Trump's grossly incompetent leadership was on full display, every day, during White House briefings about the virus, which he essentially turned into daily campaign rallies. He attacked reporters, in his usual bullying style, for asking questions about his slow response to the pandemic. As criticism of the administration's response grew and the death toll rose, Trump and his team did what they do best: changed the conversation.
This is how Trump has survived these battles. He turns legal battles into political ones and positions them in the court of media and public opinion, which is where he has transformed the art of political spin. His propaganda has normalised (or, rather, elevated) blatant lying, under the banner of "alternative facts". Through Fox and Friends, and Trump pals like Sean Hannity, right-wing conspiracy theories have become commonplace in the media and American political discourse. After all, Fox News is still the most-watched cable news channel in America and has been for the past 18 years.
Just when you think Trump is confronting a crisis that he cannot escape, the White House creates a scandal for the media to focus their attention on. They overwhelm us with a story (often with an accompanying buzzword) that creates a host of accusations and legal questions that confuse and overwhelm the public as we scramble to try to understand the basic elements of the controversy.
...
Somehow, Trump's approval ratings are holding relatively steady. They even got a bump. As of May 13, according to a Gallup poll, his job approval rating reached 49 percent, a tie for the highest of his presidency. This is low, but not that much lower than previous presidents. Obama began his second term in 2012 with a job approval rating of 46 percent. Furthermore, even amid the greatest economic crisis since the Great Depression, a recent CNN poll shows that respondents gave Trump a strong advantage over Biden in terms of his handling of the economy.
Trump's strategy of blaming the Chinese for the coronavirus also seems to be working with the American public. A recent survey by Navigator Research showed that 43 percent of Americans think "China bears more responsibility than the federal government for the way coronavirus has spread in the US".
Polling data about the 2020 election varies. FiveThirtyEight gives Biden around a six-point lead nationally, and crucial but narrow leads in the key battleground states of Michigan, Pennsylvania, Florida, Wisconsin and North Carolina. However, a recent CNN poll conducted by SSRS echoes Biden's national lead but shows an advantage for Trump in the swing states. This would allow him to win the Electoral College and likely lose the popular vote, which is exactly what happened in 2016.
Note that Biden came out with an ad claiming that Trump was not tough enough on China, thus reinforcing Trump's framing it as the Chinese virus and letting Trump off the hook for his government's failures.
"The undeniable barbaric death of George Floyd, the inescapable vicious realities of the unequal misery of the coronavirus, the massive unemployment at Depression levels and the wholesale collapse of the legitimacy of political leadership (in both parties) are bringing down the curtain on the empire..."
"That's not how that works. This is Trump-level ignorance. This the dude you're telling black people they have to vote for?"
Just looking at that from a basic tactical stand point is a non-starter. Cops are trained to aim for the centre of mass if they have to shoot someone because that is the easiest target for them to hit. The idea is that if the person is threatening you, shooting the person in the centre of mass will stop that threat.
This is not to defend police brutality, but to explain the thought process behind the training.
"In life's unforgiving arithmetic, we are the sum of our choices. Congressional Republicans have made theirs for more than 1,200 days. We cannot know all the measures necessary to restore the nation's domestic health and international standing, but we know the first step: Senate Republicans must be routed, as condign punishment for their Vichyite collaboration, leaving the Republican remnant to wonder: Was it sensible to sacrifice dignity, such as it ever was, and to shed principles, if convictions so easily jettisoned could be dignified as principles, for ... what? Praying people should pray, and all others should hope: May I never crave anything as much as these people crave membership in the world's most risible deliberative body."
That is an absolutely stunning paragraph from anyone. That it is from one of the longtime leading minds of the conservative movement is all the more devastating.
Donald Trump | Protestors are tear gassed as the police disperse them near the White House on June 1, 2020 as demonstrations against George Floyd's death continue. (Photo illustration by Salon/Getty Images)
Trump voters wanted this all along — now the trolling has turned to real-world violence
Right-wingers were thrilled because Trump "triggers the liberals" — now that trigger has become literal
I think that the voter turnout is likely to be as low as it was in 1996. The US doesn't have a true democracy in any fashion including that they don't even have a direct ballot for President. So in key medium sized states a small number of previous voters could change the outcome of the election just by staying home .
Voter turnout will be the highest since 2008, which was the highest since 1968, before 18-21 year old's got the right to vote.
"When I saw General Mattis' comments yesterday I felt like perhaps we are getting to a point where we can be more honest with the concerns that we might hold internally and have the courage of our own convictions to speak up," Murkowksi said on Capitol Hill.
The comments were a stark contrast to many of her other Republican colleagues on Capitol Hill who argued that while Mattis had a right to disagree with Trump, they didn't agree with Mattis' assessment.
"I was really thankful. I thought General Mattis' words were true, and honest and necessary and overdue," Murkowski said. "And, I have been struggling for the right words, and I was encouraged a couple of nights ago when I was able to read what President Bush had written. And I found that to be empowering for me as one leader."
Re: #382 Quotes by an American Psycho General James 'Mad Dog' Mattis:
"I come in peace. I didn't bring artillery. But I'm pleading with you with tears in my eyes. And if you fuck with me I will kill you all." - Gulf War - to Iraqi officers.
"There are hunters and there are victims. By your discipline, cunning, obedience and alertness, you will decide if you are a hunter or a victim. It's really a lot of fun. You're going to have a blast out here." - Iraq - advice to Marines
" It's quite fun to shoot them you know. It's a hell of a hoot. There are some assholes in the world that just need to be shot. It's fun to shoot some people." On fighting Afghans.
An updating calculation of the president's approval rating, accounting for each poll's quality, recency, sample size and partisan lean. How this works »
An updating calculation of the president's approval rating, accounting for each poll's quality, recency, sample size and partisan lean. How this works »
Trump is winning the corona spin game:
Note that Biden came out with an ad claiming that Trump was not tough enough on China, thus reinforcing Trump's framing it as the Chinese virus and letting Trump off the hook for his government's failures.
It's a duopoly. Which is why Dems approved Trump's monstrous defence budget etc.
Cornel West: A Boot is Crushing the Neck of American Democracy
https://twitter.com/CornelWest/status/1267510388884561921
"The undeniable barbaric death of George Floyd, the inescapable vicious realities of the unequal misery of the coronavirus, the massive unemployment at Depression levels and the wholesale collapse of the legitimacy of political leadership (in both parties) are bringing down the curtain on the empire..."
Biden lead over Trump jumps 8 points in ABC News/Washington Post poll
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2020/06/01/election-2020-joe-biden-widens-lead-over-trump-10-points-poll/5307014002/
Trump declares himself the 'law and order' president as peaceful protesters are disbursed
https://www.cnn.com/2020/06/01/politics/donald-trump-national-address-race/index.html
Biden on Police Training:...'Shoot em in the leg instead of the heart...' (and vid)
https://twitter.com/leslieleeii/status/1267530423116140545
"That's not how that works. This is Trump-level ignorance. This the dude you're telling black people they have to vote for?"
It's obvious Trump is in a league by himself.
I AM THE LAW
Trump says he’s ‘law and order president’ and vows to send the ARMY to quell riots as blasts echo near White House
https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/11760816/president-trump-law-and-order-president/
The GOP are quicking realizing that they have to cut Trump loose if they can salvage anything in the 2020 elections.
Juan Williams: Bush could strike blow for Biden
https://thehill.com/opinion/campaign/500395-juan-williams-bush-could-strike-blow-for-biden
Just looking at that from a basic tactical stand point is a non-starter. Cops are trained to aim for the centre of mass if they have to shoot someone because that is the easiest target for them to hit. The idea is that if the person is threatening you, shooting the person in the centre of mass will stop that threat.
This is not to defend police brutality, but to explain the thought process behind the training.
Bishop 'outraged' by Trump's use of Washington church for photo op
https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/washington-diocese-trump-criticism-1.5594552
Bye, bye Amy?
The US ‘Upheaval’ Viewed by Washington Correspondent Lawrence Martin
Filmed just before riots swept to the White House, the Globe and Mail’s columnist talks Trump and a nation on the edge.
https://thetyee.ca/News/2020/06/01/US-Upheaval-Lawrence-Martin-Review/
https://twitter.com/TypesAndSpells/status/1267799683134611456
[quote=NorthReport]
Bishop 'outraged' by Trump's use of Washington church for photo op
https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/washington-diocese-trump-criticism-1.5594552
[quote=NDPP]
https://twitter.com/Roderick0000/status/1267829946472255488
One of America's most prominent conservative columnists wants Republicans to lose in 2020
For the better part of the last four decades, George F. Will has been at the intellectual center of American conservatism. Now he is calling for a full-blown rout of the Republican Party at the ballot box in November.
Writes Will:
"In life's unforgiving arithmetic, we are the sum of our choices. Congressional Republicans have made theirs for more than 1,200 days. We cannot know all the measures necessary to restore the nation's domestic health and international standing, but we know the first step: Senate Republicans must be routed, as condign punishment for their Vichyite collaboration, leaving the Republican remnant to wonder: Was it sensible to sacrifice dignity, such as it ever was, and to shed principles, if convictions so easily jettisoned could be dignified as principles, for ... what? Praying people should pray, and all others should hope: May I never crave anything as much as these people crave membership in the world's most risible deliberative body."
That is an absolutely stunning paragraph from anyone. That it is from one of the longtime leading minds of the conservative movement is all the more devastating.
https://www.cnn.com/2020/06/02/politics/george-will-donald-trump/index.html
Minneapolis Police Department to undergo civil rights investigation
TUCKER BLAMES JARED FOR "WEAK" RESPONSE
IGOR DERYSH
TRUMP'S CHAOS AND CRUELTY GOT US HERE
BOB CESCA
A FEW DO'S AND DON'TS FOR WHITE ALLIES
MELANIE MCFARLAND
Donald Trump | Protestors are tear gassed as the police disperse them near the White House on June 1, 2020 as demonstrations against George Floyd's death continue. (Photo illustration by Salon/Getty Images)
Trump voters wanted this all along — now the trolling has turned to real-world violence
Right-wingers were thrilled because Trump "triggers the liberals" — now that trigger has become literal
https://www.salon.com/2020/06/02/trump-voters-wanted-this-all-along--now-the-trolling-has-turned-to-real-world-violence/
We’ve Now Entered the Final Phase of the Trump Era
The president is stuck in a vicious downward spiral.
https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2020/06/weve-now-entered-the-final-phase-of-the-trump-era/612508/
Tiffany Trump joins #blackoutTuesday movement in solidarity with George Floyd protesters
https://www.foxnews.com/media/tiffany-trump-blackouttuesday-instagram
Tiffany Trump joins #blackoutTuesday movement in solidarity with George Floyd protesters
https://www.foxnews.com/media/tiffany-trump-blackouttuesday-instagram
9 states, DC vote amid coronavirus pandemic, social unrest
https://apnews.com/aa5a751ddc42b072efb74f0f49b50025
All four former officers involved in George Floyd's killing now face charges, Sen. Klobuchar says
https://www.cnn.com/2020/06/03/us/george-floyd-officers-charges/index.html
Biden blows past Trump in betting markets as protests over police brutality continue
https://www.cnbc.com/2020/06/03/biden-takes-lead-over-trump-in-2020-presidential-race-betting-markets.html
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-minneapolis-police-poll-exclusive/exc...
https://www.statesman.com/news/20200603/quinnipiac-poll-trump-biden-too-...
I was only in the bunker for 'an inspection'.
https://www.newsmax.com/us/white-house-bunker/2020/06/03/id/970336/
Unidentified military personnel extend perimeter around the White House
https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/500964-un-identified-military-personnel-extend-perimeter-around-the-white
Virginia governor to announce removal of Robert E. Lee statue in Richmond
https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/501021-virginia-governor-to-announce-removal-of-robert-e-lee-statue-in-richmond
Not too shabby for a guy who has not even started campaigning yet.
Poll: Biden opens up 11-point lead on Trump nationwide
The survey indicated that the nationwide unrest over the past week is weighing on the minds of a significant slice of voters.
https://www.politico.com/news/2020/06/03/joe-biden-trump-poll-monmouth-298470
Trump's ludicrous photo-op episode was no Churchill moment
https://www.cnn.com/2020/06/03/opinions/trumps-photo-op-not-churchillian-dantonio/index.html
Why 'Biden is the Worst Candidate' (and vid)
https://twitter.com/georgegalloway/status/1268422536712372225
Chris Hedges on the 2020 election and 'awful' Biden: '100 million people don't vote, the system is fixed against them...(Must hear!)
Voter turnout will be the highest since 2008, which was the highest since 1968, before 18-21 year old's got the right to vote.
GOP senator says she's 'struggling' on whether to back Trump
Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska broke with many of her Republican colleagues Thursday, applauding an op-ed by General James Mattis that condemned President Donald Trump's actions this week.
"When I saw General Mattis' comments yesterday I felt like perhaps we are getting to a point where we can be more honest with the concerns that we might hold internally and have the courage of our own convictions to speak up," Murkowksi said on Capitol Hill.
The comments were a stark contrast to many of her other Republican colleagues on Capitol Hill who argued that while Mattis had a right to disagree with Trump, they didn't agree with Mattis' assessment.
"I was really thankful. I thought General Mattis' words were true, and honest and necessary and overdue," Murkowski said. "And, I have been struggling for the right words, and I was encouraged a couple of nights ago when I was able to read what President Bush had written. And I found that to be empowering for me as one leader."
https://www.cnn.com/2020/06/04/politics/lisa-murkowski-mattis-trump-reaction/index.html
Donald Trump faces an unprecedented revolt
Gun-toting members of the Boogaloo movement are showing up at protests
https://www.cnn.com/2020/06/03/us/boogaloo-extremist-protests-invs/index.html
What a surprise!
https://www.politico.com/news/2020/06/04/google-hackers-trump-biden-camp...
Don't hold your breathe!
https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/if-republicans-are-ever-going-turn-...
Panic time!
Trump meets with top campaign aides as reelection fears rise
https://www.cnn.com/2020/06/04/politics/trump-campaign-re-election-meeting/index.html
Re: #382 Quotes by an American Psycho General James 'Mad Dog' Mattis:
"I come in peace. I didn't bring artillery. But I'm pleading with you with tears in my eyes. And if you fuck with me I will kill you all." - Gulf War - to Iraqi officers.
"There are hunters and there are victims. By your discipline, cunning, obedience and alertness, you will decide if you are a hunter or a victim. It's really a lot of fun. You're going to have a blast out here." - Iraq - advice to Marines
" It's quite fun to shoot them you know. It's a hell of a hoot. There are some assholes in the world that just need to be shot. It's fun to shoot some people." On fighting Afghans.
March on Washington Friday, August 28, 2020
https://www.cnn.com/2020/06/04/politics/al-sharpton-geroge-floyd-march-o...
https://www.salon.com/2020/06/04/yale-psychiatrist-trumps-displays-of-fa...
Biden says Trump putting words in George Floyd's mouth is 'despicable'
https://www.cnn.com/2020/06/05/politics/joe-biden-economy-speech/index.html
Now a 12% spread!
How unpopular is Donald Trump?
An updating calculation of the president's approval rating, accounting for each poll's quality, recency, sample size and partisan lean. How this works »
https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/trump-approval-ratings/?ex_cid=rrpromo
https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2020/06/05/protests-washington-dc...
https://www.salon.com/2020/06/05/collins-misses-trumps-visit-to-maine-af...
This is how Trump steals the election
It's time to talk about this. Now, before Trump or anyone else attempts to pull an October — or November — surprise
https://www.salon.com/2020/03/16/this-is-how-trump-steals-the-election/
Is the Crisis Putting the Republican Senate in Jeopardy?
If you look at history, Trump isn't the only politician who the crisis could take down.
https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2020/06/06/crisis-republican-senate-jeopardy-304278
Ivanka Trump complains of 'cancel culture' after university cancels her speech
WSU Tech stops first daughter’s commencement speech amid criticism of Donald Trump’s response to George Floyd protests
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/jun/06/ivanka-trump-cancel-culture-kansas-speech
'We know what we have to lose now': Pandemic, protests could tilt Michigan Biden's way
Still, the presumptive Democratic nominee can't afford to take the African American vote for granted, voters and Democratic strategists said.
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2020-election/we-know-what-we-have-lose-now-pandemic-protests-could-n1225141
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/global-opinions/how-trumps-faile...
Here's a number that should terrify every Republican on the ballot this fall
https://www.cnn.com/2020/06/08/politics/generic-ballot-house-democrats-republicans/index.html
13% spread now. Wow!
How unpopular is Donald Trump?
An updating calculation of the president's approval rating, accounting for each poll's quality, recency, sample size and partisan lean. How this works »
https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/trump-approval-ratings/?ex_cid=rrpromo
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