National Review is Against Trump

[(1VB)compforce]

With him airing on CNN at the same time as the debate, he's still getting the air time, probably more than if he was at the debate...and it's raising money for Veterans. Technically it's a brilliant move that the establishment (on both sides) is going to take as a lesson in marketing if it works the way it should.

Imagine the uproar if the ratings for Trump on CNN is higher than the Fox debates...

[SF-TX]

I am a bit perplexed. Trump is now boasting of his ability to get along with the likes of Harry Reid, Chuck Schumer and Nancy Pelosi. John Boehner famously got along with the same, which is why he was detested by constitutional conservatives.

How is this a positive for Trump?

Additionally, I am disgusted by his attacks on Ted Cruz, a principled conservative. One who has consistently fought to uphold the constitution, regardless of the political price. It should give pause that the establishment Republican cabal, at least now, appear to support Trump over Cruz.

Senate Minority Leader Sen. Harry Reid (D-NV)2% said Wednesday that he’s considering backing Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump.

“Look, we’ve gotten along fine,” Reid said. “With that bunch of people running, I’m kind of pulling for him.”

According to The Hill, Reid then tried to walk back his comments.

Asked about Trump’s statement, Reid added, ‘Oh, I remember the good old days when he did a fundraiser or two for me.’

Reid quickly walked back his comments, apologizing for joking about supporting Trump — whom he called a ‘hateful demagogue who will do immeasurable damage to our country.’

‘There’s some things I shouldn’t joke about,’ he said from the Senate floor. ‘The danger of a Donald Trump candidacy to our country is not a joke.’


On Tuesday Donald Trump appeared on MSNBC’s Morning Joe and spoke of his good relationship with Reid. From the Washington Times:

‘I’ve always had a good relationship with Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA)9%. I’ve never had a problem,’ Mr. Trump said on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe.” ‘[Harry] Reid’s going to be gone. I always had a decent relationship with Reid, although lately obviously I haven’t been dealing with him, so he’ll use my name as the ultimate … of the billionaires in terms of people you don’t want.’

‘But I’ve always had a great relationship with Harry Reid,” Mr. Trump said. “Frankly, if I weren’t running for office, I’d be able to deal with [Pelosi], I’d be able to deal with Reid — I’d be able to deal with anybody.’

‘But I think I’d be able to get along very well with Nancy Pelosi and just about everybody,’ he said. ‘Hey look, I think I’ll be able to get along well with Schumer, Chuck Schumer. I was always very good with Schumer. I was close to Schumer in many ways.’

Link

[abc_123]

Originally Posted by SF-TX

I am a bit perplexed. Trump is now boasting of his ability to get along with the likes of Harry Reid, Chuck Schumer and Nancy Pelosi. John Boehner famously got along with the same, which is why he was detested by constitutional conservatives.

How is this a positive for Trump?

Additionally, I am disgusted by his attacks on Ted Cruz, a principled conservative. One who has consistently fought to uphold the constitution, regardless of the political price. It should give pause that the establishment Republican cabal, at least now, appear to support Trump over Cruz.

I'm nobody. And I'm the admitted angry voter so I am probably less than logical.


I think that:
All politicians to some degree or anthother are ego-manicas and attention whores.
All politicians have to change their tune either publically or privately and compromise when comes time to get things done. Its fine to granstand now and agin.. but if you want to get things done... compromise is the name of the game. Otherwise gridlock ensues.

So,

I believe that Trump is making his case for being a deal-maker. A guy who makes compromises that are at least 51% in his favor (if not more) and gets things done.

He is proving to me that he smart enough to understand "the game" (in this case its the primary election game) and then shrewd at knowing when to play by the rules and when to totally go outside them and that he has the guts to do it. He is showing a ruthless streak (bordering on mean) towards those who oppose him. Trump wants to WIN. Attack him a little and he will hit back hard. It appears to me that if he can knock you down, he's not afraid to give you one more stomp before walking away tp send a message to others.

I like that. Play to win or don't play. (anyone donate $$ to Fred Thompson that was happy that they did? )

I am confident that if Cruz drops out, and stops trying to WIN against Trump then trump will stop attacking him and try to get him on the team. Why doesn't Ted drop out and volunteeer for the VP spot? It would be a good compromise. Why? because HE wants to win. Stop wanting to win and the attacks will stop (IMO).

Edit to add: I believe Trump, like all politicians is out for himself. But I also believe that he is more pro-American and pro-American Business than he is pro any other country. So, in the state I'm in as a voter I'm Ok with Trump getting what he wants as long as he looks out for me even a little... the last guy didn't do anything. In fact just the opposite. Trump is really trashing the established political order right now and to me that is of great value.

[abc_123]

Hypothetically, let's say, Trump continues to thrash the repup primary competitors. In the process he gains repub establishment support as they increasingly fear that he will actually be the nominee. That becomes a self-reinforcing loop which totally sinks any hope that any competitor has a chance.

He wins the nomination. Big. Really big.

Then, because the strength of his candidacy and popular support is that he is really a populist and anti-party elites / anti-establishment.

Could he then decare himself an Independent?

[Sohei]

Originally Posted by abc_123

Could he then decare himself an Independent?

He could. But, I wonder if he would then lose the "base" because he broke his signed "commitment" letter that he pledged to the RNC.

[craigepo]

This Iowa caucus is going to be fun to watch. We (non-Iowa citizens) are getting bombarded by macro-advertising. But, if you ever get involved in a campaign, you will find out that "all politics are local". The ground game is really, really important.

Iowa is similar to a lot of other states, in that it has a few metro areas, some middle size cities, and a lot of rural area. In a GOP primary, a politician is looking to win two groups of people that always vote; (1) people with some business sense; and (2) people that know what the inside of a church looks like. You can throw veterans' groups in as well for a number 3.

I am very curious as to how the ground game in Iowa is going. Who is resonating with people from the above 2-3 groups? Who are the local vote-handlers liking? Who has an office in all 99 counties? Remember, the last two GOP caucus winners in Iowa were Santorum (2012) and Huckabee (2008). Both of whom were well behind in the polls until the caucus' were decided.

When you drive through the Heartland, and get off the interstate, you will notice it is different than other places. A lot of small towns. Bigger churches in town, with smaller churches located on dirt roads with congregations of 20-50 people. Many of the kids from small towns move to the cities to find work.

There will be a lot of small dynamics at play from now to Monday. As to Trump skipping a debate, I'm not sure how that will play to Iowa voters who like to see people show up at the local VFW hall to talk and answer questions. But we will know on Monday.

[akv]

Originally Posted by Paslode

Then what? 4-8 more years of business as usual with Paul Ryan and Mitch McConnell. The repubs have had the majority in both houses for at least 4 years, they had a mandate and haven't done squat.

Then a Republican in the oval office. It's been a while do you remember what its like?

Bottom line to me Trump getting the GOP nomination ensures Hillary wins.

YMMV

[sinjefe]

I WAS open minded towards Trump. But, the more he talks, (Trump) the more I have become a Ted Cruz fan.

[abc_123]

The Iowa results are overrated. Sanatorium and Huckabee yeah real strong candidates there. Lol

[tonyz]

Originally Posted by abc_123

The Iowa results are overrated. Sanatorium and Huckabee yeah real strong candidates there. Lol

Exactly...still early.

[abc_123]

Originally Posted by akv

Bottom line to me Trump getting the GOP nomination ensures Hillary wins.

Why?

(if you've already stated that then let me know and I'll go digging for a previous post.)

[GratefulCitizen]

Originally Posted by abc_123

My wife, A Right-leaning, Southern woman came out yesterday and said that skipping the debate would not hurt Trump. She said this morning that it has made her like him more. She has changed from being a Jeb,Cruz,Rubio person to now moving towards Trump. She wants more details from him and thinks he is a bit "scary", as in "fear of the unknown", but likes the fact that he seems to be making his own decisions, and does not feel obliged to do what other people think that he should. She also believes that he will be good for business in this country.

She thinks that that Trump will be attractive to mainstream women voters and is convinced that Trump will take the South.

This was in the context of a conversation we werehaving about the upcoming Repub debate.

For reference she believes that the last 8yrs under Obama has been a disaster and distrusts all politicians in general.

just another data point...

Trump understands women voters.
That's why he won't deal with Kelly again.

When a man challenges him in a disrespectful manner, he'd better answer the challenge lest he look weak and encourage continued disrespect.
The same is necessary with a disrespectful challenge from a woman.

But, when he bumps her back, she plays the "you can't hit me, I'm a girl" card.
Bumping her back was the lesser of two evils.

He won't put himself in that no-win situation again.
Women voters aren't stupid and understand the game being played.

By excusing himself, he demonstrated dominance over the situation.
Many women might not like him, but they will respect him more than the weak man, and that translates into votes.

[cbtengr]

Originally Posted by akv

Then a Republican in the oval office. It's been a while do you remember what its like?

Bottom line to me Trump getting the GOP nomination ensures Hillary wins.

YMMV

I live near Iowa City, Iowa which is without a doubt the most liberal city in Iowa. If an election could be measured by yard signs then HRC is toast. Bernie seems to be the hands down favorite with 99 signs to 1 for HRC. She has been courting Iowa forever but she plays to a very limited audience, for the most part hand picked with no dissenters.

She is not a likable person which will be her downfall, Trumps nomination/success will not mean her inevitable coronation. I like Trump because he speaks up on issues with a bluntness that the others seem to shy away from. We need Donald to remind the voters just who HRC is and what she is, he won't mince words where the others will. That being said I will be pulling the trigger for Cruz on Monday night. In the end come next November I will be supporting whoever opposes the candidate from the left, we cannot afford another 8 years of decline.

[akv]

Originally Posted by abc_13

Why?

My $.02, Trump while entertaining, is alienating enough to motivate many demographics the GOP would need to win in 2016 to vote Dim instead. In contrast I think Cruz/Rubio would have GOP support and lure away critical swing voters from the Dims.The irony to me is that Hillary, given the state of the economy, with a possible FBI indictment looming, and her lack of eloquence in debates relative to someone like Cruz/Rubio is vulnerable.

Part of it seems to be shifting demographics, the American people for better or worse deserve the politicians we elect. Zero's technology aided upset of Hillary in 2008 and re-election in 2012 to me seem indicative of a trend towards younger, articulate, telegenic, Senator types. Younger voters seem to value eloquence and flash over experience, and to me candidates like Cruz and Rubio play into this trend. In contrast both Hillary and Trump come across as bitter old people, the former as untrustworthy to boot and the latter as polarizing as it gets. Bernie Sanders comes across as that crazy old Jewish uncle no one takes seriously.

Second, Let's also not forget Trump has recently become a Republican, after praising Hillary Clinton and saying he identified himself more as a Democrat as recently as 2004. And before someone brings up Reagan, one Trump is no Reagan, and frankly Reagan related to people so well many a Democrat voted Reagan. As someone stated earlier most politicians sway their views to get elected so maybe he gets a pass there, but a complete 180?

Third, Trump himself is the most polarizing candidate in recent memory, even to conservatives. It seems there comes a moment with Trump where the audience goes from entertainment " WOW, lol he doesn't have a filter" to the eventual stark realization that Trump is actually a petty rich jerk with no respect for anything but money. I'm a Republican who is DISGUSTED with the path Zero has taken our country the past eight years, yet Trump says things that if taken seriously at best imply a lack of critical thinking and frankly ring a jingoistic tone.

The man runs on a platform of making America great again. God bless, he has had financial success but as north easterner who was born into great wealth, what percent of the country can relate to him?

Other than other wealthy men who or what is Trump respectful too?

Women, not a chance , Veterans, see John McCain. Our NATO allies? He has already insulted the French, called Brussels a hellhole, and may be banned from England. Heck even Prime Minister Netanyahu of Israel rejected Trump's Muslim views as sophomoric. How about minorities particularly the key Hispanic vote, after what he has said? Even his rhetoric to our adversaries is short sighted. The Chinese aren't stupid, they would retaliate with further tariffs of their own. And then there is Putin, clearly no friend of America, who realizing what a train wreck Trump would be in office now openly endorses him.

Trump's strength is supposed to be business, yet his companies have faced multiple bankruptcies and he has been pro eminent domain in the past. Becoming a billionaire is markedly less impressive if daddy left you eight figures to start. Trump boasts about his wealth, ok but a monkey who put the kind of money he inherited in the early 1970's into the S&P 500 and didn't touch it would be worth what Trump is now. He hasn't outperformed in any way but arrogance.

How does anyone take this belligerent class clown seriously enough to actually vote for him for POTUS when it's for real?

So, these are a few reasons why I think Trump if the GOP nominee hands the Dims the election.

[Paslode]

Originally Posted by akv

Then a Republican in the oval office. It's been a while do you remember what its like?

Bottom line to me Trump getting the GOP nomination ensures Hillary wins.

YMMV

Ronnie Raygun was the last true Republican in the Oval Office.


Personally, I think HRC is toast with or without Trump. Her only chance is if Jeb, Rand, Kaisich or Jim Gilchrist is her opponent.

Trump is going to run it home because people are sick and tired of career politicians, they are sick of Clinton, Obama, Kerry, Reed, Pelosi, Boxer, Hastings, Boner, McConnell, Ryan and th rest of the trash the roams the streets of DC. DC and it's perisites need to be burned to the the ground.

Trump is making an absolute mockery of the system and he will be the very first setting President to float the F-Bomb on live TV.