalized the right to contraception, same-sex marriage, and same-sex relations be re-considered, all of which would be extremely unpopular decisions if overturned, and Republicans may in some trouble.
There are two special elections that recently took place that can provide some additional insight. In Nebraska’s first congressional district, Republican Mike Flood won the race for the House seat by six points on July 5. The issue is that Trump won that district by 11 points in 2020. Then in Minnesota’s first congressional district, Republican Brad Finstad won the special election for that House seat by four points on August 9, a district that Trump won by 10 points in 2020.
In order for Republicans to win the House or Senate in November, they actually need to do better than they did in 2020, not worse. Right now, they’re doing worse.
It’s also notable that earlier this month, for the first time since November 2021, Democrats took the lead in the FiveThirtyEight congressional ballot average.
That could also be due to the fact that Republicans continue to promote individuals who spread election lies as candidates for swing-state Senate and Governor’s races. Which, you know, isn’t good.
But now, in the middle of August, is definitely not time to be celebrating. There are a little less than three months until November 8, which is Election Day. A lot can change in three months.
It’s also not the time to get complacent. That is what happened in 2016 and led to the mess with abortion rights and our democracy that we are currently in.
However, it is significant to understand that while Democrats have actually been passing legislation that is actually going to help ordinary citizens, Republicans are fear-mongering about conspiracy theories and Hunter Biden’s laptop.
And just so you know, if you’re blaming President Biden solely for the inflation and gas price issues the country (and world) has been dealing with, you’re most likely misinformed. But you can get informed with this edition of the Zander’s Facts podcast conveniently linked below!
With all that, I’ve come to the conclusion that Democrats shouldn’t just get our vote this November because the other side is absolutely insane, but that they have earned our vote by what they have been able to get through a 50/50 Senate that will actually help the majority of the American people. And apparently, people are beginning to agree.
So I, for one, welcome our new overlord, Dark Brandon. May he actually be able to provide affordable insulin for everyone and not baselessly claim that any election he or his party loses is rigged.
What Zander’s been reading this week
This week’s featured article takes a very detailed look at the planet we are all currently living on, earth. It was recently found that the earth is actually spinning faster than we have ever known. In fact, June 29 of this year was found to be the shortest day ever recorded, being 1.59 milliseconds less than the average day. That may seem minuscule, but it could actually have a sizable impact on our lives.
Read this week’s featured article at CBS News - Earth is spinning faster than usual and had its shortest day ever
Rapid-fire Facts
Here are the top news stories from the past week in rapid-fire fashion:
Former President Donald Trump’s residence at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida was raided by the FBI on Monday. On Friday, the search warrant related to the Monday raid was uncovered after the Department of Justice requested that it be made publically available in court. Trump said that he wanted the warrant to be released, although many experts said that Trump could have released his copy of the warrant. The warrant revealed that the FBI found and removed 11 sets of classified documents from the Trump-owned property. Over 20 boxes in total were seized, along with binders of photos, sets of classified government materials, and a handwritten note. The warrant revealed that Trump is currently under criminal investigation for potential violations of the Espionage Act, along with additional statutes relating to obstruction of justice and destroying federal government records. The investigation appears to be unrelated to the House January 6 Committee, which is currently investigating Trump for his actions surrounding the January 6, 2021 insurrection on the U.S. Capitol. In response to the raid, many allies of Trump decried the actions of the FBI and the Justice Department, with some calling to remove funds from the federal agencies. On Thursday, a man was killed by police after he attacked a Cincinnati FBI field office. The man, a Navy veteran, was found to have been a loyal supporter of Trump. Click on the article links below to learn more about this week’s top news story:
Washington Post - The Trump search warrant focuses on classified information. What you need to know.
Vox - The warrant authorizing the FBI search of Trump’s home is unsealed — and it’s alarming
The Guardian - Trump under investigation for potential violations of Espionage Act, warrant reveals
NBC News - Loner gunman who attacked FBI office was Navy vet who drove fast and was devoted to Donald Trump
Business Insider - Trump baselessly bashed Obama for transferring records from the White House to Chicago. Here's why Obama was allowed while Trump is under scrutiny by the FBI.
The rate of inflation slowed in July as consumer prices rose by a smaller amount than in June. The consumer price index rose by 8.5% from last July, a lower percentage than what was expected. The number is also lower than in June when inflation hit a peak of 9.1%, a number not seen since 1981. After it was revealed that prices had not risen from the previous month, President Biden declared that there was “zero inflation” in July. The claim was criticized by many who saw an 8.5% increase in prices year-over-year but is technically accurate when comparing the July data with the previous month.
The Southern Baptist Convention is being investigated by the Justice Department, leaders of the announced on Friday. The investigation comes after a report was released earlier this year that found that leaders of the SBC stonewalled and denigrated clergy sex abuse survivors for nearly two decades. The SBC is the second-largest Christian denomination in the United States and the largest Baptist denomination in the world.
The CDC introduced new Coronavirus guidance this week. The updated guidance includes an end to the requirement of quarantining if you are exposed to the virus but test negative, eliminating test-to-stay in schools, and deemphasizing screening individuals that don’t have any symptoms. The new recommendations from the US government’s health arm come as cases nationwide appear to have stabilized and potentially are beginning to decline as the BA.5 variant wave subsides.
California will become the first state to offer free breakfast and lunch to all students when schools open this fall. The Universal Meals Program will include funding for all children in public and charter schools to receive meals each school day, regardless of their family’s income level. Many school districts began to offer free meals to all students during the pandemic, but many programs have ended since. After California’s law passed, a similar program was introduced in Maine. Advocates for universal free school meals argue that the program will allow more children to eat breakfast and lunch, and will reduce bullying for students who qualify for free or reduced meals.
Zander’s Facts Sporting Club
Here are the top sports stories from the past week in the Sporting Club:
Tennis legend Serena Williams has announced that she will retire from the sport in the near future. Williams wrote a piece in Vogue Magazine this week where she announced she would be stepping away, citing the desire to spend more time with her family. At age 40, Williams has won 23 Grand Slam singles titles, the most in the Open era, and is regarded as one of the greatest tennis players of all time. Williams is expected to conclude her career after the US Open, which begins later this month in New York.
San Diego Padres shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. was suspended for 80 games by MLB. Tatis tested positive for Clostebol, a performance-enhancing drug that violates MLB rules. Tatis acknowledged that the drug was in his system, saying he took it “inadvertently” and “I look forward to rejoining my teammates on the field in 2023.” The Padres appeared to be in contention for their first ever World Series title this season, but the Tatis suspension and a recent slide in performance appear to have dampened any expectations for this season.
Basketball icon Bill Russell will have his No. 6 jersey retired throughout the NBA. Russell passed away last month at the age of 88. Russell played on the Boston Celtics from 1956 to 1969, winning an unprecedented 11 championships in 13 seasons. In the three years from 1966 to 1969 that he was also the coach of the Celtics, he became the first black coach to win an NBA championship. The NBA Finals MVP award was named in his honor in 2009. Russell’s No. 6 jersey will become the first to be retired league-wide.
The Big Ten Conference has reportedly finalized its next media rights deal. The deal, which has widely been rumored will be the first collegiate deal to top $1 billion per year, will give the conference’s television rights to Fox, CBS, and NBC. When the deal goes into effect in fall 2023, it will mark the first time since 1981 that ESPN will not broadcast Big Ten football games. SBJ reported that ESPN declined a $380 million per year offer from the Big Ten after it included a substantially smaller number of games than ESPN currently airs. Fox Sports will retain around half of the conference’s games, with CBS and NBC appearing to take ESPN’s half for about $350 million per year being paid by each network.
Oklahoma assistant football coach Cale Gundy has resigned after he read a “racially charged word” aloud during a film session. Gundy, who is the brother of Oklahoma State head football coach Mike Gundy, resigned after he read the inappropriate word out loud multiple times off of a player’s iPad. Oklahoma head football coach Brent Venables, who said that Gundy’s behavior was “not acceptable” in a statement, is entering his first year as the program’s head coach.
Wrapping up the Facts
Before this edition of Zander’s Weekend Facts wraps up, here’s another reminder to check out the latest episodes of the Zander’s Facts podcast. Download and listen to Episode 72 and the latest ZF Flashback, along with every episode of Zander’s Facts, wherever you get your podcasts. Check out Zander’s Facts’ Linktree page for more on anything Zander’s Facts related: Zander's Facts on Linktree
Did you know that you can now listen to the Zander’s Facts podcast on this site? It’s true! All episodes of the Zander’s Facts podcast are now available on zandersfacts.substack.com under the “Zander’s Facts” tab for your enjoyment. That includes the latest ZF Flashback, which comes out this Wednesday!
Remember to check out the next edition of Zander’s Weekend Facts next Sunday! If you haven’t already, make sure to sign up with the link below to get Zander’s Weekend Facts in your email inbox every Sunday so you don’t miss anything!
That’s a wrap on this week’s edition of Zander’s Weekend Facts. The Facts in print return next Sunday, August 21, 2022
