Presidential race 2016

[HairOfTheDog]

I don't know if Trump will burn out, but I hope his supporters will start pushing for some policy/solution outlines and some substance to support the bluster.

I've always found Trump amusing as a business person, celebrity and public figure. But, I wouldn't vote for the man to run the country for my own personal amusement. And, at the end of the day, I don't really think that 25% of Republican voters would either.

I suspect/guess that Trump's continued high ratings with Republicans signifies how disgruntled they are with their own party (and the political system in general), as much or more than it signifies a willingness to have Donald Trump in charge of the United States of America. Still, he did manage to surprise pundits by winning early majority support in Iowa, an evangelical state, so who knows? Anyway, I'm glad he and Bernie are shaking the systematic foundations of both parties and that people are listening and getting involved.

While Donald Trump as the President of the United States -- based on his campaign focus and style to-date -- is a very unwise and unappealing prospect to me, I think if he continues to maintain and grow his support, he should have a chance. I don't think he has a real chance though, because I don't believe he could get the required electoral college votes as either a Republican or Independent candidate.

In my opinion, the electoral college has become restrictive and antiquated in some ways. The founding fathers put the electoral college system in place for a couple of reasons, according to the Constitution: 1. back then, citizens throughout the country didn't readily have access to news and information outside of their locales and so the founding fathers wanted the ultimate voting decision to lie with learned and serious-minded men who were informed in regards to the presidential candidates and the issues; 2. the founding fathers, particularly Alexander Hamilton, figured that the general population is too easily influenced by style or fluff as opposed to capabilities and content (my paraphrase).

Point 1 is no longer an issue and I think that's a good reason to consider amending the Constitution to allow the popular vote to directly determine the President of the United States. However, in view of Donald Trump's current support levels, maybe point 2 is a valid one in support of keeping the electoral college?

Dick and I had a discussion here several years ago about the electoral college; I've found myself wondering lately where he'd stand in this 2016 race.

[username]

I heard he's getting support from all corners. Did I understand he plans to lay out his immigration policies tomorrow?

[HairOfTheDog]

I heard he's getting support from all corners. Did I understand he plans to lay out his immigration policies tomorrow?

His unfavorable rating outside of the Republican party is still very high.

But, I can see him making in-roads with Democrats if he can back up his claim that he "will be the best at women's issues" and if he can convince blue collar workers that he's the guy who can bring back and keep jobs in America.

He's not laying out an immigration plan tomorrow. He doesn't have one. But, he did make a big announcement. It could really add some legitimacy to his campaign, I think.

Trump's campaign announced yesterday that Sen. Jeff Sessions (Republican/Alabama) is consulting with the Donald in crafting his immigration plan for the future of America. Trump says he'll unveil his immigration plan in September.


Sen. Sessions ^, Chairman of the Senate’s Immigration Subcommittee, is regarded by some as the gold standard on immigration. Sessions has also become the intellectual thought leader in the Republican Party on appealing to the blue collar voters who have been abandoned by their political leaders.

[sally]

The claim that he cherishes woman and will be the best at women's issues was comedic and he knows it. He'll beat around the bush as to how he can both support planned parenthood while believing abortion is morally wrong and please everyone.

[Duchess]

I think he's in cahoots with Bill to insure Hillary gets into the White House.

[Carsman]

The claim that he cherishes woman and will be the best at women's issues was comedic and he knows it. He'll beat around the bush as to how he can both support planned parenthood while believing abortion is morally wrong and please everyone.

When he accomplishes that, he will begin to morph into a true "politician"!

[aussiefriend]

On a positive note, I am now watching Anderson Cooper 360 all the way through these days!

Little Aussie yesterday "mummy, is he a good man or a bad man?"
Aussie "no honey, he's a bad man, he thinks he's God"

[aussiefriend]

Don't blame me bbh, blame aussie.

blah blah blah blah blah

That's pretty racist.

Forgot to say this the other day.............

Just let it go Jimmy, let it go

[sally]

The claim that he cherishes woman and will be the best at women's issues was comedic and he knows it. He'll beat around the bush as to how he can both support planned parenthood while believing abortion is morally wrong and please everyone.

When he accomplishes that, he will begin to morph into a true "politician"!

That's what I see him morphing into. He's succeeding at it while still making some good points on other issues and being personable and honest at the same time. As silly as it is I think he has a shot.

[HairOfTheDog]

Trump's a hell of a salesman/marketer, I'll give him that.

He contradicts himself and makes claims which he refuses to back up, calls people he doesn't know names and accuses them of crimes, justifies it by claiming he hasn't the time nor inclination for political correctness, and then whines when he feels that HE is not treated correctly in the political field.

And still, it seems a lot of people consider him honest and personable.

[sally]

Trump's a hell of a salesman/marketer, I'll give him that.

He contradicts himself and makes claims which he refuses to back up, calls people he doesn't know names and accuses them of crimes, justifies it by claiming he hasn't the time nor inclination for political correctness, and then whines when he feels that HE is not treated correctly in the political field.

And still, it seems a lot of people consider him honest and personable.

Exactly .

He's playing it pretty good and personality wise people like him better compared to the other assholes who are basically doing the same thing.

[HairOfTheDog]

Yeah, being able to package and sell is an asset for politicians and Trump's better at it than most. I agree.

But, some of the candidates have put years of work into developing plans and policies (many of which I don't support - but they do exist), which is not the case with Trump.

I think he'll probably buy consultants and experts to write his policy statements. I guess that's not too different from a lot of politicians developing their own based on the influence of donors and lobbyists though.

I still can't tell for sure if Trump really wants to win or if he's just having fun shaking things up and turning the presidential race into a reality show type of drama.

Maybe he truly wants to be president because that would make him arguably the most powerful man in the world. Or, maybe he really wants to win because he thinks he would be a great leader for America.

It's surreal to me, but interesting to watch unfold.

[Carsman]

Yeah, being able to package and sell is an asset for politicians and Trump's better at it than most. I agree.

But, some of the candidates have put years of work into developing plans and policies (many of which I don't support - but they do exist), which is not the case with Trump.

I think he'll probably buy consultants and experts to write his policy statements. I guess that's not too different from a lot of politicians developing their own based on the influence of donors and lobbyists though.

I still can't tell for sure if Trump really wants to win or if he's just having fun shaking things up and turning the presidential race into a reality show type of drama.

Maybe he truly wants to be president because that would make him arguably the most powerful man in the world. Or, maybe he really wants to win because he thinks he would be a great leader for America.

It's surreal to me, but interesting to watch unfold.

[quote carsman 3-15 ]

I agree, Trump will make a lot of noise, and then will drop out. Cause being the prez, would take up to much of his precious time. It really is hard work being a good prez, and he won't put himself out to make the sacrifice required.
[/quote]

Said it before, and now again, Trump is having a blast and getting his message out there about issues he truly believes needs addressing!
Eventually If it looked like he was somehow actually really to get the nod, he would then make absolute buffoon statements to get himself out if the nomination arena without himself having to back out. Cause he really doesn't want to make the sacrifice of all the hard work it would require to be POTUS!

[Donovan]

Obama and Bill Clinton were golfing this weekend in Martha's Vineyard while I am in Washington. It was kinda rude of them not to invite me. But it makes me wonder if Barack will throw full support to Hillary. They had a little bad blood when he snaked her spot eight years ago but they kissed and made up in recent years.

[Duchess]

while I am in Washington.

Hey! C'mon over! Drinks and dinner, my treat.

[HairOfTheDog]

... he would then make absolute buffoon statements to get himself out if the nomination arena without himself having to back out.

He's already made some buffoonish statements and his popularity has only grown.

Today, Trump said on MEET THE PRESS that he's gonna deport every illegal immigrant and, since he's such a nice guy and all, he's gonna "keep their families together" when he boots them.

Well, as far as I can see, he'd have to get the 14^th Amendment modified or nullified to deport all the children born in the US to illegal immigrants, as he claims he'll do. He'd have to redefine "citizen" under the Constitution. If he can't pull that off, he'd either have to break federal law or deport the parents without their children.

He's said in the past that America should strike Iran and now says the current deal is a bad one, that American ground troops could go into Iraq to fight ISIS in the Middle East (he did oppose the original invasion of Iraq), and that America should charge our Middle Eastern allies for our soldiers in that case.

I don't know if Trump plans to battle with Iran before or after he plans on sending American ground troops into the Middle East to take out ISIS. But, I agree with Rand Paul; that's the kind of American strategy that helped to create ISIS. In any case, kinda hard to imagine the US successfully fighting on the ground throughout the ISIS-infected Middle East after having alienated the strongest regional opposition to ISIS (Iran).

This is the first time I've heard him address some other policies/plans directly, when asked.

--He is "fine" with affirmative action. "We've lived with it for a long time. And I lived with it for a long time. And I've had great relationships with lots of people. So I'm fine with it."

--He doesn't think a private company should be able to fire an employee for being gay.

--He wants to keep the minimum wage at current levels. "I want to compete with the rest of the world. What I do want to do is bring in jobs so much so that people don't have to live on minimum wage."

--He would ban lobbyists from his administration for three to four years after they've left lobbying firms; he called President Barack Obama's effort to impose a ban on lobbyists "a pretty good idea."

--He thinks it'll be a miracle if Hillary survives.

--He wants to defund women's health services through Planned Parenthood if PP continues to provide abortion services (which aren't government funded). He now disapproves of abortion in all cases except rape, incest, and endangered life of the mother.

Ref:
http://www.newsday.com/news/nation/donal...1.10744103

[username]

Wait...Trump wants to deport my housekeepers???

I'm not an expert by any means but I tend to agree with those that argue that at least some number of illegal immigrants benefit the economy in numerous ways as opposed to causing harm. I'm all for deporting those convicted of criminal activity but I still think we need cheap labor. Here's one article on the subject. It's from the Huffington Post (not exactly The Economist or major think tank) but still...

http://m.huffpost.com/us/entry/6700148

If the linky no worky, I blame my phone/mobile versions.

[Maggot]

What is cheap labor in Cali? I'm thinking 5-6.00 an hr.

[username]

I'm not exactly sure. Probably. Housekeepers aren't a great example (at least mine isn't) because I pay pretty well and the truth is there are probably citizens here who would take those jobs (at least at what I pay). I'm honestly not even sure if she's legal/not.

I think better examples of jobs often fied by II's would be restaurant, car wash, agriculture, low end construction, agriculture. Whities won't take those jobs at the same wages. Get rid of all the II's, up go wages, up go prices, down go jobs....

People say II's are a drain on the system but they also spend most everything they make.

I need to find a scholarly article supporting my position (maybe with some charts and statistics thrown in). Then someone who disagrees can go find one that completely disputes whatever I post.

Fun!!

[FAHQTOO]

Who picked the crops before the illigals got here?
There's plenty of people on welfare that could do that. I don't understand how we made it as a country before all the cheap labor arrived.
Get rid of the govt handouts and put the niggers and white trash in the fields.