pastajoe

Ronald Reagan was a Democrat. Bernie Sanders was an Independent. Does switching parties disqualify someone's opinion?

He said he would like to go back to teaching.

Former Republican mayor of NYC Michael Bloomberg will be endorsing Clinton at the DNC. Strong advocate for gun control. Could help convince some like-minded moderate Republicans.

You know Putin has the emails that were incorrectly labelled or retroactively classified? There was no evidence that her server was hacked according to the FBI. Are you in communication with Snowden?

Some of you desperate conspiracy theorists put Trump's birther and papa-Cruz JFK claims to shame. There's a job waiting for you at FoxNews or Breitbart.

Is there evidence of people going to polls pretending to be someone else? My name is in the book. I sign the book before I vote. If you're not in the primary book, you can't vote in the primary. And if you're afraid of widespread fraud, then the party can send ID cards to party members. I belong to BJ's Wholesale Club. I need to use my card to buy goods. No big deal. Much different than requiring voter ID in the general election.

I'll agree to those if in return there are no caucuses or open primaries. Many voters can't spend the time it takes to caucus, and primaries should only be for registered members of the party. If you want a say in a party, you should have to join it. I'm still no clear on what exactly the DNC did to publically "endorse" Clinton. There was brainstorming by some in the DNC about doing things regarding Sanders, and that's wrong and actions should be taken in the DNC, but they didn't actually do them as far as I know. But Clinton's campaign wasn't involved, and Obama is technically still the head of the party. So take it up with him, not Clinton. And Bernie has said his issue is with the DNC leadership. He still endorses Clinton, not a 3rd party candidate. So if you supported Bernie and trusted him, the logical result is you should follow suit and vote Clinton. I supported Clinton in 2008, and wasn't thrilled with the result, but in the end I did the logical thing, not the emotional, and supported Obama.

I was familiar with Kaine's positions and history, but had never heard him give a speech. It completed the package.

Just listened to Tim Kaine for the first time. Very impressive. I'd vote for him as president. A great serious choice by Hillary.

Interesting that it was Russia that provided the hacked wikileaks DNC info. Putin putting his thumb on the scales for Trump given his recent NATO statements?

I heard that the 1770's were some rough times. And the 1860's, and the 1930's into the 40's. And there was that Cuban missile crisis in the 60's when we came close to nuclear war. I was taught that hiding under my wood desk would make me safe. So I guess "safe" is relative.

We should force these NATO countries to pay for security at McDonalds, and if they don't we bring our franchises back to the US. For other countries to enjoy our delicious fast food is a privilege not a right. Donald J Trump will be the Line Up and Order president.

MUNICH — Munich authorities said Saturday that the gunman who went on a rampage at a shopping center Friday, leaving nine people dead, had no ties to the Islamic State or other extremist groups. Instead, police believe he was obsessed with mass killings and may have been mentally ill. The southern German city’s police chief said investigators had found a trove of electronic data and written materials at the suspect’s home suggesting that he had extensively researched shooting sprees before he went on one of his own Friday afternoon. The items recovered included a book by a U.S. academic on school shootings titled “Rampage in the Head: Why Students Kill.” https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/munich-police-hunt-for-a-motive-after-iranian-german-gunman-kills-nine-in-rampage/2016/07/23/5e3058d6-5055-11e6-bf27-405106836f96_story.html?hpid=hp_hp-top-table-main_munich-430am%3Ahomepage%2Fstory

I like the Kaine pick. Hillary could have gone with the easy political choice of a more liberal, but she went with the serious pick of someone qualified to step in as president.

I know, right? Before Obama and Hillary, the Sunnis and Shia were getting along, bin Laden was minding his own business, Assad and Gaddafi weren't killing their own citizens, Putin and Kim Jung Un were humble leaders, Iran wasn't working towards nuclear weapons, and assault weapons weren't so easy to obtain. Oh wait, you said no one should pretend. Nevermind.

I answer your clarion call to observe and report on the DNC, and you slap away my hand of friendship. That's very hurtful. If you continue with your thin-skinned ways I'll have to start calling you Trump. I hope you don't take this attitude with you, it will give the Irish or Aussies a bad impression of former Americans. Now back to the news. I read tonight's Trump's speech which is posted online. Nothing new or inspirational, just the usual mix of making America great without any specifics, and the innuendo not based on facts attacks on Hillary. I am troubled by his call to allow religious groups to get involved in politics without losing their tax exempt status. If they want to get political, then say what they want, but pay taxes like the rest of us. I don't think Trump or Republicans understand that LBJ pushed for the law because some southern religious groups were helping finance the cause to continue segregation. But when there's only 18 black Republican delegates out of 2740, those details tend to be overlooked. He's threatening to not support NATO allies if they haven't paid their "fair share" of the cost of operations. So basically he'd act like a mafia protection racket. I'm sure Putin loves this rhetoric.

And I'll help by reporting if Hillary supporters boo Bernie and attack his wife when he speaks, or if any elected Democrats say Trump should stand before a firing squad and be shot. Don't worry, we've got you covered BuffaninATL/AUS/IRL/orNZ.

Trump thinks that NATO should be run like a mafia protection racket. If you'se guys don't pay us what we want, bad things might happen. You'se got some pretty daughters, it'd be a shame if Putin's boys got their hands on them. I'm just sayin'.

I really wish SNL was live this week. They wouldn't even have to write any sketches.

@chucktodd Another blockbuster development tonight:Trump wouldn't necessarily honor NATO treaty if Russia invades a NATO member

It was probably available since Clint Eastwood wasn't there to talk to it.

Another crazy night at the RNC. Cruz doesn't endorse Trump in speech, says to vote your conscience. People booing and shouting as he's speaking. Trump walks into arena as Cruz is still speaking to steal his thunder. Heidi Cruz had to be escorted out by security as people heckled her.