If you believe the “pundits” and their propaganda, it is all over and the election is going to be between Tweedledee Trump (fast decline in democracy and decency) and Tweedledum Clinton (slower decline in both). Oh for the days when I naively believed that some of the MSM, despite being corporate or family affairs, presented some of the truth. Even the weather reports have become corrupted and “science news” about the social sciences is one step below voodoo. Hopefully, as one wise person said, at least the baseball scores are still good.
3
Kasich has actually admitted that he wants a brokered convention...He sold out to the fat cats and wants them to "award" him the nomination..I lost all respect for that guy
3
A delegate lock for Trump is obviously not a fit object for prayer, but at least my creaky knees still work. And He (She?) surely believes in just deserts.
1
I went through the remaining states -- and checked the polls in each. Donald leaves in all except California (Cruz leads -- not Rubio), Utah - Rubio leads, and there weren't recent polls for WY and ID -- I notice this author was pretty generous to Rubio in giving him states and adding Kasich vote to him. The rules say there's a threshold. Except for Ohio, Kasich isn't cracking 20% anywhere though there are a few states which have a lower threshold. I gave Ohio to Kasich in case he pulls that out, but it ended up with Trump getting 1347 delegates which would be conservative because of the rules about winner take most and some go by congressional district. (Remember South Carolina where he got all the delegates with a 38% or win?) There's a rule 40 which says you have to have won 8 contests to put your name on the ballot. Rubio will only have 1 contest to show, maybe 2 if he stays in until Utah. Cruz could have 5 or 6, Kasich would have one. So unless that implosion they've been wanting takes place, Trump will win this fair and square before July.
3
Today ws the first day o early voting in Florida and over 800,000 voted.
Marco Rubio's statement 2 days ago that only the Miami vote is important has enraged Florida voters.
Seeing the 800,000+ votes today, using it's own campaign exit polls and knowing where people are voting Rubio's campaign manager Terry Sullivan stated "It does not look like we are going to win in Florida.
Sullivan said that knowing the Florida vote count does not happen until March 15th.
Marco Rubio's statement 2 days ago that only the Miami vote is important has enraged Florida voters.
Seeing the 800,000+ votes today, using it's own campaign exit polls and knowing where people are voting Rubio's campaign manager Terry Sullivan stated "It does not look like we are going to win in Florida.
Sullivan said that knowing the Florida vote count does not happen until March 15th.
6
Trump will be the end of the Republican party. However, look at the damage that Obama has done to the Democrats.
Separated at birth?
Separated at birth?
Obama brought young people, African Americans, Hispanics, and others into the Democratic Party. He energized party activists. He and his staff ran probably the most organized political campaign in history using modern technology that the Republican's still haven't mastered 8 years later.
The Republicans can only dream of "damage" like this. Time to come out of your cave, Caveman.
The Republicans can only dream of "damage" like this. Time to come out of your cave, Caveman.
9
Seriously, could the winner take all states change their rules to proportional at this late date??
Not since the days of Theodore Roosevelt has there been a serious third party candidacy in the United States. The result was Woodrow Wilson. Not since the days of Lincoln has a party split itself in two and the result was The Civil War. Not since the days of Washington was there non-partisan politics. Now we have Donald Trump dividing his party and the country and if elected leading us where?
3
I stopped reading when the article claimed that Rubio could beat Trump if the rest dropped out. The author clearly isn't watching CPAC, or paying attention to the results from Super Tuesday. If Rubio drops out, Cruz could win but the opposite is not true. If they all stay in, the convention could be deadlocked on the first ballot and the party hacks picked to act as delegates could chose a loser like Romney to lose the election rather than risk a President they can't control. Historically, that sort of thing destroys political parties.
4
Why did Cruz do so poorly in your state of Massachusetts...and I do mean badly? Why did Cruz do so poorly in Vermont? Why did Cruz do so poorly in New Hampshire? Cruz will do poorly in any state not named TEXAS (Oklahoma is suburb of Texas) and he only gets to win Texas once.
Cruz was supposed to sweep Evangelical strongholds, yet he lost Evangelicals 2 to 1 when compared to Mr. Trump. Cruz was absolutely destroyed in the strongly Evangelical South, losing: South Carolina (every county), Georgia, Virginia, Tennessee, Alabama, and Arkansas. He'll lose the balance of the South for the same reason.
Cruz loses in moderate states because he is an overbearing, sanctimonious revival show preacher who does not sell in moderate states. He lost his Evangelical base for two reasons: he screwed DR. Carson to win Iowa, and he soiled himself by marrying Glenn Beck for some votes...Mormons are not considered Christians to Evangelicals.
Cruz was supposed to sweep Evangelical strongholds, yet he lost Evangelicals 2 to 1 when compared to Mr. Trump. Cruz was absolutely destroyed in the strongly Evangelical South, losing: South Carolina (every county), Georgia, Virginia, Tennessee, Alabama, and Arkansas. He'll lose the balance of the South for the same reason.
Cruz loses in moderate states because he is an overbearing, sanctimonious revival show preacher who does not sell in moderate states. He lost his Evangelical base for two reasons: he screwed DR. Carson to win Iowa, and he soiled himself by marrying Glenn Beck for some votes...Mormons are not considered Christians to Evangelicals.
1
The Republican party of haters and fools can reap what they sow... and they can thank Fox news for supplying the fertilizer.
13
US Presidential elections often seem like a contest to pick the lesser of evils. Not always, but often.
To most readers of the NYT, Barack Obama's candidacy seemed inspiring. And Barack Obama won. But to many conservatives, the contest was "anyone but Obama" and their revulsion has been evident over and over. Now there are two candidates in the race who are inspiring the often uninspired ... Trump and Sanders. The base of each candidate is passionate and each would be repelled by the other.
But what does this say of the GOP that a significant portion of their party is passionate about a man of exceedingly low character, low understanding, little compassion and unparalleled narcissism?
On the other hand, Sanders is a candidate of consistent character, humility and high understanding and compassion.
To most readers of the NYT, Barack Obama's candidacy seemed inspiring. And Barack Obama won. But to many conservatives, the contest was "anyone but Obama" and their revulsion has been evident over and over. Now there are two candidates in the race who are inspiring the often uninspired ... Trump and Sanders. The base of each candidate is passionate and each would be repelled by the other.
But what does this say of the GOP that a significant portion of their party is passionate about a man of exceedingly low character, low understanding, little compassion and unparalleled narcissism?
On the other hand, Sanders is a candidate of consistent character, humility and high understanding and compassion.
8
Donald Trump will be the next George W. Bush on steroids. I want him to win so our country can be in shatters and rednecks will finally fade away once their prized "Trump" doesn't fix anything.
If anything bad happens on a republican president's watch, it's never his fault. Rule #1 in the GOP playbook.
4
I find it hilarious. All these GOP "leaders" running around in a panic over what they created in 2010. Where was their concern over the town halls that the Tea Party commandeered? Where was their concern over Joe Wilson's "You Lie!"? Where was their concern when Bill O'Reilly incited the murder of Dr. Tiller? For that matter, where was their concern when Reagan constantly denigrated the government of the people?
I believe they have gotten exactly what they deserve. They have, as the Bible says, sown the wind.
I believe they have gotten exactly what they deserve. They have, as the Bible says, sown the wind.
13
The GOP, for seven years now, has been running around like Chicken Little, screaming "the sky is falling," and stirring up hatred against the President. Now the chickens have come home to roost - they have people out there whose only campaign slogan - all they have to offer - is still "the sky is falling." There is no evidence of this, of course, but they have stoked their followers for seven years, and now they are looking for a Messiah to save them from their fears. Meanwhile, the economy is actually doing good - we are the bright spot in the world economy, by any measure, Obama has done an excellent job; he has even been a kind parent to the childish right wing, trying constantly to calm their fears. Unfortunately, they still don't buy it, and would prefer to listen to the Limbaughs, Becks, Trumps, and the rest of the fear-mongers.
6
Trump symbolizes the culmination of a path we've been on for the last 40-plus years. In the final analysis, this is a "system's" issue, not a political one. There is an excellent quote by W.E.B DuBois that perfectly describes this situation: "Either America will destroy ignorance or ignorance will destroy the United States."
In research I'm conducting for a book I'm writing about propaganda, I came across the work of Robert Proctor, a science historian from Stanford University. He coined the term "Agnotology," which is "the study of efforts to spread confusion and deceive people in an effort to sell them on a policy or product."
In a BBC interviewed he stated that "“We live in a world of radical ignorance, and the marvel is that any kind of truth cuts through the noise. Even though knowledge is ‘accessible’, it doesn’t mean it’s accessed.”
The more research I do on this topic the more I realize that corporate-sponsored propaganda affects every aspect of our lives, and that it has systematically contributed to the dumbing-down of a very significant segment of the American population.
I'm also beginning to suspect that much of the corporate media's purported outrage about Trump's behavior is feigned, given the wall-to-wall, 24/7 coverage he's received.
Democracy has been systematically dismantled, replaced by oligarchy. We are now entering the next step, which is fascism. Trump symbolizes that next step.
In research I'm conducting for a book I'm writing about propaganda, I came across the work of Robert Proctor, a science historian from Stanford University. He coined the term "Agnotology," which is "the study of efforts to spread confusion and deceive people in an effort to sell them on a policy or product."
In a BBC interviewed he stated that "“We live in a world of radical ignorance, and the marvel is that any kind of truth cuts through the noise. Even though knowledge is ‘accessible’, it doesn’t mean it’s accessed.”
The more research I do on this topic the more I realize that corporate-sponsored propaganda affects every aspect of our lives, and that it has systematically contributed to the dumbing-down of a very significant segment of the American population.
I'm also beginning to suspect that much of the corporate media's purported outrage about Trump's behavior is feigned, given the wall-to-wall, 24/7 coverage he's received.
Democracy has been systematically dismantled, replaced by oligarchy. We are now entering the next step, which is fascism. Trump symbolizes that next step.
13
I want to read your book!
Trump is a breath of fresh air in USA politics! He is raw and an unpolished diamond. I was starting to look at the USA political system as similar to North Korea or any other dictatorship that has relatives inheriting power from the previous ruler. There is something seriously wrong with a political system when the only choices you have are relatives of past Presidents.
14
Breath of fresh air? Breath of hot air.
10
Sure, Trump is raw and unpolished. At his age, the chances are that he will stay that way.
1
Trump's opponents are hopelessly inferior and inexperienced compared with Trump's theatrical and entertainment skills, honed over many years and witnessed by millions on TV. Facts don’t matter now and never have to his citizen supporters, just the slogans and one-liners by which they have been so entertained and mesmerized. The GOP seems clueless, witness their lame attempts to dethrone The Donald. Pundits have accused Republicans of doing too little too late when the real problem is they have no idea what’s really going on. Too bad Ronald Reagan isn’t around to give them a few lessons in tomfoolery.
12
Only solution is for the GOP to discredit and challenge the credentials of the delegates assigned to Trump. They are impostors and frauds because they have endorsed a bigot and a vulgarity.
2
I point out that we are not a true democracy (one person - one vote) as in Switzerland, for instance, with an over 400 year history in that tradition. We are a republic. Although it would be unprecedented if Trump won the majority of delegates needed for the nomination but did not garner those votes on the first ballot, it would not be prohibited. Delegates are free to change their votes at the convention if those delegates suspect a grave error is being made, if the candidate has committed a serious crime, or is clearly shown to be unfit for that office. This is a wisdom the founders and the parties built into our system to prevent catastrophic events swaying mass opinion and perhaps propelling a version of "Hitler" or another despot or totally unqualified candidate into the executive office.
3
Michael, if anything like what you described actually happened at the convention, then it is GUARANTEED that Trump would run as an independent candidate and that the Republican nominee would lose. The Republican establishment surely knows this and, although they would never admit it publicly, seems to have made the decision that it would be better to lose this election with someone else as their nominee rather than to win it and have President Trump as a result.
8
Trump has already implied that, if he does not win the nomination, he might go "third party." On the other hand, more moderate Republicans have also threatened to break from the party if he does win the nomination, and many - like Graham - say they refuse to support him. Hopefully, the GOP is not only in trouble in the Presidential election, but it will take down a number of others as well, and prove a historic disaster for the GOP. I say this, not because I am anti-GOP, but because it is a party I once supported, which has had a cancer growing within it for many years. If it kills the party, that would be fine - it would result in the split of the Democratic Party into Moderate and Progressive wings - nature abhors a vacuum - but both anxious to get things done instead of the hand-wringing exercise and obstructionism that has typified the GOP these last seven years. The group the GOP most represents is dying off, and will become less and less a factor in American politics. By self-destructing, it would save the country the long process of having to undo the gerrymandering and other obstructions of the democratic process that keep them in power, and dampen the influence of the rich they are beholden to.
5
If the GOP Party wants to stop Trump, all they have to do is change the winner-take-all states and winner-take-most states to proportional allocation, before the voting.
1
As you know, Joel, changing the rules toward the end of a game, in order to change the outcome, is not fair play.
That would stink to high heaven of the party insiders defying the votes of the party. It is likely that that conspicuous manipulation would split the part asunder.
That would stink to high heaven of the party insiders defying the votes of the party. It is likely that that conspicuous manipulation would split the part asunder.
8
Nothing in this article discusses the difference between closed and open primaries. Where voters who have to identify themselves as Republicans are the only ones allowed to vote, Trump's margins are narrower, and as others concentrate their file on him with more accurate weaponry, such as that displayed by the FoxNews moderators last night, he might find it harder to win.
I do not understand why anyone who is not registered to a party is allowed to vote in that party's primary. (Bernie Sanders gets to escape this because there apparently is no such thing as party registration in Vermont.) When between presidential elections everyone else is off ignoring what is going on, the parties make sure there are people to fill elective office at every level and some people get out to vote for them. I have disdain for those who call themselves "independent," as if that is a sign of higher purpose and nobility. To me it means you are unwilling to get your hands dirty in the business of getting government to work, and are no more engaged than a TV viewer watching a ball game is in playing the game.
I do not understand why anyone who is not registered to a party is allowed to vote in that party's primary. (Bernie Sanders gets to escape this because there apparently is no such thing as party registration in Vermont.) When between presidential elections everyone else is off ignoring what is going on, the parties make sure there are people to fill elective office at every level and some people get out to vote for them. I have disdain for those who call themselves "independent," as if that is a sign of higher purpose and nobility. To me it means you are unwilling to get your hands dirty in the business of getting government to work, and are no more engaged than a TV viewer watching a ball game is in playing the game.
3
Stuart, a lot of independents, like myself, are not registered to a party for many reasons. In the two party system there is a set position for each side for any given issue. If you register to one of the parties, you are effectively saying that you agree with their position on all issues and this is not the case for many.
I am far closer to being a Libertarian than a Republican or Democrat. Unfortunately the only mainstream politicians who identify as Libertarian are either not actually Libertarian or forced to read from the Republican handbook.
Both parties want to spend too much on their own pet programs and both want too much control in the daily lives of citizens. It's not a sense of higher purpose of nobility that keeps me independent. It is a lack of freedom to choose an alternative.
I am far closer to being a Libertarian than a Republican or Democrat. Unfortunately the only mainstream politicians who identify as Libertarian are either not actually Libertarian or forced to read from the Republican handbook.
Both parties want to spend too much on their own pet programs and both want too much control in the daily lives of citizens. It's not a sense of higher purpose of nobility that keeps me independent. It is a lack of freedom to choose an alternative.
6
Stuart, there are now more registered "Independents" than there are "Democrats" or "Republicans". You're in effect saying that you have disdain for what is now the largest bloc of voters in this country. Perhaps you should instead reserve your disdain for both parties for driving millions of ordinary Americans away by encouraging the notion that their agenda is more for the wealthy and the politically connected than for anyone else. (The Democratic Party is just as guilty of this as the Republican Party. I'm still a registered Democrat on a "lesser-of-evils" basis, but I'm reconsidering that.)
5
"He could be denied a majority of delegates if the field narrowed to Mr. Rubio." So the current strategy to force a brokered convention by encouraging all the candidates to stay in the race is likely to backfire on the Republican Establishment. Seems like all their well laid plans keep going to waste. This must feel like a living nightmare form them. They must feel so helpless.
7
I've got $100 that says Trump won't win in Washington regardless of who is left in the race.
I refuse to believe that our Republicans are that stupid.
I refuse to believe that our Republicans are that stupid.
Oh but Ben, they are that stupid.
20
I've worked in WA. Seattle is liberal, other areas are not. They are that stupid, and proud of it.
1
A number of comments have cautioned that because more Republican voters are turning out for the primaries this could spell trouble for the Democrats. First, every state has its own unique primary voting laws. Some allow cross overs - others don't. If you look at N.H., Mass, and Vermont you will more Democratic voters than GOP. These states are reliable Democratic states. When you go to the states that voted on March 1st, there are far more GOP votes than Democratic - The deep South has way more registered Republicans so there should be more GOP votes. In states like Colorado, Virgina and other toss up states local rules govern who can vote. Party totals are closer. But over the years primary turnout does not indicate actual November election results. Once again we have FOX news analysis and its wrong but being spread by the GOP orange juice can brigade,
4
Agreed.
I would add that a more competitive race brings out more voters.
On the Democrats side, the forecast is for Bernie not to be very competitive in most remaining states.
In other words, the lack of theatrics will reduce the number of primary voters for the Democrats.
Hopefully, this will not carry over into the general election, as there will be plenty of theatrics to be had no matter who the Republican nominee is.
I would add that a more competitive race brings out more voters.
On the Democrats side, the forecast is for Bernie not to be very competitive in most remaining states.
In other words, the lack of theatrics will reduce the number of primary voters for the Democrats.
Hopefully, this will not carry over into the general election, as there will be plenty of theatrics to be had no matter who the Republican nominee is.
1
I would say that the large difference is because of the antics of the GOP hopefuls. Having discussions of policy issues is boring, and many are somewhat satisfied, on the Democratic side, with both candidates. On the other hand, when people attack and demean others, it inspires emotional responses in their followers. It is because it is such a clown show that people are turning out. Will the general election also be a clown show? We hope not, and that the candidates are both serious. In the case of the GOP, those hopes seem to be standing on shaky ground.
Projecting by state demographics is little too simplified. There are 632 delegates still to be selected via proportional processes in states, territories, or districts. In addition, 466 of the winner-take-all delegates are to be elected from 159 separate districts (Mostly 3 delegate Congressional districts, but also 8 5-delegate districts in Missouri and 12 1-delegate districts in Wyoming).
Even if you consider delegates elected by delegate name as winner-take-all, there are
Even if you consider delegates elected by delegate name as winner-take-all, there are
I'd say it's a pretty good bet that Trump, if denied the nomination, will walk away from the GOP, taking his band of (merry?) men and women with him. God knows he's been treated like the plague by every VIP in the party. He has no loyalty to them, really, and rightly so. He's the front runner and everyone is trying to blow him up. I can't remember anything like that happening: where the political party tries to shoot down its biggest draw.
Wait! I think I just had a glimpse of the Mittster off in the wings? (I could be wrong but....)
Wait! I think I just had a glimpse of the Mittster off in the wings? (I could be wrong but....)
8
Good thing that Mr. Trump signed the RNC loyalty pledge that he wouldn’t run as a third party candidate if he doesn't get enough votes to be the Party nominee. As long as the Republican Party overtly blocks him from getting enough votes in a democratic society they're good, right? What could possibly go wrong?
7
Trump will say he never made the promise, despite video proof that he did. Just what do we expect The Donald "not" to do? Donald, First Class Vocal Contortionist. First Class Deceiver.
8
A person with a "dry" sense of humor often says funny things with a serious, calm expression. They don't smile, laugh, or make silly faces. Some people really like a dry sense of humor; other people don't understand it very well. it can be either positive or negative to say that someone has a "dry" sense of humor.
Ref. http://www.phrasemix.com/phrases/a-dry-sense-of-humor--2
Ref. http://www.phrasemix.com/phrases/a-dry-sense-of-humor--2
Trump has already indicated that he might not abide by it. He has said that there was supposed to be an agreement, which the RNC has breached, that they would "play fair" and not take sides. He claims that they have breached that agreement, and therefore he does not feel bound by it.
Today's political news theme is apparently about math, and how Republicans are so bad at making their numbers work. As the column pointed out, the "swamp Trump" method to deny him the nomination is based on shaky delegate math, and then there is the little math problem in the budget that they are struggling with as well. The party of, by and for the stupid.
7
The big question now appears to be, what happens when Trump does secure the necessary delegates to be nominated? From the rhetoric of just the past few days alone it appears there is a strong push in the Republican party to oppose him, no matter what. Even if they don't; even in a wildly optimistic world where 100% of the GOP falls in line behind him, it will be an uphill battle to get Trump into the white house. I don't see him succeeding against Hillary in a general election, given recent and historic polls and the fact that he has yet to secure -in any election- a simple majority (49% in Mass. is his closest with most in the 30-40% range). On the other hand, if the GOP splinters and backs multiple candidates, which seems likely, his chances fall to less than nil. Even Bernie Sanders would likely have little difficulty overcoming a divided GOP in November and for Hillary it would be a cakewalk. All good news in my opinion, no matter which way the Democratic convention goes.
19
Actually, Bernie Sanders polls better against all Republican candidates than Hillary...
Looks like a bad split in bridge. Cruz has the oil donors (TX, OK, AK) and Rubio has, I don't know what, a few wealthy individuals? Looks like trying a no-Trump bid of any kind will give the hand to the Democrats. They don't have great cards either, but the Republicans are partners at war with each other.
2
Why is the Times wasting itself and us on horse race fantasizing, however number laden? It's an inside journalistic obsession that takes up space and money that needs devoting to what is. News is what has happened. This kind of mindless-of-human life babble serves no one but the bright and self occupied bunch that spends its life in rooms.
16
Actually it fulfills another purpose of a newspaper, it's fun and entertaining to read. Also is new is what has happened, do you read weather forecasts?
:)
:)
10
For the so-called Republican Establishment who hopes to derail Trump, a contested convention may sound like a good way to resolve the current campaign; however, it presents more problems than it may solve. First, which non-Trump candidate is going to be asked to step aside for the party. Cruz is disliked by the party, so unless he is offered the Vice Presidential slot, why would he trust establishment figures to make good on any promise to him. Of course that begs the question of whether a Rubio-Cruz ticket, forged by two people who dislike each other, can actually be a winning formula in the general election. Second, what does the Republican party think will happened if Trump has a delegate lead, but is denied the nomination? It is difficult to imagine that he accepts such an outcome, or that the 35 percent of Republicans who support Trump would be satisfied. Third, will Rubio ultimately conclude that it is inadvisable to be on the ticket this year. Typically, candidates have one shot as the party's standard bearer, and at this time, with a divided Republican party behind any nominee, Rubio may decided to try again in the future once the party has stabilized. Consequently, Republicans may resign themselves to a third democratic administration in a row, while hoping thwart that president's agenda in a Republican controlled Congress, and then aim to regroup for 2020, with the hope that the country would be unlike to award one party a fourth consecutive term.
2
It seems many groups in this society are really against democracy-if the vote upsets their plans. There has not been any reporter, and or outlet that really tries to explain what Trump's appeal is, instead they must use their waning influence to oppose him. Why? It threatens the system that they are all a part of, and let's face it media in this country is all part of the same system-though for now, they're quite happy to take in the huge ad revenues Trump has generated.
In what the Repubs are offering Trump seems to offer much more possibilities-at least a wild card-than the uncompromising, religious fanatic that is really Cruz,and Rubio, well Rubio seems young, callow, and ambitious, and not ready.
Why are people so upset about Trump? To me George W Bush created far more anxiety as a candidate, and he proved that it was correct as president. Are people's memories so short? Bush, part of a political dynasty, controlled by the establishment and neo-cons, no skills or accomplishments, and clearly stupid, illegally elected.
Trump whatever his current schtick, actually has accomplishments, but most of all is not a professional politician, and that may prove to be a liberating force in our present situation.
In what the Repubs are offering Trump seems to offer much more possibilities-at least a wild card-than the uncompromising, religious fanatic that is really Cruz,and Rubio, well Rubio seems young, callow, and ambitious, and not ready.
Why are people so upset about Trump? To me George W Bush created far more anxiety as a candidate, and he proved that it was correct as president. Are people's memories so short? Bush, part of a political dynasty, controlled by the establishment and neo-cons, no skills or accomplishments, and clearly stupid, illegally elected.
Trump whatever his current schtick, actually has accomplishments, but most of all is not a professional politician, and that may prove to be a liberating force in our present situation.
28
WhyTrump is actually the ultimate Republican candidate. A wealthy tax-cutting, de-regulating plutocrate who is better than any before him in convincing the white voters to blame somebody, anybody else for all their perceived troubles. He is a true blue nativist and to him the flags and the bands and the gutter language are the equivalent of Marie Antoinette's bread and circuses. Keep the plebes entertained, don't let them starve (or in Trump's version, die on the streets), and they will continue to be cannon fodder for industrialists, polluters and small busineses, whose ONLY goal is find an edge not patrolled by a government devoted to protecting the ignorant and helpless and even the hateful.
What's scary is that if he is President, when confronted with a real tough guy with nukes, he will take last night's puerile tactics, just one step farther, and unzip his pants to show his...nukes. Then we can all vanish in a cloud of nuclear fire and he can emerge from the White House bunker and take charge of "re-building" amidst the smokin ruins of the world, Now THAT"S a commercial opportunity for a developer.
What's scary is that if he is President, when confronted with a real tough guy with nukes, he will take last night's puerile tactics, just one step farther, and unzip his pants to show his...nukes. Then we can all vanish in a cloud of nuclear fire and he can emerge from the White House bunker and take charge of "re-building" amidst the smokin ruins of the world, Now THAT"S a commercial opportunity for a developer.
4
If you were as outraged by George Bush-I get it. He and Cheny frightened me 1,000x more than Trump. I don't see an alternative-certainly not from the Repubs. and am I really going to vote for Hilary-more of the same. I'm beginning to think the only card to play is Trump-and see where it goes. He is already moderating-and will continue so. Oh, so worked up by his coarseness at times-yes I thought that inbetween the commercials for erection pills, tampons, catheters, sleeping pills, underwear etc.
2
I agree the GOP going against primary voters wishes presents a serious problem. However Trump's accomplishments are sketchy at best with at least 4 bankruptcies on record. Listening to his shallow comments on the debate stage, at rallies, and on social media Trump's slogan should be making Trump great again as America is already great. I am confident he will fail in a general election.
5
There is nothing "traditional" about any of these candidates. They are all reactionary, and way further to the right than Barry Goldwater, who was an economic Conservative, but a libertarian on social issues. He was also an Episcopalian, not a fundamentalist like Crux and Rubio.
There is so much hatred in these candidates that they spew hatred at each other, but they will "forget" it when there is a nominee. It doesn't bother them to switch positions.
There is so much hatred in these candidates that they spew hatred at each other, but they will "forget" it when there is a nominee. It doesn't bother them to switch positions.
37
I wrote in the comments section to an article several weeks ago that the Republican establishment was running out of time to stop Trump and Cruz, and that if the establishment didn't unite around a single candidate by the end of February, then it was likely that Trump or Cruz would be the Republican nominee. Well, it's March 4, and the Republican establishment still hasn't united around a single candidate. What I didn't foresee at the time was that Trump would pull away from Cruz like he has (they were neck-and-neck in national polling at the time). The question now for the Republican establishment (barring an unlikely comeback by Rubio to win his home state on March 15) is whether Cruz is so unpalatable to them that they would ultimately accept a Trump nomination, or whether Trump is so unacceptable that they would rally around Cruz (who they detest) to stop Trump. Stay tuned.
6
If Trump is the nominee, then there will be an important change in the race: suddenly Trump too will have a vast amount of donor money, instead of none at all. Does anyone really think they'd want a Democrat instead of Trump?
Hillary will face something new, Trump with a huge budget for media on top of everything he's done to date. She's barely handling the more tame rebellion led by Bernie. Then Republican money will crash in.
This isn't going to be more of the same Trump. It will be Trump with the Republican money machine and PAC's and focus groups to push victory for R's at all costs, even Trump.
Hillary will face something new, Trump with a huge budget for media on top of everything he's done to date. She's barely handling the more tame rebellion led by Bernie. Then Republican money will crash in.
This isn't going to be more of the same Trump. It will be Trump with the Republican money machine and PAC's and focus groups to push victory for R's at all costs, even Trump.
18
All that wasn't helping the establishment before. Why would Trump want it now?
I mean the super pacs. If he took money from them his legitimacy would be in question.
I think as long as he has support of the Republican Party's standard money he should do well in the general.
I mean he would be the only one then to claim not receiving money from a super PAC why Hillary is taking tens of millions.
I mean the super pacs. If he took money from them his legitimacy would be in question.
I think as long as he has support of the Republican Party's standard money he should do well in the general.
I mean he would be the only one then to claim not receiving money from a super PAC why Hillary is taking tens of millions.
2
You mistake "wasn't helping" for "wasn't enough."
No amount of money could make Jeb? a good candidate. He would not have been a candidate at all without all that money to start with.
A gusher of money would help Trump, make him an even bigger problem. As for the contradictions, he is large, he contains multitudes. (sorry Walt Whitman) This would not be his first contradiction, nor his tenth, and his voters seem to delight in it.
No amount of money could make Jeb? a good candidate. He would not have been a candidate at all without all that money to start with.
A gusher of money would help Trump, make him an even bigger problem. As for the contradictions, he is large, he contains multitudes. (sorry Walt Whitman) This would not be his first contradiction, nor his tenth, and his voters seem to delight in it.
4
WessonSmith, the way the superPac system works, Trump would actually have no mechanism in "refusing" their money.
They can and will spend what they want on the things they want when they want where they want, with or without Trump's cooperation (in fact, cooperation would actually be illegal).
They can and will spend what they want on the things they want when they want where they want, with or without Trump's cooperation (in fact, cooperation would actually be illegal).
Trump will get the delegates needed to take his reality show to the next level and perhaps all the way to the White House. Given Trump's success it should be expected to see the Kardashians and their coterie running in 2020!
11
Trump isn't winning because he's a reality TV star. He's winning because he was(is) saying politically incorrect things that very angry Americans wanted to hear and were thinking.
7
Trump isn't winning because he says bizarre stuff, but because he says just enough real stuff to indicate that he feels the pain of people who feel no one else does.
5
Trump has been a lock for a long time. A long time. The last national CNN poll has him at 49%, Cruz at 15%, Rubio at 14%. That is just a massive lead.
Trump is a street fighter. He beat the best and brightest GOP candidates. 17 of them. He took on the Mainstream Media. He took on Fox News. He took on the Pope.
Trump is a lock. Trump can withstand anything Hillary throws at him. But can she take the onslaught that Trump will unleash? Democrats should look at the Trump success and not react with disdain and dismissal as Hillary does but with respect, with worry and with focus.
Trump is a street fighter. He beat the best and brightest GOP candidates. 17 of them. He took on the Mainstream Media. He took on Fox News. He took on the Pope.
Trump is a lock. Trump can withstand anything Hillary throws at him. But can she take the onslaught that Trump will unleash? Democrats should look at the Trump success and not react with disdain and dismissal as Hillary does but with respect, with worry and with focus.
44
The GOP puppeteers are sore because Trump doesn't dance to their tune. When we voted for Obama, and all before him we didn't get a leader. We got a puppet. Hillary is more of the same. Hillary even dances to the tune of some of the puppeteers pulling the strings of Mitt, McCain, Rubio, et. al.
Trump is a leader. I'll take my chances with a change of U.S. leadership this time. Real hope for real change, not another 8 years of the same old snake oil.
Trump is a leader. I'll take my chances with a change of U.S. leadership this time. Real hope for real change, not another 8 years of the same old snake oil.
3
But he lies, and he knows he is lying.
2
Following the protracted 2012 GOP primary, the RNC instituted a series of election reforms designed to wrap up the nomination process quickly by giving higher shares of delegates to the front runner. The actual voting results are now subservient to some bizarre math which hands victories out disproportionally for the "good" of the Party.
Oh, how the chickens have come home to roost.
The irony of voter suppression backfiring on the Republican Party is just too good to not savor. Following 8 years of bogus voter ID laws designed to keep minorities and the poor away from the polls, let these party leaders cherish the effects of squashing the "one man, one vote" ethos of democracy.
Oh, how the chickens have come home to roost.
The irony of voter suppression backfiring on the Republican Party is just too good to not savor. Following 8 years of bogus voter ID laws designed to keep minorities and the poor away from the polls, let these party leaders cherish the effects of squashing the "one man, one vote" ethos of democracy.
66
"The blood shall be a sign for you, on the houses where you are. And when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and no plague will befall you to destroy you, when I strike the land of Egypt." Exodus 12:13
I've marked my door. Have you?
I've marked my door. Have you?
6
Based on the primaries and caucuses so far, the Donald's and Hilary's doors are marked too!
1
I just heard a few more wishful pundits point out that 60% of the Republican primary voters don't like Trump. They, again, failed to point out that around 75%-85% don't like Rubio. I love the NYT because they are able to show us the simple arithmetic that takes Trump to the nomination.
22
Don't worry. There won't be a smoke-filled room at the Republican Convention where party elders decide who will be their candidate. Trump will easily win a majority of delegates before the Convention. And we can't wait to see him take on Hillary Clinton with his inimitable hold-no-punches style.
6
When are the established political elites of both political parties going to recognize the voting public is tired of being lied to. It has tried the Right and now the Left and both have failed middle-class, working and out of work Americans. Trump is now their choice to see if an independent political force can make a difference. But even if he doesn't, it will be useful to demonstrate the grass root segment of the voting public can and will go elsewhere to get their voices heard.
32
You're so right. When did anyone ever decide that we've had enough hope and change?
Give your Republican politicians a call and tell them to disavor Willard Romney, or they can count on you NOT voting for them in November.
I suggest Pennsylvania voters call Senator Pat Toomey and tell him to disavow Willard Romney and Club for Growth. CfG is attacking the First Amendment by threatening any politician who supports Donald Trump.
Willard Romney and Club for Growth are greater threats to the Republic than David Dukes and the KKK.
I suggest Pennsylvania voters call Senator Pat Toomey and tell him to disavow Willard Romney and Club for Growth. CfG is attacking the First Amendment by threatening any politician who supports Donald Trump.
Willard Romney and Club for Growth are greater threats to the Republic than David Dukes and the KKK.
And the media continues to label him the "mainstream" candidate?