New Hampshire Sen. Maggie Hassan refuses to debate Don Bolduc .She said she would do it if there were a stand alone forum without Bolduc being present .

Arizona Democrat Guv candidate Katie Hobbs refused to debate Kari Lake saying that it was pointless to debate a conspiracy theorist. Seems that if Lake was taking unsupportable positions it would be beneficial to take her to task on a state and national stage.
Meanwhile she refuses to answer questions about limits on her abortion on demand positions

Pennsylvania has a 2 fer 1

Already have commented about Uncle Ferster Fetterman refusal to debate until well after early voting started ;and his refusal to debate without a personal lap to so he can read the questions (and perhaps get answer prompts ? )

The Guv race has Dem Josh Shapiro v Doug Mastriano ,Shapiro refused a debate after his opponent suggested they each pick their own moderators .

Washington Patty Murray initially refused to debate Tiffany Smiley .Now the pressure got to her and she has agreed to 1 debate

Raphael Warnock initially refused to debate Hershel Walker .They have had their 1 debate .

It does the public a big disservice if all campaign events are staged events . We deserve to hear them in a live setting exchanging their views and challenging each other's positions .

But in today's environment we get staged dog and pony shows for towm halls ;and media commercials . Even the January 6 kangaroo court is staged and professionally produced by a movie producer .
Live debates are the only opportunity to see our potential representatives in a high pressure unscripted environment .

Even the January 6 kangaroo court..........

Kangaroo court?

Do you think the mob's attack on the Capitol should not be investigated? Does that mean you approve of the attempt to overthrow the government?

Running Hershel Walker as a senate candidate is a disgrace and a shame to the Republican Party. No fault of Walker's. I think he may be brain-damaged from his years in the NFL.

their's is not an investigation . It is a production with a predetermined outcome.

https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRq0ytiI12jc5-UIQWDJ6Bi5p59rWdpoCFNqg6jHyHqhQmM8OF6VNsPnO1YSvj1y AhBUf8&usqp=CAU

Does that mean you approve of the attempt to overthrow the government?Democrat propaganda. "It is a production with a predetermined outcome," is exactly correct. It's nothing more than the incessant bleating of the political sheep.


Running Hershel Walker as a senate candidate is a disgrace and a shame to the Republican Party. No fault of Walker's. I think he may be brain-damaged from his years in the NFL.Yeah, and Abrams and Fetterman are both the gold standard for candidates. And that's not to mention the current occupant of the White House who can't figure out who's dead and who's alive.

their's is not an investigation . It is a production with a predetermined outcome.


Of course, it's an investigation.

If it's a predetermined outcome, how do you explain the many witnesses from Trump's inner circle testifying to the truth of what happened, and consistently showing Trump as the instigator? These witnesses were certainly not "predetermined". In fact, they were initially hostile and some had to be subpoenaed to testify.

It's ok to be emotional about issues, tomder, but when the facts are so obvious, it's time to drop the emotion and accept the truth.

You are an ableist .Walker has Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) as a result of trauma he experienced in childhood . Do you say the same things about Fetterman who has demonstrated he no longer can handle the job (not that he ever could )?


Due to his challenges Walker devotes a lot of his efforts to the cause . He was appointed spokesman by Universal Health Services for rheir 'Patriot Support Program' .He visits hundreds of military bases sharing his story to help remove stigmas around mental health. He also wrote 'Breaking Free' a memoir chronicling his battle with DID .That has encouraged thousands who face similar struggles to ask for help and seek treatment.

Besides his brilliant collegiate and professional football career he has succeeded athletically in track and field (he broke the world record in the 60 yard dash) He is a black belt in Tae Kwan Do. He went undefeated in mixed martial arts ;AND he professionally performed ballet at the Fort Worth Ballet .
Walker is also more qualified than many people who hold elective office just by the fact that he successfully created and is CEO of successful businesses . H. Walker Enterprises, LLC and Renaissance Man Food Services, have become food service lines to major hotel chains, the US military, schools, concessions, and retail chains around the nation .

He is not a professional politician A big plus in my book

Walker has Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) as a result of trauma he experienced in childhood .

If Walker has a mental disease since childhood, why is he running for senator? He couldn't even understand the simple insulin issue yesterday. God forbid anybody gets diabetes within arm's reach of Walker.

He is running for one reason - he will be a yes vote for Trump no matter the issue. He lacks the brain power to analyze any issue. That's what your leader wants in all of his worshipers.


Do you say the same things about Fetterman who has demonstrated he no longer can handle the job (not that he ever could )?

No, I do not. Fetterman has demonstrated no such thing. His televised interview showed him able to answer intelligently any question posed to him. He temporarily needs visual clues for his auditory difficulty, but that's common among stroke victims and will soon be totally healed.



Due to his challenges Walker devotes a lot of his efforts to the cause . He was appointed spokesman by Universal Health Services for rheir 'Patriot Support Program' .He visits hundreds of military bases sharing his story to help remove stigmas around mental health. He also wrote 'Breaking Free' a memoir chronicling his battle with DID .That has encouraged thousands who face similar struggles to ask for help and seek treatment.

Besides his brilliant collegiate and professional football career he has succeeded athletically in track and field (he broke the world record in the 60 yard dash) He is a black belt in Tae Kwan Do. He went undefeated in mixed martial arts ;AND he professionally performed ballet at the Fort Worth Ballet .
Walker is also more qualified than many people who hold elective office just by the fact that he successfully created and is CEO of successful businesses . H. Walker Enterprises, LLC and Renaissance Man Food Services, have become food service lines to major hotel chains, the US military, schools, concessions, and retail chains around the nation .

All of that is admirable and I applaud him for that. But a senator, directly affecting my civic life? Not a chance.


He is not a professional politician A big plus in my book

Mine too, but Walker needs a lot more than that.

good for you don't support him . The only REAL reason you say things about him is because he has Trump's endorsement .

If Walker has a mental disease since childhood, why is he running for senator? He couldn't even understand the simple insulin issue yesterday. God forbid anybody gets diabetes within arm's reach of Walker.
Why then are repubs crabbing about Biden's supposed mental deficits?

The only REAL reason you say things about him is because he has Trump's endorsement .

ABSOLUTELY, tomder! You're finally getting it. A Trump endorsement is the same as being endorsed by a malignant narcissistic sociopath.

In Hershel's case, no way in the world would he be running if Trump didn't want him.

Why then are repubs crabbing about Biden's supposed mental deficits?

simple he is the leader of the free world and has shown repeatedly he is not mentally up to the task .

ABSOLUTELY, tomder! You're finally getting it. A Trump endorsement is the same as being endorsed by a malignant narcissistic sociopath.

In Hershel's case, no way in the world would he be running if Trump didn't want him.

glad I finally peeled the onion and saw that your concerns about his mental fitness was smoke screen

Why then are repubs crabbing about Biden's supposed mental deficits?Absolutely incredible question. I mean, do we really wonder why someone would be concerned that our president has lost several important marbles?

Absolutely incredible question. I mean, do we really wonder why someone would be concerned that our president has lost several important marbles?
So what are we going to do about Hershel Walker and Trump?

let the voters decide . Walker won the Georgia Repub primary . So it has much more to do than just a Trump endorsement .

why did Warnock duck a debate with Walker and then reluctantly accept to one if debating the "mentally challenged " Walker was going to be a piece of cake ?

So what are we going to do about Hershel Walker and Trump?We will hope we can get back to the economic success of the Trump years. As for walker, it is surprising to see anyone pass up mentioning Fetterman, who has no business being on a small town city council much less the U.S. Senate. He cannot understand verbal questions much of the time. Come to think of it, he'd fit right in with Biden!!

We will hope we can get back to the economic success of the Trump years.
Is that all you care about? -- money??? Oh yeah, you'll need it when you care for and support all those fetuses that weren't aborted.

What a foolish comment. Money? Have you given all of yours away? If not, then why not? Is that all you care about?

Yeah I care about money. I care about the economy since everyone is dependent on it for shelter, food, transportation, health care, and so forth. I know you prefer for the unborn babies to be killed, but I have happily helped to support those who survive the abortion mills and will continue to.

What a foolish comment. Money? Have you given all of yours away? If not, then why not? Is that all you care about?
Is that all Trump cares about?

I know you prefer for the unborn babies to be killed, but I have happily helped to support those who survive the abortion mills and will continue to.
And I have counseled pregnant women and helped them figure out ways to keep their babies despite personal and marital problems.

Is that all Trump cares about?You would have to ask him. I think the millions of people who had good jobs due to record low unemployment rates were grateful. It's only the well-off people like you that scoff at such things. The nation would be far better off if Biden cared more about a good economy. It would be better than the recession we are currently in.


And I have counseled pregnant women and helped them figure out ways to keep their babies despite personal and marital problems.Good for you!! I suspect you have also counseled pregnant women to have abortions, but at least you have done the right thing on some occasions, and for that I commend you.

You would have to ask him. I think the millions of people who had good jobs due to record low unemployment rates were grateful. It's only the well-off people like you that scoff at such things.
I wasn't "well off" most of my life (as a grocer store clerk, typist for an insurance company, PT aide, Lutheran teacher, library worker, psychotherapist on a sliding scale) -- only because my younger son willed me his house when he died four years ago.

Good for you!! I suspect you have also counseled pregnant women to have abortions, but at least you have done the right thing on some occasions, and for that I commend you.
I've NEVER suggested someone get an abortion.

I wasn't "well off" most of my life (as a grocer store clerk, typist for an insurance company, PT aide, Lutheran teacher, library worker, psychotherapist on a sliding scale) -- only because my younger son willed me his house when he died four years ago.Then I would think you would appreciate the value of a sound economy rather than being so dismissive of it. Besides, I suspect you were far more well off than you imagine.


I've NEVER suggested someone get an abortion.Why not?

Then I would think you would appreciate the value of a sound economy rather than being so dismissive of it. Besides, I suspect you were far more well off than you imagine.
Nope. Our very small starter home is now our retirement home. No frills, no flashy cars, no fancy clothes. Boring, very boring.

Why not?
I believe in alternatives and have always helped women find them.

glad I finally peeled the onion and saw that your concerns about his mental fitness was smoke screen

Not remotely a smoke screen - no idea why you would say that.

Nope. Our very small starter home is now our retirement home. No frills, no flashy cars, no fancy clothes. Boring, very boring.Even if all of that is true, you are still very well off.


I believe in alternatives and have always helped women find them.But that's what I'm asking you. Why are your "alternatives" somehow superior to having an abortion?

Even if all of that is true, you are still very well off.
We are very much loved. That's our blessing.

But that's what I'm asking you. Why are your "alternatives" somehow superior to having an abortion?
Helping a scared or sorrowing fellow female find a path to travel on and thus find healing.

Helping a scared or sorrowing fellow female find a path to travel on and thus find healing.Why is it that an abortion was never the best choice to accomplish that?

Why is it that an abortion was never the best choice to accomplish that?
Maybe it was for some.

Maybe it was for some.Then why didn't you recommend it?

Was it ever the best choice for the unborn child?

Then why didn't you recommend it?
We talked about the situation, why and how she became pregnant, the future, and her options.

Was it ever the best choice for the unborn child?
Yes. It was her decision, not mine.

We talked about the situation, why and how she became pregnant, the future, and her options.But you said earlier that as far as the choice of abortion being the best choice was concerned, "Maybe it was for some." If that's the case, then why didn't you recommend it?


Yes. It was her decision, not mine.How does that make killing the unborn child the best option for the child? If someone kills a friend of yours, can they defend that action by saying, "It was my decision, so it's OK?" That's pretty bizarre reasoning. The mom deciding to kill her unborn baby...benefits her unborn baby??? Whaaaatt?

So you did have some of these ladies you consulted with choose abortion?

So you did have some of these ladies you consulted with choose abortion?
I was not privy to their decision.

If that's the case, then why didn't you recommend it?
I did not recommend. The decision was hers.

It always comes down to a question that remains unanswered since it is deemed too dangerous to deal with.
But you said earlier that as far as the choice of abortion being the best choice was concerned, "Maybe it was for some." If that's the case, then why didn't you recommend it?


I did not recommend.That's not what you said earlier. "And I have counseled pregnant women and helped them figure out ways to keep their babies despite personal and marital problems."

It always comes down to a question that remains unanswered since it is deemed too dangerous to deal with.

We discussed pros and cons. She made the choice. I was not involved in and privy to that information.

So they decided to have an abortion and you did not attempt to persuade them otherwise.

So they decided to have an abortion and you did not attempt to persuade them otherwise.
"Persuading them" to take a certain action was not part of the counseling process.

https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/custom/vgo/images/misc/quote_icon.png Originally Posted by tomder55 https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/custom/vgo/images/buttons/viewpost-right.png (https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/showthread.php?p=3885817#post3885817)
glad I finally peeled the onion and saw that your concerns about his mental fitness was smoke screen



Not remotely a smoke screen - no idea why you would say that.

Because your initial objection to him was what you believe was mental deficiencies caused by PTSD I guess related to his years playing football. But in reality your only objection to his candidacy is your own TDS issues .

"Persuading them" to take a certain action was not part of the counseling process.So then not only did you never recommend an abortion, it would certainly seem that you never recommended anything. How convenient.


But in reality your only objection to his candidacy is your own TDS issues .Exactly correct. It's what's at the core of many decisions by liberal democrats.

Back to the main topic of the thread....

The rivals for Illinois governor (incumbent Pritzker and farmboy Bailey) had two debates. The second one ended with an exchange of compliments. Pritzker complimented Bailey on his long, 36-year marriage, and Bailey complimented Pritzker on his suit: "Governor, I'm going to be honest with you. You look awesome. I like your suit. You look good in it, and I think that's awesome. I hope that after the election we could come to terms, and maybe you could take me suit shopping."

do you really thing Bailey has a shot in the land of the Daley machine ?

I strongly agree with one of his positions . As a member of the Illinois House of Reps he sponsored a resolution to have Chi-town and it's burbs become their own state. That would free the land of the Illinois "farm boys " you so despise living in Wabash Valley to live in a state that serves their interests too .

Bailey has a few bucks hidden away in his jeans pocket, is worth at least $5 million. Now, if Bailey would present workable ideas for improving Chicago and making it safer instead of just calling it a "hellhole" or, more recently, an "unruly child", he would gain support even within Dem circles.

it clearly is a hell hole and he has identifed some of the reasons that is so. Crime ;defund the police ,no cash bail are clearly contributing to the quality of life becoming hellish there . It is not even safe for the gated community elite Dems to shop in the Magnificent Mile without being assaulted ,

But he offers no solutions and has lived his entire life among hayseeds, has no idea of what he speaks. There's a lot of good in Chicago too that he could tap into in order to reduce the depth of the hellhole.

Net worth of a farmer is distorted because much of that net worth is tied up in the land......not in his jeans pockets . Pritzker by contrast has a net worth of $3.6 billion ;the 761st richest man on the planet and easily the richest politician in the country . His wealth comes from family wealth . It is policies like Pritzker's that keep Chi town a hell hole and yes I have no doubt that Pritzker wears the best suits money can buy.

Thus, Pritzker gave Bailey an honest compliment, and Bailey insulted Pritzker.

as insulting as calling Bailey a hayseed like you did ?

Or Chicago a hellhole like he did? (I grew up with hayseeds in western New York farm countryside. I knows 'em when I sees 'em.)

It is the Dem elites that have created the Chi town hell hole. I imagine Pritzker had a hard time defending that dismal record during their debates .

He is living off the success of his father and is in reality just another career pol living on the tax money of others . As an example ;he received a $331 thousand tax break for removing toilets from his Gold Coast mansion.

If you were governor or even just mayor, what would be your first three moves to turn Chicago into a heavenly (non-hellhole) place?

It is much more complex than giving 3 moves as it involved a whole clean up of the political system that the Democrat machine has created since before the days of Daley.

Crime has to be cleaned up. Deregulation has to happen to attract business and to create the affordable housing needed for the workers of the city . Taxes must be reduced . All that has to happen just to stop business and young workers from fleeing to more friendly environs .

Police must be supported .Not only does major crime like murder ;gang violence need to be addressed ;but also violations of quality of life cannot be tolerated .

The city needs a mayor who cares less about karaoke and more about effectively running the city . Mayor Beetlejuice is a disaster .She is completely incompetent and apparently eager to prove it.

But she is just a cog in the machine . As long as the Dem plantation runs the city ,I see no hope for change .

https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/custom/vgo/images/misc/quote_icon.png Originally Posted by tomder55 https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/custom/vgo/images/buttons/viewpost-right.png (https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/showthread.php?p=3885817#post3885817)
glad I finally peeled the onion and saw that your concerns about his mental fitness was smoke screen



Not remotely a smoke screen - no idea why you would say that.




in reality your only objection to his candidacy is your own TDS issues .

Wrong. My objection to Hershel Walker is that he seems to be mentally damaged based on answers he's provided, and possibly due to his years playing football in the NFL and other maladies he's suffered over his lifetime. Trump has nothing to do with it. I would object to Walker with or without Trump.

My objection to Trump, as I've stated here many times, is that he is a malignant narcissistic sociopath.

He makes no secret that he has struggled most of his life with mental health. When he wrote his book on the issue he was universally praised for his transparency .He is still a leading advocated for mental health awareness.

Arizona Rep Ruben Gallego suffers from PTSD due to his time in Iraq. Should he be disqualified ?

He makes no secret that he has struggled most of his life with mental health. When he wrote his book on the issue he was universally praised for his transparency .He is still a leading advocated for mental health awareness.

Admirable.


Arizona Rep Ruben Gallego suffers from PTSD due to his time in Iraq. Should he be disqualified ?

I haven't heard Gallego answering questions. PTSD does not seem to be a disqualifier for office.

Guv Pritzker's legacy

Illinois saw nation’s worst population loss during the decade (illinoispolicy.org) (https://www.illinoispolicy.org/illinois-saw-nations-worst-population-loss-during-the-decade/)

he seems to be mentally damaged based on answers he's providedDid Athos just shift the topic from Walker to Biden?

Shame on Fetterman enablers ! He is in no way physically or mentally capable of serving as a US Senator. Last night's debate proved it beyond a doubt.

It was all rather sadly predictable. His physical appearance doesn't help him either.

I'll give NY Guv Kathy Hochul credit for at least showing up . Her debate with Lee Zeldin was Tuesday night also . She did alright with the lame hand her party has dealt her.

I found this amusing . One of the Dems talking points when they get past their main debate point that Republicans don't want to kill babies like they do ,is that their opponent is what Clueless Joe calls 'Maga Republicans ' .

So she accused Zeldin of being one. She demanded to know if he thought Trump was a great President . I guess she assumed that was a trap question.

He responded that he worked closely with Trump in the fight against the terrorist gang MS13's infiltration on Long Island . He said supported Trump's initiatives to move the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem, push the Abraham Accords, thwart the Iran nuclear deal and fight the Covid pandemic.

humminahumminahummina

Hochel replied “I take that as a resounding yes. She did not say if she disagreed with any of those polices . That would be bad politics given how critical the NYC vote is for her .

If Trump has contributed nothing else this campaign. He has succeeded in keeping the Dems hair on fire . They are obsessed. While the Dems pound Trump this and MAGA that ,Repubs are out there making their case on merit and policy issues

Energy was a big with for Zeldin too . He pointed out the folly of the il Duce Cuomo's appeasement to the enviro wacko extremists ban of fracking in NY State and the banning of pipelines to bring natural gas to the people of the state.

On that point both Fetterman and Hochel took a spanking . Fetterman of course for his desperate flip flop on his opposition.

Hochel's biggest misstep was on crime . Her record is dismal . When pressed about locking up criminals her exasperated reply was I don’t know why that is so important to you.”

This was also a theme in another big debate in Michigan between Rep challenger Tudor Dixon and Dem Guv Gretchen Witless Whitmer . What should be a run away win for Witless is a dead heat .

Hochel replied “I take that as a resounding yesTypical non-thinking answer. Rather than address the content, she just went for an applause line.

your new Senator from PA Uncle Fetterman

https://pbs.twimg.com/card_img/1593328922757779456/OUUVwwvC?format=jpg&name=small

your new Senator from PA Uncle Fetterman

You're sinking pretty low, Tomder.

Sometimes the truth is unpleasant.