I tend to disagree: my read is that Trump is facing a crisis worse than Carter faced, coupled with -- like Carter's Democratic Party -- a fractured, discredited, and politically impotent GOP. And he's a lot lazier and competent than Carter and his administration. Basically, the fundamentals for a Trump victory are bad and trending worse.
As such, Trump's path to victory is skulduggery, and the best way of deterring would be skull-diggers (? ;-)) is by projecting power and confidence. Basically, the issue is not so much whether Trump's opposition will come out to vote, but rather how quickly Republican operatives realize the ir ship is sinking, and efforts to r*tf*ck the election may have significant career and legal consequences.
And so, specifically, the OH Republican registrar of voters may be more deterred -- from losing ballots, allowing machines to break -- by Biden campaigning in Texas than by swelling voter turnout in Ohio.
This is another element to the equation: the more it seems likely that the Senate flips, the more likely it is that 'electoral irregularities' receive the investigations and subpoenas they deserve.
Well written and argued. Texas is a teaser; the Democrats would do well to avoid the false allure. Concentrate on winning back PA, MICH, and flipping WISC.
I completely agree with your arguments. With the exception of the George Floyd protests, the passivity of Americans is unrivaled in the world. There are many reasons accounting for this lack of activism, but it is a reality, whatever the cause. We would all do well to acknowledge the stark reality of our times: an economy on the brink of implosion, an uncontrolled pandemic, unparalleled income inequality, a broken Congress, a corrupt executive branch. If we expect to salvage a future, much less an improved one, we must treat this election as a life or death vote. There won't be a second chance, we barely have this chance, and solely because of a loose coalition involving disaffected Republicans, grudging progressives, liberals, never-Trumpers, etc. Even if Biden wins in 2020, the switch will flip again in 2024 if we let up for a second. The idea that government 'runs itself' may be appealing as we confront the difficulties of daily life, but 2016 has broken this illusion. We get the government we fight for.
I’m 49 and donated money to a political campaign (Biden) for the first time in my life. I plan to volunteer for my local Democratic Party. I’m amped and pissed-off. This election feels different. It’s payback time!
I tend to disagree: my read is that Trump is facing a crisis worse than Carter faced, coupled with -- like Carter's Democratic Party -- a fractured, discredited, and politically impotent GOP. And he's a lot lazier and competent than Carter and his administration. Basically, the fundamentals for a Trump victory are bad and trending worse.
As such, Trump's path to victory is skulduggery, and the best way of deterring would be skull-diggers (? ;-)) is by projecting power and confidence. Basically, the issue is not so much whether Trump's opposition will come out to vote, but rather how quickly Republican operatives realize the ir ship is sinking, and efforts to r*tf*ck the election may have significant career and legal consequences.
And so, specifically, the OH Republican registrar of voters may be more deterred -- from losing ballots, allowing machines to break -- by Biden campaigning in Texas than by swelling voter turnout in Ohio.
... and don’t forget the Senate
This is another element to the equation: the more it seems likely that the Senate flips, the more likely it is that 'electoral irregularities' receive the investigations and subpoenas they deserve.
Well written and argued. Texas is a teaser; the Democrats would do well to avoid the false allure. Concentrate on winning back PA, MICH, and flipping WISC.
I completely agree with your arguments. With the exception of the George Floyd protests, the passivity of Americans is unrivaled in the world. There are many reasons accounting for this lack of activism, but it is a reality, whatever the cause. We would all do well to acknowledge the stark reality of our times: an economy on the brink of implosion, an uncontrolled pandemic, unparalleled income inequality, a broken Congress, a corrupt executive branch. If we expect to salvage a future, much less an improved one, we must treat this election as a life or death vote. There won't be a second chance, we barely have this chance, and solely because of a loose coalition involving disaffected Republicans, grudging progressives, liberals, never-Trumpers, etc. Even if Biden wins in 2020, the switch will flip again in 2024 if we let up for a second. The idea that government 'runs itself' may be appealing as we confront the difficulties of daily life, but 2016 has broken this illusion. We get the government we fight for.
I’m 49 and donated money to a political campaign (Biden) for the first time in my life. I plan to volunteer for my local Democratic Party. I’m amped and pissed-off. This election feels different. It’s payback time!
Yeah... I learned my lesson after November 2004.