[Magdalen] Well at least that's over with.

[Sally Davies]

I watched The Daily Show (for its new South African host who seems to be
struggling to find the right note), and it said that whilst TV polls are
hugely for Hillary, Bernie attracted the most interest and support on the
Internet.

So if 'dressing your baby as Bernie' is any guide to future
votes....though no more ridiculous than anything Donald Trump says. They
also featured the spat on camera and then on Twitter between Trump and Jeb
Bush, the most unedifying and frankly disgusting sequence where Trump tried
to insinuate that GWB was to blame for 9/11, whilst denying that he was
doing that, and Jeb got himself into an unwinnable argument with a foe
unworthy even for him and a loyal non-argument "my brother kept us safe".

O'Malley was the guest on the show and he tried to set up a polarity
between "Wall Street" and "the rest of the economy" and then to imply that
Hillary is too close to "Wall Street". I thought he was charming and
intelligent but not ready for a Presidential race - though maybe sometime
in the future?  And the point raised by Noah that Hillary calls "Big
Pharma" one of her enemies yet accepts massive donations from them is also
somewhat telling. Still, one can't expect a capable politician, and she's
certainly that, not to make the most of a question like "which enemies are
you most proud of".

Hillary's the only one of either side who looks even vaguely Presidential
to me but I'm not sure what looks Presidential to Americans in different
parts of "the world in one country". Who gets the Latino vote?

On the subject of the Daily Show, Noah did a brilliant sketch last week of
"America's First African President" where they photo-shopped Donald Trump
as various highly recognisable African dictators (Mobutu, Amin, Mugabe and
Gaddafi) as well as our dubiously democratic President Zuma, and showed how
actual things Trump has said in this campaign - as well as his general
attitude - exactly mirrors statements made by these African monsters.

Trevor Noah is very popular here but he could end up with more South
African viewers than Americans if he doesn't find a style that has a
broader appeal. I think he's hilarious most of the time but am wondering
how it's going over State-side.

Sally D



On Thursday, October 22, 2015, Jay Weigel <jay.weigel at gmail.com> wrote:

> Bernie's got a surprising following here in the Shenandoah Valley, of all
> places. One of my friends, who is from Vermont, is organizing for him. And
> you have to realize that, as in Vermont, he's got followers across party
> lines.
>
> On Wed, Oct 21, 2015 at 7:17 PM, Roger Stokes <
> roger.stokes65 at btinternet.com <javascript:;>
> > wrote:
>
> > On 21/10/2015 23:16, Christopher Hart wrote:
> >
> >> I like nearly all of what Bernie has to say and stands for, but I wonder
> >> if he can win in a general election.
> >>
> >
> > From what I have read he does not appeal in the Southern States. We have
> a
> > similar problem over here where there are grave doubts as to whether the
> > newly elected Leader of the Labour Party might put people off in a
> General
> > Election.  A poll indicated that people like his ideas until they hear
> > whose ideas they are.
> >
> > I would gladly take Hillary over anyone in the Republican field.
> >>
> >
> > Fair comment. Is the USA in for more government stalemate with Republican
> > candidates unelectable as President but ther House and most State
> > legislatures with Republican control?  A good deal of pragfmatism and
> > determination to allow the country to function is needed but can sensible
> > Repyblicans sell that idea to the grass-roots?
> >
> > Roger
> >
>