Thought for the Day

[Stavros]

I understand why you have Primaries, don't understand where and when. Explanation, please.

[blackchubby38]

I understand why you have Primaries, don't understand where and when. Explanation, please.

They happen in all 50 states and I believe in the territories leading up to any general election. They're strictly for the two parties and you have to be registered as either a Democrat or a Republican to vote in them. So if you're registered independent (like me), you can't vote in them.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_presidential_primary

Here is a breakdown of the 2020 Democratic Party presidential primary:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2020_De...tial_primaries

[Stavros]

Thanks, but the question is, does it matter where and when these Primaries take place and who goes first?

[blackchubby38]

Thanks, but the question is, does it matter where and when these Primaries take place and who goes first?

The Biden administration seems to think so:

Democrats vote to move forward with Biden plan to put South Carolina first on 2024 primary calendar

www.cnn.com/2022/12/02/politics/dnc-south-carolina-primary-calendar-2024/index.html

[filghy2]

Thanks, but the question is, does it matter where and when these Primaries take place and who goes first?

The primaries game seems to be about gaining momentum from early wins. Presumably, candidates would prefer states where they are likely to do better to be earlier. The scheduling seems to be based a lot on tradition, but there's no logical reason to always do it that way.

Like many things in politics, I suspect this matters less than political junkies think it does. Sometimes the candidate with early wins is the ultimate winner; sometimes not. Biden won last time despite poor early performances.

[filghy2]

Trump seems very determined to test whether Republicans will be willing to continue to support him whatever he says or does: first the dinner with the anti-semites and now his call to terminate the constitution to restore him to the presidency.

I know a few of them have criticised him over these things, but the real test is whether they are willing to say publically that he is not a fit person to be the nominee. I'd say 95% of them will fall into line if he looks like being the nominee.
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/...ave-joyce-2024

[filghy2]

So far it seems to be following the standard script:
1. Trump makes some outrageous statement.
2. Mainstream Republicans express concerns.
3. Trump semi-walks back the statement in some disingenuous way (eg claiming he didn't say it).
4. Mainstream Republicans express relief and move on.
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/w...-b2239487.html

[Stavros]

I can understand diehard Republicans in Georgia voting for Herschel Walker, but who else is going to when he is so obviously stupid? Trump seems to have established so low a level of intelligence in public office, that now even the most dim person can seek election. I agree you cannot limit candidates on the basis of intelligence, but he isn't running to be on tv. And it is the acquiescence of people who do know better that is so chilling, be it Walker or Trump. It does make you wonder if Americans have learned anything since 2015.

[KnightHawk 2.0]

So far it seems to be following the standard script:
1. Trump makes some outrageous statement.
2. Mainstream Republicans express concerns.
3. Trump semi-walks back the statement in some disingenuous way (eg claiming he didn't say it).
4. Mainstream Republicans express relief and move on.
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/w...-b2239487.html

That's the MAGA King and his enablers playbook.

[KnightHawk 2.0]

Trump seems very determined to test whether Republicans will be willing to continue to support him whatever he says or does: first the dinner with the anti-semites and now his call to terminate the constitution to restore him to the presidency.

I know a few of them have criticised him over these things, but the real test is whether they are willing to say publically that he is not a fit person to be the nominee. I'd say 95% of them will fall into line if he looks like being the nominee.
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/...ave-joyce-2024

Completely agree the 95% of Republicans will fall in line like they've been over 6 years,if Donald Trump ends up being the republican nominee in 2024.