Election Eve

Big fun today, as I headed off after work to the Bernie Moreno rally in Brecksville.  It was...interesting?  Not exactly a large crowd, and while yes, we are Republicans and have jobs and such, I would have expected a bigger bunch.  I was also one of the youngest people there, which is gratifying for the ego, but...not exactly boding well for the future.  Anyways, it was a double event, with Tommy Tuberville -- Roll Tide -- leading off.  Neither Bernie nor Tommy are exactly dynamic speakers; I remember the Cruz/Vance rally I went to two years ago, and they both really knocked the house down.  Tommy has the advantage of being a coach, and sort of knew how to move a crowd, but Bernie is more the staid type.  I was vastly amused by the fact that he introduced his large and extended family, but not his son-in-law... that said, it wasn't a bad speech - he hit the points he needed to make, stressed the need to vote, mentioned that the turnout was good in the early vote, etc.  I even got a picture with him, and he seemed more...natural there, in the photo line, than during the speech.  Let's hope he wins!

One of my coworkers mentioned that the early voting numbers are definitely up for the GOP this year, and he was of the opinion that this is a big shift to the GOP.  I don't know; I think it is more likely that GOP voters are just voting earlier this year.  Not saying there might be more GOP voters out there, but I think this is more of a redistribution of the vote.  To be sure, if the issue is that people are less likely to vote on Election Day, so you get those votes "banked," I see it, but... you will still need Election Day turnout to win.

What abolishing Education Department could mean for higher ed
Oh, I don't know; one, it would be a signal that we are cutting government, getting rid of waste, etc.  Two, the Treasury Department could easily handle loan payments, I would think.  Three... if the whole point of being a Republican is to cut government and leave issues to the states, isn't this one way to do it?

Why do people still back Trump, after everything? 5 things to understand about MAGA supporters’ thinking
I think the whole "still" thing is a bit of a tell, given that -- as the author notes -- the economy and immigration are huge problems for the Dems right now.  I would argue that for many -- sadly not most -- voters these are the largest issues, and Trump-- for better or worse -- has an advantage.

Why the Next President Should Pay Heed to the Republic of Z - POLITICO
Interesting!

‘I Think We’re in Trouble’: Is There a Future for MAGA After Trump? - POLITICO
Well, as the Donald is 78, and given his dietary habits...the point I am making is that we might have to face this issue sooner rather than later.  Now, I think Vance -- both as the nominee and through his talking points -- is the main guy to take over, but there is also something to be said for DeSantis.  The other thing of course is that the message will change slightly with the new messenger.  I would prefer we deal with this from a position of strength, if you will, over the next four years, instead of weakness...

Filling in

Busy but good day yesterday; food pantry duty in the AM and it was busy -- 152 clients -- bur quite smooth.  I guess it was steady busy -- we seldom were without clients -- but not necessarily overwhelming.  Even better, no major issues with clients, as even our larger pains in the dupa seemed to stay home.  Everything went, so I made sure I ordered the farm for next week and the week thereafter.   I still expect this to continue, but we should be ok with this, provided we have good volunteers.  Then we had a fundraiser for another event.  I got home late yesterday but even with the time change I have been dragging...oi.  

Another thing I did today was to buy a couple of bags of quikrete and decide to start filling in the divot in the driveway.  Funny; I put about 100 pounds into it, and while I tried to even everything out... let's just say that when I looked at it from another angle, I will need about 20 bags or so to fill it in in totality.  Oi.  But there is no reason why tomorrow or so I cannot buy several bags and fill the hole in.  I mean, winter is coming (yes, I should have filled it in before) and the plow guy did want it smoother there, so there I am. 

Perplexed and Bewildered Democrats Wonder Why Harris's Economic Message Isn't Resonating With Voters – PJ Media
Honestly, I don't see how anyone could vote for her on the basis of economics; abortion I can see, but the other reasons all favor Trump. Now, in the best of all possible worlds, Kamala would get 9 votes, but...  we will see what happens Tuesday, and, dare I say, Election Day has sort of creeped up on me.  I know the commercials are annoying, but overall, it is cool, as so many people across the globe cannot vote at all...

Personal Regression

Not much sleep last night, as a friend came over to have me sort through their life.  I am perpetually fascinated by this, given that I am not the nicest person, nor the most diplomatic, but I guess there are some times and some people who need that...unvarnished commentary, if you will, on their lives.  Not that my life is any better; I just hide it.  Anyways, after he was dispatched, I couldn't fall back to bed, which was a problem, as today is a Holy Day of Obligation, and of course I made it to early Mass.  I sort of enjoy it -- not many people, church sort of sepulchral -- and it does generate some extra spirituality, in so far as I am that. Not that I was tired -- though I am feeling it now -- but I have been a little cold and, oddly, my stomach has been... active; mind you, it has been for a couple of days, but... today was special.  Also, work was sort of stressful -- trying to get some formatting just right on some docs, it wasn't working, and I think we all know how I feel about that sort of thing.  Sigh.  Monday is another day, but I do not like doing something as told and it not working out.  Between that, the lack of sleep, the rumbly tummy... I just stayed here and went through the emails and links and did some damage to the next book (I am behind!).  Sigh.

Resurrecting Christopher Marlowe As a Queer Icon ‹ CrimeReads
Interesting article, sort of; I wrote a paper about him in 11th grade English -- who doesn't love a good murder mystery -- and I have been fascinated by his tale.

Dems' Closing Pitch to Young Men: Stop Being Fascist Oppressors and Vote Kamala – HotAir
This could be me, but isn't the reverse true (as a feminist, of course):  that men deserve better from the women in their lives?  Especially given the gender gap today?  Or, especially, economically?  Single women -- especially with children -- just do far worse than married women, and men can (despite the number of men not in the workforce) earn more than women, which exacerbates the problem.  I realize that women will vote for a candidate who will (try) to extract the wealth from others to reward her supporters, but it is still a poor choice for the long term...

Nebraska is in the national spotlight. An obscure education fight could tilt the election results. - POLITICO
Interesting, given what has transpired in Ohio.  I am genuinely curious as to how this will go; if the measure is repealed, would it spread here?

Activity

Busy day today.  First, of course, work.  Then it was off to the quarterly SVDP District Presidents/Board meeting, which was long but informative.  I have 24 "action points" to follow up on; I had planned on doing that tonight, but I am leaning against it now, as everyone will think I am fucking insane if I send out an omnibus email -- or series of them -- at midnight (or later).  On the other hand, I am not tired, and I just made some coffee, so I could, or, better yet, create a bunch of drafts that I can send out bright and early tomorrow, not that that is any less fucking insane.

Then it was off to... Popeye's.  Yes, I had never been to Popeye's before, and as I was but 15 minutes away from the one at Lorain and 150th, I decided to go.  It was... interesting.  First:  the food is good.  The sandwich -- dare I say -- is as good as a CFA one, with good chicken and pickles.  Bit too much sauce, but a minor quibble.  Fries were good, too.  The experience, though, was a bit...discombobulated?  I went inside and I am not sure they are used to in-person service; lots of cars in the drive-through, and there were a bunch of pickup orders... so I ended up getting a meal and a side because I couldn't explain to the counter person that the meal deal could exchange a side.  Oi.  I wanted rice and beans, but they were out, and at first I couldn't get mashed potatoes, as they only had a large, and explaining that you could put half in a regular bowl... whoa.  Anyways, it was good, and I may try the chicken, but I will hit the Summit County location, not only for the lower taxes, but ideally the prospect of less dysfunction.

Then off to the gym for a long workout -- not very healthy dinner, you know -- and a longer stint on the bike, as I finished book 38 for the year.  Romance of the Rails, about how passenger rail -- from cross-country trains to passenger rail in cities -- is basically setting money on fire.  It is by a Cato Institute member, so there is that, but when you read about how Elon and Paulson want to save money...well, you can start there as well.

Texas Immigration Law Could Upend Immigration Enforcement | FRONTLINE
Interesting.  I rather like it; quite frankly, if the national government evades its responsibility to protect the border, why can't the states do it?  I do get a kick out of the fact that people always say that states are the laboratory of democracy, except, of course, when conservatives do it...

Trump Shows Up To Wisconsin Rally In Garbage Truck After Joe Biden Comments | OutKick
This is hilarious.  I have to admit -- Trump did luck out with Biden's comments -- but this thing, and the reaction, has slowed the bleeding from the MSG rally.  More to the point, this is pure comedy gold, trolling awesomeness, and good PR all in one.  Say what you want about the guy, he has a sense of humor, which may be a help, considering the Dems seem like petulant scolds.

‘All Trump, All the Time’: Inside the Trump Campaign’s Media Strategy - POLITICO
I need to listen to the entire podcast, but I think this is...largely correct?  Trump is better as a retail politician.  Getting out there -- even on untraditional media -- humanizes him and presents him to people who really don't follow politics.  The Cheney name is radioactive to most GOPers, and Trump should be mentioning their role in the Iraq war as often as possible -- Vance does it, but Trump needs to while mentioning his "He Kept Us Out of War" policy.

‘Frankenstein coalition’: Can Trump win Barstool and Bible-study Republicans? - POLITICO
Will this work?  Maybe?  I mean, the GOP has always been a study of difficult alliances -- free market types, neocon hawks, and the Moral Majority of a generation ago, for instance -- but as long as they were able to offer each group something, they stuck together.  Trump, for all his faults, can do that, so...

Late Linx

My plan to sleep early and get some rest foiled by low blood sugar, so here we are...  interesting day of politics, with the Trump rally in PA and his non-apology, which I obviously think is an error.  PA is the state he has to win -- like Harris -- and God forbid a turn of 20,000 Puerto Rican votes to be the cause.  I am not sure that any messaging could solve it, but to mitigate it at least...

Kamala Harris Surrenders in NC, Withdraws Nearly $2M Ad Spend
Interesting if true, and, to be sure, they could be convinced they are winning the state and canceled it for that reason.  My impression was that they thought NC was the reach state, so while it is not crucial for them...well, if they are putting the money in the Blue Wall, it might be for the best.  I guess I view MI as lost, but WI and PA...well, this is where the thing will be won.

Candidates’ supporters seek Pennsylvania's Catholic voters, whose votes may be crucial | AP News
I cannot imagine how any actual Catholic would vote for Harris, but of course, there are many not-so-practicing Catholics around, and they are...ripe for picking.  Of course, many Puerto Ricans are Catholic, another reason for...caution.  

Of course, Joe Biden now calls -- sort of -- Trump supporters "garbage."  Or, more accurately, is being accused by our side of calling them garbage.  I don't know if it will help -- hardly a basket of deplorables moment -- but it will help.

Satanic Temple plans Atlanta ‘Black Mass.’ What’s that?
Were I a betting man, I would say that they are all Democrats there!

Forward and Back

 Trump knows exactly what he’s doing by going on the Joe Rogan podcast - POLITICO
I have to admit, that yesterday all of the momentum Trump had was rather shot... I think the Rogan bit was quite good; again, not for the content, but putting himself out there for three hours to the Rogan audience (which is all over the place) and trying to get seldom voters to the polls.  Then, of course, there was the rally at MSG -- which, honestly, for the most part, was... good?  Certainly there were plenty of clips of a diverse crowd, and if some of the comments were a bit off... but the one about Puerto Ricans was a bit much, to put it mildly.  Especially now, in a close election, where Puerto Ricans could be voting for the guy, and now -- barring a turnaround -- won't.  This is certainly not the October Surprise we wanted.  Now, to be sure, Trump is doing an event in PA tomorrow with a predominantly Latino crowd, and he could apologize, but he will not, and that is a problem.  I mean, Trump -- by not sounding like a politician -- could pull off something plausible and sincere enough and stop the bleeding.  Of course, he won't, and that is the problem.  Sigh.

Jeff Bezos: No One Trusts Journalists and It's Journalist's Fault – HotAir
This is quite true, and I suspect that few, if any journalists, know this.  Or, more appropriately, they don't care, for reasons.  Now, until the GOP starts calling them out about it every time -- one of the nice things about Vance -- or even better simply stops showing up on their shows and answering their questions, this will never change.  Much like a Trump apology, it could, but it won't.

I didn't sleep well all weekend, and in consequence I am blogging early and trying to hit the hay early.  I suspect a night of seven hours of sleep may help, but...maybe not.  Hell, with Election Night one week away, and that will be a late night...

Quite the weekend for the Browns; mourning Jim Donovan, starting Famous Jameis, and pulling off an improbable comeback win against the Ravens.  While I would not say that the QB debate has been settled, not shitting the bed seems an acceptable standard for the entire franchise, and at least they met and passed that impossibly high bar, which is...something.  

The Main Event

Busy but productive day?  Woke up early for OC duty, which was fairly fine.  I expected a big crowd and we really didn't have it -- 108 -- and we didn't exactly clean out the produce (though most of it is gone).  Did have a lot of clothes move, which was nice...next month I am one of the co-managers, and the other co-manager and I discussed some of what we want to do -- empty shelves, get rid of the paper pile, that sort of thing.  We are definitely expecting good crowds the first two weeks, and maybe more... bit we will survive.

Then it was off to do some errands -- bank, grocery store, gym -- and I decided to lunch at Arby's.  I had a coupon, and honestly, I have not been there since before the pandemic, or at least since Mom died.  It was good; not sure it was worth $6, but it was nice to load up on Diet Dr. Pepper and enjoy some curly fries.  I got home in time to watch the last three minutes of tOSU.  Two main thoughts:  one, it was a head shot, and the guy deserved a penalty, but targeting?  Hard to say; I think it is very difficult to discern intent, especially on a replay.  Secondly, if that was the Nebraska two-minute drive...it was very underwhelming, if you get the drift.  I guess tOSU was good to escape with the W, but could it be that Nebraska was better than everyone thought?

After the game I listened to this:
BREAKING: The Trump-Rogan Podcast Just Dropped! (WATCH) – Twitchy

You know what?  It was entertaining.  Not sure it passed the smell test on facts, and it was something of a softie, but...1) can you imagine Kamala Harris doing a three-hour podcast?  2) Trump came off as...funny?  Interesting?  Knowledgeable about a lot of things that men would like, like fighting?  Does it help?  On the margins, probably.  I am not quite the target audience, but I can see how he would be for a bunch of people, and if they get to the polls...