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Edited by Mrph1 on Nov 30th 2023 at 11:03:59 AM

SeptimusHeap from Switzerland (Edited uphill both ways) Relationship Status: Mu
#257926: Oct 17th 2018 at 1:50:32 PM

Anyone else think that McConnell is increasingly looking like the power behind the throne? The guy who is actually responsible for most Republican evilness, with Trump merely being a convenient loud-mouthed lightning rod?

"For a successful technology, reality must take precedence over public relations, for Nature cannot be fooled." - Richard Feynman
AzurePaladin She/Her Pronouns from Forest of Magic Since: Apr, 2018 Relationship Status: Mu
She/Her Pronouns
#257927: Oct 17th 2018 at 1:52:28 PM

[up] Nah, they're both their own different flavors of cruelty. It just so happens that their interests align.

Trump makes many bad decisions without Mc Connell's help.

Edited by AzurePaladin on Oct 17th 2018 at 4:53:07 AM

The awful things he says and does are burned into our cultural consciousness like a CRT display left on the same picture too long. -Fighteer
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
#257928: Oct 17th 2018 at 1:52:46 PM

I’d say less the evil behind the throne (that implies that Trump doesn't independently come up with evil ideas) and more the brains behind the brawn.

Edited by Silasw on Oct 17th 2018 at 8:53:10 AM

“And the Bunny nails it!” ~ Gabrael “If the UN can get through a day without everyone strangling everyone else so can we.” ~ Cyran
ironballs16 Since: Jul, 2009 Relationship Status: Owner of a lonely heart
#257929: Oct 17th 2018 at 1:58:34 PM

RE: Removing the Immigration judges

Pretty sure that'd fall afoul of removing other judges from their positions - unless you have good cause to, it'd cause an uproar.

Hell, even when there is good cause, it can be tough - Judge Leticia Astacio only just got removed from her position, over two-and-a-half years after she'd been convicted of drunk driving, with a bunch of sordid intervening details that made things even worse for her.

Edited by ironballs16 on Oct 17th 2018 at 5:00:39 AM

"Why would I inflict myself on somebody else?"
CharlesPhipps Since: Jan, 2001
#257930: Oct 17th 2018 at 2:09:05 PM

Mitch has tried to be.

But fails.

He has no control over Trump. This was demonstrated when Mitch planned to destroy Obamacare and then blinked when Trump talked about how they were going to replace it with coverage for everyone.

Which torpedoed the whole thing.

Edited by CharlesPhipps on Oct 17th 2018 at 2:10:07 AM

Author of The Rules of Supervillainy, Cthulhu Armageddon, and United States of Monsters.
Fourthspartan56 from Georgia, US Since: Oct, 2016 Relationship Status: THIS CONCEPT OF 'WUV' CONFUSES AND INFURIATES US!
#257931: Oct 17th 2018 at 2:43:59 PM

Yeah. Mc Connel wants to be the power behind the throne but unfortunately for him, Trump is too much of a reckless idiot to be controlled in such a manner. Even the best-laid plans get thrown into disarray by his advanced stupidity.

"Sandwiches are probably easier to fix than the actual problems" -Hylarn
ironballs16 Since: Jul, 2009 Relationship Status: Owner of a lonely heart
#257932: Oct 17th 2018 at 2:46:21 PM

Ugh, and just when I was hating the NRCC for its anti-Balter attack ad (claiming that her wanting to get rid of employer-based healthcare would lead to no one being able to go to the doctor), I get an email from the DCCC titled: "This is your FINAL NOTICE TO RENEW YOUR DEMOCRATIC MEMBERSHIP before the Final FEC Deadline of the entire election at midnight."

It's actually imploring for a donation, but that kind of bullshit tactic is a great way to piss off those who otherwise side with you.

Edited by ironballs16 on Oct 17th 2018 at 5:50:31 AM

"Why would I inflict myself on somebody else?"
megaeliz Since: Mar, 2017
#257933: Oct 17th 2018 at 3:49:07 PM

[up] Due to the combination of Grassroots activism and big doners spreading money around, the Democrats have actually managed to outraise the Republicans for once.

When was the last time that happened? It’s particularly impressive, as we have less mega-Doners than the Republican Machine, so most of of it was through small donations.

Edited by megaeliz on Oct 17th 2018 at 6:50:50 AM

unknowing from somewhere.. Since: Mar, 2014
#257934: Oct 17th 2018 at 7:00:43 PM

"Yeah. Mc Connel wants to be the power behind the throne but unfortunately for him, Trump is too much of a reckless idiot to be controlled in such a manner. Even the best-laid plans get thrown into disarray by his advanced stupidity. "

As game of thrones put it "men laid plans and the gods throw then away", is kinda funny in a dark way how this is devopling.

"My Name is Bolt, Bolt Crank and I dont care if you believe or not"
SciFiSlasher from Absolutely none of your business. Since: Dec, 2011 Relationship Status: YOU'RE TEARING ME APART LISA
#257935: Oct 17th 2018 at 7:36:26 PM

Anyone else think that Mc Connell is increasingly looking like the power behind the throne?

As was said in an article I posted earlier this month, Mc Connell is the Hindenburg of this regime, the "gravedigger of democracy."

"Somehow the hated have to walk a tightrope, while those who hate do not."
tclittle Professional Forum Ninja from Somewhere Down in Texas Since: Apr, 2010
Professional Forum Ninja
DrunkenNordmann from Exile Since: May, 2015
#257937: Oct 17th 2018 at 7:51:15 PM

Wayne Thorley, deputy Nevada secretary of state for elections, said Hof's name will remain on the November ballot. Thorley said ballots with Hof's name have already been mailed to voters but signs will be posted at polling places notifying voters of his death.

If Hof wins in the heavily GOP assembly district, officials will nominate another Republican to fill the vacancy, Thorley said.

What?

Welcome to Estalia, gentlemen.
M84 Oh, bother. from Our little blue planet Since: Jun, 2010 Relationship Status: Chocolate!
Oh, bother.
#257938: Oct 17th 2018 at 8:01:52 PM

You know all those jokes about how people would rather vote for a head of lettuce or a rock than for the person of a different party?

We're at the point where people are going to vote for a dead guy.

Satire isn't just dead. Its corpse has been dragged around Troy for hours.

Disgusted, but not surprised
AceofSpades Since: Apr, 2009 Relationship Status: Showing feelings of an almost human nature
#257939: Oct 17th 2018 at 8:21:12 PM

Well, if they're at the point where ballots have already been mailed out to for those who vote by mail, it's probably too damned late for them to pick another nominee. I mean, this kind of thing has happened before, right? I don't think it's the kind of thing you can plan a contingency for other than what they already stated they'd do.

CookingCat Since: Jul, 2018
#257940: Oct 17th 2018 at 8:23:50 PM

Probably weren't expecting this and don't have time to change the candidate.

DrunkenNordmann from Exile Since: May, 2015
#257941: Oct 17th 2018 at 8:31:30 PM

What bothers me is the "pick a guy to fill the vacancy after the dead guy wins" part.

At least tell people who you're going to saddle them with beforehand, for Christ's sake.

Welcome to Estalia, gentlemen.
tclittle Professional Forum Ninja from Somewhere Down in Texas Since: Apr, 2010
Professional Forum Ninja
#257942: Oct 17th 2018 at 8:36:53 PM

The alt-right on 4chan and Reddit have taken to calling liberals "NPCs" as a new form of "sheep".

"We're all paper, we're all scissors, we're all fightin' with our mirrors, scared we'll never find somebody to love."
DrunkenNordmann from Exile Since: May, 2015
#257943: Oct 17th 2018 at 8:38:16 PM

If you can count on one thing with the alt-right, it's their utter lack of creativity.

Welcome to Estalia, gentlemen.
M84 Oh, bother. from Our little blue planet Since: Jun, 2010 Relationship Status: Chocolate!
Oh, bother.
#257944: Oct 17th 2018 at 8:45:03 PM

[up][up][up]I guess that'd be something they can bring up in the eulogy.

"Even death couldn't stop him from winning!"

Disgusted, but not surprised
BearyScary Since: Sep, 2010 Relationship Status: [TOP SECRET]
ironballs16 Since: Jul, 2009 Relationship Status: Owner of a lonely heart
#257946: Oct 17th 2018 at 9:19:29 PM

In fairness, the idea of "keep the late-candidate on the ballot" is nothing new - apparently widows have taken over for their husbands dating back to 1923

"Why would I inflict myself on somebody else?"
CharlesPhipps Since: Jan, 2001
#257947: Oct 17th 2018 at 9:25:21 PM

Dennis Hof used to be a lovable rogue that I liked the television persona of.

Then I found out about the whole rape thing.

And I hope for a merciful God.

Because I don't feel too much for him.

...

REPUBLICANS! THE PARTY OF FAMILY VALUES AND CHRISTIANITY!

Edited by CharlesPhipps on Oct 17th 2018 at 9:32:48 AM

Author of The Rules of Supervillainy, Cthulhu Armageddon, and United States of Monsters.
M84 Oh, bother. from Our little blue planet Since: Jun, 2010 Relationship Status: Chocolate!
Oh, bother.
#257948: Oct 17th 2018 at 9:52:19 PM

[up][up]That applies to people who were already in office. And some of those widows did win actual special elections to the seats first.

This is completely different. This is someone who died and still has his name on the ballot, with no replacement decided yet, and people are still probably going to vote for him.

Edited by M84 on Oct 18th 2018 at 12:53:41 AM

Disgusted, but not surprised
RedSavant Since: Jan, 2001
#257949: Oct 17th 2018 at 10:23:34 PM

And if he wins, there will presumably be zero oversight on who gets included, right? As in, after Republicans finish voting a literal corpse into office, the state party just goes 'okay, then we pick Roy Moore lite over here for the seat'.

I know they would just vote for the R regardless, but this is a little blatant.

It's been fun.
M84 Oh, bother. from Our little blue planet Since: Jun, 2010 Relationship Status: Chocolate!
Oh, bother.
#257950: Oct 17th 2018 at 10:24:41 PM

Like I said, Satire is dead and its corpse desecrated.

Disgusted, but not surprised

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