Estimates are that Trump's rally in Fresno attracted no more, and probably less, than 7,000 attendees to the 10,000 seat arena. Pathetic--pathetic, I say.
Predicted high temperature on Sunday, the day of Bernie's rally, is 94 degrees, and I think the venue offers little shade if any. Hat, sunscreen and seat cushion are in order. (I had a thin self-inflating cushion from REI at one time, and will try to find another.)
Here are a few gleanings from the electronic press--I think the last one, by Jim Hightower, is the best of the lot, in no small part because it is the most concise.
A Five-Point Plan for Bernie Sanders [Click] Largely sensible, and evidently underway—but IMO would be improved by suggesting a “safe state” voting strategy to Berniacs. I must admit that the prospect of Bernie Sanders as Chair of the Senate Budget Committee is very appealing…
I agree that Hightower is right on. As for "Never Hillary," I think "Never Bernie" from those people would be just as strong. Although if Clinton's supporters thought she would have a better chance at attracting committed Republicans she is clearly wrong.
Alan, if memory serves - which is always an iffy assumption - 72 point, the largest available font, comes out at one inch. So, printing at 200% ought to be perfect.
May I suggest the addition to your equipment of a water bottle or thermos? You don't want to get dehydrated, and water is the best thirst quencher, unless you need juice to boost your blood sugar.
I was thinking about that--as well as a salt pill or two just in case. Don't want to lose my seat because of having to go to the restroom, though! We once made the mistake of going to a really hot location (a gemstone mine way back in the mountains ) for the afternoon with only sugary drinks. Water is indeed much better.
I have been re-investigating the Democratic primary delegate totals, as estimated on Wikipedia. In many cases the final decision does not come until later, at state conventions/caucuses, so surprises are still possible, and on a small scale probable. Still, that is what we have to work with. It requires 2393 delegates to win the nomination, and 2026 to win a majority. HRC has 1771 pledged delegates, and Bernie has 1499 (est.), and there are776 pledged delegates yet to be elected. HRC needs 622 to win the nomination on pledged delegates, which seems clearly impossible. She needs 255 to win a majority, which is within reach. In 2008 neither candidate gained the election with pledged delegates alone, but Obama won a small majority, and the superdelegates subsequently came down on his side. Clinton demanded and was given a roll call vote, which was very unusual. I should expect things will turn out about the same way this time, although the person with the most votes may or may not be Clinton (remarkable things can happen in the last minutes of any game).
So, in other words, to say that Bernie is without a chance is clearly incorrect. Equally, to say that HRC is inevitable is equally incorrect.
As to roll call votes being unusual, maybe, but I certainly remember sitting up to the small hours watching at least one if not two. Every state has to declare after all. There's a lot of "The great state of Missitucky, home of grits and guitars and the Current Miss America, whose U.S. senators are Starsky and Hutch, proudly casts four of its votes for Candidate A and the remaining 786 votes for Candidate B!" But even after the nominee is declared, all the rest of the states have to declare...as I recall from literally forty years ago. But seems to me the same was true in 2008 ? Isn't that always the way it works? The poor old Virgin Islands always bring up the rear, proudly casting their three (or whatever) votes. Of course, once the nominee has gone over the top, the state delegation speeches get more flowery and tourist board-like, but I remember enjoying listening to them for that reason.
This is certainly the way it was back in the day when some states had their delegations chosen by party leaders rather than the voters. Those states often cast their first-round votes for a "favorite son" who was not actually running for president, so no candidate arrived with a first-round majority. And it's the way it was in 2008 because HRC asked for and was granted a first-round vote. I haven't paid enough attention to conventions lately to know personally whether than is still routine, but from the way 2008 is described I gather it isn't.
Bernie--Huzzah!
ReplyDeleteEstimates are that Trump's rally in Fresno attracted no more, and probably less, than 7,000 attendees to the 10,000 seat arena. Pathetic--pathetic, I say.
Predicted high temperature on Sunday, the day of Bernie's rally, is 94 degrees, and I think the venue offers little shade if any. Hat, sunscreen and seat cushion are in order. (I had a thin self-inflating cushion from REI at one time, and will try to find another.)
Here are a few gleanings from the electronic press--I think the last one, by Jim Hightower, is the best of the lot, in no small part because it is the most concise.
--Alan
Expecting Sanders Supporters to "Close Ranks?" [Click] “Think again. Here's why many won’t.”
A Five-Point Plan for Bernie Sanders [Click] Largely sensible, and evidently underway—but IMO would be improved by suggesting a “safe state” voting strategy to Berniacs. I must admit that the prospect of Bernie Sanders as Chair of the Senate Budget Committee is very appealing…
Animosity Toward Hillary Clinton Fuels Republican Unity [Click] Gee—who could have foreseen that? Aside from the millions who did, that is…
Public Rage at Glaring Inequality and Mass Downward Mobility Are Fueling the Bernie and Trump Phenomena [Click] “The political elite are oblivious to irony: they are the ones who gave birth to the mass anger that now confronts them.” —Jim Hightower
I agree that Hightower is right on. As for "Never Hillary," I think "Never Bernie" from those people would be just as strong. Although if Clinton's supporters thought she would have a better chance at attracting committed Republicans she is clearly wrong.
DeleteAlan, if memory serves - which is always an iffy assumption - 72 point, the largest available font, comes out at one inch. So, printing at 200% ought to be perfect.
ReplyDeleteMay I suggest the addition to your equipment of a water bottle or thermos? You don't want to get dehydrated, and water is the best thirst quencher, unless you need juice to boost your blood sugar.
I was thinking about that--as well as a salt pill or two just in case. Don't want to lose my seat because of having to go to the restroom, though! We once made the mistake of going to a really hot location (a gemstone mine way back in the mountains ) for the afternoon with only sugary drinks. Water is indeed much better.
Delete--Alan
And yes, 72-point IS one inch. Thanks for refreshing my memory.
DeleteAlan
Alan, just ask the Bernie Person next to you to save your seat while you go to the rest room, and do the same for them.
DeleteI have been re-investigating the Democratic primary delegate totals, as estimated on Wikipedia. In many cases the final decision does not come until later, at state conventions/caucuses, so surprises are still possible, and on a small scale probable. Still, that is what we have to work with. It requires 2393 delegates to win the nomination, and 2026 to win a majority. HRC has 1771 pledged delegates, and Bernie has 1499 (est.), and there are776 pledged delegates yet to be elected. HRC needs 622 to win the nomination on pledged delegates, which seems clearly impossible. She needs 255 to win a majority, which is within reach. In 2008 neither candidate gained the election with pledged delegates alone, but Obama won a small majority, and the superdelegates subsequently came down on his side. Clinton demanded and was given a roll call vote, which was very unusual. I should expect things will turn out about the same way this time, although the person with the most votes may or may not be Clinton (remarkable things can happen in the last minutes of any game).
ReplyDelete--Alan
So, in other words, to say that Bernie is without a chance is clearly incorrect. Equally, to say that HRC is inevitable is equally incorrect.
DeleteAs to roll call votes being unusual, maybe, but I certainly remember sitting up to the small hours watching at least one if not two. Every state has to declare after all. There's a lot of "The great state of Missitucky, home of grits and guitars and the Current Miss America, whose U.S. senators are Starsky and Hutch, proudly casts four of its votes for Candidate A and the remaining 786 votes for Candidate B!" But even after the nominee is declared, all the rest of the states have to declare...as I recall from literally forty years ago. But seems to me the same was true in 2008 ? Isn't that always the way it works? The poor old Virgin Islands always bring up the rear, proudly casting their three (or whatever) votes. Of course, once the nominee has gone over the top, the state delegation speeches get more flowery and tourist board-like, but I remember enjoying listening to them for that reason.
This is certainly the way it was back in the day when some states had their delegations chosen by party leaders rather than the voters. Those states often cast their first-round votes for a "favorite son" who was not actually running for president, so no candidate arrived with a first-round majority. And it's the way it was in 2008 because HRC asked for and was granted a first-round vote. I haven't paid enough attention to conventions lately to know personally whether than is still routine, but from the way 2008 is described I gather it isn't.
Delete