Most excellent, Alexander.

It's hard not to feel anger toward Democrats for screwing up the presidential election -- which they did. It was well within reach to win and avoid a return of Trump's no-nothingness, incompetency, and (particularly, international) buffoonery.

The principal person to be drawn and quartered is Joe Biden (and his enablers, who were plenty). He selfishly and arrogantly would not give way to a younger, more talented candidate.

But even Biden's inadequacies were not the source of the failure. When the party establishment selects nominees, they lose. Kamala Harris, Joe Biden, Hillary Clinton, Al Gore, and Walter Mondale lost (except Biden, who won under the cover of a pandemic).

Barack Obama and Bill Clinton were picked by voters and won presidencies -- with additional terms.

The Trump risks are considerably more on the international than domestic front because presidents have fewer checks by Congress.

What could go wrong? Well, everything. We are in the hands of a mercurial acrobat driven by vanity and grift. His worst actions must be resisted, and others must be channeled toward better outcomes. Opposition and guidance best be coordinated.

Many thanks. Best for 2025.