Yeah, and there’s this “enthusiasm gap” thing that comes up in elections. You never know what somebody’s last straw is until their inertia to vote cannot overcome the friction of their butts against the couch.
It is kind of puzzling to me when otherwise experienced voters of a certain age pretend that the presidential race is really about anything else besides selecting supreme court justices, especially when as many as 3 or 4 may be selected in the next 4 years.
But OK, whatever.
What’s interesting to me is seeing the media still flogging the prospects of a Joe Biden candidacy. My interest here is mostly from a horse race standpoint point, and in this particular horse race, everyone else is at the first quarterpole and Joe is still standing in the gate. It’s now after Labor Day. He has no staff on the ground in Iowa, New Hampshire, Michigan, or South Carolina. The best Democratic pollsters, precinct captains, GOTV floggers, and every other important campaign staffer have either signed on somewhere or are now contractually committed to other things.
I guess what I’m saying is this: I think it’s too late for him to win, and that being the case, why run at all?
By electing Trump, you’re just cutting out the middle-man. Trump is a corporation.
Timex
1745
It is kind of puzzling to me when otherwise experienced voters of a certain age pretend that the presidential race is really about anything else besides selecting supreme court justices, especially when as many as 3 or 4 may be selected in the next 4 years.
Folks keep saying this, and I think it’s wrongheaded.
The most important thing a President can bring to the table is leadership. Being able to have a vision, and see it through.
Presidents with vision can do great things. Presidents without vision end up floundering around, and the country flounders with them.
Forgive me if I’ve said this already but it became clear to me as tyhe Biden narrative gained momentum that it was the establishment’s response to the sinking realization that Clinton can’t win. Accepting that, the only alternative to Clinton is Bernie and that’s unacceptable to them so now they have to try and pressure Biden into the race.
It’s been amusing and not a little depressing to watch main stream new organizations like the New York Times and NPR contort themselves in the effort to downplay Sanders. Sorry for the far left link here but this article highlights the absurdity in some of the coverage:
It’s a four minute piece by Mara Liasson analyzing the Democratic field and Biden’s potential impact without once mentioning Sanders. She speaks of an anti-establishment fever sweeping the base and she states that Biden would be good for the party because it would give Clinton a serious opponent which would only make her stronger. The whole piece feels like it’s being reported on from an alternate reality where Clinton does not exist.
It’s possible the Times has improved but last I checked, the day after Sanders drew 20,000 people in Seattle, the Times only mention of him was at the bottom of their presidential race round-up in a section called “What we’re reading elsewhere.”
Oghier
1747
That’s probably the largest long-term effect of this next election. However, I think it’s reasonable to view it more through the lens of foreign policy. This could easily become a “do we go to war with Iran or not” decision. For anyone getting healthcare insurance subsidies via Obamacar, I could understand that being their primary concern.
As for Biden, I think he’s just staying ready in case Hilary flames out. It’s always possible, if only barely, that there really is some ‘smoking gun’ email in there somewhere that might surface.
Anyone saying “Hillary can’t win” 14 months prior to a single ballot being cast in a general election has some serious presidential election history to catch up on.
LMN8R
1749
I’m coming around to this perspective:
It’s a sad commentary, but if you are a Democrat then yes, President Trump would probably be preferable to President Cruz or President Walker.
And he will pass the savings on to you!
Trump’s five minutes of fame are over! John MacAfee is running for President.
Timex
1754
Oh, it is fucking ON now.
Miramon
1755
I’m afraid MacAfee will wind up conferring the mantle of respectability on Trump if he somehow gets on the list. But I doubt he gets enough coverage to be noticed. I bet the GOP just ignores him completely.
Timex
1756
“Isn’t McAfee wanted for murder?”
“Only in Belize. That’s not real murder. That’s like, hooker murder or something.”
Djscman
1757
Well, there might be one or two alternatives to the Democratic alternative. Not that they’ve expressed interest, but…
As to their electability and popularity…well, maybe they could beat Hilary?
I think it really ties into how distanced Presidential politicians have become from the American people.
Your daily Trump gaffe that in no way will reduce his commanding lead:
In an interview with Rolling Stone, Trump (while watching Carly Fiorina on TV) said the following:
All fine questions. Later of course, Trump denied that he meant what he said.
Telefrog
1760
Trump now at 32% popularity amongst Republicans according to CNN polling.
Ben Carson in second place with 19%.
People don’t view Trump as a politician so he seems to get a pass on these things.
