General Discussion

CoffeeCat

(24,411 posts)

38. Harkin retired...

Mon Jun 22, 2015, 02:02 AM

Jun 2015

…and there was an open race.

Bruce Braley was the Democrat who ran against Ernst.

Braley ran a horrifying, abysmal campaign. I still have no explanation for it. It was a train wreck. Obviously, Iowa Democrats are still reeling about this. We did not think her election was a great idea--as you stated. In fact, all Democrats were sick about Harkin not running again and retiring. We're still sick.

Ernst could have NEVER beaten Harkin. But she beat Braley--a very weak Democratic candidate.

Ernst was backed by the Koch Brothers. Lots of corporate money flowed to her, and she was able to galvanize the base of the Republican party, who was very enthusiastic about voting for her. They came out in high numbers for her, and the Dems were not motivated to vote for Braley.

Sad, really. All Iowa Democrats are completely devastated by all of this.

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Hillary preparing to lose Iowa, NH. [View all] Admiral Loinpresser Jun 2015 OP

I wonder why Martin O'Malley hasn't gained more traction Frances Jun 2015 #1

There is still time. Hopefully he will get more coverage because he has important things to say. SaranchaIsWaiting Jun 2015 #4

I like O'Malley and Bernie as well. Admiral Loinpresser Jun 2015 #14

O'Malley put in place egregious police tactics in Baltimore. SleeplessinSoCal Jun 2015 #28

Violent crime dropped in Baltimore 48% while he was mayor. This checks out in fact checker. RiverLover Jun 2015 #55

Violent crime was dropping everywhere, even in cities without zero tolerance shaayecanaan Jun 2015 #160

Exactly. He would be an extremely divisive president. SleeplessinSoCal Jun 2015 #179

his policing policies involved much more than zero-tolerance bigtree Jun 2015 #180

Popular with R's Omaha Steve Jun 2015 #161

Perhaps Marty should perform a little, to give it some oomph though I've not seen him in action! appalachiablue Jun 2015 #91

I'm thinking it's his hair. Way to groomed. I like Bernie's hair. Just sayin'. nm rhett o rick Jun 2015 #21

I'm with you on that. Ed Suspicious Jun 2015 #31

LOL! Rosa Luxemburg Jun 2015 #142

Right now I think it's that Clinton and Sanders are sucking up all the air rpannier Jun 2015 #22

Way more than political junkies are watching THIS race right now. That is what is so sabrina 1 Jun 2015 #37

Amen.... daleanime Jun 2015 #46

I agree. Raine1967 Jun 2015 #120

He's too safe and too much in the middle of Bernie and Hillary. Bernie has nothing to lose so he's craigmatic Jun 2015 #39

Maybe because Mr. Sanders has the better name recognition at this point. Betty Karlson Jun 2015 #41

Sanders offers a more complete alternative to Clinton. O'Malley feels like a compromise. Romulox Jun 2015 #79

He will. Too many folks are in their bubbles and will be surprised when the actual primaries occur. FSogol Jun 2015 #109

This is shaping up to be a very interesting race... CaliforniaPeggy Jun 2015 #2

And a lot more.... daleanime Jun 2015 #47

Bookmarked. nt onehandle Jun 2015 #3

That's why I say RobertEarl Jun 2015 #5

Heh heh... Segami Jun 2015 #7

I heard the other day that only 10-15 Hillary Clinton supporters were left on the board davidpdx Jun 2015 #10

The the Board of What? LovingA2andMI Jun 2015 #25

Good one davidpdx Jun 2015 #53

How would anyone know that? ohheckyeah Jun 2015 #27

I'm saying that's what a Hillary Clinton supporter told me the other day davidpdx Jun 2015 #54

OK - ohheckyeah Jun 2015 #59

Maybe the rest of them are dodging imaginary sniper fire. HooptieWagon Jun 2015 #102

I'm not dodging any sniper fire, and I'm certainly not afraid of Sanders Supporters Sheepshank Jun 2015 #135

No, if you'd read the post that person responded to you'd probably understand davidpdx Jun 2015 #156

No comment except....... davidpdx Jun 2015 #157

This message was self-deleted by its author rhett o rick Jun 2015 #24

+1 Scuba Jun 2015 #57

+2. closeupready Jun 2015 #74

+1 Go Vols Jun 2015 #85

I am just curious dsc Jun 2015 #128

What I said was a little harsh, but as I see it there are two sides in this class war. rhett o rick Jun 2015 #144

Seems they don't want to help Sanders? Perhaps they think he won't need it, or..... bettyellen Jun 2015 #166

I'll give it a try. Paka Jun 2015 #30

Very well said. Betty Karlson Jun 2015 #42

I wouldn't change... quickesst Jun 2015 #56

Ya it's the the expectations game. Cheese Sandwich Jun 2015 #6

Interesting. This would suggest Hillary is planning a long contest like 2008. morningfog Jun 2015 #8

I would have thought she and her campaign would have learned a lot from 2008 davidpdx Jun 2015 #13

The problem is that she, like the leopard, can't change her spots. rhett o rick Jun 2015 #26

And so many of us..... daleanime Jun 2015 #48

Oh, I agree 100% davidpdx Jun 2015 #52

And I think she is uncomfortable Admiral Loinpresser Jun 2015 #60

Yeah, when she's doing her populist impersonation I'm embarrassed for her. BeanMusical Jun 2015 #149

+1 azmom Jun 2015 #72

She doesn't have the RIGHT people from Obama's campaign Exilednight Jun 2015 #139

Message auto-removed Name removed Jun 2015 #63

Well... DemocratSinceBirth Jun 2015 #73

The last Iowa poll had her ahead 54-12. brooklynite Jun 2015 #75

Yep. From two weeks ago. Her internal poll must be showing a trend. morningfog Jun 2015 #76

Exactly. And the person quoted in the OP doesn't pretend to have any information otherwise. stevenleser Jun 2015 #118

Why would her campaign set up expectations that she will lose jeff47 Jun 2015 #137

You didn't ask me, but I can imagine a few possible motivations. Marr Jun 2015 #148

Except it's not her campaign doing it. It's an unaffiliated Democrat who made it up. stevenleser Jun 2015 #177

Then why is her campaign setting up expectations that she will lose? (nt) jeff47 Jun 2015 #136

I noticed it in an OP where a old guard Dem strategist lowered HRC expectations in IA and NH aikoaiko Jun 2015 #9

Wow, they're polling must be telling them that Sanders is doing well... CoffeeCat Jun 2015 #36

You have to wonder.... daleanime Jun 2015 #49

It's the truth...Iowa is homogeneous and in no way representative of the United States. DemocratSinceBirth Jun 2015 #65

Seriously, Admiral Loinpresser Jun 2015 #84

They are going this way DemocratSinceBirth Jun 2015 #90

You're proving the point of my question. Admiral Loinpresser Jun 2015 #94

Huh DemocratSinceBirth Jun 2015 #96

I'm guessing you're less concerned than the Hillary brain trust. Admiral Loinpresser Jun 2015 #98

I will take the last word and offer a challenge DemocratSinceBirth Jun 2015 #100

Since you raised a new topic, I'll respond. Admiral Loinpresser Jun 2015 #105

"You must still be in the middle class. That explains a lot." DemocratSinceBirth Jun 2015 #107

I'm truly sorry. Admiral Loinpresser Jun 2015 #111

Losing my possessions one by one was extraordinarily difficult. DemocratSinceBirth Jun 2015 #113

One has to wonder about the objectivity and methodology of pollsters who publish Michelle Malkin's PotatoChip Jun 2015 #130

Is Huffington Post a more credible source? DemocratSinceBirth Jun 2015 #133

I won't speak to the credibility of, or speculate about any other pollsters PotatoChip Jun 2015 #134

I suggest you read the whole afticle okasha Jun 2015 #138

Yes I know the article was mostly a HRC supportive piece , but aikoaiko Jun 2015 #145

Not really. okasha Jun 2015 #147

Bernie fans are preparing for his inevitable loss. NYC Liberal Jun 2015 #11

Of course Sanders and his surrogates will have to attack Hillary. morningfog Jun 2015 #12

And they are preparing to lose. NYC Liberal Jun 2015 #15

We are doing no such thing. CaliforniaPeggy Jun 2015 #18

Message auto-removed Name removed Jun 2015 #64

I think you are replying Puglover Jun 2015 #87

really, really stupid post. HERVEPA Jun 2015 #23

Projection. You haz it. AtomicKitten Jun 2015 #122

Think what you want. NYC Liberal Jun 2015 #125

Wow, projection indeed! BeanMusical Jun 2015 #150

Bernie Duers attack HRC. Surrogates? Admiral Loinpresser Jun 2015 #17

Thank you! SoapBox Jun 2015 #20

A few just from a couple of quick Google searches: NYC Liberal Jun 2015 #33

I'm truly sorry for the misunderstanding. Admiral Loinpresser Jun 2015 #40

Eh... kenfrequed Jun 2015 #92

I said his supporters. NYC Liberal Jun 2015 #127

Ah... kenfrequed Jun 2015 #132

Sen Sanders' supporters are merely pointing how how HRC has always sided with big money. rhett o rick Jun 2015 #29

not gonna be that easy restorefreedom Jun 2015 #154

I think we are off the charts, anything can happen... KelleyKramer Jun 2015 #16

Yes, I saw some of the video from Denver. Admiral Loinpresser Jun 2015 #19

I think Bernie will win in Iowa... CoffeeCat Jun 2015 #32

That is why in Iowa's wisdom they thought replacing Harkin with Ernst was so great I guess? still_one Jun 2015 #34

Harkin retired... CoffeeCat Jun 2015 #38

Iowa used to be a pretty solid blue state, same with Wisconsin. I am not saying that Democrats still_one Jun 2015 #45

Also, the Libertarian candidate died in a plane crash less than a month before the election... cascadiance Jun 2015 #99

I voted in my first election in an Iowa caucus as a college student there then... cascadiance Jun 2015 #101

Thank you for a very thoughtful post. Admiral Loinpresser Jun 2015 #43

Corrections ISUGRADIA Jun 2015 #58

Re issue # 2, Bernie has great cred dreamnightwind Jun 2015 #35

Yes, for a pol Admiral Loinpresser Jun 2015 #44

One of the candidates madokie Jun 2015 #50

Because we always get a candidate who is one of us? randome Jun 2015 #70

When it comes down to it Aerows Jun 2015 #51

You missed the target by 180 on thst one... okasha Jun 2015 #140

Laugh if you can Aerows Jun 2015 #141

The Washington Free Beacon... SidDithers Jun 2015 #61

It's worse than that. It's the opinion of one Democrat with no connection to the campaign and who stevenleser Jun 2015 #97

No she's not. ismnotwasm Jun 2015 #62

Nh right next to Bernie home state he damn well better do well there dembotoz Jun 2015 #66

K & R L0oniX Jun 2015 #67

Wow! Linking to a right wing rag to take down Hillary and 57 people rec it. hrmjustin Jun 2015 #68

LMFAO DemocratSinceBirth Jun 2015 #69

It's the mouthpiece of the Center for American Freedom... SidDithers Jun 2015 #71

I see that ass clown Bill Kristol talking up Bernie Sanders all the time. DemocratSinceBirth Jun 2015 #77

Yup. And the editor of the Free Beacon, Matthew Continetti... SidDithers Jun 2015 #78

+1 Metric System Jun 2015 #95

Next time I'll cite that ethical beacon, the Clinton Foundation. n/t Admiral Loinpresser Jun 2015 #103

They Clinton Foundation has done more to improve the lives of people... DemocratSinceBirth Jun 2015 #108

+1 BeanMusical Jun 2015 #152

And there is the tell. JoePhilly Jun 2015 #158

After the tell comes the showdown: Admiral Loinpresser Jun 2015 #165

Then comes the shakedown: Admiral Loinpresser Jun 2015 #167

While we're on the subject of Clintonian ethics: Admiral Loinpresser Jun 2015 #168

She was from NY. JoePhilly Jun 2015 #171

Are you serious? Admiral Loinpresser Jun 2015 #173

Were you born then? JoePhilly Jun 2015 #176

"That is what everyone voted on." Admiral Loinpresser Jun 2015 #178

Unnamed people have "concerns" .... GASP!!!! JoePhilly Jun 2015 #170

You want Bill to attend your event ... then you pay him. JoePhilly Jun 2015 #169

They have a name for that profession. Admiral Loinpresser Jun 2015 #174

Bad Bill ... making money on being Bill. JoePhilly Jun 2015 #175

+1 uponit7771 Jun 2015 #81

Two salient points. Admiral Loinpresser Jun 2015 #93

You didn't address issues 2 at all, I'm starting to think Bernie's staff knows Bernie is more Kerry uponit7771 Jun 2015 #80

I feel I did address it, Admiral Loinpresser Jun 2015 #89

it is starting to feel like 2008 restorefreedom Jun 2015 #82

Something is in the air Robbins Jun 2015 #83

LBJ saw the handwriting on the wall after NH. Tierra_y_Libertad Jun 2015 #86

All according to one strategist's opinion who has no connections to the campaign. stevenleser Jun 2015 #88

I'm absolutely positive she ad libbed her talking points, Admiral Loinpresser Jun 2015 #104

So why did you post the OP then? nt stevenleser Jun 2015 #112

Sorry, didn't know a sarcasm graphic was necessary. Admiral Loinpresser Jun 2015 #114

Of course she did ad lib that. She didnt even try to suggest otherwise. She didnt even use the stevenleser Jun 2015 #116

I don't believe it. Admiral Loinpresser Jun 2015 #121

You don't believe what exactly? Her not having sources when she never even suggested she had any? stevenleser Jun 2015 #123

First she didn't al lib her points. Admiral Loinpresser Jun 2015 #129

We do tend to pretend our wishes are prophecies... human nature, I'd guess. LanternWaste Jun 2015 #106

LOL at Washington Free Beacon. You really should delete this nonsense, you FSogol Jun 2015 #110

Your nonsense should get specific. Admiral Loinpresser Jun 2015 #115

Maybe Drudge or Info Wars have some good videos you could post? FSogol Jun 2015 #117

I rest my case. Admiral Loinpresser Jun 2015 #119

It's feels kind like a basketball game nolabels Jun 2015 #124

Yes, I think HRC Admiral Loinpresser Jun 2015 #126

Wishful thinking, eh? MineralMan Jun 2015 #131

#2 watch this space Rosa Luxemburg Jun 2015 #143

Smart strategy for HRC thesquanderer Jun 2015 #146

Hillary must be having sleepless nights.... bvar22 Jun 2015 #151

Looks like FREEBEACON source is okay for some, not for others. AtomicKitten Jun 2015 #153

and they are quoting ABC nadinbrzezinski Jun 2015 #162

their argument is that she'll kill in the states that "count" AtomicKitten Jun 2015 #163

I know, and O'Malley has not caught on fire nadinbrzezinski Jun 2015 #164

A little reminder of what year it is ... NotHardly Jun 2015 #155

Spent a lot of time today fighting about number 2. I then talked to my daughter about the dirty jwirr Jun 2015 #159

#2 is historically and physically false PatrynXX Jun 2015 #172