Random Politics & Religion #01

Was it previously a link within another article? That's happened to me when linking here. Free within the OG article, but not linked elsewhere.

Either way, probably not that big of a deal anyway.

Their choosen one is Kasich or other.

Cruz is just as despised as Trump, if not more so.

Seriously. If anything, they might hate Cruz more, because he's been busy making their lives miserable in Congress. I was trying to figure out if I'd missed something re: Cruz and the establishment, but the responses to that have told me I haven't.

Which is why Texans love Cruz.

I mean, what speaks more of Texas than to piss off the rest of the nation? For example: Bush Jr.

A new enemy approaches

Gary Johnson joined the game. *sounds the alarm*

Different perspective, Miss Chanti, who's to say that Cruz wasn't riding on the base of Tex-cenptionalism and name recognition here.

I mean, from what I've seen his minions here, they're the type to tote the "Come And Take It" flag and mantra without reflecting on the conclusion and Santa Anna's mass BBQ a la soldiers.

Just saying...Not that this amounts to a hill of beans, but KN is not Texas's official spokesman. Everyone I know age 30+ (generations spanning from Baby-Boomers to Gen Y) who went the "R" route, voted Rubio or Kasich. Now, they're considering HRC as their possible candidate. There's a compromise.

There were some rumblings from Cruz/Trump supporters that Travis County's Rubio leanings were "fixed". Just to expand, some counties offer zip, zero, nada in terms of a candidate other than a Republican for local government in rural areas, so you have people who voted Republican to tone down the level of crazy amongst crazy. That's how ugly elections are here.

I don't think Cruz is "playing" the hard line christian. I believe he has been pushing that since he first entered politics. Which is why there is the fear of wanting to push the country towards a christian theocracy.

Wisconsin Exit Poll Results: One in Three GOP Voters Would Abandon Party if Cruz or Trump is Nominee
NBC.

The picture:

Zahrah, it was a bit like that in NYC when I was young except everyone registered Democrat so they could vote in the Democratic primary.

Not as crazy as TX but way more corrupt.

I was being factious, but I guess that went over your head.

*factitious

Damn it Rooks, give me my edit feature back, or I'll sic Nausi and his garbage trucks after you!

Completely forgot NY doesn't have open primaries.

Sad that some districts and rural towns have no alternatives as far as local representation, though. There are some areas with utility monopolies here, also.

Some people don't understand that loving your state means being critical of it, too.

I take Abbott supporters with stark seriousness.

I thought y'all were the party of personal responsibility. Use the preview feature.

Spell checker. Don't leave home without it.

Rubio and Bush were the ones being groomed for the Candidacy. Cruz was the Sanders of the group, the "super hard christian / family man" that was supposed to make the others look moderate. Didn't work out that way and the GoP has since thrown it's support and resources behind Cruz in the hopes of pushing Trump out.

Can someone give me a quick baby version of why the primaries matter? I just saw some random things on Facebooks like



Are the primaries just a popularity assessment so the people who really decide who is picked for each side can feel out the voters?

If the above picture has any merit (meh Facebook political stuff) then it seems to me like the primaries are just a dog and pony show, something to make people *feel* involved or like they are doing their "civic duty". I am still going to go out and do it, but it sure does take the wind out of the ole sails seeing something like this.

The primaries are there to give the parties a better idea of who would give them the best chance in the general election. The parties have both established their own sets of rules and by-laws around them (which differ; Republicans don't have superdelegates, for instance). But those rules are internal to the party, and not part of the actual electoral system. The parties themselves make the decision on who they put up there, though both have rules that allow candidates who win a majority to outright claim the nomination.

The Democrats are actually less democratic in this case; their superdelegate system means the party itself always has its hands on the reins, and can in fact overrule the will of the voters.

tl,dr; they matter, but the Democratic primaries in particular are closer to semi-binding polls than anything else. The GOP primaries matter a little more, but neither party's actions are enshrined in actual law.

¡Arriba!

Also, re: Kim Metcalfe

This is a nice reminder that the elites in both parties are only as concerned with the opinions of the people as they are absolutely forced to be, and not one iota more. The superdelegate system is particularly galling and cynical (though I bet the GOP elite wishes they had it right about now).

This primary season giving big boosts to Trump/Cruz/Sanders is mostly a reflection of people finally figuring that out, and firing back.

'Tis the season to be outraged.

I think why some people have problems with this subject is because they think the Republicans and Democrats are the government. When in fact they merely represent their "voters".

They can run whoever they want, just like anybody can run for President. The purpose for the primaries is just one more way to hold power and be the main competing parties. They hold all the power and independent candidates literally have no chance in hell since the vast majority either do not vote or only vote colors.

This is part of the genius of Trump and even Cruz to an extent. They would have no chance as an independent but under the Republicans colors they have a shot.

If we Americans would stop being so stupid and actually take control of our government the party system would be worthless.

Seriously? A christian theocracy? Do you understand how absurd that is?

It may be wishful thinking, but I think we're slowly getting to that point. The more connected the citizens become with new technologies, the less that they have to rely on the party system to set up candidates and get out the message. I much as I shudder to think that our current brand of technologically savvy young adults could be the ones to pick a future president, it might be worth it to see ye olde establishment crumble to dust.

I know this particular example isn't exactly what you're hoping for, but look at the Sanders campaign; pretty much no support from the party, no big money, it's been propelled almost entirely by how easy it is to communicate - and raise money - via the internet, which would have been unthinkable at this scale even ten years ago.

HRC was headed for a coronation and still might be. But the fact that a full-on socialist from an electorally unimportant state took on their chosen one - which would have given their party the first woman president - and bloodied her nose is actually kind of encouraging.

The superdelegate system will ensure his particular quest is ultimately unsuccessful, but if you're a party elite on either side, the Sanders campaign - and what it may mean to future campaigns - is terrifying.

Looks like Cruz has won BIG.

Just curious. Rav is from Indiana, Alti mentioned Michigan, and Nausi is from Penn, right?

I'm from Boston kid, or rather outside in MA.

Wickid pissah.

Terrifying? I bet 80% of his supporters don't realize the average person is gonna live on ~100 bucks less per week under his tax plan. That's ALOT of money do anyone that works. I mean i know the media is in the tank for their fellow liberals and socialists over us conservatives, but there's no way that would be buried for an entire campaign season.