Hillary Clinton Takes Poll Lead

Quick Post --  


Coming off a successful and well-regarded national convention, Hillary Clinton has taken a lead in one poll in which she had trailed D. Trump earlier.

Via New York Daily News:
Clinton Takes Lead in New Poll


Note:  Donald Trump assumed the mantle of Republican nominee through undemocratic means and thus cannot be considered a legitimate party candidate.  

Hillary Clinton On Her Way

Hillary Clinton took a step closer to the Oval Office last evening as she accepted her party's nomination for President of the United States.  In a content-rich address she laid out a vision of a country working together for the good of all.  She was forthright and persuasive.

There were policy proposals reflective of the collaboration with Bernie Sanders, such as free tuition for middle-class college students, and health care for all.  This is the kind of program which should have been offered years ago.  I also liked the emphasis on investment for jobs.

This is certainly a worthy platform given by a worthy candidate.  Now it is up to America to respond.

Clinton Nomination Acceptance

Democratic Convention Makes Strong Case for Hillary Clinton

Last night's Democratic Convention made a strong case for a President Hillary Clinton.  From everyday Americans, some of whom have known Ms. Clinton, to major figures such as Howard Dean, and finally her husband, Pres. Clinton, the case for Hillary was made stronger last night.

After watching the convention for two days I am considerably more comfortable with Hillary Clinton.  Her strengths are many.  Certainly every candidate has weaknesses, but with major figures supporting her, I believe she can be a worthy President.

In fact, the kind of punditry which would indicate otherwise seems quite pathetic to me.  People who question this or that aspect of her candidacy are welcome to do so, but the people writing seem to me to want the moon.

Historically, former Secretary's of State have made good Presidents -- Thomas Jefferson comes to mind.  And she had a strong record as a Senator.  If she is too far left for some or too far right for others, that is what Congress is for -- to advise and consent.  If we elect people of good will and good morals America can do very well with a President Hillary Clinton.

So -- let's get to work, America.   

Madeline Albright slams Donald Trump

"Many say Donald Trump would harm our foreign policy if he were elected President.  The truth is Donald Trump has already harmed our foreign policy."

                                                          -- Madeline Albright at Democratic Convention tonight

Finally, Unity: Both Democrats and Republicans Praise Michelle Obama Speech

Yesterday's opening night at the Democratic National Convention was highlighted by a warm and insightful speech by First Lady Michelle Obama.  Today it is being praised by both Republicans and Democrats.  And with good reason.

The speech combined telling comments about life in the White House with the advantages of America's diversity.  It was a heartfelt and useful speech seeking oneness among the many.  I seem to remember that theme is the motto of the United States:  E Pluribs Unum (From Many, One).  Have we forgotten?  Michelle Obama has not.


From Huffington Post:
Michelle Obama's Speech a Winner

Bernie Sanders contrasts what we really need to talk about -- jobs and ending poverty -- with what the media talks about -- polls, fundraising, and strategy.  

Sen. Warren Speaks

The criticisms of Trump we are hearing from the speakers are right.  And yet, and yet.  When we have knowledgeable, smart people expressing concerns of some sort of Trump coup and an ability to ignore the Constitution, is this lower level of criticism really relevant?  Do you know what I mean, dear reader?

Recent posts here based on the insights of several talented writers have shown a very dark side to Donald Trump.  It is not for nothing that Trump is being compared to Mussolini.  Maybe the speakers at the Democratic convention feel it is not politic to make such comparisons but I have no such strictures.  I am a blogger, not a book writer -- at least not yet.  But I do what I can do.

So America has a choice.   But it is not a normal partisan political choice.  It is a choice between, as Sen Warren is saying, our values and the values of the privileged few.  But it is also a choice between democracy and demagoguery.  There simply is no other way to put it.

Is Michelle Obama the best parent in America?  I don't know, but if not, she must be very, very close.

Beautiful presentation.

A woman named Cheryl Lankford tells how she was bilked out of thousands of dollars by Trump "University."

Her speech is moving, powerful, convincing.

Bernie Sanders Delegates Protest

Supporters of Bernie Sanders are making their voices heard at the Democratic convention.  I am still getting the details.  I do know there have been protesting voices both outside and inside the convention.  Protests inside the hall appear to have mostly quieted down after a raucous beginning to the convention earlier today.

Clearly, there is something which has not been decided.  Though it may not be said clearly, I see the debate as being over whether the profit system shall continue or whether the economy must serve the people honestly and justly.  

Sen. Corey Booker Brings the Seriousness and Passion Needed at the Democratic National Convention

Blogging the Democratic Convention

Sen. Corey Booker of New Jersey speaks the truth about the way our country was made great by people working together, not by just rugged individualism.  Mr. Booker has the gravitas and at the same time the enthusiasm which is the correct approach in these times.  Well, done, Sen. Booker.

Countering the Polling Naysayers

With the Democratic convention barely underway, pundits and prognosticators are rushing to judgment regarding a few new polls.  Few if any of us have seen the actual poll results.  However, Dr. Sam Wang at Princeton Election Consortium has the correct information on Hillary Clinton's standing at the moment.  Using only polls and not past performance, wind socks, or gut feelings, Wang has been amazingly accurate in numerous recent elections.

Furthermore, Wang reports that a new CNN/ORC poll after the convention states that 44% of respondents were less likely to vote for Donald Trump while only 42% were more likely to do so.  That certainly doesn't sound like a convention bounce.

So the election is not today.  I am not denying that the Hillary Clinton campaign has a great deal of work to do.  And in watching the opening part of the convention this evening, the focus has been on old-fashioned identity politics, as it is called, with little or no focus on actual policy proposals which would help all people economically.  Perhaps this will come later on.

For now, polls should be looked at critically.   They may, however, help prevent over-confidence on the part of Democrats -- because over-confidence is not justified and dangerous.


Sam Wang on the new polls:
Clinton Continues to Lead in State Polls

Trump Could Eviscerate Concept of Checks and Balances

Quick Link --


Here is more evidence that Trump is no normal candidate.  He could easily expand Presidential power even beyond recent expansions.  


Originally posted at Bill Moyers' web site:

The "Irrelevancy" of Checks and Balances

Trump As Threat

How to Lessen the Threat

The second Weimar lesson, then, is this: take right-wing populism and Trump's magnetic resonance with large sectors of the American public very seriously. This is a lesson reinforced not just by Weimar but by the Brexit vote in the UK. Progressives must understand how and why Trump connects with millions of Americans -- and then move to undercut resonating ties.

                                                                                        -- Charles Derber, Truthout

Many times during these last months I have worried that normal people were not taking Trump seriously enough.  This was especially true of the press and media last summer and fall.  By spring it became apparent that Trump was likely to win the Republican nomination.  I have alluded to this concern here in various ways.

The article from which the above quote is taken is most serious indeed.  It deals with a subject I have studied both in and out of school -- Germany's Weimar Republic.  The article has the history right.

And the prescription Derber gives is correct, too.  First, people on the left need to take more seriously the economic concerns of workers, especially rural workers.  Any condescension toward these workers must cease forthwith.  As a person with ties to a farm, I can attest to the validity of the concerns of farmers.  Farmers are not necessarily bigoted or far-right.  And they certainly are not stupid, as a group.  It is true they can be, and often are, ignorant of history.

But this should not stop us from reaching out to them with genuine concern.  Many would be willing to be approached if done in a respectful manner.  They may have things to say which can be disagreed with.  But in the main farmers are simply looking to make a living.  Surely this is an aspiration shared by all American workers.

Next, as the author so perceptively notes, the various wings of the Democratic Party and the left movements must come together in a genuine, working coalition to stop Trumpism.  This must be done from the White House on down, or from the people on up -- if you prefer.

The article says it all.  We of democratic persuasion must unite.  There is no time to lose.


The center-left must unite

Quiz-Time Fun?

Who Said It?:  A Quiz

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Who Said It?: Quiz


Photo Credit:  New  York Daily News