The Downfall of the Democratic Party?
The Washington Post released a poll the other day with an unsurprising headline: Poll: Trump’s performance lags behind even tepid public expectations
Approaching the first anniversary of his victory over Hillary Clinton in the 2016 election, Trump has an approval rating demonstrably lower than any previous chief executive at this point in his presidency over seven decades of polling. Fewer than 4 in 10 Americans — 37 percent — say they approve of the way he is handling his job.
So Trump is notable for his unpopularity. That's not a show-stopped by any means.
What actually IS new and interesting is buried nearly at the very bottom of the article.
Of those Americans who say they voted in 2016, 46 percent say they supported Clinton, and 43 percent say they backed Trump. If an election were held today, with the same candidates, 40 percent of those 2016 voters say they would back Trump, and 40 percent say they would support Clinton.
Holy Sh*t!
If the election were held again today, Hillary would actually do worse against the most unpopular president in modern American history.
I don't know how she could get more unpopular, without eating a baby on live TV.
Also buried in the poll is the source of the Democrats problems.
Asked whether the Democratic Party is presenting alternatives to Trump’s proposals or mainly criticizing the president, 61 percent said mainly criticizing, identical to the percentage who said this of Republican Party leaders one year after Obama’s election. Only a plurality of Democrats (47 percent) say their leaders are offering alternatives to Trump’s ideas.
And it gets worse. Look at today's poll.
Favorable views of the Democratic Party have dropped to their lowest mark in more than a quarter century of polling, according to new numbers from a CNN poll conducted by SSRS.
Only 37% of Americans have a favorable opinion of Democrats, down from 44% in March of this year. A majority, 54%, have an unfavorable view, matching their highest mark in polls from CNN and SSRS, CNN/ORC and CNN/USA Today/Gallup stretching back to 1992.
The rating includes low favorable ratings from some core Democratic groups, including nonwhites (48%) and people under 35 years old (33%).
These are terrible numbers for any normal political party.
But for a party that has been wiped out at every level of government they are catastrophic.
It begs comparisons to the Whigs.
For nearly a quarter of a century, Democrats have taken electoral drubbing after electoral drubbing despite the fact that the Republican Party is less favorably viewed than the Democrats on almost every imaginable issue. Democrats currently control only 15 out of 50 governorships, 31 out of 99 state legislative chambers, and none of the levers of power in Washington, D.C. When the public prefers your party on almost every issue but you’re still getting crushed across the country, it speaks volumes about the party’s health and vitality. How can such an inept organization survive?
...Democrats’ seed corn is wasting away in the root cellar while the party’s tired, washed-up leaders hang on to power like Politburo potentates.
With full control of only six out of 50 state governments, the party is arguably in as dire of a condition as the Whigs were when they went out of business in the 1850s. The Whigs held nine of 30 governorships four years before they collapsed, which at 30 percent of the total was exactly on par with the Democrats’ 30 percent share of governorships today.
It's quite possible that the Democrats will go from Permanent Democratic Majority: New Study Says Yes to oblivion in just over a decade.
This doesn't happen without a fundamental misunderstanding of the political situation.
What could be that fundamental mistake? Well, the fact that reaching out to the struggling white working class, the largest voting demographic in the country, is even considered a "controversial strategy" is a BIG clue as to what has gone wrong with the Democrats.
Comments
Grosse schadenfreude
to the idea of the Democrats going the way of the Whigs. The only "good" thing to come out of last years election. (That and Markos Moulitsas and every other inmate in that insane asylum eating shit pie when it does happen)
Nice work ferreting this delicious tidbit out gjohn.
There is always Music amongst the trees in the Garden, but our hearts must be very quiet to hear it. ~ Minnie Aumonier
The big difference though --
is that the former Whigs, the men (unfortunately, only men) who formed the Republican and Know-Nothing Parties between 1852 and 1856, had no problem standing up for what they believed. The Democrats lost more than a thousand legislative seats standing for nothing and still can't be bothered.
The ruling classes need an extra party to make the rest of us feel as if we participate in democracy. That's what the Democrats are for. They make the US more durable than the Soviet Union was.
When you're less than a month from the street...
people screaming at you that "YOU'RE THE PROBLEM!" are not likely to sway you much. Especially while those people screaming jet from coast to coast, tsk tsking the laziness of the poor.
But what do I know? I'm just a white, sexist, racist, homophobic, islamophobic, transphobic, Etc... A WSRHITE, I guess. Free to use for anybody who doesn't want to bother inflating their word count with insults to convey that they don't like me or my beliefs.
/snark
I do not pretend I know what I do not know.
Thx for the acronym! n/t
the little things you can do are more valuable than the giant things you can't! - @thanatokephaloides. On Twitter @wink1radio. (-2.1) All about building progressive media.
Just added a poll to the essay
Things are bad for the Dems.
So, 2/3rds of the country just hates the establishment...
Hell, that's worse than the crap that led to the revolution.
Time to call up Russia and see if they're willing to kick in with a few "Military Advisors". After all, clearly the government of the country is illegitimate, and they're only showing up to help us defend ourselves from brutal government crackdowns...
Wait, wait, I forgot, only the US gets to use that story...
/snark
I do not pretend I know what I do not know.
@detroitmechworks
Isn't that only counting the less-than-half of actual Dem/Repub voters? Apart from Indies, doesn't about half of the US population not vote? I seem to recall reading that only about 44% of eligible Americans (which must leave out a lot of citizens deprived of voting rights due to the Prison Industrial Complex) actually vote at all, but my recallery does kinda suck. Although I do suspect that the hatred's bigger and growing all of the time; invest in pitchfork futures! Too bad that it's too early in the Presidential election cycle for Bernie to leave for a new party, taking Dem voters with him - as occurred with the Whigs, the only time in US history that a new Party replaced an old one in the Two-Party Trade-off system.
But the country has to realize that both parties are hopeless and working against the people and country, to vote against them as the evils that they are - and it has to be near enough to an election that the immediately triggered corporate media black-out and smear campaign that would ensue won't cause Bernie and the policies he's always espoused to be warped out of shape in/drop out of the corporate-media-restricted public mind, especially with the increasing degree of internet censorship taking place already. At this point, it's still likely that too many would continue to swallow the propaganda that voting outside of the Two-Party Corporate Trap can do no good, in order for enough to vote against both evils and for a good instead to make any cheat too hard to conceal and push through.
We used to get the same BS and I kept asking when it would ever be OK to at least grow a better party, until I and others just started doing so anyway. The nation-wide strategic vote got the Cons out, but I could never figure out why the corrupt Liberals were offered as one of the two other choices, this last time. And I never will, I guess... except that the then-NDP head had been considering dropping the socialist part of the platform and the justifiable backlash from that was tremendous... he's gone now, though.
Edited for one of my trade-mark letter typos.
Psychopathy is not a political position, whether labeled 'conservatism', 'centrism' or 'left'.
A tin labeled 'coffee' may be a can of worms or pathology identified by a lack of empathy/willingness to harm others to achieve personal desires.
Close
how about sexist, homophobic, islamaphobic, transphobic, white, elitist, arrogant, racist, etc? Much easier to remember acronym.
"Ah, but I was so much older then, I'm younger than that now..."
SHITWEAR? Yeah it does fit.
Especially considering that those who would use such smears are pretty much just engaging in feces flinging anyway.
One thing I try to do, and the DNC NEVER does:
Willing to adopt somebody else's idea if it works better than mine.
I do not pretend I know what I do not know.
Actually... SHITWARE is even better...
After all, it's badly written, subject to fall apart in any but the exact situation it was designed for, and incredibly cheap.
After all, the DNC has been a firm believer in the use of Shitware, as we can see from their computer issues recently...
I do not pretend I know what I do not know.
I think you've almost got it!
shit-we-are
But then SHITWARE is the DNC/DEM/Her operating system so maybe it's the better acronym. I didn't need a second "e" from elitist after all.
Thanks for the inspiration!
"Ah, but I was so much older then, I'm younger than that now..."
This appears to be a universal allegory
… that works from Wall Street (vaporware) to Main Street (shitware).
The stats presented in this essay should give the lost farts who are clinging to power, pause. The temporary help — elected stooges like Pelose and Schumer — have been set up by the Oligharchs. They will be the one's holding the bag when the People wake up and smell what's been going on. These senile folk would be wise to beat a hasty retreat before the People arrive with their pitchforks and shovelware.
The underlying reality is sobering.
@vtcc73
PERFECT!
Psychopathy is not a political position, whether labeled 'conservatism', 'centrism' or 'left'.
A tin labeled 'coffee' may be a can of worms or pathology identified by a lack of empathy/willingness to harm others to achieve personal desires.
@detroitmechworks
Marvelous! Especially with just a little minor rearranging from a cruder BernieBro.
WSHITER; just so that 'you can say that again', quite literally!
Edit: should have known that others would have already done better just downthread, lol.
Psychopathy is not a political position, whether labeled 'conservatism', 'centrism' or 'left'.
A tin labeled 'coffee' may be a can of worms or pathology identified by a lack of empathy/willingness to harm others to achieve personal desires.
I think the mistake was in refusing to believe that their
lesser-of-two-evils gravy train was ever coming to an end.
"More for Gore or the son of a drug lord--None of the above, fuck it, cut the cord."
--Zack de la Rocha
"I tell you I'll have nothing to do with the place...The roof of that hall is made of bones."
-- Fiver
Great point.
The Democratic slogan for the past 25 or 30 years has been "We're not quite as bad as the other guys yet!"
Amen to that
Might also explain their inexplicable arrogance for anyone bringing up genuine issues.
There is always Music amongst the trees in the Garden, but our hearts must be very quiet to hear it. ~ Minnie Aumonier
Well, it likely wouldn't
had they not chosen Her Highness as their own personal candidate (Oligarch representative), forgoing All other would-bes. Damnit, we chose Hillary and you all can suck ass!
Had that Not happened - and 2016 unfolded as it did, with Her Highness suffering all kinds of defeat - with the story continuing thru 2017, for a full year after the election - They, TPTB, would Still be serving up their same ol' lame ol' "Lesser of Two Evils" horse$h!t. And, what the hell, They still might! After all, They are not the brightest bulbs...
the little things you can do are more valuable than the giant things you can't! - @thanatokephaloides. On Twitter @wink1radio. (-2.1) All about building progressive media.
i had been thinking the same thing
If Hillary had won, it would have been the last you had heard about Bernie (except on places like C99P). There would be no progressive insurgency.
Also, the Republicans would be (more) united right now.
And ToP would be delusional (OK. So no change there).
Exactly. It would Not
have been pretty for progressives - "see, we Told you we could win Without you" - and Bernie still would be the laughing stock of Establishment Dems. "That Bernie... and to think he thought he (and his Bros) had a chance. bwhahahaha... More champagne everyone?"
the little things you can do are more valuable than the giant things you can't! - @thanatokephaloides. On Twitter @wink1radio. (-2.1) All about building progressive media.
This is why it was essential to topple
…the Democratic Party in 2016.
Your numbers bear the truth of that. They also point to an inescapable reality:
The American People have slid well to the left of both Parties. That's the key to future victory. Taking down the Dems created a great opportunity.
Indeed. Indeed. n/t
the little things you can do are more valuable than the giant things you can't! - @thanatokephaloides. On Twitter @wink1radio. (-2.1) All about building progressive media.
@Wink Well, but they are
Well, but they are still serving it up. It's just that not many people are buying.
Actually I think if Hillary had won, there would be an even greater rejection of the system and its bullshit propaganda--the only thing propping the system up (discursively, I mean, not their military & security forces and bank accounts) is OMG Trump!
Politics is made up of money and stories and sometimes guns. They have guns and money but they have almost exhausted their supply of stories. The one story they cling to--lesser of two evils--has about 1/16 of a tank of gas left. Trump keeps loaning them gas cans so they don't stall by the side of the road. The entire Democratic party should be sending him gift baskets on a regular basis. God knows what they'll do if they actually impeach him--after telling the people the Bushes and Paul Ryan and John McCain and Mitch McConnell and Richard Painter and Bob Kagan and Dick Cheney are all A-OK because they hate Trump too, and that we don't need to worry about Mike Pence because he's an adult with experience and gravitas, who are they going to demonize in order to generate the necessary credibility for themselves?
"More for Gore or the son of a drug lord--None of the above, fuck it, cut the cord."
--Zack de la Rocha
"I tell you I'll have nothing to do with the place...The roof of that hall is made of bones."
-- Fiver
If Hilary had won
we here at c99 likely would be in "re-education camps" by now.
the little things you can do are more valuable than the giant things you can't! - @thanatokephaloides. On Twitter @wink1radio. (-2.1) All about building progressive media.
Trump's victory
was merely the cherry atop the Republican gain of more than a thousand legislative seats under Obama. A Clinton win would merely have delayed the inevitable Republican president which would have followed, and so in 2020 we would have been where we are now politically, except with four additional years of fossil fuels belched into Earth's atmosphere.
The ruling classes need an extra party to make the rest of us feel as if we participate in democracy. That's what the Democrats are for. They make the US more durable than the Soviet Union was.
Agree. n/t
the little things you can do are more valuable than the giant things you can't! - @thanatokephaloides. On Twitter @wink1radio. (-2.1) All about building progressive media.
It was more than just Hillary
that got defeated in 2016.
native
Well, if yesterday's election
results are any indication I would say you're right. I think we All suspected that it was not just Hillary that voters rejected last Nov. (in spite of her 3 million popular vote "win"), but that wasn't a known until yesterday. And even today we don't know - at least I don't know - if it was Berniecrats that were elected or Hill bot candidates that were elected. Regardless, it sets up 2018 quite nicely. I just hope we elect more Berniecrats next year that Hill bot candidates!
One thing's for sure... the Dem party is baaack! Hugely! Establishment Dems must be ecstatic. Any thoughts of third party building by those rascally BernieBastids was shut down last night as far as they're concerned. Personally I don't care which direction we take: old party, new third party or no party. For me, the name of the game is getting more progressives elected. Not sure if that happened last night or not, but for sure a whole lotta Repubs were tossed out of Office last night! And that ain't a bad thing.
the little things you can do are more valuable than the giant things you can't! - @thanatokephaloides. On Twitter @wink1radio. (-2.1) All about building progressive media.
@Wink If she'd won, she would
If she'd won, she would be the target of the people's ire, because she would be in the big chair and conditions would not improve--in fact, would probably worsen. She could trot out the old Republicans in Congress are mean to me excuse, but that was falling flat even under Obama, who was a popular president. Whoever's in the spotlight is highly likely to be blamed for the shit conditions that continue no matter who's in the spotlight.
Combine the tendency of the spotlight to confer blame on whatever party is currently in charge with Hillary's phenomenal heat-sink anti-charisma and you get a continuation of the anti-establishment rebellion that was happening last year before OMG Trump! replaced it.
"More for Gore or the son of a drug lord--None of the above, fuck it, cut the cord."
--Zack de la Rocha
"I tell you I'll have nothing to do with the place...The roof of that hall is made of bones."
-- Fiver
Donor/Strategist/Pundit malfeasance/arrogance
I never knew that the term "Never Again" only pertained to
those born Jewish
"Antisemite used to be someone who didn't like Jews
now it's someone who Jews don't like"
Heard from Margaret Kimberley
I think they have just been playing at being the
opposition party to the republicans at least since the Clintons got their hands on them.
I don't know how much of a fight they put up against his legislation, but the tell was in after 2006 and 2008-2010 when they had all 3 branches of government and they still did nothing to stop the increasing income inequality or reverse any of his actions.
I didn't hear one person from the party say anything about Obama's drone program, his continuing PNAC's goals in the Middle East and extending our brutal march for hegemony. How many refused to vote for the continued military funding when there was evidence of our military killing civilians destroying people's homes? How does one turn a blind eye to what this country did to Libya on the same false pretenses of the Iraq war?
How many recently voted to give the military billions more than what it was asking for? This money sure could have gone to the programs that Bill decimated.
The lesser of two evils is bullshit. When both parties are being bought out to put their donor's profits ahead of children starving and living on the streets, both parties are just AS evil.
I don't see them as the opposition to anything.
They're not the Opposition.
The only thing they're opposed to (unanimously) is Russia. And Trump of course.
native
I'd love to see one of them call Hillary out for Trump
she was the one who got the media to pay attention to him and boost him up. If she hadn't done that, would it have made a difference in the republicans primary?
What we have to pound, imo, is that this system was set up
to ensure a small group of landowners (One percenters) can make the decisions and prevent the serfs from banding together to take their land via direct democracy. That's why a national referendum system has never been considered.
Big Al,
Imagine the logistics of a national referendum in 1788. They could barely get the electors together by March after an election in November.
Then there is your eternal optimism that a huge number of people declining to vote have opinions very much like yours and, with referenda, would line up at the polls. That may be true, but, to be charitable, let's say it isn't proven. Remember Proposition 13 from which CA has yet to fully recover. That referendum sure fixed free college education.
Better than being ruled by the rich as literal slaves
which is exactly what this political system of "representation" perpetuates.
I totally understand the pros and cons of direct democracy, just not quite as well as I understand the crimes committed by those ruling us through this political system.
At this point, I would actually go along with a third party approach, initially, however I firmly believe it is not possible without a revolution anyway so we might as well go all the way.
I have nothing to lose and everything to gain by pushing from as far left as possible.
@snoopydawg They're the opposition
They're the opposition to us. So are the Republicans.
"More for Gore or the son of a drug lord--None of the above, fuck it, cut the cord."
--Zack de la Rocha
"I tell you I'll have nothing to do with the place...The roof of that hall is made of bones."
-- Fiver
Or their SCOTUS SCOTUS SCOTUS
chants. But seriously do you really really think these idjits who have the leadership chevrons will ever pull them off without some serious scuffling?
glitterscale
@glitterscale No, I don't believe
No, I don't believe that anymore. I believed it from 2000-2010. Stupid me.
"More for Gore or the son of a drug lord--None of the above, fuck it, cut the cord."
--Zack de la Rocha
"I tell you I'll have nothing to do with the place...The roof of that hall is made of bones."
-- Fiver
But the Dem establishment
changes nothing. Continues to berate Sanders wing of party. Fights progressive challengers with everything they have. Thinks shouting RUSSIA! and RESISTANCE! over and over again will win them elections with GOP-lite candidates. Starves their local parties to benefit Dme establishment consultant class.
Right now the only thing keeping Dems alive are corporate media and the Intelligence community that hates Trump. Big Donors have gone shopping elsewhere.
By the way - got another email telling me it was my last chance to donate and get a chance to win a lunch date with Hillary in NYC. That's all you need to know about the state of the Democratic party. Still pushing Clinton on us.
"You can't just leave those who created the problem in charge of the solution."---Tyree Scott
how exciting!
Be sure you ask what color pantsuit she'll be wearing so that you don't clash.
How about asking them
If any meat is being served along with your grizzle. Or is that considered extra?
There is always Music amongst the trees in the Garden, but our hearts must be very quiet to hear it. ~ Minnie Aumonier
Nailed it!
I remember hearing that the big donors were furious at Clinton and her campaign when she lost to Trump. They threw a ton of money away on nothing. Coupled with the loss of over 1,000 seats nationwide in the last ten years,Clinton's loss has rendered the party impotent, and its potential influence has shrunk to the point that the big donors see no reason to spend their money on Democrats. What is even more ironic is that the Democrats continue to refuse to give voters a reason to vote for them. The Einsteins running the Democratic party painted themselves into a corner from which there is no return.
Do I hear the sound of guillotines being constructed?
“Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable." ~ President John F. Kennedy
That is why the book and tour among other things.
Clinton's book is not only meant as self justification, but very importantly to show the big donors that it was not her fault that she lost. If she wants any political future or influence she has to convince the big donors to keep giving her money.
Right after the election loss, there was a bunch of meetings with big donors including a Clinton party. Basically I think to convince them from bolting from the party. The election of Tom Perez was in essence a message to convince the big donors that the DNC have their back. In none of these conclaves with rich donors, were progressives invited.
Good point
was this the party at the Hamptons where they propped up Kampala who is Hillary without a pantsuit?
She received a lot of attention after the party.
Nothing says more to me than knowing that these types of people are throwing their money at themselves while us little peons are literally living on the street and starving. Do you think that even one of them donates to a food shelter?
@MrWebster Frankly, I don't want
Frankly, I don't want to be invited to that shitshow. We'd only be there in a Colmes kind of way, anyway, and I've had enough of being their whipping girl.
"More for Gore or the son of a drug lord--None of the above, fuck it, cut the cord."
--Zack de la Rocha
"I tell you I'll have nothing to do with the place...The roof of that hall is made of bones."
-- Fiver
Imagine winning That ticket!
in the presence of Her Lordship!
the little things you can do are more valuable than the giant things you can't! - @thanatokephaloides. On Twitter @wink1radio. (-2.1) All about building progressive media.
In all fairness ...
Democrats only claim to hate the white working class. In actuality they hate the entire working class; white, black and brown. Class war is colorblind.
We wanted decent healthcare, a living wage and free college.
The Democrats gave us Biden and war instead.
That's what passes for equality these days
Lol
Good one.
There is always Music amongst the trees in the Garden, but our hearts must be very quiet to hear it. ~ Minnie Aumonier
@Anja Geitz Not even sure it's
Not even sure it's funny...I think that might actually BE what is being sold.
That's why the focus on privilege rather than rights.
"More for Gore or the son of a drug lord--None of the above, fuck it, cut the cord."
--Zack de la Rocha
"I tell you I'll have nothing to do with the place...The roof of that hall is made of bones."
-- Fiver
I have no doubt it is.
But the remark struck me as sardonically witty.
There is always Music amongst the trees in the Garden, but our hearts must be very quiet to hear it. ~ Minnie Aumonier
@Cant Stop the Macedonian Signal It's hard to pander
It's hard to pander about rights, it's something you fight for, and if you don't win you come back at it tomorrow. Much easier to pander, you don't actually have to win anything you just have to look like you're trying, and act very sympathetic to the chosen groups feelings. Oh, and send money.
Considering that ...
Trump has been under 24/7/365 assault by the combined weight of 95% of the news media, it's kinda mind-boggling that Clinton just barely ties him. To figure out why she lost the election, all she needs is a mirror.
heh
Except for the support given to Trump by the corporate media
monopoly to provide cover (i.e., lies, false narratives and distortions) for his wars and imperialism, his tax giveaways to the rich, the policies helping his billionaire friends, and other assorted oligarchy/plutocracy actions, policies and laws.
@Big Al Uh...there's a lot more
Uh...there's a lot more media attacks on Trump than media spin defending him. The media is spinning faster and faster creating a high-pitched whine which, if you listen closely, is actually the words OH MY GOD TRUMP! OH MY GOD TRUMP! OH MY GOD TRUMP! at high speed.
There appear to be three reasons that the media has turned itself into a frenetic centrifuge:
First, and most importantly, to convince us that it's really important for us to pay attention to partisan squabbles, that in fact there will be blood on our hands if we don't invest in those squabbles deeply.
Secondly, to undermine Trump's presidency, because, despite the fact that he agrees with the oligarchs on about 99% of policy, he wasn't the one they wanted in the big chair, and they are addicts to power desperately seeking absolute control. This is the first time since 1976 that they haven't had absolute certainty about who was going to be in the big chair, and they don't like it--not because they have a problem with most of Trump's policies, but because his existence in that position shows them that they don't have absolute control over this political system. They only have most of the control. But that's not good enough for them, and it never will be. That's why they've shifted control of the elections to DHS. Direct control by the police state is necessary, so they will never be surprised again.
Third, they need to attack Trump because he disagrees with them on one policy: he wants to aim missiles at Asia rather than at Russia. They want a hot war with Russia pretty badly. The build-up has been going on for years. They don't like it that Trump would rather enter into a corrupt business deal with Russian oligarchs and make money off their oil than go to war with them.
None of this means that Trump is any good, or that he's not corrupt. It just speaks to the fact that the oligarchs in control of the political process are actually insane people who lose their shit if they don't have 100% control over events. 75% control, even 90%, isn't good enough. Politics has to be pro wrestling, and they have to be Vince McMahon. Vince McMahon is never surprised by the outcome of a match. If he gets surprised, somebody will be fired.
Which is probably one reason that Hillary is not having as good a time these days. The true bosses are pissed off that her wrestling match didn't end as planned, and they're angry at both participants.
"More for Gore or the son of a drug lord--None of the above, fuck it, cut the cord."
--Zack de la Rocha
"I tell you I'll have nothing to do with the place...The roof of that hall is made of bones."
-- Fiver
bing! n/t
the little things you can do are more valuable than the giant things you can't! - @thanatokephaloides. On Twitter @wink1radio. (-2.1) All about building progressive media.
The democratic party is still with HER
it's all they have. No new platform, no new faces, no new ideas. Whatever we think, their solution is to do what they did last time, just harder.
Biden: the anti-Bernie
establishment candidate
This goes all the way back to Reagan
There's a story (probably true, at least essentially, but I don't remember the source or the details) that on every issue Americans opposed Reagan by over 2 to 1 but supported him by almost the same percentage.
People should learn from Obama and Bill Clinton - constantly attacking without focus appears personal and the target gets a "sympathy" vote. Clinton Betrayed his supporters even more than Obama, and would have lost in 1996 to any valid Republican (though Dole was the Republicans taking a dive for the DINO) but all people heard said against him was "MONICA! MONICA!!! ("who cares?") and Obama was only strong in 2012 because the Republicans had spent 4 years telling us only racist greedheads didn't like him.
That and the fact that Democrats are unbelievably toxic. "If the Democrats are saying such bad things about him (He's crazy! What does that mean?) I have to vote for him."
On to Biden since 1973
@doh1304 I've thought, for quite
I've thought, for quite some time, that the Blue dress caper, was completely staged (except to its victim) Hell, even HRC knew his proclivities: and what a useful distraction for the media to focus on while their telecommunication act was put in place, along with the dismantling of Glass Steagal? Really, the whole "victimology" of Clinton was a brilliant strategy, causing millions of wronged women to identify with her and turn off their critical thinking: whom the GOP chasteneth they loveth best of all: its all, all bullshit: complete utter bullshit: circuses, Punch and Judy for the masses. That is what this last election devolved into: Punch and Judy: nonsense: substantless: Tabloid. Podesta is even remarking on how "we've made them uninformed and complacent" or some such remark in Wikileaks. They sneer at us, study us as objects to be manipulated: and have the Mook witchdoctors to read the entrails. We are not human to them and they. are. ruthless. They have no shame: they will use our deepest values, fondest beliefs, compasion, empathy and turn around and fuck us with it. That is their game. P.S. I think this was about getting paid to lose: Clinton didn't even really try. And neither did her team.
Bingo
This distraction kabuki has been in play for a lot of issues. The media reporting on every one of Trump's stupid tweets and the other things he says is a huge distraction from what republicans have done since he was elected.
During his 100 days, republicans turned over so many of the Obama legislation and not too many people were aware of what they did.
This Donna DNC crap is another distraction, IMO. I'm at the point where I see a story being pushed and wonder what this is distracting us from this time.
The people who are so invested in the Russian crap are being played by the PTB. I mentioned previously that there are two diaries on ToP where the bullet points for the headlines are the same.
Coordinating the new talking point.
@sorrowforhumans @sorrowforhumans I upvoted you and
I upvoted you and then noticed your last sentence. No, she wasn't being paid to lose. If she were, there would be no establishment criticism of her--just a lot of Ain't It a Pity stories.
"More for Gore or the son of a drug lord--None of the above, fuck it, cut the cord."
--Zack de la Rocha
"I tell you I'll have nothing to do with the place...The roof of that hall is made of bones."
-- Fiver
At this moment, only the gop can save the democrats.
The democrats will basically fall back to regional coastal parties. The democrats will only return to just even even partial power if the gop absolutely itself falls apart. The Iraq war put the Dems back in partial power at least, which they promptly lost several years later in Congress at least.
When both parties work for the rich oligarchy,
there is no political misunderstanding. This isn't new and there's nothing we can do about it under this political system. Less and less will vote (2014 - 37%, 2018 - ? maybe less than 35%) and unless we change the system the duopoly will remain in power.
"Congress had a historic low approval rating of 9% in 2013, when Democrats dominated the Senate, Republicans ran the House, and Barack Obama was in the White House."
What Brazile revealed about the cancer and other stuff.
In most of the country then
the Democrats serve to keep people down, without hope of holding office, but without challengers. A party whose sole purpose is to preserve Bernie Sanders' belief that "third parties" are a "waste of time"; a party of cheap dates from top to bottom, from left to right. More than a thousand legislative seats lost under Obama; expect the losing to continue in 2018.
Here's General Vreenak describing the Democratic Party:
The ruling classes need an extra party to make the rest of us feel as if we participate in democracy. That's what the Democrats are for. They make the US more durable than the Soviet Union was.
That is simply hilarious
With all of Trump's lies, buffoonery, braggadocio, and war bluster not to mention his myriad other sins Hillary is losing ground to him. Seriously -- what can you even say to that?
One can only hope that same sentiment spills on to the Democratic party as a whole. The sooner we pull the plug on that cesspool of corruption the faster we can be about actually making some progress towards actually progressive goals.
A lot of wanderers in the U.S. political desert recognize that all the duopoly has to offer is a choice of mirages. Come, let us trudge towards empty expanse of sand #1, littered with the bleached bones of Deaniacs and Hope and Changers.
-- lotlizard
Wandering around parts of the Northern Hemisphere
with Her sulky publication, really doesn't add to a reputation. Hillbots might love it, but sore losers are never very popular.
Gëzuar!!
from a reasonably stable genius.
Yep, she sucks and Bernie would've won
Politics
2016 Post Mortem
“NBC/WSJ Poll: In ‘Trump Counties,’ More Say U.S. Is Worse Off Than Better Off” [NBC News]. That’s not the interesting part. First, though, here’s the map:
And now some numbers. These voters give Trump 48% approval rating, 50% negative. Obama: 48%/37%. Sanders: 42%/31%. Clinton: 23%/60%. Taegan Goddard says: “That suggests Democratic prospects in these areas are actually quite good. They just had the wrong candidate in last year’s election.” I’d put it more forcefully: Bernie would have won. And woud win again.
I never knew that the term "Never Again" only pertained to
those born Jewish
"Antisemite used to be someone who didn't like Jews
now it's someone who Jews don't like"
Heard from Margaret Kimberley
@ggersh I wonder what the
I wonder what the numbers would have been before Bernie started running around the country begging people to unify with Hillary and Tom Perez.
"More for Gore or the son of a drug lord--None of the above, fuck it, cut the cord."
--Zack de la Rocha
"I tell you I'll have nothing to do with the place...The roof of that hall is made of bones."
-- Fiver
Not sure he helped her at all
not that that bothers me. -g-
I never knew that the term "Never Again" only pertained to
those born Jewish
"Antisemite used to be someone who didn't like Jews
now it's someone who Jews don't like"
Heard from Margaret Kimberley
@ggersh Oh, no. I meant his
Oh, no. I meant his numbers. I'm guessing his numbers would be even higher if he hadn't associated himself so strongly with her and the Democratic establishment.
"More for Gore or the son of a drug lord--None of the above, fuck it, cut the cord."
--Zack de la Rocha
"I tell you I'll have nothing to do with the place...The roof of that hall is made of bones."
-- Fiver
From everything I've heard
Bernie is the most popular politician in
the US? TPtb like to suppress the truth so seeing his
numbers lower could be intentional, this is a NBC story
after all, and I say that cause if you look at Illinois
there in the middle, not an iota of change, Illinois is
quite the loyal err(fixed) state in the country.
I dont believe he has taken a hit for associating himself
however briefly with her heinous, if anything maybe to the
masses it made him look like a man of his word and me for
one wish he wasn't and ran as a I after getting it up the
behind, I still think he would win, but wouldn't be surprised
that tptb wouldn't let him even when he would win the popular
by a country mile.
I never knew that the term "Never Again" only pertained to
those born Jewish
"Antisemite used to be someone who didn't like Jews
now it's someone who Jews don't like"
Heard from Margaret Kimberley
Exactly. Becuz they are
less concerned with winning than in maintaining their status quo, power. A Bernie win totally cramps their style, influence, if not more. They won't have that. That, loss of power, influence has to be taken from them.
the little things you can do are more valuable than the giant things you can't! - @thanatokephaloides. On Twitter @wink1radio. (-2.1) All about building progressive media.
Exactly 100 correct
I never knew that the term "Never Again" only pertained to
those born Jewish
"Antisemite used to be someone who didn't like Jews
now it's someone who Jews don't like"
Heard from Margaret Kimberley
Nice to see Her book tour...
is going so well.
Americans just loooove them some whiny sore loser finger pointing.
Keep up the good work Hillary. The more you talk, the better Bernie looks!
The current working assumption appears to be that our Shroedinger's Cat system is still alive. But what if we all suspect it's not, and the real problem is we just can't bring ourselves to open the box?
WAY
TOO FUNNY!
DW
Dems Get Whigged
Any Lumpy Louise fans here? I couldn't get it to embed. You won't be sorry for clicking through:
https://twitter.com/IPM_Tweets/status/895012978063548416
'What we are left with is an agency mandated to ensure transparency and disclosure that is actually working to keep the public in the dark' - Ann M. Ravel, former FEC member