2016 Presidential Horse Race

[RDU Irish]

Yes. Only one, though... my dad.

Old, half-Latino / half-white male. Doesn't care about Trump wanting to deport illegals because Grandma came here legally and paid taxes and thinks that what all Central American/South American immigrants should do.

His main reason he's a Trump supporter is because he absolutely hates career politicians of all stripes and colors. He likes that Trump has had an entire life and career outside of politics. He likes that he has worked in the private sector. He likes that he has been wildly successful (no, filing bankruptcy does NOT mean what most uninformed people think it does).

So when the choices are:
1. Bernie Sanders, who has spent his entire life as a politician/activist and has no idea what it takes to turn a profit in any sort of business AND has truly absurd economic policies that defy logic/reason (this is actually true, even left-leaning economists admit this).
2. Hillary Clinton, who is a hypocrite/liar/populist/fraud of the highest order whose family has used the political system and the associated power to their gain for decades.
3. Marco Rubio, who he is OK with but doesn't like the fact that he's a "Bush Republican" (sup, Whiskey).
4. Ted Cruz, who "sucks."
5. Kasich, who "can't win."

It's Trump by process of elimination. In his words "Trump might be a disaster, but if that's the case at least he brings the whole system down with him" and "unless there is catastrophic economic collapse, the odds of a Trump presidency affecting my bottom line in a negative fashion are much lower than Hillary or that bleeding-heart everyone gets a fucking cookie socialist moron."

So, yeah. That's the logic of the only Trump supporter I know.

My dad is full blooded German who has been raised Dem his whole life, never voted for a Republican but really intrigued by Trump. Always caucuses, collects political buttons, former teacher who studied history. So keep on knocking Trump supporters as a bunch of toothless locals folks, you will be disappointed when you realize you are surrounded by them and they come in all shapes and sizes.

 

[RDU Irish]

Maybe Bloomberg will come in and save America from Big Gulps and triple quarter pounders with cheese?

FIFY

 

[FightingIrishLover7]

FIFY

Seriously though, just think about what would happen to the Coke brother's stock.

 

[Buster Bluth]

FIFY

Under federalism shouldn't libertarians and such actually support a city's ability to govern in that manner though?

If he ran we'd actually see the size of pop become a national issue, which might be the most embarrassing point in an embarrassing campaign season.

But if it's Clinton vs Trump I'm Bloomberg all the way. If he doesn't run I think the Clinton Triangulation Strangulation wins my vote if only because the GOP is not mature enough at the moment to select Supreme Court justices.

 

[irishfan]

My dad is full blooded German who has been raised Dem his whole life, never voted for a Republican but really intrigued by Trump. Always caucuses, collects political buttons, former teacher who studied history. So keep on knocking Trump supporters as a bunch of toothless locals folks, you will be disappointed when you realize you are surrounded by them and they come in all shapes and sizes.

I work at a small-ish company, but about half the people here are planning on voting for him as of now. Massachusetts is one of his best states, but there are a lot of Trump supporters out there in general. I know a lot of people who are very intrigued by him but are "closet" supporters.

I would certainly define myself as a Republican if forced to pick between the two parties. I don't love him or hate him, but I honestly think Trump is the only candidate who can take down Hillary. Rubio and Cruz are going to get hammered for their stance on abortion in the general election. Being pro-life just doesn't play well on young crowds, and that, coupled with going against Planned Parenthood, would hurt both of them with women. Hillary is not a good candidate by any means, but she's going to be able to play up women's rights against those two so hard it will drown everything else out.

Plus, Trump has huge crossover appeal with blue-collar democrats. I know there were stories a couple months ago linking him with the Teamsters.

Again, not a big Trump fan, but I'm pretty resigned to the fact he's going to be the nominee....and I would definitely say I am in the "anyone but Hillary" camp of voters.

 

[GoIrish41]

I work at a small-ish company, but about half the people here are planning on voting for him as of now. Massachusetts is one of his best states, but there are a lot of Trump supporters out there in general. I know a lot of people who are very intrigued by him but are "closet" supporters.

I would certainly define myself as a Republican if forced to pick between the two parties. I don't love him or hate him, but I honestly think Trump is the only candidate who can take down Hillary. Rubio and Cruz are going to get hammered for their stance on abortion in the general election. Being pro-life just doesn't play well on young crowds, and that, coupled with going against Planned Parenthood, would hurt both of them with women. Hillary is not a good candidate by any means, but she's going to be able to play up women's rights against those two so hard it will drown everything else out.

Plus, Trump has huge crossover appeal with blue-collar democrats. I know there were stories a couple months ago linking him with the Teamsters.

Again, not a big Trump fan, but I'm pretty resigned to the fact he's going to be the nominee....and I would definitely say I am in the "anyone but Hillary" camp of voters.

I don't agree with this, but if it were so, would you really want him to? If it was just those two left standing, I cannot see most people choosing Trump over Hillary. I can't even wrap my head around that possibility.

 

[kmoose]

I don't agree with this, but if it were so, would you really want him to? If it was just those two left standing, I cannot see most people choosing Trump over Hillary. I can't even wrap my head around that possibility.

I think you underestimate just what a charlatan many people think HRC is...

 

[irishfan]

I think you underestimate just what a charlatan many people think HRC is...

Yep, I've got a lot of pretty big Dem friends who are planning on going Bernie, but would happily vote Trump over Hillary. They might just be saying that now, but a lot of people are fed up with her.

 

[Irish YJ]

I don't agree with this, but if it were so, would you really want him to? If it was just those two left standing, I cannot see most people choosing Trump over Hillary. I can't even wrap my head around that possibility.

Like he said, I'm an independent (conservative economics, but moderate to liberal in most other places), but would classify myself as a Republican if I had to. That said,,, better start wrapping your head around it. Trump with no doubt will be the nomination.... Even CNN is finally saying so (good article today btw). While Hilary will most likely get the bid, she's got a lot of issues, even within typical long term Dems. I read somewhere where her "trust" and "likability" ratings were pretty awful.

I live in ATL, employ a lot of traditional Dems. NONE of them like Hilary. Most say they are intrigued by Trump, and would vote for him over HC. Small sample I know, but intriguing to me that folks that were and are all about "Obama" just don't like HC. To me personally, I think she's got a horrible personality (I now understand why Bill would go elsewhere...) and would not trust her as far as I can throw her.

Sure Trump is a buffoon at times, needs to tone it down, but at least he's for "real", has tapped into the nation's frustration, and isn't afraid to call things what they really are (even if he is crass in his delivery). I think a lot of folks, moderates, GOP, and even Dems are willing to conceive this guy getting 4 years. I mean, can he really do worse than the last 3 presidents?

If anything, I hope both the GOP and Dems learn something from his popularity... the current political establishment sucks and needs to be blown up. If anyone is totally happy with the way things are going (regardless of which side you are on), you have had too much red or blue kool aid and you're blind to the real world.... (Buster disagrees as he is chugging blue kool aid and smoking cigars with the big ballers pulling the CTS lever).

 

[ulukinatme]

I stand with Dwayne Elizondo Mountain Dew Herbert Camacho in 2016.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">PRESIDENT CAMACHO says:<br><br>ALL Y'ALL NEED TO STOP TRIPPIN. CHILL THE F OUT, 'MERICA<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CAMACHO2016?src=hash">#CAMACHO2016</a> <a href="https://t.co/qj7UgLU20V">pic.twitter.com/qj7UgLU20V</a></p>— terrycrews (@terrycrews) <a href="https://twitter.com/terrycrews/status/687664783118712832">January 14, 2016</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[drayer54]

I don't agree with this, but if it were so, would you really want him to? If it was just those two left standing, I cannot see most people choosing Trump over Hillary. I can't even wrap my head around that possibility.

The GOP struggled to wrap their head around it too. Nobody really gets it. People are pissed off at the status quo and the career politicians. I think Trump steamrolls Hillary in the general. Nobody looks more establishment than Hillary and he will be the choice of everyone who makes an emotional vote in the general election.

People will want a businessman, a self funded rich guy, an outsider, an alternative to the norm....


We will get the President that we deserve....

 

[wizards8507]

http://www.nationalreview.com/article/431858/donald-trump-2016-campaign-must-be-stopped

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[woolybug25]

What gets me is that people that don't like Hilldog (myself included) usually say she's unlikeable, self serving, power hungry, unethical, etc...

What in the hell do they think they are getting in Trump?

Don't mistake this for an endorsement of her, she's not getting my vote, but at least we know she plays politics. She owes people favors, she will do anything she can to promote herself as being a good person. Despite it not being the reality. Trump isn't gonna bother with any of that. It's cute to say "he doesn't owe anybody, he just wants to make Merica great again!"... What do people think he'll do when things inevitably go wrong? Don't get it twisted... It will go wrong. It's happened to every single president. Will he tuck his ego to do right by the country? Will he make the tough decisions that make him look bad in the short term, but is ultimately the right thing to do? He has literally never been that man or ever done anything to make me think he ever would.

He has the most potential for massive disaster than any candidate I can remember.

 

[Cackalacky]

Yeah, I mean, linking a whack job like Chomsky saying something typically Chomsky-level absurd is going to break the site. Don't do that.

lulz.
Me and Chomsky is tight.

 

[woolybug25]

We will get the President that we deserve....

Ain't that the fuq'n truth...

 

[irishfan]

What gets me is that people that don't like Hilldog (myself included) usually say she's unlikeable, self serving, power hungry, unethical, etc...

What in the hell do they think they are getting in Trump?

Don't mistake this for an endorsement of her, she's not getting my vote, but at least we know she plays politics. She owes people favors, she will do anything she can to promote herself as being a good person. Despite it not being the reality. Trump isn't gonna bother with any of that. It's cute to say "he doesn't owe anybody, he just wants to make Merica great again!"... What do people think he'll do when things inevitably go wrong? Don't get it twisted... It will go wrong. It's happened to every single president. Will he tuck his ego to do right by the country? Will he make the tough decisions that make him look bad in the short term, but is ultimately the right thing to do? He has literally never been that man or ever done anything to make me think he ever would.

He has the most potential for massive disaster than any candidate I can remember.

I think it's that he somewhat owns it while she pretends to be the champion for the average American.

 

[woolybug25]

I think it's that he somewhat owns it while she pretends to be the champion for the average American.

So answer me the second part? What do you expect him to do when things go bad? Do people really think he'll put them before himself? Do they think that he'll negotiate with the rest of the people we elect to represent us?

Going back to the topic of federalism. Who honestly thinks this man understands or respects the idea of a representative government? He's gonna do what he wants, the hell with the rest of us.

Tyrant.

 

[wizards8507]

So answer me the second part? What do you expect him to do when things go bad? Do people really think he'll put them before himself? Do they think that he'll negotiate with the rest of the people we elect to represent us?

Going back to the topic of federalism. Who honestly thinks this man understands or respects the idea of a representative government? He's gonna do what he wants, the hell with the rest of us.

Tyrant.

He doesn't know what federalism means. He doesn't know what conservativism (his made-up word) means. He doesn't understand the tenth or any other amendment.

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[Cackalacky]

Donald Trump's 2016 Campaign Must Be Stopped

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Even after reading that it seems to me that the irony within the article is not apparent even to the writer. He asks the question " why didnt the Republicans fight harder?" Do people really think what the R's have been doing for 8 years is fighting? SMH. They have not fought. They tied themselves in a perpetual temper tantrum to the sacrificial pyre with their fingers in their ears.

They have not fought any war of ideas nor tried to reason anything through. LOL.

 

[Cackalacky]

So answer me the second part? What do you expect him to do when things go bad? Do people really think he'll put them before himself? Do they think that he'll negotiate with the rest of the people we elect to represent us?

Going back to the topic of federalism. Who honestly thinks this man understands or respects the idea of a representative government? He's gonna do what he wants, the hell with the rest of us.

Tyrant.

What is he gonna do when he realizes he cant fire Congress?

What is he gonna ado when he meets Silvio Burlusconi. They might actually hit it off due to so many common interests.

Wait...https://www.washingtonpost.com/posteverything/wp/2015/09/21/donald-trump-is-americas-silvio-berlusconi/

 

[Irish YJ]

What gets me is that people that don't like Hilldog (myself included) usually say she's unlikeable, self serving, power hungry, unethical, etc...

What in the hell do they think they are getting in Trump?

Don't mistake this for an endorsement of her, she's not getting my vote, but at least we know she plays politics. She owes people favors, she will do anything she can to promote herself as being a good person. Despite it not being the reality. Trump isn't gonna bother with any of that. It's cute to say "he doesn't owe anybody, he just wants to make Merica great again!"... What do people think he'll do when things inevitably go wrong? Don't get it twisted... It will go wrong. It's happened to every single president. Will he tuck his ego to do right by the country? Will he make the tough decisions that make him look bad in the short term, but is ultimately the right thing to do? He has literally never been that man or ever done anything to make me think he ever would.
He has the most potential for massive disaster than any candidate I can remember.

Nothing makes me think he isn't the right guy. Certainly lot's of what ifs, but I'd rather have a what if, than someone who I know what they will do and keep the status quo (which I already know I won't like).

Why not roll the dice. How much can he really fvck up? I mean how much worse can it get? It's pretty fvcked up already. At the end of the day, I'm personally ready for something different. If it doesn't work out, we'll go back to status quo....

 

[Cackalacky]

He doesn't know what federalism means. He doesn't know what conservativism (his made-up word) means. He doesn't understand the tenth or any other amendment.

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I don't think there are very many people at all in America (except obviously Whiskeyjack) that knows or appreciates what true conservatisim actually is.

 

[woolybug25]

Nothing makes me think he isn't the right guy. Certainly lot's of what ifs, but I'd rather have a what if, than someone who I know what they will do and keep the status quo (which I already know I won't like).

Why not roll the dice. How much can he really fvck up? I mean how much worse can it get? It's pretty fvcked up already. At the end of the day, I'm personally ready for something different. If it doesn't work out, we'll go back to status quo....

"How much can he really fuck up"... How many times has that been uttered through the course of time before the inevitable happens?

This idea of him being an "unknown" or having a lot of "what if's" is odd to me as well. I know exactly the kind of behavior we should expect. We should expect the man he has alway been and will always be. An opportunist that will do what benefits himself with zero regard to the world around him.

 

[wizards8507]

Even after reading that it seems to me that the irony within the article is not apparent even to the writer. He asks the question " why didnt the Republicans fight harder?" Do people really think what the R's have been doing for 8 years is fighting? SMH. They have not fought. They tied themselves in a perpetual temper tantrum to the sacrificial pyre with their fingers in their ears.

They have not fought any war of ideas nor tried to reason anything through. LOL.

That's his point. The base wants Republican politicians to articulate and fight for conservatism and they haven't done jack shit.

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[Irish YJ]

"How much can he really fuck up"... How many times has that been uttered through the course of time before the inevitable happens?

This idea of him being an "unknown" or having a lot of "what if's" is odd to me as well. I know exactly the kind of behavior we should expect. We should expect the man he has alway been and will always be. An opportunist that will do what benefits himself with zero regard to the world around him.

Wooly you just described 99% of politicians.

I personally don't think we can equate the business man Trump to the potential president Trump. Obviously he's a smart guy. I believe he's smart enough to understand that succeeding as president requires something different than succeeding at business. I also thinks he loves Merica. I think his pride, and desire to secure his legacy is enough to push himself into making the correct calls when everything is said and done.

Around the inevitable stuff. The inevitable has happened as you said time and time again and the status quo has failed time and time again. I'm tire of being like an abused wife (staying in a relationship I know is bad), and ready for a change, even if that change is unfamiliar and in some ways uncomfortable.

 

[woolybug25]

Wooly you just described 99% of politicians.

I personally don't think we can equate the business man Trump to the potential president Trump. Obviously he's a smart guy. I believe he's smart enough to understand that succeeding as president requires something different than succeeding at business. I also thinks he loves Merica. I think his pride, and desire to secure his legacy is enough to push himself into making the correct calls when everything is said and done.

Around the inevitable stuff. The inevitable has happened as you said time and time again and the status quo has failed time and time again. I'm tire of being like an abused wife (staying in a relationship I know is bad), and ready for a change, even if that change is unfamiliar and in some ways uncomfortable.

Hey... I don't want to sound like I'm bashing your opinion, you're entitled to it, and I respect that. But I couldn't disagree more.

I don't believe Trump loves this country. I don't think that's why he's running. This is a power thing. Nothing he has ever done in his entire life has been about anything other than himself. Hell, I don't even believe that his beliefs are real. This dude was a self professed democrat a moment ago. Now he is a strict conservative? No way, man. He saw an opportunity to grab power, and like every other time in his life, he told everyone what they wanted to hear in order to get it.

Read Cack's article above. He's not the first person to do this. The status quo is a hell of a lot better than what I think a tyranny will do to our union.

 

[Cackalacky]

That's his point. The base wants Republican politicians to articulate and fight for conservatism and they haven't done jack shit.

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IDK... I took it to be him blaming the fallout of a Trump election as the death knell for the Republican party when in fact they have done it themselves. The bell tolled many years ago. I would say the nomination of Palin as a VP candidate was well past the burial date TBH The party was damaged much longer ago and the rise of Tea Party is as much evidence as you need there. He is just as clueless as the very people he is describing in his article. Much like the Democrat party split over ideology in the 50s, the Rise of the Tea Party could not have occurred otherwise. The R's suffered from an inability or refusal to see what was wrong within themselves.

 

[tussin]

Hey... I don't want to sound like I'm bashing your opinion, you're entitled to it, and I respect that. But I couldn't disagree more.

I don't believe Trump loves this country. I don't think that's why he's running. This is a power thing. Nothing he has ever done in his entire life has been about anything other than himself. Hell, I don't even believe that his beliefs are real. This dude was a self professed democrat a moment ago. Now he is a strict conservative? No way, man. He saw an opportunity to grab power, and like every other time in his life, he told everyone what they wanted to hear in order to get it.

Read Cack's article above. He's not the first person to do this. The status quo is a hell of a lot better than what I think a tyranny will do to our union.

This is why Trump supporters are the first political group that I simply do not understand. How can they not see the obvious? This guy isn't a conservative, he's not in it to serve the electorate, he's only doing this for himself. How isn't this obvious to absolutely everyone?

Two years ago, Trump was getting roasted on Comedy Central...now he's going to be the POTUS? Are you fucking kidding me?

 

[Irish YJ]

Hey... I don't want to sound like I'm bashing your opinion, you're entitled to it, and I respect that. But I couldn't disagree more.

I don't believe Trump loves this country. I don't think that's why he's running. This is a power thing. Nothing he has ever done in his entire life has been about anything other than himself. Hell, I don't even believe that his beliefs are real. This dude was a self professed democrat a moment ago. Now he is a strict conservative? No way, man. He saw an opportunity to grab power, and like every other time in his life, he told everyone what they wanted to hear in order to get it.

Read Cack's article above. He's not the first person to do this. The status quo is a hell of a lot better than what I think a tyranny will do to our union.

Wooly I've seen you bash homey, and I know you're not bashing me! I respect your opinion too. Will give a read to Cack's article.

I think either of us could be right about DT. Perhaps you're right and I'm overly optimistic, and see some good in him that's really not there. IDK. Just a gut feel. The thing I do know is I hate the status quo right now.

I think both sides are incredibly horrible, and can't accomplish anything. Perhaps my optimism and willingness to gamble is nothing but a creation of my frustration with the way things are. Personally I don't think he can screw things up any more than what's been done the past 20 years.

For now I'm hoping for some true change. I may not get what I want, but I'm willing to walk out on that branch right now.

 

[irishfan]

So answer me the second part? What do you expect him to do when things go bad? Do people really think he'll put them before himself? Do they think that he'll negotiate with the rest of the people we elect to represent us?

Going back to the topic of federalism. Who honestly thinks this man understands or respects the idea of a representative government? He's gonna do what he wants, the hell with the rest of us.

Tyrant.

Hillary would be the "safer" option for sure. She's a known commodity. It will be Obama Lite for the next 4-8 years. I just don't want that. Trump seems like a risk on the surface. He certainly comes off as abrasive now, but it's tough to tell how much is an act. He's pretty poised in all of his older interviews, and has been conveying the same political message (minus the wall and the Muslims) since the 1980s. I think he does care about this country. Maybe for selfish reasons since a majority of his real estate business is here (and he'd get hit harder than most if the economy collapsed), but I do think he genuinely cares. I also think he cares even more about his legacy and won't want this to be an embarrassment.

At the end of the day, I also really don't think he can or will do that much damage even if he turns out to be a poor President. Everyone on the left thinks George W was the worst thing ever, and the country was pretty much fine under his watch until the inevitable economic collapse at the end. Everyone on the right thought Obama would be the end of this country and, in reality, the country is doing fine overall. People act like the last 15-20 years have been terrible, but this country is still pretty great. I have a hard time thinking Trump is going to mess that much up especially since people on both sides are so wary of him. One wrong executive order and the left will be screaming to impeach him.

^I am very aware that all of that may sound very stupid...not picking the "safe" option for President does not sound very smart in my head, but it does seem like this country is ready for a change. As of today, I'd go Trump over Hillary.