Polite Politics

[SilverFallsAndrew]

Personally this isn’t much of a Pope if he doesn’t bless a children’s crusade to march on to the Holy Land. 

[hawkstwelve]

6 hours ago, SilverFallsAndrew said:

Just the facts ma’am.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/nikki-haley-s-rise-will-clinch-donald-trump-s-victory/ar-AA1jimGk

Except those aren't facts. 

That article quotes a Politico piece saying only 20% of the Republican base is anti-Trump. By extension, 80% of the party is MAGA. Those numbers are actually a complete flip of what they are believed to be. It's estimated about 30-40% of the party are "always Trump, nobody but Trump" aka MAGA. That leaves 60-70% of the party who do not identify as MAGA. 

In fact, a September 2022 poll showed only 17% of respondents identified as MAGA. In the second article, they determine only about 10% of the electorate is diehard MAGA. In the third article, their study showed MAGA sits around 15%. So even my numbers above are pretty generous. But any way you slice it, the number is nowhere near 80% of the party. 

https://www.nbcnews.com/meet-the-press/meetthepressblog/poll-us-republicans-reject-maga-label-rcna49749

https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2022/09/02/trump-republicans-biden-maga/

https://theconversation.com/how-a-divided-america-including-the-15-who-are-maga-republicans-splits-on-qanon-racism-and-armed-patrols-at-polling-places-193378

As for Haley in particular, the race is not as decided as Trump's lead makes it seem. This is reflected in the latest DMR poll in Iowa. 72% are considering three or more candidates. 54% have a first choice for the nomination but could still be persuaded. 

https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/politics/iowa-poll/caucus/2023/10/30/iowa-poll-donald-trump-leads-ron-desantis-nikki-haley-tied-presidential-candidates-gop-caucus/71342485007/

According to another poll, 75% of Republican voters in Iowa and NH are either not considering Trump at all or are still considering him along with other candidates. In this poll, Trump's diehard support in Iowa sits at just 20% and 23% in NH. 

https://www.axios.com/2023/09/27/trump-new-hampshire-iowa-voters-gop

In sum: Of course it's a longshot that anyone other than Trump will be the Republican nominee. But it's not quite as much of a longshot as you and MAGA-ers (and the Democrats/their media) want us to believe. 

[Phil]

Are we really gonna be stuck with these two geezers again?

[Rubus Leucodermis]

6 hours ago, hawkstwelve said:

Except those aren't facts. 

That article quotes a Politico piece saying only 20% of the Republican base is anti-Trump. By extension, 80% of the party is MAGA. Those numbers are actually a complete flip of what they are believed to be. It's estimated about 30-40% of the party are "always Trump, nobody but Trump" aka MAGA. That leaves 60-70% of the party who do not identify as MAGA. 

In fact, a September 2022 poll showed only 17% of respondents identified as MAGA. In the second article, they determine only about 10% of the electorate is diehard MAGA. In the third article, their study showed MAGA sits around 15%. So even my numbers above are pretty generous. But any way you slice it, the number is nowhere near 80% of the party. 

https://www.nbcnews.com/meet-the-press/meetthepressblog/poll-us-republicans-reject-maga-label-rcna49749

https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2022/09/02/trump-republicans-biden-maga/

https://theconversation.com/how-a-divided-america-including-the-15-who-are-maga-republicans-splits-on-qanon-racism-and-armed-patrols-at-polling-places-193378

As for Haley in particular, the race is not as decided as Trump's lead makes it seem. This is reflected in the latest DMR poll in Iowa. 72% are considering three or more candidates. 54% have a first choice for the nomination but could still be persuaded. 

https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/politics/iowa-poll/caucus/2023/10/30/iowa-poll-donald-trump-leads-ron-desantis-nikki-haley-tied-presidential-candidates-gop-caucus/71342485007/

According to another poll, 75% of Republican voters in Iowa and NH are either not considering Trump at all or are still considering him along with other candidates. In this poll, Trump's diehard support in Iowa sits at just 20% and 23% in NH. 

https://www.axios.com/2023/09/27/trump-new-hampshire-iowa-voters-gop

In sum: Of course it's a longshot that anyone other than Trump will be the Republican nominee. But it's not quite as much of a longshot as you and MAGA-ers (and the Democrats/their media) want us to believe. 

Best way for anti-Trump Republicans to minimize Trump’s odds is for them to do what anti-Sanders Democrats did and unify behind a single candidate.

[hawkstwelve]

1 hour ago, Rubus Leucodermis said:

Best way for anti-Trump Republicans to minimize Trump’s odds is for them to do what anti-Sanders Democrats did and unify behind a single candidate.

Completely agree.

Scott, Christie, Burgum, and Ramaswamy should drop out at a minimum. Oh, and Hutchinson. I almost forget he's running sometimes. I'd throw DeSantis in there too but he's probably with us until he loses Iowa, unfortunately. 

[Andie]

6 hours ago, Phil said:

Are we really gonna be stuck with these two geezers again?

God I hope not! …but May inescapable.  

[Andie]

You know, as we’ve been talking some on religion, I find it absolutely gob smacking that Biden touts being a devoted Catholic and attends Mass several times a week, yet here he is with all sort of financial mis-doings in the balance.  
How does he justify this?  

[SnarkyGoblin]

4 minutes ago, Andie said:

You know, as we’ve been talking some on religion, I find it absolutely gob smacking that Biden touts being a devoted Catholic and attends Mass several times a week, yet here he is with all sort of financial mis-doings in the balance.  
How does he justify this?  

Such as...?

Plenty of Christian hypocrisy all over but Biden is certainly not one that comes to mind.

[Iceresistance]

4 minutes ago, SnarkyGoblin said:

Such as...?

Plenty of Christian hypocrisy all over but Biden is certainly not one that comes to mind.

Says he Catholic but he is Pro-Abortion?

[SnarkyGoblin]

Just now, Iceresistance said:

Says he Catholic but he is Pro-Abortion?

No one is pro abortion.

And I don't think you understand what a hypocrite is.

A hypocrite would be if a politician who was publicly pro-life but privately demanded (or had) an abortion.

[Rubus Leucodermis]

2 hours ago, Andie said:

You know, as we’ve been talking some on religion, I find it absolutely gob smacking that Biden touts being a devoted Catholic and attends Mass several times a week, yet here he is with all sort of financial mis-doings in the balance.  
How does he justify this?  

By being an individual who disagrees with church hierarchy on this?

[Rubus Leucodermis]

Turns out Hamas had a real public confidence and trust problem in Gaza on the eve of the attacks.

https://www.arabbarometer.org/media-news/what-palestinians-really-think-of-hamas/

This video puts it more in perspective:

 

[roadtonowhere08]

57 minutes ago, Rubus Leucodermis said:

Turns out Hamas had a real public confidence and trust problem in Gaza on the eve of the attacks.

https://www.arabbarometer.org/media-news/what-palestinians-really-think-of-hamas/

This video puts it more in perspective:

 

Edit: Oops wrong thread.  I copied your post and put my reply in the other thread.

[SnarkyGoblin]

Ahhhhhhhhh

[Rubus Leucodermis]

On this day 418 years ago, a terrorist attack was planned that, had it succeeded, would have blown Parliament sky-high and levelled a significant chunk of central London.

https://www.newscientist.com/article/dn4338-gunpowder-plot-would-have-devastated-london/

Those who wish to “say it with explosives” and attack civilian targets are nothing new.

[Hoosier]

23 hours ago, hawkstwelve said:

Completely agree.

Scott, Christie, Burgum, and Ramaswamy should drop out at a minimum. Oh, and Hutchinson. I almost forget he's running sometimes. I'd throw DeSantis in there too but he's probably with us until he loses Iowa, unfortunately. 

I'd argue that Ramaswamy dropping out would actually give a boost to Trump, but your point in general is a good one.

[Hoosier]

5 hours ago, SnarkyGoblin said:

Ahhhhhhhhh

People can pick at the polls and question the sampling/methodology, but the bottom line is that there weren't nearly as many polls showing Trump ahead of Biden in 2020.  Biden was generally beating him, whereas it's more of a mixed bag or Trump ahead this time.  

[Andie]

21 hours ago, SnarkyGoblin said:

Such as...?

Plenty of Christian hypocrisy all over but Biden is certainly not one that comes to mind.

Oh I agree. I just find his public actions and private actions in conflict.  
I know plenty of Catholics whose actions are in conflict with their faith.  As long as they’re open and honest about it I can manage.  It’s the deceit and hipocrisy I can’t stand or abide. 

[hawkstwelve]

As if those top-of-the-line battleground poll numbers weren't bad enough for Biden, there is even more bad news buried within. 

• 70% of voters agree Biden is "just too old to be an effective president" while only 28% disagree. Those numbers are 39/58 for Trump, respectively 
• Only 23% of swing state voters think the country is headed in the right direction
• 53% say Biden's policies have "personally hurt them" and 36% say they have helped them. Those numbers are 51/36 for Trump 
• Biden only leads Trump by six points with young people. This demographic poses a big new challenge for Biden as 58% would vote for a different unnamed Democratic nominee if given the chance 
• Biden's lead among Latino voters has shrunk to just +12. He lead that group in 2020 by at least 20 points
• 55% list economic issues as the most important while only 31% list societal issues, such as guns, abortion, and democracy. Democrats aren't playing the hand the American people want them to be playing
• Only 21% of voters said the economy was "excellent" or "good" and 58% of Biden voters believe the economy is in "only fair" or "poor" shape

I still believe if the Republicans nominate Trump next year we will make it way more difficult on ourselves than we need to. But maybe I'm also underestimating just how unpopular president Biden is with a lot of folks. 

https://www.politico.com/news/2023/11/05/biden-polls-battleground-state-00125448

[hawkstwelve]

In short: Don't trust the crap that Biden spews in relation to his family's business dealings. 

https://www.politico.com/news/2023/11/05/hunter-joe-biden-business-testimony-00125056

[roadtonowhere08]

7 minutes ago, hawkstwelve said:

In short: Don't trust the crap that Biden spews in relation to his family's business dealings. 

https://www.politico.com/news/2023/11/05/hunter-joe-biden-business-testimony-00125056

Just don't trust any of them.  Oil slicks always rise to the top.

[Andie]

Not sure who will challenge Trump for the nomination but if he’s the Rep, nominee it’s due to a strong knee jerk reaction to the flaccid directionless leadership.  I feel like we’re being lead by some kind of group speak and no vision. No clarity here at all.  

I know the border is a sore spot but any nation on earth deserves a border that’s not porous. We need to control it and know who is here. We already may have enemies entrenched prepared to do some kind of harm.  
I just don’t understand the plan.  The country is being lead by someone or group other that Gran-pop.  It’s unnerving at times.  
 

 

[SnarkyGoblin]

1 hour ago, Andie said:

Not sure who will challenge Trump for the nomination but if he’s the Rep, nominee it’s due to a strong knee jerk reaction to the flaccid directionless leadership.  I feel like we’re being lead by some kind of group speak and no vision. No clarity here at all.  

I know the border is a sore spot but any nation on earth deserves a border that’s not porous. We need to control it and know who is here. We already may have enemies entrenched prepared to do some kind of harm.  
I just don’t understand the plan.  The country is being lead by someone or group other that Gran-pop.  It’s unnerving at times.  
 

 

Congress is ultimately responsible for border policy.

[Iceresistance]

The entire group should be put into prison...

 

‘Just Stop Oil’ Activists Smash Glass of Velázquez Masterpiece in Escalation of Tactics (msn.com)

[Andie]

12 hours ago, SnarkyGoblin said:

Congress is ultimately responsible for border policy.

Anyone that said they’d put forth controls were told the controls would not be signed.  
 

[Andie]

How ‘bout that nice vacation you’d wanted to plan for San Francisco??  
 City by the bay. Yeah.  

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12717937/San-Francisco-tenderloin-tiktok-worker-Freqmeek.html

Worse than ever.  
Pelosi’s Palais de la tragédie et de la souffrance. 

[Deweydog]

Have I mentioned that 2024 is gonna be extremely entertaining?

 

[hawkstwelve]

15 minutes ago, Deweydog said:

Have I mentioned that 2024 is gonna be extremely entertaining?

 

Who are you betting money on? 

[Deweydog]

8 minutes ago, hawkstwelve said:

Who are you betting money on? 

I think once all the dust settles Biden ends up with the lamest of lame duck second terms. That said, the sky is the absolute limit when it comes to potential surprises. We’re in a lot of overlapping bodies of uncharted waters.

[SilverFallsAndrew]

21 minutes ago, Deweydog said:

I think once all the dust settles Biden ends up with the lamest of lame duck second terms. That said, the sky is the absolute limit when it comes to potential surprises. We’re in a lot of overlapping bodies of uncharted waters.

The reason I see a Biden victory as the least likely potential outcome is I have a hard time imagining he will still be alive in a year. Or at best coherent enough to give a speech. We already know his argument will be Trump should be disqualified from running and will use that as a pretense not to debate. 

[Deweydog]

1 minute ago, SilverFallsAndrew said:

The reason I see a Biden victory as the least likely potential outcome is I have a hard time imagining he will still be alive in a year. Or at best coherent enough to give a speech. We already know his argument will be Trump should be disqualified from running and will use that as a pretense not to debate. 

Biden’s death would indeed lower his chances for victory.

[roadtonowhere08]

36 minutes ago, Deweydog said:

I think once all the dust settles Biden ends up with the lamest of lame duck second terms. That said, the sky is the absolute limit when it comes to potential surprises. We’re in a lot of overlapping bodies of uncharted waters.

 

[roadtonowhere08]

1 hour ago, Andie said:

How ‘bout that nice vacation you’d wanted to plan for San Francisco??  
 City by the bay. Yeah.  

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12717937/San-Francisco-tenderloin-tiktok-worker-Freqmeek.html

Worse than ever.  
Pelosi’s Palais de la tragédie et de la souffrance. 

1. Lack of affordable housing for those who would benefit

2. Lack of mental health care/institutions for those affordable housing would not be suitable

3. Lack of shelters for those not fitting into 1 or 2.

Both sides talk a good game, but homelessness is not sexy or a source of tax revenue, so they keep the homeless in the run down urban areas and play the "move-along" game.

[SilverFallsAndrew]

I cannot believe this sham proceeding going on in New York. A criminal political persecution. Trump is taking these slings and arrows for us. If they do not succeed in taking him out as planned they will certainly pay a heavy price. 

[SilverFallsAndrew]

Revenge tour 2024? 
 

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/trump-and-allies-plot-revenge-justice-department-control-in-a-second-term/ar-AA1jpyY0

[SnarkyGoblin]

4 hours ago, SilverFallsAndrew said:

I cannot believe this sham proceeding going on in New York. A criminal political persecution. Trump is taking these slings and arrows for us. If they do not succeed in taking him out as planned they will certainly pay a heavy price. 

Do you not understand how dangerous something like this actually is?  You are such a f*cking shill with your sudden MAGA posts.

Any person with a half a brain knows he broke the law.

[SilverFallsAndrew]

3 hours ago, SnarkyGoblin said:

Do you not understand how dangerous something like this actually is?  You are such a f*cking shill with your sudden MAGA posts.

Any person with a half a brain knows he broke the law.

You have to acknowledge this as a coordinated effort to subvert the 2024 election. And yes, I know it’s dangerous, I am not endorsing Trump taking revenge, he didn’t ask me. I’m not sure people like Leticia James, General Milley, or the random stooge working in the justice department realize the stakes or the dragon they unleash if they are unable to stop him from being elected. 

[SilverFallsAndrew]

Did anyone catch Hunter Biden s op-Ed the other day where he accused people of politicizing his addiction? It was one of the most disgusting things I have ever read. He clearly is unwilling to take any responsibility for his actions and only wants to blame others for his own self humiliation. Honestly reading it I was struck that there is no way he is in active recovery. The op-Ed itself was a manifestation of addict behavior. Which we already knew when he left his 8-ball in the White House. 

[SnarkyGoblin]

12 minutes ago, SilverFallsAndrew said:

You have to acknowledge this as a coordinated effort to subvert the 2024 election

No I do not because there's literally no evidence of it.  You are just spewing maga talking points.  "I'm the victim!" times a million.  

Do you acknowledge he broke the law?

You're smarter than this.

[SnarkyGoblin]

11 minutes ago, SilverFallsAndrew said:

Did anyone catch Hunter Biden s op-Ed the other day where he accused people of politicizing his addiction? It was one of the most disgusting things I have ever read. He clearly is unwilling to take any responsibility for his actions and only wants to blame others for his own self humiliation. Honestly reading it I was struck that there is no way he is in active recovery. The op-Ed itself was a manifestation of addict behavior. Which we already knew when he left his 8-ball in the White House. 

Andrew, the addiction expert.

Why do you care anyway?