Thanks again for yet another informative letter. One additional item to supplement the message:
Of the seven Reps who voted guilty, if memory serves (which it doesn't always these days) none face re-election in 2022, either because they had chosen to retire (e.g. Burr) or because they are not up until later. These Senators, in other word…
Thanks again for yet another informative letter. One additional item to supplement the message:
Of the seven Reps who voted guilty, if memory serves (which it doesn't always these days) none face re-election in 2022, either because they had chosen to retire (e.g. Burr) or because they are not up until later. These Senators, in other words, had no reascon to fear "getting primaried", as T. has explicitly said would be the fate of "weak" Rep Senators. "Getting primaried" is a recent addition to political English; it means the Trumpistas (earlier it was the Tea Party so-called "Freedom" Causcus) will find someone to oppose you in the Rep primary and knock you out before the general election. Due to ordinarily low turnout at primaries, the fanatics tend to have the upper hands, so this is not an empty threat. My guess is that, while an appallingly large number of Rep Senators are true Trumpistas, the majority, or at least enough to assure a "not guilty" verdict, were quaking in fear for their poor little political lives. Nancy Pelosi put it with characteristic clarity and bluntness at the press date for the House managers. She pointed out that many prople who are approached to run for Congress say they have "other options" to consider - which is why they were asked in the first place. "We don't want people in Congress who have no other options. So why is it that so many Republican Senators are afraid of losing their jobs?"
They all need to read Shirley Chisholm's Unbought and Unbossed. We need representatives like her, people with integrity who do what's right, people who will not sell their vote and who are not afraid of anyone.
For the most part the Dem establishment treated Bernie fairly. Remember, it would be easy to pass a rule requiring anyone seeking the party's nomination to be a member of the party. I honor Sen. Sanders for his principles, but refusing to join the party one wants to lead takes a certain amount of gall.
Murkowski from Alaska is the only Republican Senator up for reelection in 2022. But I read somewhere that she has a strong following in her state so she may not face backlash. Rumor has it that many who voted to acquit were fearful of theirs and their families' literal lives. Not cool.
Yes, I believe the militias played a significant part in many decisions. Hopefully, something can be done to designate them as terrorists, subject to federal charges, if possible.
Both are equally repulsive. I think independent voters of FL would reject Ivanka. But then, Rick Scott moved here from TN and bought the governorship. I'm just thinking a Dem could beat Ivanka. And removing Rubio's influence over the Cuban Americans in Miami would help.
Thanks for this, I had heard that Murkowski was up in 2022, so now the situation is clear. Apropos fear for your life - that was House Reps who claimed they'd been threatened, but maybe some Senators have gotten this also. Sad to say, death threats from fanatical Trumpistas have been coin of the realm for some time. T's defense attorneys might actually have known that, but that did not prevent them from dishing up the old line that it's the Dems who are trading in hate.
NPV is an attempt to repair the electoral college, by getting states that represent a majority of electoral college votes to agree to dedicate those votes to whoever wins the national popular vote.
Ranked choice voting is a change from the simple, winner-take-all systems we have in most states. With RCV, you rank all the choices in order. If no one gets a majority of first-choice votes that way, the candidate with the least votes is eliminated. Every vote dropped is redirected to the voter's second choice candidate. That keeps happening until there are however many winners are wanted. Usually that's one winner, not always.
In Alaska, there will be an open primary for all parties. The top four go to the general election. It's a great idea, because it benefits candidates with popular support rather than those with extremist support within one party.
Thank you, Joan. This is what I was looking for. My research did not produce the clarity about the NPV as you do here. Would a nation of RCVers eliminate the need for state legislature types who could possibly overturn voters' ballots?
Thanks again for yet another informative letter. One additional item to supplement the message:
Of the seven Reps who voted guilty, if memory serves (which it doesn't always these days) none face re-election in 2022, either because they had chosen to retire (e.g. Burr) or because they are not up until later. These Senators, in other words, had no reascon to fear "getting primaried", as T. has explicitly said would be the fate of "weak" Rep Senators. "Getting primaried" is a recent addition to political English; it means the Trumpistas (earlier it was the Tea Party so-called "Freedom" Causcus) will find someone to oppose you in the Rep primary and knock you out before the general election. Due to ordinarily low turnout at primaries, the fanatics tend to have the upper hands, so this is not an empty threat. My guess is that, while an appallingly large number of Rep Senators are true Trumpistas, the majority, or at least enough to assure a "not guilty" verdict, were quaking in fear for their poor little political lives. Nancy Pelosi put it with characteristic clarity and bluntness at the press date for the House managers. She pointed out that many prople who are approached to run for Congress say they have "other options" to consider - which is why they were asked in the first place. "We don't want people in Congress who have no other options. So why is it that so many Republican Senators are afraid of losing their jobs?"
They all need to read Shirley Chisholm's Unbought and Unbossed. We need representatives like her, people with integrity who do what's right, people who will not sell their vote and who are not afraid of anyone.
The Dems had someone like that, by the name of Bernie, and the party played bait and switch.
For the most part the Dem establishment treated Bernie fairly. Remember, it would be easy to pass a rule requiring anyone seeking the party's nomination to be a member of the party. I honor Sen. Sanders for his principles, but refusing to join the party one wants to lead takes a certain amount of gall.
Murkowski from Alaska is the only Republican Senator up for reelection in 2022. But I read somewhere that she has a strong following in her state so she may not face backlash. Rumor has it that many who voted to acquit were fearful of theirs and their families' literal lives. Not cool.
Yes, I believe the militias played a significant part in many decisions. Hopefully, something can be done to designate them as terrorists, subject to federal charges, if possible.
Marco Rubio is up for re-election. Here's the list:
"2022 United States Senate elections - Wikipedia" https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/2022_United_States_Senate_elections
Who would be worse, Rubio or Ivanka?
Both are equally repulsive. I think independent voters of FL would reject Ivanka. But then, Rick Scott moved here from TN and bought the governorship. I'm just thinking a Dem could beat Ivanka. And removing Rubio's influence over the Cuban Americans in Miami would help.
That makes sense. Honestly, the thought of the T name in any political forum makes my blood pressure rise. They are wearing me out!
Keep any and all members of the First Family of Crime as far as possible from the levers of power.
Neither will matter if we can get a strong Democrat to run. It can’t be Charlie Crist.
https://twitter.com/nikkifried/status/1361680517326917636?s=09
I was speaking of the Republican Senators who voted to convict. Sorry I didn't make that clear.
Sorry, I didn't focus. Needed more coffee. 🧐
We're good, Kelly...😉
Thanks for this, I had heard that Murkowski was up in 2022, so now the situation is clear. Apropos fear for your life - that was House Reps who claimed they'd been threatened, but maybe some Senators have gotten this also. Sad to say, death threats from fanatical Trumpistas have been coin of the realm for some time. T's defense attorneys might actually have known that, but that did not prevent them from dishing up the old line that it's the Dems who are trading in hate.
found this: https://ballotpedia.org/Ranked-choice_voting_(RCV)
Thanks, K8...I almost missed this.
Wow! I missed that Alaska has adopted RCV. It's a reform that could make all the difference vis-a-vis our extreme polarization.
Oregon is working on that too.
What is the difference, if there is one, between Ranked Choice Voting and the National Popular Vote?
My understanding is RCV, by allowing voters to rank their choices, tends to end up with voters feeling more empowered by their votes. This might be helpful, too. https://today.law.harvard.edu/ranked-choice-voting-explained/
Thanks, Mary Beth. I appreciate you took the time to answer!
They are very different.
NPV is an attempt to repair the electoral college, by getting states that represent a majority of electoral college votes to agree to dedicate those votes to whoever wins the national popular vote.
Ranked choice voting is a change from the simple, winner-take-all systems we have in most states. With RCV, you rank all the choices in order. If no one gets a majority of first-choice votes that way, the candidate with the least votes is eliminated. Every vote dropped is redirected to the voter's second choice candidate. That keeps happening until there are however many winners are wanted. Usually that's one winner, not always.
In Alaska, there will be an open primary for all parties. The top four go to the general election. It's a great idea, because it benefits candidates with popular support rather than those with extremist support within one party.
Thank you, Joan. This is what I was looking for. My research did not produce the clarity about the NPV as you do here. Would a nation of RCVers eliminate the need for state legislature types who could possibly overturn voters' ballots?