Feinstein Dead at 90

[Pakuni]

I mean it's objectively a huge joke and pandering bastardization of what should be done in that situation.  But at the same time, it's the kind of shady grey area maneuvering the GOP has been fantastic at for a decade that the Dems haven't been able to counter or refuse to.  So there's that.

This really should the catalyst for the fracturing of the framework of the 2 party system and allow for more representative parties/candidates.  But we know that has 0% chance of happening

Not defending (or criticizing) this particular choice, because unlike 4ever - who no doubt has thoroughly researched this - I know very little about Laphonza Butler.
But why is it so often that when a black woman is chosen for something - vice president, Supreme Court, U.S. Senate, starring role in a Disney film,a hosting gig on a sports network - it's labeled as pandering?
Seems those complaints come with an underlying current of something.

[JWags85]

Not defending (or criticizing) this particular choice, because unlike 4ever - who no doubt has thoroughly researched this - I know very little about Laphonza Butler.
But why is it so often that when a black woman is chosen for something - vice president, Supreme Court, U.S. Senate, starring role in a Disney film,a hosting gig on a sports network - it's labeled as pandering?
Seems those complaints come with an underlying current of something.

I have nothing to say about the other things you listed as I wasn't referring to them, but overlooking a number of very qualified options right in California to select an African American lesbian from residing the country who never held or ran for political office (after specifically promising to appoint an African American woman) just feels pandering.

If he had selected Barbara Lee, or if Katie Porter was African American and selected, I wouldn't think it was really pandering at all.

I tend to think if Butler was a white male appointed in the same scenario, over Lee and Porter, people would be losing their mind

[Pakuni]

I have nothing to say about the other things you listed as I wasn't referring to them, but overlooking a number of very qualified options right in California to select an African American lesbian from residing the country who never held or ran for political office (after specifically promising to appoint an African American woman) just feels pandering.

If he had selected Barbara Lee, or if Katie Porter was African American and selected, I wouldn't think it was really pandering at all.

I tend to think if Butler was a white male appointed in the same scenario, over Lee and Porter, people would be losing their mind

Here's a thought:
The appointment of Butler has much less to do with pandering to a specific part of the electorate than it does with allowing Newsom to avoid playing favorites in the race to replace Feinstein, and thereby alienating the well-connected and well-heeled backers of Schiff, Porter and Lee. I suspect none are happy with the choice, but none can claim they were disadvantaged by it either.

Butler has not announced any intention to run, and as a little-known outsider with no real campaign experience, she would seem to have little chance against the already declared candidates.
So, Newsom avoids choosing sides and none of the leading candidates gets a leg up.

And anyone who thinks the U.S. Senate does anything differently over the next 14 months with Butler in office instead of Lee or Porter is mistaken.

[4everwarriors]

How 'bout the the best qualified person be appointed to these vacancies, hey?

[Pakuni]

How 'bout the the best qualified person be appointed to these vacancies, hey?

Why do you assume that's not the case when the appointee is a black woman?

[Hards Alumni]

How 'bout the the best qualified person be appointed to these vacancies, hey?

Ah, so no one in government then.

[Jockey]

Why do you assume that's not the case when the appointee is a black woman?

Following his leader.

[4everwarriors]

Why do you assume that's not the case when the appointee is a black woman?

Dude, don't try to put words in my mouth. As Wags said, she's a little known outsider with no campaign experience, hey?

[jficke13]

Here's a thought:
The appointment of Butler has much less to do with pandering to a specific part of the electorate than it does with allowing Newsom to avoid playing favorites in the race to replace Feinstein, and thereby alienating the well-connected and well-heeled backers of Schiff, Porter and Lee. I suspect none are happy with the choice, but none can claim they were disadvantaged by it either.

Butler has not announced any intention to run, and as a little-known outsider with no real campaign experience, she would seem to have little chance against the already declared candidates.
So, Newsom avoids choosing sides and none of the leading candidates gets a leg up.

And anyone who thinks the U.S. Senate does anything differently over the next 14 months with Butler in office instead of Lee or Porter is mistaken.

He's right ya know

[TSmith34, Inc.]

I mean it's objectively a huge joke and pandering bastardization of what should be done in that situation.  But at the same time, it's the kind of shady grey area maneuvering the GOP has been fantastic at for a decade that the Dems haven't been able to counter or refuse to.  So there's that.

We can certainly debate the propriety of it. Is that what we think 4ever is doing? Do we all recall how he was equally upset when Oz was running for PA and Walker was running for GA and they lived in NJ and TX respectively? Or how he is such a fierce opponent of the leader of the TN legislature that not only doesn't live in his district but actually charges taxpayers for expenses from the district he actually lives in? No?

No, he is just regurgitating the outrage de jure that Fox has been peddling. You always know what Fox is telling its viewers to be angry about on any given day by the seemingly random inputs here from that contingent. Biden's dog! Hunter's laptop! Biden didn't wear socks!

[The Sultan]

Dude, don't try to put words in my mouth. As Wags said, she's a little known outsider with no campaign experience, hey?

So was Trump.

[4everwarriors]

Some men choose not to wear socks. Unfortunately, da Buffoon doesn't know whether he's wearin' socks or not, aina?

[Pakuni]

Dude, don't try to put words in my mouth. As Wags said, she's a little known outsider with no campaign experience, hey?

Actually, I said that. Though I'm not sure why her lack of campaign experience makes her less qualified. Explain further.
I didn't see you raise concerns about Amy Coney Barrett's lack of judicial experience and wondering why a more qualified person wasn't selected.

[JWags85]

We can certainly debate the propriety of it. Is that what we think 4ever is doing? Do we all recall how he was equally upset when Oz was running for PA and Walker was running for GA and they lived in NJ and TX respectively? Or how he is such a fierce opponent of the leader of the TN legislature that not only doesn't live in his district but actually charges taxpayers for expenses from the district he actually lives in? No?

No, he is just regurgitating the outrage de jure that Fox has been peddling. You always know what Fox is telling its viewers to be angry about on any given day by the seemingly random inputs here from that contingent. Biden's dog! Hunter's laptop! Biden didn't wear socks!

I get your point.  And I don't disagree with Pakuni's general point about the political strategy.  Though you can certainly pander/placate with a placeholder.   There has been ample discussion criticizing NFL owners doing that with interim/fall guy HC appointments/hires.

I'm not outraged. Politics is gross and slimy and you can never run out of activities in the grey that are pretty questionable. It is what it is.  I was more pushing back at the idea that you have to have some issue with selection or promotion of African American women to highlight this.  But without a doubt there are plenty and plenty of people outraged and screaming about this on social media who couldn't articulate 2 sentences as to what about it is improper or questionable

[4everwarriors]

To the victor go the spoils, hey?

[TSmith34, Inc.]

I get your point.  And I don't disagree with Pakuni's general point about the political strategy.  Though you can certainly pander/placate with a placeholder.   There has been ample discussion criticizing NFL owners doing that with interim/fall guy HC appointments/hires.

I'm not outraged. Politics is gross and slimy and you can never run out of activities in the grey that are pretty questionable. It is what it is.  I was more pushing back at the idea that you have to have some issue with selection or promotion of African American women to highlight this.  But without a doubt there are plenty and plenty of people outraged and screaming about this on social media who couldn't articulate 2 sentences as to what about it is improper or questionable

I mostly agree with you, I think it is very fair to debate the choice on the merits. I do agree with Newsom's the idea of not nominating one of the three leading candidates so as to stay impartial.

[MU82]

Jim Jordan wants the job.

Pathological liar. Election denier. Worships the ground that the 91-felony criminal defendant walks on. Radical wingnut. As Ohio State assistant wrestling coach, looked the other way as athletes he coached were getting sexually abused by the team doctor.

Sounds like a choice even Matt Gaetz would love.

[lawdog77]

So was Trump.

Trump was little known?

[The Sultan]

Trump was little known?

He had no campaign experience.

[lawdog77]

He had no campaign experience.

Thats different than being little known. I think everyone knew what a fraud he was beforehand.

[Lennys Tap]

Jim Jordan wants the job.

Pathological liar. Election denier. Worships the ground that the 91-felony criminal defendant walks on. Radical wingnut. As Ohio State assistant wrestling coach, looked the other way as athletes he coached were getting sexually abused by the team doctor.

Sounds like a choice even Matt Gaetz would love.

Is this considered politics?

[MU82]

Is this considered politics?

Sure. And it's the first political post in this thread.

[Lennys Tap]

Sure. And it's the first political post in this thread.

Of course it's not but you (and Smith) take things to another level. I gave up on him long ago. You? Never.

[Golden Avalanche]

Some men choose not to wear socks. Unfortunately, da Buffoon doesn't know whether he's wearin' socks or not, aina?

It happens to men his size that he can't see his ankles anymore. Plus the orange hue on his collar as he looks down would be unappetizing. 

[Jockey]

Thats different than being little known. I think everyone knew what a fraud he was beforehand.

So you're saying that 60 - 70 million Rs were openly searching for a fraud?  I would agree with that.