Trump has the Republican Party by the short hairs

[Dragonfly]

The risk for the Republican party is this:

1- Trump continues his early success and actually knocks out some of the more mainstream candidates the party elders prefer like Bush or Walker in early primaries...or
2- as his numbers fades, the Donald doubles down on the wackiness and says crap that is even more alienating to average folks than the stuff he has uttered so far.
3- Trump really likes the spotlight and decides to keep it shining with a well financed third party effort in 2016 and denies GOP wins in several key states helping the Democrats win the election.

Those are real risks.

Plenty of people might enjoy hearing him talk the crap he talks, but I don't know one single person who would consider voting for him.

He's entertainment.

 

[American]

I still don't believe Trump is a Republican, so the fact that many Republicans may not have spent much time defending President Obama against Trump's birther charges isn't relevant, in my view. In fact, the problem today and with the birther business is that the media pimps for Trump because they like the Republicans are clowns story and it furthers the majority of their political leanings. Outrageous always sells and that's why they pimp for him - CNN is practically wearing gold chains and a cape as they try to peddle what he's selling every day, all day. Without Trump, they'd have to talk about Hillary, and God knows that sells like sealskin boots in hell.

Better watch how you talk about the queen bee.

 

[Marla]

I tend to agree, though I believe Mr. Trump has stirred a segment of the GOP base, so there will be some vestiges of this remaining resonate through-out the nomination process.

My theory on that is Trump has not been bought off with Koch Brothers money like many of his GOP counterparts have been. Therefore, he has not been coached by Koch propaganda mill on what to say and for a GOP political machine that is well-oiled with Koch money Trump has definitely thrown a monkey wrench into its workings. It both refreshing and embarrassing at the same time. This has left the GOP clueless on what to do.

 

[reinoe]

I think we all know Trump has virtually no chance of being POTUS. More than 60% of Americans wouldn't even consider voting for him. You can't win with those stats. However, out of a pool of, I think, 15 Republicans, he is in the lead with around 24%. As those candidates drop out I doubt their supporters will swing over to Trump if they aren't already in his camp. I could be wrong.

But that is still nearly a quarter of Republican voters who support Trump. Now, most Republicans when they realize they can't win drop out and throw their support behind another Republican. It is what someone loyal to the Party does. Trump is loyal to Trump. If the Republican Party ticks Trump off enough I can see him running third party. If Trump runs third party the Democrats are assured the Presidency. Would Trump put his ego over the needs of the Republican Party? In a heartbeat.

So the Republican Party and its candidates find themselves in an interesting predicament. On one hand, they don't want to appear as they condone some of the more outlandish things Trump says. But if they disagree in a way that offends Trump, Trump has the power to destroy any Republican's chance of winning.

This is definitely shaping up to be one of the more interesting primaries.

60% of Americans say they wouldn't consider voting for Trump. They'll change their tune if Hillary is the nominee.

 

[MMC]

I still don't believe Trump is a Republican, so the fact that many Republicans may not have spent much time defending President Obama against Trump's birther charges isn't relevant, in my view. In fact, the problem today and with the birther business is that the media pimps for Trump because they like the Republicans are clowns story and it furthers the majority of their political leanings. Outrageous always sells and that's why they pimp for him - CNN is practically wearing gold chains and a cape as they try to peddle what he's selling every day, all day. Without Trump, they'd have to talk about Hillary, and God knows that sells like sealskin boots in hell.

He is not CJ. :2wave: He even admitted it himself back in 2004.


Trump 2004: 'I Identify More As A Democrat'......

“Well, you’d be shocked if I said that in many cases I probably identify more as a Democrat,” said Trump at the time. “It just seems that the economy does better under the Democrats than the Republicans,” he added. In 2007, he said that Hillary would be a good person to negotiate with the Iranians since she’s “always surrounded herself with very good people.” He also said Rudy Giuliani and Mitt Romney would be good negotiators as well.

As for the Second Amendment, abortion, and health care, Mr. Trump was decidedly on the progressive side of things. Favoring a pro-choice position, a ban on assault weapons, and supportive universal health care (via WaPo):.....snip~

Trump 2004: 'I Identify More As A Democrat' - Matt Vespa

 

[ballantine]

Plenty of people might enjoy hearing him talk the crap he talks, but I don't know one single person who would consider voting for him.

He's entertainment.

Right now, at this present moment, 80% of the right and 30% of the left and 100% of independents say they'd consider voting for Donald Trump in a general election.

Not only that, but 60% of the legal Mexican immigrants in this country say they'd vote for The Donald.

Donald is more than just entertainment. He is the front runner.

Have you checked the polls this morning? Trump is going to be the front runner among the Democrats too, if Hillary doesn't do something very damn fast.

 

[clownboy]

I think we all know Trump has virtually no chance of being POTUS. More than 60% of Americans wouldn't even consider voting for him. You can't win with those stats. However, out of a pool of, I think, 15 Republicans, he is in the lead with around 24%. As those candidates drop out I doubt their supporters will swing over to Trump if they aren't already in his camp. I could be wrong.

But that is still nearly a quarter of Republican voters who support Trump. Now, most Republicans when they realize they can't win drop out and throw their support behind another Republican. It is what someone loyal to the Party does. Trump is loyal to Trump. If the Republican Party ticks Trump off enough I can see him running third party. If Trump runs third party the Democrats are assured the Presidency. Would Trump put his ego over the needs of the Republican Party? In a heartbeat.

So the Republican Party and its candidates find themselves in an interesting predicament. On one hand, they don't want to appear as they condone some of the more outlandish things Trump says. But if they disagree in a way that offends Trump, Trump has the power to destroy any Republican's chance of winning.

This is definitely shaping up to be one of the more interesting primaries.

When Trump drops out he will endorse someone. Then you will know what his candidacy was all about. The repub party should unclench. But I suppose I can see their panic, he's taken the ability to crown a candidate away from them.

 

[solletica]

If trump wants to seal the GOP nomination, he must bring up the gun issue.

Guns are the most important issue to all conservatives, i. e. a conservative's #1 fear is that someone will take his guns away.

Therefore, trump must cite any and all gun control laws (including the ban on automatic rifles or the sale of field artillery weapons and shoulder-fired missiles) even partially favored by his opponents.

 

[Phys251]

Well, when the party caters to the LCD and the tea party rabble, and lets polarizing idiotic talk radio hosts define them, this is what they deserve.

Republicans Deserve The **** They Stirred Up [rant]

 

[Phys251]

If trump wants to seal the GOP nomination, he must bring up the gun issue.

Guns are the most important issue to all conservatives, i. e. a conservative's #1 fear is that someone will take his guns away.

Therefore, trump must cite any and all gun control laws (including the ban on automatic rifles or the sale of field artillery weapons and shoulder-fired missiles) even partially favored by his opponents.

They certainly are to some. But not all. Many Repub voters want to do everything in their power to make sure that only straight cis white Christian male citizens enjoy full rights and privileges in our republic.

Personally, I'd take a more women's, civil, and LGBTQ rights for more gun rights trade ANY day of the week.

 

[ballantine]

If trump wants to seal the GOP nomination, he must bring up the gun issue.

Guns are the most important issue to all conservatives, i. e. a conservative's #1 fear is that someone will take his guns away.

Therefore, trump must cite any and all gun control laws (including the ban on automatic rifles or the sale of field artillery weapons and shoulder-fired missiles) even partially favored by his opponents.

Yep. You're right. Trump should play this one big-time. And if he plays it right, he could even pre-empt Hillary on the whole issue.

 

[ballantine]

They certainly are to some. But not all. Many Repub voters want to do everything in their power to make sure that only straight cis white Christian male citizens enjoy full rights and privileges in our republic.

Personally, I'd take a more women's, civil, and LGBTQ rights for more gun rights trade ANY day of the week.

Republicans aren't going to do anything to take away any of the civil rights gains that just happened (like LGBTQ and such). They're much more focused on ObamaCare. In spite of the Democratic Party propaganda, righties are not racists. (Well, "most" of us aren't, anyway). We don't even hardly care about that stuff. "Race" doesn't ordinarily enter our radar screens (except when it's put there by liberals).

And righties don't want to "take away" anyone's healthcare. Righties want a system that works, not the bloated government mess that Obama's given us. (And in truth, we recognize that it wasn't even Obama who gave us this - considering he wanted single-payer from the git-to and didn't get it either - it was the morons in Congress who refused to read the bill that the insurance companies wrote for them. (Obama should never have signed the damn thing, but he wanted the political victory, so here we are).

There's no "horse trading" when it comes to rights. None. As a rightie, I want both, and I'm not going to settle for anything less. I want equal rights for everyone, and I want my guns. Both of those things are my Constitutional right and my natural right, and I intend to stand squarely on that turf and defend it with everything I've got.

 

[sawdust]

The big reason I can't and won't vote for Jeb is his insistence on amnesty.

I'm not sure what Bush's policy is. I know that it's more restrictive than Obama but the devil is in the details.

 

[Chomsky]

My theory on that is Trump has not been bought off with Koch Brothers money like many of his GOP counterparts have been. Therefore, he has not been coached by Koch propaganda mill on what to say and for a GOP political machine that is well-oiled with Koch money Trump has definitely thrown a monkey wrench into its workings. It both refreshing and embarrassing at the same time. This has left the GOP clueless on what to do.

There's more going on than the Koch Bros, but yes I agree 100%.

The GOP ruling-class & their elite donors have likely already determined who will win the nomination, and it's NOT Mr. Trump!

Money = power.

and sadly now,

Money = speech.

And this election will take several billion dollars for the successful candidate to get the word out (well, to negatively & fictionally derail his opponents).

No one can compete financially with the party king-makers, except on the rare occasions well-heeled guys Like Mr. Trump or Mr. Perot, who have finances to do so, chose to join-in.

And it then gets hella' interesting!

(and I'd argue: this is what campaigns would look like in a more democratic process)

 

[Phys251]

Republicans aren't going to do anything to take away any of the civil rights gains that just happened (like LGBTQ and such).

:lamo

What are the Republican candidates positions on gay marriage? Or women's rights to choose? Or preserving the Civil Rights Act?

We already have a good deal of information to these answers in the forms of some of their crazy quotes and track records. And we will see more evidence of the craziness as the campaign wears on.

They're much more focused on ObamaCare. In spite of the Democratic Party propaganda, righties are not racists. (Well, "most" of us aren't, anyway). We don't even hardly care about that stuff. "Race" doesn't ordinarily enter our radar screens (except when it's put there by liberals).

:roll:

Obamacare is here to stay. Get over it already.

And righties don't want to "take away" anyone's healthcare. Righties want a system that works, not the bloated government mess that Obama's given us. (And in truth, we recognize that it wasn't even Obama who gave us this - considering he wanted single-payer from the git-to and didn't get it either - it was the morons in Congress who refused to read the bill that the insurance companies wrote for them. (Obama should never have signed the damn thing, but he wanted the political victory, so here we are).

:lamo

There's no "horse trading" when it comes to rights. None. As a rightie, I want both, and I'm not going to settle for anything less. I want equal rights for everyone, and I want my guns. Both of those things are my Constitutional right and my natural right, and I intend to stand squarely on that turf and defend it with everything I've got.

Then you (plural) stop taking away our rights. You have no moral standing to attack all the aforementioned rights and then go to the wall to preserve gun rights. You do not get to pick and choose which rights you support--that's why they are called RIGHTS.

 

[Linc]

I prefer the Trump who threatened the GOP within the last week to run third-party.
Can you say Ross Perot for another Clinton ? :lamo

Yep. You're right. Trump should play this one big-time. And if he plays it right, he could even pre-empt Hillary on the whole issue.

 

[Marla]

The GOP ruling-class & their elite donors have likely already determined who will win the nomination, and it's NOT Mr. Trump!

Considering he's declared bankruptcy at least 4 times, how much of his daddy's money could he have left to keep on going such as he has? The billionaire **** could be all an act at this point. Though I'm sure NBC probably paid him fairly well for 14 years of his crappy reality show (or however long it was).

 

[Chomsky]

Considering he's declared bankruptcy at least 4 times, how much of his daddy's money could he have left to keep on going such as he has? The billionaire **** could be all an act at this point. Though I'm sure NBC probably paid him fairly well for 14 years of his crappy reality show (or however long it was).

There's been some pretty analytical people declaring his worth very high. You've go to remember all his wealth is tied-up in various shell entities - when he declares bankruptcy it's not like most Americans where one gives-up their house, car, and bank account to walk away with a couple grand; In his case his legal entities just keep chugging along, or he deep-sixes one but the others remain unaffected. Legally, he owns very little.

This is similar to Gov. Romney's blind-trusts where he claims he isn't responsible for the trust's contents & investments (when questioned on-stage by Newt Gingrich). Technically & legally it's true, however he simply calls up the trustee lawyer and directs him, whenever he so chooses!

This is a sweet deal, for those with enough affluence to afford themselves this level of protection. Most of my wife's clients have trusts of this sort, technically own very little, and are relatively immune to legal-suit in their personal lives since their assets are unclaimable. If you ever were to marry one of them, have your lawyer check the fine print well, because if he ever decides to cast you aside for a newer model you may end-up penniless & without assets (this is actually happening to one of her client's wives, where she's essentially stuck with a philandering husband & a nice lifestyle, or she leaves the marriage with very little).

 

[MTAtech]

 

[MTAtech]

Right now, at this present moment, 80% of the right and 30% of the left and 100% of independents say they'd consider voting for Donald Trump in a general election.

Not only that, but 60% of the legal Mexican immigrants in this country say they'd vote for The Donald.

Donald is more than just entertainment. He is the front runner.

Have you checked the polls this morning? Trump is going to be the front runner among the Democrats too, if Hillary doesn't do something very damn fast.

What is your source for this statement? It sure seems as if you pulled those numbers out-of-the-air... or a darker place.

In Republican polls, Trump has 24% support for the primary. I've read no polls of the "left" giving 30% support to him nor have I seen polls that give 80% of the right's support to Trump. 100% of independents, come on.

Public Policy Polling says this:

By far the worst performing Republican against Clinton is Donald Trump, who trails 50/37. The general electorate takes even greater issue with his comments about John McCain than the GOP one, with just 16% of the overall population agreeing with his comments while 60% say they disagree. Trump could definitely make a splash in the general running as an independent at this point though. He gets 23%, taking almost exclusively from Jeb Bush, and leaving Clinton with a 43/25 advantage. Independent voters are a three way tie in that scenario with Clinton and Trump each getting 29% and Bush at 28%. And it's a measure of Bush's difficulties on the right that with 'very conservative' voters Trump actually gets 44% to 41% for Bush and 6% for Clinton.