"Republican Party Unravels over Donald Trump"...my foot. A Dictator is what Republicans always wanted. And, they welcome Trump with open arms. He's been with them all along. It's not that they just woke up in 2015, Trump the "Birther" is bringing the KKK, Misogyny, hate, War, and every vile about the Party on top of the table to be respected and promoted by the "entertainer" who suckers the misfits, ill informed, and insecure. It's all one big show.
1
"Make America great again" - in your eyes only! The rest of the world thinks Trump and his utterances need to stay there and the less you have to do with us (the rest of the world) the better - if your isolationist policies will keep you and your armed forces in - all the better
3
From here, Trump has the election just about sewn up. He has gotten this far by being systematically dismissed, mocked and underestimated; dismissed as everything from a charlatan to a hoodlum; mocked as a lightweight and hyper-sensitive, underestimated regarding his visceral connection to voters. Yet he survives. NYT said he would be out by the Fall when financial documents were to be filed. Later, he would be out by Spring when the primaries started. You said Jeb would beat him with his money, Rubio with his charm, and so on.
Yet, here he is; the last man standing. He defeated 17 GOP candidates, many of those with money, connections and experience behind them. He defeated a Republican party who actually threw money into campaigning against him.
He's got one more candidate to beat; just one. Clinton has a scandal surrounding her (real or fictional - what does it matter?) She has high negative ratings, second only to Trump himself. So when are you going to stop scoffing and chuckling and take the man seriously? When he's sworn in? That will be much, much too late.
You have berated the GOP for creating Trump. But it's not only the GOP. People are sick of the entire polical class. Take your pick: wall street bailouts, gerrymandered districts, corporate cash flowing with no disclosure, repeal and replace (with nothing - we all know that), immigration fiascos and wars we never wanted in the first place. The blame can, and should, be spread widely.
Yet, here he is; the last man standing. He defeated 17 GOP candidates, many of those with money, connections and experience behind them. He defeated a Republican party who actually threw money into campaigning against him.
He's got one more candidate to beat; just one. Clinton has a scandal surrounding her (real or fictional - what does it matter?) She has high negative ratings, second only to Trump himself. So when are you going to stop scoffing and chuckling and take the man seriously? When he's sworn in? That will be much, much too late.
You have berated the GOP for creating Trump. But it's not only the GOP. People are sick of the entire polical class. Take your pick: wall street bailouts, gerrymandered districts, corporate cash flowing with no disclosure, repeal and replace (with nothing - we all know that), immigration fiascos and wars we never wanted in the first place. The blame can, and should, be spread widely.
7
What is important about both candidates is the full picture. We all tend to have tunnel vision and look at facts selectively - both Democrats and Republicans do it. But naturally here at the NYT it is the tunnel vision of the Democrats that is most obvious.
We do not much talk about the fact that the Obama-Clinton axis (with Obama a reluctant partner) did much to destabilize Libya and Syria. Gaddafi was lynched, our ambassador was tortured and killed, and neither Trump nor Putin had anything to do with this. It was the Obama administration and NATO.
NATO is paying for its foolishness, the EU may well break up. But Hillary, by contrast, may become the next president.
Trump said long ago that we cannot fight both ISIS and Russia at the same time. But for a long time Obama toed Saudi Arabia's line, "Assad must go."
NOW I see talks between Kerry and the Russians in the news. The US is "working with Russia to maintain the ceasefire."
But our "other candidate", the boorish Trump, was the first to see what was obvious to many of us independents.
Obama almost restarted the cold war which, ahem, Reagan had ended. But Obama has wisely backed off.
Will Clinton restart that cold war? Will she obey Saudi Arabia (where she would not be allowed to drive) and go after Iran?
You tell me!
We do not much talk about the fact that the Obama-Clinton axis (with Obama a reluctant partner) did much to destabilize Libya and Syria. Gaddafi was lynched, our ambassador was tortured and killed, and neither Trump nor Putin had anything to do with this. It was the Obama administration and NATO.
NATO is paying for its foolishness, the EU may well break up. But Hillary, by contrast, may become the next president.
Trump said long ago that we cannot fight both ISIS and Russia at the same time. But for a long time Obama toed Saudi Arabia's line, "Assad must go."
NOW I see talks between Kerry and the Russians in the news. The US is "working with Russia to maintain the ceasefire."
But our "other candidate", the boorish Trump, was the first to see what was obvious to many of us independents.
Obama almost restarted the cold war which, ahem, Reagan had ended. But Obama has wisely backed off.
Will Clinton restart that cold war? Will she obey Saudi Arabia (where she would not be allowed to drive) and go after Iran?
You tell me!
3
We keep talking about how Trump is the logical conclusion of the Republican establishment's actions. The problem with that message is that it implies that these problems are isolated to the Republican party, or even that there is a substantive difference between that party and the surrounding leadership contingent. To believe either is to exhibit a level of disconnect or avoidance that's hard to imagine.
Ha ha. I remember when Republicans cited Obama's lack of experience in government as a reason NOT to vote for him.
4
Ben Groetsch, it appears you are talking about the Democratic Party. Perhaps you just came out of a coma you were in for the last 8 years. Blue collar workers have been struggling for the last 8 years. The Bankers and Wall streeters have been getting richer and paying Hillary $500,000.00 per speech. Seniors that have saved all there lives are getting .25 percent on there savings, which is not enough to pay there electric bills. Couples trying to raise a family can't find a job that pays enough to survive on. Heroin is running amok and killing thousands, most coming from our unprotected borders of Mexico. We have mentally challenged on the far left and bible thumping gutless on the far right. Nobody needs to control Trump, if he gets elected it will be by moderate on both sides.
By the way while you were in your coma Obama was usually on the golf course are on vacation. He would take some time to rile up a few riots when he should not have even made a comment.
By the way while you were in your coma Obama was usually on the golf course are on vacation. He would take some time to rile up a few riots when he should not have even made a comment.
2
When was the last time the GOP ever championed limited government?
The charade is over. People have had it. The country is run for the benefit of corporations.
The charade is over. People have had it. The country is run for the benefit of corporations.
3
Trump voters woke up and asked themselves just how do capital gains tax cuts, more breaks to estate and corporate taxes, and a GOP working to put more money in the pockets of the wealthy help someone working two jobs, with no savings or health care, and little chance for economic windfall.
5
Despite many developments in the Republican Party over the past few decades---developments that I personally find discouraging---I have remained a registered Republican. In my home state (Oregon), the party has steadily declined in influence from a time when "Rockefeller Republicans" such as our beloved governor Tom McCall and after him Victor Atiyeh as well as moderate, progressive Senators such as Mark Hatfield and Bob Packwood were models of thoughtful, respected leaders. But to listen to Speaker Paul Ryan the other day, it would appear that the current Republican national leadership sees no place in the party for anyone other than "conservatives," as they define them. By such a "litmus test," even Richard Nixon----as others have noted---with, e.g,, his initiative in establishing the Environmental Protection Agency would find no "welcoming open door" in today's Republican party. Speaker Ryan and Republican leaders like him have created a narrow-minded army of rigid, inward-looking thinkers who have no interest or ability to reach out to those outside their "mold." They would evidently rather burn down their own house than offer our country the kinds of alternatives to the Democratic Party that could merit the American people's support. Their narrow vision and vindictive temperament will neither produce nor attract tomorrow's leaders.
23
Oh William....thoughtful and respected?! Before Packwood was expelled from the Senate for ethics violations -by a unanimous committee recommendation no less, he resigned in 1995 and became a highly paid lobbyist.
I am not terribly interested in the internal workings of the Republican machine that has spend the last 30 years grinding towards this end. What does interest me is the caliber of people choosing a career in government. I've lived long enough to remember my first pre-Reagon boss in state government. You could get fired for (1) not backing up your data, or (2) calling shoddy work "good enough for government" work. Back before Reagan's GOP, that could get you fired because back then "if it's good enough for government work, it's the best!" Now, fake civil service is the calling card of the Republican Party and the demonstrably unqualified are on top. How the mighty have fallen.
I want my government back. I want my self-respect back. I want my country back. Take America Back?? Donald Trump wins elective office over my dead ballot.
I want my government back. I want my self-respect back. I want my country back. Take America Back?? Donald Trump wins elective office over my dead ballot.
11
Trump is a bully and clearly he is so narcissistic that is unable to be conciliatory to anyone. He has no policies and stands for little other than himself. The Republican Party brought this one with their nasty mean spirited approach to governing while not showing an ounce of compassion for the millions of Americans struggling economically. Contrast this with the caring campaign of the new Canadian Prime Minister who is more popular than ever.
16
So how are career or establishment politicians are created?
Voters vote for them.
I'm getting quite tired of listening to the disconnect between people and their votes or non-votes for that matter.
Please get involved in local, state or federal elections and government.
Voters vote for them.
I'm getting quite tired of listening to the disconnect between people and their votes or non-votes for that matter.
Please get involved in local, state or federal elections and government.
4
Please stop giving him nonstop press. Where is your press for Bernie or even Hilary?
4
The Republican Party is run by a bunch of hateful, vile, public servant billionaires who could care less about the poor falling on hard times or the blue collar worker struggling in this economy. Good thing Trump propelled his way to the party nomination come summer. The GOP needs a serious wake up call: you cannot simply ignore the 99 percent working majority that is totally at odds to your out of touch, fantasy conservative ideology which is not based on objective facts or realities. Trickle down economic theories have never worked. Neither is giving tax breaks to the rich, welfare to work programs, shady free trade deals in favor to corporations, cutting back on Social Security and Medicare benefits, limited government intervention, or getting us into two unfunded war overseas so that private military contractors can get a welfare check from the government while army vets are treated like tramps on the streets of America.
If anything that we learn about Trump's rise in this Presidential race, its because he press the right buttons on people's anxieties and says the right words to describe a situation that ordinary Americans are facing right now. And yet, the GOP establishment is having a total emotional meltdown over the fact that they cannot control Trump because he takes positions that are attractive to both the left and right in America, and out of the K-Street circle. So be it Republicans! You created this mess!
If anything that we learn about Trump's rise in this Presidential race, its because he press the right buttons on people's anxieties and says the right words to describe a situation that ordinary Americans are facing right now. And yet, the GOP establishment is having a total emotional meltdown over the fact that they cannot control Trump because he takes positions that are attractive to both the left and right in America, and out of the K-Street circle. So be it Republicans! You created this mess!
21
The democratic party is next and they know it. That leadership is also out of touch with its constituency, as Bernie demonstrated
3
I am pleased that some of the national Republican party leaders are putting country over politics and refusing to endorse Donald Trumps candidacy. It would be embarrassing for our nation to have a President who insulted the Pope, African Americans, Hispanics, his opponents, the disabled and many others. I wonder if Republican State Legislators, County Executives, Mayors in NYS will follow their lead. It would be interesting if the Times would interview lower ranking GOP elected officials to see if they are also going to refuse to associate themselves with a candidate who is an international embarrassment. PAUL FEINER, Greenburgh
9
The real danger with Trump isn't his incomprehensible straight from the back of a cereal box policies, as presidents are largely powerless without the support of the legislature. The real danger of Trump is that he could turn out to be the same sort of catalyst as those that destroyed the Roman republic and the Weimar republic.
There is a surfeit of self-entitled 'we know best' wannabe dictators at the top of the US military chain of command and it isn't difficult to imagine a cabal of those creatures deciding that a bombastic Prez Trump's actions (particularly those directed at reducing the military budget) are so egregious that they need to destroy the republic in order to save it.
There is a surfeit of self-entitled 'we know best' wannabe dictators at the top of the US military chain of command and it isn't difficult to imagine a cabal of those creatures deciding that a bombastic Prez Trump's actions (particularly those directed at reducing the military budget) are so egregious that they need to destroy the republic in order to save it.
7
Without the support of the legislature, President Trump can still cause a lot of damage with his executive orders while he is in office.
1
The GOP thought that President Obama was bad for the country. A Trump presidency would be so laughable that foreign leaders would think our election was a made for TV movie or a reality TV show. I guess Trump's Celebrity Apprentice was his audition tape for the White House. Reminds me of that line from the movie Frankenstein; "He[Trump] is alive!"
6
The self anointed Republican leadership welcomed the "tea Party" into their ranks, has no problem with subverting our constitution, destroying our nation, but are they willing to strap on a bomb and self destruct?
8
I sure hope so.
2
Perhaps the simplest explanation of trump's rise is that the republican establishment has been playing its base for fools and that the base finally got tired of it.
6
The base thought Trump was self-funding.
I'd say they got played for fools once again.
I'd say they got played for fools once again.
3
I am female and I am going to vote for Trump even though I find him offensive and brash. Why? I feel that Hillary does not present policies that will benefit my family. Plus, I cannot help but feel a slight twinge of satisfaction every time Trump wins against the "Establishment". For example, they made the candidates sign a pledge to support the eventual nominee as a way of preventing Trump from running as an independent, since they thought in their own pretentious way, that there was no way that he could win the nomination. And now, many of the candidates have been very slow to voice their support of Trump even though they signed the Pledge. I just love it when someone beats "The Man".
9
That all sounds like a real good reason to hand the reins to Trump and give him the opportunity to appoint a couple of Supreme Court justices, empty the Treasury, bluster his way into a war or two when a foreign leader says something he doesn't like, etc. etc.
I'm so relieved that we have thoughtful people like you voting.
I'm so relieved that we have thoughtful people like you voting.
22
Please. Just don't vote if you don't support Hillary. But a vote for Trump is a vote for a leader who has no respect for others, who lies without any sense of shame, and doesn't have a clue how to achieve what he so confidently proclaims he can.
4
Now that Ted Cruz is out the only thing less palatable as President than Donald Trump is Hillary Rodham Clinton.
Watching the Republicans melt down is nice, but the feckless Democratic Party is close to nominating someone more Right Wing than any elected Democratic President in modern times. Hillary is for the Banksters, for Wall Street, for the National Security State, for the professional warmongers that populate the right wing noise machine, for big oil and agInst anything that resembles the party of Franklin Roosevelt, Harry Truman or JFK.
The institutional Democratic Party in the form of Super Delegates and State Chairs has made it plain all along that voters could have any candidate they want as long as it is Hillary. That flies in the face of not just very young voters, but of voters under the age of 45- the very people who are the future of the Party and those who will be most impacted by policy. The message is we are going to coronate Hillary come Hell or high water.
I'm with Ms Sarandon. If Trump is the price of keeping Hillary out of the White House then so be it. I will not vote for him, but I will not vote, contribute or lift a finger for Evita. It will be quite entertaining to watch the Republicans in Congress try to get anything done with the Donald in command. At least we will not be starting any more wars or signing the TPP, TTIP and TISA.
Nominate Hillary and get President Trump.
Watching the Republicans melt down is nice, but the feckless Democratic Party is close to nominating someone more Right Wing than any elected Democratic President in modern times. Hillary is for the Banksters, for Wall Street, for the National Security State, for the professional warmongers that populate the right wing noise machine, for big oil and agInst anything that resembles the party of Franklin Roosevelt, Harry Truman or JFK.
The institutional Democratic Party in the form of Super Delegates and State Chairs has made it plain all along that voters could have any candidate they want as long as it is Hillary. That flies in the face of not just very young voters, but of voters under the age of 45- the very people who are the future of the Party and those who will be most impacted by policy. The message is we are going to coronate Hillary come Hell or high water.
I'm with Ms Sarandon. If Trump is the price of keeping Hillary out of the White House then so be it. I will not vote for him, but I will not vote, contribute or lift a finger for Evita. It will be quite entertaining to watch the Republicans in Congress try to get anything done with the Donald in command. At least we will not be starting any more wars or signing the TPP, TTIP and TISA.
Nominate Hillary and get President Trump.
5
"The GOP is crooked and corrupt"
- Donald J Trump
I can't vote for a party that admits to being crooked. If Trump wins the Democratic nomination, I will vote for him.
Perhaps since he's soooo liberal according to you, the leftist super delegates will install him by diktat.
- Donald J Trump
I can't vote for a party that admits to being crooked. If Trump wins the Democratic nomination, I will vote for him.
Perhaps since he's soooo liberal according to you, the leftist super delegates will install him by diktat.
There are times where you have to take a stand even if it means that you might have to fight.
Are you be against our fighting ISIS.
Would you be OK with them winning.
Obama who as you know was against the Iraq war has our air force FIGHTING THEM.
Is he wrong.
Sanders is wrong to think ISIS can be defeated without the USA being in charge and therefore Hillary Clinton would be correct to disagree with him
This would not make her a war monger.
It would make her correct.
Sanders is wrong to be against the bankers as if they are the enemy.
They help more than they hurt our economy and therefore they should be supported most of the time.
Sanders doesn't care.
He isn't against them because they did the wrong thing.
He would be against them even if they did nothing wrong.
Hillary knows this and is not wrong to support them.
I don't see how she does not resemble JFK,FDR or H.T.
FDR got us into the second World War.
Harry Truman got us unto the Korean War and JFK got us into the Vietnam War.
You should support Hillary if you are really against Trump.
Are you be against our fighting ISIS.
Would you be OK with them winning.
Obama who as you know was against the Iraq war has our air force FIGHTING THEM.
Is he wrong.
Sanders is wrong to think ISIS can be defeated without the USA being in charge and therefore Hillary Clinton would be correct to disagree with him
This would not make her a war monger.
It would make her correct.
Sanders is wrong to be against the bankers as if they are the enemy.
They help more than they hurt our economy and therefore they should be supported most of the time.
Sanders doesn't care.
He isn't against them because they did the wrong thing.
He would be against them even if they did nothing wrong.
Hillary knows this and is not wrong to support them.
I don't see how she does not resemble JFK,FDR or H.T.
FDR got us into the second World War.
Harry Truman got us unto the Korean War and JFK got us into the Vietnam War.
You should support Hillary if you are really against Trump.
1
Repub Elites Have Reaped What They Hath Sewn.
3
Who knew they were good at sewing?
The New York Times is hyperventilating over the meaning of Trump and death of the GOP. Calm down. Even if Hillary herself manages not to implode over emails or something else not yet known, she will be elected not because she has demonstrated she is anything special (to the contrary), rather that simply she was the least worst.
4
I look forward to the next 8-16 years of a Democratic President in the White House. Next, we get Congress and continue to improve America after all these years of Republican Presidents and Congress. America is going through a rebirth starting with the Obama years. Hillary/Bernie 2016
11
"Hostile takeover"? What a laugh.
Let's not forget that it was Newt Gingrich who specifically encouraged the GOP to describe Democrats as "traitors" (among other terms) back in the 1990s. (Don't think so? Search for "Language: A Key Mechanism of Control" and read Gingrich's advice to GOP incumbents/candidates.) Almost all those who fanned the flames of birtherism and racism against Obama...were mainstream Republicans. All those who spread intentional falsehoods designed to whip up the fearful and ignorant (like the forged ACORN videos, the forged Planned Parenthood videos, the lies about 'abortion causes breast cancer'...need I go on?) were mainstream Republicans. Those who have been blockading our government in almost every way for the last seven-plus years...were mainstream Republicans. Those who fed and nurtured the Tea Party (go see where the Tea Party groups got their seed money)...were mainstream Republicans. Those who stayed silent when criminals like Cliven Bundy defied the law, or (worse yet) praised him as some sort of hero...were mainstream Republicans. The folks spreading fear and hatred against Muslims, Hispanics, immigrants in general...were mainstream Republicans.
In other words....THEY BUILT THIS. It doesn't take a genius to see that what "establishment" Republicans have been saying for years is what Trump is saying today; he just says it in (usually) plainer language.
It's a shame that the media won't draw THAT particular set of lines.
Let's not forget that it was Newt Gingrich who specifically encouraged the GOP to describe Democrats as "traitors" (among other terms) back in the 1990s. (Don't think so? Search for "Language: A Key Mechanism of Control" and read Gingrich's advice to GOP incumbents/candidates.) Almost all those who fanned the flames of birtherism and racism against Obama...were mainstream Republicans. All those who spread intentional falsehoods designed to whip up the fearful and ignorant (like the forged ACORN videos, the forged Planned Parenthood videos, the lies about 'abortion causes breast cancer'...need I go on?) were mainstream Republicans. Those who have been blockading our government in almost every way for the last seven-plus years...were mainstream Republicans. Those who fed and nurtured the Tea Party (go see where the Tea Party groups got their seed money)...were mainstream Republicans. Those who stayed silent when criminals like Cliven Bundy defied the law, or (worse yet) praised him as some sort of hero...were mainstream Republicans. The folks spreading fear and hatred against Muslims, Hispanics, immigrants in general...were mainstream Republicans.
In other words....THEY BUILT THIS. It doesn't take a genius to see that what "establishment" Republicans have been saying for years is what Trump is saying today; he just says it in (usually) plainer language.
It's a shame that the media won't draw THAT particular set of lines.
61
Republicans have a choice to make. If they really hate what Trump stands for, they should not endorse him. If he gets elected, they should treat him the way they treated Obama, stonewalling his agenda at every turn. That could restore some of their credibility, because they would be walking the walk, not just talking the talk.
However, based on the last eight years, I have a feeling that Republican misgivings about Trump are just hollow posturing and sour grapes, soon to be replaced with an orgy of kowtowing and competition for the V.P. spot.
However, based on the last eight years, I have a feeling that Republican misgivings about Trump are just hollow posturing and sour grapes, soon to be replaced with an orgy of kowtowing and competition for the V.P. spot.
14
There will be no Republican party nominee. The Trump party candidate is Donald Trump. He just used the Republican party as a mechanism to get on the ballot.
5
Much as I despise Mr. Trump, this was not a hostile takeover. He is the GOP nominee because he won the most votes and delegates.
11
I can't bear another six months of this and am teetering on wanting a stiff drink. If only all politics could take off weekends (sigh).
4
Oh people.
Can we please stop being so angry at and patronizing to each other on these comment boards that we frequent?
No matter how much is at stake?
Can we please stop being so angry at and patronizing to each other on these comment boards that we frequent?
No matter how much is at stake?
2
The orange haired monkey, currently favored to be the Repub nominee, was labelled as the "Short Fingered Vulgarian" decades ago.
It appears that the Vulgarian appellation is now more appropriate than ever.....
It appears that the Vulgarian appellation is now more appropriate than ever.....
3
So Bernie will not run as an independent in case he is dubbed a "spoiler" and the losing Republicans won't form a new party? This rigid classification will be the death knell of a already stupid election system and the loss of a candidate really supported by the voters
2
There are quite a few states with "sore loser" laws that prevent primary losers from running in general elections. In some cases, the laws might be challenged for Presidential elections, but the combination of "sore loser" laws and the general requirements for getting onto state ballots (quite a few states have already passed their deadlines for ballot access) make it unlikely that any of the primary candidates--GOP or Democratic--will make third-party or independent runs.
1
One of the things I love about Trump is he is not an ideologue A little from column A, a little from B
4
And from both columns all at once, and the opposite.
You like that ?
You like that ?
Since the NY Times is totally in the tank for Clinton, this article is just a bashfest of Trump to distract from the crimes of Hillary. No credibility here Times.
6
Well, she didn't get THAT many people killed! The spookiest is her telling Ambassador Stevens that she would ''do anything'' for him.
Except cancel the stand-down order, Hillary? Did it interfere with your grabbing a couple of billion in slush money?
Except cancel the stand-down order, Hillary? Did it interfere with your grabbing a couple of billion in slush money?
5
I keep seeing similar headlines, pronouncing the demise of the GOP or, at the very least, dire internal turmoil. But I have a hard time believing it. If it is true, then it's only temporary, because in 4 or 5 months, when the GOP has had enough time to get comfortable with the idea of a Trump presidency, the entire GOP will come around and stand behind Trump and support his vision and agenda 100%. Trump and his supporters are what the GOP is at heart.
4
It's all really simple..... What we have just witnessed is the people
rising to take control of our country back. True, Trump is not a solid
conservative by any stretch. But we have repeatedly voted for and have elected conservative majorities in both houses and those conservatives turned on us –giving Obama EVERYTHING he wants. They have not stood up and delivered the conservative principles we for which we put them into power.
So we have decided to elect someone who is NOT a politician. He says he is
going to restore this country to vitality and hopefully he will. He says he
will build a wall, deport illegals, and stop musIim immigration until they are
FULLY vetted. He says he will reverse the Manufacturing decline in the U.S.
which is key to our nation's economic health. If he doesn’t he will have been
no worse than Hillary…certainly no worse than Obama..
We will re-write the rules, kick out the RINOs, then install trusted
conservatives back into positions of power. That is the long term 20+ year
strategy here. Trump is the first move in the game. If he doesn’t take the
White House, then we are all finished as a country, a culture and a people.
Hillary will quickly see to that.
VOTE FOR TRUMP – there is no other choice anymore except left-wing suicide for our country
rising to take control of our country back. True, Trump is not a solid
conservative by any stretch. But we have repeatedly voted for and have elected conservative majorities in both houses and those conservatives turned on us –giving Obama EVERYTHING he wants. They have not stood up and delivered the conservative principles we for which we put them into power.
So we have decided to elect someone who is NOT a politician. He says he is
going to restore this country to vitality and hopefully he will. He says he
will build a wall, deport illegals, and stop musIim immigration until they are
FULLY vetted. He says he will reverse the Manufacturing decline in the U.S.
which is key to our nation's economic health. If he doesn’t he will have been
no worse than Hillary…certainly no worse than Obama..
We will re-write the rules, kick out the RINOs, then install trusted
conservatives back into positions of power. That is the long term 20+ year
strategy here. Trump is the first move in the game. If he doesn’t take the
White House, then we are all finished as a country, a culture and a people.
Hillary will quickly see to that.
VOTE FOR TRUMP – there is no other choice anymore except left-wing suicide for our country
2
"Giving Obama everything he wants"? You're kidding, right?
* Most filibusters of any Congress in history
* Fewer judicial appointments confirmed than any two-term President since Eisenhower
* least productive terms of Congress in history (in terms of actually, you know, passing legislation)
What, exactly, did they "give" Obama?
* Most filibusters of any Congress in history
* Fewer judicial appointments confirmed than any two-term President since Eisenhower
* least productive terms of Congress in history (in terms of actually, you know, passing legislation)
What, exactly, did they "give" Obama?
12
Is it a hostile takeover when you invite a pack of ill-trained pit bulls into your living room and then you get mauled? Not so much.
As the auto jingle goes. ..You asked for it - You got it.
As the auto jingle goes. ..You asked for it - You got it.
8
E.,
had we known what awaited us from the dismal Obama presidency, would we have asked for that?
had we known what awaited us from the dismal Obama presidency, would we have asked for that?
1
Guess you were better off in 2008 when Obama took over the well running machine that W left him.
2
There is nothing stated by Donald Trump that cannot be or has not been reversed. Thus, the way he deals with reality-based opposition is to make any accusation, any smear, any lie because he can abandon it without being held to account either by his supporters or by the press. We cannot enlighten the former but we can demand journalism from the latter.
11
This is the most perceptive analysis of the "Trump phenomenon" I have read or heard anywhere to date. Brilliant!
2
Read this from beginning to end and am wondering why the authors thought they could describe Trump's candidacy without using words like "deluded," "deranged," "willfully ignorant" or "incompetent." It may seem more journalistically dignified to use words like "protectionism" or "atavistic nationalism," but it does the country no service to omit the fact that Mr. Trump is radically unfit for the Presidency.
And, personally, I am frustrated by references to polls that claim a majority of Americans feel the country is going in the wrong direction. Those polls almost never disaggregate responses by those who think the nation is moving too far to the liberal progressive Left and those (like me) who worry that it is being taken too far to the bigoted reactionary Right. It matters.
And, personally, I am frustrated by references to polls that claim a majority of Americans feel the country is going in the wrong direction. Those polls almost never disaggregate responses by those who think the nation is moving too far to the liberal progressive Left and those (like me) who worry that it is being taken too far to the bigoted reactionary Right. It matters.
19
I'm enjoying the Republicans self destructing, and look forward to the anti-democratic Dems doing the same thing soon. The two totally corrupt major corporate owned parties are dinosaurs. Time for them to both fade away, and the sooner the better.
5
The "party elite" were perfectly happy with these voters and the majority they gave them until they jumped the fence to trump---and the elite played them like a drum without giving them anything they wanted or needed while the elite rewarded themselves...
5
FYI. Trump's wall and Illegal immigration policy will be a national identity biometric computer chip card for all citizens without which an employer will risk serious jail time and high fines to hire you and you cannot receive any social services. No one will come here illegally and the 11 million illegals will self-deport on free government air transports. Thus the camel's nose of fascism pokes into our nation's democratic tent.
1
I am as blue as they come, but this debacle frightens me. Who told Trump that his "constituents" control the party? Why does he believe that he can threaten the Speaker of the House? Why does he have no respect for the party that he supposedly represents? Yes, he inherited the party. He should know the meaning of that word well.
As Democrats, we should be outraged by this bully's behavior. If all of the plates in the world shift simultaneously, and he becomes president, we will have this bully verbally abusing everyone.
World War III will not be far behind.
I' m afraid. I'm very afraid.
As Democrats, we should be outraged by this bully's behavior. If all of the plates in the world shift simultaneously, and he becomes president, we will have this bully verbally abusing everyone.
World War III will not be far behind.
I' m afraid. I'm very afraid.
17
The de-evolution will be televised
8
. . . only because the ratings bear an excellent revenue stream.
3
Trump who has been on a winning spree so far, is likely to lose ingloriously. However neither GOP can not afford to ignore the message their voters have delivered; that they are hurting; hurting bad; and were willing to even foist a bad option.
The irrational commitment on tax cut probably ran the GOP establishment aground. This hopefully shall lead to their support for rational economic policies and policies to avoid climate degradation. Hopefully they will now listen to scientists and economists.
Hopefully they will now support rebuild of crumbling infrastructure; better economic security for the elderly, affordable college education; and other hot button items which the wingers of both parties raised to energize voters so successfully, even while they never outlined any pragmatic policy framework to deliver those.
The irrational commitment on tax cut probably ran the GOP establishment aground. This hopefully shall lead to their support for rational economic policies and policies to avoid climate degradation. Hopefully they will now listen to scientists and economists.
Hopefully they will now support rebuild of crumbling infrastructure; better economic security for the elderly, affordable college education; and other hot button items which the wingers of both parties raised to energize voters so successfully, even while they never outlined any pragmatic policy framework to deliver those.
4
"Excuse me, excuse me, but that FDR was terrible .. I'm sorry, but it's true. And don't be fooled by the pictures .. He was a cripple, weak .. it was disgusting. And Lincoln, such low energy I don't know how he got out of bed. And look at that face .. would you vote for that? The wrinkles are disgusting .. how'd they carve that in Mt Rushmore? Never mind, doesn't matter, I'm gonna make the State of this Union so great, it's unbelievable how great I'm gonna make it. You'll say, 'please Mr. Trump, we can't take any more of this greatness' ...
(This was supposed to be with my comment "Imagine a State of the Union address by Donald Trump")
(This was supposed to be with my comment "Imagine a State of the Union address by Donald Trump")
19
Ugggh, enough already. It's the same story over and over again. If the Times and other so-called reputable media outlets devoted this much energy to real issues that impact Americans we could have wiped-out poverty and found the cure for cancer. I expect this garbage from The New York Daily News, not the New York Times. The free press has a civic obligation to cover the news, not sensationalize it.
9
Thank goodness at least one other person feels like I do. NYT has done a poor
job as the supposed "Paper of Record."!
job as the supposed "Paper of Record."!
3
Bottom line here is that, like him or not, Trump will be the Republican candidate for president. To all the RINO's, Democrats in Disguise, and Trump haters...It is either Trump, or, heaven help us all, Clinton. Suck it up, unless you want Clinton to really sink the country. All the nonsense by Ryan, Bush, Romney, Cruz, and McCain does nothing to support the Republican Party. If these clowns cannot support Trump, they are effectively supporting Clinton. It is the Republican election to loose, and these guys are doing their best to throw it to the Democrats.
4
Or Trump is so bad our leaders in the GOP can not in good conscience support him.
5
Donald Trump, proving himself to be the greatest dealmaker ever, will sell out his hostile takeover bid of the Republican Presidential candidacy at the brokered Republican convention for $5 billion to the conservative Republican cabal.
1
I don't really like Trump, but there is one thing I sort of respect about him. He speaks his mind. Probably too much, and whatever happens to be running through it at the moment, but he speaks his unfiltered thoughts to his supporters.
The Republican party has run for far too by lying to its base, inflaming therm with wedge politics, and then going about serving their wealthy masters to the detriment of all others. This only works when everyone stays on message. Trump is going to be like a pipe bomb wakeup call to this party, and that's good. They are long overdue.
The Republican party has run for far too by lying to its base, inflaming therm with wedge politics, and then going about serving their wealthy masters to the detriment of all others. This only works when everyone stays on message. Trump is going to be like a pipe bomb wakeup call to this party, and that's good. They are long overdue.
9
Trump's campaign was built on the fact that he was self-funding.
He wasn't self funding, but somehow the other guys were lying to their base.
He wasn't self funding, but somehow the other guys were lying to their base.
I search the front page for Trump, get 14 returns. Search Clinton, get 1. Can you people knock it off already? If you're looking for clickbait, know that I will never again click onto any article with Trump in the headline. I trust I'm not alone.
12
I only click on the ones with comment boards so I can play "spot the phony"
The other Trump articles are propaganda, probably written by the man himself.
The other Trump articles are propaganda, probably written by the man himself.
The Republican Party hasn't unraveled because Trump won the Primary vote. Trump won the primary vote because the Republican Party has unraveled! Ask John Boehner how solid the Republicans were when he needed them! Right now the Supreme Court of the United States sits with one empty seat because the current Republican Party power structure refuses to even vote on the nomination of a man who has ample credentials to warrant a nomination. They refuse to abide by the law that the President nominates the candidate and the House's responsibility is to make sure he is qualified. Their refusal to act is an insult to the President and the American people. Donald Trump didn't get the nomination by winning a log shot bet at one of his casinos. He won it on the votes of registered Republicans who HATE what the sitting Republicans have done or Not done. His personal flaws are certainly no worse than those of the Kennedys or Clintons who have held, or aspire to, high office. Every time an 'elite-entrenched' Republican criticizes Trump it is a big plus for his campaign. Bush won't endorse? Plus Tick! Romney insults? Plus Tick! McCain? Ryan? Lindsey Graham? Up go the Trump numbers!! Everybody hates these people! So, Trump will face Hillary Clinton.. The more old line pols that say they don't like Trump the stronger he will get.
Now that it is one vs one, it is likely people will sense he can win and come out to vote for him. Clinton has already gotten the blood from that stone.
Now that it is one vs one, it is likely people will sense he can win and come out to vote for him. Clinton has already gotten the blood from that stone.
8
Short answer, Trump ain't the problem he is just the catalyst.
Republicans, you burn't down your own house.
Republicans, you burn't down your own house.
4
The American people are tired of the political establishment. The career politicians have failed them. That's why Republicans are going to nominate someone who'd be a better fit for 1933 Germany. But before the Democratic establishment get too happy about watching the GOP implode and eat its own, they'd better consider this: There's nothing that says they're not next.
12
As horrifying as the idea of a President Trump is to me, I am relishing the fact that all the career politicians who live insulated in their bubble world far removed from the problems and worries faced by average people, are now facing a realization that we peasants are reaching the end of our patience with the status quo. If the Dems think that electing Hillary will calm the anger they can take their overpriced, deductible ridden Obamacare and shove it.
3
It is painfully clear that the old school politicians of BOTH parties just plain don't understand that tidal waves are equal opportunity. America has been run into the ditch pandering to the 1%ers. Jobs moved overseas, continuous wars, smoke and mirrors, trade deals that benefit foreign corporations, and what feels like a giant middle finger to regular folks. Yes, the Dems are next.
3
Wrong.
You may be tired of adults who lead, most Americans aren't.
Obama has an above water approval rating, the GOP Congress is at about 12%
Americans are tired of the GOP led Congress. Don't try to lay your stink on the adults trying to get things done.
You may be tired of adults who lead, most Americans aren't.
Obama has an above water approval rating, the GOP Congress is at about 12%
Americans are tired of the GOP led Congress. Don't try to lay your stink on the adults trying to get things done.
3
Conservatives have been trying to destroy this country since the "chosen one" won in 1980
Yes, Ronald Reagan, "the actor".
Donald Trump would be well served to run as Republican, not as a "conservative"
Yes, Ronald Reagan, "the actor".
Donald Trump would be well served to run as Republican, not as a "conservative"
5
Those who don't know history are doomed to repeat it ― Edmund Burke
5
History repeats because people repeat their knowledge of history- Patrick
1
the gop has for years run against social security, for sacrificing our security at Israel's beck and call, and for the violation of civil liberties in the name of religion. their unraveling is good for the nation, even if it comes at the hands of a tv celebrity.
7
If Hillary wins, there will always be an asterisk. *Was running against Donald Trump.
5
This whole thing is awesome because we now have shown the failure of the American system in final form. Candidates who are not popular and a system that has failed. I have believed for years that the US needs to evolve to a parliamentarian system as the 2 party system is a dealocked stalemate. Basically America has polarized itself among gender, race, urban /subrurban and even the media.
This whole thing is a necessary step to self healing. The USA is forcing people to leave the country due to horrible tax policy, a society of makers and takers. Time to take it back with a more diverse and distributed electorate that will work in coalition format rather than straight down party lines.
It would also help to eliminate public funding of elections, establish term limits, and rid yourself of the "Professional" politicians. Those you are in only a short time tyend to try to get things done, rather than constant campaign mode.
Also lets get the best and brightestn running again ala Lincoln, Washington, FDR, Reagan, Eisenhower, Kennedy etc. Not these current pack of stiffs.
This whole thing is a necessary step to self healing. The USA is forcing people to leave the country due to horrible tax policy, a society of makers and takers. Time to take it back with a more diverse and distributed electorate that will work in coalition format rather than straight down party lines.
It would also help to eliminate public funding of elections, establish term limits, and rid yourself of the "Professional" politicians. Those you are in only a short time tyend to try to get things done, rather than constant campaign mode.
Also lets get the best and brightestn running again ala Lincoln, Washington, FDR, Reagan, Eisenhower, Kennedy etc. Not these current pack of stiffs.
1
Putting FDR and Reagan on your list is astounding.
1
Saint Ronnie was neither the best nor the brightest. He was OVERRATED.
7
Reagan was a stiff and he did it by setting in motion all the things that are wrong with the country today especially the current crumbling Republican Party.
5
"Leading republicans...." Leading ? Surely the Trumpets are leading while those old and decaying have successively ruined the whole. A promise to make a president one term; a policy of no cooperation and so a failing congress which they controlled; policies which benefitted a small group of money-changers; you name it; stupid self-serving, self-interest in every endeavor. This group of republicans, men and women both in national government and state government deserve dismissal in the interest in comity of the nation.
3
Paul Ryan will lose his primary race.
4
A Palin voter who believes Ryan is too liberal.....
Is there no end to the GOP madness.
Is there no end to the GOP madness.
3
You mean "The Republicans devour their own."
Very funny. Every (R) who get put in a position of power is either incompetent to do the job, or to be reelected.
Very funny. Every (R) who get put in a position of power is either incompetent to do the job, or to be reelected.
1
Bush's tax cuts for the wealthy, and his wars, along with Wall Street excess, totally ruined our economy. And even now, many of Trump's supporters are suffering economically. But Trump promises more tax cuts for business and the wealthy. Trump also says wages are too high. Don't his supporters know that? How can they believe he is going to help them? Other than the wall, what do they think Trump will do for them?
5
Jimmy Carter believes Mr. Trump will listen, and I do too. I hope the Republican Party is replaced with a party that is more moderate and without all the litmus tests, and especially the influence of the NRA. I cannot in good conscience vote for Mrs. Clinton. So if not Mr. Sanders, then Mr. Trump. It will be just fine, despite all the alarmists.
1
Clinton signing NAFTA - The beginning of the deterioration of the economy
Clinton signing DOMA - The beginning of discrimination
Clinton signing the repeal of the Glass-Stegall act- the beginning of the downfall of the housing market
And lets not fail to mention the first WTC attack which occurred under Clinton as well.
Care to blame anything else on Bush?
Clinton signing DOMA - The beginning of discrimination
Clinton signing the repeal of the Glass-Stegall act- the beginning of the downfall of the housing market
And lets not fail to mention the first WTC attack which occurred under Clinton as well.
Care to blame anything else on Bush?
5
Those bills were written and passed by Republican majorities, some with veto proof majorities.
Blaming them on Clinton is misleading and duplicitous, but par for the course for Republicans.
Blaming them on Clinton is misleading and duplicitous, but par for the course for Republicans.
8
I believe Trump didn't want to be President. He wanted his good friend, Hillary, to be President, and in his pocket.
Chickens coming home to roost for the GOP.
Solution: next election, vote against every Republican, for every office, at every level. Be patriotic, save the country.
Solution: next election, vote against every Republican, for every office, at every level. Be patriotic, save the country.
16
Whenever a major controversy comes before SCOTUS, the big issue is how the swing Republican appointees -- Roberts and Kennedy -- will vote. That is because, no matter what the issue or argument -- the liberal wing will put solidarity and the advancement of progressivism above all else. Above their intellectual legacies, above rational interpretation of the Constitution, above the interests of the American people. For the Court's liberal wing, it is simply enough that progressive government continue to grow, assert more power to dictate social and economic outcomes, and act in the interests of those who posture themselves as victims.
After four years of perhaps the most aggressive advancement of progressive causes. programs and ideas in the history of our country, some of us believe that we are approaching a tipping point beyond which our original national ideals -- i.e., private property, individual liberty, personal accountability -- will no longer be relevant. Yet some petty Republicans would rather hand the country over to Hillary for four more years of Obama-like progressivism, simply because they are butt hurt that Donald Trump is not their type of guy.
I am not at all a fan of Donald Trump, but I will proudly vote for him to stop the all-out assault on liberty, capitalism and freedom that has become the credo of the modern Democrat party. There is no real alternative.
After four years of perhaps the most aggressive advancement of progressive causes. programs and ideas in the history of our country, some of us believe that we are approaching a tipping point beyond which our original national ideals -- i.e., private property, individual liberty, personal accountability -- will no longer be relevant. Yet some petty Republicans would rather hand the country over to Hillary for four more years of Obama-like progressivism, simply because they are butt hurt that Donald Trump is not their type of guy.
I am not at all a fan of Donald Trump, but I will proudly vote for him to stop the all-out assault on liberty, capitalism and freedom that has become the credo of the modern Democrat party. There is no real alternative.
1
To win this election, Clinton soon needs to get in front of the cameras and announce that gun control is irrelevant and will no longer be a Democratic issue. If not, her support will continue to move over to Trump while Democrats never regain control of Congress. It's in the wind.
1
The party cleaves .....and it is completely deserving of its increased alienation and rejection by an America far different than the myth the GOP has structured in in its politics of hate and division.
2
For me Hillary is scary. Look what she did as Secretary of State whether in Hondouras or Libya. I feel that she is the most likely candidate to get us into another war. Trump appears to be more of a realist rather than an interventionist like Hillary.
5
The Secretary of State does not make foreign policy decisions. Those are strictly made by the President and the SoS acts as the emissary. Nor is the Secretary of State the head of our military. Nor is the Secretary of State the President. I'm very worried that so many people don't seem to know the difference or what the Secretary of State does. That job is strictly carrying out the wishes of the President. Don't be scared of Hillary Clinton. I am scared of the idea that Donald Trump is a "realist" but, hey, I also don't watch "reality" tv where I guess the definition of "real" comes from these days.
16
"The Secretary of State does not make foreign policy decisions. Those are strictly made by the President and the SoS acts as the emissary."
Boy, somebody ought to tell that to Hillary! She's been taking credit for every good foreign policy development that took place in the Obama administration while she was SoS.
Boy, somebody ought to tell that to Hillary! She's been taking credit for every good foreign policy development that took place in the Obama administration while she was SoS.
3
She takes credit for conducting high level meetings and for getting as close to what the President wanted as possible if you want to call that "a development" -- with his constant supervision and oversight and final word. She should be taking a lot of credit for doing her job which she did very well. That job was being SoS. It's hard to believe that anyone could think Clinton is so incredibly stupid that she doesn't even know what she was doing as SoS.
1
The Republican party has gotten exactly what it deserves! For decades it has catered to and served the interests of the billionaires and multi-multi millionaires at the expense of the working and middle classes. They also continue to support tax cuts for the ultra-rich and then tell the rest of us that we will benefit too which is of course nonsense. The Republican party is the party for Oligarchs but not the Democratic majority.
7
Still six (6) months until the election. I'm betting that the Democrats are too soon counting their chickens before they've hatched.
2
Well, time will tell but my guess is the GOP is soon to be properly eviserated.
2
I don't understand why Congressioanl Republicans are so concerned about Mr. Trump's proposed platform. From my perspective he is repeating everything they've been preaching for years. The only difference is that instead of communicating with potential voters with a dog whistle, Mr. Trump has chosen to use a bullhorn.
The fact that Mitch McConnell, Kelly Ayotte, and others are undecided is because they are more concerned about a potential negative impact to themselves than to the Country. Once it becomes apparent that supporting Mr. TRump carries minimal risk for them they'll be all over him likes flies on (Trump).
The fact that Mitch McConnell, Kelly Ayotte, and others are undecided is because they are more concerned about a potential negative impact to themselves than to the Country. Once it becomes apparent that supporting Mr. TRump carries minimal risk for them they'll be all over him likes flies on (Trump).
7
If anyone should apologize to Veterans, it should be John McCain for wasting their lives in Iraq (and Afghanistan). He was essentially the senior Senator for the Republican Party during the failed George W. Bush Administration. John McCain owes America an apology for placing the Republican Party ahead of America.
19
Sarah Palin who?. Ryan expresses a vision that none of the current candidates or Palin can articulate. Instead we have a Republican party that is full of name calling, bullying, "I am going to take my ball and go home" playground mentality. So we have one party with an ethically and integrity challenged candidate along with socialist with a bunch of wet-behind-the-ears enthralled with his rebellion. In the other race the best candidates are no longer running because the bully has taken over having been endorsed by a minority of the party he claims to lead. Do people realize what is happening? A small minority of party members have participated in the primary process, both parties. In the case of the GOP in most of the contests someone with less than 50% of the vote has been deemed a winner. So a minority of a minority has determined who is the so called 'winner'. So what do we know. A minority of the GOP likes a bully who has not articulated very well any issues but voices rebellion against the establishment (which allowed him to get very rich by their policies.) In the Dem case both candidates have good wins but for one what does it mean. The party power lies in the hands of these super-delegates who tilt toward the party establishment, the same crowd that has brought us 8 disastrous years of Obama. Beam me up Scotty, there is no intelligent life down here. For the GOP folks crying in their loss, your failure to stand up to Obama has caused your demise.
"Some even point to France and other European countries, where far-right parties like the National Front have gained power because of the sort of resentments that are frequently given voice at rallies for Mr. Trump."
...........
Even if far-right parties are in the offing, we will never be like France or the rest of Europe, because even with those historic resentments, when push comes to shove, they still have all the things that the GOP hates: free medical, free education, women are better treated, child care, unions, better average wages, and a they value their freedom and will march to protect it. The government fears the people-a true democracy, where here the people fear their government, clearly perceived as a "dictatorship" of the 1%.
And if people like Mitch McConnell get behind TRUMP, all one has to do to see what that means is look at all the other efforts hes made to CRASH the government of the USA. While I have ZERO hope that people will begin to think about the ramifications of what TRUMP means as a leader, November might just surprise me.
...........
Even if far-right parties are in the offing, we will never be like France or the rest of Europe, because even with those historic resentments, when push comes to shove, they still have all the things that the GOP hates: free medical, free education, women are better treated, child care, unions, better average wages, and a they value their freedom and will march to protect it. The government fears the people-a true democracy, where here the people fear their government, clearly perceived as a "dictatorship" of the 1%.
And if people like Mitch McConnell get behind TRUMP, all one has to do to see what that means is look at all the other efforts hes made to CRASH the government of the USA. While I have ZERO hope that people will begin to think about the ramifications of what TRUMP means as a leader, November might just surprise me.
5
Are you a moderate or near moderate Republican?
Hillary Clinton is a moderate Democrat much like you. Don Trump is a radical incoherent man who's remarks indicate an inclination to wildly hyperbolic unfounded remarks that would most assuredly result in the involvement of America in a very serious conflict.
A vote for Hillary Clinton would not be far from doing what is good for your fellow Republicans as well as the rest of the nation. Clinton is very measured and informed in her remarks much like Reagan was, or Bush SR.
Please vote for a stable individual. Trump is scary to me.
Hillary Clinton is a moderate Democrat much like you. Don Trump is a radical incoherent man who's remarks indicate an inclination to wildly hyperbolic unfounded remarks that would most assuredly result in the involvement of America in a very serious conflict.
A vote for Hillary Clinton would not be far from doing what is good for your fellow Republicans as well as the rest of the nation. Clinton is very measured and informed in her remarks much like Reagan was, or Bush SR.
Please vote for a stable individual. Trump is scary to me.
10
While it's easy to write off Trump supporters as racist and longing for an era of white male dominance, GOP voters are waking up to the fact that the conservative orthodoxy off the past 30 years hasn't served them well. Tax cuts? Stagnant wages over time tells them that this has been a false promise. Entitlement reform? Many GOP voters rely on Social Security and Medicare as much as Democrats. Free trade? While this may prove beneficial overall, there's been substantial collateral damage that hasn't been addressed by the conservative elites.
Donald Trump may be a buffoonish demagogue, but he's the only GOP candidate who grasped the everyday issues that blue collar workers are dealing with....
Donald Trump may be a buffoonish demagogue, but he's the only GOP candidate who grasped the everyday issues that blue collar workers are dealing with....
8
Sarah Palin might turn out to be useful after all. Getting rid of Paul Ryan could be a catalyst for flushing the GOPTP out of Washington. That experiment has failed. As for Trump, perhaps he is just a faction of the one percent firghting the Koch Brothers as the billionaires fight their financial civil proxy war to take over the USA.
4
The Conservative Republican Party, the party of yesterday, solidly mired in the past. If it had been named the Conservative Party, they wouldn't have won an election since 1928.
2016 - solidly, the year of Trump!
2016 - solidly, the year of Trump!
The Times almost be crowing over the Republicans' discomfiture, but I think it's too early for this schadenfreude. If a Trump presidency becomes a reality we'll all have to deal with the fallout.
I personally would hate the notion of Trump winning. The best I can hope for is that some common sense will assert itself I him. For all that he's a self-aggrandizing boor who spouts misogynistic, racist drivel, he does have a few things going for him: he is very successful (true, daddy left a pile of money, but rather than blow through it and do nothing he has tried to make something of himself with the gifts he was given) and also, his kids have all turned out fairly well. For children born with silver spoons in their mouths they don't act like parasites and they all work. That tells me there is some core of common sense lurking in all that nonsense he spews. The problem is, he's also a loose cannon, and I don't know if we can be sure at any given moment if the sensible business man or crazy imbecile will come to the table. And that is a frightening thought.
I personally would hate the notion of Trump winning. The best I can hope for is that some common sense will assert itself I him. For all that he's a self-aggrandizing boor who spouts misogynistic, racist drivel, he does have a few things going for him: he is very successful (true, daddy left a pile of money, but rather than blow through it and do nothing he has tried to make something of himself with the gifts he was given) and also, his kids have all turned out fairly well. For children born with silver spoons in their mouths they don't act like parasites and they all work. That tells me there is some core of common sense lurking in all that nonsense he spews. The problem is, he's also a loose cannon, and I don't know if we can be sure at any given moment if the sensible business man or crazy imbecile will come to the table. And that is a frightening thought.
5
The bulk of patriotic Americans voters would never purposely support neither a Nazi sympathizer who adores Vladimir Putin--- Donald Trump, nor his Russian pacifist campaign manager Paul Manafort. Affording either CIA high level security clearance and the nuclear codes would be tantamount to America having surrendered to Japan following their attack on Pear Harbor in December 1941. It would resemble an America that probably would have sat by idly after Nazi Germany after France had fallen, and the London Blitz was a precursor that even Great Britain's end was nigh. Given the jury is still out on the American Mainstream media's failure to assure robust vetting of Trump-Manafort, after the November election the collective should theoretically hanged for its complicity, acquiescence, and overall investigative journalist malpractice. It's a cloak & dagger isolationism propaganda campaign Trump-Manafort are exploiting using the Lee Atwater divide and conquer southern strategy model. While I can appreciate a plurality of Donald Trump's base--- "... He loves uneducated people, lack the intellectual fortitude to draw this nexus. Regardless of who Donald Trump selects publicly (PR Spin) as his vice presidential running mate, the actual Vice President is already in-play: Paul Manafort. Anyone ever watched the first and second movie adaptions of "The Manchurian Candidate?" If my comment reads like a bad John le Carrŕe spy novel, it because the parallels are equally as frightening.
The Republican party chose to damage the country to try to make the first black president fail.
That is a sin that I could never forgive.
That is a sin that I could never forgive.
35
You might agree Don Trump's Television show, "The Apprentice", might have been entertainment that people enjoyed, but now it's real life and he is no longer funny.
Don Trump has gone ballistic with power even against his fellow party members.
I can't imagine anyone wanting to work for him. If he succeeds in being elected, I truly believe America will be victimized with a totally dysfunctional government. Already, Trump has blackmailed Paul Ryan into backing him.
I foresee real tyranny and disaster ahead.
Don Trump has gone ballistic with power even against his fellow party members.
I can't imagine anyone wanting to work for him. If he succeeds in being elected, I truly believe America will be victimized with a totally dysfunctional government. Already, Trump has blackmailed Paul Ryan into backing him.
I foresee real tyranny and disaster ahead.
5
From a distance as a song from Bette Midler might say, I saw the implosion of the Soviet Union and now I am seeing the implosion of the American republican party.
4
The Republican Revolution is eating it's children.
7
Donald Trump is nothing but an extremely insecure little boy who is desperate to prove what a "real" "man" he is. As far as he is concerned, the world is made up of winners and losers. He has expressed that sentiment over and over. When he says "America First" or "Let's Make America Great Again" he's not talking about helping America's poor or fixing all the systems which are broken, he's talking about being the Home Coming King of the world and having bragging rights amongst his cronies because he was able to slack-jaw his way into the White House. He wants the rest of the world to FEAR the United States. He is power-hungry and will crush whomever he has to in the name of "good business". He doesn't want to rule by setting a good example, he wants to intimidate using violence. Sure, it's nice that the Republican Party is destroying itself from the inside out as a result of his presence, but if Trump gets to the White House he's going to destroy a lot more than the Republican party. I do believe that Trump has gotten this far because he represents the majority of Americans. And that should scare the living daylights out of everyone. There is no "us" & "them". According to Trump and most Americans there is only us and them and that doesn't lead to anything but divisiveness and war.
50
He represents the majority of republican voters, not the majority of Americans. There is a big difference.
9
John Grant,
There are many people less vocal than the common Trump supporter who are also having the "living daylights" scared out of them by Trump and his supporters--my friends, most of my co-workers, and most of my family. So far in the primaries, Clinton has about a million more votes than Trump. I'm not convinced Trump represents the majority of Americans. Many of them would agree with you that there is an "us and them".
There are many people less vocal than the common Trump supporter who are also having the "living daylights" scared out of them by Trump and his supporters--my friends, most of my co-workers, and most of my family. So far in the primaries, Clinton has about a million more votes than Trump. I'm not convinced Trump represents the majority of Americans. Many of them would agree with you that there is an "us and them".
3
Just imagine a State of the Union address by Donald Trump.
3
The republican party was already unravelling. People are sick to death of the religious right running the party. No one cares about gay marriage. We are concerned with illegal immigrants having health insurance that I've got to pay for while we have none. McCain would have been a contender if he hadn't gone off the rails with Palin and her preggers reality TV star. I'm not exactly a fan of Trump since i think of him as more .00001%'er and his wife is a bimbo door prize, but oddly he'll probably get my vote anyway because the democrats plan to bankrupt the middle sucks.
2
What I love is the the "conservatives" who hijacked the Republican party and have done nothing but obstruct President Obama for 8 years, are now being "fired" by Donald Trump. And isn't that the mandate? You did nothing, our lives did not get better: "Your fired." That Ryan thinks he has any power in this is just theater for this on-going Reality TV show we are watching. Stay tuned as "The Donald" now takes aim at "Crooked Hillary" in the next episode.
10
The GOP isn't afraid of him and taking a stand against Trump because of the offensive way he talks and his supposed bigotry - Republicans have been embracing worse for ages. They are doing it because his political ideology fundamentally violates their cherished values of unfettered global trade, anemic government, hands-off management for local communities, being the "leader" of the free world, and aggressive moral stances on policy.
Except that is precisely why people voted for Trump and why he stands a good shot of winning the presidency. Trump's stances are not nationalistic, they are practical, whereas the establishment tack has become increasingly fantastic and idealistic. What exactly about being right wing means you should be an impractical leader?
When their livelihoods depend on it, most people will vote for a jerk who will fix things over a nice person who doesn't even know what the problem is.
Except that is precisely why people voted for Trump and why he stands a good shot of winning the presidency. Trump's stances are not nationalistic, they are practical, whereas the establishment tack has become increasingly fantastic and idealistic. What exactly about being right wing means you should be an impractical leader?
When their livelihoods depend on it, most people will vote for a jerk who will fix things over a nice person who doesn't even know what the problem is.
4
Mitch McConnell would back a serial Murderer and rapist if they ran against Hillary.
11
What The Donald is doing to the Republican Party is what the Republican Party has been doing to the country for eight years. What? They don't like it? Funny how the word 'consequences' is the least favorite word of teenagers and politicians, both are limited by term limits of just about the same number of years. Oh well!
8
i am now a trump convert, I fully support him, and think he is the best thing for our country.
The republican party is in denial, but as trump continues to say, the people have voted and made him the nominee. There is not lie or exaggeration there, he is right.
What Trump has done for america in general is nothing short of great, he has single handily destroyed what is left of the republican party. And the power people are in complete denial. Republicans have gotten what they deserve, I wonder if trump will ever admit that he did this all on purpose.
On another note I went to work the other day and announced to all my mexican coworkers that I am voting for trump, the room fell silent and confusion and fear took over. Five minutes later I had them all chanting Trump for president. The laughter was out of control that day. Anything is possible.
The republican party is in denial, but as trump continues to say, the people have voted and made him the nominee. There is not lie or exaggeration there, he is right.
What Trump has done for america in general is nothing short of great, he has single handily destroyed what is left of the republican party. And the power people are in complete denial. Republicans have gotten what they deserve, I wonder if trump will ever admit that he did this all on purpose.
On another note I went to work the other day and announced to all my mexican coworkers that I am voting for trump, the room fell silent and confusion and fear took over. Five minutes later I had them all chanting Trump for president. The laughter was out of control that day. Anything is possible.
2
Did it ever occur to you that your co-workers were laughing at you, and not with you ????
8
Whether Paul Ryan or Lindsay Graham endorse Trump is no indication of how well he will do on election day. Hillary Clinton carries plenty of baggage that can cause her problems in the coming months. Bad news with the economy or in the Middle East could serve as weapons for Trump.
Requiring Trump to explain his positions is the surest way to lowering his popularity. And so far, only Chris Matthews has accomplished this, repeatedly following up on glib responses about abortion rights until Trump said the women having abortions should be punished.
Requiring Trump to explain his positions is the surest way to lowering his popularity. And so far, only Chris Matthews has accomplished this, repeatedly following up on glib responses about abortion rights until Trump said the women having abortions should be punished.
7
Now that Trump is the likely GOP nominee and GOP elites are beginning to take steps that indicate they expect Trump to lose in November, how long will it be before those same GOP elites suddenly announce their keen interest in considering the current Supreme Court nominee instead of waiting for the "people to decide" who the nominee should be in the next presidential term? I look forward to hearing what crazy, convoluted, and no doubt supremely patriotic and constitutionally excellent rationale they come up with to reverse themselves on this one. I'm not above truly enjoying what's happening to the Republican party right now. Does that make me a bad person?
10
Racism and hate eventually always eats itself organizationally.
You can't curb organizational hate when organizational hate is the fuel that propels your party.
The difference between Trump and his party, the Republican Party, is he is out of the "hate" closet.
Out and Proud.
And so are his minions, attracted to the racist overtones of McConnell's Republican Party of No and now staying for the Trump hoe down.
The Paul Ryans' can pretend they aren't the foundation for the rise of Trump, but its obvious to anyone who has choosen to look.
"There are none so blind as those who will not see." - Little Donnie Dark.
You can't curb organizational hate when organizational hate is the fuel that propels your party.
The difference between Trump and his party, the Republican Party, is he is out of the "hate" closet.
Out and Proud.
And so are his minions, attracted to the racist overtones of McConnell's Republican Party of No and now staying for the Trump hoe down.
The Paul Ryans' can pretend they aren't the foundation for the rise of Trump, but its obvious to anyone who has choosen to look.
"There are none so blind as those who will not see." - Little Donnie Dark.
8
It is so unfortunate that white middle class an blue collar Americans have been misled to believe that Republican Party and regeanism serve their best interests. It is abundantly clear over last 35 years that the conservative and Regeanism has only helped the wealthiest (1 percent). The rise of Trump may split the Republican Party and relegate Regeanism to history.
13
Looks like we have two immovable objects sparring.
I look forward to the destruction of both, but dread the nastiness that will be involved.
I look forward to the destruction of both, but dread the nastiness that will be involved.
2
Donald Trump isn't far right, and only an idiot would say he was. America may be the oldest republic on the planet, but she is a young nation. For her whole history there have been teeming masses of dirt poor starving souls willing to work all day for a cup of dirty water and a piece of stale bread. Because of the wisdom of Hamilton and the other Founding Fathers, America protected her people from the evil degradation of desperate poverty, specifically with tariffs. After all, while only two of the faces on Mt. Rushmore are Republican, all four were tariff men.
The Republican party stood for the protection of manufacturing, and the manufacturing worker, since its founding. They maintained a social contract with the people - the government would protect the governed. America was a walled and tended garden - until the lunacy of the philandering drunk, Ted Kennedy. Now we are a trampled field. The current scene is like a rorschach test - if you think things have "progressed" you're an idiot.
The millions of enthusiastic supporters of Trump represent a perfectly natural and inevitable push back to the leftist lunacy that would destroy the nation in a perverted attempt to "save" it.
The Republican party stood for the protection of manufacturing, and the manufacturing worker, since its founding. They maintained a social contract with the people - the government would protect the governed. America was a walled and tended garden - until the lunacy of the philandering drunk, Ted Kennedy. Now we are a trampled field. The current scene is like a rorschach test - if you think things have "progressed" you're an idiot.
The millions of enthusiastic supporters of Trump represent a perfectly natural and inevitable push back to the leftist lunacy that would destroy the nation in a perverted attempt to "save" it.
As a Native-American I agree with Trump's anti-immigrant policy, but I would expand it further to solely leave me and my people in control of our stolen lands. See? Now you don't like it when they are talking about you being deported.
Amazing how after the historical leadership of arguably one of the best Presidents ever, who's citizenship was questioned by the very man who seeks to replace him proves only one thing, Trump's hate has currency. After the election, Trump is going straight to the dust bin of history---and rightfully so.
Amazing how after the historical leadership of arguably one of the best Presidents ever, who's citizenship was questioned by the very man who seeks to replace him proves only one thing, Trump's hate has currency. After the election, Trump is going straight to the dust bin of history---and rightfully so.
11
Looks like Trump will be highly successful negotiating, diplomatizing, whatever he may call it, with Turkey's Erdogan.
Looks like they are both one of a kind.
Looks like they are both one of a kind.
As a non-US citizen - thank god - I hope that not only the Republican Party unravels, but US foreign policy as well, and that the US as a whole will humbly come off the fairy tale of being the self-proclaimed "greatest country on earth." It is not, and never was. Hopefully, more and more world countries will finally see through the scam.
6
@Lakemonk,
Here's an American born and raised who never once thought that the U.S. is "the greatest" or believed in "American exceptionalism" except for some of the tragic harm we've done to ourselves and the rest of the world throughout our brief history (going by European colonists's years not Native American years) . The arrogance and ignorance of some of my fellow citizens embarrasses me, utterly. On the other hand, like a number of people--including other America --I've been lucky enough to live abroad and see first hand just how much we have to learn from the rest of the world.
However, please keep your fingers crossed that we get through this in one piece. Not all of us are so terrible. I promise you.
5-8-16@6:40 pm
Here's an American born and raised who never once thought that the U.S. is "the greatest" or believed in "American exceptionalism" except for some of the tragic harm we've done to ourselves and the rest of the world throughout our brief history (going by European colonists's years not Native American years) . The arrogance and ignorance of some of my fellow citizens embarrasses me, utterly. On the other hand, like a number of people--including other America --I've been lucky enough to live abroad and see first hand just how much we have to learn from the rest of the world.
However, please keep your fingers crossed that we get through this in one piece. Not all of us are so terrible. I promise you.
5-8-16@6:40 pm
8
@lakemonk
Of course whoever you are, and where ever you are, you are entitled to have your own opinion. Even one as pernicious and myopic as this one.
Just beware of making stark generalizations, and remember that there are good and bad things about EVERY nation on earth....even yours.
Of course whoever you are, and where ever you are, you are entitled to have your own opinion. Even one as pernicious and myopic as this one.
Just beware of making stark generalizations, and remember that there are good and bad things about EVERY nation on earth....even yours.
3
The Trumpets and the Tea Party disrupt but have no idea how to govern. They whine and snarl and create mayhem for the Republican Party but they have created NOTHING. The GOP will not be rid of them for a long time because this hostile takeover was easy, entertaining and fun and has assured the disrupters of a controlling share of the GOP. Listen to Senator McCain complaining about Trump while his goofy unqualified VP pick Sarah Palin is blathering around defending Trump. Republicans were all too willing to use Palin and her ilk to get elected but he will find it easier to get rid of the raccoons under the porch and the squirrels in the attic than the loons the Republicans decided to invite to the dance in order to assure their election. After the Tea Party came the Trumpets and after the Trumpets another nasty group will pop up to control them. So many writers here state how deserving the Republican Party is of the mess they created. While they are right in saying so the whole country suffers from the lack of a good two party system.
5
I can't believe that in the United States of America that we have a nominee that has literally taken over the country much like the German dictator during World War Two. His followers aren't tuning into his nasty rhetoric and absurd policies both here and abroad. I definitely believe that there is something wrong with him psychiatrically for he vacillates in his mood, temperament, and ideology. What are we to do?
7
What are we to do? First of all, don't panic. Second, do whatever you can do to help Hillary score an historic victory over the forces of ignorance and intolerance that Trump is seeking to ride to power.
9
It's the "historic victory" part that's troubling. Sounds an awful lot like an entitlement.
In the best of circumstances neither Hillary or Trump would be elected. Our choice this year is Corporate America or..... Corporate America. So much for; of , by, and for...
Is it arrogance on incompetence that motivates the Times to jump at the bait by publishing a storm of stories that purport to speak on behalf of the Republican Party establishment's chagrin at being totally outflanked by an outsider? Trump will survive and eventually profit from the tsunami of media-ocrity aimed his way.
For the record, I cannot imagine voting for him. But I can imagine perfectly rational Americans doing so.
For the record, I cannot imagine voting for him. But I can imagine perfectly rational Americans doing so.
2
The establishment Republicans want Trump to be more like them. If Trump was like them, he would not be the nominee. They just don't get it.
8
Seized? Hostile takeover?? Trump didn't seize anything, he won it as fair and square as a republican candidate can in this country today. And as for hostile, I take it your reporter wasn't old enough to witness Chicago '68...of Nixon's nonsense in June '72...
C'mon NY Times, do you really think any one reading your paper doesn't get your version of the "news"...and I subscribe to this crap?
C'mon NY Times, do you really think any one reading your paper doesn't get your version of the "news"...and I subscribe to this crap?
4
Well, Trump does offer one useful service. His candidacy will ultimately force every Republican to display his/her true colors: Party-above-all, stand-on-some-purported-principle, cave-in, stay-home-in-protest, condone-loud-mouth-adolescence, switch-parties-permanently-or-temporarily, run-and-hide, wallow-in-frightful-indecision,...........The permutations alone make for a complicated but instructive sorting out. Now we'll see where true character resides, and where it does not.
7
Donald Trump continues to confirm that he is nothing but a thug and a bully. Whenever the petulant child doesn't get his way, he threatens the person who has the temerity to thwart him. How, exactly, is Trump any different from Kim Jong-un?
11
Trump must stay firm against this avalanche of lazies who just want to continue doing nothing and collecting their fat contributions from the top 1%.
WARNING: Hey Ryan and you other parasites, you may not have your cushy job come January, if you continue to slander Trump and ignore the will of the Republican grass roots majority.
WARNING: Hey Ryan and you other parasites, you may not have your cushy job come January, if you continue to slander Trump and ignore the will of the Republican grass roots majority.
2
Who watches duck dynasty, honey boo boo, or even hee haw. You guessed it, uninformed voters. Gawd almighty I hope he picks Palin for VP.
15
As unsuited for the presidency as Trump is, he was chosen as the front runner by voters. The Republican establishment can snub him, but he got where he is democratically and fairly. Republicans have remained silent while members of their party have fostered hate and dissent, as in Jim DeMint's "You lie!" Now they're reaping what they've sown.
13
Trump, with his rich white guy boastfulness, led the attack on our nation's first black president with his "birther" lunacy. And millions of closet racists signed on.
Now he's running for president, with more imaginary conspiracy-theories ready and waiting to launch against Hillary (murders in Whitewater!), muslim americans (secret terrorists!), hispanic americans (criminals and rapists!), and every other group of people who aren't gun-toting white men and their racist friends.
There's a connection between Barack Obama, birtherism, and Trump. The GOP would like to deny it, but they fed it. Now it's come back to bite them and they're shocked. The public, not so much.
Now he's running for president, with more imaginary conspiracy-theories ready and waiting to launch against Hillary (murders in Whitewater!), muslim americans (secret terrorists!), hispanic americans (criminals and rapists!), and every other group of people who aren't gun-toting white men and their racist friends.
There's a connection between Barack Obama, birtherism, and Trump. The GOP would like to deny it, but they fed it. Now it's come back to bite them and they're shocked. The public, not so much.
26
BINGO!! -- A clear and astute assessment of the situation at hand...Thank you.
10
Trump did not do it all by himself. He lured CNN (D) and MSNBC(D) into giving him 2 Billion in 'free' publicity!
"Come to my parlor said the spider to the fly"
"Come to my parlor said the spider to the fly"
8
It's official, the propaganda front called, Fox News has managed to mangle reality for the Republican Party, such that Mr. Trump was able to win by refusing to stay on script and play the game of so many conservative sycophants that parrot the nonsense of Roger Ailes and his fellow foot stomping curmudgeons. Not that Trump's racist agenda is markedly better or different. Trump's party slogan paraphrase's Aristotle's, "We all think we're better than the other person." Let me be clear, the ethnicity of Trump's supporters is apparently irrelevant so long as they collectively hate Mexicans and Muslims.
At the end of the day, America's mighty media journalists have ignored the simple math in all of this. Trump's victories represent winning a diluted vote, as more Republicans have voted against Trump than for him. I'm sure the Republican Party in those states will re-think their bizarre winner take all primary. In the end, the only question is whether it will be Hillary or Bernie occupying the White House; respectively win by 6 points or 13?
Nothing gives me more joy than seeing the implosion of this party of Faux News, which stopped being the Republican Party a long time ago. Instead the Republican Party became a spin machine to generate eyeballs for Fox News---America's agenda became Fox's ratings engine. Thank you, Mr. Trump, goodbye, Roger Ailes!
At the end of the day, America's mighty media journalists have ignored the simple math in all of this. Trump's victories represent winning a diluted vote, as more Republicans have voted against Trump than for him. I'm sure the Republican Party in those states will re-think their bizarre winner take all primary. In the end, the only question is whether it will be Hillary or Bernie occupying the White House; respectively win by 6 points or 13?
Nothing gives me more joy than seeing the implosion of this party of Faux News, which stopped being the Republican Party a long time ago. Instead the Republican Party became a spin machine to generate eyeballs for Fox News---America's agenda became Fox's ratings engine. Thank you, Mr. Trump, goodbye, Roger Ailes!
14
It took the Koch Brothers 10 years to take control of the Republican Party. Donald Trump seized it from them in 10 months.
20
So it would seem that Trump is the antichrist, if you believe that sort of thing.
5
I have seen the enemy, and it is the Republican Party. And their leader is Donald.
5
I'm so glad to know so-called "Hispanics" a silly racist designation that somehow pretends all people of Spanish background are mindless monolithic robots all the same mind. They do not rule the country and are not monolithic. Enforcing existing laws is not racism and Mexicans are not the only illegal aliens and in fact not the majority. Illegal is illegal and the real culprit in this mess are the same elite bigots playing the race card or cheating American workers out of jobs and a living wage. There is no right to come here and non-citizens have no right to stay here. Yelling racism doesn't work any longer so go right ahead.
2
The authors of this article still don't get it. Trump is not the divider. The dividers were the establishment politicians. Our presidential candidates spoke Spanish in their campaign in a country that is founded by white Christian European immigrants, a country that speaks English. The same politicians championed the policies of "Black Pride", "Gay Pride", "Affirmative Action" and all sorts of other off shoots of pride but when it came to "white pride" they labeled that as "racism". The tea party divided the poor & rich. Those in power gave special rights and privileges to "illegal" immigrants at the expense of legitimate Americans. Who is dividing this country? I see Trump as a patriot who wants to preserve our great heritage and our traditions. I see him as a uniter (we are the United States of America not Latinas, Blacks, Moslems, etc.) We didn't loose the Mexican war to speak Spanish in our presidential campaigns. See the reality first, then may be you can interpret the events accurately.
2
Trump is a patriot? Trump doesn't love America. He loves money and attention. And he's getting a lot of that.
5
The parallels and differences with Hitler's rise to power are the following:
+white working class men were Hitler's initial recruits
+the conservative politiicians of the German republic accepted Hitler after he managed to ge over 30% of the vote
+economic instability due to a depression
+acceptance of Hitler's message even though it was both nationalistic and xenophobic...
minorities, hispanics, muslims have good reason to be scared.
on second thought, do we really trust Trump with his finger on the button?
+white working class men were Hitler's initial recruits
+the conservative politiicians of the German republic accepted Hitler after he managed to ge over 30% of the vote
+economic instability due to a depression
+acceptance of Hitler's message even though it was both nationalistic and xenophobic...
minorities, hispanics, muslims have good reason to be scared.
on second thought, do we really trust Trump with his finger on the button?
8
Actually. It was primarily young impressionable men, the unemployed men, and impoverished World War I vets who made up Hitler's initial recruits.
In 1932 Hindenburg made Hitler Chancellor of Germany, in 1933 Hitler seized power for himself.
The economic "depression" was due to inflation, which resulted from Germany having to pay reparations for the War -- it also bolstered his Nationalistic platform.
BUT NO..Probably best not to have Trump's finger anywhere near the button.
In 1932 Hindenburg made Hitler Chancellor of Germany, in 1933 Hitler seized power for himself.
The economic "depression" was due to inflation, which resulted from Germany having to pay reparations for the War -- it also bolstered his Nationalistic platform.
BUT NO..Probably best not to have Trump's finger anywhere near the button.
5
Oh and the rallies with the long waits and the demonization of large groups of people.
We now see the REAL Donald Trump: A dictator, a bully, a tyrant who doesn't brook ANY disagreement or questioning of him, who responds with threats and hints of violence.
Just LOOK at the vehemence with which he's reacting to the Speaker of the House's reluctance to endorse him...for exactly those reasons.
Think he'll be any different as President? Think he'll give a hoot about the Constitution, International Law, the Geneva Convention? No! He's exactly the proto-fascist boor that Ross Douthat, a Conservative Republican describes him as, and, like other fascist tyrants around the world, he'll destroy his nation's democracy.
The REAL Donald Trump will be the worst President this country could ever have. I don't blame Paul Ryan one bit for withholding support.
Just LOOK at the vehemence with which he's reacting to the Speaker of the House's reluctance to endorse him...for exactly those reasons.
Think he'll be any different as President? Think he'll give a hoot about the Constitution, International Law, the Geneva Convention? No! He's exactly the proto-fascist boor that Ross Douthat, a Conservative Republican describes him as, and, like other fascist tyrants around the world, he'll destroy his nation's democracy.
The REAL Donald Trump will be the worst President this country could ever have. I don't blame Paul Ryan one bit for withholding support.
10
It's humorous when Hillary supporters try to scare citizens into voting for her in order to prevent Trump from being elected. What both the Republican and Democratic establishment fail to admit to is that Trump's majority vote occurred because voters find the establishment even more putrid than Trump. If Trump is elected, it will be because of the wretched record of establishment politicians and not because of alternative candidates.
4
Unlike yourself, I see NOTHING humorous about it. In fact, the thought of having a racist bigot like Trump in the White House is nothing short of paralyzingly awful.
Now is not the time to play Republican or Democratic Party "establishment" games.
Now is the time to keep Trump out of the Oval Office. Period.
Now is not the time to play Republican or Democratic Party "establishment" games.
Now is the time to keep Trump out of the Oval Office. Period.
8
The Nader voters in 2000 kept saying that there was no difference between the parties. They threw away their votes when it truly counted. That opened the way for the SC to declare George W. Bush the winner, and two wars, 9/11, a Great Recession, and all kinds of other disasters such as the mishandling of Katrina happened.
Voters have a responsibility to inform themselves about the policies of the candidates and to actually vote, instead of buying into whatever the cynicism or propaganda of the day is.
Voters have a responsibility to inform themselves about the policies of the candidates and to actually vote, instead of buying into whatever the cynicism or propaganda of the day is.
9
The key question we should be asking is whether, coming from a business background, Trump could ever function in a manner approaching consensus. He has had everything his way his entire life and I doubt his ability to honestly consider an opposing viewpoint, given his behavior to date.
10
It will be of interest to see whether Trump campaign negotiates its way to more of a centrist approach and reconciles with the mainstream Republicans, or not.
Earlier the defeat of WASP dominance had given way to bit more broader social coalition. If reconciliation with mainstream Republican does not take place, the likely defeat and discrediting of Trump campaign could lead to bit more inclusive Republican party.
Earlier the defeat of WASP dominance had given way to bit more broader social coalition. If reconciliation with mainstream Republican does not take place, the likely defeat and discrediting of Trump campaign could lead to bit more inclusive Republican party.
2
It is nice to see someone label Trump for what he is: a populist, in the style of so many who have gone before him, most notably, the Kingfish - Huey Long. Trump panders to the basest instincts and opinions of the biased and hateful among us. Unfortunately, as H. L. Mencken observed, no one has ever gone broke underestimating the intelligence of the American electorate.
6
This: "I have to think that four or eight years from now, the Trump wing will be a little more traditional, a little less hard-edged, and will be blended into the party just like the evangelical Pat Robertson voters were after the 1988 election.”
Good luck with that.
Good luck with that.
5
From a distance, here are a few observations:
-No matter how this outcome arose, it is increasingly apparent that this leopard won't change his spots, so the result could well be a lowest common denominator GOP group.
-It could even be a metaphoric "Executive of One" as fewer bend to his will and threats. Hardly the way to build a winning team in my view.
-One desirable outcome for whoever wins the White House might be the return of democracy based on voters who all have the same say as their money doesn't weight their voice, i.e. there are limits to electoral contributions and transparency clearly in place for such funding.
-Finally, the Government doesn't just stonewall based on ideology, rather it reintroduces honest debate and pragmatism in settling issues on a timely basis.
Between financial electioneering and countless impasses which typified the last administration / opposition dynamic, the waste of time, energy and funds is incredible and in today's world could have been put to better use.
-No matter how this outcome arose, it is increasingly apparent that this leopard won't change his spots, so the result could well be a lowest common denominator GOP group.
-It could even be a metaphoric "Executive of One" as fewer bend to his will and threats. Hardly the way to build a winning team in my view.
-One desirable outcome for whoever wins the White House might be the return of democracy based on voters who all have the same say as their money doesn't weight their voice, i.e. there are limits to electoral contributions and transparency clearly in place for such funding.
-Finally, the Government doesn't just stonewall based on ideology, rather it reintroduces honest debate and pragmatism in settling issues on a timely basis.
Between financial electioneering and countless impasses which typified the last administration / opposition dynamic, the waste of time, energy and funds is incredible and in today's world could have been put to better use.
1
Trump's been a lot of fun to watch but now that the GOP circus has ended, it's time to get serious. People like the guy named David Myers need to start thinking more clearly and long-term. Instead of nursing grudges, they need to consider what's best for the nation And that ain't Trump.
13
In other words, the Republican leadership is out of touch with the members, and is persisting in believing that they know best what the voters want, despite all the evidence to the contrary.
That strikes me as just the kind of paternalistic nonsense one can expect from the elite of either side.
That strikes me as just the kind of paternalistic nonsense one can expect from the elite of either side.
11
Trump's appeal is in his promises, which, when realized would lead to chaos
and tumult. He appeals to the lowest emotional intuitions of lower income
Americans. As a potential diplomat he is viewed as a bully.
His histrionics have a mass appeal. He attempts to lure voters to his side by promises that simply can't be kept and won't work.
The forthcoming election will reveal whether we as a nation, can be lured
into the fantasy of endless promises. His appeal is to the lowest of emotions
and not to the intellect.
Heaven helpt us should he be elected !
and tumult. He appeals to the lowest emotional intuitions of lower income
Americans. As a potential diplomat he is viewed as a bully.
His histrionics have a mass appeal. He attempts to lure voters to his side by promises that simply can't be kept and won't work.
The forthcoming election will reveal whether we as a nation, can be lured
into the fantasy of endless promises. His appeal is to the lowest of emotions
and not to the intellect.
Heaven helpt us should he be elected !
7
"He appeals to the lowest emotional intuitions of lower income Americans."
John, your statement reflects a very popular lack of understanding (willful?) of who the Trump supporter is.
The most prevalent caricature of the Trump supporter, at least the one most prevalent among NYT liberal commenters, is that they are of lower income. THIS IS FALSE.
According to a survey based on primary exit polls in 23 states Nate Silver, the median household income of the Trump supporter is $72,000. This is higher than the median income of both Hilary and Bernie supporters, which is around $61,000.
http://fivethirtyeight.com/features/the-mythology-of-trumps-working-clas...
John, your statement reflects a very popular lack of understanding (willful?) of who the Trump supporter is.
The most prevalent caricature of the Trump supporter, at least the one most prevalent among NYT liberal commenters, is that they are of lower income. THIS IS FALSE.
According to a survey based on primary exit polls in 23 states Nate Silver, the median household income of the Trump supporter is $72,000. This is higher than the median income of both Hilary and Bernie supporters, which is around $61,000.
http://fivethirtyeight.com/features/the-mythology-of-trumps-working-clas...
Oh statistics, the common denominator is ignorance.
1
Which just goes to show you that money isn't everything.
And it certainly isn't an indicator of having better judgment.
And it certainly isn't an indicator of having better judgment.
My choice seems to be huge character flaws vs huge personality flaws.
In the end, character matters more.
I can't say I'm not enjoying the do nothing "blessed" political powers on both sides looking a little nervous.
Did anyone catch the wife of the slippery one on face the nation this morning?
Clearly an inexperienced apprentice compared to Bill.
Johne Dickerson asked "So has the FBI contacted you or anyone on your team about further questioning?" HC "No the FBI has not been in contact with ME".
Makes me long for lines like "That depends on what the definition of is is."
In the end, character matters more.
I can't say I'm not enjoying the do nothing "blessed" political powers on both sides looking a little nervous.
Did anyone catch the wife of the slippery one on face the nation this morning?
Clearly an inexperienced apprentice compared to Bill.
Johne Dickerson asked "So has the FBI contacted you or anyone on your team about further questioning?" HC "No the FBI has not been in contact with ME".
Makes me long for lines like "That depends on what the definition of is is."
1
When one has counsel, the FBI communicates with counsel.
The investigation is winding down. Don't hold your breath waiting for charges.
The investigation is winding down. Don't hold your breath waiting for charges.
3
Apparently you missed the NEWSFLASH. Clinton has stated that she is available for any FBI interviews over her emails.
Try again.
Try again.
5
There is a thin line between a businessman and a conman. One sees a customer another sees a mark. Trump falls in the latter category.
8
If you think Trump cannot win take a look at Minnesota when Jesse Ventura was elected. An election everyone said he had no chance of winning.
1
This is a great opportunity to kick out all the RINOs in the Party. It is time to clean house.
2
You reap what you sow...
4
Good summary/analysis--but shame on you for categorizing "entitlements" in your list. Government programs such as Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, ACA, HeadStart and more are all taxpayer investments in a safety net and are not "entitlements".
15
I like the word entitlements. Damn right I'm entitled to social security, I've been paying into it since I was 14 years old. I expect to be given what I was promised for that money. If I don't get it, that's not balancing the budget, that's theft.
5
Don't worry ... ALL will kow-tow to the great trump
1
Now Trump is suggesting we throw the full faith and credit of the US in the dustbin of history and offer holders a discount on their debt!
Where do Trump's bad ideas come from? Running his own companies into the ground.
After you bankrupt 4 companies, you learn a thing or two about bashing investors and creditors.
It isn't like you honor or integrity matters more than money, right?
I simply cannot believe that the presumptive Republican Presidential nominee is suggesting we haircut the US debt despite our unlimited ability to pay the debt.
Does he imagine that investors might ask for higher interest rates for US debt for generations to come? I don't think he has thought that far.
Does he imagine investors will sue the US in the International Court of Justice and start taking US assets in foreign countries, as with other nations who have done such like Argentina?
I don't think he has thought that far.
This is really scary stuff: Medieval torture despite treaties calling it a crime against humanity, the end of religious liberty after 240 years, the deportation of 12 million Hispanics, the end of NATO and treaties banning nuclear proliferation.
The vast majority of Republican political leaders and thought leaders know that Secretary Clinton is more qualified, more competent, more stable and a far better choice to run the nation and the free world.
It is a time to put country ahead of party.
Where do Trump's bad ideas come from? Running his own companies into the ground.
After you bankrupt 4 companies, you learn a thing or two about bashing investors and creditors.
It isn't like you honor or integrity matters more than money, right?
I simply cannot believe that the presumptive Republican Presidential nominee is suggesting we haircut the US debt despite our unlimited ability to pay the debt.
Does he imagine that investors might ask for higher interest rates for US debt for generations to come? I don't think he has thought that far.
Does he imagine investors will sue the US in the International Court of Justice and start taking US assets in foreign countries, as with other nations who have done such like Argentina?
I don't think he has thought that far.
This is really scary stuff: Medieval torture despite treaties calling it a crime against humanity, the end of religious liberty after 240 years, the deportation of 12 million Hispanics, the end of NATO and treaties banning nuclear proliferation.
The vast majority of Republican political leaders and thought leaders know that Secretary Clinton is more qualified, more competent, more stable and a far better choice to run the nation and the free world.
It is a time to put country ahead of party.
20
"Now Trump is suggesting we throw the full faith and credit of the US in the dustbin of history and offer holders a discount on their debt!"
In other words, the same thing that the Times supports the Governor of Puerto Rico doing. When two people suggest doing the same thing and one is praised while the other is castigated, one has to wonder exactly how true to a principle the castigators are.
In other words, the same thing that the Times supports the Governor of Puerto Rico doing. When two people suggest doing the same thing and one is praised while the other is castigated, one has to wonder exactly how true to a principle the castigators are.
1
I thought this newspaper called upon Congress to get up off its duff about the PR financial crisis too.
1
To Mike Cody and Steve Bolger,
PR cannot print US dollars like the United States of America can. It legitimately cannot pay its debt holders.
The US has an unlimited capacity to pay debt denominated in US dollars, so it has zero reason to default on its debt.
No investor would accept a haircut.
It was a ludicrous idea floated by a man who knows not even the basic notions of government financing.
He is experienced at bankrupting casinos many times over so of course the idea made perfect sense to him.
The Pied Piper is really leading the Trumpeters right off the financial cliff.
PR cannot print US dollars like the United States of America can. It legitimately cannot pay its debt holders.
The US has an unlimited capacity to pay debt denominated in US dollars, so it has zero reason to default on its debt.
No investor would accept a haircut.
It was a ludicrous idea floated by a man who knows not even the basic notions of government financing.
He is experienced at bankrupting casinos many times over so of course the idea made perfect sense to him.
The Pied Piper is really leading the Trumpeters right off the financial cliff.
America gives birth to a tyrant.
3
Not only does Trump not need the Republican establishment but he arguably stands to gain by its opposition. Such give him credibility with a large part of the Republican electorate and also makes it easier for Nixon and Reagan Democrats to support him.
At a time when the national parties have become one step short of irrelevant due to the influx of super-pac money and the general myopia of party leaders, Trump is well positioned to run as his own man. Sanders is pretty much the Democratic analog, but he hasn't had the good fortune to run against a very splintered field.
At a time when the national parties have become one step short of irrelevant due to the influx of super-pac money and the general myopia of party leaders, Trump is well positioned to run as his own man. Sanders is pretty much the Democratic analog, but he hasn't had the good fortune to run against a very splintered field.
3
This article assumes a fact not in evidence. The republican party has been unravelling for decades. Through the civil rights movement, through women's lib, union busting, etc., the GOP has always been on the wrong side of every issue. And it always brought us either a war or a recession and sometimes both.
It's not Trump that's so frightening, but the millions in his mob, which the GOP has spawned and nurtured for the last three decades at least, evolving into the tea bag party, the know-nothing Palinesques, and rabid right radio. While the 'establishment' nudged itself, giggled a little and winked a lot. Now, that mob suddenly is not funny anymore. Even to the GOP.
It's the Trump mob I fear the most because it's mindlessly out of control and Trump cannot control it either.
It's not Trump that's so frightening, but the millions in his mob, which the GOP has spawned and nurtured for the last three decades at least, evolving into the tea bag party, the know-nothing Palinesques, and rabid right radio. While the 'establishment' nudged itself, giggled a little and winked a lot. Now, that mob suddenly is not funny anymore. Even to the GOP.
It's the Trump mob I fear the most because it's mindlessly out of control and Trump cannot control it either.
10
Trump scares me with his blaming foreigners for our economic woes. Someone else did this back in the late 1930s, was an engaging speaker and wildly popular with the masses.
5
Godwin's Law, was waiting for that!
If you stand for or with Trump, you will fall for anything.
2
... those who "have stood" ... already have fallen.
1
The Republican party is destroying itself by the infighting, but blaming it on Trump. They have spent the entire primary season trying to find a way to keep Trump from gaining the nomination. When that didn't work, they went public saying they would not support Trump. and Paul Ryan gave Trump an ultimatum. Ryan will not support Trump until he makes the changes that Ryan thinks he needs. By this time in the election cycle, the GOP should understand that Trump is resonating with the people and the party is killing itself with its establishment whining because they are afraid their little playhouse is in danger.
5
Hostile takeover? Not hardly. But if the GOP elite does not back Trump at the Convention, a whole bunch of seated senators, congressmen and governors will see a hostile takeover, one by one.
You see, the GOP establishment still think they are untouchable. The GOP protected ones think they are immune to the voters.
You see, the GOP establishment still think they are untouchable. The GOP protected ones think they are immune to the voters.
11
if true, it couldn't happen to a nicer bunch of guys.
But I'm with Calhouri (Times Pick). Don't be too sure. As I remember, the last time the Republicans were declared at death's door, just a couple of years ago, they ended up winning the House, the Senate and most of the the State capitals.
So let's not laugh too hard just yet.
But I'm with Calhouri (Times Pick). Don't be too sure. As I remember, the last time the Republicans were declared at death's door, just a couple of years ago, they ended up winning the House, the Senate and most of the the State capitals.
So let's not laugh too hard just yet.
7
Trump's nomination is a done deal, and media are still obsessing about it. meanwhile, there's a contest on the Democratic side, which is almost ignored in order to suit Cilnton's triumphalism.
Could it be that the one story that mainstream media is determined to bury is Sanders's fast-building movement? After all, the only plausible change on offer is Sanders' well-acorn wives project to build a Social Democracy here similar to what has worked in Europe and Japan for years. Trump's loopy pronouncements perfectly fit the establishment line that the status quo is the only option, so giving him lots of ink serves the establishment well.
No, the one thing the American people cannot be allowed to consider is the idea that we should stop being the only nation on earth to overpay for healthcare by about 50% (our system costs about 50% more than those elsewhere) and the only nation to field a military bigger then the rest of the world's put together
Could it be that the one story that mainstream media is determined to bury is Sanders's fast-building movement? After all, the only plausible change on offer is Sanders' well-acorn wives project to build a Social Democracy here similar to what has worked in Europe and Japan for years. Trump's loopy pronouncements perfectly fit the establishment line that the status quo is the only option, so giving him lots of ink serves the establishment well.
No, the one thing the American people cannot be allowed to consider is the idea that we should stop being the only nation on earth to overpay for healthcare by about 50% (our system costs about 50% more than those elsewhere) and the only nation to field a military bigger then the rest of the world's put together
1
The GOP is reaping what it has sown through 8 years of demonizing President Obama, the first black President, as "The Other". It has sat back as Trump and other birthers fed its party members steady nonsense about "the Kenyan". The Party leaders have silently encouraged this nonsense because these people have voted for their picks in the past. Now the animal is escaping the pen and threatening to eat the GOP leaders as well. Karma...Hopefully this will lead to Democrats winning back the Senate and SCOTUS. This, of course, is the big GOP fear.
14
And Cruz would have been better?
I don't think so.
I don't think so.
5
A simple solution for the GOP, considering who supports Trump, and his brand of sensibility, is to rename the party, The Simple Minded Peoples Party.
3
McCain's calling on Trump to make amends with Vet is laughable and just a transparent attempt by him to stay relevant. instead it resurrects his failure. better off going quietly John.
7
Donald Trump has neither the intellect nor the the temperament for the presidency. I abhor the racism and xenophobia that he embodies and his policy solutions are at best incoherent.
But just as Bernie Sanders, whom I support, is doing more responsibly on the Democratic side, Trump is shining a light on the many who are being left out of the economic recovery. Until these Americans are helped, there will be more populist divisions in the mainstream political parties.
But just as Bernie Sanders, whom I support, is doing more responsibly on the Democratic side, Trump is shining a light on the many who are being left out of the economic recovery. Until these Americans are helped, there will be more populist divisions in the mainstream political parties.
14
Donald Trump TAX FRAUD:
Trump: No tax returns until audit is done http://usat.ly/1T5thoh via @USATODAY
Trump: No tax returns until audit is done http://usat.ly/1T5thoh via @USATODAY
2
If anything, Sanders is doing a good job of creating fissures in the Democratic Party (of which he is not a member, except in-name-only*), that one can only hope survives the sheer insanity, and onslaught of Donald Trump.
At this point, keeping Trump out of the White House is far more urgent than any populist "revolution".
At this point, keeping Trump out of the White House is far more urgent than any populist "revolution".
5
Everyman sympathizes with the Trumpster for being persecuted by the IRS.
And they say it's all bad news on the front page!
4
What elites don't get is that Trump is a salesman and there's nothing more than that to pin down. Everything is about sizing you up and closing the deal. What came before and what comes after doesn't matter. A salesperson has no responsibility for anything except to say what will close the deal. The GOP assumed he was a fixed target the voters would lock on but Trump keeps moving and attacking with his bombastic tweets and television appearances. "Make America Great!" is a marketing slogan that's inconsequential as air but means something different to everyone who hears it. Clinton better expect everything and the kitchen sink from Trump. It will be WrestleMania spectacle and folding chairs over the head and Trump will sell it very well.
18
oh, goodie
just what america needs
a sleazy foul mouthed used car salesman as pres
let th good times roll
just what america needs
a sleazy foul mouthed used car salesman as pres
let th good times roll
6
Well said!
2
Sadly agree
After 75 years of helping the rest of the world, a little America First is not such a bad thing. Is it ?
5
Do you actually consider anything that Trump is proposing as helping America???
10
You might want to become familiar with the history of that charming phrase, as well as with the history of our "helping."
Start with words like "uber alles," Vietnam, and Iraq War. Oh, and "Bhopal." Don't miss, "Iran/Contra."
Start with words like "uber alles," Vietnam, and Iraq War. Oh, and "Bhopal." Don't miss, "Iran/Contra."
7
N. Smith: of course. Why do you act surprised?
It is amazing how poor white people think the publican party is on their side. These are the voters that elected shrub2 and forced Clinton and Obama to deal with right wing nuts for most of their presidencies. And they wonder what happened. Now they have fallen for a fool like trump. What a mess we have in this country.
25
They obviously require their betters to explain things to them.
2
As a result of the past Bush Administration's lack of funding for various agencies that the American people rely on to protect themselves, we were constantly being sickened and/or being killed by tomatoes, peanut butter, spinach, ground beef, contaminated water (Flint?), polluted air, you name it. If the major corporations had their way there would be no child labor laws and no unions to protect the rights of workers, workers who are America's middle class.
The number of millionaires receiving farm subsidies rose 28% when Bush took office, while Ken Lay saw his percentage of total farm subsidies rise by 400%. Did you know that Chevron got a farm subsidy of $260,223 and Caterpillar got one for $171,698. Others receiving subsidies are Eli Lilly Co, Kimberly-Clark, Navistar, Pfizer and RJ Reynolds Tobacco Co. Ten percent of South Carolina farms get 87% of Farm Subsidies. At the top of that list was Rogers Brothers, which received more than $7 million in cotton subsidies between 1995 and 2009, while Haigler Farms Partnership of Cameron, No. 4 overall in S.C. in terms of federal subsidies, received more than $5 million.
While poverty rates for blacks and Hispanics are nearly three times higher, by absolute numbers the predominant face of the poor is white. More than 19 million whites fall below the poverty line of $23,021 for a family of four, accounting for more than 41 percent of the nation's destitute, nearly double the number of poor blacks ... and that explains Donald Trump!
The number of millionaires receiving farm subsidies rose 28% when Bush took office, while Ken Lay saw his percentage of total farm subsidies rise by 400%. Did you know that Chevron got a farm subsidy of $260,223 and Caterpillar got one for $171,698. Others receiving subsidies are Eli Lilly Co, Kimberly-Clark, Navistar, Pfizer and RJ Reynolds Tobacco Co. Ten percent of South Carolina farms get 87% of Farm Subsidies. At the top of that list was Rogers Brothers, which received more than $7 million in cotton subsidies between 1995 and 2009, while Haigler Farms Partnership of Cameron, No. 4 overall in S.C. in terms of federal subsidies, received more than $5 million.
While poverty rates for blacks and Hispanics are nearly three times higher, by absolute numbers the predominant face of the poor is white. More than 19 million whites fall below the poverty line of $23,021 for a family of four, accounting for more than 41 percent of the nation's destitute, nearly double the number of poor blacks ... and that explains Donald Trump!
17
It explains it to thinking people. The Trumpets are not interested in theses facts and details. Just the slogans please, build the wall, ban the Muslims and make Ametica safe again. Pitiful!
1
I was giving a high grade to Barack Obama until he sold us out - for his own financial benefit - on his "secret" Trans Pacific Partnership.
3
You can still give Barack Obama a high-five -- he hasn't gotten this country involved in any major wars, and the economy is better now than when he first got into office.
15
“The party has never been more out of touch with our voters,” Vin Weber, a former Minnesota congressman, said of the two factions, acknowledging that Republicans could splinter completely after this election. “I don’t know how you reconcile a lot of them.”
Two points: First, splintering of "the party" ought not to be a first concern. Indeed, reconciling is far less important than what is best for the nation, or, to be moral, what is inherently the right thing to do.
And second, there is no reason to suppose that "the people", Trump supporters, are necessarily good judges of that "right thing". In this regard recall the zealous support once lavished by some on such politicians as Joe McCarthy and George Wallace, and the folly of their respective parties attempting to reconcile with them.
Some things really look bad in history books.
Two points: First, splintering of "the party" ought not to be a first concern. Indeed, reconciling is far less important than what is best for the nation, or, to be moral, what is inherently the right thing to do.
And second, there is no reason to suppose that "the people", Trump supporters, are necessarily good judges of that "right thing". In this regard recall the zealous support once lavished by some on such politicians as Joe McCarthy and George Wallace, and the folly of their respective parties attempting to reconcile with them.
Some things really look bad in history books.
8
"None of the above" has become a leading contender for the top job, yes?
2
Its not Trump who scares me. I think he's rather comical.
The people who back him, however, give me tremendous pause. They are not funny at all. David Duke, Sarah Palin, Adelson, and the mostly white angry uneducated middle aged, flag waving, hat wearing roughnecks who appear at his rallies as if he has the answer to their needs. They scare me the most because they will be around long after he's gone and their anger, whether he wins or not will fester and grow. Yikes.
The people who back him, however, give me tremendous pause. They are not funny at all. David Duke, Sarah Palin, Adelson, and the mostly white angry uneducated middle aged, flag waving, hat wearing roughnecks who appear at his rallies as if he has the answer to their needs. They scare me the most because they will be around long after he's gone and their anger, whether he wins or not will fester and grow. Yikes.
14
Sorry, that's just a segment of the support. Too simplistic. Like saying the Dems are made up of Blacks and Hispanics on welfare.
1
With you 100%!
The Southern Strategy was bound to unravel. The GOP Working Class have finally gotten fed up with being taken a suckers by the Donor Class. The 0.1% destroyed unions, bought Congress and State Houses. Dragged the social issues across the "Mainstream Media" while they stole the housing from laid off workers who got behind on their mortgages. Unfortunately they have taken up with the greatest conman since PT Barnum.
The "Conservative Movement" was hijacked by the 0.1% with "freedom". Unfortunately, "Either we hang together or we hang together" have never truer.
The "Conservative Movement" was hijacked by the 0.1% with "freedom". Unfortunately, "Either we hang together or we hang together" have never truer.
14
The Republican party is crumbling around itself. Very few profiles in courage here--and it's been that way for a while. Logic, science, compassion, live-and-let-live freedoms, grounded principled ethics for the common good, frugality, equality, dignity, truth--all out the window over the last few decades. Anything to get re-elected and amass power (and money).
A relentless focus on "I" not "we" and the party ends up with a narcissist. Who would have guessed?
I remember when McDonald said that his number one task was to make Obama a one-term president. My wife and I looked at each other and shook our heads....
A relentless focus on "I" not "we" and the party ends up with a narcissist. Who would have guessed?
I remember when McDonald said that his number one task was to make Obama a one-term president. My wife and I looked at each other and shook our heads....
8
I think you mean McConnell and he left many of us shaking our heads.
3
Yes. Thanks for the correction.
1
Been shaking my head for years but now I have whiplash! God help us!
Like it or not, Trump (and Bernie) are the consequences of democracy in it's purest form. Millions of middle/working class voters, are fed up with 30 years of phoney conservatism, trickle-down economics and other failed ideologies that have cost them their livelihood and future financial security. And what do party leaders on both sides do? Continue to proclaim their political purity as if it were a solution rather than the problem.
21
If you look not just at the Trump supporters, but Bernie's supporters as well, I think one could reasonably conclude that there are plenty of disaffected Americans on both sides of the political spectrum. It's not a Republican or a Democratic principle to be against tax cuts for the richest Americans (including the estate tax), against re-litigating Roe v Wade, against discrimination based on sexual orientation, against making it more difficult for every American to cast their ballot, and against big money in politics. At the same time, for laws that protect Social Security and Medicare, for a strong military and taking care of our veterans, for keeping our largest corporations from shipping jobs overseas and paying no income taxes, and, I daresay, for term limits on Senators, Representatives and Supreme Court Justices. My hope is that the ideologues on both sides will become less powerful as a result of this acrid election, and the vast middle of the American electorate will be listened to and heard once again.
4
I don't see Trump leading an adult discussion of anything.
2
I heard Secretary Clinton speak at an event in San Francisco.
At the event she spoke about policies of importance to the nation: climate change, the Supreme Court, foreign policy, investing in infrastructure and technology, wealth inequality, reforming health care and other critical matter for the country.
This morning I heard an interview with Donald Trump where he simultaneously said he would lower and raise taxes on the wealthy and was both for and against raising the minimum wage.
Of course, it is more entertaining to watch a SNL caricature of himself speak, but I stopped laughing at Trump jokes as soon as he became the presumptive nominee to the GOP.
People don't get excited by Hillary Clinton because she talks about dry topics of substance, because she is qualified and competent, while Trump talks trash about politicians and celebrities that get laughs.
So the media gravitates to Trump and give him a free pass on issues like his tax returns.
This morning he told Chuck Todd he hopes to release them before the general election.
Well, that is great that he is so hopeful.
His federal tax returns are the only basis to judge if he is as successful in business as he claims to be, if he pays his taxes, and if he has any conflicts of interest.
Every President and Presidential nominee since FDR has released their tax returns, which just began in 1913.
That question should be put to him by the media every day until November.
At the event she spoke about policies of importance to the nation: climate change, the Supreme Court, foreign policy, investing in infrastructure and technology, wealth inequality, reforming health care and other critical matter for the country.
This morning I heard an interview with Donald Trump where he simultaneously said he would lower and raise taxes on the wealthy and was both for and against raising the minimum wage.
Of course, it is more entertaining to watch a SNL caricature of himself speak, but I stopped laughing at Trump jokes as soon as he became the presumptive nominee to the GOP.
People don't get excited by Hillary Clinton because she talks about dry topics of substance, because she is qualified and competent, while Trump talks trash about politicians and celebrities that get laughs.
So the media gravitates to Trump and give him a free pass on issues like his tax returns.
This morning he told Chuck Todd he hopes to release them before the general election.
Well, that is great that he is so hopeful.
His federal tax returns are the only basis to judge if he is as successful in business as he claims to be, if he pays his taxes, and if he has any conflicts of interest.
Every President and Presidential nominee since FDR has released their tax returns, which just began in 1913.
That question should be put to him by the media every day until November.
21
Trump appeals to people who think believing mutually contradictory things simultaneously is sophisticated, not schizophrenia.
Obama's open border policy says it all... this year he's budgeting over $17,000 (each) to help the hundreds of thousands of so-called children (16, 17, 18 year olds -- actually young men) to enter the U.S. with absolutely no vetting or justification. He's also paying to "fly them in" -- imagine that! Yet the average social security recipient (the majority of whom have worked all their lives and paid taxes) gets about $12,000 annually. I am convinced that Obama hates America. He desires to root it out, structurally, economically and socially to build a nation that is not recognizable -- a borderless utopia? Really? The problem with that, though, is that our roots are not so fragile, that we would allow an ideologue like him to just come along and yank them out. Hopefully, this November, he and all his minions will be gone for good! A strong immigration/border policy is sorely needed -- NOW!
2
Illegal immigration is such a complex topic that you can find something to support any view no matter how crackpot. So we have the writer asserting that the President hates America and would destroy it. Although, of course (and again this is for complex reasons), more illegal immigrants are deported now than enter the country. Or that illegal immigration from Latin America has not been shown to be an economic or security risk. Or that the do-nothing Republican Congress has wasted eight years with its no-compromise, just-say-no, tantrums on every issue.
2
Is the threshold to being a "Republican" (or any other party for that matter) and voting in a primary so low and the party principles so vague that any band of monkeys can take control (my apology to "monkeys")? I've been a member of a number of organizations and there always seemed to be a reasonably tightly-worded "statement of principles" to which each member committed to adhere. When a group elected to "go rogue", no matter whether they were a majority or not, if they failed to so adhere to the organizations platform, "we" could usually retain control of the situation and the organization. Perhaps the party principles are so vague that the establishment here has assumed the principles were sufficiently iron clad that this perversion couldn't happen - as it currently is happening, perhaps this is a good time for all such groups to examine their own founding principles or "mission statements" to see whether such a mutiny is possible or even encouraged. I suggest one examine the facts to see what role the Dems may have had in Trump's ascent within the GOP. Machiavelli would be most impressed.
1
Nothing against Trump running in this election but his campaign should properly be as a third party candidate.
This is our Arab Spring!
I so enjoy watching these old farts that have been in power so long pillaging our country, making laws that apply to us but not them, waging senseless wars so surprised that this can happen to them. It's about time! Publicly squirming for their fleeting power. If they were smart (which i would NEVER accuse them of being) they should have worked with Obama! Oh well, too late now. American are sick of a dysfunctional govie! I hope they all get voted out in wholesale!
I so enjoy watching these old farts that have been in power so long pillaging our country, making laws that apply to us but not them, waging senseless wars so surprised that this can happen to them. It's about time! Publicly squirming for their fleeting power. If they were smart (which i would NEVER accuse them of being) they should have worked with Obama! Oh well, too late now. American are sick of a dysfunctional govie! I hope they all get voted out in wholesale!
11
"Republican Party Unravels" - Why I like Trump.
"The Republican Party elites hate him" - Why I like Trump.
"Trump does not hold conservative values" - Why I like Trump.
"Trump changed his stance on taxing the wealthy" - Why I like Trump.
"Trump supporting Transgender ppls rights" - Why I like Trump.
"Trump is gruff" - Why I like Trump.
Boo hoo to all you supposed "intellectuals".
"The Republican Party elites hate him" - Why I like Trump.
"Trump does not hold conservative values" - Why I like Trump.
"Trump changed his stance on taxing the wealthy" - Why I like Trump.
"Trump supporting Transgender ppls rights" - Why I like Trump.
"Trump is gruff" - Why I like Trump.
Boo hoo to all you supposed "intellectuals".
6
Walker - Why I like Clinton
6
OK, we have confirmed that lots of people think we are "going in the wrong direction". There is confirmation that the economic gains for almost all of us have been near or below zero (after inflation) for many, effecting their lives--including how many are committing suicide and dying of preventable life-style illness.
Yet, there has not been a single attempt by the NYT to identiy what is promised as policy (not slogan spewing), and how well it might actually work--and where any needed funding could come from. This should include activity that is not currently advocated by any candidate. What I hear is fanciful slogans with no possible way they can actually work.
Such an analysis might include answers: where did the jobs go, how many went, will they come back--and how, what might replace them. Real external threat analysis considering at least: Soviet adventurism, Islamic based terrorism, climate change, Chinese adventurism, and North Korean foolishness. Real internal threats including medical care provision, an aging population, climate change impacts and minimization, tax reform, financial reforms, Republican obstructionism, etc.
Slogans, he said--she said, horse race analysis, and magical thinking will not get us there. What can we do? What works? What does not work?
Please NYT, do your job.
Yet, there has not been a single attempt by the NYT to identiy what is promised as policy (not slogan spewing), and how well it might actually work--and where any needed funding could come from. This should include activity that is not currently advocated by any candidate. What I hear is fanciful slogans with no possible way they can actually work.
Such an analysis might include answers: where did the jobs go, how many went, will they come back--and how, what might replace them. Real external threat analysis considering at least: Soviet adventurism, Islamic based terrorism, climate change, Chinese adventurism, and North Korean foolishness. Real internal threats including medical care provision, an aging population, climate change impacts and minimization, tax reform, financial reforms, Republican obstructionism, etc.
Slogans, he said--she said, horse race analysis, and magical thinking will not get us there. What can we do? What works? What does not work?
Please NYT, do your job.
6
For so many to react so viscerally and defensively to Trump demonstrates a huge amount of fear. Good.
4
That the Left immediately resorts to vicious ad hominem attacks as seen in these comments is most disheartening to anyone who is politically Moderate.
They eat their own...bizarre.
They eat their own...bizarre.
One small matter continues to surprise me.
Today McCain said that he wanted Trump to apologize to veterans. Many other GOP elders have deplored his comments about Hispanics, blacks, women, Muslims. But not one has denounced his birther statements about President Obama, and that surreal show he put on about sending his investigators to Hawaii. Apparently all that was OK.
Today McCain said that he wanted Trump to apologize to veterans. Many other GOP elders have deplored his comments about Hispanics, blacks, women, Muslims. But not one has denounced his birther statements about President Obama, and that surreal show he put on about sending his investigators to Hawaii. Apparently all that was OK.
25
Why should anyone listen to Mitt Romney, an ingrate, is beyond my understanding. As for Paul Ryan, he's a phony! Trump should start his own, new party.
7
To start a party would take something beyond tweets and sound bites generously laced with lies and insults. Trump has neither the brain nor application to attempt anything like that.
4
So to Mr. Ryan and members of his personal political party, the primary results are of no importance?
7
The curious meme to all of this is that Trump is an outsider and a non-elite. He has benefitted from his connections and privilege his entire life. He is as much a part of the system as any of them. His sincerity in believing he isn't may be convincing to his supporters and himself but it isn't true. That people believe that someone who benefits from an elite system will destroy it belies the skill of Trump's salesmanship, but little else. His election would keep the 1% firmly in control, but without the middleman.
13
You have no idea what you're talking about. Just because you have money or access to it doesn't mean that you will be successful. It only means you have money. That's all. it's what you do with it that matters and that is where your assumptions about Trump go a different direction
1
Well, if your dad can give you a million in seed money, and you can lay off your losses on your creditors (via bankruptcies) and you can pay substandard wages to imported laborers, you sure have a leg up on the working Joe. I sure hope all these Trumpers will be forgiving when President Trump inevitably picks their pockets.
So you're telling me that the dangerously under-educated, misinformed, misogynistic, racist, homophobic, transphobic, Bible-thumping Republican Base not doing what the Republican Elites had assumed they'd do -- make Bush the nominee -- has led to a complete and utter breakdown of the Republican Party?
Good.
Good.
29
I think you missed a few slurs there.
I look forward to casting my vote for Trump. The sitting Republicans are getting exactly what they deserve...upended. They were warned repeatedly. We heard: "We need the House back...We need the Senate..." and they gave us nothing. I would cut off a toe to retrace the vote I extended to Romney/Ryan in 2012. Ryan said repeatedly this year that he would support the Republican Nominee and now he pulls this horse manure. The old elite will NEVER get another vote from me. And I'm grateful for Trump's abrasiveness, brashness, crudeness and rudeness. It was going to take all of these things to right this Republican ship of Fools.
9
Will someone please inform Paul Ryan that he is the head of the REPUBLICAN party and not the CONSERVATIVE party?? He seems to be greatly confused. Which is EXACTLY why the vast majority voted for Donald Trump and not the Tea Party representative.
4
The issue is that voters from both parties are disillusioned with their own parties. and do not believe that the parties are looking out for their best interests. The solution is not more extremism, but a move to the middle. If a moderate candidate were to run as a third party candidate on a platform that didn't press the extreme views of either party, I think that person would find a large amount of support. That person would find even greater support if he or she was independently wealthy and appeared that they couldn't be bought by special interest groups.
2
It seems to me your prescription is embodied in Donald Trump
@Pete,
Your comment reminds me of several people I've spoken to about this election. One, another American with Dutch relatives. The other two were a couple from Norway. What they told me was that Sanders would be viewed as a centrist. Definitely not an extreme anything. The Norwegian couple (lovely seniors, visiting their daughter) told me Hillary is far right in their eyes. The couple was familiar with Sanders and Hillary. I told them that as an American born and raised woman (though I've had a few years overseas) I'm always interested to see how we look globally. I said "so much for Hillary's claim of being a progressive." I also said that listening to them made me realize how far behind we are in some ways, compared to other places in the world.
I guess extremism, centrism, etc. are in the eyes of the beholder. Apropos Trump, his toxicity is such that I find little wiggle room for much consideration.
5-8-16@3:23 pm
Your comment reminds me of several people I've spoken to about this election. One, another American with Dutch relatives. The other two were a couple from Norway. What they told me was that Sanders would be viewed as a centrist. Definitely not an extreme anything. The Norwegian couple (lovely seniors, visiting their daughter) told me Hillary is far right in their eyes. The couple was familiar with Sanders and Hillary. I told them that as an American born and raised woman (though I've had a few years overseas) I'm always interested to see how we look globally. I said "so much for Hillary's claim of being a progressive." I also said that listening to them made me realize how far behind we are in some ways, compared to other places in the world.
I guess extremism, centrism, etc. are in the eyes of the beholder. Apropos Trump, his toxicity is such that I find little wiggle room for much consideration.
5-8-16@3:23 pm
2
"Unravels"? Well, it must be so. The Times says so, and it has no dog in this hunt.
3
...and when the NYTimes says so, it must be true...
1
All these comments reflect the total political unrest from all sides.
The professional office holders have much to fear in this election.
The Donald has more than a chance. It's his to lose.
The Democrats that can beat him are Bernie Sanders or Hillary her self with either Elizabeth Warren or Bernie Sanders riding shotgun.
Bill Clinton has to back off and act like a first spouse rather than a president emeritus if the democrats are to pull this off.
Stand alone Hillary won't be able to as they say "get the w"
I'm fastening my seatbelt because it is indeed going to be a bumpy ride.
The professional office holders have much to fear in this election.
The Donald has more than a chance. It's his to lose.
The Democrats that can beat him are Bernie Sanders or Hillary her self with either Elizabeth Warren or Bernie Sanders riding shotgun.
Bill Clinton has to back off and act like a first spouse rather than a president emeritus if the democrats are to pull this off.
Stand alone Hillary won't be able to as they say "get the w"
I'm fastening my seatbelt because it is indeed going to be a bumpy ride.
8
@Patrick Regan,
Bumpier? Perhaps you meant bumpier? It's been bumpy for a looooong time.
5-8-16@3:01 pm
Bumpier? Perhaps you meant bumpier? It's been bumpy for a looooong time.
5-8-16@3:01 pm
1
I predict low, low turnout....
Hillary does seem to be forgiven for covering for the sexual assaults by her husband and endangering national security...
While Trump is so, so in love with himself and will offend anyone to make the next news cycle... Trump can't articulate policy, so he avoids the issues all together with the incredulous filth coming out of his mouth.
The answer for Republicans is clean up their own house and offer something other than tax breaks for the wealthy and taking away women's rights.
In Canada, federal Conservatives split into two in the 1990s : Reform and Conservatives, which only served to ensure liberal government.
The Republican party has conceded the presidential race with all the nonsense in party, ongoing post Trump party win.
Hillary does seem to be forgiven for covering for the sexual assaults by her husband and endangering national security...
While Trump is so, so in love with himself and will offend anyone to make the next news cycle... Trump can't articulate policy, so he avoids the issues all together with the incredulous filth coming out of his mouth.
The answer for Republicans is clean up their own house and offer something other than tax breaks for the wealthy and taking away women's rights.
In Canada, federal Conservatives split into two in the 1990s : Reform and Conservatives, which only served to ensure liberal government.
The Republican party has conceded the presidential race with all the nonsense in party, ongoing post Trump party win.
1
Totally disagree...I think this could be huge turnout, with all the interest in Trump/Drumpf even before he became the presumptive nominee.
I do agree on the ramifications if the ReTHUGlican part splits into two: it will ensure a Democrat will be in the White House (with down ticket wins too) for at least two election cycles.
I do agree on the ramifications if the ReTHUGlican part splits into two: it will ensure a Democrat will be in the White House (with down ticket wins too) for at least two election cycles.
2
Reviewing many of the comments to this article, the pro-Trump sentiments mostly reflect the style of the candidate himself. They say many things Trump will do for them without saying how, why or when, except to note Trump's alleged business expertise, assuming I suppose that business people make great politicians. And they translate hatred into absence of political correctness.
I continue to believe that a substantial majority of Americans do not and will not buy what Trump is selling, no matter how much they may want to blow up the status quo in government. And if they simply want to the throw the establishment bums out, they will become classic examples of biting nose to spite face.
I continue to believe that a substantial majority of Americans do not and will not buy what Trump is selling, no matter how much they may want to blow up the status quo in government. And if they simply want to the throw the establishment bums out, they will become classic examples of biting nose to spite face.
4
Perhaps you missed the majority of comments from Liberals which are filled with slurs against anyone who is not seen as suitably 'enlightened'?
Here's an example just a few comments above yours:
@ kicksotic: "...dangerously under-educated, misinformed, misogynistic, racist, homophobic, transphobic, Bible-thumping..."
Here's an example just a few comments above yours:
@ kicksotic: "...dangerously under-educated, misinformed, misogynistic, racist, homophobic, transphobic, Bible-thumping..."
Between Donald Trump and Bernie Sanders there are millions of voters who have entered or reentered the political discussion with enthusiasm. The gatekeepers in both parties are scared to death to lose control to the democratic process to where the people decide who will run for president. The times they are a changing. Again.
6
Trump / Grimm 2016
1
Clinton/Broaddrick in 2016!
1
The problem with the Republican Party elite is that it remains in thrall to Reaganite conservativism, a hodge-podge of mostly bad ideas, held together by the sheer force of one man’s personality. Sound familiar? Reagan single-handedly held together the contradictions and fictions that guided Republicans, but these days, personality and ideology have been split between Trump and Cruz.
Together, Trump and Cruz represent the logical culmination of the Reaganite agenda. On the one hand, Trump promises to make America great again: it will be “morning in America” once more; the Donald and Melania will reprise the roles of the Ronald and Nancy. On the other hand, Ted Cruz represents the conservative purity now routinely (and mistakenly) ascribed to Reagan. Sadly, Cruz lacks Reagan’s folksy ways. Reagan understood that in order to mount a “charm offensive” one needs charm, something Cruz sorely lacks.
Trump is, like Reagan, an effective pitchman, and so Trump has prevailed. However, the rise of Trump also affirms the emptiness of so many conservative ideas (whether emanating from Cruz’s perpetual scowl, emerging from behind Rubio’s smile, or accompanied by Ryan’s wonkish gaze). Republicans may not want to be the party of Trump, but neither can they remain the party of Reagan. Perhaps, after this presidential cycle, Republicans will take their own post-mortem more seriously, and finally chart a path for the 21st century. Only time will tell.
Together, Trump and Cruz represent the logical culmination of the Reaganite agenda. On the one hand, Trump promises to make America great again: it will be “morning in America” once more; the Donald and Melania will reprise the roles of the Ronald and Nancy. On the other hand, Ted Cruz represents the conservative purity now routinely (and mistakenly) ascribed to Reagan. Sadly, Cruz lacks Reagan’s folksy ways. Reagan understood that in order to mount a “charm offensive” one needs charm, something Cruz sorely lacks.
Trump is, like Reagan, an effective pitchman, and so Trump has prevailed. However, the rise of Trump also affirms the emptiness of so many conservative ideas (whether emanating from Cruz’s perpetual scowl, emerging from behind Rubio’s smile, or accompanied by Ryan’s wonkish gaze). Republicans may not want to be the party of Trump, but neither can they remain the party of Reagan. Perhaps, after this presidential cycle, Republicans will take their own post-mortem more seriously, and finally chart a path for the 21st century. Only time will tell.
9
Another sign of how far the party has sunk is the fact that a con artist like Paul Ryan is considered to be the "single most powerful and popular rival left on the Republican landscape." Talk about an empty suit!
14
35 years ago you, or people like you, were lamenting "how far the party has sunk". In 1988, you were ridiculing George H.W. Bush as an "empty suit". Yes, the same GHWB that Democrats now laud as one of those responsible, reasonable Republicans. And in 2008, you made immense fun of John McCain, also now anointed by the left as one of those responsible, reasonable Republicans.
In truth, you dislike and fear Republicans. This is a surprise. I never expected to find that sentiment here, but now that I have, I'll give it all the weight it deserves.
In truth, you dislike and fear Republicans. This is a surprise. I never expected to find that sentiment here, but now that I have, I'll give it all the weight it deserves.
Always good to hear Hannity's silly lines repeated.
1
People marvel at Trump's use of social media to broadcast his message like it's something new. If I recall correctly, and I do, Obama used the same tactic.
2
Trump doesn't need social media. His outlandish and churlish remarks lands him in the press every time.
4
When will the GOP wake up and accept the fact that there are now three parties? Trump managed to mobilize non thinkers, the lemmings who used to dutifully follow whatever the GOP said.
7
The rise of Trump and Sanders is long overdue. The American people finally realize there's something rotten in American politics. Exemplified by Citizens United, our politicians sell themselves to the highest bidder. So similar to prostitutes, except that prostitutes have some dignity and provide a valuable service.
14
When will the media stop gushing for or against Trump? Count the exposure he gets vs other candidates.
You have to report on facts and compare actual plans - equallty. Just stop pouring oil into the fire.
You have to report on facts and compare actual plans - equallty. Just stop pouring oil into the fire.
9
94 million are out of the workforce, while 24 million workers are foreign.
Heroin addiction is rising, supplied by Mexico over our porous borders.
Obama bypassed Congress trying to give legal status to millions of illegal foreign workers.
Congress run by Paul Ryan played dead for Obama.
Anyone surprised by Trump's success isn't living in the USA.
Heroin addiction is rising, supplied by Mexico over our porous borders.
Obama bypassed Congress trying to give legal status to millions of illegal foreign workers.
Congress run by Paul Ryan played dead for Obama.
Anyone surprised by Trump's success isn't living in the USA.
7
Millions upon millions of those people you lump into "out of the workforce" are over 75 and under 10.
Counting the elderly and infants in your unemployment data is fraudulent.
Counting the elderly and infants in your unemployment data is fraudulent.
5
94 million? Liar, liar, pants on fire.
http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statements/2013/jul/30/blog-post...
This is how Trump gets votes.
http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statements/2013/jul/30/blog-post...
This is how Trump gets votes.
5
Noland, surely you are aware that his unfavorables far, far out weigh the fanatic fringe supporting him. However, those living in his echo chamber are getting a very distorted view of his chances - and this is so very sad..
5
Trump is a great thing for the Democratic and Republican Parties, it shows that they can't be these huge money clubs that sends political patronage and tax payer dollars to whom pays or works the most for that privilege. There is way too much money, I mean taxpayer money, in Washington that is being spent and distributed all over this country and world. Every business and government agency that receives those dollars hires very expensive consultants and companies to help them manage their expenses and organizations. That billions of dollars folks.
All of those consultants and companies need the gravy train to continue, Trump represents someone who will change the system. Bernie doesn't, he just would put it on steroids with more spending and bigger government. Trumps isn't a Republican or Democrat, he is really an independent and that independence is what this country needs to move forward. He does indeed represent why the Declaration of Independence was created.
All of those consultants and companies need the gravy train to continue, Trump represents someone who will change the system. Bernie doesn't, he just would put it on steroids with more spending and bigger government. Trumps isn't a Republican or Democrat, he is really an independent and that independence is what this country needs to move forward. He does indeed represent why the Declaration of Independence was created.
1
WHAT are you talking about??---The Declaration of Independence has NOTHING to do with Donald Trump, except maybe in your mind.
No offense, but you really need to go back to the History books.
No offense, but you really need to go back to the History books.
1
I use to be Democrat for years. Now the Democratic party is violent if you don't agree with them and they have no common sense. I am now a Republican. We the people need our freedom, rights, Constitution and religious freedom protected. It won't be with Hillary so I choose Trump.
2
I use to be Republican for years. Now the Republican party is violent if you don't agree with them and they have no common sense. I am now a Democrat . We the people need our freedom, rights, Constitution and religious freedom protected. It won't be with Trump so I choose Hillary.
12
This merely demonstrates your good judgment in your younger years. But nothing in life is permanent.
I'm glad the Republican Party is finally having this argument. They should have had it many years ago. I hope the anti Trump ones listen to the part of the article that pointed out the irrational, personal nature of the attacks on President Obama, President Clinton, and now Hillary Clinton as being partially responsible for the extreme feelings that Trump has brought into the open. The republicans have played this very dangerous game for decades. That was irresponsible but I hope it wasn't irreversible.
7
The Whig Party fell apart over slavery. The Democratic Party now is markedly different from the way it was pre-1964 when Congressional committees were largely chaired by anti-civil rights southerners and the south was still much secure for the Democratic presidential nominee.
And I think the writer is crowing too much over the splits in the Republican Party. Anyone with an ear to the ground knows that the Democrats are equally split. Yes, Hillary Clinton may get the support of Democratic office holders because they too are as beholden to the Goldman Sachs' and other big money givers as she is but many of the voters who support Sanders aren't going to turn out to support her just because she isn't Trump. If the Democratic establishment hadn't put its thumb on the scale to try to make sure Clinton was the nominee, it might have come up with a nominee other than one whose campaign slogan for the general election seems to be"The lesser of two evils."
And I think the writer is crowing too much over the splits in the Republican Party. Anyone with an ear to the ground knows that the Democrats are equally split. Yes, Hillary Clinton may get the support of Democratic office holders because they too are as beholden to the Goldman Sachs' and other big money givers as she is but many of the voters who support Sanders aren't going to turn out to support her just because she isn't Trump. If the Democratic establishment hadn't put its thumb on the scale to try to make sure Clinton was the nominee, it might have come up with a nominee other than one whose campaign slogan for the general election seems to be"The lesser of two evils."
4
Haha "equally split"
Except, while both parties are in debt to Goldman Sachs, only one of them is campaigning on raising GS's taxes and ensuring the anger of voters is addressed through our agreed social institutions. The GOP simply wish to destroy govt so they can never again take taxes from the rich. How dare the govt attempt to manage our country. HOW DARE THEY?!??!?!
Except, while both parties are in debt to Goldman Sachs, only one of them is campaigning on raising GS's taxes and ensuring the anger of voters is addressed through our agreed social institutions. The GOP simply wish to destroy govt so they can never again take taxes from the rich. How dare the govt attempt to manage our country. HOW DARE THEY?!??!?!
3
What a fabrication of utter nonsense. It's the VOTERS, not the Democratic Party that is pushing Clinton forward as nominee --- take another look at the numbers.
And that Goldman Sachs trope?? -- it's as old as the hills.
Another thing. "Evil" is only in the eye of the beholder...But anyone with an endorsement from a former KKK Grand Wizard looks evil enough to me.
And that Goldman Sachs trope?? -- it's as old as the hills.
Another thing. "Evil" is only in the eye of the beholder...But anyone with an endorsement from a former KKK Grand Wizard looks evil enough to me.
1
to N. Smith,
Was it the voters who decided to schedule only a handful of debates early in the campaign and scheduled them at times to make sure very few people were watching. As far as I'm aware it was the DNC which was attempting to make sure that no one heard from the other candidates.
And as to Goldman Sachs, Trump also has called for the end to that carried interest exclusion on taxes which is more than Chuck Schumer did until a few months ago.
Was it the voters who decided to schedule only a handful of debates early in the campaign and scheduled them at times to make sure very few people were watching. As far as I'm aware it was the DNC which was attempting to make sure that no one heard from the other candidates.
And as to Goldman Sachs, Trump also has called for the end to that carried interest exclusion on taxes which is more than Chuck Schumer did until a few months ago.
1
“The party has never been more out of touch with our voters,” Vin Weber, a former Minnesota congressman, said of the two factions."
Umm, the Republican Party has always been out of touch with the voters, it's just that the voters are finally realizing it. Their thoughts are captured in the immortal words of "Dubyah":
'Fool me once, shame on ... shame on you. Fool me... You can't get fooled again!'"
For those worried about Trump, just remember that the country elected George W. Bush once (he was appointed the first time ...)
Umm, the Republican Party has always been out of touch with the voters, it's just that the voters are finally realizing it. Their thoughts are captured in the immortal words of "Dubyah":
'Fool me once, shame on ... shame on you. Fool me... You can't get fooled again!'"
For those worried about Trump, just remember that the country elected George W. Bush once (he was appointed the first time ...)
18
Say what? GW Bush was appointed? Did Trump tell his miniions that?
the Republican party is not going to 'unravel.' this is wishful thinking. it has a solid base of support along a wide continuum of 'conservative' views. it is most likely going to regroup, reshape, and possibly come out of this stronger and better than before.
it would be nice for America if we had a truly conservative party that put the country ahead of its own ideology. One of our founding fathers said that 'Republics are usually destroyed by faction,' by which was meant a focus on partisan advantage over the republics actual needs. it would be nice if reality-denial craziness decreased as this approach does not solve actual problems. many current supporters of the Republican party will change their tune quickly to whatever the party starts promoting.
we need an external enemy to bring us together. the current serious problems don't quite achieve that (immigration, climate change, income inequality, etc.). if we're fortunate a political leader will come along and show us how to see them in a way that will make it possible for us as a nation and culture to come together enough to solve them. otherwise, chaos and more partisanship await.
it would be nice for America if we had a truly conservative party that put the country ahead of its own ideology. One of our founding fathers said that 'Republics are usually destroyed by faction,' by which was meant a focus on partisan advantage over the republics actual needs. it would be nice if reality-denial craziness decreased as this approach does not solve actual problems. many current supporters of the Republican party will change their tune quickly to whatever the party starts promoting.
we need an external enemy to bring us together. the current serious problems don't quite achieve that (immigration, climate change, income inequality, etc.). if we're fortunate a political leader will come along and show us how to see them in a way that will make it possible for us as a nation and culture to come together enough to solve them. otherwise, chaos and more partisanship await.
1
Common theme expressed is how Trump not connected to D.C., people like what he saying, and therefore overlook lack of basic credentials other than bluster. Would they go to a physician who shares same skills?
5
Putnam's comment that Trump "constructed a series of scapegoats" doesn't quite match the facts if we're talking about massive low-skill immigration from Mexico and illegal immigration. The problem is quite real as are its effects. The most important study of the fiscal impact of immigration, the National Academy of Sciences' 15-year longitudinal study "The New American: Fiscal and Demographic Impacts" finds that unfair competition with cheap labor from Mexico accounts for 44 percent of the decline in wages for Americans in the bottom quartile of our workforce. In addition, Trump's alleged "bigotry" about Muslim immigration is the kind of foresight entirely lacking in the hyper-sensitive Establishment that apparently cannot connect dots. Does any sane American wish to see the United States undergo the Islamization that is conquering Western Europe? As a close student of the phenomenon I've been waiting for forty years for a public figure to have the courage to withstand the venom of the most mindless political correctness to tell the truth about this. That person is Trump. One day, while we watch a Europe subdivided into Muslim enclaves, we will consider building a monument for the man who saw and danger and moved against it.
4
Do you really fel that masses of Americans will happily stampede into the jobs that Mexican immigrants are now performing? Especially without the guarantee of a minimum wage? I can't quite see that happening. What Trump's followers want are the nostalgic jobs and financial security of yesteryear, when their deficient education didn't matter as much. Throwing off the "political correctness" about Trump's followers, they are largely not a fit for meaningful participation in today's meritocracy. They are (in many cases) too old and too poorly educated. Trump cannot deliver for them, even by ratcheting down competition from China. He can bar Muslims from entering the country, but that will not deliver prosperity to that growing, aging white male underclass demographic. It's small wonder that they are hitting those high mortality rates; they are enraged and powerless. But in truth, they will never be anything but that, whether Trump is elected or not.
12
Over the years Trump has been so inconsistent regarding his ideology and political positions, that no matter what he says today, he is really the political equivalent to the Gumpian box of chocolates; if he was elected, no one will really know what they are going to get.
10
Until he actually has the nomination at the convention, Mr. Trump needs to be sure he garners the remaining outstanding delegates. No doubt there are forces working behind the scenes to deny him the nomination.
Secondly, its ironic and hypocritical that the GOP "powers that be" insisted on the infamous loyalty pledge, but are the first to turn dis-loyal, THAT is the reason the GOP will self destruct.
Secondly, its ironic and hypocritical that the GOP "powers that be" insisted on the infamous loyalty pledge, but are the first to turn dis-loyal, THAT is the reason the GOP will self destruct.
1
Has Trump seen Hamilton yet? Or can he not stand to sit for two hours while other men walk about where he assumes he's meant to be?
6
The GOP belongs to Trump now. Whatever they thought about economic policy is irrelevant. It's all about race now.
5
Wait, how is it about race? Oh wait, you think illegal immigrants and Muslim religion are races. Nevermind.
1
For Democrats, it's always about race. If whites do anything other than embrace being hectored about race and accept their original sin, it's yet more evidence of racism.
To ignore the fact that racism continues to play a very large role in this country's politics -- both Democrat and Republican, is nothing more than abject denial.
It's there.
It's there.
1
The DNC is doing the same thing to some extent: trying to ignore the millions of us who are supporting Bernie Sanders and his bold goals for America - and not all Bernie supporters are young people either! The DNC has already appointed Hillary energetic supporters to two important committees at the Convention, Debbie Wasserman-Schultz has been promoting Hillary since before she officially started her campaign! The DNC establishment doesn't seem to "get it" that Bernie has validity, and Hillary is not particularly liked (putting it mildly) by Republicans and many Dems! Having said that, if she wins the nomination (fair and square!) I will vote for her in the general election - she is far and away better than Trump! And down with caucuses, delegates and super-delegates!!!
2
He got less votes.
The coverage is going to Hillary for the same reason it is going to Trump, and for the same reason Trump is attacking Hillary and not Sanders.
The coverage is going to Hillary for the same reason it is going to Trump, and for the same reason Trump is attacking Hillary and not Sanders.
2
Oh please. Sanders isn't even a Democrat, and has said so himself.
Don't want to be part of the "establishment", but want everything it has to offer.
What hypocrisy.
Don't want to be part of the "establishment", but want everything it has to offer.
What hypocrisy.
3
Somehow, I believe you underestimate Hillary's ability to unite the right, whatever you conceive that to be, with Every working man and woman in the country.
2
Hillary is basically a centrist: her position is generally that most problems are complex and compromise is the key to a healthy democracy.
Those people who don't want to compromise and refuse to believe that there are any solutions other than simple ones do not like Hillary for that reason.
They will come of with a laundry list of excuses for not liking Hillary, but what it comes down to is that some people do not want to compromise and don't want to be told that problems are difficult and that solutions aren't simple, nor are they perfect.
Those people who don't want to compromise and refuse to believe that there are any solutions other than simple ones do not like Hillary for that reason.
They will come of with a laundry list of excuses for not liking Hillary, but what it comes down to is that some people do not want to compromise and don't want to be told that problems are difficult and that solutions aren't simple, nor are they perfect.
8
A very good commentary. But there are holes. The Trump movement is fueled by severe frustration over stagnating incomes of the working white voters. It is fueled by racism over the Obama presidency and it is fueled by anger and frustration over a congress that has been deadlocked for years.
Many Americans are mad over the feeling that illegal immigrants are stealing their jobs, living off their taxes via handouts and pushing them out of their 'American Dream' heritage. They see the atrocities of a very small percentage of Muslims as an indictment that the all followers of Islam are evil.
This vote for Trump is a manifestation of this frustration, it is not an endorsement of a man that has no qualifications and is seriously lacking in any morals and is a habitual lier that probably is not interested in the truth.
The media thrives off reporting the bazaar, and Trump has furnished a truck load of headliners. The truth can be boring and Trump with all his faults is not boring. Trump will get a lot of votes because many people feel the whole system needs to be shook up. The fact that Trump is not qualified and will fail in this regard is not the issue.
Clinton is odds on to win in November. She has my vote. I hope that the administration she builds will acknowledge the causes of the Trump and Sanders movements and work to solve the problems. The list is almost endless, but the solutions in many cases are not that complicated.
Many Americans are mad over the feeling that illegal immigrants are stealing their jobs, living off their taxes via handouts and pushing them out of their 'American Dream' heritage. They see the atrocities of a very small percentage of Muslims as an indictment that the all followers of Islam are evil.
This vote for Trump is a manifestation of this frustration, it is not an endorsement of a man that has no qualifications and is seriously lacking in any morals and is a habitual lier that probably is not interested in the truth.
The media thrives off reporting the bazaar, and Trump has furnished a truck load of headliners. The truth can be boring and Trump with all his faults is not boring. Trump will get a lot of votes because many people feel the whole system needs to be shook up. The fact that Trump is not qualified and will fail in this regard is not the issue.
Clinton is odds on to win in November. She has my vote. I hope that the administration she builds will acknowledge the causes of the Trump and Sanders movements and work to solve the problems. The list is almost endless, but the solutions in many cases are not that complicated.
6
They seems to all be able to afford those T-Shirts and Hats and have no problem standing in line all day instead of hitting the pavement, hitting the books, or building a business of their own.
All these people are looking for handouts, which is ironic because four years ago they were all blaming Obama for promising handouts.
There have been 7 million jobs created since Obama was re-elected. If these people couldn't find any one of those jobs, they ought to be more honest with themselves as to why that is.
All these people are looking for handouts, which is ironic because four years ago they were all blaming Obama for promising handouts.
There have been 7 million jobs created since Obama was re-elected. If these people couldn't find any one of those jobs, they ought to be more honest with themselves as to why that is.
3
What this article doesn't point out, nor do most commenters, is that Trump is a teller of lies. He has a horrible record of saying things that are false, he makes up "facts," and dodges any real attempt to justify his speech. He also has offered no explanations as to how he will implement his so called policies. For instance: how will he get Mexico to pay for a wall?
Trump is probably going to go down as the greatest snake oil salesman of all time. And unlike most history, with its truth shaded by the historian, Trump's will run universal around the globe. All people will understand he's a charlatan.
Trump is probably going to go down as the greatest snake oil salesman of all time. And unlike most history, with its truth shaded by the historian, Trump's will run universal around the globe. All people will understand he's a charlatan.
7
The Republican Party has spread the dragon's teeth, and now they must watch them grow
7
When the cake comes out bad, you check the ingredients and the cooking process. Our political system is using poor ingredients and a bad process and we seem flummoxed that the cake is coming out bad. And, getting worse with each iteration.
We have career politicians forming a political elite divorced from the reality of their non-moneyed constituents' lives, subject to an electoral system that requires spending more time raising money for the next campaign then actually governing, thereby producing an elected official beholden to whoever provides the money to get re-elected so that he or she can start the whole process over again.
Is this not a perfect recipe to get politicians who are in the job to stay in the job and who have very little time or energy for anyone who cannot help provide the means to effectuate that? (And let's not forget the amazing fact that almost all elected officials seem to come out of politics much wealthier than when they went in. How *does* that happen anyway?)
And we keep wondering why we seem to get such poor governance from our elected officials and why the rich get richer and the rest of us are quietly slipping beneath the waves.
The solution is staring us in the face. Get the money out of politics. Limit terms and drastically limit campaign spending. Does anyone really think the obscene sums spend on campaigns is advancing the quality of governance in this country? Or that career pols are making life better for most Americans?
We have career politicians forming a political elite divorced from the reality of their non-moneyed constituents' lives, subject to an electoral system that requires spending more time raising money for the next campaign then actually governing, thereby producing an elected official beholden to whoever provides the money to get re-elected so that he or she can start the whole process over again.
Is this not a perfect recipe to get politicians who are in the job to stay in the job and who have very little time or energy for anyone who cannot help provide the means to effectuate that? (And let's not forget the amazing fact that almost all elected officials seem to come out of politics much wealthier than when they went in. How *does* that happen anyway?)
And we keep wondering why we seem to get such poor governance from our elected officials and why the rich get richer and the rest of us are quietly slipping beneath the waves.
The solution is staring us in the face. Get the money out of politics. Limit terms and drastically limit campaign spending. Does anyone really think the obscene sums spend on campaigns is advancing the quality of governance in this country? Or that career pols are making life better for most Americans?
8
I don't agree with term limits -- experience & commitment to gov't are plusses in my book, and reduce the "revolving door" between gov't and business.
Since campaigning is so costly, most politicians now have to START wealthy, from a successful business, wealthy spouse, or family money. Most of their gains during Congress come from investment. (article below)
My suggestions:
(1) All elected officials and appointees above a certain level, including SCOTUS, put their portfolios entirely in a diverse index fund. Spousal wealth likewise, and the politician's share of any family trust. Anything that can't be converted is reported & valued each year, with all earnings above what the index fund would have made...go to Uncle Sam so long as the person remains in office.
(2) Supremes must recuse themselves for conflicts of interest, like every other judge.
(3) Enforce 501c3's rules -- 100% social welfare only.
(4) It's hard to close the barn door on campaign finance now, but for any political contribution above $100 to a party, campaign or political PAC, at least half goes to a public financing pool for anyone who wants to run witth public financing only. It should be graduated, like the income tax -- higher percentages as the donation amount rises. No corporate donations -- every gift must be attached to a human, with name and residence.
http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2014/09/how-did-members-of-c...
Since campaigning is so costly, most politicians now have to START wealthy, from a successful business, wealthy spouse, or family money. Most of their gains during Congress come from investment. (article below)
My suggestions:
(1) All elected officials and appointees above a certain level, including SCOTUS, put their portfolios entirely in a diverse index fund. Spousal wealth likewise, and the politician's share of any family trust. Anything that can't be converted is reported & valued each year, with all earnings above what the index fund would have made...go to Uncle Sam so long as the person remains in office.
(2) Supremes must recuse themselves for conflicts of interest, like every other judge.
(3) Enforce 501c3's rules -- 100% social welfare only.
(4) It's hard to close the barn door on campaign finance now, but for any political contribution above $100 to a party, campaign or political PAC, at least half goes to a public financing pool for anyone who wants to run witth public financing only. It should be graduated, like the income tax -- higher percentages as the donation amount rises. No corporate donations -- every gift must be attached to a human, with name and residence.
http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2014/09/how-did-members-of-c...
The primary beneficiary of Trump's rise, at least in the short term, will be Hillary and the Democrats, but both his ascension and Bernie's signal a longer term threat to the political economy of neoliberalism that both corporate-financed parties leaderships endorse. That doctrine has held sway for over 30 years, primarily benefitting the upper 10% of the income pyramid, and especially the 1% and the 0.001%. To the extent that they are still voting at all, the losers - the majority of the population composed of lower-middle class and working class Americans - are increasingly moving out of the orbit of the political "mainstream" and gravitating to the fringes of the narrow US political spectrum, and beyond. Since the owners of the economy and their political representatives have no incentive yet to modify or ameliorate, let alone abandon, neoliberalism, the likelihood is that the policy of permanent austerity for ordinary working people will be continued, causing an acceleration of the populist backlash both Trump and Bernie represent. Although the Republicans have taken the brunt of the damage so far, the current popular anti-neoliberal blowback will eventually reek similar damage to the Democrats. How the existing electoral system might be reshaped to reflect rising racism, xenophobia and ultimately class struggle remains to be seen, but the present "Bern" is just the leading edge of the political firestorm to come.
Don't count the Republican party out just yet (although I would like nothing more than for the party to crash and burn and usher in an era of Democratic-progressive dominance at all levels of government).
If Trump loses by a landslide, the party could continue to control the House and Senate, and dominate a majority of state governments. The party could retrench, and the 2016 election could go down in history as an anomoly.
If god forbid Trump wins, then we'll have a revolution in American politics the likes of which we've never seen. No one can predict the consequences of a Trump presidency, except that it can't be good.
We're in uncharted political waters. No one knows what will happen, although that won't stop the pundits from guessing, predicting and opining. Like the lottery, someone will get it right. We won't know till the future unfolds. It might get pretty ugly.
If Trump loses by a landslide, the party could continue to control the House and Senate, and dominate a majority of state governments. The party could retrench, and the 2016 election could go down in history as an anomoly.
If god forbid Trump wins, then we'll have a revolution in American politics the likes of which we've never seen. No one can predict the consequences of a Trump presidency, except that it can't be good.
We're in uncharted political waters. No one knows what will happen, although that won't stop the pundits from guessing, predicting and opining. Like the lottery, someone will get it right. We won't know till the future unfolds. It might get pretty ugly.
3
Trump has a certain genius for encouraging people to descend to his level and with the Republican Party leadership the job was already three-quarters done. It's too late in the day for the same leadership to do the Pontius Pilate act. They are known by their obstructive acts and destructive words.
2
"But I have to think that four or eight years from now, the Trump wing will be a little more traditional, a little less hard-edged, and will be blended into the party just like the evangelical Pat Robertson voters were after the 1988 election.”
Wow, this iteration is nothin'. Donald Trump isn't likely to win in 2016, but without responsible government responding to the interests of its citizens, "Donald Trump 2.0" will be truly terrifying..
Wow, this iteration is nothin'. Donald Trump isn't likely to win in 2016, but without responsible government responding to the interests of its citizens, "Donald Trump 2.0" will be truly terrifying..
3
Now the lesson the Republican party is taking, excepting the rejected but principled few notes, is that it should appeal to odious passions. politics should be an honorable profession. and politicians should educate and elevate, not appeal to popular prejudices. That the GOP is unable to do this is because they have spent eight years rejecting responsibiliy politics in favor of dog whistle politics.
It's a shame that in our great country we cannot get the best and the brightest to run for office. The system is clearly broken and too many are invested in the status quo to make the necessary changes.
6
I'm going to have to start praying for Hillary's well-being. She just went from being my preferred candidate for the nomination to being the only hope for humankind.
Thanks, GOP.
Thanks, GOP.
8
I'm sorry. You do not get credit for delaying your imminent endorsement of Mr. Trump. To say you're not ready "at this time" to endorse Mr. Trump, that you need to give it more thought is ludicrous. This is an easy call. Either you can tolerate a the racism, bigotry, misogyny, bombast, and disdain for basic decency, or you can't. If you really need to think about it some more, and you come down on Mr. Trump's side, you look even worse.
7
I don't see how anyone can be surprised by what's going on. We see the ruination of Europe by Muslims. As a matter of fact I am sick of hearing it. I am sick of the political correctness. I am sick of illegal immigrants. So, as a Democrat, will proudly vote for Donald Trump. Never a Hillary! You guys have underestimated a whole bunch of us.
2
why would anyone who makes billions take a low paying,,high stress,,, president job, no thanks. to get laws passed in your favor? to gain inside business advancement for your own profit margin, now I see why, it's difficult to know if America is on the wrong track and going in the right direction when your gulfstream lear jet is on cruse control
No one is going to change Donald J. Trump....his forensics are now indelible
So....the question remains: what does the GOP have the right to do ???
I think....state that Trump does not represent their policies.....and then
therefore the GOP cannot ask their members to pay for Trump's candidacy.
So....the question remains: what does the GOP have the right to do ???
I think....state that Trump does not represent their policies.....and then
therefore the GOP cannot ask their members to pay for Trump's candidacy.
3
Donald Trump didn't "take over" the Republican party; he merely emotionally connected to their voters who have been chronically ignored by Republican politicians, who, after courting their votes during campaign time, went on to create self-serving policies that had little to do with their voters' concerns or needs. This is the famous "disconnect" between why poor, underserved voters historically supported rich, overserved Republican politicians. The voters appear to be fed up with the constant bait-and-switch Republican politicking. Unfortunately, it's unlikely Trump will make their lives any better.
1
strange. The Issues The Party people all involve Trumps perceived non-conformance with conservative ideology.
Almost no issues relating to his trashing of almost everyone but white males: Women in general; particular women for their facial appearance et al, including attacking a reporter's tough questions as prompted by menstruation; assault on muslims; claiming latino illegal immigrants as rapists; making fun of a pundit with disability; branding his opponents with terrible nicknames (e.g. "Lyin Ted".
This guy's vicious misogonistic bullying, seems never the issue. WHY???
Almost no issues relating to his trashing of almost everyone but white males: Women in general; particular women for their facial appearance et al, including attacking a reporter's tough questions as prompted by menstruation; assault on muslims; claiming latino illegal immigrants as rapists; making fun of a pundit with disability; branding his opponents with terrible nicknames (e.g. "Lyin Ted".
This guy's vicious misogonistic bullying, seems never the issue. WHY???
5
Lonely mainstream Republicans stymied at breakfast coffee clatches all across the country, surrounded by Trumpsters, with no one wanting to discuss the virtues of free trade, paying off the the national debt or defending outsourcing, are left with the sad realization that they'll never have another Bush to project American might & democratization throughout the Middle East, while defending America from the bad bin Ladens & kissing & hugging the good ones.
Flirting with triangulation seems to be the only recourse to not voting at all. Bye, bye American pie...made in China!
Flirting with triangulation seems to be the only recourse to not voting at all. Bye, bye American pie...made in China!
3
The Republicans have allowed racist rage to co-opt their party for many years. Let's face reality: Trump's supporters have rallied around a message of hate. They hate and suspect those who are not white, male, pro-gun, anti-enforcement, and anti-intellectual. Trump's supporters want quick, simple, Twitter-esque solutions to complex issues. They are impatient to get what they feel is owed them. They do not take personal responsibility for their own financial and life woes, but scapegoat them onto minorities, immigrants, "the government," "liberals," civil rights, feminism, and any other convenient targets. They also, dangerously, expect miracles from Trump should he be elected. It's unlikely that their lives are going to change significantly during what remains of their life span. Their decades of failure can't be undone by any politician, whether new or veteran. Their hair-trigger anger, poisonous views, and grim negativity actually cause me to fear the "civil war" some are promising if Trump is not elected. Because these people are not going quietly away even if Trump loses; they are organized; they feel powerful; and they are growing louder than ever. Trump hikmself is only the focus or the symbol around which they are aggregating. This election is less about him than it is about them. There is little chance that these people will ever be absorbed into today's meritocracy. Trump cannot deliver them solvency and satisfaction; nobody can.
7
No one really knows how this is going to turn out. Right now it appears Donald Trump as a consummate demagogue, huckster and blowhard can be easily dispatched by even a weak Demo candidate like HRC. But underestimating the gullibility of American voters has left us with many awful and/or destructive Repub presidents in my lifetime (Nixon, Reagan and W Bush).
Its interesting to observe how the centrist NY Times after feeding on and thus perpetuating the rise of Mr Trump (as did the rest of the MSM) are now agonizing over the horrendous possibly of a Trump Presidency. Or in the case of this piece gloating over the internecine struggles within the GOP as if they will not eventually coalesce around their candidate. After all this party is not known for their rarefied principles.
Judging from the comments I have read to this piece the response to Trump candidate is unpredictable both from blacks (who Demos assume are all in the bag for HRC) and some Sanders supporters. This does not bode well for the cocksure HRC machine in November.
Its interesting to observe how the centrist NY Times after feeding on and thus perpetuating the rise of Mr Trump (as did the rest of the MSM) are now agonizing over the horrendous possibly of a Trump Presidency. Or in the case of this piece gloating over the internecine struggles within the GOP as if they will not eventually coalesce around their candidate. After all this party is not known for their rarefied principles.
Judging from the comments I have read to this piece the response to Trump candidate is unpredictable both from blacks (who Demos assume are all in the bag for HRC) and some Sanders supporters. This does not bode well for the cocksure HRC machine in November.
5
Racism is fueling both the Trump as well as the Sanders phenomena. It's a last ditch effort of poor whites rebelling against an establishment, whether Republican or Democratic, against poor immigrants who have unseated them as the center of focus for government support. This whole thing reminds me of the NYC draft riots of the 19th century when the Irish turned into a mob attacking blacks everywhere. Hopefully we are better equipped now to prevent such horrors.
The stereotypical poor white is no longer a white coal miner or factory worker. It's a minority single mom trying to make ends meet working multiple jobs in the service industry and counting on welfare to feed her children. For better or worse, times have changed and we all have to change with them in order to survive and thrive as a society.
The stereotypical poor white is no longer a white coal miner or factory worker. It's a minority single mom trying to make ends meet working multiple jobs in the service industry and counting on welfare to feed her children. For better or worse, times have changed and we all have to change with them in order to survive and thrive as a society.
1
Since the government and its parties put itself up for sale some time ago, it in effect because just like any other corporation that puts itself out there for takeover by whoever can come along with the most cash to buyout all the stock. If the parties are unhappy about this, it's their own fault by selling out, in the first place. There's probably a chapter in The Art Of The Deal, specifically on this topic.
2
Sowing mistrust of government, with the arch villain in charge being their own President, the xenophobic conservative believes no one and nothing... then you gave these nihilists a national platform, and nurtured it since Reagan but in particular in the last 8 years, and they wonder if there's any connection between their rhetoric and the outcomes in the populist voters ready to elect anyone, anywhere who swears the sky is surely falling? "You don't need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows." Dylan
4
Yes, US Republic Party is at a critical turning point. Party elites are disconnected with the party members, self-designated leaders have no followers. They have thought that Donald Trump hijacked the party. In reality they are deadly wrong.
I was blown away by the very last comments from the Bush fundraiser who said he hopes Trump supporters "will be blended into the party just like the evangelical Pat Robertson voters.”
Those are the exact people -- angry about immigration, abortion and the fear of Islam -- who turned to Trump when the party didn't deliver on those issues.
I don't see how any Republican could fail to see this or think the Trump issues are going to just go away.
Those are the exact people -- angry about immigration, abortion and the fear of Islam -- who turned to Trump when the party didn't deliver on those issues.
I don't see how any Republican could fail to see this or think the Trump issues are going to just go away.
4
I see the point of view that Trump is a logical extension of years of extreme right/tea party positions. I don't see it that way. In fact, I see Trump as fairly liberal -- defending planned parenthood, criticizing trade deals (Union position), advocating for more infrastructure spending (democrat position), advocating that SS and Medicare should be protected (another democrat position), bashing companies that avoid paying taxes by establishing HQ abroad (yet another democratic position).
To me, the logical extension of the far right positions would have been Ted Cruz, not Trump. Trump's appeal is in the ability to convince people we are victims -- immigrates, muslims, china taking advantage of us, etc. And his ability to humiliate people appeals some people. We see humiliation all the time on TV, led by Trump's on reality show. I personally believe a lot of Republicans will be quite disappointed with him if he is elected president. Sure, some of his positions are traditional Republican positions, but many more are moderate or liberal.
And don't believe his bluster about at least half the things he says he's going to do. In the end, he will state it was all his negotiating strategy. Tough business negotiators often start with extreme positions (building a wall) even though they have no intension/expectation that any one will agree to their opening volley.
To me, the logical extension of the far right positions would have been Ted Cruz, not Trump. Trump's appeal is in the ability to convince people we are victims -- immigrates, muslims, china taking advantage of us, etc. And his ability to humiliate people appeals some people. We see humiliation all the time on TV, led by Trump's on reality show. I personally believe a lot of Republicans will be quite disappointed with him if he is elected president. Sure, some of his positions are traditional Republican positions, but many more are moderate or liberal.
And don't believe his bluster about at least half the things he says he's going to do. In the end, he will state it was all his negotiating strategy. Tough business negotiators often start with extreme positions (building a wall) even though they have no intension/expectation that any one will agree to their opening volley.
4
Mr Trump is the media candidate ever since he began his vulgar rants . The media handed him the microphone at every turn while basically ignoring every other candidate. All the networks were enthralled with his every word to capitalize on ratings. The "bromance" has finally evolved into Mr. Trump being the Republican candidate for President. Every reported in the early days of the Trump campaign who said they would not write about him ate their words from the mint he began spewing his vitriolic. The media will continue to endorse him until he wins the White House and beyond because he will give them biggest ratings boost they have ever seen.
Americans may finally get the Government they deserve all brought to you by Fox News, ABC, NBC, CBS and their blathering talking heads. Oh and print media don't think you are innocent in all this for one minute!
Americans may finally get the Government they deserve all brought to you by Fox News, ABC, NBC, CBS and their blathering talking heads. Oh and print media don't think you are innocent in all this for one minute!
1
I was reading one of today's headline stories about Saudi Arabia from which I quote:
"In a series of sweeping royal decrees announced Saturday, King Salman replaced top ministers and restructured government bodies, the first concrete steps in a bold plan to reduce the country’s heavy dependence on oil, diversify its economy and improve its citizens’ quality of life."
As I skimmed the article, I mentally inserted TRUMP for SALMAN, and thought -- this is Donald's plan for governance. Who needs the Republican Party, let alone Congress and SCOTUS?
It's good to be King.
"In a series of sweeping royal decrees announced Saturday, King Salman replaced top ministers and restructured government bodies, the first concrete steps in a bold plan to reduce the country’s heavy dependence on oil, diversify its economy and improve its citizens’ quality of life."
As I skimmed the article, I mentally inserted TRUMP for SALMAN, and thought -- this is Donald's plan for governance. Who needs the Republican Party, let alone Congress and SCOTUS?
It's good to be King.
3
A recent article in fivethirtyeight.com (http://fivethirtyeight.com/features/the-mythology-of-trumps-working-clas... reveals that Trump followers are NOT primarily poor white working-class people neglected by our economic policies, but white people who, while they may make a little less per year than the average Kasich supporter, still have incomes that average quite a bit higher than those of Democratic voters.
Although I have been appalled by the way we've sold our manufacturing base away overseas, I think we are making a big mistake in assuming that the displaced workers are entirely responsible for the rise of Trump. Instead, I think it's our shrinking white contingent, some no doubt the spiritual descendants of the Confederacy, fearful of their future in the new world, and still in shock over the election - twice! - of an African American President. Remember that Trump was one of the most high-profile birthers during the 2012 election; it's my feeling that "Make America Great Again" is code for "Make America White Again".
Although I have been appalled by the way we've sold our manufacturing base away overseas, I think we are making a big mistake in assuming that the displaced workers are entirely responsible for the rise of Trump. Instead, I think it's our shrinking white contingent, some no doubt the spiritual descendants of the Confederacy, fearful of their future in the new world, and still in shock over the election - twice! - of an African American President. Remember that Trump was one of the most high-profile birthers during the 2012 election; it's my feeling that "Make America Great Again" is code for "Make America White Again".
11
The Democrats need to focus on the Congressional elections and make it clear that it is the results of obstructionism by the Republican majorities in both houses that has riled up the base of both parties. If the GOP is unraveling, it is their own doing.
7
Both major parties have effectively gerrymandered their way into guaranteed polarization and self-blinding close-mindedness (aka out-of-toughness). Ideologues like Grover Norquist corrupted our national politics years ago.
Only one party has made gerrymandering into an artform.
5
Trump appears to emulate John Gotti. With the Donald as "Don", he reasons, all the other families (countries) will "pay Tribute" by "kicking upstairs" America's fair share. He wants to get the ball rolling by turning NATO into the Mafia.
2
The Trump supporters can hope and dream that the ego centered demagogue billionaire is more than hot air in a toy ballon and that he can somehow transform his narcissistic rhetoric into magic that will "make America great again", but I think they would be less disappointed if they just admitted that they really really hate Obama, Hillary and foreigners and Trump voices their fear and hate and that's all there is to it.
3
Trump's life long business platform is to destroy the competitor and buy the destroyed business at garage sell price, and retrofitting it, sale again at the market price. Aand that what he has done so far to his Republican competitors one by one, and ready to swallow the party itself.
It is the stupidity of the Republican leaders who have silently allowed Trump to use his business formula in the Presidential race, and now when Trump has almost won his game, they crying wolf.
Trump has changed the Republican party to suit his agendas and once he owned it, he will shape it to his choice. The party was almost bankrupted before Trump entered the political market, and now when he has bought the party in the fish market, why the phony leaders are crying?
It is the stupidity of the Republican leaders who have silently allowed Trump to use his business formula in the Presidential race, and now when Trump has almost won his game, they crying wolf.
Trump has changed the Republican party to suit his agendas and once he owned it, he will shape it to his choice. The party was almost bankrupted before Trump entered the political market, and now when he has bought the party in the fish market, why the phony leaders are crying?
7
Conservatism has devolved over the past thirty years from an idea to a litmus test. It used to be a governing philosophy that served to directionally inform the party, candidates and right-leaning electorate. I has become a priesthood that dictates increasingly narrow positions, all designed to serve an insular hierarchy of thought leaders and donors. The single greatest example? Most conservative Americans want and expect social security and medicare to continue, while republican elites falsely claim this is impossible. Mathematics plainly indicates otherwise. The GOP elites refuse to support a modest increase in taxes to stabilize the very trust funds which underpin the retirement hopes of most republican voters. In the same breath, they enthusiastically support lower taxes for the few constituents who are already more than secure in their financial life. Republicans have managed to distract the financial angst of their base until now by blaming immigrants and aid to the poor for their financial woes. Trump took these baked in views and tacked on economic populism to blow by his competitors. He admits the rich may need to be taxed more and the debt may need to grow before it shrinks. Trump's views are extreme and his style is too reckless and unstable to trust him with the Oval Office. What might be the most lasting legacy of the Trump effect? He has moved part of the republican base closer to democratic economic positions than any republican candidate in history.
5
It would be a huge mistake if the democrats failed to read into the growing level of frustration with stagnant wages and rising expenses among average voters.
Democrats should see this as a wake up call for their own party instead of focusing solely on winning.
Democrats should see this as a wake up call for their own party instead of focusing solely on winning.
12
If Donald Trump is the alternative. Winning is imperative.
Looks like we'll be getting some New York values, no matter who wins. And I'd like to take a moment to apologize to Lucifer, for having been compared to Ted Cruz.
8
All publicity is good publicity, as long as you can fob off the bad stuff as lies and/or victimization by enemies.
1
To be honest it is a great puzzle that from a country that has supplied over 350 Nobel Laureates out of the 900 or so awarded since 03 such a cheap politician poped up.4 thoughtful Repubs with principle to distance from Trump is a manifestation of class.No human is weakness free Pres Clinton's affair wasn't that unusual Repubs then led by quick fame seeking characters like Mat Drudge inflated it and milked it so much, the name calling stuck on so many Americans a capable potential Pres Al-Gore got swindled and the result? : GWB's Pres and a classic historic Foreign Affairs Miss-Adventure : a misguided rush to break up Iraq before a reliable care taker State System is in place.Trump in his stump tries to revive that "Clinton's marital infidelity" as a determining factor when deciding who World's most important Nation's leader should be.He raised the impeachment: The impeachment was chaired by N.Gingrich who while condemning BC was deep into infidelity of his own secretly involved with his secretary behind his wife who was a terminal cancer patient.That Trump delves so much on discredited attack approach of the past shows that he is not future looking.Actually he is not a creative type at all ( he numbingly uses the adjective disastrous so often )English being my 3rd language ( after the Ethiopian Semitic Languages Gurage and Amharic ) even I am not that Vocabulary and expression challenged ( yes I had the privilege of lecturing in Math for 21 yrs in the US).TMD,Math Doer.
1
It is hard, very hard, to distinguish Ayn Rand Paul Ryan as three distinct personalities. To me, they all represent the sociopathic psychopathic Republican party.
3
As a Canadian and not a ardent follower of US politics the rebuke of Trump at face value seems like it should be an automatic "No Thank You". The problem seems to be that the Establishment Parties bring one more despair than hope, so Trump definitely has that going for him, the idea of hope. That truly is his great selling point. In fact the hope that Trump brings in change is "trumping" the fear of his presidency.
True to her establishment political roots Clinton offers no hope but just a return to the same. Apparently Americans do not want to return to the same.
True to her establishment political roots Clinton offers no hope but just a return to the same. Apparently Americans do not want to return to the same.
3
It's apparent that you are not an ardent follower of US politics, but you do have a cursory knowledge of the current tropes.
Another thing. If according to you, Americans don't want to return to the same "establishment political roots"---how do you explain Clinton's massive lead over Sanders???
Another thing. If according to you, Americans don't want to return to the same "establishment political roots"---how do you explain Clinton's massive lead over Sanders???
1
I sincerely hope Trump continues to believe he doesn't need the GOP to win in November. That's exactly the kind of over-confident bluster that will cause him to lose in a landslide. I've always maintained that the core Tea Party/Trump vote isn't more than 30-35% of the voting electorate. Without the party infrastructure, he'll be financing everything himself (with whatever donors will support him). Then we'll see just how 'rich' he really is! I can't wait for the mea culpas, about how his money is 'tied up' in assets that he can't just liquidate. This campaign could yet be the end of Donald Trump. He's bitten off more than (even) he can chew. He just doesn't realize it yet. Confrontation and intransigence will only take you so far in a democracy.
1
Sometimes a genius is not what is needed. America is thinking about sending Clinton to Washington to use her brain power and experience to navigate and disentangle the entrenched dysfunction. Many Americans think that is a waste, and point to the past two decades as proof. Could they not be right, that, as someone recently posted, nothing short of a "junkyard dog" can straighten out Washington?
Trump does not reflect the elitist image expected by those accustomed to seeing themselves reflected in Washington. Trump would shake things up, and no doubt, there would be some broken dishes. On the other hand, I can imagine Trump, in the face of shenanigans such as the Senate's refusal to hold a hearing for Merrick Garland, knocking some heads together, metaphorically speaking, and giving those senators responsible a dose of humiliation that would serve a stinging lesson and reminder of what is not acceptable. Is that not needed? Can we expect a Justice Department memo, solicited by President Clinton, to serve the purpose?
Isn't the old Greek custom of smashing dishes at a wedding symbolic of the idea of creating a fresh start? I for one, though not enthusiastic about Trump, am braced for a good smashing of dishes. Out with the old. There are probably enough checks and balances to keep him from unleashing Armageddon. Armageddon is what they've been unleashing, anyway, for years, as Trump has rightly pointed out.
Trump does not reflect the elitist image expected by those accustomed to seeing themselves reflected in Washington. Trump would shake things up, and no doubt, there would be some broken dishes. On the other hand, I can imagine Trump, in the face of shenanigans such as the Senate's refusal to hold a hearing for Merrick Garland, knocking some heads together, metaphorically speaking, and giving those senators responsible a dose of humiliation that would serve a stinging lesson and reminder of what is not acceptable. Is that not needed? Can we expect a Justice Department memo, solicited by President Clinton, to serve the purpose?
Isn't the old Greek custom of smashing dishes at a wedding symbolic of the idea of creating a fresh start? I for one, though not enthusiastic about Trump, am braced for a good smashing of dishes. Out with the old. There are probably enough checks and balances to keep him from unleashing Armageddon. Armageddon is what they've been unleashing, anyway, for years, as Trump has rightly pointed out.
5
Simply political evolution and survival of the fittest. Winners always rise to the top. Mainstream Republics will get behind their front-runner when push comes to shove. As they should, to win in November.
I am disappointed that more analysis is not directed at what has happened in American society to make the election of Donald Trump President a real possibility. When the Donald first announced his candidacy for the Republican nomination it was met with general laughter and snickering as if a game show host could be President. An actor sure but a game show host. After super Tues the elite of the Republican party aligned in opposition to Trump only to find his support increasing. On the Democratic side we have Secretary Clinton who has won less than three hundred more delegates (without super delegates) to a professed social democrat from Vermont. Hardly the coronation envisioned by the Democratic Party. There is clearly an unrest with the voters at large that is not being recognized and responded to by the main stream constituents. When that happens your choice for President can be an Apprentice evaluator or an already green state dare we say Liberal.
3
Trump is an egomaniac. That is evident.
Trump is not beholden to the GOP Establishment. That is also evident.
Hilary is a sorry choice for the Democrats . . . the quintessential special interest candidate who's only real virtue is her gender. And that, too, is evident.
If Trump beats Hilary in November -- as he very well might do -- he will have free rein to do whatever he wants, and he will do it. That is very dangerous because the line between democracy and dictatorship is a thin one indeed. "It can't happen here," you say? It can. And it might.
From where I sit, up here in the cheap seats, it seems to me that Americans have reason to be afraid. Very afraid.
Trump is not beholden to the GOP Establishment. That is also evident.
Hilary is a sorry choice for the Democrats . . . the quintessential special interest candidate who's only real virtue is her gender. And that, too, is evident.
If Trump beats Hilary in November -- as he very well might do -- he will have free rein to do whatever he wants, and he will do it. That is very dangerous because the line between democracy and dictatorship is a thin one indeed. "It can't happen here," you say? It can. And it might.
From where I sit, up here in the cheap seats, it seems to me that Americans have reason to be afraid. Very afraid.
2
"If Trump beats Hillary in November"............Hillary will run the table in November! Possibly a greater debacle than Goldwater in '64!
1
You're correct - we are afraid - of Hillary.
Please. Hillary wouldn't even win her own party's nomination were it not for unelected super delegates.
Bernie Sanders has inspired a movement while Dear Leader Donald has put together a cult. Has there ever been such a large group of people so eager to grovel at the feet of a lying buffoon before?
7
Leaving aside the question of what exactly Trump intends his presidential agenda would be, which seems mainly to be a bundle of contradictions, his supporters are all but guaranteed disappointment. Trump will face entrenched opposition by a Democratic Party well-schooled by watching eight years of Republican intransigence. Alienating the Republican 'establishment' further supports the idea that Trump will be unable to effect much of any agenda he may have that requires legislation. However, as any consumer of conservative talk radio will testify, the president 'can behave as if he were an emperor' through executive orders and the non-legislated prerogatives of the president. In even four years Trump can do incredible damage to the nation's future relations, the world's economy, and world peace. That political damage will, for his supporters, only reinforce their irrational belief that the solution lies in an unexperienced outsider. If Trump is elected, it will result in a parade of unqualified would-be demagogues, assuming he will leave willingly when his term ends. The survival of not only political parties, but the freedom of the nation is at risk... much of this roots in the establishment Republican Party's 'win above all, party before even country' demonization of their opposition, and their use of a succession of wedge issues to create a perpetually-angry constituency.
3
Perfect summation of the legacy of Obama. Thanks.
Maybe a "perfect summation"in your eyes -- But at least Obama hasn't started any new wars, or dragged this country deeper into those that already exist...Can't say that about Bush, can you????
The same is true of the Democratic party,thus Bernie Sanders' overwhelming popularity with people who care about social issues.
We see no difference between Trump and Clinton because there is
no difference.
We see no difference between Trump and Clinton because there is
no difference.
1
Oh really?? Think Sanders is the only one on the map to care about social issues?? -- Is that why his last Civil Rights March occurred in the '60's and he's still not getting the Black vote???
Never has the gulf between what it takes to win popular support and what it takes to lead been wider. That's where our split-second, hyper-connected, shoot from the hip, devalue logic and reason culture has gotten us. And the reason we have it is because a small number of very wealthy people, in this if-it-makes-money-it-must-be-good land of ours, got even richer creating it.
2
McCain's concern about Trump's remarks about prisoners of war has little to do with the presidential race - I do believe that it is more to do with McCain's signature campaign attribute that he was a prisoner of war. Trump stated what many of us veterans believe - too many people are being labeled heroes; inside and outside the military. Being a prisoner of war does not automatically make one a "hero." Trump is not afraid of taking on senators who have been in Washington way too long - and that is the type of leader we need.
3
This is what happens when the moneyed interests take control. Look for much more grief to come. The pitchforks and torches won't work this time. Our police have become militarized, the money controls the military and the Congress and the Supreme Court. And yes, the presidency too, or are you one of those fools who thinks that Obama really got anything of any significance done. Forget Obama care, it will soon be gone..
All over this world leaders are consolidating their power by restricting or eliminating all forms of civil rights and the process has begun here. Just take a look at what several Republican governors have done recently to the people in their states. From eliminating their entitlement programs and giving the money in the form of tax breaks to wealthy business people to poisoning the peoples drinking water they're really on a roll. Canada anyone?
All over this world leaders are consolidating their power by restricting or eliminating all forms of civil rights and the process has begun here. Just take a look at what several Republican governors have done recently to the people in their states. From eliminating their entitlement programs and giving the money in the form of tax breaks to wealthy business people to poisoning the peoples drinking water they're really on a roll. Canada anyone?
By all means, head to Canada. But, please, leave your passport on this side of the border.
1
Trump is not in this to Loose .... At this point, it's not an issue of 'Party'... His mission is beyond party lines...crossing those lines...and setting up new rules, boundries, 'walls' & updated agendas ...In other words, re-Definition... November will be a Yuuuuge win for Trumpdom if fate allows...
What is it with Republicans and their bandwagons? Lets jump on the Reagan bandwagon with its ideas about trickle down economics. Well that didn't work out too well for the working classes. Lets jump onto the Tea Party bandwagon even if I don't know what the original Tea Party stood for. Well that didn't work out too well either. Well now lets jump onto Trump's America first bandwagon and see how it works out. Good luck with that.
3
Joseph Welch v. Joseph McCarthy.
"At long last, have you left no sense of decency?"
Once again, Republicans stand silent.
"At long last, have you left no sense of decency?"
Once again, Republicans stand silent.
7
Donald Trump isn't the solution, but Washington DC is the problem. How long can the GOP establishment pander to the evangelicals and the libertarians while enacting policies that serve only the wealthy elite? How long can the DNC pander to unions while giving corporate welfare to private insurers and trade deals? How can the establishment be outraged at the voters that they long abandoned?
Forest fires clear out the overgrown underbrush allowing fresh growth in its place. This election season will be a disaster, but both parties have an opportunity to re-invent themselves to govern for the voters. Move over carried interest loopholes and top-bracket tax cuts, as well as six-figure speaking fees to bankers. Middle class jobs are the majority, and a democracy is still majority rules. While the S&P hovers around record highs, Main Street is still hurting.
Washington - the voters are unhappy. Time to listen - the voters are right by definition.
Forest fires clear out the overgrown underbrush allowing fresh growth in its place. This election season will be a disaster, but both parties have an opportunity to re-invent themselves to govern for the voters. Move over carried interest loopholes and top-bracket tax cuts, as well as six-figure speaking fees to bankers. Middle class jobs are the majority, and a democracy is still majority rules. While the S&P hovers around record highs, Main Street is still hurting.
Washington - the voters are unhappy. Time to listen - the voters are right by definition.
5
As a life-long believer in the two party system I am dismayed by the collapse nearly to ruin of the Republican party. There has been so much deliberate inbreeding over the decades by the Conservatives that instead of producing a super-Reagan as it was hoped, it has, in this political season, birthed, not one, but two, monstrosities that it cannot claim as its own offspring without wincing.
Most everyday Republicans are straining in wonder as to how this evolved.
This is tragedy for our political system and I hope the professional Republicans will get their house in order soon enough and learn to present to the American people what are reasonable and palatable alternatives to how we are governed instead of panderers to the fringe.
Most everyday Republicans are straining in wonder as to how this evolved.
This is tragedy for our political system and I hope the professional Republicans will get their house in order soon enough and learn to present to the American people what are reasonable and palatable alternatives to how we are governed instead of panderers to the fringe.
2
Ironically, the man best prepared to deliver positive aspects of Reagan was President Obama, who had studied his career and saw some good things in it.
1
NYT neglected to state that the progressive wing of the democratic party is also on edge. The progressive movement is upset because our next leader will likely be a miltary hawk, influenced by the special interests and billionaires, and uninterested in addressing the income /wealth imbalances in America.
3
It won't be long now. The Grand Old Men of the GOP will be found hiding behind Hillary's skirts, pleading with her to stop the monster they created.
1
Well done, GOP. You turned St. Reagan's vision of a shining "city on a hill" into a "circus on a hill".
2
After it unravels it can ravel itself back together as a serious party.
1
What's all this fuss about?
There is no difference between Trump and any of the other Republican big shots.
They all operate in same way:
1. Money from Billionaires (for Trump, himself)
2. Protect the interests of the wealthy, by focusing attention on a bogeyman to get the support of the lower classes (for Trump, multiple, inventive bogeymen)
Same formula, different parameters pumped into the equation; so tough on Paul Ryan - his faction lost, that's all there is to it.
Everyone mentioned in this article is cut out of the same cloth, with one exception: Bernie Sanders.
There is no difference between Trump and any of the other Republican big shots.
They all operate in same way:
1. Money from Billionaires (for Trump, himself)
2. Protect the interests of the wealthy, by focusing attention on a bogeyman to get the support of the lower classes (for Trump, multiple, inventive bogeymen)
Same formula, different parameters pumped into the equation; so tough on Paul Ryan - his faction lost, that's all there is to it.
Everyone mentioned in this article is cut out of the same cloth, with one exception: Bernie Sanders.
3
I can not believe that in this country with so many intelligent, educated, amazingly capable to lead people, a guy such as this can accomplish so much, something is wrong with a system that allows this to happen.
So dangerous, so scary, and here we are so helpless.
I am beside myself with disbelief. Canada is not the answer :-))
We need to wake up!
So dangerous, so scary, and here we are so helpless.
I am beside myself with disbelief. Canada is not the answer :-))
We need to wake up!
3
No question that Trump is Frankenstein's Monster, and Dr. Frankenstein is the GOP.
Good article.
Good article.
2
I left the GOP years ago when they took a sharp right turn and lost touch with the country's center. Since then, the party has become a shell of itself depending on obfuscation, deception, and dirty tricks to woo low information voters. No wonder their base is disaffected. They have successfully fooled them for decades now enriching the wealthy while their base has been left to fend for themselves.
2
The FBI might have the last say on Hilary Clinton's bid for the White House ... even from the outside it is clear she has broken the law during her time as Secretary of State and on many levels ... not just emails and Bengazi, but donations that were inappropriately received by the Clinton Foundation at the time.
She still has hurdles to overcome in testifying to the FBI. Bernie is not out of the running as yet!!
She still has hurdles to overcome in testifying to the FBI. Bernie is not out of the running as yet!!
1
The GOP deserves the candidate it chose. For a generation they have bad mouthed many citizens, government, the media and reasonable piliticans representing the center path. So they have elected a bad mouth in chief.
Hard line conservatives advocate for virtue and religiousity while their public policies discriminate against poor people and support the unlimited power of coorporations. The great cundrum they represtent is giving massive tax breaks to businesses, deregulation, do not support businesses having to pay living wages or henefits and want to repeal the New Deal. They want it both ways leaving the middle class out to dry. Romney's 47% comment epitomizes this stance.
In addition for years they have used "swift boat" tactics on liberal and center leaning candidates. They have never mentioned Clinton without in the same breath using the word untrustworthy. So it has stuck with little substance. At the same time when discussing their policies they have not been clear or honest about how these policies benefit the wealthy at the expense the middle class.
I for one would support Trump over the Cruz, Bush, Kasich. All have supported policies just as wild as Trump's proposals.. At least he has not proposed getting rid of the Fed, returning to the gold standard, privitizing public education, the VA, and Social Security.
Hard line conservatives advocate for virtue and religiousity while their public policies discriminate against poor people and support the unlimited power of coorporations. The great cundrum they represtent is giving massive tax breaks to businesses, deregulation, do not support businesses having to pay living wages or henefits and want to repeal the New Deal. They want it both ways leaving the middle class out to dry. Romney's 47% comment epitomizes this stance.
In addition for years they have used "swift boat" tactics on liberal and center leaning candidates. They have never mentioned Clinton without in the same breath using the word untrustworthy. So it has stuck with little substance. At the same time when discussing their policies they have not been clear or honest about how these policies benefit the wealthy at the expense the middle class.
I for one would support Trump over the Cruz, Bush, Kasich. All have supported policies just as wild as Trump's proposals.. At least he has not proposed getting rid of the Fed, returning to the gold standard, privitizing public education, the VA, and Social Security.
1
Donald Trump is guilty of shing some very bright light in some very dark corners and the cockroaches don't know which way to run.
Mr Trump is the product of a media that failed to address Willie Horton, Philadelphia Mississippi, Lee Atwater, Carl Rove, neo-liberalism, Grover Norquist ,James Carville, neo liberalism and the neo-cons. Donald Trump is the product of a media interested far less in formation and too much in selling image.
Mr Trump is the product of a media that failed to address Willie Horton, Philadelphia Mississippi, Lee Atwater, Carl Rove, neo-liberalism, Grover Norquist ,James Carville, neo liberalism and the neo-cons. Donald Trump is the product of a media interested far less in formation and too much in selling image.
1
I've come to believe the the NYT endorses Trump for President based on the number of articles (free press) the man receives.
1
John, the NYT is quite obviously a liberal institution and does NOT support Trump. Thing is, Trump is news -- news by almost any definition. He is getting covered by every news outlet on the planet. Do you seriously expect the NYT not to cover him?
2
Point taken and I respect what you're saying. I'm just frustrated with the lunacy that comes out of Trump's mouth and the traction it gains. Somewhere inside of me, I want to have a glimmer of hope in people realizing that what he says is populist angst and not the answer to problems we all face together that need a more thoughtful approach. The man knows what he's doing and the media is helping him out. Perhaps I'm wrong.
All Presidential candidates use the media to their advantage. Some better than others. Obama was good at it. So is Trump. But the story is much bigger than the media. "They" are not our conscience nor do they tell us how to think or vote (nor do I wish them to). Maybe "populist angst" makes your blood boil and it's easier to blame whoever let this guy get near a microphone.
Trump threw his hat in the ring for the free publicity -- to increase the value of his brand. He's probably as astonished as anyone that he's gotten this far.
1
A few simple facts to consider: Trump is a billionaire. The billionaires decide who will be elected. Trump is single handedly dismantling the Republican party which will almost guarantee Hillary's victory. My prediction: Trump will self-destruct just prior to the general election, just like Ross Perot did when he ran for office. And by the way, Ross Perot was another billionaire. Like I said, the billionaires decide who will win the election. This is nothing but a grand illusion. A big dog and phony pony show.
Mr Ryan said "not now". Which means he will eventually support Trump, as will many others who have to date kept quiet. Trump's worst enemy is Trump. Just let him babble on and on and he'll say asinine comments and insults. I can't wait for one on one debates, so Mrs Clinton show him for what he is, a paper tiger without a clue and not any specifics to his bombastic ideas.
1
Mr. Ryan said "not now" because he's probably weighing a run for himself...
People and the media talk about career politicians, like Hillary or Ryan or whoever, with some disdain. There are upsides and downsides to a career, well-studied, well-schooled and aware of the nuances required to deal with World leaders and players that control money, resources, countries. Maybe the Game of Career gets dirty too? Maybe by definition it's a dirty, hard game? But I liken it to going to a hospital and being given the option, while having a heart attack... Would you like the anaesthesiologist and the cardiac surgeon, or would you like the hands-on healer with no medical school background to open up your chest? I am a very spiritual person but I am going to choose the ones who schooled at Hopkins, Duke, UVA and Mayo Clinic...
4
Excellent analogy. I have had enough of sanctimonious St. Bernie.
2
Millions and millions of Americans are enraged that we elected a African-American president for 8 years, no matter how intelligent, empathetic and impressive he may be. Now their hatred has made them so angry that they are willing to tear this country apart over it.
Not a word about race or racism in the article
Not a word about race or racism in the article
5
You have a point. But the omission might be because it's a given.
After all, Trump did get the endorsement from David Duke, a former KKK Grand Wizard, didn't he???
That pretty much says it all.
After all, Trump did get the endorsement from David Duke, a former KKK Grand Wizard, didn't he???
That pretty much says it all.
Committed Democrats may be triumphant but the political marginalization of Trump voters and other, more traditional conservatives by a doctrinaire and vindictive Clinton administration will deepen this country's already serious divide. The anti-government incidents we have seen recently from both the right and the left (the Oregon standoff, retaliatory murders of policemen) anre just the start unless the trend toward radicalization on both ends of the political spectrum is muted by effective and creative leadership in the new administration. Hillary Clinton won't provide that. Her character and impulse will be to reward her followers and further punish her enemies constituting the "vast right-wing conspiracy".
5
Fundamentally the Ryan Republicans are saying they would rather have Hillary Clinton as POTUS than Trump. I guess Trump doesn't play "what they call rock and roll." OK, then don't come whining when Hillary and the Dems want some liberal this or that passed. Don't come whining when Hillary drives the debt up and a balanced budget is impossible to pass.
Trump is far from perfect. Sure, he has his faults. But the man has a track record of success. He knows business. He could get this country on a better fiscal track so that the $3T debt we have doesn't turn into $5T. He could get better trade deals and get people working again. Right now we are mortgaging not only our children's future, but their children's and grand children's future as well. At some point the economy will crash and the US Dollar will mean nothing. And it will happen, because the US cannot print money forever.
Trump is far from perfect. Sure, he has his faults. But the man has a track record of success. He knows business. He could get this country on a better fiscal track so that the $3T debt we have doesn't turn into $5T. He could get better trade deals and get people working again. Right now we are mortgaging not only our children's future, but their children's and grand children's future as well. At some point the economy will crash and the US Dollar will mean nothing. And it will happen, because the US cannot print money forever.
2
Well that's just great. I know that you're a Trump supported because he loves the poorly educated. The United States is not a business that can negotiate a win so that.others lose. A Trump presidency will insure that the rest of the world will no longer have the full faith and trust of the of our government. For God sakes he wants to negotiate debt by not paying in full. Do us a favor and do some research.
3
"fixtures of America — [...] its leaders, [...] institutions like Congress, the Federal Reserve [...] the big-money campaign finance system [...] corporations, the Roman Catholic Church [...] the news media"
OK, we know what they're against...what are the FOR? Does it make any sense? Is the cure worse than the disease? Trump supporters feel like they want to destroy what they don't understand. They don't know their history, they don't understand the present, yet they want to dictate the future for everyone and, looking at Congress for the past 5 years, without regard for whether they actually have the votes! What kind of Americans are these, who wear the flag, talk up the constitution ad nauseum, yet can't be bothered with the basic tenet of democracy: only those with the votes have the right (and the power) to affect change.
OK, we know what they're against...what are the FOR? Does it make any sense? Is the cure worse than the disease? Trump supporters feel like they want to destroy what they don't understand. They don't know their history, they don't understand the present, yet they want to dictate the future for everyone and, looking at Congress for the past 5 years, without regard for whether they actually have the votes! What kind of Americans are these, who wear the flag, talk up the constitution ad nauseum, yet can't be bothered with the basic tenet of democracy: only those with the votes have the right (and the power) to affect change.
It is time for Ted Cruz to name his cabinet before he jumps back in the race!. Americans are hopeful that he will choose Thomasville, Duncan Phyfe and Seymore!
I didn't see any unraveling symptoms in this article. In both parties, the base hates career politicians. The base thinks leaders do not listen to them. Rather the leaders are just making politics a career. They do not care about the average Joe out there. Trump trapped into that frustration. That is what any shrewd leader will do. I agree Trump is a vulgarian and a megalomaniac. However I think people are more willing to accept him for that instead of the crooked and lying politicians.
For example, the first question of the first republican debate was a Yes/No question. Will you support the eventual nominee? Everyone of the politician on the stage said YES, except Mr.Trump. He basically was not sure or waffled. At least the guy was honest. Now think about the other 16 or so politicians in that stage who said Yes. Where do they stand now? They could have said that time, I will support anyone except Trump. But they did not. This is why people don't like politicians.
Regarding Romney and McCain. The average republicans held their nose and voted for both of them. They lost based on their inability and the political climate of that time. Now a nominee of the average Joe is the standard bearer, the elites do not want to support him. That is hypocrisy. I don't think Trump owes anything to any politicians. If they are republicans they will support him. Hello, the republican party had an election and the people chose Trump. In democracy you accept peoples verdict.
For example, the first question of the first republican debate was a Yes/No question. Will you support the eventual nominee? Everyone of the politician on the stage said YES, except Mr.Trump. He basically was not sure or waffled. At least the guy was honest. Now think about the other 16 or so politicians in that stage who said Yes. Where do they stand now? They could have said that time, I will support anyone except Trump. But they did not. This is why people don't like politicians.
Regarding Romney and McCain. The average republicans held their nose and voted for both of them. They lost based on their inability and the political climate of that time. Now a nominee of the average Joe is the standard bearer, the elites do not want to support him. That is hypocrisy. I don't think Trump owes anything to any politicians. If they are republicans they will support him. Hello, the republican party had an election and the people chose Trump. In democracy you accept peoples verdict.
2
The easiest way for the anti-Trump Republicans to take their party back is doing all they can to come second in November. A defeated Trump will not take over the GOP, because he would have hijacked nothing.
I am not saying that Trumpism is not here to stay, it is like Peronismo and Chavismo in their countries. It will always be a part of the political landscape of America for a long time. Something that has to be addressed because this is everybody’s country and they are part of it.
What I want to share is that if all those GOP leaders that are not supporting Trump go a step forward and ask their followers not to vote for Trump and even support Clinton, the GOP will be in the path to heal and unite in this historical juncture.
That leadership will come out closer to their base, start over. And stay in touch. Hopefully.
I am not saying that Trumpism is not here to stay, it is like Peronismo and Chavismo in their countries. It will always be a part of the political landscape of America for a long time. Something that has to be addressed because this is everybody’s country and they are part of it.
What I want to share is that if all those GOP leaders that are not supporting Trump go a step forward and ask their followers not to vote for Trump and even support Clinton, the GOP will be in the path to heal and unite in this historical juncture.
That leadership will come out closer to their base, start over. And stay in touch. Hopefully.
Trump and the Republican party are mutually destructive. Trump dismisses Ryan's conservative positions, and Ryan is appalled that Trump beat such conservative disciples as Cruz and Rubio. By alienating dyed-in-the-wool conservatives and depending on the 40 percent of primary voters who backed him, Trump has set himself up for a debacle in the general election that may even eclipse the 1964 Goldwater disaster. And this is against the Democratic nominee who has nearly equal negative ratings! It comes down to an election in which the less unpopular candidate will succeed Obama.
1
All thinking Americans need to read the transcript of Trump's meeting with the editorial board of the Washington Post on March 21, 2016.
There, Trump's shallowness, ignorance, duplicitousness and narcissism are vividly on display. In this passage, Trump shows he's fully prepared to join Nixon, Cheney and Kissinger in ruling in secrecy from the shadows:
Trump: "But—and honestly, you know part of—I always say we have to be unpredictable. We’re totally predictable. And predictable is bad. Sitting at a meeting like this and explaining my views and if I do become president, I have these views that are down for the other side to look at, you know. I hate being so open."
Trump hates having to explain himself and is looking forward to the day when he's occupied 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue and doesn't have to.
There, Trump's shallowness, ignorance, duplicitousness and narcissism are vividly on display. In this passage, Trump shows he's fully prepared to join Nixon, Cheney and Kissinger in ruling in secrecy from the shadows:
Trump: "But—and honestly, you know part of—I always say we have to be unpredictable. We’re totally predictable. And predictable is bad. Sitting at a meeting like this and explaining my views and if I do become president, I have these views that are down for the other side to look at, you know. I hate being so open."
Trump hates having to explain himself and is looking forward to the day when he's occupied 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue and doesn't have to.
2
The GOP has been brazenly cultivating the celebration of ignorance, the dumbing down of the electorate, and their ability to cynically do almost anything as long as it hurts Obama and the Democrats. That is not politics, that was self destructive unadulterated dumbness and aggression. Nothing has changed really, it's just that Trump is even better at making promises he cannot possibly keep, or even understand.
4
This article barely mentions the role that George W. Bush played in creating the Republicans' current mess.
Upon entering office he cut taxes massively, primarily benefiting the wealthy. He went to war in Afghanistan and Iraq, wars which cost us trillions of dollars, and which amongst other things created a generation of physically and psychologically scarred veterans, now poorly served by an underfunded and disorganized VA. Bush also jacked up the deficit further by enacting Medicare Part D, a massive subsidy to the pharmaceutical industry. All of this led us to the precipice in 2007-08, and then we fell off a cliff. The bank bailout may have been implemented by Obama, but it was a policy designed by Bush and his people. So while Bush may have preached "small government conservatism," the conservatism of the early 2000s was anything but.
You don't think that traditional Republican voters' experience of Bush's conservatism - a conservatism that led to increasing concentrations of wealth, huge government deficits and a resulting decline in services, decimated military families and financial collapse - has anything to do with how they voted in the recent Republican primaries?
Upon entering office he cut taxes massively, primarily benefiting the wealthy. He went to war in Afghanistan and Iraq, wars which cost us trillions of dollars, and which amongst other things created a generation of physically and psychologically scarred veterans, now poorly served by an underfunded and disorganized VA. Bush also jacked up the deficit further by enacting Medicare Part D, a massive subsidy to the pharmaceutical industry. All of this led us to the precipice in 2007-08, and then we fell off a cliff. The bank bailout may have been implemented by Obama, but it was a policy designed by Bush and his people. So while Bush may have preached "small government conservatism," the conservatism of the early 2000s was anything but.
You don't think that traditional Republican voters' experience of Bush's conservatism - a conservatism that led to increasing concentrations of wealth, huge government deficits and a resulting decline in services, decimated military families and financial collapse - has anything to do with how they voted in the recent Republican primaries?
2
Bernie Sanders just picked up most of Washington's delegates. But this news is relegated to your back pages where I have to do a search to find it. There it is treated dismissively by adding super delegates to Clinton's total. Yesterday the Democratic party in Maine decided to abolish super delegates. No NYT coverage.
I am glad there are not six lead articles about Trump as there were yesterday. But you need to drop Trump and stop repeating stale "news" about him. He has gotten about as much of the electorate (25%) as Sanders. Cover the Democrats. Stop working for Trump.
I am glad there are not six lead articles about Trump as there were yesterday. But you need to drop Trump and stop repeating stale "news" about him. He has gotten about as much of the electorate (25%) as Sanders. Cover the Democrats. Stop working for Trump.
7
Perhaps you should look at the votes difference, and the Delegate/ Super Delegate count again.
But by all means, dream on....
But by all means, dream on....
Wow. So many words praising the supposed genius of Trump in explaining his rise to the top. Yet, there is absolutely zero acknowledgement of the role played by the media, NYT included, in prioritizing Trumps message over literally every other candidate running for president. It's like an explanation that NASA shuttles reach escape velocity solely due to the concentration and genius of the pilot, and in no way thanks to the explosive force of tons of rocket fuel. Trump could not be where he was without his coalition of the willing in the mass media.
Own your mistakes NYT, don't ignore them.
Own your mistakes NYT, don't ignore them.
7
Messrs Healey and Martin do a wonderful job of explaining to this truly gob-smacked onlooker how the notably nasty, erratic, vain, and simplistic Mr trump managed to pull off this truly bizarre and, frankly, rather impressive palace coup. A popular uprising that very much mirrors Bernie’s, except that with Mr Trump it’s ‘out with the new and in with the old’ (sigh).
I can’t say that I’ll sleep any better knowing how he managed to use the private thoughts of the disenfranchised to create a nationwide echo chamber, but at least this non-tweeting, non-twittering, and non-texting fossil can now stop scratching his head! Thank you, Gentlemen.
I can’t say that I’ll sleep any better knowing how he managed to use the private thoughts of the disenfranchised to create a nationwide echo chamber, but at least this non-tweeting, non-twittering, and non-texting fossil can now stop scratching his head! Thank you, Gentlemen.
1
If Donald Trump is the Republican nominee, fro the first time in 20 years, I will not be voting for a Republican for President. I believe that we must choose country over party in this instance. Holding the party together is not a good enough reason for unifying behind Trump and possibly allowing him to become the next President. He is a demagogue. He is dangerous. He does not deserve my vote or support. Country first.
4
Trump is a "logical" extension of Reagan's recklessness and dementia (Philadelphia, Mississippi, falling asleep on television during a meeting with the Pope, joking about nuking the USSR, Iran-Contra), Bush II's malapropisms and economic/foreign policy idiocies, Sarah Palin's second-amendment remedies, and Mitch McConnell's extra-constitutional obstructionism and none-too-subtle racism.
Trump combines it all and takes it a little bitty step further - just enough to fall right over the edge they've all been teetering on for a generation.
Let's just hope or pray or cross our fingers or whatever we've got to do that he takes the whole rotten contraption of the Republican party down in flames with him while leaving the country at least nominally intact.
Trump combines it all and takes it a little bitty step further - just enough to fall right over the edge they've all been teetering on for a generation.
Let's just hope or pray or cross our fingers or whatever we've got to do that he takes the whole rotten contraption of the Republican party down in flames with him while leaving the country at least nominally intact.
3
Most of us believe Trump is an egotistical megalomaniac, with little substance, but that doesn't mean everything he says is wrong. Roger Cohen writes:
"But his version of “America First” — which interestingly converges with the views of many on the left who are convinced that the United States should stop policing the world — looks like a recipe for cataclysm."
So, Mr. Cohen, you don't believe U.S. foreign policy since WWII can already be described as a cataclysm? Disastrous interventions in
.... Iran, Guatemala, Cuba, Vietnam, Cambodia, Dominican Republic, Indonesia, Chile, Greece, East Timor, Nicaragua, Panama, Iraq (twice), Afghanistan, blind support of Wahhabi-infested Saudi Arabia and Zionist Israel that created Al Qaeda and spawned ISIS ......
And Trump is the original cataclysmic danger to the world?
"But his version of “America First” — which interestingly converges with the views of many on the left who are convinced that the United States should stop policing the world — looks like a recipe for cataclysm."
So, Mr. Cohen, you don't believe U.S. foreign policy since WWII can already be described as a cataclysm? Disastrous interventions in
.... Iran, Guatemala, Cuba, Vietnam, Cambodia, Dominican Republic, Indonesia, Chile, Greece, East Timor, Nicaragua, Panama, Iraq (twice), Afghanistan, blind support of Wahhabi-infested Saudi Arabia and Zionist Israel that created Al Qaeda and spawned ISIS ......
And Trump is the original cataclysmic danger to the world?
3
Trump may not be the "original cataclysmic danger to the world" -- but he would definitely help any cataclysm a little further along.
Take a look at his list of Foreign Policy advisers...and don't forget to add Dick Cheney.
Take a look at his list of Foreign Policy advisers...and don't forget to add Dick Cheney.
Actually, the U.S. political system goes to the brink every generation or two -- and it made me wince to see the NY Times get so careless about history. The Federalists completely exploded after the War of 1812. The Democratic party shredded itself in 1860, tangled up in the insanity of slavery. The Republicans split in two in 1912 (though they re-healed fast, once Teddy Roosevelt left the stage.)
And the Democrats went through convulsions in 1968 (Eugene McCarthy, George Wallace and the assassination of Robert F. Kennedy) that ran much deeper than the one-man follies of today. I accept the fact that random bloggers will make a mess of history to prove their points. But on the front page of the NYT, I'd expect better than this paragraph: "Rarely if ever has a party seemed to come apart so visibly. Rarely, too, has the nation been so on edge about its politics."
This kind of turmoil is part of the American way of doing things. It's a genuinely scary part, but it is how we do things.
And the Democrats went through convulsions in 1968 (Eugene McCarthy, George Wallace and the assassination of Robert F. Kennedy) that ran much deeper than the one-man follies of today. I accept the fact that random bloggers will make a mess of history to prove their points. But on the front page of the NYT, I'd expect better than this paragraph: "Rarely if ever has a party seemed to come apart so visibly. Rarely, too, has the nation been so on edge about its politics."
This kind of turmoil is part of the American way of doing things. It's a genuinely scary part, but it is how we do things.
6
First the Republican Party and then the Democratic Party! Neither Party does the will of We the People. Both deserved to be destroyed. A vote for Hillary is a vote for the establishment. Lets get rid of them all!
1
I don't know how the authors can write about the demise of the Republican Party without explicitly talking about the assault the party made on labor unions and working class and middle class people. That's how they ended in the "economic deprivation" that Putnam identifies. The racism, sexism, homophobia, and "pro-life" evangelicalism was the "red meat" tossed to the working class as a way of sticking with a party that was otherwise throwing them under the bus. The anger you hear are those same folks now realizing that they've been sold an empty bill of goods for so many years. Those who understand the realities of the rigged economy go for Bernie. Those who want to continue scapegoating others follow Trump (whose policies will screw them over even more badly). The Republican Party has been revealed as a tool for the 1%, and a manipulating spewer of hate for the rest who might follow.
11
Trump has succeeded in ways that the William Krystol, the neocons, William Buckley and others only dreamed that they could. I.e., by saying: 'you folks leave everything to me, I will take care of you' while meaning: 'you folks leave everything to me, I will screw them (fill in the blank), take care of my friends (moneyed interests), keep you hungry, poor, and angry - so that I create a dynasty of American plutocrats.'
Why the chagrin now? This is a party whose enduring hero, Reagan - had over a hundred people in his administration indicted; produced crippling deficits and debt, de-institutionalized people who needed medical attention, declared war on poor people, made a deal with the religious right (who now hold much of the American south hostage). This is a party that celebrated the court ruling that American businesses can pump mercury in the air (yes they called it a victory).
If they are not embracing Trump, it is not because he does not represent their ideals. The huffing, puffing reluctance is the morbid fear that they cannot control him (and have him declare war on every country possible, destroy the earth, pollute everything, and keep trade deals that enrich their constituencies going).
I expect Trump and his team to meet these feckless republicans, convince them that they get to stay in power and continue their destruction spree. Then they will come around with puckered lips (starting with Fox, hate radio, and George Will).
Kalidan
Why the chagrin now? This is a party whose enduring hero, Reagan - had over a hundred people in his administration indicted; produced crippling deficits and debt, de-institutionalized people who needed medical attention, declared war on poor people, made a deal with the religious right (who now hold much of the American south hostage). This is a party that celebrated the court ruling that American businesses can pump mercury in the air (yes they called it a victory).
If they are not embracing Trump, it is not because he does not represent their ideals. The huffing, puffing reluctance is the morbid fear that they cannot control him (and have him declare war on every country possible, destroy the earth, pollute everything, and keep trade deals that enrich their constituencies going).
I expect Trump and his team to meet these feckless republicans, convince them that they get to stay in power and continue their destruction spree. Then they will come around with puckered lips (starting with Fox, hate radio, and George Will).
Kalidan
3
Kudos to those few republicans who are rejecting Trump as their nominee. To the rest: Have you no shame? At last, have you no shame?
3
8 May 2016, Have no pity on the Republican elites. They are reaping what they sowed and have forfeited their legitimacy. They governed unwisely when they had power - Iraq, unreformed immigration policy, unbalanced trade policy are some of many examples - and they failed to participate in governing when they did not - "No" is not governing. We should revile and repudiate these 'Leaders." But Anger is not governing either - the consequences of the failures of our Leaders in the last sixteen years are fearful.
4
Trump is anti establishment, that's the reason career politicians fear him. Their way of life of kickbacks for favors is about to end. Trump is the only candidate I could support at this point. The democrats fear him for the same reason. When minorities figure out the democrats aren't helping them with better schools, job opportunities etc.., then Trump will win.
I think it's time to get the same old corrupt people out of office and turn our country into a positive environment for everyone to succeed just not the corrupt. Hopefully, Trump will deliver.
I think it's time to get the same old corrupt people out of office and turn our country into a positive environment for everyone to succeed just not the corrupt. Hopefully, Trump will deliver.
4
There is no evidence to date that Trump has any interest in delivering. He did not even take the time to get up to speed on all of the areas in which a president needs to be knowledgeable which is why his responses indicate such a significant lack of understaning in foreign policy, nuclear arms, and on and on and on.
3
The ossified brains of Ryan, Romney, Bush etc. will all be relegated to dustbin of history. They are no longer relevant in America.
Thanks for your public service "gentlemen", now just go away.
Thanks for your public service "gentlemen", now just go away.
2
The true Republicans are now Voting conservative Democrats due to the popular GOP Donald Trush pandemic.
1
@Manny Morales,
I've heard of many labels for RINO to DINO.
While conservative Dem seems like an oxymoron to me (like Reagan Dem). Sometimes I wonder if labels mean so much, anymore--period. I guess those conservative Dems realize they've pushed things too far.
5-8-16@1:29 pm
I've heard of many labels for RINO to DINO.
While conservative Dem seems like an oxymoron to me (like Reagan Dem). Sometimes I wonder if labels mean so much, anymore--period. I guess those conservative Dems realize they've pushed things too far.
5-8-16@1:29 pm
1
the GOP used fox and hate radio to get control of the hill.
trump took it one step further and regurgitated the rhetoric verbatim to win the nomination.
now they've got a candidate who's entire platform rests on the hate and lies - that you've supporting for over a decade.
the party now deserves to die - and painfully so.
trump took it one step further and regurgitated the rhetoric verbatim to win the nomination.
now they've got a candidate who's entire platform rests on the hate and lies - that you've supporting for over a decade.
the party now deserves to die - and painfully so.
2
What does the Republican Party stand for: that is really the question that
this newspaper needs to define....just spell out the agreed upon platform
which is currently agreed upon by those who are members of the Republican
Party ...and serving in the US Congress.
and when this newspaper has this definition approved by the Speaker of The
House of Representatives, Paul Ryan...then and only then should any
editor or reporter have the go ahead to inject his or her views.
Otherwise the NYTimes is just disseminating more confusion.
Those who are voting for Trump have been confused into believing that
Trump alone can define the current views of the elected GOP members.
and
Good Editors ...you and I know a charlatan snake oil salesmen....and if you
do not...well then I think you are on a par with those papers which are at
the supermarket take out counter......Do YOUR job please...!!!
this newspaper needs to define....just spell out the agreed upon platform
which is currently agreed upon by those who are members of the Republican
Party ...and serving in the US Congress.
and when this newspaper has this definition approved by the Speaker of The
House of Representatives, Paul Ryan...then and only then should any
editor or reporter have the go ahead to inject his or her views.
Otherwise the NYTimes is just disseminating more confusion.
Those who are voting for Trump have been confused into believing that
Trump alone can define the current views of the elected GOP members.
and
Good Editors ...you and I know a charlatan snake oil salesmen....and if you
do not...well then I think you are on a par with those papers which are at
the supermarket take out counter......Do YOUR job please...!!!
2
@CBRussell,
It might be easier to check voting records online. The NYT enjoys and profits from this. I'm not convinced that they share your concept of responsibility at all.
5-8-16@1:40 pm
It might be easier to check voting records online. The NYT enjoys and profits from this. I'm not convinced that they share your concept of responsibility at all.
5-8-16@1:40 pm
1
"By seizing the Republican presidential nomination for Donald J. Trump on Tuesday night, he and his millions of supporters completed what had seemed unimaginable: a hostile takeover of one of America’s two major political parties."
Well, now it's official. There is only one Republican opponent left to contest Hillary Clinton. Is NOW the time Hillary Clinton will keep her word to Bernie Sanders?
In Lexington, Kentucky on Wednesday, May 4, Senator Sanders addressed a campaign rally. Included was another call from him for Secretary Clinton to release the transcripts of her speeches to Wall Street: "Secretary Clinton has given a number of speeches to Wall Street financial institutions for $225,000 a speech. [boos from the audience] Now, 225,000 bucks - that is a lot of money and I kind of figure that if you give a speech for that kind of money, it must be a brilliant, earth-shattering speech. It must be a speech that will help us solve all of our global problems. It must be a speech written in “Shakespearean” prose. And, therefore, I think that a speech that extraordinary should be shared with all of the people."
Secretary Clinton has promised time and again that she will release the transcripts when her Republican opponents do the same. Now, there is only one left, Donald Trump.
Secretary Clinton now has two choices: 1) Keep her word of honor. 2) Move the goalposts to keep these infamous speeches out of the reach of the public.
Well, now it's official. There is only one Republican opponent left to contest Hillary Clinton. Is NOW the time Hillary Clinton will keep her word to Bernie Sanders?
In Lexington, Kentucky on Wednesday, May 4, Senator Sanders addressed a campaign rally. Included was another call from him for Secretary Clinton to release the transcripts of her speeches to Wall Street: "Secretary Clinton has given a number of speeches to Wall Street financial institutions for $225,000 a speech. [boos from the audience] Now, 225,000 bucks - that is a lot of money and I kind of figure that if you give a speech for that kind of money, it must be a brilliant, earth-shattering speech. It must be a speech that will help us solve all of our global problems. It must be a speech written in “Shakespearean” prose. And, therefore, I think that a speech that extraordinary should be shared with all of the people."
Secretary Clinton has promised time and again that she will release the transcripts when her Republican opponents do the same. Now, there is only one left, Donald Trump.
Secretary Clinton now has two choices: 1) Keep her word of honor. 2) Move the goalposts to keep these infamous speeches out of the reach of the public.
Why should Trump or Hillary or any paid speaker "release" the speeches they were paid to give to companies, trade organizations, conventions, etc.? Here's how a commenter (Mike Whitney) explained it a few weeks ago:
"Releasing the transcripts of private speeches is easier said than done. If I had a spare $250,000.00 to hire Hillary to deliver a closed door speech for my company I would consider that expenditure a strategic investment intended to give my company a competitive advantage in the marketplace. As such, I would not be wanting Mrs. Clinton to publicly disclose the content of her speech and thus give away my competitive advantage for free to the rest of the world. There are legitimate reasons for protecting privacy in our country."
"Releasing the transcripts of private speeches is easier said than done. If I had a spare $250,000.00 to hire Hillary to deliver a closed door speech for my company I would consider that expenditure a strategic investment intended to give my company a competitive advantage in the marketplace. As such, I would not be wanting Mrs. Clinton to publicly disclose the content of her speech and thus give away my competitive advantage for free to the rest of the world. There are legitimate reasons for protecting privacy in our country."
@David Lockmiller,
Sanders said the same thing at the rally in Bronx, NY. I'm not holding my breath for any transcripts or any info on what she might have said behind (possible) closed doors. I'm not sure I care (anymore). But, my reservations weren't just about that. I still feel the Bern.
5-8-16@1:36 bpm
Sanders said the same thing at the rally in Bronx, NY. I'm not holding my breath for any transcripts or any info on what she might have said behind (possible) closed doors. I'm not sure I care (anymore). But, my reservations weren't just about that. I still feel the Bern.
5-8-16@1:36 bpm
Old Bernie's tired old script will soon be in the dustbin. I guess we'll never see his tax returns.
2
I like the tone of the article, but that's because I'm a liberal. You should compare coverage in the WSJ to that of the NYT, though. While this article suggests an unraveling, others suggest a series of complex and ongoing negotiations and suggests that Trump will eventually get the coalescence around him that he wants.
Honestly, the idea that Hillary can cakewalk to the presidency while the Republicans implode is a failing narrative. Dems need to feel threatened and seriously get Hillary's so-far-nonexistent campaign going. It's all fun and games and laugh at the infighting until Trump mobilizes an upset in November under our noses.
Honestly, the idea that Hillary can cakewalk to the presidency while the Republicans implode is a failing narrative. Dems need to feel threatened and seriously get Hillary's so-far-nonexistent campaign going. It's all fun and games and laugh at the infighting until Trump mobilizes an upset in November under our noses.
4
I would love it if Trump came right out and declared, "I am the Republican party. If you don't like it, get lost, we don't need you or want you." His supporters would go wild. It would be a new party, and I predict it would quickly settle down rather to the left of where it has been going, which was into the toilet, and be more like the Republican party of the 50's.
"On the left, too, Senator Bernie Sanders has built his own movement with millions of voters, and $210 million in fund-raising..."
Granted, the focus of this piece is on the Republicans, but it never fails to amaze me how consistently the NYT to either (1) ignore, (2) dismiss, (3) patronize, (4) denigrate, (5) insult, (6) or damn Sanders and his many millions of supporters, with faint praise.
Whether Bernie wins the nomination or not (I wouldn't rule him out, even at this point, in spite of your haste, and Hillary's, to predict his imminent demise) history will treat his remarkable, come-from-behind Populist revolt as a major turning point in a former democracy that lost its way.
And, as usual--at least since Judith Miller--the once-great NYT is in the wrong side of it.
Granted, the focus of this piece is on the Republicans, but it never fails to amaze me how consistently the NYT to either (1) ignore, (2) dismiss, (3) patronize, (4) denigrate, (5) insult, (6) or damn Sanders and his many millions of supporters, with faint praise.
Whether Bernie wins the nomination or not (I wouldn't rule him out, even at this point, in spite of your haste, and Hillary's, to predict his imminent demise) history will treat his remarkable, come-from-behind Populist revolt as a major turning point in a former democracy that lost its way.
And, as usual--at least since Judith Miller--the once-great NYT is in the wrong side of it.
4
Agreed. This is the year where dis-enfranchised, dis-illusioned voters of all stripes are making their voices heard. The numbers have skyrocketed in recent years because nothing is really changing anywhere. Washington still bickers over their pet ideological ideas while the rest of America slowly goes no where.
I can easily see where this could become a Sanders vs Trump contest. The Republican electorate has spoken. The Democratic electorate is screaming loudly but the Democratic "leadership", super delegates, do not appear to be listening.
I can easily see where this could become a Sanders vs Trump contest. The Republican electorate has spoken. The Democratic electorate is screaming loudly but the Democratic "leadership", super delegates, do not appear to be listening.
"It's my party and I'll cry if I want to."
1
The moment has arrived and I must grudgingly admit, I congratulate Donald Trump for seizing it. What do you expect from the voters than to embrace the man who says the Washington Insiders are hurting Americans?
We have had a ridiculous DO-NOTHING Congress for years that pontificates like circus performers at the podium but could not even pass funding for cancer treatment for First-Responders until they were shamed by Jon Stewart, a comedian. They distract us with bogus Planned Parenthood scandals while the Amtrak Northeast Corridor falls apart And on and on....
Then there is the Federal Reserve. Every two months they give a speech about how paying Americans ZERO interest on their meager savings is helping them, when the truth is the Federal Reserve's only mandate is to help Wall Street and it is insulting to pretend they care about the average American. The Founding Fathers actually feared the dangers of such an Institution like the Federal Reserve.
The average American has no possible way of dealing with any of this than to embrace the candidate who comes from OUTSIDE of all of this, tells us the Insiders are killing us and he will do something about it. So stop whining about Trump, he at least is not the same corrupt political garbage that got us in to this mess and pretending he will fix it is the only American Dream that is left.
We have had a ridiculous DO-NOTHING Congress for years that pontificates like circus performers at the podium but could not even pass funding for cancer treatment for First-Responders until they were shamed by Jon Stewart, a comedian. They distract us with bogus Planned Parenthood scandals while the Amtrak Northeast Corridor falls apart And on and on....
Then there is the Federal Reserve. Every two months they give a speech about how paying Americans ZERO interest on their meager savings is helping them, when the truth is the Federal Reserve's only mandate is to help Wall Street and it is insulting to pretend they care about the average American. The Founding Fathers actually feared the dangers of such an Institution like the Federal Reserve.
The average American has no possible way of dealing with any of this than to embrace the candidate who comes from OUTSIDE of all of this, tells us the Insiders are killing us and he will do something about it. So stop whining about Trump, he at least is not the same corrupt political garbage that got us in to this mess and pretending he will fix it is the only American Dream that is left.
3
The primary process has many flaws but the outcome might be the same if it were changed or didn't exist. We are a country of 320+ million citizens with approximately 75+ million voting in a Presidential election and significantly less in off year elections and significantly less than that in the primaries which includes both parties. How can we call ourselves a Democracy when 10-15% of the population determine who will be the Presidential nominees? Furthermore, most primary voters are those with a more passionate regard for the process and frankly their passion is greater than their intelligence.
The irony of this situation is a result of the 30+ years of GOP policies which has brought about the nomination of DJT. This is "reality TV".
The irony of this situation is a result of the 30+ years of GOP policies which has brought about the nomination of DJT. This is "reality TV".
2
Republicans have only themselves to blame.
3
As the world has grown more complex and dangerous, both political parties have spent time and effort on their ideological issues, dismissing their voters from consideration, but the GOP has been particularly concerned with convincing people that government is the problem and the less government the better. Their voters now prefer a man of no experience with no deep knowledge of issues and with a nasty vindictive temperament. We all just need to remember that this election is not about the country or its problems, but about Donald Trump and his ego needs. The media—all Trump all the time— will elect him.
1
If only Trump's candidacy were only about the future of a political party,
Of more dire concern is that his candidacy is first and foremost about the
future of the nation and the likely dangerous consequences for the world.
The Republican Party is likely to survive in one form or another but will
the country as envisaged by the founding fathers and symbolized by the
Statue of Liberty?
Of more dire concern is that his candidacy is first and foremost about the
future of the nation and the likely dangerous consequences for the world.
The Republican Party is likely to survive in one form or another but will
the country as envisaged by the founding fathers and symbolized by the
Statue of Liberty?
3
Before it's too late, everyone--in the media, the political sphere and the public--needs to ask the following questions about Donald Trump. Is he... self-absorb (it's all about him)? ...entitled? ...demeaning? ...demanding? ...distrustful? ...snobbish? ...approval seeking? ...unempathic? ...unremorseful (won't apologize)? ...emotionally detached (never discusses feelings) If, as I suspect, you would answer "yes' to almost all of them, then, according to Wendy Behary, you have described someone with "maladaptive narcissism." Such a person is almost impervious to influence. It's all about them all of the time. Donald Trump may be about to "takeover" the Republican Party, but we must ask whether or not such a person is qualified to be President with their finger on the nuclear arms button?
3
Actually, this is MUCH MORE SERIOUS than I at first thought. According to the American Psychiatric Association's (APA) latest version of its Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-V). It would appear that Donald Trump meets the criteria for Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD). While I'm a Ph.D. psychologist, not a clinician, I'd strongly advise The Times to contact the APA to resolve this matter in what could be a disqualifying condition for political office. We absolutely cannot have a man with a clinically diagnosable disorder running to be President never mind actually occupying the Oval Office
I'm anti-establishment. But why does it have to be someone like Trump? Mexicans are rapists? President Obama is not American?
I'm not voting for president this year.
I'm not voting for president this year.
If you don't vote for Clinton you will make Trump's election more likely. Is that really what you want?
1
It's clear the the GOP leadership is week and ineffective Mitch McConnell need to go....
5
Republican pundits and election bundlers have been making a boodle off of the GOP for years, and Trump was outraged. Why should THEY make all the money? So he applied his own unique brand of looting strategy to the GOP. He has run successfully in their nominating primaries by advancing his own funds and issuing 'iou's' to himself. He will now repay those with the first $100M that the GOP raises for his presidential run. He will bankrupt and destroy the GOP so they don't have the money to claw back his half-fraudulent vouchers. He will make a profit. The GOP and those who invest in Trump will lose. It has ever been thus.
3
The low information voter now brings us the low information president.*
*actually the second, George W. Bush was first.
*actually the second, George W. Bush was first.
6
Trump won Greenwich, CT handily. Hardly a bastion of low information voters.
We keep going around in circles here trying to figure out why Trump and the Republican powers don't see eye-to-eye while the actual Republican voters want him. First figure out and find solutions to the Republicans having too many blind spots; then figure out how Trump fits in. And don't rule out that he may get many Democrat votes that normally would go to Clinton. Things don't add up any more and step one is to acknowledge that.
3
In some respects, Donald Trump is doing the country a favor. He is forcing the voice of republican and some independent and disgruntled democratic voters to be heard. It is not a voice that I find appealing, but it is better to get the beast out in the open instead of it being a political force behind the face of mostly civil politicians. I say mostly, though it is fair to say that the civility has degraded over the last two decades due to this voice. Boehner's recent friendly appearance on video at the White House reporters dinner shows remnants of that civility.
I am glad to get the beast in the open, because I do believe that immigration is one of the fundamental drivers that has made the USA a great country. Alexander Hamilton's foundations of fiscal responsibility is another driver. Our continuing struggle to make equal rights a reality is another such driver. And frankly, a free economy (though there are struggles) is another.
Donald Trump is against all of these fundamentals: though his comments on equal rights are strangely mixed at times.
I am glad to get the beast in the open, because I do believe that immigration is one of the fundamental drivers that has made the USA a great country. Alexander Hamilton's foundations of fiscal responsibility is another driver. Our continuing struggle to make equal rights a reality is another such driver. And frankly, a free economy (though there are struggles) is another.
Donald Trump is against all of these fundamentals: though his comments on equal rights are strangely mixed at times.
2
This is nothing new. I remember when the Democratic Party was built on big labor protectionism, a huge national defense, northeastern elite liberals and a Jim Crow South. That’s what elected JFK and LBJ until Nixon followed the Southern Strategy after the Great Society separated Democrats from the Jim Crow South.
How long can Democrats support big labor, poor African Americans and open borders?
Realignment is nothing new and it’s entirely a good thing. It won’t be long before the Democratic Party falls apart needing serious realignment to accomplish anything of substance. Look what happened with the health care bill. Nancy Pelosi passed a bill with only Democrats and moved the bar to the right, let certain members of her own party opt out of votes or vote no to try and hold a majority. It failed because many of the Conservative districts that elect both Democrats and Republicans impact the majority in Congress. The Congress was lost in spite of her maneuvering and we got a very poor reform bill that looks much like a Republican plan that protects insurance companies because of it.
What the Republicans are experience may just mean they are ahead of the split that the Democrats are about to have. Purge can be very healthy. The Republican Party didn’t die when Barry Goldwater was vanquished, it re-emerged with a new coalition.
How long can Democrats support big labor, poor African Americans and open borders?
Realignment is nothing new and it’s entirely a good thing. It won’t be long before the Democratic Party falls apart needing serious realignment to accomplish anything of substance. Look what happened with the health care bill. Nancy Pelosi passed a bill with only Democrats and moved the bar to the right, let certain members of her own party opt out of votes or vote no to try and hold a majority. It failed because many of the Conservative districts that elect both Democrats and Republicans impact the majority in Congress. The Congress was lost in spite of her maneuvering and we got a very poor reform bill that looks much like a Republican plan that protects insurance companies because of it.
What the Republicans are experience may just mean they are ahead of the split that the Democrats are about to have. Purge can be very healthy. The Republican Party didn’t die when Barry Goldwater was vanquished, it re-emerged with a new coalition.
1
The Times is quick to place the blame for the rise of Trump at the doorstep of social media and cable news, while ignoring their own complicity in the tragedy. Their slavish adoration of Hillary Clinton, their dismissal of the "unelectable" Sanders and his platform, which might have drawn many away from the odious Trump if given half a chance, and their relentless reportage of Trump's buffoonery, are equally to blame.
5
"Slavish adoration of Hillary Clinton"??? Sounds like a case of selective reading here.
There has been some quite critical coverage of Clinton in the NYT, regardless of their endorsement -- No one thinks she can walk on water, but see her as more competent.
The only ones into promoting hagiographies, are Mr. Sanders' supporters.
There has been some quite critical coverage of Clinton in the NYT, regardless of their endorsement -- No one thinks she can walk on water, but see her as more competent.
The only ones into promoting hagiographies, are Mr. Sanders' supporters.
There's a six-letter word for a politician who "leads" by telling people what they want to hear. And it's not mentor or savant.
2
You're talking about Clinton, right?
"...whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap."
The hypocrisy of Republican "elites" is astounding. They have sown seeds of race hatred, xenophobia, paranoia and just plain lies for years to get the folks they thought of as "the great unwashed" to vote them into office. They then proceeded to betray everyone but the wealthy, and steal programs anad tax revenues from all of us. Now Trump comes along and is a great deal better at demagoguery than they were with their "dog-whistle" references to "welfare queens" and Willy Horton and Southern Strategy, and beats the pants off their feckless candidates. And they're shocked! Simply shocked! Please. The GOP betrayed the "party of Lincoln" decades ago.
The hypocrisy of Republican "elites" is astounding. They have sown seeds of race hatred, xenophobia, paranoia and just plain lies for years to get the folks they thought of as "the great unwashed" to vote them into office. They then proceeded to betray everyone but the wealthy, and steal programs anad tax revenues from all of us. Now Trump comes along and is a great deal better at demagoguery than they were with their "dog-whistle" references to "welfare queens" and Willy Horton and Southern Strategy, and beats the pants off their feckless candidates. And they're shocked! Simply shocked! Please. The GOP betrayed the "party of Lincoln" decades ago.
5
What Donald Trump has done, at a bare minimum of funds, mostly his own, is completely redefine the political landscape of this country. Which used to be defined, and continues to be defined erroneously by most, as Left vs Right.
Now, it's Us versus Them. "Us" are the People. "Them" are the Elites, from across the political spectrum. As a close follower of Republican Party politics, I used to vet the sundry candidates for public office through the musings of pundits from the National Review all the way across to the New York Times. I would search, in vain, for the most bona fide conservatives.
There never was any. None that truly accomplished anything like they promised, like shrinking a truly invasive and destructive government. Even under Reagan Federal Spending tripled by the time he left office. None like securing the Borders, which, three Amnesties later, continues to be flooded by illegal immigrants. Turns out the Left and Right agreed on one thing. Open Borders was good for their constituents. But never good for bona fide Americans attempting to play by the rules. Rules rendered mute by "Them."
No more. We've voting Trump. This "useful idiot" will no longer play the patsy for the Establishment GOP.
And from the looks of things on the Democratic side, it looks like many are refusing to do the same. Hillary Clinton can't put away Bernie Sanders. Small wonder, as the good people under that banner don't trust her or her cohorts, either.
Now, it's Us versus Them. "Us" are the People. "Them" are the Elites, from across the political spectrum. As a close follower of Republican Party politics, I used to vet the sundry candidates for public office through the musings of pundits from the National Review all the way across to the New York Times. I would search, in vain, for the most bona fide conservatives.
There never was any. None that truly accomplished anything like they promised, like shrinking a truly invasive and destructive government. Even under Reagan Federal Spending tripled by the time he left office. None like securing the Borders, which, three Amnesties later, continues to be flooded by illegal immigrants. Turns out the Left and Right agreed on one thing. Open Borders was good for their constituents. But never good for bona fide Americans attempting to play by the rules. Rules rendered mute by "Them."
No more. We've voting Trump. This "useful idiot" will no longer play the patsy for the Establishment GOP.
And from the looks of things on the Democratic side, it looks like many are refusing to do the same. Hillary Clinton can't put away Bernie Sanders. Small wonder, as the good people under that banner don't trust her or her cohorts, either.
1
Malcolm X said it best: Republicans' chickens have come home to roost. Or you might say that the dog whistle worked, and what have they to show for it? The party has gone to the dogs.
3
As I see it, the GOP is like 3 circles, one inside the other.
The inner circle is like a Debate Society - pundits and so-called intellectuals sitting around, having philosophical discussions of the principles of conservatism, the values and virtues they believe they sand for.
Then there's another circle - around the inner circle - people in Think Tanks, political operatives and some radio types, who are busy coming up with Orwellian language or ranting and raving. Call this the propaganda mill, selling the party to the masses.
Then there's the outer circle. Actual voters. Some are values voters. Some are religious voters. And some are simply people who have been lif long Republicans, whose idea of their party depends on when they joined it, whose words they heard at the time, and what matters to them - in spite of the two inner circles.
Then there's Trump. The Real Estate guy. Who loves himself! Who has no allegiance to party, principles, virtues religion or anyone - except himself. He's his own god. His beliefs are not based on reality as it exists. But on how he sees it. Moment to moment. The past plays no part in what he sees or believes. So he's capable of "honestly" (as he sees it) changing his views, as often as necessary.
This is a dangerous man! Who now owns the GOP structure. Despite the inner circle, the middle circle and those voters who think for themselves.
So, yes, the Republican Party is on life support. What to do? What to do?
The inner circle is like a Debate Society - pundits and so-called intellectuals sitting around, having philosophical discussions of the principles of conservatism, the values and virtues they believe they sand for.
Then there's another circle - around the inner circle - people in Think Tanks, political operatives and some radio types, who are busy coming up with Orwellian language or ranting and raving. Call this the propaganda mill, selling the party to the masses.
Then there's the outer circle. Actual voters. Some are values voters. Some are religious voters. And some are simply people who have been lif long Republicans, whose idea of their party depends on when they joined it, whose words they heard at the time, and what matters to them - in spite of the two inner circles.
Then there's Trump. The Real Estate guy. Who loves himself! Who has no allegiance to party, principles, virtues religion or anyone - except himself. He's his own god. His beliefs are not based on reality as it exists. But on how he sees it. Moment to moment. The past plays no part in what he sees or believes. So he's capable of "honestly" (as he sees it) changing his views, as often as necessary.
This is a dangerous man! Who now owns the GOP structure. Despite the inner circle, the middle circle and those voters who think for themselves.
So, yes, the Republican Party is on life support. What to do? What to do?
5
Marine Le Pen is an actual force in French politics. David Cameron is losing his grip on the Tories over leaving Europe. Every European nation feels the rise of nativism and xenophobia. The Hindu nationalists control India. Xi Jinping wants to return to a purer People's Republic and will purge "corruption" by any means necessary. All the way to a murderous vigilante probably going to be popularly elected president of the Philippines. The fears fueling Trumpism are in every country, and if global civilization wants to survive, it really should figure out why, rather than focusing on its own version of scapegoats.
2
If you look at Hillary Clinton's life history, she has stood up for women and children and made that an important part of her life work. Like all powerful people, she has had to compromise. Granted, perhaps Bernie is a better person as an individual, but maybe not. At the final analysis, the people of the USA need someone who can govern. If we want a responsible government we need to elect a congress that is free of Republican Corruption. As Hillary showed with all her work on Health Care for all, when Bill Clinton was elected President, she understands the needs of the people and the high costs to the economy of its top heavy, less than efficient health care system. But she was badly burned when the Insurance Companies went after her and Mr. Clinton with a vengeance. Hillary learned her lesson. She has to play the game to get to the top so she can change the system. Like LBJ, if she wins the Presidency she will be able to proclaim, "Free at Last" and she will be able to work to reform all the ills that have been besetting our Nation since Ronald Reagan turned it over to the 1%. Those who are spreading the anti-Hillary propaganda are the ones who want to maintain the status quo. If you want to change the trajectory, vote for a different Congress. If a Democrat does not win the Presidency, it is all over--the Supreme Court will be packed with Pro-Wall Street & everything else the Bernie supporting youth say they fear. A working president needs a supportive & working Congress.
7
Some people are saying Donald Trump needs to return the Republican party to its roots. With regard to trade, he has. Abraham Lincoln was in favor of tariffs to support industry. His administration contrasted its policy with that of Great Britain, who was firmly in favor of free trade.
Times change, but basic principles don't. The words of one of Lincolns' advisers seem applicable today:
“Two systems are before the world. . . . One looks to increasing the necessity of commerce; the other to increasing the power to maintain it. One looks to underworking the Hindoo, and sinking the rest of the world to his level: the other to raising the standard of man throughout the world to our level. One looks to pauperism, ignorance, depopulation,and barbarism; the other to increasing wealth, comfort, intelligence, combination of action, and civilization. One looks towards universal war; the other towards universal peace. One is the English system; the other we may be proud to call the American system, for it is the only one ever devised the tendency of which was that of elevating while equalizing the condition of man throughout the world.”
Times change, but basic principles don't. The words of one of Lincolns' advisers seem applicable today:
“Two systems are before the world. . . . One looks to increasing the necessity of commerce; the other to increasing the power to maintain it. One looks to underworking the Hindoo, and sinking the rest of the world to his level: the other to raising the standard of man throughout the world to our level. One looks to pauperism, ignorance, depopulation,and barbarism; the other to increasing wealth, comfort, intelligence, combination of action, and civilization. One looks towards universal war; the other towards universal peace. One is the English system; the other we may be proud to call the American system, for it is the only one ever devised the tendency of which was that of elevating while equalizing the condition of man throughout the world.”
1
John, Trump is a intuitive genius at self-marketing. He knows what pitch his current audience needs to hear. People pick what they like, and ignore the rest. Even the media couldn't resist his eyeball-attracting soundbites and gave him all the free publicity he wanted. When elections become reality shows, the reality TV host wins.
He believes what he says while he's saying it, so it feels "authentic." That's because he's pitching right now to YOU, his voter. His election will "close" that sale, and he'll move on to his next target, as he always does: "Trade agreements? Nah, I love trade agreements!"
No one knows what he really believes or would do. This is a guy who left a lot of broke, betrayed people in his wake, while he always made good. He has class-action fraud lawsuits against him in multiple states. Don't kid yourself. He will be no more loyal to you than to any of the other customers, investors and suppliers he's used and thrown away.
He believes what he says while he's saying it, so it feels "authentic." That's because he's pitching right now to YOU, his voter. His election will "close" that sale, and he'll move on to his next target, as he always does: "Trade agreements? Nah, I love trade agreements!"
No one knows what he really believes or would do. This is a guy who left a lot of broke, betrayed people in his wake, while he always made good. He has class-action fraud lawsuits against him in multiple states. Don't kid yourself. He will be no more loyal to you than to any of the other customers, investors and suppliers he's used and thrown away.
A burden only white men can bear?
If Trump continues to throw the G.O.P. into enough disarray to break it, it will be the their own fault for tilling the soil from which he grew. The G.O.P.'s relentless opposition of a very good President for 7.5 years -- a President who got us out of the needless, disastrous war started by the last Republican administration, and who cleaned up the economic chaos that the last Republican administration left behind -- was a mistake of historic significance. We are seeing the results of that selfish error in judgment.
If Trump drinks Paul Ryan's Fool-Aid and tries to destroy the Democratic Party as well - the Party that has tried to govern responsibly in spite of the difficulties caused by unjustified obstructionism - we'll have a Hitler on our hands. If Trump has enough sense to limit his characterization that we are led by "stupid, stupid people" to the political party that obstructed a good president, and that ousted an almost-reasonable Speaker of the House only to find it hard to seat a replacement, and now has ousted their only reasonable candidate for President (Kasich) only to choke on what they are left with, he'll be doing do the nation a favor.
Colin Powell's Pottery Barn analogy applies yet again: after breaking one bowl while shopping (Iraq), the G.O.P. broke a second bowl - their own Party - and now owns that one, too. The Democrats didn't do this.
If Trump drinks Paul Ryan's Fool-Aid and tries to destroy the Democratic Party as well - the Party that has tried to govern responsibly in spite of the difficulties caused by unjustified obstructionism - we'll have a Hitler on our hands. If Trump has enough sense to limit his characterization that we are led by "stupid, stupid people" to the political party that obstructed a good president, and that ousted an almost-reasonable Speaker of the House only to find it hard to seat a replacement, and now has ousted their only reasonable candidate for President (Kasich) only to choke on what they are left with, he'll be doing do the nation a favor.
Colin Powell's Pottery Barn analogy applies yet again: after breaking one bowl while shopping (Iraq), the G.O.P. broke a second bowl - their own Party - and now owns that one, too. The Democrats didn't do this.
5
I see a lot of these so-called "economically deprived" middle class whites driving big SUVs filled with cheap gas in their tanks and stuffed with ample supplies of groceries, enjoying low tax burdens (5.3%) low unemployemnt and the residual benefits of a strong stock market. They have cable TV, iPhones and Panera gift certificates. Yet they whine about how awful things are, and support Trump because "he will fix tt." These malcontents are upset because they have been fed a steady diet of doom & gloom from Fox news, GOP spin meisters and radio talk show goofs. They need to see how much of the rest of the world lives, and count their blessings.
9
Wow, did you hit the nail on the head. Your comment made me think immediately of an acquaintance who: buys a new Cadillac SUV every few years: eats out four or five times a week; plays golf three times a week; uses connections and schmoozing to give and get special favors. Yet is a staunch conservative, and like almost all conservatives that I know, rarely expresses an original thought but simply replays the sound bites he gathers from the right-wing media complex.
The Trump phenomenon has brought out into the open my long-held opinion that what drives many. many conservatives is hatred, pure and simple: racism, xenophobia, fear and hatred of "the other."
And I always want to ask them, If you hate the black man so much, why did you shackle him in the fetid hold of a slave ship and bring him here against his will? And then later have the gall to tell him to Go back where he came from?
I am c
The Trump phenomenon has brought out into the open my long-held opinion that what drives many. many conservatives is hatred, pure and simple: racism, xenophobia, fear and hatred of "the other."
And I always want to ask them, If you hate the black man so much, why did you shackle him in the fetid hold of a slave ship and bring him here against his will? And then later have the gall to tell him to Go back where he came from?
I am c
Maybe they think Trump is sympathetic to them because he is hocked to the gills too.
Between Bernie Sanders and Donald Trump,it's very likely we're seeing a seismic shift in the political landscape in both parties, with the traditional center challenged from both extremes. The Republican and Democratic parties have become complacent in thinking that this country divides neatly into left and right, and that voters will fall obediently into one camp or the other.
The cleavage is far more evident in this year's Republican contest, but the appeal to younger voters of a 74-year-old Socialist also points to a significant shift away from "politics as usual."
The cleavage is far more evident in this year's Republican contest, but the appeal to younger voters of a 74-year-old Socialist also points to a significant shift away from "politics as usual."
4
Speaker Paul Ryan is 3rd in line to the Presidency. So, when Speaker Ryan out loud on TV broadcast across America and around the world said - he will not endorse Trump - this is HUGE!
Speaker Ryan on camera continued to say - he is not willing to raise money to aide or assist Trump's General Presidential Campaign - this is HUGE!
I called Speaker Ryan's office in DC, thanking him for standing up for ALL the American People - no matter what color, race, religion or cultural background.
When Jeb Bush, along with his brother: George, along with his father: George and his mother: Barbara Bush all out loud on TV across America and around the world said - they will not endorse Trump - this is HUGE!
The Bush family has one of the large campaign fundraising networks in the USA - so, they were saying - they will not fund raise for Tump - this is HUG!
Trump has said he will not be self financing his General Election campaign.
Where will he tap the abundant flowing money he will need to win?
The way to defeat a Bill on Congress is to not appropriate funding - the Bill dies out of lack of money.
Many of these huge Republican network donors will turn to funding Hillary or Bernie -- Not Trump to protect Democracy for ALL American People at home and aboard.
Trump is a Cult Leader not a President of the USA Democracy!
Speaker Ryan on camera continued to say - he is not willing to raise money to aide or assist Trump's General Presidential Campaign - this is HUGE!
I called Speaker Ryan's office in DC, thanking him for standing up for ALL the American People - no matter what color, race, religion or cultural background.
When Jeb Bush, along with his brother: George, along with his father: George and his mother: Barbara Bush all out loud on TV across America and around the world said - they will not endorse Trump - this is HUGE!
The Bush family has one of the large campaign fundraising networks in the USA - so, they were saying - they will not fund raise for Tump - this is HUG!
Trump has said he will not be self financing his General Election campaign.
Where will he tap the abundant flowing money he will need to win?
The way to defeat a Bill on Congress is to not appropriate funding - the Bill dies out of lack of money.
Many of these huge Republican network donors will turn to funding Hillary or Bernie -- Not Trump to protect Democracy for ALL American People at home and aboard.
Trump is a Cult Leader not a President of the USA Democracy!
6
Interesting that those who invest in government for a financial return (and get it) are called "party elites."
If we can't have our government back then all their lackies in office have to go.
If we can't have our government back then all their lackies in office have to go.
1
I am a Sanders supporter. Anti-establishment Democrat. I was with Trump until I got to know Sanders more; than I switched to Sanders. Trump's biggest hurdles in my opinion right now are: a) 18000 DJIA [Obama was elected at 8700]; and b) anti-Obamacare. Those 2. In my opinion, if Trump flipped on Obamacare and went Pro-Obamacare; a considerable percentage of the Sanders Caucasoid vote will jump over to Trump. Its' that simple. We, the Sanders Revolutionaries, like freebies; Trump has to give us Obamacare; and he wins.
You ignore the staggering contradiction of the "true progressives" jumping on the bandwagon of a billionaire who promises to nominate Supreme Court justices "in the mold of Scalia," who claims "the concept of global warming was created by and for the Chinese in order to make U.S. manufacturing non-competitive," and who would rather "Japan have nuclear weapons when North Korea has nuclear weapons."
Direct Trump quotes.
Will the 'freebie' health care plan cover radiation poisoning?
Direct Trump quotes.
Will the 'freebie' health care plan cover radiation poisoning?
1
What if we have two Republican Parties and two Democratic Parties? This way everybody could vote for their favorite candidate and we would finally have a real choice as do most other countries in the world. No more of this phony "I am going to hold my nose and vote for a candidate I find distasteful!"
2
If Trump promises to extradite W Bush, Chaney and Rumsfeld to the Hague, to be tried as War Criminals , I'll vote for him.
6
Does anyone see the resemblance of the 1976 Presidential Campaigns? If not there is a Parallel. The American People were all sick of lying politicians, like LBJ, Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford. Granted, Donald Trump is not a Jimmy Carter. But he is a symbol of a Non politician. Granted, the American Voters have voiced their opinion and whether Paul Ryan agrees or disagrees with it personally. He has a duty and legal obligation to abide by it. It will be the Republican Party's responsibility to mold, train, advise Mr Trump how to present himself more like a Chief Commander not the American Peoples. Mister Ryan get to work and bring your Party together and take him to Charm School soon!
Who cares about D. Trump and the self destruction of the GOP. Write about the positive changes brought about by Sanders and the eventual return of Congressional control to the Democratic Party. Your nonstop reporting on Trump only legitimizes his campaign and bestows honor on the GOPs decent to madness. Move on.
6
I'm not sure what's going to be more entertaining -- the real-time GOP meltdown we're watching right now, or -- a few weeks from now -- the contortions people like Paul Ryan and John McCain are going to have to go through to come around to supporting Trump. One thing I do know is we're gonna need more popcorn.
4
Or .........Americans are tired of the party of NO!
1
It's preposterous, a media myth, to draw a distinction between party leaders and voters. Voters elected the Ryan's, McConnells and others. The fact is the party of no created the hostility that gave birth to trumpenstein.
2
The challenge for the GOP is reaching the fellow from W. Va. who refers to Speaker Ryan as a career politician with the message that Trump is a caricature of all that he dislikes about 21st century politicians. As a carnival barker, he's mastered television media and clearly understands that when you state what people want to hear in unequivocal terms, you can pivot from those statements and it doesn't matter. He understands that once you resonate, that's all that matters. You can't lose'em.
A political strategist once told me that when you get publicity, whether positive or negative it's good depending on how you manage the publicity. Trump dominated the airwaves and printed page leaving no space for his opponents.
Andrew Sullivan may have been right in his NYMag piece. Trump is an "extinction event."
A political strategist once told me that when you get publicity, whether positive or negative it's good depending on how you manage the publicity. Trump dominated the airwaves and printed page leaving no space for his opponents.
Andrew Sullivan may have been right in his NYMag piece. Trump is an "extinction event."
1
I am tired of Republican "establishment" taking over the party because they get the biggest speical interest money behind them...The more they protest the more I know it is becuase they do not want their OWN gravy train to start. I believe this is still America and the voters vote should matter...Stand down Paul Ryan and GOP....you are in the Koch Brothers and Club for Growth pocket...Let regular working Americans have a voice....Americans FIRST about time!
Many Republican Party people seem to be thinking only of the welfare of the party, not the country.
It's analogous to the attitude of Catholic Church officials about the sexual child abuse by so many of its priests: cover up the embarrassment—it’s the organization that matters.
It's also analogous the attitude of Penn State University officials about abuse in their football program: cover up the embarrassment—it’s the organization that matters.
It's analogous to the attitude of Catholic Church officials about the sexual child abuse by so many of its priests: cover up the embarrassment—it’s the organization that matters.
It's also analogous the attitude of Penn State University officials about abuse in their football program: cover up the embarrassment—it’s the organization that matters.
2
Paul Ryan is liked? I thought he was the crummy canidate chosen to appease one of the factions in congress.
1
While the split has been simmering for over two decades, there's one person in the Republican establishment to blame - John McCain. His choice of Sarah Palin for VP gave legitimacy to populism and nationalism.
6
People are tired of having leaders chosen for them, anointed if you will.This is (Trumps campaign) is a necessity. Stop laughing Dems, The circus coming to you in 4 years,just different clowns...
2
What I find especially ridiculous about the NYT/establishment news media's latest iteration of crying wolf is the disregard and disdain for the American people. I am a Black lawyer with a degree in American History, living in Washington DC who's had a ringside seat to the entire Obama presidency from my Capitol Hill office.
Here's what is actually happening in this town. The Republican establishment, not too unlike the Democratic Party establishment is in chaos. Voters out in the real world are not.
People who support Donald Trump are locked in, angry at the establishment and ready to get things done. Obama liberals, fully brainwashed by the news media are taking their marching orders from the press, and oppose Trump. Voters who are undecided are working, raising their families and taking care of their lives and will decide later this summer.
No amount of Chicken Littling is changing that. You've been wrong collectively as a news media for 11 months. Calling the American people stupid for not falling for the news media's fanfare of fallacies isn't moving the needle. So stop. Stop inventing and polluting the news, and start reporting it.
Here's what is actually happening in this town. The Republican establishment, not too unlike the Democratic Party establishment is in chaos. Voters out in the real world are not.
People who support Donald Trump are locked in, angry at the establishment and ready to get things done. Obama liberals, fully brainwashed by the news media are taking their marching orders from the press, and oppose Trump. Voters who are undecided are working, raising their families and taking care of their lives and will decide later this summer.
No amount of Chicken Littling is changing that. You've been wrong collectively as a news media for 11 months. Calling the American people stupid for not falling for the news media's fanfare of fallacies isn't moving the needle. So stop. Stop inventing and polluting the news, and start reporting it.
5
You only reveal yourself when you claim that others take marching orders. You think everybody does it because you do it, but that isn't true.
2
Trump himself gave me the "marching orders" to oppose him. Any demagogue who singles out people of a particular religion to be treated as less American or human than the rest of us earns my total opposition. I don't have to be the target to know that such talk is incendiary, short-sighted, unconstitutional and the precise opposite of right and just.
Mr. Trump, thank you for breaking the hypocritical GOP. Hopefully it will never go back together again.
2
The Republican Party is the maker of its own demise. The politics of Ronald Reagan was instrumental in helping this along. He allowed wealthy corporate interest to dictate how the country is governed. This mantra of government by the wealthy was continued for over 30 years. Disaffected constituents found solace in a mad man who promise to make America Great Again. Republicans can vilify President Obama, the Democrats, illegal immigration and muslims and pined for the way it was as much as they want. "Atavistic nationalism," is dead. A throwback to an earlier form of life for the party is not sustainable and the likes of Mr. Paul D. Ryan and his comrades need to subscribe to a new form of conservatism which embraces all Americans.
4
What really upsets "conservatives" about Trump is that he's dragged them out of the closet.
He says publicly what they've been saying and thinking only privately among themselves for decades, if not centuries.
He says publicly what they've been saying and thinking only privately among themselves for decades, if not centuries.
4
If Trump has presented conservatives with a once-in-centuries chance to see their ideas put into practice, why are conservatives shunning him?
If you haven't got anything worth saying, why say it?
If you haven't got anything worth saying, why say it?
Is it cruel of me to wonder how this is going over in Saddlebrook, a self-selective white enclave across the county line to keep their taxes cut? Last cycle all you saw was Mitt plastered on their minilawns. This cycle, I'm afraid it may be a smokey Sunday, they've been mobilized since dawn...now their crouching on their lawns...Third Real World, man.
See, they come to my county when sick because in their county you can't make reservations with the consierge doctor, only go to the reservation hospital. So if they are having a collective heart attack, I can take it.
See, they come to my county when sick because in their county you can't make reservations with the consierge doctor, only go to the reservation hospital. So if they are having a collective heart attack, I can take it.
the only GOPers falling apart are the sore losers, the sour grapes gang and the has been elites......................Romney, Jeb, Graham and their ilk..............the rest of us are charging full steam ahead to keep Hillary out of the White House, to control our borders, to rebuild our military and restore pride to our economy.
...and, let us not forget, to encourage Japan and Korea to build nuclear weapons, to threaten the Mideast with nukes, to throw out treaties signed a century ago and torture people, to kill the families of people we believe to be terrorists, to bully our allies and demand more money from them, to undermine the "full faith and credit," of the Treasury, to build a demented wall for a thousand miles or so, to go through everybody's records and stuff eleven million people into cattle cars, to prosecute women and girls we think migh have had an abortion...
Yup, sure sounds like fun.
Yup, sure sounds like fun.
1
Sorry, McCain. You won't get your apology from Trump about veterans. He's actually known for not apologizing. When you're as great as he is, you don't make mistakes, see? There are 1.6 million Google hits for "donald trump won't apologize". Don't expect any soul searching, either; he won't be in church today. If you asked him, he'd probably lament about Jesus: "He's not a savior. He got captured by the Romans. I like saviors who weren't captured."
6
The Republican Party is a business. It hasn't had any interest in the country or the citizens for a very long time.
Is it really any surprise that the voters want somone who is wild and crazy?
The real problem comes when his first action is to lower his own taxes.
Is it really any surprise that the voters want somone who is wild and crazy?
The real problem comes when his first action is to lower his own taxes.
3
The Republican Party is in such disarray, as a lifelong Dem I am tempted to want to rub their noses in it. Yet I cannot in good conscience do so. I appeal to the sane ones in the GOP to stand their ground and stand for something. It is time for your profile in courage. Republicans must oppose Trump. If he were a Dem I would refuse to support him. Someone as grossly vile and destructive should never be allowed close to the halls of power.
I am no friend of the Bushes, John McCain, Lindsay Graham, Mitt Romney, and Paul Ryan, yet I implore you to do whatever it takes to prevent this blight on the political landscape from attaining power. Your obstruction is needed now more than ever. You were good at opposing President Obama whom I support. Please admit that in comparison the President and Hillary may pose political opposition, but they do not present to the citizens of the US a clear and present danger to the very structure of this nation's foundation as Trump does.
Please, I implore you: use whatever trump cards you possess to trump and dump a person more threatening to this nation than I have witnessed in my seven decades on God's good green earth. God Bless America. May He save US from this monster.
DD
Manhattan
I am no friend of the Bushes, John McCain, Lindsay Graham, Mitt Romney, and Paul Ryan, yet I implore you to do whatever it takes to prevent this blight on the political landscape from attaining power. Your obstruction is needed now more than ever. You were good at opposing President Obama whom I support. Please admit that in comparison the President and Hillary may pose political opposition, but they do not present to the citizens of the US a clear and present danger to the very structure of this nation's foundation as Trump does.
Please, I implore you: use whatever trump cards you possess to trump and dump a person more threatening to this nation than I have witnessed in my seven decades on God's good green earth. God Bless America. May He save US from this monster.
DD
Manhattan
6
Hello,
The pigs at the trough in Washington DC are terrified.
When Trump wins the presidency, many of them will hear the statement, "You're Fired".
Just looking at the list of people who are squealing the loudest about how bad Trump is may be the reason so many citizens have been voting for Trump.
Trump in 2016,
Bill Moore
The pigs at the trough in Washington DC are terrified.
When Trump wins the presidency, many of them will hear the statement, "You're Fired".
Just looking at the list of people who are squealing the loudest about how bad Trump is may be the reason so many citizens have been voting for Trump.
Trump in 2016,
Bill Moore
There is not a single line here that labels Trump or his politics "conservative", yet more than patriotism and protectionism have taken him this far. I think many voters are filling in the gaps with what they think he is, but we need to find out!
1
The GOP is coming apart at the seams?
Not exactly. The GOP has been taken to the tailor.
The right wing nuts have been begging Donald Trump to make some long over due alterations.
Instead of unraveling, a new weave has replaced the rotten, frayed, worn out, dated, and NOT retro outfit.
Guess what fox and friends....it looks like a fit.
As my mother would say, "Wear it in good health".
Not exactly. The GOP has been taken to the tailor.
The right wing nuts have been begging Donald Trump to make some long over due alterations.
Instead of unraveling, a new weave has replaced the rotten, frayed, worn out, dated, and NOT retro outfit.
Guess what fox and friends....it looks like a fit.
As my mother would say, "Wear it in good health".
2
As a nod to the movie 'Captain America: Civil War' there should be a parody movie titled 'Donald Trump: GOP Civil War.' With Sarah Palin shouting that Paul Ryan should be removed as Speaker, this is just what happens with revolutions where the people most involved with them are eventually consumed by them and it all ends up in hysterical and vicious bloodletting. The GOP deserves this civil war since it has been sowing the seeds for decades.
2
Trump's unwillingness to embrace the New World Order and perhaps his ability to keep the secrets of 9/11, 7/7, Anthrax and the bin Laden assassination should he be briefed on these events as a Presidential nominee are major concerns for the highest levels of America's ruling elite. Unlike the Clintons, who as inductees could be trusted to "do the right thing", the Donald is unpredictable. He has threatened to force a Middle East peace which would end the Jewish occupation of the West Bank and East Jerusalem. He might end illegal immigration into the US. Both of these positions are anathema to the highest echelons of the post Nixon Republican Party.
• Not since Mr. Bush invaded Iraq have so many liberals been murmuring about moving to other countries.
Hahahahaha!!! I beat the rush 6 years ago. Oh, Canada, here I be til death do us part!
“If you ever find yourself in the wrong story, leave.”
~ MO WILLEMS
American writer and animator of children's books.
Hahahahaha!!! I beat the rush 6 years ago. Oh, Canada, here I be til death do us part!
“If you ever find yourself in the wrong story, leave.”
~ MO WILLEMS
American writer and animator of children's books.
2
Among his problems, Trump doesn't differentiate between customers/suppliers and citizens/nations. If you don't like some people, find a way to keep them out of your store; think you're paying too much, charge more. Those strategies play reasonably well in the commercial world. When you hope to run a democracy, it's an approach to solving problems that lacks the nuance needed to appreciate the differences between the political and the commercial.
1
If Trump is so wealthy and such a winner, why hasn't he make his tax returns public? He's still the only candidate who's refused to do so. What's he afraid of?
10
“The party has never been more out of touch with our voters,” Vin Weber, a former Minnesota congressman, said of the two factions, acknowledging that Republicans could splinter completely after this election. “I don’t know how you reconcile a lot of them.”
Democrats, Republicans, whatever ... "My way or the highway" does not work. Politics is the art of the compromise. Currently, the Republicans, and particularly the Republican Congress, the Tea-Partiers, Ted Cruz, etc. seem to have lost sight of this. When Congress begins again working together, for the common good, we'll get back on track.
Democrats, Republicans, whatever ... "My way or the highway" does not work. Politics is the art of the compromise. Currently, the Republicans, and particularly the Republican Congress, the Tea-Partiers, Ted Cruz, etc. seem to have lost sight of this. When Congress begins again working together, for the common good, we'll get back on track.
2
Well, short of pressing the nuclear button at some inopportune time, I can't see him causing more damage that was done by the Iraq adventure or the sub-prime meltdown. From Obamacare destroying the economy, to Benghazi, to the emails, the Republicans and their amen chorus at Fox have had to invent disasters. That drumbeat of theirs, with it's litany of other cynical appeals to xenophobia, racism, guns, and god has put them where they are now. Instead of gaping at Trump, they ought to look in the mirror. "The horror..."
2
One thing I've learned the hard way through experience is that when it comes to dealing with the darker sides of someone's nature, no one should count on being the exception. For the most part, negative traits -- bad tempers, a tendency to embellish the truth -- are forgivable within the context of important relationships, particularly with the acknowledgement of the perpetrator. After all, we all have our own versions of the same.
However, there are some people whose dark sides are so exaggerated and ultimately destructive that the only sensible response is to respond immediately by drawing a line that cannot be crossed or even tolerated. When it comes to Donald Trump that "wall" should have been erected with the advent of the birther campaign instead of with the exception of John McCain, sniggering and winking, all of which led directly from that lie to his ugly, adolescent campaigns against his rivals, "low energy Jeb" and "lyin' Ted", not to mention his overall disrespect for minor issues like civility, precedence, truth, reality and ultimately the imperatives of governance as it was written into the Constitution. The man who accuses Hillary Clinton of being the ultimate enabler was himself enabled into the position he holds today.
However, there are some people whose dark sides are so exaggerated and ultimately destructive that the only sensible response is to respond immediately by drawing a line that cannot be crossed or even tolerated. When it comes to Donald Trump that "wall" should have been erected with the advent of the birther campaign instead of with the exception of John McCain, sniggering and winking, all of which led directly from that lie to his ugly, adolescent campaigns against his rivals, "low energy Jeb" and "lyin' Ted", not to mention his overall disrespect for minor issues like civility, precedence, truth, reality and ultimately the imperatives of governance as it was written into the Constitution. The man who accuses Hillary Clinton of being the ultimate enabler was himself enabled into the position he holds today.
1
It's Just My Opinion Of Course
I have ranked the presidents in my lifetime on a ten point scale on the basis of "an AMALGEM of competency to be President AND performance on the job." I wish I could show you the scale, but at least I can show you the numbers ...
EXCEPTIONAL ... 10.0
VERY GOOD ... 8.0
FDR ... 7.2
LBJ ... 6.0
COMPETENT ... 6.0
HST ... 5
Obama ... 5
Ike ... 4.2
BARELY ADEQUATE ... 4.0
Reagan ... 3.3
Clinton ... 3.2
JFK ... 3.2
Carter ... 3.2
Ford ... 3.1
GHWB ... 3.0
MEDIOCRE ... 2.0
Nixon ... 2.0
GWB ... 1.8
Hoover ... 1.0
INCOMPETENT ... 0.0
Please note that I was not comparing the presidents with each other; I was merely putting them on the scale where I thought the mix of their "competency to be president" and "performance on the job" placed them. In my opinion, for example, President Obama had mediocre credentials but has performed fairly well on the job. President Nixon had fairly decent credentials, but really was a crook.
So what? Well, I am not particularly alarmed about Donald Trump's embarrassingly mediocre credentials to be President. At least in my lifetime, we've hardly had more than a couple of great leaders (Ike was obviously a great MILITARY leader). Frankly, our political system is not designed to bring the cream to the top. I cannot think of anyone in the Republican's original list of 17 that was more than marginally more qualified than The Donald.
P.S. I'm an Independent.
I have ranked the presidents in my lifetime on a ten point scale on the basis of "an AMALGEM of competency to be President AND performance on the job." I wish I could show you the scale, but at least I can show you the numbers ...
EXCEPTIONAL ... 10.0
VERY GOOD ... 8.0
FDR ... 7.2
LBJ ... 6.0
COMPETENT ... 6.0
HST ... 5
Obama ... 5
Ike ... 4.2
BARELY ADEQUATE ... 4.0
Reagan ... 3.3
Clinton ... 3.2
JFK ... 3.2
Carter ... 3.2
Ford ... 3.1
GHWB ... 3.0
MEDIOCRE ... 2.0
Nixon ... 2.0
GWB ... 1.8
Hoover ... 1.0
INCOMPETENT ... 0.0
Please note that I was not comparing the presidents with each other; I was merely putting them on the scale where I thought the mix of their "competency to be president" and "performance on the job" placed them. In my opinion, for example, President Obama had mediocre credentials but has performed fairly well on the job. President Nixon had fairly decent credentials, but really was a crook.
So what? Well, I am not particularly alarmed about Donald Trump's embarrassingly mediocre credentials to be President. At least in my lifetime, we've hardly had more than a couple of great leaders (Ike was obviously a great MILITARY leader). Frankly, our political system is not designed to bring the cream to the top. I cannot think of anyone in the Republican's original list of 17 that was more than marginally more qualified than The Donald.
P.S. I'm an Independent.
2
"Mediocre" is better than "barely adequate".
1
This is just the Republican side of things. Just wait until the voters, who identify as Democrats reject the party's foisting of their own agenda and candidate upon them.
The same reaction is very likely to occur.
I don't see anyone brave or perceptive enough, at the New York Times, to write about this either.
The same reaction is very likely to occur.
I don't see anyone brave or perceptive enough, at the New York Times, to write about this either.
1
I hadn't noticed that the Republicans were coming apart as a party. I have noticed that there is lots of debate going on within the Party. Not the same thing. Debate is good. If you want to see a party come apart, look at the Democrats under Obama: today, there are more Republican state governors & state legislatures than ever before. Both parties are shifting their views, a natural thing where life & jobs are changing in today's world. A party has to listen to its constituents in order to stay relevant. It'll be an interesting campaign.
1
Donald Trump has almost made history as the first American billionaire to buy himself the presidency. And the hapless, hopeless Republican Party has made it all possible. No amount of Voter ID voter suppression or gerrymandering can save them now. It's time for the GOP to walk away from the 2016 election and not support any candidates at all.
2
Fractured? The Republican party? It's alive and well. The Democratic party will likely nominate a centrist Republican as their nominee! So the .1% can't lose for winning.
There are two principal long range forces at work here creating this political situation.
The first is the ongoing upward redistribution of wealth.
The second is the cutting edge right wing propaganda machine that hums 24/7.
The wealth redistribution process has left bushel baskets of former middle class Americans without any economic prospects. They're old enough to remember when Dad and Mom had good jobs working at the now long-since-vanished-overseas plant. They were taught it was first the "tax and spend" liberals who did this to them. Then a man of color took over the top spot in the propaganda blame game.
But the blame game can only go so far. Trump speaks to the economically longing these folks quite rightly have. Why wouldn't they want a return to the thriving economy of the late 1960's? That's what he is selling. Guess what? They're buying.
The .1%ers are all about gridlock. Clinton guarantees that. No real change will keep their cash registers ringing!
If the upward redistribution of wealth problem isn't fixed and living wage jobs aren't created, more anger will fester and grow.
When it explodes again, the person standing at the head of this fully armed mob might make Trump look like a light weight.
A day of reckoning will come. It has to.
There are two principal long range forces at work here creating this political situation.
The first is the ongoing upward redistribution of wealth.
The second is the cutting edge right wing propaganda machine that hums 24/7.
The wealth redistribution process has left bushel baskets of former middle class Americans without any economic prospects. They're old enough to remember when Dad and Mom had good jobs working at the now long-since-vanished-overseas plant. They were taught it was first the "tax and spend" liberals who did this to them. Then a man of color took over the top spot in the propaganda blame game.
But the blame game can only go so far. Trump speaks to the economically longing these folks quite rightly have. Why wouldn't they want a return to the thriving economy of the late 1960's? That's what he is selling. Guess what? They're buying.
The .1%ers are all about gridlock. Clinton guarantees that. No real change will keep their cash registers ringing!
If the upward redistribution of wealth problem isn't fixed and living wage jobs aren't created, more anger will fester and grow.
When it explodes again, the person standing at the head of this fully armed mob might make Trump look like a light weight.
A day of reckoning will come. It has to.
2
The irony that it is inescapable is that while the Republicans have self-destructed, the Democrats have morphed into what mainline Republicans used to be. Hillary Clinton is quite essentially a Republican from the past.
Thankfully Bernie Sanders has come along and shown us what Democrats are supposed to be.
Thankfully Bernie Sanders has come along and shown us what Democrats are supposed to be.
3
It is a hell of lot more complicated and rooted in the bedrock of our ossified and diametrically divided two party system than even this rather hodgepodge portrayal.
Closing with the notion that when the dust settles there will some kind of Republican kumbiaya amalgamation seems to me a grand cop out. Or may be not.
Assume a Trump presidency, and expanded GOP control of the Congress via a vis the Donald’s gilded coat tails.
Sure, a tumultuous and raucous affair, lots of barking and gnashing of teeth, but will the likes of McConnell and Ryan choose staunch resistance and full blown sabotage of the interloper in the oval office, or will they find a way, any way to seize the moment?
Will the Donald be willing to languish in the fading glow of Pyrrhic victory left to bloviating about how its all so totally rigged, or will he do the best deal he can get?
Making American Great Again -- that could be just about anything they dream up.
Closing with the notion that when the dust settles there will some kind of Republican kumbiaya amalgamation seems to me a grand cop out. Or may be not.
Assume a Trump presidency, and expanded GOP control of the Congress via a vis the Donald’s gilded coat tails.
Sure, a tumultuous and raucous affair, lots of barking and gnashing of teeth, but will the likes of McConnell and Ryan choose staunch resistance and full blown sabotage of the interloper in the oval office, or will they find a way, any way to seize the moment?
Will the Donald be willing to languish in the fading glow of Pyrrhic victory left to bloviating about how its all so totally rigged, or will he do the best deal he can get?
Making American Great Again -- that could be just about anything they dream up.
You'll note il Trumpolino has said he is no longer self-financing his candidacy. He's a businessman and knows it's a bad investment.
5
The fear across both aisles of Congress is that as President Donald Trump will clean up Washington ... too many career politicians feeding at the trough for them to allow that to happen. Hilary is more of the same. Better A democrat as President that keeps their futures secure. So expect Republicans to disavow Trump in line with their own political agendas. Ambitions which simply add up to self-promotion - much the same as Rubio and Cruz and the other dozen players.
It's all about retaining the contacts to money, power and wealthy connections to secure their families future. Congress is where people who can't DO .... TALK. Mostly dropouts from UN-achieved success elsewhere.
The People and their needs are entirely accidental to this backdrop of Washington drama. Frankly I'd like to see a different Washington. Nothing could be worse than the current status quo.
It's all about retaining the contacts to money, power and wealthy connections to secure their families future. Congress is where people who can't DO .... TALK. Mostly dropouts from UN-achieved success elsewhere.
The People and their needs are entirely accidental to this backdrop of Washington drama. Frankly I'd like to see a different Washington. Nothing could be worse than the current status quo.
1
Trump cleaning up Washington? With whom, the illegal immigrants he's hired for decades to clean his casinos? Hypocrisy, party of one.
1
it couldn't happen to a nicer (nastier) party.
2
Hurrah! The GOP gets the party its deserves. Fox and friends stoked Trumps Obama birther rhetoric and now they get to pay for it.
3
Meanwhile not a word at the Times about the Panama Papers/John Podesta connection. It has all the elements of a good story: tax evasion, a shady Russian Bank, allegations of money laundering.
Looking forward to reading about it at the Paper of Record.
Looking forward to reading about it at the Paper of Record.
3
When a political party stands for hypocrisy, defines egalitarianism and democracy as "our way of thinking," perhaps Trump is your god-send, is a controlled flood, is the logical conclusion to sanctimonious reasoning.
Rich, that. Delightful even.
Rich, that. Delightful even.
1
I was raised in a conservative, religious household. And then, quite by accident, I went to college. I began to evaluate those lessons against the record of history, literature, economics and politics that my professors taught me. The harshest result of conservatism in America is that large swaths of our electorate haven't learned what makes people poor, or how to escape poverty. And that ignorance has been by design of the conservative elites. They've always needed an uneducated underclass to survive. Those chickens are coming home to roost.
10
You give Trump far more credit than he deserves. It wasnt a strategy, its his hubris and salesmanship that keeps pushing him until he cannot go further... In this case, the anger of the public is finding a powerful voice and Trump is milking it for all its worth. But its his ego and his natural born salesmanship that is at the heart of his success.
4
The GOP has gotten off lucky. It could have been Louis Gommert or another one of their nut jobs up there!
1
1. Trump is actually better than the Republican Party
2. Trump is Terrible
2. Trump is Terrible
9
And what about the media's role in all of this? You barely mention how the NY Times (and all the other news outlets) have treated Trump's campaign as entertainment. The media helped create this monster, and now someone who's never held an elected position is on the cusp of becoming the leader of our country.
3
I was as stunned as anyone at the unlikely rise of Donald Trump. But we have all come to realize that he is tapping into the Silent Majority like no one before. He is like Peter Finch's Howard Beale in "Network" exhorting listeners to go to their windows and shout, "I'm mad as hell and I'm not going to take it anymore!" And they are- in droves. And Bernie has done a pretty good job of preaching to America's disaffected youth, too. Who would have ever thought an avowed socialist would gain so much support in our bastion of capitalism?
5
Trump, like many acquisitive people, is a Trophy Man. He wants the fancy addresses, the top casinos, the beautiful wives, and the lavish lifestyle. And, once he scores his prize, it's off to the next conquest. The Presidency is merely another trophy. However, this is a trophy that needs care and feeding, and Donald is not a nurturer. Besides, the idea of putting all his holdings into a blind trust, as all presidents are required to do to, and living off a paltry president's salary has to be very unrealistic for him.
5
Denial is the first of line of defense, and again it is the forefront of the Republican mainstream. Mr. Ryan is the perfect example. Apparently, he hasn't woken up yet to the news that the principles for which the Republican party stands have been roundly rejected by their voters, and it's probably time to get off the "Stop Trump" train. It didn't work, and unless they plan to launch a 3rd party, they should either pack it in and concentrate on down ballot candidates, or find someone dumber than Trump to run against him.
1
This is a radical liberal fantasy. Get ready for 8 years of president Trump courtesy of Obama.
1
No, you cannot blame President Obama for Trump. He is entirely the Republican Party's creation. Eight years of blaming the president for everything from global warming to Ebola is more than enough. The first black president has actually been a great one, and that is even more obvious considering what the Republican Party has just thrown up.
Governmental policy is cutting taxes for the ultra rich (those owning more than 3 yachts) has been occurring for decades now. How is that working out for the middle class?
4
Clearly the party elites fear change. As they struggle to maintain a status quo that benefits them they have forsaken the concerns of the very electorate they need to maintain their influence. The messaging has not gone over well as their “let them eat cake” admonitions have been met with giant single finger salute in the form of Donald Trump.
4
I have to laugh at all the liberals and the NYTs crying over the reality that Donald Trump will be the next POTUS ! You still believe that Hillary is your savior, but you know she can hardly beat a communist , oops I mean social democrat, and she has no chance against Trump.
Myself, I still get the giggles over seeing guys on Social Security and Medicare wail about communism.
2
@Frank,
I'll have to check the definitions of liberal, progressive, etc. They seem to change depending on who's discussed and who's speaking. I voted for the one you refer to as a commie, which is funny cause a lot of Clinton's voters assume that any preference for Sanders means a view of him as a savior. So, you can imagine what an interesting take you've provided, at least for me.
I think the NYT's talking out of both sides of it's journalistic neck. You can't go 48 hrs without seeing multiple pages on this man, even compared to Clinton. (Yes, it's possible for a Sanders voter to see that Trump's gotten more coverage than everyone, including Clinton,even if the other Dem nominees current and past were given shor(ter) shrift.) Yet the NYT's purportedly aghast the result.
As for Nov., I guess we'll find out. I just hope that Justin Trudeau was at least 1/2 serious about a welcome mat, if it becomes necessary.
5-8-16@12:51 pm
I'll have to check the definitions of liberal, progressive, etc. They seem to change depending on who's discussed and who's speaking. I voted for the one you refer to as a commie, which is funny cause a lot of Clinton's voters assume that any preference for Sanders means a view of him as a savior. So, you can imagine what an interesting take you've provided, at least for me.
I think the NYT's talking out of both sides of it's journalistic neck. You can't go 48 hrs without seeing multiple pages on this man, even compared to Clinton. (Yes, it's possible for a Sanders voter to see that Trump's gotten more coverage than everyone, including Clinton,even if the other Dem nominees current and past were given shor(ter) shrift.) Yet the NYT's purportedly aghast the result.
As for Nov., I guess we'll find out. I just hope that Justin Trudeau was at least 1/2 serious about a welcome mat, if it becomes necessary.
5-8-16@12:51 pm
1
I have heard scant discussions about the fact that Trump does not represent the interests of the Christian far right, those single issue, "morality" voters. I've heard them speak. They can't vote for Trump because he is not clearly pro life. Cruz represented those interests and with his departure they feel abandoned. As a liberal Democratic it feels like the Republican Party is about to implode.
We are on the cusp of change. And I don't know if it's good or really scary.
We are on the cusp of change. And I don't know if it's good or really scary.
1
@Lauren Anderson,
You're correct. We are on that cusp. What's scary and good are probably in each person's eyes. There's nothing to say it can't be both.
5-8-16@12:37 pm
You're correct. We are on that cusp. What's scary and good are probably in each person's eyes. There's nothing to say it can't be both.
5-8-16@12:37 pm
1
The Republicans specifically, and their cable news allies in general, long ago should have proclaimed that the emperor has no clothes. That time was at the very beginning of the publicity-stunt-turned-movement "candidacy" of their party's new golden idol. Their lethargy and hubris have allowed this cancer to metastasize. As much as they may wish to wring their hands over it, they cannot wash their hands of it.
2
The weight of ignorance.
2
Like stepping through the looking-glass, we find the reverse of the same coin. Republicans failed in suppressing their counter movement but can't seem to embrace it either. Democrats succeeded in quelling their alternate voice but can't seem to capture the tune. They're off-key.
If we could have seen a Sanders/Trump debate, maybe both parties would have begun to understand the devastation they're wrought upon themselves. As it stands though, Democrats are likely to learn the hard way again. Forcing together that which is already divided does more harm than good.
Let the whole thing fracture for a while. A four-party system may indeed be the change America needs.
If we could have seen a Sanders/Trump debate, maybe both parties would have begun to understand the devastation they're wrought upon themselves. As it stands though, Democrats are likely to learn the hard way again. Forcing together that which is already divided does more harm than good.
Let the whole thing fracture for a while. A four-party system may indeed be the change America needs.
1
@Andy,
You're definitely not the first person to mention a Sanders/Trump debate. It might have helped a great deal. I spoke with some fellow Sanders voters, at someone's birthday party-picnic yesterday. A four-party system came up in our conversation, also. It may very well come.
"Forcing together that which is already divided..." Andy, have you grasped how wise your words are?
5-8-16@12:34 pm
You're definitely not the first person to mention a Sanders/Trump debate. It might have helped a great deal. I spoke with some fellow Sanders voters, at someone's birthday party-picnic yesterday. A four-party system came up in our conversation, also. It may very well come.
"Forcing together that which is already divided..." Andy, have you grasped how wise your words are?
5-8-16@12:34 pm
1
As much as everyone wants to blame the Republican party for the rise of this monster amongst their midst, I find much of the blame lies with the media. They fed on the headlines and nonsense spewed by this spin master and knew that large swaths of the American public would buy it, buy their "news". For too many years, before this nonsense has hit critical mass, hard truths and questions were dodged or watered down. Now we've got a voter base who sways towards populism and has a tragic lack of discrimination. There are many to be faulted here for this sad, embarrassing, and possibly disastrous state of affairs.
4
Trump IS the Republican Party.
Without the winks and the nods towards racism, just full out-of-the-closet ownership of racism.
Mitch McConnell is the man you can thank for Trump. He created space for Trump when he created the Party of No.
And yet, still no news coverage of that - because we're still pretending Mitch McConnell DIDN'T start the Party of No?
Mitch McConnell, the Father of the Party of No - the true creator of Donald Trump.
Without the winks and the nods towards racism, just full out-of-the-closet ownership of racism.
Mitch McConnell is the man you can thank for Trump. He created space for Trump when he created the Party of No.
And yet, still no news coverage of that - because we're still pretending Mitch McConnell DIDN'T start the Party of No?
Mitch McConnell, the Father of the Party of No - the true creator of Donald Trump.
4
@Mickey,
McConnell? Yes. Alone, heck no. You forget Reagan, some SCOTUS judges, including the late Scalia, Paul Ryan, conservative women, etc. They all own pieces of this mess.
5-8-16@1:05 pm
McConnell? Yes. Alone, heck no. You forget Reagan, some SCOTUS judges, including the late Scalia, Paul Ryan, conservative women, etc. They all own pieces of this mess.
5-8-16@1:05 pm
1
• Traditional power brokers long preached ... a hawkish foreign policy, and nominees like John McCain and Mitt Romney largely embraced that agenda.
So does Hillary Clinton.
So does Hillary Clinton.
1
All that talk about a third party; it's already happened. The unwashed populists have stormed the Bastille of the Republican elites, and the latter are running for cover in their county clubs. Establishment Republicans have thrown the working class under the bus in their tone deaf pursuit of "true conservative" ideology - which was soundly repudiated in the primaries. Trump has rightly called the elites out on that, and he is not backing down. Nor should he. What will eventually emerge is, to paraphrase the first Republican President - is a party, of, by and for the people. By the way, liberal press, Sanders is visiting almost the same damage on the Democrats. Will their party split? Not this time, but it will be deeply damaged, deservedly so. At the moment, what remains to be seen is whether Trump is capable of wielding a (verbal) scalpel on the complex and nuanced issues President must face every day. We forget that Reagan was called an "amiable dunce" by George Will, but now stands as the contemporary role model for Republicanism. Well, it's not 1980, but 2016, and communication styles and media have changed. Factually, neither Clinton nor Trumped has politically governed. Both are deeply flawed. As a member of the 18% of the electorate that will decide who becomes President, I am undecided, and probably will remain so until Election Day. But I am persuadable. Right now, I feel like I'm choosing between cancer and a heart attack. Not a fun place to be...
And the Democratic party will unravel (quietly) when Bernie betrays his supporters by supporting Wall Streeter Hilary, she who is busy wooing anti-Trump conservatives. Smells like more of that 'let's all shift to the right' funny business.
@C'est la Blague,
I'm not sure how I feel about that. It does begin to seem like a (prospective) contradiction. I'm going to see what happens. The convention's not tomorrow nor is the election.
5-8-16@1:08 pm
I'm not sure how I feel about that. It does begin to seem like a (prospective) contradiction. I'm going to see what happens. The convention's not tomorrow nor is the election.
5-8-16@1:08 pm
1
When a poor or middle class citizen votes republican it is the same as a chicken voting for Colonel Sanders.
6
Exactly. When will people learn to vote for their own interests?
This article seem to give the idea that splitting the Republican Party is a bad thing, I don't think it is.
If you ask me, the United States needs a third party. For too long has the political scene been dominated by two political parties that seem to do only one thing... take pot shots at one another. They're too busy wanting to sling mud at one another than to get work done. Proof of the American People's dismay with Washington can be seen with the dismally low approval rates of Congress yet what has Congress done lately to try and counteract it? Nothing. If anything they have only stuck their fingers in their ears and yelled "LALALA, I don't want to hear it."
So yes, if you ask me... we need a third political party, a third party that's able to kick Congress into gear and make them do the jobs that voters sent them there to do. For too long has the political scene been dominated by two parties that just can't seem to get anything done.
If you ask me, the United States needs a third party. For too long has the political scene been dominated by two political parties that seem to do only one thing... take pot shots at one another. They're too busy wanting to sling mud at one another than to get work done. Proof of the American People's dismay with Washington can be seen with the dismally low approval rates of Congress yet what has Congress done lately to try and counteract it? Nothing. If anything they have only stuck their fingers in their ears and yelled "LALALA, I don't want to hear it."
So yes, if you ask me... we need a third political party, a third party that's able to kick Congress into gear and make them do the jobs that voters sent them there to do. For too long has the political scene been dominated by two parties that just can't seem to get anything done.
As much as I despise Mr. Trump's policies and positions, I must say that he has a very good point when he says that other Republicans who refuse to support him are going back on their word. Way back in the first debate, all the candidates were asked if they would support the party's eventual nominee. All of them, except Mr. Trump, immediately said yes and he got a lot of flack for his hesitation and later said he would. Now that he is the nominee, a bunch of them are either wavering or outright opposing him. If it were Mr. Trump who was refusing to support another candidate, the establishment would blast him for going back on his word. Once again, Republican hypocrisy, not to mention their contempt for a large plurality of their own primary voters, comes through.
The Republican party peaked during the Eisenhower administration, not with Reagan. Reagan was an anomalous blip in 80's. Its demise, irreversible now, began when it got into bed with the hyper-righteous religious fundamentalists, many of whom were southern racists. Trump is the spawn of that wedlock tryst.
Good riddance.
Good riddance.
2
The GOP has had it both ways for decades, building its modern legacy on Ronald Reagan, the great "statesman" who founded his original appeal on the code worded "states rights" racism of the 1960s and 70s. The "big tent" they created welcomed openly fiscal conservatives and moderate voters who cherished traditional American ideals, while providing a welcome "back door" for racists and "America Firsters" and others who still yearned for the good old days when blacks, minorities and others who didn't look or talk like them still knew their place. In Donald Trump's world, that "back door" has become the "front door" of the GOP.
3
I disagree with the Times that Trump shrewdly met the needs of the Republican Party's customers by sensing that his brand of of politics would meet their needs. He's not that smart.
It's time to restructure both parties. They are nothing but self serving entities. Our "representatives" just begging for money all day long so they could stay in the office longer. Best bumper sticker ever "politicians are like diapers, they need to be changed often".
www.isonewsinfo.com
www.isonewsinfo.com
"Mr. Trump, with his steadfast promises to deport immigrants who are in the country illegally and to build a wall with Mexico, may have done irreversible damage to his general election prospects."
Irreparable damage? It appears the NYT doesn't even to bother to read their own readers' comments whenever they trot out another open borders editorial - and it is certain the NYT readership leans much more liberal than the rest of the country.
We now have data on the results of the latest trade agreement negotiated by our feckless negotiators with Korea. Our government claimed in the first year 70,000 jobs would be created in the US. Actual results? A loss of 40,000 US jobs. Our trade deficit more than doubled with Korea.
Trump says we need to stop negotiating bad trade deals and reexamine some of those that have turned out badly and have had completely opposite results than originally projected.
For that logical assessment of our actual state of affairs, the NYT labels him an isolationist.
It is the NYT that is deeply out of touch and no amount of scurrilous claims against Trump will slow him down. It just reinforces the extent to which the NYT has lost their way.
Irreparable damage? It appears the NYT doesn't even to bother to read their own readers' comments whenever they trot out another open borders editorial - and it is certain the NYT readership leans much more liberal than the rest of the country.
We now have data on the results of the latest trade agreement negotiated by our feckless negotiators with Korea. Our government claimed in the first year 70,000 jobs would be created in the US. Actual results? A loss of 40,000 US jobs. Our trade deficit more than doubled with Korea.
Trump says we need to stop negotiating bad trade deals and reexamine some of those that have turned out badly and have had completely opposite results than originally projected.
For that logical assessment of our actual state of affairs, the NYT labels him an isolationist.
It is the NYT that is deeply out of touch and no amount of scurrilous claims against Trump will slow him down. It just reinforces the extent to which the NYT has lost their way.
1
In thinking about Donald Trump and the Republican party, the phrase, "wag the dog" comes to mind. Shortly thereafter comes the image of a small dog which actually catches the car it was chasing, and has no idea what to do with it.
Surprise, surprise Trump feeds on the underbelly of the United States, those who are ill-equipped to understand what really is in their best interests. Our representation in Congress is merely an avenue to a full-time job or a stepping stone to corporate big money. His "make America great again" is his Wizard of Oz mantra while his persona is a current PT Barnum. I would hate to pay the admission to his show and won't. To the current Republican party, evoking your ":Christian Values" "Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap."
3
There is no "epochal split" in the GOP. Not even close. The party simply chose nominee that who is obviously outside out of the mainstream. Mr. Trump will lose in the general election and the women and men who comprise the GOP leadership will use the post-Trump moment to re-brand and re-package the image of their party. I have no doubt that the new and improved GOP will gladly welcome straights and gays along with people of all backgrounds and colors.
1
I am basically a conservative person but I couldn't be happier to see the unraveling of the Republican Party. And, I hope someday to see the same for the Democrat Party. These are institutions that have evolved into self-serving organization whose mission is to serve themselves not the people. The selection of Trump and Clinton gives up a choice between a buffoon like character and a liar who panders. The decision to elect will come down to whom you like less.... very sad indeed.
2
There are three living presidents, not two. The two Bushes and Carter.
Really, when did Bill Clinton die?
Remarkable that so many Republican primary voters see Trump as a leader. Absolutely no substance and incurious about gaining the knowledge one would need to lead this country. At the heart of this rebellion on the right is the Tea Party. A win for them is clogging up the system with no agenda of their own other than parroting the usual less taxes on the wealthy and less regulations on business. Tired and stale dogma that is useless. The base of the Republican Party cares less about that but the Paul Ryan's of this world don't get it. Trumps success so far goes right to the Tea Party as they have polluted the system with lies and their no comprise stance. This is why so many are angry and frustrated both Democrats and Republicans.
2
In a family, if there is feud between Uncle Frank and Uncle Joe, the rest of the family becomes uncomfortable. If every thanksgiving they both go to Aunt Josie's and simmer at each other, the rest of the family suffers and the meal is ruined. This is analogous to our political situation. We have political leaders who seem to literally "Hate" each other and refuse to compromise and things don't get done. It seems that no one understands the plight of our middle class and yet nothing gets done; only we hate each other. We chose up for one side or the other.
Sorry, this is largely the Republican's fault. The only way, it seems, for Republicans to win is to keep up the feud and make everyone uncomfortable. The leaders of the party foster the "Fear and Loathing" that has appealed to so many in our changing world. From this loathing, the Republican party has developed a label of "conservative" which has no clear association with the actual word. It may be based on principles of small government, strong military, low taxes etc. but it runs on the fuel of loathing the "Liberal" label.
So here comes Mr. Trump who bypasses the Ideology and goes right to the Hate. The Republican elite is "shocked, I tell you, shocked".
Sorry, this is largely the Republican's fault. The only way, it seems, for Republicans to win is to keep up the feud and make everyone uncomfortable. The leaders of the party foster the "Fear and Loathing" that has appealed to so many in our changing world. From this loathing, the Republican party has developed a label of "conservative" which has no clear association with the actual word. It may be based on principles of small government, strong military, low taxes etc. but it runs on the fuel of loathing the "Liberal" label.
So here comes Mr. Trump who bypasses the Ideology and goes right to the Hate. The Republican elite is "shocked, I tell you, shocked".
3
Probably a hundred people have already written this, but:
Am I missing something? Racism, military spending, xenophobia, misogyny, tax cuts for the rich, corporate welfare, lax consumer protections, no regulation of banks and financial institutions, falsified history, a gun in every pot....hasn't this been the Republican Party ethos since the passing of Gerald Ford and Mark Hatfield (the last of the moderates)?
Trump's only deviation from the GOP's version of the American Nightmare is that he tells it like it is--walls and deportations and prisons and assault weapons and women put in prison for having abortions. Love it or leave. Haven't Hannity and O'Reilly and Rush and Crazy Anne C. been selling us this version of our country for years?
So what exactly is the source of Republican discontent? I for one am happy to see the mask torn off: here they are, our fellow Americans, and this is what they believe. If we want this version of our country to prevail, Mr. Trump is our man.
Am I missing something? Racism, military spending, xenophobia, misogyny, tax cuts for the rich, corporate welfare, lax consumer protections, no regulation of banks and financial institutions, falsified history, a gun in every pot....hasn't this been the Republican Party ethos since the passing of Gerald Ford and Mark Hatfield (the last of the moderates)?
Trump's only deviation from the GOP's version of the American Nightmare is that he tells it like it is--walls and deportations and prisons and assault weapons and women put in prison for having abortions. Love it or leave. Haven't Hannity and O'Reilly and Rush and Crazy Anne C. been selling us this version of our country for years?
So what exactly is the source of Republican discontent? I for one am happy to see the mask torn off: here they are, our fellow Americans, and this is what they believe. If we want this version of our country to prevail, Mr. Trump is our man.
4
no you are not missing something
part of it is herd journalism - trump the outsider is the story
part of it is what krugman calls false centrism - the media can't admit that there is a diff between the gop and the dems
part of it is lack of dog whistles (google lee atwater ) - Trump just says what the rest want to
even more telling (matt yglesias yesterday) is when trump said he might think about not paying us gov't debt, the media (see matt yglesias) rightfully denounced this as threatening our global financial system - trump almost caused a world wide financial panic
but that is really no diff from J Boehner admitting that he almost caused a world wide financial panic merely to cater to his tea party members
part of it is herd journalism - trump the outsider is the story
part of it is what krugman calls false centrism - the media can't admit that there is a diff between the gop and the dems
part of it is lack of dog whistles (google lee atwater ) - Trump just says what the rest want to
even more telling (matt yglesias yesterday) is when trump said he might think about not paying us gov't debt, the media (see matt yglesias) rightfully denounced this as threatening our global financial system - trump almost caused a world wide financial panic
but that is really no diff from J Boehner admitting that he almost caused a world wide financial panic merely to cater to his tea party members
Intriguingly, I too have lost faith in institutions like Congress, the Federal Reserve and the big-money campaign finance system, as well as in corporations, and the news media. I also add Wall Street. The blatant stranglehold the super-rich have on our entire commerce-saturated culture, donor-served electoral system lobbyist-serving government have been obvious to the 99.9 percent for decades. I am a Bernie Sanders-cheering Democrat.
Two factors separate me from the Trumpees described here .First, I need my leadership to be fact-based and not resorting to long-repudiated lies of mythical proportions, such as trickle-down economics, which serves the billionaires. I also see no value in savaging "other" everyday Americans, whereas Republican leaders use lynch-mob language to incite vengeance on them and deflect it from those profiting mightily and increasingly from that toxic distraction. Dylan's "Only a Pawn in Their Game" says it all.
Two factors separate me from the Trumpees described here .First, I need my leadership to be fact-based and not resorting to long-repudiated lies of mythical proportions, such as trickle-down economics, which serves the billionaires. I also see no value in savaging "other" everyday Americans, whereas Republican leaders use lynch-mob language to incite vengeance on them and deflect it from those profiting mightily and increasingly from that toxic distraction. Dylan's "Only a Pawn in Their Game" says it all.
1
This is not a game show. We have no idea of what is ahead if Trump is elected president.
But it doesn't auger well, given his wild and crazy plans for a wall between U.S. and Mexico, his plan to dismantle Obama medical care. One may get rid of personal annoyances but will lose your country. Don't depend on his overvalued call to Putin to save us from war.
This is a dangerous game to play with America's future.
But it doesn't auger well, given his wild and crazy plans for a wall between U.S. and Mexico, his plan to dismantle Obama medical care. One may get rid of personal annoyances but will lose your country. Don't depend on his overvalued call to Putin to save us from war.
This is a dangerous game to play with America's future.
1
"By seizing the Republican presidential nomination for Donald J. Trump on Tuesday night, he and his millions of supporters completed what had seemed unimaginable: a hostile takeover of one of America’s two major political parties."
Well, now it's official. There is only one Republican opponent left to contest Hillary Clinton. I assume that now is the time Hillary Clinton will keep her word to Bernie Sanders.
In Lexington, Kentucky on Wednesday, May 4, Senator Sanders addressed a campaign rally. Included was another call from him for Secretary Clinton to release the transcripts of her speeches to Wall Street:
"Secretary Clinton has given a number of speeches to Wall Street financial institutions for $225,000 a speech. [boos from the audience] Now, 225,000 bucks - that is a lot of money and I kind of figure that if you give a speech for that kind of money, it must be a brilliant, earth-shattering speech. It must be a speech that will help us solve all of our global problems. It must be a speech written in “Shakespearean” prose. And, therefore, I think that a speech that extraordinary should be shared with all of the people."
Secretary Clinton has promised time and again that she will release the transcripts when her Republican opponents do the same. Now, there is only one left, Donald Trump.
Secretary Clinton now has two choices: 1) Keep her word of honor or 2) Move the goalposts to keep these infamous speeches out of the reach of the public. Which will it be?
Well, now it's official. There is only one Republican opponent left to contest Hillary Clinton. I assume that now is the time Hillary Clinton will keep her word to Bernie Sanders.
In Lexington, Kentucky on Wednesday, May 4, Senator Sanders addressed a campaign rally. Included was another call from him for Secretary Clinton to release the transcripts of her speeches to Wall Street:
"Secretary Clinton has given a number of speeches to Wall Street financial institutions for $225,000 a speech. [boos from the audience] Now, 225,000 bucks - that is a lot of money and I kind of figure that if you give a speech for that kind of money, it must be a brilliant, earth-shattering speech. It must be a speech that will help us solve all of our global problems. It must be a speech written in “Shakespearean” prose. And, therefore, I think that a speech that extraordinary should be shared with all of the people."
Secretary Clinton has promised time and again that she will release the transcripts when her Republican opponents do the same. Now, there is only one left, Donald Trump.
Secretary Clinton now has two choices: 1) Keep her word of honor or 2) Move the goalposts to keep these infamous speeches out of the reach of the public. Which will it be?
2
OK, fine. But let's also see Trump's tax returns.
Think there's nothing sinister lurking in those 1040s?
If you trust Trump's integrity, I have a tower in Manhattan to sell you.
Think there's nothing sinister lurking in those 1040s?
If you trust Trump's integrity, I have a tower in Manhattan to sell you.
Most of us don't care about her speeches. She gave them as a private citizen. Her speaking fees were what celebrities of her status make. And most of her speeches were not to those evil bankers that the Sanders people demonize so completely.
So Trump voices the frustration and anger of the people as a result of our dysfunctional congress's resentment of President Obama. The party leaders crumble while a new representation rises to the changing of the guard.
Sanders voices the frustration and anger of the people as well for similar resentments of empowering the corporate elite to control government for their own insatiable greed. The democratic party is also moving away from the corruption of their party leaders who are buying Clinton to be their next puppet.
Personally I have supported Sanders with my twenty seven dollars. Although he may hurt our economy in the short term I believe has the most integrity and the best moral compass to lead our nation. I believe that the Trump campaign is dangerous and will lead us into more worldwide resentment, war and destruction.
Most likely we will continue on the path Obama has set us on, which is a pretty good one, with Hillary at the helm. Hopefully her and Bill will have learned enough from the Trump and Sanders campaigns and their past experience, including mistakes, and continue to guide the United States of America down it's well earned path as the leader of the world.
.
Sanders voices the frustration and anger of the people as well for similar resentments of empowering the corporate elite to control government for their own insatiable greed. The democratic party is also moving away from the corruption of their party leaders who are buying Clinton to be their next puppet.
Personally I have supported Sanders with my twenty seven dollars. Although he may hurt our economy in the short term I believe has the most integrity and the best moral compass to lead our nation. I believe that the Trump campaign is dangerous and will lead us into more worldwide resentment, war and destruction.
Most likely we will continue on the path Obama has set us on, which is a pretty good one, with Hillary at the helm. Hopefully her and Bill will have learned enough from the Trump and Sanders campaigns and their past experience, including mistakes, and continue to guide the United States of America down it's well earned path as the leader of the world.
.
1
“We now utterly conflate entertainment and politics, routinely confuse celebrity with authority and regularly lose sight of the difference between a cult of personality and a claim to leadership.”
~ FRANK BRUNI
"America" did elect a grade B actor TWICE. That led to Donald Trump, "reality" show host, today.
"With somnambulistic efficiency, Reagan educated America down to his level. He left his country a little stupider in 1988 than it had been in 1980, and a lot more tolerant of lies" ~ ROBERT HUGHES
~ FRANK BRUNI
"America" did elect a grade B actor TWICE. That led to Donald Trump, "reality" show host, today.
"With somnambulistic efficiency, Reagan educated America down to his level. He left his country a little stupider in 1988 than it had been in 1980, and a lot more tolerant of lies" ~ ROBERT HUGHES
4
Let it split. The Republican party has not been good for the country for a long time. If it splits into two parties, the real conservatives and the crazies, then real conservatives can start again working for the country and not against it. Maybe someday I could once again Like Ike.
3
Trump is to politics what Walmart is to retailing. A race to the bottom
6
The Obama presidency has America at the bottom.
The Trump campaign is just meeting us where we are.
The Trump campaign is just meeting us where we are.
Is that the Walmart where Hillary served on the Board for 8 years?
It is sad to see what the lack of education is doing to the working classes. In their desperation they are now clinging to an unprincipled candidate whose campaign has no policies, only racism and sexism.
Democracy depends on a well educated electorate, one that cannot be manipulated by hatred and greed. Our education continues to fail us, primarily because it isn't valued. The working people of the US have been convinced that they don't or shouldn't need education.
Donald Trump will not solve their problems. Education and unionization is what they need, but they are angry and hoping for a savior. Sad to watch.
Democracy depends on a well educated electorate, one that cannot be manipulated by hatred and greed. Our education continues to fail us, primarily because it isn't valued. The working people of the US have been convinced that they don't or shouldn't need education.
Donald Trump will not solve their problems. Education and unionization is what they need, but they are angry and hoping for a savior. Sad to watch.
8
well written. I think the society will be ill served under a trump presidency. he clearly is a demagogue and narcissistic person. however, many of his claims like the outsourcing of jobs by american corporation have great merit in my view.
1
More people want Bernie Sanders than Clinton or Trump. But it looks like they will be denied Sanders. Ironically, many of those anti-status quo voters will switch to Trump. Anyone who thinks Trump can't win is in for a difficult next half decade.
1
Nope. No thinking Sanders supporter will support Trump.
Presumably once this kerfuffle is over it will become obvious that Hillary with all her liabilities has been a progressive and supported progressive ideals, despite all the Republican opposition work. Bernie fans (I am one) will take a closer look and realize that their inward-looking communities have fallen for simplistic views when reality is more complex.
Presumably once this kerfuffle is over it will become obvious that Hillary with all her liabilities has been a progressive and supported progressive ideals, despite all the Republican opposition work. Bernie fans (I am one) will take a closer look and realize that their inward-looking communities have fallen for simplistic views when reality is more complex.
4
Three million more people have already voted for Sec. Clinton than for Sen. Sanders, so "most people" do not want Sanders. She also has received far more votes than Trump so far.
What I find lacking when pundits comment about Trump is a moral point of view . The same moral point of view that we applied to the Germans that supported Hitler . He will not win in November , but if he does , it will be a total and absolute disaster for the USA and the World . That is a lot more important than the damage he has already done to the GOP .
6
The Republican Party has become an institution that holds their hatred of the opposition party's agenda more motivating than the collective principles that make up their own platform/base. This will never be a long-term winning strategy in national elections.
8
I am not an enthusiastic Trump supporter. But it is not difficult to comprehend the enthusiasm of the Trump base. In presentation, Donald Trump in brash, loud, and driven. He is capable of determining, and using, deep emotional currents in the population to build rhetorical force capable of driving through all resistance generated by thought. He understands, political mass is best generated through emotion and feeling, rather than through appeal to reason. The turmoil Trump has generated in Republican ranks is best explained by the fact that his overall gestalt is more Democrat than Republican.
1
NY times must be given a special thanks for keeping the Donald on the front page news. Are you trying to discredit him or have you also been Trumped?
2
Hostile takeover? People voted.
5
What is portrayed as the end of the Republican party is nothing more than pure party politics in action. Politicians don’t give their endorsements they trade them – sell them if you like. Think DeBlasio and Hillary. The deals will get made and party unity will reappear later in the cycle when its important.
2
It's not only the Democratic Party that is unraveling. IF Hillary wins, that doesn't mean that the Democratic Party is in good health, not by any means. Some of us will vote for the anti-republican Trump to send a signal to the Democratic hierarchy that they can't promote their own interests over the interests of their votes, as they are doing this year. Thanks to how the Dems operated this year, I won't one for any state-wide or national Democratic candidates anymore, unless it's Bernie. We simply have to break down the impervious party walls that keep voters well outside decision-making re candidates and policies. Go Trump!
One part of the perfect storm that wasn't mentioned is that the initial field consisted of 17 candidates presented the opportunity for Trump to divide and conquer. His edgy comments combined with his celebrity enabled him to separate himself from that pack while they bickered among themselves. The more traditional elements of the party self destructed while Trump was left alone. By the time things settled down, Republicans were left with Trump and an extremist who couldn't muster any support. Had this started out with just a handful of candidates, Trump's comments and behavior would have been vetted more seriously and the other candidates might have taken him on directly, weakening his standing.
2
They are reaping what they have sown. This is the Frankenstein they have created and like that monster, they now have to deal with it. Don't know why it has come as such a surprise to them.
9
What is surprising is that anyone is surprised. The GOP hasn't been a friend to American workers in memory. Conservatives have been at the forefront of dismantling American industries and shipping jobs overseas so that their wealthy donors can make a couple of extra bucks.
A majority of Americans, including conservative voters, wanted a "public option" for healthcare and the GOP, especially those associated with the Tea Party movement, ignored them, denied them, and did all they could to make the resulting bill a weakened mess.
So where's the surprise? People all over this nation have been saying that the GOP doesn't serve any purpose other than to enrich its biggest money supporters. It had long ceased to be useful to the Republic.
But here's the other thing. People are saying that about the Democratic Party as well. So don't be surprised if the Democratic Party gets taken apart because it is just as out of touch with reality and just as uninterested in the welfare of Americans. No surprises.
A majority of Americans, including conservative voters, wanted a "public option" for healthcare and the GOP, especially those associated with the Tea Party movement, ignored them, denied them, and did all they could to make the resulting bill a weakened mess.
So where's the surprise? People all over this nation have been saying that the GOP doesn't serve any purpose other than to enrich its biggest money supporters. It had long ceased to be useful to the Republic.
But here's the other thing. People are saying that about the Democratic Party as well. So don't be surprised if the Democratic Party gets taken apart because it is just as out of touch with reality and just as uninterested in the welfare of Americans. No surprises.
5
Trump has created his own version of a "Big Tent" party which is bringing in a bunch of disenfranchised voters and new voters. Nothing like the "Big Tent" part envisioned by the GOP insiders. Trump's people vote "angry". Will these type of voters be enough to elect Trump as our next President? Doubtful.
This started with LBJ and with civil rights. He said that he believed the Democrats had lost the south for a generation with that legislation. He knew that if he did the right thing, some people would refuse to follow. So the Republicans welcomed the disaffected racists into their ranks with open arms. Then they continued to court various other intolerant groups such as some religious conservatives, pro-life, NRA, etc. They have been building their party with these people, hoping that these people will agree with the real agenda . They open court the vitriolic rhetoric such as the Trump birther movement as if that was a legitimate issue. It wasn't of course, but the Republicans thought it was a good idea to whip up the base with seething hatred for liberals and progressive and especially for our black president. They thought it was better to push the ignorant base to demand revolution rather than work with one of the most thoughtful presidents we've ever elected.
Well it worked. The revolution is here. The bigoted base that the Republican party has been nurturing and building since the 60s wants a revolution and the face of that revolution is Donald J. Trump. Instead of acting shocked, they should be acting ashamed at what they have brought to life.
Now it is time to vote for Hillary handing the Republicans a huge loss. Maybe from the ashes of a landslide defeat, they can rebuild into a responsible political party.
Well it worked. The revolution is here. The bigoted base that the Republican party has been nurturing and building since the 60s wants a revolution and the face of that revolution is Donald J. Trump. Instead of acting shocked, they should be acting ashamed at what they have brought to life.
Now it is time to vote for Hillary handing the Republicans a huge loss. Maybe from the ashes of a landslide defeat, they can rebuild into a responsible political party.
6
Politics is so much about "other," about projecting our inner turmoil or hopes for an idyllic world through enlightened leaders.
The greatest irony is that most self-proclaimed Republicans would identify themselves as Christians. Mr Trump is anything but. How ironic. How sad. After vilifying Mr Obama for the last 8 years, driving an ethnic wedge further into the American psyche, the Republican Party Unraveling is so profoundly just as not to be believed. To the Republican Establishment: Mr Trump is your very own child. Congratulations!!!
The greatest irony is that most self-proclaimed Republicans would identify themselves as Christians. Mr Trump is anything but. How ironic. How sad. After vilifying Mr Obama for the last 8 years, driving an ethnic wedge further into the American psyche, the Republican Party Unraveling is so profoundly just as not to be believed. To the Republican Establishment: Mr Trump is your very own child. Congratulations!!!
4
I believe we're seeing the near term dissolution of the conservative, evangelical, fear-mongering right-wing party, as the GOP has devolved into. They'll rise again, of course, after a couple of Clinton terms, but, as I've been saying since Trump appeared on the landscape, if Trump wins the GOP nomination (which he will), then the Democrats will win the election (which they will). The GOP will retire in tatters, to lick wounds, point fingers of blame at each other, and start to rebuild, hopefully without the demagoguery and hateful vitriol that has marked it since the mini-rise of the Tea Party. Wait to see: it will come to pass, mark my words...
5
But, just to be sure, no one should be complacent: get out the vote!
2
As the Republican Party starts to face the reality of how they've let their supporters down, maybe, someday, they will realize why a Trump candidacy was inevitable. Like him or not, he has hit every nerve of how the American public is feeling about Washington, the corrupt political system, the lack of honesty in BOTH parties, and how people just want politicians to stop treating the people like morons. When every elected official comes away from Wahington having made millions while in office, when the Republican Party thinks of itself as the high and mighty "1 Percent," and when our veterans are treated worse than third world countries treat their citizens...then the party is in deep trouble! Time for the party to wake up to today...face reality and listen to their supporters!
1
I remember the rise of the Tea Party: five people in funny hats that the media couldn't get enough of.
I remember the millions in the streets, nationally and worldwide, that protested Bush and his trumped up war. There was one photo in the Oregonian. On page 18.
Donald Trump was given over $2,000,000,000 in free media time, by both tv and print. It is legitimate to ask "why?" since he had nothing to say and no journalists were interested in looking up his record.
But it is also important to point out that DT wasn't showcased because he had something to say, something different to say than any other Republican. Nothing. So why did he get all the free time?
Journalism created Trump, just as they created the Tea Party.
That was a choice that journalism made, but let's not be fooled: When they could have paid attention to the hollowing out of the Right, The Party of NO that only screamed "YES!" to ultraprobes and sneering at women (BTW, Happy Mother's Day, NYTimes. Not a mention of real women anywhere.) the press passed up any traditional journalistic role.
The R's have been imploding for over a decade. Were you just not paying attention?
Trump is the Ultimate Republican: created, faux, no programs, not nice.
It will be best when they are both gone, and, hopefully The Press will shake off their dream-visage and get back to work reporting news on actual persons, places and things.
I remember the millions in the streets, nationally and worldwide, that protested Bush and his trumped up war. There was one photo in the Oregonian. On page 18.
Donald Trump was given over $2,000,000,000 in free media time, by both tv and print. It is legitimate to ask "why?" since he had nothing to say and no journalists were interested in looking up his record.
But it is also important to point out that DT wasn't showcased because he had something to say, something different to say than any other Republican. Nothing. So why did he get all the free time?
Journalism created Trump, just as they created the Tea Party.
That was a choice that journalism made, but let's not be fooled: When they could have paid attention to the hollowing out of the Right, The Party of NO that only screamed "YES!" to ultraprobes and sneering at women (BTW, Happy Mother's Day, NYTimes. Not a mention of real women anywhere.) the press passed up any traditional journalistic role.
The R's have been imploding for over a decade. Were you just not paying attention?
Trump is the Ultimate Republican: created, faux, no programs, not nice.
It will be best when they are both gone, and, hopefully The Press will shake off their dream-visage and get back to work reporting news on actual persons, places and things.
9
No sympathy for the Repub Party here. They're reaping what they've sowed. No sympathy, either, for the benighted folk that think Trump is in any way qualified to be POTUS.
3
What if Trump actually has no interest in winning the election? Trump has donated money to Hillary, and has views on many issues that run counter to long established Republican dogma.
Perhaps Trump is simply running the most nefarious campaign in history, designed to systematically show what a bunch of buffoons the GOP really is, and how he can systematically destroy them through clever marketing and a sensationalized version of themselves?
Trump is handing the win to Hillary... unless we are all in store for a shocker come November.
Just a thought... I will be voting Dem.
Perhaps Trump is simply running the most nefarious campaign in history, designed to systematically show what a bunch of buffoons the GOP really is, and how he can systematically destroy them through clever marketing and a sensationalized version of themselves?
Trump is handing the win to Hillary... unless we are all in store for a shocker come November.
Just a thought... I will be voting Dem.
Every Republican pundit quoted here is a white male. That certainly reinforces the Republican image.
2
With these antiquated election laws I am not surprised that surprising things happen. They were created for a much ignorant electorate than we have at present. The old grandma recipes of democracy by the founding fathers do not fit our present conditions.
2
Nixon opened China and established the EPA. Eisenhower, who did some bad things*, also said this:
"Throughout America's adventure in free government, our basic purposes have been to keep the peace; to foster progress in human achievement, and to enhance liberty, dignity and integrity among people and among nations. To strive for less would be unworthy of a free and religious people. Any failure traceable to arrogance, or our lack of comprehension or readiness to sacrifice would inflict upon us grievous hurt both at home and abroad."
"In the councils of government, we must guard against the acquisition of unwarranted influence, whether sought or unsought, by the militaryindustrial complex. The potential for the disastrous rise of misplaced power exists and will persist.
"We must never let the weight of this combination endanger our liberties or democratic processes. We should take nothing for granted. Only an alert and knowledgeable citizenry can compel the proper meshing of the huge industrial and military machinery of defense with our peaceful methods and goals, so that security and liberty may prosper together."
http://coursesa.matrix.msu.edu/~hst306/documents/indust.html
Of all the powers on earth, arms traffickers are near the top (used to be at the top, but now we have climate science and evidence denial, which will take us all down even faster).
*https://www.nytimes.com/books/98/11/22/specials/ambrose-atrocities.html
"Throughout America's adventure in free government, our basic purposes have been to keep the peace; to foster progress in human achievement, and to enhance liberty, dignity and integrity among people and among nations. To strive for less would be unworthy of a free and religious people. Any failure traceable to arrogance, or our lack of comprehension or readiness to sacrifice would inflict upon us grievous hurt both at home and abroad."
"In the councils of government, we must guard against the acquisition of unwarranted influence, whether sought or unsought, by the militaryindustrial complex. The potential for the disastrous rise of misplaced power exists and will persist.
"We must never let the weight of this combination endanger our liberties or democratic processes. We should take nothing for granted. Only an alert and knowledgeable citizenry can compel the proper meshing of the huge industrial and military machinery of defense with our peaceful methods and goals, so that security and liberty may prosper together."
http://coursesa.matrix.msu.edu/~hst306/documents/indust.html
Of all the powers on earth, arms traffickers are near the top (used to be at the top, but now we have climate science and evidence denial, which will take us all down even faster).
*https://www.nytimes.com/books/98/11/22/specials/ambrose-atrocities.html
2
When the GOP selects Donald Trump as their official candidate, they are saying this is what we stand for.
They can't just weasel out and say the people picked him we didn't.
They can't just weasel out and say the people picked him we didn't.
1
The media is doing a terrible job interpreting the events which have led to the chaos in the Republican Party.
It is nothing less than the implosion of the paradigm which has ruled Republican orthodoxy since Ronald Reagan: you sell the middle class on a bunch of hot button social issues, while fleecing the bottom 90% of income earners in the country economically hoping that the "rising tide" will cover up the fact that the balance of power for the middle class is slipping away. People have caught on. This paradigm is dead. Bernie Sanders knows it. Trump knows it. Hillary may know it, but is too wedded to power to want to do anything about it. All the Republican candidates that were part of this country club paradigm were soundly beaten. And, this change may be longstanding.
If Trump doesn't win, his place will be taken by another who isn't part of the club. The Paradigm is Dead.
It is nothing less than the implosion of the paradigm which has ruled Republican orthodoxy since Ronald Reagan: you sell the middle class on a bunch of hot button social issues, while fleecing the bottom 90% of income earners in the country economically hoping that the "rising tide" will cover up the fact that the balance of power for the middle class is slipping away. People have caught on. This paradigm is dead. Bernie Sanders knows it. Trump knows it. Hillary may know it, but is too wedded to power to want to do anything about it. All the Republican candidates that were part of this country club paradigm were soundly beaten. And, this change may be longstanding.
If Trump doesn't win, his place will be taken by another who isn't part of the club. The Paradigm is Dead.
3
Let them fight. A house divided cannot stand. And if that means Trump is kept from being elected president, then I say "great."
Inasmuch as I am no fan of Mrs. Clinton, she is a far more palatable choice as chief executive than this egomaniacal, hate-mongering bigot.
Inasmuch as I am no fan of Mrs. Clinton, she is a far more palatable choice as chief executive than this egomaniacal, hate-mongering bigot.
4
His next idea will be to build walls facing the Atlantic and Pacific oceans to keep out the hurricanes. The Republicans are now reaping what they sowed. A malcontented ignoramus with uneducated ridiculous solutions to serious complicated problems.
2
Ah....The unintended consequences of republican intransigence.
Had republicans been willing to share a little credit with President Obama and, say, passed an infrastructure jobs, jobs, jobs bill I doubt we would be seeing the phenomena of T rump staging this hostile takeover of the party.
They had one goal when Obama was elected, to de-legitimize his Presidency and his authority. What they did was de-legitimize themselves.
They fertilized and irrigated the field of hatred so fervently that they themselves are falling prey to the hatred.
When hatred and lies are all you have this is what you have left.
Had republicans been willing to share a little credit with President Obama and, say, passed an infrastructure jobs, jobs, jobs bill I doubt we would be seeing the phenomena of T rump staging this hostile takeover of the party.
They had one goal when Obama was elected, to de-legitimize his Presidency and his authority. What they did was de-legitimize themselves.
They fertilized and irrigated the field of hatred so fervently that they themselves are falling prey to the hatred.
When hatred and lies are all you have this is what you have left.
3
Neither dressing Mitt Romney up in sports shirt and jeans, nor bringing forward someone from the religious right is going to appeal to Trump's angry white men. Perhaps it's their party now.
3
The Republican party has promoted policies that harm their base. As long as the Republican party wants to be mean to the same groups the supporters want to be mean to, the blue collar white guys will vote Republican. Even if the economic, social, environmental and foreign relations policies are bad for them, these guys will keep voting Republican because "the Kenyan terrorist" and "the gays" and "the Mexicans" and the "the libruls" are scapegoated as easy rally candy. It comes as no surprise that the base would finally go over the edge since they have been coaxed by the party for so long. And as both the party and the base go over the cliff neither will have any self-awareness of what led them to the rocks below.
3
At my age (75), if Donald Trump is the future of America, I want no part of it and fear for my grandchildren's fate. Trump has re-ignited all of the prejudices of my "white" youth that my parents thought proper and took me decades to realize as being consequent to the selfish fraud of domestic (if not also worldwide) American imperialism. And while it is true "our way of life" is proving to be -- but not admitted -- unsustainable (indebtedness, climate-change, broken infrastructure, geometric population growth, consumption, consumption, consumption), just telling the rest of the world to go to hell may prove to be a last gasp sooner rather than later. Indeed, Donald J. Trump and his voter-followers rightly may be viewed as America's ISIS.
8
Perhaps not so much a hostile takeover as a palace coup.
For the first time in 40 years, I'm passing on voting for president. Whatever either side sees in Trump or the anointed nominee Clinton, neither one has enough appeal for me. I will, however, vote for the down-ballot Dems.
One should vote in what they believe in, not out of fear for the lesser of two evils...because that's still a vote for evil.
I'll let the true believers decide this one for me, and I'll have no complaints.
One should vote in what they believe in, not out of fear for the lesser of two evils...because that's still a vote for evil.
I'll let the true believers decide this one for me, and I'll have no complaints.
1
There are other choices for president, and if the dysfunctional two-party system is to be changed, more people need to vote for third party candidates. The Green and Libertarian parties have viable, experienced candidates on a majority of state ballots. Here's one that polled at 11%: https://garyjohnson2016.com/
Take the "I side with" quiz to see which candidate you agree with the most:
https://www.isidewith.com/
Take the "I side with" quiz to see which candidate you agree with the most:
https://www.isidewith.com/
At last! I am looking forward to a Trump presidency. Ben Carson VP, Sarah Palin Secretary of the Interior, Chris Christie Secretary of Transportation, Charles Krauthammer Secretary of Health and Human Services etc.
For the remainder only Fox vetted individuals and in particular for Secretary of Education a strict and confirmed global warming, vaccination, evolution and relativity denier.
For the remainder only Fox vetted individuals and in particular for Secretary of Education a strict and confirmed global warming, vaccination, evolution and relativity denier.
2
In the USA, likely similar to other nations, getting elected means joining a tribe and pandering to that tribe's core ideations. For Democrats in the USA, that is liberalism, gay rights, abortion rights, universal health insurance, gov't control of education, and higher taxes on the so-called rich to pay for it all. The problem with liberalism is that the bill is much, much larger than potential revenues.
For the Republicans, the mantras are so-called conservatism, smaller gov't, lower taxes especially for the better-off, health insurance policies that don't work, opposition to gay marriage and abortion. The Republican idiocy underfunds the IRS and that short changes revenues. The Rs underfund Medicare and Social Security offices and they do their customer service horribly. The Rs can't maintain roads or build them fast enough because they do not provide enough tax revenue.
Trump's candidacy will hopefully destroy the R party as I think it is the more dysfunctional tribe. I predict HClinton will be a one-term POTUS and that a non-traditional R will arise that will e more centrist.....dreaming.
For the Republicans, the mantras are so-called conservatism, smaller gov't, lower taxes especially for the better-off, health insurance policies that don't work, opposition to gay marriage and abortion. The Republican idiocy underfunds the IRS and that short changes revenues. The Rs underfund Medicare and Social Security offices and they do their customer service horribly. The Rs can't maintain roads or build them fast enough because they do not provide enough tax revenue.
Trump's candidacy will hopefully destroy the R party as I think it is the more dysfunctional tribe. I predict HClinton will be a one-term POTUS and that a non-traditional R will arise that will e more centrist.....dreaming.
No need to dream L Bartels; a non-traditional, centrist R is the likely nominee of the Libertarian party and should be on the ballot in all fifty states. Two-term Republican governor of New Mexico, Gary Johnson has already reached 11% in the polls. His record of support for the middle class is well respected.
https://garyjohnson2016.com/
https://garyjohnson2016.com/
The two parties are firmly to blame for the rise of Trump. The fringe elements have control of ideology, while big business is protected by both the Dems and The GOP. The middle class is dying and neither cares. And Trump hasn't used Muslims and the illegal alien as the root cause of our problems. Please! That's the left trying to stifle the discussion of secure borders and national security. Illegal immigration is a hot bottom topic because they do impact severely local issues like reducing wages, which they do. And impact local schools, medical care and yes even crime. Look at communities where there are concentrations of them and listen to those who live there, it's a problem. And the protests prove they don't respect our laws. As for the Muslim issue all he said was until they get a handle on who these refuges are we need to pause allowing entry. Is that so crazy after seeing what goes on in Europe? Our own FBI and DHS say they can't vet them.
I voted for Obama, twice, I'm a middle of the road conservative white male. The GOP candidates didn't represent my views as a middle class person, he did on foreign policy and in some way domestic issues. He failed on both. The fringes got his attention. Hillary will never get my vote and vote I will.
I'm tired of the pandering to the freeloaders/self haters/illegals, I'm tired of bending over backwards to big business. Support the Middle Class or there will be no USA!
I voted for Obama, twice, I'm a middle of the road conservative white male. The GOP candidates didn't represent my views as a middle class person, he did on foreign policy and in some way domestic issues. He failed on both. The fringes got his attention. Hillary will never get my vote and vote I will.
I'm tired of the pandering to the freeloaders/self haters/illegals, I'm tired of bending over backwards to big business. Support the Middle Class or there will be no USA!
Perhaps it's time to end the two-party system. When I read of the power elite in both parties, I am reminded of accusations of gangsterism and corruption in union leadership years back that created the current attack upon unions even though they worked quite well in many situations. Many people obviously do not like Trump any more than they do Clinton, but they are willing to vote for the man, dangerous as that ugly joke of a candidate may be, because they believe that somehow the system itself must change and the risk is, in the long run, worth it.
A quick test of "rekindled, atavistic nationalism":
--Do you favor excluding visiting Muslims from the US and patrolling places where Muslims congregate?
--Would you support forceful deportation of 10 million immigrants?
--Would you torture captives and kill the families of terrorists?
Congratulations. You scored 3 of 3. You are a Fascist. Now get out of MY country, America the land of promise and welcome to the oppressed.
--Do you favor excluding visiting Muslims from the US and patrolling places where Muslims congregate?
--Would you support forceful deportation of 10 million immigrants?
--Would you torture captives and kill the families of terrorists?
Congratulations. You scored 3 of 3. You are a Fascist. Now get out of MY country, America the land of promise and welcome to the oppressed.
5
Trump and Sanders have both spoken to and leveraged the mass of dissatisfied voters. What's puzzling is why their supporters cannot see that either of those worthy contenders (or perhaps one worthy contender and one entertainer) are incapable of making good on any of their promises.
2
Trump has catered to that group which always lives by the words "the majority rules". The believe that whenever anything is desired by a "majority" it should be law. They have absolutely no understanding that one purpose of the Constitution iis to put brakes on that. By outlining our rights, by have a court system designed to interpret and apply that document to ensure our rights isn't legislating from the bench; it's fulfilling the dreams of the founders. Within America there have always been Trump people. Our legal system is our last bulwark against them. Trump campaigns to change that so the Majority (whatever that is) can rule unimpeded. It will not be pretty.
2
I am reminded of the speech Mr. Lemkin wrote for actor Ned Beatty to deliver on the mountain top in the film Shooter:
"There are no sides. There's no Sunnis and Shiites. There's no Democrats and Republicans. There's only HAVES and HAVE-NOTS."
Seems to me that this is what got us here in the first place. When a few people have all the money (82 people in the world own pretty much everything there is to own) and the rest of us have nothing, pretty soon someone is going to notice and point it out. This is true even for those who have continually been bamboozled by their own leaders and have voted time and again against their own best interests.
The new Southern Strategy worked. Now what?
"There are no sides. There's no Sunnis and Shiites. There's no Democrats and Republicans. There's only HAVES and HAVE-NOTS."
Seems to me that this is what got us here in the first place. When a few people have all the money (82 people in the world own pretty much everything there is to own) and the rest of us have nothing, pretty soon someone is going to notice and point it out. This is true even for those who have continually been bamboozled by their own leaders and have voted time and again against their own best interests.
The new Southern Strategy worked. Now what?
1
The Republican Party needs to consider whether its leaders are out of touch with its constituents. The leaders might be the problem and not Trump who seems to be much more in touch with the Republican electorate than the leaders are.
The Republican leaders also are not focusing on the reality that people want a change and are unhappy with political insiders. Trump offers a viable alternative in those terms. If the leaders can work with Trump, they may be very surprised with what they can accomplish working together.
Unfortunately, the Republican leaders are reverting to form. If you do not agree with them 100%, they will not work with you at all. That has not worked so well in Congress thus far, and it is going to spell disaster for the Republican Party in the November elections, unless there are some dramatic changes.
The Republican leaders also are not focusing on the reality that people want a change and are unhappy with political insiders. Trump offers a viable alternative in those terms. If the leaders can work with Trump, they may be very surprised with what they can accomplish working together.
Unfortunately, the Republican leaders are reverting to form. If you do not agree with them 100%, they will not work with you at all. That has not worked so well in Congress thus far, and it is going to spell disaster for the Republican Party in the November elections, unless there are some dramatic changes.
A very clear headed column. Thank you.
Looking forward to November, I do not believe the majority of American voters will elect Mr. Trump, for a reason few seem to acknowledge: Barack Obama.
Against all odds, he has done so much to alleviate the difficulties of so many that the numbers of Trump supporters are less than required to tip the USA over into a new, darker, place. Aside from "Obamacare," the other things are less obvious, but from bailing out GM to more subtle moves to keep and encourage jobs here, he has made a quiet difference in the overall political and economic climate.
If Hillary, let alone McCain, had won in 2008, I believe Trump, or someone very much like him, would be romping to the Presidency this year because the pain to working people would be much more widespread and intense.
In November, Sanders would be the person to continue Obama's good work, but that's not going to happen. That leaves us Hillary. I am afraid her win will look like a victory by the Corporate World, to them, but also to her. Where she would lead us could very well be to the rise of someone who would make Trump look like a mild candidate.
Sanders supporters - Of course, vote for Hillary, but then stay together to push for your ideals, and to be ready to tackle real evil in 2020.
Looking forward to November, I do not believe the majority of American voters will elect Mr. Trump, for a reason few seem to acknowledge: Barack Obama.
Against all odds, he has done so much to alleviate the difficulties of so many that the numbers of Trump supporters are less than required to tip the USA over into a new, darker, place. Aside from "Obamacare," the other things are less obvious, but from bailing out GM to more subtle moves to keep and encourage jobs here, he has made a quiet difference in the overall political and economic climate.
If Hillary, let alone McCain, had won in 2008, I believe Trump, or someone very much like him, would be romping to the Presidency this year because the pain to working people would be much more widespread and intense.
In November, Sanders would be the person to continue Obama's good work, but that's not going to happen. That leaves us Hillary. I am afraid her win will look like a victory by the Corporate World, to them, but also to her. Where she would lead us could very well be to the rise of someone who would make Trump look like a mild candidate.
Sanders supporters - Of course, vote for Hillary, but then stay together to push for your ideals, and to be ready to tackle real evil in 2020.
2
This will hopefully let conservatives be real conservatives in their own party (with) no way to the White House in the future, and get rid of the RINO (Republicans in Name Only) who went to Washington to serve their donors, to do their bidding and "rig" the system - resulting in corruption, crony capitalism, greasing the war machine, and, creating the downward slide America has been on for a generation!
2
The leaders of the Party abandoned their base and this is what they get and yet they still deny that that is what happened. They don't get it. They think that the Donald hijacked their party. He didn't. They chased it away and continue to. RIP
1
To try to group all Americans into one of two political parties is a difficult task. If one recalls the days of the New Deal Coalition, you remember that FDR was able to build an effective political alliance by providing just enough to each group supporting Democratic candidates. Of course, two groups in that coalition were African Americans and southern whites. How long could you continue to appease both groups with seemingly polar opposite goals? Turns out, until about 1968.
Now you have a Republican Party that is experiencing the same growing pains. Ronald Reagan brought in a social conservative element steeped in religious fervor to help the more Wall Street based party win elections. The recipe was successful, much like FDR's coalition had been. However, just like with the New Deal Coalition, political realities have surfaced. How does a party continue to exist when half of its base screams for laissez-faire policies and espouses pro-big business positions, and the other half promotes a populist agenda that rails against the damage done to this country by those same entitled economic interests? The answer is, it doesn't. So now the GOP has to figure out their next step, something that the Democratic Party has been trying to figure out for close to 50 years now.
Now you have a Republican Party that is experiencing the same growing pains. Ronald Reagan brought in a social conservative element steeped in religious fervor to help the more Wall Street based party win elections. The recipe was successful, much like FDR's coalition had been. However, just like with the New Deal Coalition, political realities have surfaced. How does a party continue to exist when half of its base screams for laissez-faire policies and espouses pro-big business positions, and the other half promotes a populist agenda that rails against the damage done to this country by those same entitled economic interests? The answer is, it doesn't. So now the GOP has to figure out their next step, something that the Democratic Party has been trying to figure out for close to 50 years now.
1
Republican (elites) are not yet lining up behind Trump - but that will change. Just as when Hitler first arose, the German elites (bankers, industrialists, aristocrats, etc) were horrified, but QUICKLY fell into line. So will most of the Republicans.
2
Here's one of the problems: pre-Reagan the Republican party was not the Conservative party. They were separate. The Conservatives would run they're own candidates or on occasion endorse a Republican. Once Reagan got in (a Conservative in Republican disguise) the Conservatives realized true power for the first time and now, by whatever means necessary (and we've seen what that means), won't let go.
They need to re-split.
They need to re-split.
One should remember how Donald Trump was one of the loudest voices on the matter of the birth certificate of Barack Obama.
I will always remember the look on Mr Trump's face when the president joked about it and directly about Donald Trump during one of the presidential press dinner.
Look at the face on Donald Trump when that happens. It is difficult not to see this episode as a key psychological moment to what happens now.
I could never understand this whole birth certificate business except through the prism of racism from its perpetrators.
And I can not understand how people can believe for one second any of the populist words of Mr. Trump except through the kick in the hornet's nest idea.
I will always remember the look on Mr Trump's face when the president joked about it and directly about Donald Trump during one of the presidential press dinner.
Look at the face on Donald Trump when that happens. It is difficult not to see this episode as a key psychological moment to what happens now.
I could never understand this whole birth certificate business except through the prism of racism from its perpetrators.
And I can not understand how people can believe for one second any of the populist words of Mr. Trump except through the kick in the hornet's nest idea.
1
I read this "news analysis" and many of the comments here with amusement. In 2008, voters chose "change" with Barack Obama, remember? The economy was far from optimistic and the world unstable. Health care was a disaster. Many - on both sides - believe that all of those things are still true today. These voters still want change--thus the appeal of Bernie and the Donald. The reality is that if the past eight years had produced greater improvements Hillary would have a cake walk to the presidency as she is selling herself as the 3rd term of Obama. But the electorate is still clamoring - more loudly than ever - for change. Both parties best wake up and listen rather than continue to force preselected candidates down our throats. Just because Democrats rigged the nomination process with the super delegate nonsense and denigrating Bernie as unelectable doesn't make them any better. I only hope and pray the Democrats are wise enough to nominate Bernie somehow...or we may just get President Trump.
3
Whenever a small elite has the power to set the rules in their favor, they will do it, and continue to do it while rationalizing that they are doing it for the good of all. They will also keep doing it while completely missing that the majority has quit the system that they distorted.
Think of France in 1789, Fascism in Europe in the 30's, or Brazil today - there are many examples.
The Supreme Court picking Bush, the unpopular Iraq war, the financial meltdown, sucker mortgages, unfair student loan rules, retirements relying on tiny 401k's, congressional districts gerrymandered to block choice, rising wealth inequality - and no leaders get punished. The list of grievances goes on and on.
Our elites and our government have lost their legitimacy. The masses have moved on and Trump has given them a voice. They want to tear down Wall Street, Washington and both parties - regardless of the risk. Unfortunately, if Trump gets on this message and stops looking irrational, he will win.
Think of France in 1789, Fascism in Europe in the 30's, or Brazil today - there are many examples.
The Supreme Court picking Bush, the unpopular Iraq war, the financial meltdown, sucker mortgages, unfair student loan rules, retirements relying on tiny 401k's, congressional districts gerrymandered to block choice, rising wealth inequality - and no leaders get punished. The list of grievances goes on and on.
Our elites and our government have lost their legitimacy. The masses have moved on and Trump has given them a voice. They want to tear down Wall Street, Washington and both parties - regardless of the risk. Unfortunately, if Trump gets on this message and stops looking irrational, he will win.
3
The Republican elite (and the press as well) still doesn't get it. People are sick and tired of the mismanagement of government by Bush, Ryan, Romney, Clinton and every other politician. Trump is the product of their corruption.
3
The soap opera grows by the day for the republicans. In another story today on the Times is one that Trump will want Paul Ryan removed as head of the republican convention later this year.
And as the days pass we are now seeing even in the Times, quotes from Sara Palin.
The last two Presidential elections were bad enough, but I thought the republicans would see the error of their ways and right their ship. Instead we really are seeing the unraveling of the republican party at the hands of Trump.
And as the days pass we are now seeing even in the Times, quotes from Sara Palin.
The last two Presidential elections were bad enough, but I thought the republicans would see the error of their ways and right their ship. Instead we really are seeing the unraveling of the republican party at the hands of Trump.
1
The Goldwater/Nixon 'Southern Strategy' of the Republican Party as been taken
nationally by Mr Trump. The Tea Party was the catalyst for Trump's national romp. Sit back and abhor the ride!
nationally by Mr Trump. The Tea Party was the catalyst for Trump's national romp. Sit back and abhor the ride!
1
If Donald Trump becomes president next January it was not me putting him there if I do not vote for him and if especially if I do not vote for Hillary Clinton.
The people who will have put him there are the people who will have voted for him.
So stop with the pre-shaming of Sanders supporters. I have been waiting my whole adult life for someone like Bernie Sanders to come along. And now I am feeling this pathetic heat to what, not vote for him? Your crazy!
If you need a better candidate than Donald Trump you should have either found a better contender than Clinton or, better still you should whole heartedly support Bernie Sanders now by putting pressure on the pre-prescribed "super delegates" to at least switch to Bernie in a representational amounts.
All (and as above I will put this in quotes) "super delegates" in Washington State went with Hillary even though Bernie trounced her there and he won every, that's right EVERY county. Hillary did not win one county in Washington State. Yet she got every super delegate.
That is pathetic and what's more it is not Democracy by any stretch.
Bernie 2016! That's how to stop Trump.
You fight a spiteful dumb revolution with a smart clear sighted humane one!
The people who will have put him there are the people who will have voted for him.
So stop with the pre-shaming of Sanders supporters. I have been waiting my whole adult life for someone like Bernie Sanders to come along. And now I am feeling this pathetic heat to what, not vote for him? Your crazy!
If you need a better candidate than Donald Trump you should have either found a better contender than Clinton or, better still you should whole heartedly support Bernie Sanders now by putting pressure on the pre-prescribed "super delegates" to at least switch to Bernie in a representational amounts.
All (and as above I will put this in quotes) "super delegates" in Washington State went with Hillary even though Bernie trounced her there and he won every, that's right EVERY county. Hillary did not win one county in Washington State. Yet she got every super delegate.
That is pathetic and what's more it is not Democracy by any stretch.
Bernie 2016! That's how to stop Trump.
You fight a spiteful dumb revolution with a smart clear sighted humane one!
4
Bernie will not get the nomination, and he wouldn't get elected even if he did. He's big on ideas and short on implementation. Despite his "revolutionary" posture, he's just another old white man trying for a power play. If he wants a seat at the policy table, well and good. But if he stays in the presidential race or threatens an independent run, he's just another zealot too entrenched in his own righteousness to care about the country - Ted Cruz with white hair.
"Bonus-ed out" is what I mean't to write to my response to Keen Observers reply.
You get my point though.
I'm voting for Bernie. You should have supported a more honest candidate if you do not like that reality.
You get my point though.
I'm voting for Bernie. You should have supported a more honest candidate if you do not like that reality.
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To Keen Observer, All poles have Bernie beating Trump in a general election by wider margins than Clinton. And we both know that if Independents could have voted freely in the Primary states Bernie would either be tied with Clinton or well ahead.
New York had a last October cutoff for switching party affiliation for the primary. That was a few months before Bernie caught fire.
So I am not buying anything your reply.
With all due respect - and if implementation means coddling up to huge financial institutions that took our money and then bounced out their CEO's and CFO's I do not want that form of implementation. Thank you.
New York had a last October cutoff for switching party affiliation for the primary. That was a few months before Bernie caught fire.
So I am not buying anything your reply.
With all due respect - and if implementation means coddling up to huge financial institutions that took our money and then bounced out their CEO's and CFO's I do not want that form of implementation. Thank you.
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Being black in the United States does give you some rights you still have to earn them.. President Obama, who is a leader, delivered an excellent speech at Howard University yesterday. If you get a chance read the text or look at it. The are people who are leaders and then there are followers. On his best day Trump is still a follower. No I am not an African American. I am a Blackman in America born and raised.
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For Republicans, divide and conquer politics came home to roost. Wedge issues finally became a wedgie. Having sought to divide others against themselves often along racial lines, the party became divided against itself. Republicans already held their own so-called post mortem after Romney lost. Instead of following the reforms recommended, the party simply chose to remain dead. Trump is the ghost at the Convention's banquet.
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As long as we have conniving politicians telling people that national and global economics is just like paying bills and balancing your checkbook at the kitchen table, and that gosh, you (rich) people sure don't like paying taxes, well the GOP/TP/?P will rise again. The world started a week ago and goes a month into the future and they don't read newspapers for most people. W. didn't, Scalia wouldn't touch the NYTimes or WPost. And them's the right wing intellectuals.
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It's clear to me that when many Trump supporters hear the phrase "Make America great again" what it means to them is "Make America White again."
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With both of the front runners pretty much assured their parties' nominations, don't believe the prospects of the Democrat's candidate have been this rosy since 1964 when the Republicans, also after an internal tussle for 'the soul of the party,' nominated Barry Goldwater to go up against LBJ...unless it was 1936 when they tried to pit Alf Landon against incumbent FDR.
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Donald Trump has an excellent understanding of populist sentiment. When the Paris and San Bernardino Islamist terror attacks took place, he tapped into a fear that everyone in this country has – whether they are willing to state it publicly or not. For all the handwringing that took place after his call to ban Muslims from entering this country until we know what the hell is going on – it galvanized his support in a way that no other issue could. If he had the guts to deal with his problem so directly, while our president refuses to even use the words "Islamic terror" – then the thinking is that he's a guy that will have the willpower to get a lot of things done.
6
Agree.
How about, "Many Americans still cannot believe that Hillary Clinton, who rose to fame as the wife of Bill Clinton, will be on the ballot in November, when many Democrats are desperate for a candidate who is not beholden to the moneymakers in this country."
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To the contrary. Millions CAN believe and embrace it.
If DC republicans like the speaker do anything to slow down the trump train, we will not just stay home this cycle, we will go to polls and vote for every downstream Democrat on the ticket. Then we will start primarying the Rinos with just one qualified candidate. The speaker needs to cut back on his testosterone roll on.
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The article makes it out like Trump had some sort of strategy, and saw what others didn't. I would argue he has an innate manipulator's instinct to say whatever people want to hear in the moment. The fact that the next thing he says, (which people may also want to hear) would in reality undermine or undercut the first thing doesn't seem to matter to him. On the campaign trail one can say a lot of things.If people don't think about the implications, one can get away with it. But trying to enact it in real life? A different matter.
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The Democratic Party, which will likely nominate Clinton, is in a similar situation. By never standing for anything but always trying to be as unoffensive as possible it has made itself irrelevant. You don't win a tug of war by moving to the center, and you don't win the hearts and minds of the People by acquiescing to a corporate "center" that puts more and more power into the hands of global corporations and the nationless billionaires that own them, while people are moved from good jobs to bad ones, sent to war to make the world safe for corporate takeover, and the safety net is slashed. This is why Democrats have lost control of 2/3 of state governments.
The young people that the Democratic Party needs to rejuvenate itself (there is no bench of candidates behind Clinton) want change more than the Trump followers who just want to go back in time. Sanders is trying to pull them and even nonvoters into the party, and also tap the energy of the movement of movements that is actually fighting the corporate takeover, so that both the party and the movements can grow and win.
But corporate mass media and the DNC ignored or ridiculed Sanders while old Democrats, still worrying about elections from 40 years ago were afraid to embrace change and ridiculed his followers for being idealistic.. The Democratic Party wants to run its Jeb! against the Donald.
If so the movement will not be behind the corporate Dems,
I will be voting for a woman: Jill Stein.
The young people that the Democratic Party needs to rejuvenate itself (there is no bench of candidates behind Clinton) want change more than the Trump followers who just want to go back in time. Sanders is trying to pull them and even nonvoters into the party, and also tap the energy of the movement of movements that is actually fighting the corporate takeover, so that both the party and the movements can grow and win.
But corporate mass media and the DNC ignored or ridiculed Sanders while old Democrats, still worrying about elections from 40 years ago were afraid to embrace change and ridiculed his followers for being idealistic.. The Democratic Party wants to run its Jeb! against the Donald.
If so the movement will not be behind the corporate Dems,
I will be voting for a woman: Jill Stein.
2
This year, voters in general, not just supporters of Mr. Trump, seem to be looking for a savior, not just a leader. They seem to believe that magic is the way to solve problems that defy solution.
If I had a chance to question Mr. Trump, I would ask him whether globalism can be stopped; if the answer is yes, the followup would be: should it be stopped; if that answer is yes, then the question is: how ya gonna do it.
If I had a chance to question Mr. Trump, I would ask him whether globalism can be stopped; if the answer is yes, the followup would be: should it be stopped; if that answer is yes, then the question is: how ya gonna do it.
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The NY Times, with writers like Healy and Martin, is more and more nonsensical. G.O.P. *leaders" have rekindled atavistic nationalism. The crisis over Donald J. Trump reflects years of failed G.O.P. leaders who have long ago abandoned "familiar conservatism."