All purpose news and politics thread part VI: This Is Not The Time For Posing

[Tami]

They would have needed the codes to do anything with it.

So... unless they tortured that intel out of Pence before hanging them, they couldn't make it a real asset. And if it was, they could have literally held the country hostage with it.

Jesus, isn't this similar to the plot of Escape from New York, or...?

If North Korea or Russia or even China got their hands on it, who knows what might happen. Maybe nothing, maybe something none of us what to think about. Remember that one woman who wanted to sell Pelosi's laptop to the Russians?

[CSTowle]

Is there another politician that's despised by both parties as Mitch is?

I intensely dislike the man, but a good deal of the hatred for him comes from his competence and ability to get things done. Even if that mostly includes making sure nothing ever gets done.

[Gray Lensman]

Ted Cruz has got to be in competition for this spot.

Ted Cruz is the runaway winner. McConnell has success backing him up against any Republican backlash. Despite what people on the left or in the center may think of him, Mitch is a very effective politician for the current climate of bitter tribalism and has delivered the goods/stymied the opposition better than most others are likely capable of. Trump wouldn't have done nearly as much damage if the Republican leader in the Senate was someone like Cruz or Rubio, and certainly not if that person was someone with a modicum of principals like Romney.

[WestPhillyPunisher]

Ted Cruz is the runaway winner. McConnell has success backing him up against any Republican backlash. Despite what people on the left or in the center may think of him, Mitch is a very effective politician for the current climate of bitter tribalism and has delivered the goods/stymied the opposition better than most others are likely capable of. Trump wouldn't have done nearly as much damage if the Republican leader in the Senate was someone like Cruz or Rubio, and certainly not if that person was someone with a modicum of principals like Romney.

Cruz has been despised ever since Trump insulted his wife and intimated that his father was involved with JFK's assassination back in 2016 and not only didn't punch Trump's lights out, he became one Donald's most fervent asskissers, second only to Lindsey Graham who I feel is even more hated than Cruz by the left.

[Godzilla2099]

Cruz has been despised ever since Trump insulted his wife and intimated that his father was involved with JFK's assassination back in 2016 and not only didn't punch Trump's lights out, he became one Donald's most fervent asskissers, second only to Lindsey Graham who I feel is even more hated than Cruz by the left.

This is why Cruz wins that award for the 'stereotypical sleeze-bag politician'

It was an eye-roller watching that clip of Lindsey changing his opinion about 5 times on Donald Trump, but Cruz? Trump posted slanderous pictures of his wife and said his father participated in JFK's Assassination. Any normal man would fight the guy for having his woman and family disrespected. Its just pathetic beyond words. A jellyfish has more of a spine.

[babyblob]

Cruz has been despised ever since Trump insulted his wife and intimated that his father was involved with JFK's assassination back in 2016 and not only didn't punch Trump's lights out, he became one Donald's most fervent asskissers, second only to Lindsey Graham who I feel is even more hated than Cruz by the left.

Graham is hated. but he also changes his view depending on the latest polls and the mood of The Senate over all. Like on the 6th he was outraged at what had happened and said there should be no challenges after that when they resumed. Someone needs to be help accountable etc... but then like two days later he was all for the challenges because questions need to be asked and all that crap. Then going from Trump needs to say something at the trial to there needs to be no witnesses to voting for witnesses. And going from hating Trump to going to meet with him in the next few days.

Cruz may be more hated but at least he has jumped on the Trump train and stayed there no changing, no im sorry. Graham changes his mind hour to hour. So maybe not the most hated but the biggest flip flopper.

[Gray Lensman]

Cruz is also hated by the Republicans who serve with him. The quote about being acquired by a vote of 99-0 for killing Cruz on the Senate floor is from the second most spineless person in the body, Lindsay Graham.

Cruz keeps winning elections for a few reasons. He takes steps to ensure no one can primary him from further to the right so he gets to the general election, where his own campaign discipline and party tribalism take care of the rest.

Cruz even managed to turn the debate challenge of "say something positive about your opponent" into another attack. The guy was a good lawyer, so he knows how to twist words. He only comes across as stupid now because he knows the audience he is playing to will reward him for it.

[Tendrin]

I intensely dislike the man, but a good deal of the hatred for him comes from his competence and ability to get things done. Even if that mostly includes making sure nothing ever gets done.

You don't have to be talented to throw a wrench in the works, you just have to be utterly amoral, indifferent, and faithless.

[Jack Dracula]

Is there another politician that's despised by both parties as Mitch is?

May as well ask if there's one cancer cell you hate more.
They're all just opportunists looking to exploit the moral degradation of their party for their own gain.

[Iron Maiden]

They would have needed the codes to do anything with it.

So... unless they tortured that intel out of Pence before hanging them, they couldn't make it a real asset. And if it was, they could have literally held the country hostage with it.

Jesus, isn't this similar to the plot of Escape from New York, or...?

I would have to think that whoever the guy is carrying it would be armed and would shoot to kill anyone that tried to take it from him.

[kidfresh512]

I would have to think that whoever they guy is carrying it would be armed and would shoot to kill anyone that tried to take it from him.

Exactly. The secret service doesnt play. I think the "restraint" used by Capital police etc. and not just mowing the insurrectionists down was noticeable. But If they had gotten within range for Secret service to have to act they would have been more Ashley Babbit type DOA. That doesnt diminish the danger of the mob, but a lot of those guys would have been taken out.

[Iron Maiden]

I'll try to be diplomatic about this my suspicion is that any time Lindsey Graham gets brave, like he was right after January 6th, someone in Trumps's circle or maybe Trump himself reminds this "confirmed bachelor" why it would not be in his best interests to be disloyal.

[Tami]

I'll try to be diplomatic about this my suspicion is that any time Lindsey Graham gets brave, like he was right after January 6th, someone in Trumps's circle or maybe Trump himself reminds this "confirmed bachelor" why it would not be in his best interests to be disloyal.

Seriously, everyone already knows, it's not big secret. There has to be something even more egregious hiding in his closet then just himself.

[Iron Maiden]

Seriously, everyone already knows, it's not big secret. There has to be something even more egregious hiding in his closet then just himself.

In politics, that would be enough. He would risk losing his seat in the Senate.

[zinderel]

So, with the GQP doing exactly what we all knew they would do - play victims, not take this trial seriously, help the defense with their case, not bother to show up to trial dates, and, most egregiously, vote to acquit Trump no matter what we all saw him do over the last four years, and all without an ounce of shame - and revealing their inherent corruption and failure as human beings and Americans to the world, is ANYONE here still proud to be a member of the GQP? Do you still think there's anything worth saving, there?

Do you HONESTLY think they did their job to the best of their ability?
Do you think it's fine that they refuse to do their job, but still get rich off of it?

And remember, their job, the one they got hired to do, is NOT 'do whatever it takes to keep the GOP in power.' Their job is to represent ALL of us, and work to make the lives of ALL Americans better. Nowhere in the job description for the US Legislature does it list 'catering to the lunatic fringe' or 'siphoning money from the working class into the pockets of the the ultra-wealthy predator class'...

Every time I think they can't sink lower as a group, they pull out shovels and prove me wrong.