Capitol Hill Blue Forums Active Threads This Week

I would say as far as the general public goes; the battle lines are drawn with approximately 40% being very pro, avid Trumpers with another 40% being your avid anti-Trumpers. That leaves 20% in-between them which can ebb and flow back and forth. You can see this flow in Trump’s overall job approval numbers. At the beginning of his presidency, 51% approval, 44% disapproval, then at the end of April those numbers fell to 45% approval, 52% disapproval. But have since rebounded some to where Trump’s overall job approval stands today at 46% approval, 50% disapproval which coincides to some prices dropping in grocery stores.

https://www.realclearpolling.com/polls/approval/donald-trump/approval-rating

Your avid pro and anti Trumpers will never budge. The battle is this 20% or so who aren’t in either category. Prices, the economy in general will probably do more to influence them than any message the democrats come up with. It’s a question, are their lives improving or getting worse under Trump. You can throw in for some of this 20% does Trump’s policies and action affect their personal lives or not, affect them personally. Which basically falls into whether they view their lives as getting better or worse.

As James Carville once said, “It’s the economy, stupid!” In today’s modern political era of polarization, the great divide, the super, mega, ultra-high partisanship, that statement rings more true today, especially among this latter 20% group than it ever did during the Bill Clinton Presidency.

It is REALLY time for the Democrats to stop the bla-bla-bla, figure out who is going to lead, and define a message. They have now spent, literally, years and nada! I remember when Trump was a Democrat (for years) then he switched. When asked he said something to the effect that the Republicans would be easier to take over than the Democrats. He was, obviously, right. The Republicans have a leader and a lots of messages. They are tend to stick together whilst the Democrats, her, uh, well, you know forever. Hopefully Somebody, or some group, can get in there and do what is necessary. If the democrats do not start functioning then hey will be remembered as the political party that destroyed a democracy. Those with Democratic power will be painted with the same - for all of history. One would think that would get them off their butts. We will, of course all see...............

We can all hope I guess..............

hmmmm .... as I cogitate scratching my head

I think this is a common refrain from pundits of all political persuasions, but I don't think it is very useful or helpful. I have to admit, I also do this ... criticize and not have an alternative response, but I stop myself and think ... ok i see a problem but can I propose a substantive response? Sometimes yes and sometimes no.

First, I would like my thesis to be attractive to members of MAGA (if that is possible), since if it does create traction with some of them, it follows that independents would also be accommodating. I know it's a tough sell because MAGA is more akin to a cult than a political party with core beliefs, but is rather driven by animosity to fellows humans. This is a base level, buried deep in the hearts, of ,members, and is thus the most difficult to move ... however, not all MAGA are bigots. So, the right message may appeal to them.

Second, despite the fact almost every pundit has proclaimed a message of the Death of Democracy has become almost irrelevant (as it has fallen on deaf ears) or at a minimum, is no longer impactful, I still maintain it is the right message. If there is no Democracy, what value is there for anything else? Is simply living your life never criticizing Trump (the government) enough? That implicit fear of retribution will hollow out one's soul ... crush one's spirit ... and without a singularly personal threat, will have turned America into a 19th century prison. So yes Democracy is the message.

Third, is it the only message? Nope! Almost everything Trump does, is an advertisement for legitimate criticism. We see all the unConstitutional things he does, but his "policies" have the greatest influence on those ephemeral issues like quality of life. Despite the fact Trump's economic argument is to get somewhere better, it is indisputable what he has done has created chaos in the market place, which directly affects voters. The arguments sound "great". Imagine generations of families tied to factory work with "good" paying jobs. I am quite sure that is what Americans envision. Lower prices by raising prices on everything.

Fourth and lastly, there still remains the one issue very few have broached ... will we even have a free and fair election in 26 much less in 28? If Trump has already trampled on the Constitution, why wouldn't he simply continue with even more extreme measures during an election to ensure he, MAGA Party, wins? His atty just argued in the SC that if the Courts have no enforcement mechanism, then the President can do whatever he wants to do without impunity or accountability.

So "P" I need to hear your or anyone's suggestions on messaging ... I may be stuck in this box ... I need some help

I haven’t heard anything from the Democratic Party or from anyone asking for money. The democratic party is still in the infighting phase, trying to figure out which faction will take control and provide the leader. The problem is none of the factions has a leader willing to take the lead, the reigns of the democratic party. Which is unique as it usually doesn’t take the party out of power long to unite against the party in power. Certainly, not this long. In 2016 when Trump won, Pelosi grabbed the leadership reigns, united the party very quickly to when the 2018 midterms rolled around, they were ready. The democrats would gain 42 house seats and regain control of the house. There’s no one around today to stop the different factions fighting for control of the democratic party. While they’re doing that, Trump has a free hand to do whatever he wants with little to no opposition. It seems to me the democratic party is still in denial over their loss last year. No one is looking toward the future, like you said, now they’re blaming Biden. I’d say today, the democratic party is too fractured to come with a positive, coherent message. They don’t know how and where they want to go or what they stand for.

I have been off to Mexico for a couple of weeks. When I get back I see that Trump is at it big time and that the Democrats have yet to even post an ad. I also noted that Trump Is claiming that he has installed a brand new chip manufacturer when, in fact Biden did it What I also noted is that the Democrats are now out there telling everybody that Biden was a bad this and that instead of saying what he actually did. I checked my mail - a pile from folks saying that they are Democrats and wanting money (I didn't give a damn dime). I have yet to get anything from the Democratic party - seems a bit odd to me. All in all the Democratic party, as far as I can tell no longer exists! Its says they have money. One can only wonder. They allow Trump to claim and lie without fighting back, and, apparently, its a kinda so what thing I guess. I also noted that the TV news folk are starting to back off a lot of facts they had been telling about our lord and master and king the the entire world.

Now I hear that Trump, when taking bribes from the Muslim world was supposed to sign something but couldn't because he didn't know where he was and just wanted a big free airplane As far as I can tell that is some kind of secret. Anyway, I go away, and when I come back the only people fighting back are the common folks, pissed off and yelling it to the heavens (which is a VERY good thing! I also understand why they are a bit wondering about the Democrat Party and are beginning to try and move the stones in charge so that they do something. I do know we have a couple of months before the new set of voting is going to take place and we have a Democratic party with no leadership, no message, doing little or nothing or secret stuff nobody knows about and consistently trying to find money (I think). Seems we are currently not setting up to take the house next year although, Lord Knows, the Republicans have been hard providing the path. Hopefully I am dead wrong.

Anyway, happy to be back and wish us all the best.

I typed in November 2016 that many lawsuits should be filed in anticipation that Trump would defy or simply ignore the Constitution. This would have solidified the underpinnings of the Constitution and legal structures of Democracy in an attempt to preserve the fragile system we have. Clearly my admonitions were ignored which brings us to this point in history, when Trump has effectively and almost completely ignored and sidestepped the Constitution. He has appointed unqualified boot licking sycophants who will lie cheat and steal for him. In one of the most egregiously blatant acts against the Constitution, Trump has accepted an emolument in direct contradiction to the Constitution and there is not a single thing anyone ... ANYONE ... can do about it. Congress will not investigate much less impeach over it, and the DoJ has already condoned trampling on the Constitution. And yet we still have pundits clutching their pearls whimpering ... the courts ... the courts.

Obre los ojos!!!! We are already living under a dictator.