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

M84 Oh, bother. from Our little blue planet Since: Jun, 2010 Relationship Status: Chocolate!
Oh, bother.
#244451: Jun 5th 2018 at 7:32:41 AM

In some ways...a lot of ways...my state is really, really stupid.

Disgusted, but not surprised
CrimsonZephyr Would that it were so simple. from Massachusetts Since: Aug, 2010 Relationship Status: It's complicated
Would that it were so simple.
#244452: Jun 5th 2018 at 7:35:20 AM

Massachusetts once voted Scott Brown into office because he had a big truck. We all have some stupid in us.

"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."
kazuauchiha from Springfield, MO Since: Jul, 2017 Relationship Status: Faithful to 2D
#244453: Jun 5th 2018 at 7:46:07 AM

Could Ds flip these districts anyways? I figure the Rs would win places like this anyways. They won so far.

CrimsonZephyr Would that it were so simple. from Massachusetts Since: Aug, 2010 Relationship Status: It's complicated
Would that it were so simple.
#244454: Jun 5th 2018 at 8:02:08 AM

That's still no reason to split the Democratic vote five ways.

"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."
Parable Since: Aug, 2009
#244455: Jun 5th 2018 at 8:18:06 AM

Worth noting at the same time Republicans are worried that they'll be locked out of the governor's race because the front runner by far is a Democrat and second place is a toss up between a Democrat and a Republican.

Rationalinsanity from Halifax, Canada Since: Aug, 2010 Relationship Status: It's complicated
#244456: Jun 5th 2018 at 8:22:08 AM

I mean, the chances of a Republican winning a state wide race against a Democrat in California are pretty slim right now. Trump has seen to that.

Politics is the skilled use of blunt objects.
CharlesPhipps Since: Jan, 2001
#244457: Jun 5th 2018 at 8:25:38 AM

We live in a world which would elect Trump.

Anything is possible now.

Black is white, up is down, and Jason Voorhees loves sex.

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
#244458: Jun 5th 2018 at 8:30:42 AM

BREAKING NEWS: David Koch, of the Billionaire and Conservative Donating Koch Brothers, is retiring from public life, including the Americans for Prosperity Foundation 'Charity'. His retirement comes as his health is deteriorating. This leaves his brother, Charles Koch, in charge of all Koch-related Businesses.

While this is over all a good thing, it does come at an unfortunate time; with Trump threatening free trade, the Koch's had pledged to spend millions/billions fighting it, and could've been a potential ally in fighting Republican Congressmen this year. Still, less influential big businessmen influencing politicians is better. I do also hope he has at least a decent life in private (which I'm sure he will).

Rationalinsanity from Halifax, Canada Since: Aug, 2010 Relationship Status: It's complicated
#244459: Jun 5th 2018 at 8:32:47 AM

I mean, I think Charles is still pro-free trade. As is their entire organization. The Koch Brothers are only the heads of the serpent, what they created will (sadly) outlive them.

Politics is the skilled use of blunt objects.
Medinoc from France (Before Recorded History)
#244460: Jun 5th 2018 at 8:35:39 AM

So, a jungle primary is essentially a two-turn election where actual primaries are forbidden? Sounds like a recipe for disaster, like specifically engineered to maximize spoiler effect...

"And as long as a sack of shit is not a good thing to be, chivalry will never die."
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
#244461: Jun 5th 2018 at 8:41:17 AM

Yep that’s exactly what jungle primaries are, the basic concept of a two part election isn’t bad, it’s just the ban on actual primaries that is insane.

Also the Republican rick of a lockout isn’t about them loosing a chance at the senate seat or governor’s mansion (they don’t have a chance for either), it’s about the downballot impact. If the Republicans don’t have a candidate on ballot for either governor or senator come November a number of California republicans might stay home, and thus not vote for Republican house candidates that could win.

“And the Bunny nails it!” ~ Gabrael “If the UN can get through a day without everyone strangling everyone else so can we.” ~ Cyran
Rationalinsanity from Halifax, Canada Since: Aug, 2010 Relationship Status: It's complicated
#244462: Jun 5th 2018 at 9:04:13 AM

Trump is trying to get Canada and Mexico into separate talks on NAFTA, in a blatant divide and conquer attempt that I hope neither government falls for.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/trump-nafta-canada-mexico-1.4692046

In fact, NAFTA talks shouldn't go anywhere until the tariffs are dropped.

Politics is the skilled use of blunt objects.
Swanpride Since: Jun, 2013
#244463: Jun 5th 2018 at 9:31:50 AM

They won't. Trump has pretty much managed to unite the world against the US.

RainehDaze Nero Fangirl (4 Score & 7 Years Ago)
Nero Fangirl
#244464: Jun 5th 2018 at 9:45:22 AM

I want to know what the argument was IN FAVOUR of a non-partisan FPTP open primary.

danime91 Since: Jan, 2012 Relationship Status: Above such petty unnecessities
#244465: Jun 5th 2018 at 9:46:52 AM

[up]Some misguided notion that third parties stand a chance in our hyper two-party system?

fruitpork Since: Oct, 2010
#244466: Jun 5th 2018 at 9:54:32 AM

I really doubt that Koch story is entirely accurate; he’ll still be able to do things in private. We won’t be free until the Koch brothers are dead.

DrunkenNordmann from Exile Since: May, 2015
#244467: Jun 5th 2018 at 9:57:19 AM

[up] Unfortunate Implications much?

We learn from history that we do not learn from history
PhysicalStamina i'm tired, my friend (4 Score & 7 Years Ago) Relationship Status: Coming soon to theaters
i'm tired, my friend
#244469: Jun 5th 2018 at 10:02:04 AM

[up]Okay. And?

i'm tired, my friend
megaeliz Since: Mar, 2017
#244470: Jun 5th 2018 at 10:03:15 AM

Some good news for once.

Swiss Banks Freeze $1Bln of Russian Oligarch’s Accounts Over U.S. Sanctions Fears

Swiss banks have reportedly frozen $1 billion in the accounts of Russian metals tycoon Viktor Vekselberg over fears that they may be fined following U.S. sanctions against the businessman.

Vekselberg, Russia’s ninth richest man with an estimated net worth of $14.4 billion, was one of several Russian businessmen hit by U.S. sanctions this year for alleged meddling in the 2016 U.S. election and other “malign activity.” The tycoon has since been forced to cut his shares in foreign companies and repay more than $1 billion in loans made by European banks including JP Morgan, Credit Suisse and UBS.

Vekselberg is preparing to file lawsuits against UBS, Credit Suisse and Julius Baer to recover access to his accounts, Forbes Russia reported Monday, citing an unnamed source in his Renova investment group.

Swiss media reported last week that the country’s banks had frozen $2 billion of Vekselberg’s Swiss franc-denominated public and private accounts.

Moscow State University’s international law professor Sergei Glandin told Forbes Russia that the Swiss court could rule in favor of Vekselberg without awarding him meaningful compensation.

“The banks will surround themselves with famous economists’ and lawyers’ expert opinions to prove in court that not complying with American sanctions will result in hefty fines, being disconnected from the dollar-based system and, ultimately, survival.”

edited 5th Jun '18 10:18:51 AM by megaeliz

Rationalinsanity from Halifax, Canada Since: Aug, 2010 Relationship Status: It's complicated
#244471: Jun 5th 2018 at 10:12:45 AM

Yes, third parties exist in the US. Their irrelevance is only exceeded by their propensity to attract lunatics and quacks.

Politics is the skilled use of blunt objects.
megaeliz Since: Mar, 2017
#244472: Jun 5th 2018 at 10:19:13 AM

[up] First Past the Post voting means that a third party wouldn't have much success beyond the local or regional, as it would probably just end up splitting the vote

See the election of 1912, where Theodore Roosevelt ran for the Bull Moose Party, and ended up splitting the Republican Vote, leading to democrat Woodrow Wilson winning.

edited 5th Jun '18 10:23:25 AM by megaeliz

M84 Oh, bother. from Our little blue planet Since: Jun, 2010 Relationship Status: Chocolate!
Oh, bother.
#244473: Jun 5th 2018 at 10:19:14 AM

[up]x5 Nobody said third parties don't exist. They just don't have a chance in hell in the USA. And given their propensity to attract people who are...not fit for office to put it lightly as [up][up] mentioned, that's no great loss.

About the only thing they can do is act as spoilers, as [up] mentioned.

edited 5th Jun '18 10:20:09 AM by M84

Disgusted, but not surprised
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
#244474: Jun 5th 2018 at 10:31:12 AM

[up][up] Except it’s not just down to FPTP, Calafornia and Louisiana don’t realy use FPTP, yet they’re still dominated by just two parties.

“And the Bunny nails it!” ~ Gabrael “If the UN can get through a day without everyone strangling everyone else so can we.” ~ Cyran
kazuauchiha from Springfield, MO Since: Jul, 2017 Relationship Status: Faithful to 2D
#244475: Jun 5th 2018 at 10:35:37 AM

I think the idea was to create moderate candidates. CA is rather divided. I am skeptical that much will come out of this state. Maybe 1 or 2 more Ds.


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