Harris Vs Trump 2024 US Presidential election - read the warning in the OP posted 18/09/24

You read [past tense] from the debate that Trump's distraction ploys worked to his benefit, with selected voting groups picking up on the signals he sent out, that even though it seemed more of the old odd things he comes out with which don't seem to be connected directly with the major things the majority have in their minds, that he is keeping those MAGA believers true to him and possibly getting others into his camp.

That this stopped Harris from tackling him on what he had not done, being distracted herself by his ploys, not seeing beyond them, standing at her rostrum smiling when he got going on how he saw the US and the aliens issue at the moment, is undeniable.

You're right about the lack of key election points Harris raised. I was minded to think that that was also a result of Trumps distraction ploys, letting her off the hook when he got the wind into his sails about Haitian aliens eating Springfields cat and dog pets.

I also don't think that is something that can be easily brought into a debate with trump as it leaves you open to easy counters while trump doesn't have any of his own policies to attack (or concepts as he calls them now, which gives the outright win to Harris on the policy front).

It would be great to see them come back into the debate, but it's unlikely to happen until the far right loons are gone.

Ya know, I've been watching US politics for more years than I care to mention and it's always been a dog and pony show. A ludicrously expensive dog and pony show, but a dog and pony show nonetheless. But I never, in my wildest dreams, ever imagined that "eating pets" was going to be a talking point during a Presidential election cycle, and doubly so because one of those election candidates saw it on the tele.

Donald Trump is correct. The world is laughing. But it's laughing at that kind of nonsense Don. The kind of nonsense that, effortlessly, comes tumbling out of your mouth. If "eating our pets" is the kind of thing someone who's interested in the top job wants to get across to the public, you'd really have to wonder about the state of the body politic over there. Of course the short bus people, weirdos, racist, xenophobic, mentally deficient and other assorted unfortunates will happily lap that kind of simplistic gibberish up. But surely there are more rational minds on that side of the aisle in America who'll hear that type of unintelligible blather and consider it a moment to pause for thought on who it is that they're are contemplating giving that top job to?

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Independent in the US just means that they have not officially registered as a member of the Democratic or GOP parties.

99.9% of voters in Ireland are "Independent" voters under the US definition as almost none of us are registered with any of the parties."

Why do they do it ? It seems bizarre.

Was there some initial reason in the far past and the practice has been maintained down the generations?

And imagine spreading lies like they're eating their pets, both offenses hardly equate

Ah yes, should have realized that.

CNN? Fake news, CNN sucks remember. Stick to the psychological program.

Trump is alot smarter than people give him credit for.

According to ABC News' TikTok page, in which Trump's and Harris' closing statements were uploaded three days ago, video of the former president's closing statement has 24.7 million views with 1.7 million likes as of Saturday afternoon. Meanwhile, a video of the vice president's closing statement has 4.7 million views with over 220,000 likes.

He is generally viewed as being better on the economy by voters, tougher on immigration, these are the 2 most important areas along with inflation which is linked to Economy.

Lower taxes, no tax on tips, no tax on overtime, less wars, harder on China, alot of people will vote for this.

Does it matter that Trump is an egomaniac know it all, with childlike manners, who knows.

All that matters to alot of people is will they be better off under a Trump presidency and it seems Trumps many personal failings can be overlooked by them.

"But Trump is a racist rapist fascist, how can anyone vote for him, blah blah.

Change the record, thats not going to dissuade voters at this stage, we have all heard it ad nauseum.

How bad is the other candidate when people think Trump is a better option that Harris is the quaetion these people need to ask themselves.

Yeah I’d love to see a “policy” debate but it just won’t happen for obvious reasons - even a second debate is unlikely simply because Harris has the most to gain in my view so Trump won’t want to do that

Yeah, “policy” and very simple clear communication on what will Harris do is the only way to go now - that and actually meet the voters - I’m convinced that could be a game changer in this election - shake hands and press flesh - I appreciate the threat to life but desperate times and all of that

Wokeness is an issue for people who would vote Trump whatever - everyone else not at all. That 33% make a hell of a lot of noise which gives the impression that these are big issues for everyone - they are not and if you look at voter surveys this is absolutely clear

Vance not only admitting the eating pets thing is false, but also saying that if he and Trump need to lie to justify their fear-mongering, they just will.

"Oh but Harris hasn't done an interview in the last 20 seconds so that's worse" - Get in the f*cking bin!

Trump on taxes. First he started with "no tax on tips". Unfortunately Harris followed him on this, but hopefully with conditions to preclude it from be used as a massive tax avoidance by high-earning professionals.

But Trump now proposes "no tax on overtime". Can anyone explain how a candidate could come up with such a piece of nonsense? Why has this not been denounced for being such a totally bonkers idea?

Its my prediction that the one issue which will decide the election will be abortion. At the moment he is alienating the anti-abortion lobby whilst failing to attract any pro-choice voters. This double cleave will be enough to sink his swing states margin by bringing out a significantly elevated women's vote. The fact that many states are holding down ballot referendums will guarantee that pro-choice voter will swing it. This will not appear in the polls till election day.

It’s a very personal and secretive voting issue alright.-especially for young females in a very conservative family or town - extremely hard one to call.
a lot of speculation on other equally “secretive” or hard to identify issues over the last few weeks too - here are the key ones I think including what you’ve mentioned:

1. The non-Trump voter - ie not turning up on the day or saying they’ll vote Trump to a journalist or poll taker then not doing so - armchair and social media support only
2. Abortion - women especially voting to keep this “option” open to them but not openly discussing it (Republican voters )
3. People influenced by fellow republicans calling for a Harris vote

On the flip side:

1. Harris being seen as “too liberal” for just left of centre voters
2. “It’s the economy stupid” - a voter hates Trump but will vote for him anyway because the money in their pocket is just not enough - ideals are fine but “looking after number 1” takes precedence
3. Just what are Harris “ policies anyway? Some say a red herring but if this can be verified as a key concern in swing states to overcome, it’s Harris”s problem and Harris”s alone to solve- no one else can do that
   
4. “Yeah but how can we be sure there aren’t dog and cat eaters out there 🤪-fear in other words - whilst some might say only Trump supporters are taken in by this I completely disagree

That’s probably the main “theories” - as you say we’ll likely not see the full impact in the polls and will have to wait till election day to see just which issues are indeed the strongest in this election

Yup, seems to be. Multiple sources on Twitter posted it and confirmed.

I checked it on his Truth Social page. It is real. A sad ridiculous man-child.

Jesus, that's too sad for words. 😕

SMH.

This was Vance a few days ago on Taylor Swift.

We admire Taylor Swift’s music, but I don’t think most Americans, whether they like her music or not, are going to be influenced by a billionaire celebrity who I think is fundamentally disconnected from the interests and the problems of most Americans.

Just change the name and you see just under half the voting population are influenced by celebrity billionaires.

We admire Donald Trumps celebrity persona, but I don’t think most Americans, whether they like his celebrity media persona or not, are going to be influenced by a billionaire celebrity who I think is fundamentally disconnected from the interests and the problems of most Americans.

I hear she’s rehashing the same rote script when asked what she’d actually do to improve people’s lives with her “I grew up middle class……” non answer. It’s probably best she goes mute again and avoids all speaking to anyone.
They were desperate to replace Biden (who’s an intellectual and political heavyweight compared to her) and she happened to be there. Absolutely no other reason Other than they were stuck with this hollow husk of a candidate. It’s a real shame they didn’t have a proper convention and put up a real candidate to replace Biden

I thought the phase 'make America great again again' was a joke but the MAGA people are actually saying this with a straight face

lol

lol

Well he's screwed now, the Swifty's will have him cut up and fed to the fish by Tuesday