2024 Presidential Election

[Bact PhD]

Ah, Mike, we hardly saw ye (this cycle)…

www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2023/10/28/mike-pence-suspends-his-struggling-2024-campaign/

“After much prayer and deliberation I have decided to suspend my campaign for president,” he said. “Let me promise you I will never leave the fight, for conservative values and I will never stop.”
“We always knew this would be an uphill battle, but I have no regrets,” he said. “The only thing that would have been harder than coming up short.”

Now, will anyone besides outright political junkies actually notice??

[pnwguy]

Oct 28, 2023 20:10:56 GMT Bact PhD said:

Ah, Mike, we hardly saw ye (this cycle)…

www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2023/10/28/mike-pence-suspends-his-struggling-2024-campaign/

“After much prayer and deliberation I have decided to suspend my campaign for president,” he said. “Let me promise you I will never leave the fight, for conservative values and I will never stop.”
“We always knew this would be an uphill battle, but I have no regrets,” he said. “The only thing that would have been harder than coming up short.”

Now, will anyone besides outright political junkies actually notice??

Mike will spend his time in fervent prayers that Joe Biden and Kamala Harris will both drop dead the same day such that his fellow Christian Taliban in the Speaker’s chair will suddenly become President, as his god deems as righteous.

[goldenvalley]

Oct 28, 2023 22:56:55 GMT pnwguy said:

Oct 28, 2023 20:10:56 GMT Bact PhD said:

Ah, Mike, we hardly saw ye (this cycle)…

www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2023/10/28/mike-pence-suspends-his-struggling-2024-campaign/

Now, will anyone besides outright political junkies actually notice??

Mike will spend his time in fervent prayers that Joe Biden and Kamala Harris will both drop dead the same day such that his fellow Christian Taliban in the Speaker’s chair will suddenly become President, as his god deems as righteous.

I doubt he’ll just pray. Will he stump for Trump in 2024 or go back to Indiana to run for governor again?

[goldenvalley]

Sitting around sniffling after a nice vacation I decided to look at Twitter/X and found this absurdity:

[Bact PhD]

Christie is OUT!

www.npr.org/2024/01/10/1219632485/chris-christie-drops-out-primary

"It's clear to me tonight that there isn't a path to me to win the nomination which is why I'm suspending my campaign tonight for president of the United States," Christie said at a town hall in Windham, N.H.

[snip]

Christie did not endorse another candidate at the time of his announcement but he did pledge to ensure that "in no way do I enable Donald Trump to ever be president of the United States again. And that's more important than my own personal ambition."

His announcement was somewhat overshadowed by a hot mic moment ahead of the town hall. In a live feed on his campaign YouTube page, his mic went live around 5:10 p.m. E.T. and he was speaking about his presidential rivals. Of Haley, he praised her for "punching above her weight" but said "she's going to get smoked." On Ron DeSantis, he said the Florida governor "is petrified" before his mic was abruptly cut.

[Bact PhD]

Annnd, when in doubt, go back to the old standby, BIRTHERISM!!

www.npr.org/2024/01/10/1223940451/donald-trump-birther-nikki-haley-citizenship-president-14th-amendment

Trump posted an article on his Truth Social account from a right wing outlet that claims Haley is ineligible to be president because her parents were not U.S. citizens when she was born.

[snip]

The Trump campaign has long said that he would target whoever was most threatening him in the Republican primaries. Haley has emerged as his top rival in recent weeks. A new University of New Hampshire/CNN poll shows Haley trailing Trump in the Granite State by just single digits.

This is not the first time, Trump has raised birther claims….

[goldenvalley]

Jan 11, 2024 1:08:50 GMT Bact PhD said:

Annnd, when in doubt, go back to the old standby, BIRTHERISM!!

www.npr.org/2024/01/10/1223940451/donald-trump-birther-nikki-haley-citizenship-president-14th-amendment

Trump posted an article on his Truth Social account from a right wing outlet that claims Haley is ineligible to be president because her parents were not U.S. citizens when she was born.

[snip]

The Trump campaign has long said that he would target whoever was most threatening him in the Republican primaries. Haley has emerged as his top rival in recent weeks. A new University of New Hampshire/CNN poll shows Haley trailing Trump in the Granite State by just single digits.

This is not the first time, Trump has raised birther claims….

Somebody I read said that this guy is like an old rock star on tour playing his greatest hits.  

[andydp]

Just in time for the election:

North American Manure Expo coming to Central NY for first time

According to its official website, the expo features education events, manure technology demonstrations and an industry trade show. Attendees include dairy, livestock and poultry producers; crop consultants and nutrient management specialists; compost managers; agricultural support industry; and professional manure handlers, applicators and brokers.


Patterson Farms, located about 35 miles west of Syracuse, jokingly invited vendors to “join us at the Sh!t show” in a Facebook post.


www.msn.com/en-us/foodanddrink/foodnews/north-american-manure-expo-coming-to-central-ny-for-first-time/ar-AA1mpXju

[goldenvalley]

So about 110,000 Iowans went out in the frigid night to "caucus."  From what my newspaper reporter friend says from his experience in Iowa reporting on caucuses, a bunch of self appointed people get up and talk and a few campaign related folks do too. He never saw much small group discussion or one on one persuasion going on...just speeches.  I'm not sure what is so sacred about this process or why it happens so early.  And guess what? The former president won half the votes...a little bit over.  No surprises.

[goldenvalley]

And the Republican Party nominee race is down to two. Governor DeSantis is out. The only question now is who will be the VP candidate. My money is on Ivanka Trump or Stephen Miller.

[indy]

I realize that it may be just wishful thinking, but it looks like Trump has a real problem going into this election. A heck of a lot of NH GOP voters have basically said they won't vote for him.

[goldenvalley]

Jan 24, 2024 14:20:24 GMT indy said:

I realize that it may be just wishful thinking, but it looks like Trump has a real problem going into this election. A heck of a lot of NH GOP voters have basically said they won't vote for him.

I think it's wishful and was the result of Haley getting aggressive in pointing out that the former guy is losing it which resulted in him displaying that even more.  He was rattled probably by the litigation he's in trial on and angry at this mere woman with the strange first name and background.  As she drops out of the competition he'll return to regular unless one of the criminal trials begins.

[indy]

Jan 24, 2024 16:39:36 GMT goldenvalley said:

I think it's wishful and was the result of Haley getting aggressive in pointing out that the former guy is losing it which resulted in him displaying that even more. He was rattled probably by the litigation he's in trial on and angry at this mere woman with the strange first name and background. As she drops out of the competition he'll return to regular unless one of the criminal trials begins.

¯\_(ツ)_/¯ Maybe so. I don't really know. I mean, he lost the popular vote twice now even before all this crap so it seems reasonable that it has weakened him with the non-crazy people but I can certainly admit the average voter's motivations and behavior are well beyond my powers of analysis.

[indy]

It seems republicans are figuring out new ways to be hostile to the whole concept of 'voting'. How long until they just eliminate these pesky primaries altogether?

The Republican National Committee could move next week to declare former President Donald Trump the “presumptive 2024 nominee” for the party’s presidential nomination.

A draft resolution anointing Trump and obtained by NBC News from two sources has been circulating among RNC members, who could vote on it at their winter meeting in Las Vegas.

www.nbcnews.com/politics/2024-election/rnc-resolution-declare-trump-presumptive-nominee-rcna135741

[goldenvalley]

Jan 26, 2024 0:06:49 GMT indy said:

It seems republicans are figuring out new ways to be hostile to the whole concept of 'voting'. How long until they just eliminate these pesky primaries altogether?

The Republican National Committee could move next week to declare former President Donald Trump the “presumptive 2024 nominee” for the party’s presidential nomination.

A draft resolution anointing Trump and obtained by NBC News from two sources has been circulating among RNC members, who could vote on it at their winter meeting in Las Vegas.

www.nbcnews.com/politics/2024-election/rnc-resolution-declare-trump-presumptive-nominee-rcna135741

So it's back to the smoke filled room to pick Republican presidential nominees.  Really I have to think that it's better to make the political parties pay for the primary elections.  Why should the taxpayer foot the bill for deciding who is going to run for office in the general election?

[jackd]

Apparently they've abandoned that idea. Your point on primaries is well taken. Why, indeed?

[goldenvalley]

This could have fit in a number of threads...the march to fascism being one and this one.  It doesn't fit in political humor because it just ain't funny.

[AnBr]

www.thedailybeast.com/heres-why-rfk-jrs-super-bowl-ad-was-an-absolute-disgrace

[goldenvalley]

Feb 14, 2024 2:42:05 GMT AnBr said:

www.thedailybeast.com/heres-why-rfk-jrs-super-bowl-ad-was-an-absolute-disgrace

When the ad came on my husband and I both said this is creepy and strangely nasty.  The idea that RFK Jr is somehow of the same stature as JFK is ridiculous and I'm not a Camelot believer.  

[Bact PhD]

Feb 14, 2024 2:42:05 GMT AnBr said:

www.thedailybeast.com/heres-why-rfk-jrs-super-bowl-ad-was-an-absolute-disgrace

When it came on, my first thought was that it was some sort of parody, that the voiceover would kick in about how this isn’t your (grand)parents’ Kennedy. It wasn’t until the end and I saw the PAC that I realized it was serious. Then I was thinking, wtf!?!!

[goldenvalley]

Welp the Supreme Court apparently wants a discussion of

"Whether and if so to what extent does a former President enjoy presidential immunity from criminal prosecution for conduct alleged to involve official acts during his tenure in office."  

Essentially this is inviting an exploration of the outer parameters of official acts which is where Trump's defense lies. So we'll be treated eventually to some abstract discussion of what an official act of a president is.  

In other news here is President Biden's medical report. Note that it does not say he's in better shape than any 40 year old. I hope mine at age 80 will read something like this report except I could do without having to wear a C-Pap mask to sleep.

[Bact PhD]

Meanwhile, somewhere between here and the planet Twilo resides the RFK, Jr. campaign. The latest word is that he’s selected a running mate (bold mine):

www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2024/03/12/robert-kennedy-jr-runnning-mate/

Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has selected a running mate and plans to announce that person in the next two weeks, according to someone familiar with the process.

[snip]

Kennedy has spoken with NFL quarterback Aaron Rodgers, former independent Minnesota Gov. Jesse Ventura, former senator Scott Brown (R-Mass.), former Democratic presidential candidate Andrew Yang, former Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (D-Hawaii) and Tony Robbins, the motivational speaker and life coach, according to the person, who requested anonymity to describe an internal campaign process.

He has also spoken with Tricia Lindsay, a Black civil rights attorney and former teacher in New York, who shares Kennedy’s opposition to vaccine mandates. He has had other conversations with Mike Rowe, the former host of the Discovery Channel show Dirty Jobs, who has started a foundation that encourages people into vocational trades.

Most of the conversations have not resulted in a formal offer of a job, the person said, though some became more advanced than others. The New York Times reported some of these names earlier on Tuesday. Kennedy, in an interview with the Times, confirmed that Rodgers and Ventura were at the top of his list.

Somehow, it just…figures. (shakes head slowly)

[goldenvalley]

Mar 13, 2024 0:46:31 GMT Bact PhD said:

Meanwhile, somewhere between here and the planet Twilo resides the RFK, Jr. campaign. The latest word is that he’s selected a running mate (bold mine):

www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2024/03/12/robert-kennedy-jr-runnning-mate/

Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has selected a running mate and plans to announce that person in the next two weeks, according to someone familiar with the process.

[snip]

Kennedy has spoken with NFL quarterback Aaron Rodgers, former independent Minnesota Gov. Jesse Ventura, former senator Scott Brown (R-Mass.), former Democratic presidential candidate Andrew Yang, former Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (D-Hawaii) and Tony Robbins, the motivational speaker and life coach, according to the person, who requested anonymity to describe an internal campaign process.

He has also spoken with Tricia Lindsay, a Black civil rights attorney and former teacher in New York, who shares Kennedy’s opposition to vaccine mandates. He has had other conversations with Mike Rowe, the former host of the Discovery Channel show Dirty Jobs, who has started a foundation that encourages people into vocational trades.

Most of the conversations have not resulted in a formal offer of a job, the person said, though some became more advanced than others. The New York Times reported some of these names earlier on Tuesday. Kennedy, in an interview with the Times, confirmed that Rodgers and Ventura were at the top of his list.

Somehow, it just…figures. (shakes head slowly)

I'm laughing so hard I'm crying.  

[Bact PhD]

Mar 13, 2024 0:46:31 GMT Bact PhD said:

Meanwhile, somewhere between here and the planet Twilo resides the RFK, Jr. campaign. The latest word is that he’s selected a running mate (bold mine):

www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2024/03/12/robert-kennedy-jr-runnning-mate/

Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has selected a running mate and plans to announce that person in the next two weeks, according to someone familiar with the process.

[snip]

Kennedy has spoken with NFL quarterback Aaron Rodgers, former independent Minnesota Gov. Jesse Ventura, former senator Scott Brown (R-Mass.), former Democratic presidential candidate Andrew Yang, former Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (D-Hawaii) and Tony Robbins, the motivational speaker and life coach, according to the person, who requested anonymity to describe an internal campaign process.

He has also spoken with Tricia Lindsay, a Black civil rights attorney and former teacher in New York, who shares Kennedy’s opposition to vaccine mandates. He has had other conversations with Mike Rowe, the former host of the Discovery Channel show Dirty Jobs, who has started a foundation that encourages people into vocational trades.

Most of the conversations have not resulted in a formal offer of a job, the person said, though some became more advanced than others. The New York Times reported some of these names earlier on Tuesday. Kennedy, in an interview with the Times, confirmed that Rodgers and Ventura were at the top of his list.

Somehow, it just…figures. (shakes head slowly)

Annnd, the actual choice is, None of the Above (Who??!??):

www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2024/03/26/robert-f-kennedy-announces-vp/

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced Tuesday that tech lawyer and megadonor Nicole Shanahan would join his independent presidential ticket as his running mate, a move that would provide Kennedy with more ballot access as he pursues his long-shot bid for the White House.

Kennedy, 70, announced his pick in her California hometown, miles from the hub of the technology industry. Shanahan, 38, has grown to prominence as a Bay Area lawyer with deep Silicon Valley ties and was previously married to billionaire Google co-founder Sergey Brin.

“I need someone with a spiritual dimension and compassion and idealism and, above all, a deep love for the United States of America,” Kennedy said. “I found all of those qualities in a woman who grew up right here in Oakland, daughter of immigrants who overcame every daunting obstacle and went on to achieve the highest ideals of the American Dream.”

Again, I say, Who??!??

[Bact PhD]

Meanwhile, No Labels gets turned down by another prospective “unity candidate”: Chris Christie says, “Thanks, but No Thanks”:

The decision leaves the group with few remaining high-profile options for candidates, despite widespread public concern over the two major-party contenders.

“I appreciate the encouragement I’ve gotten to pursue a third-party candidacy,” Christie said in a statement to The Washington Post on Wednesday. “While I believe this is a conversation that needs to be had with the American people, I also believe that if there is not a pathway to win and if my candidacy in any way, shape or form would help Donald Trump become president again, then it is not the way forward.”

His team commissioned polling in 13 states about his bid, calculated a potential campaign budget and studied potential maps for winning the electoral college, eventually concluding that a third-party bid would need to win 20 to 25 states, according to a people involved, who like others for this story spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly.

Ultimately, Christie concluded that while there is a conceptual appetite for a third choice in the upcoming election, there was not a practical path to victory. The obstacles included significant ballot access and litigation expenses, a late start for raising campaign dollars and the risk of drawing votes away from Biden to help elect Trump as president, the people said.

www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2024/03/27/chris-christie-no-labels-president/