Random Politics Thread

[ceecee]

Thune endorsing Tim Scott amounts to little more than virtue signaling.

I mean, his endorsement is going to look real stupid when Trump gets the nomination. I also think Tim Scott might be the most disingenuous Republican, period.

 

[Virtual ghost]

Ron DeSantis to launch his presidential campaign on Twitter with Elon Musk


It seems this is it.
The big fight on the right is beginning.

 

[The Cat]

 

[Julius_Van_Der_Beak]

Ron DeSantis to launch his presidential campaign on Twitter with Elon Musk


It seems this is it.
The big fight on the right is beginning.

Having seen DeSantis speak finally, I agree that he does not have Trump's charisma which usually decides these things. I also don't think he can't tweet his way into getting it, and it's such an unoriginal approach that it seems desperate.
(By the way the article title makes it sound like Elon Musk is running now, too, which thankfully isn't true. I also don't think he can run being from South Africa.)

 

[Julius_Van_Der_Beak]

People act like it's a really terrible thing that I don't want to date Republicans. As though it's just another category I need to be open-minded about. I've listened to people telling me to be open-minded about Republicans for 19 years, and now the evidence is everywhere that I was right about them 19 years ago. All this business about why I should-be openminded because I'm wrong is just people reassuring themselves to feel better about things. It's a little annoying when the first principle someone bases their understanding of politics has nothing to do with facts and more about wanting to feel warm and fuzzy.

If you want to feel warm and fuzzy go to a pillow store.

 

[Stigmata]

I mean, his endorsement is going to look real stupid when Trump gets the nomination. I also think Tim Scott might be the most disingenuous Republican, period.

Trump winning the nomination is all but a foregone conclusion -- the only highlight we may get is Chris Christie running as a complete spoiler candidate and just using any debate opportunity to just go HAM on Trump.

 

[Julius_Van_Der_Beak]

Trump winning the nomination is all but a foregone conclusion -- the only highlight we may get is Chris Christie running as a complete spoiler candidate and just using any debate opportunity to just go HAM on Trump.

HAM?

 

[Kephalos]

A rather bizarre analysis of Latin America from The Economist. Latin America’s left-wing experiment is a warning to the world. The region has some of the most left-leaning politicians on the planet. And they are scaring off investors.

What do these left-wing governments want to do? Broadly, they want bigger government, with more state-owned firms, higher spending and a greater degree of intervention in the market. They all want to reduce inequality through higher taxes on the rich, bigger welfare systems and more state-funded health care. Unlike the earlier pink tide, protecting the environment is one area where these recently elected left-wingers tend to agree that far more needs to be done. The left-wing consensus is also becoming more protectionist and more determined to stop foreign exploitation of green resources, such as lithium.

I say bizarre, because the article is rightly skeptical about the success of these political-economic experiment with the Latin American Left (if both theory and past experience are of any value these experiments are almost certain to fail), but somehow seems concerned about making them work (or at least limiting the inevitable damage if and when they fail) and concerned with propping up these efforts, instead of encouraging these countries not to undertake these experiments, for their and the rest of the world's good?

‘William F. Buckley Sr.’ Review: Conservatism’s Mexican Roots. The elder Buckley had a front-row view of many major events of the Mexican Revolution. The experience deeply influenced him and his children.

 

[Virtual ghost]

Having seen DeSantis speak finally, I agree that he does not have Trump's charisma which usually decides these things. I also don't think he can't tweet his way into getting it, and it's such an unoriginal approach that it seems desperate.
(By the way the article title makes it sound like Elon Musk is running now, too, which thankfully isn't true. I also don't think he can run being from South Africa.)

Honestly ?
I would be much more cautious here. DeSantis isn't totally uncharismatic and friendly media can really help in easing these sorts of problems (just take a look at who is the current president). Also his real strength wouldn't be seen until he comes on the debate stage since Trump and Biden can be his parents (in theory they can even pass as his grandparents). Also there is plenty of ways how he should get the religious wing of the party to his side, since he seems to be much more genuinely puritan than Trump. Plus he has quite a war chest that should help him make his case. After all if he starts his campaign with Elon that kinda proves that money will not be the problem at all.

There are plenty of more reasons why here there should be more caution with results that are expected. Especially if Trump's legal problems start to fully kick in. While in general I would give DeSantis the advantage over Biden or RFK at this point. I really think that "I want president that isn't a grandpa" will be a big thing in 2024. I will change my mind if his numbers don't start to grow over incoming months but they probably will. The only real question is will that be enough for the nomination.

 

[The Cat]

Honestly ?
I would be much more cautious here. DeSantis isn't totally uncharismatic and friendly media can really help in easing these sorts of problems (just take a look at who is the current president). Also his real strength wouldn't be seen until he comes on the debate stage since Trump and Biden can be his parents (in theory they can even pass as his grandparents). Also there is plenty of ways how he should get the religious wing of the party to his side, since he seems to be much more genuinely puritan than Trump. Plus he has quite a war chest that should help him make his case. After all if he starts his campaign with Elon that kinda proves that money will not be the problem at all.

There are plenty of more reasons why here there should be more caution with results that are expected. Especially if Trump's legal problems start to fully kick in. While in general I would give DeSantis the advantage over Biden or RFK at this point. I really think that "I want president that isn't a grandpa" will be a big thing in 2024. I will change my mind if his numbers don't start to grow over incoming months but they probably will. The only real question is will that be enough for the nomination.

If for no other reason than he's shown himself to be willing and able to manipulate the laws and pack postitions of lackies, not to mention his dirty business dealings and secret police. He's got that good clean cut white boy look that seems to woo so many american voters, and he's painted by everyone not his direct rivals as a man who cares about truth justice and the American way despite the fact that he's about anything but. Im still very worried about DeSpotis getting a place on the national stage. He damned sure wont be distracted like Trump was.

 

[ceecee]

People act like it's a really terrible thing that I don't want to date Republicans. As though it's just another category I need to be open-minded about. I've listened to people telling me to be open-minded about Republicans for 19 years, and now the evidence is everywhere that I was right about them 19 years ago. All this business about why I should-be openminded because I'm wrong is just people reassuring themselves to feel better about things. It's a little annoying when the first principle someone bases their understanding of politics has nothing to do with facts and more about wanting to feel warm and fuzzy.

If you want to feel warm and fuzzy go to a pillow store.

Ask them why they want to date a white, blonde, trad woman that has to be told what to do. But I get it - there are people that ask me to my face how I could be married to a Republican. The man hasn't voted for a republican at any level in a couple decades at least.

 

[ceecee]

Honestly ?
I would be much more cautious here. DeSantis isn't totally uncharismatic and friendly media can really help in easing these sorts of problems (just take a look at who is the current president). Also his real strength wouldn't be seen until he comes on the debate stage since Trump and Biden can be his parents (in theory they can even pass as his grandparents). Also there is plenty of ways how he should get the religious wing of the party to his side, since he seems to be much more genuinely puritan than Trump. Plus he has quite a war chest that should help him make his case. After all if he starts his campaign with Elon that kinda proves that money will not be the problem at all.

There are plenty of more reasons why here there should be more caution with results that are expected. Especially if Trump's legal problems start to fully kick in. While in general I would give DeSantis the advantage over Biden or RFK at this point. I really think that "I want president that isn't a grandpa" will be a big thing in 2024. I will change my mind if his numbers don't start to grow over incoming months but they probably will. The only real question is will that be enough for the nomination.

https://www.npr.org/2023/04/25/1171660997/poll-republicans-trump-president-convicted-crime

Here's why...

"It's all made up," Holton said. "He can't get a fair trial there, and it's all fake."

And yet, all of that seems to matter little to Republicans, according to the NPR poll — 71% of Republicans said they think Trump should be president again.

That drops only 8 points to 63% even if Trump is convicted of a crime.

I don't think conservatives care as much about the age thing. I think they actually embrace it. Chuck Grassley is a Republican senator. He is currently 89 and running for re-election. You hear nothing about his age from anyone.

 

[Totenkindly]

HAM?

"Hard as a Mofo" (censored for the gentle children secretly monitoring this thread ) is my guess

I mean, Trump and he broke up hard so it would be interesting to see Christie charging the big orange windmill.

 

[ceecee]

"Hard as a Mofo" (censored for the gentle children secretly monitoring this thread ) is my guess

I mean, Trump and he broke up hard so it would be interesting to see Christie charging the big orange windmill.

It would be worth watching for sure.

 

[Virtual ghost]

https://www.npr.org/2023/04/25/1171660997/poll-republicans-trump-president-convicted-crime

Here's why...


And yet, all of that seems to matter little to Republicans, according to the NPR poll — 71% of Republicans said they think Trump should be president again.

That drops only 8 points to 63% even if Trump is convicted of a crime.

I don't think conservatives care as much about the age thing. I think they actually embrace it. Chuck Grassley is a Republican senator. He is currently 89 and running for re-election. You hear nothing about his age from anyone.

Perhaps, but president and senator from a small rural state aren't exactly in the same category.

Plus your overall argument only proves how much that base can be followers of the cause. So if DeSantis manages to make an argument that he will be better for the cause people might switch sides under pressure of media and Trump's legal problems. Since for GOP this is kinda the must win year for a number of reasons. As I said numbers at this point don't concern me and thus if DeSantis in 3 months will be where he is now then I will consider him to be the person that doesn't really have a shot. In other words the real fight in GOP is only starting and some people don't understand that. While what the polls were saying is almost irrelevant at this point. Since today should be the day when the race actually starts.


To be honest I think that for the guy primary could be a bigger challenge than the general. Dems have certain popularity problems and elderly candidates. So young people may or many not show up. Therefore overall DeSantis has a path to the big chair if he plays things right. What makes him a genuine threat to the Democratic party.

 

[SensEye]

I'd be surprised if DeSantis can overtake Trump. His star seems to have fallen from earlier in the year.

I think Fox News would happily champion DeSantis though, and if Musk is his buddy too, it would give him some strong media support.

In my mind, job #1 is getting rid of Trump, and if that happens, I think it would lead to the end of Biden as well (hopefully). So kill two birds with one stone so to speak. But these days one should expect the worst politics wise, so I expect it will be Biden vs Trump the rematch. That could be one of those demotivational posters.

 

[ceecee]

I'd be surprised if DeSantis can overtake Trump. His star seems to have fallen from earlier in the year.

I think Fox News would happily champion DeSantis though, and if Musk is his buddy too, it would give him some strong media support.

In my mind, job #1 is getting rid of Trump, and if that happens, I think it would lead to the end of Biden as well (hopefully). So kill two birds with one stone so to speak. But these days one should expect the worst politics wise, so I expect it will be Biden vs Trump the rematch. That could be one of those demotivational posters.

Are you supporting DeSantis?

 

[The Cat]

 

[SensEye]

Are you supporting DeSantis?

Fun fact, I'm Canadian. So I don't have a direct dog in this fight but the governance of the elephant next door has a big impact on the Canadian economy and to some degree on Canadian politics. In case you are wondering why I have so many opinions on US politics. I really want Trump out of the picture because he drives Canadian politics too far to the left in a misguided attempt by Canadian voters to appear more 'enlightened'.

I would support DeSantis over Trump, but I don't care for him either. Lesser evil kind of deal. Tim Scott seems reasonable and even Pence would be tolerable, but I figure neither of those guys has a chance. So in theory, I would support DeSantis as nominee if I could. But I would only vote for him in the election if Biden was on the other side.

 

[The Cat]

What about them appeals to you?