Links to 538 and NYT live blogs - both worth a review - lots of fact checking

[NRaleighLiberal]

I read these instead of watching the orange asshole

https://fivethirtyeight.com/live-blog/state-of-the-union-2019/

https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2019/02/05/us/politics/state-of-union-live-chat.html?src=sotuHomepagePromo&action=click&module=Spotlight&pgtype=Homepage

[Awsi Dooger]

1. Easily the most interesting entry I saw on 538

MICAH COHEN10:14 PM
Clare et al. — if Trump just runs against “creeping socialism” this year and next — maybe no matter what Democrats do or say — could that … work?

***

That's what we need to be prepared for. No question. If we ignore that it will be like ignoring all the ominous indications out of the 2014 midterm regarding unrest among white working class types, particularly in the midwest.

I watched them use socialist here in Florida against Bill Nelson. It doesn't matter how preposterous it is, that is the new fear line. And Micah Cohen is astute to point out how Trump and Republicans will likely use is...as a slow overall dangerous trend if Democrats are elected to power, as opposed to merely tagging our nominee as a raging socialist.

The only response from other 538ers was this one:

CLARE MALONE10:16 PM
Micah, I think this is a very interesting question. I’d bet that a whole lot of Democrats are talking about ways to reframe the “socialist” talk to be more “FDR/New Deal-y” for an American public that certainly has some generational aversions to socialism.

***

IMO, it is exponentially easier for them to use the socialist tag if our nominee is from somewhere like Massachusetts or California.

Regardless, the counter argument needs to be studied beginning now, not a year from now. Use focus groups or whatever it takes.

[okaawhatever]

2. +100 NT