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Sioux Fleming's avatar

I have to wonder how many of those 59% worried about crime have experienced any or just heard Trump and Vance talk about immigrants eating pets, coming into our homes to slit our throats or move into our houses while we are living there. Why I bought a loaf of bread just last Friday and no one tried to rape or stab me when I did so. I even crossed the street safely on the way.

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Michael Geline's avatar

It really is remarkable how Fox keeps these voters fixated on fear of crime. And of course, the crimes we’re talking about are not things like bank fraud, tax fraud, bribery, obstruction of justice, stealing classified documents, falsifying business records, or obstructing government proceedings.

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Glenda Pennington's avatar

I am an old. Christian. Republican. Female. Retired teacher, principal, and dean of a college of education. I’m wondering (sigh) if a LOT of Christians and Christian nationalists come from strict hell-fire-and-brimstone churches that socialized them into assuming the worst of humanity instead of looking for the best. My parents were very legalistic and I know how hard it can be to create a new screen through which to see the world. Then, a lot of Trumpers are just greedy for power and money. Then there’s Trump, who tells the world where he likes to grab women and then claim protector status. “I will be your retribution!” Nonetheless, to almost half of our citizens, I say, “You’re being mesmerized by Satan! SNAP OUT OF IT!”

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HI2thDoc's avatar

Exactly. The very thinly veiled insinuation is crime committed by immigrants and minorities is the threat since white (person) collar crime not fear inducing and thus not inflammatory.

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HI2thDoc's avatar

And you still have both arms and both legs after purchasing said loaf, I gather

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Sioux Fleming's avatar

Amazingly, I was unharmed in these lawless times.

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HI2thDoc's avatar

I guess…mebbe…is it possible that we’ve been lied to about the peril we face? That my cat is not in danger of becoming someone’s dinner? That I don’t have to pack heat to go to the store? That gasoline and a dozen eggs won’t bankrupt me? Is it possible?

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Kay G's avatar

Kamala Harris has tried to speak out. But the Maggot social media stream backed by the billionaire bros and their “friends” like Putin have captured what is being seen by the certain elements of the American public.

It’s a steady stream of misogyny, racial, religious and stratification hatred that MAGA people see nothing else but hate.

Get them alone, we agree - but as soon as they hit their phones - they are being brainwashed again by hatred for their fellow Americans.

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Kenneth Scott Taylor's avatar

How do we see each other...as reflecting our Maker (we have great potential authority over our lives) or as an lying enemy who is deceitful, it is up to us, our choice as to what we see in others...well, what will it be?

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mark's avatar

If the Republicans and the Democrats want the same things why don't they get them? Who wants inflation? Who wants tax cuts? Who wants monopolies? Who wants undocumented workers so labor cost are low? It is the people who for the price of a nice RV can put Clarence Thomas in their pocket. The supreme court has said if the payment comes after the favor it is a tip not a bribe. The truth is that one small group gets exactly what it wants. The true divide is not left/right it is rich/poor.

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Glenda Pennington's avatar

Many people vote for the face on the issues, not the issues themselves.

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Janine's avatar

Adam thank you thank you thank you

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Cindy Marshall's avatar

Thanks for this information, Adam! I think we should all write to the Harris - Walz campaign to let them know to talk more about how they will preserve democracy!! Also, to let Walz know that all he needs to do tomorrow night is be his warm self while telling how their policies are what most Americans want. I hear he's very nervous about tomorrow's debate. I'm suggesting that those of us who pray daily at 3pmEST add extra ones for Tim Walz!🙏 Anyone can join in!

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Cindy Marshall's avatar

In addition to writing to Harris- Walz, it probably be more powerful if the Republicans for H-W be the ones to continue warning about trump's danger to democracy! ⚠️

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Richard Breining's avatar

Talking about Trump's being a threat to democracy (while true) is a double-edged sword. Trump has repeatedly claimed that the assassination attempts on his life are "because of the Left's rhetoric that I am a threat to democracy." I suspect that Harris doesn't want to give him an opportunity to use this to fire up his base further.

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Cindy Marshall's avatar

Good point! That's why I added that I think it will be more powerful coming from the Republicans for H-W!

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Richard Breining's avatar

I agree.

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Lourine C's avatar

Cindy very helpful what you have picked up about Tim W … so us 3 pm folks let’s fortify him with prayer in these next 40 hours or so. May he find divine favor as his Shield ( Psalm 5:12 )

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Cindy Marshall's avatar

Amen Lourine!🙏 I knew you'd be with us!!!

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Theresa McGinness's avatar

Amen! Will do.

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carl ferraro's avatar

The more we challenge ourselves to embrace change, and step in the reality of another,

the closer we become. Seek out others who traditio s and culture seem unfamiliar and a bit scary. Test your assumptions and fears. We cannot go back.

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Joey Jobaa's avatar

Adam, you nailed it on such important information. Politicians who only care about power are the problem as well as the media function has been merely making money. I yearn for the journalistic integrity I grew up with. If we can’t agree on truth we are doomed.

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Beverly Smiles ga's avatar

Great comments! I also think she should be directly rebutting each new lie that comes out of Trumps’ mouth— everyday, all day. Use her official statements, and her supporters, to address. I’m hoping to see lots and lots of former Republicans on talk shows, doing the same thing! I’m with you— Loss of our Democracy is the biggest issue. Still, many have criticized her, that, “ loss of democracy, is too heady for most— talk policy and issues. Both need to be going on at the same time, these next 30 days. Calling out the stupid lies, with Truth, is my # 2. Have a good week!

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Joan Bailey's avatar

Adam, we’ve all been inundated with the numbers from polls as nauseam, but as your piece points out, numbers can sometimes tell a different story than the media wants to paint. I do believe the vast majority of Americans want the same end result: democracy, stability, justice and kindness in our daily lives. The division comes from the twisting of truth to fit a desired narrative. Both sides are guilty of this (maga far right more often than moderates, centrists and left), IMO. I hope, trust and pray that Harris’ campaign hammers this point over and over. I know she has said this often in her speeches but she needs to highlight it even more. We are more alike than we’re being told by the orange man-baby. Her campaign ads need to broadcast this to every corner of our country, we are in this experiment of governing by democracy together. The only way it survives is together. Thank you for the pep talk and all that you do for we,the people, and the preservation of our freedoms.

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Linda (Evanston IL)'s avatar

I feel very optimistic about Tim Walz knocking out Vance tomorrow night. I just watched the video of Tim walking his dog with a man from We Rate Dogs. It was my lunchtime entertainment https://youtube.com/watch?v=Spiwlde4kys&si=DV3Jazr71sfmLCr6

Recently both Mitch McConnell and Lindsay Graham expressed concerns about Trump and Vance fondness for dictators like Victor Orban. And remember how many high ranking retired military officials have endorsed Vice President Harris. Here’s the link to the story about McConnell and Graham:

https://youtube.com/watch?v=Spiwlde4kys&si=DV3Jazr71sfmLCr6

Kamala is not getting the message out about how Project 2025 would hurt rural America. She’s not getting the message out about high ranking financial leaders have endorsed her plan for an Opportunity Economy.

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Glenda Pennington's avatar

When most households received daily newspapers, politicians ran full-page ads with a lot of information and data about their histories, platforms, and criticisms about opponents. Now, we are dependent on our selected news sources and social media. Unless we try to read everything, we miss stories. Harris, Vance, and their surrogates have talked loudly and often about Project 2025 and data from prominent economists. Most of that has been in rallies (we aren’t there and they aren’t televised). And in interviews (and they don’t do many of those). We have no control over the Harris/Vance campaigners and they need help. Maybe they will listen to Adam! Getting out the word may require that WE do it en masse. We have the information and links to the primary sources (the reports and/or video of the economists). We need to text, post, send postcards, and call. Some will believe. There’s nothing we can do about those who won’t. For now.

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Glenda Pennington's avatar

Both links go to Tim Walz and dog. You’ll want to replace the second link with the needed one. 👍

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Ron Sanchez's avatar

There’s more that binds us than divides us. That has been the case for most of our history. And we come together as Americans when faced with an attack (911). The duopoly in charge is what’s driving the strategy of divisiveness. We NEED open primaries so those seeking to represent us, truly represent the American people, not a billionaire or some far right/left ‘think tank’, have to appeal to ALL constituencies. Undo the gerrymandering and open up primaries and change will come quickly. At least, that’s my dream!!

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Wry Banter's avatar

HEAR, HEAR! (first all caps I've used in a while)

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Diane1's avatar

I think the reason Harris campaign had stopped using phrases like, 'trump is a threat to democracy' is because repubs started saying that is what incited the assassination attempts, basically blaming Harris and democrats and ignoring trump's daily rhetoric. Harris still says it in other ways- 'we're not going back' and her campaign has focused on project 2025- pointing more at trump's actual agenda 47 and how it is aligned with project 2025.

She has also been focusing on the kitchen table issues and laying out her plans in detail as everyone keeps saying she hasn't been doing. It seems no matter what Harris does there is always an issue - she should be focused on the border- she goes and they say- oh she's just going now and saying things to get the vote- she should have b4. Or, she lays out her economic plans with specific ways to help the middle class and small business and people say- oh it will be too expensive and oh inflation is down but the prices are still too high. Now that trump went to GA effected by the Hurricane, they are saying- look why is the Biden/Harris admin out west when trump is here? When in fact the Admin doesn't want to distract and take away resources and time from the clean up efforts- FEMA is there. trump is taking time, money and resources away from the immediate needs of the people.

Harris is and has done a great job hitting all the points that need to be made including on trump's dangerous rhetoric and policies. People are far more energized and engaged, more people are registered, down ballot races are seeing record volunteer turnout. Large voter turnout historically means Democrats win. (minus voter suppression and not accepting results of course)

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Richard Breining's avatar

Spot on for everything you said. It's sad that all maga can do is to criticize their opponents. A recent analysis of campaign advertising shows that 89% of Trump's ads are negative ads attacking the opposition. 10% are neutral and only 1% say what he will do if re-elected.

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HI2thDoc's avatar

I'd like to see the media point that out instead of hitting Harris for "not being specific enough." What the hell? All he ever says is stupid shit like she never worked at McDonalds and Jimmy Kimmel is the worst Oscar host ever. He has no policies. He has no ideas, beyond dictatorship and staying out of the pokey.

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Glenda Pennington's avatar

Diane, Grimm’s fairy tale about the man, his son, and their donkey is so apropos. When the son rode the donkey, someone complained that the dad should be riding. When dad rode, someone complained that he was selfish and unconcerned about his boy. When both rode, someone said, “The poor donkey!” No matter what we do, someone will gripe.

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Debbie's avatar

I'm curious if the recent weather events in NC, GA, TN and FL will affect people wanting to or having the energy to vote. I would assume when people are in crisis they only have so much energy.

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SPW's avatar

I’ve been wondering the same thing. I’m an expat now but have voted absentee in N.C. already. I just got a message from the board of elections telling me they had gotten my ballot and it would be tabulated soon. They missed work I know Friday and possibly Thursday but we’re back at it today. They probably should reinstitute Covid voting protocols but I know republicans would raise Hell. One other thing, western N.C. is a pretty solid red color and now finding themselves depending on being helped by FEMA and every other federal agency that will be involved for years in getting things back under some semblance of control. They’ve probably not given it a thought how they would fare without all that disaster relief that republicans won’t fund and under Project 2025, would gut and then privatize so everything would have to be paid for out of pocket for help. This is what trump et. al. have wrought!

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Mari Wilson's avatar

No way, this is the MOST critical election of our time.

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Glenda Pennington's avatar

And HOW will they vote? Schools and churches are polling places. And roads must be navigable. I’m thinking that voter advocacy groups are figuring out how to get in the votes.

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Nelson J Beauchamp's avatar

^ This right here.

“If you get a bunch of normal people at random and put them in a room together and chat about issues, there’s a lot more convergence than you might imagine.”

Thank you Adam.

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Rosanne Masone's avatar

Thank you Adam, most people can’t see through the media rush to protect Trump. I feel that the big spenders certainly want him in office because he will protect them and keep their taxes low! Needless to say that is very bad for the middle-class, of which I am a member. I can’t wait to vote blue! 💙

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SPW's avatar

Quick question Adam. Is Kamala not talking enough about icings or is the media not covering her enough while sane washing trump?

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