Debate: Grandpa vs the Grifter

By Jeralyn, Section Colorado News
Posted on Tue Sep 29, 2020 at 07:50:21 PM EST
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CNN has the worst talking heads for the debate: Van Jones, former Republican Senator Rick Santorum. What hole did they find Santorum in?

I'm changing the channel.

I wonder who prepped Donald. If it's Jared , and Trump did as bad as he did in Tulsa, I wonder if he'll be sent packing finally.

Some other CNN commentator just said this will be an evenly matched debate. Seriously?

I'm going to listen in the car while getting groceries. I have three words for Donald Trump.

[More...]

My first question to each would be: When was the last time you had a vitamin B-12 shot?

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Debate: Grandpa vs the Grifter | 199 comments (199 topical)

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correction. (5.00 / 1) (#1)
by Chuck0 on Tue Sep 29, 2020 at 08:02:57 PM EST

Rick Santorum is a former Republican Senator from Pennsylvania. Never a governor. And I agree, he is repugnant and impossible to listen to.

Why CNN thinks (5.00 / 1) (#8)
by MO Blue on Tue Sep 29, 2020 at 08:14:33 PM EST

Santorum is worth having on their channel is beyond me. The sure fire way they have to get me to change channels is to have him on a program.

Parent

The only way (5.00 / 3) (#74)
by Zorba on Wed Sep 30, 2020 at 01:19:33 PM EST

CNN should have Santorum on is if they have Dan Savage on at the exact same time.

Parent

CNN always has a Santorum (none / 0) (#10)
by CaptHowdy on Tue Sep 29, 2020 at 08:17:07 PM EST

Always. It's why I watch MSNBC

Parent

: Ditto. (5.00 / 1) (#12)
by Chuck0 on Tue Sep 29, 2020 at 08:19:49 PM EST

Parent

I never (none / 0) (#14)
by Ga6thDem on Tue Sep 29, 2020 at 08:22:34 PM EST

have understood that either. He never really has anything worthwhile to add.

Parent

thanks Chuck (none / 0) (#91)
by Jeralyn on Wed Sep 30, 2020 at 07:54:23 PM EST

I fixed it.

Parent

: My first vote as a new PA resident (5.00 / 4) (#94)
by Chuck0 on Wed Sep 30, 2020 at 08:16:25 PM EST

was to help get rid of him.

Parent

Go Joe! (5.00 / 1) (#11)
by Chuck0 on Tue Sep 29, 2020 at 08:19:37 PM EST

"Maybe you want to inject some bleach into your arm?" Great freaking line!

Orange doofus is a bigger $h!t show than I thought possible.

: oh, the prescient irony of that (5.00 / 2) (#175)
by Peter G on Fri Oct 02, 2020 at 03:48:52 PM EST

now

Parent
: He really is (none / 0) (#13)
by CaptHowdy on Tue Sep 29, 2020 at 08:20:56 PM EST

Parent

law and order with justice (5.00 / 1) (#28)
by Peter G on Tue Sep 29, 2020 at 08:53:39 PM EST

is not a bad slogan for a Democratic candidate.

It would be enough (none / 0) (#92)
by Jeralyn on Wed Sep 30, 2020 at 07:58:57 PM EST

in itself for me not to vote if that were his slogan.

Law and order has no place in slogan of anyone I would vote for.

"Compassion, Respect, Equality and Justice for All" would be better.

Parent

: Like everything Tr*mp says (mouths) (none / 0) (#95)
by Peter G on Wed Sep 30, 2020 at 08:54:09 PM EST

it is the opposite of what he does. He is (and his policies are) the epitome of lawlessness and disorder. That would be a better come back for Biden.

Parent

Trump used (5.00 / 1) (#42)
by KeysDan on Tue Sep 29, 2020 at 09:43:16 PM EST

the. Kavanagh hearing tactic---interrupt, attack the moderator, abuse the debate opportunity. Still, the monstrosity that is Trump came through, such as telling white supremacists to stand by. Biden came through, too. He beat the tactic as best as he could, and made it clear that Trump is a monster, if anyone still did not know.

I like that Biden (none / 0) (#43)
by CaptHowdy on Tue Sep 29, 2020 at 09:48:40 PM EST

Refused to answer the question about killing the filibuster and expanding the court (I think we should stop saying "packing the court")
That was smart and encouraging.

Parent

: Agreed. (none / 0) (#44)
by KeysDan on Tue Sep 29, 2020 at 10:03:37 PM EST

For Biden, that is a decision for later. And, the discussion would be misconstrued, at best. And, Court "packing" is not the idea. Reform and re-balancing.

Parent

I am officially proposing (5.00 / 1) (#49)
by Chuck0 on Tue Sep 29, 2020 at 10:23:53 PM EST

That next debate be moderated by Jerry Springer and 2 Russian hookers. Really. I'm serious.

James Carville said he's paid to watch the debate and he wanted turn it off after 25 minutes. If he's getting paid, he should be provided with better entertainment. That's right. Jerry Springer and 2 Russian hookers.

If not Jerry Springer (5.00 / 1) (#81)
by Chuck0 on Wed Sep 30, 2020 at 02:44:49 PM EST

how about Samuel L. Jackson in the character of Jules Winnfield from Pulp Fiction?

"I said two minutes MFer, now shut up!"

Parent

: oh that would make such a perfect (none / 0) (#82)
by leap on Wed Sep 30, 2020 at 03:00:11 PM EST

"Time's up!" buzzer! Sam L. should stand right next to the person "moderating" the show, ready to blurt -- if there will even be another what-ever-one-calls-these-things-that-are-not-debates, which I think there shouldn't be any more. That medium is clearly dead.

Parent

Capt Howdy. You're a fan of the Lincoln Project. (5.00 / 1) (#57)
by Chuck0 on Wed Sep 30, 2020 at 07:20:28 AM EST

Have you seen the new Sully Sullenberger ad? Good stuff.

: I have (5.00 / 1) (#58)
by CaptHowdy on Wed Sep 30, 2020 at 07:33:44 AM EST

and it is

Parent

Democratic governors (5.00 / 1) (#67)
by CaptHowdy on Wed Sep 30, 2020 at 08:52:36 AM EST

Should start planning to call out the national guard for election week.

When a troglodyte like Trump (5.00 / 2) (#77)
by jondee on Wed Sep 30, 2020 at 02:10:38 PM EST

hits below the belt, you hammer him below the belt. That's the only thing a loud-mouth bully and his fans understand.

When Trump brought up "intelligence" and Biden's college record, Biden should've responded that Trump's own sister said he paid someone to take his SATs. When Trump talked about Biden's sons and the military, Biden should've asked Trump how it is that his debilitating bone spurs don't prevent him from playing hundreds of rounds of golf.

Given the way Trump was so happy to lower the bar, a Stormy Daniels reference might not have been out of place either.

I had not seen this mentioned (5.00 / 2) (#79)
by CaptHowdy on Wed Sep 30, 2020 at 02:25:31 PM EST

UNtil just now but the first thing I noticed last night is that the entire Trump family in attendance took off their masks as soon as they sat down. Except Melania I think. They were not supposed to do this. The agreement was for everyone in the audience to be masked throughout.
They just said everyone on the Biden side was masked. Everyone on the Trump side was not. Unbelievable hubris.

They should be told they will be ejected if they do it next time.

: Yes, (5.00 / 2) (#84)
by KeysDan on Wed Sep 30, 2020 at 03:34:45 PM EST

and the shambolic event was held in The Health Education Center, a joint facility of Case Western Reserve University and the Cleveland Clinic. The Cleveland Clinic requires masking in the facility. Mel did not wear a mask when she came on stage at the end time, but Jill did.

Parent
: The Trump entourage (5.00 / 2) (#99)
by Towanda on Wed Sep 30, 2020 at 10:16:34 PM EST

even was specifically asked by the hosts, repeatedly to put on masks (they had masks to get in and then removed them! I read) -- and they repeatedly refused. They should have been ejected. I really do not get why this rule is not enforced,
But with the fortunes spent on their plastic surgery, they don't want to cover up their pretty plastic faces with masks, hmm?

Parent

We need a little comic relief (5.00 / 1) (#83)
by CaptHowdy on Wed Sep 30, 2020 at 03:16:59 PM EST

What a pathetic idiot

Eric Trump, President Donald Trump's middle son, has come out "to clarify" that he is not gay or bisexual.
On Tuesday the 36-year old Trump Organization vice president appeared to tell Fox News he is a member of the LGBT community, in a clumsy attempt to capitalize on an opportunity to help his father win votes.
"The LGBT community they are incredible and you should see how they've come out in full force for my father every single day. I'm part of that community and we love the man and thank you for protecting our neighborhoods and protecting our cities," Eric Trump told "Fox & Friends

Gabe Sherman (5.00 / 1) (#86)
by CaptHowdy on Wed Sep 30, 2020 at 04:42:21 PM EST

"Trump advisers agree on what he needs to do differently at the next debate... But Republicans are resigned to the fact that Trump is unlikely--or unwilling--to course-correct.
Said one Republican: "Trump thinks he won. He didn't. But does anyone have the balls to tell him that? No. They'd be fired."
"Trump doesn't accept the consensus that the debate was a disaster because... he was unabashedly himself."
Said the source: "The thing about the debate is people got to see why no one that has any integrity can work for Trump. This is what Trump is like in the Oval Office every day. It's why John Kelly left. It's why Jim Mattis quit. Trump doesn't let anyone else speak. He really doesn't care what you have to say. He demeans people. He talks over them. And everyone around him thinks it's getting worse."

This debate was such an outrage (5.00 / 5) (#93)
by Jeralyn on Wed Sep 30, 2020 at 08:09:40 PM EST

I'm going to have to write a new post on how embarrassing it was to be an American last night and the damage to our global standing.

Plus, Trump's (likely scripted) almost unintelligible response on sensitivity training and unscripted response re: the Proud Boys makes the case that he is a racist. That he can't recognize this shows how stupid he really is.

Will Trump leave office voluntarily? (5.00 / 1) (#96)
by MKS on Wed Sep 30, 2020 at 09:34:04 PM EST

After his stunt at the Debate, his rhetoric stating the elections is rigged if he does not win, and stating the election would be deiced by the Supreme Court, one must conclude that the bottom has not been reached.

Why should we be surprised when he does not leave?

Who knows (5.00 / 1) (#97)
by CaptHowdy on Wed Sep 30, 2020 at 09:53:56 PM EST

But how weird is it that he is having two super spreader events this weekend in two places in Wisconsin that have been specifically named, by the White House task force, as extreme virus hot spots.

Trump scheduled the rallies in two coronavirus hot spots in Wisconsin, a state where cases have been surging for weeks. Trump's rallies often attract people who do not wear masks or practice social distancing as recommended by public health experts to avoid contracting the highly contagious virus.

It's starting to seem his only goal is chaos. By any means necessary. Which does not bode well for a peaceful transition.

It's like he is trying to break the country.

Parent

This is horrible (5.00 / 1) (#101)
by Towanda on Wed Sep 30, 2020 at 10:32:34 PM EST

The hospitals in Green Bay are at capacity, the schools had to go virtual, and Trump refuses to see reason and cancel his superspreader event.

We have family there, including elderly and teachers, and they already are terrified. Now this.

Parent

: Times (none / 0) (#105)
by CaptHowdy on Thu Oct 01, 2020 at 07:21:06 AM EST

Researchers at Cornell University who analyzed 38 million articles about the pandemic in English-language media around the world found that mentions of Trump made up nearly 38 percent of the overall "misinformation conversation," making the president the largest single source of falsehoods about the pandemic, the New York Times reports.

Parent

More about that behind a paywall (none / 0) (#98)
by CaptHowdy on Wed Sep 30, 2020 at 09:57:25 PM EST

Trump plans big Wisconsin rallies despite White House task force calls for `maximal' social distancing in the state

Parent

You know it might be cold comfort (none / 0) (#106)
by CaptHowdy on Thu Oct 01, 2020 at 07:26:14 AM EST

But the senate is going to the democrats. It would be almost worth Cheeto stealing the election so he AND Barr can be impeached and tried in the senate. For real.

Almost.

Parent

On the question if Trump is really trying to win (5.00 / 1) (#107)
by CaptHowdy on Thu Oct 01, 2020 at 07:43:14 AM EST

I just watched a 20 conversation about how mystified everyone is that Trump has not produced a second stimulus package. It would be such an easy way to get votes. And it would get votes. It's a lay up.

I think the reason is he is no longer expecting or even trying to win. The bile comes faster and more repulsive by the day. By the hour. I think I commented a while back that if he thought he was losing he would turn on his supporters and the country and blow everything up.

It's happening. A stimulus would help his voters more than almost anyone. Not interested in helping.

I think we will see the rhetoric and the tactics get worse. Way worse. He is out the destroy this democracy. He will refuse to leave no matter how big the margin. He will do anything he can toward that end.

I really believe that. It will be interesting to see how much of it Barr in on board for.

Parent

The 25th Amendment after the election (none / 0) (#109)
by MKS on Thu Oct 01, 2020 at 09:14:49 AM EST

If Trump is defeated, it will be a long two and half months until the Inauguration.

Trump could really do some damage and fly into a psychotic rage.

Perhaps after the election, the cabinet and Pence will invoke the 25th Amendment to protect us from an unhinged madman.

President Pence after the election and until the Inauguration?

Parent

: 25th Amendment because of Covid? (none / 0) (#153)
by MKS on Fri Oct 02, 2020 at 10:06:16 AM EST

Not because he is nuts, but because he is incapacitated by Covid?

Parent

I (none / 0) (#110)
by FlJoe on Thu Oct 01, 2020 at 09:49:37 AM EST

wondered about that also, throwing the people a meaty bone just before the election could do nothing but good for him, it seems like it's a no brainer.

I don't really think it's tRump's call on this, I suspect that Mitch and the boys see the writing on the wall and would rather leave a cratered economy for Biden to deal with.

You are correct, it will get worse.

Parent

I dunno (none / 0) (#112)
by CaptHowdy on Thu Oct 01, 2020 at 12:01:38 PM EST

I kinda think if King Combover said "jump" Mitch and the boys would say, sir, how high, sir.

Parent

: Yes (none / 0) (#115)
by FlJoe on Thu Oct 01, 2020 at 01:01:20 PM EST

but tRump is easily manipulated, many of his economic guys are eager for a stimulus but it seems the deficit hardliners like Meadows currently have his ear.
There are plenty of people around tRump who are way smarter than him(talk about a low bar) and they all have their own agenda that don't necessarily line up with tRump's best interest.

Parent

Yes, MoscowMitch wanted to make Obama ... (none / 0) (#113)
by Erehwon on Thu Oct 01, 2020 at 12:03:33 PM EST

1-term president, as you may recall.

Parent

Even FOX is tired of it (5.00 / 1) (#117)
by CaptHowdy on Thu Oct 01, 2020 at 02:35:59 PM EST

·
1h
It appears that John Roberts of Fox News has just gotten his degree from the University of No Longer Having Two F--ks To Give

Just got my ballot (5.00 / 1) (#118)
by CaptHowdy on Thu Oct 01, 2020 at 03:04:42 PM EST

Remember to vote
Early and often

1,600 Former Prosecutors Call Out Bill Barr (5.00 / 1) (#120)
by CaptHowdy on Thu Oct 01, 2020 at 04:11:05 PM EST

An open letter from more than 1,600 former prosecutors said that Attorney General William Barr is using the power of the Justice Department to help President Trump win reelection,

An example of this is how the U.S. Attorney (5.00 / 1) (#121)
by Peter G on Thu Oct 01, 2020 at 04:40:51 PM EST

for Middle PA held a press conference and issued two press releases earlier on the day of the first debate, revealing raw (and misleading) preliminary information from a just-begun FBI investigation into the mistaken discarding (without opening) of nine military ballots by a temp mail room worker in a (Republican) PA county, creating a highly misleading impression of what actually happened, in violation of longstanding DOJ policy, for no conceivable reason other than providing a basis for Tr*mp to refer to the incident (even more misleadingly) during the debate.

Parent

: Yeah, I didn't understand all (none / 0) (#122)
by Chuck0 on Thu Oct 01, 2020 at 04:52:22 PM EST

the hoopla over that. Luzerne County is going to go to orange doofus no matter what. This the county that produced Lou Barletta (who lost to Bob Casey by 13 pts in 2018 Senate race).

Parent

Trump and Melania... (5.00 / 1) (#139)
by desertswine on Fri Oct 02, 2020 at 12:25:24 AM EST

test positive for the Trump virus.

President Trump said Friday on Twitter that he and the first lady have tested positive for the coronavirus.

he stunning announcement came hours after the president said he and Mrs. Trump had begun "a quarantine process" after White House advisor Hope Hicks tested positive for the virus. Hicks, who serves as counselor to the president, is one of the president's closest advisors.

We need Biden to be even more careful (5.00 / 7) (#140)
by Towanda on Fri Oct 02, 2020 at 12:33:16 AM EST

in campaigning -- and no more being in a room with a spreader yelling for an hour and a half and his entourage who defy rules to mask.

And we need Pelosi in isolation, stat,, because Pence has been with the spreaderi, too.

Parent

Our thoughts should be with (5.00 / 2) (#141)
by jondee on Fri Oct 02, 2020 at 01:31:05 AM EST

Covid 19 during this difficult time.

Parent

: Trump will sue the shi+ (5.00 / 1) (#142)
by CaptHowdy on Fri Oct 02, 2020 at 05:42:52 AM EST

Out of this virus.

Parent

101 years ago today on October 2, 1919, ... (5.00 / 1) (#171)
by Donald from Hawaii on Fri Oct 02, 2020 at 02:07:59 PM EST

... President Woodrow Wilson suffered what proved to be a devastating stroke that rendered him speechless, paralyzed and incapacitated.

This unfortunate and tragic event was then compounded by a legally questionable personal determination of the president's closest advisor, Joseph Tumulty, that Vice President Thomas Marshall was wholly unsuitable for the role of acting president. For her part, First Lady Edith Wilson concurred with Tumulty's dubious opinion, and the pair decided to withhold from Marshall vital information about the debilitating extent of her husband's stroke.

Marshall initially demanded to know the state of President Wilson's condition, whereupon Edith Wilson quietly arranged for him to be informed indirectly by a reporter from the Baltimore Sun that the president was near death. Shocked by the news, and absent any official communication from White House staff regarding the president's inability to perform his duties, Marshall then declined to press the matter any further.

Given the vice president's subsequent reluctance to challenge Edith Wilson and assume the reins of power on an acting basis, and there being no law at the time governing the orderly transfer of executive authority in the event of a president's physical or mental incapacity, rather than his actual death or resignation, there was created a power vacuum at the top of the executive branch that others then sought to fill for their own reasons.

And so, with this all taking place well prior to the country's adoption and ratification of the Constitution's 25th Amendment, the evidence from that period strongly suggests that the exercise of presidential responsibility and authority on Woodrow Wilson's behalf eventually defaulted as intended to his wife Edith and an ad hoc group of cabinet members and White House officials who advised her, including Joseph Tumulty.

That clearly awkward and legally ambiguous arrangement is what effectively governed the country for the remaining 17-month balance of Wilson's second and final term, which ended on March 4, 1921. After the initial announcement of the president's affliction, the American people were effectively kept ignorant of his true physical condition.

During this twilight period, the U.S. Senate rejected the ratification of the Treaty of Versailles that had been negotiated by Wilson, other allied leaders and the government of former Imperial Germany, which had ended the recent World War. That petulant and shortsighted political decision by Senate Republicans led to the country's ill-considered withdrawal from world affairs, which in turn ensured the likelihood of a second world war occurring sooner, rather than later.

Just a timely historical reminder, in the wake of the news over the last 24 hours, that unforeseen events and circumstances regarding a president's health and well being can have profound and sometimes adverse consequences, and that we should now both further familiarize ourselves with the laws concerning presidential succession, and demand honesty from White House officials regarding Trump's COVID-related condition.

Aloha.

Parent

Those images of the Trump Gang (5.00 / 4) (#147)
by CaptHowdy on Fri Oct 02, 2020 at 08:00:17 AM EST

staring proudly and defiantly maskless into the cameras at the debate are going to be seen a LOT.

Karma really is a b!tch

Trump is a bigger disaster (none / 0) (#2)
by CaptHowdy on Tue Sep 29, 2020 at 08:05:40 PM EST

That I even expected

Donald (5.00 / 1) (#4)
by FlJoe on Tue Sep 29, 2020 at 08:09:10 PM EST

will you please shut up.

Parent

: It is what it is (none / 0) (#6)
by CaptHowdy on Tue Sep 29, 2020 at 08:10:45 PM EST

Because you are who you are.
That will stick.

Parent

If Biden follows through with the next two debates (none / 0) (#3)
by sarcastic unnamed one on Tue Sep 29, 2020 at 08:08:37 PM EST

he is a fool.

He should ask for more (none / 0) (#5)
by CaptHowdy on Tue Sep 29, 2020 at 08:09:44 PM EST

Parent

To be fair, when Trump allows him to speak (none / 0) (#7)
by sarcastic unnamed one on Tue Sep 29, 2020 at 08:11:47 PM EST

he does do better.

Parent

Trump looks like a fool (none / 0) (#9)
by CaptHowdy on Tue Sep 29, 2020 at 08:15:58 PM EST

Let him talk. I agree with joe when he told him to "keep yapping"

Parent

Well, it looks like you are getting your wish... (none / 0) (#16)
by sarcastic unnamed one on Tue Sep 29, 2020 at 08:25:39 PM EST

Parent

He sounds like an absolute idiot (none / 0) (#17)
by CaptHowdy on Tue Sep 29, 2020 at 08:27:10 PM EST

Joe should keep talking to the crowd and ignoring him.

Parent

: He absolutely should (none / 0) (#23)
by sarcastic unnamed one on Tue Sep 29, 2020 at 08:38:24 PM EST

Parent

Wallace is doing a decent job (none / 0) (#18)
by CaptHowdy on Tue Sep 29, 2020 at 08:28:33 PM EST

Of shutting him up.

Parent

They should just (5.00 / 1) (#21)
by MO Blue on Tue Sep 29, 2020 at 08:31:00 PM EST

shut off Trump's mic until it is his turn to speak.

Parent

They need to put them in (none / 0) (#127)
by fishcamp on Thu Oct 01, 2020 at 07:16:37 PM EST

isolation booths for the next debate.

Parent

Trump said today (none / 0) (#129)
by CaptHowdy on Thu Oct 01, 2020 at 07:52:36 PM EST

He will not allow any changes at all.

Parent

: They should stop talking about "changes" (5.00 / 2) (#131)
by Peter G on Thu Oct 01, 2020 at 08:04:57 PM EST

They don't need to change the rules, and that's not actually what people are suggesting. They're looking for some mechanism to enforce the rules that the Tr*mp (and Biden) campaigns already agreed to, but which Tr*mp so blatantly refused to follow during the first debate.

Parent

I have to agree. (none / 0) (#34)
by Chuck0 on Tue Sep 29, 2020 at 09:20:28 PM EST

The next debates will just be a complete rehash of tonight. Especially from the orange doofus. He'll just repeat the same stuff from tonight each time.

Parent

Ya. If the goal was to make the electorate (none / 0) (#36)
by sarcastic unnamed one on Tue Sep 29, 2020 at 09:24:34 PM EST

lose interest in both candidates, I think it's working.

Parent

I actually think (none / 0) (#40)
by CaptHowdy on Tue Sep 29, 2020 at 09:39:30 PM EST

Biden now has a good reason to say no more.

Parent

Probably would not be a bad thing (none / 0) (#46)
by sarcastic unnamed one on Tue Sep 29, 2020 at 10:20:41 PM EST

Parent

The pros say there will almost certainly be more (none / 0) (#51)
by CaptHowdy on Tue Sep 29, 2020 at 10:32:12 PM EST

Even tho there shouldn't be.

Whatever. The audience will drop to nothing.

I think Trump lost the election tonight. If he does it twice more Biden will win 48 states

Parent

I don't think the election concerns him anymore. (none / 0) (#75)
by Chuck0 on Wed Sep 30, 2020 at 01:46:16 PM EST

I think he intends to contest the entire election in the courts and he believes the SCOTUS will give him the win.

Parent

I think I agree (none / 0) (#76)
by CaptHowdy on Wed Sep 30, 2020 at 02:09:29 PM EST

He is no longer trying to win. This is interesting

According to CNN, when confronted with the subject of "white supremacists and militia groups" during the debate, Trump chose to forego a "rehearsed answer" from his debate prep sessions, missing what a person described as a "perfect opportunity" because the question "closely resembled what was discussed privately."

But I don't think, and maybe someone like Peter will correct me, there is a chance the courts are going to stop the counting of votes. Or "give him" the election.
He might or might not think they will but it seems to me he knows he is losing and he is determined to do as much damage as he possibly can to the country and the process on the way out. I really think it's as sad and simple as that.

Just MO.

Parent

I should say (none / 0) (#78)
by CaptHowdy on Wed Sep 30, 2020 at 02:12:12 PM EST

UNLESS it's a very close result. And it does not look like it's going to be close.

A close election might makes all kinds of things possible. But if he is clearly losing, as I think he is and will, the court is not going to short circuit the process.

Parent

Yes, I think that is probably right (5.00 / 4) (#85)
by Peter G on Wed Sep 30, 2020 at 04:28:26 PM EST

If the popular vote does not appear to be close, I am pretty sure the Supremes will "stand back and stand by." If close, we could have another Bush v. Gore fiasco.

Parent

Nate Cohn (none / 0) (#87)
by CaptHowdy on Wed Sep 30, 2020 at 04:50:29 PM EST

"For the first time since we started our poll tracker several weeks ago, Joe Biden leads by enough to withstand a repeat of the polling error in 2016."
"If the polls were exactly as wrong as they were four years ago, Mr. Biden would hold the Clinton states and flip Michigan, Pennsylvania, Arizona and Nebraska's Second District, giving him more than the 270 electoral votes needed to win."

NYT

Parent

Nate Silver (none / 0) (#88)
by CaptHowdy on Wed Sep 30, 2020 at 05:49:31 PM EST

Trump's Chances Are Dwindling. That Could Make Him Dangerous.

"Now, I'm not predicting this will happen, but if Biden's national lead were to expand to 9 or 10 points, which is consistent with the sorts of polling bounces we've seen in the past for candidates who were perceived to win debates -- especially challengers debating an incumbent for the first time -- Trump's situation could become quite desperate."
"To be clear, none of this means that Trump's chances are kaput. As of this writing, our forecast still gives him around a 21 percent chance of winning the Electoral College. That's not great, but it's a lot better than zero."
"But it's possible Trump's chances may decline further after post-debate polling begins to roll into our forecast. Furthermore, the mere passage of time helps Biden in our model, because every day that Trump doesn't gain ground is a day when his fate becomes slightly more sealed. (Lots of people have already voted!) Case in point: In an election held today -- Trump has no more time to make up ground -- his chances would be 9 percent, not 21 percent, according to our forecast."

Parent

if Biden's national lead were to expand to 9 or 10 (none / 0) (#116)
by CaptHowdy on Thu Oct 01, 2020 at 02:06:14 PM EST

A new CNBC/Change Research poll finds Joe Biden expanding his national lead over Donald Trump to 13 percentage points, 54% to 41%.
That's a wider lead than the polling averages show, but it's also the first national poll conducted entirely after the first presidential debate.

Parent

CNN (none / 0) (#197)
by FlJoe on Tue Oct 06, 2020 at 07:04:25 AM EST

poll, Biden +16

Parent

: Holy shi+ (none / 0) (#198)
by CaptHowdy on Tue Oct 06, 2020 at 07:33:23 AM EST

My guess is that would be a minimum gain of 6-7 senate seats.

Parent
: The thing about these new state polls (none / 0) (#199)
by CaptHowdy on Tue Oct 06, 2020 at 09:17:43 AM EST

Is not so much Biden's margin as that with almost all of them he is at or over 50%. With nobody undecided

Parent

If the Supreme Court (none / 0) (#130)
by CST on Thu Oct 01, 2020 at 07:55:18 PM EST

Ends up deciding the election again I think we will see wide scale riots like we have never seen in my lifetime at least.

And this little American experiment may be over.

Parent

I think thats absolutely right (none / 0) (#134)
by CaptHowdy on Thu Oct 01, 2020 at 08:29:53 PM EST

I think the fact the members of the court also think thats might inform their decision.

Also, what a perfect opportunity for new justice Barrett to establish her credibility and independence than voting against Trump little coup. Same for the other 2. There is that to hope for.

Parent

On establishing credibility (5.00 / 1) (#136)
by CaptHowdy on Thu Oct 01, 2020 at 09:04:15 PM EST

I saw Robert Costa today talking about private discussions with republicans about their plans for rehabilitating and reinventing the post Trump Republican Party in 2021-22.

The usually understated Costa says he asked why they thought it would be that easy.

I laughed. It will not be that easy.

Parent

: They somehow (none / 0) (#148)
by Ga6thDem on Fri Oct 02, 2020 at 08:02:04 AM EST

seem to forget how much damage George W. Bush did to the party and how Trump just added to that damage.
Obama was useful for them in ways Biden will not be.

Parent

Yes (none / 0) (#135)
by Ga6thDem on Thu Oct 01, 2020 at 08:50:03 PM EST

We have had way too much authoritarian minority rule in this country over the last 2 years. I think another 4 years of it will break the country.

Parent

Or worse. (none / 0) (#172)
by Donald from Hawaii on Fri Oct 02, 2020 at 03:44:52 PM EST

Peter G: "If the popular vote does not appear to be close, I am pretty sure the Supremes will 'stand back and stand by.' If close, we could have another Bush v. Gore fiasco."

Because this time around, I really don't think Democrats and their progressive allies are necessarily going to act passively and placidly in the face of such a Supreme Court ruling.

Rather than otherwise ensuring that for the third time in 20 years, a Republican candidate who clearly lost the popular vote is given the keys to the White House anyway, the conservative justices would instead be courting a politically cataclysmic domestic backlash against the ruling GOP establishment, the likes of which haven't been seen since Southern batteries fired their opening salvos on Ft. Sumter in April 1861.

Yes, given the passions of the present times, we are likely there or very near there. Conservative who are presently pondering these sorts of Machiavellian maneuverings and machinations to retain power ought to remember that rebellions, revolutions and civil wars have all been provoked by lesser catalysts. And should that happen, nobody is going to guarantee that they survive the outcome, either figuratively or literally. Armed insurrections tend to be particularly messy and vicious.

Just sayin'.

Parent

Speaking as a historian, ... (none / 0) (#126)
by Donald from Hawaii on Thu Oct 01, 2020 at 07:05:37 PM EST

Chuck0: "I don't think the election concerns him anymore. I think he intends to contest the entire election in the courts and he believes the SCOTUS will give him the win.
"

... civil wars have ignited in other countries over less provocation.

Parent

He's making (none / 0) (#15)
by Ga6thDem on Tue Sep 29, 2020 at 08:23:54 PM EST

up his crowd numbers again.

TAXES (none / 0) (#19)
by CaptHowdy on Tue Sep 29, 2020 at 08:30:07 PM EST

............

: I believe I see (none / 0) (#20)
by CaptHowdy on Tue Sep 29, 2020 at 08:30:51 PM EST

Sweat

Parent

Orange doofus (none / 0) (#22)
by Chuck0 on Tue Sep 29, 2020 at 08:34:14 PM EST

can't stay on the the subject. He just pulls stuff out of a$$ and throws it out there. The people who support this repugnant imbecile are traitors.

And here's come Hunter (none / 0) (#24)
by Chuck0 on Tue Sep 29, 2020 at 08:38:29 PM EST

What does Hunter Biden's activities have to do with this race? Who is orange doofus running against? Joe Biden or Hunter Biden?

: Joe handled it well (none / 0) (#25)
by CaptHowdy on Tue Sep 29, 2020 at 08:40:08 PM EST

Parent

Biden did not say what he would do (none / 0) (#26)
by Peter G on Tue Sep 29, 2020 at 08:46:24 PM EST

to improve racial discrepancies and bias as President. In fairness, he needed his whole two minutes to give half the indictment against Tr*mp, but he never got to anything positive for himself. Because frankly it's hard for him to do so.

Wallace is asking good questions (none / 0) (#27)
by CaptHowdy on Tue Sep 29, 2020 at 08:47:46 PM EST

I wonder that the timer would say (none / 0) (#29)
by Peter G on Tue Sep 29, 2020 at 09:04:28 PM EST

about the promise of approximately equal time.

Trump sounds (none / 0) (#30)
by CaptHowdy on Tue Sep 29, 2020 at 09:07:33 PM EST

Insane. Literally insane.

: Biden's lead (none / 0) (#31)
by CaptHowdy on Tue Sep 29, 2020 at 09:09:03 PM EST

Will grow after this.

Parent

Oh the horror, the horror. (none / 0) (#32)
by Chuck0 on Tue Sep 29, 2020 at 09:16:50 PM EST

The "radical left" is now not going to vote for Joe Biden. He's lost them four times so far tonight.

Media, (none / 0) (#33)
by KeysDan on Tue Sep 29, 2020 at 09:17:01 PM EST

it was a disaster--- Trump created chaos and filibustered; Biden has contributed against the mess of Trump and Wallace.

So, both sides.

The media (none / 0) (#37)
by CaptHowdy on Tue Sep 29, 2020 at 09:32:59 PM EST

I'm watching MSNBC and CNN are not doing both sides

Trump was a disaster

Biden, as one bobble head said, might have won but it hardly mattered because Trump sounded completely insane.

Parent

My TV survived another day (5.00 / 1) (#48)
by MO Blue on Tue Sep 29, 2020 at 10:22:06 PM EST

Nothing was thrown at my TV due to Trump's obnoxious behavior due to the fact that I read about the debate rather than watching it. I can't stand listening to the orange raccoon for even a minute let along listening him monopolize a debate.

Providing Trump loses the election, my mute button might just stay operational for use next year.

Parent

You are (none / 0) (#52)
by Ga6thDem on Wed Sep 30, 2020 at 05:27:35 AM EST

a strong woman. I could only stomach about 15 minutes of the debate before I had to turn it off.

Parent

A (none / 0) (#53)
by FlJoe on Wed Sep 30, 2020 at 06:02:26 AM EST

bottle of Makers Mark gave me the strength to watch most of it.

Parent

: At my house (none / 0) (#55)
by Chuck0 on Wed Sep 30, 2020 at 07:12:16 AM EST

we debated taking a drink every time orange doofus told a lie or told the truth. If the former, I would never make if upstairs. If the latter, I would never get to drink. So we I just said eff it, poured five fingers of Gentleman Jack and drank to celebrate it being over.

Parent

I never turned it on (none / 0) (#54)
by MO Blue on Wed Sep 30, 2020 at 07:10:18 AM EST

I read about it on various sites.

Parent

Even Santorum (none / 0) (#41)
by CaptHowdy on Tue Sep 29, 2020 at 09:42:50 PM EST

Thinks Trump was a disaster

Parent

: Yes, (none / 0) (#47)
by KeysDan on Tue Sep 29, 2020 at 10:21:28 PM EST

Glad to see they have wizened up

Parent

Gibberish on voting integrity (none / 0) (#35)
by Peter G on Tue Sep 29, 2020 at 09:21:55 PM EST

by both of them

: That questioning (none / 0) (#45)
by KeysDan on Tue Sep 29, 2020 at 10:18:47 PM EST

should have been skipped. Why give credibility to Trump's undermining strategy?

Parent

Trump saying to the Proud Boys (none / 0) (#38)
by CaptHowdy on Tue Sep 29, 2020 at 09:34:29 PM EST

To "stand back and stand by" is going to be discussed a lot

Proud boys have a new logo (none / 0) (#50)
by CaptHowdy on Tue Sep 29, 2020 at 10:27:16 PM EST

Already. STAND BACK AND STAND BY

Proud Boys celebrate after Trump's debate call-out
On the Proud Boys' account on the social media app Telegram, the group appeared to take the statement as marching orders.

Parent

: The (none / 0) (#80)
by CaptHowdy on Wed Sep 30, 2020 at 02:32:53 PM EST

new logo

Parent

That was contemptible. (none / 0) (#39)
by Donald from Hawaii on Tue Sep 29, 2020 at 09:37:30 PM EST

It was the worst presidential debate I've ever seen in my life. And the primary responsibility for that rests with one man, President Donald Trump.

Stick a fork in him, folks, He's done.

Action-reaction (none / 0) (#56)
by CaptHowdy on Wed Sep 30, 2020 at 07:13:04 AM EST

The Biden campaign said they had their "best online fundraising hour of all time" Tuesday night between 10 p.m. and 11 p.m, raising $3.8 million, Fox News reports.

I am surprised (none / 0) (#59)
by CaptHowdy on Wed Sep 30, 2020 at 07:44:20 AM EST

how little bothsiderism there is today. I have not watched FOX but I have not seen it except from a couple of "undecided" voters who clearly were never undecided.

Trump is being universally blamed and Biden is being universally credited, at least, with trying to have a civil debate.

Last night was a wake up call. I think many unforeseen things will happen starting today.

It's being widely discussed that he represents a threat to democracy. He could not have been more clear about that. The Proud Boys moment was every bit as bad as "good people on both sides" that led to Trumps lowest polling in 4 years.

I think last night will be consequential in ways we don't see yet. For one thing I think it's really possible there won't be more. There is a real argument to be made that he should not be given the opportunity he was given last night again to attack the stability of the system and call for violence from militia groups.

I think a whole lot of people are alarmed that we're not alarmed yesterday.

BTW (5.00 / 1) (#60)
by CaptHowdy on Wed Sep 30, 2020 at 07:48:47 AM EST

The other reason to end them is it was so clear his goal was to discredit the system, the debates and our form of government with such a disgusting display that people will just turn off the tv and stay home.

It was really a 90 minute master class on voter suppression.

He can't be allowed to do it again it seems to me. There is going to be pressure on Biden for this.

Parent

I (5.00 / 2) (#65)
by FlJoe on Wed Sep 30, 2020 at 08:41:05 AM EST

disagree.

First, Biden backing out would be used against him as being weak.

Second, tRump is already spewing this bile every hour, from his rallies to his twitter and everywhere in between. In the debate format at least there is room for push back from Biden and hopefully from the moderator. Also the pundits seem to be harsher on him in this format than on his normal daily drivel.

Third, the drunker I got the more it looked like it was a debate between an alien and a normal human being, that dichotomy is always going to play to Biden's advantage.

Parent

: I go back and forth (5.00 / 1) (#66)
by CaptHowdy on Wed Sep 30, 2020 at 08:50:08 AM EST

Everything you say is true.
Also I think it's possible Trumps real goal is to have an excuse for losing. To cause as much chaos as possible. Not really caring much either way if violence is done in his name.

Parent

He really (none / 0) (#61)
by Ga6thDem on Wed Sep 30, 2020 at 07:57:32 AM EST

doesn't need yet another venue to spout his anti-democratic agenda. I already know some Trumpers who think cheating is going to put Biden in office. Last thing we need is continual ramping up of these voters and militias.

Parent

I am not "on" Facebook (none / 0) (#63)
by CaptHowdy on Wed Sep 30, 2020 at 08:29:48 AM EST

But I do have a ghost account that allows me to look at it. I spent some time yesterday doing that. It was of course horrifying. But, as an example, one of my law enforcement relatives who is particularly on the Trump train has at least half of his posts blocked, by Facebook - who knew?, with a graphic that said something like "this is not true. Click here to see why.

That was encouraging. But beyond that it was grim and frightening. These people live in a total alternate universe. They are absolutely sure Trump is going to not just win but win BIG.

Did I mention he was law enforcement?

When I get the courage I plan to see how this is being received.

Parent

: Facebook (none / 0) (#70)
by Ga6thDem on Wed Sep 30, 2020 at 10:12:41 AM EST

is absolutely horrifying but yes, I have noticed that unlike in 2016 Facebook actually is attempting to do something. I also got a notice that October 1st they are going to be doing things that will keep them from "being regulated" All I can think that means is they are going to clamp down even more on the right wing garbage.

Parent

No debate is where I was at. (none / 0) (#62)
by Chuck0 on Wed Sep 30, 2020 at 08:09:54 AM EST

Orange doofus should have not have been given a platform from which to spew his bile. And that's exactly what happened. I think Biden should bow out of any more of these circus events. I was with Mrs. Pelosi. Never should have happened in the first place.

Parent

: Honestly I don't think Biden could have done that (none / 0) (#64)
by CaptHowdy on Wed Sep 30, 2020 at 08:36:03 AM EST

Flatly refuse trump debate. It would have hurt him. No longer true.

Parent

Also (none / 0) (#68)
by CaptHowdy on Wed Sep 30, 2020 at 08:54:20 AM EST

Depending on what the polls do now it's remotely possible some Republican senators will stop seeing their interest as shared by Trump.

If they have gone (none / 0) (#69)
by Ga6thDem on Wed Sep 30, 2020 at 10:10:50 AM EST

all this time clinging to Trump there is no hope of them removing themselves. Truly I think Trump has kompromat on most of them. The only thing they could really do at this point to help themselves is dump Amy Coney Barrett and I'm not sure that even helps them that much.

Parent

: There was an interesting quote from Sen Tom Scott (none / 0) (#72)
by CaptHowdy on Wed Sep 30, 2020 at 10:27:16 AM EST

This may not be exact but it's close. I heard it this morning he was asked about the white supremacist stuff.
"I think the president misspoke. He should correct it. If he does not correct it maybe he did not misspeak"

Parent

The "debate" (none / 0) (#71)
by KeysDan on Wed Sep 30, 2020 at 10:20:22 AM EST

was probably representative of the way Trump governs. He enters the room to consider matters worked up by experts and turns the meeting into Trumpian chaos----calling, e,g., the generals weak, the scientists stupid---because he knows best. And, it gets done his way.

However, we do not need another unwatchable
"debate" to learn anything more about Trump or his role as Commander-in-Chief of the Proud Boys.

Biden should quit the debates while he is ahead and viewed, in a sense, as a victim of Trump's violent abuse of yet another norm. Trump will be no different at the next scheduled debates and Biden's presence runs the risk of bothsiderism and electoral turnoff.

This is good (none / 0) (#73)
by CaptHowdy on Wed Sep 30, 2020 at 01:04:34 PM EST

Sounds like cutting the mic is coming

The Commission on Presidential Debates issued a statement:
Last night's debate made clear that additional structure should be added to the format of the remaining debates to ensure a more orderly discussion of the issues.
The CPD will be carefully considering the changes that it will adopt and will announce those measures shortly. The Commission is grateful to Chris Wallace for the professionalism and skill he brought to last night's debate and intends to ensure that additional tools to maintain order are in place for the remaining debates.

That is not a solution (none / 0) (#100)
by Towanda on Wed Sep 30, 2020 at 10:27:28 PM EST

because Trump's intent is to rattle Biden, and Biden still would hear him when we cannot -- but that could encourage Trump to even worse attacks that might rattle Biden, which is all that the public would see,

They have to put them in separate rooms.

Parent

Interesting perspective on the objective (5.00 / 6) (#102)
by Peter G on Wed Sep 30, 2020 at 10:52:23 PM EST

of rattling Biden, from an old friend of my wife's, who lives in Virginia: "Joe Biden is a stutterer. Like many others, he has overcome the disability by understanding it and exercising extraordinary perseverance and discipline. If you know and love a stutterer and you watched the presidential debate last night, within minutes it became obvious what was going on. Abusive tone of voice, rapid fire interruptions, zigzagging change of topic, personal insult and humiliation, and family pain are all tripwires that scramble a stutterer's ability to speak. There was nothing unplanned or spontaneous in the President's strategy. The bastards did not prep him to attack Joe. They prepped him to attack Joe's disability hoping that by triggering his stuttering they might deceive an audience unfamiliar with the disability into thinking that Joe was stupid, weak, uncertain, confused, or lost to dementia.

If you have ever gotten in the face of a bully on the playground protecting a stutterer that you love, the game being played last night was nakedly and painfully obvious. If you watched with glee while it happened, then you haven't made much progress since the playground.

However, the stutterer that I love taught me early on that he did not so much need my protection. He fought back by owning and integrating his disability into who he is. He learned how to stand his ground as master of perseverance, knowledge, and empathy. Without his example, I would not have recognized the game that was being played last night. I would not have been able to recognize the subtle but intense struggle against the disability that Joe was winning at the same time he was struggling to advance his positions on the issues in the midst of a rhetorical shit storm.

But, like the stutterer that I know, Joe didn't need any help on the playground. I was proud of him.

The President flushed his family fortune down a gold-plated toilet and somehow wants us to believe that he is the poor victim of mean people. Then he tries, and fails, to beat up a kid with a disability on the playground.

I'm done with this, guys. I want my country back. Thanks, Joe."

Parent

That is (5.00 / 2) (#103)
by Ga6thDem on Thu Oct 01, 2020 at 04:49:35 AM EST

a very astute assessment. Thanks for sharing.

Parent

That is going viral (5.00 / 1) (#104)
by Towanda on Thu Oct 01, 2020 at 06:09:26 AM EST

as I read it on FB earlier today. -- and appreciated the insight, as well as the effort to share understanding of stutterers.

Parent

: Yes, but I do apologize (none / 0) (#108)
by Peter G on Thu Oct 01, 2020 at 08:15:05 AM EST

for not recognizing that our friend might was forwarding an unsourced and therefore less reliable meme, not a personal account.

Parent

Not good (none / 0) (#89)
by CaptHowdy on Wed Sep 30, 2020 at 06:52:29 PM EST

Memory sticks used to program Philly's voting machines were stolen from elections warehouse

But behind the scenes, they fretted about how President Donald Trump and his allies might use the news to cast doubt on the integrity of the city's elections in light of false claims and conspiracy theories he cited as fact during Tuesday's presidential debate.

Phily kinda sucks, tbh (none / 0) (#90)
by sarcastic unnamed one on Wed Sep 30, 2020 at 07:10:46 PM EST

Former U.S. Congressmen from Philadelphia indicted for voter fraud, bribery
Michael "Ozzie" Myers, 77, is accused of conspiring with and bribing the former Judge of Elections for the 39th Ward, 36th Division, Domenick J. Demuro.

Former Philadelphia Judge of Elections Convicted of Conspiring to Violate Civil Rights and Bribery
A former Judge of Elections has been convicted for his role in accepting bribes to cast fraudulent ballots and certifying false voting results during the 2014, 2015, and 2016 primary elections in Philadelphia.
Domenick J. Demuro, 73, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty during a sealed proceeding on March 16, 2020, before U.S. District Judge Paul S. Diamond to conspiring to deprive persons of civil rights, and using interstate facilities in aid of bribery. The court unsealed the matter today. Sentencing is scheduled for June 30, 2020.
During his guilty plea hearing, Demuro admitted that while serving as an elected municipal Judge of Elections, he accepted bribes in the form of money and other things of value in exchange for adding ballots to increase the vote totals for certain candidates on the voting machines in his jurisdiction and for certifying tallies of all the ballots, including the fraudulent ballots. Demuro further admitted that a local political consultant gave him directions and paid him money to add votes for candidates supported by the consultant, including candidates for judicial office whose campaigns actually hired the consultant, and other candidates for various federal, state and local elective offices preferred by that consultant for a variety of reasons. Demuro also admitted that the votes he added in exchange for payments by the political consultant increased the number of votes fraudulen

Parent

We do have some old-time crooked (none / 0) (#149)
by Peter G on Fri Oct 02, 2020 at 09:16:16 AM EST

"consultants" who are former politicians, but the case you cite involved a hyper-local, low-turnout election for a far down-ballot position (Judge of Municipal Court, basically a justice of the peace) that can be thrown by a dozen fraudulent, harvested or paid-for votes. No comparison (or relevance, honestly) to any high-profile, high-turnout races. Former US Rep. Ozzie Myers (the accused in this case), by the way, is the author of the famous phrase (from the ABSCAM wiretap), "Money talks in this business, and bullsh!t walks." What a prize.

Parent

: Philly does seem to (none / 0) (#191)
by sarcastic unnamed one on Mon Oct 05, 2020 at 04:44:31 PM EST

have a corner on the market for such "prizes."

Parent

Biden/Trump Now 4 to 1 at 538 (none / 0) (#111)
by RickyJim on Thu Oct 01, 2020 at 11:20:26 AM EST

After being stuck at 78/22 for quite a while, the odds for a Biden victory are now 80/20.

: Biden landslide 29% Trump win 20% (none / 0) (#119)
by CaptHowdy on Thu Oct 01, 2020 at 03:12:45 PM EST

October 1, 2020 at 3:53 pm EDT By Taegan Goddard 32 Comments
The latest FiveThirtyEight forecast gives Joe Biden an 80% chance to win the presidential race and Donald Trump a 20% chance.
The model also gives Biden a 29% chance he'll win in a landslide, meaning winning the popular vote by at least 10 percentage points.

Parent

What keeps you up at night? (none / 0) (#114)
by CaptHowdy on Thu Oct 01, 2020 at 12:39:48 PM EST

"The night of the debate, you saw what keeps me up at night."
-- Speaker Nancy Pelosi, quoted by Politico.

2 things 2 lift your day (none / 0) (#123)
by CaptHowdy on Thu Oct 01, 2020 at 05:25:23 PM EST

"Dilbert" Adams whines about the scales falling from his on Tuesday making him realize Trump is exactly who we have been telling him he is. I mean, this will hurt his career!

and

a deadly serious video clip that will make you laugh outloud

That clip gets good (none / 0) (#124)
by CaptHowdy on Thu Oct 01, 2020 at 05:27:39 PM EST

About 7 minutes in

Parent

: This is what (none / 0) (#125)
by Ga6thDem on Thu Oct 01, 2020 at 06:43:06 PM EST

online learning looks like. Yep. LOL.

Parent

Hope? (none / 0) (#128)
by CaptHowdy on Thu Oct 01, 2020 at 07:41:00 PM EST

Hope Hicks, one of President Trump's closest advisers, has tested positive for the coronavirus, ABC News reports.
"Hicks tested positive this week after traveling with the president on Tuesday to and from the first presidential debate on Air Force One."
"Hicks was also on Marine One, the president's helicopter, when it left the White House to fly to Joint Base Andrews on Wednesday."
Bloomberg: "Hicks was seen on Tuesday riding maskless in a staff van with White House senior adviser Stephen Miller, campaign adviser Jason Miller and others."

A new slogan for the Tr*mp campaign: (5.00 / 2) (#132)
by Peter G on Thu Oct 01, 2020 at 08:18:23 PM EST

Keep Hope Alive.

Parent

: In my script for this story (5.00 / 2) (#133)
by CaptHowdy on Thu Oct 01, 2020 at 08:23:48 PM EST

He collapses on stage at one of his super spreader events.

Parent

IIRC (none / 0) (#137)
by MO Blue on Thu Oct 01, 2020 at 09:25:18 PM EST

Trump use to hug and kiss Hope when they met. Wonder if he maintained continued maintain that practice in the Covid era.

Parent

Change the subject. (none / 0) (#138)
by KeysDan on Thu Oct 01, 2020 at 10:22:47 PM EST

Trump and Mel quarantined, replaces the fiasco debate, replaces tax evasion, replaces COVID downplaying, replaces dead soldiers are losers and suckers, replaces ..............

Parent

I don't know how (none / 0) (#143)
by CaptHowdy on Fri Oct 02, 2020 at 05:48:19 AM EST

But he will try to use this to delay or cancel the election.

Parent

Also (5.00 / 1) (#144)
by CaptHowdy on Fri Oct 02, 2020 at 06:00:00 AM EST

Apart from the whole damn proudly unmasked at the debate family ACB has spent a lot of time with this group in the last few days.

Parent

I wonder if residents of the White House (none / 0) (#145)
by CaptHowdy on Fri Oct 02, 2020 at 06:09:46 AM EST

Dropping like flies will convince the mouth breathers that it's not a hoax.

I expect expanded and extended conspiracy theories. Maybe Biden somehow infected them at the debate. Or paid AOC or, more likely, Ilhan Omar to do it.

Also I expect to see more masks in Walmart.

Parent

Rudy (none / 0) (#146)
by CaptHowdy on Fri Oct 02, 2020 at 06:11:47 AM EST

Was on the plane

Parent

: And, (none / 0) (#160)
by KeysDan on Fri Oct 02, 2020 at 11:27:58 AM EST

Gym Jordan. No mask, no suit jacket, of course. And, the Handmaiden Judge was with Trump last Saturday and hanging around other unmasked men and Typhoid Marys.

Parent

Yes, and he (none / 0) (#152)
by KeysDan on Fri Oct 02, 2020 at 09:49:02 AM EST

mocked Joe Biden for wearing a mask---a really big mask.

Parent

Well, if there (5.00 / 1) (#151)
by KeysDan on Fri Oct 02, 2020 at 09:43:09 AM EST

is anything reliable about Trump it is that he is a liar. Until there is a second opinion from a panel of medical directors from the Mayo Clinic, Johns Hopkins, and Emory University, we should put the White House reporting in the category of Dr. Harold Bornstein's grand assessment of Trump's heath where all his lab tests were positive.

It sounds like a change the subject from his disastrous debate, commander -in-chief of the Proud Boys, and his taxes. And, a good reason to duck out of the remaining debates, Surely, in his delusions he sees a sympathy vote. Mel can use a little diversion, too, after the release of her tapes---we can not only say Merry Christmas again, but also, F*** Christmas, apparently.

Parent

TOTALLY UNDER CONTROL (5.00 / 1) (#156)
by CaptHowdy on Fri Oct 02, 2020 at 10:40:29 AM EST

time to kick them while they are down.

Oscar-winning filmmaker Alex Gibney has been quietly filming a documentary for the past four months titled Totally Under Control, which puts a spotlight on the White House's failed response to the global pandemic and how it could have been prevented.
It will be released in mid-October.

trailer

Parent

I am preparing (none / 0) (#154)
by CaptHowdy on Fri Oct 02, 2020 at 10:13:49 AM EST

A three martini lunch.

At least three.

Parent

I really want to hear Joe is OK (none / 0) (#155)
by CaptHowdy on Fri Oct 02, 2020 at 10:34:01 AM EST

then I can celebrate.

Parent

Joe is negative (4.50 / 2) (#157)
by CaptHowdy on Fri Oct 02, 2020 at 11:01:03 AM EST

Just heard that on MSNBC

Parent

: Good news, (5.00 / 1) (#158)
by KeysDan on Fri Oct 02, 2020 at 11:15:53 AM EST

And, Joe is not restricting his campaign.

Parent
: So glad they had agreed (5.00 / 2) (#163)
by Peter G on Fri Oct 02, 2020 at 11:56:19 AM EST

not to shake hands before or after the "debate" (and kept to the agreement).

Parent

Mark "Wormtongue" Medows (none / 0) (#150)
by CaptHowdy on Fri Oct 02, 2020 at 09:35:55 AM EST

Just said "the president asked about the stimulus talks"

This is good. Possible this will jumpstart that whole thing.
He needs every vote he can buy.

Medows just asked "why aren't you wearing a mask right now?"

Maybe Trump is lying... (none / 0) (#159)
by desertswine on Fri Oct 02, 2020 at 11:22:43 AM EST

and is about to engineer a "miraculous" recovery.

This is a disaster (none / 0) (#161)
by CaptHowdy on Fri Oct 02, 2020 at 11:35:36 AM EST

Straight up. The election is now squarely on the pandemic and specifically his reaction to it.

If it's a plan it sucks.

Parent

It could still easily (none / 0) (#162)
by CaptHowdy on Fri Oct 02, 2020 at 11:36:42 AM EST

Delay ACBs hearings

Parent

How so? Because the judge will need (none / 0) (#164)
by Peter G on Fri Oct 02, 2020 at 12:00:06 PM EST

to quarantine after being in unmasked contact with him and contact-traceable members of the White House staff?

Parent

Isn't that possible (none / 0) (#165)
by CaptHowdy on Fri Oct 02, 2020 at 12:04:42 PM EST

Also a committee member Lee tested positive. It seems very possible he won't be the last.

DiFi (oldest house member?) said something like no hearing can happen until we know what's going on.

Seems it might at least be delayed

Parent

: ACB (none / 0) (#168)
by CaptHowdy on Fri Oct 02, 2020 at 12:51:46 PM EST

met with Lee wed

Parent

News just announced that judge (none / 0) (#167)
by MO Blue on Fri Oct 02, 2020 at 12:38:03 PM EST

had the virus already and that her nomination will proceed on schedule.

Parent

not if the Senate (5.00 / 1) (#169)
by CST on Fri Oct 02, 2020 at 12:56:05 PM EST

gets sick

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: Might delay (none / 0) (#170)
by MO Blue on Fri Oct 02, 2020 at 01:19:37 PM EST

It if enough Senators are affected. Delay, not ended.

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I thought I had heard the other day (none / 0) (#173)
by Peter G on Fri Oct 02, 2020 at 03:46:04 PM EST

that researchers now believe that having had the virus and then recovering does not confer an immunity against a second infection, nor does having apparently recovered provide any assurance there will not be a relapse. Did I misunderstand or perhaps misremember what I heard?

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Immunity, especially. (5.00 / 1) (#180)
by KeysDan on Fri Oct 02, 2020 at 05:46:03 PM EST

from mild cases has been reported as being fleeting. About three months, since there. is rather rapid decay of the antibodies. Although there is much more to learn.

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"We are screwed" (none / 0) (#174)
by CaptHowdy on Fri Oct 02, 2020 at 03:48:03 PM EST

Republicans panic that COVID eruption will derail SCOTUS confirmation vote

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: We can only hope (5.00 / 3) (#177)
by Peter G on Fri Oct 02, 2020 at 04:44:24 PM EST

that they are thus screwed or in any other way(s).

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Last I read (none / 0) (#179)
by MO Blue on Fri Oct 02, 2020 at 05:38:50 PM EST

There has been 3 people reinfected worldwide.

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If Trump really has the COVID, (none / 0) (#166)
by leap on Fri Oct 02, 2020 at 12:19:28 PM EST

I hope he is terrified. He's earned it.

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MSNBC is reporting that trump (none / 0) (#176)
by desertswine on Fri Oct 02, 2020 at 04:08:24 PM EST

is heading for Walter Reed - just as a precaution.

The trump family is a walking disaster for everyone.

: See new and dedicated thread (none / 0) (#178)
by Peter G on Fri Oct 02, 2020 at 04:45:05 PM EST

on this subject above.

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NBC news post debate poll (none / 0) (#181)
by CaptHowdy on Sun Oct 04, 2020 at 08:07:51 AM EST

Biden +14

Biden 53 Trump 39

Can't find a link yet Velshe just announced it.

The only other post debate poll I've seen Biden was up 13.

: Link (none / 0) (#182)
by CaptHowdy on Sun Oct 04, 2020 at 08:25:12 AM EST

Biden's national lead over Trump jumps to 14 points after debate in NBC News/WSJ poll
Joe Biden's lead has nearly doubled since Tuesday's debate with voters saying by a 2-to-1 margin that he has the better temperament to be president.

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Today I'm watching The Comey Rule (none / 0) (#183)
by CaptHowdy on Sun Oct 04, 2020 at 03:38:38 PM EST

On Showtime

It's better that I expected it to be. And it seems very timely. Nothing more so that the song Jeff Daniels released

The Trumpty Dumpty Blues

With lyrics like

Maybe some mornin
He will wake up sick
Press his bedtime button
"GET MY HOPE HICKS"
Scream fer a ventilator
His lungs can't bear it
That's when he'll realize
It's all up to Jared

'The Comey Rule' Star Jeff Daniels Debuts Song "Trumpty Dumpty Blues"

The actor-playwright-musician released the tune, called "The Trumpty Dumpty Blues," on his website Thursday and sent it to Trump directly by responding to one of his tweets about James Comey. (Daniels plays former FBI director Comey in the Showtime series The Comey Rule.) On Wednesday, Trump tweeted, "So when will something significant happen to James Comey? Got caught cold. He is either very dumb, or one of the worst liars in political history. TOO LONG. EMBARRASSING!"

Timing IS everything.

Eric Trump (none / 0) (#184)
by CaptHowdy on Mon Oct 05, 2020 at 08:46:45 AM EST

Will either testify today or take the fifth.

Eric Trump slated to talk with New York investigators via video on Monday

No competent lawyer would allow him (none / 0) (#185)
by Peter G on Mon Oct 05, 2020 at 09:27:46 AM EST

to do anything other than assert his Fifth Amendment privilege. The privilege is personal, however. He cannot assert it if testifying in response to a subpoena to a corporation or other entity through which he operated, nor to avoid incriminating someone other than himself.

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Could be wrong (none / 0) (#186)
by CaptHowdy on Mon Oct 05, 2020 at 09:39:56 AM EST

but isn't his purpose supposed to be answering questions about the Trump Foundation or whateveritscalled of which he is president. Or something like that.

If that's true can he take the fifth about what he did in his position in the org?

Don't feel like googling Eric Trump.

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: It's not a question of what subject they ask (5.00 / 1) (#194)
by Peter G on Mon Oct 05, 2020 at 05:50:51 PM EST

him about, it's a question of what capacity he is testifying in -- personal or representative. If a truthful answer to the question might be used to incriminate himself personally, then he has a privilege not to answer. And it is only the risk of self-incrimination that justifies assertion of the privilege, not information he may have that would tend to incriminate someone else, including a family member.

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1 hour ago (none / 0) (#187)
by CaptHowdy on Mon Oct 05, 2020 at 01:30:39 PM EST

NEWS
Eric Trump to testify before NY investigators about family business

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Maybe they will (none / 0) (#188)
by CaptHowdy on Mon Oct 05, 2020 at 01:38:38 PM EST

Announce he will take the 5th as Donald leaves the hospital to bury it.

Might not work that well. But they just said IT WILL BE AT 6

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: Donald will be at 6 (none / 0) (#189)
by CaptHowdy on Mon Oct 05, 2020 at 01:39:12 PM EST

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I guess he testified (none / 0) (#192)
by CaptHowdy on Mon Oct 05, 2020 at 05:00:05 PM EST

U.S. President Donald Trump's son Eric was questioned under oath by the New York attorney general's office, which is probing whether the family's real-estate company falsely reported property values to get loans or tax benefits, according to a person familiar with the matter.

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They even sent me (none / 0) (#190)
by CaptHowdy on Mon Oct 05, 2020 at 02:52:47 PM EST

a pencil. How thoughtful

a pencil? to fill in your ballot bubbles? (5.00 / 1) (#193)
by leap on Mon Oct 05, 2020 at 05:44:35 PM EST

That's nuts. We have to use a black or blue ink pen. You can't erase those marks.

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: The ballot came with (none / 0) (#195)
by CaptHowdy on Mon Oct 05, 2020 at 05:52:03 PM EST

Instructions to use the provided writing tool

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: The ballots are opened (none / 0) (#196)
by CaptHowdy on Mon Oct 05, 2020 at 07:23:20 PM EST

In the presence of reps from both parties. That's the first thing. Also it would be virtually impossible to try to erase and alter the marks made by this soft black pencil in a way that would be close to believable on one ballot. Forget enough to alter an election.
When I have voted here with a paper ballot in person they tell you to use the provided pencils. I guess it's kind of a thing. But I was surprised to find an enclosed pencil.
I really don't think erasing is a concern.

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Debate: Grandpa vs the Grifter | 199 comments (199 topical)

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