Politics are a filthy, disgusting business. But like so many people, including myself sorry to say, we can't stop watching. Our system has become so broken and mean spirited that it is affecting all of us including our children. America is GREAT already, but us Americans are destroying it.
it gives us hope in America — not as crazy and lost as we thought it might be,” ...she decided this weekend to support Mr. Rubio.
Marco Rubio? We are exactly as lost and crazy as we could ever be! He believes in most of the craziness that the other guys do, but he has such a sweet voice and soft manner.
Marco Rubio? We are exactly as lost and crazy as we could ever be! He believes in most of the craziness that the other guys do, but he has such a sweet voice and soft manner.
1
Thank GOD NH is NOT Iowa.... and they will NOT be voting for a "pastor in chief" they will be voting for a LEADER!! and that will be Donald Trump!! NH has spoken in the polls and as much as the politicians want to invade the state with their phony smiles and lies, they know who has not changed his determination to take this country back and Trump WILL do it.
For the first time in months, Trump’s front-runner status is coming into question after he was beaten by Ted Cruz in Iowa. That uncertainty is creating an opening for his Republican/Tea Party presidential rivals in NH.
Polls show approximately 60% percent of party voters in NH are still undecided.
If the Iowa entrance surveys are any indication, Trump could face trouble in NH.
While Trump cleaned up with Iowa voters who made up their minds more than a month ago, Cruz and third-place finisher Marco Rubio beat him among caucus-goers who made up their mind within a week of the election.
Rubio’s 3rd-place caucus finish could give him a boost among moderate voters here who don’t want Trump or Cruz, and see Rubio as the party’s best chance to defeat them.
Polls show Rubio is locked in a battle for second place with Cruz, Jeb Bush, Chris Christie and John Kasich.
It’s unlikely Cruz’s victory in Iowa will carry him to a first-place finish in NH, but some voters may give Cruz a second look after beating Trump in Iowa.
Polls show approximately 60% percent of party voters in NH are still undecided.
If the Iowa entrance surveys are any indication, Trump could face trouble in NH.
While Trump cleaned up with Iowa voters who made up their minds more than a month ago, Cruz and third-place finisher Marco Rubio beat him among caucus-goers who made up their mind within a week of the election.
Rubio’s 3rd-place caucus finish could give him a boost among moderate voters here who don’t want Trump or Cruz, and see Rubio as the party’s best chance to defeat them.
Polls show Rubio is locked in a battle for second place with Cruz, Jeb Bush, Chris Christie and John Kasich.
It’s unlikely Cruz’s victory in Iowa will carry him to a first-place finish in NH, but some voters may give Cruz a second look after beating Trump in Iowa.
1
Cruz is slimy and had to lie and cheat to win. I think Trump will take New Hampshire with Kasich second, Rubio 3rd then Cruz 4th.
oh so now the most hated congressman in recent history (cruz) open his bad mouthing nihilistic yap and says trump is "insecure and weak"? I can tell you who is having the paranoid delusion of persecution and its the..."republican leaders opposed to Mr. Trump’s candidacy.....(and) believe theres a chance to break his grip on New Hampshire as the party establishment closes ranks around (other) candidates".
talk about paranoid and conspiratorial. they're so scared of trump they're soiling themselves and the "most likely to be most hated" guy is slimeily angling for the "conservative" and "mainstream" $$$ train to back up their armoured car full of anon filthy money to his rat-infested warehouse.
trump's a train wreck in so many ways but what scares the greed-diseased 0.1% so bad is that he's been behind their little curtain. he knows when the "wizards" say to the Dorothys of America "pay no attention to the man behind the curtain" he'll expose them as frauds. trump has money and might them tell them all to get lost. and when their vile gravy train thats wrecked this country since Reagan leaves the station, you'll see them jumping from windows. and none too soon. if trump really wants to fix this country (or Bernie) all they have to do is this;
1. get rid of anon money in politics. that its "speech" is a disgusting lie.
2. restore non-wage tax rates to same as day Reagan came into office.
3. tax every Wall St transaction and make trades be executed manually.
talk about paranoid and conspiratorial. they're so scared of trump they're soiling themselves and the "most likely to be most hated" guy is slimeily angling for the "conservative" and "mainstream" $$$ train to back up their armoured car full of anon filthy money to his rat-infested warehouse.
trump's a train wreck in so many ways but what scares the greed-diseased 0.1% so bad is that he's been behind their little curtain. he knows when the "wizards" say to the Dorothys of America "pay no attention to the man behind the curtain" he'll expose them as frauds. trump has money and might them tell them all to get lost. and when their vile gravy train thats wrecked this country since Reagan leaves the station, you'll see them jumping from windows. and none too soon. if trump really wants to fix this country (or Bernie) all they have to do is this;
1. get rid of anon money in politics. that its "speech" is a disgusting lie.
2. restore non-wage tax rates to same as day Reagan came into office.
3. tax every Wall St transaction and make trades be executed manually.
3
Had Trump won Iowa on Monday he would have labeled everyone else a loser, but now wants credit for his “silver medal” performance.
Imagine if one of the teams on The Apprentice had badly misprioritized and squandered much of its time on large rallies, Twitter wars and insulting potential constituents, instead of the far more important task of building a solid “ground-game” to entice supporter turn-out. And had barely come in second after polling had put them in the lead for months.
In the boardroom, Trump would have brutally noted that the team fundamentally failed to recognize that actual votes cast is what counts in the end. And then fired the team captain.
Imagine if one of the teams on The Apprentice had badly misprioritized and squandered much of its time on large rallies, Twitter wars and insulting potential constituents, instead of the far more important task of building a solid “ground-game” to entice supporter turn-out. And had barely come in second after polling had put them in the lead for months.
In the boardroom, Trump would have brutally noted that the team fundamentally failed to recognize that actual votes cast is what counts in the end. And then fired the team captain.
2
Rubio thinks abortion is forbidden in the Constitution. He wants government off our backs and into our reproductive tracts. Making America great again is code for having a right wing white man in the White House. They all want an end to entitlements except all those subsidising rich folks and corporations. What a pack of losers.
8
76% of the Republican voters in Iowa voted for someone--and maybe against--not named Trump. Maybe the people polled are just having fun with the pollsters.
1
Trump is and would be an unmitigated disaster for the U.S. Even as he modulated his views -- and remembering that he is, by and large, a moderate to liberal on social issues ("New York values" haha), despite his disgusting pandering offenses. Yet Cruz and Rubio might be even worse, if that's conceivable. Kasich is the only bearable candidate from the Republican side -- and as the Times said in its tepid endorsement, he is no moderate despite the kinder, gentler tones. He is also a terrible choice for president. So, there you have it in a very nutty nutshell.
4
You're assuming John Kasich could stop chopping the wind and his awkward air guitar competition gestures long enough to do something else?
1
The republican constituency is missing the boat on why Trump is creating a stir in the political world. The real problem for them and what he stands for is an anathema to the GOP and their rich oligarchs who wish to control this country with their great wealth. It's true that Trump is unlikely to win in the end, but he has done a considerable service to the middle class and their workers that no democrat has been able to do in the past; that is, accepting the strings that the oligarchs put around the necks of politicians who are bought by these greedy donors. In the end, the Republican politicians are merely puppets doing the works of the oligarchs who are serving their own interests and not the people's.
No matter how small a chance Trump has to become president, he has wittingly or unwittingly exposed Big Money in politics and that it represents a negative instead of a positive for the people.
The people are getting it!
I hope in the future as a result of this election that the electorate realizes that Republicans are just doing the bidding of their masters, the oligarchs, which decries a true democracy, making our government by, of and for the rich only.
No matter how small a chance Trump has to become president, he has wittingly or unwittingly exposed Big Money in politics and that it represents a negative instead of a positive for the people.
The people are getting it!
I hope in the future as a result of this election that the electorate realizes that Republicans are just doing the bidding of their masters, the oligarchs, which decries a true democracy, making our government by, of and for the rich only.
3
Completely agree with Steve Singer. On a different note and although I am a life-long D, I would be sad to see Gov. Kasich abandon the race to the junkyard dogs that would be left.
3
Marco Rubio has emerged as the GOP establishment candidate and the establishment news media darling. This explains why Rubio is beginning to get the Obama (Kid Glove) treatment in the press.
A cub reporter fresh out of journalism school can track down the multi-millionaire puppetmasters that control and dictate every word that comes out of Rubio's mouth. Sleazy, dishonest, sweaty palmed politician who has gotten everywhere he's stepped in life wearing shoes somebody else bought.
Cruz? Even easier. Cruz's wife is a major player for Goldman Sachs, even though she's on "leave" for purposes of political expediency. Cruz is in deep to them financially. Yet the news media doesn't want to follow the money, because the same dark, slimy path of 1% privilege, Wall Street and Washington DC insiders funding Rubio's life are also linked to Cruz, Hillary and more importantly, Barack Obama.
So we will continue to get 18 NYT reporters telling us the same thing from the same sources, and no real answers.
A cub reporter fresh out of journalism school can track down the multi-millionaire puppetmasters that control and dictate every word that comes out of Rubio's mouth. Sleazy, dishonest, sweaty palmed politician who has gotten everywhere he's stepped in life wearing shoes somebody else bought.
Cruz? Even easier. Cruz's wife is a major player for Goldman Sachs, even though she's on "leave" for purposes of political expediency. Cruz is in deep to them financially. Yet the news media doesn't want to follow the money, because the same dark, slimy path of 1% privilege, Wall Street and Washington DC insiders funding Rubio's life are also linked to Cruz, Hillary and more importantly, Barack Obama.
So we will continue to get 18 NYT reporters telling us the same thing from the same sources, and no real answers.
6
I wish that Trump and those who support him would explain in simple language and with straight talk what they mean when they talk about making America great again.
When the Declaration of Independence was written and the Constitution finally agreed upon and signed, there were many both inside and out side of America who gave the new country about 50 years before it began to implode. Slavery was still a great glaring issue even then, and every state was, as they are now, out for themselves and whatever they could get.
And yet this country has survived the war of 1812 and the worst of all, the Civil War. It has lumbered through depressions, 2 world wars, we helped our major enemies become great again, we helped bring down the Wall in Germany, we did have the Korean and Vietnam disasters, and a president that, for the first time in American history, declared war on a country that was no direct threat to our security.
We have had the Civil Rights Movement and changed the laws that should never have had to be changed had we done the right thing at the very beginning. And we survived.
Why isn't America already great?
When the Declaration of Independence was written and the Constitution finally agreed upon and signed, there were many both inside and out side of America who gave the new country about 50 years before it began to implode. Slavery was still a great glaring issue even then, and every state was, as they are now, out for themselves and whatever they could get.
And yet this country has survived the war of 1812 and the worst of all, the Civil War. It has lumbered through depressions, 2 world wars, we helped our major enemies become great again, we helped bring down the Wall in Germany, we did have the Korean and Vietnam disasters, and a president that, for the first time in American history, declared war on a country that was no direct threat to our security.
We have had the Civil Rights Movement and changed the laws that should never have had to be changed had we done the right thing at the very beginning. And we survived.
Why isn't America already great?
10
The whole sorry collection of Republican presidential wannabes are running for Idolator-in-Chief to make manna rain from the sky onto the US. It is the most pathetic collection of fools aspiring to high office in any first world nation on this planet.
3
When are we going to realize in this country that the one thing that no one is talking about and that is big govt spending. Both sides are complete failures and it is starting to look like Americans will not have not a choice in 2016. It is going to be corporatist Democrat and Republican in the end the corporations will win. Come on Americans please let us unite for once in our lifetime and put our partisan bickering for once and lets us tackle the big govt for once in our life because your kids futures depend on it.
Good. Trump is like Howard Stern. Both are great entertainers and we are all just waiting to see what the next audacious thought that erupts from their mouths will be. Both those who love and those who hate them tune in and thus the media gets high ratings and Trump gets free advertising.
Can money and bigoted thinking buy an election? We'll see. It is interesting that many Trump supporters also hate our first black President.
Can money and bigoted thinking buy an election? We'll see. It is interesting that many Trump supporters also hate our first black President.
1
The republican primaries prove beyond a doubt that the GOP is a party of extremists. All the most extreme candidates did well and the moderates are done, and their vision for America is full of hate, fear, greed and denial. Just wonderful.
1
The self-proclaimed winner has just been defeated soundly in Iowa. The blood is in the water. Trump still has a chance to hold his lead in NH. But if he is unable to win NH, his campaign is largely over. Trump is not a man of substance but rather someone who has a fantasy about the America politics. Our politicians are far more ruthless than our businessmen. Trump is about to learn that simple fact- the hard way.
Trump has now explained his Iowa loss by saying Ted Cruz committed fraud. He wants a do-ever. So the New Hampshire primary has to be postponed so that Iowa Caucus II can take place next week. If this is not done, it is clearly unfair to Trump. Remember how we re-did the 1972 election after Watergate?
2
Whoa. Don't shill for Hillary Clinton in your reporting. She is making her own case, quite capably. You should not have stooped to calling Bernie Sanders, an intelligent populist, in the tradition of Bob LaFollete and Hubert Humphrey, "RIGIDLY IDEOLOGICAL".
If Sanders were a Ted Cruz of the left, as you intimate in a burst of ill thought out moral equivalence, he wouldn't have sought the Democratic Party nomination but rather would have run, like Ross Perot or Ralph Nader, as an independent, thereby assuring a Republicsn victory. Nor, unlike Cruz. who works with no one, would Sanders have worked with John McCain, whom Trump criticised for having become a POW, to craft and pass through Congress. much need Veteran Administration reforms;
The issue for Democrats, missed in this article and the OPED by Mr. Reno yesterday is whether Mr. Sanders in the general elections would be the political heir of a winner, FDR, which Sanders is ideologically, or a loser, George McGovern. an honorable man miscast as a candidate.
If Sanders were a Ted Cruz of the left, as you intimate in a burst of ill thought out moral equivalence, he wouldn't have sought the Democratic Party nomination but rather would have run, like Ross Perot or Ralph Nader, as an independent, thereby assuring a Republicsn victory. Nor, unlike Cruz. who works with no one, would Sanders have worked with John McCain, whom Trump criticised for having become a POW, to craft and pass through Congress. much need Veteran Administration reforms;
The issue for Democrats, missed in this article and the OPED by Mr. Reno yesterday is whether Mr. Sanders in the general elections would be the political heir of a winner, FDR, which Sanders is ideologically, or a loser, George McGovern. an honorable man miscast as a candidate.
1
"I think one of the problems here is the media’s not rising to the level of its significance under the First Amendment. It’s letting itself be dragged down, in the Republican area for sure—the debates—to what is the canine equivalent of barks, growls, and grunts. You know, just five-second sallies against one another—Cruz, Rubio, and all these people, Trump. And it’s extremely vacuous. I was gonna say it’s about the seventh grade level, but didn’t want to insult the seventh graders.
So it is important for the media to say, “What about all these citizen groups all over the country? Why aren’t they given voice in the election? Why is there a wall against the urban groups, the housing groups and the transit and healthcare groups, the environment and the consumer groups, that work their heads off?” They’re totally excluded from these elections, which are, in turn, excluded from the arena of a democratic society. It’s a circus."
Ralph Nader on the Tavis Smiley show last night.
So it is important for the media to say, “What about all these citizen groups all over the country? Why aren’t they given voice in the election? Why is there a wall against the urban groups, the housing groups and the transit and healthcare groups, the environment and the consumer groups, that work their heads off?” They’re totally excluded from these elections, which are, in turn, excluded from the arena of a democratic society. It’s a circus."
Ralph Nader on the Tavis Smiley show last night.
1
Iowa has lost any relevance or credibility that it may have had. It was embarrassing to see the disingenuous pandering of the candidates to the "evangelicals" who represent a very insignificant, biased component of the American Mosaic. Cruz and Rubio were the biggest phonies; with Cruz going "all in" to ensure a hollow, pyrrhic victory. Neither of these adolescents has the tools and maturity to be President. Let's hope someone emerges who does!
6
Defeat has somewhat subdued the Donald Trump phenomenon which can now be explained in a ground breaking piece of analysis. He is an accidental master of Zen, even though he thinks the word is a European pronunciation of "then". He certainly is not mislead by rational thought. He has removed the rational and the intellectual from his mind. He doesn't attempt to stop his thoughts, every speech is a rambling, stream of consciousness. Zen is something a person does, he tweets,looks at polls, wonders, "what's going on" and is "The Donald". Zen masters say doubt is poison, he will never need an antidote. If you look at him as a Zen savant, it totally changes your perspective. The man's ethereal solipsism transcends his non existent self analysis. The Zen master Hsi Tang did have some prescient advice for Trump though, "Although gold dust is precious, when it gets in your eyes. it obstructs your vision"
1
I am by no means a Trump supporter, but the headline about a "Trump loss" strikes me as odd. He is a secular New York billionaire who placed second in a Republican primary dominated by Evangelical voters. I just don't get how the conventional wisdom seems to be that Trump's second place finish in Iowa constitutes a loss. Was he expected to sweep every primary?
7
The point is HE expected to sweep every primary.
Trump performed extremely well considering he had no ground organization in Iowa and the Republicans vote for a candidate (Huckabee, Santorum) that is usually gone rather quickly.
Unfortunately, Trump's over-inflated ego is making him pout. The 2nd place finish in Iowa should be used as a springboard to dismiss Ted Cruz as another Huckabee/Santorum and help him win New Hampshire
Unfortunately, Trump's over-inflated ego is making him pout. The 2nd place finish in Iowa should be used as a springboard to dismiss Ted Cruz as another Huckabee/Santorum and help him win New Hampshire
Mrs. McGinley: I've got news for you. Trump or no Trump, your party is lost. The damage is done, and has been for a long time, only brought to light in a big way by the king of mean.
If you are looking to Rubio, or even Cruz as the great white savior to take you to the White House, you may have your party succeed – but only at great cost to the United States.
Democrats have two good, sane, smart, and committed leaders vying for the nomination. Yes there are differences, but at least each is talking about governance and really doing something for the middle class. The GOP is talking out of both sides of its mouth as it tries to snooker voters that it has their best interests at heart.
I don't know what will happen to Donald Trump, or if he will fade as quickly as this group of eager candidates seems to think he will. I just know which party truly has the interests of average American Americans at heart.
If you are looking to Rubio, or even Cruz as the great white savior to take you to the White House, you may have your party succeed – but only at great cost to the United States.
Democrats have two good, sane, smart, and committed leaders vying for the nomination. Yes there are differences, but at least each is talking about governance and really doing something for the middle class. The GOP is talking out of both sides of its mouth as it tries to snooker voters that it has their best interests at heart.
I don't know what will happen to Donald Trump, or if he will fade as quickly as this group of eager candidates seems to think he will. I just know which party truly has the interests of average American Americans at heart.
8
What's with "the great white savior" sneer? Perhaps you haven't noticed, but the two good, sane, smart, and committed leaders vying for the Democratic nomination are not non-white.
1
@GLC: huh? What are you driving at? That is an expression, a term, not an aspersions on anyone. Nor was it a sneer. If you're accusing me, all people, for being racist, you are really barking up the wrong tree.
1
Repubs so amazingly relieved that Cruz finished first in Iowa instead of Trump?! Go figure!!
2
I plan on voting for one of the conservative Republicans because we need to bring back values and principles to this great nation. Obama has brought down this nation like no other president before him and we need to get back to our ideals which are important for a society to thrive. We have reached our lowest common denominator and we must regain our footing fast. Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders would not be a good choice and would continue our steady decline. I have seen a lessening of civility and dignity in New York and other major cities and we need new blood to take us in a positive direction. For this reason alone along with many others, I am voting Republican in 2016.
1
Obama has brought down this nation like no other president before him and we need to get back to our ideals which are important for a society to thrive.
pls list 3 ways obama has brought down th usa and 3 of th ideals you feel we need to get back to
--
Bernie Sanders would not be a good choice and would continue our steady decline
how would he do that , specifically ?
pls list 3 ways obama has brought down th usa and 3 of th ideals you feel we need to get back to
--
Bernie Sanders would not be a good choice and would continue our steady decline
how would he do that , specifically ?
1
So I don't mean to be rude, but there doesn't seem to be anything of substance in your comment here. Can you give an actual concrete example of how Obama has brought down this nation? Or how the President has had a direct and causal link to this "lessening of civility"? How have we hit the lowest common denominator?
I'm not saying you're wrong (though I do disagree with you), but I would like to see actual arguments for your points and not just vague scare-tactics.
I'm not saying you're wrong (though I do disagree with you), but I would like to see actual arguments for your points and not just vague scare-tactics.
6
@KMW: the only people responsible for a lessening of civility are members of the GOP, particularly those who launched their war on President Obama in a secret meeting on inauguration Night, January 20, 2009.
2
What is so funny about our election system we spend so much more time on donating all this money to these candidates that could be used to fix America and another thing we spend more time on elections than alot of the developed world when are we going to shorten the election time in America.
4
In many ways, the worst thing about Trump and Cruz is that they positively attract bizarre thinking and willful ignorance.
A born-rich real estate tycoon with ties to the Saudis and multiple bankruptcies is a business genius who Cares About America and will Fight For the Common Man?
A graduate of Princeton and Harvard Law, who clerked for the Supreme Court, who worked for George Bush, who's married to a Goldman, Sachs exec and financed his first campaign with their money, is a Washington Outsider Who Will Fight For the Common Man?
Seriously?
A born-rich real estate tycoon with ties to the Saudis and multiple bankruptcies is a business genius who Cares About America and will Fight For the Common Man?
A graduate of Princeton and Harvard Law, who clerked for the Supreme Court, who worked for George Bush, who's married to a Goldman, Sachs exec and financed his first campaign with their money, is a Washington Outsider Who Will Fight For the Common Man?
Seriously?
41
So, to summarize, on the republican side there is a three way race between:
Trump, a man who can avoid being called a fascist only because he lacks substantive policy and the ideological coherence of actual fascists.
Cruz, reviled and mistrusted by almost everyone he has ever worked with as a man of vauntless ambition and zero integrity. I am, however, despite myself, impressed by the sheer gall of this man to choose as his slogan "TrustTed." But isn't that's how the best cons work?
Rubio, the one term senator, who having achieved nothing during his time in office cannot really be attacked as a member of the establishment.
As for the others, well.
Jeb! is running on fumes and will probably be grateful when his parents let him stop campaigning.
Kasich is hampered by having, on occasion, actually passed legislation and speaking of governing as a process of compromise rather than a pure extension of will.
Christie was once photographed embracing President Obama.
This is a sideshow attraction not a presidential race. It would even be pretty funny, except it's actually happening.
Trump, a man who can avoid being called a fascist only because he lacks substantive policy and the ideological coherence of actual fascists.
Cruz, reviled and mistrusted by almost everyone he has ever worked with as a man of vauntless ambition and zero integrity. I am, however, despite myself, impressed by the sheer gall of this man to choose as his slogan "TrustTed." But isn't that's how the best cons work?
Rubio, the one term senator, who having achieved nothing during his time in office cannot really be attacked as a member of the establishment.
As for the others, well.
Jeb! is running on fumes and will probably be grateful when his parents let him stop campaigning.
Kasich is hampered by having, on occasion, actually passed legislation and speaking of governing as a process of compromise rather than a pure extension of will.
Christie was once photographed embracing President Obama.
This is a sideshow attraction not a presidential race. It would even be pretty funny, except it's actually happening.
6
Iowa has a population of 3.5 million, it is a cute and small state. Now the real election process starts. Trump will win a few key states. We need more to drop out of the race. the republicans seem like extremists.
3
They are all a bunch of clowns distracting from the real problems it is not the GOP or the Democrats that is the issue. It is the govt as a whole that is killing off of America and both sides have been for big govt spending. Wake up partisan bickering never solves anything it just makes the problem even worse.
1
So is Cruz going to have a free pass on his Shutdown shenanigan? It cost Colorado a LOT and America billiions. This guy is a disaster.
9
You just summarized the presidency of George W. Bush perfectly. Isn't that interesting.
It's getting pretty nasty between the passengers in the republican clown car, they must smell blood in the water.
3
“For a lot of folks who are really upset about the idea of having Trump as our nominee, it gives us hope in America — not as crazy and lost as we thought it might be,” said Ms. McGinley, who added that she decided this weekend to support Mr. Rubio.
The Republican party has a magical way of continuously lowering our standards. We're beneath gutter-level now, miles underground, when Jeb Bush's conniving protégé gives anyone hope for anything other than more incompetence and corruption.
The Republican party has a magical way of continuously lowering our standards. We're beneath gutter-level now, miles underground, when Jeb Bush's conniving protégé gives anyone hope for anything other than more incompetence and corruption.
4
Funny isn't it that the tough guys on the right only get intestinal fortitude to confront Trump only after he is wounded in Iowa. Having witnessed this, we should all realize what these fake tough guys are really made of. The test now is to see what Trump is really made of.The pundit class loves this because it sells papers and air time. In the real world maybe we should inquire of President Bachman President Huckabee or President Santorum how helpful was winning Iowa in their path to the White House? Oh I forgot to mention President Dean. The same tough guys who are prepared to fight terror in foreign lands were afraid to confront Trump who was only standing a few feet away from them on the debate stage. I think I must be missing some here.
3
Several of my previous comments didn’t get posted. Let’s see whether this one can pass the scrutiny by whoever reading these comments at NYT.
I just would like to bring everybody’s attention to Mario Rubio’s tax plan. You can see more at his own website https://marcorubio.com/issues-2/rubio-tax-plan/ According to his plan, working Americans will pay income tax up to 35%, but he will cut all taxes on capital gains, dividends and estates to 0%!
No wonder he is a darling of “establishments”, including this fine newspaper.
I just would like to bring everybody’s attention to Mario Rubio’s tax plan. You can see more at his own website https://marcorubio.com/issues-2/rubio-tax-plan/ According to his plan, working Americans will pay income tax up to 35%, but he will cut all taxes on capital gains, dividends and estates to 0%!
No wonder he is a darling of “establishments”, including this fine newspaper.
8
This may be a big issue for the presidential front-runners. It may be a big issue for the media. But just to keep things in proper perspective, the number of people who actually voted in the Iowa caucus was minuscule. For example, Cruz won -- 0.016 percent of the nation on the whole. It would be like only winning the first game of a 162-game baseball season.
For me!
GOP….nope I will pass on that…The definition of insanity is when you keep doing the same thing but expect a different outcome.
Trump reads "Hitler's Speeches" before bed and says "I could stand in the middle of 5th Avenue and shoot somebody and I wouldn't lose voters."
Cruz at 18 years old stated that he aspires to "take over the world, world domination, you know, rule everything," he continued. "Rich, powerful, that sort of stuff."
Cruz has also said that “We will carpet bomb them into oblivion. I don’t know if sand can glow in the dark, but we’re going to find out.” this vs an experience President Dwight D. Eisenhower said: “I hate war as only a soldier who has lived it can, only as one who has seen its brutality, it futility, its stupidity.”
The GOP uses gerrymandering, voter restrictions, limiting information freedoms, economic warfare defunding the country’s budget, destabilizes the country using fear tactics, provoking: racism, hyper-right religion, confederacy all to control the American voters.
Why would any American Family let any of these guys determine how their children are raised?
For me!
GOP….nope I will pass on that…The definition of insanity is when you keep doing the same thing but expect a different outcome.
Trump reads "Hitler's Speeches" before bed and says "I could stand in the middle of 5th Avenue and shoot somebody and I wouldn't lose voters."
Cruz at 18 years old stated that he aspires to "take over the world, world domination, you know, rule everything," he continued. "Rich, powerful, that sort of stuff."
Cruz has also said that “We will carpet bomb them into oblivion. I don’t know if sand can glow in the dark, but we’re going to find out.” this vs an experience President Dwight D. Eisenhower said: “I hate war as only a soldier who has lived it can, only as one who has seen its brutality, it futility, its stupidity.”
The GOP uses gerrymandering, voter restrictions, limiting information freedoms, economic warfare defunding the country’s budget, destabilizes the country using fear tactics, provoking: racism, hyper-right religion, confederacy all to control the American voters.
Why would any American Family let any of these guys determine how their children are raised?
11
If Rubio is elected President he will just be a know-nothing figurehead like George W Bush before him, controlled by the party establishment and doing their bidding without any real understanding of what is going on. ("We will be welcomed as liberators" for example.)
15
I am not a fan of Donald Trump or Ted Cruz. Marco Rubio is not represent the middle. Now we have less Republican seeking the become President. After New Hampshire more will stop seeking the Presidency. That we know everything else is bet.
1
Among the Republicans, Marco Rubio strikes me as in the most difficult position, looking down the months from here to the summer and into the fall. He can do well in New Hampshire, but when it comes to the so-called "SEC Primary," where the Southern states kick in, he's going to have to tack to the right again, or risk losing; just as Newt Gingrich baited Mitt Romney to do so in 2012 in South Carolina and Florida, so Ted Cruz and Donald Trump and Rick Santorum (if he's still around) will bait Rubio and compel him to go public with positions that are catnip to the far right "base" of the Republicans in the South, but at a cost to his credibility and his appeal to independents, moderate Republicans, and virtually all Democrats. And, like Romney, the cost of moving rightward to protect his chances in the Republican nominating contest will come with a heavy price to pay against the Democratic nominee in the fall. Cruz and Trump, by contrast, can hew to their adherence to out-of-the-mainstream right-wing positions; but, of course, we've seen how that one worked out for Barry Goldwater.
2
This is THEIR country and not The Peoples' any longer and any threat to their security will not be tolerated nor allowed. We will never again have any President who will do anything which is in best interest of The People vs. corporations. They are puppets and the whole process is an utter waste of time. Wake up people both sides are bought and paid for already.
7
I'm already exhausted
18
What is so hard to understand about liberals and establishment Republicans alike fearing Trump because of his rejection of both political correctness and campaign dollars that in the future will be used to control him like a robot? Trump is perhaps the last chance for America to veer onto a path that is sustainable for the vanishing middle class.
3
In what bizarro world would Rubio be more acceptable to moderates than Trump or Cruz? They've all taken extreme, xenophobic, war-mongering, fear-mongering and misogynistic positions, and none of them has the temperament to be President.
14
Jorge Ramos has been the only member of the mainstream press to challenge Don on his outrageous claims - and Don had Ramos physically manhandled out of a press conference for posing those challenges.
Again: A candidate for POTUS directed his henchman to physically manhandle an American exercising his free speech rights because that candidate did not like the content of those rights.
Let that sink in, Trumpsters, and then convince me that had O done that same thing with, say, Michael Savage, you would not be howling about it.
Again: A candidate for POTUS directed his henchman to physically manhandle an American exercising his free speech rights because that candidate did not like the content of those rights.
Let that sink in, Trumpsters, and then convince me that had O done that same thing with, say, Michael Savage, you would not be howling about it.
4
Not only are the Republican candidates humorless they are utterly without humility. They are, without exception, and only by degree, blowhards and braggarts.
7
The amazing thing to me is that no one is talking about the fact that, when you add Ben Carson's vote in, 83% of Republican voters in Iowa voted for candidates totally unqualified and/or unprepared to actually be President. The Republican anger machine is leading the party to another defeat.
9
What a difference! The Democrats are making the primaries a contest of ideas, while the Republicans are offering a host of insults and competition of personalities.
7
Can't understand why the media is treating the Iowa coin flips as a non-event.
It could be an example of the Butterfly Effect.
It could be an example of the Butterfly Effect.
2
The coin flip story turned out to be inaccurate. Both sides won some coin flips - about 50-50.
2
For the white working class to vote for Trump Is similar to the sheeps voting to welcome the wolf in their midst.
4
TRUMP did not lose. We the people did. Stop spreading your own personal grudges.
1
Rubio insists that victims of rape and incest must carry their pregnancies to term because he "chooses life."
It hasn't occurred to Rubio that what he's actually supporting with this horrific policy is the legitimacy of rape and incest - actions which destroy womens right to be safe from physical violence and our right to agency over our own lives - by supporting the results of rape which in turn destroys women's right to be safe from physical violence and our right to agency over our own lives.
If you in any way support rape as a legitimate act of destruction against women's right to autonomy (and forced pregnancy is against our right to autonomy) - well, let's face it, you're supporting the idea of rape.
I doubt Jesus would be impressed.
Rubio's a stupid lout.
It hasn't occurred to Rubio that what he's actually supporting with this horrific policy is the legitimacy of rape and incest - actions which destroy womens right to be safe from physical violence and our right to agency over our own lives - by supporting the results of rape which in turn destroys women's right to be safe from physical violence and our right to agency over our own lives.
If you in any way support rape as a legitimate act of destruction against women's right to autonomy (and forced pregnancy is against our right to autonomy) - well, let's face it, you're supporting the idea of rape.
I doubt Jesus would be impressed.
Rubio's a stupid lout.
64
As for Jesus, both Rubio and Cruz insist he be our morning guide to living.
Sorry, I thought this country was founded on religious freedom, not compulsively asking us to pray for a God that many of us do not have.
It truly makes me sick to see two grown men attempting to make this a road to the Presidency. How dare they! How dare they!
Sorry, I thought this country was founded on religious freedom, not compulsively asking us to pray for a God that many of us do not have.
It truly makes me sick to see two grown men attempting to make this a road to the Presidency. How dare they! How dare they!
6
Trump is saying straightforwardly in the plain language that used to be spoken in the USA that this IS an exceptional country that has lost its way, that he loves it and its people wholeheartedly and will do anything including sacrificing part of his personal fortune to help make it right for ordinary Americans. The mainstream media don't see or don't want you to see this positive message. Instead, they focus on the negative, nasty name calling, of each other as well as of -- and, admittedly, by-- Trump. They are partisans of an existing order, a possibly unconscious conspiracy to circle the wagons and marginalize a threat-- to them. What is going on is a movement, a movement impervious to that old game. I caution my friends in that movement that we may in fact not be big enough at this time to overwhelm the people who have wrested both the power and the mouthpiece from the common man, but we will be making an impact. I don't care a bit about the vituperative reaction that my comment here may elicit from the Times readership, nor should you. That includes citing historical parallels to demagogues and tyrants like Huey Long or Mussolini. We are already ruled by tyrants and "informed" by an obsequious press. We have checks and balances to rein in in swell-headed Presidents. I'm by no means the uneducated, know-nothing yahoo that they would like to portray me as, nor are you. They're the ones with blindfolds on. Forward!
9
All I see when I look at Trump - and all I hear when I listen to him - is a neo-fascist Mussolini wannabe. You may not care to consider the parallels, but I do. And for me, Trump is a demagogue and a non-starter.
4
Could you explain how a born-rich billionaire with strong ties to the Saudis, who's gone broke at least twice and who's made his loot spltting up and selling off neighborhoods, is a friend of America and the Common Man?
Thanks.
Thanks.
9
Trump is playing everyone. Just like he pretended to be a devout christian when he wanted to win the evangelical vote in Iowa. I'm glad that they caught his bluff and put him to place. He will say and do anything to fuel his ego. He is a person when asked how he's gonna bring back jobs from China he said "he's just gonna do it and his followers believed it". People in zimbabwe wouldn't fall for that trick but sadly some people did in the great country of ours..
2
Two young Cuban immigrants, an elderly social(ist) democrat, an experienced former secretary of state and a clueless billionaire fascist running for the office of the next president of the US of Wonderland, taking a year and spending millions of dollars to do it: quite fascinating and yet, as seen from the perspective of an outsider, utterly comical because in the end, Wonderland, most of the time, ends up with someone like the Mad Hatter as holder of the highest office in the land, with a few exceptions like J. F. K. and B. Obama. I believe that Wonderland will not be the same after the current circus. And that may be for the better of the rest of us because the civilized world is watching this farcical go-around at what Wonderland calls "democracy."
11
Personally, all Iowa proves is that anything can happen...and will. Iowa's record for picking the ultimate candidates is absymal, so I put little stock in Monday's outcome. Talk to me in late March and see how much will have changed by then.
5
OK, So Trump made an early splash. America is a bit - a little bit smarter that actually voting for him. Trump is toast - thank God!
1
Only in the sense that he's got a lot of bread and can take the heat.
2
Call me crazy but Trump has the distinction of actually creating something great. I mean; look at Kill and Bill. They have 3 billion going on 4 stashed. Niether of them have ever had a real job. So………..where'd the get the money. Please don't say speaking engagements. Rubio, Cruz, Graham, Santorum, etc. they're all talkers. All they do is talk. I'm betting on Trump to square the inequities away. The blather in the media is 90% propaganda. He is going to end all the fraud and corruption on the high end and the low end and the great middle class will be back.
Look for him to really start calling out these career politicians on who they really represent and where their money is coming from. We have 350 Americans murdering Americans and yet the media has us focused on Muslims who account for nothing on the overall per centage of murders. Rubio and Cruz, as Crusaders par excellance, are seeking Christian mass murdering in a land where we have no business being now that we are energy independent. Let's keep those war contractors going though as it helps the economy.
Look for him to really start calling out these career politicians on who they really represent and where their money is coming from. We have 350 Americans murdering Americans and yet the media has us focused on Muslims who account for nothing on the overall per centage of murders. Rubio and Cruz, as Crusaders par excellance, are seeking Christian mass murdering in a land where we have no business being now that we are energy independent. Let's keep those war contractors going though as it helps the economy.
6
The best predictor is the past: Trump is about Trump. You and I know that nobody becomes a billionaire by looking out for the other guy. It's all about Trump and a Trump presidency would be a disaster for everyone but Trump.
5
Trump probably does have a lot of money. The trick is that he wants yours as well. That is what rich people are all about. It amazes me ceaselessly that you can be bought off through your fear of the other.
2
Wow- at least get a news source that uses facts and your conclusions will be different than using some collection of vague rumors and stale talking points.
I don't think the establishment should get too excited yet. Santorum won Iowa in 2012, Huckabee in 2008. What is the saying? 'Iowa picks corn, New Hampshire picks presidents'?
28
Go, Bernie!!!
4
So we read that Cruz threatened elderly voters with lies, the establishment stuffed ballot boxes with Rubio's name and Democrats re-registered as Republicans in order to sabotage the race in Iowa.
I'm not sure how any of this diminishes Trump's true popularity. The snakes aill try to do anything legal or illegal to subvert the will of the people. The media "dabbing" over a slight victory under suspicious circumstances is sad.
I'm not sure how any of this diminishes Trump's true popularity. The snakes aill try to do anything legal or illegal to subvert the will of the people. The media "dabbing" over a slight victory under suspicious circumstances is sad.
6
I have not seen and election since this one, driven by popular rage since the Dixiecrats left the Democratic party after passage of the civil rights legislation by LBJ.. Compared to today’s GOP Nixon was a moderate but by 1976 with Goldwater the GOP started its march to the right, with republicans becoming conservatives and conservatives becoming ultra conservatives and radical ultra conservatives until we have a party that is committed to the destruction of the federal government. Is the GOP peddling fascism? To achieve and stay in power the right made promises both social and economic that they could not possibly keep and they failed to deliver except for the super rich.
People now realize that they have been had, betrayed, tricked and lied to and they are enraged to the point where they are ready for someone like Ted Cruz, an elite, who would bring us an new order, through personal ambition or Bernie Sanders who wants revolutionary changes to rebuild the middle class. The difference between Cruz and Trump on the right is that they are both outside the boundaries of American politics while Sanders is really in the mold of FDR.
If Iowa and N.H. mean anything it wil be that it will force Hillary to adopt some of Bernie’s proposals such as raising the cap on SS well beyong its present level to expand benefits. As to Trump he has stumbled and by his own measure is a looser. An entertainer only and a looser when people vote to a much more dangerous Cruz.
People now realize that they have been had, betrayed, tricked and lied to and they are enraged to the point where they are ready for someone like Ted Cruz, an elite, who would bring us an new order, through personal ambition or Bernie Sanders who wants revolutionary changes to rebuild the middle class. The difference between Cruz and Trump on the right is that they are both outside the boundaries of American politics while Sanders is really in the mold of FDR.
If Iowa and N.H. mean anything it wil be that it will force Hillary to adopt some of Bernie’s proposals such as raising the cap on SS well beyong its present level to expand benefits. As to Trump he has stumbled and by his own measure is a looser. An entertainer only and a looser when people vote to a much more dangerous Cruz.
8
I agree with et.al comment. It has seemed obvious for years that the Republicans want to do away with Social Security. THEY HAVE SAID IT REPEATEDLY. I believe they will force us to use our retirement funds and our homes before we get a penny. Our money has been stolen. I am shocked at the blindness of the American public. We know Cruz is in Goldman Sachs' pocket, so there goes any hope of financial recovery for the rest of us. Wake up people. The old trick of 'hey! look over there! poor people are getting entitlements!' whilst Wall Street and the banks pick your pockets is not going to stop with a Republican president. Be afraid. Very afraid.
23
Trump is a clown, but I wouldn't write his obituary just yet. The Iowa Republican caucus is filled with Evangelicals who believe Jesus wrote the Declaration of Independence and love how Cruz and Rubio wear their Christianity on their sleeve. New Hampshire is more secular and sophisticated. They also have a habit of taking down the winners in Iowa to assert their independence. The Trumpster will do just fine.
4
Blah...Blah...Blah.. Mr. Trump. You said it yourself that finishing second is for losers. Front page of the Daily News reads: "Dead Clown Walking." That would be correct.
5
Centrist orthodoxy vintage Clinton “...(Mrs. Clinton) said the country had to 'get back to the big center,’ politically.”
Brings to mind the sage observation of former Texas Secretary of Agriculture Jim Hightower: “The only thing in the middle of the road are yellow lines and dead armadillos.'
Brings to mind the sage observation of former Texas Secretary of Agriculture Jim Hightower: “The only thing in the middle of the road are yellow lines and dead armadillos.'
14
I don't see a positive when the people aiming to replace Trump, and belittle him, are just as toxic and narcissistic. Trump gets defeated and phony "pray on it" Cruz grins to the top. Or slippery Rubio. It's whack-a-mole: one gets knocked down and the same type of grinning weirdo pops up.
6
After all the heat the Democrats took for throwing their union base under the bus with open borders immigration policies to pander to the Hispanic vote, the racist Republicans actually nominate a Hispanic against two tired old white people. Priceless.
4
Ageism is as bad as racism. Just sayin'.
1
When I was twenty I could not have done what these two "tired" old white people do every day. Their energy is astonishing and priceless.
Beginning of the end for Trump.
Given his polling in New Hampshire and South Carolina, much more likely the end of the beginning.
1
Trump failed to win in Iowa because actual votes were significantly less than his optimistic polling numbers. Good luck in New Hampshire and South Carolina. Many Trump supporters talk a good game (like him) but don't show up to vote.
It seems liberal media is out on hunting again! Get a life!
2
"out on hunting" Is that a homespun Texas expression? Please translate.
5
As usual the Times ignores the real story of Hillary struggling to convince voters to nominate and elect her.Hillary was tied in Iowa by a candidate who's old,socialist,and has never done anything meaningful in his entire political career.When will the Dem power brokers finally pull the plug on Hillary.
4
I suggest you check the berniesanders.org website. Sanders has done quite a lot.
5
This article (yet another thinly veiled propaganda piece against Trump) fails to show Trump's enormous present lead over his main rivals with the primary only days away. That's an important piece of information to bury. Iowa is hardly the most representative state: it is likely that the distasteful religiosity exhibited by Rubio and Cruz (who seemed to suggest God Almighty was on his side) will be perceived as grossly inappropriate, even blasphemous for a truly religious person. Iowa was tailor-made for Cruz and Rubio. It's combination of hard-core GOP rightists and Evangelicals won't be replicated any where else, and certainly not in New Hampshire. The Donald is set to return to the top of the heap, whether the author of this piece likes it or not.
13
If I didn't seek other sources of news than the NYT, I'd have no idea where the candidates stand on the issues. The Times's political coverage is just an upscale version of Entertainment Tonight. Once again, there are no front-page stories on Bernie. Don't they understand that's why he's closing in on Hillary? And why the excessive coverage of Trump as a shoe-in had him finishing second in Iowa? If you tell your 19-year-old daughter she's too young to get married - what do you think she'll do? Anyone over the age of 5 reacts poorly when you impose your reality onto them.
12
So, if both parties are doing this, it begs the question of why any of us are members of those parties, if they refuse to do our bidding? I joined the Democrat Party, after 20 years as an Independent, so I could vote in the primary, but immediately following I will once again declare as an Independent. And, I will never give them any money.
2
Read today's Des Moines Register about the unreliability of the Dem caucus numbers.Did Hillary really win?Or were some shenanigans involved?Why is it everywhere the Clintons go there is an odious trail of deception?
11
Well to be fair, they also have political opposition who are invested in creating a toxic atmosphere fueled by baseless speculation. Go for facts instead of sleaze.
1
There is not "an odious trail of deception," except in the minds of conspiracy theorists - the same ones who go around questioning Obama's religion and citizenship because they just can't accept reality.
3
Total baloney. Iowa was a closed primary only the registered GOP could vote. Trump has broad based support among Independents and Reagan Democrats. Watch for fortunes to change in NH with a Trump landslide
5
Iowa caucus goers could choose to change party registration at the caucus venues.
2
And when that landslide in NH doesn't materialize, we watch for one in South Carolina? On Super Tuesday? Right.
2
In what world is little Marco Rubio the "less conservative" candidate? This lazy, lying little twerp advocates letting a woman die to save a fetus, denies climate change as his state and constituents scramble to find ways to keep water at bay, wants to "rip up" the Iran deal, wants to deny affordable access to healthcare for poor and struggling Americans and now wants to build a wall.
He is unprincipled and makes horrible decisions in his personal life. When a teen, he "earned" money from his drug-dealing brother-in-law and instead of using the money to help his family or save for college, he bought expensive tickets to the Miami Dolphins football team, events he could have watched for free on TV.
He is unprincipled and makes horrible decisions in his personal life. When a teen, he "earned" money from his drug-dealing brother-in-law and instead of using the money to help his family or save for college, he bought expensive tickets to the Miami Dolphins football team, events he could have watched for free on TV.
50
Don't forget how he blew a 100 grand that was given to him to pay off debts on a speed boat!
3
No fan of Trump here, but just to be clear - he still finished a good second. What's with the media hype machine that passes judgment on any candidate immediately? The media narrative changes by the second based on the latest polls. Ah - pundits!
17
When you think of Mike Huckabee, Rick Santorum and Pat Robertson being past winners of the Iowa Caucus's, it makes you wonder about the relevance of these results.
Now you can add Ted Cruz to the list of eventual losers.....and Rubio isn't far behind.....all you need to do is follow their slime trail.
In a state with a heavy evangelical vote, it's hardly representative of the nation's voters
Now you can add Ted Cruz to the list of eventual losers.....and Rubio isn't far behind.....all you need to do is follow their slime trail.
In a state with a heavy evangelical vote, it's hardly representative of the nation's voters
5
I think the arcane rules of Iowa distort the process. Is there really something wrong with having a primary there?
1
I'd rather have an independent Trump than an establishment other. Done with the establishment wanting to force its bought candidates on all of us.
8
When you look at Trump from where he came from, also the fact that he spent $300 per person in Iowa. Came in 2ND PLACE in an Evangelical state, where he spent the least time, that is something.
On the other hand, Rand Paul just dropped out. It's disappointing.
On the other hand, Rand Paul just dropped out. It's disappointing.
1
he spent $300 per person in Iowa
____________________
A fool and his money are soon parted.
____________________
A fool and his money are soon parted.
Trump is finished! - again. Yeah, right NYT. Say it often enough, and people might start to believe it
3
That is why they are doing it.
It's not working.
There are Super Tuesday red states in the deep south with double digit delegates that Trump leads by nearly 30 points.
There are Super Tuesday red states in the deep south with double digit delegates that Trump leads by nearly 30 points.
This dense political fog enveloping the nation will lift after super Tuesday.
It can't come soon enough, then the media will actually have something to report.
It can't come soon enough, then the media will actually have something to report.
3
Which inexperienced, incompetent, truth bending Republican opportunist will win the New Hampshire Primary? HO Hum! People ARE hurting and they still vote for these clowns. Wake Up America!!!!!
9
Quote from your article:
“For the first time, Republican leaders opposed to Mr. Trump’s candidacy said they believed there was a chance to break his grip on New Hampshire as the party establishment closes ranks around a smaller number of candidates and Mr. Trump faces new threats on the right.”
I am a researcher in material science. When we draw samples from any mass of material I want to test, that has to be representative of the entire mass. Not from any single area or corner that may not be representative of the whole. Otherwise the entire exercise would not reflect the nature of the whole.
Iowa has less than 1% of the US population and of mostly white, and too of a certain group of faith. That being so, it is not reflective of the whole electorate. Results of any polling or “caucasing” should be viewed with that constraint in mind. I am sad that Gov. Martin O’Malley decided to quit on results of this small insignificant sample of the population. Therefore, all the excitement about having beaten Mr. Trump will be short lived. My wish is Mr. Trump and others like Gov. Kasich keep up the fight. I still believe Mr. Trump will be victorious and go on to make America great again!
I hope in future first primaries are held in places more representative of America such as California, Texas, New York or even Ohio.
“For the first time, Republican leaders opposed to Mr. Trump’s candidacy said they believed there was a chance to break his grip on New Hampshire as the party establishment closes ranks around a smaller number of candidates and Mr. Trump faces new threats on the right.”
I am a researcher in material science. When we draw samples from any mass of material I want to test, that has to be representative of the entire mass. Not from any single area or corner that may not be representative of the whole. Otherwise the entire exercise would not reflect the nature of the whole.
Iowa has less than 1% of the US population and of mostly white, and too of a certain group of faith. That being so, it is not reflective of the whole electorate. Results of any polling or “caucasing” should be viewed with that constraint in mind. I am sad that Gov. Martin O’Malley decided to quit on results of this small insignificant sample of the population. Therefore, all the excitement about having beaten Mr. Trump will be short lived. My wish is Mr. Trump and others like Gov. Kasich keep up the fight. I still believe Mr. Trump will be victorious and go on to make America great again!
I hope in future first primaries are held in places more representative of America such as California, Texas, New York or even Ohio.
13
Well this is 'United States' of America where democracy and election practices have evolved over decades. One has to understand history and the society that material or any pure science cannot explain. Political Science too is not anywhere close to perfect sciences that are evidence based and human behavior is too complex to fit in principles of pure science.
2
America is not great now? Thank for for the education but I gasp at the fact that we are not great? Who is greater? Which country is better than America?
Are you moving to a better country to escape the terribleness of this country?
If so, I wish you much luck and happiness, wherever that may be.
Are you moving to a better country to escape the terribleness of this country?
If so, I wish you much luck and happiness, wherever that may be.
2
We need a leader like Trump! Sick and tired of political correctness. It is so bad that my kids school even don't serve pork, afraid a a few Muslims there! When will all these nonsense end! I truly believe that Trump can make this country great again!
Donald duck is not a conservative Republican...Thus, Trump's biggest obstacle is not the candidates, but the corrupted establishment that manipulates both parties.
In order to prevent Democrats from voting for Trump as an alternative to government and corporate business as usual, the old sandman, Sanders is the obvious choice.
Republicans only win when Democrats don't vote or cross party lines. However, what is and what is possible in this general election is that most Americans want and will vote for change. The lies and misdirection from slippery Hillary is not what many Americans want from a president.
In order to prevent Democrats from voting for Trump as an alternative to government and corporate business as usual, the old sandman, Sanders is the obvious choice.
Republicans only win when Democrats don't vote or cross party lines. However, what is and what is possible in this general election is that most Americans want and will vote for change. The lies and misdirection from slippery Hillary is not what many Americans want from a president.
2
When is one of the running going to say "I will re-institute the draft for military service in the United States armed forces with no exemptions, None. . It is wrong for some to do ten or more tours of duty."
When carnage is equally distributed the nation will be a little less war mongering.
Enough of these chicken hawks on both sides, sending other peoples children to die or be dismembered.
When carnage is equally distributed the nation will be a little less war mongering.
Enough of these chicken hawks on both sides, sending other peoples children to die or be dismembered.
2
Yeah so how energized will they be after back to back wins in NH and SC?
As a life long Democrat, obviously, I would like to see either Bernie or Hillary become President, but there are obvious weaknesses in both candidates, & if I was a betting man i would bet neither will be elected, & i sincerely hope this will not happen.However,lets for the moment say they lost, who would I want to be President,Our only hope for civility from the Republicans would be Rubio, who is the only true moderate.If the polls show that Cruz will win the Presidency, I will cross over & vote for Rubio.We cannot allow Cruz,a bigot on the level of Penn of France to become President.
2
"Rubio, who is the only true moderate."......Who has vowed to send terrorists to Guantanamo, wants the Supreme Court to reverse gay marriage, has voted to end ACA, has reversed himself and now opposes immigration reform, would return sanctions on Cuba, thinks we should spend a lot more on the military, wants to end the nuclear agreement with Iran, thinks that Obama has been the worst President in history, and I don't think anybody has bothered to ask him about evolution and global warming. What would you have to say to be called off the map to the right?
5
Rubio, who wouldn't allow abortion even in the case or rape or incest? You mean THAT moderate?
5
Rubio is no moderate- his idea for some female victim of a violent crime to carry the predator's DNA to a full term kid is from the middle ages and is an ugly ugly reminder of the GOP attitude towards women.
2
It is really quite funny that the NYT labels Trump's result as a "defeat" and an "embarassing loss". He came in second, ahead of Rubio, who is labelled a winner. If you would look at it without so much bias, it is actually a fantastic result. It is amazing that someone like him could almost win in Iowa.
I am absolutely no fan of mister Trump, but your reporting is ludicrously biassed.
I am absolutely no fan of mister Trump, but your reporting is ludicrously biassed.
5
The country had to “get back to the big center,” Clinton said.
Which is the problem, isn't it? She wants to call herself a "progressive" but really feels most comfortable right there in the center with Wall Street, international trade deals that hurt American workers, and endless wars in the Middle East.
All the advisers and opinion polls and remessaging in the world can't change that basic message.
As Socrates has pointed out, there are no more coin tosses to keep her campaign afloat. The main thing now is for people to get to the polls.
Which is the problem, isn't it? She wants to call herself a "progressive" but really feels most comfortable right there in the center with Wall Street, international trade deals that hurt American workers, and endless wars in the Middle East.
All the advisers and opinion polls and remessaging in the world can't change that basic message.
As Socrates has pointed out, there are no more coin tosses to keep her campaign afloat. The main thing now is for people to get to the polls.
5
It would be an American tragedy if a foreigner wins New Hampshire, BUT it will also be a comedy of sorts if an ignorant narcissist bully captures more than 50 votes in an area with high education level.
Although I am not a Donal Trump supporter, I will point out he appears to have very well-spoken and behaved children. Most will give credit to the mothers (and rightly so), but a father's influence is essential leading me to believe, despite all the rhetoric, he is a very good father.
2
Yes, let's cheer as a man who wants to dismantle Social Security, Medicare, the ACA, and refuses to allow an exemption for rape in abortion laws, gets a shot at a man who, despite some badly worded blustering early in a caucus process that in one case actually reflects what the State Department is already doing behind the scenes, has mentioned single-payer health care and putting some teeth into the Dodd-Frank act, and is, in fact, far closer to the center than Cruz or Rubio would be in 100 years.
Let's reduce this race to a woman who wouldn't know the truth if it fell on her from a great height (rather than a genuinely populist grass roots leftwing candidate) and a man who is so disliked no one in his own party wants to work with him and stands to the right of Genghis Khan. Clinton the great liberal is slinging McCarthy-esque mud at Sanders in her desperation to win what she clearly thinks is her birthright while the TIMES extols her "broad-based experience". Cruz, as Bush and Reagan did, is appealing to the religious right and the folks who reject one of the great planks of western science because the Bible told them so.
Trump left the Iowa caucus in a very decent second place with delegates under his belt and NH isn't full of evangelicals.
But let's be soooooo happy that Cruz might take Trump's place as the nominee - for sure, the oligarchs will be happy, the religious right will be happy.
God forbid we should have Trump and Sanders, eh?
Let's reduce this race to a woman who wouldn't know the truth if it fell on her from a great height (rather than a genuinely populist grass roots leftwing candidate) and a man who is so disliked no one in his own party wants to work with him and stands to the right of Genghis Khan. Clinton the great liberal is slinging McCarthy-esque mud at Sanders in her desperation to win what she clearly thinks is her birthright while the TIMES extols her "broad-based experience". Cruz, as Bush and Reagan did, is appealing to the religious right and the folks who reject one of the great planks of western science because the Bible told them so.
Trump left the Iowa caucus in a very decent second place with delegates under his belt and NH isn't full of evangelicals.
But let's be soooooo happy that Cruz might take Trump's place as the nominee - for sure, the oligarchs will be happy, the religious right will be happy.
God forbid we should have Trump and Sanders, eh?
4
All this aside, what I find strangely humorous is the mounting invective being hurled at each other among Democrats, not the candidates, but their supporters, at least as seen among comments to articles here. Then again, I have learned that the East and West Coasts have become, in their own way, fly-over locations, not representative of the 99 percent. It will be interesting to see how this affects outcomes over the coming weeks.
2
"emboldened by Donald Trump's defeat"
Good God. How awful it must feel to live in such a reactive world.
The truth is we are talking about ONE caucus....and the fact they picked Ted Cruz just shows they are one degree north of crazy.....
"But then again, that's Trump's brand toothout a painful, monthslong nomination fight against the most overtly ruthless candidate in recent memory."
Um, hate to tell you but my sense is that being out and under will only embolden his ruthless behavior.
The GOP is in a fretful of it's own making. They can comfort themselves to high heaven that all is ok as long as the voting is going on underneath the party umbrella. They are going to have a rude awakening come next summer when whoever emerges from the tent to the harsh glare of reality which is: American might be crazy but we don't want to see it mirrored in our President.
Good God. How awful it must feel to live in such a reactive world.
The truth is we are talking about ONE caucus....and the fact they picked Ted Cruz just shows they are one degree north of crazy.....
"But then again, that's Trump's brand toothout a painful, monthslong nomination fight against the most overtly ruthless candidate in recent memory."
Um, hate to tell you but my sense is that being out and under will only embolden his ruthless behavior.
The GOP is in a fretful of it's own making. They can comfort themselves to high heaven that all is ok as long as the voting is going on underneath the party umbrella. They are going to have a rude awakening come next summer when whoever emerges from the tent to the harsh glare of reality which is: American might be crazy but we don't want to see it mirrored in our President.
2
Living in New Hampshire and seeing ongoing campaign television ads, the most hypocritical are the ones by all the usually suspect Chump, Cruz, Christie, but by far the absolute worst and disingenuous are the ones being run by the candidate that sounds like a teenage adolescent running for Junior High Student Council President, Marco Rubio.
There is something I find really unsettling about Rubio, he comes off as unauthentic and slimy, to point that when you meet him, it makes you want to reach around to your back pocket to hold onto your wallet.
Extremely untrustworthy.
There is something I find really unsettling about Rubio, he comes off as unauthentic and slimy, to point that when you meet him, it makes you want to reach around to your back pocket to hold onto your wallet.
Extremely untrustworthy.
10
So, the "winner" of the Republican caucus, deemed qualified to be President of the United States and leader of the free world, is a man who shut down our government, a man who hangs out with would-be killers of homosexuals and providers of women's health care (check his donors and endorsements) and a man who speaks in the tongues of misogyny, race-baiting, war-mongering and science denying. Enter in third place, the great white hope, a man who is essentially the same as the obnoxious one currently in the lead, the shiny-new and supposed golden-boy of the "establishment," whatever that is, Senator Marco Rubio.
And alas, the mogul who suggested that people who come in second are "losers," came in second in the hearts and minds of the intrepid Iowa caucus voter.
And alas, the mogul who suggested that people who come in second are "losers," came in second in the hearts and minds of the intrepid Iowa caucus voter.
3
"Mr. Bush derided both Mr. Rubio and Mr. Crux as legislative "backbenchers, who have never done anything of consequence in their lives."
No truer words were ever spoken about these two career politicians, who will say or pray anything to get elected.
However, Mr. Bush should also hold up the mirror to himself and the others. It's not a pretty picture.
Bush: Oversaw the run up to the biggest housing bubble in the US and has amnesia about the aftermath, which nearly bankrupt FL.
Trump: Narcissistic, insecure snake oil salesman who has taken many companies into bankruptcy and brags about it being legal.
Christie: Blowhard who when he was young was either a playground bully or the fat kid whom everyone picked on, and who is now taking out his anger on others.
Kasich: Pragmatic "moderate" who is taking Ohio back to the stone ages by helping utilities get paid to keep old coal fired plants running and rolling back the state mandated renewable portfolio standard so wind and solar power is less welcomed in the state.
Etc, etc.
If this is doing things of "consequence", I'll take Hillary or Bernie any day!
No truer words were ever spoken about these two career politicians, who will say or pray anything to get elected.
However, Mr. Bush should also hold up the mirror to himself and the others. It's not a pretty picture.
Bush: Oversaw the run up to the biggest housing bubble in the US and has amnesia about the aftermath, which nearly bankrupt FL.
Trump: Narcissistic, insecure snake oil salesman who has taken many companies into bankruptcy and brags about it being legal.
Christie: Blowhard who when he was young was either a playground bully or the fat kid whom everyone picked on, and who is now taking out his anger on others.
Kasich: Pragmatic "moderate" who is taking Ohio back to the stone ages by helping utilities get paid to keep old coal fired plants running and rolling back the state mandated renewable portfolio standard so wind and solar power is less welcomed in the state.
Etc, etc.
If this is doing things of "consequence", I'll take Hillary or Bernie any day!
6
Trump and Sanders have a lot more overlap than many here care to admit. It's pure denial not to see it. Trump says many things that I do not agree with but also many that things that I believe are true. The same goes for Sanders. Personally I'm glad they are both in the race this year and hope they stay in until the end.
3
Where they do not overlap is, Sanders is not a misogynist, racist, xenophobic bully.
8
On what planet is Marco Rubio "outside the hard right"? Take a look at his policies, please. He makes Barry Goldwater look like a flaming liberal.
87
Rumor has it that Rubio is in possession of an Etch-a-Sketch.
2
A suggestion for the media...
how about a "No Trump" day? This would be a day in which real news is reported about real people. Even reporting about the Kardashians would be ok.
how about a "No Trump" day? This would be a day in which real news is reported about real people. Even reporting about the Kardashians would be ok.
5
Sitting at a table at an engagement party in the summer of 2015, a relative, a "Wall Streeter", advised me to consider early retirement. I scoffed, explaining that I could wait for social security and continue doing what I enjoy. "No" he replied, "do it now... the Republicans will fight this out so that Rubio will win the White House. Then he will change Social Security, that's why he's in it." I looked at him as if he was crazy, but was he?
45
That sounds about right but consider Cruz as the ugliest Republican around. If he were to win the presidency he would immediately build a castle, start wearing a crown and refer to the rest of us as his slaves. Now CRUZ really scares me.
Has anyone asked God if he believes in Ted Cruz?
9
I just noticed (and, sorry, hope no offense was taken) I failed the use the upper case "H" in "He."
This begs the question: Does ted cruz feel the letter "h" should be in upper case when He (ted) is spoken of in the second person?
This begs the question: Does ted cruz feel the letter "h" should be in upper case when He (ted) is spoken of in the second person?
This election, to paraphrase Bil Clinton's famous 1992 mantra, is all about "It's The Establishment, Stupid!" Donald Trump is the Republican anti-establishment candidate just as Bernie Sanders is for the Democrats. As much as I loathe Mr. Trump's coarse bigotry, he like Sen. Sanders, is not beholden to the current economic elite that is, to my mind, strangling the life out of our democracy. This is probably the climactic battle to roll back the control by "the malefactors of great wealth" and their "political puppets" before it's too late. I hope the voters live up to their state motto of "Live Free or Die" and act accordingly.
2
Mr. Trump isn't "beholden to the current economic elite" he IS the current economic elite. Why do you think he would give a damn about the rest of us. This absurd fantasy that Donald Trump will dismantle a system that favors him and his cronies is laughable.
3
Trump's "bigotry" is a fabrication by Democrats and establishment politicians who have nothing else to exaggerate. Trump is by far the most progressive candidate in the race.
1
IF Bernie Sanders keeps on surging in the polls Hillary must move left. Listening to Morning Joe how Hillary received 200 thousand dollars one week at one college then 300 thousand the next week at another college then they were looking up another New York college where she got 200,000 while our children our turned into Indentured slaves the money looks as if she got mafia type bribes to keep the dems as a replacement for the GOP as they move extreme rightwing
If Berne keeps surging have him for VP and Hillary as Pres . We all know Trump will win and if they join together in a progressive agenda our nation can finally become sane instead of all these establishment vampires feeding off the people creating great inequality leading to an economic downfall and dictator where will all feel like were in prison unless we are very rich
If Berne keeps surging have him for VP and Hillary as Pres . We all know Trump will win and if they join together in a progressive agenda our nation can finally become sane instead of all these establishment vampires feeding off the people creating great inequality leading to an economic downfall and dictator where will all feel like were in prison unless we are very rich
1
We have friends here who also maintain a summer residence in New Hampshire. They are Democrats but this year they will be choosing the Republican ballot to cast their vote for The inimitable Donald. They believe either Hillary, whom they support, or Bernie, who is their alternative, would demolish the superficiality of the Trumpster.
There's the rub with NH. Registered Independents can vote their conscience, or they can make mischief. Analyzing what's in someone's head when they make that decision is a prognosticator's nightmare.
And that's why American politics is such a circus and so darn frustrating for a populace not so political savvy.
DD
Manhattan
There's the rub with NH. Registered Independents can vote their conscience, or they can make mischief. Analyzing what's in someone's head when they make that decision is a prognosticator's nightmare.
And that's why American politics is such a circus and so darn frustrating for a populace not so political savvy.
DD
Manhattan
3
time for some new friends
1
I don't think a single Democrat believes Trump would lose. They talk out of both sides of their mouths. If any Democrats are sneaking over the "border" to vote in the Republican primary then they are doing everything in their power to sabotage Trump. They would much prefer Cruz or Rubio is the opponent.
1
Real political parties restrict their nominations process to a dues-paying membership.
Sen. Sanders strong progressive message and campaign reminds one of Sen. George McGovern's message when he sought the Democratic nomination for President in 1968. Another generation seeks an idealistic solution to the mess in Washington. This time, it is the mess that President George W. Bush started in the Middle East and the current republican establishment in Congress has created in Congress. While we expect Secretary Clinton to prevail in this fight for the nomination, we also remember the lasting effect that Sen. McGovern had on the young people in the nation.
1
As one of those young people (now 68) what I remember is what the Democratic establishment should keep in mind: the terrible effect of bringing resentful, half-hearted support to an idealistic grass-roots candidate.
It was 1972, not 1968; 1968 was Gene McCarthy and Bobby Kennedy.
You mean Gene McCarthy and Hubert Humphrey. And the cynical decision to seat the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party in return for supporting the Vice-President trailing war baggage, rather than just seating them as the right thing to do.
(Robert Kennedy had been assassinated by the time of the Democratic Convention.)
(Robert Kennedy had been assassinated by the time of the Democratic Convention.)
Cruz and Rubio, just what have the Democracts gotten for all that open border pandering to the Latino vote.
1
Actually, MKM, what it shows is that many Republican voters are not the bigots about "border" issues that some of their party's demagogues are.
. . . Mr. Bush derided both Mr. Rubio and Mr. Cruz as legislative "backbenchers, who have never done anything of consequence in their lives."
My,, my! For someone living in a glass house, he should be careful when throwing stones.
My,, my! For someone living in a glass house, he should be careful when throwing stones.
2
Guess who else is energized?
Donald Trump.
Sorry establishment, this isn't your year.
Donald Trump.
Sorry establishment, this isn't your year.
4
What should nerve Hillary is her pending legal problems regarding a total disregard for storage of classified emails. If I had done what she did, I would be in a federal prison already. We simply cannot have laws for normal citizens and have them not be applicable to the super rich elitists like the Clintons. It is time for the FBI to recommend indictment and arrest.
1
I wonder who is qualified to decide what is and what is not classified information - would it be a faceless bureaucrat, a Republican investigating committee, Fox News, or the Secretary of State?
1
It is the originating organization who classifies the data. You make light of actions on her part that put lives at risk where intelligence methods are involved. What part of Top Secret Special Compartmented Information (TS/SCI) do you not understand?
James - It is my understanding that the emails were not
top secret when they originated but have been re-classified after the fact. Perhaps I've gotten that wrong?
top secret when they originated but have been re-classified after the fact. Perhaps I've gotten that wrong?
Did anyone really believe that Donald Trump actually wanted to win the Presidency of the United States? Why would a guy who claims to be worth $9 billion want a job that pays $400 grand?
How could any serious candidate start his campaign by calling the majority of Mexicans drug dealers and rapists, claim that Sen. John McCain who spent years in a N. Vietnamese POW camp, "not a hero" and claim that women are all those adjectives he used and blood "...coming out of their eyes"?
No Mr. Trumps exit strategy has been plain as day and was exposed again yesterday after his defeat, "Fox News has not treated me nicely."
Expect going on the air 2017 or 2018 "THE TRUMP NETWORK" providing in-depth and insightful 24/7 "news coverage" with reality shows on the weekend to complete against Murdoch and his pile of hot fresh stinking lies over at FOX News Corp.
Mr. Trump always knew he wasn't going to be President he just miscalculated the stupidity of his base when they bought his brand of bovine excrement and for a moment maybe, actually thought he could win this thing.
Now reality (pun intended) has struck home and Mr. Trump knows he's been fired and a LOSER even by his own standard and definition.
How could any serious candidate start his campaign by calling the majority of Mexicans drug dealers and rapists, claim that Sen. John McCain who spent years in a N. Vietnamese POW camp, "not a hero" and claim that women are all those adjectives he used and blood "...coming out of their eyes"?
No Mr. Trumps exit strategy has been plain as day and was exposed again yesterday after his defeat, "Fox News has not treated me nicely."
Expect going on the air 2017 or 2018 "THE TRUMP NETWORK" providing in-depth and insightful 24/7 "news coverage" with reality shows on the weekend to complete against Murdoch and his pile of hot fresh stinking lies over at FOX News Corp.
Mr. Trump always knew he wasn't going to be President he just miscalculated the stupidity of his base when they bought his brand of bovine excrement and for a moment maybe, actually thought he could win this thing.
Now reality (pun intended) has struck home and Mr. Trump knows he's been fired and a LOSER even by his own standard and definition.
1
"Did anyone really believe that Donald Trump actually wanted to win the Presidency of the United States? Why would a guy who claims to be worth $9 billion want a job that pays $400 grand?"
Believe it or not, and you wouldn't by reading this paper alone, some people actually love this country and the ideas upon which it was founded.
Believe it or not, and you wouldn't by reading this paper alone, some people actually love this country and the ideas upon which it was founded.
Welcome to the nasty side of politics and American politicians.
It is a fact that Republicans land Democrats lie constantly. In fact, they are far more alike than they are different.
Both operate to retain and grow their power.
They both have secret agendas.
They both accept unlimited large contributions from various sources of differing purity.
They both fight for power in underhanded ways.
Don't let us fool us. Most of them are power-hungry game-players who put the needs of the party above the needs of the people. Putting other members of both parties who work hard and are honest at the mercy of their own party.
Lets move away from the money and pawer games. Lets vote for who will be best for the people, and not for those in power worried about their American donors, spending the majority of their time fundraising, blaming the other side of the aisle when the pressure is on, and ultimately stagnating while in office with the primary goal of strengthening their party.
We as American voters have the power to decide right. Let's use it.
It is a fact that Republicans land Democrats lie constantly. In fact, they are far more alike than they are different.
Both operate to retain and grow their power.
They both have secret agendas.
They both accept unlimited large contributions from various sources of differing purity.
They both fight for power in underhanded ways.
Don't let us fool us. Most of them are power-hungry game-players who put the needs of the party above the needs of the people. Putting other members of both parties who work hard and are honest at the mercy of their own party.
Lets move away from the money and pawer games. Lets vote for who will be best for the people, and not for those in power worried about their American donors, spending the majority of their time fundraising, blaming the other side of the aisle when the pressure is on, and ultimately stagnating while in office with the primary goal of strengthening their party.
We as American voters have the power to decide right. Let's use it.
1
Two words, one name: Bernie Sanders.
2
Rubio will be toast the minute the other candidates start informing the public that billionaire Miami car dealer Norman Braman has been helping support Rubio and his wife and kids for over a decade. No grownup respects a guy who doesn't support his own wife and children.
27
The fanatical, extreme, children of the corn fringe, Midwestern Christian fundamentalists swayed by Ted Cruz's best incarnation of David Koresh live in Iowa, not New Hampshire.
Despite the best efforts of every single news organization in the United States to stop it, Donald Trump will win the New Hampshire GOP primary.
Ted Cruz barely won Iowa, a caucus where Cruz and Rubio operatives on the ground fueled by heavy money from the GOP elite, forced multiple revotes, lied to Ben Carson supporters and sent out misleading, fabricated official documents to manipulate Iowans into going their way.
That's not going to happen in NH. I'm from New England. A smug, fanatical Cruz operative trying to bully someone from New Hampshire will be greeted with a punch in the face, not Iowa bred fear.
Despite the best efforts of every single news organization in the United States to stop it, Donald Trump will win the New Hampshire GOP primary.
Ted Cruz barely won Iowa, a caucus where Cruz and Rubio operatives on the ground fueled by heavy money from the GOP elite, forced multiple revotes, lied to Ben Carson supporters and sent out misleading, fabricated official documents to manipulate Iowans into going their way.
That's not going to happen in NH. I'm from New England. A smug, fanatical Cruz operative trying to bully someone from New Hampshire will be greeted with a punch in the face, not Iowa bred fear.
15
It's hard to know which is worse: Cruz's affecting authentic religious conviction or playing the part. But in his blasphemous victory speech he explicitly attributed his victory to Providence: "To God the glory!" This repetition of the historically dangerous formulation -- Gut mit eins! -- shows that the man is capable of anything. That might have worked on the extreme rightwing Evangelical yahoos, but I think the more sober and properly skeptical population of New Hampshire won't buy such bloviating about the ways of an ineffable God.
1
Nature's total indifference to each and every one of us equalizes us.
1
That's right, Republicans. Dump Trump, and elevate Cruz and/or Rubio.
Out of the frying pan, into the fire.
I wonder if anything could motivate Democrats and Independents more in the 2018 mid-terms than two years of President Ted Cruz or President Marco Rubio.
Perhaps by then we'll all understand in our bones (Which may be all many of us have left.) the realism of Senator Sanders' platform, and the imperative of Howard Dean's 50 state campaign strategy.
Out of the frying pan, into the fire.
I wonder if anything could motivate Democrats and Independents more in the 2018 mid-terms than two years of President Ted Cruz or President Marco Rubio.
Perhaps by then we'll all understand in our bones (Which may be all many of us have left.) the realism of Senator Sanders' platform, and the imperative of Howard Dean's 50 state campaign strategy.
12
Much ado about nothing. The Iowa caucus is hardly a reliable indicator of presidential success. Think about this: a mere 50,000 people voted for Cruz. All I can do is yawn. It hardly justifies all of the Media coverage and it certainly represents a total waste of money both by the state that runs the election process and by all of the dark/wealthy/ordinary backers of the candidates. How much did it cost for each vote?
In the end, there needs to be a national primary declared as a national holiday so that people can actually get involved in the voting process.
In the end, there needs to be a national primary declared as a national holiday so that people can actually get involved in the voting process.
9
The more I learn about Iowan demographics and how the Iowa Caucuses were run the less I think of it. In fact, I'd take it a step farther: I think it was a joke.
Iowa is worse than meaningless. I don't think Sanders or Trump lost. I don't think Clinton or Cruz won. I don't think anything of any significance happened beyond the media working itself into a lather and Iowans taking everyone for a ride and to the cleaners. Trump should have ignored it, but because he didn't he fell into a trap sprung by an opaque, dishonest, easily manipulated political process. The bombastic Manhattan card sharp got snookered by some Country Rubes. Won't be the first time that's happened.
But could New Hampshire, another tiny backwater state of little consequence, be more meaningful? I believe not, for the same reasons and because selecting worthy presidential candidates shouldn't depend on tiny groups in individual states anymore. It's about winning multi-state population blocs:
The Far West Bloc: California, Arizona, Oregon, Washington;
The Central Bloc: Pennsylvania, Maryland, Ohio, Virginia, North Carolina;
The Metra-North Bloc: New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts;
and,
The Clot: Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, and Florida.
Most of the rest of the nation votes with The Clot.
The traditional primary state lineup (Iowa, New Hampshire, etc) should be discarded. A state in each bloc should be selected randomly to go first, second, third ... .
Iowa is worse than meaningless. I don't think Sanders or Trump lost. I don't think Clinton or Cruz won. I don't think anything of any significance happened beyond the media working itself into a lather and Iowans taking everyone for a ride and to the cleaners. Trump should have ignored it, but because he didn't he fell into a trap sprung by an opaque, dishonest, easily manipulated political process. The bombastic Manhattan card sharp got snookered by some Country Rubes. Won't be the first time that's happened.
But could New Hampshire, another tiny backwater state of little consequence, be more meaningful? I believe not, for the same reasons and because selecting worthy presidential candidates shouldn't depend on tiny groups in individual states anymore. It's about winning multi-state population blocs:
The Far West Bloc: California, Arizona, Oregon, Washington;
The Central Bloc: Pennsylvania, Maryland, Ohio, Virginia, North Carolina;
The Metra-North Bloc: New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts;
and,
The Clot: Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, and Florida.
Most of the rest of the nation votes with The Clot.
The traditional primary state lineup (Iowa, New Hampshire, etc) should be discarded. A state in each bloc should be selected randomly to go first, second, third ... .
21
I wonder if your plan would provide opportunities to candidates who, at the beginning of the campaign, are not particularly well-known or well-financed. In the scenario you describe, the candidates might be Hillary Clinton and Jeb Bush, with little opportunity for Bernie Sanders on the Democratic side or a plethora of candidates from the Republican slate...
The artificial significance of the early smaller state primaries and caucuses could easily be eliminated by having a single national primary day, when everyone across the country votes. One day. The top two candidates in each party then go into the conventions and afterward the nominee proceeds on to the November election.
The worst possible result of the Donald's expected demise will be that GOP voters will firmly believe that Cruz is sane by comparison and Rubio's delusions of competence are accurate. We're in for a long, ugly slog to November and an unfortunate reflection of what American politics has become. The captain has turned on the seatbelt light...turbulence ahead.
5
Of course they are. That's what makes it a race. I am not a Trump supporter (prefer Kasich alone out of everyone on both sides) but I do think he is going to win and I can't think of anyone running on the right who would handle the presidential debates better.
"I can't think of anyone running on the right who would handle the presidential debates better."
Thanks for verifying that what we call political "debates" these days are a pathetic joke.
Thanks for verifying that what we call political "debates" these days are a pathetic joke.
2
I don't disagree one bit, Brad. But, such as they are, my statement stands.
More waiting until next Tuesday for the New Hampshire Primary vote. The candidates for the Presidency on both sides are on tenterhooks. The thunder will come out of New Hampshire and not Iowa this time, and whomever the Republicans choose - Trump? JEB!? Cruz? - and whomever the Democrats anoint - Bernie? Hillary" will have a head start toward Super Tuesday winnings. How difficult the Founding Fathers and latecomers legislated choosing our President every four years. Why not do away with the Electoral College, victim of gerrymandering and other corrupt political evils in every state? Wouldn't one person, one vote work best? And most of all, to remove Election Day from the first Tuesday in November to a Saturday or Sunday, or both days, would greatly broaden and exemplify a truer voter turnout. Meanwhile we wait and wonder if our beloved country can come back to some sort of equilibrium. We are tipping like a mega-cruise ship, a floating skyscraper laid sideways, almost on the rocks.
3
Mr. Rubio would deny abortions under any circumstances what so ever. This stance marks him, in my mind, as far right and as dangerous to women as any of the GOP running for the nomination.
19
Clinton is no liberal. She follows her husband, who drove the Democratic party to the right.
7
"Long eclipsed by Mr. Trump, they now must also contend with Mr. Rubio’s status as the only candidate outside the hard right to perform well in the caucuses."
Say what?
To cater to the Iowa GOP caucus crazies, Rubio went off the farm as "moderate" Republican in the debates and campaign speechs and has drunk lustily of the Tea Party koolaid.
He is "far right" now as to immigration, reproductive rights, tax breaks for the robber barons etc. etc.
This may work well for the newly minted GOP establishment darling in gaining the GOP nomination, but Hillary will not give him a pass like this Op Ed piece, as too how radically right wing he has become.
Say what?
To cater to the Iowa GOP caucus crazies, Rubio went off the farm as "moderate" Republican in the debates and campaign speechs and has drunk lustily of the Tea Party koolaid.
He is "far right" now as to immigration, reproductive rights, tax breaks for the robber barons etc. etc.
This may work well for the newly minted GOP establishment darling in gaining the GOP nomination, but Hillary will not give him a pass like this Op Ed piece, as too how radically right wing he has become.
5
Actual Proper Headline: Thrice Married Billionaire Playboy finishes second in Iowa Caucus.
Trump finishing second in Iowa is like Charlie Sheen finishing second to be the next Pope. Iowa is filled with bible thumpers who value humility and forgiveness. The last 3 winners there were Santorum, Huckabee and born-again G. W. Bush.
Trump finishing second in Iowa is like Charlie Sheen finishing second to be the next Pope. Iowa is filled with bible thumpers who value humility and forgiveness. The last 3 winners there were Santorum, Huckabee and born-again G. W. Bush.
5
New Hampshire is a different ball game that could in all likely hood have an outcome different from Iowa but will provide a greater clarity as to who will be the real front runners and who needs to fold up on the Republic side after two consecutive poor performances.
1
It's kind of amazing that voters are just starting to realize that Trump hasn't given us any coherent policy or program -- with the possible exception of "Build the Wall," but even there he hasn't explained how we're going to prevent immigrants from tunneling under The Wall as Palestinian terrorists have done in Israel (Build the Moat?). Well, except for Bernie, neither have the other Republican candidates, who just keep repeating that will tear down every policy and program of the Obama administration.
3
What is truly amazing is that people like you, who have no problem navigating this website, for some reason are unable to navigate to Trump's website and read his detailed policy positions
In my book, The picture caption explains everything.
1
YUGE loss for Trump!
1
Now that the emperor's clothes have been revealed for what they aren't, I almost feel sorry for Mr. Trump. Bazinga!!, as Sheldon Cooper would say, I don't.
But, Lord help us, the megalomaniac ascendant, Ted Cruz, differs in little more than sartorial splendor and the number of zeroes in his checking account. Weird, for me, an atheist, to address a higher power with a request to interfere on our (my) behalf with regard to the darling of the fundamentalist evangelicals, the fringiest of the Republican right.
Cruz speaks their language. He was brought up in it. He knows and uses the rhythms and cadences of the southern revivalist with a natural ease born of long exposure to the harangues of the southern revivalist. If at times they seem so smooth they are over-rehearsed, well, believe your intuition. His invocations to God have the slick sheen of cynicism. The man doesn't believe in God, Satan, Heaven, Hell, or fairy dust any more than I do. But he is smart enough to know that when a tool works, and works extremely well (at least on a specific group), use it. So he does. And every word that falls from his mouth is born of a lie. His "faith" is the hook, his words the bait, and the Religious right, like a sag-bellied largemouth bass, has taken that, and the sinker and the cork to boot.
The American voter needs to approach these candidates like a trout, spurning the lookalike and its deadly barb, no matter how pretty it is, for the real thing.
But, Lord help us, the megalomaniac ascendant, Ted Cruz, differs in little more than sartorial splendor and the number of zeroes in his checking account. Weird, for me, an atheist, to address a higher power with a request to interfere on our (my) behalf with regard to the darling of the fundamentalist evangelicals, the fringiest of the Republican right.
Cruz speaks their language. He was brought up in it. He knows and uses the rhythms and cadences of the southern revivalist with a natural ease born of long exposure to the harangues of the southern revivalist. If at times they seem so smooth they are over-rehearsed, well, believe your intuition. His invocations to God have the slick sheen of cynicism. The man doesn't believe in God, Satan, Heaven, Hell, or fairy dust any more than I do. But he is smart enough to know that when a tool works, and works extremely well (at least on a specific group), use it. So he does. And every word that falls from his mouth is born of a lie. His "faith" is the hook, his words the bait, and the Religious right, like a sag-bellied largemouth bass, has taken that, and the sinker and the cork to boot.
The American voter needs to approach these candidates like a trout, spurning the lookalike and its deadly barb, no matter how pretty it is, for the real thing.
14
A sense of sanity was restored by the Iowa caucuses. Trump's invulnerability was proven false. Though it is far from over, the intense attention to this one candidate by the media, enabling mean-spirited self-aggrandizement at the expense of the other contenders for the White House, began to soften. Those of us watching into the late night hours last Monday could almost feel the air begin to seep out of the Donald's balloon. Had his balloon been filled with something of substance rather than hype and hoopla, Iowa would not have been a big deal. But when style is just about all you have -- the self-proclaimed aura of a winner -- the margin of forgivability narrows. This was no small loss for Trump no matter how he spins it.
11
Trump is through, his audience came to laugh at his outrageous behavior, not to vote for him, as shown by the results in Iowa.
Happily, Iowa does not speak for the rest of the country,6 out of 10 are religious zombies, who wound up voting for a bigoted Ghoul.
Happily, Iowa does not speak for the rest of the country,6 out of 10 are religious zombies, who wound up voting for a bigoted Ghoul.
1
What does it matter if one bigot is replaced by another bigot and extremist?
69
Because tens of millions of voters aren't voting based on those criteria.
One of the bigot extremists is sure to be soundly defeated in the general while the other stands an outside chance of squeaking a victory...
1
I have full confidence that the voters of New Hampshire, who are largely immune from the effects of the Cruzifixion, will re-coronate Trumpolini as the rightful torchbearer of Greed, Guns and Glory Over People.
And New Hampshire does not allow coins to vote in their Democratic primary, thereby dramatically increasing Bernie Sanders' chances of victory.
Populism and democracy are back in action the New Hampshire primary.
And New Hampshire does not allow coins to vote in their Democratic primary, thereby dramatically increasing Bernie Sanders' chances of victory.
Populism and democracy are back in action the New Hampshire primary.
127
Hello Soc,
Sanders won 6 of the seven coin tosses in Iowa.
Need to go with him to Vegas
Sanders won 6 of the seven coin tosses in Iowa.
Need to go with him to Vegas
This is one of the wonderful things about being a native New Englander.
We started the American Revolution and are decent, hard working hearty people who aren't easily swayed.
New Hampshire goes for Trump. Big.
We started the American Revolution and are decent, hard working hearty people who aren't easily swayed.
New Hampshire goes for Trump. Big.
I heard the opposite.
1
I'm not sure if it's a huge relief that only 24% of Republicans voted for Trump or if it's scary that more than half voted for Trump Cruz combined. I genuinely thought the majority of America was moderate with some bias towards left or right...how did less than half of the votes go to moderate candidates? And to that end, how did half of the Democratic votes go to a far far left Democrat? Since when is the USA this extreme?
25
If you add Carson's 10%, you come up with 61% of the voters in Iowa favored a non-mainstream Republican, So Rubio's 23% kind of makes him not quite the supposed alternate being toted by the news media.
1
Trust me, dear commentator, if you studied Cruz, you would pick Trump (if there were only two choices). People outside of Washington are just beginning to be as frightened of Cruz (a much smarter and scarier Joe McCarthy) as those who know him.
2
It's the extremists in both parties who are most passionate about primary elections. In addition, on the Republican side, the primary calendar front-loads a series of mostly conservative-leaning states. The media, in turn, amplifies those skewed results for ratings, in the same way that TV weather reporters make every forecast of snow sound like "snowmageddon." The whole thing becomes a carnival echo chamber that significantly misrepresents the reality, which is that less than 20% of eligible voters actually turned out. To me, that's the headline: How can 80% of eligible voters choose to stay home when we see the devastation that reckless leadership can wreak and then the slate of candidates in front of us.
1
If republican candidates cannot beat Trump, they don't deserve the presidency. Ditto for Sanders. If he won't be critical of Hillary, he doesn't deserve it either.
Sanders acknowledges that Clinton's emails are a very serious issue when asked about them but won't bring them up in her presence. What does that say about his strength, when up against a Clinton no less? He'll be taking his "style" and "values" right back to Vermont instead of the White House.
Sanders acknowledges that Clinton's emails are a very serious issue when asked about them but won't bring them up in her presence. What does that say about his strength, when up against a Clinton no less? He'll be taking his "style" and "values" right back to Vermont instead of the White House.
6
Clearly, what it says about Sanders is that he believes that Hillary will be the Democratic nominee, and he doesn't want to damage her. Who knows? He may be angling for the Veep slot -- if so, attacking Hillary simply will have her go to O'Malley or someone else less polarizing than Bernie.
1
Or perhaps it is simply that Bernie is a decent human being.
9
Less polarizing than Bernie? What? Even some Republicans and conservatives like Bernie. How can Clinton be less polarizing than Bernie?
P.S. O'Malley dropped out Monday night, so you may want to revise your comment.
P.S. O'Malley dropped out Monday night, so you may want to revise your comment.
2
Iowa shook out the great pretender, with the Republican field now is more clear as to who to who the real horses are. The Democrats have a true horse race and it will be beyond New Hampshire to determine if it's still a race.
3
I don't see why people think Trump was trounced. The Iowa caucus is insanely complicated where people have to show up after work and stay for hours. It is a a state with a high proportion of religious zealots who are easily organized by their leaders who worked closely with the sophisticated organizations put in place by Rubio and Cruz. Trump who had no organization to speak of an he still came in second. New Hampshire will be an interesting test to see if Iowa once again picks the loser in the Republican nomination fight. I really don't like Trump but I would not bet against him based on what I think is his impressive showing in Iowa.
45
Insanely complicated? Hardly. We started at 7 pm and were done by 7:45. One person representing each candidate is allowed to speak, then the vote is taken. The votes are counted and that's it. Not what i would call "insanely complicated", and if it is to some people, they probably shouldn't be voting.
No one knows better than I do that it isn't politically correct to say anything remotely positive about Donald Trump. Well I take pride in not being politically correct so I'll jump into the pool anyhow. Considering that Donald Trump has never run for elective office before his second place finish in Iowa was a remarkable achievement. Yes he made a lot of rookie mistakes and missing the last debate hurt him in the end. And let's face it--Ted Cruz's "
New York Values" cheap shot helped put him over the top in Iowa. It was easy to scare heartland voters into believing that New York is a mean and scary place. But before the Times and the rest of the mainstream media gets too cocky, this isn't over yet!!
New York Values" cheap shot helped put him over the top in Iowa. It was easy to scare heartland voters into believing that New York is a mean and scary place. But before the Times and the rest of the mainstream media gets too cocky, this isn't over yet!!
26
The belief that Donald Trump does not have what it takes to be President has nothing to do with political correctness and everything to do with the fact that he is a pathetic excuse for a human being.
3
New Hampshire has a tad more credibility than Iowa, but it's not the bellwether it was decades ago. There's that tricky little thing with switching parties. That's why there are more registered Independents than the two major parties combined.
One can choose to vote for the person they would really like to be the nominee, or they can switch and make mischief. All one has to do is either pick the ballot of their party preference, say the Democrats, and pick Hillary or Bernie, or they can pick up the opposition ballot, and vote for the person whom they believe has the least chance of beating Hillary, who despite all the chatter remains the odds-on favorite.
Here in New York, where the primary is two months away, it's locked in. You can only cast a ballot for your party, Independents can NOT vote, and if you decide to switch parties it must be done long before (months?) the primary. But one does get a truer assessment of where each party stands with preference to a particular candidate. And of course large states do have a greater diversity of the cross-section of the nation.
DD
Manhattan
One can choose to vote for the person they would really like to be the nominee, or they can switch and make mischief. All one has to do is either pick the ballot of their party preference, say the Democrats, and pick Hillary or Bernie, or they can pick up the opposition ballot, and vote for the person whom they believe has the least chance of beating Hillary, who despite all the chatter remains the odds-on favorite.
Here in New York, where the primary is two months away, it's locked in. You can only cast a ballot for your party, Independents can NOT vote, and if you decide to switch parties it must be done long before (months?) the primary. But one does get a truer assessment of where each party stands with preference to a particular candidate. And of course large states do have a greater diversity of the cross-section of the nation.
DD
Manhattan
14
Yes! And unfortunately the news media won't bother to point this out. It is more profitable to keep the general public caught up in this relentless game of picking a winner than to say, "Just chill, people! These primaries don't really give you a true picture. Wait for NY." And this is just the beginning of months and months of bickering and hand wringing ang guessing that won't conclude until November. I am already exhausted by it.
2
Ah, New Hampshire: Live, Freeze, and Die.
2
Another day, another front page NYT story about how Trump is over.
30
This is why Trump gets so much traction from bashing the media. Trump is leading by 20 points nationally and double digits in every upcoming primary but that headline doesn't sell papers.
1
Yeats summed up the Republican party: "The best lack all conviction, while the worst are full of passionate intensity."
99
Amen.
Perfect, all the republicans are unacceptable
1
and the center will not hold...
I find this really incredible. A series of polls taken by the media, who hate Trump, put Trump in the lead to win Iowa. Many people thought Trump would win because the media polls said he would probably win. So, as it turns out Trump does not win. He comes in second. The polls were wrong. Then the media beats up Trump and say it is essentially over for him and that Rubio, who came in third, is now the man who will win. Why? Because they say it is all about expectations. Those same erroneous polls that the media took had Rubio with a poor showing in Iowa. So, the media set fake expectations with bad polls then they beat up Trump and hail Rubio because their bad or fake expectations were wrong.
30
Like the scorpion in the fable, 'it's what they do.'
1
These ere not "the media's polls; and, by the way, Trump loved them. Hmmmm.
Rubio is their savior?
that's all anyone needs to know about the republican party. ugh.
that's all anyone needs to know about the republican party. ugh.
141
There is already a caption for the upcoming Republican primary in New Hampshire.It's the same as the title of the 2008 Academy Award Winning film "There Will Be Blood".In this case it's political blood being shed. Donald Trump will not be the prime target. Marco Rubio is at ground zero. He is about to be "carpet bombed"and bludgeoned from all sides. After Iowa, he is seen as an emerging threat and a candidate who will be able to attract some big establishment donors, as they begin to abandon the Titanic that is the Bush campaign. The problem is that his personal and political history make him a vulnerable target. He will have to withstand some big hits in New Hampshire. It will be interesting to see if he can replicate his third place finish in Iowa. If he does its curtains for Bush, Christy, and Kasich.Bush will hang on for awhile, but he's already the bad political guest who overstayed his welcome.
21
The Republican Party is looking at a rout in the fall of 2016 if they see Cruz as their savior from the evil Trump. Rubio is not a whole lot better, though thus far, he has not been driven into the rancor and hate filled talk that seems to dominate the "debates". All three men have elected to position themselves on the far right of the party, and all three eliminate any hope for compromise.
They demand closed borders, the elimination of the EPA, the reduction of Federal controls over most everything, reductions in taxes that will wipe out social programs, hurting the lower and middle classes while extending the income gap, privatization of social security and medicare, and, of course, repealing of the ACA. In foreign policy, each of the candidates would drag us further into the morass of the Middle East, committing more assets and troops in sacrifice to no purposeful end.These are positions that cannot stand. Americans will not tolerate them. They are, for the most part, senseless and pandering.
The Party needs to search elsewhere for an electable candidate, or it will fall to another defeat. The radical right provides no direction that this country needs.
They demand closed borders, the elimination of the EPA, the reduction of Federal controls over most everything, reductions in taxes that will wipe out social programs, hurting the lower and middle classes while extending the income gap, privatization of social security and medicare, and, of course, repealing of the ACA. In foreign policy, each of the candidates would drag us further into the morass of the Middle East, committing more assets and troops in sacrifice to no purposeful end.These are positions that cannot stand. Americans will not tolerate them. They are, for the most part, senseless and pandering.
The Party needs to search elsewhere for an electable candidate, or it will fall to another defeat. The radical right provides no direction that this country needs.
70
Another thing they are into now, is the privatization of libraries. Where do you think that will leave us and future generations, when the tea party goons remove any and all reading material that is not pro them. This will also begin the firing of real librarians and librarian technicians so that the rethuglicans replace them with minimum wage workers who will get no benefits. They want to keep educated people out of those jobs so that no one knows anything but what they are told by right wing ideologues.
1
This fair description of Republican candidates' nation does not sound like America.
1
I agree with you. Apparently, the third time is not the charm for the Republican Party. The party's extreme views led to losing the Presidency by large margins in 2008, 2012, and likely again in 2016. Their candidates might be big fish in a small pond but once their views are aired across the country, people are not going to be able to stomach them.
It's sad in a way. I'd like to have a real choice among Rs and Ds sometime in my life but the last 2 decades I've been able to vote, the Rs have never come up with a viable candidate for me.
It's sad in a way. I'd like to have a real choice among Rs and Ds sometime in my life but the last 2 decades I've been able to vote, the Rs have never come up with a viable candidate for me.
1
Recent deconstruction by scholars tells the story of the sorry party called republicans. Cruz's support is from Americans who just hate that: (a) the weak, the old, and minorities are getting treated equally, (b) their candidates - who rile against welfare for the weak, and promise welfare for the rich - fail to deliver when elected. They love Cruz's recidivist agenda; back to 1870.
It is only the popular American culture's moral equivalence that prevents the media and people to roundly condemn these motivations as un-American.
Trump's popularity is attributed to the segment of Americans who absolutely hate that there are blacks, Hispanics, and Muslims living in this country.
It is only the moral fecklessness of the media and American people that prevents a thorough condemnation of the message, the messenger, and the eager followers.
And who are their rivals? Rubio? The automaton with rehearsed smiles, and rehearsed lines? He is just this side smarter than Palin, but of the same stripe and genre. Christie? Who is on constant audition for the wiseguy on the Sopranos? Bush? Decent fella but harkening to the dark Bush I and Bush II years?
The winning ticket in the republican party is Kasich & Bush (or in reverse order). But, why would the republican voters (and republicans by and large) let pragmatism get in the way of expressing pure hatred and bigotry?
Kalidan
It is only the popular American culture's moral equivalence that prevents the media and people to roundly condemn these motivations as un-American.
Trump's popularity is attributed to the segment of Americans who absolutely hate that there are blacks, Hispanics, and Muslims living in this country.
It is only the moral fecklessness of the media and American people that prevents a thorough condemnation of the message, the messenger, and the eager followers.
And who are their rivals? Rubio? The automaton with rehearsed smiles, and rehearsed lines? He is just this side smarter than Palin, but of the same stripe and genre. Christie? Who is on constant audition for the wiseguy on the Sopranos? Bush? Decent fella but harkening to the dark Bush I and Bush II years?
The winning ticket in the republican party is Kasich & Bush (or in reverse order). But, why would the republican voters (and republicans by and large) let pragmatism get in the way of expressing pure hatred and bigotry?
Kalidan
50
Another Bush is not the answer to any problem.
6
With great confidence, and hope it is of comfort to you, if either Rubio, Cruz or Trump is the nominee, they will not win against Clinton (and I'm not a fan of HRC). Your are right to see the three candidates as you do, but they will not win. America is so much better than they are.
3
If Rubio is "more mainstream" I am the Princess of Whales.
Lying about how, when and why your parents immigrated, living first of the credit cards of the republican Party of Florida until being supported by billionaire Norman Braman, proposing more, perpetual war in the Middle East, promising to refill Guantanamo, reinstate torture, mentioning some god every other word and wanting to make women carry the babies of rapists might be mainstream somewhere else but not in the United States.
Denying man made climate change when the City of Miami Beach is spending $500M to install 81 massive pumps, raising streets and sidewalks, parts of Key Largo were under water, without a storm, for three weeks, when Ft. Lauderdale too is flooding, well, they just don't make high heeled, zip up booties high enough to keep his feet dry.
Lying about how, when and why your parents immigrated, living first of the credit cards of the republican Party of Florida until being supported by billionaire Norman Braman, proposing more, perpetual war in the Middle East, promising to refill Guantanamo, reinstate torture, mentioning some god every other word and wanting to make women carry the babies of rapists might be mainstream somewhere else but not in the United States.
Denying man made climate change when the City of Miami Beach is spending $500M to install 81 massive pumps, raising streets and sidewalks, parts of Key Largo were under water, without a storm, for three weeks, when Ft. Lauderdale too is flooding, well, they just don't make high heeled, zip up booties high enough to keep his feet dry.
268
And let's not forget that like a little boy with his new toy, he gleefully posed with a high-powered gun in his hand to obtain votes, dangerously encouraging even more irresponsible and paranoid people to go out and buy one. I will maintain that Rubio's not mature enough to be president.
10
A weenie, elevated by politics to a stature he has neither earned nor deserves. Thank you, money and media!
6
Who says Florida isn't supposed to be underwater? We have no "baseline" because the only baseline in the 4 billion year history of the planet is constant change. Adapt or die.
I think that if "!" could get his mom to say something about how much she likes him, that that would help...if we are in an alternate universe!! What a loser. He needs to change the "!" for an "L". JEB L
7
Wait, wait. How long will it be before Trump does his "Mommy" bit against Bush? Does he not have any shame to bring his mother into this? And this, too. If I were his mother, I would have declined the prop-me-up role.
1
Yes, we do have to get back to the center and start working on our problems, but that takes serious thought and progress is incremental, both of which we abhor. We prefer things neatly packaged and split into easy concepts of right and wrong, and who better than political campaigns and cable news to deliver it to us?
Hillary Clinton's desire for peace, order, and good government will have to wait until January 2017, and maybe not even then.
Hillary Clinton's desire for peace, order, and good government will have to wait until January 2017, and maybe not even then.
4
The nearly unified Republican opposition to Trump is perplexing. Coming from Right (Cruz) and what for the party is Center (Rubio, Bush, etc.), one would think Trum is unacceptable for being too far to the Left? But why? It is obvious nonsense to see Trump, who fulfills practically every qualification and value Republicans seek (except among evangelicals), as a danger: he is as militaristic and in favor of intervention as the rest; he has, better than any, demonstrated his capitalist creds; he is as authoritarian and negative on civil liberties as anyone could wish--so why the ganging up?
Perhaps his very business success is unnerving to the party, ordinarily a major if not the major plus to Republicans, disconcerts as "cultural" politics take front and center stage. Perhaps Trum with his frank acknowledgment of liking power (e.g., his kind words for Putin) is viewed as not sufficiently deceptive in bringing America to a quasi-fascist stage. Perhaps his plainspokenness is an embarrassment, where manipulistion and public relations reign supreme.
Trump's chief burden is his honesty, a trait currently at the bottom of political values. Personally, I could not agree less with his policies, but, Donald, I'm sort of rooting for you in this great wash of hypocrisy and deep-down resentment/frustration characterizing the mindset of most of the other party candidates (I exempt Kasich and Paul from that group).
Trump, go for it in N.H. as a breathe of fresh air.
Perhaps his very business success is unnerving to the party, ordinarily a major if not the major plus to Republicans, disconcerts as "cultural" politics take front and center stage. Perhaps Trum with his frank acknowledgment of liking power (e.g., his kind words for Putin) is viewed as not sufficiently deceptive in bringing America to a quasi-fascist stage. Perhaps his plainspokenness is an embarrassment, where manipulistion and public relations reign supreme.
Trump's chief burden is his honesty, a trait currently at the bottom of political values. Personally, I could not agree less with his policies, but, Donald, I'm sort of rooting for you in this great wash of hypocrisy and deep-down resentment/frustration characterizing the mindset of most of the other party candidates (I exempt Kasich and Paul from that group).
Trump, go for it in N.H. as a breathe of fresh air.
17
The R establishment likes puppets it can control and/or are certain to toe-the monied orthodoxy. Look at the candidates they've proffered/run since, and including Reagan (Quayle? George? These two were no more qualified to be POTUS than the current crop; George immediately created a cabinet of "big boys" who had "been there, done that" to tell, er....show him what to do.) Trump, for all his bluster and demagogic rhetoric is not beholden to "them", and "they" don't like that. Indeed, a fundamental difference and structural weakness of the Democratic party is that there is no similar power structure behind the curtains pulling the levers. There simply isn't a similar amount of power concentrated in the hands of enough people who consider themselves progressives.
1
Your definition of honesty, as applied to Trump, seems rather generous. Let's not forget all the statements he has made, including on tape/video, including to this paper, that he has later disavowed or outright denied, when it was convenient.
2
Because he can't be bought. How sad is that.
1
OMG, the headlines about the election are so not news! Basically they boil down to "the candidates are still trying to win." This is news, front page news?
What else is going on in the country, the world, that matters? Couldn't you relegate routine continuing election coverage to a smaller box linking to the politics section? Or write an article about something we don't know about one of the candidates or his or her proposals for the future?
What else is going on in the country, the world, that matters? Couldn't you relegate routine continuing election coverage to a smaller box linking to the politics section? Or write an article about something we don't know about one of the candidates or his or her proposals for the future?
90
And Joe if you believe for a minute that Trump or any of the other GOP clown car occupants believe any of the above quote, I have a bridge to sell you in Iowa.