11/08/2022, The Midterms, aka build on 2020 aka The Election Thread

[allegro]

What sucks is like me, she has Tourettes. And she’s weird for like, no reason. So instead of having a huge superstar with Tourette’s as an educational tool and proof it’s not a big deal we got a person who wears xxxxxxxxxxl shirts and dyes their roots green. Really perpetuates the weird predisposition that people with Tourette’s has something wrong with them.

I didn’t know she has Tourette’s. Interesting.

But that shouldn’t define her, either.

Weird hair is weird hair. You own it, just like Lizzo owns her body image. And Lizzo gets harassed every day because of it. But NONE of any of this defines talent, or lack thereof.

Anyway ... I don’t even think they should have any talent in a convention. They never used to, so fuck this. Talent drags this shit out.

[allegro]

Oh WHAT THE FUCK IS LIZ TELLING THE AUNT BEA STORY AGAIN?!?!

[versusreality]

I can't wait to see Andrew Yang's speech tomorrow.

Obama is knocking it out of the park. I liked Harris opening the show and looking forward to seeing her speech after Obama.

[allegro]

Obama’s speech was ... dire. Very disturbing, and one of his best speeches.

I liked Harris’s message. (And a Mary J Blige song after she spoke!)

I LOVED Hillary Clinton’s speech.

[versusreality]

great news!

[allegate]

https://twitter.com/kenklippenstein/status/1296510399626522625

do as I say, not as I do?

[allegro]

If anyone else on here was looking like I was, New York passed legislation (https://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/ny-lawmakers-pass-automatic-voter-registration-absentee-ballots-20200723-gwjli7ix7zbkvblgseigil7dsq-story.html) for the general election regarding mail-in voting. Coronavirus is an acceptable reason to vote by mail. Thanks to versusreality and allegro for the help!

The issue was regarding absentee ballots and whether the threat of Covid was an "excuse" for an absentee ballot. Typically, an absentee ballot in NY State requires an actual illness, or not being home, or being handicapped, etc.

A temporary bill was passed for the Primary for no-excuse absentee, but it didn't extend to the General.

A new bill was passed for the General allowing the threat of Covid as an excuse, and it was signed TODAY, August 20th: https://hosted.ap.org/citizensvoice/article/55e694c30aba55ef67c028369d510e52/ny-lets-voters-get-absentee-ballots-due-virus-concerns

https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/governor-cuomo-signs-law-sweeping-election-reforms

https://www.ny1.com/nyc/all-boroughs/politics/2020/08/19/nyc-elections-2020-absentee-ballots-mail-in-voting-cuomo-to-allow-coronavirus

https://nypost.com/2020/08/20/ny-voters-can-legally-request-mail-in-ballot-over-covid-19-fears/

[versusreality]

Andrew Yang kicked it off great. Made me laugh at the end too.

[GulDukat]

Biden made quite a speech.

[allegro]

I’m not getting you here. Was I somehow incorrect?

Look at your link. It’s from 7/23 and is for absentee ballots, but NOT for no-excuse absentee ballots. It doesn’t provide for people who wish to use an absentee ballot to avoid Covid; it only worked if you were sick or away from home or handicapped.

That just happened today (https://nypost.com/2020/08/20/ny-voters-can-legally-request-mail-in-ballot-over-covid-19-fears/).


August 20, 2020

Fear of contracting COVID-19 is now a legally legitimate excuse for New Yorkers to cast mail-in ballots in the upcoming general election, with Gov. Andrew Cuomo signing the legislation Thursday.

Cuomo signed three pieces of legislation into law designed to make it easier for Empire State residents to vote and have their ballots counted in the Nov. 3 presidential election.

Under the election reforms, all voters can get an absentee ballot due to risk or fear of contracting COVID-19 and voters can request absentee ballots to be submitted to the Board of Elections immediately.

The legislation also allows for all absentee ballots postmarked on or before Election Day or received by the Board of Elections without a postmark on the day after the election to be counted.

[allegro]

Oh. I pasted the wrong link. I'm sorry. Thank you.

I've corrected my mistake.

No, it wasn't about you, it was about how crazy it is that this JUST HAPPENED TODAY. I mean, I’m glad it DID, finally, but Jesus, it should have happened in June.

When we were all looking, earlier, we were wondering why NY State didn’t have anything, that it was awfully late for legislation to be passed.

Now they’re saying this is SO late, there’s likely no way there can be mailed in time. Cuomo is, like, make dropboxes, “why not, we know how to make boxes (https://www.wshu.org/post/cuomo-endorses-no-excuse-absentee-voting-november#stream/0),” but it’s not that easy. These are special boxes bolted to the ground. And now they have to prepare and mail ALL THOSE BALLOTS, and the USPS is already saying ain’t no way there’s gonna be enough time to mail them.

I really hope NY can find a way to crank out a bunch of secure boxes in time.

[allegro]

The moment Joe Biden met Brayden who spoke at the Democratic Convention.

https://twitter.com/projectlincoln/status/1296884003090432000?s=21

[versusreality]

My mom was talking to me last night about the convention and she said Brayden was one of her favorite parts of all nights. She was nearly in tears with Biden's generosity in helping the kid.

[allegro]

Joe’s granddaughters, convention:

https://youtu.be/pv9YLI5EvCM

[allegro]

As CRAZY as this sounds:

Trump has been tweeting and bitching all day about: New Jersey

He is pissed that NJ is sending ballots to all registered voters.

And MAGA Twitter is on a rampage to “flip NJ Red.”

These people are wackos.

[versusreality]

NJ is safely blue. Newark, Jersey City, Union City,Montclair, Atlantic City, Irvington, Bloomfield, Paterson, Trenton, Hoboken, Asbury Park etc are solid blue. Only in parts of south Jersey and out in the woods are they red. They always were. None of the places I mentioned would ever turn to red for a presidential election. trust me. basically: the massive populations of the cities outweigh the rest of NJ. we never have voted red for a president in NJ. he's not gong to get the 500,000+ (about how much he lost to Hillary by in NJ) votes to turn NJ to red. the gaps for Obama's victory were even bigger in Obama's favor. also, I've talked to various people who voted for Trump last time and are voting for Biden this time.

[allegate]

https://twitter.com/blakehounshell/status/1297316043950567429?s=20

[allegate]

didn't watch any of the convention speeches this week so I'm going through them now. Saw this one:

https://twitter.com/DemConvention/status/1296635661684965378?s=20

and now my eyes hurt from the extra pressure in my head. Jesus. How anyone can look at this and think, "no, Trump is still a good guy" I just don't know. They literally don't have a heart, or maybe they just like hate too much to love anyone other than themselves.

[versusreality]

that kid is so brave. very proud of him.

[ltrandazzo]

I thought the DNC could have been a potential disaster filled with Zoom awkwardness and technical glitches heaped on top of speeches tailored for applause breaks and overall, it wasn't that. There were still some weird speeches (Schumer, Pelosi, Klobuchar), but I thought this format ended up working well.

Anyway, my request for a mail ballot hasn't been processed yet and I requested it about three weeks ago, but I'm not panicking yet. Best resource to see what to do based on your state is https://www.vote.org. Scroll to the bottom, find your state, click it, scroll to the bottom again and you'll see the different scenarios available to you. To get even more specific, look up your local board of elections and see how you can return absentee ballots, vote early, etc. This shit is not going to get any easier.

[allegate]

https://twitter.com/mmcauliff/status/1297919422309576704

[allegate]

https://twitter.com/HKrassenstein/status/1297883208822988800

[versusreality]

I am getting a bit of anxiety, thinking that tonight, with the RNC kicking off, things are going to get even way more uglier from now until November. Perhaps the ugliest ever. and the goddamn pandemic is still going on with the Miami Dolphins bringing in 13,000 fans in a few weeks.

[ltrandazzo]

I am getting a bit of anxiety, thinking that tonight, with the RNC kicking off, things are going to get even way more uglier from now until November. Perhaps the ugliest ever. and the goddamn pandemic is still going on with the Miami Dolphins bringing in 13,000 fans in a few weeks.

You are not obligated to watch the RNC, btw.

[versusreality]

obviously. I'm thinking of the impact it will have on those who do watch it. it'll be filled with hate and vile propaganda worse than anything they've done before.

[allegate]

https://twitter.com/TG22110/status/1297801718495879168

this is a dumb take. they've hitched so many horses to this guy that this won't make a difference.

[versusreality]

I've already come to the terms that Trump is legally impervious while he's president, and perhaps even beyond. It's terrible.

[versusreality]

same in NJ. ugh. wanted to vote asap

[cdm]

1298069045577687041

[ickyvicky]

^ smh

[GulDukat]

I'm from MA, and the Kennedy v. Markey race has been interesting. Most people (myself included) thought Kennedy would win the primary which takes place on 9/1. Kennedy was leading too, but now it looks like Markey will win. So unless recent polls are wrong, Markey will probably hold on to his seat.

[allegate]

There's a LOT of small races like that where it's been interesting to see how things will shake out. KIII looks as milquetoast as you can be for a Kennedy and yet he's the one getting support from the higher ups?

Also there's another one I saw today - can't be buggered to search on twitter for it since twitter search is a POS - but Pelosi today was talking about how "right after the election we're siccing this guy on Trump for his taxes!" and everyone's like "hey, he could do it now. He could have done it previously. But you're going to wait, as usual? WTF." so I hope that he loses as well.

I'm in a very love/hate thing with her right now. She obviously knows what she's doing for some things but the youth and fire that is being raised right now to help the democrats defeat trump needs to be welcomed, not tempered. If they're just going to go back to/maintain a status quo after the election, it is going to go very badly for her.

[versusreality]

I hope Markey wins it.

As for Pelosi, her saying Biden shouldn't debate Trump is getting a lot of steam. Ughhhh. Wish she shouldn't have said that. Of course Biden should debate Trump!!

[allegate]

"she's doing it to provoke him for his speech tonight" is what I keep reading. ok, sure. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[GulDukat]

Going to need some liquor if I'm going to watch this shit.

[Jinsai]

LOL... versusreality... things are going to get completely fucking insane. I wish we could just vote tomorrow and end this. It's going to be so fucking awful.

[versusreality]

this is a living nightmare. I mean it was, but seeing HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE NOT SOCIAL DISTANCING, NO MASKS, in the middle of a pandemic, TO WATCH TRUMP SPEAK....holy shit.

I am so angry right now. and one of the main reasons I'm angry is because each day that goes by, I more and more start to think he's going to win.

[M1ke]

Don't get too pessimistic. I've heard about this guy from more than one place, and he says Trump's going to lose, and he has been correct every single year since 1984.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ml-ChX_qMu0

I think the bigger thing to worry about is the violence and that fight that is likely to come after he loses.

[botley]

Don't get too pessimistic. I've heard about this guy from more than one place, and he says Trump's going to lose, and he has been correct every single year since 1984.
He also admits that voter suppression and foreign interference could turn it the other way.


I think the bigger thing to worry about is the violence and that fight that is likely to come after he loses.
Win or lose, I feel like that's probably coming anyway? Trump either continues his oppressive regime with the full apparatus of the state behind him, or else goes out in a flaming wreck that leaves his base enraged and more dangerously skeptical of rational thought than ever.

[Exocet]

god..what a fucking depressing election.

[Wretchedest]

I hope Markey wins it.

As for Pelosi, her saying Biden shouldn't debate Trump is getting a lot of steam. Ughhhh. Wish she shouldn't have said that. Of course Biden should debate Trump!!

I actually agree with pelosi on this one all the way.

[GulDukat]

I was leaning Markey but kept an open mind, then I watched one of the debates and definitely decided to go with Markey. Kennedy never really articulated why he should replace a sitting senator in his own party, it was just "we need change," "we can do better," etc. and his debate performances were weak, imho. Kennedy is right to criticize Markey on his Iraq War vote, but Kennedy wasn't in Congress at the time, so who knows how he would have voted.

I do think there should be Trump/Biden debates, but there needs to be a good moderater and a team to fact check Trump in real time.

No opinion on Trump's speech as I didn't watch it. Reviews were bad.

[allegro]

Trump is TERRIBLE at debate. TERRIBLE.

Biden does great when he practices a lot in advance and when it’s one-on-one. He especially excels when there is no audience distraction, and when BOTH parties are strictly held to the rules; Biden is a stickler with debate rules, especially time. He constantly watches time. In official debate - AND IN CONGRESS - you CANNOT violate time allowances. The moderators need to turn off mics at the time allotment.

Biden always remembers the question and sticks to it.

Trump digresses from the question then forgets what the question was and makes up his own topic.

Which scores zero in debate.

[allegate]

the debate is going to be like Billy Madison or Community debates but instead of being funny it's going to be depressing because he won't follow the rules and no one will push against it.

also if he's not following any rules, and the rules state his presidency is up in January, what makes anyone think he's going to suddenly become the rules-following-guy.

[allegro]

The public will be cognizant of the rules and who adheres to them, and who actually answers questions. Also, good moderators can simply talk over a candidate and move on when they don’t observe time rules. They did this during the Democratic debates.

These debates aren’t likely to change anyone’s mind or convince anyone to vote; they’ll just reinforce already-determined stances.

[allegate]

https://twitter.com/ASlavitt/status/1299393217633415168

[GulDukat]

The debates will be one giant shit-show. I'm almost afraid to watch.

[GulDukat]

Biden Voters Appear Far More Likely To Vote By Mail Than Trump’s. That Could Make For A Weird Election Night. (https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/bidens-supporters-appear-way-more-likely-to-vote-by-mail-than-trumps-that-could-make-for-a-weird-election-night/)

...If this holds, it would mean votes cast on Election Day would skew heavily toward Trump, and votes cast by mail would skew heavily toward Biden. This has serious implications for … well, democracy. First, Trump could argue the mail ballots (which, remember, could account for most of Biden’s votes) were fraudulent and thus should not be counted. Although it’s unlikely they’d actually be thrown out, this would damage the credibility of the election in the eyes of many Trump supporters. Second, it could mean the first votes counted on election night will be disproportionately good for Trump, who might claim victory based on incomplete returns. It might not be until days later, after a good chunk of the Democratic-leaning mail vote is counted, that Biden pulls ahead.

...the gap between the Election Day and mail vote could be huge this year, which should serve as a stark reminder not to overreact to election-night returns. We could — not necessarily will, but could — have absurd initial results like Trump winning Massachusetts or Illinois. That would not mean he has won the election; it takes days, sometimes even weeks, to count every mail ballot (https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/why-were-planning-for-an-election-day-that-could-last-months/), so we may not know the identity of the next president until mid-November.

[allegro]

Black and Latino voters wary of mail-in voting. (https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/black-and-latino-voters-wary-of-mail-in-voting/ar-BB18lAXk)

[allegate]

https://twitter.com/McFaul/status/1299393438522077190

should take five to ten minutes to read that. it's sobering.

[bobbie solo]

Kennedy is right to criticize Markey on his Iraq War vote, but Kennedy wasn't in Congress at the time, so who knows how he would have voted.

You know exactly how that smarmy, bootlicking silver spoon fuck would have voted.

[versusreality]

bobbie solo : random question, saw this around town: bernie sticker/ NIN Sin logo on car? if so we may actually be practical neighbors lol

[GulDukat]

You know exactly how that smarmy, bootlicking silver spoon fuck would have voted.

IDK Ted Kennedy was vehemently against the invasion of Iraq and voted against it. His grandfather, RFK, was the anti-war candidate in 1968. I have a feeling Joe Kennedy III would have voted against the war had he been in congress at the time.

[allegate]

jq2JXxe

right click/show controls for volume, though it is also subtitled.

[allegate]

The Office of the Director of National Intelligence has informed the House and Senate Select Committees on Intelligence that it'll no longer be briefing on election security issues.


https://www.cnn.com/2020/08/29/politics/office-of-director-of-national-intelligence-congress-election-security/index.htmloh, well why not.

[Jinsai]

https://twitter.com/ProjectLincoln/status/1299795007923261442

[bobbie solo]

@bobbie solo (https://www.echoingthesound.org/community/member.php?u=753) : random question, saw this around town: bernie sticker/ NIN Sin logo on car? if so we may actually be practical neighbors lol

ding ding ding!

Was this today? My wife was out & about in our car.

[versusreality]

I live on 35th between C and Broadway, was walking to the park and saw the car.

[GulDukat]

https://twitter.com/ProjectLincoln/status/1299795007923261442
Just checked and you can buy his autograph for a lot less than 10k on ebay.

[Wretchedest]

ding ding ding!

Was this today? My wife was out & about in our car.

https://i.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/newsfeed/001/509/934/827.jpg

[GulDukat]

You guys might want to check out Nate Silver's forecast (https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/2020-election-forecast/), which goes state by state.

[halo eighteen]

You guys might want to check out Nate Silver's forecast (https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/2020-election-forecast/), which goes state by state.

Yeah, I'm still reeling from 4 years ago so I'm not putting faith in anything that site/person has to offer.

[Jinsai]

People in the dark shadows pulling Biden's strings... People "on the streets," planes "almost completely loaded with thugs..."

WTF... anyway, I guess he got this meandering conspiracy bullshit from here? https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/trump-s-plane-loaded-thugs-rumor-matches-months-old-facebook-n1238962

You know you're really striking out when even Laura Ingraham tells Trump that it sounds like he's getting into "conspiracy theory territory." The interview seems to have caused #TrumpStroke to trend on Twitter.

[allegate]

You know what? It really sucks that I can point to an entirely different story and say that "actually it was this" for the reason #TrumpStroke is trending. There shouldn't be multiple reasons to think/worry that the president has had a stroke.

The second story is that he actually had a stroke (I forget the term being used, something about a type of 'event' I believe?) and that's why he was sent to the hospital way back when during the night. Like, Pence was told "hey, emergency powers are at the ready just in case" kind of event. And also the reporter who knew this decided to wait until he had a book coming out to talk about it. Bro, this is the kind of thing we need to know when you know it.

also, since I just saw this tweet I figure I should edit it in:

https://twitter.com/RalphGarman/status/1300806393088233474

[allegate]

Yeah, I'm still reeling from 4 years ago so I'm not putting faith in anything that site/person has to offer.
I nearly got fired from my job because of how badly that night affected me. it put me in a dark mood that affected performance quite a bit. I mean it didn't help that I had an asshole boss: I wasn't the first person to have a break down because of him, nor was I the last.

[GulDukat]

Yeah, I'm still reeling from 4 years ago so I'm not putting faith in anything that site/person has to offer.

Silver was the one person not saying Clinton had 98% of winning in 2016, giving her something like 67% chance. I wasn't totally shocked on election night because of him.

[allegate]

People in the dark shadows pulling Biden's strings... People "on the streets," planes "almost completely loaded with thugs..."

WTF... anyway, I guess he got this meandering conspiracy bullshit from here? https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/trump-s-plane-loaded-thugs-rumor-matches-months-old-facebook-n1238962

You know you're really striking out when even Laura Ingraham tells Trump that it sounds like he's getting into "conspiracy theory territory." The interview seems to have caused #TrumpStroke to trend on Twitter.

here we go:

https://twitter.com/CNNPaul/status/1300589657625952256

[versusreality]

the people from the plane must have sent him to the hospital last year

[GulDukat]

Trump looks and sounds like shit. Wouldn't be surprised if that were true. Look up an interview with him from the late 90's/early '00s and compare it to how he sounds and looks now.

[allegro]

You guys might want to check out Nate Silver's forecast (https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/2020-election-forecast/), which goes state by state.

Too soon after the GOP Convention for updated polls.


As we said last week, there’s still just not a lot of data that can help us understand how Americans are responding to what’s happening in Kenosha, Wisconsin, but as Perry Bacon Jr. wrote on Thursday, one thing we do know is that declining support for the Black Lives Matter movement hasn’t translated to a decline in support for Biden just yet.

[GulDukat]

As we said last week, there’s still just not a lot of data that can help us understand how Americans are responding to what’s happening in Kenosha, Wisconsin, but as Perry Bacon Jr. wrote on Thursday, one thing we do know is that declining support for the Black Lives Matter movement hasn’t translated to a decline in support for Biden just yet.
Some people are so short-sighted and simplistic.

[GulDukat]

For those interested in the MA primary for the senate (Markey/Kennedy), you can see the returns come in here. (https://www.wbur.org/news/2020/09/01/markey-kennedy-senate-primary-results)

[versusreality]

For those interested in the MA primary for the senate (Markey/Kennedy), you can see the returns come in here. (https://www.wbur.org/news/2020/09/01/markey-kennedy-senate-primary-results)

thanks. this is looking pretty close so far. same with Morse/Neal

[GulDukat]

thanks. this is looking pretty close so far. same with Morse/Neal
With 12% of the results in, Markey has 56% of the vote. It's early, but I'd be very surprised if Kennedy wins.

[versusreality]

yeah, looks like Markey will win (yay) . Neal broke away from Morse. looks like Neal will win.

[GulDukat]

I'm thinking that if Markey wins, and Biden wins in November, Biden might give Warren a cabinet post, and then Kennedy could run and this time probably win in a special election for the vacant seat.

[cdm]

I'm thinking that if Markey wins, and Biden wins in November, Biden might give Warren a cabinet post, and then Kennedy could run and this time probably win in a special election for the vacant seat.

This is the only logical reason for a primary attempt on Markey. He had a less than zero chance at winning. There’s literally no other reason to do it. Which makes Pelosi’s endorsement all the more batshit.

[GulDukat]

This is the only logical reason for a primary attempt on Markey. He had a less than zero chance at winning. There’s literally no other reason to do it. Which makes Pelosi’s endorsement all the more batshit.
Markey was thought to be pretty weak this past spring and Kennedy was way ahead in the polls. Kennedy's lackluster campaign and weak debate performances and AOC backing Markey sealed the deal. But six months ago Kennedy was thought to be the favorite.

[allegro]

Kennedy seems to have shot himself in the foot with some pretty conservative views.

[GulDukat]

I think it was a few things. Markey was a lowkey, first term senator and at 74, seemed like he was vulnerable. Once people started to pay attention, the more they liked Markey. The AOC endorsement helped. Markey did very well with educated people, but also with the youth vote. He was the hipper candidate, which seems very odd and counterintuitive. You'd think that the 39 year-old Kennedy would be the hip one, with a savvy social media street team, but that seemed to be where Markey excelled. Also, after the glow of the Kennedy name faded, Joe P. Kennedy III just wasn't that strong of a candidate. His whole thing was "change," "we can do better," but really he said nothing, no real reason for him to challenge a sitting senator in his own party.

[cdm]

I think it was a few things. Markey was a lowkey, first term senator and at 74, seemed like he was vulnerable. Once people started to pay attention, the more they liked Markey. The AOC endorsement helped. Markey did very well with educated people, but also with the youth vote. He was the hipper candidate, which seems very odd and counterintuitive. You'd think that the 39 year-old Kennedy would be the hip one, with a savvy social media street team, but that seemed to be where Markey excelled. Also, after the glow of the Kennedy name faded, Joe P. Kennedy III just wasn't that strong of a candidate. His whole thing was "change," "we can do better," but really he said nothing, no real reason for him to challenge a sitting senator in his own party.

I always had the impression it was Markey's race to win but I'll defer to those in the state following the race much more closely than I. That said, Pelosi's endorsement was inexcusable, no matter the last name. By the time she offered her two cents the policy choice was clear. And then you factor in her "rationale" and the fact Markey is an incumbent after her primary stance in 2018. Fuck that. Her time is up as Speaker. If her district wants to reelect her, fine. But get a new Speaker.

And to be clear, I don't have a problem with Dems primarying incumbents. If you can run a more progressive candidate to either take over a district or push the incumbent further left...awesome. But Kennedy was neither. Whatever. This worked out, I guess.

[bobbie solo]

Nancy fucked around & then she found out. Hypocritical snake. Spent the last few years saying how she will always support incumbent Dems, and then she goes & stabs a former 25 year colleague of hers in the House right in the back. She even pushed for that DCCC edict that anyone supporting candidates that primaried incumbents would be blackballed.

Shows how soft her support is considering her full-throated, repeated endorsement did absolutely nothing in a state that is overwhelming blue. God I wish that Sikh dude had a real shot of taking her out. Time for that fossil to GO.

Sam Seder was talking about a potential write-in campaign for JKIII to take back the seat he just gave up. Seems crazy (to Seder as well, to be clear) but man that would be fascinating.

Damn shame about Morse. Thought he might be able to eke it out against that bought & paid for corporate stooge in Neal. I think Morse should do exactly what Cori Bush did & start planning to run again in the same exact race right now. He lost by a large margin, but he still had an impressive showing for a first-time run. Unlike alot of these other incumbents that Justice Dems tried to take out, Neal took this seriously from the get-go & defended himself well enough. I wonder how much that debunked, disgusting smear campaign against Morse ended up mattering.

[allegate]

https://twitter.com/RalstonReports/status/1301388382380072962?s=20

[allegro]

Joe today in Wauwatosa WI:

https://twitter.com/jthverhovek/status/1301650005678227461?s=21

[GulDukat]

Why Joe Kennedy’s Senate campaign flopped (https://www.politico.com/news/2020/09/02/joe-kennedy-senate-campaign-failed-408033)

[allegro]

I saw a Markey ad on MSNBC, where he turned around the JFK thing?

That was some brilliant shit. (The MUSIC in the beginning sounds vaguely familiar ... heh)

https://youtu.be/86-3yuzn5UU

[allegro]

I want the Dems to win the House and Senate, but I gotta be honest:

It’s time for a new Speaker of the House.

I’m pretty tired of these old farts up front in Congress. They need to take a seat. We need term limits. And campaign finance reform. And that ain’t gonna happen with those fixtures in there.

[GulDukat]

Yes, Ed Markey was one of the great comebacks and turnaround stories in recent memory.

I saw Markey (then in the House) and (then) Senator Al Franken speak at the Lexington Depot in 2012, when they were stumping for Warren who was running for the U.S. Senate. I was super impressed with Markey and have liked him ever since.

[allegate]

https://twitter.com/jonfavs/status/1301914627505225729?s=20

[allegro]

Biden takes notes, something Trump NEVER does.

So what they’re proposing ain’t likely to happen, because this is a cheap debate trick used by shitty debaters against equally shitty debaters.

It will be, however, REALLY easy to throw Trump off track.

Biden uses “Come on, man” when he thinks the other party is full of shit, NOT as a method of regrouping his own thoughts or getting himself back on track. These idiots analyzing Biden debates aren’t very good at communication study or debate, and that’s a good thing.

Two points:

1) Neither candidate is the same person he was in 2016. But Biden was at least at great intellectual advantage over Trump in the first place. Biden was a defense attorney, and was in Congress for over 45 years (both centers of debate). Trump admits that he never once debated in his life until 2016. Someone took Trump’s SATs for him. He didn’t go to Wharton, he went to U-Penn and got a degree in Real Estate. Someone did his homework for him. He’s a silver-spoon spoiled brat Hitler.

2) As pointed out in the above link and in several other sources over many years, Trump never preps for ANYTHING. Not for speeches, not for debates. He comes in with the speech or notes in hand, or a teleprompter, and wings it; he believes people value his instincts and his extemporaneous off-the-cuff (cough) intellect. His notes contain main points to cover, which he studies in advance, most of which are self-aggrandizing bullshit points, and the rest bullshit Gotcha moments.

The only thing that trips Biden up is ad hominem shit, which isn’t typical or allowed in most debate, and of course Trump is going to use that.

So Biden’s handlers need to prepare with him, using those tactics, so that Biden’s speech impediment doesn’t pop up; because THAT’S when it does, and then he seems to hyper-focus on getting his speech on track, instead of his own point. He has methods of not letting BULLIES do this to him, and he needs to practice them in advance.

[allegate]

https://twitter.com/therecount/status/1301938966686511105?s=20

[allegro]

Biden's foreign policy answers in press conferences are miles ahead of Trump's bumblings.

[GulDukat]

Pure speculation: I think that if Biden wins, Trump will not go to the inauguration but Pence will. Trump will act like the big baby that he is and cry foul at Mar-a-largo, while Pence will attend, in order to represent the outgoing administration transfering power to a new one. I can't stand Pence, but I think he would at least have enough decency to do that. At that point, he wouldn't give a fuck if it pisses off Trump.

[GulDukat]

I would be surprised if Pence runs in 2024. If Trump loses, just wait for the likes of Lindsey Graham and Mitch McConnell to say things like "I never really liked Trump, but for the good of the party and the good of the country I tried to work with him." They will try to gaslight the public on how they enabled and defended him during his four years as president, just as they now try to gaslight Republican voters on how they said they couldn't stand him before he became the nominee in 2016. If Trump were to lose, the stench of Trump would ruin any chance Pence ever had to run for POTUS.

And if (god help us) Trump is reelected, people will surely have had enough after eight years of this shit. Pence in 2024 will be like Cheney in 2008.

[GulDukat]

This Is Democrats’ Doomsday Scenario for Election Night (https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/02/us/politics/voting-election-day.html)

[versusreality]

This Is Democrats’ Doomsday Scenario for Election Night (https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/02/us/politics/voting-election-day.html)

that's exactly what I expect to happen, with nothing or no one stopping him. in fact, I'm preparing for it.

[allegro]

The other convention (https://peoplesparty.org) came and went.

[hellospaceboy]

Neither candidate is the same person he was in 2016. But Biden was at least at great intellectual advantage over Trump in the first place. Biden was a defense attorney, and was in Congress for over 45 years (both centers of debate). Trump admits that he never once debated in his life until 2016. Someone took Trump’s SATs for him. He didn’t go to Wharton, he went to U-Penn and got a degree in Real Estate. Someone did his homework for him. He’s a silver-spoon spoiled brat Hitler.

Yes, and I think by far the biggest difference is that now Trump has a 4 year track record he has to answer for!

In 2016 it was easy for him to promise all kinds of bullshit (I don't know why the Democrats allow him to drop the "Mexico paying for the wall" bit, because it was THE cornerstone of his campaign, we allow his followers to forget about it), but now he's not just a "brilliant businessman" running, but a sitting president asking the nation to reelect him!

Biden should absolutely hammer him with his "accomplishments" over the last 4 years - on the debate stage! We all know that Trump can't stand it when he's confronted about his lies!

[GulDukat]

One of the most ridiculous articles that I've read this election cycle, arguing for Trump (https://thehill.com/opinion/white-house/515452-clear-and-inescapable-the-choice-between-trump-and-biden)'s reelection (https://thehill.com/opinion/white-house/515452-clear-and-inescapable-the-choice-between-trump-and-biden), by Conrad Black.

My favorite line:

The (coronavirus) "is something of an embarrassment for the president..."

Only 200k Americans dead and this guy calls it "something of an embarrassment."

Reading his biography on Wiki and see that he is a convicted felon who Trump pardoned.

[Jinsai]

Reading his biography on Wiki and see that he is a convicted felon who Trump pardoned.

You'd think that would also be "something of a disappointment." Sorry, if you were pardoned by Trump, I do not care at all what you have to say about anything, least of all the great and positive things about the scumbag who pardoned you.

[cdm]

One of the most ridiculous articles that I've read this election cycle, arguing for Trump (https://thehill.com/opinion/white-house/515452-clear-and-inescapable-the-choice-between-trump-and-biden)'s reelection (https://thehill.com/opinion/white-house/515452-clear-and-inescapable-the-choice-between-trump-and-biden), by Conrad Black.

Ah yes, Conrad Black, the born-on-third Canadian businessman / fraudster...who better to weigh in on American political interests?

And you're right, not mentioning the pardon in a disclaimer attached to that opinion piece is malpractice.

[Jinsai]

well, the hits keep coming.

Has anyone heard some of these recordings from the interviews with Bob Woodward for his new book, Rage?

You can't claim it's "fake news," there's recordings. That's him saying it. That's Trump, on February 7th, admitting that he knew the virus was airborne, highly contagious, and magnitudes more deadly than the worst flu. This was weeks before he claimed "it'll just disappear," downplayed the severity of it, called it a Democrat hoax...

Then there's a follow up interview about it, and Trump admits to downplaying the severity, "I always downplay," because he "didn't want to incite a panic."

Just HOLY shit.

[allegate]

https://twitter.com/HuckelCommaSean/status/1303727319094263808

https://twitter.com/petridishes/status/1303731301678223360?s=20

In other news: did you see the 2021 Noble Peace Prize nomination?

[allegate]

https://twitter.com/Dracogen/status/1303745777966223360?s=20

[Jinsai]

it's not the only time Trump has blabbed about secret nuclear weapons programs that he was almost certainly told to shut up about... he basically said the same sort of thing as an example of how much he loves the military. It was surreal, he's responding to allegations that he's called dead soldiers "suckers," and then moves on to talk about some "nuclear" thing that he hopes he never has to use... but nobody's seen anything like it, and hopefully they never will...

God he's so incredibly reckless and stupid.

[allegate]

ha, take that!

Arizona Supreme Court rejects Kanye West's bid to appear on ballot (https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/515627-arizona-supreme-court-rejects-kanye-wests-bid-to-appear-on-ballot)

[allegate]

it's not the only time Trump has blabbed about secret nuclear weapons programs that he was almost certainly told to shut up about... he basically said the same sort of thing as an example of how much he loves the military. It was surreal, he's responding to allegations that he's called dead soldiers "suckers," and then moves on to talk about some "nuclear" thing that he hopes he never has to use... but nobody's seen anything like it, and hopefully they never will...

God he's so incredibly reckless and stupid.ftfy

[allegate]

ha, take that!

Arizona Supreme Court rejects Kanye West's bid to appear on ballot (https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/515627-arizona-supreme-court-rejects-kanye-wests-bid-to-appear-on-ballot)

and take this as well!

Judge: Kanye West stays off ballot in battleground Wisconsin (https://www.startribune.com/wisconsin-judge-keeps-kanye-west-off-ballot/572389472/)

[Wretchedest]

Glory to the day when we never speak that man's name again

[binaryhermit]

Not 100% on-topic, but I recently watched the whole Kanye West "George Bush doesn't care about black people" thing with context... dude sounded unhinged.

[neorev]

Trump is a pedo

https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/michael-cohens-daughter-reveals-she-232420061.html

[M1ke]

Trump is a pedo

https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/michael-cohens-daughter-reveals-she-232420061.html

We know. We've known since he bragged about walking into Miss Teen USA Pagent dressing rooms last election cycle.

[binaryhermit]

Did you pursue this clip or did it popularly resurface somewhere? Exploring it with context does seem like a random thing to do fifteen years later on a Sunday afternoon. Which isn't shade, just me being interested.

I went looking for it, I recalled Mike Myers reaction in relation to something vaguely related to a recent post in the mental health thread

[eachpassingphase]

Trump is a pedo

https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/michael-cohens-daughter-reveals-she-232420061.html

Not even remotely shocked. I couldn't imagine working for/with an adult who sexualized my kid that way. I'd be tempted to beat the shit out of them as my resignation letter.

[neorev]

We know. We've known since he bragged about walking into Miss Teen USA Pagent dressing rooms last election cycle.

This is still even creepy saying this shit to your "friend" aka the father of the girl's face

[sweeterthan]

We know. We've known since he bragged about walking into Miss Teen USA Pagent dressing rooms last election cycle.

cohen knew too. i really hate that’s he’s getting so much attention for stating the fucking obvious. cohen is a liar who enabled trump’s election.

[versusreality]

Biden has assembled a massive legal team for mail in voter and election fraud. good. hate to say it, but he's going to need it.

[Jinsai]

cohen knew too. i really hate that’s he’s getting so much attention for stating the fucking obvious. cohen is a liar who enabled trump’s election.

yeah, let's not forget that this guy is a totally insufferable scumbag.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C2Kb7IDmFF4

[GulDukat]

What If Trump Loses And Won’t Leave? (https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/what-if-trump-loses-and-wont-leave/)

[allegate]

who knew that a gov't of 200+ years could fall apart once the 'gentlemen' involved in the gentlemen's agreements turned out to be complete assholes.

[eachpassingphase]

I feel like almost anyone paying attention knew this. Unfortunately, Americans, as a people, really tend to loathe folks who are paying attention because their very existence suggests that you are not paying enough attention and, boy, do Americans by and large hate being reminded that they haven’t maxed out the skill meter in every single area.

This is the perfect way of explaining a problem that is prevalent in every major issue our country is facing today.

A few weeks ago I was in a store, wearing my mask (because duh). There is a mask ordinance in my city, so you have to wear one in businesses. Most folks are complying, but others are either throwing a hissy fit at the door OR waiting until they are inside the business to take their mask off or let it sit under their nose or mouth. I walked into an aisle and noticed a woman had taken her mask off. But I didn't say anything or make a face at her or even stare. But as soon as she saw ME with my mask on, she loudly snorted at ME and rolled her eyes. Like I was inconveniencing her by wearing my mask appropriately.

Here's why I bring this up: from day one of this mask business I heard people objecting to it say that they just wanted the "choice" to wear one or not wear one. But it's becoming clear to me that "choice" was never really what they wanted - because they don't want to see anyone else "choose" to wear one either. That's why the dogbrains on facebook are sharing memes about sheep wearing masks and whatnot, and why that lady acted like I was the biggest asshole in the world for quietly wearing my mask in a grocery store.

It was never about choice, it was always about people who were unwilling to be confronted (either directly or indirectly) with how selfish and uninformed they are. It's part of why they don't like protesters, whether they protest quietly with a knee at a game or loudly in the streets. It's why they call things that are irrefutable "fake news". It's why they get pissed off at Greta T. for simply caring about climate change and saying she cares out loud in front of powerful adults.

By simply existing as an informed human being and making decisions based on information you have, you are a threat to their mental security. You never have to say a confrontational word to some of these people, just your existence upsets them enough.

[thelastdisciple]

Rogan moderating a Trump and Biden debate, what could go wrong?

https://media1.tenor.com/images/4ddde30ebdda24f2a2e6385b1f1fe04f/tenor.gif?itemid=16891303

[M1ke]

Rogan moderating a Trump and Biden debate, what could go wrong?

https://media1.tenor.com/images/4ddde30ebdda24f2a2e6385b1f1fe04f/tenor.gif?itemid=16891303

That's not a real thing.....right???????? Please tell me that no-one is allowing Joe Rogan to moderate anything......

[thelastdisciple]

That's not a real thing.....right???????? Please tell me that no-one is allowing Joe Rogan to moderate anything......
No, at least not yet anyway but of course Trump is down for it.

If Biden actually agreed to it i would be shocked but the idea has def got a lot of people talking. Even the fucking View ladies were yapping about it.

[M1ke]

No, at least not yet anyway but of course Trump is down for it.

If Biden actually agreed to it i would be shocked but the idea has def got a lot of people talking. Even the fucking View ladies were yapping about it.

I listened to an episode or two of his podcast out of curiosity, the man hates Biden with a passion. It'd be the furthest thing from objective or unbiased as you could possibly get.

[allegate]

with the scale of grift going right now from everyone I wonder how much of that is real and how much is just getting the hate clicks.

however you throw in some Fear Factor challenges and I'm all for it.

[thelastdisciple]

however you throw in some Fear Factor challenges and I'm all for it.
Ox testicles for everyone!

[Jon]

No, at least not yet anyway but of course Trump is down for it.

If Biden actually agreed to it i would be shocked but the idea has def got a lot of people talking. Even the fucking View ladies were yapping about it.

Where did this idea start from? I mean who was the one that "threw the idea out there"? I had no context and decided to browse some comedy subreddits (I know) yesterday, which were flooded with terrible Trump/Biden/Rogan debate memes. I felt like a deer in headlights.

[thelastdisciple]

Where did this idea start from? I mean who was the one that "threw the idea out there"? I had no context and decided to browse some comedy subreddits (I know) yesterday, which were flooded with terrible Trump/Biden/Rogan debate memes. I felt like a deer in headlights.
It was on his recent podcast with Tim Kennedy from 4 days ago, just casual spitballing from what I gathered but yeah it just kinda blew up somewhere down the line.

1305294772656115712

I think Trump retweeted or responded to this?

[Jinsai]

Ox testicles for everyone!

I remember this episode, and the moment she bites into it and then runs away screaming "that's exactly what I thought a testicle would taste like..."

Something like that. That's basically what I've been screaming inside my head silently for the past 3 and a half years. Just some kind of horrified understanding of something that you want to forget experiencing, and you know you can't.

[marodi]

Rogan moderating a Trump and Biden debate, what could go wrong?

https://media1.tenor.com/images/4ddde30ebdda24f2a2e6385b1f1fe04f/tenor.gif?itemid=16891303

If we're playing fantasy debate moderator, she's my choice:

https://i.imgflip.com/zg008.jpg

I did hear her say that.

[binaryhermit]

A few weeks ago I was in a store, wearing my mask (because duh). There is a mask ordinance in my city, so you have to wear one in businesses. Most folks are complying, but others are either throwing a hissy fit at the door OR waiting until they are inside the business to take their mask off or let it sit under their nose or mouth. I walked into an aisle and noticed a woman had taken her mask off. But I didn't say anything or make a face at her or even stare. But as soon as she saw ME with my mask on, she loudly snorted at ME and rolled her eyes. Like I was inconveniencing her by wearing my mask appropriately.
I was walking outside with a mask on and got yelled at by a driver saying I can't catch COVID outside.

I don't care about a cure for COVID-19, I wish there was a cure for STUPID-20.

[eachpassingphase]

Rogan moderating a Trump and Biden debate, what could go wrong?


"Mr President, I heard you really love Shark Week on the Discovery channel. Have you ever watched the Discovery channel on DMT? They've got hours of chimpanzee footage. Those things are unbelievably fucking strong, they will rip your face off. Do we have a clip somewhere? Jamie, pull that shit up."

[versusreality]

let Joe Rogan debate only if Seth Rogan can also have a debate with everyone involved smoking joints

[GulDukat]

Mr. Empathy:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=29mJJ4zFxcM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5LLZXWH9vDY

That town hall was a trainwreck. Who the hell thought that this was a good idea?

[Jinsai]

"I didn't down play it" "I up-played it"

FUCK YOU. We have you on audio recording SAYING you not only downplayed it, but that you liked downplaying it and continued to do so.
YOU ARE NOT ALLOWED to just completely claim the opposite now. We have you on record. Before everyone informed you that it was a HORRIBLE THING TO SAY, you were all about it. You cannot DO THIS. We are all going to lose our goddamn minds.

Also... "you'll develop a herd MENTALITY." Jesus Christ. Just put me in a fucking coma and wake me up on November 3rd.

[versusreality]

"I didn't down play it" "I up-played it"

FUCK YOU. We have you on audio recording SAYING you not only downplayed it, but that you liked downplaying it and continued to do so.
YOU ARE NOT ALLOWED to just completely claim the opposite now. We have you on record. Before everyone informed you that it was a HORRIBLE THING TO SAY, you were all about it. You cannot DO THIS. We are all going to lose our goddamn minds.

Also... "you'll develop a herd MENTALITY." Jesus Christ. Just put me in a fucking coma and wake me up on November 3rd.
might have to wake you up Nov 3 2024. if so, I'd like to disappear for 4 more years too.

[GulDukat]

Jesus Christ. Just put me in a fucking coma and wake me up on November 3rd.

No, that's when the shit really hits the fan.

I don't think that we will know who will be sworn in on 1/20/'21 for a while after the election. There will be millions of mail-in ballots left to be counted, lawsuits, protests, rage-tweets, FOX "NEWS" having a meltdown, etc. It won't be pretty.

[sweeterthan]

he’s playing the opposite game. they say “down play”, i say “up play”. all of this is a game for him. we passed the 200k death yesterday and really the entire government doesn’t give a shit. the senate are just as much to blame as they do nothing while the criminal kills people.

[allegate]

https://assets.amuniversal.com/28488450d4130138212a005056a9545d

Term limits would help with this. Six years should be long enough to do what needs to be done, right?

And also expand the two-year span for the others because that's way too short.

[GulDukat]

Anyone catch the town hall with Biden? I thought that he did a pretty good job. He rambled at times, but nothing too embarrassing. He gave some good answers, like when he was asked about masks and farming (from a hostile audience member). He came across as warm and empathetic.

[GulDukat]

I don't get why the people of Alabama actually want this guy (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tommy_Tuberville)as their senator. Then again, I'm from MA.

[bobbie solo]

Jesus Christ. Just put me in a fucking coma and wake me up on November 3rd.

I can't go through the stress of Election Night coverage again. Especially b/c we might not have a clear winner for a few days. I think we're going to go out to dinner after 8pm somewhere with no TV's, maybe a movie theater if we feel comfortable by then. Phones off throughout all this. Come home as late as possible, phones stay off, and go to bed. Probably take an Ambien to try and sleep as long as possible into that Wednesday. Phones still off that night, and placed outside our bedroom. Then Wednesday when we wake up we'll start dealing with whatever drama has unfolded. I just can't sit glued to the cable news/TYT coverage on Youtube all night like 2016 seeing things unfold incrementally state by state.

[hellospaceboy]

I'm going with an opposite gameplan, I'll be watching the elections live with a six pack. It's not a great idea but I know I couldn't do anything else.

[allegate]

https://twitter.com/thedailybeast/status/1306931609241821189?s=20

[Jinsai]

That's not an entirely accurate headline... apparently the offer was floated by Rohrbacher, and he's claiming that he would contact the president if it was possible. As far I could tell the lawyers for Assange aren't claiming that there was a direct offer from Trump.

Now the White House is saying that Trump barely ever knew Rohrbacher, but whatever, that's almost certainly a lie.

[allegate]

they don't know anyone apparently!

[binaryhermit]

I'll be watching the elections live with a six pack.

Might want to up/downgrade that to a 30 pack of shitty Americn Macrobrew, unless you mean 6 large bottles of hard liquor.

[allegate]

https://twitter.com/atrupar/status/1307374868229390337?s=20

[allegate]

https://twitter.com/mehdirhasan/status/1307704379663933440?s=20

[versusreality]

that's exactly what's happening.

"it's a rigged election" Trump claims in regards to mail in voting.

but no, it's just a rigged election because of what he is and will continue to do.

Biden needs to say: "if Trump wins, isn't it still considered rigged? " and have some sort of action to be able to back it up. I don't know what it could be. But we are in serious trouble. Trump will do whatever it takes to get away with stealing the election, just like he continues to get away with all the other bullshit he does.

[allegate]

Which is really strange considering how hard he's trying to not be president.

[Jinsai]

OH NO! Whatever will we DO if it takes TWO WEEKS to decide who rules the country for the next FOUR FUCKING YEARS.

(yes, "rule" was an intentional thing... I know the president isn't supposed to be a king... I know... I get it... but...)

[elevenism]

I remember this episode, and the moment she bites into it and then runs away screaming "that's exactly what I thought a testicle would taste like..."

Something like that. That's basically what I've been screaming inside my head silently for the past 3 and a half years. Just some kind of horrified understanding of something that you want to forget experiencing, and you know you can't.man, you consistently express the same sense of existential dread and endless dull horror that I feel every day about all this shit.
I don't have the words for it, but you do. It actually helps me deal with it.

[ltrandazzo]

Especially b/c we might not have a clear winner for a few weeks.

Fixed that for ya.

[BRoswell]

Trumpy just plans on doing what he did for years before he became president. He's going to tangle everything up in legal proceedings to wear everyone out and hope that he get what he wants.

[allegate]

https://twitter.com/YAppelbaum/status/1308721379211120640?s=20

[GulDukat]

https://twitter.com/YAppelbaum/status/1308721379211120640?s=20
Just read that. Appalling. Steal two seats on the Supreme Court and the presidency.

[allegro]

Just read that. Appalling. Steal two seats on the Supreme Court and the presidency.

Yeah this is some scary bullshit:

https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2020/09/trump-campaign-election-coup-bypass-biden-win

[sweeterthan]

fuck any republican who goes along with this "plan". it's disgusting and un-American. what happens after that? do we even get to vote or...?

why???? why would anyone go along with this? he's a terrible president.

[Erneuert]

Which is really strange considering how hard he's trying to not be president.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d1Nxs7_x-B0

[versusreality]

fuck any republican who goes along with this "plan". it's disgusting and un-American. what happens after that? do we even get to vote or...?

why???? why would anyone go along with this? he's a terrible president.

sadly and horribly, I fully expect this to happen.

[versusreality]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1irGJPUGYuk

[allegro]

fuck any republican who goes along with this "plan". it's disgusting and un-American. what happens after that? do we even get to vote or...?

why???? why would anyone go along with this? he's a terrible president.

We would go full-blown Authoritarianism at that point.

I never thought I’d be living in something akin to 1930s Germany in my lifetime, but here we are.

[allegate]

and so quickly too. I was talking to my wife and it's something like this that you see happening and it almost has to have years of preparation behind it and it makes you want to side with conspiracy theorists on the whole "global cabal running things" idea.

Mostly joking. mostly. I mean I know it's just bad faith actors on the Republican side and Fox News but still, think about that guy who died and his daughter got his hard drives and the shit he was up to that we didn't even have a clue about.

[Wretchedest]

Anyone seen the Fox news theatrics about the hunter Biden report? Real fucking rich

[allegate]

thread from Arnold.

https://twitter.com/Schwarzenegger/status/1301252322102710272?s=20

I can't wait to see the gymnastics from the states who say "it's complicated".

[allegro]

He says "get rid of the ballots" then there will be a "continuation of power."

We've been warned.

https://twitter.com/DrDenaGrayson/status/1308897909602164736?s=20

[versusreality]

he will do whatever it takes. we need an answer though, and I'm having a hard time finding one. what do we do in response? what CAN we do? everyone can get out and vote, but it seems like he has a way around it.

[allegate]

imagine the amount of research and chutzpah needed for these end-arounds. that's what we're up against.

[allegro]

Listen to Bernie. This is us vs. Fascism.

https://twitter.com/berniesanders/status/1309204418986995712?s=21


Here is Bernie’s full speech, it’s excellent:
https://www.c-span.org/video/?476214-1/senator-bernie-sanders-challenges-president-trump-voter-fraud-transfer-power-comments

[allegro]

https://twitter.com/mysterysolvent/status/1309254658825822208?s=21

[allegate]

https://twitter.com/BagdMilkSoWhat/status/1307442846874636288?s=20

https://media.tenor.com/images/ece5001db82ddbc4d61b48a52c3e01aa/tenor.gif

[allegro]

That isn’t funny. As awful as McConnell is, he had polio as a child and suffers from polio paralysis. I don’t laugh at stuff like that.

[allegate]

This year - and that man - have made me a more horrible person. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

https://twitter.com/A_W_Gordon/status/1309304835641151488?s=20

[allegro]

https://twitter.com/berniesanders/status/1309176948099350529?s=21

[Wretchedest]

Why didn't Hilary do it

[cdm]

That isn’t funny. As awful as McConnell is, he had polio as a child and suffers from polio paralysis. I don’t laugh at stuff like that.

Counterpoint: He's an evil person doing absolutely nothing other than pack the judicial to further "conservative values", which is to say "make lives, specifically the lives of women and minorities, appreciably worse and more difficult". Eight year old Mitch gets all my sympathy. Nearly 80 year old Mitch? Fuck him.

Edit: to take this a bit further...the GOP platform, in part, has been to invent physical ailments in order to cast the opponent as unqualified. Hillary was a cyborg. Joe's brain is rotted and oozing out of his ears. Trump says it, Fox News runs with it, and the party either says nothing or something in the form of "well I haven't seen proof that it isn't true so..." Fuck them and fuck him.

[allegro]

Early voting started in all counties except Cook in Illinois, yesterday. Lines were HUGE.

[allegro]

https://twitter.com/maddowblog/status/1309314716788031489?s=21

[versusreality]

can't believe it's just a little over a month away at this point. I'm energized yet horrified.

[ltrandazzo]

can't believe it's just a little over a month away at this point. I'm energized yet horrified.

In some parts of the country, it is here NOW. The election is happening right now. Starts for me next week.

[ltrandazzo]

Also, I think this is one of those "big deal" moments - The Rock endorses Biden/Harris.

1310198847835000834

[tony.parente]

Haha biden is selling "i paid more income taxes than donald trump" stickers, buttons and shirts.

Holy shit (https://store.joebiden.com/I-Paid-More-In-Taxes-Than-Donald-Trump-Vinyl-Stickers-2-Pack/)

[allegate]

I bought a pack of stickers because this is the one, I think.

[versusreality]

I wish it's the one.

but with the Supreme Court potentially deciding the election...

he's broke as hell and owes a shit load of money. more incentive for him to be president longer to not deal with that shit. the ONLY thing that can be his grace is if Pence takes over and pardons him.

[allegate]

is there a board rule on harshing a buzz? :)

[versusreality]

sorry. I really wish I can feel hopeful. I'm trying hard, I really am! didn't mean to be a downer. I apologize.

I'll need to find a peace of mind.

[GulDukat]

Thinking I'd like a few drinks before watching the debate tomorrow, but I have to work on Wednesday.

[allegate]

https://twitter.com/mistermorris55/status/1310605439143276546?s=20

[allegate]

https://twitter.com/chrislhayes/status/1310747451578609666?s=20

[versusreality]

tonight's the night

[allegate]

oh yeah, the debates.

https://twitter.com/normcharlatan/status/1311002971610771456

also:

https://twitter.com/harikondabolu/status/1310764922565922817?s=20

[allegate]

https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/256466457968381955?s=20

[Archive_Reports]

allegate Do you follow Norm from Deadspin too?

[allegate]

is that who he is? someone I follow recommended him.

[Archive_Reports]

He used to comment a lot, he's not a writer.

[allegate]

Fuck, we missed the debate?!

https://twitter.com/JenniferJJacobs/status/1311068232976080896

[GulDukat]

Trump is such an asshole.

[versusreality]

Trump refusing to say his supporters should stay calm while waiting for election results.

[M1ke]

Trump refusing to say his supporters should stay calm while waiting for election results.

He told them to go to the polling places to watch for suspicious behaviour.

That's code for "scare away the minorities".

[Erneuert]

They're now getting the opinion of 14 undecided voters on CNN. How can there still possibly be any people whose brain is undecided about this?

[Erneuert]

One of them just said: "He's the Commander-In-Chief, you know? And Biden calling him a clown, I'm not down with that."

But it's cool for Trump to say and do everything he's said and done?

And bring up Biden's son with drug problems while he's talking about his deceased son?

How do people make comments like that about Trump and not want to knock their own teeth out?


edit: holy shit, and two of them raised their hand when asked if they thought Trump 'won' the debate. sdejkfnjbgfdjklbgjdklghbjagfhj

[allegro]

Trump is a sociopath. And so are they.

Dr. Mary Trump, Donald Trump’s niece, in her book, says

“[Donald Trump’s] need for affirmation is so great that he doesn’t seem to notice that the largest group of his supporters are people he wouldn’t condescend to be seen with outside of a rally. His ego is a fragile thing that must be bolstered every moment because he knows deep down that he is nothing that he claims to be [ which makes him] vulnerable to manipulation by smarter, more powerful men. [And he is] fundamentally incapable of acknowledging the suffering of others. [DJT is] a petty, pathetic little man — ignorant, incapable, out of his depth, and lost in his own delusional spin.”

“Clearly he’s comfortable doing heartless things. Clearly he doesn’t seem to be interested in empathy, so I think it’s safe to say he demonstrates sociopathic tendencies."

[GulDukat]

Huge flop tonight for Trump. Wonder how FOX will spin it...

ETA--On Hannity they are like "well, at least you know who Trump is, I didn't think Biden was that great either."

[allegro]

https://twitter.com/Rob_Flaherty/status/1311146324679688193?s=20

[allegate]

One of them just said: "He's the Commander-In-Chief, you know? And Biden calling him a clown, I'm not down with that."

But it's cool for Trump to say and do everything he's said and done?

And bring up Biden's son with drug problems while he's talking about his deceased son?

How do people make comments like that about Trump and not want to knock their own teeth out?


edit: holy shit, and two of them raised their hand when asked if they thought Trump 'won' the debate. sdejkfnjbgfdjklbgjdklghbjagfhj
in the morning we'll know their entire Internet history so you can see how much of a tool they are.

[allegate]

I firmly believe they just want to get their 15 minutes.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EjK5ZKXWkAEFoAw?format=jpg&name=large

[allegate]

just...can you just not be that right now?

https://twitter.com/IChotiner/status/1311333913646608384?s=20

[Aladdinsanity]

Not putting anyone in this thread on the spot, but if we can’t make our main priority the fact that Trump very explicitly revealed himself to be a white supremacist vis-à-vis his refusal to condemn white supremacists, we’re in big fucking trouble.

[Jinsai]

he actually said the words "'proud boys" and then didn't say that they were, y'know, sorta lame

[allegate]

I know, right?

https://twitter.com/Bernstein/status/1311303468657696770?s=20

[allegate]

https://i.imgur.com/x8nLWW9.jpg

what in the world could they be referring to...?

https://i.imgur.com/a6BNSUX.png

[GulDukat]

HAHA!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0uYDECcfeVE

[Jinsai]

I could only take about five seconds of that. I cannot stand the sound of Graham's voice... it's just nightmarish drawl whimpering. Even his accent sounds fake like he's making fun of people who have that sort of accent.

[allegro]

he actually said the words "'proud boys" and then didn't say that they were, y'know, sorta lame

Lame? Oh, no, they're dangerous. And their founder and leader, Gavin McInnes (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gavin_McInnes), is not a U.S. Citizen and should be immediately deported for terrorism.

https://twitter.com/RexChapman/status/1311413755633381381?s=20

[allegate]

So he's the reason we have Proud Boys and hipsters?


During his time at Vice, McInnes was called a leading figure in the New York hipster subculture (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hipster_(contemporary_subculture)).

;)

[versusreality]

maybe this will make you happy Jinsai...
Kayleigh's press conference was a disaster today and even Fox called her out!
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8795227/Kayleigh-McEnany-holds-car-crash-White-House-briefing-prompting-furious-tirade-Fox-News-reporter.html

[M1ke]

It's happening.

https://www.huffingtonpost.ca/entry/donald-trump-pennsylvania-election_n_5f750df6c5b66377b27ce1b5

[versusreality]

^ and sadly, more states will follow suit.

[GulDukat]

It's happening.

https://www.huffingtonpost.ca/entry/donald-trump-pennsylvania-election_n_5f750df6c5b66377b27ce1b5

If it's not close (Biden wins by say 5 points), it's going to be hard to pull this kind of shit. Biden seems to be doing well in PA (https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/polls/president-general/pennsylvania/), hopefully his lead continues to grow.

[allegro]

Well, there’s always faithless electors:

https://www.npr.org/2020/07/06/885168480/supreme-court-rules-state-faithless-elector-laws-constitutional

https://www.witf.org/2020/10/01/pa-dem-lawmakers-propose-measure-to-punish-faithless-electoral-college-voters/

[allegate]

https://twitter.com/Yamiche/status/1312035990240985091?s=20

I for one am shocked that the campaigns have this communication problem.

[ickyvicky]

There's a rumor saying Trump got it so he can give it to Biden

[M1ke]

Biden tests negative.

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/oct/02/fears-joe-biden-may-have-been-exposed-after-trump-tests-positive-for-covid

[Erneuert]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cybYFzU6RbA (https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=cybYFzU6RbA)

[GulDukat]

Too good:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wsije1KetVw&t=636s

[elevenism]

So, my wife and I managed to get registered to vote today, which was the deadline.
I was trying to print the forms from my email, and then, realized that our printer didn't work. We'd been working on it since yesterday.

Then, it occurred to me that we could print the forms at the library. But, THEN, I realized that I didn't know my fucking email password, AND, had double authentication.

So, I went to the library anyway, and THEY had voter registration forms. We were able to fill them out, and take them to the actual registrar at the courthouse, who looked over them and made sure they were legit.

We weren't registered because democrats and independents don't even RUN around here for local office, and, there's NO way a Dem could win this county.

But, we couldn't let this election pass without our voices being heard.

SO, with seconds on the clock remaining, we managed to register to vote against the Great Orange Satan.

[hellospaceboy]

So, my wife and I managed to get registered to vote today

Thank you!!!!!!!!

[cdm]

So, my wife and I managed to get registered to vote today, which was the deadline.

This is awesome.

[hellospaceboy]

This is a fascinating watch:


https://youtu.be/UzzugWwv4-M

[ickyvicky]

Jim Carrey was amazing as Joe Biden in that SNL skit

[allegate]

https://twitter.com/Nate_Cohn/status/1313451844052701186?s=20

with that said: polls don't count. votes count, so VOTE.

[allegro]

https://twitter.com/billkristol/status/1313465034589245440?s=21

[allegro]

So, my wife and I managed to get registered to vote today, which was the deadline.
I was trying to print the forms from my email, and then, realized that our printer didn't work. We'd been working on it since yesterday.
.
Do you both have ID? I guess that’s been a big problem in Texas, valid ID is required to vote.

[allegate]

https://twitter.com/mehdirhasan/status/1313609581076131846?s=20

[Erneuert]

Men -facepalm-

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Igsb3ejgbL8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d9qpzYXwVIQ

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d9qpzYXwVIQ)

[elevenism]

Do you both have ID? I guess that’s been a big problem in Texas, valid ID is required to vote.They've already called and said she can't vote.
My id is a couple months expired. I'm THINKING I better get on top.of renewing it.

[allegro]

They've already called and said she can't vote.
My id is a couple months expired. I'm THINKING I better get on top.of renewing it.

Yes, you must ASAP.

[allegate]

https://twitter.com/joshtpm/status/1313645118134595586?s=20

I truly don't get this, and I read the article. Anyone?

Gov. Wanda Vázquez asks Puerto Rican diaspora to vote for President Trump (https://www.miamiherald.com/news/politics-government/state-politics/article246266625.html)

[Wretchedest]

It could have just been stimulus checks from the start. We could have gotten like 10-20 times the money in stimulus checks. All these greedy fucking people.

[elevenism]

Yes, you must ASAP.
Isn't this fucking straight up disenfranchisement?

This town is so small that we KNOW the registrar. My wife wrote her married name on the form, and it got flagged because her id still has her previous name.

Just, ugh. On top of that, she never legally changed her name to mine, so the name on her id IS her legal name.

And the lady said it doesn't matter, it's too late, etc.

As for me, I'm registered, but I'm gonna go get my Id renewed tomorrow so they can't pretend they don't know who I am in Nov.

Edit: wait. I found this "photo IDs can be expired for up to 4 years before and still be presented for voter qualification at the polling place."

[Jinsai]

I would still get your ID renewed and valid... why not?

[cdm]

Isn't this fucking straight up disenfranchisement?

It's a feature, not a bug. They want to make it as difficult as possible to vote. When voting is easy and accessible to everyone they lose EVERY time.

582

Artist: https://twitter.com/Nick_Anderson_
(https://twitter.com/Nick_Anderson_)
For context: I live in a NJ county with a population of 600k and we have a dropbox in almost every town. I think there are over 20 boxes emptied daily.

[allegate]

https://twitter.com/sundownmotel/status/1313845190881243136




‘Red Sweater Guy’ Ken Bone, one of 2016's famous undecided voters, shares his opinion on this year’s presidential election


In an interview with Newsweek, Bone said that he felt “uncommitted again” and that “very, very few people in either of these election cycles were truly undecided.”


Look, it's Schrödinger's Voter.

edit: apparently he's decided.

https://twitter.com/normcharlatan/status/1313869024292483072

[elevenism]

I'm not sure where to put this, but, I just found out that there are Cuban American, Chilean American, and Venezuelan American "Proud Boy" chapters.
I understand the fear of socialism and the left, (I'm thinking of the extremism of Ayn Rand,) but I thought Proudboys were straight up white nationalists.

[dlb]

While predominantly white they don't necessarily have to be racist, it's more western values that they try to defend. They even proclaim that they are not racist, yet being islamophobic, transphobic and misogynistic is totally fine.

And as with all kinds of far-right, extremist and facist groups they become diluted over time, making them a pool for all kinds of chauvinistic and nationalist ideologies. But you're correct in your feelings, yet, look at Enrique Tarrio, who doesn't look like a supremacist on first glance.

[elevenism]

While predominantly white they don't necessarily have to be racist, it's more western values that they try to defend. They even proclaim that they are not racist, yet being islamophobic, transphobic and misogynistic is totally fine.

And as with all kinds of far-right, extremist and facist groups they become diluted over time, making them a pool for all kinds of chauvinistic and nationalist ideologies. But you're correct in your feelings, yet, look at Enrique Tarrio, who doesn't look like a supremacist on first glance.

I mean, I'm not trying to defend these fucks by any stretch of the imagination. But it was actually a video on that dude that I found, and, I was stunned to learn that he's Afrocuban/Spanish, and 90% of his Proud Boys group in Miami is Latino. It just sort of stunned me.

[cdm]

I mean, I'm not trying to defend these fucks by any stretch of the imagination. But it was actually a video on that dude that I found, and, I was stunned to learn that he's Afrocuban/Spanish, and 90% of his Proud Boys group in Miami is Latino. It just sort of stunned me.

To a certain extent I think they use guys like Tarrio and whole chapters like Miami to say "how can we be white supremacists with a Afrocuban guy at the helm?" or "we have entire chapters that are Latino". [Im]plausible deniability. As a whole they are very pro-white, pro-western, anti-Muslim, antisemitic, far right, misogynist...they can get cute and creative with how they describe it outwardly ("western chauvinist") but if it walks, talks, shits like a duck...

[allegro]

Isn't this fucking straight up disenfranchisement?

This town is so small that we KNOW the registrar. My wife wrote her married name on the form, and it got flagged because her id still has her previous name.

Just, ugh. On top of that, she never legally changed her name to mine, so the name on her id IS her legal name.

Yeah, that's a problem because you have to present your ID when you vote and if your ID doesn't match your application, it will get bounced. If you don't legally change your surname, you can use it in social circumstances but never LEGAL circumstances. Also, you have to SIGN your name on your voter application and when you vote nearly exactly the same or it'll get bounced. All of this is to avoid voter fraud.

We don't have to present ID here in Illinois except when we register. But, we do have to sign when we register and then sign again when we vote, and our signature has to match. This is how it's done in most states.

Yes, get your ID renewed, don't give them a reason to fuck with you. It doesn't matter what it says online, they will find every reason to fuck with votes. Don't let them. Every voter should dot every i and cross every t, in advance.