The Democratic Candidates

12526283031194

Comments

  • Jason PJason P Posts: 19,147
    Enkidu said:
    Jason P said:
    Beto comes off as a guy that reads a "What to say to Democrat Voters on (today's date)" handbook before any public speech.  I have yet to perceive leadership qualities that I would want a POTUS to have. 
    Also agree.  I just read Pete Buttigieg's book and was very impressed - wow, to have a smart person as president.  But can a gay man win (I say that wishing the answer was yes, of course)?  

    I asked my 21 year old daughter what she thought of the candidates - she likes Warren, but thinks she's too "out there."  She used to like Bernie, but now thinks he's "crazy."  She likes Kamala and Beto.  And thinks Biden is "way too old."  
    It’s possible. I think most voters that would vote just based on his sexual preference are locked into the Trump ticket already.  He isn’t a far left candidate as much as I know (which is little).  But key swing states are middle states so realistically it will cost him a few percentage points if he is the pick. 
    Be Excellent To Each Other
    Party On, Dudes!
  • Jason PJason P Posts: 19,147
    Also, his sexual preference will hurt him with the minority vote. 
    Be Excellent To Each Other
    Party On, Dudes!
  • Hi!Hi! Posts: 3,095
    edited April 2019
    Jason P said:
    Also, his sexual preference will hurt him with the minority vote. 
    I’m just curious as to your use of the word preference. Do people use that term? I would think the appropriate term would be orientation. No big deal, just curious.

    Detroit 2000, Detroit 2003 1-2, Grand Rapids VFC 2004, Philly 2005, Grand Rapids 2006, Detroit 2006, Cleveland 2006, Lollapalooza 2007, Detroit Eddie Solo 2011, Detroit 2014, Chicago 2016 1-2, Chicago 2018 1-2, Ohana Encore 2021 1-2, Chicago Eddie/Earthlings 2022 1-2, Nashville 2022, St. Louis 2022

  • Jason PJason P Posts: 19,147
    Hi! said:
    Jason P said:
    Also, his sexual preference will hurt him with the minority vote. 
    I’m just curious as to your use of the word preference. Do people use that term? I would think the appropriate term would be orientation. No big deal, just curious.
    I guess it is the word I preferred.  Maybe I need to go to orientation.  
    Be Excellent To Each Other
    Party On, Dudes!
  • Spiritual_ChaosSpiritual_Chaos Posts: 30,574
    benjs said:
    my2hands said:
    Hi! said:
    Biden/Harris
    Biden/Abrams
    Biden/Sanders
    Biden/Some other woman
    Biden/Booker


    Give up Biden.
    Why? He won't surrender the rust belt, will select a minority VP, and the Obama's will hit the street hard for him....

    He's still the best bet

    Mayor Pete is catching fire with young progressives, he will quickly settle into the top 3-5 candidates... i like the guy, not sure i'm hitting the button in the primary for him though... i'm honestly a little worried about running a 37 year old homosexual small city mayor in this election, we cannot fuck around and risk 4 more years.... 
    You live in the Greatest Country in the World™ -- why would you have to worry about Trump being elected instead of a sane canditate like Pete?
    Pretty sure you're the only one who regularly calls it that (even in satire).

    "Mostly I think that people react sensitively because they know you’ve got a point"
  • my2handsmy2hands Posts: 17,117
    benjs said:
    my2hands said:
    Hi! said:
    Biden/Harris
    Biden/Abrams
    Biden/Sanders
    Biden/Some other woman
    Biden/Booker


    Give up Biden.
    Why? He won't surrender the rust belt, will select a minority VP, and the Obama's will hit the street hard for him....

    He's still the best bet

    Mayor Pete is catching fire with young progressives, he will quickly settle into the top 3-5 candidates... i like the guy, not sure i'm hitting the button in the primary for him though... i'm honestly a little worried about running a 37 year old homosexual small city mayor in this election, we cannot fuck around and risk 4 more years.... 
    You live in the Greatest Country in the World™ -- why would you have to worry about Trump being elected instead of a sane canditate like Pete?
    Pretty sure you're the only one who regularly calls it that (even in satire).

    I was trolling you and the others in that thread, genius.... have to balance out the ridiculous American hate in that thread, and i see it stuck with you. Good.

    There is no greatest country in the world

    Give it up, it's fucking weird at this point dude, straight up
  • cincybearcatcincybearcat Posts: 16,489
    Been weird a long time now.

    But it's nice to have the Greatest Poster in the World from the Greatest Country in the World point it out to the greatest Swede in the World!
    hippiemom = goodness
  • Ledbetterman10Ledbetterman10 Posts: 16,919
    Jason P said:
    Beto comes off as a guy that reads a "What to say to Democrat Voters on (today's date)" handbook before any public speech.  I have yet to perceive leadership qualities that I would want a POTUS to have. 
    I felt the same way about Rubio. Like he googled “things republicans like to hear” and just parroted them. 
    2000: Camden 1, 2003: Philly, State College, Camden 1, MSG 2, Hershey, 2004: Reading, 2005: Philly, 2006: Camden 1, 2, East Rutherford 1, 2007: Lollapalooza, 2008: Camden 1, Washington D.C., MSG 1, 2, 2009: Philly 1, 2, 3, 4, 2010: Bristol, MSG 2, 2011: PJ20 1, 2, 2012: Made In America, 2013: Brooklyn 2, Philly 2, 2014: Denver, 2015: Global Citizen Festival, 2016: Philly 2, Fenway 1, 2018: Fenway 1, 2, 2021: Sea. Hear. Now. 2022: Camden, 2024Philly 2

    Pearl Jam bootlegs:
    http://wegotshit.blogspot.com
  • cincybearcatcincybearcat Posts: 16,489
    Jason P said:
    Beto comes off as a guy that reads a "What to say to Democrat Voters on (today's date)" handbook before any public speech.  I have yet to perceive leadership qualities that I would want a POTUS to have. 
    I felt the same way about Rubio. Like he googled “things republicans like to hear” and just parroted them. 
    Interesting.  Will have to look back.

    Beto is just pissed that some gay mayor from a small town is stealing his thunder.  I'm betting Beto is considering all options....crazy hair, becoming native american, becoming gay, becoming black...whatever it takes to stay in this race.
    hippiemom = goodness
  • my2handsmy2hands Posts: 17,117
    Been weird a long time now.

    But it's nice to have the Greatest Poster in the World from the Greatest Country in the World point it out to the greatest Swede in the World!
    The Greatest Swede ever was "Big Swede" from Heartbreak Ridge!!! Spiritual is a close 2nd
  • Jason PJason P Posts: 19,147
    Jason P said:
    Beto comes off as a guy that reads a "What to say to Democrat Voters on (today's date)" handbook before any public speech.  I have yet to perceive leadership qualities that I would want a POTUS to have. 
    I felt the same way about Rubio. Like he googled “things republicans like to hear” and just parroted them. 
    Yup.  And there is an emergency appendix of hot topics they choose from when they lose steam to choose from but you can tell they have had no prior knowledge or interest in the subject. 

    Like when Beto started talking smack on that N guy from Israel the other day.  Emergency appendix chapter 3 (“safe topics to rile up the young democrat voter when you are losing steam”), section 8. 
    Be Excellent To Each Other
    Party On, Dudes!
  • Spiritual_ChaosSpiritual_Chaos Posts: 30,574
    edited April 2019
    my2hands said:
    benjs said:
    my2hands said:
    Hi! said:
    Biden/Harris
    Biden/Abrams
    Biden/Sanders
    Biden/Some other woman
    Biden/Booker


    Give up Biden.
    Why? He won't surrender the rust belt, will select a minority VP, and the Obama's will hit the street hard for him....

    He's still the best bet

    Mayor Pete is catching fire with young progressives, he will quickly settle into the top 3-5 candidates... i like the guy, not sure i'm hitting the button in the primary for him though... i'm honestly a little worried about running a 37 year old homosexual small city mayor in this election, we cannot fuck around and risk 4 more years.... 
    You live in the Greatest Country in the World™ -- why would you have to worry about Trump being elected instead of a sane canditate like Pete?
    Pretty sure you're the only one who regularly calls it that (even in satire).

    I was trolling you and the others in that thread, genius.... have to balance out the ridiculous American hate in that thread, and i see it stuck with you. Good.

    There is no greatest country in the world

    Give it up, it's fucking weird at this point dude, straight up
    Describing it as "hate" exposes you.
    Post edited by Spiritual_Chaos on
    "Mostly I think that people react sensitively because they know you’ve got a point"
  • Lerxst1992Lerxst1992 Posts: 6,761
     .

    Jason P said:
    Beto comes off as a guy that reads a "What to say to Democrat Voters on (today's date)" handbook before any public speech.  I have yet to perceive leadership qualities that I would want a POTUS to have. 
    I felt the same way about Rubio. Like he googled “things republicans like to hear” and just parroted them. 
    Interesting.  Will have to look back.

    Beto is just pissed that some gay mayor from a small town is stealing his thunder.  I'm betting Beto is considering all options....crazy hair, becoming native american, becoming gay, becoming black...whatever it takes to stay in this race.


    It is still VERY early. If Beto can't figure out now how to best run a marathon, his campaign will go nowhere.

    What concerns me is the Dems are more interested in eating their own (Biden is a creepy hair smeller, Bernie is a crazy socialist) instead of building a foundation that republicans and their policies couldn't care less about the plight of middle class americans

    Now is the time they can be building a narrative to frame the debate against the Rs, and as usual, they are lost in the clouds.

  • my2handsmy2hands Posts: 17,117
    my2hands said:
    benjs said:
    my2hands said:
    Hi! said:
    Biden/Harris
    Biden/Abrams
    Biden/Sanders
    Biden/Some other woman
    Biden/Booker


    Give up Biden.
    Why? He won't surrender the rust belt, will select a minority VP, and the Obama's will hit the street hard for him....

    He's still the best bet

    Mayor Pete is catching fire with young progressives, he will quickly settle into the top 3-5 candidates... i like the guy, not sure i'm hitting the button in the primary for him though... i'm honestly a little worried about running a 37 year old homosexual small city mayor in this election, we cannot fuck around and risk 4 more years.... 
    You live in the Greatest Country in the World™ -- why would you have to worry about Trump being elected instead of a sane canditate like Pete?
    Pretty sure you're the only one who regularly calls it that (even in satire).

    I was trolling you and the others in that thread, genius.... have to balance out the ridiculous American hate in that thread, and i see it stuck with you. Good.

    There is no greatest country in the world

    Give it up, it's fucking weird at this point dude, straight up
    Describing it as "hate" exposes you.
    oh no, i'm exposed 
  • Spiritual_ChaosSpiritual_Chaos Posts: 30,574
    my2hands said:
    my2hands said:
    benjs said:
    my2hands said:
    Hi! said:
    Biden/Harris
    Biden/Abrams
    Biden/Sanders
    Biden/Some other woman
    Biden/Booker


    Give up Biden.
    Why? He won't surrender the rust belt, will select a minority VP, and the Obama's will hit the street hard for him....

    He's still the best bet

    Mayor Pete is catching fire with young progressives, he will quickly settle into the top 3-5 candidates... i like the guy, not sure i'm hitting the button in the primary for him though... i'm honestly a little worried about running a 37 year old homosexual small city mayor in this election, we cannot fuck around and risk 4 more years.... 
    You live in the Greatest Country in the World™ -- why would you have to worry about Trump being elected instead of a sane canditate like Pete?
    Pretty sure you're the only one who regularly calls it that (even in satire).

    I was trolling you and the others in that thread, genius.... have to balance out the ridiculous American hate in that thread, and i see it stuck with you. Good.

    There is no greatest country in the world

    Give it up, it's fucking weird at this point dude, straight up
    Describing it as "hate" exposes you.
    oh no, i'm exposed 
    Yes.
    "Mostly I think that people react sensitively because they know you’ve got a point"
  • cincybearcatcincybearcat Posts: 16,489
    my2hands said:
    my2hands said:
    benjs said:
    my2hands said:
    Hi! said:
    Biden/Harris
    Biden/Abrams
    Biden/Sanders
    Biden/Some other woman
    Biden/Booker


    Give up Biden.
    Why? He won't surrender the rust belt, will select a minority VP, and the Obama's will hit the street hard for him....

    He's still the best bet

    Mayor Pete is catching fire with young progressives, he will quickly settle into the top 3-5 candidates... i like the guy, not sure i'm hitting the button in the primary for him though... i'm honestly a little worried about running a 37 year old homosexual small city mayor in this election, we cannot fuck around and risk 4 more years.... 
    You live in the Greatest Country in the World™ -- why would you have to worry about Trump being elected instead of a sane canditate like Pete?
    Pretty sure you're the only one who regularly calls it that (even in satire).

    I was trolling you and the others in that thread, genius.... have to balance out the ridiculous American hate in that thread, and i see it stuck with you. Good.

    There is no greatest country in the world

    Give it up, it's fucking weird at this point dude, straight up
    Describing it as "hate" exposes you.
    oh no, i'm exposed 
    Yes.
    Child please. 
    hippiemom = goodness
  • Spiritual_ChaosSpiritual_Chaos Posts: 30,574
    my2hands said:
    my2hands said:
    benjs said:
    my2hands said:
    Hi! said:
    Biden/Harris
    Biden/Abrams
    Biden/Sanders
    Biden/Some other woman
    Biden/Booker


    Give up Biden.
    Why? He won't surrender the rust belt, will select a minority VP, and the Obama's will hit the street hard for him....

    He's still the best bet

    Mayor Pete is catching fire with young progressives, he will quickly settle into the top 3-5 candidates... i like the guy, not sure i'm hitting the button in the primary for him though... i'm honestly a little worried about running a 37 year old homosexual small city mayor in this election, we cannot fuck around and risk 4 more years.... 
    You live in the Greatest Country in the World™ -- why would you have to worry about Trump being elected instead of a sane canditate like Pete?
    Pretty sure you're the only one who regularly calls it that (even in satire).

    I was trolling you and the others in that thread, genius.... have to balance out the ridiculous American hate in that thread, and i see it stuck with you. Good.

    There is no greatest country in the world

    Give it up, it's fucking weird at this point dude, straight up
    Describing it as "hate" exposes you.
    oh no, i'm exposed 
    Yes.
    Child please. 
    oh no, i'm exposed
    "Mostly I think that people react sensitively because they know you’ve got a point"
  • cincybearcatcincybearcat Posts: 16,489
    my2hands said:
    my2hands said:
    benjs said:
    my2hands said:
    Hi! said:
    Biden/Harris
    Biden/Abrams
    Biden/Sanders
    Biden/Some other woman
    Biden/Booker


    Give up Biden.
    Why? He won't surrender the rust belt, will select a minority VP, and the Obama's will hit the street hard for him....

    He's still the best bet

    Mayor Pete is catching fire with young progressives, he will quickly settle into the top 3-5 candidates... i like the guy, not sure i'm hitting the button in the primary for him though... i'm honestly a little worried about running a 37 year old homosexual small city mayor in this election, we cannot fuck around and risk 4 more years.... 
    You live in the Greatest Country in the World™ -- why would you have to worry about Trump being elected instead of a sane canditate like Pete?
    Pretty sure you're the only one who regularly calls it that (even in satire).

    I was trolling you and the others in that thread, genius.... have to balance out the ridiculous American hate in that thread, and i see it stuck with you. Good.

    There is no greatest country in the world

    Give it up, it's fucking weird at this point dude, straight up
    Describing it as "hate" exposes you.
    oh no, i'm exposed 
    Yes.
    Child please. 
    oh no, i'm exposed
    Put your pants on.
    hippiemom = goodness
  • Spiritual_ChaosSpiritual_Chaos Posts: 30,574
    my2hands said:
    my2hands said:
    benjs said:
    my2hands said:
    Hi! said:
    Biden/Harris
    Biden/Abrams
    Biden/Sanders
    Biden/Some other woman
    Biden/Booker


    Give up Biden.
    Why? He won't surrender the rust belt, will select a minority VP, and the Obama's will hit the street hard for him....

    He's still the best bet

    Mayor Pete is catching fire with young progressives, he will quickly settle into the top 3-5 candidates... i like the guy, not sure i'm hitting the button in the primary for him though... i'm honestly a little worried about running a 37 year old homosexual small city mayor in this election, we cannot fuck around and risk 4 more years.... 
    You live in the Greatest Country in the World™ -- why would you have to worry about Trump being elected instead of a sane canditate like Pete?
    Pretty sure you're the only one who regularly calls it that (even in satire).

    I was trolling you and the others in that thread, genius.... have to balance out the ridiculous American hate in that thread, and i see it stuck with you. Good.

    There is no greatest country in the world

    Give it up, it's fucking weird at this point dude, straight up
    Describing it as "hate" exposes you.
    oh no, i'm exposed 
    Yes.
    Child please. 
    oh no, i'm exposed
    Put your pants on.
    Child please.
    "Mostly I think that people react sensitively because they know you’ve got a point"
  • cincybearcatcincybearcat Posts: 16,489
    my2hands said:
    my2hands said:
    benjs said:
    my2hands said:
    Hi! said:
    Biden/Harris
    Biden/Abrams
    Biden/Sanders
    Biden/Some other woman
    Biden/Booker


    Give up Biden.
    Why? He won't surrender the rust belt, will select a minority VP, and the Obama's will hit the street hard for him....

    He's still the best bet

    Mayor Pete is catching fire with young progressives, he will quickly settle into the top 3-5 candidates... i like the guy, not sure i'm hitting the button in the primary for him though... i'm honestly a little worried about running a 37 year old homosexual small city mayor in this election, we cannot fuck around and risk 4 more years.... 
    You live in the Greatest Country in the World™ -- why would you have to worry about Trump being elected instead of a sane canditate like Pete?
    Pretty sure you're the only one who regularly calls it that (even in satire).

    I was trolling you and the others in that thread, genius.... have to balance out the ridiculous American hate in that thread, and i see it stuck with you. Good.

    There is no greatest country in the world

    Give it up, it's fucking weird at this point dude, straight up
    Describing it as "hate" exposes you.
    oh no, i'm exposed 
    Yes.
    Child please. 
    oh no, i'm exposed
    Put your pants on.
    Child please.
    Don’t talk back and put your damn pants on 
    hippiemom = goodness
  • mickeyratmickeyrat Posts: 39,412
      Democratic Electorate on Twitter Is Not the Same as Wider Party Base https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2019/04/08/upshot/democratic-electorate-twitter-real-life.html

    _____________________________________SIGNATURE________________________________________________

    Not today Sir, Probably not tomorrow.............................................. bayfront arena st. pete '94
    you're finally here and I'm a mess................................................... nationwide arena columbus '10
    memories like fingerprints are slowly raising.................................... first niagara center buffalo '13
    another man ..... moved by sleight of hand...................................... joe louis arena detroit '14
  • PJ_SoulPJ_Soul Vancouver, BC Posts: 49,990
    edited April 2019
    mickeyrat said:
      Democratic Electorate on Twitter Is Not the Same as Wider Party Base https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2019/04/08/upshot/democratic-electorate-twitter-real-life.html

    I really wonder about anyone who doesn't think "political correctness" is a problem right now... But another problem is that a lot of people don't even seem to know what that actually means. I mean, some people still immediately think it's about cancelling Christmas and shit like that, haha. Others think it's bad because racists are getting called out too harshly... Many like to conjure up the whole "snowflake" thing.
    Post edited by PJ_Soul on
    With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be careful. Strive to be happy. ~ Desiderata
  • jeffbrjeffbr Seattle Posts: 7,177
    mickeyrat said:
      Democratic Electorate on Twitter Is Not the Same as Wider Party Base https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2019/04/08/upshot/democratic-electorate-twitter-real-life.html

    Interesting article, and Dems would be wise to ensure that they are being inclusive and not leaving the base of the party behind. We're starting to see that in Congress as well. It sounds like there was a bit of a civil war going on today on a spending bill. I'm probably more "blue dog" than "woke", and prefer more establishment Dems to AOC types. I'm happy both exist, but they need to work together.

    Dems scrap spending vote on internal divisions

    "Democrats brushed off suggestions that the division within the party reflected an ability to govern."

    They can brush that off, but them's the optics. And if the progressives don't concede a bit they're in for failure after failure, since they will also currently need the GOP Senate to go along with whatever the House passes, and if the progs don't moderate a bit, nothing will ever get through the Senate. Dems need to get their shit together right now if they want to govern in 2020. What I don't want is to go from an ineffective GOP majority to an ineffective Dem majority. What is the point? At least in the current White House and Congress is the GOP who are the ineffective losers who can't get anything done. Get a Dem pres and flip the Senate and still sit on thumbs and spin and it will be the ineffective, loser Dems who can't get anything done. Clean it up.
    "I'll use the magic word - let's just shut the fuck up, please." EV, 04/13/08
  • PJ_SoulPJ_Soul Vancouver, BC Posts: 49,990
    edited April 2019
    Um, yeah... although all that said, I think that TOO much of the population is so-called moderate, which means, among other things, that they basically favour the status quo. The problem with that is that in some cases the status quo absolutely cannot be maintained. I especially think this about environmental issues. We're at CRISIS levels as far as that goes, and that issue spreads far and wide economically, in government, in business, etc. America and the rest of the world literally cannot afford to be moderate when it comes to the environment, because moderate won't do shit. What moderates might consider extreme is actually what's absolutely and immediately necessary.
    Same goes with taxation. A pretty significant redistribution of wealth needs to occur. NOW.
    Same goes with America healthcare. Universal care is needed. ASAP.
    Without some real change in these areas, America is just going to go further down the drain. That sense of comfort in moderation is not going to serve America well in the long run.
    Post edited by PJ_Soul on
    With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be careful. Strive to be happy. ~ Desiderata
  • Halifax2TheMaxHalifax2TheMax Posts: 39,400
    jeffbr said:
    mickeyrat said:
      Democratic Electorate on Twitter Is Not the Same as Wider Party Base https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2019/04/08/upshot/democratic-electorate-twitter-real-life.html

    Interesting article, and Dems would be wise to ensure that they are being inclusive and not leaving the base of the party behind. We're starting to see that in Congress as well. It sounds like there was a bit of a civil war going on today on a spending bill. I'm probably more "blue dog" than "woke", and prefer more establishment Dems to AOC types. I'm happy both exist, but they need to work together.

    Dems scrap spending vote on internal divisions

    "Democrats brushed off suggestions that the division within the party reflected an ability to govern."

    They can brush that off, but them's the optics. And if the progressives don't concede a bit they're in for failure after failure, since they will also currently need the GOP Senate to go along with whatever the House passes, and if the progs don't moderate a bit, nothing will ever get through the Senate. Dems need to get their shit together right now if they want to govern in 2020. What I don't want is to go from an ineffective GOP majority to an ineffective Dem majority. What is the point? At least in the current White House and Congress is the GOP who are the ineffective losers who can't get anything done. Get a Dem pres and flip the Senate and still sit on thumbs and spin and it will be the ineffective, loser Dems who can't get anything done. Clean it up.
    Some would argue that you’ve got to replace some of the blue dogs with wokes, in both houses.
    09/15/1998 & 09/16/1998, Mansfield, MA; 08/29/00 08/30/00, Mansfield, MA; 07/02/03, 07/03/03, Mansfield, MA; 09/28/04, 09/29/04, Boston, MA; 09/22/05, Halifax, NS; 05/24/06, 05/25/06, Boston, MA; 07/22/06, 07/23/06, Gorge, WA; 06/27/2008, Hartford; 06/28/08, 06/30/08, Mansfield; 08/18/2009, O2, London, UK; 10/30/09, 10/31/09, Philadelphia, PA; 05/15/10, Hartford, CT; 05/17/10, Boston, MA; 05/20/10, 05/21/10, NY, NY; 06/22/10, Dublin, IRE; 06/23/10, Northern Ireland; 09/03/11, 09/04/11, Alpine Valley, WI; 09/11/11, 09/12/11, Toronto, Ont; 09/14/11, Ottawa, Ont; 09/15/11, Hamilton, Ont; 07/02/2012, Prague, Czech Republic; 07/04/2012 & 07/05/2012, Berlin, Germany; 07/07/2012, Stockholm, Sweden; 09/30/2012, Missoula, MT; 07/16/2013, London, Ont; 07/19/2013, Chicago, IL; 10/15/2013 & 10/16/2013, Worcester, MA; 10/21/2013 & 10/22/2013, Philadelphia, PA; 10/25/2013, Hartford, CT; 11/29/2013, Portland, OR; 11/30/2013, Spokane, WA; 12/04/2013, Vancouver, BC; 12/06/2013, Seattle, WA; 10/03/2014, St. Louis. MO; 10/22/2014, Denver, CO; 10/26/2015, New York, NY; 04/23/2016, New Orleans, LA; 04/28/2016 & 04/29/2016, Philadelphia, PA; 05/01/2016 & 05/02/2016, New York, NY; 05/08/2016, Ottawa, Ont.; 05/10/2016 & 05/12/2016, Toronto, Ont.; 08/05/2016 & 08/07/2016, Boston, MA; 08/20/2016 & 08/22/2016, Chicago, IL; 07/01/2018, Prague, Czech Republic; 07/03/2018, Krakow, Poland; 07/05/2018, Berlin, Germany; 09/02/2018 & 09/04/2018, Boston, MA; 09/08/2022, Toronto, Ont; 09/11/2022, New York, NY; 09/14/2022, Camden, NJ; 09/02/2023, St. Paul, MN; 05/04/2024 & 05/06/2024, Vancouver, BC; 05/10/2024, Portland, OR;

    Libtardaplorable©. And proud of it.

    Brilliantati©
  • jeffbrjeffbr Seattle Posts: 7,177
    PJ_Soul said:
    Um, yeah... although all that said, I think that TOO much of the population is so-called moderate, which means, among other things, that they basically favour the status quo. The problem with that is that in some cases the status quo absolutely cannot be maintained. I especially think this about environmental issues. We're at CRISIS levels as far as that goes, and that issue spreads far and wide economically, in government, in business, etc. America and the rest of the world literally cannot afford to be moderate when it comes to the environment, because moderate won't do shit. What moderates might consider extreme is actually what's absolutely and immediately necessary.
    I agree with that. Which is why I said I'm glad AOC and her faction are there. I certainly have some progressive leanings myself, and know we need to do something drastic about health care in this country, so the status quo clearly isn't working for me. But without support of the base, elections aren't won. And without support of the more established players, legislation doesn't get passed. The net effect of non-action is also status quo. I want progressive ideas with real life sensibilities and a chance to see change happen. I don't want people with fantastic ideas that go nowhere. I don't want people with no fresh ideas that keep us where we are. It is a balance that I hope the Dems can find.
    "I'll use the magic word - let's just shut the fuck up, please." EV, 04/13/08
  • PJ_SoulPJ_Soul Vancouver, BC Posts: 49,990
    edited April 2019
    jeffbr said:
    PJ_Soul said:
    Um, yeah... although all that said, I think that TOO much of the population is so-called moderate, which means, among other things, that they basically favour the status quo. The problem with that is that in some cases the status quo absolutely cannot be maintained. I especially think this about environmental issues. We're at CRISIS levels as far as that goes, and that issue spreads far and wide economically, in government, in business, etc. America and the rest of the world literally cannot afford to be moderate when it comes to the environment, because moderate won't do shit. What moderates might consider extreme is actually what's absolutely and immediately necessary.
    I agree with that. Which is why I said I'm glad AOC and her faction are there. I certainly have some progressive leanings myself, and know we need to do something drastic about health care in this country, so the status quo clearly isn't working for me. But without support of the base, elections aren't won. And without support of the more established players, legislation doesn't get passed. The net effect of non-action is also status quo. I want progressive ideas with real life sensibilities and a chance to see change happen. I don't want people with fantastic ideas that go nowhere. I don't want people with no fresh ideas that keep us where we are. It is a balance that I hope the Dems can find.
    You know what sticks in my craw? The fact that the Dems may need to find that perfect balance now to win 2020, which frankly seems like a nearly impossible task, all things considered, and not because they are incompetent. And meanwhile, the Reps could hang onto power as COMPLETE fucking failures at this point, and causing true harm on a daily basis, just because the Dems can't manage the impossible. It just seems to unjust!!! Obviously the Democrats are held up to WAY higher standards than their opposition is, to the point where the expectations aren't even realistic right now, and THAT might be what keeps America from righting itself. It's all fucked up man!
    Post edited by PJ_Soul on
    With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be careful. Strive to be happy. ~ Desiderata
  • mickeyratmickeyrat Posts: 39,412
    edited April 2019
    PJ_Soul said:
    Um, yeah... although all that said, I think that TOO much of the population is so-called moderate, which means, among other things, that they basically favour the status quo. The problem with that is that in some cases the status quo absolutely cannot be maintained. I especially think this about environmental issues. We're at CRISIS levels as far as that goes, and that issue spreads far and wide economically, in government, in business, etc. America and the rest of the world literally cannot afford to be moderate when it comes to the environment, because moderate won't do shit. What moderates might consider extreme is actually what's absolutely and immediately necessary.
    Same goes with taxation. A pretty significant redistribution of wealth needs to occur. NOW.
    Same goes with America healthcare. Universal care is needed. ASAP.
    Without some real change in these areas, America is just going to go further down the drain. That sense of comfort in moderation is not going to serve America well in the long run.
    I wonder how many of the 90+ million who stayed home in 16 are in the middle.  I expect plenty did go to the polls. But you know, as a lifelong Registered Independent/Unaffiliated I cant recall many candidates asking me for MY vote.

    Until or unless term limits are proposed and enacted for ALL branches of government I dont believe things will change anytime soon.

    Since the 90s and Gingrich's scorched earth obstinance turned up to 11, all of Congress now plays under that extreme. Not to say its hasnt always been contentious to a degree, I dont believe it was ever to that degree.

    So no matter that Dem holds the house very little will get passed of any significant change because Mitch simply wont allow it. Only CR spending bills and easy things seen as too damaging to oppose.

    So to your idea of moderates cool with the status quo, count me out of that....
    Post edited by mickeyrat on
    _____________________________________SIGNATURE________________________________________________

    Not today Sir, Probably not tomorrow.............................................. bayfront arena st. pete '94
    you're finally here and I'm a mess................................................... nationwide arena columbus '10
    memories like fingerprints are slowly raising.................................... first niagara center buffalo '13
    another man ..... moved by sleight of hand...................................... joe louis arena detroit '14
  • jeffbrjeffbr Seattle Posts: 7,177
    PJ_Soul said:
    jeffbr said:
    PJ_Soul said:
    Um, yeah... although all that said, I think that TOO much of the population is so-called moderate, which means, among other things, that they basically favour the status quo. The problem with that is that in some cases the status quo absolutely cannot be maintained. I especially think this about environmental issues. We're at CRISIS levels as far as that goes, and that issue spreads far and wide economically, in government, in business, etc. America and the rest of the world literally cannot afford to be moderate when it comes to the environment, because moderate won't do shit. What moderates might consider extreme is actually what's absolutely and immediately necessary.
    I agree with that. Which is why I said I'm glad AOC and her faction are there. I certainly have some progressive leanings myself, and know we need to do something drastic about health care in this country, so the status quo clearly isn't working for me. But without support of the base, elections aren't won. And without support of the more established players, legislation doesn't get passed. The net effect of non-action is also status quo. I want progressive ideas with real life sensibilities and a chance to see change happen. I don't want people with fantastic ideas that go nowhere. I don't want people with no fresh ideas that keep us where we are. It is a balance that I hope the Dems can find.
    You know what sticks in my craw? The fact that the Dems need to find that balance... which frankly seems like a nearly impossible task, all things considered, and not because they are incompetent. And meanwhile, the Reps could hang onto power as COMPLETE fucking failures at this point, and causing true harm on a daily basis. It just seems to unjust!!! Obviously the Democrats are held up to WAY higher standards than their opposition is, to the point where the expectations aren't even realistic right now, and THAT might be what keeps America from righting itself. It's all fucked up man!
    Yes, indeed. I'm voting for the Dem candidate for Pres regardless of who it is. I have been voting for my Dem Senators for years and will vote for my freshman Dem representative for reelection. But I just want them to be successful. The GOP have caused and continue to cause this country a lot of harm with no end and no fixes in sight. And that behavior continues to be rewarded with reelection for many of them. So we do have a screwed up electorate with baffling priorities which makes it difficult to form a majority position that can also be a catalyst for change. I don't know exactly what the answer is, but I know it isn't a Dem civil war and inter-party polarization. That's why I'm concerned with today's news.
    "I'll use the magic word - let's just shut the fuck up, please." EV, 04/13/08
  • jeffbrjeffbr Seattle Posts: 7,177
    jeffbr said:
    mickeyrat said:
      Democratic Electorate on Twitter Is Not the Same as Wider Party Base https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2019/04/08/upshot/democratic-electorate-twitter-real-life.html

    Interesting article, and Dems would be wise to ensure that they are being inclusive and not leaving the base of the party behind. We're starting to see that in Congress as well. It sounds like there was a bit of a civil war going on today on a spending bill. I'm probably more "blue dog" than "woke", and prefer more establishment Dems to AOC types. I'm happy both exist, but they need to work together.

    Dems scrap spending vote on internal divisions

    "Democrats brushed off suggestions that the division within the party reflected an ability to govern."

    They can brush that off, but them's the optics. And if the progressives don't concede a bit they're in for failure after failure, since they will also currently need the GOP Senate to go along with whatever the House passes, and if the progs don't moderate a bit, nothing will ever get through the Senate. Dems need to get their shit together right now if they want to govern in 2020. What I don't want is to go from an ineffective GOP majority to an ineffective Dem majority. What is the point? At least in the current White House and Congress is the GOP who are the ineffective losers who can't get anything done. Get a Dem pres and flip the Senate and still sit on thumbs and spin and it will be the ineffective, loser Dems who can't get anything done. Clean it up.
    Some would argue that you’ve got to replace some of the blue dogs with wokes, in both houses.
    Perhaps that's the answer and if there is critical mass things can get done. But until that time, both sides of the party need to figure this shit out and work together. Otherwise the GOP continues to win and rule.
    "I'll use the magic word - let's just shut the fuck up, please." EV, 04/13/08
This discussion has been closed.