And Also: India Citizenship Law. John Oliver recently talked about India's leader (Trump guy) and its anti-Muslim leanings of late; went to a lecture about the troubling new citizenship law yesterday. India was founded on secular and equal protection principles; this more is troubling. This ruling about a Hindu holy site was flagged too. The lecturer also was involved in big sodomy case that was mentioned on Gay USA. So, you know, I can say that I have limited knowledge about these things. India has over a billion people, so is of some interest.
(A discussion of United States constitutional law on Twitter flagged the diversity of constitutional law world-wide, India being a notable example.)
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My sentiments remain: Elizabeth Warren is the best option of the pool if we care about basic competency, but that isn't all that matters, obviously. Also, I wanted to wait at least to Super Tuesday, not relying on about four percent of the delegates. (There remains over 60% even once California is counted.) A bit naive, I guess, since Biden's strong South Carolina win was a bit of a dominoes falling moment. Steyer dropped out (yawn) but then Buttigieg/Klobuchar did (and, hey, it's Beto! remember him?), endorsing Biden. Plus, Warren never showed much viability in actual contests, even if in their hearts, she might have been at least the second choice for Democratic voters.
I early on said that I didn't like Biden as a nominee. My reasons were mostly substantive. I was wary about his ability in the general election, wariness that really hasn't completely changed, but it was not my primary concern. I opposed him on certain substantive matters. I also really wanted a woman nominee. Yes, I can see various reasons why Biden would realistically be the nominee. My primary image now is a kindly caretaker who can get us past Trump while allowing Dems to operate some including by picking judges. Plus, his vice president might be more notable than usual especially if we have a woman vice president. And, hey, a black woman on the Supreme Court. At some point, maybe women Warren supporters will not be THAT pissed off.
(There is talk the Warren campaign is considering things -- doing badly in your home state will do that -- but there is a reasonable case that this can help Biden. On policy, she is more inclined to support Sanders, but Biden very well might be more likely to help actually get things done there. If Biden's people can craft a deal, Warren very well might prudently decide that she is better off -- eventually -- going his way. A bit soon though.
Warren was seen by some as the "moderate" candidate if Biden/Bloomberg was a no-go and in comparison to Sanders, this does make sense. The "Warren VP" talk is simplistic -- don't risk the Senate seat and she would be more productive in her current spot. Anyway, there is some bad blood between her and Sanders as seen in the whole "you can't win" deal.)
I found it hard to see Sanders as a general election nominee. I respect the movement he supports, noting that doesn't mean certain flags should be ignored. But, as an actual general election candidate? Hard for me to see it. And, key people, not just "extreme online Bernie Bros," hurt him there. Including he himself. Many actual on the ground activists can tell you how actual change comes with help of "the Establishment," for one thing. Then again, Sanders is a member of it -- unless some well off white guy in the U.S. Senate is not it. Sanders and/or his supporters too often come off as angry assholes that do not do enough to address the hard work and compromise necessary for change. Some are involved there but Sanders does not to me represent who we need on the actual ticket. Gadfly.
Anyway, yes, hard to see how Sanders will win it even if there are 60% of delegates left. Biden got a plurality in Texas. Sanders got one in California,* but his margin is smaller than the Bloomberg vote. Bloomberg has now endorsed Biden. Sanders might do well delegate-wise without it really reflecting his popular vote numbers being handicapping. RIGGED! He will have trouble in Florida, another major delegate state. I hope Warren still will have a productive role here. I'll probably vote for her in New York.
If it's Biden, again, this is the thumbnail take: "Kindly old caretaker who will get us past Trump, pick decent judges and sign some legislation while running things in a matter that isn't that embarrassing. Oh, maybe a black woman vp." Hopefully, he will be the sort various powers that be, including in the media, are comfortable with, which will help somewhat. And, yes, he will look old and frail at times. But, apparently, (insert latest reason here) a better woman is not a good fit.
Does Warren have a plan to help? I vote in late April.
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* It will take a while to count California, but trends seems to be visible. Bloomberg did badly as a whole, but here and there his vote count is notable. Take Colorado, one of the places Sanders won. Bloomberg received 21%. with Biden/Bloomberg approaching 50% numbers. Bloomberg's big win was American Samoa with Gabbard getting a delegate too. That is a bit tongue in cheek, but this is a footnote.
(Talking Points Memo has voter totals so you can have fun with obscure also rans getting a few votes. Also notable: Jeff Sessions, still being bad-mouthed by Trump, will need to face some former football coach in the Alabama senatorial primary. I really hope Doug Jones has a real shot at hanging on.)
(A discussion of United States constitutional law on Twitter flagged the diversity of constitutional law world-wide, India being a notable example.)
===
My sentiments remain: Elizabeth Warren is the best option of the pool if we care about basic competency, but that isn't all that matters, obviously. Also, I wanted to wait at least to Super Tuesday, not relying on about four percent of the delegates. (There remains over 60% even once California is counted.) A bit naive, I guess, since Biden's strong South Carolina win was a bit of a dominoes falling moment. Steyer dropped out (yawn) but then Buttigieg/Klobuchar did (and, hey, it's Beto! remember him?), endorsing Biden. Plus, Warren never showed much viability in actual contests, even if in their hearts, she might have been at least the second choice for Democratic voters.
I early on said that I didn't like Biden as a nominee. My reasons were mostly substantive. I was wary about his ability in the general election, wariness that really hasn't completely changed, but it was not my primary concern. I opposed him on certain substantive matters. I also really wanted a woman nominee. Yes, I can see various reasons why Biden would realistically be the nominee. My primary image now is a kindly caretaker who can get us past Trump while allowing Dems to operate some including by picking judges. Plus, his vice president might be more notable than usual especially if we have a woman vice president. And, hey, a black woman on the Supreme Court. At some point, maybe women Warren supporters will not be THAT pissed off.
(There is talk the Warren campaign is considering things -- doing badly in your home state will do that -- but there is a reasonable case that this can help Biden. On policy, she is more inclined to support Sanders, but Biden very well might be more likely to help actually get things done there. If Biden's people can craft a deal, Warren very well might prudently decide that she is better off -- eventually -- going his way. A bit soon though.
Warren was seen by some as the "moderate" candidate if Biden/Bloomberg was a no-go and in comparison to Sanders, this does make sense. The "Warren VP" talk is simplistic -- don't risk the Senate seat and she would be more productive in her current spot. Anyway, there is some bad blood between her and Sanders as seen in the whole "you can't win" deal.)
I found it hard to see Sanders as a general election nominee. I respect the movement he supports, noting that doesn't mean certain flags should be ignored. But, as an actual general election candidate? Hard for me to see it. And, key people, not just "extreme online Bernie Bros," hurt him there. Including he himself. Many actual on the ground activists can tell you how actual change comes with help of "the Establishment," for one thing. Then again, Sanders is a member of it -- unless some well off white guy in the U.S. Senate is not it. Sanders and/or his supporters too often come off as angry assholes that do not do enough to address the hard work and compromise necessary for change. Some are involved there but Sanders does not to me represent who we need on the actual ticket. Gadfly.
Anyway, yes, hard to see how Sanders will win it even if there are 60% of delegates left. Biden got a plurality in Texas. Sanders got one in California,* but his margin is smaller than the Bloomberg vote. Bloomberg has now endorsed Biden. Sanders might do well delegate-wise without it really reflecting his popular vote numbers being handicapping. RIGGED! He will have trouble in Florida, another major delegate state. I hope Warren still will have a productive role here. I'll probably vote for her in New York.
If it's Biden, again, this is the thumbnail take: "Kindly old caretaker who will get us past Trump, pick decent judges and sign some legislation while running things in a matter that isn't that embarrassing. Oh, maybe a black woman vp." Hopefully, he will be the sort various powers that be, including in the media, are comfortable with, which will help somewhat. And, yes, he will look old and frail at times. But, apparently, (insert latest reason here) a better woman is not a good fit.
Does Warren have a plan to help? I vote in late April.
---
* It will take a while to count California, but trends seems to be visible. Bloomberg did badly as a whole, but here and there his vote count is notable. Take Colorado, one of the places Sanders won. Bloomberg received 21%. with Biden/Bloomberg approaching 50% numbers. Bloomberg's big win was American Samoa with Gabbard getting a delegate too. That is a bit tongue in cheek, but this is a footnote.
(Talking Points Memo has voter totals so you can have fun with obscure also rans getting a few votes. Also notable: Jeff Sessions, still being bad-mouthed by Trump, will need to face some former football coach in the Alabama senatorial primary. I really hope Doug Jones has a real shot at hanging on.)
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Thanks for your .02!