2020 Presidential Election Thread: The Homestretch... Still

[Clyde_Style]

So my question to you is do you really think they believe in bipartisanship? I personally don't believe a group of the most powerful people in the country would be that stupid to not notice something I noticed at the age of 14 when I first started paying attention to politics. I don't think I'm that smart.

They're not going to stop being so "nice" because what you call being "nice" is actually their earnest beliefs. They truly believe giving Republicans a say in things is the right way to govern and they truly don't care about winning because winning doesn't personally improve their lives at all.

I think you'll get your answer if the Dems do get their supermajority in place by inauguration day. Then they'll either enact meaningful, life changing legislation or not. There has been very few windows for that to happen, so if that window opens up soon you'll have your answer about whether the Dem leadership is with the people or completely with the fat cats.

They don't need a supermajority. Flat out if they don't remove the filibuster and stack the courts (they won't) they'll accomplish nothing.

and I do think that will happen. They're going to muzzle Mitch

and Kavanaugh perjured himself and I'm betting on him being impeached and removed from SCOTUS. After that, they will expand it, but perhaps by less than would be needed with Kavanaugh still in his seat

[E-Balla]

I've actually considered this idea but have come to think it's not true. There are several large reasons why.

First, while some think that Biden is old and will be a caretaker, that discounts one of his best political attributes. He is a team player and he is the captain of the team. Remember when we were young and a bunch of us would play baseball? Usually the two best players would be on opposite sides, then each would select one of us in turn until the tems were all chosen. Definitely, Biden is chosing a great team. This team may accomplish a lot more than we have generally thought, and that could change the complexion of Washington (both in terms of ideology and literally color).

Second, Biden has a long term view of politics. He will make moves to strengthen the Democrats' hold on government long into the future, by supporting local redistricting to reduce gerymanders, supporting strong young candidates, and helping to remove the conservative political bias from textbooks, etc.

Third, many of the conservatives have been Trump sycophants and reporters I'm hoping a lot of us remember who they are and continue to hold a grudge.

There will likely be new safeguards agains the worst of Trump's abuses of government process.

The progressive wing of the Democtratic party is very likely to become idologically more a part of government policies and this could tend to strengthen not just the party but the country. If a Biden administration is successful, it is unlikely that people will turn towards the conservatives (and their failed government over the past four years) to undo the economic prosperity and other dividends of a good presidency.

Also, don't discount how true, principled conservatives have become marginalized in the Republican party compared to the far right wackos who make up so much of Trump's base. I'm not sure that the Republican party will survive as one party, or whether it will become two smaller parties going forward.

A lot can happen in 4 years, and I don't believe principled conservatives want to lose and take the risk they'll be marginalized out of politics.

Biden's administration can tangibly impact citizen's lives and show they are better off than with the GOP which completely turned its back on Americans. The partisan divide can weaken further by actually doing what he says he'll do, especially the capital investments in infrastructural change that can create new jobs. I think the economic recovery from covid will be different in that Trump's inaction wiped out lots of small businesses and many people will be living hand to mouth and starting over. Biden and his team can help many of those people survive and recover. They'll vote for you if they know why and how you helped them and this time I think the cause and effect between policies and their benefits will be more transparent than ever.

Trump is such an epic disaster, even a moderately competent administration will look good by comparison, but that's not enough. They really have to connect with and convince lifelong Republicans that they will do better with Democrats. It is obvious to us why that would be true, but it is up to them to make that case through both articulated reasons and deeds.

The beautiful thing is that Congress has already passed a lot of these bills that people want. All that needs to happen is to get control of the Senate to pass these legislations and Biden will sign off on it. I still don’t get how people don’t understand that Congress passes the laws, why is anyone acting like Biden would get in the way of any laws passed by Congress?

Coronavirus relief - check
Police reform - check
Election protection - check
Money out of politics - check
How many black people who claim Democrats won’t do anything for them have looked up the jobs and justice act ? - https://cbc.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2228
LGBTQ rights - check

This has already been done and passed but progress can’t be made because of Mitch McConnell, Senate Republicans and Trump. It’s obvious to anyone where the roadblocks lie.

I'm sorry, huh? The **** is that? Black people all making minimum wage now? The MBDA only for black people (they actually give a disproportionate amount of their grants to Asian business owners)? HBCUs only for black students?

This is that same "we'll do things for poor people that disproportionately help the white poor" and "we'll do things for minority business owners that disproportionately help Asians and recent immigrants" bull as usual. In no way, shape, or form is that them doing something for black people.

[Clyde_Style]

Read on Twitter

This nut didn't fall far from the tree

[E-Balla]

I think you'll get your answer if the Dems do get their supermajority in place by inauguration day. Then they'll either enact meaningful, life changing legislation or not. There has been very few windows for that to happen, so if that window opens up soon you'll have your answer about whether the Dem leadership is with the people or completely with the fat cats.

They don't need a supermajority. Flat out if they don't remove the filibuster and stack the courts (they won't) they'll accomplish nothing.

and I do think that will happen. They're going to muzzle Mitch

and Kavanaugh perjured himself and I'm betting on him being impeached and removed from SCOTUS. After that, they will expand it, but perhaps by less than would be needed with Kavanaugh still in his seat

Biden has openly said he's not doing those things and recently when asked he just refuses to answer them (I'm guessing because he knows plenty of people are voting for him with the idea that he might actually get things done in mind). IDK you just seem way too optimistic when it comes to the Democratic Party and I don't know what evidence you can have to be so trusting of them getting things done.

[Clyde_Style]

Read on Twitter

[E-Balla]

Read on Twitter

Watch on YouTube

[robillionaire]

Don’t Sweat the Polls

Why the 2020 election won’t be a 2016 sequel.

https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2020/10/five-reasons-to-believe-2020-wont-be-a-2016-sequel/616896

I'd like to dedicate this post to Robillionaire

I actually already read that yesterday before we talked about what we did and thought about posting it myself to present an alternative narrative to the things I was saying. But didn’t

I just got to East Tennessee so I’m trumplandia until Monday

[robillionaire]

So my question to you is do you really think they believe in bipartisanship? I personally don't believe a group of the most powerful people in the country would be that stupid to not notice something I noticed at the age of 14 when I first started paying attention to politics. I don't think I'm that smart.

They're not going to stop being so "nice" because what you call being "nice" is actually their earnest beliefs. They truly believe giving Republicans a say in things is the right way to govern and they truly don't care about winning because winning doesn't personally improve their lives at all.

I think you'll get your answer if the Dems do get their supermajority in place by inauguration day. Then they'll either enact meaningful, life changing legislation or not. There has been very few windows for that to happen, so if that window opens up soon you'll have your answer about whether the Dem leadership is with the people or completely with the fat cats.

They don't need a supermajority. Flat out if they don't remove the filibuster and stack the courts (they won't) they'll accomplish nothing.

And if they don’t accomplish anything we’ll be doubly F’d by 2024 once the worse version of trump emerges. There’s no way they don’t keep doubling down on Trumpism

[Clyde_Style]

They don't need a supermajority. Flat out if they don't remove the filibuster and stack the courts (they won't) they'll accomplish nothing.

and I do think that will happen. They're going to muzzle Mitch

and Kavanaugh perjured himself and I'm betting on him being impeached and removed from SCOTUS. After that, they will expand it, but perhaps by less than would be needed with Kavanaugh still in his seat

Biden has openly said he's not doing those things and recently when asked he just refuses to answer them (I'm guessing because he knows plenty of people are voting for him with the idea that he might actually get things done in mind). IDK you just seem way too optimistic when it comes to the Democratic Party and I don't know what evidence you can have to be so trusting of them getting things done.

Don't be so certain about his stance. He's been dancing around these issues as he is campaigning, but he has signaled he could move to end the filibuster

Remember, Biden is running on being the reasonable guy who will bring the nation together and his history of working with the opposition is part of that mythos. But what I've seen from Biden since he clinched the nomination is a much greater capacity to get with the zeitgeist than people thought he was capable of. He does build coalitions, but that includes taking seriously the input of the left factions of the Dems and he is not going to cold shoulder them just because he won and got what he wanted. I think Biden is going to make mostly the historically correct choices and that can include ending the filibuster. Mind you, there are reasons to argue for keeping it too, but I think we have to end it just because of the abuse of it by the GOP, not just because it is inherently an evil tool.

https://www.politico.com/news/2020/07/14/joe-biden-2020-filibuster-360587

"It's going to depend on how obstreperous they become," the former vice president said of Senate Republicans who might filibuster legislation championed by a potential Biden administration. “But I think you’re going to just have to take a look at it."

As far as the SCOTUS situation, you should not expect a clear answer from him. I know you want to hear it, but it would be really bad strategy to make that his stated focus in the home stretch when the correct strategy is the one he has been following. The Democratic base is energized by the issue and voting anyway without him needing to prod them into voting because of the courts issue. I have no doubt he will right the wrongs of the GOP and McConnell which cheated their way to a court majority. Pretty much every Democrat wants this, so I expect Biden will do it.

[Polk377]

Didn't know you were such a poet

Could you please grow out your beard, don a potato sack and put that magificent screed on a sandwich board and march it in front of an abortion clinic, please?

You're going to do great. You're the next MAGA Star

Not the beard type. Prefer the Yankee way. Potato sack might allow for a nice breeze on a cool autumn night though. Thanks for the suggestion.

You're welcome

Good luck with your new career as a MAGA celebrity

Thank you for your blessing.

[Clyde_Style]

Don’t Sweat the Polls

Why the 2020 election won’t be a 2016 sequel.

https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2020/10/five-reasons-to-believe-2020-wont-be-a-2016-sequel/616896

I'd like to dedicate this post to Robillionaire

I actually already read that yesterday before we talked about what we did and thought about posting it myself to present an alternative narrative to the things I was saying. But didn’t

I just got to East Tennessee so I’m trumplandia until Monday

Get out your banjo son!



I know that was insensitive, but give em hell!

That article was pretty on point. Glad you read it

[Clyde_Style]

Read on Twitter

The crime spree continues

ETPAOOTDT:

Everything Trumps People Accuse Others Of They Do Themselves

P.S. Pompeo's wife and kid illegally got the DoS to pay for services they requested. They used it like a piggy bank.

[Clyde_Style]

I think this article makes it pretty clear that positions on the filibuster within the party are very fluid right now. Bernie opposed abolishing it, but flipped when Obama condemned it. Schumer is an old school guy open to anything now. I think it is pretty clear everyone is considering it and Biden has lots of people now, including Obama, who will push him to do it

https://www.politico.com/news/2020/09/22/biden-supreme-court-filibuster-ginsburg-419832

Mondaire Jones, a favorite of progressives who will almost certainly represent the 17th District of New York next year, wrote an essay this week making the case for more justices. “As America’s white supremacist President tries to install a 6-3 partisan, conservative majority on the Supreme Court, we cannot be immobile,” Jones wrote.

But the threat has moved beyond the progressive echo chamber. Even Sen. Chuck Schumer, an institutionalist skeptical of anything cooked up by the left, declared, “Everything is on the table.”

It was only a matter of time before Senate reform and Supreme Court reform became central to Democrats. The ideas have been percolating among liberals for years. Buttigieg and Elizabeth Warren, who was an ardent backer of killing the filibuster, gave the issues new life last year during the Democratic primaries. But the finalists Bernie Sanders and Joe Biden were anti-reform.

“Bernie and Biden talked about these issues less and were reticent about messing with the filibuster,” said Dan Pfeiffer, a former top official in the Obama White House whose recent book, “Un-Trumping America,“ took up the cause of democracy reform. “There was a sense that the other side of this argument won.”

He noted that an important moment on court expansion came when grassroots progressive groups like Sunrise and the climate-focused Justice Democrats endorsed the idea. “It was a fusing of the democracy reform nerds and the grassroots progressives,” Pfeiffer said. “That’s when I started to get more bullish on it.”

Biden hedged a little on filibuster reform in July, telling the New York Times his position is “going to depend on how obstreperous” Senate Republicans become when he’s president.

But ending the filibuster got a big push when Obama endorsed it during his eulogy at John Lewis’s funeral in late July, calling it a “Jim Crow relic.” Sanders immediately jumped on board, tweeting, “President Obama is absolutely right. It is an outrage that modern-day poll taxes, gerrymandering, I.D. requirements, and other forms of voter suppression still exist today. If expanding the Voting Rights Act requires us to eliminate the filibuster, then that is what we must do.” It was the rare instance when Obama pushed Sanders to the left.

[Clyde_Style]

EXHIBIT B of

ETPAOOTDT: Everything Trumps People Accuse Others Of They Do Themselves

Read on Twitter

[spree2kawhi]

I will refrain from gloating to people in person just because it could be dangerous, but I'm fine with watching them melt down online. They've been posting Hindenburg photos and gloating about Trump winning by a landslide for so long that I have lost all empathy for them and the pain they will feel when their pathetic fantasy world collapses around them.

Sorry to interrupt

https://forums.realgm.com/boards/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=1431616&start=1040

Trump is bringing pride back to a country where we've lost pride with a president who has pandered to everyone

As far as your "wounded little white boys" comment. Trump and his supporters ars simply not letting liberals paint the white guys are all evil narrative and liberals hate it.

These soft liberals love to bully people and label them homophobic racist or whatever whenever something even slightly off color is said even if it's in a joking manner

Now that trump and his supporters are telling them to F off and that their dumb labels liberals put on them doesn't effect them liberals don't know what to do anymore.

Got em.

Pulling the receipts. I love it.

LOL

[E-Balla]

and I do think that will happen. They're going to muzzle Mitch

and Kavanaugh perjured himself and I'm betting on him being impeached and removed from SCOTUS. After that, they will expand it, but perhaps by less than would be needed with Kavanaugh still in his seat

Biden has openly said he's not doing those things and recently when asked he just refuses to answer them (I'm guessing because he knows plenty of people are voting for him with the idea that he might actually get things done in mind). IDK you just seem way too optimistic when it comes to the Democratic Party and I don't know what evidence you can have to be so trusting of them getting things done.

Don't be so certain about his stance. He's been dancing around these issues as he is campaigning, but he has signaled he could move to end the filibuster

Remember, Biden is running on being the reasonable guy who will bring the nation together and his history of working with the opposition is part of that mythos. But what I've seen from Biden since he clinched the nomination is a much greater capacity to get with the zeitgeist than people thought he was capable of. He does build coalitions, but that includes taking seriously the input of the left factions of the Dems and he is not going to cold shoulder them just because he won and got what he wanted. I think Biden is going to make mostly the historically correct choices and that can include ending the filibuster. Mind you, there are reasons to argue for keeping it too, but I think we have to end it just because of the abuse of it by the GOP, not just because it is inherently an evil tool.

https://www.politico.com/news/2020/07/14/joe-biden-2020-filibuster-360587

"It's going to depend on how obstreperous they become," the former vice president said of Senate Republicans who might filibuster legislation championed by a potential Biden administration. “But I think you’re going to just have to take a look at it."

As far as the SCOTUS situation, you should not expect a clear answer from him. I know you want to hear it, but it would be really bad strategy to make that his stated focus in the home stretch when the correct strategy is the one he has been following. The Democratic base is energized by the issue and voting anyway without him needing to prod them into voting because of the courts issue. I have no doubt he will right the wrongs of the GOP and McConnell which cheated their way to a court majority. Pretty much every Democrat wants this, so I expect Biden will do it.

All I can say is that I hope you're correct.

[E-Balla]

I think this article makes it pretty clear that positions on the filibuster within the party are very fluid right now. Bernie opposed abolishing it, but flipped when Obama condemned it. Schumer is an old school guy open to anything now. I think it is pretty clear everyone is considering it and Biden has lots of people now, including Obama, who will push him to do it

https://www.politico.com/news/2020/09/22/biden-supreme-court-filibuster-ginsburg-419832

Mondaire Jones, a favorite of progressives who will almost certainly represent the 17th District of New York next year, wrote an essay this week making the case for more justices. “As America’s white supremacist President tries to install a 6-3 partisan, conservative majority on the Supreme Court, we cannot be immobile,” Jones wrote.

But the threat has moved beyond the progressive echo chamber. Even Sen. Chuck Schumer, an institutionalist skeptical of anything cooked up by the left, declared, “Everything is on the table.”

It was only a matter of time before Senate reform and Supreme Court reform became central to Democrats. The ideas have been percolating among liberals for years. Buttigieg and Elizabeth Warren, who was an ardent backer of killing the filibuster, gave the issues new life last year during the Democratic primaries. But the finalists Bernie Sanders and Joe Biden were anti-reform.

“Bernie and Biden talked about these issues less and were reticent about messing with the filibuster,” said Dan Pfeiffer, a former top official in the Obama White House whose recent book, “Un-Trumping America,“ took up the cause of democracy reform. “There was a sense that the other side of this argument won.”

He noted that an important moment on court expansion came when grassroots progressive groups like Sunrise and the climate-focused Justice Democrats endorsed the idea. “It was a fusing of the democracy reform nerds and the grassroots progressives,” Pfeiffer said. “That’s when I started to get more bullish on it.”

Biden hedged a little on filibuster reform in July, telling the New York Times his position is “going to depend on how obstreperous” Senate Republicans become when he’s president.

But ending the filibuster got a big push when Obama endorsed it during his eulogy at John Lewis’s funeral in late July, calling it a “Jim Crow relic.” Sanders immediately jumped on board, tweeting, “President Obama is absolutely right. It is an outrage that modern-day poll taxes, gerrymandering, I.D. requirements, and other forms of voter suppression still exist today. If expanding the Voting Rights Act requires us to eliminate the filibuster, then that is what we must do.” It was the rare instance when Obama pushed Sanders to the left.

That's also a large part of the reason I hated Bernie though. He is also old school like Biden and unwilling to end it but I guess I checked out recently and since John Lewis passed (so like 2 months ago) they're coming around on it. I still need to see it to believe it. At this point climate change was the only reason I didn't stay downballot like usual (that and GA polling so close).

[HarthorneWingo]

More have voted early in Texas in 2020 than the entire Texas vote in 2016.

https://www.nytimes.com/live/2020/10/30/us/trump-biden-election

This is amazing!

Has to bode well for Biden.

[Clyde_Style]

Read on Twitter

This is a new Pelosi interview. Probably the most concise overview on pending legislation waiting to happen. This may give us the best glimpse at some of what will happen in the first months of a Biden presidency.

Speaker Pelosi opened the discussion by addressing her top priorities for the next House term if Joe Biden wins. She stated her first priority will be HR1, the reform bill for cleaner government. Her other two top legislative priorities will be health care and jobs. Pelosi’s additional priorities will include the infrastructure bill, lower drug costs, voting rights advancement, LGBT equality, protecting DREAMers, paycheck fairness, the Violence Against Women Act, gun background checks, climate action, and justice in policing.

[HarthorneWingo]

Read on Twitter

This is a new Pelosi interview. Probably the most concise overview on pending legislation waiting to happen. This may give us the best glimpse at some of what will happen in the first months of a Biden presidency.

Speaker Pelosi opened the discussion by addressing her top priorities for the next House term if Joe Biden wins. She stated her first priority will be HR1, the reform bill for cleaner government. Her other two top legislative priorities will be health care and jobs. Pelosi’s additional priorities will include the infrastructure bill, lower drug costs, voting rights advancement, LGBT equality, protecting DREAMers, paycheck fairness, the Violence Against Women Act, gun background checks, climate action, and justice in policing.

It would probably be easier to list the things that don't need to be fixed, if any exist.