Presidential Race 2016

[Nesrie]

At this point, I think I’m going to choose not to engage you further, but I actually specifically explained how I did not think any of his positions where left leaning. I then went further and explained how his conservative positions were more nuanced and moderate, while still being conservative.

But as I said previously, I now feel like that was a waste of my time, so I will refrain from it in the future. As you have expressed a similar desire, I will assume that solution will be mutually acceptable.

I don’t think Kasich is moderate. I am not alone in that position but you do think he is and that’s fine. My initial response, as mentioned before, was not a remark on what you said but a remark on what someone else said… as an agreement to what they said.

As for the way you address women in the Trump camp that you disagree with it, I will encourage you not to stoop to such levels. I think you’re better than that.

[BiggerBoat]

Was thinking this morning about the GOP Convention with Trump as the nominee, and the thought just makes me unreasonably giddy. You think Obama’s columns were ostentatious? Trump is going to have some goddamned gold plated columns.

Can’t wait.

[triggercut]

Over at Cook, Dave Wasserman does some of the delegate math heavy lifting so none of us have to:

Republicans:

Democrats:

[inactive_user]

To be fair, it’s not like Timex is the only person clinging to McCain Huntsman Kasich because they want so badly for the GOP to be a party for which they can in good conscience vote.

[Nesrie]

To be fair, it’s not like Timex is the only person clinging to McCain Huntsman Kasich because they want so badly for the GOP to be a party for which they can in good conscience vote.

I liked McCain at one point. He certainly didn’t match up with all my ideology, but I wasn’t horrified at the idea of him running the country. I look at the GOP and it’s hands down, no way. And McCains stance on the Supreme Court nominee tells me he is just like the rest of the GOP, circling wagons.

[Incendiary_Lemon]

I don’t think Kasich is moderate. I am not alone in that position

It’s a matter of presentation, I think. He speaks in even tones and doesn’t use inflammatory rhetoric. But that doesn’t make him a moderate. He’s certainly more conservative than Trump, for example.

[Timex]

It’s a matter of presentation, I think. He speaks in even tones and doesn’t use inflammatory rhetoric. But that doesn’t make him a moderate. He’s certainly more conservative than Trump, for example.

Yes, as I said, Kasich is clearly a conservative in that he embraces conservative principles.

But he does so in a practical, realistic way.

[John_Reynolds]

But he does so in a practical, realistic way.

Oh, really? What’s the practical real world result of defunding PP? More unwanted pregnancies, and thus more abortions. More STDs, more cost to the taxpayers. It’s f’n downright stupid policy, but he couldn’t resist describing the org as “discredited” despite the fact that state after state investigation has shown thus far no wrong-doing on their part. But that didn’t stop Kasich from political grandstanding and hopping on the wave of faux outrage over those videos from last year.

[Scuzz]

I liked McCain at one point. He certainly didn’t match up with all my ideology, but I wasn’t horrified at the idea of him running the country. I look at the GOP and it’s hands down, no way. And McCains stance on the Supreme Court nominee tells me he is just like the rest of the GOP, circling wagons.

I was prepared to vote for McCain in 2008 until he demonstrated his leadership, and also an apparent willingness to live forever, by picking Palin as his running mate.

[Quaro]

The betting markets have Kasich at 2% right now.

[RichVR]

Obama: I want to close the prison at Guantanamo. Not the whole base. Just the prison.

Rubio: I wake up today and I hear that Obama wants to give the Guantanamo Naval Base to Godless commies!

Fuck me.

[Timex]

Oh, really? What’s the practical real world result of defunding PP? More unwanted pregnancies, and thus more abortions. More STDs, more cost to the taxpayers. It’s f’n downright stupid policy, but he couldn’t resist describing the org as “discredited” despite the fact that state after state investigation has shown thus far no wrong-doing on their part. But that didn’t stop Kasich from political grandstanding and hopping on the wave of faux outrage over those videos from last year.

His position on planned parenthood is not one of my favorites, but it’s also not of critical importance in the grand scheme of things, from my positive as a voter. There are much more important things to be dealt with.

[Tim_N]

Does anyone know each of the candidate’s stated views on the U.S. foreign aid budget? It’s strange that I haven’t heard much yet (even from candidates like Sanders), even though it probably ranks up there with climate change as the most life-affecting policy assuming you hold a form of utilitarian ethics that extends to people beyond the borders.

[Pyperkub]

His position on planned parenthood is not one of my favorites, but it’s also not of critical importance in the grand scheme of things, from my positive as a voter. There are much more important things to be dealt with.

And it’s actually one of pragmatism. He can’t win the GOP nominating without that stance.

[Murbella]

His position on planned parenthood is not one of my favorites, but it’s also not of critical importance in the grand scheme of things, from my positive as a voter. There are much more important things to be dealt with.

Yes, but it makes you think.

In my humble opinion, a position like that places you squarely in the Religious Right and that means you also probably have other similar bible thumping positions.

I would agree that it isn’t The Most Critical issue in this election, but near the top of my list is how each republican candidate seems obsessed with waging war on secularism. They have all basically bent knee to the religious right, and it is concerning.

In any event i don’t feel any of the candidates, with the possible exception of Bernie Sanders, really have the same priorities i do. Mainly that I think the domestic DWARFS international issues this time around. Not that international issues don’t matter, but the threat they pose does not compare at all. However politicians either can’t or won’t admit this. Instead they just fear monger.

[John_Reynolds]

It certainly makes them look like a pack of fundamentalists hell-bent on taking the country in the wrong direction away from modernity. Whether it’s reproductive rights, education, social policy, science, etc. These people collectively have no business in the halls of power of a modern democracy. My respect for Kasich would’ve leaped had he chosen to be brave enough to speak the truth, to point out the facts regarding PP and the real world likely results of defunding the org to the state’s population that uses their services.

In fairness, not all GOPers are religious quacks. You have the business wing, for example, and its overriding need to serve the interests of the top 1% above all other considerations.

[Quaro]

Does anyone know each of the candidate’s stated views on the U.S. foreign aid budget? It’s strange that I haven’t heard much yet (even from candidates like Sanders), even though it probably ranks up there with climate change as the most life-affecting policy assuming you hold a form of utilitarian ethics that extends to people beyond the borders.

I think it’s because the populace is overwhelming against foreign aid, in both parties. But it’s not like you get votes for saying you are against it. It’s really sad tht people feel this way. Some of the best bang-for-your-buck security against future extremist is having people see American aid workers or soldiers helping them out after a disaster.

[Timex]

Yeah, a big part of US aid, especially for things like disaster relief, comes in the form of the US Navy, like operation unified assistance for responding to the 2004 tsunami.

It significantly improved Indonesian perspectives regarding the US.

[Nesrie]

I think it’s because the populace is overwhelming against foreign aid, in both parties. But it’s not like you get votes for saying you are against it. It’s really sad tht people feel this way. Some of the best bang-for-your-buck security against future extremist is having people see American aid workers or soldiers helping them out after a disaster.

Not to mention it’s the right thing to do. If we have our ships ready and able to assist Tsunami victims, why wouldn’t we assist them? Costs, because some people in America don’t have homes. Sure, that’s important too, absolutely, but when disaster strikes you just have to help. I still remember in high school when this area was flooded to the point where the city was without water for the week and those us on well water had to treat it for contaminants… most of downtown had sand and water in the bottom levels and lost everything on the bottom level… which was minor, very minor for a disaster, but help came.

[Woolen_Horde]

I think it’s because the populace is overwhelming against foreign aid, in both parties. But it’s not like you get votes for saying you are against it. It’s really sad tht people feel this way. Some of the best bang-for-your-buck security against future extremist is having people see American aid workers or soldiers helping them out after a disaster.

Because they think the budget is like 40% foreign aid, when in reality, it’s a tiny fraction under 1%.