Looks like Biden is going for the throat. I applaud this strategy, I think it's the right one.
Gridiron dinner:
The big news this week is, two candidates clinched their parties’ nomination for president. One candidate is too old and mentally unfit to be president,” Biden said. “The other is me.
Looks like Biden is going for the throat. I applaud this strategy, I think it's the right one.
Gridiron dinner:
The big news this week is, two candidates clinched their parties’ nomination for president. One candidate is too old and mentally unfit to be president,” Biden said. “The other is me.
Yeah, there's every chance he can drive Trump's bp high enough that his head explodes. Goading him into more and more outward displays of unhinged behaviour is likely a good strategy.
Reports are that the Ohio Rally Trump attended was half baked. It was a cold, windy day. The crowd was not very big, and many left about half way through Donald's rant. See the Independent story.
Donald Trump’s new joint fundraising agreement with the Republican National Committee directs donations to his campaign and a political action committee that pays the former president’s legal bills before the RNC gets a cut, according to a fundraising invitation obtained by The Associated Press.
The unorthodox diversion of funds to the Save America PAC makes it more likely that Republican donors could see their money go to Trump’s lawyers, who have received at least $76 million over the last two years to defend him against four felony indictments and multiple civil cases. Some Republicans are already troubled that Trump’s takeover of the RNC could shortchange the cash-strapped party.
Trump has invited high-dollar donors to Palm Beach, Florida, for an April 6 fundraiser that comes as his fundraising is well behind President Joe Biden and national Democrats. The invitation’s fine print says donations to the Trump 47 Committee will first be used to give the maximum amount allowed under federal law to Trump’s campaign. Anything left over from the donation next goes toward a maximum contribution to Save America, and then anything left from there goes to the RNC and then to state political parties.
Adav Noti, the executive director of the nonpartisan Campaign Legal Center in Washington, said that is a break from fundraising norms. Usually, Noti said, candidates prioritize raising cash that can be spent directly on campaign activity. Save America, on the other hand, is structured as a “leadership PAC” and thus barred from spending directly on Trump’s own campaign activities. Legal spending made up 85% of Save America’s total operating expenses during the first two months of this year, roughly the same as 2023, when such expenses were about 89%. It has spent $8.5 million on legal fees so far this year.
“The reason most candidates don’t do this is because the hardest money to raise is money that can be spent directly on the campaign,” said Noti, a former staff attorney for the Federal Election Commission. “No other candidate has used a leadership PAC the way the Trump campaign has.”
*No one on the Ship will actually be shocked by this. It's purely a rhetorical device.
I’ve just heard Trump’s Ohio speech. He really has lost it. The contents provide sufficient ammunition for about 30 Democratic attack adds on their own. He’s a crazy, demented, delusional man.
I’ve just heard Trump’s Ohio speech. He really has lost it. The contents provide sufficient ammunition for about 30 Democratic attack adds on their own. He’s a crazy, demented, delusional man.
More reputable psychologists and other mental health professionals are writing Trump appears to have dementia. As in this story
Now, I would admit many mental health professionals are loathe to making second hand diagnosis, but there is obviously something serious when the man cannot make a coherent sentence.
In other news Trump had to cancel a major speech in Arizona because his campaign is too broke.
No Labels has thrown in the towel on mounting a third party presidential run. The main reason seems to be an inability to find anyone with name recognition who would agree to be their presidential candidate. A contributing factor here may have been the recent death of Joe Lieberman, who was heavily involved with No Labels.
No Labels has thrown in the towel on mounting a third party presidential run. The main reason seems to be an inability to find anyone with name recognition who would agree to be their presidential candidate. A contributing factor here may have been the recent death of Joe Lieberman, who was heavily involved with No Labels.
This is very good news. The data I've seen suggested they would only really take votes from Biden and not Trump, which as we all know, can end up being very significant in certain states and therefore overall due to the electoral college.
Now, it is about dueling dollars. Biden claims to have earned $26mil in New York. Trump claims to have gotten $50mil at Mar a Lago.
Reminds me of the song
Whatever you can do,
I can do better.
Oh the pedant and musical theatre geek in me is trying not to ask whatever to be changed to anything because that is what it is but I shall not.
I hope it this Willy waving dies down
So it is many people in different places watching an eclipse. Text about an important event in human history happening this year. The moon blocking out the sun is gradually revived to be Trumps head.
Hmm ... watched it .... am I the only person to find the comments on You Tube somewhat depressing? I must be one of them lefty librals with no sense of humour.
Yesterday the Biden campaign released an ad on very epiphanic themes.
Check YouTube for Willow's Box
Harrowing, but probably effective. At least according to various people I follow on-line(granted, almost all Democrats). I like it because it links Trump by name directly to the policies that are causing all the anguish.
The major media outlets want to see a debate between Biden and Trump. I hope Biden does not take the bait. Only Trump can gain anything--not that he is so much better in debates but becausse it will give him the appearance of being at the same level as Biden as far as leadership is concerned.
Trump is complaining about not being able to get on the campaign trail because of the criminal case against him. Well, there are consequences for your actions, bub. Yes, even Trump is presumed innocent until proven guilty, but I would love to see him have to swap his golden toilet for a stainless-steel crap-hole in the end.
None, we've seen him in action before. And a man who is too arrogant to debate others from his own party doesn't deserve the honor of a chance to debate (and I should put that in air quotes) someone from the other party. Not to mention someone involved in four criminal trials this year.
None, we've seen him in action before. And a man who is too arrogant to debate others from his own party doesn't deserve the honor of a chance to debate (and I should put that in air quotes) someone from the other party. Not to mention someone involved in four criminal trials this year.
Biden has come out saying he would be happy to debate Trump.
Damn
The Commission on Presidential Debates has already announced the dates and locations for the three general election debates between the presidential candidates: Sept. 16 in San Marcos, Texas; Oct. 1 in Petersburg, Virginia; and Oct. 9 in Salt Lake City. The lone vice presidential debate is slated for Sept. 25 in Easton, Pennsylvania.
I really think the only one to gain from such a debate would be Trump.
That’s probably true. In any combat, the rule breakers have an advantage. But then, Biden couldn’t easily refuse to debate him… here’s hoping Trump’s criminal trials will prevent it!
Biden has come out saying he would be happy to debate Trump.
Damn
Biden has always enjoyed these kinds of political rituals, and he's pretty good at them too. I remember the 2012 vice presidential debate when he completely demolished Paul Ryan. Biden has demonstrated similar abilities in walking House Republican into a bind each time he's made a state of the union address, so he hasn't noticeably lost a step in that regard.
I really think the only one to gain from such a debate would be Trump.
I'm not so sure about that. As I mentioned, Biden is pretty good at this kind of thing and Trump has noticeably deteriorated, mentally and physically, since leaving office. Given Trump's limited public appearances this may not be apparent yet to Americans who aren't political obsessives. Putting him on camera may be an effective way of putting that information in front of the general public.
But then, Biden couldn’t easily refuse to debate him…
He could get away with a refusal if he wasn't constantly dogged by questions about his mental health. But since he IS dogged by such issues, a lotta swing voters will just think "Hmm, maybe the GOP is right that Biden can't hack a debate anymore."
But then, Biden couldn’t easily refuse to debate him…
He could get away with a refusal if he wasn't constantly dogged by questions about his mental health. But since he IS dogged by such issues, a lotta swing voters will just think "Hmm, maybe the GOP is right that Biden can't hack a debate anymore."
Yep. It's a potential bear trap and one he can't easily avoid. But I agree with the comments above, it's not unwinnable for Biden. Trump will be Trump. Biden will prepare for facing Trump not for a debate.
But then, Biden couldn’t easily refuse to debate him…
He could get away with a refusal if he wasn't constantly dogged by questions about his mental health. But since he IS dogged by such issues, a lotta swing voters will just think "Hmm, maybe the GOP is right that Biden can't hack a debate anymore."
Yep. It's a potential bear trap and one he can't easily avoid. But I agree with the comments above, it's not unwinnable for Biden. Trump will be Trump. Biden will prepare for facing Trump not for a debate.
AFZ
Remember "Will you shut up, man?" from 2020? I think Biden could possibly win the debate by shouting various things like that at Trump for most of the debate(*).
(*) Assuming Trump doesn't uncharacteristically take the high road, thus making Biden look like the jerk. If Trump behaves as per usual, no one among swing-voters is going to knock Biden for being uncouth.
I have to ask does a certain politician live up to this?
Love never gives up, So...
I will never give up.
I care more about others than for self.
I don't want what I don't have.
I don't strut...
I don't have a swelled head...
I don't force myself on others.
I am not aways, "Me First."
I don't fly off the handle.
I don't keep score of the sins of others.
I don't revel when others grovel.
(Adapted from <i> The Message</i> interpretation of 1 Corinthians 13.)
Now, if your candidate is not living up to these standards, explain why you are still voting for him.
I have to ask does a certain politician live up to this?
Love never gives up, So...
I will never give up.
I care more about others than for self.
I don't want what I don't have.
I don't strut...
I don't have a swelled head...
I don't force myself on others.
I am not aways, "Me First."
I don't fly off the handle.
I don't keep score of the sins of others.
I don't revel when others grovel.
(Adapted from <i> The Message</i> interpretation of 1 Corinthians 13.)
Now, if your candidate is not living up to these standards, explain why you are still voting for him.
So far, no Trump supporter has responded.
Nice one!
Except ... ahem ... I don't think I measure up to this either!
I have to ask does a certain politician live up to this?
Love never gives up, So...
I will never give up.
I care more about others than for self.
I don't want what I don't have.
I don't strut...
I don't have a swelled head...
I don't force myself on others.
I am not aways, "Me First."
I don't fly off the handle.
I don't keep score of the sins of others.
I don't revel when others grovel.
(Adapted from <i> The Message</i> interpretation of 1 Corinthians 13.)
Now, if your candidate is not living up to these standards, explain why you are still voting for him.
So far, no Trump supporter has responded.
Nice one!
Except ... ahem ... I don't think I measure up to this either!
Are you running for the president? Not to worry, then. In truth, none of us can live up to this standard 100%. But I can think of only one person who is not even trying.
After giving it some thought, I am voting for a third party in the Washington State Primary. We use a Louisia primary system where every candidate for an office is listed on the same ballot. The top two candidates go on to the general election. Washington traditionally goes blue in the general election, so my vote for a third party in the primary will not affect who the nominee is too much. However, I have been very upset about how Biden has handled the GAZA affair. It is the only way I can think off to express my official disapproval.
This year I am going to also vote for a Republican candidate in the primary. He and I actually went to school together. I am voting for him because I think he is a better candidate than the one Trump endorsed. Probably won't vote for him in the general, though. Just a minor way to try to move the state GOP back to the middle.
However, I have been very upset about how Biden has handled the GAZA affair. It is the only way I can think off to express my official disapproval.
Presumably you could write to President Biden and/or your other representatives in government to express your views? This is unambiguous and, if enough people do the same, they might pay attention. Whilst one letter is just a small ripple on the water, one vote for a third party is a butterfly flapping its wings at a breath of wind on the ripple.
However, I have been very upset about how Biden has handled the GAZA affair. It is the only way I can think off to express my official disapproval.
Yes it occurs to me that had the kinds of actions being taken by the US police forces happened during a Trump presidency we would be now be talking about 'the rising tide of fascism'.
Speaking of presidential primaries, Indiana held its primaries yesterday (May 7). The results were fairly interesting, at least by the standards of primaries held after both candidates have secured enough delegates to win their party's respective presidential nominations.
For the Democrats, Biden got 100% of the vote. This is approximate since write-ins most likely have not been tabulated yet.
On the Republican side, Donald Trump got 78% of the vote and Nikki Haley, who dropped out of the race two months ago, got 22%. Due to the winner-take-all nature of Indiana's primary system this won't affect Trump's delegate count, but this seems to indicate a certain lack of enthusiasm among Republican voters for their party's presumptive presidential nominee.
It also seems likely that if Joe Biden had lost the votes of nearly 1-in-4 Democratic primary voters in a state the national media would regard it as a much bigger story than it's treating this Trump underperformance.
However, I have been very upset about how Biden has handled the GAZA affair. It is the only way I can think off to express my official disapproval.
Yes it occurs to me that had the kinds of actions being taken by the US police forces happened during a Trump presidency we would be now be talking about 'the rising tide of fascism'.
I don't think it's neccessarily fair to blame ANY president for the actions of police agencies that are not under federal control.
I mean, I suppose you could blame the general national temperament, which the president might have some influence over, but that influence is largely unquantifiable.
Speaking of presidential primaries, Indiana held its primaries yesterday (May 7). The results were fairly interesting, at least by the standards of primaries held after both candidates have secured enough delegates to win their party's respective presidential nominations.
For the Democrats, Biden got 100% of the vote. This is approximate since write-ins most likely have not been tabulated yet.
On the Republican side, Donald Trump got 78% of the vote and Nikki Haley, who dropped out of the race two months ago, got 22%. Due to the winner-take-all nature of Indiana's primary system this won't affect Trump's delegate count, but this seems to indicate a certain lack of enthusiasm among Republican voters for their party's presumptive presidential nominee.
It also seems likely that if Joe Biden had lost the votes of nearly 1-in-4 Democratic primary voters in a state the national media would regard it as a much bigger story than it's treating this Trump underperformance.
Yep. The main reason I am relatively relaxed about this election is that Trump is consistently and significantly underperforming.
It is notably underreported that Tump is struggling. I think because the media has a vested interest. Not so much in Trump but in the horse race. In the majority of primaries, Trump has underperformed relative to the polls. If that is repeated in the general (by as much) then it's a Biden landslide.
Counting no chickens but this is a reason for hope.
A common refrain during many corruption scandals is "the real scandal is what's legal". We seem to have another entry on this already too lengthy list.
Former President Donald Trump told a group of oil executives and lobbyists gathered at a dinner at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida last month that they should donate $1 billion to his presidential campaign because, if elected, he would roll back environmental rules that he said hampered their industry, according to two people who were there.
<snip>
Over a dinner of chopped steak, Trump repeated his public promises to delete Biden’s pollution controls, telling the attendees that they should donate heavily to help him beat Biden because his policies would help their industries.
In most contexts a public official (or even a candidate for public office) asking for money in exchange for favorable treatment would be considered solicitation of a bribe, but if you pitch it as a campaign contribution suddenly everything is on the up and up.
Well, that didn't take long: Politico reports: "The U.S. oil industry is drawing up ready-to-sign executive orders for Donald Trump aimed at pushing natural gas exports, cutting drilling costs and increasing offshore oil leases in case he wins a second term, according to energy executives with direct knowledge of the work." Source: Politico
The question I ask is : what are the chances of actually reaching the trial(s) - or even more full outputs - of the various other trials being talked of being real charges by Trump against serious more constitutional ones ? I'm thinking particularly about those in Georgia.
The question I ask is : what are the chances of actually reaching the trial(s) - or even more full outputs - of the various other trials being talked of being real charges by Trump against serious more constitutional ones ? I'm thinking particularly about those in Georgia.
It looks like he will manage to delay these.
The (Federal) January 6th trial in Washington DC is very unlikely to start before the end of the year. Georgia may begin ib September but the nonsense around Willis has delayed things and will continue to do so. The Federal case on stolen documents in Florida should have started last month but Trump's struck gold with judge Canon and it won't start this year.
There is a chance, the Georgia case could happen in late October/early November. I doubt it really but the irony of Trump's antics making the trial clash not so much with the campaign as with the actual election would be both very funny and poetic justice.
While the Trump has appealed the decision of the trial judge to continue with Fani Williams as the prosecuting attorney, the appeals court did not stay the trial court from continuing to decide procedural motions. Sounds like as soon as the appeals court makes its decision the trial court will be ready to proceed to trial--assuming the appeals court rules in favor of Ms Williams.
I ger the impression Mr. Trump's camp did not do as well as expected in yesterday's primaries and the protest vote against Biden has fizzled. See Politico Story.
Comments
Gridiron dinner:
Link
Yeah, there's every chance he can drive Trump's bp high enough that his head explodes. Goading him into more and more outward displays of unhinged behaviour is likely a good strategy.
*No one on the Ship will actually be shocked by this. It's purely a rhetorical device.
More reputable psychologists and other mental health professionals are writing Trump appears to have dementia. As in this story
Now, I would admit many mental health professionals are loathe to making second hand diagnosis, but there is obviously something serious when the man cannot make a coherent sentence.
In other news Trump had to cancel a major speech in Arizona because his campaign is too broke.
This is very good news. The data I've seen suggested they would only really take votes from Biden and not Trump, which as we all know, can end up being very significant in certain states and therefore overall due to the electoral college.
AFZ
Reminds me of the song
Whatever you can do,
I can do better.
"No you can't!"
"Yes I Can!"
and so on .... oh dear .....
Thing is, Trump is very likely lying, and if he isn't the money is going to his legal issues, not his campaign.
Oh the pedant and musical theatre geek in me is trying not to ask whatever to be changed to anything because that is what it is but I shall not.
I hope it this Willy waving dies down
Ironically, to get the Christian Right vote he's trying to eclipse the Son.
Harrowing, but probably effective. At least according to various people I follow on-line(granted, almost all Democrats). I like it because it links Trump by name directly to the policies that are causing all the anguish.
Trump is complaining about not being able to get on the campaign trail because of the criminal case against him. Well, there are consequences for your actions, bub. Yes, even Trump is presumed innocent until proven guilty, but I would love to see him have to swap his golden toilet for a stainless-steel crap-hole in the end.
Biden has come out saying he would be happy to debate Trump.
Damn
The Commission on Presidential Debates has already announced the dates and locations for the three general election debates between the presidential candidates: Sept. 16 in San Marcos, Texas; Oct. 1 in Petersburg, Virginia; and Oct. 9 in Salt Lake City. The lone vice presidential debate is slated for Sept. 25 in Easton, Pennsylvania.
I really think the only one to gain from such a debate would be Trump.
Biden has always enjoyed these kinds of political rituals, and he's pretty good at them too. I remember the 2012 vice presidential debate when he completely demolished Paul Ryan. Biden has demonstrated similar abilities in walking House Republican into a bind each time he's made a state of the union address, so he hasn't noticeably lost a step in that regard.
I'm not so sure about that. As I mentioned, Biden is pretty good at this kind of thing and Trump has noticeably deteriorated, mentally and physically, since leaving office. Given Trump's limited public appearances this may not be apparent yet to Americans who aren't political obsessives. Putting him on camera may be an effective way of putting that information in front of the general public.
He could get away with a refusal if he wasn't constantly dogged by questions about his mental health. But since he IS dogged by such issues, a lotta swing voters will just think "Hmm, maybe the GOP is right that Biden can't hack a debate anymore."
Yep. It's a potential bear trap and one he can't easily avoid. But I agree with the comments above, it's not unwinnable for Biden. Trump will be Trump. Biden will prepare for facing Trump not for a debate.
AFZ
Remember "Will you shut up, man?" from 2020? I think Biden could possibly win the debate by shouting various things like that at Trump for most of the debate(*).
(*) Assuming Trump doesn't uncharacteristically take the high road, thus making Biden look like the jerk. If Trump behaves as per usual, no one among swing-voters is going to knock Biden for being uncouth.
I have to ask does a certain politician live up to this?
Love never gives up, So...
I will never give up.
I care more about others than for self.
I don't want what I don't have.
I don't strut...
I don't have a swelled head...
I don't force myself on others.
I am not aways, "Me First."
I don't fly off the handle.
I don't keep score of the sins of others.
I don't revel when others grovel.
(Adapted from <i> The Message</i> interpretation of 1 Corinthians 13.)
Now, if your candidate is not living up to these standards, explain why you are still voting for him.
So far, no Trump supporter has responded.
Nice one!
Except ... ahem ... I don't think I measure up to this either!
Are you running for the president? Not to worry, then. In truth, none of us can live up to this standard 100%. But I can think of only one person who is not even trying.
After giving it some thought, I am voting for a third party in the Washington State Primary. We use a Louisia primary system where every candidate for an office is listed on the same ballot. The top two candidates go on to the general election. Washington traditionally goes blue in the general election, so my vote for a third party in the primary will not affect who the nominee is too much. However, I have been very upset about how Biden has handled the GAZA affair. It is the only way I can think off to express my official disapproval.
This year I am going to also vote for a Republican candidate in the primary. He and I actually went to school together. I am voting for him because I think he is a better candidate than the one Trump endorsed. Probably won't vote for him in the general, though. Just a minor way to try to move the state GOP back to the middle.
Presumably you could write to President Biden and/or your other representatives in government to express your views? This is unambiguous and, if enough people do the same, they might pay attention. Whilst one letter is just a small ripple on the water, one vote for a third party is a butterfly flapping its wings at a breath of wind on the ripple.
Yes it occurs to me that had the kinds of actions being taken by the US police forces happened during a Trump presidency we would be now be talking about 'the rising tide of fascism'.
For the Democrats, Biden got 100% of the vote. This is approximate since write-ins most likely have not been tabulated yet.
On the Republican side, Donald Trump got 78% of the vote and Nikki Haley, who dropped out of the race two months ago, got 22%. Due to the winner-take-all nature of Indiana's primary system this won't affect Trump's delegate count, but this seems to indicate a certain lack of enthusiasm among Republican voters for their party's presumptive presidential nominee.
It also seems likely that if Joe Biden had lost the votes of nearly 1-in-4 Democratic primary voters in a state the national media would regard it as a much bigger story than it's treating this Trump underperformance.
I don't think it's neccessarily fair to blame ANY president for the actions of police agencies that are not under federal control.
I mean, I suppose you could blame the general national temperament, which the president might have some influence over, but that influence is largely unquantifiable.
Yep. The main reason I am relatively relaxed about this election is that Trump is consistently and significantly underperforming.
It is notably underreported that Tump is struggling. I think because the media has a vested interest. Not so much in Trump but in the horse race. In the majority of primaries, Trump has underperformed relative to the polls. If that is repeated in the general (by as much) then it's a Biden landslide.
Counting no chickens but this is a reason for hope.
AFZ
https://apple.news/As3eVMFDjTmeu_3Ct2mxLAQ
MAGA Republicans can’t even revert to Reagan’s “trust, but verify.”
In most contexts a public official (or even a candidate for public office) asking for money in exchange for favorable treatment would be considered solicitation of a bribe, but if you pitch it as a campaign contribution suddenly everything is on the up and up.
You are saying that sarcastically, I hope,
The question I ask is : what are the chances of actually reaching the trial(s) - or even more full outputs - of the various other trials being talked of being real charges by Trump against serious more constitutional ones ? I'm thinking particularly about those in Georgia.
It looks like he will manage to delay these.
The (Federal) January 6th trial in Washington DC is very unlikely to start before the end of the year. Georgia may begin ib September but the nonsense around Willis has delayed things and will continue to do so. The Federal case on stolen documents in Florida should have started last month but Trump's struck gold with judge Canon and it won't start this year.
There is a chance, the Georgia case could happen in late October/early November. I doubt it really but the irony of Trump's antics making the trial clash not so much with the campaign as with the actual election would be both very funny and poetic justice.
AFZ
https://twitter.com/BidenHQ/status/1790751810489110742?t=xasvwTqRW4auV96egi56NQ&s=19
The last line...