Bell Whether ?

(Bell Whether ?)

Happy April Fools' Day ! As some could re-call, in years past, The (Daily) Vent is declared closed and, some convoluted reason and make it sound serious. Then "April Fools" and a laugh is had by all.


Not today. These elections today are being called a bellwether as to the President's popularity and if Republicans do well, if the House Seats are held and if the Conservative prevails in Wisconsin, then the night-mare scenario for Republican does not materialize. Conversely, if Trump tariffs and the liberal judge wins in Wisconsin, Democrats demonstrate strength in Florida and flip at least one Seat, Democrats will have had their first "good" week since November. These events could indeed be bellwether. Or, would it be a "Bell Whether ?" Whether or not Republicans or Democrats will wake up tomorrow after a good night's sleep, and who will be waking up with heartburn.


As has been mentioned, these races have been scheduled but are also occurring in the context of low voter turn-out. The implications of what could happen in Florida or Wisconsin can be substantial and one would think that there would be greater interest. Come tomorrow and someone does not see the result desired, retrospect might indicate that there had been depressed turn-out in some precincts.


Considering the interest and money being committed, the most expensive State Supreme Court race ever, with Elon Musk at one end and George Soros at the other, who would be more motivated ? Republicans to increase the House Majority and prevent Wisconsin being sent of the deep end. For their part, Democrats in vengeful desperation will use any GOP reversal as their own strategy as their own anti-Trump crusade perhaps has broader appeal.


Or not. If Democrats do not gain in either Florida or Wisconsin, what would be their message then ? All the money and all the organization and Democrats can still not make a conversion ? For a Party at the nadir of fortune, and while Democrats have potential, especially in Florida, the Republicans should be polling better for the districts in question. Again it would be a question of voter enthusiasm.


The days of low turn-out are probably at an end because every election at whatever level needs to be approached like it is a Federal Election. President Trump is not on the ballot but in a sense he is. His agenda like tax reform needs as many House Republicans as he can get. This a bell whether. Whether things go for Trump ? Or Whether they don't.


April Fools !

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

TEQUILA !

(TEQUILA !) Happy Cinco de Mayo or May 5th. One can hope that a lot of you out there are awash in inebriation, seeking to mainline tequila shots or enjoying a nice margarita on the patio. Or, in other words, relax. Take a breath. De-compress. May 5th as it happens is the anniversary of Mexico's victory over French "occupation" of Mexico by Emperor Maximillian, brother to Austrian monarch Maria Theresa in what has been called the Battle of Puebla. The reason France was in Mexico in the first place was that Mexico, after the Mexican-American War and a more civil conflict called the Reform War, had bankrupted Mexico City. Mexican President at the time was Benito Juarez, who repudiated all foreign debt, of which France, Spain, and the United Kingdom were all major holders. A naval expedition was dispatched to Veracruz and France's Napoleon III thought it would be a good idea to establish a French "empire" in Mexico. But, on May 5th, 1862, in the aforementioned B...
Read more

Keeping The Faith ?

(Keeping The Faith ?) Happy Memorial Day ! This is the day when the nation pauses and recognizes the contributions of the men and women that strove, and often times perished in the defense of this country. How many campaigns and battles have been seen over the years with Americans in harms way. Theirs was not a pursuit of glory, necessarily but they are remembered as such. As an example, take the Joe Rosenthal photo of the "Iwo Jima Flag-raising," February 23rd, 1945. Most people know what that is and not a few have a copy on their wall. Three of those Marines survived Iwo Jima and went on a bond tour to promote that picture. The U.S. was able to fund the rest of the War off of that drive but the Marines in question did not fare well. Private Ira Hayes, the last casualty of the Volcano Island died of exposure some years later. There was one other Marine, Rene Gagnon, and who was originally believed to be Navy Corpman, John Bradley. Since then, the "place" in the Ros...
Read more

Prime Garbage ?

(Prime Garbage ?) In the movie Down & Out in Beverly Hills , starring Nick Nolte and Richard Dreyfus, Nolte plays a Beverly Hills bum who gets taken in by Dreyfus' family. Things did not quite work out Nolte went back to the street but he wanted to take the family dog, Nolte was rummaging through some trash and telling the dog this was "prime garbage." For his part, the dog changed his mind and went back to the Dreyfus family. During the Trump event at Madison Square Garden, an opening act comedian made some remark disparaging Puerto Rico, calling it a "island of garbage." Naturally the media went to work, saying it could depress the Puerto Rican vote, especially in Pennsylvania. Then, the Island "Senator" came out and endorsed Trump. But it has been President Biden's comment that the only "garbage he sees" are Trump voters. Reminiscent of Secretary Clinton's "basket of deplorables ?" Is the Biden remark that new standa...
Read more