2020 US General Election Thread VII: Summer of Discontent

[Northern Davincia]

Hoppean

Hoppe is absolute cringe so you can generally just ignore everything he says.

The more accurate take is that Hoppe is a prophet and correct on the majority of subjects.

[Cisairse]

Hoppe is absolute cringe so you can generally just ignore everything he says.

The more accurate take is that Hoppe is a prophet and correct on the majority of subjects.

hahaha

[Bear Stearns]

Wilson was leagues less smarter than Trump and still a completely unprincipled opportunist - not to mention he segregated the Federal Govt., fostered the Second KKK, was a lost cause 'muh states rights' neo-Confederate, and had no clue how to handle foreign policy. Trump may be a bumbling idiot, but at least he's not a Woodrow Wilson-style idiot.

Wilson is easily the worst president in US history

CHANGE MY MIND

Wilson: lied about keeping us out of a war we had no business fighting, bungled us into a war we had no business fighting, also the first proto-neoliberal
FDR: authoritarian psychopath who put people in camps, rode roughshod over a free press, and pushed this country into a war we also had no business in fighting
LBJ: authoritarian psychopath who escalated a war that should have never been fought
Reagan: the first neocon
Bush I: the second neocon
Clinton: the first neolib
Bush II: the third neocon and also the bloodiest president since Lyndon Johnson, also an authoritarian psychopath

[Cisairse]

Wilson was leagues less smarter than Trump and still a completely unprincipled opportunist - not to mention he segregated the Federal Govt., fostered the Second KKK, was a lost cause 'muh states rights' neo-Confederate, and had no clue how to handle foreign policy. Trump may be a bumbling idiot, but at least he's not a Woodrow Wilson-style idiot.

Wilson is easily the worst president in US history

CHANGE MY MIND

John Adams

full stop

[Farnhamia]

Wilson is easily the worst president in US history

CHANGE MY MIND

John Adams

full stop

Don't thread-jack.

Full stop.

There's a "worst president" thread out there somewhere.

[Tombradyonia]

Wilson is easily the worst president in US history

CHANGE MY MIND

Wilson: lied about keeping us out of a war we had no business fighting, bungled us into a war we had no business fighting, also the first proto-neoliberal
FDR: authoritarian psychopath who put people in camps, rod roughshod over a free press, and pushed this country into a war we also had no business in fighting
LBJ: authoritarian psychopath who escalated a war that should have never been fought
Reagan: the first neocon
Bush I: the second neocon
Clinton: the first neolib
Bush II: the third neocon and also the bloodiest president since Lyndon Johnson, also an authoritarian psychopath

FDR didn't push anything, the Japanese Empire did, and then four days later señor Hitler ranted and raved and issued a check with his mouth that his country couldn't cash.
I guess your vision of what was going on in occupied Eastern Poland is "there were good people on both sides"?

Anyway, considering this is the 2020 General Election thread for the good ole US of A.

Trump: corrupt authoritarian criminal who has literally violated the Constitution from day #1 in office and has turned the US government into the personal plaything for himself, his family and cronies to enrich themselves. Openly contemptuous of scientific facts and any logic or reason that don't agree with his personal beliefs.
Also, staggeringly incompetent, but in that sense he is not the only one ever.

His predecessor's administration: 0 indictments, 0 convictions. And boy did they try... they could literally not make a single one of their bogus right wing charges stick. So they made up racist birther nonsense.

[Valrifell]

Wait did Bear Stearns say we had no business fighting the Japanese or Nazis in WW2.

Fucking yikes.

[Tombradyonia]

Wait did Bear Stearns say we had no business fighting the Japanese or Nazis in WW2.

Fucking yikes.

I see arguments like that sometimes on Youtube, it is usually the crowd that believes either a) Germany was innocent or b) Germany was absolutely right.

[Bear Stearns]

Wait did Bear Stearns say we had no business fighting the Japanese or Nazis in WW2.

Fucking yikes.

F U C K I N G
Y I K E S

[Aureumterra]

Wait did Bear Stearns say we had no business fighting the Japanese or Nazis in WW2.

Fucking yikes.

I see arguments like that sometimes on Youtube, it is usually the crowd that believes either a) Germany was innocent or b) Germany was absolutely right.

I’d hate to ruin the circlejerk, but I doubt Bear Stearns is a Nazi

[Shrillland]

Well, I hope you've enjoyed the relative quiet of having no votes...who am I kidding, this month has been just as much hell as the rest of the year. Still, the electoral schedule grinds on, and five states beckon to us come seven days from now, so here's my take on next week.

Arizona: The biggest race here, of course, is the Senate race, but that won't be too exciting next week. November's where the action is, and I can see Democrat Mark Kelly taking the seat from Incumbent Martha McSally.

So, it's to the House we go, and our first stop is the swing district of Flagstaff and the Nations(1st). This district is officially rates as R +2 on the Cook PVI rating, but Incumbent Democrat Tom O'Halleran is doing well enough with the support of NARAL, Planned Parenthood, the Human Rights Campaign, and the League of Conservation Voters. Even so, he does have a fairly strong progressive primary challenger in the form of Former Flagstaff City Councilwoman Eva Putzova, who has the support of the Sunrise Movement, Friends of the Earth, and Our Revolution among others. Nonetheless, O-Halleran will easily win here and against lawyer Tiffany Shedd in November.

Over to Tuscon-Sierra Vista(2nd). Another quiet primary race expected on both sides, but Incumbent Democrat Ann Kirkpatrick has a strong challenger in Army Vet and '18 challenger Brandon Martin. Given both the state's and national proclivities at the moment, I expect Kirkpatirck to win come November.

Next, we head to Phoenix-Scottsdale(6th). Although Incumbent Republican David Schweikert currently has the advantage, that could change depending on his Democratic challenger. On the Democratic side, the party's preferred contender is Physician and '18 challenger for Peoria-Surprise Hiral Tiperneni. Tiperneni has the unions, the state party, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, the Congressional Asian and Pacific Islander Caucus, and the League of Conservation Voters among a lot of others in her corner. Not much polling has been done in this district, but her only serious competition at the moment is the '18 general competitor Anita Malik, who has the support of Arizona Climate Strike and Peace Action. Tiperneni will win next week, and Schweikert will likely win in November.

Kansas: The Kansas Senate Race is unexpectedly competitive in both respects this year. With Incumbent Republican Pat Roberts retiring, the seat is open, and the Republicans are in a fairly bitter primary race for it. Three competitors have stood out among the pack. In first place right now is former Secretary of State, Gubernatorial Candidate and Conservative Lightning Rod Kris Kobach, who made himself leader of the pack after a late May debate in which is attacked his competition's conservative and Trump-loyal credentials, making the case that he would be faithful to Trump and his goals. Kobach has the support of the GOA, Operation Rescue, Kansas Coalition for Life, the National Border Patrol Coalition, and a host of Movement Conservatives from Ann Coulter to Lou Dobbs, Michelle Malkin, and James Dobson. The national party, on the other hand, is backing Congressman Roger Marshall, as are Roberts himself, the powerful Kansas Farm Bureau, Kansans For Life, the US Chamber of Commerce, and the giant himself, Bob Dole. In third place is the relatively centrist Kansas Turnpike Authority Chairman and former Defensive End for the KC Chiefs Dave Lindstrom.

On the Democratic side, no real fireworks, though the likely Democratic nominee, State Sen. Barbara Boiler, has a pretty interesting backstory of her own. She was a lifelong Republican who became increasingly disillsioned with the direction the party took under former Governor and even more former Senator Sam Brownback. She opposed the Brownback Experiment because it lead to severe school underfunding, she disagreed with the state party on the ACA Medicaid Expansion, and finally crossed the floor in 2018 after she was opposed to anti-transgender language that was added to the state platform. Now, she's got a serious chance of winning in November, particularly if the polarising Kobach wins next week, which I think he will.

Over on the House side, our first stop is Dodge City-Salina(1st). With Roger Marshall running for Senate, the seat's open. On the Republican side, the majority of the party is backing Former Lieutenant Governor Tracey Mann, including Former Governor Jeff Colyer, the Kansas Farm Bureau, the NRA, and Americans For Properity. Some are backing Finney County Commissioner Bill Clifford including the With Honor SuperPAC and some moderates. Nonetheless, Mann will win next week and beat Democrat Kali Barnett in November.

Next stop, Topeka(2nd). Incumbent Republican Steve Watkins has been a walking scandal for a considerable amount of his short house tenure,. Not only has he has to weather sexual misconduct allegations from his time in the Army, but his residency has been called into question since he's technically considered an Alaska resident, and he was recently charged with multiple counts relating to voter fraud after claiming his address to be a Topeka UPS Store location. Needless to say, the state party wants him out. Nonetheless, he still has the NRA backing him. The state's chosen successor is State Treasurer Jake LaTurner, who has Kansans For Life and the Kansas Farm Bureau as well. As for who'll win, it's actually closer than people think right now, but I think LaTurner will edge out a victory. If he wins, then he'll beat Topeka Mayor Michelle De La Isla in November, if Watkins wins, then De La Isla could win the general race.

On to Kansas City-Overland Park(3rd). Incumbent Democrat Sharice Davids won a close race in this R +4 district last time around, and the Republicans want the seat back. There are four strong contenders for the seat on the Republican side, starting with Former State Party Chairwoman and Cerner Corporation Executive Amanda Adkins. She has a lot of big names behind her including Ted Cruz, Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts, Roy Blunt, and Jeb Bush. She also has the Kansas State Rifle Association and Associated General Contractors of America behind her. Second in the fundraising race is former National Down Syndrome Society CEO Sara Hart Weir, who has the support of the Republican Main Street Partnership, Maggie's List, and a variety of Congressional figures including Lynn Jenkins, Jackie Walorski, Virginia Foxx, and many moderates in the House. Third, there's Former Roeland Park Mayor and SBA official Adrienne Vallejo Foster, Her only significant endorsement comes from Former Congressman Todd Tiahrt. Finally, there's Mike Beehler, a construction engineering firm executive who used to work alongside Sam Brownback. Not much in terms of endorsements, however. I think Adkins will win next week, but I think Davids will beat her in November.

Michigan: Senate-wise, it's quiet. Incumbent Democrat Gary Peters will handily win in November against John James.

The House is where the action is, so let's start with Grand Rapids(3rd). Incumbent Libertarian(a phrase you don't often get to use) Justin Amash is retiring, and the Republicans are vying for the seat. The state party and the three major Grand Rapids Republican Families, the DeVos', the Meijers, and the Van Andels, are behind one of their own, Army Veteran Peter Meijer, grandson of the eponymous hypermarket magnate Frederick Meijer. He also has the support of John James, Tea Party Express, the Republican Main Street Partnership, and most of the national party. His only serious competitor is State Rep. Lynn Afendoulis, who has a large amount of state legislators, Maggie's List, the Susan B. Anthony List, and the National Association of Realtors behind her. Even so, Meijer will win here and against Hillary Scholten in November.

Over to Kalamazoo(6th). No surprises next week, though Democratic State Rep. Jon Hoadley has a fighting chance against Incumbent Republican Fred Upton. Upton will still win, but it will be close.

Next, Lansing-Rochester Hills(8th). Again, nothing too hot next week, former WSYM anchor and ICE External Affairs Director Paul Junge is easily expected to win the GOP nomination, though it will be a close November race, and one I think Incumbent Democrat Elissa Slotkin will scrap a win in.

On to Port Huron-Macomb Township(10th). Incumbent Republican Paul Mitchell is reitiring, and this safely red seat is open. There are two strong candidates here, starting with State Rep. Shane Hernandez. He has the Detroit News, Ted Cruz, Americans For Prosperity, Club For Growth, and Associated Builders and Contractors behind him. His main rival is Air Force Brigadier General(Ret.) Doug Slocum, who has the support of the Detroit Free Press, Former Governor Rick Snyder, Detroit Regional Chamber PAC, and Right to Life Michigan behind him. I think Slocum will win here and against Kimberly Bizon in November.

Down to Livonia-Troy(11th). Another quiet primary with a loud general. Incumbent Democrat Haley Stevens flipped the district last time around and now has to hold it against its former representative, Kerry Bentivolio. It'll be close, but I think Stevens will win it given the national tide.

Finally, Detroit-Westland(13th). It's no surprise that being a part of The Squad means having an electoral bullseye on your head at all times, and Incumbent Rashida Tlaib's no exception. Although Tlaib has the support of the unions, Bernie Sanders, her Squad colleagues, the Detroit Free Press, and a slew of progressive organisations, her competitor and(due to a unfractious byelection)predecessor and Detroit City Council President Brenda Jones has accused her of raising her national profile at the expense of ignoring her constituents. She has a lot of local support from all of their '18 competitors, Westland Mayor Bill Wild, and the Michigan Contractors Association. The most recent polls show Tlaib with a respectful lead, but I think her victory margin will be closer. Nonetheless, Tlaib will win here and in November.

Missouri: The Governor's race is quiet for next week, even though Incumbent Republican Mike Parson has a small competition against State Rep. Jim Neely. Parson will win here and he's still likely to beat Democratic State Auditor Nicole Galloway in November at the moment, but the race is tightening somewhat.

On to the House and St. Louis(1st). Lacy Clay's been Congressman here for 20 years, but he's in the fight of his life against his '18 primary rival, nurse and pastor Cori Bush. Bush has the backing of Bernie Sanders, Our Revolution, the Sunrise Movement, and the St. Louis Young Democrats among others. Clay has the support of the Sierra Club and Planned Parenthood. I still think Clay will win, but Bush could pull off an upset. Either way, the winner will easily win in November.

Over to Chesterfield-Manchester(2nd). Quiet next week, but Incumbent Republican Ann Wagner faces a hard battle against State Sen. Jill Schupp come November. Right now, it looks like Wagner will win, but it could get closer as we do the same.

There's also Amendment 2 on the ballot, which would expand Medicaid to ACA levels, and I think it'll pass.

Washington: On the Gubernatorial front, Incumbent Democrat Jay Inslee will easily win Spot 1 in the jungle primary, though Spot 2 is something of a mystery. Five Republicans are fighting for the scraps in an incredibly difficult race. Of the five, I think that Conservative Activist and Initiative Writer Tim Eyman and Republic Police Chief Loren Culp or the most likely to get Spot 2, though State Sen. Phil Fortunato can't be ruled out. Either way, Inslee will easily be re-elected in November.

Over to the House and Vancouver(3rd). Incumbent Republican Jaime Herrera Butler will get Spot 1 while Democratic WSU-Vancouver Professor Carolyn Long, who ran against Butler in '18, will get Spot 2 in a much closer November race than last time. I still think Butler will win, however.

Next stop, Auburn-Wenatchee(8th). This is a swing district, and no surprises expected next week here. As for November, Incumbent Democrat Kim Schrier will likely beat Army Vet and Amazon Senior Project Manager and Republican Jesse Jensen come November given the national mood.

Next, there's Olympia-Tacoma(10th). Incumbent Democrat Denny Heck is retiring, leaving the seat open. Given the nature of this district, this could actually lead to the Republicans being shut out of the general ballot. There are three Democrats looking for a spot, with the mainstream party backing State Rep. Beth Doglio as well as most of the unions, Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren, Pramila Jayapal, the Sierra Club, and the Congressional Progressive Caucus. Moderates are backing Former Tacoma Mayor and current CEO of the Seattle Metro Chamber of Commerce Marilyn Strickland, as is Andrew Yang, former Governors Gary Locke and Christine Gregoire, and current Tacoma Mayor Victoria Woodards. Others are backing Former State Rep. Kristine Reeves such as Adam Smith, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, and the State Democratic Native Caucus. Finally, the Democratic Socialists are backing Joshua Collins of the Essential Workers Party. As I said, I think the Republicans will be shut out and that Doglio and Strickland will get the two spots, with Doglio winning in November.

[Bear Stearns]

I see arguments like that sometimes on Youtube, it is usually the crowd that believes either a) Germany was innocent or b) Germany was absolutely right.

I’d hate to ruin the circlejerk, but I doubt Bear Stearns is a Nazi

I have been invited to more passover seders than easter brunches in my lifetime.

[Kexholm and Karelia]

Ben Shapiro accuses Democrats of using unrest as 'a pressure tactic' against voters

[Vassenor]

I see arguments like that sometimes on Youtube, it is usually the crowd that believes either a) Germany was innocent or b) Germany was absolutely right.

I’d hate to ruin the circlejerk, but I doubt Bear Stearns is a Nazi

I'd hate to ruin your fantasies but I doubt anyone actually said they were one.

[Federal Republic Of America And The Cari]

Wilson is easily the worst president in US history

CHANGE MY MIND

Andrew Jackson. Not even Trump has committed genocide, at least not yet.

Ok

[Valrifell]

I see arguments like that sometimes on Youtube, it is usually the crowd that believes either a) Germany was innocent or b) Germany was absolutely right.

I’d hate to ruin the circlejerk, but I doubt Bear Stearns is a Nazi

I didn't mean to insinuate he was, my addition to the commentary of this thread was merely to indicate what an awful, awful take that "we shouldn't have intervened in WW2" is regardless of underlying motivation.

[Farnhamia]

Can we stop with the "worst president" crap and whether or not the US should or should not have entered either of the 20th century world wars, please?

"Okay, Farn, sorry, you know how it is, we get carried away."
"I do know but you should have more self-control."
"We know. We'll voluntarily give up our dessert tonight, how's that?"
"I didn't get anything for dessert."
"Oh. Well ... how about we don't throw any clothes on the floor for, like ... four hours?"
"I guess that'll have to do."
"Thanks, Farn, you're the best!"

[The Black Forrest]

Can we stop with the "worst president" crap and whether or not the US should or should not have entered either of the 20th century world wars, please?

"Okay, Farn, sorry, you know how it is, we get carried away."
"I do know but you should have more self-control."
"We know. We'll voluntarily give up our dessert tonight, how's that?"
"I didn't get anything for dessert."
"Oh. Well ... how about we don't throw any clothes on the floor for, like ... four hours?"
"I guess that'll have to do."
"Thanks, Farn, you're the best!"

Do we get more leeway if we mention the last bit?

[Cisairse]

If Doug Collins wins the Senate seat my interest in Judiciary Committee meetings will drop somewhat.

[Shrillland]

Biden says he'll name his VP sometime next week: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/democrat-biden-says-he-will-name-running-mate-in-first-week-of-august/ar-BB17hZKY?li=BBnb7Kz

[Thermodolia]

If Doug Collins wins the Senate seat my interest in Judiciary Committee meetings will drop somewhat.

It’s highly possible that he’ll win the senate seat. Though two of the three main democrats need to drop out and come behind one democrat so we can at least have a democrat running instead of two republicans in the run off

[Thermodolia]

Biden says he'll name his VP sometime next week: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/democrat-biden-says-he-will-name-running-mate-in-first-week-of-august/ar-BB17hZKY?li=BBnb7Kz

That’s about when I thought he’d announce it

[Dresderstan]

Biden says he'll name his VP sometime next week: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/democrat-biden-says-he-will-name-running-mate-in-first-week-of-august/ar-BB17hZKY?li=BBnb7Kz

Yeah I was expecting first week of August, not too surprised, wonder who it'll be since everyone and their mother has been betting.

[Cisairse]

Biden says he'll name his VP sometime next week: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/democrat-biden-says-he-will-name-running-mate-in-first-week-of-august/ar-BB17hZKY?li=BBnb7Kz

b i g h y p e

[Kowani]

Biden says he'll name his VP sometime next week: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/democrat-biden-says-he-will-name-running-mate-in-first-week-of-august/ar-BB17hZKY?li=BBnb7Kz

The plot thickens...