129 thoughts on “Final Obama SOTU Speechifying Open Thread”

  1. More than half the room can’t be trusted, and that’s being kind.
    Samantha Power, Ashton Carter and others who are constantly maligned here are not among those who can’t be trusted. IMHO.

    Reply
  2. More than half the room can’t be trusted, and that’s being kind.
    Samantha Power, Ashton Carter and others who are constantly maligned here are not among those who can’t be trusted. IMHO.

    Reply
  3. More than half the room can’t be trusted, and that’s being kind.
    Samantha Power, Ashton Carter and others who are constantly maligned here are not among those who can’t be trusted. IMHO.

    Reply
  4. Obama came dangerously close to admitting that what American democracy needs is a better electorate.
    He’s absolutely right that changing a congressman here or a president there is not enough to fix what ails this government of the people, by the people, and for the people. But he manfully resisted pointing out that the people are collectively nuts enough to contemplate He, Trump giving the next state-of-the-union speech, which is more restraint than I’d have been able to muster, since I am less PC than Obama is.
    Nonetheless, even if my man Bernie wins the presidency, I will still miss the hell out of Obama’s speeches.
    –TP

    Reply
  5. Obama came dangerously close to admitting that what American democracy needs is a better electorate.
    He’s absolutely right that changing a congressman here or a president there is not enough to fix what ails this government of the people, by the people, and for the people. But he manfully resisted pointing out that the people are collectively nuts enough to contemplate He, Trump giving the next state-of-the-union speech, which is more restraint than I’d have been able to muster, since I am less PC than Obama is.
    Nonetheless, even if my man Bernie wins the presidency, I will still miss the hell out of Obama’s speeches.
    –TP

    Reply
  6. Obama came dangerously close to admitting that what American democracy needs is a better electorate.
    He’s absolutely right that changing a congressman here or a president there is not enough to fix what ails this government of the people, by the people, and for the people. But he manfully resisted pointing out that the people are collectively nuts enough to contemplate He, Trump giving the next state-of-the-union speech, which is more restraint than I’d have been able to muster, since I am less PC than Obama is.
    Nonetheless, even if my man Bernie wins the presidency, I will still miss the hell out of Obama’s speeches.
    –TP

    Reply
  7. Decent speech, left out some things, was exactly right on others. Unfortunately in America a decent speech that refers to reality is probably better than we deserve.
    You want to fight about Power, sapient? Some other time.

    Reply
  8. Decent speech, left out some things, was exactly right on others. Unfortunately in America a decent speech that refers to reality is probably better than we deserve.
    You want to fight about Power, sapient? Some other time.

    Reply
  9. Decent speech, left out some things, was exactly right on others. Unfortunately in America a decent speech that refers to reality is probably better than we deserve.
    You want to fight about Power, sapient? Some other time.

    Reply
  10. Noble savages often turn out to be pretty savage nobles if given the opportunity.
    Well at least (American) Indian casinos don’t finance the Israeli settler movement with multimillion dollar amounts (unlike Mr.Adelson’s).

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  11. Noble savages often turn out to be pretty savage nobles if given the opportunity.
    Well at least (American) Indian casinos don’t finance the Israeli settler movement with multimillion dollar amounts (unlike Mr.Adelson’s).

    Reply
  12. Noble savages often turn out to be pretty savage nobles if given the opportunity.
    Well at least (American) Indian casinos don’t finance the Israeli settler movement with multimillion dollar amounts (unlike Mr.Adelson’s).

    Reply
  13. Trump, Cruz and company are just the edges of the Force 500 whirlwind these new savages are reaping for the country.
    Come on, Count, you’ve got to stay optimistic. Perhaps they will reap the whirlwind for the GOP, and not for the country as a whole.
    Not that this seems like a wonderful choice. But sometimes you have to amputate in order to save the patient. I’m just hoping it will be amputating the nut cases from the GOP, rather than having to amputate my party completely….

    Reply
  14. Trump, Cruz and company are just the edges of the Force 500 whirlwind these new savages are reaping for the country.
    Come on, Count, you’ve got to stay optimistic. Perhaps they will reap the whirlwind for the GOP, and not for the country as a whole.
    Not that this seems like a wonderful choice. But sometimes you have to amputate in order to save the patient. I’m just hoping it will be amputating the nut cases from the GOP, rather than having to amputate my party completely….

    Reply
  15. Trump, Cruz and company are just the edges of the Force 500 whirlwind these new savages are reaping for the country.
    Come on, Count, you’ve got to stay optimistic. Perhaps they will reap the whirlwind for the GOP, and not for the country as a whole.
    Not that this seems like a wonderful choice. But sometimes you have to amputate in order to save the patient. I’m just hoping it will be amputating the nut cases from the GOP, rather than having to amputate my party completely….

    Reply
  16. I’m still channeling McConaughhey’s “Rust” character from “True Detectives”.
    Once political sepsis/gangrene sets in you’ve got to eliminate more than just the dead tissue.
    Fear not, I’ve been thinking about the late comedian Red Skelton for some reason this morning, so maybe things will start looking up.
    May God Blesth, everyone.

    Reply
  17. I’m still channeling McConaughhey’s “Rust” character from “True Detectives”.
    Once political sepsis/gangrene sets in you’ve got to eliminate more than just the dead tissue.
    Fear not, I’ve been thinking about the late comedian Red Skelton for some reason this morning, so maybe things will start looking up.
    May God Blesth, everyone.

    Reply
  18. I’m still channeling McConaughhey’s “Rust” character from “True Detectives”.
    Once political sepsis/gangrene sets in you’ve got to eliminate more than just the dead tissue.
    Fear not, I’ve been thinking about the late comedian Red Skelton for some reason this morning, so maybe things will start looking up.
    May God Blesth, everyone.

    Reply
  19. My current best-case scenario for American politics is that the former party of Lincoln will go the way of Lincoln’s former party, the Whigs.
    That will open up the ecological niche of “one of the two dominant parties”, allowing one of the parties to the left of the Democrats (or a fusion of two or more of them) to expand to fill it. The Democrats can then resume their historical position as the nation’s responsible conservative party.
    That is the time when I can finally in good conscience stop voting as a Democrat and join the new party.
    The shorter is, “Paint the electoral map blue, then start painting it green”.

    Reply
  20. My current best-case scenario for American politics is that the former party of Lincoln will go the way of Lincoln’s former party, the Whigs.
    That will open up the ecological niche of “one of the two dominant parties”, allowing one of the parties to the left of the Democrats (or a fusion of two or more of them) to expand to fill it. The Democrats can then resume their historical position as the nation’s responsible conservative party.
    That is the time when I can finally in good conscience stop voting as a Democrat and join the new party.
    The shorter is, “Paint the electoral map blue, then start painting it green”.

    Reply
  21. My current best-case scenario for American politics is that the former party of Lincoln will go the way of Lincoln’s former party, the Whigs.
    That will open up the ecological niche of “one of the two dominant parties”, allowing one of the parties to the left of the Democrats (or a fusion of two or more of them) to expand to fill it. The Democrats can then resume their historical position as the nation’s responsible conservative party.
    That is the time when I can finally in good conscience stop voting as a Democrat and join the new party.
    The shorter is, “Paint the electoral map blue, then start painting it green”.

    Reply
  22. Either the stock market stops going down right here, or it crashes.
    If so, Trump’s polls will soar and the guns will be in charge.

    Reply
  23. Either the stock market stops going down right here, or it crashes.
    If so, Trump’s polls will soar and the guns will be in charge.

    Reply
  24. Either the stock market stops going down right here, or it crashes.
    If so, Trump’s polls will soar and the guns will be in charge.

    Reply
  25. My current best-case scenario for American politics is that the former party of Lincoln will go the way of Lincoln’s former party, the Whigs.
    Since the only thing they don’t seem to be able to win is the Presidency, that’s kind of a long shot. My prediction is that neither Hillary nor Bernie will have long coattails, and that the Republicans hold the US House and Senate as well as their current lead in governorships and statehouse chambers.
    I’m kind of a nut on the topic, but I don’t think the Dems nationally appreciate just how little enthusiasm there is in the rest of the country for a candidate from the northeast urban corridor.

    Reply
  26. My current best-case scenario for American politics is that the former party of Lincoln will go the way of Lincoln’s former party, the Whigs.
    Since the only thing they don’t seem to be able to win is the Presidency, that’s kind of a long shot. My prediction is that neither Hillary nor Bernie will have long coattails, and that the Republicans hold the US House and Senate as well as their current lead in governorships and statehouse chambers.
    I’m kind of a nut on the topic, but I don’t think the Dems nationally appreciate just how little enthusiasm there is in the rest of the country for a candidate from the northeast urban corridor.

    Reply
  27. My current best-case scenario for American politics is that the former party of Lincoln will go the way of Lincoln’s former party, the Whigs.
    Since the only thing they don’t seem to be able to win is the Presidency, that’s kind of a long shot. My prediction is that neither Hillary nor Bernie will have long coattails, and that the Republicans hold the US House and Senate as well as their current lead in governorships and statehouse chambers.
    I’m kind of a nut on the topic, but I don’t think the Dems nationally appreciate just how little enthusiasm there is in the rest of the country for a candidate from the northeast urban corridor.

    Reply
  28. I’m not sure how long Bernie’s or Hilary’s coattails will be. But the impact down-ballot of the Republican nominee might (might) make it look like coattails. That is, there might be an influx of voters-against, who would keep on going down the ballot sheet.
    I’d say there is no chance of the Republicans losing the House (although their margain might be cut). But in the Senate it could be another story. First, they have Sentors at risk in states which voted for Obama. Twice.
    Second, even some of their less at-risk Senators are finding that it is difficult, even for moderates, to avoid being tarred with the national brush. That is, they keep getting asked to comment on the potential Presidential nominees — even though they are trying hard to focus on local and state issues.
    The combination could lead to a loss of control of the Senate. Which would be important, given the number of, for example, Supreme Court justices who are getting not just old but ancient. (They may not feel ready to retire. But death is no respecter of individual preferences.) And then there are the Appeals Court vacancies, which a Democratic Senate might get around to actually acting on.

    Reply
  29. I’m not sure how long Bernie’s or Hilary’s coattails will be. But the impact down-ballot of the Republican nominee might (might) make it look like coattails. That is, there might be an influx of voters-against, who would keep on going down the ballot sheet.
    I’d say there is no chance of the Republicans losing the House (although their margain might be cut). But in the Senate it could be another story. First, they have Sentors at risk in states which voted for Obama. Twice.
    Second, even some of their less at-risk Senators are finding that it is difficult, even for moderates, to avoid being tarred with the national brush. That is, they keep getting asked to comment on the potential Presidential nominees — even though they are trying hard to focus on local and state issues.
    The combination could lead to a loss of control of the Senate. Which would be important, given the number of, for example, Supreme Court justices who are getting not just old but ancient. (They may not feel ready to retire. But death is no respecter of individual preferences.) And then there are the Appeals Court vacancies, which a Democratic Senate might get around to actually acting on.

    Reply
  30. I’m not sure how long Bernie’s or Hilary’s coattails will be. But the impact down-ballot of the Republican nominee might (might) make it look like coattails. That is, there might be an influx of voters-against, who would keep on going down the ballot sheet.
    I’d say there is no chance of the Republicans losing the House (although their margain might be cut). But in the Senate it could be another story. First, they have Sentors at risk in states which voted for Obama. Twice.
    Second, even some of their less at-risk Senators are finding that it is difficult, even for moderates, to avoid being tarred with the national brush. That is, they keep getting asked to comment on the potential Presidential nominees — even though they are trying hard to focus on local and state issues.
    The combination could lead to a loss of control of the Senate. Which would be important, given the number of, for example, Supreme Court justices who are getting not just old but ancient. (They may not feel ready to retire. But death is no respecter of individual preferences.) And then there are the Appeals Court vacancies, which a Democratic Senate might get around to actually acting on.

    Reply
  31. for a candidate who is a politician from the northeast urban corridor.
    2012: IL v UT
    2008: IL v AZ
    2004: TX v MA
    2000: TX v TN
    1996: AR v KS
    1992: AR v TX
    1988: TX v MA
    1984: CA v MN
    1980: CA v GA
    so, that’s two people from the NE corridor in the past 35 years ?

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  32. for a candidate who is a politician from the northeast urban corridor.
    2012: IL v UT
    2008: IL v AZ
    2004: TX v MA
    2000: TX v TN
    1996: AR v KS
    1992: AR v TX
    1988: TX v MA
    1984: CA v MN
    1980: CA v GA
    so, that’s two people from the NE corridor in the past 35 years ?

    Reply
  33. for a candidate who is a politician from the northeast urban corridor.
    2012: IL v UT
    2008: IL v AZ
    2004: TX v MA
    2000: TX v TN
    1996: AR v KS
    1992: AR v TX
    1988: TX v MA
    1984: CA v MN
    1980: CA v GA
    so, that’s two people from the NE corridor in the past 35 years ?

    Reply
  34. and, if it’s Sanders on the Dem side, VT is definitely not part of the ‘urban’ anything. the entire population of its biggest city could fit into an average college football stadium.
    i don’t know where Clinton is from these days.

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  35. and, if it’s Sanders on the Dem side, VT is definitely not part of the ‘urban’ anything. the entire population of its biggest city could fit into an average college football stadium.
    i don’t know where Clinton is from these days.

    Reply
  36. and, if it’s Sanders on the Dem side, VT is definitely not part of the ‘urban’ anything. the entire population of its biggest city could fit into an average college football stadium.
    i don’t know where Clinton is from these days.

    Reply
  37. It’s sometimes a little fraught to figure out where someone is “from” given how much people in this country more around. For the purposes of a Presidential nomination, it’s important because the Presidential and VP nominees have to be from different states. I think the only viable answer is “where are you currently registered to vote?”
    That admittedly makes it great for carpetbaggers, but what alternative is there? Use where they were born, even if they haven’t lived there since they hit elementary school? (And that makes Cruz from Alberta??? Hmmm…. Well, at least it would give him total options for a VP pick.))

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  38. It’s sometimes a little fraught to figure out where someone is “from” given how much people in this country more around. For the purposes of a Presidential nomination, it’s important because the Presidential and VP nominees have to be from different states. I think the only viable answer is “where are you currently registered to vote?”
    That admittedly makes it great for carpetbaggers, but what alternative is there? Use where they were born, even if they haven’t lived there since they hit elementary school? (And that makes Cruz from Alberta??? Hmmm…. Well, at least it would give him total options for a VP pick.))

    Reply
  39. It’s sometimes a little fraught to figure out where someone is “from” given how much people in this country more around. For the purposes of a Presidential nomination, it’s important because the Presidential and VP nominees have to be from different states. I think the only viable answer is “where are you currently registered to vote?”
    That admittedly makes it great for carpetbaggers, but what alternative is there? Use where they were born, even if they haven’t lived there since they hit elementary school? (And that makes Cruz from Alberta??? Hmmm…. Well, at least it would give him total options for a VP pick.))

    Reply
  40. I think Romney’s official residence at the time was indeed in Massachusetts; you can see the Mormon temple he theoretically went to from Route 2.

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  41. I think Romney’s official residence at the time was indeed in Massachusetts; you can see the Mormon temple he theoretically went to from Route 2.

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  42. I think Romney’s official residence at the time was indeed in Massachusetts; you can see the Mormon temple he theoretically went to from Route 2.

    Reply
  43. I found some video from the future of his remarks here.
    I think he’s gonna steal Luther’s gig and be his own anger translator.
    I don’t think the Dems nationally appreciate just how little enthusiasm there is in the rest of the country for a candidate from the northeast urban corridor.
    I imagine that folks in most of the country would be hard pressed to find Vermont on a map.
    That said, it’s surely northeast, but as cleek notes, it’s one of the least urban states in the nation.
    Northern New England overall is more rural than most of the west, WY and MT excluded.
    Sanders does have the Brooklyn accent, though.

    Reply
  44. I found some video from the future of his remarks here.
    I think he’s gonna steal Luther’s gig and be his own anger translator.
    I don’t think the Dems nationally appreciate just how little enthusiasm there is in the rest of the country for a candidate from the northeast urban corridor.
    I imagine that folks in most of the country would be hard pressed to find Vermont on a map.
    That said, it’s surely northeast, but as cleek notes, it’s one of the least urban states in the nation.
    Northern New England overall is more rural than most of the west, WY and MT excluded.
    Sanders does have the Brooklyn accent, though.

    Reply
  45. I found some video from the future of his remarks here.
    I think he’s gonna steal Luther’s gig and be his own anger translator.
    I don’t think the Dems nationally appreciate just how little enthusiasm there is in the rest of the country for a candidate from the northeast urban corridor.
    I imagine that folks in most of the country would be hard pressed to find Vermont on a map.
    That said, it’s surely northeast, but as cleek notes, it’s one of the least urban states in the nation.
    Northern New England overall is more rural than most of the west, WY and MT excluded.
    Sanders does have the Brooklyn accent, though.

    Reply
  46. …it’s important because the Presidential and VP nominees have to be from different states.
    I believe that the restriction says that an elector (that Electoral College thing) can’t vote for both a presidential candidate and a vice-presidential candidate from the elector’s state. In practice, not much of a problem, although Dick Cheney quickly changed his residence back to Wyoming (from Texas) after he was selected as the VP candidate.

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  47. …it’s important because the Presidential and VP nominees have to be from different states.
    I believe that the restriction says that an elector (that Electoral College thing) can’t vote for both a presidential candidate and a vice-presidential candidate from the elector’s state. In practice, not much of a problem, although Dick Cheney quickly changed his residence back to Wyoming (from Texas) after he was selected as the VP candidate.

    Reply
  48. …it’s important because the Presidential and VP nominees have to be from different states.
    I believe that the restriction says that an elector (that Electoral College thing) can’t vote for both a presidential candidate and a vice-presidential candidate from the elector’s state. In practice, not much of a problem, although Dick Cheney quickly changed his residence back to Wyoming (from Texas) after he was selected as the VP candidate.

    Reply
  49. I don’t think it’s that hard to define what state someone is from. We do it all the time for various purposes. Where are you registered to vote? Where did you pay resident taxes?
    On the other hand, the restriction seems pretty useless to me, though maybe it’s important to fanatic federalists.

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  50. I don’t think it’s that hard to define what state someone is from. We do it all the time for various purposes. Where are you registered to vote? Where did you pay resident taxes?
    On the other hand, the restriction seems pretty useless to me, though maybe it’s important to fanatic federalists.

    Reply
  51. I don’t think it’s that hard to define what state someone is from. We do it all the time for various purposes. Where are you registered to vote? Where did you pay resident taxes?
    On the other hand, the restriction seems pretty useless to me, though maybe it’s important to fanatic federalists.

    Reply
  52. OT, but I think fascinating:
    http://www2.politicalbetting.com/index.php/archives/2016/01/14/the-ge2015-polling-fail-put-down-to-unrepresentative-samples/
    The evidence from BSA suggests that those who are contacted most easily are less likely to be Conservative voters. The survey made repeated efforts during the course of four months to make contact with those who had been selected for interview. Among those who were contacted most easily – that is they were interviewed the first time an interviewer called – Labour enjoyed a clear lead of no less than six points, a result not accounted for by the social profile of these respondents. In contrast, the Conservatives were eleven points ahead amongst those who were only interviewed after between three and six calls had been made.
    This was part of the conclusion of a report into the notable failure of opinion polling to get anywhere near the UK election result. I’ve never seen this variable analysed like this before.

    Reply
  53. OT, but I think fascinating:
    http://www2.politicalbetting.com/index.php/archives/2016/01/14/the-ge2015-polling-fail-put-down-to-unrepresentative-samples/
    The evidence from BSA suggests that those who are contacted most easily are less likely to be Conservative voters. The survey made repeated efforts during the course of four months to make contact with those who had been selected for interview. Among those who were contacted most easily – that is they were interviewed the first time an interviewer called – Labour enjoyed a clear lead of no less than six points, a result not accounted for by the social profile of these respondents. In contrast, the Conservatives were eleven points ahead amongst those who were only interviewed after between three and six calls had been made.
    This was part of the conclusion of a report into the notable failure of opinion polling to get anywhere near the UK election result. I’ve never seen this variable analysed like this before.

    Reply
  54. OT, but I think fascinating:
    http://www2.politicalbetting.com/index.php/archives/2016/01/14/the-ge2015-polling-fail-put-down-to-unrepresentative-samples/
    The evidence from BSA suggests that those who are contacted most easily are less likely to be Conservative voters. The survey made repeated efforts during the course of four months to make contact with those who had been selected for interview. Among those who were contacted most easily – that is they were interviewed the first time an interviewer called – Labour enjoyed a clear lead of no less than six points, a result not accounted for by the social profile of these respondents. In contrast, the Conservatives were eleven points ahead amongst those who were only interviewed after between three and six calls had been made.
    This was part of the conclusion of a report into the notable failure of opinion polling to get anywhere near the UK election result. I’ve never seen this variable analysed like this before.

    Reply
  55. Obama came dangerously close to admitting that what American democracy needs is a better electorate.

    Something Obama and I agree on!
    I include myself, especially, in that wish for betterment.

    Reply
  56. Obama came dangerously close to admitting that what American democracy needs is a better electorate.

    Something Obama and I agree on!
    I include myself, especially, in that wish for betterment.

    Reply
  57. Obama came dangerously close to admitting that what American democracy needs is a better electorate.

    Something Obama and I agree on!
    I include myself, especially, in that wish for betterment.

    Reply
  58. I don’t think it’s that hard to define what state someone is from.
    depends on the meaning of “from”.
    ex. i’ve lived in NC for 19 years, but i’m still a NYer at heart. it’s hard to wash that corrosive north-eastern coastal elitism away!

    Reply
  59. I don’t think it’s that hard to define what state someone is from.
    depends on the meaning of “from”.
    ex. i’ve lived in NC for 19 years, but i’m still a NYer at heart. it’s hard to wash that corrosive north-eastern coastal elitism away!

    Reply
  60. I don’t think it’s that hard to define what state someone is from.
    depends on the meaning of “from”.
    ex. i’ve lived in NC for 19 years, but i’m still a NYer at heart. it’s hard to wash that corrosive north-eastern coastal elitism away!

    Reply
  61. There are at least four different ways that “from” could reasonably be defined:
    1) where you were born
    2) where you grew up (which shapes your view of the world)
    3) where you spent your career (which also shapes your views)
    4) where you live now (i.e. where you are registered to vote)
    The last one is, as far as I can see, the constitutionally relevant definition. But, as we saw in the case of Mr Cheney, can be the least relevant to how you see the world and what you care about. . . which is what the founders were actually concerned about.

    Reply
  62. There are at least four different ways that “from” could reasonably be defined:
    1) where you were born
    2) where you grew up (which shapes your view of the world)
    3) where you spent your career (which also shapes your views)
    4) where you live now (i.e. where you are registered to vote)
    The last one is, as far as I can see, the constitutionally relevant definition. But, as we saw in the case of Mr Cheney, can be the least relevant to how you see the world and what you care about. . . which is what the founders were actually concerned about.

    Reply
  63. There are at least four different ways that “from” could reasonably be defined:
    1) where you were born
    2) where you grew up (which shapes your view of the world)
    3) where you spent your career (which also shapes your views)
    4) where you live now (i.e. where you are registered to vote)
    The last one is, as far as I can see, the constitutionally relevant definition. But, as we saw in the case of Mr Cheney, can be the least relevant to how you see the world and what you care about. . . which is what the founders were actually concerned about.

    Reply
  64. . . . which is what the founders were actually concerned about.
    I’ll accept your mind-reading and note that the founders lived in different times, when people didn’t move about nearly as much as they do now. I’ve lived for some amount of time in six different states, though I’ve only held what could be called permanent residency in two of them. That would have been exceedingly rare in the time of the founders.
    The rule is really silly at this point.

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  65. . . . which is what the founders were actually concerned about.
    I’ll accept your mind-reading and note that the founders lived in different times, when people didn’t move about nearly as much as they do now. I’ve lived for some amount of time in six different states, though I’ve only held what could be called permanent residency in two of them. That would have been exceedingly rare in the time of the founders.
    The rule is really silly at this point.

    Reply
  66. . . . which is what the founders were actually concerned about.
    I’ll accept your mind-reading and note that the founders lived in different times, when people didn’t move about nearly as much as they do now. I’ve lived for some amount of time in six different states, though I’ve only held what could be called permanent residency in two of them. That would have been exceedingly rare in the time of the founders.
    The rule is really silly at this point.

    Reply
  67. Is it really mind-reading when there is evidence that the discussions turned on the importance of making sure that at least two different sets of interests (states) were represented in the executive branch?
    I’m quite willing to take credit for successful mind-reading, even over time. But I’m not sure this qualifies as evidence that I’ve achieved it.

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  68. Is it really mind-reading when there is evidence that the discussions turned on the importance of making sure that at least two different sets of interests (states) were represented in the executive branch?
    I’m quite willing to take credit for successful mind-reading, even over time. But I’m not sure this qualifies as evidence that I’ve achieved it.

    Reply
  69. Is it really mind-reading when there is evidence that the discussions turned on the importance of making sure that at least two different sets of interests (states) were represented in the executive branch?
    I’m quite willing to take credit for successful mind-reading, even over time. But I’m not sure this qualifies as evidence that I’ve achieved it.

    Reply
  70. The last one is, as far as I can see, the constitutionally relevant definition
    but i think what Michael Cain was getting at is your 2 & 3 – who you are. because, why would voters care where candidates file their income tax ? voters care about the kind of story they can tell themselves about the candidate and that’s a “born and bred” thing more than a mailing address thing.

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  71. The last one is, as far as I can see, the constitutionally relevant definition
    but i think what Michael Cain was getting at is your 2 & 3 – who you are. because, why would voters care where candidates file their income tax ? voters care about the kind of story they can tell themselves about the candidate and that’s a “born and bred” thing more than a mailing address thing.

    Reply
  72. The last one is, as far as I can see, the constitutionally relevant definition
    but i think what Michael Cain was getting at is your 2 & 3 – who you are. because, why would voters care where candidates file their income tax ? voters care about the kind of story they can tell themselves about the candidate and that’s a “born and bred” thing more than a mailing address thing.

    Reply
  73. I’d agree that 2 & 3 are more relevant. But that doesn’t seem to be what the Constitution requires/allows.
    But perhaps the Supreme Court can have a fun time arguing the matter at some point. Although, should the situation arise, it would probably be at least as fraught as Bush v Gore — especially as it might call into question the electors’ vote on both candidates.

    Reply
  74. I’d agree that 2 & 3 are more relevant. But that doesn’t seem to be what the Constitution requires/allows.
    But perhaps the Supreme Court can have a fun time arguing the matter at some point. Although, should the situation arise, it would probably be at least as fraught as Bush v Gore — especially as it might call into question the electors’ vote on both candidates.

    Reply
  75. I’d agree that 2 & 3 are more relevant. But that doesn’t seem to be what the Constitution requires/allows.
    But perhaps the Supreme Court can have a fun time arguing the matter at some point. Although, should the situation arise, it would probably be at least as fraught as Bush v Gore — especially as it might call into question the electors’ vote on both candidates.

    Reply
  76. The rule is really silly at this point.
    Do the electors still vote separately for POTUS and VPOTUS? Or do they just vote for the ticket as a whole?
    The language as of the 12th A still (weirdly) allows for mixing tickets. That is, we could have ended up with Gore and Cheney, or Obama and Ryan.
    Or Obama and Palin!
    One can only imagine the humorous hijinks that would ensue.

    Reply
  77. The rule is really silly at this point.
    Do the electors still vote separately for POTUS and VPOTUS? Or do they just vote for the ticket as a whole?
    The language as of the 12th A still (weirdly) allows for mixing tickets. That is, we could have ended up with Gore and Cheney, or Obama and Ryan.
    Or Obama and Palin!
    One can only imagine the humorous hijinks that would ensue.

    Reply
  78. The rule is really silly at this point.
    Do the electors still vote separately for POTUS and VPOTUS? Or do they just vote for the ticket as a whole?
    The language as of the 12th A still (weirdly) allows for mixing tickets. That is, we could have ended up with Gore and Cheney, or Obama and Ryan.
    Or Obama and Palin!
    One can only imagine the humorous hijinks that would ensue.

    Reply
  79. I guess when you consider how silly the whole electoral system is, the same-state thing is peanuts. It’s like complaining about a picture being hung crooked in the fun house at a carnival.

    Reply
  80. I guess when you consider how silly the whole electoral system is, the same-state thing is peanuts. It’s like complaining about a picture being hung crooked in the fun house at a carnival.

    Reply
  81. I guess when you consider how silly the whole electoral system is, the same-state thing is peanuts. It’s like complaining about a picture being hung crooked in the fun house at a carnival.

    Reply
  82. I guess when you consider how silly the whole electoral system is
    It is the singularly optimum system to accomplish the goal of best case government by the citizens.

    Reply
  83. I guess when you consider how silly the whole electoral system is
    It is the singularly optimum system to accomplish the goal of best case government by the citizens.

    Reply
  84. I guess when you consider how silly the whole electoral system is
    It is the singularly optimum system to accomplish the goal of best case government by the citizens.

    Reply
  85. If the original idea had been followed, there would have been a Bush/Gore, a Bush/Kerry, an Obama/McCain and an Obama/Romney presidency. And each of these is less silly than many earlier couplings that would have resulted from the Winner=Potus, Loser=VPOTUS principle.
    I guess a number of presidents would have been murdered by their vice guys since there would have been an actual incentive.
    So, now imagine the Sanders/Cruz presidency. Would it be better for Bernie never to let Ted out of his sight and preferably very close, so an assassin would risk killing the anointed one too or would he try to keep as great a distance as possible since Cruz himself would pose the danger. The VPOTUS would have to get body cavity searched each time he would meet the president in order to protect the latter.

    Reply
  86. If the original idea had been followed, there would have been a Bush/Gore, a Bush/Kerry, an Obama/McCain and an Obama/Romney presidency. And each of these is less silly than many earlier couplings that would have resulted from the Winner=Potus, Loser=VPOTUS principle.
    I guess a number of presidents would have been murdered by their vice guys since there would have been an actual incentive.
    So, now imagine the Sanders/Cruz presidency. Would it be better for Bernie never to let Ted out of his sight and preferably very close, so an assassin would risk killing the anointed one too or would he try to keep as great a distance as possible since Cruz himself would pose the danger. The VPOTUS would have to get body cavity searched each time he would meet the president in order to protect the latter.

    Reply
  87. If the original idea had been followed, there would have been a Bush/Gore, a Bush/Kerry, an Obama/McCain and an Obama/Romney presidency. And each of these is less silly than many earlier couplings that would have resulted from the Winner=Potus, Loser=VPOTUS principle.
    I guess a number of presidents would have been murdered by their vice guys since there would have been an actual incentive.
    So, now imagine the Sanders/Cruz presidency. Would it be better for Bernie never to let Ted out of his sight and preferably very close, so an assassin would risk killing the anointed one too or would he try to keep as great a distance as possible since Cruz himself would pose the danger. The VPOTUS would have to get body cavity searched each time he would meet the president in order to protect the latter.

    Reply

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