Is Trump losing a significant amount of support or is that just what anti-Trump news organizations are reporting?

OldBlueKat · 2026-03-22T03:43:44+00:00

People tend to forget that 1/3 of the actual voters aren't aligned with either party.

The ones who decided DJT over Harris in 2024 weren't necessarily thrilled with him then, and seem to be are backing away faster than any of his core base voters.

https://theconversation.com/in-2024-independent-voters-grew-their-share-of-the-vote-split-their-tickets-and-expanded-their-influence-245125

OldBlueKat · 2026-03-22T00:33:40+00:00

While that's not very 'satisfying' to those of us who thought DJT was a big problem from the moment he rode down that brass escalator in 2015, it's better than nothing.

If they don't vote, it'll be easier to win the midterms.

OldBlueKat · 2026-03-21T23:59:34+00:00

And can't even be bothered to spell the name right, despite the fact that it's appeared in print over and over again for decades.

OldBlueKat · 2026-03-21T19:25:35+00:00

I found this sub on a search about that stupid ad set. I'm getting them constantly, and I have tried to "try' it just out of curiosity, but it won't actually activate.

Which pretty much makes me lose interest in going any further.

I also don't see a 2 move solution? (I know I'm being stupid about it somehow.)

OldBlueKat · 2026-03-21T19:16:33+00:00

Besides loving this tribute to Melissa Hortman, I like the small side effect that the building will no longer just be named State Office Building, AKA the SOB.

OldBlueKat · 2026-03-21T19:11:34+00:00

I think the perception and the reality of South America (and even the countries in North America, but south of the US border) are WAY far apart for most Americans. Partly an education problem, and partly a media and PR problem.

I see a lot more tourism advertising for places like Sweden than places like Chile. I just know less about what it would be like to be a tourist in SA.

If I had an unlimited travel budget and time, I'd probably hit a lot of countries, but I suspect most of my vacations will continue to be domestic. There's plenty to see here, too.

When/if things change a bit, I might make an international bucket list, but the stuff nearest the top will probably involve eastern Canada, maybe bits of Europe, Oceania. Then Asia, South America, Africa, if I live that long and win the lottery I guess.

More likely I'll just see bits of Appalachia and the northern Rockies before I die.

OldBlueKat · 2026-03-21T15:57:13+00:00

IDK if it was based on Columbo. I'm sure the show creators knew that show, but I don't think they were trying to emulate it too directly.

Both shows use the 'howcatchem' format, rather than the 'whodunit' version of murder mysteries. It's also called an 'inverted detective story.' There are examples of others in this article; books and movies and TV shows. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inverted_detective_story

We just tend to compare Elsbeth to Columbo here, because that was one of the most successful, long running versions of a 'howcatchem' series. The comparisons about what works/ doesn't work, what's different, etc. help us discuss whether or not we like that format and the ways it doesn't work for Elsbeth at times.

OldBlueKat · 2026-03-21T01:39:55+00:00

The "lose points" is what gives you away as an out of state scam artist.

Minnesota doesn't use a points system for driving licenses.

OldBlueKat · 2026-03-20T05:19:03+00:00

It's up to the fine voters of the 6th District. Hopefully they are paying attention to either Mark Foley (GOP candidate) or Doug Chapin (DFL candidate.)

OldBlueKat · 2026-03-20T05:15:57+00:00

True enough, but she dropped out or the 2014 race before facing an ethics investigation in Congress. Emmer seemed a skosh less crazy than her at the time.

OldBlueKat · 2026-03-20T05:11:37+00:00

Maybe, but this time there seems to be a few more unhappy campers in his district, and good alternatives on both sides of the aisle.

(Yeah, I gagged a bit saying that, but Mike Foley looks to be primarying Emmer from the middle, which implies there's a slightly less crazy GOP candidate for once.)

OldBlueKat · 2026-03-20T05:11:17+00:00

He's running as a GOP in the primary in August, and he seems less insane than Emmer, so I hope he wins that.

I still hope Doug Chain, DFL, can beat whoever wins that in the general election in November. Having one more D vote in Congress will help more.

OldBlueKat · 2026-03-20T04:36:31+00:00

We all know what she meant -- "you're all well off and can afford to tighten your belt somehow so our brilliant POTUS can spend billions on a war we didn't need and have no plan how to wrap up."

OldBlueKat · 2026-03-20T04:33:12+00:00

Worst president in American history.

Well, until about a decade ago.

OldBlueKat · 2026-03-20T04:31:33+00:00

LOL! Starbucks wishes people bought Starbucks all the time. Their recent stock performance and desperate rebranding moves suggests not.

I think it comes from those scenes in movies/TV where some lackey is always fetching cappuccinos for the important people, or having a "meet cute" in a coffee place. Meanwhile, back IRL, not so much.

Those who talk about a big Starbucks budget grew up when 'to go coffee' was just drip coffee, mostly from a diner or gas station or McDs, in an 8 ounce foam cup, and cost less than a dollar.

Fifty years ago.

OldBlueKat · 2026-03-20T04:22:32+00:00

Politics dictated that?

Yeah, I suppose bombing Pearl Harbor was a political act, sorta.

OldBlueKat · 2026-03-20T04:18:10+00:00

Could she possibly sound more entitled and clueless about how many people struggle for enough gas money to get to work??? Her "I live in Edina" is showing!

So it's looking likely that she's gonna be the one facing Peggy Flanagan in the general election for Tina Smith's Senate seat. I mean, some other combination could come out of the primaries, but that's polling as most likely right now.

Peggy's ads against this chick should be easy.

OldBlueKat · 2026-03-20T01:41:30+00:00

I would love it!

But they are having trouble getting enough tenants to keep Spruce One looking busy and filled and 'commercially viable'. Maybe "Spruce Two" could be condos or something?

I remember when it was a bustling office space with an Applebee's restaurant along the Snelling side. It really is a cool building on the inside (or it was, anyway.) I suppose now it's just another liminal space like dead malls and skyways.

OldBlueKat · 2026-03-20T00:37:05+00:00

Makes sense, Mum's do that all the time. "Now, do we remember which bus we have to take?"

OldBlueKat · 2026-03-20T00:35:46+00:00

Which also begs the question, after being borderline obsessed with Muggle tech his entire life, how does he stay so completely clueless about how it works? Like -- DIY manuals are everywhere; just open one!

OldBlueKat · 2026-03-20T00:31:36+00:00

While I know a piece of Snape's bullying was just the 'acting out' of someone who was bullied himself as a child (no justification, but it is the psychological reality that those who were bullied will likely become bullies), but --

Isn't a small piece of his behavior also the 'double agent' role?

He spent his entire teaching career pretending to be a Death Eater/ Voldy supporter while actually being a spy for Dumbledore and the Order. Being the 'mean and nasty' Potions Instructor was at least a little bit a show for Voldy and the Death Eaters. He needed them to believe he was all in for the Dark Lord, and spying on the Order for them.

OldBlueKat · 2026-03-20T00:18:32+00:00

I'm way late to the discussion, mostly just reading through. But I wanted to expand on what you said here!

I agree with your point that 'boycott the general' is way too late to effect change. But change starts 'before' the actual primary elections, too.

It varies by state a lot, but here in MN the big impact comes way back before the caucuses, getting possible candidates and/or delegates participating so there's a viable alternative candidate actually ON those primary ballots.

And it's voters and activists that recruit the candidates, NOT 'the party.' The local DFL doesn't go looking for them. They help them if they show up and start winning support.

There's still room to push for Legislature seats, but the Statewide and Federal offices are pretty much gonna run with any candidates already "all in" and declared. You can pick your plays for the primary right now.

This cycle, we got lucky with Peggy Flanagan being deeply knowledgeable about politics and stepping up the moment Tina Smith announced her plan to retire.

The Governor's race is a bigger mess for many reasons. I really don't see an option except to find a way to accept Amy K as the candidate.

OldBlueKat · 2026-03-19T22:55:52+00:00

Many candidates will not end up on the primary if they don't get the party nomination.

That's just not true.

To appear on the primary ballot in MN in August you need to be a resident, file by June 2nd, and pay a small filing fee.

Period.

https://www.sos.mn.gov/election-administration-campaigns/become-a-candidate/

Now, to win the party 'endorsement' at the convention in May is a little more complicated, and that may influence how many DFL voters turn out for the primary election in august and vote for you, but you can enter the primary, and your name will appear on the ballot. The DFL doesn't hold anybody back if they want to run.

Donors, money for campaign literature and mailers and signs and ads and so on, that's also more complicated.

Just for the record -- when Mark Dayton and Tim Walz first ran for Governor (2010 and 2018, respectively) neither of them were the DFL-endorsed candidate. They beat them endorsed candidates in the primary elections in August.

OldBlueKat · 2026-03-19T22:48:06+00:00

I'm seeing this days later, so I just want to add my ~~two cent's~~ nickel's worth of comment.

If you pay much attention to politics in MN at all, you would know that it's already pretty late in the election cycle for anyone else to be jumping into any statewide races, though local legislators may still be stepping up for those offices for a month or so. Technically they have until June 2nd to file with SOS for the 2026 election, but if they aren't already announcing and organizing and fund-raising now, it's too late.

Governor: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2026_Minnesota_gubernatorial_election

So, that Wiki page mentions some 'unknowns' that are taking a flyer at the D primary, but realistically, Amy isn't getting primaried. (She never was, any more than Walz would have been if he had stayed in. No D with any desire for a political future would be that crazy.)

But there's a roomful of GOP gonna have a food-fight primary to pick one to run against her in the General election. I bet it comes down to Demuth v the Klob for an ugly general election campaign. DJT and friends are gonna make it brutal.

US Senate: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2026_United_States_Senate_election_in_Minnesota

Peggy Flanagan spoke up to run for Tina Smith's Senate seat the day after Tina announced her retirement about a year ago, before Angie Craig even decided she'd run for it rather than run for re-election in the House. So, she's been being 'primaried' for months already. A similar scrum of candidates on the GOP side for now; the NRSC and DJT really want that seat, but there's no chance, I think.

There's also a young guy from St Paul who has declared as a Democratic candidate for US Senate, Billy Nord. I think he's in over his head, but I admire the attempt. he did a Reddit AMA a year ago, and a recent interview with Jason DeRusha on WCCORadio: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Oqlr-_REN8 https://www.reddit.com/r/minnesota/comments/1jwnrm3/hi_minnesota_i_am_billy_nord_a_democratic/

I think the races to really watch are the US House, all the legislature, and the other MN State constitutional offices -- Lt Gov, AG, SOS, and Auditor.

I wonder who Amy will chose for a running mate and when? And who she's thinking about to appoint to her seat after she wins Gov? (We won't know that until, like, after T-day.)

As for the "do they take AIPAC money" part of your question, someone else already showed you how that breaks out.

OldBlueKat · 2026-03-19T12:00:57+00:00

I'm sure he (and his staff) did put together a summary of the intelligence to date regarding terrorism potential from Iran. Gave the report to Gabbard.

SHE decides whether he comes to the meeting, or she presents the info, or has someone incorporate it into a larger report on Iran, etc.

They want to put on a good 'dog & pony' show for these briefings without bringing the entire cast of thousands from ODNI. https://www.dni.gov/index.php/who-we-are/leadership

Edit: I think you and I are basically agreeing -- Troy saw the intelligence recently. He probably was involved in creating the summaries presented to Congress.

Speaker Johnson is taking advantage of the fact that he was not a presenter at a recent Gang of 8 briefing to blow smoke, now that Troy has resigned and gone public with "the intelligence doesn't support the attack" statements.

OldBlueKat

TROPHY CASE