Althouse: "There’s still a big part of the party that wants to fall in love, and there’s another part of the party that will settle for anything that will beat Trump."

March 16, 2019

"There’s still a big part of the party that wants to fall in love, and there’s another part of the party that will settle for anything that will beat Trump."

"I think that’s a real, daily tension in the party that’s going to play out in real time.... It just happened that in 2008 and 2012 we fell in love with the most electable candidate.... I would generally make the case that the Democratic Party should always be nominating the next-generation candidate... except I’m not sure any of the old rules apply."

Said Democratic Senator Christopher S. Murphy, quoted in "Beto O’Rourke is 46. Bernie Sanders is 77. Does Age Matter Anymore for Democrats?" (NYT).

I like to say I'm for Boring, but I can see elections are about love... and hate.

Murphy sounds pretty boring, but that's what appealed to me in that quote.

119 comments:

MadisonMan said...: Needs the Obama the Boyfriend tag.; 3/16/19, 8:18 AM
Oso Negro said...: I don’t think you are getting boring for 2020. There are so many Democrats that the candidates will be compelled to do something interesting to stand out. And Trump, he’s Trump.; 3/16/19, 8:21 AM
Shouting Thomas said...: You have a civil servant, lifetime job mindset, Althouse.

Not much different than what sets in at the DMV. Just a lot fancier clothing and company.

President Trump is an essential fix that can't be made in a way that satisfies that DMV side of you. It can't be done politely and quietly.

Trump is nuking the stranglehold of PC censorship. That can't be done by a nice, boring person.; 3/16/19, 8:22 AM
Tommy Duncan said...: "I like to say I'm for Boring, but I can see elections are about love... and hate."

It's too bad presidential elections aren't about policy and competence. Or even about what's best for our country.; 3/16/19, 8:24 AM
Bob Boyd said...: Hillary 2020
Third Time's The Charm; 3/16/19, 8:35 AM
MadisonMan said...: Hillary 2020
Third Time's The Charm

The latest on O'Rourke, digging up the teenage literature and the outrage over a casual remark, has all the hallmarks of a Clintonian hit.

All those FBI files that Hillary stole are gold.; 3/16/19, 8:40 AM
Levi Starks said...: Oh come on, pick anyone you want.
Trump can’t possibly win.
Just ask Obama on the eve of the election.; 3/16/19, 8:41 AM
AllenS said...: Trump can’t possibly win.
Just ask the FBI on the eve of the election.; 3/16/19, 8:44 AM
Lucid-Ideas said...: If Robert O'Face is what they end up going with Trump will bend him over the dais while going in dry.

Screencap this.; 3/16/19, 8:47 AM
Bill, Republic of Texas said...: Kamala is their only hope. Booker gives a weird vibe and no one else will energize the black community.; 3/16/19, 8:59 AM
Hagar said...: Boring is the choice of the frog in the pot on the fire.; 3/16/19, 9:12 AM
robother said...: Bernie/Beto: the ultimate balanced ticket. Vermont/Texas. 70s/40s. Socialist/Capitalist. Jewish/Wasp. White/Hispanish. Grouchy Grandpa/Dreamboat.

And if the internals show all-male won't do the trick, I get the sense Beto would go vaginal.; 3/16/19, 9:12 AM
traditionalguy said...: Beato has one thing going for him in this era of intense anger. He does not seem to hate everybody. That may be beta, but a beta Beato would be a relief compared to Marxist dead man walking haters style set loose in the USA by Hillary and Obama and doubled down by Crazy Bernie.; 3/16/19, 9:14 AM
Dear corrupt left, go F yourselves said...: Coded D: What tricks can we play now?; 3/16/19, 9:17 AM
Dear corrupt left, go F yourselves said...: Former far-left Ocasio-Cortez campaign aide Waleed Shahid:

"Democracy should mean taking power and wealth from those who hoard it and making sure it belongs to everyone."

Run Schultz, run.; 3/16/19, 9:23 AM
Ken B said...: Falling in love with a politician is exactly what you should never do. It is one of the most immoral things you can do as a voter.; 3/16/19, 9:29 AM
chickelit said...: I like to say I'm for Boring, but I can see elections are about love... and hate.

Ughs all around. Are women so stupid that they need to "fall in love" with an Obama or a Beto, or a JFK? That is just so discouraging. The impulse should be mocked.; 3/16/19, 9:29 AM
AMDG said...: The mainstreaming of reparations within the confines of the Democratic Party could be fatal.

The expectation on the part of the too many of the potential recipients is that they are due a substantial check. That is not something that will fly in the general election; 3/16/19, 9:34 AM
Sebastian said...: "I'm for Boring."

Yeah, right. As long as Boring protects Women's Bodies. And as long as Boring isn't too boringly mealymouthed, cuz that's plain old boring. And as long as Boring gives a plausible way to rationalize a Serious Non-Hack vote, like the one for pragmatic Barry O.

But it is useful for pols to know that a portion of the female electorate wants to appear to vote for Boring, regardless of a candidate's actual policy preferences or the consequences of her/his election for party and country.; 3/16/19, 9:39 AM
Tommy Duncan said...: Blogger Bill, Republic of Texas said...

"Kamala is their only hope. Booker gives a weird vibe and no one else will energize the black community."

There is speculation that a black woman candidate will not play well with many black males. The thinking is it's a testosterone related thing.; 3/16/19, 9:41 AM
rehajm said...: There is speculation that a black woman candidate will not play well with many black males

That’s certainly my speculation, though I would say it’s women candidates. Barber Shop Black Guys are a key voting block, IMO...; 3/16/19, 9:48 AM
Dear corrupt left, go F yourselves said...: Hillary belongs in prison.; 3/16/19, 9:51 AM
Biff said...: The only interesting thing about Chris Murphy is that he keeps getting elected. As far as I can tell, he's so boring that all of my neighbors vote for him, but none of them know why, except that it's Connecticut, he's a Democrat, and he doesn't rock the boat. His dad was the managing partner of one of CT's most influential law firms, and the kid was groomed for office from an early age. For a little while, he was the youngest US senator.

Even friends who follow state politics have a hard time remembering anything specific that Murphy has said or done, but they're usually surprised to look up his voting record and find that he is a lot further to the Left than they thought he was. Unfortunately, the GOP in this state is in such a shambles that it is hard enough to find a candidate to run for Senate, never mind find a strong candidate.; 3/16/19, 10:10 AM
Bill Peschel said...: Biff: Bob casey is the same thing. Never says anything. Never does anything. Yet he's a Casey and his dad was governor of PA, so he gets reelected senator.

TOomey meanwhile, votes against Trump, so he's dead to me now.; 3/16/19, 10:13 AM
Bruce Hayden said...: I think that Bobby O’Rourke sells to somrthing that none of the other Dem candidates have. He comes across as likeable and good looking. He is not a hater like many of the rest, who are mostly humor deficient. Humor deficient haters are not going to do well against Trump because he will get under their skin, overreact, and likely self destruct. I think that, esp for the young, dreaming is important. Mad only gets you so far, and, ultimately, mad turns into hate. Who wants to vote for 4 years of hate?

And that might just be why the MSM is so desperate to paint Trump and his base as haters. He, of course, isn’t. And neither are most of us supporting him. I think that it is the usual leftist projection, and to cover for their cognitive dissonance of supporting the real haters in this country. I don’t expect that you would find Trump having used the word “hate” nearly as often as he has used “ love”. This is a guy who tells his enemies that he loves them, and often hugs the flag when he comes on stage. A lover, not a hater. Compare that to all those pussy haters screaming when he was elected, or the fascist Antifa thugs beating up anyone who disagrees with them. All of the psychological meltdowns. Or, most of the major candidates running against him. Yes, they have to emote serious hate to get the nomination, but that isn’t going to do well in the general election, when that hate would be called out and highlighted by Trump. I think that O’Rourke would do well in the general election, but doesn’t emote enough hate yet to get nominated.; 3/16/19, 10:17 AM
Friendo said...: Althouse, the Boring candidate gets you a mealy-mouthed loser like Hickenlooper. No thanks.

I agree with Bill RoT that Harris is the likely Dem candidate at this point.; 3/16/19, 10:23 AM
Humperdink said...: I called Toomey's Harrisburg office yesterday and read the "aide" the riot act. The poor slub actually answered the phone.

Prior to that, I called Toomey's Erie, Pa office and the answering machine said to leave a voice mail. Of course, that mail box was full.; 3/16/19, 10:24 AM
Carol said...: Why do people want to "fall in love" anyway. That's a bit crazy, no?

I see that when they get intrigued with the occasional Montana governor, who's so exotic and unknown that he must be all right, ya know? WTF it's just another politician VP hopeful, so get a clue.

Just goes to show you, they're just looking for a figurehead for the usual Democrat players.; 3/16/19, 10:28 AM
Bruce Hayden said...: “The mainstreaming of reparations within the confines of the Democratic Party could be fatal.”

I don’t think that it is any worse than much of the stuff that they have come out with recently. Open borders? Illegals welcomed in here, and given welfare and the vote? 16 year olds voting? Drastically raising taxes, when part of the boom that we are experience is a result of the Trump tax cuts? Pretty much guaranteed major recession, if not depression if they get their massive tax increases? Banning fossil fuels, private autos, jet airplane travel, cow farts, and steak? Infanticide? Etc. with that list, I don’t think that reparations are that extreme, and maybe why they picked now to attempt to mainstream that policy idea. The Dems are doubling down on cra cra this time around, but there just aren’t enough cra cra voters to win the Presidency, even in the Millennials, and post Millennials.; 3/16/19, 10:31 AM
Big Mike said...: Someone please clarify for me. Who in the Hell "fell in love" with Hillary Clinton, easily the least likeable major party candidate for president since forever.; 3/16/19, 10:34 AM
Ken B said...: I think we live in the age of stupid. Why is Robert O'Rourke even noticed? How many ex congressman are there. He has baggage that would sink a reborn Abraham Lincoln. But we are told he is a serious candidate. So many of us believe it. To me he is unserious and a bit silly. The Democrats can do better, if if they don’t look like they intend to.; 3/16/19, 10:35 AM
AllenS said...: Ken, I don't think that they (Dems) can do better.; 3/16/19, 10:38 AM
Dear corrupt left, go F yourselves said...: Bob is a media creation. All the hype is engineered. The media and the democrat party are ONE.

Republicans pounce! Bombshell!

"If Beto had an R after his name instead of a D, you’d hear he was boarding-school-attending judge’s son who dodged serious charges for the DUI & burglary, used eminent domain to gentrify poor Latino neighborhoods & married into a billionaire’s family."

-Jim Geraghty; 3/16/19, 10:39 AM
tcrosse said...: Hillary's 2016 campaign was mostly about how awful Trump was, with lots of help from clips of The Man Himself. There was very little about H>erself and even less about policy, and it almost worked. I expect more of the same in 2020. The Dems priority is to get Trump out of the Presidency, and not so much about What Happens Next.; 3/16/19, 10:39 AM
chuck said...: If you want boring, Beto is your man.; 3/16/19, 10:42 AM
Michael K said...: I think that O’Rourke would do well in the general election, but doesn’t emote enough hate yet to get nominated.

I kind of agree with that but O'Rourke looks too phony,.

Think about the fact that the New Zealand killer will be going through the trial next year and has a lot to say. That is why all four of them surrendered. They are a better organized Manson gang in a time when that stuff may be more effective.

The more serious of you might want to read this.; 3/16/19, 10:50 AM
Yancey Ward said...: Trump has occupied the center- this has the effect of pushing the Democrats to the left- the far left- as they try to run against him.

Murphy was my Congressman when I lived in Newtown, CT. He is a lightweight.; 3/16/19, 10:53 AM
bgates said...: I think that’s a real, daily tension in the party that’s going to play out in real time

I think there's a vapid cliche that ought to wither and vanish. When that happens, it will occur in real time because outside of narratives and data transmission that's how everything happens.; 3/16/19, 10:53 AM
Scott said...: I'm for boring too. Unfortunately we're not Singapore, and never will be.

Trump is a fantastic President. He does all the right things and says all the "wrong" things, to the delight of people like me who loathe the nattering nabobs of negativism that make social discourse these days ugly as fuck.

I hope Trump's emergence signals the end of the "nice" Republican; the Romney-style technocrat who would rather lose an election than lose his embrace of civility bullshit.; 3/16/19, 10:55 AM
Dear corrupt left, go F yourselves said...: Michael K - good link thanks.

1) Tarrant identifies himself as an “ethno-nationalist eco-fascist.” He says he was first a communist, then an anarchist, then a libertarian, and finally an eco-fascist. He’s 28. This is not a stable person.

2) He despises conservatives for having conserved nothing. “Conservatism is corporatism in disguise, I want no part of it,” he writes. He adds, in all caps, “CONSERVATISM IS DEAD, THANK GOD.” He also despises France’s National Front, or whatever it’s called today. He calls them “milquetoast.” He praises the emergence of Trump as a sign of hope, but mocks Trump too. He says his idea leader is Oswald Mosley, the 20th century British fascist. Point is, the idea that Tarrant has any meaningful connection to the mainstream right is nonsense. The man is true radical.

huh - so much for the fake news about the guy.; 3/16/19, 10:56 AM
bgates said...: "I think that’s a real, daily tension in the party that’s going to play out, and I'm a smart person who uses computery words."; 3/16/19, 10:57 AM
Dear corrupt left, go F yourselves said...: more...
3) He says his aim is to accelerate history by frightening people and creating conflict. In particular, he wants to cause the US to move to take away people’s guns, and the Second Amendment supporters to respond to this violently.

4) He wants the US to be balkanized into warring racial and regional factions, to destroy the ability of the US to project power around the world.

5)He was radicalized by traveling in Europe and seeing immigrant crime, by seeing how many immigrants are present, and how the dispirited native populations are dying out. Overcome by emotion, he decided that he must do something about it.

6) He said he chose the firearms for his attack specifically to incite an argument within the US, leading to the left attempting to confiscate guns, thereby starting a civil war.; 3/16/19, 11:00 AM
Seeing Red said...: Mr. New Normal. Here we go again!; 3/16/19, 11:03 AM
Michael K said...: I hope Trump's emergence signals the end of the "nice" Republican; the Romney-style technocrat who would rather lose an election than lose his embrace of civility bullshit.

I was talking to my daughter last night, who was a Bernie voter, and I said the middle class had kept electing these people, of both parties, that never did anything. Finally, I said, the middle class threw a brick through the window. Trump is that brick.

This is a bit similar to Tucker Carlson 's talk where he says the Republicans are like a guy whose wife ran off with the mailman. They never ask themselves if they had done anything that might make her run off.

She is reasonable and might even see the other side. No Inga.; 3/16/19, 11:06 AM
Yancey Ward said...: This comment has been removed by the author.; 3/16/19, 11:17 AM
tcrosse said...: If the Big Media money is behind Beto, maybe they can get him some coaching to mimic authenticity. With a little work, maybe they can turn him into Mr. Smith, or whatever the Marketing Department figures will sell. Somewhere it was written that they tried to coach Hillary to come across as more likeable, but she rejected those efforts violently. She had it on good authority that she was likeable enough.; 3/16/19, 11:18 AM
Yancey Ward said...: Michael K.,

Thanks for the link. Dreher had the exact same reaction I had when I finally read the manifesto late last night. I have been thinking about it off and on all morning, but Dreher crystallizes it all better than I could do. The thing that worries me is that I think Dreher is probably wrong when he wrote:

"There is a better way. There has to be."

Tarrant reasons that there isn't, and it bothers me that I can't demonstrate he is outright wrong. My opinion of the political class and the culture isn't that different- I don't trust it to reverse course, ever. All I can firmly say is that the Tarrant's actions won't change things either. Helpless is how I feel.; 3/16/19, 11:20 AM
Scott said...: ...the middle class had kept electing these people, of both parties, that never did anything. Finally, I said, the middle class threw a brick through the window. Trump is that brick."

I think Sen. Lindsey Graham is the model for how a Republican can transmogrify from a blob of Silly Putty into a brick, given the right leadership. Or at least a baseball-sized rock.; 3/16/19, 11:38 AM
Big Mike said...: If the Big Media money is behind Beto, maybe they can get him some coaching to mimic authenticity. With a little work, maybe they can turn him into Mr. Smith, or whatever the Marketing Department figures will sell.

Did you see the look of utter adoration in Beto's wife's face? As I commented yesterday, he was coached, and by a poor coach. Her too, and by a worse one.; 3/16/19, 11:40 AM
Michael K said...: All I can firmly say is that the Tarrant's actions won't change things either. Helpless is how I feel.

It accomplishes one thing. It makes getting old less annoying.

We got out of California, which may end up as a ground zero.

I don't see how California survives. It's sad but my wife gets nervous with the traffic when we do go over to see the kids. California is now about 1/3 illegals. Infrastructure is now ignored to pay for illegals and pensions for government workers.

I also see no glide path to a peaceful resolution.; 3/16/19, 11:40 AM
wwww said...: I know this is boring but guesses on who the nominee is gonna be are just guesses. It's too early. All guesses, including mine!

Seems like the attention is starting earlier then usual. Is it usual to talk about it this much this early? There's a lot of shifting that goes on before January Iowa caucus. Some may drop out while others become the obvious front-runners before the first primary caucus.

My guess, which are total spitballs: Bernie feels too 2016. Beto is not ready for prime-time, but might be able to up his media skills. Biden might get into the race and change it. Harris is not going to win South Carolina or Iowa. Doubt Warren will be the nominee or VP. There's time for a dark horse to pull into the lead. Someone you don't expect in the 3rd tier.; 3/16/19, 11:43 AM
Churchy LaFemme: said...: I said it on the cafe thread, but Bernie's toast. You can be an old guy and run, but once you start falling everybody knows what that means and knows it's only going to get worse.; 3/16/19, 11:50 AM
Michael K said...: <>i>Harris is not going to win South Carolina or Iowa.

Why ? South Carolina Democrats are heavily black and Iowa Democrats are heavily Socialist.; 3/16/19, 11:56 AM
Inga...Allie Oop said...: “Are women so stupid that they need to "fall in love" with an Obama or a Beto, or a JFK?”

NO; 3/16/19, 12:01 PM
Inga...Allie Oop said...: “She is reasonable and might even see the other side. No Inga.”

She’s also talking to her elderly dad and maybe doesn’t want to get you riled up. Good daughter.; 3/16/19, 12:05 PM
Inga...Allie Oop said...: I think Democrats are too worried about who the Democratic candidate will be. A dog could be our candidate and win against Trump at this point. This isn’t 2016 and Trump has shown his “work”. Boring Evers wouldn’t have been elected in WI if not for a Trump backlash, it wasn’t even that much about Walker. I almost feel bad for Walker.; 3/16/19, 12:09 PM
wwww said...: South Carolina Democrats like Biden. Many are religious. I don't think Harris will play there.

Iowa: It's just a hunch, but Bernie is too 2016. & there's a lot of 60-75 year old repeat Democratic primary voters that would choose Biden or Beto or even Klobochar or Warren over Bernie.

Bernie was a protest vote to Hillary. People have underestimated how much regular D primary voters did not want to vote for HRC in 2016. He was the only option vs. HRC. That's not to say Bernie doesn't have a devoted following that can fund him through the entire primary. Wouldn't be surprised if this goes to a contested convention in Wisconsin.

Beto had a horrific roll out. He is the type that could catch fire in Iowa. Or, I could see Iowa voters coalescing around Biden. But anything could happen; it's really too early. I'm not gonna be shocked if that mayor from Indiana wins Iowa.; 3/16/19, 12:10 PM
wwww said...: "I think Democrats are too worried about who the Democratic candidate will be. A dog could be our candidate and win against Trump at this point. This isn’t 2016 and Trump has shown his “work”. Boring Evers wouldn’t have been elected in WI if not for a Trump backlash,"

I strongly disagree. Incumbents have a 65-70% chance of winning the Presidency. Walker had been in a couple of terms. It's true Wisconsin is going to lean, slightly, to the D. But only slightly. Look how close Evers was in Wisconsin.

If a 3rd party candidate gets in the race, edge goes to Trump. My guess: it's gonna be really really close. But I agree if someone like Evers is nominated "fill the potholes!" Then the D candidate can win. A generic, boring Democrat could win against Trump.

btw: whoever wins Wisconsin wins the presidential race.; 3/16/19, 12:14 PM
Michael K said...: Good points 4W; 3/16/19, 12:17 PM
Yancey Ward said...: Blacks are 60%+ of the South Carolina Democratic primary voters, and white women probably make up half of what is left. Harris will win if Booker is eliminated after NH, and Harris herself isn't eliminated before the primary, too.

I personally think Biden and Sanders are both too old to win, but I think Sanders has more staying power because he is a true socialist, and his block will be a solid 20% everywhere but the South, no matter how large or small the field, but this isn't enough for Sanders to win the nomination.

Given the field at the moment, and the way the media have behaved, I still think this nomination is Harris' to lose. The more white men who enter, the more likely this becomes.; 3/16/19, 12:20 PM
Inga...Allie Oop said...: Biden and Bernie are too old, but since Trump is nearly as old it’s not as important as it might have been with a younger incumbent President. I personally don’t want Biden, Bernie Or Beto to get the nomination. I don’t think Harris has the chops, but I’ll vote for anyone over Trump. I’d even vote for Clinton this time, but God forbid she runs.; 3/16/19, 12:21 PM
Yancey Ward said...: Abrams could win SC, but I don't think she will play well anywhere but the South- still, she could be a thorn by just running in the southern primaries with no intention of running anywhere else.; 3/16/19, 12:25 PM
Yancey Ward said...: Trump isn't the comparison, Inga- the other Democrats in the field are.; 3/16/19, 12:27 PM
tcrosse said...: Meanwhile, in an undisclosed location, Hillary is sharpening H>er knives.; 3/16/19, 12:28 PM
Yancey Ward said...: tcrosse,

She definitely wants to run, but the media have made it clear they want to back Harris. Clinton will need to take Harris out before the first caucus. Not impossible- I never underestimate the ruthlessness of the Clintons.; 3/16/19, 12:29 PM
wwww said...: I know the media liked Harris and she had a good roll out.

But...Twitter and the media get 0 delegates.

I don't see Florida primary voters going for Harris or for Bernie. But I could be wrong. At this point I have no idea who could win the nomination, aside from Biden. But Biden's numbers will drop the day after he gets in the race, so who knows who wins the nomination?

Like I said, I'm not going to be surprised if it's that mayor from Indiana.; 3/16/19, 12:29 PM
wwww said...: Clinton is not running. That you can take to the bank.; 3/16/19, 12:30 PM
Inga...Allie Oop said...: “I strongly disagree. Incumbents have a 65-70% chance of winning the Presidency.”

Yes, in normal times. These are not normal times. The incumbent is Trump. Ask why is someone like Althouse is so invested in a Democratic candidate? With all the defending and explaining of Trump these past 18 months, she apparently at some point (subtle at first), changed her tune about Trump. I doubt she has any intention of voting for Trump in 2020, while a year ago she was still busy defending him. What made her change her mind? Of course this is only conjecture, I can’t read Althouse’s mind, but I think I’m reading her signals.

Who knows.; 3/16/19, 12:30 PM
Inga...Allie Oop said...: “Like I said, I'm not going to be surprised if it's that mayor from Indiana.”

I like that guy!; 3/16/19, 12:32 PM
Francisco D said...: I am sure others have noticed this trend:

Beto = Fake Hispanic

Warren = Fake Cherokee

Booker = Fake Spartacus

Harris = Fake African-American (she's Jamaican and Indian)

Sanders = Fake socialist (he's a Commie)

Hickenlooper = Fake moderate

Biden = Real scarecrow (If I only had a brain ...); 3/16/19, 12:37 PM
Limited blogger said...: Since the 2020 election result is not in question, I assume the Democrat nomination process is just an exercise in positioning for 2024.

And since you don't want to be the loser to Trump, which will erase your chances in 2024, they may put forward a Biden, or Bernie or even Hillary again.; 3/16/19, 12:37 PM
Drago said...: "This isn’t 2016 and Trump has shown his “work”."

Best economy in the world right now.

NAFTA renegotiated.

Manufacturing up in the US.

Consumer confidence up in the US.

Manufacturing confidence up in the US.

Unemployment across all groups at record lows.

Wages rising for the first time in decades.

Military preparedness increased.

Alliances formed to constrain obambi's beloved Iran.

Record number of conservative judges appointed to the courts

So little racism that hollywood have to hire Nigerians to do the racist stuff that American's are too lazy to do!!!

......and lots more.

Not to mention the exposure of the obama weaponized agaencies East-German Frame-up ops against Trump...which we now know actually started in 2015, which blows the lies told by many on this blog right out of the water.

Gee, what an absolute dystopian hellscape!!

Hey, I have an idea!!

Let's vote to kill babies born alive, open our borders to MS13 and everyone else, expand from sanctuary cities to a sanctuary country where illegals can break the law continuously with no fear of repercussions, kick billions more in cash to the Iranians to accelerate their Nuke program, abolish ICE, get rid of hamburgers and planes and cars, increase taxes across the board, let 16 year olds vote and free abortions for everyone, etc etc etc

Let's start with that Border Wall in El Paso: Mr President, tear down that wall!....so the astonishing levels of violence from the most dangerous city in this hemisphere can easily blend into the El Paso landscape.; 3/16/19, 12:38 PM
Yancey Ward said...: Is this the same Inga who predicted Trump couldn't win, so it was safe to vote for Stein?; 3/16/19, 12:38 PM
Michael K said...: I think Sanders has more staying power because he is a true socialist,

David Begley said 80% of those at the San∂eras rally in Iowa were under 30.

Socialism looks better if you have no experience.; 3/16/19, 12:40 PM
tcrosse said...: Socialism looks better if you have no experience.

Socialism looks better if you have no money.; 3/16/19, 12:42 PM
wwww said...: “Like I said, I'm not going to be surprised if it's that mayor from Indiana.”

"I like that guy!"

I know this sounds crazy, but if Biden doesn't get it, I kind of think he might get the nomination. WARNING: this is a total spitball prediction based on nothing.; 3/16/19, 12:43 PM
Drago said...: Yancey Ward: "Is this the same Inga who predicted Trump couldn't win, so it was safe to vote for Stein?"

Yep.

Also the same one who called anyone asserting the hoax dossier was oppo research from democrats "conspiracy theorists".

She still calls retired Marine General Michael Flynn (4 times a Bronze Star medalist for valor in combat) a literal "traitor" even though after all this time Flynn was not even accused of traitorous acts, much less charged with them.

Go ahead. Ask her why Flynn is a traitor.; 3/16/19, 12:44 PM
wwww said...: "80% of those at the San∂eras rally in Iowa were under 30."

Big reason why Sanders is not in a good position to win nomination. A lot of regular primary voters are 55+; 3/16/19, 12:45 PM
wwww said...: Hey, if you go off-topic this thread is going to degenerate off-topic! Don't ruin the thread.; 3/16/19, 12:47 PM
Dear corrupt left, go F yourselves said...: Inga - you voted for Clinton last time. You'd vote for the same crook this time. Sad.; 3/16/19, 12:50 PM
wwww said...: Don't call people out by their names unless you want to ruin the thread.; 3/16/19, 12:54 PM
Big Mike said...: Ask why is someone like Althouse is so invested in a Democratic candidate? With all the defending and explaining of Trump these past 18 months, she apparently at some point (subtle at first), changed her tune about Trump. I doubt she has any intention of voting for Trump in 2020,

My take on Althouse is similar, but with a key difference. I think our blog hostess would like to vote for a Democrat, but not if the Democrat seems likely to make a worse president than the incumbent. And so far, who is that Democrat? No one whose hat is in the race, that I can see.; 3/16/19, 12:58 PM
Yancey Ward said...: wwww wrote:

"I know this sounds crazy, but if Biden doesn't get it, I kind of think he might get the nomination. WARNING: this is a total spitball prediction based on nothing."

Possible if the primaries don't don't result in a 1st ballot win at the convention, but I think such an event is a near impossibility any longer. After NH, the field will be cut to three at most, and after mid March, to two max. You just can't win any votes in April-June without money.; 3/16/19, 12:59 PM
Inga...Allie Oop said...: Ann Althouse said...

“But here's something I need you to do, including iowan2 (at 6:29): DON'T NAME ANOTHER COMMENTER WHEN YOU'RE DISAGREEING WITH HIM, ESPECIALLY IF THE NAME IS CHUCK OR INGA. I do not want to see these 2 names repeated over and over again. It looks like a pointless, childish game. If you seriously want to argue on the substance, quote the person and disagree with the material posted. Don't make it about the person.

I'm not banning all name calling, but I am vigilant about any name that gets repeated in back-and-forth fashion, as happens with Inga and Chuck. I don't care WHY it happens with those 2 names and I don't want to talk about it. I'm just saying I don't want to see it any more. And don't start up again with the topic of sockpuppets, which was repeated over and over in comments I deleted.”
3/4/19, 6:37 AM
——————————————-

Are Althouse’s rules only for the majority? Do the elite minority feel they are exempt?; 3/16/19, 12:59 PM
chuck said...: > He says his idea leader is Oswald Mosley,

That's a good fit for him. Mosley came out of the Labor Party.; 3/16/19, 1:09 PM
Yancey Ward said...: To understand how this works, just look at the 2016 South Carolina primary in the Republican Party- Trump lost against the field by 2 to 1, but after the primary, it was a 3 man race- Trump, Rubio, and Cruz- and after March 15th, it was a two man race (Kasich doesn't count as a real candidate after March 15th, nor even before).

Finishing 3rd or worse 2 or 3 times in a row ends a campaign- your money dries up and so do your primary voters.; 3/16/19, 1:11 PM
buster said...: Michael K and Yancey Ward:

Dreher assumes that Western Civilization is declining and spends his time thinking about how Christians can cope with the decline. This article is an example. E.g., he thinks the Islamization of Europe is inevitable. He ought to spend time thinking about how to stem the decline, not how to shelter from it.; 3/16/19, 1:12 PM
Yancey Ward said...: On the field as it stands (I am putting Biden in there), here would be my predictions:

Iowa- (1)Harris, (2)Sanders, and (3)Biden.

New Hampshire- (1)Sanders, (2)Harris, (3)Biden- Warren and everyone else drops after this point.

Nevada Caucuses- (1)Harris, (2)Biden, (3)Sanders.

South Carolina- (1)Harris, (2)Biden, (3)Sanders.

Super Tuesday combined- (1)Harris, (2)Biden. Sanders might continue on after this because his money comes from his committed following, but he will only such support from Biden going forward.

By the end of May, Harris will have sewn up the nomination.; 3/16/19, 1:18 PM
Yancey Ward said...: Now, if Biden doesn't run, there will be an opening for O'Rourke, but not room for both of them.; 3/16/19, 1:20 PM
Yancey Ward said...: buster,

Oh, I agree with what you wrote. Dreher's essay would be mocked by Tarrant for the same reason he mocks conservatives in the manifesto. This is why I would be worried by those of Tarrant's beliefs- nothing positive is being offered in response, and I am beginning to think nothing will. These demographic changes are hard to roll back once they start, and the cultural decay will only stop in a catastrophe.; 3/16/19, 1:23 PM
Dear corrupt left, go F yourselves said...: Amy Goodman caught lying on her Fascism Now! show.

Great take-down here.

"Amy Goodman took two seconds to tell her viewers "He mentions Trump throughout the entire manifesto."
Trump is mentioned once. While mentioning others far more. Amy Goodman is trusting that none of her viewers actually read the manifesto."; 3/16/19, 1:26 PM
wwww said...: "You just can't win any votes in April-June without money."

Small dollar donations. A million people giving 10$ a month can take a politician to the convention.

It's anyone's game right now, especially if Biden doesn't get in. Even a mayor from Indiana!; 3/16/19, 1:28 PM
Drago said...: Here's a funny one:

"Beto O'Rourke compares people fighting climate change to 'those who were on the beaches in Normandy'"

Inga was asking who on the lefty side was comparing antifa and lefties to Normandy D-Day heroes.

LOL

So did Cory Booker by the way.

That makes 2 of the announced democrat candidates for President.

On top of the army of lefty media types who compared antifa directly to D-Day invaders.

Looks like a wide swath of lefties want to award themselves the courage of the men who stormed the beaches at Normandy........yep. That sounds about right for them.; 3/16/19, 1:29 PM
Bilwick said...: The Democrats are already in love . . . with the State.; 3/16/19, 1:51 PM
Michael K said...: He ought to spend time thinking about how to stem the decline, not how to shelter from it.

The only way to stem the decline is to get the current politicians out of office but that might result in worse.

There is a good Spectator article about how May should have paid attention to Trump's advice in 2017. They won't, of course.

In Churchill's history of WWII he recited a poem,

Who is in charge of the clattering train?
The axles creak and the couplings strain,
and the pace is hot and the points are near,
and sleep hath deadened the driver's ear,
and the signals flash through the night in vain,
for death is in charge of the clattering train

It referred to Appeasement in the 1930s but it applies now to Europe,

The angry left in the US, as we see here in some comments, is blind to the risks and is only trying to get rid of Trump so they can return to the status quo ante.

That Dreher article is important. Unfortunately, those who should read it will not and will pass on distorted, dishonest versions.; 3/16/19, 2:10 PM
Francisco D said...: I kind of agree with that but O'Rourke looks too phony.

Watch 10 minutes of his debate with Ted Cruz.

He comes across as a lightweight who is making it up as he goes along. The more you see, the less there is.

Bobby is really running for VP or Texas Governor.; 3/16/19, 2:12 PM
Paco Wové said...: "The angry left in the US, as we see here in some comments, is blind to the risks and is only trying to get rid of Trump so they can return to the status quo ante."

They don't seem to want the status quo ante. They seem to want the total destruction of Western culture under the smothering guidance of the State.; 3/16/19, 2:18 PM
Drago said...: "Job openings rise, outnumber the unemployed by 1 million"

Yikes.

That Trump sure is failing..........not.; 3/16/19, 2:22 PM
Drago said...: PW: "They seem to want the total destruction of Western culture under the smothering guidance of the State."

They only "seem" to want that because they absolutely want that.; 3/16/19, 2:22 PM
walter said...: Adams/Yang!!!; 3/16/19, 2:27 PM
Big Mike said...: @Drago, don't worry. Those figures are bad ... somehow.; 3/16/19, 2:35 PM
rcocean said...: Most of the "Beta" love comes from old people - he reminds them of RFK. And Given that's he's never been a Senator, Gov, or Congressman, a lot of this "Love" is most likely media hype.

As for Bernie. He'll be 78 in Jan 2020. He that too old? Yes.; 3/16/19, 2:35 PM
campy said...: "Job openings rise, outnumber the unemployed by 1 million"

Job openings are useless to those unwilling to work.; 3/16/19, 3:27 PM
Molly said...: (eaglebeak)

Inga said "Trump is almost as old," but don't forget--as Trump pointed out in his CPAC speech: "I don't have white hair!" It was a great laugh line, but also true. Why do you think he dyes his hair?

Bernie and Biden look much older with white hair, even if Trump's hair color is a bit strange. Trump can manage to seem younger than someone 20 years younger than he. All part of his shtick.

And I agree with Unknown that Bernie is toast. You don't fall and get seven stitches with no consequences. Hillary fell all over the place and that didn't help her. Bob Dole fell off the stage (as I recall) in his Presidential campaign. Ditto Carly Fiorina. It's something to be avoided.; 3/16/19, 3:54 PM
Michael K said...: "The angry left in the US, as we see here in some comments, is blind to the risks and is only trying to get rid of Trump so they can return to the status quo ante."

They don't seem to want the status quo ante. They seem to want the total destruction of Western culture under the smothering guidance of the State.

The one results in the other. Look at Chicago, New York City, Los Angeles and San Francisco. All Democrat Mayors, as are most big cities. I'm trying to think of a Republican Mayor.; 3/16/19, 3:55 PM
walter said...: I guess he is born again:
Beto O'Rourke says he won't run for president in 2020; 3/16/19, 4:52 PM
Fubar.N.Wass said...: California 2020 primary is first Tuesday in March.

It should thin the ranks of contenders.; 3/16/19, 4:54 PM
The Godfather said...: The Democrats can beat Trump next year if they nominate a moderate (not necessarily a real moderate; one who can play one on TV would do -- e.g., Bill Clinton, Obama). I don't think they are capable of doing so, even to win the prize, as Obama did in 2008. Nobody (in the electorate) knows anything about O'Rourke, or several other potential Dem candidates, but the candidates don't dare to take a step off the reservation (sorry, politically incorrect), so they'll have a real hard time selling themselves to the general electorate as moderates.; 3/16/19, 5:30 PM
Unknown said...: Baydo skateboarded into my heart!

Playing a Mandolin...

https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2019/03/beto-orourke-cover-story

“Former girlfriends describe O’Rourke as curious, wry, bookish but adventurous. He usually carried a novel in his pocket, whether Captain Corelli’s Mandolin or The Sun Also Rises.”

“…he read Joseph Campbell’s The Hero’s Journey, discovered Bob Dylan…”

“O’Rourke compares the battle against Trump to ‘every epic movie that you’ve ever seen, from Star Wars to The Lord of the Rings. This is the moment where we’re going to win or lose everything.’”; 3/16/19, 5:59 PM
Unknown said...: > “Former girlfriends describe O’Rourke as curious, wry, bookish but adventurous. He usually carried a novel in his pocket, whether Captain Corelli’s Mandolin or The Sun Also Rises

Matthew Stinson tweeted

"Beto is a character from a McSweeney’s parody about 90s-era college boyfriends."; 3/16/19, 6:01 PM
Unknown said...: Barak was the white ladies' house trained Mandingo boyfriend...

Can Beto read his way in the middle aged white woman's heart? Is he fuckable?; 3/16/19, 6:02 PM
Fen said...: "Why do people want to 'fall in love' anyway. That's a bit crazy, no?"

The Left tends toward authoritarianism, they get off on telling others what they can and can't do. Like the Homeowners Assoc Nazis who's current GREAT CAUSE is to get me to repaint my front door from SeaGreen#5 to SeaGreen#6. It's not about the color, no one has been able to tell the difference, it's about MAKING the proles do it because you said so.

And these kind of people love their Dear Leader posters. They idolize the likes of Obama and Hillary and place their portraits over the mantle. I think they miss Feudalism, where the King was God.; 3/16/19, 6:03 PM
Fen said...: "Former girlfriends describe O’Rourke as curious, wry, bookish but adventurous. He usually carried a novel in his pocket -

- and was often spotted rescuing kittens from tree tops.

I don't understand why anyone over 30 would lap this up.; 3/16/19, 6:05 PM
Lewis Wetzel said...: Isn't that like falling love with the guy who sold you your crappy car or the guy who comes by every week to fix your plumbing?
This is a serious problem with Democrats. The government can't love you, you can't love the government.; 3/16/19, 6:44 PM
Lewis Wetzel said...: Years ago, around the time of impeachment, I read an essay by a famous South American novelist about Bill Clinton. Garcia Marquez, IIRC.
The guy was a dope. First, he compared Clinton's impeachment to the burning of the witches in Salem, Massachusetts. Of course, the Puritans didn't burn their witches, they hung them, so he got that wrong.
Then he described going to an intimate dinner with Bill Clinton. It was obvious that Bill was putting on a show for the group of intellectuals he had gathered, and the novelist fell for it. First Bill quoted a few paragraphs of Faulkner from memory, proving he was a sensitive, educated man! I wonder what have happened if he had been asked to recall what was written on the next page . . . Then Bill was called away to take a phone call in private, showing how important he was!
Leftists are so gullible. Anyone can push their buttons, even Trump.; 3/16/19, 6:57 PM
Scott M said...: I certainly didn't, and don't, love Trump, but absolutely hated the idea of a Hillary! presidency. To have our first female president be someone like that hag is simply a bridge too far and I think we dodged a bullet. I believe her guilt in the whole emails/server thing will eventually reach Simpsonian acceptance from even her most ardent supporters.; 3/16/19, 7:04 PM
Known Unknown said...: "I'm for Boring."

Hermann Böring is not in the race.; 3/16/19, 7:15 PM
Fen said...: This comment has been removed by the author.; 3/16/19, 7:33 PM
Fen said...: "O’Rourke compares the battle against Trump to ‘every epic movie that you’ve ever seen, from Star Wars to The Lord of the Rings. This is the moment where we’re going to win or lose everything.’”

Why does it matter? Earth only has 12 years left, right?

I would love to see a Journalist ask any of the Dem candidates that question, but I haven't seen any in about 10 years.; 3/16/19, 7:34 PM