So we've crossed the Ides of March and St. Patrick's Day. As Spring officially begins in a couple of days the primary race continues. However, before we talk on that let's bring up the one that went down on March 15th (sometimes referred to as "The Ides of March").
Let's start with the Democrats. Yes, it's true that former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton did win all five states that had primary elections on that day. However, the wins weren't as big in a couple of states as the mainstream media wants you to believe. She did win big in North Carolina, Florida, and Ohio (which was the big shock of the evening). However, in Illinois she only won by slightly less than 2% (50.5 to 48.7) and Missouri could feasibly be called a virtual tie (49.6 to 49.4).. In addition, since the Democratic primary and caucus races seem to be proportional, the margins did basically keep her from a large amount of delegates. In Illinois she received 68 delegates with Sen. Bernie Sanders receiving 67. As for Missouri, they each received 32 delegates as of this entry (there have been occasional reports of requests for a recount but I'll leave that for conjecture until any actual news emerges of such).
With this victory, the media amped up their Clinton is inevitable news script while her supporters continued to say Sanders should drop out of the race. However, while Sanders does appear to be in trouble a case can be made that he can still compete. For example, when super delegates are taken out of the picture Clinton only has 1,139 to Sanders' 825. While that seems like a lot it's only 314 delegates. Also, many of the upcoming states are in the west and states some feel will lean more towards Bernie than Hillary. With Arizona, Utah, and the Idaho Caucus coming this Tuesday, that will be put to the test. However, Sanders has picked up the endorsement of Russell Begaye, president of the Navajo Nation at a rally in Flagstaff, AZ yesterday, which counters some of the Sanders supporters are all white liberals narrative. Add to this the March 26th caucuses in Alaska, Hawaii, and Washington State and a case can be made that he's still competitive.
This doesn't automatically win Sanders will catch up. He still has to work to get those delegates and with a possible media blackout reinforced after Tuesday this could be an uphill struggle. However, at this point (and possibly until the New York primary on April 19) Bernie Sanders still has a fighting chance.
There are a couple of things I wish to address but they can wait until we discuss the Republican elections for the 15th.
The Republican Party primary elections last Tuesday were in Missouri, Florida, Illinois, North Carolina, and the Northern Mariana Islands. One big surprise from this was Marco Rubio suspending his campaign -I honestly thought alleged moderate (who's only slightly less extreme than Cruz or Trump) John Kasich would dropped before Rubio, However, as expected the race is not Ted Cruz and Donald Drumpf, I mean Trump. Where it becomes bizarre is the GOP Establishment choosing to focus. Mitt Romney's saying he's voting for Ted Cruz is one case in point with Cruz being just as extreme as (and, according to some people, worse than) the Donald. With their painting of Kasich as a moderate, the fact that there's a campaign to choose Cruz (which is pretty much universally hated) over Drumpf is a telling sign indeed. It also makes trumps' recent statement that his supporters may riot if he doesn't win the noimination a very scary proposition indeed.
Since a trump-Cruz race may be the big thing here, it's inevitable that the media will have their somewhat surreal crush on Drumpf and hype him up until the GOP Convention. However, this crush has led to one disgraceful thing on the part of the corporate owned media.
Bernie Sanders had a speech on Tuesday after the primary elections that the media chose not to cover at all. Instead, the cable news networks showed an empty Trump podium and discussed the Donald in hopes they could hear his speech. Trevor Noah of the Daily Show was right when he suggested they could've at least put the atrump podium in a box in the corner and aired Bernie's speech until the Donald chose to grace them with his presence. "It's even shaped like a box" Noah replied.
Instead the mainstream media chose to continue their Trump worship, giving him more free publicity while not fully countering his bullshit. Other than proving why the Fairness Doctrine should be brought back, it reveals much about whether the establishment media actually has that liberal bias the right likes to whine about.
While ti appears likely that Donald trump will be the GOP nominee (though the race is close), it's still a sonewhat competitive race for the Democrats - andone that will have to be watched to see what happens.
P.S.: In a kinda related note there were reports of Bill Clinton appearing at or near a polling place in Illinois last Tuesday. Why the hell are they letting him be near those places? Even if it turns out to be innocent and not trying to influence votes (thus violating the law), the Clintons should know by now they're going to face more scrutiny from not just eh Sanders campaign but the American right wing (who hate them just as much, if not more than, Obama). Because of this shouldn't it be prudent that keep either one of them away from a primary polling place unless they're casting a vote themselves? Had to mention this.
Saturday, March 19, 2016
Saturday, March 12, 2016
Politics, Schmolitics - The Almost Mid March rundown
Hey! I know it's the weekend but it's time for a rundown of what happened in primaryland over the past week. Since I believe we began with the GOP last week, let's start with the Democratic party this go around.
As you know primaries were held in Mississippi and Michigan a few days back (last Tuesday). As expected, Hillary Clinton won Mississippi pretty easily. However, Michigan would turn out to be a surprise as Bernie Sanders won the state 50-48 against Clinton. While a case can be made that it's a virtual tie, this would be newsworthy for another reason.
Clinton was expected in the last round of polls before the primary to beat Sanders by 18 points. Because he ended up winning by two reportedly makes this the biggest upset in primary election history here in the States. It also caused a lot of people to re-examine the polls and the methods they used. While Sanders is still down 214 in the actual delegate count, his win proves that the primary race is still competitive as well as showing that calls (or maybe wishful thinking in the Clinton camp) that Sanders would be toast by now and drop out of the race before a lot of states have a chance to vote in their caucuses/primaries may be a little premature.
As for the GOP, Trump won three of the four states holding primaries last Tuesday (Hawaii, Michigan, Mississippi) while Ted Cruz won Idaho. The only big news here was that John Kasich actually won 17 delegates in Michigan. As for Marco Rubio, he got 1 delegate in Hawaii. Tonight, there are primaries in Wyoming and Washington, DC. While recent events involving Donald Drumpf may hurt him down the road n the general, he probably will win these. Whether he should or whether him getting the nomination would be good for the Republican Party is another issue altogether.
As for Clinton and Sanders, Tuesday is a big day with primaries in five states (Florida, Illinois, North Carolina, Ohio, and Missouri). While Clinton is projected to win in several of these states, Sanders' win in Michigan has given the race a push that may benefit him in a couple days with some voters, including some who may not have known much about him but checked him out after Michigan. Granted this is conjecture and it's easy to armchair quarterback (for lack of a better term) but if turnout is higher than expected (and, sadly, that my be an if due to voter suppression laws in some of these areas as well as reports that the primaries in some places are the same time as Spring Break) there may be a shakeup in delegate count (as usual we're leaving superdelegates out of this since they can change their pledge at any time between now and the Convention).
I know this is very brief and skims over a lot but this is where things stand now. Time will tell what goes down in a couple of days.
As you know primaries were held in Mississippi and Michigan a few days back (last Tuesday). As expected, Hillary Clinton won Mississippi pretty easily. However, Michigan would turn out to be a surprise as Bernie Sanders won the state 50-48 against Clinton. While a case can be made that it's a virtual tie, this would be newsworthy for another reason.
Clinton was expected in the last round of polls before the primary to beat Sanders by 18 points. Because he ended up winning by two reportedly makes this the biggest upset in primary election history here in the States. It also caused a lot of people to re-examine the polls and the methods they used. While Sanders is still down 214 in the actual delegate count, his win proves that the primary race is still competitive as well as showing that calls (or maybe wishful thinking in the Clinton camp) that Sanders would be toast by now and drop out of the race before a lot of states have a chance to vote in their caucuses/primaries may be a little premature.
As for the GOP, Trump won three of the four states holding primaries last Tuesday (Hawaii, Michigan, Mississippi) while Ted Cruz won Idaho. The only big news here was that John Kasich actually won 17 delegates in Michigan. As for Marco Rubio, he got 1 delegate in Hawaii. Tonight, there are primaries in Wyoming and Washington, DC. While recent events involving Donald Drumpf may hurt him down the road n the general, he probably will win these. Whether he should or whether him getting the nomination would be good for the Republican Party is another issue altogether.
As for Clinton and Sanders, Tuesday is a big day with primaries in five states (Florida, Illinois, North Carolina, Ohio, and Missouri). While Clinton is projected to win in several of these states, Sanders' win in Michigan has given the race a push that may benefit him in a couple days with some voters, including some who may not have known much about him but checked him out after Michigan. Granted this is conjecture and it's easy to armchair quarterback (for lack of a better term) but if turnout is higher than expected (and, sadly, that my be an if due to voter suppression laws in some of these areas as well as reports that the primaries in some places are the same time as Spring Break) there may be a shakeup in delegate count (as usual we're leaving superdelegates out of this since they can change their pledge at any time between now and the Convention).
I know this is very brief and skims over a lot but this is where things stand now. Time will tell what goes down in a couple of days.
Sunday, March 6, 2016
Post Super tuesday and Super Saturday Primary Spiel
Hey! Sorry for being a little bit out of touch for the past week. Between work related issues, trying to get the new issue done, and taking a step back to enjoy some of the True/False Film Festival live shows (due to financial issues I couldn't afford a pass) I'd been distracted. So let's get to the past week.
We'll begin with the Republicans. As expected Donald Drumpf (or Donald Trump) is still in the lead (winning seven states) though Marco Rubio and Ted Cruz have taken a bit of wind out of the "trumpmentum", so to speak. Cruz winning Texas and Oklahoma did prove he wasn't gone yet. Rubio got Minnesota but Kasich is still sticking in the race.
A few days later another casualty in the race occurred when Ben Crson suspended hs campaign, leaving only four in the race for the Saturday primaries and a debate on Thursday that seemed more like a playground fight than anything political. The Donald won Louisiana and Kentucky, even after a week where the question of support of the candidates from white supremacists became an issue that it should've been a long time ago. Cruz got Maine and Kansas while Rubio and Kasich didn't win either.
While the race has shaken up slightly it appears that Donald Trump is still going strong , for better or worse.
As for the Democrats, Hillary Clinton swept most of the southern states (Alabama, Arkansas,Texas, Tennessee, Virginia, Massachusetts, Georgia) though it wasn't a complete blowout. Sen. Bernie Sanders did win four of the five states he was focusing on (Vermont, Oklahoma, Colorado, Minnesota). While it did give Clinton some actual delegate count momentum (as opposed to superdelegates), the fact that she barely won in Massachusetts and lost Oklahoma proves that it's still too early to call.
On Saturday, Louisiana, Kansas and Nebraska were up for grabs. With LA, Clinton does get further ahead in delegate count. However, Sanders winning Kansas and Nebraska does show the race might still have some competition left.
Maine is today. Sanders might win. Clinton might win. I really don't know until its over.
Tuesday is Michigan and Mississippi. While polls show Clinton ahead how the debate tonight happens could close the gap somewhat. Mississippi will likely be for Clinton in light of how the South voted on Super Tuesday. However, since the primaries and caucuses are proportional, to say it's a winner take all is difficult to determine at this point.
We'll begin with the Republicans. As expected Donald Drumpf (or Donald Trump) is still in the lead (winning seven states) though Marco Rubio and Ted Cruz have taken a bit of wind out of the "trumpmentum", so to speak. Cruz winning Texas and Oklahoma did prove he wasn't gone yet. Rubio got Minnesota but Kasich is still sticking in the race.
A few days later another casualty in the race occurred when Ben Crson suspended hs campaign, leaving only four in the race for the Saturday primaries and a debate on Thursday that seemed more like a playground fight than anything political. The Donald won Louisiana and Kentucky, even after a week where the question of support of the candidates from white supremacists became an issue that it should've been a long time ago. Cruz got Maine and Kansas while Rubio and Kasich didn't win either.
While the race has shaken up slightly it appears that Donald Trump is still going strong , for better or worse.
As for the Democrats, Hillary Clinton swept most of the southern states (Alabama, Arkansas,Texas, Tennessee, Virginia, Massachusetts, Georgia) though it wasn't a complete blowout. Sen. Bernie Sanders did win four of the five states he was focusing on (Vermont, Oklahoma, Colorado, Minnesota). While it did give Clinton some actual delegate count momentum (as opposed to superdelegates), the fact that she barely won in Massachusetts and lost Oklahoma proves that it's still too early to call.
On Saturday, Louisiana, Kansas and Nebraska were up for grabs. With LA, Clinton does get further ahead in delegate count. However, Sanders winning Kansas and Nebraska does show the race might still have some competition left.
Maine is today. Sanders might win. Clinton might win. I really don't know until its over.
Tuesday is Michigan and Mississippi. While polls show Clinton ahead how the debate tonight happens could close the gap somewhat. Mississippi will likely be for Clinton in light of how the South voted on Super Tuesday. However, since the primaries and caucuses are proportional, to say it's a winner take all is difficult to determine at this point.
Monday, February 29, 2016
Super Tuesday -No You Can't Escape It- It'll Conquer the News
In only a few hours Super Tuesday will be upon us.
Tomorrow will be primary or caucus day for both Democrats and Republicans in (in no particular order) Alabama, Arkansas, Vermont, Massachusetts, Texas, Oklahoma, Colorado, Minnesota, Georgia, Virginia and Tennessee. In addition Republicans in Alaksa and Democrats in American Samoa will caucus that day.
Many are predicting that Trump and Clinton will be the conquering victors for their respective parties with some predicting doom for VT Sen. Bernie Sanders. While Hillary Clinton will likely win the southern states, Sanders will likely to get Vermont and is looking good in Massachusetts as well as a couple of swing states. In addition, We're still in a race for delegate counts (not including superdelegates) so even if Sanders doesn't win it's possible for him to get some delegates in the states he doesn't win. Add to this the fact that there are many states ahead to primary or caucus and, contrary to the mainstream media drumbeat, it's too soon to call it over.
As for South Carolina, Sanders did lose badly. However, surprises took his supporters when DNC vice chair Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (D, HI) resigned her position to support the Senator with Rep. Alan Grayson (D, FL) endorses Sanders today. While these endorsements might have little effect on what happens tomorrow they might make a dent as the primary race continues (and there are still a lot of states ahead). While the push for young voters still needs to happen (though I wonder how many of them may be voting where their parents live and haven't had their primaries yet) things are in a strange state.
As for voting in the primaries, I don't do endorsements on primciple (maybe in part rooted from college activism lessons but who knows). However, to riff on an idea attributed to the late Molly Ivins, if you can't vote your heart in the primaries and caucuses then when the hell can you do so?
As for tomorrow, while Trump will be declared the GOP winner (even despite his refusal/inability to disavow the support of David Duke and the KKK) and Clinton will be declared the Democratic victor what will happen with the delegate count is anyone's guess. Regardless the story will continue.
Tomorrow will be primary or caucus day for both Democrats and Republicans in (in no particular order) Alabama, Arkansas, Vermont, Massachusetts, Texas, Oklahoma, Colorado, Minnesota, Georgia, Virginia and Tennessee. In addition Republicans in Alaksa and Democrats in American Samoa will caucus that day.
Many are predicting that Trump and Clinton will be the conquering victors for their respective parties with some predicting doom for VT Sen. Bernie Sanders. While Hillary Clinton will likely win the southern states, Sanders will likely to get Vermont and is looking good in Massachusetts as well as a couple of swing states. In addition, We're still in a race for delegate counts (not including superdelegates) so even if Sanders doesn't win it's possible for him to get some delegates in the states he doesn't win. Add to this the fact that there are many states ahead to primary or caucus and, contrary to the mainstream media drumbeat, it's too soon to call it over.
As for South Carolina, Sanders did lose badly. However, surprises took his supporters when DNC vice chair Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (D, HI) resigned her position to support the Senator with Rep. Alan Grayson (D, FL) endorses Sanders today. While these endorsements might have little effect on what happens tomorrow they might make a dent as the primary race continues (and there are still a lot of states ahead). While the push for young voters still needs to happen (though I wonder how many of them may be voting where their parents live and haven't had their primaries yet) things are in a strange state.
As for voting in the primaries, I don't do endorsements on primciple (maybe in part rooted from college activism lessons but who knows). However, to riff on an idea attributed to the late Molly Ivins, if you can't vote your heart in the primaries and caucuses then when the hell can you do so?
As for tomorrow, while Trump will be declared the GOP winner (even despite his refusal/inability to disavow the support of David Duke and the KKK) and Clinton will be declared the Democratic victor what will happen with the delegate count is anyone's guess. Regardless the story will continue.
Saturday, February 27, 2016
The Long Slow Primary Race Update
Hey! My apologies for not posting sooner but I've been busy with life in general and wifi problems have kept me largely unable to connect until now. So let's get to a brief spiel on the current Presidential race.
Today is the Democratic primary in South Carolina. By most accounts Hillary Clinton will be the likely winner. The question isn't that as much as whether Bernie Sanders can crack what Clinton supporters have called the 'firewall" she has in that state, especially among African American voters. Given that, superdelegates notwithstanding (and they can switch their support between now and the convention), Clinton beat Sanders by a little over five points in the Nevada caucus but only has one or two more actual delegates this could put her ahead - as well as give her a boost for Super tuesday in a few days.
While the media will likely claim this is it, there are still states who have caucuses and primaries after Super Tuesday and what happens there is anyone's guess. Yes, it's possible that the pundits will be right and Clinton will get the nomination but Sanders can also make a dent in these states and make the race close enough that it will take some time to determine who actually gets it. Regardless, it's not over yet on this side of the race.
As for the Republicans, Donald Trump is appearing to be unshakable for the party's nomination, much to the supposed chagrin of the GOP establishment. The irony here is that Trump's positions aren't that much scarier than Ted Cruz, Marco Rubio, Ben Carson, or John Kasich. All are going extreme right (and some even view Cruz as worse than the Donald). However, Trump's refusal to disavow support from white supremacists and his unwillingness to see where his ego can be a detriment if he actually got the nomination is what makes him scary - especially when polls in SC and Nevada find Trump supporters actually believing that the executive order to end slavery was wrong and that in SC 20% of his supporters consider themselves to be "white supremacists".
There are some ironic moments here. For example, in South Carolina, one percent of Ben Carson supporters consider themselves "white supremacists." While that is a dark comedy that could almost write itself, it does still bode some concern. Also, the fact that Trump is leading mongst conservative christians (i.e.: fundamentalists/evangelicals/charismatics - I'm using all three terms because they differ amongst themselves. Granted they differ in such subtle ways many would think they're all evangelicals but it's important to not that). Put aside that he called Second Corinthians "two corinthians" the fact that he's pandering by claiming he'll strengthen a religion that already faces way less blowback than other faith traditions shows that he may be more than willing to destroy the First Amendment for everyone else in order to protect those who vote for him.
What's happens this Tuesday for either party can either go like many of the polls predict - or they might not. Considering that each of the two parties has one candidate people in their party establishment didn't expect to stick around this around means things can be uncertain until the votes are counted and delegates get counted and divided.
P.S.: Almost forgot to mention how this has shaken up the GOP over the past few weeks with Chris Christie, Carly Fiorina and Jim Gilmore dropping out before SC and the confirmation of Jeb Bush's fall from presumed front runner to also ran after Trump got all the delegates in South Carolina. Who will be the next to fall? Who knows but more will fall on the right side of the spectrum.
Today is the Democratic primary in South Carolina. By most accounts Hillary Clinton will be the likely winner. The question isn't that as much as whether Bernie Sanders can crack what Clinton supporters have called the 'firewall" she has in that state, especially among African American voters. Given that, superdelegates notwithstanding (and they can switch their support between now and the convention), Clinton beat Sanders by a little over five points in the Nevada caucus but only has one or two more actual delegates this could put her ahead - as well as give her a boost for Super tuesday in a few days.
While the media will likely claim this is it, there are still states who have caucuses and primaries after Super Tuesday and what happens there is anyone's guess. Yes, it's possible that the pundits will be right and Clinton will get the nomination but Sanders can also make a dent in these states and make the race close enough that it will take some time to determine who actually gets it. Regardless, it's not over yet on this side of the race.
As for the Republicans, Donald Trump is appearing to be unshakable for the party's nomination, much to the supposed chagrin of the GOP establishment. The irony here is that Trump's positions aren't that much scarier than Ted Cruz, Marco Rubio, Ben Carson, or John Kasich. All are going extreme right (and some even view Cruz as worse than the Donald). However, Trump's refusal to disavow support from white supremacists and his unwillingness to see where his ego can be a detriment if he actually got the nomination is what makes him scary - especially when polls in SC and Nevada find Trump supporters actually believing that the executive order to end slavery was wrong and that in SC 20% of his supporters consider themselves to be "white supremacists".
There are some ironic moments here. For example, in South Carolina, one percent of Ben Carson supporters consider themselves "white supremacists." While that is a dark comedy that could almost write itself, it does still bode some concern. Also, the fact that Trump is leading mongst conservative christians (i.e.: fundamentalists/evangelicals/charismatics - I'm using all three terms because they differ amongst themselves. Granted they differ in such subtle ways many would think they're all evangelicals but it's important to not that). Put aside that he called Second Corinthians "two corinthians" the fact that he's pandering by claiming he'll strengthen a religion that already faces way less blowback than other faith traditions shows that he may be more than willing to destroy the First Amendment for everyone else in order to protect those who vote for him.
What's happens this Tuesday for either party can either go like many of the polls predict - or they might not. Considering that each of the two parties has one candidate people in their party establishment didn't expect to stick around this around means things can be uncertain until the votes are counted and delegates get counted and divided.
P.S.: Almost forgot to mention how this has shaken up the GOP over the past few weeks with Chris Christie, Carly Fiorina and Jim Gilmore dropping out before SC and the confirmation of Jeb Bush's fall from presumed front runner to also ran after Trump got all the delegates in South Carolina. Who will be the next to fall? Who knows but more will fall on the right side of the spectrum.
Tuesday, February 9, 2016
NH Primary Is Today (Two Down, A Hell of a Lot More to Go)
Hey! Sorry for not posting sooner but I had been busy with other things in my life and hadn't been able to post until now,
So today is the New Hampshire Primary for both the Republicans and Democrats. While the results are far from certain, if polls are to be believed then it appears the winners this time around will be Bernie Sanders for the Dems and Donald Trump for the GOP. Again, the polling places are far from closed so the actual outcome could very well be different but that's what's predicted.
In truth, it appears the race itself is getting to be more the story than the actual primaries and caucuses for both of the major parties. Between three candidates dropping out within 72 hours of the Iowa caucus and the heated battle between the Donald and Ted Cruz (including the former mock chastising a woman for calling Cruz a pussy only to repeat what she said at a rally last night) it has taken the right wing's tendency to wrap themselves in the Bible while supporting all sorts of shit Jesus would supposedly never do in a million years and putting it on a speed binge for a creepiness (the "vulgar insult" was invoked over whether Ted Cruz supports waterboarding or not) that would've scared people across the political spectrum in the U.S. 25 years ago. Add to this Ted Cruz's victory speech for winning Iowa sounding like he already won the election in a way so pompous that he manages to make himself even less likable and one side of the spectrum is heading for a scary nine months.,
On the Democratic Party side, Martin O'Malley's departure on the night of the Iowa caucus leaves just Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders in the ring. It has also made the race real in a political sense as the civil tone seems to fade away as the typical race with Clinton accusing Sanders of using an "artful smear" against her by claiming her as part of the Establishment and her accepting speaking feed from Wall Street firms. She even tried to claim that Sanders accepted Wall Street money via the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee for his Senate campaign, imply that every cent of that is from Wall Street. All the while Clinton claiming that her speaking to wall Street firms didn't affect her vote, even if there may be evidence that claims otherwise.
Add to this Bill Clinton increasing the heat on the attacks in a similar way he did against Barack Obama in the 2008 race and that leaves us with a more typical political race than the just short of something that made an episode of Mr. Rogers seem angry feel of the early Democratic primary debates.
There are some other factors to include but I feel I should leave that in a separate post.
This leaves us to the primary election today. While at the time of my typing this in, the results may be somewhat clear it's important to remember that we're still in the beginning stages of the long race to November and nothing should be taken for granted.
Regardless of the outcome, the long crazy ride will continue.
So today is the New Hampshire Primary for both the Republicans and Democrats. While the results are far from certain, if polls are to be believed then it appears the winners this time around will be Bernie Sanders for the Dems and Donald Trump for the GOP. Again, the polling places are far from closed so the actual outcome could very well be different but that's what's predicted.
In truth, it appears the race itself is getting to be more the story than the actual primaries and caucuses for both of the major parties. Between three candidates dropping out within 72 hours of the Iowa caucus and the heated battle between the Donald and Ted Cruz (including the former mock chastising a woman for calling Cruz a pussy only to repeat what she said at a rally last night) it has taken the right wing's tendency to wrap themselves in the Bible while supporting all sorts of shit Jesus would supposedly never do in a million years and putting it on a speed binge for a creepiness (the "vulgar insult" was invoked over whether Ted Cruz supports waterboarding or not) that would've scared people across the political spectrum in the U.S. 25 years ago. Add to this Ted Cruz's victory speech for winning Iowa sounding like he already won the election in a way so pompous that he manages to make himself even less likable and one side of the spectrum is heading for a scary nine months.,
On the Democratic Party side, Martin O'Malley's departure on the night of the Iowa caucus leaves just Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders in the ring. It has also made the race real in a political sense as the civil tone seems to fade away as the typical race with Clinton accusing Sanders of using an "artful smear" against her by claiming her as part of the Establishment and her accepting speaking feed from Wall Street firms. She even tried to claim that Sanders accepted Wall Street money via the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee for his Senate campaign, imply that every cent of that is from Wall Street. All the while Clinton claiming that her speaking to wall Street firms didn't affect her vote, even if there may be evidence that claims otherwise.
Add to this Bill Clinton increasing the heat on the attacks in a similar way he did against Barack Obama in the 2008 race and that leaves us with a more typical political race than the just short of something that made an episode of Mr. Rogers seem angry feel of the early Democratic primary debates.
There are some other factors to include but I feel I should leave that in a separate post.
This leaves us to the primary election today. While at the time of my typing this in, the results may be somewhat clear it's important to remember that we're still in the beginning stages of the long race to November and nothing should be taken for granted.
Regardless of the outcome, the long crazy ride will continue.
Thursday, January 28, 2016
Pre Last Pre Caucus Debate Thought Bubble
With the Iowa Caucuses only a few days away we are nearing the end of what some refer to as the "silly season" of American electoral politics as we begin the long, sometime brutal, often media over-saturated road to the upcoming elections in November. However, as with a lot of the silliness leading to now the last few days has to have a massive belch of stupidity that we can't escape from.
The time around it's GOP Presidential candidate Donald Trump's refusal to appear at tonight's Republican Presidential Debate on Fox News, claiming he wouldn't be treated fairly. On the surface it appears silly enough but when one factors in his long running feud with Fox News show personality Megyn Kelly it becomes apparent that his not appearing (and refusal to do so) seems fueled by a mix of implied misogyny and a massively over-inflated sense of privilege from someone too often used to getting everything he wants.
While time will tell whether this benefits the Donald or blows up in his face, it should seem apparent that someone willing to be this thin skinned on the issue might not be the best person to run the last remaining superpower. Much of his followers seem to be blindly sticking with him even after his claim last week that he could shoot somebody and not lose a single vote. Add to this his refusal to apologize for a number of comments that can be seen as racist and misogynistic as well as his willingness to support the most extreme positions of the American right wing and you get a glimpse of someone maintaining his popularity by appealing to the worst elements of its populace. Even with a race where many predicted he would get bored and quit it's
While his boycott of tonight's debate is a risky move those thinking it could strike a blow may find that Trump will still remain popular to his base.
The time around it's GOP Presidential candidate Donald Trump's refusal to appear at tonight's Republican Presidential Debate on Fox News, claiming he wouldn't be treated fairly. On the surface it appears silly enough but when one factors in his long running feud with Fox News show personality Megyn Kelly it becomes apparent that his not appearing (and refusal to do so) seems fueled by a mix of implied misogyny and a massively over-inflated sense of privilege from someone too often used to getting everything he wants.
While time will tell whether this benefits the Donald or blows up in his face, it should seem apparent that someone willing to be this thin skinned on the issue might not be the best person to run the last remaining superpower. Much of his followers seem to be blindly sticking with him even after his claim last week that he could shoot somebody and not lose a single vote. Add to this his refusal to apologize for a number of comments that can be seen as racist and misogynistic as well as his willingness to support the most extreme positions of the American right wing and you get a glimpse of someone maintaining his popularity by appealing to the worst elements of its populace. Even with a race where many predicted he would get bored and quit it's
While his boycott of tonight's debate is a risky move those thinking it could strike a blow may find that Trump will still remain popular to his base.
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