General Discussion

kentuck

(111,110 posts) Wed Aug 19, 2015, 07:07 AM Aug 2015

Political Chaos

It is difficult to remember any time in our lifetime when both political Parties have been in such chaos and disarray. The last progressive to make as many waves as Bernie Sanders was probably George McGovern, near the end of the Vietnam War and the beginning of Watergate. We remember what happened then.

Richard Nixon won in a landslide. Although Watergate was on the radar, it had not yet been fully flushed out, and the Democrats lost big.

However, this election is different. Both Parties are being challenged from the outside. Bernie Sanders for the Democrats and Donald Trump for the Republicans. The establishment wing of both Parties are confused and discombobulated by what is happening.

Establishment Democrats are debating whether or not someone should be ready to step in for Hillary if this "email" story takes hold. There is significant unease within the Party.

With the Republicans, it is even worse. Donald Trump has entered the political scene with negative attacks on everyone. They have no idea how to respond to him. He has captured their Tea Party base and is riding the immigration issue to the promised land. Sixteen other Republicans seem to be lost in the shuffle. Not since Goldwater has their Party been so disheartened with their Party.

It is a chaotic time for political Parties in this country. Who knows what will arise from the chaos?

5 replies

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Political Chaos (Original Post) kentuck Aug 2015 OP

I agree and was thinking along these lines Fast Walker 52 Aug 2015 #1

Has there really been chaos on the Democratic side? Renew Deal Aug 2015 #2

I think this is more like 1968, not 1972. bemildred Aug 2015 #3

I hope that it doesn't get any more like 1968 virtualobserver Aug 2015 #5

Yes, and not only the parties, but the nation too through the states. mmonk Aug 2015 #4

Fast Walker 52

(7,723 posts)

1. I agree and was thinking along these lines

Reply to kentuck (Original post)

Wed Aug 19, 2015, 07:12 AM

Aug 2015

a lot of people are really upset with the status quo, but I can't see the GOP winning. This could be a real "change" election if Sanders wins.

Renew Deal

(81,877 posts)

2. Has there really been chaos on the Democratic side?

Reply to kentuck (Original post)

Wed Aug 19, 2015, 07:58 AM

Aug 2015

At this point Sanders isn't even as consequential as Bill Bradley. The polling has him nowhere near Hillary in almost any states. There is the typical bed wetting from Democrats, but there is no evidence of a horse race nationally.

The problem for Democrats is that if something does happen to Hillary, Democrats think that Sanders is not viable nationally. He's basically fun to play with in the primary, but not taken seriously.

bemildred

(90,061 posts)

3. I think this is more like 1968, not 1972.

Reply to kentuck (Original post)

Wed Aug 19, 2015, 08:12 AM

Aug 2015

Clean Gene & Wallace, not McGovern & Nixon. The mainstream pols are losing.

virtualobserver

(8,760 posts)

5. I hope that it doesn't get any more like 1968

Reply to bemildred (Reply #3)

Wed Aug 19, 2015, 08:55 AM

Aug 2015

mmonk

(52,589 posts)

4. Yes, and not only the parties, but the nation too through the states.

Reply to kentuck (Original post)

Wed Aug 19, 2015, 08:16 AM

Aug 2015

If the Democrats are afraid about the email stuff, then they should let Warren step in (that was a joke and a jab). To be honest, since Citizens United became the law of the land, politics has gotten even more crazier. I didn't think that was possible. Republican candidates appear to mentally ill at this point with their rhetoric.

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