Republicans Are From Mars, Democrats Are From Venus

“I never considered a difference of opinion in politics, in religion, in philosophy, as cause for withdrawing from a friend.” – Thomas Jefferson

We are a polarized country. The 2016 presidential campaign saw the popular vote go to the Democratic candidate while the electoral vote went to the Republican. Now, two weeks after Republican Donald Trump was inaugurated as president, the two sides seem further apart than ever with neither listening to the other. They are shouting past each other on a daily basis.

The lack of understanding from both sides reminds of the very popular 1990s novel, “Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus,” that explored the differences between men and women.

I was talking with a friend today about the state of current politics, noting that I had never seen the country so divided. And then I stopped, thought a moment, and said, “But when George W. Bush was elected, everyone was polarized, and then it continued into Barack Obama.” And she said, “I wrote a paper in college [for her political science class] on how polarized the country was at that time.”

That was in the 1980s.

2016 Presidential Debate Schedule

With the 2016 election looming on November 8, three presidential debates are scheduled between Republican Donald Trump and Democrat Hillary Clinton, and one vice presidential debate between Republican Mike Pence and Democrat Tim Kaine. Will Trump call Hillary low energy? Will Hillary point out Trump’s orange head?

All debates will be moderated by a single individual and will run from 9:00-10:30 p.m. Eastern Time without commercial breaks. Moderators will select the questions to be asked. Mark you calendars, political junkies … here are the dates and details as provided by the Commission on Presidential Debates.

Only Vice Presidential Debate
Tuesday, October 4, 2016
Moderator: Elaine Quijano, CBSN, CBS News
Location: Longwood University, Farmville, VA

The Vice Presidential debate will be divided into nine time segments of approximately 10 minutes each. The moderator will ask an opening question, after which each candidate will have two minutes to respond. The moderator will use the balance of the time in the segment for a deeper discussion of the topic.

First Presidential Debate
Monday, September 26, 2016
Moderator: Lester Holt, NBC Nightly News
Location: Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY

The first debate will be divided into six time segments of approximately 15 minutes each on major topics to be selected by the moderator and announced at least one week before the debate. The moderator will open each segment with a question, after which each candidate will have two minutes to respond. Candidates will then have an opportunity to respond to each other. The moderator will use the balance of the time in the segment for a deeper discussion of the topic.

Second Presidential Debate
Sunday, October 9, 2016
Moderator: Martha Raddatz, Co-Anchor of “This Week,” ABC
Moderator: Anderson Cooper, CNN
Location: Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO

The second presidential debate will take the form of a town meeting, in which half of the questions will be posed directly by citizen participants and the other half will be posed by the moderator based on topics of broad public interest as reflected in social media and other sources. The candidates will have two minutes to respond and there will be an additional minute for the moderator to facilitate further discussion. The town meeting participants will be uncommitted voters selected by the Gallup Organization. Wednesday, October 19, 2016

Third Presidential Debate
Moderator: Chris Wallace, Fox News Sunday
Location: University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV

The format for the third debate will be identical to the first presidential debate.

Cross-posted at Bearing Drift

Who Will RTD Endorse For President on Sunday?

Since 1980, the Richmond Times-Dispatch has endorsed Republican candidates for president every four years: Ronald Reagan 1980 (won); Reagan 1984 (won); George H.W. Bush 1988 (won); Bush 1992 (lost); Bob Dole 1996 (lost); George W. Bush 2000 (won); Bush 2004 (won); John McCain 2008 (lost); Mitt Romney 2012 (lost).

On Thursday the editors published the following, an intriguing announcement:

The Richmond Times-Dispatch will endorse a candidate for president on Sunday, Sept. 4.

The endorsement, made earlier than in previous years because of the unusual dynamics of the 2016 race, will be published in the newspaper’s Sunday Commentary section and will be posted at Richmond.com.

A firestorm of speculation began over the reasons why an earlier announcement, and why the background reminding of endorsements the past 36 years. In this most unusual presidential election year, could the T-D be preparing readers for a Democratic endorsement? Or Libertarian? Or Green Party?

Stay tuned for Sunday’s editorial.

Cross-posted at Bearing Drift

Mike Farris on dysfunctional political scene

From Michael Farris today….

Every normal, functioning person exercises a considerable amount of self-restraint. We don’t say every thought that crosses through our heads. We don’t escalate every insult or slight into a pitched battle. It is a sign of leadership and strength to be able to respond with calm and temperance to provocations.

Donald Trump’s scorched earth battle against Heidi Cruz proves that he is more dangerous than Hillary Clinton. And make no mistake about it I believe that Hillary will do everything she can to undermine liberty, the Constitution, and virtue.

But I don’t think she would go nuclear against Russia if Putin insulted her husband.

I could not trust a man with a demonstrated history of lacking any semblance of self-restraint with access to the mechanism to launch a nuclear attack.

The choice is not inevitable. There is still time to choose Cruz.

Jeb Bush endorses Ted Cruz in unity move for GOP

“For the sake of our party and country, we must move to overcome the divisiveness and vulgarity Donald Trump has brought into the political arena, or we will certainly lose our chance to defeat the Democratic nominee and reverse President Obama’s failed policies. To win, Republicans need to make this election about proposing solutions to the many challenges we face, and I believe that we should vote for Ted as he will do just that.”

And with those words, former Florida Governor Jeb Bush broke his silence after suspending his presidential campaign in February, endorsing Ted Cruz in an effort to unify the Republican Party. It is a big and significant endorsement from the establishment wing of the party. Bush’s complete endorsement, as released by the Cruz campaign:

Romney to vote for Cruz in Utah caucus

Mitt Romney (Photo by Lynn R. Mitchell)

By Lynn R. Mitchell

Republican 2012 presidential candidate Mitt Romney released a statement Friday afternoon saying he would vote for Ted Cruz in the upcoming Utah caucus:

This week, in the Utah nominating caucus, I will vote for Senator Ted Cruz.

Today, there is a contest between Trumpism and Republicanism. Through the calculated statements of its leader, Trumpism has become associated with racism, misogyny, bigotry, xenophobia, vulgarity and, most recently, threats and violence. I am repulsed by each and every one of these.

Another Super Tuesday … more primaries toward presidential election

By Lynn R. Mitchell

The New York Times gives up an overview of what is in store for today as Americans continues the march toward selecting their nominees for the presidential election:

Primary voting in Ohio and Florida today could determine whether there will be a contested convention among Republicans or a clear path to the nomination for Donald J. Trump.

Voting for both parties also takes place in Illinois, Missouri and North Carolina. Here’s what we’re watching.

Bernie Sanders is looking to repeat his upset in Michigan across the Rust Belt, where Hillary Clinton’s support for trade agreements has created distrust among working-class voters.

The Hill lines up the races to watch:

Friday Trump rallies turn violent

By Lynn R. Mitchell

Donald Trump rallies turned violent Friday in St. Louis and Chicago with news coverage overtaking cable networks in the evening and John Kasich’s Friday night town hall interrupted because of the riot coverage.

Interesting comment from political pundit Stuart Stevens noted, “This is a suicide vest for the GOP, and Donald Trump is pulling the cord.”

As Trump supporters and protesters clashed, the rally was cancelled shortly before it was to begin, and police stepped in to try and calm the angry crowds.

Video and commentary are available from Chicago channel NBC-5.

Ben Carson endorses Donald Trump

By Lynn R. Mitchell

On Friday, Dr. Ben Carson endorsed Donald Trump for president 2016:

Our country is at a crossroads and in the midst of a moral crisis. We must be careful not to continue our current path, which is littered with uncertainty at best and ruination at worst. We can make changes to our system and that change starts now with, “We the People.”

We can have disagreements, but it is critical that we not allow those disagreements to divide us as a party or as a country.

Mitt Romney’s remarks on Donald Trump’s 2016 GOP presidential run

By Lynn R. Mitchell

Full transcript of Mitt Romney’s remarks on Thursday concerning Donald Trump’s 2016 Republican presidential run. From the University of Utah:

I am not here to announce my candidacy for office. I am not going to endorse a candidate today. Instead, I would like to offer my perspective on the nominating process of my party. In 1964, days before the presidential election which, incidentally, we lost, Ronald Reagan went on national television and challenged America saying that it was a “Time for Choosing.” He saw two paths for America, one that embraced conservative principles dedicated to lifting people out of poverty and helping create opportunity for all, and the other, an oppressive government that would lead America down a darker, less free path. I’m no Ronald Reagan and this is a different moment but I believe with all my heart and soul that we face another time for choosing, one that will have profound consequences for the Republican Party and more importantly, for the country.

Trump hits Radford University on final sweep of Virginia

Protesters at Trump rally in Radford, Virginia. (Photos by Alex Davis)

By Lynn R. Mitchell and Alex Davis

It was vintage Donald Trump Monday at Radford University in southwestern Virginia as the Republican presidential frontrunner stood before a packed Dedmon Center that holds 3,800 and gave his now-familiar stump speech. Ticket holders began lining up outside the venue three hours before the doors opened at 10am. Traffic on I-81 was backed up at the Radford exit as the city of 17,000 braced for thousands of visitors . Law enforcement was out in force working traffic control and security.

It was past noon when, dressed in white shirt, pink tie, and an American lapel pin on his suit jacket, The Donald entered to applause and cheers, and gave them what they had come to hear.

Max Lucado: ‘Decency for President’

By Lynn R. Mitchell

Perhaps one of the most effective articles I have read in defense of not supporting Donald Trump this presidential season is from best-selling Christian author and writer Max Lucado who is also pastor at Oak Hills Church in San Antonio, Texas. Known as “America’s Pastor,” his name is respected far and wide in the Christian community and byond; his books populate the book shelves in my home as well as many others.

Max Lucado generally does not get into politics. Until now. He explained to Christianity Today why he broke his silence:

“… it’s not so much a question about particular policies or strategies about government or even particular opinions. It’s a case of public derision of people. It’s belittling people publicly. It would be none of my business, I would have absolutely no right to speak up except that he repeatedly brandishes the Bible and calls himself a Christian.”

And so he put pen to paper and shared a piece, “Decency for President,” that has gone viral and is being shared far and wide, published on his website as well as the Washington Post. Using the analogy as a dad with three daughters, he compared checking out his daughters’ dates to see if they were decent — i.e., treat them with kindness and respect, bring them home on time, decent in language, actions, and decisions — with America checking out a presidential candidate to see if he/she is decent.

In Mr.  Lucado’s analogy, presidential candidate Trump failed miserably. He explained:

I don’t know Mr. Trump. But I’ve been chagrined at his antics. He ridiculed a war hero. He made mockery of a reporter’s menstrual cycle. He made fun of a disabled reporter. He referred to the former first lady, Barbara Bush as “mommy,” and belittled Jeb Bush for bringing her on the campaign trail. He routinely calls people “stupid,” “loser,” and “dummy.” These were not off-line, backstage, overheard, not-to-be-repeated comments. They were publicly and intentionally tweeted, recorded, and presented.

Such insensitivities wouldn’t even be acceptable even for a middle school student body election. But for the Oval Office? And to do so while brandishing a Bible and boasting of his Christian faith? I’m bewildered, both by his behavior and the public’s support of it.

He noted that Trump supporters have stressed they are angry, writing, “As one man said, ‘We are voting with our middle finger.’ Mr. Lucado then added:

Sounds more like a comment for a gang-fight than a presidential election. Anger-fueled reactions have caused trouble ever since Cain was angry at Abel.

As a voter, I thank Mr. Lucado for his courage to stand up and publicly speak out at a time when many are not due to fear of repercussions from the angry Trump supporters, political repercussions, maybe financial repercussions — the fear is real.

Please take a few minutes to read “Decency for President” and consider that the president of the United States will be our representative not only in Washington but to the world. Our responsibility is to choose wisely.

32 reasons NOT to vote for Trump

By Lynn R. Mitchell

Joel Rosenberg has published 32 reasons  not to support Donald Trump. Read his entire article here for more of his in-depth thoughts on the 2016 presidential election cycle. Here is an excerpt:

How to vote in Tuesday’s presidential primary

By Lynn R. Mitchell

Okay, Virginia, it’s our turn in the ongoing 2016 presidential process and, on top of that, we’re one of 12 states who will vote on Tuesday aka Super Tuesday, March 1. It’s easy to vote because it is just like any other election day. Here’s what you do.

1. Go to your regular polling place where you vote every election.
2. Polls will be open 6am – 7pm.
3. Have a picture ID (and your voter registration card, if you know where it is).
4. Poll workers will ask if you are voting in the REPUBLICAN or DEMOCRAT primary. Both will be taking place at the same time.
5. Vote.
6. Don’t forget your “I Voted” sticker!

Below are the candidates who will appear on the ballot. Strike-throughs have ended their campaigns but the names remain because they originally qualified to be on the ballot.

Please, Virginia … STOP TRUMP on Super Tuesday

By Lynn R. Mitchell

Virginia’s presidential primary is Tuesday — Super Tuesday — when 12 states vote and

I begged the voters of South Carolina’s primary on February 20 to please be the firewall that stopped Donald Trump but they overwhelming voted for him. Next up was Nevada … same story.

We keep hearing Trump supporters are angry!

From the wisdom of Yoda: “Fear is the path to the dark side…fear leads to anger…anger leads to hate…hate leads to suffering.” Or, in the words of Aristotle: “The law is reason free from passion.”

Can Virginians end the madness? Please stop Trump!

#NeverTrump #StopTrump #DumpTrump

 

Some news clips that I have been sharing on my Facebook page:

From an Anglican priest: “I believe that Donald Trump holds and proclaims racist, sexist, and violent attitudes that are in direct opposition to the Christian message, and to the good of our nation. … I disagree with all the candidates on certain issues. My opposition to him is not about his political party or his political beliefs; this is about his character.”