US Election Watch Thread 2024

[uddu]

@ChuckCallesto
BREAKING REPORT: Florida Governor Ron DeSantis launches investigation into the "TARGETED DISCRIMINATION" OF TRUMP SUPPORTERS by The United States Federal Government..

"Division of Emergency Management is launching an investigation into the federal government’s targeted discrimination of Floridians who support Donald Trump."
https://x.com/ChuckCallesto/status/1855033250613231901

[ramana]

As one expert put it those living paycheck to paycheck revolted against the Democrats.
This formulation goes beyond the identity politics.

I submit it's more than Trump. It's a revolution as significant as that of Augustus Caeser.

And Trump Revolution won't go away for next thirty years. It's that huge.

[Mort Walker]

No.10 is interesting. This means institutional knowledge can reside with members of congress as opposed to 30+ years service of babus. The flip side is that you get old farts like McConnell or Pelosi.

[Mort Walker]

Ramana-ji,

I agree, if managed correctly by Trump, which is a big “if”, then we can see MAGA being in power for the next 12 years.

[vera_k]

WSJ article. One interesting comment from the thread is that more Indian Americans voted for DJT than did Jewish Americans! Taken as a sign of assimilation by the commenters.

Indian-Americans and the ‘Racial Depolarization

[Yagnasri]

I submit it's more than Trump. It's a revolution as significant as that of Augustus Caeser.

I think DJT's first term was Caesar's, and hopefully, it will be Augustus's. He may be politically more intelligent. The question is whether he will cross the Rubicon. I think he will. He has nothing to lose, as he knows that the attacks on him will not stop until he is dead.

[Cyrano]

To the list of items I'd like to see the following added:

1. Strict laws on insider trading by senators and congress(wo)men with long jail terms if caught, confiscation of concerned assets

2. Bring back Glass-Stegall act or similar

[vimal]

WSJ article. One interesting comment from the thread is that more Indian Americans voted for DJT than did Jewish Americans! Taken as a sign of assimilation by the commenters.

Indian-Americans and the ‘Racial Depolarization

Millions of India immigrants were heartbroken when they saw Dems favor undocumented immigrants over the legal ones. Dems let thousands of Green Cards go to waste instead of giving it to Indians and Chinese immigrants who were waiting for decades. In 2007, under similar circumstances Bush admin made the green card filing date current benefiting many Indians and legal immigrants. No such thing under sleepy Joe and K mami, they were busy handing out freebies and support to illegal immigrants.

Indian community is more educated and tight knit with everyone in some WhatsApp groups sharing information, so the word travels fast. Every visa holder has a citizen family member.

[KL Dubey]

WSJ article. One interesting comment from the thread is that more Indian Americans voted for DJT than did Jewish Americans! Taken as a sign of assimilation by the commenters.

Indian-Americans and the ‘Racial Depolarization

Millions of India immigrants were heartbroken when they saw Dems favor undocumented immigrants over the legal ones. Dems let thousands of Green Cards go to waste instead of giving it to Indians and Chinese immigrants who were waiting for decades. In 2007, under similar circumstances Bush admin made the green card filing date current benefiting many Indians and legal immigrants. No such thing under sleepy Joe and K mami, they were busy handing out freebies and support to illegal immigrants.

Indian community is more educated and tight knit with everyone in some WhatsApp groups sharing information, so the word travels fast. Every visa holder has a citizen family member.

This is not correct. Let's be clear about a few things:

- Green card numbers going to waste is happening for 60 years now, its not a Dem or Rep thing. Its the law (State Department country cap). Many bills (including bipartisan) brought to get rid of the country cap have failed at the last minute due to opposition of some group of lawmakers or the other.

- Green card filing dates have been made "current" many a time, and retrogressed many a time. These are Homeland Security (USCIS) and/or State Department decisions based on their workloads and also political directions.

- The USCIS under Francis Cissna (2016-2020) - supported by anti-immigration lawmakers like Tom Cotton - brought processing to a grinding halt for things like EB2 and EB3, by rejecting petitions on merit, sending frivolous RFI (requests for further information). H1B processing (non-immigrant visas) was also strongly affected, by imposition of various new rules. Even student visas (F1) were hit with a bunch of crazy regulations designed to eject the student from the US as soon as possible, instead of retaining them upon graduation.

- Some Indian-Americans may have voted for Trump, attracted by the immigration promises. Maybe out of desperation, since Harris did not promise anything on this count. However, there is no path to implementing ANY of these promises unless country cap is removed and the immigration processing is completely reformed. Trump did not promise to remove the country cap, he just made general/vague promises of "handing out green cards" to college graduates and such (I posted in detail about that before).

- Now that both senate and house are Rep majority + the president, I can't imagine a more conducive time to do this. Let us see. In 2016 I had high hopes from Trump with his promises and bravado (including events with Modi) - seemed a very good change from Obamudu. But this turned to disgust by 2019, plus the handling of the pandemic. This time I am starting from rock-bottom expectations.

- At the end of the day, the only abiding competitive advantage the US has is the R&D establishment (which needs to attract the best from the whole world). Most innovation in the US occurs directly in academia and indirectly in national labs and a few companies. They know this - which is why the only people remaining with a smooth path to immigration are EB1 "outstanding researchers/professors", and a few types of business executives. Even the H1B program exempts people working in academia from having to join the lottery.

- Finally, from an India perspective, curbs on US immigration (green cards) will be good for India since people with 20-50 years wait times really should go back to India and utilize the many opportunities now available. Bharat sarkar (including embassy and consulates) should have active programs to encourage these people to return to India and connect them to suitable opportunities by working with Indian industry. But of course, with a paltry diplomatic presence, these kinds of productive activities are not possible to organize.

[Mort Walker]

- Green card filing dates have been made "current" many a time, and retrogressed many a time. These are Homeland Security (USCIS) and/or State Department decisions based on their workloads and also political directions.

This is correct. USCIS after Biden took over moved processing centers all around the country, and brought H1B, EB-1 & other visa categories for green card in the same processing of migrants coming in across the Texas border. It delayed several people who had cleared RFI.

The USCIS under Francis Cissna (2016-2020) - supported by anti-immigration lawmakers like Tom Cotton - brought processing to a grinding halt for things like EB2 and EB3, by rejecting petitions on merit, sending frivolous RFI (requests for further information). H1B processing (non-immigrant visas) was also strongly affected, by imposition of various new rules. Even student visas (F1) were hit with a bunch of crazy regulations designed to eject the student from the US as soon as possible, instead of retaining them upon graduation.

In some cases it was frivolous, but there were some head-hunter companies abusing this going back to the GWB era. Obama tightened it and the same policies were continuing.

Some Indian-Americans may have voted for Trump, attracted by the immigration promises. Maybe out of desperation, since Harris did not promise anything on this count. However, there is no path to implementing ANY of these promises unless country cap is removed and the immigration processing is completely reformed. Trump did not promise to remove the country cap, he just made general/vague promises of "handing out green cards" to college graduates and such (I posted in detail about that before).

Depends on the influence of Elon & Vivek. At this time, they have the benefit of doubt. We have to see who becomes head of DHS and DoJ. USCIS & CBP should be brought back into DoJ with DHS being eliminated. RINOs wanted a DHS for a long time & fortunately it was opposed by Dems in the past, but with 9/11 the RINOs got their wish along with lots of other surveillance powers.

- Finally, from an India perspective, curbs on US immigration (green cards) will be good for India since people with 20-50 years wait times really should go back to India and utilize the many opportunities now available. Bharat sarkar (including embassy and consulates) should have active programs to encourage these people to return to India and connect them to suitable opportunities by working with Indian industry. But of course, with a paltry diplomatic presence, these kinds of productive activities are not possible to organize.

It's becoming really tough with India's crazy taxation policies slowing growth & various politicos wanting reservations even in the private sector. Some are saying reservations for Kannads, Telgus & Tamils and no naarthies. Excellent students outside of IT and medicine with undergrad degrees in science & engineering, face prospects of limited or no employment are still taking the chance to come to the US. I have nieces & nephews who were great in math & physics select food processing/technology and hospitality/tourism degrees to get good jobs in India.

[Vayutuvan]

^ A good post after a long time KL Dubey ji.

One not though. I have no complaints about how Trump handled the pandemic. It is Biden-Harris who screwed up by caving to the teachers unions. They also destroyed small businesses, especially restaurants, hospitality, and tourism, with their mandates.

[Mort Walker]

Biden handled the pandemic poorly. Most deaths in the US happened after the Delta variant came through. The Biden admin chewtias messed up the mask rules around Memorial Day (late May) 2021. This knowing the Delta variant ravaged another large country- India. Further, the administration went all in with mRNA vaccines and poo-pooed protein based vaccines such as the J&J, Astra-Zenneca and Novavax. Very likely corruption from Pfizer & Moderna which was $20/shot taken twice.

[williams]

We can talk as much and debate about economy and handling of pandemic etc for and against Biden Admin. I am still confused what is the rationale behind letting illegals cross the border without any paper? I just don't understand that strategy. Are they thinking these illegals will one day become legal and vote for the Democrats? Is there a guarantee that way? I think the border policy of Biden does not make any common sense.

[A Deshmukh]

I think the border policy of Biden does not make any common sense.

US is short of manpower. it needs:
- Dems needed voters (including illegal to stuff absentee ballots)
- workers to work in potential move of factories back to US.
- soldiers. currently their recruitment is way below targets. US population is obese and not suitable for the rough and tough of war zone.
- <pure speculation>multiple covid doses have increased the health risk for majority of Americans</> US needs more healthy people to boost their economy.

My prediction:
Trump administration will make a good show of deporting some illegals.
but quietly also provide residency / citizenship to people who join their armed forces.

[SRajesh]

Williamsji
I think that Open border and Immigration is a world wide LeLi Woke concept but with a deeper hidden agenda.
1.A belief that the illegals are beholden to their benefactors and will form a vast vote bank
2. As a certain level of education goes up: there ia big deficit in the numbers to fill in the low end menial jobs that still needs filling. The Belief is that these would fill in eagerly such jobs.
3. Any mass moblilization for street action you can call on the hoardes who would come up.
And its worldwide:
1. Eyerope: All unwashed let in vote left wing/labour/??Democratic parties
2. India: Congi/Sikular parties
They cant enter China as there is already an issue there and same In Africa.
The LeLi and whoever controls them work two factors:
1. The guilt syndrome of the white man
2. The brianwashed Enlightend Desi's yearning for the Ganga-Jamuna Tezaab (not Tehzeeb as quite a few are still afflicted with Stockholm Syndrome variant)
But one thing they did not expect is the not just the right wing response but even centrist folks who are horrified with some of the antics of the Illegals. So yes there is a definite push back to this LeLi/woke strategy. The Indian 2024 is an odd one out but further state elections seems to have some more course corrections. UK the conservatives really f*&^%$ it up. Having said that KS and his Chancellor are making a hash and I think they are not going to come back. Ditto Eyerope things are changing.
Sorry Mods I know its US elections thread felt that its a worldwide problem this illegal menace.

[Najunamar]

Any gyaan on the 4B business that CNN is yapping about? https://www.cnn.com/2024/11/09/us/4b-mo ... index.html
If true this is absolute suicidal behavior for the WASPs - will accelerate the proportion of jihadists as they have never subscribed to any population control, and eventually pave the way for an accelerated decline of the society. I am seeing every objection raised by Arjuna in Githa 1st chapter coming to fruition.

[vimal]

We can talk as much and debate about economy and handling of pandemic etc for and against Biden Admin. I am still confused what is the rationale behind letting illegals cross the border without any paper? I just don't understand that strategy. Are they thinking these illegals will one day become legal and vote for the Democrats? Is there a guarantee that way? I think the border policy of Biden does not make any common sense.

You hit the nail on the head there. It’s called the race replacement theory and Dems are actively involved in it.

[KL Dubey]

We can talk as much and debate about economy and handling of pandemic etc for and against Biden Admin. I am still confused what is the rationale behind letting illegals cross the border without any paper? I just don't understand that strategy. Are they thinking these illegals will one day become legal and vote for the Democrats? Is there a guarantee that way? I think the border policy of Biden does not make any common sense.

It's a combination of well known factors. Starting with the assumption that Dems are responsible for fueling it, does not lead to better understanding.

- Shortage of labor in US, especially unskilled and semi-skilled (agro, livestock, construction, service)

- Legal immigration system does not have provision for hiring large numbers of workers at lower wages than US workers

- Economic opportunity for mexicans/other central americans...mexico is relatively lawless and poor

- The onslaught of crossings is too high for CBP to stop effectively, many get through (or repeat until they succeed) - with the mexican federales often turning a blind eye

- Businesses all over USA (and not just in the four border states) are willing to hire the illegal labor (low wages, no benefits, etc)

- As for votes: families are now interconnected across the border, many legal/citizens on the US side with illegal migrant relatives + ecosystem of business and industry that survives on the illegal labor

Nobody (Dems, Reps, nor business) really wants to legalize them since that will raise wages and benefits. Additionally, any such legalization would be one-time political benefit, and even that is not clear due to backlash from other voters.

Bhaidanwa tried to do something like this on a smaller scale (it was discussed on BRF a few months ago), but a federal judge (Trump-appointed) has recently struck it down: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/judge-decl ... s-illegal/

[vera_k]

We can talk as much and debate about economy and handling of pandemic etc for and against Biden Admin. I am still confused what is the rationale behind letting illegals cross the border without any paper? I just don't understand that strategy. Are they thinking these illegals will one day become legal and vote for the Democrats? Is there a guarantee that way? I think the border policy of Biden does not make any common sense.

There is a vast network of social work organizations, both religious and secular that are involved in caring for anyone without papers or hard on their luck. Business growth for these organization depends on having more people in the system.

The overwhelming number of these organizations support Democrats, except for the religious ones that support Republicans. Sometimes they make common cause as with the legislation that created USCIRF.

There is expectation from this network that they will be rewarded for their support, and allowing more people through the border is an easy way to repay them. Where things went off the rails this time is that some of the border state governors sent people via bus and plane to cities and states around the country. If this hadn't been the case, the supply of new arrivals would have gradually made their way to northern states over the next 10 years or so. Rather this all happened on a compressed timeframe.

[Cyrano]

^^^ Capitalistic greed enabled by crony capitalism and socialistic hypocrisy

[bala]

Just a thought: the Gehra Rajya/Deep State was not prepared for the 4T additional tax since most of their rich tribe would be affected. Mami is a blockhead who went along with such proposals and they (gehra) were boxed into this moronic attempt. So as usual the Gehra Rajya turned coat and secretly backed the downfall of Mami. Even Bidenwa was occassionally going against Mami, strange. Obummer initially did not endorse Mami, since he wanted his spouse as the candidate. A lot of internal back biting put the Dems into a weak position with the voters.

[vera_k]

Posting this tracker for the remaining contests where votes are being counted still.

House votes count

[Roop]

Posting this tracker for the remaining contests where votes are being counted still.

Very handy link. Thanks so much for posting it.

[Roop]

I think Kamala Harris was let down by the Democratic party machine.
Mostly Obama gang... Managed to turn off traditional voters at every rally.
Obama did max damage lecturing black men. ...

That arrogant, condescending speech by Obama was gob-smackingly inept and politically incompetent. And his wife followed up the next day with a speech of her own which was much worse. Between the two of them, they probably moved a 4 to 5 percentage points of A/A men away from the Dems to the GOP.

This performance from B/O was completely unexpected in its clumsiness, because he is normally a politician of great skill/smoothness in conning large numbers of people at crowds / rallies etc. His wife is a different story, she has always been a nasty piece of work projecting anger and resentment in her speeches -- she has absolutely ZERO political skills/charm. But for B/O to resort to this angry, shaming, finger-wagging bullsh!t shows just how desperate the Dem brain trust must have been feeling in the closing days of the campaign. All campaigns have their own internal polls which are very expensive to do and much more accurate than the public polls. They follow these polls for guidance in day-to-day messaging, marketing etc. IMO it now becomes clear why the GOP appeared so confident (almost smug) in the closing days of the race, while the Dems appeared desperate, angry, shrill, almost hysterical.

All these stories of "polls are tight, everything is a dead heat, too close to call, we won't know the results till at least 2 weeks past election day" were an elaborate, propagandistic lie. It seems that all the insiders knew which way the political winds were blowing.

[uddu]

Much better one
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/202 ... house.html
5 to 6 easy ones there for the Rep.

The Obama speech came pretty late in the campaign, until then people have made up their mind. Even Obama has to say it because of that shift. The main issues that affected the Black and Hispanic voters was the inflation and illegal immigration. They were losing jobs and living becoming more difficult. Also they are not so fond of the woke agenda, which is more or less prevalent in Liberal Whites. Another thing that disliked is Kamala calling herself Black. There was a strong belief that she is not Black. They were not ready to accept her as their own since her father was Jamaican. Also KH trying to fit in with the Black accent and all and made it even worse. If she had called herself Indian, must have got more votes.

[Roop]

... I submit it's more than Trump. It's a revolution as significant as that of Augustus Caeser.

And Trump Revolution won't go away for next thirty years. It's that huge.

Well, let's hope so, Ramanaji. आपके मुँह में घी-शक्कर From your lips to God's ears.

[uddu]

Together.


‘Art of the Surge’: New documentary details Donald Trump’s campaign


World got 4 years of stable U.S. Hope our leaders are wise enough to make the best utilization of these 4 years to prepare the nation for a global power role. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's ideology need to take center stage. An India of dominance and expansion.

[SRajesh]

Udduji
I am not sure if you are well aware of the : Mulatto, Quadroon, Octroon concept ( Mods please note I am making a point and not using these as any derogatory terms.)
Though suppressed in the White Liberal media, its still can be prevalent in the Black communities (though not openly expressed in the media)
Mami falls into one of those a category of neither here nor there.
College educated, lawyer, married a White jew (Unlike Michele) she sure had some resentment amongst the A/A Men folks of someone upwardly mobile and has moved away from Roots or say moved away from Chitlins and grits!!

[vijayk]

https://unherd.com/2024/11/how-trump-cr ... as-legacy/

As the leader of the Democratic Party, Obama was hardly a pretender to power in Washington. Rather, between 2008 and the evening of 5 November 2024, he was usually the foremost power in the land. After serving two elected terms in the White House, Obama then set up and captained the so-called “Resistance” to Trump — an activity that was contrary to all prior American norms and practices. After Trump left, Obama stayed in Washington and continued his role as unelected Party Leader during what had been advertised as the Biden Presidency.

Obama’s method of avoiding scrutiny from the pliant DC press was entirely in character, alternately drawing back into the shadows and then, out of whatever ego weakness, announcing that he was the true mover of events. Free from normative oversight or responsibility, he and his retainers could also avoid answering questions about the size or sources of his personal fortune, which was rumoured to amount to somewhere between $500 million and $1 billion. As a private citizen, Obama didn’t have to answer questions. He could have it both ways — state power, with no public responsibility.

[sanjayc]

^^ Sounds like America's version of Sonia Gandhi

[Mort Walker]

^^ Sounds like America's version of Sonia Gandhi

Absolutely. It’s one of the dangers of having a young president. The bad part is that he kept a home in Washington DC. Former presidents leave the capital and maintain a home away from power centers.

[Cyrano]

The lies are stumbling out of the closet

[SBajwa]

We can talk as much and debate about economy and handling of pandemic etc for and against Biden Admin. I am still confused what is the rationale behind letting illegals cross the border without any paper? I just don't understand that strategy. Are they thinking these illegals will one day become legal and vote for the Democrats? Is there a guarantee that way? I think the border policy of Biden does not make any common sense.

Farmers, construction in California, Florida and other places need cheap labor. For example To install a new average outside door contractors are asking $5000+ (door and labor included about 50% each).

[vera_k]

^ Be aware that there is a new type of contractor out there. Those who quote 3-4x of what the market price is, taking advantage of the fact that many people do not shop around, and have no idea of how much it costs. By doing this, the business shows extremely good numbers, which then allows the contractor to sell the business to private equity for $$$$s.
Now, this will be a transitory phase, since eventually the market will adjust, but until then know to shop around. I stumbled on what's happening by accident when one of my professor's mother was quoted $7000 for replacing an appliance that costs $2300 at best.
America’s New Millionaire Class: Plumbers and HVAC Entrepreneurs

[Vayutuvan]

The lies are stumbling out of the closet

[youtube...]ULnNOjb-TzE[/youtube]

@Cyrano gaaru, it is an old video. A lot of old videos are being reposted on YT.

[Cyrano]

Yes, thanks for the alert saar.

[sanman]

This is really weird. Anyway, I think the best way to judge Epstein, JFK, Jan6, etc is through the Court of Public Opinion -- the most important court of all

[vijayk]

https://x.com/CollinRugg/status/1856436925063639381

Some important lesson for BJP too here on Trump strategy

[Yagnasri]

John Ratcliffe will be the Director of the CIA. Not Kash Patel. No brown man will be there even if he is loyal to the core to DJT or any other President.

[Yagnasri]

The New Sec of Defense: Pete Hegseth is an American television host, author, and Army National Guard officer. He co-hosts "Fox & Friends Weekend" on Fox News and hosts several series on Fox Nation. Hegseth is a New York Times bestselling author known for books like "Battle for the American Mind" and "The War on Warriors". He served in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Guantanamo Bay, earning two Bronze Stars. He has been involved in conservative politics, supporting Donald Trump and advocating for veterans' issues through organizations like Concerned Veterans for America.