Mega-Thread: 2020 United States General Election

[solinari6]

Now the dems need to put Pelosi in her place and this will be the best election season ever.

Am I remembering wrong, or did Pelosi say in 2018 that she wasn't going to run for speaker in 2020, and let someone else take over? Something about ... she would have let someone else take over in 2018, but standing up to trump was too important to let a new speaker do it?

[beanman12345]

Here's the problem with the "rebrand socialism" talking point.

Socialism was already rebranded. It used to mean "collective ownership of the means of production". Now it means "any and all social support systems that aid those in need".

And the carry-over McCarthyism from the first bit, as an over-reaction to the Soviets, has been applied to the latter.

Anything you try and "rebrand" is just going to get called "socialism", because that's the way the right wing McCarthyists respond to everything that helps those in need. A lunch program at your local school? Socialism. A city-wide 5k to raise funds for a new homeless shelter? Socialism. And so on. You can't re-brand, when the entire issue is that everything helpful to anyone in need is already being actively re-branded as socialism, in the first place.

The secret is that the issue isn't actually socialism. The issue is that the McCarthyists are narcissistic misanthropists who see the fostering of human suffering as a net positive.

ok then let's rebrand McCarthysm to mean socialism, then we can use people's ignorance and hatred of helping people to our advantage.

[wunksta]

We didnt have a lot of dem wins in TX, but this one REALLLLLLLLY matters:
https://www.kxan.com/news/local/will...tter-accounts/

Chody was an asshole. Not going to get into specifics, but /HIGHFIVE

Now the dems need to put Pelosi in her place and this will be the best election season ever.

Hell yeah, glad I could contribute to that. He deleted all his social media lol

[kaelleria]

There are around 100 k MIV left, and between 50-80k provisional/absentee.

Imo, when all miv are counted, biden will have a 40-50k lead at the very least

At least. My last count had Biden up 55k if they were more pro trump than the norm.

[Flower Milk]

Please for the love of god Democrats don't ignore this election data and move right

https://twitter.com/MaxKennerly/stat...84432763539456

Here's the Dem vote margin for the 24 vulnerable Democratic House candidates compared to their GovTrack ideology score.

There's of course a million caveats here, but, in the aggregate: the more conservative their record in Congress, the worse they fared at the polls.

Yup. Six sponsors of Medicare-for-All won re-election in swing districts. SD, MT, and MS legalized marijuana. Florida raised its minimum wage. There are no majority-centrist districts; the districts are polarized, and the independents aren't centrists.

Isn't that just a function of their districts tho? Safe seats allow you to be less centrist, and the more your district is up for grabs, the more you have to court voters in the middle

In the abstract, yes. In the reality of our current elections, no, because there aren't really any "centrist" districts. For example, take a look at Spanberger's district. This isn't centrist/moderate, it's polarized. I think playing to the middle is foolish; there isn't one.

[Hinastorm]

Here's the problem with the "rebrand socialism" talking point.

Socialism was already rebranded. It used to mean "collective ownership of the means of production". Now it means "any and all social support systems that aid those in need".

And the carry-over McCarthyism from the first bit, as an over-reaction to the Soviets, has been applied to the latter.

Anything you try and "rebrand" is just going to get called "socialism", because that's the way the right wing McCarthyists respond to everything that helps those in need. A lunch program at your local school? Socialism. A city-wide 5k to raise funds for a new homeless shelter? Socialism. And so on. You can't re-brand, when the entire issue is that everything helpful to anyone in need is already being actively re-branded as socialism, in the first place.

The secret is that the issue isn't actually socialism. The issue is that the McCarthyists are narcissistic misanthropists who see the fostering of human suffering as a net positive.

Is this also an argument for continuing to push for these things, because anything we try to change that helps people is just going to get called socialism anyway?

Personally I think we need to laser focus aid to these right wing hogs (subsidize their paychecks, something incredibly direct) and then make them face the possibility of their republican overlords taking it away.

Sure some of them are legitimately willing to die or accept less income to own the libs, but I think that's a minority.

Of course this hinges on democrats actually being willing to do something real that helps the common worker. I'll hold my breath on that.

[Themius]

Am I remembering wrong, or did Pelosi say in 2018 that she wasn't going to run for speaker in 2020, and let someone else take over? Something about ... she would have let someone else take over in 2018, but standing up to trump was too important to let a new speaker do it?

https://www.politico.com/news/2020/1...speaker-434345

Speaker Nancy Pelosi wants another two-year term running the House, cementing her role — for now — as the most powerful woman in Washington.

The 80-year-old Pelosi is coming off a disappointing Election Day, where her party lost at least five seats so far in the House, but the California Democrat intends to stay in the speaker’s chair during the 117th Congress, according to letters sent to her colleagues on Friday morning. Pelosi has served as the Democratic leader since 2002, and the vast majority of her colleagues have never known anyone else running their caucus.

"Our vision for the next two years must be built on the success of Democratic House Majority in the 116th Congress, and to harness the extraordinary visions, values and vibrancy of our Caucus to secure the progress that the American people deserve," Pelosi wrote.

"In that spirit, I am wring to request your support to be re-elected as Speaker. I do so with utmost respect for the diverse viewpoints in our Democratic Caucus, the gravity of this role the urgency of the challenges ahead. I also do so with the great joy and appreciation to so many of you who have already offered your support."

Pelosi also pledged to work closely with "President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris," who are now leading the race for the White House.

House Democrats will formally begin choosing their leaders on Nov. 18. No challenger to Pelosi is expected to emerge, and none could defeat her, although a small number of disgruntled House Democrats want a change atop her caucus.

- - - Updated - - -

Is this also an argument for continuing to push for these things, because anything we try to change that helps people is just going to get called socialism anyway?

Personally I think we need to laser focus aid to these right wing hogs (subsidize their paychecks, something incredibly direct) and then make them face the possibility of their republican overlords taking it away.

Sure some of them are legitimately willing to die or accept less income to own the libs, but I think that's a minority.

Of course this hinges on democrats actually being willing to do something real that helps the common worker. I'll hold my breath on that.

They've done a lot more to help the common worker versus the side that's done everything the absolutely opposite of that/

[Volardelis]

Here's the problem with the "rebrand socialism" talking point.

Socialism was already rebranded. It used to mean "collective ownership of the means of production". Now it means "any and all social support systems that aid those in need".

And the carry-over McCarthyism from the first bit, as an over-reaction to the Soviets, has been applied to the latter.

Anything you try and "rebrand" is just going to get called "socialism", because that's the way the right wing McCarthyists respond to everything that helps those in need. A lunch program at your local school? Socialism. A city-wide 5k to raise funds for a new homeless shelter? Socialism. And so on. You can't re-brand, when the entire issue is that everything helpful to anyone in need is already being actively re-branded as socialism, in the first place.

The secret is that the issue isn't actually socialism. The issue is that the McCarthyists are narcissistic misanthropists who see the fostering of human suffering as a net positive.

Hell, the GOP called the ACA "socialism" even though it uses private businesses. Plus it was a nation wide application of a state policy introduced by a GOP governor (Mitt Romney). So in a way, the GOP called their own policy "socialism".

[Kathranis]

Guys, Democrats can't really rebrand socialism because the Republicans already control the messaging to the supporters that need to be flipped. They're the ones who really decide how to brand it.

The only way to do it is find a way to circumvent right wing media and talk directly to the people, which basically means grass roots, door to door shit. If Democrats can't engage with these people face to face then the Republicans get to control the narrative.

[Deja Thoris]

I'll even throw in one imaginary oatmeal cookie for you if he does.

The raisin one. Fuck chocolate chip. Raisins are superior.

Better warm up the oven for that cookie...

[Thepersona]

At least. My last count had Biden up 55k if they were more pro trump than the norm.

And Kornacki made a huge mistake. 40k of the absentee/provisionals come from Philly alone. That should seal the deal by itself

[beanman12345]

Guys, Democrats can't really rebrand socialism because the Republicans already control the messaging to the supporters that need to be flipped. They're the ones who really decide how to brand it.

The only way to do it is find a way to circumvent right wing media and talk directly to the people, which basically means grass roots, door to door shit. If Democrats can't engage with these people face to face then the Republicans get to control the narrative.

While that is true, they're gonna call everything socialism. But we can stifle it when and where we need to. Like Take AOC. Self proclaimed democrat socialist. they're gonna hate everything she does, they hate her, and because of that socialist tag they're gonna associate everything she supports with socialism due to it. They do control the messaging, but we are also help giving them the ammo.

[Felya]

Guys, Democrats can't really rebrand socialism because the Republicans already control the messaging to the supporters that need to be flipped. They're the ones who really decide how to brand it.

The only way to do it is find a way to circumvent right wing media and talk directly to the people, which basically means grass roots, door to door shit. If Democrats can't engage with these people face to face then the Republicans get to control the narrative.

Just to put all this in perspective, we wouldn’t have this argument if not for electoral college. Progressives had a popular vote referendum for decades...

[kaelleria]

And Kornacki made a huge mistake. 40k of the absentee/provisionals come from Philly alone. That should seal the deal by itself

Ironically, Philly will be more pro trump than the rest of the state because of Trump's gains with Latinos.

[Kathranis]

While that is true, they're gonna call everything socialism. But we can stifle it when and where we need to. Like Take AOC. Self proclaimed democrat socialist. they're gonna hate everything she does, they hate her, and because of that socialist tag they're gonna associate everything she supports with socialism due to it. They do control the messaging, but we are also help giving them the ammo.

She also literally did a shitload of on-the-ground door-knocking, and other forms of outreach. She's circumventing traditional media because people watch what they watch. That includes using Twitch and social media, which is gonna pay dividends in the future when some of the younger fans become old enough to vote.

That's a strategy that we've seen solid successes with in smaller down ballot races too, flipping counties from red to blue.

[beanman12345]

She also literally did a shitload of on-the-ground door-knocking, and other forms of outreach. She's circumventing traditional media because people watch what they watch. That includes using Twitch and social media, which is gonna pay dividends in the future when some of the younger fans become old enough to vote.

That's a strategy that we've seen solid successes with in smaller down ballot races too, flipping counties from red to blue.

Well in her neighborhood yes. But the problem is the national scale, we don't have that concentration of in person democrat to republican discussion in the bumfuck area's.

[Thepersona]

Ironically, Philly will be more pro trump than the rest of the state because of Trump's gains with Latinos.

How was election day voting in philly? Afaik it was around 50/50

[Milchshake]

Guys, Democrats can't really rebrand socialism because the Republicans already control the messaging to the supporters that need to be flipped. They're the ones who really decide how to brand it.

The only way to do it is find a way to circumvent right wing media and talk directly to the people, which basically means grass roots, door to door shit. If Democrats can't engage with these people face to face then the Republicans get to control the narrative.

KNocking door is great. But it cant overcome hundreds of hours spent watching Fox News or on Facebook newsfeeds.

It's an old problem!
FDR and the New Deal faced a lot of attacks from radio back in the day. Mass Media has always been the plaything of very wealthy people. This is why FDR created the FCC and instituted the Mayflower doctrine. Later replaced by the Fairness Doctrine. Little mystery that one of the first things Reagan did, was revoke the Fairness Doctrine.

Really need to bring back the Fairness Doctrine and modernise it to deal with social media and cable news.

Speaking of FDR. He never described the New Deal as Socialism ... because the American aversion to socialism is much older than you think.

[kaelleria]

How was election day voting in philly? Afaik it was around 50/50

2.4 : 1 for Biden.

[Hobb]

Didn't know this but apparently all the ballots that arrived by mail after election day in PA have been separated and counted, but NOT added into the current totals.

What we are currently seeing are all the ballots that arrived on or before election day. They're awaiting a decision on Trump's court challenge before adding them in.

Nick Corasaniti, in Philadelphia 3:19 PM ET

Important amid lawsuits in Pa.: Ballots arriving after Election Day are segregated. They are then processed and counted separately, and, for now, not added to the current totals. See Pennsylvania results ›