On the first: he's done that before...he started talking about "old school" style senate oh....a week or two ago, I first heard it??ussusimiel wrote: Interestingly Mitch McConnell sounded much more placatory about bipartisanship in the Senate.
Also a strong indication that an Independent candidate with proper financial backing could be have a real chance at the Presidency in 2016.
u.
Anyway, is it true?
Point in favor: Mitch USED to be somewhat more moderate and a big time dealer/negotiator.
Point against: he's been a dick recently and there is some indication that some Rep. senators might not back him. [only a few from what I've seen so far...but only a few can mean a lot. Depends on their leverage.]
On the second: I'd like to think Independents have always had SOME chance, usually just vanishingly small. There's a larger-than-normal space right now, I think, but still small chance overall.
[[I think, theoretically and not quickly enough to get the next presidency, there's an opening for a new major party to form. The problem is that our structure will always favor 2 parties...so which of the two current ones will be the one that dies off? That's unpredictable...it could go either way. Which would bleed more people? The left or right? Either is possible right now. Think unlikely is WILL happen...but the opening is biggest that I recall it being in my lifetime]]
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My prediction was off. But hey, at least I knew it was shaky.
The Dem's should mostly blame themselves. Sure, there are historical and structural effects in play, but still...I've only seen very preliminary numbers so far...but they showed, especially in the expected close states, turnout at the lowest level since '92.
The candidates ran like chicken shits and hypocrites away from Obama, and the voters stayed home.
The candidates should have used Obama every way they could...
[[Which isn't the same as backing/supporting everything he's done...]]
And the upset Dems should at least have the nerve to show up and vote for someone else.