Campaign 2016 Part XI: the Two Party Problem

[Rover]

Re: Campaign 2016 Part XI: the Two Party Problem

It's a shame H.L. Mencken isn't alive to cover this campaign (apart from that whole racist/anti-semitic thing.) He probably wouldn't be a huge fan of Obama or Bernie Sanders. He'd probably have some misogynistic zingers for Hilary too.

Come to think of it, his commentary would probably fit right into this campaign, warts and all.

He'd be Donald Trump essentially. Not sure we need more of that...

[FadeToBlack&Gold]

Re: Campaign 2016 Part XI: the Two Party Problem

Party Mandate: After the midterm elections, the incumbent party holds more seats in the U.S. House of Representatives than after the previous midterm elections - FALSE, of course.

Contest: There is no serious contest for the incumbent party nomination - FALSE, but Bernie's going to be a distant memory in another couple of months

Incumbency: The incumbent party candidate is the sitting president - FALSE, obviously

Third party: There is no significant third party or independent campaign - TBD, but probably not

Short term economy: The economy is not in recession during the election campaign - TRUE, but see below

Long term economy: Real per capita economic growth during the term equals or exceeds mean growth during the previous two terms - TECHNICALLY TRUE, but I'll bet Billy Jo Schlob who was forced into early retirement at 52, and Tyler McArtsy Fartsy still working the Mickey D's counter five years out of college, sure as hell don't think so.

Policy change: The incumbent administration effects major changes in national policy - TRUE

Social unrest: There is no sustained social unrest during the term - PROBABLY TRUE, depends on your definition of "unrest".

Scandal: The incumbent administration is untainted by major scandal - DEPENDS, on whether you lean left or right

Foreign/military failure: The incumbent administration suffers no major failure in foreign or military affairs - TBD, but probably not

Foreign/military success: The incumbent administration achieves a major success in foreign or military affairs FALSE, the jury is still out on the long-term positive and negative consequences of Obama's foreign policy moves.

Incumbent charisma: The incumbent party candidate is charismatic or a national hero - FALSE, Hillary has the charisma of a wet paper bag.

Challenger charisma: The challenging party candidate is not charismatic or a national hero - DEPENDS, on your IQ score.

Nothing's black and white. Those would be my responses.

[Kepler]

Re: Campaign 2016 Part XI: the Two Party Problem

It's a shame H.L. Mencken isn't alive to cover this campaign (apart from that whole racist/anti-semitic thing.) He probably wouldn't be a huge fan of Obama or Bernie Sanders. He'd probably have some misogynistic zingers for Hilary too.

Come to think of it, his commentary would probably fit right into this campaign, warts and all.

The worst thing Mencken would call Hillary would be "Episcopalian."

I've been reading a lot of Mencken's literary criticism lately. Everybody remembers him for his political stingers, but he was a genuinely gifted critic. He just needed a hug and maybe some Prep H.

It's too bad that he was so good at snark, because when he truly wanted to take somebody apart -- when he thought they were in some way honestly dangerous -- it was brief, subtle, without fireworks, and with no way back. Utter destruction. He could do more with a paragraph that most writers could with a book.

[joecct]

It's a shame H.L. Mencken isn't alive to cover this campaign (apart from that whole racist/anti-semitic thing.) He probably wouldn't be a huge fan of Obama or Bernie Sanders. He'd probably have some misogynistic zingers for Hilary too.

Come to think of it, his commentary would probably fit right into this campaign, warts and all.

I have it on good authority that Mr. Mencken is still registered to vote in Baltimore City.

[DisplacedCornellian]

Re: Campaign 2016 Part XI: the Two Party Problem

It's a shame H.L. Mencken isn't alive to cover this campaign (apart from that whole racist/anti-semitic thing.) He probably wouldn't be a huge fan of Obama or Bernie Sanders. He'd probably have some misogynistic zingers for Hilary too.

Come to think of it, his commentary would probably fit right into this campaign, warts and all.

[Rover]

Re: Campaign 2016 Part XI: the Two Party Problem

Remember when I suggested Bernie should condemn the threats made against chairwoman Lang?

Tell that to Bernie then. My issue isn't with him encouraging bad behavior because that isn't on him. My issue is his personal silence and the weak response from his campaign.

[rufus]

Re: Campaign 2016 Part XI: the Two Party Problem

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/17/us...=top-news&_r=0

These are your heroes. Own it or disavow it. There's no in between.

A bunch of dumbass young people ain't my heroes. Get over yourself.

[rufus]

Re: Campaign 2016 Part XI: the Two Party Problem

I actually read Trump's response as saying the reason Obama is a bad president is his ignorance. Which is, I know, ridiculous, but not in the same way as interpreting him as embracing ignorance.

Yeah, that's how I read it. Obama may be many things, you could say he's somewhat politically naive(in a good way, meaning, he can't understand why something that seems like it would be beneficial on the whole, could be opposed by the other party and members of the public), but ignorant ain't one of them.

[Kepler]

Re: Campaign 2016 Part XI: the Two Party Problem

Q. Why are there no threats from Clinton supporters?
A. http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2564/...d14cf3fa46.jpg

[St. Clown]

Re: Campaign 2016 Part XI: the Two Party Problem

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/17/us...=top-news&_r=0

These are your heroes. Own it or disavow it. There's no in between.

"You either stand with us or with the terrorists." Sounds similar.

[GrinCDXX]

Re: Campaign 2016 Part XI: the Two Party Problem

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/17/us...=top-news&_r=0

These are your heroes. Own it or disavow it. There's no in between.

Remember when I suggested Bernie should condemn the threats made against chairwoman Lang?

[Rover]

Re: Campaign 2016 Part XI: the Two Party Problem

Yeah, because that's what I said My god, you are insufferable.

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/17/us...=top-news&_r=0

These are your heroes. Own it or disavow it. There's no in between.

[GrinCDXX]

Re: Campaign 2016 Part XI: the Two Party Problem

Lets run with your conspiracy theory even though you've shown no actual proof! Lets say the woman applied the caucus rules wrong, and cost Sanders 4 delegates. In your mind, this deserves death threats and threats to family members including children? Yeah....

Yeah, because that's what I said My god, you are insufferable.

[Rover]

Re: Campaign 2016 Part XI: the Two Party Problem

My understanding is that what she is accused of doing, is conducting a vote as follows: "All those in favor?...(waits for response)...Allthoseoppsed?theayeshaveit" If that's what really happened, that's more than a "caucus rule dispute"--it's taking a big steaming dump on democratic principles.

Lets run with your conspiracy theory even though you've shown no actual proof! Lets say the woman applied the caucus rules wrong, and cost Sanders 4 delegates. In your mind, this deserves death threats and threats to family members including children? Yeah....

[GrinCDXX]

Re: Campaign 2016 Part XI: the Two Party Problem

No, because by doing so you treat death threats equally with caucus rule disputes, which only an idiot would consider to be of equal magnitude. Besides I haven't read anything from a neutral observer who said the woman did anything wrong. If you aren't a registered Dem you can't participate in the party gathering.

My understanding is that what she is accused of doing is conducting a vote as follows: "All those in favor?...(waits for response)...Allthoseopposed?theayeshaveit" If that's what really happened, that's more than a "caucus rule dispute"--it's taking a big steaming dump on democratic principles.