I think the Rock would be someone that might have enough appeal to draw some votes. He seems similar to Arnold when he rose up and maybe even a little more appealing.

It seems like Oprah used to have that much sway, but not sure I see anyone like that now. People don't like Bezos or Elon and I can't think of any huge multimedia stars nowadays that are not at least somewhat polarizing.

Really I think the thought experiments are:

1. If Trump loses, can you build a third party?
2. If Trump wins, who is groomed as the heir?

In the case of 1, I don't think he goes away. Is there any appetite to try to push him out? Is starting over easier than waging that battle?

In the case of 2, I don't think he goes away until he is dead. I assume he attempts to keep it in the family NK Style, but who knows.

Tom Hanks?

Tom Hanks, wildly viewed as a Pedo by the alt right? That Tom hanks?

If we had a national popular vote I think there's a possibility for a third party, but not with the electoral college. I can't come up with any scenario where a candidate wins enough states. As soon as you start flipping states to a third party you can see how it closes off enough others to make it impossible.

I'd only vote for Otm Shank.

The Rock was one I thought of. Taylor Swift as well, but she is probably too far Left. The Rock could sell as moderate, though I still don't know what a winning sales pitch is. Mark Cuban is another, but I don't think he has the level of charisma needed.

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"If we had a national popular vote I think there's a possibility for a third party, but not with the electoral college. I can't come up with any scenario where a candidate wins enough states. As soon as you start flipping states to a third party you can see how it closes off enough others to make it impossible."
Maybe. What would be more likely with a strong third-party candidate is they would win enough States that no one wins enough electoral votes and then we have a real mess. Then again, if someone could get on every state ballots and let's say Biden has a stroke. A strong candidate could pull all the blue states and maybe the purple as well.

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You're about a month too late - she's hated by the right wing now.

Mark Cuban is someone who I think could draw 10% in an election this weak. Would probably run as a moderate populist.

Charles Barkley! All of those Trumpers who love people who just say it like it is... let's put them to the test, lol.

Cuban was ho I thought of fist followed by The Rock

Popular non-politicians are popular because they are non-politicians.

As soon as they put a D or an R next to their name, they lose that appeal.

"Popular non-politicians are popular because they are non-politicians.

As soon as they put a D or an R next to their name, they lose that appeal."

Right, which is why we are talking about someone not putting the R or D beside their name.

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To the surprise of no one, the Old-Ass Mutant Dementia Turtle is endorsing Trump.

pic.twitter.com/jrSihH0Vd2

— Team Mitch (Text MITCH to 47137) (@Team_Mitch) March 6, 2024

I think it's the right election but the wrong electorate, and that electorate is why we have these nominees in the first place. Basically the same malfunctions that have us picking poor candidates are the ones that would keep us from latching on to any third-party potential.

"I think it's the right election but the wrong electorate, and that electorate is why we have these nominees in the first place. Basically the same malfunctions that have us picking poor candidates are the ones that would keep us from latching on to any third-party potential."

You are probably not wrong. That is why I was wondering even more about the platform a third-party or independent candidate could even have to have any real success. I think "I'm not them" can only go so far. A moderate stance could probably pull some Dems and the anti-Trump Republicans, but that wouldn't be near enough. I just can't think of what it would take to chip away from Trump's baked in 35-40% that wouldn't knock out more voters from the moderates than it would gain.

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I did a little mental math, what I was working out led to an interesting question that I'll pose to you (yes I'm targeting you because of geography since I'm exponentially more familiar with that 35-40 percent in Georgia than I am in other states)

Here's my question for ya: let's stipulate that 35-40 percent. I wonder how many of those have been consistent (R) voters prior to 2002 (the gubernatorial flip that signalled two decades of strong (R) electoral performances)? My hunch is that it's a fairly low number.

Here's why that question matters, where my thinking kinda went.

The most successful option for a 3rd party right now?
Might be Trump sans the (R)

Backup QB syndrome?

Jon, just based on what I have observed, I don't feel like many of his most die-hard supporters were even politically active until 2016. I doubt many would have even considered themselves Republican before Trump. Trump gained the Republican party members while losing the party members as well. You are not wrong he would probably be the highest vote-getter of any independent if he had left the party after 2020.

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Yeah this guy is a disaster-a host interviewed him for her radio show, and he was shockingly bad with his answers for someone who already held a high position in North Carolina.


https://twitter.com/TaraServatius/st...06184717447351

From the point of logistics, that someone would have to be well underway with the work to get their name on state ballots for November, due to the different rules for independent candidates to get on those ballots: Filing deadlines for independent presidential candidates, 2024 - Ballotpedia

It’ll need to be someone independently wealthy (e.g. Ross Perot like), is willing to spend his own money (what’s $5B anyway), is not beholden to Dems or Reps.

Closest I can think of is Bloomberg. He’s swapped parties before. Anti-Trump but calmed down his rhetoric when faced with the possibility of Trump winning.

Trump probably wins the most states, but he can't get to a majority of electoral votes IMO. I think he could carry a lot of low population states, but the split in GOP/Trump votes is going to give Dems the midwest, AZ, maybe GA and NV. Trump vs. GOPer vs. Biden would get Trump a lot of votes, but not close to enough electors.

I didn't call a win, I just said "most successful 3rd party option atm"

I don't believe he's gonna win with the (R) this time, so I sure as hell ain't going out on any limb with him as an (I)

I do think that Trump would be the most successful independent candidate if he ran that way.

In a Trump (I), Biden (D), Haley (R) race, Haley gets the least votes, right?

That would be my prediction. With the big exception that Trump is super lazy and may not actually be on many state ballots.

But this is the new playbook for the party, right? Folks like Boebert, MTG, etc, who get fame by yelling loudly, and then try and jump on that fame for a buck at the expense of governing. He was a nobody, made a big speech about gun rights or something, and then everyone swarmed him to run for under-the-radar positions. I'm surprised that couple that pulled a gun on people walking by their house in St. Louis aren't in the governor's mansion yet.

Um, who the fuck is Boebert? Is that the little b that was drinking and smoking in a common area with other people watching a show.

You are completely jacked if your world view is that the average, or below average Republican voter is like that. And I see, and have seen, the average Republican voter on a daily basis. For many years.

She may not be the average Republican voter (though I'd say there are probably a lot of vocal voters in her mold), but I don't know that she's far from the typical Republican congressperson.

(edit: Boebert just got a nice puff piece about her in the NYT, too)

That's what his supporters are for in-between their court dates.

This sums it up nicely.

Politician 1: the Supreme Court is 9 space iguanas in masks, only landed gentry can vote, left handed minorities count as 3/5ths of a human, dream president is Errol from True Detective & seat belts are banned

Politician 2: I like tax cuts & babies.

GOP voters: NO BRAINER, #1

— Tim Miller (@Timodc) March 7, 2024

I've seen both MAGA folks and Dem folks sharing this on facebook.

Everyone thinks that the other side is the evil empire.

I spent an hour yesterday playing "Tie Fighter" destroying rebel scum.

Just sayin.

Who they are electing as their leaders would indicate otherwise.

Oh yeah, certainly.

Or at least I sure as fuck would hope so.

Dark Forces Remaster up next?

Yup. Whatever side you are on, the other side is oppressive evil that needs to be stopped.

Nah. There's a lot more blame to go around than that. This forum has provided ample evidence.

When you had to wear a mask at Subway 3 years ago.

Assuming Trump is on all the ballots, I'd say yes. I think she'd sit somewhere around 15% at best.

I was responding to someone answering eating Broccoli soup. Can’t find the thread. The soup is a bit cold and I can’t find the response; however,this is my response:

“I think she'd sit somewhere around 15% at best.[/quote]
This kind of nonsense makes me want to vote Trump. Most likely won’t vote as it would be disingenuous.

You seem like you may want Numbers, not actual Huamns perhaps.”

That is all.

Well, now I can’t remember how to delete. Dang it.

Joe sounding pretty damn solid so far

dola- even Mike Johnson looks impressed

line of the night is going to be to the justices "you're about to realize how much electoral and political power women have"

lol. Biden calling out the republicans who tout the infrastructure money that they voted against.

MTG using the UGA student as a political pawn is beyond gross.

Sounds familiar.

some dude was just screaming and looked like he was removed. Anyone know what that was about?