Re: tOfficial 2018 Midterm Election Thread..

[Robert J Sakimano]

in a related story, I'm certain that his popularity spikes after using a swastika in his campaign ad.

[Robert J Sakimano]

Don't expect a big Democratic wave this fall, a new CNBC poll says.

Caution: Mainstream Media Link

[kingstonlake]

Just curious because this crossed my mind. I don't vote along party lines. Never have. But my frustration has pushed me to voting straight Dem ticket. This means I'm voting in races I normally wouldn't. Are there more people like me on the Dem side doing this? I assume straight ticket is more popular among narrow minded Christian's and conservatives. My experience is that independent and Dem voters tend to be more open minded and cross party lines. Will an increase in straight Dem tickets have a bigger effect this election cycle?

[Cameron]

Just curious because this crossed my mind. I don't vote along party lines. Never have. But my frustration has pushed me to voting straight Dem ticket. This means I'm voting in races I normally wouldn't. Are there more people like me on the Dem side doing this? I assume straight ticket is more popular among narrow minded Christian's and conservatives. My experience is that independent and Dem voters tend to be more open minded and cross party lines. Will an increase in straight Dem tickets have a bigger effect this election cycle?

I'm no fan of the democrats, but I'm strongly considering straight ticket.

[steveschneider]

Just curious because this crossed my mind. I don't vote along party lines. Never have. But my frustration has pushed me to voting straight Dem ticket. This means I'm voting in races I normally wouldn't. Are there more people like me on the Dem side doing this? I assume straight ticket is more popular among narrow minded Christian's and conservatives. My experience is that independent and Dem voters tend to be more open minded and cross party lines. Will an increase in straight Dem tickets have a bigger effect this election cycle?

I'm no fan of the democrats, but I'm strongly considering straight ticket.

I want over sight for Trump. It's not going to come from the media, his party or his supporters. The only solution that makes sense to me is voting his party out.

[Robert J Sakimano]

Just curious because this crossed my mind. I don't vote along party lines. Never have. But my frustration has pushed me to voting straight Dem ticket. This means I'm voting in races I normally wouldn't. Are there more people like me on the Dem side doing this? I assume straight ticket is more popular among narrow minded Christian's and conservatives. My experience is that independent and Dem voters tend to be more open minded and cross party lines. Will an increase in straight Dem tickets have a bigger effect this election cycle?

conventional wisdom typically suggests that "undecided" voters eventually side with the party that is out of power. I'm not certain if that will apply to this election cycle or not. America (and Americans) are very stupid, easily duped and totally disengaged with most things that offer a substantial degree of impact on their lives.

so, we'll see - I agree with Steve that I think politicians, in general, need oversight. I'm not sure it's healthy to have either party in total control of the government. This is even more profound in reference to the current immoral and unethical subhumans that occupy the modern GOP.

[steveschneider]

Just curious because this crossed my mind. I don't vote along party lines. Never have. But my frustration has pushed me to voting straight Dem ticket. This means I'm voting in races I normally wouldn't. Are there more people like me on the Dem side doing this? I assume straight ticket is more popular among narrow minded Christian's and conservatives. My experience is that independent and Dem voters tend to be more open minded and cross party lines. Will an increase in straight Dem tickets have a bigger effect this election cycle?

conventional wisdom typically suggests that "undecided" voters eventually side with the party that is out of power. I'm not certain if that will apply to this election cycle or not. America (and Americans) are very stupid, easily duped and totally disengaged with most things that offer a substantial degree of impact on their lives.

so, we'll see - I agree with Steve that I think politicians, in general, need oversight. I'm not sure it's healthy to have either party in total control of the government. This is even more profound in reference to the current immoral and unethical subhumans that occupy the modern GOP.

There's nothing holding Trump accountable right now. I buy into the Steve Schmidt argument that this is the most important election in our lives and if we don't deliver the blue wave we are going to be living in Trumpistan. He will be more emboldened, carry his agenda further and we will be worse off if there isn't a repudiation on his behavior.

Honestly all I want is to go back to normal and get back to where I don't give a shit anymore about politics. Maybe after 2018 and 2020 we can get back to that.

[Robert J Sakimano]

Good news for Democrats is that Whitmer seems to be holding well in Michigan.

[InTenSity]

I'm voting straight Dem this time. A lot of times I've voted Republican in some of the local races. Not this year.

[Robert J Sakimano]

I hear ya InTenSity - I've voted republican plenty of times but certainly not since they became the party of hate, racism and sexual assault.

[Floyd Robertson]

I'm voting straight Dem this time. A lot of times I've voted Republican in some of the local races. Not this year.

I think that last Dem I voted for was Blanchard for governor.

F the elephants this time around. Every single one of them. Unless they publicly denounce that asshole in the White House. So, again, F every single one of them.

[Robert J Sakimano]

Beto is still polling 5-7 points behind Lyin' Ted.

to me, this race illustrates "tribalism" perfectly - you have a bright, energetic moderate able to harness Obama-like energy.. and then there is Ted Cruz - someone that even prominent Republicans openly have disgust for.. he's bought and paid for by PAC's, nobody likes him (even his own children).. and yet, Texans are drinking the GOP Kool-Aid.

bizarre - I mean, I get it - I know why they're supporting him.. but it simply illustrates how strange the world of politics has become.

[steveschneider]

Beto is still polling 5-7 points behind Lyin' Ted.

to me, this race illustrates "tribalism" perfectly - you have a bright, energetic moderate able to harness Obama-like energy.. and then there is Ted Cruz - someone that even prominent Republicans openly have disgust for.. he's bought and paid for by PAC's, nobody likes him (even his own children).. and yet, Texans are drinking the GOP Kool-Aid.

bizarre - I mean, I get it - I know why they're supporting him.. but it simply illustrates how strange the world of politics has become.

I think it's because even though we think of a lot of people as knuckle draggers, we have to give credit where credit is due.

They vote to win, and keep their eye on the prize. I have so many dem friends that won't vote for certain liberal candidates because they are imperfect but the people on the right don't have that same problem.

[Robert J Sakimano]

Beto is still polling 5-7 points behind Lyin' Ted.

to me, this race illustrates "tribalism" perfectly - you have a bright, energetic moderate able to harness Obama-like energy.. and then there is Ted Cruz - someone that even prominent Republicans openly have disgust for.. he's bought and paid for by PAC's, nobody likes him (even his own children).. and yet, Texans are drinking the GOP Kool-Aid.

bizarre - I mean, I get it - I know why they're supporting him.. but it simply illustrates how strange the world of politics has become.

I think it's because even though we think of a lot of people as knuckle draggers, we have to give credit where credit is due.

They vote to win, and keep their eye on the prize. I have so many dem friends that won't vote for certain liberal candidates because they are imperfect but the people on the right don't have that same problem.

I agree with you - I've said similar things here. From my experience, Democrats have a sense of "right and wrong" - I think they view America as a work in progress, something that can always be better if we're willing to be inspired and led by the right people.

Republicans tend to want to regress back in history, back in time - and that's what folks like Cruz represents to them. America will likely (maybe I'm overly optimistic) have a better chance at truly being the "land of the free, home of the brave" as the older "back in the good 'ol days" generation begins dying off.

[steveschneider]

I think it's because even though we think of a lot of people as knuckle draggers, we have to give credit where credit is due.

They vote to win, and keep their eye on the prize. I have so many dem friends that won't vote for certain liberal candidates because they are imperfect but the people on the right don't have that same problem.

I agree with you - I've said similar things here. From my experience, Democrats have a sense of "right and wrong" - I think they view America as a work in progress, something that can always be better if we're willing to be inspired and led by the right people.

Republicans tend to want to regress back in history, back in time - and that's what folks like Cruz represents to them. America will likely (maybe I'm overly optimistic) have a better chance at truly being the "land of the free, home of the brave" as the older "back in the good 'ol days" generation begins dying off.

Yeah, a recent example that comes to mind one of my friends doesn't like Kamal Harris because of some death row inmate in California. I'm not that familiar with the story but turns out there is a good chance he's innocent and she wouldn't allow advanced DNA testing when she was AG of the state that would confirm if he's innocent or guilty. I get why that would bother him, but I wouldn't let that get in the way of voting between her and Trump if she ends up being the candidate.

[steveschneider]

https://twitter.com/funder/status/1052409521694527488

Hit it out of the park. Sorry, I don’t know how to embed tweets.

[Rocinante]

Polls that say they have anything less than a 10% margin of error (and usually should have a lot more) are bullshit. There are too many variables that can't be accounted for without radical changes to the way polls are conducted.

[Rocinante]

[tw]1052409521694527488[/tw]

Hit it out of the park. Sorry, I don’t know how to embed tweets.

[*tw] .......the number at the end of your link........  [*/tw] without the *

don't be lazy, steve.

[steveschneider]

[tw]1051260281127456768[/tw]

[steveschneider]

Thanks, Rocinate. I did the full link before and it didn't work. Didn't realize it was just the number.

[Robert J Sakimano]

Polls that say they have anything less than a 10% margin of error (and usually should have a lot more) are bullshit. There are too many variables that can't be accounted for without radical changes to the way polls are conducted.

they'll start to tighten up in the next 10-14 days. It's insane, to me, that anyone with any shred of human decency could vote for anything other than straight Dem ticket at this point.

I keep an eye on Real Clear Politics and 538. Not so much to invest any faith or belief in, but just to see if I can get a sense of any trends. Knowing, too, that they are likely wildly inaccurate and potentially skewed for nefarious purposes.

[Rocinante]

Thanks, Rocinate. I did the full link before and it didn't work. Didn't realize it was just the number.

You're welcome, Steven.

[steveschneider]

Polls that say they have anything less than a 10% margin of error (and usually should have a lot more) are bullshit. There are too many variables that can't be accounted for without radical changes to the way polls are conducted.

they'll start to tighten up in the next 10-14 days. It's insane, to me, that anyone with any shred of human decency could vote for anything other than straight Dem ticket at this point.

I keep an eye on Real Clear Politics and 538. Not so much to invest any faith or belief in, but just to see if I can get a sense of any trends. Knowing, too, that they are likely wildly inaccurate and potentially skewed for nefarious purposes.

I made up my mind to vote straight ticket dem day one when Sean Spicer stood at the press podium and screamed at the press and lied about the inauguration crowd size. Maybe it's just me but that just seemed so third world dictator to me.

[Robert J Sakimano]

they'll start to tighten up in the next 10-14 days. It's insane, to me, that anyone with any shred of human decency could vote for anything other than straight Dem ticket at this point.

I keep an eye on Real Clear Politics and 538. Not so much to invest any faith or belief in, but just to see if I can get a sense of any trends. Knowing, too, that they are likely wildly inaccurate and potentially skewed for nefarious purposes.

I made up my mind to vote straight ticket dem day one when Sean Spicer stood at the press podium and screamed at the press and lied about the inauguration crowd size. Maybe it's just me but that just seemed so third world dictator to me.

yep - when someone openly lies about things that don't matter, you have to believe they're lying about things that do matter.

[InTenSity]

It's insane, to me, that anyone with any shred of human decency could vote for anything other than straight Dem ticket at this point.

You should see how the 'right' is talking about anyone thinking about voting in a Dem. Hell I'm not sure if you guys are getting the same commercials, but basically Dems here in FL are being linked with terrorist whether its true or not.
You could probably end up straight ticket, if you decided to vote for anyone that a commercial tells you is going to destroy the world, and buddies up with terrorists. Its BS fear tactics, but it works well.

[Robert J Sakimano]

It's insane, to me, that anyone with any shred of human decency could vote for anything other than straight Dem ticket at this point.

You should see how the 'right' is talking about anyone thinking about voting in a Dem. Hell I'm not sure if you guys are getting the same commercials, but basically Dems here in FL are being linked with terrorist whether its true or not.
You could probably end up straight ticket, if you decided to vote for anyone that a commercial tells you is going to destroy the world, and buddies up with terrorists. Its BS fear tactics, but it works well.

I've said it over and over on here - hate, fear, anger, racism, etc - are all very strong attributes that appeal to that most raw of human instincts.

love, compassion, hope, the concept of a shared sacrifice for the greater good - gonna have to work hard to promote those ideas in your favor.

[Robert J Sakimano]

in a shock to nobody, word of widespread GOP-motivated actions designed to disenfranchise voters in Georgia, North Dakota and North Carolina.

never trust a political party that does everything under the sun to make it harder for Americans to vote.

[MiamiSpartan]

I'm no fan of the democrats, but I'm strongly considering straight ticket.

I want over sight for Trump. It's not going to come from the media, his party or his supporters. The only solution that makes sense to me is voting his party out.

Yeah, this is pretty much my motivation. I mean, generally speaking, I'm a big supporter of gridlock, and vote against whichever party is in the White House (some exceptions if I feel strongly for or against a certain candidate). With Trump, this is even more important.

[Dr. Strangelove]

The less people that vote the better.

[MiamiSpartan]

in a shock to nobody, word of widespread GOP-motivated actions designed to disenfranchise voters in Georgia, North Dakota and North Carolina.

never trust a political party that does everything under the sun to make it harder for Americans to vote.

Wait, Bob, haven't you called for an intelligence test in order to be able to vote?

[Robert J Sakimano]

Yeah - I have.

Stupid people tend to be the ones most likely to vote.

Mainly because they really have nothing else to do. So, let's make it easier to vote (end the racist voter ID laws, gerrymandering, stop closing precincts in cities and college campuses) and you're likely to get a more educated electorate.

But lazy people will be lazy. It's unfortunate, though, when the people who make the rules deliberately set out to disenfranchise people.

So, yes - encourage an educated, informed population. Not a bunch of ignorant knuckle-draggers. You have to take a test to drive a car. I have no problem asking voters to be able to recite the alphabet.

[MiamiSpartan]

Bob, that has to be the most hypocritical post I've ever read. Blasting the deliberate disenfranchisement of people while simultaneously calling for the deliberate disenfranchisement of people...many of which would be the same people. Especially when your plan would disproportionately disenfranchise minorities, the working class, etc. Isn't what you're advocating incredibly racist?

[Rocinante]

There’s no constitutional right for every adult citizen to drive a car. That said, republicans have been disenfranchising eligible voters for decades. It’s second nature to them.

[Robert J Sakimano]

There’s no constitutional right for every adult citizen to drive a car.

there's nothing in the Constitution that forces someone to prevent an ID before exercising their right to vote, either.

That said, republicans have been disenfranchising eligible voters for decades. It’s second nature to them.

oh, I know - I just like pointing it out.

[Robert J Sakimano]

Bob, that has to be the most hypocritical post I've ever read.

thanks, man.  

Blasting the deliberate disenfranchisement of people while simultaneously calling for the deliberate disenfranchisement of people...many of which would be the same people.   Especially when your plan would disproportionately disenfranchise minorities, the working class, etc.  Isn't what you're advocating incredibly racist?

no, I don't think having a desire for someone to demonstrate a fundamental level of cognitive functioning (reciting the alphabet, counting to ten, etc) prior to voting is racist.

if you do, that's cool. We all have our things.

(for the record, I realize that this is never going to occur. The very people who benefit from an ignorant electorate are the only ones who could do something about it - it's just sort of a wish of mine)

[MiamiSpartan]

Bob, that has to be the most hypocritical post I've ever read.

thanks, man.  

Blasting the deliberate disenfranchisement of people while simultaneously calling for the deliberate disenfranchisement of people...many of which would be the same people.   Especially when your plan would disproportionately disenfranchise minorities, the working class, etc.  Isn't what you're advocating incredibly racist?

no, I don't think having a desire for someone to demonstrate a fundamental level of cognitive functioning (reciting the alphabet, counting to ten, etc) prior to voting is racist.

if you do, that's cool. We all have our things.

(for the record, I realize that this is never going to occur. The very people who benefit from an ignorant electorate are the only ones who could do something about it - it's just sort of a wish of mine)

Ok, so that's all you're asking for? Reciting the alphabet and counting to 10? Funny, I seem to recall you saying that they should demonstrate a lot more knowledge than that. Like the kind of knowledge you learn after pre-K. But if you're changing that now, it's good that you've learned how ridiculous it is to demonstrate civics knowledge or point out where a given state is on a map. Just don't fall on your butt with all of the backtracking.

So the alphabet and counting to 10. That's your requirement. That's kind of silly to suggest, as it wouldn't cull the voter lists, no matter how little you think of Trump supporters. And, if anything, it would cull some illiterate people, which would disproportionately affect minorities, thus coming back to institutional racism.

[steveschneider]

Bob what makes you think the outcome would be any better if it were just 'smart' people voting. Koch Bros MIT grads, Trump/Kavanaugh Ivy League Grads, Shane Spencer Duke Grad, Stephen Miller Duke Grad, Steve Bannon Harvard, Bill O'Reilly Harvard.....

[Rocinante]

This is such a stupid line of argument. Shut up guys.

[steveschneider]

This is such a stupid line of argument. Shut up guys.

I say the more the merrier.

[MiamiSpartan]

This is such a stupid line of argument. Shut up guys.

How dare anyone engage in discussion on a message board. The nerve!

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