VIDEO: Moving forward (not likely) with the Cackler

Latest word salad from the Dimocratic candidate for the presidensity, heard (but not understood) yesterday in Reno NV (the old divorce capital of the USA).

 

Walt's reaction: Wut? I don't wanna move forward!

Further viewing (if you can stand it): "Unburdened by the first clue", WWW 11/10/24. Ms Harris is apparently incapable of memorizing anything long than catchphrases. Just wind her up....

Sunday Funnies

Cazart! AP calls Democrat Catherine Cortez Masto the winner of the Nevada Senate race. Apparently a truckload of... wait for it... mail-in ballots arrived in the dark of night, putting the lady on top of Adam Laxalt [Where are you going with this? Ed.] by about 6666 votes. Hm. 

Apparently the truck came from Las Vegas. Hm. I can't help but thinking of the fictional Nevada Senator Pat Geary (played by G.D. Spradlin) in The Godfather Part II. 

Although AP shows the Senate standings tied at 48-48, with Alaska and Georgia to be finalized, in practice, counting in the "Independent" Bernie Sanders, and Vice-President Harris' casting vote in the event of a tie, it looks as if the Democrats will be in control of the Senate. So Americans can look forward to two years of Congressional stalemate.

Two years of wrangling, two years of stagnation, two years of frustration. Not a pleasant thought for a Sunday morning, so fuggedabahtit for now. Here's a brilliant bit of humour from English comic actors Peter Cook and Dudley Moore.

Further viewing: The two starred in the cult classic Bedazzled, which you can find on YouTube if you look. It's worth watching just to see Raquel Welch as Lillian Lust!

VIDEO: Dinesh D'Souza analyzes what happened on November 3rd

Twice last month I mentioned Dinesh D'Souza: political commentator, filmmaker and author Obama's America, from which I quoted in "Kamala Harris: about as Black as Barack Obama", WWW 22/10/20. I also reposted the trailer of his movie Trump Card. 

In this interview with EWTN's Raymond Arroyo, posted two days after the election, Mr D'Souza asserts that Still-President Trump would have won in a walk, were it not for the Dempanic over the Covid "crisis", for which he got blamed, fairly or not. There were other factors, of course, which resulted in the contest being a virtual draw.* It runs just under 20 minutes and is a calm and measured explanation of what happened, well worth watching.

   

* In case you haven't heard, the election is far from decided yet, no matter what the lamestream media tell you! Even the likes of CNN are now admitting that Georgia and Arizona are "toss-ups", too close to call. That explains why the Democrats, not being taken by surprise this time, are busy manufacturing ballots. Stay tuned, and if you bet on President Trump, don't pay up unless and until Sleepy Joe is sworn in! Walt's guess is what Mike Pompeo said today: it's not gonna happen! Lifetime pct .981.

Further reading: "Why Trump Shouldn't Concede", by David Catron, in The American Spectator, 10/11/20. Subhead: "It's a contested election, and neither candidate has been officially declared the winner."

James Carville: Sanders can't win by "expanding the electorate"

I've been laboring for nigh on 24 hours trying to think of something clever and original to say about Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT - Don't forget the "I" part) hyuge win in the Nevada Democratic caucuses. Something about the Dumbocrats drinking the socialist Koolaid, or lemmings stampeding towards the cliff... something like that... but alas, I'm dry. [Please keep your personal life to yourself. Ed.]

I am therefore tossing the ball to James Carville, a media personality with considerable expertise and experience in American elections. A prominent political consultant who specializes in developing framing and strategy for electoral campaigns, Mr Carville has consulted for candidates for public office in the Excited States of America and 23 foreign countries. (Funny that no foreigners have complained about US interference in their elections!)

Mr Carville, aka "the Ragin' Cajun", gained national attention for his work as the lead strategist of the successful presidential campaign of Slick Willy Clinton. He's worked for the Clinton News Network off and on from 2002 until parting company with them in 2013. The following year, he joined Fox News as a contributor. Here's his reaction to the Sanders steamroller.

Note from Ed.: There was supposed to be a short video here, with Mr Carville's comments on MSNBC. For some reason I can't get it to embed, so I can only refer you to the link on Real Clear Politics; click right here!

In case you couldn't see it, here are two key quotes.

"The entire theory [put forward by Mr Sanders and his supporters "that by expanding the electorate, increasing turnout so you can win an election, is similar to climate denial. When people say that, they're as stupid to a political scientist as a climate denier is to an atmospheric scientist."

"If you want to vote for Bernie Sanders because you feel good about his program, you don't like the banks on Wall Street or you don't like pharmaceuticals, that's legitimate, I understand that. If you're voting for him because you think he'll win the election, politically, you're a fool."

There's nothing I could possibly say that would top those comments for brevity and pithiness. Well said, sir.

Comment: Dem debate demolition derby

Just passing along the first paragraph of "The 2020 Dems' Responses to Bloomberg's Defense of Capitalism Should Terrify All of Us", by Paula Bolyard on PJ Media, 20/2/20. No comment needed except to recommend you follow the link to read the whole article.

No one would blame you if you thought Trump's rally in Arizona on Wednesday would be infinitely more entertaining than the Democrat debate in Las Vegas. Alas, you'd have been wrong. In what can only be described as a demolition derby—with a bunch of amped-up Yugos crashing into each other, over and over again, until engine fires forced the drivers out onto their roofs while sirens blared—Democrats took to the stage to eviscerate one another and pave the way for Trump's reelection.

Thanks and a tip o' the touque to Agent 35 for the cartoon!

Democrats: which rich old Jewish guy will you choose?

As the Nevada caucuses draw near -- actually they're already under way -- new polls show Mayor Pete, the darling of the alphabet people fading, and the contest for the Dumbocrat presidential nomination shaping up to be between (((Michael Bloomberg))) and Senator (((Bernie Sanders))).

A national poll from NPR, PBS NewsHour and Marist -- good liberals, all -- released today showed Former Mayor Michael with 19% support among Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents, putting him in second place behind the senator from Vermont, who had 31%. Mr Bloomberg's surge is enough to qualify him to participate in tomorrow's debate in Vegas, the first time the billionaire New Yorker will appear onstage alongside the billionaire from Brooklyn and other Democratic presidential rivals.

Isn't it odd (I hear you thinking) that the Democrats, the party of the common man [and woman, and those unsure or in transition. Ed.] should be poised to choose between one rich old New York Jew and another, to get out and there and fight for equality. The little cartoon expresses my thoughts.

Paul Harvey's 1965 prediction of America's future proves all too true

Do you remember Paul Harvey? Paul Harvey Aurandt (his full name) was an American radio broadcaster who was heard for many years on the ABC radio network. He voiced News and Comment on weekday mornings and mid-days, and at noon on Saturdays, as well as his famous The Rest of the Story segments throughout the day, from the 1950s through the 1990s. Mr. Harvey was listened to by as many as 24 million people a week on 1200 radio stations and 400 AFN (Armed Forces Network) stations. His columns appeared in 300 newspapers.

Paul Harvey was a social conservative, who was clearly -- and rightly -- dismayed by the cultural revolution that engulfed the Excited States of America in the hippy-dippy 60s. With the folk-song army and leftist elites leading the great "civil rights" charade ["crusade", shurely! Ed.] and the likes of Abbie Hoffman urging Amerikan yoof to "tune in, turn on and drop out", the lamestream media proclaimed the dawn of a new and brighter tomorrow -- LBJ's "Great Society".

Very few commentators had the foresight or the guts to predict that it would all end in tears. Paul Harvey was one who foresaw a dark future (adjective chosen deliberately) for the USA and had the courage to say so. On 3 April 1965 he broadcast a piece called "If I Were the Devil" in which he described the sad state of the nation as we see it today, half a century later. Here is an updated version, recorded (audio only) in 1996. Running time 2:47.



Paul Harvey died on 28 February 2009, at the age of 90. Walt wonders how he was able to refrain from saying "I told you so!" Walt also wonders if, in his last days, Mr. Harvey consoled himself that he wouldn't be around to see things get even worse. Because they have!

Today, following Donald Trump's win in the Nevada Republican caucuses, the meeja have suddenly figured out that "Americans want change". That very headline appeared ina so-called "national newspaper" this morning. Well, DUH! But it may be too late for us to revert to the status quo ante. The Devil's forces rule the Western world. It will be difficult, if not impossible, to put the genie back in the bottle. Let us pray!

Reflections on South Carolina and Nevada

There were no upset winners in yesterday's Democratic caucus in Nevada or South Carolina's Republican primary. There were, however, a couple of losers.

One loser was apparent and expected. That would be JEB! All the Establishment money couldn't save him, nor could his little big brother's endorsement. See "Republican voters: WATCH 'Fahrenheit 9/11'!" (WWW 17/2/16) So now JEB! has bid us a tearful farewell. Or has he?! How come no putative candidates quit any more? Why do they just "suspend" their campaigns? Are we to believe that if some horrible accident should befall the Donald (just sayin'), JEB! will rise Lazarus-like from his crypt in Coral Gables?

If you think about it, the big loser in the Republican primary wasn't JEB!, but Ted Cruz. At one point last night he was deadlocked with Marco Rubio, with exactly the same number of votes. In the end, Mr. Rubio squeaked into a distant second place, finishing ahead of TrusTED by just over 1000 votes. Mr. Rubio thus becomes the "moderate" or Establishment alternative to Mr. Trump, leaving Mr. Cruz, errr, nowhere.

Not really a surprise, since he was never going to get many MOR [= Middle Of the Road. Ed.] GOP votes. They hate him. To beat the Donald or even come close, Ted had to get the Tea Party voters, not just the happy-clappy Protestant fundamentalists. Too bad for him that the Tea Partiers hate him too.

Before we leave the Republicans, take a look at the results map appearing in today's Washington Post. The only counties who went for Mr. Rubio were around the state capital and along the coast near Charleston. Mr. Trump swept the rest. Those who think that the media darling SC governor's tearing down of the Southern Cross represented the true feelings of South Carolinians should give their heads a shake!

As for Nevada, Hellery Clinton's cries of victory seemed to me more relief than exultation. CNNPolitics calls her win "decisive", but they would say that, wouldn't they. Walt doesn't call 5.5% decisive, especially when you consider that just a couple of weeks ago her margin was expected to be in the double digits. Entrance and exit polls showed that Madame Clinton was backed by a majority of women, college-educated voters, those with annual incomes over $100,000, moderates, voters aged 45 and older and non-white voters. Bernie Sanders did best with men, voters under 45 and those less affluent and educated.

The once and (she hopes) future First Lady captured the backing of voters who said electability and experience were important. BERNie, however, did best with voters looking for a candidate who is caring and honest. That an aged socialist Jew from New England should come as close as he did in a state like Nevada tells me that Hellerey is far from home and dry. Keep looking over your shoulder, dear. The footsteps behind you aren't just Bill's!

Can Romney do it? Walt's state-by-state analysis and predictions

The pressure is building! Walt's acolytes, followers and casual readers are waiting for guidance on how to bet. The barbershop is closed today so it's a good time to sit quietly and do the numbers, state by state.


There are 538 votes to be cast in the Electoral College. The magic number is 270. From his vantage point near Fort Mudge, Walt can see nine states with a total of 110 electoral votes that are "in play" -- too close to call.

Not included in the remaining 41 states (and DC) is Utah. I'm giving that one to Romney because [They already know that! Ed.] ...and Idaho for the same reason. [Get on with it!! Ed.]

OK. Also not included are New York, New Jersey and Connecticut. There's been a lot of pissing and moaning in the lamestream media about federal aid not getting through to the victims of Sandy quickly enough. Obama's presidential photo ops amidst the devastation looked fine, they say, but a lot of voters will be disaffected by this demonstration that the Prez doesn't have all that much control over the federal administration, and will get revenge by voting for the Inevitable Mitt. Rubbish. Anyone who thinks there was ever any chance of NY, NJ and CT going Republican is seriously deluded.

Which brings us to Pennsylvania and Michigan, the bottom of the rust bucket. Gentle reader, please don't be misled by the lamestream media hype. Those states aren't in doubt. Obama will sweet Philthydelphia and the rest of PA doesn't matter. 20 electoral votes for Obama.

As for MI, the name "Romney" is remembered there, and not fondly. When they think "Romney" Michiganders [and Michigeese. Ed.] think cars. When they think cars they think American Motors, and, more recently, the younger Romney's statements about letting the US auto industry die, if that were the will of the free market. Obama's got him on that one. Another 16 votes for Hussein.

So, with nine states left to call, Walt's abacus shows totals of 237 for the incumbent and only 191 for the wannabe. Romney has to find 79 electoral votes somewhere to win, Obama only 33.

Look south, folks. And keep in mind that race is still a deciding factor. Frankly, Walt was surprised, in 2008, when American voters handed the keys to the car to a black (or half-black) man. Well, OK, the point was made and America is now a "post-racist" society, right?

Wrong! A study by researchers at Stanford University and the Universities of Chicago and Michigan, released last week by AP, shows that although "racist" views are quieter today, they're still echoing in the minds of voters.

"Anti-black sentiment seems to have increased slightly in America over the course of Mr. Obama's term," the report says, "and this sentiment may be shaping evaluations of (his) presidency as well as the likelihood that individuals will vote for him in 2012."

Leaving aside Dade County, Florida is still pretty much a southern state, in its attitudes, and North Carolina decidedly so. Walt predicts they'll both go Republican, although FL may be very close, once again. 44 electoral votes for Mitt.

I will now contradict myself by awarding Iowa (6 votes) and New Hampshire (4) to Obama. I'd have thought the Iowans, in particular, would know which end of the straw to stick in their mouths, but polls in one of the whitest of all states show the Prez with a pretty solid lead. NH seems to be affected by its proximity to Massachusetts, where Romney is oddly unloved in spite of a government-mandated health plan that looked not unlike Obamacare.

On to Wisconsin, with its substantial Catholic population. Can a native son carry his state for the Republicans? Walt thinks so, but not because Paul Ryan is as close as you can get to being a real practising Catholic. Rather, it's because Ryan and Romney are not Muslim.

A recent Pew poll found that less than half of voters surveyed believe that Obama is Christian, and 17% believe he's actually a Muslim. The poll also showed that the number of Republicans who believe Obama is Muslim has doubled to 30% since the last election. His bitterest foes keep calling him "Hussein", because that is his (middle) name.

The underlying meaning is that Obama is an outsider, a foreigner in his attitudes and outlook, if not by birth. He is seen in much of the USA as basically un-American, even anti-American. That's why his tepid, even grovelling response to the Benghazi terrorist attack won't go away. 10 more votes in the Republican column.

If you're keeping score, it's now 247 to 245, favour Obama, with just four states -- Colorado, Nevada, Virginia and Ohio -- left.

You'd think Nevada would be a lock for Romney, what with its substantial Mormon population and wild west, free enterprise character. But you'd be ignoring Las Vegas and its large number of Latino voters, who don't much like the Republican stance on immigration and related issues. Latest polls put NV in the Democrat column, and who am I to argue. 6 for Obama.

Giving Colorado (9 votes) also to Obama -- just because -- raises the Democrat total to 262. So it all comes down to Virginia (13 votes) and Ohio (18). Walt thinks VA is likely to go Republican, since it, too, is at heart a southern state. But Romney still has to win Ohio before he can start measuring the drapes in the Oval Office.

It has been pointed out dozens of times within the last 24 hours alone that no Republican has ever been elected president without winning Ohio. Which is not to say that no Republican has ever been elected president. Walt says... ... ... ... still too early to make the call.