Presidential race 2016

[HairOfTheDog]

That's pretty damned good if you ask me.

I'm attracted to candidates who are conservative on some topics and progressive on others, rather than just toeing the party line.

I think Webb looks a little like Midwest Spy, if only Webb had piercing blue eyes that hypnotize women with a mere glance.



Here's what the NY Times had to say about Mr. Webb.

The Coalition
Mr. Webb’s voters may look a lot like him: ideologically idiosyncratic white men moved more by economic fairness and a noninterventionist foreign policy than cultural liberalism.

The Map
His opposition to the Iraq war, among other foreign engagements, could offer Mr. Webb an attentive audience among some Democrats in dovish Iowa. And there may be a small band of populists and veterans in South Carolina who will find his background and message appealing.

The Message
Mr. Webb, a prolific writer, will have much to say on issues ranging from wage stagnation to the so-called American “pivot” to the Pacific to prison reform, all of which he was vocal about in his single Senate term. His case for Confederate valor, unease with proposals to address climate change, past comments about women in combat and general discomfort with identity politics could make him less appealing to the Democratic Party.

Why He Will Win
Mr. Webb’s candidacy offers him a platform to draw attention to his ideas and serve as a unique voice in the Democratic primary.

Why He Won't
There is not much of a constituency for Mr. Webb in a Democratic primary. Running as a Democrat, of course, could mean he can get into the party’s televised debates and candidate forums. But given his economic populism, support for a restrained foreign policy and unease with cultural liberalism, he may have been better suited in this era for a third-party candidacy.

[Blindgreed1]

That's pretty damned good if you ask me.

I'm attracted to candidates who are conservative on some topics and progressive on others, rather than just toeing the party line.

I think Webb looks a little like Midwest Spy, if only Webb had piercing blue eyes that hypnotize women with a mere glance.



Here's what the NY Times had to say about Mr. Webb.

The Coalition
Mr. Webb’s voters may look a lot like him: ideologically idiosyncratic white men moved more by economic fairness and a noninterventionist foreign policy than cultural liberalism.

The Map
His opposition to the Iraq war, among other foreign engagements, could offer Mr. Webb an attentive audience among some Democrats in dovish Iowa. And there may be a small band of populists and veterans in South Carolina who will find his background and message appealing.

The Message
Mr. Webb, a prolific writer, will have much to say on issues ranging from wage stagnation to the so-called American “pivot” to the Pacific to prison reform, all of which he was vocal about in his single Senate term. His case for Confederate valor, unease with proposals to address climate change, past comments about women in combat and general discomfort with identity politics could make him less appealing to the Democratic Party.

Why He Will Win
Mr. Webb’s candidacy offers him a platform to draw attention to his ideas and serve as a unique voice in the Democratic primary.

Why He Won't
There is not much of a constituency for Mr. Webb in a Democratic primary. Running as a Democrat, of course, could mean he can get into the party’s televised debates and candidate forums. But given his economic populism, support for a restrained foreign policy and unease with cultural liberalism, he may have been better suited in this era for a third-party candidacy.

He'd be a great choice, so obviously he doesn't stand a chance.

[username]

That's pretty damned good if you ask me.

I'm attracted to candidates who are conservative on some topics and progressive on others, rather than just toeing the party line.

I think Webb looks a little like Midwest Spy, if only Webb had piercing blue eyes that hypnotize women with a mere glance.



Here's what the NY Times had to say about Mr. Webb.

The Coalition
Mr. Webb’s voters may look a lot like him: ideologically idiosyncratic white men moved more by economic fairness and a noninterventionist foreign policy than cultural liberalism.

The Map
His opposition to the Iraq war, among other foreign engagements, could offer Mr. Webb an attentive audience among some Democrats in dovish Iowa. And there may be a small band of populists and veterans in South Carolina who will find his background and message appealing.

The Message
Mr. Webb, a prolific writer, will have much to say on issues ranging from wage stagnation to the so-called American “pivot” to the Pacific to prison reform, all of which he was vocal about in his single Senate term. His case for Confederate valor, unease with proposals to address climate change, past comments about women in combat and general discomfort with identity politics could make him less appealing to the Democratic Party.

Why He Will Win
Mr. Webb’s candidacy offers him a platform to draw attention to his ideas and serve as a unique voice in the Democratic primary.

Why He Won't
There is not much of a constituency for Mr. Webb in a Democratic primary. Running as a Democrat, of course, could mean he can get into the party’s televised debates and candidate forums. But given his economic populism, support for a restrained foreign policy and unease with cultural liberalism, he may have been better suited in this era for a third-party candidacy.

He'd be a great choice, so obviously he doesn't stand a chance.

Sad but true. He doesn't have enough money...too few special interest groups in his pocket.

[pyropappy]

Webb is too conservative for the socialists running the democratic party

[username]

It's beyond time for an Independent to win. I just don't want it to be Trump but he has that precious commodity required to win...money. Lots of money and his celebrity (and outrageousness) get him air time too.

It's crazy. The whole system is up fucked.

[Duchess]

I'm not even sure I care any more and there's still many more months of this bullshit.

[pyropappy]

That is why most people won't start paying attention till September 2016.

[Maggot]

I see manny manny BBQ's before then, this is good. And thank the genius of a ggoodd LP. They're better than CD's because they fly further if they suck.

[HairOfTheDog]

Rubio On Foreign Policy


When it comes to his assessment of world leaders, Sen. Marco Rubio isn't pulling any punches: Russia's run by a "gangster" and North Korea a "lunatic."

The 2016 Republican presidential candidate made a foreign policy speech Friday morning in South Carolina, in which he riffed on his unvarnished opinions on various enemies of the United States.

"Russia is governed today by a gangster," Rubio said. "He's basically an organized crime figure who controls a government and a large territory. ... This is a person who kills people because they're his political enemies. If you're a political adversary of Vladimir Putin, you wind up with plutonium in your drink or shot in the street."

He also called Russia one of the top five threats to the United States, saying "we have a gangster running the largest nuclear stockpile in the world."

"In North Korea, a lunatic possesses dozens of nuclear weapons, and a long-range missile that can hit the United States," Rubio said.

Rubio said the common thread among the greatest threats to the U.S. is they are all totalitarian regimes, which is why the U.S. should do more to spread democracy. (HOTD: I really disagree with that last statement the U.S. should not be trying to push Democracy on other countries, in my opinion.)

Full piece: http://www.cnn.com/2015/08/28/politics/m...d-leaders/
=================================

It's not hard to make clear points without being either overly-PC or overly-unprofessional, IMO.

I was disappointed to read Rubio's characterizations (though I don't disagree with his assessments). I don't know if he's trying to tap into Trump's strategy/appeal or what. But, I think it's bad for future negotiations/relations and makes American leadership look un-savvy.

Ah well, the times are changing.

[Maggot]

Well its true. And I think they know it. They both love the attention.

[HairOfTheDog]

Well its true. And I think they know it. They both love the attention.

Yeah, I don't disagree with Rubio's assessment. I do however think it could have been delivered just as directly and effectively without calling the leaders loonies and thugs, essentially. But, it's another day..

The Iowa polls are interesting. I think they confirm that the American public as a whole is really fed up with Republican in-fighting, Congressional lethargy, Democratic sell-outs and back-biting, special interest and lobbyist control over our leaders...

Trump and Carson are neck and neck, followed by Fiorina. All three of the current Republican favorites have never held political office. ... I don't think any of them will be elected President, personally. But, I like that Republicans are shopping around and putting the establishment on notice.

On the Democratic side, Hillary's still on top, but she's lost a lot of her lead in a short time and still having trouble winning the trust of Independents and Democrats alike. She's not the sure thing some were projecting 6 months ago, and Bernie the Socialist is gaining ground.

This is the most interesting election prelude that I can remember.

[Maggot]

There's a lot that can happen between now and election day. That includes new fresh off the treadmill runners.

[HairOfTheDog]

There's a lot that can happen between now and election day. That includes new fresh off the treadmill runners.

That's true.

I think it's much more likely to happen in the race for the Democratic nod than the Republican one though.

There are like 16 or 17 Republicans in the race -- highly saturated field already. I think I read that it's a record-breaking number of Presidential candidates for a single party.

[Jimbone]

On the Democrat side, Biden seems like the only one who can get in. Although I did see an article suggesting Romney may be 'drafted' in to replace Bush as the establishment candidate, since Bush is sagging and not gaining traction.

While Romney has been proven right on many things he said during his last campaign, his time has past and I don't think he would have a shot.

[Maggot]

He was caught saying stupid things on hidden camera just like the P.P. knuckleheads were.

[Donovan]

I kinda dig Bernie Sanders in a "way too radically liberal to get elected" way.

[Maggot]

It will take another few election cycles before America is ready to be assimilated by the likes of Bernie.

[Carsman]

On the Democrat side, Biden seems like the only one who can get in. Although I did see an article suggesting Romney may be 'drafted' in to replace Bush as the establishment candidate, since Bush is sagging and not gaining traction.

While Romney has been proven right on many things he said during his last campaign, his time has past and I don't think he would have a shot.

This just in today: Mitt's making POTUS noise.


As The Donald continues to dominate the race, panic has come to the point, to make some inside the party establishment pine for even a Mitt Romney.

Romney has been one of Trump's most vocal detractors inside the party. The whole Trump thing really bothers him," a close Romney adviser has said.

Romney-ites are only too happy to talk up the prospect of their man jumping into the race if Trump continues his lead.

It has been said, "Mitt wants to run. He never stopped wanting to run," reported a senior member of his 2012 team



So ya nevah know, until the Fat lady Sings!

[BlueTiki]

I'm wondering how Trump and Bush are going to react to the recent Center for Immigration Studies report on immigrants (legal and the invaders) and welfare participation?

Madre de Dios!

I guess those "hard workers" need some taxpayer love, too.

Forgive my inability to post links to the report but I'm driving and texting on my phone.

[Maggot]

I'm not only one immigrant I'm 3. Show me the money!!!