Westminstenders: What the winds bring

[RedToothBrush]

The next few weeks are crucial. Eu talks, covid handling, the US election and any other unexpected events (its nearly November, lets face it will probably be the weather).

It feels a little like the car crash in slow motion is about to hit the wall of reality. I guess that just means all there is left to do is to brace for impact.

@ListeningQuietly

Peregrina Only Maine and Nebraska split their votes. Every other state is winner takes all and there have been SC rulings about the college not following the popular vote interesting times

It's analogous to FPTP really.

Faithless electors are a thing. No one has quite worked out what to do about them. Are they representatives or delegates ? UK MPs used to be delegates until 2017, when they changed the law and made them representatives when nobody was watching. Similar to the way they raised the government above parliament when no one was looking.

@ListeningQuietly

No. the maths is that one of them HAS to win but we have to wait

How Listening? Ok, so, Arizona was the wrong example - that would put Trump on 270, but the only single state that gets Biden over the line is Pennsylvania, and surely Trump can’t get over the line without Pennsylvania, Georgia and North Carolina, plus either Arizona or Nevada. So, eg, Biden only gets Georgia. That puts him on 269 and Trump on 265.

Where am I going wrong with my maths?

Sorry, crossed posts with the Nebraska explanation. Which I’m not sure I understand. I think I need a cup of tea and a re-read.

I remember reading somewhere that if the vote is evenly split, the House Speaker becomes President. I suspect Trump would explode if Nancy Pelosi ends up taking his place.

Have you got that the wrong way round DGR? They used to be representatives for all their constituents, regardless of how they voted. But now if you didn't vote for the ruling party you can F Off? Certainly a lot of these new Tory MPs seem to think they are only answerable to the Brexiters in their constituencies.

This page is a bit out of date
but you can click on the permutations to get from where we are to where we could go
www.theguardian.com/us-news/ng-interactive/2020/oct/30/build-your-own-us-election-result-plot-a-win-for-biden-or-trump

@Peregrina

Have you got that the wrong way round DGR? They used to be representatives for all their constituents, regardless of how they voted. But now if you didn't vote for the ruling party you can F Off? Certainly a lot of these new Tory MPs seem to think they are only answerable to the Brexiters in their constituencies.

Well, to be fair to me, they don't know either

Since the referendum, we've been told that no matter what the rights or wrongs of any situation, MPs have to follow the will of the people.

So that's what we've got. Not rational, independently minded individuals who can apply their intelligence, morals, and experience to help guide the country to the future. But a load of stuffed suits and blouses that "have" to vote as the majority (as they see it) want.

Couple that with a government that seems to regard parliament in the same way a vicar might view a crack den and the coup is complete.

Wait till we get the vote on the death penalty. Lines of MPs saying "of course I don't support it, but the majority of my constituents do, so we have to have it ...."

@TheABC

I remember reading somewhere that if the vote is evenly split, the House Speaker becomes President. I suspect Trump would explode if Nancy Pelosi ends up taking his place.

If you like "The Thick of It" the last but one season of "Veep" explains it pretty well.

I wonder if Putin has somewhere nice for Trump to stay ? Or is it a one-bed flat in Moscow ?

CNN just reporting that the USPS has refused to comply with the legal order to sweep their facilities for all outstanding postal ballots.

My reading is that the USPS are doing as they are told
edition.cnn.com/2020/11/04/politics/usps-ballot-delivery-extraordinary-measures/index.html
DeJoy knows he is toast if Biden wins
and Toast if he disobeys a federal judge even if Trump wins

DGR
I gather Trump wants to go play golf in Aberdeen

Please. No. Just. No.

But, but Prettybird
when we are all camped in your garden escaping Brexit we can take a socially distanced drive up to put him off his shot

@ListeningQuietly

DGR I gather Trump wants to go play golf in Aberdeen

When if Biden wins, Trump might be advised to somehow be in a country that doesn't extradite to the US. Russia is a proven contender. Who knows, Trump could pop in and see Snowden ?

True We're only an hour away from his Ayrshire course - but 2.5 hours from the Aberdeenshire courses. Dh used to love playing Turnbury but won't go there now

Refugee camp is standing ready

Hmm, Trump in Russia? Might be like Burgess & McLean - they really didn't like the reality of Russia, only the theory.

@Cacacoisfarraige

Trump can be repelled with Wind Turbines for some strange reason.

Lots of offshore turbines in Aberdeenshire.

And they cost Trump £225k in legal costs when he lost his legal challenge.

@Peregrina

Hmm, Trump in Russia? Might be like Burgess & McLean - they really didn't like the reality of Russia, only the theory.

Alan Bennett wrote a couple of brilliant plays (I was lucky enough to see them with him and Prunella Scales) about the Cambridge spies. The first was around a visit Coral Browne made to Burgess in Russia, and the second was about a meeting between the Queen and Blunt interspersed with scenes of Blunts interrogation.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Single_Spies

Nothing like bought loyalty ...

My reading is that the USPS are doing as they are told

I hope you’re right.

The CNN article you linked to says last updated 22:28 GMT. Just before I posted CNN were live reporting that they would not be doing it as the task was ‘too onerous’ and they did not have the staff.

This is the live stream to Philadelphia
don't hold your breath for a quick result

I see that Biden's tally has now gone down quite considerably, but Trump's score hasn't moved this early this morning.