As you know, it is customary for the party in power to lose a large number of seats in the midterms. As I write, at 1:33 am, John Fetterman was elected to the Senate. Maggie Hassan was re-elected to the Senate in New Hampshire. Mark Kelly was leading in Arizona. Raphael Warnock and Herschel Walker were in a virtual tie in Georgia. The loss of seats by Democrats in the House appeared to be minimal. Control of both houses of Congress was unresolved.
There was no red wave.
Trump’s only big winner was J.D. Vance in Ohio, who beat the far better qualified Tim Ryan. Trump does not have a winning touch, and DeSanctimonious is planning to take him down.
Lauren Boebert, the gun-toting Colorado Congresswoman, was apparently defeated. As was election denier Kari Lake in Arizona.
The fabulous Katie Porter, Congresswoman from California, was re-elected, as was Michigan Governor Whitmer and New York Governor Hochul, both defeating Trump lackeys.
I told you not to believe the polls and pundits who predicted a red wave. They were wrong. The only ballot that counts is the one you and your fellow citizens cast.
Democracy is alive. Challenges remain. The Republican Party still must resolve whether it is a party of sensible, responsible people or a party of lunatics. Maybe this election will help them break free of Trump‘s Dead Hand.
It will take days or weeks to know which party controls the Senate and the House.
But this much is clear: this election went against tradition. The red wave was a trickle.
Diane Ravitch's blog 
Briefly set aside where you stand on specific issues and specific candidates. After yesterday’s results it will astound me if Trump still has a meaningful following in the Republican party. Almost all of the marginal candidates he endorsed in the primaries lost, e.g. the Senate candidates in New Hampshire and Pennsylvania, and likely several others; his influence in elections yesterday proved fatal for many winnable races. Conversely, an incumbent Governor of a major state that for almost 30 years has been closely contested won a blowout election by 20 points. That Governor is the polar opposite of Trump: he’s very smart, very articulate, has a spotless personal life, he works hard at his job and takes it seriously and is very competent – agree with him or not.
But such is the cult following of Trump that he is still the likely favorite for the 2024 GOP nomination. I voted for Obama, but I was also dismayed by how many people regarded him as a Messiah rather than as a flesh and blood politician with flaws like everyone else. But the Trump cultists’ rationalizing of every idiotic thing Trump says is even worse and defies logic. What is the psychology behind that mindset?
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To answer your question:
NONE!
(‘Tis impossible to have psychology without a mind!)
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Trump has charisma—evil charisma, like Hitler, Stalin, and other bad characters.
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Political charisma is such a misunderstood concept. It is inferred for the usual suspects, but look closely. There’s nothing charismatic about them. I’ve been to David Duke rallies when he drew thousands of ravenous fans. There could not have been a more boring, lackluster speaker around. I’ve listened to many of the ravings of Hitler speeches; there’s not much different from the vacuous dribble coming out of the mouth of the Idiot. Find me one–just one!!–example of Stalin being “charismatic.” Take some time to watch Mussolini and ask yourself how anyone could take this buffoon seriously in public (in private he could be shrewd)?
No, it’s the audience and the public expression of their most cherished hatreds, bigotries, and misconceptions they want to believe are gospel that are charismatic, for lack of a better term, not the speakers. Anyone who can effectively mine and reach their innermost perceptions will seem charismatic to them. Watch a Jordan Klepper piece. The energy comes from the bottom, not the top.
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I have occasionally watched Trump speeches—though I hate the sound of his voice. He does have charisma, evil charisma. Millions of people think he is Jesus. I’m not a psychologist. I think he’s loathsome. I don’t get it.
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Trump has one other big draw: he allows racists to be openly racist.
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Your comment confirms the reasons for my fear. For the long term, the message will always be more important than the messenger. The ultimate reason that no one want to say out loud about why poor whites and others who don’t pay attention actually “believe” (that’s another debate, no one believes this, most of all the people who purport to believe it) fairly run elections are stolen. They cannot fathom the idea that not enough white voters like them don’t elect every candidate.
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GregB
Spot on .
“No, it’s the audience and the public expression of their most cherished hatreds, bigotries”…
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I want to see a statistic – number of Trump-backed candidates who were women and/or Black and lost their elections v. the number of White men who were Trump- backed and won.
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Bill’s unnamed governor may be Sununu, not my earlier speculated Kemp. Sununu’s known for phasing out the state’s only income tax (dividends and interest) making the tax system regressive and great for the rich, not so much for working people. Sununu is also known for wanting tax money spent on private schools. He appointed a guy whose 7 kids were homeschooled for Education Commissioner.
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They admire Trump’s pussy grabbing and his ability to get away with one outlandish lie after another. Oh, and his ability to evade taxes. And to flaunt pretty much any law he wishes to flaunt.
It’s something they always secretly desired but were never allowed.
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Anyone who has ever spent 5 minutes in a frat house understands the mentality.
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Bill-
What didn’t you like about Romney?
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Romney is a hedge fund predator who thrives on economic inequality. He appears reasonable until he is not.
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You got that right.
He only appears reasonable in public.
At private gatherings of his wealthy buddies, he appears as he really is: a spoiled rich brat.
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When he ran for governor of Massachusetts, he was pro-choice. Now, not so much. He also put his dog Seamus on the roof of his car in a carrier during a 12 hour family trip. Gail Collins has been on this story since 2007.
Nasty person.
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Poet and Paul- You may be projecting your own perspectives. In a different thread, Bill called commenters at this blog, “far left”. The disparagement, “far left,” is usually employed in relation to Pat Buchanan’s culture war liberals or the aligned socialist boogey man of the Koch network.
It’s possible that Bill was disturbed by Romney’s hedge funding capitalism but, I think I’d go in a different direction for explanation. Bill is likely better educated than others on the right side of the aisle. He would understand the nuances of socialism- Whites who benefit vs. poorer POC, who are seen as takers. It seems unlikely that the issues of unfettered capitalism would drive his voting or his disdain for Ravitch commenters.
Kemp, who is likely the unnamed hero that Bill offers up, rolled out the Faith Protection Act and he signed a heartbeat bill. Bingo?
We don’t know if Bill only voted for Obama once or if he voted for him twice. We can surmise that he didn’t vote for Hillary. How was Hillary different than Obama? She’s a woman, a Democratic cultural liberal.
McCain and Obama’s religions were considered mainstream and, Romney’s religion is considered….
Research shows religion is a, if not the, main determinant in voting.
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Linda
I wasn’t projecting my perspective.
I was projecting Romney’s — ie, stating a fact.
https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2012/09/secret-video-romney-private-fundraiser/
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Romney is two faced and most people only know the smiling, “reasonable” sounding fellow who voted to impeach Trump — as if the latter makes him some sort of moral hero. Ha ha ha
https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/greed-and-debt-the-true-story-of-mitt-romney-and-bain-capital-183291/
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When Romney declared his intention to run for governor of MA, he was claiming a house in Utah as his primary residence for tax purposes, even though MA law required him to have had his primary residence in MA for the prior 7 years.
When it was discovered (by others), Romney made an excuse that it was due to a clerical mixup”
https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2002-jun-13-na-romney13-story.html
Despite the clean cut goody two shoes act, Romney actually has much more in common with Trump than most people are aware.
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Since everyone but Bill, to whom it’s addressed, is answering this question, I might as well jump in too.😀
Like the Cheneys & Mike Pence, positive qualities in Romney became apparent only in comparison, when the bar was lowered to unprecedented levels by the P-grabber (the printed appearances of whose name I’m no longer willing to contribute).
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The other — ugly — face of Mitt Romney is pretty obvious for anyone who cares to look.
“Mitt Romney, Bain Capital and the New Guilded Age” (by Robert Reich) https://www.csmonitor.com/Business/Robert-Reich/2012/0702/Mitt-Romney-Bain-Capital-and-the-New-Gilded-Age
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I’m in total agreement that Romney’s a jerk based on the numerous situations described (and, his part in Bain Capital).
Bill hasn’t answered the question about his objection to Obama’s opponent nor, why he called commenters, “far left”. I speculate that Bill’s objection to the GOP candidate(s) who ran against Obama wouldn’t be the reasons cited in thread comments. Those sound like the reasons that liberals would cite.
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Bill,
If I made a wager that you didn’t vote for Hillary in 2016, would I win the bet?
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Bill writes, “briefly set aside where you stand on issues.”
I presume one of the issues to ignore is women’s equal rights. If Bill is referring to the GOP’s Kemp, the Governor signed Georgia’s abortion bill (heartbeat bill).
NewsOne, 10-15-2022, posted, “Stacy Abrams Outclasses Brian Kemp in Georgia.”
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Yay!
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My fav comment from twitter:
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Haaaaa!!!!!
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Definitely the quote of the day!
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I agree. However the last ad for Desantis proclaiming him as God’s anointed was profoundly troubling. I hope Democrats realize the task ahead. Trump is toast.
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DeSatanist is God’s anointed one.
We have always know that She has a very sick sense of humor.
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Why else would She have created Trump and Twitter?
And, of course Hitler, Stalin, Mao, Lol Pot, Nixon, Kissinger, Dumbya , Cheney and all the rest.
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Pol Pot not “Lol Pot”
Must be God’s idea of a sick LOL
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Sick indeed!!!!
And on the eighth day God created Rhonda Santis. After Hitler, Stalin, Mao, Pol Pot, Kissinger, Dumya, Cheney, and the Trumpling.
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Voters in Pennsylvania were wise enough to vote for John Fetterman’s record and overlook his current expressive and receptive language issues for which he is being treated. I am relieved voters did not fall for MAGA endorsed, fake Pennsylvanian, snake oil salesman Oz despite all the billionaire bucks funding his campaign. Josh Shapiro also won as well.
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Oz can now hop in his balloon and go back to Kansas, or Turkey or wherever the hell it is he came from, go back to selling his Magic Elixir and leave Dorothy, Toto, the Whicked Witch and the rest of us in peace.
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C Sq m p0, 1ď
Sent from my smartphone Arnold F Fege, President Public Advocacy for Kids (PAK) Washington, DC | +1 (202) 258-4044
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I see ta o ave keboard problems also!
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The Republican Party still must resolve whether it is a party of sensible, responsible people or a party of lunatics. Maybe this election will help them break free of Trump‘s Dead Hand”
Yes, the Tarot cards indicate that they have broken free of Trump and latched onto DeSatanist.
Very sensible, responsible and sane.
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I could not disagree more with this rosy assessment. Prior to Election Day, I reasoned that even slight losses/minor wins or the status quo would be a win for republicans and for those who would kill democracy. The only thing that might have changed when all votes are counted is the speed with which the destruction is accelerating.
I am not going to get excited about a Black Democratic Gov.-elect in Maryland who beats a maga rep by 30 percentage points or more. I’ve been to Maryland, it’s not surprising. I’m also not going to get excited about a NY governor sweating it out through Election Day and getting elected. In fact, living in Ohio and feeling like I understand the South, it’s hard to get excited about any of the wins. What I’m looking for is quite different.
One thing that was quite obvious is the ferocity with which conservative whites and those who would want to be like them have come out against Black candidates is stunning. Look at the margins by which some Black candidates like Demings, Booker lost. And an obviously used, brain-injured candidate in Georgia might still win. Peter Thiel has his own personal senator to promote his wish list. That was not just republican love, it was added to by hate of Blacks and any progress they might be making to close the “gap” in their minds. Many of the worst of the worst were reelected. Nevada is on the precipice of catastrophe and in Ohio we have just sealed the fate of public education. The time of death is now the only thing uncertain. There is still a likelihood of a Speaker McCarthy, which would mean horrors many of us would not even dare imagine. If the republicans win the Senate, the filibuster will be gone and any guardrails that existed will as well. In short, the federal legislative process will grind to a halt and all the funding, policy, and contrived battles to come will be much worse than anything we’ve seen.
Optimism and hope as a political goal has been replaced by cruelty and malevolence for almost half of our electoral population. They do not want to just win in a democratic process, they want to cower, ridicule, and ultimately exterminate their political opposition who they see as evil, greedy, and even the minions of satan. That has not changed. I would argue it has intensified and will only become more resinous. If they do not have the mechanisms of power, they will make sure they cannot work and blame Biden and the dems for inaction. It’s so simple.
I’m not in the mood for cheering Pyrrhic victories today. Little-to-nothing has changed in our impending national political disaster. Democracy is still on life support and fading. Yesterday’s vote hasn’t changed a thing for me or my outlook.
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I understand your pessimism, Greg. But my perspective is different. All the pundits predicted that Republicans would sweep both houses of Congress, and even win the New York governorship. I celebrate that the red wave was a trickle. I deeply regret the loss of Tim Ryan. We survived a category 5 hurricane that turned out to be a category 1 or 2.
Not a great night but a good night.
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There is as much sand in the mechanisms of all levels of governing as there has ever been. I’m just arguing that it’s getting permanently lodged in and calcifying the most important parts. We haven’t even started to address the courts in this discussion. As you well know having grown up in Houston, often slowly moving tropical storms do a lot more long term damage than fast moving hurricanes.
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And last I checked, the control of either chamber still remains in the balance. If they win one, party’s over. If they maintain very large minorities as they have, they will still be very effective and blame it on Biden and Democrats. And that will feed the false narrative everyone seems to be falling for: we cannot continue to judge politics by past “horse-race” standards. The current pundits, media, and general public still don’t get this really is a brave new world we’re living in.
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Many of the media outlets are owned by the puppet masters behind the new world order you describe. Their coverage has been skewed with multiple references to a “red wave” and doom and gloom about the economy. The good news is that not everyone bought it.
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GregB
Had NYs Appellate Court not let the ruling by a Republican Judge that threw out NYs redistricting map stand . The race for the House may not have been in question . It was designed to pick up 4-5 seats to offset shenanigans in Fla. and Texas . The new Republican drawn map in a Democratically controlled state may cost 4-5 seats .
SCOTUS legitimized gerrymandering. There is not a chance in hell this would have stood in FLA or Texas. Apparently only one side knows how to play .
As a side note Democrats lost big in most NYC suburbs with Zeldin blowing the crime dog whistle. Manhattan is a hell hole according to these suburbanites. Someone forgot to tell the Manhattanites living in $4000 studio apartments where all this crime was (NOT) taking place to live in fear. . They voted 82 % for Hochul.
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The elections were a glass half full or empty depending on perspective.
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Think of how different one’s perspective (and power) is if one is in the minority or majority because of one seat. The closeness of elections does nothing to temper the exercise of power by the winning party. That’s both the greatest benefit and flaw of the Constitution’s articles.
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You can get excited about what you want, but the point is that the election results are shaping up to be better than was feared.
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Thank you for the “pick-me-up,” but it is still possible the Rethuglicans will control the House…where they will unseat Pelosi, “investigate” Biden and his son’s briefcase and other stuff. They will stymie all legislation–unless Biden “reaches across the aisle” and agrees to cuts in Soc. Security, etc. (as Tip O’Neill did when they cut S.S. benefits back in the ’80’s). Also, living in Ohio leaves one still thinking about moving to Canada–or Pennsylvania. In Ohio–where Dems controlled all statewide offices in the ’80’s–these results remind current Ohioans of the words of Will Rogers, who said, “I belong to no organized political party–I’m a Democrat.” Peace, I hope “we” hold the Senate at least.
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It ain’t 1960.
The Era of Inclusion from 1954 to 2015 is over!
These results are encouraging but only that we’re hanging on for dear life (literally), not leading.
Kennedy had charisma but he wouldn’t make it as a reality show tv host and would never demean people. He understood teams and teamwork, SERVED and led in the military and actually wanted to make a difference for ALL people. Flaws and all, he had charisma.
The EXpresident is a charlatan, game-show host, huckster, name-caller, in it only for himself, must have a scapegoat and someone to blame for anything, bully, (and racist, etc.)
The People want the loud mouthed surrogate angry-guy!
And the red folks elected are too afraid to say a word.
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So true. I personally don’t understand anyone who admires the bully and braggart and pathological liar and malignant narcissist.
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“A Good night for Democracy”
Strike the “A”
And strike the “for”
What will stay
Is bitter core
AGood nightforDemocracy”LikeLike
Good night, good night
Democracy’s such sweet sorrow
That I shall say good night
Till Ron will follow
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Don to Ron
Don to Ron
Bad to worse
Going, gone!
Sick to hearse
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I went down to St. James Infirmary
to see Democracy there,
laid out on a long, white table,
so sweet, so cold, so fair.
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Dems won the state senate (first time since 1984) and the house.
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Pennsylvania after Dobbs, new registrants and party switchers, 47,000 net Dems and 40,000 net independents – Lara Putnam
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If the Republicans narrowly take control of the House, the credit goes to Governor DeSatan. He vetoed the redistricting plan approved by the Florida House and Senate Republicans and pushed through his own gerrymandered plan. In a state with a growing minority population and one new House seat, he cut the number of Black seats by two.
Neither the Federalist Society judges on the Florida Supreme Court nor SCOTUS look to uphold the will of the people in Florida. DeSatan wants the case to go to SCOTUS so Roberts can declare an end to any recognition of race in drawing House districts.
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Speak of the devil. . . .
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I think the R climate has developed to a point where He Who Shall Not Be Named is no longer the Defining Force dictating each move. 2-3 years ago, a R who challenged him to the the extent R De S is doing now would have been disappeared. De S’s overwhelming win appealing to the same base demonstrates the viability of political survival, & even thriving, without kissing the ring.
As convenient as it is to focus narrowly on HWSNBN as the source & driving force behind the extreme, anti-democracy positions still prevalent in R officeholders & candidates, recent events suggest that his relevance will continue to wane. It’s time to expand our attention beyond a single personality. This would also have the side benefit of facilitating his departure to his own personal Hell: a well-deserved obscurity. In the words of Mr. Monk, “I could be wrong, but, you know, I’m not.”
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You are right. Trump will fade away but DeSanctimonious will be the new Trump. And the base will love him too.
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And watch the national media fall right in line with this illusion of normalcy that Desantis represents.
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If I were a Democratic campaign strategist for the DCCC, DSCC, or DNC, two elections in particular would shake me in my boots and recognize a major shift in political narrative has to be created and disseminated ASAP.
The first is the gap by which Rubio won. Demings is no slouch, very accomplished, and truly the embodiment of what we hope Americans can become. But as a woman and on top of that Black, she was a twofer target in the undercurrent. And the gap in votes is, to me, a demonstration that focusing on women’s and Black equity and equality will necessary cause a large percentage (6-10% in Florida, I would estimate) in which misogyny and racism–better yet, both!–are issues under the public radar that decide elections. Somehow I got on a text chain targeting Cheri Beasley in NC with incredibly vile, obviously fabricated venom that basically called her a child molesting n-word b-word. I can only imagine the clandestine war going on against Demings.
The other is on Issue Two in Ohio, a vote to which few have paid attention. It passed by more than a 3-to-1 vote, meaning many, many Democrats voted for it. That they would shows their propensity to become part of the Duke Effect. It would scare the hell out of me as a professional working on messaging. This is it:
The proposed amendment would:
• Require that only a citizen of the United States, who is at least 18 years of age and who has been a legal resident and registered voter for at least 30 days, can vote at any state or local election held in this state.
• Prohibit local governments from allowing a person to vote in local elections if they are not legally qualified to vote in state elections.
If passed, the amendment will be effective immediately.
In other words, some of your citizenship rights have effective starting dates that can be arbitrarily decided. Obviously this is targeting college students living in college towns. But more importantly, it creates the precedent to have conditions placed on citizen that have starting and expiration dates–see wiping people who haven’t voted in few elections off the rolls. Citizen is conditional according to local politicians, much like Oz wanted for girls seeking abortions. Bet Alito can’t wait to cite it.
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The increase in the number of the working class Hispanic people voting Republican scares me. All women who vote Republican scare me. Most are aligned with the misogynists in their conservative churches.
When Pence, Barr, Trump, Bannon, Ron Johnson and Di Santis talk about religion, knowing that they have succeeded in making their beliefs into government policy, it scares me to the core. My fears are compounded by the conservative Catholic SCOTUS majority and the number of Democrats who are too frightened to confront weaponized religion.
1,000,000 died of starvation in Ireland during the great hunger- a prospect for the U.S. when social Darwinist clergy and Charles Koch align.
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The fleeting hope is that the Desantis v. Trump mess blows up the GOP. However, this too will keep our minds on other things besides reasonable governance. I suspect Trump will receive at least one indictment by the end of the year. One of two things will happen: The vitriol of his supporters will increase with violence and vengeance, or the Republican Party will show their embrace of Desantis by quietly refusing to back Trump. Either way the real crisis is that Democrats don’t seem to have a convincing response.
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Unfortunately, I think Republican leaders are just looking for any excuse to dump Trump. And even if he isn’t indicted, all his legal troubles are undoubtedly more than reason for Republican leaders. Plus Mitch McConnel certainly has no reason to support Trump at this point.
And DeSantis’ showing in Florida is going to convince them that there’s no downside and considerable upside to doing so.
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Yes, the hell with pollsters and pubdits. As a Californian, however, I am heartbroken for Nancy Pelosi and mortified about Kevin McCarthy. The hard right’s incessant bashing of a wonderful woman inspired a weak minded conspiracy addict to almost kill her husband. McCarthy’s stupidity and hypocrisy will be hard to stomach.
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Agreed. McCarthy is a weakling without principles. His public obsequiousness to Trump showed his lack of spine.
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The MAGA RINO Red Wave Traitor Trump was counting on in his latest attempt to pull off a coup and keep his criminal family empire profitable and alive, and himself out of prison, turned into a few yellow drops, not enough to come even close to the traitor’s infamous “golden shower” based on those alleged Russian “pee tapes” that may explain why the Marmalade Moron stole hundreds of US classified Secrets as he left the White House.
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“Optimist Bumper Stickers”
“Lesser of evils”
“Could have been worse”
On bumpers of peoples
Who travel by hearse
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Down by Deliver
Neil Young had a hearse
And shot it by the river
Democrats rehearse
But seldom do deliver
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I’m afraid there isn’t a Democrat right now that has Neil Young’s chops…
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There is:
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Actually, for a while now…
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CNN concluded that White, college educated women, voters of color and political independents elected Fetterman.
Oz voters were mostly male and White and those without college degrees. Sounds right- it’s the same segment that buys his brand.
CNN also reported that those who value honesty and integrity voted for Fetterman.
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Anyone who would vote for Oz over Fetterman is wearing Emerald colored glasses and smoking opium in a hookah.
It’s simply unbelievable that it was as close as it was.
And then there is Florida where Gaetz beat Jones by 30%. About as dumb as it gaetz.
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And Herschel walker virtually tied with Warnock?
Lard help us all.
What is it about Walker holding a gun to his ex-wife’s head and threatening to kill her that these folks don’t understand?
Or maybe that is just the norm in Georgia?
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Kemp won in Ga by five points. Walker benefitted by people voting the straight ticket. But it’s hard to imagine anyone voting for him.
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The fact that Walker did not win out right means that at least GA is willing to fight for sanity. The other Southern states? Not so much.
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Then again, Walker was a football star, which pretty much excuses everything short of actual murder in America.
What’s a little unnecessary roughness by a football star, right?
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Trump miscalculated Oz’ appeal. The GOP base had been fed the red meat that Muslims are bad (as illustration, the false claim that Obama was Muslim). Expecting a quick 180 degree turn about, by enough in the base to guarantee an Oz win, was foolish.
If Oz had been conservative Catholic or Christian, he would have won, IMO.
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Trump likes celebrities like Oz and Walker and Kari Lake.
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Reportedly, Trump is blaming Melania for the Oz pick.
I agree that Kari Lake and Walker match up with Trump’s branding. I’ll add a non-celebrity and non-politician, Jr.’s girlfriend, Kimberly Guilfoyle, as also brand consistent.
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Democrats do better with the mail-in voters. Regarding all the tight races, time is on our side.
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An awakening in Gen Z doesn’t hurt either. SCOTUS crossed a bridge too far, and they showed up in greater numbers than ever.
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Except for Florida…go figure. And while it looks like No Party Affiliated voters did skew Republican, multitudes of Democrats stayed home.
So many people are coming out of the woodwork on Twitter after the election saying, “That’s what happens when you put a former Republican and a former cop on the top of the Democratic ticket.”
Meanwhile, DeSantis painted Crist as voting 100% with Biden, which is something that Manchin and Sinema can’t even claim for themselves. So, DeSantis definitely saw Crist as a politically changed man.
I don’t get the “former cop” thing. It isn’t like Demings is the cop equivalent of a Democrat ed reformer.
But they’ll be complaining when DeSantis does what DeSantis does over the next four years.
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Honestly, FL, I don’t see why any Democrat would stay home. Women? Gays? Teachers? Blacks?
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I can understand why African Americans might not have wanted to vote.
Intimidation.
DeSantis recently arrested a whole bunch of people for “voting while Black”
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/florida-voting-arrest-videos-desantis-20221020.html
I tell ya, I really hope Trump does have some dirt on DeSantis, as he is now claiming.
I’d like to see a knock down battle between those two.
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I don’t think Ronny boy has ever dealt with anyone like Trump before. He’s ued to bullying women , blacks and other people that he figures won’t fight back — and won’t fight dirty.
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I do think Charlie Crist was too associated with the old guard. I have a sister in FLA who said the options in the primary were no better. The leader of the Lincoln project says the Democratic Party in FLA is a cluster. This is also true in all of the Southern states accept GA. The data over the last few mid-terms shows that many voters in the southeast have simply given up.
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Desantis may be more like Huey Long than any of the wannabe autocrats frequently mentioned (proclaimed by FDR as the most dangerous man in America at the time). He spouts culture war diatribe while giving handouts such as more teacher pay. He’s a smart manipulator with an understanding how to act. I can only hope God steps in and repudiates Desantis chosen status.
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I am very pleased to have been wrong about this election. But the big takeaway, I think, is this: Trump had his tushy handed to him, and DeSantis won big. Anyone with any sense in the Repugnican Party will, therefore, dump Trump as toxic. And that, I’m afraid, clears the way for Trump’s Mini=me, as amoral as he, as Fascist, but a lot smarter.
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Did you see Desantis’ last ad? It simply presents him as God’s chosen. Very Mussolini of him.
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If reps win either or both chambers by just one vote, you will not have been wrong.
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Greg, that’s great. And exactly what I said when you responded negatively to the flop of the red wave. More like a pink dribble.
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Check back with me if we have a Speaker McCarthy or worse.
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It could have been worse. Dems have lost more than 60 seats in prior midterms. I think abortion was crucial in limiting the damage.
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When asked about DeSantis possibly running for President in 2024 Trump just said
“If he runs, he runs.If he did run, I will tell you things about him that won’t be very flattering. I know more about him than anybody other than perhaps his wife, who is really running his campaign.”
Could be interesting.
That may explain why Trump kept at least some of those documents — because they contain information about his potential rivals.
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And anyone who thinks Trump no longer possesses the information after the FBI confiscated the documents has never heard of copy machines and cameras.
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“…at the intersection of far right Christianity and the MAGA movement, ” that’s Rolling Stones (8-22-2022) description of Sean Feucht, a singer and pastor who rallied the crowd at Kari Lake and Mostriano’s events, who often shares a stage with Sen. Hawley and performs at Mar a Lago.
The day before Amy Coney Barrett’s nomination to the Supreme Court, Feucht was leading prayer in front of the Capitol (reportedly, 35,000 in attendance).
Feucht led a protest against the Disney Co. over LGBTQ legislation. He’s anti-abortion.
The website, Word and Way (11-1-2022) wrote about Feucht in an article titled, “Will Christians Sing Praises for Democracy’s Demise.”
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So are facts liberal?
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Liberals are interested in facts.
Republican leaders promote and deliver taking points to their base with the intent to spread divisive fiction that keeps the current ruling class in power.
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In a related story —
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