The Democratic Candidates

oftenreading

curmudgeoness said:

Tiki said:

Spiritual_Chaos said:

MAYOR PETE

I'm all in on Mayor Pete. His shop just launched cute shirts to help with the pronunciation problem, lol.

A few years ago, I read a study about how rudeness is contagious. Following news about Mayor Pete online, I'm convinced civility is contagious, as well. In contrast to pretty much any comments section, ever, comments on news stories and tweets about him are 99+% positive and CIVIL. Twice, I saw someone try to say "Oh, well, he trashed Hillary!" -- each time they were, politely, set straight by another commenter, and then they, no kidding, apologized and thanked the person who replied to them for providing context and clarity.

We need more of that. And he seems to be inspiring that civility in people.

I'm very impressed with his thoughtfulness, intelligence, and pragmatism. I had misgivings about his age, but, really, that's no longer an issue for me.

I'm excited about several other candidates, as well. -- Not Beto, though. There's no "there" there, and on that my millennial child and I agree.

Seems like a good guy with a great future. I don’t think 2020 is his year, though, and I worry that once you’ve had one failed bid it sours future bids. I hope not. 

ikiT

curmudgeoness said:

Tiki said:

Spiritual_Chaos said:

MAYOR PETE

I'm all in on Mayor Pete. His shop just launched cute shirts to help with the pronunciation problem, lol.

A few years ago, I read a study about how rudeness is contagious. Following news about Mayor Pete online, I'm convinced civility is contagious, as well. In contrast to pretty much any comments section, ever, comments on news stories and tweets about him are 99+% positive and CIVIL. Twice, I saw someone try to say "Oh, well, he trashed Hillary!" -- each time they were, politely, set straight by another commenter, and then they, no kidding, apologized and thanked the person who replied to them for providing context and clarity.

We need more of that. And he seems to be inspiring that civility in people.

I'm very impressed with his thoughtfulness, intelligence, and pragmatism. I had misgivings about his age, but, really, that's no longer an issue for me.

I'm excited about several other candidates, as well. -- Not Beto, though. There's no "there" there, and on that my millennial child and I agree.

His CNN town hall was pretty decent.  

PJ_Soul

Omg, this is awesome.

https://twitter.com/WillDammann/status/1109087098697588738?s=20

Lerxst1992

oftenreading said:

Buttigieg seems to be a pretty smart dude. He speaks 7 languages, and learned Norwegian so that he could read the works of a particular author. Doesn't hurt that his mother is a linguist, I assume.

http://youtu.be/7N80ApKw0Gw


Love the winding guitar...

mrussel1

PJ_Soul said:

Omg, this is awesome.

https://twitter.com/WillDammann/status/1109087098697588738?s=20

That's a riot!  Sadly,  I know all those episodes. 

PJ_Soul

mrussel1 said:

PJ_Soul said:

Omg, this is awesome.

https://twitter.com/WillDammann/status/1109087098697588738?s=20

That's a riot!  Sadly,  I know all those episodes. 

So do I - really really well, lol.

mrussel1

PJ_Soul said:

mrussel1 said:

PJ_Soul said:

Omg, this is awesome.

https://twitter.com/WillDammann/status/1109087098697588738?s=20

That's a riot!  Sadly,  I know all those episodes. 

So do I - really really well, lol.

My wife can't even watch Scott's Tots, it makes her so uncomfortable.  I love that last line.. "Of all the empty promises...hands down that was the most generous.".  

mrussel1

About HuffPo again... check out the headline and byline, both disparaging of Biden.  She's a star... what's he... nothing... only 30 year senator and two term VP. 
And what's even sadder is that the article even admits their premise might be wrong considering both camps have denied the rumor.  But don't let that stop you from trashing Biden. 

https://m.huffpost.com/us/entry/us_5c952b88e4b0a6329e16565f

curmudgeoness

Living up to my name for a second: Being good at Twitter (or other social media) is not necessarily a skill that is transferable to things like diplomacy and making economic policy decisions. This should go without saying, but apparently that's no longer the case.

I've been a fan of Biden for a long time; I wanted him to be the nominee in 2008 (and 2016). I have some concerns about his age, but the idea that his experience and his noted ability to reach across the aisle should be discounted because there are all of these shiny new candidates who aren't as familiar (and who, therefore and thanks to their LACK OF EXPERIENCE have less baggage) is nonsense.

I got three hours of sleep last night, so I'm cranky.  But, watching the same damn media clusterf--- that we saw in 2016 ramping up again now, I'm just going to keep saying that the most important skill our schools can teach students is critical thinking.

My older child begins every political discussion with "Well, Millennials want..." and I've started replying with "Are Millennials the Borg?!?" Younger, wiser child says he is going to wait until we are closer to the actual elections to pay close attention, because he thinks the field will have thinned a bit by then. -- smart guy, he is.

The two questions we (people planning to vote for the Dem candidate) need to keep in mind:

1) Who can win?

2) Who would do the best job? -- that means, restoring constitutional norms, restoring our global standing, addressing the really fundamental, important issues that are festering right now, not "Who will push through my pet policy item?" Seriously, if your house is on fire, it's the wrong time to be dithering over the most energy-efficient dishwasher.

Everything else is just noise.

Ledbetterman10

PJ_Soul said:

Omg, this is awesome.

https://twitter.com/WillDammann/status/1109087098697588738?s=20

This was hilarious. 

Hi!

Biden/Harris
Biden/ Beto
Biden/Booker
Biden/Buttigieg 
Biden/Abrams

Buttigieg/Harris
Buttigieg/Booker
Buttigieg/Abrams
Buttigig/Yang

Sanders/Warren
Sanders/Buttigieg

Beto/Harris
Beto/Booker
Beto/Buttigieg
Beto/Abrams

Lerxst1992

curmudgeoness said:

Living up to my name for a second: Being good at Twitter (or other social media) is not necessarily a skill that is transferable to things like diplomacy and making economic policy decisions. This should go without saying, but apparently that's no longer the case.

I've been a fan of Biden for a long time; I wanted him to be the nominee in 2008 (and 2016). I have some concerns about his age, but the idea that his experience and his noted ability to reach across the aisle should be discounted because there are all of these shiny new candidates who aren't as familiar (and who, therefore and thanks to their LACK OF EXPERIENCE have less baggage) is nonsense.

I got three hours of sleep last night, so I'm cranky.  But, watching the same damn media clusterf--- that we saw in 2016 ramping up again now, I'm just going to keep saying that the most important skill our schools can teach students is critical thinking.

My older child begins every political discussion with "Well, Millennials want..." and I've started replying with "Are Millennials the Borg?!?" Younger, wiser child says he is going to wait until we are closer to the actual elections to pay close attention, because he thinks the field will have thinned a bit by then. -- smart guy, he is.

The two questions we (people planning to vote for the Dem candidate) need to keep in mind:

1) Who can win?

2) Who would do the best job? -- that means, restoring constitutional norms, restoring our global standing, addressing the really fundamental, important issues that are festering right now, not "Who will push through my pet policy item?" Seriously, if your house is on fire, it's the wrong time to be dithering over the most energy-efficient dishwasher.

Everything else is just noise.

I tend to favor more progressive policies because I think they will do a better job improving our country, but the nastiness from the far left is only hurting democratic chances for taking back the presidency.

To beat Trump, Democrats need to win back the swing states. Biden is the most relatable to this region, and is perfect person to shrug off relentless attacks from the orange menace.

 Trying to create things in one step... Socialized health care or free college just doesn't perform well in swing states during a general election. These things need to happen gradually in a conservative country. It's urgent Progressives understand this.

brianlux

Lerxst1992 said:

curmudgeoness said:

Living up to my name for a second: Being good at Twitter (or other social media) is not necessarily a skill that is transferable to things like diplomacy and making economic policy decisions. This should go without saying, but apparently that's no longer the case.

I've been a fan of Biden for a long time; I wanted him to be the nominee in 2008 (and 2016). I have some concerns about his age, but the idea that his experience and his noted ability to reach across the aisle should be discounted because there are all of these shiny new candidates who aren't as familiar (and who, therefore and thanks to their LACK OF EXPERIENCE have less baggage) is nonsense.

I got three hours of sleep last night, so I'm cranky.  But, watching the same damn media clusterf--- that we saw in 2016 ramping up again now, I'm just going to keep saying that the most important skill our schools can teach students is critical thinking.

My older child begins every political discussion with "Well, Millennials want..." and I've started replying with "Are Millennials the Borg?!?" Younger, wiser child says he is going to wait until we are closer to the actual elections to pay close attention, because he thinks the field will have thinned a bit by then. -- smart guy, he is.

The two questions we (people planning to vote for the Dem candidate) need to keep in mind:

1) Who can win?

2) Who would do the best job? -- that means, restoring constitutional norms, restoring our global standing, addressing the really fundamental, important issues that are festering right now, not "Who will push through my pet policy item?" Seriously, if your house is on fire, it's the wrong time to be dithering over the most energy-efficient dishwasher.

Everything else is just noise.

I tend to favor more progressive policies because I think they will do a better job improving our country, but the nastiness from the far left is only hurting democratic chances for taking back the presidency.

To beat Trump, Democrats need to win back the swing states. Biden is the most relatable to this region, and is perfect person to shrug off relentless attacks from the orange menace.

 Trying to create things in one step... Socialized health care or free college just doesn't perform well in swing states during a general election. These things need to happen gradually in a conservative country. It's urgent Progressives understand this.

All very well may be true with one exception- environment.  Between over population, global warming, resource depletion and pollution (particularly plastic in the oceans), there is no time for being polite.  It's do or die time and many are going to die regardless but I'm for reducing the casualties.  And how many politicians even give serious voice to these concerns?  Damn few.

mrussel1

brianlux said:

Lerxst1992 said:

curmudgeoness said:

Living up to my name for a second: Being good at Twitter (or other social media) is not necessarily a skill that is transferable to things like diplomacy and making economic policy decisions. This should go without saying, but apparently that's no longer the case.

I've been a fan of Biden for a long time; I wanted him to be the nominee in 2008 (and 2016). I have some concerns about his age, but the idea that his experience and his noted ability to reach across the aisle should be discounted because there are all of these shiny new candidates who aren't as familiar (and who, therefore and thanks to their LACK OF EXPERIENCE have less baggage) is nonsense.

I got three hours of sleep last night, so I'm cranky.  But, watching the same damn media clusterf--- that we saw in 2016 ramping up again now, I'm just going to keep saying that the most important skill our schools can teach students is critical thinking.

My older child begins every political discussion with "Well, Millennials want..." and I've started replying with "Are Millennials the Borg?!?" Younger, wiser child says he is going to wait until we are closer to the actual elections to pay close attention, because he thinks the field will have thinned a bit by then. -- smart guy, he is.

The two questions we (people planning to vote for the Dem candidate) need to keep in mind:

1) Who can win?

2) Who would do the best job? -- that means, restoring constitutional norms, restoring our global standing, addressing the really fundamental, important issues that are festering right now, not "Who will push through my pet policy item?" Seriously, if your house is on fire, it's the wrong time to be dithering over the most energy-efficient dishwasher.

Everything else is just noise.

I tend to favor more progressive policies because I think they will do a better job improving our country, but the nastiness from the far left is only hurting democratic chances for taking back the presidency.

To beat Trump, Democrats need to win back the swing states. Biden is the most relatable to this region, and is perfect person to shrug off relentless attacks from the orange menace.

 Trying to create things in one step... Socialized health care or free college just doesn't perform well in swing states during a general election. These things need to happen gradually in a conservative country. It's urgent Progressives understand this.

All very well may be true with one exception- environment.  Between over population, global warming, resource depletion and pollution (particularly plastic in the oceans), there is no time for being polite.  It's do or die time and many are going to die regardless but I'm for reducing the casualties.  And how many politicians even give serious voice to these concerns?  Damn few.

Agreed,  we have been dicking around this one too long.   It's existential.  

mickeyrat

mrussel1 said:

Halifax2TheMax said:

HOW IT ALL BEGAN

The permanent fund was created by voters in 1976 as an investment account for royalties after oil was discovered on the North Slope. The principal may not be spent, according to the state constitution, and the earnings may be used by the Legislature for any public purpose, including dividends. Residents began getting money from the fund in 1982. If an Alaskan has qualified for all of the checks distributed from the beginning, he or she would have received $41,221.41, said Sara Race, director of the state's Permanent Fund Dividend Division. With Thursday's distribution, the state will have paid out about $24 billion. The fund, which was valued at $61 billion on Wednesday, gets its earnings from a diversified portfolio, which includes stocks that include Apple, Microsoft, Chinese commerce company Alibaba, Bank of America and Facebook.

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/alaska-residents-receive-smaller-oil-fund-payments/

This still doesn't say the source,  whether it's the oil companies direct revenue or tax dollars from the revenue. 

ROYALTIES. From leasing the land. Same as the individual kand owners should get from fracking if they were represented during lease negotiations.

OnWis97

I hope one of the following people gets the nomination: Warren, Sanders, or Biden.  After the recent events, it's not a winnable election. I'd hate to see Mayor Pete or Beto flame out in an un-winnable election.  They could have a chance in 2024 (likely against another Trump, so who knows) whereas the others can't because of age or Hillaryness.

mrussel1

OnWis97 said:

I hope one of the following people gets the nomination: Warren, Sanders, or Biden.  After the recent events, it's not a winnable election. I'd hate to see Mayor Pete or Beto flame out in an un-winnable election.  They could have a chance in 2024 (likely against another Trump, so who knows) whereas the others can't because of age or Hillaryness.

You are waaaaay too negative here.  Why do you think it's unwinnable?  Elections are won and lost on turnout.  There are enough Democrats and left leaning people to win the upper midwest.  The turnout was there at the midterms, which is very unusual for the D team. 

mickeyrat

mrussel1 said:

OnWis97 said:

I hope one of the following people gets the nomination: Warren, Sanders, or Biden.  After the recent events, it's not a winnable election. I'd hate to see Mayor Pete or Beto flame out in an un-winnable election.  They could have a chance in 2024 (likely against another Trump, so who knows) whereas the others can't because of age or Hillaryness.

You are waaaaay too negative here.  Why do you think it's unwinnable?  Elections are won and lost on turnout.  There are enough Democrats and left leaning people to win the upper midwest.  The turnout was there at the midterms, which is very unusual for the D team. 

and given how Trump comports himself, the 43% of registered independent/unaffiliated has grown......

WE are the block to court for our vote......

curmudgeoness

OnWis97 said:

I hope one of the following people gets the nomination: Warren, Sanders, or Biden.  After the recent events, it's not a winnable election. I'd hate to see Mayor Pete or Beto flame out in an un-winnable election.  They could have a chance in 2024 (likely against another Trump, so who knows) whereas the others can't because of age or Hillaryness.

I think there will be a recession in the next 18 months, and I think that will have a BIG impact. Remember, he has been stuck below 50% approval since day one, despite a robust economy. This administration is grossly unprepared to deal with a crisis of any kind; I mean, he appears to have selected the Michael Cohen of economists to be on the Fed. People who don't care about Russia very much will care if they lose their jobs and/or their retirement savings are wiped out AGAIN.

mrussel1

curmudgeoness said:

OnWis97 said:

I hope one of the following people gets the nomination: Warren, Sanders, or Biden.  After the recent events, it's not a winnable election. I'd hate to see Mayor Pete or Beto flame out in an un-winnable election.  They could have a chance in 2024 (likely against another Trump, so who knows) whereas the others can't because of age or Hillaryness.

I think there will be a recession in the next 18 months, and I think that will have a BIG impact. Remember, he has been stuck below 50% approval since day one, despite a robust economy. This administration is grossly unprepared to deal with a crisis of any kind; I mean, he appears to have selected the Michael Cohen of economists to be on the Fed. People who don't care about Russia very much will care if they lose their jobs and/or their retirement savings are wiped out AGAIN.

The dreaded inverted yield curve is not a good sign for the economy, nor are the anemic GDP predictions.  I think you're absolutely right, as this is the biggest risk to Trump.  Now I don't think we have anything in the range of 2008 on the horizon, but recession is coming.  It has to..