Author: Ronald

Midterm Elections With Presidential Approval Ratings Below 50 Percent

Ronald 18 Comments

The history of Midterm Elections and Presidents has, historically, not been a good one for almost all Presidents in modern history,

The one major exception is 1934, two years into the first term of Democratic President Franklin D. Roosevelt and his New Deal, when his party gained supermajorities in both houses of the 74th Congress, up from 60 to 75 seats in the US Senate, and up from 309 seats to 333 seats in the House of Representatives.

In the 106th Congress (1999-2001) under Democrat Bill Clinton, his party gained five seats in the House of Representatives, and one seat in the Senate, although the Republicans kept the majority.

And in the 108th Congress (2003-2005), under Republican President George W. Bush, and after September 11, Republicans gained six seats in the House of Representatives, and one seat in the Senate.

Finally, in the 118th Congress (2023-2025) under Democrat Joe Biden, the Democrats actually gained one seat in the Senate, while losing the House of Representatives majority to the Republican opposition.

Otherwise, the party in the White House has suffered major losses in seats, connected particularly with the modern approval ratings of Presidents falling below 50 percent.

So in 1946, under President Harry Truman, the Democrats lost 55 House seats and the majority in both houses.

Lyndon B. Johnson lost 48 seats in 1966; Ronald Reagan lost 26 seats in 1982; Bill Clinton lost 54 seats in 1994, and control of both houses; George W. Bush lost 30 seats in 2006, and control of both houses; Barack Obama lost 64 seats in 2010 and control of the House of Representatives; and Donald Trump lost 42 seats in 2018 and control of the House of Representatives.

Marco Rubio Rises As JD Vance Falls In Image

Ronald 3 Comments

This author and blogger has never been overly impressed or thrilled with former Florida Senator Marco Rubio, who is now Secretary of State and National Security Adviser for President Donald Trump.

But I have also said to my friends that Rubio is the “best” person surrounding Donald Trump in his second term, whether one agrees with everything he says or has done.

Rumors are spreading that Rubio may gain the backing of Trump to be his successor, which is a double edged sword, over Vice President JD Vance.

Of course, if Trump leaves office during this term, and his physical and mental health are questionable, Vance would become the 48th President.

But the fact that Rubio held a comparatively impressive press conference with the news media, and came across as rational and reasonable, something not seen in this second Trump Presidency, is going to fuel rumors about the future.

Rubio came across as more forthcoming and pleasant, unlike the hostility of other Trump Cabinet members, and President Trump, toward the press.

Regarding personality and public presence, Rubio wins out easily over the awkward, often unpleasant, stilted Vance.

Rubio is going off to see Pope Leo XIV and the Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, after recent disputes between both leaders and Donald Trump, seen by many as “fence mending”.

In the world of Donald Trump, Marco Rubio seems to have risen in esteem, but of course, if Rubio gains too much positive reputation, it could also backfire.

There has been a sense that Rubio, who has been very quiet publicly until now, has been uncomfortable about many issues, at least if one observes and analyzes body language.

It will be interesting to see what occurs after Rubio has visited Italy later this week.

Trump Public Opinion Negatives At All Time High!

Ronald 52 Comments

The newly revealed Washington Post public opinion polls on Donald Trump mark an all time high of negatives on both the economy and foreign policy.

Disapproval numbers are as follows:

His job as President 62 percent
Cost of Living in the US 76 percent
inflation 72 percent
The Situation with Iran 66 percent
Relations with US Allies 65 percent
The Economy 65 percent
Taxes 61 percent
Immigration 59 percent
US Mexico Border Situation 54 percent
End to Birthright Citizenship 65 percent
Reductions in Federal Funding for Medical Research 78 percent
Raise Defense Budget from $1 Trillion to $1.5 Trillion 65 percent
End Temporary Legal Status For Migrants From Conflict Ridden Countries 59 percent
Trump’s Mental Acuity 59 percent
Trump’s Physical Health 55 percent
Trump Not Honest and Trustworthy 71 percent
Trump Does Not Carefully Consider Important Decisions 67 percent
Trump Not A Strong Leader 54 percent

Trump Cabinet
RFK Jr Net Negative 19
Kash Patel Net Negative 19
Pete Hegseth Net Negative 17
Vice President JD Vance Net Negative 13
Marco Rubio Net Negative 7
Jerome Powell Net Positive 7

However, Democrats still have problems having Americans trust them, with many voters feeling the party is too “liberal”, which makes the problem of who is the best candidate for Democrats in 2028 problematical.

Motivating Americans to vote, including millions who did not vote in 2024, will be the major issue that decides the Midterm Elections of 2026. And Independents, and young voters, will be crucial factors.

On a generic ballot, Democrats at present have a five point edge, but whether that will hold or expand in the next six months, is hard to project.

The Internal Battle For The 2028 Republican Presidential Nomination

Ronald 3 Comments

Once the Midterm Elections of 2026 are over, six months from now, the contest for the 2028 Presidential Election in both political parties will commence in earnest.

Clearly, there will be a multitude of Democratic Presidential nominees, but also, the Republican Party battle for who will succeed the most divisive President in American history will be very intense.

Vice President JD Vance, in theory, will be the front-runner for the Presidency, with, of course, the growing possibility that he might succeed Trump during the term, due to the rapid mental and physical deterioration that is clear to anyone who has any intelligence and perception.

If Vance ends up in the White House before the Republican National Convention in the summer of 2028, he would become the automatic nominee, as it would become impossible to stop him.

But if he is still Vice President, Vance will face fierce opposition for the succession from at least the following:

Secretary of State Marco Rubio
Texas Senator Ted Cruz
Outgoing Florida Governor Ron DeSantis
Kentucky Senator Rand Paul
Missouri Senator Josh Hawley

Supposedly, Rubio has declared he would not challenge Vance, but that is not a statement that can be taken at face value at this point.

Ted Cruz could end up on the Supreme Court if either Clarence Thomas or Samuel Alito retire, leaving a vacancy on the Court.

DeSantis might end up in the Trump Cabinet as a replacement for the Defense Department or some other Cabinet position, once he leaves the Florida Governorship in January.

Rand Paul seems highly likely, as a libertarian and a critic of much of what Trump represents, to announce for President, but he also would face Senate reelection in 2028, if he fails to do well in early primaries in 2028.

Hawley is more of a long shot, but also could decide to contest the nomination.

There could be other potential contenders, but at this point, the best bet would be on either Vance or Rubio.

Since Vance is known to have opposed the Iran War, this is a very difficult time for him as the heir apparent, awkward when one learns that many of those around Donald Trump are suspicious of him, supposedly including White House Chief of Staff Suzie Wiles, who has a great impact on the President.

Vance cannot be fired, however, although, in theory, he could resign at some point, but that would be a long shot, not likely.

If one had to perceive the future, the scenario could be that Rubio would have the edge in the mind of Donald Trump, even though perceptions of Rubio show a grim appearance, indicating a feeling of discomfort as Rubio has, seemingly, abandoned his former foreign policy views, including support of Ukraine against Russia, to accommodate Trump.

If Only Pope Leo XIV OR King Charles III Could Be President Now!

Ronald 21 Comments

It is a sad state of affairs that in the present political climate in America, this author and blogger, and I am sure, many other Americans, wish for a scenario that, of course, cannot occur.

That is, that either Pope Leo XIV (a native Chicagoan), or King Charles III of the United Kingdom, could be our President at this difficult time.

One does not have to be Catholic or British to feel that both of these world leaders are inspirations and demonstrate common decency, empathy, and intelligence to be spokesmen for what is best in the human condition.

Both are recent leaders, with the Pope just for the past year, and King Charles III only the reigning King for three and a half years.

But both have expressed and demonstrated that they are statesmen, and in the case of Charles III, his recent visit to the United States has, for the first time, demonstrated what a “jewel” he is on the world scene, while Leo XIV has already made clear that he is a great spokesman for the best elements of Christianity, and a worthy successor to Pope Francis.

Compared to the unhinged behavior of Donald Trump as he nears 80, the King in his late 70s, and the Pope in his early 70s, stand out for true, dignified leadership.

The Supreme Court Wiping Out Justice, Equality, Reforms, And Restoring Late 19th Century Post Reconstruction And Gilded Age!

Ronald 28 Comments

Tragically, the Supreme Court majority in recent years has made it clear that their goal is to wipe out racial equality, and the sacrifices of the civil rights movement of the 1960s, and return America to the late 19th century Reconstruction and Gilded Age, a time of horrendous racial segregation and violence!

They have, systemically, worked to eliminate voting rights, as well as affirmative action, undermining the ability of racial minorities to have the same opportunities for the “American Dream” of equality, democracy, and the rule of law that white Americans have.

But also, the Supreme Court has undermined the rights of women (including taking away abortion rights); immigrant rights; labor rights; environmental and consumer rights; and instead, emphasized rights of corporations and promotion of right wing Christian values, reviving the mentality of the late 19th century, before the Progressive Era, the New Deal, and the Great Society!

The Supreme Court has wiped out much of the progress and reforms of the past century and a quarter, bringing back the ugly repression of the last third of the 19th century.

Somehow, the Supreme Court and lower courts must be reformed once Donald Trump has left the scene, in order to restore the great advancements and progress of the Chief Justice Earl Warren Court, and of the great reform Presidents since 1900.

“Fight Club” Democrats In Senate Resist Leadership Of Minority Leader Chuck Schumer

Ronald 10 Comments

A substantial group of leftward leaning Senate Democrats have resisted the leadership of Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, and are in process of pushing for a more leftward trend by Democrats nationally, and have been labeled “Fight Club”.

This group, includes the following Senators:

Chris Van Hollen of Maryland
Tina Smith of Minnesota
Chris Murphy of Connecticut
Bernie Sanders of Vermont
Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts
Ed Markey of Massachusetts
Jeff Merkley of Oregon
Martin Heinrich of New Mexico

and some House Democrats are also promoting a more leftward trend, including:

Ro Khanna of California
Pramila Jayapal of Washington
Yassamin Ansari of Arizona
Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts

Already, this Senate group has “won” with the withdrawal from the Maine Senate race of Governor Janet Mills, leading to the clear nomination of “rabble-rouser” Oyster Farmer, Graham Platner, to oppose Republican Senator Susan Collins in the upcoming Midterm Elections of 2026.

Whether this strategy of challenging the “Establishment” Democrats will work is yet to be seen, but there is a battle going on for how the Democrats should approach the challenge of Donald Trump, with the hope that it would lead to Democratic control of the US Senate in the 120th Congress (2027-2029).

Among those states with competitive Democratic Senate primaries, besides what Maine was until yesterday, are the following which are favored over others:

Michigan–Abdul El-Sayed or Mallory McMorrow over Haley Stevens
Minnesota–Peggy Flanagan over Angie Craig

However, the “Fight Club” is not opposing:

North Carolina–Roy Cooper
Ohio–Sherrod Brown
Alaska–Mary Peltola
Georgia–Jon Ossoff

And already, Julia Stratton in Illinois and James Talarico in Texas are major positives in the “Fight Club” view.

The election returns in November will give the answer as to whether the leftward tilt was the smart way to go!

US Supreme Court Majority Destroys Voting Rights Act Of 1965, LBJ’s Civil Rights Accomplishment!

Ronald 16 Comments

Six decades ago, in 1965, President Lyndon B. Johnson courageously promoted the passage of the Voting Rights Act, to right the wrong of racial discrimination which denied African Americans, primarily in the South, the enforcement of the 15th Amendment of 1870, the right to vote, under Jim Crow racism for nearly a century.

Now, the disgraceful modern Supreme Court, with three Trump appointees, two appointees of George W. Bush, and the despicable Clarence Thomas appointed by George H W Bush, have destroyed the concept that African Americans and other racial minorities (Latinos, native Americans, Asian Americans), should have adequate representation, and instead are re-establishing white supremacy all over again.

In the Louisiana redistricting case (Louisiana V. Callais), the Louisiana legislature denied African Americans a second “black” seat out of six, despite the fact that about one third of the state has black population. The Supreme Court decided 6-3 that what Louisiana had done was not discriminatory, even though it is clear that it is, without any realistic doubt.

That, plus the outrageous reapportionment gerrymandering in Florida promoted by outgoing Governor Ron DeSantis, against the state referendum on the subject of gerrymandering passed overwhelmingly in 2010, being perpetrated on the same day as the Supreme Court decision, is disheartening.

It is highly likely that many African American members and other minority districts, primarily, but not only in the South, will have no or greatly reduced representation in the halls of the House of Representatives in the upcoming 120th Congress (2027-2029) and beyond.

Chief Justice John Roberts has revealed his true nature on this subject, having initiated it in 2013 in Shelby County Alabama V. Holder, the first cutting back on the Voting Rights Act, and now with three Trump appointees on the Court, that law is being, effectively, eviscerated.

The historical legacy of John Roberts is damaged for the long run of history, as he will go down as a destroyer of the civil rights movement of the 1960s.

Proposed maps show “blue” areas in the South, where black representation was present in the House of Representatives, would be mostly decimated–completely in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee, and South Carolina, and be dramatically cut back in North Carolina, Georgia, and Florida.

This is an outrage against the concept of democracy and the rule of law, a tragedy of massive proportions.

It is also a slight against the memory of Martin Luther King, Jr, John Lewis, and other civil rights heroes, who spent their lives promoting fair treatment, and suffered much brutality in the process!

King Charles’ Brilliant Speech To Congress Reminded Donald Trump And Republicans Of Basic Principles!

Ronald 76 Comments

King Charles’s brilliant speech to Congress yesterday emphasized where Donald Trump and Republicans have gone awry.

In a lofty, historic address, King Charles spoke about:

Checks and Balances, as expressed in the Magna Carta of 1215 and the English Bill of Rights of 1688-1689, expressing the principle that executive power needs to be regulated in a democratic republic, governed by the rule of law.

The importance of preserving the environment, by dealing with climate change for the future, a lifelong commitment begun when Charles was a young prince and heir to the throne.

The significance of the NATO alliance and the defense of Ukraine, calling for continuation of the more than 75 year alliance, and defense of a nation under horrendous attack for more than four years against a nation which threatens European stability.

Additionally, King Charles reminded America that after September 11, the NATO alliance unified behind the US in fighting against the shocking terrorist attack against the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. The importance of the US-UK relationship was emphasized, even if the two nations have had their differences over specific issues and matters at times.

King Charles also emphasized the need for Christianity to work toward the goal of interfaith tolerance of all religions and peoples around the world, resisting hatred and violence.

King Charles will do well in history for his brilliance in addressing the issues that need to be dealt with by the United States for a secure and stable future for the nation and the world.

The question is, however, whether Donald Trump and the present sycophantic Republican Party in Congress will take the steps needed to insure that future.

Dangerous To Have Presidential Succession Group In One Place Off Government Protected Buildings, As Occurred At Washington Hilton Hotel!

Ronald 10 Comments

The horrifying incident of a gunman at the Washington Hilton Hotel during the White House Correspondents Association Annual Dinner was more than just a threat to the President of the United States and the 2,500 guests, many of them journalists.

It also was the reality that MOST of the group under the 1947 Presidential Succession Act were also there, truly a dangerous and unacceptable scenario.

13 members of the Presidential succession were at the event, including Vice President JD Vance and Speaker of the House Mike Johnson.

But also almost all of the Cabinet Officers were present, leaving an alarming situation.

The only people under the Presidential Succession Act NOT present were:

President Pro Tempore of the Senate Chuck Grassley of Iowa, nearing age 93;

Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins;

Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick;

The two “Acting” Secretaries–Attorney General Todd Blanche, and Secretary of Labor Keith Sonderling were there, who some observers would say are not eligible to succeed to the Presidency, as they have not been selected yet as the successors in those posts, and have not been confirmed.

Also, it is unclear if Scott Turner, Secretary of Housing and Urban Development and Doug Collins, Secretary of Veterans Affairs were present at the event.

There was no formal “Designated Survivor” chosen before the event in case of a tragedy.

Never again can the federal government allow even the unlikely scenario that occurred on April 25 to happen again.