The Politics Thread

[DramatistDreamer]

Haha. One X staffer said that there was a “99% chance” that Musk was lying about there being a DDOS attack.

https://www.theverge.com/2024/8/12/24219121/donald-trump-elon-musk-interview-x-twitter-crashes

[Vee]

Yeah, I was about to post about that. It always seemed unlikely.

[Khan]

At this point, I think Trump's polling numbers are pretty well "locked in," for lack of a better word.  They might fluctuate slightly as the run-up to the election continues, but I don't see his campaign suddenly converting anyone who isn't already converted.  To me, therefore, the objective between now and Election Day is to convince those who'd otherwise vote third party or stay home to vote for Harris/Walz.

I didn't listen to the "interview" for the simple fact that I (and the rest of the free world) have heard it all before.  Not only is Donald Trump perhaps the most dangerous man in the country, he's also the most boring.

Besides, if I wanted to hear two narcissists fawn over each other, I'd watch "The Sammy Maudlin Show."

[Gray Bunny]

From the few snippets I heard, he sounded like Donald Duck.  Forget your dentures? 

[I Am A Swede]

If Trump continues to implode the way he's doing, then maybe there is a slight chance to win over some of his less fanatical followers. I just can't believe that more than 40% of the U.S. population are that stupid, so there must be room to gain some ground there. 

[DRW50]

I think there are three issues.

- how much are polls undercounting Trump support? (based on 2016 and 2020, probably a good amount)

- how many "undecided" voters or RFK Jr voters are actually Trump voters (I'd say a good amount)

- how successful will the media be at doing what they did in 2016 and turning the race into being about his opponent rather than him? They did this very successfully with Biden. They are now doing the same by zeroing in on any negative they can find with Walz and endlessly hyperventilating on Harris not doing enough press, while whitewashing and praising Trump at every turn.

I think he still has an advantage, but at least there is a path for Harris, if enough voters have any sense and voter suppression doesn't carry the day.

[DramatistDreamer]

Someone posted some audio from yesterday’s debacle between Tech bro and TFG and man, it turned my stomach to hear him ogle Harris, comparing her to Melania. Only in his dreams.

Please register in order to view this content

[Vee]

If Trump was still ahead he wouldn't be freaking out as much as he is. Three weeks ago this was almost his race to lose. Now it's a difficult competition, and Harris is nearing being favored if she's not there already.

It can still go either way right now, and we need to remain vigilant and keep the foot on the gas. It might even stay close to Election Day. But I'm no longer convinced it will based on the remarkable gains Kamala has made, and I never thought I'd say that weeks ago.

[Vee]

 

[marceline]

It will turn the stomach of a lot of women and men.

Edited August 13, 2024 by marceline

[Vee]

Meanwhile:

 

 

[Vee]

 

[DRW50]

I see your point, but Trump started unraveling again when he was at a peak in the campaign (the last night of the RNC). He's just decrepit, mentally and physically. He's a sick, broken man. He always gives in to his basest instincts and feels those are right, as he is always backed up by yes-men.  

I think we are disgusted by Trump, but I just don't know about voters as a whole, especially with the narrative constantly being pushed that he may be awful, but he gets things done, whereas Harris just avoids and rehashes, etc. Again, I think that's BS, but I don't trust the public to agree with me.

Edited August 14, 2024 by DRW50

[Vee]

I think we have to stay vigilant and push hard nonetheless, but I don't think he has a new ceiling he can build on or increase at this point. He's weak. And the media's attempts to equalize things between him and Harris to find a horserace again are, like 2012, not working so far. They wanted Romney to be more of a threat than he was because he was, to them, the ideal Republican. They want Trump to succeed because they want him back, so they try to make him what they desire him to be or keep the thumb on the scales. But you can't make a Trump at his lowest point into a typical Republican candidate, let alone into Trump '16.

Edited August 14, 2024 by Vee

[Vee]