191 Comments
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Madeleine's avatar

As a GA resident, I have witnessed the ignorance of Kemp. Glad he isn’t running! A MAGA masquerading as George Bush GOP!

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Kentuckistan's avatar

I think he's considering a run for President, if Trump Daddy cedes the field

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Madeleine's avatar

Agree!

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Reagan Bush Republican's avatar

Kemp is no Bush, but I'll take him over Trump or any Democrat every day of the week. He is the absolute best the GOP Establishment can hope for in the post-Trump era. We are never going back to 2004, and I have no intention of going back to 2008.

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Kentuckistan's avatar

I take it you did not serve in Iraq?

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J. R. Barry's avatar

Ossoff is one of the best Southern US Senators. I hope this decision helps Jon get re-elected.

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Reagan Bush Republican's avatar

I hope it doesn’t,…but it probably will. Ossoff is a fake moderate, and an empty suit rubber stamp vote for all the worst progressive legislation, just like Bob Casey was. It took us decades to get rid of Casey. Hopefully, it only takes an another year and a half to get rid of Ossoff.

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Madeleine's avatar

Do you live in GA? If not, are you aware of his actual GA legislation?

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Reagan Bush Republican's avatar

I don’t have a problem with his politics. He’s a conservative without the MAGA. I’m a conservative. It’s the MAGA I hate. Securing elections doesn’t bother me.

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Madeleine's avatar

I don't have a problem with true conservative policies and conservative values, but I do have a problem with policies and politicians that pretend they are supporting "conservative ideals" when in fact they cost all of us dearly and undermine our country's true values...the fostering of a healthy democracy.

-Securing the elections would actually mean securing Georgia's easily hackable, and extremely expensive electronic voting equipment, rather than phony voter suppression legislation designed to disguise racist policies. The purchase of this equipment was not a fiscally conservative approach to spending, since many election professionals were advising against a such costly and inferior purchase. Not a conservative approach to public spending and secure elections.

-Not accepting Medicaid expansion, while viewed as a "conservative policy" left $Bs on the table causing many rural Georgia hospitals to close, costing Georgians in both health and taxpayer dollars. This is not a conservative policy but a fiscally irresponsible and reckless public health and safety policy.

-Plant Votgle the nuclear power plant was not a conservative use of taxpayer $$s as the overruns were extremely extensive and Kemp cronies profited from the taxpayer purchase of this white elephant. GA residents will be paying for this for the next 50 years.

-Permitless open carry without background checks is not a conservative policy, rather it is a reckless public health and safety policy. A "conservative policy" would require background checks for public safety at the very least.

-A 6 week abortion ban is not a conservative policy it is a policy controlling women's health. A conservative policy would allow a doctor and a women to determine the best course of action for her health.

Kemp owns all of the above and much more. Policies which strengthen our democracy are true conservative policies. Culture war policies which divide, and are based on extreme greed, reckless disregard for public health and safety, racism, misogyny, and cronyism are not true conservatives values...they are just pretending to be. Those policymakers are thinly veiled phonies and hypocrites.

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Kentuckistan's avatar

Reagn Bush Republican is working through some issues.

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GA Westover's avatar

Can only imagine how it must feel for Harvard to be lectured to by a moral degenerate and mental misfit. Who got her money conning idiots out of theirs. My response if I was Harvard president would be a loud Fuck Off.

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Chuck Eagle's avatar

Alcatraz was a great level in Tony Hawk Pro Skater 4. I'd support turning it into a skate park before reopening it as a prison.

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David Court's avatar

None taken; and thanks for causing me to re-read it again. I allowed myself to be side-tracked because I was focussing on the "Republican Party" rather than the hope never dying. I am just so attuned to people (and I DID think it was Bill) who still think an entity exists with that name. We could go into parties needing vertebrae and the ability to stand up for what is right rather than what is personally expedient, but that goes too far down my rabbit hole, not yours.

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LindaG's avatar

I am disgusted and triggered by Will Selber's glib reporting on what Netanyahu, his far Right Wing cabinet or whatever it's called, the far right wing Military Leaders who are conducting A GENOCIDE of the Gazan Palestinian people! The IDF is breaking EVERY rule in the Fourth Geneva Convention, Protection of Civilians in times of War. Some who comment here seem to not feel as if Gazan civilians are human, "wall it off and let them rot..." wow.....really hate to see and read this level of racism anywhere in the Bulwark. Maybe some folks here might be interested in reading the actual 8 Provisions concerning Protection of Civilians during Times of War, and hold them up to the behavior and conduct of the IDF throughout the entire several years of war. Their actions are INDEFENSIBLE and GENOCIDAL!!!!!!!

Protection of Civilian Objects:

Civilian objects, defined as those not related to military objectives, are not to be the target of attacks, nor can they be used for reprisals.

Prohibition of Certain Actions:

The Conventions prohibit various actions against civilians, including punishment for offenses they did not personally commit, collective penalties, intimidation, terrorism, and pillage.

Protection in Occupied Territories:

Civilians in occupied territories are guaranteed the protection of the Convention regardless of changes in the territory's government or agreements made. They are protected from deportation or forcible transfer to other territories.

Medical Care:

The Conventions provide for the protection of medical personnel, institutions, and transport, ensuring that the wounded and sick can receive necessary care.

Food and Water:

Civilians are entitled to receive food and water supplies, even during a siege, and should be allowed to freely communicate with their families.

Evacuation and Transfer:

Evacuations and transfers of civilians from occupied territories are generally prohibited, except under specific circumstances where they are necessary for the safety and well-being of the civilians.

Reprisals:

Reprisals, or actions taken against civilians as a form of retaliation, are explicitly prohibited.

Physical Suffering:

The Geneva Conventions prohibit any measures that would cause physical suffering or extermination of protected persons.

In summary, the Geneva Conventions aim to limit the impact of war on civilians, ensuring their safety and well-being to the greatest extent possible.

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Bryan Fichter's avatar

Smart move by Kemp; pick any metric- the economy, public health, infrastructure- and Americans are likely to be worse off next year. Terrible year to be a Republican.

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Rich Larson's avatar

"...Israel’s military will no longer plan to withdraw from seized territory in Gaza..." I have to point out the foolishness of the Arab-American community in Michigan and elsewhere who thought that being uncommitted or worse yet, supporting Trump, would help their Palestinian brethren. The fact that they say they don't regret it is mind-boggling and another upside down disturbance in the force.

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BmG's avatar

This is take the keys away from grandpa time

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dcicero's avatar

What? No discussion of Mike Pence's interview on CNN last night?

C'mon. It was classic Mike Pence: praised Trump's broad-shouldered leadership and agenda, talked about how proud he was of the accomplishments of "our" administration, reiterated his "disappointment" in what happened on January 6.

He still has that "disappointed parent" look when discussing the American People or the media. He still overuses adjectives and adverbs.

The whole thing was so awful. How or why he was awarded the Profile in Courage award is beyond me. He's a thoroughgoing coward.

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max skinner's avatar

He did his job on Jan 6th. His concerned father demeanor is a one he’s shown for many years. He won’t drop it easily. Was he courageous? It’s a term that can have different meanings in different situations. We can all have our opinions on that.

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Jerry Fletcher's avatar

He stood up to Trump on the 6th. I agree with your assessment for the most part, but I will always cut him some slack for holding the line when there was a ton of pressure on him to fold in that moment. It would have been very easy for him to get in that limo and let Trump declare the certification delayed until they got to the bottom of the non-existent fraud.

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Bill Webb's avatar

Trump obviously wants Alcatraz as a dungeon used to punish his worst enemies, but it would be very expensive to renovate and the salt air would make maintenance a real problem. It would also be expensive to operate since everything has to come in and out by boat. On any sane basis it makes no sense but it appeals to Trump when he wants to punish people, just like deporting people to the terrorist prison in El Salvador. It might be interesting to get DOGE's opinion on how "efficient" a use of federal funds it would be, if DOGE could be counted upon to give an honest opinion.

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CW Stanford's avatar

He's just tying to get into heads with his stupid ideas -- all a distraction from the real policy playbook given him by Project 2025. Still, on the matter of cost, the ratio of staff to prisoners in a maximum security US prison is about 1.1 to 1. Yes, more staff than prisoners. What's more, a 80K job in Leavenworth, Kansas may buy a chicken, a car and possibly a house, but not in SF where the low income threshold for a family of four is $117K.

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NVO's avatar

That Smotrich is a genocidal maniac.

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MC's avatar

Here is to hoping that Republican party dies under Trump. There are no real ideas left in it. Trickle down is a joke. Its moral foundation is a joke and a half. I am praying to fake God that the Republican party dies with MAGA if we get out of this Republican-created constitutional crisis. Thanks Reagan, the dumb Bush and Michael Steele. Wankers all of them.

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CW Stanford's avatar

Creating more division is not going to get us out of this mess, nor is refusal to forgive those with whom you did not agree in the past. We need to look for things in common now.

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MC's avatar

Okay, here is a start. Tell me if this is a starting point.

-Universal healthcare

-Very high marginal tax rates and higher rates in general for the wealthy

-Eliminate qualified immunity for cops

-Some kind of child care credit

-Woman's Righto to Choose

-Enforce/and tighten laws on religious organizations

-Reverse the 1996 Telecommunications Act

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jean mensing's avatar

Every time T. and his lackeys run into a problem they ask each other, "what would the nazis do?"

And then they try to do it. Re-open Alcatraz; get rid of the Generals and increase loyal troops (Hegseth's latest plan), Make people sicker (Kennedy) so only the fittest survive....and so on. It doesn't take deep thinking to see what's happening....just a smidgeon of recent history. HELP!

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Gerald Granath's avatar

Who's watching the buffoon in the Oval office with Carney?

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dcicero's avatar

Trump makes his case for Canada becoming the 51st state. Then Carney says "some things are not for sale" and points out that they're sitting in one. Then Trump circles back to his sales pitch for how great it would be for Canada to be the 51st state.

This is all nuts.

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Beverly.Angel's avatar

Trump does not comprehend "not for sale" and Carney's attempt to explain it to him by using the White House as an example was bound to fail since Trump is very actively looking for way to sell the White House itself... or at least rent it out! Clinton allowing campaign donors to enjoy a night in the Lincoln bedroom was amateur hour by comparison.

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Doris's avatar

I suppose it would be a shame if someone like Kemp lost to a dem in the 2028 presidential election. But it would be pretty glorious if Kemp beat Trump in the primary in 2028. This could be a win-win for the U.S. we don’t need to just get rid of Trump. We need to get rid of MAGA and every MAGA toadie currently in the Senate.

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Shawn Willden's avatar

I agree with you, but have to point out how crazy it is that you're even talking about Trump running in 2028. Trump's superpower is pushing the Overton Window so effectively that even his opponents adopt his framing... in this case even to accepting as possible something that is explicitly and intentionally barred by the constitution.

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Doris's avatar

You are correct, Trump should not be able to run again. But judge Luttig and about a dozen other highly respected conservative republican jurists all said Trump was constitutionally disqualified under the 14th amendment from even running again in 2024, and look where we are. The better strategy is to take him “seriously and literally” and come up with a plan to beat him, rather than assume the law is what we think it is. Virtually no legal scholar thought the Supreme Court would extend presidential immunity as far as they did, and look where that issue is now as well. Fight rather than assume is the only way to deal with this guy. It’s too dangerous not to.

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Shawn Willden's avatar

Agreed... but *also* don't accept his claim that he can run for a third term. It's good to prepare against it, but part of that is not accepting his framing.

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Chiere Martyn's avatar

There isn’t much about Kemp I like, but just about anyone who can keep all MAGA out of the White House is a step forward.

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