nigel99

Even fox coming out against the nonsense “Tim Walz served his country honorably for 24 years. JD Vance, Trump need to respect that. He earned it | Fox News” Fox News Defends Walz

They are doing an incredible job and have a good message. Fox News has her rally on their website live, but not Donald that I could see. She’s started talking crowd sizes, but in a totally different tone to Donald - and that has to be designed to drive Donald nuts. She called out and thanked some republicans. They are separating Donald and Vance, and directly calling them out, but not bringing in MAGA or deplorables into the target. Donald and MAGA are beyond saving and will band together, but they are opening space for true republicans to find some backbone and splinter off. Not only is Harris campaign being respectful, but it’s also strategic as it splinters the opposition and creates division. Even the likes of Joe Rogan are starting distance themselves - admittedly leaning towards Kennedy.

It’s a problem with modern politics, the 24 hours news cycle and the sound bite generation. Politicians who can provide a sound bit solution to complex problems grab the attention of the broader public. People are either too lazy or incapable of delving into the complexity of issues and sadly that’s where people like Donald typically do quite well.

He’s a twat with an over inflated ego.

The scary thing about Donald and MAGA is that they are an extremist group and cult. There are a couple of social psychology theories that predict the likely trajectory of Donald and MAGA as they lose the limelight and power. We’re likely to see the following escalation from Donald, I realise he already ticks many of the boxes but it's likely to increase. Increased use of dramatic, emotive and inflammatory rhetoric to galvanise his base. Blaming and scapegoating external enemies (Dem’s and media etc) and internal traitors. Using conspiracies to explain his declining popularity. Increasing emphasis on how he is the one and only true saviour for the country. Increasing repression against perceived internal dissenters to try and prevent defections. Increasing the “us vs. them” mentality and attempting to rally his base against a common enemy. For the MAGA crowd, we are likely to see them: Increased loyalty and radicalisation. Doubling down on their commitment to Donald as he faces external criticism. Starting off with increased pressure to conform and dissenting voices being suppressed, but escalating to purges and purity tests as they get rid of people they perceive as traitors. Increased solidarity and cohesion within MAGA as they become more extreme and insular against the ‘threat’ against Donald. Intensified propaganda and public displays of loyalty to Donald. Hostility and violence towards their political opponents, seen as a threat to Donald. We tend to overestimate how intelligent and rational people are and that surely “they will see the light”. Unfortunately I don’t think there is a ‘happy ending’ at the end of this election cycle, and that after 'another loss' the MAGA crowd will turn to violence. If you’re interested have a look at Conflict Theory and Social Identity Theory.

Can you explain specifically why you think the dems are worse than Donald? My experience so far is that the people who hold your position struggle to state facts that can be backed up, hence my curiosity.

One thing this campaign has highlighted is how Americans had lost their joy and ‘American dream’. It’s a pretty deep rooted national trait and I can see it resonating. Granted having a British background I think it’s a mildly annoying trait, stiff upper lip and not tooting your own horn is a bit more comfortable.

Yes, it’s easy and here’s a helpful guide. https://raisingchildren.net.au/toddlers/behaviour/crying-tantrums/tantrums

I find it funny that Trump gets riled by being called Donald. I think Cohen brought it into the limelight. I wish more news channels would pick up on it and destroy his brand identity!

Yes, but the dumb people seem to listen to Trumps drivel.

I hope the stock market doesn’t help Donald

Kind of drowned out by the US drama, but far right causing trouble in the UK based on misinformation and lies. https://www.bbc.com/news/live/cw5yyynpwnzt

I worked a little bit on Block 60, was definitely interesting.

The GOP are both spineless and self centred. Trump will never step down, but if the GOP sinks low enough they have a potential legal off ramp from Trump - the insurrection act. Those guys eat their young and if it furthers their self interest they will jump off the Trump carnival ride.

I suspect it’s an indication that some believe Trump will be ousted?

As you know I’m interested in the betting odds as an indication of the race. Harris has dropped down to 2, and Trump risen to 1.8 in the last 2 weeks. Today something interesting has happened, the odds for Nikki Haley have started to drop sharply. While still very long odds at 81, it’s a drop of over 30 points.

I’m always amused by the subjective nature of age. My sons are now 24 and I already had a wife, child and mortgage - I look at them and their friends and they are still kids! An 18 yr old sees a 25 yr old as ‘old’ and friends of mine in their sixties call me a youngster. I think old is defined as 5-10 years older than you, and young is 5-10 years younger. Moral of the story is if you want eternal youth, always have friends 10 years older than you :)

I thought this Olympian’s comment was great ‘I love my Black Job’

He’s ultimately a spoiled 3 year old who has never been told no. Her opening statement was brutal and to the point. A strong person would give a robust rebuttal, but he whined like a baby about how nasty she was. He didn’t even go on the attack and engage in the same level as her. Of course to attack with substance you have to have a spine and facts. A skill that politicians need is to be able to be equivocal. When Tony Blair was Prime Minister the BBC did a segment on his ability to be equivocal - he’s honestly the best I’ve seen, where both sides felt he was agreeing with them. He was able to say nothing with total conviction :) Donald, tried but failed dismally.

I watched his entire diatribe. What’s great is that wasn’t any event. It was journalists - maybe Donald doesn’t understand what a journalist is? Because it’s going to get great coverage

https://www.news.com.au/finance/work/leaders/new-photos-appear-to-show-donald-trumps-ear-has-completely-healed/news-story/a82918917ea6f4b193d32c38571f053f There can only be one of four explanations for totally healing from a gun shot ‘through’ your ear. 1. Trump is truly gods chosen one and it’s a miracle. 2. He’s one of the lizard people who control the world and grew a new one. 3. The bullet went in one ear and out the other. 4. It was a small nick or scratch. My monies on option 3 or 4, although he’s reptilian enough 2 isn’t a far stretch:)

I don’t think it helps to frame this guy politically. It sounds like he was a mixed up kid who wanted to get into the history books. He’d have shot Biden or Taylor Swift if they’d been there first. With the number of school and mass shootings, it’s hard to make a name for yourself these days.

A while ago someone gave the reason that a second term president can be more effective is that they don’t need to worry about re election and the political consequences. I think it’s a dangerous strategy, but it might well work. If Biden ‘goes hard’, he can get some stuff done. Harris can focus on the campaign and ‘ignore it’ so as not to tie herself directly to it. It’s a unique opportunity to effectively have 2 very powerful figures working as a team. As John said most people probably support it and so it could really expose MAGA as the Donald cult.

Don’t I know it! My mother flipped out and refused to let my aunt babysit again after she let us watch Mary Poppins! Was also forbidden from listening to anything other than Christian music as a teenager.

All my evangelical relatives are kicking off online that the Olympics are satanic. Apparently it’s not just the trans/gay music events - although that’s part of it. Is this a widespread evangelical thing? This has since popped up on my Instagram as a result of all their posts I guess. https://www.instagram.com/reel/C98Mgbgy17e/?igsh=d283MTFxa29sN2sx