General politics

[stringer bell]

 

NPR had a segment on this. Only 2 proposed judges ever had been declared unqualified prior to Trump. He has doubled that amount in less than a year. The tactics deployed by McConnell disgust me. This nominee disgusts me. How would you like to have this guy as your judge? I don't think many would be too excited about it. The party of Bush is no more.

And the party of Bush wasn't so great.

[Craig Arko]

And the party of Bush wasn't so great.

The party of Eisenhower was the last time they were really good.

[ashbury]

The party of Eisenhower was the last time they were really good.

Not to be glib, but they lost their mojo shortly after Lincoln. Their brand of progressivism back then was highly tied to big business (transcontinental railroad for example), and it quickly corrupted them.

[Badsmerf]

That went on an unforseen tangent. My point was with respect to morals. At least the Bushes (see what I did there) had dignity. At least they valued intellectuals. It feels more and more that the divisions in this country are being fueled by a war against information and facts.

[Mr. Brooks]

That went on an unforseen tangent. My point was with respect to morals. At least the Bushes (see what I did there) had dignity. At least they valued intellectuals. It feels more and more that the divisions in this country are being fueled by a war against information and facts.

I'm not sure I agree completely on their morals, though I won't bother with a tangent on it.

I do agree with the second part though. And I may be playing grumpy old man (even though I'm not old), but I can't help but blame social media, at least in part, for the war on information and facts.

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

Troubling story out of Alabama tonight, where a local teenager a former Supreme Court justice gets banned from the shopping mall. No more Orange Julius for you!

 

https://www.newyorker.com/news/news-desk/locals-were-troubled-by-roy-moores-interactions-with-teen-girls-at-the-gadsden-mall

 

And he's been running on morals and religion his whole life.

 

How low can Republicans go? The answer is: there is no bottom. It's a shameless, bottomless, pit with these people--and with the office holders who enable them. If lives weren't at stake it would be great comedy.

[Badsmerf]

Ron Johnson publicly coming out against the tax plan today. I can't see Rand Paul spring a tax bill that adds to the deficit. The only glimmer of hope is the repeal of the individual health care mandate to bring Paul in. Roy Moore is doubling down. Republicans could kick him out if he does get elected. There could be a write in candidate campaign.

 

Not good for Republicans right now.

[drjim]

Ron Johnson publicly coming out against the tax plan today. I can't see Rand Paul spring a tax bill that adds to the deficit. The only glimmer of hope is the repeal of the individual health care mandate to bring Paul in. Roy Moore is doubling down. Republicans could kick him out if he does get elected. There could be a write in candidate campaign.

 

Not good for Republicans right now.

Dems are flipping Oklahoma state legislature special elections via 20 point swings.

 

The Senate is going to be close, but the US House wave could be an all timer.

 

I don't think raising taxes on middle class voters and cutting health care to significantly cut taxes on the very wealthy is going to help.

[drjim]

Franken's toast.

[ashbury]

Franken's toast.

I feel like I'm a broken record when cautioning folks not to gloat too much when a political opponent gets caught in something like this. This is widespread.

[Mike Sixel]

I am not gloating, but I want them all outed. The difference is that the Democrats will leave, and the GOP will stay. And the world will be less well off.....

[drjim]

 

I feel like I'm a broken record when cautioning folks not to gloat too much when a political opponent gets caught in something like this. This is widespread.

 

I'm not gloating at all, I'm generally Team Blue. I'm just happy to see it all get cleaned out.

 

The great irony is that the Trump Administration is going to drain the swamp after all, just not in the way that anyone would have imagined.

[drjim]

The other thing on Franken is that this is going to just be the start for members of Congress. And not to minimize what Franken did (he should be done as a Senator), but it will likely seem like small beer compared to what else is coming. And I'm not even counting what is out there with Moore and Trump.

[ashbury]

I'm not gloating at all, I'm generally Team Blue.

I was referring to things I've said in the past, not specifically to anyone today.

 

In partisan terms, I'm content to let the chips fall where they may. Male Republican senators are 47 in number, if I counted correctly, while Dem males number only 32. Assuming the males are the risky ones for having to resign suddenly, I like our odds.

 

Maybe we should have a 10-year moratorium on all male senators, come to think of it.

[Squirrel]

I'm not even looking at this as a partisan thing at all. That isn't where the line is drawn for me, at least not from personal experience.

 

And it's about damn time. I hope it's everywhere.

[Craig Arko]

I’m still waiting for the ethics hearings on the pervert-in-chief.

[drjim]

I’m still waiting for the ethics hearings on the pervert-in-chief.

Unfortunately that will likely have to wait until November 3, 2020.

[Mr. Brooks]

I agree with Mike. The difference is that when the dems who do this are outed they will be unelectable. Republicans could do this in the middle of times square and still get re elected, in some districts.

[jimmer]

 

I agree with Mike. The difference is that when the dems who do this are outed they will be unelectable. Republicans could do this in the middle of times square and still get re elected, in some districts.

One was elected President just last year.

[Bark's Lounge]

It is truly disappointing to hear this stuff about Franken. I have to be honest, I thought we were a lot further along in a positive way in our society a couple years ago. I was very, very wrong. I think Franken needs to tip his cap and bid us a farewell. If that is the case, hopefully Dayton will appoint a guy like RT Rybak to replace him. I don't see the need for Franken to delve into the scum-**** realm of Trump or Roy Moore. Just walk away.

[ashbury]

One was elected President just last year.

http://i0.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/newsfeed/000/483/894/463.jpg

[nicksaviking]

Franken can go. On his way out he needs to admit that he partook in "locker room" antics, tell his conservative detractors that he understands that anyone who does those things is not fit to lead our country and he's glad that this is a non-partisan issue and everyone is finally on board with ousting all loathsome individuals such as him who are guilty of such behavior. Everyone.

[Doomtints]

 

I agree with Mike. The difference is that when the dems who do this are outed they will be unelectable. Republicans could do this in the middle of times square and still get re elected, in some districts.

 

To quote Foge Fazio when he was the defensive coordinator under Dennis Green, all the money is on the other side of the ball.

Plus, the GOP worked hard to conflate religion with politics. Minnesotans might not be able to fathom that in the South, liberals/Democrats are equated to satan. This is not hyperbole. There is a belief that any Republican is better than any Democrat because of this. I don't know how this mindset could possibly be broken, esp. in any reasonable time frame and in an era of FoxNews.

[Mike Sixel]

Franken can go. On his way out he needs to admit that he partook in "locker room" antics, tell his conservative detractors that he understands that anyone who does those things is not fit to lead our country and he's glad that this is a non-partisan issue and everyone is finally on board with ousting all loathsome individuals such as him who are guilty of such behavior. Everyone.

Agreed, and I've posted that online. It sucks to fight against a group that doesn't play by the same rules, but what are you fighting for if you abandon those rules?

[nicksaviking]

 

Agreed, and I've posted that online. It sucks to fight against a group that doesn't play by the same rules, but what are you fighting for if you abandon those rules?

 

TB QB Jameis Winston is now getting (back) in to the sexual assault game. His people are denying it. It sure does seem like the strategy has been set, if you're a creep in a Blue state you confess and apologize (often poorly), if you're in a Red state you deny, deny, deny.

[Badsmerf]

This Franken thing really surprises me. He seems like a very good proponent of women's rights and moral high standing. Part of me feels like it was some kind idiot joke that turned out to push it too far, the other part feels like he should know better and we need to crank down on this behavior.

 

Problem is, what Franken did and what Moore did are not the same. Its not even close imo. I could see Franken surviving this, especially if it comes out he only kissed her hand and doesn't actually touch her (doesn't look like he is the photo). I haven't heard all the details about the allegation, but it in no way imaginable compares to paying on young girls.

[drjim]

Franken did do this before he was a Senator, when he was still in his comedy persona.

 

At the very, very least, he should announce he will not run in 2020. Would be much better if he resigned ASAP.

[drjim]

Hard to believe that people aren't impressed with evangelicals.

 

[Craig Arko]

Copying my FB post:

 

My gut hunch is (and it's only a gut hunch) is that 50%+ of the male members of Congress should resign by this standard. My second gut hunch: Franken will not resign but will accept censure from the Senate. He will not seek re-election. The other thing I'd like to see is that he donate the proceeds from his new book to assist victims of sexual assault and domestic violence.

[drjim]

Copying my FB post:

 

My gut hunch is (and it's only a gut hunch) is that 50%+ of the male members of Congress should resign by this standard. My second gut hunch: Franken will not resign but will accept censure from the Senate. He will not seek re-election. The other thing I'd like to see is that he donate the proceeds from his new book to assist victims of sexual assault and domestic violence.

There's certainly a reason Republican members of Congress aren't coming at Franken especially strong.

 

Like I said earlier, what he did is going to seem like small beer once the dam breaks.