Thursday Open Thread

11 thoughts on “Thursday Open Thread”

1. Before anyone starts talking about the Epstein list, thought some of you would enjoy this story.

   It's a small stick of dynamite about Hiedi's latest plan to take Colorado back to its 2004-ish red hue, or maybe even farther back. The former University of Colorado Regent is teaming up with one of the namesakes of a University of Colorado business building to establish a new tighty-righty messaging network, and according to this story they hope to work with Anschutz news outlets to spread the word. I read "The Blueprint" some time ago, but I'm not sure this latest red scheme is what the blue architects had in mind!

   https://coloradotimesrecorder.com/2024/01/common-sense-institute-chairman-among-wealthy-conservatives-backing-heidi-ganahls-plan-to-retake-colorado/58780/

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   1. Well, they are at least 25% of the way there in building their audience

      Twenty-five percent of Americans say it is “probably” or “definitely” true that the FBI instigated the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol, a false concept promoted by right-wing media and repeatedly denied by federal law enforcement, according to a new Washington Post-University of Maryland poll.

      “Whereas 20 years ago we may have argued about how or if to respond to events” such as the Capitol riot, Farid said, “today we are arguing about basic facts that are objectively and easily verifiable. … We should all be greatly concerned for our democracy and societal stability.”

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   2. My recollection of The Blueprint is that the planner and the rich backers were able to propose a plan AND get buy in from the party, candidates & their campaigns, progressive organizations, and a broad swath of activists.  Leveraging that agreement, a common database for voter information, and having a group willing to invest in the technology needed for fieldwork.made the difference. 

      I have a hard time imagining a similar unifying image for the Republican Party, candidates, affiliated organization, and activists at this point.  Anti-abortion forces, gunz backers, anti-taxers, and the culture warriors would have a hard time agreeing — add in the traditional "pro-business" Republicans who don't want to push most of those messages, and the result is the status quo:  Republicans 'R' Revolting among the various factions.

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      1. I think your take is about right, JiD. Throw in harrydoby's comment above about being 25% there in building the audience, and therein lies the rub. I suspect they will build a data network and a news aggregator/propaganda site as planned, but if it all only appeals to +/- 25% of the electorate because policy positions and actions of elected officials remain undesirable, victories as a result of the $$$ and work will be few and far between.

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      2. And some of the constituent groups in the GOP coalition would be at war with one another if the party actually tried to deliver on some of its promises. Specifically, the economic conservatives love open borders but the xenophobes and racists hate it. Solution:  keep ranting about it and fundraise off it but never actually deal with the issues. They can't.

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   3. Gotta love the fact that this brilliant idea came from the gubernatorial candidate who nearly lost Douglas County, and found herself on the wrong end of the most lobsided gubernatorial election in 20 years.

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      1. It just seems to me that she's in an extremely thick political bubble, or is badly tone deaf, or maybe both.

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         1. She's extremely clueless, bless her heart

             

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      2. But she has money, so she's gotta be smart …. right?

         If her money, plus money from friends and supporters, allows her to stand up and announce a bad plan, I really don't mind.

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         1. Agree.  More power to them.

             

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   4. Nonpartisan my ass.  Just looked at the roster of the board and the team.  I call bullshit on their nonpartisanship and will be keeping an eye on the institute's doings to see if they adhere to requirements for a 501(c)(3). 

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