February 4-6, 2020
Feb 04 02:23 Iowa Democrats' disaster Feb 04 09:27 Finally, some results from Iowa Feb 05 07:06 Despite Pelosi's petulance, Trump commands the chamber Feb 05 13:01 Extending Sen. Bakk an invitation Feb 05 14:23 Mitt joins Pelosi in hating Trump Feb 06 06:46 Gallup Poll highlights Trump's winning economic message Feb 06 07:47 Iowa's underreported stories
Prior Months: Jan
Prior Years:
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
Iowa Democrats' disaster
Years ago, Minnesotans got quite a chuckle at the expense of Iowans. The joke was that Iowa wasn't name but an acronym. The joke was that Iowa was an acronym that stood for "I Owe the World an Apology." Last night, the first in the nation caucus did something that no other political party had done before. Iowa held a caucus, then didn't report the results.
Each of the top Democrats delivered a quasi-victory speech, with Minnesota Democrat Amy Klobuchar being the first Democrat to sound upbeat without having anything except anecdotal evidence on the results. Klobuchar was followed by Joe Biden, Elizabeth Warren, Pete Buttigieg and Andrew Yang. It was thought that Sanders, Buttigieg and Warren (not necessarily in that order) were the top 3, with Biden "finishing a distant 4th." If that's true, and we don't know that it is, Klobuchar will have survived because the Democratic Party of Iowa was too incompetent to count votes.
CNN is reporting that "Iowa Democratic Party Chair Troy Price faced intense criticism from multiple Democratic campaigns during a call early on Tuesday morning, with senior advisers repeatedly questioning the transparency of the process."
Price continued:
Price sought to defend the process, arguing that the delay in reporting results stemmed from the party's desire to "ensure the integrity of the process" but that the party was working to keep "campaigns in the loop throughout this entire process."
Guy Benson tweeted this incomplete data from the Sanders campaign:
This seems very irresponsible - but there's a leak war among multiple campaigns right now. This pot is boiling. https://t.co/LQQ1YMuqk1
- Guy Benson (@guypbenson) February 4, 2020
It isn't Guy's fault that he didn't have complete numbers. That fault lies 100% on the Democratic Party of Iowa. Mark Meadows' tweet:
Folks - this is the party that wants to run your healthcare, control your employment, decide what kind of car you can drive, and more
- Mark Meadows (@RepMarkMeadows) February 4, 2020
What could possibly go wrong?
Posted Tuesday, February 4, 2020 2:23 AM
No comments.
Finally, some results from Iowa
Finally, there's some results from Iowa . Whether they're accurate is still in question. Last night, when it became clear that the Iowa Democratic Party's app wouldn't work, the Klobuchar, Biden, Buttigieg, Warren and Yang campaigns delivered rah-rah speeches to fire up their supporters even though they didn't have any results.
Later, the Sanders campaign "took it on itself to release numbers it collected from nearly 40 percent of precincts, tabulated by its campaign organizers. The Sanders campaign reports it received 29.7 percent of the vote, closely followed by former South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg at 24.6 percent. Sen. Elizabeth Warren came in at 21.2 percent, and former Vice President Joe Biden in fourth at 12.4 percent. Sanders put those numbers out shortly after Buttigieg finished his own, seemingly triumphant speech in Iowa. The party said it would release official results Tuesday."
Relying on a campaign's campaign figures isn't the smartest thing. Campaigns have been known to cherry-pick information that most favors them and omit the information that isn't flattering to them. Still, it's the closest thing to actual data that we've seen thus far.
If Sanders' numbers are relatively accurate, Biden and Klobuchar have a reason to worry. Biden had Iowa to himself, with the exception of Buttigieg. If he had a real message, he would've put the state away and coasted to victory. He didn't win with 12.4% of the vote. It was smart for Sen. Klobuchar to make her speech but reality will catch up if she doesn't get a message fast.
This morning, President Trump weighed in via twitter:
The Democrat Caucus is an unmitigated disaster. Nothing works, just like they ran the Country. Remember the 5 Billion Dollar Obamacare Website, that should have cost 2% of that. The only person that can claim a very big victory in Iowa last night is 'Trump'.
- Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 4, 2020
This tweet looks totally foolish at this point:
For three years, we've been preparing for the process that officially kicks off tonight in Iowa: the Democratic presidential primary. Today our chair, @TomPerez, reflects on the reforms we've made to make this the most transparent primary in our history: https://t.co/8w7gtSfqil
- Democratic Party (@DNC) February 3, 2020
No results 14 hours after the Caucuses started is transparency? Who knew that they'd lowered the bar that far? Is that like invisible transparency?
Posted Tuesday, February 4, 2020 9:27 AM
No comments.
Despite Pelosi's petulance, Trump commands the chamber
Last night, President Trump reminded the people that he and a unified GOP congress passed and signed the legislation that unleashed an economic revolution that's continues to this day. Sitting right over his left shoulder was Speaker-in-name-only Pelosi. President Trump started the State of the Union Address strong. At one point, he riffed "Three years ago, we launched the great American comeback. Tonight, I stand before you to share the incredible results. Jobs are booming, incomes are soaring, poverty is plummeting, crime is falling, confidence is surging, and our country is thriving and highly respected again. America's enemies are on the run, America's fortunes are on the rise, and America's future is blazing bright."
Despite the fact that the US is back and better than ever, some things never change. Speaker Pelosi is still acting like a petulant spoiled brat. Throughout the speech, she looked disinterested in the speech. At times, she looked like she was catching up on paperwork. At other times, she sat while Republicans and other patriotic Americans applauded our nation's accomplishments under this administration. At the end, Pelosi ripped up the speech:
[Video no longer available]
In the words of the NY Post, Speaker Pelosi is last night's "Tore Loser":
Last night, President Trump laid out a lengthy list of accomplishments that will help him win re-election. Throughout the speech, Pelosi acted like the elitist snob that she is. She won't change. The bad news is that we're stuck with her. The good news is that We The People can demote her to minority leader this upcoming November.
It isn't just that she doesn't like President Trump. It's that it appears as though she viscerally hates President Trump. There isn't any doubt that she'd rather stab him in the back rather than negotiate in good faith with him. Pelosi and other Democrats sat while President Trump said this:
I am thrilled to report to you tonight that our economy is the best it has ever been. Our military is completely rebuilt, with its power being unmatched anywhere in the world - and it's not even close. Our borders are secure. Our families are flourishing. Our values are renewed. Our pride is restored. And for all of these reasons, I say to the people of our great country and to the members of Congress: The state of our Union is stronger than ever before.
By comparison, Republicans stood and applauded. Republicans applaud when America flourishes. Former Democrat presidential candidate Tim Ryan walked out of the speech . Seth Moulton, another loser Democrat presidential candidate, walked out, too. After he left, Ryan tweeted this:
I just walked out of the #StateOfTheUnion. I've had enough. It's like watching professional wrestling. It's all fake.
- Congressman Tim Ryan (@RepTimRyan) February 5, 2020
Earlier, Ryan tweeted this:
The President spent the first half of his #SOTU speech talking about how great the economy is for American workers, but if that's true, why are so many Ohioans working 2 or 3 jobs and struggling to make ends meet?
- Congressman Tim Ryan (@RepTimRyan) February 5, 2020
Closing question: why is it impossible for Democrats to applaud when people are prospering? Why do Democrats see the US as though we're in the midst of a terrible recession? The reality is that we're experiencing a blue collar boom.
In the Gallery tonight, we have a young gentleman. And what he wants so badly - 13 years old - Iain Lanphier. He's an eighth grader from Arizona. Iain, please stand up. Iain has always dreamed of going to space. He was the first in his class and among the youngest at an aviation academy. He aspires to go to the Air Force Academy and then he has his eye on the Space Force. As Iain says, "Most people look up at space. I want to look down on the world."
But sitting behind Iain tonight is his greatest hero of them all. Charles McGee was born in Cleveland, Ohio, one century ago. Charles is one of the last surviving Tuskegee Airmen - the first black fighter pilots - and he also happens to be Iain's great-grandfather. Incredible story.
The US is the nation where dreams can change the trajectory of an entire family. While I can't see into the future, I can say that I won't be surprised if Iain reaches for -- and attains -- the stars. That's part of this incredible nation's DNA. That's who we are -- a nation of overachievers.
The great news, in President Trump's words, is that "the best is yet to come."
Posted Wednesday, February 5, 2020 7:06 AM
Comment 1 by eric z at 05-Feb-20 08:43 AM
So? Over half thed people, every poll taken, want the bugger out. So Mitch had more votes. Big deal. There was a time when slave owners had more votes. Now they say, "One vote" but the de facto if not de jure enslavement continues. Enslavement to Wall Street, with Bloomberg under false colors, having a fortune built on servicing Wall Streeters; and I am supposed to care about a play???? And, look at what the actors showed the world about their skill sets. Your side simply had a higher schmuck count.
Response 1.1 by Gary Gross at 05-Feb-20 01:46 PM
Eric, what the fuck are you talking about? Slave owners? Seriously? How does it feel to be "enslaved" to Big Government that confiscates money from hard-working people? Big government is just as evil as corporate America. The Obama administration illegally & improperly surveilled the Trump campaign. They politicized the FBI & the FISC, then used them in their attempt to take down a duly-elected president.
That's 1,000 times worse than anything that Trump did.
Comment 2 by Gretchen Leisen at 05-Feb-20 04:29 PM
Since the 2016 election, the Democrats have showed a face of utter disdain for our Constitution and half of the population. They promote the hoax of global warming ending in the death of our planet within the next 10-11 years; the killing of infants already born if they are not 'wanted infants'; sanctuary from prosecution for breaking US laws for illegal immigrants as long as they have a Latino/Latina name; confiscation of guns from law abiding citizens; free medical care for illegal immigrants, but no right to keep your private health insurance if you are a legal citizen of the USA; Boys can enter girls sports, bathrooms and showers as long as they claim they feel like a girl that say. That is just a small list of the no sense platform of the Democrat party.
They claim they do not like Donald Trump, but what they really do not like are traditional Americans who believe in a Judeo-Christian ethic, the US Constitution, and common sense.
Comment 3 by Chad Q at 05-Feb-20 05:21 PM
Not sure what polls you were looking at but most showed either 50/50 or more in favor of him staying in office. I guess Pravda may have had it at less than 50%.
As I have stated in past comments and Gary has reiterated well today, Big Government, i.e. the progressive democrat party, have been the ones to enslave people in the US through their BS promises yet nothing ever changes except for the power the progressives gain by telling lies.
Comment 4 by eric z at 06-Feb-20 11:29 AM
Chad - What progressive Democratic Party? We in this cycle are finally trying to build one. If you put the label "progressive" on the Clintons, they pushed Third Way; the opposite of progressivism. Progressives last cycle had to see Trump win because establishment Dems -- with their donor dependence -- ran a disaster, some probably knowing it was a disaster, while the DNC showed its main expertise that cycle was to cheat. You throw terminology around that way, I'll call the globalist war monger George W. Bush a "Goldwater conservative." So there.
Comment 5 by Chad Q at 06-Feb-20 05:15 PM
Whether you want to call them the progressive democrat party of the past or not, that's what they called themselves so that's what I'm calling them. Regardless of what you or anyone else calls the socialists/communists that are trying to create your version of so called "progress", you are still enslaving people by lying to them that your version of socialism/communism is going to work yet it never will. The only people who benefit are the ones in power, the rest suffer.
Extending Sen. Bakk an invitation
Now that he's been dumped by the DFL, people must wonder what's next for Sen. Tom Bakk. I've thought about that subject myself and I've reached the conclusion that Sen. Bakk would look fantastic with MNGOP after his name. What's left within the DFL that fits Sen. Bakk?
It can't be disputed that:
- today's DFL has decided that Iron Rangers aren't welcome within the DFL;
- today's DFL is the metrocentric party;
- today's DFL hates pipelines, mining and blue collar workers;
- today's DFL is the gun grabber caucus;
- today's DFL is the party of socialists.
Sen. Bakk, I haven't always agreed with you but you've worked to make PolyMet and Twin Metals a reality. Susan Kent and John Marty won't help make those things a reality. Paul Gazelka, Kurt Daudt and other Republicans would enthusiastically team with you on those initiatives.
It's clear that today's DFL isn't interested in rural Minnesota . Sen. Bakk, you know this is BS:
"What I know about the DFL Party is that whether in the Senate or in the House or statewide offices, we're the only party that represents Minnesotans from the Canadian border to Iowa and from the Dakotas to Wisconsin," Hortman said.
That's BS on steroids. When's the last time a metro DFL politician voted for building a pipeline? That's right, Sen Bakk. It's been a decade+. Sen Bakk, when's the last time a metro DFL politician enthusiastically supported precious metals mining? That's right, Sen Bakk. They've never supported precious metal mining. They haven't even half-heartedly supported precious metal mining.
Sen. Bakk, you have a chance to establish a different legacy for yourself. There's an opportunity for you to send a signal that you're an Iron Ranger first, last and always. Think of the message of statesmanship first that fighting for the people, not a political party, would send. That legacy is a powerful thing, something that would permit you to say that people, not party, matter most to you.
[Video no longer available]
Sen. Bakk, it's time for you to put your constituents, not the DFL, first. Your constituents want to build things, work hard and be rewarded for doing the right thing. Sen. Bakk, you have the opportunity to send a message to metro DFL politicians that the Range fights for Rangers.
Sen. Bakk, carpe diem. Carpe diem.
Posted Wednesday, February 5, 2020 1:01 PM
Comment 1 by eric z at 06-Feb-20 11:20 AM
Bakk's ouster was overdue. He should be a Republican, your worry, not the worry of those wanting progress; Bakk in their way.
Mitt joins Pelosi in hating Trump
Apparently, Mitt Romney's hatred of President Trump runs deep and cold. Today, Romney adopted the Democrats' talking points, saying "What he did was not perfect. No, it was a flagrant assault on our electoral rights, our national security, and our fundamental values."
Only an idiot or a liar could reach that conclusion. Mitt isn't an idiot. Another thing he isn't is a Republican. He's a sanctimonious jackass. When Romney votes to convict President Trump, he'll become the only Republican to vote with Chuck Schumer, Nancy Pelosi, Adam Schiff, Jerry Nadler, AOC and Ilhan Omar. That isn't my definition of a Republican.
In a speech from the Senate floor, Romney invoked his religion , saying "As a senator juror, I swore a oath before God to exercise impartial justice. I am profoundly religious. My faith is at the heart of who I am," Romney said, before getting choked up and taking a pause. I take an oath before God as enormously consequential. I knew from the outset that being tasked with judging the president, the leader of my own party would be the most difficult decision I have ever made. What he did was not perfect. No, it was a flagrant assault on our electoral rights, our national security, and our fundamental values, corrupting an election to keep oneself in office - is perhaps the most abusive and destructive violation of one's oath of office that I can imagine."
I'm tired of hearing that President Trump "pressured" President Zelenskiy to investigate the Bidens. On 3 separate occasions, President Zelenskiy has stated that he wasn't pressured. Ukraine's Foreign Minister Vadym Prystaiko agreed with President Zelenskiy. If Romney wanted to "exercise impartial justice", the first step in that exercise is to consider the evidence. The evidence is clear. The only people accusing President Trump of pressuring Ukraine are the impeachment managers and the fake whistleblower. Since the whistleblower never testified and was never mentioned by the impeachment managers, his statements are irrelevant.
President Zelenskiy was quoted by President Trump's defense team. His statements weren't questioned. That turns President Zelenskiy's statements into evidence.
Sen. Romney's hatred of President Trump hasn't been hidden. Now he's exposed himself as hating President Trump so much that he's willing to stab President Trump in the back without a shred of evidence. When he's up for re-election, count me in for contributing to his primary opponent.
Posted Wednesday, February 5, 2020 2:23 PM
Comment 1 by eric z at 06-Feb-20 11:12 AM
They don't hate him. They think he's a crooked liar. There is a difference. They think he's bad for the nation. They have lots of company on that score. The "used car" test on Trump, I'd want to be super sure he held good title to what he was selling.
Comment 2 by Chad Q at 06-Feb-20 05:03 PM
If they think he's a crooked liar, he'd fit right in with them. The problem is, he upset their little group and they want him out in the worst way yet America is thriving during his first term (something Obama and Biden couldn't do in 8 years) and the only thing the real liars can do is lie more to try and get him thrown out of office.
Gallup Poll highlights Trump's winning economic message
Gallup Poll's " Mood of the Nation economic survey " must have President Trump's economic team smiling from ear-to-ear. According to the poll, "For the first time in its history, the Gallup 'Mood of the Nation' economic survey found that 59% of people believe that they are 'better off,' a trend that has soared under Trump."
Then there's this:
And Gallup found that those who feel that they are "worse off" are down to 20%, the lowest ever.
The significance of these poll results is best understood in a political context. The Democrats' presidential candidates insist that the economy is helping only the wealthy. That isn't a credible argument. With the people insisting that they're better off, the Democrats' insistence that the economy isn't helping the middle class simply won't resonate with voters.
They know that their 401(k)s are getting quite a bit richer. They know that they're getting promotions and better wages. Back in October, I wrote this post that highlighted a Marist Poll pretty much confirming Gallup's polling. Here's the heart of what the Marist Poll said:
Next, Thiessen empties both barrels of the heaviest artillery:
A Marist poll asked voters whether "the economy is working well for you personally." Nearly two-thirds of Americans said yes. This includes large majorities in almost every demographic group. Sixty-seven percent of college graduates and 64 percent of those without a college education say the economy is working for them. So do 68 percent of whites and 61 percent of nonwhite people.
So do Americans of every generation: 63 percent of Generation Z and millennials; 69 percent of Generation X; 63 percent of baby boomers; and 69 percent of Greatest Generation and Silent Generation voters. So do supermajorities in every region in the country: 60 percent in the West, 65 percent in the Northeast, 67 percent in the Midwest, and 68 percent in the South. So do most voters in every type of American community: 63 percent of both big and small city voters; 64 percent of small-town voters; 66 percent of rural voters and 72 percent of suburban voters.
Marist's poll verifies Gallup's Mood of the Nation poll. If Democrats want to stand a chance this November, they'll need to stop being this confrontational. The Resist Movement is driving Democrats off a steep, steep cliff.
Posted Thursday, February 6, 2020 6:46 AM
No comments.
Iowa's underreported stories
Everyone's read the articles about the Iowa Democrat Party's vote-counting fiasco. They've read about Joe Biden's humiliating defeat there. As a conservative, it's fun writing about the Democrats' encounter with karma. Democrats are finding out that karma is a bitch.
This is the underreported story from Iowa:
It was too soon to tell what final turnout numbers will be, amid delays in reporting results. But Iowa Democratic Party Communications Director Mandy McClure said early indications were turnout was on pace to match 2016, when about 170,000 people participated. The high-water mark for the contest was the 2008 Iowa Democratic caucuses, when nearly 240,000 participated and Barack Obama defeated Hillary Clinton, John Edwards and other candidates.
The Democrats' frontrunner is on the ropes. The Democrats' enthusiasm for Orange Man Bad isn't as unifying as they'd hoped.
Meanwhile, in an uncontested GOP race, Republicans turned out in record numbers for a re-election campaign. Over 32,000 people showed up to caucus for Republicans. Through impeachment and all of the turmoil that came with that predicament, Mitch McConnell fiercely defended the institution of the Senate. It's my theory that the Republicans' fierce fight, in both the House and Senate, has helped inspire Republicans' enthusiasm. GOP activists aren't just activated by President Trump. They're activated because President Trump has turned the GOP into a party of fighters.
[Video no longer available]
Jeff Kaufmann, chairman of the Iowa Republican Party, said this about why Iowans are bullish on Trump:
"In a real, fundamental way, he preserved the family farm : I don't even know if he ever talked to a farmer before he ran for president but he just tapped right into that rural, populist notch : He knows how to read hearts and he has read the heart of rural populists in this state."
People have talked about the money that Mike Bloomberg has spent thus far on organization and ads. That's fine. It's a newsworthy thing to cover. Nonetheless, the question I've got to ask is whether he'll connect with voters like President Trump obviously has.
The people running thus far on the Democrats' side aren't inspiring voters. In Iowa, that's the underreported story. That's because things don't bode well for Democrats.
Posted Thursday, February 6, 2020 7:47 AM
Comment 1 by eric z at 06-Feb-20 11:16 AM
"The Democrats' frontrunner is on the ropes," you write.
Gary, what you been smoking man? Bernie is doing fine.
Response 1.1 by Gary Gross at 06-Feb-20 06:52 PM
I'm talking about the guy that the MSM has called the frontrunner since he got into the race. I'm talking about the guy whose son is more crooked than Schiff. I'm talking about Joe Biden.
Comment 2 by Chad Q at 06-Feb-20 04:59 PM
Bernie is doing just fine to get shafted by the party yet again. I really wish they'd let the old communist win the nomination just so he can see how badly he'll be beaten before he dies.
Comment 3 by eric z at 07-Feb-20 10:15 AM
Fine, I understood that usage and called it out. Biden is not the frontrunner. People wanting CHANGE see him as using the word as a slogan, but same old low double-digit approval for the batch of 'em, BOTH PARTIES in Congress, seen by people as unfit to govern. Look at Congressional approval polling. The entirety of DC is the problem, while diversionary and divisionary effort therein is the mechanism where smoke and mirrors plays big, truth being buried as a motive of each party's current leadership personnel. And then there are the campaign consultancy leeches. Chad, Gary, we got problems, and it is not merely fit to throw stones back and forth without actual reform of the entire DC animal.
Chad - if you fail to understand the difference between socialism and Marxism and Communism, I cannot help you. Do some reading. Just so you know, I would not call Bolton a "Nazi." He's a fascist and a war monger nobody should have ever trusted even with a morning newspaper route, much less a voice in government. After biting the Party hand that fed him, nobody on the entire spectrum should reward the creep via book royalties.
Comment 4 by eric z at 07-Feb-20 10:21 AM
Chad - "Bernie is doing just fine to get shafted by the party yet again." Agreed, as more likely than not. Ron Paul might agree about party-shafting also.