Gov. Josh Shapiro

[crazed_hoosier2]

I had made this as a reply to another thread. But I thought it may warrant its own.

The more I see and hear from Gov. Shapiro, the more I want to see and hear from him.

I'm sure I have a slew of policy disagreements with him. And I'm not necessarily saying I'd vote for him should he run for POTUS. But I am saying that he seems like the very kind of person and leader we need more of in the country. No vitriol. No cheap inflammatory rhetoric. No sharp elbows. Just pitch perfect in a moral sense.

He strikes such a contrast from what so much of our politics has become -- certainly in the Trump era, but even before that. When he said that the firefighter Trump supporter who was killed at the rally was a hero, I believe he genuinely meant it. We just don't see much of that these days.

I think the country would be well-served by the Dems putting forth more people like him (and others I hold in high esteem like Andy Beshear, Jared Polis) -- as well as the Republicans putting forth more people like Brian Kemp, Glenn Youngkin, and even our own Eric Holcomb (although I'm skeptical that Eric has the chops to go further than he has).

 

[UncleMark]

He caught my eye two years ago. Very Obama-like.

 

[ChicagoFineForNow]

I want to like him, I really do, but unfortunately he’s a coward cuck.

He ran on school choice and offering hard working kids, out of Philly a better path. Then the conservative legislature put a school choice bill on his desk. That he veto’d.

It’s the same issue I had with Obama. It’s nice to talk about what a moderate you are, can we see some ****ing action? Please?

 

[hoot1]

I had made this as a reply to another thread. But I thought it may warrant its own.

The more I see and hear from Gov. Shapiro, the more I want to see and hear from him.

I'm sure I have a slew of policy disagreements with him. And I'm not necessarily saying I'd vote for him should he run for POTUS. But I am saying that he seems like the very kind of person and leader we need more of in the country. No vitriol. No cheap inflammatory rhetoric. No sharp elbows. Just pitch perfect in a moral sense.

He strikes such a contrast from what so much of our politics has become -- certainly in the Trump era, but even before that. When he said that the firefighter Trump supporter who was killed at the rally was a hero, I believe he genuinely meant it. We just don't see much of that these days.

I think the country would be well-served by the Dems putting forth more people like him (and others I hold in high esteem like Andy Beshear, Jared Polis) -- as well as the Republicans putting forth more people like Brian Kemp, Glenn Youngkin, and even our own Eric Holcomb (although I'm skeptical that Eric has the chops to go further than he has).

Craze, you bring up candidates the average voter may never have heard of. They are probably the kind of candidates with whom party professionals are acquainted and respect.

Consequently a celebrity such as Trump or a politician such as a Biden who has been in the limelight for decades have a big advantage in the popular primary election used currently to nominate presidents.

Could it be that more qualified candidates might be nominated if we returned to party conventions to. nominate presidential candidates ?

Having said that, I realize such a change wouldn't be popular in a country with many who seem to feel professional politicians are taking the country in the wrong direction

 

[mcmurtry66]

I had made this as a reply to another thread. But I thought it may warrant its own.

The more I see and hear from Gov. Shapiro, the more I want to see and hear from him.

I'm sure I have a slew of policy disagreements with him. And I'm not necessarily saying I'd vote for him should he run for POTUS. But I am saying that he seems like the very kind of person and leader we need more of in the country. No vitriol. No cheap inflammatory rhetoric. No sharp elbows. Just pitch perfect in a moral sense.

He strikes such a contrast from what so much of our politics has become -- certainly in the Trump era, but even before that. When he said that the firefighter Trump supporter who was killed at the rally was a hero, I believe he genuinely meant it. We just don't see much of that these days.

I think the country would be well-served by the Dems putting forth more people like him (and others I hold in high esteem like Andy Beshear, Jared Polis) -- as well as the Republicans putting forth more people like Brian Kemp, Glenn Youngkin, and even our own Eric Holcomb (although I'm skeptical that Eric has the chops to go further than he has).

Policy aside he’d be a return to normalcy

 

[crazed_hoosier2]

Craze, you bring up candidates the average voter may never have heard of. They are probably the kind of candidates that party professionals are acquainted and respect.

Consequently a celebrity such as Trump or a politician such as a Biden who has been in the limelight for decades have a big advantage in the popular primary election used currently to nominate presidents.

Could it be that more qualified candidates might be nominated if we returned to party conventions to. nominate presidential candidates ?

Having said that, I realize such a change wouldn't be popular in a country with many who seem to feel professional politicians are taking the country in the wrong direction

At the end of the day, I'm rooting for the professional politicians. But I have a laundry list of grievances against them -- such that I have some understanding, if not sympathy, for the currents underlying the populist upheaval.

I have others. But here are my top 2:

Professional politicians have made an abject mess of our fiscal situation. We presently have no good options in front of us. Our political class took Yogi Berra's advice: when you come to a fork in the road, take it. Essentially, they have lived on kicking the can down the road long enough to finish off their own political careers...also remembering Keynes' famous answer about the long-term ramifications of his fiscal paradigm: in the long run, we are all dead. He and everybody he said that to is, in fact, dead. But we are not.

They've been utterly negligent about our border. Both parties -- although to date it's been more damaging to the (Bush-era) Republican Party than the Democratic Party. I know full well why they've had a porous border. It's not an oversight. It's not that they're overwhelmed or helpless. It's that they believe (perhaps correctly) that we need migrants and their labor. But who among them have even been honest with voters about that? Not many. They typically use baldly emotional appeals about people just wanting a better life, etc. etc. It's been impossible to have a regular debate about it.

And guess what issue, more than any other, the charlatan Donald Trump feasted on in order to gain political momentum?

The professional politicians have fought populism stupidly.

 

[crazed_hoosier2]

He caught my eye two years ago. Very Obama-like.

That isn't exactly the comparison I would make. At least, not in the strict sense of what I'm talking about.

But, that aside, I get your drift. Shapiro seems to have a lot of political gifts and is somebody to keep an eye on.

 

[hoot1]

At the end of the day, I'm rooting for the professional politicians. But I have a laundry list of grievances against them -- such that I have some understanding, if not sympathy, for the currents underlying the populist upheaval.

I have others. But here are my top 2:

Professional politicians have made an abject mess of our fiscal situation. We presently have no good options in front of us. Our political class took Yogi Berra's advice: when you come to a fork in the road, take it. Essentially, they have lived on kicking the can down the road long enough to finish off their own political careers...also remembering Keynes' famous answer about the long-term ramifications of his fiscal paradigm: in the long run, we are all dead. He and everybody he said that to is, in fact, dead. But we are not.

They've been utterly negligent about our border. Both parties -- although to date it's been more damaging to the (Bush-era) Republican Party than the Democratic Party. I know full well why they've had a porous border. It's not an oversight. It's not that they're overwhelmed or helpless. It's that they believe (perhaps correctly) that we need migrants and their labor. But who among them have even been honest with voters about that? Not many. They typically use baldly emotional appeals about people just wanting a better life, etc. etc. It's been impossible to have a regular debate about it.

And guess what issue, more than any other, the charlatan Donald Trump feasted on in order to gain political momentum?

The professional politicians have fought populism stupidly.

Craze, agree with your bringing up deficits and the border as prime examples of our politicians not being able to solve major problems.

However, you switched the thread from nominating presidents to two problems which in my view focuses on Congressional failures. In respect to Congress, it would seem populism in many districts and some states are alive and well.

 

[BradStevens]

He caught my eye two years ago. Very Obama-like.

Caught your eye, huh? NTTAWWT

 

[snarlcakes]

I had made this as a reply to another thread. But I thought it may warrant its own.

The more I see and hear from Gov. Shapiro, the more I want to see and hear from him.

I'm sure I have a slew of policy disagreements with him. And I'm not necessarily saying I'd vote for him should he run for POTUS. But I am saying that he seems like the very kind of person and leader we need more of in the country. No vitriol. No cheap inflammatory rhetoric. No sharp elbows. Just pitch perfect in a moral sense.

He strikes such a contrast from what so much of our politics has become -- certainly in the Trump era, but even before that. When he said that the firefighter Trump supporter who was killed at the rally was a hero, I believe he genuinely meant it. We just don't see much of that these days.

I think the country would be well-served by the Dems putting forth more people like him (and others I hold in high esteem like Andy Beshear, Jared Polis) -- as well as the Republicans putting forth more people like Brian Kemp, Glenn Youngkin, and even our own Eric Holcomb (although I'm skeptical that Eric has the chops to go further than he has).

He’s not left enough and is a white male. He seems to be a good Governor, but he’s not a national candidate.

 

[BradStevens]

That isn't exactly the comparison I would make. At least, not in the strict sense of what I'm talking about.

But, that aside, I get your drift. Shapiro seems to have a lot of political gifts and is somebody to keep an eye on.

Shapiro consciously copies Obama's speaking style, cadence, etc. Very noticeable.

 

[crazed_hoosier2]

Shapiro consciously copies Obama's speaking style, cadence, etc. Very noticeable.

Stylistically, I wouldn't disagree.

 

[crazed_hoosier2]

He’s not far left enough and is a white male. He seems to be a good Governor, but he’s not a national candidate.

Well, he's Jewish. Does that count as white? Maybe partially? I don't know -- I'm kind of out of the loop on all the identity stuff.

Anyway, Joe Biden was always regarded as a centrist Senator. And he unquestionably is a white male. Same goes for Bill Clinton. The Dems nominated both of them, and had success doing it.

 

[snarlcakes]

Well, he's Jewish. Does that count as white? Maybe partially? I don't know -- I'm kind of out of the loop on all the identity stuff.

Anyway, Joe Biden was always regarded as a centrist Senator. And he unquestionably is a white male. Same goes for Bill Clinton. The Dems nominated both of them, and had success doing it.

I agree, but that’s not the future of their party. Their voters care about identify and being progressive.

2008 - Black Male
2012 - Black Male
2016 - Female
2020 - Progressive/Socialist- Bernie Sanders was leading until Biden was throw in last minute. The party rallied around Biden because he wasn’t Trump.

I’ve been wrong before, but if they run a white male who isn’t progressive in 2028, I owe you a beer or mea culpa.

 

[JamieDimonsBalls]

Very Obama-like.

He was quite partisan.

 

[JamieDimonsBalls]

Shapiro consciously copies Obama's speaking style, cadence, etc. Very noticeable.

Yea, but how is he on athletics?

 

[BradStevens]

Yea, but how is he on athletics?

 

[JamieDimonsBalls]

View embedded media

 

[Harry Hondo]

I had made this as a reply to another thread. But I thought it may warrant its own.

The more I see and hear from Gov. Shapiro, the more I want to see and hear from him.

I'm sure I have a slew of policy disagreements with him. And I'm not necessarily saying I'd vote for him should he run for POTUS. But I am saying that he seems like the very kind of person and leader we need more of in the country. No vitriol. No cheap inflammatory rhetoric. No sharp elbows. Just pitch perfect in a moral sense.

He strikes such a contrast from what so much of our politics has become -- certainly in the Trump era, but even before that. When he said that the firefighter Trump supporter who was killed at the rally was a hero, I believe he genuinely meant it. We just don't see much of that these days.

I think the country would be well-served by the Dems putting forth more people like him (and others I hold in high esteem like Andy Beshear, Jared Polis) -- as well as the Republicans putting forth more people like Brian Kemp, Glenn Youngkin, and even our own Eric Holcomb (although I'm skeptical that Eric has the chops to go further than he has).

Putting forth all of those moderates, from both parties, is the only way back to political stability and strength. You can’t be a strong nation when you’re this divided (this likely Trump presidency will do nothing to change that). 2028 will be a huge turning point in this country’s future of failure or success.

 

[crazed_hoosier2]

Putting forth all of those moderates, from both parties, is the only way back to political stability and strength. You can’t be a strong nation when you’re this divided (this likely Trump presidency will do nothing to change that). 2028 will be a huge turning point in this country’s future of failure or success.

I kind of agree with this. But I also don't think it's that simple.

We have some hard decisions to make. And I think this reality underlies the division.

 

[larsIU]

I want to like him, I really do, but unfortunately he’s a coward cuck.

He ran on school choice and offering hard working kids, out of Philly a better path. Then the conservative legislature put a school choice bill on his desk. That he veto’d.

It’s the same issue I had with Obama. It’s nice to talk about what a moderate you are, can we see some ****ing action? Please?

Yes, ideology does get in the way sometimes doesn't it? Conservatives too you know. How do you feel about raising taxes?

Partially kidding.

 

[JamieDimonsBalls]

Putting forth all of those moderates, from both parties, is the only way back to political stability and strength. You can’t be a strong nation when you’re this divided (this likely Trump presidency will do nothing to change that). 2028 will be a huge turning point in this country’s future of failure or success.

I'll pose it again - how do we do that when we have a primary system that seems to favor the extremes vs. centrists?

 

[snarlcakes]

Putting forth all of those moderates, from both parties, is the only way back to political stability and strength. You can’t be a strong nation when you’re this divided (this likely Trump presidency will do nothing to change that). 2028 will be a huge turning point in this country’s future of failure or success.

The underlining issue is too much debt and government. It’s not getting cut, so the problems will continue and unfortunately Populism becomes more attractive to voters. How many moderates are proposing cuts to the federal government? I assume it’s zero. Hell, there’s probably only a quarter of Republicans for it and they’re the Conservative Party 🤷🏻‍♂️

 

[TheOriginalHappyGoat]

Well, he's Jewish. Does that count as white? Maybe partially? I don't know -- I'm kind of out of the loop on all the identity stuff.

Anyway, Joe Biden was always regarded as a centrist Senator. And he unquestionably is a white male. Same goes for Bill Clinton. The Dems nominated both of them, and had success doing it.

What was the name of that one racist poster we used to have? The guy who wasn't vague about it, but had a really detailed, thought out approach to his racism. Anyway, I recall him being very adamant that Jews were white.

 

[TheOriginalHappyGoat]

I'll pose it again - how do we do that when we have a primary system that seems to favor the extremes vs. centrists?

This isn't realistic, but you'd have to start with ending state funding and administration of primaries. If you did that, then the parties would be free to deselect and even expel whomever they wanted. In an ideal world, this would result in four parties: Dems, GOP, Socialists, and, I dunno, Patriot or whatever. Then the Dems and GOP just form an alliance in which they'll agree to support each other for Congressional leadership, and the extremists end up getting elected where they can, but also getting sidelined when it comes to actual governance.

I'm not sure how that works with the presidential election, though. That might be a tough one.

 

[BradStevens]

What was the name of that one racist poster we used to have? The guy who wasn't vague about it, but had a really detailed, thought out approach to his racism. Anyway, I recall him being very adamant that Jews were white.

Was he woke?

Critical Race Theory and the ‘Hyper-White’ Jew | SAPIR Journal

Imagine you’ve just been accepted to college. You open your welcome packet. It contains the bestseller all first-year students are expect...

sapirjournal.org

 

[TheOriginalHappyGoat]

Was he woke?

Critical Race Theory and the ‘Hyper-White’ Jew | SAPIR Journal

Imagine you’ve just been accepted to college. You open your welcome packet. It contains the bestseller all first-year students are expect...

sapirjournal.org

No, he was old-timey. Liked to call Michelle Obama "the negress" and so forth.

 

[crazed_hoosier2]

This isn't realistic, but you'd have to start with ending state funding and administration of primaries. If you did that, then the parties would be free to deselect and even expel whomever they wanted. In an ideal world, this would result in four parties: Dems, GOP, Socialists, and, I dunno, Patriot or whatever. Then the Dems and GOP just form an alliance in which they'll agree to support each other for Congressional leadership, and the extremists end up getting elected where they can, but also getting sidelined when it comes to actual governance.

I'm not sure how that works with the presidential election, though. That might be a tough one.

What you're describing sorta, kinda just happened in France in between the 1st and 2nd rounds of the French legislative elections.

Le Pen's party actually got more total votes than any other party. But there was some strategery done between Macron's Ensemble party and the leftist New Popular Front that effectively denied Le Pen's party a governing majority.

But I agree that this isn't realistic here. I honestly don't think our politics will heal until and unless we put some things in our rearview mirror....which is easier said than done.

 

[JamieDimonsBalls]

Nobody talking about the attack on Shapiro’s home at the beginning of Passover by a Gaza deranged loser?

Cody Balmer, the suspect in arson at Pennsylvania governor’s home targeted the governor for his views on war in Gaza, warrant says | CNN

Cody Balmer, the man accused of setting fire to Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro’s residence, told 911 operators he targeted the governor in part because of what he believed were Shapiro’s views on the war in Gaza, according to search warrants released Wednesday.

amp.cnn.com

@Eppy99

 

[crazed_hoosier2]

Nobody talking about the attack on Shapiro’s home at the beginning of Passover by a Gaza deranged loser?

Cody Balmer, the suspect in arson at Pennsylvania governor’s home targeted the governor for his views on war in Gaza, warrant says | CNN

Cody Balmer, the man accused of setting fire to Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro’s residence, told 911 operators he targeted the governor in part because of what he believed were Shapiro’s views on the war in Gaza, according to search warrants released Wednesday.

amp.cnn.com

@Eppy99

I'm still pretty much on the side of saying that the people who commit politically-motivated violence are isolated cases. But I'm less on that side now than I've been before.

Political violence goes back to the beginnings of civilization. What seems different to me now (maybe) is how many people who aren't given to violence for political ends either celebrate it or at least don't seem to mind it very much. The whole "Luigi" thing is a good example -- even if his victim wasn't technically a politician. He's been turned into a folk hero in some quarters.

A lot of tribal-oriented people seem more interested in using these incidents as political fodder than anything else. "Was this one of us...or was it one of them? Please make it one of them. Please, please. Ah, there...he hated Biden. It's one of them! See...that's Biden-haters for you."

But maybe these thoughts have always been around. We just hear them expressed more today because of social media.

 

[Eppy99]

Nobody talking about the attack on Shapiro’s home at the beginning of Passover by a Gaza deranged loser?

Cody Balmer, the suspect in arson at Pennsylvania governor’s home targeted the governor for his views on war in Gaza, warrant says | CNN

Cody Balmer, the man accused of setting fire to Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro’s residence, told 911 operators he targeted the governor in part because of what he believed were Shapiro’s views on the war in Gaza, according to search warrants released Wednesday.

amp.cnn.com

@Eppy99

I thought he was just crazy. Didn’t realize it was motivated by the conflict in Gaza. Thanks for the link.

Btw, getting tired of the matzah. I barely eat it as im low carb but stops me up every year.

 

[bailey777]

I had made this as a reply to another thread. But I thought it may warrant its own.

The more I see and hear from Gov. Shapiro, the more I want to see and hear from him.

I'm sure I have a slew of policy disagreements with him. And I'm not necessarily saying I'd vote for him should he run for POTUS. But I am saying that he seems like the very kind of person and leader we need more of in the country. No vitriol. No cheap inflammatory rhetoric. No sharp elbows. Just pitch perfect in a moral sense.

He strikes such a contrast from what so much of our politics has become -- certainly in the Trump era, but even before that. When he said that the firefighter Trump supporter who was killed at the rally was a hero, I believe he genuinely meant it. We just don't see much of that these days.

I think the country would be well-served by the Dems putting forth more people like him (and others I hold in high esteem like Andy Beshear, Jared Polis) -- as well as the Republicans putting forth more people like Brian Kemp, Glenn Youngkin, and even our own Eric Holcomb (although I'm skeptical that Eric has the chops to go further than he has).

No chance the dems nominate him at all in a million years. Instead of moderating they have gone even further left since the election. They tripling down of far left wing crazy.

 

[crazed_hoosier2]

I thought he was just crazy. Didn’t realize it was motivated by the conflict in Gaza.

It seems clear enough that both things are true.

I'm far from any sort of expert in psychology, so I'll like mix up ideas or terms and am open to corrections. But this guy seems like a sociopath. He not only turned himself in, he calmly announced that he'd have murdered Gov. Shapiro had he been given that opportunity.

I'm sure Gaza played a key role in his motivation. But somebody as deranged as this could've been fixated on anything.

Years ago, former Evansville mayor Russell Lloyd (he'd only been out of office for a couple months) was murdered at his house by a woman who was pissed off about a building inspector coming to her house to inspect a renovation she'd done. She mistakenly thought he was still in office -- and this was her motivation to find out where he lived, ring his doorbell, and then shoot him when he answered.

 

[iuwclurker]

I'm still pretty much on the side of saying that the people who commit politically-motivated violence are isolated cases. But I'm less on that side now than I've been before.

Political violence goes back to the beginnings of civilization. What seems different to me now (maybe) is how many people who aren't given to violence for political ends either celebrate it or at least don't seem to mind it very much. The whole "Luigi" thing is a good example -- even if his victim wasn't technically a politician. He's been turned into a folk hero in some quarters.

A lot of tribal-oriented people seem more interested in using these incidents as political fodder than anything else. "Was this one of us...or was it one of them? Please make it one of them. Please, please. Ah, there...he hated Biden. It's one of them! See...that's Biden-haters for you."

But maybe these thoughts have always been around. We just hear them expressed more today because of social media.

After Trump won in 2016, I thought one of the biggest positives was how he gave so many people a voice with his candid unfiltered communication. Since then people feeling free to say or do anything and everything has only increased.

What you’re describing is the one of the negative aspects of this.

 

[JamieDimonsBalls]

Btw, getting tired of the matzah. I barely eat it as im low carb but stops me up every year

I don’t keep. My wife and oldest do. I have nothing to prove to a higher being.

Matzah tastes like cardboard. I can’t do it. Pizza, toppings, etc. don’t change my view on it. I’d rather just eat the other stuff (deli meat and cheese on its own).

Matzah kugel and matzah ball soup I’m down with.

 

[JamieDimonsBalls]

It seems clear enough that both things are true.

I'm far from any sort of expert in psychology, so I'll like mix up ideas or terms and am open to corrections. But this guy seems like a sociopath. He not only turned himself in, he calmly announced that he'd have murdered Gov. Shapiro had he been given that opportunity.

I'm sure Gaza played a key role in his motivation. But somebody as deranged as this could've been fixated on anything.

Years ago, former Evansville mayor Russell Lloyd (he'd only been out of office for a couple months) was murdered at his house by a woman who was pissed off about a building inspector coming to her house to inspect a renovation she'd done. She mistakenly thought he was still in office -- and this was her motivation to find out where he lived, ring his doorbell, and then shoot him when he answered.

Reinforces my point about the dangers of deinstitutionalization. Personal freedom for the insane at the expense of society.

That being said, if these are the type of people latching on to the whole pro Palestinian view, you should probably do some introspection if you share that with them.

 

[zeke4ahs]

I don’t keep. My wife and oldest do. I have nothing to prove to a higher being.

Matzah tastes like cardboard. I can’t do it. Pizza, toppings, etc. don’t change my view on it. I’d rather just eat the other stuff (deli meat and cheese on its own).

Matzah kugel and matzah ball soup I’m down with.

Matzah crack is pretty good.

 

[BradStevens]

I'm still pretty much on the side of saying that the people who commit politically-motivated violence are isolated cases. But I'm less on that side now than I've been before.

Political violence goes back to the beginnings of civilization. What seems different to me now (maybe) is how many people who aren't given to violence for political ends either celebrate it or at least don't seem to mind it very much. The whole "Luigi" thing is a good example -- even if his victim wasn't technically a politician. He's been turned into a folk hero in some quarters.

A lot of tribal-oriented people seem more interested in using these incidents as political fodder than anything else. "Was this one of us...or was it one of them? Please make it one of them. Please, please. Ah, there...he hated Biden. It's one of them! See...that's Biden-haters for you."

But maybe these thoughts have always been around. We just hear them expressed more today because of social media.

An out of my ass explanation:

As social media has replaced other forms of entertainment like TV and movies, people have transferred that same sensibility to the news to the extent it is disseminated on social media. (Corollary: this started with reality TV, blurring the lines between fact and fiction). So a lot of people are now overlaying the structure of a fictional story to real life and create the good guys v. bad guys dynamic that is also heavily influenced by today's tribalism (and the anti-hero dynamic that's been around for decades now along with conspiracy themed shows).

 

[crazed_hoosier2]

No chance the dems nominate him at all in a million years. Instead of moderating they have gone even further left since the election. They tripling down of far left wing crazy.

At the end of the day, I think most primary voters just want a winner. And losing an emotional election can do a lot to temper other concerns.

In fact, I think that might even explain a fair amount of the support Donald Trump got in the 2015-16 primary season from those Republican voters who shared the same qualms as NeverTrump Republicans, but jumped on the train because they sensed a winner -- or at least a wildcard as compared to the more conventional options like Jeb Bush.

And what was the context of Trump's surprise victory in the primary? Republicans having lost two presidential elections in a row, talk of the "Emerging Democratic Majority", only winning the popular vote once (2004) in a number of elections, etc.

Would there be some noise from the left if it appeared that somebody like Shapiro or Beshear might be nominated? Yes. Is that a show-stopper for them? No. In fact, Biden was generally seen as a more moderate Democrat -- certainly as compared to the likes of Sanders and Warren.

But I think the vast majority of 2020 Democratic primary voters were interested in one thing and one thing only: defeating Donald Trump.

 

[crazed_hoosier2]

An out of my ass explanation:

As social media has replaced other forms of entertainment like TV and movies, people have transferred that same sensibility to the news to the extent it is disseminated on social media. (Corollary: this started with reality TV, blurring the lines between fact and fiction). So a lot of people are now overlaying the structure of a fictional story to real life and create the good guys v. bad guys dynamic that is also heavily influenced by today's tribalism (and the anti-hero dynamic that's been around for decades now along with conspiracy themed shows).

I'd say there's a lot of truth in that. And it doesn't speak well of where we are as a people. This is the sort of thing that is beyond the scope of public policy. It's a cultural change, and not a welcomed one.