mtutiger

That DNA takes a really long time to shed too.... it basically took the Southern Strategy for Democrats to start losing the FDR/New Deal DNA in the south, but even that was a slow burn. The suburbs have become more hostile to the GOP in recent years, but that has also been something that has happened over time. To put into context, we've internalized a lot how bad suburbs have become for Donald Trump, particularly in the northern United States, but prior to 2008: Chester County PA (which Biden won 57-41 in 2020) voted once for a Democratic candidate between 1916 and 2008 (Johnson 1964) Kent County MI (Biden 52-46) voted three times for a Democratic candidate between 1888 and 2008 (1916, 1936, 1964) Kane and Dupage Counties in IL (Biden 56-42 and 57-41 respectively) NEVER voted for a Democrat in the 20th Century Trends exist, but often I think people expect stuff to happen overnight and it doesn't because people are conditioned to vote the way they always have. Or that you vote or participate the way everyone always has because that's the way to get ahead wherever you live (which is definitely the case in the county I grew up in). Either way, it happens in drips and drabs.

I know people in real life who, despite the pretty obvious inevitability of a Biden v Trump match-up to anyone following more closely, don't actually think either will be the nominee of their respective parties. This seems important to understanding the moment IMO. And your last point is key... elections are trench warfare in this country, nobody expects mass defections from Trump over one single event. But elections are fought on the margins, and yeah, persuasion is necessary and critical to winning.

In the macro, it's why polling this far out may not be the most predictive and, despite views that votes cannot move with events, they can. People just aren't all that tuned in right now... but that will change

And Bannon and Miller? They'll likely be the ones in government and making policy during a Second Trump term. Definitely nothing to be concerned about! Everything is great

If you don't like how I post, feel free to not engage

Who said anything about them? That is how your response cimes across We'll leave it there... the content speaks for itself.

"Take him seriously, not literally". Still going strong after all these years lol

My point is that the content speaks for itself. Arguing "why" is pedantic

We'll just have to disagree with this one. And I certainly hope anyone involved in Biden's campaign doesn't approach their roles with this outlook.

You aren't even addressing my point. Oh well, carry on with the nihilism.

I dont see why it matters one way or another why it was used.

I still believe persuasion matters in elections. Last Tuesday is a good example. And turnout and consolidating support matters too. If Trump reminds one voter on the fence about staying home of why they have to vote against him, that's good in my book. Either way, it's a long campaign and most people aren't thinking about this stuff. Scary as it is, I don't think any of these statements are beneficial to Trump at all politically in the long run.

The thing is, when Trump is talking about "vermin", it's not hard to think he's talking about everyone who isn't in his tent. In that way, I think it's a lot like the Clinton gaffe, almost the inverse of her gaffe, even though it will never get the same media treatment.

I think what needs to be recognized is that, even though he delineates between various groups (ie. Communists, Marxists, etc), what he really means is everyone who is opposed to HIM. Even if Lee is right insofar that he is saying (which oddly enough tracks with dictators of the past) is accidental (and I don’t), it really doesn't make it any less abhorrent or unacceptable. And just explaining that away as "Trump being Trump" kinda speaks volumes with where we are as a country.

Just incredible

Political ads are a big part of campaigns, always have been. And stuff like this will be in the can.

I also think these comments are gonna find their way into the campaign - Trump mentioned Communist and Marxists and whatnot, but really he's referring to everyone that isn't in the tent. And that's a majority of Americans if polls are to be believed that aren't Trumpists. It's a political loser of a comment, but it got him attention I guess lol

So what?

I guess I'm unclear - are you suggesting that nothing Trump says should be covered in detail? The while "it gotta rise out of you lolol" thing doesn't change the fact that it's wrong. And dangerous. And, on the flip side, is likely something that will end up being used in advertisements against Trump in this upcoming election.

The vermin comments are a big reason I dont buy the "If Trump said X, it'd be everywhere" sentiment It apparently didn't do much to catch the Grey Lady's attention

Trump was a lot more restrained in his first term than he would be in a theoretical second. The Rex Tillersons, HR McMaster and Dan Coats types aren't there anymore. And to my recollection, he never once talked about "rooting out vermin" during his first term.

I mean, he literally did say that he would "root out vermin" in a rally this weekend.

Fans (or almost all fans anyway) also would do the exact same thing (ie. acting in their own interest) if they were in Eduardo's situation as well.