Donald Trump is the GOP

[Guest]

Trump articulates in his bombastic way the policies and animus that the GOP has promoted in the last 20 years. There are no Rockefeller Republicans. No person like Senator Dirksen or even Bob Dole or Jack Kemp could survive a primary in the modern Republican party.

This thread was inspired by an opinion piece which included:

Trump is a byproduct of all the toxic elements Republicans have thrown into their brew over the last decade or so — from birtherism to race-based hatred of immigrants, from nihilists who shut down government to elected officials who shout “You lie!” at their commander in chief.
It was fine when all this crossing-of-the-line was directed at President Obama or other Democrats. But now that the ugliness is intramural, Trump has forced party leaders to decry something they have not only tolerated, but encouraged.
...
“All of our veterans, particularly P.O.W.s, deserve our respect and admiration,” said Jeb Bush. The Republican National Committee was quick to lay down a similar principle, saying, “There is no place in our country for comments that disparage those who have served honorably.”
No place except a presidential campaign, that being the 2004 attempt to destroy the honorable Vietnam service of candidate John Kerry. Where was Bush’s “respect and admiration” when his brother was benefiting from a multimillion-dollar smear of a Navy veteran with a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart?
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It that analysis correct? I think it is and explains why Trump is leading in the polls including now ones that included his attack on McCain.

[Guest]

Life must be boring when the only view is via the rear view mirror or the past.

How about a nice simple "analysis" of the here and now and the current events.

People use the past like lawyers do the law...use it abuse it or hide behind it!

[Guest]

Okay, so he's like a street fighter, no apologies saying McCain started it-I find it refreshing. He's not a politician, he's a builder. I can't wait to see how the debates go, I don't think he does a lot of debating in real life. I think he tells people to do something and it gets done.

Here's the real question-CAN HE GET IT DONE?

[Guest]

Personally, I am all in favor of Donald Trump keeping up his rants and raves. He is the buffoon that is taking the Republican Party back to the time of Joe McCarthy.

The establishment Republicans will not run the buffoon as their candidate.

If Trump does not get the nomination, he runs as a third party. He loses and Republicans lose.

He is very likely on Sec. Clinton's payroll to ensure a Democrat victory.

[Guest]

I commented about this in another thread on Political Talk. Trump is the leading GOP candidate because GOP refused to pass a later term abortion bill, because they have given Obama a blank check to raise the debt limit, because they punted on Obamacare fight, because they refused to defund Planned , Parenthood, because they eat their own who try to abide by GOP principles, because they worked to fund Export/Import Bank, because they ignored Obama's assault on he free market and because they passed the buck to the courts to stop illegal immigration.

I am not sure where Trump stands on all of these issues but his direct and frank approach has changed the conversation and the artful dodgers running for president will have to address some of his criticisms directly. Trump should not have attacked McCain's war record but he was right to attack his record as senator and on various committee's because he has been ineffective.

The GOP is also making a big mistake by limiting the number of candidates that are allowed to debate on TV. I do know that I disagree with any candidate that is in favor of Common Core and immigration that grants illegal a pass. GOP better tread very carefully not because they will offend blacks, hispanics gays but because they will offend their base.

I am afraid that this is the year we experience a schism in the Republican Party

Personal Best Regards:

[Guest]

GOP made a mistake in 202 because they were obsessed with getting the Hispanic vote but alienated their base and Asians because they never acknowledge this political group, one that has an excellent record of voter turnout.

Personal Best Regards:

[Guest]

The staunch and the radical democrats are very busy keeping any discussions about Trump with dialogue that ALWAYS includes, bufoon, clown, mistake the GOP is making, etc., etc., etc.

They as well as the national party leaders both democrats and republicans are obsrving that the people are attracted to his no nonsense non political BS approach to the issues.

The democrats know there are folks in their ranks that are just as sick and tired of the lack of leadership, get nothing done, make excuses and blame somebody else all the while continuing to do nothing to improve what matters to the American people.

Yes Trump is out of order on some things.....but please let us not try to pretend as if the other candidates all got it or get it right....we know they do not.

But no never mind they are not the target; Trump is. And the fear of the crony crowd is so strong one can sense it.

Just think.....someone in the arena that will call a spade and not wishy wash around to see who is offended by calling it a spade....or suck around and see what else it can be called without offending some minority or special interest group.

Democrats and republicans alike know Trump is creating a ground swell they do not like.

Just keep harping about the onsey twosey negatives while his lead and his message continues to resonate with the AMerican people....including fed up democrats.

[Guest]

For Aging GOP Voters, The Times They Are A'Changin' (http://www.nationalmemo.com/for-aging-gop-voters-the-times-they-are-achangin/)


For years republican politicians pandered to fear, prejudices, hatreds. And now they get what they deserve: Donald J Trump

[Guest]

For Aging GOP Voters, The Times They Are A'Changin' (http://www.nationalmemo.com/for-aging-gop-voters-the-times-they-are-achangin/)


For years republican politicians pandered to fear, prejudices, hatreds. And now they get what they deserve: Donald J Trump

Regarding fear, prejudices and hatreds (and not to mention "rage") your post is the PERFECT example of Liberal Democrats' unknowing projection ... textbook in fact.

[Guest]

Who, out there in Political Forum Land, honestly believes that Donald Trump WILL BE the Republican presidential candidate? Yes, it is a long ways until a nominee is selected (just about 1 year) but don't bother with that.

Any pundit can give a prediction 2 weeks before the convention. Let's see what the Political Pundits of TOTV predict NOW!

I will start off: NO, he will not be the Republican nominee.

[Guest]

Who, out there in Political Forum Land, honestly believes that Donald Trump WILL BE the Republican presidential candidate? Yes, it is a long ways until a nominee is selected (just about 1 year) but don't bother with that.

Any pundit can give a prediction 2 weeks before the convention. Let's see what the Political Pundits of TOTV predict NOW!

I will start off: NO, he will not be the Republican nominee.

I think he will.

[Guest]

Who, out there in Political Forum Land, honestly believes that Donald Trump WILL BE the Republican presidential candidate? Yes, it is a long ways until a nominee is selected (just about 1 year) but don't bother with that.

Any pundit can give a prediction 2 weeks before the convention. Let's see what the Political Pundits of TOTV predict NOW!

I will start off: NO, he will not be the Republican nominee.


Why not? Donald Trump doesn't need a billionaire backer, such as the Koch brothers, he is the billionaire. He's just skipping the middle man.

He's at the top or near the top in all of the latest polls.

He doesn't give policy speeches. He just rattles off sound bites and attacks other candidates. With no policy, nobody can argue against him.

Trump is the one getting all the attention.

To recap: money, polls, no policy, millions of dollars of free publicity.
And lastly, look at the rest of the field. Does anyone think the brother of the worst president in history is going to be the next president?

[Guest]

I think that Trump is leading in the polls, because the field is too large. As soon as the field dwindles, the main stream Republicans (Bush and Walker) will close the gap, and overtake him. That is when Trump will state the process was rigged, and have to make the decision to run as a third party candidate. Trump will never admit that he was the problem, and that is why Republicans ran away from him. That is why I think that you are wrong when you stated Trump is the Republican party.

President Obama ran on "Hope and Change". It certainly did change, and not for the better. The main Republican principle was oppose everything President Obama put forth. If Trump runs on change, and is elected, he will pay the price for the last six, and a half years. Treat people the way you expect to get treated yourself. If you think that the Democrats or the Republican candidates in the upcoming debate will roll over for Trump, you live in an alterative universe. Being loud doesn't make you right. He will find that out in one big hurry.

Several items were brought on this thread, a blank check to raise the debt limit, and punted on Obamacare. Really! The Republicans had their hands tied with the debt increase, because they shut down the government trying to get rid of ACA. That failed. Shutting down the government is an option that is off the table. That is not punting that is accepting reality.

I keep hearing Republican principles. Will someone please tell me what the Republican's principles are toward the less fortunate among us. I get they have offered the young poor ways to get out of poverty, but what about poor audits? The Republican church goers always talk about their religious convections. Is their any religion that is against the strong helping the weak? Wow do a sound like goody two shoes!

Stop illegal immigration! There are more border guards down there than ever. Immigration reform has to go further than just putting up a fence. A bipartisan Senate bill went to the House, and Boehner sat on it. The House Republicans want to break it down. The first step was the fence. Anybody with a brain knew there would be no second step. Trump did state that he was in favor of giving law abiding illegal legal status, and he said that this month. Since that is against Republican's principle, are they going to let him slide on it?

[Guest]

Here's the real question-CAN HE GET IT DONE?

If it were as easy to just say "Get it done!" the Office of President would be a dictatorship. Or it would indicate one party at least would stand together (which we haven't seen this century) to get something done. The only united behavior has been to be divided.

I do not find it refreshing, its simply disturbing.

[Guest]

And don't forget he comes with his own plane.

[Guest]

Since that is against Republican's principle, are they going to let him slide on it?

Honestly, I think the GOP is going to let anything slide if it comes from their side and gains traction with the base and voters. I don't understand what is holding them up any longer...Koch money? The Emperor (GOP) has no clothes.

[Guest]

Trump owns his own plane. Trump puts his name on everything. His first act as president will be to change Air Force One to Trump One. That will be followed quickly by changing the White House to Trump Palace. Trump is going to really take off, when he names the vice president on his ticket, Don Rickles.

The Democrats did stand together this century. I assume that the ACA is something. The Republicans stood together, and shut down the government. Both parties stood together with "W", and voted for the Iraq War. Getting something done that benefits the country, now that is a horse of a different color. By why split hairs?

[Guest]

Again if you haven't seen the 1998 movie "Bulworth", you should. I can guarantee Don Trump has seen it many times, and he is following Jay Billington Bulworth game plan to the tee. What applied in 1998 still applies in 2015.

It is not "get it done". It is "get er done".

[Guest]

Trump owns his own plane. Trump puts his name on everything. His first act as president will be to change Air Force One to Trump One. That will be followed quickly by changing the White House to Trump Palace. Trump is going to really take off, when he names the vice president on his ticket, Don Rickles.

(SBM)

If he is President the Trump plane would be Air Force One same as if he were standby on Southwest.

Is Don Rickles still alive? I'm thinking Lou Dobbs.

[Guest]

He is still alive I check. He is 89.

[Guest]

Whether he makes it another year matters little. The here and now is where he is causing a stir with his open and bullish dialogue calling for getting America back on track.

Both republican and democratic candidates and voters are very much aware of what Trump has awakened in in we the people.

Yes we are sick and tired of the linguine spined, offend nobody, do nothing descent of American values and traditions. Career politicians and Cronus are definitely taking note

I don't know why some think he could not become a candidate. Obama amply demonstrated just talking a good game will get one elected......even with his non descript so called credentials.

[Guest]

How many threads do we have going on Political Talk????????????????

Perhaps it best to wait until after the first debate to resume Trump talk?

Carly Fiorina is not getting enough press coverage and people need to hear her message

Personal Best Regards:

[Guest]

How many threads on Trump? Only four. They just have many replies, which makes them seem out of control.

I looked but didn't find who was moderating the first debate. Does anyone know who they will be?

Do you seriously believe anything of substance will come out of the first debate given the number of participants, and time allotted to each? The moderators have been handed an impossible job. Everybody except Cruz, who has seemed to have disappeared, will be attacking Trump. Given Trump's inability to shut up, some of these candidates were better not being one of the ten. They are going to be standing there with their thumbs up their butts.

If the moderators can't handle Trump, this will be a side show of all side shows.

The hell with Carly Fiornia, get my man Kasich in there.

[Guest]

Whether he makes it another year matters little. The here and now is where he is causing a stir with his open and bullish dialogue calling for getting America back on track.

Both republican and democratic candidates and voters are very much aware of what Trump has awakened in in we the people.

Yes we are sick and tired of the linguine spined, offend nobody, do nothing descent of American values and traditions. Career politicians and Cronus are definitely taking note

I don't know why some think he could not become a candidate. Obama amply demonstrated just talking a good game will get one elected......even with his non descript so called credentials.

Totally agree with the underlined portion in the quoted post. When he first declared to run we thought he was just going to disappear, not so, he is shaking up our corrupt politicians and making them think - which most of them have not done in years! My favorite line of his was when he said "all they do is RUN", they get elected and start running again. If he does nothing more than shake up these useless, spineless, corrupt politicians it will all good with me! And that goes for both sides of the aisle!

[Guest]

Like him or not, you have to admit Trump's message is resonating with a lot of voters. Just look at a county map of the last presidential election---there is more red than a Verizon 4G coverage map. If it wasn't for LA, SF, Portland, Seattle ,Chicago, Boston, NYC, Philadelphia and DC every election would be a Republican landslide. Isn't it obvious that anyone receiving "freebies" will just continue to vote for more freebies?
Who wins the 3rd grade class president election---the candidate that advocates personal responsibility in learning, paying attention in class, fairness on the playground, following the rules and respecting the teachers, or the candidate that promises free ice cream every day?
The right to vote has undergone multiple changes in our history----the original constitution limited voting to white male property owners over 21. While that would be ridiculous today, perhaps voting should be limited to NET tax payers over 18. If you don't contribute, you shouldn't have a say in policy---it simply doesn't concern you any more than the price of potatoes in Ireland.
Unfortunately, the political narrative is being driven by the progressive left with a complicit media. If we had the same situation in 1776, Sam Adams would be labeled a right wing nut, George Washington a crazed hawk, the media would be highlighting the death of every Tory, and Benedict Arnold would be their poster boy for appropriate behavior.
At least a few candidates, like Trump, are fighting for a return to AMERICAN values, not those of a socialistic Europe.

[Guest]

Seven states are determining every national presidential election. What is the population in these seven compared to the seven hard right states? Elections shouldn't be determined by the entire country, but only by citizens that are Republicans. The Republican party is the one that always waves the American flag, and touts how the Constitution is under always attack. Doesn't this fly right in the face of the Constitution?

We hold these truths to be self evident all Republicans are the only ones with an open mind; therefore, should be the only ones to have the right to vote. If we had the same situation as now in 1860's, Abraham Lincoln would be called a bigot, because anyone supporting equal right for blacks is a bigot.

What is NET tax payer? It is a tax payer that receives more in benefits, and they pay in taxes each year. So, it is your belief that the majority of seniors that receive SS, and Medicare benefits, and don't pay taxes, shouldn't be allowed to vote. Now, we are back to the 47% nonsense.

[Guest]

I actually like your sarcasm in the first 2 paragraphs.
However, this---
"What is NET tax payer? It is a tax payer that receives more in benefits, and they pay in taxes each year. So, it is your belief that the majority of seniors that receive SS, and Medicare benefits, and don't pay taxes, shouldn't be allowed to vote. Now, we are back to the 47% nonsense." might be true, so let me modify my criteria to either "lifetime net" or "net when receiving means tested entitlements", therefore including medicare and SS recipients as voters
PS, I think you've overdosed on Kool-Aid, please stop drinking

[Guest]

You actually like my sarcasm. You don't know how happy that makes me. I have posted sarcastic remarks here with no response before. I was being to think that I was going over everyone's head, or they really thought what I was saying was fact. That would have me a moron. No Kool-Aid! Vitamin water.

I actually do believe people should know who they are voting for, and what their stance is on current issues. That is an impossible thing to test. You might get back to the equivalent question in the past of how many jelly beans are there in this 10 gallon jar give or take 5 either way. Questions might be so hard that nobody could answer them.

To many people vote based upon color, race, or country of origin of their parents or grandparents. Irish vote for Irish. Italians vote for Italians. Vote for the first six people on the ballot, or last six people (city elections). Incumbents usually want to be list first on the ballot for that reason. If you really like someone, you just vote for that person, bullet vote.

[Guest]

Get ready for vice presidential nominee................Ted Nugent! :jester:

[Guest]

I believe that sarcasm went over a lot of heads, but keep it up, maybe some will learn to read and interpet.

Unfortunately, my ideal candidate does not exist. He(she) would have the leadership of Lincoln, the charisma of Reagan, the intelligence of Jefferson, the economic policy of Clinton, the social policy of JFK and the foreign/military policy of Teddy Roosevelt. He would also have better coordination than Ford, better ethics than Nixon, less imbibing than Grant, better foresight than Carter, and better friends than Obama.
Donald Trump could be immigration czar and Hispanic outreach coordinator as well as liaison to POW/MIAs and their families (sarcasm right back at you lol)

[Guest]

If you want to shut Trump up, tie his hands together. He waves his arms around so much when he speaks it's distracting. His arms and hands flap around so much, he is like a flightless bird looking up to the heavens, and crying to God, "You let all the other birds fly, why not me?" God's response is, "Have another cracker." That would be the last time Trump makes fun of communion.

Your sarcasm was right on target. I'm so jealous.

[Guest]

"Have another cracker." I forgot to quote Larry the cable guy "I don't care who you are that's funny."