Biden presidency and 2024 election campaign

[David]

Why do right wingers tend to be anti democratic in a democratic country like the USA? Doesn’t make any sense

I think there's a clue in Brodies Dad's post above.

We can quibble over definitions of "fascist", and while it may not be a strictly accurate way to describe the politics of Trump or his campaign, there's no question that certain concepts associated with fascism – including rejection of democracy and support for authoritarianism – have been present within his movement since the beginning.

The kindest thing you could say about Trump is that, in his public statements and behaviour in office alike, he has at the very least flirted with this ideology. Needless to say, that's shaped the politics of many American right-wingers over the last decade, if they weren't there already.

[Brodies Dad]

Gee that Neonazi Rally at MSG was a real shit show.

They don’t even try to hide their fascism anymore.

Tipping a Harris victory by a fair margin.

Bingo!!!

You're a good little democrat. You weaved in both buzz words (Nazi and Fascism).

Where's the joy from a month ago gone? You dems have gone from smiles and happiness to shouting and anger.

I am not a Democrat - I live in Australia and only observe.

But Trump is what he is - he is also a Russian asset.

He has no interest in democracy. And I said Neonazi not Nazi.

Fascism is there for all to see. Don't pretend it isn't. Even Trumps' own chief of staff says so along with a total of 40 of his 44 executive members of staff.

Liz Cheney who is as right wing as you can get in the old Republican party says it.

Jan 6 says it.

The Republican Party of old no longer exists. It is now merely a vehicle for Trump to establish his despotic government.

Remember, Hitler won an election too.

[Brodies Dad]

Why do right wingers tend to be anti democratic in a democratic country like the USA? Doesn’t make any sense

They never used to do so last century.
But the decline began in the mid-90s with the establishment of the Tea Party wing of the party led by Newt Gingrich.

It has been a steady decline since then leading to the disgusting display we have now where there is no attempt to hide the fascism any more.

They are emboldened, a bit like the black shirt thugs appearing here now.

[lazzadesilva]

Thanks for explaining that Brodies Dad. I think being anti democratic is an awful indictment on those people who still pretend to support democracy on the surface. They are not fooling anyone.

[roar]

I'm no fan of Trump but the "fascist" label seems to be thrown around a lot so I am interested to know which of his policies are fascist? Especially as the Democrat lead crackdown on free speech does seem to be somewhat fascist.

[David]

He just promised to "launch the largest deportation plan in American history", which suggests terrorising a large proportion of the country's Hispanic population: https://www.vox.com/politics/380582/mas ... en-enemies

He's also threatened to clamp down on pro-Palestine protests at universities, investigate "far-left radicals" and deport foreign students found to have been at protests (so much for free speech): https://www.vanityfair.com/news/story/d ... protesters

Then there's the broader question of whether he'll respect democratic processes if he returns to the presidency. There's plenty of reason to have genuine concerns that he won't, and that he may also mount reprisals against political enemies.

Much of that is probably more fascist-adjacent than textbook fascist. But I have always thought that he and like-minded leaders like Putin and Orban carry other echoes of fascist ideology in terms of economic and international policy, as well as their cultural fixations around ideas like degeneracy and the threat of the Other. If you listen to what Neo-Nazis chant at their rallies, I think it's fair to say that Trump and Trumpists have few if any fundamental disagreements (they also hate transgender people, worry about whites being subjugated by hordes of immigrants and think that shadowy international institutions are conspiring to corrupt traditional culture); to me, it seems like they're just offering a more watered-down and palatable version of that ideology.

[Skids]

More money for a Trump victory, now in to $1.45.

Harris unwanted @ $2.75

Republicans $1.18 to control the senate (Dems $4.50) and $1.65 to control the house (Dems $2.10)

[Jezza]

Even Trumps' own chief of staff says so along with a total of 40 of his 44 executive members of staff.

Liz Cheney who is as right wing as you can get in the old Republican party says it.

Kelly described Trump as a "fascist" last week, but the 40 of his 44 executive members of staff didn't suggest he was a fascist.

The '40 of 44' stat stems from an NBC piece in July 2023 asking members of his cabinet whether they would endorse him or not. 4 said they would, some opposed him and others didn't respond. The Republican primary process was still taking place at this point. If you look at the latest endorsements page now, it appears a majority of his cabinet have endorsed him now.

https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald ... -rcna96648

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_D ... _officials

Not sure Liz Cheney endorsing Harris is a win that Harris and the Democrats think it is. A party without the Cheneys can only be a positive thing for the future of the Republican Party. The Neocons who dominated the Republican Party under Bush have been pushed aside and I wholeheartedly welcome it.

[Jezza]

Why do right wingers tend to be anti democratic in a democratic country like the USA? Doesn’t make any sense

Which party has a candidate that didn't receive a single vote in the party primaries ?

Which presidential candidate was removed from the ballot in 16 states at one stage ?

Doesn't sound very democratic.

[Jezza]

I'm no fan of Trump but the "fascist" label seems to be thrown around a lot so I am interested to know which of his policies are fascist? Especially as the Democrat lead crackdown on free speech dies seem to be somewhat fascist.

The "fascist" and "Hitler" label is nothing new. Most Republican candidates have been subject to such labels since Goldwater in 1964.

https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opin ... e-fascist/

[What'sinaname]

The Democrats are falling apart. They''ve done an epic 180. Moving from the Party of Joy to the Party of Hatred, culminating today in Biden calling all of Trump's supporters garbage.

[stui magpie]

I'd prefer Kamala to win but if Trump does win it's not the end of the world. At least then he would be done and dusted, unable to run again and the US gets to move on as best it can in such a divided country.

The Democrats should be the party of choice if they could just get their shit together and realise what most people actually want.

[David]

Any chance if he gets in he tries to revoke the 22nd amendment or suspend future elections in order to stay in power? Not sure it'd be possible, but I have no doubt he'll try it if he thinks he has a chance.

[roar]

Highly doubtful. Not all of the people voting for him are maga nutters, and still believe in democracy. Also, I think he'll get bored once he has cleared himself, punished those who wronged him, and collected enough cash to live large for the rest of his life.

[lazzadesilva]

More money for a Trump victory, now in to $1.45.

Harris unwanted @ $2.75

Republicans $1.18 to control the senate (Dems $4.50) and $1.65 to control the house (Dems $2.10)

Correct me if I’m wrong Skids but the betting odds have never been wrong, have they? In other words, Trump is odds on to be elected isn’t he based on this information. Is it all over bar the shouting according to the betting?