It’s Time I Got Off The Fence – My Presidential Endorsement

It’s Time I Got Off The Fence – My Presidential Endorsement

Here's where I began. Before Bernie Sanders entered the primary I was fine with Hillary Clinton. Basically, I knew what I would be voting for (warts and all). Nothing anyone says about her is new to me. That doesn't mean I agree with her on everything. It just means that I was open to supporting a Sanders' nomination. I even wrote a post about it and commented on it extensively. I'm going to be really honest here. Many of the comments from Bernie supporters on this site concerned me.  I heard a lot about why social issues weren't important and would have to wait - suddenly incrementalism was A-okay.  That surprised me, and concerned me, since Dems are going to desperately (and I mean desperately) need the votes of black and brown people, women, non-Christians, the LGTB community, and other minority groups in November. Not to mention that every time I asked for reasons to support Bernie I received a host of reasons to not support Hillary. Basically, I wasn't comfortable with the strategy of "My candidate doesn't suck as much as your candidate" comments. And boy, there were a ton of those. To me, that shows a weakness of your candidate. Guess you've already figured out who I'm going with. I'd already admitted weeks ago I was leaning towards Hillary. The time since has merely strengthened my stance.
Wednesday Open Thread [2.24.16]

Wednesday Open Thread [2.24.16]

The Republican Party as we have known it is now officially dead. Flatline. The new party created by Trump in its stead must be called the Nationalist Party from now on. Politico: “Suddenly, [...] it is Trump’s new alliance of angry populists that is ascendant — and on the precipice of dominance.” Washington Post: “The rise of Donald Trump has baffled the so-called establishment of the Republican Party. It’s become just as confounding to the libertarians, conservatives, and ‘constitutionalists’ who used to be called the “Tea Party.” While Cruz had spent the days before these caucuses pre-spinning a loss, the size of the Trump victory challenged notions about who, exactly, was a conservative.” Amanda Carpenter on CNN was realistic about the end of her party:
"I'm really struck in thinking about what a Donald Trump nomination would actually mean," she said. "I really think it's the end of the Republican Party. It's a natural effect. We've watched what's happened by a lot of people who have wanted to save power so badly they didn't listen, didn't listen, didn't listen to the grassroots. They didn't listen in 2010, they didn't listen in 2014 even though we won those midterm elections. Nothing changed."
Obama & McConnell detail required nominee qualifications

Obama & McConnell detail required nominee qualifications

President Barack Obama: "A sterling record. A deep respect for the judiciary’s role. An understanding of the way the world really works. That’s what I’m considering as I fulfill my constitutional duty to appoint a judge to our highest court." Mitch McConnell: "Someone not nominated by the black guy."