Politics 2020

[Buster's Uncle]

Hey Rusty-

Is Rand Paul fired yet?

[Rusty Edge]

I gave up on him a year or so ago … maybe two years. I figured out that his principled filibuster stands were really just an e-mail fund raiser scheme. He'd say the right things about foreign adventures becoming unconstitutional wars, or Homeland security overreach breaching The Constitution, but then he'd always vote with [Sleezebag] and the GOP to confirm Jeff Sessions or fund Homeland, Defense, or whatever it was he was railing against. Maybe it was three years ago. Time flies.


More interesting is my wife, a die-hard Republican, who has contacted her GOP congressman and senator, first to beg them to stand up to [Sleezebag], then to tell them she was ashamed of them and that they were fired. Now she's talking about cleaning house in terms of money and votes (not volunteer hours, she's never done that ) to rid ourselves of every elected [Sleezebag] supporter here. Richard Painter in neighboring MN is a current favorite of hers. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Painter

[Rusty Edge]

PREDICTION
NH Primary
1) Sanders
2) Warren
3) Buttigieg

[Buster's Uncle]

...

[Elok]

I would just like to note that Biden called a woman a "lying, dog-faced pony soldier."  That is awesome and I would like to vote for him to continue our "addled old man who utters gibberish" political tradition.  Mmm, covfefe.

[Lorizael]

Not exactly keen on Buttigieg, but I'd really like to have a president under 70.

[Rusty Edge]

Not exactly keen on Buttigieg, but I'd really like to have a president under 70.

Doesn't seem like much to ask for, does it?

Age when elected
Kennedy- 43
Carter- 52
Clinton- 46
Obama- 47

I think Democrats do better with the change message when the messenger is younger.

[Buster's Uncle]

I've been remiss in publicly declaring  for Dr. Warren.  -Senator Sanders will do just fine, though.

Mylochka is VERY LOUDLY declaring her refusal to become attached to anyone in particular, as she's declared her intent to support whichever yellow dog eats the ham sandwich - Mother and I cannot disagree.

[Elok]

I like Yang in the sense that I can read the entirety of his Wikipedia entry's list of positions without wanting to slap my forehead or punch him.  He won't win.  The competition all sucks; thankfully, none of their grandiose plans are going to make it to fruition, so they'll probably be about as inert as [Sleezebag], only making different noises.  Or [Sleezebag] might win and continue being offensively inert.  Bleh.

[Lorizael]

I like Yang in the sense that I can read the entirety of his Wikipedia entry's list of positions without wanting to slap my forehead or punch him.

This economist claims you should be slapping your forehead.

...thankfully, none of their grandiose plans are going to make it to fruition, so they'll probably be about as inert as [Sleezebag], only making different noises.

My sincerest wish is for no noises.

[Unorthodox]

I would just like to note that Biden called a woman a "lying, dog-faced pony soldier."  That is awesome and I would like to vote for him to continue our "addled old man who utters gibberish" political tradition.  Mmm, covfefe.

That smells of bad 60s era hollywood exploitation western insult.  I sure as hell hope it was not uttered toward a Native American...(i'd have probably heard of THAT even in my avoid this nonsense stance)

[Unorthodox]

Not exactly keen on Buttigieg, but I'd really like to have a president under 70.

Doesn't seem like much to ask for, does it?

Age when elected
Kennedy- 43
Carter- 52
Clinton- 46
Obama- 47

I think Democrats do better with the change message when the messenger is younger.

I didn't figure Sanders could win LAST time because of his increasing old man hunched back. . .  I don't see it improving.  Not that I particularly have a bias, mind, it's just not good on the tele. 

[Elok]

This economist claims you should be slapping your forehead.

Well, it's not that I particularly believe in any of his UBI stuff; a little quick math suggests we couldn't come close to affording it.  But we can't come close to affording any of the other leprechaun nonsense the others are proposing, and UBI would have the benefit of not creating any particularly gigantic new bureaucracies, and he's talking about phasing out some existing bureaucracies to balance.  If this gets neutered into "just give the poor people money instead of this food stamp BS," as it potentially could, I'd be okay with that.

[Rusty Edge]

It seems that Yang officially announced today that he would be suspending campaigning.

 Maybe his UBI couldn't compete with Steyer's promise of a $22/hour minimum wage. I hope to hear soon that Steyer paid all of his people that much, both in his hedge fund business and currently in his campaign. That would mean he has integrity and that it's a tested business model. On the other hand, if he's another "Do as I say, not as I do" politician, I'll hold him in contempt. It's not as if the country needs a billionaire with no government experience as a president. His money would have been better spent in senate races.

My prediction that Warren would finish second was largely based on her being a "next-door neighbor" to New Hampshire, and had the 2nd largest ground game in the state. Great advantages. She was hurt by a lackluster debate performance and being videoed arriving by private jet. I think she's in trouble without a top three finish, because she needs a lot of money to keep her 30 state campaign operating. I expect her to do less well in the south.

With about half of the vote counted, it looks as if only Bernie, Pete, and Amy will be awarded delegates for NH.

[Buster's Uncle]

Momma and I were watching primary coverage, and she told me early voting starts here Thursday.  We've mostly early voted since they started having it.

...I hesitated and said not that soon - the primary has never been up in the air by the time it got to NC in my entire adult life, and I've most always made my protest vote anyway - but I've never early voted when it wasn't a clear choice.  Like, it's looking sad for Dr. Warren ATM, but if Bernie looks to have it sewed up, or have blown it/gotten screwed again, I can go with my heart and back the nice teacher-lady Who Has A Plan For That - but I'd be fine with Senator Sanders if he needs me in a close race with one of the &^%$##@! DINO centrists...