Alex Wagner's special is disheartening

[angrychair]

To say the least. These are some of the worst, most uninformed voters I've ever seen.
They literally don't even know the basics about January 6th. Or abortion. Or the border. The economy. Absolutely nothing.
I also realize that is the majority of Americans. They can tell you more about the lives of Desperate Housewives of whatever but they know little to nothing about what is going on in this country. They know more about University of Michigan football team stats then the fact that Trump is a convicted felon.

How the hell is a person like the VP or any of us supposed to convince a person to vote for Harris when they literally have no frame of reference on even the most basic of issues?

[displacedvermoter]

1. You always have something cheery for the folks!

[angrychair]

4. Reality is reality

I didn't do it. I'm only having a conversation about it. I didn't make these people stupid or uninformed.
I mean Biden and Harris are the most pro-union administration in US history yet some of these uninformed people are more than willing to vote for a union busting convicted felon and rapist because of vague and uninformed opinions that have no connection to reality.

[msongs]

6. came to the same conclusions as you. reality bites sometimes nt

[Blue_Roses]

79. I was thinking the same thing

although the one lady who was praising Biden and Harris about the jobs that have been brought there. She seemed positive and very eager to vote for VP Harris

[displacedvermoter]

92. Over 100 million eligible voters don't

vote, and this crew is likely all in that number. They are stupid, like most Americans it would seem.

We need to concentrate on the voters who did vote for Biden last time (firming up their votes), disgusted Trump voters, and persuadable independents. First time voters also seem a likely source of Harris voters, with a huge margin in young voters noted in polling.

Growing leads in Hispanic voters, African American voters, and women will likely provide more numbers as the weeks pass and more evidence of Trump and Vance misogyny, more racism and xenophobia, and more evidence of the impact of ending Roe come to light.

New evidence from Jack Smith also being presented, adding to mix.

I know you don't want to hear it but more states in play, including North Carolina and Florida (warning, I am going to throw in Alaska and Ohio here). Bernie Moreno going to help both Brown and Harris in Ohio, I believe, with his most recent screed about women and abortion.

Again, MSNBC chose to shove microphones into the faces of some of the dumbest of the dumb, just like the Times does when they go to some diner in Iowa or Missouri. Why they never go to a library book sale in Michigan or a classical music event in PA to talk to people about politics, I can only speculate.

My reality, I guess. I honestly think the results are going to be good, despite what the media wants us to believe.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

110. In 2020 158 million of 237 million eligible voters

voted.

[SergeStorms]

132. Amazing.

And those are probably the people who make the most noise about government "failing" to do anything about what things they see as important.
Honestly, these people wouldn't realize what form of government we have. Fascists could take over tomorrow and they'd never realize it.

[NJCher]

117. Misrepresentation

Why they never go to a library book sale in Michigan or a classical music event in PA to talk to people about politics, I can only speculate.

Very good point, one which did not occur to me.

The media calls these "man on the street" interviews, but this misrepresents the populace, thus creating the impression that the country is made up of clueless morans. It is as bad as a poll sampling error under or over estimation.

[displacedvermoter]

123. Exactly like the poll sampling.

[XanaDUer2]

98. Thank you for posting

Disturbing but it is what it is

[Glaisne]

104. Conservative media made these people stupid and uninformed.

And most media are conservative media.

[BaronChocula]

133. Wow, you sound like me

" I didn't make these people stupid or uninformed."


Glad you had the spiritual wherewithal to watch it through. I had to turn it off. But to Harris' credit, she's definitely getting through to some people somewhere.

[maxsolomon]

100. I watched 2 minutes. My BP went through the roof.

2 white males in their 20s with absolutely no clue that an asylum-seeker is NOT an "illegal alien", both voting for MFer. They're allowed to be here until their case is adjudicated.

I flipped to anything else.

[BlueKentuckyGirl]

127. Depressing

I agree! These people had no clue as to what is happening in the country and sadly, they are probably like the majority of Americans. ... And, they vote! We need to do everything in our power to GOTV and inform people of the truth!

[Klarkashton]

2. They know who won Dancing with the Stars.

The important stuff.

[Conjuay]

88. Bread and circuses, my friend, bread and circuses.

[rog]

3. Watching now ... jeez.

I saw that whole segment. I just don't get it. Honestly, I don't have a clue about these people. I guess I hope a lot of people see this so we all realize we have to work like crazy to get the vote out. But yeah ... it's very depressing.

There were a couple of encouraging moments, like the guy who said, "Get your head out of your *ss," as he pointed out that most of the people in the room were benefiting from Biden/Harris policies. Amen to that, anyhow.

[RidinWithHarris]

12. Yep, the only knowledgeable people are pro-Harris

The rest are as dumb as a bag of hammers.

This is what, for me, makes elections in this country so frustrating. So often elections hinge on the incredibly shallow impressions held by the most ignorant people.

[Wednesdays]

5. "They know more about University of Michigan football team stats..."

I doubt that's the case in Columbus, Ohio.


But seriously, then it's up to us to educate them. A monumental task, but just put one foot ahead of the other. Let's win this thing in November, and on to educating the public further!

[Deminpenn]

9. Isn't Wagner in Lansing Michigan?

I'm not watching, but did see the opening.

[elleng]

11. Yes, Lansing.

[Eyeball_Kid]

107. It's a long slog.

For decades, the "no new taxes" memes have decimated tax revenues for public education. The curricula suffered, and the first to go were the civics courses. When I was in elementary school, I hated civics. It was dry and required a lot of reading-- and thinking. But I nonetheless learned the basics of government functioning. Now, there is no interest in re-funding schools, and we have a couple of generations of people in our nation who are abjectly ignorant of how government services are beneficial to their everyday lives. We start by rebuilding an educational base when kids are young, so they know why they're voting and how they express their political views. Otherwise, we're doomed to getting candidates like entertaining sociopaths who rise to the top of the political heap because of their entertainment value instead of their desire to make lives better for citizens.

[Fiendish Thingy]

7. Any women in the group? Any POC? Nt

[elleng]

8. Yes, women,

no PoC.

Bar in Lansing, Michigan.

[brush]

77. I'm disappointed in the venue she picks to do this...a bar with mostly white, male patronage...

Last edited Wed Sep 25, 2024, 08:50 AM - Edit history (1)

a few women but no POCs. Seems purposely done. The suits, I hope at least, picked the spot for her.

That seems to be how pollsters manipulate results, they pick the clientele that will yield the results their clients want.

At least they could've picked a college student bar...Lansing is where Michigan State is.

Bet they'd get completely different, and knowledgeable answers, in a bar in Detroit.

[uponit7771]

93. THIS !!! ☝🏾☝🏾☝🏾

[appalachiablue]

136. ++

[angrychair]

10. I saw a couple of women

And a couple people of color but looks like 95% are white males.
To be fair, it does appear to be several people that are informed and support the VP. Most of them are older and appear to part of their union leadership. Hopefully that carries some weight.

The women were disappointing because they said that both Democrats and Republicans to extreme on the issue of abortion. Alex did not follow up on why they thought that.

The people of color that spoke were all in support of Harris.

[orleans]

43. the young white boys are pretty worried/concerned about the border

i think one even showed concern that they are taking jobs away from americans

and harris isn't doing anything about it

too damn bad alex didn't tell these dimwits that there was a border bill in congress that trump told his flock to kill and they did; trump doesn't give a shit about the border, just about making it an issue that will help him

yeah, those poor twenties - early thirties-something michigan white boys whose only issue they "know" of that concerns them is the border that is over 1,300 miles away!

my god!

[krkaufman]

57. I'm tired of the undecided, uninformed voter

I’d be OK with this type of event if voters were challenged on their ignorance, rather than rewarded with airtime

[IbogaProject]

65. Yep

Those guys do get passed over for the hard work some one who actually hiked hundreds of miles to get into our country. It is a type of filter for effort and ability. Many Americans have become lazy and employers with hard work to do wont hire lazy entitled Americans. I saw T45 as the frontrunner from June 2015, so many laughed at me. I understood how he appealed to low information voters. And we are still up against this sea of ignorance through out our society. The GOP is running on some simple messages. The corporate manufactured inflation being the main one. Because the GOP are basically conartists so their pitch is simpler than our message has been recently.

[Blue_Roses]

80. Those guys barely knew what

day it is. They were not the sharpest pencils in the box. They were waiting till the end so they could get paid.

[Silent Type]

13. Sad. Although, I sometimes envy those who don't give a darn about politics. It is stressful these days.

[bdamomma]

86. It's been stressful

because of:

Putin's interference/and choice of the felon who manipulated the felon with compliments. And to kill democracy.

The dumbing down of Americans (a minority not a majority)

Chicken Congress members who did not impeach the felon when they had the chance.

[soldierant]

138. Stupid people who don't care about politics

have their own issues to get stressed about - and the fact that some are imaginary doesn't make them any less stressed. I don't envy that.

Intelligent people who don't care about politics are simply slackers. I don't envy them because they have given away to others, many of whom are really stupid, control over their own lives.

[mucifer]

14. Honestly I decide not to watch because this crap infuriates me. WHY does their vote count so

much more than mine just because I live in Chicago.

I hate this crap about we interviewed these people in this so important state and your state is for crap because we don't have a true democracy.

I have to leave my state for door nocking because Wisconsin is soooooo important and IL is sh-t. That's the way it feels. I'm sooo sick of this.

F-ck the electoral college and the IMPORTANT people whose opinions matter so much more than the rest of us. Ok I suppose it's not those people's fault per se. But, don't shove them in my face listening to them spout misinformation while the rest of us know that our votes for VP Harris doesn't mean anything.

I guess at least my votes for local and state offices count. Yes, of course I will vote Harris and Walz.

Grr I'm so mad

[angrychair]

17. Your vote does matter

Illinois is a Democratic stronghold. It absolutely is important and absolutely matters.
I live in Washington. No presidential candidate is ever coming here except for a fund raiser maybe.
Hell, some elections are already settled before we even finishing counting our votes. It still matters though. Our vote matters.
Helping with Wisconsin is awesome! Thank you!

[peachpit24]

15. Alrx Wagner

I turned it off when I heard a man say he didn't know enough about them. He would have to read up on them. Where has he been? In a cave?

[dchill]

34. But she didn't ask him about his fantasy football team.

[GoodRaisin]

59. Where has he (they) been?

Meet the video game generation.

[KPN]

63. He's s frigging trumper. Who else could be that stupid?

[Blue_Roses]

81. I saw that and wanted to

slap his back and tell him to sit up and get your head out of your ass. He clearly had no idea what he was talking about. He was just using talking points from his bar buddies.

[badhair77]

16. I had to turn it off - too depressing.

Some are people voting against their own interests, and out of my control. Nothing I can do about them. I’ll direct my energies toward something that can help the cause. angrychair, thanks for posting. It’s good to know I’m not alone in my evaluation.

[SharonClark]

18. Most of our votes don't count because

of the Electoral College that favors less populated, white, rural states.

That’s our biggest hurdle.

[Srkdqltr]

19. You are missing it. These are Union building type trades. They dont work in an air-conditioned office.

They go to work early and outdoors. They are young and probably have children, school age or younger. Houses to keep up.
They are not ones who have the time or energy to waste on politics.
Like we here do.
Hubby was like that back then, Son is now, grandsons are too.
True.

[Ferrets are Cool]

40. So, we are wasting our time on politics here.

"They are not ones who have the time or energy to waste on politics.
Like we here do."

BUT, they have time to know football stats.

[Blue_Roses]

82. I understand what you're saying

but that doesn't necessarily mean they aren't interested in what's going on in their lives and their kids safety and education. It's a cycle that is passed down and the cycle doesn't break until someone in the family says, "I want more than this shit I'm putting up with!"

[GoodRaisin]

20. It's awful. I think it is just a poor presentation.

I already knew that ignorant people are going to vote. I don’t know the point of putting the microphone up to some of these people.

[angrychair]

21. I agree with you

Why amplify how ignorant and selfish people are? That so many of these men saying "abortion isn't something I think about much" that they don't care or even try to understand why it matters. It's disheartening.

[bdamomma]

26. Those men

are ignorant to the fact that it doesn't concern them. Ha, what would happen if you took Viagra or Cialis away from them????

[GoodRaisin]

61. I agree about Alex Wagner

and this show was a great example IMO.

[rsdsharp]

22. Gotta love the nimrod who didn't know anything about the "February 6th" trial.

[oasis]

60. There were so many stupid dopes like him

in that segment, it was hard to keep count.

[Trueblue1968]

23. Very stupid people arent they.

[Tweedy]

24. Most people have too little leisure time

and many wait until right before the election to dive into politics and make their decisions. This is done for many reasons. The reason I hear the most for waiting until the last moment to review the political scene is this:

ignoring politics is important to their peace of mind, even though they know voting is important.

Be kind. Most are truly doing the best that they can while almost always exhausted. We don’t want them to vote for the GOP who will, as past is prologue, make the exhaustion worse while decreasing sources of truthful, easy to locate, information.

[qazplm135]

51. This is part of both why

there are still undecided voters and why they tend to break late.

They have neither the time nor the inclination to learn about anything until more or less election day.

They don't tend to vote early, watch the news, watch debates, go to rallies, or the like. Their knowledge comes from coworkers, family, and friends. Maybe a few see something on TV during a game or a meme here or there. But mostly they don't see anything which is why the whole idea that if candidate x just spends more time trying to reach them they'd win stuff is also kinda nonsense.

Harris or most candidates could camp out in a state every day for a month and I bet these same people wouldn't even know it or really register it.

This is the bad part of democracy, uninformed voters count the same as informed ones. Of course, there's no other form of governance that isn't worse.

[Tweedy]

70. It is a bad part of our democracy

It is not inevitable.

If politics is more joyful, less people feel the need to check out from it. I think VP Harris and Governor Walz are absolutely right to help us see politics does not have to be angry people screaming incoherently at one another.

People need more free time too.

[Bayard]

25. It would be easy to say all these people are stupid,

But, I think its more an issue of self-absorption. Not only do they not see any further than their own problems, they don't even want to consider a bigger picture. Politics are so boring, and have nothing to do with me!

I had a computer tech in yesterday morning to, once again, try to correct problems. He had also taken my husband's laptop last time to try to figure out what was wrong with it, and determined it was a lost cause. Mr. Bayard made a joke about the repair on Hunter Biden's laptop. This guy, who I believe to be fairly intelligent, looked at him blankly, and asked--Who's Hunter Biden?

[summer_in_TX]

42. Politics may seem boring. But the other part of it is that what they see of it in the news is a turn off.

It seems to be about conflict and anger. That makes people very uncomfortable.

They don't want to listen to the news and find music and other entertainment a lot more relaxing than news and public affairs programming. If they have jobs and kids, they don't want the kids to be around the disturbing content either. Plus they're busy with their jobs, the kids activities, and their social life.

I was raised by news junkies. I have always watched or listened. But less so while our boys were growing up. We were tired from long days at work and then making sure the boys got homework done, dinner, baths, and then to bed. I knew much less then about the events of the day – even though I listened when I could.

They probably come from families that also avoided news and public affairs, so it's not part of their world. Unfortunately.

[elleng]

50. Self absorption and lack of leisure time?

[bdamomma]

27. That's why the

people in Europe are so in tune with politics, and they really look at some of us like we're dummies because we don't engage with our politics.

[Walleye]

29. If only we could impress on people that it is their civic duty to stay informed

[orleans]

48. they wouldn't care nt

[bdamomma]

87. You wonder

if they even know about the felon's deportation camps, and his Project 2025???

[Walleye]

96. I just can't believe that women would vote for a rapist. And after that little speech, he gave the other day.

I don’t see how woman could ever vote for him if she has self-respect. A rapist is our protector? And he will decide our reproductive rights? I wonder if these women who are supporting him know about any of this stuff. It is not irrational to say that Trump hates women. It’s the truth.

[Walleye]

28. I honestly don't know how they avoid knowing any facts at all

Seems to me you would have to work on avoiding everything to not know anything about the president. I read with some women blame Biden for the abortion ban because it happened in his term. The Republicans have achieved their fondest dream and made a large number of Americans completely ignorant about everything

[bdamomma]

115. That's so sick

you got to tell me that they didn't hear how the felon killed Roe after those SC Justices Alito, Gorsuch, Kavanaugh and handmaid Amy Coney Barrett, rolled the whole thing over??? Didn't the felon say he loves the uneducated??? How can even have any respect for themselves??? Really sick. The felon dies not give a shit about anyone but himself.

We have to do anything we can to stop this POS.

[BootinUp]

30. I did not watch,

but I am done with trusting the words from mouths of people I do not know, when it comes to things like politics. In other words, doubt their words.

[Oneironaut]

31. That's why Trump is in this race still.

He speaks in short, 3rd grade vocabulary sentences. Everything is flashy and designed to be an easily digestible sound bite viewed in mere seconds. He dumbs everything down and simplifies it with no further explanation.

He says he’s a business man and people believe it, because they think reality TV is actually real.

Most people simply don’t care. They’re trying to make ends meet, and, politics isn’t part of their lives. Especially white, straight, cis people.

[Silent Type]

54. Exactly. Unfortunately, I've come to realize there are more of them than I thought.

Hopefully, not a majority of voters.

[Blue_Roses]

84. Yep, and they have the attention

span of a gnat. People only get engaged if it's something they personally have experienced or if it affects family.

[Conjuay]

90. He speaks in sentences?

[progressoid]

32. Ironically, they would think you are out of touch for citing Desperate Housewives.

(It ended over 12 years ago) There is a reason they navigate toward crappy TV and sports. Life sucks and they need an escape.

Regardless, I share your frustration. I've been door to door canvasing for local candidates. The number of registered voters who are clueless about the people they are supposed to vote for is staggering.

On the plus side, it doesn't take much to find something to connect with them. They are frustrated with life, and our candidates have solutions to relieve them of some of their stress. Ya just gotta put in the time and effort.

[Figarosmom]

35. If she did this in a local bar

I doubt many of them bother to vote. My husband worked in an auto plant and so many of the people he worked with went to work then went to the bar then someplace to eat or home. Never watched the news and didn't vote. I'm thinking those are the people you were watching.

[orleans]

52. i didn't see the show when it first started, but it looked like a union hall where she was doing this

question and answer business. she said there were about 60 people there, there were rows of chairs (kind of like a townhall setting) and she asked questions, they raised their hands and then someone with an audience mic went around and let them talk.

i guess it was prerecorded b/c it would cut to her in a bar where they were showing this townhall or whatever she called it with the union guys (and the two women i saw)

they didn't even know (except for maybe two guys) that the chips and science act that biden signed had money going to a couple places where some of these guys were directly benefiting. one man had stood up and explained this to everyone (i think it was at the end of the meeting) and told them they were getting money that had come from joe biden pushing for this and signing it into law (something to that effect)

[elleng]

78. Yes union hall, building trades, I think.

Important to recognize this.

[Freethinker65]

36. Expose some of those voters to Tim Walz's mind your own business political philosophy.

I think Walz's arguments on why to vote for Democrats over Republicans are simple, easy to follow, and very effective.

[Grumpy Old Guy]

38. Those were my thoughts too.

Some of these individuals were incredibly uninformed. I wondered how many of them consider themselves patriotic, yet they can't be bothered to take even the smallest interest in our elections until the last moment.

[Sogo]

41. Did you see the end??

She asked them who they thought would win the election....

NOT ONE raised their hand that Trump would win.

I call that heartening.

[GoodRaisin]

62. Probably means they won't vote.

Which is fine with me. One of the things that really irritates me is that their ignorant votes can offset mine.

[JI7]

64. Why does them saying Trump will not win mean they aren't voting ?

Why do you think that ?

[GoodRaisin]

66. Because they don't seem very motivated to be involved in the process (to me).

[JI7]

71. But how do you connect it to them saying Trump will lose

If they said think Trump will win you think they will vote ?

[Qutzupalotl]

73. Butting in here, but I think the interviewees might be extrapolating their own intentions

of perhaps a lackluster lean towards Trump to mean than since they won't go to the trouble of standing in line for him, probably a lot of other people feel the same and will stay home too, leading to a Trump loss.

Pollsters say this question of who you think will win is a better predictor of the final outcome than who are you voting for.

Another phenomenon at work here is the bandwagon effect. People want to vote for a winner so they can say they were a part of history. If their candidate should lose, they would be embarrassed, almost as much as if their favorite sports team lost. Picking a winner means they are smart, and they are motivated to feel this. They would stay home rather than have to admit they voted for a loser.

Those who follow the issues can point to X, Y, and Z to explain their voting choice. Those who can't think for themselves are prey to influencers and propagandists, and so they fall back into tribal thinking, bandwagonism, and less intellectually sensible reasons for voting a particular way — but which are nonetheless compelling.

[GoodRaisin]

75. Sure it connects.

So you start with a group of people who aren’t interested in politics to begin with and ask for a show of hands about who thinks Trump is going to win and none of them raise their hands. So they all think it’s a forgone conclusion that Harris is going to win anyway. What motivation would disinterested people have to take the time to vote if they think their vote doesn’t matter anyway?

[crimycarny]

126. I didn't hear much passion or conviction

Those who said they would vote for Trump seemed a bit lackluster in their responses and repeated brief talking points versus seeming to be well-educated on the issues. Those most passionate about Trump will also insist he will win.

I just got a lack of energy vibe from those interviewed who were supporting Trump. Those supporting Harris seemed more informed and passionate.

Anyway, that's my take on why it's significant that the Trump supporters don't think he'll win. Far different than 2016 or 2020.

[Turbineguy]

44. It's depressing to live in a country with so many idiots.

[markodochartaigh]

45. Ignorance and

apathy are the Achilles' heels of democracy.

[arthritisR_US]

46. She let them spew their shit and didn't give them the facts 😖

[SouthBayDem]

47. The U of M is on a very liberal town

BYU, Texas A&M, LSU, Auburn, honorable mentions Stanford and North Dakota State I’d say have more right wing fans.

[FHRRK]

68. I believe they were in Lansing

Across the river from Michigan State.

Not in Ann Arbor.

[Bettie]

49. Honestly, they probably look for the ones who are

the most incoherent. Makes better "entertainment".

And really, to be undecided at this point, you have to be pretty dim or profoundly uninformed.

[Dem4life1970]

53. But are they motivated, likely voters?

A lot of low information voters will not vote, esp. if it involves complex registration, standing in line for a long time, etc. Plus, this year the GOP will try to suppress the traditional Democratic vote, but they really have no idea who is voting for Harris. A lot of white women will be voting for her, as will a lot of white men, as will seniors of all races, creeds, etc. who are terrified of Trump's plans for Medicare and Social Security. Look at what is happening in Florida. I do not believe the polls...these are the exact same polls and the exact same pollsters who predicted (with breathless MSM coverage) of a *RED WAVE* in 2022. Make it make sense...this is the first Presidential election post-Dobbs, with the guy who ended Roe on the ballot.

[moniss]

55. I know "young" people

in their 20's who are not white nationalists by any means but who refuse to believe that things like the beatings and killings during the Civil Rights era of the '50's and '60's happened. It wasn't really taught to them in school or discussed at home because those years weren't on the news anymore. Good enough people otherwise but just very uninformed. Even people in their 40's were many times in many schools taught next to nothing about Vietnam and the anti-war movement. They know about the Civil Rights March on Washington because everyone has heard the speech of Dr. King but they never heard about the Vietnam Moratorium Marches. The subject that nearly ripped this country apart is now faded or unknown to so many. Several years ago when I first said the words Kent State to some people in their early 20's they had no idea what I was talking about. Even once I told them they had a hard time believing I was telling the truth and wasn't just making it up. It seemed impossible to them when I told them that people their age had mobilized millions across the country and that nearly 100,000 marched in Boston and an estimated 500,000 in DC. Here are pics from looking toward the Washington Monument and then the Capitol. And in Boston.

[Hope22]

69. These photos are amazing!

During GWB’s reign, after we were augured into Iraq neck deep he wanted to send a ‘surge of soldiers’ over to Iraq. By then anyone who had given the war a smidgeon of attention knew that it was a sham and that our troops needed out not buried deeper. There was a Stop the Surge demonstration with over 500,000 people on the mall in DC. Enough people that when we marched around the Capitol there were enough people to fill the streets on all four sides of the Capitol Building! We took the bus from Columbus Ohio, did the march and then took the subway to the outskirts of DC and got back on the bus. We were gone about 26 hours. While we were on the Mall packed shoulder to shoulder I called home to see what kind of news coverage we were getting. No major news coverage but we did get 35 minutes on PBS! The nect day the national news cycle did not even cover the event. With one exception, Keith Olbermann gave it 15 minutes on his show Countdown. I say all of this I guess because the American people across the country were clueless. It was really depressing to see this. It made me ask how many times have half a million people marched and we never knew of it?

[bdamomma]

89. Can I say

we were more engaged with what was going on during that tumultuous period. No social media at that time.
No misinformation and disinformation.

[Bettie]

95. But, there was only broadcast TV

and radio and you couldn't really avoid the news like you can now.

ETA: And the news was news and when editorializing happened, it said on the screen that it was that.

Started with Reagan not enforcing the fairness doctrine, cable (unregulated closed-loop distribution systems) and then the telecommunications act that Clinton signed, and now, there isn't a limit on how many media outlets can be owned in a single market by a single entity. So, it's all consolidated in the hands of a very few people.

These are the people who, in another age, would be called out by responsible media, but they can't be...because they own the media.

[bdamomma]

119. Yes, that's what their goal

is oligarchs in charge of things, and then get the kickbacks (I could be wrong on kickback comment). Putin does the same thing, if they disagree, they get poisoned or pushed out of a window. The felon was schooled by Orban, Putin's other puppet. Plus, the felon is very mentally unstable.

I keep on saying I hope that 1% chokes on their greed. They deserve it. They have no respect for Americans be it Poor, Middle class, Disabled, Seniors, LGBTQ, Minorities and Women. They would never last a day what we do on a daily basis, they really can't understand work ethics. Just a mini rant.

[Bettie]

120. I hope so too

but, it is harder to be well-informed these days, every "news" outlet has their own slant on everything. There is no straight news anymore, it's all editorialized to the point where you have to work to get even the most basic facts.

My gen-z sons always ask me "have you checked it with at least three different sources?"....as if I don't do that already.

[bdamomma]

121. I find these people

to be most informative, Keith Olbermann, Dr. Mary Trump and her Nerd Avengers, Randi Rhodes, Joy Reid, Lawrence O'Donnell, Rachel Maddow. And of course, DU.

[moniss]

97. Excellent points.nt

[LiberalArkie]

103. No MTV, no reality TV, no ESPN, no 24 hour a day sports or financial or news channels to divert attention

Just usually a 30 minute news show at supper time

[people]

106. Jackson State killings

10 days after the students were killed at Kent State, two students at Jackson State, an HBCU in Jackson, Missippi, were killed by police and 12 more were wounded. At the time and still there is very little mention or remembrance of these young black students who were killed by police.

[Evolve Dammit]

130. That has pissed me off since 1970. Black Lives did not matter

[moniss]

134. Yes indeed and I've done

several posts on Jackson State. The details and how still today it is ignored by national media.

[JoseBalow]

56. They walk among us

[stollen]

58. Agreed. Very depressing.

You can see how democracy is failing when you listen to how ignorant these union workers are. If we fail by hundreds or thousands of votes, it will be due to folks like this...just complete apathy.

[walkingman]

67. Just watched the repeat tonight - you nailed my thoughts exactly.

I am truly surprised that my fellow American are so seemingly uninterested in any issue other than maybe a sound bite they might have heard? Nobody's hand was raised when asked if abortion was a big issue - including females? Really?

[czarjak]

72. The Knownothings

History repeating itself. Again.

[Violet_Crumble]

74. I haven't seen it yet, but she must have got the same idiots who the NYT use as 'undecided' panels...

I sit there and read that stuff and wonder how it's possible to be so incredibly stupid and still be able to breath and talk and string together a sentence. Surely such ignorant and self-absorbed people can't be representative of the majority of Americans?

[PortTack]

76. I get everyone's comments here...Wagner...how long did she search to get "just he right mix?"

This is how we are duped
We complain about the media…this is what they do. They want to depress us…NOT going there. We have a great candidate and the perfect VP candidate…
Can we go with that…please?

[IzzaNuDay]

85. Reminded me of a conversation with relatives

they know all about the celebrities. I didn’t have a clue. I dared not talk politics with them.

[JanMichael]

91. Lumpen Proletariat

How Putin can convince people that the meat wave attacks in Ukraine are normal.

Same with the ones here. Like in it's always Sunny in Philadelphia - Rock flag and eagle brother. No

[markodochartaigh]

141. We have the

trumpenproletariat.

[bigtree]

94. that was a joke

...extrapolating those idiots' opinions and applying them to the rest of the electorate's is fiction.

[WorkDoctor]

99. Good news from the old guys

who told the younger know-nothings that most of their jobs were created (in fab plants) by Biden & Harris CHIPS & Infrastructure bills. One geezer said it best "get your heads out of your asses." Whenever I hear politicians say how much they trust the American voter, I think of yahoos like this and cringe. Forget showing IDs at polling places. We ought to require them to take a current events quiz proving they know the lies about "the border." In Michigan, guess these dopes worry about caravans from Windsor, Ontario.

[Irish_Dem]

101. Americans become more and more childlike with each generation.

Higher level critical thinking skills are disappearing.

Taking a serious approach regarding civic duty and our democracy is declining.

We live in a toxic soup and it shows.

[bmichaelh]

102. Trump's concept of plan

Trump's 'concept of plan' is unpopular even among Republicans.

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/poll-republican-health-care-agenda_n_66f1d6d8e4b02f84278bd3d3

But that will not stop Republicans from voting for Trump.

How do you convince them to vote for their self-interest.

Trump is:
Idol of idiot-worshippers!
--Shakespeare, Troilus and Cressida 5.1.7

[Atreus]

105. Yep, the know-nothing traitorous POS made

stupid people think they were geniuses.

[OnDoutside]

108. I've been in the US for the last few days and speaking with colleagues

I've been surprised how disengaged they are from the election...I've heard lots of the two bad candidates rubbish, nothing changes, they not going to bother to vote etc.

We see some of the ads over in Europe but I'm shocked by how relentless it is over here. From I've observed both sides are doing savage attack ads but only Democrats are doing positive uplifting ads too.

[CrispyQ]

109. It was a mixed bag.

I felt the younger men definitely had an issue with a woman as president, even tho they didn't say it. I assumed they weren't college educated & not surprised they leaned for Trump, although a few of them were reluctant to come out & say it, which I think says something right there, that people are ashamed or embarrassed to admit they support Trump. Pretty sure I have some family members who are in that camp. They are very quiet about the election this year after chortling for Trump the past two.

To the two women (or maybe it was three) who said both sides were too extreme on abortion so they couldn't commit to Harris I say fuck you. To the men who shrugged the issue off with a "that's a woman issue" attitude, I say fuck you, too.

The stars were the two older gentlemen. The first one reminded the younger men that a lot of them were employed now because of the infrastructure act. I believe he was the one who ended with "pull your head out of your ass." The other man stressed that regardless of what your main issue is, the border, the economy, if the candidate is a liar it doesn't matter what they say. Then he reminded us who lied during the pandemic. When we were all trapped in our homes who stood on TV & lied to us? If anything stuck with those younger guys it was that, a stark reminder who was in charge during the worst of the pandemic. I would make an ad out of that guy's speech.

[muriel_volestrangler]

111. What's surprising is that Trump's negatives are the kind of things that make the news, so you'd think he'd be toast

Fine, people who don't read up about policy and what Trump actually did in power could be ignorant/misleadable about what he'd do about abortion/the border/the economy.

But "he's a convicted felon", "he's an adjudicated sexual abuser" , "his company committed corporate tax fraud and has been fined hundred of millions" and "he incited the storming of The Capitol" are the headlines that should have defined how normal people see him - and should say "must never be allowed power, so you must vote for the only viable opponent".

[oldsoftie]

112. You have to understand that most folks aren't like the people HERE.

ALL of the people who post/red here pay attention to the news every single DAY on many topics. A lot of the "rest" of folks are busy going to work & taking Hayley to soccer & maybe watching a couple TV shows. They dont pay attention to anything political because its aggravating. The ads are aggravating. The news is aggravating. They may not even vote. But if they DO they dont start really paying attention until a week or 2 before Election Day
Thats why I think any big name GOP endorsements need to come around Halloween no earlier. And any big news in foreign policy, markets, etc also needs to come no more than a few weeks before the election. A lot of people vote their gas tanks & pocketbooks.

[Schmice3]

113. I had to turn it off.

They have to do their own research before deciding? Where have they been all these years? What sources will they use? I fear for this country.

[Generic Brad]

114. If they don't care, they're not voting

So it’s really a lot of hand wringing over people who are not going to make much of an effort to vote.

[Upthevibe]

116. I've grown to like Alex Wagner...

Having said that, I wish she wouldn't have had this event. It sounds like it just discouraged and bummed people out. That's the last thing we need!

I wonder who's idea this was and who okayed it? ..... Really bad move (IMHO)...

[crimycarny]

118. I has disheartened as well until I realized Alex was basically polling the Trump demograhic

Those who said they supported Trump were pretty much part of the solid Trump demographic that will vote for Trump anyway. Not much diversity at all in the crowd she polled, she might as well have been at a Trump rally. Once I put that into context I calmed down a bit. (I did get some hope when the older white male talked about why he was voting for Harris.)

The two young white males who claimed the "open border" and illegal immigrants taking their jobs were so annoying in their ignorance that it was frustrating, but on the other hand that type--uninformed and too lazy to do real research--is ALWAYS going to vote GOP. To be so lazy in information gathering that you only listen to talking points means, will that type make the effort to go out and vote? Or is it easier to hang out with friends and drink beer? Neither of those two young men seemed all that gung ho.

[BeneteauBum]

122. You can't

The Trumpers I know are hooked into basically one media program and never think to question the veracity of the program’s sources…..or lack of. Additionally, they embrace ‘I heard that’ without question. Although I can maintain a friendship with them, I’ve accepted they can’t conceive of an alternative perspective.
Vote Kamala!
Peace ☮️

[crimycarny]

124. LOL-New York Times pitchbot (satire) is a perfect analogy for the Alex interview and type of audience

This:

We wanted to know how Mark Robinson's controversial comments are playing with swing voters in North Carolina. So we talked to four porn-addicted Nazis at a Shoney's in Greensboro.

[ZonkerHarris]

125. then you need to DO SOMETHING! Go register some voters, make calls, GOTV.

complaining about it online is a waste of time.

[BlueKentuckyGirl]

128. Depressing!

I totally agree! These people were so misinformed or underinformed that it makes me scared for this country. AND...they vote.

[DetroitLegalBeagle]

129. Reminds me of George Carlin

"Think about how stupid the average person is, then realize that half of em' are stupider than that."

Upside, people like this don't typically put in the effort to vote. Downside, mail in voting takes much of that effort away, so they might actually vote.

[Elessar Zappa]

135. I don't share your pessimism.

I see lots of people that are excited to vote for Harris. I’m in a purple area and I guarantee you Harris is going to win by county by at least a 10% margin.

[TBF]

139. All I can suggest is donate to the campaign & hope they continue

their good work. It's true she has been VP, but many VPs are not high profile (I think it is by definition - they are busy doing things delegated to them) ... and in very little time she has chosen a fantastic VP, has probably been running herself ragged w/all the traveling/speaking. Not to mention that they have a really good social media team. I only look at Facebook and Insta (I'm early gen X - in my 50s) - but everything I see on Insta is really good. If they are on Tik Tok you can bet folks are seeing stuff about her. I do think this election will be close, but I have a good feeling about Kamala and Tim. They are very likable, and that goes a long way.

[mdbl]

140. It's not even funny anymore

I can't even watch the moron magats interviewed on comedy shows because their lack of knowledge and self-awareness is so depressing.