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

ironballs16 Since: Jul, 2009 Relationship Status: Owner of a lonely heart
#282576: Jun 12th 2019 at 11:18:00 AM

[up]

In fairness, that might be a bit of Self-Fulfilling Prophecy, as a number of people I've talked to want Biden to be the nominee solely because they think he has the best chance of beating Trump.

"Why would I inflict myself on somebody else?"
M84 Oh, bother. from Our little blue planet Since: Jun, 2010 Relationship Status: Chocolate!
Oh, bother.
#282577: Jun 12th 2019 at 11:19:40 AM

Well, winning in 2020 is pretty important to Democratic voters.

Disgusted, but not surprised
TheRoguePenguin Since: Jul, 2009
#282578: Jun 12th 2019 at 11:21:20 AM

Biden has that now, but he's been limiting his exposure to avoid any gaffs, and voters are starting to notice.

Fighteer Lost in Space from The Time Vortex (Time Abyss) Relationship Status: TV Tropes ruined my love life
Lost in Space
#282579: Jun 12th 2019 at 11:25:17 AM

So Biden's best strategy to win is not to say anything so he doesn't step on his crank? I can't help but think that's not a winning strategy in the long run. [lol]

Edited by Fighteer on Jun 12th 2019 at 2:25:28 PM

"It's Occam's Shuriken! If the answer is elusive, never rule out ninjas!"
SeptimusHeap from Switzerland (Edited uphill both ways) Relationship Status: Mu
#282580: Jun 12th 2019 at 11:30:29 AM

To be fair to Biden, after 4+ years of Trump's Twitter I think people will be looking for a quiet and calm person.

Besides, not all people are progressives, not even in the Democratic Party. In this thread most are, but it's not a representative sample and it's likely that we are underestimating both the frequency of non-progressives and consequently Biden's popularity. Plus the "electability" deal.

"For a successful technology, reality must take precedence over public relations, for Nature cannot be fooled." - Richard Feynman
Gaon Smoking Snake from Grim Up North Since: Jun, 2012 Relationship Status: Above such petty unnecessities
#282581: Jun 12th 2019 at 11:32:53 AM

[up][up] So would I, but that's literally how Jair Bolsonaro got elected in Brazil (that and playing the victim and the justice system conspiring to jail the only man who could beat him).

"All you Fascists bound to lose."
ironballs16 Since: Jul, 2009 Relationship Status: Owner of a lonely heart
#282582: Jun 12th 2019 at 11:32:56 AM

[up]

Yeah, which is why I'm eagerly anticipating the first debate, which is... June 26/27th, apparently. Warren's wonkishness might be a boon there (provided people are receptive), and Biden's gaffe-prone nature might cause him harm. Keep in mind that, outside of Trump, even the smallest gaffe can set a campaign into a tailspin (see: "Oops", "RAAAAH!" and "Malfunctioning Robot").

[down]

It's the "Bed of Nails" principle in action - make so damned many of them, and they suddenly become less important than they otherwise would be.

Edited by ironballs16 on Jun 12th 2019 at 2:55:18 PM

"Why would I inflict myself on somebody else?"
Fighteer Lost in Space from The Time Vortex (Time Abyss) Relationship Status: TV Tropes ruined my love life
Lost in Space
#282583: Jun 12th 2019 at 11:36:32 AM

Trump appears to have hit on the winning strategy there, which is not only never to apologize for a gaffe, but actively assert that he always says exactly what he means to say.

Edited by Fighteer on Jun 12th 2019 at 2:37:01 PM

"It's Occam's Shuriken! If the answer is elusive, never rule out ninjas!"
TobiasDrake (•̀⤙•́) (Edited uphill both ways) Relationship Status: Arm chopping is not a love language!
(•̀⤙•́)
#282584: Jun 12th 2019 at 12:03:49 PM

Trump appears to have hit on the winning strategy there, which is not only never to apologize for a gaffe, but actively assert that he always says exactly what he means to say.

Sad but true. People see an admission of fault as a sign of weakness, and weakness is a very unattractive trait in a leader. Not everyone thinks the President should be standing in front of a mic barking "ALPHA DOG, WOOF WOOF, BACK OFF BEFORE I BEAT YOU WITH MY DICK!!!"

But a discomforting number of people do. That's part of the culture war we are presently engaged in. We, as a global culture, are trying to make a difficult transition to being a global culture. And that transition is hamstringed by short-sighted fearmongering and the public's love of a confident strongman.

In essence, "I want my President to take no prisoners and kick the other countries' ass!" is the large-scale equivalent of "My family is safe 'cause no one messes with ME AND MAH GUN." Our effort to achieve a more equitable state of existence is being held back by militant tribalism and egotistic bravado.

Edited by TobiasDrake on Jun 12th 2019 at 1:05:25 PM

My Tumblr. Currently side-by-side liveblogging Digimon Adventure, sub vs dub.
ironballs16 Since: Jul, 2009 Relationship Status: Owner of a lonely heart
#282585: Jun 12th 2019 at 12:17:23 PM

[up]

And we saw the groundwork for that lain as early as 2004, when Kerry's reputation as a "flip-flopper" helped to utterly scuttle his campaign. Granted, having the charisma of a log didn't help matters, but that wasn't the rhetoric being used.

"Why would I inflict myself on somebody else?"
RainingMetal (Handed A Sword) Relationship Status: THIS CONCEPT OF 'WUV' CONFUSES AND INFURIATES US!
#282586: Jun 12th 2019 at 12:18:53 PM

I'd probably say with confidence that the alt-right movement is Never My Fault incarnate.

ASAB: All Sponsors Are Bad.
Rationalinsanity from Halifax, Canada Since: Aug, 2010 Relationship Status: It's complicated
#282587: Jun 12th 2019 at 12:55:09 PM

I saw a piece on Warren's foreign policy while I was out today. Can't find it, but she is focusing on withdrawing from the quagmires (Afghanistan and Iraq), while confronting China, Russia and shoring up democracy where it is faltering.

Her not falling into Sandersesque isolationism (or at least, foreign policy apathy) has improved my opinion of her immensely in this regard.

Politics is the skilled use of blunt objects.
LeGarcon Blowout soon fellow Stalker from Skadovsk Since: Aug, 2013 Relationship Status: Gay for Big Boss
Blowout soon fellow Stalker
#282588: Jun 12th 2019 at 1:04:06 PM

Confronting the Russians and shoring democracy and withdrawing from Iraq and Afghanistan are two exclusive positions.

Oh really when?
Protagonist506 from Oregon Since: Dec, 2013 Relationship Status: Chocolate!
#282589: Jun 12th 2019 at 1:20:02 PM

To play devil's advocate somewhat, I have thought before that apologizing might be a poor strategy in part because your enemies will rarely accept your apology, and it'll make you look weak to your allies.

I suppose the line though is if you've done something your core supporters don't like. Your core supporters might accept an apology and you don't have anyone to look weak to at that point.

Leviticus 19:34
AlleyOop Since: Oct, 2010
#282591: Jun 12th 2019 at 1:28:18 PM

Hopefully true, and hopefully people don't get complacent. How wide would a sampling of 1,214 be considered?

Ramidel Since: Jan, 2001
#282592: Jun 12th 2019 at 1:34:13 PM

Marq FJA may have different experiences in the Saudi school system. In America, school punishment is laughably ineffective against the kind of people who bully in the first place, parental punishment is easily shrugged off by thick-skinned kids, and fighting back gets the school to come down on the victim. Either way, fighting back against bullies rarely works in American schools.

Barr, on the other hand, is realizing that he's facing actual jail time that Congress can enforce, and Trump will just tell him not to drop the soap. And Trump is not a man who inspires loyalty. It's not surprising that Barr has cracked.

Way to go, Nadler. (Pelosi, are you paying attention? The time for "nice" has passed.)

sgamer82 Since: Jan, 2001
#282593: Jun 12th 2019 at 1:35:44 PM

Protesters want to fly ‘Baby Trump’ balloon during the president’s Fourth of July address in Washington Code Pink originally raised money to bring the blimp to Washington for Trump’s canceled military parade.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/protesters-want-to-fly-baby-trump-balloon-during-the-presidents-fourth-of-july-address-in-washington/2019/06/11/1a6d46b6-8bbe-11e9-b08e-cfd89bd36d4e_story.html


Trump looks to squash Justin Amash – The president has discussed with aides backing a primary challenge against the lone Republican impeachment supporter.

https://www.politico.com/story/2019/06/12/trump-amash-1361452


From the developing WTF Just Happened Today? feed:

Trump publicly came out against the use of CIA informants to spy on North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, saying it would not happen on his watch. Trump's comments came a day after it was reported that Kim's half-brother, who was killed at the Kuala Lumpur airport in 2017, was a CIA source. "I saw the information about the CIA, with respect to his brother, or half-brother," Trump told reporters. "And I would tell [Kim Jong Un] that would not happen under my auspices, that’s for sure. I wouldn’t let that happen under my auspices." (Reuters)

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-northkorea-idUSKCN1TC256

Edited by sgamer82 on Jun 12th 2019 at 2:43:43 AM

wisewillow She/her Since: May, 2011
She/her
#282594: Jun 12th 2019 at 1:41:29 PM

Uh, Biden hasn’t been gaffe free. He’s dropped multiple creepy sexist comments, wagged a finger in a repro rights advocate’s face after she asked him to do better, and that’s just this week off the top of my head.

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
#282595: Jun 12th 2019 at 1:45:08 PM

I can't help but think that's not a winning strategy in the long run. [lol]

You say that, but if I remember right Trump stayed on script and twitter rant free for the week before the election in 2016 and it’s part of why he won.

“And the Bunny nails it!” ~ Gabrael “If the UN can get through a day without everyone strangling everyone else so can we.” ~ Cyran
ShinyCottonCandy Everyone's friend Malamar from Lumiose City (4 Score & 7 Years Ago) Relationship Status: Who needs love when you have waffles?
Everyone's friend Malamar
#282596: Jun 12th 2019 at 1:45:41 PM

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm under the impression that what Biden has isn't an absence of gaffes, but the absence of a spotlight on those gaffes. I'm looking forward to polls when he's had the chance to gaffe with everyone watching.

My musician page
Euodiachloris Since: Oct, 2010
#282597: Jun 12th 2019 at 1:48:09 PM

You know, the team behind that blimp have earned that feeling of accomplishment every time it takes to the sky.

It's a cracking piece of work. One for the books.

KarkatTheDalek Not as angry as the name would suggest. from Somwhere in Time/Space Since: Mar, 2012 Relationship Status: You're a beautiful woman, probably
Not as angry as the name would suggest.
#282598: Jun 12th 2019 at 1:49:09 PM

[up][up][up][up] In fairness, this is the first I’m hearing about these as well. So I suppose while he’s had gaffes, they’ve been fairly low-profile.

[nja]

Edited by KarkatTheDalek on Jun 12th 2019 at 4:49:31 AM

Oh God! Natural light!
Parable Since: Aug, 2009
#282599: Jun 12th 2019 at 1:55:03 PM

Hope Hicks will appear before the House in a closed session to testify on the Mueller Report.

LSBK Since: Sep, 2014
#282600: Jun 12th 2019 at 2:04:20 PM

I would actually like citations for those gaffes. Not that there's a reason to distrust Wisewillow, but fairness and all that.


Total posts: 417,856
Top