American Politics

[The Fly]

^ That's from 2018.

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/doctor-who-said-he-was-being-treated-black-person-during-n901711

[Real ale Madrid]

^ That's from 2018.

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/doctor-who-said-he-was-being-treated-black-person-during-n901711

SPOILSPORT! - but noted and deleted.

[osarusan]

Trump impeached again. Not that anything will come of it I think.

[dahamsta]

All hangs on Moscow Mitch. Which is just obscene.

[John83]

All hangs on Moscow Mitch. Which is just obscene.
I haven't been following this one. Why does he still have a say? He's the minority leader now, right? He doesn't set the agenda, and at most he can filibuster, I thought?

[NeverFeltBetter]

He sets the agenda until the new Senate is seated, which isn't until after Biden's inauguration.

[John83]

Sure, but the impeachment doesn't die with the new Senate. They can finish it after Trump is out, which would, e.g. ban him from running in 2024.

[osarusan]

Senate needs a 2/3 majority anyway. Democrats will control senate but only by a slim majority. They'll need Republicans to flip and Mitch will be working hard to ensure that doesn't happen.

[Real ale Madrid]

Senate needs a 2/3 majority anyway. Democrats will senate but only by a slim majority. They'll need Republicans to flip and Mitch will be working hard to ensure that doesn't happen.

Maybe. But not much in it for Mitch now after he's gone.

[the 12 th man]

Difficult situation for the GOP,damned if they do and damned if they don't convict.Convict and Trump's legacy is gonzo but they lose the Trump army,don't convict and he can leave without stain and the the party is tainted forever

17 needed out of 50 Reps to convict as the 50 Dems are a given.

If Mitch comes out and publicly slates Donny T well then the door is wide open for some of the others (Reps)to do it too.

[OwlsFan]

Never watched US current affairs TV much until recently Couldn't believe how biased CNN was. I knew about Fox from the other side but CNN had a reporter crying when news of Biden's election broke. They all but let off firecrackers in the studio. I suppose I am used to RTE/BBC where they give the Government spokesperson their say and then soundbites from a few of the opposition parties. CNN was just one Democratic politician after another.Who do you get balanced reporting from in the US ?

[John83]

Who do you get balanced reporting from in the US ?
I don't bother with any of them for just that reason. NPR and PBS get mentioned in this context. I can't say I've seen enough to speak for either, but they're notable for being non-commercial.

[Charlie Darwin]

It depends on what you mean by balance. If you're looking for balance between Democrat and Republican, then you've a pretty narrow frame of reference for two camps who more or less believe in the same things.

[tetsujin1979]

Never watched US current affairs TV much until recently Couldn't believe how biased CNN was. I knew about Fox from the other side but CNN had a reporter crying when news of Biden's election broke. They all but let off firecrackers in the studio. I suppose I am used to RTE/BBC where they give the Government spokesperson their say and then soundbites from a few of the opposition parties. CNN was just one Democratic politician after another.Who do you get balanced reporting from in the US ?
Republican Senator Rick Santorum was sitting beside him when that happened

[Real ale Madrid]

I knew about Fox from the other side but CNN had a reporter crying when news of Biden's election broke.

Van Jones.

Big friend of the Trumps - a clown.

1325121106328621058

[Wobbles]

CNN used to be more middle of the road. It's true they have become more like left leaning MSNBC. There's a real hole now in centrist coverage. Fox News tried to make a play in the summer, but the core audience remains Republicans and their ratings really tanked once they began to move more towards the middle, so they shifted back to their bread and butter.

In the early years of Bush II MSNBC had fired the likes of Bill Moyes and became a right leaning network much like Fox News. That's why Joe Scarborough, a former Republican congressman, is on MSNBC. He joined during that era.

The greatest irony is that Trump didn't get big because of Fox News. NBC, CNN and MSNBC built him up to a wider American audience. He was friends with Joe and Mika, so they kept inviting him on. He was friends with the head of CNN, Jeff Zucker, who executive produced The Apprentice while at NBC. Plus, whether you loved or loathed Trump, he made great television. He was outspoken. He would always make himself available for soundbites and interviews. He would speak with almost anyone and everyone. He was savvy in that way.

[Neish]

It depends on what you mean by balance. If you're looking for balance between Democrat and Republican, then you've a pretty narrow frame of reference for two camps who more or less believe in the same things.

5 years ago that may of been true but the lack of support to bring investigations into Trump's role in the capitol riots show that there is significant difference in the outlooks of the core of each party

[Charlie Darwin]

Well I think political parties tend to be like that, same as Fine Gael and Fianna Fail agreeing on most things but voting against each other's motions (before they were forced into bed together). Most Republican representatives are embarrassed of Trump but that doesn't mean they won't tow the party line.

[Real ale Madrid]

1638663850257162241

[Razors left peg]

1638663850257162241

This perfectly sums up the hypocrisy over here right now.

[CraftyToePoke]

Just watched his presser from his base camp, flung a lot of allegations around, some sounded very unwise in the circumstances particularly in relation to the judge dealing with this. The fact check breakdown on it will be immediate and well broadcast no doubt & worth a read. It'll also be long, it was a solid twenty five minutes of embittered whataboutery. But he did look rattled also, less bombastic, body language more shrunken. First time I think I've seen something take its toll visibly on him, but then he's after one hell of a day.

His lawyer looked full on swivel eyed frothing at the mouth earlier in NY. All composure long gone, God love him.

Whatever you think of the guy ( & I'd use petrol to put him out ) these charges do whiff of weaponised politicisation of the process.

The Georgia phone call & the Jan 6th ones are where the real story will be told. ( according to what I watched tonight anyway )

[Real ale Madrid]

Just watched his presser from his base camp, flung a lot of allegations around, some sounded very unwise in the circumstances particularly in relation to the judge dealing with this. The fact check breakdown on it will be immediate and well broadcast no doubt & worth a read. It'll also be long, it was a solid twenty five minutes of embittered whataboutery. But he did look rattled also, less bombastic, body language more shrunken. First time I think I've seen something take its toll visibly on him, but then he's after one hell of a day.

His lawyer looked full on swivel eyed frothing at the mouth earlier in NY. All composure long gone, God love him.

Whatever you think of the guy ( & I'd use petrol to put him out ) these charges do whiff of weaponised politicisation of the process.

The Georgia phone call & the Jan 6th ones are where the real story will be told. ( according to what I watched tonight anyway )

Sums up what is wrong about the whole system over there.

However if he ends up in jail re contempt of court - hew won't be able to blame politics on that one.

[Eminence Grise]

Had a feeling that this might be the one to land the first blow. Still not sure what direct impact it will have since it’s a civil action, and he's obviously going to appeal. The MAGA brigade will just see it as the deep state, witch hunt yada-yadda, and the other side knew it already. It might have some short-term impact on Republican donors, maybe shift a few waverers from Rep to Dem or Lib, or add some impetus to the pending criminal cases. Apart from that ...? Still, it's a headline a long tiem coming.

Jury finds Donald Trump sexually abused columnist E Jean Carroll (https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/may/09/e-jean-carroll-wins-trump-trial-verdict)

[osarusan]

After the first debate, the Democrats must be worried. Biden looked in terrible shape and though he had moments where he made clear points, the moments where he rambled incoherently will be the ones around social media.

Trump is Trump, and he has a cohort of voters who are going to vote for him no matter what, but there's no way the Biden camp can be confident that those voters who came out to support him so urgently last time will do again.

[seanfhear]

Joe Biden is done ~ ~ As Americans would say !

[The Fly]

Trump just got re-elected.

[Crosby87]

The SS needs to answer some questions here.

A clear line of site????!!!!

[CraftyToePoke]

Trump just got re-elected.

Some potentially game changing images emerging.

[seanfhear]

The SS needs to answer some questions here.

A clear line of site????!!!!Because they missed (wink wink )

[Crosby87]

The one woman can't find her holster. The two next to her look like they are in a Reno 911 episode.

[pineapple stu]

That is mental stuff. Though you can't avoid the feeling it's almost a surprise it didn't happen before now.

What would have happened if Trump had been an inch to one side and was now dead? I'm not sure America is quite as Gavrilo Princip levels, but it can't be far off

[Crosby87]

The whole world is. They are installing metal detectors at McDonalds across London bc of knife attacks. That isn't even news anymore.

It's insane! I'm all for people getting a fair shake in life but this is crazy! When have things gone too far? I was in Portland. It seriously looks like a third world country. I can show you photos. Its the twilight zone.

Chicago had 100 shootings reported last weekend (and God knows how many this weekend) and the Mayor blamed Richard Nixon! Seriously!

[SkStu]

Trump just got re-elected.

I know he’s leading in many of the polls but do you think this really moves the dial? I don’t think it changes blue to red. Maybe it shifts some undecideds. Maybe that’s all he needs.

[pineapple stu]

The whole world is.

No, the whole world is not at or even close to America levels of looney. I think that's a very American thing to think

Parts of London have big issues with knife crime which is probably a factor in what you're seeing. Parts of London does not mean the entire world

[Crosby87]

No we've lost it for sure.

But I mean, do you think Paris is still a nice city?

[The Fly]

I know he’s leading in many of the polls but do you think this really moves the dial? I don’t think it changes blue to red. Maybe it shifts some undecideds. Maybe that’s all he needs.
Apologies for the late reply.

My post was predicated on Biden remaining the Democrat nominee, which of course the debate put paid to. Now it’s all up the air again.

I’d say Trump regrets agreeing to that debate when he did. In retrospect it seems like a set up to remove Biden.

[The Fly]

Wow!!

[joey B]

Quite the shalacking for the Democrats, there might not be a political group in the world that has as much money as they do and still seem to quite useless …

[seanfhear]

That's twice that the American Democratic Party has lost to Donald Trump ~ ~ Quite the reverse achievement !

It's amazing how out of touch with ordinary people, a party like the American Democratic Party can be !

[John83]

We definitely get a Dem-leaning slice of American media, which can make it harder to judge, but wow. I've never seen a less fit candidate: old, crooked, slimy, nasty, petty, vindictive and a hundred other things that make him an awful choice. He'll surround himself with cretins who hate the things they're in charge of. I don't get the appeal. The canned analysis I've seen so far is that they just couldn't bring themselves to vote for a black woman. I can't really comprehend that mindset, and have my doubts that it really captures the most important factors. Gaza seems to have hurt her too, but I expect to see Trump acting much the same there as Biden, in practice if not in rhetorical tone.

[joey B]

We definitely get a Dem-leaning slice of American media, which can make it harder to judge, but wow. I've never seen a less fit candidate: old, crooked, slimy, nasty, petty, vindictive and a hundred other things that make him an awful choice. He'll surround himself with cretins who hate the things they're in charge of. I don't get the appeal. The canned analysis I've seen so far is that they just couldn't bring themselves to vote for a black woman. I can't really comprehend that mindset, and have my doubts that it really captures the most important factors. Gaza seems to have hurt her too, but I expect to see Trump acting much the same there as Biden, in practice if not in rhetorical tone.

I think the foreign policy aspects wasn't as a big a factor as they make out, people had less money in their pockets and blamed immigrants, inflation and the government and the result is what the election gave,funnily enough I wouldnt even be that worried about Trump its the brains behind him that would be the worry,Vance,Musk,Theil and the rest ........

[pineapple stu]

Yeah, was only saying to someone today that if Trump didn't last the 4 years, it wouldn't necessarily be a good thing because of that line of succession.

He seems to have promised Robert Kennedy a major role in health (https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/nov/04/election-trump-rfk-jr-vaccines-fluoride) for example. Kennedy is not just anti-vaxx - he's in favour of banning vaccines.

A shower of mentallers.

[SkStu]

I think the foreign policy aspects wasn't as a big a factor as they make out, people had less money in their pockets and blamed immigrants, inflation and the government and the result is what the election gave,funnily enough I wouldnt even be that worried about Trump its the brains behind him that would be the worry,Vance,Musk,Theil and the rest ........

Was watching it on NBC last night. The top factors for all voters according to the exit polls were (in order)
1. State of the Democracy (34%) - motivated both sides in different ways
2. Economy (31%)
3. Abortion (14%)
4. Immigration (11%)
5. Foreign Affairs (7%)

Going off memory on some of these percentages but theyre close enough.

It was fascinating to watch it last night. The Trump campaign went after and won huge chunks of the latino and black voting blocs compared to previous campaigns. Got endorsements from Muslim leaders and at least some votes from that as a result. Way overperformed with youth voters - especially males under 30 but also did way better with females under 30 than expected - including improving on college campuses. The campaign played the margins, got new voters and wins comprehensively. I thought he would lose (and fwiw would have been happy for him to lose for the reasons John83 raises) but he absolutely nailed it. Big win electorally, likely to take the popular vote too, R's flip the senate, look likely to hold the house and control the supreme court. I dont think anyone was forecasting that? Wow.

[mark12345]

We definitely get a Dem-leaning slice of American media, which can make it harder to judge, but wow. I've never seen a less fit candidate: old, crooked, slimy, nasty, petty, vindictive and a hundred other things that make him an awful choice. He'll surround himself with cretins who hate the things they're in charge of. I don't get the appeal. The canned analysis I've seen so far is that they just couldn't bring themselves to vote for a black woman. I can't really comprehend that mindset, and have my doubts that it really captures the most important factors. Gaza seems to have hurt her too, but I expect to see Trump acting much the same there as Biden, in practice if not in rhetorical tone.

Your first sentence about the media is spot on John. But after that, I really don't know what to say.
Old? He is so old that his 30 something staffers cannot keep pace with his 3 - 5 rallies a day. I really wish I had his stamina.
Crooked? I'll leave you to explain that one
Slimy, nasty, petty, vindictive? He's been taking abuse since 2015 and there was the small matter of 2 assassiation attempts against him. I have no idea how I would handle life in his shoes. Suffice to say I would have quit long ago.
They just couldn't bring themselves to vote for a black woman?
Seriously? They elected a black man as president not once but twice. So colour really isn't the issue. But maybe being a woman is the issue? Yet Hillary was on offer not so long ago
Funny thing is, I was looking on YouTube this morning. An Irish lad shared a video about what Trump's election means to Irish people. The comments were almost 100 percent positive towards DT, which I found to be very refreshing.

[Dermobohs]

Wow, just wow.
A criminal fascist gets elected and it’s refreshing.
Seems peoples dirt bucket detectors are switched off.
Trump and all his cronies are utter scum.

[mark12345]

Wow, just wow.
A criminal fascist gets elected and it’s refreshing.
Seems peoples dirt bucket detectors are switched off.
Trump and all his cronies are utter scum.

Criminal without a sniff of anything on his record until he was 70 years old, but as soon as he enters politics he has 92 charges against him with 34 indictments. Are you getting the picture? A criminal and a racist who now has received more votes than any US president in history. Try recalibration your compass sir

[seanfhear]

Donald Trump's victory is getting bigly bigger and bigger !

Those American Democrats took one hell of a beating !

[Dermobohs]

Criminal without a sniff of anything on his record until he was 70 years old, but as soon as he enters politics he has 92 charges against him with 34 indictments. Are you getting the picture? A criminal and a racist who now has received more votes than any US president in history. Try recalibration your compass sir
Without a sniff of anything??
Rape, illegal trading, refusing to honour debt, a history of barefaced lying, racist, ?
As I said , utter scum. And any one who voted for him.
America is f€& ked.will be huge upheaval there within six months.

[pineapple stu]

Funny thing is, I was looking on YouTube this morning. An Irish lad shared a video about what Trump's election means to Irish people. The comments were almost 100 percent positive towards DT, which I found to be very refreshing.
What video was this, out of interest?

Cos given one of Trump's former advisers only last month called on Israel to "carpet bomb the Irish area and then drop napalm over it", I don't think a faavourable view of Trump from Ireland is what you'd call "refreshing"

I suspect the video you reference doesn't exist.

[seanfhear]

You'd have to admire the great reverse achievement of the American Democratic Party losing so comprehensively to Donald J trump and the Donald Trump's Republican Party !

Surely, there must be some sort of political prize for such a reverse achievement !