2020 Presidential Election

[SezMe]

I don’t get it. Am I just not understanding?

For weeks Trump has been doubling down on his themes of law and order, urban violence, socialistic Democrats stealing the country, etc. Although these may play to Trump’s core supporters they are clearly not buying him support among the swing voters he desperately needs. His polls, both nationwide and swing states, in fact continue to tank.

So why does he continue? Ego? Stubbornness? The inability to admit he is wrong? Why not change tactics and pray?

That's your mistake. What is clear to you is "fake news" to Trump. When he tweets that he won the debate, that the polls show him winning, etc. I think he is stating the "facts" in his world. Remember, he has gotten rid of all the reality-based people around him and only yes-men still roam the halls of the White House. When bad polls do get through his filter by being on Fox, he calls them names, says the poll was rigged,etc.

I remember Obama stating in an interview that one of the hardest parts of being president was the isolation that came with the job. He *wanted* to get out of the White House bubble; imagine how easy it is for Trump to stay in that bubble.

 

[The Great Zaganza]

The calculation is obvious:
there is no way Dems lose the House, which means that even if the WH and Senate stay Red, not much can get done without ages of negoitation.

A Blue Trifecta could address all kinds of issues being held up by Senate Republicans that need urged decisions.

Of course all companies not depending on Pork from Republicans would favor a Blue Wave.

 

[Darat]

He knows he's going to lose. He needs a fired up base for the legal challenge.

If he didn't have his mental illness I'd say you were right BUT given his mental illness I don't think "losing" means the same as it would to someone reasonably rational. He knows he can't lose, what we are seeing is his mental illness rewriting his reality, if he loses - as we understand to lose - his delusions will shift to ensure he didn't lose.

And it may seem there is not much difference, but there is if you want to address his delusions, trying to use logic and reasoning to anticipate what he will do will not work, his delusions are not logical or rational.

 

[angrysoba]

He knows he's going to lose. He needs a fired up base for the legal challenge.

Oh!

Is this the first time you have changed your mind on who will win the election?

I seem to recall that you were adamant Trump would win.

This is a good sign if even you are now convinced that Biden will likely win this now.

 

[dirtywick]

The calculation is obvious:
there is no way Dems lose the House, which means that even if the WH and Senate stay Red, not much can get done without ages of negoitation.

A Blue Trifecta could address all kinds of issues being held up by Senate Republicans that need urged decisions.

Of course all companies not depending on Pork from Republicans would favor a Blue Wave.

I think by November a lot of companies will be eager for a fast and larger stimulus package also

 

[Fast Eddie B]

"You do know the government has drones, right? You get that?

You're bringing guns to a drone fight!" -Jim Jefferies

Of course any “militias” would be outgunned, and could not “win”.

But if they take to the hills, so to speak, and employ guerrilla warfare tactics, they could still be a huge pain in the ass. Think of the resistance fighters in Europe against the Nazis. And some of these “militia” members are ex-military and ex-police, and so not without some tactical training.

It would be a hopeless struggle long term, but could cause a lot of short term damage. Think about what two guys working alone managed in Oklahoma City, for example.

 

[dann]

Dan Quayle Quail? He’s small potatoes.

ETA (Let's see if someone doesn't get the joke and corrects me)

You stand corrected!
For those who are too young to remember: Dan Quayle: Gaffes (Wiki)
Quayle was a genius in comparison to Trump.

 

[timhau]

Of course any “militias” would be outgunned, and could not “win”.

But if they take to the hills, so to speak, and employ guerrilla warfare tactics, they could still be a huge pain in the ass. Think of the resistance fighters in Europe against the Nazis. And some of these “militia” members are ex-military and ex-police, and so not without some tactical training.

Yes, but how many? And how many are just overweight internet tough guys who have only slightly more brain cells than teeth?

 

[newyorkguy]

If he didn't have his mental illness I'd say you were right BUT given his mental illness I don't think "losing" means the same as it would to someone reasonably rational. He knows he can't lose, what we are seeing is his mental illness rewriting his reality, if he loses - as we understand to lose - his delusions will shift to ensure he didn't lose...

Sadly, I agree. If Biden is elected trump will insist it was due to fraud and he, trump, was the real winner. He'll stick with that no matter what. Four years later he still won't admit that he was out-polled by Hillary Clinton to the tune of almost three million votes. He doggedly insists, without any evidence whatsoever, that Clinton got three to five million illegal votes. Meaning in reality (trump's reality), he 'won' the 2016 popular vote by a hundred thousand to two million votes.

 

[Armitage72]

Sadly, I agree. If Biden is elected trump will insist it was due to fraud and he, trump, was the real winner. He'll stick with that no matter what. Four years later he still won't admit that he was out-polled by Hillary Clinton to the tune of almost three million votes. He doggedly insists, without any evidence whatsoever, that Clinton got three to five million illegal votes. Meaning in reality (trump's reality), he 'won' the 2016 popular vote by a hundred thousand to two million votes.

Also his repeated claims of an Electoral College "landslide" when the reality is that he had one of the smallest margins of victory in history.

 

[kookbreaker]

Yes, but how many? And how many are just overweight internet tough guys who have only slightly more brain cells than teeth?

Yeah, a huge number of the Tubby Bearded Guys would given up on their Second Civil War the moment they hit their First Missed Lunch.

That said there are a few who can cause trouble. I expect a 1/2 dozen Timmy McVeighs to make a mess of things.

 

[Safe-Keeper]

Of course any “militias” would be outgunned, and could not “win”.

But if they take to the hills, so to speak, and employ guerrilla warfare tactics, they could still be a huge pain in the ass. Think of the resistance fighters in Europe against the Nazis. And some of these “militia” members are ex-military and ex-police, and so not without some tactical training.

It would be a hopeless struggle long term, but could cause a lot of short term damage. Think about what two guys working alone managed in Oklahoma City, for example.

Exactly. Oswald, McVeigh, Paul Hill, Breivik... you don't need to be a genius with l33t specops training and the best gear to be a threat to your surroundings.

 

[JoeMorgue]

Yet when has a "lone nut with a gun / truck bomb" ever been a problem except... like literally all the times they have.

 

[Trebuchet]

You stand corrected!
For those who are too young to remember: Dan Quayle: Gaffes (Wiki)
Quayle was a genius in comparison to Trump.

Guys, don't explain the jokes!

 

[Gulliver Foyle]

I think a lot of this depends on just how long the GOP is willing to remain committed to Trump. This course of action would in effect be a coup, and considering the train wreck that is currently the Trump administration, that will be a tough sell to the majority of the electorate. Republicans having been walking a thin line up until now. A move like this puts them all in.

The intelligent republicans know this, problem is, in terms of party power, their goose is cooked.

The party is now ruled by nazis like the proud boys, wannabe nazis like Trump and unprincipled b'stards who'll get into bed with any passing dictactor like McConnell. None of these three groups have the intelligence nor the long term vision to see what they're cooking up for themselves.

 

[Fast Eddie B]

Exactly. Oswald, McVeigh, Paul Hill, Breivik... you don't need to be a genius with l33t specops training and the best gear to be a threat to your surroundings.

When I say "take to the hills" I think of Eric Rudolph, who was wanted for the Olympic Park bombing, bombings of abortion clinics and other crimes. From Wikipedia:

"On May 5, 1998, he became the 454th fugitive listed by the FBI on the Ten Most Wanted list. The FBI considered him to be armed and extremely dangerous, and offered a $1 million reward for information leading directly to his arrest. He spent more than five years in the Appalachian wilderness as a fugitive, during which time federal and amateur search teams scoured the area without success...

Rudolph was arrested in Murphy, North Carolina on May 31, 2003 by rookie police officer Jeffrey Scott Postell of the Murphy Police Department while Rudolph was looking through a dumpster behind a Save-A-Lot store at about 4 a.m. Postell, on routine patrol, had initially suspected a burglary in progress.

Rudolph was unarmed and did not resist arrest. When arrested, he was clean-shaven with a trimmed mustache, had dyed black hair and wore a camouflage jacket, work clothes, and new sneakers."

That arrest location was not far from my N GA home. I don't think some folks who live in cities and suburbs understand how much wilderness is still around.

 

[Gulliver Foyle]

ETA (Let's see if someone doesn't get the joke and corrects me)

Fast Eddie spelled spuds wrong?

 

[kookbreaker]

When I say "take to the hills" I think of Eric Rudolph, who was wanted for the bombings of abortion clinics and other crimes. From Wikipedia:

"On May 5, 1998, he became the 454th fugitive listed by the FBI on the Ten Most Wanted list. The FBI considered him to be armed and extremely dangerous, and offered a $1 million reward for information leading directly to his arrest. He spent more than five years in the Appalachian wilderness as a fugitive, during which time federal and amateur search teams scoured the area without success...

Rudolph was arrested in Murphy, North Carolina on May 31, 2003 by rookie police officer Jeffrey Scott Postell of the Murphy Police Department while Rudolph was looking through a dumpster behind a Save-A-Lot store at about 4 a.m. Postell, on routine patrol, had initially suspected a burglary in progress.

Rudolph was unarmed and did not resist arrest. When arrested, he was clean-shaven with a trimmed mustache, had dyed black hair and wore a camouflage jacket, work clothes, and new sneakers."

That arrest location was not far from my N GA home. I don't think some folks who live in cities and suburbs understand how much wilderness is still around.

There's also the more recent Eric Frein but I will say that 90% of his freedom time was more due to PA State Police incompetence (They wanted to borrow an M-Rap to chase him through the wilderness) than any particular skill.

 

[Mike!]

Taliban spokesperson says they support Trump

Another endorsement! Who next? Darth Vader?? The Devil???

"I sense the force is strong with this one." - Lord Darth Vader

"As a man of wealth and taste, I like the nature of his game." - Satan, Prince of Darkness

 

[Andy_Ross]

Trump Tweets

In 2016, the ABC News/Washington Post Poll was such a complete disaster that these two Fake News Organizations changed the numbers prior to the Election. Now these haters are trying the same thing, though on a lesser scale, again. Will have a bigger win than even 2016!

@NateSilver538 “The Trump 2016 Victory was the most shocking political development of my lifetime.” That’s only because you got it so wrong. This time there is far more ENTHUSIASM even than 2016. Winning many States much more easily than people understand. BIG CROWDS!!!