Rubio followers should consider this…
If a national Fortune 500 company's CEO or President left that company for any reason, and the company did a comprehensive search for a replacement for him (or her)… would any… ANY… of those firms, especially those with international operations, consider Marco Rubio as a replacement that departed CEO..?
Why would any major, internationally successful company pick Rubio to head their firm, knowing his lack of skills and minimal experience in leading ANYTHING... in just this country, much less internationally?
And yet, some people want to elect this rank amateur, untested and lacking in any obvious leadership abilities to be the leader of our country... of America?
Get serious Americans… Rubio isn't even an average run-of-the-mill senator...
If a national Fortune 500 company's CEO or President left that company for any reason, and the company did a comprehensive search for a replacement for him (or her)… would any… ANY… of those firms, especially those with international operations, consider Marco Rubio as a replacement that departed CEO..?
Why would any major, internationally successful company pick Rubio to head their firm, knowing his lack of skills and minimal experience in leading ANYTHING... in just this country, much less internationally?
And yet, some people want to elect this rank amateur, untested and lacking in any obvious leadership abilities to be the leader of our country... of America?
Get serious Americans… Rubio isn't even an average run-of-the-mill senator...
6
What the "establishment" Republicans are failing to see is that Trump is successfully expanding the party base. Reagan Democrats are coming back - to vote for Trump. Republican party primaries are attracting many more voters than the Democratic primaries - largely because of Trump. In a general election, he is likely to win more Hispanics, blacks, and young people than Romney did. Though he says quite a lot of outlandish things, people also realize that he has created tens of thousands of jobs - a lot of them for Hispanic and black Americans. Rather than fighting "the will of the voters", the establishment needs to take a deep breath, let go of some of their feelings of self importance, and trust the voters.
2
Greetings from Capitol Hill!
Russia is my next overseas trip and I cannot wait to see it in person.
After the 2012 Presidential Election, the Republican Party Chair Reince Priebus launched a 50 state GOP apology tour probing what went wrong and how the Republicans could win again.
They concluded that the GOP needed a candidate who could expand the voter base, attract new voters to the GOP and transcend the Red State conservative label.
Donald Trump does ALL those things and the GOP establishment can't run away fast enough.
I am starting to believe the GOP ultimately fears success.
Russia is my next overseas trip and I cannot wait to see it in person.
After the 2012 Presidential Election, the Republican Party Chair Reince Priebus launched a 50 state GOP apology tour probing what went wrong and how the Republicans could win again.
They concluded that the GOP needed a candidate who could expand the voter base, attract new voters to the GOP and transcend the Red State conservative label.
Donald Trump does ALL those things and the GOP establishment can't run away fast enough.
I am starting to believe the GOP ultimately fears success.
5
The GOP establishment's problem is that Trump is not really a Republican.
1
The Republican Party is disintegrating because it has never been about government of, by, and for "We the People". It has been about making money - lots of it, and playing on people's fears, prejudices, and other weaknesses for votes. It has worked very well for them. At least until now.
Now we have three snake oil purveyors leading in the race for president on the Republican side.
They tought that they would just give them the old "razzle dazzle",
I can guarantee that if Donald Trump should be elected, the first order of business will be to cut his own taxes. He is playing the American people for suckers.
Maybe the American people are waking up.
Now we have three snake oil purveyors leading in the race for president on the Republican side.
They tought that they would just give them the old "razzle dazzle",
I can guarantee that if Donald Trump should be elected, the first order of business will be to cut his own taxes. He is playing the American people for suckers.
Maybe the American people are waking up.
5
Yet the top 1% have gotten richer, faster during the Obama presidency than at any point in American History.
Ponder that?
Oh yeah, those Bush tax cuts for the rich Obama ridiculed in 2008?
Obama expanded the Bush tax cuts more times in 3 years than Bush did in eight.
Bush bailouts? Obama did 'em.
Bush stimulus? Obama did 'em.
It's March 1, 2016.
As of today no Obama supporter in the United States of America could pass a 5 question polygraph test administered by a member of law enforcement and with me asking the 5 questions.
Until someone who voted for Barack Obama can show proof that they've been honest, decent human beings for a second of their lives, nothing will change in this country.
Ponder that?
Oh yeah, those Bush tax cuts for the rich Obama ridiculed in 2008?
Obama expanded the Bush tax cuts more times in 3 years than Bush did in eight.
Bush bailouts? Obama did 'em.
Bush stimulus? Obama did 'em.
It's March 1, 2016.
As of today no Obama supporter in the United States of America could pass a 5 question polygraph test administered by a member of law enforcement and with me asking the 5 questions.
Until someone who voted for Barack Obama can show proof that they've been honest, decent human beings for a second of their lives, nothing will change in this country.
The president can't cut taxes. Those start in Congress. We have all been living in King Obama land too long.
2
Just because Trump will try to cut taxes doesn't mean that he will succeed. However, if he proposes it, Republicans will approve it.
It's all part of their goal of "shrinking the government so it can be drowned in the bathtub".
It's all part of their goal of "shrinking the government so it can be drowned in the bathtub".
2
Everybody needs to stand back and look at themselves. What do the pundits expect really?
Americans are disgusted with traditional elitist politicians on their high moral ground full of demonstrated hypocrisies.
This Presidential campaign is a mockery which has at its helm the worst possible roster of candidates to choose from. That includes the same ol' righteous proclaiming Democrats.
It is no wonder Trump is gaining traction. The media and the power elite all in a fluffle -- what is the surprise here?
Get a grip. At the end of the day, Americans just want their jobs back. Jobs for Americans -- black, white, yellow, red, green, and each and every shade in between.
The rest is just babel.
Americans are disgusted with traditional elitist politicians on their high moral ground full of demonstrated hypocrisies.
This Presidential campaign is a mockery which has at its helm the worst possible roster of candidates to choose from. That includes the same ol' righteous proclaiming Democrats.
It is no wonder Trump is gaining traction. The media and the power elite all in a fluffle -- what is the surprise here?
Get a grip. At the end of the day, Americans just want their jobs back. Jobs for Americans -- black, white, yellow, red, green, and each and every shade in between.
The rest is just babel.
3
The GOP possesses no collective will to counteract Trump.
3
From the party leadership that made gerrymandering into an art form and won an election with hanging chads. Hoist with the their own petard. Or if they prefer the Bible to Shakespeare: Live by the sword, die by the sword.
21
The GOP establishment and the establishment news media, which includes the NYT are hoping the 11th hour David Duke scandal they invented over the last 24 hours will be enough to derail the Trump campaign.
Is this a presidential election, or Wile E. Coyote vs the Road Runner?
Trump didn't say or do what he is being accused of, and just like the same establishment media and party bosses did to Hillary in 2008, now suddenly the leading White presidential candidate is branded a racist. No fact checking. No clarification. Just a 5 year old running to tell the principal a rumor they overheard.
Where in God's name are the grownups? And why do none of them work for news agencies in this country?
Is this a presidential election, or Wile E. Coyote vs the Road Runner?
Trump didn't say or do what he is being accused of, and just like the same establishment media and party bosses did to Hillary in 2008, now suddenly the leading White presidential candidate is branded a racist. No fact checking. No clarification. Just a 5 year old running to tell the principal a rumor they overheard.
Where in God's name are the grownups? And why do none of them work for news agencies in this country?
9
Perhaps this will encourage the parties to stop constantly trying to manage election outcomes through the districting and rule setting process (I know it won't of course), and instead get them to focus on a platform with the broadest possible appeal.
It is ironic (and hilarious from a Dem POV) to watch the GOP's own attempt to circumvent the electoral will of the people redound to its detriment. The hope, however, is the GOP is right about Trump's ultimately harming the party's chance for electoral success in November. This fascination with his brand combined with an embarrassingly misinformed public means we may all be soon living with the consequences of the GOP's political miscalculation.
It is ironic (and hilarious from a Dem POV) to watch the GOP's own attempt to circumvent the electoral will of the people redound to its detriment. The hope, however, is the GOP is right about Trump's ultimately harming the party's chance for electoral success in November. This fascination with his brand combined with an embarrassingly misinformed public means we may all be soon living with the consequences of the GOP's political miscalculation.
8
Look folks, it doesn't matter what Cruz does today, he is NOT going to be president. The man was born in Canada to immigrants, one an American and one a Cuban, and is thus not "natural born" as the Constitution requires. He should have been vetted a long time ago. Yes, he is entitled to US citizenship due to his mother's citizenship but it's not actually automatic - documents have to be submitted and conditions must be met. Cruz knows all this. He's hoping he will win the election and that the Supreme Court will rule in his favor to avoid a major Constiutional crisis, although such a ruling would create one. There have been civil wars fought over less.
8
With little interest in how the American people and country are faring or in governing, the Republican Party these days mostly devotes itself to the goal of winning--largely on the basis of some conniving and contrived strategy, tactics, obstructionism, and cheating (e.g., gerrymandering, voter ID, depressing voter turnout, dirty tricks, ignoring the Constitution whenever it wants, etc.).
Well, it looks like the Grand Old Party finally outsmarted itself. Donald Trump is the Republican Party's Frankenstein. Trump is the natural outcome of all the highly emotional, irrational right-wing media propaganda, disinformation and bigoted politics directed at the tea party base. And now, the cleverly contrived rules the GOP set up to assure an assured presidential candidate just blew up in its face.
Looks like the GOP's party over country strategy bore the seeds of its own destruction. Couldn't happen to a more deserving political party.
Well, it looks like the Grand Old Party finally outsmarted itself. Donald Trump is the Republican Party's Frankenstein. Trump is the natural outcome of all the highly emotional, irrational right-wing media propaganda, disinformation and bigoted politics directed at the tea party base. And now, the cleverly contrived rules the GOP set up to assure an assured presidential candidate just blew up in its face.
Looks like the GOP's party over country strategy bore the seeds of its own destruction. Couldn't happen to a more deserving political party.
18
If anything this time around is messier than 2012,with the 3 front runners acting like 3 baboons fighting over 1 banana.When the GOP establishment finally in large part decided to back Rubio,I doubt it was done in the expectation that Rubio would resort to high school boys' locker room type jokes about Trump having wet his pants,or "you know what that means " in reference to Trump having small hands.The rules changers probably never dreamed that 2 days before Super Tuesday their front runner instead of disavowing David Duke's endorsement would tell the lie that he'd never heard of Duke,following that later with lie that he had trouble hearing the question,when during the interview itself he repeated David Dukes name when denying having heard of him.
If Mr. Fob is right all that may be required to anticipate what kind of Convention that might be is to look at old footage of 1968's Democratic convention.Because I can easily picture Trump's supporters there starting a riot in such a case,probably with very vocal encouragement from Trump.
Less messy,huh ?
If Mr. Fob is right all that may be required to anticipate what kind of Convention that might be is to look at old footage of 1968's Democratic convention.Because I can easily picture Trump's supporters there starting a riot in such a case,probably with very vocal encouragement from Trump.
Less messy,huh ?
3
Why did David Dukes endorse Trump.
He must know that his endorsement can not help Trump.
Any follower of David Duke would vote for Trump without David Duke telling them to vote for Trump and everybody else would be either ignore that endorsement and vote for Trump or not ignore it and either not vote or vote against Trump.
Is it possible he give Trump his endorsement so Trump could look like a good guy to black people by rejecting that endorsement and get some of them to vote for him.
He must know that his endorsement can not help Trump.
Any follower of David Duke would vote for Trump without David Duke telling them to vote for Trump and everybody else would be either ignore that endorsement and vote for Trump or not ignore it and either not vote or vote against Trump.
Is it possible he give Trump his endorsement so Trump could look like a good guy to black people by rejecting that endorsement and get some of them to vote for him.
Cheating Trump out of the nomination through delegate rules changes would torpedo the Republicans' chances in November. Are the party apparatchiks willing to do that and endanger their own prospects?
3
Ooh. I think rewriting the rules would be deeply unpopular with the GOP base (voters,I mean).
1
The worst fears of the RNC coming true.
Letting the people decide who they want to represent them.
The DNC was smart and made sure that could not happen.
Either that or the people of the Democratic party are just easier led.
Letting the people decide who they want to represent them.
The DNC was smart and made sure that could not happen.
Either that or the people of the Democratic party are just easier led.
3
If the GOPe change the rules, theGOP will die.
So many people are sick of the establishment that doesn't work for them they've turned to Trump. They're still playing by the rules however and fighting fairly. If the delegates are suddenly turned loose, the GOPe runs a third candidate or something else, this election will have the lowest republican and independent turnout ever. The next one will see either a third party or again practically no turnout, and it will continue for years. Either way goodbye GOP.
So many people are sick of the establishment that doesn't work for them they've turned to Trump. They're still playing by the rules however and fighting fairly. If the delegates are suddenly turned loose, the GOPe runs a third candidate or something else, this election will have the lowest republican and independent turnout ever. The next one will see either a third party or again practically no turnout, and it will continue for years. Either way goodbye GOP.
4
Trip,
Please supply some examples of how Mr. Rubio is center right.
Please supply some examples of how Mr. Rubio is center right.
4
He supports amnesty, which makes him far left in my opinion. It's all about perspective, isn't it?
1
Joe in Iowa,
Yes. It is perspective for you and me. Mr. Gabriel, however, is in the business of reporting facts.
Yes. It is perspective for you and me. Mr. Gabriel, however, is in the business of reporting facts.
Republicans have been sowing the seeds of paranoia, hate and desperation for so long they have spawned a Creature completely out of control and the probable nominee of their party. How's that saying go? The one about reaping what you have sown? Republicans this year are about to find out.
Couldn't happen to a more deserving group of miscreants than they.
DD
Manhattan
Couldn't happen to a more deserving group of miscreants than they.
DD
Manhattan
11
The Republicans did not create Trump.
He did that by himself.
Trump is apolitical even if he backs Republican candidates.
He does this more because he is anti Democrat then pro Republican.
He is really a independent just like Ron Paul was and also a con artist who seeks power.
Nothing more or less.
He did that by himself.
Trump is apolitical even if he backs Republican candidates.
He does this more because he is anti Democrat then pro Republican.
He is really a independent just like Ron Paul was and also a con artist who seeks power.
Nothing more or less.
1
The twist of phrase "Ready, fire, aim" comes to mind when considering the GOP. The nativist drivel coming from the front runners will have pushed most independents to the left, meaning the election will be decided far in advance of November 8. Unfortunately that will leave us with HC...the candidate most like "W", the candidate who was the deciding voice in our turning Libya from a country governed by a dictator who posed no threat to the US to one that is now a haven for terrorists, a candidate who threatened our national security for her "convenience", etc., a candidate whose dependency on Wall Street and big business is notorious. I get the feeling that "The whole world is watching" is being replaced by "The whole world is laughing".
3
Did you forget Quadaffi was responsible for an American aircraft bombing over Scotland?
3
That was in the past plus we do not know categorically that he ordered it.
Minnesota is an independent state, not a moderate one. They elected Jesse Ventura as governor, and Ron Paul won the Republican caucuses there last time. They will go for an outsider like Donald Trump in a big way.
1
You forgot Al Franken, comedian elected Senator from Minnesota.
1
"They that sow the wind, shall reap the whirlwind." Over the last couple of decades, Republicans have been trying to hold onto a shrinking base of white male voters by introducing subtle (and sometimes not so subtle) notes of racism, nativism, and macho militarism into their campaigning. It is a short step from nominating Sarah Palin to be Vice President to being saddled with Donald Trump as your presidential nominee.
Trump is formidable, however, because he throws out so many ideas that some of them are bound to appeal to Democrats and independents. When he says that his policies will not be influenced by special interests because he is not taking any money from anybody, he appeals to Bernie Sanders supporters. When he says that the government should negotiate with drug companies to get the best deal, and that he wouldn't let anybody die on the streets, he appeals to Hillary Clinton supporters. If he continues to support issues favored by both the right and the left, he could attract votes from large number of Republican and Democratic voters who agree on one thing; politicians from both parties are working for their own benefit, and not the benefit of the American people.
Trump is formidable, however, because he throws out so many ideas that some of them are bound to appeal to Democrats and independents. When he says that his policies will not be influenced by special interests because he is not taking any money from anybody, he appeals to Bernie Sanders supporters. When he says that the government should negotiate with drug companies to get the best deal, and that he wouldn't let anybody die on the streets, he appeals to Hillary Clinton supporters. If he continues to support issues favored by both the right and the left, he could attract votes from large number of Republican and Democratic voters who agree on one thing; politicians from both parties are working for their own benefit, and not the benefit of the American people.
5
Shrinking base? The GOP has taken more than 1000 seats from the Democrats since Obama took office. They hold a majority of state houses and governorships. They took back congress from the overwhelming majorities the Democrats had in 08 and 09. The generic vote has closed the gap between D's and R's. The turnout for the primaries is far larger on the GOP side than the Dems.
If any party is shrinking it is the Democrats.
If any party is shrinking it is the Democrats.
3
The RNC establishment has shown themselves to be as low and sleazy as the DNC establishment. It would be fitting justice that they be hoist by their own petard.
1
America, we are witnessing the sleazy side of American politics, where an unholy alliance between the establishment news media, the Democratic party establishment and the GOP elite are pulling together to attempt to force GOP frontrunner Donald Trump out of the 2016 election.
I am a Black attorney in Washington DC, with a degree in American History. I need neither to point out that what the NY Times is doing in today's edition is a carbon copy of what the NYT and the rest of the media did in 2008 to propel Barack Obama to the Democratic nomination.
In a 48 hour media frenzy, the same Bill Clinton referred to by Toni Morrison as our first Black President was a racist, and the NYT led the drumbeat of suggestive news articles playing up Hillary's appeal to southern whites and blue collar white voters. The rest is history.
Even the suggestion that Trump is aligned with these people is a poison pill.
Where are the NYT stories about Barack Obama's support from the New Black Panther Party? Louis Farrakhan? Al Sharpton?
This is a disgraceful repeat of feckless race exploitation designed to tilt the outcome of a presidential election away from the voters and into the hands of the media elite.
Both sides should be disgusted with this.
I am a Black attorney in Washington DC, with a degree in American History. I need neither to point out that what the NY Times is doing in today's edition is a carbon copy of what the NYT and the rest of the media did in 2008 to propel Barack Obama to the Democratic nomination.
In a 48 hour media frenzy, the same Bill Clinton referred to by Toni Morrison as our first Black President was a racist, and the NYT led the drumbeat of suggestive news articles playing up Hillary's appeal to southern whites and blue collar white voters. The rest is history.
Even the suggestion that Trump is aligned with these people is a poison pill.
Where are the NYT stories about Barack Obama's support from the New Black Panther Party? Louis Farrakhan? Al Sharpton?
This is a disgraceful repeat of feckless race exploitation designed to tilt the outcome of a presidential election away from the voters and into the hands of the media elite.
Both sides should be disgusted with this.
5
Take heart, DC, despite all their efforts it's not going to work. Just look at the lead picture and tell me which candidate draws those crowds? This is bigger than the establishment and the press. This is the people.
2
The Republicans won the House. The Republicans won the Senate.
They are favored to win the Presidency. So why does everyone,
Democrats and Republicans, act like they are losers?
Maybe its the losers who are screaming the most?
They are favored to win the Presidency. So why does everyone,
Democrats and Republicans, act like they are losers?
Maybe its the losers who are screaming the most?
2
You must turn off your radio.
1
Rubio and Cruz are sock puppets for the political donor class. The comparison flatters Trump.
3
A Republican plan went awry? And this is news to anybody?
Screw-ups are their modus operandi.
Screw-ups are their modus operandi.
6
If the Republican establishment doesn't like Trump, why doesn't it adopt Hillary Clinton? She is much more like a traditional Republican than she is a progressive Democrrat. She favors big banks and Wall Street; she is a war hawk; she has been against gay marriage for the majority of her life; heck, she even started out a Republican. The Republicans can have her -- and she will probably even win.
4
One would think that with Mr. Trump's daughter marrying into and converting to Orthodox Judaism he would have some trepidation about accepting the endorsement of David Duke and other white supremacist groups, whose dislike for Jews is as dangerous and virulent as for African-Americans. But no, his megalomania has no boundaries, not even paternal protection makes a dent.
5
He denounced Duke and the white supremacists.
3
Correction on Rubio. While he is still getting paid as a Senator while he campaigns, he will not be able, under Florida law, to be on the ballot for re-election as a senator and president. His term is up this year.
1
More and more fellow Americans - and certainly the majority of us, Czech-Americans who are forever thankful to Reagan's leadership bringing freedom to our old land - see fundamental similarities between Mr. Trump and Reagan: true patriots, core value Republicans, nice and genuine human beings and - above all - inspiring and effective leaders with a broad appeal. With Donald Trump as Commander-in-Chief we all will - like under Reagan - Make America Great Again!
6
Wow. Methinks that you have been drinking too much of your home country's excellent Pilsner. The only truth in your comment is referring to President Reagan as a patriot (even if I often disagreed with his policies).
The rest is baloney, and comparing President Reagan with Trump is insulting.
The rest is baloney, and comparing President Reagan with Trump is insulting.
3
Wonder what Vaclav Havel thinks of Trump.
2
".... crack wide open on the convention floor."
And out of the wings will step Paul Ryan, who has been biding his timing and appearing oh-so-conciliatory all these past months. As Richard Nixon famously said right after his election "Bring Us Together!". Just watch.
But if I were Trump and in the majority and that happened, I'd consider the nomination stolen, and run as a third party candidate, if for no other reason than to put it to the Republican party.
And out of the wings will step Paul Ryan, who has been biding his timing and appearing oh-so-conciliatory all these past months. As Richard Nixon famously said right after his election "Bring Us Together!". Just watch.
But if I were Trump and in the majority and that happened, I'd consider the nomination stolen, and run as a third party candidate, if for no other reason than to put it to the Republican party.
9
Donald Trump will be the first billionaire to purchase the presidency for himself.
6
Better than being a President who owes the billionaires who purchase it for you don't you think?
1
How did he purchase it? He's spent the least amount of money of any candidate who reached Iowa? Also Jeb Bush spent over a hundred million dollars on his run.
It looks like the GOPe was trying to buy it.
It looks like the GOPe was trying to buy it.
1
But not the last...
I find Trump's policies are better and more centered than Cruz's. Why on earth would anyone want Cruz in office: he does not mind homeless people dying on streets unlike Trump, wants to throw away 11 million illegal immigrants along with their families (US citizens) out forever unlike Trump, wants to build a wall like Trump (borrowing his idea), wants only Christian refugees to be admitted (unlike Trump who says no refugees), is pro-life (unlike Trump who is pro-life but with some exceptions) etc.
4
I live in Texas. Teh pundits aare saying that this is a Cruz state but I think they are going to be surprised. Everyone I have talked to is voting for Trump. My husband and I voted Trump last week. Trump may very well win Texas. Cruz has tarnished his name here. He lied about his donors, he has committed serious voting violations. I don't even think the guy will win his senate seat againd. Texans don't like people who try to deceive them to win. He never told us he was a Canadian. It appears he transplanted himself in our state as a conservative after working years for Bush Jr.
3
Like Reagan, Trump has an appeal for a broad spectra of voters. And like Reagan, whom establishment mocked and gave "no chance" of getting into the White House, Trump is surprising them all ... because of that broad appeal. Then, over the years Trump supported many bipartisan positions, women rights, and he was against Forbes' and Reagan's "flat tax" long before Buffett was.
2
So much talk and that is all it is. The Establishment is running scared. There will be no brokered convention. The very rules set down in 2013 make that a pert near impossibility. The article implies it could be easy. It is not. Trump will be the nominee and he will go on to blow out Hillary Clinton or whomever the Democrats end up nominating. Everything else is blah blah blah....
3
The mass media now are dumping on Trump because they want to choose both nominees! Cable news didn't see a problem with covering his every move in the summer, thus bringing him to everyone's attention. Now hey are also dumping all kinds of negative comments and stories about Sanders, even though he still shows a better win over Trump than Clinton.
Even though he is raising record number of contributions. Can't have an even
playing field in whig voters get a full understanding of Sanders' views. As much as I loathe
Trump's views, I understand the anger -- if you know your vote counts for nothing, why not just throw it away ?
Even though he is raising record number of contributions. Can't have an even
playing field in whig voters get a full understanding of Sanders' views. As much as I loathe
Trump's views, I understand the anger -- if you know your vote counts for nothing, why not just throw it away ?
2
Bernie is ahead in the polls against Trump because he has not been attacked yet. Hillary has been attacked for the last 24 years and still going strong. Bernie will crumble at the first knife.
2
Democrats beware: Trump may the Republicans' Frankenstein now. He'll be America's in the Fall when he starts polling ahead of Hillary.
3
The most astounding thing out of the past few years is the how blatant the GOP is regarding governing. They completely ignore their duty as elected officials, bordering on treason at times (regarding treaties, obstruction) and then they rewrite their rules at every turn. Then when it doesn't work out, rewrite yet again.
If I was one of those angry supporters enamored with Trump who had delegates they voted for 'unbound', free to vote for whomever they want, I'd be even more livid.
Does any of this even approach the appearance of democracy?
If I was one of those angry supporters enamored with Trump who had delegates they voted for 'unbound', free to vote for whomever they want, I'd be even more livid.
Does any of this even approach the appearance of democracy?
7
Yeah I said this awhile back.....they screwed themselves trying to jerry mander the process...
1
Mrs. Clinton must enjoy watching this circular firing square continue. As the cop says, "Nothing to see here folks - move along."
7
They country desperately needs this.
We must have Trump as a viable presidential candidate, with cloying senators and governors willing to serve in the walled, stern Caliphate he is promising.
How else would America confront the consequences of our intellectual and moral surrender? How else would the product of our intellectual rot confront us, and trigger new thinking and action?
Look at us.
The right wing says: "this is my country, I want a white America with slavery" and the rest says "let's just agree to disagree, while you feed on our tax dollars." Half the country is so comfortable in this intellectual pigsty, they will likely hold up a sign saying "I disagree with you" as boxcars rumble by.
And why wouldn't Americans hold up this sign? What else can be expected from a population that experiences no dissonance living their commitment to "agreeing to disagree," and finding ways to coexist with people who want a walled Christian caliphate, regards Obama is a Muslim, defines the KKK and proliferating hate groups as patriots with legitimate concerns.
The price of this intellectual surrender is a Trump presidency. We likely need this to cleanse our own souls.
Kalidan
We must have Trump as a viable presidential candidate, with cloying senators and governors willing to serve in the walled, stern Caliphate he is promising.
How else would America confront the consequences of our intellectual and moral surrender? How else would the product of our intellectual rot confront us, and trigger new thinking and action?
Look at us.
The right wing says: "this is my country, I want a white America with slavery" and the rest says "let's just agree to disagree, while you feed on our tax dollars." Half the country is so comfortable in this intellectual pigsty, they will likely hold up a sign saying "I disagree with you" as boxcars rumble by.
And why wouldn't Americans hold up this sign? What else can be expected from a population that experiences no dissonance living their commitment to "agreeing to disagree," and finding ways to coexist with people who want a walled Christian caliphate, regards Obama is a Muslim, defines the KKK and proliferating hate groups as patriots with legitimate concerns.
The price of this intellectual surrender is a Trump presidency. We likely need this to cleanse our own souls.
Kalidan
4
There is a movement going on to end politics as usual. No more big money power brokers deciding what is best for the people (or for them). No more business as usual.
People tried this before, there was the Tea Party (it started with the best of intentions and then got hijacked by extremists) and the Obama candidacy (remember Hope and Change?).
This time the people selected which candidate gives them the best chance of reaching goals of America as we want it. Trump, with all his flaws, came the closest..
People tried this before, there was the Tea Party (it started with the best of intentions and then got hijacked by extremists) and the Obama candidacy (remember Hope and Change?).
This time the people selected which candidate gives them the best chance of reaching goals of America as we want it. Trump, with all his flaws, came the closest..
2
If you have to resort to making things up to make your point then perhaps you have no point after all.
Stick to the facts then get back to us.
Stick to the facts then get back to us.
"The right wing says: 'this is my country, I want a white America with slavery' "
Who has called for the return of slavery? Your statement is as racist as it gets.
Who has called for the return of slavery? Your statement is as racist as it gets.
This is a Saturday Night spoof on reality. The GOP shot itself in the mouth with their design of these eleven states Super Tuesday. Trump is smarter than all of them. No matter what University sues Trump that gives more fire to his base and increases his long lines of people that will vote for him. He has become the Pied Piper of Doom, or the Joker is Wild, with the last laugh. Maybe this is really an Alfred Hitchcock production and not a Reality Show.
4
There is no company in the world that allows a senior executive to be paid and not show up for work while looking for another job. Yet we have two U.S. Senators MIA from Congress for months and the Ohio governor doing the same. There should be a Federal Statute that an elected official must resign his/her office if running for a different position. So if Rubio and Cruz loose, they go back to their comfy old jobs and start getting paid for giving speeches about what they learned on the election trail. And in fours years, they can do it all over again. The Political Class is truly different than We the People....sadly for us.
6
Be careful what you wish for. It might just happen. And what about those unintended consequences?
That being said, what would happen if the Republican Party embraced Trump? The Democrat Party obviously fears him, as is well documented in another article in today's NYT.
Embracing Trump eliminates the possibility of angering his many supporters and a possible third party run, which would clearly not be in the Republican Party's best interests.
Embracing Trump might also make him more controllable from the Republican Party's perspective, because the focus would then be entirely on the Democrat Party nominee, presumptively Mrs. Clinton, which would be exactly what the Democrat Party does not want, namely, Trump pounding away on Mrs. Clinton day after day.
Something to think about. And it could not be any worse than it is going to be if the Republican Party winds up fighting with Trump, because they will surely lose the election, if they do.
That being said, what would happen if the Republican Party embraced Trump? The Democrat Party obviously fears him, as is well documented in another article in today's NYT.
Embracing Trump eliminates the possibility of angering his many supporters and a possible third party run, which would clearly not be in the Republican Party's best interests.
Embracing Trump might also make him more controllable from the Republican Party's perspective, because the focus would then be entirely on the Democrat Party nominee, presumptively Mrs. Clinton, which would be exactly what the Democrat Party does not want, namely, Trump pounding away on Mrs. Clinton day after day.
Something to think about. And it could not be any worse than it is going to be if the Republican Party winds up fighting with Trump, because they will surely lose the election, if they do.
3
Something about dogs and fleas comes to mind.
2
Trump is the best asset that Clinton can have.
1
I used to feel this way in the beginning of the Drumph phenomena. Now I am terrified and the pouty Bernie supporters dis-avowing Hillary will carry the Donald to victory if we don't do something.I feel like making a contingency plan is now imperative for me. The rest of you are on your own.
New York Times you hold a grave responsibility for the rise of Mr. Trump due to the incessant,unceasing and interminable coverage from day one.
Why???
Why???
3
All for ratings. It is hard to keep hope when every entity in America sells out for the money. Every.Single.Time.
It's called news. Many other commenters are convinced the Times is maligning Trump, blah, blah blah.
He has to be covered because he is news and telling the simple truths about Trump will be seen by his crazed supporters as maligning him. He is, in fact, malignant.
He has to be covered because he is news and telling the simple truths about Trump will be seen by his crazed supporters as maligning him. He is, in fact, malignant.
He has to be covered?
Is a major American newspaper calling a presidential candidate a bully and comparing him to Mussolini "coverage?"
You know what's crazy?
The NYT has published more articles attacking and insulting Donald Trump in 7 months than the NYT has published in 77 years about Mussolini.
That's right. More NYT articles denigrating and mocking Donald Trump from July 2015 - March 2016 than the NYT has published insulting Mussolini from Jan 1939 - March 2016.
Coverage?
Sure.
Seriously, what's wrong with Obama liberals, and will you be getting worse as the end nears for the Selfie President?
Is a major American newspaper calling a presidential candidate a bully and comparing him to Mussolini "coverage?"
You know what's crazy?
The NYT has published more articles attacking and insulting Donald Trump in 7 months than the NYT has published in 77 years about Mussolini.
That's right. More NYT articles denigrating and mocking Donald Trump from July 2015 - March 2016 than the NYT has published insulting Mussolini from Jan 1939 - March 2016.
Coverage?
Sure.
Seriously, what's wrong with Obama liberals, and will you be getting worse as the end nears for the Selfie President?
1
I scan the photos of Trump supporters accompanying the article and I don't see a single person of color among them. I guess this is the new Republican Party.
1
Not true: NPR report from TN had several African American college students supporting Trump's candidacy. And yes, they said that there are some (many?) of people around them who question them why are they for Trump. You know, the Madeline Albright thing: "There is a special place in hell for those women who don't help other women" (i.e. vote w/o thinking for Hillary.
African Americans, like women, should not be expected to vote only one particular way. That is insulting.
African Americans, like women, should not be expected to vote only one particular way. That is insulting.
Here you go: http://dailycaller.com/2016/02/29/video-msnbc-host-falls-apart-after-dis...
This is not a web site I read nor endorse in any way, but it came up in a simple Google search. The key thing is the video from MSNBC, not the article itself.
This is not a web site I read nor endorse in any way, but it came up in a simple Google search. The key thing is the video from MSNBC, not the article itself.
Mr. Yob is a perfect name for a Republican campaign strategist!
1
The GOP cannot manage their own internal affairs. Any surprise they can't even begin to manage this country?
3
Hoist with your their own petard. Unfortunately, on the other end is a noose tied around the countries neck.
1
What makes the republican establishment think that, at the convention, as Mr Yob suggests, they could just change the rules
and unbind pledged delegates leaving them free to support whomever their anointed one may be? No move could be more ignominious or desperate.
It would, in essence, have the effect of disenfranchising all who voted in a republican primary or caucus. A sick twisted gerrymandering,
on a national party scale, revealing the true nature of republican democracy in action. The subsequent voter revolt would manifest itself
in the fall election. Trump has struck a lot of chords and the real republican electorate sees a ray of hope. This has left the
republican establishment and their donor class puppeteers very afraid.
Since 9/11 Americans want control of the border. One would think that would be a Republican priority but they do nothing.
All they can do is invade Iraq and blame Obama for everything.
When it comes to campaign finance the republicans seem more interested in corporate rights than those of the individual.
With respect to the voting rights act republicans have been more interested in protecting the voting rights of one group over those of
all Americans. Since, they cannot have Trump on a string maybe they can just change the paradigm that allows him to exist and the
republican establishment will get exactly what they deserve,
and unbind pledged delegates leaving them free to support whomever their anointed one may be? No move could be more ignominious or desperate.
It would, in essence, have the effect of disenfranchising all who voted in a republican primary or caucus. A sick twisted gerrymandering,
on a national party scale, revealing the true nature of republican democracy in action. The subsequent voter revolt would manifest itself
in the fall election. Trump has struck a lot of chords and the real republican electorate sees a ray of hope. This has left the
republican establishment and their donor class puppeteers very afraid.
Since 9/11 Americans want control of the border. One would think that would be a Republican priority but they do nothing.
All they can do is invade Iraq and blame Obama for everything.
When it comes to campaign finance the republicans seem more interested in corporate rights than those of the individual.
With respect to the voting rights act republicans have been more interested in protecting the voting rights of one group over those of
all Americans. Since, they cannot have Trump on a string maybe they can just change the paradigm that allows him to exist and the
republican establishment will get exactly what they deserve,
3
Alaska seems to have a problem getting both sides of the story.
I guess banks don't pay candidates to have speaking engagements
in Anchorage.
I guess banks don't pay candidates to have speaking engagements
in Anchorage.
1
The problem with populists is that they can never be ''massaged'' or managed into changing their minds. Trump will bolt the party in a heartbeat if he thinks he's being cheated, whereas a Romney or Dole would have just waited it out.
1
Maybe they should just go fully transparent and offer delegate votes at auction, cut out the little semblance of process remaining.
2
They might as well. The RNC establishment is nothing but DNC establishment wannabes.
You can be certain that 4 years from now the RNC establishment candidate will be preloaded with "Super Delegates" just like Hillary is now.
You can be certain that 4 years from now the RNC establishment candidate will be preloaded with "Super Delegates" just like Hillary is now.
1
Democracy is great, but not when the voters decline to pick the establishment guy.
2
The Republican establishment is a corrupt organization that serves its masters made up of bog business super pacs and lobbyists. Those supposedly so afraid of Mr. Trump are not afraid he is a racist but are afraid they will not be able to control him. Big money in government is out of control.
3
It is absolutely disgusting how the media bolsters Hillary Clinton, downplays her criminal investigations as well as Bill's rape accusations, and tries to stop or destroy Trump. They are in a full court press now till election day as usual. Both past elections under Mr. Obama have favored Republicans with big wins in the House, Senate and Governor races. That is the way it is going due to Mr. Obama's hard turn to the left. America is now looking to put a "Brick and Mortar" successful businessman, who loves America with decades of negotiating experience in the top executive slot to replace a Marxist, American hating President with absolutely no experience at anything. The silent majority will roar on election day.
3
He has the main qualifications - wealth and incompetence, add hate to the mix.
2
What a revolting development.
Its as if the GOP has its hands on one of those cartoon rifles with the barrel that bends back and points right at the shooter.
I can't stop laughing.
Its as if the GOP has its hands on one of those cartoon rifles with the barrel that bends back and points right at the shooter.
I can't stop laughing.
5
I come from a Muslim background and I would vote for Trump over Hillary!
Why you ask, and I am happy to answer. I supported Bernie and the DNC threw him under the bus. The Media charge led by CNN and such made sure that his presidency does not see the light of day. I am disgusted by the deceptive game Hillary has played to trample on an honest man.
Despite the rhetoric which is a political stunt to secure the republican nominee he himself is from New York and very progressive on issues that matter like Planned Parenthood, legal immigration, Non intervention in the world, path to legalization for people already here, Health care for all, electoral reform, Anti Big Money and PACs in politics, Self funding, anti establishment... must I go on.
Sorry Hillary, you don't get to take Wall Street money, stomp on an honest man and take my vote too!
Why you ask, and I am happy to answer. I supported Bernie and the DNC threw him under the bus. The Media charge led by CNN and such made sure that his presidency does not see the light of day. I am disgusted by the deceptive game Hillary has played to trample on an honest man.
Despite the rhetoric which is a political stunt to secure the republican nominee he himself is from New York and very progressive on issues that matter like Planned Parenthood, legal immigration, Non intervention in the world, path to legalization for people already here, Health care for all, electoral reform, Anti Big Money and PACs in politics, Self funding, anti establishment... must I go on.
Sorry Hillary, you don't get to take Wall Street money, stomp on an honest man and take my vote too!
3
Funny when the monster the right created was forcing the president to prove he wasn't a part of a Muslim Horde planted here years prior only to be awaken when one of his cell became president. The right sat on its hands. When some of the Tea Party actually spit on Representative Cleaver of Missouri the right sat on its hands. When a state representative said the goal of suppressing voting rights was to help Romney win. The right sat on its hands. When the proposal to band of Muslims was floated by the Trump most on the right cheered him on. Now the party that gave us The Silent Majority, Law and Order, and Willie Horton is calling Trump to the carpet for not renouncing the starved for attention David Duke? When David Duke almost won a statewide election in Louisiana no one disavowed the voters who voted for him. The real deal is the monster the right created has grown tired of decimating the locals and now he is coming for Dr Frankenstein himself. To phony indignation of the right about David Duke is just that Phony!
3
The RNC Rules are fraught with problems because the RNC Rules Committee started with the wrong prime directives (main goals). As a former RNC Rules Committee member (‘06-’08) and Utah GOP National Committeewoman, I personally observed this. Most RNC members believe that states should largely have the right to set their own rules for binding their delegates. This allows states to bind “winner take all” or by some mathematically skewed definition of “proportional” [South Carolina is a prime example – Trump won 32.5% of the vote, but 100% of the delegates, even though SC was supposedly, under RNC rules, a proportional state]. While we Republicans believe in states rights, this takes the principle to an absurdity that undermines the true will of the voters in the final outcome.
In this, a national election, the RNC should set rules to accomplish the following prime directives:
1. Insure that the will of the people in each statewide primary or caucus vote will carry through to the national convention. (If a state chooses not to have a vote, then their delegates are not bound, as is the case with Colorado.)
2. Find the candidate that can best amass majority support, not simply win because other candidates are splitting the vote, allowing a “win” with a plurality. That is the candidate who will then get the best grassroots campaign support and voter turnout for the general election.
3. Insure that the process is fair and representative to all candidates.
In this, a national election, the RNC should set rules to accomplish the following prime directives:
1. Insure that the will of the people in each statewide primary or caucus vote will carry through to the national convention. (If a state chooses not to have a vote, then their delegates are not bound, as is the case with Colorado.)
2. Find the candidate that can best amass majority support, not simply win because other candidates are splitting the vote, allowing a “win” with a plurality. That is the candidate who will then get the best grassroots campaign support and voter turnout for the general election.
3. Insure that the process is fair and representative to all candidates.
1
"You live by the sword, you die by the sword"
3
The GOP is not very good at long term planning, and this election cycle is another great example. Because of the compressed nomination cycle, Rubio couldn't waste any time getting into the same gutter with Trump, so now he's cracking jokes about Trump wetting his pants. Does anybody with any intelligence believe any of the GOP candidates are presidential material?
6
Republicans are just plain stupid. Rubio the savior would be laughed out of an 8th grade science class. He is the worst kind of hipocrite. He complains about people shoving their values down his throat while he is in the process of shoving his down theirs. Center right? Please.
6
I think that the problem of GOP is not so much the election rules but that the party lost a touch with the American people, including its own electorate. People realize that for the last 15 years, GOP has been a distructive force for the USA. We can say that having this party in the law making and governing bodies, no enemies are needed to destroy this country.
2
Everyone is blaming the right wingers, the republicans, for this mess we're in. And I agree, they are to blame. But the one group that gets left out of being called to task, by name, are the Christians. To be specific, the evangelical Christians. They hide behind "the lord" and "Jesus saves" all the while working to destroy what was once a great nation. They won't be satisfied until this country is as repressive and intolerant as "those Muslim" countries they ridicule and fear. "The sky is falling the sky is falling...."
7
The Republicans fired up their base with a ceaseless anti-Obama litany The GOP leadership played their role through total obstruction of anything and everything that President Obama tried to accomplish. The Republicans have created an enraged Party electorate that wants revenge after eight years of GOP-inflicted government paralysis portrayed through endless and poisonous disinformation.
Then in steps Donald Trump who brings Republican electorate to their feet with a farcical belligerence and ferocity that he perfected as a Reality TV star. The Republican heir apparent, a charisma-free and fumbling Jeb was simply blown away by the whirlwind Trump created. Religious zealot Cruz and an inept Rubio have brought nothing to the Party compared to the crowd-rousing showmanship of Trump.
in the end, Republican leadership wrote the script for stand-up comic Donald Trump and he has seized their day and is eating their lunch with gusto, Perhaps their is some justice in this world.
Then in steps Donald Trump who brings Republican electorate to their feet with a farcical belligerence and ferocity that he perfected as a Reality TV star. The Republican heir apparent, a charisma-free and fumbling Jeb was simply blown away by the whirlwind Trump created. Religious zealot Cruz and an inept Rubio have brought nothing to the Party compared to the crowd-rousing showmanship of Trump.
in the end, Republican leadership wrote the script for stand-up comic Donald Trump and he has seized their day and is eating their lunch with gusto, Perhaps their is some justice in this world.
4
Yet it's Barack Obama who polishes off his stand up comedy routine.
Fun fact: Barack Obama has appeared on more late night comedy shows since 2009 than Jerry Seinfeld.
What else are Obama liberals going to invent to try and smear Donald Trump?
Fun fact: Barack Obama has appeared on more late night comedy shows since 2009 than Jerry Seinfeld.
What else are Obama liberals going to invent to try and smear Donald Trump?
There is no Trump supporter who cannot say that by backing Trump they also support racism, bigotry misogyny and that they couldn't careless that he is a documented business fraud and failure. That they don't care that Trump University robbed kids of their life savings and gave them absolutely nothing in return, that Trump's father was an active member of the KKK in 1927. These "supporters" couldn't care less because in some demented fashion they think he is "cool" and tells it like it is. Amazing!!
1
jeff from SF you are a very negative person! I'm supporting Trump because he loves America, will secure it's borders, and improve the economy through better trade deals.
You mention the KKK without mentioning BLM, the new black KKK.
You mention the KKK without mentioning BLM, the new black KKK.
1
Rubio is un-presidentially desperate. Mocking Trump's hair and spray tan makes him look like a fool. We're seeing Rubio's true colors.
6
This whole thing went sideways when Sarah Palin refused to back Ted Cruz and Marco Rubio and threw her support in behind Donald Trump.
It's amazing that the GOP and their super PACS, who have spent well over $100 million to date, never saw this coming.
It's this lack of thoroughness and failure of the GOP hierarchy to do their homework that has paved the way for Mr. Trump.
It's amazing that the GOP and their super PACS, who have spent well over $100 million to date, never saw this coming.
It's this lack of thoroughness and failure of the GOP hierarchy to do their homework that has paved the way for Mr. Trump.
I don't understand why the GOP is suddenly horrified at the prospect of Donald Trump as its nominee. You can't run a party like a circus for this long and not expect an actual clown to show up.
5
Seriously, just go after his tax returns for the last 10 years. He will not provide it - just kept hammering on it. Where are your tax returns Donald?
3
Rubio is not a center-right conservative! He is far-right. Not sure why the NYT keeps portraying him as a moderate.
6
Democracy at work. The RNC is making our form of Democracy a joke. How about the Democrats super delegates. How does that equate to a Democracy.
3
Since this is a national election, one might expect that there be a national standard, that all states and parties follow the same rules, but noooo...not in States Rights First America!
2
Whether they are in a pickle or getting stewed up about Trump, the Republicans are cooking up a witch's brew when they think about redoing the rules at the Convention. If anything will move Trump to an independent candidacy, this will be it. A sure recipe for Republican defeat. He has already shown his sensitivity to what he calls "unfairness" and this is certainly unfair. This would the mother of all hostile takeovers and Trump will know how to deal with it. Let's you and him continue to fight.
12
Yes! "Go Trump. Time to bring the jobs back, correct the trade deficits. Force U.S. Companies to operate patriotically or pay hefty tax. Period. This will provide the low income, less educated class in our country to have decent jobs like they did a few decades ago. Our prison population will surely decrease as a result."
3
Can you say Whig?
Yes, folks, the demise of the Whigs gave rise to the Republican Party at Ripon College. A progressive party to counteract the slavery centric Democrats and the Know-Nothing, anti-immigrant, anti-Catholic, anti-Jewish Native Americans (Know Nothing party).
I found this interesting at http://marginalrevolution.com/marginalrevolution/2016/02/why-did-the-whi...
"For a brief time, many Americans supported the nativist Know-Nothing Party, concerned that the Know-Nothings might represent the only truly national party possible, largely united by a general fear of Catholic immigrants. But in the end, the issue over slavery proved stronger than fears over non-protestant immigrants, and southerners lined up behind the Democratic party and northerners behind the Republican party. Sectional party systems replaced a national party. - See more at: http://marginalrevolution.com/marginalrevolution/2016/02/why-did-the-whi..."
In the GOPs lust fro power, and to stop an African-American president, they have sowed the same seed which caused the demise of the Whig Party,
The splintering began with the election of president Obama, by awakening the anti-immigration, anti-ethic, White centric, Protestant centric, southern/western independence/pride, yearnings. Throw in gerrymandering and voter suppression to gain power.
"Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it." - George Santayana
Yes, folks, the demise of the Whigs gave rise to the Republican Party at Ripon College. A progressive party to counteract the slavery centric Democrats and the Know-Nothing, anti-immigrant, anti-Catholic, anti-Jewish Native Americans (Know Nothing party).
I found this interesting at http://marginalrevolution.com/marginalrevolution/2016/02/why-did-the-whi...
"For a brief time, many Americans supported the nativist Know-Nothing Party, concerned that the Know-Nothings might represent the only truly national party possible, largely united by a general fear of Catholic immigrants. But in the end, the issue over slavery proved stronger than fears over non-protestant immigrants, and southerners lined up behind the Democratic party and northerners behind the Republican party. Sectional party systems replaced a national party. - See more at: http://marginalrevolution.com/marginalrevolution/2016/02/why-did-the-whi..."
In the GOPs lust fro power, and to stop an African-American president, they have sowed the same seed which caused the demise of the Whig Party,
The splintering began with the election of president Obama, by awakening the anti-immigration, anti-ethic, White centric, Protestant centric, southern/western independence/pride, yearnings. Throw in gerrymandering and voter suppression to gain power.
"Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it." - George Santayana
25
The GOP very obviously wanted the South to pick it's candidate, and they are counting on other connections to pick off the Democratic candidate.
The GOP of 2016 sees this as a Civil War rematch.
Period.
The GOP of 2016 sees this as a Civil War rematch.
Period.
15
No to worry. The presidency has already been bought & paid for by the Clintons.
1
Of course they're going to change the rules at the convention. It's about the only thing they can do. It is, really, a battle for Congress now. If Trump gets the nomination, the GOP could lose both the House and the Senate as he drags down every GOP candidate. And the Republicans did it to themselves with a divisive brand of politics that dates back to Reagan. There is, really, no difference between Trump and Rush Limbaugh, except the latter has always been a GOP darling, with the party excusing his excesses and stretchers and politics of hate because they thought it helped them. The chickens are roosting now.
30
The GOP should take it one fight at a time. Changing the rules at the last minute in a bid to stop Trump would be interpreted badly by Trump loyalists. They won't support the Republican party when another candidate emerges strictly via a change of rules. The GOP would then have to forget about winning the Presidency. One option they should consider is reaching out to Trump behind the scenes to make him more "republican". Trump could promise the Supreme Court position to Cruz and maybe the VP spot to Fiorina. That or similar permutations would do some magic.
"If Trump gets the nomination, the GOP could lose both the House and the Senate as he drags down every GOP candidate."
Repeat that 100 times, until you are sure it's true....
Repeat that 100 times, until you are sure it's true....
1
Agree; except that "Nixon is the one", Reagan was merely a tool.
1
The party that refused to denounce the Birth Movement. The party that 43% of the members think our president is a foreign national of some kind of Manchurian candidate his finally grown a conscious? The feigned outrage at Trump for not denouncing David Dukes is laughable. This the same party that a few months ago wanted to ban Muslims and build a wall to keep people of a different complexion out. To hear the host of Morning Joe denounce Trump and say he is not fit the be president played like a bad reality show needing a rating boost. The same host was accused recently of being a stooge for Trump. The same host for the entirety of the Obama presidency has found nothing that Obama has done right. For all the years I have watched Morning Joe if even one of the talking heads say anything positive about Obama they quickly cut off Joe Scarborough. Now with his show in the tank and his impartiality in question he comes out as a civil right activist? To sum it up the right created Trump and now the monster they created is turning around to devour the creator In desperation they are throwing the kitchen sink at Trump and hopping it lands a fatal blow to his ascension to the presidency. I understand their plight but to hang their hopes on a theme of them being a champion of civil and equal rights just isn’t going to cut it. Abe Lincoln said you can fool some of people some of the time but not all of the people all of the time.
24
Bravo!
1
Scarborough is a disgusting Republcan apologist who should be shilling for the RNC not pretending he is working for what passes for a news organization. It's about time he got called out on his transparent bias and just below the surface racism and disrespect for our president. Absolutely revolting.
If the establishment stops Trump at the national convention, his supporters may well stay home, since they will have received persuasive evidence that the system is rigged against them. Some would be so outraged they would vote Democratic to punish the Republicans. Trump might decide to run as a third candidate and appeal for write-in votes. He does not accept being disrespected and can be very creative and unexpected in his response.
18
ah, the irony! Trump as the new George Wallace.
1
I wrote a comment hours ago which might have informed you and others in denial about party loyalty that many democrats in Massachusetts are campaigning for Trump.
1
Nominating nuances aside, the RNC will get the nominee that represents who their party really is. An out of the closet bigoted racist party.
For years people have said that Republicans were racists who only occasionall slipped - leaked - alluded to their racist beliefs, without going full throat and saying them.
Now they have a candidate who says 80% of what he believes - and the Republican Base, they're eating it up.
The structure of this new nominating system will allow the party of low impulse control to give in to irrationality, trump reason, and nominate the Donald.
For years people have said that Republicans were racists who only occasionall slipped - leaked - alluded to their racist beliefs, without going full throat and saying them.
Now they have a candidate who says 80% of what he believes - and the Republican Base, they're eating it up.
The structure of this new nominating system will allow the party of low impulse control to give in to irrationality, trump reason, and nominate the Donald.
17
In Massachusetts voters have denounced democrat party affiliation and are actively supporting Trump.
I'm a Wyoming Republican and I know Dick Cheney. America is a bankrupted, collapsing global military empire. T-Rump will be the next President. War of the empires follows. Trump-Putin; Trump-Xi; with domestic activation of NDAA 2012 arrest and permanent detention authority. Here in Wyoming, we'll send Liz Cheney to the House to activate the police state her husband Phil Perry has been in charge of since 9/11. ONE PARTY RULE! USA! NRA! USA! NDAA!
3
What are you talking about?
1
I attended UW as an undergraduate. My parents went to school there with your pal Dick, & his lovely wife Lynne. From the interesting notions advanced in your comment, I guess downstairs at the Buckhorn is still open on Tuesday nights for gimlet shooters & conspiracy-chat. Say hey to the taxidermy moose-heads for me, J. A. Miller Class of 1980.
1
If Trump is wildly successful on Super Tuesday then Republican leaders, Congressman, Senator and even those with serous doubts in the Republican party will be rally around, wagging their tails and licking his leg.
19
Don't be so surprised when you figure out that this was their guy all along.
He's playing the outsider, but the real story is that it's all an act, and he's nothing more than another Republican with an inheritance and a complex buying the GOP and the White House.
He's playing the outsider, but the real story is that it's all an act, and he's nothing more than another Republican with an inheritance and a complex buying the GOP and the White House.
1
We have many in our country who hate the government. It is the same government they voted for by putting the GOP in charge of the House and the Senate. It is easier to blame Obama, then to acknowledge they made a mistake. It is easier to blame Obama, then to try and figure out exactly how they are being used by Trump and their desire for instant gratification. All those seasons of "you're fired" resonate with Trump's followers. Reality TV minds are the Donald's tools.
13
Reality: Congress is now and in all likelihood will be for at least the next decade Republican controlled. Why? Because the people voted, and that's what the majority want. Obama entered the White House with NO experience of any type unless you consider being a first time Senator and a community organizer enough experience to run the world's biggest, most complex business. Instant gratification? People voting for Trump have waited and watched for years for Obama to change the country's course. Used by Trump? Trump is simply the vehicle of an increasing majority. He is not using us, and you must think we are stupid. Oh, I forgot that people like you think those that don't see it your way are stupid.
1
Go Mr. Trump go! Teach this GOP establishment, the war-mongers, rich-lovers a lesson. Show them that American people do not meekly vote for them, not any more.
9
You're exhorting a man who became very rich through inherited wealth, exploitation, and fraud and who promises to invade Iraq to seize their oil, kill the families of terrorists, and carpet bomb cities full of civilians to teach other war-mongers and rich-lovers a lesson. You might want to reconsider your point.
27
Reminding you that this is a country where the majority rules, and the majority is probably going with Trump and wants done the things, and more, that you list. Also, he did not become very rich through inherited wealth. His brothers and sisters inherited the same and are not super rich. He borrowed and repaid a million and turned it into billions. As a retired entrepreneur I can tell you that is a truly exceptional feat requiring super long term dedication, very hard work, high intelligence, foresight, insight, financial sophistication, ability to interact well with others and just about every positive adjective you can think of. The man is exceptional and the only candidate of either party capable of running the world's largest business, the U.S. Government. Professional politicians, most of whom have created nothing in their careers, long or short, don't have a clue as to how to do it. Fraud, exploitation made him rich? What? One failed educational scheme with positive student reports from the majority and 36 years ago a subcontractor , not Trump, hiring some illegals made him super rich?
Wasn't Cruz the carpet bomb guy?
Money is about to destroy politics as we have known it. There are thousands of super rich Americans. Any one of them could at any time decide to throw themselves into the arena.
Imagine the chaos when five billionaires decide to do what Trump is doing, and run for President.
With no limit to spending, and no way to stop it, we would be living in a continuous world of individuals buying their way into power.
Oh, excuse me, that's pretty much what we already have.
Imagine the chaos when five billionaires decide to do what Trump is doing, and run for President.
With no limit to spending, and no way to stop it, we would be living in a continuous world of individuals buying their way into power.
Oh, excuse me, that's pretty much what we already have.
26
"Money is about to destroy politics"
Did money work for JEB!?
Did money work for JEB!?
1
This article pretty much ignores the likely possibility that - even under the old schedule, the outcome would have almost certainly been the same. The polls in these states HAVE changed a bit over the past few months - all towards larger leads for Trump.
4
The GOP with their unending hatred, of everything Democrats stand for, opened Pandora's box and let out Donald Trump.
They created him, by sponsoring the hatred aimed at President Obama, Hillary Clinton, and every progressive idea, no matter how reasonable.
They created him and he is rousing millions of the angry, left out, mostly white voters, who normally don't even bother with politics because they have no real champion.
Until now.
They created him, by sponsoring the hatred aimed at President Obama, Hillary Clinton, and every progressive idea, no matter how reasonable.
They created him and he is rousing millions of the angry, left out, mostly white voters, who normally don't even bother with politics because they have no real champion.
Until now.
22
Unfortunately, the Democrats, represented by the Clintons now stand for the status quo, which isn't working well for many Americans. I predict that the Clintons will win, because although many people want change, more fear it.
Perhaps the Republican establishment should push Trump out of the party for the good of the country. Then he'll run as a third party, Hillary will be president, and we'll avoid any chance that this clown will get elected. How did we end up with so many uninformed citizens to cause this to happen?
19
you don't know how? come on. don't play a Trump card here saying he doesn't know anything about he white supremacists. be a man.
1
For the love of mike! What does NAFTA, the repeal of Glass Steigel and the Commodities Futures Modernization Act mean to you? The Clinton's destroyed this country and you do not even have a clue. God help us all!
1
Trump's supporters don't care about facts or even decency. Their view of the country needs a bully at the helm. Their bully. I suspect if they elect him, he will turn on them as well. He is guided by what is best for him. He builds swanky clubs, hotels and office buildings but he does not build hospitals, orphanages or homeless shelters, which he could do if he is as wealthy as he claims.
38
"but he does not build hospitals, orphanages or homeless shelters"
Weren't these were already erected by the Clinton Foundation?
Weren't these were already erected by the Clinton Foundation?
1
He will step on their necks....
This state of affairs was created, not by rules around delegates, but by by the values chosen by the Conservative Movement and Republicans. Republicans have two key values: First, Obstruction. Blocking Obama at any cost to the nation, becoming the Congressional party, led by Sen. McConnell, of "just say no". Second, they have become the party of hate, division, anger and racism. Much to their shock and dismay, they are now realizing that they created and enabled this out-of-control Frankenstein now at their door step: Trump. Words and actions have consequences.
31
To those who condemn President Obama's use of executive actions (brought on by years of Republican obstructionism) - just wait until a President Trump swings into action.
18
Two roads diverged in a yellow wood and sorry I could not travel both, I traveled neither and got lost in a thicket
6
I was too shocked to rationally think about the reasons Donald Trump appeals to a particular group of people. But, after reading up on Nixon's Southern Strategy, I realize that what we see happening with Trump's popularity is a page right out of the Nixon and Republican playbook.
One writer did not mince words about the very large, very ignorant, and very lazy population who are attracted to Trump. The majority of his supporters are white, and for many years whites have chaffed under the political correctness, countless minority demonstrations, and calls for equality and fairness by minorities. Trump is their chance to regain their dignity that, in their minds, has been stripped from them.
In 1968, the Silent Majority were whites who felt that affirmative action, and all of the support programs to help level the playing field for minorities, was a slap in the face to them. Nixon appealed to the blue-collar Democrats, who were less educated and more resentful after eight years of LBJ and his Great Society.
Fast forward to 2016, and we're watching that 1968 scenario play out. Frankly, I'm not sure mainstream Republicans are that aghast at Mr. Trump's rise. But, that another story.
One writer did not mince words about the very large, very ignorant, and very lazy population who are attracted to Trump. The majority of his supporters are white, and for many years whites have chaffed under the political correctness, countless minority demonstrations, and calls for equality and fairness by minorities. Trump is their chance to regain their dignity that, in their minds, has been stripped from them.
In 1968, the Silent Majority were whites who felt that affirmative action, and all of the support programs to help level the playing field for minorities, was a slap in the face to them. Nixon appealed to the blue-collar Democrats, who were less educated and more resentful after eight years of LBJ and his Great Society.
Fast forward to 2016, and we're watching that 1968 scenario play out. Frankly, I'm not sure mainstream Republicans are that aghast at Mr. Trump's rise. But, that another story.
22
I'd add to your scenario that the Goldwater defeat was the root cause of the present conservative movement. A group of angry western political conservatives immediately gathered, planting the seeds of a new conservatism by starting all over. Focusing on local and state elected offices this group would use coming elections as breeding grounds to rebuild the party.
“Fast forward” to today. Local, state governments, The House and Senate controlled by a radical conservatism knocking on the door to the White House. This gang has been sailing along at the expense of Democrats concentrating on Presidential elections. But Trump crashes their shindig and grabs R's base, ideas, ideals and principles. Tonights results will prove just how successful Trump is.
It all looks like a hostile takeover by Trump. Romney should be totally flustered.
“Fast forward” to today. Local, state governments, The House and Senate controlled by a radical conservatism knocking on the door to the White House. This gang has been sailing along at the expense of Democrats concentrating on Presidential elections. But Trump crashes their shindig and grabs R's base, ideas, ideals and principles. Tonights results will prove just how successful Trump is.
It all looks like a hostile takeover by Trump. Romney should be totally flustered.
1
In today's so call political climate you get what you pay for.
3
The common theme of Trump supporters seems to be that after he is crowned, he will lead them in the overthrow of all those who have oppressed them. He and they will take revenge against their enemies: those fancy pants book readers. At first, I wondered where he would get people willing to go door to door pulling illegal immigrants, including women and children, out of their homes, shoving them into vans, and taking them off to internment camps while awaiting deportation (most of them of course are rapists and murderers anyway - especially the toddlers). But after reading his supporters’ comments and watching his rallies, it looks like he already has the nucleus to the willing forces he needs. I wonder if, like his clothing line, he'll have the brown shirts and jack boots manufactured in Mexico?
30
this is the party that intends to rewrite the health care rules for us all.
this is the most gruesomely fascinating political season in my memory. and i am far into the medicare years.
back room rules changes to unlock delegates after the first ballot, chris christie nominates trump, a floor fight among the open carry delegates ... i'm already weeping tears of joy. at last, the party of no gets everything it deserves -- a candidate who won't take no for an answer.
this is the most gruesomely fascinating political season in my memory. and i am far into the medicare years.
back room rules changes to unlock delegates after the first ballot, chris christie nominates trump, a floor fight among the open carry delegates ... i'm already weeping tears of joy. at last, the party of no gets everything it deserves -- a candidate who won't take no for an answer.
20
The Trump phenomena is a repudiation of the party establishment. While Trump seems to be a poor candidate the louder message may be that the average Joe conservative is fed up and could care less about the establishment. Survival of a party is inconsequential, survival of the citizen should be paramount. At this point conservatives realize that their so called party is betraying them and that progressives want conservatives burned at the stake, thus the success of Trump is merely an attempt by some to survive.
6
Doesn't anybody think that there should at least be a paper and pencil TEST to run for President? OK OK no language skills questions. OK OK, no spelling questions. OK OK, absolutely no financial math. OK OK no computer hardware questions. OK OK, in today's America we can make it multiple choice. OK OK only three choices per question. OK OK, you get two guesses per choice. OK OK, if you don't pass the Presidents test you are eligible for Social Promotion.
7
It should be a standardised 5th grade civics test. Those who can't pass don't qualify to run. At a minimum, we'd at least know they can read.
I used to thing he was just crazy, but now I think he's crazy like a fox. He's showing what the GOP really is all about and they are falling for it hook, line and sinker.
16
This isn't a Trump thing. It's a population thing. It's a loss of self identity by a very large, very ignorant and very lazy population which increasingly takes its direction from reality tv and avoids looking in the mirror for any reason other than to check clothing and makeup. And no matter how often they get burned, they scream for a savior every four years and turn against them thirty days after the inaugural ball. It's quite horrifying, but for the first time in six decades, I no longer feel Americans have the will, the intellect or the spiritual core to save this country from a disaster on its way. But, as long as we have America's Got Talent...what the heck! Cue the theme from Titanic.
36
Unfortunately true - they expected Obama to have the country and economy completely turned around by 2010.
5
The real reason Republicans find themselves in the situation they are in is not the primary machinations, but Nixon's Southern strategyism, Ronald Reagan's blame the government scapegoating, George H. W. Atwater's bigoted fear mongering, Clinton hating impeachment conspiracyism, George W. Bush's laissez-faire neo-conism and the bigoted obstructionism that refuses to acknowledge Barak Obama as the legitimate President of We the People of the United States of America.
Republicans have been breeding hate, bigotry and anger in primary voters for many years.
Hillary Clinton is a flawed candidate indeed -- too militaristic for me -- but compare her preaching for more "love and kindness" just yesterday.
Republicans have been breeding hate, bigotry and anger in primary voters for many years.
Hillary Clinton is a flawed candidate indeed -- too militaristic for me -- but compare her preaching for more "love and kindness" just yesterday.
18
Why does the media (this article) insist on calling Rubio a moderate? He is a baby of the Tea Party and holds vile and extreme views on abortion, medical care, international diplomacy, etc. Before the Cruz-Trump realities of 2016 he would have been identified as what he is: a far right ideologue of weak character, and very dangerous.
37
Good question. Answer: They're in the pay or the same corporate interests that determine what gets printed to keep the existing wounds in US society bleeding.
Voted for Obama twice and now considering Donald Trump. Why,? you ask? Cruz is too conservative, will fight with his own party AND the Democrats. Rubio nothing there to reccomend, he's is bought and sold by the party, his best skill is debating which really do much for a president. Kasich would be my plan B; experienced, level-headed. Trump's ego will be the motivation for working on the problems of this country. It would drive him NOT to go down in history as a failure.
3
Jane, he doesn't acknowledge failure even when it is flagrant. No matter what disasters he caused, at the end of it he would still consider himself the greatest president in the history of the country. And the only interests he will serve will be his own.
12
But he has already failed at so much; Trump Vodka, Trump University, various business deals and real estate deals that have failed.
The list of his failures are long enough already and yet he seems to be on the hunt for more failures.
The list of his failures are long enough already and yet he seems to be on the hunt for more failures.
14
Hey victor, Lincoln failed at many things and then became our greatest president.
The publican party has been playing race politics for decades. It is breathtaking to seem them call out Trump for what they turned into an art form.
18
Super Tuesday has the same effect on the other side of the aisle.
2
There are different rules for the two parties, that is all I know. Here is a link which may help explain the extremely confusing primary process:
http://frontloading.blogspot.com/p/2016-presidential-primary-calendar.html
http://frontloading.blogspot.com/p/2016-presidential-primary-calendar.html
Unintended consequences? I think not.
The Rs have been dog-whistling the themes that Trump is now, well, trumpeting, for 35 years, since Reagan's "states rights" speech.
The Rs have consistently championed the degradation of the education system, and consistently belittled any sign of erudition or intelligence.
The Rs have consistently and vocally predicated government as the problem that has to be, or should be, eradicated, and ridiculed any consideration of experience or competence.
The intended consequence has always been to appeal to racist, xenophobic ignoramuses, and to create more of the same.
Not unintended. Very intended indeed. They just don't like being on the receiving end of the biliousness they have unleashed.
The Rs have been dog-whistling the themes that Trump is now, well, trumpeting, for 35 years, since Reagan's "states rights" speech.
The Rs have consistently championed the degradation of the education system, and consistently belittled any sign of erudition or intelligence.
The Rs have consistently and vocally predicated government as the problem that has to be, or should be, eradicated, and ridiculed any consideration of experience or competence.
The intended consequence has always been to appeal to racist, xenophobic ignoramuses, and to create more of the same.
Not unintended. Very intended indeed. They just don't like being on the receiving end of the biliousness they have unleashed.
34
Sure, the GOP Establishment is aghast at the foul-mouthed, politically-incorrect Donald Trump who makes the GOP look like bad.
But they're PETRIFIED of the Donald Trump who wants to stop US firms from off-shoring jobs to China, Mexico, etc. and who wants to staunch the flow of illegal immigrants who depress US wages. Those are two things the Chamber of Commerce, which really runs the GOP, will not tolerate.
But they're PETRIFIED of the Donald Trump who wants to stop US firms from off-shoring jobs to China, Mexico, etc. and who wants to staunch the flow of illegal immigrants who depress US wages. Those are two things the Chamber of Commerce, which really runs the GOP, will not tolerate.
9
yet trump applies for hundreds of h1b visas for his own properties
and how many thousand illegal mexican workers do you think he employs in his vast golf course/casino/hotel holdings ?
and how many thousand illegal mexican workers do you think he employs in his vast golf course/casino/hotel holdings ?
8
Of course, bolstering unionization would raise US wages, but nobody mentions that.
9
Trump is a businessman adroit at using the U.S. system. Nothing wrong with that. He plays the game and plays it well by its rules. I've seen no proof that he hires illegals, and, believe me, if he had the liberal press would have already been all over it. If you want to bring up building Trump Tower with some illegals' labor, the one example unearthed so far, I would remind you that was 36 years ago and that Trump did not hire the workers. A subcontractor hired them, and, if you understand business, it would be irrational to hold that against Trump.
2
If the GOP leaders change the rules or do anything that smacks of an inside job to deny Trump the nomination (assuming he's rightfully earned it or has an obvious but not decisive lead in delegates), it will be the singular event that splits the party. The power brokers will have explicitly thumbed their noses at their primary voters, which is tantamount to party suicide. Trump will then run as an independent, taking half of the GOP votes in November. Hillary or Bernie will be president, and who knows what the Senate or House will look like.
7
And half of the Democratic voters too if HRC gets her coronation.
1
Are you really petulant enough to sit out an election and risk allowing the Republicans to win because your preferred candidate doesn't win the nomination? I feel the Bern, but I feel the danger of a GOP win just as acutely.
I am hoping that Sanders will clearly see the end tonight and we will be relieved of his angry and freebie loving supporters. Let us get real, nobody is being coronated. Sanders and HRC are working hard to get the nomination. If Sanders is losing, it is because Dems know that his pie-in-the-sky promises have no base in reality and besides, a self declared Socialist will not be elected as POTUS- not yet anyway. I recall George MacGovern's defeat and would hate to go through it again.
Agreed, Republicans were trying to rerun the Presidential election of 2012, which they lost to President Obama, a black man.
Since the Republican party is largely the "white" party, they could not envision a candidate they would not support, that they believed would be acceptable to the majority of Republicans.
What they were not prepared for would be the "crossover" voters into both parties this year. With many of the state elections being "open" to anyone, the crossover vote made the difference in an establishment candidate having enough votes to be ahead and win early, or an outsider being ahead with crossover votes which dilute members votes.
Exit polls show that 20% crossover in Iowa, 45% crossovers in NH, 20% in Nevada (a "closed" primary) and 24% crossovers in South Carolina in the Republican party.
Normally the crossover vote is in the low single digits.
This year, the crossover vote, with the large number of candidates in the Republican party, counted. Especially when the crossover vote is normally by people who wish to vote against the party's best candidate. In the Republican party, Trump got the crossover vote. In the Democratic party, Sanders got the crossover vote.
Crossover vote dilutes the members of the party's vote. The greater the crossover vote, the more chance the party's worse candidate will win.
Fortunately for Democrats, with only 3, then 2 candidates, they were able to overcome the crossover vote.
Since the Republican party is largely the "white" party, they could not envision a candidate they would not support, that they believed would be acceptable to the majority of Republicans.
What they were not prepared for would be the "crossover" voters into both parties this year. With many of the state elections being "open" to anyone, the crossover vote made the difference in an establishment candidate having enough votes to be ahead and win early, or an outsider being ahead with crossover votes which dilute members votes.
Exit polls show that 20% crossover in Iowa, 45% crossovers in NH, 20% in Nevada (a "closed" primary) and 24% crossovers in South Carolina in the Republican party.
Normally the crossover vote is in the low single digits.
This year, the crossover vote, with the large number of candidates in the Republican party, counted. Especially when the crossover vote is normally by people who wish to vote against the party's best candidate. In the Republican party, Trump got the crossover vote. In the Democratic party, Sanders got the crossover vote.
Crossover vote dilutes the members of the party's vote. The greater the crossover vote, the more chance the party's worse candidate will win.
Fortunately for Democrats, with only 3, then 2 candidates, they were able to overcome the crossover vote.
2
Of all the things to find fault with Trump, and there are many, making fun on his ancestral last name, which was changed before he was born seems like piling on.
Do you think that when Bernie Sanders father stepped off the boat, his name was Sanders?
A lot of us had our ancestral last names altered, shortened, or modified, either voluntarily, or by an Ellis Island immigration official. Indeed, making fun of this is, in and of itself, "anti-immigrant".
Do you think that when Bernie Sanders father stepped off the boat, his name was Sanders?
A lot of us had our ancestral last names altered, shortened, or modified, either voluntarily, or by an Ellis Island immigration official. Indeed, making fun of this is, in and of itself, "anti-immigrant".
5
The family's ancestral name of Drumpf is being made fun of precisely because DT criticized Jon Stewart's use "Jon Stewart" as his professional name, instead of his full name "Jonathan Stuart Liebowitz."
DT tweeted, "Why did he change his name from Jonathan Liebowitz? He should be proud of his heritage!" And later, "he should cherish his past--not run from it."
DT tweeted, "Why did he change his name from Jonathan Liebowitz? He should be proud of his heritage!" And later, "he should cherish his past--not run from it."
Sometimes you do reap what you sow. Republicans are reaping one appalling harvest.
13
[[Donald J. Trump could secure the nomination on Super Tuesday, thanks to rules drawn up by the party to allow a front-runner to wrap things up quickly.]]
Cool!
And by "cool" I mean awesome!!!
Cool!
And by "cool" I mean awesome!!!
8
The Republicans have denounced President Reagan for signing the Immigration Act of 1986. Starting with CA Governor Pete Wilson in 1994 running for reelection bashed Latinos with Proposition 187 which has led to the semi destruction of the Republican Party in California with their registration now dropping to 27% vs 44% for Democrats. Pat Buchanan ran for president in 1996 bashing immigrants and he won the New Hampshire Primary, beating Bob Dole. Trump is winning because of his mouth. He will become the nominee because the Republicans keep attacking minorities. Trump won the nomination on day one saying Mexicans are rapists and murderers.
5
I think a lot of people, on the left, the right and in the center, hate what the country has become and has done to them, for whatever reason, and want to blow it up by voting for Trump. The frustration runs deep.
6
The most so prescient assessment I have read yet evidently many have come to that conclusion.
3
As they say The bullet or the ballot.
The establishment all of them and all but two running have used the Phillips on Americans too long.
Both aisles and establishment have tried to steal the elections from us and tell us who to vote for including censorship...Enough is Enough, lets make America great again.
The establishment all of them and all but two running have used the Phillips on Americans too long.
Both aisles and establishment have tried to steal the elections from us and tell us who to vote for including censorship...Enough is Enough, lets make America great again.
1
Blow it up. Bring the walls down. Destroy the foundation. Then let us rebuild with the welfare of ALL, not the few, as the goal. Then we evict those whose only goal is self enrichment to deserted islands or better yet Russia, China and the country's they wrecked with their greed and bloodlust.
Perhaps I am having trouble understanding how this could have happened to America because a younger generation may see Trump differently, but if I had taken a twenty-year nap or less, just woke up and asked who was going to be the next President, I would have thought it was a joke if somebody had mentioned Trump. I would have laughed politely, and then when this was revealed as being true, I would have thought something catastrophic had happened.
Hillary Clinton is another story, and I would have asked who was the Republican who ran against her. Trump! Does this mean we don't have a Republican Party anymore? What do you mean that we are planning to build walls and send Muslims and Mexicans out of the Country on trains? This is a Science Fiction movie. 'Dr. Strangelove' pales in comparison and this is the stuff of nightmares.
Hillary Clinton is another story, and I would have asked who was the Republican who ran against her. Trump! Does this mean we don't have a Republican Party anymore? What do you mean that we are planning to build walls and send Muslims and Mexicans out of the Country on trains? This is a Science Fiction movie. 'Dr. Strangelove' pales in comparison and this is the stuff of nightmares.
10
Hillary is hated by many Republican voters. Irrationally, but still hated. Trump may very well be the 45th president of the United States.
So then what? Constant deadlock in the House and Senate? But wait, little of he says makes sense anyway - he can't cut 300 billion in government expenses and save 2 trillion. He can't get Mexico to pay for a wall. I guess he'll find some really good people to help him function.
So then what? Constant deadlock in the House and Senate? But wait, little of he says makes sense anyway - he can't cut 300 billion in government expenses and save 2 trillion. He can't get Mexico to pay for a wall. I guess he'll find some really good people to help him function.
3
He cares even less about what happens in Congress than he does about what happens to the supporters he's conned. Control over the executive is all he needs to satisfy his ambition for dictatorial power. Yes, he will run the federal government like a business - a sole proprietorship.
9
Look, People, the danger is not that Trump will wield power recklessly (what has happened to Obama shows that checks and balances thwart presidential ambitions quite effectively, though I believe the President accomplished a lot, anyway). The danger is that he won't accomplish anything.
3
Trump could blackmail Mexico into paying for the wall by refusing to allow import of goods from Mexico i.e limiting trade with Mexico unless they build the wall. He's always complaining about a trade imbalance between the US and Mexico.
First The GOP came after the Unionists. I wasn't in a Union and said nothing.
Next they came after the liberals. I wasn't really a liberal and said nothing.
Next they came after the doctors and patients who perform abortions. I wasn't getting an abortion and said nothing.
Next they came after healthcare for all. I had health insurance and said nothing.
Next they came after the immigrants. I wasn't an immigrant (at least two generations removed) and said nothing.
Next they came after the teachers. I was out of school and said nothing.
Then they came after me, a lifelong standard republican and there was no one left for me.
Next they came after the liberals. I wasn't really a liberal and said nothing.
Next they came after the doctors and patients who perform abortions. I wasn't getting an abortion and said nothing.
Next they came after healthcare for all. I had health insurance and said nothing.
Next they came after the immigrants. I wasn't an immigrant (at least two generations removed) and said nothing.
Next they came after the teachers. I was out of school and said nothing.
Then they came after me, a lifelong standard republican and there was no one left for me.
20
I don't the think the GOP realizes what they are getting in Trump: he is use to being a dictator. They won't have much access to him once he gets the nomination, but for shining his shoes.
8
The Republican Party paved the way for Trump by their adoption of Richard Nixon’s Southern Strategy which from the beginning relied on exploiting South White Racism.
No one did this better than historian Dan T. Carter in “The Politics of Rage” 20 years ago.
The regular GOP finds itself at odds thanks to Jefferson Beauregard Sessions who has had links for decades to white supremacists organizations - Senior but so nutty that he can’t get a Committee chairmanship.
All over the South, white supremacist organizations have supported GOP candidates. South Florida and Texas were different cases and they began centers of extremist ideology as being more important than simple racism. But GOP money helped pay for neo-confederate institutes, i.e. Ludwig Mission Auburn.
Now we have a product of the establishment powers who go back to Nixon’s Southern Strategy. They presumed that there would be communion between Marco Rubio and Ted Cruz, extremist conservatives, but who would never be accepted in much the Southern Heartland.
Lee Atwater could have told them had he lived.
No one did this better than historian Dan T. Carter in “The Politics of Rage” 20 years ago.
The regular GOP finds itself at odds thanks to Jefferson Beauregard Sessions who has had links for decades to white supremacists organizations - Senior but so nutty that he can’t get a Committee chairmanship.
All over the South, white supremacist organizations have supported GOP candidates. South Florida and Texas were different cases and they began centers of extremist ideology as being more important than simple racism. But GOP money helped pay for neo-confederate institutes, i.e. Ludwig Mission Auburn.
Now we have a product of the establishment powers who go back to Nixon’s Southern Strategy. They presumed that there would be communion between Marco Rubio and Ted Cruz, extremist conservatives, but who would never be accepted in much the Southern Heartland.
Lee Atwater could have told them had he lived.
6
Delegate selection math is not just the mistake of GOP's making. It is the way they decided to govern: Find all the wedge issues that divide the country; Obstruct Obama at every opportunity from Day One and refuse to accept that Obama is the President (most recent example: filling the SCOUT vacancy); Fuel the extreme right (eg. Tea Party); Accept Fox and its commentators as the brain trust of the Party. etc. All these actions systematically gave rise to the extremists like Trump, Cruz, Rubio, Carson and the like.
Chew hard what you have put in your mouth, GOP because it will be hard to digest.
Chew hard what you have put in your mouth, GOP because it will be hard to digest.
15
They got what they paid for! Looks like the Koch brothers will have to spend their dough to help shoot down their own party's nominee.
4
Memo from Euripides to the Republican Party: "The things men think will happen do not happen. The gods bring many things to surprising ends. And that is what has happened here today."
6
"...the party drew up a calendar and delegate-selection rules intended to allow a front-runner to wrap things up quickly."
A reminder that while we live in a land of one man, one vote, clearly not all votes are created equal. How is this a democracy?
A reminder that while we live in a land of one man, one vote, clearly not all votes are created equal. How is this a democracy?
8
The kerfuffle over Trump's sloppy moves to "disavow" (or not) David Duke et al. is besides the point. No matter how he deals with it, isn't it significant that they are the sort of people who are drawn to his side?
5
Rubio, center-right? How politically illiterate are you? Rubio is hard-right by any measure, swept into power by the tea party frenzy. Just because Cruz is even further right doesn't mean Rubio is center right. Get a clue. Kasich is the only candidate left who could be considered center right, although 20 years ago he'd simply be called conservative. That's how far to the Right the GOP has drifted in a short amount of time.
17
Donald "Get 'em outta here" Drumpf (his ancestral name) has now become despicable.
2
Trump would likely appoint a socially liberal and pro Corporate power Supreme Court Justice.
2
Trump is stuck in his self-arranged Waterloo right now. He made up the ear piece lie to cover up his failure to condemn or even repudiate onetime KKK "Grand Dragon" and longtime hate monger David Duke. Now the lie is replayed over and over and over on national television, showing clearly that Trump had no trouble hearing the question about repudiating Duke, through several repetitions. Repetitions not for Trump's inability to hear the question but for his dodging the question. Trump is political toast, but his elephantine ego prevents him from getting the message.
6
Maistre’s famous quote, translated, "Every nation gets the government it deserves" has never been truer than now. If Donald Trump becomes president of the United States, both those who supported him and those who did not vigorously oppose him will deserve everything that follows. Trump does not speak of an administration – he refers to a reign. He will use the power of the executive like a dictator and who will stop him? The Quisling Republicans, who are cowering from their Frankenstein and will serve him like supine toadies? The Democrats, who may still be a minority in Congress after the election?
A thin skinned, paranoid egomaniac with no scruples and a history of flying off the handle and using any means necessary to viciously attack people he perceives to be enemies will be in charge of Homeland Security, the FBI, the CIA, and the military. Among other uses of these powers, he will make Hoover look like a piker when it comes to malicious domestic surveillance. If this is allowed to happen, we all deserve whatever comes from our failure to recognize and thwart the triumph of evil. And I do mean evil and I do not use the word lightly.
A thin skinned, paranoid egomaniac with no scruples and a history of flying off the handle and using any means necessary to viciously attack people he perceives to be enemies will be in charge of Homeland Security, the FBI, the CIA, and the military. Among other uses of these powers, he will make Hoover look like a piker when it comes to malicious domestic surveillance. If this is allowed to happen, we all deserve whatever comes from our failure to recognize and thwart the triumph of evil. And I do mean evil and I do not use the word lightly.
32
I agree but am still stopped in my tracks that people are supporting him. I have yet to read a rationale I can believe. If we grant every word of what you said, how is this happening? People are angry? Yes, but totally irrational, supporting a man who has contempt for everything and everyone, no doubt including his own supporters? What words would explain this?
6
"Turning and turning in the widening gyre
The falcon cannot hear the falconer;
Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold;
Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world,
The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhere
The ceremony of innocence is drowned;
The best lack all conviction, while the worst
Are full of passionate intensity."
W.B. Yeats, The Second Coming
The falcon cannot hear the falconer;
Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold;
Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world,
The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhere
The ceremony of innocence is drowned;
The best lack all conviction, while the worst
Are full of passionate intensity."
W.B. Yeats, The Second Coming
4
Those words . . . Speechless and the light just dawned. Thank you.
1
All the Republican candidates are extreme right wingers, all of them, including Rubio and Kasich. They hold positions that are far, far to the right of the Republican party of twenty years ago. If anything, Trump has slightly more moderate positions in some areas, although of course he has no compunction about being blatantly racist. A vote for any of them is a vote to destroy the country economically and politically. Madness.
11
One other factor for the GOP to consider: If Trump is their nominee, he has a real chance to win the election by winning Florida and Ohio. Win those, and he is the next President.
2
I could almost live with that. Rubio and Cruz are more dangerous and this is from a Bernie long time volunteer. Hillary lies and is beholden to the establishment lobbyists and corporations. Trump has and will support abortion, Obamacare, and other progressive agendas more than any other Republican. I will move to Canada if he is elected, but must write that Hillary will never beat Trump. She has been too greedy and dishonest and let poor Ambassador Stevens die 'in the streets' as Donald would say.
1
I think you forgot about Hillary. She can stop him.
7
That is true. He'd also easily win Texas and could run strongly in NY.
Ok as a Socialist Canadian..I will make two comments on the state of affairs in the US. I work as scientist in the US often and you have brilliant and wonderful people there that are bewildered by the politics. This is not the politics that made going to the moon possible, its like being intelligent and a scientist is a crime.When you separated from England you did so from the tyranny of taxes without presentation. You allowed freedom from religion without it being a guideline for society. You made yourselves free.Now you allow this demagoguery to feed your lives with fear and you build walls that never existed. America is great but its greatness comes from the idea your forefathers built in on..freedom from tyranny and fear. Don't let the idea down. Your symbol is the Statue of Liberty..give by the French to bear the torch..remember.
16
James
What you are seeing is a fearful society.
If you notice the rhetoric, these guys are peddling pure old fear.
Fear of Muslims
Fear of having their guns taken away
Fear of single payer health care
Fear of losing their religion
Fear of the government
Fear of .........
Fear of.........
And on and on.
As a Canadian, it has to be fascinating to watch.
As a resident of Texas...I need a stiff drink.
What you are seeing is a fearful society.
If you notice the rhetoric, these guys are peddling pure old fear.
Fear of Muslims
Fear of having their guns taken away
Fear of single payer health care
Fear of losing their religion
Fear of the government
Fear of .........
Fear of.........
And on and on.
As a Canadian, it has to be fascinating to watch.
As a resident of Texas...I need a stiff drink.
8
Isn't it ironic that, at the first GOP primary debate, all candidates were asked if they would make a pledge that they would support the ultimate GOP candidate. All enthusiastically raised their hands but Trump. He qualified later that he would support the ultimate GOP candidate if he were treated fairly in the process.
Now the GOP establishment is anxious to jump ship should Trump become their ultimate candidate by adhering to the GOP nomination process. Maybe they should all quit the party, and leave it to their voters. And the candidates the voters actually support.
Now the GOP establishment is anxious to jump ship should Trump become their ultimate candidate by adhering to the GOP nomination process. Maybe they should all quit the party, and leave it to their voters. And the candidates the voters actually support.
6
1. The Republican Party has been hoisted by its own petard.
2. Negating the rules binding delegates before the first ballot to the winner of their state's primary or caucus certainly undermines the popular will. Why hold primaries and caucuses if delegates are not bound by their results through the first ballot? This point holds for Republicans and Democrats.
3. Rubio is not a center right candidate. Kasich is.
2. Negating the rules binding delegates before the first ballot to the winner of their state's primary or caucus certainly undermines the popular will. Why hold primaries and caucuses if delegates are not bound by their results through the first ballot? This point holds for Republicans and Democrats.
3. Rubio is not a center right candidate. Kasich is.
9
It's both frightening and telling (about the decline of the United States of America) to think of the Presidents of the past 50 years and the politicians who have either aspired to that office or have been close to it (in no particular order): Nixon, Ford, Carter, Reagan, Bush, Clinton, Bush, Obama, Bush, Clinton, Agnew, Mondale, Quale, Carson, Pataki, Romney...I could go on and on. With the possible exception of Reagan (who, however, took this country from being the no. 1 creditor to no. 1 debtor nation), they all smack of either mediocrity or toxicity. Trump is nothing more than the heir of this legacy, in negative.
7
Donald is not running for the Republican circus, the Donald is running for himself and his own ego. He will be the Republican nominee, if Cruz and Rubio wont agree to a game of rock-paper-scissor, with only the winner going forward. Hillary Clinton said the other night that she misses the times when politicians reached across the aisle and knew each other. Trump used the same line just 24 later. He is like a flag in the wind. He will say what he needs to say to buy this Presidency and the media willingly helped him from day one. Donald will change his tone soon, because he want the independent voters. Watch it, he will be smooth like a babies butt. Donald tells the voters that we are weak and many believe him. Donald tells people he will make America great again and many believe him. I wish somebody would finally ask him to pinpoint out when he thought America was great the last time. I bet his answer would be eye opening.
7
Correction: Donald Trump is not running for President for himself. He is running for the good of we, the American people, for America, because he loves his country and wants to serve her well. God Bless America. God Bless our leader, President Donald Trump!
So the rules the Republican elites set up to stop Ron Paul in 2012 paved a path for Trump in 2016. Hard to feel sorry for them.
9
When was the last time the GOP did anything right?
Nixon signing the EPA into existence?
Nixon signing the EPA into existence?
7
GHWB signing the Americans with Disabilities Act is certainly a high mark in the GOP legacy.
5
Very true- forgot about that.
i suppose all you can hope for now is that trump doesnt cause as much damage as bush
you aimed low, america, and you hit th mark
you aimed low, america, and you hit th mark
5
It is not any surprise that the Republican party has allowed such bigots as Donald Trump (Drumpf) and Pat Buchanan to progress this far in any Presidential campaign. Bigotry is alive and well in the United States and substantially endorsed by the Republican party.
9
"That could include changing rules that bind delegates to candidates, said Mr. Yob"
Well, if you ever wanted confirmation that a party wants your vote but not your voice, that would be it.
Well, if you ever wanted confirmation that a party wants your vote but not your voice, that would be it.
8
Yes it bothers me that what is considered democratic process can short circuit the vote of the people by either party: we are already representational enough with the delegate rules of the constitution for election, and then to superimpose additional ways that the party insiders can influence the outcome only points more forcefully how the inner circle controls the process of candidate selection.
The GOP should be very cautious in trying to prevent Trump from receiving the nomination if he wins enough delegates to claim it. If the goal is to win the Presidency, math and logic should tell them that Trump has a better chance to defeat Mrs. Clinton (or Mr. Sanders) than does Rubio, Cruz, or Kasich.
Any such effort would almost certainly result in that which the GOP is trying to avoid; namely, a Democrat winning the Presidency. It would also have incalculable effects on the GOP "brand" across the country - it would be made clear to even the least aware GOP voter that they don't matter to the "establishment." Another way of putting it is to say that the "cure" for the GOP would be worse than the disease of losing the 2016 election.
Any such effort would almost certainly result in that which the GOP is trying to avoid; namely, a Democrat winning the Presidency. It would also have incalculable effects on the GOP "brand" across the country - it would be made clear to even the least aware GOP voter that they don't matter to the "establishment." Another way of putting it is to say that the "cure" for the GOP would be worse than the disease of losing the 2016 election.
5
Yes, but what about the good of the country? Trump may win the presidency, but he has absolutely no experience either in politics or in public service.
The same was true when Silvio Berlusconi was elected Prime Minister of Italy in the 1990s. His first government lasted only a few months. I remember him saying, "I know what to do, but they won't let me do it". He didn't know how the political system worked, because he came from a world where only he was in charge.
Trump also comes from that world. However, unlike the parliamentary system such as the one in Italy, where the government can fall in short order, the American system puts the president in office for four years, unless he or she does something really outrageous, bordering on the criminal. The damage Trump could - and I think would - do in four years is unimaginable.
The same was true when Silvio Berlusconi was elected Prime Minister of Italy in the 1990s. His first government lasted only a few months. I remember him saying, "I know what to do, but they won't let me do it". He didn't know how the political system worked, because he came from a world where only he was in charge.
Trump also comes from that world. However, unlike the parliamentary system such as the one in Italy, where the government can fall in short order, the American system puts the president in office for four years, unless he or she does something really outrageous, bordering on the criminal. The damage Trump could - and I think would - do in four years is unimaginable.
5
The GOP is already DOA. What many think of as the GOP is now little more than the remnants of a (post-colonial) political ruling class. Staunch Democrats should not become too smug in their watching of an old enemy perish- for in it's stead stands a beast of greater power.
ALWAYS, when power is with the people, do the people have ALL the power. It is sometimes called revolution, it may be called a 'movement', but it is always with the people. Bernie started the revolution, Trump took the movement forward.
To those who hold hope that Hillary will prevail, I have news for you. Hillary knew she was beaten the moment Trump stepped into the ring (that long ago!). If she had only had the honesty to have declared it, at that time, her party could have regrouped around... you choose.
ALWAYS, when power is with the people, do the people have ALL the power. It is sometimes called revolution, it may be called a 'movement', but it is always with the people. Bernie started the revolution, Trump took the movement forward.
To those who hold hope that Hillary will prevail, I have news for you. Hillary knew she was beaten the moment Trump stepped into the ring (that long ago!). If she had only had the honesty to have declared it, at that time, her party could have regrouped around... you choose.
3
Donald Trump could care less about the "people" - including those who think he will champion their causes. Once he is in office, he will exert dictatorial rule to the extent he can and in the pursuit of his own interests.
3
News flash: Rubio is not moderate OR center right. Media- stop saying it.
38
Yes, I agree Rubio is not a centrist or a moderate. The media should not describe him as such.
Rubio opposes abortion under all circumstances including rape and incest (allows exception only if needed to save mother's life.)
His tax plan calls for eliminating ALL taxes on capital gains and dividends, which means most billionaires would pay NO taxes. He would make current inequality far worse.
He is not a moderate. He is a far right candidate, just with a smiling face.
Rubio opposes abortion under all circumstances including rape and incest (allows exception only if needed to save mother's life.)
His tax plan calls for eliminating ALL taxes on capital gains and dividends, which means most billionaires would pay NO taxes. He would make current inequality far worse.
He is not a moderate. He is a far right candidate, just with a smiling face.
12
It's like saying Kasich is a moderate.
2
The media, including this paper, essentially put Trump in first place by running two and three articles and/or opinion pieces per day on him while ignoring all other candidates. For months. Given this, I wouldn't expect much of a reply to your request of them.
3
What a truly bizarre year in American political history. Donald Trump pushing past the GOP establishment that included Jeb Bush who raised and spent $110 million toward total failure. Trump slyly feigning ignorance of David Duke almost surely to gain votes in the Southern primaries. Hillary Clinton enjoying a near-sure fire path to the Democrats' nomination over socialist Bernie Sanders, but while she faces FBI, DOJ and State Department/intelligence agency investigations into her State emails and the (potential conflict of interest or illegal) donations and loans received by the Clinton Foundation that could cripple her candidacy. Two unusually flawed candidates with lots of baggage. The GOP and the Democrats may be each headed for crises. Not to mention the emotions, clashes and racial tensions on both sides. This could the worst, most divided General Election since 1968, or even 1860. I wonder how will our Election Day be like?
8
The sorcerer's apprentice. They created a monster.
11
good analogy.
2
Perfectly put.
2
@collegemom,
Yep.
2-29-16@10:44 pm
Yep.
2-29-16@10:44 pm
1
That old political magician himself namely Bill Clinton has told this paper that Mr. Trump is formidable and can win the White House. The Times better start taking Mr. Trump seriously as opposed to engaging in media hysterics.
11
It's quite funny to watch the so-called 'establishment' pull their hairs out and threaten to have a coup because of Donald, while they were elated with their bubble head Palin.
32
Well, they thought that they'd be able to write her lines for her.
The time for hating the GOP is coming to an end. The time for party political hatred on either side will end. We are living on the cusp of historic change.
It took Donald Trump to get the people thinking the right way- the people have listened, the people have decided, and continue deciding that they (and the least among us) could and can run this country better than the professional career politicians.
This is NOT a Republican/Democrat thing, Bernie awoke and energized many with his passion and honesty, Trump the opportunist saw it coming (all successful people in business are opportunists), and before our very eyes He is 'bringing the deal home' for America. He is going to make America Great Again!
The question remains as to whether Donald J. Trump (prospective presidential candidate) is in this for himself or for US, and you know... I don't care, and there are millions of others (the once silent majority) who also don't care- we are prepared to give Trump a chance, status quo is not an option.
He REALLY seems to want the job, I can imagine he would be awesome at putting quality management controls and (business-method) standards and practices in place (benefit- following presidents).
His tax plan is sound.
He will show teeth to enemies foreign and domestic, and personally I think he will get the job done. Some of the old-guard had better bring retirement plans forward, that or they will learn that compliance is the norm.
The Wall, so what? We build a wall.
It took Donald Trump to get the people thinking the right way- the people have listened, the people have decided, and continue deciding that they (and the least among us) could and can run this country better than the professional career politicians.
This is NOT a Republican/Democrat thing, Bernie awoke and energized many with his passion and honesty, Trump the opportunist saw it coming (all successful people in business are opportunists), and before our very eyes He is 'bringing the deal home' for America. He is going to make America Great Again!
The question remains as to whether Donald J. Trump (prospective presidential candidate) is in this for himself or for US, and you know... I don't care, and there are millions of others (the once silent majority) who also don't care- we are prepared to give Trump a chance, status quo is not an option.
He REALLY seems to want the job, I can imagine he would be awesome at putting quality management controls and (business-method) standards and practices in place (benefit- following presidents).
His tax plan is sound.
He will show teeth to enemies foreign and domestic, and personally I think he will get the job done. Some of the old-guard had better bring retirement plans forward, that or they will learn that compliance is the norm.
The Wall, so what? We build a wall.
5
Well, he needs the job now. No reputable businessman can work with Trump now that he's tarnished his brand so thoroughly.
What tax plan? By "teeth" do you mean guns? tariffs? his actual teeth?
You said you don't care if Trump is in it for himself or for the country. Which makes you sir, not Trump, the problem. If you can't be bothered to take a look at your candidate and his noxious positions, you can't claim to care about this country.
What tax plan? By "teeth" do you mean guns? tariffs? his actual teeth?
You said you don't care if Trump is in it for himself or for the country. Which makes you sir, not Trump, the problem. If you can't be bothered to take a look at your candidate and his noxious positions, you can't claim to care about this country.
I thought it was a hostile takeover of the Republican party until I saw today's polls that have Trump getting 49% of votes nationally .It is not so hostile! Rather the pundits and old timers seem to be hostile to the will of the voters.
7
The GOP establishment leaders and cable news hacks who get paid to be wrong about everything are quaking in their shoes because a Trump Presidency means the END of the establishment gravy train of lobbyists, political cronies and backroom politics.
That's why the establishment GOP has joined forces with the mainstream media and the Democratic Party to stop Trump. The status quo works for both parties and not for the American people.
That's why the establishment GOP has joined forces with the mainstream media and the Democratic Party to stop Trump. The status quo works for both parties and not for the American people.
7
And to think that the party that controls the Senate and the House, with billions of dollars behind it, can only put out candidates like school-boy Rubio, evangelical wing-nut Cruz, Fiorino, for-g*ds-sake!, Sleepy-Carson, glad-hander Christie, and Jeb!!! for potential POTUS. Well, they got what they deserved: a proto-fascist Trumpster. Very sad and potentially tragic for this country if he wins in Nov.
9
Kasich is okay
1
Not. He just defunded Planned Parenthood on Ohio.
7
I strongly disagree! So do many others, here's an example.
http://progressohio.org/the-real-john-kasich/
http://progressohio.org/the-real-john-kasich/
2
I don't know what's scarier - a Trump nomination or the willful intent by the GOP to basically disavow and disenfranchise the popular vote of the primaries. Say what you what want about the Donald, but, if after the primary season is over and he has in fact won the nomination, he will have done so legitimately and fairly. This is not Russia or Chile or Afghanistan, where past election results are thrown aside because "the Establishment candidate didn't win." This has been a long and arduous primary season and the those registered to vote in Republican primaries have made their choice.
16
Agreed. Those boys know how to steal and have no, even remote, moral qualm about stealing an election. even from their own people.
2
In theory I agree with you, but the clear threat Trump poses to the United States and the world is so profound that it requires the Republican party to block his candidacy as a patriotic act. We are a Republic in part because the Founding Fathers understood the need for checks on errant, destructive populist movements that could threaten first principles. Donald Trump aspires to be a tyrant and is consequently unfit for the office.
2
So let the people select the next president unless we don't like the person our party's system has selected? Sounds like a little boy who takes his toys home when he loses the game mad of his own rules.
2
It became apparent that the republican establishment was in on the Con when Boehner commented on the authenticity of President Obama's birth certificate saying "It's not my job to tell people what to think."
10
He's right, It's not his job to tell his constituents how to think. He represents them, not the other way around.
2
And I guess it was not his job to listen to the preference of the voters when he was in office
1
In the spirit of encouraging the GOP to reflect even deeper to explain the rise of Trump, I recall the Trump phenomenon was preceded by the Koch brothers announcing their intent, basically, to influence the presidential election with a near-billion-dollar investment on behalf of the Republican "establishment." Trump's self-financing played into what must have been outrage on the part of the Republican "base" at feeling even further disenfranchised by Koch arrogance. The sentiment among the base of "taking the process back" is real. We need only to look at the Sanders campaign for an instructive parallel.
7
Christine Todd Whitman apparently has a problem with Donald's 'race-baiting'. Was she in a coma in 2008 and 2012?
8
Donald Trump: think Frankenstein's monster meets the Pied Piper.
Ain't it just awful when your carefully gene-spliced GMO monster doesn't listen, doesn't do what you tell it to, just goes rampaging through the countryside, terrifying the aristocracy, but completely captivating the peasants, who gladly follow him to their own doom?
There are just too many juicy metaphors to describe what's become of the Republican Party. Is it even a political party anymore? Seems more like a bunch of Twitterhead trolls, hacking away at each other till there's nothing left except the trolls wondering, "duh, wha' happened?"
Ain't it just awful when your carefully gene-spliced GMO monster doesn't listen, doesn't do what you tell it to, just goes rampaging through the countryside, terrifying the aristocracy, but completely captivating the peasants, who gladly follow him to their own doom?
There are just too many juicy metaphors to describe what's become of the Republican Party. Is it even a political party anymore? Seems more like a bunch of Twitterhead trolls, hacking away at each other till there's nothing left except the trolls wondering, "duh, wha' happened?"
20
Rubio, scram.....!!!
6
It's inevitable. And when it happens it sets up the most interesting general election of my voting record going back to the 1980 election.
2
Unfortunately, 1980 set the course for this disaster show and much of what we've suffered to get to it.
4
Oh no, db2. What you term "disaster show" dates to at least 1968 and in truth to contests much earlier.
1
Watching these GOP neanderthals cannibalize themselves as they choose the next Grand Wizard of the "Grand Ole Party" is the only redeeming feature of this national disgrace that is otherwise known as the nominating process. How anyone can still identify themselves as a "Republican" and not feel an overwhelming sense of either shame or embarrassment is, luckily, something I will never have to worry about.
37
I know it's too late to hope for a third party to suddenly emerge, but wouldn't it be wonderful.
3
Bloomberg
3
sanders
3
Remember if no one wins a majority of votes in a three way then the House of Representatives selects the next President: do you want that?
1
I see the RNC was basically a bunch of Royal Smart Persons (C)197? Sesame Street Productions.
It is a very telling reflection on the soul of our nation that the obvious relationship between white supremacy, the GOP, and Donald Trump occurs just before a major, defining electoral event. It is a rising sense of urgency among the rational majority in this nation that the inmates are running the asylum. The inmates being the anger fueled reactionaries that have internalized Fox News propaganda and lies as the actual truth, and blame Obama for the wrong wind direction. These people are all aggressively and urgently convinced we should impeach Obama, but cannot recite a single cogent reason why. Our nation will never let them win, so we are in the throes of a serious political conflict. What worries me is that where will the angry turn to when it becomes evident to them, as it must, that they will get nothing out of the Trump candidacy, either by loss or win, sooner or later.
24
I would never vote for Trump, and I do believe that he will win the GOP nomination. That said, I think it's dangerous for Democrats to underestimate the power of his appeal. A LOT of Americans are hurting these days; Donald Trump is promising - in compellingly simple language - a return to the prosperity of yesteryear. People are listening.
10
People are listening to a master liar conning them into elevating him into what he considers to be a dictatorial reign. If he ever is elected, their disappointment will be profound as he has a consistent history of betraying the trust of those who have bought his snake oil. Trump University - Trump Airlines - Trump Vodka - Trump Magazine - Trump Mortgage - Trump Casinos - All failures
4
Fingers Crossed, with any luck at all the GOP will be DOA in 6 months.
3
Be careful what you wish for, the alternative is looking pretty grim
2
liberal pundits, "NYT","Washington Post", CNN walk. I have always been an independent. I am University of Virginia educated and have a son there. We are both this time Trump voters no matter what; so, those of you who think only uneducated idiots and the old are for Trump are very much wrong. We live in Ecuador, and I will travel all the way back home to vote for Trump in November. My adopted son is Ecuadorian, part indian; so, those who think people of color are not for Trump are also wrong. He was taken from near poverty by me, and will become a U.S. Air Force officer on graduation. He believes in the American dream, and it is working out well for him. My son is a LEGAL immigrant and despises illegal immigrants. Trump has his faults, but he is the only hope for changing Washington and the U.S. power structure.
9
How are you registered to vote if you live in Ecuador ?
2
Maybe with your UVA education you would know enough to distinguish good change from bad change. Hopefully you'll do some research before you vote rather than just listening to the 3rd grade level garbage coming out of Trumps mouth. Otherwise, do us all a favor and stay in Ecuador.
7
Rose in PA,
Us citizens residing abroad can vote in US elections. Depending on which State you last resided in, you may be able to vote in State elections too.
http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/abroad/legal-matters/benefi...
Us citizens residing abroad can vote in US elections. Depending on which State you last resided in, you may be able to vote in State elections too.
http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/abroad/legal-matters/benefi...
3
It often appears that in their zeal to adhere to dogmatic principles, republicans pay scant attention to the unintended consequences their policies can wreak on others, particularly the weaker members of our society. Now we get to sit back and watch them become embroiled in some of those unintended consequences. While there’s a certain justice to it – it’s also quite unsettling.
5
The GOP: The party of unintended consequences:
Supply Side / Trickle down economics => massive national debt.
Take the battle to the terrorists => ISIS
Drown the federal government => Trump, Cruz and the seeds of GOP destruction.
Supply Side / Trickle down economics => massive national debt.
Take the battle to the terrorists => ISIS
Drown the federal government => Trump, Cruz and the seeds of GOP destruction.
14
There are two scenarios; Donald has the delegates, gets the nomination, various Republican officials disavow him and tell everyone up for election they are on their own.
Donald is some delegates short of the nomination, at the convention, party leaders maneuver to nominate someone else.
Either way rips the party into pieces. Trump voters are not likely to just fall into line.
I don't see any way this ends well for the Republican Party. Which is fine with me, but in the long run we need two healthy parties.
Donald is some delegates short of the nomination, at the convention, party leaders maneuver to nominate someone else.
Either way rips the party into pieces. Trump voters are not likely to just fall into line.
I don't see any way this ends well for the Republican Party. Which is fine with me, but in the long run we need two healthy parties.
16
First the Tea Party, and now Trump. Can anyone explain how the voters put the GOP in charge of the Senate and the House ? Are we all crazy ?
4
Dems did not get out the vote during mid-term elections.
Gerrymandering and other forms of voter suppression .
Why do we put up with these two things???
Vote !
Gerrymandering and other forms of voter suppression .
Why do we put up with these two things???
Vote !
John Oliver really nailed Drumpf. He's not a real person. Virtually nothing he says is anchored in reality. He means what he says? He's a sociopathic liar! And he's getting closer and closer to the nuclear button. America has lost it.
18
"He's getting closer and closer to the nuclear button"
There were the same dire warnings about Reagan, and instead of nuclear war the Soviet Union broke apart.
There were the same dire warnings about Reagan, and instead of nuclear war the Soviet Union broke apart.
2
Was Heaven just using the US and Reagan to break apart the biggest threat to world peace so the story of humanity could continue to play out, not necessarily here?
Not Ronald Reagan, Barry Goldwater. But neither Reagan nor Goldwater were anywhere near the plane of unreality on which Drumpf resides.
2
Republican party suffers from massive mismanagement. Filled Congress with a bunch of obstructionists in 2010, that haunt them today, blew the election in 2012 and now are can't stop the hostile takeover of their party. And they want to run the country? Good luck with that. I just hope America will still have a two party system when its over.
8
What you call obstructionism is really the constitutional balance of powers, and the Republicans were doing exactly what their voters wanted them to do. I like it that way no matter which party is in office or runs congress.
So what is your opinion when the republican's DON'T do what their voters want, such as the intent of some of the people reported on in this article?
2
Rubio, a center-right conservative? aren't we defining things down now? more like far-right radical wth a friendly smile is Rubio.
29
At least the GOP system respects the wishes, and votes, of the people who actually vote in the GOP primary — unlike the Democratic Party's undemocratic abomination known as "superdelegates."
6
Not so different: from Wikipedia -
"The Republican Party utilizes a similar system with slightly different terminology, employing pledged and unpledged delegates. Of the total 2,380 Republican delegates (2,286 in 2012), 1,719 are pledged delegates"
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Delegate
"The Republican Party utilizes a similar system with slightly different terminology, employing pledged and unpledged delegates. Of the total 2,380 Republican delegates (2,286 in 2012), 1,719 are pledged delegates"
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Delegate
All the media are becoming irrelevant in their apparent desperation to stop Trump They only confirm that there is some establishment across party lines of self-interest that links them all together. It is ironic that they all claim to be democratic, to want the people to choose, yest when they appear to be choosing in a way that displeases them they go crazy.
But what is the alternative for the Republicans? Cruz, a religious fanatic, intolerant, and impossible to work with. Rubio, not ready for prime time, who is a terrible Senator, and has truly disqualified himself this week trying to out Trump, Trump.
I wish journalist and pundits would spend more time trying to understand what is happening, than trying to alter it. Since we don't have term limits, many people across the spectrum welcome the idea that someone who is not a professional politician is actually running for the highest office in the land, even if it is Trump. It was supposed to be that way.
But what is the alternative for the Republicans? Cruz, a religious fanatic, intolerant, and impossible to work with. Rubio, not ready for prime time, who is a terrible Senator, and has truly disqualified himself this week trying to out Trump, Trump.
I wish journalist and pundits would spend more time trying to understand what is happening, than trying to alter it. Since we don't have term limits, many people across the spectrum welcome the idea that someone who is not a professional politician is actually running for the highest office in the land, even if it is Trump. It was supposed to be that way.
4
Kasich is the only one qualified to be president.
5
Kasich is a good leader and a Regular Guy. But is there room in the U.S. culture based on entertainment and emotion FOR such people? Could FDR or Truman even be elected today, or JFK?
2
Kasich may be more qualified than the other GOP candidates, but he's no moderate. This Independent wouldn't vote for him.
1
The nomination procedure was Trumped by a seminal incident at a rally in Virginia. It was not the inexcusable, choking take down of the Time photographer by an apparent Trump influenced Secret Service Agent.It was the appearance and eviction of BLM protestors at a Trump rally. Trumps failure to condemn David Duke or the KKK will lead to an increasing number of BLM protestors at Trump events. An ugly racial confrontation with security or supporters is a certainty. When that happens Trumps previous racial demagoguery will reap the harvest it sowed. While it may actually increase his support among his supporters, moderate Republicans and Independents will find that terrifyingly repugnant and reject Trump. If the Republican establishment attempts a coup at the Convention. It will guarantee a Democratic victory in November. Any serious third party candidacy will guarantee a Democratic landslide in the Electoral College and more importantly, control of the Senate.
4
What don't you and others understand about the word "disavow"? I watched carefully over the weekend as CNN CREATED this situation showing its true liberal colors in a last ditch effort to hurt Trump. The effort failed becaue the American people are much smarter than CNN, "NYT", etc.media give us credit. I am an independent, always have been; however, I recognize a hatchet job when I see and hear one as do the American people. Tomorrow the people talk and you biased media walk.
3
The only hatchet job on Donald Trump is his own ignorant demagoguery. I saw the "disavow" statement. I think that was made irrelevant by his appearance Sunday and his false claim of not knowing David Duke, who he had commented about in the past. He simply ignored the KKK reference.Part of Tomorrow's vote takes place in 6 Southern states.He was just pandering to his constituency, trying not to alienate anyone. The Eden House's upstairs loft suite facing on Fleming St is our favorite getaway.
3
What didn't Donald Trump understand by the word when he refused to disavow the KKK three times in less than a minute? This is a con man winking at the white power groups whose support he needs.
As Duke said: “If he disavows me fine," Duke said. "Let him do whatever he thinks he needs to do to become president of the United States."
As Duke said: “If he disavows me fine," Duke said. "Let him do whatever he thinks he needs to do to become president of the United States."
3
Do the Republicans really believe any of these guys can really win a presidential election. They are fooling themselves. When the larger group of people show up during presidential election cycles, they will always lose. The vast majority of people don't want what they're selling. If the Dems get control of SCOTUS, the Repubs will lose all their biased attempts to rig elections. It's not if, it's when.....
2
Get used to saying: "President Trump". Also, Congress will continue to be controlled by Republicans; so, unless Trump is elected NOTHING of consequence will get done for four more years. I am an independent, but will vote Trump this time. Obama has simply not worked out.
1
These people still don't get it. Trump speaks for the average mainstream American (loudly, though), not the illegals who want unbridled immigration, the racist activists who want more money, no law enforcement and race quotas, Wall Street who want jobs outsourcing and low wages, liberals who want Muslim appeasement, the establishment politicians who want money from everyone, including China and the Arab States and European billionaires.
Unfortunately, he is also backed by the hard-core Evangelicals who want no science and a return to the pseudo-science of the Dark Ages. But then, you can't have everything.
Hopefully, he will win the nomination using the same means that the Establishment Republicans put in place to ensure their continuation. Beautiful irony.
Unfortunately, he is also backed by the hard-core Evangelicals who want no science and a return to the pseudo-science of the Dark Ages. But then, you can't have everything.
Hopefully, he will win the nomination using the same means that the Establishment Republicans put in place to ensure their continuation. Beautiful irony.
4
Because he is an average mainstream American? I don't get your argument. Trump is a liar, a fool, and a demagogue. He started the race the rest of us run with $100 million in assets, bequeathed by his father. He is a first-order narcissistic, and a bigot. By what stretch of the imagination do you characterize him as either average or mainstream?
10
The scary part is not that Trump wins the Republican nomination but that he wins the Presidency. He will win debates against Clinton on style rather than substance and in doing so he could ignite America's "silent majority." I don't think that scenario is as far fetched as many moderates hope.
2
Sorry that you did not mention that both Kennedy and FDR came from great family wealth...
Check out YouTube's coverage of TRUMP's one hour rally in Huntsville, Alabama this past weekend. Quite a few people showed up... like OVER 30,000. Reminded me of the growing crowds at President OBAMA's rallies in 2008. I see a pattern developing here. Looks like 'the DONALD is heading for the White House.
7
How about we rephrase this article this way: the GOP does not know the roots of most problems, and as an extension, does not know how to fix things. Every time they think they are fixing something, they wreck it further. Iraq War, economy, deregulation, gun laws, healthcare, education, infrastructure, congress and now, their own primaries.
17
The cows have come in, or is it chickens come home to roost?
Either way this is the inevitable result predicted from the start of reagans depraved abuse of religious feelings and reason began. I think most of us thought it would have come much sooner.
Either way this is the inevitable result predicted from the start of reagans depraved abuse of religious feelings and reason began. I think most of us thought it would have come much sooner.
4
It's a Shakesperean tragicomedy in real time. They will be hoisted by their own petard, just wait and see. Keep an eye on Eric and Don Jr., too -- they're part of the package.
5
Oh, and if the Republican pooh bahs change he rules at the convention, that will make Donald Trump honor his pledge not to run a third party insurgency?
2
Trump has already been betrayed by the GOP. Look at Mitch "Turleneck' McConnell's statement the other day - promising to NOT support Trump in the General Election. Trump will be on the ballot in November, one way, or another.
6
I'm completely confused.
The USA has a current population of over 300 Million. Which implies that there are at least 50 Million relatively sane adults around and several million of those must be educated and thoughtful enough to run even a small part of a country well enough.
So how come the two most powerful political organizations in the US can't promote anyone other than a handful of clearly highly ignorant religious extremists, or the previously rejected wife of a president four elections ago?
The USA has a current population of over 300 Million. Which implies that there are at least 50 Million relatively sane adults around and several million of those must be educated and thoughtful enough to run even a small part of a country well enough.
So how come the two most powerful political organizations in the US can't promote anyone other than a handful of clearly highly ignorant religious extremists, or the previously rejected wife of a president four elections ago?
9
Good question.
4
The main hope this article gives of stopping Trump is for professional politicians to change the rules at the convention to allow delegates to vote as they want, not as primary voters voted?
Nine out of time NY Times articles on the race call Trump a danger to democracy and the Times, by its selection of what to put in a key article on how to stop Trump, in effect lobbies for using methods of the old Soviet Politburo?
Leonid Brezhnev is clapping from his grave.
I also note that I didn't find in this article or in any others news of the new CNN poll that gives Trump 49% of Republican and Republican-leaning independents, including 47% of college graduates.
It is not just uneducated people from "flyover country" who are coming to Trump's support. Now, I still am a Rubio supporter, an increasingly glum one.
The NY Times is a great newspaper that I read daily, and again, the liberal editorial views that seep more and more into your articles is completely acceptable under the First Amendment. Trump's proposals to ease libel laws are ridiculous.
It still worries me when the NY Times give voice to totally undemocratic methods to stop Trump. Again, your right.
Nine out of time NY Times articles on the race call Trump a danger to democracy and the Times, by its selection of what to put in a key article on how to stop Trump, in effect lobbies for using methods of the old Soviet Politburo?
Leonid Brezhnev is clapping from his grave.
I also note that I didn't find in this article or in any others news of the new CNN poll that gives Trump 49% of Republican and Republican-leaning independents, including 47% of college graduates.
It is not just uneducated people from "flyover country" who are coming to Trump's support. Now, I still am a Rubio supporter, an increasingly glum one.
The NY Times is a great newspaper that I read daily, and again, the liberal editorial views that seep more and more into your articles is completely acceptable under the First Amendment. Trump's proposals to ease libel laws are ridiculous.
It still worries me when the NY Times give voice to totally undemocratic methods to stop Trump. Again, your right.
2
Wonderful news for the world. The USA will be neutered and no longer be the biggest threat to world peace.
3
You don't think President Trump poses a threat to the world?
1
They don't have another candidate. The "strong field" was really very weak. Thus, Trump pulled into the lead very soon after entering the race.
The Republican establishment is very upset to have given other candidates so much money. Thats what this is all about, the very rich people feeling they got taken to the cleaners. I can imagine they were told that Jeb Bush was a sure thing and he got $150 million but only won 4 delegates. His donors must be burning mad. The other candidates have been given an awful lot of money, too. I read that $12 million was spent on Rubio's behalf in South Carolina alone; he didn't get a single delegate. Trump got all the SC delegates.
The Republican establishment is very upset to have given other candidates so much money. Thats what this is all about, the very rich people feeling they got taken to the cleaners. I can imagine they were told that Jeb Bush was a sure thing and he got $150 million but only won 4 delegates. His donors must be burning mad. The other candidates have been given an awful lot of money, too. I read that $12 million was spent on Rubio's behalf in South Carolina alone; he didn't get a single delegate. Trump got all the SC delegates.
4
Obviously Donald Trump is the face of today's GOP. Why else would he be so popular?
17
Trump is better than the Republican establishment who have brought us the tea party, ALEC, gerrymandering, Citizens United, etc. and I am elated. So I am happy to see Trump/Christie and do not know what I will do in November.
9
Please stop describing Rubio as "center-right." He is no such thing -his proposed policies are way out on the far right.
63
The last Republican debate was the worst spectacle I can ever witnessed in my life. Politics used to where ideas were debated, principle stands were taken, and compromises reached. Since George W Bush, Republicans have treated the presidency as a throne to be won losers be damned. I think it's only fitting that so called 'establishment' Republicans get a taste of their own medicine with Donald Trump. Not only has he demonstrated that party elites are out of touch with their constituency, but that the system they put in place breeds demagogs and would be dictators. This is not a healthy development for US Democracy. I only hope that would our founders put in place over 200 years ago stands up to modern times...
14
"First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win."
-Mahatma Gandhi
For being full of rich and elites, they are pretty stupid and have only themselves to blame.
-Mahatma Gandhi
For being full of rich and elites, they are pretty stupid and have only themselves to blame.
8
Per the Mahatma Gandhi comment: I see you were looking at the Donald J. Trump! Twitter account since he tweeted that saying this afternoon.
I'll give this to the guy - never say he isn't trying to help the "poorly educated" whom he said he loves, yes? And if he and his followers twist the quotes for their own purposes - or really don't understand the quotes he uses or the people who once said them - then why blame Trump for leaving the wool over their eyes? Guy's gotta make a living, right?
I'll give this to the guy - never say he isn't trying to help the "poorly educated" whom he said he loves, yes? And if he and his followers twist the quotes for their own purposes - or really don't understand the quotes he uses or the people who once said them - then why blame Trump for leaving the wool over their eyes? Guy's gotta make a living, right?
6
Why are we still talking about Donald J. Drumpf?
2
Just have the Supreme court pick the candidate and president.
3
Hoist on their own petard. Serves the cynical pols right.
7
It's funny if you think about it...can you think of anything the GOP has gotten right lately?
Aside from losing in the Supreme Court twice on Obamacare, as well as in every state they have tried to rig elections by gerrymandering, they created the worst economic crisis in 80 years. (The even worse one 80 years ago, they created that too!)
Kansas, Louisiana, Wisconsin, etc., etc., etc. Everything they do turns to shambles.
Their candidates are cartoons.
They proudly turn their back on science, facts, and data.
You can't make up what a total and complete failure they have created of themselves.
Drill, baby, drill!
Aside from losing in the Supreme Court twice on Obamacare, as well as in every state they have tried to rig elections by gerrymandering, they created the worst economic crisis in 80 years. (The even worse one 80 years ago, they created that too!)
Kansas, Louisiana, Wisconsin, etc., etc., etc. Everything they do turns to shambles.
Their candidates are cartoons.
They proudly turn their back on science, facts, and data.
You can't make up what a total and complete failure they have created of themselves.
Drill, baby, drill!
36
Marco Rubio is a "center right conservative"? I am starting to become very frightened.
28
C'mon Texas. We can send Marco packing before he's even back in his home state. "Mr. Rubio could be all but shut out in Texas if he does not finish higher than third in any of its 36 districts, and if he also falls short of 20 percent of the vote statewide, which he needs to qualify for at-large delegates." I see Trump, Cruz and for those of you in the establishment who didn't get the memo, Rubio but he's not a viable candidate so let's send him home after tomorrow.
7
As a Floridian, I completely agree. Rubio is an empty suit, save for the skipping tape recorder. I hope Texas sends him home where he'll be forced to sit out the rest of the election cycle. He's already given up his senate run to run for POTUS so, should Texas send him home, he won't be a bother to us either.
USA needs Trump so that entire operation can come to a halt. KKK! Make my day.
4
This goes beyond hilarious into the absurd. America is in FAIL STATUS due to one entity; The GOP.
They have wrought the TeaParty, the obstructionism, the Trump phenom. It's on them. They only have to look in the mirror. Trump is using on the other GOPer candies the same tactics they allowed in the past against many Dems.
Welcome to your nightmare, GOPers.
They have wrought the TeaParty, the obstructionism, the Trump phenom. It's on them. They only have to look in the mirror. Trump is using on the other GOPer candies the same tactics they allowed in the past against many Dems.
Welcome to your nightmare, GOPers.
36
The biggest surprise is yet to be had- Trump is a centrist! Watch him pivot left of center during the general election. He isn't controlled by any mega donors or special interest, and the GOP has infuriated him up until now so he could care less about party loyalty. He's fiscally conservative and socially liberal. The wall will be built- but I very seriously doubt he'll deport 12 million. He is a loose canon but I do think he has the right ideas when it comes to buying sensibly for DOD, prescription medication and health insurance, billing foreign countries for our military services ... Name one candidate in the last 30 years who has had the gumption to tackle those issues without being marginalized and marched out of Washington. Americans always talk about CHANGE- well here's somebody that's ready to do something- I'll give him a chance.
12
You're probably right - it's easy for him to pivot because he has no convictions or coherent policies other than his xenophobia and tax cuts for the rich. Here's hoping that my fellow Democrats aren't impressed with his blowhard braggadocio.
5
My position is very simple:
I don't like anybody. I will probably hold my nose and vote for Hillary.
I doesn't matter what rules the republican party put up. Their candidates were all DOA unless you were an angry white male.
I don't like anybody. I will probably hold my nose and vote for Hillary.
I doesn't matter what rules the republican party put up. Their candidates were all DOA unless you were an angry white male.
17
Also worth noting: These GOP-dominated states brought the primaries for both parties upfront in Dixie. With Clinton dominating these states, it also looks as though it could well prove decisive for BOTH parties.
2
Not only are Republicans voting Trump, but Democrats faced with a choice of either Sanders or Hillary, along with a full 20% of their delegates being Super Delegates thus automatically edging out any contender that the Democrat establishment doesn't want regardless of the actual vote, now Trump is the recipient of Democrats who have just had enough of being used, abused, cheated, and lied to no different than the Republican voters are sick of the establishment.
TRUMP 2016
TRUMP 2016
6
Nice to see the GOP reaping what they sow. Like watch Frankenstein come alive before your eyes. Clinton, the bride of Frankenstein. No winners for America.
7
It's been 56 years since the USA elected a President from the Northeast, the cradle of American civilization. Trump is the man of the hour; he grew up in Queens. Hillary is no New Yorker; she's from Chicago. And yes, where a politician is from does matter, more than most Americans realize.
7
Whatever the contemporary Republican Party’s faults, our political system is not bolstered when one of the two major parties implodes in the kind of spectacular fashion that has been on display this season. The GOP has nurtured uncivilized, indecent impulses in the polity, and rigged electoral processes, to such an extent that what is left is a mere carcass of what was once a great party led by intelligent and visionary politicians (Abraham Lincoln, Charles Sumner, Teddy Roosevelt, Robert LaFollette, Dwight Eisenhower, Earl Warren). I disagree with my fellow liberals about the meaning of what we are witnessing. This is not a delightful spectacle; it is simply tragic beyond measure.
21
By what standard is Rubio a "center right" conservative? Only by the standards of insanity. He is as hard right as they come.
68
Nobody who favors keeping 12 million illegals here in the US can be called 'hard right'. Rubio lied about his position on amnesty for illegals. It is that kind of dishonesty that has finally soured the GOP voters on their 'establishment' candidates - of which Rubio is now their futile choice.
2
I agree. This is part of the problem. Cruz, Mario, Carson are hard right. Worse, they seem to be religious zealots willing to finish off the wall between church and state.
They are simply calmer and less obscene than Trump. They may in fact be more dangerous. It's obvious the MSM is setting us up to be relieved if Trump is eliminated and one of the down-bench is nominated.
Nothing could be further from the truth.
The GOP is dangerous. All of them. They need to be eliminated from America's political paradigm.
They are simply calmer and less obscene than Trump. They may in fact be more dangerous. It's obvious the MSM is setting us up to be relieved if Trump is eliminated and one of the down-bench is nominated.
Nothing could be further from the truth.
The GOP is dangerous. All of them. They need to be eliminated from America's political paradigm.
20
"Moderate" is correct. Marco Rubio thinks that soldiers SHOULD pay taxes on the money they earn by risking their lives, but that investors SHOULD NOT pay taxes on money they earn by sitting on their butts.
Rubio doesn't know and doesn't care about the age of the earth, but in any case feels that it is a question for theologians to debate about, not for scientists to experiment about.
http://www.gq.com/news-politics/politics/201212/marco-rubio-interview-gq...
http://thinkprogress.org/election/2012/12/05/1284791/marco-rubio-the-ear...
Rubio doesn't know and doesn't care about the age of the earth, but in any case feels that it is a question for theologians to debate about, not for scientists to experiment about.
http://www.gq.com/news-politics/politics/201212/marco-rubio-interview-gq...
http://thinkprogress.org/election/2012/12/05/1284791/marco-rubio-the-ear...
3
Do we know that the GOP establishment is truly wringing their hands? Or is that just the public display? Trump seems to embody what the GOP portrays as the its platform.
29
On every conservative site I've seen, not including crazies like Brietbart, they're in an absoute meltdown. When places like Red State allow commenters to say they won't vote for the Republican candidate without immediately banning them, you know they're in a panic.
'
'
11
The Times and the rest of the media are going off the rails trying to push Marco Rubio. He's a tea-party guy, he is most certainly not "center-right" by any stretch of the imagination. Bush was the center-right candidate and he dropped out. If anything, Trump's stances on women's issues, employment, healthcare, and foreign policy are far closer to the center than any of the other remaining republicans. Just because Marco Rubio (was) more moderate in temperament, does not mean that policy-wise he is the more moderate candidate. I'd never vote from Trump, but I also would never believe for a second that the rest of the far-right republican field would somehow be better than him. Trump might actually nominate reasonable people to serve on the Supreme Court, the rest, I'm sure would nominate 1-3 Antonin Scalias. Maybe even worse. That's not a "moderate" policy position to have, and if the news media succeeds in redefining the word moderate to mean "amiable" or "pleasant", despite a candidate's rather extreme policy positions we are in real trouble. That's an idea far more dangerous than a Trump presidency.
57
Who are these mysterious "establishment Republicans" so opposed to Trump? I never see them mentioned by name, only written about as if they were the secretive cabal of old white men in suits from The X-Files. Maybe if they weren't such cowards and publicly and loudly disavowed Trump, they might have a chance of stopping him.
35
Marco Rubio. RNC Chair Reince Priebus. Lindsey Graham. John McCain. Tim Scott. Steve King. Peter King. Trey Gowdy. Karl Rove. Mitt Romney. Rick Perry. Jeb Bush. Nikki Haley....
Should I go on? I haven't even gotten to the news media hacks like Glenn Beck and everybody on FOX News...
Should I go on? I haven't even gotten to the news media hacks like Glenn Beck and everybody on FOX News...
7
Whenever I see "establishment GOP", I usually figure Karl Rove, Koch brothers, Mitch McConnel, and similar neocons.
10
Clearly hard to understand why the majority of thinking people cannot find the root cause of Donald Trump's rise. It's far too easy to blame it on uneducated 'white voters', presumably 'racist' ones.
It's much harder looking under the hood at the decay of American democracy of which Democrats and Republicans are equally culpable. It's much harder seeing 50 million people being swallowed by the undertow; our own American refugees existing in abject poverty, not entirely unlike those in the Middle East countries whom we're giving hundreds of millions of dollars in aid to, not to mention 30,000 US ground troops to create 'safe zones'. We are turning our backs on those who need our help, who live right here, right in the USA.
Far too easy to denigrate Republicans and a reality star billionaire turned politician. Much harder to look within and take responsibility on all sides of the political spectrum, within all three branches of government, for decisions that have been made that embraced the monarchy/oligarchy we exist in today - a form of governing our founding fathers would despise.
It's much harder looking under the hood at the decay of American democracy of which Democrats and Republicans are equally culpable. It's much harder seeing 50 million people being swallowed by the undertow; our own American refugees existing in abject poverty, not entirely unlike those in the Middle East countries whom we're giving hundreds of millions of dollars in aid to, not to mention 30,000 US ground troops to create 'safe zones'. We are turning our backs on those who need our help, who live right here, right in the USA.
Far too easy to denigrate Republicans and a reality star billionaire turned politician. Much harder to look within and take responsibility on all sides of the political spectrum, within all three branches of government, for decisions that have been made that embraced the monarchy/oligarchy we exist in today - a form of governing our founding fathers would despise.
17
Don't be so sure the founding fathers would despise the current circumstances. Remember under their design only male property owners could vote. Also, these property owners were allowed to own slaves as property. Finally since slaves counted 3/5's towards the number of representatives a state would have in the house of representatives indirectly these male slave property owners obtained greater representation. Both George Washington and Tom Jefferson were salve owners.
1
The founding fathers are dead. As is is Scalia
1
When will bureaucracies learn that stacking the deck, denying the value of fairness, leads to uncontrollable variability. The GOP would be a much stronger party if they stopped the gerrymandering, the obstructionism, the perversion of science, the Constitution, and morality. That's what this country needs, two strong parties that win because of their ideas not because of their Machiavellian manipulations.
47
People complain about politicians and then vote for them based on their stump speeches, instead of researching their real record. The one you think is the "adult" in the room is in reality a career politician with a history of negative campaigning and more baggage than the rest (see, Newsweek's "The Unbearable Smugness of John " or "Gov. Kasich has a secret" published in the Toledo Blade. ..I am highly educated, not angry at anyone, and very successful. I'm voting for Trump and I believe he will pull together a winning team.
16
Have researched the record of Trump then? Last I heard he was thrice divorced (ex gets dumped after 35 y o) hardly a moral example, 4 bankruptcies, hardly a financial wise person, draft dodger, NO political experience, not releasing his taxes, no platform other than saying it will be wonderful, the best, most powerful etc etc,, this is not hear say, this are facts
7
Boy, Marco has got Donald on the run now, don't you think? Marco is softening up Donald for the final blow. You know, after another 12-15 debates Marco might just have it to push Donald out of the way. Don't you think?
13
Actually, I thought Rubio looked very small and immature to try and insult Trump the way he did. And his screaming groupies in the debate audience made the forum appear like a high school auditorium. Not yet ready for prime time, but probably got a B+ or A in his history class.
2
I don't think so. I believe Trump has gotten Marco to sink to his level. Not a good sign. By the time he gets momentum I believe Trump will have already secured the nomination.
1
Hey chill we lived through Obama didn't we. Establishment, remember now, don't bite your nose to spite your face. Don.t you understand, The grass roots is rooting for Trump - get over it We're on the same team or were you lying to us all those years. If you were lying to us shame on you.
5
David Duke isn't the first person whom Mr. Trump couldn't remember. A close listen to each of his statements in each debate strongly suggests nascent Alzheimer's or dementia. This also explains his superficial responses as well as his name-calling: he can't remember any of the details of public policy stances he is being advised by his counselors to talk about, so he reverts to glib statements, repeated superficial statements, and name-calling. The race he is in is to get enough delegates before the news picks up on this because if his deteriorating state of mind becomes a public issue before he can prevail at the convention, he won't have the GOP to control
15
I'm a lawyer too and I am voting for Trump. I am successful, not angry at anyone, and am quite amused at those who cannot see that the mild, "sane" "adult in the room" is in fact a career politician with a history of negative campaigning, pompous and idiotic remarks, scandals (Ohio charter schools, cronyism, Fracking in state parks, hiding actual spending/ government growth, etc.). So which qualities are more admirable to you, fellow counsel? Here's a good night read for you, "The Kasich Moderation Burlesque," by Neil H. , just published in Justia's "Verdict" series...
1
Of course, he could just be a flat out liar, with enough hubris to think nobody will figure it out. Either way, he's the best thing that happened to Hillary since Bill.
1
Well, you clearly aren't a doctor, LA Lawyer
3
The GOP's constant conniving is just a gift that keeps on giving!
9
what a bunch these Republic Party folks are.
Willard Romney trolling Donnie Brasso on HIS tax returns.
The Goldman Boy Eduardo trolling Donnie T on failing to reveal his finances.
No-Show Marco, he of Nixon stubble and Nixon flop sweat, going all 12 year old on the spray tanned Don.
Complaining about inheriting money by Trumpolissimo with his dubious house sale and other cronyism dotting his entire career.
Corpus Christie, who weeks ago slammed the authoritarian psycho-narcissist,
planting wet ones on each cheek of Chairman Trump.
The same said future dictator not hearing or knowing David Duke on Sunday, having dealt with him years ago. (wasn't one of the guys in the orange car?)
Does it occur to anyone that Il Donno got the endorsement of Jefferson Beauregard Sessions?
Or that the Aquanet Don now has way more congressional endorsements that Tail Gunner Eduardo Rafael has received.
McHale's Navy or Bilko (wait none of them have served!) with nuclear launch codes in the balance
Save us Hillary......you are our only hope.
Willard Romney trolling Donnie Brasso on HIS tax returns.
The Goldman Boy Eduardo trolling Donnie T on failing to reveal his finances.
No-Show Marco, he of Nixon stubble and Nixon flop sweat, going all 12 year old on the spray tanned Don.
Complaining about inheriting money by Trumpolissimo with his dubious house sale and other cronyism dotting his entire career.
Corpus Christie, who weeks ago slammed the authoritarian psycho-narcissist,
planting wet ones on each cheek of Chairman Trump.
The same said future dictator not hearing or knowing David Duke on Sunday, having dealt with him years ago. (wasn't one of the guys in the orange car?)
Does it occur to anyone that Il Donno got the endorsement of Jefferson Beauregard Sessions?
Or that the Aquanet Don now has way more congressional endorsements that Tail Gunner Eduardo Rafael has received.
McHale's Navy or Bilko (wait none of them have served!) with nuclear launch codes in the balance
Save us Hillary......you are our only hope.
14
Seems pretty simple to me. Trump has a good chance of winning because he's come along at a time when many voters are clear: after eight years of a black president, they want a white man in charge. (It doesn't matter to them if President Obama was a good or bad president, he's still black. They're all, "No. We CANNOT do that again!")
That goes for both sides of the aisle, Dems and Republicans. No white woman, please. No Cuban white men. (Thanks for playing, though!) That Ben Carson, uh...nice man. Very nice man. Plus the Democratic voters who very much want a Jewish man in office and can't get him will trade sides and go for the white Protestant man. The women who don't like other women (that Hillary!) doing better than they are will also trade sides and pick the white male candidate.
Pretty entertaining, though, to watch some of the Republican establishment gradually slide over, a bit shame-faced and sheepish, to Donald Trump's side. I think they're scared of being on the outs with Trump in terms of their personal political status with him in office more than scared of what he'll do to the country.
And hey, that sound you heard? That was the sharpened elbows of Democratic Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard, presently a brand-new Bernie Sanders fan, trying to knock Sarah Palin out of the way in her quest to seize power by being "the only one" in Trump's new circle. Her transition is as inevitable as President Trump cutting a deal to advertise his favorite brand of hair spray.
That goes for both sides of the aisle, Dems and Republicans. No white woman, please. No Cuban white men. (Thanks for playing, though!) That Ben Carson, uh...nice man. Very nice man. Plus the Democratic voters who very much want a Jewish man in office and can't get him will trade sides and go for the white Protestant man. The women who don't like other women (that Hillary!) doing better than they are will also trade sides and pick the white male candidate.
Pretty entertaining, though, to watch some of the Republican establishment gradually slide over, a bit shame-faced and sheepish, to Donald Trump's side. I think they're scared of being on the outs with Trump in terms of their personal political status with him in office more than scared of what he'll do to the country.
And hey, that sound you heard? That was the sharpened elbows of Democratic Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard, presently a brand-new Bernie Sanders fan, trying to knock Sarah Palin out of the way in her quest to seize power by being "the only one" in Trump's new circle. Her transition is as inevitable as President Trump cutting a deal to advertise his favorite brand of hair spray.
7
I like our President, I voted for him, and I am saddened that the Republicans were so, shall we see racist, as to to declare that they would never cooperate in governing. But I strongly disagree with your post.
Author forgot about Rule 40, pushed into place by Romney supporters in 2012 - one has to win a majority (51% or more) of delegates from at least 8 states to have his/her name automatically placed into nomination at the convention. Thus far Trump has only 1 state (South Carolina, which was winner take all) in which he has secured >50% of delegates, which appears to have ignored a 2011 RNC memo which directed states not to award delegates on a "winner take all" basis unless a candidate won >50% of the popular vote; otherwise, delegates are to be awarded proportionately. Personally think if RNC were to invoke Rule 40 to stop Trump (assuming he falls short of the 8 states - which is very possible)- which presumably would trigger a floor nomination (Romney?) - after Trump gets to the magic number of overall delegates, chaos would ensure, Trump would run as an independent, and Hilary would win in a landslide.
4
Trumps' chances may be better than they look. There have been reports that HRC and her supporters in the various local Democratic clubs have tried to minimize new voter registration before primaries in the Democratic Party because usually the new voters are the young, who are much more for Bernie Sanders. This means that in order to win the nomination Clinton, is willing to take the chance that can have the Democrats lose the election! If there is a thug called President Trump we will have Clinton to thank for it. So when we complain of monsters and egomaniacs its not just the Republicans that have them.
4
The Republican party has always courted white collar workers and professionals while hoping to attract the votes of blue collar workers that lean more to the Democrats. Trump is appealing more to the blue collar types so the Democrats of yesterday may become Republicans and vice versa. The Republican party elites are afraid of this change in demographics. Do they expect that they can sit in Washington and tell us what we should think, forever?
7
the ONLY reason republicans don't want trump is because their big donors will not have control these are awful people
11
Besides the changes in calendar and delegate allocation, I see the GOP reaaaally took to heart the lessons gleaned from their own assessment- The Growth and Opportunity Project- at the end of the last presidential election. Just look at the chapters on Messaging and Demographic Partners. Talk about driving a bus off a cliff!
2
Trump's a highly successful person like him or not. He's gotten more done in his life than all the rest of the candidates on both sides put together. He's popular because he has proven he gets things done and there is tangible evidence of it, buildings, golf courses, lavish homes, his jets, TV show, etc. By comparison, American politicians have done very little in the last 30 years to improve the situation of the average person. I think we all hope that a man like Trump will be true to his word and take actions to benefit all of us. Opposing him because he wants to re-establish sovereignty and calling him names because of it is a losing proposition. It IS something that HAS to be done. I will be voting for him as the best hope for all Americans for the next 4 years.
14
being a real estate developer and casino and golf course mogul is a bit different than being president, wouldnt you say
7
How so? Please explain.
1
"The Economist" amusingly points out that if Trump had merely invested his inheritance in an S&P index mutual fund in 1985 his net worth would today be about three times what it actually is. So much for his record of accomplishment. Nevertheless every Democrat shares your hope that Trump will be the GOP nominee; tee hee!
8
Any Republican leader - that means current or former Senator, Congressman, Committee member, etc., who does not disavow Trump for his comments regarding David Duke and Mussolini he (supposedly doesn't know who David Duke and is just interested in good quote, so what if Mussolini said it), is clearly pandering to a racist and morally unacceptable doctrine. Failure to do so will show that winning is everything - morality and the country mean nothing. Republican leaders - if there really are any-should be clearly stating they will not support Donald Trump. Of course they won't because they are terrified of losing the White House and Senate - and are willing to sell their souls in order to gain power. This is the real story that the media should be hammering on. If Trump's attraction holds up, then Americans will have lost the moral high ground to the world. After all, even nominating someone who is in favor of committing a war crime (killing the relatives of terrorists) would demonstrate how low we have fallen as a nation.
8
Actually that Mussolini quote is originally from Tipu Sultan (though he said 'jackals' instead of 'sheep'). As I'm sure you all know, as leader and ruler of the Kingdom of Mysore in southern India Tipu Sultan was a great oppressor of Christians, which just further gives credence to my long held belief that Trump is a vicious Hindu extremist.
Or, sometimes a quote is just a quote.
Or, sometimes a quote is just a quote.
8
touche! And the KKK thing has been spun soooo hard it's almost funny. Does ANYONE, ANYWHERE really, truly believe that Donald Trump is a fan of the KKK? COME ON. The desperation of the media, the left and the RNC apparently knows no limits.
1
Should we blame NBC? If they had just renewed the Apprentice, none of this would have happened.
29
The GOP couldn't even muster up a candidate who can defeat Obama in 2012, when he was facing the all time lowest voter approval rating. I know of many college educated people, men and women, black, white, hispanic, asian, muslims, athiests, christians, who have become enthusiastic supporters of Trump, even if they don't openly declare it. He is drawing new people into the GOP as never before. Instead of working against him, the GOP needs to wise up and embrace him.
7
And I don't know any sane person who wants Trump to be president. Where did you find this collection of folks that purport to support Trump?
4
Beth, you are exactly right. He has way more support than most people realize.
By the way, that Ned Fargus thing is a joke.
By the way, that Ned Fargus thing is a joke.
1
Perhaps the mental health issues are among your group.
So typical of the shortsighted efforts of the GOP to steal votes and elections. Just more reinforcement of what people are finally starting to realize: politicians, no matter how long they've been at it, are not very smart.
The Republican decades long messages of hate and exclusion, propagated by their media arm (Fox News) and their talk radio hate-mongering propagandists like Rush and Savage brought forth this viper, and now their panties are all in a bunch over him, because he says in real words what the rest of the Republicans have been thinking and hinting at for a very long time.
Well, GOP, you made him. Own him. He's your guy.
The Republican decades long messages of hate and exclusion, propagated by their media arm (Fox News) and their talk radio hate-mongering propagandists like Rush and Savage brought forth this viper, and now their panties are all in a bunch over him, because he says in real words what the rest of the Republicans have been thinking and hinting at for a very long time.
Well, GOP, you made him. Own him. He's your guy.
21
The GOP's chickens have come home to roost in spades in the rise of Donald Trump.
2
Trying to jury-rig democracy, GOP?
You can't fool Mother Nature!
Be careful what you ask for. You just might get it.
You can't fool Mother Nature!
Be careful what you ask for. You just might get it.
4
Weird conspiracy theories, racism, sexism, Islamophobia, paranoia, narcissism, frightening hostility, amorality, dishonesty, megalomania, hucksterism... oh, and completely lacking the education and experience to govern the most powerful nation on Earth. Trump's supporters are superficially charmed, and darkly relate to one or more of the aforementioned human weaknesses. Trump is a powerful man with no strength of character, who could have a nuclear arsenal at his fingertips if he gets far enough.
17
More generalizations and fear mongering from the liberal ideologues on Trump and his supporters.
5
The primaries will be revealed once and for all to be charades intended to let voters believe they have any actual say in who gets nominated. Unless they make someone like a Trump the candidate. In which case the establishment elite will respond: "sorry, wrong choice, try again."
5
I don't get how Rubio could be "center-right"? This is the guy who opposes abortion even in the case of rape and incest, insist that marriage is between a man and a woman, voted against the bill that would prevent potential terrorists on the no-fly list from buying guns, advocates regime change in Syria and enforcing a no-fly zone even if it gets us into war with Iran and Russia, against ObamaCare though he could not articulate why other than it's Obama's care. He has even reversed his position on immigration and is now full blown against illegal immigration, since this is the way the wind blows these days. This is what the NYT calls "center-right" these days?
If Rubio is center right, then what is Trump? The far right? Mind you Trump is the guy who opposes regime change or further intervention in Syria, who supports planned parenthood, never said much about gay marriage, embraces universal healthcare, but Trump's the far right for simply wanting to enforce immigration laws and temporarily stop entry of foreign muslims until better vetting could be put in place?
It's clear to anyone with any two bits brain that Rubio is a conservative ideologue, a party stooge, establishment puppet. His brand of conservative is exactly what voters are rejecting in drove. The Times just wants to promote him because they know he'll lose to the Dems in Nov just like the previous two "center-right" Republican nominees.
If Rubio is center right, then what is Trump? The far right? Mind you Trump is the guy who opposes regime change or further intervention in Syria, who supports planned parenthood, never said much about gay marriage, embraces universal healthcare, but Trump's the far right for simply wanting to enforce immigration laws and temporarily stop entry of foreign muslims until better vetting could be put in place?
It's clear to anyone with any two bits brain that Rubio is a conservative ideologue, a party stooge, establishment puppet. His brand of conservative is exactly what voters are rejecting in drove. The Times just wants to promote him because they know he'll lose to the Dems in Nov just like the previous two "center-right" Republican nominees.
47
Rubio has not changed his position on immigration. He is still for legal status for all 12 million illegal immigrants (or however many there might actually be), and the people do not trust him to actually close the border. The issue for the voters is trust. We don't want another liar who promises one thing and does another. We have been had too many times, most recently in 2014 mid-term elections when McConnell-Boehner hijacked all of the promises and gave Obama everything he ever wanted, and more.
3
Hahaha! What could be better than a brokered Republican convention?! Nothing makes me happier than Republicans eating their own, and a brokered convention would be a banquet.
8
Republicans will always be losers so long as they concentrate on trying to fix the game so as to make things easier on themselves.
13
If Trump loses the election by some chicanery over the rules at the convention, he will go third party and both he and the GOP nominee will lose to Hillary because they will split the vote.
11
If HRC gets the nomination, better hope someone runs 3rd party right. She'll lose to Trump if he runs without conservative voting splitting.
3
“'If I have to, I will get in my pickup truck' and drive to all 50 states" Mr Rubio said. The drive out to Hawaii should be interesting.
27
It'd be nice if Cruz got lost on the way to Alaska in Canada.
1
First he has to buy a pick-up truck.
1
He probably thinks that Hawaii is part of Canada.
Analyze Trump's candidacy ad nauseam but the bottom line is that the Republican Party got exactly what they asked for. If the Republican money guys don't understand what I just wrote, they need to look in the mirror MUCH MORE CLOSELY.
16
Feel like I'm watching the Frankenstein creature (played by Trump, not Christopher Lee) destroying his creator (the GOP, not Peter Cushing).
And if memory recalls, they both destroyed each other in the end. Pass the popcorn, please.
And if memory recalls, they both destroyed each other in the end. Pass the popcorn, please.
4
Donald Trump's allure can be summed up in one phrase"The Border"And by the way this argument that the Clinton political machine will easily topple Trump is at this point provably not true. If Donald Trump is so easy to beat Rubio and Cruz would be beating him right now.They are not. Apparently Donald Trump is like the Borg "Resistance is futile".
5
There's going to be a convention but it won't be a "Republican" convention. The country has completely denounced whatever had been thought of as "Republican"
Political parties are not forever. Like all things, they have their time to grow and time of passing. In the last 15 years, the Republican Party has demonstrated that it lacks the strength of character to continue. The latest Trump fiasco is a symptom of a terminal disease for the GOP, which is not a bad thing for the country.
14
Absolutely agree. The Republican party as the country has known it is no more. I can't say what Trump is representative of but whatever remains of either conservatives or republicans isn't recognizable.
3
This is but a warm-up for the Donald. A month from now Trump will veer sharply back towards the center, completely ignoring the Party members he has by then roped and rounded up. Depending on the Democratic Party to treat him as a joke, he will then start with the personal appeals to Independents and Democrats in the states where he'll need to get electoral votes. Always looking for a new deal, that's when he'll make his real move. Look out, the bandwagon is rolling!
89
Sounds like a plan from a Venture Capitalist touché.
You must think people are really, really stupid. Donald will have to face debate after debate, and daily criticism from places like CNN.
I agree he will move towards the center, but will he fool enough people to really win the Presidency.
I doubt that.
I agree he will move towards the center, but will he fool enough people to really win the Presidency.
I doubt that.
1
I doubt he will be treated as a joke by the Dems, which has been the fatal error of the Repbulicans; but if his campaign is a joke, then it is a very bad joke.
RIP RNC. Donald Trump is your creation and like Frankenstein he will destroy your republican politburo. Ever since you turned on the hate Obama machine and all the lies you and Fox news could spout, you have been conditioning the Trump electorate. Making the primaries easy for him is just frosting on the cake. Now just live with it, you really have to love the guy, he'll fit in beautifully with today's republicans.
5
everywhere i see the blame put on republicans. Guess what dems. Your fault too because there are lot of people who don't like Hillary. Ive said it once to my friends but the party that abandons its populist candidate will lose and thats the dems not the republicans(although the leadership is trying).
5
To think that the best that this country can come up with to lead us are a person who likely committed a felony and a brash real estate mogul with no filter.
3
Law of unintended consequences
2
I heard Marco Rubio address Trump's unconscionable hedging of Duke's support. I was waiting for the Senator, with Governor Haley at his side, to unequivocally state how morally unacceptable Trump's answer was. Instead, Rubio concluded that we will (gasp) end up with President Hillary Clinton (whose name elicited boos, though the white supremacist's didn't).
That is how morally bankrupt their candidates are. The crisis, for Rubio, is not the inherent evil of being silent on David Duke, or feigning ignorance on what he represents, but that a Democrat might win.
This is a party and value system that should lose, for the nation's sake.
That is how morally bankrupt their candidates are. The crisis, for Rubio, is not the inherent evil of being silent on David Duke, or feigning ignorance on what he represents, but that a Democrat might win.
This is a party and value system that should lose, for the nation's sake.
306
I am not a Trump supporter, I am for Cruz. A Hillary Presidency would be another disaster. She is under an FBI investigation, with DOJ career attorneys supporting them for spilling the nation's secrets on her private server kept in a bathroom.
Clinton was a failure as Obama's first Secretary of State. No one can name one (positive) accomplishment she did in those four years. She let 4 Americans die in Benghazi because she would not send the needed support. She even started that war in Libya. She was running guns to Syrian rebels and terrorists alike. She blamed Benghazi on a video that no one ever saw, or even cared about, and she knew that was a lie. She lied about "dodging sniper fire" in Bosnia. Lady if a trained sniper targets you, he or she is going to get you, no matter how you dodge around, and no matter of your secret service protection.
As a US Senator from New York, what did she do there? NOTHING!!!, But New Yorkers reelected her in 2006.
She was a FLOTUS. That qualifies her for NOTHING!!!
Rubio is also a nothing, and a liar, a member of the "Gang of Eight". I don't want him even for garbage collector.
Both Trump and Cruz have accomplish things in their lives. Trump a very successful businessman. Cruz an accomplished attorney, Solicitor General, and US Senator.
The DNC for 2016 have two loosers running, one a communist the other a chronic liar, with to many conflicts of interests. (the Clinton Foundation)
Clinton was a failure as Obama's first Secretary of State. No one can name one (positive) accomplishment she did in those four years. She let 4 Americans die in Benghazi because she would not send the needed support. She even started that war in Libya. She was running guns to Syrian rebels and terrorists alike. She blamed Benghazi on a video that no one ever saw, or even cared about, and she knew that was a lie. She lied about "dodging sniper fire" in Bosnia. Lady if a trained sniper targets you, he or she is going to get you, no matter how you dodge around, and no matter of your secret service protection.
As a US Senator from New York, what did she do there? NOTHING!!!, But New Yorkers reelected her in 2006.
She was a FLOTUS. That qualifies her for NOTHING!!!
Rubio is also a nothing, and a liar, a member of the "Gang of Eight". I don't want him even for garbage collector.
Both Trump and Cruz have accomplish things in their lives. Trump a very successful businessman. Cruz an accomplished attorney, Solicitor General, and US Senator.
The DNC for 2016 have two loosers running, one a communist the other a chronic liar, with to many conflicts of interests. (the Clinton Foundation)
2
Hilary Clinton was elected as Senator by the people of New York who apparently did not believe she accomplished "nothing". That was their business, just as it was your state's business to elect Ted Cruz, who did accomplish something - a disastrous shutdown of the government. And, by the way, she was born in the United States.
2
I'm absolutely not a fan of any of the Republican candidates, but I have to say how you present your critique of Rubio seems vastly different from what I heard here: http://www.nytimes.com/video/us/politics/100000004241991/rubio-criticize...
Again, not a fan of Rubio at all (very liberal Dem here), but he does state: "why wouldn't he (Trump) condemn the Ku Klux Klan? There is no room in the conservative movement and there is no room in the republican party for members of the Ku Klux Klan or for racists like David Duke. "
To me that sure sounds like he is both condemning Trumps behavior and that of his followers and contradicts your critique above. Yes, he concludes that a vote for Trump today = a vote for Hillary in the general election, but he's not discounting Trumps actions and the actions of his supporters.
What Rubio, in essence, is stating is this: if you vote for a man who doesn't condemn white supremacists (Trump) in the primaries and he wins the Republican nomination, come the general election the populous is not going to turn a blind-eye to this and will, as a result, vote for the other candidate (Clinton). That's a very different interpretation from how you present his words.
Again, I'm casting my vote democrat up here in Boston, and have no taste for any of the Republican candidates, but I do believe in fairly criticizing the opponents.
Again, not a fan of Rubio at all (very liberal Dem here), but he does state: "why wouldn't he (Trump) condemn the Ku Klux Klan? There is no room in the conservative movement and there is no room in the republican party for members of the Ku Klux Klan or for racists like David Duke. "
To me that sure sounds like he is both condemning Trumps behavior and that of his followers and contradicts your critique above. Yes, he concludes that a vote for Trump today = a vote for Hillary in the general election, but he's not discounting Trumps actions and the actions of his supporters.
What Rubio, in essence, is stating is this: if you vote for a man who doesn't condemn white supremacists (Trump) in the primaries and he wins the Republican nomination, come the general election the populous is not going to turn a blind-eye to this and will, as a result, vote for the other candidate (Clinton). That's a very different interpretation from how you present his words.
Again, I'm casting my vote democrat up here in Boston, and have no taste for any of the Republican candidates, but I do believe in fairly criticizing the opponents.
Disappointing to read much of the commentary here, some of which sounds like near-hysteria. The Republican Party is not broken, nor suicidal, nor about to tear itself apart; it is far too resilient for that. The party is simply demonstrating that decades of tinkering and major engineering enables it to produce precisely the kind of candidate who can speak to both critical cadres simultaneously. For all Trump's bluster and bombast he does not attack the power centers of the Republican establishment and his tax proposals are sweet, sweet music to their ears. He may leave the country with a $30 trillion debt but as it is Republican debt that will not matter. And he protects the popular base from threats to their wellbeing and future raised by minorities, immigrants, uppity women, and anyone who is different. That the real threats to the base are grounded in the other wing of the Republican Party, not the marginalized outsiders, is carefully concealed by the din. And Trump assures everyone the menace of American power will make everything right, from magically forcing Mexico to pay for its own wall to protecting Israel from the consequences of its own folly. The issue is not whether Trump can deliver on all this but that he can promise it in an authentic and positive fashion. Meanwhile the Republican Party can watch contentedly as its principles become practice, comforted with the assurance that when they fail it will be due to the perfidy of the Democrats and flawed democracy.
4
Were you not listening? The establishment doesn't like Trump because he can't be controlled by them.
5
Let's hope that the Trump situation will teach the importance of working together with Democrats, not demonizing them. There are many areas of common cause. There are many areas of compromise to ensure that people are service. By constantly attacking the institution of the government and vilifying the opposition, people want to throw out the party as well. Obstruction has a price.
6
The Republicans have not been fighting the Democrats and THAT is what has brought Trump into the picture.
2
When was the last time Democrats especially BHO, worked together with Republicans and avoided demonizing conservatives by incessantly labeling them as 'racist', bigots, obstructionists etc, etc.
Rajiv it all boils down to what side of the aisle you want to hand your hat.
Rajiv it all boils down to what side of the aisle you want to hand your hat.
1
We elected them with a mandate and they immediately caved to the dems on immigration and the budget.
3
There is something so fetching about Donald. I do not understand my attraction but must give in to the allure. Maybe it is his lack of Clintonian phoniness I don't know. Maybe my meds need to be adjusted but in any case absent a Bernie seizing of the moment I will do something I have never done since beginning to vote in 1976 and vote Republican if Donald indeed does prevail. The GOP establishment really created a juggernaut whether by design or not.
12
Amanda, I voted for Ronald Reagan his first term, and regretted it. I thought he would be a conservative on finances, and liberal on human things. Turned out a total bad decision, and I remember it to this day.
1
So your values are xenophobia, misogyny, general ignorance of the world, etc., etc. ?
6
See? It is not just independents. WE DON'T LIKE HRC, ARE YOU DEAF?
4
If the GOP plays gamest to stop Trump, they will be rewarded by losing in November.
All in GOP should advise the national chair that if that happens, there will be such a backlash from the precinct delegates that all 50 State chairs and the national chair will be voted out, along with many on their committees.
Let the people decide! If they want Trump, so be it.
All in GOP should advise the national chair that if that happens, there will be such a backlash from the precinct delegates that all 50 State chairs and the national chair will be voted out, along with many on their committees.
Let the people decide! If they want Trump, so be it.
14
John McCain, Mexicans, Women, the press, really anyone who disagrees with him, these are the people Trump vehemently opposes. David Duke not so much. Mussolini, well so what if he was a killer, it's a good quote.
What is wrong with these delegates? Is this the America they want?
What is wrong with these delegates? Is this the America they want?
5
When you profess a core philosophy that says new ideas, government, science and anyone non-Christian are all enemies of America, you naturally attract voters that believe your rhetoric. In other words, right-wing media and business leaders though they were clever these past twenty years. They knowingly lied about climate change data, drummed up fears of "the other" and demeaned all government workers and agencies as corrupt incompetents. They did this only as a way to manipulate America's most angry and fearful to vote reliably republican. They were really only interested in political and economic power, not moral justice or the defense of Christianity. Congratulations to Murdoch, Koch, Limbaugh and the rest. The angry mob that you created with years of disingenuous hate rhetoric, has now consolidated around the ultimate angry candidate. You created this monster, now you need to live with it. Justice may yet be served.
20
Especially if Trump becomes president and tries to do the things he has proposed.
1
Has he proposed anything?
Trump is the real face of the GOP and much of the American populace. Soon the Republicans will get behind him. Rubio, center right? You have got to be kidding. Any further right would make him a fascist. Check the any further..
If Clinton is the democratic nominee, carrying all her baggage to the general election, people (not I) will stay home and Trump will win. Most days the NYT gives us lots of good reasons for not voting for Clinton while suggesting we vote for her. The blackout on Sanders and the free Trump publicity doesn't help. I fear it is too late.
If Clinton is the democratic nominee, carrying all her baggage to the general election, people (not I) will stay home and Trump will win. Most days the NYT gives us lots of good reasons for not voting for Clinton while suggesting we vote for her. The blackout on Sanders and the free Trump publicity doesn't help. I fear it is too late.
16
Hope your wrong CC. I think so many Republicans will be turned off by Trump they will do the unthinkable, and vote for Hillary.
3
Masses of dems are leaving the party to vote for Trump. Even though the repubs might hold their noses they will vote for Trump rather than let Hillary win.
3
It would be delicious if not for the fact that we'll be stuck with HRC and she will lose that battle.
5
I am really looking forward to a Clinton vs Trump election season.
7
Me too! Get the popcorn ready!
1
The only hope to break the back of the corrupt Establishment that have been abusing the country and taxpayers for their own benefit is a TRUMP vs Bernie election. Without that, there is a chance that someone as corrupt and incompetent as Hillary could be President which would be the end of the country.
6
We've survived presidents with more problems than Clinton has.
4
This is the party that Reaganism built. The lineage of hate and obstructionism is clear - Gingrich - Rove - McConnell - Koch. And don't forget the New American Century project headlined by Cheney, resulting in a middle East in worse shape than it started with. In the midst of all this vitriol Moloch arises in the name of Trump and party leaders are shocked - shocked! - at their own creation.
35
Trump is going take down the GOP in November, either as its nominee or as a third party candidate. On the bright side, at least the Republicans have a choice in how they lose this election.
11
The Republican party as you refer to it doesn't exist anymore and it will lose the election as you predict. The Democratic party will also lose the election.
Washington WILL never be the same.
Washington WILL never be the same.
1
When you spend the last 8 years obstructing, attacking, and blocking anything the president has tried to do, this is what you get. And they are surprised by this? Trump is the embodiment of the racist, hateful attitudes that have lived within the GOP for years. The only difference is that with Trump, it's no longer a "back room" conversation, he's bringing the hate right out in front for all the world to see. You reap what you sow.
31
The Republicans are now the unreal reality of irrational reality-TV star Trump's all-consuming magnetic field. What an ugly manifestation of IDIOCY!
6
7 years of viciously race-baiting President Obama - an honorable, decent, intelligent man who has been a good president and stayed above the fray - has broken the Republican Party. Hopefully forever.
Maybe if Mitch McConnell hadn't conspired to thwart the duly elected president. Maybe if even one member of the GOP Congress had objected after Rep. Joe Wilson yelled "You lie!" at the president during the State of the Union. Maybe if the GOP Congress had told Ted Cruz to drop dead when he shut down the government, costing some innocent people around the country their jobs. Maybe if the GOP Congress hadn't wasted their time (actually OUR time) voting endlessly to repeal Obamacare again and again and again.....
Maybe Obama is truly a political genius, realizing that all he had to do was stay above the fray, refuse to respond in kind or be petty or petulant but instead conduct himself in a way we could be proud of, doing the job he was elected to do while the GOP obstructed, shut down and trashed the government - the GOP would tear itself apart from the inside.
So long Grand Old Party, you vicious racist snake.
Maybe if Mitch McConnell hadn't conspired to thwart the duly elected president. Maybe if even one member of the GOP Congress had objected after Rep. Joe Wilson yelled "You lie!" at the president during the State of the Union. Maybe if the GOP Congress had told Ted Cruz to drop dead when he shut down the government, costing some innocent people around the country their jobs. Maybe if the GOP Congress hadn't wasted their time (actually OUR time) voting endlessly to repeal Obamacare again and again and again.....
Maybe Obama is truly a political genius, realizing that all he had to do was stay above the fray, refuse to respond in kind or be petty or petulant but instead conduct himself in a way we could be proud of, doing the job he was elected to do while the GOP obstructed, shut down and trashed the government - the GOP would tear itself apart from the inside.
So long Grand Old Party, you vicious racist snake.
166
Yes f&f, Here is California, the Republican Party is already passe, when they passed an anti-immigration bill years ago, the Latinos rose up and skewered the GOP in this state forever.
2
and a fine job they have done, hoisting themselves on the old proverbial petard.
You are totally uninformed my friend tbirdjim. California, is in the black, with extra funds for a rainy day, unlike the rest of the states who are next to bankrupcy. The economy in CA is probably the most healthy in the world. Housing prices are through the roof. There are jobs, jobs, jobs. Sounds like a Republican dream machine. Our state is a model for the rest of the country. Much due to our Democratic governor, Jerry Brown.
2
Like many of those commenting here I am aghast that the Republican party has not only spawned this fascist, but is being consumed by him.
It is increasingly evident that you cannot stop him from obtaining your nomination, and that probably at least 1/3 of your "base" is in fact supporting him ardently.
The reasons you cannot stop him are even more pathetic than his candidacy -- it is that the man you are trying to rally around, Rubio, is a bad joke, that nobody outside the billionaire class of your party respects. Rubio isn't even going to take his own state. And you refuse to support a much more competent and centrist candidate that you have (Kasich) -- why is that?
By pushing Rubio you prove to the whole world that the Republican party is corrupt to the core, is about nothing except the power to get billionaire hand-puppets elected. No wonder you have Trump -- you are making a major point for him, nothing could be clearer
If this is all the case, then we will find out if the public at large (meaning the Democrats and the Independents, and anyone willing to vote against him in the general election) can stop this man.
That does usefully include every remaining half-way sane Republican, but it appears you have next-to-none left?
It is increasingly evident that you cannot stop him from obtaining your nomination, and that probably at least 1/3 of your "base" is in fact supporting him ardently.
The reasons you cannot stop him are even more pathetic than his candidacy -- it is that the man you are trying to rally around, Rubio, is a bad joke, that nobody outside the billionaire class of your party respects. Rubio isn't even going to take his own state. And you refuse to support a much more competent and centrist candidate that you have (Kasich) -- why is that?
By pushing Rubio you prove to the whole world that the Republican party is corrupt to the core, is about nothing except the power to get billionaire hand-puppets elected. No wonder you have Trump -- you are making a major point for him, nothing could be clearer
If this is all the case, then we will find out if the public at large (meaning the Democrats and the Independents, and anyone willing to vote against him in the general election) can stop this man.
That does usefully include every remaining half-way sane Republican, but it appears you have next-to-none left?
16
I hope the RNC has the coroner on speed dial. It will need another `autopsy' after this pornographic display. If Trump's success wasn't so sickening - so frightening about what it says about a large segment of the populace - we could all enjoy the laugh. But when a major party's frontrunner earns the support of David Duke, Chris Christie and Paul LePage in one week, the autopsy might reveal a sickness far greater than the nativist leanings of a buffoon.
27
The Republicans, after their one-sided defeats in 2008 and 2012, envisioned themselves going up in a burst of flame, becoming ashes, then being reborn in 2016, purified as a competitive entry in the general election. One thing went very wrong: the new phoenix is Donald Trump, the newborn, destroying the life that brought it into being. And he didn't have to work very hard for his coming nomination, either. Still waiting for the top-drawer Republicans (besides Mittens) to denounce Trump, but this one appears to be all over and the battle lines for November 8th are clear eight months out. It only gets uglier and nastier from here on in (or out).
11
There's a major reason we're in for a great show. Since Clinton (the real one) we've been voting not for a candidate but against the others.
There's only one on the stage capable to capture 'for' votes, it's Sanders, who stands no chance to be a democratic nominee, because another Clinton, plain and diet like Styrofoam, has already bought the primaries.
And so we're doomed to vote with our noses plugged for the least stinky. Guess what, he or she will stink all the same.
There's only one on the stage capable to capture 'for' votes, it's Sanders, who stands no chance to be a democratic nominee, because another Clinton, plain and diet like Styrofoam, has already bought the primaries.
And so we're doomed to vote with our noses plugged for the least stinky. Guess what, he or she will stink all the same.
6
Shakespeare knew whereof he spoke: "hoist with [their] own petard," loaded with a powder manufactured partly by Goldwater ("extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice") and partly by the Tea Party. But I personally like the quote from Hofmannsthal describing the populism that rent the Hapsburg empire's parliament in the late 19th century: "Politics is magic. Who can summon the powers from below, him will they follow."
5
The GOP still thinks that too many debates led to Romney's defeat? How about some serious introspection here: debates would allow a solid candidate to shine, not tarnish. Truth is, Romney tried to contort himself into so many positions, it was painful to watch. He turned away from his best gubernatorial achievement, Romneycare in MA, just to hit President Obama for implementing the same, conservative-rooted system nationally. He went from being a Governor who assured voters that he could be trusted with their reproductive rights, to calling himself "severely conservative."
Until the GOP learns to find appealing candidates and a platform wider in scope than the far-right, the White House will, blessedly, stay Democratic.
Until the GOP learns to find appealing candidates and a platform wider in scope than the far-right, the White House will, blessedly, stay Democratic.
24
No human is worth the 2 year selection process for president as this years crop of candidates have proved. The 2 year media extravaganza distracts the government country from other important issues. The system is also a drain on recourses. The US should consider a parliamentary system which is much more efficient in selecting a government and leader. The system also has a more efficient way of replacing a failed government or leader. Instead of a lengthy impeachment process there is simply a vote of no confidence. In such a system if a person such as Trump served in the government and was selected as the leader, his actions would be subject to parliamentary approval and if his actions were out of order he would be removed by his party or a no confidence vote of the parliament.
110
I am 100% in favor of a parliamentary system! Presidential systems are inherently in danger of failing, once a country becomes polarized, as we are today.
In addition to what you've written, a prime minister is someone who has worked his or her way up in the party and must always be elected from an actual district, representing real constituents. The party alone selects its leaders, so you would never have someone like Trump or Carson or Cain simply walking into a race for the nation's top office.
In such a system, there can be more than two parties. But at least the party in power, possibly governing along with another party, can get things done.
No system is perfect. But ours is currently in a deadlock, due to one party having gerrymandered itself into a state of self-strangulation.
Thank you, Times editors for flagging this issue!
In addition to what you've written, a prime minister is someone who has worked his or her way up in the party and must always be elected from an actual district, representing real constituents. The party alone selects its leaders, so you would never have someone like Trump or Carson or Cain simply walking into a race for the nation's top office.
In such a system, there can be more than two parties. But at least the party in power, possibly governing along with another party, can get things done.
No system is perfect. But ours is currently in a deadlock, due to one party having gerrymandered itself into a state of self-strangulation.
Thank you, Times editors for flagging this issue!
1
Having lived in Canada, I totally agree with you that a parliamentary system is a better system for all the reasons you stated.
and party candidates are "chosen" by selection committees made of the party establishment, not the voters. No thanks...
1
So even at this late date the RNC leadership has not taken the one action that could derail this train; they have not explicitly encouraged the members of the party who oppose Trump to come out and vote in their state's primary. The burden to stop this is on every Republican. Do it now!
1
plevit...no, I want to hear more learned comments between Rubio and The Donald about each other's physical attributes or lack thereof. They are so topical and spot on in addressing the needs of the country.
1
Hmm, I don't know. Why isn't there more talk that Mr. Trump's candidacy is a complete ruse? It's hard for me to believe that he actually thinks the things that he says. Almost none of it jibes with his professional and personal life to date. I think what we are witnessing is an elaborate hoax to 1) expose the GOP for what it actually is; and 2) solidify Hilary's ascendency. Indeed, imagine if the GOP had actually coalesced around a truly viable candidate. If so, Hillary would get trounced in the general election. A Trump-Clinton general election walks HRC to the White House.
2
A ruse to become president; i.e. he's lying and saying whatever he thinks will get elected. That seems to be the definition of a politician, no mystery here. Donald wants to win and likely will. The vast majority of people, including Democrats, don't trust Hillary. They will trust her less after Trump is done attacking her and her husband.
1
So the GOP wanted to lose to give Hillary the White House? They wanted to float an unelectable candidate? Seemly unlikely to me.
1
The monster that the GOP has created is busily devouring the party, how ironic... It's hard to imagine a fictional script that would match this comedic circus.
16
Th current pathetic GOP fiasco was delivered by years of rabid maneuvering by the deranged Republican publicist Karl Rove and the South's selfish, slippery Senator Mitch McConnell. How'd that work for you guys? ? LOL
8
I hope the Republican party completely blows up by the Trumpzilla. For the past 30 years it has swung too far to the right by pandering to the bedroom police, and crony capitalism. The food fights of the debates are the prime example of why it needs to be torn down and rebuilt.
After 2016, it should have a Marshall plan to rebuild into a center right platform, staying away from religion, that will keep the Democrats honest, and them getting too complacent.
When I listened to Bernie and Hillary, Barack and Hillary debate, it is not what to do, but how to do it. I learned a lot by hearing a respectful dialogue of differing methods, that are credible. and doable.
If the Repubs and Dems debate that way the Dems primary debate way, America will be even greater.
David-Philly
After 2016, it should have a Marshall plan to rebuild into a center right platform, staying away from religion, that will keep the Democrats honest, and them getting too complacent.
When I listened to Bernie and Hillary, Barack and Hillary debate, it is not what to do, but how to do it. I learned a lot by hearing a respectful dialogue of differing methods, that are credible. and doable.
If the Repubs and Dems debate that way the Dems primary debate way, America will be even greater.
David-Philly
18
LOL Trump will destroy HIlary in a debate. It will not be a debate by a weakling Bernie.
5
Whether Trump could destroy Clinton in a debate will depend on whether people value reality or not. If they don't, he has a good chance.
2
Marco Rubio now says he is prepared to drive state-to-state in a pickup if that would help him win. As if he wasn't already clearly a stuffed shirt awaiting some silly photo-op or script! He spent Christmas Eve cuddling with a gun in a revolting spectacle. He repeated talking points endlessly in a debate, even at inopportune moments. Now he's taking a page from Trump's taunting playbook, discrediting any gestures toward civility or maturity.
And the GOP thinks he's their great hope? He might also ask Scott Brown about the limits of driving a pickup.
And the GOP thinks he's their great hope? He might also ask Scott Brown about the limits of driving a pickup.
31
Indeed. Mr Rubio is the ultimate lightweight: a guy without any substance.
8
The Grand Old Party's decision to abandon patriotism for politics has now been proven to have been a terrible mistake. Their decision to promote the hatred of our country's President, while they obstructed and sabotaged his programs plowed the field for this crop of non candidates. If they want to real him back in, they need to recognize the higher role of a political party to prepare and present qualified candidates, not to win a game through the promotion of fear and disinformation.
Unfortunately, you don't have a qualified candidate running and your best bet is that this one fails. If he succeeds at getting elected, the country will be unforgiving of your complicity in his election.
Unfortunately, you don't have a qualified candidate running and your best bet is that this one fails. If he succeeds at getting elected, the country will be unforgiving of your complicity in his election.
29
The republican establishment should be ashamed of themselves. Whether they like trump or hate him, they have no right to try and usurp the votes of the American people. This is a disgusting, and Intolerable display of elitist back room politics that hasn't been seen in decades. Rubio is an absolute neophyte who had s let the state of Florida down by missing most votes in the Senate. How he has the audacity to even try and run for president is beyond me. God bless our country. We need it
9
I've been voting for 40 years and never have I witnessed such a tragi-comedy.
Shakespeare would have been proud.
Shakespeare would have been proud.
33
Methinks not. For his figures had, even in their tragedy, a nobility now lacking. Tho 'tis true that even his sprite knew "what fools these mortals be".
9
Shakespeare? I'd rather hear George Carlin's take on the GOP. Now that would be entertaining.
The GOP is the monster party that created Donald Trump. Ironically, he is also the wooden stake that will put him and it out of misery.
28
It may take too much GARLIC to snuff out Mr Trump from the GOP.
3
So the fascist, racist, bigot supported by the KKK who quotes Mussolini is the Republican front runner. And many Republicans will support him no matter what due to their allegiance to their party as opposed to their country. Heil Donald! On TV just now, I saw yet more protesters dragged out of Trump's rallies and a photographer slammed to the ground. Brown shirts next?
Perhaps this all happened because of a rule change. But the autopsy was ignored, the big donors threw hundreds of millions into the mix, and Fox publicized the racist crazies non stop ad nauseum.
If any Republicans have souls and principles left, they might keep in mind what Will Rogers said, "There ain’t any finer folks living than a Republican that votes the Democratic ticket."
Perhaps this all happened because of a rule change. But the autopsy was ignored, the big donors threw hundreds of millions into the mix, and Fox publicized the racist crazies non stop ad nauseum.
If any Republicans have souls and principles left, they might keep in mind what Will Rogers said, "There ain’t any finer folks living than a Republican that votes the Democratic ticket."
93
Pure living room Drama. Hillary had Marine vets escorted out of her rally the other day. And to even contemplate voting for a known liar is pure nonsense. Clinton is seriously flawed and just more of the same corruption, and for all the corrupted shenanigans that continuously go on in Washington, well there will be a new sheriff in town.
3
I wholeheartedly agree with everything you are saying, especially the comment about brown shirts. What is wrong with these people who think Trump will ever care about them? He is a sociopath. I am a Christian and a moderate and I will never vote for him, and I believe my feelings are very common. A vote for trump is a vote for Clinton so if these people want change they might want to re-think their strategy.
3
And what, Snoozy boy, you think Hilary is any less a liar than Donald? Get your head out of the sand.
1
Donald Trump is a complete idiot and rewrote no rules. He came along and has been a great con artist selling his lies to angered Republican voters who refuse to support Establishment candidates like Bush or Rubio. The problem here is the Establishment for decades has ignored the wishes of the base and done business as usual which has lead to this voter revolt.
The same thing is happening on the Democratic side, except the nomination process for Democrats is very undemocratic with 1/3 of the Delegates being party elites.
Voters on both sides are getting real tired of the business as usual, hopefully soon the Elite in Washington do wake up to their biggest nightmare, the people of this country retaking control from the political, media and lobbyist elites.
The same thing is happening on the Democratic side, except the nomination process for Democrats is very undemocratic with 1/3 of the Delegates being party elites.
Voters on both sides are getting real tired of the business as usual, hopefully soon the Elite in Washington do wake up to their biggest nightmare, the people of this country retaking control from the political, media and lobbyist elites.
5
If anything, this election shows how ROTTEN the people of the country really are at "retaking control" from the political, media and lobbyist elites. By chasing after a candidate popularity contest to entertain them, voters continue to refuse to demand substance, professionalism and competence from their candidates!
3
The chaos theory predicted the rise of Donald Trump. The Republican party created this monster, and now Godzilla has run ransack over them. He should have been stopped long ago. But he outsmarted them. Now they are in a frenzy about what to do. They invited him in and now want him out. Too late. It's a win win for him. If they force him out, he will run as an independent and do well. Sad to say he might even become President and he will rock our world. If it still exists after his first term. As for the Republicans, they should file for moral bankruptcy.
36
I understand that there are people who believe the moon landings were faked, that dinosaurs and humans roamed the earth at the same time, that Noah's ark was a real boat full of happy couples. And I understand that those folks need a political umbrella and, apparently, many have chosen the party of Lincoln and Eisenhower. OK so far.
But real leadership involves an element of guidance, education and reasoned dialogue, not mindless pandering to a talk show intoxicated base.
That leadership is MIA.
But real leadership involves an element of guidance, education and reasoned dialogue, not mindless pandering to a talk show intoxicated base.
That leadership is MIA.
23
Thank You RNC, the Trump brigades are taking over the GOP and there will be blood. Stay tuned to your favorite liberal cable outlet for vital updates on Making America Great Again!
3
Is there any reason to think that Rubio has a chance in Florida where he is down by over 16 points in the closest poll? Seriously, his home state voters don't want him.
is there really any proof that the Republican Party "vehemently" opposes Trump? If so, why aren't they out denouncing him, raising money for Rubio and hitting the campaign trail. Isn't it obvious that this opposition is really the imagination of the Rubio, Cruz and Kasich campaigns?
What about the minimum thresholds? Trump gets all the Alabama and Georgia delegates if no one else can get 20% statewide
What support is there for Rubio doing well in moderate states? What's his polling average in Michigan, Ohio, Vermont, Virgina and Massachusetts? Does the bottom of the barrel mean nothing?
This race is over after tomorrow and the RNC knows it
is there really any proof that the Republican Party "vehemently" opposes Trump? If so, why aren't they out denouncing him, raising money for Rubio and hitting the campaign trail. Isn't it obvious that this opposition is really the imagination of the Rubio, Cruz and Kasich campaigns?
What about the minimum thresholds? Trump gets all the Alabama and Georgia delegates if no one else can get 20% statewide
What support is there for Rubio doing well in moderate states? What's his polling average in Michigan, Ohio, Vermont, Virgina and Massachusetts? Does the bottom of the barrel mean nothing?
This race is over after tomorrow and the RNC knows it
20
Trump is building a wall and making the Republicans pay for it.
44
IF Trump is elected- At least WE THE PEOPLE will have our eyes on him [and that includes both houses of Congress]. We'll at least have a chance to catch and correct him when he falls.. Rubio and Cruz are shrewd politicians and will implement their dangerous agendas under the guise of, "business as usual" DC politics- basically the same way things are happening now.
6
I DARE YOU to TRY to "catch and correct" Trump when he falls. What a ludicrous idea.
1
It's ludicrous to believe Trump will not be the GOP nominee and quite possibly the next President. But don't worry- Trump is a centrist and will swing left of center in the general election. This is the primary reason why the GOP has feared his rise from the beginning.
Let me get this straight.
---The party which panders to evangelicals paved the way for an evangelical, true-believer candidate (Cruz). But the evangelical leaders and core evangelical voters are rejecting the party's candidate in favor of a barely religious man with affairs and multiple marriages.
---The party paved the way - and the laws - for bought and sold candidates (Bush,Rubio) who would showcase the financial donor power of super PACs. One candidate is gone and one is flailing, again at the hand of the party's core voters.
---The party uses gerrymandering law and retracts voter ID laws nationwide to hinder African-American voters but neglected to protect its rear flank for the delegate rules it's carefully drawn - because the party was too arrogant to think it would ever have a candidate who played by his/her own rules. Now the party wants to change the rules with talk of a brokered convention.
I guess the party's over. This would be quite humorous - if the ramifications for most Americans weren't so tragic. But Donald Trump is being a real Republican here, so what's the problem? He lives by the circa-Nixon/Reagan/Bush Republican mandate "Do as I say, not as I do". I'm shocked at the surprise shown that his large base - enthusiastically developed by the Republicans over a few decades - lives by that mandate, too.
---The party which panders to evangelicals paved the way for an evangelical, true-believer candidate (Cruz). But the evangelical leaders and core evangelical voters are rejecting the party's candidate in favor of a barely religious man with affairs and multiple marriages.
---The party paved the way - and the laws - for bought and sold candidates (Bush,Rubio) who would showcase the financial donor power of super PACs. One candidate is gone and one is flailing, again at the hand of the party's core voters.
---The party uses gerrymandering law and retracts voter ID laws nationwide to hinder African-American voters but neglected to protect its rear flank for the delegate rules it's carefully drawn - because the party was too arrogant to think it would ever have a candidate who played by his/her own rules. Now the party wants to change the rules with talk of a brokered convention.
I guess the party's over. This would be quite humorous - if the ramifications for most Americans weren't so tragic. But Donald Trump is being a real Republican here, so what's the problem? He lives by the circa-Nixon/Reagan/Bush Republican mandate "Do as I say, not as I do". I'm shocked at the surprise shown that his large base - enthusiastically developed by the Republicans over a few decades - lives by that mandate, too.
17
Cruz, as so many other evangelical guru-posers, is a sleazy opportunist, that's all. His accomplishment of anything positive for citizens is ABSOLUTE ZERO.
5
Rubio's life accomplishments in a few lines:
Rubio's political career began with his election to the West Miami City Commission in 1998. He was elected in the Florida House of Representatives the following year. In 2009, Rubio won his campaign for the U.S. Senate.
18 years in politics...
Rubio's political career began with his election to the West Miami City Commission in 1998. He was elected in the Florida House of Representatives the following year. In 2009, Rubio won his campaign for the U.S. Senate.
18 years in politics...
5
And hasn't accomplished much.
2
Rubio's 18 years in politics shows that he was incapable of holding down a
legit job. He's just a public entertainer.
legit job. He's just a public entertainer.
3
Believe it or not, Trump would be infinitely better then either Cruz or Rubio should he be elected. And on the flip side, perhaps the Republicans would be so repulsed that they would vote for Clinton -- the most likely Democratic nominee at this point. A better outcome yet even though she is no bargain either.
4
If the Republican party disenfranchises people who voted for Trump in the Republican primaries, the only real question is whether Trump will run as an independent or third party candidate. If so, democrats must aggressively seek the votes of the middle of the road and disenfranchised republicans. Similarly, if Trump is chosen as the Republican party nominee, democrats must aggressively seek the votes of the middle of the road republicans who did not vote for him. The Republican party is in a lose-lose situation, the democrats must use this to the best advantage of all of us.
5
For once, Fox News helped the Democrats. They built Trump up by turning him into a something that looked like a politician by repeatedly letting him phone in his bile on various events of the day (especially that on that monument to stupidity, Fox and Friends. Good for them! Who says there's no good news?
5
Trump, most if not all of the editorial staff (1 percentors) of this very newspaper hate him. The old line "establishment" members of the Democratic Party (1 percentors) hate him. Now the old line "establishment" members of the Republican Party (1 percentors) are trying their best to disrupt his campaign.
Since the end of WWII, America has been changing, and not for the better. The rich are getting richer, the poor poorer and the middle class shrinking. We are killing the earth and its inhabitants for profit and this has been done under the tutelage of BOTH parties and their "established" leaders.
Both parties are suddenly very afraid of this man called Trump who owes no allegiance to any corporate leadership! Perhaps there is a lesson here. The enemy of my enemy is my friend
Since the end of WWII, America has been changing, and not for the better. The rich are getting richer, the poor poorer and the middle class shrinking. We are killing the earth and its inhabitants for profit and this has been done under the tutelage of BOTH parties and their "established" leaders.
Both parties are suddenly very afraid of this man called Trump who owes no allegiance to any corporate leadership! Perhaps there is a lesson here. The enemy of my enemy is my friend
9
At the very heart of virtually every Republican candidate's rationale for running is that "Barrack Obama has ruined the United States". Given such a flawed premise (one could call it a bald-faced lie) is it any wonder that their collective campaigns are producing such a disastrous result (for the Republican Party, that is)? The three pronged Republican strategy of Voters suppression, dark money and gerrymandering is anti-democratic to its core. Frankly the Republicans are getting exactly what they deserve.
22
The law of unintended consequences, right up there with Murphy's Law are always ready to foil the best plans of those who think that they can control the future.
6
Snicker....
They want to govern the country and they can't even govern their own party...
They want to govern the country and they can't even govern their own party...
9
What in the world inspires Cruz or Rubio into believing they are a preferable alternative to Trump? Neither has done anything of merit to claim the high ground. Of course they are understandably threatened by the broad loss of party control Trump's ascendancy brings, but stepping back from Republican party squabbles for a moment, the prospect of any of the three of them actually becoming President is equally frightening no matter which ultimately wins the nomination.
9
"What in the world inspires Cruz or Rubio into believing they are a preferable alternative to Trump"? SELFISHNESS.
2
How many times in the past has the leadership of the RNC told its grass root members to "hold your nose and vote for our guy and everything will be alright?" Now, for the very first time, the grass root wing of the GOP has found its own presidential candidate and is asking its GOP leadership to do the same thing, and this is what we get in return!
4
Keeping their voter base afraid and ignorant was the way the neo-GOP envisaged its way to having its hold on power. Now the voter base has trumped its own party.
6
The New York Times, and most of the commenters here seem to be wrapped up in some East Coast myopia. This is not the death of the Republican party. What we are witnessing is the rebirth / reconfiguration of the Republican party. Have any of you bothered to look at how huge the voter turnout is for the Republican primaries vs. the Democratic primaries? Since Mr. Trump has won all but one of them (Iowa), it's not like these voters are turning out en masse to vote against Mr. Trump. On the contrary, they are turning out to cast their vote for him.
Whereas on the Democrat side, you have an establishment candidate who is all but stealing the nomination. What with the "superdelegates", patently false statements, and bloviating non-policy statements.
This election is shaping up to be the perfect storm that gets Mr. Trump elected president: A resurgent Republican party turnout coupled with a broken delegate system on the Democratic side, with a healthy helping of loud-mouth, yet non-voting Millennials results in a President Trump.
P.S. Can we put to rest this whole notion that Bernie Sanders has 80% of the Millennial vote? Who cares? If less than 10% of that large generation even bothers to get up off their rear and go vote, it matters nothing if 100% of that 10% cast a ballot for Mr. Sanders. Yet again, the Millennials have failed the political process.
Whereas on the Democrat side, you have an establishment candidate who is all but stealing the nomination. What with the "superdelegates", patently false statements, and bloviating non-policy statements.
This election is shaping up to be the perfect storm that gets Mr. Trump elected president: A resurgent Republican party turnout coupled with a broken delegate system on the Democratic side, with a healthy helping of loud-mouth, yet non-voting Millennials results in a President Trump.
P.S. Can we put to rest this whole notion that Bernie Sanders has 80% of the Millennial vote? Who cares? If less than 10% of that large generation even bothers to get up off their rear and go vote, it matters nothing if 100% of that 10% cast a ballot for Mr. Sanders. Yet again, the Millennials have failed the political process.
6
Very well put, Thought. very well put, indeed...
1
You say that Republicans are turning out in record numbers to vote FOR Donald Trump. The problem with that conclusion is that Trump is getting fewer than 50% of the votes meaning that most voters are turning up to vote AGAINST him. If he becomes the nominee then that could lead to those anti-Trump voters pulling the lever for the Democrats which, in addition to the votes of many Democrats, could return that party to the presidency.
“This whole thing is a really messy mixture of unintended consequences,” said Benjamin L. Ginsberg, a Republican lawyer in Washington who was national counsel to the Romney campaign.
Always good to hear from "Slimey Ben." However, you neglected to include in his resume, his bottom feeder activity in Florida in 2000 with Jeb and Boy George.
Always good to hear from "Slimey Ben." However, you neglected to include in his resume, his bottom feeder activity in Florida in 2000 with Jeb and Boy George.
5
Has anyone seen Trump's unfavorable numbers lately. He will break the record for "most unfavorable" "Presidential" Candidate ever.
You just can't win with numbers like that. What's truly sad for Democrats is HRC is placing in second in all time unfavorables. Sad, if Uncle Joe had decided to run the blue tidal wave would literally wash the sins of this Country off the face of the Earth.
Bozo A or bozo B, every election it seems the same.
In fact the only major candidate left with any favorable higher than his unfavorables is Sanders.
Sanders - 2016.
You just can't win with numbers like that. What's truly sad for Democrats is HRC is placing in second in all time unfavorables. Sad, if Uncle Joe had decided to run the blue tidal wave would literally wash the sins of this Country off the face of the Earth.
Bozo A or bozo B, every election it seems the same.
In fact the only major candidate left with any favorable higher than his unfavorables is Sanders.
Sanders - 2016.
3
Donald Trump did not re-write the rules. He just played by the rules. It is Republican performance in congress that re-wrote the rules.
5
The GOP's Trump quandary is not a matter of either delegate allotment or of needing to buy time. The Donald has been leading Republican polls since last year, long before voting began. Trump's recent horrible waffling over Duke's support is no surprise after the horrible, nativist, anti-Muslim, racial dog-whistling sentiments he has already endorsed.
If the Republicans had quality candidates and a receptive base, things would be different now. Their problems are much more entrenched and longterm than Super Tuesday's delegates.
If the Republicans had quality candidates and a receptive base, things would be different now. Their problems are much more entrenched and longterm than Super Tuesday's delegates.
1
Trump's candidacy is giving a lot of pleasure. There has not been this much angst among academia, the media and other bastions of liberalism since Ronald Reagan ran for president. The left is all for diversity in gender, race, ethnicity, and other meaningless ways. But diversity of thought? No way. That is unacceptable.
5
“This whole thing is a really messy mixture of unintended consequences”
Well! If that doesn't concisely surmise the GOP for me, I don't know what will. In fact, you can say that twice just for good measure.
The consequences weren't really unintended though. Unforeseen perhaps but actually quite predictable given the organization's behavior. If anywhere in recent history Republicans had reeled-in their own worst nature, I doubt we'd be discussing mistaken primary expedients now.
I believe the clinical definition for the collective dissonance is "Narcissistic Personality Disorder". The common symptoms include: inability to listen, inability to admit wrongdoing despite evidence, interpersonal distance, anger, pride, ability to suspend communication due to imagined transgressions, developed desire for control...
The list goes on.
Well! If that doesn't concisely surmise the GOP for me, I don't know what will. In fact, you can say that twice just for good measure.
The consequences weren't really unintended though. Unforeseen perhaps but actually quite predictable given the organization's behavior. If anywhere in recent history Republicans had reeled-in their own worst nature, I doubt we'd be discussing mistaken primary expedients now.
I believe the clinical definition for the collective dissonance is "Narcissistic Personality Disorder". The common symptoms include: inability to listen, inability to admit wrongdoing despite evidence, interpersonal distance, anger, pride, ability to suspend communication due to imagined transgressions, developed desire for control...
The list goes on.
3
It's easy to see that someone as recent as President Reagan would not recognize their existing party. "The National Review" is no longer infused with Mr Buckley's insight, nor Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn's intellect, but written more like a rag. A large portion of the right has shifted, no matter what the establishment might say, with talk shows spreading the word. Senator Rubio is looking to run a party that no longer exists. Mr Trump is collecting many votes because he is an actual representation for a large bloc of the country.
The fear that exists in this country is palpable. Many people on the left and right are circling the wagons for fear of losing what they have or fear that their children will not have the same opportunity. Even Congressman and Senators do nothing for fear of losing their own paying job. If the establishment from either party wants to stay relevant they'll have to respectfully understand and act to address these concerns, else the far right or left will prevail.
Of course, building something is hard, tearing it down is easy. Speaker Ryan started, but sputtered out. Senator McConnell is following Speaker Boehner's path, just doing nothing if they can't get only their way. If the establishments want to remain relevant suggest starting with roads and bridges, since choosing a first joint step may be the hardest. Do it. Just because someone else acts poorly does not mean you need to. What happens when good people do nothing?
The fear that exists in this country is palpable. Many people on the left and right are circling the wagons for fear of losing what they have or fear that their children will not have the same opportunity. Even Congressman and Senators do nothing for fear of losing their own paying job. If the establishment from either party wants to stay relevant they'll have to respectfully understand and act to address these concerns, else the far right or left will prevail.
Of course, building something is hard, tearing it down is easy. Speaker Ryan started, but sputtered out. Senator McConnell is following Speaker Boehner's path, just doing nothing if they can't get only their way. If the establishments want to remain relevant suggest starting with roads and bridges, since choosing a first joint step may be the hardest. Do it. Just because someone else acts poorly does not mean you need to. What happens when good people do nothing?
2
The Republican establishment created this Frankenstein and his witless minions.
Now they will have to find a way to deal with them.
The country has truly gone insane............
Now they will have to find a way to deal with them.
The country has truly gone insane............
3
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Obama and the democrats created this. Years of endless hate and division, accompanied by record mistrust of the government .
.
Obama and the democrats created this. Years of endless hate and division, accompanied by record mistrust of the government .
.
2
It's true that Obama's two terms have been "years of endless hate and division", but I think most observers would say the hate and division is directed at him from that right. McConnell made a big mistake in allowing himself to be quoted as saying his goal was to make Obama a one-term President, and to obstruct him at every turn. That is what created "division". Can you give an example of anything coming from the left? Please don't cite Obama's statements on killings of unarmed black citizens as examples of "hate and division".
8
Obama derangement syndrome at its finest. Yes, it's OBAMA's fault that the GOP is destroying itself. Cancer and global warming too.
3
The GOP created this situation not by how they fashioned the primary but by their inaction after the two midterms where they got the votes they wanted but did not deliver what they promised the voters. Now everything they do to stop trump only makes him stronger. I don't think there is anything they can do at this point. They made their bed, now they have to lie in it. They need to accept what they created and make the best of it. Trump may well win the whole thing. Hillary is about at 50/50 when it come to an indictment and people don't like her and distrust her anyway. We have a perfect storm here. It's like you get to either take the fat girl or the ugly girl to the prom. Neither is your first choice but they are your only choices. Here we go!!
This article is focused on the tactical mistakes of the Republican party. Not the fact that their ideology is an utter failure. Saying No to RomneyCare is just the start. Rest in Pieces GOP
3
It's a bit early to be celebrating, don't you think? I've seen this movie before, in November 2014. Doesn't end well for the dems.
To have an ideology you have to have an Idea! If one thinks Republicans lack ideas at 47% what do you think once driver less cars come to fruition and it's 74%. Selling your self to Koch & Adelson might be fun, but it's worthless to the average person.
They're all in it together:
Making America Small and Mean
Making America Small and Mean
85
The saddest point of all at this point: a President Cruz or President Rubio would probably be just as odious and as much a danger to the world as a President Trump.
312
Yes. That is a point often missed.
2
Without a doubt! A President Cruz (shudder) would attempt to turn this country into a Christian Sharia state.
A President Rubio would be Geo W reincarnate. With all the same evil-doers pulling his very visible strings.
A President Trump? I refuse to even imagine such a horror.
A President Rubio would be Geo W reincarnate. With all the same evil-doers pulling his very visible strings.
A President Trump? I refuse to even imagine such a horror.
1
The 3 of them - Trump, Cruz, Rubio - are hopeless, but if I had to rank them regarding my fear of them it would be 1. Cruz; 2. Rubio; and 3. Trump. Cruz is the Beelzebub come to life, Rubio is a empty suit bought and paid for, and Trump is, well, he's The Donald. At least Trump thinks planned parenthood adds some value to people's lives and doesn't want sick people dying on the street (near his condo).
1
Next to come; fear and the race card. Some, or even many white Americans view the BLM and similar advocacy movements with alarm, fearing that loss of police authority in inner cities will eventually lead to less effective policing and subsequently higher crime (so called Ferguson effect). The fact that so many guns proliferate nationally, is testament to the felling that personal protection is increasingly necessary to supplement loss of such public authority. It also dosent help that examples of so called police brutality; e.g. Michael Brown, Freddie Gey, even Eric Garner, represent the worst fears about street safety and overall quality of life and that some events chosen as templates were at the very least, exagurated if not outright false. Race and violence; race and social lifestyle; race and personal/ public relationships are all ripe issues for the picking and in this current climate I fear the worst is yet to come.
2
This is humorous. They try to rig the game and a master games player figures how to play better than the rookies. Trump is a major leaguer surrounded by minors. Now they criticize him for probably paying little in taxes but he follows their rules and they want to reduce his taxes further. The Republicans better hope he loses his front runner status because if they change the rules to hurt him he just might become a third party candidate. As they say, you reap what you sow.
17
I don't see Trump as a master games player at all. This success caught him completely off guard, but he is smart enough to ride the wave. He has momentum on his side and nobody, including Trump, saw this coming a year ago, let alone when the rules were changed.
2
Those pesky. little uneducated voters are causing apoplexy among the Republican elite. Is it civil war, a revolution or the final breakdown of today's GOP? Probably, all three.
Couldn't happen to a more deserving bunch.
Couldn't happen to a more deserving bunch.
37
Lest you forget, there are a lot of them.
1
You're right-that's the scary part.
1
The Republican Party has also engineered its own downfall by gerrymandering electoral districts in red states. This has allowed extremist Tea Party candidates to flourish, whereas formerly in more diverse electoral districts more moderate Republican candidates would have succeeded. Once this festering rot started spreading in the party and Congress, then compromise and reasonable governance became a thing of the past for the GOP. You could also add all the rage and venom spread with the eager assistance of Fox news to produce Republican voters who now prefer to lash out rather than build, and here we are. Congratulations, Republicans. You have made your own bed, it is full of poison and destruction, and you are going to have to sleep in it.
195
They gerrymandered districts, which was a catalyst that produced a tectonic shift further right that will ultimately result in the Party's destruction. A thing of beauty.
I don't know whether to laugh or cry about this situation.
The "smart guys" running the GOP have apparently been a little too clever for their own good (and the good of the party and perhaps the US). Now they are faced with a potential "leader" that they despise. I find that hilarious.
Many of the people voting for Trump are not actual fans of him but are protesting the Just Say No party's extremist behavior. I would protest with them (as a card-carrying Republican) but the thought of Trump (or Cruz or Rubio) actually becoming President makes me cry.
Until the Republican leadership gives the party back to the people (who are considerably more moderate than any of them), they should expect continued rejection of the party's preferred candidates.
And I will have to vote for a Democrat.
The "smart guys" running the GOP have apparently been a little too clever for their own good (and the good of the party and perhaps the US). Now they are faced with a potential "leader" that they despise. I find that hilarious.
Many of the people voting for Trump are not actual fans of him but are protesting the Just Say No party's extremist behavior. I would protest with them (as a card-carrying Republican) but the thought of Trump (or Cruz or Rubio) actually becoming President makes me cry.
Until the Republican leadership gives the party back to the people (who are considerably more moderate than any of them), they should expect continued rejection of the party's preferred candidates.
And I will have to vote for a Democrat.
50
This is vaguely reminiscent of the banks that invented complicated products that they couldn't fully understand, bringing their system crashing down. Now we get to find out: is the GOP too big to fail?
1
Huckster-in-chief, Donald Trump, is an egotistical bully who has no clue as to what it means to govern, negotiate and discuss policies. That he is about to become the GOP nominee speaks to how the party of Lincoln, Teddy Roosevelt and Eisenhower has lost its collective mind to become the party of racism, misogyny, homophobia, ignorance and paranoia. Watching the debate for about 10 minutes the other night, I could have sworn that I was watching yet another miserable mind numbing reality show with a cast even more immature and disgusting than The Housewives of Beverly Hills etal.
11
The Republicans are becoming the masters of unintended consequences. Fund Fox "News" and then discover that creating a sizable minority of people who will believe anything that fits their prejudices allows a demagogue to take over. Change the rules for the convention, and now the demagogue has his way paved for him. Gerrymander House districts and then the only election that matters is the primary, where to win means showing everyone just how radically reactionary you can be — thus filling the House majority with know-nothings who gridlock the government and ensuring that the GOP goes down in flames as the party of obstruction and ignorance.
The spectacle provides loads of schadenfreude, but it's appallingly bad for the country.
The spectacle provides loads of schadenfreude, but it's appallingly bad for the country.
54
"That inhospitable math has left Mr. Rubio hunting for delegates in select congressional districts that favor his center-right conservatism". Please, please stop with the canard that Rubio is center right, or at the very least, add a footnote that clarifies you mean center as it exists in 2016.
187
Rubio 'center right'? Har!
Rubio is an anywhere the GOP establishment elite want him to be Rent-a-Puppet.
Rubio is an anywhere the GOP establishment elite want him to be Rent-a-Puppet.
1
Meanwhile, the Trumpster slips closer to fascism by the hour.
6
The Republicans created the problem and talk radio helped by moving ever further to the right. Now they have to live with the consequences.
24
How ironic (but not surprising) that among the Republican electorate, the most popular person in is simultaneously the most distrusted, feared and uncontrollable presidential candidate among the GOP establishment and its handful of super-wealthy Super Pac donors and powerhouse lobbyists. I am waiting for this "effete core of impudent snobs" to force Trump to break away from the GOP and run as an independent.
12
I totally get your last sentence, but most people are either too young or too disinterested to know anything about Agnew.
2
Rubio gets his financial backing from the likes of Norman Braman, Paul Singer, and Sheldon Adelson---billionaire gangsters who are war-mad fanatics not just about Israel---but the right-wing, warmongering Likud.
"Sheldon Adelson is looking to give big dollars to Rubio because he feels he can mold him into his perfect little puppet. I agree!'
— Donald J. Trump, October 13, 2015
Not coincidentally, Rubio's tax plan would completely eliminate taxes on investment income. Guess who pays to make up for those billions? The middle class, of course.
Meanwhile, the mass media still declines to confront Rubio over the fact that he would force a child raped by a relative to carry the baby to term. Just wait until he has to actually defend some of his positions! Of course, the MSM is in St.Hillary's camp so they'll be waiting until after the primaries are over to bring out their big guns. They're hoping a lost boy like Marco wins the R nomination because they know he'll be trounced in the general election.
"Sheldon Adelson is looking to give big dollars to Rubio because he feels he can mold him into his perfect little puppet. I agree!'
— Donald J. Trump, October 13, 2015
Not coincidentally, Rubio's tax plan would completely eliminate taxes on investment income. Guess who pays to make up for those billions? The middle class, of course.
Meanwhile, the mass media still declines to confront Rubio over the fact that he would force a child raped by a relative to carry the baby to term. Just wait until he has to actually defend some of his positions! Of course, the MSM is in St.Hillary's camp so they'll be waiting until after the primaries are over to bring out their big guns. They're hoping a lost boy like Marco wins the R nomination because they know he'll be trounced in the general election.
89
Long before you get to this particular unintended consequence, you have to wrestle with the GOP's decision to welcome conspiracy theorists and other voters immune to reason into the fold and empower them. Maybe it seemed like a good idea at the time to have voters who would believe what they were told and not question or reason about it. That certainly insulates them from attempts by Democrats to collaborate or cooperate.
But now that the GOP leadership itself wants to engage with their own voters, they find them immune to facts, reason, information, etc. They disabled the brakes on the train, but they didn't count on Donald Trump switching tracks. Oops.
But now that the GOP leadership itself wants to engage with their own voters, they find them immune to facts, reason, information, etc. They disabled the brakes on the train, but they didn't count on Donald Trump switching tracks. Oops.
275
Exactly!
So can we start calling the Grand Old Party, just the Old Party? What will Trump's new party be called? I am sure TRUMP will be in the name, in extremely large neon type.
23
Trump will triumph in the primaries and tank in the general election: he will wither under an orchestrated attack which is coming. As a loyal republican I fear loss of the Senate, a loss of 22 of the 30 congressional seats and the White House. Leadership must not fail us now. the RNC must exact a pledge from candidates to stand with and support all republican candidates and a 100% pledge to abide by and support the convention policy program. Trump will bold and let him go! With an open convention (abandon Rule 40) the greatness of the Republican Party can be released from being hijacked by a TV personality with more bad sense than brains.
1
So, what you're saying is, the RNC handles a campaign as well as they handle the Legislative branch. Everything they touch turns to mud.
139
You insult mud.
13
Harking back to that Times article on game theory: What if Trump, the master deal maker, has deals with both Carson (Surgeon General?) and Kasich (??? ) to stay in the race till the bitter end. Carson siphons votes that might go to Cruz. Kasich siphons votes that might go to Rubio.
Meanwhile, Trump wraps up the nomination. And bides his time. He's already side-lined even the Koch brothers. The guy is bound to have more stuff up his sleeve. Christie has caved to him. And that secret never got out. While the party "leaders" leak their strategies, should we believe Trump would leak his?
What a witches brew the GOP has wrought!
Meanwhile, Trump wraps up the nomination. And bides his time. He's already side-lined even the Koch brothers. The guy is bound to have more stuff up his sleeve. Christie has caved to him. And that secret never got out. While the party "leaders" leak their strategies, should we believe Trump would leak his?
What a witches brew the GOP has wrought!
11
I love it. The GOP is for EVER deriding all government regulations as over reach with unintended consequences. Well, guess what guys!
36
I'm not so sure that the GOP elites are chagrined at the rise of Donald Trump. The GOP elites are not so monolithic as all that. To crib from Walt Whitman, the GOP is large; it contains multitudes. Same with its elites.
4
All of the G.O.P. panic to get what? RUBIO? Not on his own merits, surely. Rubio is what "the establishment" wants -- a can of white Play-Doh, soft and manipulable by the deepest of right-wing ideologues working from the star-chamber.
On his own, Rubio has already withered before Chris Christie during the debates, revealing his sweaty panic mode when caught out of his depth.
As for leadership, Rubio already has failed to lead his campaign in a way that would have prevented the ascendency of Trump. Now -- too late -- Rubio resorts to what . . . more playground nonsense about Trump's "spray tan."
I dare say that both of those traits will be insufficient with Putin, and that Rubio will start a war to prove he wears big boy pants.
On his own, Rubio has already withered before Chris Christie during the debates, revealing his sweaty panic mode when caught out of his depth.
As for leadership, Rubio already has failed to lead his campaign in a way that would have prevented the ascendency of Trump. Now -- too late -- Rubio resorts to what . . . more playground nonsense about Trump's "spray tan."
I dare say that both of those traits will be insufficient with Putin, and that Rubio will start a war to prove he wears big boy pants.
100
Rubio has never displayed any competence. I'm not buying him as the reactionary "anyone but Trump" candidate.
White Play-Doh Rubio is being molded in the pocket of the Koch brothers. His bluster increased significantly in the last two weeks when one of the Koch's henchmen joined Rubio's campaign.
After Trump's frontal assault on the firewall to shield the GOP establishment candidates from open and free debates, the Grand Old Party will next have to worry about the fact increasing numbers of awakened sheep are turning into goats that refuse to follow the Party's carved-out path in gerrymandered districts. President George W. Bush is right, "Ideas have consequences." He should have added, "especially for those who champion them."
4
The establishment gets what it deserves. Because of its broken promises, lies, etc. to voters, it created Trump.
We're already had a clueless in office for the last seven years, and now the R establishment wants to have another clueless who will be led by the nose.
The voters are NOT having it!
We're already had a clueless in office for the last seven years, and now the R establishment wants to have another clueless who will be led by the nose.
The voters are NOT having it!
2
Clueless for last seven years? Why? Because he is black and as such unacceptable for many people?
16
I suspect most of us would elect President Obama to a third term. The incompetence of Bush Jr is recent enough that we all remember.
10
Clueless the last seven years? I think you mean 2001-2008.
2
The mess in both parties this time should show that the nomination process is badly broken. I do see the advantage of having the nomination process last over a period of time. This gives voters a chance to see the candidates in action enough to make a better decision and to see which candidates have staying power. But the way things are now is horrific and biased to help the party establishment's preferred candidates. How about his. Break out primaries (not caucuses) into four sets. Base the divisions upon about equal number of delegates per set. Space the primaries out a month to six weeks apart. Get rid of the super delegates. Maybe then the voters control things, not the part insiders.
2
RNC doesn't have super delegates -- just DNC.
Today's GOP is saturated with the kind of people the rest of us have to put up with in MBA classes, at PTA meetings, and in Little League bleachers -- blowhards for whom life's outcomes are no good unless they happen in the blowhards' favor.
Consider today's GOP "leadership" -- they who:
* Rewrite delegate-selection rules to secure the most favorable nominee
* Shut down the federal government as a demonstration of their best interests (with no interest in how this abhorrence hurts their constituents)
* Refute the president's constitutional right to nominate a Supreme Court justice, because the president's nominee may not meet their expectations
* Etc., etc., etc.
Consider today's GOP "leadership" -- they who:
* Rewrite delegate-selection rules to secure the most favorable nominee
* Shut down the federal government as a demonstration of their best interests (with no interest in how this abhorrence hurts their constituents)
* Refute the president's constitutional right to nominate a Supreme Court justice, because the president's nominee may not meet their expectations
* Etc., etc., etc.
127
So what you're telling me, is that the GOP held a post-mortem after the 2012 election, and modified their nomination process to engineer an electoral advantage.
I seem to remember that they also did a post-mortem on their rhetoric and abusive, divisive language, but didn't like the implications of that one so much, so they threw it into the fire and doubled down on idiocy and obstructionism.
Donald Trump is the proper avatar of the GOP. He is the sum of all of their negative traits and demagoguery, unapologetic and irrational. He deserves the GOP nomination.
I seem to remember that they also did a post-mortem on their rhetoric and abusive, divisive language, but didn't like the implications of that one so much, so they threw it into the fire and doubled down on idiocy and obstructionism.
Donald Trump is the proper avatar of the GOP. He is the sum of all of their negative traits and demagoguery, unapologetic and irrational. He deserves the GOP nomination.
337
Amen. what is that saying about sleeping with dogs and getting fleas? the GOP has most certainly picked up a doozy. If that flee gets any bigger it could eat an elephant.......pun intended
2
Until they bring themselves to redraw districts sensibly, they will cut off their own oxygen.
1
Very well put! Spot on.
Something tells me Trump won't go quietly if they deprive him of the nomination at a brokered convention.
247
Nor should he. Both parties' establishment overseers have been closely focussed upon pleasing their corporate/neocon masters and ignoring the will of the voting public. This, we pretend, is democracy.
10
Excellent points Petrov. You nailed it.
2
Trump won't go quietly as Romney did, if the Dems try to steal the election this fall. Romney had every reason to scream bloody murder over 120% voter turnouts, precincts with nothing but 100% straight Dem ballots, buses of voters arriving from out of town to vote... Romney meekly conceded that he had lost instead of demanding to know why the vote fraud - which was 100% in favor of the Democrats - was not investigated.
1
This would be funny if the looming consequences were not fraught with an unforeseen disaster: the Grand Old Party shorn of its customary pomp and ceremony, certain of its ability to field something close to a competitive entry in the general election. In finding themselves with the hair shirt that is Donald Trump, the party is left with no choice but to try to apply cosmetics to a corpse. No amount of professional attention can disguise this awful thing. The elders, in their pride and arrogance, yielded to the rabble's demand for bread and circuses. It's not enough; they want human sacrifices in the arena with the lions. The party elite have no substitute. And the roars get louder as the people wait. Enter Trump on his chariot to cheers on the road to fantasy land. Trump is Messala from Ben-Hur. His end promises to be just as messy and final.
17
"The hair sort that is Donald Trump"
Masterful!
Masterful!
The irony of this show is that Trump is accused of playing into 'masse's irrational fears'... while what I see is irrational fear of Trump dominating media.
This show is far more entertaining than yesterday's bland Oscars. Even Gaga fell flat.
This show is far more entertaining than yesterday's bland Oscars. Even Gaga fell flat.
9
Thanks. I am now even more despise the Republican establishment. I would vote Trump just to stick it to them, even without liking Trump. Let's make no mistake here, I'm not despising some nice fair minded group. This same Republican establishment are very evil people. They've been raking over America and Americans for a very long time. Their main goal is more and more money and less and less taxes on their corporations. But now they've made the argument to despise them even easier. Go Trump go and destroy the Republican elites.
42
Corrected: I now* even more despise the Republican establishment...
1
I'm with you. Voting for Trump may be the best thing we can do. Either by some miracle he'll fix things or at least we'll get the Republican party back as an entity run by the people and not big business. there is nothing wrong with being conservative but being a conservative has nothing to do with being a Republican right now. And being a Democrat, we;ll, that is simply being un American in their present form. the whole government system is broken. Maybe we need to destroy it to fix it. I'd say this beats a civil war.
1
Joe Sockit, I couldn't have said it better. Excellent. Thank you.
The three legged stool no longer stands. On national security, they gave us Iraq. On social justice, they opposed gay rights and have anything that helps people of color. On fiscal discipline, they gave us the crisis of 2008, government shut downs and runaway spending on defense. I hope the GOP continues to implode. They deserve everything they get.
291
They do indeed -- but the rest of us do not!
Watch the combined vote totals of Trump, Cruz, and Carson tomorrow. If these non/anti-establishment candidates capture 60+% of the votes, the notion that the establishment is going to both override the primary voters to install an establishment nominee and enlist the jilted voters to vote for that nominee in the general election doesn't withstand scrutiny.
5
The establishment is doing everything in its power to ensure a Clinton-Rubio general election. In that environment, as usual, wins regardless of which candidate wins. Their agenda - internecine war around the world, large international trade deals like TPP, revamping social security, bank bailouts, etc - will be continued. The people, on the other hand, clearly want a Sanders-Trump election. While the two may seem different in style, both oppose wars of aggression, trade, bank bailouts, touching social security, and (secretly in Trump's case) both support universal healthcare that doesn't primarily serve insurance companies.
11
"The establishment is doing everything in its power to ensure a Clinton-Rubio general election..."
Because everything they did to assure a Clinton / Bush election worked so well...
Maybe there IS something new afoot here...
Because everything they did to assure a Clinton / Bush election worked so well...
Maybe there IS something new afoot here...
3
If the people really wanted a Sanders-Trump match up this fall, he wouldn't be polling so horribly in all the states that will vote on Super Tuesday.
Excluding VT, he only reaches 45% support in MA and OK. All the rest are in the mid to low 30% range, except for GA which is only 27%.
I would seem the people really want to see a Hillary-Trump match up.
Excluding VT, he only reaches 45% support in MA and OK. All the rest are in the mid to low 30% range, except for GA which is only 27%.
I would seem the people really want to see a Hillary-Trump match up.
5
Bernie has gone from !% in the polls and low single digits in name recognition to being very competitive with all demographics except African Americans in a matter of months with no backing from the establishment (i.e. Wall Street, corporations, large unions, media, Hollywood, Super PACS, or banks -- all of whom support Hillary). I will admit that it is a bit inexplicable that the African American base supports Hillary given her past positions on welfare reform, the war on drugs, calling black juvenile defendants "super predators", support of NAFTA, and massive increased incarceration during the Clinton administration (a terrible set of polices were enacted for African Americans during the Clinton era). However, one understands the African American support in the context that the first African American president (Obama) has all but endorsed Hillary, the 'black leadership" class including: legislators, civil rights leaders (not black lives matter and other organic groups mind you) have also endorsed her. Also, Bernie has not been willing to do everything to win, in the way that Trump has -- he hasn't gone after Hillary's biggest negative -- that nobody trusts her including Democrats. He preemptively said he wouldn't talk about the serious security/criminal matter of her private email server where she shared top secret documents with many people while also receiving "advise" from former friends and Clinton Foundation friends like Sidney Blumenthal.
If Trump doesn't win on the first ballot, whether via a rules change or sleepers, the released delegates will find their way to Rubio. Trump will declare fraud, threaten to sue a bunch of people, and ultimately launch at least a half-hearted third party run. His most ravenous followers will continue to follow, and it will be quite interesting to watch.
If he's the nominee, many Republican voters will stay home, and the down ticket losses will be considerable.
If he's the nominee, many Republican voters will stay home, and the down ticket losses will be considerable.
2
Trump is the ONLY candidate that is not beholden to special interests because he is self-funding. That alone will win him the election. Of course, Sanders is also not beholden to Wall St. money, but his time has come and gone.
7
Well, the way Trump is self-funding is through giving his campaign loans. These are loans that the campaign will repay at some point. That money will come for donors or sales of his merchandise.
If he were truly self-funding, he'd be donating all this money but he is not.
If he were truly self-funding, he'd be donating all this money but he is not.
4
Umm, not entirely. Trump has received over $7 million in individual donations to his campaign, and his personal contributions are in the form of a loan rather than direct funding.
https://www.opensecrets.org/pres16/candidate.php?id=N00023864
It is legal for Trump to raise money to pay himself back as long as this fund-raising takes place before the election. After the election he could only receive $250,000 in repayments. (The definition of "election" is tricky during the primary season. I'll leave it to the attorneys to weigh in on what the FEC means by an "election" during the primaries.)
Just because Trump says something doesn't make it so. Remember this is the candidate whose various pronouncements have been rated "mostly false," "false," and "pants-on-fire" 78% of the time by Politifact. Only one of the one hundred statements Politifact evaluated was rated as "true," with another six rated "mostly true."
http://www.fec.gov/rad/candidates/documents/CanGuide29-30.pdf
https://www.opensecrets.org/pres16/candidate.php?id=N00023864
http://www.politifact.com/personalities/donald-trump/
https://www.opensecrets.org/pres16/candidate.php?id=N00023864
It is legal for Trump to raise money to pay himself back as long as this fund-raising takes place before the election. After the election he could only receive $250,000 in repayments. (The definition of "election" is tricky during the primary season. I'll leave it to the attorneys to weigh in on what the FEC means by an "election" during the primaries.)
Just because Trump says something doesn't make it so. Remember this is the candidate whose various pronouncements have been rated "mostly false," "false," and "pants-on-fire" 78% of the time by Politifact. Only one of the one hundred statements Politifact evaluated was rated as "true," with another six rated "mostly true."
http://www.fec.gov/rad/candidates/documents/CanGuide29-30.pdf
https://www.opensecrets.org/pres16/candidate.php?id=N00023864
http://www.politifact.com/personalities/donald-trump/
4
From Politico:
"[T]he majority of his campaign funding comes from donors. This quarter, the campaign received 73,942 'unsolicited donations' totaling about $3.7 million, according to a release from the campaign. That accounts for most of the $5.8 million the campaign has taken in to date.
"Trump has contributed to financing his campaign through in-kind gifts and loans.
"In the third quarter, he made about $100,000 in in-kind contributions to his campaign.
That’s in addition to the $1.8 million Trump previously loaned the campaign. Trump can pay himself back for the loan with campaign funds at any point.
"At the same time, Trump’s businesses have charged significant rent to the campaign. The campaign paid $144,000 for rent in the third quarter to Trump Tower Commercial LLC, Trump Restaurants LLC and the Trump Corp."
He's not beholden to special business interests, he IS a special business interest.
http://www.politico.com/story/2015/10/donald-trump-fec-fundraising-21483...
"[T]he majority of his campaign funding comes from donors. This quarter, the campaign received 73,942 'unsolicited donations' totaling about $3.7 million, according to a release from the campaign. That accounts for most of the $5.8 million the campaign has taken in to date.
"Trump has contributed to financing his campaign through in-kind gifts and loans.
"In the third quarter, he made about $100,000 in in-kind contributions to his campaign.
That’s in addition to the $1.8 million Trump previously loaned the campaign. Trump can pay himself back for the loan with campaign funds at any point.
"At the same time, Trump’s businesses have charged significant rent to the campaign. The campaign paid $144,000 for rent in the third quarter to Trump Tower Commercial LLC, Trump Restaurants LLC and the Trump Corp."
He's not beholden to special business interests, he IS a special business interest.
http://www.politico.com/story/2015/10/donald-trump-fec-fundraising-21483...
6
As you get the government you deserve, the RNC will get the candidate it deserves.
22
Trump's success is working class America's revenge on the establishment of both parties. I wouldn't be surprised if he wins it all.
8
The Republican establishment are the wealthiest and most insulated people in the U.S. They never have grasped the way most people have been affected by the great lost wealth, the rapid automation of industries, and the predictably slow recovery from the crash of 2008-2009. They thought that they could just block the Democrats from improving much and come to the rescue in 2010 and 2012. It worked for 2010 but not 2012, and certainly not 2016. The reason seems to be inadequate information about voters.
The Republican Party thought that Romney was winning right up until he had to make his concession speech. It was because they did not have good data about who was voting and how. Like those who predicted Truman's defeat to Dewey, their sample set was biased but they did not know it. It appears that the Republican Party did not learn, they failed to sample the real population of potential voters well enough to see what was going on in their minds.
The Republican Party thought that Romney was winning right up until he had to make his concession speech. It was because they did not have good data about who was voting and how. Like those who predicted Truman's defeat to Dewey, their sample set was biased but they did not know it. It appears that the Republican Party did not learn, they failed to sample the real population of potential voters well enough to see what was going on in their minds.
184
It's hard to argue that the Republicans self-delusion about 2012 was the result of bad data. Any reasonable interpretation of the public polling showed that President Obama was much more likely to win than Mitt Romney, even if you limit the analysis to the decisive states within the Electoral College.
http://www.politicsbythenumbers.org/2012/10/22/polling-results-in-the-co...
http://www.politicsbythenumbers.org/2012/10/22/polling-results-in-the-co...
2
"The Republican establishment are the wealthiest and most insulated people in the U.S."
Since you appeal to data, this counterfactual statement would raise eyebrows of any 'casual observer.'
Since you appeal to data, this counterfactual statement would raise eyebrows of any 'casual observer.'
1
It is not wise to make generalizations like that one. The Republican establishment, the most influential members who have supported candidates like Bush and Romney, are wealthy and insulated, but might not make up the wealthiest and most insulated.
The Law of Unintended Consequences rears its head.
It will be interesting to see how this all works out in the end and what steps the GOP takes going forward.
It will be interesting to see how this all works out in the end and what steps the GOP takes going forward.
5
The rules are working 100% as they were designed to work. The establishment's problem is that they never anticipated that their voters, who they treat like dogs, would reject their dog food. The establishment may have been excited by Jeb!, but the voters never were.
Whose party is it anyway? The RNC apparently believes it should belong to the donors. The voters are showing otherwise.
Whose party is it anyway? The RNC apparently believes it should belong to the donors. The voters are showing otherwise.
521
This tension between voters and donors is real and reflects in the party agenda. Thus, the present GOP agenda, to the extent Trump throws it out the window and has a commanding majority in the GOP, does not have any electoral support. This is what all the GOP members in Congress and in the states believe their voters want. So, what we have is the proof of the fundamental undemocratic (small d) nature of the GOP donors and the unpopular policies they foist on the USA as the GOP right wing agenda. As it turns out a majority of the voters will not have it.
1
The Republican Party belongs to the donors. Always has, always will. The donors are unhappy but they will be back touting a candidate that has the heart and mind of a Richard Nixon with the personality and salesmanship of a Ronald Reagan.
The same question can be asked of the Democratic Party … Who's party is it anyway … Oh it belongs to the donors and to the DNC and to Hillary Clinton and to the super packs replace of the word gym with HRC.
Too many of us there's no difference.
Too many of us there's no difference.
1
The Republican Party has handed itself to a racist demagogue through a series of unintended consequences and utterly inept blindness to what would happen through a relentless campaign of fear-mongering and misinformation.
The Republicans are in no position to lead anything - as further evidenced by their utter obstruction in their Legislative role.
The Republicans are in no position to lead anything - as further evidenced by their utter obstruction in their Legislative role.
178
Despite the media's relentless attempts to portray Trump as racist, what he actually has said is not racist at all. There is an excellent video, if you are interest in the truth as opposed to propaganda, debunking every single horrible thing the "news" media have tried to pin on him called "The Untruth About Donald Trump". If you're going to dislike him for something real, say his not using politically correct speech (which is destroying this nation because it prevents open discussions of some issues, including serious problems), that's one thing. But anyone believing the media narrative is being seriously deceived. It's funny that most Americans are smart enough not to buy the propaganda unless it happens to fit with their preconceived positions.
6
The same old rhetoric Dems are so good at.
The last three election cycles, Dems have gotten almost everything they wanted. They don't need to win control of the congress.
The difference between Dems and establishment Repubs is like trying to picket the difference between Coke and Pepsi.
We are tired of it and why Trump is doing so well.
The last three election cycles, Dems have gotten almost everything they wanted. They don't need to win control of the congress.
The difference between Dems and establishment Repubs is like trying to picket the difference between Coke and Pepsi.
We are tired of it and why Trump is doing so well.
5
The KKK evidently disagrees with you and has endorsed Trump. When Trump was asked how he feels about their support, he claimed to know nothing about the KKK or its' leader, David Duke. That would be laughable if true, but its' demonstrably false, as seen in his interview with Matt Lauer circa 2000 during which he condemns the Duke and his organization. It's vintage Trump: he'll take support from anywhere he can get it.
5
Ok, let me get this straight: Donald Trump, running, among other things, on the idea that the establishment is depriving citizens of what is rightfully theirs, has enough followers to take such a lead in the GOP primaries tomorrow, that he may be all but unstoppable for the nomination - unless the party establishment changes the convention rules - to steal the nomination from him.
And these same rowdy followers would then do what?
First the GOP "fixes" the calendar after a messy primary - getting an even messier primary as a result. And now they're gonna fix the fact that the people are choosing a candidate they don't approve of - in such a way as to create an even bigger mess? A voter insurrection against them?
Somehow the "lesson" here - to this onlooker anyway - is similar to what we see right now in the GOP Congress. The GOP cannot be trusted to fix anything. Their "fix" is like cutting off the head of a Hydra. The problems multiply instead.
And these same rowdy followers would then do what?
First the GOP "fixes" the calendar after a messy primary - getting an even messier primary as a result. And now they're gonna fix the fact that the people are choosing a candidate they don't approve of - in such a way as to create an even bigger mess? A voter insurrection against them?
Somehow the "lesson" here - to this onlooker anyway - is similar to what we see right now in the GOP Congress. The GOP cannot be trusted to fix anything. Their "fix" is like cutting off the head of a Hydra. The problems multiply instead.
336
And this why the rabble that the GOP created with the Tea Party and birther nonsense are so aligned with Trump. He is speaking out loud what the Establishment says behind closed doors and the people are reacting. Some with glee, other's with horror.
It certainly didn't help matter when the primaries started and there were still more than a dozen people vying for votes. Even now, with a top 3, there are still the bottom two siphoning off votes that would go, probably, to Rubio who could topple Trump in a close race.
And, yes, it is the height of irony and hypocrisy that the Establishment now wants to subvert the voters to get the person they want the nomination, the same Establishment that created this convoluted rules in the first place.
It certainly didn't help matter when the primaries started and there were still more than a dozen people vying for votes. Even now, with a top 3, there are still the bottom two siphoning off votes that would go, probably, to Rubio who could topple Trump in a close race.
And, yes, it is the height of irony and hypocrisy that the Establishment now wants to subvert the voters to get the person they want the nomination, the same Establishment that created this convoluted rules in the first place.
6
I think you might look more at how the Dems are thwarting their own process to hand Hillary the nomination.
1
Awesome!!
"The rules this year, intended to bring the race to a relatively swift conclusion . . ."
Not soon enough to prevent Marco Rubio from ending up as a Mini-me.
Mr. Trump is the best entertainer in Republican politics since a Hollywood actor grabbed the nomination.
Not soon enough to prevent Marco Rubio from ending up as a Mini-me.
Mr. Trump is the best entertainer in Republican politics since a Hollywood actor grabbed the nomination.
75
Question is, why do we keep getting stuck with these B-movie actors?
1
The RNC has a problem. The solution is to require all candidates pledge to follow the RNC platform. Any candidate who declines cannot be a Republican nominee. Step Two: modify Rule 40 and have an open convention. An open convention is the only hope the RNC has of avoiding the disaster that is in store for Republicans: a Democratic Senate, a Democrat in the White House and a House that is no longer dominated by Republicans.
4
Sure as heck hope so. Vote, in every election, no matter how small. Don't give up because you can't have a knight in shining armor (or a realist with a Brooklyn accent). Vote!
3
HOW TO SELECT A PRESIDENT
The world is demanding. Choices are difficult. Decisions must be made.
Trump, Rubio, Cruz, Sanders, Clinton
A scorecard for identifying who among them might lead us best:
1) Capable of making a reasonable decision, under pressure, given the best available facts at hand?
2) Capable of mobilizing our talents and our compassion for one another?
HOW GOOD THE LEADER?
What is asked of you?
To bring out your very best?
Or merely the beast?
The answers to these questions substantially narrow the field
The world is demanding. Choices are difficult. Decisions must be made.
Trump, Rubio, Cruz, Sanders, Clinton
A scorecard for identifying who among them might lead us best:
1) Capable of making a reasonable decision, under pressure, given the best available facts at hand?
2) Capable of mobilizing our talents and our compassion for one another?
HOW GOOD THE LEADER?
What is asked of you?
To bring out your very best?
Or merely the beast?
The answers to these questions substantially narrow the field
2
How to select a leader? I vote. Based upon my criteria. Not yours.
It would be good if Trump wraps up the nomination ASAP. then those who hate Trump can begin to evaluate their positions regarding the election. Do you want a republican in the White House or a Democrat? I think those who hate Trump now will come to their senses when they see Trump go after Hillary Clinton and begin to add some meat to what he is going to do for America and how he is going to do it.
8
Am enjoying the panic I sense from the Media, Wall Street, and the beltway. Time is in effect, running out, for the NYT, Wall Street, and the Clintons to close ranks. So hopefully soon these insider group can determine, if Trump is either another Hitler or Mussolini. Haven't heard that Trump plans concentration camps.
3
Where do you suppose he's going to put all the illegals his INS storm troopers will be rounding up? Trump Plaza?!?
6
Trump is a master manipulator. Controversy has been his road to the nomination. Never has a candidate dominated media airtime, while spending so very little money. Bush must have gone crazy watching it, as he spent $150 million to go nowhere fast. The GOP has done everything but resurrect Ronald Reagan to stop him. If they could change the delegate selection system, the way they have rigged congressional district lines, they would. In the end, Trump and Sanders are the creation of the political elite, who have obviously forgotten 99% of the American population.
213
Trump has resurrected Reagan. Everyone else in the Republican party talks about St Ronnie, but Trump actually picked a slogan like Morning in America. Make America Great Again after Fox news prepped the base with fear and loathing. Couldn't have asked for better if Obama were facing 100 days of hostages in Iran! Trump is that guy to drink a beer with. He's missing that nice grandfatherly facade, but we may be over daddy and ready for big brother.
1
How exactly is Sanders a creation of the political elite? Both he and Trump may be reactions to the elite, but Trump is much more a cynical counter-player to elite plans, than is Bernie, who is simply an opponent of the political elite.
A world of difference in my view!
A world of difference in my view!
2
Appropriate to compare Trump and Sanders in that their supporters are fed up with the status quo, but the analogy stops there. Sanders is intelligent, principled and has extensive experience in governing. Trump is quite the opposite.
2
I don't see Cruz dropping out as I believe he is too much into the "show" of purity of the ideology. The one that is killing the R's.
This may be the end of the , formerly, Grand Old Party. now just a Party for the Old. Sorry Mr. Brooks but with Bernie getting the youth and Clinton doing well with the new majority, read-brown skinned people we can see this is the future. The GOP is catering to the Anti- brown mainly old white and uninformed.
No science, no awareness of the model of the future of the demographics for the US means that if you cannot see yourself in the future you will not be able to control the path to the future. We are seeing the results of a population that a good portion of the population believes the earth is thousands of years old not billions of years old.
This may be the end of the , formerly, Grand Old Party. now just a Party for the Old. Sorry Mr. Brooks but with Bernie getting the youth and Clinton doing well with the new majority, read-brown skinned people we can see this is the future. The GOP is catering to the Anti- brown mainly old white and uninformed.
No science, no awareness of the model of the future of the demographics for the US means that if you cannot see yourself in the future you will not be able to control the path to the future. We are seeing the results of a population that a good portion of the population believes the earth is thousands of years old not billions of years old.
57
After 2012, the GOP changed the rules to prevent candidates attacking each other. Gee, that worked well! They're so nice to each other now. Hahahaha!
What really happened? For years, the Republicans were a strange amalgamation of the religious, the uneducated, and the propertied classes. These factions all had different explanations for 2012 loss to Obama.
The religious thought the problem was the GOP was not sufficiently socially conservative. Huh? If the US wanted social conservatism, would they have re-elected Obama? But this bubble-vision spawned the twin holy rollers of Cruz and Rubio.
The propertied classes didn't think there was a problem at all. They still can't understand why Mitt won. They thought Jeb! could win. They are absolutely clueless about how out of touch they are. It is sad or funny, depending.
Meanwhile, uneducated broke loose and proved they have a will of their own. Yep, there are armies of angry, fearful people who do not feel represented by the holy rollers or the Jebs. And who are racists enough that they do not trust Obama. They do not trust facts, so they are open to lies and Fox News. They see Trump as being able to get things done, as opposed to the yahoos in Washington. And they vote. The fact that the GOP forgot to take voters into account was kind of a miscalculation. Oops.
What really happened? For years, the Republicans were a strange amalgamation of the religious, the uneducated, and the propertied classes. These factions all had different explanations for 2012 loss to Obama.
The religious thought the problem was the GOP was not sufficiently socially conservative. Huh? If the US wanted social conservatism, would they have re-elected Obama? But this bubble-vision spawned the twin holy rollers of Cruz and Rubio.
The propertied classes didn't think there was a problem at all. They still can't understand why Mitt won. They thought Jeb! could win. They are absolutely clueless about how out of touch they are. It is sad or funny, depending.
Meanwhile, uneducated broke loose and proved they have a will of their own. Yep, there are armies of angry, fearful people who do not feel represented by the holy rollers or the Jebs. And who are racists enough that they do not trust Obama. They do not trust facts, so they are open to lies and Fox News. They see Trump as being able to get things done, as opposed to the yahoos in Washington. And they vote. The fact that the GOP forgot to take voters into account was kind of a miscalculation. Oops.
352
This is a wry, accurate summary yet terrifying as it is wry because I fear Trump could actually be our president. And then what?
6
Minnesota elected a professional wrestler to the Governor's office. California elected a weight-lifter/live, action-figure actor. I don't recall any ensuing disaster. At least nothing on the scale of Gov. Brownback. C'est la vie. Laisser les bons temps rouler. My hunch is that we'll live through it all better than we did under the last Republican regime. No need to go overseas for wars. We'll just fight right here at home. Lot's cheaper and we know the language.
1
Great writing, really and so true. I saw a focus group video today led by Luntz, and all the Trumpists wanted to impeach Obama, yet not one single cogent impeachable charge could be recited by any of them. They had no correct fact or rational explanation for their vituperate anger, but ultimately, it boiled down to individual frustrations and choices that were being blamed on Obama.
1
"Rubio the Republican's 50-State Pickup Truck Adventure" Hey Farrelly brothers get on that script! It should have the desperation of There's Something About Mary, the darkness of Kingpin, and the intelligence of Dumb and Dumber or the Three Stooges, your choice!
14
Driving to Alaska will be quite a journey, but Hawaii? I have to see that.
18
With the GOP special relationship God, parting the Pacific Ocean should not be a problem.
9
The Democrat Party cannot even democratically govern itself (Hillary and the Establishment has voided the votes of the people with her Super-Delagates) why should they be trusted, as party -- never mind Hillary's track record of lies and deceptions and violations of National Security, to democratically govern the country? Such behavior is present in neither their philosophy nor their actions in Congress, Governorships or state legislatures. Practitioners and supporters of the Democrat Party are incapable of dealing with the inherent ambiguity of democracy. They feel the need to rig the vote, the rules and the courts. They are unworthy and untrustworthy partners in governing America.
14
You forgot to mention the thing about black helicopters, white water, and Vince Foster!
I guess you didn't get the memo on the fact that the GOP runs most of America.
https://ballotpedia.org/Gubernatorial_and_legislative_party_control_of_s...
I guess you didn't get the memo on the fact that the GOP runs most of America.
https://ballotpedia.org/Gubernatorial_and_legislative_party_control_of_s...
43
This is funny.
Hillary had the support of the lion's share of Superdelegates at the beginning in 2008 and yet...
Hillary had the support of the lion's share of Superdelegates at the beginning in 2008 and yet...
10
And your rant applies to this article on the Republicans and Trump? How so?
17
I am betting on a brokered convention and that Rubio will be the pick.
6
A brokered convention will choose Romney.
30
Absolutely zero chance of that happening. He's flailing now, circling the drain in fact.
7
Or more likely Paul Ryan. I have no doubt that if Trump has the lion's share of delegates yet is denied the nomination he will run as a third-party candidate. He'll do better than Ross Perot did in 1992 and 1996, but, unlike Perot, Trump will take many more votes from the Republican candidate and ensure that the Democrat wins in November.
4
This could well lead to the adoption of superdelegates by the GOP, to allow the party to override and overrule its voters.
Not that the GOP ever represents its voters, or any other non-white non-billionaire person, mind. Trump embodies exactly the GOP's positions and dog-whistled bigotry, just with more bluster.
Not that the GOP ever represents its voters, or any other non-white non-billionaire person, mind. Trump embodies exactly the GOP's positions and dog-whistled bigotry, just with more bluster.
177
Really? So his aversion to war and his insistence that we must take care of all Americans, providing health care to those that cannot afford it sound bigoted to you? Interesting.
2
Ah, but the details: What has Trump actually said and done? He supported national health care (single payer), higher taxes and tariffs on imports to protect American (mostly blue collar) jobs, expanding the regulatory power of government by using public money to build bridges, roads, hospitals and create ready jobs; Mr. Trump has also supported abortion rights, same-sex marriage (he opposed DOMA), opposed the Citizens United decision and has been a supporter and advocate for Planned Parenthood. Unlike other Republicans, he’s insisted that Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid must be protected.
Over and above all that, he's loudly protested America's endless Middle East Wars, and this clarifies why the Ruling Class (in both parties) is so incensed:
“We have done a tremendous disservice not only to the Middle East — we've done a tremendous disservice to humanity. The people that have been killed, the people that have been wiped away — and for what? It's not like we had victory. It's a mess. The Middle East is totally destabilized, a total and complete mess. I wish we had the 4 trillion dollars or 5 trillion dollars. I wish it were spent right here in the United States on schools, hospitals, roads, airports, and everything else that is all falling apart!"
That's almost the opposite of Republican policy, so you can hardly pretend it 'embodies exactly the GOP's positions."
Over and above all that, he's loudly protested America's endless Middle East Wars, and this clarifies why the Ruling Class (in both parties) is so incensed:
“We have done a tremendous disservice not only to the Middle East — we've done a tremendous disservice to humanity. The people that have been killed, the people that have been wiped away — and for what? It's not like we had victory. It's a mess. The Middle East is totally destabilized, a total and complete mess. I wish we had the 4 trillion dollars or 5 trillion dollars. I wish it were spent right here in the United States on schools, hospitals, roads, airports, and everything else that is all falling apart!"
That's almost the opposite of Republican policy, so you can hardly pretend it 'embodies exactly the GOP's positions."
10
Replies to SR prove once again the overriding ignorance of much of the electorate at large - a least when it comes to the subject of superdelegates.
Super Delegates can support any candidate.
Super Delegates are elected officials and party elders of the Democratic Party who each count toward the magic number of 2,383.
But Super Delegates can switch candidates if one candidate is the overwhelming choice of regular voters.
Adding Super Delegates, who are better informed in many cases then the electorate, to the mixture brings experience and knowledge to the entire process of choosing the final candidate.
In many cases members of the electorate are driven by emotion and personal attitudes toward characteristics of candidates.
Case in point would be the ongoing GOP mess that we are witnessing on a daily basis. Will cooler heads prevail there - it is anyone's guess.
Try the Super Delegate process - you might like it.
Super Delegates can support any candidate.
Super Delegates are elected officials and party elders of the Democratic Party who each count toward the magic number of 2,383.
But Super Delegates can switch candidates if one candidate is the overwhelming choice of regular voters.
Adding Super Delegates, who are better informed in many cases then the electorate, to the mixture brings experience and knowledge to the entire process of choosing the final candidate.
In many cases members of the electorate are driven by emotion and personal attitudes toward characteristics of candidates.
Case in point would be the ongoing GOP mess that we are witnessing on a daily basis. Will cooler heads prevail there - it is anyone's guess.
Try the Super Delegate process - you might like it.
The GOP cannot even democratically govern itself....why should they be trusted, as party -- never mind Trumpism, to democratically govern the country. Such behavior is present in neither their philosophy nor their actions as majorities in Congress, Governorships (Walker) or state legislatures. Practitioners and supporters of the GOP are incapable of dealing with the inherent ambiguity of democracy. They feel the need to rig the vote, the rules and the courts. They are unworthy and untrustworthy partners in governing America.
402
Yeah but.... On the other hand.... Well.... Oh the heck with it, RDAM, you're right all the way.
7
RDAM,
let me guess, if you will. Had DNC had exactly same primaries rules you would've had no problem trusting the Donkey to rule the country.
The sad thing is you know my guess is correct.
let me guess, if you will. Had DNC had exactly same primaries rules you would've had no problem trusting the Donkey to rule the country.
The sad thing is you know my guess is correct.
2
So let's have a one-party state, I hear all the Democrats clamoring. Not in so many words, but the groundwork is being laid as you demonstrate. Importing 60 million new voters who are 85% Democrat would seem to have sealed the deal too, since they couldn't get Americans to vote the way they wanted.
1
http://www.periodictablet.com