When buying a car it is always a good idea to look under the hood, kick the tires, and take it for a drive. When choosing our elected officials we should do no less. It is imperative that we look beyond the sounds bites, and the outright lies, to get to the real truth of how those elected officials will govern. That means look beyond Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat (if anyone on there actually talks politics) and all of those negative political ads and partisan talking heads we see on television. Because while those elected officials have a duty to uphold our Constitution, we the people also have the same duty. It is our duty to do our due diligence and elect the best out of the bunch we can find. We have had two years of Donald Trump and a Republican controlled Congress. Do you like what you see happening in our country?
If the answer to that question is no, then maybe you want to listen to Willie.
47 comments:
If I'd known you were going to do a new post this morning I'd have saved that link to the Andrew Sullivan Op-Ed for this new thread.
I had to do something for right before the election. Wait, I'll go retrieve my comment on that link...
At first when I read that I was thinking that it was a good thing that a conservative like him would understand the danger to our democracy and be able to reach into that spectrum of our society as a cautionary voice that would to listened to. Then I read some of the comments. Unfortunately there are those who are too blind to see.
"Then I read some of the comments."
They are a rabid bunch, are they not? Apostasy is punishable by death according to the Jihadis.
So: The question going forward will be: 'What's gonna be the reaction of the dedicated Trumpkins to the loss of the House of Representatives?'
The indicators I've seen among the Trumpkins I personally know is that they're resigned to it. (The wing-nuts will probably strike back; I anticipate a string of politically inspired mass-murder events coming from the alt-right types over the coming year, but the run-of-the-mill dedicated Trumpkins will probably take the setback in stride.)
Trump is already setting them up to believe that just holding on to the Senate constitutes a win for Trump. (I would argue otherwise, but they're not interested in my opinion when Trump's telling them that simply holding on to their Senate majority is to the glory of Trump and, by extension, the exaltation of themselves.)
More important, I think, will be the reaction of Republican Party pols, the officeholders. Maintenence of a couple vote Senate majority will likely freeze the Republican pols in place. They have abandoned conservatism (Andrew Sullivan's op-ed from yesterday is an indicator) in favor of Trumpery, which is a fairly straightforward form of Americanized fascism. What was the Republican Party has become the Party of Trump. (I'm surprised that he's not offered to franchise his name there and make it official; the GOP could become the PoT for a reasonable annual fee--tax free of course, or at least tax indefinitely deferred.) They have no other place to go now.
Should the Republicans actually pick up a significant number of senators, anywhere from four to six or so, it'll become even worse--Hell; they might actually go ahead and pay the fee and rebrand the Party in that case.
Is there anything that'll make the Republican Party renounce Trump? Only thing would be an open threat to the currently sitting Republican senators' themselves. IF the Democrats overcame the Republicans' structural advantages and actually took a majority in the Senate this round, then the remaining Republican senators would have to start rethinking their allegiance to Trump.
But, it's highly unlikely that's gonna happen.
What's most likely to happen is the Democrats take the House and the Republicans hold on to their dominance of the Senate, maybe even improve their standing by a couple of seats. Trump's gonna see that as a threat. In spite of the clear evidence that he'll proclaim that to be a glorious victory, he'll still think of it as a threat.
Ya'll think things been ugly already; ya ain't seen nothin' yet. Trump under threat is gonna be real ugly.
And that doesn't even address the looming threat that goes by the name of Robert Mueller III. Word is that Mueller's been holding off any major moves so's to not effect the mid-term elections. Beginning tomorrow night that restraint is removed. Another threat to Trump. Trump under threat is gonna be real ugly.
Yeah, but nah, don't you worry 'bout it too much Lee. Cause the Reps are gonna keep the house, and then the congress will be removed of floppists sillynannies like Ryan and all TRUMP instead. Then things will really get done up in this muggafugga. Wall, end to Birtright Citizenship, you name it!
And I have told you before, that when that "blue wave" crashes but fails to breach that "red wall" and the Reps, now Trumpists all, win BOTH houses I WILL be here to explain to you why that happened. You don't know why, but I do and I will tell you, after the fact.
Bet that!
"I WILL be here to explain to you why that happened."
No you won't. You haven't even explained why you came to the misbegotten assumption that the recent spate of Trump-friendly bombings perpetrated by Cesar Sayoc was gonna be a ‛false flag’ operation by a bunch ‛leftie-lunie’ types. And we specifically requested that piece of entertainment, more than once. You won't come through on this one either.
Won't know until tomorrow night--maybe late tomorrow night…. But, I'm gettin' the fellin' that it's gonna be a better night for the Democrats than most folks expect.
It'll take two additions for the Democrats to take the Senate, and the polls say that ain't happenin'. But, I got a feelin' that it's closer to happenin than most folks think. Ain't smart to go with ‛a feelin'’ in the face of competent polling data, but I still got that feelin' anyway.
If there's gonna be a surprise, I'm gettin' the feelin' that it'll be an unpleasant surprise for Trump and the Trumpkins. Just a feelin', but there it still is.
Lee: "You haven't even explained why you came to the misbegotten assumption that the recent spate of Trump-friendly bombings perpetrated by Cesar Sayoc..."
OK, so it wasn't a lefty loonie false-flag. But it wasn't a Trump-friendly one either. That dude was on social media hating on Trump. And he's phillipino, not "white".
Lee: "If there's gonna be a surprise, I'm gettin' the feelin' that it'll be an unpleasant surprise for Trump and the Trumpkins."
Yeah BC polls tend to favour Trump, right? Not. It'll be an unpleasant surprise just like it was in 2016, for the same people.
(Don't worry, I'll still explain to you what happened even if you're being snarky a fuck)
"That dude was on social media hating on Trump."
You appear to have confused Sayoc with Bowers (the shooter). And Filipino is not a race, but rather a nationality; there are bright white Filipinos. Cesar Sayoc appears to have been descended from one such.
By the way…
I will eventually get around to correcting your take on Robert Bowers, but not just now. More interesting things to worry about this week.
Just a quick comment. I voted, and it looked like there were quite a few more people at my polling place that voted this mid-term too.
There was a line waiting to vote when they opened here at 6:00 am, short line, but already a line.
Long lines, all the Trumpists out in force, it'll turn out marvellous. Red senate, Red house and the wall being built at last. MAGA!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZqHAEkSp20M&t=136s
What I'm thinkin' is that the dedicated Trumpkins, and his right-winger and Republican cohorts, have mistaken the Evangelical reaction to the Kavanaugh hearings for something real. They got some ‛intensity’ out of the Kavanaugh hearings. The fascists and the Evangelicals thought for a minute that their theft of the Supreme Court might be thwarted, and they reacted with something akin to rage. The Republicans think this makes ‛intensity’ on their side to match the revulsion felt by the left at Trump and cohorts in general, and have been too eager to see too much in it.
In truth, the fascists and the Evangelicals were always gonna vote in high percentages anyway. They may not like Trump much, but they've got a deal here, and he's kept his end. Their momentary rage over the prospect that their Supreme Court capture might be thwarted does not increase their numbers nor increase their vote. They were gonna vote anyway.
It's the Democrats' demographics who're hard to get to the polling booths in mid-term elections. And Trump may have solved that problem for them.
"They may not like Trump much, but…"
Probably should make note of the fact that most of the fascists and Evangelicals like Trump just fine. It's only a minority of either group who're holding their noses when they throw their support behind him.
It's the Democrats' demographics who're hard to get to the polling booths in mid-term elections. And Trump may have solved that problem for them.
A lot of those types sat out the 2016 Presidential election. I'm hoping they have realized their mistake and rectify it in the mid-terms.
Hmmm...Beto's ahead of Cruz so far. Early yet, of course, but...
Florida's governor's race is a nailbiter.
"Beto's ahead…"
Yeah, early yet. And it's just one seat. The symbolism is powerful though: Cruz taken out? That'd make headlines.
Dean Phillips (Democrat) has defeated Erik Paulsen (Republican) in Minnesota, flipping a House seat to the Democrats.
Tina Smith, who took Al Franken's Senate seat, is currently leading the Republican candidate.
Both of these were not sure things.
Well, in the end, the pollsters had it right, and my ungrounded feelin' that the Democrats might actually make inroads in the Senate were merely unrestrained optimism.
Trump has to deal with a Democratic House of Representatives now. That's gonna be seen as a threat. Trump under threat is gonna be real ugly in the coming year.
Wow, not even close. I thought americans wanted to MAGA. Instead a majority looked at like Venezuela and said, that's what we want too!
What's the odds on impeachment over Russia or some other kookspiracy now? About 50/50?
Trump was uncharacteristically understated after the election returns last night. To wit:
"Tremendous success tonight. Thank you to all!"
Trumptweet @ ~11:00 pm EDT
That ↑↑ is a duly chastened Trump.
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Some few hours later (it appears he didn't sleep well last night) he was re-tweeting accolades from dedicated Trumpkins that he'd apparently run across on the social media way late at night. He was browsing the web late last night, apparently seeking validation from his Trumpkins to offset the fear of Pelosi & Co. that stalked him in his West Wing in the deep of the night.
Trump feeling threatened is gonna turn ugly. Get ready for the ride.
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"What's the odds on impeachment over Russia…"
Hard to say what the odds are. We're still waiting for Mueller's report to come back in. Pelosi has made it plain that she's not interested in impeachment without something solid to base it on. (The Republicans' efforts to impeach Bill Clinton for sexual dalliances back in the 90s resulted in Clinton's favorability ratings rising to almost 78%, and Pelosi just isn't interested in turning Trump into a political martyr.) Clearly they've got enough for an impeachment for obstruction of justice already, but that's not politically viable--the Republican Senate would refuse to convict; the dedicated Trumpkins would riot. So, we're awaiting the results of investigations which the Republican majority has, so far, used almost exclusively to collect information to turn over to Trump's legal defense team. That's about to stop and real investigations are about to begin. After that (and after Mueller's report) we'll know if there's anything sufficient to provide the political support for an actual impeachment.
Keep in mind that ‛impeachment’ is similar in meaning to ‛indictment’. It's a charge. Then there follows a trial before the Senate, and the Republican Senate will then refuse to convict, pretty much regardless of the evidence--they'll eventually decide that they like getting the political assistance from Putin when they need it; they're okay with that; it's all good. And then Trump goes back to his desk at the White House, more or less unperturbed. In fact, there's a decent chance a Republican Senate will simply refuse to entertain any impeachment sent over from the House--file it and forget it, no matter how much evidence there is behind it.
(And then the Republican Senate gets the voter treatment in the 2020 elections that the House just got and then Trump starts pardoning people left and right, including, most especially, himself.)
Ahhh… More Trumptweets:
"If the Democrats think they are going to waste
Taxpayer Money investigating us at the House level,
then we will likewise be forced to consider investigating
them for all of the leaks of Classified Information, and
much else, at the Senate level. Two can play that
game!"
Opening with threats.
Well, it was a good night for Democrats in Minnesota. It was pretty much a sweep, except for some of the local races. My district, of course, voted pretty much Republican. Oh well, at least some of my votes got in.
We scored some in the national elections too. Hopefully that will help change some of the dynamics currently in place. I will hope so, anyway.
I am a little disappointed in the Florida results for Governor and the Senate race. Although I see Nelson has called for a recount. I was hoping for a switch there.
Beto actually put up a good showing in Texas against Cruz. Perhaps an omen for future races there?
Pelosi has made it plain that she's not interested in impeachment without something solid to base it on.
I don't like Pelosi, but she's smart, rather like McConnell, whom I don't like either. I doubt she will push something unless she sees a good outcome.
But I have read that a majority of Democrats would like to see Trump impeached. But you are right, Lee, the odds are stacked against anything happening given the Republican control of the Senate. And, of course, the Supreme Court is also in Trump's favor.
Nope, they've got to play the game smarter than a frontal attack on Trump. They have to let him sink himself, I think. His tariffs and other policies will probably help with that down the road.
I thought americans wanted to MAGA.
Americans voted their opinions on our current state of government. It was their duty as citizens. That is what makes America great. :)
Well, it looks like Trump was just waiting for after the election to give Sessions the ax.
We can only hope that Mueller was ready for that.
A spokesman for the Dept. of Justice has announced that Rod Rosenstein is ‛no longer overseeing special counsel Robert Mueller’s probe into Russian election meddling’. NewYorkPost. Rosenstein has been said to be en route to the White House, presumably to be officially informed of his newly reduced status.
Exit polling: The Brett Kavanaugh matter hurt Republicans, but not enough to keep them from winning in select ‛Trump friendly’ states where sitting Democratic Senators were vulnerable. Slate The Republicans' ability to add to their Senate majority was simply a function of the Democrats having the vast majority of Senate seats up for grabs in this particular cycle. As I wrote before:
"This mid-term election, by circumstance and
historical accident, has twice as many Democratic
Senators running for reelection as Republican Senators."
The Republicans happened to bag a couple of pickups there. But, Kavanaugh didn't help them as they seem to think.
On review of the numbers, the Democrats had three (3) times as many seats at risk as the Republicans--26 to 9 (counting technically Independents who caucused with the Democrats as Democrats).
I wasn't sure I'd wake this morning to find that Mueller was still on the job. Apparently he is, for now.
I think you were right about Mueller being pretty much done before the election. They are apparently writing their final report. So they may dodge the de-funding bullet at least.
One has to wonder what would happen if that report does have enough to impeach Trump, is made public, and Trump tries to bully his way forward regardless? What then would be the reaction of the American people?
"What then would be the reaction of the American people?"
I think there will be a split decision. There won't be just the one ‛reaction of the American people’. I think the dedicated Trumpkins will come to the conclusion that they're okay with a little collusion with Putin during the election. After all, their true enemies are other Americans, not Russian tyrants and oligarchs.
Non-Trumpkins will be of a different opinion.
Headline: "Historic Turnout by Young Voters" at RealClearPolitics:
Analysis indicates younger voters are beginning to vote in larger numbers than have been seen in decades, vastly larger numbers. And they're not Trumpkins.
The vestiges of the Republican Party which still survive inside what now has become the Party of Trump have made a bad bet. The coming generations are going over to the Democrats at a rate of two to one or better.
The AssociatedPress has confirmed that the video tape released by White House personnel (specifically, by Sarah Huckabee-Sanders) was doctored to make the reporter, Jim Acosta, seem more aggressive than he'd actually been during the real encounter.
This is what it's come to these days--the White House is fabricating video evidence against those who've displeased the Great Orange Leader.
And now, getting back to the real world after the mid-term elections….
The North Koreans have been getting surly, and just canceled the next round of nuclear talks.
The Chinese appear to be settling in for the long haul in our undeclared trade war, although they're at least willing to talk. (Nowhere near a deal there, although the Trump administration keeps insisting there's a deal just days away now.)
Word's going around that two, maybe three, people in a row have turned Trump down for the position of Attorney General. This not counting people who've preemptively taken themselves out of consideration by public pronouncement (such as Lindsey Graham).
So, apparently Trump is back to considering Chris Christie for the position.
Analysis indicates younger voters are beginning to vote in larger numbers than have been seen in decades, vastly larger numbers.
If there is any positive aspect to the Trump and Republican control of government at this time, it is that. Younger people are starting to understand that, yes, government policies, particularly with regard to gun control and climate change, will affect them.
There is also the reaction of women. More are getting involved and running for office. Trump's attitude toward women has helped motivate them too.
I was talking to someone yesterday who believed that the tariffs in conjunction with the tax cuts was a well calculated move on Trump's part to deal with the problem of China's stealing intellectual property and their subsidizing their own companies. He believes that they are offsetting economic policies, one will depress the economy and the other will encourage growth. China will come to the bargaining table as they will be hurt more than we will be, because of that. Personally, I'm not so sure that those industries affected by the tariffs would agree, but what is your take on this theory?
This is what it's come to these days--the White House is fabricating video evidence against those who've displeased the Great Orange Leader.
They have studied from the masters when it comes to creating propaganda.
So, apparently Trump is back to considering Chris Christie for the position.
lol! Wasn't there some scandal about a bridge and a beach when he was governor of New Jersey? That would be a true Trumpian choice.
"…what is your take on this theory?"
My theory is that China's not gonna deal. Xi has already been named ‛President for Life’ of China (effectively). He doesn't have to deal. He can withstand the worst we can do to them economically. And they'll withstand it too. They're stubborn, and they think Trump is a flash in the pan--he'll be gone and they'll still be there, and they'll have broken up the economic coalition against them to their long-term benefit.
"If there is any positive aspect to the Trump…"
Yeah, Trump has done more than anything else I can think of to convince the youngest set of voters that it does matter if they vote.
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