The Politics Thread

[marceline]

I'm not sure about that. I just saw a commercial for a movie starring Mel Gibson.

[DramatistDreamer]

Happy 100th Birthday to President Jimmy Carter.
 

Despite all the challenges that President Carter has had to endure, especially in the last several years, he has met each challenge with enormous grace. His life is a testimony to service to humanity and no detractors (many of whom he has outlived) can ever take that away from him. We are truly blessed to be alive in an era where President Carter is here alive on this planet that we all share.

[janea4old]

Trump is outright lying (well he always lies but this is the latest)

He's claiming that Biden and FEMA are refusing to help the victims of Hurricane Helene.
Meanwhile the governors of the affected states (Republican governors and Democrat governors) are giving statements thanking Biden for all the assistance.

For updates on the ground:
Chef José Andrés of World Central Kitchen is tweeting videos of all the trucks arriving with help.
https://x.com/chefjoseandres

 

 

 

Edited October 1, 2024 by janea4old

[Vee]

 

 

 

[Khan]

I'm not sure about that either.  If nothing else, Levi will wind up on the "faith-based movie circuit" with Kevin Sorbo and Jim Caviezel.  But I'd hardly think his career is DEAD.

I mean, if endorsing Trump was a sure-fire way to get you blacklisted in H'wood, there'd be no second season of the "Frasier" revival with Kelsey Grammer OR Special Guest Star (and fellow MAGAt) Patricia Heaton.

Edited October 2, 2024 by Khan

[Vee]

I think Levi will be in C or D stuff for years to come - he's become radioactive and he doesn't have the superstar cachet Mel did that has just barely gotten him out of the gutter, and even then Mel is not headlining any really huge films.

Anyway, onto the debate!

[Vee]

So far Vance hasn't landed a real blow. I thought he'd be nastier. Without the MAGA backdrop of the rallies he's bloodless and seems without fire. He's very smooth as a wonk which would play well 15 years ago but (like Paul Ryan) he's disconnected from any real life people or issues, and while Walz clearly has nerves every answer he's given has been strong and talking about people and IMO lands much better for voters. His answers have feeling behind them. Nothing here so far is going to move people away from Harris/Walz or to Vance/Trump.

The CBS moderators should be credited - they have pressed Vance on key issues repeatedly, possibly due to online pressure over the last couple days re: their lack of fact-checking, and supported Walz's points.

This is likely as good as it's gonna get for Vance in this, and he's been mediocre at best. Wait for abortion.

Vance is now throwing a tantrum about the CBS anchors fact-checking him and defending Haitian slander. Holy shít.

The moderators just muted Vance as he rambled on and on. "Thank you for explaining the legal process," Brennan snarks at Vance. He just lost.

Edited October 2, 2024 by Vee

[Vee]

Vance is deep in the weeds over the abortion section, which I knew would happen. Not going well for him.

They've both had some rough moments, but while Vance is very slick (and much more skilled in this format than Walz) he isn't moving new voters to him and Trump, and no one's gonna forget the abortion section or him losing it with Margaret Brennan. Walz's answers are also largely heartfelt, human and ground level, unlike Vance - most are quite good. So as much as a VP debate ever matters or doesn't (usually the latter) I am not expecting a massive change. Which is fine by me.

Vance has agreed with Walz/Harris a few too many times tonight - and then answers the gun control question by saying we need to strengthen doors and windows. "I don't love my answer," he admits.

Walz is very good on guns. Vance doesn't seem to notice he can be seen nodding along to many of Walz's answers.

Edited October 2, 2024 by Vee

[DRW50]

Levi's career was already on a downward spiral anyway, but what will hurt him the most is he has no powerful allies. RDJ and Jodie Foster adore Gibson and I imagine they played some part in his comeback. Levi had better just hope Ben Shapiro is still producing movies.

[Vee]

I generally agree with this.

 

Oh, Vance just agreed with Tim again.

This VP debate is getting strangely mellow and comfy between these two lol. Which I don't hate. It reminds me of pre-Tea Party politics.

The key thing developing here is that Vance is not the attack dog tonight that both the campaign and the Beltway hoped for to shock the race back on track for them. The longer this goes on the more he agrees with Walz, gets cozier and more polite with him and likelier to go out for a beer with him after the debate lol. He is nodding along and agreeing with Walz on 60-70% of what he's said over the last hour at least.

The crucial thing IMO is that people aren't going move from Walz to Vance, or Harris to Trump over this debate.

Jonathan Swan attempts to spin it lol:

 

[Vee]

This debate has officially become comfy, civil and boring. Which is good AFAIC. Walz has been strong enough and Vance has agreed with him too much, and while he's a skilled debater Vance has had his share of bad moments (as has Walz). The second half of the debate was much quieter and more comfy. So the needle is unlikely to seriously move - this will never be the JD Vance ticket. The Beltway is gonna be disappointed.

Lord, Vance is trying to put over RFK and Tulsi.

You can tell Vance actually likes Walz. MAGA and Trump will not be happy. Hand it to Tim Walz to actually make JD Vance look vaguely human.

Walz may have actually just made the strongest case to America for going back to being decent that I've seen in a long time. He even charmed JD Vance!

The Times allows for the truth:

It is a draw, but the coziness is what people will remember.

Walz nails Vance on refusing to answer if Trump lost in 2020 as a closer.

This ending is very, very strong from Walz and Vance falters and babbles about Facebook.

 

[Vee]

And we're done. Did no harm, didn't shift votes to Trump, was remarkably civil and nice to listen to at times, and Walz drew blood several times particularly at the end. Good enough for me.

I won't be the only one saying this: Vance is looking past Trump, angling for 2028 as a different, kinder and gentler Republican candidate all over again.

 

[Vee]

The Times, CNN, CBS, etc. calling it a draw and noting Walz's killer moment on 1/6 at the end. So much for the comeback tour.

[Vee]

 

[Soapsuds]

I watched MSNBC and they interviewed college students about the debate and they caught all of Vance lies. They laughed at Vance answer to solve gun violence. Get better locks and windows.

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CNN has undecided Michigan voters and they ask one guy what he thought about a certain issue discussed in the debate. He actually says huh and is confused and rambles on. No wonder he is undecided. He didn't pay attention to the debate. He's clueless.

Edited October 2, 2024 by Soapsuds