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

#USPolitics #JoeBiden #Politics

The Fundie Baby Voice

As soon as Senator Katie Britt started speaking, I knew exactly who she is. She is so many of the pastor's wives and Sunday School teachers I knew growing up in an Evangelical church. Be sweet. Obey.

The View from Rural Missouri by Jess Piper

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

#USPolitics #JoeBiden #Politics

Questions Arise About Katie Britt’s State of the Union Response

The Alabama senator used a story about sex trafficking to criticize the Biden administration’s border policies. But the events occurred in Mexico years ago.

The New York Times

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

https://www.theatlantic.com/culture/archive/2024/03/saturday-night-live-scarlett-johansson-katie-britt/677709/

#Alabama #GOP #USPolitics

Scarlett Johansson’s Pitch-Perfect Impersonation on 'SNL'

The actor surprised and delighted on last night’s <em>SNL</em> with her impression of Senator Katie Britt.

The Atlantic

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

Cartoon: Royal court

The Royal Supreme might crown its king, Donald the First, by continuing to help delay his numerous trials, and by ruling in his favor regarding Presidential immunity. Trump has told us openly that he wants to be a dictator. Vote accordingly.

Daily Kos

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

#politics #USPolitics

Republican Voters Against Trump Plans $50 Million Ad Campaign

The group, Republican Voters Against Trump, will run a series of homemade videos of Americans who voted for him in the past but say they can no longer do so in 2024.

The New York Times

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!

#Politics #USPolitics

https://davidpepper.substack.com/p/its-trump-vs-you

It’s Trump vs.…. YOU

Which Freedoms Are You Willing to Give Up?

Pepperspectives

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/

Trump says some undocumented immigrants are ‘not people’

The presumptive Republican nominee’s comment at a rally Saturday represents an escalation of his long-harsh language about migrants.

The Washington Post
What Trump Supporters Think When He Mocks People With Disabilities

Trump fans don’t like how he demeans people. They’ll vote for him anyway.

The Atlantic

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

https://www.npr.org/2024/03/25/1240640452/what-does-trump-s-rhetoric-tell-us-about-his-plans-for-a-return-to-the-white-hou

#USPolitics #Politics #Election2024

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

#USPolitics #Politics #Biden

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-03-26/swing-state-voters-favor-tax-the-rich-movement-election-poll

Swing State Voters Favor 'Tax the Rich' Movement: Election Poll

Swing-state voters also like tax hikes on those earning $400,000 and more

Bloomberg

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

#Politics #USPolitics #Abortion #Women

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rG8-batu7UE&t=29s

Marilyn for Alabama | Two Decades Video

YouTube

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

#WomenRights #Politics #USPolitics #Abortion #Women

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

https://tucson.com/news/state-regional/government-politics/kari-lake-defamation-admission-damages-hearing-stephen-richer-2020-election/article_b9f48480-ebb1-11ee-902b-bfdf8fa20c64.html

#Politics #USPolitics #Election2024 #AmericanFascism

Kari Lake admits she defamed Republican election official

Lake admits in court filing she knew it was false when she accused Maricopa County recorder of sabotaging election. She wants a court to decide how much she owes him.

Arizona Daily Star

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

Cartoon: Fighting fascism

A cartoon by Mike Luckovich.

Daily Kos

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

https://www.forbes.com/sites/dereksaul/2024/04/01/truth-social-linked-stock-falls-13-donald-trumps-stake-down-2-billion-from-peak

Truth Social-Linked Stock Falls 25%—Donald Trump’s Stake Down Over $2.5 Billion From Peak

Trump still holds a cool $3.6 billion stake in Trump Media, the publicly traded entity behind his Truth Social platform.

Forbes

153) On the two candidates running for the Presidency in #Election2024, I couldn't put it more succinctly:

#Biden is aging. #Trump is dementing.”

#USPolitics #Politics

"https://thehill.com/opinion/4568794-press-top-psychologist-says-trump-likely-to-fall-off-mental-cliff

Press: Top psychologist says Trump likely to fall off mental cliff

A top psychologist says that Donald Trump will be “cognitively incapacitated” in less than four years. Maybe Nikki Haley was right in calling for all candidates over 75 to a mental competency test.

The Hill

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

#Election2024 #USPolitics #Politics #DJT

Trump Media saved in 2022 by Russian-American under criminal investigation

Exclusive: Trump’s social media company went public relying partly on loans from trust managed by person of interest to prosecutors

The Guardian

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

https://youtu.be/wF3OsZf_hto?si=0Q6tIvP8BKiir74Q

#Election2024 #USPolitics #Politics

This is Why Rich People Hate the IRS | Robert Reich

YouTube

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

Some of Trump’s Biggest Political Backers Also Threw Trump Media a Lifeline

Two billionaires, a wealthy election denier and a mysterious Russia-linked trust invested in the Trump company long before it went public.

The New York Times

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

https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2024-election/trump-tells-billionaires-ll-keep-taxes-low-50-million-fundraising-gala-rcna146748

#USPolitics #Politics #Election2024

Trump tells billionaires he'll keep their taxes low at $50 million fundraising gala

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.

NBC News

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.

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/04/10/nyregion/trump-trial-appeal-judge-merchan.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare&ugrp=c&pvid=6C17F86B-0378-4DF1-84C8-0E5771AE693D

#USPolitics #Politics #Election2024

Trump Makes Third Attempt to Delay Hush Money Trial

Donald J. Trump was turned down when he asked an appeals court — again — to stave off his prosecution on charges that he faked business records to cover up a sex scandal.

The New York Times

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

#USPolitics #Politics #Election2024

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

Former Tabloid Exec David Pecker Back On Stand After Trump Contempt Hearing

Tuesday began with a hearing on whether to hold former President Donald Trump in contempt for alleged violations of the case's gag order. The trial then resumed with witnesses taking the stand.

TPM – Talking Points Memo

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 ⬇️

#Politics #USPolitics

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LH0IOJXvz3A

Pete Buttigieg DESTROYS Visibly-Angry News Host in EPIC Interview!

YouTube

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

#USPolitics #Politics #Immunity

Trump Will Be Happy With Supreme Court Arguments On 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.

TPM – Talking Points Memo

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

#USPolitics #Politics

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

Donald Trump says he’d consider Ken Paxton for U.S. attorney general

Trump told a reporter in Texas this weekend that Paxton is “a very talented guy.”

The Texas Tribune

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

https://youtu.be/HQMgeasXjLs?si=wXv_Dw2hAefCpVzY

Watch Pete Buttigieg PERFECTLY Articulate Why Republicans Behave The Way That They Do

YouTube

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/

Trump’s Truth Social account shares video referencing ‘unified Reich’

The Biden campaign said text in the video foreshadowing a Trump victory echoes Nazi Germany. The Trump campaign said this was not a campaign video.

The Washington Post

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

#DonaldTrump #USPolitics #Politics #Election2024

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c8gkY1k-Fz0

Trump Gets MERCILESSLY BOOED at Speech

YouTube

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

https://www.semafor.com/article/05/28/2024/a-dying-empire-led-by-bad-people-poll-finds-young-voters-despairing-over-us-politics

#USPolitics #Politics #Election2024

‘A dying empire led by bad people’: Poll finds young voters despairing over US politics | Semafor

A new survey may help explain Joe Biden’s recent struggles with the under-30 set.

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

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-06-06/san-francisco-fetes-trump-on-post-conviction-fundraising-tour

#garchs #USPolitics #Politics

Bloomberg - Are you a robot?

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

#Trump #MAGA #Election2024 #fascism #USPolitics #Politics

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/06/09/opinion/presbyterian-church-evangelical-canceled.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare&sgrp=c-cb

Opinion | The Day My Old Church Canceled Me Was a Very Sad Day

There is a difference between peace and capitulation.

The New York Times

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

https://youtu.be/MOEMX6_A8MM?si=k2C19z-knxEPB8vP

#USPolitics #Politics

Character Matters | Biden-Harris 2024

Follow Joe!Joe’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/joebidenJoe’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/joebidenJoe’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joebidenJoe...

YouTube

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

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c9eed9g3vlyo.amp

#USPolitics #Politics

Who is Donald Trump's reclusive new mega-donor, Timothy Mellon?

The scion of one of America's wealthiest families is so far the Trump 2024 campaign's largest donor.

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

#Election2024 #USPolitics #Politics

How Big Business Bailed Out the Nazis

A tragic tale of what can go wrong when profits are entangled with politics.

Brennan Center for Justice

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

#Trump #Biden #USPolitics #Politics

Opinion | How Can Biden Win the Debate? Trump? Five Tips for Each Candidate.

Two political experts weigh in on what it might take to succeed.

The New York Times

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

#Election2024 #democracy #USPolitics #Politics

@mnutty Biden is not going to withdraw and Trump is not going to win.
@urbanfoxe From your lips to God’s ears. @mnutty

@urbanfoxe

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

#USPolitics #Politics

@mnutty no it won't!
When we fight we win!
Don't be a negative Nelly. Just help show people how bad the alternative is! #StopProject2025
@mnutty this will be ancient history by the time you can say Trump Sentencing'.
@urbanfoxe @mnutty trump is such a polarising figure that I wonder how much of a difference the debate will make?
The vast majority seem to either loathe or live him.
@Johnhurley @mnutty I really don't get what people like about him. He has zero redeeming qualities. It would be my worst nightmare to be around him.

@urbanfoxe @Johnhurley

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

#USPolitics #Politics

@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?

@urbanfoxe @mnutty @Johnhurley I think some of them don't believe the allegations against him, while others think he hasn't done anything the others haven't, and some of them have the weird idea that his lapses do not stop him being god's agent.
@urbanfoxe @mnutty @Johnhurley some of them might think all of these contradictory things simultaneously. My dad was a bit like that with Haughey, though he now regrets his former views

@urbanfoxe @Johnhurley

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

#USPolitics

@mnutty @urbanfoxe Apologies - I'd meant to post this earlier.
One of the negative effects of trump is how he as affected public discourse around the world.
In our local county council last week a motion was proposed to send well wishes to a retiring politician (green party)
The move was opposed, along with some very negative commentary. This kind of personalised attack simply wouldn't have been a thing 8 years ago.

@Johnhurley @urbanfoxe

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.