Amazing to watch the GOP and its donors grapple with trying to contain the Frankenstein they created.
25
They who sow the wind reap the storm.
21
The puppeteers are in a panic.
Ain't that just wonderful.
Ain't that just wonderful.
21
When Obama won in 2008 there was a lot of talk in the GOP that they needed to change or become irrelevant because they’d have no voter base. They didn't change. Then they won control of Congress in 2012 and there were a lot of warnings around the fact that now they wouldn't have anybody to blame.
They ignored their own warnings and carried on with petty warfare against the President, accomplishing zero in government.
They still ignored the warnings that they needed to watch out because they were unpopular with their own voters. So, for a very long time they've been carefully preparing the ground for the seed of a Donald Trump to plant itself and flourish on the fertile ground of their stupidity.
Now it's happened and the GOP is faced with the truth. Their own voters hate them. That those voters believe Trump is the answer to their woes is mind-boggling but that’s irrelevant. He could be the dumbest wretch on the planet—and often he tops that list—and it wouldn’t matter.
This is how much the GOP doesn’t understand its own voters: they’ll follow a candidate who wants to raise taxes on the wealthy. And under-taxing the wealthy is one of the GOP central tenets!
Angry conservative voters who are incapable of real discernment, and a not very intelligent, racist, bombastic, cruel, narcissistic misogynist for President. Hardly a recipe for peace and prosperity in America, let alone the world. The GOP can thank itself. It’s been digging its own grave for years.
They ignored their own warnings and carried on with petty warfare against the President, accomplishing zero in government.
They still ignored the warnings that they needed to watch out because they were unpopular with their own voters. So, for a very long time they've been carefully preparing the ground for the seed of a Donald Trump to plant itself and flourish on the fertile ground of their stupidity.
Now it's happened and the GOP is faced with the truth. Their own voters hate them. That those voters believe Trump is the answer to their woes is mind-boggling but that’s irrelevant. He could be the dumbest wretch on the planet—and often he tops that list—and it wouldn’t matter.
This is how much the GOP doesn’t understand its own voters: they’ll follow a candidate who wants to raise taxes on the wealthy. And under-taxing the wealthy is one of the GOP central tenets!
Angry conservative voters who are incapable of real discernment, and a not very intelligent, racist, bombastic, cruel, narcissistic misogynist for President. Hardly a recipe for peace and prosperity in America, let alone the world. The GOP can thank itself. It’s been digging its own grave for years.
29
What!? Big money not controlling the agenda? Notify the Supreme Court and they can vote to release the army to serve the fascist oligarchs.
20
This was the first article I read this morning. Thank you NYT for putting a smile on my face. I love to see billionaires wasting their billions on the party of their own creation.
16
Trump needs to strengthen his security. The ruling class will stop at nothing to stop him.
10
These very people who want to take Mr. Trump down are those who created him. Mr. Trump is, indeed, Mary Shelley's "Modern Prometheus."
22
Donald Trump is the smart businessman and strong leader that America needs.
President Trump 2016!
President Trump 2016!
9
They got him to sign an agreement to be loyal to the GOP if he loses, in return for being treated fairly. If they turn against him, as they are scheming to do, it will breach that contract and he will be free to do as he pleases.
He now has more leverage than ever. The GOP is now bound by their own contract to treat him fairly from now until next June when the primary election is completed. He can do whatever he wants until that day. Brilliant!
He now has more leverage than ever. The GOP is now bound by their own contract to treat him fairly from now until next June when the primary election is completed. He can do whatever he wants until that day. Brilliant!
14
There is a huge disgust among all Americans that our elected leaders could care less about America or our future, and that all of them are behaving irresponsibly, captive to corporate $ and getting re-elected. When I was younger Dems and Reps worked together to solve problems, but no longer. But if you believe Trump is a solution, you are putting your faith in a buffoon, not matter how good it feels to do so. George Bush was a complete idiot, but Trump makes him look like a genius. Where are the sane people in the GOP?
9
Trump is their Frankenstein, created over the term of the Obama administration by the vitiolic attacks and their unwillingness to work together. Now that they've created the monster it has turned on it's masters. Maybe now the "regular" people in the GOP will realize how their leader's interests don't mesh with their own. One can only hope!
15
I like that Trump is causing problems for the GOP establishment. How interesting that he is for (at the moment) universal health care. He might have enough pull to bring the far right closer to the center????? That would be useful.
11
So what has the GOP done or undone to make this country great in the last 8 years? I'm going with Trump saying he will make this country great "again"!
3
Think Trump's the wild card?
There are many in this deck.
All past nonvoters.
There are many in this deck.
All past nonvoters.
7
So the GOP wants to get rid of Trump. It must be very hard for them to hear someone saying out loud what they all really believe. I love the part where he tells them they have sold their soles to the super PACs. I really hope this spells the end to the GOP before the GOP spells the end to the USA.
19
The disgusting amount of money, agendas, backroom deals, lobbying, and political collusion on display here is the VERY reason that someone like Trump is so successful.
Despite the fact that I am no Republican, I am sorely tempted to hold my nose and support the candidacy of a man who appears to be the only hope for challenging this vile and flagrant takeover of our political system.
Despite the fact that I am no Republican, I am sorely tempted to hold my nose and support the candidacy of a man who appears to be the only hope for challenging this vile and flagrant takeover of our political system.
15
The Republican Party might want to think about taking surveys from people who, in polls, have answered they favor Donald Trump.
For example: "On a scale from 1-5, please rate these attributes of Donald Trump that are most important to you and why he in particular is your presidential candidate choice." Find the patterns and figure it out, Republicans. Once you get the info from the people who keep jacking up Trump's ratings, figure out how to counter that. There must be someone in the Party who has some relationship and/or psychological skill and expertise that can help those poor floundering Republicans stop Donald Trump in his tracks. There must be someone for the right price, as Republicans think money will buy them most anything, that can do the "I stopped Donald Trump from winning the Republican presidential nomination" gig.
But you Republicans, please share those survey results with the rest of us. We're all trying to figure it out too! How can this pompous party continue to be fooled? We just find it somewhat humorous that you can't figure all this out. Donald would have fired himself long ago - but you have no one to do that!
For example: "On a scale from 1-5, please rate these attributes of Donald Trump that are most important to you and why he in particular is your presidential candidate choice." Find the patterns and figure it out, Republicans. Once you get the info from the people who keep jacking up Trump's ratings, figure out how to counter that. There must be someone in the Party who has some relationship and/or psychological skill and expertise that can help those poor floundering Republicans stop Donald Trump in his tracks. There must be someone for the right price, as Republicans think money will buy them most anything, that can do the "I stopped Donald Trump from winning the Republican presidential nomination" gig.
But you Republicans, please share those survey results with the rest of us. We're all trying to figure it out too! How can this pompous party continue to be fooled? We just find it somewhat humorous that you can't figure all this out. Donald would have fired himself long ago - but you have no one to do that!
3
After reading this article I have more admiration for Trump phenomenon. Trump for the first time in Recent American history is trying to win the White House for the American people . I am proud of him.
3
Mr. Trump's candidacy is not a bug, it's a feature. This is exactly what Republicans, particularly the Tea Party, wanted after relentlessly (but not entirely successfully) trying to bring down a Black man they hate so much.
Whether you think he's a positive or a negative influence, Mr. Trump is exactly what the base has beginning for, and thefore deserves.
Whether you think he's a positive or a negative influence, Mr. Trump is exactly what the base has beginning for, and thefore deserves.
6
Ha, Trump has pulled back the curtain on the big show lol.
He's certainly gotten voters' anger at DC exactly right, the GOP doesn't want to own what they created via Fox, Heritage Foundation, Limbaugh et al.
The Kochs aren't sitting idle. Please shine a light on the gazillions they are plowing into senate and congressional races and other of their interests. It's just the presidency they thought they had locked up, momentarily out of reach but people are working on it.
I gotta root for Trump over Kochs, Adelson or their ilk's puppets.
The country however would most benefit if that anger was channeled through the un-bought Senator Sanders.
He's certainly gotten voters' anger at DC exactly right, the GOP doesn't want to own what they created via Fox, Heritage Foundation, Limbaugh et al.
The Kochs aren't sitting idle. Please shine a light on the gazillions they are plowing into senate and congressional races and other of their interests. It's just the presidency they thought they had locked up, momentarily out of reach but people are working on it.
I gotta root for Trump over Kochs, Adelson or their ilk's puppets.
The country however would most benefit if that anger was channeled through the un-bought Senator Sanders.
18
The Pubs created Trump with their "Southern Strategy" and when embracing the Tea Party. They had no problem with him when he became head birther in chief accusing our president of not being born here, knowing his mother was unquestionably an American citizen, making Obama one no matter where he was born.
So now that they have let the carnival barker into their party, they want to stop him. Well Trump is the tail wagging the Pub dog maybe all the way to a primary win.
So now that they have let the carnival barker into their party, they want to stop him. Well Trump is the tail wagging the Pub dog maybe all the way to a primary win.
9
Donald Trump now leads Hillary Clinton by 5 to 10 points depending on the poll. It's over. Hillary's campaign is completely deflated like a balloon lying flat and empty on the living room floor after all the kids have left the party.
The GOP insiders are and have been so far behind the power curve they will never catch up. They don't know what hit them and still think that some clever new strategy will work. It won't. It's over. Trump is running away with it and is so far ahead neither Jeb nor Mitt can possibly catch up. It is over.
The GOP insiders are and have been so far behind the power curve they will never catch up. They don't know what hit them and still think that some clever new strategy will work. It won't. It's over. Trump is running away with it and is so far ahead neither Jeb nor Mitt can possibly catch up. It is over.
4
I think Mr Trump will stop himself.
The presidency is a thankless job with too much recognition and little personal reward. I cannot imagine being trailed by security guards for the rest of my life and I don't think he does either. I don't even want my kids around that long and I like them.
The presidency is a thankless job with too much recognition and little personal reward. I cannot imagine being trailed by security guards for the rest of my life and I don't think he does either. I don't even want my kids around that long and I like them.
4
"Yet after committing hundreds of millions of dollars to shape the Republican primary contest and groom a candidate who can retake the White House, the conservative donor class is finding that money — even in an era of super PACs and billion-dollar presidential campaigns — is a devalued currency in the blustery, post-policy campaign fashioned by Mr. Trump, driven not by seven-figure advertising campaigns but by Twitter feuds and unending free publicity."
WOW! Sweet vindication for those of us appalled at the rank level of money dominating our politics. It can't happen to a better party--they wanted to foment hatred and ugly viewpoints couched in candidates like JEB!, Rubio, and Walker, and they didn't anticipate the self-made mega wealthy Trump who has taken the gloves off, exposed the rottenness of the GOP base and made just about everybody uncomfortable.
Trump claims he can't be bought. Let's hope he keeps it that way. I have zero sympathy for mega donors who risk seeing their money spent uselessly on candidates they can't control. What these donors don't understand is that, there is a populist side to the GOP that hates the establishment which they of course, represent.
What a delicious irony: middle and lower class Republicans overturning the choices of the mega-rich, who might just be finding that money can't buy you everything--even a President.
WOW! Sweet vindication for those of us appalled at the rank level of money dominating our politics. It can't happen to a better party--they wanted to foment hatred and ugly viewpoints couched in candidates like JEB!, Rubio, and Walker, and they didn't anticipate the self-made mega wealthy Trump who has taken the gloves off, exposed the rottenness of the GOP base and made just about everybody uncomfortable.
Trump claims he can't be bought. Let's hope he keeps it that way. I have zero sympathy for mega donors who risk seeing their money spent uselessly on candidates they can't control. What these donors don't understand is that, there is a populist side to the GOP that hates the establishment which they of course, represent.
What a delicious irony: middle and lower class Republicans overturning the choices of the mega-rich, who might just be finding that money can't buy you everything--even a President.
21
Actually, Trump is a worst problem than they think.
Trump can go home tomorrow, but lurking in the back of our brains will still be the fact that no one running was able to over-ride him.
Every R candidate that 4 months ago we thought would be taking the nod, has been stopped in the water or ground down to dust.
Trump is fading fast. I watched his last escalator-speech and the laughs and shouts of encouragement were few and far between. Meanwhile the "Trump-Thumpers" were in full goon mode outside, slugging protestors.
He's old news, not so entertaining, and making folk nervous - but come voting day it will be remembered that he took every front runner - Bush, Walker, Rubio, Perry, ah, you know the list - and he wiped them out - and they were powerless to shut him up.
This is the weakest bunch ever offered by the party.
That will be remembered long after Trump is gone.
That will be the "Trump Legacy".
Trump can go home tomorrow, but lurking in the back of our brains will still be the fact that no one running was able to over-ride him.
Every R candidate that 4 months ago we thought would be taking the nod, has been stopped in the water or ground down to dust.
Trump is fading fast. I watched his last escalator-speech and the laughs and shouts of encouragement were few and far between. Meanwhile the "Trump-Thumpers" were in full goon mode outside, slugging protestors.
He's old news, not so entertaining, and making folk nervous - but come voting day it will be remembered that he took every front runner - Bush, Walker, Rubio, Perry, ah, you know the list - and he wiped them out - and they were powerless to shut him up.
This is the weakest bunch ever offered by the party.
That will be remembered long after Trump is gone.
That will be the "Trump Legacy".
5
These rightwing pacs and politicians and propoganda organs like Fox and Limbaugh have spent two decades dumbing down their constituents to an almost unbelievable level of ignorance, bigotry, xenophobia and white-man victimhood.
Looks like they all overplayed their hands and are now hoist by their iwn petard. Hilarious, in a sad sort of way.
Looks like they all overplayed their hands and are now hoist by their iwn petard. Hilarious, in a sad sort of way.
23
That's a find how do you do. Less than a day after the man pledges loyalty to the party the party begins to seriously plan to destroy him. These guys are why the party has the bad image it has. They are the reason folks say one thing on the trail and then do nothing when they get into office.
If Trump wins the nomination and the general election, he will become the head of the Republican party. Perhaps some changes will be made when the neo-cons took over the party with Bush sr. are out on the streets.
If Trump wins the nomination and the general election, he will become the head of the Republican party. Perhaps some changes will be made when the neo-cons took over the party with Bush sr. are out on the streets.
8
This the problem with our current system. Small groups of people with large amounts of money trying manipulate the masses. Whether or not Trump is going to make a good candidate or not, or even a good president is up to the voters. They are missing the boat if they can not understand why Trump is leading in the polls. For right now he is an outsider from this system that is funded by the political elite and rich lobbyist interest groups. (Don't tell me lobbyist are people, they are corporations like Monsanto) Maybe people don't like everything he says, but it is better than the alternative. Are we seriously looking an another Clinton or Bush in the White House. How many people are there in our country? How many families? We get to choose Clinton or Bush? In that case then there is really no choice, they are all the same and continue to make government bigger and put us more into debt. At that point you are just voting for where the money is going to.... and not the average Joe that is for sure. My rant might only make sense to me, but I feel better after ranting.
3
The problem for the billionaires led by the Koch's who thought they had a lock on the GOP is that Trump articulates what the GOP base wants. They do think that the very rich got away after they crashed the economy by turning it into a casino, they do think that the 1% should pay more taxes and they do think that laws regulating the out out control healthcare industry are needed so that universal healthcare without bankrupting people can be a reality. Most especially they do want illegal immigration to stop and illegal immigrants to be deported.
8
Commentators scoffed when Roger Stone said their were people that were sitting in groups, wetting their pants and scheming how to take down Donald Trump.
I have a new respect for Roger Stone and his understanding of the GOP. Clearly he is proven to be correct.
I have a new respect for Roger Stone and his understanding of the GOP. Clearly he is proven to be correct.
4
Frankly the media combined with the last super recession has created Trumpenstein. Of particular blame goes to television broadcast stations like Fox News and CNN. The middle ground is boring and doesn't sell. Firing up the two polar opposite views from the far left and far right has riled the disenfranchised. Trumpenstein offers a change in Washington. Change is what they want. There is no consideration for what type of change they will get. They are looking for someone to say 'Your Fired" and Trumpenstein fits the bill.
Yes the Republicans have a party disaster on their hands. However, there is nothing they can do about it. Crack down on the monster and he'll run as a third party.
The Trumpenstein monster will be destroyed. Will his creator, the discontented masses, decide he's become another politician and storm the castle with pitch forks in hand? Or will it be the general election in November of 2016? Time will tell.
Yes the Republicans have a party disaster on their hands. However, there is nothing they can do about it. Crack down on the monster and he'll run as a third party.
The Trumpenstein monster will be destroyed. Will his creator, the discontented masses, decide he's become another politician and storm the castle with pitch forks in hand? Or will it be the general election in November of 2016? Time will tell.
1
Do we have a border or don't we? Do we have a country or don't we? Are we going to allow PC bullies to convince us boys who say they feel like girls should be allowed to shower with girls?
This nation has gone nuts, through a carefully orchestrated, long term, campaign of what remains Communist propaganda. Trump is the logical answer. No matter who we put forward, the Left will attack them viciously. If it is a black man, they don't care. If it is a woman, or a Mexican--as in the case of Alberto Gonzalez, who Hillary personally helped take down--it doesn't matter. Conformity uber alles.
President Trump: get used to saying it.
This nation has gone nuts, through a carefully orchestrated, long term, campaign of what remains Communist propaganda. Trump is the logical answer. No matter who we put forward, the Left will attack them viciously. If it is a black man, they don't care. If it is a woman, or a Mexican--as in the case of Alberto Gonzalez, who Hillary personally helped take down--it doesn't matter. Conformity uber alles.
President Trump: get used to saying it.
2
So far, the early days of the presidential campaign resembles "Through The Looking-Glass".
Some observations:
1) The people that keep trying to push Sanders in front of the other voters and the media outlets as a viable option are delusional. American voters are NOT going to elect a kindly, avuncular old Socialist. Even if he's a "Democratic Socialist" that hews close to the German model of Democratic Socialism, he's a Socialist to most Americans and whomever his opponent is along the way will take the term "Socialist" and wave it around like a pistol in a crowded bar.
I'm a Democrat, and unfortunately, we're stuck with Hillary
2) I'm still thinking Donald Trump is going to implode at some point - there's just too much combustion going on there every day. But, if he doesn't, and the Republican bundlers and handlers come after him, they better come loaded for bear, because that's going to be one heck of a fight. Back in the day, when newspapers and magazines were the media, the old adage was, "Don't ever get into a fight with someone that buys ink by the barrel". Media now is mostly the internet and social media, and Donald Trump has an uncanny ability to attract megabytes by the barrel. There's another problem if they start attacking Trump. Being the businessman that he is, Donald Trump will at some point consider his loyalty agreement null and void, since the other party to the agreement has so obviously reneged on their end of the deal. Third-party, anyone?
Some observations:
1) The people that keep trying to push Sanders in front of the other voters and the media outlets as a viable option are delusional. American voters are NOT going to elect a kindly, avuncular old Socialist. Even if he's a "Democratic Socialist" that hews close to the German model of Democratic Socialism, he's a Socialist to most Americans and whomever his opponent is along the way will take the term "Socialist" and wave it around like a pistol in a crowded bar.
I'm a Democrat, and unfortunately, we're stuck with Hillary
2) I'm still thinking Donald Trump is going to implode at some point - there's just too much combustion going on there every day. But, if he doesn't, and the Republican bundlers and handlers come after him, they better come loaded for bear, because that's going to be one heck of a fight. Back in the day, when newspapers and magazines were the media, the old adage was, "Don't ever get into a fight with someone that buys ink by the barrel". Media now is mostly the internet and social media, and Donald Trump has an uncanny ability to attract megabytes by the barrel. There's another problem if they start attacking Trump. Being the businessman that he is, Donald Trump will at some point consider his loyalty agreement null and void, since the other party to the agreement has so obviously reneged on their end of the deal. Third-party, anyone?
3
The Republican "leaders" loved it when Trump spread his birther nonsense, which was so effective that only 29% of Republicans said that President Obama was born in the US, and only 19% said the President is a Christian. Republicans love Fox and all the crackpot right-wing mouthpieces who have spread misinformation to their ignorant viewers and listeners for 25 years. Now they are surprised?
6
It is interesting that Trump opponents who have risked millions to push a candidate for President will now not risk further millions to stop a candidate. The candidate to be stopped just happens to have billions and might clobber their additional millions. Either way all the discussion is about money, not the needs of our country, or it's people. Trump is putting the rotten underbelly of the Republican party on full view for all Americans. The GOP is self-centered and selfish but pretends to be guided by conservative values. Romney's assertion that 47% of all Americans are waiting for a government hand out was the ugly sight of the 2012 election, and Trump's criticism of the monied elite control over our politics is the ugly sight of the 2016 campaign. Nice to see the monied elite stymied by one of their own who knows them best.
8
I very much hope that Donald trump will win the election for President, for his life he proved his loyalty and business acumen as a business man it is more practical to look at any situation and will not sacrifice the business for the sake of political ambitions as does the real President
2
Donald Trump is a God send for American politics. Donors want someone who they can donate to and then control. They must be shaking in their boots realizing they have no control over Trump. When Trump said raise taxes on Hedge fund managers the silence from the right was deafening. Any other candidate making such a statement would have been run out of town on a rail. It is of little import to me if Trump is a blow heart or not. What i find refreshing is the silence from the right. The old argument of killing the small business owners with higher taxes is nowhere to be heard. The same folks who were ready to get us in a costly war with Iran are same folks who advocate cutting spending. The same folks who say we are a nation of laws are the same folks supporting the clerk who refuses to issue marriage licenses. Trump in the race just exposes the hypocrisy of the right. In the real world wealthy donors donate to people who will keep them wealthy.
7
I never thought I'd see the day where Citizens United could be a good thing. Conservative support for this decision, married with their message of distrust in government, has produced what we have before us. To be fair, the liberal side has had its own version of this since Obama's candidacy as an outsider as well. Consider now two men: Bernie Sanders and Donald Trump. They're the perfect foil- one has unlimited money; the other refuses to take any money at all. Both of them will not be beholden to outside agendas. I'm sure this has wealthy people, companies shaking in their boots. If they can't use their money to 'vote,' how else are they going to get things done? Could we all possibly move toward a more perfect Democracy (as opposed to our Plutocracy now) based on a Supreme Court decision I originally thought of as devastating? Maybe that was their intent all along. Either way, I'm very excited about these two candidates, what their discussions will do to disrupt both parties' thinking, and the effect this will have on the donors who will continue to try and influence them.
5
What a fools, those republican leaders... Do they really believe that stressing Trump's support for universal health care and higher taxes will turn around his supporters.
Universal health care and higher taxes are not natural conservative focus points. They have become focus points because the Republican leaders - driven by donations from the ultrarich - have pointed them out as such.
It is Trump's ability to touch on the true conservative values - however incoherent he may be - that makes him attractive to the conservative base.
Universal health care and higher taxes are not natural conservative focus points. They have become focus points because the Republican leaders - driven by donations from the ultrarich - have pointed them out as such.
It is Trump's ability to touch on the true conservative values - however incoherent he may be - that makes him attractive to the conservative base.
6
The central problem for the establishment is that in some ways, this country is still a democracy in which individual citizens are free to ignore the wishes of the world's oligarchs, Hollywood, the New York Times and even the Republican establishment. The base of the Republican Party will decide what the Republican Party stands for and who will represent it in November, and that base has come to utterly despise the Republican establishment. It does not want to be force-fed another Bush, or a Bush-light, or some clown who babbles on about this being an opportunity society as though this were 1988. It isn't. The country has changed, and it has changed in ways that are fundamentally hostile to the interests of Americans who are not rich. Trump, for all his many faults, gets this and offers to champion the class interests of working class America, whereas the Republican establishment and its puppets do not have or want a clue.
6
Trump taps into anger - among Republicans, independents, and Democrats alike - that the Republican Party helped create - uncompromising positions on programs that would have helped the economy over the past 6 years and near unanimous support for policies that hurt Americans, such as TPP. They also created the coded language that appeals to the bigots, the ignorant, and the disenchanted. Trump makes the same statements as close to unadulterated as one can imagine. So he picks up lots of potential angry voters and even some who previously didn't vote at all. There was a story that I heard that some "white nationalist" groups almost immediately endorsed Trump's candidacy. Does anyone really believe that they voted Democrat before this? As for the "evangelical Christians" and other Christian conservatives, how amazing that so many of them are attracted to Trump in spite of his previously liberal views, a history that makes the likelihood that he would revert to them again were he to be elected President.
No, Trump has exposed the voting coalitions that the Republicans have created over time and they are not a pretty picture. To try to reduce Trump's appeal would be to expose Republican hypocrisy even more.
No, Trump has exposed the voting coalitions that the Republicans have created over time and they are not a pretty picture. To try to reduce Trump's appeal would be to expose Republican hypocrisy even more.
2
The ideal situation (in my dreams): Trump & Sanders both run as independent candidates, giving the US voting population 4 very clear choices. Then we'll see what people really want. It would likely generate the biggest voter turnout in decades.
3
The big dirt that's going to be lobbed at Trump by Hillary is that most of his development projects have utilized construction companies that employed illegal labor. Her Ad will roll something like this: "Trump Towers - built by illegal labor, Trump Casinos -- built by illegal labor. Trump Golf Courses -- landscaped by illegal labor...Donald Trump made his fortune by keeping his fellow citizens out of work. Hillary will continue to give her fellow citizens jobs. Vote Hillary 2016."
Thing is, Trump was wisely insulated from the hiring practices of the construction companies he utilized. If he's any good, he'll be able tap dance his way out of that. And the fact of the matter is, it was the construction companies that were pocketing the money by using illegals, not Trump.
Hillary's team may string together a few zingers about Trump's past business and personal dealings with regards to blacks and women. That might get some traction among members of the electorate with particularly thin skins, but again Trump will get around it if he's any good.
Foreign Policy is obviously a weakness for Trump. It's not well covered by Wharton case studies lol. Trump better get himself some competency in a hurry.
Thing is, Trump was wisely insulated from the hiring practices of the construction companies he utilized. If he's any good, he'll be able tap dance his way out of that. And the fact of the matter is, it was the construction companies that were pocketing the money by using illegals, not Trump.
Hillary's team may string together a few zingers about Trump's past business and personal dealings with regards to blacks and women. That might get some traction among members of the electorate with particularly thin skins, but again Trump will get around it if he's any good.
Foreign Policy is obviously a weakness for Trump. It's not well covered by Wharton case studies lol. Trump better get himself some competency in a hurry.
4
We are witnessing the implosion of a major American political party. The shenanigans of the Bush administration has revealed to the world the GOP's true nature. So much so that their own base doesn't believe in them. Trump is a manifestation of their own doing. No matter how they deal with Trump it's going to hurt them.
6
Coded racism has been the national political strategy of the Republican Party since Nixon. Trump is just extending the Southern Strategy to include the southwest. Beyond rhetoric, the only actual plans he has proposed are unworkable. The rest of the GOP candidates are so gutless they do not argue with his bigotry, they just claim they can more "anti" than Trump is.
4
Attempting to stop Trump may well backfire, because it will call more attention to him and make him the center of the discussion, which may encourage non-Republicans to give Trump a harder look, because, if the Republicans do not like him, there may be a reason why they should, particularly if they are not sure about how things are going with the Democrat side of things.
The best way to deal with any political campaign is to have an honest, full, and robust discussion of all of the issues and then let the people decide. If the emperor has no clothes, the people will see that. If the people like what they see, then they will vote as they see it.
The democratic process does not prevent us from making mistakes in who we elect, but we should let the democratic process work its way. A few people should not try to decide what we hear and what we don't when it comes to political debate.
The best way to deal with any political campaign is to have an honest, full, and robust discussion of all of the issues and then let the people decide. If the emperor has no clothes, the people will see that. If the people like what they see, then they will vote as they see it.
The democratic process does not prevent us from making mistakes in who we elect, but we should let the democratic process work its way. A few people should not try to decide what we hear and what we don't when it comes to political debate.
4
The photo is revealingly bizarre. Trump's anonymously preened rat pack to the right; coiffed, expressionless marionettes on the left [perfectly] holding signs talking about 'The Silent Majority'. Well, I am old enough to remember the '60's with Spiro Agnew's and Richard Nixon's original 'Silent Majority'.
Trump's photo in his tower is completely controlled, of course, everything is staged. But look at the staging, look at the conscious choices. It is more of the '60's, a combination of Mad Men and The Stepford Wives.
Trump's photo in his tower is completely controlled, of course, everything is staged. But look at the staging, look at the conscious choices. It is more of the '60's, a combination of Mad Men and The Stepford Wives.
4
A suggested strategy for the GOP to stop Der Donald:
Sometimes referred to as, "The death of a thousands bites" strategy, nature show aficionados have seen this strategy in the way hyenas chase lions away from a kill.
Someone starts by taking an aggressive snipe at Trump, then when he lashes back defensively, someone else jumps on him about something, and around and around always snipping, always attacking, always keeping him on the defensive lashing out...Duh Trump's temperament is sure to conspire to orchestrate an implosive self-destruction before the middle of next July...And it will be spectacularly noisy, rude, crude, denigrating and an absolute bummer from the Democrats' perspective.
Sometimes referred to as, "The death of a thousands bites" strategy, nature show aficionados have seen this strategy in the way hyenas chase lions away from a kill.
Someone starts by taking an aggressive snipe at Trump, then when he lashes back defensively, someone else jumps on him about something, and around and around always snipping, always attacking, always keeping him on the defensive lashing out...Duh Trump's temperament is sure to conspire to orchestrate an implosive self-destruction before the middle of next July...And it will be spectacularly noisy, rude, crude, denigrating and an absolute bummer from the Democrats' perspective.
2
This is such an entertaining campaign that no one is even missing Sarah Palin or Michelle Bachman. I find it really amusing that the Republican with the highest numbers after Trump is Ben Carson. If Carson got elected president, would the Republicans torture him the way they have tortured Obama all these years? This old political junky is enjoying the hell out of this show, but in the end I will stick with my man, Bernie Sanders. In any debate, Bernie would wipe the floor with Trump. On with the show!
12
Money isn't everything, a concept that has little value to the moneybags who believe an election isn't worth having if they can't buy it. Interesting that both of the people roiling the waters in both parties this years, Trump and Bernie Sanders, are saying roughly the same things and getting the attention of more and more voters without the huge bank accounts provided by the overly rich who have contributed the most to their phony political funds.
5
Everyone (most) see Trump in the present tense. I see him in the future tense i.e. getting the nomination & then ? If he gets the ultimate prize, does someone take it away? The foundation of Trump is the words from Rush and Fox. (Thanks Frank Luntz and Newt Gingrich.) This could turn ugly for our nation. Not necessarily if Trump wins the prize, but it opens the door for a potential autocrat in the future using the same foundation.
The thing that has the Club for Growth absolutely petrified is the fact that The Donald has no specific ties to the fossil fuel industry yet. Since every member of the Gas and Oil Party in congress is on their campaign payroll, this could threaten their absolute control of the party. It'll be interesting to see how this will turn out...
10
It is not just the 'Republican establishment' that is confused. It's the whole punditry/inside Wash beltway establishment that is flummoxed. Certainly the GOP is reaping what it sowed. They enjoyed Trump and his birther shenanigans, and now that 'genie' is out of the bottle.
But if they created Trump, they had plenty of enablers in the Punditry/Beltway elite. The faux journalism whereby both opinions (no matter how absurd) are given equal weight, the Pravda-like quality of Fox News, the breathless 'Breaking News' over the most trivial of stories, all contribute to the dumbing down of a wide swath of the GOP.
There is a lot of dry tinder in the American political forest as a result of years of looking the other way at the xenophobes and conspiracy nuts. It's all starting to burn now. Hopefully it will all burn itself up in a climatic landslide defeat for the GOP, and the new growth will result. We need a viable two party system.
My only regret is the passing of both The Daily Show and The Colbert Report at this time. I would have enjoyed their reporting.
But if they created Trump, they had plenty of enablers in the Punditry/Beltway elite. The faux journalism whereby both opinions (no matter how absurd) are given equal weight, the Pravda-like quality of Fox News, the breathless 'Breaking News' over the most trivial of stories, all contribute to the dumbing down of a wide swath of the GOP.
There is a lot of dry tinder in the American political forest as a result of years of looking the other way at the xenophobes and conspiracy nuts. It's all starting to burn now. Hopefully it will all burn itself up in a climatic landslide defeat for the GOP, and the new growth will result. We need a viable two party system.
My only regret is the passing of both The Daily Show and The Colbert Report at this time. I would have enjoyed their reporting.
12
The arrogance and sense of entitlement of these billionaire donors, i.e. 'puppeteers' is breathtaking. The fundamental problem of the wealthy string pullers is their megalomania leads them to believe their self interested agenda (low tax on the rich, low wages for workers, reducing SS and Medicare, illegal immigrant 'reform' and 'free trade' ) are supported by most Republican voters. Since the Republican Party became the home of angry white working class voters, poll after poll shows these same voters support strengthening of S.S. and Medicare. They also support higher taxes on the rich and a higher minimum wage, oppose mass immigration and free trade. In the past the Republican Establishment could control the primary outcomes because the relatively small number of primary voters could be manipulated through right wing social issues such as anti-gay rights, appeals to racism and ginning up fear of 'terrorists', etc. Trump threatens this long standing campaign methodology by direct appeals to the angry white working class on basically economic issues.
Trump's attack on illegal immigration is essentially an economic argument that agrees with the Republican working class voter's perception that illegal immigrants are either stealing their jobs or driving down wages. They also, by a big majority, oppose 'free trade' agreements because they perceive so called 'free trade' as just another ploy to increase corporate profits at their expense.
Trump's attack on illegal immigration is essentially an economic argument that agrees with the Republican working class voter's perception that illegal immigrants are either stealing their jobs or driving down wages. They also, by a big majority, oppose 'free trade' agreements because they perceive so called 'free trade' as just another ploy to increase corporate profits at their expense.
12
If candidates are so worried abt spending their super pac money in ads to take down Trump instead of promoting their candidature it only means that the Lobbyists behind them are SO WORRIED abt ruining the corruption that runs behind politicians. Think abt it, instead of joining forces to promote Trump if he gets nominated they are desperate to stop him because lobbyists cannot get to him
4
Donald Trump is all about money. That's it in a nutshell. He inherited his father's business, built some tacky hotels, became a reality TV star, and now he is bored so he wants to be President. How many wives has he wed then divorced? He seems to think women are a commodity. Republican women voters better keep a close watch. TRUMPY Boy does not value you.
11
Yes and the Clintons aren't about money? Their 4 multi million dollar homes and their 100s of millions pilfered from their criminal foundation? At least Donald earned his in the private sector and not on the backs of the American taxpayer.
1
Maybe if the GOP leadership hadn't lied to their voters, Trump wouldn't be needed. Example: McConnell has done exactly what he was elected not to do. We might conclude that Alison Grimes actually won the election for the Senate seat. Warning: You guys lost the White House in both the most recent elections by being RINO, and you can make it a three-peat by continuing your RINO ways.
3
You just do not get it there are a lot of Americans fed up with business as usual from both sides. Go Donald and Bernie !
6
Before someone actually comes up with a workable means to stop Donald Trump...
If a candidate vying for the GOP nomination doesn't have the 'right stuff' to face off against Donald Trump and, at the very least, break even, then how can the electorate possibly believe or expect the wannabe-POTUS to have the 'right stuff' to go vis-à-vis with the despots, Monarchs and elected-leaders, friendly and unfriendly to US interests, in the arena of international realpolitik? ...or to handle answering the proverbial 3:00am telephone call?
If a candidate vying for the GOP nomination doesn't have the 'right stuff' to face off against Donald Trump and, at the very least, break even, then how can the electorate possibly believe or expect the wannabe-POTUS to have the 'right stuff' to go vis-à-vis with the despots, Monarchs and elected-leaders, friendly and unfriendly to US interests, in the arena of international realpolitik? ...or to handle answering the proverbial 3:00am telephone call?
13
Remember what Gandhi says: "First, they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they attack you, then you win." Keep it going, Trump!
8
First Presidential candidate running, where both parties equally despise him, and I LOVE it!!!
#NoOneCanStopTheDonald
#NoOneCanStopTheDonald
8
Instead of supporting a particular party, I believe that people should be voting for the right person. Hillary Clinton is NOT the right person. Donald Trump is the right person regardless of the party he belongs to. I am a Republican because of Donald Trump, not because of the GOP.
6
Trump will win this election , and you ask yourself why because.. he is real and he is keeping the party democrats and republican on there toes.. He knows what the majority of Americans want and that is why he is winning he knows we are so fed up with these politicians lying and taking bribes and you name it. it's corruption to the core it's no longer for the American people and what's best for our country, it's for there own self preservation and they are bought and paid for by anyone with an agenda to get what they want even if it means destroying this country. Wake up people this is no joke and Trump needs to clean house, these people we have in Washington are so corrupt that they will do anything for money... They are not looking out for this country or the middle class, that's a fact. Vote Trump
6
Thrust on their own petard. Justice by any other name.
9
As they say on “Sports Center,” “You cannot stop Donald Trump, you can only hope to contain him,” but so far there is no containment strategy. I don’t know if Donald Trump is smarter than the other GOP candidates and all their advisors, stratagists, and money bundlers, but so far he is beating them all like a rented goalie by exploiting their own issues! Trump has successfully used irresponsible rhetoric and divisive social issues in ways that must make the ghost of Lee Atwater grin like a Cheshire cat. Indeed, Trump may be the ultimate tar baby – take a swing at him and he’s got you in his grip, and he doesn’t even need a billionaire sugar daddy because he IS a billionaire sugar daddy. At this point Trump has pretty much neutered John Ellis Exclamation Point and has co-opted Walker, Cruz, and even Christie who have been reduced to saying “Um … me too.” Ben Carson is doing well because no one understands anything he has ever said – and it has not been very much. Huckabee, Fiorina, Santorum, Graham, and even Rubio are starting to look like warm-up acts for the big show (maybe a Veep slot for one of them), Paul has disappeared, and only Kasich seems to have the political smarts to deal with Trump - by avoiding any direct confrontations. Trump may be the greatest political spectacle since the days of Teddy Roosevelt and he is having way to much fun to take his foot off the gas pedal.
6
There is no stopping Trump, and even if there were, the consequences of denying him the nomination would be disastrous to the Party. He is the most exciting politician, the most articulate and straight talking, that we have seen in decades. To stop him in favor of one of those medium nothings, which sums up the rest of the GOP field, would be enough to keep millions of white working class voters from the polls and insure the defeat of the party in the general election.THOMAS EDSALL summed it up best when he wrote, and I paraphrase, DT incarnates the aspirations and frustrations of those who have been left behind and ignored, beginning even during the REAGAN years."To take back the country," "make America great again" may sound quaint and old fashioned to many, but to disaffected white working class voters who have been scorned and held in contempt by successive administrations,but especially by the current occupant of the WH, such phrases of hope and renewal mean everything..
4
For conservatives, they seem strangely ignorant of the age-old wisdom that you reap what you sow.
9
The Republican Party: Snatching Defeat From the Jaws of Victory Since 2008.
Go ahead, plot to end the campaign of the only Conservative candidate getting substantial support nationwide in favor of a milquetoast, establishment softie who won't get voters to the polls when we need them.
Giftwrap the WH for the Dems again.
This might even get Biden as the next POTUS.
Go ahead, plot to end the campaign of the only Conservative candidate getting substantial support nationwide in favor of a milquetoast, establishment softie who won't get voters to the polls when we need them.
Giftwrap the WH for the Dems again.
This might even get Biden as the next POTUS.
4
Is this really that hard for the GOP to post something that shows Trump in a bad light? A commercial showing Trump going through bankruptcy not 1 time, not 2 times, not 3 times, but 4 freaking times and they have no clue? This is not some smart business man, yeah he has money now, but why would anyone want someone to be President who can't stay solvent? Next he wants a 90% tax cut for his golf course north of NYC. Who do you think will pay for that? Yeah the taxpayers in the coutny the course is in. You make billions and you can't pay your taxes so you pass the buck to those who can't make ends meet so his wealthy pals nyc/hollywood friends can golf.... It also just shows how stupid people are that they would think someone they see on tv should be running for president... Oh wait I do not Recall... I do not Remember what was that Hollywood guy from near where I live and went to college near by me... Um yeah he was a Republican and a President. The GOP can't help, but trip over RR every time, due to some famous hollywood guy being the greatest President ever.... Trickle Down does not work. Get real people We don't need another Hollywood Bozo to be our next President. If the GOP needs more to poke holes show him telling the heads of countries saying "You're Fired" and show him having a Miss Universe contest in the oval office!
3
Ishmael's (tiny as ever) insight and suspicion of the day: that Donald Trump has taken a "loyalty oath" to the GOP may mean that a Reince Priebus backroom deal has arranged that the Blond Bombshell will be guaranteed the VP slot no matter which other clown runs as their Presidential candidate.
3
Why do they want to stop a leader the people are interested in? Is Trump too transparent?Is it a problem he explicitly tells his intentions and positions? Are we just too stupid to choose our own leader?
Funny how the truth sounds outrageous when you have been lied to long enough.
Funny how the truth sounds outrageous when you have been lied to long enough.
7
Republican negative campaign operatives and their funders stumped by Trump?A candidate who is beating them, at the game they themselves perfected? And used against not only their opponents, but also against most Americans? Including the people they dupe into voting for their candidates? Against those dupes' own interests?
Welcome to the club, Republican operatives and funders. The rest of us have been trying to figure out how to beat you at your game for decades.
The irony would be delicious, if the experience were not so nauseating.
I wish I could use truly some honest, candid language here. But this is the New York Times.
Welcome to the club, Republican operatives and funders. The rest of us have been trying to figure out how to beat you at your game for decades.
The irony would be delicious, if the experience were not so nauseating.
I wish I could use truly some honest, candid language here. But this is the New York Times.
12
"The Hamptons fundraising circuit? My God, how out of touch establishment Republicans and Democrats the are. The Heartland is moving away from both of you sets of clowns.
9
It's like Trump is singlehandedly overturning Citizens United, because he neither wants nor needs your PAC money, and these PACs know that spending millions attacking him or backing his opponents is an extremely risky, if not foolish, investment. Just look at how many millions of dollars the Koch Brothers wasted backing losers in the last presidential election cycle. And that was pre-Trump.
4
Go Donald. Your the Democrats best hope.
7
I suspect another reason the Republican syndicate is hesitant to turn its character assassins loose on Trump is the likelihood Trump will then go back on his pledge to support the Republican nominee even if it's not him. If Trump runs as a 3rd party candidate he will take with him the angry, white people who hate Obama, and all blacks and Latinos who aren't working as their servants. That will leave the Republican party with just a few thousand members who still think their party makes sense.
7
Borat is visiting the republican party and this democrat is enjoying the movie!
10
The word politician is synonymous with pre-packaged. In contrast, Trump's hair on fire personal style is the perfect antidote for the fake empty suits (and pantsuits). It doesn't hurt that Trump fully gets the economic issues that people care about, and intuitively knows how to reach a wide range of voters. I am both quite confident and optimistic that Trump will be the next President.
21
You might want to look up some information about Trump University. Trump didn't hesitate to fleece people.
Look up in the sky!
It's a bird, it's a plane!
No, it's Donaldman!
They can't stop Donaldman!
It's a bird, it's a plane!
No, it's Donaldman!
They can't stop Donaldman!
3
I'm loving it all! Trump-mania elects Hillary! Awesome!
1
Republicans, the Frankensteins among you take many forms. Some you like more than others, apparently. Still, they all look pretty much the same to me.
3
The mirror of the Repblcan Party is Donald J. Trump. Take a good look he is your demolition leader. Harvest what you sow.
2
NBC Television Network was accused of throwing the Reagan election because they called the election in his favor before the west coast polls closed.
NBC jump started Arnold Swarzenegger's campaign on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno. Arnolds wife is Maria Shriver, a former NBC employee.
What network was Trump's show on? I really don't know.
NBC jump started Arnold Swarzenegger's campaign on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno. Arnolds wife is Maria Shriver, a former NBC employee.
What network was Trump's show on? I really don't know.
1
Too funny!
1
Oh, the irony -- Republican's can't neutralize one of there own, while constantly frothing at the mouth about Obama's supposed weakness in the face of Russia, Iran, Al Qaeda, etc. How will Bush, et al be able to handle foreign affairs if they can't even handle Trump?
87
Republican donors, you are archaic losers, and you ought to just stop donating to the party of these people. Please stop supporting these losers, thanks!
1
Poor Frankie and his renegade monster!
1
This leftist says go, The Donald! Like watching a movie about the Golem. We're gonna need a bigger bag of popcorn!
3
Why is Conservative Talk Radio promoting Trump??
Did you see the his temper tantrum with Hugh Hewitt??
His lack of humility and self-awareness was embarrassing to watch.
"Why do Conservative Pundits support Trump?"
"Conservative Talk Radio praises Trump"
"The Real Media Machine Behind Trump: Conservative Talk Radio"
Did you see the his temper tantrum with Hugh Hewitt??
His lack of humility and self-awareness was embarrassing to watch.
"Why do Conservative Pundits support Trump?"
"Conservative Talk Radio praises Trump"
"The Real Media Machine Behind Trump: Conservative Talk Radio"
>
At this point, the only thing can stop Trump is Trump, which by no means is out of the question.
At this point, the only thing can stop Trump is Trump, which by no means is out of the question.
4
Where were the Republicans when Donald was on his "birther" rants? Maybe they could have put him his place back then. No, they let him go at it and now the wrecking ball of the Republican Party cannot be contained. Karma.
96
I remember laughing when President Obama said "You can't put lipstick on a pig" when discussing some of Sarah Palin's ideas. With regard to Donald Trump, the Republican Party has unmasked the pig! It is ugly.
2
"...many have concluded that Mr. Trump’s harsh manner and continued attacks on immigrants and women were endangering the party’s efforts to compete in the general election."
It's amazing they think Trump is the biggest hinderance to the GOP in the general election. He just says out loud what the rest of them say quietly. The whole GOP has rotted to the core.
It's amazing they think Trump is the biggest hinderance to the GOP in the general election. He just says out loud what the rest of them say quietly. The whole GOP has rotted to the core.
7
Our political system is anonymously run by the wealthy 1%, USA would be stronger if we could remove phantom money from politics #HackThePACs
4
In his rise to power, Hitler trumped the communists on the left, and the monarchists and economic conservatives on the right. Through his fiery oratory, he stole the oxygen from his putative rivals.
Now we have another narcissistic trumper, by incendiary outbursts stealing the oxygen from his Republican rivals, the billionaire front-men.
The irony is rich. For decades, the super-rich have planned, financed and executed a stealthy takeover of our government, and have succeeded, I suspect, beyond their wildest dreams. The 2016 election was to be the final push, with the Koch brothers reportedly raising some $890 million to take over the Senate and the White House.
Now along comes this buffoon, this upstart, stealing all the oxygen from the oligarchs, using all their careful groundwork for his own ends – all the propaganda, gerrymandering, union-busting and voter suppression they worked so long and spent so much to achieve. He would take over the government, not they. He would offer social welfare for the masses, not the austerity they so clearly cherish.
If Trump, the trumper, can't be co-opted, then he will have to go. These rich aren't playing an idle game; they’re tough, committed zealots, playing for keeps. It will be interesting to see if they can out-trump Trump. Whatever happens next, it will be a clash of the titans.
Now we have another narcissistic trumper, by incendiary outbursts stealing the oxygen from his Republican rivals, the billionaire front-men.
The irony is rich. For decades, the super-rich have planned, financed and executed a stealthy takeover of our government, and have succeeded, I suspect, beyond their wildest dreams. The 2016 election was to be the final push, with the Koch brothers reportedly raising some $890 million to take over the Senate and the White House.
Now along comes this buffoon, this upstart, stealing all the oxygen from the oligarchs, using all their careful groundwork for his own ends – all the propaganda, gerrymandering, union-busting and voter suppression they worked so long and spent so much to achieve. He would take over the government, not they. He would offer social welfare for the masses, not the austerity they so clearly cherish.
If Trump, the trumper, can't be co-opted, then he will have to go. These rich aren't playing an idle game; they’re tough, committed zealots, playing for keeps. It will be interesting to see if they can out-trump Trump. Whatever happens next, it will be a clash of the titans.
43
Fortunately, there's nothing anyone can do to stop Donald Trump from winning the White House. Not the New York Times, not billionaire donors, not liberal Hollywood moguls and not even all three major networks. The time for Donald Trump is here and he is unstoppable,
24
Jim Wigler in San Fran: Even IF Trump wins the GOP nomination, which is a very big if, he will not win the general election. The man is a disaster. Just yesterday he was covering is complete lack of knowledge about foreign affairs by saying that he would surround himself with "experts." That is exactly what one gets when an "outsider" is elected. That is what we got with George W. Bush - not elected folks who ran the show. Look how well that turned out.
It amazes me that seemingly intelligent people can think that that bloviator would make a decent president. His plan is to run the country as if it was his own private company doing what he wants, treating the congress as his employees who do his bidding. We do not have a dictatorship where a new president can wave a wand and make things happen. Like it or not a president has to propose laws (and budget) to Congress who then make decisions. It is sadly delusional to think that Mr. Trump can go in and "change Washington." On the international stage he would be a living crisis creating international disaster on a daily basis.
It amazes me that seemingly intelligent people can think that that bloviator would make a decent president. His plan is to run the country as if it was his own private company doing what he wants, treating the congress as his employees who do his bidding. We do not have a dictatorship where a new president can wave a wand and make things happen. Like it or not a president has to propose laws (and budget) to Congress who then make decisions. It is sadly delusional to think that Mr. Trump can go in and "change Washington." On the international stage he would be a living crisis creating international disaster on a daily basis.
15
@Anne-Marie Hislop
Those seemingly intelligent people elected George Bush. I'd say Trump for all his entertainment connotations is actually both brighter and much more experienced (in an executive sense) than Bush was. Not that I want Trump to be president or that Bush was the complete doofus of legend but if intelligence and competence are the criteria then Trump. The problem for the establishment in the Republican party is rather as Steve Schmidt (he's Republican operative who ran McCain's campaign) is that conservatism has severed any connection with real issues and substituted anger and contempt. This is a situation entirely of their own making but Trump fundamentally represents the core beliefs of about two thirds of the Republican party. If he wins a couple of early primaries it could turn into a tsunami.
Those seemingly intelligent people elected George Bush. I'd say Trump for all his entertainment connotations is actually both brighter and much more experienced (in an executive sense) than Bush was. Not that I want Trump to be president or that Bush was the complete doofus of legend but if intelligence and competence are the criteria then Trump. The problem for the establishment in the Republican party is rather as Steve Schmidt (he's Republican operative who ran McCain's campaign) is that conservatism has severed any connection with real issues and substituted anger and contempt. This is a situation entirely of their own making but Trump fundamentally represents the core beliefs of about two thirds of the Republican party. If he wins a couple of early primaries it could turn into a tsunami.
1
why not its exactly what we have now and at least it will be a pro American instead of an anti American administration!
1
Sorry, I'm loving Trump. The corrupt crony capitalists deserve everything they get.
Go Trump! Break this corrupt Bush Mafia.
Now if we can only truly get rid of Hillary.
Go Bernie.
Go Trump! Break this corrupt Bush Mafia.
Now if we can only truly get rid of Hillary.
Go Bernie.
45
ooch - trump the uncorrupt capitalist!
All moral moorings are lost for America.
All moral moorings are lost for America.
"In the latest national Republican nomination poll conducted by Gravis Marking for One America News Network, frontrunner Donald Trump has hit the 40% mark. The survey marks the first time since any candidate–let alone the real estate mogul–has broken above the so-called 30% ceiling pundits have pegged him at."
It's over. Jeb Openbordersamnestycommoncore Bush is wobbling between 5 and 10 percent. It's over.
It's over. Jeb Openbordersamnestycommoncore Bush is wobbling between 5 and 10 percent. It's over.
25
Surprise, Trump has sucked up all the air in the room--not to mention all the press coverage! Maybe the press could declare one day a week for other candidates: No Trump Tuesday-must see T.V.
8
Billions would not watch TV on Tues
2
This whole plan by the Kochs and their minions will backfire for an obvious reason: Trump will point out that it is an example of exactly the corruption he has highlighted. The big money interests that help Jeb! or Bridgegate Christie or Oh Canada! Walker or Ayatollah Huckabee will obviously give the money for attack ads on Trump only if they get a chit from the candidate they help.
Trump's very wealth, his chutzpah, and his bluntness are not going to be deflected to easily, Republicans.
Trump's very wealth, his chutzpah, and his bluntness are not going to be deflected to easily, Republicans.
28
The GOP needs to do some serious soul searching before further implosion. They are the part of personal attacks, of innuendo, of hypocrysy, of special interest, of party before country.......
....and Trump is the manifestation of what they've trained their followers to believe.
So either they change; or the they become irrelevant---because the reality is Trump won't win.
....and Trump is the manifestation of what they've trained their followers to believe.
So either they change; or the they become irrelevant---because the reality is Trump won't win.
23
First, they would need to have a soul to search. Sold that item off some time ago.
2
Donald Trump is the foreesable, ugly chicken who has flown home to roost among the insipid, facile racists who constitute the base, heart and core of one of our two major political parties. They loathe Mexicans but don't like to say so. They deny that global climate change has been caused by human activities. They clamor for more war in the Middle East and a militarization of the southern border. They wish to heap indignity and oppression upon vulnerable migrant workers who work at menial jobs. They have the unmitigated gall to call themselves "Christian".
The chicken has come home to his flock.
But whom can the Democrats offer to oppose this depressing scene? What has happened to the Democrats? Have they no one but Hillary and the unelectable Bernie Sanders?
Jefferson trembled for our country, and I join him.
The chicken has come home to his flock.
But whom can the Democrats offer to oppose this depressing scene? What has happened to the Democrats? Have they no one but Hillary and the unelectable Bernie Sanders?
Jefferson trembled for our country, and I join him.
20
It's not racist to require people to come here legally.
1
Sanders is not unelectable -- his grass roots support is growing.
Rather see Trump than Hillary.
Internal fighting between donors and voters. I wonder who will win...
9
The Republican Party and their friends at Fox have spent the past seven years delivering a propaganda campaign to convince voters that “America is under attack” and the nation is one step away from Armageddon. Is it any surprise that their base has now created a cult of personality and savior in Mr. Trump? The GOP has no one to blame but themselves. Live by the sword, die by the sword.
35
When does the GOP turn to actual governing?
8
Gee, I thought Scott Walked was "unintimidated." Guess that only holds for Wisconsin schoolteachers and DNR scientists.
11
Please do not hurt or derail Mr. Trump's efforts. He is our best hope for a Democratic White House.
21
A Bernie supporter. The Republican base, supporting Trump. The Democrat Base supporting Sanders.The majority of voters, have had enough , of the same old , same old politicians , connected to the big money, special interests. We have all had enough! Time for the majority in this country, to have a chance to vote, for the candidate that speaks for what is really important to us "little people".
12
Correction: Establishment GOP Searching For Ways To Lose 2016 Election Faster Than 2012.
8
The GOP could end up with a Trump/Cruz ticket with Cruz given the job of attacking women & minorities.
4
Donald Trump has been the best thing for the Democratic Party since Bush.
9
Great, all Democrats should then vote for Trump.
So--they're going to go after him, not for all the wrong things he's doing now, but for the handful of right things he's done in the past?
9
The Republicans have a big tent; they welcome racists, white-supremacists, white-nationalists, bullies (you WILL sign this loyalty oath), misogynists, chauvinists and the list goes on and on, but they are all embodied in Trump. They can stop Trump, but they cannot offer anything credible or rational. Repealing Obamacare 40 however many times is not a policy.
37
The mere fact that Donald Trump doesn't need anyone, in particular the Koch brothers, and has become a runaway train in the polls has placed the GOP in unchartered waters. Being a Republican, even I find this a hoot. Who needs HBO when you've got a guy like Donald Trump creating drama in everything he does and everywhere he goes? He's a lot of things, but boring ain't one of them.
68
We want something different. Politicians have done a terrible job for decades. There's nothing that any SuperPac or anyone else can do about that now - that ship has sailed and America is sick of it. No more politicians.
8
He is, under their veneer, who they are, and it makes them squirm.
9
Every four years,the whole world eyes on US for the biggest joke in democracy. I don't know whether Americans are naieve or are they really think they are live in democracy and not staged and fooled.
1
If this love affair with Trump continues, I worry that he will be the next president. This thought makes me wake up in a cold sweat not only for fear of the consequences to the country, but because of the way we'll be regarded by the rest of the world. Whoever the Democratic candidate is, the anti-establishment message will be hard to shake off if Trump is the nominee. Lastly, let's not forget the majority of Americans voted for Bush. Twice.
Please, tell me I'm wrong--I could use a good night's sleep.
Please, tell me I'm wrong--I could use a good night's sleep.
4
I don't think trump wants to be President. Not his style. But he'd glow with satisfaction at being a King-, er, Queen-maker. I'm more than convinced, and it helps me sleep nights.
Thank you, Mr. Confessore, for an enlightening and entertaining read. And I love the comments, too. As others have said, the whole situation is both ridiculous and hilarious. However, I haven't seen anyone mention the #1 factor contributing to Trump's recent prominence-- the mainstream media. I clearly remember 6 months ago that Donald Trumps's candidacy was considered a joke. But the press finds him and his outrageous statments irrresistable. It is now at the point where I hear something about Donald Trump on the morning news every morning. I seldom hear about any other candidate. And what I do hear about Trump is either some stupid/insulting remark or some poll of unknown origin and financial backing. Let's face it--the mainstream media is rigging this election.
6
If the Republican party as a whole (which includes Fox news) insists on spending so much of its time in the off-season attracting the bigot vote, it should come as no surprise that a "bigot arms race" will be spawned *between its own candidates* trying out-bigot each other at election time. This problem will only grow in seriousness until the Republicans wean themselves off their dependance of the bigot vote altogether.
2
The media and the Establishment keeps pushing the 'all Trump supporters are flyover-state rubes' narrative. Every one of my friends has prestige degrees and fairly high-status careers and we all find Trump alluring. I'm certain Trump's support is far deeper than the primary polls credit him with.
11
Some of the best dirt boys in the business will be having a go at Trump in the coming months. He definitely has a bounty on his head. When Trump started speaking about going after the hedge fund managers, he got the attention of the wealthy boys that are the true behind the scene power in the GOP. They'll probe for weakness and when they discover what cuts it will be a shark feeding frenzy. The power brokers will pay well to bring him down.
Trump sees it coming and it will take all his shrewdness to withstand it. Rich boy rich boy what you gonna do when they come for you.
Trump sees it coming and it will take all his shrewdness to withstand it. Rich boy rich boy what you gonna do when they come for you.
13
At that point, Trump will go third-party. I'm full of anticipation.
1
Trump is focused on policy that works for the middle class, not trickle down ideology that is cover for the rich get richer. Conservative ideology, liberal ideology, all ideologies are for those who will never be negatively impacted by the consequences of their implementation. National elections are a sewer of corruption. Dishonest, duplicitous, and deceitful career politicians and their political parties have turned government into an elite welfare system for themselves and their rich donors. We need politicians who have accomplished something in life besides reelection to public office. We need politicians who are public servants not self-serving. We need senators, representatives, and presidents who are pragmatic problem solvers for the American people. Together, let us clean up the sewer of corruption that is government today. Stop voting for self-serving parties, ideological issues, or pretentious personalities and instead cast a vote for change by voting against all incumbents until term limits are enacted. Only by disconnecting the word “career” from the word “politician” can we change America.
18
Trump knows nothing about the middle class and he doesn't care about anyone but himself.
I love that Donald Trump with his plain speaking and lack of need for funders has upset the Republican apple cart.
So many of the Republicans have been blocking Obama's agenda for the last years, and quite frankly doing nothing to care for the American people. They have gotten what they deserve!
So many of the Republicans have been blocking Obama's agenda for the last years, and quite frankly doing nothing to care for the American people. They have gotten what they deserve!
16
Of course the big Republican donors are worried. If Trump should keep the lead and win, they fear the loss of their ability to be the country's puppet masters and control everything that happens in Washington.
27
As I read comments I feel like I'm in the year 1776. I'm sure these comments sounded normal back then. But it's the year 2015 and now both Democrats and Republicans are such radical extremists in how they think. They are so far right or so far left and neither makes any sense in today's day and age. One is pro-life and will let a woman die from a complication in her pregnancy, another is pro-choice so any 15 year old knows she can sex up the high school football team and just go get an abortion without taking any responsibility in her life. Again, how ancient are these radical theologies? Very extreme. Same is true on Taxes. Same is true on foreign policy. Same is true on immigration. Trump is the only candidate between all democratic and republican candidate that actually has policy Taylor made for modern time, he's actually current. He's living in 2015 when Hillary, Sanders, Bush, etc are all dinosaurs hanging onto their extreme theologies of the past. Trump is single handedly bringing the GOP into the current, while the Democrats will remain in the past. If Trump wins, the GOP will be lead and morph into a new generation of Politicians who are current, effective, efficient and successful in learning new ways to see and deal with issues. One day they will realize how fortunate they were that Trump ran on their side.
7
I had to reply to you. If you believe that the right AND left are extreme, you are sadly lost. If both sides were, as you think, lost in the extremes, then political life would be moving along comfortably right in the middle. The reality is that is not at all true. Why? Because the right is lost in the extreme and there is no comparable left at all. Do a little reading and maybe you'll find out what left wing ideology is; it is mostly a focus on economic issues. And on those issues, the what passes for the "left" in this country is just compassionate conservatism. No, because we live in an oligarchy, the political battlefield left to us is the field of social issues. On those issues, the difference is simple: Forward-thinking v. Backward-thinking; Progressive v. Regressive.
Cont'd.
Cont'd.
I'd hardly call the Democrats leftist or progressive.
This is a disgrace. Saying basically, it doesn't matter who the voters want. The GOP will pick it's own candidate, and if you don't agree we will manipulate your choice through advertising negative ads against our own party candidates.
Guess what GOP. Your manipulation is a train wreck.
Let the process work. Donald Trump made a big mistake in signing a pledge with this party. He's bound to a commitment and GOP is free to attack the peoples choice.
Guess what GOP. Your manipulation is a train wreck.
Let the process work. Donald Trump made a big mistake in signing a pledge with this party. He's bound to a commitment and GOP is free to attack the peoples choice.
17
Hasn't really, really, bound himself to that pledge. If the GOP decides to treat him with less respect than he thinks he deserves, he's made it plain that he'll go third party.
Actually, I think that's his real plan anyway, prefaced by a long run-up busy establishing Republican bona-fides, a sort of sheep in wolf's clothing.
Once a liberal, always a liberal: it's the hallmark of intelligence. He knows this country has fared well under Obama. Besides, only a fool would bestow fulsome praise on Palin, notorious for disconnection between brain and mouth, as he did this week. And Trump's no fool. Neither is he someone that would appreciate the steady grind of the Presidency. But, he's super intelligent, and perfectly capable of Machiavellian deviousness in devising a way to ensure that somebody else gets in that won't wreck us again.
I don't think the GOP could ever survive being duped by the Donald, so I hope this is all true.
Actually, I think that's his real plan anyway, prefaced by a long run-up busy establishing Republican bona-fides, a sort of sheep in wolf's clothing.
Once a liberal, always a liberal: it's the hallmark of intelligence. He knows this country has fared well under Obama. Besides, only a fool would bestow fulsome praise on Palin, notorious for disconnection between brain and mouth, as he did this week. And Trump's no fool. Neither is he someone that would appreciate the steady grind of the Presidency. But, he's super intelligent, and perfectly capable of Machiavellian deviousness in devising a way to ensure that somebody else gets in that won't wreck us again.
I don't think the GOP could ever survive being duped by the Donald, so I hope this is all true.
What is wonderful to me is that there is such a dearth of substance in virtually all of the candidates that the Donald is the only one who speaks directly to issues that many care about.
Although crude and a showman, he really is quite intelligent and is having the time of his life! The paucity of real substance on both sides is the issue to me. At least Mr. Trump raises some real issues, entertains, and is one of the first candidates so spur my since Eugene McCarthy.
I find myself following poltical news for the first time since 1968!
Although crude and a showman, he really is quite intelligent and is having the time of his life! The paucity of real substance on both sides is the issue to me. At least Mr. Trump raises some real issues, entertains, and is one of the first candidates so spur my since Eugene McCarthy.
I find myself following poltical news for the first time since 1968!
16
People's failure to follow political news is what got us to this point. It's not pretty.
1
It seems to me that the problem with Trump (per the Republicans) is that they can't attack him because "their" candidates don't offer significantly differing policy positions than he does. He just says them in cruder, more easily understood ways. That's why they can't decide how to go about it.
They can't do personal attacks - everyone already knows his personality, history and foibles (to put it nicely). Are they against his immigration policy? Do they have a differing approach to U.S. jobs creation, how to deal with China, and ISIS? Do they not want to "make America great again"?
Until they come up with some substantive reasons why he shouldn't appeal to the Republican base, they're in a real bind.
They can't do personal attacks - everyone already knows his personality, history and foibles (to put it nicely). Are they against his immigration policy? Do they have a differing approach to U.S. jobs creation, how to deal with China, and ISIS? Do they not want to "make America great again"?
Until they come up with some substantive reasons why he shouldn't appeal to the Republican base, they're in a real bind.
16
Hey there, GOP! Go right ahead and take Trump on; see what happens. I would never vote for Trump, but the hand-wringing and fear that he has put into the GOP establishment amount to some of the best moments of political schadenfreude that I have ever enjoyed.
The GOP made Mr. Trump; if they try to bring him down, the entire GOP balloon will collapse in on itself.
The GOP made Mr. Trump; if they try to bring him down, the entire GOP balloon will collapse in on itself.
25
Never say never.
Trump is rising because Americans who voted for a Republican Congress in November 2014 were betrayed by the Republican elites, including John Boehner and others who had promised to stop Obama's executive orders and limit illegal immigration. The Republican elites ignored the will of the people, who, if you will recall, ousted virtually all of the major Democratic senators and congress members who were up for re-election. I'm a corporate lawyer who graduated from an elite (i.e., top five) law school, and am voting for that arrogant New Yorker because: a) I believe him and what he says he will do to make America great again; b) he knows how to negotiate and will fix the massive trade imbalance that is wrecking the American economy (note: cheap goods flooding the market are good to a point but because of bad trade deals the equilibrium we all learned in macroeconomics is out of whack); c) he will stop H-1B visas from destroying our indigenous white collar class of professionals in the STEM industries; d) he will build a wall and protect America from cheap labor (i.e., a nation without borders is not a nation); and e) he will re-build America's military so we can negotiate from a position of strength (e.g., recall what Reagan did and how it resulted in the end of the Cold War). I don't care whether Trump knows the names of terrorist groups or their leaders or can respond to "gotcha questions." He will get the job done, period.
17
If you graduated from an Elite Law school, then I am truly concerned because they did not teach critical thinking. If you had a bunch of resumes from which to hire a junior partner, you would hire someone from one of the elite law schools but not look at the accomplishments of the other applicants. Just like a lawyer who gets paid whether their client is successful or not, would you take a case that was morally repugnant just to get paid? You would probably say, they deserve high quality counsel. Elite lawyers for trump! yikes
2
I admire Bernie Sanders as a true believer though I could never vote for a socialist. He stands on his principles.
1
You're right. We need someone with one umbrella principle, not to be impaired under any circumstances, that shelters a host of sub-principles, more or less; allied to an able, savvy politician. We need a third Lincoln.
Fan of Saints- I think we do want to vote for a man who stands on his principals. It is great that you think that. What principals do your candidates have? Afffordable college? Raising minimum wage? How about breaking up the big banks? I encourage you to read the message that Bernie is promoting. Finland, Sweden, Norway are nations that have a very high standard of living, why would you be against that?
1
He's a Democratic Socialist. Please learn the difference.
2
Donald is the only one with the vision and courage to have Sarah Palin in his cabinet. Information that comes from the highest sources say that Dennis Rodman, an early supporter will be appointed our first Ambassador to North Korea. The License Lady in Kentucky will be appointed to the Supreme Court. The Court will get her out of jail. David Duke will play a prominent role.
Hangings will be televised, pay per view only. to be held at Trump propertys nation wide.
It will be grand.
Hangings will be televised, pay per view only. to be held at Trump propertys nation wide.
It will be grand.
10
Better than a French farce. Trump is deep. How deep we've yet to fathom.
Those in the wealthy donor class are used to having their way with uneducated voters because they control the airwaves, and are squirming these days because they recognize, in the darkest of their dark hearts, that much of Trumpmania is driven by resentment of string pullers like them. Cut from the same cloth as the villain in "Age of Ultron", Trump has risen and declared "I've got no strings on me!" He doesn't need the approval of the kingmakers. He will take the throne by the righteous will of the people!
What's a billionaire to do?
Plug your nose and attack Trump for being a crazy rich guy. Coming to a TV screen near you.
What's a billionaire to do?
Plug your nose and attack Trump for being a crazy rich guy. Coming to a TV screen near you.
10
The GOP Establishment wants tens of millions of Third World peasant illegals admitted into the country so that big business has cheap labor.
Trump has called them out on this, and they hate it.
Trump has called them out on this, and they hate it.
22
I am confused with this comment Prof Nick D. I thought the unchecked immigration of mexican rapists was the problem? I read many comments that reveal a feeling of stopping the influx of these people would free up the jobs. (they represent the shadow workforce). So, I do think many of the business men in the GOP do want cheap labor, it is not what they are saying. I read that Illegal immigration is slowing. I'm just sayin'....
The best way for republican fat cats to stop Trump?
1. Stop trying to control the Republican primary.
2. Stop Republican legislators from strangling the political process in Congress.
3. Recognize your own selfishness and get your legislative lackeys to produce! To produce some programs which benefit the populace. Single payer healthcare for all, fair progressive taxation, including for social security contribution, infrastructure, gun control, excellent education, prison reform, care for the poor, the disabled, refugees. There's a good start.
4. Roll back voter suppression legislation and initiate huge voter registration, particularly for minorities or anyone with trouble getting to the polls. Make voting day a holiday, have vote by mail and early voting.
Yes, this will increase the democratic turnout, but that's the WAY to stop Trump!
Face it, the only way to stop your self-created monster is to assure a Democrat gets to the White House!
Honestly, there is a whole lot of Medicine in this thread. Worth a read for all republican elites who are otherwise doomed to panic and meltdown.
1. Stop trying to control the Republican primary.
2. Stop Republican legislators from strangling the political process in Congress.
3. Recognize your own selfishness and get your legislative lackeys to produce! To produce some programs which benefit the populace. Single payer healthcare for all, fair progressive taxation, including for social security contribution, infrastructure, gun control, excellent education, prison reform, care for the poor, the disabled, refugees. There's a good start.
4. Roll back voter suppression legislation and initiate huge voter registration, particularly for minorities or anyone with trouble getting to the polls. Make voting day a holiday, have vote by mail and early voting.
Yes, this will increase the democratic turnout, but that's the WAY to stop Trump!
Face it, the only way to stop your self-created monster is to assure a Democrat gets to the White House!
Honestly, there is a whole lot of Medicine in this thread. Worth a read for all republican elites who are otherwise doomed to panic and meltdown.
24
Really, the splash line on the web front page neatly sums up the conundrum:
"Many think that Donald J. Trump’s harsh manner and attacks are endangerich menring efforts to compete in the general election."
It's not that the "Many" referenced disagree with the thrust of what the Donald is saying--for heavens sake, they've said the exact same thing in--what was Mitt's term(?)--those "quiet rooms"--where out of the blue smoke of rich men's fine cigars--the consensus emerged that the ideal outcome would be "self-deportation."
What they learned from 2012 is NOT the wrongheadness of what they believe--simply the recognition that giving voice to it--as the Donald so gleefully does (who I suspect breaks wind self-confidently sure that the lives of many in the hoi polloi feel enriched by being to say they have partaken of the flatulence of billionaires) is seen as impolite.
"Many think that Donald J. Trump’s harsh manner and attacks are endangerich menring efforts to compete in the general election."
It's not that the "Many" referenced disagree with the thrust of what the Donald is saying--for heavens sake, they've said the exact same thing in--what was Mitt's term(?)--those "quiet rooms"--where out of the blue smoke of rich men's fine cigars--the consensus emerged that the ideal outcome would be "self-deportation."
What they learned from 2012 is NOT the wrongheadness of what they believe--simply the recognition that giving voice to it--as the Donald so gleefully does (who I suspect breaks wind self-confidently sure that the lives of many in the hoi polloi feel enriched by being to say they have partaken of the flatulence of billionaires) is seen as impolite.
5
Maybe someone should run to enhance the 99% rather than enrich the 1%.
13
The great irony here is that the GOP has been in the forefront of using money to thwart democracy, but 'democracy' has won: a majority of Republicans has spoken out, and this majority consistently wants The Donald. So now the GOP donor class is at it again, figuring out how to use money to defeat the apparent Man of the (Republican) People, Mr Trump. The grand lesson here: Be careful what you wish for!
28
Repuiblican party orthodoxy us utterly worthless. I hope Mr. Trump tears up his agreement to support the GOP if he is not their candidate. He hadn't just tapped into anger. He appeals to intelligence as well, in advocating universal healthcare and higher taxes on the rich.
24
Don't worry, if he's not the nominee he will tear it up. He will say that the precondition for signing was the "fair treatment" (whatever that means) and they have reneged. And everyone will love him for it - Democrats especially.
1
He will, but I don't think he'll win, which is also what he wants, I believe.
More money than sense, as they say. After the last blowout with Romney, it is stunning that people have that much money to spend on losing candidates, but New York City can't get a tunnel so people can get to work.
27
Irony alert: one of the factors stirring up anger across the nation and helping to fuel the bump Thump is getting is frustration churned up over the threats of govt. shutdowns and the battles over the debt ceiling. The Republican party has set the groundwork for widespread disgust with govt., but people don't really know whom they should blame, so they blame everyone in "Washington", that mythical place where everyone forgets where they came from and what they promised to do.
Most of the time, people would rather not hear too much about their govt. They want it to do its job, bother them as little as possible and not make much noise about it. Instead, the Republican Congress has been all about noise and no action. One faction sees this as a good thing (being stalled, they think, is better than acting incorrectly) while another faction is just tired of the whole mess and wants it to go away. Plus, the far right has inundated the nation with negativity about Obama and that campaign inadvertently feeds into the "pox on all their houses" mood of the nation.
You can't wallow in negative propaganda all day long and wind up smiling and happy. The ground was made ready for someone to come along and say just about everything is wrong and Trump signed up for the job. How will Republicans dig themselves out of that? Chances are, they won't. Trump is going to be a factor for a long time and the bad smell is likely to keep going right through the Republican convention next summer.
Most of the time, people would rather not hear too much about their govt. They want it to do its job, bother them as little as possible and not make much noise about it. Instead, the Republican Congress has been all about noise and no action. One faction sees this as a good thing (being stalled, they think, is better than acting incorrectly) while another faction is just tired of the whole mess and wants it to go away. Plus, the far right has inundated the nation with negativity about Obama and that campaign inadvertently feeds into the "pox on all their houses" mood of the nation.
You can't wallow in negative propaganda all day long and wind up smiling and happy. The ground was made ready for someone to come along and say just about everything is wrong and Trump signed up for the job. How will Republicans dig themselves out of that? Chances are, they won't. Trump is going to be a factor for a long time and the bad smell is likely to keep going right through the Republican convention next summer.
29
I wonder if Trump will actually see this through or if he'll get tired of the beauty contest well before election day.
Smells rosy to me!
1
The GOP is a mess. The conservative wing will never elect another black(Carson), Trump will not beat Hillary because of his hate everybody attitude and we are stuck with "who me?" Bush. Another Clinton and Bush, is that the best this country can do?
8
Unfortunately, it may be. At least they are not insane. You can't say the same about most of the Republican field.
1
Yes. It's a clear choice.
The best we can do is Bernie Sanders and if every Democrat who whines about how unelectable he is would stand up and support him, he'd win.
I love the way this is written. The GOP figured this out. This is hilarious. This is what we need in America folks! People who have only just now figured out that if they don't stop Donald Trump he may lose them the election. Unbelievable.
18
"The conservative donor class" might or might not be worried about Trump's general election prospects. They are after all supporting some very questionable prospects of other candidates.
I'm sure they are more worried that they would have no control of Trump. "The conservative donor class is finding that money — even in an era of super PACs and billion-dollar presidential campaigns — is a devalued currency in the blustery, post-policy campaign fashioned by Mr. Trump, driven not by seven-figure advertising campaigns but by Twitter feuds and unending free publicity."
He doesn't need them, isn't using any of them, and worst of all is not begging them for anything.
Now I don't like Trump, but I like even less the "conservative donor class" using its billion dollar donations to buy the Presidency.
I am convinced they are above all selfish and self centered. Their concern is about them. And that is that they can't buy the Presidency with him as candidate.
I'm sure they are more worried that they would have no control of Trump. "The conservative donor class is finding that money — even in an era of super PACs and billion-dollar presidential campaigns — is a devalued currency in the blustery, post-policy campaign fashioned by Mr. Trump, driven not by seven-figure advertising campaigns but by Twitter feuds and unending free publicity."
He doesn't need them, isn't using any of them, and worst of all is not begging them for anything.
Now I don't like Trump, but I like even less the "conservative donor class" using its billion dollar donations to buy the Presidency.
I am convinced they are above all selfish and self centered. Their concern is about them. And that is that they can't buy the Presidency with him as candidate.
36
Donald Trump scares the GOP, because when he speaks all the ills of the GOP come pouring out. On one hand the RNC are running ads touting the greatness of the GOP, at the same time Donald Trump is showing the party's true colors. The hypocrisy of the GOP is open to the world to see.
Mr. Trump may not end up being the nominee, but he will leave a lot of damage in his wake. A Frakenstein monster of the GOP's creation. At the rate Mr. Trump is going he will alienate most of America from the GOP; women, Latinos, the so called 47% "takers", African-Americans, Asians, Catholics, Jews and Muslims.
While he promised he will not run as a third party candidate; he is also "poisoning the well". Let's face it, after Donald Trump, the GOP goes down hill from there. They have themselves to thank for it.
Mr. Trump may not end up being the nominee, but he will leave a lot of damage in his wake. A Frakenstein monster of the GOP's creation. At the rate Mr. Trump is going he will alienate most of America from the GOP; women, Latinos, the so called 47% "takers", African-Americans, Asians, Catholics, Jews and Muslims.
While he promised he will not run as a third party candidate; he is also "poisoning the well". Let's face it, after Donald Trump, the GOP goes down hill from there. They have themselves to thank for it.
11
They traditionally don't vote GOP anyway.
“He (Trump) has been a topic, and he obviously disgusts a lot of people, because he’s been vile,” said Mr. Sabin
Spoken by a supporter of Jeb Bush--a dilettante child of privilege who wishes to deny low-income women access to family planning and birth control services. What's vile again?
I appreciate Mr. Trump for making Jeb Bush's daily life on the campaign trail so utterly miserable. The Bushes are vile, nasty people--silk stockings filled with mud who try so hard to look courtly and statesmanlike and fail utterly--who've succeeded at playing dirty in US politics for decades (Lee Atwater, 1988) and now they're stumped to realize that Jeb's glide path to the White House may be in trouble.
Just for that, thank you Donald. Keep it up.
Spoken by a supporter of Jeb Bush--a dilettante child of privilege who wishes to deny low-income women access to family planning and birth control services. What's vile again?
I appreciate Mr. Trump for making Jeb Bush's daily life on the campaign trail so utterly miserable. The Bushes are vile, nasty people--silk stockings filled with mud who try so hard to look courtly and statesmanlike and fail utterly--who've succeeded at playing dirty in US politics for decades (Lee Atwater, 1988) and now they're stumped to realize that Jeb's glide path to the White House may be in trouble.
Just for that, thank you Donald. Keep it up.
44
Vile? Jeb! Inserting himself into the Terry Schiavo tragedy for cheap political points? That was easily as vile as anything The Donald could dream up.
3
The monster that would not die. Maybe it's time for the Republican Party to stop pandering to the base, base. I have to laugh because the monster is of their own making.
21
If only the Republican Party and FOX had cared when Trump was pushing their racists birther garbage. They created FrankenTrump, now they have to live with him. It's the natural outcome for a party that has no policies that work and nothing other than gerrymandering, voter suppression, an ever shorter list of wedge issues, fake conspiracies, and government shutdowns. #RIPGOP
47
The Republican Party cynically created the movement that is now backing Trump. Beginning with the southern strategy of Richard Nixon and crescendoing when Dick Armey and his wealthy backers planted the seeds of the Tea Party to oppose Obama. Now the Republican Party is reaping a healthy crop of distrust and hatred that it can't control. That irony is a just harvest for the remarkably stupid and selfish men of the Republican Party.
41
This is indeed the monster created by a collection of Frankensteins and now it's out of their control. By preventing almost anything from being accomplished during the past 8 years, the Republicans created the perception that government can get nothing done. So when Trump attacks the establishment candidates as losers, he has a case.
3
The the establishment would have ever done anything to stop the slow steady beat of socialism instead of voting for it 45% of the time then maybe they wouldn't be in this position? America wants an opposition party not more of the same.
The GOP puppeteers whisper to each other anxiously, "Trump harms us by being the most shameless advocate of our platform and methods. The public might catch on!"
49
Trump causes deep frustration and dyspepsia to the millionaires and billionaires who after winning the right to buy candidates with."Citizens United" now do not know what to do to manipulate a candidate who does not salivate or rolls over for their money.
7
Trump causes deep frustration and dyspepsia to the millionaires and billionaires who after winning the right to buy candidates with "Citizens United" now do not know what to do to manipulate a candidate who does not salivate or roll over for their money.
66
Trump has been disturbingly been set loose in the land and his shtick is traceable to the same DNA that allowed "you lie" to be insultingly shouted at the President on live TV with no Republican brave enough to call it out, and with venomous hatred low enough for the President to have his religious and birth background be purposefully distorted with embarrassing meanness. And all the while the elegant, thoughtful President Obama continuing to try to engage his haters in constructive political compromise and negotiation on the good and high road. Well, all you Republicans, you deserve Trump as your uninvited Kabuki party guest, because the script of buffoonery was originally written by you. I still have enough faith in the electorate's judgement to believe Trump will never set foot in the White House.
149
He did lie. That day and every day since.
Tom Howard, you said it very well. And I agree with you. I have faith in the American electorate also.
I'm a democrat and I'll vote for Trump. He is exposing all the cockroaches in the republican party.
28
He's shining a light on all the cockroaches, period. He's really exposing both parties as being one in the same. When you have all the media outlets and members of your own party gunning for you, you must be doing something right.
1
I think Trump wants only Republicans to vote for him.
The duplicity of establishment politicians has never been clearer. Boss Hogg would be proud.
31
As Trump himself has noted, he is better at "counter-punching," i.e., responding to an attack against him, than he is at attacking on his own. By asking for donations to be used for the specific purpose of putting out ads critical of Trump, which clearly is a form of attack against Trump, the GOP establishment once again has played into Trump's strong suit.
12
Yes, and I am going to enjoy his response to this.
3
From the outset the plan both parties and the elites who control both parties had was a replay of Bush vs Clinton. The popularity of Mr.Trump indicates that the "regular people" who still get a vote find that choice singularly unappetizing. No more Bush's or Clinton's is the beacon call being heard all around the country.The Bush's and Clinton's played a major role in creating the chaos that currently infects many parts of the world. The people want an antidote to that infectious chaos and right now that antidote is named Trump.
12
The rooster came home to roost.
After spending millions of dollars encouraging bloggers and false news reporters to spread lies and hatred the Republicans are wondering why so many of their base are responding to someone who spreads lies and hate so well. Imagine that.
The Republicans were gleeful when President Obama's citizenry was questioned by birthers, and applauded when people questioned his religious convictions, frequently cheering on those who swore he was blocking Christmas at the White House, or that he was sworn in on the Koran. They did their best to block his policies even when they were best for the country, because they didn't want to let him succeed, and after he succeeded they still called him the worst President.
This tsunami of political hate, that warned gun owners he would take all their weapons, that he was trying to undermine America's greatness by killing the oil industry, flowed on to attack Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton. They created this wave and now it is out of their control, but they still add to the vitriol by pretending that email messages are such a big deal.
The rooster came home to roost and now the old hens in the party are wondering if they laid an egg.
After spending millions of dollars encouraging bloggers and false news reporters to spread lies and hatred the Republicans are wondering why so many of their base are responding to someone who spreads lies and hate so well. Imagine that.
The Republicans were gleeful when President Obama's citizenry was questioned by birthers, and applauded when people questioned his religious convictions, frequently cheering on those who swore he was blocking Christmas at the White House, or that he was sworn in on the Koran. They did their best to block his policies even when they were best for the country, because they didn't want to let him succeed, and after he succeeded they still called him the worst President.
This tsunami of political hate, that warned gun owners he would take all their weapons, that he was trying to undermine America's greatness by killing the oil industry, flowed on to attack Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton. They created this wave and now it is out of their control, but they still add to the vitriol by pretending that email messages are such a big deal.
The rooster came home to roost and now the old hens in the party are wondering if they laid an egg.
43
Dr. Krugman and Vox have shown that the donor class is 'soft' on immigration (aka cheap labor) and has wanted to destroy Social Security and Medicare for 80 and 50 years respectively. The GOP base feels the exact opposite and Trump is simply tapping into that. It's not all about race with the Republicans, it's increasingly about age as well.
14
Donald Trump presents a conundrum to mainstream GOP leadership.
On the one hand, he is dwarfing other GOP candidates. He is the man of the moment.
On the other hand, his populism peppered with nationalism, christian fundamentalism, anti establishment and big corporations make him the wrong Republican candidate.
Donald Trump is leading for a good reason. He is Washington DC anti establishment candidate. He gives voice to millions of uneducated low middle class white Americans left behind in the high tech economy of the 21st century.
Trying to stop Trump is not going to be an easy task. Democrats, meanwhile, are praising Donald Trump for a good job done so far.
On the one hand, he is dwarfing other GOP candidates. He is the man of the moment.
On the other hand, his populism peppered with nationalism, christian fundamentalism, anti establishment and big corporations make him the wrong Republican candidate.
Donald Trump is leading for a good reason. He is Washington DC anti establishment candidate. He gives voice to millions of uneducated low middle class white Americans left behind in the high tech economy of the 21st century.
Trying to stop Trump is not going to be an easy task. Democrats, meanwhile, are praising Donald Trump for a good job done so far.
17
I'm a Democrat and I'm not praising Trump. He disgust me! FYI Bernie Sanders is the right candidate to bring good and great reforms in our country. Feel the Bern!
Why are you disparaging people who agree with his sentiment? I am a highly educated, Black male in the Professional Middle Class, who just so happens to be in the tech field. I'm also conservative.
Trump appeals to me because he is not trying to obfuscate his intentions through "Politician Speak." We get enough of that junk from the media headlines, CEO's, PR firms, and career politicians.
It is enough to drive you crazy when you are intelligent enough to see how the general population is being manipulated on a daily basis.
Trump appeals to me because he is not trying to obfuscate his intentions through "Politician Speak." We get enough of that junk from the media headlines, CEO's, PR firms, and career politicians.
It is enough to drive you crazy when you are intelligent enough to see how the general population is being manipulated on a daily basis.
1
As a Democrat, I personally know a large number of fellow Democrats who think Trump has hit upon specific topics which need to be discussed and agree with him at least partially, such as immigration. It is refreshing to see someone who is not afraid of stating his or her mind in this politically correct world, even if he does go overboard. Not every Democrat out there wants an open door immigration policy where tens of millions can come here with no sense of law and order regarding the process. Not every blue collar Dem or independent is happy with wages that don't ever rise as long as their is a never ending flow of new low cost labor coming into the country. Basic Econ 101 class. This is especially true among some immigrant groups who spent 10 or 15 years following the laws in order to gain the right to vote as a citizen.
All the bashing in the world against the GOP wont erase the fact that they control both the house and the senate through the popular vote and attract large numbers of independents and a number of Dems. With that said, it is with great satisfaction to see the big business GOP donors stuck between a rock and a hard place. They don't know how to buy or control this guy. The religious right cant support him as he doesn't exactly live a pious lifestyle. That in itself is enough to make people from all walks of life admire him, but probably not enough to make them vote for him.
All the bashing in the world against the GOP wont erase the fact that they control both the house and the senate through the popular vote and attract large numbers of independents and a number of Dems. With that said, it is with great satisfaction to see the big business GOP donors stuck between a rock and a hard place. They don't know how to buy or control this guy. The religious right cant support him as he doesn't exactly live a pious lifestyle. That in itself is enough to make people from all walks of life admire him, but probably not enough to make them vote for him.
74
Spot on Bart. You can count me as one of those Democrats. You've hit the nail on the head with your critique of The Donald's appeal to the blue collar middle class in this country. They are sick and tied of each party and all the lies and kowtowing to the elite class.
5
Excellent analysis. It has been clear to me for some time Trump is trying to appeal to Dem voters. He knows his immigration stance has most of the GOP base locked up and proposing tax increases on hedge fund managers and talk of single payer is genius.
2
Our society is becoming more and more disgusting, so Trumps less than 'pious' lifestyle doesn't carry as much weight as it would have even 10 years ago.
1
The monster has risen from the slab and is now attacking its creator.
And we all know how this ends: the entire castle comes crashing down on all of them (after which they all miraculously reappear in the sequel, which ends the same way)...
And we all know how this ends: the entire castle comes crashing down on all of them (after which they all miraculously reappear in the sequel, which ends the same way)...
8
"Vile" Donald Trump and his "harsh manner"? Who is doing the GOP's qualitative research analysis, Jane Austen?
9
Here's hoping that Trump and his Republican antagonists fight to the finish and destroy each other.
7
All the more reason to support and vote for Trump.
2
If a republican"strategist" wants to stop Trump, how does that "strategist"
qualify the fact that the head of the gop, Priebus and his contingent flew to meet trump and beg him to sign the "republican pledge"? The gop is eating its young.
qualify the fact that the head of the gop, Priebus and his contingent flew to meet trump and beg him to sign the "republican pledge"? The gop is eating its young.
6
Trump. The true face of the Republican Party.
12
Walker thinks Perry is "underperforming." So many laughs in this article, but that is the best one.
16
The Republican leadership needs to call Trump out on his stances and say they don't represent "real" Republican values, even though many of them do, The illegal alien issue has bedeviled Republicans for decades now, and will never be solved with the Koch brothers history of closet racism, driven by paranoia over foreign influences, first the Communism of their father's John Birch Society, and now their more nuanced hatred of anybody who isn't a Caucasian male voter. It is white rednecks who love Trump and the Koch brothers' idiocy on these issues, a thin disguise to hate on Mexicans.
So what needs to be done politically is to take on Trump with fall guys willing to deal with his insults and take-downs by publicly shaming him and arguing with him. The big Republican money needs to fund such people, and create anti-Trump TV spots, too. Find out what it is he wants (a new TV show) and get it lined up for him if he stops running for the Presidency.
Trump always seeks advantages in any deal making. Give it to him, and buy him off. He doesn't want to be President. He wants attention. Allow him a hollow "victory". Praise him thinly, counter his messages, and buy him out. He will burn himself out anyway, but such maneuvering can hasten his demise. Tell him you will name a building after him, in Los Angeles no less: the TRUMP INSTITUTE of Political Expediency. Gold plate the outside of it.
2
I know the history of the Kochs, the Buckleys and the Bushes and they all frighten me. Donald Trump does not frighten me he simply is an actor in Don Quixote holding a mirror in a GOP world that has gone completely and totally mad.
When more Republicans believe that Ted Cruz was born in the USA than believe that Barack Obama was born in the USA the absurdity of the Trump campaign seems rather benign, even comedic.
Even the Monty Python skit on the the election night results of the contest between the Serious party, the Silly Party and the Loonie Parties could not come close to portraying how detached from reality today's stark raving bonkers today's GOP has become.
Even this Bernie Sanders supporter finds Donald Trump the most acceptable of the GOP contenders with the exception of Pataki and Kasich but I must admit to knowing virtually nothing about Fiorina and Gilmore.
When more Republicans believe that Ted Cruz was born in the USA than believe that Barack Obama was born in the USA the absurdity of the Trump campaign seems rather benign, even comedic.
Even the Monty Python skit on the the election night results of the contest between the Serious party, the Silly Party and the Loonie Parties could not come close to portraying how detached from reality today's stark raving bonkers today's GOP has become.
Even this Bernie Sanders supporter finds Donald Trump the most acceptable of the GOP contenders with the exception of Pataki and Kasich but I must admit to knowing virtually nothing about Fiorina and Gilmore.
1
Please Donald Trump (insert World's Largest Metaphor reference here?) take the entire republican party down to the bottom of the ocean with you!
12
God. . I love this! The GOP might actually have to run Trump. Talk about "Karma Kickback."
The Kochs, Karl Rove, and all the big GOP money donors clearly want a manageable and controlled contest, ie, Hillary vs. Jeb, where regardless of who wins, Wall Street still wins.
I'm voting for Bernie. Team him with Elizabeth Warren and they will take Trump's world apart in 15 minutes without breaking a sweat and win in a landslide.
The Kochs, Karl Rove, and all the big GOP money donors clearly want a manageable and controlled contest, ie, Hillary vs. Jeb, where regardless of who wins, Wall Street still wins.
I'm voting for Bernie. Team him with Elizabeth Warren and they will take Trump's world apart in 15 minutes without breaking a sweat and win in a landslide.
25
If you're a betting person, I'll take $50 on that all day. I'd be ecstatic to see any Sanders/Warren combination run the country, but I would've been equally ecstatic to see the Ewing era Knicks beat the Bulls in four, which was probably more likely than Sanders beating The Donald.
1
Hate to burst your bubble, but I thought the same thing about Mondale.
1
Did you miss the part where the Kochs are laying out of the primary. It's in the article.
But please, please don't throw him in the brier patch.
11
The problem with Mr. Trump is that while he can dish it out, he cannot take it.
7
It's rather hilarious seeing how the Republican suits are flummoxed by Donald. They think by tethering him to their party they have him where the want him. Guess what? It's the other way around, boys!!! Watch Trump secure the nomination and then take the ship and all its mates down in the general election. Jolly good show!!!
29
"The Man Who Never Was." I like it!
The Base are tired of candidates who are owned by and beholden to some rich guy; they want to cut out the middleman and elect the rich guy himself. Brilliant.
33
Like I say, 'Why elect a puppet if you can have the puppet master?"
So much for the "controlled message" that got invented during the Reagan years where the GOP everybody had exactly the same thing to say everyday. Fox News became robot central. Now here they are with their biggest nightmare: Donald Trump who doesn't let them tell him anything. It should be interesting to see what Roger Ailes, Rupert Murdoch, and the Koch Bros have up the sleeves.
19
Don't disagree at all with your comment. But you truly don't see the same from the left and msnbc?
If you have to sit around polling and strategizing in an attempt to find aspect's of Trump's candidacy to critique, there may be something deeply wrong with your worldview. It reminds me of the extent to which the NBA tolerated the offenses of Donald Sterling until one day he went too far. It brings up the question, what does Donald Ster-- I mean, Trump-- have to do to offend you people?
16
too funny! Asher B cannot figure out why others are not offended, seems to me the answer is clear, we are not offended because Trump does not offend us, he speaks of repairing and restoring America and we agree with him. we are not offended when others attack him and he counterpunches back. he never starts the attacks.
i am more offended at the political establishment that has lost touch with the American people to the point that a foreign country has free access to our border. i wonder why you are not offended by that? many of us immigrants have forsaken everything to come to Usa and took the years to assimilate and naturalize. how do you think we feel to see the very Usa that requires so much of us for naturalization, turn around and offer free entrance?
i am more offended at the political establishment that has lost touch with the American people to the point that a foreign country has free access to our border. i wonder why you are not offended by that? many of us immigrants have forsaken everything to come to Usa and took the years to assimilate and naturalize. how do you think we feel to see the very Usa that requires so much of us for naturalization, turn around and offer free entrance?
2
The people who support Trump are not shrinking violets who are easily offended, and are certainly not afraid of the truth.
1
We can't be offended. That's why being non-PC actually boost his rating. We are sick of the type of people who are perpetually offended.
5
As the member of a tribe who have always been blamed when the going gets tough I rate the GOP field on the basis of how frightened i am of their leadership. I see rough times ahead for working class and lower middle class Americans and I remember the forties and fifties when we were euphemistically called East Coast Liberal intellectuals even though very few of us were intellectuals.
Donald Trump rates barely above George Pataki on my scale of dangerous GOP leaders with most GOP candidates falling between a flashing red and amber Trump's rhetoric belies the soft gentle businessman who enjoys the drama and the absurdity of the human condition. Pataki is a solid green with Trump and Kasich flashing green.
I don't know enough about Fiorina or Gilmore to rate them but the rest of the GOP field because of temperament or intellect rate from the relatively safe solid amber to the foreboding solid red.
The solid red who to me represent the end of anything I love and respect about America are Huckabee, Santorum, Carson, Paul, Walker, Rubio and Jindal. The voices inside their heads simply give me the Willies.
The flashing reds would be Cruz, and Perry. There is just something about the air in Texas that just confuses me to where I question my own sanity.
The flashing ambers that are Christie, Bush and Graham makes me want to ask why people who recognize the lack of intellectual or emotion resources make them unsuitable for the office would seek something they know will destroy them.
Donald Trump rates barely above George Pataki on my scale of dangerous GOP leaders with most GOP candidates falling between a flashing red and amber Trump's rhetoric belies the soft gentle businessman who enjoys the drama and the absurdity of the human condition. Pataki is a solid green with Trump and Kasich flashing green.
I don't know enough about Fiorina or Gilmore to rate them but the rest of the GOP field because of temperament or intellect rate from the relatively safe solid amber to the foreboding solid red.
The solid red who to me represent the end of anything I love and respect about America are Huckabee, Santorum, Carson, Paul, Walker, Rubio and Jindal. The voices inside their heads simply give me the Willies.
The flashing reds would be Cruz, and Perry. There is just something about the air in Texas that just confuses me to where I question my own sanity.
The flashing ambers that are Christie, Bush and Graham makes me want to ask why people who recognize the lack of intellectual or emotion resources make them unsuitable for the office would seek something they know will destroy them.
26
One wonders whether Trump is an agent provocateur trying to provoke the candidates into saying something that might go over well with a small segment of their base but is repugnant to the general electorate.
7
Bingo. But I think he particularly wants to foster that repugnance to fester in the GOP voters.
“Part of our research has been why would a conservative Republican voter find this appealing,” Mr. McIntosh said. “A wonkish explanation that trade is actually good for the country probably won’t assuage them.”
Because, fella, you have literally driven these Trumpites insane with 24/7/365 right wing propaganda since Ronald Reagan killed the Fairness Doctrine.
There IS still an Equal Time rule. But, apparently all 16 of the other GOP candidates are collectively too dimwitted to demand that it be followed....and, in order to follow it, the media would have to abandon covering all other news to give the 16 what they give Trump free.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Equal-time_rule
"The equal-time rule specifies that U.S. radio and television broadcast stations must provide an equivalent opportunity to any opposing political candidates who request it. This means, for example, that if a station gives one free minute to a candidate in prime time, it must do the same for another candidate who requests it. The equal-time rule was created because the FCC thought the stations could easily manipulate the outcome of elections by presenting just one point of view, and excluding other candidates. It should not be confused with the now-defunct Fairness Doctrine, which dealt with presenting balanced points of view on matters of public importance."
Because, fella, you have literally driven these Trumpites insane with 24/7/365 right wing propaganda since Ronald Reagan killed the Fairness Doctrine.
There IS still an Equal Time rule. But, apparently all 16 of the other GOP candidates are collectively too dimwitted to demand that it be followed....and, in order to follow it, the media would have to abandon covering all other news to give the 16 what they give Trump free.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Equal-time_rule
"The equal-time rule specifies that U.S. radio and television broadcast stations must provide an equivalent opportunity to any opposing political candidates who request it. This means, for example, that if a station gives one free minute to a candidate in prime time, it must do the same for another candidate who requests it. The equal-time rule was created because the FCC thought the stations could easily manipulate the outcome of elections by presenting just one point of view, and excluding other candidates. It should not be confused with the now-defunct Fairness Doctrine, which dealt with presenting balanced points of view on matters of public importance."
15
If the GOP plays nasty with Trump I will not vote. If he wins then fine if he doesn't fine but if the Republican work against him they are traitors and I will not vote. I have never not voted but this time will be my first.
2
I think the Democrats should ask for their fare share too. Just think if Bernie Sanders had three minutes of national news time every night, they would have to build bigger stadiums to hold his crowds.
1
Trump is articulating what many Americans - Republicans, Democrats and independents - know and fear: too much of politics is controlled by a small number of billionaires who operate through hidden networks of super-PACS and groom candidates to further their desired policy positions. The middle-income Americans get repeatedly warmed by these policy outcomes, so there is a constant propaganda effort ot use appropriate words to hide the real agenda.
The Republicans are upset because Trump is saying bluntly what other candidates will not say as it will harm their image - even though his attitude towards women, immigrants and others are the same. It is his honesty that is bringing him greater and greater support among those who feel most threatened by social change.
The Republicans are upset because Trump is saying bluntly what other candidates will not say as it will harm their image - even though his attitude towards women, immigrants and others are the same. It is his honesty that is bringing him greater and greater support among those who feel most threatened by social change.
21
"Trump is articulating what many Americans - Republicans, Democrats and independents - know and fear"
No evidence for this statement. About 25% of polled "Republicans" in a few States pick Trump. That's about all we know. The percent for Trump goes down significantly when likely (e.g. registered) Republicans are separated out. But the great thing for Democrats is that the Repubs are spending $s like crazy BEFORE the first primary. A repeat of the Romney debacle, when Obama had all the money and Daddy Warbucks Mitt had to count pennies.
No evidence for this statement. About 25% of polled "Republicans" in a few States pick Trump. That's about all we know. The percent for Trump goes down significantly when likely (e.g. registered) Republicans are separated out. But the great thing for Democrats is that the Repubs are spending $s like crazy BEFORE the first primary. A repeat of the Romney debacle, when Obama had all the money and Daddy Warbucks Mitt had to count pennies.
And here they just managed to get The Donald to agree he will not leave the GOP and run a separate, 3rd-party campaign.
Uh-oh.
If Trump is an albatross of hate who will sink the Republicans' chances (already meager) of re-taking the White House, I'd say shackling themselves to him was a wee bit of a mistake.
Maybe it's the mega-millionaire party owners -- oops, make that leaders -- who will have to take the exit on the deal and flee to their own new 3rd party. They could call it .... hmmm, I can't even imagine what euphemism for would-be hooded dictators this group of Richelieus would come up with.
You got any ideas? I'll bring the popcorn.
Uh-oh.
If Trump is an albatross of hate who will sink the Republicans' chances (already meager) of re-taking the White House, I'd say shackling themselves to him was a wee bit of a mistake.
Maybe it's the mega-millionaire party owners -- oops, make that leaders -- who will have to take the exit on the deal and flee to their own new 3rd party. They could call it .... hmmm, I can't even imagine what euphemism for would-be hooded dictators this group of Richelieus would come up with.
You got any ideas? I'll bring the popcorn.
6
Watching from north of the border I can't help wondering when I've seen this show before. Ah well, Donald Trump is the Rob Ford that America deserves.
8
Couldn't have happened to a more deserving party.
Meanwhile, I'll sit back and watch the show unfold in all its ugliness.
Meanwhile, I'll sit back and watch the show unfold in all its ugliness.
8
If Mr. T can raise taxes on these parasites and make our pathetic infrastructure look like Dubai's then, ladies and gents, he has my support.
8
Pardon me while I double over laughing. Perplexed? As the Donald would say, "Really?" He's saying nothing his bigoted, racist, xenophobic Republican buddies don't say over a bourbon and soda at the club after the doors are closed and the Mexicans and blacks are safely out of earshot.
He was fine with the GOP as long as he blovated about Obama's birth certificate and Bengazi but now that Republicans have to con Hispanics into voting to depart themselves he's sudden become "divisive ' .
I hope Trump destroys the Republican Party nationally, and at the state level where its gerrymandered Fox addled supporters might start to think twice about voting for a party that couldn't care less about them, other than suckering them into giving them power so they can continue to serve the Koch Brothers and the rest of their .01 percent puppet masters.
He was fine with the GOP as long as he blovated about Obama's birth certificate and Bengazi but now that Republicans have to con Hispanics into voting to depart themselves he's sudden become "divisive ' .
I hope Trump destroys the Republican Party nationally, and at the state level where its gerrymandered Fox addled supporters might start to think twice about voting for a party that couldn't care less about them, other than suckering them into giving them power so they can continue to serve the Koch Brothers and the rest of their .01 percent puppet masters.
18
The Donald: "These guys are such wimps that now each tries to outwimp the others to avoid attacking me."
3
Gee, GOP, what a surprise that "money is a devalued currency" in today's climate. When you peddle in unreality, when you gauge success not by truth and intelligence but by salesmanship and hucksterism, when you foster idiocy for short-term votes, it's only a matter of time before the house of cards falls in.
I laugh every day imagining Republican pearl clutchers trying to get a handle on Trump. Of course, it would be funnier if it didn't affect all of us.
I laugh every day imagining Republican pearl clutchers trying to get a handle on Trump. Of course, it would be funnier if it didn't affect all of us.
9
Trump will be the next President because he is so honest and he does understand the issues. Trump knows what a scam hedge funds are and how they game the US Tax code. The republicans and Democrats love hedge funds for the poor business model they represent, how they destroy jobs and the real winners never pay taxes on the fees they earn. Hedge funds game debt. Trump and many smart Americans get this. Both parties hate Trump because he is calling the crooks in both parties out. Americans want to know why Oreo's are made in Mexico. Trump gets this. Hillary and Jeb think our broken system works just fine. So yeah Trump is a real big problem for all those who love are broken system.
9
Here we have a story about how the very wealthy are solely considering options for PURCHASING a Trump defeat. Never mind about a plan for good policies and governance; in their minds, it's just another expensive media buy.
This stands in stark contrast to both Trump and Sanders, neither of whom are pwned by the elites. True that Mr. T represents wealth, his own, and has virtually no serious policies on offer, but he nonetheless garners respect and support because he is not bought and sold by the donor class.
Similarly, the almost invisible (in this newspaper) Mr. Sanders commands an impressive and passionate following, not only because he clearly articulates policies which resonate with many Americans, but also because he is not beholden to any moneyed interests. Many readers of this publication wonder whether Sanders relative invisibility has any relationship to his disinterest in the more liberal elites. I suggest today's column (and the reader feedback) from Margaret Sullivan, the Public Editor, for a more comprehensive discussion of this phenomenon.
This stands in stark contrast to both Trump and Sanders, neither of whom are pwned by the elites. True that Mr. T represents wealth, his own, and has virtually no serious policies on offer, but he nonetheless garners respect and support because he is not bought and sold by the donor class.
Similarly, the almost invisible (in this newspaper) Mr. Sanders commands an impressive and passionate following, not only because he clearly articulates policies which resonate with many Americans, but also because he is not beholden to any moneyed interests. Many readers of this publication wonder whether Sanders relative invisibility has any relationship to his disinterest in the more liberal elites. I suggest today's column (and the reader feedback) from Margaret Sullivan, the Public Editor, for a more comprehensive discussion of this phenomenon.
27
Mr. Trump has made so many inconsistent statements on so many issues, has limited knowledge on so many critical subjects that he would be dangerous as the leader of the free world and has such a thin skin that a general political airing of his views is all that is needed. You just have to broadcast a montage of Mr. Trump's various positions on the issues of the day to voters. If the Republican National Committee hung the label "flip flopper" on poor John Kerry for his maturation on a few issues, a PAC or fellow candidate should be able to persuade voters that Trump has no true core of beliefs, just the expediency of the day. Trump's own words, as well as his undoubtedly enraged reaction to being asked to account for his position of the day, will convict him, but only if they are revealed.
6
That's what a Cabinet is for, to be experts on the critical subjects. The only belief he needs to stand firm on is to pay his own way, as to not be beholden to the people that have hijacked the government from all sides. Everything else at this point is superfluous.
1
So the GOP establishment wants to win the election by electing a guy to the left of Romney? Like Bush? 5 million conservative voters stayed home last election because of Romney. It's time for a non lawyer non politician to send 10s of thousands of government employees packing. I don't care if he knows the names of our enemies leaders. Just kill them!
5
The irony here is that Trump's popularity is because many members of the GOP believe in much of what he says. To win the general election that same parties candidates have to pretend that they are much more mainstream than their actions portray.
6
He has revealed what has been true in politics all along:
Bombast trumps civility.
Confidence trumps modesty.
Toughness trumps sensitivity.
Emotion trumps resason.
Winning trumps principle.
Bombast trumps civility.
Confidence trumps modesty.
Toughness trumps sensitivity.
Emotion trumps resason.
Winning trumps principle.
9
Take Trump down and watch just how committed he will be to supporting the Republican nominee. That pledge will be in the circular file so fast " Your heads will be spinning ".
17
The Republican establishment has been selling their "conservatism" by bundling it with intolerance and hatred. The "base" has been buying the "conservatism", which they did not want, because it was the only way to get the other part, which they did want. Because he does not need money from Grover Norquist and his ilk, Trump has been able to unbundle the hatred and intolerance from the "conservatism" and produce a product which sells much better. He offers the "base" the stuff they want without making them buy all the stuff the don't want, such as dismantling Social Security and Medicare and keeping wages for working people low while giving away taxpayer's money to the very rich in the form of carried interest and the like. Whatever else one may say about him, Mr. Trump does have a talent for marketing.
19
"Andy Sabin, a New York supporter of Jeb Bush, said the question of what to do about Mr. Trump had come up repeatedly on the Hamptons fund-raising circuit this summer, as what seemed like a summer romance by disenchanted conservatives blossomed into a full-blown insurgency."
Well, that's there's trump and that's why he's able to menace the Republicans. He can menace them because of what they are. How can they stop him? Well they could stop him by being some other than just a bunch of rich twits.
Not that he's any better in the scheme of things: all Republicans are bad, real bad. But at least Trump has gumption. If Obama had had some gumption, the Tea Party would have been defeated, the Republican Party would be back in its cage, and Democratics would be enjoying their electoral alignment rather than fighting for survival. That's the message, a little gumption, not so much as the glutinous Christie however, who has convinced the nation that he would engross the whole country if he could swallow it, but he can't because with the Washington Bridge stuffed down his throat there just isn't enough room left, even in a man his size.
Well, that's there's trump and that's why he's able to menace the Republicans. He can menace them because of what they are. How can they stop him? Well they could stop him by being some other than just a bunch of rich twits.
Not that he's any better in the scheme of things: all Republicans are bad, real bad. But at least Trump has gumption. If Obama had had some gumption, the Tea Party would have been defeated, the Republican Party would be back in its cage, and Democratics would be enjoying their electoral alignment rather than fighting for survival. That's the message, a little gumption, not so much as the glutinous Christie however, who has convinced the nation that he would engross the whole country if he could swallow it, but he can't because with the Washington Bridge stuffed down his throat there just isn't enough room left, even in a man his size.
12
The Republican Party can make Donald Trump irrelevant, simply by allowing other candidates to become distinguishable as individuals, by expressing political opinions and taking positions that are different in some respects from the party orthodoxy.
Unfortunately for the legitimate conservative cause in America, the party platform is dictated by the financial overlords of the Republican party, in front of whom all the candidates but Trump have prostrated themselves. It is a crying shame.
Unfortunately for the legitimate conservative cause in America, the party platform is dictated by the financial overlords of the Republican party, in front of whom all the candidates but Trump have prostrated themselves. It is a crying shame.
12
In America anyone can be President. Next question. (Are you not sorry that you asked?)
Now let's discuss Bernie. Solid, quiet. 40 years in elected government representation of Americans. No arrogance. No know it all. Has a simple program to get America back in the hands of Americans and not the billionaires. Google Bernie and read his humane program to redress the current mess we are in.
Then if convinced, join the People in a real democratic Democratic Party and vote Bernie.
Or wait to be trumped or taken over the hill.
It is your choice. This might be the last time you will ever get to vote in a democracy.
Now let's discuss Bernie. Solid, quiet. 40 years in elected government representation of Americans. No arrogance. No know it all. Has a simple program to get America back in the hands of Americans and not the billionaires. Google Bernie and read his humane program to redress the current mess we are in.
Then if convinced, join the People in a real democratic Democratic Party and vote Bernie.
Or wait to be trumped or taken over the hill.
It is your choice. This might be the last time you will ever get to vote in a democracy.
47
We never lived in a democracy. We live in a representative republic. A democracy is the worst form of government also known as "mob rule".
Been to Bernie's site and it doesn't seem like he takes a strong stance on anything. That's typical of someone who spent 40 years as a politician. That is the crux of the issue: the people are tired of politicians.
Dreams, dreams, dreams. If elected, Sanders won't get to first base. He's not that good a politician. Which, you may have noticed, is what we need more of. Master politicians.
You wanna stop Trump? Then unite around a single candidate to oppose him. 25% support is not enough to win the nomination if its a three person race. But when there are 17 candidates, it's enough to make you the front-runner.
34
It isn't Trump that's endangering the Republican Party, it's the Repblican Party that's endangering itself.
Did they honestly think that they could succeed in the long run by denying global warming, opposing Obamacare, and pledging to "save" Social Security by destroying it? Or by accusing Obama of every imaginary sin under the sun, while just a few years ago they fought a war by mistake, sent the deficit soaring, and presided over the biggest economic meltdown in American history? id they honestly believe that they could attack Washington relentlessly without undercutting themselves?
Today's Republican Party has three goals: cut taxes for the rich, cut popular programs like Medicare, and appeal to uneducated social conservatives. And the party has only one strategy: lie, spin, and defame the opposition.
It is into this vacuum that Trump has stepped, appealing to fears about globalization and illegal immigration.
Did they honestly think that they could succeed in the long run by denying global warming, opposing Obamacare, and pledging to "save" Social Security by destroying it? Or by accusing Obama of every imaginary sin under the sun, while just a few years ago they fought a war by mistake, sent the deficit soaring, and presided over the biggest economic meltdown in American history? id they honestly believe that they could attack Washington relentlessly without undercutting themselves?
Today's Republican Party has three goals: cut taxes for the rich, cut popular programs like Medicare, and appeal to uneducated social conservatives. And the party has only one strategy: lie, spin, and defame the opposition.
It is into this vacuum that Trump has stepped, appealing to fears about globalization and illegal immigration.
14
Whats their problem,Trump just embodies all the Republican lowest common denominator ugliness of the last few years in a very vocal way.Thats why he so popular among the tea time literati
24
The Repulbicans should understand better than us, because they are better Christians than anyone else and better versed in the Bible than anyone else, that they are reaping the whirlwind that they sowed 50 years ago when they first played the race card. Good on them
15
You reap what you sow. From the moment Trump announced (and threw out the charge about Mexican "rapists"). the Republican response has been slow-footed and inept, in part because he speaks for so many base voters.
And the "pledge" isn't worth the paper it's printed on -- as soon as the GOP establishment decides to take on Donald Trump, he'll complain that he's being treated unfairly and will consider a third-party run after all.
Ironically, the other reason the GOP has its knives out is that Trump is actually offering more nuanced views about issues like gay marriage and the Iran deal than anybody else on the Republican stage.
And the "pledge" isn't worth the paper it's printed on -- as soon as the GOP establishment decides to take on Donald Trump, he'll complain that he's being treated unfairly and will consider a third-party run after all.
Ironically, the other reason the GOP has its knives out is that Trump is actually offering more nuanced views about issues like gay marriage and the Iran deal than anybody else on the Republican stage.
14
These establishment Republicans sitting in the Hamptons can't even figure out how to defeat Donald Trump, and they want to enter the White House to play chess against China and Russia? What a joke.
16
GOP base wants "Take no prisoners" altered reality.
Donald Trump seems the perfect person to deliver on that promise.
You can attack something you agree with unless you are committed to bring down the person and not the message. Unfortunately, the Donald has been in public view doing these shenanigans for so long and that there is very little supporters haven't seen before. Crossroads and Club for Growth will need to trend very carefully otherwise you will make Trump "The Republican Nominee".
Donald Trump seems the perfect person to deliver on that promise.
You can attack something you agree with unless you are committed to bring down the person and not the message. Unfortunately, the Donald has been in public view doing these shenanigans for so long and that there is very little supporters haven't seen before. Crossroads and Club for Growth will need to trend very carefully otherwise you will make Trump "The Republican Nominee".
6
The best thing that can happen is that the GOP insiders waste hundreds of millions of dollars attacking Trump and he still ends up as their nominee and in the end destroys both himself and the GOP in a 50-state loss to Hillary!
14
"My ex still loves me, she just needs some convincing. That new guy she's with is just to make me jealous." The Republican Establishment sounds a lot like a jilted, in denial ex-boyfriend.
11
One has to wonder if Trump hasn't (if you'll pardon the pun) played the best hand possible in the GOP nomination race.
First of all, he appears to have dumbfounded the other candidates, none of whom have found a way to counter his bluster, or even take advantage of his many gaffes. How anyone can survive badmouthing a POW war hero and calling whole groups of highly sought minority groups criminals and racists in the 21st Century is truly astonishing, but mainly it speaks to how out of their league the current batch of Republican candidates are. The GOP base is so hungry for Trump's rhetoric that Trump's rivals can't even turn his gaffes against him, but instead try to keep up with or outdo him, except for Bush, whose rebuttals sounded more like canned whining and half-hearted talking points, made even more banal because he repeated them in Spanish.
By "pledging" himself to the GOP, he is in a no lose situation. If he couldn't stay competitive in the GOP race, then he wouldn't have a chance as an independent anyway and would only be wasting his money running for president. However, if he does (by some bizarre turn of fate) stay on top of the polls, the Republicans will either pay his way or find an excuse to deny him the nomination, at which case, he's free to break his pledge, run away with Republican base, and have the best chance for a Hail Mary campaign, running as an independent.
First of all, he appears to have dumbfounded the other candidates, none of whom have found a way to counter his bluster, or even take advantage of his many gaffes. How anyone can survive badmouthing a POW war hero and calling whole groups of highly sought minority groups criminals and racists in the 21st Century is truly astonishing, but mainly it speaks to how out of their league the current batch of Republican candidates are. The GOP base is so hungry for Trump's rhetoric that Trump's rivals can't even turn his gaffes against him, but instead try to keep up with or outdo him, except for Bush, whose rebuttals sounded more like canned whining and half-hearted talking points, made even more banal because he repeated them in Spanish.
By "pledging" himself to the GOP, he is in a no lose situation. If he couldn't stay competitive in the GOP race, then he wouldn't have a chance as an independent anyway and would only be wasting his money running for president. However, if he does (by some bizarre turn of fate) stay on top of the polls, the Republicans will either pay his way or find an excuse to deny him the nomination, at which case, he's free to break his pledge, run away with Republican base, and have the best chance for a Hail Mary campaign, running as an independent.
16
The billionaires trying to buy the election are mad at the billionaire actually buying the election. The Republican Party has literally devolved into super-rich old dudes fighting over who gets to hold the woobie. People who say Bernie Sanders can't win have obviously never looked at the rest of the candidates or heard a word they've said. This is schadenfreude at its most delicious. As ye reap...
38
It is obvious that Donald Trump is getting way too much airtime. I am a democrat myself, but I still think that Donald Trump is not fit for president. He has had no experience in office. I think if the media would stop giving him so much free airtime and gave the other canidates an equal amount, his ratings would drop.
I am convinced that Trump is unique in the fact that he has enough money on his own for his campaign and doesn't need tons of SuperPAC money for his campaign to function, considering he is a billionaire. That isn't to say that attack ads won't reduce his poll numbers some.
I am convinced that Trump is unique in the fact that he has enough money on his own for his campaign and doesn't need tons of SuperPAC money for his campaign to function, considering he is a billionaire. That isn't to say that attack ads won't reduce his poll numbers some.
4
I'm tempted to change my party registration from Democrat to Republican so I can vote for Trump and hopes he wins the nomination to ensure a Democrat will be in the White House for another four years.
15
This article is almost written from the point of view of the Bush people.
The whole Bush MO is to SOUND moderate while remaining a rip-roaring right-wing Christian warmonger whose idea of economic justice is to keep cutting taxes on billionaires until they own every penny in the country.
Remember how George marketed himself as this moderate from Texas who could unite the country. Remember how that turned out.
I respect Trump more than Bush because he's not trying to fool anybody.
The whole Bush MO is to SOUND moderate while remaining a rip-roaring right-wing Christian warmonger whose idea of economic justice is to keep cutting taxes on billionaires until they own every penny in the country.
Remember how George marketed himself as this moderate from Texas who could unite the country. Remember how that turned out.
I respect Trump more than Bush because he's not trying to fool anybody.
14
If the Republicans can't dump Trump, how are we expected to believe they can deal effectively with Iran, Israel, Russia, China, and the rest of the world? It seems that if they can't bomb it, they don't know what to do.
55
The GOP has created the typical Trump supporter with its policies and rhetoric, now they want to get rid of him.
He just says out loud what they are saying covertly.
He just says out loud what they are saying covertly.
52
The Republicans created this Frankenstein. by appealing to the crassest basic instincts of the masses. They have spent decades nurturing this vile hatred and now have to face their own creation. Let them read from their favorite book and learn. Hosea 8:7 They sow the wind and reap the whirlwind.
58
Maybe Mr. Trump is not worried in the least about securing the nomination. He has said good things about Planned Parenthood, universal healthcare,raising taxes - anathema to the so-called base. Perhaps he realizes the base is irrelevant to the actual election, dying off and out of touch with the mainstream of the US by now.
12
Or perhaps the base doesn't care as much about these issues as the Republican elite would like to believe.
2
Country club, chamber of commerce and policy wonk republicans could not win on their own and so they needed a "petite bourgeoisie".
Southern Strategy & Reagan democrats filled up the vote bank of "petite bourgeoisie" who were socially conservatives yet fundamentally economic democrats. ["Keep the Govt. out of my Medicare"]
Do they love free trade? NO. Do they favor tax cuts for the "Job Creators" whereas the petite bourgeoisie struggle to make two ends meet? NO.
GOP base is the last bastion of "policy wonks". They are looking for a can-do person who would "get things done" to better their lives. They do not care if their leader believes in "single-payer" or "taxes on carried interest" or "support for planned parenthood". Maybe they secretly want them if they understand what they mean.
The Establishment expected the 'petite bourgeoisie' to accept the establishment policy and choose from what the "Supreme Council" shortlisted for them.
Now with piles of money the Supreme Council does not know what to do!!
Southern Strategy & Reagan democrats filled up the vote bank of "petite bourgeoisie" who were socially conservatives yet fundamentally economic democrats. ["Keep the Govt. out of my Medicare"]
Do they love free trade? NO. Do they favor tax cuts for the "Job Creators" whereas the petite bourgeoisie struggle to make two ends meet? NO.
GOP base is the last bastion of "policy wonks". They are looking for a can-do person who would "get things done" to better their lives. They do not care if their leader believes in "single-payer" or "taxes on carried interest" or "support for planned parenthood". Maybe they secretly want them if they understand what they mean.
The Establishment expected the 'petite bourgeoisie' to accept the establishment policy and choose from what the "Supreme Council" shortlisted for them.
Now with piles of money the Supreme Council does not know what to do!!
4
Democrats love watching Trump -- he's the apotheosis of the Republican message: angry, ignorant, reckless, chauvinistic. He's a billionaire who inherited -- whether he actually made any real money is debatable -- that he bankrupted 4 companies he was involved in and maintained his wealth while the suckers who invested with him lost their shirts is not.
His candidacy destroys all the illusions and the dog-whistile: this is what Republicanism is about -- admit it.
The Republicans cannot "stop Trump" -- it is like trying to stop breathing for them. He is what they intended -- the problem is only that he says it too clearly.
His candidacy destroys all the illusions and the dog-whistile: this is what Republicanism is about -- admit it.
The Republicans cannot "stop Trump" -- it is like trying to stop breathing for them. He is what they intended -- the problem is only that he says it too clearly.
12
Perhaps, just perhaps, more voters are waking up to the idea that it might not be in their best interest to support candidates that are purchased by the 0.01%
25
Could be that voters - GOP and Democrat - are desperate for someone who doesn't endorse the status quo on no-taxes-for-the-wealthy, loose immigration,guaranteeing more wars (maybe) and free trade. Throw in a lack of respect for the jerks who got us to where we are today and - voila - even Don can beat the rest of the GOP field.
5
Strategists terrified of their own demographics, I am so loving this.
How do they intend to apply their innuendo and heresy to convince the brainwashed that this guy is bad for America?
Forget about it. Save your money, and let the Trumpster waste his.
There will be plenty of us working on your cause at the polls, should it ever, unimaginably, get that far.
How do they intend to apply their innuendo and heresy to convince the brainwashed that this guy is bad for America?
Forget about it. Save your money, and let the Trumpster waste his.
There will be plenty of us working on your cause at the polls, should it ever, unimaginably, get that far.
8
The problem for GOP and Super Pac's elite is not Donald Trump.
It is the lack of alternate suitable candidate that can stand up to Trump.
The problem is that the negative advertisement makes Trump only stronger.
Now how is that possible? Seemingly you can not shut him up with money.
It is the lack of alternate suitable candidate that can stand up to Trump.
The problem is that the negative advertisement makes Trump only stronger.
Now how is that possible? Seemingly you can not shut him up with money.
10
Finally! What a relief! There can be a Republican who thinks and cares and understands. Back in the day I strongly supported Barry Goldwater, but then the GOP went down the tubes following ignorance, stupidity and self interest. Barry was the last for many years, and as a consequence I had to turn to the Democrats for rationality, despite strong reservations. Now, finally, there is a GOP candidate who I can really embrace. He is actually thinking about the well-being of the country in a conservative and forward-looking way. Sure, he is not subtle, but that does not really matter? I am not altogether sure why we had had to wait 50 years for another strong conservative Republican candidate, but it is so wonderful to finally have one!!!!! Go Donald!!!
6
History is littered with elites who thought they could be puppet masters simply by using money. Time after time those at the top -- with no contact with nor understanding of the people who enrich them -- think they can play the public for fools using demagogues as their surrogates. Then the enraged public marches off behind their new Pied Piper, and the elites discover they've lost control over both their puppet and his followers. From there on, it gets ugly.... Russia under the Czars; France under Louis XVI; and on and on. The Four Hundred who finance campaigns have lost control over their puppets. They have unleashed forces they don't understand. Things are going to get a lot worse. Trump's just the appetizer.
21
The Republican Party is getting back in spades what they sowed years ago with the Birther Movement.
No prominent Republican denounced Donald Trump when he picked up on the Birther movement several years ago and milked it for all it was worth.
No prominent Republican stated for the record that it was obvious that President Obama was born in the United States of America.
FYI: Per the Fairleigh-Dickinson Poll in January 17, 2014, 64% Republican voters believe Obama was not born in the USA.
See: http://www.scribd.com/doc/120815791/Fairleigh-Dickinson-poll-on-conspira...
Thus, Trump has at least a 64% base of supporters in the Republican Party to count on.
That 64% should be a figure that these Republican plutocrats should worry about!
Like others have stated, this is poetic justice.
No prominent Republican denounced Donald Trump when he picked up on the Birther movement several years ago and milked it for all it was worth.
No prominent Republican stated for the record that it was obvious that President Obama was born in the United States of America.
FYI: Per the Fairleigh-Dickinson Poll in January 17, 2014, 64% Republican voters believe Obama was not born in the USA.
See: http://www.scribd.com/doc/120815791/Fairleigh-Dickinson-poll-on-conspira...
Thus, Trump has at least a 64% base of supporters in the Republican Party to count on.
That 64% should be a figure that these Republican plutocrats should worry about!
Like others have stated, this is poetic justice.
94
The way to put an end to Trumpism is to return the GOP to "Normalcy". Abandon misogyny abandon racism, abandon religious fundamentalism. Focus on the fiscal and socially conservative issues of the Eisenhowers, Rockefellers, and even the Nixons. Restore sanity to the two party system. Then there will be no place for an uninformed megalomaniac like Donald Trump.
19
Convince your voting base that those poorer and darker than they are should be blamed for their own poverty, while keeping them in poverty. Strip them of their education, while pushing church into state. Convince them gays are attacking their family values while taking away sex and reproductive education. And voila, you have a racist, bigoted and most importantly, uneducated, voting block. Reap what you sow, as they say.
52
GOP voting block is uneducated? The democrat party only wins elections when the ghetto inner cities show on presidential election days. Keep turning out the vote in those superbly Einstien inner cities. Obama won one economic group of people one! Those earning sub 40k a year. I guess in your world the poor people are vastly smarter than the non poor. If the Democratic Party hadn't killed 55 million potential democrats through abortions you wouldn't need illegal aliens to win.
And non-loyal to boot, as they are fast finding out.
Last month at an opera dinner I was randomly "stuck" with some Texas conservatives who wanted to talk about Trump (sigh). A physician in their group was worried that he was going to ruin their chances next fall. Though I personally do not see him being elected I gleefully agreed but said his opponents are looking very weak (and more so by the day). If Republicans really want to dispense with Trump one or more of the people he's running against needs to take him down. Decisively. Daily (as he's like a bobblehead). It can be done - why is everyone so afraid of him? The failure to do so only strengthens him and weakens the rest of the field.
7
If you were "stuck," then why were you advising them how to improve their chances?
Democrats should be popping corks and dancing in the streets that The Donald, as one Republican said, "will be there until the end." Trump is "vile" whines one Republican in this article. So is the Republican Party of which The Donald is the personification -- without the mask. Good old karma at work again.
54
He better come up with some new material, because I've seen most of his stump speeches and they are repetitive and boring. This may be the biggest and best publicity stunt of all time and the American public fell for it hook-line and sinker. The interesting question is what are we left with when the election is over?
3
This is the most interesting election cycle we have ever seen. Finally, both the base on the left and the base on the right are in full revolt against the establishment donor class that has controlled the government for generations. Let's look at Trump and Sanders. Sanders is an Independent - a self proclaimed Socialist running as a Democrat; and Trump is a loudmouth Braggart Billionaire from Queens newly minted as a Republican who connects with the common man.
9
Why are Trump and Bernie Sanders both doing so well?
It is obvious that the "mainstream establishment consensus policies" advocated by both the Big Democratic and Republican donors, is very much the opposite to what the majority of voters want.
Donors want:
- To cut SS
- To maintain or increase globalization
- Keep wages low, and decrease them further
- Keep unemployment high, to keep workers desperate.
Establishment Democrats have been using Republicans as the excuse for not fighting against the demands of the Donor Class - and some Democratic voters are still falling for it. I refer to these voters as Hillary Clinton supporters!
Surely it is obvious that most Republican voters are against the goals of the Donor Class. But, their candidates have all been co-opted, or simply have no broad appeal. They have had no real choice - even Obama was a better choice.
During the height of the housing bubble, some looked at data and said: This is a huge, unsustainable bubble - even as all mainstream analysts were *adamant* there was *no* bubble. In hindsight: Of course it was a bubble.
When voters go to the polls in November 2016 to choose between Bernie Sanders and Donald Trump, pundits will (in hindsight) say: "Of course this was inevitable: How many times can voters be forced to select between two advocates for the 1%?"
It is obvious that the "mainstream establishment consensus policies" advocated by both the Big Democratic and Republican donors, is very much the opposite to what the majority of voters want.
Donors want:
- To cut SS
- To maintain or increase globalization
- Keep wages low, and decrease them further
- Keep unemployment high, to keep workers desperate.
Establishment Democrats have been using Republicans as the excuse for not fighting against the demands of the Donor Class - and some Democratic voters are still falling for it. I refer to these voters as Hillary Clinton supporters!
Surely it is obvious that most Republican voters are against the goals of the Donor Class. But, their candidates have all been co-opted, or simply have no broad appeal. They have had no real choice - even Obama was a better choice.
During the height of the housing bubble, some looked at data and said: This is a huge, unsustainable bubble - even as all mainstream analysts were *adamant* there was *no* bubble. In hindsight: Of course it was a bubble.
When voters go to the polls in November 2016 to choose between Bernie Sanders and Donald Trump, pundits will (in hindsight) say: "Of course this was inevitable: How many times can voters be forced to select between two advocates for the 1%?"
9
100% Truth. Yet the main reason that we can have a showdown between Trump and Sanders (and I would love it because it would be the competition of two people who are not body snatchers from a horror B movie, but who are very much human and alive) - the main reason of Trump/Sanders possibility is Obama who pushed the political pendulum too much to the left and incompetency, and now it is where Democrats got stuck (Sanders), and the huge majority of Americans would like the return of the pendulum to its usual place, but the power of inertia might push it farther. Obama has shaped the 2016 elections.
The Republican Party created Donald Trump. Trump is the ultimate caricature of the "perfect" Republican candidate. A very wealthy individual who had nothing in common with the vast majority of Republicans but whose statements and style appeals to their feelings about politicians and immigrants. The fact that Trump does NOT represent most pf these individuals values or lifestyles is overwhelmed by his ability to con others. Yes the "perfect" Republican candidate.
Trump is what the others candidates are trying to be.
Trump is what the others candidates are trying to be.
5
Why is it that when a Democrat brings up the corrupting influence of money in politics the Republican voter shrugs but when Trump speaks about it, it becomes scripture? Trump talks about unfair taxation and he is lauded as a straight talker but if a Democrat speaks of this he is branded a socialist, jealous of the wealthy and are accused of class warfare. How is it that a billionaire has become the champion of the blue collar worker while the Democratic party, whose mandate is helping the middle class, is treading water with that constituency. Except for his stupidity, his misogyny and his racism he would make a pretty good Democrat.
7
Mr. Trump has touched the minds of a horde of voters when he speaks his interesting opinions honestly. So many of his fellow Republicans are seemingly horrified that Mr. Trump refuses to repeat the party cant and instead voices fresh ideas for them to contemplate as they sit aghast behind their mental barricades. Mr. Trump's continued strong standings in the polls should be a wake up call to his fellow Republicans to re-examine their biases and come into touch with the needs of a new Republicanism that leaves a lot of the old party cant behind.
5
Since its adoption of the pro-segregation Southern Strategy in the 1960s, the Republican Party has tried to maintain a balancing act of appeasing two factions of its voter base: intellectual conservatives on one hand, and racists and religious bigots on the other. Donald Trump is the cost of this morally bankrupt tactic. It is amusing for those of us who refused to reward this moral failure with our votes to see the party suffer from this current "Trump problem."
Trump is simply amplifying and vocalizing in an unfiltered manner the actual thoughts of the leading faction of the Republican Party. The party is annoyed at him not because he holds these immoral views, but because he isn't using the proper code words to disguise those views in a way that immunizes the party from being called out for them. It is acceptable to innocently demand that we "secure the border." It is not acceptable to label Mexicans a bunch of rapists. Both are saying the same thing.
Trump is simply amplifying and vocalizing in an unfiltered manner the actual thoughts of the leading faction of the Republican Party. The party is annoyed at him not because he holds these immoral views, but because he isn't using the proper code words to disguise those views in a way that immunizes the party from being called out for them. It is acceptable to innocently demand that we "secure the border." It is not acceptable to label Mexicans a bunch of rapists. Both are saying the same thing.
11
Elections are not rocket science. If either the GOP or Democratic Party were to put forth a candidate with integrity, commitment to core values, character, and leadership skills, the voters will respond with enthusiasm. However, it seem this relatively simple task is beyond the skill set of either GOP or Democratic party leadership.
Hence, we see both the Donald and Bernie Sanders looking a whole lot better than the candidates put forth by their respective parties. Any party leader or fundraiser who is surprised by this is simply not awake or not paying attention.
Hence, we see both the Donald and Bernie Sanders looking a whole lot better than the candidates put forth by their respective parties. Any party leader or fundraiser who is surprised by this is simply not awake or not paying attention.
8
Trump seems like a meld of the 'Greed is good' policy that arose under Reagan with the current fear of the economic disaster that will accompany continued erosion of a middle class.
Republican success over the past several decades has been built on using social issues or fear of others to distract the voter from the conscious privatization of research, medicine, education and anything else that big business wanted for profits. Now it seems that the legacy of that policy may be seeping into the unconscious of a large swath of conservative white voters. They are angry, distrustful of all politicians, and Trump is the outsider giving them an outlet. It's not about policy, but about feeling 'screwed'.
Trump is unelectable in a general election by almost anyone's math. But, racism and demagoguery aside, Right now he's changing the discussion on the right from abortion to taxing Wall street. Maybe this is the harbinger of a turning point (finally) in our national obsession with polarization. If so Trump's his populism may set him on a path historically like William Jennings Bryan where he's unelectable, but a significant influence for change. Although to be fair to Bryan, history chose a messenger back then that was a lot brighter and knowledgeable that the 'Donald'!
Republican success over the past several decades has been built on using social issues or fear of others to distract the voter from the conscious privatization of research, medicine, education and anything else that big business wanted for profits. Now it seems that the legacy of that policy may be seeping into the unconscious of a large swath of conservative white voters. They are angry, distrustful of all politicians, and Trump is the outsider giving them an outlet. It's not about policy, but about feeling 'screwed'.
Trump is unelectable in a general election by almost anyone's math. But, racism and demagoguery aside, Right now he's changing the discussion on the right from abortion to taxing Wall street. Maybe this is the harbinger of a turning point (finally) in our national obsession with polarization. If so Trump's his populism may set him on a path historically like William Jennings Bryan where he's unelectable, but a significant influence for change. Although to be fair to Bryan, history chose a messenger back then that was a lot brighter and knowledgeable that the 'Donald'!
5
Backfire indeed, for the republicans will most likely choose to attack Trump for his stances that run counter to their platform (such as raising taxes on the wealthy), rather than on his abhorrent views toward immigrants and women, which they will continue to hold as sacred. This will cause even more damage to the party, since they will be attacking the most valid aspects of Trump's platform in the eyes of moderate voters. It should be interesting.
9
Frankly, I am amazed at this undeniable ' Distractor and status quo disruptor in Chief ' Donald Trump. He is single-handed turning the smug, sanctimonious GOP and their moneyed backers, networks and SuperPacs on their heads. They have been left floundering, flailing their arms widely, flabbergasted. Citizens' United? What's that and who cares? Justice Scalia has just met his match. He is giving a jolt to the entire existing, corrupted political system. GOP and backers can have all the quiet conversations but how can they stop an unafraid, not intimidated, not bought, supremely confident, loose-cannon of a billionaire? He is picking up cudgels against the establishment and the money-bags inadvertently speaking for the little guy and way ahead in the polls. Strangely he is running the old-fashioned way - hogging the lime-light and free media space and time. I may detest his personality and all his racism, misogyny, homophobia and xenophobia, orange hair and sneer but he has stirred the putrid waters of our current politics irreversibly. I am surprised at myself but maybe this blatant narcissist will be our salvation from the debased political system. Trump or Clinton? Who will be the target of the vicious, poisonous ad-attacks? Well, well, well. This election has finally gotten interesting!
7
Donald Trump is them in a nutshell. But instead of pussyfooting around, he says what they think and say in a somewhat politically correct way. It's called "in your face." And after listening to all the Donalds bluster and tantrums, there really may be a compassionate conservative deep down there. He needs to lay off the Mexicans though and for the love of God, get control of his henchmen.
2
The easiest solution is just pay him to go away - much like Carly Fiorina at HP only more expensive.
7
jgury, Not so easy to do. Democrats will be willing to match any amount of Republican money to KEEP Trump IN the race.
1
Nah, never happen. 1) he doesn't need the money and 2) he's having too much fun.
1
Donald Trump is Fox News' Frankenstein. They created him, but now he's turning on them and exposing, with his transparent display, all that the Fox generation represents. Trump is the essence of the reactionary Republican without the filters that the other candidates put on to try to be able to get some mainstream votes. Glenn Beck, Roger Ailes, Bill O'Reilly, Sean Hannity are now squirming as their bloated creation takes down what could have been a big Republican election.
7
I am not a Trump supporter. Far from it. But for all Americans who are disturbed by what is happening (or not happening as it were) in Washington, DC, the Trump Disruption is very interesting.
The GOP bosses attempted to engineer, according to their own statements, a shorter nomination process with fewer candidates and fewer debates. The idea was to avoid the circular firing squad of 2012. The bosses knew, that with the REPUBLICAN base, candidates have to out conservative each other to the point that they become unelectable.
It was a nice idea. Then Trump appeared.
Now we have a candidate leading the race who has Narcissistic Personality Disorder and no verbal filter. The size of his ego is only exceeded by the size of his wallet. Further still, he has massive name recognition. And he is smart - just ask him. He knows how to tap into the Tea Party rage and all of their repulsiveness.
Trump will not be muzzled. He can't even muzzle himself. He will not be controlled either. Like any good demagogue, he has gotten a taste of power and will not relinquish it casually.
I suspect the GOP elites will not even recognize the Republican Brand, such as it is, once Trump gets done with it.
They think they have a promise from him to not run as a 3rd party candidate if they somehow take the noination from him. Good luck with that.
The GOP bosses attempted to engineer, according to their own statements, a shorter nomination process with fewer candidates and fewer debates. The idea was to avoid the circular firing squad of 2012. The bosses knew, that with the REPUBLICAN base, candidates have to out conservative each other to the point that they become unelectable.
It was a nice idea. Then Trump appeared.
Now we have a candidate leading the race who has Narcissistic Personality Disorder and no verbal filter. The size of his ego is only exceeded by the size of his wallet. Further still, he has massive name recognition. And he is smart - just ask him. He knows how to tap into the Tea Party rage and all of their repulsiveness.
Trump will not be muzzled. He can't even muzzle himself. He will not be controlled either. Like any good demagogue, he has gotten a taste of power and will not relinquish it casually.
I suspect the GOP elites will not even recognize the Republican Brand, such as it is, once Trump gets done with it.
They think they have a promise from him to not run as a 3rd party candidate if they somehow take the noination from him. Good luck with that.
16
Clearly conservative elites do not understand what is driving the party base.
"Andy Sabin, a New York supporter of Jeb Bush, said the question of what to do about Mr. Trump had come up repeatedly on the Hamptons fund-raising circuit this summer, as what seemed like a summer romance by disenchanted conservatives blossomed into a full-blown insurgency."
And that pretty much sums up the quiche and Volvo mentality of the ffete corps of impudent snobs who control the GOP.
"Andy Sabin, a New York supporter of Jeb Bush, said the question of what to do about Mr. Trump had come up repeatedly on the Hamptons fund-raising circuit this summer, as what seemed like a summer romance by disenchanted conservatives blossomed into a full-blown insurgency."
And that pretty much sums up the quiche and Volvo mentality of the ffete corps of impudent snobs who control the GOP.
8
So are you OK with Trump's support of Planned Parenthood- or at least he is not a fanatic calling for the end to women's clinics, and healthcare- because the base were the very people who have been screaming about these social issues for decades now.
Are you saying that no longer is the big deal that the "GOP elites" and the base too have led everyone else to believe?
Are you saying that no longer is the big deal that the "GOP elites" and the base too have led everyone else to believe?
That same crowd often overlaps w/ Hillary supporters. There is a UniParty: Bush/Clinton wings and people don't want either.
1
"People are somewhat perplexed by the whole Trump phenomenon". No, the Republican establishment aside, the rest of us are not perplexed at all. The Republican Party, like Dr. Frankenstein, created this monster and now they cannot control it. Every misogynistic, racist, narcissistic, ill-informed comment that comes out of Mr. Trump's mouth has been nurtured and encouraged over the last 30-40 years by the GOP. They may have used a subtler code, but the end result is the same.
40
Triumph's candidacy is good for the country. He doesn't beat around the Bush (no pun intended) or sugar coat Republican positions to make them palatable to their non-wealthy, gullible constituency who feed off off of conservative base anti-immigrant, anti-gay, threatened white Christian dominance fears. He bares it all and the Republicans duck and cover routine isn't working for once. I don't like him, but he's definitely bringing transparency to Republican true colors. I hope he stays in the debate a long time.
16
Yesss, play into The Donald's hands by joining to stop him. Give him the justification to break his unity pledge by "treating him unfairly." The Donald is the only judge. Reince and the boys (and Carly) will still be bound to support him or they prove his point of being treated unfairly. It's downright diabolical. LOL I personally feel the Bern, but this is truly as entertaining to me as I imagine watching Hillary twist in the e-mail wind is to conservatives.
118
A Democratic Progressive masquerading as a Republican is taking control of the Republican Party.
Ideas such as single payer health care, rebuilding the national infrastructure, a tax on carried interest, a trade policy to balance the trade deficit and return jobs to the United States, the end of H 1-B visas used to undercut wages, ending caps of Social Security Contributions and much more are indeed frightening to those who have worked so long and so effectively to deny them to the U.S.
And most important, taking away control of the Republican Party by this outsider and the prospect of having either him or Hillary Clinton appoint the next vacant Supreme Court positions means a real loss of control by the tiny part of the 1 percent that now finance our elections and dictate policies to our public officials.
The question is who among this group of elites really, really, really wants the public spotlight put on them and all they do. Sunshine can burn. To attack Trump for his heresy is to strengthen him and take that spotlight.
We now see why Theodore and Franklin Roosevelt were so hated in their era when they proposed their Progressive agendas.
These are those rare moments when Democracy and an Internet-based media shine brightly.
Ideas such as single payer health care, rebuilding the national infrastructure, a tax on carried interest, a trade policy to balance the trade deficit and return jobs to the United States, the end of H 1-B visas used to undercut wages, ending caps of Social Security Contributions and much more are indeed frightening to those who have worked so long and so effectively to deny them to the U.S.
And most important, taking away control of the Republican Party by this outsider and the prospect of having either him or Hillary Clinton appoint the next vacant Supreme Court positions means a real loss of control by the tiny part of the 1 percent that now finance our elections and dictate policies to our public officials.
The question is who among this group of elites really, really, really wants the public spotlight put on them and all they do. Sunshine can burn. To attack Trump for his heresy is to strengthen him and take that spotlight.
We now see why Theodore and Franklin Roosevelt were so hated in their era when they proposed their Progressive agendas.
These are those rare moments when Democracy and an Internet-based media shine brightly.
13
Just arrange more interviews for The Donald.
6
We must celebrate every such rare outbreak of poetic justice, The Donald wreaking havoc on the Republican Party.
135
Boomerang karma notwithstanding, what are friends for?
A Republican friend of mine would call this boomerang karma.
80
Political confabulation, almost as bad as democrat Chautauqua.
I find it puzzling that these great conservative minds are puzzled about Trump's support among a segment of the Republican base. Anyone that cares to do a little research on traits shared by conservative-leaning voters and adherents to right wing thinking knows that social maladies like jingoism, xenophobia, racism, nativism, anti-intellectualism, and religious fundamentalism, are overwhelmingly over-represented on the Right.
Business cartels and religious organizations have always found a way to leverage these shared social traits (on the Right) to their advantage, by somehow associating puritanical (simple) thinking with success, as in "the fruit of our labors." That's why right-leaning voters end up supporting absurd regressive socioeconomic policies that have resulted in the current level of income inequality.
I gather that the reason the oligarchs' lobbying army is puzzled is because they thought they would be able to continue fooling the right wing voters into only (or mostly) supporting policies that benefit the ruling class, while keeping the prurient base instincts in check.
Then along comes a personage like Trump, with an unmatched capacity to tap into this type of "voter anger," i.e., the one fueled by xenophobia. And now the Republican establishment is puzzled?
Okay, either way, question answered. I almost feel I should send these geniuses a bill for services rendered!
Business cartels and religious organizations have always found a way to leverage these shared social traits (on the Right) to their advantage, by somehow associating puritanical (simple) thinking with success, as in "the fruit of our labors." That's why right-leaning voters end up supporting absurd regressive socioeconomic policies that have resulted in the current level of income inequality.
I gather that the reason the oligarchs' lobbying army is puzzled is because they thought they would be able to continue fooling the right wing voters into only (or mostly) supporting policies that benefit the ruling class, while keeping the prurient base instincts in check.
Then along comes a personage like Trump, with an unmatched capacity to tap into this type of "voter anger," i.e., the one fueled by xenophobia. And now the Republican establishment is puzzled?
Okay, either way, question answered. I almost feel I should send these geniuses a bill for services rendered!
419
Luis:
Excellent post, and do send the Republican establishment a bill for services rendered.
Excellent post, and do send the Republican establishment a bill for services rendered.
14
This country has an elaborate and quite expensive legal immigration system. We should expect it to be followed and enforce it with sufficient vigor that it is taken seriously. Instead, we have allowed millions of illegal "immigrants" to enter the country, have Birthright Citizens, and attempt to blackmail the country into forgetting we have a legal immigration system.
It is not xenophobic to expect our system to be followed. It is not xenophobic to want it enforced. Here is the reality. Most of the illegal "immigrants" would never have been allowed in legally. Most will never be allowed in legally in any future system either. So, why legalize them? Because they broke our law in such breathtaking numbers for so long?
It is not xenophobic to expect our system to be followed. It is not xenophobic to want it enforced. Here is the reality. Most of the illegal "immigrants" would never have been allowed in legally. Most will never be allowed in legally in any future system either. So, why legalize them? Because they broke our law in such breathtaking numbers for so long?
Sorry but, you bought all of the Leftist spin.
The base knows that Trump is not conservative and they don't care.
The base wants the corrupt crony capitalist Bush Maia removed from managing the party. They are still angry at The Dauphin Jeb's brother for bailing out the banks and that no one went to jail for the mortgaged backed securities debacle.
The American Middle has been decimated in this country between quantitative easing and having their wealth redistributed. They have not been able to participate in the gains of the markets. They are living from pay check to pay check and depleting their savings.
They are at a breaking point. The Democrats don't represent the Middle either.
It has nothing to do with your Leftist talking points. The American Middle is broke.
Where is your compassion? You can't get blood from a stone..
The base knows that Trump is not conservative and they don't care.
The base wants the corrupt crony capitalist Bush Maia removed from managing the party. They are still angry at The Dauphin Jeb's brother for bailing out the banks and that no one went to jail for the mortgaged backed securities debacle.
The American Middle has been decimated in this country between quantitative easing and having their wealth redistributed. They have not been able to participate in the gains of the markets. They are living from pay check to pay check and depleting their savings.
They are at a breaking point. The Democrats don't represent the Middle either.
It has nothing to do with your Leftist talking points. The American Middle is broke.
Where is your compassion? You can't get blood from a stone..
1
I admire Mr. Trump for being the reality TV star of the century, perhaps the millennium, the greatest ever. And as such, inadvertently or not, he has achieved the ultimate Reality Star’s dream. He has unveiled true reality to an entire nation, much of the world, what ratings, everyone is watching. Mr. Trump is showing us our American reality, don’t we see ourselves in the audience?
We as Americans believe if it’s on TV, it’s true, flawless, godly. We worship the screen. We serve our screens selflessly and daily, across multiple devices. What does the screen teach us ? What is the reality we see ? Bluster, bling, guns, low information pride, religious obfuscation, a political class void of altruism and ideas, an ever dominating corporatocracy, environmental Russian roulette ....
If we turn off the screens, we shut the mirror. Then what ? Terrible withdrawal, existentialist withdrawal.
We then can only survive by relying on our ancient American standards : Merit, education, neighborliness, charity, public service and going to the circus only once a year.
We as Americans believe if it’s on TV, it’s true, flawless, godly. We worship the screen. We serve our screens selflessly and daily, across multiple devices. What does the screen teach us ? What is the reality we see ? Bluster, bling, guns, low information pride, religious obfuscation, a political class void of altruism and ideas, an ever dominating corporatocracy, environmental Russian roulette ....
If we turn off the screens, we shut the mirror. Then what ? Terrible withdrawal, existentialist withdrawal.
We then can only survive by relying on our ancient American standards : Merit, education, neighborliness, charity, public service and going to the circus only once a year.
28
See ? If we just waited long enough trickle-down economics would work. Let them spend as much money as they want. They're paying somebody who then is paying someone else. Better than keeping in the Cayman Islands. Regardless of whether they spend a lot or a little Trump will still be Trump and could care less. So spend, spend spend ! Spend it all !
17
Wait...I thought it went the other way. That candidates were actually making a living by "running for office"....living off the donations of their supporters. And if they lose they cry all the way to the bank.
The GOP and Liberals are on the same page about this one.
In fear ..they both watch how Trump is on his way to the White House.
People of all colors and economic ladders love Trump. Those that never voted before will vote, and vote for Trump. Its so obvious, just look and see.
That is the truth that you guys are hiding from.
In fear ..they both watch how Trump is on his way to the White House.
People of all colors and economic ladders love Trump. Those that never voted before will vote, and vote for Trump. Its so obvious, just look and see.
That is the truth that you guys are hiding from.
22
Liberals don't fear Trump. They know that he can't win the GOP nomination let alone the presidency.
People of all colors don't love Trump.
Liberals are laughing all the way to the presidency on this. That's the truth.
People of all colors don't love Trump.
Liberals are laughing all the way to the presidency on this. That's the truth.
Joe, maybe you have misunderstood comments like "let them reap what they sow", "stifling sobs of sympathy", Schadenfreude, Trumpenstein, and "pass the popcorn", but I am pretty sure none of these means "fear" to liberals. This is the most fun we have had since The Decider landed on the aircraft carrier under the Mission Accomplished banner while both of his wars were going to hell in a hand basket and the fool had no clue whatsoever because the naked little emperor had surrounded himself with incompetent sycophants. But "please proceed, governor"...
1
Other than religion, he seems perfectly in alignment with Republican values. Why not embrace him?
Oh, you think he's such a nasty loudmouthed misogynistic racist, ethnic antagonist he can't win?
I'd have to say the problem isn't with Donald Trump but the GOP.
Oh, you think he's such a nasty loudmouthed misogynistic racist, ethnic antagonist he can't win?
I'd have to say the problem isn't with Donald Trump but the GOP.
105
if this "really strong really deep" bench of 16 GOP candidates cannot manage Trump, the voters will ask how will any one of theses "really qualified candidates" manage a foreign power like Putin?
142
Should the GOP elite topple Trump, how secure is Trump's pledge not to run as a third party?
40
I believe he would take that as a breach of contract.
2
If Trumplestiltskin thinks they colluded to deep six him, it'll be worth the bonds on his casinos in AC
3
Good point. Trump _obviously_ cares only about Trump, not about the Republican Party or the USA. H
At the core of this conundrum is the question of how relevant the Republican party is today, and for that matter the Democratic party. Are the Sanders and Trump campaigns the harbingers of a new political process? Also at the core for Republicans vis-a-vis Trump: how much credit for intelligence and rationality do you want to give your voters?
20
Couldn't agree more. The so-called electorate, that is *not* a member of the Plutocracy, which means many if not most of us posting on here, are good and fed up.
And the answer to your question about republican voter "intelligence and rationality" oh about 50 (I.Q), and none. Or less.
But I suspect the GOP actually hasn't a clue or maybe even as a matter of fact banks on my estimate..
And the answer to your question about republican voter "intelligence and rationality" oh about 50 (I.Q), and none. Or less.
But I suspect the GOP actually hasn't a clue or maybe even as a matter of fact banks on my estimate..
Republican fat cats, instead of a futile effort to stop Trump why don't you support someone who would be good for the country. Give your money to Bernie Sanders.
41
As the saying goes, with all the racist noise that comes out of Trump, the GOP made their bed, and they'll have to sleep in it.
50
The response of the Republican biggies to Trump is somewhat reminiscent of their response to Teddy Roosevelt giving rise to the Bull Moose Party. Moo!
24
I wonder if these "donors" have got to the point at which they're mulling the Mel-Carnahan/Paul Wellstone strategy that enabled Republican control of the Senate under Bush II. Maybe Trump never flies in a small plane, though.
21
For anyone who has paid attention, same strategy was sadly successfully used against the Kennedy brothers. Then when the leaks about the Warren Commission fraud became too great & Congress reopened the investigation under the House Select Committee on Assassinations, amazing how many dozens of witnesses began dying days before their required testimony before Congress. On the other hand, when Jim Jeffords switched parties to throw the Senate to the Democrats, he survived just fine.
A quote: "Isn't it quite a coincidence that these two Democratic candidates both died in plane crashes only two years apart, both just weeks before the elections? It's even more of a coincidence that both were very progressive Democrats."
Pony up boys, it'll seem cheap later. Or not. Either way he is all yours.
36
Enjoyed reading the dilemma of the fat cats- perhaps they lost it. The culture of fear mongering and "divide - conquer" strategy was developed by the machines of the fat cats to win election. Huh, now swallow your own poison medicine.
The billionaire donors supporting the Grand No Party has only one goal which is to loot the country at any cost and snatching everything the common people need to survive. Of course, the legislators support anything the pay masters want.
Bravo- Trumps! You are the master exploiter of the pollution created by the Grand No Party!
The billionaire donors supporting the Grand No Party has only one goal which is to loot the country at any cost and snatching everything the common people need to survive. Of course, the legislators support anything the pay masters want.
Bravo- Trumps! You are the master exploiter of the pollution created by the Grand No Party!
79
This is poetic justice indeed. The current GOP donor class would have had no problem selling out to the Axis in 1942, and, indeed, this batch celebrated the death of FDR in April 1945 with a dinner dance at the Westchester Country Club. Their true hatefulness--and false patriotism--is on ample display here for all but the mentally challenged.
1
Well said - 'bout covers it.
What is worst in all the Trump controversies is that Republicans criticize The Donald's comments as bad for the party, rather than inherently wrong. Senator Graham protested that Trump's negative description of Mexican immigrants as rapists and drug dealers tarnished the party name, not that they were hateful, pigeonholing statements. After Trump's rude, condescending tirades about Megyn Kelley, Jeb! protested that the harsh tone was not going to win Republicans elections, not that he was being so abrasive and sexist. In fact, the only real sparks coming from Jeb! are about Trump calling him low energy. Every one of them is looking to be a national leader, not just a party leader. With the priorities we see, these candidates don't deserve that distinction.
418
Good points in your comment. It was illuminating to read the article in yesterday's NYT and Jeb Bush's defensive comments about his
gueling campaign schedule, that low energy line really got to Mr Bush, not much else does. I have personally never witnessed the happy demeanor attested to by the column's author in regard to the former Florida governor, even before the New York developer started verbally torturing him.
The establishment Republicans like Lindsey Graham and Jeb Bush want to convince us that Trump is an outlier with his xenophopia, insults and distorted facts, also known as lies. Actually, he is simply the unvarnished face of the Republican Party. Good luck Republican establishment, you're going to need it.
gueling campaign schedule, that low energy line really got to Mr Bush, not much else does. I have personally never witnessed the happy demeanor attested to by the column's author in regard to the former Florida governor, even before the New York developer started verbally torturing him.
The establishment Republicans like Lindsey Graham and Jeb Bush want to convince us that Trump is an outlier with his xenophopia, insults and distorted facts, also known as lies. Actually, he is simply the unvarnished face of the Republican Party. Good luck Republican establishment, you're going to need it.
1
The Republican Establishment is acting like a delusional arrogant frat boy who's been dumped by his girlfriend (the masses)—who everyone always thought was too good for him anyways. The masses found sex with The Establishment repulsive for months, but she was too nice to break things off. The Establishment is convinced the girl is still into him, she just needs to be reminded how great and rich and powerful he is. Use daddy's credit card to send her flowers, send endless texts about promising to change, drunken texts about what a loser her new boyfriend is ... but the girl (and her new boyfriend, Trump) just laugh at how sad and pathetic he is.
The Establishment needs to just accept it's over, the masses (the formerly naive and passive ex-gf) have wised up. Couth form would be to wish her the best and be supportive of her new relationship. :)
The Establishment needs to just accept it's over, the masses (the formerly naive and passive ex-gf) have wised up. Couth form would be to wish her the best and be supportive of her new relationship. :)
6
Everything in this article bolsters Trump's campaign talking points. I'm a left-leaning millennial and I would vote for a Trump/Carson ticket in a heartbeat. Most of my peers would do the same.
5
Trump today announced that he promises to run as a Republican and not as an Independent, " If I am treated fairly."
In other words, the same man whose corporations declared bankruptcy four times is, as usual, allowing himself an out.
A shrewd businessman?
Not really.
More like a self-propagating steam calliope that reinvents itself, chameleon like, moment to moment.
Will he win the nomination?
Who would have thought that he would be outpolling every other Republican presidential candidate by such a large margin at this point.
The man is totally unpredictable.
Should be an interesting campaign.
In other words, the same man whose corporations declared bankruptcy four times is, as usual, allowing himself an out.
A shrewd businessman?
Not really.
More like a self-propagating steam calliope that reinvents itself, chameleon like, moment to moment.
Will he win the nomination?
Who would have thought that he would be outpolling every other Republican presidential candidate by such a large margin at this point.
The man is totally unpredictable.
Should be an interesting campaign.
7
Their money paid to create the constituency he is now on the verge of running away with.
Donald Trump and his followers are the moral equivalent right now in this country with what is happening in Hungary.
He will win their nomination. Their party controls enough legislatures to quickly amend ballot access laws to get a rump Republican Party and its sacrificial candidate on the ballot next summer after the convention. They will have to do that to protect their down ticket candidates and to try to preserve the ability to retake the party and its apparatus once Trump has taken the whole kit and kaboodle down to an historic, party-shattering defeat.
But make no mistake. With all their millions and billions the GOP's backers, funders and financiers have created their own monster and a field of candidates that is so profoundly ignorant that it is terrifying.
As has been observed in other comments here and as has been obvious for two weeks, Trump, Carson, Fiorina and Cruz, the complete and absolute know nothings of the abysmal GOP field are getting a combined 60 percent in all Republican polls. They want and will nominate one of them this year and it is most likely to be Trump.
So to all the Republican money men, to quote Louis IVX, "Apres moi le deluge." Guess what, you folks are going to get soaked in the next election and not just financially.
Donald Trump and his followers are the moral equivalent right now in this country with what is happening in Hungary.
He will win their nomination. Their party controls enough legislatures to quickly amend ballot access laws to get a rump Republican Party and its sacrificial candidate on the ballot next summer after the convention. They will have to do that to protect their down ticket candidates and to try to preserve the ability to retake the party and its apparatus once Trump has taken the whole kit and kaboodle down to an historic, party-shattering defeat.
But make no mistake. With all their millions and billions the GOP's backers, funders and financiers have created their own monster and a field of candidates that is so profoundly ignorant that it is terrifying.
As has been observed in other comments here and as has been obvious for two weeks, Trump, Carson, Fiorina and Cruz, the complete and absolute know nothings of the abysmal GOP field are getting a combined 60 percent in all Republican polls. They want and will nominate one of them this year and it is most likely to be Trump.
So to all the Republican money men, to quote Louis IVX, "Apres moi le deluge." Guess what, you folks are going to get soaked in the next election and not just financially.
12
Bad idea, signing that loyalty pledge. Without the fear of Trump spoiling their odds with a third party run, his rivals and their investors are going to declare open war on The Donald.
Maybe he's not such a brilliant play-maker after all.
Maybe he's not such a brilliant play-maker after all.
2
yes, but i he gets the nomination, the others also have to support him. and do any of the others really want to be anointed by trump when they are all afraid of what will come out of his mouth next. he is crazy like a fox.
1
If you believe he will honor that pledge, instead of just tearing it up and calling them losers.
1
The GOP is confounded by Trump? Well, The Donald believes his money commands respect, gives him power, and does not believe in rules or regulations. Sounds like a walking incarnation of Republican ideology.
20
The Republicans have been burning down the country for 35 years with their intellectual and moral depravity and now they're perplexed that their political party is on fire ?
Pyromaniacs always wind up setting themselves on fire.
Pyromaniacs always wind up setting themselves on fire.
305
A political party that since it first adopted the Tea Party's dumbed down attack on the ACA and anything Obama has produced a plethora of candidates with no ideas that they have the courage to talk about save those grounded in ignorance, bigotry, racism (restrict the vote) and selfishness. In Trump, they've got the candidate that they deserve, and one that their hundreds of millions in rich people's money can't buy out. Sweet justice but it doesn't say much about America at the moment.
11
More fuel for Trump to win among voters who are sick and tired of being told what to think, how to think and who to vote for. And that goes for Democrats as well as Republicans.
9
Yes, for those who don't want to think, he's probably just what the doctor ordered.
The GOP Clown Bus is at Full Speed Ahead with The Donald at the wheel! The GOP Clown Bus is careening from one side of the road to the other! Watch Out!
This is delicious to watch. The GOP is totally out of control and in complete disarray. The Trump Frankenstein is of their own making. The very monster they have created is coming back to lay waste to the GOP landscape. Every GOP candidate is now and forever hobbled, lest they think that they can tangle with The Donald.
This Democrat cannot think of a better gift from the GOP than this. I could not have made up this story. Isn't real life even more weird than any fiction? Please, pass that popcorn!
This is delicious to watch. The GOP is totally out of control and in complete disarray. The Trump Frankenstein is of their own making. The very monster they have created is coming back to lay waste to the GOP landscape. Every GOP candidate is now and forever hobbled, lest they think that they can tangle with The Donald.
This Democrat cannot think of a better gift from the GOP than this. I could not have made up this story. Isn't real life even more weird than any fiction? Please, pass that popcorn!
34
The Republican establishment -- the .01 percent -- in its foolish attempt to destroy Trump is about to put the driver (i.e., Trump and his followers) of the GOP Clown Bus on steroids.
Hillary is the ultimate gift for Trump..:)
The only hope for another Republican challenger is for someone to credibly champion some of the same causes, especially on illegal "immigration". That rules out Jeb Bush.
No Amnesty for illegal immigrants.
End Birthright Citizenship.
Mandatory eVerify with workplace audits to enforce the intent of the 1986 Reagan Amnesty that employers cannot employ illegal workers.
Attrition through enforcement.
End Sanctuary cities and states.
Republicans, do not underestimate the depth and breadth of the fury that has built up over the failure by both Republicans and Democrats to deal with the illegal immigration mess. The way to deal with it is by enforcement of the law.
No Amnesty for illegal immigrants.
End Birthright Citizenship.
Mandatory eVerify with workplace audits to enforce the intent of the 1986 Reagan Amnesty that employers cannot employ illegal workers.
Attrition through enforcement.
End Sanctuary cities and states.
Republicans, do not underestimate the depth and breadth of the fury that has built up over the failure by both Republicans and Democrats to deal with the illegal immigration mess. The way to deal with it is by enforcement of the law.
9
Never have I seen a candidate so reviled by BOTH sides of the aisle as Donald Trump. That said, if the party elites, the talking heads and Washington insiders hate this candidate so much, he must be good for the average citizen.
We're supposed to be a country of laws, not of men. Americans are tired of politicians who selectively enforce our laws. Barack Obama's Justice Department has all but ignore Title 8 of the United States Code. The same Justice Department has refused to convene a grand jury concerning the IRS's targeting of conservative groups. Even Democrats are tired of their leading candidate's legal shenanigans concerning her dance with classified information on a private email server.
Trump is a businessman, He knows that in business, your word is your bond. I notice that he has mad NO promises to anyone. Other than taxes and immigration, he's made no policy statements. I want to see with whom he associates concerning other issues. Because, while it's impossible to know everything on every subject, you can hire people smarter than you to handle that subject matter.
I don't want a "nice guy" to be my president. I don't want to have a beer with him/her. I want a SOB who will give me straight information and will get the job done. I want a person who our allies can count on and will give our enemies pause. I don't see that in any of the other 16 Republican candidates.
We're supposed to be a country of laws, not of men. Americans are tired of politicians who selectively enforce our laws. Barack Obama's Justice Department has all but ignore Title 8 of the United States Code. The same Justice Department has refused to convene a grand jury concerning the IRS's targeting of conservative groups. Even Democrats are tired of their leading candidate's legal shenanigans concerning her dance with classified information on a private email server.
Trump is a businessman, He knows that in business, your word is your bond. I notice that he has mad NO promises to anyone. Other than taxes and immigration, he's made no policy statements. I want to see with whom he associates concerning other issues. Because, while it's impossible to know everything on every subject, you can hire people smarter than you to handle that subject matter.
I don't want a "nice guy" to be my president. I don't want to have a beer with him/her. I want a SOB who will give me straight information and will get the job done. I want a person who our allies can count on and will give our enemies pause. I don't see that in any of the other 16 Republican candidates.
10
Trump is a mean, born-wealthy bully totally unsuited to be POTUS. The idea that because knowledgeable people hate him means that he is good for average people is worse than ridiculous.
No one can count on Trump. He declared bankruptcy multiple times, saving his own hide and leaving other people in the lurch.
Cannibalism. Pure and simple.
I'll say this much about Democratic candidates.
They do not lay awake at night worrying that other Democratic candidates, and the competing campaign contributors, are going to 'have them for lunch'.
I'll say this much about Democratic candidates.
They do not lay awake at night worrying that other Democratic candidates, and the competing campaign contributors, are going to 'have them for lunch'.
10
Someone like Donald Trump cannot be stopped in a convenient way, and this is the first assumption that the anti-Trump factions should acknowledge. The "Trump vote," should it exist in February, could be characterized as a protest vote, although such votes can be especially destructive, nonetheless.
The gradual diminution of Trump voters will be a better strategy. His populism is associated with media popularity in the sensibility of some Republicans, but, how many? It may be that Trump can and will ruin the Republican chances for the presidency in this election, however, allowing him to just fade away through tiresome serial familiarity might be the best strategy.
The gradual diminution of Trump voters will be a better strategy. His populism is associated with media popularity in the sensibility of some Republicans, but, how many? It may be that Trump can and will ruin the Republican chances for the presidency in this election, however, allowing him to just fade away through tiresome serial familiarity might be the best strategy.
3
Money can only do so much when the outcome ultimately depends on votes. The most that money can do is influence people's votes; it can't actually vote itself. Seems like that's what's happening with Trump. If people want something badly enough (and low-information GOP voters, for whatever reason, seem to want Trump), money can't stop it.
16
I love it!
Donald Trump is the Id of the entire Republican Party personifying its destructive, irrational nature.
He's the perfect representative of what the party has become.
The scary part is that there's enough craziness and corruption in our political life and our society in general today that he or someone like him --a disaster for the nation -- could actually be elected President.
Donald Trump is the Id of the entire Republican Party personifying its destructive, irrational nature.
He's the perfect representative of what the party has become.
The scary part is that there's enough craziness and corruption in our political life and our society in general today that he or someone like him --a disaster for the nation -- could actually be elected President.
78
That's already happened. W/Cheney.
1
As ye sow, so shall ye reap. Trumpenstein is a creature of the Republicans own creation and like the literary creature, it could end up being the undoing of its creator.
47
Trumpenstein "could end up being the undoing of [the Republican Party], one can only hope it does.
The GOPTP is already mostly disintegrating into various regional parties. Good for them. Few have deserved that as much as them.
The other candidates are boring. Trump gets free ads because he shoots from the hip and is not afraid of offending people or making mistakes. Still, I don't think the GOP will need to do anything--just let Trump keep on being Trump, as soon he will have hi Sarah Palin moment. He had a foreign policy gaffe just today. Al it will take is for someone with wit, either in the press, or in a debate (unlikely) to put him on his heels and light the fuse. The trouble: Trump is wise to all those tricks, schooled in all things media, quite tuned into any effort to derail his march. If someone tries to make him seem foolish, like Megyn Kelly tried, he unloads via twitter or some nightly show. No one wants to be in his cross-hairs and be demoted or look the fool on a national scale. He plays unrelenting hardball, and will never back down from a fight. That's what makes him a juggernaut. The fight , however, will catch him in the end when people finally conclude he is not president material
12
As long as the Media makes money off showman Trump, he will be in the spotlight. As long as he's in the spotlight his chances for winning the election increase. The Media is as bad as Citizens United when it comes to influencing elections for financial gain, one way or the other.
2
The trouble is we now have a nuclear-weaponized world. A mean braggart like Trump "shooting from the hip" and "not afraid of making mistakes" as POTUS is the world's worst nightmare.
4
last week, Howie Carr, pro trump right wing talk radio in Boston, noted that without Trump, the GOP primary was *dead radio*
so you are right - Bush Walker Jindal boring !
so you are right - Bush Walker Jindal boring !
I found myself stifling sobs of sympathy for the 0.1% so deeply concerned about the welfare of all Americans -including especially the Black,the poor, LGBT, Native American, Latino, female- that they are willing to spend a billion dollars to assure that these folks remain firmly ensconced in their current situations, and that they are having to compete with Mr. Trump for hijacking their agenda from underneath them.
65
A conservative donor finds the party is stymied because Trump is "able to bring out what people feel about their government." No, let's correct that. He's able to bring out what Republicans, their supporters in the media (=Fox), and the most conservative representatives of American business and industry (=Koch and fellow travelers) have hammered into Americans' heads over the last decades. The chickens come home to roost, as ye sew shall ye reap -- choose your metaphor, but the Republicans have and have created a problem. Unfortunately, they're not much good at fixing anything, ask the Iraqis.
367
The elite in another nation, four score and five years ago, supported a right-wing hatemonger in the elections because they thought they could control him. The result was war on two fronts simultaneously, mass murder, and eventual destruction of that country.
The elite in this country, who have spent so much money feeding misogyny and hatred of minorities, destroying the public school system, and shipping U.S. jobs overseas, at least have the sense to know when they've created a Frankenstein candidate that they can't control.
The elite in this country, who have spent so much money feeding misogyny and hatred of minorities, destroying the public school system, and shipping U.S. jobs overseas, at least have the sense to know when they've created a Frankenstein candidate that they can't control.
37
You are correct and wrong. Trump is not a Frankenstein, but if he is not the president, the next time it will be David Duke, and the third time someone much worse than David Duke, and you are correct this will be the elite's 'accomplishment.' because you can't ignore your national interests and to get away with it without consequences. But Trump is not Frankenstein, he is the best of much worse possibilities. You stop Trump - you will get a real Psycho next time. Lets Trump win and return the country back to its natural middle, back from the far left of Obama's political pendulum.
"Many in the party have concluded that Donald J. Trump’s harsh manner and continued attacks are endangering efforts to compete in the general election."
Have they now? Brilliant. Utterly brilliant.
How long did it take them to arrive at this blindingly insightful conclusion, I wonder?
Have they now? Brilliant. Utterly brilliant.
How long did it take them to arrive at this blindingly insightful conclusion, I wonder?
11
The only problem, it is a wrong conclusion. A nice guy Romney could not compete against Obama.
Alexander Weisberg - Romney thought the ER provided adequate health care and he praised Chinese sweatshops. He's not a nice guy.
He was never a nice guy. He was a mean spirited jerk all his life.
http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/05/10/romney-apologizes-after-re...
He was never a nice guy. He was a mean spirited jerk all his life.
http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/05/10/romney-apologizes-after-re...
3
Those "Quiet conversations have begun in recent weeks..." will soon enough change to panic-stricken moans. It's hilarious. All those rich, fat-cat xenophobes who want to buy another election to keep the status quo, ha! You have met the enemy and he is yours.
44
Grover Norquist is now at Burning Man in the middle of a dust storm per his twitter feed. Trump took advantage of Norquist being out of the loop to explain how he would raise taxes on hedge fund managers as well as lowering them for the middle class. Trump is not going to be held accountable to the party elders. Maybe he will take on the NRA next. It is too much fun to see the GOP establishment unable to figure out what to do next.
97
Right. It's all fun and games until we're stuck with Trump actually dealing with Iran, Russia. and everything else. Unfortunately, "just build a wall," doesn't solve every problem.
6
Tell that to the t-party people.
3
Trump will not be the nominee, let alone make it to the presidency.
2
It fascinates me the public support that Trump is getting from so many. Trump is arrogant to an extreme. From what I hear, many people who support him are against big business, so I don't get it. Trump speaks with the arrogance of big business and Wall Street. So, what exactly are his supporters seeing in him???
9
i think he is "authentic" in that he says what he feels and thinks (i hesitate over the latter word). at a time of slick messages that people don't believe, he provides a real contrast. yes, he would be a disaster if elected. but the fact that there's concern in the gop that he could end up as the candidate, now that it is clear that he is on his way to being a very serious candidate, tells us how big the gap is between the party insiders and the "base" they purport to lead.
9
It also tells us how big the gap is between their ears and their brains. I'm sorry. I couldn't resist.
8
A loud mouth betrays an empty mind. What better a figurehead for the GOP, than the Donald.
32
The funders of the GOP created the monster which is the Republican base and fed it with bigotry and racial hatred, thinking they could control it for their own gain. This worked for 50 years, but now it looks like somebody just came along and hijacked this monster from them and is using it in ways they don't like. I hope it blows up in their face, before it blows up in mine.
452
The hero of the DNC is FDR who was the epitome of bigotry and racial hate. The GOP collectively is not anti-immigration. It is for legal immigration. It is not racist. Ben Carson leads Trump 55-36 in the latest poll. Explain that.
http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2015/09/03/ben-carson-wins-in-matchup-with...
http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2015/09/03/ben-carson-wins-in-matchup-with...
The Republican establishment has spent decades nurturing the "southern strategy", promoting the propaganda on Fox news. Trying to win elections based on white voter turnout, while denying blacks and young people the vote. Supporting the Tea party and evangelicals when it suits you. Look in the mirror! It is you that are vile and disgusting. Your chickens have come home to roost: Support for Trump, Carson and Fiorina now constitute 50% of your voters. You didn't see it coming, but we did.
320
Who is denying anyone to vote? That is absurd. We are willing to give away free voter IDs to anyone with proof of citizenship. We simply don't want the many millions of illegal immigrants who circumvented the lawful process of obtaining citizenship to ever get to vote. Anyone of any race, religion, gender, orientation is welcomed to vote. Just be a citizen.
We require ID for alcohol, guns, air travel, using a credit card, buying a house, the list goes on. It is not unreasonable to require one to vote.
We require ID for alcohol, guns, air travel, using a credit card, buying a house, the list goes on. It is not unreasonable to require one to vote.
I think Trump attracts some independents and Reagan democrats too. Tax the people who got away with all the money in the last downturn and stop the bleeding heart attitude toward illegal immigrants are very popular if reductive stands.
1
There are these things called facts that dispute your opinion. Republicans have this habit of changing the rules when things don't go their way. When dozens of states controlled by Republicans, pass unnecessary laws that make the young, the poor and the elderly unable to vote, all of America suffers.
7
By crippling responsible government with their foolish no tax pledge, the club for growth opened the door for Mr. Trump and his "government isn't working" message. Now The Donald may have the opportunity to tell Grover Norquist "you're fired", thus earning the respect of millions of independents and some democrats too.
169
The issue for the core GOP: will it run as an independent, now that the party is lost.
15
If nothing else, this article, like Eric Cantor's opponent having defeated him after spending less than 1/10th, should put to rest the Chicken Littles running around yelling about how Citizen's United, Koch Brothers, et al., buy elections.
In fact, the more some candidates spend, the less people like them.
In fact, the more some candidates spend, the less people like them.
Look beneath the national level, at the state legislatures, state offices such as Secretary of State or Attorney General, and the state courts. Then you can more accurately judge whether or not the Koches are capable of buying your government lock, stock, and barrel.
22
sweinst254: Um, so far Trump has not ever been in a single election. There's no question in any reasonable reasonably informed honest person's mind that "Citizen's United, Koch Brothers, et al.," are attempting to "buy elections". That they may nevertheless not always succeed hardly exonerates them. The system is thoroughly and disgustingly corrupt.
14
Trump is despicable but he is the one who made clear that politicians call him and other rich people and ask for money, they comply, and later get the politicians to do their bidding. He said that this is the problem with the system. He is right. He is both an example of what is wrong with the financing of elections and the only one of the .0001% with the hutzpah to describe it for the corrupting and corrosive system it is. Kind of like having the devil lecture you on the evils of sin as he as locks the doors before setting fire to the orphanage.
157
I don't think they're "somewhat perplexed". I think they're laughing. Focus groups to deal with Trump? hahaha. hahahahaha!
2
The DNC better be putting together focus groups on how to shut down Bernie Sanders if they want to win.
Isn't sad that the supreme court has left us with rich donors who meet without out shame to manipulate the political process to support their interests.
They and their minions just count the dollars that will stop someone they can't control. No wonder why Trump can get a huge percentage of the GOP voters.
This kind of behavior leaves a big hole for Trump to back out of his pledge, not to run third party. If the rich finance their campaign against him, a popular
choice ,then he can just call it a fix rather than an primary,
They and their minions just count the dollars that will stop someone they can't control. No wonder why Trump can get a huge percentage of the GOP voters.
This kind of behavior leaves a big hole for Trump to back out of his pledge, not to run third party. If the rich finance their campaign against him, a popular
choice ,then he can just call it a fix rather than an primary,
75
The GOP fat cats want to convince their base to vote for a candidate who completely disagrees with most GOP voters on immigration, trade, Medicare, Social Security, and taxes on the rich. As Abe Lincoln pointed out, you can't fool all the people all the time.
28
Trump exposed the Republicans for what they are....power hunger scam artists, governing is the absolute last thing they would do if voters elect a Republican to the White House
All Republican candidates currently, except for Mr. Trump are bought and paid for and are simply working for their campaign contributors not or never the voters.....
What a mess
All Republican candidates currently, except for Mr. Trump are bought and paid for and are simply working for their campaign contributors not or never the voters.....
What a mess
201
Mixing Pogo and pidgin, Republicans have met their enemy, and he is one of them -- to 'da max.
So why don't they get a candidate and some policies that take a realistic approach to our problems? They've been swinging so far to the right that one could have expected the boat to tip over, as it has with Trump.
It's like I'm not expecting them to become Democrats. But no one could look at what they've been doing over the past seven years and say they've been seriously interested in running the country for the benefit of all Americans.
So why don't they get a candidate and some policies that take a realistic approach to our problems? They've been swinging so far to the right that one could have expected the boat to tip over, as it has with Trump.
It's like I'm not expecting them to become Democrats. But no one could look at what they've been doing over the past seven years and say they've been seriously interested in running the country for the benefit of all Americans.
108
Hm.....they created a party that made it mandatory to be blustery, racist, hard-care, anti-gay, anti-minority, anti-woman, anti-everything candidate...and now they wonder how to put the (nasty) genie back in the bottle? Good luck with that, guys.
Observation: if a Democrat used the "Make America Great Again" slogan, the GOP would slam him/her as anti-American for insinuating that the country isn't already great. Someone could, you know, call him out about THAT. And the hair. And the blather that comes out of his mouth. And the snotty attitude. And the disdain. And the lack of a platform or plan for anything. And the flip-flopping. And the failures/bankruptcies. And....
Observation: if a Democrat used the "Make America Great Again" slogan, the GOP would slam him/her as anti-American for insinuating that the country isn't already great. Someone could, you know, call him out about THAT. And the hair. And the blather that comes out of his mouth. And the snotty attitude. And the disdain. And the lack of a platform or plan for anything. And the flip-flopping. And the failures/bankruptcies. And....
195
I smiled, just a little bit, reading how the republicans are stumbling all over themselves. The G.O.P. is in such shambles their best candidate is not really one of them. It is no surprise that this is going on. In the last 30 years give me one example when the G.O.P. has accomplished something that was for the benefit of the majority of Americans. I am having a difficult time thinking of just one thing. The G.O.P. has done their fair share of talking over the past 3 decades, the problem is they have not produced any meaningful results. They should have seen this coming when their religious base formed the Tea Party. Trump is here to stay but he will not win the White House, and so far, the G.O.P. has no one who can.
186
Hillary isn't dumb, there must have been something worth deleting
chicken come home to roost.
88
My Lord, this is hilarious!
It seems that the GOP donors hate the GOP base voters about as much as Democrats do.
It seems that the GOP donors hate the GOP base voters about as much as Democrats do.
415
No, it's depressing. The role of money in elections has become so pervasive that articles like this don't even comment on it any more. This piece is all about who's money we should spend, how should we spend it, when should we spend it, and how much we should spend. That last item is particularly distressing. Has the study of election spending seriously advanced to the point where strategists can predict the cost ($20M) of swaying (buying?) the opinion of a segment of the population? Although the article suggests otherwise, one increasingly gets the impression that the question is not so much whether money can sway opinion, but rather how much will be required to do so.
10
Which is why the GOP base voters identify with Trump. And the more the GOP donors bash Trump, the more support he will get from voters.
5
Wrong. Democrats don't hate Republican voters. Democrats have been fighting for health care and a living wage for those voters. Democrats are the only party that have tried to do anything for Republican voters.
3
Now that the RNC has gotten a pledge out of Trump not to run as a third party candidate, these concerned donors can run a third party candidate against him.
27
It's a non-binding pledge executed only because some states require it for participation in the primaries. Donald can still do whatever he wants. Same threat.
4
wall street wants clinton and bush so they can continue to make money for the 1 percent, main street wants trump and bernie sanders
6
Brilliant.
1