American Politics Thread VI: Can't We All Just Get Along?

[The Jamesian Republic]

Police Officer Michael Fanone received a voicemail from a Trump Supporter after testifying today.

What a tilted and insane fucker

I like how he can't help but be like "What about the riots over summer?!", just like the Trump supporters here.

They want to divert you. Also wasn’t it confirmed that some pro Trump groups did some rioting over the summer as well?

[Vassenor]

I like how he can't help but be like "What about the riots over summer?!", just like the Trump supporters here.

They want to divert you. Also wasn’t it confirmed that some pro Trump groups did some rioting over the summer as well?

There were more than a few cases of alt rightists playing agent provocateur, yes.

[Kilobugya]

There were more than a few cases of alt rightists playing agent provocateur, yes.

I remember once in a protest in France, like 20 or 25 years ago, where a "protester" was throwing things into shop windows to break them. The CGT (workers union) security guys managed to neutralize him, they took his wallet to get his identity, and they found in it... a police card. The guy was a cop, wearing civilian clothes, breaking windows to justify a charge from the police. And he was stupid enough to carry his police card with him.

[Shrillland]

Damn, has it really been the 8th since I last posted? Wow, I have been busy...

Anyway, Jake Ellzey has Won the Texas Special Election, Upsetting Trump-Endorsed Candidate Susan Wright:

WASHINGTON—GOP state Rep. Jake Ellzey won a special election runoff in Texas on Tuesday, unexpectedly defeating the widow of the GOP lawmaker he will replace in the U.S. House, according to the Associated Press.

Republican Susan Wright had been favored to win the runoff after being endorsed by former President Donald Trump to represent the district south of Dallas. Her late husband, Ron Wright, died in February at the start of his second House term after battling Covid-19 and cancer.

Mr. Ellzey’s victory was seen as a repudiation of the power of Mr. Trump’s endorsement in a runoff race between two GOP candidates. However, political analysts noted that Democrats and Republicans opposed to Mr. Trump were likely at least partially responsible for boosting Mr. Ellzey in reaction to the former president’s backing of Mrs. Wright.

“It’s not the cleanest test of a Trump endorsement in a GOP primary because while both candidates were Republicans, the special election was open” to independents and Democrats,” Jacob Rubashkin, an analyst at the nonpartisan Inside Elections said on Twitter Tuesday night. “But it’s a reminder that Trump’s endorsement isn’t always a ticket to DC.”

Mrs. Wright finished first among 23 candidates in the May 1 special election, with just over 19% of the vote, topping Mr. Ellzey’s roughly 14% share, according to the Texas Secretary of State. Mr. Trump endorsed Mrs. Wright in late April and reiterated his support for her at a virtual tele-rally Monday night.

“She has my complete and total endorsement,” Mr. Trump said Monday night, praising her late husband as well. “Susan will carry on his legacy and stand up to the radical left and fight for our America First agenda.”

On Tuesday night Mrs. Wright missed out on becoming the second Covid widow elected this year. In March, Rep. Julia Letlow (R., La.) won a special election to fill the seat vacated when her husband, Luke, died in late December just days before he was set to be sworn in for his first term.

Mrs. Wright had a political career separate from that of her husband’s, whom she met in June 2000 at the Texas GOP convention in Houston. A former training director for airlines, she also served as a district director for two members of the Texas state House and as committeewoman for the state Republican Executive Committee.

Mr. Ellzey was deployed nine times in his 20 years in the Navy, before later becoming a commercial airline pilot. He is currently serving his first term in the state House.

With low turnout anticipated for the special election runoff, Mr. Trump’s endorsement was expected to carry weight with the motivated crowd that did vote, according to GOP lawmakers and operatives.

“It’s quite significant,” said Sen. Ted Cruz (R., Texas), who backed Mrs. Wright. “The voters of Texas support President Trump and his support of Susan Wright is indicative of the fact that she is the strongest conservative in the race.”

Other Republicans rebutted the idea that Mr. Trump’s endorsement defined Mrs. Wright as more conservative or the former president’s only ally in the race. Mr. Ellzey has also said he supported Mr. Trump.

“It’s not as if this is a Trump versus anti-Trump kind of race, that’s not what this is,” said Rep. Dan Crenshaw (R., Texas), who backed Mr. Ellzey. Mr. Crenshaw said Mr. Ellzey’s military and political experience made him better qualified for the job.

Mr. Trump carried the congressional district by 3 percentage points in November, according to the Cook Political Report. The nonpartisan political analysts noted that Mrs. Wright and Mr. Ellzey were essentially tied in the early voting days before the former president’s endorsement, but that among voters who cast ballots in person on May 1, Mrs. Wright took 25% of the vote, compared with 11% for Mr. Ellzey.

The political arm of the Club for Growth conservative group also jumped in the race on Mrs. Wright’s behalf, spending more than $1.1 million, including on ads attacking Mr. Ellzey’s voting record. The group accused him of voting for a tax increase, referring to a Texas House bill that would have imposed the state’s car rental excise tax on peer-to-peer car sharing services.

Ah, yes, that was last night. Bill Kristol's tweeted that Ellzey may have gotten support from Democrats to get him over the top, and he didn't mean that as an attack either being a anti-Trump Republican and all.

[The United Confederacy of Texas]

How much does a state Supreme Court cost? $250,000

Yet another reason why I hate my state's political system and why we need a full-on state constitutional convention to fix this shit.

Damn, has it really been the 8th since I last posted? Wow, I have been busy...

Anyway, Jake Ellzey has Won the Texas Special Election, Upsetting Trump-Endorsed Candidate Susan Wright:

WASHINGTON—GOP state Rep. Jake Ellzey won a special election runoff in Texas on Tuesday, unexpectedly defeating the widow of the GOP lawmaker he will replace in the U.S. House, according to the Associated Press.

Republican Susan Wright had been favored to win the runoff after being endorsed by former President Donald Trump to represent the district south of Dallas. Her late husband, Ron Wright, died in February at the start of his second House term after battling Covid-19 and cancer.

Mr. Ellzey’s victory was seen as a repudiation of the power of Mr. Trump’s endorsement in a runoff race between two GOP candidates. However, political analysts noted that Democrats and Republicans opposed to Mr. Trump were likely at least partially responsible for boosting Mr. Ellzey in reaction to the former president’s backing of Mrs. Wright.

“It’s not the cleanest test of a Trump endorsement in a GOP primary because while both candidates were Republicans, the special election was open” to independents and Democrats,” Jacob Rubashkin, an analyst at the nonpartisan Inside Elections said on Twitter Tuesday night. “But it’s a reminder that Trump’s endorsement isn’t always a ticket to DC.”

Mrs. Wright finished first among 23 candidates in the May 1 special election, with just over 19% of the vote, topping Mr. Ellzey’s roughly 14% share, according to the Texas Secretary of State. Mr. Trump endorsed Mrs. Wright in late April and reiterated his support for her at a virtual tele-rally Monday night.

“She has my complete and total endorsement,” Mr. Trump said Monday night, praising her late husband as well. “Susan will carry on his legacy and stand up to the radical left and fight for our America First agenda.”

On Tuesday night Mrs. Wright missed out on becoming the second Covid widow elected this year. In March, Rep. Julia Letlow (R., La.) won a special election to fill the seat vacated when her husband, Luke, died in late December just days before he was set to be sworn in for his first term.

Mrs. Wright had a political career separate from that of her husband’s, whom she met in June 2000 at the Texas GOP convention in Houston. A former training director for airlines, she also served as a district director for two members of the Texas state House and as committeewoman for the state Republican Executive Committee.

Mr. Ellzey was deployed nine times in his 20 years in the Navy, before later becoming a commercial airline pilot. He is currently serving his first term in the state House.

With low turnout anticipated for the special election runoff, Mr. Trump’s endorsement was expected to carry weight with the motivated crowd that did vote, according to GOP lawmakers and operatives.

“It’s quite significant,” said Sen. Ted Cruz (R., Texas), who backed Mrs. Wright. “The voters of Texas support President Trump and his support of Susan Wright is indicative of the fact that she is the strongest conservative in the race.”

Other Republicans rebutted the idea that Mr. Trump’s endorsement defined Mrs. Wright as more conservative or the former president’s only ally in the race. Mr. Ellzey has also said he supported Mr. Trump.

“It’s not as if this is a Trump versus anti-Trump kind of race, that’s not what this is,” said Rep. Dan Crenshaw (R., Texas), who backed Mr. Ellzey. Mr. Crenshaw said Mr. Ellzey’s military and political experience made him better qualified for the job.

Mr. Trump carried the congressional district by 3 percentage points in November, according to the Cook Political Report. The nonpartisan political analysts noted that Mrs. Wright and Mr. Ellzey were essentially tied in the early voting days before the former president’s endorsement, but that among voters who cast ballots in person on May 1, Mrs. Wright took 25% of the vote, compared with 11% for Mr. Ellzey.

The political arm of the Club for Growth conservative group also jumped in the race on Mrs. Wright’s behalf, spending more than $1.1 million, including on ads attacking Mr. Ellzey’s voting record. The group accused him of voting for a tax increase, referring to a Texas House bill that would have imposed the state’s car rental excise tax on peer-to-peer car sharing services.

At this point, I just want Ellzey's unclosable ads to stop being spammed on every site I visit (I don't even know why they're targeting me, I don't even live in the 6th district, I live in the 33rd).

[Ifreann]

City of Buffalo's Common Council is considering abolishing the office of mayor. This move very coincidentally comes as India Walton, a self-described democratic socialist, is poised to win the mayoral election in December. Total coincidence. Pure random chance.

---

There were more than a few cases of alt rightists playing agent provocateur, yes.

I remember once in a protest in France, like 20 or 25 years ago, where a "protester" was throwing things into shop windows to break them. The CGT (workers union) security guys managed to neutralize him, they took his wallet to get his identity, and they found in it... a police card. The guy was a cop, wearing civilian clothes, breaking windows to justify a charge from the police. And he was stupid enough to carry his police card with him.

A kind of provocative agent, you might say.

[San Lumen]

City of Buffalo's Common Council is considering abolishing the office of mayor. This move very coincidentally comes as India Walton, a self-described democratic socialist, is poised to win the mayoral election in December. Total coincidence. Pure random chance.

---

I remember once in a protest in France, like 20 or 25 years ago, where a "protester" was throwing things into shop windows to break them. The CGT (workers union) security guys managed to neutralize him, they took his wallet to get his identity, and they found in it... a police card. The guy was a cop, wearing civilian clothes, breaking windows to justify a charge from the police. And he was stupid enough to carry his police card with him.

A kind of provocative agent, you might say.

Shame on them for even proposing this.

[Vassenor]

There were more than a few cases of alt rightists playing agent provocateur, yes.

I remember once in a protest in France, like 20 or 25 years ago, where a "protester" was throwing things into shop windows to break them. The CGT (workers union) security guys managed to neutralize him, they took his wallet to get his identity, and they found in it... a police card. The guy was a cop, wearing civilian clothes, breaking windows to justify a charge from the police. And he was stupid enough to carry his police card with him.

That happened last year too - Umbrella Guy turned out to be a cop IIRC.

[Rusozak]

Police Officer Michael Fanone received a voicemail from a Trump Supporter after testifying today.

What a tilted and insane fucker

That is exactly what I imagined a Trump supporter would say.

[Neutraligon]

Police Officer Michael Fanone received a voicemail from a Trump Supporter after testifying today.

What a tilted and insane fucker

What a boring and repetitive set of insults.

[San Lumen]

Police Officer Michael Fanone received a voicemail from a Trump Supporter after testifying today.

What a tilted and insane fucker

a truly awful person. Im concerned there will be future violence against elected officials and refusal to accept outcomes after next years election.

[The Jamesian Republic]

Police Officer Michael Fanone received a voicemail from a Trump Supporter after testifying today.

What a tilted and insane fucker

a truly awful person. Im concerned there will be future violence against elected officials and refusal to accept outcomes after next years election.

Do you think it will just get to the point where people will just say: “You now what your right, you won Now please stop talking about it.” To be honest that’s how I felt at times between the end of the election and Inauguration Day.

[San Lumen]

a truly awful person. Im concerned there will be future violence against elected officials and refusal to accept outcomes after next years election.

Do you think it will just get to the point where people will just say: “You now what your right, you won now please stop talking about it.” To be honest that’s how I felt at times between the end of the election and Inauguration Day.

There is a segment of the population that will likely never feel that way but i do believe if Republicans try to outright steal elections next there will be mass protests that will make protests like year look like nothing.

[The Jamesian Republic]

Do you think it will just get to the point where people will just say: “You now what your right, you won now please stop talking about it.” To be honest that’s how I felt at times between the end of the election and Inauguration Day.

There is a segment of the population that will likely never feel that way but i do believe if Republicans try to outright steal elections next there will be mass protests that will make protests like year look like nothing.

I really hope not.

[San Lumen]

There is a segment of the population that will likely never feel that way but i do believe if Republicans try to outright steal elections next there will be mass protests that will make protests like year look like nothing.

I really hope not.

Don't get me wrong I hope it doesn't come to that either. Im hoping for another 2002 were Democrats make modest gains in the midterms.

[Great Algerstonia]

Do you think it will just get to the point where people will just say: “You now what your right, you won now please stop talking about it.” To be honest that’s how I felt at times between the end of the election and Inauguration Day.

There is a segment of the population that will likely never feel that way but i do believe if Republicans try to outright steal elections next there will be mass protests that will make protests like year look like nothing.

Despite being a staunch Republican conservative myself, if they try to claim fraud again, I'm going to start protesting. Authoritarianism and vote rigging has no place in America and it's values.

[San Lumen]

https://www.wweek.com/news/state/2021/0 ... BSfqRGD9Xd

Tina Kotek is likely to run for Oregon Governor. She is the Speaker of the House and would likely be the strongest candidate Democrats could put up to replace the term limited Brown.

[Great Algerstonia]

I really hope not.

Don't get me wrong I hope it doesn't come to that either. Im hoping for another 2002 were Democrats make modest gains in the midterms.

Nah it's gonna be a red wave, the same lady that predicted a blue wave in 2018 is predicting a rec wave in 2022. Combined with Supreme Court cases that could give the conservative movement major victories and the Trump presidency pushing the Republican Party more to the right, I eagerly look forward to 2022.

[San Lumen]

Don't get me wrong I hope it doesn't come to that either. Im hoping for another 2002 were Democrats make modest gains in the midterms.

Nah it's gonna be a red wave, the same lady that predicted a blue wave in 2018 is predicting a rec wave in 2022. Combined with Supreme Court cases that could give conservatives major victories and the Trump presidency pushing the Republican Party more to the right, I eagerly look forward to 2022.

only time will tell. Redistricting will be a factor and the generic ballot shows Democrats several points ahead. We still have a year and half left.

[The Jamesian Republic]

There is a segment of the population that will likely never feel that way but i do believe if Republicans try to outright steal elections next there will be mass protests that will make protests like year look like nothing.

Despite being a staunch Republican conservative myself, if they try to claim fraud again, I'm going to start protesting. Authoritarianism and vote rigging has no place in America and it's values.

Authoritarianism has no place in the world period.

[Great Algerstonia]

Despite being a staunch Republican conservative myself, if they try to claim fraud again, I'm going to start protesting. Authoritarianism and vote rigging has no place in America and it's values.

Authoritarianism has no place in the world period.

There are a few scenarios where authoritarianism is preferable. America is in none of those situations

[Bahia Roja]

There are a few scenarios where authoritarianism is preferable. America is in none of those situations

There are NO scenarios where authoritarianism is preferable, my guy.

[Great Algerstonia]

There are a few scenarios where authoritarianism is preferable. America is in none of those situations

There are NO scenarios where authoritarianism is preferable, my guy.

Yes there is. The founding of a new country. Civil war. Extended periods of extreme unrest. An event that threatens the extinction of humanity or the fall of civilization. A country that's behind developed countries in terms of living standards that needs a temporary authoritarian hand back on track.

[Myrensis]

There is a segment of the population that will likely never feel that way but i do believe if Republicans try to outright steal elections next there will be mass protests that will make protests like year look like nothing.

Despite being a staunch Republican conservative myself, if they try to claim fraud again, I'm going to start protesting. Authoritarianism and vote rigging has no place in America and it's values.

Yet you say you're looking forward to a 'red wave' next year that is almost certainly going to happen not because of any policy or campaigning by the GOP, but because they've successfully engineered what amounts to massive vote rigging and suppression in dozens of states..

Why aren't you protesting now?

Playing dumb about the authoritarianism and vote rigging that is the bedrock of your parties entire strategy for the next election, but saying you'll be really mad if they claim fraud again, doesn't make you look as good as you seem to think.

[Great Algerstonia]

Despite being a staunch Republican conservative myself, if they try to claim fraud again, I'm going to start protesting. Authoritarianism and vote rigging has no place in America and it's values.

Yet you say you're looking forward to a 'red wave' next year that is almost certainly going to happen not because of any policy or campaigning by the GOP, but because they've successfully engineered what amounts to massive vote rigging and suppression in dozens of states..

Why aren't you protesting now?

Playing dumb about the authoritarianism and vote rigging that is the bedrock of your parties entire strategy for the next election, but saying you'll be really mad if they claim fraud again, doesn't make you look as good as you seem to think.

Dozens of states? That is not true. I can only think of one state that went too far, and a second that wants to. As for policy, the GOP is going further right-wing, and if Roe v Wade is repealed, GOP support will rise once abortion restrictions are passed. They are catering more and more to the right, and, combined with Americans being tired of Democrat-led restrictions, this will mean a GOP wave in 2022.