Come to think of it, I remember how I became excited about voting at the very end of the Ford vs. Carter campaign, when it came to appear that Carter had a fighting chance. [N.B.: California was not a lock for the Democrats in those days.]
CNN: 2020 may see a surge in young voters [Click] The column goes on and on about how motivated young people are to vote—but says few of them have voted early or by mail so far.
Currently the number of deaths attributed to Covid-19 in the US is about 225,000; excess deaths (which includes undiagnosed cases and others related to but not directly caused by the virus) would be about 335,000. US deaths attributed to the "1918" flu totaled 675,000. With the current wave of cases, I don't see how we can avoid exceeding the 1918 flu deaths. Granted that the current US population is about 330 million, compared to 103 million in 1918, so deaths as a percentage of the population might not exceed those of "1918." And I am unaware of any reason to expect that the coronavirus will go away as the 1918 flu virus did.
Continuing my gloomy brainstorming, what if the death rate were to equal that of the 1918 flu in Republican-voting areas of the country, and were, say, a third that much in Democratic-voting areas? None of that seems inherently implausible. And the death rate among Baby Boomers and their elders is already high. So the virus could cause a considerable readjustment of voting patterns.
Murkowski Will Vote to Confirm Amy Coney Barrett [Click] It seems to me that such GOP court packing should lead to elimination of the filibuster and expansion of the Supreme Court. Win the battle, lose the war.
One of Vice President Mike Pence’s closest political advisers, Marty Obst, tested positive for coronavirus infection this week, adding to the number of cases in and around the White House, Bloomberg reports. AND Marc Short, Vice President Mike Pence’s chief of staff, tested positive for the coronavirus Saturday and is quarantining, Axios reports. AND Pence is continuing to campaign.
I suddenly think of the Russians fleeing across the snowy steppe in their sleigh, tossing a baby to the pursuing wolves in hopes it will slow them down. . .
California ‘shattering prior election returns’ with 6m ballots already cast [Click]
ReplyDeleteChimps pare down their social circle in later years – study [Click] “Researchers say chimpanzees and humans share same pattern of social ageing.”
ReplyDeleteVideo: The different types of ballots used in US [Click] Many interesting old ballots.
ReplyDeleteBiden campaign to spend $6 million on Texas campaign ads, more than any Democratic presidential nominee in decades [Click] Well, finally! That said, I was reading about some research that showed TV political advertising is most effective at the very end of a campaign.
ReplyDeleteCome to think of it, I remember how I became excited about voting at the very end of the Ford vs. Carter campaign, when it came to appear that Carter had a fighting chance. [N.B.: California was not a lock for the Democrats in those days.]
DeleteBiden Gets Late Boost with Union Endorsement [Click]
ReplyDeleteGroup Plotted to Arrest Ohio Governor DeWine (R) for ‘Tyranny’ [Click]
ReplyDeleteAnd DeWine is a Republican. This emphasizes that these groups are broadly anti-government, not partisan.
DeleteHalf of Requested Pennsylvania Mail Ballots Cast [so far] [Click]
ReplyDeleteBiden is highest-spending political candidate on TV ads [ever] [Click]
ReplyDeleteAnd we helped!
DeleteWaPo: Fearful calls flood election offices as Trump attacks mail-in voting, threatening participation in GOP strongholds [Click]
ReplyDeleteSome interesting dynamics. . .
DeleteRichard Wolffe: Donald Trump reverts to type in debate – and it isn't 'magnificently brilliant' [Click]
ReplyDeleteReid Says Biden Should End Filibuster Quickly [Click]
ReplyDeleteReid says within 3 weeks (assuming Dems gain control of the Senate). There's something wrong with 3 hours?
Delete*shrug* He can't do everything all at once, I suppose.
DeleteCNN: 2020 may see a surge in young voters [Click] The column goes on and on about how motivated young people are to vote—but says few of them have voted early or by mail so far.
ReplyDeleteCurrently the number of deaths attributed to Covid-19 in the US is about 225,000; excess deaths (which includes undiagnosed cases and others related to but not directly caused by the virus) would be about 335,000. US deaths attributed to the "1918" flu totaled 675,000. With the current wave of cases, I don't see how we can avoid exceeding the 1918 flu deaths. Granted that the current US population is about 330 million, compared to 103 million in 1918, so deaths as a percentage of the population might not exceed those of "1918." And I am unaware of any reason to expect that the coronavirus will go away as the 1918 flu virus did.
ReplyDeleteMy apologies for being an uncheerful Charlie.
DeleteContinuing my gloomy brainstorming, what if the death rate were to equal that of the 1918 flu in Republican-voting areas of the country, and were, say, a third that much in Democratic-voting areas? None of that seems inherently implausible. And the death rate among Baby Boomers and their elders is already high. So the virus could cause a considerable readjustment of voting patterns.
DeleteThere was nothing shocking in what you wrote, Alan. More’s the pity.
DeleteMurkowski Will Vote to Confirm Amy Coney Barrett [Click] It seems to me that such GOP court packing should lead to elimination of the filibuster and expansion of the Supreme Court. Win the battle, lose the war.
ReplyDeleteI agree.
DeleteI fully expect Biden to say this after they do the deed. (He had better!)
DeleteGuardian cartoon: [Click]
ReplyDeleteOHIO: COVID cases, 195,806 and 5,206 deaths.
ReplyDeleteAlmost forgot to get those numbers. Preoccupied with a problem knee slowing me down.
2.66%
DeleteMay your knee be unproblemed quickly!
DeleteOuchy, Susan.
DeleteI hope you have good medical care. (Use it while you can!)
Both Eric and Don Jr post interest in running in 2024. 😂😂 Apparently they haven’t yet realised they’d be running against each other.
ReplyDeletehttps://politicalwire.com/2020/10/24/trump-sons-hint-at-future-runs-for-president/
*chuckle*
DeleteBiden Travels to Georgia In Late Push to Flip State [Click]
ReplyDeleteOne of Vice President Mike Pence’s closest political advisers, Marty Obst, tested positive for coronavirus infection this week, adding to the number of cases in and around the White House, Bloomberg reports.
ReplyDeleteAND
Marc Short, Vice President Mike Pence’s chief of staff, tested positive for the coronavirus Saturday and is quarantining, Axios reports.
AND
Pence is continuing to campaign.
Trump throws Senate GOP under the bus. [Click]
ReplyDeleteI suddenly think of the Russians fleeing across the snowy steppe in their sleigh, tossing a baby to the pursuing wolves in hopes it will slow them down. . .
DeleteEgads, Alan! Did Russians actually do that?! I’d throw myself to the wolves before I’d throw a baby!!! 😱
DeleteI presume it was an exaggeration; a non-urban urban legend.
DeletePaintings: Russians fleeing wolves [Click]
Delete