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Posted by: Doctor Blind 20th January 2021, 10:29 AM

It's Inauguration Day!

Joe Biden will be sworn in as the 46th President of the United States later today. President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris are expected to take the oath of office at around 5pm GMT (Midday EST).

Please continue discussion of US Politics here.

Posted by: Iz 💀 20th January 2021, 10:45 AM

Hoping that there is no violence in the Capitol today and that everything proceeds as planned.

Ridiculous pardons from Trump yesterday in showing up the really unusual powers of the President but should all be in the past very soon.

Posted by: Santa Haus 20th January 2021, 10:48 AM

A big day today and one that hopefully shifts the tide to a more united USA / world.

It starts with changes such as:

Posted by: Klaus 20th January 2021, 11:00 AM

Posted by: SnowQween 20th January 2021, 11:08 AM

A day that could not have come soon enough. Even (especially?) in the dying days of his presidency, Trump has proven to be utterly unfit for the role.

I'm hopeful that Biden can truly see through a lot of his agenda, it won't be easy, but I think he needs to take the ''if this were a Republican as president they wouldn't hesitate to do whatever they wanted'' approach. Assuming of course Mitch decides to be an immovable wall for the next 2 years, which seems sadly inevitable.

Posted by: T Boy 20th January 2021, 01:00 PM

Realy hoping it all runs smoothly. This should be a great day for America.

Posted by: jsweetxe 20th January 2021, 01:07 PM

I believe since it's 1pm, Trump has officially been removed from the Presidency, no?

Then at 5pm it's the official inauguration?

Couldn't come quick enough!

Posted by: awardinary 20th January 2021, 01:08 PM

This will be only the seventh sitting US president in my lifetime.

Posted by: Chez Wombat 20th January 2021, 01:15 PM

I believe Trump's still technically president until the moment Biden is sworn in so not until 5pm our time, but hey, four more hours.

Ridiculous pardon list aside, let's hope this is the beginning of something better for America, hopefully, the only time we hear about Trump after this is when he's being charged for his crimes.

Posted by: T Boy 20th January 2021, 01:18 PM

Mine too just, and I’m slightly younger than you. Don’t forget as well, we’re also on our seventh prime minister.

Posted by: Suedehead2 20th January 2021, 01:40 PM

My 13th (I was four months old when JFK became president) so I hope he's not unlucky.

Posted by: Houdini 20th January 2021, 01:54 PM

Donald Trump has just finished chatting his usual BS and still refuses to verbally acknowledge Joe Biden as the next president.

Posted by: Auld Lang Wang 20th January 2021, 02:13 PM

Doesn't matter. He's gone! Let's hope the Democrats win in 2024 and keep Trumpism out for good.

He is talking about making a new party. If he does that, rhen the Democrats could also split into progressives and their current centre right one, making a four party system. But we'll see.

Posted by: awardinary 20th January 2021, 02:49 PM

I hadn’t actually realised that, it seemed like more to me, but upon checking, you’re right!

Posted by: Suedehead2 20th January 2021, 02:58 PM

The fact that we had four PMs in the 2010s made it seem that they never lasted very long

Posted by: SnowQween 20th January 2021, 04:00 PM

Quite a thing for Michael Pence to attend this and not the Trump send off this morning.

Posted by: Auld Lang Wang 20th January 2021, 04:10 PM

It's so on brand for his narcissim, but so pathetic, that Trump didn't attend. He'll use not attending as a line in his rallies for the next four yeara. "I won and didn't go to that FAKE INAUGURATION!!! I deserve two more terms now brcause of that!" and blah blah blah.

Posted by: common sense 20th January 2021, 04:26 PM

Anyone watching then? Snowing in DC.

Posted by: common sense 20th January 2021, 04:27 PM

He's left Joe a hand-written sealed letter but it's contents are top secret.

Posted by: T Boy 20th January 2021, 04:31 PM

If I were Biden, I’d just burn it now.

Posted by: Iz 💀 20th January 2021, 04:33 PM

I'm watching, though I don't really have any strong feelings on what's happened so far aside from to say that Roy Blunt's line about inaugurations being miraculous and commonplace was kinda cool rhetoric.

Assuming the Republicans like him and Pence who are there are removing themselves from the Trumpian poison and back to pretending they've always held democratic and bipartisan ideals.

Posted by: SnowQween 20th January 2021, 04:34 PM

So glad we got a nice dose of RELIGION in there

Posted by: Mx J00ps 20th January 2021, 04:49 PM

Great to watch. Weird as it is I feel empowered. Such a difference from the last one.

Posted by: SnowQween 20th January 2021, 05:00 PM

Definitely here for J Lo sneaking in a bit of Let’s Get Loud *.*

Posted by: Bré 20th January 2021, 05:01 PM

And the Trump presidency is now officially over.

Here's hoping for some more boring news for the next four years.

Posted by: b 20th January 2021, 05:05 PM

DonaldTrump was ejected.
0 Impostors remain.

Posted by: SnowQween 20th January 2021, 05:06 PM

He’s definitely REACHING in this speech (“we’ve never failed”) but it’s reassuring to hear a boring presidential speech again.

Posted by: Brett-Butler 20th January 2021, 05:08 PM

This, but with sincerity.

Posted by: common sense 20th January 2021, 05:15 PM

Have never ever seen a President sworn in earlier than noon. Was 11.48 this time. Wonder why that was. Thought his term began at noon.

Posted by: Houdini 20th January 2021, 05:16 PM

This caught me off guard as well, I guess Trump's presidency couldn't end soon enough

Posted by: TheSnake 20th January 2021, 05:18 PM

To be fair he did say he wished the next administration the best which was better than I was expecting from him.

Posted by: Chez Wombat 20th January 2021, 05:19 PM

Gosh, it feels good to have a decent, experienced human being here again showing genuine compassion for the country. Not quite the same I felt with Obama's speech, but I will never take that for granted again!

Posted by: TheSnake 20th January 2021, 05:21 PM

I wondered where those Spanish phrases she randomly spoke in the middle of her inauguration performance song were from? What is the English translation of what she said?

Posted by: SnowQween 20th January 2021, 05:21 PM

Which in itself sums up Trump. The most basic act of decency and courtesy is a SURPRISE.

Posted by: Auld Lang Wang 20th January 2021, 06:00 PM

!!!

Posted by: T Boy 20th January 2021, 06:13 PM

Not THAT secret!

Posted by: Mx J00ps 20th January 2021, 06:21 PM

Liberty, justice, one nation.
That's an approximation bc I can't recall exactly what she said.

Posted by: Mx J00ps 20th January 2021, 06:22 PM

Sooz Kempner is a gift

Posted by: Suedehead2 20th January 2021, 06:40 PM

Whatever trump's letter says, I doubt it will be anywhere near as dignified as the last one from a defeated president.

Posted by: SnowQween 20th January 2021, 06:42 PM

This has made my day and it was already a very good day

Posted by: common sense 20th January 2021, 06:44 PM

That's fake. Biden's not even at the WH yet as they've gone to Arlington to lay a wreath.

Posted by: Suedehead2 20th January 2021, 06:49 PM

I think we'd spotted that. There are rather a lot of clues.

I was surprised to read earlier this week that the letter to the incoming president is not a long-standing tradition. The first was from Reagan to Bush (who had been his VP for eight years) and it carried on from there.

Posted by: SnowQween 20th January 2021, 06:50 PM

Yes because it has legible handwriting and was written by someone who’s grasp of English didn’t peak at age 5.
Among other things.

Posted by: Auld Lang Wang 20th January 2021, 07:00 PM

Just a part of the constitution I think - one nation under god, indivisible, with liberty + justice fr all

Posted by: T Boy 20th January 2021, 07:26 PM

It’s interesting that you’re so ready to defend Trump that you don’t even know that we know it’s a joke.

Posted by: jsweetxe 20th January 2021, 07:27 PM

no it's real

Posted by: J00prstar 20th January 2021, 07:28 PM

no its becky

Posted by: Tawdry Hepburn 20th January 2021, 09:38 PM

Chris, with all due respect if you get any slower you'll stop.

Posted by: JSG 21st January 2021, 09:22 AM

I've been arguing with trump supporters all morning on Facebook.

One of my favourite comments is this...

Posted by: Dill Doe 21st January 2021, 02:11 PM

I notice Trump didn't do his rally at the same time as the inauguration, announcing he was running next time, as people said he would. I guess he can't risk saying or doing anything that makes McConnell impeach him. He has to be on best behaviour, for him, after the riot, because it only takes 15 Republicans to impeach him.

Posted by: common sense 21st January 2021, 03:02 PM

Trump's cost the US millions in his very final act by extending Secret Service protection by six months for ALL his children, their spouses and children, another 15 or so people. So Ivanka, Jared, their 5 kids, Tiffany and all the others will get it. Trump and Melania get it for life and Barron until he's 16.

Posted by: Doctor Blind 21st January 2021, 03:40 PM

You can't win unfortunately - I've had people trying to tell me that the insurrection was organised by Antifa and that BLM stormed the Capitol after Trump won in 2016. Facts don't matter to these people anyway- social media platforms are inadvertently designed to sow division, keep people apart and allow echo chambers to develop, all within a system whereby clicks generate revenue, and clicks are driven by, and rewarded for, highly contentious false information. I think sadly that once people are lost to this delusion (similar with Covid-19 being some worldwide 'global reset' conspiracy) there is no turning back - they look only for information that reinforces their view/opinion and disregard anything that contradicts it, no matter how much of it there is.

It did make me laugh that some Trump supporters have got the hump because Trump pardoned Eliyahu Weinstein (convicted conman) who had tricked them out of their money. All you can do is look on...

Anyway, glad to see that Biden's inauguration was reassuringly dull. A lot of https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-55738746 including rejoining the Paris Climate Agreement.

Posted by: SnowQween 21st January 2021, 03:49 PM

The people of Paris will be thrilled, Ted Cruz not so much.

Posted by: danuary 21st January 2021, 03:52 PM

I saw that Ted Cruz tweet, which would be hilarious if not for the unfortunate reality that his base will totally buy it.
yay for Biden already rejoining it anyhow.

Posted by: T Boy 21st January 2021, 03:52 PM

Complete waste of money.

Posted by: blacksquare 21st January 2021, 04:19 PM

It'll be interesting to see what the growing left/progressive base in his party push him on over the next four years — but this is a very good start. It's hard not to enjoy Biden undoing various things on day one.

#BidenErasedWomen is now trending in the UK — which says it all really.

Posted by: jsweetxe 21st January 2021, 04:34 PM

i haven't been on twitter all day but it seems that the UK TERFs are having a field day.

Posted by: b 21st January 2021, 05:03 PM

TERFs hear words "transgender" and "respect" in one sentence and get personally offended instantly. It's their superpower.

Posted by: common sense 21st January 2021, 05:19 PM

Totally agree. Probably just did that because he could to waste money. The only ones getting it now should be him and Melania, for life, unless she divorces him then hers ceases which I think is wrong as she could still be a target. She'd still be protected if he died so why not if they divorce? Also Barron until he's 16 and Pence and wife for 6 months although I read that Biden may increase that to much longer, even for life after all the threats he's had.

Posted by: T Boy 21st January 2021, 05:40 PM

Doing things like this is just one of the many reasons it’s so good he’s finally out.

Posted by: TheSnake 21st January 2021, 05:44 PM

It's interesting how both main parties in America are divided really in viewpoints at the moment between two factions within them, although I would say the Republican party more so at the moment than the Democrats.

Posted by: steve201 21st January 2021, 08:12 PM

So was Trump the symptom of the cause of US divisions?

Posted by: Doctor Blind 21st January 2021, 08:33 PM

I think he can be both- the divisions have always existed, just look at the delicate coalition that the US is between its rural interior and its (mainly) urban coastal fringes, and he clearly benefited from focussing on these to take advantage of this in 2016. Probably these divisions have increased as a direct result of the post-GFC world since 2008, and we have seen new divisions develop since, as we have elsewhere in the world - the UK (*cough* Brexit *cough*) being a massive example: in 1983 Thatcher won a majority of 18-24s, in 2019 the gap between the voting intentions of the youngest and oldest generations in society has NEVER been wider. So he was definitely a symptom, and like Brexit a political outcome for these divisions to coalesce around, however he has exacerbated and widened these to the point of destruction. We will never know how close the US came to a civil war, but I'm betting it was an awful lot closer than any of us dare realise.

Will these divisions continue beyond Trump's term, possibly- but I don't think it's inevitable that they will and Trump not being there gives us as good a shot as I'd hoped to change things.

Posted by: Suedehead2 21st January 2021, 08:52 PM

I'm surprised he didn't try and persuade the Trumpistsd that it was entirely for the benefit of Paris Hilton.

Posted by: common sense 21st January 2021, 10:14 PM

Apparently Trump told daughter Ivanka that if she dared to attend the inauguration he'd cut her, Jared and all their 5 children out of his will and they'd get nothing when he dies. She's had some money but stands to get a lot more. He pointed out that families, "the blood" stick together. She knew he meant it they were saying today on Sky News. I agree with him, family loyalty must always come first. She'd have stuck out like a sore thumb there.

Posted by: T Boy 21st January 2021, 10:32 PM

Well she wouldn’t have if her father had had the decency to show up himself.

Posted by: common sense 22nd January 2021, 12:04 AM

He didn't go because he honestly and truly believes the election was stolen from him. Would you have gone if you truly believed that and thought Biden shouldn't have been sworn in? I wouldn't have either. People have principles. I know a man along our street, a black cabbie, who's wife says was in tears yesterday and couldn't bear to watch any news. He firmly believes it was stolen too.

Posted by: TheSnake 22nd January 2021, 12:18 AM

I am not sure if Trump does truly believe it was stolen. And yes the news is upsetting at the moment - surely though because of the grim Covid figures much more than anything to do with US politics, no matter who you supported in the US election. I wonder can the man along your street bear to watch the news any day recently if he gets that upset about Trump leaving office?

Posted by: common sense 22nd January 2021, 12:21 AM

He didn't watch yesterday because of Biden being inaugurated. Trump losing has really affected him it seems. I watched it as I always watch them.

Posted by: Addy! 22nd January 2021, 12:30 AM

chris, do u believe the election was stolen?

also you do understand that Trump was hungry for power and he chose to believe that the election was stolen because he couldn't handle that 'sleepy' joe beat him and turned two red states blue (hence his childish behavior). The fact that Pence attended inauguration and ignoring Trump should teach all of you to accept the reality and move on.

He is dangerous and I hope and pray to energy that he ends up in prison for all the crimes he did and lastly for inciting insurrection. I hope and pray no person like him ever runs for president but I think that's a lot to ask considering he legit ignited the idea that any megalomaniac such as himself can run for president.

Posted by: TheSnake 22nd January 2021, 12:31 AM

OK I can understand its a sad time for Trump supporters, I do have some sympathy for them, and watching the news yesterday, I did have some sympathy for Trump's family who were at his at his final speech as President at what must have been a rather sad occasion for them. I was a bit harsh in my previous post: I am sure the man down the street is probably already as upset by the Covid pandemic as most people and being a Trump supporter yesterday just added to his upset on top of this.

Posted by: Addy! 22nd January 2021, 12:37 AM

and btw how someone living in UK is getting effected by Trump loss so much that he couldn't bear watching news yesterday? Serious question.

Personally this morning, my walk felt so much better, lighter and brighter and anxious-less just knowing the fact that someone with orange face make up is not president anymore. It was a rough four years for majority of us who lived through his presidency!!!

Posted by: common sense 22nd January 2021, 12:47 AM

No I don't honestly think it was stolen now. I have accepted reality and moved on. I can't speak for my neighbour though, who I know truly believes it was stolen by the Democrats. I know it doesn't affect him here, but he says it's the injustice that's eating him up inside. Bit over the top for someone who's not American. He's Irish actually.

Posted by: common sense 22nd January 2021, 12:52 AM

I don't know. He's got no work now though as a black cabbie as no-one is about to want a taxi so maybe it's that too.

Posted by: TheSnake 22nd January 2021, 12:57 AM

Yeah there's a multitude of issues about at the moment that can affect people's mood negatively, including the pandemic, so we shouldn't judge him.

Posted by: common sense 22nd January 2021, 12:57 AM

BTW did anybody else see Bill Clinton nodding off yesterday during Joe's speech. ? He managed to get 40 winks but the TV cameras picked it up and it went viral.

Posted by: Iz 💀 22nd January 2021, 06:18 AM

On real consequences to people actually still involved in American politics, I'm interested to see that some Senate Democrats have officially filed an ethics complaint into Josh Hawley and Ted Cruz' actions surrounding the attempted Capitol insurrection.

Still of the view that they should be expelled for this, them and perhaps some members of Congress if those are also found guilty. Make an example out of them.

(did like the AOC fireback against Cruz showing up his useless politician schtick re the Paris agreement though)

Posted by: b 22nd January 2021, 08:01 AM

Nobody cares.

Posted by: b 22nd January 2021, 08:05 AM

Nobody cares.

Posted by: T Boy 22nd January 2021, 08:38 AM

Principles?

He doesn’t believe it was stolen. He believes that if he says something enough times, everyone will believe it to be true and he gets his way. That’s how he’s lived his whole life. That’s why we love to see it not working.

Posted by: SnowQween 22nd January 2021, 08:49 AM

If things were as they should be, they should be removed from office and banned from running again for their roles. Much as in the case of Trump, they are directly linked to what happened. If we let elected officials incite and foment fear and terror against a democratic government stand, then that's a scary precedent. They won't be though. I imagine, if anything, it'll be a not so stern telling off and that'll be it. Cruz 2024 etc.

Posted by: SnowQween 22nd January 2021, 08:54 AM

Also re. the point of belief vs fact. I feel sorry for people who believe the election was stolen, in part because after 2016 I fully appreciate it is a gut punch watching a candidate you support lose (and yes, much as has been said I am not directly impacted, but was fully invested), but more so because it's an almost cult like position to take. There is no evidence of it being stolen whatsoever. It has been roundly and resolutely debunked by every level of government in the US, lawmakers, lawyers, everyone and yet Trump says it, therefore it must be true. I can't pretend to understand how or why people feel more comforted by his lies and deceit, but proper outreach needs to happen so policymakers etc actually DO, so this can never happen again.

Posted by: b 22nd January 2021, 08:59 AM

Or, you know, reading a book could also help.

Posted by: steve201 22nd January 2021, 11:47 PM

Are you sure that black cabbie isnt just you giving your opinion Chris? It’s nothing to do with principles - all the FACTS show Biden won easily it wasn’t even particularly close, was it!?

Posted by: common sense 23rd January 2021, 12:31 AM

No it's not and I resent that accusation. Have mentioned Mick before. He's permanently banned from Twitter and Facebook. No it wasn't that close in the end. I think without Covid Trump would have won.

Does anyone think Biden would have won in 2016? I think he'd have beaten Trump.

Posted by: TheSnake 23rd January 2021, 01:01 AM

Your taxi driver friend is banned from Facebook and Twitter? Over him posting that he believed the election was rigged?

Posted by: common sense 23rd January 2021, 08:53 AM

No because he apparently abused Dianne Abbott.

Posted by: *Tim 23rd January 2021, 03:32 PM

He probably wouldn't. It was the absolute disaster that was the Trump administration and the current tension in the US that got the democrats the kick under their arse and a lot of the voters to actually vote

Posted by: common sense 23rd January 2021, 05:01 PM

Well I don't want to hark back too much to the past but Hillary did win the popular vote and think the emails sunk her. Was reading some US political forums late last night and that's a commonly held view. I think Biden would have beaten her Trump easily.

Posted by: b 23rd January 2021, 05:09 PM

'commonly held view' based on a single internet forum. I can't. :')

Posted by: common sense 23rd January 2021, 05:11 PM

No, many US political forums actually. Those pesky emails. Plus she's not a very nice person. The Secret Service said that in their various books by ex agents.

Posted by: Doctor Blind 23rd January 2021, 05:16 PM

Based on what exactly?

Biden was able to capitalise on what was largely an anti-Trump vote. That just simply hadn't had time to build in 2016 so I don't see what reason he would have flipped Pennsylvania, Georgia etc. back then? Counterfactuals are impossible to prove so I'm not a huge fan - but you agree that Bernie Sanders probably wouldn't have beaten Trump in 2016 against the opinion of Michael, so why are you so sure that Joe Biden would have?

Posted by: J00prstar 23rd January 2021, 05:20 PM

Am I a bad person for being happy in these people's misery?
Probably.

Posted by: Addy! 23rd January 2021, 05:21 PM

And Trump was?!!

I think Democrats got to comfy after Obama (first POC president) and thinking 'Oh now America is so liberal, let's move ahead and elect the first female president' and totally ignoring the fact that midwest states hated the fact that Obama (POC) got second term and they did everything they could to not let US first female president happen right after first POC president!!!

And some millions of democrats were just sleeping and did not go out and vote!!

Posted by: TheSnake 23rd January 2021, 05:31 PM

Biden is more centrist than Sanders so would have done better against Donald Trump than him. That's why he defeated Sanders in the Democrat primaries for the 2020 Election.

As for whether Biden would have done better than Hillary Clinton did in the 2016 election, I think he would have, Hillary just seemed unfortunately to be a slightly divisive politician, maybe because her husband had been president before and the concept of dynasty presidents are disliked by many (see also Jeb Bush not doing too well in the Republican primary in 2016).

Posted by: common sense 23rd January 2021, 05:35 PM

Hmm, encumbent VP, very popular although one or two gaffes.

Posted by: b 23rd January 2021, 05:51 PM

Great to see you dealing with facts and not making it personal. Oh wait

Posted by: Dill Doe 23rd January 2021, 05:51 PM

That's not what happened and you know it. Bernie destroys Trump in all head to head match-ups. Centrists went on about how he would lose Florida... but so did Joe. They said the Republicans would call him a communist... That's what they said about Joe anyway lol.

Joe is more popular than Hillary, was a sitting VP, and I do think sexism played at least a small part in Hills' EC loss, too. She was also seen as corrupt and had email-gate. Seeing as the margins were really narrow and with all of that going against Hillary, then Biden would probably have won.

Posted by: steve201 23rd January 2021, 06:17 PM

Certainly think when dealing with a trump a more principled heart on your sleeve style opponent like Sanders would have been better than a centrist establishmentarian like Clinton.

Posted by: TheSnake 23rd January 2021, 06:29 PM

Yes but America is still too right wing for Sanders to have won I think. Trump would have easily been able to portray Sanders as a communist (of course he isn't one really) which he tried to do and it didn't really work with Biden.

Posted by: Suedehead2 23rd January 2021, 06:39 PM

The Republicans have won the popular vote in a presidential election once in over 30 years. In Senate elections, the Democrats win far more voters than the Republicans. The Senate is only split 50-509 because of the two-senators-per-state rule. The way the system works makes the country seem more right-leaning than it probably is. Whether Americans would vote for a more left-leaning Democrat party (rather than one like our Tory party before it was taken over by UKIP) has never been put to the test.

Posted by: Doctor Blind 23rd January 2021, 06:39 PM

I'm afraid it did- primarily why Florida went Republican.: https://www.ft.com/content/f5fd8720-3ecb-4f57-96f8-28029915dce7

Though they did vote FOR the $15 minimum wage which still blows my mind.

Posted by: Dill Doe 23rd January 2021, 06:52 PM

Say it loud!!

Posted by: Santa Snake 23rd January 2021, 06:57 PM

Was just thinking that, what will be the impact of Trump not accepting the election result and the events of the Capitol riots though on how the Republicans will do in Florida in future I wonder? Trump might seem like he doesn't respect the democracy of the election to some people there (looking like a bit of a dictator which may put Cuban-Americans particularly off voting for his party) while a lot of Trump voters may still believe the election was rigged and falsely see the Democrats as dictators.

It might however suppress the Republican vote in general across all States if a lot of Trump voters don't trust American democracy any more, as many of them may not vote in the next presidential election.

Posted by: common sense 23rd January 2021, 06:59 PM

Yes I fear that could happen but to what extent I don't know.

Posted by: Santa Snake 23rd January 2021, 07:05 PM

Dr Blind raises a good point too, Florida is where the Democrats under performed in the election and Ohio is the second state where that happened. So yes Biden and Harris still have two states to work on appealing to more for the next presidential election.

Posted by: J00prstar 23rd January 2021, 10:44 PM

Trump voters hopefully will be shamed into silence and embarrassment over the next few years.

Especially if Trump is arrested (fingers crossed) or suspiciously 'disappears' (not a bad consolation prize).

Ideal would be for people to be brought back into the fault and to realise the error of their ways and that Trumpism made traitors of them because Trump was a foreign asset, but failing that, as long as they're hobbled for the next election it's all good.

Posted by: Santa Snake 24th January 2021, 12:25 AM

I predict the Reps. will pick another Trumpian for candidate in 2024 and lose again and only then will Trumpism's influence start to recede in the party.

Posted by: Addy! 24th January 2021, 04:29 PM

The only one who is as bad as Trump in Republican Party is Ted Cruz and I believe everything is pointing towards him for their pick as a candidate!!!

Posted by: SnowQween 24th January 2021, 05:01 PM

Well he is certainly betting on that! He’s obsequious and morally bankrupt enough to try anything to get the nomination anyway (I know this could apply to most Republicans)

Posted by: common sense 24th January 2021, 05:17 PM

Any Republican serious about becoming President won't bother next time. There's never been two successive one-term Presidents.

Posted by: Iz 💀 24th January 2021, 05:23 PM

well that's not true, Ford/Carter plus loads of 19th century ones, Arthur/Cleveland/Harrison/Cleveland certainly counts for something like that.

and if we're going to make up special rules like 'has to have served a full one term and won an election and had no successive terms and therefore I'm absolutely right' I think I need to refer you to this xkcd comic about precedents:

https://xkcd.com/1122/

Posted by: Iz 💀 24th January 2021, 05:27 PM

Anyway, there's going to be way more than Cruz from the Trumpist side of the aisle and the way it's going, I don't know if he'll still be active or even allowed to run and I'm not particularly worried about him upsetting Biden, he's a laughing stock and not even potentially charismatic like Trump.

Republicans will be looking to win in 2024 because of course they will, it may be that Biden is not running next time, it may be that he is historically unpopular because of the whole "nothing will fundamentally change" thing, or he'll flub the coronavirus recovery plan - entirely possible. No one knows what the political landscape will look like in 2024 and a Republican could absolutely win.

Posted by: common sense 24th January 2021, 06:02 PM

Ford wasn't even elected in the first place so I don't count him really.

Posted by: b 25th January 2021, 12:09 AM

Doesn't make him less of a president.

Posted by: *Tim 25th January 2021, 08:51 AM

Biden's not running next time

Posted by: common sense 25th January 2021, 09:00 AM

I don't think he's confirmed that yet has he?

Posted by: SnowQween 25th January 2021, 09:49 AM

This is...a choice? Does this mean I can choose not to count Trump because he didn't fulfil the role of President at any point? Do we get to pick and choose our own historical narratives now too?

HILLARY WON IN 2016 WITH 538 ELECTORAL COLLEGE VOTES.

Posted by: *Tim 25th January 2021, 10:02 AM

He has stated that multiple times before winning the elections, but idk wjhat the current state is

Posted by: b 25th January 2021, 10:09 AM

I found Hillary to be a great President personally.

Posted by: Suedehead2 25th January 2021, 10:17 AM

I don't think he has said explicitly that he won't run for a second term although he has dropped some fairly heavy hints.

Posted by: Tomato Bré 26th January 2021, 03:35 AM

In fairness it's pretty well documented (according to my many hours of poring over FiveThirtyEight articles in election season) that the incumbent effect is not as strong when the incumbent was appointed rather than elected. That's at least part of the reason Raphael Warnock consistently did better than Jon Ossoff for example.

It's kind of a moot point because, as Iz said, precedents only hold until they don't hold any more (and with elections only happening once every four years there's not near enough data to make such confident predictions based on the previous trends), but there's a pretty clear difference between Ford and Trump.

Posted by: Doctor Blind 3rd February 2021, 04:06 PM

Very exciting that the Biden administration invited Kate Raworth (author of Dougnut Economics) to speak to them last year - signs of some very forward thinking policies to come in the term ahead ?

If you haven't read it - please do - it's a fantastic insight into how we can change the world economy for the better.

Posted by: ElevenSnake 4th February 2021, 12:32 PM

It is good Trump has been having a quiet retirement so far and we haven't heard much from him in the media recently.

Posted by: Suedehead2 4th February 2021, 12:38 PM

The authorities in Georgia have opened an investigation into potential illegal voting. the subject of that investigation is a pro-Trump lawyer so I think we can guess who he voted for.

https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2020-election/pro-trump-lawyer-lin-wood-under-investigation-potential-voter-fraud-n1256554

Posted by: T Boy 4th February 2021, 12:49 PM

Chris has been fairly quiet too, I hope he’s ok.

Posted by: Harve 4th February 2021, 02:59 PM

No-platforming works.

Posted by: Dill Doe 4th February 2021, 06:50 PM

With brexshit an absolute disaster and Trump gone and melting away what is there left for him to say? He'll be back once Bojo starts getting hammered over his record by Piers Morgan.

Posted by: Qween 4th February 2021, 07:27 PM

I’m more worried for his not at all fictitious friend.

Posted by: Klaus 4th February 2021, 08:32 PM

He’s focusing on the important matters

Posted by: Suedehead2 4th February 2021, 08:44 PM

Looks pretty genuine. After all, claiming not to be familiar with their work and then criticising that work is standard Trump behaviour.

Posted by: Doctor Blind 13th February 2021, 09:13 PM

Sorry to pollute this thread with more Trump now that he has gone - but to the surprise of absolutely nobody the US Senate has aquitted him for a second time.

Posted by: jAddy! 13th February 2021, 09:51 PM

yeap, no surprise there...it's so frustrating though.

this country will never unify and the day the Trump entered WH it was the day that America got further divided!!!

Posted by: Chez Wombat 13th February 2021, 10:04 PM

Not unexpected, but disgraceful nonetheless, I don't know how anyone can look at the evidence and say with a straight face that was he was not guilty. Still, there's the hope of future charges and inquiries with a less biased jury.

Posted by: Bré 13th February 2021, 11:10 PM

We all knew this would happen etc. but interestingly enough that means there's two Republicans (Burr and Cassidy I believe?) who voted to convict after previously voting that it was unconstitutional to even be holding the trial, and one of those two voted against continuing the trial again only a few days ago.

17 Republicans would have needed to vote to convict, which would be 17 times more than the total number of Senators who have ever voted to convict a president from their own party (Romney voting to convict on one of the two charges last time was the only previous such vote). Getting as many as 7 is still a pretty noteworthy repudiation even if it's entirely symbolic and meaningless.

Posted by: Tawdry Hepburn 13th February 2021, 11:17 PM

It was inevitable but disgusting.

Posted by: steve201 19th February 2021, 12:50 PM

Good to see Ted Cruz has done his best mayor Quimby imprerssion during the energy and cold weather crisis in Texas this week.

Posted by: Qween 19th February 2021, 01:41 PM

The video of him “explaining” with chants of RESIGN in the background has made my day. It’s almost comical levels of ridiculousness.

Posted by: b 19th February 2021, 02:14 PM

Did he also need to check his eyesight?

Posted by: steve201 19th February 2021, 03:59 PM

Hes an absolute joker, even blaming his daughter instead of himself.

Posted by: Suedehead2 26th March 2021, 12:13 PM

Joe Biden said at a press conference yesterday that he intends to run for a second term. Of course, that could just be a way of avoiding being called a lame-duck president for the whole of his first term. I still suspect he won't run again.

Posted by: EmilyDamen 5th April 2021, 06:10 PM

I don't see Joe running in 2024 for a second term as well.

Posted by: Smint 12th May 2021, 02:27 PM

In a very worrying example of how demented and authoritarian the Republican party have now become, Liz Cheney who voted to accept the General Election result and to impeach Trump in January has now been removed from the position as Republican conference chair by the rest of the party. Trump himself has approved of the decision and made the following statement.


“Liz Cheney is a bitter, horrible human being. I watched her yesterday and realized how bad she is for the Republican Party,”

“She has no personality or anything good having to do with politics or our Country. She is a talking point for Democrats, whether that means the Border, the gas lines, inflation, or destroying our economy.”

Posted by: Iz 💀 12th May 2021, 03:02 PM

Let them rot. If the daughter and ideological successor of neocon warmonger and effective 43rd president Dick Cheney is too Democrat for Trump's faction, it would take a miracle for them to long-term control that party. Sounds like the sort of thing that could split a party.

Posted by: Qween 12th May 2021, 04:44 PM

Yes I can’t feel bad for Liz, despite having been badly treated by the party. She’s hardly a liberal by any means and if this fracture becomes a chasm in the Republican Party that should hopefully be a good thing long term.

Obviously all that being said the usual misogynistic crap being hurled at her is uncalled for, but again par for the course with the sort of people now seemingly controlling the GOP.

Posted by: steve201 12th May 2021, 05:01 PM

Is the only reason they are removing her because of the acceptance of the election result?

Posted by: Quarantilas 12th May 2021, 05:10 PM

Yes. Literally because she doesn’t buy Into the lie that the election was „stolen“ and doesn’t worship trump so out she goes. I don’t agree much with her politics but I „admired her“ as a senior republican for standing up for what was right and the rule of law.

Posted by: Smint 12th May 2021, 06:08 PM

Same happened with Mitt Romey. Ghastly views on equality but decades of service to Republican party means nothing when the Trumpites are in charge. Openly abused and booed at events and in public!

Posted by: steve201 14th May 2021, 06:58 PM

I had read this article

https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2021/05/05/the-real-reason-republicans-want-to-oust-liz-cheney-485470

Posted by: Suedehead2 22nd May 2021, 10:54 AM

And still it goes on.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/arizona-audit-voting-equipment/2021/05/20/a8370368-b9a4-11eb-a5fe-bb49dc89a248_story.html

Posted by: Doctor Blind 24th June 2021, 07:54 AM

Posted by: Popchartfreak 4th July 2021, 04:22 PM

On a lighter note, The Trump Organisation is facing investigation now for cooking the books. As they have been living off debt from banks and Unknown other parties for decades, with payments coming due before long, with assets held as collateral and covenants no doubt that the paperwork be true and available to the lenders, there's a distinct hope that the entire organisation may eventually implode under the weight of it's own terrible business practices.

(which is why Trump was so keen to stay as President at any cost, he's untouchable while serving and can generate a lot of cash from suckers and foreign lackeys).

Fingers crossed!

Posted by: Brett-Butler 10th August 2021, 06:27 PM

Governor of New York Andrew Cuomo has resigned the week after a https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-58164719 was published alleging that he sexually harassed multiple women. The news comes a day after the leader of the Time's Up campaign, a group set up to fight for gender equality in the aftermath of the Harvey Weinstein scandals, resigned after she allegedly used her position to https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-58153726 who made allegations against Cuomo.

He was already under pressure before that when it was revealed that despite his apparent success of tackling Covid in New York (even being awarded an Emmy for it), he signed an order that "https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-55850680" which led to increased deaths in that setting, and undercounted the number of deaths.

Posted by: common sense 23rd August 2021, 08:44 PM

Skybet Skybet odds to win the 2024 election:

Biden 3.5/1

Trump 4.5/1

Harris 5/1

Posted by: Suedehead2 27th September 2021, 03:43 PM

Trump and his hangers-on are still wasting vast amounts of time contesting the 2020 election result, almost a year after it happened. The Republicans in Arizona (which Biden won by just 11,000 votes) launched an investigation in one county which led to a full hand recount of the votes there. They have now declared some revised figures.

Joe Biden has been given 99 MORE votes.
Donald Trump has been given 161 FEWER votes.

I hope they consider it to be money well spent.

Posted by: Iz 💀 18th November 2021, 09:56 AM

meanwhile in America...



that is, indeed, the vast majority of the Republican representatives supporting this guy's rights to make fantasy AMVs about him killing his coworkers.

(the anime in question was Attack On Titan, in yet another one for the 'conservatives fail to understand even basic media analysis' pile)

Also they did well in the off-year elections and Biden/Kamala's popularity polls are really quite low so I'm quite nervous for America with the midterms next year.

Posted by: Smint 18th November 2021, 10:10 AM

And the Republicans are doing a full scale attack on voters rights just like the Tories are doing. https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/apr/28/republicans-voter-suppression-biden-100-days


But in effect it means that even if Biden beats Trump (assuming that odious criminal stands) the Republicans can refuse to ratify the results. In effect it means ending democracy. It's already happening with this ridiculous bullshit of the election been stolen, despite no empirical evidence for it at all.

Posted by: Doctor Blind 18th November 2021, 10:55 AM

American politics, like our own, is in a very dangerous and dark place right now, no better was this demonstrated than by the assault on democracy on 6th January cheered on by Trump and his outriders.

There was a great podcast on the New York Times that I listened to interviewing Maria Ressa - the only journalist to win the Nobel Peace Prize since the 1930s (incidentally that was Carl Von Ossietzky, who wrote about the Nazis in 1935) - where she identified the problems with social media (specifically FaceBook.. who else?) and how it was driving the world toward facism. She's an incredibly talented and brave journalist who has been tormented and attacked after speaking out against her own home president Duterte's rampant killing and corruption; she said of Zuckerberg: 'You moved fast and broke our country.' I only wish I could go back to 2005 and show all those people who pressured and mocked me for NOT setting up a FaceBook account what it has become today, a tool used by the powerful to erode all trust in everything and thereby shore-up perpetual oligarchy.

Posted by: Smint 19th November 2021, 10:14 PM

More evidence of how worrying US politics is (would put it far more worrying than UK as although we have the right wing in power, their followers are generally not quite as angry and down the rabbit hole as their US cousins plus guns are still relatively tough to obtain here) a teenager gets off Scot free after shooting 2 black men during a protest. A very charged verdict we think.

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/commentisfree/2021/nov/19/kyle-rittenhouse-verdict-acquitted-protest

Posted by: Brett-Butler 19th November 2021, 10:17 PM

The 2 victims were white.

Posted by: Smint 19th November 2021, 10:25 PM

Sorry they were BLM supporters but white.

Posted by: cider man 19th November 2021, 10:50 PM

The US had it's first female President today - for 95 minutes this morning. Biden had a colonoscopy under general anaesthetic and handed control to Kamala Harris

Posted by: Iz 💀 19th November 2021, 11:12 PM

Horrifically and irredeemably polarised of course, I'm concerned with the Rittenhouse case on two fronts, that it might now set some precedent where the lives of protesters aren't valued, and that Rittenhouse himself will now become some sort of hero for the right to be paraded around their media spaces.

Posted by: Smint 19th November 2021, 11:17 PM

He already is sadly - there are some really despicable Republican elected congress members - Marjorie Taylor Greene, Lauren Boebert and Matt Gatz, who have links to Q Anon and are cheering it on. Madison Cawthorn is in another league though - blantantly inciting violence.

https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/world/outrage-as-madison-cawthorn-tells-supporters-to-be-armed-be-dangerous-after-kyle-rittenhouse-verdict/ar-AAQUL7h?ocid=BingNewsSearch

Next few days are going to get VERY nasty and Jo Biden will not have the strength to clamp down sadly.

Posted by: Smint 19th November 2021, 11:18 PM

Yep that was a nice story amongst all of the gloom.

Posted by: Rooney 19th November 2021, 11:38 PM

I'm not an expert on the matter, but it is a complicated case. Don't know what he was doing there with a semi-automatic rifle, he didn't need to be there, but I'm guessing everyone has seen the video? While I can understand people's frustrations, a lot of it comes back to America's gun law and this guy is going to be used as evidence for why Americans should be able to carry firearms (which of course is bonkers). Arriving with a rifle is obviously provacative, but there's enough flaws in the story for a good defence to convince the jury. Plus I'm sure I read someone pointed a gun at him there? Was probably always gonna get acquitted on that one.

Posted by: Iz 💀 20th November 2021, 12:42 AM

Yeah, I'm not saying he was guilty or innocent, absolutely shouldn't have been there with an AR-15, but America is just such a different world with all these guns available that I don't exactly know the appropriate response to it.

Their legal system is lacking though, I do think this'll lead to worse outcomes down the line if Republicans take this as carte blanche to go for vigilantism against protesters in situations where they could claim it was self-defense in a similar manner.

Posted by: Quarantilas 21st November 2021, 12:01 PM

It was a firearm he held illegally and trafficked across state lines to then murder two people and attempt the murder of a third.


The verdict was a travesty and that judge was honestly so bias he made Laura Kussenberg look like a pillar of moral integrity and balance

Posted by: Iz 💀 23rd November 2021, 05:50 AM

Conservatives in shambles as their new self-defense wonder boy goes on his first big white supremacist Republican show and starts saying everything they don't want to hear:

Okay, I'm less worried that he's going to ride the grift.

Posted by: Smint 23rd November 2021, 10:39 AM

Wonder if all his offers to be an intern by the vilest Republicans in the house will be recinded now?

Posted by: dhwhore 24th November 2021, 11:06 PM

I honestly don't buy it, he's an out and out Proud Boy and this is just an attempt to save face knowing he's in danger any time he shows his face in public. lol

Posted by: Iz 💀 25th November 2021, 04:34 AM

Yeah, I think, well, he's probably now irrelevant in the grand scheme of things and this isn't a rehabilitation, but it's slightly hopeful (and funny) that the person who's received possibly the most hate from the left over the past year outside of political figures, doesn't meet that with hate, and doesn't double down like so many lesser conservatives would have.

If anyone, he's who everyone expected to be the embodiment of 4chan /pol/ given life in public discourse, and instead he goes and tells Tucker Carlson to his face that BLM is worth supporting and causes all the actual 4chan /pol/ers to start writing angry screeds about betrayal, I'll take that.

Posted by: Doctor Blind 25th November 2021, 07:40 AM

jury's out...?

Posted by: Jofall43 9th December 2021, 02:45 PM

taken more funding from oil and gas than trump. didnt fight for the bill either. joker. u vote for what u get. why i cant agree with chomsky voting for best of bad 2 is just the same if not worse!

Posted by: December Dong 9th December 2021, 04:06 PM

Bernie would have destroyed Biden AND Trump in a fair fight, but the oligarchy gives us Republicans or neoliberal oligarchs, empty suits.

Posted by: Jofall43 9th December 2021, 04:50 PM

yeah and the distrust it forms in government within everyone just means more of the same will get relected over and over again

Posted by: Bustin Jieber 29th March 2022, 09:46 PM

"But her emails!!!!!!"

Posted by: Popchartfreak 6th April 2022, 06:22 PM

Meanwhile in the States...

- Louisiana death row inmates must choose between the electric chair and a firing squad

- Child marriage and statutory rape will soon be legal in Tennessee

- Abortion is all but illegal in Texas

- Talking about LGBTQ issues in schools is illegal in Florida

South looking more and more to the good old slavery days too as they impede voting with restrictions on Black voyers. Sipping mint juleps on the porch while supporting a man who supports murdering tyrants and tries to overthrow democracy.,,,ah those were the days.

Posted by: Smint 6th April 2022, 07:37 PM

And countless anti trans legislation been passed in multiple states. Republican Congresswoman Lauren Boebert says LBGT people should be forced to stay in the closet until 21 as apparently they arent mature to make those kinds of decisions - but that doesn't stop her posing with he family including young children with heavy rifles.

https://twitter.com/laurenboebert/status/1468411381653323777

Boebert regularly makes jokes about the Muslim congresswoman born in Somalia, Ihan Omar, accusing her of carrying bombs even when her jokes lead to death threats to Omar.

Marjorie Taylor Greene, another Republican congresswoman who is arguably even worse, certainly more prominent, recently in a speech ordered top Democrat Pete Buttigeg to stay out of "little girls bathrooms". No one knows the reason why she picked on him in particular other than perhaps that he is gay and married to a man and so she is trying to link homosexuality with paedophilia. She has also very strong link with Q Anon and neo Nazi groups and regularly absolves Putin of any blame.

Now those two are very strongly linked with Donald Trump and if he is re-elected into power the likes of them and the similarly facist Madison Cawthorn and Matt Gaetz will no doubt have very high positions of power. Scary times indeed.

Posted by: Izzy 💀☄ 3rd May 2022, 03:02 AM

ah, so a draft Supreme Court bill has been leaked indicating that they're going to overturn Roe vs Wade which means that abortion will almost certainly be banned in half of America if it goes ahead.

what a normal country, misery for millions because one old lady refused to retire at the right time.

Honestly, a perfect example of the limits of electoralism. The Democrats control all three branches, one rather shakily but still in control, and they can do nothing to stop this.

Posted by: Silas 3rd May 2022, 06:11 AM

Honestly I’m not surprised by how low the US sinks these days. The problem is that appointing judges is purely political, there was a slot open in the Obama era that was stolen of course. I dislike how judges are appointed and prosecutors and things are elected in the US. It makes for a highly politicised judicial system that just feels inherently unfair

Posted by: Smint 3rd May 2022, 10:24 AM

And apparently stopping same sex marriages could well be next in line for the US Supreme court according to Democrat congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez

https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2022/05/03/aoc-supreme-court-roe-v-wade-same-sex-gay-marriage/

Posted by: J00prstar 3rd May 2022, 12:32 PM

And the march towards fascism and the Handmaid's Tale continues....

https://news.sky.com/story/abortion-rights-leaked-document-appears-to-show-us-supreme-court-may-overturn-wade-v-roe-12604456

Posted by: Smint 3rd May 2022, 04:19 PM

I know this is in the US politics thread too but think this tweet from a US Guardian columnist says everything about the unfairness of US politics

It’s weird how Republicans can implement their entire agenda even when they are in the minority, but Democrats cannot implement any of their agenda even when they are in the majority.

Posted by: Steve201 3rd May 2022, 04:38 PM

It’s because there’s no left in America, Democrats are generally liberal or centre right and the republicans themselves are like thatcher on steroids!

Posted by: Steve201 3rd May 2022, 04:39 PM

I can’t see that happening as they are two very different topics, abortion is a subject that divides the left right spectrum at times.

Posted by: Chez Wombat 3rd May 2022, 04:51 PM

Somehow doesn't even surprise me, it's such a broken system that anything remotely progressive will just never get through. Not that the Democrats are doing the best they can do.

Guess it's a good thing that it leaked so they can't escape the outcry and at least some states like Connecticut are taking action to counter it.

Posted by: Rooney 3rd May 2022, 05:21 PM

As much as we throw shade at our polticial system, we should be thankful we're never likely to go back to the dark ages. Genuinely cannot believe this could be happening in 2022, absolute madness.

Posted by: Smint 5th May 2022, 10:49 AM

Maybe on the particular issue of abortion the Brits won't ban it anytime soon (but belioeve me a significant minority here are making noises about that post the US Supreme court leak( but certainly losing right to live and work in 27 countries, restrictions on right to protest and voting coming in, we're not going in an exactly positive direction in the UK.

Posted by: Skankhunt43 5th May 2022, 12:46 PM

Anti lgbtq senator's male sex tape has leaked, and also images of him in drag. He was the one putting up videos of him punching trees etc.

Posted by: Izzy 💀☄ 5th May 2022, 01:00 PM

ah yes, Madison Cawthorn, the fratboy of Congress.

considering he's barely out of college himself I'm hardly surprised that he has plenty of skeletons to be drawn up, but it's his positions that are horrendous, not his sexuality. If the Republicans don't like that one of their new rising young conservative stars is queer then that's on them.

Posted by: Suedehead2 15th June 2022, 05:05 PM

Right-wing nutjob Marjorie Taylor-Green (who makes Trump seem almost a Corbynite) is trying to introduce legislation banning children from seeing drag acts. Just for context, a similar measure in the UK would ban children form attending traditional pantomimes.

Posted by: Izzy 💀☄ 16th June 2022, 11:38 AM

How MTG hasn't been forced to resign on charges of conspiracy to overthrow the United States government is beyond me. Along with the majority of her party that is, she is just one of the more stupid and loud-mouthed members of it.

Speaking of which, the Jan 6th hearings have been going on, I don't hold out much hope that people will be charged from it though, but at least the US still has proper democratic processes, for now.

All US conservatives are moralistic freaks and fascists.

Posted by: Smint 16th June 2022, 06:47 PM

And this kind of stirring up hate directly leads to violence - not only the far right group infiltrating the Idaho pride (mentioned in the homophobia thread) but now a case of four properties being burned to the ground after anti gay facists set fire to a Pride flag in Maryland. https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2022/06/16/baltimore-fire-pride-flag-homophobia/

But as for why they get away with it, it is the classic case of the left and centrists not doing anything about it. The right realise they have next to know meaninfrul sanctions for their flagrant rule breaking and become empowered, raise the stakes and do even more despicable actions. Just like the Tories here (although hasten to say they are still behind the US for now)/.

Posted by: Izzy 💀☄ 17th June 2022, 12:06 AM

The centrists and Dem moderates sure, the Manchin-types are sinking the Biden presidency through inaction and the Pelosi-types continue to make the main branch of the Democrats look out of touch, but what little there is of the actual left with power in America (Bernie, AOC etc.) continues to be as vocal as they can be - if they had more executive power I think they would be taking steps to protect the US democracy.

Democracy needs its defenders. There's no higher authority that safeguards the checks and balances and we have seen in multiple cases in multiple countries that when the right get power they start democratic backsliding. The centrist and moderates don't stop this because they know they can still hold onto some power by being a 'save us from this insanity' alternative, even though they do very little to save it when gaining power like that and also assume naively that a 2-party democratic system will remain in place in perpetuity. You need leftists and progressives with action plans to fight it. And not much of that going on before apparently inevitable Republican domination in the US.

(potentially the same risks in the UK I just think we're a few years behind in the chain of events)

Posted by: Addy! 24th June 2022, 03:43 PM

Roe vs Wade overturned.

My heart is literally crying…watch next abolishing gay marriage!!!

Gillead is right in the corner of this f***ed up country!!!

Posted by: Smint 16th July 2022, 08:45 PM

Sadly you're not wrong there. Process in full effect and look whose pushing for it (well one of many)...

Posted by: Rooney 12th August 2022, 08:27 PM

Anyone else reckon Trump has just had his Al Capone moment?

Posted by: Chez Wombat 12th August 2022, 08:47 PM

I'm surprised this has all happened now of all times and so quickly, of all the things I thought he'd be caught for, I wasn't sure it would be this, I'm not complaining though, justice at last *.* Apparently violating the espionage act constitutes at least ten years in federal prison, eek!

I mean at the very least this should make sure he stays away from the 2024 race.

Posted by: J00prstar 13th August 2022, 12:21 AM

Lock him up and throw away the key!

Lol its hilarious but also depressing how... the guy who was very obviously a criminal and a psychopath from day 1 has now been proven to be exactly that, plus a traitor to the United States, and there are STILL people trying to argue otherwise and that this is a deep con, conspiracy, trick somehow.

You've been had, people tend to be what they appear to be!

Posted by: Izzy 💀☄ 13th August 2022, 05:25 AM

I do appreciate very funny things happening in politics. Hopefully he gets the full book thrown at him.

If they can arrest the former president for violating the Espionage Act and keeping a full set of nuclear codes at his private residence, imagine what they can do to you!!1!!

as always, the cope from Republican conservatives is off the charts and suddenly they're not in favour of law enforcement making unannounced visits, hmm

very good news for not even just 2024, but possibly also the midterms as well as this plus the Jan 6th trials will keep the negatives of Republicans in the news (for voters outside of his far-gone cult).

Posted by: cider man 13th August 2022, 06:32 AM

All fake news. Of course the FBI found stuff. They took it with them and planted it. Trump 24.

Posted by: Rooney 13th August 2022, 09:12 AM

At this point Chris, we know you are trolling

Posted by: Skankhunt43 13th August 2022, 09:21 AM

It just all feels so karmic!! Merrick Garand (who had his seat stolen by Trump for a right wing extremist judge), lock him up (Hillary), sensitive documents (Hillary's, but her emails), and getting caught on somethingf karmic like this, and not for trying to overthrow the US government, is just ... wow!

Posted by: Skankhunt43 13th August 2022, 09:23 AM

Troll better! Too obvious. 3/10.

Posted by: Izzy 💀☄ 13th August 2022, 09:31 AM

turns out a lot of what the right-wing like to accuse everybody else of doing is projection of their own immorality

I hope it's more than just Trump, everyone associated with his administration most likely can be implicated, and if they can be, get them gone and bar them from holding political office again.

Posted by: Popchartfreak 13th August 2022, 10:46 AM

I had a bet at the start of 2021 with a work colleague who didnt share my faith in the US tax evasion system that Trump would be indicted by Xmas 2021. I'm still hoping I just got the wrong Xmas.

Chris, the FBI did not plant evidence, Trump & his cronies were filmed carrying out boxes of confidential material. We all just assumed it was hiding the evidence of his attempt to overthrow democracy, rather than saving stuff to hand over to enemies of democracy. Looks like we gave him too much credit. Man tries to overthrow democracy and devoted fan can't accept reality and facts. In the same way some people don't accept the world is round despite ample evidence to the contrary. Trump has cameras at Mar A Lago, BTW, he can just present evidence that the FBI entered with loads of full boxes. He hasn't. Bet he has footage of them leaving with loads of boxes though...

BTW Trump increased the punishment for removing material 5 years in prison. I love that fact. He's arguing as President he had the power to classify anything he wants and help himself to it. The taxpayer who paid his wages might argue that it belongs to them, actually, and they have a right to read everything he did while in power.

Posted by: cider man 13th August 2022, 12:26 PM

Anyway he won't go to jail. He can afford the best lawyers in the world and will take a plea bargain or hefty fine. Money talks.

Have you read that the FBI asked Trump's Secret Service detail there to turn off all CCTV. They refused. Why would they want it off then? Something's fishy. Also why not go when he was there. Why go when they knew he was in New York..

Posted by: Chez Wombat 13th August 2022, 02:05 PM

Posted by: T Boy 13th August 2022, 05:57 PM

Even if he doesn’t go to jail, that doesn’t make him any less of a criminal. But then, comments like this say it all about your ideology.

Posted by: Heywood Jablowme 15th August 2022, 08:03 AM

Yup! It's why he doffs his cap to the landed gèntry. In their place, he would act exactly the same way.

Posted by: Popchartfreak 16th August 2022, 12:46 PM

Read where? Fox News or some outlet that doesn't actually make stuff up all the time?

If the Secret Service (a government institution) had refused to turn off CCTV to another government institution who are supposed to have asked them by hearsay to turn it off then presumably they have footage showing FBI going in and out and Trump would be spreading it all over For Fox News by now. Instead, he's changing his stories hourly. And as usual admitting to stuff he's done by justifying he has the right to do it (he doesn't).

I wonder how the sexual assault suits are going...? The Tax dodging suit? The proof to back up his claim that the elections were fixed so he had a right to try to overturn democracy? We have proof he leaned on officials to not count votes. And that he brought in legislation to prevent (poor and black) voters to vote. But, I realise facts are not your most fave thing when you can read much more juicy made-up stuff that can't be proved.

But if your source is right we can expect video footage proving the FBI framed someone - not that I'm aware they have ever been caught framing anyone. And the head of the FBI was appointed by Trump because the previous one didn't do as he was told by Trump (ie refusing to break the law or lie).

Just saying.....

Posted by: Izzy 💀☄ 2nd September 2022, 07:58 AM

I really like this speech. That's a real tonal shift from Biden (the online part of me believes his staffers have seen the popularity of the 'Dark Brandon' meme and are rolling with it, c.f. the dark red ominous background), calling out the fascists for what they are - causing them to go apeshit. And it fits with the recent good moves his administration has been making with student loan forgiveness.

this also isn't stuff that can be walked back from after a midterm cycle.

god I love it when the centre-left gains confidence.

Posted by: Iz 💀 16th November 2022, 04:50 AM

The starting gun has fired for the next presidential election - we can use this topic for a bit until the race starts to take shape I guess because this whole charade takes so long.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/world-us-canada-63600151

Donald Trump is officially going for it again, to the surprise of no one I hope.

editto: correct headline

Posted by: Addy! 16th November 2022, 09:14 AM

A man who lost in popular votes in 2016 and lost the whole election in 2020!!!

I’m reading DeSantis will announce his candidacy shortly as well!!!

I’m hoping democrats they’ll have someone amazing under their sleeves because if they leave it till mid-2023, no candidate will be enough popular to beat DeSantis!!!

Posted by: Silas 16th November 2022, 11:24 AM

The hope though is that if trump loses to DeFascist that he runs as an independent or some form of third party which will split the maga vote out from the republicans and should allow the Dems to walk it. Not guaranteed tho as DeFascist and the cancerous scrotum have quite an overlap of support.


Either way, the US is far from safe from threats to its democracy

Posted by: creepy chris 16th November 2022, 05:40 PM

DeFascist? Florida voters don't see him that way. Could easily be the next President.

Posted by: Axe Wound 16th November 2022, 10:55 PM

He is a fascist, as is Boebert. No need to pussyfoot around it.

Posted by: Silas 17th November 2022, 06:55 AM

Yes because Floridians are well known for their intellect and for choosing astute politicians and inspiring world changing leaders as governor [/sarcasm]

Posted by: Qween 17th November 2022, 07:12 AM

DeSantis is much more chilling a prospect than Trump, he’s a getting some (truly awful) stuff done and isn’t just using it as rhetoric. Trump being the candidate seems like the best chance Democrats have of winning in 2024 (assuming Biden runs again) and perhaps with strong coattails could hold the Senate.

Posted by: Addy! 17th November 2022, 12:30 PM

DeSantis is dangerous man, he will turn the whole country into what’s doing in Florida as a governor!!!

Posted by: Smint 17th November 2022, 12:37 PM

But since DeSantis is so homophobic and ultra right wing wouldn't he lose most of the rest of the country against a more liberal Democratic opponent. Aren't Americans broadly in favour of gay rights for example? They certainly seemed to respect the right to choose re: abortions.

Of course there's the election fixing and the unfair first past the post system which aids the Republicans, just like the Tories in UK.

Posted by: Not yet... 17th November 2022, 02:10 PM

What's rhe fascist getting done? I'm not up to date

Posted by: Qween 17th November 2022, 03:22 PM

You would like to assume so, but given the general consensus in the midterms seems to be 49% of voters are happy with fascism (as long as it's being used to primarily disadvantage those they feel superior to) and generally denying reality, I wouldn't be feeling TOO HOPEFUL.

In terms of what DeSantis has done, the Don't Say Gay bill and generally making Florida a right wing utopia is enough for me to be worried.

Posted by: ta-ra*el~la 20th November 2022, 09:24 AM

My biggest problem with DeSantis is that he is basically an enemy of free speech. His approach to politics is to essentially silence those who disagree with him. It's basically government enforced cancel culture, and that is very dangerous. Not even Trump is anywhere nearly as authoritarian.

The anti-LGBT angle does play well in many parts of America, unfortunately. Therefore there really needs to be an attempt to push back against it.

Posted by: Smint 20th November 2022, 12:28 PM

Talking of which, there's just been a mass shooting in a gay club in Colarado. 5 dead, several more injured. Horrific. Certainly not a safe country for the LGBT community.

Posted by: creepy chris 27th December 2022, 07:27 PM

Joe Biden should, and I hope he will, step down by Jan 22nd, enabling new President Harris to stand as encumbent in 2024 and serve a possible two full terms herself. Any date after and she could only serve one.

Posted by: Suedehead2 18th February 2023, 11:28 PM

It looks like Jimmy Carter doesn't have long to live. The 98-year-old wasn't a successful president but he has been a much-admired statesman since he left office.

Posted by: Jessie Where 12th March 2023, 02:00 PM

This might be the first sensible thing you've ever said. A broken clock is correct twice a day.

Posted by: Jessie Where 12th March 2023, 02:02 PM

https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/3894918-kentucky-senate-advances-bill-to-limit-drag-performances/

In other news, America never ceases in providing itself to be an enclave of backwardness

Posted by: Amanda Hugginkis 12th March 2023, 02:04 PM

Nopw, she wikl never be elected. A quick reminder that she didn't even get 5% in the primaries, is a war hawk, is a massive neoliberal, and is unpopular amongst Democrats, let alone independents. They're better off goin for Bernie. AoC is good, but I get the sense that she backs off a lot vs the neoliberal centrist establishment. Biden probably won't even win reelection due to being extremely ineffectual and struggling with the awful Trump economy. Shouldn't have sabotaged Bernie, DNC! Whoops!

Posted by: crazy chris 14th March 2023, 09:10 PM

Proof please that he is homophobic as I can't find any. Back up your allegations please.

Posted by: crazy chris 14th March 2023, 09:16 PM

President Ford, himself never actually elected, said that the first female President would ascend from the Vice-Presidency and I agree with that. Biden will stand and win again but will stand down in Jan. 2027 or before allowing Kamala to run as sitting President in 2028. Encumbency means a lot Michael. Didn't for Trump though lol.

I think Biden would beat any Republican next year.

Posted by: crazy chris 14th March 2023, 09:17 PM

Will Trump be invited to his funeral by Rosalynn? Will he attend?

Posted by: Suedehead2 14th March 2023, 09:23 PM

I would guess that protocol dictates that he will be invited (unless he is in jail by then). I suspect Trump will show his usual good grace by not turning up.

Posted by: Smint 14th March 2023, 09:27 PM

"Don't say Gay" law in Florida - equivalent of the homphobic Section 28 in the UK

Posted by: crazy chris 14th March 2023, 09:36 PM

He will never go to jail Suedy. I'd bet my house on that. Ex-P

Posted by: Amanda Hugginkis 14th March 2023, 09:57 PM

He isn't a king... America got its independence previsely to challenge tyrannical power and to have NO ONE PERSON ABOVE THE LAW.

Posted by: Amanda Hugginkis 14th March 2023, 10:04 PM

Incumbents can lose, especislly unpopulsr ones, ans Kamala is not populsr. 5% in the primary, Democrats turning against her as the VP...

Posted by: Smint 16th March 2023, 11:56 PM

Biden has been a great leader of the USA considering how divided it is and how tough the circumstances are. He has implemented a lot of left leaning policies despite a huge amount of opposition both from within politics and the angry red states yet always seems to keep smiling. No question he will win in popular votes.

BUT we'll have to see how effective the attempts by Donald Trump's Republicans (and it will be Trump, he's just waaaay more popular than anyone else in the Republican including De Santis) by voting sabotage/interference works in key states by installing cronies as election officials who can refuse to ratify Democrat victories. They have passed anti voting legislation to disadvantage the poor and minorities from voting. And of course he will openly have the most evil man in the world (Putin) doing all he can to get him in again in cyberland, in exchange for support in removing assistance to Ukraine that Biden has supplied.

Best hope is that Trump becomes too ill to stand as I don't see any of the upcoming legal challenges stopping him in anyway.

Posted by: Rooney 17th March 2023, 12:42 AM

Surely if Trump gets in the Republican party this time splits or there is a massive divide? He's turmed in to even more of a cult like figure and his policies will surely rile the sane Republicans up this time around (e.g. not funding the Ukraine war effort is against the Republican Party stance).

Posted by: Silas 17th March 2023, 10:19 AM

1) try opening your eyes when looking. It’s generally quite helpful
2) lol. Hope you’ve got some Brasso for that brass neck
3) if gay people are telling you that someone is homophobic, LISTEN TO THEM. THEY KNOW BEST

Posted by: Smint 17th March 2023, 11:29 AM

Problem is that the "sane" Republicans checked out or were pushed out a while back. It's the party of culture wars, even more guns and authoritarianism. Re: Russia/Ukraine - De Santis has joined Trump, who is still pulling all the strings, in appeasing Putin.

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/mar/14/desantis-trump-republican-support-ukraine-war

Also since China is aligning itself as an ally of Russia then I guess that the chance of Ukraine resisting Putin is getting slimmer by the day anyhow.

Posted by: Smint 19th March 2023, 07:34 PM

So Trump claims he is getting arrested on Tuesday and has asked his followers to rise up and do another Capitol Hill type resistance. It will surely fail as they don't have the numbers but could be some individual horrific acts of violence and terrorism. I guess that whatever happens he won't be standing in 2024 as a regular candidate (unless it flops and he backtracks on the call). Scary times...

Posted by: danæ 31st March 2023, 03:41 PM

Trump has now been indicted or as he says it "INDICATED" and will appear in court on Tuesday

presumably this will only help his re-election campaign cos Murica

Posted by: Chez Wombat 31st March 2023, 04:19 PM

So I don't follow US politics a lot and I know America's pretty messed up in places, but are they REALLY in that bad a place that they would actively re-elect Trump again, after all of this and the Capitol Riot as well? Honestly, I think Biden would win by an even greater majority if he does run again. He's not been perfect, but at least they're not a total laughing stock anymore.

I may be asking a silly question, but surely the Republicans aren't that thick to think no one outside his deranged cult would see a problem with him as US president again?! DeSantis is the clear choice if they want to challenge (and who I'd worry about) and he's essentially just as right-wing and just a fraction less insane.

The only #Trump2024 I'm seeing is his parole date

Posted by: Smint 31st March 2023, 07:58 PM

They'd not have a hope in hell in winning with Trump (I would say the same re: De Santis) legally or fairly but they would cheat their asses off and refuse to ratify Democrat wins in the swing states by having lots of corrupt election staff. It will get nasty.

Noticing that many of the Republicans are going full board blaming Jewish Holocaust survivor, George Soros, for being behind it all - anti-semitic dog-whistle/foghorn.

Posted by: danæ 25th April 2023, 02:31 PM

Joe Biden is running (or more realistically, walking) for president 2024 he has announced today

Posted by: Chez Wombat 25th April 2023, 09:07 PM

...and in even better news, Tucker Carlson's left Fox News I mean he'll be fine I'm sure, but deplatforming that nutcase can only be a good thing

Posted by: Suedehead2 25th April 2023, 09:43 PM

Bernie Sanders has put common sense above personal ambition by endorsing Joe Biden.

Posted by: Smint 25th April 2023, 11:46 PM

Joe Biden with the horrendously difficult in-tray- Covid, Ukraine, horrific right wing opponents has done incredibly well. Love his sass as well as he sees through the UK Brexit bullshit and snubbing the Coronation nonsense. And he stands up for abortion and trans rights publicly.

Such a contrast to Starmer his UK equivalent.

Posted by: Iz 💀 26th April 2023, 12:12 AM

This is definitely big news, not only was he one of the only big names left on traditional TV, his clips would presumably have a big online reach and it doesn't seem that there is any big successor. Meanwhile Republican politicians are doing their absolute best to not appeal to the median voter.

So in context that's a good timing of an announcement from Biden. I don't feel there will be any significant primary challenge as things stand, we got an anti-vax Kennedy and Marianne Williamson trying (best left option tbh) but they're unlikely to do much. Bernie 2028!

(I do hope someone somewhere is cooking up good Dem candidates for 2028, ones that aren't Harris sleepwalking into the job)

Posted by: Smint 4th May 2023, 06:58 PM

So the anti trans laws now being put through in Republican states like Texas means that Schools can't take pupils to see 'James and the Giant Peach' as some male actors play female characters and vice versa even if that's common in ensemble productions to reduce the numbers of actors.

https://www.thepinknews.com/2023/05/04/texas-drag-james-and-the-giant-peach-houston/

I mean there's horrifically bad anti LGBT hate crime done every day but this is a bonkers and sinister consequence of legislation passed in state after state. Sad times.

Posted by: Suedehead2 4th May 2023, 09:22 PM

All happening in the self-proclaimed land of the free.

Posted by: Smint 24th May 2023, 03:35 PM

https://www.thepinknews.com/2023/05/24/target-removes-pride-lgbtq-collection/

Depressing news showing that threats of violence works in removing LGBT visibility from the public/corporate sphere - this attack on Target store of course has happened after Bud Light beer company had a huge decline in sales after a ferocious backlash to them sending trans influencer Dylan Mulvaney a single can of beer with her photo on to celebrate her one year of transition. Plus of course these far right tactics will be imported to the UK very soon (signs of it happening now).

Posted by: Iz 💀 25th May 2023, 04:43 AM

Ron DeSantis launched his presidential campaign some hours ago, from what sounds like a disastrous failure of trying to use Twitter Spaces (egged on by "Twitter must be politically neutral" Elon of course) and having multiple audio issues.

race is starting to take shape so I'm thinking about the election thread but I think I'll wait until every major candidate gets in and we're nearly at the debates

trump's still gonna walk it though just look at his attack ads, no one on the DeSantis campaign seems to know what they're doing

Posted by: Smint 25th May 2023, 10:48 AM

Yes de Santis is scared shitless of Trump - his attempt will fail pathetically but of course the sad news is that the anti LGBT rhetoric will ramp up massively during the period.

Posted by: olvs 2nd August 2023, 08:22 AM

I like Kamala Harris, she is an American politician and current vice president of the United States. Found many https://depositphotos.com/stock-photos/kamala-harris.html on depositphotos recently. Someimes I use its photos for my website and blog's articles. There are thousands of images on different themes and I was surprised that even US politics are there too. That's interesting.

Posted by: Iz 💀 2nd August 2023, 08:26 AM

and you're about the only one who does

Posted by: crazy chris 2nd August 2023, 09:08 AM

No I do too and hope she becomes the first ever female POTUS.

Posted by: Addy! 2nd August 2023, 04:14 PM

Kamala is too silent for me...like she's there but she's not there!!!

I hope 2028 brings Michelle Obama to the table...now that's what I would love to be the first ever female POTUS <3

Posted by: Doctor Blind 2nd August 2023, 04:15 PM

I'm firmly team AOC x

Posted by: Addy! 2nd August 2023, 04:18 PM

Oh yeah but I just have a feeling 2028 is still too early for her...plus she's too liberal for majority of americans!!!

Posted by: Manjobee 2nd August 2023, 04:34 PM

She got 2% in the primaries and is deeply unpopular. We want leftists, not neoliberal corporate stooge puppets.

Posted by: Manjobee 2nd August 2023, 04:35 PM

Nope. The right attack anyone, even Biden, by sayinf these right wing neolibs are "communists". Sooo ... why not send an actual leftist, seeing as the attack line will be the same whoever you send?

AoC is no Bernie - a bit of a sell-out at times to the neolib oldies - but she should be okay.

Posted by: Smint 24th August 2023, 11:00 AM

So at a televised debate between the 8 non Trump Republican candidates the question was asked whether any of them thought that Climate change was man made (the view overwhelmingly agreed on by the scientific community). Even after the summer of climate induced natural disasters they've had, NOT ONE of them would raise their hand. We are dealing with this level of dangerous stupid and insanity.

Posted by: Iz 💀 25th August 2023, 11:33 AM

From what I've watched, obviously Vivek Ramaswamy is the new loon for responding to 'what do you say to young Republicans who are concerned you don't care about climate change' with 'we don't, it's not real!' Probably the only big gainer in the long run because he was in the centre of the stage and came across charismatic and non-swampy - so a young Trump essentially. Haley did okay, Christie did awfully, DeSantis already had a decent set of support and was a bit anonymous but it won't eat into his poll numbers. Still Trump's to lose but he did lose support for not being there - according to FiveThirtyEight's post-debate polling on the matter.

So got a bit of name recognition for non-Trumpian candidates even if all of them apart from fringe outsider Asa Hutchinson* said they'd support Trump if chosen as the nominee even if he was convicted. All still certifiable crazies who think that talking about invading Mexico is an acceptable debate topic.

*seemingly the only representative of old-school conservative Republicans left and he still sounded like a cutprice Mike Pence fundamentalist crackpot on other issues.

Posted by: Brer 25th August 2023, 07:46 PM

Christie also said he wouldn't support Trump if he's convicted (a bit of an about turn from him being literally the first 2016 also-ran to endorse him but hey ho). He had the audacity to say something halfway rational during that debate and naturally got booed for it. He seems like probably the least worst option out of the clown circus (maybe joint with Nikki Haley for being seemingly the only person there who doesn't want to give half of Ukraine to Russia, and idk about Hutchinson and Burgum because literally who cares, none of the coverage I've looked up said anything about either of them) but the whole debate seems pretty pointless when it looks like Trump has the nomination all but wrapped up already.

Ramaswamy rising from complete obscurity to being one of the more talked about names seemed a bit out of the blue but I now see why - it's because he's the biggest and most blatant absolute nutcase. He floated the idea of raising the voting age to 25 unless voters pass a 'civics test'. Lol.

Posted by: Calvin Maxwell 25th August 2023, 11:32 PM

the fact that we're still arguing about the existence of climate change despite the waters being warmer than ever, Alaska's glacial meltdown, the Lahaina fires, and California being hit by a tropical storm for the first time in decades... humans are a lost species

Posted by: Smint 28th August 2023, 10:30 PM

Eminem is turning out to be such a hero for me

https://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/us-celebrity-news/eminem-demands-vivek-ramaswamy-stops-30806999

Vivek Ramaswamy is like a younger Suella Braverman of US politics and rapidly gaining popularity in the nominations for Republicans (and is being feted by Trump - possible VP?)