134) Nobody was surprised by the outcome of the #SouthCarolina primary.
The word “trounce” is being used by the #NewsMedia in describing #Trump’s victory, but 40% of #SC’s voters preferred #NikkiHaley which in #RedState land ain’t exactly a glowing endorsement
Will these disgruntled voters show up for #DonaldTrump in November? What does that presage for Independent voters?
#USPolitics #Politics #Election2024
https://www.politico.com/news/2024/02/24/south-carolina-takeaways-trump-haley-00143177
135) Some interesting data from the #SouthCarolina exit poll conducted by the @washingtonpost
When it comes to voters motivated primarily by concerns over temperament (16% of the total), 95% voted for #NikkiHaley
36% of #SC #GOP voters indicate that #Trump criminal conviction woukd render him unfit the presidency
https://www.washingtonpost.com/elections/2024/02/24/south-carolina-exit-polls/
136) it seems that the #SupremeCourt has decided to slow-walk #DonaldTrump’s date with justice.
What tortured reasoning is behind the court’s reasoning in taking a case deciding whether Trump’s expectation of eternal presidential immunity remains to be seen.
The certainty that #Trump will face trial on #Jan6 charges prior to the #Election2024 is now in serious doubt. It’s up to voters to end Trump’s drive for autocracy
#Politics #USPolitics
https://www.npr.org/2024/02/29/1235017841/supreme-court-trump-immunity-hearing
137) Like many folks who abhor #DonaldTrump, I was disappointed that the #SupremeCourt decided to take Trump’s presidential immunity case.
The notion that #POTUS is immune from prosecution in a republic which champions the rule of law is patently absurd.
But this blog post makes the case that rather than slow walking multiple #Trump cases, it may ultimately speed things up
Worth a read 👇
138) For months I’ve read a variety of news stories positing alternatives to the #Biden vs #Trump match up. My political calculus leaned heavily in favor of the that likelihood
It is not that I would have wished otherwise. The persistence of #DonaldTrump in American political life is sad testimony to the degradation of #USPolitics
Despite #JoeBiden’s political successes, I wish he was 10 years younger, but he is not and he will have my unqualified support
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/06/us/politics/trump-biden-rematch-election.html
139) Clearly I’m late realizing there is a term for the odd voice used by Senator #KatieBritt of #Alabama in her state of the union response.
I was trying to put my finger on the tone which seemed to vacillate between someone fearful of an off camera kidnapper and a fervent supporter of #Torquemada
With thanks to #JessPiper for introducing #BabyFundieVoice to my vocabulary.
Now, if only I could unhear Senator Britt
https://open.substack.com/pub/jesspiper/p/the-fundie-baby-voice
140) Of course #KatieBritt Senator from #Alabama has now been caught in a lie about the awful sex trafficking story she recounted in her #SOTU response
The case she describes did not happen in the USA and did not happen during the #Biden administration. Apparently the case dates back to Bush II 2004 - 2008
The #Trumpist #GOP modus operandi: fear mongering, lying and BSing is all they have
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/09/us/politics/katie-britt-republican-response-sotu-border.html
141) Sometimes one has to step back, take a moment, and laugh.
The madhouse that is American #politics reached a whole new pitch with Senator #KatieBritt’s #SOTU response
Unsurprisingly the junior Senator from #Alabama provided rich fodder for #SNL delivered pitch perfect #ScarlettJohanson
142) Sometimes a single panel #cartoon does more to capture an important truism than a 1,000 words.
Will the #SupremeCourt act as a guardian of American #democracy or will they provide #Trump with an #autocracy imprimatur?
#politics #USPolitics #Election2024
https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2024/3/9/2228532/-Cartoon-Royal-court
143) #Election2024 will be driven by turning out the base for both #Biden and #Trump respectively
While the #Trump fan base continues to be motivated, the support for #NikkiHaley during the #GOP primaries reveals fault lines which are being exploited by conservative #NeverTrump types
Cracking #Republican turnout is one of many factors which will yield a #JoeBiden win on Election Day
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/12/us/politics/republican-voters-against-trump.html
144) We all have #liberal friends who have expressed misgivings about the upcoming election #Biden is too old etc.
#Democracy will only be preserved in #Election2024 if the #Democratic base turns out in big numbers and we manage to persuade enough of the middle 1/3 of the country to see things our way
So when you see a liberal friend vacillating about #voting, have them watch this viedo from @DavidPepper
RINSE AND REPEAT!
Which Freedoms Are You Willing to Give Up?
145) I’ve long ceased attempts to divine exactly what #Trump means in his rambling incoherent speeches.
Frankly the #GOP nominee may not really understand what he is saying himself beyond his craven need for the adulation he receives when he uses words like “bloodbath” and the vilification of #immigrants.
Anger and revulsion seem core to Trump’s essence and something he seeks to stoke in his #Trumpist fan base
#USPolitics #Politics #Election2024
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2024/03/16/trump-immigrants-not-people/
146) When #Trump makes fun of those who suffer from a #disability, how do his supporters feel about that?
https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2024/03/trump-disabilities-supporters-responses/677812
147) Good piece this morning on the recent #bloodbath #Trump rally. Much has been made of the use of that word which was used in reference to the auto industry. A case could be made that many #NewsMedia orgs ran with stories without context
Far more important was the bizarre lionization of #Jan6 insurrectionists. Give this story a listen
147) Good article on #Bloomberg on how tax policy can be used by #JoeBiden in #Election2024
Clearly #TaxTheRich polls well. I'd add branding the #GOP as the party of rapacious #billionaires is a good idea
148) #ReproductiveRights will be a keystone issue in #Election2024, but it is also an issue in #Alabama tomorrow where a comptitive state house election will take place.
Keep an eye on this election as it will be an important indication on how energized voters are on this issue, particularly #WomenRights voters
149) #ReproductiveRights has not gone away as a key issue in #Election2024
This special statehouse election in #Alabama today has reminded just how potent that issue is and that the #GOP cannot slide away from the consequences of their regressive judicial appointments and anti-abortion legislation.
https://www.politico.com/news/2024/03/26/abortion-winning-strategy-alabama-democrat-00149205
150) #KariLake admits she’s a liar and defamed #GOP election official, Stephen Richer with false claims of election rigging following her defeat in the #Arizona 2022 governor’s race.
Lake is a typical GOP American #fascist with no regard for the truth and will pay the electoral price when she loses in her quest for the open #AZ senate seat
151) Almost all the American veterans who fought in WWII are gone. They are no longer here to tell us about the price paid in defeating #facism in Europe
Those very few left must shudder when they hear the #fascist language used by #Trump and the sycophantic support chorus that is the #GOP
#Election2024 will be about preserving the #democracy that they saved 80 years ago.
#Politics #USPolitics #Election2024 #AmericanFascism
https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2024/3/30/2232110/-Cartoon-Fighting-fascism
152) The latest #Trump grift in the form of #TruthSocial was floated on the #StockMarket last week. The fan base cluelessly piled into the stock. Bidding up the value of the company to about $8 billion. Today gravity made itself known as the value slid south.
Here’s the thing, #DJT has 1 million monthly users, when #ElonMusk bought #Twitter with more than 200 million users he paid $44 billion. #Musk overpaid by 50%
Math tells me train wreck is a certainty. LOL
153) On the two candidates running for the Presidency in #Election2024, I couldn't put it more succinctly:
154) Now here’s a huge surprise #Trump’s new grift in the stock market only made it to #IPO with #Russian money.
I’m guessing this investment channeled through the island of #Domnica is on the up and up 🙄
#Putin wouldn’t have anything to do with this. All roads on #DonaldTrump’s world lead to Moscow
https://theguardian.com/us-news/2024/apr/03/trump-media-es-family-trust-2022-loans
155) Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes wrote:
“Taxes are what we pay for civilized society”
Thanks @rbreich for reminding us that a properly funded #IRS insures that the #garchs pay their fair share
The #GOP bitterly opposes the fair payment of taxes. If you want to live in a fairer country #VoteBlue
156) Excellent piece from #NYTimes on the financing of #TrumpMedia aka #DJT
Unsurprisingly #Trump put very little of his own money in the venture. He relied on other #garchs who wanted to curry favor with him to get the company afloat.
Now #DonaldTrump will rely on his base to prop up the stock until he can cash out
#USPolitics #Politics #Election2024
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/04/05/business/trump-media-backers-investors.html
157) Glad to see some consistency out of the #Trump campaign - no #billionaires left behind. Crumbs for the rest of us if it’s convenient
WASHINGTON — Former President Donald Trump emphasized the importance of extending his signature tax cuts to some of the nation’s wealthiest political donors, according to a readout of his private remarks Saturday night provided by a Trump campaign official.
158) As #Trump’s NYC #HushMoney trial draws nearer, there is a whiff of desperation revealed by the failure of three frantic appeals to delay the proceeding set for Mon Apr 15.
There will, no doubt, be more legal maneuvers and attempted delaying tactics, but escaping the sordid details of the case no longer appears to be an option for #DonaldTrump.
159) The #StockMarket appears to do a far better job of evaluating #DonaldTrump’s abilities than many American voters
#Trump is a mediocre businessman at best and this price chart depicts what happens when a less than mediocre company is offered on the public stock exchange.
A truly terrible #investment
160) After months of #HardRight GOP obstruction, funding for #Ukraine is on the way.
This is a notable defeat for #Putin fan #DonaldTrump and a victory for those who believe defending democracy against Russian aggression is critical. Chalk one up for the #Biden administration.
101 #GOP members joined Democrats to pass the bill, what price they will pay for their #Trump defiance remains to be seen
#USPolitics #Politics #Election2024
https://www.npr.org/2024/04/20/1245993370/house-ukraine-israel-aid-bills
161) For those that wish to follow the #TrumpBribery trial, I suggest giving #TalkingPointsMemo Josh Kovensky's coverage a follow
162) The Southern #border will be a significant issue in #Election2024.
Up till #DonaldTrump's torpedoing of the bipartisan negotiated border bill led by Sen #JamesLankford (R), the issue of undocumented migration had been a potent campaign issue for the #GOP
Now the Issue is one Pres #Biden and the #Democrats can campaign on as outlined in this video featuring a Sec. #PeteButtigied apearance on #CNBC ⬇️
163) I was disturbed by the willingness of #SCOTUS's conservative wing to trip over themselves worrying about the conduct of future Presidents rather than the criminal behavior of #Trump while in office.
Kate Riga of #TalkingPointsMemo puts it best
Full article => https://talkingpointsmemo.com/news/trump-supreme-court-immunity
The Supreme Court conservatives seemed to solidify around a middle-ground position on Trump’s claims of absolute presidential immunity Thursday, a win by another name for the former president as it would add months of delay to the Jan. 6 case.
164) I’m more than a little skeptical of polling. The ability to find a representative sample in the age of caller ID is pretty questionable in my view
That said when a poll shows 31% of Anericans are concerned by the rise of #Fascism, I pay attention. That notion would have been absurd 10 years ago, but this is where we are and the fact that a significant tranche of Americans have realized the threat is good news for #democracy
https://www.npr.org/2024/05/01/1248249250/election-poll-trump-biden-voters
165) Now there's a surprise!
I guess #Trump feels most confortable with an #AttorneyGeneral who has been impeached just like him
Yup #KenPaxton, a guy who jiust might make #MichaelCohen blush
#USPolitics #Politics #Election2024
https://www.texastribune.org/2024/05/20/donald-trump-ken-paxton-attorney-general
166) I continue to be an admirer of #PeteButtigieg and his razor sharp analysis of the political times we live in
Here he reminds us that the #GOP has no answers for many of the pressing issues Americans face. Rather than coming up with new proposals about how to move the country forward, that would require thinking, the #RepublicanParty has put all its eggs in the #CultureWars basket, doubling down on hate for minorities, immigrants and the #LGBTQ community
#USPolitics
167) How or why a “Unified Reich” video was posted on #DonaldTrump’s Truth Social, may remain unclear. An anonymous staffer has been conveniently blamed. Perplexing how that keeps happening
Was #Trump playing footsie with Neo Nazis or is this simply an example of a sloppy campaign consistent with the chaos experienced during the wannabe strongman’s occupation of the #WhiteHouse?
A #Fascist will do what #Fascists do
#USPolitics #Politics #Election2024
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2024/05/21/trump-unified-reich-truth-social/
168) Apparently #Libertarian folks aren't big fans of #Trump. His attempt to secure the support and nomination of #Libertarians at their national convention was met with a barrage of boos.
The Trump campaign, showing its usual organizational chops, failed to submit paperwork for the nomination ballot. A write-in vote failed abysmally in the first round of balloting
169) The Blueprint poll reported on by Semaphore below focuses on young people and gathers data via an online poll and should be treated cautiously.
I’m not surprised by the poll sentiment. Since the Reagan era, the #GOP has sewed distrust in government and been aided and abetted by a #RightWing #NewsMedia ecoystem.
All this to insure #garchs lower their tax bill, if #democracy is sacrificed, so be it
170) #Trump’s support by the wealthy is in many respect far more disappointing than those #MAGA redcaps of modest means
Usually, the rich have had the benefit of a good education and should understand that democracy is at stake in #Election2024. I can only conclude that many wealthy types care more about promised tax reductions and deregulation than the obvious threat of #fascism
171) David French is a political columnist with whom I disagree on many issues
That said, this column is a disturbing account of how the political right has shifted so dramatically. The pulpit and pews of many “churches” are now dominated by voices of hatred, bigotry and #ChristianNationalism
173) Trumpists wanted voters to believe that a criminal conviction would make #Trump more popular. That appears to have been a failure.
While #GOP voters polled some months back asserted a conviction would give them pause in voting for a convicted felon, the pause has passed, and the #DonaldTrump cult is lining up for their #DearLeader.
The same however cannot be said for independents - see article below 👇
#USPolitics #Politics #Election2024
https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/4725329-trump-conviction-impact-independents
174) Does the rule of law apply to all Americans or is there a carve out for Presidents?
The #Biden campaign clearly has decided to make the #Trump conviction a key issue in #Election2024. It will not be the only issue, but for those that appreciate that American democracy is under threat, it will be by far, the most important issue
This ad does a good job in reminding people of what’s at stake
Follow Joe!Joe’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/joebidenJoe’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/joebidenJoe’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joebidenJoe...
175) In an unsurprising development, some #billionaire types are lining up to support #Trump. These types care little for democracy and would likely opt for #authoritarianism should it yield a 1% tax cut
While #TimothyMellon is likely the largest donor/briber of #Election2024, I’m sure other types are lining up with their checkbooks to subvert America
176) There are painful lessons from history when certain business types choose their narrow interests before democracy
This article 👇 written back in 2016 before #Trump was elected, warns of the dire consequences of the #authoritarian tilt of some businessesmen.
Might the world have avoided Hitler and his Nazis if it wasn’t for Krups?
https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/analysis-opinion/how-big-business-bailed-out-nazis
177) Tomorrow night #JoeBiden faces off against #DonaldTrump in the first presidential debate of #Election2024
Given that American #democracy is on the line, it’s the most consequential debate of my lifetimes me
This #NYTimes lays out what each candidate must do to be considered successful.
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/06/26/opinion/trump-biden-debate.html
178) That was most depressing debate performance I’ve seen. I wish that it was otherwise. #JoeBiden is a good and decent man, but if he doest’t withdraw, #DonaldTrump will be the next President of the United States.
#Trump lied at an unprecedented clip. He’s a nut job but he will win this election unless #Biden withdraws
179) I think the interest of #democracy and geopolitical stability would best be served if #JoeBiden withdrew from #Election2024.
We are fortunate that the #PresidentialDebate took place 4 months before Election Day and a change can certainly be made to insure that the country is saved from a reprise of the #Trump presidency.
Will #Biden drop out? I don’t know, but I think it would be wise
180) Was it a cold or jet lag which explained #JoeBiden’s disastrous performance at last week’s debate? The President was back from his travels for more than a week so jet lag does not seem plausible.
It might be that travel fatigue is more pronounced in an 80 year old but the inability to respond effectively or at all to #Trump raises questions about fitness for office and ability to win #Election2024
181) I agree with @anneapplebaum
here. When I tuned into the debate last week it was with some trepidation. I hoped to see a feisty #JoeBiden take the inanity spouting felon to the woodshed.
Sadly age has diminished #Biden as it will all of us. I know what I saw and believe we must course correct.
https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2024/07/replace-biden-strategic-plan/678884/
182) Like many, I've been more than disappointed at the #NYTimes coverage of #Election2024.
Far too little attention has been paid to the abject unsuitability of a #DonaldTrump return to the #whitehouse
In the editorial below ⬇️, the Times lays out the peril of another #Trump presidency.
It cannot happen without the most dire consequences to democratic, geopolitical, and ecological stability.
#USPolitics #Politics #NotTrump
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2024/07/11/opinion/editorials/donald-trump-2024-unfit.html
183) The pressure on the #Biden campaign to withdraw from #Election2024 has cranked up further with reports that former president #Obama is now encouraging #POTUS to examine the viability of his candidacy.
Three weeks have passed since the Trump/Biden debate, and its becoming increasingly clear that #Democratic Party leaders and wealthy donors would prefer a withdrawal.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2024/07/18/obama-says-biden-must-consider-viability
184) Nancy Pelosi has been much discussed and speculated about lately. Now, she seems to be taking a more forceful position on the #Biden Withdraw movement.
#USPolitics #Politics #Election2024 #JoeBiden
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2024/07/18/nancy-pelosi-biden-close-to-dropping-out/
Following Biden’s halting debate performance, and the panic it unleashed among Democrats in and outside of Washington, Pelosi is taking a strong, behind-the-scenes role in trying to resolve the political crisis by playing intermediary for upset rank-and-file Democrats and relaying those messages to the White House.
185) As astonishing a moment as one is likely to see in #USPolitics during a lifetime. A nightmare for #Trump who is now the crazy old man left standing
US President Joe Biden said he will not seek reelection, a historic reversal less than a few months before voters go to the polls that upends the campaign and his party’s efforts to prevent Donald Trump from returning to the White House.
186) There has been a palpable shift in political energy since #JoeBiden announced that he would no longer seek a 2nd term.
#Trump is still busy attacking #Biden; one has to wonder who is truly deranged, but no, #DonaldTrump has always been a deeply troubled man - just older and meaner now, as unlikely as that might seem.
@anneapplebaum gives her view on the transition ⬇️
#USPolitics #Politics #Election2024
https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2024/07/trump-looks-older-and-more-deranged/679186/
187) I'm reminded that 24 or, in this case, 48 hours is a long time in #politics.
After the #GOP convention, there was talk of a resounding victory over a diminished, some said enfeebled, #JoeBiden.
To bad for the boosters of the #authoritarian viewpoint, who can't conceive of a leader surrendering power
The game has shifted, and the energy has changed, as detailed in the latest from @heathercoxrichardson.substack.com
https://open.substack.com/pub/heathercoxrichardson/p/july-22-2024
Vice President Kamala Harris has continued to rack up endorsements and delegates since President Biden’s surprise announcement yesterday that he would not accept the 2024 Democratic presidential nomination. As of tonight, Harris has the support of at least 2,471 delegates, more than the 1,976 she will need to secure the nomination.
188) The attacks on #KamalaHarris will come hard and fast until the #GOP congeals and coalesces around a smear that satisfies them.
Rather than attempting to swat these attacks, the job is to define the #Trump campaign with the truth: #Narcissism, #Nastiness, #Negativity, Nativism.
They have no plan for our commonwealth, just a desire to loot and enrich cronies who find democracy inconvenient.
https://talkingpointsmemo.com/morning-memo/racist-and-misogynistic-attacks-on-kamala-harris
189) #KamalaHarris with a sharp pointed piece which defines her campaign and the dangers of #Trump
I’m impressed
190) Just leaving this here
191) #Trump appearance at #NABJ in Chicago produces a dumpster fire of #racism and disdain with a white man judging who is black
https://open.substack.com/pub/lizadonnelly/p/trump-questions-kamala-harris-heritage
192) Just leaving this here
193) @rbreich on the increased frequency of #Trump mental lapses.
Yesterday’s press conference at #maralago has added to the litany of misstatements resulting in increased scrutiny of #DonaldTrump’s mental health
https://open.substack.com/pub/robertreich/p/why-isnt-the-media-reporting-on-trumps
194) #Trump has lost control of #Election2024 tempo. He’s being dominated by #kamalaharris and his various debate maneuvers have come to naught.
#JoshMarshall of #TPM has a good take on #DonaldTrump’s debate capitulation
https://talkingpointsmemo.com/edblog/kamala-dog-walked-trump-right-back-into-the-debate
Every time I see a photo like that makes me realise just how far he's fallen. Historically he'd never have missed an opportunity to grift more money from advertising.
I’m not calling #Biden a disaster, simply his performance at the debate. That debate was arranged to assuage voters fears over his age while smacking down a toxic narcissistic autocrat.
On those counts, Biden failed miserably, and has damaged his chances of reelection.
#Trump is a horror show. That was also on full display for those paying attention, but he looked vigorous when compared to Biden and that’s what people will remember
The alternative is for those around #Biden to persuade him to step back and to allow an open Democratic convention.
#Trump II would be an unmitigated disaster for the country, democracy and geopolitical stability.
There is a third way if the leadership of the Democratic Party are willing to take a cold hard look at the disaster that was the debate
@mnutty But it’s so sad that a debate like this is more important than what Biden has done for the country so far.
And isn’t it too late for a change in leadership with the elections in four months time?
On top of that is Biden’s wife Jill still convinced he can do it.
But you’re absolutely right that it was his mistake to run for a second time. A sound brain is unfortunately not enough for this job that demand so much.
I agree that #Biden has been the most effective president since #LBJ. He has passed some of the most important legislative packages since #WWII.
However, he is in decline both physically and now it appears mentally. The #JoeBiden of the #Obama era would have smacked around the inanities spewing from #Trump. Sadly he was unable to rise to the occasion. In truth I felt sorry for him. He’s a good man but unless he steps back the country will be lost
I loathe #DonaldTrump. I hate to even have to consider the possibility that he might be back in the #WhiteHouse, but that will happen now without #Biden’s withdrawal
As a NewYorker I can tell you has loathed across the city. We know he’s the worst kind of huckster and the worst type of businessman, renowned for his unreliability and venality.
His ability to market himself as a successful mogul aided and abetted by “The Apprentice” seduced many into believing he would bring a decisive business quality to the White House. Sadly most fail to understand that “reality TV” ironically reflects any kind truth
@mnutty @Johnhurley I know all that. I live here too!
What I mean is to his base. What makes them think he's not just in it for himself? Why don't they care that he's a rapist, cheat, and a liar? Why do they like him?
Apologies, didn’t realize you were in #NYC.
As to #Trump’s base, I think group cohesion and identity is more important than we give credit. There is a shared set of beliefs such as Trump is being stitched up by a #DeepState cabal. Deviation from any part of the oddball, fact-immune, credo leaves one outside the group.
Facts don’t matter, fealty and adherence to the group leader maintains a sense of belonging and identity. It is a type of cult behavior
I assume you’re referring to Eamon Ryan’s announcement. Much of this ugliness is facilitated by the anonymity #SocialMedia affords.
The #greens are particular targets for extra national actors coordinated by #petrogarch interests who loathe #climate reality all aided and abetted by Irish #UsefulIdiots posturing as common sense types while pandering to the worst kind of #racism and #HardRight politics.
I think I might have found that article to be a little over the top 8 years ago. There has been a shift in my thinking in the intervening years.
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