2022 Congressional & State Elections

[pg]

Oct 29, 2021 17:12:54 GMT jackd said:

He's probably going to run for governor.

Speaking of gubernatorial runs... News from TX:

Beto is BACK, and ready to take on the natural disaster that is Gov. Abbott. Frankly, I'd vote for my dog over Abbott. Let's hope he's ready to fight.

Beto O’Rourke is running for governor, challenging Republican Greg Abbott in a clash of two of Texas’ biggest politicians.

“I’m running to serve the people of Texas, and I want to make sure that we have a governor that serves everyone, helps to bring this state together to do the really big things before us and get past the small, divisive politics and policies of Greg Abbott,” O’Rourke said in an interview with The Texas Tribune. “It is time for change.”/quote]

[pnwguy]

Expect this dialogue to be running constantly on Faux, OANN, Newsmax, talk radio, etc.


"Are you proposing taking away their guns?”

“I am, if it’s a weapon that was designed to kill people on a battlefield,” O’Rourke answered. “Hell, yes, we’re going to take your AR-15, your AK-47. We’re not going to allow it to be used against our fellow Americans anymore.”

I like Beto, but his exuberance can be a political handicap, in our current media age.

Of course, on RW media, Beto's response will be shortened to "I am", end of sentence.  Context is Satan's language.

[LFC]

Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-VT) is retiring. He's 81.

[LFC]

Biden and the Democrats are being hit with the COVID economy. This could be the end of American democracy in our lifetimes.

[pnwguy]

Nov 15, 2021 16:27:51 GMT LFC said:

Biden and the Democrats are being hit with the COVID economy. This could be the end of American democracy in our lifetimes

I will do what I can to fight it, but my optimism isn't great.  It will still appear like a democracy, to keep the proles content.  But it will resemble Russia, Turkey, Belarus, etc. where opposition leaders get jailed if they appear to have any strength at all. 

That's why I started this thread earlier in the year:   talkradiosucks.proboards.com/thread/147/exodus

[LFC]

Nov 15, 2021 17:10:28 GMT pnwguy said:

It will still appear like a democracy, to keep the proles content. 

Yep. They'll allow a minority party (which represents a majority of Americans) to exist but will pull every available lever to ensure that they can never take power. They did it here in PA and they're pushing hard to do the same at the federal level.

[pg]

Nov 15, 2021 16:04:56 GMT pnwguy said:

Expect this dialogue to be running constantly on Faux, OANN, Newsmax, talk radio, etc.


"Are you proposing taking away their guns?”

“I am, if it’s a weapon that was designed to kill people on a battlefield,” O’Rourke answered. “Hell, yes, we’re going to take your AR-15, your AK-47. We’re not going to allow it to be used against our fellow Americans anymore.”

I like Beto, but his exuberance can be a political handicap, in our current media age.

Of course, on RW media, Beto's response will be shortened to "I am", end of sentence.  Context is Satan's language.

A concern, of course. He can't control the RW response, but he can develop his own full message. He has the capability for strong contrast with the executive orders BS Abbott has attempted and the ridiculous bills (toothless junk) passed by the TX ledge during a time of skyrocketing mass shootings often involving military style weapons too readily available. Beto could still try to soften his message, but I expect him to double down. Is it a winning strategy? Who knows, but I think it may be a matter of integrity for Beto.

Even if only privately, many Republican voters (and if to be believed, some GOPer legislators)  now are alarmed at how easily our cities have become zones of instability. This was inevitable as the cities became overtaken by the worst element during the pandemic shutdown. Unfortunately, like punch-drunk fighters, it continues. The re-emergence of high public foot traffic enmasse only serves to up the ante in what I consider one giant High Risk Pool.

Even hardcore Republicans can succumb to real fears and frustration. This includes their safety in arenas that have always been fairly protected territory. It's a real bummer not to feel comfortable going to the hottest new "thing" without fear. And of course, even Republicans give a darn about their own children's safety i.e. schools, churches and even neighborhood parks. 

Pollyanna reporting for duty today. I still hold out hope for the ever-changing TX demographic landscape. Even lifelong GOPers who have moved here from other areas are a bit shocked at the state of the State within guns. Says something when people choose to bail on TX in favor of safer places like NYC...

Reiterating- I hope O'Rourke has learned to fight better this time around. We shall see.


 

[goldenvalley]

Nov 15, 2021 17:15:38 GMT LFC said:

Nov 15, 2021 17:10:28 GMT pnwguy said:

It will still appear like a democracy, to keep the proles content. 

Yep. They'll allow a minority party (which represents a majority of Americans) to exist but will pull every available lever to ensure that they can never take power. They did it here in PA and they're pushing hard to do the same at the federal level.

Speaking of PA, The Atlantic has a long article on the elections judges and inspectors.  Why are these elected offices at all?  We still seem to be operating in some old framework in which all governmental jobs were to be elected offices.  

While most state governments simply appoint people to run their polls, Pennsylvania voters elect fellow citizens to these positions. Or at least they’re supposed to. In hundreds of districts this fall, not a single name appeared on the ballot for judge or inspector of elections, prompting an under-the-radar scramble to encourage citizens to snap up the posts through write-in campaigns. “WE NEED PATRIOTS IN THESE POSITIONS!” read one entreaty circulated by the pro-Trump group Audit the Vote PA in mid-October. Fearing that election deniers could pose an insider threat in 2024, groups such as the League of Women Voters and All Voting Is Local sent out their own emails soliciting volunteers. “This is URGENT,” one of the emails read. “People (YOU!) need to run for Judge of Elections (work the polls) in a write-in campaign on November 2nd!” Some candidates won the posts with dozens or hundreds of votes from their neighbors; others simply claimed them by writing in their own name in precincts where no one else did.

[LFC]

Nov 15, 2021 18:04:53 GMT goldenvalley said:

Speaking of PA, The Atlantic has a long article on the elections judges and inspectors.  Why are these elected offices at all?

Because Pennsylvania is a backward state compared to all of its neighbors other than Ohio and West Virginia to the west. We're always behind in everything. Marijuana laws are a good example. Liquor laws were an even better one.

[goldenvalley]

Nov 15, 2021 17:26:35 GMT pg said:

Nov 15, 2021 16:04:56 GMT pnwguy said:

Expect this dialogue to be running constantly on Faux, OANN, Newsmax, talk radio, etc.


"Are you proposing taking away their guns?”

“I am, if it’s a weapon that was designed to kill people on a battlefield,” O’Rourke answered. “Hell, yes, we’re going to take your AR-15, your AK-47. We’re not going to allow it to be used against our fellow Americans anymore.”

I like Beto, but his exuberance can be a political handicap, in our current media age.

Of course, on RW media, Beto's response will be shortened to "I am", end of sentence.  Context is Satan's language.

A concern, of course. He can't control the RW response, but he can develop his own full message. He has the capability for strong contrast with the executive orders BS Abbott has attempted and the ridiculous bills (toothless junk) passed by the TX ledge during a time of skyrocketing mass shootings often involving military style weapons too readily available. Beto could still try to soften his message, but I expect him to double down. Is it a winning strategy? Who knows, but I think it may be a matter of integrity for Beto.

Even if only privately, many Republican voters (and if to be believed, some GOPer legislators)  now are alarmed at how easily our cities have become zones of instability. This was inevitable as the cities became overtaken by the worst element during the pandemic shutdown. Unfortunately, like punch-drunk fighters, it continues. The re-emergence of high public foot traffic enmasse only serves to up the ante in what I consider one giant High Risk Pool.

Even hardcore Republicans can succumb to real fears and frustration. This includes their safety in arenas that have always been fairly protected territory. It's a real bummer not to feel comfortable going to the hottest new "thing" without fear. And of course, even Republicans give a darn about their own children's safety i.e. schools, churches and even neighborhood parks. 

Pollyanna reporting for duty today. I still hold out hope for the ever-changing TX demographic landscape. Even lifelong GOPers who have moved here from other areas are a bit shocked at the state of the State within guns. Says something when people choose to bail on TX in favor of safer places like NYC...

Reiterating- I hope O'Rourke has learned to fight better this time around. We shall see.


 

I fear O'Rourke can't help himself on this. I wonder if the voters of Texas will see him as just as extreme as Abbott and will want "normal."  Whatever that is.

[pnwguy]

Nov 15, 2021 18:31:40 GMT goldenvalley said:

I fear O'Rourke can't help himself on this. I wonder if the voters of Texas will see him as just as extreme as Abbott and will want "normal."  Whatever that is.

All right, all right, all right?

[goldenvalley]

Nov 15, 2021 19:22:39 GMT pnwguy said:

Nov 15, 2021 18:31:40 GMT goldenvalley said:

I fear O'Rourke can't help himself on this. I wonder if the voters of Texas will see him as just as extreme as Abbott and will want "normal."  Whatever that is.

All right, all right, all right?

LOL I have no idea what that guy's politics are and no idea how the right wing responds to him.  Celebrity can carry someone a long way towards office though.  

[pnwguy]

Nov 15, 2021 19:29:44 GMT goldenvalley said:

Nov 15, 2021 19:22:39 GMT pnwguy said:

All right, all right, all right?

LOL I have no idea what that guy's politics are and no idea how the right wing responds to him.  Celebrity can carry someone a long way towards office though.  

"He played that character of Ron Woodroof in The Dallas Buyer's Club, who was an AIDS patient who cavorted with known homosexuals.  Matthew must be a godless librul homo sympathizer and thus unfit for the Christian State of Texas"

[pg]

Nov 15, 2021 19:46:12 GMT pnwguy said:

Nov 15, 2021 19:29:44 GMT goldenvalley said:

LOL I have no idea what that guy's politics are and no idea how the right wing responds to him.  Celebrity can carry someone a long way towards office though.  

"He played that character of Ron Woodroof in The Dallas Buyer's Club, who was an AIDS patient who cavorted with known homosexuals.  Matthew must be a godless librul homo sympathizer and thus unfit for the Christian State of Texas"

A true giggle. McConaughey and his family are rooted in the ATX, albeit in rarified air, ensconced in a compound- but still a huge part of the community. It's been intriguing to watch as speculation re: a run for Governor ran away with itself. His politics appear to be all over the map. Part of me thinks that would be a true asset here, but a problem: He knows ZERO about governing.

Fun fact #1: He grew up Methodist but now considers himself Catholic. His wife is Catholic, Brazilian born, and they were married in the faith. He is very outspoken re his faith, but is quoted as saying "science is the practical pursuit of God, the two are not exclusive." Personally, I think he's far too busy with his investment monster group who are the founding owners of Austin FC, among other holdings to bother with politics.

Fun fact #2: While I've seen his wife and him at certain dining establishments over the years, my son recently dined at his table at a grand opening of Austin's newest, hottest fine dining experiences. An invited guest by his colleague and mentor within the very  large restaurant group that he helps to manage. A pretty epic three day roll out that was so celebrity packed (in town and coming from all over) that the GM had to get a burner phone to keep it all confidential, even from her own staff. Quite seriously

Fun fact #3: in his younger star-powered days, it wasn't unusual to see actor McConaughey in his front yard, naked and playing his bongos. Too bad it was before the day where everybody has cell cameras/videos. Still wouldn't have tanked a political career. Apparently, it was just all in a day in th Zilker Park area. 

Thanks for the space to indulge in some mindless writing. I'm STILL in the middle of a long conference call with a bunch of West Coasters who seem to be hopped up on caffeine and don't have an appreciation for the reality that I have cocktails with the neighbors in 3 minutes. I'm already late, but I do have my priorities straight...Off to have some good, clean fun next door. Every day is Saturday hin my 'hood.

[Traveler]

PG, so great to hear from you. A little levity goes a long way.

[LFC]

Sen. Dr. Oz (R-PA)? FSM help us.

Yes, Dr. Oz is serious about running for the Senate.

The famous TV physician’s prospective campaign for an open Senate seat in Pennsylvania remains a hush-hush affair — no one so far has admitted to working on it and the consultants thought to be involved are remaining tight-lipped. But Mehmet Oz is searching for a scheduler and policy director, according to a person contacted about the jobs. He has also recently looked for a home in the Philadelphia suburbs, another source said.

[LFC]

A MAGAt running for Toomey's soon to be vacant Senate seat is dropping out.

Sean Parnell, the Trump-endorsed Republican candidate for U.S. Senate in Pennsylvania, suspended his campaign Monday after losing a bitter custody battle with his estranged wife Laurie Snell.

“There is nothing more important to me than my children, and while I plan to ask the court to reconsider, I can’t continue with a Senate campaign,” he said in a statement.

A judge granted sole legal custody to Snell after hearings in which she accused Parnell of assaulting both her and their children.

“Ms. Snell is grateful that justice prevailed,” Jill Sinatra, Snell’s lawyer, told TPM. “She has been awarded sole legal and primary physical custody of their children. She will continue, as always, to focus on their best interests.”

Parnell’s lawyers did not respond to TPM’s questions.

“Laurie Snell was the more credible witness and she can truthfully give regular status reports to Sean Parnell and, as may be needed, to the court,” Butler County Senior Common Pleas Judge James Arner wrote. He awarded sole legal custody and primary physical custody to Snell, with partial physical custody to Parnell on some weekends each month.

Parnell, who has already been endorsed by President Donald Trump, was considered the leading contender for the Republican nomination in the race to fill the Senate seat soon to be vacated by the retiring Sen. Pat Toomey (R-PA).

[goldenvalley]

Nov 22, 2021 20:58:23 GMT LFC said:

A MAGAt running for Toomey's soon to be vacant Senate seat is dropping out.

Sean Parnell, the Trump-endorsed Republican candidate for U.S. Senate in Pennsylvania, suspended his campaign Monday after losing a bitter custody battle with his estranged wife Laurie Snell.

“There is nothing more important to me than my children, and while I plan to ask the court to reconsider, I can’t continue with a Senate campaign,” he said in a statement.

A judge granted sole legal custody to Snell after hearings in which she accused Parnell of assaulting both her and their children.

“Ms. Snell is grateful that justice prevailed,” Jill Sinatra, Snell’s lawyer, told TPM. “She has been awarded sole legal and primary physical custody of their children. She will continue, as always, to focus on their best interests.”

Parnell’s lawyers did not respond to TPM’s questions.

“Laurie Snell was the more credible witness and she can truthfully give regular status reports to Sean Parnell and, as may be needed, to the court,” Butler County Senior Common Pleas Judge James Arner wrote. He awarded sole legal custody and primary physical custody to Snell, with partial physical custody to Parnell on some weekends each month.

Parnell, who has already been endorsed by President Donald Trump, was considered the leading contender for the Republican nomination in the race to fill the Senate seat soon to be vacated by the retiring Sen. Pat Toomey (R-PA).

I guess someone just as bad politically, but who isn't in the middle of a custody battle or sexual harassment suit will take his place. 

[LFC]

Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-Text Your Doc for Stronger Meds) has decided to run for Texass AG. I listened to the video. He sounds even dumber aloud than he does in print.

[goldenvalley]

Nov 23, 2021 18:54:45 GMT LFC said:

Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-Text Your Doc for Stronger Meds) has decided to run for Texass AG. I listened to the video. He sounds even dumber aloud than he does in print.

I just read a long article about why it's better to live in Texas than in California. I'm fortunate in that I am older and financially secure so I can safely say no way would I ever move to Texas given the state of politics there.  I know a number of people who live in the blue parts of the state and they seem happy but they are all my age. A lot of the craziness that would impact someone who is young and raising a family would face is not in my friends' future.  I note that several of them have children who live somewhere other than Texas.

[andydp]

Nov 23, 2021 19:53:50 GMT goldenvalley said:

Nov 23, 2021 18:54:45 GMT LFC said:

Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-Text Your Doc for Stronger Meds) has decided to run for Texass AG. I listened to the video. He sounds even dumber aloud than he does in print.

I just read a long article about why it's better to live in Texas than in California. I'm fortunate in that I am older and financially secure so I can safely say no way would I ever move to Texas given the state of politics there.  I know a number of people who live in the blue parts of the state and they seem happy but they are all my age. A lot of the craziness that would impact someone who is young and raising a family would face is not in my friends' future.  I note that several of them have children who live somewhere other than Texas.

I can confirm the "things are great here in (insert favorite southern low tax state)" sermons.  My daughter can attest to the downside of the "low tax havens".  She lives in Colorado and is constantly telling us about the horrific state services they get.  Education gets the short end of the stick.  We may be tax heavy in NY but at least our schools are better funded.  One thing that surprises a lot of people who discuss NY high taxes are shocked to find out NY does NOT tax any pension income including Social Security. (Non Roth 401k and IRAs are taxed) We also get an exemption from property tax because we're over 65.  (A lot of states exempt only part of a pension).  Except for three/four months of non Corvette weather, to us its no worse than anywhere else.

[Traveler]

You get an exemption from property tax!??! That would be a huge relief here.

[andydp]

Nov 24, 2021 2:11:45 GMT Traveler said:

You get an exemption from property tax!??! That would be a huge relief here.

Not 100%. We also get rebates conveniently timed for just before the election.

I also get a small Vet exemption.

Another factor for us is the Saratoga Race Track. We get tons of tax money distributed to the towns. Those sales of $1m dollar colts generate their own tax fees. This helps to keep the taxes low.

[LFC]

Nov 24, 2021 2:11:45 GMT Traveler said:

You get an exemption from property tax!??! That would be a huge relief here.

My brother lives in Georgia and he received a full exemption once he turned 65. I don't know if it's statewide, though.

[LFC]

Another fine upstanding racist / fascist / misogynist is running for a Congressional seat in a Florida special election.

Florida Republican Jason Mariner attributed his victory in a congressional primary earlier this month to voters wanting a true fighter in Washington, warning that if he were elected his colleagues were “not going to like me very much.”

That part might be true.

Mariner has previously been convicted of felony theft, cocaine possession, and obstructing justice. He continues to question the legitimacy of the 2020 election, has praised the Jan. 6 rioters who attacked the Capitol, at least once had a Confederate flag tattoo on his right arm, and was accused by his ex-wife of threatening to kidnap and assault her. (She now fervently supports his candidacy.)

But the 36-year-old advertising executive won the GOP primary for Florida’s 20th Congressional District on Nov. 4 with about 58 percent of the vote, even though he admitted to The Daily Beast that he’s never actually lived in the district.

“I’ve always lived very close to district 20, whether it be in 18, or 21,” Mariner said in response to a list of emailed questions from The Daily Beast after he refused to participate in a phone interview.

Mariner is running in a special election to replace longtime Rep. Alcee Hastings (D-FL), who died in April. And while Mariner is a certified long shot to win the Jan. 11 special election in a district Democrats currently possess a stranglehold over—a word Mariner said was an “appropriate categorization” for the grip they hold over the district—he thinks voters may finally want a change.

“Let’s face it,” Mariner wrote, “parts of district 20 look like Third World countries.”

Mariner provided photos of acts of service to The Daily Beast, including providing pizzas to a police department and organizing rescue efforts during Hurricane Harvey. But for a candidate who’s presenting himself as a changed man, photos, documents, videos, and interviews conducted by The Daily Beast show an individual who’s firmly rooted in the trenches of the far right—and is still endorsed by some of Florida’s most notable Republicans.

Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, the Democrat running in the Jan. 11 special election, called Mariner’s ideals “alarming” and said she believed his candidacy would only suppress the district.

“Anyone that doesn’t realize the Confederate Flag is a symbol of racism, violence, and a symbol of hatred is denying the truth of it,” she told The Daily Beast. “Anyone that doesn’t recognize that in a largely diverse district is dangerous.”

Mariner filed for his candidacy for the predominantly Black district on Aug. 10, nine days before his driver’s license was restored by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles following a crash that resulted in a careless driving citation. In the paperwork declaring his candidacy, Mariner listed his address as one within Palm Beach Gardens. The city is located in the state’s 18th Congressional District, a move permissible by a state law that allows candidates to run in districts they don’t live in but prohibits Mariner from voting for himself.