Our Common Ground [Y-not]

Now that the GOP convention is over, it may seem as if the divisions within the Republican party (and on the Right more generally) are sharper than ever. To some extent they are, but I'd like to encourage the horde to find something - ANYthing - constructive to do in the public arena to stop the Left's continued attacks on freedom. Despite all that has happened, I believe there IS common ground on which we can fight together.

In my case, I plan to focus on identifying Senate and Congressional races where a conservative candidate needs my help.

Several weeks ago I pointed to Darryl Glenn, a candidate for the U.S. Senate in Colorado, who at the time was facing a primary battle against more Establishment-favored candidates. Recall that Glenn was endorsed by (and campaigned with) Senator Cruz. He went on to win in Colorado, which at the time was considered to be a toss up state. Since that time, Colorado's prospects for switching from the blue to the red column have dwindled, however November is still months away and based on how their primary played out, there must be a solid core of conservative activists there who might pull off an upset.

Glenn's candidacy brings up a broader issue I want to discuss -- namely, the challenge many of us face of getting past the hurt feelings of the Presidential primary and finding common ground. Although Mr. Glenn happily accepted Cruz's endorsement and campaigned with him, he has also made peace with Mr. Trump's nomination and spoke at the convention.

Based on my Twitter feed, for some conservatives this may seem like a sign that Glenn is not worthy of our support. I would argue against that view. For most of us, there is no perfect candidate. All politicians are taxis for hire, taking us where we want to go. When they fail to do so, we should stop the cab and get out... then start looking for another taxi.

I don't know much about Mr. Glenn, but I'm certain he's preferable to his Democrat opponent. I accept that he's trying to win an election, so I'm inclined to cut him some slack on the political calculations he's had to make. Whether or not he is an enthusiastic supporter of Donald Trump, I trust Cruz's judgment that Glenn is worth supporting, so I'm inclined to do so as well. Should he win, that would represent a GOP pick up in the Senate and that should matter to each of us, Trump supporters or not.

Colorado represents common ground for those of us on the Right. Should Donald Trump win the presidency, he'll need a friendly Senate to get his SCOTUS nominees confirmed and his wall built. Or, if you are concerned about a Trump administration (as I am), focus on the importance of giving Senators Lee, Cruz, and others a bigger voice with which to state conservative principles. Finally, should Hillary Clinton win the White House, it's important that she not have a Democrat-controlled Senate to push her Leftist agenda.

In addition to Mr. Glenn, I've identified another candidate who appears to be worthy of your support.

Mike Crane is a Congressional candidate in Georgia's 3rd district, whose primary is being held next week. He has been endorsed by Ted Cruz, who traveled to Georgia to campaign with him yesterday. Mr. Crane is another example of a candidate who has earned an endorsement from Cruz, while expressing his own support for the GOP nominee, Donald Trump. Like Glenn, Crane represents common ground on which all conservatives can take a stand. Please consider supporting him with your time, your money, and your vote.

To my fellow Cruz-conservatives, I'll leave you with this:

Today, as Republicans, we agree on a lot. And sure, areas of lesser agreement exist as well. But on the fundamental question: are we satisfied with the current direction of our country; we speak with one voice.
I call on you, as JFK did in the 60's.
And as Reagan did in the 80's.
To chart a new American journey forward.
One that isn't led by me or anyone in Washington, but by you.
And millions of others just like you.
One where we still have differences, yet we choose to concentrate on what we have in common.
One that lifts others up and believes in the rights, responsibilities, goodness, and strength of all mankind.
We have so much that binds us together: our families, our work ethic, our ability to dream and build unlike any people in history. But most of all our charity, our love for our fellow men and women and our willingness to sacrifice for those in need.
Let us unite... on the things that have always made us great.
We are great because we are good.

Please don't give up. Find something or someone you can support this Fall and do what you can to stop the Left's destructive policies.

Tell us about the conservative candidates you support for Senate and House seats below.

**Update: "iforgot" asked about the Louisiana U.S. Senate primary. Here's a recent article about the status of that race:

Two sitting congressmen, the state treasurer and a public service commissioner were among 15 candidates who qualified for Louisiana's open U.S. Senate seat Wednesday with virtually all of them claiming "outsider status," including those already in office.
All are seeking to replace Republican U.S. Sen. David Vitter, who isn't running for re-election. Qualifying for the Nov. 8 election continues here Thursday and Friday.

I'll try to cover this race in more detail in a subsequent post. The Daily Caller had a recent article about one of the "outsiders," Abhay Patel.

**Update 2: NaCly Dog reminds us about Kansas Congressman Tim Huelskamp, who's in a very tight primary battle. Huelskamp had endorsed Cruz back in February. He's Chairman of the House Tea Party Caucus and a member of the House Freedom Caucus.

***Update 3: Joanne recommends we check out the Senate Conservatives Fund website and consider donating there. Good idea!

****Update 4: If, like drider, you want to donate to Senator Mike Lee's Democrat opponent, here's ~~his~~ ~~her~~ XER website and an article about this historic candidate.

Looks like a winner.

Posted by: Open Blogger at 09:45 AM

Comments

(Jump to bottom of comments)

1 There are no conservatives here. Maybe Indiana has a few left.

Posted by: Tim in Illinois. at July 23, 2016 09:47 AM (WVsWD)

2 Sorry I had to find the link to that speech. It's there now.

Posted by: Y-not (@moxiemom) at July 23, 2016 09:50 AM (t5zYU)

3 Now it's back

Posted by: Skip at July 23, 2016 09:51 AM (bksJQ)

4 Darryl Glenn came across to me during, during his sit down with Fox and then his convention speech, as a happy, positive warrior selling conservative ideas. I sent him some money and really hope the best for him. It's an encouraging sign that we have folks like this trying out for public office. Alas, I live in Cali and well, I really don't think there is anything that can be done to make this state great again..

Posted by: IC at July 23, 2016 09:51 AM (KTFfX)

5 Vic announced a nood but it didn't materialize for a few minutes

Posted by: Skip at July 23, 2016 09:51 AM (bksJQ)

6 7th. and now i need to read it

Posted by: WhatWhatWhat? - Some People Call Me Maurice at July 23, 2016 09:52 AM (WlGX+)

7
Well, there's Paul Nehlen, primarying Paul Ryan.

Posted by: iforgot at July 23, 2016 09:52 AM (5o5ek)

8 I live in Texas but support Glenn- if you have ever met Michael Bennett it's an easy call - classic empty suit liberal. As I have said before I just dont get how people can't understand the "have to" part of voting for Trump. If Hillary wins, 2020 won't matter much I can assure you. And if anyone thinks Cruz doesn't pull that lever in November I have a beach house in Uvalde I'd like to sell you.

Posted by: Patrick Henry at July 23, 2016 09:52 AM (06U2p)

9 Vic announced a nood but it didn't materialize for a few minutes
--

I had to pull it down b/c I realized I had not linked to the speech I quoted. Took me a couple of minutes to re-discover the link. (Need more coffee.)

Posted by: Y-not (@moxiemom) at July 23, 2016 09:53 AM (t5zYU)

10 Tell us about the conservative candidates you support for Senate and House seats below.

Well I'm in NY so...

Best thing I can do to stop Killery is to vote for the other guy.

Posted by: WhatWhatWhat? - Some People Call Me Maurice at July 23, 2016 09:54 AM (WlGX+)

11
If we dont win the WH and the donks make those USSC appts we are screwed -- for evah! That people cant see that and are going to persist in throwing tantrums or passive aggressive behaviors will still blame everyone but themselves if we lose.

Posted by: Bruce With a Wang! at July 23, 2016 09:55 AM (iQIUe)

12 The last I checked Senator Kirk had an inflated ACU rating of something like 54%.

I'm not supposed to vote for Trump but I'm supposed to keep the strokemeister in Dee Cee?

Posted by: Tim in Illinois. at July 23, 2016 09:55 AM (WVsWD)

13 >>Well I'm in NY so...

Yeah, I'm in KY. Rand will win re-election. I'm meh about that as he is not my favorite politician.

I'm not in the habit of donating outside my state or Congressional district, but I will be this year for the first time.

Another candidate is Mike Lee who is up for reelection to the Senate, but I think he's in pretty good shape in Utah.

Posted by: Y-not (@moxiemom) at July 23, 2016 09:56 AM (t5zYU)

14 Last I heard Pat Toomey is well ahead of the Katy McGinty for the Pennsylvania senate race

Posted by: Skip at July 23, 2016 09:56 AM (bksJQ)

15 I'm in VA-10th.....not a snowballs chance of a conservative winning here.

How about Capt. Higgins, formerly of the St. Landry Parish La. Sheriff's Dept. I heard he is running for congress, and I like the guy!

Posted by: Jinx the Cat at July 23, 2016 09:57 AM (weV3+)

16 The reason to support whoever is the R nominee for Senate seats is the the control of committees more than the individual candidates themselves.

That said, I assume that if David Duke somehow won the nomination, the Party would not back him.

Posted by: Y-not (@moxiemom) at July 23, 2016 09:57 AM (t5zYU)

17 Mike Crane is a Congressional candidate in Georgia's 3rd district, whose primary is being held next week. He has been endorsed by Ted Cruz, who traveled to Georgia to campaign with him yesterday.

The current congressman in that district is a solid RINO running with an ACU rating in the 70s. But Crane will have it tough since this district includes Macon. It is not too far from where I grew up and it is known to be "little Detroit" now.

Posted by: Vic We Have No Party at July 23, 2016 09:58 AM (mpXpK)

18 If we dont win the WH and the donks make those USSC appts we are screwed -- for evah! That people cant see that and are going to persist in throwing tantrums or passive aggressive behaviors will still blame everyone but themselves if we lose.

We are screwed no matter who wins and who is appointed to the courts. Hillary will just speed things up a bit. Still, slowing things down sounds good to me.

Posted by: Grey Fox at July 23, 2016 09:59 AM (bZ7mE)

19 That's all great but the most positive thing anyone can do this November is keep Hillary out of the Presidency.

Another 5 or 10 house conservatives will not make a pinch of difference, and will be more than offset by another 2-3 liberal SCOTUS picks.

Posted by: Dirks Strewn at July 23, 2016 09:59 AM (QdAXQ)

20 This is a worthwhile endeavor. There are probably many people who will not be willing to donate to Trump, but who nevertheless may be persuaded to try to keep valuable congressional/senate seats in the (R) column. Having a list of seats where such donations can do the most good would be useful.

Posted by: Revenant at July 23, 2016 10:00 AM (3DSAh)

21
Comment on DM:

"Her serious medical problem got buried too. Her own doctor diagnosed her with transverse sinus thrombosis. I heard in the radio Dr. Drew talking about it. He says it's very dangerous and so rare that he only had one patient with it in his whole career. He tried to talk about it on his television show but they told him to knock it off. He said this diagnosis alone should disqualify her and he's a leftie nut. I never listen to that radio station and heard this by accident."

Posted by: Bruce With a Wang! at July 23, 2016 10:00 AM (iQIUe)

22 Great post. Exactly what I was planning to do. If you're looking for other candidates we should all be able to rally around, Jason Lewis in MN should probably get a look. He's running to fill the now vacant seat left by John Kline. It's a generally Republican district, but Lewis is a staunch conservative and long time local talk radio host who is being demonized by the left. There's just tons of ammo when it comes to taking audio from his shows out of context.

I have no idea where he stands on Trump v. Cruz.

Posted by: Sayyid at July 23, 2016 10:02 AM (nEnH9)

23 There are no conservatives here. Maybe Indiana has a few left.Posted by: Tim in Illinois

And yet the largest voting block (somewhere around 40%) identifies as conservative.

Which kind of reminds me of a girl I knew who identified as a virgin. Pretty straightforward right?

Not according to her. See, she really didn't enjoy it the first time so it didn't count. So she was still a virgin.

Posted by: free range conservative at July 23, 2016 10:03 AM (ZnIt3)

24 I support any candidate who is for less spending, less taxes, less government regulation, more personal freedom, supports the 2nd Amendment, supports closing our borders and enforcing the existing immigration laws, supports killing muzzie terrorists and their supporters wherever they are and wants to jail Hillary.

Especially the jail Hillary part.

Posted by: Hairyback Guy at July 23, 2016 10:03 AM (ej1L0)

25 The attendance at Mark Meadows annual event was down two thirds from prior years. Some of this was that the guest speaker didn't have the same star power this year. But part of it is that people are truly feed up with the way the process has deteriorated into name calling.

Trump supporters need to understand that some among them are hurting the very cause they say they espouse. Anger and name calling convinces no one. It just turns people off.

Posted by: NC Mountainl Girl at July 23, 2016 10:03 AM (NZ/vz)

26 Trump/Pence 2016

That is the vote, plus a straight GOP ticket (some with distaste) in November is how I stand.

Posted by: ChristyBlinky, Infidel Queen at July 23, 2016 10:04 AM (bbHus)

27 I've an open thread below this one for those of you who don't want to talk about Senate and House races. I really want this one to not turn into another battle over Trump.

Posted by: Y-not (@moxiemom) at July 23, 2016 10:05 AM (t5zYU)

28 NOOD Open Thread below this one for off-topic discussions.

Posted by: Y-not (@moxiemom) at July 23, 2016 10:05 AM (t5zYU)

29 Well need to tend to the garden and hang clothes out to dry that have been done for 3 hrs.
Good topic.

Posted by: Skip at July 23, 2016 10:06 AM (bksJQ)

30 The most fundamental question for politics is which side are you on, at least for American politics

Posted by: Bigbys Olive Fingers at July 23, 2016 10:07 AM (U0lQa)

31 The notion, that all anti-Trump conservatives reject anyone who supports him, comes from spending too much time at NRO. (Or any time; I deleted my bookmark months ago.) Shapiro, for instance, does grant that it's a judgment call.

This is also a problem for the "have to vote Trump" argument. It makes sense only if you really think it makes a difference. Not all of us see that. Personally, I think it was lost in 2012, and there can be no recovery. So who gives a shit?

(BTW: I've lived in Richmond VA for years. Tim Kaine was a corrupt weasel when he was mayor.)

I think I'm going to watch I, Clavdivs again.

Posted by: George LeS at July 23, 2016 10:07 AM (FkGpr)

32 Having a list of seats where such donations can do the most good would be useful.
Posted by: Revenant at July 23, 2016 10:00 AM (3DSAh)
--

Yeah, that was my intent. I got side-tracked by vacation and a leaky roof, but I'll try to put one together soon.

It's surprisingly difficult to get good information about individual Congressional and Senate races. Very tedious process. Not much polling available. I was hoping we could crowd-source in this thread (and the earlier threads).

Posted by: Y-not (@moxiemom) at July 23, 2016 10:08 AM (t5zYU)

33
50 dead and 160 injured in Kabul bombing. You see victims all over the place and a few people aiding them but no ambulances, etc., that we are use to seeing. Disgusting.

Posted by: Bruce With a Wang! at July 23, 2016 10:10 AM (iQIUe)

34 >>Posted by: Bruce With a Wang! at July 23, 2016 10:10 AM

That's being discussed on the Open Thread.

Posted by: Y-not (@moxiemom) at July 23, 2016 10:10 AM (t5zYU)

35 How about the swing states congressional and senate contests? Are there any potential seats that could flip to the Repuclicans with a little help and backing?

Posted by: IC at July 23, 2016 10:13 AM (KTFfX)

36 Well, I have a suggestion for unity.
One last time, hold your nose and vote for the nominees.
We've been doing it since at least 2008.
I'm willingly voting for Trump/Pence but I am also going to hold my nose and vote for Toomey.

If the GOP ticket loses this year, it's the end for them.
If the GOP wins, it may be the end for the Clintons.
Either way, next election you won't have to hold your nose anymore.
This is the year to kill the Clinton beast machine. Don't miss out on this once in a lifetime opportunity!

Posted by: @votermom at July 23, 2016 10:13 AM (7lVbc)

37 " See, she really didn't enjoy it the first time so it didn't count. So she was still a virgin."

Her mistake was screwing a Democrat.

Posted by: George LeS at July 23, 2016 10:13 AM (FkGpr)

38 Any Missourians here right now? I need your opinions....

There are 4 R's in the gubernatorial primary in Aug.

John Brunner (Former marine and business man)
Eric Greitens (Founder, The Mission Continues, Navy Seal and Author)
Catharine Hanaway (Attorney and former speaker of the house and State rep)
Peter Kinder (current Lt. Gov. and attorney, real estate specialist, publisher)

Anyone know anything about them?

Posted by: Tami at July 23, 2016 10:13 AM (Enq6K)

39 Are there any potential seats that could flip to the Repuclicans with a little help and backing?
--

Colorado Senate had been listed as toss-up, but it's moved to leans D now. I still would like to see us try to win it. Cruz had a strong organization there and if they're mobilized for Glenn it could help Trump with turnout.

Posted by: Y-not (@moxiemom) at July 23, 2016 10:15 AM (t5zYU)

40 That's exactly the sort of thing I'd like to try to use this thread for, Tami. Thanks for your comment!

Posted by: Y-not (@moxiemom) at July 23, 2016 10:16 AM (t5zYU)

41 My Congressman, Chris Collins, was the first House member to endorse Trump, he was in way before anybody else. And was rewarded with a speaking slot at the RNC.

I don't think it will hurt him even if T loses. His seat is pretty safe (yep, we actually have safe Repub seats here in NY)

Posted by: WhatWhatWhat? - Some People Call Me Maurice at July 23, 2016 10:17 AM (WlGX+)

42 Does anyone know how Kelli Ward's challenge to McCain is going?

Posted by: Y-not (@moxiemom) at July 23, 2016 10:19 AM (t5zYU)

43 40
That's exactly the sort of thing I'd like to try to use this thread for, Tami. Thanks for your comment!

Posted by: Y-not (@moxiemom) at July 23, 2016 10:16 AM (t5zYU)

You're welcome but I realized after I posted that you were really talking about House and Senate seats. Sorry I threw a gubernatorial race in there.

Posted by: Tami at July 23, 2016 10:19 AM (Enq6K)

44 Off Topic Early. I'm headed up to Anacortes to take the ferry over to Friday Harbor on San Juan Island to take a look at land up there to establish Sharkman's Redoubt. Here is the selection of locations:

http://tinyurl.com/San-Juan-Bugout-Locations

Also might take a boat over to Allan Island, which has a grass airstrip on it.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Allan_Island_(Washington).

When I get back tonight I'll be pounding away on Sharkman's 2016 Apocalyptic Election Survival Plan, so don't forget to e-mail me at PeterJVaughn1963@gmail.com for your copy once published.

Better get started on your bug-out bags and ammo collection!

Posted by: Sharkman at July 23, 2016 10:20 AM (CS7jF)

45 You're welcome but I realized after I posted that you were really talking about House and Senate seats. Sorry I threw a gubernatorial race in there.
Posted by: Tami at July 23, 2016 10:19 AM (Enq6K)
--

Nah, that's fine. I should have included governors.

Posted by: Y-not (@moxiemom) at July 23, 2016 10:20 AM (t5zYU)

46 OK, time for me to bang away at my thing, not because I'm simply a contrarian prick, but because it's down to the real bedrock of the problem. I keep saying we didn't vote our way into this, and that has a key meaning. The problem is not in our politics; as such, no solution is to be found there. Our communities, the very people of this nation, were "organized" out from under us, our morals and standards corroded, our habits and ethics twisted and decayed. The Founders would not recognize us, not because of our government or the color of our skins, but because of the decrepit content of our national character.

So folks, it's time to become missionaries. We represent solitary or at best small outposts in a heathen land now. This means we must spread the truth by whatever skills and aptitudes we have at our disposal. Our schools will not teach the truth, so we must; too often our Churches have strayed far from the truth, so we must become the shepherds; our culture degrades rather than enriches, so we must provide that nourishment for the spirits of our fellows; our leaders will not lead, so we must.

And that means we stop looking for others to get the job done. We have to do it ourselves now.

They say politics is downstream from culture. I say that means it's time to give politics the heave-ho for now and get to work rehabilitating the human soil that's giving rise to all these noxious weeds and withered fruit. I myself have been engaged in such for some time--I won't disclose details, because it could conceivably lead to my identification in a time in which that is increasingly dangerous, for me and those around me. Each and every one of us should now look for ways in which we, too, can reengage in this arena. It isn't fast, it isn't easy, it probably won't be cheap, and we will be fought at every turn, but it is what must be done.

Posted by: Brother Cavil, That Guy at July 23, 2016 10:20 AM (vyqqu)

47 Well, I'm sure as hell not supporting David Duke.

Posted by: Lauren at July 23, 2016 10:24 AM (lLJq3)

48 >>47 Well, I'm sure as hell not supporting David Duke.

Ditto.

Newt Gingrich said the same yesterday, as did the NRSC or some such organization.

Posted by: Y-not (@moxiemom) at July 23, 2016 10:25 AM (t5zYU)

49 "If we dont win the WH and the donks make those USSC appts we are screwed -- for evah! "

Huzzah!

-Stop Hillary

-Reverse TPP

-Corporate tax reduction

-FIGHT ISIS! Go there and blow their asses up

-Control the borders

-Enforce immigration laws. Start deporting some asses en masse

Posted by: Ricardo Kill at July 23, 2016 10:29 AM (9ym/8)

50
Does anyone know if Louisiana will stay all red with Vitter's upcoming retirement? Thank God Landrieu is gone -- or should I say, "gone," since she's now (what else?) working for a D.C. lobbying firm. Probably gets drunk with Eric Cantor a couple of times a week. Uh, but anyway, how's Louisiana's US Senate race looking?

Posted by: iforgot at July 23, 2016 10:32 AM (5o5ek)

51 Brother Cavil, I agree with you about taking back the culture.
We are the counter-culture.

Posted by: @votermom at July 23, 2016 10:32 AM (7lVbc)

52 David Duke is a creation of the media. There are many equivalents on the left....people who espouse genocide, euthenasia, forced collectivization, etc. But they are simply ignored by our intrepid press.

He is an example of the leftist media controlling the narrative.

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo...Am Yisrael Hai at July 23, 2016 10:35 AM (AZl0B)

53 43 >> Does anyone know how Kelli Ward's challenge to McCain is going?

I was going to comment on that; not that I have any new info, but that Kelli deserves our support. The last poll I saw, reported at Breitbart, was from late May and showed Ward within striking distance.

Posted by: GnuBreed at July 23, 2016 10:38 AM (gyKtp)

54 Pretty much resigned to Duckworth in Senate from IL. As Tim said upthread, there is nothing here in IL. Kirk has been absent for five years and seems to only hear country club suburbanites and the rest of the state can just disappear. The Dold/Schneider rematch is the same -- which one can pander more to Northshore liberals. My reps are (R), of some kind unknown to constituionalists, but polite and responsive to constituents, so they should be safe.

Posted by: mustbequantum at July 23, 2016 10:38 AM (MIKMs)

55 They say politics is downstream from culture. I say that means it's time to give politics the heave-ho for now and get to work rehabilitating the human soil that's giving rise to all these noxious weeds and withered fruit.

What exactly do you mean by "give politics the heave-ho?" I agree that the real problem is the culture, but withdrawing from politics altogether seems like a mistake. Politics are the holding action while we try to remedy the root problems.

Not that we can actually solve the root problems, of course.

Posted by: Grey Fox at July 23, 2016 10:39 AM (bZ7mE)

56 My very conservative Congressman, Tim Huelskamp (KS-01) is in a very tight race for the August 2 primary.

His primary opponent is a well-funded (from out of state) RINO named Dr. Marshall, an OB-GYN. He is well meaning, but not who I want to represent me. There is strong corporate interest in electing him, and he has the Kansas Farm Bureau endorsement.

I have talked to and directly questioned Tim Huelskamp on a number of issues at local meet and greets and town hall meetings. He is the real deal.

Congressman Huelskamp, a farmer with a PhD in ag policy, was pushed off the Ag committee by John Boehner for vigorously representing his district, one of the prime agricultural districts in America. Most of our hard winter wheat is grown here.

Posted by: NaCly Dog at July 23, 2016 10:39 AM (hyuyC)

57 The notion, that all anti-Trump conservatives reject
anyone who supports him, comes from spending too much time at NRO. (Or
any time; I deleted my bookmark months ago.) Shapiro, for instance, does
grant that it's a judgment call.

This is also a problem for the "have to vote Trump" argument. It
makes sense only if you really think it makes a difference. Not all of
us see that. Personally, I think it was lost in 2012, and there can be
no recovery. So who gives a shit?

(BTW: I've lived in Richmond VA for years. Tim Kaine was a corrupt weasel when he was mayor.)

I think I'm going to watch I, Clavdivs again.

Posted by: George LeS at July 23, 2016 10:07 AM (FkGpr)

George... you are correct. I have no problem with Darryl Glenn being at the convention or "making peace" with the Trump campaign so long as he sticks to the conservative principles that Cruz obviously saw in him.

But then I am assuming that Trump didn't call Darryl Glenn's wife ugly and imply his father helped assassinate a US President.

Where in Richmond did you live? And did you miss L. Doug's time as mayor or were you gone by then? He at least was amusing.

Posted by: redbanzai at July 23, 2016 10:39 AM (9dfKD)

58 Y-not, is Rand Paul even bothering to campaign? Haven't heard squat from him since he dropped out of the prezzy race.

Posted by: FCF at July 23, 2016 10:40 AM (kejii)

59 15
I'm in VA-10th.....not a snowballs chance of a conservative winning here.

Whattya mean, Barbara Comstock is my Congresscritter and she's.. she's.....um, never mind.

I knew what she was in '14 when she ran away from any questions about immigration. I'd ask her supporters, who were all pumped about her, what her position was, and they didn't know or wouldn't say.

She's a timeserving barnacle in the mold of Frank Wolf. Her only redeeming feature is that she's not an official Dem.

Posted by: pep at July 23, 2016 10:40 AM (LAe3v)

60 Is this one of those posts where we write, delete and write again?

MUST FIND SHARED GROUND, GRRRRR

Hope y'all have a fun weekend.

Posted by: Max Power at July 23, 2016 10:42 AM (QCc6B)

61 That said, I assume that if David Duke somehow won the nomination, the Party would not back him.

Posted by: Y-not

Yes, they've already said he would not have their support.

Posted by: pep at July 23, 2016 10:43 AM (LAe3v)

62 "50
Does anyone know if Louisiana will stay all red with Vitter's upcoming retirement?"

Good question, iforgot! I've updated the post with a little info. Will try to follow up with more information at a later time.

Posted by: Y-not (@moxiemom) at July 23, 2016 10:43 AM (t5zYU)

63 I think we're missing the big picture. There is plenty of common ground. Starting with the idea that NOBODY wants to see Hillary in a string bikini.

Posted by: pep at July 23, 2016 10:44 AM (LAe3v)

64 My congressman Scott DeGarious has been a solid conservtive. So much so that the establishment is always primaring him. They keep bring up his divorce, back in the 90's. Last time he won by35 votes.

Posted by: Paladin at July 23, 2016 10:46 AM (hrI7S)

65 59 Whattya mean, Barbara Comstock is my Congresscritter and she's.. she's.....um, never mind.

I
knew what she was in '14 when she ran away from any questions about
immigration. I'd ask her supporters, who were all pumped about her, what
her position was, and they didn't know or wouldn't say.

She's a timeserving barnacle in the mold of Frank Wolf. Her only redeeming feature is that she's not an official Dem.

Posted by: pep at July 23, 2016 10:40 AM (LAe3v)

She has an ACU rating for last year of 50. Well into DIABLO territory.

Posted by: Vic We Have No Party at July 23, 2016 10:46 AM (mpXpK)

66 58 Y-not, is Rand Paul even bothering to campaign? Haven't heard squat from him since he dropped out of the prezzy race.
Posted by: FCF at July 23, 2016 10:40 AM (kejii)
--

Well, I've had a couple of pitches sent my way (as it were) from both his staff and the KY GOP. I gather his D opponent (mayor of Lexington?) is well-funded. So they're raising money, anyway.

The KY GOP sent me an email asking for help volunteering. I decided to wait until after the convention to respond. I'm composing my response now. Whole lotta of typing and deleting there.

Posted by: Y-not (@moxiemom) at July 23, 2016 10:47 AM (t5zYU)

67 >>Posted by: NaCly Dog at July 23, 2016 10:39 AM

Thanks for the reminder about him. I'll try to cover him in the next installment.

Posted by: Y-not (@moxiemom) at July 23, 2016 10:48 AM (t5zYU)

68 She has an ACU rating for last year of 50. Well into DIABLO territory.

Posted by: Vic We Have No Party

It is reasonable to ask if any real conservative can still be elected in NoVa. I have my doubts.

Posted by: pep at July 23, 2016 10:48 AM (LAe3v)

69 67 Y-not (@moxiemom)

Let me know if you need help. I mentioned AoSHQ to his wife last week at a local meet and greet.

She maintains their Facebook page and has to delete a lot of ribald comments. IDK about her tolerance for us Morons.

Posted by: NaCly Dog at July 23, 2016 10:52 AM (hyuyC)

70
There are no conservatives here. Maybe Indiana has a few left.
Posted by: Tim in Illinois. at July 23, 2016 09:47 AM

Indiana used to have two Republican senators. After November we will have two Democrat senators. Maybe a Democrat governor as well.

Posted by: Bertram Cabot Jr. at July 23, 2016 10:52 AM (IqV8l)

71 Thanks, Y-not.

Posted by: KT at July 23, 2016 10:53 AM (qahv/)

72
I've updated the post with a little info. Will try to follow up with more information at a later time.
Posted by: Y-not (@moxiemom) at July 23, 2016 10:43 AM (t5zYU)
----------------------

Thanks! This is interesting:

>>all of them claiming "outsider status," including those already in office.

Posted by: iforgot at July 23, 2016 10:53 AM (5o5ek)

73 Posted by: Y-not (@moxiemom) at July 23, 2016 10:47 AM (t5zYU)

Last time (primary season) he was here he spent 5 minutes, no questions and left. The RNC here is made up of old money and they don't exactly welcome newcomers.

Posted by: FCF at July 23, 2016 10:53 AM (kejii)

74 68 It is reasonable to ask if any real conservative can still be elected in NoVa. I have my doubts.

Posted by: pep at July 23, 2016 10:48 AM (LAe3v)

Its a shame. I was born in Roanoke, VA and it is a liberal Hell now.

Posted by: Vic We Have No Party at July 23, 2016 10:54 AM (mpXpK)

75 I've updated the post with a little bit about Huelskamp.

Posted by: Y-not (@moxiemom) at July 23, 2016 10:54 AM (t5zYU)

76 This is also a problem for the "have to vote Trump" argument. It makes sense only if you really think it makes a difference. Not all of us see that. Personally, I think it was lost in 2012, and there can be no recovery. So who gives a shit?�

I think it's the last chance. Last chance to have conservatives on the Supreme Court, last chance to secure our borders, last chance to spare a generation of our young from the ravages of drug addiction because of cheap, readily available Mexican heroin (which even 0bama mentioned yesterday in front of Mexico's front man), last chance to properly vet or turn away those unwilling to accept the American constitution, last chance to stop the progressive agenda from invading our own bedrooms now that they've conquered public bathrooms, last chance to retain religious freedom, last chance for freedom of choice in where we send our children to school with our taxed dollars.

Sure, I have concerns with DT. But look at that list.

Posted by: free range conservative at July 23, 2016 10:55 AM (ZnIt3)

77 >>Let me know if you need help. I mentioned
>>AoSHQ to his wife last week at a local meet and greet.

If you'd like to contribute to an upcoming thread, email me at bailesworth AT g m a i l.

Offer extends to anyone who wants to send me some info about their favorite conservative candidate for the House, Senate, or Governor.

Posted by: Y-not (@moxiemom) at July 23, 2016 10:56 AM (t5zYU)

78 You can also contact me via Twitter at moxiemom. (I check Twitter more frequently than that email address so it's quicker.)

Posted by: Y-not (@moxiemom) at July 23, 2016 10:59 AM (t5zYU)

79 Colorado represents common ground for those of us on the Right. Should
Donald Trump win the presidency, he'll need a friendly Senate to get his
SCOTUS nominees confirmed and his wall built.

Republicans
have not has 60 vote majority in the Senate since I have been alive.
And Democrats do NOT believe in crossing the line, especially if a real
conservative is nominated. Republicans however can not wait to cross the
isle for a far left ideologue for the Democrats.

Posted by: Vic We Have No Party at July 23, 2016 10:59 AM (mpXpK)

80 This is also a problem for the "have to vote Trump" argument. It makes sense only if you really think it makes a difference. Not all of us see that. Personally, I think it was lost in 2012, and there can be no recovery. So who gives a shit

Some still give a shit, but I am not one of them.

We have now had a generation of Republican politicians (including two presidents) who paid lip-service to conservatism while pursuing Big Government Progressive policy agendas. Capped by the nomination of Trump who openly repudiates conservative principles. I honestly don't know where conservatism goes from here; with no party, no champion, and no path forward.

Posted by: V the K at July 23, 2016 11:00 AM (O7MnT)

81 There are no conservatives here. Maybe Indiana has a few left.

We do seem to be a smaller minority than I had thought. Many people are conservative in their private lives but forget it when they go to the polls.

Posted by: Grump928(C) says Free Soothie! at July 23, 2016 11:01 AM (rwI+c)

82 I hope Rand Paul is comfortably reelected. Whether I agree with him or not on certain issues, he is a constitutionalist and has done yeoman's work on youth/racial outreach. Cruz, Lee, Paul, Sessions are solid. Petty disputes are just that.

ps -- I think Rand spends a few months each year doing pro bono eye surgeries, so if he is not in KY, that is his most likely reason.

Posted by: mustbequantum at July 23, 2016 11:01 AM (MIKMs)

83
Excellent idea, focus on the LOCAL/STATE where you absolutely CAN make a difference.

Resolution of our national problems has to begin at these levels, everything flows from this.

That ought to be so evident as to not require pointing out.

Posted by: irongrampa at July 23, 2016 11:02 AM (X35Yt)

84 Our Common Ground

We're carbon-based life forms?

Posted by: AD at July 23, 2016 11:03 AM (XHWYb)

85 On the bright side, I'm represented by Senator-for-Life Jeff Sessions.

Posted by: Grump928(C) says Free Soothie! at July 23, 2016 11:03 AM (rwI+c)

86 78 I am not on Twitter. I'll e-mail you in a couple of days.

I'll be at our local county fair until Monday. Usually I am in our Constitution Bee tent or the local TEA party tent. Tonight I help man the Republican Party tent for a couple of hours, since I'm on the ballot.

Posted by: NaCly Dog at July 23, 2016 11:04 AM (hyuyC)

87 >>82 I hope Rand Paul is comfortably reelected.

I've never liked Rand and that hasn't improved upon closer inspection (where I get to see his "working across the aisle" pitch and McConnell pander monkey act in gory detail), but I hope he wins. He really doesn't seem to be in jeopardy of losing. If he was, I'd toss him some bucks, but he isn't.

Posted by: Y-not (@moxiemom) at July 23, 2016 11:04 AM (t5zYU)

88
Aaaaaaand it turns out that Gary Landrieu, cousin of Mary, is one of the jungle critters running for her former seat.

He's also the cousin of Mitch Landrieu, Democrat mayor of New Orleans.

Them Louisianans like them some familih connections, seems like.

Posted by: iforgot at July 23, 2016 11:04 AM (5o5ek)

89 Tonight I help man the Republican Party tent for a couple of hours, since I'm on the ballot.
Posted by: NaCly Dog at July 23, 2016 11:04 AM (hyuyC)
---

Good luck! We're all counting on you.

Posted by: Y-not (@moxiemom) at July 23, 2016 11:05 AM (t5zYU)

90 At best, Trump represents the difference between a death spiral and a controlled flight into terrain.

Posted by: V the K at July 23, 2016 11:06 AM (O7MnT)

91 Slightly OT (sorry) but I saw last night an interview of Donald Trump by David Feherty on, of all things, the Golf Channel. For those who aren't golf fans, Trump is a golfer (and an excellent one, BTW).

An hour where Feherty (a conservative, very pro-military guy Trump respects) just has a relaxed conversation with him. I felt I got to know what makes him tick a bit better.

If golf bores you, stop reading, but a number of years ago Trump was on the cover of one of the golf magazines with a caption like: "Donald Trump CAN beat you in a golf match." OK to call BS on this, but one of the things the magazine noted in the article was, "How much would it be worth to you in a tough match (Trump is nothing if not competitive) to KNOW you were going to sink that critical 20 foot putt?"

Posted by: RM at July 23, 2016 11:06 AM (U3LtS)

92 I'm still basking in the glow of a Yuengling Brewery opening in Indiana.

I'm all politic-ed out. Not trying to tell y'all what to talk about by any means. I'm just disillusioned with all of 'em.

"What is Conservative" is interesting. That's philosophical. I used to think I was Conservative. I don't know anymore.

Posted by: ScoggDog at July 23, 2016 11:06 AM (fiGNd)

93 "Them Louisianans like them some familih connections, seems like."

Please tell me some more about this. I am intrigued.

Posted by: darren "prince" lahood at July 23, 2016 11:07 AM (WVsWD)

94 Gosh, I think the last Republican I donated/actively supported here in California was Chuck Devore. Everybody I donate to is out of state.

The Senate Conservatives Fund is a great place to check out for information - they endorsed Darryl Glenn and Tim Huelskamp - on both the house and senate races.

Also, if you donate through them, the candidates get 100% of the donation. The place is kind of like the one-place-stop if you want to donate to multiple people.

http://tinyurl.com/jzom3tw

Posted by: Joanne at July 23, 2016 11:07 AM (hgBpU)

95
I honestly don't know where conservatism goes from here; with no party, no champion, and no path forward.
Posted by: V the K at July 23, 2016 11:00 AM (O7MnT)
---------------------

Maybe it has to be American Greatness's* handmaid for a while.

*I'm looking for a less-sinister alternative to "nationalism." I think I'll go with the unique, new ism of our time.

Posted by: iforgot at July 23, 2016 11:09 AM (5o5ek)

96 Great idea, Joanne! Thank you!

Posted by: Y-not (@moxiemom) at July 23, 2016 11:10 AM (t5zYU)

97 McAuliffe Vows to Return Gun Rights to 200,000 Virginia Felons.

Posted by: Grump928(C) with a goatee at July 23, 2016 11:10 AM (rwI+c)

98 Maybe it has to be American Greatness's* handmaid for a while.

Maybe so.

But honestly - what is Conservatism ? I always associated it with Reagan ... but he used Tariffs to protect Harley-Davidson. I'm told that's not Conservative.

I truly think that the word - Conservatism - is something Republicans use as a kind of, to steal from Ace, virtue signaling.

And I think that multiple sides are fighting to define the word - to advance their own agendas.

Posted by: ScoggDog at July 23, 2016 11:13 AM (fiGNd)

99
Please tell me some more about this. I am intrigued.
Posted by: darren "prince" lahood at July 23, 2016 11:07 AM (WVsWD)
-------------------

omg, another prince. It's at the point where I don't even care if these princes and princesses are any good. There are lots of non-royal candidates who are. It bugs the hell out of me that they stomp other candidates with nothing but their name. It also bugs me that voters go for it every time.

Posted by: iforgot at July 23, 2016 11:14 AM (5o5ek)

100
I think that multiple sides are fighting to define the word - to advance their own agendas.
Posted by: ScoggDog at July 23, 2016 11:13 AM (fiGNd)
-----------------

Very possibly. I'm for terms like "Constitutionalism" and "anti-authoritarianism," which are more targeted in meaning.

Posted by: iforgot at July 23, 2016 11:16 AM (5o5ek)

101 Capped by the nomination of Trump who openly repudiates conservative principles. I honestly don't know where conservatism goes from here; with no party, no champion, and no path forward.Posted by:�V the K�at July 23, 2016 11:00 AM (O7MnT)

See there's the problem right there, that I touched on earlier. While some 40% of people may identify as conservative, ask them to identify the top three conservative principles they identify with and you'll get 30 different answers.

I have my list, you have yours. They probably don't coincide. I see enough conservatism in DT, and more so in his running mate for me.

While the conservative values of his running mate I suspect you don't care for.

Posted by: free range conservative at July 23, 2016 11:17 AM (ZnIt3)

102
I'm still basking in the glow of a Yuengling Brewery opening in Indiana.

I cannot find any links about this. When and where?

Posted by: Bertram Cabot Jr. at July 23, 2016 11:17 AM (IqV8l)

103 I cannot find any links about this. When and where?

You know ... I was texted about this by a "friend" - and I use that term loosely now - this morning.

It looks like the article he texted me was a prank. Adam - you are going to catch hell Monday.

Now my mood is really, really bad. I was in a chill, first beer mellow mindset. Now - all fucked up.

Posted by: ScoggDog at July 23, 2016 11:21 AM (fiGNd)

104 Please tell me some more about this. I am intrigued.

Posted by: darren "prince" lahood at July 23, 2016 11:07 AM (WVsWD)
=====
Piker. Bow before the power of the Madigans.

Posted by: mustbequantum at July 23, 2016 11:23 AM (MIKMs)

105 Very possibly. I'm for terms like "Constitutionalism" and "anti-authoritarianism," which are more targeted in meaning.

I'm most definitely a George Mason type anti-federalist. And certainly a little r republican.

And I just want to buy Yuengling at my local liquor store. Is that too much to ask ?

Posted by: ScoggDog at July 23, 2016 11:23 AM (fiGNd)

106 But honestly - what is Conservatism ?

Conservatism is the embrace of what has been historically proven to work and the rejection of what has been historically proven to fail.

Progressivism is the opposite.

Posted by: V the K at July 23, 2016 11:24 AM (O7MnT)

107 You talking about me? I got your IP! I'll tell daddy and if that don't work.

See You in Court.....

Posted by: Lisa at July 23, 2016 11:27 AM (WVsWD)

108
Progressivism is the belief that society is better off ruled by an elite. A Progressive is one who imagines themselves a part of this elite.

Posted by: Grump928(C) with a goatee at July 23, 2016 11:28 AM (rwI+c)

109 Dan Bongino needs to be at the top of this list. He is the absolute real deal. He ran for Congress in Md. and in a district heavily gerrymandered to favor the donks, missed beating the incumbent D by this much -----[]-----. He's since moved to Florida and is running down there in the 19th District.

He is unquestionably conservative, a former Secret Service agent who wrote Life Inside The Bubble about the corruption he observed while doing that job.

Here's his website: www.bongino.com

Posted by: Weirddave at July 23, 2016 11:28 AM (N8hFs)

110 i don't know how kelli is polling here in az

what i do know is a get 4-5 calls a week asking who i'm voting for in the primary.....all calls are from mccain's camp......none of them are happy when they get my answer.

Posted by: phoenixgirl you must fight for independence EVERYDAY at July 23, 2016 11:28 AM (0O7c5)

111 I seldom comment in political threads but feel compelled today.

I have one main concern this election: that Hillary doesn't win. Every other consideration is secondary to that.

Mrs. JTB and I will offer support and funding only to individual candidates. The Virginia and federal level GOP's lack of support is why we have the shit we do for governor and AG. These are the same ones who backed Eric Cantor, to give you a sense of how piss poor they are. I'm only sorry they haven't approached me so far so I can tell them what to do and where to do it.

I've been voting since 1972. In that time I've been enthusiastic about one candidate: Ronald Reagan. Nixon, Ford, Dole, McCain (especially him), and Romney were hold my nose and vote situations. Their only real appeal was they weren't as bad as the Demoshit candidate. I no longer vote for someone so much as try to limit the damage.

Posted by: JTB at July 23, 2016 11:30 AM (V+03K)

112 America is done for if Hillary wins. It might feel good to not vote for that rascal Trump and concentrate on local elections but we will never overcome 4 years of Clinton. The constitution will become a vague memory. I am uncertain about Donald but there is no doubt what Hillary will do. Please vote Trump.

Posted by: StAndrews at July 23, 2016 11:30 AM (FkwUD)

113 Anybody here live in Alaska? Lisa Murkowski is up for reelection, primary is August 16th. Would love to see her gone. Votes with the Dems 75-80% of the time.

Posted by: Joanne at July 23, 2016 11:30 AM (hgBpU)

114 Conservatism is the embrace of what has been historically proven to work and the rejection of what has been historically proven to fail.

If that's the definition - I can think of numerous self-styled Conservatives that are flat-assed wrong.

And that includes Ted Cruz. Never seen a society self-sustain by systematically replacing their own skilled-trades workforce via immigration. But that's what he supported via H1Bs.

Posted by: ScoggDog at July 23, 2016 11:30 AM (fiGNd)

115 "See there's the problem right there, that I touched on earlier. While some 40% of people may identify as conservative, ask them to identify the top three conservative principles they identify with and you'll get 30 different answers"

True enough. But even so, I see the Democrats as an even more patched together mix of groups with single agendas.

A huge problem is that these disparate coalitions of Democrat types total enough people to win an election. It's my belief that, more so with the Democrats, they will hold their noses and vote for the lesser of two evils.

My guess is that the bitching Bernie supporters will mostly fall in line at the end and pull that D lever. I have my doubts that the neverTrumpers will do so in as high a proportion.

Posted by: RM at July 23, 2016 11:31 AM (U3LtS)

116 I see that UPS received my barreled receiver at the local depot at 5AM this morning. However, it appears they don't intend to deliver it today since it's still sitting there.

Posted by: Grump928(C) with a goatee at July 23, 2016 11:31 AM (rwI+c)

117 Stepped away for breakfast. Priorities and all

By "giving politics the heave-ho" I mean really relegating it to a priority that befits the benefit that can still be gained--a low one. Now obviously in situations where an effort must be made to fend off disaster (cf. "Clinton, Hillary") some extra energy is justified, but by and large the track record of our darlings is, well, kinda pathetic. That indicates to me the problems can better be addressed elsewhere.

Now obviously some of you have already made obligations in that arena, and I don't grudge anyone keeping those obligations. But I do suggest, once those duties are fulfilled (and please do so to the best of your ability), you examine other areas to put those skills to use to improve the culture and the people around you, because until that gets turned around politics will remain as it has.

Posted by: Brother Cavil, That Guy at July 23, 2016 11:32 AM (vyqqu)

118
The Article V movement goes hand in hand with this, both in Congress and especially in state houses.

And do your parts if you can by getting involved with local school and community boards to do whatever you can at the real grassroots level to shape the future and start the long march back through the institutions and especially academia.

Posted by: J.J. Sefton at July 23, 2016 11:33 AM (27m1/)

119 Progressivism is the belief that society is better off ruled by an elite. A Progressive is one who imagines themselves a part of this elite.

Grumpy ... I see that.

But I also see it strongly within many who call themselves Conservative. That's part of the opposition to Trump. Not the only opposition - and alot of the opposition is deserved in my opinion.

And that sucks about your receiver. Been thinking of modifying my arsenal as well.

Too early for a gun thread ?

Posted by: ScoggDog at July 23, 2016 11:34 AM (fiGNd)

120 113 Anybody here live in Alaska? Lisa Murkowski is up for reelection, primary is August 16th. Would love to see her gone. Votes with the Dems 75-80% of the time.
Posted by: Joanne at July 23, 2016 11:30 AM (hgBpU)

Is there a primary challenger? If so, more info please. Muzgluteski must be shoved out onto an ice floe.

Posted by: J.J. Sefton at July 23, 2016 11:35 AM (27m1/)

121 RE the definition of conservatism this is a post I made to Gabe long ago.

The MFM media has tried to define conservatism as some kind of far right religious thing. It is not.

Personally my definition of a conservative would be someone who:

1. Believes in the Constitution as written in the text.

2. Believes in small government, not "no government". In other words as one of the founders said, that government which governs least governs best. That also includes item 1 for the federal gov for the enumerated powers of congress not withstanding the liberal's false interpretation of the general welfare clause which really means nothing.

3. Believes in a strong national defense, including protecting the borders.

4. Believes in the rule of law, not the rule of man. This means judges ruling in accordance with the law, not in accordance with "outcomes".

Posted by: Vic We Have No Party at July 23, 2016 11:35 AM (mpXpK)

122
"He (Dan Bongino) is unquestionably conservative, a former Secret Service agent who wrote Life Inside The Bubble about the corruption he observed while doing that job."

Two thumbs way up to that. Good book. He served during the Obama regime and what he saw led him to resign and throw his hat in the ring.

Posted by: RM at July 23, 2016 11:35 AM (U3LtS)

123 120 Is there a primary challenger? If so, more info please. Muzgluteski must be shoved out onto an ice floe.

Posted by: J.J. Sefton at July 23, 2016 11:35 AM (27m1/)

She lost the primary a while back to a real challenger and then ran a campaign against the winner as an independent. The Democrats flooded the polls to vote for her and she won.

Posted by: Vic We Have No Party at July 23, 2016 11:37 AM (mpXpK)

124 Hubris is the curse of our times. So many believe that they have determined, in the fiery crucible of their brilliant intellect, the right way to live.

Governing should be done with humility. That's the reason the traditional should hold sway. It should always be on the skeptic to show that their alternative is better.

The status quo speaks for itself.

Posted by: Grump928(C) with a goatee at July 23, 2016 11:37 AM (rwI+c)

125 " If so, more info please. Muzgluteski must be shoved out onto an ice floe."

That's no way to treat an ice floe.

Posted by: Ricardo Kill at July 23, 2016 11:37 AM (9ym/8)

126
I find it amazing - or sadly not so amazing - that the subject of this post which is to do whatever we can to get conservatives generated some pretty uninformed and counterproductive comments that continue to look back instead of forward.

Fucking ponderous.

Posted by: J.J. Sefton at July 23, 2016 11:38 AM (27m1/)

127 FWIW ... and coming from me, that ain't much.

Vic's definition is about what I thought it was, when Reagan pulled me in as a kid. Look, I was born in '72. Didn't have a chance to vote for the guy. My first shot was '92 with George H. W. Bush.

I stayed home. Would have voted Perot.

Posted by: ScoggDog at July 23, 2016 11:40 AM (fiGNd)

128 I always liked Chesterton's description of Tradition:

"Tradition means giving votes to the most obscure of all classes, our ancestors. It is the democracy of the dead. Tradition refuses to submit to the small and arrogant oligarchy of those who merely happen to be walking about."

Posted by: Grump928(C) with a goatee at July 23, 2016 11:40 AM (rwI+c)

129 123 120 Is there a primary challenger? If so, more info please. Muzgluteski must be shoved out onto an ice floe.

Posted by: J.J. Sefton at July 23, 2016 11:35 AM (27m1/)

She lost the primary a while back to a real challenger and then ran a campaign against the winner as an independent. The Democrats flooded the polls to vote for her and she won.
Posted by: Vic We Have No Party at July 23, 2016 11:37 AM (mpXpK)

Again?! This shrill, goniffing crone is as endearing and useful as shingles of the eye. It just frosts me that we have to fight as hard, if not harder, against our putative "own" party than the Democrats.

Something has to change.

Posted by: J.J. Sefton at July 23, 2016 11:42 AM (27m1/)

130 And the Repuke Party tripped all over themselves to welcome her into the party. Her ACU rating has been 48/41 for the last 2 years. She is a Democrat with an R; a DIABLO.

Posted by: Vic We Have No Party at July 23, 2016 11:43 AM (mpXpK)

131 Fucking ponderous.

Nah JJ ... fucking enlightening.

We all don't agree, on some pretty serious shit that generally like-minded people don't want to delve into - for fear of being the one to drop the turd in the punch bowl.

But it's going to have to be done.

Posted by: ScoggDog at July 23, 2016 11:44 AM (fiGNd)

132 I remember the GOP when Morecokeplease ran as an independent. It poured money into attacking the Democrat, who didn't have a hope in Hell. The main message the GOP was sending was "we don't support our base's nominee".

Posted by: boulder terlit hobo at July 23, 2016 11:45 AM (y9ZKC)

133 I will vote for Trump out of spite. After what happened to Cruz, yes some of it selfinflected, I will give the Trumpist what they want....I am sure they will regret it. I just hope I'm not too old when it finally hits the fan.

Posted by: Paladin at July 23, 2016 11:47 AM (hrI7S)

134 This is a great idea. I'd like to see it continue past this election. Montana has no senators up this year, but Jon Tester is up in 2018, and he's such a nonentity, surely he's beatable. Finding a candidate and talking them up so they're familiar in 2018 probably should start in this election cycle. How does that happen? Who spots the good people to push?

No, I don't plan to be active, other than gossiping creatively. But that counts, too.

Posted by: Wenda (sic) at July 23, 2016 11:47 AM (pZEKq)

135
Now, to actual paying work.

Vaya con carne.

Posted by: J.J. Sefton at July 23, 2016 11:47 AM (27m1/)

136 Now, to actual paying work.

Paying work ... on a Saturday.

Impressive. Most impressive.

Posted by: ScoggDog at July 23, 2016 11:48 AM (fiGNd)

137 Especially for a Joo. Oy.

Posted by: boulder terlit hobo at July 23, 2016 11:49 AM (y9ZKC)

138 "Again?! This shrill, goniffing crone is as endearing and useful as shingles of the eye."

Yeah. Don't you remember her write-in campaign against the veteran and Tea Party guy Miller?

Posted by: Ricardo Kill at July 23, 2016 11:50 AM (9ym/8)

139 85 On the bright side, I'm represented by Senator-for-Life Jeff Sessions.
Posted by: Grump928(C) says Free Soothie! at July 23, 2016 11:03 AM (rwI+c)

But that means you are also represented by Richard Shelby, whom I have not yet forgiven for his campaign against Adm Denton. He drives a Caddillac! Where did you spend the 70s, me Shelby? Denton brought that Caddy with frequent stayed points from the Hanoi Hilton!

Posted by: Fox2! at July 23, 2016 11:51 AM (brIR5)

140 "Vaya con carne. "

Buenos pollo, muchacho.

Posted by: Ricardo Kill at July 23, 2016 11:52 AM (9ym/8)

141 Posted by: Brother Cavil, That Guy at July 23, 2016 10:20 AM

++, to which I would append Teddy Roosevelt's homage to the man (& woman) in the arena.

The time is now to decide if we are Americans or American'ts.

Posted by: Duncanthrax at July 23, 2016 11:52 AM (OF/aZ)

142 I'll do my best to also help the cause. I'll send a check to the opponents of Paul Ryan, Mike Lee, Ben Sasse, Jeff Flake and thats just getting started. More to come.

Posted by: Drider at July 23, 2016 11:53 AM (6Xbsz)

143 Progressivism is the belief that society is better off ruled by an elite. A Progressive is one who imagines themselves a part of this elite.
Posted by: Grump928(C) with a goatee at July 23, 2016 11:28 AM (rwI+c)

That is pretty well put, Grump.

Conservative is much harder to pin down, because as ScoggDog has noted, everyone is a conservative at election time.

Posted by: OneEyedJack at July 23, 2016 11:54 AM (kKHcp)

144 JJ, the people around my little town finally got a republican mayor. He promptly decided to put a 4 lane monstrosity through the middle of town for a one day event next summer that (it being KY) will most likely either be rained out or cloud covered. (2017 eclipse). From there is is upping even more taxes on insurance to fund a sportsplex. All this in a one mule town without a decent restaurant.

Posted by: FCF at July 23, 2016 11:54 AM (kejii)

145 Again?! This shrill, goniffing crone is as endearing and useful as shingles of the eye. It just frosts me that we have to fight as hard, if not harder, against our putative "own" party than the Democrats.

Something has to change.
Posted by: J.J. Sefton at July 23, 2016 11:42 AM (27m1/)

--------------

I'm with the people who know (and deep down, I think we all know) that we're not going to be able vote our way out of this mess. It's going to take extraordinary actions.

Posted by: Soona at July 23, 2016 11:54 AM (Fmupd)

146 The time is now to decide if we are Americans or American'ts

Well ... count me in as an American't.

As in "You Can't Make Me". That's my general reply to what I see as the crux of the problem.

And the crux, as I see it, is this friggin' "interconnectedness" ... I think I just made up a word ... where everyone thinks they're entitled to get right up in the middle of their neighbor's business. Because their neighbor's business impacts them in some real or imagined way, large or small.

And for the record - I've always thought cats like Teddy R were part of the problem. He doesn't strike me as somebody who would take "mind your own fucking business" very well.

Posted by: ScoggDog at July 23, 2016 11:57 AM (fiGNd)

147 OT:

Has anyone else seen that strange Hillary seizure video? Lots of involuntary head bobbing and then a joke about the iced coffee.

Very strange.

Posted by: shibumi who now just wants to yell at stupid people at July 23, 2016 11:58 AM (tvyXw)

148 I can't find any polling for the Alaska senate primary, but Lisa-the-coke-sniffer's biggest opponent is ex-mayor/Anchorage Dan Sullivan I think. He endorsed Joe Miller in 2010.

Weird fact, if he wins, we'll have two Republican senators from Alaska named Dan Sullivan.

Posted by: Joanne at July 23, 2016 12:00 PM (hgBpU)

149 And for the record ... I'm pretty sure I used "they're" and "their" correctly in the same post.

That should count for something.

Posted by: ScoggDog at July 23, 2016 12:00 PM (fiGNd)

150 "Has anyone else seen that strange Hillary seizure video?"

Not until now. Thanks for the heads-up.

She just hadn't had her three morning whiskey-and-waters yet.

Posted by: Ricardo Kill at July 23, 2016 12:01 PM (9ym/8)

151 "Weird fact, if he wins, we'll have two Republican senators from Alaska named Dan Sullivan."

Like in the Distinguished Gentleman: "Vote Dan Sullivan - the name you know."

Posted by: boulder terlit hobo at July 23, 2016 12:01 PM (y9ZKC)

152 "I'm pretty sure I used "they're" and "their" correctly in the same post. "

English. It's a bitch.

Posted by: Ricardo Kill at July 23, 2016 12:02 PM (9ym/8)

153 redbanzai: Doug Wilder was the last D I voted for. I still think he was more conservative than Coleman. (I almost voted for Mark Warner against John, but I stuck with my practice of writing in Robert Bork.) I honestly think that Wilder could have changed parties.

And I'm in the West End - and I don't mean East End Short Pump, but near Willow Lawn. More importantly, near the Westhampton Bakery, where you get what my wife's godson calls "Totally Chocolate Awsome Cookies."

Posted by: George LeS at July 23, 2016 12:04 PM (FkGpr)

154 She just hadn't had her three morning whiskey-and-waters yet.
---

I thought it was just her making a joke, but now, after watching it a few time, I don't think so.

It seems like it's something that has happened before and she's covering up for it.

/yep, we need a president that has seizures, possible brain issues and is beholden to the chicoms.

Posted by: shibumi who now just wants to yell at stupid people at July 23, 2016 12:05 PM (tvyXw)

155 I remember the GOP when Morecokeplease ran as an
independent. It poured money into attacking the Democrat, who didn't
have a hope in Hell. The main message the GOP was sending was "we don't
support our base's nominee".

Posted by: boulder terlit hobo at July 23, 2016 11:45 AM (y9ZKC)
=====
Pretty sure that Louisiana had the same situation -- pouring money into a useless fight to keep any type of potential 'freedom caucus' types out.

Posted by: mustbequantum at July 23, 2016 12:07 PM (MIKMs)

156 I'm thinking that putting all ones efforts into voting local to limit the damage is, well, is a complete farce.

I guess just to recap Americas rapid decline over the last 8 years that we need a refresher course on what worked and what didn't.

We took back the House on promises too long to list, we we're told that controlling the purse was the way to go. VOTE LOCAL and take back the house.
We did because we are all good soldiers.

Nothing changed. I mean zip,zero,nada. We were told that we need the Senate too. With our side controlling Congress that meant we could limit the damage of the Rules for Radicals POTUS so we all VOTED LOCAL and we took back Congress. Nothing happened, well actually thats not true, something did happen. That Congress that we all voted LOCAL for has signed every document that the Rules for Radical dude dropped in front of them and then some.

Now some of the people in that Congress that we all went out of the way to elect so they could screw us on a daily basis now say.
Haha, now say that we MUST NOT ELECT A POTUS from our staunch party.

I typed this rambling bit out because the LOCAL plan is a joke and will not work.
Hillary will not have the benefit of a strong opposing Congress and she is licking her chops. She will make Obama look like a piker if she gets the chance.

Posted by: Drider at July 23, 2016 12:08 PM (6Xbsz)

157 Doug Wilder was the last D I voted for.

Chuck Robb was the ONLY D I've ever voted for (I wanted to reward his Nam service). He turned out to be not nearly as conservative as I had hoped.

Posted by: pep at July 23, 2016 12:08 PM (LAe3v)

158 Yep ... that's a mild seizure. I've had family have those.

It's manageable, at least from what I've seen. You just don't let them drive. You're always around them in the pool. You don't let them hang around the grill by themselves. You definitely don't leave them home along.

It's so weird, watching that, how everyone else just kind of plays along. That's the part that makes me want to go buy more ammunition.

Posted by: ScoggDog at July 23, 2016 12:09 PM (fiGNd)

159 I will say this for the democrats. They believe in the "3 yards and a cloud of dust" version of politics, and it moves the ball.

When your goal is to get off the X, moving the ball in any direction left of center is positive, and they've been very good at it.
Of course, the X is America as a country of free citizens, competitive capitalism (as opposed to crony) and a Christian set of ethics and morals.
They don't care if the 3 yards they gain away from that are good or not, as long as the distance from the X grows. They foolishly believe they can fix it later.

We should be pragmatic as well, and look to get 3 yards here and there in the direction we need to go. If that means cobbling together a weird conglomerate to muster a majority on an issue, so be it.
Philosophic purity isn't the path to success, and it is why I will have no problem voting for DJT in november. If he delivers on just a couple of items, like enforcing existing immigration laws and rolling back regulations on coal power, that is a win the current GOP can't or won't deliver.

3 yards and a cloud of dust.

Posted by: OneEyedJack at July 23, 2016 12:10 PM (kKHcp)

160 It's manageable, at least from what I've seen. You just don't let them
drive. You're always around them in the pool. You don't let them hang
around the grill by themselves. You definitely don't leave them home
along.

Well then, by all means, let's give her the nuclear button.

Posted by: pep at July 23, 2016 12:10 PM (LAe3v)

161 That's a good definition of conservatism, Vic. Thanks!

Posted by: Duke Lowell at July 23, 2016 12:12 PM (kTF2Z)

162 The Convention is over ??

Damn. I was drunk and missed it. Did Ted Cruz get the nod from the GOP despite. Trumps larger delegate count? Did Mitt Romney announced a hostile takeover of the GOP and nominate himself?

Was the venue set on fire by angry Rubio supporters? Did Kasich moon the crowd?

I gotta know.

Posted by: Mortimer at July 23, 2016 12:12 PM (VnHnj)

163 I find it amazing - or sadly not so amazing - that
the subject of this post which is to do whatever we can to get
conservatives generated some pretty uninformed and counterproductive
comments that continue to look back instead of forward.

Fucking ponderous.

Posted by: J.J. Sefton at July 23, 2016 11:38 AM (27m1/)

I seriously don't know where all the vitriol and anger comes from. I know people are passionate about their choice for president and I get it, but I see a lot of pure hate for dissenters expressed over and over.I just wish that people would move forward, and I think this post is a good way.

Posted by: Joanne at July 23, 2016 12:13 PM (hgBpU)

164 Posted by: Drider at July 23, 2016 11:53 AM (6Xbsz)

jeff flake is in the next cycle....but please help get him out! i think he's in trouble...one of his biggest donors has turned on him big time...he won't have the cash he had last time......i apologize to everyone for supporting him in the primary.....i am not responsible for mccain's election....and i will not vote for him in the upcoming primary or God forbid in the general.....

Posted by: phoenixgirl you must fight for independence EVERYDAY at July 23, 2016 12:13 PM (0O7c5)

165 Vaya con carne.

Posted by: J.J. Sefton at July 23, 2016 11:47 AM (27m1/)

"Go with meat"?

I kind of like that.

Posted by: OregonMuse at July 23, 2016 12:14 PM (tEhtH)

166 Dan Bongino needs to be at the top of this list. He is the absolute real deal.

--

Bongino stands in for Chris Plante from time to time. I've listened to him a lot. He's very impressive and I was sorry to see him lose his election to Congress. I really hope he does well in FL.

Posted by: Lady in Black - Death to the Man Bun at July 23, 2016 12:15 PM (+FSld)

167 free range conservative: I have looked at the list. I just disagree that there is a last chance. Immigration is the ONLY item on your list on which the American people seriously agree with you. On all the others, they are at best ambivalent, and open to the left's plea for "tolerance." (Who's buying those drugs, anyway.)

Election day, 2012, was May 29, 1453. Constantinople has fallen and we're not getting it back. If you prefer, you can use Culloden or Pharsalis, Trump or Hillary, the republic is finished.

Most conservatives today remind me of the how, when I was a kid, every few years another Japanese soldier would show up, holding out on some Pacific island. Sure, I have to admire their guts and determination, but their judgment was, to put it mildly, a bit off.

Posted by: George LeS at July 23, 2016 12:15 PM (FkGpr)

168 "Go with meat"?

I've heard worse advice.

Posted by: ScoggDog at July 23, 2016 12:16 PM (fiGNd)

169 I will give the Trumpist what they want....

Respect and a lack of name-calling?

Posted by: Mortimer at July 23, 2016 12:16 PM (VnHnj)

170 36 Well, I have a suggestion for unity.
One last time, hold your nose and vote for the nominees.
We've been doing it since at least 2008.
I'm willingly voting for Trump/Pence but I am also going to hold my nose and vote for Toomey.

If the GOP ticket loses this year, it's the end for them.
If the GOP wins, it may be the end for the Clintons.
Either way, next election you won't have to hold your nose anymore.
This is the year to kill the Clinton beast machine. Don't miss out on this once in a lifetime opportunity!
Posted by: @votermom at July 23, 2016 10:13 AM (7lVbc)

My opinion: This made sense in 2004. I was already done doing that in 2008 with McCain. Every election cycle a new crop of "staunch Republican supporters" vows that they are done with the GOP and will never again give their vote away to someone who habitually stabs them in the back. My solution: Vote your conscience. We can't vote for the lesser of two evils forever or we'll never get anything but evil candidates.

I think your timing of saying this time should be the "one last time" is arbitrary. I look forward to you coming to join the conscience conservatives (I coined that phrase just now) after Trump's inevitable betrayal, though. Consider this a preemptive welcome.

Posted by: Sambo at July 23, 2016 12:17 PM (CwNIZ)

171 ""Go with meat"?"

Tu habla Espanol?

Posted by: Ricardo Kill at July 23, 2016 12:17 PM (9ym/8)

172 It's manageable, at least from what I've seen. You just don't let them
drive. You're always around them in the pool. You don't let them hang
around the grill by themselves. You definitely don't leave them home
alone.
---

Which explains why she doesn't drive. Perhaps this is a very long term thing?

I know that both FDR and JFK had health issues, but do we (by "we" I mean "Democrats") want to elect someone with brain issues?

Posted by: shibumi who now just wants to yell at stupid people at July 23, 2016 12:18 PM (tvyXw)

173 NaCly Dog is right about Huelskamp.

Anytime you read an article that refers to Kansas as a "deep red state", you are reading an article written by someone who doesn't know what they're talking about.

The argument against Huelskamp comes down to cognitive dissonance: He was kicked off the House Agriculture committee by John Boehner, and he voted against the farm bill.

So the corporate welfare supporters wanted him on the House Ag committee so he could be even more effective in his opposition to the farm bill?

The argument for his well-funded RINO opponent also comes down to cognitive dissonance: Dr. Marshall will show "better leadership" in Congress by being a more obedient follower of the Republican establishment.

Posted by: Cowboy Bob at July 23, 2016 12:18 PM (RIzwy)

174 Isn't our common ground supposed to be hating Trump with every fiber of our meager beings?

/jk

Posted by: Insomniac at July 23, 2016 12:20 PM (0mRoj)

175 "I gotta know."

Good Trump speech.

Cruz? Er. Um.

*I'll speak nothing of the matter*

Posted by: Ricardo Kill at July 23, 2016 12:20 PM (9ym/8)

176 74
Its a shame. I was born in Roanoke, VA and it is a liberal Hell now.
Posted by: Vic We Have No Party at July 23, 2016 10:54 AM (mpXpK)
---------------------------
It's much more liberal than it used to be but far from being "a liberal hell." If you compare it to Richmond --- not to mention Detroit --- it's a conservative paradise!

Overall it tends to be quite moderate in tone, at least. You don't have many fire-breathers, just the usual Dem corruption and FSA.
In POTUS and state elections, the more conservative city neighborhoods plus Salem/Roanoke County blow away the Dem vote anyway. All in all, the Roanoke Valley is okay. Certainly could be worse!

Posted by: Margarita DeVille at July 23, 2016 12:20 PM (T/5A0)

177 Copied some time ago from this site: Progressivism is the system of proposing massively intrusive gov't solutions to continually contrived emergencies.

Posted by: Vn Redleg at July 23, 2016 12:20 PM (pcSNg)

178 Tu habla Espanol?

Posted by: Ricardo Kill at July 23, 2016 12:17 PM (9ym/

Ja!

Posted by: OregonMuse at July 23, 2016 12:21 PM (tEhtH)

179 Think back to 08. How many of you were convinced that there was massive dissent within the Dem ranks because of how Obama treated Hillary. And that there would be a big PUMA vote for McCain. Didn't happen.

NeverTrump=PUMA

Posted by: Czar Peter at July 23, 2016 12:21 PM (JGNQ+)

180 "At best, Trump represents the difference between a death spiral and a controlled flight into terrain."

I'm working from a simple rule here: I haven't ever been smitten with Donald Trump, but even if I knew as a fact that Trump would enact all of the Clinton agenda exactly as Hillary would, I'd still vote for him over her because he personally is not a Clinton.

That right there is the proverbial substantive distinction.

Posted by: torquewrench at July 23, 2016 12:21 PM (noWW6)

181 I am mystified there are so called conservatives who object to what Donald said the other night. Whether they believe him or not is different, but if people are pretending his message wasn't conservative, that's dishonesty or delusion.

Posted by: BurtTC at July 23, 2016 12:22 PM (yexZ7)

182 OneEyedJack makes a pertinent observation about "acting locally". The results that flowed from 2010 and 2014 indicated the connection between political outcomes and policy outcomes was broken, at least to many.

One striking thing about all this is that I don't think most "normal" people, those who haven't wasted a good portion of their lives inside the Beltway, have much idea just how perfidious and inexcusable the GOP performance has been since it was handed so much leverage. Yet - they still are so fed up that we have the extraordinary presidential nominating cycle we've just witnessed.

That is, the more you know about the actual mechanics - *and* politics - of governance, power of the purse, nominations, etc. - the worse the GOP failure since 2010 appears.

The "headline" (well, relatively speaking) outrages like "saving" ExIm or "fixing" the labor union/ACA cadillac insurance tax, which have helped raise awareness are just the proverbial tips of the iceberg.

That the de facto non-GOPe candidates easily brushed aside their rivals in the primaries would seem hopeful. But we're not seeing that in other primaries - and we didn't see it in 2010 or 2014 much either. And hence the congressional performance we have seen.

Posted by: rhomboid at July 23, 2016 12:23 PM (QDnY+)

183
180
"At best, Trump represents the difference between a death spiral and a controlled flight into terrain."

I'm
working from a simple rule here: I haven't ever been smitten with
Donald Trump, but even if I knew as a fact that Trump would enact all of
the Clinton agenda exactly as Hillary would, I'd still vote for him
over her because he personally is not a Clinton.

That right there is the proverbial substantive distinction.

Posted by: torquewrench at July 23, 2016 12:21 PM (noWW6)
i'm going to steal this.....because TRUTH

Posted by: phoenixgirl you must fight for independence EVERYDAY at July 23, 2016 12:23 PM (0O7c5)

184 Good Trump speech.

Cruz? Er. Um.

*I'll speak nothing of the matter*
Posted by: Ricardo Kill

No gamesmanship? No shenanigans?
I was assured for months that there would be oodles of shenanigans.

This is disappointing.

Posted by: Mortimer at July 23, 2016 12:23 PM (VnHnj)

185 174 Isn't our common ground supposed to be hating Trump with every fiber of our meager beings?

/jk
Posted by: Insomniac at July 23, 2016 12:20 PM (0mRoj)

No it's that we hate Hillary more than we hate Trump.

Posted by: Joe Hallenbeck at July 23, 2016 12:23 PM (1b+5Z)

186 That right there is the proverbial substantive distinction.

Posted by: torquewrench at July 23, 2016 12:21 PM (noWW6)
=====
Okay, made me laugh. So now I can trot out one of my favorite sayings: 'a distinction without a difference'.

Posted by: mustbequantum at July 23, 2016 12:24 PM (MIKMs)

187 I'd still vote for him over her because he personally is not a Clinton.

That right there is the proverbial substantive distinction.
Posted by: torquewrench at July 23, 2016 12:21 PM (noWW6)

That's not nothing!

It makes for a poor campaign slogan though.

On a serious note, the Clinton machine lies waiting to reassume power, complete and ready to go.
I forget which of the corrupt organizations they are in, but they are just biding their time.

A Trump win might just mean the end of that shadow power structure.

Posted by: OneEyedJack at July 23, 2016 12:25 PM (kKHcp)

188 No it's that we hate Hillary more than we hate Trump.
Posted by: Joe Hallenbeck at July 23, 2016 12:23 PM (1b+5Z)

Ah so.

Posted by: Insomniac at July 23, 2016 12:25 PM (0mRoj)

189 My theory, which I think Ace supports, is that the NeverTrump vote is so small as to be almost electorally insignificantZ. But to the extent that it has any numbers, it should help the Rs hold Congress. Gary Johnson is going to be a very interesting dynamic. Will he fade like Anderson in 80 or enjoy a big chunk of the vote like Perot in 1992. I think either scenario helps Trump. His floor is higher than Hillary's.

Posted by: Czar Peter at July 23, 2016 12:26 PM (JGNQ+)

190 Most conservatives today remind me of the how, when I was a kid, every few years another Japanese soldier would show up, holding out on some Pacific island. Sure, I have to admire their guts and determination, but their judgment was, to put it mildly, a bit off.

----------------

Heard a phrase the other day that describes some of the riff in the repub prez nomination: Conservative narcissism. It's as bad as RINOism.

Posted by: Soona at July 23, 2016 12:26 PM (Fmupd)

191 I have no problem staying focused on the real enemies to America: Years ago many former Democrats left the Party because it had gone too far left. (Remember Zell Miller) Now that the real Marxist heart of the Party has been exposed by Sanders, and the Party has officially gone over the edge, more are leaving. A friend who just switched Parties explained it this way: Democrats have gone so far to the extreme left that they are running open Marxists for US president! In my lifetime, commie thugs with Sanders ideology vowed to bury us and the US Govt trained us to kill them and sent us overseas to do just that. While Reagan and GHWB were waging a brilliant war to defeat the evil Soviet Union, Sanders took his bride there on their honeymoon! If you thought Howard Dean was crazy - and he is - then Bernie Sanders belongs in a padded cell....along with much of the rest of the Democrat Party! Instead of promising a chicken in every pot....Sanders promise is a crazy in every closet! And Hillary Clinton is so corrupt she makes John Edwards look ethical

Posted by: Devan at July 23, 2016 12:27 PM (kC+1/)

192 "Yep ... that's a mild seizure. I've had family have those."

Recalling here how Hillary, after her "fall", when she had been "concussed", was photographed quite a while after the fact wearing a particular type of medical-issue eyeglasses, the sort given to stroke and brain injury rehab patients as their vision recalibrates.

So either that purported concussion was worse than billed, or her "fall" was triggered by a neurologic event, or perhaps even both (not being necessarily mutually exclusive).

Posted by: torquewrench at July 23, 2016 12:27 PM (noWW6)

193 153 redbanzai: Doug Wilder was the last D I voted for. I still think he was more conservative than Coleman.....
Posted by: George LeS at July 23, 2016 12:04 PM
------------------------
Last Dem I voted for too!

Posted by: Margarita DeVille at July 23, 2016 12:27 PM (T/5A0)

194 Here's my metaphor for this race. We're on a plane with three engines on fire. If Trump takes the helm, he might actually try to land the plane, even if he flails around a bit and looks goofy doing it. If Hillary takes the helm, we know for a fact she will deliberately auger it in, cackling all the way down.

Posted by: Insomniac at July 23, 2016 12:28 PM (0mRoj)

195 have much idea just how perfidious and inexcusable the GOP performance has been since it was handed so much leverage.

=====

Great point. I sometimes wonder if Rush ever regrets being such a phenomenal salesman for pseudoconservatives for 20+ years. But I guess it's like everything else these days : the choices are extremely limited and at least one of them is Raw Evil Incarnate.

Posted by: Mortimer at July 23, 2016 12:28 PM (VnHnj)

196 Posted by: rhomboid at July 23, 2016 12:23 PM (QDnY+)

Your points are good ones, but it wasn't me who brought up Local.
It was Drider.

Posted by: OneEyedJack at July 23, 2016 12:28 PM (kKHcp)

197 "No gamesmanship? No shenanigans?
I was assured for months that there would be oodles of shenanigans. "

For me, and I speak for me alone, he captured the moment. The tone was understanding of my personal frustration. I live reality every day and yet D.C. tells me I'm wrong. But I see it all the time. Trump acknowledged this reality. Forcefully.

No BS. No "shennanigans" All out.

Posted by: Ricardo Kill at July 23, 2016 12:28 PM (9ym/8)

198 And my version of Local would be in-state candidates, not those who go to DC.

Posted by: OneEyedJack at July 23, 2016 12:29 PM (kKHcp)

199 "...it's important that she not have a Democrat-controlled Senate to push her Leftist agenda."
---
like we do now?

Posted by: redc1c4 at July 23, 2016 12:29 PM (84In0)

200
189 Did anyone see that seizure video of Hillary? The woman is ill. Very ill.
Posted by: Thin Veneer Of Civility at July 23, 2016 12:26 PM (XzRw1)

--------------------

Where is it? I couldn't find it.

Posted by: Soona at July 23, 2016 12:30 PM (Fmupd)

201 200
189 Did anyone see that seizure video of Hillary? The woman is ill. Very ill.
Posted by: Thin Veneer Of Civility at July 23, 2016 12:26 PM (XzRw1)

--------------------

Where is it? I couldn't find it.
Posted by: Soona at July 23, 2016 12:30 PM (Fmupd)

Search "Hillary Clinton seizure" and you should find it.

Posted by: Insomniac at July 23, 2016 12:30 PM (0mRoj)

202 Leaked emails show Democrats attacking Sander's religion. Just shows how extreme left the Democrats have gone that they attack his religion and not his communist ideology....

Posted by: Devan at July 23, 2016 12:31 PM (kC+1/)

203 I shouldn't let it but the Dem fact check spin makes me want to go postal.

Posted by: Joe Hallenbeck at July 23, 2016 12:32 PM (1b+5Z)

204 And my version of Local would be in-state candidates, not those who go to DC.

Posted by: OneEyedJack at July 23, 2016 12:29 PM (kKHcp)
=====
Good point. I think it was Harry Truman (yeah, I know) who talked about people going 'Washington fever' or 'swamp fever' as a descriptor.

Posted by: mustbequantum at July 23, 2016 12:32 PM (MIKMs)

205 203 I shouldn't let it but the Dem fact check spin makes me want to go postal.
Posted by: Joe Hallenbeck at July 23, 2016 12:32 PM (1b+5Z)

You should go FedEx. Faster and more reliable.

Posted by: Insomniac at July 23, 2016 12:32 PM (0mRoj)

206 Leaked emails show Democrats attacking Sander's religion. Just shows how extreme left the Democrats have gone that they attack his religion and not his communist ideology....
Posted by: Devan at July 23, 2016 12:31 PM (kC+1/)

I don't get it.
Communism/socialism = Atheism

What is to attack?

I plead ignorance to this issue, didn't look into it.

Posted by: OneEyedJack at July 23, 2016 12:33 PM (kKHcp)

207 Trump takes the helm, he might actually try to land the plane,
even if he flails around a bit and looks goofy doing it. If Hillary
takes the helm, we know for a fact she will deliberately auger it in,
cackling all the way down.
---

Trump= American pilot who landed plane on Hudson River

Hillary= Egyptian Pilot committing suicide

Posted by: shibumi who now just wants to yell at stupid people at July 23, 2016 12:33 PM (tvyXw)

208 205 203 I shouldn't let it but the Dem fact check spin makes me want to go postal.
Posted by: Joe Hallenbeck at July 23, 2016 12:32 PM (1b+5Z)

You should go FedEx. Faster and more reliable.
Posted by: Insomniac at July 23, 2016 12:32 PM (0mRoj)

You mean I should load them all in a plane and crash it?

Posted by: Joe Hallenbeck at July 23, 2016 12:33 PM (1b+5Z)

209 jeff flake is in the next cycle....but please help
get him out! i think he's in trouble...one of his biggest donors has
turned on him big time...he won't have the cash he had last time......i
apologize to everyone for supporting him in the primary.....i am not
responsible for mccain's election....and i will not vote for him in the
upcoming primary or God forbid in the general.....

Posted by: phoenixgirl you must fight for independence EVERYDAY at July 23, 2016 12:13 PM (0O7c5)

I think he fooled a lot of people. I'm originally from Arizona and have a lot of relatives there and they were telling us that Flake was a big fat liar, which he is times a gazillion, but he said all the right things.
And I think both he and McCain were in trouble before DJT entered the scene, btw.

Posted by: Joanne at July 23, 2016 12:33 PM (hgBpU)

210 If Hillary takes the helm, we know for a fact she will deliberately auger it in, cackling all the way down.

Posted by: Insomniac

I disagree. She'd set the auto-destruct function, don the only parachute, grab all the packs of peanuts, and hit the silk, while saying "so long, suckers".

Posted by: pep at July 23, 2016 12:34 PM (LAe3v)

211 For me, and I speak for me alone, he captured the moment.

Ricardo
Yeah I was sort of joking earlier. About the watching the convention part not the drunk part.

Anyway I did manage to catch the speech. I think you're exactly right that he captured the moment. He capitalized on fears of terrorism. Real fears. And innocence he attempted to unite us in a common ground for the desire of safety. But safety is not freedom.

Safety means my stupid seatbelt ratchets Tighter and Tighter until I can't escape it. Safety means my stupid car beeps at me because I don't have my stupid ratcheting seatbelt on. Safety means I have 10% ethanol fuel dumping corn syrup into my freaking engine every time I fill up. Safety means I have to take my stinking belt and shoes off cut the airport when I fly on my $2,000 worth of airline tickets while Barely Legal Mohammad and Ahmed clean the freaking plane with nobody watching them for $5 an hour.

I hate it when government people talk about safety.

Posted by: Mortimer at July 23, 2016 12:34 PM (VnHnj)

212 Hillary's seizure just makes her more human!

And it's time we had a disabled WOMAN as president, haters!

Posted by: Liberals Everywhere at July 23, 2016 12:34 PM (tvyXw)

213 The Hillary video is weird. At first it looks like she's trying to goof around, faking surprise and being overwhelmed by questions. But then it goes on too long and she makes some weird comment about the iced chai. I don't know if it's a seizure, or just a really bad effort at pretending to be human.

Posted by: Insomniac at July 23, 2016 12:34 PM (0mRoj)

214 there's veteran running for governor in Missouri, who caught hell for this fund raiser...

https://donate.ericgreitens.com/isis-hunting-permit

i say support him just for that alone.

Posted by: redc1c4 at July 23, 2016 12:34 PM (84In0)

215 In a sense not innocence.

Posted by: Mortimer at July 23, 2016 12:35 PM (VnHnj)

216 "I shouldn't let it but the Dem fact check spin makes me want to go postal."

Insom' has a good point, but, don't let the Dems' get to you. They have their own "facts" and they worship them whether right or wrong. You know better. You do.

Walk away. Have a beer. Do some work.

Posted by: Ricardo Kill at July 23, 2016 12:35 PM (9ym/8)

217 208 205 203 I shouldn't let it but the Dem fact check spin makes me want to go postal.
Posted by: Joe Hallenbeck at July 23, 2016 12:32 PM (1b+5Z)

You should go FedEx. Faster and more reliable.
Posted by: Insomniac at July 23, 2016 12:32 PM (0mRoj)

You mean I should load them all in a plane and crash it?
Posted by: Joe Hallenbeck at July 23, 2016 12:33 PM (1b+5Z)

Heh. Sure. Just make sure that if it's near a deserted island you have a volleyball to keep you company.

Posted by: Insomniac at July 23, 2016 12:35 PM (0mRoj)

218 The Hillary video is weird. At first it looks like she's trying to goof
around, faking surprise and being overwhelmed by questions. But then it
goes on too long and she makes some weird comment about the iced chai. I
don't know if it's a seizure, or just a really bad effort at pretending
to be human.

I have not seen that before. Wow. Just wow.

Posted by: pep at July 23, 2016 12:37 PM (LAe3v)

219 213
The Hillary video is weird. At first it looks like she's trying to goof
around, faking surprise and being overwhelmed by questions. But then it
goes on too long and she makes some weird comment about the iced chai. I
don't know if it's a seizure, or just a really bad effort at pretending
to be human.
---

I thought the same thing too.

But... look at what her eyes do. At one point, one is staring at her nose, while the other looks elsewhere.

People on this thread-- and elsewhere-- who have experience with this sort of thing say it's a seizure. I believe them.

Posted by: shibumi who now just wants to yell at stupid people at July 23, 2016 12:37 PM (tvyXw)

220 I disagree. She'd set the auto-destruct function, don the only parachute, grab all the packs of peanuts, and hit the silk, while saying "so long, suckers".
Posted by: pep at July 23, 2016 12:34 PM (LAe3v)

Good points.

Posted by: Insomniac at July 23, 2016 12:37 PM (0mRoj)

221 Gary Johnson is going to be a very interesting dynamic. Will he fade like Anderson in 80 or enjoy a big chunk of the vote like Perot in 1992

Johnson cannot win over his own base of libertarians, because he is not a libertarian. All he can get is #nevertrump mugwumps, and - as has been the case since the 1870s - the only place they matter is the northeast.
Since the northeast isn't going majority Trump, Johnson's candidacy might actually help him by draining elitist SWPL votes from Hillary.

Posted by: boulder terlit hobo at July 23, 2016 12:37 PM (6FqZa)

222 214 -

Greitens is a liberal douchebag.

Posted by: BurtTC at July 23, 2016 12:37 PM (yexZ7)

223 The Hillary video is weird. At first it looks like she's trying to goof around, faking surprise and being overwhelmed by questions. But then it goes on too long and she makes some weird comment about the iced chai. I don't know if it's a seizure, or just a really bad effort at pretending to be human.

I'd say she thinks she's being funny. Of course, she's reptilian and does not understand the hu-mans.

Posted by: Mr. Peebles at July 23, 2016 12:37 PM (nIGPZ)

224 Search "Hillary Clinton seizure" and you should find it.
Posted by: Insomniac at July 23, 2016 12:30 PM (0mRoj)

------------------

Holy shit! That's not epilepsy. That's something else. She's got a major neurological problem. Makes me also wonder how drugged she has to keep herself.

Posted by: Soona at July 23, 2016 12:37 PM (Fmupd)

225 Heard a phrase the other day that describes some of the riff in the repub prez nomination: Conservative narcissism. It's as bad as RINOism

ace nailed.it with "virtue signaling"

Posted by: Mortimer at July 23, 2016 12:37 PM (VnHnj)

226 I have not seen that before. Wow. Just wow.
Posted by: pep at July 23, 2016 12:37 PM (LAe3v)

Yeah, it's really damn bizarre.

Posted by: Insomniac at July 23, 2016 12:38 PM (0mRoj)

227 A good ad with that Hilly twitching and barking would shock a lot of LiVs.

Posted by: Mr. Peebles at July 23, 2016 12:39 PM (nIGPZ)

228 jeff flake is in the next cycle....but please help get him out! i think he's in trouble...one of his biggest donors has
turned on him big time...he won't have the cash he had last time......i apologize to everyone for supporting him in the primary.....i am not responsible for mccain's election....and i will not vote for him in the upcoming primary or God forbid in the general.....

Posted by: phoenixgirl you must fight for independence EVERYDAY at July 23, 2016 12:13 PM

I think he fooled a lot of people. I'm originally from Arizona and have a lot of relatives there and they were telling us that Flake was a big fat liar, which he is times a gazillion, but he said all the right things.
And I think both he and McCain were in trouble before DJT entered the scene, btw.

Posted by: Joanne at July 23, 2016 12:33 PM

Flake positively gushed over tim kaine as FAB's VP, well beyond the senatorial "I wish my colleague well"

Posted by: AltonJackson at July 23, 2016 12:39 PM (f2bPN)

229 Holy shit! That's not epilepsy. That's something else. She's got a
major neurological problem. Makes me also wonder how drugged she has to
keep herself.
--

Just for fun, search "hillary clinton fresnel lens."

Posted by: shibumi who now just wants to yell at stupid people at July 23, 2016 12:39 PM (tvyXw)

230 Two words: Supreme Court. That's it, full stop. When Scalia died, I went from tepid support to all in for Trump. If Hillary gets two or three RBG Coles on the court, it won't matter what legislation gets passed. If Hillary wins get used to this phrase: In a 6-3 decision...

Posted by: Duke Lowell at July 23, 2016 12:40 PM (kTF2Z)

231 182--- ....The results that flowed from 2010 and 2014 indicated the connection between political outcomes and policy outcomes was broken, at least to many.....

Posted by: rhomboid at July 23, 2016 12:23 PM (QDnY+)
------------------------------
If the Left had been as impatient as we are, they would never have taken over the Dem party. There's no shortcut to changing a huge institution like the GOP.

Of course, the Left has always had forever to administer its poison drop by drop, while we now find ourselves desperate with backs against the wall.
No wonder we flail around looking for a quick fix.

Posted by: Margarita DeVille at July 23, 2016 12:41 PM (T/5A0)

232 I'll send a check to the opponents of Paul Ryan, Mike Lee, Ben Sasse, Jeff Flake and thats just getting started. More to come.
Posted by: Drider at July 23, 2016 11:53 AM (6Xbsz)
--

So you're going to donate to the Democrat in Utah.

Posted by: Y-not (@moxiemom) at July 23, 2016 12:42 PM (t5zYU)

233 "Two words: Supreme Court. That's it, full stop."

Here, here!

Posted by: Ricardo Kill at July 23, 2016 12:42 PM (9ym/8)

234 Want to throw your money and time behind a conservative with a backbone? Send Dan Bongino a few bucks! He's running for Congress in SW FL. Here's his website.

http://www.bongino.com/

Posted by: WVinMN at July 23, 2016 12:42 PM (TPf32)

235 My problem with Trump's speech was not the message but the messenger. I could not listen to him without immediately thinking of the times he took the complete opposite position. What I do realize though is that because he has now laid out these positions so publicly that it would be very difficult for him to walk them back. I'm trying to rationalize voting for him anyway I can. It's still a work in progress.

Posted by: Joe Hallenbeck at July 23, 2016 12:43 PM (1b+5Z)

236 Holy shit! That's not epilepsy. That's something else

Just a pressure relief valve for all the backed up toxic evil.

Posted by: Mortimer at July 23, 2016 12:44 PM (VnHnj)

237 WHOA!
Holy Cannoli!!

Guess what I just watched!

Posted by: OneEyedJack at July 23, 2016 12:45 PM (kKHcp)

238 232 I'll send a check to the opponents of Paul Ryan, Mike Lee, Ben Sasse, Jeff Flake and thats just getting started. More to come.
Posted by: Drider at July 23, 2016 11:53 AM (6Xbsz)
--

So you're going to donate to the Democrat in Utah.
Posted by: Y-not (@moxiemom) at July 23, 2016 12:42 PM (t5zYU)

It might make you feel better but you're throwing your money away.

Posted by: Joe Hallenbeck at July 23, 2016 12:45 PM (1b+5Z)

239 173 Cowboy Bob

We asked Congressman Huelskamp two meet & greets ago (in late June 2016) about his Farm Bill vote.

80% of the Farm Bill is Food Stamps. 10% is pure-quill corporate welfare. Only 10% goes to the individual farms and farmers. He put it a lot better that I have.

FWIW, Huelskamp flies home to Kansas every weekend. He is in constant contact with farmers and works his own family farm. Well, I imagine his robust family does a lot of the work.

Posted by: NaCly Dog at July 23, 2016 12:45 PM (hyuyC)

240 "Gary Johnson is going to be a very interesting dynamic. Will he fade like Anderson in 80 or enjoy a big chunk of the vote like Perot in 1992".

Johnson has no party. He is simply a siphon to give gas to Hillary's war machine that doubles as an outlet for the "Consciences in Turmoil" club.

Posted by: Drider at July 23, 2016 12:46 PM (6Xbsz)

241 "Mike Crane is a Congressional candidate in Georgia's 3rd district, whose primary is being held next week."

Is this a runoff? I already voted in a Georgia primary this year (and no, I'm not talking about the Presidential primary).

Posted by: lowtech redneck at July 23, 2016 12:46 PM (KF8B+)

242 Yes it's a runoff I believe.

Posted by: Y-not (@moxiemom) at July 23, 2016 12:47 PM (t5zYU)

243
237 WHOA!
Holy Cannoli!!

Guess what I just watched!

Posted by: OneEyedJack at July 23, 2016 12:45 PM (kKHcp)

-------------------

So this is the first time you've watched the Kate Upton bunny video?

Posted by: Soona at July 23, 2016 12:48 PM (Fmupd)

244 "232 I'll send a check to the opponents of Paul Ryan, Mike Lee, Ben Sasse, Jeff Flake and thats just getting started. More to come.
Posted by: Drider at July 23, 2016 11:53 AM (6Xbsz)
--

So you're going to donate to the Democrat in Utah. "

Well I don't really know yet sir. If I can't find a Republican to challenge him then I guess I'll have to struggle with my conscience and look up and down the list to see who's there.

Did I do that right?

Posted by: Drider at July 23, 2016 12:49 PM (6Xbsz)

245 I typed this rambling bit out because the LOCAL plan is a joke and will not work.

Hillary will not have the benefit of a strong opposing Congress and
she is licking her chops. She will make Obama look like a piker if she
gets the chance.

Posted by: Drider at July 23, 2016 12:08 PM (6Xbsz)

Well, so you're saying that going forward and focusing on up-coming primaries is a waste of time? Just forget all that stuff and focus on what, exactly?

Posted by: Joanne at July 23, 2016 12:52 PM (hgBpU)

246 No gamesmanship? No shenanigans?

I was assured for months that there would be oodles of shenanigans.

This is disappointing.

Posted by: Mortimer at July 23, 2016 12:23 PM (VnHnj)

Shenanigans? Yeah, there were shenanigans.Right off the get-go the RNC refused to recount every individual vote in every district of every state and reconsider all delegates and governing rules... and it went downhill from there no rending of garments, no ripping out one's own hair, no sobbing groveling apologies.

Posted by: Burnt Toast at July 23, 2016 12:52 PM (P/kVC)

247 Post updated with links to the Democrats' nominee for U.S. Senate from Utah.

Posted by: Y-not (@moxiemom) at July 23, 2016 12:54 PM (t5zYU)

248 Please re-litigate the presidential primary stuff on the Open Thread.

Thanks.

Posted by: Y-not (@moxiemom) at July 23, 2016 12:57 PM (t5zYU)

249
Holy shit! That's not epilepsy. That's something else

As someone here said a while back.Its the evil demon that lives in her black heart trying to escape so it can have some peace

Posted by: Flawless Male logic at July 23, 2016 12:57 PM (lKyWE)

250 "Well, so you're saying that going forward and focusing on up-coming primaries is a waste of time? Just forget all that stuff and focus on what, exactly?"

I'm not saying to not focus on upcoming primaries. I'm saying until we fill the top spot everything from the neck down is useless.
The vaunted party that some people we're in tears over after Trumps acceptance speech claiming the party died that night we're awfully forgetful that the party died year ago and those we put in office have done nothing but betray us.

Hence it wasn't a party dying the other night, it was a Phoenix rising from the ashes but only if the part wins the Whitehouse at this point in time.

Posted by: Drider at July 23, 2016 12:57 PM (6Xbsz)

251 So this is the first time you've watched the Kate Upton bunny video?
Posted by: Soona at July 23, 2016 12:48 PM (Fmupd)

then my comment would've been followed by BUNK! or brb.

Besides, I've already shaved my palms of that experience.

Posted by: OneEyedJack at July 23, 2016 12:59 PM (kKHcp)

252 Holy shit! That's not epilepsy. That's something else

As someone here said a while back.Its the evil demon that lives in her black heart trying to escape so it can have some peace

Posted by: Flawless Male logic at July 23, 2016 12:57 PM (lKyWE)

Just her rat familiar getting cozy in the cavity it gnawed into her skull.

Posted by: Burnt Toast at July 23, 2016 01:00 PM (P/kVC)

253 Well I don't really know yet sir. If I can't find a
Republican to challenge him then I guess I'll have to struggle with my
conscience and look up and down the list to see who's there.

Did I do that right?

Posted by: Drider at July 23, 2016 12:49 PM (6Xbsz)

Since their primary was in April and Mike Lee won, you can feel free to donate to the democrat. I don't see why not. If your conscience tells you to do that, then by all means, do it.

Posted by: Joanne at July 23, 2016 01:00 PM (hgBpU)

254 How about uniting behind a strategy of destroying the liberal media?

I'd like to see a thread with some brainstorming on that!

There must be a concerted campaign to discredit individual reporters, get a change in media leadership, and to stop the embargo on hiring any reporter who is not totally leftwing.

Posted by: Pam at July 23, 2016 01:00 PM (cF0hS)

255 The book on politics is "Rules for Radicals". Politics is a dirty business. Analogous to the biggest-slob propblem. Housemates have to work around a slob they will not kick out.

Same with politics. Put up with what you got or do what it takes to change things. eg "Rules for Radicals".

We currently have a similarity to 1776 and possibly 1913. Lets pray that Trump keeps us from getting involved in a European or Asian war and that Trump can reform the Federal Government. "Rules for Radicals" is a clear manual for a bottoms up takeover of State and Federal agencies. The only question is if the new owners will do any better than the last owners.

Posted by: Ok at July 23, 2016 01:01 PM (CRXed)

256 Born and raised Hoosier. Nuke Bloomington, West Lafayette, South Bend, Muncie, Gary, and the greater part of Indpls and maybe you will see Republicans.
Arizonan for 30 yrs. More concerned with shitcannng McCain. And Flake.

Posted by: Thanatopsis at July 23, 2016 01:01 PM (1j/ZS)

257 Probably the only chance of picking up a Senate seat is in Nevada. The most recent poll I've seen has GOPer Heck ahead of the Dem Cortez Mastos 42 to 40, and that includes polling for the far right Independent American Party candidate and "None of these candidates".

Otherwise it is a question of playing defense. Illinois and Wisconsin are likely gone, and New Hampshire and Indiana seems iffy at the moment. Other seats at risk include Pennsylvania, Ohio, North Carolina, Iowa, and Arizona. Possibly Louisiana.

In order of likelihood of flipping:

1. Illinois (R --> D)
2. Wisconsin (R --> D)
3. New Hampshire (R --> D)
4. Indiana (R --> D)
5. Nevada (D --> R)

Holding the Senate this year will ensure control through 2020. In 2018, there are at most two seats in jeopardy for the GOP, while the Dems could lose up to nine seats. Nevada and Arizona are at risk to the GOP due to demographics changes. The Dem seats that are potential pickups include Montana, N. Dakota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Missouri, Indiana, Ohio, West Virginia, and Florida. I'd put out Virginia as a possibility in a wave, and also Pennsylvania and Maine in a tsunami.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Senate_elections,_2018

That'll be needed because 2020 will have only 11 Dems seats up from 22. The good news is that the map is better for the GOP than the 2016 map is, though they will be playing defense. Only Michigan and possibly New Mexico or Virginia are potential GOP pick-ups. But the GOP will have to defend Maine, North Carolina, and Iowa and possibly more.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Senate_elections,_2020

Posted by: The Political Hat at July 23, 2016 01:02 PM (vBeA5)

258 How about uniting behind a strategy of destroying the liberal media?
-Pam-

There was a commenter here once that had some potentially effective ideas on that.

He's no longer here (by that name)

Posted by: OneEyedJack at July 23, 2016 01:03 PM (kKHcp)

259 Except Flake not up this cycle.

Posted by: Thanatopsis at July 23, 2016 01:03 PM (1j/ZS)

260 254 How about uniting behind a strategy of destroying the liberal media?

I'd like to see a thread with some brainstorming on that!

There must be a concerted campaign to discredit individual reporters, get a change in media leadership, and to stop the embargo on hiring any reporter who is not totally leftwing.

Posted by: Pam at July 23, 2016 01:00 PM (cF0hS)

--------------------

So would I. Also some addressing on how to dismantle the leftist indoctrination system that some call public education.

Posted by: Soona at July 23, 2016 01:05 PM (Fmupd)

261 I missed.it

Why is everybody pissed off at Mike Lee?

Posted by: Mortimer at July 23, 2016 01:06 PM (VnHnj)

262 "Misty Snow"

You scared me with that picture. Not. Kidding.

Bella Abzug was less frightening.

Posted by: Ok at July 23, 2016 01:08 PM (CRXed)

263 Posted by: Drider at July 23, 2016 12:57 PM (6Xbsz)

I think you're just venting at this point. DJT is the Republican nominee. That's settled. I don't understand why you want to focus 24/7 on Trump.

Posted by: Joanne at July 23, 2016 01:08 PM (hgBpU)

264 227 A good ad with that Hilly twitching and barking would shock a lot of LiVs.
Posted by: Mr. Peebles at July 23, 2016 12:39 PM (nIGPZ)
----------------------------
Hillary has an extremely effective ad up now with adorable little children watching Trump act like an ass on TV. "Is this what you want your babies to see?" is the basic message.

I would do an ad just like that using that video and the barking dog one and put it on the same channels.

Posted by: Margarita DeVille at July 23, 2016 01:09 PM (T/5A0)

265 252 Holy shit! That's not epilepsy. That's something else

No, it wasn't epilepsy. My opinion is that I think Hillary was starting the molting process, but she had to fight it off as she didn't want to be seen shedding her skin in public.

So her staff whisked her to an undisclosed location where she was fine after she ate a few dragonflies with James Carville.

Posted by: OregonMuse at July 23, 2016 01:10 PM (tEhtH)

266 ...it's important that she not have a Democrat-controlled Senate to push her Leftist agenda."
...........

"At this point, what difference does it make?"

Posted by: StAndrews at July 23, 2016 01:10 PM (FkwUD)

267 I thought the convention went very well, shenanigans notwithstanding. Lots of great speakers, I thought. Contrast this with next week's parade of victims

Posted by: Duke Lowell at July 23, 2016 01:13 PM (kTF2Z)

268 How about uniting behind a strategy of destroying the liberal media?

I'd like to see a thread with some brainstorming on that!

There must be a concerted campaign to discredit individual
reporters, get a change in media leadership, and to stop the embargo on
hiring any reporter who is not totally leftwing.

----

IMHO, the ONLY way this can be done is indirectly. Through advertisers.

See something you don't like? Bitch to an advertiser and threaten to boycott their products until the media outlet changes their position. Have your like minded friends do the same.

I also think social media shaming of individuals-- along with boycotts-- could be effective as well.

The media exists for one reason and one reason only: to sell advertising. Everything else is just filler between ads. Not the other way around.

The only way you can hurt them is to take away their money.

/yeah, I worked in local tv for 15 years...

Posted by: shibumi who now just wants to yell at stupid people at July 23, 2016 01:13 PM (tvyXw)

269 222 Greitens is a liberal douchebag.
---
why do you say that?

Posted by: redc1c4 at July 23, 2016 01:15 PM (84In0)

270 Tim Kaine's gonna speak Spanish a minute.

Posted by: Ricardo Kill at July 23, 2016 01:16 PM (9ym/8)

271 261 I missed.it

Why is everybody pissed off at Mike Lee?
Posted by: Mortimer at July 23, 2016 01:06 PM (VnHnj)
-------------------------------
Because he's been a leading anti-Trump guy. Some people apparently prefer anti-Trump leftists to anti-Trump conservatives, just as some people apparently prefer the Bitch to Trump.

The first thing we have to do --- and the purpose of this thread, I think --- is to get past the Trump vs. Cruz stuff and concentrate on the best strategy for 2016.

Posted by: Margarita DeVille at July 23, 2016 01:18 PM (T/5A0)

272
267 I thought the convention went very well, shenanigans notwithstanding. Lots of great speakers, I thought. Contrast this with next week's parade of victims
Posted by: Duke Lowell at July 23, 2016 01:13 PM (kTF2Z)

----------------

i'm thinking the contrast will be amazing.

Posted by: Soona at July 23, 2016 01:18 PM (Fmupd)

273 "I think you're just venting at this point. DJT is the Republican nominee. That's settled. I don't understand why you want to focus 24/7 on Trump."

Because without us taking the top spot Joanne and I mean now, at this point in time. Everything else is moot.

Have you noticed that the more power/people that we put into Congress. The more progressive they become?

I'm not talking about rino's or conservatives, I'm talking about the entire dea/R held Congress. With a radical leftist in the Whitehouse they will continue abide/assist/capitulate to the will of that POTUS and there is nothing that you or I can do about it.

Hence, I'm not really venting. I'm just pointing out what we NEED this time around without fail.

Posted by: Drider at July 23, 2016 01:18 PM (6Xbsz)

274 I wish I could believe that I have enough common ground with Republican candidates to continue voting for them, but I can't.

The Republican Party is a statist party which will never allow any real input by conservatives.

So fuck'em. I won't vote Republican again.

Posted by: Cloyd Freud, Unemployed at July 23, 2016 01:18 PM (97XyN)

275 This is off topic sorry.

Gov Terry McAuliffe is taking action to restore the voting rights to thousands of ex-offenders...

He's getting around the court's ruling by signing 200,000 individual clemency grants to the state's ex offenders...

http://tinyurl.com/zmd2zqg

Posted by: spypeach at July 23, 2016 01:19 PM (nyYhO)

276 275--- spypeach --- When a court ruling, however ridiculous it may be, favors the Left, it is Settled Law.
When it hurts the Left, it is a nullity.

Posted by: Margarita DeVille at July 23, 2016 01:24 PM (T/5A0)

277 I wish I could believe that I have enough common ground with Republican candidates to continue voting for them, but I can't.

The Republican Party is a statist party which will never allow any real input by conservatives.

So fuck'em. I won't vote Republican again.
....................

So, what is your plan after 8 years of Hillary?

Posted by: StAndrews at July 23, 2016 01:25 PM (FkwUD)

278 Obama won Virginia in 2012 but just barely.
And if you allow for the vote fraud, it was a wash at best.
Those felons could come in handy.

Posted by: Margarita DeVille at July 23, 2016 01:27 PM (T/5A0)

279 Obama won Virginia in 2012 but just barely.
And if you allow for the vote fraud, it was a wash at best.
Those felons could come in handy.

Exactly why McAuliffe is so desperate.

Posted by: Mr. Peebles at July 23, 2016 01:29 PM (nIGPZ)

280 So, what is your plan after 8 years of Hillary?
Posted by: StAndrews at July 23, 2016 01:25 PM (FkwUD)

I don't have a plan. What's yours?

Posted by: Cloyd Freud, Unemployed at July 23, 2016 01:29 PM (97XyN)

281 268---The only way you can hurt them is to take away their money.

/yeah, I worked in local tv for 15 years...

Posted by: shibumi who now just wants to yell at stupid people at July 23, 2016 01:13 PM (tvyXw)
-----------------------------------
We do need a thread (or 2 or 3) someday on battling the media. I want to hear more from people with your inside experience.

Posted by: Margarita DeVille at July 23, 2016 01:30 PM (T/5A0)

282 Those felons could come in handy.

---
only if they show up to vote...

Posted by: redc1c4 at July 23, 2016 01:31 PM (84In0)

283 only if they show up to vote...

Democrats will be happy to vote on their behalf.

Posted by: Mr. Peebles at July 23, 2016 01:32 PM (nIGPZ)

284 I don't have a plan. What's yours?
---
put Trump in the Oval Office next January

Posted by: redc1c4 at July 23, 2016 01:32 PM (84In0)

285 We do need a thread (or 2 or 3) someday on battling the media. I want to hear more from people with your inside experience.
---
stop watching their shows, all of them.
stop buying their newspapers, use an ad-blocker when you read their pages.
stop going to their movies, buying their books or their music.

if you *need* to have one of their products, buy it used, or check it out from the library.

strangle the beast at their wallet.

i always laugh when people here go all fan girl over the latest spew from Hollyweird, then bitch about all the $$$ it funnels to our enemies.

pick one side or the other.

Posted by: redc1c4 at July 23, 2016 01:36 PM (84In0)

286 "put Trump in the Oval Office next January"

Thus guaranteeing that government will continue toward totalitarianism.

Posted by: Cloyd Freud, Unemployed at July 23, 2016 01:40 PM (97XyN)

287 ">>47 Well, I'm sure as hell not supporting David Duke.

Ditto.

Newt Gingrich said the same yesterday, as did the NRSC or some such organization."

Meanwhile the SCOAMF has Al F'n Sharpton as a guest at the WH dozens of times and no one says boo. One of the most blatant examples of media hypocrisy and that is no small bar.

Posted by: FOAF at July 23, 2016 01:41 PM (p0JMG)

288 strangle the beast at their wallet.

i always laugh when people here go all fan girl over the latest spew from Hollyweird, then bitch about all the $$$ it funnels to our enemies.

pick one side or the other.
Posted by: redc1c4 at July 23, 2016 01:36 PM (84In0)

And use the money saved for future needs.

Posted by: OneEyedJack at July 23, 2016 01:43 PM (kKHcp)

289 Boycotting is fine....but it is never enough. No way will people give up their TV, no way.

I'm thinking more along the lines of legal avenues. That is where left plays and wins so successfully. Even the threat of lawsuits can bring change.

Campaign laws? Employment or hiring laws?

Posted by: Pam at July 23, 2016 01:43 PM (cF0hS)

290 Trump wasn't my first choice. Hell, he wasn't even my second choice. Now he's my only choice and I will vote for him. #NeverHillary

Posted by: madtechie at July 23, 2016 01:46 PM (mxMho)

291 " "put Trump in the Oval Office next January"

Thus guaranteeing that government will continue toward totalitarianism."

Like it won't get there faster under Hillary? I was a Cruz guy and still roll my eyes a lot at teh Donald but there really is no choice here any more, I'm gritting my teeth and voting for Trump. Though it probably doesn't make much difference out here in Cali.

Posted by: FOAF at July 23, 2016 01:46 PM (p0JMG)

292 We have now had a generation of Republican politicians (including two presidents) who paid lip-service to conservatism while pursuing Big Government Progressive policy agendas. Capped by the nomination of Trump who openly repudiates conservative principles. I honestly don't know where conservatism goes from here; with no party, no champion, and no path forward.

Posted by: V the K at July 23, 2016 11:00 AM (O7MnT)

Start planning for the aftermath. Prepare for the next few chess moves ahead.

Posted by: The Political Hat at July 23, 2016 01:46 PM (vBeA5)

293 280
I don't have a plan. What's yours?
Posted by: Cloyd Freud, Unemployed at July 23, 2016 01:29 PM (97XyN)
-------------------------------
Do not go gentle. That's all.
If we've lost the war against the Left --- and I think we have --- the least we can do is nip at their heels and make them cry from time to time.

You and I may know that there's not a significant difference between GWBush and Bill Clinton, or between a Dem or Rep Senate. But the vast majority of leftists don't know that. They really don't.

When any R defeats a D, they feel pain. Genuine pain. I know this. I'm surrounded by lefties at work.

Eric Cantor? Every two years the lefties would go out there and try to defeat him. They CRIED when they failed. Seriously. So, if he were the only choice on the ballot, I would vote for the POS over the Dem just to make them cry.
It's all I got.

Posted by: Margarita DeVille at July 23, 2016 01:46 PM (T/5A0)

294 am i banned?

Posted by: OneEyedJack at July 23, 2016 01:49 PM (kKHcp)

295 Though it probably doesn't make much difference out here in Cali.
---
from what i've seen, it just might...

i live in a very blue, upscale area, and i hear people every day say positive things about him.

and we're talking all walks of life, and in areas all over town.

Posted by: redc1c4 at July 23, 2016 01:50 PM (84In0)

296 whew! my last comment came back with a "your website has been banned" message.

I thought maybe pixy dusted me.

Posted by: OneEyedJack at July 23, 2016 01:51 PM (kKHcp)

297 Hence, I'm not really venting. I'm just pointing out what we NEED this time around without fail.

Posted by: Drider at July 23, 2016 01:18 PM (6Xbsz)

Well, I understand your point. Back in 2010 I think it was Louie Gomert who was asked how many conservatives were in the house. He said he could count them all on two hands.
Flash forward to today and that has changed. So every election matters. The voters have made a difference, hence Cantor losing, Boehner forced out, etc. And, thank God, some people who stabbed us in the back have been repaid - Renee Ellmers.
The House Freedom Caucus has stopped Ryan on several fronts, and small as they are, that is awesome and amazing.
Trump might lose, Hillary might lose. Who knows. But we have to try and elect/reelect people who are bound to us by principle and have worked hard in our favor.

Posted by: Joanne at July 23, 2016 01:55 PM (hgBpU)

298 I always liked Chesterton's description of Tradition:

"Tradition means giving votes to the most obscure of all classes, our ancestors. It is the democracy of the dead. Tradition refuses to submit to the small and arrogant oligarchy of those who merely happen to be walking about."

Posted by: Grump928(C) with a goatee at July 23, 2016 11:40 AM (rwI+c)

Reminds me of Edmund Burke, who spoke out against the "social contract" theory of government and society:

"It is a partnership in all science; a partnership in all art; a partnership in every virtue, and in all perfection. As the end of such a partnership cannot be obtained in many generations it becomes a partnership not only between those who are living, but between those who are dead, and those who are to be born."

Russel Kirk described "conservatism" as such:

A belief in a transcendent order, which Kirk described variously as based in tradition, divine revelation, or natural law;
An affection for the "variety and mystery" of human existence;
A conviction that society requires orders and classes that emphasize "natural" distinctions;
A belief that property and freedom are closely linked;
A faith in custom, convention, and prescription, and
A recognition that innovation must be tied to existing traditions and customs, which entails a respect for the political value of prudence.

In contrast Frank Meyer believes that "conservatism" was based on:

The existence of an objective moral order based on ontological foundations;
The primary reference for political thought and action is the individual, not the collective;
Anti-utopianism;
The limitation of government power;
Opposition to state control of the economy;
Firm support for the Constitution of the United States as originally conceived;
Anti-communism.

I suggest reading George H. Nash's The Conservative Intellectual Movement in America. It gives a good description of how post-WWII conservative though organized itself after the disaster of the New Deal.

Posted by: The Political Hat at July 23, 2016 01:57 PM (vBeA5)

299 "Though it probably doesn't make much difference out here in Cali."
-------------------------
People in blue states can't afford to punt this time.
A lot of Trump's support in the primaries came from blue states. If you don't go out and vote for him, his national numbers will be low.
The overall vote-count matters, whether he wins or loses.

Posted by: Margarita DeVille at July 23, 2016 01:58 PM (T/5A0)

300 Pam

Conservatives no doubt have objections to this idea, and I understand them, but I think enforcing their own rules and using them against them is the way to go. But we would need the infrastructure in place to act in a coordinated way.

I speak specifically of the so-called Fairness Doctrine.
Other than talk radio, the Left controls the message everywhere.
Everywhere.
Get sue-happy and make them defend their actions.
Late night talk shows mocking conservatives and espousing socialism for easy laughs? Sue em on the grounds of political speech needing balanced time. Etc.

At the very least, it would be money well spent in terms of
Would you pay money to give your opponents a headache?

Just spitballin.

Posted by: OneEyedJack at July 23, 2016 01:58 PM (kKHcp)

301 I think you're just venting at this point. DJT is the Republican nominee. That's settled. I don't understand why you want to focus 24/7 on Trump.

Posted by: Joanne at July 23, 2016 01:08 PM (hgBpU)

Because heretics are always perceived to be a greater threat than heathens.

Posted by: The Political Hat at July 23, 2016 01:58 PM (vBeA5)

302 Tim Kaine's gonna speak Spanish a minute.

Posted by: Ricardo Kill at July 23, 2016 01:16 PM (9ym/

Yo Quiero Taco Bell!

Posted by: Tim Kaine at July 23, 2016 01:59 PM (vBeA5)

303 So, what is your plan after 8 years of Hillary?

Posted by: StAndrews at July 23, 2016 01:25 PM (FkwUD)

Put into practice what I've learned from the Gulag Archipelago...

Posted by: The Political Hat at July 23, 2016 02:00 PM (vBeA5)

304 The first thing we have to do --- and the purpose of
this thread, I think --- is to get past the Trump vs. Cruz stuff and
concentrate on the best strategy for 2016.

Posted by: Margarita DeVille at July 23, 2016 01:18 PM (T/5A0)

Amen.
And I really wish people would stay on topic. I am interested in house and senate races and value the opinions of the morons here.

Posted by: Joanne at July 23, 2016 02:01 PM (hgBpU)

305 Very constructive post, Y-not.

Haven't read the thread yet, but didn't David Duke announce a run for the senate? God forbid he gets the nomination--awful things like that happen in crowded fields when the "decent normal candidate" vote is split 5 ways.

Personally, I was reluctantly on the Trump train until Friday morning when the train ran off the rails and wound up back in Crazytown.

I will find it extremely difficult to vote for someone who STILL spouts National Enquirer JFK conspiracy theories, but November is a long way off, and the Dems get worse by the day. At the moment I'm inclined to vote for Johnson (even though he's a bit of a mess too), as I'm not in a swing state.

Not trying to start a fight--just trying to find a way to deal with the worst pair of candidates in my lifetime.

Anyway, I fully support both Glenn and Lee, and other GOPs, even Rubio, regardless of what went on at the convention, and I'm about to send Cruz some money for 2018. We desperately need to hold onto the senate.

Posted by: stace...TEXIT at July 23, 2016 02:02 PM (ozZau)

306 280 So, what is your plan after 8 years of Hillary?
Posted by: StAndrews at July 23, 2016 01:25 PM (FkwUD)

I don't have a plan. What's yours?
..........................

My plan is to vote Republican on the outside chance that she might be defeated. I pretty much agree with your comments on the current batch of Republicans, but completely giving up is sad. The next POTUS will be either Donald or Hillary and you can influence the outcome, just a little. We know what a disaster she will be. I see some hope in Donald. Anyway, I have empathy for the way you feel.

Posted by: StAndrews at July 23, 2016 02:03 PM (FkwUD)

307 Posted by: stace...TEXIT at July 23, 2016 02:02 PM (ozZau)

BTW, I apologize for throwing in the Trump comment, but I need to vent, just this once. After his good speech Thurs night, his presser on Friday was shocking and appalling, IMHO, and I just have to say it once here. Now I'll STFU on that.

Posted by: stace...TEXIT at July 23, 2016 02:05 PM (ozZau)

308 Anyway, the Alaska primary is Republican closed, so wouldn't it be awesomely fabulous to see Murkowski lose?

Fuck you, Speaker Turtle!

Posted by: Joanne at July 23, 2016 02:07 PM (hgBpU)

309 Anyway, the Alaska primary is Republican closed, so wouldn't it be awesomely fabulous to see Murkowski lose?

She lost last time and yet, here we are.

Posted by: Grump928(C) says Free Soothie! at July 23, 2016 02:09 PM (rwI+c)

310 As a Wisconsinite in Ryans district, I will be voting for Nehlen in the August primary. I believe it will be closer than the pundits think, but I think Ryan wins anyways.

Then I will vote for Ryan in Nov.

Ron Johnson is a huge disappointment as a Tea-Party Senator.
Turns out he just used the energy available to wedge himself in against a powerful incumbent.
In Nov., I'll vote for him.

Unfortunately, these choices become binary in a two-party system, and I'm continuously forced to vote for the lesser of 2 weevils.

But now that Ryan has exposed himself, I hope that Nehlen stays active and puts together the framework for a better challenge for two years out.

Posted by: OneEyedJack at July 23, 2016 02:11 PM (kKHcp)

311 She lost last time and yet, here we are.

Posted by: Grump928(C) says Free Soothie! at July 23, 2016 02:09 PM (rwI+c)

Oh, good lord. Okay, let's all sit at home and stew in our hate/downer juices. That's so constructive.

Posted by: Joanne at July 23, 2016 02:17 PM (hgBpU)

312 When your chances are 0.0 of anything good coming from The Coughing Grandma, you (I) vote for the only chance that things might be better.....and one of only two choices will win and appoint SCOTUS members.

Trump. Is it.

Not to vote Trump , as someone said earlier in the thread, means '6-3' will be
the notoriously repetitive numbers from a multi-generational SCOTUS hell.

Posted by: malignantly aggrieved and economically useless at July 23, 2016 02:28 PM (sxSIj)

313 Yes, the fairness doctrine is dicey to say the least. Altho there may be some campaign laws that are violated regularly by the media.

I'm thinking along the lines of hiring. Why is every news org filled with liberals? Their boards, their anchors, their reporters, their producers.

How is this an accident? There must be people that apply to those positions who are not liberals.

Why can minority groups demand diversity...ie, gays, blacks, women.....and not conservatives? How can someone who deserves a chance at employment because of their preferred sexual habits have more of a legal case than someone who has differing political views?

I would like to see the hiring practices of these news orgs. On paper, in court.

Why is diversity of thought left out in a newsroom FGS!

Posted by: Pam at July 23, 2016 02:32 PM (cF0hS)

314 I am a blue state transplant to Colorado. (Yes, one of those!) And I could not be more pleased to cast a vote for Glenn, and keep CO lurching to the side of freedom.

I realize it's probably moot, though. The Donald will energize the Left like no one else. I also suspect these polls showing the race as being "close" are sly agit-prop promoted by campaigns. The GOP wants to encourage the Trumpets that there is a good chance, and more importantly the Left/Media complex wants to gin up a horse race and make Hillary look a bit like the underdog.

I do not get the whole Trump as the redeemer of the White Working class. I mean, I get it on paper. But go back and look at Joe Biden's 2008 speech. If you have a worldview that America is a hell-hole where Joe punch-clock is put upon by plutocratic Monopoly Men carrying bags with $$$ on them, as well as the yellow peril of imports, the Democrats are your party, and Joe has been counting those votes for decades.

This isn't "hurt feelings." I am Libertarian by temperament and conviction, but have always voted GOP to thwart the knavish Leftist tricks, but I am in checkmate. I registered in my county as a "Libertarian" and will vote Johnson to help the Libertarians cry Havoc into the GOP midst.

I voted for Romney, gladly. And, yes, Benghazi angered me and got me out to vote, even though it was a chuckle-worthy Quixotic effort to vote R in my old Illinois county. Romney was an honest man, and an honest business man, and I would be glad to hire him to run my country. Trump is neither of those, and I wouldn't hire for anything more than cleaning my gutters.

Posted by: Dr. Leo Spaceman at July 23, 2016 02:47 PM (Fw744)

315 Regarding overall hopes, I encourage as many Republicans who lean Libertarian to vote for Johnson. He's very imperfect to me, and he's not my first choice. I do hope that both Hillary and Trump can be held to under 50% of the vote. That small victory is all I hope for, Presidential-wise, so that whichever one of those two who wins will not be able to say that they have a majority.

Posted by: Dr. Leo Spaceman at July 23, 2016 02:52 PM (Fw744)

316 Resident of North LA here. Right now, If the election were held today, there would be two Rs in the runoff: An establishment stooge and 1 other R, probably John Kennedy. Assuming the Republican side doesn't tear each other to pieces like a year ago with dirty laundry: Vitter lost because he got mercilessly slimed by the Jindal Machine, the Dems, the media, and was abandoned/betrayed by the rest of the party. There was a 10% spread B/W the other statewide repubs and Vitter, If I had to guess, those ticket splitters likely compose conservative LIVs who prioritze social issues. It helps that the dem was a blank sheet who was unscathed throughout the primary. Here's what I can tell you about the various candidates:
Repubs:
Charles Boustany: Consider him the establishment stooge in the race. The ast few polls had him getting in the runoff. Big base in south LA. Pulls the establishment vote as well as LIV conservatives. Crummy (60-70s) ACU rating. Not my preferred candidate

Joseph Cao: Former N.O. congresscritter. Probably wont amount to much more than a few percentage points. Takes votes from either white urban moderate dems or establishment Rs. Decent guy, but not winning statewide any time soon.

John Fleming: My congrescritter. Freedom Caucus member. Haven't heard of him being that much of a stooge. Think his ACU/Freedomworks ratings are good FWIW. Currently my 1st choice. I think he's a Cruzer, but not one who has alienated Trump.

John Kennedy: Don't let the name fool you, he's no lib. Probably one of the other frontrunners to get in the runoff. HARDCORE deficit hawk with a rep for calling out both repubs and dems as Treasurer. Don't know his leanings on other issues or how mushy he would be on judicial nominations. Would not have a problem voting for him.

Abhay Patel: Don't know anything about him. Not my first choice though, winning statewide here would present certain challenges for him and I'm not sure an outsider is up to it, at leas this year. Despite his name, I could see him getting elected. It's very complicated, though, and requires finesse and smart campaigning. If he gets in the runoff, he's going to have to keep an eye out for racist dog-whistles the left will employ on the LIVs. They know how to use them to flip convince conservative LIVs that he'll export jobs and import low skilled labor. If he sounds like a technocratic wonk, he'll lose. He needs to study both Jindal's 1st and 2nd campaigns. People down here are not the racist troglodytes Yankees think we are, but there is a populist/mildly xenophobic streak to be honest. Jindal figured out how to neutralize it in his second campaign.

David Duke: Ahh, the herpes of LA politics. An attention whore who will get faaaarrrrr more attention than he warrants. Won't amount to much in the polls, but he'll be a weapon the left uses against all the other republicans, which makes me wonder who's propping him up. It would be just like the Clintons and the Landrieu machine to prop him up.The nevertrumpers in this state are gleefully playing along: http://tinyurl.com/jp2tkrp

Donald Crawford: Don't know much about him. Know he's from my old district (5th) and he's running as a Tea Party outsider I think and has a fair amount of cash.

Charles Marsala: Don't know anything about him

Rob Maness: Not yet qualified. Running as a populist conservative. Has run statewide before, ran for senate a few years ago and got a decent chunk. Tight with the old Ron Paul machine, but I don't think he's that much of a wacko. Wouldn't count him out.

The Dems:

Caroline Fayard: A member of the Landrieu machine. Well funded, likely the dem to make the runoff.

Foster Campbell: Old fashioned North LA populist corrupticrat. Likely to steal LIV populist/conservative votes in North LA in the primary. Might make the runoff, but I doubt it. Probably more of a spoiler to keep North LA conservatives out of the runoff, which would make any republican's job in the runoff much harder.

Don't know much about the rest of the dems, but I'll wager there's a handful of black dems in there to get a payoff to drop out or to push the candidates to the left. Don't know what's the deal with Gary Landrieu being in the race, but if it presages infighting in the Dem machine: good.

TL;DL- LA is a likely Repub hold, but it could flip, especially if it devolves into a circular firing squad on the R side.
thehayride.com is a decent source for LA politics, if you can stomach the #nevertrump obsessives.

Posted by: Jackal at July 23, 2016 02:52 PM (NiR1r)

317 Question about LA,

I liked Jindal in a general sense. I liked that he pushed forward charter schools. How is that regarded down there?

A problem with Jindal that made me uncomfortable is that LA is still very much a relatively poor state, and corruption is thick in the swampy air. At least so it seems to an outsider.

It seemed that Jindal would have been a good choice to be governor at the time, but that the takeaway to me wasn't that being governor of LA was a perfect resume for President of the USA. Thus I was more inclined to like Walker or Perry as transcending Presidents

Posted by: Dr. Leo Spaceman at July 23, 2016 03:00 PM (Fw744)

318 305: He ain't getting in the runoff. '91 happened because the republican field was beyond shitty, the sitting gov. was a dem turned R who was unpopular and governed like a dem in the tax and spend sense, AND the best candidates were poorly funded. Most people voted for him as a protest, and didn't expect him to get in the runoff. His voters were probably the same guys who voted for Perot the next year. In the actual runoff, he got votes for the same reason: no one expected Edwards to lose against him. Really, 1991 should have been a warning to GHWB that a sizable portion of his base was unhappy. Like a typical NE brahamin, he ignored it and lost.

Posted by: Jackal at July 23, 2016 03:01 PM (NiR1r)

319 317: Extremely poorly: He spent all of his 2nd term using one time money (katrina money as well as tobacco lawsuit trust fund cash) to paper over budget gaps (state constitution requires a balanced budget) and giving a free hand to the RINOs in the state senate to block conservative reforms from the state house so he could run for president. The main thing he pushed in his second term, abolishing the income tax, went down in flames, a victim of the left as well as deficit hawks and his own people's incompetence. If he had busted his ass in his second term pushing serious budget reform (an inhuman amount of spending is constitutionally protected,the main large item not so protected is College ed one other thing i'm blanking on) or taking on the Unions Walker style, he might have been in a good position to run for senate this year, which would have positioned him ideally for 2020. This state is hard to govern in the best of times, it gets neigh impossible if the economy has problems. Trying to govern it while campaigning for president in Iowa was a hilariously dumb idea. He refused to support Vitter out of pique, who was ballsy enough to actually ramrod through real reforms. His placeman in the Gov. race, a freshly minted R named Scott Angelle, refused to support or endorse him (he's running for congress in another district, If I lived there and he got in the runoff i'd be tempted to vote against him for that reason) The other big R actually endorsed the democrat. He was subsequently got the Commissioner of Admin. job, who doles out cash to the various executive branch departments (this is how JBE is trying to defund Jeff Landry's AG dept).
He did break a few rice bowls in his first term, like disbanding the charity hospital system, which was a massive suck on the state budget. However, his countermeasures to ensure small rural hospitals aren't swamped with indigents are not working, which is being used by the left to smear conservative reforms in the state. My dad's an ER Dr. here and he's still pissed about it.
Tl;DR: He's very unpopular here because he squandered a massive opportunity, is perceived to have used the Gov. office as a springboard (unsucessfully) and therefore did the bare minimum, and refused to swallow his pride and come together to keep JBE out of the Gov. office.

Posted by: Jackal at July 23, 2016 03:29 PM (NiR1r)

320 @319

Yeah, that's kind of what I inferred. Also, a Republican in a strong Union State with a lot of poverty has an uphill battle. It's easier to win on values-voter conservatism, rather than real reform conservatism, and that's what I gathered.

Also, the Left gets pretty riled about LA. The county jail system has been the subject of various documentaries about corruption and such. I had a sense that Jindal was good on some things, but overall is a better speaker than a do-er.

Posted by: Dr. Leo Spaceman at July 23, 2016 03:41 PM (Fw744)

321 Another thing about LA is, yes it is a poor state, but its due to the positively byzantine tax structure (we tax things that no other state in the union taxes) that makes it hard for business and a state constitution that makes budget reform outrageously hard. It protects most of the budget and requires a balanced budget, hence tax reform is fraught with difficulty. Combine that with a jungle primary system that makes life easy for RINOs (take a look at our state senate president for a good example) to get reelected and you get a government that resembles a rube goldberg machine that's expensive and is incredibly hard to dismantle. I would say corruption's no where near as bad as it once was, though. Jindal just didn't have the guts to tear it down, probably because he saw it as "too risky" to his electoral chances. You see how well that worked out. There are a lot of conservatives in the house and senate, if he had partnered with them, he might have had some success, instead he supported and enabled RINOs, who did and continue to block reforms. The state senate pres, for example, blocks conservative bills that passed the house and would probably pass the senate by referring them to a committee chaired by a hard left Obama acolyte.

Posted by: Jackal at July 23, 2016 03:43 PM (NiR1r)

322 320: The corruption you speak of is actually in the Parish Sheriff's offices and it's no joke. In a lot of parishes, its a really powerful position owing to it being the main executive office, the weakness of the police jury system, and the sheriff being the ex-officio tax collector. Right now we have an AG who might break a few rice bowls in that regard, IF his funding isn't strangled. LA is actually a right to work state (has been since the 70s, passed and pushed by Edwin Edwards of all people!) but I think some unions were grandfathered in or just have their hooks especially deep in education and government.

Jindal, in essence, failed to such a degree that I don't see him recovering. There's so much bad blood regarding the most recent Gov. election, his failures, and his neglect of his job that winning statewide is almost impossible.

Posted by: Jackal at July 23, 2016 03:52 PM (NiR1r)

323 Gary Johnson called Hillary "a wonderful public servant" just last month!

And called Trump a racist on illegals.

Posted by: Pam at July 23, 2016 03:57 PM (cF0hS)

324 We do need to come together, IMHO. I have been absolutely aghast at the people who are in vicious butt-hurt mode (the same people, who told us that we need to unify during Bush, McCain and Romney).

I believe that this election is very winnable.

Posted by: Natrium at July 23, 2016 04:05 PM (Oy2Gd)

325 @323

To be fair, he was probably high when he said that. It's not like he's going to be President, anyway. And, in my opinion, he's still the most ethical out of those three, so, yes, I would choose him as President over either Trump or Hillary.

Posted by: Dr. Leo Spaceman at July 23, 2016 04:06 PM (Fw744)

326 @325

Gary Johnson's running mate, William Weld, compared the deportation of illegal aliens to the HOLOCAUST. Johnson was asked about the comments and stated that he agreed with them. He's an open borders nutcase.

Posted by: Reggie1971 at July 23, 2016 04:09 PM (H6376)

327 @324

Regarding butt-hurt,

I am perfectly capable of being persuaded to Trump. I have not seen it. My opinion before the race began was that he was a man of low character with shady business practices. I didn't know his political beliefs, or, really, the extent of his biz history.

I'm still waiting to be convinced. This isn't, to me, a "just suck it up and vote for a figurehead" kind of election, like I resigned myself to with McCain. There are serious problems I have with Trump.

Serious problems include his foreign policy complaints seem to be Cindy Sheahan's talking points from 2004. His trade and domestic trade policy see to be Joe Biden's from 2008.

Regarding illegal immigration, I know he gets populist support for it. I've been for a border fence for a long time. But I'm not for building a $1B wall to keep day-laborers out of Home Depot parking lots. Immigration abuse is rampant and would be fixed with no longer "standing down" at the border, and getting serious about Visa reform and e-verify.

Trump criticized Romney's entirely rational and sensible immigration reforms from the Left. That was four years ago. Everything Trump has said since leaves me unconvinced. I'm actually troubled that Trump has made such a big issue out of immigration when he strikes me as utterly, fundamentally, uninterested and totally 100% being mendacious on the issue.

Add on to that, I have no problem "unifying" behind a square like Romney. He is an honest business man. I have a deep down, fundamental problem with the businesses that Trump has run -- from Trump U. to his attempt to market seminars and other schemes selling services to poor people.

I don't blame people who feel Trump is enough to vote for if they want to stop Hillary. Go ahead and do so. But I can't give that man the Presidency if comes down to me. If Trump becomes President after I vote for him, then I own it, or have to rationalize owning it. And he tarnishes and ruins the "conservative" tent.

If Hillary becomes President, I will have had nothing to do with it. I opposed her in the past, I oppose her in the present, and will do so in the future. I own nothing with her.

Posted by: Dr. Leo Spaceman at July 23, 2016 04:15 PM (Fw744)

328 @326

Not one of the candidates is going to do beans about immigration, except Hillary. (And we know which way!)

Romney's plan for self-deportation was the best I've heard. Trump criticized it from the Left. Why would you trust him?

As far as I'm concerned, the absolute worst person on immigration is the status quo. Obama has essentially told Border security to stand down. And the media does nothing.

There's a lot that could be done. It would really start in Congress. Pass e-verify. Do something to kneecap "sanctuary cities." Everything else is just theoretical virtue signaling.

In the mean-time, I'll vote against the drug war every chance I get, which also might help some of the border violence. (Admittedly only some -- I have low expectation that drug legalization will change much of the violent/outlaw culture rampant in the country, now.)

Posted by: Dr. Leo Spaceman at July 23, 2016 04:20 PM (Fw744)

329 You have to be more than high to support a criminal like Hillary Clinton.

Way more than high.....like a closet lib....or sympathetic to libs, agitator for libs, aid and abettor for libs.......same difference.

As are many nevertrumpers.....which is precisely why Trump is the nominee in the first place.

Posted by: Pam at July 23, 2016 04:21 PM (cF0hS)

330 @327
If Hillary becomes President, I will have had nothing to do with it. I opposed her in the past, I oppose her in the present, and will do so in the future. I own nothing with her.
.................................

If you do not vote for Trump, you will certainly have something to do with Hillary being elected. Voting is the only possible way to stop her. And not a vote for Johnson or anybody else. The election is between Donald and Hillary. If you feel better with President Hillary, ok.

Posted by: StAndrews at July 23, 2016 04:30 PM (FkwUD)

331 Okay, let's all sit at home and stew in our hate/downer juices.

I don't know where you come up with that. I merely point out that beating Cokebear in the primary is insufficient for any joy. She will just run independent again and get the votes of the Democrats in the General. Besides which, I live in Alabama. It's barely possible to get any further away, so I'm only academically interested anyway.

Posted by: Grump928(C) says Free Soothie! at July 23, 2016 04:31 PM (rwI+c)

332 @329

aaaand the circle is complete. We who are against Trump are wreckers. Secret Liberals. Loyal throne-sniffers to the Georgetown cocktail party set. We of insufficient faith. Fakers! Astro-turfers! Insufficiently "conservative." Because conservatism is whatever Trump is, even if he parrots Joe Biden and Cindy Sheahan.

That is why there won't be unity. There will be this rancor until November. Put your faith in a man without any principles.

I will probably vote for Johnson, and I fully admit that it is a protest vote.

As for the minutiae of the nonsense Johnson says, I suspect that he and Weld are making hard, calculated attempts to get disgruntled Bernie voters to their side. Probably not a bad strategy in that sense.

It doesn't matter. I am not voting Trump, ceteris parabis. I will never vote for Hillary. (Unlike Ace, who said he'd vote for Hillary over Rubio.)

If I vote Libertarian, it might be a protest against the Drug War, against the two parties, a full throated EFF YOU to Trump or Hillary, depending on my mood that day. We still haven't heard the debates.

I still plan to support Glenn and other GOP candidates down the ballot. Probably won't be enough, but, hey, I can only do so much.

Posted by: Dr. Leo Spaceman at July 23, 2016 04:35 PM (Fw744)

333 @330

If you do not vote for Trump, you will certainly have something to do with Hillary being elected. Voting is the only possible way to stop her. And not a vote for Johnson or anybody else. The election is between Donald and Hillary. If you feel better with President Hillary, ok.

===

That is what this all boils down to. I am disgusted by the candidate, and remain unconvinced every time he opens his mouth. Now, you turn on me. It's MY fault his opponent wins easily because I cannot stomach supporting him.

Right now this same exact conversation is going on in my Facebook feed where all my wife's liberal friends are nauseated at the idea of supporting Hillary, and their liberal friends are shrieking that they are "for" allowing gays to be killed, racism, frowny faces, gun proliferation, etc. It's all a joke, all the way down.

This conversation could go on, endlessly. My vote is not going to Trump, unless he convinces me by speaking convincingly, which he has thus far failed to do after, dunno, 100 chances?

I certainly hope that Hillary is kept to less than 50% of the election, and I WILL do my part to see that happens.

Posted by: Dr. Leo Spaceman at July 23, 2016 04:40 PM (Fw744)

334 Another thing that bothers me -- one way or another, our country's political system does seem deeply, deeply, in trouble if garbage people like Hillary and Trump can win their party's respective nominations. This is a bad thing, and bad things will come from these scenarios. Our civic strife and the consequences won't end in November.

Whatever is wrong won't be fixed by one vote, one time, whether you think one of them is preferable to the other. This goes on well after the election, and their will be fights in Congress and over nominations of judges, etc.

If Trump wins, the splits in the Republican party will just get worse, and possibly the GOP will really split and/or cease to be an entity. (This is not the worst-case scenario to me.) Meanwhile, the green light will be given. and we will have a real culture Civil War full-throated and on-target for Trump.

I argued with family, endlessly, over Dubyuh, and there are still people I won't talk to. So, Ace, GFY if you think this is just about "virtue signaling." I've been down the road of planting a Red beam in a Blue sea, and will do so again.

I could hardly defend a lot of Dubyuh's odd choices, but I won't be defending someone with whom I have utter, foundational disagreements, such as I have with Trump.

Meanwhile, a Hillary presidency would also split the Left. (Definitely a good thing -- other than it will inject the perfervid Leftists with a bit of steroidal rage.) We will at least get the delightful sight of watching the Left destroy itself somewhat, which is what the Left always does, ALWAYS, when it has unchecked power, from the French Revolution to Venezuela, you can count on it. I'd say it'd be popcorn time for conservatives in that case, but store shelves might be free of popcorn.

Unity is fine. But a political party without convictions is just a conspiracy to gain power. I believe Eisenhower said that.

This will not end well.

Posted by: Dr. Leo Spaceman at July 23, 2016 04:53 PM (Fw744)

335 The facts remain the same.

1)Trump won the Republican nomination. He and his family seem to love and respect this country.

2)The evidence shows that Hillary and Bill Clinton do not, nor do the Democrats.

3)This is a contest....winning is the goal.

Posted by: Pam at July 23, 2016 04:59 PM (cF0hS)

336 )This is a contest....winning is the goal.

=====

WINNING! - just like Charlie Sheen.

Posted by: mustbequantum at July 23, 2016 05:03 PM (MIKMs)

337 As far as my voting downticket, all my Repub officeholders are either in safe seats or not up for election this year.

The next district over, however, TX 23, is that rare and endangered creature, a real swinger. Our family business is in that district. In presidential years it goes Dem, and back to Repub in off years when the LIVs stay home.

Will Hurd seems to be a good guy, so I've given him $ to help him hang on. He's unique in that he's a black Republican who won a district that almost always goes to a Hispanic, whether Dem or Repub. Conventional wisdom was that only people with Hispanic names could win there.

Posted by: stace...TEXIT at July 23, 2016 05:17 PM (ozZau)

338 Look, if you want to jump on the VW microbus that is the Johnson campaign, have at it. Reams of words explaining why are not necessary.

Posted by: ManWithNoParty at July 23, 2016 05:30 PM (dM9U2)

339 @333 That is what this all boils down to. I am disgusted by the candidate, and remain unconvinced every time he opens his mouth. Now, you turn on me. It's MY fault his opponent wins easily because I cannot stomach supporting him.
.......................................

Dr. Leo,
I'm sorry you took my comments personally. You sound like a very nice, thoughtful person. We can be friends and still disagree. I'm an avid golfer and, because of that, I've seen a lot of Trump over the years and grew to dislike him intensely. However, Hillary will be a dagger to the heart of America. I do not think we could ever recover from her Supreme Court. Its possible Trump will do ok. Who knows? Anyway, I think you love America as much as I do and I'll take comfort from that.

Posted by: StAndrews at July 23, 2016 08:50 PM (FkwUD)

340 Or get your own frigging blog.

Posted by: andycanuck at July 23, 2016 11:21 PM (LdMbv)

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