The 2016 US Election (Part II)

[Soontir C'boath]

There's a world of difference between having the words "I think" there and not.

Plus, you're presuming I have no inkling of what Trump is doing.

[Gandalf]

Looks like Trump crushed Indiana, getting over 50% of the total votes.

[The Romulan Republic]

There's a world of difference between having the words "I think" there and not.

Plus, you're presuming I have no inkling of what Trump is doing.

Okay... "you think" you'll express support/financially support Trump. That makes it all okay then.

And if you know what Trump is doing and would still be willing to consider wearing his slogan, that isn't really a point in your favour.

But whatever. If you want to associate yourself with fascistic rhetoric, that's your choice. Your very, very bad choice.

Anyway, Indiana results coming in. Last I heard, it had narrowed to exactly 50/50 on the Democratic side.

I love you Bernie. Even when you're losing, you still keep winning. You've got to at least admire the perseverance and moral of Sanders supporters in the face of adversity.

[Soontir C'boath]

Again, putting words in my mouth, but thanks.

[The Romulan Republic]

CNN's called Indiana for Donald "Everything I say and do is obviously to compensate for my tiny dick" Trump.

[Gandalf]

I love you Bernie. Even when you're losing, you still keep winning. You've got to at least admire the perseverance and moral of Sanders supporters in the face of adversity.

For me, it'll depend on what happens after the primary season. If Sanders and his supporters start working themselves into the machinery of the party and become more than just a grassroots movement, then his ideological successor has a real shot and this will all have meant something. If they all just go home and sulk, then nuts to them.

Otherwise he's just sticking around for no other reason than to draw attention to himself.

[The Romulan Republic]

While I suppose its possible that he's just got caught up in his own hype or the hostility of the campaign and is just in this for spite or ego, I don't think so. I'd like to think that he's doing this because he's committed to the cause-it is something he's fought for for decades, after all-and wants to give winning his very best shot and, failing that, leave the movement in as strong a position as possible.

However, again, I do feel that if he gets to the convention with fewer pledged delegates/popular votes, he should concede gracefully rather than contesting the convention. Not that it would matter if he didn't. The super delegates, I presume, would basically just give it to Clinton anyway on the first vote in that scenario.

As to what Sanders will do if he's not the nominee- his campaign has been clear that he will remain a Democrat and back Clinton. Not all of his supporters will, but I hope you won't judge us all on the actions of the Bernie or Bust crowd.

For my part, barring some truly extraordinary developments, I will be voting for Hillary Clinton. Hell, I might even send her campaign a donation if I can afford it.

[Soontir C'boath]

I love you Bernie. Even when you're losing, you still keep winning. You've got to at least admire the perseverance and moral of Sanders supporters in the face of adversity.

For me, it'll depend on what happens after the primary season. If Sanders and his supporters start working themselves into the machinery of the party and become more than just a grassroots movement, then his ideological successor has a real shot and this will all have meant something. If they all just go home and sulk, then nuts to them.

Otherwise he's just sticking around for no other reason than to draw attention to himself.

At this point I want Bernie to bow out and throw support to Hillary, but he has to lose by a decent amount or at least enough that it's clear he's not going to sway the superdelegates on his side or get more pledged delegates than Hillary. If not, his followers will never accept it. In return he stops campaigning before the convention comes letting Hillary focus on the Republicans for some pretty good swag in the next Congressional term.

Bernie will frankly have nothing if his voters stay home as the "outcry" has been bitched about them and given his recent attacks on his fellow lawmakers that may shunt him out to the outskirts...

[The Romulan Republic]

My biggest fear is that Sanders' supporters will throw away everything Sanders has fought for, everything they've gained, all their prospects for taking control of the Democratic Party in the future, and tarnish Sanders' legacy by refusing to vote or voting third party/independent/Republican and handing the election to the Republicans.

As for Sanders himself, he and his campaign have been very clear- he'll continue right to the convention, but if Clinton is the nominee, he will remain a Democrat and endorse her.

[Soontir C'boath]

My biggest fear is that Sanders' supporters will throw away everything Sanders has fought for, everything they've gained, all their prospects for taking control of the Democratic Party in the future, and tarnish Sanders' legacy by refusing to vote or voting third party/independent/Republican and handing the election to the Republicans.

As for Sanders himself, he and his campaign have been very clear- he'll continue right to the convention, but if Clinton is the nominee, he will remain a Democrat and endorse her.

I see this differently. The Democratic party need to realize they cannot survive without the likes of Sanders supporters and that they cannot be bought cheaply (vote Dem or the Republitards are in!). I do not think Sanders supporters will gain as much as you seem to think especially if Obama is any indicator if they just kowtow the line. For instance, taking control of the party is a fantasy unless Sanders is the POTUS himself. Nothing party wise will happen under Clinton, but the status quo.

[Soontir C'boath]

I should also add that if the Democratic Party is unwilling to be the Democratic Party again and not "pander" to Sanders supporters and keep shifting to the right, then that's all you really need to know what it actually is. Republican lite.

[The Romulan Republic]

Traditional Republican lite, maybe. Republican lite 20 years ago.

The Democratic Party has elements that are too close to old school Republican economics and foreign policy, yes.

But that's not a fair comparison any more, because a while back the Republicans took a running dive off the deep end.

What the Democratic Party is not is an openly xenophobic party. That, to me, is a vital distinction.

[The Romulan Republic]

Holy fuck, report on CNN is that Cruz is dropping out.

Well... they did it. Barring a miraculous surge to Kasich (yeah right), the Republican Party just picked Donald Trump as its nominee.

Abraham Lincoln is rolling in his grave.

[Gandalf]

The fact that you used the qualifier "openly" is wonderfully amusing. Do you think them xenophobic behind closed doors?

[Gandalf]

Cruz has dropped out.

Immortan Don shall make the GOP ride eternal, shiny and chrome!

[The Romulan Republic]

The fact that you used the qualifier "openly" is wonderfully amusing. Do you think them xenophobic behind closed doors?

You're overanalyzing. I did not mean to imply that Democrats are secretly xenophobic.

I don't doubt that their are some xenophobic Democrats, but their views are not accepted in the party mainstream. They are increasingly tolerated and even embraced in the Republican mainstream.

I think that, as of tonight, if not before, we can truly start calling the Republican party what it is- a xenophobic pseudo-fascist party. They have essential picked Drumpf as their nominee. Now let them live with that choice.

[Mr Bean]

Cruz has dropped out.

Immortan Don shall make the GOP ride eternal, shiny and chrome!

My god that lemonade story uuuuuggggggh

Also I can't wait, I can't wait to wear a smug look on my face during the next four years of the Trump Presidency, plus or minus three years for any future nuclear events. Not because I want him to be President but because people ignored the strengths and convinced themselves it could never happen.

It's happening oh man it is happening.

[The Romulan Republic]

It is rather premature to presume that he will win the general election (though it would be foolishly complacent of Democrats to assume that it cannot).

I hope we'll yet see reason prevail in America.

[The Romulan Republic]

Here lies the Republican Party, 1854-2016. Killed by its own uncompromising stupidity.

Reposting this here, as it seems fitting to mark the occasion.

[Mr Bean]

Here lies the Republican Party, 1854-2016. Killed by its own uncompromising stupidity.

Reposting this here, as it seems fitting to mark the occasion.

See that right there, I'm prepping a Smug face for the Trump inauguration because of course the Race-Baiting Hate Pushing, Sexist Hair Abomination Asshole can never win an American election. I'm going to predict on May 3rd 2016 Trump will win the election. Hillary is going to self destruct hard and Trump is almost scandal proof.

[The Vortex Empire]

Seems Bernie is winning Indiana handily. 538 had Clinton at 90% to win.

As for talk of Bernie dropping out, I'd really rather he didn't. By staying in, he keeps progressive turnout high and helps progressive down ballot candidates win over establishment Dems.

[The Romulan Republic]

Here lies the Republican Party, 1854-2016. Killed by its own uncompromising stupidity.

Reposting this here, as it seems fitting to mark the occasion.

See that right there, I'm prepping a Smug face for the Trump inauguration because of course the Race-Baiting Hate Pushing, Sexist Hair Abomination Asshole can never win an American election. I'm going to predict on May 3rd 2016 Trump will win the election. Hillary is going to self destruct hard and Trump is almost scandal proof.

For the sake of global peace, stability, and prosperity and the rights of every American, I sincerely hope that you are wrong.

I would also ask you to kindly read my posts before commenting on them, as I never said that he can't win. The Republican Party is dead weather he wins or not. It is a shambling zombie corpse of its former self. It is, in all but name, the new Fascist Party of America.

[Gandalf]

See that right there, I'm prepping a Smug face for the Trump inauguration because of course the Race-Baiting Hate Pushing, Sexist Hair Abomination Asshole can never win an American election. I'm going to predict on May 3rd 2016 Trump will win the election. Hillary is going to self destruct hard and Trump is almost scandal proof.

"But the country's disintegrating. What's happened to America? What's happened to the American dream?"
"It came true. You're lookin' at it. Now c'mon... let's really put these jokers through some changes."

Seems Bernie is winning Indiana handily. 538 had Clinton at 90% to win.

A few weeks ago on the podcast they noted a phenomenon where if Clinton is heavily tipped to win, her supporters grow complacent and stay home. Evidently this has happened again.

[Pelranius]

Cruz has dropped out.

Immortan Don shall make the GOP ride eternal, shiny and chrome!

I guess that Cruz Sr. really doesn't have a direct line to God, after all.

[The Vortex Empire]

Also, according to an NBC News poll, 57% of democrats want Bernie to stay in.

http://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/pre ... convention