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Poll showing Trump up 10 points over Biden for 2024 election criticized

  

Category:  News & Politics

Via:  vic-eldred  •  last year  •  137 comments

By:   the Guardian

Poll showing Trump up 10 points over Biden for 2024 election criticized
A Washington Post-ABC poll showed results that diverge from most other surveys, and even the pollers made a caveat

S E E D E D   C O N T E N T


A Washington Post-ABC poll showed results that diverge from most other surveys, and even the pollers made a caveat

A new Washington Post-ABC poll showing Joe Biden trailing his presidential predecessor Donald Trump by 10 percentage points was excoriated by leading political pollster Larry Sabato.

Noting that the pollsters themselves cautioned that their survey was an outlier, Sabato - the director of the Center for Politics at the University of Virginia - called the decision to release it "ridiculous".

"Ignore the Washington Post-ABC poll," Sabato wrote on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter. "How could you even publish a poll so absurd on its face? Will be a lingering embarrassment for you." He added: "Just plain embarrassing - for them."

The New York Times' chief political analyst Nate Cohn also criticized the poll that said Trump was ahead of Biden in the 2024 White House race.

Referring to a Post-ABC poll in May that found Trump was up seven percentage points on Biden, which was similarly inconsistent with most polling, Cohn wrote on X: "It's really hard to release outlying poll results, so you've got to give credit to ABC/Post here, but I do have a fairly major quibble with ABC/Post here: if you release consecutive 'outlying' poll results … you don't get to dismiss your results.

"If it happens twice in a row in the same race, it's clear that this is the result of some element of your approach, and you either need to decide you're good with it and defend it or you need to go home."

The Washington Post acknowledged its survey was not in line with most polling, which generally finds that the Democratic incumbent Biden and the former Republican president Trump would be in a close, competitive race if they faced each other in the 2024 election.

The Post wrote in its analysis: "The … poll shows Biden trailing Trump by 10 percentage points at this early stage in the election cycle, although the sizable margin of Trump's lead in this survey is significantly at odds with other public polls that show the general election contest a virtual dead heat.

"The difference between this poll and others, as well as the unusual makeup of Trump's and Biden's coalitions in this survey, suggests it is probably an outlier."

Despite the criticisms, at least one person stood by the poll results, with host Martha Raddatz saying on Sunday's ABC This Week: "Whatever caveats, whether that is an outlier, that's a tough one to spin."

In response to Raddatz, former Democratic National Committee chairwoman Donna Brazile said on the show: "It's a tough one to spin, Martha, but I don't believe Democrats should be sitting in a panic room."

Brazile went on to urge Democrats to "get out there, make your case to the American people", who she said are angry due to rising living costs.

Raddatz replied: "They are talking to the American people … and yet it is those pocketbook issues. The message may be out there, but they're not feeling it."

Trump does hold commanding leads in national and key state polls regarding the race for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination. He enjoys that advantage despite facing more than 90 criminal charges across four separate indictments charging him with attempted subversion of the 2020 election that he lost to Biden, retention of classified information after his presidency and hush-money payments to adult film star Stormy Daniels.


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Vic Eldred
Professor Principal
1  seeder  Vic Eldred    last year

What would be the reason for the Post to publish this poll?

Could it be to energize democrats?

 
 
 
Sparty On
Professor Principal
2  Sparty On    last year

Poll has to be wrong ….. has to be ….. /s

 
 
 
TᵢG
Professor Principal
3  TᵢG    last year

Are you happy about this?   Do you want to see Trump as PotUS?

To me this is an indication that the majority of the electorate might be irrational, irresponsible and unpatriotic.

Biden is a weak candidate and is clearly too far past his prime to be PotUS.   Trump, however, is the only individual in our history who, as sitting PotUS, attempted to steal a US presidential election through coercion, fraud, lying, abuse of influence, and inciting followers to act.   Trump has demonstrated that he cares only about himself and is willing to throw the nation itself under the bus simply because his ego cannot handle losing an election.   Yet this poll suggests our electorate would actually put the piece of shit Trump in the most powerful office on the planet.

What should be done is for the respective parties to work hard to get good candidates as their nominees.    The GOP especially should be focused on keeping Trump from taking their only nomination slot.   Especially if this abysmal human being has a chance of seizing the powers of the presidency.

 
 
 
JohnRussell
Professor Principal
3.1  JohnRussell  replied to  TᵢG @3    last year

The sands are slipping through the hourglass . The more "polls" that show Trump doing well, the less possible it is that either the Republican Party or his cult will abandon him. His nomination is becoming a self fulfilling prophecy.  The constant drumbeat that has gone for years to normalize Donald Trump does have an effect including a cumulative effect. 

What this means is that the country is way off track and it is getting worse. I think pleas for "unity" and for people to "come to their senses" regarding Trump are rapidly becoming a waste of time. Trumpism has to be defeated, which means removed from power through elections and replacing all the far right traitors in national office. Because we have dilly dallied for years about this, it will take many years to correct. 

It is time though, for everyone to be realistic, America, politically speaking is not what it used to be and it will not turn around on its own. 

 
 
 
TᵢG
Professor Principal
3.1.1  TᵢG  replied to  JohnRussell @3.1    last year

The GOP continues to illustrate that it has lost its way.  Thus there remains little possibility for any of its current contenders to prevail.   Those GOP members who hold that they want someone other than Trump (but will vote for Trump if the nominee) are simply enabling Trump to take their nomination slot.   Their only chance for having an R PotUS is Trump.

This means that the only realistic hope for the 2024 presidential election is for the Ds to get their act together and put forth a strong candidate that people want to vote for.

 
 
 
JohnRussell
Professor Principal
3.1.2  JohnRussell  replied to  TᵢG @3.1.1    last year
This means that the only realistic hope for the 2024 presidential election is for the Ds to get their act together and put forth a strong candidate that people want to vote for.

You want to blame the Democrats for the dysfunction and un American behavior of conservatives and the Republican Party.  Trumpism is a cancer on America's soul. Its not Joe Bidens fault. 

 
 
 
TᵢG
Professor Principal
3.1.3  TᵢG  replied to  JohnRussell @3.1.2    last year
You want to blame the Democrats for the dysfunction and un American behavior of conservatives and the Republican Party. 

John, you really need to read what I write instead of leaping to an outrageous conclusion.

I blame the Ds for their part.    Their part is putting forth a candidate that will not be vulnerable to defeat by Trump.   I emphasize that the Ds doing their part is even more critical given the Rs are almost certainly going to drop the ball and nominate Trump.

 
 
 
Jack_TX
Professor Quiet
3.1.4  Jack_TX  replied to  TᵢG @3.1.1    last year
The GOP continues to illustrate that it has lost its way.

Yes.

They still do not understand the disease of which Trump is the most notable symptom.  

This means that the only realistic hope for the 2024 presidential election is for the Ds to get their act together and put forth a strong candidate that people want to vote for.

I'm not exactly sure why you think that is more realistic than another Republican overtaking Trump once primaries actually begin.  If a strong Democratic option existed there would at least be rumors of their candidacy by now.

 
 
 
TᵢG
Professor Principal
3.1.5  TᵢG  replied to  Jack_TX @3.1.4    last year
I'm not exactly sure why you think that is more realistic than another Republican overtaking Trump once primaries actually begin. 

D candidates are not emerging because they have an incumbent.   It is normal in US politics for an incumbent to be weakly opposed within their party.

If Biden were to have an incapacitating event (as an example) and could not run, do you really think the D party could not produce decent candidates?   That it would not be able to appeal to D governors and other experienced statespersons to run for the nomination?

 
 
 
Jack_TX
Professor Quiet
3.1.6  Jack_TX  replied to  JohnRussell @3.1.2    last year
You want to blame the Democrats

When you go out and lose to an inferior opponent, you don't get to blame everybody else.  If Trump is re-elected, Democrats will share at least half the blame.  

Trumpism is a cancer on America's soul. Its not Joe Bidens fault. 

It is absolutely partially his fault.  Rather than slowly implementing rational, common sense, centrist policies in order to exert himself as an old, wise, calming influence on our country, he has merely joined the culture war and made things worse.

 
 
 
Greg Jones
Professor Participates
3.1.7  Greg Jones  replied to  JohnRussell @3.1.2    last year
"To me this is an indication that the majority of the electorate might be irrational, irresponsible and unpatriotic."

This statement is absurd and stupid. The electorate is finally finding out the truth about the power ridden aspirations of the far left radical Democrats

There are millions of Americans who think it would be irrational, irresponsible and unpatriotic to vote for a corrupt and traitorous asshole like Biden. And those numbers are only likely to grow
 
 
 
Jack_TX
Professor Quiet
3.1.8  Jack_TX  replied to  TᵢG @3.1.5    last year
D candidates are not emerging because they have an incumbent.   It is normal in US politics for an incumbent to be weakly opposed within their party.

There is nothing normal about putting forward an octogenarian who is clearly suffering from mid-stage dementia as a candidate for President of the United States.

If Biden were to have an incapacitating event (as an example) and could not run, do you really think the D party could not produce decent candidates?

Apparently not.  He is in an ongoing incapacitating event.  Can you imagine him in his current condition in a presidential debate??  

 
 
 
Sparty On
Professor Principal
3.1.9  Sparty On  replied to  Jack_TX @3.1.8    last year

All of this simply illustrates the disfunction of current two party control.    The DNC, RNC and their masters have much too much power and it is being abused.

Trump thrives not because of the RNC but rather largely via grassroots.    The grassroots people that hard party politicians hate because they are not necessarily beholden to party.    Republican or Democrat.

 
 
 
JohnRussell
Professor Principal
3.1.10  JohnRussell  replied to  Jack_TX @3.1.8    last year

It is KNOWN, not suspected , that Donald Trump sat in his oval office dining area watching tv while the Capitol assault was taking place. It is known that he did nothing to help or try to restore order to the Capitol , even though he was the nation's top law enforcement officer . 

Trump did not try to give relief to the besieged Capitol because he wanted the riot to succeed. This is as plain as day. What possible justification can there be for putting this traitor back in office? 

This brings us to the nation's greatest problem - Trump voters. 

Biden is not the main problem, nor is "wokeism", Trump and his anti American followers is. 

Last week in a nationally televised interview Trump was asked point blank "what were doing during the hours the Capitol attack was taking place?"  Trumps answer "I'm not going to tell you that". 

 
 
 
TᵢG
Professor Principal
3.1.11  TᵢG  replied to  Jack_TX @3.1.8    last year
There is nothing normal about putting forward an octogenarian who is clearly suffering from mid-stage dementia as a candidate for President of the United States.

This:  TiG@3.1.5 — "It is normal in US politics for an incumbent to be weakly opposed within their party."

Does not mean that it is normal to put a frail octogenarian as PotUS.   It means that it is normal for an incumbent to be weakly opposed.

Apparently not. 

And here we go again.   You honestly did not comprehend that in this:  "If Biden were to have an incapacitating event (as an example) and could not run ...", by incapacitating event I am referring to that which would make it impossible for him to run?

 
 
 
TᵢG
Professor Principal
3.1.12  TᵢG  replied to  Greg Jones @3.1.7    last year
The electorate is finally finding out the truth about the power ridden aspirations of the far left radical Democrats

So if the Ds were to put forth a competent, proven statesman like Governor Tim Walz and the Rs put forth Trump, would you still vote for Trump — the only individual in our history who, as sitting PotUS, attempted to steal a US presidential election through coercion, fraud, lying, abuse of influence, and inciting followers to act?    Would you indeed vote for an individual who has demonstrated that he cares only about himself and is willing to throw the nation itself under the bus simply because his ego cannot handle losing an election? 

 
 
 
George
Junior Expert
3.1.13  George  replied to  TᵢG @3.1.12    last year

You just can't help yourself can you? this would have been sufficient for any discussion. but you have to try to paint your "opponent" into a corner before the discussion ever even has a chance to take place.

So if the Ds were to put forth a competent, proven statesman like Governor Tim Walz and the Rs put forth Trump, would you still vote for Trump?

While i don't necessarily disagree with this opinion, this shows al level of intolerance for any opinion that doesn't match lock step with yours,

the only individual in our history who, as sitting PotUS, attempted to steal a US presidential election through coercion, fraud, lying, abuse of influence, and inciting followers to act?    Would you indeed vote for an individual who has demonstrated that he cares only about himself and is willing to throw the nation itself under the bus simply because his ego cannot handle losing an election? 

and before you start the endless badgering it won't be challenged.

 
 
 
TᵢG
Professor Principal
3.1.14  TᵢG  replied to  George @3.1.13    last year
You just can't help yourself can you? this would have been sufficient for any discussion. but you have to try to paint your "opponent" into a corner before the discussion ever even has a chance to take place.

WTF are you talking about?   You have a problem with a question?    You think it is unfair to ask a question?

... this shows al level of intolerance for any opinion that doesn't match lock step with yours ...

Instead of rebutting my comment, responding thoughtfully,  you simply go personal.

 
 
 
TᵢG
Professor Principal
3.1.15  TᵢG  replied to  Jack_TX @3.1.4    last year
If a strong Democratic option existed there would at least be rumors of their candidacy by now.

Hopefully this is an early indication of movement in the D party:

Rep.   Dean Phillips   (D-Minn.) said in a podcast released Monday that he's "considering" challenging   President Biden   for the Democratic Party's nomination in   2024 .

Driving the news:   "I am thinking about it. I haven't ruled it out," Phillips told political strategist Steve Schmidt on Friday for his   podcast , "The Warning."

  • "I think there are people who are more proximate, better prepared to campaign with national organizations, national name recognition, which I do not possess," he said.
  • "I'm concerned that there is no alternative," he said.
The big picture:   Phillips, a three-term congressman, has been a vocal supporter of another Democratic candidate jumping in the presidential race to challenge Biden, and he's urged Biden to " pass the torch " to another candidate.
  • Phillips has previously told Axios that he's   mulling launching   his own intra-party bid if nobody challenges Biden.
  • He   said last month   that he wants Biden to "invite people to the primary stage" to promote competition.

The only hope for the GOP, it seems, is for the 14th amendment to prevent Trump from running.   But that would incite all sorts of ugly responses and undoubtedly violence from the MAGA crowd.

 
 
 
Jack_TX
Professor Quiet
3.1.17  Jack_TX  replied to  JohnRussell @3.1.10    last year
What possible justification can there be for putting this traitor back in office?

Very little.  So he should be easy to beat right?

Oh....wait... 

Biden is not the main problem, nor is "wokeism", Trump and his anti American followers is. 

The main problem is that neither side of the political establishment is remotely willing to listen to working class Americans who have had enough of being ignored by Republicans and being condescended to or insulted by Democrats.

There is an exceedingly simple playbook laid out by Obama, Clinton, or even Truman where you use rational thought, common sense, centrism and pragmatism to win easily. 

But no.  Our current raft of Democrats adamantly refuses to do anything sensible.

I coached for 30 years.  When you get beat by an inferior opponent, it's your fault.  When they beat you because you suck, it's definitely your fault.  When you suck because you just refuse to listen, it's even more your fault.  That's where Democrats stand right now.

 
 
 
Jack_TX
Professor Quiet
3.1.18  Jack_TX  replied to  TᵢG @3.1.11    last year
It means that it is normal for an incumbent to be weakly opposed.

I understand what normally happens.  Again, there is nothing normal about this situation.  Normal rules do not apply.  Not sure how that's even in question.

And here we go again.

Are you announcing your condescsion now?  Is this a new thing or have I just missed a memo?

If Biden were to have an incapacitating event (as an example) and could not run ...", by incapacitating event I am referring to that which would make it impossible for him to run?

He. Is. Having. That.

It's just happening slowly, because that's how dementia works.

If this was your elderly father, you would have hired a home health aide and you would be touring memory care facilities.

He cannot endure the campaign travel schedule.  He cannot engage in a debate.  In what universe does that not qualify as "incapacitated" with regard to running for President? 

Yet he is running virtually unopposed with full support of the party.

 
 
 
TᵢG
Professor Principal
3.1.19  TᵢG  replied to  Jack_TX @3.1.17    last year
The main problem is that neither side of the political establishment is remotely willing to listen to working class Americans who have had enough of being ignored by Republicans and being condescended to or insulted by Democrats.

In the case of the GOP, however, the establishment continue to kowtow to Trump because of the strength of the MAGA contingent (grassroots).

I suspect the D problem is more that of fighting the natural momentum of incumbency.

 
 
 
TᵢG
Professor Principal
3.1.20  TᵢG  replied to  Jack_TX @3.1.18    last year
Again, there is nothing normal about this situation.

Again, the normalcy that I articulated @3.1.5 is that of incumbency:

"It is normal in US politics for an incumbent to be weakly opposed within their party."

I stated incapacitating event.    Something that happens:   

"If Biden were to have an incapacitating event (as an example) and could not run ...", 

Diagnosis of a progressive illness qualifies as an event.   Do we have such a diagnosis from a qualified M.D.?   If so, please link.   

Other examples of events I am referring to include a stroke, a bad fall, etc.

He cannot endure the campaign travel schedule.  He cannot engage in a debate.  In what universe does that not qualify as "incapacitated" with regard to running for President? 

I consider Biden frail, etc. but he demonstrably can get out and give speeches, he can still engage in a debate (probably poorly).   In this universe, Biden remains able to run for PotUS.    He is not impressive, but is not incapacitated.   Key word:  incapacitated.   I used it for a reason.

One more time:  "incapacitating event" refers to something that makes it impossible for him to run (takes away his ability to run).   Death is such an event.  A stroke, heart-attack, aneurysm, broken hip, diagnosed mental illness such as Alzheimers, etc. are events that (depending upon severity) would make it impossible for him to run.


No problem with disagreement with my point;  problem disagreeing with points I have not made and not acknowledging those I did make.

 
 
 
Snuffy
Professor Participates
3.1.21  Snuffy  replied to  Sparty On @3.1.9    last year
All of this simply illustrates the disfunction of current two party control.    The DNC, RNC and their masters have much too much power and it is being abused. Trump thrives not because of the RNC but rather largely via grassroots.    The grassroots people that hard party politicians hate because they are not necessarily beholden to party.    Republican or Democrat.

This is so correct.  People want to blame the parties, but the parties retain power and money based on winning elections and when one candidate is so far ahead of all the others due to grassroots of course the party is going to back that candidate.  And of course those who are running for re-election will also back that candidate to ride his coat tails.  

But it's so much easier to just broad-brush the criticism. 

 
 
 
Snuffy
Professor Participates
3.1.22  Snuffy  replied to  JohnRussell @3.1.10    last year
even though he was the nation's top law enforcement officer

Bolding is mine.  You should really do your homework before posting.

Attorney General Merrick B. Garland was sworn in as the 86 th  Attorney General of the United States on March 11, 2021.  As the nation’s chief law enforcement officer , Attorney General Garland leads the Justice Department’s 115,000 employees, who work across the United States and in more than 50 countries worldwide.   Office of the Attorney General | Attorney General Merrick B. Garland | United States Department of Justice

And before you start, I'm not excusing anything that Trump did or didn't do on that day.  

This brings us to the nation's greatest problem - Trump voters.  Biden is not the main problem, nor is "wokeism", Trump and his anti American followers is. 

IMO there are much bigger problems in this nation than Trump or Biden.  But in the realm of politics, the greatest problem is our two-party system. The parties are backing who they are backing for one reason only, to obtain/maintain the power and money that winning election's brings them.  

But by all means continue with your broad brush ranting.

 
 
 
JohnRussell
Professor Principal
3.1.23  JohnRussell  replied to  Snuffy @3.1.22    last year

According to the   January 6 committee , President Donald Trump’s refusal to call off the escalating violence at the Capitol on January 6, 2021, was considered a “dereliction of his duty” and a “supreme violation of his oath of office”   1 .   The committee’s hearings have shed light on the events of that day and expanded our understanding of the riot and how it unfolded   1 .

During the hearing, former Trump administration staffers testified that they urged Trump to make a public statement condemning the Capitol assault, but he instead watched the riot unfold for more than three hours on Fox News from the dining room off the Oval Office   1 .   White House officials, including White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows, White House lawyer Eric Herschmann, Deputy White House Counsel Patrick Philbin, White House Deputy Chief of Staff Dan Scavino, National Security official Keith Kellogg, and Trump’s daughter Ivanka and son-in-law Jared Kushner, all asked Trump to try to quell the violence on January 6   1 .   However, Trump refused to instruct the mob to disperse   1 .

The committee’s minute-by-minute breakdown of the 187 minutes when the Capitol was besieged revealed the harrowing experiences of lawmakers and law enforcement who feared for their lives as the rioters breached the halls of Congress   1 .   The scene was so volatile that there were calls to say goodbye to family members from those on Vice President Mike Pence’s Secret Service detail around the time he was escorted out of the Senate chamber to a secure location   1 .

It is important to note that these statements are based on the findings of the January 6 committee hearings and subsequent reports   1 . For more information, you can refer to the sources provided below:

 
 
 
Snuffy
Professor Participates
3.1.24  Snuffy  replied to  JohnRussell @3.1.23    last year

And what are you trying to say in regards to a reply to my post?   I already said that I didn't excuse Trump for anything he did or didn't do on that day.  

Are you trying to say something or is that just another big rant?  It would be nice if when you reply to a post that you actually reply to the post instead of just some random posting.

 
 
 
JohnRussell
Professor Principal
3.1.25  JohnRussell  replied to  Snuffy @3.1.22    last year

I'm not broad brush ranting at all. I am doing the opposite. The Jan 6th committee PROVED that Trump tried to steal the election and that he refused to act to end the riot. 

This is not guessing or speculation , it is fact established by hundreds of interviews with Trump white house insiders and administration personnel, and his campaign aides. 

There is no bigger issue in America than the prospect of putting a known traitor back in office. 

 
 
 
JohnRussell
Professor Principal
3.1.26  JohnRussell  replied to  Jack_TX @3.1.17    last year

All you do is "both sides" on behalf of Trump.  These discussions are a waste of time.  By the way, I coached 13-14 year old girls basketball for 15 years and about the same for girls softball. So you can stop "bragging" that you are correct about this and that because you were a coach. Who the hell cares? 

 
 
 
JohnRussell
Professor Principal
3.1.27  JohnRussell  replied to  Jack_TX @3.1.18    last year
If this was your elderly father, you would have hired a home health aide and you would be touring memory care facilities.

He cannot endure the campaign travel schedule.  He cannot engage in a debate.  In what universe does that not qualify as "incapacitated" with regard to running for President? 

Yet he is running virtually unopposed with full support of the party.

You sound like a fricking Trump campaign adviser.  You dont know a thing about Biden's "mental condition". 

www2.ljworld.com   /opinion/2023/sep/15/opinion-public-perception-of-bidens-mental-decline-is-off-base/

Opinion: Public perception of Biden’s mental decline is off-base

5-6 minutes   9/14/2023


photo by:   Contributed

Mona Charen

Our octogenarian president traveled 8,000 miles to meet with India’s premier, Narendra Modi, and to attend the G20 summit in New Delhi. He then flew another 2,000 miles to visit America’s new pal, Vietnam — all over the course of just five days. That’s a demanding trip, even for a younger person. After meeting for several hours with the general secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam, Nguyen Phu Trong, Biden held a formal press conference. And he did fine.

Yes, his voice is weaker than it used to be, and his gait is stiff, but on the matter that currently has 62% of the public seriously worried — namely, whether he has the mental acuity to serve as president — his performance should be reassuring.

The public’s perception of Biden’s mental decline is out of all proportion to reality. A May NPR/PBS NewsHour/Marist poll found that 69% of registered independent voters believe Biden’s mental fitness is a real concern. A more recent CNN poll found that 73% are seriously concerned that his physical and mental health might not be adequate for another term. Even among Democrats, only 49% say he has the stamina and mental sharpness to serve another term. At dinner parties, people say the president has dementia.

To be clear, it would be better to have a younger president seeking reelection — and I would like to be four inches taller and gifted at the cello. But we got what we got, and part of being a grown-up is accepting reality.

There is no way to watch Biden’s Hanoi press conference and not recognize that his brain is working fine. He responds to questions in appropriate fashion. His words are diplomatically chosen, and his thoughts follow in logical order.

Anyone who has ever had a friend or relative with dementia knows that this is nothing like what they sound like. They repeat themselves constantly without self-awareness. They don’t distinguish between things that happened that morning and things that happened years ago. They get angry and tearful for no apparent reason. Dementia is a devastating disease and quite different from normal aging. In fact, while the percentage of people with dementia rises with age, only about 10% of those aged 70 and older suffer from it.

Now, have a look at Biden’s press conference. He was asked about a Chinese official’s accusation that Biden was “insincere” about the relationship with China, and also whether he thought Chinese President Xi Jinping was sincere in light of his recent move to “ban” Apple in China. Biden had trouble hearing the first part of the question (OK, that is his age showing), but then gave a careful answer.

He declined the implied invitation to get into a spitting match with Xi and emphasized that “we’re not looking to hurt China … We’re all better off if China does well,” adding that “if China does well by the international rules, it grows the (world’s) economy.” To underline that point, he noted that “It’s not about isolating China. It’s about making sure the rules of the road — everything from airspace and — and space and in the ocean is — the international rules of the road are … abided by.”

Without overt threats or intemperate words, Biden then noted that he is building and/or bolstering alliances with other Asian nations. “That’s what this trip was all about: having India cooperate much more with the United States, be closer with the United States, Vietnam being closer with the United States. It’s not about containing China; it’s about having a stable base — a stable base in the Indo-Pacific.”

...Biden’s physical presentation — the slow and careful walk, the slightly pitched posture — suggests age more than his words. But, bottom line: He is perfectly capable of thinking on his feet. Too many Americans have come to believe that he is in sharp mental decline. When you see him in a Q and A, it’s clear that he isn’t, and people need to know that.

— Mona Charen is a syndicated columnist with Creators.
 
 
 
Snuffy
Professor Participates
3.1.28  Snuffy  replied to  JohnRussell @3.1.25    last year

That is your opinion, my opinion is that there are bigger problems facing this country than just the possibility of two men who are not wanted at all to be re-elected into the Oval Office.  You have not shown anything but emotion as to why I should think that this presidential election is the BIGGEST ISSUE facing this country.  You want me to believe you, then provide some fucking facts. Explain why this should be considered the bigger issue over other problems that this country is currently facing?  We have too many people today who are having to choose between rent and medicine and food because inflation has been so high.  We have record numbers of migrants crossing the borders, and within that number we have record numbers of known terrorists. 

IMO the Jan 6th committee failed its primary mission which was to determine what happened and how to prevent it from happening again.  It was quickly turned into a committee to only look at one thing and to tie everything back to Trump.  Trump did a lot of damage in regards to Jan 6th but the committee failed as they produced nothing to help prevent such an attack from happening again.  

Why did they not look at everything in order to find potential solutions to prevent such a future occurrence?  Can you answer that or will you simply deflect back to Trump?

 
 
 
JohnRussell
Professor Principal
3.1.29  JohnRussell  replied to  Snuffy @3.1.28    last year
IMO the Jan 6th committee failed its primary mission which was to determine what happened and how to prevent it from happening again.  It was quickly turned into a committee to only look at one thing and to tie everything back to Trump.  Trump did a lot of damage in regards to Jan 6th but the committee failed as they produced nothing to help prevent such an attack from happening again.  

We can go a long way toward preventing another Jan 6th by keeping traitors like Trump out of national politics. 

And what happened on Jan 6th CANNOT be separated from Trump's behavior concerning the election. He wanted the mob to effect the vote count, and many of the mob told reporters and law enforcement that they were there because Trump asked them to come and agitate on his behalf. 

Saying the committee overstepped their bounds is a very weak excuse for what happened and what was behind it. 

 
 
 
Just Jim NC TttH
Professor Principal
3.1.30  Just Jim NC TttH  replied to  Snuffy @3.1.28    last year
IMO the Jan 6th committee failed its primary mission which was to determine what happened and how to prevent it from happening again.  It was quickly turned into a committee to only look at one thing and to tie everything back to Trump.

Exactly and that is really evident in the "Produced for TV" special. They didn't hit a single thing to prevent it. Only implying that if Trump gets back in office, it could happen again. They laid the blame solely on him and not on the dumb shits that did the rioting and busting into the capitol as the cause. That was the intent the whole damned time. Should have called it "The J6 Committee But Trump Show".

And there it is in 3.1.29................the mission statement.

We can go a long way toward preventing another Jan 6th by keeping traitors like Trump out of national politics. 
 
 
 
JohnRussell
Professor Principal
3.1.31  JohnRussell  replied to  Snuffy @3.1.28    last year
Explain why this should be considered the bigger issue over other problems that this country is currently facing?  We have too many people today who are having to choose between rent and medicine and food because inflation has been so high.  We have record numbers of migrants crossing the borders, and within that number we have record numbers of known terrorists. 

You can have any opinion you want, but then you have to admit that you have no problem with a traitor being back in office because you think he can do this or that to advance policies you like. 

There is no convincing argument that Trump is NOT a traitor. He tried to overthrow the election, this is not speculation it is a known fact. He instigated the Jan 6th mob. Then he sat on his hands all afternoon because he wanted the riot to succeed in delaying or stopping the electoral count. Again, not speculation but fact testified to by many individuals WHO WERE THERE. 

Most Trump apologists evidently have no idea what the Jan 6th committee and the Jack Smith investigations have uncovered. 

 
 
 
JohnRussell
Professor Principal
3.1.32  JohnRussell  replied to  Just Jim NC TttH @3.1.30    last year
We can go a long way toward preventing another Jan 6th by keeping traitors like Trump out of national politics

Do you have a problem with keeping traitors like Trump out of national politics? 

 
 
 
TᵢG
Professor Principal
3.1.33  TᵢG  replied to  Snuffy @3.1.21    last year
People want to blame the parties, but the parties retain power and money based on winning elections and when one candidate is so far ahead of all the others due to grassroots of course the party is going to back that candidate.

Parties, in general, includes the members of the party.   When I speak of political parties I usually am speaking of the electorate of the party rather than the party 'leaders'.   That is because, at least with the current GOP, the party 'leaders' are simply following polls.

 
 
 
JohnRussell
Professor Principal
3.1.34  JohnRussell  replied to  Just Jim NC TttH @3.1.30    last year
Exactly and that is really evident in the "Produced for TV" special. They didn't hit a single thing to prevent it. Only implying that if Trump gets back in office, it could happen again. They laid the blame solely on him and not on the dumb shits that did the rioting and busting into the capitol as the cause. That was the intent the whole damned time. Should have called it "The J6 Committee But Trump Show".

I am convinced that you know absolutely nothing about what the Jan 6th committee uncovered. How many of the hearings did you watch, and were you awake at the time? 

 
 
 
Just Jim NC TttH
Professor Principal
3.1.35  Just Jim NC TttH  replied to  JohnRussell @3.1.34    last year

Yes I did. Okay tell me just WTF they discussed other than basically exactly what you stated in 3.1.29. Nothing about the police, nothing about the preparedness for such an idiot display of false loyalty by a bunch of dumbasses and their buddies, not a fucking thing except for putting up a damned fence to keep people out. Go ahead, show me your list without any reference to Trump's actions or inactions. GO.........................and you can stuff your snark.

And I am convinced you heard what you wanted to hear. Whether it was there or not.

 
 
 
George
Junior Expert
3.1.36  George  replied to  Just Jim NC TttH @3.1.30    last year
And there it is in 3.1.29................the mission statement.

"We just have to demonstrate that he will not take power by, if we, if he does run. I'm making sure he, under legitimate efforts of our Constitution, does not become the next President again."

Joe Biden
 
 
 
Snuffy
Professor Participates
3.1.37  Snuffy  replied to  JohnRussell @3.1.29    last year
IMO the Jan 6th committee failed its primary mission which was to determine what happened and how to prevent it from happening again.  It was quickly turned into a committee to only look at one thing and to tie everything back to Trump.  Trump did a lot of damage in regards to Jan 6th but the committee failed as they produced nothing to help prevent such an attack from happening again.  
We can go a long way toward preventing another Jan 6th by keeping traitors like Trump out of national politics. 

And what happened on Jan 6th CANNOT be separated from Trump's behavior concerning the election. He wanted the mob to effect the vote count, and many of the mob told reporters and law enforcement that they were there because Trump asked them to come and agitate on his behalf. 

Saying the committee overstepped their bounds is a very weak excuse for what happened and what was behind it. 

I don't want Trump back in the Oval Office, but Jan 6th was a lot more than just what Trump did.  There were many failures along the way that allowed Jan 6th to happen and from what I see those issues are being ignored.

I'm not saying the committee overstepped their bounds, I'm saying they failed in their mission to discover all that went wrong. 

 
 
 
Snuffy
Professor Participates
3.1.38  Snuffy  replied to  JohnRussell @3.1.31    last year
You can have any opinion you want, but then you have to admit that you have no problem with a traitor being back in office because you think he can do this or that to advance policies you like. 

Nope, it's not a one or the other situation.  This all started because you stated that preventing Trump from regaining the Oval Office is the BIGGEST ISSUE FACING THIS COUNTRY.  I can confidently sit back and say that there are bigger issues than just Trump AND I do not want him to regain the Oval Office.  

 
 
 
JohnRussell
Professor Principal
3.1.39  JohnRussell  replied to  Snuffy @3.1.38    last year

Keeping a known traitor out of the highest office in the land is the most important issue facing the country. 

 
 
 
afrayedknot
Junior Quiet
3.1.40  afrayedknot  replied to  Snuffy @3.1.37    last year

“…but Jan 6th was a lot more than just what Trump did.”

Of course it was orchestrated. To say anything less is to deny the truth. 

 
 
 
Jack_TX
Professor Quiet
3.1.41  Jack_TX  replied to  TᵢG @3.1.19    last year
In the case of the GOP, however, the establishment continue to kowtow to Trump because of the strength of the MAGA contingent (grassroots).

In some ways, yeah.  One of Trump's peculiarities has been his ability to attract people who had never shown any real previous political inclination or involvement.  His arrival on the national stage brought these people out in large numbers, and in many cases they have driven away traditional Republicans. 

So "the establishment" is stuck with him while simultaneously remaining confused about the depth of the anger of the people they hope to represent.  

I suspect the D problem is more that of fighting the natural momentum of incumbency.

I'm not so sure.  I sincerely believe that if there was a good alternative Democrat, Joe would have retired and put his support behind that person.

 
 
 
JohnRussell
Professor Principal
3.1.42  JohnRussell  replied to  Just Jim NC TttH @3.1.35    last year

This is the wikipedia article on the Jan 6th committee. If you can find anything in there stating that the committee was tasked solely with making recommendations to prevent it happening again, feel free to copy and paste it for us all. 

 
 
 
JohnRussell
Professor Principal
3.1.43  JohnRussell  replied to  JohnRussell @3.1.42    last year

by the way

Summary [ edit ]

On December 19, 2022, the same day it made the criminal referrals, the committee published an "Executive Summary" as an introduction to its final report. It outlined 17 findings central to its reasoning for criminal referrals. [280]   Paraphrased, they are: [281]

  1. Trump lied about election fraud for the purpose of staying in power and asking for money.
  2. Ignoring the rulings of over 60 federal and state courts, he plotted to overturn the election.
  3. He pressured Pence to illegally refuse to certify the election.
  4. He tried to corrupt and weaponize the Justice Department to keep himself in power.
  5. He pressured state legislators and officials to give different election results.
  6. He perpetrated the   fake electors   scheme.
  7. He pressured members of Congress to object to real electors.
  8. He approved federal court filings with fake information about voter fraud.
  9. He summoned the mob and told them to march on the Capitol, knowing some were armed.
  10. He tweeted negatively about Pence at 2:24 p.m. on January 6, 2021, inciting more violence.
  11. He spent the afternoon watching television, despite his advisers’ pleas for him to stop the violence.
  12. This was all part of a conspiracy to overturn the election.
  13. Intelligence and law enforcement warned the Secret Service about   Proud Boys   and   Oath Keepers .
  14. The violence wasn't caused by left-wing groups.
  15. Intelligence didn't know that Trump himself had plotted with John Eastman and Rudy Giuliani.
  16. In advance, the chief of Capitol Police suggested the National Guard, but the Board didn't call them.
  17. The Defense Secretary called the National Guard on January 6. Trump didn't use his power to do so.
 
 
 
TᵢG
Professor Principal
3.1.44  TᵢG  replied to  Jack_TX @3.1.41    last year
I sincerely believe that if there was a good alternative Democrat, Joe would have retired and put his support behind that person.

Of the entire D party there is no potential candidate better than Joe Biden??   

They should ask me, I would offer Governor Tim Walz.

 
 
 
TᵢG
Professor Principal
3.1.45  TᵢG  replied to  Snuffy @3.1.37    last year
I'm not saying the committee overstepped their bounds, I'm saying they failed in their mission to discover all that went wrong

One can argue boundaries all day.   I personally was focused on the testimony against Trump.   He is the 800lb gorilla in the room and he was the PotUS.

What matters to me, and should matter to everyone else, is the testimony of the connected, high-ranking Republicans whose under-oath testimony compromised their political careers.

When considering the prospect that Trump will be the GOP nominee, I would think any objective minded voter would consider what these high-ranking Republicans told us rather than downplay / dismiss this information with an excuse that the committee did not do a complete job.

 
 
 
JohnRussell
Professor Principal
3.1.46  JohnRussell  replied to  TᵢG @3.1.44    last year

ALL of these would be a better alternative to Trump. And DeSantis, and some of the other Republican candidates. 

Gavin Newsome

Gretchen Whitmer

Jay Pritzker

Dan Goldman

Amy Klobuchar

Josh Shapiro

Tim Walz

Corey Booker

Hakeem Jefferies

 
 
 
Jack_TX
Professor Quiet
3.1.47  Jack_TX  replied to  TᵢG @3.1.20    last year
"It is normal in US politics for an incumbent to be weakly opposed within their party."

It is absolutely not normal when that incumbent is obviously unable to run, much less to serve.

Diagnosis of a progressive illness qualifies as an event.   Do we have such a diagnosis from a qualified M.D.?   If so, please link.   

I believe either such a diagnosis exists and is being suppressed, or said diagnosis is being avoided at all costs because everybody knows the chaos that will ensue.. even regarding his current service.

I consider Biden frail, etc. but he demonstrably can get out and give speeches

He is regularly unable to complete them. 

Imagine what he'll be like a year from now, much less 4.

 
 
 
Just Jim NC TttH
Professor Principal
3.1.48  Just Jim NC TttH  replied to  JohnRussell @3.1.42    last year

"On July 21, Thompson announced that he would investigate Trump as part of the inquiry into the Capitol attack"

How is that one? Sounds to me like he wasn't part and parcel to begin with. So if not Trump, what were they investigating? Doesn't hold water John. Here is some of what I errantly didn't see. But you didn't either evidently or you would have said something.............................

Largely excluded from those public forums, however, were any specific proposals to prevent another rampage like the Jan. 6, 2021, attack — recommendations that were an explicit responsibility of the Jan. 6 committee.

But then they corrected the purposely missed narrative.............................to save face and avoid the criticism for neglecting to do so...................... 

The final report filled that void, providing 11 reform proposals designed to ensure the peaceful transition between presidents that eluded the country in 2021. 

 
 
 
JohnRussell
Professor Principal
3.1.49  JohnRussell  replied to  Just Jim NC TttH @3.1.48    last year

The committee was formed to investigate what happened on Jan 6th.  Trump's activities were a major part of what happened. The most important part. If not for Trump there would not have been 50,000 people there, or whatever the number was. 

The evidence of Trump wanting to overthrow the election is overwhelming. He better hope he can get some Trump supporters on those juries and get some jury nullification. 

 
 
 
Jack_TX
Professor Quiet
3.1.50  Jack_TX  replied to  JohnRussell @3.1.26    last year
All you do is "both sides" on behalf of Trump.

John, you have spent the last 7 years tattling on Trump nearly every day.  You then repeatedly accuse anybody who doesn't get hysterical at the mention of his name of "bothsidesing" or "whatabouting" or being right wing, or whatever your batshit condemnation of the month happens to be.

I know you will absolutely deny this until your last breath, but the fact is that Trump sucking as a president does not in any way suggest Biden doesn't also suck as a president.

If you want actual regular, non-Trump-obsessed people to vote against him, you need to give them someone they want to vote for.

  These discussions are a waste of time.  By the way, I coached 13-14 year old girls basketball for 15 years and about the same for girls softball.

Did you teach them to take responsibility for their own actions?  Or did you find somebody else to blame when you lost?

 
 
 
Jack_TX
Professor Quiet
3.1.51  Jack_TX  replied to  JohnRussell @3.1.46    last year
ALL of these would be a better alternative to Trump. And DeSantis, and some of the other Republican candidates. 

Gavin Newsome

Gretchen Whitmer

Jay Pritzker

Dan Goldman

Amy Klobuchar

Josh Shapiro

Tim Walz

Corey Booker

Hakeem Jefferies

Why aren't any of them running?

 
 
 
JohnRussell
Professor Principal
3.1.52  JohnRussell  replied to  Jack_TX @3.1.50    last year
Did you teach them to take responsibility for their own actions?  Or did you find somebody else to blame when you lost?

You are blaming other people (liberals and Democrats) for the fact that the worst person in American political history got elected president and might again even though he is a known traitor to his country. The blame is with his supporters and those who voted for him. 

 
 
 
Jack_TX
Professor Quiet
3.1.53  Jack_TX  replied to  TᵢG @3.1.44    last year
Of the entire D party there is no potential candidate better than Joe Biden??   

None who have come forward... or been brought forward.

They should ask me, I would offer Governor Tim Walz.

Great. Get him running.  

Democrats really, really need to acknowledge internally that Joe isn't the guy for the next 4, and then work out a way for him to retire gracefully so new mainstream non-crazy leadership can carry the country forward.

 
 
 
Drinker of the Wry
Senior Guide
3.1.54  Drinker of the Wry  replied to  JohnRussell @3.1.52    last year
You are blaming other people (liberals and Democrats) for the fact that the worst person in American political history got elected president

It was those deplorable Obama voters in the Upper Midwest and PA that put Donald over the top.

 
 
 
Jack_TX
Professor Quiet
3.1.55  Jack_TX  replied to  JohnRussell @3.1.27    last year
You sound like a fricking Trump campaign adviser.   

The funny thing here is that you really don't understand how completely unhinged that sounds. 

You also don't seem to see the irony in copying and pasting a liberals journalist's article as though she has any clue what she's talking about.

You dont know a thing about Biden's "mental condition".

I don't know a thing about Trump's weight, either, but I can see he's fat.

Anyone who has ever had a friend or relative with dementia knows that this is nothing like what they sound like.

Bullshit.  That's exactly what they sound like.

Too many Americans have come to believe that he is in sharp mental decline.

If you listened to him 2 years ago vs listening to him now... you've seen sharp mental decline.

 
 
 
TᵢG
Professor Principal
3.1.56  TᵢG  replied to  Jack_TX @3.1.47    last year
It is absolutely not normal when that incumbent is obviously unable to run, much less to serve.

You keep repeating this even though I have never disagreed.

Let's try this:    Jack, I agree that it is not normal for a political party to run a candidate who is unable to run or serve.   Your point is acknowledged (and not disputed).  

Now, do you disagree with the point I made @3.1.5?:

TiG @3.1.5D candidates are not emerging because they have an incumbent.   It is normal in US politics for an incumbent to be weakly opposed within their party.

My point, my hypothesis, was and is that the lack of D candidates is largely due to the fact that the D party has an incumbent.

My factual support for my point was and is that it is historically normal in US politics for an incumbent to be weakly opposed within their party.

Taken as a whole, it seems reasonable to me that Biden does not have strong opposition given the fact that he is an incumbent (regardless of his condition).

Now, adding on:   But I would think the D party would recognize that Biden is a weak candidate and would encourage him to step aside and allow stronger (and younger) candidates to emerge.   That would put the D party in the normal situation where they do NOT have an incumbent.

And I noted that there certainly are candidates to emerge:

TiG @3.1.5 ☞ If Biden were to have an incapacitating event (as an example) and could not run, do you really think the D party could not produce decent candidates?   That it would not be able to appeal to D governors and other experienced statespersons to run for the nomination?

I believe either such a diagnosis exists and is being suppressed, or said diagnosis is being avoided at all costs because everybody knows the chaos that will ensue.. even regarding his current service.

That is possible.   Without evidence, I am not going to engage in conspiracy theory.   If in the future we find that Biden is currently diagnosed with a mental impairment, I would not find that surprising.   And if given a clean bill of mental health, I would not find that surprising either ... he is 80 years old and his behavior does not surprise me.

Note:  Biden is too old to be PotUS.   He was too old in 2020.   So note that from me.   I have held that position since 2019.

He is regularly unable to complete them. 

He nonetheless is giving speeches and could indeed campaign.

Note:  I do not want Biden to be the D nominee; my views are just not as extreme as yours.

 
 
 
TᵢG
Professor Principal
3.1.57  TᵢG  replied to  JohnRussell @3.1.46    last year

I think it is better to direct such responses to people who are unlikely to agree.

 
 
 
TᵢG
Professor Principal
3.1.58  TᵢG  replied to  Jack_TX @3.1.51    last year

Let's pretend Biden steps aside.

If no candidates emerges to fill the vacuum then I would fully appreciate your question.

Right now Biden is the incumbent and is naturally taking up most of the air.

 
 
 
Jack_TX
Professor Quiet
3.1.59  Jack_TX  replied to  TᵢG @3.1.56    last year
My point, my hypothesis, was and is that the lack of D candidates is largely due to the fact that the D party has an incumbent.

Fair enough.

My factual support for my point was and is that it is historically normal in US politics for an incumbent to be weakly opposed within their party.

Also, fair enough.

Taken as a whole, it seems reasonable to me that Biden does not have strong opposition given the fact that he is an incumbent (regardless of his condition).

I don't get all the way to reasonable.

Now, adding on:   But I would think the D party would recognize that Biden is a weak candidate and would encourage him to step aside and allow stronger (and younger) candidates to emerge.   That would put the D party in the normal situation where they do NOT have an incumbent.

I think the D party has some of the same problems the R party has, specifically with regard to the conflict between the extremists and the establishment, and I think that complicates what would otherwise be an easier decision.

That said, running as the incumbent doesn't help very much if the prevailing belief of the country is that you're not up to the job.

 
 
 
TᵢG
Professor Principal
3.1.60  TᵢG  replied to  Jack_TX @3.1.53    last year
None who have come forward... or been brought forward.

Yes we know they have not come forward.   That does not mean they do not exist (as you implied).

Great. Get him running.  

I wish I could.

Democrats really, really need to acknowledge internally that Joe isn't the guy for the next 4, and then work out a way for him to retire gracefully so new mainstream non-crazy leadership can carry the country forward.

Yes, graceful retirement is exactly what I have been suggesting.

This will not work with Trump so the GOP would need to force him out.

Imagine having neither of these old men as nominees in 2024.

 
 
 
TᵢG
Professor Principal
3.1.61  TᵢG  replied to  Jack_TX @3.1.59    last year
I think the D party has some of the same problems the R party has, specifically with regard to the conflict between the extremists and the establishment, and I think that complicates what would otherwise be an easier decision.

They do.

That said, running as the incumbent doesn't help very much if the prevailing belief of the country is that you're not up to the job.

I disagree.   I think you are expecting logic when what we are facing is a machine operating with a momentum of precedent.   Political parties are mechanisms with complex dynamics (partisan power plays by the 'leaders' and elected officials, etc. coupled with the partisan and emotional views of the electorate).    Add in stubbornness, irrational conspiracy theories, etc. and that ship takes a long time to turn.

 
 
 
Jack_TX
Professor Quiet
3.1.62  Jack_TX  replied to  TᵢG @3.1.60    last year
Yes we know they have not come forward.   That does not mean they do not exist (as you implied).

I'll use some TiG style logic.

If the Democratic Party actually believed Trump was as dangerous as they have tried to convince the rest of America he must be, do you think they would want take him on with anything other than their best candidate?

Do you think the Democratic Party wants to have to remove a sitting Democratic president in the middle of his term for health/congnition reasons?  Do you think they want to submit America to the chaos that will entail?

No?

Yet the path they currently travel contains an exceedingly high probability that either Trump will win or Biden won't be able to complete a 2nd term.   It's reckless at best and madness at worst.  The most plausible explanation is that they don't think they have another candidate with a better chance.

This will not work with Trump so the GOP would need to force him out.

I'm not sure how they do that at this point.  I'm not sure how they could have ever done it.

Imagine having neither of these old men as nominees in 2024.

It's depressing as hell.

 
 
 
TᵢG
Professor Principal
3.1.63  TᵢG  replied to  Jack_TX @3.1.62    last year
If the Democratic Party actually believed Trump was as dangerous as they have tried to convince the rest of America he must be, do you think they would want take him on with anything other than their best candidate?

If a political party could operate as a business with executives in control who can evaluate the environment, consider the future, formulate a strategy and then execute same then of course they would seek to offer their best candidate.   In fact, they would only pursue candidates that they believed would clearly prevail against the opposition.

But, as I just described, political parties are more like machines than agile businesses.   There is no control hierarchy as with most businesses that enable the execution of a strategy.   It is a cooperative dynamic where varied empowered factions must negotiate to an end.   The results are candidates like we have seen.

Do you think the Democratic Party wants to have to remove a sitting Democratic president in the middle of his term for health/congnition reasons?  Do you think they want to submit America to the chaos that will entail?

No, they logically would NOT want to show any weakness.   

No? Yet the path they currently travel contains an exceedingly high probability that either Trump will win or Biden won't be able to complete a 2nd term.   It's reckless at best and madness at worst. 

We agree on that.

The most plausible explanation is that they don't think they have another candidate with a better chance.

That could be a plausible explanation except for the fact that we know there are better candidates than Joe Biden.  The entirety of the D party is not unaware of its potential candidates.   (I am surprised that you are making this easily refuted argument ... this is not what I would characterize as TiG logic.)

You have been arguing why Biden is unfit for office.   Surely you do not believe that an unfit octogenarian who you believe is suffering from clinical dementia is the best candidate possible in the entire D party.   And surely you do not believe that D party operatives sitting down discussing their future do not see this and have concluded that Biden is their best possible candidate.

It is more likely that Biden is the best candidate they can offer given his incumbency and within a dynamic where various empowered factions must negotiate rather than decide and execute.

That is TiG logic.

 
 
 
TᵢG
Professor Principal
3.1.64  TᵢG  replied to  Jack_TX @3.1.62    last year
I'm not sure how they do that at this point.  I'm not sure how they could have ever done it.

I think it is too late.   The only hope at this point is something happening to Trump or the 14th amendment successfully  being used to deem him ineligible in enough states so that he cannot win.    Not likely either.

It's depressing as hell.

I think you read the opposite of what I asked.

 
 
 
JBB
Professor Principal
3.1.65  JBB  replied to  Jack_TX @3.1.62    last year

The Fox News crowd is convinced President Biden is a doddering invalid yet he just performed quite admirably while addressing the United Nations and in his recent interviews. He will have the United support of Democrats because those who know him and work with him know he is capable to serve four more years. Underestimate him at your peril  Joe whooped Trump once and he will do it again!

 
 
 
Drinker of the Wry
Senior Guide
3.1.66  Drinker of the Wry  replied to  JBB @3.1.65    last year
He will have the United support of Democrats because those who know him and work with him know he is capable to serve four more years.

He will need to overcome an enthusiasm gap among young, Black and Hispanic Dems.

 
 
 
George
Junior Expert
3.1.67  George  replied to  Drinker of the Wry @3.1.66    last year

I’m sure calling LL Cool J “boy” won him a lot of respect in the African American community.

 
 
 
Drinker of the Wry
Senior Guide
3.1.68  Drinker of the Wry  replied to  George @3.1.67    last year

“Two of the great artists of our time, representing the groundbreaking legacy of hip-hop in America: LL J, Cool J, uhh.”

“By the way, that boy has got — he’s got — I think that man has got biceps bigger than my thighs.”

 
 
 
Jack_TX
Professor Quiet
3.1.69  Jack_TX  replied to  TᵢG @3.1.64    last year
I think it is too late. The only hope at this point is something happening to Trump or the 14th amendment successfully being used to deem him ineligible in enough states so that he cannot win. Not likely either.

Agreed.   I think it's been too late since the summer of 2016.

I think you read the opposite of what I asked.

Correct.  I missed the 'n'.  My eyes aren't what they used to be.  Sorry about that.

 
 
 
Jack_TX
Professor Quiet
3.1.70  Jack_TX  replied to  JBB @3.1.65    last year
He will have the United support of Democrats because

Try to be honest for once.  He'll have the support of Democrats because of political tribalism.  

Underestimate him at your peril Joe whooped Trump once and he will do it again!

It's not a college football game.

 
 
 
TᵢG
Professor Principal
3.1.71  TᵢG  replied to  JBB @3.1.65    last year
The Fox News crowd is convinced President Biden is a doddering invalid ...

You are correct on this point, Fox News 'personalities' are representing Biden in the worst possible light.   Other right-leaning sources do likewise.   They focus on his mistakes (and he does offer plenty of examples) and paint a picture that this is what Biden always does — that he is never cogent, never clear, never in command of his subject matter, etc.

Have I ever mentioned how much I hate partisan politics?  

Underestimate him at your peril  Joe whooped Trump once and he will do it again!

While I am adamant that Trump should never be PotUS, I do not see 2020 as Biden whooping Trump.   I think Trump whooped Trump due to his abysmal character (his continual major flaw), the horrible state of the economy as a result of COVID-19, and then to seal his fate, his irresponsible and downright stupid handling of COVID-19 (denying it, claiming it will all be over in a few months, etc.).   His redeeming factor in COVID-19 was his role in the production of vaccines, but that was clearly not sufficient to counteract his failures.

 
 
 
Nerm_L
Professor Expert
3.2  Nerm_L  replied to  TᵢG @3    last year
To me this is an indication that the majority of the electorate might be irrational, irresponsible and unpatriotic.

I strongly disagree.  This is an indication of how badly institutional politics is broken.  Expecting the electorate to respond rationally to an irresponsible, self-serving, irrational political system is nothing more than blaming the victim.

Biden is a weak candidate and is clearly too far past his prime to be PotUS.   Trump, however, is the only individual in our history who, as sitting PotUS, attempted to steal a US presidential election through coercion, fraud, lying, abuse of influence, and inciting followers to act.   Trump has demonstrated that he cares only about himself and is willing to throw the nation itself under the bus simply because his ego cannot handle losing an election.   Yet this poll suggests our electorate would actually put the piece of shit Trump in the most powerful office on the planet.

So, how does the electorate replace these candidates?  The political apparatus has exponentially more power than the electorate.  And it's not possible to challenge the political apparatus without being condemned as an insurrectionist.

The claim that Trump is the only sitting PotUS that attempted to steal an election is nothing more than carefully worded, quasi-legalistic mumbo jumbo.  That sounds like an argument made by institutional politics that cooks up irrational arguments to cover its backside.  There have been a number of contentious elections in the United States, especially during the first decades of the Republic.  Andrew Jackson, a founder of the Democratic Party, engaged in dirty politics to contest elections.  The Democratic Party would not exist without the dirty politics employed to found the party.

Only recently has any POTUS obtained the ability to interact with the electorate in real time.  And it's that newly developed capability that is being spun into the bullshit arguments against Trump.  Trump wasn't the only person in the chain of authority that had access to the technology.  The argument is that the entire political chain of authority was completely and utterly helpless to defend the government and integrity of our institutions of government.  The goddammed military couldn't do one thing to protect the Capitol.  Doesn't that mean Washington D.C. is unguarded and unprotected?  There's more military personnel working in the Pentagon than there were rioters.  The military in Washington D.C. is just a tourist attraction, apparently.

Trump, and Trump alone, could overcome civil and military government, assume authority over Congress and the courts, and single handedly remain in power with a ragtag group of rioters.  The entire government of the United States could be overwhelmed by an undisciplined mob.  The government of the United States was in danger of being overthrown because Trump could Tweet. 

Why should we waste our time listening to gas-passers complaining about Trump?  Clearly those spewing spittle and outrage over Trump have zero trust and faith in the government of the United States; they are telling us government was completely and utterly helpless.  So, why the fuck do we even bother with elections?  

 
 
 
TᵢG
Professor Principal
3.2.1  TᵢG  replied to  Nerm_L @3.2    last year
Expecting the electorate to respond rationally to an irresponsible, self-serving, irrational political system is nothing more than blaming the victim.

Bullshit.   The only reason Trump has any strength in the GOP is because the electorate (through polls) is showing strong support.   If the electorate (through polls) was rejecting Trump he would not be leading by multiple double digits.

The claim that Trump is the only sitting PotUS that attempted to steal an election is nothing more than carefully worded, quasi-legalistic mumbo jumbo. 

There is no reasoning with someone who cannot see that Trump attempted to steal the 2020 presidential election.   

That now exhausts my patience with your post.   Ignoring the rest.

 
 
 
JohnRussell
Professor Principal
3.2.2  JohnRussell  replied to  Nerm_L @3.2    last year

Donald Trump is , and always has been a malignant narcissist and a pathological liar. He is also a rampant demagogue, and besides all that, intellectually deficient and incurious. 

If he is the present or future of America we might as well blow our national brains out right now and put ourselves out of our misery. 

 
 
 
afrayedknot
Junior Quiet
3.2.3  afrayedknot  replied to  Nerm_L @3.2    last year

“Trump, and Trump alone, could overcome civil and military government, assume authority over Congress and the courts, and single handedly remain in power with a ragtag group of rioters.”

Good gawd man. In any way can that statement be justified? That is beyond simply enabling and borders on suborning treason. 

 
 
 
Nerm_L
Professor Expert
3.2.4  Nerm_L  replied to  TᵢG @3.2.1    last year
That now exhausts my patience with your post.   Ignoring the rest.

Which only confirms the rant is based on deliberate ignorance.  That has become the political conventional wisdom and it is irrational.  We cannot meet the enemy because we have them on ignore.  Yet, the electorate must behave rationally which, itself, is an irrational expectation.  

It's a Forrest Gump conundrum.  

 
 
 
Nerm_L
Professor Expert
3.2.5  Nerm_L  replied to  JohnRussell @3.2.2    last year
Donald Trump is , and always has been a malignant narcissist and a pathological liar.

Correct.  Replay the Republican primary debates from 2016 for confirmation.

He is also a rampant demagogue, and besides all that, intellectually deficient and incurious. 

Correct.  Review the news reporting of the 2016 Presidential primaries and campaigns for confirmation.

If he is the present or future of America we might as well blow our national brains out right now and put ourselves out of our misery. 

That was the choice forced onto the electorate for the 2016 Presidential election.  We've already been there and done that.  

The 2020 election was not an improvement.  The political system doubled down on forcing the electorate to choose between malignant narcissists, pathological liars, and rampant demagogues.     

 
 
 
TᵢG
Professor Principal
3.2.6  TᵢG  replied to  Nerm_L @3.2.4    last year

Bullshit.   The only reason Trump has any strength in the GOP is because the electorate (through polls) is showing strong support.   If the electorate (through polls) was rejecting Trump he would not be leading by multiple double digits.

 
 
 
Nerm_L
Professor Expert
3.2.7  Nerm_L  replied to  TᵢG @3.2.6    last year
Bullshit.   The only reason Trump has any strength in the GOP is because the electorate (through polls) is showing strong support.   If the electorate (through polls) was rejecting Trump he would not be leading by multiple double digits.

Well, as the seeded article points out, if you don't like the poll results either ignore the poll or fix the poll to get more acceptable results.

No amount of institutional political spin will convince me that Trump is even or ahead of Biden because of Trump's personality, character, or likeability.  It seems to me that all these poll results are really a referendum on institutionalized politics.

The electorate has not been blindsided by Trump.  The electorate knows who and what Trump really is.  How could the electorate sleep through the 2016 election AND four years of Trump as President?  The electorate is making a comparison between Trump and Biden.  The poll results are telling us that the electorate aren't buying the political spin about Biden.  

IMO the poll results are not an endorsement of Trump.  The poll results are an indictment of political institutions and the political system.  

 
 
 
Sparty On
Professor Principal
3.2.8  Sparty On  replied to  Nerm_L @3.2.7    last year
The poll results are an indictment of political institutions and the political system.  

Spot on.    

If I had to personally like all the politicians I am forced to vote for, I might never cast another vote.

 
 
 
TᵢG
Professor Principal
3.2.9  TᵢG  replied to  Nerm_L @3.2.7    last year
fix the poll to get more acceptable results

What are you talking about?   'Fixing' a poll does not change reality.

It seems to me that all these poll results are really a referendum on institutionalized politics.

Possibly.

The electorate has not been blindsided by Trump.  

I used to think that.    The support of Trump since his Big Lie convinced me that a large, potent portion of the GOP electorate is delusional.

 
 
 
JohnRussell
Professor Principal
3.2.10  JohnRussell  replied to  Nerm_L @3.2.5    last year

I am completely uninterested in your rationalizations for the success of Donald Trump. 

 
 
 
Nerm_L
Professor Expert
3.2.11  Nerm_L  replied to  TᵢG @3.2.9    last year
What are you talking about?   'Fixing' a poll does not change reality.

I'm talking about the seeded article.  What are you talking about?

I used to think that.    The support of Trump since his Big Lie convinced me that a large, potent portion of the GOP electorate is delusional.

After all the news reporting, two impeachments, prime time dinner & show congressional hearings, and the Jan 6th riot replayed on a loop we're supposed to believe the electorate needs to know more about Trump?  We're supposed to believe that more bleating about insurrection and treason is really going to change people's minds?

Maybe it's not the electorate that's delusional.  But, hey, keep doing the same thing over and over.  Maybe it will work the next time.

 
 
 
JohnRussell
Professor Principal
3.2.12  JohnRussell  replied to  Nerm_L @3.2.11    last year

If Trump wins the election , does that mean he is innocent of wrongdoing related to Jan 6th and the 2020 election?

The idea is ludicrous. 

 
 
 
Jack_TX
Professor Quiet
3.2.13  Jack_TX  replied to  TᵢG @3.2.6    last year
Bullshit.   The only reason Trump has any strength in the GOP is because the electorate (through polls) is showing strong support.   If the electorate (through polls) was rejecting Trump he would not be leading by multiple double digits.

I don't think you and Nerm are disagreeing on all that much.

Trump is indeed leading in the polls because the electorate is showing strong support.

This demands that reasonable people ask "why"?  How is this possibly STILL happening?  What on earth would cause average working Americans to vote for a man they know is so utterly vile?

It's happening because no alternative figure has emerged to demonstrate any sort of measurable understanding of the wave of discontent Trump rode to the WH in the first place.

 
 
 
Jack_TX
Professor Quiet
3.2.14  Jack_TX  replied to  JohnRussell @3.2.12    last year
If Trump wins the election , does that mean he is innocent of wrongdoing related to Jan 6th and the 2020 election?

No.

It means people care less about it than they do giving the finger to condescending liberals who don't see any reason why the truck driver who couldn't afford college shouldn't have to pay off the student loans of the unemployable Gender Studies PhD student who can't pay his own loans because he's too busy writing blog articles about how persecuted he is.

 
 
 
Nerm_L
Professor Expert
3.2.15  Nerm_L  replied to  JohnRussell @3.2.12    last year
If Trump wins the election , does that mean he is innocent of wrongdoing related to Jan 6th and the 2020 election? The idea is ludicrous. 

Trump has not been convicted.  So, Trump is currently innocent and remains innocent until convicted.  

The problem with the narrative of 'wrongdoing' is that Biden appears just as guilty of wrongdoing.  And Clinton appeared just as guilty of wrongdoing.  So, the electorate is forced to choose between the lesser of two wrongdoings.  Trump has not hidden is wrongdoing.  Biden has gone to great lengths to hide his wrongdoing.  So, which can be trusted less?

Rational people understand that the Jan 6th riot could not have succeeded in keeping Trump in office.  The most that Trump and the Jan 6th riot could hope to achieve would be stirring up a shitstorm, which was accomplished.

All the fearmongering about insurrection and about Trump remaining in office only lends support to Trump being correct.  If the institutional political system admitted that Trump remaining in office was impossible then the institutional political system would look very foolish.

If Biden admitted that there is no way Trump could remain in office then Biden would look like a loony toon liar.  

 
 
 
Drinker of the Wry
Senior Guide
3.2.16  Drinker of the Wry  replied to  JohnRussell @3.2.12    last year

Trump remains strong because:

  1. Many are sick of the political establishment and its elites.
  2. Most of his competition are of the establishment,
  3. He is a media star.

His indictments feed his narrative of persecution by the elites.  No doubt he will use courts to burnish his narrative.

 
 
 
Jack_TX
Professor Quiet
3.2.17  Jack_TX  replied to  TᵢG @3.2.9    last year
The support of Trump since his Big Lie convinced me that a large, potent portion of the GOP electorate is delusional.

They're angry.  Part of what they're angry about is continually being told they don't understand, or they're "delusional".   They're tired of being told they don't understand their own best interests by people who continually work against those interests.

Voting for Trump is a great big middle finger to everybody who sees them as inferior.

 
 
 
TᵢG
Professor Principal
3.2.18  TᵢG  replied to  Jack_TX @3.2.13    last year
Trump is indeed leading in the polls because the electorate is showing strong support.

Indeed.

This demands that reasonable people ask "why"?  How is this possibly STILL happening?  What on earth would cause average working Americans to vote for a man they know is so utterly vile?

Yes.

It's happening because no alternative figure has emerged to demonstrate any sort of measurable understanding of the wave of discontent Trump rode to the WH in the first place.

Possibly.   But it is likely much deeper than that.   I think far too many of his supporters are emotionally tied to supporting Trump.   They accept his lies and ignore reality.   It is delusion, pure and simple.   This delusional mass is sufficient to give Trump momentum.   The momentum attracts others who are not delusional but want an R PotUS and will even vote for Trump if they need to.

The critical failure of the GOP was to not detach from Trump (the ideal point would have been Jan 20, 2021).   By failing to act, they have allowed Trump to stir the embers of his momentum and achieve the dominance he has in the GOP.   It is amazing and disgusting to see this happen, but it is happening.

 
 
 
TᵢG
Professor Principal
3.2.19  TᵢG  replied to  Jack_TX @3.2.17    last year
... they don't understand, or they're "delusional". 

A lot of them are delusional.  Anyone, for example, who holds that the 2020 election was stolen is delusional.   IMO of course.

You have things backwards, they are not supporting Trump because they have been deemed delusional, they have been deemed delusional by virtue of buying the alternate reality shaped by Trump's lies.

Voting for Trump is a great big middle finger to everybody who sees them as inferior.

Oddly, they do not recognize that Trump himself views them as inferior and is knowingly manipulating them ... as any good demagogue would do.

 
 
 
TᵢG
Professor Principal
3.2.20  TᵢG  replied to  Nerm_L @3.2.15    last year
The problem with the narrative of 'wrongdoing' is that Biden appears just as guilty of wrongdoing. 

There is no problem with wrongdoing.   The assessment of wrongdoing is what we do in lieu of a completed trial.

 
 
 
Drinker of the Wry
Senior Guide
3.2.21  Drinker of the Wry  replied to  TᵢG @3.2.18    last year
The critical failure of the GOP was to not detach from Trump (the ideal point would have been Jan 20, 2021).

What specifically does detach in this context mean?

Could a GOP Senator or Rep, trash Trump and still win his next primary?

 
 
 
Jack_TX
Professor Quiet
3.2.22  Jack_TX  replied to  TᵢG @3.2.19    last year
You have things backwards, they are not supporting Trump because they have been deemed delusional, they have been deemed delusional by virtue of buying the alternate reality shaped by Trump's lies.

It doesn't sound like you know very many of these people.  You're doing the very thing I described.  

Oddly, they do not recognize that Trump himself views them as inferior and is knowingly manipulating them ... 

Why would you think they don't understand that?   They're not nearly as stupid as some people think they are.  They can see quite clearly that he sees absolutely everybody as inferior.  

Chappelle tells it better than I do.

 
 
 
Drinker of the Wry
Senior Guide
3.2.23  Drinker of the Wry  replied to  Jack_TX @3.2.22    last year
Chappelle tells it better than I do.

You got that right.

 
 
 
JohnRussell
Professor Principal
3.2.24  JohnRussell  replied to  Jack_TX @3.2.22    last year

The ends is "giving the finger" to liberals , the means is supporting the worst person to hold public office in modern memory. 

 
 
 
Drinker of the Wry
Senior Guide
3.2.25  Drinker of the Wry  replied to  JohnRussell @3.2.24    last year

Don't necessarily disagree, but that's were we are as a country.  It's not a unique USA thing, you can see it it in other developed countries as well.

 
 
 
TᵢG
Professor Principal
3.2.26  TᵢG  replied to  Drinker of the Wry @3.2.21    last year
What specifically does detach in this context mean?

Criticize Trump for his actions.   Condemnation not necessary but the absence of condonement is.   Actively promote alternates as leaders of the GOP.   

Importantly, distance the GOP from Trump so that it could start healing its integrity and building a foundation that does not include Trump.

Could a GOP Senator or Rep, trash Trump and still win his next primary?

Not likely; but it depends on the region.  Which emphasizes my point about a political party is mainly its members (the voters).   The voters need to be weaned from Trump.  That is why they needed to start as soon as Trump was out of power.

 
 
 
Drinker of the Wry
Senior Guide
3.2.27  Drinker of the Wry  replied to  TᵢG @3.2.26    last year
emphasizes my point about a political party is mainly its members (the voters). 

I agree, it’s the voters and many of them in PA and the Upper Midwest were traditionally Dem voters.  All of the Repub leaders that have distanced themselves from Trump have decided to retire or are running a campaign to make a point, not win (Chris Christie, Asa Hutchison).

 
 
 
TᵢG
Professor Principal
3.2.28  TᵢG  replied to  Jack_TX @3.2.22    last year
It doesn't sound like you know very many of these people. 

I am not very impressed with what you think you understand.

Why would you think they don't understand that?  

Who is they?   There are all sorts of Trump supporters out there.   Those who believe the 2020 election was stolen will very likely fall into the category I am describing.   Those who do not would likely fall into the momentum category I described.

They can see quite clearly that he sees absolutely everybody as inferior.  

Some can, some clearly cannot:

Note, I am not suggesting this is a statistical survey.   I am pointing out examples of the delusional group.

 
 
 
Drinker of the Wry
Senior Guide
3.2.29  Drinker of the Wry  replied to  JohnRussell @3.2.2    last year
If he is the present or future of America we might as well blow our national brains out right now and put ourselves out of our misery. 

Through early morning fog I see
Visions of the things to be
The pains that are withheld for me
I realize and I can see
That suicide is painless
It brings on many changes
And I can take or leave it
If I please
The game of life is hard to play
I'm gonna lose it anyway
The losing card I'll someday lay
So this is all I have to say
 
 
 
Nerm_L
Professor Expert
3.2.30  Nerm_L  replied to  TᵢG @3.2.20    last year
There is no problem with wrongdoing.   The assessment of wrongdoing is what we do in lieu of a completed trial.

Kinda like an impeachment inquiry?  Kinda like a special counsel investigation?  Kinda like Pulitzer Prizing winning journalism?

Allegations of wrongdoing seem to be a problem for the current sitting President.  And being out of office didn't stop the last impeachment so losing an election doesn't eliminate the problem of wrongdoing.  

Right now, the two leading candidates have been accused of wrongdoing with enough evidence for an assessment by the electorate and a conviction in the court of public opinion. 

In politics, what goes around comes around.  That's what the polls are telling us.  But, as usual, the unbiased press want to cover the back side of the story.  

 
 
 
TᵢG
Professor Principal
3.2.31  TᵢG  replied to  Nerm_L @3.2.30    last year
Right now, the two leading candidates have been accused of wrongdoing with enough evidence for an assessment by the electorate and a conviction in the court of public opinion. 

Even here you see equivalence between Trump and Biden on allegations of wrongdoing yet in reality Trump has an overwhelmingly worse condition.

 
 
 
Igknorantzruls
Sophomore Quiet
3.2.32  Igknorantzruls  replied to  Nerm_L @3.2.11    last year

After all the news reporting, two impeachments, prime time dinner & show congressional hearings, and the Jan 6th riot replayed on a loop we're supposed to believe the electorate needs to know more about Trump?  We're supposed to believe that more bleating about insurrection and treason is really going to change people's minds?

Maybe it's not the electorate that's delusional.  But, hey, keep doing the same thing over and over.  Maybe it will work the next time.

.

people who rely on only news sources they want to hear are a large part of the problem, as well as those who dont wish to have to face how wrong they were in electing the babbling buffoon 

 
 
 
Vic Eldred
Professor Principal
3.2.33  seeder  Vic Eldred  replied to  Igknorantzruls @3.2.32    last year
After all the news reporting, two impeachments, prime time dinner & show congressional hearings, and the Jan 6th riot replayed on a loop we're supposed to believe the electorate needs to know more about Trump? 

You mean know about what his enemies are capable of.


 We're supposed to believe that more bleating about insurrection and treason is really going to change people's minds?

No, people are seeing right through it.


people who rely on only news sources they want to hear are a large part of the problem

That is why so many still believe the Russia hoax story.


Thanks for stopping by.

 
 
 
TᵢG
Professor Principal
3.2.34  TᵢG  replied to  Vic Eldred @3.2.33    last year
No, people are seeing right through it.

Yes, instead of recognizing that Trump has engaged in treasonous wrongdoing they "see right through it" and believe that this is all fake news and partisan shenanigans.   They see a vision where Trump really is an honest man who cares about their needs and is just trying to right the wrongs of a broken system infested with evil people.

 
 
 
Vic Eldred
Professor Principal
3.2.35  seeder  Vic Eldred  replied to  TᵢG @3.2.34    last year

Anyone who votes for Joe Biden lacks morals.

 
 
 
JohnRussell
Professor Principal
3.2.36  JohnRussell  replied to  Vic Eldred @3.2.35    last year

And anyone who votes for Trump has morals?

I didnt know NT was a comedy club. 

Or is this just more insane bothsidesism ? 

 
 
 
Nerm_L
Professor Expert
3.2.37  Nerm_L  replied to  TᵢG @3.2.31    last year
Even here you see equivalence between Trump and Biden on allegations of wrongdoing yet in reality Trump has an overwhelmingly worse condition.

Our political system only allows two candidates and I am only allowed to choose one of the two candidates.  The comparison and equivalence between Donald Trump and Joe Biden is a prerequisite enforced by the two party system.

A candidate from outside the two party system can run for office but there is virtually no hope of winning.  The electorate can vote for candidates outside the two party system but odds of electing that candidate are nil.  The 'anybody can run, anybody can win' trope is an outright lie based up possibility without any viable probability.  That's the trope that justifies a phony, rigged democracy.

Biden is just as guilty of wrongdoing as Trump.  Trying to convince the public that Biden is the lesser wrongdoer doesn't strengthen elections or democracy.  That only forces voters to choose the lesser of two evils.

 
 
 
TᵢG
Professor Principal
3.2.38  TᵢG  replied to  Vic Eldred @3.2.35    last year

That is an incredible statement, Vic.   You are comparing the morality of Trump to Biden and implying that Trump is a more moral person.

 
 
 
TᵢG
Professor Principal
3.2.39  TᵢG  replied to  Nerm_L @3.2.37    last year
The comparison and equivalence between Donald Trump and Joe Biden is a prerequisite enforced by the two party system.

The comparison is a prerequisite, the equivalence comes from you as evidenced by this utter nonsense:

Biden is just as guilty of wrongdoing as Trump.

That only forces voters to choose the lesser of two evils.

Unfortunately, that is our reality.   However the lesser 'evil' is obviously Biden.

 
 
 
afrayedknot
Junior Quiet
3.2.40  afrayedknot  replied to  Vic Eldred @3.2.35    last year

“Anyone who votes for Joe Biden lacks morals.”

We can argue all day about Biden’s shortcomings, but to make such a blatantly ridiculous accusation does not further any reasonable discussion. It only serves to widen the divide. It’s obvious you are an acolyte, as that kind of parroting fits the hateful trump narrative to a tee. 

 
 
 
JohnRussell
Professor Principal
3.2.41  JohnRussell  replied to  Nerm_L @3.2.37    last year
Biden is just as guilty of wrongdoing as Trump. 

jrSmiley_88_smiley_image.gif

 
 
 
JohnRussell
Professor Principal
3.2.42  JohnRussell  replied to  afrayedknot @3.2.40    last year

We are past the point of being able to reason with these people. We just have to make sure their ideology gets voted out of or kept out of power. 

You cant help people who wont help themselves. 

 
 
 
Jack_TX
Professor Quiet
3.2.43  Jack_TX  replied to  Vic Eldred @3.2.35    last year
Anyone who votes for Joe Biden lacks morals.

Oh FFS.

You really need to get out more.

There will be millions of fine people who, if faced with an even worse choice than we had in 2016, will choose Biden.

There will also be millions of fine people who, if faced with an even worse choice than we had in 2016, will choose Trump.

 
 
 
Jack_TX
Professor Quiet
3.2.44  Jack_TX  replied to  JohnRussell @3.2.42    last year
We are past the point of being able to reason with these people

Do give us all a reminder of any time you ever attempted to be reasonable about Trump.

 
 
 
Jack_TX
Professor Quiet
3.2.45  Jack_TX  replied to  JohnRussell @3.2.24    last year
The ends is "giving the finger" to liberals , the means is supporting the worst person to hold public office in modern memory. 

Not just liberals.

 
 
 
Tessylo
Professor Principal
3.2.46  Tessylo  replied to  Igknorantzruls @3.2.32    last year

just like the former 'president' only listening to the deluded to tell him what he wants to hear and shitcans the rest

 
 
 
Tessylo
Professor Principal
3.2.47  Tessylo  replied to  TᵢG @3.2.38    last year

the former 'president' is amoral - he doesn't have any morals or scruples or ethics or decency or shame or anything resembling a decent human being

 
 
 
Tessylo
Professor Principal
3.2.48  Tessylo  replied to  afrayedknot @3.2.40    last year

I also bet he votes by mail like most supporters/enablers of the former 'president' look down upon unless it's themselves

 
 
 
Tessylo
Professor Principal
3.2.49  Tessylo  replied to  Jack_TX @3.2.43    last year

I don't consider anyone who would vote traitorous scum 'a fine person'

 
 
 
TᵢG
Professor Principal
3.2.50  TᵢG  replied to  Tessylo @3.2.49    last year

My best friend (of 40 years now) is likely to vote for Trump.   He is a great person in many ways and is very intelligent.   He and I have implicitly chosen to not talk presidential politics because we recognize that it is counterproductive and we value our friendship well over that.

Why will he vote for Trump you ask?

Because in spite of all Trump's outrageously bad qualities, in spite of his treason, etc. he believes that Trump as PotUS will further the policies he wants and that Biden will go in the opposite direction.

It really is that simple.   And I see that same reasoning among others (including right here on NT).

So, I would not think badly about the character, morals, etc. of someone who would vote for Trump (unless you have information about them personally).   Voting for Trump is not a litmus test of character or morality.   I submit that voting for Trump is a litmus test of partisan-infused reasoning.   I personally consider it irresponsible, irrational and unpatriotic to vote for Trump and that it is a failure of reasoning both strategically and tactically.   But I also recognize that good, intelligent, responsible patriots are capable of partisan delusion and can fuck up when it comes to political decisions.

 
 
 
JohnRussell
Professor Principal
3.2.51  JohnRussell  replied to  TᵢG @3.2.50    last year
I personally consider it irresponsible, irrational and unpatriotic to vote for Trump and that it is a failure of reasoning both strategically and tactically.   But I also recognize that good, intelligent, responsible patriots are capable of partisan delusion

You say it's unpatriotic to vote for Trump , and then in the next sentence say patriots of a certain sort might vote for him. 

Someone who votes for Trump is not necessarily unpatriotic permanently, but they are when they support Trump. 

 
 
 
TᵢG
Professor Principal
3.2.52  TᵢG  replied to  JohnRussell @3.2.51    last year

Someone who is a patriot in general can fuck up and make an unpatriotic vote for Trump.

Your comment shows you understand this distinction.   Patriotism is a long term philosophical condition but one can still screw up and make unpatriotic choices.

 
 
 
JohnRussell
Professor Principal
3.2.53  JohnRussell  replied to  TᵢG @3.2.52    last year

Although Trump has never for one second been fit to be president of the United States (he is the most "unfit " person to ever hold the office), in 2016 one could almost see the reasoning which in its most favorable light amounted to "lets give this outsider a chance".

The worth of that reasoning is long gone and this time its 100% on those who vote for him. 

 
 
 
Tessylo
Professor Principal
3.2.54  Tessylo  replied to  TᵢG @3.2.50    last year

That's my opinion and I'm sticking to it.

 
 
 
JohnRussell
Professor Principal
3.2.55  JohnRussell  replied to  Tessylo @3.2.54    last year

Think of the worst person you can think of - lets say Charles Manson or Bernie Madoff .  Would someone vote for them to be president if they promised to pass policies the person likes?

It is inexplicable to me that people will vote a traitor into the nations highest office on the hope gas prices might lower a little. 

 
 
 
Tessylo
Professor Principal
3.2.56  Tessylo  replied to  JohnRussell @3.2.55    last year

I don't get it John.  

 
 
 
JohnRussell
Professor Principal
3.2.57  JohnRussell  replied to  Jack_TX @3.2.44    last year

In 2016 , or I should say 2015, I didnt know a lot about Trump other than I would occasionally watch Celebrity Apprentice and that he was a blowhard who came on late night talk shows. Oh, and that he was a lying birther in 2011.  Trump, who was allegedly this business mastermind, wasnt intelligent enough or honest enough to get the governor of Hawaii on the phone and ask him about Obama's birth certificate. Thats what a responsible business mastermind would have done, and he would have been told  that the state of Hawaii had officially verified that Obamas original birth certificate was in the state archives. In fact, Hawaii had announced just that , in press releases, two times before Trump began his birther ranting. Instead Trump lied that he had sent detectives to hawaii and they were finding some very troubling things about Obama. It was all lies. 2011.  In itself, that episode should have disqualified him for the presidency, in peoples minds, forever. 

When he announced in 2015 I looked for magazine articles about him. One talked about the time he broke a drinking fountain on one of his golf courses because he didnt like the way it looked. This was IN FRONT OF the reporter. Another was about all his business shenanigans, hiring illegal immigrants to tear down the interior of a building he had bought and paying them less than a fair wage. Another was about him giving himself bonuses while his casino company was going bankrupt and his investors were losing most of their money. Another was about Trump University, where Trump made a video ad saying that he had hand picked the instructors when in truth he didnt even know any of them. Then there was the time he lied 32 times in a deposition in a law suit against someone who wrote a book about him. 

I read all of this, and a lot more, prior to the 2016 election. 

This clown has never been fit to be president. The idea that he would be is laughable. 

Reasonable about him?  Why would anyone who knows what he is like want to be "reasonable" about him? 

 
 
 
Jack_TX
Professor Quiet
3.2.58  Jack_TX  replied to  JohnRussell @3.2.57    last year
Why would anyone who knows what he is like want to be "reasonable" about him? 

So don't claim you can't "reason" with people.

You haven't tried.

 
 
 
TᵢG
Professor Principal
3.2.59  TᵢG  replied to  JohnRussell @3.2.53    last year
The worth of that reasoning is long gone and this time its 100% on those who vote for him. 

I completely agree.    Why this is not obvious to everyone is disturbing.

 
 
 
Igknorantzruls
Sophomore Quiet
3.2.60  Igknorantzruls  replied to  TᵢG @3.2.59    last year

and it’s disturbing to anyone who doesn’t find this disturbing to think that so many truly will vote, for one, so disturbed 

 
 
 
Buzz of the Orient
Professor Expert
4  Buzz of the Orient    last year

There are very few poll-taking organizations in which I put any credence - Pew being one.  I could create a poll myself that would put a goat or a dog having a higher standing than Trump or Biden. 

 
 
 
Vic Eldred
Professor Principal
4.1  seeder  Vic Eldred  replied to  Buzz of the Orient @4    last year
I could create a poll myself that would put a goat or a dog having a higher standing than Trump or Biden. 

We are begging for a third party alternative!

 
 

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