With the election seven-plus months away, how do we (you, me, your readers, and other rational people) navigate the daily landmine of the 24-hour news cycle that is focused on our broken government and this crazy, seems like everything is riding on it, election? I try to stay our away, or at least take breaks, but as Michael Corleone says, "I thought I was out and they pull me back in". Help!
The question I was going to pose. What percentage of those non-Trump primary voters are "Never-Trumpers" and are they more likely to a) Vote for Biden b) Vote 3rd Party c) Not bother to vote?
But given Trump's authoritarian and dictatorial aspirations, do you worry at all about the effect this could have on you and the ability to do your job as a political writer/reporter?
In your 'death of decency' post you said "we have to be better" and "It’s all so very depressing. If politics is reduced to simply dunking on your opponents — and then standing over them and talking trash while a crowd gathers — we are never, ever going to get to a place where our politicians are incentivized to solve problems."
My question:
Do you know of books to share, or people to interview or stories to share where this trend was overcome? Asking because I'd be interested in an occasional series discussing this thing we're all feeling.
Just when I thought this election couldn't become any more bizarre RFK Jr. floats the idea of having an even bigger nutjob, Aaron Rodgers, as his VP. Was Alex Jones not available? Sidney Powell?
Seriously, though, is this where the future of politics is headed?
1) Is there any chance the House could flip before the end of its two-year term, whether through attrition or having some swing-district Republicans become Democrats? 2) If that happened, would it accomplish much in terms of policy-- and would it be good or bad for Biden and the House Dems this fall?
Chris - what is your reaction to the concerns about providing Trump with Intelligence Briefings - should the NSA provide: All; Limited; or None? If provided - are they only verbal, or does the NSA leave anything in hard copy or in a digital file?
If the briefings are provided to Trump, because of how loosely Trump has handled Intelligence Information in the past, would it be appropriate for the briefing provided to Trump to contain some false flags- intelligence info which would be inaccurate, and would only appear in Trump’s briefing (a Sting)? Therefore, if any of the false info provided to Trump is picked up anywhere else in the world, the source of the “intelligence” would be clear? I am thinking info which Trump might be interested to share with his autocrat buddies, like Putin, Orban, Erdogan, Xi, etc.
Not so much a question as a nightmare. With the nasty orange dude clinching the GOP nomination, tradition or precedent tells us he would receive security briefings. If this must be an question, how does CIA or FBI keep the data from going to the highest bidder? Can it be limited to a SCIF with no one else allowed inside? Can we hope he doesn't remember what he read? 😜
My answer to number 3. Please stop. It isn’t so remarkable. Many didn’t like the choices in 2016. I’m sure many thought Bush vs Gore was a snooze. The issue then was who would you want to have a beer with. Lol.
It is my understanding that the US has frozen large amounts of Russian money - is Biden able to seize those funds and redirect them to Ukraine? If so, why hasn't he done it Thanks.
Chris, you often mention polls and have defended their accuracy. My question is this: do you know how these polls are gathering their data? Is it still by phone? If so, I find it hard to believe they are an accurate depiction of the electorate. Do young people even answer their phones anymore? I'm 60 years old and no longer answer unless I know who's calling - a practice I adopted after receiving one too many scam attempts and one which is also recommended by AARP. I just don't see pollsters reaching a broad cross-section of the country via phone anymore. Indeed, with all of the varied communication options we now employ, is it even possible to conduct a truly representative poll?
Hi Chris! Love the newsletter! I read about Trump posting the bond to be able to appeal the E Jean Carroll verdict. It made me think about Alex Jones and 1.5 billion dollar legal debt he owes the Sandy Hook families. He appealed, so why didn't he have to post the full amount to appeal? I know you are not a lawyer, but wondered if you knew about that. Thanks!!
Chris- Is there any chance of enough Republican retirements for a Democratic House majority to occur before November? If by some miracle it happened, what legislation would Democrats attempt to enact?
Is there ANY present scenario in which Trump goes to jail? Just wishful thinking... How about a scenario where his finances are drained enough to bankrupt him? What I'm really asking is, what's the WORST that can happen to him? What if he's guilty of every charge?
I saw they were still counting ballots in California and Steve Garvey was something like .3% behind Rep. Schiff. Do you think Rep. Schiff overplayed his hand propping up Garvey and does Garvey have a legitimated shot at winning?
Absolutely not, IMO. Those figures are from a smaller, more conservative Primary electorate and don’t factor Lee/hobbs voters, 99% of whom will vote and do so for Schiff. It should end up about 2 to 1, just like the Governor’s race in 22
With the election seven-plus months away, how do we (you, me, your readers, and other rational people) navigate the daily landmine of the 24-hour news cycle that is focused on our broken government and this crazy, seems like everything is riding on it, election? I try to stay our away, or at least take breaks, but as Michael Corleone says, "I thought I was out and they pull me back in". Help!
How do you reconcile Trump losing 20-30% of the GOP primary voters yet leading Biden in head to head matchups?
Hear hear!
Would love to hear thoughts on this question too!
The question I was going to pose. What percentage of those non-Trump primary voters are "Never-Trumpers" and are they more likely to a) Vote for Biden b) Vote 3rd Party c) Not bother to vote?
Hi, Chris, this is a dark question:
But given Trump's authoritarian and dictatorial aspirations, do you worry at all about the effect this could have on you and the ability to do your job as a political writer/reporter?
In your 'death of decency' post you said "we have to be better" and "It’s all so very depressing. If politics is reduced to simply dunking on your opponents — and then standing over them and talking trash while a crowd gathers — we are never, ever going to get to a place where our politicians are incentivized to solve problems."
My question:
Do you know of books to share, or people to interview or stories to share where this trend was overcome? Asking because I'd be interested in an occasional series discussing this thing we're all feeling.
Just when I thought this election couldn't become any more bizarre RFK Jr. floats the idea of having an even bigger nutjob, Aaron Rodgers, as his VP. Was Alex Jones not available? Sidney Powell?
Seriously, though, is this where the future of politics is headed?
1) Is there any chance the House could flip before the end of its two-year term, whether through attrition or having some swing-district Republicans become Democrats? 2) If that happened, would it accomplish much in terms of policy-- and would it be good or bad for Biden and the House Dems this fall?
Chris - what is your reaction to the concerns about providing Trump with Intelligence Briefings - should the NSA provide: All; Limited; or None? If provided - are they only verbal, or does the NSA leave anything in hard copy or in a digital file?
If the briefings are provided to Trump, because of how loosely Trump has handled Intelligence Information in the past, would it be appropriate for the briefing provided to Trump to contain some false flags- intelligence info which would be inaccurate, and would only appear in Trump’s briefing (a Sting)? Therefore, if any of the false info provided to Trump is picked up anywhere else in the world, the source of the “intelligence” would be clear? I am thinking info which Trump might be interested to share with his autocrat buddies, like Putin, Orban, Erdogan, Xi, etc.
Thank you
Not so much a question as a nightmare. With the nasty orange dude clinching the GOP nomination, tradition or precedent tells us he would receive security briefings. If this must be an question, how does CIA or FBI keep the data from going to the highest bidder? Can it be limited to a SCIF with no one else allowed inside? Can we hope he doesn't remember what he read? 😜
My questions are
1. While there are headlines about Kate Middleton, where is Melania and why doesn’t anyone care?
2. Who is funding No Labels and RFK jr?
3. Will it ever stop being worth reporting that people say they don’t want a rerun of Biden vs Trump and that Biden is old?
This is the race we have. We know it. We’ve known it will be this for a long time.
My answer to number 3. Please stop. It isn’t so remarkable. Many didn’t like the choices in 2016. I’m sure many thought Bush vs Gore was a snooze. The issue then was who would you want to have a beer with. Lol.
I don’t remember great joy in Nixon v Humphrey.
I remember people saying in 2000 that there was no difference between Bush and Gore and it didn’t matter who won.
That was certainly Ralph Nader's position - "No difference between Republicans and Democrats".
It is my understanding that the US has frozen large amounts of Russian money - is Biden able to seize those funds and redirect them to Ukraine? If so, why hasn't he done it Thanks.
Chris, you often mention polls and have defended their accuracy. My question is this: do you know how these polls are gathering their data? Is it still by phone? If so, I find it hard to believe they are an accurate depiction of the electorate. Do young people even answer their phones anymore? I'm 60 years old and no longer answer unless I know who's calling - a practice I adopted after receiving one too many scam attempts and one which is also recommended by AARP. I just don't see pollsters reaching a broad cross-section of the country via phone anymore. Indeed, with all of the varied communication options we now employ, is it even possible to conduct a truly representative poll?
Hi Chris! Love the newsletter! I read about Trump posting the bond to be able to appeal the E Jean Carroll verdict. It made me think about Alex Jones and 1.5 billion dollar legal debt he owes the Sandy Hook families. He appealed, so why didn't he have to post the full amount to appeal? I know you are not a lawyer, but wondered if you knew about that. Thanks!!
Chris- Is there any chance of enough Republican retirements for a Democratic House majority to occur before November? If by some miracle it happened, what legislation would Democrats attempt to enact?
Wouldn’t it make sense to abolish the Electoral College and just have the popular vote determine the presidential election?
Now that's REAL Democracy
Is there ANY present scenario in which Trump goes to jail? Just wishful thinking... How about a scenario where his finances are drained enough to bankrupt him? What I'm really asking is, what's the WORST that can happen to him? What if he's guilty of every charge?
I saw they were still counting ballots in California and Steve Garvey was something like .3% behind Rep. Schiff. Do you think Rep. Schiff overplayed his hand propping up Garvey and does Garvey have a legitimated shot at winning?
Absolutely not, IMO. Those figures are from a smaller, more conservative Primary electorate and don’t factor Lee/hobbs voters, 99% of whom will vote and do so for Schiff. It should end up about 2 to 1, just like the Governor’s race in 22