why the right FEAR SWIFTIES

[reymega life]

THIS IS WHY

[Autumn]

1. Just what we would need, another pampered billionaire in the White House.

[reymega life]

2. she'd win over everyone including rural country folk

[Autumn]

3. She's nice enough but she will not win over THIS rural country folk.

Not a fan of her voice or her music. I was happy to see she supports Dems but I would never support her for President. But I'm old so I doubt I will ever have to worry about it.

[ananda]

43. I like her as a person, but I'd rather have someone...

experienced in government, with good connections, as
president.

[tavernier]

60. I don't believe she's running.

Let’s not start any rumors. Sure enough the other side will do it for us

[Autumn]

61. I'm not starting any rumors. Talk to the OP.

[LetMyPeopleVote]

85. The right fears Taylor Swift because she is getting young voters to register to vote and get involved

[Autumn]

87. Good for her. I don't need to fear anyone, and I'm still not a fan. There are much more

talented women who also support Democrats. She's just not all that AFAIC.

[LetMyPeopleVote]

88. How many new voters have you got registered?

The GOP really does not want new voters to become more involved.

Link to tweet

Taylor Swift snags 35,000 new registered voters
https://www.axios.com/2023/09/21/taylor-swift-registered-voters-2024-election

A Taylor Swift Instagram post drove record-breaking web traffic to Vote.org this week and helped the site register more than 35,000 new voters.

Why it matters: It's another example of the pop star's outsized influence on American life, first boosting the economy and now the voter base.

"Our site was averaging 13,000 users every 30 minutes — a number that Taylor Swift would be proud of," Andrea Hailey, CEO of Vote.org, said in a statement. (13 is Swift's famously lucky number.)
By the numbers: 35,252 people newly registered to vote on Tuesday — a 23% jump from last year's National Voter Registration Day, and the largest since the 2020 general election year, according to Vote.org.

There was a 115% increase in 18-year-olds registering compared to last year.

[Autumn]

91. Good for you and her both. Still not a fan of hers. And you advocating for her

isn't going to make me a fan.

[LetMyPeopleVote]

92. I want to defeat republicans and MAGA types and so I like Ms. Swift's voter registration efforts

Do you an alternative proposal on how to register young voters?

[Autumn]

95. I don't need to she already did it, that's why all the adoration for her in some quarters.

But I see people I deeply respect doing that on TV every day.

[LetMyPeopleVote]

96. I am a Boomer for Biden👊💙💯

I want Joe Biden to win and I appreciate the efforts of Ms. Swift

Link to tweet

Joe Biden winning is very important. I hope that you also want President Biden to win

[LetMyPeopleVote]

83. Taylor Swift breaks Elvis Presley's longstanding record

Link to tweet

[WhiskeyGrinder]

7. lol what on earth

[MuseRider]

23. Don't be so sure about that.

I am no fan of hers, don't like her music. As someone speaking out for our Democratic values she is fantastic. I live in rural Kansas and even some who adore her are getting a little tired of our constant diet of her (Chiefs). BUT I have never heard a single good thing about her, maybe her music once or twice, from those living here on the other side of the political spectrum. Besides that, really? She is apparently a good Dem but so am I and with WAAY more experience than she has had(age and working for issues) but you do not want me running. If stardom is now a measurement we have to consider, and it seems that it is becoming that, we are in more trouble than we ever imagined.

[spooky3]

32. I can't imagine that Swift would have any interest in

The extremely difficult job of President. She has a nice life as it is, and doesn’t have to deal with Republicans or inept foreign leaders.

[MuseRider]

34. Personally I do believe (most here seem to as well)

that to run for any office it takes some very specific traits. Lots of people have them but they have to be paired with other specific traits. When they match that is gangbusters for someone wanting that job.

I completely agree that her life is such that it would seem a real, hard stretch to make that move and she would have a LOT of work to prove her worth in that area.

[spooky3]

48. I would guess than less than 1% of political candidates

Have the talent and skills to do her job, either.

[MuseRider]

62. Hopefully we are

not so inclined to vote for people without the needed skills. We are tending more that way and it really has not worked well when that happens, right RNC?

She is excellent at what she is doing, I don't have to like it to respect it. It just worries me to see so little interest in knowing if they actually know anything before trying to get them on board. Egos are so easily manipulated.

[spooky3]

63. I really don't think that is the point that most posters are trying to make here.

The OP is talking about how right wingers, not Dems, perceive Taylor Swift. Until she says she’s interested, and I’ve said in other posts why I think there is zero chance she’s interested, I don’t think we need to consider her qualifications to be president. And I think we should avoid insulting the abilities and hard work she has dedicated to HER choice of careers.

[MorbidButterflyTat]

64. Thank you

for your voice of reason.

[MuseRider]

66. It just seems silly to me.

As to what she has done with her life I respect it. I do not like her music nor am I overly fond of her voice. I am probably in the minority. As a life long performing musician I can only imagine how difficult it is to be at the level she is BUT I find all of this kind of dumb. It is silly. Until she decides to take it to another level we just seem like a bunch of teenage fans. That is no point. I am not trying to change your mind but it just seems, I guess silly is the only word. Yes she is wonderful, good, kind and talented but to jump from there just seems too silly when AFAIK she just likes being kind and fair and doing her job well. I'm done. She is a nice, kind, smart entertainer. Whatever she decides is next we can talk of it has any effect on our lives. Peace.

[NoRethugFriends]

4. Are you comparing her to a certain other pampered biliionaire?

They are nothing alike. One is is a fine and empathetic human being. And yes, no reason for her to be president, but not because of her money.

[Autumn]

6. I have no one in mind to compare her to. Billionaires do not live on the real world.

Neither do the rich and famous. It is what it is.

[NoRethugFriends]

12. Billionaires live in the same world as you or I

Some are jerks, like Trump.
Some are somewhere in the middle, like Gates.
And some are fine, empathetic human beings, like Swift.
Your broad generalization does not make sense.

[Autumn]

13. My opinion and it makes sense to me. You don't like it scroll on by.

I see no reason to justify my opinion to anyone.

[NoRethugFriends]

15. This is a discussion board.

You posted something, I responded. You can tell me to scroll on by. I can ignore that request and question the reasoning behind your post. That's' how it works.

[Autumn]

16. I gave you my reasoning. It's my opinion based on the behaviors of all billionaires.

[NoRethugFriends]

17. What behavior has she exhibited that you dislike?

[Autumn]

47. I don't dislike her. I am not a fan of her voice or her songs.

Nothing she has ever done has shown me she is presidential material.

[NoRethugFriends]

55. Do you consider her a pampered millionaire?

[Autumn]

56. What do you think she does for herself? Cooking? Cleaning? Grocery shopping?

Drive to the store to shop? Her hair and make up? Pay her bills? Make her own appointments and travel arraignments ?

[littlemissmartypants]

68. She happens to be a very savvy business person who also enjoys cooking.

There's more to her than a song. Just like one can't judge a person by a photo.

You probably wouldn't like me and I suspect many more people, if appearances and media hype are the things used to ultimately determine whether or not a person is likable or deserves to be liked.

She's written almost 300 songs and some of those have been performed by others. I'm guessing there might be one that you have liked without knowing that she wrote it. But I can't tell much about what your musical tastes are from here.

Your strong reaction signals more than not liking her voice and music. It's not much to judge a person on no matter who.

But it is your opinion and you are most definitely entitled to it.

She likes baking cinnamon buns for her friends and family, by the way.

❤️

[Maru Kitteh]

74. But she doesn't live in your universe. Nice though she may be, the

massive difference between her lived reality and yours put you on different arms of the Milky Way.

Her business acumen seems self-evident and I doubt many would call that into question but about this cooking she enjoys . . . .

1.) Taylor can decide tonight she's sick of cooking and never do it again. I'm guessing that is not an option available to you. I know it's not an option for me. But for her, it's not even something she has to think about. She doesn't have to cook, and she will never have to cook her entire life. Unlike me.
2.) How do you know she likes to cook? Because she wanted you to know she likes to cook. Ir's beneficial to her image which is absolutely central to her business.

None of this makes her a bad person, but it's important to keep perspective. You can be a fan and still keep perspective, maintain healthy skepticism. Taylor Swift lives in a different universe than you. She may well be a great and kind person, but Taylor Swift is not just like you. You will never know the freedom she enjoys of not being forced to anything she doesn't want to, ever, for the rest of her life. It's always important to remember that.

[littlemissmartypants]

79. Yes, she lives in my universe. And yes I could quit cooking and never cook another meal ever again.

I'm not a fan so I couldn't care less. She's a human being. And I'm judging her as such. I'm not a billionaire. She is. Is that your point?

I'm not jealous she has more money than I do. I have more freedom than she has. So do you.

The idea that someone feels a need to police my perspective is repugnant to me. It's also repugnant to me that there are people in the world who believe that billionaires are in need of classification as some kind of freak show.

I currently enjoy the freedom of not being forced to do anything I don’t want to, ever, for the rest of my life. And my perspective is plenty healthy.

Neither you nor I know what's in this woman's heart. But I know which one of us comes the closest to having a healthy perspective on who she is and how she deserves to be seen.

[rateyes]

8. Another one? Who was the first?

[Autumn]

11. You may not like it but my opinion is billionaires are pampered idiots who do not live in the

real world.

[spooky3]

19. I think their point is that Trump is no billionaire. Nt

[rateyes]

71. Bingo

[rateyes]

69. I was only asking who was the first billionaire

President? I don’t think there has ever been one.

[Autumn]

72. Just one who claimed to be. But the fact is he was wealthy, even if he did fudge the numbers.

[LetMyPeopleVote]

84. Swift's support for President Biden makes me smile

Link to tweet

[Autumn]

86. I support President Biden, that makes me smile. I don't need a celebrity to

validate my support. YMOV.

[Trueblue Texan]

21. I absolutely hate the idea...

...of anyone holding political office because they are well-known and/or popular. Didn't TFG give us an overdose of that? I don't believe you should vote for anyone who doesn't demonstrate competence for the job they are running for. I believe we should all demand higher standards than mere celebrity in our elected officials. We should not be silent in our demands--speak up when you hear nonsense that advocates for celebs in office, rather than competency.

[LisaM]

24. Pampered? How so?

She's worked very, very hard for everything she has, and continues to work hard. She also seems very committed to philanthropy.

And, she has to deal with unwarranted hatred and backlash just for encouraging people to vote and for doing things like going to football games.

You don't have to like her music, you don't even have to like her or have an opinion about her, but pampered she certainly is not.

[Autumn]

29. So what if she's worked hard. That doesn't qualify her for president. I can name at

least a hundred people who work just as hard. All billionaires are philanthropists in one way or another. They will give to pet causes, just don't tax them high enough to make a difference. Yeah billionaires are fucking pampered.

[LetMyPeopleVote]

97. Ms. Swift is a very generous person who has done some good

Link to tweet

[progressoid]

37. One can work hard AND be pampered. Both can be true.

There is no doubt she has worked hard for her success. But she also enjoys a life of luxury.

On the flip side, we all know people who work just as hard yet live a life of moderation, some even live in poverty.

Regardless, while I'm glad she seems to be on our team (and pissing off the right wing in the process), I would never want her in the White House. Some people wanted Oprah to run a few years ago too. NO! Being a successful media person doesn't qualify you to be the most powerful leader in the free world.

[LisaM]

45. I don't even think she wants to be in the White House.

This whole thread is ridiculous. People sure know how to twist a joke around or how to not see it in the first place.

How we manage to have gotten to a place where a music star, by all accounts a nice, affable, and well-meaning person, divides people is beyond me.

[MorbidButterflyTat]

54. Yes, a bit over the top on the Swiftie hate here

The MAGAts hate everybody. They like to publicly hate on successful people who are loved and admired by millions just for worthless negative attention.

Remember the "shut up and dribble" crap? How very American patriot of her.

[Autumn]

57. Guess what? I don't hate her. I just think she's over rated and certainly not qualified to be president.

[MorbidButterflyTat]

65. Then why would you assume

I was referring to you?

[Autumn]

67. You referred to this thread, "here". You made that comment about Swiftie hate "here"

As one of the few "here" who has posted that I don't care for her, her voice or her songs I just thought I should clear that up.

[SoFlaBro]

75. The Swiftie hate in this thread comes off as professional jealousy and bitterness towards Taylor's massive success.

[MorbidButterflyTat]

82. Yeah

I had that thought, too.

Add to that she's young, talented, beautiful, and millions of people all over the world love her.

The only negative I can see is her current choice of boyfriend. Probably though he'll be history soon enough and end up the star of a break up song.

[DiverDave]

31. Her heart

Is in the right place.
And we could do a hell of a lt worse.
Not gonna happen. But, she has spoken out about things that are important to me.
She's on the side of the angels.
That's why the knuckleheads hate her.

[Autumn]

35. I give her credit for advocating people vote for Dems. But in no way does that

qualify her for office.

[cutroot]

40. She is already qualified

The Constitution lists only three qualifications for the Presidency — the President must be at least 35 years of age, be a natural born citizen, and must have lived in the United States for at least 14 years. As of next year she will be fully qualified

[Autumn]

41. A lot of people meet those qualification. Trump did.

That fucking sucked.

[cutroot]

42. Agreed It sucked big time

The fact that his supporters thought that he was qualified was worse. I don’t think that Taylor Swift is interested in the job. Stinky only wants it so that he can subvert all of the court cases against him

[spooky3]

49. And one must not be an insurrectionist Nt

[ET Awful]

52. The major difference being that Swift gave $100,000 bonuses to all the truck drivers on her tour

She also gave bonuses totalling $55 million to the entire road crew.

She also gave major donations to food banks at ever stop on her recent tour.

She's no politician, but to simply refer to her as "another pampered billionaire" is a bit ignorant of what she actually does.

Not really my type of music, but anyone who supports her employees and charities as much as she does and who has gone through great lengths to fight back against record company abuses (to the extent she re-recorded her own masters to get the rights to her own material back), and has done a fantastic job of being her own person throughout, has my respect.

If she's "pampered", she earned it.

[Autumn]

80. She owes those people, they do everything for her. Well except for the singing.

And that is a drop in the bucket for a pampered billionaire. Any billionaire and I expect that from any wealthy Democrat. That doesn't mean she isn't pampered.

[rampartc]

76. at least this one is cute as a facebook kitten

but we might get some kansas city assistant coach as secretary of defense.

can't imagine the christmas decoration scandal when the first boy friend decorates the white house to look like where he usually spends holidays - the locker room.

[DBoon]

5. fictional version of the same story from the 1960s

[mitch96]

9. She could totally up end this elections with two ideas weeks b4 the Nov 5 vote...

Vote Democratic and vote BIDEN...!
I believe that is what "they" are worried about. Getting out the young voters that normally don't vote is key.. Vote Democratic and vote BIDEN...!Vote Democratic and vote BIDEN...! Vote for abortion rights
Vote Democratic and vote BIDEN...!Vote Democratic and vote BIDEN.! Vote for student loan forgiveness.
Wash, rinse, repeat...
Some have short term memory so repitition is important
m

[Trueblue Texan]

30. Now THAT is the way she should use her power...

...get behind the candidate that works for all of us and defends our democracy!

[peggysue2]

10. The right-wing fears Taylor Swift because . . .

She appeals to young voters in a big way and has run a successful registration campaign among the young. She plans to continue that registration campaign throughout 2024 and voice her political positions. The MAGA Party knows their continued plans to strip people of their basic rights is not popular with the majority of young voters, who may have complaints about Democrats but utterly despise Republicans.

Why?

Abortion rights, gun control, climate change, bigotry towards minorities and immigrants, etc., etc.

They see through the continuous gaslighting and disinformation.

Taylor Swift running for POTUS is a false meme. Swift already rules.

[Cha]

90. Exactly PeggueSue.. TY!

Link to tweet

Happy Healthy New Year to you and Yours! :

[rzemanfl]

14. Weren't "Swifties" a thing long before she was born?

Something to do with Tom Swift?

ON EDIT-Yes, starting around 1963-"Get to the back of the boat, Tom said sternly." "Our team needs a home run hitter, Tom said ruthlessly."

[NoRethugFriends]

18. Yup. e.g. "I have played this role before", he reacted.

or "Inanimate items have no gender", he reiterated.

[rzemanfl]

44. Good ones. Maybe we can bring these back, he repeated.

[Shipwack]

25. LOL thanks for the reminder...

To be honest, though, I am so not “with it”, when I saw the subject line…

I immediately thought they were referring to “Swift Boaters”, and got very confused.

Now I’ve revealed both my age and un-hipness in one fell swoop… Or maybe just a lack of coffee.

[aeromanKC]

20. Taylor Swift is one of the best role model personalities around.

She is great on policy and an all around great human being. She cares about people.

BONUS: and MAGAt's hate her. I love her just for that!!

[flashman13]

22. I'm seeing a lot of judgemental people here. No one gave her her money.

She earned it. She is also a shrewd business woman. She is also willing to put herself and her livelihood out in public for what she believes and not because some focus group told here it was good for her career. So she is absolutely nothing like some of the billionaires you are thinking of.

Full disclosure: I'm a first gen Dead Head not a Swifty, but I do respect her.

[ET Awful]

53. Agreed 100%

Except I'm more of a late-comer 80's and 90's Deadhead

[Skittles]

73. she never needed money

she grew up in wealth

just saying

[OneGrassRoot]

81. This recent (ongoing) tour is what made her a billionaire...

if I read correctly. My hope is that, since she has been often quietly philanthropic all along, she won't be a billionaire for long. I would imagine Dolly would be a billionaire were it not for giving so much of her wealth away to wonderful causes. I hope Swift follows in her footsteps.

[Cha]

89. REC.. What's Not to LIKE?! TS is Registering Voters

For Biden Harris!! Democracy!!!

Link to tweet

[1WorldHope]

26. I think the point is that being really rich and talented does not make you a world leader.

She has a wonderful job already. The world needs really intelligent and educated people to lead. Democracy is hanging in the balance and we can't fuck this up.

[MichMan]

27. I recall all the supporters here of Michael Avenatti suggesting he would be a good presidential candidate

Oprah had her proponents as well

[underpants]

28. 💨

😆😁😁😁

[progressoid]

39. :)

[pfitz59]

33. It would be a step down for her to run for any office.

Her fortune and fame offer a greater platform for philanthropy and broader progressive voice. She took back her art from those who exploited her in her youth. Don't immediately dis her because you 'dislike her music', or think she dresses too provocatively. Step behind the curtain and judge her actions and her words. Young women go gaga for her because she empowers them. 2024 is a battle for the very future of Democracy, and we need all the help we can get.

[MadameButterfly]

59. They fear her because she'll get young people to vote

and she's speaking out against Trump. She's too smart to think she'll have more influence actually running.

Good for her for helping save democracy when she could have taken her billions and enjoyed the adoration.
Instead she's risking her life and a lot of fans to make a difference. Whether we like her music or her outfits is immaterial. Her fans like it just fine. They'll listen to her.

Agreeing with the above post, just chiming in

[Zambero]

78. One thing is for certain

Kanye West (aka Ye) would NOT be on the shortlist for running mate.

[oldsoftie]

36. They know her fans are the biggest organized & loyal group in the US.

[spanone]

38. K&R

[flying_wahini]

46. It's not about her running for office they fear. It's about her encouraging young people to be WOKE.

She is calling out the abortion issue and encouraging young people to get involved. She is
Great at it. And THATS why they hate her.

[J_William_Ryan]

50. "The right-wing fears Taylor Swift because she appeals to young voters in a big way..."

Correct.

It’s not about Swift running for president, it’s about Swift energizing young progressive voters to get involved and indeed vote.

[The Grand Illuminist]

51. She needs to be very vigilant.

Taylor is what the MAGA calls a "lieutenant". And will come after her with extreme force.

[MaryMagdaline]

58. We could do a lot worse. She respects unions

Pays her road crew bonuses of 100k. She will NOT cross picket lines. Her concerts have brought 5 billion dollars to the US economy.

She is self-made. Unlike the other so-called billionaire.

[PCIntern]

70. After Trump was elected,

Some people, ostensibly on our side, espoused the notion of having Oprah run for President.

Very well-conceived

[Zambero]

77. Will she be posing with Trump's attack eagle?

To the bird's credit, Trump was the one attacked during a pathetic photo op. Taylor would likely receive a more docile reception.

[rockfordfile]

93. This is just like trump shit

[XorXor]

94. I'm old enough to remember when Swift was the target of certain progressive

media and groups. Has that ceased to be a thing, or is she getting it from all sides now? I'm finding to hard to keep up with all the faux outrage for the sake of outrage.

[radius777]

98. TS is alright I guess - don't really see her as anything great

certainly not on the level of a Madonna or Beyonce who pushed boundaries and redefined pop music. I also don't see her as much of a political figure either way. TS after all, appeals heavily to middle America, with her wholesome image and bland pop-rock ballads.