JaneAusten

I don't discount what Bernie said but frankly he also acted as if he were entitled to that support which was a bit hypocritical considering he only became a democrat to run for president. If his ideals were so pristine, why not run as an independent, which is what he is. My biggest issue with Sanders was how he discounted huge segments of the democratic base. He called blacks low information voters and really did nothing to appeal to many of the core constituencies of the party, pandering to the white leftist idealists. I'm not discounting his appeal or movement, it's important, and he and his supporters should be proud they got the platform changed. But there are some who will never be placated. And it's those same people who only come out to vote once every 4 years and do absolutely nothing to help or support candidates in midterms when it matters just as much. And then complain when Obama couldn't do what they wanted. I'm not disagreeing with the bulk of what you've said here. All I'm saying is I think questioning the fairness and nature of the party system is a world apart from someone saying that they will win the vote, but the election will be stolen from them. Honest people can disagree about the fairness of the party system. Claiming that the actual election is a rigged event without the slightest evidence (in fact all evidence is to the contrary) is a whole other matter. One thing this election has done is made me realize maybe the establishment isn't always so bad. Do I think having power concentrated in the hands of the few is great, nope. But when that broke down on the Republican side we got a Trump. I shudder to think what would have happened if he had been just a bit more savvy. I don't disagree with you but there are times when the outlier wins. Obama was not a true outlier but he certainly wasn't the party's preferred pick in 2008 and he won. Had a version of Sanders come along who had more widespread cross appeal who knows how the election would have turned out. As for Trump, his nomination was the result of years of GOP obstruction which even now they don't get. But I do agree with you that there is a huge difference between the party vehemently backing one candidate versus outright rigging. I do think had the GOP gotten behind Kasich, a governor with a fairly decent success record(not that I like him at all) he could have been easily successful despite Trump.

Oh another "love piece" from the AP on Clinton, ensuring that once she's elected she will still be attacked by the press and media who allegedly she has in her pocket http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/for-clinton-struggle-to-change-public-perception-persists/ar-AAjg9T3?li=BBmkt5R&ocid=spartanntp

One thing Bernie's campaign really opened my eyes to was the toxic strain of white and male privilege running through the left. The horrible gendered attacks on Clinton. The harassment of John Lewis. The Susan Sarandons and their blithe willingness to throw our most vulnerable under the bus just because Bernie lost. It's funny to see some of those people criticize Trump for claiming the process is rigged when Sanders did the same damn thing. I don't agree. Trump is saying there is mass voter fraud and the election is being stolen from him. Bernie was saying the process by which people are chosen as the nominee is rigged. Two totally different issues, imo. The type of rigging that Bernie is talking about is backroom politics, something most people hold their nose and accept as part of the political machine. It seems pretty self evident that back room deals are made to decide who gets the most party support. It's unfortunate, but it doesn't completely undermine the notion of democracy. What Trump is talking about makes us sound like a banana republic and it's incredibly dangerous. Bernie never denied that HRC won by a legitimate vote of the people. I don't discount what Bernie said but frankly he also acted as if he were entitled to that support which was a bit hypocritical considering he only became a democrat to run for president. If his ideals were so pristine, why not run as an independent, which is what he is. My biggest issue with Sanders was how he discounted huge segments of the democratic base. He called blacks low information voters and really did nothing to appeal to many of the core constituencies of the party, pandering to the white leftist idealists. I'm not discounting his appeal or movement, it's important, and he and his supporters should be proud they got the platform changed. But there are some who will never be placated. And it's those same people who only come out to vote once every 4 years and do absolutely nothing to help or support candidates in midterms when it matters just as much. And then complain when Obama couldn't do what they wanted. Eh, MIchael Moore warned people awhile ago about the kind of power Trump might have in this election, to keep Dems from being TOO confident, pointing out how voters like ones in his home state of Michigan, for example, felt hurt enough by the economy to possibly still vote for Trump in droves. ...Of course, like I said, that was back in July. If he's still saying something like that now, after everything that has come out about him this month, then yeah, I'm going to side eye him a little more. (Even though obviously many Trumpsters/Trumpettes out there have only dug their heels in. Sigh.) But the stats of women coming out to vote early warms my heart, for sure. I feel so good about that. Yes he said that in July, then said in August Trump was intentionally trying to lose, and in Sept he changed his tune again saying democrats were letting him get ahead. First of all Trump was NEVER ahead. And it was Clinton's first debate performance that solidified her lead. Second self defeating IMO is not a call for action. And for someone who is so concerned about Michigan, he hasn't lifted a finger to help residents from his hometown of Flint has he? He's the worst type of democrat, only active and involved when what he thinks he says matters. I would love to know why he also disappears in between presidential elections. We never hear from him during midterms either.

A great column in the NYT about how Trump has not discourage women but has helped re-incite the feminist movement and how his actions have called out to women across this country. I truly believe this election is going to be the rise up call from women and we are the group who will help Clinton win in a landslide. If you don't believe the impact this is having on women, talk to some of your neighbors or colleagues. My mothers retirement community has a Hillary Clinton for President coalition and these are people over 65. And it's the majority of the residents. And that doesn't mean everyone is a Trump supporter but the record turnout by women will not be due to wanting to vote for him, trust me. http://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/21/opinion/thank-you-donald-trump.html?smid=tw-share&_r=0

Would you say that N. Virginia is more left-leaning or more conservative? Northern Virginia is definitely more progressive. I don't even think you can consider it a swing state any longer. Northern Virginia has a lot of young professionals/college educated folks due to the economic growth in that area. Not much different than an area like Charlotte. I don't give Moore one bit of credit. He's one of those negative leftists who allow the white male media to influence his perspective and now he has the gall to say it was him and his call to action that has helped sway people towards Clinton. He can STFU and take a seat. I am so fricking tired of people discounting the votes of women of all colors, blacks, latinos, Asians, muslims, jews, and yes even college educated white males who know better. This year especially has completely turned me off to the entire MSM. He pulled the same bullshit in 2012 running all over telling people Romney was winning and took credit for getting people energized to vote for Obama.

Article on how Texas is now within striking distance but that has been the case for se4several weeks, as the GOP Governor reached out to the GOP base in fear of losing the state several weeks ago. Why not ask yourself why the media has never covered this? https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/oct/22/democrats-texas-hillary-clinton-polls-donald-trump?CMP=share_btn_tw And early voting in Virginia, up by 63.2 %in Northern Virginia but down by 5% in the rest of the state.

http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/new-data-shows-women-turning-out-in-droves-to-vote/vi-AAjfrvG?ocid=spartanntp Women are killing early voting in Florida, Georgia, and North Carolina but heh, let's keep talking about why HRC is not winning by 50 points. Or lets not talk about the dems likely winning AZ, GA, and perhaps even Texas, or how Trump is going to lose badly in Utah likely to McMullin(he's now polling behind McMullin and Clinton). Frankly this election more than any other sickens me in how pockets of REAL voters keep getting ignored especially by male lefty's like Michael Moore.

Indiana is not the typical red state. Them going for Trump is not a surprise but despite everything both Bayh and Feingold are popular. Bayh is ahead now by 6% and Feingold by about the same. Maybe they were ahead by more. Combine Indiana with the fact Pence is hated there. There are dump Pence signs all over the state. The new GOPer running isn't remotely tying himself to Pence but the prior Governor who was a GOPer but stayed away from the social aspect of the GOP. Ayotte is not going to win I don't care what kind of media darling she was. Her last couple of weeks have cost her. And Rubio now has been hammered with rallies and commericlals by his opponent and the president and the Miami Herald just endorsed his opponent. PEC has the dems chance of winning the senate now at 79% and I trust Sam Wang a heck of a lot more than Silver. Mitch Daniels-the Governor of Indiana before Pence--is definitely less about social conservatism than Pence, at least publicly. And Bayh, for all of his faults, has both the loyalty dating back to his tenure in the Senate (Birch Bayh was--is, he's still alive!--a liberal lion in the tradition of his friend Ted Kennedy) and the fact that he was most likely Indiana's greatest Governor ever is definitely something in his favor. I was exhausted with him when he retired from the Senate in 2010, but he stepped in when Baron Hill stepped down, when he really didn't have to. I give him credit for that. I really think states like Indiana and Missouri are an example of "wait and see"--Indiana, in particular, has been all over the place in the polls, some showing that Trump is leading with double digits, others showing results MUCH tighter than that; Pence embarrassing the state on a national level with that "religious freedom" (sure, Jan) law playing a heavy hand there. And hey, Hillary has finally put campaign resources in out there. We'll just have to see. Mitch Daniels was very popular and well liked and put his support forward for Pence not realizing I think thaty Pence only looked at this as a stepping stone. He actually spoke out during the entire debacle on Pence trying to push through that so called "religious freedom" anti gay business bill. I'm not worried about Bayh or Feingold winning. I'm trying to understand and look for polls showing these races tightening and all I can point to is Sam Wang's data. The other races I will agree are tight but hell Toomey had a 15 point lead in PA and now he's basically tied with McGinty. The same in Nevada where Heck was way ahead On a side note I had to laugh at Nate Silver's analyis a couple of weeks back where he was showing the map if only women voted, if only men voted, etc.. If only women vote the entire country goes blue. So for all you male doubting thomas's, we women, along with our minority brothers and sisters(reminder WMEN are not a minority)will again save our country as we have the last two elections. You can thank us on November 10th

Indiana is not the typical red state. Them going for Trump is not a surprise but despite everything both Bayh and Feingold are popular. Bayh is ahead now by 6% and Feingold by about the same. Maybe they were ahead by more. Combine Indiana with the fact Pence is hated there. There are dump Pence signs all over the state. The new GOPer running isn't remotely tying himself to Pence but the prior Governor who was a GOPer but stayed away from the social aspect of the GOP. Ayotte is not going to win I don't care what kind of media darling she was. Her last couple of weeks have cost her. And Rubio now has been hammered with rallies and commericlals by his opponent and the president and the Miami Herald just endorsed his opponent. PEC has the dems chance of winning the senate now at 79% and I trust Sam Wang a heck of a lot more than Silver.

They are going to gain Illinois, Wisconsin, and Indiana for sure. I think Ayotte is a goner now. Rubio is now neck and neck in Fl, as is Toomey in Pa, and Cortez has jumped ahead Heck in NV. Garland may not be my preferred choice but if the dems take over the senate, I want him to be allowed to serve. I think it would be tacky to pull back his nomination.

I read that HRC is meeting with BLM activists today in Cleveland today. I honestly hope this is for more than show and is really about wanting to understand and tackle the issues they are championing.

He also did not shake Wallace's hand. From Nate Silver "Huge surge last night in Google searches for how to donate to Clinton's campaign. (Much bigger than for Trump.)"

Again the pundits give Trump credit and discount Clinton(he did well the first 30 minutes again) Yet 2 LEGIT polls show she won the debate handily. At least they now seem to wait before declaring a winner, trying not to look foolish. Hard I know.

I haven't felt this way so strongly until tonight but man I was so proud of Hillary Clinton. Even with a couple of bumps on her end she kept hammering and outclassed him totally. She looked the most presidential I have seen her yet. Even after the debate and he left and she made her way through the crowd greeting people, she was awesome. I am so proud that a woman this qualified will most likely be our next president. I wasn't sure I would feel this way again after President Obama was elected, but she was awesome.

Anyone saying Chris Wallace would be unfair, he's doing an awesome job IMO.

I don't believe we are in any way shape or form similar to 2000 and I think in this case there will be no tie decision. I think Justice Roberts IMO will weigh on the side of what is right versus partisanship. Garland by the way is very well liked by Roberts and word is he's personally very frustrated that no confirmation hearings have been allowed to move forward. The one positive if there is any is that at least the GOP is not condoning Trump's "rigging" statements and have all come out in support of the election process. And I don't think ALL supporters of Trump believe this nonsense or won't accept the result of the election.

I find it funny how NO ONE not one person in the MSM is talking about her going ahead in Arizona, Georgia, how she is now 2 points behind in Texas, how Utah now shows Trump with 13% behind McMullin and Clinton. Vee your opinion on how the email/WikiLeaks stuff plays out in upcoming debate and do you think the next debate will drop again in ratings?

Shows a total lack of awareness of why Donald Trump is the GOP nominee and not an establishment GOPer.

Holy crap. Good riddance to this lightweight scum. Maybe CNN will hire him.

Another Trump tweet "The very foul mouthed Sen. John McCain begged for my support during his primary (I gave, he won), then dropped me over locker room remarks!"

Newest tweet from Trump. Hilarious "With the exception of cheating Bernie out of the nom the Dems have always proven to be far more loyal to each other than the Republicans!"

I think at this point you're wrong. But thank goodness they still are paying attention or else we never would have known about the manufacturing that's been done to them. Combine that with the fact Trump denied Russian hacking and now the intelligence community is coming out angry saying he was briefed on the Russian hacking. And the email stuff hasn't had anything in it really. At this point I am just enjoying the implosion of the GOP. Who knew a GOP candidate would be the one to increase Obama and Hillary's popularity while destroying their party. Trump is now in a twitter war with Paul Ryan

Ratings down for second debate http://money.cnn.com/2016/10/10/media/clinton-trump-debate-nielsen-twitter-facebook/index.html Still big numbers but no where near the first one. Could be due to football game but also speculation many are on Trump fatigue.

A judge extended voter registration in Florida through Wednesday due to Hurricane Matthew. Take that GOP and Rick Scott http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/miami-dade/article107085482.html

Thanks for sharing this. So many people buy into the Beltway media obsession of Hillary not connecting with people. I have a newsflash for even those here who continue to believe she's unpopular. Having volunteered for a few weeks(I even made a road trip to Michigan a couple weekends ago), people love her. They are enthusiastic and working their butts off for her. The phone bank I work at a couple of days a week is always packed with volunteers but guess what. They are not all white men. They are white, black, Asian, latino, indian, middle eastern, and the list goes on. The reason the people who are passionate about her like me(I am a white woman by the way and there are lots of us and also white men volunteering too) don't get talked about is because it's not newsworthy. THe Beltway doesn't care for people who love Hillary, and there are plenty across demographics. It's why I get so frustrated when there are articles about lack of enthusiasm and how unpopular she is because it's there. Hillary Clinton is the second most admired woman in the world today(second to Merkel) yet I am supposed to believe she's wildly unpopular because the GOP insists she is. By that note so is Obama yet his approval ratings are sky high. The white MSM continues to only want to focus on a dying demographic while this election will be the most diverse in history. I was reading Michael Moore's tweets and just 3 weeks ago about how he was chastising and buying into the narrative than Hillary was going to lose. Now he's taking credit for his words inspiring people. Guess what we don't need him for inspiration. But I think the white males on the left allow themselves to be so convinced by the right male MSM media, that they then act like the world is over and the GOP is taking over everything. Had I not gotten involved, I might have continued my own pessimism.