U.S. Presidential debate

Well - Trump has chickened out of anther debate after the definite feelings that Harris bested him

www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cn9l9500vg7o

Thats not how he framed it though...

"Donald Trump has ruled out another presidential debate against his rival Kamala Harris before November's election.
He said on Thursday - two days after the pair's first showdown in Philadelphia - that Harris only wanted a rematch because he "clearly" won.
Several instant polls taken after Tuesday's contest indicated voters felt Harris had performed better than her Republican opponent.
Trump added that Harris should instead "focus" on her job as vice-president."

NotSpaghetti

Someone above said there were equal votes for the Democrats and the Republicans.

Since 2008 the Democrats have won the popular vote.

www.statista.com/statistics/1035521/popular-votes-republican-democratic-parties-since-1828/

Yes - USA citizens have so many different offices to vote on (state stuff, local stuff, federal stuff) -but presidential elections are within the Electoral College system which is the reason for all the to do in the so called "key states"

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Electoral_College

year on year it gives the same pro republican bias.

RosiesMaw2 I could have written your post. Has the world gone mad!

Someone above said there were equal votes for the Democrats and the Republicans.

Since 2008 the Democrats have won the popular vote.

www.statista.com/statistics/1035521/popular-votes-republican-democratic-parties-since-1828/

Wyllow3 The debates around independence seem to me to centre around Federal versus State Law. States can and do control the minutiae of everyday life (like what can be taught in schools, Womens rights to control personal healthcare). Republicans in some states are far from "valuing independence".

Of course, it's all in how one defines independence.

Republicans seem to prefer to shy away from world affairs - leave NATO, leave the Paris agreement (preferring fracking and pipeline oil). They seem to want their guns - don't see a need for interference of gun control. They appear disinterested in national health insurance (Obamacare or other concepts).

Republicans are perhaps a "pick oneself up by bootstrap" mentality - not caring for cradle to grave social policies. Democrats being opposite.

Wyllow3 you are right, of course. I'm not sure that Trump has any policies, he's trying to distance himself from abortion rights and project 2025 because he realises that both are problematic for many voters. His debating tactics are based on personal attack and insults rather than policy evidenced by his performance at the debate with KH, unfortunately he's unable to take what he dishes out. His strongest suit is talking about cost of living and inflation however his isolationist policy would add to that. I'd like to hear why people might vote for him because I can't think of any reasons.

Race (or male/female vote) is Identity politics and as such both parties are continually concerned with getting out this or that group of voters.

The debates around independence seem to me to centre around Federal versus State Law. States can and do control the minutiae of everyday life (like what can be taught in schools, Womens rights to control personal healthcare). Republicans in some states are far from "valuing independence".

In terms of voting for Trump it's my observation from the posters above that we are not so much discussing policy but Trumps suitability and ability to be POTUS, however

nanna8

Well I think we all seem to be in agreement about the candidates for once. Hallelujah. Rare occasion. 🥂

Many on GN feel as you do.

However, Americans are fairly evenly divided - it's close.

Washington Post by Dan Balz
September 9, 2023 at 12:54 p.m. EDT
In a polarized United States, what divides Democrats and Republicans the most isn’t gender or education or income or religion. It is the issue of race, whether in regard to the backgrounds of the voters who make up the two parties’ coalitions, or the conflicting agendas and priorities each side advocates in the pursuit of power.

I'd also think independence from governmental interference (Socialism as opposed to capitalism). Remember, the colonies valued independence rather than interference - still valued today.

Well, you just about covered it there Galaxy 🤣

I know it's really hard but people think differently to you, they may for example oppose abortion, they may loathe identity politics, they may think the gender treatment of children in America will be seen in the future as barbaric. They may be wary of a party who lied about Biden (yes I know Trump lies but it's not really a gotcha after the Democrats behaviour) they may surprisingly not want to vote for people who view them as stupid. All sorts of reasons why people may vote Trump.

I know you do, from previous posts, it just beggars belief. Why do you hope that? Specifically?

Would you be happy to tell us why you wish this, FriedGreenTomatoes?

I wouldnt vote if I was American. I couldnt, they both stand for things I find abhorrent.

nanna8

Well I think we all seem to be in agreement about the candidates for once. Hallelujah. Rare occasion. 🥂

I’m bucking the trend.
I hope Trump wins. 😁

MaizieD

^even so Harris is gaining support and should win comfortably^

I sincerely hope you're right about this, David. UK commentators are being very cagey about predicting a Harris win.

Boris Johnson, writing for the Daily Mail back in January, is fully behind Trump.

Apparently, his return to the White House could be just what the world needs.

It appears that those who oppose Trump are part of the "global wokerati". Whatever that is.

Both Johnson and Trump have their supporters here in the UK. Which I find unsettling.

foxie48

Trump has announced that he convincingly won the debate with KH so he has no need to do another one. Typical narcissist reaction to losing!

I think he's sufficiently deranged to genuinely believe it.

This is a personal battle that Trump's towering ego can't lose.

Trump has announced that he convincingly won the debate with KH so he has no need to do another one. Typical narcissist reaction to losing!

We were touring USA this time of year during the Trump v Clinton elections, DH likes to chat with the bartenders and taxi drivers and we were both amazed at how the Trump supporters back then hung on his every word. It was like he was the second coming. Those who were for Hilary Clinton appeared more articulate and knowledgeable (yes I know it’s just what we found and not a scientific experiment)

DH vowed never to set foot in the US while he was POTUS, and we didn’t. I hope Kamala wins on a purely selfish level as I have plans to go to Disney with AC and GC.

The most worrying thing about Trump to me is that he is totally unpredictable, you never know what he is going to say and do. Added to the mix is I am not sure he would continue to support Ukraine but I guess he will continue to arm Israel and egg-on Netanyahu.

even so Harris is gaining support and should win comfortably

I sincerely hope you're right about this, David. UK commentators are being very cagey about predicting a Harris win.

Trump seems to be less and less credible to us in the UK, he still has a lot of support in rural USA, even so Harris is gaining support and should win comfortably

There isn’t going to be the disorder that Trump supporters caused last election, security services will be well prepared this time - the democrats have control of security

MaizieD

^Yes, if he loses - he will insist it was another "Steal". God help America, and the rest of us in fact.^

I would suspect that the Democrats are well aware of the mayhem he will try to cause and I would hope that they would have contingence plans to deal with it. In the last resort, if Harris wins, they will be in command of the security forces and the police. it gives them an advantage...

Yes, I thought about that too.

I'm sure Security will be briefed.

Who knows what might happen though between now and November - Trump appears to become more unstable each time he appears, KH has really got under his skin.

Without wanting to seem over-dramatic, I do believe he's a very dangerous man - not least because of the zeal (for want of a better word) of some of his more 'out there' supporters, notably The Proud Boys and their affiliated groups.

static01.nyt.com/images/2021/01/05/us/05transition-brief-proud-boys/05transition-brief-proud-boys-superJumbo-v2.jpg?quality=90&auto=webp

... just look at them, with their bullet-proof vests and T shirts slogans, "Liberty or Death"...

Norah

Allira

Norah

Perhaps JD Vance regrets cat lady remarks.

(Cartoon from The Economist)

Well, Trumps reckons immigrants eat cats and dogs 🤔

He does.

Making the cartoon extra funny, as he reckons Taylor Swift 'will pay a price in the Marketplace' - I suspect she does well without his approval.

Taylor Swift is probably more popular than Trump could ever dream of!

Love the cartoon Norah

What more can Trump do to convince the Americans that he is 24 carat bonkers?
(As well as being a criminal and a sex pest)

By rights KH should be a shoo-in.

Allira

Norah

Perhaps JD Vance regrets cat lady remarks.

(Cartoon from The Economist)

Well, Trumps reckons immigrants eat cats and dogs 🤔

He does.

Making the cartoon extra funny, as he reckons Taylor Swift 'will pay a price in the Marketplace' - I suspect she does well without his approval.

Norah

Perhaps JD Vance regrets cat lady remarks.

(Cartoon from The Economist)

Well, Trumps reckons immigrants eat cats and dogs 🤔