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

tclittle Professional Forum Ninja from Somewhere Down in Texas Since: Apr, 2010
CrimsonZephyr Would that it were so simple. from Massachusetts Since: Aug, 2010 Relationship Status: It's complicated
Would that it were so simple.
#173177: Feb 7th 2017 at 8:50:12 PM

Idea: Assembling a list of ZIP codes from key swing districts, organize on this thread, get our friends and family together and engage in targeted astroturfing. How hard would it be for a senator's front office to find out that the last hundred calls from "Marion County, Indiana" were actually from one angry brown man in MA?

edited 7th Feb '17 8:51:51 PM by CrimsonZephyr

"For all those whose cares have been our concern, the work goes on, the cause endures, the hope still lives, and the dream shall never die."
tclittle Professional Forum Ninja from Somewhere Down in Texas Since: Apr, 2010
RBluefish Since: Nov, 2013
#173179: Feb 7th 2017 at 8:55:07 PM

For those interested, here's a list of the Republican senators who voted to formally silence Elizabeth Warren for quoting Coretta Scott King.

And yes, it includes the supposedly "principled" Republicans like Collins and McCain. As if we needed yet more proof that the GOP are utter scum to a man.

"We'll take the next chance, and the next, until we win, or the chances are spent."
DingoWalley1 Asgore Adopts Noelle Since: Feb, 2014 Relationship Status: Can't buy me love
Asgore Adopts Noelle
#173180: Feb 7th 2017 at 9:01:43 PM

Report: Trump tried to do a 3 am call to Mike Flynn asking him about how the dollar works.

Why Flynn of all people? Flynn is a military guy, for crying out loud! I understand Trump only wants to hear from people who like him and whom he likes, but surely he has one or two Banker friends who could tell him about this correctly? He's filled his Cabinet with Goldmen Sach's People! Come on Trump! Use what little brain you have!

This is partially the reason why I think Trump can't turn America into a Fascist Dictatorship: He's so incompetent, clueless and stupid! Relying on Military Personnel to tell him how the freakin' Dollar works! One of the many signs of Trump's stupidity!

On top of that, anyone who is competent, Trump keeps at arms length; Bannon is competent, but he has little to no power, and Trump apparently doesn't trust him as much as he did a week ago. The "Unholy Trinity" is competent, and has power, but Trump trusts them less then Bannon! The Kushner's are competent, but they apparently have lives and don't really hang out with their dad/dad-in-law much.

Trump is just all around incompetent and petty.

edited 7th Feb '17 9:05:59 PM by DingoWalley1

JBC31187 Since: Jan, 2015
#173181: Feb 7th 2017 at 9:08:19 PM

You think senators will benefit any from out-of-state support? I can't actually thank Isakson and Purdue for standing tall and proudly ignoring thousands of constituent calls begging them not vote De Vos in.

I'm going to call Schumer and Pelosi, at any rate. It took longer than I would like, but the Democratic Party is getting its act together, not least because we're calling in and getting involved. If we, the little people, keep fighting, we can win. But I'm terrified that people will lose interest.

MadSkillz Destroyer of Worlds Since: Mar, 2013 Relationship Status: I only want you gone
Destroyer of Worlds
#173182: Feb 7th 2017 at 9:08:31 PM

Many of the Bernie or Busters aren't really Democrats. They're anti-establishment people that probably wouldn't have voted if Bernie and Trump never came out.

Policy means little to wrecking the establishment.

Add on that Hilary couldn't fire up a base like Bernie could and that Hillary has been under the scrutinious eyes of the media for decades unlike Bernie and you bring out another disadvantage that Hillary brought to the field.

That's why I find the idea that Bernie would've done worse than Hillary kinda silly.

Bernie successfully sold people an image of incorruptibility that Hillary couldn't. The states that Hillary lost to Trump are the states he would've won against Trump and did win against Hillary.

Even the socialist labeling is weak and overused that would scare few of his base's voters away just like Trump's white supremacist label barely affected his base's support.

Here's the breakdown of Bernie's state strength in the primaries compared to the GE:

http://usuncut.com/politics/bernie-sanders-would-have-crushed-trump/

edited 7th Feb '17 9:09:10 PM by MadSkillz

Krieger22 Causing freakouts over sourcing since 2018 from Malaysia Since: Mar, 2014 Relationship Status: I'm in love with my car
Causing freakouts over sourcing since 2018
#173183: Feb 7th 2017 at 9:08:43 PM

[up][up]wild mass guessHe did, got scared, and now wants an alternative version that lines up with his world view.

[up]Have you, like, ever tried selling his program to someone in Arkansas?

edited 7th Feb '17 9:12:01 PM by Krieger22

I have disagreed with her a lot, but comparing her to republicans and propagandists of dictatorships is really low. - An idiot
Elle Since: Jan, 2001
#173184: Feb 7th 2017 at 9:10:12 PM

Breaking: http://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-immigration-ruling-idUSKBN15K097 The Ninth Circuit has denied the governments appeal to stay the lower court order that halted the immigration ban EO. The date on this is Feb 5. Sorry!

The audio of the oral arguments was streamed on You Tube for those interested and some live-tweet reactions to the arguments from and ACLU lawyer are here.

In other news: Google News has added an "executive orders" subsection. One of the top stories is Breitbart being mad that they did this. (Link not provided for obvious reasons.)

edited 7th Feb '17 9:17:35 PM by Elle

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?
#173185: Feb 7th 2017 at 9:13:59 PM

Huh, Isakson wasn't on that list. Purdue was but 1 of 2...huh, and I just realized how low my standards have been this year...

This and Sessions's appointment are really making this Black History Month memorable...

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
DingoWalley1 Asgore Adopts Noelle Since: Feb, 2014 Relationship Status: Can't buy me love
Asgore Adopts Noelle
#173186: Feb 7th 2017 at 9:14:47 PM

[up][up] I'd say that's a good sign, although one problem I'm expecting from this Administration is that Trump is just going to say "Oh, 2 of those Justices were appointed by Democrats! They're 'so-called justices' who are really Liberals that want to watch America burn!"

@Bernie Sanders Victory: I seriously doubt he would've stolen the Dust Belt States of Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska from Trump (Maybe he could've gotten Kn. District 2 like Obama), or the several Western States like Idaho, Wyoming, North Dakota and Montana. At best, he would've gotten the Rust Belt to remain Blue, and win that way, but there would be no way he could compete with Trump in the Red West States.

edited 7th Feb '17 9:15:02 PM by DingoWalley1

CaptainCapsase from Orbiting Sagittarius A* Since: Jan, 2015
#173187: Feb 7th 2017 at 9:18:33 PM
Thumped: This post was thumped by the Stick of Off-Topic Thumping. Stay on topic, please.
MadSkillz Destroyer of Worlds Since: Mar, 2013 Relationship Status: I only want you gone
Destroyer of Worlds
#173188: Feb 7th 2017 at 9:27:29 PM

Bernie just needs to win the Rust Belt which he was strong in to beat Trump and keep Hillary's states which should be easy since many of them are reliably blue.

Also BREAKING BAD NEWS:

http://www.kentucky.com/news/politics-government/article131231964.html

We are 6 states away from the US Constitution being rewritten. 28 states are already backing it. 34 states is all it'll take for it to go forward and Kentucky is in now officially in the process of okaying it meaning there will be only 5 states to go.

edited 7th Feb '17 9:27:53 PM by MadSkillz

Krieger22 Causing freakouts over sourcing since 2018 from Malaysia Since: Mar, 2014 Relationship Status: I'm in love with my car
Causing freakouts over sourcing since 2018
#173189: Feb 7th 2017 at 9:32:16 PM

How Facebook personality quizzes facilitated Republican online attack ads.

Remind me how Sanders would be immune to the tricks that fueled supposed Democrat apathy (as opposed to having your ballot sabotaged or your name expunged from the voter roll)?

Republicans are now releasing ads targeting Democrat Senators in states that went for Trump.

I have disagreed with her a lot, but comparing her to republicans and propagandists of dictatorships is really low. - An idiot
LinkToTheFuture A real bad hombre from somewhere completely different Since: Apr, 2015 Relationship Status: What's love got to do with it?
A real bad hombre
#173190: Feb 7th 2017 at 9:34:32 PM

[up][up]I've never heard of that before, and if over half the states had OK'd it, I feel like this wouldn't have been the first I've heard of it. I'm going to stay skeptical for now.

"I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work." -Thomas Edison
MadSkillz Destroyer of Worlds Since: Mar, 2013 Relationship Status: I only want you gone
Destroyer of Worlds
#173191: Feb 7th 2017 at 9:38:35 PM

Remind me how Sanders would be immune to the tricks that fueled supposed Democrat apathy (as opposed to having your ballot sabotaged or your name expunged from the voter roll)? Republicans are now releasing ads targeting Democrat Senators in states that went for Trump.

Because he was polling well among independents, he had a populist movement pushing forward, he successfully sold an image of incorruptibility to the American people, he was anti-establishment. he was bringing out people that don't usually vote and a substantial portion of Hillary's base are the ones that would've fallen in line if she had lost.

Bernie appealed to the WWC in a way that Hillary didn't and that was critical to Hillary losing.

Krieger22 Causing freakouts over sourcing since 2018 from Malaysia Since: Mar, 2014 Relationship Status: I'm in love with my car
Causing freakouts over sourcing since 2018
#173192: Feb 7th 2017 at 9:38:58 PM

Anyone catch the Sanders and Cruz debate? I'm told it didn't go well for the former, but it's all second hand stuff.

I have disagreed with her a lot, but comparing her to republicans and propagandists of dictatorships is really low. - An idiot
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?
#173193: Feb 7th 2017 at 9:40:16 PM

[up][up]Just going by the firewall breach, slight tweaks in HRC's campaign strategy (like not counting on anti-Trump backlash to cause a 50-blue landslide) could have her in the Oval Office right now, not invoking the darkest timeline.
Pure cynicism and healthy lack of faith in the American people could have changed the result.

[up]And I didn't watch it. Nothing to learn.

edited 7th Feb '17 9:48:28 PM by CenturyEye

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
MadSkillz Destroyer of Worlds Since: Mar, 2013 Relationship Status: I only want you gone
Destroyer of Worlds
#173194: Feb 7th 2017 at 9:43:48 PM

The Republicans as of November have control of 33 state legislatures.

http://m.dailykos.com/story/2016/11/15/1600002/-Think-Trump-Will-Be-Bad-How-About-Rewriting-The-Constitution

@Link It's real:

http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/politics/2016/01/_liberals_and_conservatives_are_teaming_up_to_call_a_new_constitutional.html

And it's been brewing for a while now but it's been slow-moving. In January 2016, 27 states had already approved it.

Krieger22 Causing freakouts over sourcing since 2018 from Malaysia Since: Mar, 2014 Relationship Status: I'm in love with my car
Causing freakouts over sourcing since 2018
#173195: Feb 7th 2017 at 9:52:38 PM

The White Working Class: I swear I've already posted this. Wouldn't be surprised if it was ignored.

Bonus from the comments:

If you control for education, Qo L of measures (e.g. hh_income, u3, le (after controlling for population density)) at the county and state level, economic hardship is positively and I argue robustly associated with voting Democratic in both 2012 and 2016. No surprise as this is consistent with the research from the mid 2000s showing that holding education constant, income is positively correlated with support for Republicans.

If you look at exit polls this year, Trump did best with voters who viewed immigration and terrorism as their most important issues and Clinton best with economy firsters. If you look at other person-level surveys views about race and sex can explain nearly all of the education split between the vote preferences of whites. There is scant evidence that economic anxiety caused Clinton to lose. Income also seemed to have little effect in surveys at the person level among whites.

The strongest piece of evidence out there is a study by Autor, Dorn and Hanson using an iv strategy to estimate the effect of Chinese trade on the Republican vote share. However, it's too great of a leap to go from increased trade competition caused Republicans to do slightly better in 2016 to economic anxiety caused Republicans to do better in 2016. The shift could be explained by some unmeasured intermediary step such as declining union membership or migration patterns. So it would be ill-advised to connect declining manufacturing jobs with the economic anxiety thesis.

At the end of the day, support for Trump can be best explained by race and education with little room for economic wellbeing. This is particularly unappealing, because it means Clinton lost on cultural issues and that neither a better economy nor a policy and rhetoric shift on economic planks would do much to win back these voters.

TLDR: The great preponderance of evidence shows that Clinton lost because she failed to convince this house to vote for her.

I have disagreed with her a lot, but comparing her to republicans and propagandists of dictatorships is really low. - An idiot
Eschaton Since: Jul, 2010
#173196: Feb 7th 2017 at 9:53:45 PM

Which state legislatures are at risk of flipping? Which would be good to know anyways, even though 38 states are needed to actually ratify an amendment.

BearyScary Since: Sep, 2010 Relationship Status: You spin me right round, baby
#173197: Feb 7th 2017 at 9:54:58 PM

What would messing with the Constitution entail, exactly?

Do not obey in advance.
LinkToTheFuture A real bad hombre from somewhere completely different Since: Apr, 2015 Relationship Status: What's love got to do with it?
A real bad hombre
#173198: Feb 7th 2017 at 9:56:55 PM

That's my question too. For such a plan to pass, a number of blue states would have to approve it as well, so it's not necessarily the GOP going bonkers and re-writing all the rules.

"I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work." -Thomas Edison
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
#173199: Feb 7th 2017 at 10:03:47 PM

I don't think it's unreasonable to suggest that Sanders had more appeal amongst the uneducated Middle-aged than Clinton did. Though I suspect he'd also have less appeal amongst possible crossover Republicans and other establishment folks, so who knows.

In the end looking at the road not taken isn't particularly productive.

“And the Bunny nails it!” ~ Gabrael “If the UN can get through a day without everyone strangling everyone else so can we.” ~ Cyran
Balmung Since: Oct, 2011
#173200: Feb 7th 2017 at 10:04:39 PM

In theory? Anything. If the GOP can get enough control for that, they could theoretically do whatever they damn well pleased. Dramatically weaken the federal government? Sure. Abolish the federal income tax? Fair game. Reinstating slavery? On the table. Revoking women's suffrage? Sure, Why Not?

NOTHING would be off the table.


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