THREAD: 2020 election

REPUBLICANS TRIUMPH: KEY Pennsylvania Seat Flipped

07 November 2024 — Rob Bresnahan flipped Pennsylvania’s 8th Congressional District, unseating Democrat Matt Cartwright, who held the seat since 2013. The race was tight, with Bresnahan winning by about 7,000 votes. A bomb threat in Luzerne County added to the election night tension.

Bresnahan credited his grassroots campaign for the win. “We shook every hand,” he said, showing his commitment to engaging voters directly instead of relying on media ads. His team logged over 50,000 miles on their pickup truck during the campaign.

Host Mike Slater highlighted this win’s importance in Scranton, a traditionally Democratic area linked with President Joe Biden. This victory aids Republican efforts to keep control of the House amid ongoing battles nationwide.

Bresnahan had marked this race as vital for securing a Republican majority in the House. He noted that capturing Pennsylvania’s 8th District was crucial for GOP success and expressed satisfaction with reaching that goal through dedicated campaigning efforts.

TRUMP’S Shocking Victory: Pennsylvania WIN Secures Presidency

06 November 2024 — Fox News declared Donald TRUMP the winner of Pennsylvania early Wednesday morning, securing his victory in the presidential race. Trump delivered a victory speech at Mar-a-Lago around 2:30 a.m. ET.

NBC’s Yamiche Alcindor reported that aides to Kamala Harris acknowledged her loss, despite no official concession from Harris herself. Her team discussed future cooperation with the Trump administration.

The Associated Press, CNN, and MSNBC confirmed Trump’s victory later in the morning, around 6 a.m. ET. Meanwhile, Harris left her election night event at Howard University without making any public remarks or conceding to Trump.

SUPREME COURT Decision Sparks Fury: Virginia Voter Purge Backed

31 October 2024 — The Supreme Court’s conservative majority upheld Virginia’s voter registration purge on Wednesday. The state argues this action prevents non-citizens from voting. This decision aligns with Virginia’s Republican administration under Governor Glenn Youngkin.

A Virginian affected by the purge criticized it as “a very bad October surprise,” despite living in the state her entire life. The court’s ruling came over the dissent of its three liberal justices, highlighting a clear ideological divide.

The Supreme Court did not provide an explanation for its decision, which is common in emergency appeals. This move underscores ongoing debates about voter registration and election integrity across the nation.

TRUMP And HARRIS Neck-And-Neck: What’s Behind the Poll Shocker?

15 October 2024 — Recent polls show a tight race between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump, with both candidates nearly tied. Just last month, Harris was ahead in election and favorability ratings. Now, her lead is gone, sparking questions about why voters are changing their minds.

NBC’s Savannah Guthrie talked with analyst Steve Kornacki about this shift. He explained how Harris’s favorability ratings have reversed. Last month, she had a 48% positive rating compared to Trump’s steady numbers. Now her positive rating has fallen to 43%, while her negative rating jumped to 49%.

Kornacki noted that this change brings Harris’s ratings closer to Trump’s figures. He also mentioned an interesting twist about public views on Trump’s presidency. Recent polling shows that 44% of voters think Trump’s policies helped their families more than during his time in office.

TIMING of Debate Announcement SPARKS Outrage

10 September 2024 — Rep. Meeks suggested the timing of a recent announcement, just before a major debate, is politically motivated. He criticized the selective reporting of testimony involving Kamala Harris and questioned the integrity of the process.

Meeks argued that if this were not a political game, the entire context of events should be examined. He condemned using Gold Star families for political purposes, stating their grief should not be paraded in hearings.

Host Jake Tapper noted that Gold Star families feel ignored by President Biden’s administration. Meeks acknowledged their concerns but emphasized that some claims made during hearings have been debunked, including one about a sniper having a bomber in his sights.

REFORMIST VICTORY: Iran’s New President Promises Change

06 July 2024 — Reformist candidate Masoud Pezeshkian won Iran’s runoff presidential election, defeating hard-liner Saeed Jalili. Pezeshkian promised to reach out to the West and ease enforcement on the mandatory headscarf law. He secured 16.3 million votes compared to Jalili’s 13.5 million in an election with a 49.6% turnout.

Pezeshkian assured no radical changes to Iran’s Shiite theocracy, acknowledging Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as the final authority. Despite his modest aims, he faces challenges from hard-liners and ongoing geopolitical tensions, including Western concerns over Iran’s uranium enrichment program.

Supporters celebrated in Tehran and other cities as Pezeshkian’s lead grew over Jalili. The heart surgeon and longtime lawmaker addressed journalists at Grand Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini’s mausoleum, emphasizing his commitment to honesty and fulfilling promises made during his campaign.

Pezeshkian’s victory comes at a delicate time with high tensions in the Mideast and an upcoming U.S. election that could impact relations between Tehran and Washington. His win wasn’t a landslide, indicating he must navigate Iran’s complex internal politics carefully as he lacks experience in high-level security roles.

BRITISH Election Sees NEW Voter ID LAW in Action

04 July 2024 — Polling stations across the UK opened this morning at 7 AM and will close at 10 PM. Ipsos pollsters are gathering exit poll data to provide an early picture of the election results. Detailed seat-specific results will only be available in the early hours of Friday.

British and Irish citizens, along with some Commonwealth immigrants, are eligible to vote if they are over 18. This election marks the first time voters must show legal identification to cast their ballots in person, a measure aimed at reducing voter fraud. The Electoral Commission has approved 22 forms of ID, including passports and driving licenses.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and his wife Akshata Murty were seen voting at Kirby Sigston Village Hall today. Reporting on the election is restricted while polling places are open, with broadcasters banned from discussing outcomes or publishing polls until voting ends. Violating these rules can result in imprisonment for news editors.

LABOUR PARTY Surges Amid UK Election Betting Scandal

29 June 2024 — The U.K. general election on July 4 is approaching, with the Labour Party expected to defeat Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s Conservatives. Polls indicate Labour leader Keir Starmer will likely form the next government.

The Conservative campaign has struggled, facing allegations of election betting involving figures close to Sunak. This scandal has further dampened their already lackluster efforts.

In the U.K., the prime minister decides election dates, unlike fixed schedules in countries like the U.S. This unique system has led to a market for predicting election dates and outcomes.

Police officers and Conservative insiders are under investigation for their involvement in this betting scandal, adding another layer of controversy as over 50 countries prepare for elections in 2024.

GLOBAL Elections SHAKE-UP: Major Voter Impact in Coming Days

28 June 2024 — In the coming days, voters in countries like Mauritania, Mongolia, Iran, Britain, and France will head to the polls. These elections could significantly impact global politics amid ongoing conflicts and economic concerns.

Iran faces a critical election following the death of President Ebrahim Raisi. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei seeks a successor among hard-liners Saeed Jalili and Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, and reformist Masoud Pezeshkian.

National elections this year are happening in over 50 countries with significant political changes in India, Mexico, and South Africa. Russia remains unchanged despite global shifts.

CONSERVATIVE Officials in HOT Water Over Election Betting Scandal

23 June 2024 — Nick Mason is the fourth Conservative official to be investigated by the U.K.’s Gambling Commission for allegedly betting on election timing before the date was announced. Dozens of bets with potential winnings worth thousands of pounds are under scrutiny.

Two other Conservative candidates, Laura Saunders and Craig Williams, are also being investigated. Tony Lee, Saunders’ husband and Conservative director of campaigning, has taken a leave of absence amid similar allegations.

The scandal comes just two weeks before the national election, dealing a blow to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s party. Sunak expressed anger over the allegations and stated that lawbreakers should be expelled from the party.

Saunders has pledged full cooperation with investigators. Williams served as Sunak’s parliamentary private secretary in addition to being a candidate.

POPULIST PVV Surge: Historic Gains in European Parliament

07 June 2024 — The Party for Freedom (PVV) is set to secure at least seven seats in the European Parliament, according to exit polls. This marks a significant gain from zero seats in 2019. Ipsos estimates show this as the largest gain for any Dutch party and a historic high for PVV.

Despite this success, the Green Left and Labour Party alliance is predicted to win eight seats, one fewer than their combined total in 2019. Geert Wilders expressed optimism about potentially gaining an additional seat when official results are released. He stated, “We have never had seven seats before… We are by far the biggest winner.”

Wilders believes this result signals a broader trend across Europe against mass migration policies. He said that Eurosceptical voices will grow stronger within the European Parliament, sending a clear message to Brussels elites.

Tom Van Grieken of Belgium’s Vlaams Belang echoed Wilders’ sentiment, calling it a “very hopeful signal” for similar parties across Europe. He noted that what happened in the Netherlands could also happen in Flanders on Sunday.

LABOUR’S Radical Plan: Lowering Voting Age to 16 Sparks Controversy

25 May 2024 — Labour sources have revealed that if the party wins the upcoming July 4th election, a Sir Keir Starmer government will lower the voting age in England to 16 within its first year. This change would add around 1.5 million teens to the voter rolls, marking a significant expansion of the electorate.

Starmer confirmed his support for this move on Sky News, stating: “If you can work, if you can pay tax, if you can serve in your armed forces, then you ought to be able to vote.” The policy echoes Labour’s historical decision in 1969 to lower the voting age from 21 to 18.

Critics argue that low-information young voters tend to favor left-wing parties. A recent YouGov survey found Labour holds a substantial lead over Conservatives among voters aged 18-24, with a 57% to 8% advantage.

SUNAK SHOCKS Nation: Calls Surprise Election for July 4

23 May 2024 — British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has shocked many by calling a general election for July 4. Known for being thorough and evidence-led, this move contrasts sharply with his usual cautious approach.

Opinion polls suggest that Sunak’s Conservative Party is trailing behind the opposition Labour Party, which could spell trouble for his leadership. Sunak took office in October 2022, replacing Liz Truss after her economic policies caused market turmoil.

Sunak had warned against Truss’s unfunded tax cuts, predicting economic havoc that indeed followed. His rise to power was rapid, becoming Britain’s first leader of color and youngest prime minister in over two centuries at age 42.

Sunak previously served as Treasury chief during the coronavirus pandemic, where he introduced an unprecedented economic support package. Now at age 44, he faces a critical test with this upcoming election amid challenging political landscapes.

LABOUR PARTY’S NEW Promises: Empty Words or Real Change?

16 May 2024 — Labour Party leader Keir Starmer announced key pledges to win over voters in the upcoming U.K. election. His promises focus on economic stability, security, health, and education. Labour aims to regain power after 14 years in opposition.

Starmer’s six promises include restoring economic stability amid high inflation and mortgage rates, establishing a publicly owned green-energy company, and toughening border controls. Labour also plans to cut NHS waiting times, recruit more police officers, and hire thousands of new teachers.

Funding for these initiatives will come from measures like a windfall tax on oil and gas companies and ending tax breaks for private schools. At an event in Essex, Starmer called these pledges “our down-payment on change” that would take a decade to implement.

Since taking over from Jeremy Corbyn in 2020, Starmer has moved Labour toward the political center ground by supporting military aid to Ukraine and committing to balancing the books while addressing antisemitism within the party under Corbyn’s leadership.

KHAN SECURES Historic Third Term: Conservatives Grapple with Defeat in London

04 May 2024 — Sadiq Khan of the Labour Party has won a third term as London’s mayor, securing nearly 44% of the vote. He outpaced his Conservative rival, Susan Hall, by more than 11 percentage points. This win is noted as the largest individual mandate in U.K. political history.

Contrary to expectations of a close contest, Khan’s significant lead reflects a shift from Conservative to Labour support since the last election in 2021. His time in office has been mixed, with progress in housing and transport but also rising crime rates and criticism over policies perceived as anti-car.

In his victory speech, Khan spoke about unity and resilience against negativity and division. He celebrated London’s diversity as its core strength and took a firm stand against right-wing populism. The eccentric candidate Count Binface added an unusual twist to the event with his presence at the announcement ceremony.

SOUTH KOREAN Election Shocker: Voters Lean Left in Historic Turn

11 April 2024 — South Korean voters, upset by the economic slump, are showing their disapproval towards President Yoon Suk-yeol and his ruling People Power Party (PPP). Early exit polls indicate a dramatic tilt in the National Assembly, with the opposition DP/DUP coalition on track to win between 168 and 193 of the 300 seats. This would leave Yoon’s PPP and its partners trailing with just 87-111 seats.

A record-breaking turnout of 67 percent — the highest for a midterm election since 1992 — reflects widespread voter engagement. South Korea’s unique proportional representation system aims to give smaller parties a chance but has resulted in a crowded field that confuses many voters.

PPP leader Han Dong-hoon has publicly recognized the disappointing exit poll figures. He pledged to honor the electorate’s decision and wait for the final tally. The election results could mark a pivotal change in South Korea’s political landscape, hinting at broader shifts ahead.

This electoral outcome underscores growing public discontent with current economic policies and signals a desire for change among South Korean voters, potentially reshaping the nation’s policy direction in years to come.

BUKELE’S TRIUMPH: El Salvador’s ‘Charming Tyrant’ Sweeps Re-Election

06 February 2024 — El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele, who proudly wears the label of the “planet’s most charming tyrant,” celebrated a decisive re-election victory this Sunday. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken was quick to extend his congratulations, praising the efforts of election monitors and expressing readiness to collaborate with the freshly elected officials after their June inauguration.

Blinken highlighted the enduring bond between the U.S and El Salvador, a relationship that has endured for over a century and a half. He asserted that occurrences in El Salvador have direct consequences on U.S interests at home and abroad. Furthermore, he affirmed that good governance, inclusive economic growth, assurance of fair trials, and human rights would remain at the forefront under their Root Causes Strategy.

Preliminary election results indicate Bukele clinching victory with an astounding 83% support rate, leaving his closest rival trailing far behind at just 7%. The confident president had already proclaimed himself as winner before official results were released, asserting he had garnered more than 85% of votes.

SMITH’S Triumphant Return: Reclaims Mayoral Seat, AMO Breaks Barriers in Rhode Island, and Beshear Clinches Kentucky Governorship

08 November 2023 — Mr. Smith has successfully reclaimed his position as mayor, defeating the current office holder Kimberly Mata-Rubio. This victory marks his third term in office, having previously served from 2008 to 2010.

Rhode Island is now home to its first black congressman, Mr. Amo. Despite this historic achievement, Amo maintains that he didn’t run for recognition but to champion women’s rights and the interests of the working class.

In a nail-biting Kentucky gubernatorial race closely watched nationwide, Mr. Beshear came out on top. As the son of former Democratic Gov. Steve Beshear, he managed a slim victory over incumbent Gov. Matt Bevin by a margin of roughly 5,000 votes.

The recent U.S ballot initiative establishes individual rights relating to reproductive decisions following last year’s Supreme Court decision that overturned Roe v Wade — a move that returns abortion regulation power back to individual states.

LABOUR PARTY Triumphs: Shocking Upset in Special Elections Reshapes UK Political Landscape

21 October 2023 — In a surprising turn of events, Britain’s Labour Party has managed to secure two Parliament seats previously dominated by the Conservatives. This unexpected victory took place in the special elections held in Tamworth and Mid-Bedfordshire, with a significant number of voters switching their loyalty to Labour.

This win strengthens Labour’s standing as the primary challenger for next year’s national election. It also piles pressure on Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to rejuvenate his party’s reputation. Keir Starmer, the leader of the Labour Party, proclaimed that his party is “redrawing the political map”.

The victories were marked by Sarah Edwards’ success in Tamworth and Alistair Strathern’s triumph in Mid-Bedfordshire, both overcoming substantial Conservative majorities from 2019. However, it should be noted that voter turnout was relatively low at 36% and 44% respectively. Additionally, these elections took place under unique circumstances due to resignations from former lawmakers.