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CenturyEye Tell Me, Have You Seen the Yellow Sign? from I don't know where the Yith sent me this time... Since: Jan, 2017 Relationship Status: Having tea with Cthulhu
Tell Me, Have You Seen the Yellow Sign?
#176151: Feb 26th 2017 at 5:00:08 PM

Some schadenfreude/comic relief...Courtesy of Mr. Rubio and our Golden State
Rubio on skipping town halls: Activists will 'heckle and scream at me'

“They are not town halls anymore,” the Florida Republican told CBS 4-Miami’s Jim De Fede on Sunday. “What these groups really want is for me to schedule a public forum, they then organize three, four, five, six hundred liberal activists in the two counties or wherever I am in the state.”

Citing protesting tips published by the new Indivisible movement, Rubio told the station that activists are instructed to go to town halls early and “take up all the front seats. They spread themselves out. They ask questions. They all cheer when the questions are asked. They are instructed to boo no matter what answer I give. They are instructed to interrupt me if I go too long and start chanting things. Then, at the end, they are also told not to give up their microphone when they ask questions. It’s all in writing in this Indivisible document.”

“I was shot on a Saturday morning. By Monday morning my offices were open to the public,” [former Arizona Congresswoman Gabby Giffords, a Democrat] said on Twitter. “To the politicians who have abandoned their civic obligations, I say this: Have some courage. Face your constituents. Hold town halls.”

Chris Christie echoed that sentiment during an interview with Jake Tapper on Sunday morning on CNN. “Welcome to the real world of responsibility,” he said to Republicans who don't want to hold town halls. Christie said he himself had held more than 160 town halls during his two terms.

Rubio said he believes that “80 to 90 percent” of the people at the town halls were organized by activists.
“I have no problem justifying my views on these issues. The problem is they are not designed to have a productive engagement,” Rubio told the station. “They are designed to heckle and scream at me in front of cameras so that Channel 4 and other networks and other stations at night will report.”



In deep blue California, Trump electrifies GOP

The Republican rank-and-file swooned over the new president at the state convention.
As the California GOP tipped cocktails at its spring convention over the weekend, it held out hope that Trump might reinvigorate its ranks.

“I don’t know about you,” the state party chairman, Jim Brulte, told delegates in a hotel ballroom across from the state Capitol. “But Donald Trump’s just rockin’ my socks.”

Yet while the rank-and-file swooned, posing next to cardboard cutouts of Trump and reminiscing about days of Republican prominence in California, many members of the party’s political and donor classes fretted about how closely they should hew to a president despised in their home state.

“They might be able to leverage their relationship with him on things like a transportation deal,’’ said Matt Shupe, a California-based Republican consultant. “Right now, there’s no reason for Democrats to talk to us…but [House Republicans] might be about to say, “We’ll get Trump to bring in funding … if you do X. It will be interesting to see how that plays out.”

Even amid the celebration of Trump’s election came signs of ongoing difficulties for the California GOP. Party activists were expected Sunday to take up a resolution supporting Trump’s policies on immigration, an issue that has alienated California’s growing number of Latino voters and contributed to the state party’s decline. While popular with the party’s conservative base, Trump’s hard line on immigration had many Republicans steering questions about the issue elsewhere.

“Forget about the federal government,” said Mario Guerra, a member of the state party board of directors who declined last year to serve as a delegate to the Republican National Convention for Trump after Latino activists objected.

While expressing support for the president, he said, “We have our own issues … Every single pothole in the state of California belongs to the Democrats.”

“Someone told me the GOP in California was having an existential crisis — and that is a lie,’’ [Donnelly] said. “To have an existential crisis, you have to exist.”

Look with century eyes... With our backs to the arch And the wreck of our kind We will stare straight ahead For the rest of our lives
Wildcard Since: Jun, 2012
#176152: Feb 26th 2017 at 5:01:59 PM

Maybe we need to go full tea party and let the extremists in our midst take over, then get a reality show star who says things we want to hear while chanting a memorable slogan. I wouldn't like that, but it would get people out to the poll and got us a full democrat white house. It would still be better than any Republicans their party will offer as long as the candidate doesn't resort to racism or fear baiting like Trump's entire public campaign.

Rationalinsanity from Halifax, Canada Since: Aug, 2010 Relationship Status: It's complicated
#176153: Feb 26th 2017 at 5:12:02 PM

Problem is that those extremists in the Democrat party are almost as bad as the Tea Partiers are. Sure, they are better on human rights, climate change, and a plethora of other issues, but they've been drinking the foreign policy and trade kool-aid for a long time.

Jill Stein should not be the future of the Democratic party.

Politics is the skilled use of blunt objects.
pwiegle Cape Malleum Majorem from Nowhere Special Since: Sep, 2015 Relationship Status: Singularity
Cape Malleum Majorem
#176154: Feb 26th 2017 at 5:12:57 PM

[up][up][up]They'll make fun of him and call him names? Oh, boo-fucking-hoo, cry me a river and sail away...

If you go into politics, you might as well tattoo a bull's-eye on your ass. It comes with the territory, so suck it up and deal with it.

This Space Intentionally Left Blank.
Gilphon Since: Oct, 2009
#176155: Feb 26th 2017 at 5:13:57 PM

It would still be better than any Republicans their party will offer as long as the candidate doesn't resort to racism or fear baiting like Trump's entire public campaign.

You're making two strong assumptions in this statement; a) that a left-leaning extremist won't resort to racism or fear baiting and b) that's the only way such a person could be worse than Trump.

Which is, for the record, exactly why have to vigilant and ensure that the Democrats don't get hijacked by extremists. The 2020 election being between Trump and somebody who might actually be just as bad or even worse is pretty much the worst case scenario for everyone.

unknowing from somewhere.. Since: Mar, 2014
#176156: Feb 26th 2017 at 5:22:10 PM

[up][up]Actually I have some sort of pity on them, since they come from old republian style, were you engage in some formal debate or way to do thing, sure that dosent take away their awfullness but they were SOME rule of engagement, rules that Trump just whipe is ass as he seat in the white house, now it have become also a battle of will which clearly none of them they have.

in a twiste way of fate, trump have made this guys irrelevant.

"My Name is Bolt, Bolt Crank and I dont care if you believe or not"
Wildcard Since: Jun, 2012
#176157: Feb 26th 2017 at 5:29:57 PM

[up][up]I can't imagine any even the most extreme senator or hollywood liberal reality show host we have somewhere, could be worse than Trump. I've been wrong before though, give me some ideas?

Cause honestly, I don't think a middle aged man screaming "Transgender Rights Now" "We should call them Christian Terrorists when white Christians attack people" and stuff like that wouldn't be so bad because that is what passes for "an extreme liberal" in this country.

CaptainCapsase from Orbiting Sagittarius A* Since: Jan, 2015
#176158: Feb 26th 2017 at 5:52:12 PM

@Rational: If you haven't been reading the last page the left wing "extremist" the center is worried about taking over isn't Stein and the Greens, it's Sanders and people in his orbit, and I get the distinct impression that's what Wildcard is thinking of. Now, that's not actually extreme at all, though the call for major re-distributive politics is anathema to both parties moneyed interests.

edited 26th Feb '17 5:54:49 PM by CaptainCapsase

theLibrarian Since: Jul, 2009
#176159: Feb 26th 2017 at 5:53:12 PM

So apparently Trump supporters want to be snowflakes and are boycotting the Oscars because actors say mean things about their orange boy.

Oh no, I'm sure the ratings will suffer so much.

Rationalinsanity from Halifax, Canada Since: Aug, 2010 Relationship Status: It's complicated
#176160: Feb 26th 2017 at 5:54:50 PM

See, having a younger, more broadly appealing version of Sanders without all the skeletons in his closet and a better grasp on public policy wouldn't be bad. But I don't think the Dems have someone like that.

Politics is the skilled use of blunt objects.
CaptainCapsase from Orbiting Sagittarius A* Since: Jan, 2015
#176161: Feb 26th 2017 at 5:56:57 PM

[up] Such a person would be attacked every bit as viciously as Sanders was by the current party brass; considering they ran Clinton, skeletons in the closet (real, exaggerated or imagined, and for both Clinton and Sanders pretty much all of them fell in the latter two categories) are seemingly irrelevant to the party; the issue I suspect is that Sanders-esque programs would run contrary to the agendas of the moneyed interests backing the party, and conventional wisdom is that you cannot win an election without their wholehearted support.

If history is any indication, those moneyed interests won't consent to major re-distributive taxation and spending until society is on the verge of collapse, which is rather unfortunate, and I hope we can buck that particular trend, but I'm not especially hopeful.

edited 26th Feb '17 6:00:55 PM by CaptainCapsase

unknowing from somewhere.. Since: Mar, 2014
#176162: Feb 26th 2017 at 6:04:40 PM

[up][up][up]Is part of their self view as cold,pragmatic people who never feel piss or troll, if they complain about something is because that is real unilke the poor snowflake

"My Name is Bolt, Bolt Crank and I dont care if you believe or not"
MadSkillz Destroyer of Worlds Since: Mar, 2013 Relationship Status: I only want you gone
Destroyer of Worlds
#176163: Feb 26th 2017 at 6:09:42 PM

Captain has it right.

It's a reason why Democrats don't want Sanders' wing to take over. Many of their corporate masters would flock over to the other side.

"You can't change the world without getting your hands dirty."
ViperMagnum357 Since: Mar, 2012
#176164: Feb 26th 2017 at 6:17:59 PM

@Rationalinsanity: I am going to throw my hat in the ring for Kamala Harris. Lawyer with a long history of civil service and reasonable experience at state and federal level bureaucracy. Good record with pretty much nothing worth complaining about-put her in the same boat as Obama, where the reactionaries will have to manufacture controversy from nothing. And decent age-plenty of experience, and should be active for another 15-20 years before age really becomes a factor. And on a personal inclination, being a highly educated, accomplished woman who is a three-for minority would drive any regressive up a wall.

Silasw A procrastination in of itself from A handcart to hell (4 Score & 7 Years Ago) Relationship Status: And they all lived happily ever after <3
A procrastination in of itself
#176165: Feb 26th 2017 at 6:33:08 PM

I'm not convinced that big money would run away from the Dems, yes the threat of itchforks is often required to get the monied elites to agree to reform, but we're getting pretty close to the pitchfork point.

Trump is going to quickly prove himself as bad news for the monied elites when he starts allowing Ryan to burn the economy to the ground. Faced with a choice between Ryan and Trump (who between them could well spark a revolution with their desires to cut all social safety nets and implement sweeping authoritarianism) I suspect that a lot of big money will fall in behind even Sanders or Warren.

Even big money doesn't want the US federally to become Kansas, and that's where it might well end up if Trump and Ryan aren't stopped.

“And the Bunny nails it!” ~ Gabrael “If the UN can get through a day without everyone strangling everyone else so can we.” ~ Cyran
Rationalinsanity from Halifax, Canada Since: Aug, 2010 Relationship Status: It's complicated
#176166: Feb 26th 2017 at 6:39:05 PM

Just read up on Senator Harris, and I think she'd be a damn good choice. Progressive enough for the left, but not controversial enough to scare the establishment.

Politics is the skilled use of blunt objects.
DingoWalley1 Asgore Adopts Noelle Since: Feb, 2014 Relationship Status: Can't buy me love
Asgore Adopts Noelle
#176167: Feb 26th 2017 at 6:45:15 PM

[up][up] Perhaps a more Progressive Democratic Party wouldn't scare off, say, Actors or New Media Millionaires, but I don't think Business Leaders (Old Money), who've almost always tended to be more in line with Republican Ideology, would be happy. They'd definitely jump ship, although not necessarily to a Trumpican Party; they'd more then likely go towards the Libertarians.

Also, I do expect Trump's policies (Stricter Immigration Policies, Tariffs, even harsher Health Insurance Penalties and Less Regulations) will be overall bad for the Economy, but those Tax Cuts on the Rich (at the cost of the Middle Class and the Poor) will still benefit them: They won't jump ship until the Overall Effects start hurting them.

Zendervai Visiting from the Hoag Galaxy from St. Catharines Since: Oct, 2009 Relationship Status: Wishing you were here
Visiting from the Hoag Galaxy
#176168: Feb 26th 2017 at 6:49:39 PM

If you let the far left fringe take over the Democrats, you'd end up giving hypocritical lunatics like PETA way too much of a say.

Not Three Laws compliant.
Silasw A procrastination in of itself from A handcart to hell (4 Score & 7 Years Ago) Relationship Status: And they all lived happily ever after <3
A procrastination in of itself
#176169: Feb 26th 2017 at 6:51:38 PM

Let them go to the libertarians, you'd end up with them forming the more sane opposition to the more progressive Dems.

Also I think you underestimate how bad Trump will be, when they start seeing riots in the streets on a regular basis even big money is gonna get scared. It doesn't matter how many tax cuts you've gotten, when the mob comes a callin you're screwed, especially when that mob includes former servicemen who've had their VA benefits done away with by Ryan.

“And the Bunny nails it!” ~ Gabrael “If the UN can get through a day without everyone strangling everyone else so can we.” ~ Cyran
TheWanderer Student of Story from Somewhere in New England (Time Abyss) Relationship Status: Wishfully thinking
Student of Story
#176170: Feb 26th 2017 at 6:55:49 PM

I'd argue that sort of old money business leaders are already pretty firmly on the Republican/Libertarian side, (see Koch brothers, Murdoch, Mercer, Adelson, Thiel, etc.) so much so that Democrats have little to lose there.

Those figures not only took sides long ago, they've been a huge part of the vanguard against Democrats.

Edit: also, I honestly don't know why people are under the impression that Libertarians are the preferable, more reasonable alternative to the standard right wing Republican of the last 20+ years. Aside from foreign policy misadventures, the leading Libertarian voices are nearly identical to the Republican rhetoric.

edited 26th Feb '17 6:59:31 PM by TheWanderer

| Wandering, but not lost. | If people bring so much courage to this world...◊ |
Wildcard Since: Jun, 2012
#176171: Feb 26th 2017 at 6:57:34 PM

[up][up][up]I don't like PETA either,but I'd take having to take them seriously over having to take the "alt-right", (mainstream right) seriously or consider their non-points "issues". Honestly, I think almost anyone could be a better president than Trump.

If the choice is between mr. meme himself or some very limosine liberal pop singer, I'd vote for the singer even if he never made a single coherent public statement.

edited 26th Feb '17 7:00:39 PM by Wildcard

DingoWalley1 Asgore Adopts Noelle Since: Feb, 2014 Relationship Status: Can't buy me love
Asgore Adopts Noelle
#176172: Feb 26th 2017 at 6:58:32 PM

[up][up][up] Problem is: In times similar to these, when a "Law and Order" President has been in power, they don't worry about the mobs, they worry about how long the mobs will be there until the Riot Cops arrive and disperse them. Again, Old Money Millionaires will only care when their own bottom line is in peril from Economic forces.

Trump caught making a talking point from Fox News again: This Time, he steals Herman Cain's line about shrinking Fed Debt in Trump's first term.

edited 26th Feb '17 6:59:02 PM by DingoWalley1

Silasw A procrastination in of itself from A handcart to hell (4 Score & 7 Years Ago) Relationship Status: And they all lived happily ever after <3
A procrastination in of itself
#176173: Feb 26th 2017 at 7:05:58 PM

Trump has to succeed at maintain law and order for the rich to not fear the mob, I don't think he's going to be able to do that, there are limits to what the police can do even with all regulations and limits stripped away. If a mob comes a knockin it won't matter if the police show up, a large enough mob (especially one with former military personnel in it) could end up winning in a fight against the police and destroying any pretence that Trump is able to maintain law and order.

“And the Bunny nails it!” ~ Gabrael “If the UN can get through a day without everyone strangling everyone else so can we.” ~ Cyran
Wyldchyld (Old as dirt)
#176174: Feb 26th 2017 at 7:10:15 PM

[up][up]Wait, he's talking about the movement in the first month of his office? That's not a trend, that's a transaction flow. Does.... Trump not know the difference?

If my post doesn't mention a giant flying sperm whale with oversized teeth and lionfish fins for flippers, it just isn't worth reading.
DingoWalley1 Asgore Adopts Noelle Since: Feb, 2014 Relationship Status: Can't buy me love
Asgore Adopts Noelle
#176175: Feb 26th 2017 at 7:13:00 PM

[up] Herman Cain certainly doesn't (though I wouldn't doubt Trump doesn't either).

It appears to me that Business Types don't really understand Government Budgeting at all. That's slightly worrying.


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