On the topic of Bloomberg as a Democrat-spoiler, according to a [modest, single] poll [from a polling group who went unrated by 538 in their latest pollster ratings in 2014], Sanders Marginally Beats Out Trump in a 3-Way Race with Bloomberg; Clinton Narrowly Loses. His margin versus other Republican contenders like Cruz and Rubio actually widens, even with Bloomberg in, but in all cases, there’s a large cluster of undecideds, and again, it’s just a poll.
When asked about storing classified information on her email server, a Clinton aide replied, “The A2s always were a bit twitchy. That could never happen now with the new behavioral inhibitors.”
“Cornbread?”
Scuzz
4544
See, I think the problem is that Trump is actually saying what a part of the American people actually feel is true. They may not agree with everything he says but the fact that he is willing to put a voice to their frustrations is enough. Trump is the “anti-politician” and people like him for that.
I don’t. They are idiots if they like him. But we have been at war now for almost 16 years. The economy still sucks even though economists say the recession ended several years ago. And the GOP as a whole has blamed illegal immigration for much of it while the powers that be, and their party, has said we should open our borders.
Scuzz
4545
I hate Trump, but I think in practice he would be better for America than Cruz, Santorum or Huckabee.
Miramon
4546
This could even be true, and if so is such a horrible state of affairs it makes one despair for the nation and for all humanity.
Humanity probably isn’t hinging on the 2016 Republican primary field, no.
RichVR
4548
Open letter to Palin from Republican former Navy officer and Marine:
[INDENT] Dear Mrs. Palin,
I am a former US Marine and US Navy Officer with a Combat Action Ribbon as well as service connected disabilities. I am also a Republican. I have also served with, and am friends with, dozens of combat veterans who suffer daily from various injuries and wounds to include PTSD. I recently read your comments related to PTSD in which you attempted to excuse your son’s arrest on domestic abuse charges and firearm charges by referencing his supposed PTSD. Based upon your previous comments I am not surprised that you would choose to use this very serious condition as a political football and, once again, attempt to divert blame from your own family’s abhorrent, violent behavior.
In 2014 your entire family was involved in a late night ‘drunken brawl’ at a party in which Track Palin (the accused domestic abuser) was involved in a bloody fight. While you publicly stated how proud you were at your children’s violent actions, maybe this should have been a sign that Track has a problem. It is certainly curious that you did not feel the need to reference his supposed PTSD in this situation and instead stated: “…my kids’ defense of family makes my heart soar!” Maybe, instead of encouraging Track’s violence, you should have taken the opportunity to get him help. Maybe, instead of being the result of PTSD, your son was simply trying to uphold the stated Palin family values and “…make your heart soar” by abusing a woman.
PTSD is stigmatized in the media and not well understood by the general public. An estimated 22 veterans commit suicide every day in the United States. This is nearly 8,000 veterans who take their lives every year. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) stated: “Every day in the United States, 22 veterans succumb to suicide — losing their personal battle to invisible wounds of war.” Veterans who have willingly given so much in service to their country should not have to bear the burden of being further stigmatized by your ignorant and foolish statements.
While I do not propose to speak for all veterans, I am clearly not alone in my viewsregarding your unfortunate statements. They were unfortunate for the many veterans who face further disdain and discrimination based upon your inaccurate and ignorant portrayal of those who suffer with PTSD as well as the causes of the condition.
While I would personally prefer that you simply avoid public life and simply fade away, if you insist on trying to use your “celebrity status” for a cause, please educate yourself on the facts of PTSD and try to help veterans by using your significant influence in a more productive, and less political manner. There are a number of veteran’s organizations to which you can donate time, money and energy to make a difference. Two organizations you may want to consider is the Marine Reconnaissance Foundation and the Recon & Sniper Foundation.
Regards,
Chris Mark
[/INDENT]
30 people have died there, Marco.
RichVR
4550
In case anyone is curious:
Edit: More up to date Obama- Barack Obama (through Dec. 31, 2015) – 227 or 33 per year
Timex
4551
The reason I don’t buy this is because while I believe Santorum or Huckabee to be extremely wrong in their views, I don’t believe either of them to be BAD people. That is, while I believe they are misguided, I don’t believe either of them would actually do things which they believe would harm the country as a whole.
Cruz, I dunno. He’s a lizardperson.
But Trump, I have no trouble at all imagining him doing things which are PROFOUNDLY damaging to the US, even while knowing them to be so, if it benefited him as an individual to do so. Even if that personal benefit was trivial. For instance, I could see him starting wars for purely personal reasons, even while knowing that it would be bad for the country, purely out of pride. Even if the longterm would hurt him too, he doesn’t seem to plan that far ahead.
I can literally see him doing something like starting WWIII.
To be fair to Republicans who think Democrats are executive order crazed, Bill Clinton also used the Line Item Veto to mark up 11 bills before it got banished to the land of unconstitutionality by the Supreme Court. Still, Obama has been particularly restrained in quantity compared to pretty much everyone else over the last 100 years.
What makes you say that?
If anything, his foreign policy seems isolationist.
No reason to fear. Congress must declare war!
(muffled laughter)
I would call him a protectionist and obviously a nationalist. Why would you call him an isolationist?
He indicated that Ukraine wasn’t our problem and he’s opposed military action against the Syrian Arab Republic.
His platform also feels like a throwback to Pat Buchanan, who in turn was fairly isolationist.
I can easily see Santorum or Huckabee starting WWIII because they’re trying to bring about the Rapture. “The missiles are flying. Hallelujah, Hallelujah!”
He sounds like the voice of reason, at times.
Ah, and he opposed the War in Iraq (2003) and the bombing campaign in Libya.
Ted Cruz … is not well liked.
“Ted thought he was an expert on everything,” says this campaign veteran, who asked not to be named. “He was a smart and talented guy, but completely taken with himself and his own ideas. He would offer up opinions on everything, even matters outside his portfolio. He was a policy guy, but he would push his ideas on campaign strategy. He would send memos on everything to everyone. He would come to meetings where he wasn’t invited—and wasn’t wanted.” In fact, this Bush alum recalls, “the quickest way for a meeting to end would be for Ted to come in. People would want out of that meeting. People wouldn’t go to a meeting if they knew he would be there. It was his inability to be part of the team. That’s exactly what he was: a big asshole.”
This is why it’s hard to untangle this mess. I see neoconservatism as part of the Republican establishment at this point.
