The New Word For “RINO” (And What It Says About Republicans)

Ken AshfordElection 2016, Immigration and Xenophobia, Race, Republicans, Tea Party, Women's IssuesLeave a Comment

In the early 2000s, just as the wars in the Middle East were ramping up, a new word started appearing in the Internet lexicon: RINO.  It stands for “Republican In Name Only”.  It is an insult hurled from Republicans to any member of the GOP who’s more liberal than a Republican “should be”.  Any politician tagged as a RINO — and many … Read More

Planned Parenthood, the Abortion Debate, and 2016 Elections

Ken AshfordElection 2016, Gubmint Shutdown, Health Care, Polls, Republicans, Women's IssuesLeave a Comment

There is very little to recommend being over the age of 50, but one of the nice things is that it gives perspective and wisdom — the kind of experience that can’t be taught, but can only come from having lived several decades. There is one thing I have learned – abortion rights are not going away. That wasn’t always … Read More

Everybody Hates Everybody

Ken AshfordElection 2016, Polls, Women's IssuesLeave a Comment

From First Read: From the new NBC/WSJ poll we released last night: Almost everyone is in lousy shape. Hillary Clinton’s fav/unfav numbers dropped from 44%-40% (+4) in June to 37%-48% (-11) now — which gives her a worse popularity rating than President Obama has ever had during his presidency. Jeb Bush’s fav/unfav rating, at 26%-40% (-14) is even worse — … Read More

2016 May Turn From A Sideshow To Something Interesting

Ken AshfordElection 2016Leave a Comment

The New York Times is reporting that Vice President Joe Biden is beginning to explore a presidential campaign for 2016: Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr. and his associates have begun to actively explore a possible presidential campaign, an entry that would upend the Democratic field and deliver a direct threat to Hillary Rodham Clinton, say several people who have … Read More

The Trump Problem

Ken AshfordElection 2016, PollsLeave a Comment

Quinnipiac Poll (emphasis mine): Twenty percent of registered Republican voters said they would vote for Trump in the Republican primary, with 13 percent favoring Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker (R) and 10 percent choosing former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush (R). However, Trump also dominated the “no way ” list, with 30 percent of Republican voters saying they would never vote for … Read More

Dumbest Gotcha Of The Day

Ken AshfordElection 2016Leave a Comment

Hillary Clinton is a hypocrite.  You know why?  Because after she gave her speech on climate change, she…. wait for it…. GOT ON A PRIVATE JET to take her to her next destination! That’s the “story” from the right wing today as evidenced by, among other places, The Daily Mail which even provided video of Hillary’s hypocrisy (Look!  She’s boarding a … Read More

Trump’s Lawyer May Be Dumber Than Trump

Ken AshfordElection 2016, Women's IssuesLeave a Comment

Another day, another Trump scandal. This one is a little different.  Rather than Trump sending the media into a fervor, it was the reverse. Trump, as we all now, has been making hay out of the supposed “rapists” that the government of Mexico is sending into America.  There’s no evidence that undocumented Mexicans are any more responsible for rape than … Read More

Trump Surge Continues Unabated

Ken AshfordElection 2016, PollsLeave a Comment

A new Economist/YouGov poll finds Donald Trump way ahead of the GOP presidential field with 28% support, followed by Jeb Bush at 14%, Scott Walker at 13%, Ben Carson at 7% and Rand Paul at 5%. Key finding: “There is clearly a core group of registered voters who identify as Republicans that has coalesced around Trump’s tough talk and proposals. … Read More

GOP Candidate Ted Cruz Weighs In On…. Captain Kirk?

Ken AshfordElection 2016, Popular CultureLeave a Comment

Ted Cruz gets interviewed for The New York Times Magazine and this exchange occurs: You’re also a fan of ‘‘Star Trek.’’ Do you prefer Captain Kirk or Captain Picard? Absolutely James Tiberius Kirk. ** a question or two later ** If you were a journalist interviewing you, what would you ask? Who knows, I might well ask, ‘‘Kirk or Picard?’’ I’ve never … Read More

Why Kasich Can’t Be President

Ken AshfordElection 2016Leave a Comment

John Kasich, the former governor of Ohio, became the newest GOP presidential candidate earlier this week. He’s number 16 now — the 16th GOP presidential candidate.  I didn’t comment on it on this blog because… well, because he’s number 16 now. And he seems reasonable by comparison to the others, except… not so much.  Let’s let Kasich himself recount the story, … Read More

Trump/Fox Thoughts

Ken AshfordElection 2016, Right Wing and Inept MediaLeave a Comment

Another day of all-Trump news.  Only because some new polls showed him way ahead, but only one day of that poll was taken after Trump’s McCain comments. I guess the latest is that Trump gave out Lindsay Graham’s phone number in a speech.  Intentionally.  Serious douche. But the only thing I wanted to add was how Fox is handling the … Read More

The Penny Drops

Ken AshfordElection 2016, Republicans, Tea PartyLeave a Comment

Over at the right wing site The Daily Caller — one of the many right-wing websites that has grown from a steady diet from Fox News and AM talk radio to form the final wall in the echo chamber — a lonely columnist quietly looks and Donald Trump’s antics and wonders aloud this: What If The Base Is Wrong? by … Read More

Have I Underestimated Trump?

Ken AshfordElection 2016Leave a Comment

I’ve written a little about The Donald’s antics, but not as much as others.  And that’s mainly because I have a very strong belief that his ride at the top of the polls is an aberration.  I remember in the 2012 election when every GOP candidate was, at some point, at the top of the polls.  During the Iowa caucus, it … Read More