TVTropes Now available in the app store!
Open

Follow TV Tropes

Following

The General US Politics Thread

Go To

Nov 2023 Mod notice:


There may be other, more specific, threads about some aspects of US politics, but this one tends to act as a hub for all sorts of related news and information, so it's usually one of the busiest OTC threads.

If you're new to OTC, it's worth reading the Introduction to On-Topic Conversations and the On-Topic Conversations debate guidelines before posting here.

Rumor-based, fear-mongering and/or inflammatory statements that damage the quality of the thread will be thumped. Off-topic posts will also be thumped. Repeat offenders may be suspended.

If time spent moderating this thread remains a distraction from moderation of the wiki itself, the thread will need to be locked. We want to avoid that, so please follow the forum rules when posting here.


In line with the general forum rules, 'gravedancing' is prohibited here. If you're celebrating someone's death or hoping that they die, your post will get thumped. This rule applies regardless of what the person you're discussing has said or done.

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

LSBK Since: Sep, 2014
#277076: Apr 9th 2019 at 5:34:31 PM

I'm not actually sure how progressive Harris positioned herself in the first place. A lot of it honestly seemed like people putting her on a pedestal soon after her election for reasons I'm not totally sure about, and then, unsurprisingly, it turned out she also has some black marks.

Some has posted before when it comes to these things what the candidates are saying now actually do tend to be more indicative of what they'll (try to) do than their past records, though I still get being uneasy about said records.

Rationalinsanity from Halifax, Canada Since: Aug, 2010 Relationship Status: It's complicated
#277077: Apr 9th 2019 at 6:32:59 PM

And now Claire Grady, the (acting) No.2 at Homeland Security, is the latest to be purged by Miller and co.

https://www.cnn.com/2019/04/09/politics/acting-deputy-secretary-dhs-resignation/index.html

An escalation on the migrant crackdown is coming, the only question is how severe it will be.

Edited by Rationalinsanity on Apr 9th 2019 at 10:35:00 AM

Politics is the skilled use of blunt objects.
Parable Since: Aug, 2009
#277078: Apr 9th 2019 at 6:40:33 PM

Gillibrand is going to be on a CNN town hall in about twenty minutes, for those who want to get a feel about her.

MorningStar1337 The Encounter that ended the Dogma from 🤔 Since: Nov, 2012
The Encounter that ended the Dogma
#277079: Apr 9th 2019 at 6:49:24 PM

I found an op-ed on CNN that posits that people tend to vote for the person least like the last president, and that the polar opposites are the most likely to get the Oval Office. Though I disagree with the article's conclusion leading to Buttigieg being the most viable candidate (considering what this thread revealed about his track record with minorities and his desire to have his area imitate Silicon Valley, I'd argue that he and Trump are too similar to count) I do wonder if that is the trend with elections or a string of coincidences.

Edited by MorningStar1337 on Apr 9th 2019 at 6:50:29 AM

CharlesPhipps Since: Jan, 2001
#277080: Apr 9th 2019 at 6:52:30 PM

No, I never had Biden as my first or even second choice.

Warren has always been my pick.

I fully (90%) believe Biden will win the primary. I believe name recognition will carry him or Bernie.

Edited by CharlesPhipps on Apr 9th 2019 at 6:53:46 AM

Author of The Rules of Supervillainy, Cthulhu Armageddon, and United States of Monsters.
DingoWalley1 Asgore Adopts Noelle Since: Feb, 2014 Relationship Status: Can't buy me love
Asgore Adopts Noelle
#277081: Apr 9th 2019 at 6:57:17 PM

Right now, I'm behind Julian Castro. Yes, I know he has no real record, but that's also a boon in that he has no skeletons (yet) that can be used against him as well, kind of like Obama.

I'm voting for the Democrat no matter what, though. Even if it is Gabbard or Biden, we can't really afford 4 more years of Trump.

TheRoguePenguin Since: Jul, 2009
#277082: Apr 9th 2019 at 7:12:45 PM

[up][up]I wouldn't be so sure about that. Biden has the benefit of being a former vice-president now, but his past two attempts have both ended the same way: starts out strong and then flags due to gaffs and other problems. I wouldn't be surprised if he won, but 90% odds is a little too generous for someone who at times is his own worst enemy.

Draghinazzo (4 Score & 7 Years Ago) Relationship Status: I get a feeling so complicated...
#277083: Apr 9th 2019 at 7:14:52 PM

I think Sanders is more likely to win than Biden because both have issues with women and a lot of other things, but Biden is much worse in that regard. It would also not surprise me if further allegations against him came out as well, which would do a lot to torpedo his popularity.

wisewillow She/her Since: May, 2011
She/her
#277084: Apr 9th 2019 at 7:17:08 PM

I’m still mostly neutral but Warren is in the lead for me. Because she has actual goddamn practical policies, with a lot of detail, and I trust her record/consistency.

kkhohoho (4 Score & 7 Years Ago)
#277085: Apr 9th 2019 at 7:17:54 PM

At this point I don't really care who it is as long as it isn't Bernie, but even then I'll vote for him if it comes to it.

AzurePaladin She/Her Pronouns from Forest of Magic Since: Apr, 2018 Relationship Status: Mu
She/Her Pronouns
#277086: Apr 9th 2019 at 7:20:05 PM

[up][up] I'm kinda similar, but my reasons are "person who is most likely to advance progressive politics who can still apologize for her mistakes.

[up] Gabbard and Biden above Bernie?

Edited by AzurePaladin on Apr 9th 2019 at 10:20:27 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
Parable Since: Aug, 2009
#277087: Apr 9th 2019 at 7:25:49 PM

Sanders and Biden are far ahead in the polls, but their numbers are in the low 20's. That's not where you want to be.

At this point they're both known factors, so most all primary voters have made up their minds about them. As people drop out and their voters gravitate towards other candidates, I'm not sure Sanders and Biden will benefit from that.

M84 Oh, bother. from Our little blue planet Since: Jun, 2010 Relationship Status: Chocolate!
Oh, bother.
#277088: Apr 9th 2019 at 7:31:52 PM

If it comes down to Sanders and Biden (Gabbard is almost certainly not going to win the primaries), I'm very reluctantly going to vote for Sanders.

They've both got some issues with women, as Drag stated. But Sanders as far as I know doesn't have a history of groping women.

If it comes to either vs. Warren, I'll (again reluctantly) vote for Warren. The problems I see with Warren are even worse in Sanders, and again, Biden has a history of groping women.

Edited by M84 on Apr 9th 2019 at 10:33:55 PM

Disgusted, but not surprised
TheRoguePenguin Since: Jul, 2009
#277089: Apr 9th 2019 at 7:36:17 PM

[up]I'm curious about the problems with Warren. I think I can guess at least one of them, but I wonder what else might make you nervous about her.

M84 Oh, bother. from Our little blue planet Since: Jun, 2010 Relationship Status: Chocolate!
Oh, bother.
#277090: Apr 9th 2019 at 7:38:17 PM

I've stated before that I don't trust how quick she is to resort to cheap populist rhetoric to score points. I especially wasn't impressed when she jumped onto that "DNC rigged primaries!" bandwagon before quickly retracting it.

But Sanders is worse in this regard. So if it comes to her and Sanders, I'll pick her.

Edited by M84 on Apr 9th 2019 at 10:38:56 PM

Disgusted, but not surprised
Rationalinsanity from Halifax, Canada Since: Aug, 2010 Relationship Status: It's complicated
#277091: Apr 9th 2019 at 9:20:47 PM

Has Sanders elaborated on his foreign policy at all yet? While that probably won't be the number 1 issue in 2020 (unless Trump really escalates the trade wars, or actually ramps things up with Iran, knock on wood), its his primary weakness in my eyes.

Politics is the skilled use of blunt objects.
M84 Oh, bother. from Our little blue planet Since: Jun, 2010 Relationship Status: Chocolate!
Oh, bother.
#277092: Apr 9th 2019 at 9:31:22 PM

If he's going to engage in protectionism and isolationism, I'm really hoping he doesn't end up being one of the final choices in the primaries.

Disgusted, but not surprised
AzurePaladin She/Her Pronouns from Forest of Magic Since: Apr, 2018 Relationship Status: Mu
She/Her Pronouns
#277093: Apr 9th 2019 at 9:45:38 PM

This Atlantic piece is perhaps too fawning over his policy, but it does seem he has one. Its not "Isolationist" rather than a less conflict-oriented one. More emphasis on diplomacy and the UN.

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
Parable Since: Aug, 2009
#277094: Apr 9th 2019 at 9:45:50 PM

If it comes to either vs. Warren, I'll (again reluctantly) vote for Warren.

Out of curiosity, how are you weighing the pros an cons of each candidate? Just speaking for myself, I find Warren's record, experience, and policies to far outweigh any reluctance I'd have over any populist soundbites she throws out on occasion, especially ones she's walked back. Heck, I find being able to admit one was wrong to be an admirable quality.

This question is for everyone, actually.

M84 Oh, bother. from Our little blue planet Since: Jun, 2010 Relationship Status: Chocolate!
Oh, bother.
#277095: Apr 9th 2019 at 9:47:53 PM

[up]The thing is, it was a really bad and damaging thing she said. We really don't need people spreading that "DNC rigged primaries" crap. Even if she did walk it back, the damage had been done.

I don't like populists. I don't trust anyone who falls back on populist tactics, whether they are right, center, or left.

It's why I also don't trust Beto, who is a cheap empty suit who emphasizes style over substance.

Edited by M84 on Apr 10th 2019 at 12:50:34 AM

Disgusted, but not surprised
Draghinazzo (4 Score & 7 Years Ago) Relationship Status: I get a feeling so complicated...
#277096: Apr 9th 2019 at 9:48:53 PM

The main thing that had me souring on Warren was the whole native american thing a while back. In retrospect though, that's not really that big compared to Sanders' iffy record on women's rights and coddling of white people, Harris' past as a prosecutor and dozens of horrible things Biden has done.

Edited by Draghinazzo on Apr 9th 2019 at 12:49:18 PM

M84 Oh, bother. from Our little blue planet Since: Jun, 2010 Relationship Status: Chocolate!
Oh, bother.
#277097: Apr 9th 2019 at 9:51:53 PM

The moment it was revealed that Warren did in fact identify herself as Native American on an actual registration card was the moment I really started to judge her for that particular issue.

But again, that's not as bad as Sanders' issues. Or Harris'. Or Biden's.

Edited by M84 on Apr 10th 2019 at 12:57:53 AM

Disgusted, but not surprised
AzurePaladin She/Her Pronouns from Forest of Magic Since: Apr, 2018 Relationship Status: Mu
She/Her Pronouns
#277098: Apr 9th 2019 at 9:55:23 PM

I'm looking at several factors. First, are they personally morally objectionable i.e. bigoted or having a history of touching women without consent? As an addendum, are the able to apologize and how so, and does it even matter?

Next, policy. Do they or did they support really bad policy? And to what degree is the policy bad? Is it "sponsored an anti-nuclear bill that one time" or "tried to ban gay people from the military" bad?

Then, what direction do they want to take the party? I'm still sitting a bit off the left of the overton window, and shifting it is a rather important political goal of mine.

There's a couple more, but these are a sample of the guidelines I'm using when judging candidates.

[up][up][up] I think you're vastly overstating how important that is to modern political discourse. I haven't seen people really care outside of the people re-fighting 2016 on Twitter.

[up] Yeah, I'm kinda with you there. That whole thing is probably the thing I'm holding against her the most.

Edited by AzurePaladin on Apr 9th 2019 at 1:13:32 PM

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
M84 Oh, bother. from Our little blue planet Since: Jun, 2010 Relationship Status: Chocolate!
Oh, bother.
#277099: Apr 9th 2019 at 9:58:49 PM

Part of why I bring it up is because I've seen Warren supporters try to pretend it didn't happen or downplay it. Even though there is actual footage of her outright saying it. And that seems wrong. We shouldn't try to pretend these things didn't happen.

Edited by M84 on Apr 10th 2019 at 12:59:13 AM

Disgusted, but not surprised

Total posts: 417,856
Top