Super Tuesday or Pooper Tuesday

Posted by TomCat at 10:31 am Politics

Mar 042020

Well, I trust you have already surmised that I am are not Happy with the Super Tuesday primary results. I have come to the same conclusion about most of you. I blame Jim Clyburn, Pete Buttigieg, Amy Klobuchar, and Beto O’Rourke for the size of Biden’s win. I also blame young Americans who sat out the primaries en masse. I guess they had something better to do, like playing on social media. Shame!

Well, it’ll still be days or weeks before we have the full vote total in California, and it’s still too close to call in Maine, but with Texas now in the win column for Biden, this evening’s top-line takeaway is even clearer: Biden mounted a comeback and won Super Tuesday.

In total, Biden won nine of the 15 primary contests at stake tonight, pulling off a number of upset victories, including a win in Minnesota (we’d projected Sanders would win there), a win in Massachusetts (Sanders again), and a win in Texas (that was more of a toss-up going into tonight), but basically Biden cleaned up across the board. He performed well in states where he wasn’t even really competing, and he proved he’s more than a regional candidate.

Sanders, on the other hand, did not have a great evening. He won just three states outright (Colorado, Utah and Vermont) and underperformed expectations. So far, he does seem on track to win delegate-rich California, though we won’t know the exact margin for a while yet.

Once all the Super Tuesday results are fully counted, 38 percent of delegates will have been awarded in the primary race, but this nomination fight is far from over, and there’s a real question about where it will go from here…

Inserted from <fivethirtyeight.com>

Map source: Real Clear Politics

Here’s the count:

Democratic Pledged
Delegate Count

Sanders

Buttigieg*

Biden

Warren

Klobichar*

BloomBarf*

Iowa

New
Hampshire

Nevada

South
Carolina

Alabama

American
Samoa

Arkansas

California

Colorado

Maine

Massachusetts

Minnesota

North
Carolina

Oklahoma

Tennessee

Texas

Vermont

Virginia

Utah

Totals

392

467

Spreadsheet data source: Real Clear Politics

The Big Winner was Joe, but the Biggest loser wasn’t Bernie. It was Billionaire Bloombarf, who spent all those $millions for nothing. When California delegates are fully allocated, it will pull Bernie closer, but I would be surprised if Joe does not lead when done.

Liz Warren’s results were also very disappointing. At this point, I see no viable way for her to win the nomination. I think it’s time for her to drop out, as much as I hate to say it. The biggest irony here, is that either Liz or Bernie would do far more for the Black Community than Joe would.

Nevertheless, whoever wins the Democratic nomination, even if it’s Joe, is MY candidate.

I’ll post another sheet when all the delegates from Pooper Tuesday states are allocated.

RESIST!!

Open Thread–3/1/2020

Posted by TomCat at 8:51 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Mar 012020

It’s a busy day, here in the CatBox. WWWendy will be here in about half an hour, so I may need to finish this after my de-stinking. I kept breakfast down this morning, but to do it, I had to spread it out over 90 minutes and take tiny bites. I cut my metformin in quarters. Republicosis set in at bedtime and kept me up half the night. ARGH! Have a great day.

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today’s took me 3:02 (average 4:42). To do it, click here. How did you do?

Cartoon:

Short Takes:

From YouTube (SNL Channel): Coronavirus Cold Open – SNL

Once in a while, reality tops satire. Despite a thoroughly valiant attempt, by the SNL actors, the real life Republicans were far more absurd than the actors were. But the pseudo-Dems were quite funny! RESIST!!

From YouTube (CNN Channel): Biden wins big in South Carolina but Bernie Sanders still leads delegate count

There’s not much else to say. Uncle Joe kicked ass. I credit the Clyburn endorsement for the breadth of his win. However, Super Tuesday will far more telling. On the plus side, Steyer suspended his campaign. May Bloomberg [R-NY] follow him quickly. RESIST!!

From YouTube (a blast from the past): The Troggs – Wild Thing

That’s another I played in a band. Ah… the memories. RESIST!!

Vote Blue!!

Open thread–2/23/2020

Posted by TomCat at 8:42 am Open Thread, Politics

Feb 232020

It’s a very busy day, here in the CatBox. WWWendy worked late at her night job, so she’ll be a bit late today. We have a ton of stuff to do. Happy Sunday.

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today’s took me 3:24 (average 5:27). To do it, click here. How did you do?

Cartoon:

Short Takes:

From YouTube (MSNBC Channel): Sen. Bernie Sanders Is The Projected Winner Of The Nevada Democratic Caucus

Kudos to Bernie, and sad condolences to Liz! I’ll post the delegates total, when Nevada is done counting. RESIST!!

From YouTube (CNN Channel): Anderson Cooper on Rod Blagojevich claim: Just nuts

Blago comparing himself to Nelson Mandela is like comparing a steaming pile of shit to a Rose. Blago is calling himself a ‘Trumpocrat’. He’s no kind of …crat. The way he talks and acts, he’s an dishonorary Republican, like that other famous Illinois political criminal: Chicago’s Mayor Richard Daley. RESIST!!

Also from YouTube (CNN Channel): Warren insults Bloomberg after Nevada caucuses

While her candidacy is in deep doo doo, we owe Liz a major debt of gratitude for exposing Bloomberg to America. Her insults are far less than he deserves. RESIST!!

From YouTube (a blast from the past): The Mamas And The Papas – California Dreamin’. Audio Gold Song ful HD.mp4

Ah… the memories! RESIST!!

Vote Blue!!

A Win for Bernie!

Posted by TomCat at 9:05 am Politics

Feb 122020

After much publicity, and far more hype than their delegate count warrants, the New Hampshire primary, is now in the history books, and it’s a win for Bernie. If that surprises anyone, please contact me about the bridge I have for sale. It connects Manhattan to Brooklyn.

Senator Bernie Sanders narrowly won the New Hampshire primary on Tuesday, consolidating support on the left and fending off a late charge by two moderate rivals to claim his second strong showing in two weeks and establish himself as a formidable contender for the Democratic nomination.

Mr. Sanders had about 26 percent of the vote with 90 percent of the ballots counted, while former Mayor Pete Buttigieg of South Bend, Ind., was a close second. Mr. Buttigieg split the centrist vote with Senator Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota, who surged in New Hampshire to finish in third.

Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, Mr. Sanders’s progressive rival, finished a distant fourth in her neighboring state, and in a stinging blow to his candidacy, former Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr. finished fifth.

The results raised immediate questions about how much longer Mr. Biden and Ms. Warren, onetime front-runners, could afford to continue their campaigns. Both had already cut back their advertising because of financial strain… [emphasis added]

Inserted from <NY Times>

Bernie Sanders declares victory in New Hampshire

Here are the results, updated this morning.

0212NH

And here is the delegate count to date. I must say, that I’m disappointed Liz didn’t do better than she did. At least she beat Biden.

Here is the delegate count to date.

0212DemDelegates

Kudos to Bernie, I’m not quite ready to give up on Liz yet, but since she didn’t win, I’m glad he did. If Liz drops out, I’ll be an instant Bernie supporter.

The Republican Reich also had a NH primary. Republican voters defecated on America,

RESIST!!

Open Thread–2/10/2020

Posted by TomCat at 9:24 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Feb 102020

It’s a tired day here in the CatBox. I woke up around midnight with an upset stomach, and could not get back to sleep. I held my breakfast down, but just barely. Oh God, it’s Monday!

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today’s took me 3:55 (average 5:43). To do it, click here. How did you do? I would have been faster, if I were a dawg, or if the hydrant were Trump*.

Cartoon:

Short Takes:

From Daily Kos: Everyone loved Bill Murray reprising his role as Phil Connors in Groundhog Day.

Everyone hated Trump.

USA Today’s Ad Meter, which tabulates consumer ratings, has been running its Super Bowl ad rankings since 1989. This year, Trump’s campaign ad was ranked as the worst.

The second-least favorite? This commercial for pretzel Pop-Tarts. Yes, pretzel Pop-Tarts are more popular than the president of the United States. Not coincidentally, a pretzel Pop-Tart would also be a much better president, because it has more dignity and gravitas and doesn’t necessarily have to be thoroughly toasted before breakfast. (You know, because Trump sprinkles Adderall on his pancakes. Or so I’ve heard.)

I personally found this year’s Super Bowl commercials (something I usually enjoy) to be the worst in my memory. That criminal Fuhrer Trump’s* was the worst of the worst put a smile on my face. RESIST!!

From YouTube (MSNBC Channel): Will New Hampshire Finish Joe Biden’s Political Career?

What really upset me is to see Liz tied with Biden at fourth. I think that ABC’s decision to give Pete and Amy more time than Bernie and Joe and way more time than Liz is at least partially to blame for that. As much as I’d love to see NH move Joe into well-earned retirement, I hesitate to count him out before SC, where Mayor Pete could be in big trouble.

From YouTube (a blast from the past): Harry Nilsson narrates “The Point”

I mentioned The Point yesterday. Here it is. If this clip does not auto-play the next six segments, click through for the playlist. Ah… the memories! Oblio is a Democrat! RESIST!!

Vote Blue!!

Open Thread–2/5/2020

Posted by TomCat at 9:19 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Feb 052020

It’s a hectic day, here in the CatBox. I still haven’t recovered from Monday’s ordeal. Last night, I accidently heard part of Trump’s* address, almost lost my supper, and felt nauseous for the rest of the evening. This morning, I broke through three days of Republicitis. I’m hoping Republicosis does not follow it, as it often does. WWWendy is coming this evening, and I’m totally ready for de-stinking. Happy Hump Day!

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today’s took me 2:55 (average 4:26). To do it, click here. How did you do?

Cartoon:

Short Takes:

From Daily Kos: The Rotating (Regional) Primary Plan

Recommended by the National Association of Secretaries of State in 2000, this plan would divide the country into four regions—Northeast, South, Midwest, and West. There would be four primary days, one for each region. They would rotate every cycle. The original plan preserved the Iowa/New Hampshire duopoly, but just ditch it and rotate. Would work fine. Perhaps my favorite.

I guess I wasn’t the first to think of the idea I proposed yesterday. Great minds fall in the same ditch, after all. Please click through to see four more primary scheduling plans. RESIST!!

From The New Yorker: Calling the delay in the release of the Iowa caucus results “a threat to democracy,” the state of Florida has offered to help Iowa with the vote-counting process.

Harland Dorrinson, a spokesman for Florida’s official electoral commission, said on Tuesday morning that “Florida stands ready and willing to restore credibility to Iowa’s vote-tabulation procedures.”

Dorrinson added that Katherine Harris, Florida’s former secretary of state, was eager to “roll up her sleeves and clean up Iowa’s mess.”

“Just say the word, Iowa, and Katherine Harris will be on the next plane out,” he said.

Dang, Andy! Are you sure that’s Harland Dorrinson? I heard it was his brother, Chad! Or did they hang him? RESIST!!

From YouTube (a blast from the past): Simon & Garfunkel – The Sound of Silence – Madison Square Garden, NYC – 2009/10/29&30

Ah… the memories! RESIST!!

Vote Blue!!

Removing Iowa’s Favored Status is Long Past Due

Posted by TomCat at 10:21 am Politics

Feb 042020

For I long time I have proposed removing Iowa’s favored status in Presidential candidate selection. They have all the candidates crisscrossing the states for several months. My state, Oregon, virtually never sees a candidate before the convention, because our primary is in the last weeks of the season, and the nominee is virtually always decided before that. Now, beyond any shadow of a doubt, Iowa has demonstrated that they do not deserve to be first all the time.

…The first goal — and, really, the only goal — of election officials in any race is to ensure that the voters and the candidates believe in the fairness and the accuracy of the result even if it’s not what they had hoped for. Is there any way that any of the candidates will feel that way when the Iowa Democratic Party announces the results from Monday night?…

…It’s simply hard to imagine, given what we all witnessed play out on national TV Monday night, that some campaigns won’t try to cast doubt upon the numbers in a way they would not have been able to if the reporting of the tally had been seamless…

That’s obviously problematic for the candidates who appeared to be be overperforming and potentially headed to a victory. But it’s an even bigger problem for faith in our democratic institutions — for us to be able to trust that when we vote, that vote will be accurately counted and reported.

When you consider that Trump suggested with zero proof that 3 to 5 million illegal votes were cast in the 2016 election — an election he won! — you can see where a broad erosion in our elections could have disastrous consequences moving forward in 2020. [emphasis added]

Inserted From <CNN>

I just heard that there will be a conference call between the Femocratic Party of Iowa and the various campaigns at 11:00 AM PDT and that they hope to release the results later today.

Here are three video clips from three different sources.

State Party Hung Up On Campaigns During Conference Call

Who can blame the campaigns for being upset. Hanging up on them is unconscionable!

Cuomo scolds Iowa Democratic Party: You had one job

We need to differentiate between party workers and party brass. Kudos to the workers! Screw the brass!

In Iowa, A Shitshow

The answer should be No. Iowa has proven that they don’t deserve special status in the primaries.

Here is the solution I propose:

First, scrap the caucus system. It excludes far too many voters. Have primaries in all states.

Sided the states into four groups, each with approximately the same number of delegates to apportion. NE, SE, NW and SW would be one possibility.

Schedule primaries for each group on the same day. Schedule groups one month apart.

Rotate the groups every four years so evert group gets equal turns to be first, second, third, and last.

That system is both fair and efficient.

RESIST!!

Winning in 2020 with the Reich!

Posted by TomCat at 9:51 am Politics

Dec 142019

1212ProgressiveTurf

Have I got you confused? Let me qualify. I’m not talking about the Reich on the right, who are always wrong, the Republican Reich. We should win with the Reich on the left, who is always right, Robert Reich. Robert offered a fascinating interview with Rep. Ro Khanna [D-CA], Bernie Sanders’ National Co-chair. First, here’s a note on Ro.

Rohit Khanna (known as Ro Khanna, /ˈroʊ ˈkʌnə/; born September 13, 1976) is an American academic, lawyer, and politician serving as the U.S. Representative from California’s 17th congressional district, since 2017. A member of the Democratic Party, he defeated eight-term incumbent Democratic Representative Mike Honda in the general election on November 8, 2016, after first running for the same seat in 2014. Khanna also served as the Deputy Assistant Secretary in the United States Department of Commerce under President Barack Obama from August 8, 2009, to August 2011.

Khanna identifies as a progressive capitalist. He accepts campaign donations only from individuals and is one of only six members of the U.S. House of Representatives, and ten members of Congress, who do not take campaign contributions from political action committees (PACs) or corporations.

On February 21, 2019, Khanna was named a national co-chair of Bernie Sanders’s 2020 presidential campaign.

Inserted from <Wikipedia>

Winning the 2020 Election: Robert Reich and Ro Khanna

We keep hearing that we need a moderate Democrat to beat Trump, and that a progressive Democrat will scare swing state voters, giving the White House to Trump. Why? The reason is that moderate centrist Democrats, who have the media’s ear, are desperate to keep control of the party. In my opinion, nothing could be further from the truth. Don’t forget what happened in 2016. We gave America a choice between Trump and a corporate Democrat, who did not inspire voters to turn out. With a lot of help from Russia, Trump won. Next year, we need a progressive candidate, who can inspire voters enough to turn out, because Russia is still there and busier helping Republicans than ever.

Ro prefers Bernie. I prefer Liz, but we agree. We will support the Democratic nominee, but think our chances are far better with one of the two.

RESIST!!

Older Entries Newer Entries