2016 elections - because it's never too early

[FunkMonk]

SOLD

Also, love the new avatar 

[Ed Anger]

SOLD

Also, love the new avatar 

Shucks. 

[jimmy olsen]

I really want to see Hamilton now.

https://www.currentaffairs.org/2016/07/you-should-be-terrified-that-people-who-like-hamilton-run-our-country

Kings George I and II of England could barely speak intelligible English and spent more time dealing with their own failed sons than ruling the Empire —but they gave patronage to Handel. Ludwig II of Bavaria was believed to be insane and went into debt compulsively building castles — but he gave patronage to Wagner. Barack Obama deported more immigrants than any other president and expanded the drone program in order to kill almost 3,500 people — but he gave patronage to a neoliberal nerdcore musical. God bless this great land.

[garbon]

I disagree with that Vickers article: the gap in national security qualifications between the two major party candidates is actually greater than at any time since 1988--at least Stevenson was an ambassador.

Okay, Hillary's email scandal was bad, but it wasn't *that* bad.  She and Trump are both weak national security candidates.

Trump couldn't even deal with Leona Helmsley. 

[OttoVonBismarck]

Right, and here is why derspiess is a megacuck who should be considered less than human feces going forward.

Name for me one major "Hillary Clinton scandal" that has been substantiated. The simple reality is, you cannot do so. In fact, in terms of various measures, like PolitiFact, Hillary is one of the most honest candidates to ever run for high office. Essentially no scandal involving her has ever been sustained or substantiated. In fact, the entire basis of anti-Hillary sentiment appears to come from a single William Safire Op-Ed back in the 90s, in which he said he would admit if he was proven wrong in his assertions (he was proven wrong, and he never admitted it), you can actually find words ripped straight from Safire's article in modern day conservative anti-Hillary screeds.

What is sad, is these 100% evidence-less assertions against Hillary are now the common wisdom,  I cannot even begin to say how many people I've heard say, "You know, I'd vote for Hillary, but god damn, she's such a liar and is so corrupt", and yet, by every measure used, she is less corrupt and less of a liar than is typical in our electoral system.

[Monoriu]

I totally can't believe that a US presidential candidate can openly invite a rival nation to conduct cyber attacks against a major political party of his own country.  That's borderline treasonous.  Somebody who has expressed those views should be considered enough of a security risk that disqualifies him from enlisting in the US armed forces.  And now there are millions who are comfortable with making this guy commander in chief, with all the nuclear launch codes that come with the job? 

This isn't about right or left, conservative or progressive etc any more.  This should be about electing someone who is sane. 

[DGuller]

I totally can't believe that a US presidential candidate can openly invite a rival nation to conduct cyber attacks against a major political party of his own country.  That's borderline treasonous.  Somebody who has expressed those views should be considered enough of a security risk that disqualifies him from enlisting in the US armed forces.  And now there are millions who are comfortable with making this guy commander in chief, with all the nuclear launch codes that come with the job? 

This isn't about right or left, conservative or progressive etc any more.  This should be about electing someone who is sane.

This assumes that a large portion of Americans haven't been rendered insane by the unceasing propaganda.  People react to emotional appeals, not reason, and only some of them can use reason to override their initial emotional response.  Over the last three decades, the right-wing demagogues have appealed to the darkest of emotions in a way that forces of light couldn't even begin to counter.

[frunk]

What is sad, is these 100% evidence-less assertions against Hillary are now the common wisdom,  I cannot even begin to say how many people I've heard say, "You know, I'd vote for Hillary, but god damn, she's such a liar and is so corrupt", and yet, by every measure used, she is less corrupt and less of a liar than is typical in our electoral system.

During the 2008 and 2016 campaigns she's certainly switched on a few issues, but I don't think significantly more than most other politicians.  I think Trump has changed is position in more dramatic ways, mostly by claiming that he's joking or denying that he ever held a different opinion and then insulting the questioner. 

Hillary being painted as this mastermind of evil is just bizarre.

[Grey Fox]

You guys remember all those articles on how Trump is a Democrat mole sent to infiltrate the Republican party & help Hillary get elected?

It seemed so crazy, still does & yet!

[Zanza]

[sbr]

[FunkMonk]

That's actually kinda endearing me to her 

2016, what a year.

[Baron von Schtinkenbutt]

What is sad, is these 100% evidence-less assertions against Hillary are now the common wisdom,  I cannot even begin to say how many people I've heard say, "You know, I'd vote for Hillary, but god damn, she's such a liar and is so corrupt", and yet, by every measure used, she is less corrupt and less of a liar than is typical in our electoral system.

During the 2008 and 2016 campaigns she's certainly switched on a few issues, but I don't think significantly more than most other politicians.  I think Trump has changed is position in more dramatic ways, mostly by claiming that he's joking or denying that he ever held a different opinion and then insulting the questioner. 

Hillary being painted as this mastermind of evil is just bizarre.

When did being willing to change your mind become a bad thing?

[The Minsky Moment]

The problem isn't so much changing one's mind as the sense that historically her position changes are driven by pure political calculation.  That is certainly the case with TPP, though no similar example immediately leaps to mind.

[Jacob]