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

Ludlow Since: Apr, 2013
#257351: Oct 10th 2018 at 10:06:02 AM

I'm happy to see our chances of winning the house have gone back up! Sadly we seem to be sliding down in the senate, which is ok because the senate was always a long shot anyway.

Besides, I think the GOP began their current takeover by capturing the house, so if we can win it it'll be a good sign. It might also result in another Government shutdown in the next year or so, though, so anyone who'll be affected by that should brace themselves.

RainehDaze Nero Fangirl (4 Score & 7 Years Ago)
Nero Fangirl
#257352: Oct 10th 2018 at 10:15:15 AM

To be fair, it's more likely at this point that the Senate chances haven't really changed, it's just clearer that it was less likely than expected due to a lack of relevant polling.

Rationalinsanity from Halifax, Canada Since: Aug, 2010 Relationship Status: It's complicated
#257353: Oct 10th 2018 at 10:25:02 AM

[up][up]The Senate map is also far more favorable to the Democrats in 2020.

Politics is the skilled use of blunt objects.
megaeliz Since: Mar, 2017
#257355: Oct 10th 2018 at 10:55:45 AM

[up] I don’t know a ton about him, other than the basics honestly.

TheRoguePenguin Since: Jul, 2009
#257356: Oct 10th 2018 at 11:27:20 AM

Doing a quick skim of his background, he supported stop-and-frisk and favors tax cuts for big corporations. On the former alone, that's a hard pass for me. He's got a good record on other social issues, but any other Democrat would likely be the same on said issues without those drawbacks.

Edited by TheRoguePenguin on Oct 10th 2018 at 11:27:18 AM

sgamer82 Since: Jan, 2001
#257357: Oct 10th 2018 at 11:30:10 AM

Plus the fact he seems so ready to flip flop between parties makes him come off as opportunist.

megaeliz Since: Mar, 2017
#257358: Oct 10th 2018 at 11:48:14 AM

[up][up]From the quick check I did, he seems to be something of an anti-Trump.

He actually is everything Trump claims to be, a real life self made billionaire, incredibly intelligent, a legitimately successful businessman and Politican, and philanthropist. (He was the guy who offered to pay America’s part of the Paris agreement, when trump decided to withdraw.)

Edited by megaeliz on Oct 10th 2018 at 3:00:25 PM

sgamer82 Since: Jan, 2001
#257359: Oct 10th 2018 at 12:02:58 PM

https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/2018/10/10/day-629/

Day 629: Inevitable.

1/ Trump claimed the Democrat party's push for "Medicare for All" would "eviscerate" and "gut Medicare with their planned government takeover of American health care," in a rare presidential op-ed published by USA Today. The op-ed included numerous debunked claims and factual inaccuracies while simultaneously linking to information that directly refuted his claims. Trump suggested that "Medicare would be forced to die" under the plan, devastating the health care industry, and "inevitably lead[ing] to the massive rationing of health care." Medicare provides health care to Americans older than 65 and those with disabilities. (CNN / NBC News)

https://www.cnn.com/2018/10/10/politics/donald-trump-medicare-for-all-midterms/index.html

Fact-checking Trump's op-ed. (Washington Post)

https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2018/10/10/fact-checking-president-trumps-usa-today-op-ed-medicare-for-all/

The Trump administration plans to take down healthcare.gov for maintenance during the sign-up period for the Affordable Care Act. The administration did the same thing last year and drew criticism for it, but officials say the maintenance periods are routine and intended to occur during the slowest periods. (The Hill)

https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/410574-trump-officials-plan-maintenance-downtime-for-healthcaregov-during

2/ Trump said he will speak to Saudi officials about the disappearance of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, saying he was "concerned." While the Saudi government claims that Khashoggi left the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul after his visit last week, top Turkish security officials concluded that Khashoggi was assassinated in the consulate on orders from the highest levels of the Saudi royal court. Khashoggi, a Saudi citizen living in exile in the United States, was a vocal critic of Saudi Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Fifteen Saudi agents had arrived on two charter flights the day Khashoggi disappeared and all 15 left just a few hours later. The Trump administration has been largely silent in part because Saudi Arabia is a close American ally and Trump has repeatedly expressed his enthusiasm for Mohammed bin Salman. (New York Times / Politico)

https://www.politico.com/story/2018/10/09/turkey-saudi-consulate-jamal-khashoggi-884155

poll/ 46% of voters believe the Senate "made the wrong decision" in confirming Brett Kavanaugh, while 40% said it was the right decision. Among Democrats, 78% say the Senate made the wrong decision compared to 73% of Republicans who support the decision. Following the nomination, 77% of Democrats say they are "very motivated" to turn out and vote in the midterms. 68% of Republicans say they're "very motived." (Politico)

https://www.politico.com/story/2018/10/10/poll-kavanaugh-midterms-885940

Democratic voter turnout in this year's House primaries increased in each of the 19 competitive, comparable House districts compared to 2014, and doubled in more than two thirds of them. (Axios)

https://www.axios.com/2018-midterms-democratic-primary-voter-turnout-9b94a3c2-1c59-4be6-8595-b31968e0e07d.html

Notables.

Roger Stone's aide says he feels "great" about taking his case to the Supreme Court now that Kavanaugh is on the bench. Andrew Miller, who worked for Stone and was subpoenaed to testify before Robert Mueller's grand jury, is challenging the constitutionality of the special counsel's probe. He filed a suit to invalidate Mueller's authority to act as a prosecutor. A federal judge ruled against him and held him in contempt, so he appealed to ruling to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit. (CNN)

https://www.cnn.com/2018/10/09/politics/roger-stone-aide-andrew-miller-radio-interview/index.html

House Majority Leader Kevin Mc Carthy will introduce legislation this week to fully fund Trump's $23.4 billion border wall. The bill is currently in draft form, but is expected to be released within the next few days. The House would not be able to consider the bill until after the midterm elections. (CNN)

https://www.cnn.com/2018/10/10/politics/kevin-mccarthy-border-wall-bill/index.html

archonspeaks Since: Jun, 2013
#257360: Oct 10th 2018 at 12:10:32 PM

Bloomberg isn’t awful, but we really don’t need another celebrity billionaire in office. Let’s not get carried away here.

They should have sent a poet.
theLibrarian Since: Jul, 2009
#257361: Oct 10th 2018 at 12:11:03 PM

It's not gonna happen. That thing will take a decade to build and any sane President will stop it as soon as they get into office as a useless waste of money.

megaeliz Since: Mar, 2017
#257362: Oct 10th 2018 at 12:18:41 PM

[up][up] I do approve of his plan to help get Democrats elected in the midterms though. since it helps even out the playing field a bit with the big Republican Mega-donors.

Speaking of that...

Michael Bloomberg, the billionaire former mayor of New York City who is considering a 2020 presidential campaign, will give $20 million to the main Democratic Senate super PAC this week - jolting the national battle for control of the chamber just five weeks away from the midterm elections.

Bloomberg's intervention bolsters the Democrats' Senate chances by infusing significant late-season capital into the Senate Majority PAC, a group that had $29 million on hand at the end of August and has been purchasing advertising in expensive media markets.

Bloomberg - a former Republican and declared political independent - says the emotional national debate over sexual assault allegations against President Donald Trump's Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh has energized Democratic voters and provides an opening for the party to be more competitive in rallying women and swing voters, his advisers said Tuesday, adding that he sees last week's contentious hearings as a tipping point.

"Mike was extraordinarily disappointed in the Republican leadership in the Senate and feels increasingly passionate about changing it," Bloomberg adviser Kevin Sheekey said. "And he's already enthusiastic about the impact he's having on House races and increasingly confident that he can contribute to a Democratic takeover.”

The enormous sum brings Bloomberg - who has already pledged to spend $80 million to support Democratic congressional candidates - up to $100 million in spending commitments for the 2018 election cycle, firmly positioning himself in the Democratic camp as he contemplates a bid for the White House.

Edited by megaeliz on Oct 10th 2018 at 3:32:09 PM

RainehDaze Nero Fangirl (4 Score & 7 Years Ago)
Nero Fangirl
#257363: Oct 10th 2018 at 12:26:08 PM

I see the new plan is "IF YOU DON'T VOTE, THE DEMOCRATS WILL BLOCK THE WALL"

AlleyOop Since: Oct, 2010
#257364: Oct 10th 2018 at 12:35:28 PM

I'd say having a decent but flawed set of views and being highly competent IRL, but also a big opportunist, is a good way to describe Bloomberg.

Parable Since: Aug, 2009
#257365: Oct 10th 2018 at 12:35:39 PM

Fires in the west, hurricanes in the Gulf. But sure, let's throw money to a wall in the desert. That'll save lives for sure.

ironballs16 Since: Jul, 2009 Relationship Status: Owner of a lonely heart
#257366: Oct 10th 2018 at 12:37:45 PM

In more specific Congressional election news: Dana Balter, the candidate for NY-24 against John Katko (the former I've met twice in my own town, while I've never seen the latter in-person) broke a fundraising record for the third quarter, nearly tripling the previous record by posting $1.5 million in funds raised, and beating out the highest overall fundraising record of $1.396 million posted in 2006. This came from 40,000 donations, with an average donation of $35 and 95% of donations being under $100.

As for Bloomberg, even New Yorkers hate him for that insipid "Soda Ban" he pushed through that did jack-all for health impacts (the classic Gigantic Gulp sodas sold at convenience stores were exempt) and served only to make the Democrats look like "The Nanny State".

[down]

And one that could easily be used as a cudgel and/or "proof" that the Democrats will obstruct personal liberties for "the greater good."

Edited by ironballs16 on Oct 10th 2018 at 4:42:53 AM

"Why would I inflict myself on somebody else?"
Steven (Edited uphill both ways) Relationship Status: YOU'RE TEARING ME APART LISA
#257367: Oct 10th 2018 at 1:14:10 PM

That soda thing was a major joke.

Remember, these idiots drive, fuck, and vote. Not always in that order.
CharlesPhipps Since: Jan, 2001
#257368: Oct 10th 2018 at 1:31:13 PM

Compared to the monsters in office now, I have no objections to Bloomberg.

It's not like I'd vote for his opponent in 2020.

Author of The Rules of Supervillainy, Cthulhu Armageddon, and United States of Monsters.
megaeliz Since: Mar, 2017
#257369: Oct 10th 2018 at 1:42:48 PM

[up] grin

Granted, It’s pretty easy to make them look bad. Just act like a decent person and you’ve got a pretty good head start.

Edited by megaeliz on Oct 10th 2018 at 4:43:43 AM

Fourthspartan56 from Georgia, US Since: Oct, 2016 Relationship Status: THIS CONCEPT OF 'WUV' CONFUSES AND INFURIATES US!
#257370: Oct 10th 2018 at 1:49:41 PM

Compared to the monsters in office now, I have no objections to Bloomberg.

It's not like I'd vote for his opponent in 2020.

This is a terrible-awful-no good idea, we must not preemptively decide that "better then a Republican" is the only thing that matters when choosing a Presidential candidate. Being a better person than Trump is and always will be a worthless metric to measure anything.

There is no reason to believe that Bloomberg is necessary and thus considering his flawed policies I see no reason that he should be anywhere near the Presidential race. Not when there will likely be more than enough well-qualified candidates.

No just no.

"Einstein would turn over in his grave. Not only does God play dice, the dice are loaded." -Chairman Sheng-Ji Yang
ironballs16 Since: Jul, 2009 Relationship Status: Owner of a lonely heart
#257371: Oct 10th 2018 at 1:53:42 PM

[up]

Besides which, "Better than Hillary" was the rationale for a lot of Trump voters in the general election, including some that should have known better.

"Why would I inflict myself on somebody else?"
CharlesPhipps Since: Jan, 2001
#257372: Oct 10th 2018 at 1:57:15 PM

I point out that I voted for Hillary because she was better than Trump.

I'd love a far more Left leaning candidate.

But at this point, any Democrat is better axiomatically than any Republican save perhaps Manchin.

Bloomberg also has nothing that I have especially against him and if he's going to choose a political pretext for switching parties (again) then at least he chose well with Kavanaugh. He knows what he's doing as an administrator.

I'll choose when and if we get anyone else announcing their candidacy to compare him to.

Edited by CharlesPhipps on Oct 10th 2018 at 1:58:10 AM

Author of The Rules of Supervillainy, Cthulhu Armageddon, and United States of Monsters.
megaeliz Since: Mar, 2017
#257373: Oct 10th 2018 at 2:01:27 PM

I don’t know a lot about his terms as mayor, or anything, but I do admire his data driven problem solving approach and the massive amount of philanthropy he does.

Edited by megaeliz on Oct 10th 2018 at 5:02:00 AM

AzurePaladin She/Her Pronouns from Forest of Magic Since: Apr, 2018 Relationship Status: Mu
She/Her Pronouns
#257374: Oct 10th 2018 at 2:02:39 PM

[up][up][up][up] [awesome][awesome][awesome]

[up][up] Don't forget Roy Cooper on the "really rather not" list. And you know, Bloomberg is a really bad choice too. Stop-and-Frisk was a really bad policy.

Edited by AzurePaladin on Oct 10th 2018 at 5:05:28 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
archonspeaks Since: Jun, 2013
#257375: Oct 10th 2018 at 2:09:24 PM

[up][up] We can do better than Bloomberg.

They should have sent a poet.

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