Election 2020 The 2020 Candidates: Right, Left and Center!

[Nicomorphinist]

Good riddance to both Beto "hell yeah we're gonna take ur guns muthafucka!" O'Rourke and Kamala "the cop who would be president" Harris

Like HRC in 2016, she seems to have quite the basket case in charge of her media relations -- note the rabid, unhinged and gratuitous response to Joe Biden saying "take it easy on me kid" the second debate after she ambuscaded him about integration in the 1960s & 1970s and jumped into second place for 18 hours . . . made it clear that such a crew was part of the worst in the field . . . a different sense of humour doesn't mean you get to try to call the bedraggled remnants of the me too mukhabarat on him; look how a much better and more serious candidate (Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, Democrat-New York) headed to sub-1 per cent land and self-destructed in the debates trying to hitch a wagon to that bunch two years after they did their good and started to ferment into poison . . .

Harris left me with the impression of being the worst possible candidate for opioid patients and unsupervised users of all descriptions but certainly chronic pain patients . . . so far as I know, Mr Yang would help, Senator Sanders probably would, Congresswoman Gabbard is probably educable, but a paradigm shift is needed for all of them, all of the Republicans, and most of the third-party people about whom I have heard so far. I see that the old Christian Democratic Union of the United States is now called the American Solidarity Party and making progress which is a good thing . . . it's hard for me to imagine a Helmut Kohl, Angela Merkel, Konrad Adenauer or Wolfgang Schüssel making the kind of mess now in existence . . . and certainly not blaming Russians for everything. Nobody but Yang, Sanders, and Gabbard seem to want to talk about why so many people in the United States are so willing to brave poison dope, frightened and/or ignorant health care establishments, and the worst the courts and police can dish out to narcotise themselves, not that a lot of police are happy about arsehole politicians and demon snake prosecutors making their nearly impossible jobs even harder and much more dangerous. I don't know why they are not putting on yellow vests and parking police cruisers and paddy wagons across highways, to be perfectly honest. Tout est possible! -- somebody just needs to start cutting up. or not . . .

 

[Burnt Offerings]

I always found her tone to be patronizing, personally. She didn't seem to perform very well in the debates, or at least the clips I saw. The attempt to rope people into her campaign to ban Trump from Twitter was so weird, I don't know why she thought that was a good idea. Like who was the constituency she was appealing to, who thought that the most pressing issue that could be talked about on the national stage was Trump's tweets? And honestly Trump's tweets are one of the very few good things about his shitty presidency, they've provided me so many laughs over the years

 

[Nicomorphinist]

I always found her tone to be patronizing, personally. She didn't seem to perform very well in the debates, or at least the clips I saw. The attempt to rope people into her campaign to ban Trump from Twitter was so weird, I don't know why she thought that was a good idea. Like who was the constituency she was appealing to, who thought that the most pressing issue that could be talked about on the national stage was Trump's tweets? And honestly Trump's tweets are one of the very few good things about his shitty presidency, they've provided me so many laughs over the years

Power-trippers like to ban things -- that has been the worst thing she has done so far as far as I am concerned, putting her in the same category as vigilante "spam fighters" busted in the 1990s for server cracking, attempted arson, playing with kiddie pr0n and all sorts of other things to try to make themselves into heroes. Not in my view: Use the delete button on Outlook, Eudora, Forté Agent, fuckers, what the hell is wrong with youse? Trying to burn down a computer centre (maybe not even the right one) because of some ill-informed marketer trying to sell birdhouses that attach to the window with one glass wall on soc.culture.croatia, which they never even read before . . . Jesus Christ . . .

She could do as much damage in the Senate as any of the prohibitionists of the last 100+ years -- people should not take their eye off that after her campaign finally implodes.

 

[JessFR]

Stopping trump tweeting might make sense from a national security perspective, but it's a terrible idea from the perspective of getting trump out of office.

Trump is the best weapon against trump there is. He should be allowed and encouraged to dig himself into a deeper and deeper hole. So no, stopping him tweeting is a terrible idea from the perspective of getting rid of him in the longer term.

If I didn't care about the national security implications, and just wanted trumps political career destroyed regardless of the cost to the country, I would encourage trump to tweet as much as possible.

 

[Nicomorphinist]

Stopping trump tweeting might make sense from a national security perspective, but it's a terrible idea from the perspective of getting trump out of office.

Trump is the best weapon against trump there is. He should be allowed and encouraged to dig himself into a deeper and deeper hole. So no, stopping him tweeting is a terrible idea from the perspective of getting rid of him in the longer term.

If I didn't care about the national security implications, and just wanted trumps political career destroyed regardless of the cost to the country, I would encourage trump to tweet as much as possible.

If he is making tweets when chronically sleep-deprived, which I think explains a lot, isn't he more likely to spill the beans on something that shouldn't be going on? Thereby helping the cause of rule of law?

The Russians aren't doing anything but laughing, as much as people like to blame them for everything and maybe that is what is driving some of the media so batty, thinking "No, we are the kings and queens of ridicule" -- and aren't Trump's comments on Corbyn, and Obama's on Brexit and his carping about Putin and just about everyone in Israel, GHWB and Thatcher trying to choke Croatia to death during the war, poking Lebanon and Iran with a stick all the time, and Gore's terrorism before the 30. October 1995 Québec referendum meddling? How about what happened to President Allende of Chile in 1973?

 

[JessFR]

I'm not completely confident that I follow what you're suggesting. But I'm gonna reiterate that my suggestion about getting trump to use Twitter as much as possible is from the hypothetical perspective of destroying his presidency. Without regard to the collateral damage to the country.

In other words. I'm not saying it's what I actually want to happen. I'm just emphasizing how effective a weapon I think trumps own mouth is to trump.

 

[Nicomorphinist]

I'm not completely confident that I follow what you're suggesting. But I'm gonna reiterate that my suggestion about getting trump to use Twitter as much as possible is from the hypothetical perspective of destroying his presidency. Without regard to the collateral damage to the country.

In other words. I'm not saying it's what I actually want to happen. I'm just emphasizing how effective a weapon I think trumps own mouth is to trump.

He could realise that too, of course -- do you suppose there is any chance he is trying to get impeached? I know he didn't actually want the job, and that would make just about as much sense as the outcome in 2016 did . . . or maybe it is just to create as much chaos as possible, given that chaos is always good for business for somebody . . . and I know something he can hold over anti-Trump Republicans is the possibility he could drop out of the race a week before the Republican National Convention and say "OK, arseholes, get your own candidate"

 

[JessFR]

I very much doubt trumps trying to get impeached. He may not have truly wanted the job to begin with, but I believe he wants to keep the job now.

Trumps a narcissist. Narcissists need power and adoration. And one thing narcissists can't stand is anything that threatens or defys their power. So trump will likely be inclined to completely flip out over even the suggestion of him being impeached.

I think a lot of people have wildly over estimated trumps ability to play the political game or strategize.

I don't think trump plays political games or uses strategy. I think he is almost purely reactionary. Playing long games aren't the narcissists strengths, because it requires that they allow themselves to seem weaker than they are. And narcissists can't stand being seen as any less than the most capable person in any situation.

 

[cduggles]

ambuscaded

As a mod for Words, it behooves me to compliment you on your use of “ambuscaded”.

 

[Captain.Heroin]

I’m guessing everyone will throw their support behind whoever.

This is how the Repubs blindly play "follow the leader" off the edge of a cliff. Dems need innovation not emulation IMO to win.

 

[Captain.Heroin]

I was wondering what everyone was thinking about Bernie after his heart attack, @mal3volent. Do you feel any differently?

I like Sanders. I don’t think he’ll be the candidate, but I like him and he’s definitely in my top 3.

I remember thinking he won't go down without a fight and I like that. (y)

Trump would be seen being pushed around in a travel chair by Melania with a plaid quilt over his lap in his shoes, the most redundant piece of clothing as you know he would never take a voluntary step ever again.

Even though I normally am not a BernieBro by politics, good for him for surviving and coming back from it with more ass to kick.

I think the ageism is disgusting.

At this point I have to agree with you, but Trump is old too so *overdone meme of guy with two buttons*

I either like or don't like Bernie's personality/politics and so far he's seeming better with age, like a fine wine.

 

[Agora420]

How interesting that there is a faction pushing so much for smaller government on the Dem side. I wouldn't want the federal government to be totally rendered obsolete, but in terms of how people want to live their lives, I absolutely think localities should have the right to dictate that for themselves. For example, my city would definitely make some changes I would love if we weren't held back by the state and federal levels.

The decentralization movements are more of a libertarian effort than a democratic one. But they work with whoever the localities have elected in their offices, which is sometimes democrats. They're essentially the radicals within the libertarian movement, who've rejected the trend of "moderate republicanism" the national Libertarian Party has taken. They're moving in the direction of localism so everyone can have their own thing. It allows both socialists and liberals/conservatives to initiate their own policies on local levels. If a local district wanted to implement universal healthcare they could. If a local district wanted really loose to nonexistent laws on guns or drugs, they could. I tend to like it for the reason it simply gives individuals more choices, kind of like a anarchist society would, but it's not quite as intimidating to some folks. If successful, it would also undermine a lot of the currently held totalitarian power in the federal government. If we wanted to strip the federal govnerment down to the bear essentials, all they really need to be doing is providing a national defense. Which could be funded by a simple flat consumption tax. All the other decsions should be left to the citizens to decide. And even a federal government controlling national defense is heavily disputed, but most people would probably see that necessary.

 

[TheLoveBandit]

Power-trippers like to ban things

You're banned.

Stopping trump tweeting might make sense from a national security perspective, but it's a terrible idea from the perspective of getting trump out of office.

Trump is the best weapon against trump there is. He should be allowed and encouraged to dig himself into a deeper and deeper hole. So no, stopping him tweeting is a terrible idea from the perspective of getting rid of him in the longer term.

If I didn't care about the national security implications, and just wanted trumps political career destroyed regardless of the cost to the country, I would encourage trump to tweet as much as possible.

I can agree with the Nat'l security angle, and wholeheartedly that he is his own worst enemy. But nary a comment about silencing speech?

He could realise that too, of course

Reminds me of bad coaches, very few become aware and improve. Most are stubborn and believe their ways earned them where they are and will carry them throughout even if they are made aware of how bad they are. I don't see Trump changing.

 

[cduggles]

So, looks like Bloomberg feels Biden is vulnerable enough to be vanquished. I’m not sure it’s a great idea for Bloomberg to run. I still think it’s Biden’s race to lose (and yes I’ve seen the polls, but I think electability will be the singular criterion by which the candidate is chosen).

2020 Daily Trail Markers: Mike Bloomberg takes steps toward 2020 presidential run

The former New York mayor has dispatched aides to Alabama to file paperwork in the state to run as a Democrat

www.cbsnews.com

 

[TheLoveBandit]

Interesting move by Bloomberg. I think being in the NYC bubble may skew his view as it doesn't represent America overall, so perhaps his confidence is misplaced? That, or perhaps he's testing the waters now for a more serious run later?

I can see the desire to get in now. If a diff Dem wins the next election, Bloomburg will be on the outside for 4-8y with little chance to displace the incumbent Dem after 4y, and expecting another swing back to the conservative side after 8y.

 

[tathra]

Senator Bernie Sanders has set a new record.

According to his presidential campaign, Sanders surpassed 4 million donations sooner than any other candidate in history.

"Working-class Americans across the country are chipping in $3, $18, $27 or whatever they can to help elect Bernie Sanders," said his campaign manager, Faiz Shakir.

Bernie Sanders sets a new record with 4 million donations

According to his presidential campaign, Bernie Sanders surpassed 4 million donations sooner than any other candidate in history

www.cbsnews.com

 

[tathra]

 

[tathra]

did anyone watch the democratic debates tonight?

obviously Bernie killed it but I'm curious what others thought

 

[Xorkoth]

I didn't catch them. I'm curious too.

 

[Nicomorphinist]

(Chart)

Excellent -- I am glad someone took the time to do this . . . note the clustering in the upper right quadrant: folks who complain about there not being a warm bucket of piss' worth of different betwixt the two major US parties are apparently on to something. I am familiar with this diagram and another 3D set of Cartesian co-ordinates (adding foreign policy) as well as a circle (clock face) as alternatives to the line from left to right for the US political spectrum . . . on this diagram I suspect the Green candidates for president, as the apparent main candidate Hawkins is, would be in the lower left quadrant with Senator Sanders and Congresswoman Gabbard and the American Solidarity Party folks right near the origin in the centre . . .