Paul Dame

Middle-aged Millennial. @VTGOP Chair & Former #VT State Rep. Somewhere between Conservative and Libertarian.

[Paul Dame @Dame4VT]

Yeah, I thought he would have definitely been able to overcome that.

At the time, it felt like Franken was seen as a necessary casualty so Democrats could try to leverage his resignation to call for Trump to step down. But Trump just didn't care and ignored the whole thing. Eventually the media moved on as well, and Franken was stuck holding the bag

[Paul Dame @Dame4VT]

I'm not sure, that might prove the point. The scandal affects them because they are stepping down. If they ran for re-election are we sure they would lose?

Trump and Platner have populist characteristics give them the same kind of protection Andrew Jackson enjoyed. When people are unhappy with "the system" they want a wrecking ball, and they accept a wider variance on conduct when that happens.

But I think the Virginia AG's race where the Dem candidate supported violence against a colleague or the Governor's race where Spamberger basically went silent when challenged during a debate, also indicate that if the candidate can respond a certain way they can beat the pressure of a scandal more easily now than in the past.

[Paul Dame @Dame4VT]

This is a good point.

Part of the reason that Republican-leaning moderates are likely going to support Paxton instead of staying home is because they have realized their rejection of Republican candidates who are too far right in the past (see 2022 Senate results) has never been met with Democrat-leaning moderates rejecting Democrats who are too far left (like Platner and Talarico)

Their principled votes functioned more like unilateral disarmament against Democrats who took a more aggressive posture on things like packing the Supreme Court and nuking the filibuster. So some moderates became more partisan - through very reluctant pragmatism. Not because Republicans became more centrist, but because Democrats became far less so.

Both Trump and Platner have demonstrated that scandals don't have to define you if you respond to them as if they don't affect you. We live in a time where the only way a scandal brings you down is if you act like it could.

[Paul Dame @Dame4VT]

So ironic.
The LP refuses to kick out weirdos who made them look bad by instituting a culturally common dress code.

They would probably say it because of "principles" of free speech

But then in a marvellous and completely unprincipled act of hypocritical stupidity they actually forcibly kick out their most competent state chapter, proving that they don't actually care about permitting equal expression, they just want "their" people to be protected.

Whether it's the LP, or certain "grassroots" Republican Parties, everyone wants to decide who to keep and who to repel. It becomes a stupid personality turf war. Unless you can get EVERYONE focused on recruiting, fundraising and supporting candidates who can win elections - you are doomed to rinse and repeat.

[Paul Dame @Dame4VT]

@Fair_and_Biased @ConceptualJames He'll be a great dark horse for VP in a political environment that may be ready to jettison Trump the way even Republicans jettisoned George W Bush leading up to the 2008 election.

[Paul Dame @Dame4VT]

It's ironic how this obviously AI-generated video feels more authentic and more grounded humor than many other political ads today.

[kevin smith @kevin_smith45]

These Spencer Pratt videos keep getting better and better

[Paul Dame @Dame4VT]

@VerMemeIstan Sad but true

[Paul Dame @Dame4VT]

Would you consider running for State Rep?

If you are interested in learning more, contact the VTGOP at https://t.co/ioLwEgbgJQ

The deadline to turn in your petition is next week on May 28th. If you don't know what that means, we can help you. Just reach out.

Share with or tag a friend you think would do a great job representing their community and advancing Governor Scott's affordability agenda

[Paul Dame @Dame4VT]

Because they hate Trump and want to see "his" guy lose.

They cheered for non-MAGA pro-life conservatives like Mike Pence and Mitt Romney when those men oppose Trump, seems perfectly consistent that they cheer for non-MAGA fiscal conservatives like Massive when he thinks independently too

[Paul Dame @Dame4VT]

This is actually what it's like for people who vote Republican in deep blue places.
I've knocked on doors of people who feel exactly this way.

[Gene Parmesan @dsonoiki]

You Are Not Alone. Vote Spencer Pratt.

[Paul Dame @Dame4VT]

If you wonder why the LP is going nowhere, it's because of bylaws like that.

In VT the Progressives routinely integrate themselves into the Democrat party, and now they have functionally taken over, and their candidates often win the primary. That means they get elected and are in positions to create or enforce policy. Something most Libertarians never achieve

[Paul Dame @Dame4VT]

#vtpoli
House Republicans keep fighting for H.70 to include Current Use in the conservation efforts.

This is the second time the Democrat majority has used their control of the process to prevent this common sense bill from moving forward.

Republicans introduced the bill almost a year and a half ago, with no real movement. As the session ends, this was the last chance to get momentum

[Paul Dame @Dame4VT]

@MrVoT1313

[Paul Dame @Dame4VT]

California Democrats think if you say the word "Republican" enough time in a TV ad you can make them go away.

[Eric Daugherty @EricLDaugh]

🚨 NOW: Leftists are being brutally mocked for DROPPING THIS “attack ad” on LA Mayor candidate Spencer Pratt — which says he opposes rampant homelessness and supports the police

LMAO — and they’re spending hundreds of thousands to blast this everywhere! ��

“Pratt says it's time for the homeless to get help or get out.”

“Pratt thinks LA needs thousands more police officers rather than more social workers.”

You can’t make this up!

KEEP PUSHING, @spencerpratt

Communists’ ATTACKS have turned into praise!

[Paul Dame @Dame4VT]

I think this is the best political ad I've ever seen in my life.

It's not about the candidate, it's really about the people who want a change.

[Charles Curran @charliebcurran]

LA is worth saving. Vote Spencer Pratt.

[Paul Dame @Dame4VT]

@BasedIllinoisan So does that mean "unelectable" is the word for the "based"?

[Paul Dame @Dame4VT]

Stunning insight:

Communism requires tyranny to enforce the equality because the natural state of things is that producers want to keep what they produce.

Capitalism is not a system that requires an imposition. It is the natural state of an economy without intervention.

The exception that capitalists make is that there needs to be some force that protects producers from thieves. This can be done either by common moral and social values - or it can be done by law. The more you have of the first, the less you need of the second

[Konstantin Kisin @KonstantinKisin]

Every ‘equal society’ in history ended the same way: with force.

You cannot redistribute productivity without coercion.

That’s the part radical socialism never admits.

The more 'equality' you want, the more authoritarian it must become to enforce it.

[Brian Halligan @bhalligan]

I don't remember where I found this, but its spot on.

[Paul Dame @Dame4VT]

@LPVT802 @VTGOP So... You're saying Phil Scott is a milquetoast authoritarian?

I do not think that word means what you think it means

[Paul Dame @Dame4VT]

@LPNH These Green mountains are my home, but if I ever need contraband like fireworks or plastic bags, I can make a run across the border