The Next US President is....

[Keihan]

i’m not so sure. His behavior after the election just reinforced the die-hard base but scared many reasonable Republicans. If he had taken his loss like a man and graciously exited , 100% sure he could have done a successful come back later. But now that the shitstorm happened. Not so sure.

Look at that, the first time I agree with Frenchy in a political thread! He is very correct, the GOP has very quickly and decisively moved past Trump and all but held a formal coronation for Nikki Haley as the 2024 candidate. Trump may indeed run again for president if the Senate doesn't move to prevent that, but it will never, ever be as a Republican.

What you'll naturally see happen is Nikki Haley become increasingly vocal about the Biden/Harris admin. You'll see her on Fox, conservative radio and possibly even CNN more and more often, as the establishment moves to cement her position at the primary front-runner. Other candidates will throw their hat in and fight for attention, but it's really just an audition to be picked as VP. You already see it with guys like Josh Hawley and, increasingly, Adam Kinzinger. But in end, the GOP will be going up against Kamala Harris and most likely some young-ish, white, male former-governor or administrator from the Obama era, and the logical pick to take her on will be Nikki Haley.

Of course, that's over three years away. That's a lifetime in political terms. Anything can happen.

 

[MikeH]

Of course, that's over three years away. That's a lifetime in political terms. Anything can happen.

Anything except you and Frenchy agreeing a second time you mean?

 

[Frenchy]

Anything except you and Frenchy agreeing a second time you mean?

well im not as optimistic as him re the GOP getting rid of Trump but I really hope they can finally turn the page on him . If he’s still the deus ex machina you can bet that he may get what he wants at primaries but “his” candidates will get a beating at the real elections.
And quite frankly having decades of Democrats rule is not a great perspective either. Change is good from time to time

 

[shadowboxer]

well im not as optimistic as him re the GOP getting rid of Trump but I really hope they can finally turn the page on him . If he’s still the deus ex machina you can bet that he may get what he wants at primaries but “his” candidates will get a beating at the real elections.
And quite frankly having decades of Democrats rule is not a great perspective either. Change is good from time to time

Rather “diabolus ex machina”

 

[JohnOsaka]

errr no, the Bastille represented a symbol of the absolute monarchy. The Capitol is pretty much the opposite of that. If anything the mob wanted some kind of Trumpian monarchy and no more democracy.

Err. The Bastille was an empty fortress in which the revolutionaries used to invade (also viciously kill the guards) in order to outgun the royalists.

As with Trump, the ensuing GOP cat fight and US politics in general, I don't care. Too bad that the GOP is in a rock and a hard place with unpopular strands of Trump style populism to tea party libertarianism to Bushite neocons all while much of the nation is getting more left/liberal so they're doomed no matter what they sell.

But since you're so enamored with these 'moderate' or 'sane' Republicans, maybe you can teach them to virtue signal to leftists less and appeal to the right leaning voters who actually vote for them.

 

[Frenchy]

Err. The Bastille was an empty fortress in which the revolutionaries used to invade (also viciously kill the guards) in order to outgun the royalists.

As with Trump, the ensuing GOP cat fight and US politics in general, I don't care. Too bad that the GOP is in a rock and a hard place with unpopular strands of Trump style populism to tea party libertarianism to Bushite neocons all while much of the nation is getting more left/liberal so they're doomed no matter what they sell.

But since you're so enamored with these 'moderate' or 'sane' Republicans, maybe you can teach them to virtue signal to leftists less and appeal to the right leaning voters who actually vote for them.

actually the Bastille was a nearly-empty prison to which the king could send anyone without judgement (hence my comment about it being a symbol of the absolute monarchy). I think one of the few prisoners there at the time was the infamous Marquis De Sade.

for the rest, honestly , I give up making sense of what the GOP is truely about. Since Bush Senior it has been a downward spiral , imo .

 

[Keihan]

for the rest, honestly , I give up making sense of what the GOP is truely about. Since Bush Senior it has been a downward spiral , imo .

Speaking of downward spirals...



I think I underestimated how entertaining the next three and half years will be, assuming he doesn't quit or get removed from office on medical grounds. And even better, the Western World will go from hating America to feeling sorry for America. It's a win-win!

 

[Frenchy]

Speaking of downward spirals...



I think I underestimated how entertaining the next three and half years will be, assuming he doesn't quit or get removed from office on medical grounds. And even better, the Western World will go from hating America to feeling sorry for America. It's a win-win!

wow! He pronounced « eager » like « nigger ». I hope Ted Cruz will start working on his impeachment right away

 

[Durg50]

Speaking of downward spirals...



I think I underestimated how entertaining the next three and half years will be, assuming he doesn't quit or get removed from office on medical grounds. And even better, the Western World will go from hating America to feeling sorry for America. It's a win-win!

Wow, right-wing comedy really isnt very good.

 

[Keihan]

wow! He pronounced « eager » like « nigger ». I hope Ted Cruz will start working on his impeachment right away

You know fully well that had Trump, one of Trump's sons or basically any Republican ever flubbed the two words "AND" and "EAGER" into the N-Bomb on live television, every single media outlet, talk show host and late-night comedy program would've run with it 24/7 for at least two weeks and you'd probably have BLM marches up and down downtown D.C. for the entire month (it is Black History Month, after all). Instead, not a single peep outside of this fringe comedy bit.

Try as you might, you're eventually going to learn--like any stateside broadcast news editor/producer for any major network (except Fox) already knows--that covering for Biden and his endless gaffes, all day every day, was exhausting enough BEFORE he started losing his marbles. And as one of the only guys here who wasn't cheerleading for Biden all year, I now have the luxury of being able to just laugh at him.

Wait till he can't read off his teleprompter anymore. Or forgets where he is (again). Or even forgets WHO he is ("Hi, I'm Joe Biden's Husband!" or "I'm running for the United States Senate!"). And his aides have to step in. On live television. And it's so bad even the 15-second delay isn't enough to squash it.

That shit is going to be hilarious.

 

[Frenchy]

You know fully well that had Trump, one of Trump's sons or basically any Republican ever flubbed the two words "AND" and "EAGER" into the N-Bomb on live television, every single media outlet, talk show host and late-night comedy program would've run with it 24/7 for at least two weeks and you'd probably have BLM marches up and down downtown D.C. for the entire month (it is Black History Month, after all). Instead, not a single peep outside of this fringe comedy bit.

Try as you might, you're eventually going to learn--like any stateside broadcast news editor/producer for any major network (except Fox) already knows--that covering for Biden and his endless gaffes, all day every day, was exhausting enough BEFORE he started losing his marbles. And as one of the only guys here who wasn't cheerleading for Biden all year, I now have the luxury of being able to just laugh at him.

Wait till he can't read off his teleprompter anymore. Or forgets where he is (again). Or even forgets WHO he is ("Hi, I'm Joe Biden's Husband!" or "I'm running for the United States Senate!"). And his aides have to step in. On live television. And it's so bad even the 15-second delay isn't enough to squash it.

That shit is going to be hilarious.

Then all is good! Rejoyce !

 

[Keihan]

Then all is good! Rejoyce !

Believe me, I am. These are some of my favorites so far...






Watch the first ten seconds of the second clip, and watch his wife's face when he can't remember who he's running against and then decides he's running against George Bush. That's a face that's screaming, "OH...FUCK."

Like I said, a decent person would feel sorry him but perhaps I just lack decency. Too many years in politics, perhaps

 

[Keihan]

I should point out that dementia runs in my family, and my 23andme DNA test kit results claim I'm at an increased risk of developing Alzheimer's. From that, we can draw two indisputable conclusions:

1) I'm allowed to laugh at Joe Biden, and

2) I'm going to drink myself to death before I get to the point where anyone is similarly laughing at me.

 

[Rusty Trombone]

2) I'm going to drink myself to death before I get to the point where anyone is similarly laughing at me.

Too Late!

 

[Keihan]

Too Late!

 

[just4fun]

You know fully well that had Trump, one of Trump's sons or basically any Republican ever flubbed the two words "AND" and "EAGER" into the N-Bomb on live television, every single media outlet, talk show host and late-night comedy program would've run with it 24/7 for at least two weeks and you'd probably have BLM marches up and down downtown D.C. for the entire month (it is Black History Month, after all). Instead, not a single peep outside of this fringe comedy bit.

Try as you might, you're eventually going to learn--like any stateside broadcast news editor/producer for any major network (except Fox) already knows--that covering for Biden and his endless gaffes, all day every day, was exhausting enough BEFORE he started losing his marbles. And as one of the only guys here who wasn't cheerleading for Biden all year, I now have the luxury of being able to just laugh at him.

Wait till he can't read off his teleprompter anymore. Or forgets where he is (again). Or even forgets WHO he is ("Hi, I'm Joe Biden's Husband!" or "I'm running for the United States Senate!"). And his aides have to step in. On live television. And it's so bad even the 15-second delay isn't enough to squash it.

That shit is going to be hilarious.

I recommend that you just send your relief check if you truly want to make a statement.

 

[Keihan]

I recommend that you just send your relief check if you truly want to make a statement.

Joke's on you, sucka, our household didn't qualify for the relief check. And joke's on the entire country, because due to some sort of loophole or oversight with the tax code, because we didn't receive the stimulus check, the federal government is giving us back the equivalent amount in my tax refund. Don't blame me, TurboTax came up with the number and the IRS just sent notice that it was approved.

I'm buying an Omega Seamaster, a new 9mm, a couple boxes of Rocky Patel Vintage 1999 Churchills and a shit-ton of Costcko Vodka with my Monopoly Money.

 

[just4fun]

Joke's on you, sucka, our household didn't qualify for the relief check. And joke's on the entire country, because due to some sort of loophole or oversight with the tax code, because we didn't receive the stimulus check, the federal government is giving us back the equivalent amount in my tax refund. Don't blame me, TurboTax came up with the number and the IRS just sent notice that it was approved.

I'm buying an Omega Seamaster, a new 9mm, a couple boxes of Rocky Patel Vintage 1999 Churchills and a shit-ton of Costcko Vodka with my Monopoly Money.

No joke on me pal as I'm double dipping.....and I live in Japan so that's a double whammy

 

[Frenchy]

I should point out that dementia runs in my family, and my 23andme DNA test kit results claim I'm at an increased risk of developing Alzheimer's. From that, we can draw two indisputable conclusions:

1) I'm allowed to laugh at Joe Biden, and

2) I'm going to drink myself to death before I get to the point where anyone is similarly laughing at me.

for my friend @Keihan who really needs better comedians to make fun of Joe Biden...
(And yes this is where I occasionally waste my time bickering with conspiracy nutjobs who are heavily represented in the comments section)

 

[split]

No joke on me pal as I'm double dipping.....and I live in Japan so that's a double whammy

Are you also double-dipping on that extraordinary benefit of mandatory disclosure of world-wide income to both countries? Or, did you have to switch up it up every few years to local tax authorities?

 

[just4fun]

Are you also double-dipping on that extraordinary benefit of mandatory disclosure of world-wide income to both countries? Or, did you have to switch up it up every few years to local tax authorities?

Are you also double-dipping on that extraordinary benefit of mandatory disclosure of world-wide income to both countries? Or, did you have to switch up it up every few years to local tax authorities?

Look, I've been retired for almost 7 years. If these twats catch me it's a blessing. I'm married to a Japanese (you know what that's like right?) so at least I'd get some attention, 3 square meals a day and "Conversation" that's a lot more than I'm getting now. I would miss my 23 year old mistress though.......that loves the shit outa me but that's another story completely.

 

[Keihan]

for my friend @Keihan who really needs better comedians to make fun of Joe Biden...
(And yes this is where I occasionally waste my time bickering with conspiracy nutjobs who are heavily represented in the comments section)

You know, the really sad part is that it doesn't even take an actual comedian to make fun of Biden, anymore. I shouldn't laugh at it but I'm just not a nice person.

There was an interesting article that came out just prior to the elections in the Beacon, featuring an interview with Joe Biden's former stenographer. The guy had been with Biden for around six years during his time as VP, and I don't know what Biden did to piss him off but the guy ended up writing a really horrible book about his time with his former boss and very meticulously detailed what a jackass he was and, more importantly, how significantly his mental faculties have declined even since four years ago.

‘Not The Same Joe Biden’: White House Stenographer Says Former VP’s ‘Mental Acuity’ Has Deteriorated

Now, I was a Hill staffer during the early Obama/Biden years, and more specifically I was a comms staffer, and comms staffers kinda hang out in similar circles and crowds. We're the underpaid assholes who write the press releases, media advisories, and if we're really lucky we get to write talking points, interview sound bites and if we're really, REALLY lucky maybe part of an op-ed or speech. We usually worship the greats like Peggy Noonan. And we all end up at bars around Union Station around 8pm on Sunday nights (that's the only free night we ever get when our bosses were either on-camera pretending to care for their kids or off-camera fucking their interns/staffers) and that's where we could freely bitch about our bosses.

Joe Biden was NOTORIOUS for not sticking to script. You could spend a week writing a brilliant interview script for him, and he'd inevitably veer off on some stupid tangent wherein he'd usually blurt out something racist, sexist or just all-around offensive and always ridiculous. But the brilliance of Joe Biden was that he could always, somehow, recover his train of thought, get back on track and make some sort of sense of what he'd just said. Kinda like when he did an interview in an Indian neighborhood and made a shockingly racist comment about their jobs and accents but somehow managed to steer that into a soliloquy about standing up for minority-owned businesses.

That Joe is gone. Nowdays, he strains to read his teleprompter word-for-word, often also reading the command prompts (like "END QUOTE HERE"), and even that's a struggle for him. His staff don't ever worry about him fucking up with his infamous ad-libs or freestyling, anymore. They're worried he might just fuck up period and not be able to follow the prompts.

I don't know why the fuck Jen Psaki came out of retirement to serve as Biden's Press Secretary, or what they offered her (or threatened her with), but that ginger bitch is going to age fast. If she looks extraordinarily stressed out and/or frustrated every day, there's a good reason for it. And they get paid around $180k/year, when someone with her resume could easily make double that amount doing essentially nothing at a D.C. lobbying firm. Guess she just really wants to physically deteriorate on live television. Dana Perino got it right, going with the cushy Fox gig for a few million a year.

 

[newbie]

...he'd inevitably veer off on some stupid tangent wherein he'd usually blurt out something racist, sexist...

Actually, this is a perfect description of most of your posts on TAG, haha.

 

[Rusty Trombone]

I don't know why the fuck Jen Psaki came out of retirement to serve as Biden's Press Secretary, or what they offered her (or threatened her with), but that ginger bitch is going to age fast. If she looks extraordinarily stressed out and/or frustrated every day, there's a good reason for it. And they get paid around $180k/year, when someone with her resume could easily make double that amount doing essentially nothing at a D.C. lobbying firm. Guess she just really wants to physically deteriorate on live television. Dana Perino got it right, going with the cushy Fox gig for a few million a year.

She strikes me as a very smart individual. I kinda like that she answers questions, and if she doesn't know she says so.
Also she doesn't attack the person asking the question.

Whatever you say about Biden's mental capacity, I get the feeling that the US is heading in a better direction than teetering on the abyss under trump. 50 million vaccinated, rejoined Kyoto, bitch-slapped MBS,

I have a mate here in Japan from the US. We're really good mates, drink a lot together, but he has many similar ideas to @Keihan .
We talk about it a bit, and have some good discussions, but stay wide apart at the end.

My only thing I can put it down to is the places we were brought up! I come from a country with universal health care, free education, and minimal firearms. I take these things for granted. They are normal to me. Yet I'd hardly say the country of my birth is a Che Guevara worshiping socialist state. There are rich and poor, and racial issues (but nothing like the US).

Yet at the end of the night, when we are shit-faced drunk together, we leave the best of mates. I put it down to our mutual love of the female form, and no matter where the conversation goes, it inevitably comes back to how cute the bar tender is, or which girly bar we should go to next time we're in Tokyo.

BTW I'm not a fan of Kamala Harris at all. She gives me the shits!

 

[Frenchy]

She strikes me as a very smart individual. I kinda like that she answers questions, and if she doesn't know she says so.
Also she doesn't attack the person asking the question.

Whatever you say about Biden's mental capacity, I get the feeling that the US is heading in a better direction than teetering on the abyss under trump. 50 million vaccinated, rejoined Kyoto, bitch-slapped MBS,

I have a mate here in Japan from the US. We're really good mates, drink a lot together, but he has many similar ideas to @Keihan .
We talk about it a bit, and have some good discussions, but stay wide apart at the end.

My only thing I can put it down to is the places we were brought up! I come from a country with universal health care, free education, and minimal firearms. I take these things for granted. They are normal to me. Yet I'd hardly say the country of my birth is a Che Guevara worshiping socialist state. There are rich and poor, and racial issues (but nothing like the US).

Yet at the end of the night, when we are shit-faced drunk together, we leave the best of mates. I put it down to our mutual love of the female form, and no matter where the conversation goes, it inevitably comes back to how cute the bar tender is, or which girly bar we should go to next time we're in Tokyo.

BTW I'm not a fan of Kamala Harris at all. She gives me the shits!

well I come from a similar country as yours (for the points you mentioned at least) and when I briefly lived in the US, or each time I went there for business or vacation, it also striked me how different the system is . Not absolutely worse or absolutely better... just more foreign than if I crossed the border to Germany or Italy or UK. What pissed me off though is those idiots thinking we are « socialists » because we have universal healthcare. The US healthcare system is so fucked up I don’t see why they should be so patronizing, frankly.