There’s a certain thing in so many of his supporters. It’s way down deep in their gut, they don’t even know it’s there. But it’s there. It’s a mean little sadistic thing. It likes when he talks dirty. It likes when he targets innocent groups. It likes the idea of blaming and punishing someone else for all the problems. It likes being part of a mob and getting a vicarious thrill out of all the venom. It’s an ugly smoldering thing. And without it fascist demagogues would never win elections. And it makes me sick to my stomach.
I can imagine being undecided between Donald Trump and Ron DeSantis, or between Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren. But can you imagine anybody, at this late date, being undecided between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump?
CNN had a focus group, in Erie, Pennsylvania, watching the debate last night. They were all voters who, just prior to the debate, were undecided between the two candidates. After the debate, the majority had made up their minds. But I’m still thunderstruck that anyone could have a problem making up their mind when the choice they’re given is Kamala Harris or Donald Trump for President.
When the CNN reporter interviewed the members of the focus group, it almost seemed like, in the current political climate, they were a unique and different breed of individual. They seemed so unflinchingly moderate, so detached, so unmoved, so unenthusiastic, so ho-hum. I wanted to shake them. But I’m thinking maybe they really are a particular personality type, and can’t help being that way. They just struggle with making up their minds, at least about politics, even very divisive politics. I guess politicians need to find a way to grab the attention of such persons and strike whatever chord inside them that needs to be struck.
“You little know the nature of the clique to which he belongs. That they value pleasure fully as much as other men, is quite certain; that they struggle for riches, it were equally impossible to doubt: but that POWER is dearer to them than either, is a truth well known to all . . . [Fanny Trollope, The Vicar of Wrexhill (1837)]
Does Auburn throw a hissy fit and ask for a recount? No.
Does Auburn file 61 frivolous lawsuits? No.
Does Auburn call the Ref and ask him to “find”, um, 15 more points? No.
Does Auburn ask its buddies in the Southeast Conference to just “declare” it the winner, despite no evidence? No.
The Auburn coach and players all shake hands with ‘Bama and wish them good luck in the Orange Bowl. Auburn doesn’t summon a mob of angry armed fans and send them to Tuscaloosa to beat up campus security and steal the Foy-ODK Sportsmanship Trophy.
Shouldn’t Propositions be for gut issues like same-sex marriage, assault weapons ban, legalizing marijuana, and the death penalty? Honestly, we’re not qualified to decide whether EMT’s should be on-call during their lunch breaks or not.
I believe I am qualified to be Governor of California because I have worked in all the branches of California government for many years, in leadership positions. Most recently I have been Lieutenant Governor and was Acting Governor for nine months while the Governor was recovering from heart surgery.
The problems we face are complicated and there are no simple answers or guarantees that we will overcome them. I can only promise that I will work hard and do my best to find those answers. I would like to lower taxes but only if we can meet the needs of the people of this State without spending as much as we spend now.
My opponent, Ernest Phelluh, would also make a good Governor. He has a great deal of experience and always does a good job. He is honest and sincere. He believes that California should meet its clean energy goals by emphasizing wind power over solar power. I believe that the emphasis should be more on solar power. So while I fundamentally disagree with him, I understand and respect his point of view.
Here’s some moderately-flattering footage of me digging the first shovelful at the groundbreaking for a new school. Here’s some moderately-flattering footage of Ernest cutting the ribbon on a new transit line.
Please consider both of our records and our platforms and vote for the candidate who you feel would best govern this State. Thank you.
PAID FOR BY THE CALIFORNIA MONEYLESS AND SLIME-FREE PUBLIC CAMPAIGN REFORM FUND
Chuck Redman 