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[Clefargle]

I don't understand how people can defend superdelegates but hate gerrymandering and/or the electoral college.

It's all meant to disenfranchise the power of a vote and it's all done to keep the bullshit two party system we have rolling along.

Superdelegates are set up by private parties, and are meant to protect the party from guys like Trump from coming in and running on a ticket without sharing the platform of that ticket. They never go against the candidate with the most pledged delegates and I'll bet the GOP wishes they had a similar system in place right about now.

Gerrymandering is done at the state levels by the government and yes it is directly about picking constituents that favor entrenched candidates.

The electoral college may be "Undemocratic" but it has not ever once voted for a candidate without the majority of public vote.

The two party system is bullshit, but I'd say it's kept alive by political polarization among the voter base more than anything. Nothing is stopping anyone from starting a strong third party, they just haven't been successful in pulling people away from their party platforms. The blame lies with the voters

 

[Kevyt]

Obama just nominated Merrick Garland to the supreme Court.

That's interesting, never heard of him.

 

[Drek]

The fact that Bernie has 5% of pledged superdelegates in spite of winning somewhere between 30-40% of the total votes at this point still shows the system sucks.

Supers are pretty much all actually registered democrats who give a shit about their party. Sanders has been pretty outspoken that he doesn't consider himself a democrat, is only in this primary because he couldn't have a viable independent run, and has shown zero support for the democratic party as a whole or any down ticket candidates in particular.

So yeah, how is it surprising that most super delegates want nothing to do with the guy trying to hijack their party?

You're going to make the argument that every elected President since the late 80s was the best choice/all other choices were weak? It's hardly a secret that there is an advantage to being the son or spouse of a previous President when running for a political position. I'm not saying that's the only reason said people were elected, just that I personally wish we had more variety in our Presidential selections.

Can you please name someone genuinely more qualified than Hillary Clinton to be POTUS? There is no spousal edge to speak of as Clinton is the first spouse of a POTUS to ever achieve an elected office.

She is an entirely unique individual and if you consider her life story with respect to her husband you can make a very strong argument that she is a far more capable and qualified candidate than he ever was, but for much of her life has been held back because of her gender.

I mean, for all the Hillary haters, it's as easy as going to read her Wikipedia page to understand that she has seen the full gamut of American politics and emerged from it as a staunch advocate for social justice and progressive causes. Stop believing the smear bullshit and just go do the research. If this was literally anyone else with her story but instead of being married to the POTUS she kept doing her personal projects until running for the senate in New York people would talk about her as a pioneer in women's political representation.

Instead we get this false narrative of nepotism directed against one of the most intelligent, driven, accomplished women to ever run for political office.

 

[royalan]

I don't understand how people can defend superdelegates but hate gerrymandering and/or the electoral college.

It's all meant to disenfranchise the power of a vote and it's all done to keep the bullshit two party system we have rolling along.

Just look at what's happening to the Republican Party right now for a convincing argument for the existence of superdelegates.

They exist for many reasons, one being to keep the party from being hijacked by populist demagogues.

 

[Dash_Riprock]

All according to Berniekaku

Almost spit my coffee all over my screen after I saw the CA prediction.

There's deluded, and then there are the people who made this.

 

[numble]

The electoral college may be "Undemocratic" but it has not ever once voted for a candidate without the majority of public vote.

False, even within the past 20 years.

 

[Meowster]

Hillary Clinton (3/15/2016 votes): 3,703,372
Donald Trump (3/15/2016 votes): 3,191,698

I was told Hillary doesn't generate excitement?

 

[TheLostBigBoss]

Then there is no point to supers in a democracy. Shit like this keeps me from voting/registering Democrat.

every time I see people cry about super delegates I ask this.

If you lived in a country with political parties that have internal processes to nominate the Prime Minister for the party, would that country be any less democratic?

 

[TwoDurans]

All according to Berniekaku

Thanks for this. I needed a good laugh this morning after all the horrible traffic I had to sit in.

 

[Russ T]

All according to Berniekaku

hahahahahaa

 

[B-Dubs]

Hillary Clinton (3/15/2016 votes): 3,703,372
Donald Trump (3/15/2016 votes): 3,191,698

I was told Hillary doesn't generate excitement?

But she's not winning people's hearts!

 

[numble]

Just look at what's happening to the Republican Party right now for a convincing argument for the existence of superdelegates.

They exist for many reasons, one being to keep the party from being hijacked by populist demagogues.

If there was a Democratic candidate that won 2/3 of the states, but the superdelegates put a different candidate up as the nominee, you'd also get stories about the party being split into two.

 

[Dash_Riprock]

Hillary Clinton (3/15/2016 votes): 3,703,372
Donald Trump (3/15/2016 votes): 3,191,698

I was told Hillary doesn't generate excitement?

Something something Killary something Wall Street shill something Benghazi.

 

[TwoDurans]

But she's not winning people's hearts!

Thank god the Electoral College only assigns 6 votes to Hearts. The Queen can win without them.

 

[dave is ok]

Nothing is stopping anyone from starting a strong third party, they just haven't been successful in pulling people away from their party platforms. The blame lies with the voters

Sure there is. You need 270 electoral votes to be president.

People hate that Trump hijacked the Republican party or that Bernie ran as a Democrat, but there really is no other option when rules meant to entrench those parties exist.

 

[theignoramus]

Hillary Clinton (3/15/2016 votes): 3,703,372
Donald Trump (3/15/2016 votes): 3,191,698

I was told Hillary doesn't generate excitement?

She's running against one other candidate. Theres three Trump opponents on the Republican side, two of whom were running in their home state.

 

[Future]

Why do people think California is impossible? Has there been serious polling here in favor of Clinton?

 

[Dash_Riprock]

The winner-take-all nature of the electoral college means a two party system (or even 1-party, like in the Era of Good Feelings and perhaps now) is inevitable.

Why do people think California is impossible? Has there been serious polling here in favor of Clinton?

Lot of non-whites in CA, just like in the south...

 

[SlimySnake]

Why do people think California is impossible? Has there been serious polling here in favor of Clinton?

he can win California but not by 68%.

 

[Flo_Evans]

Sorry Bernie...

 

[royalan]

If there was a Democratic candidate that won 2/3 of the states, but the superdelegates put a different candidate up as the nominee, you'd also get stories about the party being split into two.

This may be true, but I think the present of superdelegates, plus a crowded race, would have made a Democrat Trump unviable a lot earlier.

Superdelegates also provide the party with a mechanism to keep their system in check that wouldn't require a last minute changing of the rules, which is what the RNC will now have to do.

 

[balladofwindfishes]

She's running against one other candidate. Theres three Trump opponents on the Republican side, two of whom were running in their home state.

The three opponents of Trump aren't taking votes away from Trump.

 

[Grizzlyjin]

What would a Democrat version of Trump even look like? "We need to let more immigrants in! Build a bridge!" I feel like a lot of Dems would just shrug and go with it lol

 

[dave is ok]

The three opponents of Trump aren't taking votes away from Trump.

If Kasich wasn't in the race, Trump wouldn't have had more votes in OH? Same with Rubio and FL? Cruz and TX? Come on

What would a Democrat version of Trump even look like?

 

[Adaren]

Something something Killary something Wall Street shill something Benghazi.

Something something electing an extremely qualified female President who's pushing progressive policies on pretty much all domestic issues is like eating my vegetables something something dynasties.

 

[Prologue]

Sucks about Bernie. I'll vote for Hillary, even though i'll be kicking and screaming.

Another multimillionaire Clinton in the white house. Bleh

 

[TyrantII]

Sure there is. You need 270 electoral votes to be president.

People hate that Trump hijacked the Republican party or that Bernie ran as a Democrat, but there really is no other option when rules meant to entrench those parties exist.

Those rules are the structure of our dualistic political system. The minority has checks, majority has the power system leads to that.

We could go with a pluralistic system, but again we have the system the founders intended. If we shlidl switch, you're going to need a very persuasive argument as to why they were wrong.

 

[Dash_Riprock]

Sucks about Bernie. I'll vote for Hillary, even though i'll be kicking and screaming.

Another multimillionaire Clinton in the white house. Bleh

You DO realize some of our best presidents have been rich, right?

 

[royalan]

What would a Democrat version of Trump even look like? "We need to let more immigrants in! Build a bridge!" I feel like a lot of Dems would just shrug and go with it lol

It would look like a slightly more extreme version of Bernie Sanders, actually.

"Here are a bunch of great-but-poorly-implemented policy ideas! Don't they sound radical? Oh, and fuck trade. Also, if you're a conservative Democrat running for office in a swing district? Good luck, because my platform will be toxic to you!'

 

[Your Entertainer]

Something something Killary something Wall Street shill something Benghazi.

Yes, let's mock and denounce any sort of criticisms of Hillary. Her foreign policy and Wall Street ties are legitimate concerns.

 

[balladofwindfishes]

You DO realize some of our best presidents have been rich, right?

You could probably count the number of non-rich Presidents on one hand.

 

[superdeluxe]

All according to Berniekaku

Was this done before yesteday? Shows sanders winning Ohio by 60%?

 

[Steel]

If you think it'll end with Syria, man, I don't know where you get your optimism, but I wish I had some.

I don't know why you think she'd bother with Syria anymore. Maybe a year ago, but things are nearly settled there after Russia hammered everything.

 

[Russ T]

It's so weird for people to vehemently defend Clinton.

Is it so outside of your realm of thought that someone could dislike the way she does things?

Creepy idolization does no one any good.

And yes I feel that way about hardcore Bernie fans, too.

I don't know why you think she'd bother with Syria anymore. Maybe a year ago, but things are nearly settled there after Russia hammered everything.

To be fair, I was mostly responding to the post that specifically mentioned Syria!

 

[wild wild rice]

I love Hillary as Varg Vikernes. I think that's who that is anyway.

 

[Trouble]

All according to Berniekaku

Is Karl Rove working for Bernie now?

 

[Holmes]

 

[Real Hero]

It's so weird for people to vehemently defend Clinton.

Is it so outside of your realm of thought that someone could dislike the way she does things?

Creepy idolization does no one any good.

And yes I feel that way about hardcore Bernie fans, too.

Yeah, it's annoying especially when one side acts like it's only the other side that does it

 

[Bruce Springsteen]

All according to Berniekaku

literally laughed out loud at this

 

[Adaren]

It's so weird for people to vehemently defend Clinton.

Is it so outside of your realm of thought that someone could dislike the way she does things?

Creepy idolization does no one any good.

And yes I feel that way about hardcore Bernie fans, too.

Gonna have to be more specific with who you're calling out. I'd wager that fairly few posters think she's above all criticism; rather, they believe that the amount of criticism she gets on certain issues is comically blown out of proportion.

Meanwhile, no one is responding to Bernie supporters by saying "I don't see how anyone could possibly support Bernie over Hillary," whereas the opposite sentiment isn't terribly uncommon on the internet at-large.

 

[Russ T]

Gonna have to be more specific with who you're calling out. I'd wager that fairly few posters think she's above all criticism; rather, they believe that the amount of criticism she gets on certain issues is comically blown out of proportion.

Meanwhile, no one is responding to Bernie supporters by saying "I don't see how anyone could possibly support Bernie over Hillary," whereas the opposite sentiment isn't terribly uncommon on the internet at-large.

I'm not going to call out anyone specifically, because that's not nice. But that's an extremely generous way of describing what the common aggressive thread (as opposed to sincere or passive threads) is for Hillary lovers around here. Some people (not myself, 'cause I'm dumb and often fail to communicate properly) offer seriously well thought out criticisms of Hillary and the response is "wow way to buy into the GOP's propaganda". Like, really? No. No.

I don't really visit any other communities that talk about politics to this degree - just my small groups of friends here and there - so I can only speak to what I see here on GAF. And I see it a lot.

And I definitely see people say that to Bernie supporters.

And, again, it absolutely goes both ways. But Hillary supporters seem way more... hmm, smug? about it.

 

[cpp_is_king]

I have to say, i find it comical that the Hilary / Bernie divide is as big or bigger than the Repub/Dem divide. It's crazy how invested people are in this.

If only it were justified, 4 years from you'll learn that it doesn't actually matter, because no matter who it is, they won't have accomplished one single thing they promised during the campaign

 

[Averon]

I just hope this "my queen" shit is tongue-in-cheek and dies quickly. It is a disturbing level of idolization.

 

[Holmes]

I just hope this "my queen" shit is tongue-in-cheek and dies quickly. It is a disturbing level of idolization.

She's Khaleesi now.

 

[Russ T]

I have to say, i find it comical that the Hilary / Bernie divide is as big or bigger than the Repub/Dem divide. It's crazy how invested people are in this.

If only it were justified, 4 years from you'll learn that it doesn't actually matter, because no matter who it is, they won't have accomplished one single thing they promised during the campaign

It's less about what they accomplish and more about what it means symbolically for politics at large. A Bernie win would be huge and give me a lot of hope for the future. A Hillary win just means nothing's ever going to change.

Now, it's a lot more nuanced than that. The fact that Bernie is this popular at all? That fact alone gives me a lot of hope. This approach, this attitude isn't going to just fade into nothingness.

There's a huge, huge, huge symbolic difference between supporting Hillary and Bernie.

 

[balladofwindfishes]

The guy who got Michigan right

My model is estimating two Sanders wins on Tuesday, in Missouri and Illinois. However, Illinois and Ohio are both effectively coin flips with such thin margins between victory and defeat (if you recall, I put Bernie at 53.48% in Michigan and he won by less than 1%, though my model should be more accurate now). It is also estimating two wide victories for Hillary in North Carolina and Florida, which is and has been expected.

¯\_(&#12484_/¯

Guess he just got lucky with Michigan

 

[TwoDurans]

It's so weird for people to vehemently defend Clinton.

Is it so outside of your realm of thought that someone could dislike the way she does things?

Creepy idolization does no one any good.

And yes I feel that way about hardcore Bernie fans, too.

I don't believe she's perfect. I think she's the best person in the crop of candidates to lead the country. My theory on the Bernie hate is the "Greater Internet Fuckwad Theory." Sanders supporters have become some of the worst human beings, hiding behind the internet's anonymity to attack, belittle, and just generally turn what could potentially be a civil (albeit heated) discussion about politics into a hatred fueled mess. Unfortunately it's human nature that when someone acts like a dick to you, you respond in kind and Clinton supporters have fallen into that trap.

It's now become thus:

Bernie Supporters - A Bunch of millennial idiots who don't know what they're talking about but will make up facts and stories to hold on to the hope that their candidate will survive and refuse to believe that a crook like Clinton (who should be indicted any day now) could be a good president and would rather not vote, or worse vote for Drumpf if they don't get their way because reasons.
Clinton Supporters - Uppity rich folk who want the damned kids to get off their political lawns because they know what's best for the country and believe everyone else should shut the eff up.

 

[Miles X]

The guy who got Michigan right




¯\_(&#12484_/¯

Guess he just got lucky with Michigan

He basically follows the polls and tweaks and hopes it favours him so he looks like some type of amazing foreteller.

Edit - Oh he's a Bernie supporter, so his bias is probably what got his Michigan prediction right, rather than whatever other methods he claims he uses.

He overestimated Bernie in all 5 states.

 

[ahoyhoy]

I just hope this "my queen" shit is tongue-in-cheek and dies quickly. It is a disturbing level of idolization.

The merger of POP-GAF and POLIGAF has reached its zenith.

 

[Tesseract]

When is Clinton going to prison