February 21, 2016

NBC News and the South Carolina Primary

Their analysis says the South Carolina Republican voters have gotten more conservative and it's a toss up between Trump, Cruz and Rubio.

Presently it's Trump ahead, Cruz 2nd, Rubio a few points ahead of Bush in third
Carson and Kasich are road kill

To follow the circus on line

http://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2016-election/primaries/SC

February 19, 2016

I'm a doctor BWAHAHAHAHA!!!

February 18, 2016

It's impossible to shame the shameless

I've heard people say that Eugene Scalia shamed the conspiracy theorists, but since the have no soul/conscience whatever, that would be impossible

On Laura Ingram's radio show he said, "It’s, I think, a distraction from a great man and his legacy at a time when there’s so much to be said about that and to help people even more fully appreciate that. And, on a personal level, I think it’s a bit of a hurtful distraction for a family that’s mourning,"

You'd like to think a statement from the family would have some impact on like-minded people, but...

February 18, 2016

The Minority Report. Why Clinton or Sanders are viable even with 25% of the delegates

First, Democratic primaries and caucuses are not winner-take-all affairs.
According to Politico, "candidates get extra delegates for winning statewide, most delegates are distributed by candidate performance within congressional districts. Most districts offer four to six delegates. In most cases, those congressional district delegates will be divided evenly or, in districts with five delegates, in a 3-2 split. To win bigger delegate spreads, candidates have to score supermajorities of at least 63 percent within a congressional district."
So, if either candidates supporters refuse to go gentile into that good night, then either candidate could get 30-35% of the total count even if they lose the total delegates.

Why is this important?
At 25% or more candidates can make demands. In 1988, Jesse Jackson 1,075 delegates while Dukakis had 1,790, a plurality, but not a majority. Jackson began to make demands, like decrease military spending, be considered for a veep slot, super delegates allocated based on vote, etc.
Jackson had 26% of the delegates, so he had the same number of representatives on the platform committee

Now, demands are fine and everything and in 88 Dukakis didn't have a majority, he had a plurality. What if Clinton or Sanders gets say 33% of the delegates. The other would have a majority, so why should they care?

It's a thing called the 'Minority Report'
A 'Minority Report' is a public dissent from the official program. Using a Minority Report forces a vote on the convention floor to try and get positions favorable to the candidate in the platform. The most famous Minority Report was probably Hubert Humphrey in 1948 when he got civil rights for blacks into the party platform. Jesse Jackson was able to get the backing for a Palestinian state in 1988.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=94011842

If either candidate hit 35% of the delegates they'd be well positioned to force the nominee to choose a canddate they approved to be Vice President.

If Clinton or Sanders wins the nomination, but the other has a sizable number of delegates (25-40%) they will need to get their house in order with the other campaign quickly in order to prevent the summer leading to the convention being tied up with the dissent.

When Clinton lost to Obama with the large percentage of delegates she had, there was no rancorous summer to distract.
For those who are trying to decide who the eventual vice-presidential nominee will be... maybe waiting to see who gets what in the percentage of delegates would be prudent.
It's probably a forgone conclusion that neither candidate will agree to be Vice-President for the other. Neither are young people, being the Vice-President will gain them nothing; I'd argue Sanders would lose out on a lot since he'd forfeit his Senate seat.

IMO, the nominee would be wise to choose someone in their mid-to-late 40's or early 50's, to begin to provide a bench for running after they hang it up.
I found the Minority Report to be interesting

February 14, 2016

I make no apologies

Scalia was a f@cking a@@ in life
He demeaned, belittled and robbed people of their rights because he didn't believe in equality
He allowed his opinions to be shaped by his own medieval religious wants
He was such a douche he wouldn't even show up to hear Pope Francis speak because the Pope wasn't going to talk about the evils of gays and abortion, but rather the Pope was going to talk about economic justice and concern for the poor.
IMO he violated he compromised his independence when he went hunting with Elmer Fudd Cheney while hearing a case involving said hunting menace.

I am glad he is gone because he won't be able to do more damage to minorities, working families and unions. At best it'll be a 4-4 split.
Good riddance Scalia.

At his funeral look for the guy in the white tux, tap dancing on his grave

February 3, 2016

Everyone lies except Ben Carson

Ben Carson is now claiming that his opponents used lies and dirty tricks against him

It's amazing how many liars are near and around him

Sounds paranoid to me

February 3, 2016

And Now We Have Further Evidence of Cats Taking Over The World

Notice the striking similarities of the two cats
Coincidence?
I think not.
We're through the looking glass people

Article for the Independent
http://i100.independent.co.uk/article/heres-the-definitive-proof-jeremy-corbyns-cat-el-gato-is-a-socialist-mastermind--WJ56tCaITl?utm_source=indy&utm_medium=top5&utm_campaign=i100

February 2, 2016

O' Malley E-mail

Tonight, I am suspending my campaign for the presidency.

Iowa has been like a second home for me this past year. From college campuses to family farms, I have had the privilege of getting to know Iowans whose passion for our democracy is unmatched.

I want to thank everyone who came out to our events, and lent me their ear. Everyone who went out to caucus for me tonight, and lent me their voice. I give you my deepest gratitude.

Together we all stood up for working people, for new Americans, for the future of the Earth and the safety of our children. We put these issues at the front of our party’s agenda—these are the issues that serve the best interests of our nation.

The road has been long, but our course has been true. A great many people have put their time and talents into my campaign and I thank each of you from the bottom of my heart.

Whoever our nominee is, we must all hold strong, together.

You and I, must hold strong for that mom and dad who are working 3 jobs between them and sweating about how they’re going to pay the bills.

We must hold strong for the future of all of America’s children—black and white—for a country with equal justice under the law and equal opportunity for all.

We must hold strong for our senior citizens who have given their all for our country and are left now to choose between food and medicine.

We must hold strong for Latinos and Muslims and everyone defending us against the demagogues.

We must hold strong for the future of Americas cities home of our greatest challenges and greatest opportunities.

We must hold strong to our beliefs. A belief in the dignity of every person. A belief in our own responsibility to advance the common good we share. We all must hold strong to what this country truly is, can be, and should be, and must be.

Thank you for your support,
Martin O’Malley

********
Hold strong together

February 2, 2016

I'm Saddened

Nothing more to say other than...
Your effort is appreciated. You made the process more engaging.
Wish O' Malley the best

February 1, 2016

Don't Wanna Hear It

Don't care about making history or feeling anything or money raised or someone's experience or anything else
Don't care about polls or how much money or from whom it was raised

Only one thing matters and it's if you're in Iowa

Talk up your candidate with friends and co-workers, call people, most important get them and you to where you need to be
Polls and money mean zip if you're not out voting

I implore, beg, cajole everyone at DU in Iowa to get out to their caucus site, give a friend or two a ride if need be.But be part of the action.

Best of Luck to (in alphabetical order) Ms Clinton, Gov O' Malley and Sen Sanders
For everyone at DU in Iowa, may your evening bring you joy and happiness