The State of the Race–2/24

Posted by TomCat at 11:28 am Politics

Feb 242020

We in a brief pause, before The SC Debate tomorrow, the SC Primary Saturday, and Super Tuesday a week from tomorrow. So here is a look at the state of the race as of now.

Energized by his landslide victory in the Nevada caucuses, Senator Bernie Sanders turned his focus to President Trump on Sunday while his campaign made plans to try to win the coming South Carolina primary and amass an insurmountable delegate lead on Super Tuesday next week.

Mr. Sanders plans to be up on the air with commercials in every South Carolina media market this week, and his staff is scrambling to add new rallies to his schedule as they take aim at their next big target: overtaking the front-runner in Saturday’s primary there, former Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr., to all but extinguish his candidacy.

But attacks on Mr. Sanders began mounting on Sunday, with Mr. Biden criticizing him as disloyal to former President Barack Obama — a charged message with the predominantly black electorate in South Carolina — and others describing the Vermont senator as a long shot against Mr. Trump. Mr. Sanders, in turn, used a rally in the Super Tuesday state of Texas to highlight some favorable polling numbers against the president — and attempt to reassure Democrats about his electability if he wins the nomination… [emphasis added]

Inserted from <NY Times>

I haven’t given up on Liz, but Joe’s attacks on Bernie are as disingenuous as are criminal Trump’s* attacks on Joe. Bernie criticized Obama, but so did I. Neither of us was disloyal to him at any time. In addition, whether ANY Democrat beats Trump* is up to us. It will happen, if and only if we make it happen!

Here is the latest delegate count.

State

Date ▾

Delegates*

Sanders

Buttigieg

Biden

Warren

Klobuchar

Steyer

Yang

Gabbard

Primaries/

Caucuses

Open/

Closed

Pledged
Delegates

–

3979

Superdelegates

–

(771)

Total
Delegates

(2,382 Needed after 1st
Ballot)

–

4750

–

Pledged
Delegates

(1,991 Needed on 1st
Ballot)

–

3979

Iowa

February
3

41
(8)

Caucus

Semi-open

New Hampshire

February
11

24
(9)

Primary

Semi-closed

Nevada

February
22

36
(12)

Caucus

Closed

Here are latest SC Poll Results

Biden

Sanders

Steyer

Buttigieg

Warren

Klobuchar

Biden +3.0

Bernie Sanders has the best chance of any candidate, at this point. I think that when Super Tuesday is in the books, we’ll all have a much better idea.

RESIST!!

Vote Blue!!

Nevada Debate: Big Win for Warren

Posted by TomCat at 8:53 am Politics

Feb 202020

The Nevada debate was far more interesting than any of the earlier ones. In my opinion, my two favorites finished first and second. I was most pleased to see Elizabeth Warren so dominant that NBC couldn’t okie-doke her the way ABC did in New Hampshire. I was also pleased to see Mike Bloomberg [R-NY] learn that having to buy his place on the debate stage showed that he never deserved his place there.

The top six contenders for the Democratic nomination gathered Wednesday night for (what feels like) the 7,000th primary debate of the 2020 cycle. But the latest episode of the politics-themed reality show that we’ve all come to know and dread was markedly livelier than its predecessors. And it isn’t hard to see why. Elizabeth Warren, Amy Klobuchar, Pete Buttigieg, and Joe Biden all came to Las Vegas desperate to improve their campaigns’ flagging fortunes with a big gamble or two. Bernie Sanders, meanwhile, is dispositionally incapable of allowing his newfound front-runner status to soften the edges of pugilistic populism. And Michael Bloomberg couldn’t help but bring out his co-partisans’ inner Robespierres.

So, who won the rumble in Nevada? Here’s a definitive ranking of the candidates’ nights from best to worst (as measured by the subjective impressions of an exceptionally unrepresentative white man in New York City):

1) Elizabeth Warren

The Massachusetts senator’s campaign is probably beyond saving. Warren entered Wednesday night’s debate polling in fourth place nationally, some 15.5 points behind the front-running Bernie Sanders. Current surveys suggest she is poised to win no more than a negligible number of delegates in the Nevada caucuses, none in South Carolina, and, per FiveThirtyEight’s model, just 8 percent of 1,357 pledged delegates up for grab on Super Tuesday.

But if there was anything Warren could do to revive her candidacy in Nevada on Wednesday night, she did it many times over. In recent weeks, the senator has tried to smooth out the rougher edges of her populist persona, in a bid to cast herself as the “unity” candidate (and/or to mitigate any potential gendered double-standard the electorate might apply toward female candidates who code as aggressive). But pugnacity is just another word for nothing left to lose. And with her campaign on the ropes, Warren reprised the role that had made her name: merciless inquisitor of the superrich and powerful.

Within minutes of the debate’s opening, Warren stopped the show, threw the nearest billionaire up against a wall, frisked him — and revealed that beneath the would-be emperor’s gilded façade lay little more than an empty suit…

Inserted from <NY Mag>

Please click through for the rest of the article. After Warren, the authors list, in order of finish, Joe Biden, Pete Buttigieg, Amy Klobuchar , and Mike Bloomberg. I agree, except that I would put Pete in third and Joe in fourth.

If you want to watch the entire debate: Watch The Full NBC News/MSNBC Democratic Debate In Las Vegas

For a debate summary…

Watch Highlights Of The Democratic Debate In 5 Minutes

Kudos to Liz for coming to Amy’s aid in the face of Pete’s unfair attack. Here are two about Liz alone.

Fat broads” and “horse-faced lesbians Warren rips Bloomberg

Elizabeth Warren Targets Mike Bloomberg For His Company’s Non-Disclosure Agreements

Woooo Hoooo! Did Liz tear that misogynist Republican a new asshole or what?

RESIST!!

Open Thread–2/17/2020

Posted by TomCat at 8:45 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Feb 172020

I want to rest all I can today, because tomorrow is shove a camera down my throat day. Please expect only a Personal Update. By the time WWWendy gets me home it will be supper time. Depending on how I feel I may or may not be able to publish Wednesday. I’ll update you as soon as I can. Oh God, it’s Monday!

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today’s took me 3:56 (average 5:27). To do it, click here. How did you do?

Cartoon:

This is how white supremacists used to steal elections.

Short Takes:

From Crooks and Liars: Trump’s newest Medal of Freedom winner was apparently terribly concerned about presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg kissing his husband on stage during an ugly rant on his radio show last week, where he said this during his attack on the former mayor’s sexuality:

Now, there may be some Democrats who think that is the ticket. There may be some Democrats who think that’s exactly what we need to do, Rush. Get a gay guy kissing his husband on stage, to ram it down Trump’s throat and beat him in the general election. Really. Having fun envisioning that.

Buttigieg was asked if he wanted to respond to Limbaugh’s remarks this Sunday by Dana Bash on CNN’s State of the Union:

Now Mayor Pete is not my 1st choice, but when it comes to Rush Limbarf and Republican homophobia, I could not be more on his side. RESIST!!

From YouTube (MSNBC Channel): Slick Lobby: Velshi On How Fossil Fuel Is Buying Your Vote

I’m sure none of my regular readers are falling for this Republican bullshit, but we need to educate others: Corporations are NOT people. Money is NOT speech. Fossil fuels are killing YOU! RESIST!!

From YouTube (a blast from the past): I Think We`re Alone Now – Tommy James & The Shondells

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 – 1/13/2019

Posted by TomCat at 10:36 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Jan 132020

It’s a hectic day, here in the CatBox. I tried to refill seven prescriptions at Walgreens (now Alliance) Mail Order Pharmacy and, after trying at the website for three days, called them. I learned that they are no longer the preferred mail order pharmacy. I went to the Providence website and learned that Costco Mail Order Pharmacy is now the one. It took me over three hours to set up my account there, enter all my prescription, call my doctor, and arrange for her to fax them over to Costco. Then Walgreen’s sent me an email that they were processing my order. I called them back. It turns out they assumed I wanted to pay for those prescriptions myself. I told that poor CS gal that they should changer their name again from Alliance to Ulysses. “Why?” she asked. I replied, so customers can call them Useless for short!!” ARGH!!! Needless to say, all that cut into my research time Big Time, so this is my only article today. Oh God, it’s Monday!

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today’s took me 4:06 (average 6:36). To do it, click here. How did you do?

Cartoon:

Short Takes:

From YouTube (NBC News Channel): Defense Sec. Esper Says He ‘Didn’t See’ Intelligence Showing Threat To U.S. Embassies

The threat was so immediate and immanent that impeached War Criminal Trump* and the Republican Reich ordered this murder seven months ago! RESIST!!

From YouTube (FiveThirtyEight Channel): If Joe Biden wins Iowa, ‘he’s off to the races’: Nate Silver

I’ve always respected Nate Silver, but let’s work like hell to make sure that Liz or Bernie wins Iowa for America’s sake! RESIST!!

From YouTube (a blast from the past): Heart – “Barracuda”

Ah… the memories! RESIST!!

Vote Blue!!

Open Thread – 12/20/2019

Posted by TomCat at 8:14 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Dec 202019

The week has caught up with me, so I hope to catch some extra nap time. Pardon my brevity. TGIF!

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today’s took me 3:36 (average 5:12). To do it, click here. How did you do?

Cartoon:

Short Takes:

From YouTube (MSNBC Channel): Expect Trump To Seek Revenge For Impeachment: Fmr. Trump Employee

She should know. There’s a word for Republicans that don’t jump ship now: FOOL! RESIST!!

From YouTube (CNN Channel): Elizabeth Warren attacks Pete Buttigieg for ‘wine cave’ donors

As a Liz supporter, I hate to admit it, but he was ready for her. Nevertheless, I think Mayor Pete more qualified for the post of VP. RESIST!!

From YouTube (a blast from the past): While My Guitar Gently Weeps- George Harrison – The Beatles

Ah… the memories! RESIST!!

Vote Blue!!

Open Thread – 12/6/2019

Posted by TomCat at 9:25 am Open Thread, Personal, Politics

Dec 062019

It’s a quiet, lazy day here at the CatBox. All yesterday’s groceries are stashed, and except for PP and investing in ZZZZZs, my only appointment today is a visit from Providence Home Medical Equipment to pick up their O₂ concentrator between 10 AM and 1 PM. TGIF!

Jig Zone Puzzle:

Today’s took me 3:11 (average 4:48). To do it, click here. How did you do?

Cartoon:

Short Takes:

From Crooks and Liars: Don’t make light of Nancy Pelosi’s constitutional duties.

A reporter, Sinclair’s James Rosen, decided to shout a question to the House Speaker as she ended her Thursday press conference and announcement that the House will draw up articles of impeachment against Donald Trump.

He asked Nancy Pelosi if she hates the president.

Colleen alluded to this yesterday. Was it a thing of beauty, or what? RESIST!!

From YouTube (MSNBC Channel): Pete Buttigieg And The Republican Lie

I suspect Pete is lying to help him against more progressive candidates. That takes him down a notch in my estimation. The proof of the matter is in the following chart. He needs to be prepared to support the winner if the Democratic nomination no matter who it is, as do we all.

1206defecit

RESIST!!

From YouTube (a blast from the past): Lyrics~Stand By Me-Ben E. King

Ah… the memories! RESIST!!

Vote Blue!!

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