2024 US Presidential Elections Megathread

[Admiral Yi]

I really hate the whole concept of the "your positions changed, you say your values haven't changed" gotcha.  The assumption seems to be that elected politicians are supposed to be dictators installing their values on the country.  I don't think too many people work the jobs where they don't have to occasionally support something they don't quite agree with personally.

I think it has to do with the nature of the contract between voter and candidate.  I'm voting for you now because you say you will do this.  Maybe you'll do it and maybe you won't.  If you don't then you've conned me.  Candidates do this so much in primaries it has become accepted wisdom.  Run the primary to the fringe, pivot in the general.

It's purely academic for me personally because even if I knew she would throw all her campaign promises out the window after she's sworn in, I would still vote for me.  But a theoretical swing voter could feel shafted.

[DGuller]

I can see your point if the candidate runs on one set of policies but once elected adopts a different set.  I don't think that applies when a candidate doesn't get the job and then runs as a candidate again on somewhat different set of policies.

[HVC]

Taylor Swift just endorsed Harris.

It's over.

A diss track about Lady Mahommes in the works?

[DGuller]

Can anyone give a lowdown on what's so important about Taylor Swift endorsing Harris?  Or who Taylor Swift is, for that matter?

[Admiral Yi]

I can see your point if the candidate runs on one set of policies but once elected adopts a different set.  I don't think that applies when a candidate doesn't get the job and then runs as a candidate again on somewhat different set of policies.

Sure, but we can't know the future, so we use proxies, like how much and how severely they've flip flopped in the past.

[HVC]

Can anyone give a lowdown on what's so important about Taylor Swift endorsing Harris?  Or who Taylor Swift is, for that matter?

[crazy canuck]

Can anyone give a lowdown on what's so important about Taylor Swift endorsing Harris?  Or who Taylor Swift is, for that matter?

We now know that you don't watch NFL football.

[Razgovory]

Saw the debate.  I thought Harris came off professional, knowledgeable and passionate.  Trump came off like he does: An old man trying to fast talk his way out of something.

[Valmy]

Can anyone give a lowdown on what's so important about Taylor Swift endorsing Harris?  Or who Taylor Swift is, for that matter?

She is a popular celebrity with a fanatical and large following. She is a pop star who had been dominating the pop charts since about 2008 or so.

Oh and her boyfriend won the Super Bowl.

I can only assume you don't care much for pop culture or sports 

[DGuller]

Can anyone give a lowdown on what's so important about Taylor Swift endorsing Harris?  Or who Taylor Swift is, for that matter?

She is a popular celebrity with a fanatical and large following. She is a pop star who had been dominating the pop charts since about 2008 or so.

Oh and her boyfriend won the Super Bowl.

I can only assume you don't care much for pop culture or sports 

That's uncanny.  I don't in fact care much for either of those things.

[Sophie Scholl]

I really hate the whole concept of the "your positions changed, you say your values haven't changed" gotcha.  The assumption seems to be that elected politicians are supposed to be dictators installing their values on the country.  I don't think too many people work the jobs where they don't have to occasionally support something they don't quite agree with personally.

I don't get why candidates don't take it as an opportunity to tell folks that they're willing to change, grow, and learn. Like, it is the perfect way to admit they're fallible humans, but that they will ultimately do what the people want, what is good for the country (I know, not often the same thing), and that they're relatable. Alas, they always just try to cover it. To me, "flip-flopping" can be legit sign someone has learned. 

[The Brain]

Can anyone give a lowdown on what's so important about Taylor Swift endorsing Harris?  Or who Taylor Swift is, for that matter?

Remember when Swift meant Stephanie, not Taylor? Pepperidge Farm remembers.

[Josquius]

I've only seen the highlights and read a summary article or two... But seems a wonderful self own for trump?
But will anyone care?

[Richard Hakluyt]

It is all down to a relatively small number of voters in those seven or so swing states. Just takes a few Republican-leaning voters to think "hold on a minute, this man is an unhinged criminal" and Harris will get in.

But is remains baffling to me that people can fall for his nonsense. Well, not the oligarchs, the Trump USA will be a great place for them.

[jimmy olsen]

That's pretty close to his floor of support, so this was pretty good for Harris

https://x.com/IAPolls2022/status/1833718050601726410

CNN Instant Poll: Who won the debate? (among debate watchers)

🟦 Kamala Harris: 63%
🟥 Donald Trump: 37%