It seems the highest aspiration of Republicans these days is to secure the support of a pathologically lying racist who endorsed a pedophile for the Senate. I guess it's too bad for them that he's not a convicted rapist as well.
2
Everything Trump says he did, he didn't do.
Everything Trump says he didn't do, he probably did.
If you look through all of his actions through this lens, you'll be that much closer to understanding the impossibly muddied mind of Donald J. Trump.
1
When you are tied to a boat with no rudder your direction is unclear. Ancient Viking proverb, but I just made it up.
Please, Mr Trump, keep Tweeting! You are authoring your own political demise, and taking a lot of Republican candidates with you, which cannot come too soon.
1
President Trump is indeed the chaos candidate turned chaos president. He has brought more chaos to American politics than any other candidate/elected president in history. This chaos is both helping & hurting the Republican candidates for the mid-term election. It is helping some Trump chosen candidates in the GOP primary and it is hurting most GOP candidates in swing districts or those districts just leaning Republican.
The fact is that Trump has a base of about 35% of the electorate. He, and the party that he represents, need 50%+ in order to retain the Congress. For all of the enthusiasm he has stimulated in his 35% base, he has enraged the Democratic base and offended many establishment Republicans and independents who would be inclined to support a more traditional and less abrasive president.
A traditional Republican president with good political instincts would be emphasizing the good economy and minimizing the nastiness of his political opponents. One must agree that Trump incites the opposition with so many distasteful statements on a whole host of issues. No normal Republican president would do this. Instead, he/she would let the Dems destroy themselves with the crazy policies they now propose: abolishing ICE, open borders for illegal immigrants, Medicare for all, free tuition for all students, discriminatory diversity policies and increased federal taxes to support income redistribution. These are winning policies for the GOP notwithstanding Trump.
3
"The president appears to exist in a sunny political environment all his own."
It's a caldera of bubbling lava about to collapse upon itself under the clear sky. Trump threw out a last minute promo for Brian Kemp in Georgia, the secretary of state whose ads included driving around his pick up truck to round up immigrants personally as well as whose careless gun cleaning (while aimed at his daughter's boyfriend) could be part of the new gun safety campaign "End Family Fire".
The last time Georgia cracked down on immigrants, crops rotted in the fields. Agriculture is Georgia's largest business, and Kemp's BS degree is agriculture.
More dangerously, under Kemp's watch have occurred much of the voter suppression efforts in Georgia as well as the Russian interference. In 2015, 6 million voters had their private information exposed. Georgia was a state where Russians got down to the county level, while one election server after being hacked was accidentally wiped. One Russian agent visited Atlanta for four days, returning to Russia to sit down with the internet hackers and trollers there.
Kemp was one of only two secretaries of state in the country who rejected Department of Homeland Security assistance during the 2016 election. This was Management 101, and he failed.
Magic mirror on the wall, who's the Trumpiest of them all? seems to sum up what matters Trump's base.
5
Trump is a radioactive political tick, and anyone thinking of getting bed with him for political expediency should think long and hard about the eventual repercussions.
His recent associates have been indicted, indicted, on trial, pleading guilty, ruined, indicted, ruined, pleading guilty, ruined, indicted, indicted, ruined, and soon to be convicted, convicted, convicted, convicted, and convicted.
Trump's political gravy train is headed straight for Rikers Island, so get on board at your own peril!
Food for thought.
4
"His Gallup poll disapproval rating, at around 54 percent, is considerably higher than Barack Obama’s 48 percent in the August ahead of the Democrats’ 2010 shellacking, although it is slightly lower than George W. Bush’s ahead of the 2006 midterms, when the Democrats took control of Congress."
No great surprise the economy is better than 2010. It's still not good and wages are terrible in 2018, but 2010 was much worse.
1
A win is a win no matter how you spin. In Ohio special election for the 12th congressional district there are still some uncounted votes. It seem the lead of Troy has been reduced by 190 votes after 588 votes not counted on election day were counted yesterday. In a close election every vote is critical. Now we know that absentee ballots always don't get counted.
Yes the results are very close but the pattern is the same as 2016. The urban areas of the country are voting one way and the rural areas are voting another way. all counties outside of Columbus voted for Troy. There is not a blue wave or red wave it is a red white and blue wave of the divided state of America.
This election is a wake up call for both parties. Running against Trump for democrats may result in a defeat and running against Pelosi may just let the Republicans scrape by. That said Trump could be the major campaigner for the Republican candidates and Pelosi may have to stay out of sight.
1
Donald trump out to stop this nonsense.
Troy Balderson has not won yet and even if he did later have to face his able Democratic opponent in November.
3
“Why can’t they play it straight, so unfair to the Republican Party and in particular, your favorite President!” he continued.
Is Trump really unaware that, tragically, our favorite president was assassinated over 150 years ago? You remember, the one who never told a lie.
3
Keep up the good work, Donald.
The more you stump for Republican candidates, the more you energize the Democrat voters.
So please, keep going.
The more time you spend on the campaign trail, the less time (if that is even humanly possible) you are in the White House doing damage to this country.
So by all means, keep up the good work.
4
Let Trump crow. Encourage him to barge in uninvited to GOP candidates' rallies. His Egomania is his weakness.
3
Evil is evil.
Lies are lies.
Treason is treason (despite NYT acceptance of Trump fan Buskirk (American Greatness)) who trolls from inside thanks to bothsidism, a fact is a fact)
Harm is harm.
We trash our planet and exploit cheap labor and energy at our peril, moral and physical.
None of this is OK. Stolen elections don't help either.
6
The real winning GOP Election Strategy in 2018 clearly has not changed from 2016 (see Ohio 12th district):
The Green Party.
4
Trump says so many lies that everything he says is meaningless except to his "straight talker" fans.
Many Republicans are embarrassed and are having second thoughts.
Republican congressmen want to do as little as possible until Kavanaugh is confirmed and they are re-elected on their standard slogan of fear- of blacks, immigrants socialists, universal health care , taxes, abortion, compromise and Democrats. Look at tier campaign ads.
Before Trump the Russians were our enemies (Romney) and the FBI our friend, democracy good dictatorship bad, deficits bad and balanced budget good, corruption bad and austerity good, environment good and exploitation bad..
1
What makes me laugh about this article is that Trump takes credit for everything that looks good, whether he's had anything to do with it or not.
2
Forget what Trump thinks. Focus on organizing, voting and winning. What we need to do is to take away his collaborators in Congress in 2018 and put Trump into the dustbin of history in 2020.
6
If it is Donald Trump and his mouth is moving, he is lying.
2
They are still counting and will recount so he needs to be quiet. When the official count is in and if our Democrat won lets see if the GOP will give up the seat peacefully . I would like to see this Balderson's start voting to raise medicare age and social security to 70 plus before the mid terms. Trumps supporters who support this must be independently wealthy and will reap what they sow.
1
A major problem facing Trump and his GOP is the shrinking base. While there can be no doubt that his loyal base loves him it continues to make up only 40-45% of voters. Trump has done nothing to expand the base and feels that he can continue to win with them. On the fringes are the independents and the "lets-try-Trump" voters who seem to be regretting their votes for him. What is obvious is that the Republican Party is scrambling to hang on to the House and results like that in the Ohio 12th energizes Democrats and saps the GOP of money and enthusiasm. Beyond that these tight margins also mean that in many case even with the base faithfully turning out, by itself it is not enough to win in many districts.
In short the GOP with Trump has both a short and long term problem in the short term they will need gobs of money and super candidates to defend districts that should be cakewalks. In the long term Trump continues to insult women, minorities, the press and turn off young people. Beyond the shrinking base there is no place to grow the party. In sum Trump is a destructive force and is doing the GOP more harm than good.
11
All five of the candidates that President Trump endorsed won. The normal course at the mid terms is for the party to lose significant numbers of seats. If that does not happen it will be interesting to read the pundits excuses--"Clinton by 12%" comes to mind. So how many times do the pundits have to be wrong before it becomes clear they really do not know what will happen?
In typical Trump fantasy, he tweeted "5 for 5!" even though 4 were primaries and the other 1 was still not a win.
So instead of 5 for 5, it's 0 for Zero right now.
4
Why is the us media reporting every silliness/outrage
by trump? Media should just say "Mr trump you are wrong" and leave it at that. Don't try to explain to the moron, only a waste of time. By explaining it only gives him more space to tell more lies.
1
"John McLaughlin, who was Mr. Trump’s campaign pollster and still does polling work for the White House, said Republican candidates needed to do more than just invite the president for a last-minute rally. He said they needed to more fully embrace the president’s agenda if they wanted to win."
Oh please, GOP candidates. Embrace Trump's belligerent, chaotic foreign "agenda" and divisive, deficit-booming domestic "agenda." Ignore heath care, infrastructure, income inequality!
Hitch your wagons to the Trumpmobile and watch them go right over the cliff with him.
2
The only reason many of the deep red congressional districts are in play is because so many people dislike Trump.
6
I can hear the trial tapes. Yes I swear to tell the truth except where I want to lie. And the next day tweet storms; "Proves I am innocent." What does Trump think he hiding? Something we don't know about yet? Sure I will appear but not answer any questions you want answers for.
I get it a person can and should have a 5th Amendment Right. But doesn't America have the right to investigate possible crimes?
Just because it may be a president or a Trump the answer should not be different.
Seriously are there so few morals left that Republicans have to hide and glorify and celebrate Trump's behavior even while they condemn the same in others, just to get elected.
Yes let's start a new set of courses in our schools
Evasion First.
1
Egotistical Trump is shameless, a tribute to his superb ignorance (by choice, as he resists learning from reality and the truth), and exceedingly arrogant stance. Whatsoever happens, if 'good', he'll take credit for; if bad, he'll find scapegoats to blame. Same when supporting a candidate that fails, the blame will go to that individual...for not praising Trump enough. Having Trump up there is a disgrace and an embarrassment, extensive to the republican cowards complicit in his graft.
24
Fool's Gold
"If I find the time, in between China, Iran, the Economy and much more, which I must, we will have a giant Red Wave!”
Should read:
"If I find the time in between golf, the five hours a day I watch Fox, my endless parade of inane tweets, meeting with my lawyers to resolve porn star payoffs and Russian collusion....."
Trump is the proverbial gift that just keeps on giving. He loves these political pow wows in safe rural areas.
It's fool's gold Mr. President. We'll check in with you on November 7...the day after Election Day.
4
Oh, I long for the day when this unstable ignoramus is out of office. It is coming.
2
I am not sure you can ''crow'' about winning anything, when you won only by 77,000 votes (out of 100,000,000+) while at the same time losing the popular vote by 3,000,000.
Furthermore, after taking office, the entire world (except for Russia) has shunned you because of your belligerent behavior towards them - and only bide their time until you are voted out.
Furthermore to that, your party has lost special elections, and the ones that you have won (temporarily until the midterms) have been razor thin close for districts that should be blow outs since they are deep, deep red.
Liberals will not crow after the mid terms (and 2020) when there is a massive blue wave.
We will just say ''goodbye''.
8
At this point in time, very few (save the willfully ignorant) believe anything that Trump says. At this point in time I worry more about our system that would allow such incompetence into the highest positions in the land than I am a current group of incompetents occupying these positions, especially the Presidency. OUR SYSTEM IS BROKEN. That is the problem. Our nation has always had, and WILLL always have wealthy incompetents who can pay for any kind of publicity they want. They, like a snake oil salesman, can most certainly convince the desperate, ignorant, and gullible sect of our public to vote for them. What we need are safeguards. I am one who believe that not just anyone "should" be president. Our current situation is nothing short of a national emergency, like a foreign invasion, or a civil war. There is nothing we can do to stop the ignorant rich (there are many) from influencing our representatives, or in Trumps case, purchase a campaign that would excite and manipulate the ignorant poor to convince them that their condition is all a a left-wing conspiracy and that their situation has nothing to do with not paying attention in life. We need to fix our political system NOW. The gates of entry have more to do with fund raising than personal ethics and vision. If you think Donald Trump is an anomaly, you are wrong. There are others like him with their eye on being king.
7
Crowds love to watch a dunce until they don't. After the effects of trump's tax cuts for the wealthy and big business sink in, the deficit soars, our former allies give us the cold shoulder when he starts a war with Iran and consumers start feeling the pinch of his tarif war, I suspect the Donald Trump reality show will be over.
3
This article seems to be asking if a shameless self promoter should be shamelessly self promoting.
Its odd that this far into the Trump chaos, many in the media are still in denial about his tactics.
Like any grifter, Trump simply says his products work miracles, his plans are succeeding beyond anyone's dreams, and everyone is benefitting.
Why continue to express surprise about this or question what he's doing?
25
With the exception of OH-12, these contests have all been primaries. In every instance I'm aware of, Republicans lost ground compared with 2016.The "Trump effect" may very well be a reverse Midas touch. Let's see what happens in the general on Nov. 6.
4
If after all that has gone on with our'so-called' president, if the Republicans need him to 'close the deal', they are in deep trouble. No one in their right mind would favor someone like Trump. How can you begin to trust anyone who lies about everything and anything, even when the truth would serve him better? History will show this was the MOST corrupt administration ever, actively recruiting help to get elected from Russia, then fleecing America to line their own pockets, while simultaneously killing treaties and regulations that keeps America safe from global catastrophe,depressions and recessions and allows us to compete in the global economy. Not to mention the active debasement of the rule of law and the attacking of our democratic institutions and then just being hateful and spiteful to everyone who looks and acts different from you and anyone who opposes you. The day of reckoning is coming. Justice will be served. America will rise from the cesspool of this administration and return to being the shining light upon the hill, calling to the huddled masses yearning to be free and God will be able to bless America once again, when babies are being ripped from their mothers arms and the strangers in our land are not terrorized, and everyone has the same opportunity to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, which was why we had the American Revolution in the first place, to escape the tyranny of a king who had to much power and thought he was above the law.
43
Well written and I hope you are right!
4
Trump deserves credit for nothing and from no one. Nor do his supporters, who have allowed him to tap into their most craven, self-serving impulses and buy their votes at the expense of American democracy, of the “general wellfare.”
If anyone deserves credit (to accept that gruesome misallocation of the term) it’s Stephen Miller. Though Miller has kept a low profile after being hounded in a D.C. Meixcan restaurant, his grimy fingerprints are all over Trump’s continuing abdication of the duty and service demanded by his position. At a downtown used car lot, Miller is the sales manager, Trump is his salesman. Certainly that’s a metaphor with which both swindlers can be credited.
1
Speaking in the context of political crystal ball gazing and Donald:
a) Truthtelling is ever less a viable option.
b) Significant evidence best be suppressed or clouded.
c) Choosing between what's best for him or his son will happen.
d) Relying on folks like Nunez & Rudy or perjury trap arguments are each self defeating.
e) Getting in front of what cannot be denied does not mitigate incriminating behavior.
f) Donald knows full well that Republicans will turn when he can no longer service their goals, as does he with all.
g) White House and appointed agency heads increasingly will be dismissed, exposed, indicted, leave, or rebel.
h) Donald or Pence -whichever dangles in place - will linger until severed. The same holds for the bulk of prime facilitators
i) The Republican Party can soon enough survive only with a fundamental rebellion from within--or not.
j) Donald is inadvertently facilitating a path toward 2040, an era when empowered women and a visibly new majority will reshape American political institutions and priorities.
k) Democrats beyond will similarly fail if they do not loudly voice and achieve a revamp of American economic priorities.
4
I wish pollsters (like Luntz) weren't labeled as Republican or Democratic. They shouldn't have a political affiliations. If a consultant is using polls to determine how a client should campaign, then they're a D or R strategist, not a pollster.
9
Excellent point! There is not even one single independent source of news left in this country. Journalism is dead, and so is political prophecy making via polls. How can one forget the fantastic lead that polls gave Mrs. Clinton?
1
So what's new? He'll take credit for anything positive and blame everything negative on Obama.
6
As long as the Democrats achieve only moral victories in these special races, Trump is going to continue to crow.
If the Democrats actually take the House in November, as the conventional wisdom seems to indicate, he'll have to eat crow.
But there's nothing conventional about where America is today.
12
The Trump world view. When things go well Trump takes complete and exclusive credit. When things go badly others are totally to blame. Not my fault says Trump. If only life was that simple.
10
@Milton Lewis Sadly, it's simple for him since he seems to constantly get away with it...
3
Of course the Hastert Rule worked. You only put up for a vote what the "majority of the majority" agrees with. The minority is excluded and: guess what? you win!
The trump rule is a twist on that -- he believes that a majority of the minority will also do that same trick. Unfortunately -- a stubborn FACT -- math gets in the way. It won't work in the general election. Yes, he can influence a small election, e.g., GOP primary, with a high turnout of "the base" but he also incites huge numbers of others to vote against his endorsee in the general election. (The +8 to +10 Dem/Rep choice is pretty darn significant in most elections!)
As a toxic president resulting from a tarnished election supported by a foreign adversary, "only he alone" can create the majority of opposition voters needed to end this national and international nightmare.
4
Yes, please Mr. Trump, please, please campaign more. Please go to every single close race in the country and remind the voters of your party, what you represent, and how their election will keep you out of jail... I mean, in pursuit of Republican objectives.
7
Foresight may be hindsight in the fall...
it's said where pride goeth after all
1
John McLaughlin, who was Mr. Trump’s campaign pollster and still does polling work for the White House, said Republican candidates needed to do more than just invite the president for a last-minute rally. He said they needed to more fully embrace the president’s agenda if they wanted to win.
A large part of the problem is no one knows what the President's agenda is.
12
@KathyC
We do know Trump's agenda.
Conspire with Putin to "Make America More Russian".
Trump is the best thing to happen to the Democratic Party since 2016.
1
Like his inauguration crowd Trump believes what he wants to believe. The real question is how many voters still believe what Trump believes? Do 40% of Americans still believe that the "Tooth Fairy" and Santa Claus really exist? Let us hope that in November most of the 40% who gave us this Trump pseudo-reality show will have tired of the same old fantasy and finally vote for their own self-interests.
9
The best approach to impacting the midterms, is to focus less on analyzing why/who/what existing voters support and, instead, put energy into encouraging registration and voter participation by those who customarily don't participate.
Simply, support Michelle Obama's initiative to get out the vote.
https://www.whenweallvote.org
9
"independent voters are leaning heavily toward the Democratic Party"
They have no idea. I used to be an independent. I will never vote for another GOP candidate unless there is a radical shift in the party back to sensability, and fiscal responsibility and accountability.
ANYbody but a Republican.
62
@PS ...that makes 2 of us... I concur completely.
5
In November of course, when the Democrats do enough to take the House and even possibly the Senate, P45 will of course point to the fact that it is traditional that presidents lose congressional support. Democrats in November have to do more than be anti-Trump: they have to show a positive agenda which will build on the successful economic framework put down by Obama and his predecessors and which even Trump will have failed to wreck entirely. All the while retaining the decency and humanity which America and Americans have striven (mostly successfully) to show the world for the last century or so.
8
And he’ll say: “I was right - it is RIGGED - for the democrats.” And his cult will believe him.
1
Mao Tse Tung wrote that an insurgent without the support of the people is like a fish out of water. The same can be said of the racist. Racists like Donald Trump and Kris Kobach can exist only if they have the people behind them, and sadly, despite Kobach's close call in Kansas, both are doing quite well. Both Trump and Kobach use dog whistles, but these are only additives to their volatile racially charged rhetoric. There is something comforting in having a president or governor voice racist tendencies that so many harbor but don't openly acknowledge. Pogo was right: We have met the enemy and it is us.
See: RevolutionOfReason.com
1
Hahaha I love to read the comments. Toxic tenure. Oh NYT how do you try to change our perceptions of Donald Trump. Don't print your headline of Trump's demise too soon. Many of us will still vote for him. Over and over!
2
@Chris Anderson
Apart from the gloating that Trump has enabled, would you please, clearly and succinctly, elaborate on the successful policy outcomes that prompt you to vote, (repeatedly) for trump?
26
@Cariad I'm not sure they can... I've requested the same input from Trump supporters many times via online posts, and have yet to see a well articulated response.
1
@Chris Anderson - I can't wait to hear from you after Trump drives us into another recession.
1
"we will have a giant Red Wave!” Trump boasted Wednesday on Twitter. That Mr. President is the whole problem with this Administration and the complicit GOP Congress. The American people in fact recognize this 'red wave' as a russian scourge that must be undone and eliminated in November.
4
@rasweet
If Donald and his enablers' bleeding counts, he couldn't be more right about a giant Red Wave coming.
Among Republicans I know, most of them think this is not about Trump's politics, but his mental stability...somebody should point out that the moderate , old guard GOP thinks this guy belongs in a rubber room--not the Oval Office. Add his groveling performance to Putin and trust me, even though it will be hard, Democrats are looking like the voice of reason. The current GOP caucus has been silent, inept and down on their knees since Trump's election.
Not a good look among GOP male Veterans who did a leap of faith voting for him the first time. And the tax cut was one giant zero to most of them. Throw in the tariffs and he is like a case of the flu at the neighborhood BBQ.
11
"He said the president was fooling himself if he thought the Balderson race in Ohio, which remained too close to call on Wednesday, was a victory for the party."
Treasonous Trump fooling himself? How unlike him! [Note the sarcasm]
1
Trump and GOP are twins; evil twins. Trump says dance; GOP dances. Trump will have a huge hold on primaries; GOP vs GOP. GOP is now toxic with women; people of color and anyone with a conscience.Vote out GOP for America and Democracy. Ray Sipe
Of course he claims credit. When his candidates lose, he blames the losing candidate. He is never at fault. He may be able to help a Republican candidate running against another Republican candidate but in a general election, he brings out people to the poles who can't stand him (me being one of them), and don't like what we are seeing him do to this country.
5
Anyone who votes for right-wing candidates supported by Trump provides evidence that the sci-fi futurist movie Idiocracy has become a documentary about today's America.
Those who vote for Trumpers lack knowledge and conscience.
2
Of course he should. In his egocentric world, he's responsible for all things he deems good. He even creates problems, like putting children and cages, and then claims credit for "solving" the problem.
Welcome to the new norm, reality TV, wanna-be-strongman, I'd be a dictator if I knew enough history model of claiming credit.
2
Republicans need to more fully support the president's agenda -- what agenda? Hate, racism, tear apart our international agreements and relationships, destroy our environment?
6
That is exactly what his supporters want.
3
Of course the buffoon-in-chief sees the Ohio vote as a win for himself; he sees everything through his skewed and distorted lens. In the buildup to November, let him bluster his way through supporting right wing extremists, but DON'T KEEP TELEVISING and otherwise covering HIS RALLIES! His base eats that up, but thinking people who are not part of his cult are sick of seeing the debacle that is our presidency. His rallies should not be covered as news!
In my life, when I've been confronted with obnoxious colleagues and acquaintences, I've been able to walk away. But there's no walking away from this deranged clown. I pray to stay sane till November.
2
No Democratic talking head should ever again say how "positive" it is that a Democratic candidate picked up percentage points - but lost the election. In all material respects, that is a bad outcome, not a good one. We are on too dangerous of a precipice to endure "close call" losses.
Of course Trump motivates his base. These are people who know he lies constantly (as everyone does), but acknowledge that they do not care! I simply cannot understand this, even in isolation, when truth and transparency are such a critical element of good government.
But, add to that, Trump's ignorance, corruption, and anti-Americanism, and the continuing Republican support seems even more bizarre. Add in the shocking disregard for deficits, thoughtless interference with trade and global alliances, breaking our word on international compacts, abject anti-environmentalism (including as to the existential threat of climate change), and his penchant for divisiveness, and it is that much more incomprehensible how he can generate Republican support (outside of its neo-Nazi, white supremacist, and "screw the elites" cohorts, which have become a rather out-sized part of the GOP).
Young people will be the primary, long-term victims of Trump and his gang of grifters. They will suffer most from climate change, debt, damage to American ideals, loss of allies, and hyped-up hate. They'd better get out to vote, if they want to minimize Trump's ugly and destructive impact.
16
He can rally the 30% of Americans who support his mostly white-supremist agenda. I extensively traveled throughout the mostly red plains states. I understand more fully why he is supported here. They love their guns and dislike anyone who's not like them. They want to shut out any immigrants who aren't white. Most whites would never immigrate to the US today. Why should they? Their countries are better- they have more job security, better health care, and freedom from fear of gun violence.
How about asking them to pay for a useless border wall? Any resourceful drug dealer could fly in drugs using drones if the price is high enough. Any human smuggler could tunnel under the wall if the price is high enough. Or they could just blow a hole in it.
To paraphrase a great movie:
"Why don't you go to the riff-raff you love so much and ask them to let you have $25 billion dollars? You know why? Because they'd run you out of town on a rail . . .But I'll tell you what
we're going to do for you, Donald. Since the mid-term elections are approaching, as citizens empowered by the right to vote, we're going to take back the House and introduce articles of impeachment:
Misappropriation of funds, manipulation, malfeasance, collusion with a foreign power to affect the 2016 election outcome, obstruction of justice, abuse of power, infringing on the rights of free speech and a free press, crimes against the environment..."
18
Let him brag if he wants, but he completely ignores that OH12 is a GOP stronghold - or at least it was until this cycle. He offers about Connor Lamb winning in a conservative district, and he completely ignores Roy Moore (and Luther Strange) going down in Alabama, which is about a red a state as there is.
All of his talk, all of his rallies do nothing more than to energize his base. But his base is maybe 35% of the electorate.
He’s not going to sway reasonable republicans - the ones who are actually conservatives and not the rabid dogs who eat whatever lie he tosses their way - and he won’t sway many independents either.
So let him pat himself on the back for a squeaker victory in a district that is R 15. The more time he wastes on his rallies, the less time he has to continue his destruction of our country.
2
Not sure that he should be so proud of the fact that this district usually elects its Repub reps by 35 points. Still might even be a squeak win for a Dem. He can crow all he wants until grandma comes out with a hatchet looking for a stewing chicken for dinner.
One thing is certain, if any voter has the slightest sense that we are going in a truly dangerous direction he/she needs to get out and vote no matter what it takes. If GOP holds congress then we are a nation in a transformational state leading to long term chaos.
2
He sure can. America loves Trump, like cattle to the slaughter love their keepers.
4
At this time he has a firm grip on the majority of the GOP voters. He can use that power to get candidates in his image elected in GOP primaries. What that will do in the midterm with an approval rating below 50% in spite of continued economic growth remains to be seen. The polarization he and his candidates stands for is going to increase participation of democratic voters.
19
Trump has to retain the House and Senate, simply because on November 6 midnight he will make a huge announcement, which is firing Robert Mauler, that’s why he is campaigning for the republicans nationwide...
2
@Amir Girgis
If he does that, he's through. Period. Firing Mueller would put the final nail into an overly nail-filled coffin.
2
Mr. Trump is as delusional about his star power on the campaign trail as he is about everything else.His self centered rants and abusive language may appeal to some but many more are turned off by it and want to hear from a candidate that is interested in them and what will improve their lives.Candidates with empathy and a program to raise wages, make health care affordable solve the opioid crisis and fix infrastructure will be more appealing than someone who bullies, berates and lies.
53
All good things come to an end.
And, in Trump's case, all bad things too.
America is mountain.
Its foundations, as basic as our own creation, guaranteed by a wise Constitution, rooted deep in rule of law, will endure.
Donald Trump is a fleeting pile of dust.
Loud, annoying, troublesome, choking.
Worthless.
The cleansing wind and powerful wave removes his dust.
The mountain endures.
The Heaven blessed mountain.
11
Yes, he can take credit. Republicans are in a hypnotic trance as they follow him and his propaganda. And democrats are simply not as politically shrewd and don't know how to counter him with simple messaging about how he is destroying this country and the middle class.
4
Any rational person with any sense of what basic reality is, cannot watch Trump in these bizarre rallies of self-aggrandizement and not think there is something mentally wrong with the President's mind, whether it's hyper-narcissism or onset of dementia.
96
@Chico, Yo, Chico...he is the President of the USA, living in multimillion dollar homes all over the world. You, you are in New Hampshire criticizing what you cannot possibly understand. So, who is crazy ?
1
@Tom ,Retired Florida Junkman - Trump inherited money and the only thing he's really accomplished is being a liar and a con artist. This isn't hard to understand.
It's hard to understand why someone would worship a lying con artist.
@Tom ,Retired Florida Junkman
I gather that you also don't understand. Living in multimillion dollar homes all over the world does not make him either sane or decent. In fact, since Trump inherited the start of his fortune, and looted the rest while he was busy playing with porn stars and has gone bankrupt at least 6 times which cost many people their livelihoods, I have to wonder what you find so wonderful about this con-artist. Or is it simply that you have been conned by him?
The article failed to mention earlier special elections in Alabama and Pennsylvania. In Alabama, Trump endorsed candidates lost twice -- Luther Strange to Roy Moore in the primary, then Moore to Doug Jones in the Senate election. In Pennsylvania, Democratic Conor Lamb won a previously Republican House seat.
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Should he?
Those candidates would probably have fared much better at the polls if Trump weren't in the Oval Office.
So no, he probably shouldn't. There are a lot of things he shouldn't do, but he is undeterred by good advice and common sense.
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Let the sick old lion have his last roars. Judging from the rate of deterioration we can all observe, it won't be much longer now.
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@Lorem Ipsum but we say that every month/week/day and it seems to perisist. My hope is dwindling
@Lorem Ipsum Unfortunately the “sick old lion” is still inflicting massive injuries on countless fellow creatures, the environment, the Constitution, basic decency, and the truth. If I never hear it roar again, it will be too soon.
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Yes, it may be true that Trump increases Democratic voting, however the reverse is also true. The scathing nightly news, the nonstop stories bashing Trump, his family and associates also galvanize the conservative movement. When we view the nightly news and see anarchists running through the streets, smashing the windows of Marine recruitment centers. You know we conservatives are coming out also, and we vote, we work and we pay taxes.
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@Tom ,Retired Florida Junkman
About those stories bashing Trump. . . They are being reported in the "fake news" because the other fake news, known as Fox, won't report anything negative about him. If the bashing stories are fake someone on his side should be able to prove they are fake, instead of just calling them fake. Truth is truth and lies are lies. Calling one the other does not make it so.
Also, the logic behind all the news, except Fox, suddenly being fake is not representative of intelligent thinking. Does that mean there are no wild fires in California since fake news is reporting it? That great grandfather didn't lose his family? I bet he is relieved. And if the news is fake, Trump must not be president since fake news reported it.
A little common sense, instead of blind visceral emotion, would be great from the 40% who think this president is competent.
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@Tom ,Retired Florida Junkman; I also am retired in Florida. Trump/GOP are lying criminals. GOP is in a feedback loop of hate; read the comments on FOX; hate; hate; hate. These people are brainwashed and will never vote against GOP. You must be watching FOX entertainment. I see America being sold to the rich and Russia. Ray Sipe
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@Tom ,Retired Florida Junkman - Gee, it's a shame that you haven't watched any of the news about the impact of the tariffs or the fact that your air and water are being poisoned.
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Democrats have 3 ways to get out the vote, especially blacks and hispanics who were reluctant in 2016: Trump's weakening of our economy with his wars on trade and the environment; his misogyny and racism, from Hollywood Access to Charlottesville and from immigration to attacking the "low IQ" of black athletes; and--independent of Mueller's conclusions--endless violations of his duties as CiC, the Emoluments Clauses, and the 1st Amend.
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Yes, of course he should. You can not minimize the impact he had. He appears to be able to rally his loyalist. Bad news for the blue wave and very bad news for Senate.
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@tompe I disagree. The more people see him, the more they dislike him and want him out. Tuesdays special election in Ohio points that out. That race should not have even been close. People don't like what they are seeing. I am so upset with what I see, that I can't wait to vote. I think he may do more harm than good. Does he have an impact on the GOP primary, thats possible.
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