BS: American Presidential race 2024

Subject: RE: BS: American Presidential race 2024
From: Helen
Date: 23 Jul 24 - 12:08 AM

Unfortunately the vitriol slinging has already started but I suspect she will bat it away fairly confidently, and maybe make some home runs in the process.

Subject: RE: BS: American Presidential race 2024
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 23 Jul 24 - 10:12 AM

It seems the GOP is wondering if they can call up a court case to prevent Biden from handing over the DNC war chest to Harris. Lots of luck with that one, guys. Desperate measures. And if Biden decided to do an end run and step down, giving the Presidency to Harris, all of Trump's "47" merch would suddenly be obsolete. :)

Subject: RE: BS: American Presidential race 2024
From: Helen
Date: 23 Jul 24 - 01:43 PM

I especially like this statement in Kamala Harris's first speech:

Kamala Harris has vowed to go after Republican nominee Donald Trump like the courtroom prosecutor she once was as she made her debut campaign speech.

“'I took on perpetrators of all kinds. Predators who abused women, fraudsters who ripped off consumers, cheaters who broke the rules for their own gain,' she told supporters at Biden’s campaign headquarters in Wilmington, Delaware.

“'So hear me when I say I know Donald Trump’s type. In this campaign, I will proudly, I will proudly put my record against his,' said Harris, who was attorney general of California and a US senator before serving as Biden’s vice president."

(Note: I tried to find it on ABC (Oz) News but I have read so many articles and seen it on TV so it was difficult to track it down.)

Subject: RE: BS: American Presidential race 2024
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 23 Jul 24 - 01:56 PM

Helen, here is Kamala Harris’s full speech in which she declares that ‘I know his type’. I’m impressed so far…

Subject: RE: BS: American Presidential race 2024
From: Helen
Date: 23 Jul 24 - 02:29 PM

Thanks BWM.

Subject: RE: BS: American Presidential race 2024
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 23 Jul 24 - 03:15 PM

Hated all the whooping and hype but loved the speech. She gives me hope for the future. Let's hope she continues. For the first time I am looking forward to watching the next presidential debate.

Subject: RE: BS: American Presidential race 2024
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 23 Jul 24 - 04:34 PM

Whooping and hollering is just what Americans do, Dave - it’s their ‘thang’. ;-)
Me, I just tune out all the noise. So far I’m impressed with Ms Harris. Fingers crossed…

Subject: RE: BS: American Presidential race 2024
From: gillymor
Date: 23 Jul 24 - 04:36 PM

Yeeeeehaaaaaw!!!

Subject: RE: BS: American Presidential race 2024
From: Helen
Date: 23 Jul 24 - 04:50 PM

Behold, an American in the wild, doing his thang, uttering his iconic cry, "Yeeeeehaaaaaw!!!".

We're happy for you, gillymor and Stilly and all of our other US friends who finally might be able to see some light at the end of the tunnel.

I think Kamala Harris's comment about knowing Donald Trump’s type is a call of the wild as well, i.e. "bring it on, (Trump) baby!".

Subject: RE: BS: American Presidential race 2024
From: gillymor
Date: 23 Jul 24 - 05:05 PM

Thank you, Helen. I hope that sounded authentic.

Subject: RE: BS: American Presidential race 2024
From: Helen
Date: 23 Jul 24 - 06:06 PM

Definitely authentic. David Attenborough would be convinced. LOL

Subject: RE: BS: American Presidential race 2024
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 23 Jul 24 - 09:35 PM

That "light" was always at the end of that tunnel. I still say that Joe would have won (and we don't need Dick jumping in and saying I have no evidence - neither does he.) Jumping on the Kamala bus was pushback at the Democrats who were trying to talk Biden out of the race as much as they were supporting her - because as AOC pointed out - many of the moneyed folks were behind the scenes wanting both of them off the ticket. By donating right away and volunteering right away - all of the small money folks were making it clear that Harris had to stay on the ticket.

Subject: RE: BS: American Presidential race 2024
From: Helen
Date: 23 Jul 24 - 11:26 PM

I think the light is a little bit brighter and the end of the tunnel a little bit closer.

I think President Biden deserves a huge amount of credit for soldiering on, and I think he could have succeeded but the Trump baby is a once-in-a-century challenge and Kamala Harris is all charged up to fight, with Biden beside her, not as a running mate but as a strategic advisor with inside knowledge.

And, I think it is ironic that Trump has taken some potshots at Kamala, giving her the nickname Laughing Kamala, saying you can tell a lot about people from their laugh, and it made me think: have I ever seen any footage or photos of Trump laughing? He is so negative, I don't think he even knows how to laugh. Even when he is making snide remarks about other people, he does not laugh.

Subject: RE: BS: American Presidential race 2024
From: The Sandman
Date: 24 Jul 24 - 02:46 AM

Policies are the important thing not personalities.

Subject: RE: BS: American Presidential race 2024
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 24 Jul 24 - 03:27 AM

I wonder if it’s occurred to tRump that there’s now only one old man with declining mental agility and capacity in the Presidential race, and it’s him?

The more I see and hear Kamala Harris, the more impressed I am with her. But, of course, it’s American voters she needs to impress. Hopefully she will score big on the issues of women’s health and gun control. And, of course, we await with interest the debates - intellectually she seems to be on a different level to tRump, let’s hope she can rise above his tactics of dirty looks and insults.

Subject: RE: BS: American Presidential race 2024
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 24 Jul 24 - 12:43 PM

How ironic that the Republicans bill themselves as the "Back the Blue" (ie. support law and order) party, who now have to justify to themselves why they would vote for a literal convicted felon over a literal state prosecutor.

Subject: RE: BS: American Presidential race 2024
From: Helen
Date: 24 Jul 24 - 01:11 PM

Even more ironic, BWM, is that one of the goals of Project 2025 is to dismantle the Dept of Justice. I don't know a lot about that except that this week I watched a two-part documentary on Oz ABC TV in which different people around Trump were interviewed. One of them talked about the intention of re-working the DOJ to their own advantage if Trump gets back into the White House.

Four Corners: Retribution (Parts 1 & 2)

Subject: RE: BS: American Presidential race 2024
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 24 Jul 24 - 02:00 PM

They're also using Agenda 47 to describe that nefarious plan.

Subject: RE: BS: American Presidential race 2024
From: robomatic
Date: 24 Jul 24 - 02:21 PM

When Kamala was in the nomination race against Biden (and others) I was not impressed. Primarily because of her lack of presence, according to me. I felt that I had not given her a chance, and when she ran with Joe Biden I was okay with that, but her presence as a speaker, her mannerisms under questioning, did not grow on me. I suspect I'm not alone in that feeling, and I hope that she has gone to work on her 'aspect' a la Margaret Thatcher. I was all for Joe right up to his dropping out, because there is an American saying dating back to Abraham Lincoln's second run for President with the Civil War still raging: "Don't change horses in midstream."
So amidst the gladsome tidings of her comparative youth her legal experience, her minority status, her supposed ability in a debate, the Democratic Party took a hit when Biden dropped out. I'm not saying it didn't have to go this way, but we are on untrodden ground here.

Having said all that, I also strongly feel that what we are experiencing, political stomach butterflies and all, is an actual case of DEMOCRACY WORKING. This is what happens with the perversity and unpredictability of the human animal straining at the restraints. Our institutions are holding together remarkably well. And our luck has held out as well, in the lack of violence, and the good luck in not losing a candidate due to the random act of violence of last week.

Subject: RE: BS: American Presidential race 2024
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 24 Jul 24 - 02:53 PM

Look what charisma will buy you - someone like Trump whose bad behavior keeps all of the cameras pointed at him. I'd settle for staid or boring if the next leader will get the job done without breaking the law and restore our rights.

Subject: RE: BS: American Presidential race 2024
From: Neil D
Date: 24 Jul 24 - 11:11 PM

I just watched Biden's speech where he officially bowed out of the race. I must admit to having an unexpected emotional reaction. I felt like I was witnessing the passage of one of our last great statesmen.
But, moving on. What does anyone think about Andy Beshear as running mate for Harris. He's a 2-term Democratic governor in a deep red state, so he has shown he can win Republican and Independent votes.

Subject: RE: BS: American Presidential race 2024
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 24 Jul 24 - 11:14 PM

Every pundit has their favorite on that short list, and they all have compelling reasons. We shall see soon, but they're keeping the cards very close to the vest.

Subject: RE: BS: American Presidential race 2024
From: robomatic
Date: 25 Jul 24 - 12:38 AM

This is where the Democratic political players can show their stuff. The 'bullpen' (if there is a better term for this, i.e. more illustrative/ conclusive, don't hesitate to weigh in here). I'm thinking that there is a possibility that TRMP and his limited brainiacs, in other words, his family and acolytes, pulled a boner with picking Vance. Savvy Dem politicos who can weigh ability, personality, state of origin, etc. etc. may turn out to be as useful as they were traditionally.

Now I'm bringing back gto memory some of the great though dated songs from a Broadway Musical of the 60s celebrating the career of Fiorello LaGuardia, one of the great politicians of New York (and a Republican). The musical, called Fiorello!, starred Tom Bosley, who could sing! He may be remembered by some of the folks who liked the long running series: "Happy Days." Anyway, the musical is a revisit to old days of smoke filled rooms, back room deals, and those are the good guys ("Politics and Poker"). And the corrupt bastards ("A LIttle Tin Box") are remembered, too.

Those days are gone, sort of. The human motivations that underlie our decisions are not.

Subject: RE: BS: American Presidential race 2024
From: The Sandman
Date: 25 Jul 24 - 01:59 AM

Policies, quote from Vox
Trump, by contrast, has promised to quickly end the war in Ukraine — a pledge celebrated on placards waved in Milwaukee — most likely by pressuring Kyiv to negotiate away territory to Moscow. He is also a longtime skeptic of European security alliances, including NATO, and recently suggested Taiwan should “pay us for defense” against an invasion by China, which sent the stock price of the island’s vital semiconductor manufacturers falling. Vance, Trump’s new running mate, is one of Congress’s leading skeptics of efforts to defend the “liberal international order,” particularly when it comes to the war in Ukraine.

Subject: RE: BS: American Presidential race 2024
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 25 Jul 24 - 12:20 PM

Just spotted in a FarceBook post, made me larrff…

”The American approach to healthcare can be pretty shocking, but the new policy that obliges people with mental health issues to warn others of their condition by wearing a conspicuous white bandage on their ear seems downright sinister.”

I do like a bit of humour in political discussions…

Subject: RE: BS: American Presidential race 2024
From: Neil D
Date: 26 Jul 24 - 03:15 PM

Very funny Backwoodsman.
Meaning to ask, are you related to the Woodsman that saved Red Riding Hood from the Wolf?

Subject: RE: BS: American Presidential race 2024
From: Helen
Date: 26 Jul 24 - 04:57 PM

Or is he the Woodsman who lives out the Back and kept her hostage in the first place? Hmm?!! Maybe he hid the white bandage by wearing a wolf costume. The plot plickens. LOL

Subject: RE: BS: American Presidential race 2024
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 26 Jul 24 - 05:48 PM

Neither of them!

Subject: RE: BS: American Presidential race 2024
From: Helen
Date: 26 Jul 24 - 06:25 PM

And now, back to the topic of discussion, I guess. :-D

Subject: RE: BS: American Presidential race 2024
From: The Sandman
Date: 27 Jul 24 - 04:26 AM

he is from lincolnshire[ the uk backwoods] and gave himself that name because the Borchester Echo rip,described him thus.
Boston linclonshire, like Clacton is a stronghold of Farage supporters
BACKWOODSMAN is an exception

Subject: RE: BS: American Presidential race 2024
From: Helen
Date: 27 Jul 24 - 05:01 AM

It's all right, Dick. We know he is a "good bloke" (the highest accolade any Aussie can bestow on any man)! LOL

Subject: RE: BS: American Presidential race 2024
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 27 Jul 24 - 06:12 AM

I’m still here… ;-)

Subject: RE: BS: American Presidential race 2024
From: Helen
Date: 27 Jul 24 - 07:02 AM

But enough about you, let's talk about Pelosi instead. This article raises some interesting ideas about Nancy Pelosi's likely role in convincing Joe Biden to rethink his position on his Presidential campaign:

How one of the most powerful women in America helped put Kamala Harris on the Democratic ticket

"In the three weeks between US President Joe Biden's disastrous debate and his decision to step away from the 2024 ticket, one woman emerged as the key driver of efforts to push the Democratic Party towards a historic decision.

"Nancy Pelosi, a former house speaker and party elder, has been a colleague and ally of Joe Biden for more than three decades.

"'Their strong friendship is rooted in a shared dedication to public service, and devotion to their families and their faith,' Biden spokesman TJ Ducklo told the Washington Post in 2021.

"But while they may share common values and mutual respect, the two influential Democratic figures recently found themselves at odds over the 2024 presidential race — and who should be at the top of the ticket."

...

It seems to me that Ms Pelosi diplomatically navigated a difficult situation for the good of the country.

And my take on Kamala Harris running against Trump is that he is likely to underestimate her at his own peril.

Subject: RE: BS: American Presidential race 2024
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 27 Jul 24 - 08:45 AM

I see Trump is chickening out of debates with Harris. What a surpise. Of course he is saying it is because he doesn't like ABC, because the Democrats may change their mind and because Harris is a Marxist fraud. Just shows how scared he is now running to my mind and, hopefully, to the electorate of the US.

Subject: RE: BS: American Presidential race 2024
From: Neil D
Date: 27 Jul 24 - 09:13 AM

I always liked Nancy, and the more the Repubs tried to vilify her the more I liked her. One of the most effective Speakers of the House ever. I'm sure there were other party leaders also encouraging Uncle Joe to make one last sacrifice for the party, and country.
Now, speaking of running mates, I've been seeing a lot of buzz about Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro. As a popular leader of one of a handful of key swing states. Important enough that if Shapiro can guarantee a Democrat win in that state, that alone could seal the deal. Also, Shapiro on the ticket could help to counter one Republican strategy, that of trying to label Democrats as anti-semitic.

Subject: RE: BS: American Presidential race 2024
From: Helen
Date: 27 Jul 24 - 01:04 PM

Neil D, the article about Pelosi speculated that she was the contact point for many of the others, was gauging the support or not for Joe Biden continuing in the race, and then she put forward the case diplomatically when the time was right.

Subject: RE: BS: American Presidential race 2024
From: Neil D
Date: 27 Jul 24 - 07:28 PM

Helen, I consider Ms Pelosi to be another of the last great statesmen (statewoman, statesperson?} in our government. It's a shame the way the other side demonized her, but she never ran from conflict. I loved her sarcastic clapping at Trump at his State-of-the Union address and the way she tore up his talking points handout on camera. And during a national security meeting she pointed her finger right in Trump's face and said "It's always about Putin with you."

Subject: RE: BS: American Presidential race 2024
From: Helen
Date: 27 Jul 24 - 07:40 PM

Yes, she's a hero! :-)

Subject: RE: BS: American Presidential race 2024
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 27 Jul 24 - 11:59 PM

Remarks about the religious folks not having to vote in four years if they vote for him now. His remarks are downright vile.

Speech at Turning Point, some kind of ultra religious conference or organization. Summarized as "Vote, just this time. Four more years, it'll be fixed, it'll be fine. You won't have to do it any more."

Subject: RE: BS: American Presidential race 2024
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 28 Jul 24 - 02:51 AM

Can you do a non Instagram link?

Subject: RE: BS: American Presidential race 2024
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 28 Jul 24 - 04:09 AM

It's OK. I found one. If this doesn't ring alarm bells with everyone, there is something seriously wrong with them!

Subject: RE: BS: American Presidential race 2024
From: Helen
Date: 28 Jul 24 - 05:08 AM

I was just watching a 2006 re-run episode of Mythbusters and they were checking myths about flatulence, and in one scene Adam Savage referred to a f@rt as a "trump". I've never heard that term before to describe what they were politely referring to as "flatus". I'm assuming it could be a short form of the word "trumpet" but in the context of the current Presidential race, that's funny!! :-D

Subject: RE: BS: American Presidential race 2024
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 28 Jul 24 - 05:14 AM

‘Trump’ is in common use in the UK meaning ‘fart’, particularly amongst children as it’s regarded as the less-rude of the two words. I’ve always thought it’s probably a shortened version of ‘trumpet’.

Subject: RE: BS: American Presidential race 2024
From: Helen
Date: 28 Jul 24 - 06:08 AM

Or maybe the short form of "Donald Trump"!

Subject: RE: BS: American Presidential race 2024
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 28 Jul 24 - 06:18 AM

LOL! Yep, definitely that (or, as he’s known in our house, ‘Tee-Rump’)! :-)

Subject: RE: BS: American Presidential race 2024
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 28 Jul 24 - 10:21 AM

Dave, I tracked that back to the shortest link I could find, but sometimes it's a case of hunting in your part of the world for a working link. I post links to non-paywall news places more now (I subscribe to several but they only give a few free articles a month) to try to reach the wider world of our English speaking readers, but what companies allow to go where is a puzzle.

But as you say, "alarm bells" - that casual statement that his xtian audience won't need to vote again once he's in office should scare the bejeezus out of people! There is no ambiguity in the parts that he now says out loud.

Subject: RE: BS: American Presidential race 2024
From: MaJoC the Filk
Date: 28 Jul 24 - 10:39 AM

One of my first thoughts, on hearing of the shoot-and-miss, was: "That'll push him right over the edge." Sadly, it would appear I was correct. Morituri te salutant.

Subject: RE: BS: American Presidential race 2024
From: Helen
Date: 28 Jul 24 - 12:29 PM

Stilly, I didn't understand what you said earlier, "Remarks about the religious folks not having to vote in four years if they vote for him now" but I get it now. He is saying he will be a dictator. Does he really think he can overturn the whole of the US democratic system?

The polling so far is encouraging.

Subject: RE: BS: American Presidential race 2024
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 28 Jul 24 - 12:39 PM

I just watched the full 65 minutes of Trump’s speech on the Times & Sunday Times YouTube video. One of the scariest, if not the scariest, things I’ve ever seen and heard - a nut-job pretending to be a ‘Christian’ gas-lighting and dog-whistling a bunch of ‘Christian’ nut-jobs. His name-calling and personal insults are truly childish, and his comment that, after four years, it would be fixed so they won’t have to vote any more can surely mean only one thing - he means to turn the US into a dictatorship (if I’m misunderstanding, please feel free to correct me).

I’m always surprised that followers of the teachings of Jesus Christ are so often also holders of Conservative beliefs and principles, but how any genuine Christian can support him - one of the least Christian, most disreputable, public figures I can imagine - is a complete mystery to me.

Subject: RE: BS: American Presidential race 2024
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 28 Jul 24 - 12:40 PM

Apologies Helen, I guess we cross-posted.