Presidential race 2016

[Donovan]

It's pronounced, Jiiiiinaaa.

[Duchess]

You sound just like him.

He went off prompter Saturday night and was all over the place. He sounds insane when reading transcripts of what he's been talking about. Go Donald!

[Blindgreed1]

I'm not a big Alec Baldwin fan but gotta admit, he's even better than Hammond.

Agreed. Until my Dad told me that was Baldwin, I thought it was the real Donald Trump.

Really? Seriously? Were you just listening from another room or are you saying that you actually watched it and couldn't tell the difference?

[HairOfTheDog]

I'm not a big Alec Baldwin fan but gotta admit, he's even better than Hammond.

Agreed. Until my Dad told me that was Baldwin, I thought it was the real Donald Trump.

I didn't see the show on Saturday night, but just watched a couple of other clips. Funny stuff.



I really like Darryl Hammond's Bill Clinton and Larry David's Bernie Sanders (and Kenan Thompson's Steve Harvey is perfect).

[cannongal]

Porn streaming took a nose dive during the debate last Monday

http://www.nh1.com/news/pornhub-porn-tra...al-debate/

"Many users of Pornhub stopped streaming pornography on Sept. 26 to watch the US presidential debate between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump, the company announced.

The adult site dropped viewers by 16 percent in the U.S. during the first presidential debate, according to Pornhub. Traffic from New Hampshire, Massachusetts and the District of Columbia had the most significant decline at 21 percent for each location.

Traffic began to return to normal as the debate drew to a close.

The U.S. presidential debate between Clinton and Trump was the most-watched in the history of the country, with an estimated 84 million viewers in the U.S. according to Master Herald."

[Duchess]

Porn streaming took a nose dive during the debate last Monday

[HairOfTheDog]

That's pretty funny, and kinda cool. It'll be really cool if those porny people also stop streaming for a while and go out and vote on November 8^th.

Another kinda funny deal, in my opinion, is Rudy Guiliani's talking points in response to some leaked portions of Trump's tax returns being investigated by the NY Times.

Guiliani says the fact that Trump didn't pay any personal income tax makes him a "genius", a genius I tell ya. And, of course, it's Hillary Clinton's fault that Trump has reportedly made billions of dollars and could still legally elect not to contribute to society (due to the fact that he apparently posted a yuge real estate loss in a previous year). Rudy says since Clinton was a NY senator, she should have changed the tax laws so the genius would have been forced to pay his fair share.

Rudy then went on to criticize the Clintons for making millions of dollars when they weren't in public office, which is strange in itself (to me). I don't begrudge anyone for making a lot of money, including Trump and the Clintons. But, the Clintons have released all of their tax returns for decades, also raised millions for life-saving charities, and contributed 33% of their earnings to society via taxes.

I think Rudy should take a powder. While it's kinda funny, it's also kinda difficult to watch him make such a fool out of himself.

[Duchess]

I think Rudy should take a powder. While it's kinda funny, it's also kinda difficult to watch him make such a fool out of himself.

Yesterday Chuck Todd asked him if he's the right person to be criticizing the Clinton's marriage given his infidelities and his response was, "Well, everybody does"

He has no good reputation left to save.

[Blindgreed1]

That's pretty funny, and kinda cool. It'll be really cool if those porny people also stop streaming for a while and go out and vote on November 8^th.

Another kinda funny deal, in my opinion, is Rudy Guiliani's talking points in response to some leaked portions of Trump's tax returns being investigated by the NY Times.

Guiliani says the fact that Trump didn't pay any personal income tax makes him a "genius", a genius I tell ya. And, of course, it's Hillary Clinton's fault that Trump has reportedly made billions of dollars and could still legally elect not to contribute to society (due to the fact that he apparently posted a yuge real estate loss in a previous year). Rudy says since Clinton was a NY senator, she should have changed the tax laws so the genius would have been forced to pay his fair share.

Rudy then went on to criticize the Clintons for making millions of dollars when they weren't in public office, which is strange in itself (to me). I don't begrudge anyone for making a lot of money, including Trump and the Clintons. But, the Clintons have released all of their tax returns for decades, also raised millions for life-saving charities, and contributed 33% of their earnings to society via taxes.

I think Rudy should take a powder. While it's kinda funny, it's also kinda difficult to watch him make such a fool out of himself.

It's more like a feeble attempt to draw attention away from (or to, I haven't figured that out yet: could be a retaliation for Hillary's "he's a failed businessman" schtick) the fact that the government has instituted a tax system over many, many decades that favors the filthy rich. Losing billions for a multi-billionaire isn't failure, it's merely a way to protect your core investments and not lose money. Our government want's to keep our 1% right here.

[HairOfTheDog]

It's more like a feeble attempt to draw attention away from (or to, I haven't figured that out yet: could be a retaliation for Hillary's "he's a failed businessman" schtick) the fact that the government has instituted a tax system over many, many decades that favors the filthy rich. Losing billions for a multi-billionaire isn't failure, it's merely a way to protect your core investments and not lose money. Our government want's to keep our 1% right here.

I'm sure you're right about that and I understand giving tax breaks to investors who take risks and create jobs, though I do believe those breaks need to be seriously revisited and cut down.

Trump could have explained his tax situation long ago rather than criticizing other people who didn't pay taxes, people who took advantage of tax codes like he did, and people who payed over 20% in taxes. That hypocrisy, on top of continuing to use the "I'm under audit" excuse for not releasing his tax returns, is probably more harmful to him than choosing not to pay any taxes and gives Clinton a lot of ammunition, in my opinion.

The problems with his charitable foundation and the fact that he hasn't provided any proof of charitable contributions are also issues that I'm sure the Clinton campaign will capitalize upon, considering Trump's running on the "Make America Great Again" theme and targeting the disgruntled working class whilst being a billionaire who seemingly hasn't contributed to the nation tax-wise or charitably for many years.

Right now though, Clinton seems to be using the new revelations to hit Trump on his self-lauded business acumen. "What kind of a genius loses almost a billion dollars in one year?", she joked at a rally today. I'll be surprised if she doesn't work that and Trump's six bankruptcies into Sunday's debate.

[Carsman]

Fuck it!

I dislike Hillary enough not to vote!


I dislike Donald enough not to vote!


I dislike what's his name enough not to vote!


So . . . . . . . . .

[HairOfTheDog]

So.....you're voting for what's her name from the Green Party, Cars?

If you don't vote, you'll be far from alone. Something like 45% of the adults in the U.S., on average, don't vote for President. That's lower participation than most other developed countries.

I'm voting, for sure. And, my niece is coming with me to the voting station. She hates Trump and doesn't like Clinton, Johnson, or Stein. I've explained how the system works and what factors into the outcome, but she really wants to write in "Bernie Sanders", so she'll be voting her conscience. I'm curious if there will be a lot more write-in candidate votes than normal this election.

[Blindgreed1]

It's more like a feeble attempt to draw attention away from (or to, I haven't figured that out yet: could be a retaliation for Hillary's "he's a failed businessman" schtick) the fact that the government has instituted a tax system over many, many decades that favors the filthy rich. Losing billions for a multi-billionaire isn't failure, it's merely a way to protect your core investments and not lose money. Our government want's to keep our 1% right here.

I'm sure you're right about that and I understand giving tax breaks to investors who take risks and create jobs, though I do believe those breaks need to be seriously revisited and cut down.

Trump could have explained his tax situation long ago rather than criticizing other people who didn't pay taxes, people who took advantage of tax codes like he did, and people who payed over 20% in taxes. That hypocrisy, on top of continuing to use the "I'm under audit" excuse for not releasing his tax returns, is probably more harmful to him than choosing not to pay any taxes and gives Clinton a lot of ammunition, in my opinion.

The problems with his charitable foundation and the fact that he hasn't provided any proof of charitable contributions are also issues that I'm sure the Clinton campaign will capitalize upon, considering Trump's running on the "Make America Great Again" theme and targeting the disgruntled working class whilst being a billionaire who seemingly hasn't contributed to the nation tax-wise or charitably for many years.

Right now though, Clinton seems to be using the new revelations to hit Trump on his self-lauded business acumen. "What kind of a genius loses almost a billion dollars in one year?", she joked at a rally today. I'll be surprised if she doesn't work that and Trump's six bankruptcies into Sunday's debate.

I refuse to endorse either, but bankruptcy and tax breaks for the 1% is the norm. Not really a smoking gun. Lets face it, if he didn't take full advantage of what our government provides for the wealthy he'd be either an idiot or bat shit crazy. The jury is still out on the latter.

[HairOfTheDog]

Post-Debate Poll

One of the challenges for Hillary Clinton has been lack of voter enthusiasm, though she's gaining some ground there which will hopefully continue.

Before the first debate, only about 45% who chose Clinton over the other candidate(s) in surveys and polls expressed excitement about Clinton's candidacy. That's led to some legitimate concerns that Democratic voter turn-out will be low and spurred more aggressive campaigning by Barack Obama, Michelle Obama and Bernie Sanders.

Trump was polling about 13 points higher than Clinton in terms of voter enthusiasm before the first presidential debate, but the CNN post-debate poll show he's lost ground in the 'enthusiasm advantage'. Clinton's now up to 50% and Trump's down to 56%.

The survey shows Clinton now topping Trump 47% to 42% among likely voters. Libertarian nominee Gary Johnson dropped to 7% and Green Party nominee Jill Stein is at 2%.

Clinton's boost in the race stems largely from gains on Trump among men (from a 22-point deficit with that group in early September to just a 5-point one now) and sharply increased support from Independents, who broke heavily in Trump's favor in the early September poll but now tilt Clinton, 44% to 37%. She also widened her large lead over Trump with Millenials.

More survey result: http://www.cnn.com/2016/10/03/politics/h...ial-polls/

[HairOfTheDog]

I expect Tim Kaine and Mike Pence to work hard at appealing to Independents and Millenials (18 to 34 year olds) at tonight's VP debate. Neither Clinton nor Trump has been able to get them excited and loyal for long periods, like Bernie did.

Clinton leads with Independents now, but that could change depending on the next two debates and other factors.

Millenials make up the largest percentage of the vote-eligible population (though it's harder to get them to the voting stations on election day than other groups). Clinton needs them to get out and vote. At present, she's got about 32% support with Millenials, followed by Johnson, then Stein, then Trump.

[HairOfTheDog]

I refuse to endorse either, but bankruptcy and tax breaks for the 1% is the norm. Not really a smoking gun. Lets face it, if he didn't take full advantage of what our government provides for the wealthy he'd be either an idiot or bat shit crazy. The jury is still out on the latter.

Yeah, I think not releasing his tax returns after promising to do so many times, criticizing other people for doing exactly what we now know he did himself, criticizing people for not paying enough taxes when we now know he wasn't paying any personal income taxes at all..is probably more problematic for Trump than the fact that he took full advantage of tax codes.

I don't know if 6 bankruptcies for a billionaire business person is the norm. Maybe it is. But, again, I don't think the fact that he filed bankruptcies harms him as much as bragging about being the king of debt and intentionally not paying vendors and small businesses for the work they performed on his projects.

I've been stiffed twice by clients who refused to pay their large final invoices in full; it hurt my small business a lot. It's pissing me off again just typing about it. Even before I owned a business, I would never have taken services from a person or a company knowing that I was not gonna pay them what I promised and harm them financially for my own gain. I think I'm more the norm than the exception in that regard and it's one of the biggest deal breakers for me when it comes to Donald Trump.

[cannongal]

but she really wants to write in "Bernie Sanders", so she'll be voting her conscience. I'm curious if there will be a lot more write-in candidate votes than normal this election.

According to the Hashtag #WriteinBernie, at least 100,000 people are considering it.

I'd bet big money that there are a lot more write in's than in past elections.


Mickey Mouse received 11 votes in the 2012 presidential election
God and Elvis also got a few votes

[HairOfTheDog]

I'd bet big money that there are a lot more write in's than in past elections.

That's not a bet I'm willing to take.

I think you're right.

I don't know if Bernie will get 100,000 write-in votes, but it won't surprise me if gets more than previous write-in candidates combined, even though he keeps telling his supporters that a vote for anyone other than Clinton is a vote for Trump.

[Blindgreed1]

I refuse to endorse either, but bankruptcy and tax breaks for the 1% is the norm. Not really a smoking gun. Lets face it, if he didn't take full advantage of what our government provides for the wealthy he'd be either an idiot or bat shit crazy. The jury is still out on the latter.

Yeah, I think not releasing his tax returns after promising to do so many times, criticizing other people for doing exactly what we now know he did himself, criticizing people for not paying enough taxes when we now know he wasn't paying any personal income taxes at all..is probably more problematic for Trump than the fact that he took full advantage of tax codes.

I don't know if 6 bankruptcies for a billionaire business person is the norm. Maybe it is. But, again, I don't think the fact that he filed bankruptcies harms him as much as bragging about being the king of debt and intentionally not paying vendors and small businesses for the work they performed on his projects.

I've been stiffed twice by clients who refused to pay their large final invoices in full; it hurt my small business a lot. It's pissing me off again just typing about it. Even before I owned a business, I would never have taken services from a person or a company knowing that I was not gonna pay them what I promised and harm them financially for my own gain. I think I'm more the norm than the exception in that regard and it's one of the biggest deal breakers for me when it comes to Donald Trump.

You must pay more attention to what comes out of his mouth than I do. I stopped caring the minute i realized what comes out of his mouth is specific to the audience he speaks to and depending on the audience can change by the minute. As far as his taxes are concerned, if it was illegal, then it matters. If it's within the law, why should I care? The 1% in this country are protected by the government and I can't ever imagine losing a million dollars, let alone billions in order to protect billions so why should I be jealous? He has money. All rich people use tax loop holes. Why do you think there are so many celebrity charity donations in February? I can't care about Trumps taxes.

[HairOfTheDog]

I'm interested in the political process, Gunnar. That's why I listen, read, and weigh-in on the issues, the candidates, and the opinions of other potential voters.

I understand that you're not interested; not a problem. And, I've already explained a couple of times that I don't think what Trump paid (or didn't pay) in taxes is the main issue or problem for him.

So, moving on...