Democrat Primary Candidate Quiz

[_EAllusion]

I meant in terms of demagogic tendencies.

[_EAllusion]

I saw this Twitter thread the other day making a provocative argument that the Trump led GOP is going to expand its attempts to manipulate elections in illegal and semi-legal ways post impeachment acquittal. Because of how reactionaries work, this means they'll be projecting that by accusing their opponent of the same. It was an interesting thesis.

Then, as if by magic, there's already a deluge of fabricated claims of Democratic vote rigging running through the right-wing media ecosystem today.

[_honorentheos]

I was spending time on the website for the organization that represents my profession over a lunch break reading articles of interest. While doing so, the website had a pop-up survey seeking input on the information it provides and what they can do to improve. I took it, and once I finished it asked if i would mind taking a second survey as survey monkey-type apps are prone to do. I don't recall the exact subject but it had to do with a political issue that overlapped my professional interest so I opted to take that one, too.

I can't say for sure but I'm about 95% confident it was a survey funded by Mike Bloomberg. It ended up being a public opinion poll on typical Democrat party issues, and what my level of concern was for each followed by asking how much I knew about Mike Bloomberg's position on the issues I had said I favored.

He's definitely throwing money at every angle of the race. I think EA's correct in questioning how democratic it is that a person with billions of dollars can buy name recognition, poll into a successful message that appeals to enough democratic voters to get him the nomination, and bypass the normal mechanisms of an election because his money gives him a pass to the front of the line unavailable to other candidates. Plus, he's essentially an authoritarian-lite when in office given his track record in New York. I don't favor Sanders for many reasons, but at least he's winning his support through his message and knocking on doors.

[_honorentheos]

Then, as if by magic, there's already a deluge of fabricated claims of Democratic vote rigging running through the right-wing media ecosystem today.

I thought the same thing this morning. How skeptical should one be to find out there were software glitches in Iowa as the Republicans and the President gloat over irregularities and chaos in the Iowa Democratic caucus? I don't want to jump to conclusions and into a conspiracy theory but it doesn't look good.

[_EAllusion]

Then, as if by magic, there's already a deluge of fabricated claims of Democratic vote rigging running through the right-wing media ecosystem today.

I thought the same thing this morning. How skeptical should one be to find out there were software glitches in Iowa as the Republicans and the President gloat over irregularities and chaos in the Iowa Democratic caucus? I don't want to jump to conclusions and into a conspiracy theory but it doesn't look good.

I wrote that post before the caucus debacle in reference to false claims about implausible numbers of registered Democrats in Iowa spreading through the right wing media ecosystem. It’s now somehow even worse.

[_Markk]

Man, Bloomberg is trying to straight up buy the election and it is sort of working. That's concerning.

He is, and he may not be the best candidate for the left. But money buys elections, you have to have it...is paying for your own run more wrong/concerning than taking monies from other rich supporters? This can apply to a republican or a democrat...LOL it is a bi-partisan question.

I don't know a lot yet about Bloomberg, I just have not read too much about him yet, or paid much attention to his past politics...what is the major issue with his politics that raise a concern, or is it just having the ability to buy his way into the race? ?

[_EAllusion]

I thought the same thing this morning. How skeptical should one be to find out there were software glitches in Iowa as the Republicans and the President gloat over irregularities and chaos in the Iowa Democratic caucus?

Well, that post turned out to be prescient. Now you have local and national Republican leaders, including the President, along with all major right-wing media outlets attempting to push conspiracy theories regarding Democratic election rigging with no factual basis. This ranges from plain irresponsible to telegraphing future attempts to subvert democracy. It ain't good.

[_subgenius]

Man, Bloomberg is trying to straight up buy the election and it is sort of working. That's concerning.

Iowa, and once again reality, disagrees with you.

[_EAllusion]

Man, Bloomberg is trying to straight up buy the election and it is sort of working. That's concerning.

Iowa, and once again reality, disagrees with you.

What about Iowa? Bloomberg made no effort to win Iowa. His strategy was to ignore early primary states and pour a small fortune into national advertising in an effort to win the major multi-state primary days. Based on basically nothing but wealth, he's parlayed that into, not necessarily a major threat to win the election, but an impactful amount of support.

[_honorentheos]

Bloomberg deliberately didn't campaign in Iowa. Anyone paying even the slightest amount of attention would know...oh. As you were.