Would a narrow Trump loss make the survivor a better candidate?

[superheavyrhun]

I'm not 100% sure how the primary system works, but it looks like Trump's campaign just gets stronger and stronger. As a history buff, a lot of his rhetoric seems to close to the rise of fascism to me, and the way that broad statements were too attractive when compared with those politicians who chose to stick with what they actually could achieve.

Clinton seems to be nailed on and although I like Bernie Sanders, he's way left of where most of the Democrats ever elected have been.

[Spicoli]

Trump can be a master manipulator tossing chum in the water. He says he worries about Rubio being sued over citizenship giving Dems ammo. Then he threatens to sue him over same and threatens to sue Cruz because his adds are "unfair" . He blames Sanders for thug like behavior of protesters and that there is no violence at Trump rallies, then he mentions that any attempt to refuse him the nomination once delegates are reached "could result in riots". Some asshole sucker punches a protester and goes on camera saying next time we might have to kill him...next day Trump is doing interview suggesting he'll pay his legal fees. More and more though it seems the 'movement-anger-mistrust' of politicians leading him rather than other way around. He will certainly be the Republican candidate at which time we'll possibly get a definitive plan or policy on something and less double speak and emotional red meat. Shit, the guy is more of a politician than many are willing to admit.

[TitoFan]

There's things to like about Trump... and there's things that scare the hell out of me. Where to start.... For starters, nothing is lukewarm with the guy. You either like something a hell of a lot, or you despise it. Trump is obviously a smart guy. No way he would have been as successful as he's been if he wasn't. It's his business smarts that appeal to a lot of people, maybe hoping that he can run the government the way a good business is run. He's also extremely assertive. Another quality I believe appeals to a lot of people. People who feel the U.S. has lost some of its global clout for some reason or another. He shoots from the hip. That's not necessarily a good thing, especially for a POTUS.... but yet many people also like that, because they equate it with not talking the political double-speak that politicians are known for. As far as Trump being a racist, I'm not totally convinced that he is in fact a racist. Fiercely protective of the U.S. way of life, maybe. To the point of saying less-than-intelligent things he'll never be able to deliver.... most definitely. But I don't think he's racist. It'll be interesting to see how he transforms himself (if he does at all) as it becomes more and more apparent that he'll be the Republican nominee (barring some sort of coup). Will he reach out for the expertise and assessment he should know he needs in areas not in his wheelhouse? Will he be adept at choosing people to surround himself with? Will he tone down some of his outrageous comments? Who the hell knows. I will say this: The prospect of a Hillary presidency scares me. And from the looks of it so far, Sanders has zero chance. So it'll be some Republican against Hillary. If it's Trump, look out. I'm tempted to say the country would be better off with Donald than Hillary. But Donald can be dangerous, especially in areas such as foreign policy. He'd be better served by choosing the right people to surround himself with. And why shouldn't he be good at that? It's what a savvy businessman does. It's what Reagan did during his own presidency. Regardless, I can't shake the feeling that it's not like the good ol' days, when you could look up at the Presidential candidates with honest to goodness respect.

[SlimTrae]

But Cruz is even more unelectable than Trump

I'm not sure it collapsed, rather Rubio and Cruz found one state each.
Trump is unelectable only to the extreme left.

We'll find out tonight and a week from now. If Trump wins Florida and Ohio it's all over. If he doesn't the GOP establishment will spend the next few months attacking him from every angle and spend tens of millions trying to make him so toxic to the electorate that the GOP voters will accept a coup at the convention and somebody moderate getting the nomination.

1 out of 2 The state where the convention is to be held voted for their Governor aka Kasich.
He has no chance though.

Cruz IMO greatest screw up was leading the call to shut down the government
The Republicans still haven't forgiven him for that.


Along with Sarah dingbat Palin who said Republicans must “stand firm,” “not blink,” and not “allow the media to drive this whole narrative” that a shutdown would be bad for Republicans rather it would allow Americans to see how irrelevant the federal government is.

So let's shut down the government...than hold a protest about the shutdown....
That.uhh....Cruz asked for....Bring veterans....tell them Obama doesn't care about you....why else would he allow us to shut down the government?

Then they took the National Park Service’s protective barriers, and then threw them at the White House....
Few know that this started off as a let's defund Obama care movement.
When it failed...they decided to bring in troops...which in reality were about 30-40 vets who showed up with Confederate flags...and the rest err Tea Party folk.

Oh the government opened back up ..Healthcare act ...still in tact.
But at least we got to hear the pledge of Allegiance

...while holding confederate flags...thanks Ted Cruz...

[Kirkland Laing]

I'm not 100% sure how the primary system works, but it looks like Trump's campaign just gets stronger and stronger. As a history buff, a lot of his rhetoric seems to close to the rise of fascism to me, and the way that broad statements were too attractive when compared with those politicians who chose to stick with what they actually could achieve.

Clinton seems to be nailed on and although I like Bernie Sanders, he's way left of where most of the Democrats ever elected have been.

Bernie or at least Bernieism is the future of the Democratic party. Bernie has absolutely overwhelming 80-90% support from under 30 voters. For all the talk about Trump resetting the coalitions between the two big parties eventually a Bernieist will be the Democratic nominee and get elected. The Demographics in America are moving to the Democratic side about 3% every four years. In a 50 50 country that gives a basically huge game over lead to the Democrats from round about now.

Assuming Trump doesn't reset the coalitions of voters and steal a big chunk of Democrats Hillary will win but long term America will look like Bernieland.

[Kirkland Laing]

Trump can be a master manipulator tossing chum in the water. He says he worries about Rubio being sued over citizenship giving Dems ammo. Then he threatens to sue him over same and threatens to sue Cruz because his adds are "unfair" . He blames Sanders for thug like behavior of protesters and that there is no violence at Trump rallies, then he mentions that any attempt to refuse him the nomination once delegates are reached "could result in riots". Some asshole sucker punches a protester and goes on camera saying next time we might have to kill him...next day Trump is doing interview suggesting he'll pay his legal fees. More and more though it seems the 'movement-anger-mistrust' of politicians leading him rather than other way around. He will certainly be the Republican candidate at which time we'll possibly get a definitive plan or policy on something and less double speak and emotional red meat. Shit, the guy is more of a politician than many are willing to admit.

You're making the fantastic assumption that GOP candidates eventually come up with plans and policies.

Other than massive tax cuts, deregulation of business and the financial industry and making government smaller none of them ever have plans or policies. They're a party that believe that government doesn't work and when they get elected they set about proving it.

Voters in this election have the choice between an extreme nominee (Trump, Cruz) or voting for a moderate Republican (Hillary). Everybody except Trump is a more of the same politician (free trade, no regulation of Wall Street, immigrant/cheap labour-friendly corporate servant government) but at least Trump is offering something a little different with the trade and the wall. That could attract a lot of voters.

More to say on this.

[SlimTrae]

Just when I think the Anti-Trump movement has found a wedge between he and potential supporters...the next article is about the unbelievable disdain Republicans has for Ted Cruz.

Republicans have shouted down Ted Cruz on the Senate floor (several) times and remind him often that he called fellow Republican, McConnell a liar...on the senate floor. Hard to imagine Trump could lose narrowly, when his Republican rivals are loathed by Republican voters, like they are Democrats or something...

[superheavyrhun]

I'm not 100% sure how the primary system works, but it looks like Trump's campaign just gets stronger and stronger. As a history buff, a lot of his rhetoric seems to close to the rise of fascism to me, and the way that broad statements were too attractive when compared with those politicians who chose to stick with what they actually could achieve.

Clinton seems to be nailed on and although I like Bernie Sanders, he's way left of where most of the Democrats ever elected have been.

Bernie or at least Bernieism is the future of the Democratic party. Bernie has absolutely overwhelming 80-90% support from under 30 voters. For all the talk about Trump resetting the coalitions between the two big parties eventually a Bernieist will be the Democratic nominee and get elected. The Demographics in America are moving to the Democratic side about 3% every four years. In a 50 50 country that gives a basically huge game over lead to the Democrats from round about now.

Assuming Trump doesn't reset the coalitions of voters and steal a big chunk of Democrats Hillary will win but long term America will look like Bernieland.

The prevalence of a popularity in left wing politics among younger people has almost always been the case though. As people get older they will tend to become a little more conservative. The idea of a socialist country that may appear attractive in your teens and twenties become something a little more balanced as most people move into middle age.

[brocktonblockbust]

Trump will be the 45th US President

[superheavyrhun]

Trump will be the 45th US President

45th....and last?

[Kirkland Laing]

I'm not 100% sure how the primary system works, but it looks like Trump's campaign just gets stronger and stronger. As a history buff, a lot of his rhetoric seems to close to the rise of fascism to me, and the way that broad statements were too attractive when compared with those politicians who chose to stick with what they actually could achieve.

Clinton seems to be nailed on and although I like Bernie Sanders, he's way left of where most of the Democrats ever elected have been.

Bernie or at least Bernieism is the future of the Democratic party. Bernie has absolutely overwhelming 80-90% support from under 30 voters. For all the talk about Trump resetting the coalitions between the two big parties eventually a Bernieist will be the Democratic nominee and get elected. The Demographics in America are moving to the Democratic side about 3% every four years. In a 50 50 country that gives a basically huge game over lead to the Democrats from round about now.

Assuming Trump doesn't reset the coalitions of voters and steal a big chunk of Democrats Hillary will win but long term America will look like Bernieland.

The prevalence of a popularity in left wing politics among younger people has almost always been the case though. As people get older they will tend to become a little more conservative. The idea of a socialist country that may appear attractive in your teens and twenties become something a little more balanced as most people move into middle age.

There's been a gigantic sea change in people born after 1980. During the 50s-1980 people used to split 50-50 roughly when they got old enough to vote, the number remained a few points either side of fifty for decades. Now 1980s and afterwards are overwhelmingly lefties. The GOP is increasingly the party of older white folks.

After the 2012 the GOP produced a report (google gop autopsy) on the failed 2012 campaign and they came to the conclusion that they had to pass comprehensive immigration reform if they were ever to become competitive in national elections again. They started off well with Rubio pushing an immigration bill but then the base rebelled so much that Rubio ended up voting against his own bill so he didn't get primaried. Then Donald Trump and his wall came along.

From about 2020 or 2024 the Democrats will be unbeatable in national elections if the voting bases stay the same. Trump might just shake things up though.

[walrus]

I'm not 100% sure how the primary system works, but it looks like Trump's campaign just gets stronger and stronger. As a history buff, a lot of his rhetoric seems to close to the rise of fascism to me, and the way that broad statements were too attractive when compared with those politicians who chose to stick with what they actually could achieve.

Clinton seems to be nailed on and although I like Bernie Sanders, he's way left of where most of the Democrats ever elected have been.

Bernie or at least Bernieism is the future of the Democratic party. Bernie has absolutely overwhelming 80-90% support from under 30 voters. For all the talk about Trump resetting the coalitions between the two big parties eventually a Bernieist will be the Democratic nominee and get elected. The Demographics in America are moving to the Democratic side about 3% every four years. In a 50 50 country that gives a basically huge game over lead to the Democrats from round about now.

Assuming Trump doesn't reset the coalitions of voters and steal a big chunk of Democrats Hillary will win but long term America will look like Bernieland.

The prevalence of a popularity in left wing politics among younger people has almost always been the case though. As people get older they will tend to become a little more conservative. The idea of a socialist country that may appear attractive in your teens and twenties become something a little more balanced as most people move into middle age.

There's been a gigantic sea change in people born after 1980. During the 50s-1980 people used to split 50-50 roughly when they got old enough to vote, the number remained a few points either side of fifty for decades. Now 1980s and afterwards are overwhelmingly lefties. The GOP is increasingly the party of older white folks.

After the 2012 the GOP produced a report (google gop autopsy) on the failed 2012 campaign and they came to the conclusion that they had to pass comprehensive immigration reform if they were ever to become competitive in national elections again. They started off well with Rubio pushing an immigration bill but then the base rebelled so much that Rubio ended up voting against his own bill so he didn't get primaried. Then Donald Trump and his wall came along.

From about 2020 or 2024 the Democrats will be unbeatable in national elections if the voting bases stay the same. Trump might just shake things up though.

Crock of shit.

[SlimTrae]

I

Clinton seems to be nailed on and although I like Bernie Sanders, he's way left of where most of the Democrats ever elected have been.

The Demographics in America are moving to the Democratic side about 3% every four years.

I'm not sure about this...imo the sheep...era, uh people swing to both sides oh, every 6-10 years.
What validates my claim and disputes your claim is the Senate and Congress.. Since 2008, Democrats have lost 13 Senate seats, 69 congressional seats, and over 400 state legislative seats...& growing...doesn't sound like a 3% increase.



Assuming Trump doesn't reset the coalitions of voters and steal a big chunk of Democrats Hillary will win but long term America will look like Bernieland.

The prevalence of a popularity in left wing politics among younger people has almost always been the case though.

Today I disagree with this assessment. Please Google, youtube Ron Paul revolution(200 He spoke at many college campuses...but because mainstream media and the right wing-hate-machine media had a Virtual Ron Paul BLACK OUT...few know how many young people are flirting with libertarianism.
Again in 2012 Republican National committee changed rules that took delegates from Paul.. gave them to Romney. Paul had the biggest increase of youth voters over both parties when it came to voters under 25.

As people get older they will tend to become a little more conservative.
I agree.

The idea of a socialist country that may appear attractive in your teens and twenties become something a little more balanced as most people move into middle age.

True to a degree. 1910-1920 or so no less than 50 mayoral seats went to socialist candidates. From city council to Senate and Congress...American people voted them in. Socialism in America early 1900s under an aging Eugene Debs wasn't limited to youth.


There's been a gigantic sea change in people born after 1980. During the 50s-1980 people used to split 50-50 roughly when they got old enough to vote, the number remained a few points either side of fifty for decades. Now 1980s and afterwards are overwhelmingly lefties. The GOP is increasingly the party of older white folks.

I agree the GOP is, has & will always be primarily white. Most young who do go democratic is not a choice on desire, rather the best of the worst.

After the 2012 the GOP produced a report (google gop autopsy) on the failed 2012 campaign and they came to the conclusion that they had to pass comprehensive immigration reform if they were ever to become competitive in national elections again. They started off well with Rubio pushing an immigration bill but then the base rebelled so much that Rubio ended up voting against his own bill so he didn't get primaried. Then Donald Trump and his wall came along.

IMO this is partially true. Hispanics can tip the vote Democratic, if whites who espouse conservative values stay home. It is also a side swipe to African-Americans. Conservative have many articles, columns questioning how to court the Hispanic vote, but not the African-American vote.

The elephant in the room I argue is the bullshit war against a stateless enemy called: The war on terror. Many Moderates to Conservative flip flopped and no longer support the war on terror. No longer discuss WMD. Those who do speak on waging this stupid ass war against stateless enemies, are losing voters more so than those who don't support immigration reform.

From about 2020 or 2024 the Democrats will be unbeatable in national elections if the voting bases stay the same. Trump might just shake things up though.

By 2020...America will probably have lost value to Transglobal corporations. She along with China, Russia, British will be under the control of said trans global corporation(s).. some may call it the new world order, shadow government.
End result the republic that practiced a democracy via a voting process.will be a historical concept.

Less we forget American founding fathers saw fit to give voting rights to white men......



Who owned property.

[superheavyrhun]

As Miles isn't around these days, I feel I should lift up the mantle and quote Chomsky: "This country was founded on the principle that the primary role of government is to protect property from the majority....and so it remains". I mainly know it as the quote is in a Manic Street Preachers song though...educated on rock n roll!

Even when you look back at the sixties, and the Summer of Love, there were large numbers of people against war and supporting left leaning parties, even into Communism and Socialism, but when those people grew older, certainly in terms of those who I know who have moved closer to the center than they were back then, I do think that the population shifts right as it ages.

[brocktonblockbust]

You get older and you get sicker and you start wanting to think about health care and where your dollars are going to go when you retire in a few years.