Democrats are stronger running as underdogs in this environment ?

I think that may be true .

There is simply nothing very appealing about McConnell, Trump, or the Republican Party .

The strongest incentive for Republicans to go to the polls is if they think the "liberals" are ahead. Otherwise, they are not very enthused about their Party.

For example, McConnell is very unpopular in his home state. Nothing will get Republicans to the polls quicker than to hear that he is behind in the polls. The best way to win these types of races is to run as the underdog and to publicly dispute and discredit any poll that shows otherwise.

It is the psychology of Republican voters that Democrats must defeat.

It would be a mistake to think that all Republicans are crazy about their Party.

Democrats will be much more effective in the next election if they can maintain an underdog status. Many Republicans will be looking for a reason not to vote, in my opinion.

Does Donald Trump or his DOJ have the right to defy an order from the Supreme Court?

When the Supreme Court becomes an overt tool of the White House, it's time to turn out the lights. The party is over.

The longer this story drags on, the more the likelihood the Court will become a partisan tool of Donald Trump and his DOJ. It's a scary thought, but not an impossible projection.

The Supreme Court is not immune from the propaganda of the Trump Republicans. They have the partisan virus that permits them to overlook the law and our Constitution for political purposes.

It is dangerous ground on which we now tread.

AG Bill Barr has offered Robert Mueller a way out of testifying before the Congress.

Standing with Senator Lindsey Graham before the cameras, Barr said it would be a "public spectacle" if Mueller goes before the Congress. He has already given his report, Barr said. There is nothing else to be said.

The DOJ would be willing to assist Mueller if he chooses to not go before the Senate, Barr intimated. All the while, Senator Graham was shaking his head in agreement.

For the untrained eye, it may have looked like intimidation of a witness before his testimony? AG Barr looked like someone with something to hide.

After all, it was he that decided there was no collusion and no obstruction, it wasn't Robert Mueller. The facts in the report do not look friendly to AG Barr.

Would impeachment of Trump be a positive or negative for Republicans?

Would Republicans rush to the polls to defend Donald Trump from the "evil" Democrats?

Would Democrats be making a major blunder if they impeached Donald Trump?

Those are a couple of concerns that we hear every day.

In my opinion, the opposite is true in both instances. Republicans will not rush to the polls to defend Donald Trump and it could be a major blunder if Democrats do not impeach Trump.

Instead, I think many Republicans would be punished by their voters if they voted to not impeach. I refuse to believe that the entire Republican Party supports the politics and the divisive language of Donald Trump. In my opinion, many would show their disgust at the polls if their Party defended Trump.

If impeachment does happen, I believe Democrats will enlarge their majority in the House and will take back the US Senate by a healthy margin.

If impeachment does not happen, both the House and Senate will be up for grabs, as well as the Presidency.

Although this has been discussed many times here, it is important that we continue to look at it from a new perspective. Facts change and circumstances change.

Sit Down Young Stranger

If the Supreme Court shows itself to be clearly partisan...?

What should be done about it?

In my opinion, and since the last two justices have been appointed under shady circumstances, it would be proper to try and balance the Court in a more fair manner.

There should be two extra justices added to the Court, to balance the present imbalance created by the Republicans. It has been done before. It would not be the first time.

However, this would be a time where it would be appropriate, in my opinion. It is inappropriate and unhealthy for our democracy, when a political Party attempts to stack the Court, as the Republicans have done with the last two appointments.

Depending on how the Court rules on the census question and how they handle other issues politically advantageous to the Republican Party, such as the recent "gerrymandering" decision, Democrats should consider this option at their first opportunity.

For Republicans, everything is about remaining in power in 2020.

I have no doubt but that Trump and the Republican leadership are coordinating very closely the message they want to send to their supporters.

For example, the latest idea that Trump will "permit" the press to see some of the "detention centers" was probably coordinated with the Republican leadership? Their rank-and-file are not happy with the child prisoners. They have concluded that they need to clear up their image on the issue.

They are desperately clinging to any hope they can remain in power in 2020. They are trying to fool enough people, all of the time, to maintain a certain level of political strength. With Trump at the helm, they feel rather confident that they will be able to "fool enough of the people".

Republicans need Trump as much, or more, than he needs them. His supporters are rather solid. Theirs, not so much. So we can expect them to work hand in glove with the White House on every issue that might come up. Their desire to remain in power outweighs any thought of moral leadership.

Kaw-Liga

Land of the Navajo

Traffic seems much lighter than normal...

Have DUers checked out?

Or are many just taking a break to re-charge their batteries?

I tend to think the latter because we have been fighting this battle too long to give up. If you feel like giving up, just think how the common, less-partisan citizen must feel?

In my opinion, we are at a point where something must give? In about 11 days, Robert Mueller will testify before Congress. Perhaps we should not put so many eggs in one basket, but I believe a lot of people are waiting to see where he goes? In effect, he will either indict Trump or he will clear him. The expectations are high that he will bring the truth to the people. If he does not, we cannot give up.

The struggle to keep our democracy is too important.