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MrAHR Ahr river from ಠ_ಠ Since: Oct, 2010 Relationship Status: A cockroach, nothing can kill it.
Ahr river
#273301: Mar 3rd 2019 at 6:20:59 PM

I mean that is a modern ideal aesthetic, in terms of PR. You have a bunch of people representing a bunch of places, and they bring a piece of their home with them on display.

There is definitely a lot of love for such an idea, for better or for worse.

Read my stories!
Steven (Edited uphill both ways) Relationship Status: YOU'RE TEARING ME APART LISA
#273302: Mar 3rd 2019 at 7:03:17 PM

As much as we want to demonize some politicians or the like, they're still human in the end. And many humans like candy. tongue

Remember, these idiots drive, fuck, and vote. Not always in that order.
HailMuffins Since: May, 2016 Relationship Status: Shipping fictional characters
TheAirman Brightness from The vicinity of an area adjacent to a location Since: Feb, 2011 Relationship Status: Historians will say we were good friends.
Brightness
#273304: Mar 3rd 2019 at 8:51:50 PM

The United States Congress is just like any other workplace, when you get down to it. We like to think that these people are on a level above us and are thus beyond such humanizing qualities as "Want to munch a piece of candy". But they're not.

Speak for yourself, I for one take comfort in the knowledge that there are candy and dance loving human beings in Congress instead of robots and homonculi.

PSN ID: FateSeraph | Switch friendcode: SW-0145-8835-0610 Congratulations! She/They
CharlesPhipps Since: Jan, 2001
#273305: Mar 3rd 2019 at 9:06:18 PM

"Obama watches True Detective! He read comics as a child! You can't trust him!"

Author of The Rules of Supervillainy, Cthulhu Armageddon, and United States of Monsters.
wisewillow She/her Since: May, 2011
She/her
#273306: Mar 3rd 2019 at 9:12:07 PM

[up][up] Eh, knowing they like candy honestly makes it MORE horrifying for me when they, y’know, vote to let Trump do whatever he wants, make speeches supporting imprisoning children, etc.

Ramidel Since: Jan, 2001
#273307: Mar 3rd 2019 at 9:31:36 PM

That's just the worst kind of slippery slope argument. They're so entrenched in their paranoia bunker that their reaction to anything vaguely progressive is IF YOU GIVE THEM AN INCH THEY'LL TAKE A MILE and so they furiously defend the status quo down to the last millimeter.

This is a rational strategy, believe it or not. Set your position at "no compromise and we'll fuck you over at every turn," in a situation where you can't simply be isolated and disregarded, is a good way to prevent changes that you don't want, as well as changes that you wouldn't mind. The NRA is my go-to example here - it's a lot easier for them to get what they want by reflexively throwing poop rather than sponsoring good-faith debates.

KeybladeMaster Leader of the Harp Seals from Portland, TN Since: Feb, 2019 Relationship Status: Hello, I love you
Leader of the Harp Seals
#273308: Mar 3rd 2019 at 9:34:47 PM

Certain states are looking to bypass the Electoral college by passing bills that require the state's electors to vote in line with the result of the popular vote. Eleven states including New York, Illinois, and all of New England excluding New Hampshire have passed laws of such a sort, with Colorado looking to be the next. A pretty good idea to make sure the people's voices aren't ignored like last time, in my opinion. https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/432061-dem-states-move-to-bypass-electoral-college

Keyblade Master was here
LeGarcon Blowout soon fellow Stalker from Skadovsk Since: Aug, 2013 Relationship Status: Gay for Big Boss
Blowout soon fellow Stalker
#273309: Mar 3rd 2019 at 9:34:49 PM

Largely because they simply don't have the facts or reality on their side.

Oh really when?
RainehDaze Nero Fangirl (4 Score & 7 Years Ago)
Nero Fangirl
#273310: Mar 3rd 2019 at 9:39:33 PM

I am kind of amused that apparently some occupants used the candy desk to promote sweets from local businesses in their home states.

To a degree this is also because of ethics oversight regarding taking gifts. If it's from the Senator's home state this is less of a problem.

BlueNinja0 The Mod with the Migraine from Taking a left at Albuquerque Since: Dec, 2010 Relationship Status: Showing feelings of an almost human nature
The Mod with the Migraine
#273311: Mar 3rd 2019 at 9:42:00 PM

Biden is sure sounding like he's going to run. The same article also looks at the governors of Washington and Maryland potentially entering the field.

Biden said Tuesday at a University of Delaware event that his family has signed off on a presidential run, explaining that after a “family meeting,” there was a “consensus.”

“The most important people in my life want me to run,” the former vice president said.

That’s the epitome of privilege right there, not considering armed nazis a threat to your life. - Silasw
Ramidel Since: Jan, 2001
#273312: Mar 3rd 2019 at 9:44:51 PM

[up][up]This has been going on for a while, glad to see that the march is continuing.

It might pass Florida this term, which would be a huge win. (No telling which way the governor will go - he's not been a reliable partisan but he may well be in this case.)

Clarste One Winged Egret Since: Jun, 2009 Relationship Status: Non-Canon
One Winged Egret
#273313: Mar 4th 2019 at 4:16:25 AM

The thing about the popular vote pact is that you essentially have the win the electoral college before you can bypass the electoral college. Since it's basically a "democrats will always win in the future" bill, it therefore requires getting the swing states to voluntarily give up their own power, which I don't see ever happening.

Edited by Clarste on Mar 4th 2019 at 5:49:30 AM

KeybladeMaster Leader of the Harp Seals from Portland, TN Since: Feb, 2019 Relationship Status: Hello, I love you
Leader of the Harp Seals
#273314: Mar 4th 2019 at 5:41:57 AM

[up]I figured as much, but it was a story that stirred up hope in me, and the optimist in me took that and ran with it. Changing the current political system for the better is sure to be an uphill battle.

Keyblade Master was here
Parable Since: Aug, 2009
#273315: Mar 4th 2019 at 6:58:56 AM

Former Colorado governor John Hickenlooper is running for president:

"In a short video released Monday morning, Hickenlooper pledged to fight what he referred to as a crisis that threatens everything America stands for, as a picture of President Trump flashed on the screen, "As a skinny kid with Coke bottle glasses and a funny last name. I've stood up to my fair share of bullies. Standing tall when it matters is one of the things that really drives me."

In an interview with Colorado Public Radio, Hickenlooper said he has his own tactic for dealing with Trump's aggressive tactics.

"You say back what they're saying, but you twist it just enough so the people they're trying to impress see the lunacy, the comedy in what they're trying to say," Hickenlooper said. "When their audience begins laughing at them, it drives most bullies nuts."

The 67-year-old former geologist, beer brewer and mayor of Denver has been considering a presidential bid for some time. He often touts his state's solid economic growth, especially in rural parts of Colorado. Hickenlooper also points to his accomplishments as governor, such as Medicaid expansion, increased infrastructure and public education spending and overhauling state campaign finance laws. He also led Colorado through major challenges, including historic wildfires and floods, and a mass shooting at a movie theater in a Denver suburb.

"I promised Colorado families that we would rebuild our communities better than before, and that just offering thoughts and prayers would never again be sufficient," said Hickenlooper, who served two terms as governor, in his launch video."

RedSavant Since: Jan, 2001
#273316: Mar 4th 2019 at 7:02:30 AM

"You say back what they're saying, but you twist it just enough so the people they're trying to impress see the lunacy, the comedy in what they're trying to say," Hickenlooper said.

I'm not so sure "I Know You Are, But What Am I 2020" is going to get him very far, but sure, buddy, knock yourself out.

It's been fun.
TobiasDrake (•̀⤙•́) (Edited uphill both ways) Relationship Status: Arm chopping is not a love language!
(•̀⤙•́)
#273317: Mar 4th 2019 at 7:17:32 AM

I don't know. If he can pull it off, tricking Trump into making an ass of himself isn't hard. Trump makes an ass of himself with zero provocations, and 90% of everything he says is made up on the spot.

Hickenlooper's still far from my first pick. But there might be some merit to what he's saying. Making Trump the butt of the joke and getting the crowd laughing at him instead of with him might just be the key to breaking the spell he has voters under.

My Tumblr. Currently side-by-side liveblogging Digimon Adventure, sub vs dub.
RedSavant Since: Jan, 2001
#273318: Mar 4th 2019 at 7:27:03 AM

I can see where you're coming from, but I also think that's the whole problem. Trump routinely says things that are stupid or provably wrong, and no one who's tried to call him on it has succeeded yet - nor have the people who need to start laughing at him started laughing. He says idiotic things, but he also has that weird... I shudder to call it charisma, that is probably not something people want to go toe-to-toe with him on.

If Hickenlooper has an actual platform and presence independent of Trump, and this 'laugh at Trump' plan is specifically his means of dealing with aggro from the Republican camp when it happens but is a sideshow to the actual process of constructive policies, then maybe he stands a chance. But the problem with building a campaign approach around things Trump says is that A) you'll always be reactive and B) you will rarely be able to rise above Trump's level.

Edited by RedSavant on Mar 4th 2019 at 10:28:49 AM

It's been fun.
AzurePaladin She/Her Pronouns from Forest of Magic Since: Apr, 2018 Relationship Status: Mu
She/Her Pronouns
#273319: Mar 4th 2019 at 7:30:11 AM

Here's the issue: this is Trump's home turf. We've seen this before back in 2016, trying to engage him in a war of petty insults is a bad idea, because he tends to win those. See Rubio and Clinton. Challenging him on those terms in 2020 is not likely to fair any better, and making it the central theme of your campaign displays a lack of faith in the ability for your ideas to inspire hope or engage constituents.

So, unless I learn anything new about him he's getting sorted into the lower-middle section of my personal rankings.

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
sgamer82 Since: Jan, 2001
#273320: Mar 4th 2019 at 7:41:08 AM

He says idiotic things, but he also has that weird... I shudder to call it charisma, that is probably not something people want to go toe-to-toe with him on.
The word you're looking for might be Charisn'tma.

Soban Since: Aug, 2009 Relationship Status: 700 wives and 300 concubines
#273321: Mar 4th 2019 at 8:00:03 AM

I don't think that democrats will always win if we went to the popular vote instead of the EC. I think they might have the advantage for one election cycle, perhaps two. Something to remember is that both Bushes and Regan had popular vote victories. (Both of Regans, Bush Sr's first run, and Bush Jr's reelection). The Republicans are quite capable of winning the popular vote. All that will happen is that both parties strategies will change slightly.

CharlesPhipps Since: Jan, 2001
#273322: Mar 4th 2019 at 8:06:36 AM

The Electoral College is not the problem as much as voter suppression.

But there's a lot of the latter to influence the former.

Author of The Rules of Supervillainy, Cthulhu Armageddon, and United States of Monsters.
AzurePaladin She/Her Pronouns from Forest of Magic Since: Apr, 2018 Relationship Status: Mu
She/Her Pronouns
#273323: Mar 4th 2019 at 8:07:22 AM

[up][up] Well, yes, but it does benefit the Democrats more. And its not even necessarily a strategic move. Its just the right thing to do.

Edited by AzurePaladin on Mar 4th 2019 at 11:07:29 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
Soban Since: Aug, 2009 Relationship Status: 700 wives and 300 concubines
#273324: Mar 4th 2019 at 8:13:30 AM

Perhaps, but since 1888, winning the presidency but losing the popular vote has only happened twice. Both have been republicans, but I don't think it signals a weakness overall for them.

I think that the biggest positive change we could make in our election system is to move to range voting rather then plurality.

Rationalinsanity from Halifax, Canada Since: Aug, 2010 Relationship Status: It's complicated
#273325: Mar 4th 2019 at 8:13:44 AM

Demographics and political borders have shifted so much since the 80s that I'm not sure those elections are valid predictors anymore. That leaves us with 04, which of course had 9/11 hanging over it and a Patriotic Fervor view (at least in part) of the Iraq war, which of "Oh fuck, why did we do that?" 2 and 4 years later.

Politics is the skilled use of blunt objects.

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