Trump Thread

[Ridgerunner]

I agree Hillary is a hawk; there is no doubt in my mind about that. I do not support her candidacy. However, she is very likely to become the Democratic nominee. So this election cycle, to whom should Democrats run: Trump or Cruz?

I’m not a Democrat anymore, and have never been a Republican. If I had to choose between Trump and Cruz, I would choose Trump.

Why? one might ask.

Well, because I think Cruz is going down two blind alleys simultaneously. I realize Tea Party people get all dewy-eyed when he talks about the Constitution. But most people in this country don’t know much about it and care a lot more about their pocketbooks and safety than they do about the niceties of the First Amendment. We all should know the Constitution, and every Supreme Court case there ever was, but we don’t.

Second, his 'flat tax" might be a winner among some conservatives, but it’s a loser for nearly everybody else. It’s his answer to everything, from job creation to foreign policy. With his flat tax, Cruz might win a National Geographic Explorer’s Medal for discovering a “fourth rail” in American politics.

Trump is boorish, though he has probably learned by now which fork to pick up first in a fancy restaurant. No matter what anybody says about him, though, and no matter how inarticulate he sometimes is, and no matter whether he uses swear words, he is a person of proven abilities. If a person can make a fortune in the savagely competitive business he’s in, and worldwide to boot, he can do other things well too. Granted, Cruz has argued (and won) cases before the Supreme Court. But that’s what attorneys general do. That’s their job, and they have beaucoup staff attorneys to work it all up for them; some of them lifetime lawyers of significant accomplishment. It truly would be difficult to mess up an argument with all of that behind you.

 

[SuperLuigi]

As Margaret Thatcher said"The problem with socialism is eventually you run out of other people’s money"

A lesson which many of my colleagues may soon learn, no matter how many times they curse the TEA PARTY or march in the streets with signs.

 

[SuperLuigi]

I’m not a Democrat anymore, and have never been a Republican. If I had to choose between Trump and Cruz, I would choose Trump.

Why? one might ask.

Well, because I think Cruz is going down two blind alleys simultaneously. I realize Tea Party people get all dewy-eyed when he talks about the Constitution. But most people in this country don’t know much about it and care a lot more about their pocketbooks and safety than they do about the niceties of the First Amendment. We all should know the Constitution, and every Supreme Court case there ever was, but we don’t.

Second, his 'flat tax" might be a winner among some conservatives, but it’s a loser for nearly everybody else. It’s his answer to everything, from job creation to foreign policy. With his flat tax, Cruz might win a National Geographic Explorer’s Medal for discovering a “fourth rail” in American politics.

Trump is boorish, though he has probably learned by now which fork to pick up first in a fancy restaurant. No matter what anybody says about him, though, and no matter how inarticulate he sometimes is, and no matter whether he uses swear words, he is a person of proven abilities. If a person can make a fortune in the savagely competitive business he’s in, and worldwide to boot, he can do other things well too. Granted, Cruz has argued (and won) cases before the Supreme Court. But that’s what attorneys general do. That’s their job, and they have beaucoup staff attorneys to work it all up for them; some of them lifetime lawyers of significant accomplishment. It truly would be difficult to mess up an argument with all of that behind you.

What about electability?

Ted Cruz is proving to be a nightmare in every single blue and purple state, and when I have randomly checked on some polls, they over-sample democrats.

Also, the left will be able to come after Trump. If they come after Cruz that hard, they’ll alienate Hispanic voters in Florida, Nevada, New Mexico, Colorado and probably even California.

I’ve been following polls for years, and the numbers suggest to me that Ted Cruz could beat Clinton in an electoral landslide.

Just think: If the current frontrunner isn’t the nominee, all of the controversial stuff he said goes down the drain and the Democrats have less than 3 months to figure out how they retain the White House against a minority ticket (I think Rubio would be VP), a president with low job approval numbers and an old, rich, straight, political establishment white woman from Chicago and the northeast with legal and ethical quandaries.

 

[jtauke]

I for one, can’t wait to see what Trumps face looks like when he loses the nomination in a brokered convention.

 

[meltzerboy]

I’m not a Democrat anymore, and have never been a Republican. If I had to choose between Trump and Cruz, I would choose Trump.

Why? one might ask.

Well, because I think Cruz is going down two blind alleys simultaneously. I realize Tea Party people get all dewy-eyed when he talks about the Constitution. But most people in this country don’t know much about it and care a lot more about their pocketbooks and safety than they do about the niceties of the First Amendment. We all should know the Constitution, and every Supreme Court case there ever was, but we don’t.

Second, his 'flat tax" might be a winner among some conservatives, but it’s a loser for nearly everybody else. It’s his answer to everything, from job creation to foreign policy. With his flat tax, Cruz might win a National Geographic Explorer’s Medal for discovering a “fourth rail” in American politics.

Trump is boorish, though he has probably learned by now which fork to pick up first in a fancy restaurant. No matter what anybody says about him, though, and no matter how inarticulate he sometimes is, and no matter whether he uses swear words, he is a person of proven abilities. If a person can make a fortune in the savagely competitive business he’s in, and worldwide to boot, he can do other things well too. Granted, Cruz has argued (and won) cases before the Supreme Court. But that’s what attorneys general do. That’s their job, and they have beaucoup staff attorneys to work it all up for them; some of them lifetime lawyers of significant accomplishment. It truly would be difficult to mess up an argument with all of that behind you.

I don’t believe Cruz is electable in the general election, whereas Trump is although he will have a tough time defeating Clinton, assuming she is the Democratic candidate and not imprisoned. It all sounds surreal, doesn’t it? And two New Yorkers running against each other. I wonder who they will choose as running mates? That itself may tip the balance one way or the other.

With regard to Cruz, he has made so many promises that it’s hard to keep up with all of them. In addition to the flat tax, he wants to abolish the IRS, EPA, DOE, ACA, etc. Can he possibly fulfill all or any of these promises? In a different vein, Trump, apart from the Mexican Wall and the halt on Muslim immigration, rather impractical proposals, just says trust me to make America great again and gives very few details on anything. Clinton talks in elaborate generalities and says whatever needs to be said to win the nomination. The sorry state of American politics…

 

[Sy_Noe]

I will not support Trump or Cruz, if either is the Republican nominee. If Kasich is the nominee, which I highly doubt, I MIGHT vote for him instead of Clinton, but probably in the end will vote for Hillary despite certain misgivings I have about her. I cannot help wondering, however, why there is so little choice among the Democratic candidates. Is it because we OWE Hillary for 2008? Is there NO other good Democratic candidate this election cycle instead of the recycled Hillary? And, with regard to Trump, I understand it is the anger of the people that made him a viable candidate for some; still I can’t help wondering how we got into such a mess?

MB, I do think Hillary went into this cycle as by far the frontrunner and her candidacy likely kept some others out of the race. I, myself, even as a Bernie backer, have never once thought Hillary would be denied her party’s nomination a 2nd time. I’m just curious though, do you think Elizabeth Warren didn’t run because she thought she owed it to Hillary? She hasn’t even endorsed yet but still chose not to run. I personally didn’t think Joe would challenge his friend Hillary unless she had gotten into deep trouble as her opponents keep hoping for, which she hasn’t. But do you think part of Joe’s ultimate decision was not also that he couldn’t bring himself to make a run while he and his family were still in such mourning for his son?

 

[meltzerboy]

MB, I do think Hillary went into this cycle as by far the frontrunner and she likely kept some others out of the race. I, myself, even as a Bernie backer, have never once thought Hillary would denied her party’s nomination a 2nd time. I’m just curious though, do you think Elizabeth Warren didn’t run because she thought she owed it to Hillary? She hasn’t even endorsed yet but still chose not to run. Do you think Joe didn’t run because of Hillary or because he couldn’t bring himself to make a run while he and his family were in mourning for his son?

With respect to Joe Biden, it may have been a combination of reasons for his not running: IOW, both mourning for his son and believing it was not his turn. Elizabeth Warren might indeed have felt it was Hillary’s turn as well. But this is mere speculation.

Connecting all this to Trump, I’m sure he feels it is HIS turn!

 

[Ridgerunner]

I don’t believe Cruz is electable in the general election, whereas Trump is although he will have a tough time defeating Clinton, assuming she is the Democratic candidate and not imprisoned. It all sounds surreal, doesn’t it? And two New Yorkers running against each other. I wonder who they will choose as running mates? That itself may tip the balance one way or the other.

With regard to Cruz, he has made so many promises that it’s hard to keep up with all of them. In addition to the flat tax, he wants to abolish the IRS, EPA, DOE, ACA, etc. Can he possibly fulfill all or any of these promises? In a different vein, Trump, apart from the Mexican Wall and the halt on Muslim immigration, rather impractical proposals, just says trust me to make America great again and gives very few details on anything. Clinton talks in elaborate generalities and says whatever needs to be said to win the nomination. The sorry state of American politics…

I agree that American politics are in a sorry state. But it’s not new. Who would have imagined that an ideological follower of Saul Alinsky with terrorist ties and no accomplishments worthy of the name would be elected president? But it happened.

So now, the two most likely candidates are an extraordinarily warlike person who has clearly engaged in influence peddling and a man who resembles a 19th Century robber baron. But as I have said before, Trump sells people what they are willing to spend their own money on, while Clinton sells what I have unwillingly contributed. The first is “justice in exchange”, while the second is “theft”. As between the two, the choice is obvious.

 

[queenofheartscv]

With respect to Joe Biden, it may have been a combination of reasons for his not running: IOW, both mourning for his son and believing it was not his turn. Elizabeth Warren might indeed have felt it was Hillary’s turn as well. But this is mere speculation.

Connecting all this to Trump, I’m sure he feels it is HIS turn!

I beg to differ. Trump has supported McCain and Romney big time. In his own words, this time he’s going to do it himself and he isn’t going to lose!

in 1998 Trump was interviewed by Oprah and asked whether he would run for president.

At the time, Trump said he probably wouldn’t run — but didn’t rule out the possibility.

"I do get tired of seeing the country ripped off," he said. "If it got so bad I would never want to rule it out totally."

That is exactly what he is saying now.

businessinsider.com/donald-trump-to-oprah-in-1988-win-president-2015-9

 

[Sy_Noe]

With respect to Joe Biden, it may have been a combination of reasons for his not running: IOW, both mourning for his son and believing it was not his turn. Elizabeth Warren might indeed have felt it was Hillary’s turn as well. But this is mere speculation.

Connecting all this to Trump, I’m sure he feels it is HIS turn!

I actually think EW might have given Hillary a run. But maybe you’re right that she just thought it was going to be Hillary’s time. I’m not even certain Bernie thought he would win the nomination though or do as well as he has.

Well of course no doubt Trump feels it’s his time. He thinks he is the only person who can make America great and expects riots if he is denied the nomination.

 

[meltzerboy]

I beg to differ. Trump has supported McCain and Romney big time. In his own words, this time he’s going to do it himself and he isn’t going to lose!

in 1998 Trump was interviewed by Oprah and asked whether he would run for president.

At the time, Trump said he probably wouldn’t run — but didn’t rule out the possibility.

"I do get tired of seeing the country ripped off," he said. "If it got so bad I would never want to rule it out totally."

That is exactly what he is saying now.

businessinsider.com/donald-trump-to-oprah-in-1988-win-president-2015-9

IOW, Trump believes it is his turn to do it right this time, unlike the way McCain and Romney ran their campaigns.

 

[queenofheartscv]

IOW, Trump believes it is his turn to do it right this time, unlike the way McCain and Romney ran their campaigns.

He’s said this election is about competence. He’s sick of losing and seeing our country being in bad shape. And yes he plays to win.

 

[queenofheartscv]

I actually think EW might have given Hillary a run. But maybe you’re right that she just thought it was going to be Hillary’s time. I’m not even certain Bernie thought he would win the nomination though or do as well as he has.

Well of course no doubt Trump feels it’s his time. He thinks he is the only person who can make America great and expects riots if he is denied the nomination.

Trump is the only person in the race who is using his own money, who has lost financially due to the campaign (lost contract with macy’s, lost contract with NBC for Miss Universe, etc), who doesn’t need the presidency to enhance his resume, who has reached the epitome of a successful life in the real world.

He wants to do something for the country. If he loses, he will go back to his comfortable life.

 

[Sy_Noe]

IOW, Trump believes it is his turn to do it right this time, unlike the way McCain and Romney ran their campaigns.

Right that’s what he seems to believe. At least he criticizes Romney’s campaign frequently. And to prove the leader that he is, he’s not even sure if Romney is a Mormon after he said leaders have no right to question another’s faith.

 

[queenofheartscv]

Right that’s what he seems to believe. At least he criticizes Romney’s campaign frequently. And to prove the leader that he is, he’s not even sure if Romney is a Mormon after he said leaders have no right to question another’s faith.

Whatever he says, it’s Romney who has started all this nastiness between the two of them. Trump campaigned for him and fundraised for him. Romney praised trump profusely in 2012.

I think Romney will look back on what he did with deep regret, in due time.

 

[Sy_Noe]

Trump is the only person in the race who is using his own money, who has lost financially due to the campaign (lost contract with macy’s, lost contract with NBC for Miss Universe, etc), who doesn’t need the presidency to enhance his resume, who has reached the epitome of a successful life in the real world.

He wants to do something for the country. If he loses, he will go back to his comfortable life.

Yeah that kinda concerns me though. If we get to where only billionaires like Trump using their own money can make successful runs for the Presidency, that’s not exactly a selling point for me.

 

[queenofheartscv]

Yeah that kinda concerns me though. If we get to where only billionaires like Trump using their own money can make successful runs for the Presidency, that’s not exactly a selling point for me.

No. Trump is not saying only billionaires should run. He’s saying he is offering the public a different choice this year. Instead of regular politicians, he’s spending his own money and truly wants to do what’s best for the country and not for special interests. It’s his offer and America can take it or leave it. I think we should give that a try after having same old same old for so long with all talk no action politicians.

 

[mary_bobo]

I for one, can’t wait to see what Trumps face looks like when he loses the nomination in a brokered convention.

It will probably be contested rather than brokered. I would love to know what happened today when Trump met with the grand old party elders.

 

[Sy_Noe]

It will probably be contested rather than brokered. I would love to know what happened today when Trump met with the grand old party elders.

The outsider met with the insiders?

 

[queenofheartscv]

I for one, can’t wait to see what Trumps face looks like when he loses the nomination in a brokered convention.

I’d like to see Megan Kelly’s face when Trump becomes president. And Bill Kristol’s. And Mitt Romney’s.