My Democtratic candidate grades!

[vnatale]

I put on C-Span this morning and they had on the Democratic candidates speaking in Iowa.

My grades (without comment) for each I heard in order:

Joe Biden - F
Andrew Yang - B
Elizabeth Warren - C-
Kamala Harris - C-
Tom Steyer - A

Vinny

My grades:

Joe Biden - F
Andrew Yang - F
Elizabeth Warren - F
Kamala Harris - F
Tom Steyer - F

Tulsi Gabbard - D, because even though she is a gun-grabbing commie, she doesn't seem as insane as the rest.

The rest of the clowns - F

WHY was I NOT surprised with ANY of your grades??!!!

Now how about this? Can you give your grades for any of the Republican candidates during the 2016 primaries? Curious to see how they rank with you and how they might differ. At this point, I could not guess as all I know is your opinion of Trump.

Vinny

[vnatale]

I take it you give Obama a D or an F?

I know your question was not directed at me. But I give Obama an A but I never totally got the articulate part. Maybe in comparison to his predecessor? But I oftentimes heard in his speech patterns (and, I am referring to when he was NOT giving a prepared speech) a lot of verbal tics - the "Ums".

That always told me that he was being arrogant in believing that he was so smart that he did not have to prepare and those verbal tics were giving him time to quickly think of an answer to a question he was unprepared to answer.

Vinny

I agree with your analysis of Obama's articulateness (i.e. massive ego) thus I'd rate him a D on articulateness. However, I give Obama a solid F on likeable. He is the only person in my 7 plus decades that actually made me sick at my stomach to watch or listen to. I can't really explain it but he evoked an absolutely visceral body response. My personal response to Obama helps me better understand those who have TDS.

I actually voted for Hillary rather than him in the primary. But from his election to the end I was quite happy with him. Upon his becoming president my personal revelation was that he was now just hired to be our president and, though I was sure to disagree with some things he would do in the future, I was content that he had that position as I believe he was well equipped to handle this job. All the opposite ways I felt with his predecessor.

Speaking of revelation. I noticed that you had a Book of Revelation reference 22:6-21. I assume that had no bearing to your Obama comments and something you always have and which I just first noticed? I read its verses twice and I did not see how it paralleled what you wrote above regarding Obama above.

Vinny

[dualstow]

That’s Mountaineer’s sig line. Remember you asked how my old posts could have current news at the bottom and without edits? And I pointed you to the signature in control panel. That Revelations reference will be at the end of all of M’s posts unless he changes it.

[vnatale]

That’s Mountaineer’s sig line. Remember you asked how my old posts could have current news at the bottom and without edits? And I pointed you to the signature in control panel. That Revelations reference will be at the end of all of M’s posts unless he changes it.

Okay I understand that is Mountaineer's FIXED signature line. But how do you have a dynamic one? You did answer me but it seemed like somehow yours must be connected to some URL and not just static words?

Thanks

Vinny

[I Shrugged]

Apparently Libertarian666 and I are twins separated at birth.

[Libertarian666]

Apparently Libertarian666 and I are twins separated at birth.

That's not terribly surprising considering your username and avatar.

[dualstow]

Well at least you gave Rick Santorum an F.

Okay I understand that is Mountaineer's FIXED signature line. But how do you have a dynamic one? You did answer me but it seemed like somehow yours must be connected to some URL and not just static words?

Not linked. I just change mine more often than most people do.

[vnatale]

My grades:

Joe Biden - F
Andrew Yang - F
Elizabeth Warren - F
Kamala Harris - F
Tom Steyer - F

Tulsi Gabbard - D, because even though she is a gun-grabbing commie, she doesn't seem as insane as the rest.

The rest of the clowns - F

WHY was I NOT surprised with ANY of your grades??!!!

Now how about this? Can you give your grades for any of the Republican candidates during the 2016 primaries? Curious to see how they rank with you and how they might differ. At this point, I could not guess as all I know is your opinion of Trump.

Vinny

Sure, here are my ratings for the ones who were in at least two debates:

Rand Paul: A-
Trump: B
Ted Cruz: B-

Ben Carson: C
Mike Huckabee: C

John Kasich: D
Marco Rubio: D
Carly Fiorina: D

Jeb Bush: F
Chris Christie: F
Rick Santorum: F

Jim Gilmore: who?

I think I can see the similarities between the ones in your groupings. The only one that had any appeal for me was Rand Paul. And, part of that may have been because of his father, who I had no criticism of other than him choosing to be a Republican.

I generally have never liked Santorum. However, he was on C-Span a few weeks ago talking about paid family leave for the country (As of October 1st we are just having to pay for Family / Medical leave with it becoming available for use on January 1, 2021). I listened to all he had to say. And, I was astounded that I agreed with just about all he had to say. He was pushing for a targeted approach rather than the typical "free college for everyone" approach. I was so impressed that I sent him a Tweet saying that although I'd always been opposed to all he had to say in the past he had really thrown out a ton of gems of wisdom during the 45 minute discussion on C-Span.

Vinny

[vnatale]

Well at least you gave Rick Santorum an F.

Okay I understand that is Mountaineer's FIXED signature line. But how do you have a dynamic one? You did answer me but it seemed like somehow yours must be connected to some URL and not just static words?

Not linked. I just change mine more often than most people do.

Now I finally understand. It changed so often I just assumed it was somehow a dynamic signature. But it also changes all your signatures from all prior posts? That is somewhat unusual.

Vinny

[dualstow]

Yup, only one signature at a time. It’s a sitewide change. Same deal with all forums, as far as I know.

[Don]

I put on C-Span this morning and they had on the Democratic candidates speaking in Iowa.

My grades (without comment) for each I heard in order:

Joe Biden - F
Andrew Yang - B
Elizabeth Warren - C-
Kamala Harris - C-
Tom Steyer - A

Vinny

My grades:

Joe Biden - F
Andrew Yang - F
Elizabeth Warren - F
Kamala Harris - F
Tom Steyer - F

Tulsi Gabbard - D, because even though she is a gun-grabbing commie, she doesn't seem as insane as the rest.

The rest of the clowns - F

These grades are way too high.

[vnatale]

I put on C-Span this morning and they had on the Democratic candidates speaking in Iowa.

My grades (without comment) for each I heard in order:

Joe Biden - F
Andrew Yang - B
Elizabeth Warren - C-
Kamala Harris - C-
Tom Steyer - A

Vinny

My grades:

Joe Biden - F
Andrew Yang - F
Elizabeth Warren - F
Kamala Harris - F
Tom Steyer - F

Tulsi Gabbard - D, because even though she is a gun-grabbing commie, she doesn't seem as insane as the rest.

The rest of the clowns - F

These grades are way too high.

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Vinny

[dualstow]

{from the wealth tax thread}

Bloomberg also appeals to me except for his age. I'm prejudiced against the over 69 candidates. Or, maybe even younger. All things being equal I'm definitely voting for the younger candidate. Obama was the right age.

Vinny

Just as Bernie seemed fringe during the 2016 election but is now par for the course, septuagenarians seemed old. Now they're the median. Of course, we'd better pay attention to the vice president selection.

[vnatale]

{from the wealth tax thread}

Bloomberg also appeals to me except for his age. I'm prejudiced against the over 69 candidates. Or, maybe even younger. All things being equal I'm definitely voting for the younger candidate. Obama was the right age.

Vinny

Just as Bernie seemed fringe during the 2016 election but is now par for the course, septuagenarians seemed old. Now they're the median. Of course, we'd better pay attention to the vice president selection.

I thought Bernie was old then and certainly think he is way too old now. That is just one of the things that I hold against him and Biden. That they put their supreme egos ahead of country in thinking there is any way at their ages that they could possibly be the best presidents for our country. But I seem to be in the minority on this as I just don't see many people raising it as an issue. But I keep saying it's a real job: not just running around giving speeches when you feel like it.

Vinny

[jhogue]

Senators Warren and Sanders cannot wait for Mayor Bloomberg to jump into the 2020 race for president. They relish the chance to face off against a flesh-and-blood billionaire who has refused to endorse a wealth tax. They will proclaim that his position is simply a product of his personal greed and refusal to "pay his fair share." That should play well with the envious masses and the Democratic Party's base.

Hard for me to believe that we defeated socialism abroad 30 years ago and now we have to battle it at home.

BTW, my thanks to MangoMan for digging up the article by the CPA with a preliminary estimate of the actual tax consequences of the wealth tax proposal. The $4 million figure almost sounds deliberately custom-made to destroy small businesses across the country. With candidates like these, who needs enemies?

[dualstow]

@jhogue : I agree on both counts.

Michael Bloomberg has always called himself unelectable (“an elderly divorced Jew”) and I fear he’s right. I’m sure he would be too heavy-handed for most of the forum members here if his governance of New York is any indication. Hey, at least he wouldn’t be corrupt.

[vnatale]

{from the wealth tax thread}


Just as Bernie seemed fringe during the 2016 election but is now par for the course, septuagenarians seemed old. Now they're the median. Of course, we'd better pay attention to the vice president selection.

I thought Bernie was old then and certainly think he is way too old now. That is just one of the things that I hold against him and Biden. That they put their supreme egos ahead of country in thinking there is any way at their ages that they could possibly be the best presidents for our country. But I seem to be in the minority on this as I just don't see many people raising it as an issue. But I keep saying it's a real job: not just running around giving speeches when you feel like it.

Vinny

Why do you feel this way? I don't necessarily disagree, but I do know that the older I get, the more I realize how little I knew 5 years ago.

The job of president does not only demand a lot of mental acuity but physical stamina to hold up under the unrelenting demands of the job. The job does not allow for a lot of time for napping (unless the president is being negligent in fulfilling the duties of the position).

I know from personal experience and from observing those around me that we all decline on a physical level as we age. We can do things to make the best of it but there is no way the average 75 year old is going to stand up against the average 55 year old. And, I don't find either Biden or Bernie to be exceptional physical specimens.

Vinny

[dualstow]

Heh, well they’re not going to be mudwrestling each other. They just have to be fit enough to do the job, i.e. it doesn’t matter if a younger man or woman has even more stamina.

[vnatale]

Heh, well they’re not going to be mudwrestling each other. They just have to be fit enough to do the job, i.e. it doesn’t matter if a younger man or woman has even more stamina.

Fit enough means having the physical stamina to a) put in all the necessary hours to do the job (i.e., not needing to take naps when you should be working) and b) being sharp during all your waking hours.

Vinny

[Kriegsspiel]

Biden calls man a damn liar for challenging him on Ukraine, then pivots to calling him fat and challenges him to pushup contest. Says the guy is "too old" to vote for him Hilariously demented. via Jimmy Dore.

[Libertarian666]

Biden calls man a damn liar for challenging him on Ukraine, then pivots to calling him fat and challenges him to pushup contest. Says the guy is "too old" to vote for him Hilariously demented. via Jimmy Dore.

I'm sure he is going to pick up a lot of new voters with that approach!

[vnatale]

Biden calls man a damn liar for challenging him on Ukraine, then pivots to calling him fat and challenges him to pushup contest. Says the guy is "too old" to vote for him Hilariously demented. via Jimmy Dore.

Supposedly he said "facts" and not "fat". But regardless. Biden was not presidential during the entire exchange. In some ways his character is the Democratic version of Trump.

Vinny

[clacy]

Biden is imploding on his own. There's no way he can beat Trump from what I'm seeing.

[Xan]

This is true. It is shocking that the other candidates are so far left that he apparently remains the only viable option in the general election.

Perhaps that's the opening Bloomberg spotted?

[dualstow]

You have to really want the job.