2024 USA Election: Wishin' and Hopin'

[Stavros]

Given that your ID says you live there, what, if anything has Rubio done for the people of Florida he represents in the Senate? Does he have a record to stand on that looks good?

[Fitzcarraldo]

Given that your ID says you live there, what, if anything has Rubio done for the people of Florida he represents in the Senate? Does he have a record to stand on that looks good?

I've never voted for him. He is a defense hawk, though. I can't name specific accomplishments, but he's done some things I haven't hated, unlike our other senator and former governor Rick Scott.

[Stavros]

So Paul Manafort will not be 'helping' to organize the Republican Party convention in Milwaukee. And yet, as a convicted criminal he is surely and exactly the kind of man Trump wants around him. I believe no other US politician, let alone a former President has been associated with so many convicted criminals. CNN lists 11, Reuters the same people but also organizations. Neither of them goes further back to cite Felix Sater, Trump's business partner in Manhattan and a convicted racketeer and Russian mafia mobster, or the earlier cases of money laundering in New Jersey casinos.

If this was a Democrat, he would have been forced out of the race and they would be looking for another candidate. Or has the US so obviously given up on standard in public life that Trump's indifference to the Law makes him immune to the charges that woul destroy anyone else? Think about it, it is staggering how crooked the man is, and that nobody cares.

Trump’s casino was a money laundering concern shortly after it opened | CNN Politics

Paul Manafort backs away from supporting role with Republican National Convention following media scrutiny (yahoo.com)

11 Trump associates have now been charged with crimes. 11! | CNN Politics

What Trump allies have faced criminal charges? | Reuters

[Fitzcarraldo]

Or has the US so obviously given up on standard in public life that Trump's indifference to the Law makes him immune to the charges that woul destroy anyone else? Think about it, it is staggering how crooked the man is, and that nobody cares.

The country hasn't, but the GOP is literally owned by Trump now.

[Stavros]

But the point is, if Trump is the Republican Party and the Party is Trump, all of its candidates need to be asked about their links to criminals and criminal behaviour in the past as a guide to the present and the future -I can't imagine any media outlet not hammering the Democrat who compared himself to 'Alphonse' Capone or now even Hannibal Lecter. I mean when it comes to Knock Me Over statements, Trump is a gift that cannot stop giving, so why is everyone so passive with him? But then i guess if even people who were appalled by Jan 6 when it happened, who now weasel their way to excuse it, are part of the problem. Like JD Vance, you have to wonder what he uses for brains, but his shameless manipulation of the truth might yet guarantee him a top job, though I still think Trump cannot win as so far all the evidence is that he has lost votes from Republicans.

"“But, look, my view on Donald Trump, I have been very clear on this, is, look, I was wrong about him. I didn’t think he was going to be a good president, Dana, and I was very, very proud to be proven wrong. It’s one of the reasons why I’m working so hard to get him elected,” he replied on CNN’s “State of the Union.”
Vance had made comments against Trump’s bid in 2016, prompting Ohio Republicans in 2022 to urge Trump not to endorse the Ohio Republican. Vance ended up clinching Trump’s support and winning his election."
Vance says he was ‘wrong’ in past remarks on Trump (yahoo.com)

[Stavros]

Fareed Zakaria looks at the polling and it doesn't look good for Biden, regardless of his record on the economy. But the other polls he has not factored in are the Primaries, where Republicans have been voting for Nikki Haley. If, on the ground, Trump in numerical terms is losing votes, how can he possible win, other than through some manipulation of the Electoral College? It beggars belief that people think Trump is more competent than Biden, but again, the devil may be in the detail, not least because Trump -and his supporters- will use any means necessary to win, or to claim victory.

Fareed breaks down Trump’s chances of retaking the White House (yahoo.com)

[Stavros]

Again: the polls say one thing, analysis of the Caucus and Primaries another- the Republican voters who will probably not vote for Biden, but won't vote for Trump either: just stay at home. If Trump cannot win new voters -and I have read that 'Latino' voters in Florida are a potential asset- Trump will yet again lose the popular vote.

The sleaze factor is yet to play out -Clinton was mercilessly attacked over the Lewinsky affair, but no surprise that the same media outlets take a more lenient view with Trump no matter now many women he bedded and paid off.

"An AP VoteCast found a significant percentage of Republican voters in the Iowa caucuses and New Hampshire and South Carolina primaries would be so dissatisfied with Trump as their party’s nominee that they wouldn’t vote for him in November.Specifically, 20 percent of Republican caucusgoers in Iowa, 34 percent of GOP primary voters in New Hampshire and 25 percent of GOP primary voters in South Carolina said they were so dissatisfied with Trump that they would not vote for him in the general election."
GOP senators see warning signs for Trump after embarrassing week (yahoo.com)

[Fitzcarraldo]

Trump is definitely strong among Latino voters in Florida. Ask Marco Rubio.

[Stavros]

Trump is definitely strong among Latino voters in Florida. Ask Marco Rubio.

I can't think of any answer I want from Marco Rubio, so I will pass on the questions. I do wonder why it is that Trump demonizes immigrants -the Chinese are the latest victims of his odious Lecter-lite fantasy- when most immigrants are small-c conservatives who don't want hand-outs but prove they can make it on their own without state aid, and for that reason would normally find the Republican Party more congenial than the Democrats, accepting a broad brush with regard to attitudes and party Brands.

I also wonder if the Cuban connection in Florida has shaped the ex-Cuban families attitudes if they are convinced the Democrats are 'soft' on Cuba. That said, of all the people to support, Trump? He is not, and never has been a Republican. He is the polar opposite of the immigrant who works night and day to make it in America, but I guess some States in the US would vote for Hannibal Lecter any day, rather than a Democrat. It means the 'swing states' will make or break the 2024 election, barring some seismic change in US politics -but I say this not knowing how the House and Senate result will pan out.

[Fitzcarraldo]

https://www.newyorker.com/news/the-p...port-for-trump