You Are Running Against Me!

Republicans are constantly trying to tie Democratic opponents to Nancy Pelosi and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Some Democrats are slamming them for being in tow with Trump.

Folks, I hate the Blogger interface.

I will keep reminding you that it's difficult to post now that Google rolled out their new interface. It deletes posts. Trust me, I am one of millions who are really not feeling this. Google will find its reckoning.

Nonetheless I keep saying this.

WEAR A DAMN MASK! SAVE A LIFE!

VOTE FOR JOE BIDEN AND KAMALA HARRIS!

BLACK LIVES MATTER

PROTECT BLACK WOMEN! 

HER NAME IS BREONNA TAYLOR!

VOTE 🇺🇸

Let's vote these candidates in.

Republicans are so desperate to hold on to power. They resorting to calling their Democratic challengers names. They want to tag them to Hillary Clinton, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN), Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), New York Governor Andrew Cuomo and Rep. Maxine Waters (D-CA).

Many of these candidates had enough of the tagging. Some are actually calling out Republicans for using scapegoats. Democrats are getting tired of this weak formula of tagging Democrats to every controversial progressive agitator in the country.

Democrats are throwing it back in the Republicans faces. The Republicans are take their talking points from President Donald J. Trump, Fox News and white nationalists. They are enabled by QAnon conspiracies, divisiveness and a need to be victims whenever they're called out on their bullshit.

Issues matter. Trump and Republicans know that if we can toss around shiny coins, they'll win.

Here's my endorsements of Democrats and Independent candidates running in the U.S. Senate.

Amy McGrath of Kentucky. A former Marine fighter pilot and mother of three children, McGrath is hoping to put pressure on the most hated lawmaker in Washington. After taking on a fight against Sanders' backed insurgent Charles Booker, McGrath is now trying to take on Sen. (Addison Mitchell) McConnell, the Senate Majority Leader. As a longtime senator from Kentucky, Mitch McConnell is often using the powers he's gotten to pack the federal courts with white nationalists, playing upon the fears of a progressive candidate coming for coalminers, ranchers and rural Kentuckians. The two squared off in their debate and McConnell had the nerve to laugh at McGrath when she said that he failed to take action on the coronavirus. She said that he's more concerned with confirming a Supreme Court nominee than working to serve the constituents who are losing their homes, jobs and lives.

McGrath lost her first contest in a race to replace Rep. Garland Hale "Andy" Barr IV (R-KY).

McConnell has a massive warchest. He is still regarded more favorable in this race. Many believe that the bitter primary against Booker slowed momentum for McGrath.

I call the race as SAFE REPUBLICAN.

Jaime Harrison of South Carolina. The first candidate to ever make Sen. Lindsey Graham (S-SC) sweat. Graham is one of Donald J. Trump's most reliable senators. Back then, the South Carolina senator was a maverick like his former mentor John McCain. He was very critical of Trump during his failed presidential campaign. Graham now about-faces and is staunchly supportive of Trump. He has been in the forefront of denying Barack Obama his third Supreme Court nominee and ramming through Trump's third nominee. Graham's shameless hypocrisy has came to a head.

Enter Jaime Harrison. The former South Carolina Democratic chairman is now the most talked about candidate in the race. He has pulled an amazing haul of campaign cash and is consistently reminding South Carolinians that it didn't have to be this way. He reminds voters that Graham had opportunities to deal with the coronavirus. Graham had opportunities to sponsor legislation in his years as a Senator.

Harrison pretty much said that Graham's legislative accomplishments are very low. Harrison talks about family, faith and his mission to serve South Carolina. Harrison is hoping to "Send Lindsey Home." If Harrison does win, he'll be in the forefront of Democratic candidates to watch for declaring their presidency. Trust me, if Joe Biden does lose and Harrison becomes the next U.S. Senator, they'll be drumming up DRAFT JAIME 2024.

I have this race as TOSS-UP.

Al Gross of Alaska. The Democrats have endorsed independent candidate Dr. Al Gross as their choice to take on Sen. Dan Sullivan. The race is really close. I mean I haven't kept track of the Alaskan race because I believed it was SAFE REPEBULICAN. Now I change my mind on this.

Sullivan who is facing a scandal at home is hoping to secure another term. He has painted Gross as a "puppet" of Pelosi and Ocasio-Cortez. Gross has been very critical of Sullivan's ties to Wall Street and have called him out for bankrolling his elections. He said that Sullivan's love for big business has greatly affected the state. Alaskans deserve better and Gross is pretty much an independent from the partisan rancor. If he does win, he'll be the third independent senator to be seated. He signalled he'll caucus with Democrats. The other senators who are independent are Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Sen. Angus King (I-ME).

I have this race as TILT REPUBLICAN

Barbara Bollier of Kansas. She faces an uphill climb against a candidate no liked but settled with. The Republican wanted U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to run but he declined. The Republicans breathed a sigh of relief when it came to keeping Kris Kobach from being the nominee. Kobach, a staunch supporter of Trump was defeated by Rep. Roger Marshall (R-KS).

Marshall, who is strongly supportive of Trump isn't getting much name recognition and it could be hurting his fight to keep the seat red. With Sen. Pat Roberts (R-KS) leaving the circus, he wants to get that Amy Coney Barrett nomination out the way before he steps down. Marshall who is one of the least productive members of Congress is hoping to capitalize off of Kansas Republicans resurgence in the fight to replace the Affordable Care Act.

Bollier, a former Republican turned Democrat is the physician and politician in the Kansas Senate. She is a moderate lawmaker who is hoping to capitalize off of disgruntled Republicans frustrated with Trump and looking for middle-ground. If elected, she could be the first female physician in the U.S. Senate.

I call the race LIKELY REPUBLICAN.

John Hickenlooper of Colorado. Since leaving the presidential race, the draft Hickenlooper movement focused on the race to replace Sen. Cory Gardner (R-CO). Hickenlooper, the former Democratic governor of Colorado led the state to legalize marijuana and decriminalize drug crimes. Gardner is considered the most vulnerable of the Republicans running. He is not popular in Colorado. He won't do his job on gun reform legislation. Hickenlooper is hoping to win over Coloradans with talk about climate change, gun reform and police reform.

I have this race as LEANS DEMOCRAT.

Steve Bullock of Montana. The Democrats finally got Steve Bullock to drop his bid for president. He was not doing so well in the polls as a Democratic candidate. Often regarded as a potential vice presidential candidate, Bullock rejected the notion to be any running mate to the eventual nominee. Democrats were pleading with Bullock to run for Senate. I guess Bullock said it's "GO TIME." His entry in the race has shook up the race. Sen. Steve Daines (R-MT) who served a mere two terms in the House easily picked up the seat in 2014 after Max Baucus retired from the seat. Montana is often a Republican stronghold in the presidential elections but often vote for Democratic lawmakers who are often pro-gun, pro-ranching and moderate. Bullock often regarded as a moderate candidate is hoping that his handling of the state's coronavirus pandemic turns into a benefit. Daines is up by two points in this race and it has dipped down from at least 10 points against two unknown Democrats. Bullock could pull an upset in Montana.

I have this race as a TOSS UP.

Mark Kelly of Arizona. The former astronaut turned activist is running to fill the remaining term left by the late John McCain. He died in 2018 and Republicans had hoped Jon Kyl would continue serving the seat until 2020. He didn't. He supported Brett Kavanaugh and left shortly after. The loser of the 2018 U.S. Senate race Martha McSally ended up being appointed the senator to finish out the term. McSally lost to Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ) in a nail-biter race for the seat. Sinema, then a U.S. Representative who was progressive changed tunes once she became a Senator. She sees the writing on the wall. She can be progressive but practical in the state of Arizona. With a rising Hispanic population and Native Americans demanding more rights to their tribal land, voters are swinging in the Sun Belt. Mark Kelly, the husband of former lawmaker and gun violence survivor Gabrielle Giffords is hoping to take on the gun lobby. As a gun owner, Kelly believes the NRA and Republicans are tone deaf in the wake of mass shootings and suicide by firearms. McSally is a staunch supporter of Trump. She is a reliable vote for the Supreme Court nominee and Trump's pathetic attempts to undermine Joe Biden. She is trying to channel into QAnon and white nationalists. McSally is a retired Air Force commander and former U.S. Representative turned Senator is one of the most endangered members facing reelection. McSally is a survivor of rape and vocal supporter of changing military standards when it comes to criminal acts.

I have this race as a LEANS DEMOCRAT.

Raphael Warnock of Georgia. I have to say that we need to recruit more Black candidates to run for the U.S. Senate. The pastor of Ebenezer Baptist Church is facing against a Republican and a Democrat who was placed as a spoiler. Raphael Warnock is hoping to fend off Matt Lieberman, the son of former U.S. Senator Joe Lieberman. As a former 2000 Democratic vice presidential candidate, anti-rap critic and Democrat turned independent senator from Connecticut, Lieberman endorsed Republicans Lindsey Graham and Susan Collins. Lieberman is hoping to get his son as the nominee to spoil Warnock's opportunity to take on a weak Republican. Sen. Kelly Loeffler (R-GA) came in with controversy. At the start of the pandemic, she and many other senators sold stock off because they feared it would tank their fortunes. Loeffler, a part owner of the WNBA team Atlanta Dream is a supporter of Trump and his agenda. She has lost faith with her team after she denounced Black Lives Matter and supported Trump's "law and order" approach on protesters knocking down confederate statues. Warnock who delivered the eulogy for John Lewis is hoping to win over Black voters. Loeffler and Warnock both have insurgents. Loeffler has Rep. Doug Collins (R-GA), a staunch Trump supporter who is felt snubbed by Gov. Brian Kemp's decision to pick a replacement for Johnny Isakson.

I have this race as a LEAN REPUBLICAN.

Jon Ossoff of Georgia. It's another challenge for Jon Ossoff. After losing to Karen Handel, Ossoff has now realized that he needs progressives to help him win. Handel would lose to Rep. Lucy McBath (D-GA), the mother of gun violence victim Jordan Davis. Ossoff is hoping to cast aside doubts by running as a formiable challenger to Sen. David Perdue (R-GA). This race is considered the most expensive in history. Perdue who is losing favor in Georgia still has the advantage. Republicans have fought back Democrats in closely watch senate races. Ossoff is hoping to win over voters in this closely watched race.

I have this race as a LEAN REPUBLICAN.

Cal Cunningham of North Carolina. Should a scandal involving the Democratic nominee and a woman he had an affair with matter? It didn't for Donald J. Trump and I don't believ it would for James "Cal" Calvin Cunningham III. I mean it's the utter hypocrisy of Republicans and Democrats. No one care what goes on in someone's bedrooms unless you're the one throwing stones at a glass house. Cunningham is taking on Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC). Tillis made the dumb mistake of attending the infamous Amy Coney Barrett nomination ceremony at the White House. He is now battling the coronavirus. He has shaky health issues and it could be a matter of concern. He is desperate for folks to talk about Cunningham's affair and willing to ignore his lack of action when it comes to Interstate 73/74, hurricane damages in Wilmington and the Outer Banks and Black turnout. With Black turnout expected to be large in North Carolina, should Cal's chance improve because of his policies or his personal life?

I have this race as a TOSS UP.

Theresa Greenfield of Iowa. To take on Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA) is a challenge. She is a military veteran, domestic violence survivor, farmer and proud supporter of Trump. Ernst has been in the forefront of the Supreme Court nomination as well as Lindsey Graham, Thom Tillis and Mitch McConnell. The hypocrisy is there with Ernst. She as well as many Republicans denied Barack Obama's federal judges and Merrick Garland a place on the Supreme Court. Of course, it's like yesterday with most Republicans. They change the rules when it comes to picking a Supreme Court nominee during an election year. Ernst is a true hypocrite. Greenfield who is well funded but lacking name recognition is hoping to tour the state's 99 counties. With climate change, the Trump trade wars with China, Mexico and Canada, Iowans should be concerned about the future. Greenfield understands that Trump and Ernst failed to take control of the coronavirus. She knows that Iowans are slightly favorable towards Trump because of his "no-nonsense" approach to issues. But Greenfield could secure a victory in a state that is considered swing.

I have this race as a TOSS-UP.

Adrian Perkins of Louisiana. Democrats often have trouble trying to win the Deep South. Louisiana once had U.S. Senators who were Democrats at least until 2014. The state has trended more towards Republicans. Louisiana's Black population is 34% and is the second largest in the South. I don't understand why it's hard for Democrats to win over voters in states like Louisiana. Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA) defeated Mary Landrieu in a runoff election. He has been very supportive of Mitch McConnell's agenda. He is taking on the mayor of Shreveport, Louisiana in the general. Mayor Adrian Perkins is hoping to win over voters with the issues that really matter. Climate change should be the forefront of the discussion. After Hurricane Laura and later Hurricane Delta hitting the state of Louisiana, folks should be concerned about the low lying state. Perkins, who is Black could be the first U.S. Senator to represent a state with a high Black population.

I have this race as SAFE REPUBLICAN.

Sara Gideon of Maine. This is the most talked about race in the 2020 U.S. Senate Elections. Could moderate Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) face an upset by Sara Gideon, the Maine state representative who is Speaker of the State House. Gideon has pulled slightly ahead of Collins in the race. Gideon is Collins most serious competitor. Collins, who votes with Trump about 85% of the time has signalled she won't support the Supreme Court nominee. Collins lost favor with pro-choice groups after she supported Brett Kavanaugh for the Court. Collins is one of the few Republicans who is pro-choice and supportive of LGBTQ rights. She often beaten her opponents by double digits. Collins is a prime target for Democrats and Gideon could send the longtime senator home.

I call this race LEANS DEMOCRAT.

Mike Espy of Mississippi. Taking a rematch to another level, Mike Espy is trying to defeat Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS). The two clashed in the 2018 run-off and general election. Espy, a moderate Black Democrat has name recognition but not enough muscle to take on a Republican who is well-funded. Hyde-Smith, the first woman to be seated in Mississippi, is a supporter of the Confederacy. She has been critical of Black Lives Matter's demands to remove statues of confederate soldiers, Jefferson Davis and Robert E. Lee memorials. She is a reliable Republican for Trump.

Mississippi has one of the largest Black populations. Given that, why is that state so Republican? It's deep history goes back to the passage of the Civil Rights Act and Voting Rights Act. It was Lyndon B. Johnson who said it best: "We lost the South for a generation."

The Deep South always been very difficult for Democrats to seize on. I mean Louisiana's governor John Bel Edwards is a far-right Democrat. He has bucked the party numerous times on issues. He seems to be understanding that climate change is real. Mississippi only has one Democrat representing the state. Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-MS) represents Jackson and its inner suburbs. Gerrymandering and uneducated voters could be a factor to why Democrats have trouble winning Mississippi.

If Espy does happen to pull an upset in Mississippi, he could become the third Black senator to serve. The last African American senators to serve Mississippi Hiram Rhodes Revels, a progressive Republican who was appointed to serve briefly the Reconstruction. The second Black senator was Blanche K. Bruce who served one term in the U.S. Senate as a moderate Republican.

I call this race as SAFE REPUBLICAN.

Dan Ahlers of South Dakota. A tough fight ahead for Dan Ahlers. He lives in a state where it's governor refuses to take the coronavirus seriously. Gov. Kristi Noem allowed a Trump Fourth of July rally and Sturgis Motorcycle rally happen. Those superspreader events have impacted the state. Not to mention, meat packers and farmers are suffering from the inept actions of her leadership. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-SC) is not facing a strong challenge in Ahlers but I would be surprised if he ousted him. Trust me, the coronavirus will hopefully bring Republicans down.

I call this race as SAFE REPUBLICAN.

Marquita Bradshaw of Tennessee. A surprise win could speak volumes for the African American activist. She beat back a candidate who was endorsed by most of the Democratic Party. Now she's got work to do. She has to win over Democrats who believe she was a spoiler. The Democrats are about close to abandoning Bradshaw. She was backed by the Justice Democrats and beaten James Mackler, an Iraq War veteran who is a Nashville attorney backed by the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee. Bradshaw who has little recognition outside of Memphis could find some hope in cities like Jackson, Nashville, Chattanooga and Murfreesboro. Her opponent is Bill Hagerty who is former ambassador to Japan under Trump. With Sen. Lamar Alexander on board of confirming the Supreme Court nominee, Hagerty is likely to win this race. Bradshaw's upset rattled Democrats hopes of winning a seat. The last Democrat to hold this seat was Fred Thompson, a politician turned actor.

I have the race called as SAFE REPUBLICAN.

MJ Hegar of Texas. Can she pull off an impossible feat? I mean Democrats have a hard time winning over Texans. I mean Beto O'Rourke came within five points of defeating Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX). Now MJ Hegar is hoping to generate buzz giving that Texas is trying to suppress voters in Democratic-leaning cities like San Antonio, Houston, Austin, El Paso and Dallas. Her opponent is a fossil named Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX). He has won every election by wide margins. He's been in the senate for years and he's the Majority Whip. He is a reliable vote for Trump and McConnell. He hardly bucks the party when it comes to policies and legislation. MJ is a U.S. Air Force Veteran who wrote the memoir Shoot Like a Girl. She tells a story about being a member of the military who fought to remove the Combat Exclusion Policy which restrict women from combat mission leadership.

Hegar had ran against Rep. John Carter (R-TX) and lost only be 3 points. Her challenge is to get name-recognition and a spark of momentum in a race that usually favors Republicans. As a mother, she will run on trying to save the Affordable Care Act and working on getting a public health care insurance option.

I have this race as LIKELY REPUBLICAN.

Incumbent Sen. Doug Jones of Alabama. After his surprise victory against Roy Moore, Doug Jones is in the fight for his political life. He is the most endangered Democrat. Democrats are pouring money into his campaign now that he said he's not supporting Amy Coney Barrett's nomination. He didn't want to make the mistake that Heidi Heitkamp made when she endorsed Neil Gorsuch. He is from a conservative leaning Alabama and the candidates are far-right extremists. The challenger, named Tommy Tuberville is trying to capitalize off his name-recognition as a former coaching days at Auburn University. Tuberville is a birther and QAnon fanatic and staunch supporter of Trump. He defeated native son Jeff Sessions. Sessions who was a U.S. Attorney General from 2017 to 2018 was ousted for recusing himself from the Russian meddling investigation in which Trump is a part of. Sessions was the first U.S. Senator at the time to endorse Trump. Tuberville said that Sessions "betrayal" of Trump soured on Republicans in Alabama. Now as their nominee, Tuberville will try to paint Jones as a far-left radical who sides with Ocasio-Cortez and socialists. Jones is a moderate. He won on the backs of Black women. If he can capitalize off the support of Black voters (by the way of heading to Joe Madison), he could end up winning a full six years as Alabama's senator. The last Alabama senator who was a Democrat is Sen. Richard Shelby who deflected to become a Republican.

I call this race LEAN REPUBLICAN.

Incumbent Sen. Gary Peters of Michigan. This race is closely watched. It could determine if Trump does carry Michigan in the general election. Peters who is relatively facing a challenger who has some name recognition is hoping to capitalize off of Trump's failure to take control of the coronavirus. Trump might as well write off Michigan. After a bunch of far-right terrorist tried to kidnap and murder Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, the state is likely going back to the Democrats. The coronavirus pandemic has greatly affected areas like Detroit, Flint, Bay City and Grand Rapids. With Kent County, Michigan being the swing county, Peters could easily beat off a challenger who wants to run on QAnon and his Blackness. Peters is facing off against perennial candidate John James, an African American Republican who lost to Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) in 2018. Trump didn't want him back on the ballot but reluctantly endorsed James for his second run. James is hoping to win over Black men. Trump did reasonably well with Black men over Black women.

I call this race LIKELY DEMOCRAT.