Media False Equivalence Watch – Example No. 35442

Ken AshfordElection 2016, PollsLeave a Comment

I’m really tired of hearing from the media that “both candidates” are wildly unpopular.  Historically unpopular. I don’t have historical figures of previous presidential candidates for comparison, so I will assume that the assertion is technically accurate. But look at this: Since May 2015, Trump’s unfavorable has never gone BELOW 60% and this favorable has never gone ABOVE 40%. In … Read More

Good Article In NY Times About Debate Prep

Ken AshfordElection 2016Leave a Comment

The first debate is when this campaign becomes a thing.  Unlike the endless cycle of “scandals” now, the debates can really move the needle.  High stakes stuff. The NY Times looked at the candidates’ debate prep so far.  Some highlights: Her team is also getting advice from psychology experts to help create a personality profile of Mr. Trump to gauge … Read More

PPP Poll Trolls Trump Voters

Ken AshfordElection 2016, Immigration and Xenophobia, PollsLeave a Comment

A new national PPP poll of likely voters puts Hillary Clinton 5 points ahead of Trump nationally, about on par with other polls of late (especially ones that follow likely, as opposed to registered, voters). But deep down in their survey results, it seemed they planted an interesting question to Trump supports: Well done, PPP. UPDATE:  Speaking of the PPP … Read More

I Feel Like An Octogenarian At A Rave

Ken AshfordElection 2016Leave a Comment

The thing about this election is that nothing stays.  It seems like there are two or three breaking stories every day.  And every story, had it popped up two or three decades ago, would be occupying the national conscience for a month or so.  Now, it is like the entire country has the attention span of a moth. And even … Read More

The Clinton “Alt-Right” Speech

Ken AshfordElection 2016, RaceLeave a Comment

Some people are saying this is the best speech of her campaign so far, as she finally takes off the gloves and calls Trump racist (in so many words) The response has been generally good on the left, although many would point out that the GOP was basically racist, and Clinton should have called out the whole damn party.  I … Read More

The Clinton Foundation vs The Associated Press

Ken AshfordClinton Email Faux Scandal, Election 2016, Political ScandalsLeave a Comment

Based on the frothy headlines, you might think the Clinton Foundation is some kind of illicit front company or sketchy offshore bank. Donald Trump wants to shut it down. The FBI has reportedly considered investigating it. A never-ending stream of once-private Hillary Clinton emails reveals donors to the foundation seeking special government favors when she was secretary of state. In … Read More

Ugh! More Damn Emails!

Ken AshfordClinton Email Faux Scandal, Election 2016Leave a Comment

I don’t care, but everyone else will: The FBI uncovered nearly 15,000 more emails and materials sent to or from Hillary Clinton as part of the agency’s investigation into her use of private email at the State Department. The documents were not among the 30,000 work-related emails turned over to the State Department by her attorneys in December 2014. The … Read More

Trump Campaign Appears To Be In Disarray About His Pet Topic: Immigration

Ken AshfordElection 2016, Immigration and XenophobiaLeave a Comment

Ever since he announced his presidency, Trump has been firm about two things: (1) “We’re going to build a wall” keeping Mexicans out of the U.S. (and Mexico will pay for the wall) and (2)  “We’re going to deport all illegals so fast…..” In fact, Trump’s stance on immigration may be the only consistent part of his campaign. Except maybe … Read More

Hillary And The Squeaky Clean President

Ken AshfordElection 2016Leave a Comment

The Clinton Foundation has announced that, should Hillary Clinton win, it will stop accepting donations from corporations or foreign entities.  In a normal year, this would not even be news. But this is a Clinton candidacy, and she has been tainted with 19 years of a false narrative that she is dishonest, that she engages in pay-for-play, etc.  So this … Read More

Trump Regrets Being Like He Is

Ken AshfordElection 2016Leave a Comment

In a speech last night in Charlotte, Trump said this (reading off the teleprompter): Sometimes, in the heat of debate and speaking on a multitude of issues, you don’t choose the right words or you say the wrong thing. I have done that. And believe it or not, I regret it. And I do regret it, particularly where it may … Read More