2020 Elections

[Vrede too]

Repugs are cowards that detest democracy.

They know that they can't win on the issues, so they rely on restricting ballot access, dark money, gerrymandering, election fraud like NC9, massive voter suppression, and even Russian assistance.

[billy.pilgrim]

Repugs are cowards that detest democracy.

They know that they can't win on the issues, so they rely on restricting ballot access, dark money, gerrymandering, election fraud like NC9, massive voter suppression, and even Russian assistance.

Come, come now vrede, trump deals in truth and light and here's proof

New Trump site promises to help supporters "win arguments with liberal snowflakes"

https://flip.it/F2A4R1

Want some truth? Then step right on down to the Trump campaign's snowflakevictory.com website for a dose trump style.

[Vrede too]

Come, come now vrede, trump deals in truth and light and here's proof

New Trump site promises to help supporters "win arguments with liberal snowflakes"

https://flip.it/F2A4R1

Want some truth? Then step right on down to the Trump campaign's snowflakevictory.com website for a dose trump style.

Even the website name and mission are lies. Science has proven that conservatives are much more likely to be snowflakes.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/ins ... divisions/

Plus, it's obvious projection coming from the lifelong cowardly Chickenhawk in Chief.

[Vrede too]

And some really aren't much Pete fans...
https://www.yahoo.com/huffpost/black-so ... 06208.html

Sounds like a misunderstanding but if Buttigieg or his people took advantage, shame on him/them. Sincere contrition is in order, regardless.

Some Dems, and not just progressives, aren't happy with Obama, either with what he said or the fact that he's saying it.

Too Far Left? Some Candidates Don't Buy the Argument

Leaving aside content, I think Obama serves himself, the party and country better by speaking out on everything but internal party differences. I would feel this way - almost as much - if he'd come out in support of the progressives. Others are making the same case, and always have among Dems, and he shouldn't divide his fan base.

Behind closed doors, Obama praises Elizabeth Warren to wealthy donors

:confusion-scratchheadblue:
Did he solely mean Bernie! with his earlier 'Too Far Left' comments?
Is he now opposing Joe as being a problematic old man "not getting out of the way"?
Is Liz! less left than Bernie!?

I'm supporting Liz!, but I stand by my 11/17 post. I think he should stay out of the primary fight.

[Vrede too]

Merry Christmas - Schadenfreude edition: The Grifter in Chief is getting ripped off

Since Day One of Trump’s presidency, it’s been all about boosting Trump’s bottom line and building his brand. From raising money by celebrating war criminals to taking frequent vacations that funnel taxpayer money right into his business empire, Trump knows no shame. (There’s speculation that Trump never wanted to win in the first place — he just saw running for the presidency as a chance to build his brand and cash in. Oh well.)

So there’s a certain amount of satisfaction in seeing the Trump brand getting ripped off by others. There’s no honor among con men. Politico has a report from Maggie Severns that lays out how millions are being raised on the Trump name by groups that have no real connection to Trump — and little to none of the money is going to his campaign. (But the groups have highly paid staff and expensive consultants that seem to get a lot of the action...)

... This was inevitable. Whatever the Republican Party used to claim it stood for, it is now the Party of All Trump, All the Time. It’s a cult, and their followers are begging to be ripped off. This is not really anything new; the conservative political/monetary ecosystem has long been infested with scammers. There’s no truth in advertising, no accountability — but a lot of money to be made. The fact that Trump is now the one getting ripped off is a small bit of ironic justice. His followers have been getting ripped off all along....

This is in the DNA of the “New Right” which started with Viguerie but is now a world-wide phenomenon. It’s an appeal to authoritarian followers. The Internet has allowed it to expand even more, and it works even better when people are isolating themselves in their own info-bubbles apart from reality....

This is nothing new for those who’ve been following evangelical preachers. They warn of eternal damnation and the rise of the devil in the world — unless the faithful send in their money now. Then they can be saved and prosper. It’s why so many of them are devout followers of Trump. He’s giving them the same kind of message. Trump’s inaugural “American Carnage” address was playing directly to the hordes who have been conditioned for decades to view the world in these terms....

That’s one reason there’s a certain satisfaction in seeing them victimized by the monster they helped create. It’s a satisfaction we can ill afford though. Campaign finance reform is going to be essential going forward — but even despite what’s happening to the Trump campaign, there’s no sign Republicans will ever get behind it. Ripping off others is their business model.

Schadenfreude is the experience of pleasure, joy, or self-satisfaction that comes from learning of or witnessing the troubles, failures, or humiliation of another.

Poll

How do you feel about the Trump campaign getting ripped off?

Couldn't happen to a more deserving bunch of grifters. 61%, 163 votes including me
Meh. Fools and their money... 7%, 20 votes
Not a good thing, no matter who you think it hurts. 6%, 15 votes
Let me bask in the warm glow of schadenfreude a little longer, okay? 26%, 69 votes
See my comment. 1%, 2 votes

[billy.pilgrim]

I still think that he's a goddamn closet repug. He for sure knows how to energize the right and did a real good job screwing up health care.

[Vrede too]

I still think that he's a goddamn closet repug. He for sure knows how to energize the right and did a real good job screwing up health care.

There are a lot of those "goddamn closet" Repugs running around these days.

Sanders suddenly finds himself in a tie with Biden and Buttigieg in new poll

With the Iowa caucuses less than a month away, Bernie Sanders, Joe Biden and Pete Buttigieg find themselves in a three-way tie if the Democratic primary were held today, according to a new CBS poll.

At 23 percent, Sanders joins Biden, who has been leading the pack of 2020 Democratic contenders in national polls, and Buttigieg, who bumped Elizabeth Warren from the third spot.

According to the CBS News Battleground Tracker, however, Warren still maintained her position as a top choice in New Hampshire, despite a recent slump in statewide polls.

Eighteen percent of voters said they would choose Warren if the 2020 Democratic primary or caucus were held today, topping the 13 percent who said they’d pick Buttiegieg but lagging significantly behind those who support Sanders (27 percent) and Biden (25 percent)....

I still support Liz! and am not quite sure why she's faded. After her, idk. I love Bernie's energy and policies, but he and Biden are so damn old. Mayor Pete MIGHT be progressive enough that he would be my 2nd choice.

Who are your 1st and 2nd choices?

[bannination]

Who are your 1st and 2nd choices?

Anyone but Trump.

[Vrede too]

Who are your 1st and 2nd choices?

Anyone but Trump.

So, of those eligible (> 35 y.o.), you have about 318,498,499 top picks .

[Vrede too]

... It's 23 House Repugs that are abandoning ship so far. Last I heard only 3 Dems are bailing out, but maybe a couple more have joined the list.

http://www.blueridgedebate.com/forum/vi ... ws#p106683

I'm posting this in the wingnut thread because Meadows is one. He's not running for re election. I wonder if WNC will blow it again though.
https://www.yahoo.com/news/trump-ally-u ... 28278.html

24

Ya-Freaking Hoo!!

Translation: Meadows can't win without the district being gerrymandered.

Good riddance.

Slates set for March 3 primary

Rep. Mark Meadows, R-Buncombe, announced Dec. 19 that he won’t seek reelection to the 11th Congressional District seat he’s held since 2013. Before the day was out, three Republican candidates had filed to replace him. And on the filing deadline of Dec. 20, nine more Republicans added their names to the list.

All told, 19 candidates are currently in the running for Meadows’ position in the U.S. House, including five Democrats and one candidate each from the Green and Libertarian parties. But even beyond that contentious federal race, the 2020 election season promises plenty of action for Western North Carolina....

I do not know any of the candidates that are listed lower down in the article yet. I also don't know if the Dem ballot will be interesting enough to me (probably with this race on it) or whether I'll take a Repug primary ballot and vote for the worst.

The local A'ville - Hooterville races and candidates are all listed at the link.
The race for the US Senate, incumbent Tillis (R), is not discussed by this article.

[neoplacebo]

It boggles the mind to consider how wingnutty those 12 GOP candidates may be; and I'm sure a couple of those other runners possess a notable wingnut quotient as well. After all, the successor to Meadows has quite a legacy to live up to. And be embarrassed by. But maybe the voters have seen enough of this sort of treacherous bullshit and may make a good choice if it's possible.

[1 CAT FAN]

I'm not enthusiastic about Biden, or anybody else who currently has a chance for the nomination, but I'll vote for him if he's the nominee.

I like Warren but I'm not yet convinced she'd be a good President.

Joe or Bernie! are the most likely to die or suffer a campaign-ending health crisis after the convention. That will really mess up our team.

It's already messed up. Malarkey RV touring Joe already has trouble getting into arguments on his campaign trail.

Don't know about anywhere else, but up here Tom Steyer has been running ads on tv. I like what he says but he's got no chance.

Nope, no chance. Very similar to Pelosi, it's inevitable. Leftists know it.

[Vrede too]

It boggles the mind to consider how wingnutty those 12 GOP candidates may be; and I'm sure a couple of those other runners possess a notable wingnut quotient as well. After all, the successor to Meadows has quite a legacy to live up to. And be embarrassed by. But maybe the voters have seen enough of this sort of treacherous bullshit and may make a good choice if it's possible.

Don't get your hopes up.

fivethirtyeight.com: North Carolina’s New House Map Hands Democrats Two Seats — But It Still Leans Republican

2 & 6 in central NC should flip to the Dems.
My 11 changes from R+28 to R+17, likely out of reach even in a bad year for Repugs .

[Vrede too]

'I didn't say it': Sanders denies saying a woman couldn't win the presidency

I like Sanders and Warren, her a little bit more, but I don’t care if Bernie did say it. It’s a reasonable opinion to have about sexist America and if Bernie! did say it, that does not mean that he approves.

2016 gave us mixed info.

On the one hand an extremely qualified woman was beaten by the worst nominee the nation has ever seen.
Otoh, Hillary was a pretty lousy candidate and still got 3 million more votes than POSPOTUS, and was only a total of 77K votes in 3 key states away from being POTUS.

So, I think that America is decent enough to elect a woman, and hope it’s Liz!, but I wouldn’t bet the Dolt .45-subsidized farm on it.

[Vrede too]

Found:

If a woman votes for Trump, she might as well be a chicken voting for Colonel Sanders.

[1 CAT FAN]

Bernie Sanders supporters, people that want everything, except a job.

[neoplacebo]

Bernie Sanders supporters, people that want everything, except a job.

If you were a cop, you were a socialist worker. And your statement about Bernie is probably something someone you respect told you rather than something you reasoned (incorrectly) yourself. Bernie is for jobs that pay enough to survive on and for an end to rampant corporate greed and welfare. What do you have against tax money being applied to things that make life better for actual people instead of just being given to corporate bank accounts? Perhaps if you were a young man with only a high school education right now and were looking for a job to support your family and all you could find was minimum wage service sector jobs you might have a better grasp of reality and economics. Or you might remain ignorant in that situation and cheerlead for policies and politicians that advocate for policy that keeps you in your minimum wage job. And I suspect you're gullible enough to do just that.

[1 CAT FAN]

All the more reason to keep jobs in America.

Leftists high school drop outs - why get an education to better ourselves only to step into a job just to sustain ourselves when leftists politicians promise to sustain us for free. Lazy leftist kids these days.

[neoplacebo]

All the more reason to keep jobs in America.

Leftists high school drop outs - why get an education to better ourselves only to step into a job just to sustain ourselves when leftists politicians promise to sustain us for free. Lazy leftist kids these days.

Have you always been so stupid or did you have to work on it and cultivate it over time? Have you ever thought of killing yourself? "Keeping jobs in America" has nothing to do with what I posted. The rest of your "leftist" this and "leftist" that I do not consider even worth commenting on. Now go and practice your "rightist" nonsense all the rest of the day. Have a "rightist" hamberder and then watch some "rightist" television to reassure yourself that you are, in fact, "rightist" and righteous. After that take a "rightist" shit and spend the rest of the day admiring all the "rightist" electricity and water coming into your house. Then after your "rightist" dinner you may get lucky and get some "rightist" pussy and then go to sleep in your "rightist" bed. Make sure you're on the right side of it. Fucking moron

[1 CAT FAN]

Yes, it does. The more job choices, the better.