The Troublingly Terrible Turnout

Attribution: Voter Turnout by Bob Englehart, PoliticalCartoons.com

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craigcrawford
8 months ago

Democracy can die, as someone recently said. Exploiting frustration with Democracy’s messiness is Job No. 1 for autocrats. They offer a promise of efficiency, security and stability in exchange for public forfeiture of any role in decision making. I’d say about a third of voters are up for this, and possibly growing.

craigcrawford
8 months ago

David Brooks making sense this morning. Not his main point, but the hostility to “systems” ironically fuels momentum against Democracy:

Voters Demand Change, but What Kind Do They Want?

“Different voters want different things. But if I had to write a single sentence that reconciled these diverse findings, it would be this: The people who run America’s systems have led the country seriously astray; we need a president who will shake things up and return the country back to normal. When they hear “systems,” I assume voters are thinking of the network of institutions run by America’s elite — corporations, governing agencies, higher education, the news media and so on. If voters believe one thing about Donald Trump it’s that he’s against these systems and these systems are against him.” — NYT free link

RebelliousRenee
8 months ago

Jamie…  
on the Preakness…. please put me down for Imagination.

Jamie
8 months ago

Preakness post positions and morning odds.  Only nine horses running.

1.  Mugatu 20 – 1

2.  Uncle Heavy 20 – 1

3.  Catching Freedom 6 – 1

4.  Muth 8 – 5

5.  Mystic Dan 5 – 2

6.  Seize the Grey 15 – 1

7.  Just Steel 15 – 1

8.  Tuscan Gold 8 – 1

9.  Imagination 6 – 1

Bink
8 months ago

David Brooks making sense this morning

We know why people like trump: he’s stupid and racist and gives permission for other people to be also

full stop, 5sec read

(69% of voters don’t know wtf Brooks is talking about)

craigcrawford
8 months ago

I’ll stick with Catching Freedom, came in fourth at Derby so worth keeping

IvyGreen
8 months ago

IvyGreen
8 months ago

Jamie: Uncle Heavy
 
Thanks for setting us up for the Preakness. 

craigcrawford
8 months ago

Cohen testifying they had an Oval Office meeting discussing payment scheme. Not the first evidence Trump was directing this plot from White House, which I think jury will find extra repulsive

craigcrawford
8 months ago

Ha, Bink. Your 5sec version also gets ‘er done

craigcrawford
8 months ago

Vivek, Doug Burgum, Speaker Mikey today’s babysitters in court. Saw a report that word has gone out to all Republicans that the new loyalty test is spending a day in court with Pumpkin Head, especially if you’re running for running mate. Their after-court press gaggles look like debate spin rooms.

whskyjack
8 months ago

I guess I’ll stick with Mystic Dan. 
I thought about switching, but the 2 who almost won the derby, Sierra Leone and Forever Young aren’t in the race. the only other Derby horse running is Catching Freedom. For some reason I expected more Derby horses, especially the ones who got beat by a nose.
Also isn’t this a a small field?
Jack

whskyjack
8 months ago

Bink
I suspect 3/4 of the time Brooks doesn’t know what he is talking about.
He has this ramble that he does in his writing that he seems to believe applies to any situation, he just plugs in current names and events and puts on his “serious person” face.
 
Jack

craigcrawford
8 months ago

Prosecutor is going through individual invoices and checks with Cohen calling each of them “false”. Surprised defense not objecting, their falsity is not really in evidence, prosecutor is testifying!

Overall with most witnesses Trump’s lawyers have been surprisingly slow to object. Despite complaining later about Stormy getting into salacious details, they mostly let her go uninterrupted. Yesterday Cohen engaged in a lot of speculation they probably could have stopped.

craigcrawford
8 months ago

Go for the Triple Crown, Jack!

Bink
8 months ago

Honestly, Craig was more hip yesterday when he said (paraphrasing) any President in the current climate starts with with a baseline disapproval rate of 50%
 
friggin’-guy literally offered to sell the Federal Govt to the oil companies for $1 Billion, and the political media still insists on treating him and Biden as equivalent entities, it’s craven bullshit
 
ok bandwidth exceeded ✌️ 

(oh and btw he will happily make that deal with anyone else- Putin, Musk, whomever)✌️✌️

IvyGreen
8 months ago

OT: Plumpty said Jews who voted for Joe should be ashamed. I venture same to be said of active duty and veterans who vote for Trump. Your service to country is wasted if you vote to turn us over to dictators and fascists both foreign and domestic.

whskyjack
8 months ago

Craig, 
I like my chances in this race. The Belmont will be the tough one with its length. If the Kentucky derby had been 30 ft longer Dan would have been third.
Jack

Pogo
8 months ago

Jamie – I’ll go with Muth – oddsmakers and Baffert are a good indication he’s got something.
 

blueINdallas
8 months ago

https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/georgian-lawmakers-brawl-parliament-set-pass-foreign-agent-bill-2024-05-14/

“Georgia’s parliament on Tuesday passed the third and final reading of a “foreign agents” bill, clearing a major hurdle on its way to becoming law.”

“Opponents of the bill, seen as a test of whether the South Caucasus country stays on a path towards integration with Europe or pivots back towards Russia, have called for further protests.”

“It would require organisations receiving more than 20% of their funding from abroad to register as agents of foreign influence, imposing onerous disclosure requirements and punitive fines for violations.”

“Opponents have dubbed the bill “the Russian law”, comparing it to Russian legislation used to target critics of President Vladimir Putin’s Kremlin.”
 
There was a brawl in Georgia’s parliament.  A lightning bolt should find Poo-tin, too.
Death to chaos monsters.

blueINdallas
8 months ago

Showing up at a court date to show support for someone who cheated on his wife while she was home with their infant is ~so very Christian~.  

Yeah, it’s a documents case, and showing up for a liar isn’t a good look, either, but the reason for the lies was adultery.  

MAGAt Mike Johnson is an ambitious idiot. 
He’s not actually a Christian, it’s just a marketing ploy.

Sturgeone
8 months ago

That Paul Simon guy, holy mackerel the lines that guy has come up with…..
”The more you near your destination, the more you’re slip sliding away.”
Lot of rock n roll diamonds came out of that Brill Bldg, Simon, Gerry Goffin/Carol King, Neil Diamond, Lieber & Stoller, Ellie Greenwich…..oodlrs more
actually
4 1/2 oodlles.
 

Bink
8 months ago

blatant juror intimidation having powerful politicians peruse trump trial

Sturgeone
8 months ago

They all know he’s a total dick….they just  don’t care……because they’re ALL total dicks.

craigcrawford
8 months ago

Cross examination starts after lunch break. Now the pivotal moments begin

craigcrawford
8 months ago

This could end this week. Before lunch prosecutors indicated Cohen their last witness and defense said they might not put on any.

craigcrawford
8 months ago

Interesting final question on direct: “Do you have any regrets?” Cohen said he regretted doing bad things that hurt his family.

craigcrawford
8 months ago

I thought prosecution would end with an election law expert to explain that element of the case. I really question this move. They’re leaving jury without guidance on how this scheme connects to campaign violations. Very puzzling, could be a really wrong move.

Also, the missing Weisselberg issue still unresolved. There are loose ends here that could jeopardize a guilty verdict.

IvyGreen
8 months ago

Commenter last night (Lisa R, msnbc) says jurors may not have a clue who this Weasel-bug character is, and why aren’t they seeing him? 

craigcrawford
8 months ago

I guess wearing Trumpian red ties & blue suits part of the loyalty test

blueINdallas
8 months ago

As the lawyer on The View said, there are attorneys and financial people on the jury and it’s a documents case.  They know what’s going on and will make sure the others understand, if they don’t already.

She also said he wasn’t sleeping, because he’d get posted and have to hold his tongue. His eyes were closed, but he’d screw up his face trying to contain himself. 

Every, single jackass who showed up to intimidate Cohen and the jurors will go down in history with the likes of Hunt and Liddy, and perhaps even Goebbles and Himmler depending on what transpires this election.  
 

Ivy – Based on the composition of the jury, most know who Weisselburg is and that he’s in Rikers. NYC is a small town in some ways. I was there when Bernie Madoff was charged and there was nonstop coverage. If something is going on, curtains are twitching.

Pogo
8 months ago

Only an hour into Cohen’s cross examination and  (NYT)

As Michael Cohen testifies, Trump has dropped his head repeatedly and appears to be struggling to stay awake.

Needs more Diet Coke. 

craigcrawford
8 months ago

Defense narrative emerging from these questions seems to be Cohen was mad Trump shunned him, so he framed him for a crime he didn’t commit.

Pogo
8 months ago

And now Blanche is moving into the lying pond scum line of questioning.
And then there’s this from Jonathan Swan:

I expected Trump to be more interested in following his defense’s cross-examination of Cohen, the star witness and his nemesis. But Trump has mostly been leaning back with his eyes closed, only occasionally stirring.

Dumbass.

Pogo
8 months ago

So the defense theme is jilted “lover”, willing to lie for revenge and did.  Gonna be hard to make that stick without getting to what lies he told that relate to the charges.  While we’ll never know how the jury treated the lack of Weisselberg in the case, I’d bet more than one juror will ask why he wasn’t called.  

craigcrawford
8 months ago

Blanche’s cross is all over the map. Disconnected, lacking momentum. Early on I thought I could discern a defense narrative the jury could follow. But now I’ve lost track.

Pogo
8 months ago

The Times reporting sounds like Blanche has everyone guessing where the hell he’s going with it.

craigcrawford
8 months ago

Yep Pogo, I worry about Weisselberg absence since judge denied prosecution request to tell jury he got $2 million from Trump to stay quiet 

craigcrawford
8 months ago

‘Aimless’: Experts dump on Trump attorney’s cross-examination of Michael Cohen

https://www.rawstory.com/aimless-experts-dump-on-trump-attorney-s-cross-examination-of-michael-cohen/

Sturgeone
8 months ago

@RonFilipkowski
11m

Cross-examination of Michael Cohen has ended for the day. At one point, Cohen was asked if he called Trump a ‘Cheeto-dusted cartoon villain” and he admitted he had.

craigcrawford
8 months ago

Here’s about all Blanche got done with his cross:

— Showed Cohen remains wealthy and has made millions off his Trump-related books; 

— Cohen dramatically turned on his former idol Trump after his 2018 sentencing;

— Hoped his cooperation with various prosecutors would result in a sentence reduction

— Has frequently insulted Trump with a variety of epithets.

Sturgeone
8 months ago

Arturo of the Day 

Leon Uris

TRINITY
MILA 18
THE HAJ
BATTLE CRY
QB VII
REDEMPTION
ARMAGEDDON, a novel of Berlin
EXODUS

IvyGreen
8 months ago

Sturge, read them all, “Mila 18” is my top pick.

craigcrawford
8 months ago

Pumpkin will NOT like this, he hates looking weak. JD Vance says on FOX he went to Trump’s criminal trial because Trump was “lonely” and needed a “friendly face”

IvyGreen
8 months ago

Why should anyone feel loyal to Plumpty? He shows no loyalty to anyone. 

IvyGreen
8 months ago

Give ‘em one thing, the trial is for show. They’re the acrobats and the clowns. 

Blue Bronc
8 months ago

I will go with Muth.

Pogo
8 months ago

From what I can tell, Poobah, I concur on what (little) they’ve accomplished.  And why wouldn’t Cohen be pissed at Dumbass?  He pardoned the rest of the rogues in his gallery.
Ivy, I believe they should work on their juggling.

craigcrawford
8 months ago

Sen. Lisa Murkowski goes off when asked if she’s surprised to see so many Republicans going to New York for Trump’s trial: “Do we have something else to do around here other than watch a stupid porn trial? I mean this is ridiculous.”

Sturgeone
8 months ago

They’re not showing loyalty—they’re showing fear.  

There’s more Uris books than those on my list, they’re all great, I just got tired of writing them down. 🥸

IvyGreen
8 months ago

Don’t know how much the public has been told about the characteristics of individual jurors, but some of the commentary was leaning toward the notion they were chosen chiefly for their know-nothingness. 

IvyGreen
8 months ago

Trump was “lonely” and needed a “friendly face”

 
He must be reliving the time his brother dumped the mashed potato bowl on his head.

Sturgeone
8 months ago

None of the horse names reach out to me so I guess I’ll go with Uncle Heavy because I’m an uncle and since I quit smoking a few yrs back I’ve become heavy. And 20 to 1…..I’ll be rich.

It would be nice if Sen Murkowski could manage to be just a tad more vicious. You know, like Liz Cheney.

IvyGreen
8 months ago

None of them except Liz appear to have any particular loyalty to Rula Law, may she rest in peace.

IvyGreen
8 months ago

I looked up Uncle Heavy and liked his story. 

Jamie
8 months ago

Yes a nine horse field is small.  The norm is 14, but I think several Derby horses will show up in the Belmont.

Check to see if I got everyone so far

1.  Mugatu 20 – 1

 

2.  Uncle Heavy 20 – 1 – Ivy Green

 

3.  Catching Freedom 6 – 1 – Craig

 

4.  Muth 8 – 5 – Pogo and Blue

 

5.  Mystic Dan 5 – 2 – Jack

 

6.  Seize the Grey 15 – 1 – Jamie

 

7.  Just Steel 15 – 1

 

8.  Tuscan Gold 8 – 1

 

9.  Imagination 6 – 1 – Renee 

Jamie
8 months ago

Sturgeone

Major fan of Leon Uris.  Between him and Michener, my reading time was locked in for many, many hours.

 

Sturgeone
8 months ago

Michener eventually just kind of wore me out but I managed to get thru a bunch of them. 

Add me, please, to Uncle Heavy, we’re going to ride like the wind.
Had I named him he would have been Uncle Meat, or Sheso Heavy.

IvyGreen
8 months ago

Sturge, he’s big enough for two. 

IvyGreen
8 months ago

Maybe the clown parade will get more jokers to the right paying attention.

Jamie
8 months ago

Sturgeone and Pat d  – Have you on your horses .

 

IvyGreen
8 months ago

Rhetorical question: Why aren’t all the attorneys working for Plumpty also labeled “fixers?” 

Don’t his voters think it’s suspect that he’s long required the services of a “fixer?”

craigcrawford
8 months ago

Ivy: “He must be reliving the time his brother dumped the mashed potato bowl on his head.”

That was such a funny story, and Mary Trump said well into adulthood he would get mad when family told that story, even when his sister retold it at a White House family dinner — he stormed out of the room. Very telling, still a petulant child.

IvyGreen
8 months ago

Craig: lol!

Sturgeone
8 months ago

Maybe they’re unable to fix anything?
They might be more like Fixees.   But anyway they’re all in a fix.  
I’m afraid  for that jury.  All it takes is one.  I mean even OJ was acquitted.  Meanwhile back in NYC
“If it smells like shit—you must not acquit”

blueINdallas
8 months ago

https://people.com/chiefs-harrison-butker-criticized-graduation-speech-attacking-working-women-quoting-taylor-swift-8648547 “Chiefs’ Harrison Butker Criticized for Graduation Speech Attacking Working Women While Quoting Taylor Swift”   “The 28-year-old’s address at the May 11 ceremony decried various “diabolical lies told to women” about topics including abortion, in vitro fertilization (IVF) and surrogacy, as well as President Joe Biden.”   “During the 20-minute speech, Butker quoted a lyric written by Taylor Swift, referring to her through her boyfriend Travis Kelce by calling her his “teammate’s girlfriend.”   “As my teammate’s girlfriend says, ‘familiarity breeds contempt,’ ” Butker said. Swift, 34, sings the line in her song, “Bejeweled” on her 2022 album, Midnights.     The Chiefs kicker then went on to address the female graduates in the room directly.   “For the ladies present today, congratulations on an amazing accomplishment,” he began. “I want to speak directly to you briefly because I think it is you, the women, who have had the most diabolical lies told to you.”   Butker continued, “Some of you may go on to lead successful careers in the world, but I would venture to guess that the majority of you are most excited about your marriage and the children you will bring into this world.” Speaking about his wife, Butker said, “I can tell you that my beautiful wife, Isabelle, would be the first to say her life truly started when she started living her vocation as a wife and as a mother.”   He said that he is “beyond blessed” because Isabelle “would convert to the faith, become my wife, and embrace one of the most important titles of all: Homemaker.” Later, he addressed the male graduates directly, advising them to “be unapologetic in your masculinity,” and to “fight against the cultural emasculation of men,” in his speech. “As men, we set the tone of the culture, and when that is absent, disorder, dysfunction and chaos set in. This absence of men in the home is what plays a large role in the violence we see all around the nation.” Elsewhere in his speech, Butker took aim at the LGBTQ+ community, calling their pride “deadly sins.”     The Chiefs need… Read more »

Pogo
8 months ago

It’s “fixer”.  Just like I’m a “carpenter”.

Bink
8 months ago

lol, kickers need to butch-up to fit in with the rest of the guys

blueINdallas
8 months ago

How did he say that to a group of young women who just achieved exactly what the young men in attendance achieved, and then condescended to them while also poisoning the minds of the young men, and not get booed off of the stage?  I hope someone kicks him the nads.  What a worthless piece of anti-woke, MAGAt sh/+.

Bink
8 months ago

i’m assuming from the name of the school it’s Catholic
 
deep breaths.  i’d post some tunes but i actually forgot about Olbermann so i guess i’ll listen to a bit of his hyperbole 
 
vote blue so you have the option of voting again 🫡💕🇺🇸

IvyGreen
8 months ago

IvyGreen
8 months ago