Trump Job Approval

Pollsters wrong in 2024:41.0 / 56.0-15.0
Pollsters right in 2024:45.1 / 53.1-8.0

2026 House Forecast

GOPDEM
Democrats +21207228

2026 Senate Forecast

OHTXIAAKMINHMEGANCMN
Gap+4.3+2.2+1.0+1.6+1.8+2.0+6.0+6.2+6.3+7.0
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Thursday Thread

98 responses to “Thursday Thread”

  1. First

    Like

  2. Still one of the most unusual earthquake maps I have ever seen. Still nothing going on in South America for a few days which is very unusual. Nothing for the last week in Africa’s rift valley. Nothing at all in the Med for nearly a week. Nothing in mainland Asia. Even Indonesia and the Philippines very quiet.

    Only action is Japan and Alaska.

    Liked by 1 person

  3. https://www.dailymail.com/news/article-15756337/Trump-reclassifies-marijuana-bold-angering-closest-Republican-allies.html#

    Whatever. In workers compensation cases, doctors are trying to switch patients from narcotic pain relievers to medical marijuana.

    I never tried any drugs and not interested in starting now.

    Like

  4. But…but…but…someone here kept assuring me that this never happens:

    WOAH: FBI Rescues Child Kidnapped to Cuba by Trans Parent Who Sought Trans Surgery for Child

    Like

  5. @zerohedge

    ·

    36m

    US Mfg PMI 54.0, Exp. 52.5, Last 52.3 US Services PMI 51.3, Exp. 50.6, Last 49.8

    Like

  6. Medical marijuana would likely do nothing for me. I’ve tried edibles and it didn’t do anything beside make me feel a bit sick.

    I’d prefer gin and tonic.

    Like

  7. @BillKristol

    ·

    15h

    “Expanding the Supreme Court is no different that redistricting in California and Virginia. It is a proportionate response to Republican attempts to degrade liberal democracy and move America toward a post-liberal order.”

    A commie like his father.

    Like

  8. Very apparent that Iran is now simply an out and out military dictatorship. It’s blatant and the facade of “theocracy” isn’t even something that their current “leaders” even are trying to sell very hard. Kill these guys and quit trying to negotiate with them. Even if you got an agreement, they wouldn’t abide by it. We all know that. Track them and eliminate them.

    In other news, in the middle of the night the Senate passed funding for ICE for the remainder of Trump’s term. The vote was 50-48. Two Republican defections – Paul and Murkowski. Lisa Murkowski again. What a surprise. How I despise her. For those of you who think Collins is just as bad as Murkowski here is more proof that isn’t the case. We get as much out of Collins as we possibly could from a blue state senator.

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  9. “And, of course, the referendum was ultimately lost because of mail-in votes. About 10% of the total was mail-in, and about 73% were “yes”. We have no way of knowing how many of these were real people casting a vote for themselves, but they added net 137,000 votes for “yes” and that is almost 50,000 more than the currently reported winning margin for “yes”.

    Like

  10. Bill Krystol continues to be a Trump Derangement hack. It’s simply who he is and who he always will be.

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  11. This is why the “if we can’t beat them join them” on VBM will never work.

    The GOP might cannibalize some votes from ED to VBM, but that won’t solve the Dem cheating/ballot harvesting issue.

    The problem with VBM is you don’t know who the ballots are going to and you don’t know who is sending them in. You really even don’t know who requested them unless there is strict signature verification which there is not.

    Liked by 1 person

  12. Maybe Kristol can explain what “conservative” principles he thinks an expanded SCOTUS would protect.

    Like

  13. Oh well….

    @persianjewess

    Over 70% of the East Village voted for Mamdani. Now they’re suing Mamdani because he’s planning to relocate Bellevue homeless shelter to the East Village.”

    Like

  14. Looks like the gop-e in th senate passed a 3 year funding for DHS. The rinos in the senate wasted a lot of time by funding components in Dhs only.
    Glad the House Rs told the gop-e senators that funding components of an agency was beyond stupid.

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  15. We need to be patient on Iran. They were beat to sheot. Who is in charge? The cardboard cut out? Gandolfi? Vehozi? Nobody knows.

    The us embargo of Hormuzzle is working. And we can resume bombing taking out the plants in a few days.

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  16. Ken Cuccinelli thinks SCOVA will throw out the referendum.

    He is a former AG, but also somewhat of a kook.

    Let’s see.

    Several opinions online say that while SCOVA is liberal, it is also a stickler for procedure.

    The Dems did not follow the correct procedure, that is not in doubt.

    The question is will the “will of the people” argument trump the procedure errors.

    The fact only 51% voted for it might not help the “will of the people” argument especially because the R areas most affected by loss of representation voted massively against it.

    Given the political polarization at the moment, I don’t see liberal judges helping the GOP out no matter what.

    Hope I am wrong.

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  17. Plus the key term in the requirements for Virginia’s districts is COMPACT.

    From dictionary.com:

    1. joined or packed together; closely and firmly united; dense; solid. compact soil.
    2. arranged within a relatively small space. a compact shopping center; a compact kitchen.

    looking at the spaghetti districts on the Dem map, it is anything but compact. But the judges might just invent a new definition for the word.

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  18. Looks like the gop-e”

    Trump is a billionaire crony capitalist who made most of his money in the real estate and hospitality industries.

    Is he part of the “establishment?”

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  19. Good

    “I have ordered the United States Navy to shoot and kill any boat, small boats though they may be (Their naval ships are ALL, 159 of them, at the bottom of the sea!), that is putting mines in the waters of the Strait of Hormuz. There is to be no hesitation. Additionally, our mine “sweepers” are clearing the Strait right now. I am hereby ordering that activity to continue, but at a tripled up level! Thank you for your attention to this matter. President DONALD J. TRUMP”

    Should be relatively easy to sink these boats.

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  20. The Iranian navy had 159 ships?

    Impressive.

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  21. Sunken ships make great fish breeding sites.

    I am booking a fishing trip to the “Arabian” Gulf in about 2 years.

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  22. Mullin calls Schumer a “lying scumbag”

    Who can argue with that?

    Like

  23. MODERATOR: “Should language proficiency for truck drivers be strictly enforced?”  

    TOM STEYER: “Racial profiling is illegal.”

    Should pilots landing in the US be able to understand instructions in English?

    Democrats: “Racial profiling is illegal”

    Like

  24. I knew a man who lost SIX of his 8 siblings who were killed on an interstate highway because the truck driver did not know English and had an illegal license.

    Like

  25. Look, you could demand flight controllers speak 143 languages so they don’t “racially” profile anybody.

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  26. Simple solution to the Virginia redistricting vote. The Commonwealth presently has 11 House districts…51.5% voted in favor (overwhelming D’s). What is 51.5% of 11? Answer, 6.

    Give the Dems 6 House districts and the R’s 5. A brilliant idea that will not disenfranchise hundreds of thousands of voters.

    Damn, I’m good.

    But what a minute. Isn’t the 6-5 already in place. Silly me.

    Liked by 1 person

  27. jason yupanqui Avatar

    “Based on the opinion of scholars in Najaf, Qom and Mashhad and the decision of security officials, no new images or materials of him will be released for now so that enemies cannot harm him through particular methods and occult sciences,” said Salar Velayatmadar, a member of the National Security Commission, claiming that such sciences and methods are studied in institutions including those in Tel Aviv.”

    Nah, the Iranians are not a little paranoid…

    Like

  28. jason yupanqui Avatar

    John Goggin didn’t read the text of the referendum.

    6-5 is not fair.

    10-1 is fair.

    Like

  29. And the moment you question any dem on the 10-1 fairness, the word TEXAS is the first thing to come out of their mouths. And of course Texas has no legal bearing on what is required in Virginia.

    But these aren’t days when judges follow legal requirements.

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  30. jason yupanqui Avatar

    If Texas did what VA did their delegation would be 36-4.

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  31. jason yupanqui Avatar

    Not to mention Trump won Texas by 14 pts, Kamala won VA by 5.

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  32. jason yupanqui Avatar

    The Democrats are coming for older homeowners…

    “IN housing, besides circumventing the disproportionately high elder participation in town meetings where land-use decisions are made, I advocate a progressive tax on older homeowners to incentivize them to downsize rather than retain. The longer you stay, the more you should have to pay. The funds could allow for new construction and other projects of intergenerational justice, especially educational ones that prioritize unleashing our young people into the creative prime of life.”

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  33. Sounds like something that would come out of Paul’s mouth.

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  34. If that was a Republican proposal and I was the Democrat responding, I would blurt out something like “This is another form of euthanasia! Stop killing old people!”

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  35. And the AARP and most older Dems will continue to support Democrats.

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  36. Bridge today. Came in 2nd not far behind first.

    Won $3.

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  37. 60 some years ago a D president said Ask not what your country can do for you it what you can do for your country.”

    90 some % of people in U.S. shook their heads in agreement and affirmation.

    Today one side is patriotic, loves America, and wants it to succeed and believes in America and what it stands for.

    The other side wants America destroyed, does not believe in the founding and guiding principles that were so successful.

    Instead they happily believe in “ScamAmerica” and go to great lengths to participate in the scams and defe d the scams.

    ■■■■■■■■■

    Trying to get unearned gain where none is deserved, caring not that doing so is to the detriment of everyone else.

    Like

  38. Fox News just reported that Pete Hegseth fired United States Secretary of the Navy John Phelan because Phelan would not ignore a federal judge’s orders!

    Like

  39. retlaw: I would disagree with that characterization.

    But, you would likely say that my whole extended family is un-American. And that my entire church family and most of my neighbors are also unpatriotic and un-American.

    I do not see it that way at all. And take offense at you labeling them as such.

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  40. Paul, what do your extended family, neighbors, and your entire church family believe? Do they believe that the government is to be your god, parent, and spouse, and that we should give up most of our income to the government so they can turn the country into a cesspool of waste, corruption, abuse, crime, and poverty? If that’s what they want, then yes, all of them are unpatriotic and un-american.

    The problem with many leftist voters is that they don’t see the connection between who they vote for and the actual results that come from it. So sure, they might say they are American and Patriotic, but they vote for the very people who are bent on turning us into a larger version of Haiti. A running sewer. A barnyard manure pit. I am sure real estate is cheap in Haiti. If any on the left want to get that kind of life right now, they don’t have to wait until America is destroyed. They can move to Haiti now.

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  41. DW,
    I don’t think any of them would believe any of that.

    However, almost all consider themselves very American and Patriotic. Most of the people at my church are very passionately anti-Trump. They do not support many of the things that Trump is promoting and they see some of his actions as unconstitutional.

    I do believe they see a connection between who they vote for and actual results. They simply support the results that the Democrats provide.

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  42. The results the Democrats provide over and over include corruption, waste, exploitation of children, loss of illegal immigrant children, open borders that allow in the world’s career criminals and prisoners, and drug dealers; the loss of billions of dollars that just go missing in deep blue states. Judicial activism, lawfare, and the weaponizing of every American institution they can to destroy law abiding citizens, ramming DEI down our throats to destroy American excellence in every aspect of society, abuse of the elderly, taxing our dead, throwing away money as gifts to our enemies, souring inflation, war on oil and gas, and on and on I could go.

    If your people KNOWINGLY support these results that Democrats provide over and over, year in and year out, then YES, your people are un-American and unpatriotic.

    Like

  43. You are fine with calling much of my family and members of my church are un-American and unpatriotic. And you are willing to look honestly at why they might support these issues. Instead you choose to distort every issue.

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  44. willing should be unwilling

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  45. What I posted are facts Paul, but to educate yourself you will have to look at something other than CNN. You and your people are living in a make-believe fantasy world that does not exist. In the real world, elected Democrats do all the things I have said. Examples for each are plentiful and readily available if you want to see them.

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  46. DW,
    I see that you find it hard to believe that people support Democrats and think they must be duped or confused.

    I also find it hard to believe Trump supporters actually support many of his policies, and think they must be duped or confused.

    Much of this is due to the distorted facts that each side presents. Perhaps we could both work to try to understand the other side.

    Like

  47. I am trying to be charitable to your people in presuming them duped or confused. Because if they knowingly root for all that corruption and evil, then they themselves are evil.

    I don’t just cheer for everything Trump does. I am not a fan of Tariffs, and I don’t think its wise for Trump to boast so much behind the mic. Both in 2016 and 2024 I had hoped someone else would win the GOP primary. But Trump is light years ahead of Biden and Harris. At least Trump is trying to do some good. Whoever was controlling the puppet strings of Biden’s corpse (read Obama) did everything in his power to destroy American excellence and to destroy the middle class. I mean Obama is on record saying we should all line up and follow Mamdani. Do your people agree with that?

    I am not distorting any of the facts about Democrats I have presented here. Each one could be backed up by multiple links if I had the time to do so. Your people stick their heads in the sand and keep pulling the lever for Dems. That doesn’t make Dems good leaders. It makes your people dupes.

    Liked by 1 person

  48. And I understand your side well Paul. They are emotionally driven, not driven by logic and reason.

    They hear a tear jerking story of a boy who is confused for the moment and thinks he wants to be a girl, so Democrats emotionally get invested and demand that society do everything needed to make him a girl, even though that is biologically impossible to achieve.

    They hear the story of a hardened murderer who killed a dozen people, but they hear the story of when he was a kid, someone bullied him, and they get all emotionally and say, oh we need to let him go, its not his fault he killed all these people!

    They get deceived into thinking the gun is the problem, or gasoline is the problem, so they support all the wrong solutions that many times are more destructive than the original perceived problem.

    Liked by 1 person

  49. DW,
    My friends and family would also say that they are being charitable in thinking that you and Trump supporters are confused or duped. But many would simply think you are evil.

    I see it a problem when America is divided into two halves that see the other half as either duped or evil. And I’m as guilty as anyone at that.

    DW: You say “I am not distorting any of the facts about Democrats” and in the same paragraph there are a bunch of lies and distortions. I don’t know if you are misinformed or evil. Maybe both.

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  50. There were no lies and distortions in my paragraph Paul. But if you want to be open to considering the other side, here is Walt’s list of Trump’s achievements. Which of these do you wish didn’t happen?

    –Precision strike to take out Iran nuclear capabilities that led to the middle East being safer and set in motion events that may end the rule of the Ayatollah.

    –Helped Israel bring an end to the Hamas crisis resulting in living hostages returned.

    –Negotiated the suspension of border strife between Cambodia and Thailand.

    –Lethal kinetic strikes against drug boats slowing the flow of illegal drugs coming to the U.S.

    –Removed and arrested Maduro via Operation Absolute Resolve, to bring him to justice and give hope to Venezuelans.

    – Venezuela will give the US 30 to 50 million barrels of sanctioned oil to sell at market rate.

    –Making other NATO countries pay a bigger portion of NATO cost thereby reducing U.S. financial costs.

    –Securing the southern border of the U.S. thereby stopping flow of illegals from around the world.

    –Improving the U.S. trade deficit, as it is now the smallest amount since 2009 and American exports are growing linearly.

    –The U.S. Military is once again experiencing a recruiting boom now that Hegseth has cleaned house and stopped its use as a place for woke social experiments.

    Domestic Crime and Economic Success:

    –Cutting waste, fraud and abuse in U.S. government spending (DOGE).

    –Taking actions to stop fraud in MN, and other states, perpetuated by the Somali community in coordination with Democrat Party officials.

    –Apprehending and removing dangerous illegal aliens from the U.S.

    –Reducing crime in Washington DC and other cities willing to reduce crime.

    –Passage of big beautiful bill that permanently reduces the amount of F.I T. we all pay and ends the tax on tips, overtime, and SS income.

    –Bringing in $18 BB of committed investment from other countries into the U.S. which will bring more jobs here that are currently overseas.

    –Polices that have caused big drop in gasoline prices.

    –Policies that have greatly reduced inflation.

    –Policies that have lowered the unemployment rate and shifted jobs and housing from illegals to citizens.

    –Terminated Biden-era electric vehicle mandates and policies.

    –Auto sales are expected to rise this year to the highest amount since 2019.

    –Expanded American energy production and repealed restrictive environmental regulations.

    Culture and Society Progress:

    –Reversing all the nutty federal LBGTQ-ish stuff.

    –WOKE policies everywhere are melting away and no longer compromising our military.

    –The religion of climate change hysteria is facing hard times.

    –People who believe in God and have faith are protected again instead of demonized.

    –Trump suspended the building of east coast offshore windmill farms.

    –Signed executive orders protecting children from chemical and surgical mutilation and ending unfair sports practices.

    Liked by 1 person

  51. AI says this: Based on records from 2025 and 2026, there is no evidence that former President Barack Obama ever said we should “line up and follow” Zohran Mamdani.

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  52. Paul, and you are right that we are divided into two halves. Your half wants us to follow Obama who says we should follow Mamdani, and see the nation turned into Haiti.

    The other half is my side who wants prosperity and freedom for all Americans.

    Liked by 1 person

  53. AI is wrong Paul. Obama made a pro-Mamdani comment when he was elected Mayor. I don’t recall the exact words, but the essence was this is good and its the direction we should embrace for our future.

    Liked by 1 person

  54. More mischaracterizations from you, DW.

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  55. aka lies

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  56. I have to run for now Paul, but I will go back and see if I can find it. So can you answer the question on whether or not you and your people are fond of Mamdani?

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  57. I support this:

    Thomas Massie introduced HR 8470, the Surveillance Accountability Act, with @RepBoebert. It requires a probable cause warrant before the federal government can search your private data — even if that data is held by a third party. Warrantless searches are unconstitutional.

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  58. Paul,

    Here I the side I bieve in.

    — National Defense: strong military to protect U.S. from foreign adversaries who who love to see U.S. harmed or destroyed. Plus Civilian (congressional) oversight of military funding.

    –Elections: Fair, free, secure, peiper chain of custody of ballots, and mechanisms in place and enforced to prevent fraud. Curb the widespread use of absentee mail on ballots that subvert election integrity and HAVE been greatly curbed by most representative democracies in most of the western world.

    –Constitutional protections of basic things as covered in the constitution and amendments to such.

    –Immigration: secure border so we properly screen people wanting in to ensure we do not let in people who theeaten the health, well being and security of the people of the U.S. CONTINUE to allow about a million LEGAL (screened) immigrants into the U.S. EVERY YEAR LIKE WE HAVE BEEN DOING FOR THE LAST 20 YEARS.

    Do NOT have open borders and let any and everyone in. THAT is a disastrous policy. To those who are co trolled by their emotions and say we need to let all destitute and down trodden throughout the world into the U. S.lifeboat, we will eventually sink the lifeboat of hope and be not be in any position to help anybody–here ir abroad.

    I support the melting pot theory. I do not support Balkanization where whole clumps of thousands of people come from country X and all go live together in some U.S. city enclave and keep their own language, dress, customs, values, beliefs and Americanize and make no attempt to adopt U. S. culture and ways (or even actively resist doing so) and become Americanized. We should not have ballots for president or whatever printed in 47 languages to accommodate the language of those groups who come here and become citizens and vote here who refuse change their ways.

    Like Teddy Roosevelt said, we are all Americans. We should not try to identify as Irish Ameircans, Italian Americans, Polish Americans, African Americans, japanese Americans, etc. It does not serve us well and will only unreasomably divide us. We are ALL AMERICANS ..of Irish or whatever descent.

    –Crime: imposing of commensurate punishment to those who violate the law and harm the persons or property of other people (including govt.and public property). Impose fines and jail time to punish offender and deter others from doing those things.

    –Education: provide for equal OPPORTUNITY in education, but not run an educ. system to try to provide and guarantee equal OUTCOMES. Teach students to have the skills (including critical thinking skills) that they need to have to be successful in life, don’t try to politically indoctrinate them to be this way or that way, don’t push trangenderism, keep parents informed about everything.

    –Inflation: keep it low so you do not cause harm. To those on fixed income or low income. High inflation is an invise “tax” that erodes the value ov every e,s money.

    –Jobs: policies to encourage job growth. Also policies to ensure adequate manufacturing industries, especially those crucial for national defense to maintain an economically secure nation.

    –Energy: in environmentally sensible way, produce and use fossil fuels oncluding oil, gas and coal to power U.S. energy needs. Also use nuclear and other non-re enable sources that are feasible and make sense financially.

    to

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  59. phone screen fraze, was unable to complete the above post and to go back and correct typos

    CONTINUED HERE:

    –ON Crime, let me add that I support governemt efforts to reduce crime and provide for protection of persons and property.

    –On Elections: I favor getting rid of/ blocking all foreign and domestic dark money, smurffing of campaign contributions. Oppose letting 16 year old to vote, oppose non-U.S. citize s being g allowed to vote in any local, state or federal election.

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  60. …foreign and domestic dark money campaign contributions…

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  61. jason yupanqui Avatar

    Chernobyl special starting on Discovery.

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  62. CONTINUED

    –I oppose allowing of Sharia Muslim law in the U.S.

    We have a legal system based on the western philosophy and Constition

    –I oppose reparations for Blacks in U.S. Foolish to require people who never owned slaves to pay reparations to people who were never enslaved. Plus, persons of cor now loving in U.S. came here (ot their ancestors did) long after the Civil war. Plus other major issues…

    I am proud of my country, all that has been. Accomplished, all of the ti.es the U.S. stepped up to help people in other lands.

    Yes our history is not perfect. Our national history has some ugly warts. But no country on earth has ever existed that has accomplished so much positive and good things, done so much to advance equality of women, Blacks, provide rights for all, etc.

    Like

  63. Trump (who do not like at all as a person) and the Trump administration seem to be greatly agreeing with the things I posted above to make America strong

    I support what Trump administration is doing in those areas. I still do not like Trump. Would not vote for him for dig catcher, because ethics of a candidate are important to me.

    Many if thise on the other side hate Trump so much that they hope and wish he FAILS (and even take to the streets to work to monkey wrench anything and everything Trump does–or vote in congrss to shut down governemt). THEY would rather see America HARMED than for Trump policies to be successful. That is sad.

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  64. Massie is the blind squirrel/brocken clock; he can find an acorn twice a day.

    WRT Phelan being canned, it has nothing to do with any judge, Phelan made it clear that he was fine outsourcing the construction of our warships to foreign yards. That’s a non-starter, he needed to be removed before he pushed that sh*t any further. Besides, we are getting a MASSIVE upgrade with Hung Cao taking over as acting SECNAV.

    https://x.com/hunterstires/status/2047096240794734597?s=46

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  65. Trump cae out i. 2016 on top in the GOP primaries, much to my chagrin.

    Trump then went on to defeat Hilary and the leftist agenda. For that he was reviled on the left.

    Trump, being addlehead Trump, after the election of 2016 now believes all those votes he got means that people LOVE TRUMP.

    The reality is a huge ni.brr of those votes foe Trump were really votes AGAINST Hilary and the wrong headed left agenda.

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  66. I submit a lot of people who voted for a

    Trump in 2016, 2020 and 2024 were not gung ho Trump in giving Trump an A on his behavior and goofiness.

    They were weighing the policies he supported and espoused vs. The policies supported by Hilary, Biden and Harris.

    If Trump policies are successful in creating a stronger and better and more economically sound U. S. and safer world that is good.

    BUT Trump will now and forever by a flaming a$$hole of a person until he dies.

    he has been the great united among the left, because Trump is Trump.

    –great for raising donations to the dems.

    –great for getting out the vote

    –great for D congreasional candidates to hold up and Pilar and run against.

    –great for making the hundreds of campaigns about “stopping Trump” rather than focus on the many important critical issues that will make or break the country.

    That is all ANY DEM candidate has to do and say: Vote for me I will help stop Trump.

    Galvanizing their support.

    THAT is why I felt we should have picked some other well qualified R ca dilate for president to articulate the R conservative viewpoints o. The top 12 issues I stead of having looney tu es Trump be the stnlandard bearer and the face on the store front of the R./ conservative. Non whackadoodle left party

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  67. Like it or not, admit it or not…Trump has damaged the R brand and it has hurt, and will on the near future hurt, good R candidates.

    the Ds ((left) who care little about making A.iercan strong will keep the focus on TRUMP rethar than let the focus ne on the 12 or so big policy issues of what is the problem and which candidate proposes what measures or philosophy to rectify the problem.

    If you are a D candidate, just keep harping on the fact that Trump is nuts and a horrible person and that you are a moderate sensible D like Evilgail Spamburger who wants to help the people by stopping Trump.

    Win every time.

    Works every time.

    Voters are stupid.

    Driven by emotions rather than their brains.

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  68. Fir Ds in the kast 20 or so h

    years, the number 1,2,3,4, 5 thing is GET CONTROL OF THE KEVERS OF GOVERNMENT.

    Lie to the voters if you have to to get CONTROL

    Exhibit A: VA Gov. EVILGALE SPAMBURGER

    “I am a moderate D”

    promise this and that, get elected do the opposite of what you promised and propsed

    Voters are stupid.

    They won’t even remember this 4 years from now…

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  69. Sorry (again) for looking like my posts are from someone either drunk or having a stroke.

    Like

  70. Like it or not, admit it or not…Trump has damaged the R brand and it has hurt, and will on the near future hurt, good R candidates.”

    If that was true then how come he was the first R candidate to win the popular since 2024?

    Trump did not damage the R brand, the R brand was actually in decline BEFORE Trump.

    Trump arguably won 3 elections in a row, at least two for sure. There are a lot of people in Congress, the Senate, and in state and local offices that won because of Trump.

    The guy is a political phenomenon like no other.

    The R party damaged itself, Trump did not damage the R party.

    I have major differences with Trump, but saying he “damaged the R brand” is not one of them.

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  71. If that was true then how come he was the first R candidate to win the popular since 2024?”

    That was the 3 martinis talking.

    I meant 2004.

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  72. The medicine for the cat is now secured and appt. made to take it back to the vet to get a blood sample from him extracted.

    First, could not find the cat who has gottrn very good at hiding in the house. 2nd, once found, he was not cooperative in my arms while Mrs. Walt administered the liquid.

    He then ran off to some hiding place.

    Have to give him thebsrcond dose tomorrow morning at 9:30–2 hours before vet appt.

    That ought to be another fun advemture…

    Like

  73. On Saturday, we will be in transit to NC Beach area to join a bunch other friends for a week.

    So I might be posting or lurking here less for a while.

    If you need to get a hold of me for any emergency call Cash Cow at 304-eat-morechiken and she can reach me.

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  74. walt, when you get off I-64 on to 168 in Chesapeake, wave…I am 5 miles away

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  75. Trump elicits a lot of emotions, positive and negative, no doubt. There are people that really really hate him and people that really really love him.

    The MSM and the “intellectual” elites in academia, Hollywood and the MSM drive a negative narrative about Trump that does influence a segment of the population.

    But the fact is that Trump’s popularity ratings during his Presidential terms are not that different from Democrat presidents and other Rs, despite the fact the media coverage is overwhelmingly negative. That shows there is a huge segment of the population that likes him whether they are bombarded with negative narratives or not.

    The Dems got him convicted/indicted for assault, fraud, inciting an insurrection, stealing classified information, overturning elections, you name it.

    He still won EVERY swing state AND the popular vote and brought in a R house and a R senate.

    Damage the R brand my ass.

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  76. jason,

    maybe because the D left Postus candidates had gotten too far whackadoodle left, plus under Biden the country slipped down noticeably?

    I do admit I know a few rabid Trump supported who idolize him and think he never does or says anything wrong ever.

    Some of my in laws in four hours away in VA are like that, too.

    But those Trump can do no wrong Rs are a minority around here.

    Most people I come in contact with really like and support the Trump policies, foreign and domestic, but are not disciples of Trump the person.

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  77. THAT is why I felt we should have picked some other well qualified R ca dilate for president to articulate the R conservative viewpoints”

    Like McCain and Romney?

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  78. he has been the great united among the left, because Trump is Trump.

    So what?

    –great for raising donations to the dems.

    Kamala spent a billion dollars and lost

    –great for getting out the vote

    Dems lost the House and the Senate

    –great for D congreasional candidates to hold up and Pilar and run against.

    Dems lost the House and the Senate

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  79. Sorry Walt, but you are repeating too many Dem talking points about Trump.

    I certainly don’t think he can do no wrong. I have been clear here that I think he is not a conservative and is instead a political opportunist.

    But contrary to your assertion, his brand SELLS. He is the most successful R politician since Ronald Reagan, especially if you consider the cards he has been dealt.

    In my view, he has been the ONLY barrier between the Dem ideal of a one party state, open borders, and outright socialism.

    Had Trump not defeated Hillary and Kamala that’s what we would have.

    Just his appointment of a conservative SCOTUS has maybe delayed complete socialism in our lifetimes, (well, not yours)

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  80. If Trump (the person) has not damaged the R brand, then the November GE results in the U.S. for Congress will prove I am wrong and you are right.

    If Trump policies and positive results on issues (southern border and stopping the legal flood, national security, economy, jobs, tax cuts, crime reduction, etc.) are in the forefront of the voters the Rs should do very well in November.

    As for this very R area of WV, I expect the vote for the D candidates here for legislature, county commissioners, etc will be much higher % than 2 years ago.

    We shall see in November if I am reading the local tea leaves right or not.

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  81. Most people I come in contact with really like and support the Trump policies, foreign and domestic, but are not disciples of Trump the person.”

    I am not even convinced that is the case.

    I think Trump’s “the person” unpopularity is also greatly overestimated. Show me another R that gets the crowds he gets at his rallies.

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  82. f Trump (the person) has not damaged the R brand, then the November GE results in the U.S. for Congress will prove I am wrong and you are right.”

    Nah.

    Anyone can predict the party in power will lose seats in midterm elections and be right.

    If R lose the midterms, it doesn’t mean Trump damaged the R brand at all, it just confirms a historical trend that almost always pans out.

    You will have to find something else to prove your theory, that dog won’t hunt.

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  83. As for this very R area of WV, I expect the vote for the D candidates here for legislature, county commissioners, etc will be much higher % than 2 years ago.”

    You mean than when Trump was on the ballot?

    That proves he is unpopular?

    Sounds like it proves exactly the opposite.

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  84. BUT Trump will now and forever by a flaming a$$hole of a person until he dies.”

    So a flaming a-hole of a person won the popular vote for Republicans for the first time in 20 years?

    Here is my opinion: IF Trump didn’t respond in kind to the attacks on him he wouldn’t have been President either in 2016 or 2024.

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  85. Rs lost 40 seats in the House in 2018.

    At the time Amoral Scumbag and every TDS moron here said it was because Trump was so unpopular.

    The same people who said he was finished. The same people who said he would never be nominated in 2024. The same people who said he couldn’t possible win in 2024.

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  86. Trump is an a-hole to people who support and work for him, too.

    Liked by 1 person

  87. Jason lives in an area where many people love Trump. I live in an area where many people hate Trump. I don’t know if there is an area where it is more evenly divided.

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  88. Show me another R that gets the crowds he gets at his rallies.

    People who go to rallies support their candidate? Damn. That is real insight.

    I wouldn’t go to a Trump rally if it was in the my front yard but he got my vote 3 times.

    Liked by 1 person

  89. Obama’s Second-Term Slide Continues 65% Disapprove of His Handling of Economy.

    Barack Obama has had a difficult year since his reelection victory. His overall job rating stands at 41%, down 14 points since last December. A majority (53%) now disapproves of the way he is handling his job as president.”

    Yet you will EVER read in the MSM that Obama was an “unpopular” President.

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  90. People who go to rallies support their candidate?”

    Zzzzz..

    I didn’t say people who went to his rallies support him.

    I said show me a R that got the kinds of crowds he gets at his rallies.

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  91. Jason Never Trump ! is now one of his biggest defenders. He is a slippery A-hole hard to pin down.

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  92. Jason lives in an area where many people love Trump.”

    Whatever. Most people around here like Trump’s protectionist policies a lot more than I do.

    My point is that Trump’s “unpopularity” claim has no basis in fact. The guy got 77 million votes and won every swing state despite 95% negative media coverage, 90+ felony indictments, over $1 billion in negative ads against him.

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  93. No. NOT a McCain or Romney.

    Maybe a DeSantis or Rubio.

    After the economy collapse in late part of GWBush, nothing could stop the Ds winning in 2008. Incumbent Obama reelected in 2012. RS were bla.ed for that.

    2016 – Hilary loses/ Trump wins. Trump sweeps the toss-up states.

    Made me very happy Hilary lost.

    Was it because everyone loved Trump the person or because enough people were opposed to Hilary, Hillary campaign mistakes like not going g to WI, people upset over Obamacare lies and deception and the cornhusker kickback and Obama rsce baiting, time for a party change at the top after 8 years, etc.

    2020 -Who really actually won that cluster election and a billion mail in votes? Not convinced BIden won that fairly.

    2024 – Dem political fustercluck, truth about Hunter Biden FINALLY comes out and other improprieties of Buden and Ds and truth about J6, Biden pushed off the top of ticket, Harris announced as the candidate with voters shut out of election, country in a death spiral with open borders, massive inflation, crime, etc.

    Trump wins.

    Great climate for Trump politically in 2024. Or any R.

    I think an R like DeSantis would have won if he had been the R instead of Trump. We will never know.

    But a lot of people voted for Trump in 2024 crowded R primaries to help redeem him from the dirty pool tricks the Ds were throwing at him including fake lawfair, fake impeachment, fake MarLargo raid. Evident that Trump had been wrongly abused by the Ds and strong likelihood of hanky panky in 2020 election in key states.

    They voted for him in 2016, he was their guy. They voted for him in 2020 and felt Trump was robbed and chrated out of the win in 20207. They came back to vote for him again in 2024 to stick ot to the Ds for their poor behavior and bad govt policies with poor results that was hurting the country.

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  94. Jason Never Trump ! is now one of his biggest defenders”

    Zzzzz…

    I am not defending him. I am just pointing out that the claim he is unpopular and damaged the R brand is unmitigated BS.

    Do Presidents spend political capital and become unpopular during their terms? Yes.

    Does the party in party usually lose seats in the midterms? Yes.

    But the 2024 election was living proof that Trump’s unpopularity was greatly overestimated.

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  95. Great climate for Trump politically in 2024. Or any R.”

    I don’t agree on the any R.

    I heard that in 2016. I didn’t even vote for him, but I admitted only he could have won that election.

    In 2024 I supported DeSantis, not Trump. But I was ridiculed here for warning that I didn’t think DeSantis could carry the rust belt blue collar vote either in the primary or the GE.

    As it worked out, DeSantis poor showing in the primaries did expose his weakness.

    Don’t get me wrong, I would love to have DeSantis as President.

    But would he have won all 7 swing states? I doubt it.

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  96. Walt, I don’t dispute that most people may think Trump is an a-hole but still support him.

    Most people probably realize JFK was a immoral scumbag. He is still very popular.

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  97. Walt, above you make a good case that Trump won because the other guys were more unpopular.

    I can accept that everything is relative.

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