2020 Candidates, Debates, Caucuses, and Primaries

[Smooch]

Bernie Sanders drops out of the presidential race

Sanders lagged Biden in the pledged delegate count and had to cease in-person campaigning because of the coronavirus pandemic.

www.cnbc.com

Bernie is out! Joe Biden is the presumptive Democratic Nominee.

Technically he isn't out of the race he is just suspending his campaign, correct? I do not support Bernie or Biden, so I am not saying this to try and convince people to still go out and vote for him, I just don't like dishonest journalism. When I initially saw the news on Twitter it kept saying he "dropped out of the race" but when I went to see the announcement and look into more articles about it, I started to see he was only suspending his campaign and is still on the ballot and I think it is incredibly scummy to see so many publishers try and trick readers into thinking he is completely out of the race.

All that said, I do not support Bernie or Biden and I firmly believe that Trump is going to get re-elected. I think most people could see the writing on the wall that Bernie was gonna do this sooner or later, except all the Bernie Bros who refused to acknowledge numbers and only listen to their echo chamber of supporters which created a skewed perception of the number of Bernie supporters in their heads. This is a really really common phenomena and the most prominent example in my head right now is that earlier this semester in my Human Sexuality class I am taking, the professor asked the class to guess how many LGBTQ people make up the population in the United States and a majority of the class guessed numbers close to 40% or more because all their friends are LGBTQ and they only follow LGBTQ social media and such, so they were shocked when they learned the answer is somewhere below 5%. I don't mean to get into the topic of LGBTQ people, I do support them, but that whole situation is the clearest comparison I could think of with this whole situation of supporters who seemed shocked by a decision that was truthfully expected by many.

 

[*Grand Admiral Thrawn*]

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Technically he isn't out of the race he is just suspending his campaign, correct? I do not support Bernie or Biden, so I am not saying this to try and convince people to still go out and vote for him, I just don't like dishonest journalism. When I initially saw the news on Twitter it kept saying he "dropped out of the race" but when I went to see the announcement and look into more articles about it, I started to see he was only suspending his campaign and is still on the ballot and I think it is incredibly scummy to see so many publishers try and trick readers into thinking he is completely out of the race.

All that said, I do not support Bernie or Biden and I firmly believe that Trump is going to get re-elected. I think most people could see the writing on the wall that Bernie was gonna do this sooner or later, except all the Bernie Bros who refused to acknowledge numbers and only listen to their echo chamber of supporters which created a skewed perception of the number of Bernie supporters in their heads. This is a really really common phenomena and the most prominent example in my head right now is that earlier this semester in my Human Sexuality class I am taking, the professor asked the class to guess how many LGBTQ people make up the population in the United States and a majority of the class guessed numbers close to 40% or more because all their friends are LGBTQ and they only follow LGBTQ social media and such, so they were shocked when they learned the answer is somewhere below 5%. I don't mean to get into the topic of LGBTQ people, I do support them, but that whole situation is the clearest comparison I could think of with this whole situation of supporters who seemed shocked by a decision that was truthfully expected by many.

Suspend is a "easy" way to say you are done. The reason Bernie hasn't removed himself from the ballots in other states is because he is hoping he gains some votes to leverage Biden at the convention to go more towards the left.

 

[*Grand Admiral Thrawn*]

Bernie Sanders endorses Joe Biden for president

Sen. Bernie Sanders endorsed former Vice President Joe Biden for president on Monday during a livestream with the two men, telling Biden "we need you in the White House."

www.cnbc.com

 

[*Grand Admiral Thrawn*]

Obama endorses Biden, after months on 2020 campaign sidelines

Former President Barack Obama on Tuesday formally endorsed Joe Biden – his vice president and running mate through two terms and presidential campaigns – in the looming race against President Trump, stepping off the sidelines after withholding support for any candidate for months.

www.foxnews.com

It was only a matter of time. It is odd why he waited so long.

 

[Gomer]

Obama endorses Biden, after months on 2020 campaign sidelines

Former President Barack Obama on Tuesday formally endorsed Joe Biden – his vice president and running mate through two terms and presidential campaigns – in the looming race against President Trump, stepping off the sidelines after withholding support for any candidate for months.

www.foxnews.com

It was only a matter of time. It is odd why he waited so long.

Obama's camp has always indicated that they saw his greatest value in the general as a voice of unity for the democrats. Getting dragged down into the mud of primary squabbling would have tarnished that image. So he waited on the outside until the party had determined the nominee. I imagine you'll see a lot more of him now that it is settled.

Just from my point of view, I think he serves more purpose as a symbol of the anti-Trump method. A reminder to democrats of the type of leader they could have in office instead of Trump. If you start getting into the policy specifics of a primary battle Obama is much more divisive amongst the broader left. But as as symbol of the calmer, more traditional era before Trump was elected he has a great unifying impact.

 

[*Grand Admiral Thrawn*]

Obama's camp has always indicated that they saw his greatest value in the general as a voice of unity for the democrats. Getting dragged down into the mud of primary squabbling would have tarnished that image. So he waited on the outside until the party had determined the nominee. I imagine you'll see a lot more of him now that it is settled.

Just from my point of view, I think he serves more purpose as a symbol of the anti-Trump method. A reminder to democrats of the type of leader they could have in office instead of Trump. If you start getting into the policy specifics of a primary battle Obama is much more divisive amongst the broader left. But as as symbol of the calmer, more traditional era before Trump was elected he has a great unifying impact.

I definitely see your point. From what we have heard President Obama really did not want Joe to run. He was hoping Warren or Mayor Pete got the nomination. It will be interesting to see how this unfolds.

 

[*Grand Admiral Thrawn*]

I definitely see your point. From what we have heard President Obama really did not want Joe to run. He was hoping Warren or Mayor Pete got the nomination. It will be interesting to see how this unfolds.

Report: Obama Cautioned Biden About Running for President

“You don’t have to do this, Joe.”

www.vanityfair.com

Here is the article I got my info from. It seems Obama really did not want Joe to run.

 

[*Grand Admiral Thrawn*]

It's official.

 

[*Grand Admiral Thrawn*]

Report: Dem Insiders Say Amy Klobuchar Current Favorite For Biden’s VP Pick

Presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden has remained largely outside the public view amidst the coronavirus pandemic, but the campaign has

www.dailywire.com

I guess Biden will announce his VP in the coming weeks.

 

[Lilofan]

Better late than never. Elizabeth Warren endorses Biden.

 

[drizgirl]

It's going to be ugly getting there, but I'm in with Biden/Harris.

For the win (dated 4/25/2019). Or loss. I guess we'll know in just under 3 months.

 

[Laketravis]

The elephant in the room at the DNC

Are Democrats already repeating their 2016 mistakes?

theweek.com

 

[Laketravis]

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=400136004290553

 

[Laketravis]

Uh oh...........

"The preliminary 18.24 million average total viewer mark for Night 2 of 2020 represents a 25% decline versus Night 2 of the 2016 DNC"

18.2 Million Total Viewers Watched Night 2 of the DNC Across 6 Networks, Down 2% From Night 1

*Nielsen update (6:01 p.m. ET): 19. 2 million watched day two of the 2020 DNC across networks, according to Nielsen. This data doesn't digital viewing.

www.adweek.com

 

[Getachew]

Uh oh...........

"The preliminary 18.24 million average total viewer mark for Night 2 of 2020 represents a 25% decline versus Night 2 of the 2016 DNC"

18.2 Million Total Viewers Watched Night 2 of the DNC Across 6 Networks, Down 2% From Night 1

*Nielsen update (6:01 p.m. ET): 19. 2 million watched day two of the 2020 DNC across networks, according to Nielsen. This data doesn't digital viewing.

www.adweek.com

Boy, you are really trying hard.

 

[Laketravis]

Boy, you are really trying hard.

Puzzled by your comment. Is it intended to be antagonistic? Argumentative? Snide? A personal attack?

And are you calling me "Boy"? In any event, I'm really getting tired of it.

@The Mom, aren't those against forum rules?

 

[Getachew]

Puzzled by your comment. Is it intended to be antagonistic? Argumentative? Snide? A personal attack?

And are you calling me "Boy"? In any event, I'm really getting tired of it.

@The Mom, aren't those against forum rules?

Wrong on all counts.

 

[Laketravis]

So Barry now endorses Uncle Joe. But how does he really feel?

"One Democrat who spoke to Obama recalled the former president warning, “Don’t underestimate Joe’s ability to f**k things up.” Speaking of his own waning understanding of today’s Democratic electorate, especially in Iowa, Obama told one 2020 candidate: “And you know who really doesn’t have it? Joe Biden.”

‘The President Was Not Encouraging’: What Obama Really Thought About Biden

Behind the friendship was a more complicated relationship, which now drives the former vice president to prove his partner wrong.

www.politico.com

 

[MinnieM123]

Uh oh...........

"The preliminary 18.24 million average total viewer mark for Night 2 of 2020 represents a 25% decline versus Night 2 of the 2016 DNC"

18.2 Million Total Viewers Watched Night 2 of the DNC Across 6 Networks, Down 2% From Night 1

*Nielsen update (6:01 p.m. ET): 19. 2 million watched day two of the 2020 DNC across networks, according to Nielsen. This data doesn't digital viewing.

www.adweek.com

Although I support the reason behind a virtual convention during a pandemic, I think that the excitement level for some of the viewers (myself included) has gone down with this format.

Another issue is that the three major networks are only carrying one hour each night--and only for the last 2 speakers each day. Where I live in the Northeast, that means that it's not until 10:00 PM, when they start to broadcast it. (I have access to C-Span and satellite news stations, but want to note that there are still (some) people who may not have that access, or even internet service in their homes.)

As I recall, the three major networks used to cover many hours of both the Democratic and Republican conventions. IMO, this lack of exposure this week is (part) of the reason why the ratings are lower. I'm not aware yet of how much coverage the networks will give to the Republican convention next week.