Global Macro Monitor

China’s population shrank by 2 million people last year, a trend that looks set to continue given the number of babies born also hit a record low. Authorities are doing what they can to turn that around, offering couples incentives to have another child and expanding public health insurance to cover assisted reproductive services. It’s unclear how much of a difference they’ve made. – Bloomberg

FOTD:  Factoid of the Day 

In 2023 alone, the Magnificent Seven – the top technology companies in the United States –allocated a combined $370 billion to research and development. That is roughly equal to the European Union’s total R&D budget (counting both businesses and the public sector).  – Dambisa Moyo, Project Syndicate

QOTD:  Quote of the Day

The jig is up, and the sooner Mr. Biden and Democratic leaders accept this, the better. We need to move forward.  – James Carville

This 👇.  A must view.

The Dam Is Breaking

Probably only a matter of days if not hours before Biden stands down.  Those worried about a messy convention should study the 1860 Republican Convention – in Chicago, by the way – and how Honest Abe wrestled the nomination from Sen. William Seward of New York.

Originally posted March 15, 2024

Lincoln & His Fake Convention Tickets

The monumental impact of the results of the upcoming election on the country and the world has often been compared to that of the election of 1860, which brought President Lincoln to the White House.  And if you agree “politics ain’t beanbag,”  imagine today the uproar if a candidate snagged their party’s nomination the way President Lincon did from William Seward, who later became his Secretary of State, part of the Team of Rivals.

Lincoln’s Nomination

Finally, the third day [of the convention] arrived. One thousand Seward men marched behind a smartly uniformed brass band. They wound their way noisily through Chicago’s streets, playing the song “Oh, Isn’t He a Darling?” and finally arrived triumphantly in front of the Wigwam. To their horror, they found that they could not get in: the Lincoln men, admitted with their counterfeit tickets, had taken their seats. – Great American History

The 1860 Republican National Convention, held in Chicago, is notable for Abraham Lincoln’s unexpected nomination as the Republican candidate for President, a feat achieved through shrewd political maneuvers, most notably the strategic use of counterfeit tickets by his delegation. Here’s a revised account emphasizing this aspect:

• Chicago’s selection as the convention location set the stage for a significant political showdown, with Senator William Seward of New York as the expected nominee.
• Lincoln, a lesser-known figure at the time, capitalized on his political acumen and local support to challenge the frontrunner.
• Central to Lincoln’s strategy was the ingenious production and distribution of counterfeit tickets by his team.
• These counterfeit tickets were used to flood the convention hall with Lincoln supporters, effectively marginalizing Seward’s delegates.
• Seward’s camp, led by Thurlow Weed, was initially confident but failed to anticipate Lincoln’s tactical planning and grassroots support.
• The convention dynamics were heavily influenced by Lincoln’s ability to control the audience composition, thanks to the counterfeit tickets.
• Despite Seward leading after the first ballot, Lincoln’s growing momentum was palpable, aided by his supporters’ overwhelming presence.
• The shift in delegate support on subsequent ballots, particularly from Pennsylvania, was a turning point, facilitated by the charged atmosphere favoring Lincoln.
• Lincoln’s nomination was secured after three ballots, marked by the strategic use of counterfeit tickets which played a crucial role in his victory.

This pivotal moment underscored Lincoln’s resourcefulness and political insight, setting him on the path to the presidency.

We leave you with the words of Chairman Mao,