Hanaguma

Was the jury screened for "Trump fans"? Wow, never heard that. Wonder if they also screened for TDS... What people think of the daily grind of the trial seems coloured by their preconceived political beliefs. Gotta be honest, I am still struggling to see why this is such a big deal, even if it was technically a breach of the law. But that is for me to fix.

You may be right. I have a feeling the jurys' eyes were glazed over with all the legal ramblings and theorizing. The actual hush money payoff was not illegal- it is common. The key is the accounting of the money and who knew/approved. Cohen looked sketchy as heck, but that is to be expected. He IS sketchy. How much his credibility will matter is up to the jury. I have heard that there are actually 2 lawyers ON the jury, and they might just be violently angry at Cohen taping conversations with his clients. So yeah, a hung jury is a definite possibility.

Off topic, but the misinformation came from Official Washington, regardless who was in the White House. Remember hearing the President say, "if you get vaccinated, you can't get Covid?" Well I for one can personally attest that he was not telling the truth. My wife and I both got the Phizer and both got Covid.

I would say Walker's cut and paste game is pretty good, other than that... The big puzzle to me is why this is such a big deal in the first place. We are talking about a payment of $130,000. This is miniscule. The Trump campaign raised more than $700 million in 2020. Democrats spent even more. Total of $14 billion spent in the election cycle. So why is this particular payment so important?

This might be the real reason. I mean, the cringey announcement Biden made- had to have 5 cut and pastes in a 15 second video clip. Plus the lack of a live crowd- point in Biden's favor. As for the CNN moderators: I personally like Jake Tapper, he is a fairly old school journalist. Obviously leans left but keeps it in check. Dana Bash though...

Love how nobody on the left side of the aisle actually wants to talk about the...topic...of the discussion, instead they prefer to obfuscate and repost their talking points ad nauseum.

As I said before, I wonder what prompted Biden to insist on these debates, and these rules, instead of the traditonal debates held by the non-partisan CPD? Or will there be both debates held under the auspices of the CPD and these ones? I think that would be the best option for everyone, especially the voters. The more the candidates can get in front of the public, the better.

Yeah, about the same margin in 2016 when Trump beat Clinton.

Sadly, both parties are living in the past, judging by the candidates they chose. But I do understand- the collective butthurt from the interrupted coronation of Queen Hillary I still twitches from time to time. And when the popular vote matters more than a bucket of warm hamster vomit, please let me know.

Gee, nobody seems to want to crow about Cohen's testimony today. Why is that?

That's actually pretty funny! ...and who won that election?

True, especially about the donkey. At least it could talk, unlike their current candidate. The un-Biden vote is strong, I can't really see too many people being enthused about him or, God forbid, Harris. A lot of nose-holding at the voting booth in November.

Good point. From what I remember , people assumed Biden would be a safe, middle of the road, one term president. His sole job was to stop Trump and bring back normalcy. But his sad choice of a VP has effectively handcuffed the Democratic party into keeping him for a second term. IF the Democrats brought in a younger, more centrist candidate (Wes Moore, for example), they would win in a landslide.

I am looking at the "performance data" that matter to normal people. The price of basic consumer goods. The cost of a mortgage on a small home. The inflation rate. And no matter how loud you shout or how many perjoratives you use, the general public does not agree with you.

Actually a mess that the Chinese started, but don't worry about that. Although to shock you, I think you are right. Trump handled Covid poorly. But so did Biden. Lockdowns, forced vaccinations, killing toursim, both can take the blame.

Not in Los Angeles. Three bucks is the best you can do. https://flipp.com/search/eggs

Yep, campaign on that too. Taking out 2020 and 2021 for covid spending, Biden's 2023 deficit of $1.7 trillion dwarfs Trump's 2019 deficit of $0.98 trillion.

When Biden took office in January 2021, eggs were $1.46 a dozen. So, only up 95% during his presidency. Sure, campaign on that. https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/APU0000708111

That's good for me, I have investments. But for most people, the worry is more about the cost of gasoline, eggs, their mortgage and car payments, etc. Just shows how out of touch with regular Americans that most Democrats are if they think that touting the stock market is a 'gotcha'.

Suspicous me is wondering why Biden is suddenly so fired up eager. Perhaps if he sh!ts the bed in the debate, it gives the Democrats plenty of time to replace him. The Democratic convention isn't until August. Plus it is a distraction from the series of disasters that have befallen him in policy and economic news.

That's a noble sentiment, except for the small detail that more Americans died from Covid under Biden than under Trump. Otherwise, you are making a valid point.

One thing I am curious about- two rather. 1. Will these debates replace the ones that are organized by the Presidential Debate Commision? 2. Will the rules be the same or different?

Not really. Rather, it seems the TDS brigade gets worked up so often, they can't help but spew all the usual, tiresome tropes. Liar, conman, rapist.... it gets old after a while. At least get some new material.

Purely based on history. Putin attacked when 2 Democratic presidents were in office. He didn't attack when Trump was. The whole Trump/Putin narrative is rather pathetic really. A desperate gamble left over from the 2016 election. As for the polls, a lot can change in 6 months. But at present, the American people are showing that they prefer the Trump years to the Biden years.

Don't self-stimulate yourself into a frenzy assuming that people who disagree with you are as shallow as you are yourself. I didn't mention Trump at all, yet he seems to be all that dominates your thinking. Why spend so much time hating someone, it must be terrible for your blood pressure. May I suggest a hobby, perhaps?