[TobyD]

How will this be spun come election time...

"I don't take any responsibility." He's already said it.

And, he will blame the Chinese or Iranians and any other country he can remember the name of.

On the plus side, Biden is actually sounding reasonably credible. Although that probably means he won't get elected. 

[spidermonkey09]

On the plus side, Biden is actually sounding reasonably credible. Although that probably means he won't get elected.

If the election even happens. Situation is perfect for an autocratic leader to delay the election.

[TobyD]

On the plus side, Biden is actually sounding reasonably credible. Although that probably means he won't get elected.

If the election even happens. Situation is perfect for an autocratic leader to delay the election.

Yep, like I said a few posts ago. I think it's a real possibility.

[TobyD]

 In possibly a new low even for Trump he's backing the 2 republican senators who have been blatantly insider trading, selling off a shitload of shares after a CV 19 briefing just before they all crashed. Disgusting.

[TobyD]

https://www.newstatesman.com/world/north-america/2020/03/america-pandemic-response-swine-flu-avian

[SA Chris]

Thanks for sharing, piss now boiling.

[TobyD]

Thanks for sharing, piss now boiling.

I'm not sure I really understand piss now boiling but I imagine you're probably not in favour of Trump's elimination of any structure that might have been useful in just this situation...

[SA Chris]

Precisely. I never thought i could think worse of the guy, but he keeps on outdoing himself.

[tomtom]

Amazing isn’t it.

In many ways CV19 was a golden opportunity to guarantee re-election. Do what Boris did - committee chair the experts - go and do some PR unpacking PPe boxes at an airforce base etc.. post some fake pics of self isolation in the White House etx. Etc.. etc...

But no. The Ego gets the better of him. Still Teflon don etc...

[tomtom]

Didn’t Clinton bemoan that there was never a war or major crisis on during his watch - so he didn’t have any real presidential challenges?

Aside from servicing his libido of course. 😂

[TobyD]

Ah the almost daily opportunity for good old Donald to prove that he really is a vile, craven excuse for a human being. 


Trump accused of using coronavirus briefing as corporate advertising spot
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/mar/30/donald-trump-coronavirus-briefing-ceos-my-pillow?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Copy_to_clipboard

[moose]

... and as if things couldn't be more depressing, Trump's approval rating is at its highest value since the start of his Presidency.

[Oldmanmatt]

... and as if things couldn't be more depressing, Trump's approval rating is at its highest value since the start of his Presidency.

Beggars belief that even the dumbest Redneck can’t see what he is.

But, it nothing new. Desperate people, will cling to the illusion of personal exceptionalism and whoever supports their view.

Conmen and Hucksters have thrived on human misery, since forever.

[mrjonathanr]

Yes but.. there’s a tendency to support leaders in times of crisis, a tendency to rally round YOUR man when things go pear-shaped, and in any case for the evangelicals and white supremacists, there’s really only one game in town. Throw in those poorly informed and suspicious of ‘fake news media’ ( or ‘main stream media’ if you’re a Brit) and there’s a sizeable chunk of the electorate right there.

[moose]

Yes but.. there’s a tendency to support leaders in times of crisis, a tendency to rally round YOUR man when things go pear-shaped, and in any case for the evangelicals and white supremacists, there’s really only one game in town. Throw in those poorly informed and suspicious of ‘fake news media’ ( or ‘main stream media’ if you’re a Brit) and there’s a sizeable chunk of the electorate right there.

True.  The 538 podcast on Trump's approval rating notes that his bump is less than that of the other national leaders, and less than that of US regional leaders (Governors and Mayors) - so its magnitude could be viewed as a negative sign (all depends on how long it persists relative to the electoral cycle).

[Oldmanmatt]

Yes but.. there’s a tendency to support leaders in times of crisis, a tendency to rally round YOUR man when things go pear-shaped, and in any case for the evangelicals and white supremacists, there’s really only one game in town. Throw in those poorly informed and suspicious of ‘fake news media’ ( or ‘main stream media’ if you’re a Brit) and there’s a sizeable chunk of the electorate right there.

True.  The 538 podcast on Trump's approval rating notes that his bump is less than that of the other national leaders, and less than that of US regional leaders (Governors and Mayors) - so its magnitude could be viewed as a negative sign (all depends on how long it persists relative to the electoral cycle).

They’ll still be burying their grandparents, almost up to their election.

I can’t see it having no effect.

The “citizen  journalists” (aka Tossers) that run out to find the quietest view of their local hospitals, to try and promote the view that the whole thing is a faked up conspiracy; are a little sickening.

There’s a vocal anti-vaxer on one of Polly’s breastfeeding groups (Polly was a peer supporter for years), who is loudly protesting the entirety of germ theory.
Essentially accusing the entire world’s medical community of engaging in mass slaughter for “population control” reasons.

They’re out there and they vote.
(Fortunately, that one is Canadian (and is getting ripped apart by other members of the group)).

[duncan]

Yes but.. there’s a tendency to support leaders in times of crisis, a tendency to rally round YOUR man when things go pear-shaped, and in any case for the evangelicals and white supremacists, there’s really only one game in town. Throw in those poorly informed and suspicious of ‘fake news media’ ( or ‘main stream media’ if you’re a Brit) and there’s a sizeable chunk of the electorate right there.

It's also easy for cynical Brits. to underestimate non-evangelical/white supremacist Americans' heartfelt patriotism and how much the president - any president - embodies the country and benefits from this patriotism. It makes unseating any incumbent an uphill struggle.

[andy popp]

Yes but.. there’s a tendency to support leaders in times of crisis, a tendency to rally round YOUR man when things go pear-shaped, and in any case for the evangelicals and white supremacists, there’s really only one game in town. Throw in those poorly informed and suspicious of ‘fake news media’ ( or ‘main stream media’ if you’re a Brit) and there’s a sizeable chunk of the electorate right there.

It's also easy for cynical Brits. to underestimate non-evangelical/white supremacist Americans' heartfelt patriotism and how much the president - any president - embodies the country and benefits from this patriotism. It makes unseating any incumbent an uphill struggle.

True, but it's to be found across the political spectrum and can be complex. I have friends who are very progressive and fervently anti-Trump but also openly describe themselves as proudly patriotic in a way that it is very hard to imagine someone equivalently left-wing in Britain doing. They view resisting Trump as their patriotic duty (and one of them is a direct descendant of John Jay, one of the signees of the Declaration of Independence).

[Andy F]

This open letter from Tommy Lee (Motley Crew drummer) is gold:
https://twitter.com/ReesusP/status/1246096957451321344?s=09

[TobyD]

A somewhat depressing look into Trump's latest appointment to the White House:
'We won't see coronavirus here' ... and other gems from Trump's new press secretary
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/apr/08/kayleigh-mcenany-donald-trump-press-secretary-quotes?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Copy_to_clipboard

Trump's behaviour at press briefings seems even more erratic than usual, if that's possible. He's a bit of a throwback and famously eats lots of burgers, perhaps he's finally got mad cow disease?

[TobyD]

Popcorn-munchers now just have Biden's choice of running-mate to think about. Amy Klobuchar or Kamala Harris are both talked about - both seem like good choices to me.

Yes, it's surely a good idea for US politics to have a few major figures who are less than 70?
Hopefully the Democrats can pull something together.  They don't really seem to be getting any exposure over here at least,  but aware that doesn't mean much as to how people are likely to vote.

With a president who has taken to advertising old malarial prophylaxis youd have thought people would vote for anything else. 

[TobyD]

Absolutely crazy,  even by his standards. Heard some of the briefing on the news, he genuinely behaves like a seven year old  bully. Looks likely he'll fire Fauci in the next few weeks. 

Trump claims 'total authority' and attacks media in chaotic coronavirus briefing

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/apr/13/trump-us-coronavirus-briefing-latest-media?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Copy_to_clipboard

[andy popp]

The GOP dominated Wisconsin Supreme Court forced last week's state elections to go ahead despite the pandemic and shutdown. Today, it's announced a conservative incumbent on that Supreme Court was beaten by a progressive Democrat challenger. A small glimmer. The result could make it harder for Republicans to purge voter rolls ahead of November (the extent of blatant voter disenfranchisement in the US is astonishing). Moreover, Wisconsin, along with Michigan and PA, was central to Trump's win by 2016. Only one result but maybe a sign that voters are willing to turn out, even at considerable risk.

[Oldmanmatt]

It was striking how many networks cut away from his address before he finished speaking and took apart his statements.
Even Fox is looking at him sideways.

[TobyD]

It was striking how many networks cut away from his address before he finished speaking and took apart his statements.
Even Fox is looking at him sideways.

And the Wall Street Journal according to the BBC report. The way he speaks to journalists is horrible