Trump vs. Biden

[Kingu Kurimuzon]

I sincerely hope I am wrong. This is not something I'd gloat about if proven right.

 

[Totenkindly]

Oh look. democratic trifecta... barely.

Thanks everyone for playing Election 2020. Come back in two years for our mid-term extravaganza!

Right before lockdowns began, there were some of those 'secret' Trump voters at my workplace. I can tell because they get noticeably uncomfortable and quiet once a political conversation took a turn toward Trump bashing.

Probably just a handful though, I doubt they are legion enough to make a difference with Biden's numbers so high

We don't really get into it at my workplace, since it's fedgov. Since we're not the President or his inner circle, we actually have to follow the Hatch Act or risk getting in trouble.

I think I can generally guess who the Trump peeps are, though, who I work with -- mainly because of their social / economic stances (that we'd get into while out at lunch or off work hours). I dunno. I'm not in a mixed or red state, and there's little chance of my state ever going red, so it almost doesn't matter. I did come from a red area of a purple state, though, and a leader in my church before I left, so I know what it means to be a "silent voter" for something few people around me believed in.

I voted today, my sticker proudly displayed on my FB picture, and I saw people from my red hometown clicking Likes and Loves. Are they actually happy I voted, or do they actually perceive I probably did not vote for the person they want to win? Again... it's like a silent vote on my part, as far as they're concerned.

I sincerely hope I am wrong. This is not something I'd gloat about if proven right.

I'm still not sure how many "silent" Trumpies are out there. There are also silent "Bidens" as noted. I've seen articles explaining why the silent groups are likely not as prominent this time, there's less undecideds that broke for Trump the last time. However, what happened in 2016 I think left many shellshocked and I totally understand that no matter how big Biden's lead is, people need to and want to keep pushing to the very last second. No resting on one's laurels until the final buzzer sounds.

I'm really curious (in a morbid way) to see how the Latino population and black males are going to vote, though, with multiple mentions of how some of them are breaking Trump. (Don't ask me the hell why -- they're grist for his mill, he has no loyalty to them if he has a reason to turn on them.) There's just so much frickin' noise out there, it's hard to sort anything out.

Which means, just continue to vote the hell out of this election.

 

[Kingu Kurimuzon]

We don't really get into it at my workplace, since it's fedgov. Since we're not the President or his inner circle, we actually have to follow the Hatch Act or risk getting in trouble.

I think I can generally guess who the Trump peeps are, though, who I work with -- mainly because of their social / economic stances (that we'd get into while out at lunch or off work hours). I dunno. I'm not in a mixed or red state, and there's little chance of my state ever going red, so it almost doesn't matter. I did come from a red area of a purple state, though, and a leader in my church before I left, so I know what it means to be a "silent voter" for something few people around me believed in.

I voted today, my sticker proudly displayed on my FB picture, and I saw people from my red hometown clicking Likes and Loves. Are they actually happy I voted, or do they actually perceive I probably did not vote for the person they want to win? Again... it's like a silent vote on my part, as far as they're concerned.



I'm still not sure how many "silent" Trumpies are out there. There are also silent "Bidens" as noted. I've seen articles explaining why the silent groups are likely not as prominent this time, there's less undecideds that broke for Trump the last time. However, what happened in 2016 I think left many shellshocked and I totally understand that no matter how big Biden's lead is, people need to and want to keep pushing to the very last second. No resting on one's laurels until the final buzzer sounds.

I'm really curious (in a morbid way) to see how the Latino population and black males are going to vote, though, with multiple mentions of how some of them are breaking Trump. (Don't ask me the hell why -- they're grist for his mill, he has no loyalty to them if he has a reason to turn on them.) There's just so much frickin' noise out there, it's hard to sort anything out.

Which means, just continue to vote the hell out of this election.

There’s subtle tells people give off without even realizing it, especially if you know their values.

Although this isn’t your typical election either, with Trump being rejected by a lot of people who might normally lean republican. My grandmother jumps to mind as one of those.

What worries me are people in other demographics, regardless of what any polling data is saying.

 

[Red Herring]

Of note, based on 538's model, we have a 74% chance of a united government. In other words, our chance of a split government is about the same as flipping a coin twice and getting heads both times.

There is a 7% chance that things remain exactly as they are (like flipping a coin 4 times and getting heads all 4 times).

There's an 18% chance that the Senate party doesn't match the POTUS (like rolling a 1 on a 6-sided die).

If we get a Biden + R Senate, there is a strong chance that the Senate would flip during the 2022 midterms.

Given the American tradition of midterm elections balancing out presidential elections (at least that is what it looks like from over here), that would give Democrats just two years for any significant changes they want to introduce. In the middle of a pandemic and a global economic crises and with most American allies severely alienated after the last administration ... assuming the GOP somewhat recovers from being the skin worn by Trumpism!

That's very little time to produce something to show for, especially as the to-do-list is long and opposition will probably be fierce and absolute.

 

[Virtual ghost]

Given the American tradition of midterm elections balancing out presidential elections (at least that is what it looks like from over here), that would give Democrats just two years for any significant changes they want to introduce. In the middle of a pandemic and a global economic crises and with most American allies severely alienated after the last administration ... assuming the GOP somewhat recovers from being the skin worn by Trumpism!

That's very little time to produce something to show for, especially as the to-do-list is long and opposition will probably be fierce and absolute.

Are we really really alienated or are we just waiting that current mess pass over ?
If there is indeed new president I am fairly sure that most of the damage done over the last 4 years can be undone in a single meeting. Since everyone knows that this is anomaly. Probably the bigger problem are problems that existed even before 2016 ... and there is a number of those. Although if this will last for 4 more years then the damage will be real. Since reelection is conformation of the new normal and that will truly do the damage since for now benefit of the doubt is still on the table. However if there is reelection the pre 2016 world order is dead and with it the position of US in it as well. Because this would certainly remake world order and that would probably be the largest change since ww2.

 

[Red Herring]

Are we really really alienated or are we just waiting that current mess pass over ?
If there is indeed new president I am fairly sure that most of the damage done over the last 4 years can be undone in a single meeting. Since everyone knows that this is anomaly. Probably the bigger problem are problems that existed even before 2016 ... and there is a number of those. Although if this will last for 4 more years then the damage will be real. Since reelection is conformation of the new normal and that will truly do the damage since for now benefit of the doubt is still on the table. However if there is reelection the pre 2016 world order is dead and with it the position of US in it as well. Because this would certainly remake world order and that would probably be the largest change since ww2.

Which one is it? A brief anomaly or just a symptom of a breakup with no turning back? That's the big question. Hopefully a lot will become clearer in the next few months.

 

[FemMecha]

This Chris sounds like an idiot made-up person, or like someone who was already centrist or on the fence in the first place. Or perhaps her past support for Democrats was based on a single issue.

Anatomy of a secret Trump voter - StarTribune.com


Right before lockdowns began, there were some of those 'secret' Trump voters at my workplace. I can tell because they get noticeably uncomfortable and quiet once a political conversation took a turn toward Trump bashing.

Probably just a handful though, I doubt they are legion enough to make a difference with Biden's numbers so high

I read that article and it brings to mind some well established framing in U.S. culture. If you look at the history of our movies and TV shows, the excessively rude outlaw always saves the day. Early on we had John Wayne, in the 70's we had that bratty tennis player John McEnroe, but even characters like House M.D., and I know if I took the time I could list dozens. Americans equate assholes with strength and intelligence and have for a long time now. We have a deeply established bullying culture that lets the quarterback of the local high school who is also the mayor's son rape the daughter of the woman who works at the local diner. Accepting these good 'ol boys and even secretly admiring them for their aberrant and bullying behaviors permeates the U.S.

I know because I'm intelligent and not one. People think kind, calm, patient is stupid and inept. They think being a bully, a smart-ass, an absolute jerk is the one who saves the day. It's also why so many come onto the internet, forums like this, and act like assholes. They really think it makes them look smart, strong, and like the one to save the day.

It is a successful linguistic/meme framing that exists in our society and effects it at every level. It is now being vomited up at the highest levels. Trump validates the actual behaviors and ideals of a great many Americans, even the quieter ones. The fact that the secret Trump voter had absolutely no problem with Trump bragging about grabbing women's pussies is testament to this well established framing.

 

[Virtual ghost]

Which one is it? A brief anomaly or just a symptom of a breakup with no turning back? That's the big question. Hopefully a lot will become clearer in the next few months.

It will all surely become clearer soon. Even if everything becomes unclear that will in a way make things clear, since the shot is made and we all have our cards to play accordingly to that.
If there is reelection there will probably be some distancing and divorcing and if there is a new president we will have to see what happens with pre 2016 problems. Although general global instability could cloud all of that since transatlantic tries are not everything in this world.

 

[Jaguar]

Wear a Biden/Harris sweatshirt out in public and you'll hear people honking their horns, leaning their heads out of car windows and yelling funny shit, and every cashier telling you they love what you're wearing.

That's a good sign.

 

[Julius_Van_Der_Beak]

Wear a Biden/Harris sweatshirt out in public and you'll hear people honking their horns, leaning their heads out of car windows and yelling funny shit, and every cashier telling you they love what you're wearing.

That's a good sign.

Also, according to another poster, apparently northern Michigan is filled with Biden/Harris signs as well, at least in sufficient quantities for it to be a cause for complaint.

 

[Jaguar]

Also, according to another poster, apparently northern Michigan is filled with Biden/Harris signs as well, at least in sufficient quantities for it to be a cause for complaint.

I'm not wearing a sign, I'm wearing a goddamn sweatshirt. And if there's that many Biden signs in Michigan, I'm happy to hear it.

 

[anticlimatic]

Claims Biden accidentally called Trump "George" fact-checked as "misleading" | Newshub


Thank god for the fact checkers. Without them my lying eyes would have me believe all kinds of nonsense.

 

[Jaguar]

Post me some far right shit. Yeah baby.

 

[Z Buck McFate]

Favorite t-shirt I've seen, worn by some woman who posted pictures of herself doing a happy dance after voting.

 

[Jaguar]

Bloomberg Funds Last-Minute 2020 Election Ad Blitz for Biden in Texas and Ohio - The New York Times
The billionaire former New York City mayor has concentrated largely on Florida in the general election. But his private polling found President Trump vulnerable in two of the country’s biggest red states.

 

[Tellenbach]

Trump Nominated for Nobel Peace Prize by Australian Law Professors for Doctrine Against Endless Wars

On Monday President Donald Trump was nominated for the third time this year for a 2021 Nobel Peace Prize. The nomination came courtesy of Australian law professors praising the "Trump Doctrine" against endless wars.

Yikes, Newsweek misspelled "Nobel Peace Prize" as "Noble Peace Prize". I wasn't aware of a Trump doctrine, but I have noticed far fewer ISIS and other jihadist attacks around the world the past 3 years.

I'm not a fan of the Nobel Peace Prize because they gave it to the terrorist Arafat and Obama (who then proceeded to bomb Libya, foster the growth of ISIS in Iraq, and used a drone to assassinate an American jihadist - which I support, btw).

 

[Jaguar]

Trump nominated as man of the year for raping a woman in a department store dressing room. What a guy.

 

[anticlimatic]

Trump Nominated for Nobel Peace Prize by Australian Law Professors for Doctrine Against Endless Wars



Yikes, Newsweek misspelled "Nobel Peace Prize" as "Noble Peace Prize". I wasn't aware of a Trump doctrine, but I have noticed far fewer ISIS and other jihadist attacks around the world the past 3 years.

I'm not a fan of the Nobel Peace Prize because they gave it to the terrorist Arafat and Obama (who then proceeded to bomb Libya, foster the growth of ISIS in Iraq, and used a drone to assassinate an American jihadist - which I support, btw).

My dad was drafted into Vietnam towards the end of the war. I remember one day I was bashing on Nixon, and he mentioned that he always liked Nixon. Kind of surprised, I asked him why. He said "he ended the war, got me home." Always remembered that. Interesting that Trump gets compared with him once in a while.

 

[Firebird 8118]

My dad was drafted into Vietnam towards the end of the war. I remember one day I was bashing on Nixon, and he mentioned that he always liked Nixon. Kind of surprised, I asked him why. He said "he ended the war, got me home." Always remembered that. Interesting that Trump gets compared with him once in a while.

Somehow I’m reminded of this one passage from one of the “Conversations with God” books I read in recent years, it went something like this:

Hitler went to Heaven. When you understand this, you understand God.

I may never understand people like Hitler, Nixon or Trump. But it’s hard not to feel sorry for such people either. They’ll never even get to realize how far off they were/are from seeing the world and the people around them with genuine love and compassion in their hearts - and all I can do is feel sorry for them. They may not even be “bad” in the fullest sense. They’ve just done a bunch of terrible things that the world will never forget as time goes by.

No one is born good or evil. No one is 100% good or evil either. We all fall somewhere in the middle of a wide spectrum between what we define as good vs. evil... and even that spectrum changes the more we grow and evolve.

[Sorry if I’m not making any sense here, I’m just kinda dazed right now from a self-healing session and I start going on a spiritual ramble every time lol]

 

[Coriolis]

Favorite t-shirt I've seen, worn by some woman who posted pictures of herself doing a happy dance after voting.

I have seen yard signs like this. The other day I saw a handmade sign next to some standard Biden signs, reading "Make lies wrong again."