All Purpose News and Politics Thread Part IV: The Center Cannot Hold

[PaulBullion]

But that is an argument she used to win the primary and she lost to Trump. So how was she the pragmatic choice?

Let me guess: It's your opinion that she did that, so you are entitled to it, even though she didn't do that.

[jetengine]

The Last Jedi is the best Star Wars since Empire.

Its funny actually, the one thing I really like about that movie alot of people hate

[Gray Lensman]

Its frankly insane how ludicrously shitty the GOP became in 70 years.

It IS frightening, especially when you consider that Teddy might be the greatest peacetime president the country ever had (even if he was one of the absolute worst ex-presidents), and adding in that all 3 of the 'before-Barry' presidents on the list were willing to take on (or at least warn against) the power of big business, makes one wonder exactly how they transformed so completely into what the party was originally fighting against.

[PaulBullion]

Good news is: Ratcliffe's nomination did not survive the limelight. Too many lies.

Who's next? Nunes?

[Tami]

Good news is: Ratcliffe's nomination did not survive the limelight. Too many lies.

Who's next? Nunes?

I think Trump might get some pressure from Republicans to find an nominee with actual NI experience.

[Kirby101]

Good news is: Ratcliffe's nomination did not survive the limelight. Too many lies.

Who's next? Nunes?

Probably someone who plays a spy on TV.

[Gray Lensman]

I think Trump might get some pressure from Republicans to find an nominee with actual NI experience.

Coates actually had none when he took the job, but he played to his strengths and in the end, was pushed out for doing what he was supposed to do - speaking the truth. More than anything else, Trump wants a sycophant who will tell him what he wants to hear and will suppress those he perceives as enemies (those who remind him his fantasies aren't the actual truth).

[PaulBullion]

Coates actually had none when he took the job, but he played to his strengths and in the end, was pushed out for doing what he was supposed to do - speaking the truth. More than anything else, Trump wants a sycophant who will tell him what he wants to hear and will suppress those he perceives as enemies (those who remind him his fantasies aren't the actual truth).

Coats was a Senator for 10 years and served on the United States Senate Select Committee on Intelligence while in the U.S. Senate. He also gained foreign experience as ambassador to Germany.

I'd say that counts. And Ratcliffe only has a fraction of that, which is why he padded his CV.

[WestPhillyPunisher]

Good news is: Ratcliffe's nomination did not survive the limelight. Too many lies.

Who's next? Nunes?

Don’t forget Leningrad Lindsey. This might be his big chance to join the Abominable Administration.

[worstblogever]

A bit of a followup on Tulsi Gabbard regarding her Syria stance...

On three different cable channels since the last debate, she either refused to criticize Assad when asked, or without being asked, expressed disbelief that he gassed his own people.

Meanwhile, you may have heard that post-debate, more internet searches were done about her than any other candidate, and her attack on Kamala Harris was getting much discussion...
Russian bots are helping Tulsi Gabbard trend on social media. Again, make of this what you will.

[Gray Lensman]

Coats was a Senator for 10 years and served on the United States Senate Select Committee on Intelligence while in the U.S. Senate. He also gained foreign experience as ambassador to Germany.

I'd say that counts. And Ratcliffe only has a fraction of that, which is why he padded his CV.

Coats had far less experience than his predecessors, who mainly worked directly in the intelligence field. He did as well as he could considering who he was answering to in the end. Ratcliffe's main drawbacks aren't from his lack of experience though (which probably demonstrates what a bad idea he was), that's just another knock against him. Let's face it, Trump likely cares nothing for for anyone's resume anymore outside of how loyal that person is to Trump. Relevant experience is only an asset if it enables the person to better advance Trump's agenda and protect him from any shred of independence left in the department.

[Sacred Knight]

Outside of a brief moment or two in Debate 2, Biden got absolutely killed in both. How is he still in the lead by such a commanding margin?

[ed2962]

Its funny actually, the one thing I really like about that movie alot of people hate

Which is what?

[ed2962]

Outside of a brief moment or two in Debate 2, Biden got absolutely killed in both. How is he still in the lead by such a commanding margin?

Nostalgia, a desire for normalcy, and some believing he's the "pragmatic" choice.

[Theleviathan]

Outside of a brief moment or two in Debate 2, Biden got absolutely killed in both. How is he still in the lead by such a commanding margin?

To echo some other thoughts: Biden's popularity is entirely tied to his ability to beat Trump and return to the good years of Obama. Debate attacks about policies or things he said 40 years ago aren't going to dent that.