Politics Thread

[Smails]

It's an incredible microphone that office has, and now he has news networks willing to parrot it all back in an echo chamber on the right.

You lecturing anyone on anything that has to deal with an echo chamber is laughable at best and tone-deaf lacking complete self awareness at worst.

[paulxu]

Since I listen/watch/read all the different inputs, it's possible that I am getting a good amount of input; if that makes me "tone-deaf" that perhaps you could suggest a different approach?

There is a large rally going on now in DC, and the president is going to speak to them. Rather than help a good transition, he continues to spew false narratives after 60+ courts have thrown out the bogus challenges. He is making us look like a tinpot dictatorship that doesn't respect its own rules. I suspect they'll march to the Capital and try to disrupt the proceedings. Hopefully he won't encourage violence since the crowd doesn't seem to be grounded in the reality of our election results.

[Masterofreality]

Since I listen/watch/read all the different inputs, it's possible that I am getting a good amount of input; if that makes me "tone-deaf" that perhaps you could suggest a different approach?

There is a large rally going on now in DC, and the president is going to speak to them. Rather than help a good transition, he continues to spew false narratives after 60+ courts have thrown out the bogus challenges. He is making us look like a tinpot dictatorship that doesn't respect its own rules. I suspect they'll march to the Capital and try to disrupt the proceedings. Hopefully he won't encourage violence since the crowd doesn't seem to be grounded in the reality of our election results.

Once again...about the current soon to be gone, President.
Look forward Paul. The entire country is about to become the Cuyahoga Socialist State that, I’m sure, everyone loves!!
That’s why everyone wants to move up here, right?

[xubrew]

The Republicans lost senate seats in Arizona and Georgia. Think about that for a second. I think it's important to understand why. Don't be like the Democrats and ignore the fact that a lot of the reasons that happened was because of things they did to themselves.

I don't think this happens if they don't rush to fill the SCOTUS seat. That's not the only thing in play here, but just not doing that would have probably let the GOP hold on to the senate, and perhaps even pick up a few seats. It's probably 53-47 or 54-46 without that stunt. It's possible/probable that Georgia doesn't even go to a runoff. When you pull a stunt like that and basically give someone the finger, expect a response. Well, here it is. The Left mobilized in a way that they probably wouldn't have had that not happened. Again, that's just one thing, but I think it is one thing that led us to where we are now. The rallying cry became "GET MCCONNELL OUT!!" And, they did (sort of).

[GoMuskies]

Meh, I think they lost mostly because Trump is a complete buffoon who basically spent the last two months actively damaging the two Republican senators' campaigns with his idiocy. Other than President, the November election (which happened after the Supreme Court nomination) was actually a rousing success for Republicans.

[Xville]

Meh, I think they lost mostly because Trump is a complete buffoon who basically spent the last two months actively damaging the two Republican senators' campaigns with his idiocy. Other than President, the November election (which happened after the Supreme Court nomination) was actually a rousing success for Republicans.

Yep, that and it's just a changing demo in both states, it happens. California within the next decade is probably going to turn red, and texas will probably turn blue. It has little to do with packing the courts...doubt most voters can even name a supreme court justice, let alone care. The left just saw an opportunity and mobilized, would have happened regardless

[paulxu]

Meh, I think they lost mostly because Trump is a complete buffoon who basically spent the last two months actively damaging the two Republican senators' campaigns with his idiocy.

I'm inclined to think you are correct. Curiously, some people in my progressive echo chamber agree with you also:

In the conservative National Review: "The Trump Era Ends in Disaster in Georgia"

In the conservative Washington Examiner: "Trump and his Enablers Stole the Georgia Elections from Republicans"

In The American Conservative: "Trump Costs GOP The Senate"

Then, of course, is the accurate forecast from my own Senator, who has spent the last 4 years becoming a complete sycophant so he could golf with the President:

Lindsey Graham
@LindseyGrahamSC
·
May 3, 2016
If we nominate Trump, we will get destroyed.......and we will deserve it.

[boozehound]

The Republicans lost senate seats in Arizona and Georgia. Think about that for a second. I think it's important to understand why. Don't be like the Democrats and ignore the fact that a lot of the reasons that happened was because of things they did to themselves.

I don't think this happens if they don't rush to fill the SCOTUS seat. That's not the only thing in play here, but just not doing that would have probably let the GOP hold on to the senate, and perhaps even pick up a few seats. It's probably 53-47 or 54-46 without that stunt. It's possible/probable that Georgia doesn't even go to a runoff. When you pull a stunt like that and basically give someone the finger, expect a response. Well, here it is. The Left mobilized in a way that they probably wouldn't have had that not happened. Again, that's just one thing, but I think it is one thing that led us to where we are now. The rallying cry became "GET MCCONNELL OUT!!" And, they did (sort of).

I think it's a referendum on Trump. Plain and simple. The Supreme Court might have influenced a few people to get out and vote, but it's really all about Trump's behavior the last two months. Which has been completely, balls-to-the-wall insane.

It's also the ultimate 'lie down with dogs, wake up with fleas' scenario for Republicans. They kissed this lunatic's ass for 4 years while he insulted them (and in some instances their family). Shocking numbers of them continued to follow him even after he lost and was essentially trying to tear down our Republic. McConnell saw it at the end, but he couldn't get the party in line. They also courted a new group of crazy and (as it turn out) unreliable voters that were responding more to Trump as a strongman than they were to actual Conservative ideals.

I actually think / hope that this was a good thing for our Democracy long term. The absolute worst thing that can happen to America, IMO, is for the losing party to start challenging the legitimacy of every election. Set up secure election processes, audit them, and be done with it. Trump's behavior needed to have consequences. Now it does.

[xubrew]

Meh, I think they lost mostly because Trump is a complete buffoon who basically spent the last two months actively damaging the two Republican senators' campaigns with his idiocy. Other than President, the November election (which happened after the Supreme Court nomination) was actually a rousing success for Republicans.

Yunno.....I think you're right.

This is much better put than what I said.

[boozehound]

There’s a reason why “Most Liberal Senator” Harris was put on the ticket. Biden is a Potemkin President. He’ll be a puppet and Harris will soon assume the Presidency. We are fucked. There is no desire from anyone on the left to “work accross the aisle. Court packing and Filibuster removal will soon become reality. Not to mention “Free Public College” which will decimate our school Xavier.
The “great reset” is now in full force. Just wait & see.

Deep breaths.

First of all, nobody is removing the filibuster - Manchin has already said he won't support it, and I don't think he is the only one that wouldn't if it actually came to a vote (which I don't think it will). I haven't seen or heard much from Harris, and most of Biden's cabinet looks like a Biden cabinet, not a Harris cabinet. I see nothing to suggest your 'apocalyptic' scenario in which Biden is just some kind of front for a Harris presidency. It seems much more like Harris was put on the ticket to pander to the left than it does that she is the really mastermind. Unless that's just what they want us to think...

The only things they are likely to do are things that they can accomplish via reconciliation, similar to Trump's first two years.