American Politics the 2016 edition

To a large extent, I believe that the media and its ability to quickly disburse information over the internet is as much to blame for the candidates that we have as it is the candidates themselves.  In today's media environment, you have to be a megalomaniac to want to put up with everything that candidates go through to get elected.  There are most likely better suited people to run our country but the not being a megalomaniac that would make them a better leader also disqualifies them from running because  ...  why would they want to put up with the scrutiny of every little thing that they have ever done at any given time in their lifetimes.  No matter what your position is on a particular issue, the media can spin it to be a positive or a negative to fit into whatever their political leaning agenda might be.   

A magician worked on a cruise ship. The audience was different each week so the magician did the same tricks over and over again. There was only one problem: the captain's parrot saw the shows each week and began to understand how the magician did every trick.

Atavachron wrote: Just saw Trump interviewed by Chuck Todd.  He came off well, a smart guy.  He really could win.  It's not funny anymore.

I don't know about you David but I never saw the humor in it. 

Of course he can win... if everyone has learned one thing.. it should be not to underestimate Trump. Not him in particular.. he is just emoticon... not to underestimate how deeply the roots have grown of anger, hate and fear that the GOP have been planting since 1988.

He'll get a LOT of votes... and there isn't a damn thing funny about that.  However while he and his supporters should not be underestimated.. nor should the mountain he has to climb to win.  If he loses Virginia and Florida.. he literally has no realistic path to 270. ie he can win Ohio and PA and still lose.  He'd have to win about ever swing state and he's not going to do that unless something really offf the wall happens.

VA. He could win... but likely won't.  He doesn't do well among highly educated voters.. not surprisingly... and VA is chock full of them. One reason it has turned from Red to Blue.

Florida..  will be tight.. always is.. but I don't like his chances with the minority and retiree votes. Both are Hillaries strongest demographics.




Edited by micky - July 25 2016 at 20:00

Yeah.  And let's hope it doesn't get ugly, or too close; Gore/Bush, bad.  Kennedy/Nixon good but also bad.

besides David...we've heard enough of Hillaries legal and ethical issues.. enough to where most simply tune it out...it's old news.. been old news. Bernie said it best.. everyone is tired about hearing about her f**king emails. Most understand it is just politics and standard GOP tactics.... if you can't beat them, then find anything you can to try to destroy (impeach) them.

however I think what really swings this election is Trumps... which is yet to be fully aired out.  Say what you will about f**king emails and being sly with the truth to a hostile and partal judge jury and execution with Congress.

See what the American public.. or just enough how actually use their brains... think of voting for a Presdient how bilks hard working Americans of their money.

I suppose a good many are David. The Hillary smear/destruction campaign started when.... 1992..  they fear strong women in politics and saw then as many of us did. She was likely to run herself for President. However those that are afraid of women.. were not going to vote for her (Democratic candidate) regardless.

appealing to that kind of neatherthal thinking is page 5 of the GOP playbook.

I do think he will get a lot of votes.. yes he is charismatic as ..well.. a certain Bohemian Corporal was. In laying blame targeting ethnic/relgious groups for the problems of the nation..

he'll get lots of votes..  it is the electorcal votes that count though. And Hillary and democrats have a strong borderline decisive advantage with that. Trump has to win blue states.. and yet lose any red states.

He has mobilized his base....  but can win Democrats. He has to to win the election. Thus the comedic attempts to sway Bernie voters. I say fat chance on that...the vast majority hate him more than the do Hillary Those 'democrats' he would appeal to.. have long since moved Republican in many cases. The classic Reagan Democrats..


Edited by micky - July 25 2016 at 21:11

and I can't wait for Warren's speech.. damnit man.. that woman is a firecracker... and I do believe will be President some day...2020 or 2024.

I couldn't get behind ...wasn't feeling the Bern... but as much as I admire and respect Hillary... I would have supported Warren over Clinton. She is inspiring.. and has a vision...

well hell... that is what I get for hanging out here.

I thought she spoke tomorrow.  I'll have to watch both later on I guess.

I was so absolutely completely peeved with the content of Michelle Obama's speech and the person who came before her. They both actually said it was not about Democrats and Republicans! It was about the virtues of the person, or some such thing. This is ludicrous unless she's seeking to be as narcissistic as Trump. Yet the commentators just seem to go with it, and it agrees with how Hillary insists on casting the election; as a job interview. ELECTIONS ARE NOT JOB INTERVIEWS! Elections are about philosophies. Only philosophies bring mandates.

Advocates of the "job interview" view of presidential elections are ignoring the fact that winning the Presidency is not the only goal. We want to win two houses of congress too. There will never be a sweep of anything if the election is just about individual personalities. Trump may do a lot of damage to the Republicans down ticket, but for some reason Hillary's message is very nearly an effort to emulate Trump's narcissism.

When Senators Warren and Sanders came on, a contrary view of the election, centered around philosophy, was put forward. A philosophical blueprint has been rendered, Hillary ought to embrace it.

I do have a positive view of Hillary's character, but that will never be a reason for me voting for anyone. I must admit that my negative view of Trump's character, however, will ensure my vote against him.





Edited by HackettFan - July 25 2016 at 23:34

The T wrote: Fantastic speech by Bernie. Hopefully his most lunatic fanatics heard him.

Hey, I resemble that remark!  But the speech was excellent!

Edited by SteveG - July 26 2016 at 11:48