The Conservative Cave

senseandsensibility (25,251 posts)

So I watched the entire CA Dem Governor debate last night



Here's my takeaway: The R candidates are cartoon characters, although the British one was more likeable than the sheriff guy. More importantly, all of the Dem candidates were qualified, serious, and able to lead the largest state in the union. I would vote for any of them without hesitation.

Matt Mahon: I went into the debate with more knowledge about him than some of the others, since I live in Silicon Valley and he is the mayor of the largest city in SV. He played that up, was relaxed and camera ready, and said he would stand up to "big tech" when he was called on it. However, his efforts to "both sides" issues was not appealing to me. He did seem knowledgeable about addressing homelessness and had a record of addressing it in San Jose.

Xavier Becerra: He was calm, knowledgeable, and low key, as one would expect. But he was not afraid to speak his mind and play up his experience. One of my favorite parts was when he was challenged about the California Highway Patrol stopping truck drivers and giving them "English proficiency" tests. He spoke to that in a way tha I think will appeal to our huge Hispanic population here as well as other Democratic voters. He also spoke about his own impressive biography (something I wish he would do more) and how he was the first in his family to graduate from college.

Tom Steyer: He seemed to be presenting himself as the front runner. I'm not saying he was cocky, but he did not waste time attacking other candidates. He defended himself and his billionaire status, saying he would be glad to pay more taxes and he and his wife had agreed to give away all their money in their lifetimes. His demeanor was energetic and passionate about progressive causes, including ending homelessness and taxation.

Katie Porter: Put on the defensive at the beginning about her treatment of an aide that went viral, she apologized and tried to put it behind her. After that, she played up her "professor" persona and made many good points. I was reminded of why she was so good in congressional hearings. Teaching experience definitely translates to good communication skills.

Bottom line I am still supporting Becerra. However, I will vote for the Dem candidate no matter who it is. And so will the candidates. They were asked to pledge to support the eventual candidtate of their party and all the Dems agreed to do so.

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100221192682

UN Inspectors Say Iran Has Enough Uranium for 10-11 Atomic Bombs.

United Nations inspectors assess that Iran has accumulated almost 1,000 pounds of near-weapons-grade uranium.

PULSE POINTS

❓ WHAT HAPPENED: Iran is reportedly hoarding nearly 1,000 pounds of uranium enriched to 60 percent, which is close to weapons-grade level, according to a report by 60 Minutes, per the Wake Up Right newsletter. This stockpile could potentially fuel 10 or 11 nuclear bombs if further enriched, a process which would take a matter of weeks.

📰 DETAIL: United Nations inspectors have assessed that Iran’s uranium stockpile is just a technical step away from reaching the 90 percent enrichment needed for a nuclear weapon. Despite U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear sites last June, Iran has continued to advance its nuclear capabilities.
💬 KEY QUOTE: “The stockpile is enough for ‘ten to eleven nuclear bombs’ with just a little more enrichment,” said Harvard nuclear analyst Matthew Bunn. Scott Roeker, a former top National Nuclear Security Administration official. He added: “I don’t think that there is a lasting, durable solution to Iran’s nuclear program through military means.”

‼️ NOTEWORTHY: Bunn says Iran has been consistently dishonest about its nuclear weapons efforts for over 20 years, lying to international inspectors, but also implied skepticism that Trump’s strategy, given the lack of trust on both sides, will succeed.

Sen. Ron Wyden runs straight into a wall of inconvenient data as he tries to blame the measles outbreak on RFK Jr.

WYDEN: “We are seeing with measles… a problem all over the country… Why would you be doing something that is so awful for kids on this vaccine issue?”

KENNEDY: “Senator, we handled the measles outbreak better than any country in the world. This is a global outbreak.”

“Mexico has 3x the amount of measles… Canada 2x… Europe [almost 20x].”

“I had nothing to do with the measles outbreak here.”

“The vaccination levels dropped during COVID because people stopped trusting the American government.”

Serious people could do serious prison time. And Democrats’ fundraising could drop dramatically if limited to just legitimate donors, during a time when other giant taxpayer-funded Democrat slush funds (USAID, NED, EPA, Planned Parenthood, etc.) are rapidly being cut off.