Deus ex Machina: who will be the Dem nominee?

Deus ex machina

English ‘god from the machine’) is a plot device whereby a seemingly unsolvable problem in a story is suddenly and abruptly resolved by an unexpected and seemingly unlikely occurrence, typically so much as to seem contrived.[2][3] Its function can be to resolve an otherwise irresolvable plot situation, to surprise the audience, to bring the tale to a happy ending, or act as a comedic device.

Now, with the definition dealt with, let me explain, dear gentles, what I mean. By this I mean the solution to the 2019 Dem Presidential Klown Kavalcade. With greater than 20 Bozos competing, one might think a hog-calling contest would be more appropriate. (Bias note: there is of course at least one non-klown in the race, whose initials match those of Trey Gowdy).

Let's discuss briefly a few of the Klowns in the hunt (or hunted--see fall-out from spy gate/sexnet evolving story). First, wounded Bernie for whom I no longer feel the Bern. He clowned himself when kissing the Evil Queen's ring.

Then there is China Joe Botox Biden ("aw, c'mon, man!, you know me"). He is going to continue melting in the summer heat as the overstretched collagen in his face elongates in the heat from previous chemical attacks (besides his rapacity, fraud, racism and being Barry's co-enabler).

Then comes "mi nombre es Beto" from west Texas close to the non-existent border of El Paso (or at least it's the border Beto wishes wouldn't exist, as he has a fondness for eating Mexican dirt and showing his passport to get a delicious dust sandwich is just too tedious.)

Then there is the Camel, about whom (including all other Klowns) Willie Brown said none could beat Trump. The Camel's mentor--she studied under him it is reported--doesn't think his gal could put out the Trumpian fire.

Spartacus, otherwise known to some as Bathroom Booker strikes one to be about as deep as your standard goldfish bowl. So serious, too. Does he what a joke is--besides his campaign, that is.

Mayor Pete Buttigiggle, some of whose constituents don't even recognize that honky's name, who is famous for dehousing people of color in South Bend.

How about Gov. Inslee who looks like a football tackle more middle guard--and about as smart as many post-traumatic encephalopathy football players. His jaw, which protrudes tensely from his face looks like Samson could have used it if Inslee lived back in the day.

Then Pocahontas, a rich old white woman trying to ride a combination of white guilt and vagina-envy into the White House. A 40 year fraud now in the chutzpah spotlight.

I could go on with the list, but hey, I get cramps in my fingers. So, in my unhumble opinion, after a few months of squabbling, falling poll numbers, rising acrimony and failing memories deadlock looms imminent. Who will save the Dem party?

Two possibilities arise.

One, which is more, shall we say, palatable to me is the re-emergence of the Evil Queen herself, lovingly referred to by some as the Klinton Kreature (sp). This may explain why Barry has not endorsed China Joe (although an alternate explanation will soon be proffered). So EQ has started her second money laundering device, called Onward Together. Why the need to replace the glorious Clinton Global Initiative with OT? Hint: it is the same thing which determines the course of most elections.

Of course, it would be absolutely delicious if Killary ran again. It would be hard for Trump to lose California. And AOC could throw NY his way if HRC waddles runs again.

But the scary possibility is that Michelle Obama might run, being lowered gently from the ceiling, just the Deus descends from the Machina. This of course will have McResisters fired up--a non-white, vagina-possessing candidate with inside experience. Plus the Dems will ensure 90% of the Black vote. Then we get the added pleasure of Barry campaigning for the wife. But will Chicago hot dogs get in the way?*

*for those who do not understand the significance of "Chicago hot dogs", I will be glad to explain.

So, in summation, none of the Kurrent Klowns in the Kavalacade will make the finale. Descending from the heavens will come a female from the Establishment to capture the hearts--and money--of America by becoming POTUS 46.

A gift from the sky. A diamond, one might say.

[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RFeCdbXb0oQ]

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he is consistent. He has core values and sticks with them. Best candidate to come down the pike in all my 50 years of voting.

Now if you eliminate Bernie for Kissing Hillary's ring, then what do you do with Michelle Obama who threw her arms around W and declared that she loves that 'lovely man'?

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"Without the right to offend, freedom of speech does not exist." Taslima Nasrin

@Fishtroller 02 *eliminate them from being your voting choice...
Bernie went with the whole Russigate bs, which has tremendous implications, such as cold war, threat of a nuclear war...
That is very disappointing.

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"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981

@on the cusp

So did his visit to the Pope.

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"Without the right to offend, freedom of speech does not exist." Taslima Nasrin

Lily O Lady's picture

@Fishtroller 02

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"The object of persecution is persecution. The object of torture is torture. The object of power is power. Now do you begin to understand me?" ~Orwell, "1984"

Centaurea's picture

At first I read that as "20 Bezos". I thought, dear god, you mean there's more than one of them? I'm seeing an image of creepy Jeff in his dark glasses and black ops-style outfit, and 19 creepy clones looking and acting just like him. Now that would truly be a dystopic nightmare.

With greater than 20 Bozos competing, one might think a hog-calling contest would be more appropriate. 

To be honest, I think the Dem debate provides the perfect end to the Great American Empire. It's completely fake, completely soulless, heartless, and brainless. Just a big old noisy cartoonish spectacle, "full of sound and fury, signifying nothing".

There are four people running in the Dem primary whom I view as authentic and having substance: Tulsi, Bernie, Marianne Williamson, and Mike Gravel.

The fact that they have a presence in the primary gives me hope for the post-Empire future. In 2008, the establishment candidates laughed at Gravel when he appeared in the debates, and the majority of the public did not have the awareness to comprehend what he was about. Before now, a candidate like Williamson would not have made it to the debate stage twice. (I'm thinking of Barbara Marx Hubbard in the 1984 presidential election season.)

As re: the Dems' Deus ex Machina, of course the DNC and the Clintons have tricks up their sleeves, although the tricks may not be the same for each. Their corporate slogan ought to be "Shenanigans 'R' Us".

I just get the feeling the joke's going to be on them this time. Their theatrical machinery is rotten and failing. When they try to lower their chosen one into place, the ropes are going to break and there will be a huge "splat". A big hook comes out and hauls them off the stage. The curtain drops. And the reviews are lousy.

Edited to add: Barbara Marx Hubbard died a couple of months ago at age 89. Here's her obituary in the NY Times, in case anyone wants to read it.

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/15/obituaries/barbara-marx-hubbard-dead....

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"Don't go back to sleep ... Don't go back to sleep ... Don't go back to sleep."
~Rumi

"If you want revolution, be it."
~Caitlin Johnstone

Alligator Ed's picture

@Centaurea

As re: the Dems' Deus ex Machina, of course the DNC and the Clintons have tricks up their sleeves, although the tricks may not be the same for each. Their corporate slogan ought to be "Shenanigans 'R' Us".

I just get the feeling the joke's going to be on them this time. Their theatrical machinery is rotten and failing. When they try to lower their chosen one into place, the ropes are going to break and there will be a huge "splat". A big hook comes out and hauls them off the stage. The curtain drops. And the reviews are lousy.

Which would be "Shenanigans R Us". But you get the credit and my approbation for actually writing it.

Air kiss

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detroitmechworks's picture

Lots of adulating films about Obama suddenly coming out. (Pretty sure they've already been filmed, just waiting for the right moment.) Hell, they just pulled out their classic Navy Recruiting film.

Lots of Comic books associating the new savior with a superhero/mythological figure.

Lots and LOTS of sudden public shout downs of other supporters on message boards and public forums.

The MSM to suddenly discover that 100% of non-evil voters support the candidate, and you don't want to be EVIL, do you?

Sudden demands that you have your policy positions on every hot button issue worked out to the fourth Decimal place.

Lots and LOTS of inspiring photo diaries on certain websites.

[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xMZKNYaIdvs]

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I do not pretend I know what I do not know.

Wally's picture

I'm playing around composing an essay.

Somebody, please beat me to it coz like Paul LaFargue, I've always championed the right to be lazy.

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Outsourcing Is Treason's picture

Here’s why I don’t think it’ll be Clinton:

First, she knows bloody well that it wasn’t the Russians who deprived Her the throne because she invented the Russia hoax. She knows she lost because of what she said and did.

Second, she now knows that there is no “pied piper” opponent abhorrent enough to make her the lesser evil. The ad hominem vilification of Trump won’t suffice, and she has no policies helpful to the 99%.

Third, she falls down a lot and doesn’t have the stamina to be the next Harold Stassen.

Fourth, a whole lot of wishful thinking on my part — I confess. Hope springs eternal.

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"Please clap." -- Jeb Bush

Wally's picture

@Outsourcing Is Treason @Outsourcing Is Treason @Outsourcing Is Treason

Not in Camus's expositions on absurdism.

But Hillary's husband, if you recall, was the Man from Hope.

Clinton knew she was full of it in 2016, too, but she still ran.

If she is playing the game, it's actually wise of her to stay away from the fray for now while the other candidates indulge in circular firing squad battles.

She still believes she won the election in 2016. Keeps increasing the number of popular votes she came on on top of on election night.

Can Biden secure 51% of the delegates on the first ballot? Sure doesn't look like it unless there's treachery on the part of the other candidates who gain delegates during the primaries but who may well release them to Biden before the first ballot in exchange for maybe the VP slot, Secretary of the Treasury, yada yada yada.

Or maybe Harris and Warren, et al. are just stalking horses for Clinton.

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@Wally @Wally If Biden does not get the nomination on the first ballot, won't that bring the Super Delegates into play and Biden will be chosen anyway. The DNC will want Biden and I think that he will get the nod along with a moderate woman for VP. If Biden falls apart mentally or physically I don't know who the DNC will pick. People ask me who I want to be the Democrat candidate,but for me it is too soon. We need a candidate who will excite Independents, progressives and the young for the Democrat Party will need their support as well as the Party faithful if we are to defeat Trump.

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@Outsourcing Is Treason

She knows she lost because of what she said and did from the time that she (according to her) canvassed for Richard M. Nixon until the time she demanded, "Then why am I not fifty points ahead?"

She was a crappy, self-serving member of the Democratic Watergate legal team; a crappy, self-serving First Lady of Arkansas; a crappy, self-serving member of the board of Walmart; a crappy, self-serving lawyer at the Rose Law firm; a crappy, self-serving wife of a candidate for POTUS; a crappy, self-serving Firsts Lady of the United States a crappy, self-serving candidate for the US Senate, a crappy, self-serving US Senator; a crappy, self-serving 2008 Presidential primary candidate; a crappy, self-serving Secretary of State; a crappy, self-serving 2016 Presidential primary candidate; a crappy, self-serving Presidential candidate; and a crappy, self-server loser of a Presidential general election.

There's more at which she's been crappy and self-serving, but I had only enough patience for "Her" career highlights.

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Alligator Ed's picture

@HenryAWallace To list all Clintonian crimes would require JtC to obtain at least one more server (which is not to be forwarded to the FBI under any circumstances, including national security). But you can be certain, Henry that YOU and I are being surveilled right now. So, watch it--is my caring admonition to you, me, and all other Klinton non-believers--because we are all ipso facto Russian trolls.

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hecate's picture

have surveyed the multitudinous timelines, and determined that the distaff Clinton or Obama serving as the 2020 Democratic presidential nominee, that occurs less often than Ilhan Omar dragging Trump through the streets of DC on a choke chain, Sean Klannity growing a forebrain, or the people of Q becoming distinguishable from the people of Harold Camping.

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Alligator Ed's picture

@hecate

Smile

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hecate's picture

@Alligator Ed
you've done it.

You have publicly offered to provide material assistance to a Mooslem terrorist in a crime against the Shitlord!

They will get you. ; )

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k9disc's picture

He sees it all, you know...
All Hail Bran the Broken!"

@hecate

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“Tactics without strategy is the noise before defeat.” ~ Sun Tzu

overload in the Kutesy Komments Kompartment. And I'm at a loss to know what "China Joe Botox" means. Or who the "Camel" is. What else? "Spartacus" -- I already confessed to being Spartacus in yesterday's meta thread, so that one is taken. "Bathroom Booker" -- wtf?

Beto enjoying eating "Mexican dirt" etc -- again a puzzle.

With all the Konstant Kutesiness, you're beginning to make me feel sympathetic towards some of these candidates. And the Klown Kar generally. Didn't think that was possible. I'm liking Beto more and more as of this morning. Maybe Booker too (maybe -- that will take a little more time).

As to the two saviors, I've already tried to push back, numerous times, on the ridiculous idea of Hillary pulling a machina. As I noted recently in one of my delightful Unknown History sidebars, even the similarly despised and unliked LBJ tried to pull off such a stunt, quietly, in 1968, only to be warned off by the harsh numbers in delegate polling.

There is, and I predict will not be, a groundswell of sentiment for Hillary to come swooping in to save the day, as most of these nervous delegates, if they should exist, would still be sufficiently sober and uncertain about her ability to actually save the day. Might as well resuscitate Walter Mondale, if he's still around, and get the same dismal result in Nov (apologies to the Mondale family if WM has already moved on to have his spiritual batteries recharged in the Great Recharging Station Beyond).

Al Gore would be a much better choice. And he would have the virtue of an energized grassroots (those older than 35 anyway) who remember the election stolen from him in 2000.

Michelle Obama??? Forgive me, but this is even more laughable than Hillary. She isn't interested in the slightest, and doesn't have the temperament for the political game, all the rough and tumble and toxicity that goes with that terrain. She is too above it all (but not unduly smug or self-righteous), just a bit too high-minded to be a suitable type to jump into the murky political swamp. Run for president?/ Ha!! She's going to spend her time writing children's books and going on the speaking circuit reminding us about how When the Other Side Goes Low, We Go High~~ or something. The high road. Sure. That always works.

But thank you anyway, Alligator, for offering your comments and providing me a platform with which to discuss this topic.

Sincerely yours &c,

Spartacus

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@wokkamile
the "Kutesy Komments Kompartment", such as the unpleasant monikers "Pocahontas" and "Buttgiggle" that has kept this piece from the front page and the many more eyeballs that come with it.

But then again, knowing Ed, he doesn't really give a good morning constitutional about that anyway.

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Alligator Ed's picture

@JtC My morning dump is of equal validity as my kommentariat. Kutesy? How, in all sincerity, can anyone look at this circus and not be amused. Think of it--a 20 ring circus which you can enjoy from your own home. Falls, pratfalls, and more fun than the proverbial barrel of monkeys (or baboons if you prefer different primate geneology).

For the uninitiated, dear wokkamile, Spartacus is bathroom Booker. The Camel is Kamala (really clever nickname, huh? Okay, so you don't agree). Pocahontas--with a 40 year record of open unabashed fraud, Lizzie has earned the right to own Pocahontas the rest of her fantasy life and lineage.

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TheOtherMaven's picture

@Alligator Ed

doesn't mean she has no Native ancestry. An old friend of mine had bonafide qualifications - and red hair, blue eyes, and very fair skin. You can't tell that kind of book from its cover.

I might also remind people that the most "Native-looking" of all the "Hollywood Indians" (Iron Eyes Cody) didn't have a single Native gene - he was 102% Sicilian through and through. But he looked the part and acted it - offscreen as well as on (probably would have been at Standing Rock if he were still around).

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There is no justice. There can be no peace.

Alligator Ed's picture

@TheOtherMaven You can't tell a book by its cover, but after flipping through all the blank pages, you might rapidly obtain an idea of the book's value.

And before I forget (short reptilian memory span here" ) Cogito, ergo sum

But it is the character of those thoughts which provides flavor (yum) and substance to the thought contents. Content matters, not just the act of creating.

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wendy davis's picture

@JtC

rather: 'swamp-stitutional'?

@the gator: iirc, a 'morning constitutional' is a brief, brisk walk outdoors, in your case, a brisk swim thru the swamp.

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@wokkamile

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dfarrah

karl pearson's picture

Hillary Clinton's favorability is at an all time low and Bill Clinton's isn't much better. Since 2016, Democrats & Independents are less favorable, while Republicans remained steady. IMO the Clintons are politically dead after 2016. A lot of big donors lost $$ and they're not betting on that horse again.

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Alligator Ed's picture

@karl pearson but the name of the game is not prestige. The name of the game is M-O-N-E-Y. It's what I want. Billiary's fortune is only estimated from the legal skimming of book publications, honoraria (oxymoronic when applied to those two). But do not exclude the stolen billions in Haitian aid, share of profits from the Gates Foundation's use of inferior AIDs drugs, weapons from Libya to Syria, and other off-the=books finances. When HRC has hidden billions in the bank, off shore naturally, she will buy out or threaten any Dem candidate standing in the way of her Don Quixote charge against the windmill White House.

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but not for anyone in particular, but for the person that the Party Elites select. Biden is a mess, is way too old and looks like he has health issues. He's been asked to hold it together, and keep anyone else from getting a majority, until the nomination when he will be dismissed and then promised a good position with almost no work in the XXX administration. I think that we do not know who the Selected Nominee will be. Probably a good party person and a woman or a minority. That person will be matched with a running mate to balance geography race and sex, but not politics. Both will be from the Republican wing of the Democrat party. Remember Hubert H. Humphrey?

Prepare for a second Trump term, after all the last 4 out of five presidents got two terms. He will say- Best economy ever, Treaties renegotiated to favor the US, lowest number of people unemployed, no major wars, if fact he'll probably pull out of a few of Obama's wars. He'll claim MAGA. And the Democrat will run on demonizing Trump and Identity Issues. Good luck with that!

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Capitalism has always been the rule of the people by the oligarchs. You only have two choices, eliminate them or restrict their power.

@The Wizard is starting to show his age. I hear it in the voice and see it in the eyes, that occasional look of confusion, or what looks like confusion. He seems at times to betray an inner feeling of barely being able to hold it together. Just glimpses, but concerning. With his already established tendency to gaffe, we will probably see more and more Senior Moments, and this will not bode well. I think for these two reasons, and throw in a third about having to explain or apologize for his past actions, he will likely struggle to get to Iowa even.

As for HHH: referencing him as from the Republican wing of the DP isn't accurate. He had a long prior record as being a social liberal (on FP they all had to be, or pretend to be, fervent Cold Warriors against the Evil USSR), and was one of the most outspoken office-holding Dems to come out for a strong civil rights plank (1948 Dem convo, when he was merely the mayor of Minneapolis); he was also quietly instrumental in shepherding the 1964 landmark CR bill thru Congress, though is mostly unknown for this effort among the public. Unfortunately, his character was not strong enough to withstand LBJ's humiliation and emasculation of him, in private and public, and so, despite being a very early opponent of going into VN (early 1965!!), he was forced in public to show his Lyndon Loyalty and toe the pro-war Johnson line. Which made it doubly difficult to re-position himself sufficiently in the 1968 race -- he backed off the war accelerator a bit, but not enough and not soon enough.

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k9disc's picture

I think he was glomming on to this from the get go:
"How the Democrats Killed Their Populist Soul"

The Watergate Babies began to coalesce around their own sense of this new intellectual economic philosophy to deal with the stagnating economy around them. In an early sign of where it would lead, President Jimmy Carter deregulated the trucking, banking, and airline industries, with help from economist Alfred Kahn, Senator Edward Kennedy, and Kennedy’s young aide, future Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer. Democrats then popularized supply-side economics in a Thurow-influenced and Democrat-authored 1980 Joint Economic Committee report, “Plugging in the Supply Side.”

In 1982, journalist Randall Rothenberg noted the emergence of this new statist viewpoint of economic power within the Democratic Party with an Esquire cover story, “The Neoliberal Club.” In that article, which later became a book, Rothenberg profiled up-and-coming Thurow disciples like Gary Hart, Bill Bradley, Bill Clinton, Bruce Babbitt, Richard Gephardt, Michael Dukakis, Al Gore, Paul Tsongas, and Tim Wirth, as well as thinkers like Robert Reich and writers like Michael Kinsley. These were all essentially representatives of the Watergate Baby generation. It was a prescient article: Most Democratic presidential candidates for the next 25 years came from this pool of leaders. Not all Watergate Babies became neoliberals, of course. There were populists of the generation, like Waxman and Miller, but they operated in an intellectual environment where the libertarian and statist thinkers who rejected Brandeis shaped the political economy.

I think he's a political opportunist, professionally, and a creepy bastard to boot. He is not a political ally of anyone on the Left, IMO. YMMV.

@wokkamile

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“Tactics without strategy is the noise before defeat.” ~ Sun Tzu

Alligator Ed's picture

@k9disc

Not all Watergate Babies became neoliberals, of course. There were populists of the generation, like Waxman and Miller, but they operated in an intellectual environment where the libertarian and statist thinkers who rejected Brandeis shaped the political economy.

My rhetorical question, not directed at anyone, is what is the current intellectual environment. Bernie is a stable spokesperson for Rooseveltian dreams for the people. But he hasn't aged well since 2019. He lacks the energy, possibly much dissipated by embracing HRC and by poking the Bear with Russia-gateism. DJT on the other paw, has only gotten stronger. He has already done more campaigning since election than will all current Dem contenders do until the next General Election. But Trumpy will be campaigning non-stop until and beyond the next election. His base loves him. Can 51 million Amerikans be wrong?

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Wally's picture

@The Wizard

He looked closely at his chances before deciding to enter the fray. I believe that he only decided when he saw he would have a really, really good chance of winning. He doesn't need and I very seriously doubt he would ever want another governmental job in DC aside from the presidency. A mere placeholder? I really don't think so although it's an interesting speculation. Stranger things have happened. Not very often but you never know.

I hear y'all and acknowledge a lot and even agree with most of your criticisms of Biden. But I think he can more than hold his own. And when and if push comes to shove, if Bernie or any other candidate shows some possibility of beating him, I think Obama will start campaigning for him.

Biden's the guy to beat. Harris and Warren are neutralizing each other and it's pretty obvious Warren is taking votes away from Bernie coz IdPol.

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Alligator Ed's picture

@Wally I bet China Joe has made a deal with HRC for leniency / forgiveness of Hunter's windfalls in Ukraine and Haiti. after all, he just grifting Clinton-style. It's all in the style, man. Forget substance.

It's all style--not substance.

[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CH1XGdu-hzQ]

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Wally's picture

@Alligator Ed

I really don't think Biden has any lost love for Clinton, nor does Obama.

Biden supported Obama over Clinton and my guess is that Clinton exacted all sorts of concessions from Obama to drop out of the race.

She waged a dirty campaign against Obama and that's the sort of thing that politicians don't forget even if they don't talk about it in public.

If Bernie mounts a real challenge to Biden in the early primaries, I think Obama will start campaigning for Biden just in advance of Super Tuesday, March 3, 2020 - a day that will either result in my alienation from any kind of politics or an incredible victory for Bernie and Our Revolution.

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k9disc's picture

their meme based "bro" communication style.

He's a creepy moron otherwise. Have you heard him speak? It reminds me of Bush - more than a bit.

He is not our friend nor our political ally. He is allied with Banks and Insurance companies, just like Obama was. Everybody sees it.

Nominating him is electing Drumpf again.

@Wally

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“Tactics without strategy is the noise before defeat.” ~ Sun Tzu

Wally's picture

@k9disc

I really, really don't think he would have entered the race if he wasn't convinced he would win.

He had enough sense to support Obama over Clinton. And he did it early on.

Looks to me like about a quarter and more of the dem primary electorate are willing to vote for him, if only because he is familiar to them (of course they're plucking uniformed) and because they hate Trump. He's branded, he's got the Obama logo. If push comes to shove, I'm expecting Obama to actively campaign for him. That will destroy him come November, but it will win him the nomination for him unless we unite behind Bernie.

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Alligator Ed's picture

@Wally because what you say is true-up to a point. Let's say that Creepy Joe gets the nomination, he will owe so many favors to so many people such as Obama and HRC that they will remain Powers behind the Throne, with Joe jumping whenever they pull his slimy strings.

Think of all the kompromat they have on him. Don't think Obummer was not surveilling his good buddy, China Joe.

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Wally's picture

@Alligator Ed

I mean, hell, that's been the essence of his political career.

We just disagree, unless I'm mistaken, how much Bernie has actually been or will be compromised if he pulls off a miracle.

And we're among a very few here who think HRC may just actually be waiting for Biden et all to clusterblingblang each other so she can ride into the convention on her pony.

[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fXy0tZ5eCG4]

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Alligator Ed's picture

@Wally should not be construed to mean that I wouldn't vote for Bernie in the million-to-one chance he got the Dem nomination. Gravel, who is likely on his last political legs, unless he miraculously acquires a huge number of small amount donations, is on my provisionally acceptable list. This might turn out to be a Tulsi Or Bust mission for me, with foreknowledge this project is doomed from the start.

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Wally's picture

@Alligator Ed

You accept futility, but also revel in your scorn towards your overlords for consigning you to your dilemma.

Me, I need some hope even if it's but a smidgen, lest I resort to some kinda low rent hedonism, which I fully anticipate happening even as I entertain an ember of hope til and hopefully beyond Super Tuesday.

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Alligator Ed's picture

@Wally Indeed I am revelling in scorn--and plenty of it. But the weed and music ain't bad. Got some good RnR to recommend? I'll give you my top recent choice: My Gang from Cheap Trick's 1989 Woke up with a monster.

[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iAAjw5A9jPk]

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Wally's picture

@Alligator Ed

If there is any brilliance, it comes from Camus. I've been trying to understand his absurdist philosophy (he said he didn't consider himself an existentialist), trying to prepare myself for the the advent of hopelessness. I'm not buying his or your schtick -- at least not yet.

I saw Cheap Trick about 5-10 years ago and they still were putting on a good show.

You seem like a John Cale sorta guy, at least the Slow Dazzle, Fear and Sabotage albums. The quote in the subject line is from a song of his, Dr. Hook, on the Sabotage album. This is from Slow Dazzle:

[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-9UAhUQcXHY]

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Alligator Ed's picture

@Wally Never delved into John Cale but you have scored a possible convert--convert to what, though? If you are without hope, sir, I can provide you with some spirit lifting Alligator Wine

[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-xdEU4wHpCg]

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Wally's picture

@Alligator Ed

. . . winning someone over to enjoying Johm Cale's music or even some of it.

[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TcVbcg_xW88]

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Alligator Ed's picture

@Wally Try you some cornbread

[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-O3hLjP6ras]

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k9disc's picture

tied to the Establishment and debates are corporate run facades of political argument.

You don't know this? Or you don't believe it?

Hillary was the big wiener from the get go too. And she was TERRIBLE - and everyone who didn't listen to the corporate pollsters was correct. I saw Drumpf winning. Didn't know if it would be allowed to happen, but I saw how it could.

Many people did - just not many Establishment people - you know, the people who commissioned the polls.

Biden is a corporate pig, and everyone who has been here at c99% for any length of time agrees or understands the sentiment. Voters know too. It's just that the corporate media and their captured political Establishment cannot allow that realization to be broadcast. If you feel that way it's only because you're a naive Putin loving purist.

This is why "Independent" is the largest political demographic despite Drumpf, Bush, and 40 years of failed conservative policy.

@Wally

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“Tactics without strategy is the noise before defeat.” ~ Sun Tzu

gulfgal98's picture

@The Wizard I am glad to know that I am not the only one who thinks that Biden does not look well, Botox aside. Bernie's face may look old, but overall he looks energetic and robust. And there is nothing wrong with his quick mind. Biden seems to stumble a lot. I am not sure that is just the same gaffe ridden Biden or if it has gotten worse. To me, it seems to have gotten worse.

I think the Dems really want to run the wolf in sheep's clothing, Kamala Harris, but her baggage is really heavy, especially with her flip flopping, so they will settle on Warren who is Obama 2.0 without the charisma. Either way, Trump wins.

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Do I hear the sound of guillotines being constructed?

“Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable." ~ President John F. Kennedy

@gulfgal98 Trump win.
Surely not.

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"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981

k9disc's picture

strong signal to noise ratio as a rationalization of seemingly mindboggling Democratic Party behavior.

They only have to lose a few more seats to make a 66% majority throughout state legislatures a reality.

If that happens, the corporate sponsors can rewrite the Constitution. It's a reasonable hypothesis, IMO, and it makes sense out of senseless political decisions.

Just keep the gravy train rolling and roll it right into benevolent corporate dictatorship - it's really only an acknowledgement of our political reality, after all...

@on the cusp

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“Tactics without strategy is the noise before defeat.” ~ Sun Tzu

gulfgal98's picture

@k9disc This is a very interesting take, but definitely not out of the realm of possibility since the same big donors own both parties. I hope you will expound upon this in the future since it does bear watching.

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Do I hear the sound of guillotines being constructed?

“Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable." ~ President John F. Kennedy

Alligator Ed's picture

@k9disc I wish I could jump as high as your dog--no, not to eat it, but to see more clearly what you have ingeniously conceived and written. Nobody that I know has made that point clearly in my knowledge. It is a not-so-secret strategy that the duopolistic establishment Dems don't want to discuss because they wish to preserve their cuts of the pie. But, I wonder, who in the Repugnant Partei is clever enough to have hatched that plan? Ideas?

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k9disc's picture

I believe we have 2 factions of the permanent state: Globalists and Hegemons (I just coined them both).

Neoliberal Democrats and many moderate Republicans are globalists. The Republican Hegemons - Neocons, and corporate people - want all the trappings of globalism, but they want/need the US Government to back them up on the socio-economic front. So you've got this kind of global nationalist - kind of like how we operate today and back through the 80s - unipolar politics that make spreadsheets sing.

I think the Neocons and many of the Corporate Republicans would gladly service their sponsors in rewriting the Constitution. I mean, WTF is "Free Speech" anyway? And that 4th Amendment shit is just letting "criminals" get away with stuff.

Essentially all the people who believe that people are due all the freedom they can afford - which is 100+% of the Democratic Party leadership and big donors, and 23% of the voters (authoritarian followers) would be cool with that, I think. I mean, "This "Democracy" shit ain't working - look at Drumpf!" Quick, someone get me a Superdelegate!
@Alligator Ed

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“Tactics without strategy is the noise before defeat.” ~ Sun Tzu

Unabashed Liberal's picture

@gulfgal98

but I'm a little bit doubtful that Dems want Harris at the 'top' of the ticket. (only because of concerns that she couldn't win the General Election)

Second spot, maybe. Actually, quite likely. Smile

My 'guess' is that someone like Castro or Warren would be the Dem Leadership's cup of tea. And, to their minds, one of them would be the 'most electable.' Obviously, both would check a box when it comes to ID Pol.

Warren, two boxes--if you believe her claim that she's Native American. Biggrin

Seriously, listening to the Leadership Press Conferences/Availabilities, I think that they believe that the DP Leadership would like to see a somewhat younger candidate run against DT. (Partly due to the DP demographics.)

Having said that, Cable teevee 'talking heads' talked about a 'whitelash' for months after DT won. (anymore, they're apparatchiks of the Dem Party) So, I 'think' that they would be reluctant to put a minority at the top of the ticket.

VP, definitely.

Still believe that Warren-Castro is their 'dream ticket.' (not mine, theirs)

Believe they'd settle for:

Warren-Mayor Pete

Castro-Mayor Pete

Or, possibly,

Castro-Warren

(but, less likely, since I can't envision a Senator being second fiddle to a one-time US Representative and Mayor)

Which is not to say that I believe that these candidates could win the DP primary, much less, the General Election. Or, maybe I should say 'fairly.'

Mollie

“Dogs have given us their absolute all. We are the center of their universe. We are the focus of their love and faith and trust. They serve us in return for scraps. It is without a doubt the best deal man has ever made.
~~Roger Caras

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Everyone thinks they have the best dog, and none of them are wrong.

Alligator Ed's picture

@Unabashed Liberal The Deity descending from the skies will be one Hillary Goddam Klinton (for those who care, this might be construed as Kutesy Konstruction--well, maybe--but it is the most likely scenario).

So, in the spirit of Democraptic solidarity, I say I will drink to that. Elder stateswoman HRC, with the emphasis on elderly, will swoop in to "save" the Democratic Partei from their indecision to remind them all where their bread is buttered--and by whom.

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Unabashed Liberal's picture

@Alligator Ed

if you're serious, or, if you're engaging in some snark for fun and frivolity. Biggrin

Hey, if it weren't for the #MeToo Movement--and the fact that Dems are renewing their efforts to 'hold DT accountable' for the accusations lodged against him--I'd agree with you.

But, it would dredge up ol' Bill's many dalliances--so, just don't believe the C's could get away with anything like that--in today's environment.

But, I could be wrong. Obviously, wouldn't be the first time.

Good to see you.

Pleasantry

Mollie

“Dogs have given us their absolute all. We are the center of their universe. We are the focus of their love and faith and trust. They serve us in return for scraps. It is without a doubt the best deal man has ever made.
~~Roger Caras

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Everyone thinks they have the best dog, and none of them are wrong.

Alligator Ed's picture

@Unabashed Liberal It can really be difficult to know if the alligator chews to the right or to the left, when those big beautiful teeth are pointing at you.

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Unabashed Liberal's picture

@The Wizard

He's been asked to hold it together, and keep anyone else from getting a majority, until the nomination when he will be dismissed and then promised a good position with almost no work in the XXX administration.

The man was the second most powerful man in the Universe.

What 'position' could an almost 80-year-old, well-off (I'm guessing) individual with his background, be holding out to get?

Actually, I'm convinced that 'he' was convinced that he could win. Or, he wouldn't have even considered entering the race.

I agree that it was a miscalculation, of course.

Believe his thinking, and mistakes, were:

1) He overestimated the desperation of the DP Base. Appears (to me) that he thought "they'll surely elect me, if they believe that I'm the only candidate who can attract working class white voters, and, therefore, save the World from a second Trump term."

and,

2) Earlier on, Biden knew (or, thought he did) that he would have the strongest support of any of the DP candidates from approximately one-quarter of the DP Base, nationwide--the AA Community.

Oddly, he dismissed the fact that there were a couple of relatively well qualified AA candidates. Suppose it could be (as I've mused before) that Biden assumed that the Dem Party would not consider an AA for the 'top spot' this particular election cycle.

Hey, wish I could agree. But, seriously, think he's in this race for keeps--if he can manage it.

Now, I wouldn't bet the Family Farm on him. Short of a miracle, I'm 'guessing' that the upcoming Debate could be his last one.

Mr M and I are definitely looking forward to the Debates. We figure that a 'political' death knell could be tolling for him. Time will tell.

(No threat intended, of course--just a 'figure of speech.')

Hey, have a good one.

Pleasantry

Mollie

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Everyone thinks they have the best dog, and none of them are wrong.

Alligator Ed's picture

@Unabashed Liberal

What 'position' could an almost 80-year-old, well-off (I'm guessing) individual with his background, be holding out to get?

In order to placate JtC in advance, I will not further remark upon any "positions" Creepy Joe will assume--because some of them will be (and already are) offensive.

Roll over, lay down--do it again!

[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W8IK1ZryeLA]

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Shahryar's picture

and I mean the 1968 version. Bernie's probably the closest we have to Bobby yet Bernie would be considered a centrist in the Vietnam days. Maybe today, too.

Here's Bobby, campaigning just down the street from us in Portland.

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@Shahryar and great pic. I was fortunate to have seen him at a campaign stop, in our modest town just north of L.A., in late May '68, a week before he would be killed. So glad I went.

As for Bernie, VN was a hot issue in the '68 campaign, unlike FP today, which takes the back burner to hot domestic issues like M4A, and now the green light for racism in the land, thanks to Trump. I think it very likely Bernie, had he been running then, would have been forced to take a strong position against the war, but likely no forcing would have been needed. Today, at least as of this writing, there is no one major hot war like VN to galvanize the public attention.

But with Trump, anything is possible, and we could be going to war in the Middle East by the end of the week. And he's perfectly capable of ordering up a war, after the usual propaganda build up and false casus belli, in the period just before the election.

This guy is scary.

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It's not who will come charging out of the klown kar waving a bloody hatchet yelling "I'm the candidate!" It's who will prove herself the best at positioning herself as the box checker for the identity politics (smiley-face fascism) revolution. But the primaries will show that a box checking stealth fascist won't cut it.
Biden has the Hillary problem - he's too transparently satanic, as is Harris. Neither will stand the light of an extended campaign. Mayor Pete checks the wrong boxes - being a white male trumps being gay for the SJW crowd, being gay costs him (there are more yahoos than gays)while being former intel (as if that's ever really allowed - Bill Binney gets away with it by being an up front critic, but not talking about it? Too obvious)And saving South Bend by gentrifying it? Nah. The rest of the establishment klowns are hopelessly thinking that someone will have to come out of the pack by not having exposed himself to ridicule (especially by not being a himself)
That leaves the "legitimate" contenders - the non establishment. Yang could have conned his way out of nowhere, but not after Obama and Trump - especially Trump. He could have won the presidency in 2008, but not now. Warren? Too many people are brainwashed into "regulation bad" - even honest, competent regulation, and too many brain possessing people are afraid she's not legit. (The rumor that Wall Street thinks it can "work with her" is damning) It has been suggested that Carter was in the same "1% in the polls" situation as Tulsi, but this is not 1975 and Carter was not presenting himself as an anti MIC candidate. They are already going to tear up Bernie's votes, they will tear up Tulsi's if necessary.
Anyway, there is no Klown capable of legitimately coming out of the kar. That means that the establishment will use the primary to see who best fits their cunning plan, and they will find that the answer is nobody. They will resort to plan b, which is choose a sacrificial lamb, and hope for another Obama in 2024.

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On to Biden since 1973

Alligator Ed's picture

@doh1304

They are already going to tear up Bernie's votes, they will tear up Tulsi's if necessary.

Shredders will be in high demand for jurisdictions using paper ballots.

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Lily O Lady's picture

an award from the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. So we could have a repeat of 2016.

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"The object of persecution is persecution. The object of torture is torture. The object of power is power. Now do you begin to understand me?" ~Orwell, "1984"

mimi's picture

Old women will not make the cut, young women will cut too much, old men will make everyone fall asleep and young men will fail to show up to make a revolution. Don't look any further.

Deus ex machina will be a mixed race transgender beauty and come down on all of them candidates hard, like this one, who seeks revenge for his murder
rio-2015-post.png.

Video: Transgender dancer Piu da Silva murdered before Rio Carnival

Gods revenge.

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wendy davis's picture

@mimi

that leaves out miz chelsea clinton, her new rhinoplasty and all. and she's ghost-writin' books, just like mama's "it takes a pillage".

course, what do we really know about her, eh?

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Alligator Ed's picture

@wendy davis

It takes a pillage

. Bring it on, Genghis, we're waiting for you.

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wendy davis's picture

@Alligator Ed

but if mike gravel were to get the nod, i'd end my long-time dem exit and vote for him, as his antiwar, anti-imperialst platform is even better now than howie klein's, whose keeps degrading. 'a snowball's chance in hell' about sums up that improbability.

me i still don't see bernie as youthful, full of life, tra la la, and while his domestic agenda is great, his support for US imperialism is well...never mind.

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mimi's picture

@wendy davis
to pillage. We know a lot about her. She is her mothers daughter. Should be enough to know.

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wendy davis's picture

@mimi

meant by 'what do we really know about her?' was by way of a jest that she might be transgendered. but she's also her father's daughter, too. ewwww. ; )

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k9disc's picture

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“Tactics without strategy is the noise before defeat.” ~ Sun Tzu