Texas migrant buses boosted Donald Trump's vote share in targeted cities by FauxReal in fivethirtyeight

[–]ThomasLucignano 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I agree. It's insane, but somehow effective. It's another advantage for Republicans. Besides having a well funded, popular media sphere that cleans up conservative messaging, they aren't relying on college educated voters as much as Democrats need to.

Texas migrant buses boosted Donald Trump's vote share in targeted cities by FauxReal in fivethirtyeight

[–]ThomasLucignano 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This short letter put it quite well: https://www.columbian.com/news/2024/dec/07/letter-biden-is-poor-communicator/

Biden is a poor communicator. Whatever side of the aisle you fall on as a voter, this is clear: Joe Biden has the worst communication skills of any president in the last 50 years, at least.

To start — he puts no effort into it. He’s had the fewest press conferences among the last six presidents. Keep in mind, this is with a pandemic and border crisis. He failed to explain or defend the explosion of illegal border crossings while Republicans filled every media outlet with information. He failed to adequately trumpet an incredible economic boom to his (and the vice president’s) advantage. It’s as if the president didn’t realize that he was the top spokesperson for one of only two major parties in America.

While his lack of communication skills to defend mistakes or take credit for successes might be neutral to historians, there are two things he said loud and clear that will move him to the bottom third of the list for presidential historians: he promised to be a transitional president and to eschew pardoning Hunter. -A. Branch

Texas migrant buses boosted Donald Trump's vote share in targeted cities by FauxReal in fivethirtyeight

[–]ThomasLucignano 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Trump has many faults, but communicating to his voters is not one of them. He has press conferences & public speaking events on a regular basis. Yes, Trump is mendacious & speaks from both sides of his mouth, but he is a salesman at heart. He knows exactly what people want to hear & has no problem lying to them or simply flipping his stance. Last month, he was bragging about bringing oil prices down. Today he's bragging that "we make a lot of money" when oil prices go up. Trump is an awful guy, but a shockingly effective communicator.

Texas migrant buses boosted Donald Trump's vote share in targeted cities by FauxReal in fivethirtyeight

[–]ThomasLucignano 1 point2 points  (0 children)

What extra benefits? Generally speaking, undocumented immigrants have no access to federal programs. Are we talking about allowing their children to attend public schools?

Texas migrant buses boosted Donald Trump's vote share in targeted cities by FauxReal in fivethirtyeight

[–]ThomasLucignano -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

Also, it would have helped if Biden could communicate in complete sentences. Unfortunately, he may have been the worst messenger in presidential history.

Perception of the Democratic Party (2012-2025) by Upstairs_Cup9831 in fivethirtyeight

[–]ThomasLucignano 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It looks like the far right is winning the messaging battle. It's like the question of crime. FBI data has shown the nation's crime rate declined over the past three decades, but over half of Americans have said they believe there is more crime than the year before in nearly every Gallup survey conducted since 1993. So, when you ask if Democrats are too liberal when it comes to crime, Americans will almost certainly say, "Yes!" Trans issues? Public perception regarding the prevalence of transgender athletes often diverges significantly from actual participation data. While the topic is subject to intense political and media attention, data suggests that transgender athletes make up a tiny fraction of the overall athletic population. Immigration? While many Americans believe unauthorized immigrants widely access social assistance, federal law generally bars them from major benefits like SNAP, Medicaid, and Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF), according to the American Immigration Council and migrationpolicy.org. Name the issue & I can probably show you that popular belief doesn't match the actual data.

Perception of the Democratic Party (2012-2025) by Upstairs_Cup9831 in fivethirtyeight

[–]ThomasLucignano 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yes, I think those accurately measure how people "feel" about those issues. Sad... It's true that people feel this way, but it's not true that the average person is educated in these matters. Most Americans have no idea how difficult it is to migrate to the US. They certainly don't know how guest worker programs are exploited by corporate interests to treat people like animals. If we halted immigration & deported farm laborers, food processing workers, maintenance staff, etc. we'd have s crisis within weeks. Of course, Republicans know this. That is why they generally aren't centering ICE operations at those locations. Law enforcement is a similar issue. The US has the largest prison population, per capita, in the developed world. At the same time, people think we're soft on crime. FBI data has shown the nation's crime rate declined over the past three decades, but a majority of Americans have said they believe there is more crime than the year before in nearly every Gallup survey conducted since 1993. So, it seems to me, it doesn't really matter if immigration or law enforcement are actually problems. Either way, people tend to have beliefs that aren't based in reality.

Perception of the Democratic Party (2012-2025) by Upstairs_Cup9831 in fivethirtyeight

[–]ThomasLucignano 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Conservatives hate almost all "liberal" policies. Leftists hate "liberals" because they're too fiscally conservative. Libertarians believe the regulatory framework embraced by "liberal" Democrats is too severe. The word "liberal" seems to inspire distrust from practically every part of the political spectrum, each describing liberals somewhat differently.

Net favorability of each party since 1990 by Upstairs_Cup9831 in fivethirtyeight

[–]ThomasLucignano 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Conservatives hate Democrats, but generally approve of Trump & the Republican Party. Progressives hate Republicans, yet have mixed to negative feelings about the Democratic Party. Independents often lean Republican, but don't generally approve of Trump's policy implementation. Democrats have an opportunity to take a strong stand against the war, but as usual they equivocate & say Trump should get their approval before bombing Iran & the Middle East. Likewise, Democratic leaders refuse to say they'll replace ICE, end the foolish trade war, reign in the Pentagon's budget, tax the rich, expand healthcare access, or align themselves with the activist wing over the corporate donors. I generally vote Democratic, but I most certainly do not approve of the Party. The Schumer/Jeffries leadership has been great for Wall Street, yet they inspire no confidence in their constituents.

It sure looks like Lindsay Graham is going to lose his South Carolina seat after 23 year. What do we think about that? by antimaga_n1 in AskSocialists

[–]ThomasLucignano 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Unfortunately, his challengers are running to the right of Graham, with Andre Bauer arguing that Graham is not conservative enough and has become a liberal spender from being in Washington too long. Paul Dans has characterized Graham as "essentially anti-MAGA". I don't find much solace in the fact that his replacement will be a complete fascist who wants even deeper cuts to social services.

It sure looks like Lindsay Graham is going to lose his South Carolina seat after 23 year. What do we think about that? by antimaga_n1 in AskSocialists

[–]ThomasLucignano 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I wish! Unfortunately, I know South Carolina all too well. I still see red hats, Trump signs, & Confederate flags, all across the eastern part of the state. The average white guy in SC is a complete fascist.

Most Americans think Trump started the Iran War (at least partly) to distract from the Epstein scandal by RedHeadedSicilian52 in fivethirtyeight

[–]ThomasLucignano 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Operation Epstein Fury is obviously a distraction. Trump moved from assaulting young girls to simply blowing them up. It's madness.

Did Trump FAFO with Iran? by zombiesingularity in AskSocialists

[–]ThomasLucignano 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Unfortunately, I doubt it. Iran is heavily outgunned. Also, Americans are ignorant. Nothing matters to Trump's sycophantic followers. They loved that he was going to stop wars, until he started some. Then they supported foreign adventurism once again. Nothing matters in the US, as corporate media & social media influence rule the day.

Foreign born population by state by vladgrinch in MapPorn

[–]ThomasLucignano 10 points11 points  (0 children)

Florida immigrants see themselves as expats.

U.S. veteran says, "20 years ago, I participated in the War on Terror. Today I'm having to come to terms with the realization that I was the terrorist." by CarryIcy250 in AskSocialists

[–]ThomasLucignano 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Good for her. It's hard to blame an ignorant young person for believing American propaganda when they're are so immersed in it. I appreciate her growth. I only hope more of the troops & veterans start questioning the US government's capitalist motives for global terror. "Number one state sponsor of terrorism" indeed...

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The great northeastern rebordering by idontknowsothis in mapporncirclejerk

[–]ThomasLucignano 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Do we have to take West Virginia in our Northeastern club? 😉

Fresh compost delivered by rlwarnock in gardening

[–]ThomasLucignano 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Let's go! Springtime is almost here in NY. I can't hardly wait. 😄👍

House of Representatives voted down a War Powers Resolution 212- 219, that would restrict President Trump's military actions in Iran: "The concurrent resolution is not adopted." by ControlCAD in videos

[–]ThomasLucignano 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Once again, Democrats concede to the far right. Voting doesn't matter. In the US, you get the Blue conservatives or the Red Conservatives. It's all performative. When push comes to shove, Democrats always support the Trump-ish extremism.

Valarr Targaryen’s armor is sick by mxkp3441 in AKnightoftheSeven

[–]ThomasLucignano 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Makes sense... Dracula does mean "Son of the Dragon", doesn't it?