kurtster wrote:

I understand you have policy disagreements with Biden and see those policies as being bad for America.

How is Biden the real threat to democracy?

 kurtster wrote:

You have been sold down the river by a Russian asset who wants to dismantle democracy in the west so that he can reign supreme. 
I'd hold back on the hubris if I were you. Democracy is not a word that should be coming from anyone's lips supporting this charade.
Your country and the entire west is under attack and all you can do is support the enemy.

 kurtster wrote:
"I see Trump as the hope and Biden is the threat; the real threat to democracy."

Hope for what? Another round of incompetence when we have a national emergency like Covid? The very fact that Trump was recommending people take Ivermectin—and many did, some dying because of it—should disqualify him from people's minds. 

Or maybe you want another massive tax cut for the super-rich, a group you're decidedly not part of. 

Or maybe it's the promise of mass detention camps for illegal immigrants. That would set off a raging legal battle, disrupt the American economy and possibly cause inflation to spike. 

And please stop with this crap about "Trump kept us safe." He gave Putin a green light to prepare an invasion of Ukraine. He cut the Afghan govt out of negotiations with the Taliban and was the main cause for our chaotic withdrawal from the country. He killed the nuclear non-proliferation treaty we and our allies had crafted with Iran and deliberately provoked Iran with assassinating one of its intelligence leaders. 

Iran got payback by supporting Hamas and likely helping the Oct. 7 on Israel. It's also a main supplier of drones attacking our Ukrainian allies. 

And gosh, what happened to that love-fest between Kim Jong Un and Trump? North Korea went back on its promises to Trump so nothing good came of it. 

So what are you hoping for, Kurt? All Trump talks about is how he's a victim. Does he any plans for uniting the country? Have you actually read about the Project 2025 plans? Do you seriously think that a President should have full immunity as Trump wants? 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/...

 kurtster wrote:
This is what you fail to understand... Biden is not mine, but you've left me no choice.  I think Trump is beyond a reasonable choice... you don't, because you're willing to overlook who he is for what you think you get from him.

Maybe it's just the violence you enjoy?

 rgio wrote:      
You really do think that I am that stupid, don't you ?  I had to tell you so you could figure it out ?

 

F U  I can say the same thing about you and Biden.

I see Trump as the hope and Biden is the threat; the real threat to democracy.

Tell me again that you have no buyer's remorse with Biden.

I have said many times that Trump is an asshole.  But he is my asshole just like Biden is your asshole.

As they say in Youngstown, have a nice day or we'll break your legs ...

 kurtster wrote:
That explains why you answered so few of my questions.

So you know Trump's a scumbag and a threat, and generally just a bad human being, but he's willing to support your point-of-view so you avoid telling the truth about him, while simultaneously peddling crap (like Biden took drugs for the SOTU).

It's not a revelation. 

 Steely_D wrote: 
This is basically what I have been doing the whole time, but you all keep calling me out for not saying anything negative about Trump.  Why should I add fuel to the fire ?  What am I crazy ?  Maybe crazy, but not stupid.

Especially veev and rgio.

 kurtster wrote:

What I see from my very limited perspective is that Biden voters, who realize that Hillary lost when predicted to win, don’t want to cede any ground and take a chance on that debacle happening again. So, although we have criticisms of Biden, airing them really just gives ammo to the “enemy,” doesn’t it? It disallows any nuance or course correction for the President because anyone not joining in the pro-Biden chorus just allows the Trump supporters more volume.

Going back to olden days, like maybe Reagan, where he had differences with Tip - but they got along well - there was a necessary push/pull that absolutely cannot happen today, particularly in the face of the “God is on my side and so there cannot be compromise” crowd. Or the “Demoncrats want to kill babies” frothers. Or the “caravans of immigrants coming to rape your wives and children” fear-mongers. Really, how could any of those folks take a step back? And say “no God in government” or “medical care shouldn’t be legislated” or “control the influx of immigrants so it’s bearable”? That I do indeed understand: the red folks don’t want to compromise, or at least that’s their schtick for the moment.

They believe that they are…inevitable. And the folks who aren’t giving their secret handshake are just in the way - temporarily.

CNN Poll: Trump maintains lead over Biden in 2024 matchup as views on their presidencies diverge

Among independents, 51% say Trump’s presidency was successful, while only 37% see Biden’s as a success.

There remain sharp partisan differences in which issues are most critical to choosing a president. Among Democratic-aligned voters, protecting democracy (67%), abortion (54%), the economy (52%), gun policy (51%) and health care (49%) all rank as key for about half or more, while on the GOP-aligned side, it’s the economy (79%), immigration (71%), crime (65%) and then democracy (54%).

But the poll finds that Biden voters and Trump voters largely just don’t understand each other. Among those who do not currently support Biden, 66% say they don’t understand why anyone would support him, and 63% of those not backing Trump say they can’t understand why anyone would support him.

Closed captions work for those who cannot take Levin

But for those who want to know what repubs think, you need to watch seeings how this is what you all are currently talking about.

 rgio wrote:

It’s been pretty clear all along that anything/everything that’s happening with Trump will not convince a lot of people to change their votes - but the fence sitters or even minimally attached are the target. Sway them and the USA might have a chance.

He's not even trying to hide it

Polls are polls, however Trump support seems largely unaffected despite all the rhetoric.

 Steely_D wrote:
In the MAGAverse, witness intimidation, jury tampering, and endangering the lives of those involved with the case don't matter.  What matters, is that they believe he's being unfairly tried, and that his ignoring the court somehow makes him a martyr, instead of a menace.

Kurt is going to vote for Trump...whether he's in jail, found innocent, or encourages someone to murder a judge...it doesn't matter.  In his head, he think throwing Trump in jail will help him in the fall.  That logic only works for the cult members.  The people he needs help from...those in the middle who aren't sure... aren't going to support Trump for being an A-hole in and out of the courtroom.

 kurtster wrote:

It’s $9K fine so far.
Putting him jail, since he disrespects the court, would be reasonable. And the incredible lack of protest would underscore how deeply not-really-popular he may be.

 Steely_D wrote: 
  

Do eeet !!!

More decisions on his contempt of court coming. For now - guilty: contempt of court fines are $8000.
The single-term ex-President of the United States can’t follow a judge’s instructions, even briefly.

Justice Merchan explicitly called Trump’s claim that reposts don’t count as violations of the gag order “counterintuitive and absurd.”

Justice Merchan wrote that he was “keenly aware of, and protective of, Defendant’s First Amendment rights.” But nonetheless, he wrote that he would not tolerate continued violations of his orders and that if necessary and appropriate, he would “impose an incarceratory sentence.” In plain language, he is warning Trump that he will send him to jail if necessary.

 kcar wrote:
I think he assumed the left would provide him a lifestyle when he started telling the truth, only to find out they know he's a whore and wouldn't forgive him.

So he ran back to FOX... who will use anyone they can to sell Trump.

 rgio wrote:
+100.

I had to smh watching Bill Barr on CNN, looking like a fat wounded tarsier, lamely explain why he's now endorsing Trump. Apparently Barr is claiming that the Biden admin is forcing people to buy electric cars and stoves and that strikes Bill as a blow against democracy. 

I don't understand Barr's game—he's not going to get back into Trump's good graces, so most Republicans ignore him. Barr's not dumb so he can't really believe Trump would be a better president. Perhaps he thinks Trump will bring back power to people Barr likes. 

If so, that tracks with the stupid loyalty to Trump. I get that many Americans feel ignored or exploited by corporate powers, political parties and demographic trends. I don't understand why those Americans think Trump can or will do anything to address those concerns. Trump is good at one thing—scams. The only person who comes out ahead after dealing with Trump is Trump. 

But sure. Let's have another disaster like Covid, where millions died or lost their jobs. Let's let Russia take over Ukraine even though Russia will eventually take over the Baltics or Poland. Let's pretend our planet isn't on fire. Let's turn women into child-bearing chattel. At least we'll have a mascara-wearing blowhard whom the world despises and we can just dial the US back to the 50s. F$ck the future. F#ck democracy.