2019-2020 US Elections Megathread I- It Begins

[Farnhamia]

Washington was okay until, you know, sparkly vampires. I mean, Philip Marlowe went to college there, though he didn't graduate. And British Columbia is, well, politely Canadian.

I'd ask that Washington be joined to Oregon. Because it is purely an extension of ssuch .

Too late for that. When the Oregon Territory was divided, it should have been east-west along the Cascades, not north-south the way it was. Eastern Washington and Eastern Oregon have more in common with each other than with the western halves of their states.

But we digress.

[The South Falls]

I'd ask that Washington be joined to Oregon. Because it is purely an extension of ssuch .

Too late for that. When the Oregon Territory was divided, it should have been east-west along the Cascades, not north-south the way it was. Eastern Washington and Eastern Oregon have more in common with each other than with the western halves of their states.

But we digress.

A rant on conformity shall ensue.

[Philjia]

The problem with the Democrats is that they don't know who they're supposed to be. This is a side effect of America's very weird Overton Window, and the two party system. Because the GOP is staunchly, nay extremely, conservative and right wing, and a majority of people in America are right of centre and more conservative and liberal, this means the Democrats have to appeal to both liberals and conservatives in order to win elections. Poor, rural, socially conservative voters are an important demographic for the Dems to target, but compromising too much on their policies like immigration and abortion to appeal to them risks alienating liberal voters, who in turn may be put out if the Dems back more radically left wing (by US standards) economic policies to persuade progressive non voters to change the habit of a life time. The big tent has to straddle big divides in policy in ways that the GOP's doesn't, and it risks collapsing on itself as a result. This is compounded by every major candidate being convinced the demographic they want to appeal to will be enough on it's own, or that people who are opposed to the GOP will vote for them regardless.

[South Odreria]

Harris has curiously high support in the poll?

[Shrillland]

Harris has curiously high support in the poll?

It's mostly because she doesn't have the baggage that either Warren or Gabbard has, but things can change over time. If O'Rourke comes in, watch the pendulum swing again.

[South Odreria]

Harris has curiously high support in the poll?

It's mostly because she doesn't have the baggage that either Warren or Gabbard has, but things can change over time. If O'Rourke comes in, watch the pendulum swing again.

Considering that Trump had over 40% support in the old, bigger poll, I suspect that someone has voted for her a lot of times.

[The South Falls]

It's mostly because she doesn't have the baggage that either Warren or Gabbard has, but things can change over time. If O'Rourke comes in, watch the pendulum swing again.

Considering that Trump had over 40% support in the old, bigger poll, I suspect that someone has voted for her a lot of times.

I mean, I don't think you can do that for a paper poll.

[South Odreria]

Considering that Trump had over 40% support in the old, bigger poll, I suspect that someone has voted for her a lot of times.

I mean, I don't think you can do that for a paper poll.

I'm talking about the poll at the top of this page.

[Davinhia]

I'm seeing some agist things about Bernie Sanders
I don't care if I'm voting for his corpse; I'll vote for that over Trump or any other candidate on stage

[The Derpy Democratic Republic Of Herp]

Kamala Harris is sane, unlike Trump.

Kamala Harris and/ or anyone else 2020.


Trump is a bad president for shutting down the government for over a month.

[The South Falls]

I mean, I don't think you can do that for a paper poll.

I'm talking about the poll at the top of this page.

Oh shit. Didn't notice that. I'd be willing to be that as well. It's like the UKIP option in the UK politics discussion thread poll.

[The Derpy Democratic Republic Of Herp]

Trump's opposition is:

- A woman who is drunk before she touches a beer, that nobody really likes except out of pity
- A discount Hillary Clinton from New York
- Latino guy who looks like Joker without makeup who spend 3 years claiming a wage for a job he made less impact in than this guy
- Random WV plebeian cupcake who will lose the nomination for being a white male anyway
- Random MD plebeian cupcake who is far too moderate and white and male for Dems

I'd say Trump could shoot someone on Fifth Avenue and can walk through this election blindfolded and still win.

Trump's presidency so far is:

- Disrespecting fallen WW1 soldiers beacuse light rain
- Lowering CDC funding
- Stopping NASA from measuring carbon levels
- Let his FCC stomp out Net Neutrality
- Holding the government hostage beacuse congress said no to his wall
- Blaming school shootings on video games
- Separating Migrant Families


All the US needs is someone sane to replace him as president, and the dems can provide.

Also no one gives a shit about the candidates being white males. That doesn't factor in at all.

[Telconi]

Trump's opposition is:

- A woman who is drunk before she touches a beer, that nobody really likes except out of pity
- A discount Hillary Clinton from New York
- Latino guy who looks like Joker without makeup who spend 3 years claiming a wage for a job he made less impact in than this guy
- Random WV plebeian cupcake who will lose the nomination for being a white male anyway
- Random MD plebeian cupcake who is far too moderate and white and male for Dems

I'd say Trump could shoot someone on Fifth Avenue and can walk through this election blindfolded and still win.

Trump's presidency so far is:

- Disrespecting fallen WW1 soldiers beacuse light rain
- Lowering CDC funding
- Stopping NASA from mersing carbon levels
- Let his FCC stomp out Net Neutrality
- Holding the government hostage beacuse congress said no to his wall
- Blaming school shootings on video games
- Separating Migrant Families


All the US needs is someone sane to replace him as president, and the dems can provide.

Also no one gives a shit about the candidates being white males. That doesn't factor in at all.

We won't we'll get batshit in all liklihood...

[The Derpy Democratic Republic Of Herp]

Trump's presidency so far is:

- Disrespecting fallen WW1 soldiers beacuse light rain
- Lowering CDC funding
- Stopping NASA from mersing carbon levels
- Let his FCC stomp out Net Neutrality
- Holding the government hostage beacuse congress said no to his wall
- Blaming school shootings on video games
- Separating Migrant Families


All the US needs is someone sane to replace him as president, and the dems can provide.

Also no one gives a shit about the candidates being white males. That doesn't factor in at all.

We won't we'll get batshit in all liklihood...

Any one of the current democratic candidates would be better than Trump.

Even if they would be just a mediocre president, at least they would be stable president.

[Arlenton]

We won't we'll get batshit in all liklihood...

Any one of the current democratic candidates would be better than Trump.

Even if they would be just a mediocre president, at least they would be stable president.

IDK they all look like complete ass to me.

[Valrifell]

Any one of the current democratic candidates would be better than Trump.

Even if they would be just a mediocre president, at least they would be stable president.

IDK they all look like complete ass to me.

If every candidate from both parties got your approval I think I'd rather leave the country.

You lot have the reps for your ideals, that's how big tents work.

[Washington Resistance Army]

Kamala Harris is sane

bullshit lol

[South Odreria]

Kamala Harris is sane

bullshit lol

Wow, good point!

[Farnhamia]

bullshit lol

Wow, good point!

*puts a friendly arm around your shoulders* I see that you are new in these here parts, my friend. You'll have to get used to quick one-liner posts like WRA's. People here do that all the time. Like John Lennon wrote ... maybe it was Paul but I think it was John ... it's nothing to get hung about. *pats your shoulder & summons Guards* Take him away.

[Major-Tom]

Kamala Harris is sane

bullshit lol

Well, elaborate. I can see why you personally would disagree with her policies, but she's observably intelligent, poised and "normal." Compared to the batshit antics of many politicians of the last few decades, I'd call her sane.

Granted, I'm skeptical of her as a candidate, as I view her as perhaps overly opportunistic and flip-floppy, but certainly not insane.

[Farnhamia]

bullshit lol

Well, elaborate. I can see why you personally would disagree with her policies, but she's observably intelligent, poised and "normal." Compared to the batshit antics of many politicians of the last few decades, I'd call her sane.

Granted, I'm skeptical of her as a candidate, as I view her as perhaps overly opportunistic and flip-floppy, but certainly not insane.

How so flip-floppy? As John Maynard Keyne said, "When my information changes, I alter my conclusions. What do you do, sir?" It is alright for a politician to change their mind if they find new information on an issue.

[Major-Tom]

Well, elaborate. I can see why you personally would disagree with her policies, but she's observably intelligent, poised and "normal." Compared to the batshit antics of many politicians of the last few decades, I'd call her sane.

Granted, I'm skeptical of her as a candidate, as I view her as perhaps overly opportunistic and flip-floppy, but certainly not insane.

How so flip-floppy? As John Maynard Keyne said, "When my information changes, I alter my conclusions. What do you do, sir?" It is alright for a politician to change their mind if they find new information on an issue.

I understand fully that a politician may change their positions over time.

But overtime here is really the key word. Immediately before her 2016 election, she was the AG of California. In that capacity, she oversaw, spearheaded and championed legislation that is antithetical to her clean, progressive image as a US Senator. Unless she changed her stances on, say, Steve Mnuchin, the three strikes law, marijuana, and California's grossly mismanaged penal system overnight, I think it's fair game to call Senator Harris something of an opportunist and flip-flopper.

I agree with a good amount of her current positions, and if it were her vs Trump, I'd undoubtedly vote for her. All I'm saying is - she's got some medium sized skeletons in her closet, and I don't think she would be the best choice for the Democratic Party.

[Farnhamia]

How so flip-floppy? As John Maynard Keyne said, "When my information changes, I alter my conclusions. What do you do, sir?" It is alright for a politician to change their mind if they find new information on an issue.

I understand fully that a politician may change their positions over time.

But overtime here is really the key word. Immediately before her 2016 election, she was the AG of California. In that capacity, she oversaw, spearheaded and championed legislation that is antithetical to her clean, progressive image as a US Senator. Unless she changed her stances on, say, Steve Mnuchin, the three strikes law, marijuana, and California's grossly mismanaged penal system overnight, I think it's fair game to call Senator Harris something of an opportunist and flip-flopper.

I agree with a good amount of her current positions, and if it were her vs Trump, I'd undoubtedly vote for her. All I'm saying is - she's got some medium sized skeletons in her closet, and I don't think she would be the best choice for the Democratic Party.

Whelp, Joe Biden apologized for the crime bill he spearheaded away back when, so yeah, people change their minds. I would rather have someone who can change their mind rather than someone who thinks he's never made a mistake ever. And skeletons are covered up instances of bribery, or malfeasance in office, or rooting for the Patriots, that sort of thing, not doing things of which we don't approve.

[Washington Resistance Army]

bullshit lol

Wow, good point!

You'll eventually learn that nobody here actually cares for reasoning and facts and will never change their minds as a result of such things if it comes from the other side.

bullshit lol

Well, elaborate. I can see why you personally would disagree with her policies, but she's observably intelligent, poised and "normal." Compared to the batshit antics of many politicians of the last few decades, I'd call her sane.

Granted, I'm skeptical of her as a candidate, as I view her as perhaps overly opportunistic and flip-floppy, but certainly not insane.

I find a quite large number of her supported policies and positions to be quite the opposite of sane. Sure you could say she's more couth than Trump but I don't particularly care about that, I care more about the underlying ideas and motives.

[Major-Tom]

I understand fully that a politician may change their positions over time.

But overtime here is really the key word. Immediately before her 2016 election, she was the AG of California. In that capacity, she oversaw, spearheaded and championed legislation that is antithetical to her clean, progressive image as a US Senator. Unless she changed her stances on, say, Steve Mnuchin, the three strikes law, marijuana, and California's grossly mismanaged penal system overnight, I think it's fair game to call Senator Harris something of an opportunist and flip-flopper.

I agree with a good amount of her current positions, and if it were her vs Trump, I'd undoubtedly vote for her. All I'm saying is - she's got some medium sized skeletons in her closet, and I don't think she would be the best choice for the Democratic Party.

Whelp, Joe Biden apologized for the crime bill he spearheaded away back when, so yeah, people change their minds. I would rather have someone who can change their mind rather than someone who thinks he's never made a mistake ever. And skeletons are covered up instances of bribery, or malfeasance in office, or rooting for the Patriots, that sort of thing, not doing things of which we don't approve.

The time frames regarding Harris and Biden's support to opposition do differ quite a bit, though. By the number of over a decade.

Secondly, I'm agreeing about your point on changing one's mind, I just happen to be skeptical about this particular candidate. I also think that the left wing, progressive sort of types in the party, those voters, I think they've been a lot more ideologically stubborn in who they want as a candidate, and that same sort of base has grown substantially since Sanders' run. From a purely political and electability standpoint, I'm skeptical that she will not inspire enthusiasm in a general election for those voters, who as overly stubborn and rigid as they can be, would be apathetic and iffy enough with a Harris sort of candidate, that it could really harm the chances for a Democratic candidate in 2020.

Third, I've said before that this early in the election sorta game, I can be overly nitpicky about Democratic candidates, but as for the only known Republican candidate, I find myself disgusted by him and his Presidency, so as the election season moves forward, I'm sure I'll focus less on the negatives of Dem candidates and more on how to help a semi-sane, rational Democratic presidential candidate.