Senator, please be careful of the backdrop... uh, nevermind.
July 23, 2015 7:44 AM Subscribe
In the wake of Donald Trump giving out his phone number, Senator Lindsay Graham decides to take action. And for those of you wondering, yes, Graham still uses a flip phone.
Not only did it blend, it took the blender with it. Badass.
posted by Johnny Wallflower at 7:48 AM on July 23, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by Johnny Wallflower at 7:48 AM on July 23, 2015 [2 favorites]
Is The Donald truly so driven by his insane ego that he's doing this all on his own, or is this some conspiracy to make all the other GOP hopefuls (especially Jeb) look less insane by comparison? I suppose we'll be sure it's the former if he runs third-party, but...I honestly can't tell.
posted by sallybrown at 7:50 AM on July 23, 2015 [11 favorites]
posted by sallybrown at 7:50 AM on July 23, 2015 [11 favorites]
Does it really matter what his motives are at this point?
posted by blucevalo at 7:53 AM on July 23, 2015
posted by blucevalo at 7:53 AM on July 23, 2015
Admit It: You People Want To See How Far This Goes, Don’t You?
posted by theodolite at 7:54 AM on July 23, 2015 [63 favorites]
posted by theodolite at 7:54 AM on July 23, 2015 [63 favorites]
Lindsay Graham Destroys Last Scraps Of Dignity In Blender In Desperate Bid For Attention For Non-Existent Campaign.
posted by Mid at 7:55 AM on July 23, 2015 [8 favorites]
posted by Mid at 7:55 AM on July 23, 2015 [8 favorites]
Nice of Trump to take doxxing mainstream, I wonder when he announces his position on ethics in game journalism?
posted by Artw at 7:55 AM on July 23, 2015 [42 favorites]
posted by Artw at 7:55 AM on July 23, 2015 [42 favorites]
It matters to me because it helps predict his behavior. If he's pepping up the crazies only to shepherd them into Jeb!'s hands in a year, paying him attention is just helping the GOP. If he's truly operating under his own brainpower and looking out for himself only, he's a boon to the Dems.
posted by sallybrown at 7:56 AM on July 23, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by sallybrown at 7:56 AM on July 23, 2015 [2 favorites]
The phone is a metaphor for Iran.
posted by delfin at 7:58 AM on July 23, 2015 [3 favorites]
posted by delfin at 7:58 AM on July 23, 2015 [3 favorites]
Trump maintains his wealth by being famous, he maintains his fame by getting press coverage, and he gets press coverage by being deliberately controversial. He openly admits this. It's his very indifference to whether his remarks are sincere or even coherent that makes him so successful. He is the thinking-even-less-person's Ann Coulter.
posted by East Manitoba Regional Junior Kabaddi Champion '94 at 7:58 AM on July 23, 2015 [36 favorites]
posted by East Manitoba Regional Junior Kabaddi Champion '94 at 7:58 AM on July 23, 2015 [36 favorites]
Lindsay Graham Destroys Last Scraps Of Dignity In Blender In Desperate Bid For Attention For Non-Existent Campaign.
Eh, I agree that his campaign will probably go nowhere, but I can imagine a whole host of campaigning activities in his future that will do more to destroy his dignity than this. At least with this he gets to therapeutically break shit.
posted by AlonzoMosleyFBI at 7:58 AM on July 23, 2015 [4 favorites]
Eh, I agree that his campaign will probably go nowhere, but I can imagine a whole host of campaigning activities in his future that will do more to destroy his dignity than this. At least with this he gets to therapeutically break shit.
posted by AlonzoMosleyFBI at 7:58 AM on July 23, 2015 [4 favorites]
It matters to me because it helps predict his behavior. If he's pepping up the crazies only to shepherd them into Jeb!'s hands in a year, paying him attention is just helping the GOP. If he's truly operating under his own brainpower and looking out for himself only, he's a boon to the Dems.
Occam's Razor applies: Donald Trump has a long history of doing stupid/crazy/controversial things that piss off other people, and essentially zero history of meaningfully coordinating anything with anybody. Chances of his being involved in any kind of "conspiracy" are almost nil.
posted by Tomorrowful at 7:59 AM on July 23, 2015 [41 favorites]
Occam's Razor applies: Donald Trump has a long history of doing stupid/crazy/controversial things that piss off other people, and essentially zero history of meaningfully coordinating anything with anybody. Chances of his being involved in any kind of "conspiracy" are almost nil.
posted by Tomorrowful at 7:59 AM on July 23, 2015 [41 favorites]
If he's pepping up the crazies only to shepherd them into Jeb!'s hands in a year, paying him attention is just helping the GOP.
I will personally guarantee that Donald Trump does not give one flying shit about Jeb Bush.
posted by East Manitoba Regional Junior Kabaddi Champion '94 at 7:59 AM on July 23, 2015 [10 favorites]
I will personally guarantee that Donald Trump does not give one flying shit about Jeb Bush.
posted by East Manitoba Regional Junior Kabaddi Champion '94 at 7:59 AM on July 23, 2015 [10 favorites]
The first Republican Presidential Debate on 6 August should be quite a show.
As for myself, I am immensely enjoying this presidential election entertainment, and will do so all the way through. Of course, the joke will be on all of us if The Donald actually wins the office.
posted by haiku warrior at 8:00 AM on July 23, 2015
As for myself, I am immensely enjoying this presidential election entertainment, and will do so all the way through. Of course, the joke will be on all of us if The Donald actually wins the office.
posted by haiku warrior at 8:00 AM on July 23, 2015
He's 69 years old and a multi-billionaire. I'm thinking he's doing it for the thrill and doesn't really have a plan one way or another. If I were that old and had that much cash, I'd probably do something equally as wacky (though I wouldn't run for president).
You can't take it with you.
posted by jeff-o-matic at 8:00 AM on July 23, 2015 [2 favorites]
You can't take it with you.
posted by jeff-o-matic at 8:00 AM on July 23, 2015 [2 favorites]
Is this the kind of thing I'd have to be in Brewster's Millions to understand?
posted by Twain Device at 8:04 AM on July 23, 2015 [7 favorites]
posted by Twain Device at 8:04 AM on July 23, 2015 [7 favorites]
Trump has basically taking a jackhammer to the whole GOP "Look at Jeb bush! We can be Latin freindly!" thing that they've been trying to put together for years, and they've all been frozen in uncomfortable silence, so him pulling off some clever maneuver on their part seems unlikely.
I still wouldn't trust the American electorate not to vote for him, either.
posted by Artw at 8:06 AM on July 23, 2015 [9 favorites]
I still wouldn't trust the American electorate not to vote for him, either.
posted by Artw at 8:06 AM on July 23, 2015 [9 favorites]
If he's pepping up the crazies only to shepherd them into Jeb!'s hands in a year, paying him attention is just helping the GOP. If he's truly operating under his own brainpower and looking out for himself only, he's a boon to the Dems.
He's 100 percent operating under his own brainpower, and making noises about a third-party bid if the GOP keeps being mean to him:
He's 100 percent operating under his own brainpower, and making noises about a third-party bid if the GOP keeps being mean to him:
"I'll have to see how I'm being treated by the Republicans," Trump said, when asked if he would make an independent run. "Absolutely, if they're not fair, that would be a factor."posted by Etrigan at 8:06 AM on July 23, 2015 [6 favorites]
Absolutely in favor of him doing that.
posted by Artw at 8:08 AM on July 23, 2015 [19 favorites]
posted by Artw at 8:08 AM on July 23, 2015 [19 favorites]
It's like Trump was sitting and watching the Republicans try to out crazy each other and thought to himself, "Amateurs! I'm ten times crazier than any of these mooks".
posted by octothorpe at 8:08 AM on July 23, 2015 [46 favorites]
posted by octothorpe at 8:08 AM on July 23, 2015 [46 favorites]
Artw:
posted by charred husk at 8:09 AM on July 23, 2015 [10 favorites]
"Absolutely in favor of him doing that."I'd be like '92 all over again only with an even crazier rich guy running third party. Possibly with a Clinton as beneficiary, too!
posted by charred husk at 8:09 AM on July 23, 2015 [10 favorites]
Also, I can't find the article I was just reading, but a recent poll with Trump as a third-partier puts the race at Clinton 48, Jeb 30, Trump 20. Of course, that doesn't mean much with the Electoral College, but it's indicative that his crossover appeal is nil.
posted by Etrigan at 8:10 AM on July 23, 2015
posted by Etrigan at 8:10 AM on July 23, 2015
> Of course, the joke will be on all of us if The Donald actually wins the office.
Yeah, I'd be able to take all this with a much lighter heart if I didn't remember I felt the same way about Ronald Reagan some decades back. "He'll never become governor, ha ha!" "...Oh. Well, California's nuts, amirite? He'll never become president, ha ha!"
posted by languagehat at 8:10 AM on July 23, 2015 [16 favorites]
Yeah, I'd be able to take all this with a much lighter heart if I didn't remember I felt the same way about Ronald Reagan some decades back. "He'll never become governor, ha ha!" "...Oh. Well, California's nuts, amirite? He'll never become president, ha ha!"
posted by languagehat at 8:10 AM on July 23, 2015 [16 favorites]
Poor Lindsay Graham. He tries to generate some buzz with this video and all we can do is talk about Donald.
posted by mokin at 8:13 AM on July 23, 2015 [14 favorites]
posted by mokin at 8:13 AM on July 23, 2015 [14 favorites]
Meanwhile, the current mayor of Toronto is running scared on transit because Rob Ford intends to campaign and win again in 2018. Never underestimate the power of the disaffected and pissed off voter.
posted by maudlin at 8:16 AM on July 23, 2015 [3 favorites]
posted by maudlin at 8:16 AM on July 23, 2015 [3 favorites]
There is absolutely no chance whatsoever that Donald Trump becomes President. He's alienated basically every single GOP party official (right up to its Chair), and without RNC support, Trump doesn't get the nomination.
If he does run as a third-party candidate, his upside down favorables/unfavorables will tank him in a three-way race between himself and the major party nominees.
That's not to say he won't affect the race, of course. But if Trump is elected President, I'll eat my hat. And his hairpiece.
posted by Xavier Xavier at 8:18 AM on July 23, 2015 [1 favorite]
If he does run as a third-party candidate, his upside down favorables/unfavorables will tank him in a three-way race between himself and the major party nominees.
That's not to say he won't affect the race, of course. But if Trump is elected President, I'll eat my hat. And his hairpiece.
posted by Xavier Xavier at 8:18 AM on July 23, 2015 [1 favorite]
If he's pepping up the crazies only to shepherd them into Jeb!'s hands in a year, paying him attention is just helping the GOP.
If Trump's trying to deliver for Bush, he's letting the team down:think he's Michelangelo want the attention that badly. This is, after all, the man who's claimed that there's no such thing as bad publicity. And while I wouldn't put it past the American people to vote for Trump if they had the chance, odds are they'll never get it.
posted by octobersurprise at 8:20 AM on July 23, 2015 [2 favorites]
If Trump's trying to deliver for Bush, he's letting the team down:
“Well, I was turned off at the very start because I didn’t like his language,” Becky Kruse, of Lovilia, Iowa, said of Mr. Trump, not mentioning his comments about Mr. McCain. Ms. Kruse said she likes Mr. Trump’s hard line on immigration and came to the event considering him. “I was not too impressed,” she said, noting Mr. Trump’s comment about not seeking God’s forgiveness. “He sounds like he isn’t really a born-again Christian.”Why does he do these things? Kicks is the best explanation I have. Nothing Trump does or has done makes sense in terms of actually running to be elected. Since I figure he's smart enough to know this or rich enough to buy someone smart enough to know it for him, the only alternate theory is that he really does
posted by octobersurprise at 8:20 AM on July 23, 2015 [2 favorites]
He's burning out too fast. When Trump talks about running as an independent this early, I worry that the Republicans will lock him out of the debates before he has a shot at taking Bush out of the running.
posted by a lungful of dragon at 8:22 AM on July 23, 2015
posted by a lungful of dragon at 8:22 AM on July 23, 2015
I think Trump is... well you can guess what I think but he's running a presidential campaign that's completely devoid of content. That is where we're headed. Palin, Cain, and the other republican crazies in the last election led the way but Trump has leveled up. Trump won't get anywhere near the republican nomination but that doesn't mean he's a joke. His tactics will outlive his campaign. We will see more of this campaigning by trolling in the future and sooner or later it's going to work.
And Hillary should be thanking whatever horned goddesses she worships for Donald Trump.
posted by rdr at 8:23 AM on July 23, 2015 [4 favorites]
And Hillary should be thanking whatever horned goddesses she worships for Donald Trump.
posted by rdr at 8:23 AM on July 23, 2015 [4 favorites]
This happened on one of the Giant Bomb E3 streams this year (to Dave Lang), and... you realize you generally can change your phone number without getting an entire new phone, right?
posted by selfnoise at 8:25 AM on July 23, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by selfnoise at 8:25 AM on July 23, 2015 [2 favorites]
This happened on one of the Giant Bomb E3 streams this year (to Dave Lang), and... you realize you generally can change your phone number without getting an entire new phone, right?
Yeah, but how do you work in the blender bit?
Besides for making a delicious peach smoothie after.
posted by notyou at 8:28 AM on July 23, 2015 [1 favorite]
Yeah, but how do you work in the blender bit?
Besides for making a delicious peach smoothie after.
posted by notyou at 8:28 AM on July 23, 2015 [1 favorite]
Somebody should do a video montage of Trump's campaign statements titled "How to Destroy the Republican Party with Donald Trump". Maybe it could even show Republican Party favorability numbers among undecided voters declining in slow motion to classical music.
posted by vorpal bunny at 8:29 AM on July 23, 2015
posted by vorpal bunny at 8:29 AM on July 23, 2015
vorpal bunny:
posted by charred husk at 8:31 AM on July 23, 2015 [9 favorites]
"Somebody should do a video montage of Trump's campaign statements titled "How to Destroy the Republican Party with Donald Trump". Maybe it could even show Republican Party favorability numbers among undecided voters declining in slow motion to classical music."No, you call it, "What Republicans Really Think" and show his approval rating going up.
posted by charred husk at 8:31 AM on July 23, 2015 [9 favorites]
And for those of you wondering, yes, Graham still uses a flip phone.
As do I. Your point?
posted by Thorzdad at 8:37 AM on July 23, 2015 [3 favorites]
As do I. Your point?
posted by Thorzdad at 8:37 AM on July 23, 2015 [3 favorites]
(Vignocchi/Lang in that E3 stream was amazing.)
posted by kmz at 8:38 AM on July 23, 2015 [3 favorites]
posted by kmz at 8:38 AM on July 23, 2015 [3 favorites]
This has done wonders for his profile though. Now I know (1) he is a man (2) he has no phone. Two more things then I knew before this thread.
posted by biffa at 8:42 AM on July 23, 2015 [9 favorites]
posted by biffa at 8:42 AM on July 23, 2015 [9 favorites]
Tip of the hat to Lindsey Graham. He might actually be the least worst candidate in the Republican field. I get the sense he has basic competence and caring which is often the most you can expect from Republicans these days. I kind of want him and McCain to just go ahead and pull an Arlen Specter. They have to see the party they are in is too off the rails once Donald Trump is the guiding light.
posted by Drinky Die at 8:45 AM on July 23, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by Drinky Die at 8:45 AM on July 23, 2015 [1 favorite]
This is the first time I have ever seen Lindsey express even the slightest sense of humor. His entire campaign should be based around that tiny snippet where he's making cupcakes in a toaster oven.
posted by mittens at 8:47 AM on July 23, 2015 [7 favorites]
posted by mittens at 8:47 AM on July 23, 2015 [7 favorites]
I worry that the Republicans will lock him out of the debates before he has a shot at taking Bush out of the running.
In this instance, tho, the interests of FOX news, the debate sponsor, run counter to the interests of the GOP—in fact to the entire American primary system. At the moment, at least, FOX has nothing to lose (and a lot to gain) by insuring Trump a place in the debates. What fascinates me about the Trump candidacy is how it is pitting the needs of actually-governing-government against the profitability of pretend-government-by-spectacle.
posted by octobersurprise at 8:47 AM on July 23, 2015 [3 favorites]
In this instance, tho, the interests of FOX news, the debate sponsor, run counter to the interests of the GOP—in fact to the entire American primary system. At the moment, at least, FOX has nothing to lose (and a lot to gain) by insuring Trump a place in the debates. What fascinates me about the Trump candidacy is how it is pitting the needs of actually-governing-government against the profitability of pretend-government-by-spectacle.
posted by octobersurprise at 8:47 AM on July 23, 2015 [3 favorites]
I mean, it's not like the veteran bashing aimed at McCain is an isolated incident. Remember last time around booing a gay soldier at a debate? Remember purple heart band aids? This is not a party that can claim to support the troops anymore, they only support the troops who support them politically. Modern Republican primary politics has done ten times the spitting on troops hippies ever did.
posted by Drinky Die at 8:47 AM on July 23, 2015 [3 favorites]
posted by Drinky Die at 8:47 AM on July 23, 2015 [3 favorites]
All else aside, I would not seriously consider voting for a man who doesn't understand the phone/phone number distinction.
posted by echocollate at 8:48 AM on July 23, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by echocollate at 8:48 AM on July 23, 2015 [2 favorites]
Trump isn't trying to deliver for Bush, he's trying to deliver for Scott Walker.
Giving out the phone number is a dick move by a dickhead, nothing special about it, really. All of this is just noise. We have another whole summer of this nonsense ahead of us before the election...
posted by Chuffy at 8:53 AM on July 23, 2015
Giving out the phone number is a dick move by a dickhead, nothing special about it, really. All of this is just noise. We have another whole summer of this nonsense ahead of us before the election...
posted by Chuffy at 8:53 AM on July 23, 2015
Boris Johnson will most likely be Prime Minister of Britain someday - the future is bright for fools with weird hair.
posted by Artw at 8:54 AM on July 23, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by Artw at 8:54 AM on July 23, 2015 [1 favorite]
We have another whole summer of this nonsense ahead of us before the election...
The nonsense hasn't even gotten going yet, set your calendars:
August 6, 2015 - 9pm ET
Fox News Republican Debate
posted by Drinky Die at 8:56 AM on July 23, 2015 [1 favorite]
The nonsense hasn't even gotten going yet, set your calendars:
August 6, 2015 - 9pm ET
Fox News Republican Debate
posted by Drinky Die at 8:56 AM on July 23, 2015 [1 favorite]
Graham is easily the least repugnant candidate in the GOP field and therefore has exactly zero chance of even making a decent showing in the primaries, let alone taking the nomination. I say let the poor guy have his moment in the sun.
posted by Atom Eyes at 8:56 AM on July 23, 2015
posted by Atom Eyes at 8:56 AM on July 23, 2015
I look forward to this stunt being raised during a discussion of America's lack of a strategic policy on rare earth minerals at the GOP debates.
Hahahahahahahaha (wipes tear away). I know, right?
posted by 1adam12 at 8:57 AM on July 23, 2015 [1 favorite]
Hahahahahahahaha (wipes tear away). I know, right?
posted by 1adam12 at 8:57 AM on July 23, 2015 [1 favorite]
Trump is doing great things to the Republicans. If that polling is accurate and he really pursues this all the way he could really dick them over. I winner if he's a crypto-Democrat?
posted by mrbigmuscles at 9:01 AM on July 23, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by mrbigmuscles at 9:01 AM on July 23, 2015 [1 favorite]
At the moment, at least, FOX has nothing to lose (and a lot to gain) by insuring Trump a place in the debates.
Trump and FOX/Murdoch/News Corp. don't get along. Even if it would be good for ratings, Trump's ascendancy runs counter to Murdoch's larger political scheming.
posted by a lungful of dragon at 9:05 AM on July 23, 2015
Trump and FOX/Murdoch/News Corp. don't get along. Even if it would be good for ratings, Trump's ascendancy runs counter to Murdoch's larger political scheming.
posted by a lungful of dragon at 9:05 AM on July 23, 2015
A Trump third-party run has to be a leading Republican nightmare right now. Think how much fun that would be to watch.
posted by Midnight Skulker at 9:05 AM on July 23, 2015
posted by Midnight Skulker at 9:05 AM on July 23, 2015
Graham is easily the least repugnant candidate in the GOP field
That can't be true ... can it? Good Lord.
I just need assurances from Berke Breathed that he won't quit making Bloom County strips if Trump drops out.
posted by RobotVoodooPower at 9:06 AM on July 23, 2015 [3 favorites]
That can't be true ... can it? Good Lord.
I just need assurances from Berke Breathed that he won't quit making Bloom County strips if Trump drops out.
posted by RobotVoodooPower at 9:06 AM on July 23, 2015 [3 favorites]
Graham is easily the least repugnant candidate in the GOP field
Tip of the hat to Lindsey Graham. He might actually be the least worst candidate in the Republican field. I get the sense he has basic competence and caring which is often the most you can expect from Republicans these days.
He is very far from the least worst. If you listen to his foreign policy prescriptions, he may as well be foaming at the mouth like a rabid dog. Anyone can make a Funny or Die video with a little help.
posted by blucevalo at 9:07 AM on July 23, 2015 [11 favorites]
Tip of the hat to Lindsey Graham. He might actually be the least worst candidate in the Republican field. I get the sense he has basic competence and caring which is often the most you can expect from Republicans these days.
He is very far from the least worst. If you listen to his foreign policy prescriptions, he may as well be foaming at the mouth like a rabid dog. Anyone can make a Funny or Die video with a little help.
posted by blucevalo at 9:07 AM on July 23, 2015 [11 favorites]
> He is very far from the least worst. If you listen to his foreign policy prescriptions, he may as well be foaming at the mouth like a rabid dog.
The statement wasn't that he isn't bad but that he is the least worst. Of course he's foaming at the mouth like a rabid dog, but have you seen the competition? You'll have to do better than that.
posted by languagehat at 9:11 AM on July 23, 2015 [3 favorites]
The statement wasn't that he isn't bad but that he is the least worst. Of course he's foaming at the mouth like a rabid dog, but have you seen the competition? You'll have to do better than that.
posted by languagehat at 9:11 AM on July 23, 2015 [3 favorites]
What fascinates me about the Trump candidacy is how it is pitting the needs of actually-governing-government against the profitability of pretend-government-by-spectacle.
In a way, this practice could be seen as derivative of the deregulatory or 'roll-out' phase of neoliberalism that started with Reagan's presidency: elected officials who think government is the problem are inherently opposed to governing, so there's no big inconsistency if they spend their time deregulating and cutting taxes over and over again. Similarly, hostility to the idea of government solving problems (which is to say, governing, rather than ruling) creates fertile ground for not taking the political process seriously either, and from there it's only a short leap to spectacle-as-politics in terms of things like 'having policy positions' or 'having some evident sense that presidential races are not opportunities for publicity'.
posted by clockzero at 9:11 AM on July 23, 2015 [3 favorites]
In a way, this practice could be seen as derivative of the deregulatory or 'roll-out' phase of neoliberalism that started with Reagan's presidency: elected officials who think government is the problem are inherently opposed to governing, so there's no big inconsistency if they spend their time deregulating and cutting taxes over and over again. Similarly, hostility to the idea of government solving problems (which is to say, governing, rather than ruling) creates fertile ground for not taking the political process seriously either, and from there it's only a short leap to spectacle-as-politics in terms of things like 'having policy positions' or 'having some evident sense that presidential races are not opportunities for publicity'.
posted by clockzero at 9:11 AM on July 23, 2015 [3 favorites]
John Kasich is probably the least repugnant GOP candidate. I have to say that Graham's crying over the death of Beau Biden raised my opinion of him slightly.
posted by rdr at 9:11 AM on July 23, 2015 [6 favorites]
posted by rdr at 9:11 AM on July 23, 2015 [6 favorites]
Graham is easily the least repugnant candidate in the GOP field
That can't be true ... can it? Good Lord.
He is very far from the least worst.
It blows my mind too, but the only way I pay any attention to the R candidates is just seeing random quotations in headlines, and Graham's quotes have been the most sane/non-fuck-over-everybody statements I've seen by any of the candidates. Given his propensity for ridiculously paranoid statements about muslims before he entered the race, I never thought that would be the case, but *since he entered the race* I haven't seen anything insane come out of him, even to a lesser degree than Bush, who you'd think would be the non-insane frontrunner. But again, I'm not really trying to find anything either, and with all the R candidates out there, I'm sure there's one or two that don't get any attention. But compared to Carson, Cruz, Trump, Huckabee and maybe a couple others, Graham seems incredibly moderate.
posted by LionIndex at 9:15 AM on July 23, 2015
That can't be true ... can it? Good Lord.
He is very far from the least worst.
It blows my mind too, but the only way I pay any attention to the R candidates is just seeing random quotations in headlines, and Graham's quotes have been the most sane/non-fuck-over-everybody statements I've seen by any of the candidates. Given his propensity for ridiculously paranoid statements about muslims before he entered the race, I never thought that would be the case, but *since he entered the race* I haven't seen anything insane come out of him, even to a lesser degree than Bush, who you'd think would be the non-insane frontrunner. But again, I'm not really trying to find anything either, and with all the R candidates out there, I'm sure there's one or two that don't get any attention. But compared to Carson, Cruz, Trump, Huckabee and maybe a couple others, Graham seems incredibly moderate.
posted by LionIndex at 9:15 AM on July 23, 2015
To be honest: I find the video hilarious. I am not a fan of Senator Graham, but this video is well made to hit all the right notes for me: Self satisfying destruction via golf club. Outrageously dangerous destruction that must be after-effects a la squirting lighterfluid onto an open flame from 8 inches away. Genuine effort resulting in unforeseen disaster in the baseball swing destroying the backdrop. Completely unexpected results as the blender itself breaks. Excellent unnecessary humorous detail in baking 5 pizza bagels at the same time as the phone. Decent choice in musical score. Appropriate use of slow motion and cutting between shots for effect.
Bravo, Senator. I'm sorry I don't agree with your politics, but you should hang onto your relationship with the folks that helped you make this video.
posted by jermsplan at 9:19 AM on July 23, 2015 [12 favorites]
Bravo, Senator. I'm sorry I don't agree with your politics, but you should hang onto your relationship with the folks that helped you make this video.
posted by jermsplan at 9:19 AM on July 23, 2015 [12 favorites]
CNN: Texting Lindsey Graham so you don't have to.
posted by shenkerism at 9:19 AM on July 23, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by shenkerism at 9:19 AM on July 23, 2015 [1 favorite]
Never before has one phrase meant so much to so many:
Christ what an asshole.
posted by Splunge at 9:20 AM on July 23, 2015 [3 favorites]
Christ what an asshole.
posted by Splunge at 9:20 AM on July 23, 2015 [3 favorites]
So wait -- did Trump just give out the phone number to be a dick? I don't even know what to say. I think I'm actually sad for you guys.
posted by Hoopo at 9:20 AM on July 23, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by Hoopo at 9:20 AM on July 23, 2015 [2 favorites]
Yeah, I'd be able to take all this with a much lighter heart if I didn't remember I felt the same way about Ronald Reagan some decades back.
I want to echo languagehat's sentiment. Right now, the Republican field looks like a bunch of interchangeable, forgettable slimy careerist politicians and one outrageous clown. This dynamic plays to the sensationalist. Thus Trump's lead in the polls among GOP presidential candidates.
Yeah, maybe he'll burn out... maybe he'll be reigned in... maybe a more modest candidate will eclipse him... maybe he'll commit some catastrophic flub... maybe the voters will turn against his bigotry...
... but maybe not.
Prediction: Sanders vs Trump in the national race. You heard it here first!
posted by Noisy Pink Bubbles at 9:26 AM on July 23, 2015 [2 favorites]
I want to echo languagehat's sentiment. Right now, the Republican field looks like a bunch of interchangeable, forgettable slimy careerist politicians and one outrageous clown. This dynamic plays to the sensationalist. Thus Trump's lead in the polls among GOP presidential candidates.
Yeah, maybe he'll burn out... maybe he'll be reigned in... maybe a more modest candidate will eclipse him... maybe he'll commit some catastrophic flub... maybe the voters will turn against his bigotry...
... but maybe not.
Prediction: Sanders vs Trump in the national race. You heard it here first!
posted by Noisy Pink Bubbles at 9:26 AM on July 23, 2015 [2 favorites]
Kind of shocked that a US Senator even knows what a cell phone is, much less owns one, to be honest.
posted by LastOfHisKind at 9:26 AM on July 23, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by LastOfHisKind at 9:26 AM on July 23, 2015 [1 favorite]
At this point, I have to believe Trump is acting as a double agent for the Dems. There's no way someone can be so socially deficient as to not see that alienating so many people eliminates any chance of winning a general election.
posted by pleem at 9:26 AM on July 23, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by pleem at 9:26 AM on July 23, 2015 [1 favorite]
Is The Donald truly so driven by his insane ego that he's doing this all on his own, or is this some conspiracy to make all the other GOP hopefuls (especially Jeb) look less insane by comparison? I suppose we'll be sure it's the former if he runs third-party, but...I honestly can't tell.
I think it's both. For him, it's ego. For the GOP, Trump and the rest of the clown car are useful chaff to distract Sanders and Clinton while the Bush camp sharpens their knives.
It was the same thing in 2012; blindingly obvious that Romney was getting the nomination. Bush is getting the Republican nomination, no question.
I will laugh and dance with glee if Trump runs as an independent. He'll peel off a bunch of the right wing. Actually come to think of it, Trump running independent could give Sanders a wide-open shot at the White House.
posted by feckless fecal fear mongering at 9:27 AM on July 23, 2015 [4 favorites]
I think it's both. For him, it's ego. For the GOP, Trump and the rest of the clown car are useful chaff to distract Sanders and Clinton while the Bush camp sharpens their knives.
It was the same thing in 2012; blindingly obvious that Romney was getting the nomination. Bush is getting the Republican nomination, no question.
I will laugh and dance with glee if Trump runs as an independent. He'll peel off a bunch of the right wing. Actually come to think of it, Trump running independent could give Sanders a wide-open shot at the White House.
posted by feckless fecal fear mongering at 9:27 AM on July 23, 2015 [4 favorites]
His entire campaign should be based around that tiny snippet where he's making cupcakes in a toaster oven.
excuse me those were PIZZA BAGELS
posted by poffin boffin at 9:27 AM on July 23, 2015 [8 favorites]
excuse me those were PIZZA BAGELS
posted by poffin boffin at 9:27 AM on July 23, 2015 [8 favorites]
My pet theory is that the only reason we're hearing about Donald Trump at all is because there are sixteen candidates in the field.
Sixteen.
The Old Republican Party is being hammered into a big question mark by the cross-purposes of capital, demographics and culture. We're seeing the birth of the New Republican Party and the uncertainty of where the GOP should go is the vacuum that Trump is currently filling.
posted by eclectist at 9:28 AM on July 23, 2015 [5 favorites]
Sixteen.
The Old Republican Party is being hammered into a big question mark by the cross-purposes of capital, demographics and culture. We're seeing the birth of the New Republican Party and the uncertainty of where the GOP should go is the vacuum that Trump is currently filling.
posted by eclectist at 9:28 AM on July 23, 2015 [5 favorites]
I think people here on Metafilter (and elsewhere) misunderstand the GOP electorate.
For them, a proper Presidential candidate is as much of an emotional position as a political position. A true GOP President isn't just our national leader, he is Father of The Nation. The first quality of a Republic Father is to "speak the truth" with bluntness ("Mexicans are destroying America", "Blacks are lazy", "Gays are disgusting", etc.) and be totally, 100% unapologetic about everything.
The less "blunt" the candidate, the less well-liked they are by the GOP electorate. Equivocal words and compromise is interpreted by the base as weakness, and is attacked as such.
The GOP base wants a strong, firm and unapologetic Father to punish our National Enemies and "say what everyone is thinking". By "everyone", of course, they mean people like your crazy racist uncle who you only see at Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Graham is a non-starter because he's 1) Unmarried (this is seen as vaguely unmanly and effeminate by the GOP base) and 2) Makes passing attempts to be diplomatic with opponents (again, this is seen as being unbecoming of the National Father). So he's right out.
The GOP primary is basically each candidate attempting to convince the base that they are a worthy parent, and that they will protect the National Family and preserve the dignity of our mother, America. Whoever can do that most convincingly, will be the nominee.
Meanwhile, the rest of us can keep living here in reality.
posted by Avenger at 9:29 AM on July 23, 2015 [48 favorites]
For them, a proper Presidential candidate is as much of an emotional position as a political position. A true GOP President isn't just our national leader, he is Father of The Nation. The first quality of a Republic Father is to "speak the truth" with bluntness ("Mexicans are destroying America", "Blacks are lazy", "Gays are disgusting", etc.) and be totally, 100% unapologetic about everything.
The less "blunt" the candidate, the less well-liked they are by the GOP electorate. Equivocal words and compromise is interpreted by the base as weakness, and is attacked as such.
The GOP base wants a strong, firm and unapologetic Father to punish our National Enemies and "say what everyone is thinking". By "everyone", of course, they mean people like your crazy racist uncle who you only see at Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Graham is a non-starter because he's 1) Unmarried (this is seen as vaguely unmanly and effeminate by the GOP base) and 2) Makes passing attempts to be diplomatic with opponents (again, this is seen as being unbecoming of the National Father). So he's right out.
The GOP primary is basically each candidate attempting to convince the base that they are a worthy parent, and that they will protect the National Family and preserve the dignity of our mother, America. Whoever can do that most convincingly, will be the nominee.
Meanwhile, the rest of us can keep living here in reality.
posted by Avenger at 9:29 AM on July 23, 2015 [48 favorites]
How to Tell the Difference Between All the Dudes Running for President
posted by box at 9:30 AM on July 23, 2015 [3 favorites]
posted by box at 9:30 AM on July 23, 2015 [3 favorites]
Of course he's foaming at the mouth like a rabid dog, but have you seen the competition? You'll have to do better than that.
Okay, how about this? Or this? Or "If you're sick of war, don't vote for me?" "Kill as many of them as you can"?
His positions and opinions aren't difficult to find. He's not a wallflower about expressing them.
The statement was indeed that he is the least worst, and he is categorically not the least worst, even in an awful field.
posted by blucevalo at 9:31 AM on July 23, 2015 [1 favorite]
Okay, how about this? Or this? Or "If you're sick of war, don't vote for me?" "Kill as many of them as you can"?
His positions and opinions aren't difficult to find. He's not a wallflower about expressing them.
The statement was indeed that he is the least worst, and he is categorically not the least worst, even in an awful field.
posted by blucevalo at 9:31 AM on July 23, 2015 [1 favorite]
It blows my mind too, but the only way I pay any attention to the R candidates is just seeing random quotations in headlines, and Graham's quotes have been the most sane/non-fuck-over-everybody statements I've seen by any of the candidates.
Eh. He's more dangerous because he comes across as reputable. He and McCain are the neocon-est of neo-cons. The risk is that people actually listen to them and they get people killed. c.f. Rumsfeld, Cheney, et al.
posted by leotrotsky at 9:33 AM on July 23, 2015
Eh. He's more dangerous because he comes across as reputable. He and McCain are the neocon-est of neo-cons. The risk is that people actually listen to them and they get people killed. c.f. Rumsfeld, Cheney, et al.
posted by leotrotsky at 9:33 AM on July 23, 2015
It was the same thing in 2012; blindingly obvious that Romney was getting the nomination. Bush is getting the Republican nomination, no question.
It's not as clear as 2012. Walker definitely has a serious shot and there are a couple names in the discussion if Bush or Walker have a major flameout. If I was a Clinton supporter I would rather have Walker. Bush v. Clinton is a recipe for people disillusioned with the process to stay home. Only in a race against another dynasty name does Bush have any shot, it's a shame the Democrats don't have anybody else of Clinton's qualifications and voter appeal ready to go.
posted by Drinky Die at 9:34 AM on July 23, 2015 [2 favorites]
It's not as clear as 2012. Walker definitely has a serious shot and there are a couple names in the discussion if Bush or Walker have a major flameout. If I was a Clinton supporter I would rather have Walker. Bush v. Clinton is a recipe for people disillusioned with the process to stay home. Only in a race against another dynasty name does Bush have any shot, it's a shame the Democrats don't have anybody else of Clinton's qualifications and voter appeal ready to go.
posted by Drinky Die at 9:34 AM on July 23, 2015 [2 favorites]
Is The Donald truly so driven by his insane ego that he's doing this all on his own, or is this some conspiracy to make all the other GOP hopefuls (especially Jeb) look less insane by comparison?
Not impossible, I guess, but how would a conspiracy work here, exactly? Would the RNC go to the really genuinely insane people like Huckabee and Santorum and say, "Look, you're a hateful psycho, and we need another hateful psycho to seek the nomination in order to make your hateful psychotic rantings seem relatively normal in comparison. Are you good with that?" I just don't see what the methodology would be there.
posted by holborne at 9:35 AM on July 23, 2015 [2 favorites]
Not impossible, I guess, but how would a conspiracy work here, exactly? Would the RNC go to the really genuinely insane people like Huckabee and Santorum and say, "Look, you're a hateful psycho, and we need another hateful psycho to seek the nomination in order to make your hateful psychotic rantings seem relatively normal in comparison. Are you good with that?" I just don't see what the methodology would be there.
posted by holborne at 9:35 AM on July 23, 2015 [2 favorites]
Fig 2: Bernie Sanders, Donald Trump, Ted Cruz
posted by feckless fecal fear mongering at 9:35 AM on July 23, 2015
posted by feckless fecal fear mongering at 9:35 AM on July 23, 2015
So there's six months until the first caucus/primary and then five months of primaries and then four months of general election campaigning. I'm really not sure that I'm up for this.
posted by octothorpe at 9:35 AM on July 23, 2015 [4 favorites]
posted by octothorpe at 9:35 AM on July 23, 2015 [4 favorites]
it's a shame the Democrats don't have anybody else of Clinton's qualifications ready to go.
Yeah, the real scandal this election season (for those of us living in the real world) is that Obama and the DNC have not really cultivated a successor after 8 years in office.
Every Democratic politician and official should have at least one successor in mind to take the reigns when their time is through.
"Successor cultivation" should be a mandatory activity that every Democratic official spends time on. That is how parties perpetuate themselves, and, frankly, the Democratic party is really bad at it.
posted by Avenger at 9:37 AM on July 23, 2015 [8 favorites]
Yeah, the real scandal this election season (for those of us living in the real world) is that Obama and the DNC have not really cultivated a successor after 8 years in office.
Every Democratic politician and official should have at least one successor in mind to take the reigns when their time is through.
"Successor cultivation" should be a mandatory activity that every Democratic official spends time on. That is how parties perpetuate themselves, and, frankly, the Democratic party is really bad at it.
posted by Avenger at 9:37 AM on July 23, 2015 [8 favorites]
On a side note my dad recently visited for a week and he still has a flip phone as well. It was a peek into another time.
When he needed to go somewhere he'd pull out a manilla folder with printed out directions to all sorts of place, or in absence of one that was relevant would consult an actual paper map to figure out where to go. When I needed a password for something I was helping him with he'd dip into his room and return with a scrap of paper with the relevant password on it, which he stored in a collection somewhere in the backpack he toted everywhere full of things we all keep on our smartphones. He even had a bundle of CDs in his luggage in case he had an opportunity to listen to music. He found my increasing discomfort at the level of detritus and work he required to perform basic tasks absolutely hilarious.
posted by Blue Meanie at 9:38 AM on July 23, 2015 [11 favorites]
When he needed to go somewhere he'd pull out a manilla folder with printed out directions to all sorts of place, or in absence of one that was relevant would consult an actual paper map to figure out where to go. When I needed a password for something I was helping him with he'd dip into his room and return with a scrap of paper with the relevant password on it, which he stored in a collection somewhere in the backpack he toted everywhere full of things we all keep on our smartphones. He even had a bundle of CDs in his luggage in case he had an opportunity to listen to music. He found my increasing discomfort at the level of detritus and work he required to perform basic tasks absolutely hilarious.
posted by Blue Meanie at 9:38 AM on July 23, 2015 [11 favorites]
I'm really not sure that I'm up for this.
and we will have neither jon stewart nor stephen colbert available to make it better
posted by poffin boffin at 9:39 AM on July 23, 2015 [12 favorites]
and we will have neither jon stewart nor stephen colbert available to make it better
posted by poffin boffin at 9:39 AM on July 23, 2015 [12 favorites]
This is truly the darkest timeline.
posted by poffin boffin at 9:39 AM on July 23, 2015 [10 favorites]
posted by poffin boffin at 9:39 AM on July 23, 2015 [10 favorites]
Yeah, the real scandal this election season (for those of us living in the real world) is that Obama and the DNC has not really cultivated a successor after 8 years in office.
They cultivated Hillary. Serving as a competent SoS is a great feather in her cap. It's a shame they don't have a backup, but Hillary next was obviously the plan since before Obama's inauguration day. She was obviously the right choice for this, it's just that Bush is not the ideal opponent. Either way, she still is the best bet to win it all.
posted by Drinky Die at 9:40 AM on July 23, 2015 [11 favorites]
They cultivated Hillary. Serving as a competent SoS is a great feather in her cap. It's a shame they don't have a backup, but Hillary next was obviously the plan since before Obama's inauguration day. She was obviously the right choice for this, it's just that Bush is not the ideal opponent. Either way, she still is the best bet to win it all.
posted by Drinky Die at 9:40 AM on July 23, 2015 [11 favorites]
Thorzdad: "As do I. Your point?"
You and Mr. Graham aren't in some solidarity-of-flip-phone union that requires you to go to the ramparts for him or your common phone choice.
posted by boo_radley at 9:42 AM on July 23, 2015 [1 favorite]
You and Mr. Graham aren't in some solidarity-of-flip-phone union that requires you to go to the ramparts for him or your common phone choice.
posted by boo_radley at 9:42 AM on July 23, 2015 [1 favorite]
Lindsay Graham: A warm plate of unsweetened oatmeal with a dollop of milk
posted by growabrain at 9:46 AM on July 23, 2015
posted by growabrain at 9:46 AM on July 23, 2015
The statement was indeed that he is the least worst, and he is categorically not the least worst, even in an awful field.
I just went through the whole list from Jezebel that box posted, and indeed, most of the candidates listed there are more insane to me than Graham. The exceptions may be Rubio, Pataki, and Kasich, who just entered the race. But for all three of those guys, it's just because I haven't heard anything they've said yet. Aside from maybe Rand Paul, I think any Republican candidate would get behind a policy of more war to kill more muslims, so I'm not sure Graham's prior statements really differentiate him from the field there.
posted by LionIndex at 9:49 AM on July 23, 2015
I just went through the whole list from Jezebel that box posted, and indeed, most of the candidates listed there are more insane to me than Graham. The exceptions may be Rubio, Pataki, and Kasich, who just entered the race. But for all three of those guys, it's just because I haven't heard anything they've said yet. Aside from maybe Rand Paul, I think any Republican candidate would get behind a policy of more war to kill more muslims, so I'm not sure Graham's prior statements really differentiate him from the field there.
posted by LionIndex at 9:49 AM on July 23, 2015
Graham is a non-starter because he's 1) Unmarried (this is seen as vaguely unmanly and effeminate by the GOP base)
Being unmarried is as much a non-starter for prominent Dems as it is for any other major party. Graham is unpopular with the GOP base because it is 2015 and he is yet somehow still in the closet. And anyone who thinks he's not as rabid as his professional colleagues should see his voting record on gay civil rights. He can froth at the mouth with the best of them, especially when he has to put on an act.
posted by a lungful of dragon at 9:52 AM on July 23, 2015
Being unmarried is as much a non-starter for prominent Dems as it is for any other major party. Graham is unpopular with the GOP base because it is 2015 and he is yet somehow still in the closet. And anyone who thinks he's not as rabid as his professional colleagues should see his voting record on gay civil rights. He can froth at the mouth with the best of them, especially when he has to put on an act.
posted by a lungful of dragon at 9:52 AM on July 23, 2015
Graham is unpopular with the GOP base because it is 2015 and he is yet somehow still in the closet.
1) He is perceived to be in the closet
2) It's not like being out of the closet (if indeed he is in one) would make him more popular with the GOP base
posted by feckless fecal fear mongering at 9:57 AM on July 23, 2015 [2 favorites]
1) He is perceived to be in the closet
2) It's not like being out of the closet (if indeed he is in one) would make him more popular with the GOP base
posted by feckless fecal fear mongering at 9:57 AM on July 23, 2015 [2 favorites]
Boris Johnson will most likely be Prime Minister of Britain someday
The Tory win in May makes that a lot less likely. Osborne is now well placed to take over, rather than being attached to what looked like a losing slate until about 10pm on election night. Now Boris is stuck being an MP, Mayor of London and still being a jobbing writer and not giving any of those roles his proper attention.
posted by biffa at 10:01 AM on July 23, 2015 [1 favorite]
The Tory win in May makes that a lot less likely. Osborne is now well placed to take over, rather than being attached to what looked like a losing slate until about 10pm on election night. Now Boris is stuck being an MP, Mayor of London and still being a jobbing writer and not giving any of those roles his proper attention.
posted by biffa at 10:01 AM on July 23, 2015 [1 favorite]
At this point, I have to believe Trump is acting as a double agent for the Dems. There's no way someone can be so socially deficient as to not see that alienating so many people eliminates any chance of winning a general election.
No way. He is just amping up the crazy so that Scott Walker seems sane. The clown car...bus...is too full. He's weeding out the unelectable crazies to make the electable crazies seem normal.
posted by Chuffy at 10:02 AM on July 23, 2015
Prediction: Sanders vs Trump in the national race. You heard it here first!
I'm fascinated to learn more about the kind of superior technology which allows you to beam these messages from another dimension.
posted by Xavier Xavier at 10:07 AM on July 23, 2015 [1 favorite]
I'm fascinated to learn more about the kind of superior technology which allows you to beam these messages from another dimension.
posted by Xavier Xavier at 10:07 AM on July 23, 2015 [1 favorite]
Hey I have a major news flash. Someone that sounds "effeminate" to you is not necessarily gay and Republicans have been quite willing to vote for him despite the fact that he is "effeminate." So maybe we can just drop that portion of the conversation, okay?
posted by Drinky Die at 10:10 AM on July 23, 2015 [5 favorites]
posted by Drinky Die at 10:10 AM on July 23, 2015 [5 favorites]
He is perceived to be in the closet
At least with Trump, we know where he stands on various issues, however crazy those views are. It's Graham's voting record that seems plainly dishonest, to me.
posted by a lungful of dragon at 10:15 AM on July 23, 2015
At least with Trump, we know where he stands on various issues, however crazy those views are. It's Graham's voting record that seems plainly dishonest, to me.
posted by a lungful of dragon at 10:15 AM on July 23, 2015
A third (or whatever) theory is that The Donald has a long-running feud or long delayed revenge plan going with one of the GOP candidates and is doing this for reasons of personal animosity. Did any of them call him a loser in the 1980s or something like that? Is this payback for stepping on his foot at a dinner in 1993?
posted by sallybrown at 10:20 AM on July 23, 2015 [4 favorites]
posted by sallybrown at 10:20 AM on July 23, 2015 [4 favorites]
Hey I have a major news flash. Someone that sounds "effeminate" to you is not necessarily gay and Republicans have been quite willing to vote for him despite the fact that he is "effeminate." So maybe we can just drop that portion of the conversation, okay?
Completely true, but that 'effeminacy' together with his lifelong bachelor status, the current unacceptability of gay Republicans at the national level, and his abominable voting record regarding LGBT rights (given the Frank rule) is one hell of a glass house.
I mean, if Lindsay Graham announced that he was gay, would anyone be surprised?
posted by leotrotsky at 10:20 AM on July 23, 2015 [1 favorite]
Completely true, but that 'effeminacy' together with his lifelong bachelor status, the current unacceptability of gay Republicans at the national level, and his abominable voting record regarding LGBT rights (given the Frank rule) is one hell of a glass house.
I mean, if Lindsay Graham announced that he was gay, would anyone be surprised?
posted by leotrotsky at 10:20 AM on July 23, 2015 [1 favorite]
It's interesting that a party with such a disciplined Congressional wing is so wildly, hugely, entertainingly undisciplined when it comes to presidential races that they have 16 candidates and counting, and no reasonable way to cut them down but through media gaffe attrition. Like, I'm not totally even sure what the point of being a party is if you can't boot some assholes off your primary ballot! Or even out of your destined-to-be-absurd televised debates. (Does anyone, ever, want to watch a 10-way debate except for the part where you get to ridicule the candidates? Does it in any way teach us any substantive thing about the candidates?)
At least Trump is making the early stages of the UTTERLY INTERMINABLE US election season an actual farce, which is more entertaining than its usual slog.
(Although I guess the Congressional caucus discipline has been slowly falling apart too, although not quite yet as dramatically.)
posted by Eyebrows McGee at 10:20 AM on July 23, 2015 [2 favorites]
At least Trump is making the early stages of the UTTERLY INTERMINABLE US election season an actual farce, which is more entertaining than its usual slog.
(Although I guess the Congressional caucus discipline has been slowly falling apart too, although not quite yet as dramatically.)
posted by Eyebrows McGee at 10:20 AM on July 23, 2015 [2 favorites]
Did any of them call him a loser in the 1980s or something like that?
He's not too popular among the jet set:
In the rarefied world of New York moguls, Rupert Murdoch never thought much of Donald J. Trump.
Mr. Trump’s divorces and marriages sold newspapers, but beyond that, Mr. Murdoch had no time for his bombastic business style and ostentatious demeanor. “Phony” was how Mr. Murdoch often described him to friends.
There was the time Mr. Trump screamed that he would sue for libel after Mr. Murdoch’s New York Post reported that the exclusive Maidstone golf club in East Hampton planned to deny Mr. Trump a membership.
posted by a lungful of dragon at 10:23 AM on July 23, 2015 [2 favorites]
He's not too popular among the jet set:
In the rarefied world of New York moguls, Rupert Murdoch never thought much of Donald J. Trump.
Mr. Trump’s divorces and marriages sold newspapers, but beyond that, Mr. Murdoch had no time for his bombastic business style and ostentatious demeanor. “Phony” was how Mr. Murdoch often described him to friends.
There was the time Mr. Trump screamed that he would sue for libel after Mr. Murdoch’s New York Post reported that the exclusive Maidstone golf club in East Hampton planned to deny Mr. Trump a membership.
posted by a lungful of dragon at 10:23 AM on July 23, 2015 [2 favorites]
John Kasich is probably the least repugnant GOP candidate.
Speaking as a lifelong Ohio resident, I'm afraid I must respectfully disagree. He and Scott Walker are two rotten peas in a pod.
posted by Strange Interlude at 10:23 AM on July 23, 2015 [7 favorites]
Speaking as a lifelong Ohio resident, I'm afraid I must respectfully disagree. He and Scott Walker are two rotten peas in a pod.
posted by Strange Interlude at 10:23 AM on July 23, 2015 [7 favorites]
Although I guess the Congressional caucus discipline has been slowly falling apart too, although not quite yet as dramatically
Without earmarks, why listen to party leadership? Particularly when you're always under a primary threat from the fringe. Safest to be extremist.
posted by leotrotsky at 10:24 AM on July 23, 2015 [1 favorite]
Without earmarks, why listen to party leadership? Particularly when you're always under a primary threat from the fringe. Safest to be extremist.
posted by leotrotsky at 10:24 AM on July 23, 2015 [1 favorite]
abominable voting record regarding LGBT rights
Generally a giveaway.
posted by Artw at 10:25 AM on July 23, 2015
Generally a giveaway.
posted by Artw at 10:25 AM on July 23, 2015
He's not too popular among the jet set:
Well yeah. He's a not very bright asshole whose wealth is derived entirely from inheritance and interest.
He was born on third base, has managed to make his way back to second, and still thinks he's hit a home run.
posted by leotrotsky at 10:26 AM on July 23, 2015 [6 favorites]
Well yeah. He's a not very bright asshole whose wealth is derived entirely from inheritance and interest.
He was born on third base, has managed to make his way back to second, and still thinks he's hit a home run.
posted by leotrotsky at 10:26 AM on July 23, 2015 [6 favorites]
At this point, I have to believe Trump is acting as a double agent for the Dems.
FWIW, my one extremely right-wing Facebook friend (I have no idea where I picked him up, seriously) is 100% convinced that this is what's going on.
posted by prize bull octorok at 10:37 AM on July 23, 2015
FWIW, my one extremely right-wing Facebook friend (I have no idea where I picked him up, seriously) is 100% convinced that this is what's going on.
posted by prize bull octorok at 10:37 AM on July 23, 2015
Darling, absolutely aaaaaall of Palm Beach is still talking about the time The Donald walked up to Barbara Bush at the Help Our Children Learn live auction and she cut him right in front of Princess Michael of Kent!
posted by sallybrown at 10:38 AM on July 23, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by sallybrown at 10:38 AM on July 23, 2015 [2 favorites]
It's inspirational to see a character just come out of nowhere, from far outside of the political establishment, and have what appears to be a legitimate chance of becoming president. Donald Trump is an embodiment of the American Dream.
posted by Flashman at 10:38 AM on July 23, 2015 [5 favorites]
posted by Flashman at 10:38 AM on July 23, 2015 [5 favorites]
My vote is on Trump is a secret Dem trying to expose the circus act of the Extreme Right. We'll probably never know, but it's my headcannon.
posted by Twain Device at 10:41 AM on July 23, 2015
posted by Twain Device at 10:41 AM on July 23, 2015
We Polled True Activist Grassroots Republicans, And Here's Who They're Backing
posted by Drinky Die at 10:45 AM on July 23, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by Drinky Die at 10:45 AM on July 23, 2015 [2 favorites]
My vote is on Trump is a secret Dem trying to expose the circus act of the Extreme Right.
Whatever he thinks he's doing, what he's actually doing is moving the Overton Window drastically to the Right, particularly on immigration. He is therefore not a joke at all, he's a huge danger to the Left, even if (or, in fact, especially because) he has no real chance of being elected, no real desire to be elected and therfore nothing to lose.
posted by The Bellman at 10:46 AM on July 23, 2015 [7 favorites]
Whatever he thinks he's doing, what he's actually doing is moving the Overton Window drastically to the Right, particularly on immigration. He is therefore not a joke at all, he's a huge danger to the Left, even if (or, in fact, especially because) he has no real chance of being elected, no real desire to be elected and therfore nothing to lose.
posted by The Bellman at 10:46 AM on July 23, 2015 [7 favorites]
It's interesting that a party with such a disciplined Congressional wing... (Although I guess the Congressional caucus discipline has been slowly falling apart too, although not quite yet as dramatically.)
That discipline hasn't been there in a long time. The knives started to come out in 2006, when the Club for Growth and other superPAC types started funding primary challenges to people they saw as RINOs in safe seats, and after 2008 it got even worse. The GOP Congressional wing is a coalition caucus, with old-school Republicans riding the Tea Party tiger and praying they won't get eaten (*cough*Cantor*cough*).
And remember, there were seven major candidates in 2012, four of whom hadn't dropped out by the convention. That was the first actual vote at a Republican National Convention since 1976. Think about that -- a baby conceived at the 1976 convention would have been legally able to run for President the next time the party didn't line up behind its candidate well before August.
Sixteen people running (hell, I don't know, maybe seventeen -- I've been writing this comment for a few minutes) is a new thing for the GOP, but it's been building for a while.
posted by Etrigan at 10:48 AM on July 23, 2015 [6 favorites]
That discipline hasn't been there in a long time. The knives started to come out in 2006, when the Club for Growth and other superPAC types started funding primary challenges to people they saw as RINOs in safe seats, and after 2008 it got even worse. The GOP Congressional wing is a coalition caucus, with old-school Republicans riding the Tea Party tiger and praying they won't get eaten (*cough*Cantor*cough*).
And remember, there were seven major candidates in 2012, four of whom hadn't dropped out by the convention. That was the first actual vote at a Republican National Convention since 1976. Think about that -- a baby conceived at the 1976 convention would have been legally able to run for President the next time the party didn't line up behind its candidate well before August.
Sixteen people running (hell, I don't know, maybe seventeen -- I've been writing this comment for a few minutes) is a new thing for the GOP, but it's been building for a while.
posted by Etrigan at 10:48 AM on July 23, 2015 [6 favorites]
Note to self: never click on item links. Eeyew....
posted by y2karl at 10:50 AM on July 23, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by y2karl at 10:50 AM on July 23, 2015 [1 favorite]
Jim Wright, The Republican Tell Tale Heart
Politico: Revenge of Citizens United
Donald Trump is the face of the modern Republican party.The knives started to come out in 2006, when the Club for Growth and other superPAC types started funding primary challenges to people they saw as RINOs in safe seats
Trump has been polling at the top of the GOP field and you’re just now figuring out what a douchebag he is? Well, that’s just plain hysterical.
Trump badmouthed old Johnny Walnuts, insulted his military service, did he?
Politico: Revenge of Citizens United
Concerns are mounting among top donors and party elites that an influx of huge checks into the GOP primary will hurt the party’s chances of retaking the White House. Long-shot candidates propped up by super PACs and other big-money groups will be able to linger for months throwing damaging barbs at establishment favorites who offer a better chance of victory, the thinking goes.posted by the man of twists and turns at 10:51 AM on July 23, 2015 [1 favorite]
> Good job it wasn't a 3310.
Jet fuel can't melt 3310.
posted by Sunburnt at 10:59 AM on July 23, 2015 [2 favorites]
Jet fuel can't melt 3310.
posted by Sunburnt at 10:59 AM on July 23, 2015 [2 favorites]
You know, the real story with all of these antics isn't Trump, or Graham, or any of the individual actors.
The story is in watching people completely contort themselves to align with Trump and celebrate his antics, aligned with watching the media coverage explode over every little action he does. I've personally seen many people go into contortions of logic in an attempt to support what he was saying about McCain, for example. It's been odd to see people who are veterans and very much defenders of them go through this, and I've witnessed some of it in person around me. As far as public figures goes, it has put everyone else in the field on the defensive, which is a giant mistake. The best thing that can happen is to trivialize and dismiss him and move on as quickly as possible, and NOT react. But that's not what is happening -- and any coverage of ideas, policies, or even just a bit of personality profile has vanished in the Trump vs. Everyone Else battle.
Trump is dominating political news right now, yet has arguably expressed his plans and specific views the least of any candidate involved. This is reality TV for him, or another business deal to win - just another negotiation. And what I am afraid of is that this is reality TV for his supporters as well.... They aren't looking for the leader that has the best view to run the country, they are looking for the victor who is willing to triumph over the others. I can't imagine that anyone who supports him is imagining him as an actual president -- just as a victor, as the guy who beat all the others.
We've been on the path to pro-wresting politics for a while. I think the Trump campaign is a formal marker that we have truly crossed the threshold. And it's being encouraged at every step.
Him being in this is in absolutely no way good. It's changing the face of political discourse and coverage for the worse -- something I didn't even think possible. He has tons of capital and resources to finance this, he's not far from actually buying his way into the presidency. And scarily enough, he taps into an audience of people that may be otherwise too apathetic to vote - in a way that I don't think was intended.
I wish I could say that he doesn't have a chance, but I don't think it's that cut and dry. And while him running as the official GOP candidate or as a 3rd party candidate could likely improve the changes of a Democratic candidate, it will demonstrate one thing - that behavior like his will be rewarded. It will encourage other bad actors to follow suit, and it will be even more difficult to bring any semblance of rationality to political discourse. If he is in the actual election, then no matter who wins, everyone loses when it comes to the state of political division and discourse in the country.
Don't get me wrong - As far as actually having a president, we are most certainly better off having someone in the position who is actually capable of fulfilling the diplomatic and executive role of the president, so I'm not saying we all lose in general - but I fear that the damage to political campaigning and discourse will be irreparable. The only way this can go well is if the Dems (as well as the GOP, if Trump goes third party) calmly dismisses his lunacy for what it is during the general election, and the people see him as the loud, brash, idiot he is. The more people react, the better for Trump it is.
posted by MysticMCJ at 11:01 AM on July 23, 2015 [16 favorites]
The story is in watching people completely contort themselves to align with Trump and celebrate his antics, aligned with watching the media coverage explode over every little action he does. I've personally seen many people go into contortions of logic in an attempt to support what he was saying about McCain, for example. It's been odd to see people who are veterans and very much defenders of them go through this, and I've witnessed some of it in person around me. As far as public figures goes, it has put everyone else in the field on the defensive, which is a giant mistake. The best thing that can happen is to trivialize and dismiss him and move on as quickly as possible, and NOT react. But that's not what is happening -- and any coverage of ideas, policies, or even just a bit of personality profile has vanished in the Trump vs. Everyone Else battle.
Trump is dominating political news right now, yet has arguably expressed his plans and specific views the least of any candidate involved. This is reality TV for him, or another business deal to win - just another negotiation. And what I am afraid of is that this is reality TV for his supporters as well.... They aren't looking for the leader that has the best view to run the country, they are looking for the victor who is willing to triumph over the others. I can't imagine that anyone who supports him is imagining him as an actual president -- just as a victor, as the guy who beat all the others.
We've been on the path to pro-wresting politics for a while. I think the Trump campaign is a formal marker that we have truly crossed the threshold. And it's being encouraged at every step.
Him being in this is in absolutely no way good. It's changing the face of political discourse and coverage for the worse -- something I didn't even think possible. He has tons of capital and resources to finance this, he's not far from actually buying his way into the presidency. And scarily enough, he taps into an audience of people that may be otherwise too apathetic to vote - in a way that I don't think was intended.
I wish I could say that he doesn't have a chance, but I don't think it's that cut and dry. And while him running as the official GOP candidate or as a 3rd party candidate could likely improve the changes of a Democratic candidate, it will demonstrate one thing - that behavior like his will be rewarded. It will encourage other bad actors to follow suit, and it will be even more difficult to bring any semblance of rationality to political discourse. If he is in the actual election, then no matter who wins, everyone loses when it comes to the state of political division and discourse in the country.
Don't get me wrong - As far as actually having a president, we are most certainly better off having someone in the position who is actually capable of fulfilling the diplomatic and executive role of the president, so I'm not saying we all lose in general - but I fear that the damage to political campaigning and discourse will be irreparable. The only way this can go well is if the Dems (as well as the GOP, if Trump goes third party) calmly dismisses his lunacy for what it is during the general election, and the people see him as the loud, brash, idiot he is. The more people react, the better for Trump it is.
posted by MysticMCJ at 11:01 AM on July 23, 2015 [16 favorites]
Does anyone, ever, want to watch a 10-way debate except for the part where you get to ridicule the candidates? Does it in any way teach us any substantive thing about the candidates?
Yeah, 10 people on a stage is not a debate, even by the incredibly low standards of the primaries. It reduces the event even more to just trading canned sound bites and trying not to go "oops." There's simply no feasible way for each candidate to actually provide any more substance without making the whole thing stretch all day or longer.
Remember that time when the "debate" was literally just the moderator asking for a show of hands? Remember the other time when it was a show of hands on whether or not they believe in evolution?
At this point the only sensible thing is to bracket off all 16 candidates and have them compete March Madness style.
posted by Panjandrum at 11:01 AM on July 23, 2015 [6 favorites]
Yeah, 10 people on a stage is not a debate, even by the incredibly low standards of the primaries. It reduces the event even more to just trading canned sound bites and trying not to go "oops." There's simply no feasible way for each candidate to actually provide any more substance without making the whole thing stretch all day or longer.
Remember that time when the "debate" was literally just the moderator asking for a show of hands? Remember the other time when it was a show of hands on whether or not they believe in evolution?
At this point the only sensible thing is to bracket off all 16 candidates and have them compete March Madness style.
posted by Panjandrum at 11:01 AM on July 23, 2015 [6 favorites]
My guess is this whole exercise is a test to see how much the electorate will take before we (to borrow a phrase from Lewis Black) rise up as one and slay them.
posted by Mooski at 11:02 AM on July 23, 2015
posted by Mooski at 11:02 AM on July 23, 2015
Man, it's a good thing Trump didn't give out Lindsey Graham's home address: "Senator burns down own home."
...or maybe Trump could have pointed out his nose: "Graham lops off nose to spite Trump."
posted by Jinsai at 11:11 AM on July 23, 2015
...or maybe Trump could have pointed out his nose: "Graham lops off nose to spite Trump."
posted by Jinsai at 11:11 AM on July 23, 2015
> Man, it's a good thing Trump didn't give out Lindsey Graham's home address
There's plenty of time left until the primary.
posted by MysticMCJ at 11:13 AM on July 23, 2015 [1 favorite]
There's plenty of time left until the primary.
posted by MysticMCJ at 11:13 AM on July 23, 2015 [1 favorite]
Kind of shocked that a US Senator even knows what a cell phone is, much less owns one, to be honest.
Why didn't he just change the SIM card? I guess snapping an old SIM in your pudgy fingers isn't dramatic enough.
posted by JackFlash at 11:14 AM on July 23, 2015
Why didn't he just change the SIM card? I guess snapping an old SIM in your pudgy fingers isn't dramatic enough.
posted by JackFlash at 11:14 AM on July 23, 2015
10 people on a stage is about weeding out. You can't really set yourself apart positively, but you can definitely bomb.
posted by Drinky Die at 11:19 AM on July 23, 2015
posted by Drinky Die at 11:19 AM on July 23, 2015
> 10 people on a stage is about weeding out. You can't really set yourself apart positively, but you can definitely bomb.
I agree to a point, but that's from a rational perspective. I guarantee you'll be hearing about the "victor" of the debate immediately afterwards.
posted by MysticMCJ at 11:22 AM on July 23, 2015 [1 favorite]
I agree to a point, but that's from a rational perspective. I guarantee you'll be hearing about the "victor" of the debate immediately afterwards.
posted by MysticMCJ at 11:22 AM on July 23, 2015 [1 favorite]
The GOP primary is basically each candidate attempting to convince the base that they are a worthy parent, and that they will protect the National Family and preserve the dignity of our mother, America. Whoever can do that most convincingly, will be the nominee.
This is also a good explanation for why the British have bent over for a spanking from Chandler Bing.
posted by srboisvert at 11:22 AM on July 23, 2015 [1 favorite]
This is also a good explanation for why the British have bent over for a spanking from Chandler Bing.
posted by srboisvert at 11:22 AM on July 23, 2015 [1 favorite]
It will encourage other bad actors to follow suit, and it will be even more difficult to bring any semblance of rationality to political discourse. If he is in the actual election, then no matter who wins, everyone loses when it comes to the state of political division and discourse in the country.
I'm not convinced that having an idiot sink candidate in every major election is a bad thing.
posted by prize bull octorok at 11:23 AM on July 23, 2015
I'm not convinced that having an idiot sink candidate in every major election is a bad thing.
posted by prize bull octorok at 11:23 AM on July 23, 2015
Avenger: ""Successor cultivation" should be a mandatory activity that every Democratic official spends time on."
I seriously hope that doesn't happen. Planned successor cultivation inevitably result in patronage and dynasties, both completely against democracy.
No chosen ones please.
posted by TheLittlePrince at 11:29 AM on July 23, 2015 [1 favorite]
I seriously hope that doesn't happen. Planned successor cultivation inevitably result in patronage and dynasties, both completely against democracy.
No chosen ones please.
posted by TheLittlePrince at 11:29 AM on July 23, 2015 [1 favorite]
My vote is on Trump is a secret Dem trying to expose the circus act of the Extreme Right.
He probably isn't, but after all this is over, if someone pulled him aside and whispered in his ear that he was a secret Jesus all along, someone who sacrificed himself so that he might save America from itself, he'd probably go along with the conspiracy theory just out of general narcissistic principle.
posted by a lungful of dragon at 11:31 AM on July 23, 2015 [7 favorites]
He probably isn't, but after all this is over, if someone pulled him aside and whispered in his ear that he was a secret Jesus all along, someone who sacrificed himself so that he might save America from itself, he'd probably go along with the conspiracy theory just out of general narcissistic principle.
posted by a lungful of dragon at 11:31 AM on July 23, 2015 [7 favorites]
Him being in this is in absolutely no way good. It's changing the face of political discourse and coverage for the worse.
I have to agree with this. It's hard to look away, in a train wreck sense, but Trump's whipping up of racist resentments isn't any funnier than UKIP in the UK, Le Pen in France, or Golden Dawn in Greece. It could have real negative affects on people's lives regardless of how his campaign turns out.
posted by JackFlash at 11:31 AM on July 23, 2015 [6 favorites]
I have to agree with this. It's hard to look away, in a train wreck sense, but Trump's whipping up of racist resentments isn't any funnier than UKIP in the UK, Le Pen in France, or Golden Dawn in Greece. It could have real negative affects on people's lives regardless of how his campaign turns out.
posted by JackFlash at 11:31 AM on July 23, 2015 [6 favorites]
a lungful of dragon: "exclusive Maidstone golf club in East Hampton planned to deny Mr. Trump a membership"
Did they?
posted by TheLittlePrince at 11:32 AM on July 23, 2015
Did they?
posted by TheLittlePrince at 11:32 AM on July 23, 2015
I may not be the first to suggest this, but now that there are 16 republican candidates, I think it would be entertaining to set up a series of debates as a single-elimination tournament of 1-on-1 debates. The winner of each round, as determined by their bump in the polls a week later, would get to advance to the next round. Or maybe you could text to vote for your favorite. Jeff Probst or Ryan Seacrest could be the moderator.
On the other hand, 10 of these guys are all going to get on a stage and try to debate at the same time. I am going to make some popcorn.
posted by mai at 11:35 AM on July 23, 2015 [7 favorites]
On the other hand, 10 of these guys are all going to get on a stage and try to debate at the same time. I am going to make some popcorn.
posted by mai at 11:35 AM on July 23, 2015 [7 favorites]
> I'm not convinced that having an idiot sink candidate in every major election is a bad thing.
You say that, and I want to agree in a cynical way, but the problem is that they do occasionally win, and I'd say that we are seeing more headed that way over time. They can do an unbelievable amount of damage in a very short amount of time, and this doesn't need to be legitimized in any way.
As long as we think having an "idiot sink" in so that "our team" can do better is a good thing, we are failing horribly. We are campaigning on brands and teams, when it needs to be on people and ideas.
Imagine a crazy alternate reality in which we had people who were campaigning on different approaches and ideas to bettering the world we live in, as opposed to having one or more simply say what they will tear down and making personal attacks. I know that's crazy talk, but just try to imagine that for a bit. I'm know that I'm overly optimistic and probably hopelessly naive because I believe it's still not too late to bring some rationality back into play, but there's absolutely no chance of that happening if this is the attitude we have.
What I think scares me the most -- There's a part of me that enjoys seeing the spectacle and the fighting, despite all of my thoughts and feelings on this. The way I want to deal with that is making a street-fighter style GOP DEBATE CHAMPION 2016, but I'm not quite that great with Unity yet.
posted by MysticMCJ at 11:38 AM on July 23, 2015 [3 favorites]
You say that, and I want to agree in a cynical way, but the problem is that they do occasionally win, and I'd say that we are seeing more headed that way over time. They can do an unbelievable amount of damage in a very short amount of time, and this doesn't need to be legitimized in any way.
As long as we think having an "idiot sink" in so that "our team" can do better is a good thing, we are failing horribly. We are campaigning on brands and teams, when it needs to be on people and ideas.
Imagine a crazy alternate reality in which we had people who were campaigning on different approaches and ideas to bettering the world we live in, as opposed to having one or more simply say what they will tear down and making personal attacks. I know that's crazy talk, but just try to imagine that for a bit. I'm know that I'm overly optimistic and probably hopelessly naive because I believe it's still not too late to bring some rationality back into play, but there's absolutely no chance of that happening if this is the attitude we have.
What I think scares me the most -- There's a part of me that enjoys seeing the spectacle and the fighting, despite all of my thoughts and feelings on this. The way I want to deal with that is making a street-fighter style GOP DEBATE CHAMPION 2016, but I'm not quite that great with Unity yet.
posted by MysticMCJ at 11:38 AM on July 23, 2015 [3 favorites]
Without earmarks, why listen to party leadership? Particularly when you're always under a primary threat from the fringe. Safest to be extremist.
posted by leotrotsky at 12:24 PM on July 23 [+] [!]
eponyicepickical
posted by symbioid at 11:45 AM on July 23, 2015 [7 favorites]
posted by leotrotsky at 12:24 PM on July 23 [+] [!]
eponyicepickical
posted by symbioid at 11:45 AM on July 23, 2015 [7 favorites]
There's not really a constitutional way to prevent insanely wealthy quasi-populist shitclowns from running, though, so I'm not gonna fret about it when it's siphoning off voters who'd be backing the more reactionary of the viable candidates otherwise. And if, in the end, our country elects a Trump president, our existential problems are bigger and deeper than I can even begin to wrap my head around.
posted by prize bull octorok at 11:49 AM on July 23, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by prize bull octorok at 11:49 AM on July 23, 2015 [1 favorite]
> There's not really a constitutional way to prevent insanely wealthy quasi-populist shitclowns from running, though
This is true, and that isn't the problem. Reacting to it and letting that shape the campaign is a huge problem.
posted by MysticMCJ at 12:14 PM on July 23, 2015 [2 favorites]
This is true, and that isn't the problem. Reacting to it and letting that shape the campaign is a huge problem.
posted by MysticMCJ at 12:14 PM on July 23, 2015 [2 favorites]
At this point, I have to believe Trump is acting as a double agent for the Dems.
Which would explain why he spent the current Democratic President's first term peddling his noxious birther conspiracies. I mean, I guess that's possible, but it takes a certain view of politics to look for schemes-within-schemes when a much simpler explanation is simply that Trump is what he looks like: a rich loudmouth with a gigantic ego and an insatiable craving for publicity.
(If I were a journalist—which I'm not—or more interested—which I'm not, really—I would comb Trump's financial disclosures for any clue to why he chose this year for his quixotic quest. Is there some way he might benefit financially from this race? Is it a political version of The Producers?)
And what I am afraid of is that this is reality TV for his supporters as well.... They aren't looking for the leader that has the best view to run the country, they are looking for the victor who is willing to triumph over the others.
You're absolutely right here, I think, but unfortunately for them electing a President isn't as easy—yet—as texting a "yes" or "no." It's not enough that lots of Iowans like Trump. Lots of Iowans liked Sarah Palin and Michelle Bachmann, too. He has to make lots of people everywhere like him and he has to be able to build coalitions within the party he's chosen to run with. And at the moment, he hasn't demonstrated the ability to do either. Or even a willingness to look as if he's trying to do either.
Darling, absolutely aaaaaall of Palm Beach is still talking about the time The Donald walked up to Barbara Bush at the Help Our Children Learn live auction and she cut him right in front of Princess Michael of Kent!
I studied with someone who never forgave Poppy Bush for calling her a rude name once long before he was President.
posted by octobersurprise at 12:20 PM on July 23, 2015
Which would explain why he spent the current Democratic President's first term peddling his noxious birther conspiracies. I mean, I guess that's possible, but it takes a certain view of politics to look for schemes-within-schemes when a much simpler explanation is simply that Trump is what he looks like: a rich loudmouth with a gigantic ego and an insatiable craving for publicity.
(If I were a journalist—which I'm not—or more interested—which I'm not, really—I would comb Trump's financial disclosures for any clue to why he chose this year for his quixotic quest. Is there some way he might benefit financially from this race? Is it a political version of The Producers?)
And what I am afraid of is that this is reality TV for his supporters as well.... They aren't looking for the leader that has the best view to run the country, they are looking for the victor who is willing to triumph over the others.
You're absolutely right here, I think, but unfortunately for them electing a President isn't as easy—yet—as texting a "yes" or "no." It's not enough that lots of Iowans like Trump. Lots of Iowans liked Sarah Palin and Michelle Bachmann, too. He has to make lots of people everywhere like him and he has to be able to build coalitions within the party he's chosen to run with. And at the moment, he hasn't demonstrated the ability to do either. Or even a willingness to look as if he's trying to do either.
Darling, absolutely aaaaaall of Palm Beach is still talking about the time The Donald walked up to Barbara Bush at the Help Our Children Learn live auction and she cut him right in front of Princess Michael of Kent!
I studied with someone who never forgave Poppy Bush for calling her a rude name once long before he was President.
posted by octobersurprise at 12:20 PM on July 23, 2015
I would comb Trump's financial disclosures
Surely comb over?
posted by Atom Eyes at 12:32 PM on July 23, 2015 [6 favorites]
Surely comb over?
posted by Atom Eyes at 12:32 PM on July 23, 2015 [6 favorites]
Not quick enough on that one, was I?
posted by octobersurprise at 12:35 PM on July 23, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by octobersurprise at 12:35 PM on July 23, 2015 [1 favorite]
(If I were a journalist—which I'm not—or more interested—which I'm not, really—I would comb Trump's financial disclosures for any clue to why he chose this year for his quixotic quest. Is there some way he might benefit financially from this race? Is it a political version of The Producers?)
The open field means he gets all the airtime he wants -- he's stuck his toe in the water before, but there's always been someone there that he'd have to be matched up against one-on-one, and he would come out wanting. With fifteen other knobs in the fight, he can pick and choose who he takes on as necessary. This time, it was Graham, and he has X microphones in his face. As soon as there are X-1 microphones in his face, he'll move on to someone else.
Also, he (and all the other Republicans in the race) is 100 percent convinced that the country is so sick of Obama and even more sick of Clinton that all he has to do is win the nomination, and that only takes about 3 percent of the U.S. population. You can get 3 percent of the population to do any damn fool thing.
posted by Etrigan at 12:36 PM on July 23, 2015 [3 favorites]
The open field means he gets all the airtime he wants -- he's stuck his toe in the water before, but there's always been someone there that he'd have to be matched up against one-on-one, and he would come out wanting. With fifteen other knobs in the fight, he can pick and choose who he takes on as necessary. This time, it was Graham, and he has X microphones in his face. As soon as there are X-1 microphones in his face, he'll move on to someone else.
Also, he (and all the other Republicans in the race) is 100 percent convinced that the country is so sick of Obama and even more sick of Clinton that all he has to do is win the nomination, and that only takes about 3 percent of the U.S. population. You can get 3 percent of the population to do any damn fool thing.
posted by Etrigan at 12:36 PM on July 23, 2015 [3 favorites]
We've been hearing for a while the American political process is broken.
Clueless, idiotic psychopaths who inhabit a reality you cannot comprehend destroy everything you've spent years building.
All your hard work cruelly tossed aside by rich, ignorant fuckwits who barely even recognise the damage they are doing.
Now it's their turn.
Vote Trump in 2016
posted by fullerine at 12:46 PM on July 23, 2015 [3 favorites]
Clueless, idiotic psychopaths who inhabit a reality you cannot comprehend destroy everything you've spent years building.
All your hard work cruelly tossed aside by rich, ignorant fuckwits who barely even recognise the damage they are doing.
Now it's their turn.
Vote Trump in 2016
posted by fullerine at 12:46 PM on July 23, 2015 [3 favorites]
10 people on a stage is about weeding out. You can't really set yourself apart positively, but you can definitely bomb.
Myself, I'm waiting for the swimsuit and talent show portion of the debates.
posted by happyroach at 1:07 PM on July 23, 2015 [2 favorites]
Myself, I'm waiting for the swimsuit and talent show portion of the debates.
posted by happyroach at 1:07 PM on July 23, 2015 [2 favorites]
Not only did panjandrum beat me to my joke in this thread, some one at The Week suggested it *in* March. But they have Donald Trump seeded last in his quarter. Who would have thought he'd show so much heart!?
posted by mai at 1:19 PM on July 23, 2015
posted by mai at 1:19 PM on July 23, 2015
> I studied with someone who never forgave Poppy Bush for calling her a rude name once long before he was President.
Uh, why exactly should she forgive him? Because he became president?
posted by languagehat at 1:20 PM on July 23, 2015
Uh, why exactly should she forgive him? Because he became president?
posted by languagehat at 1:20 PM on July 23, 2015
I would never have dared suggest she might.
posted by octobersurprise at 1:38 PM on July 23, 2015
posted by octobersurprise at 1:38 PM on July 23, 2015
Jonathan Capehart: How selective outrage over Trump is dooming the GOP
[W]here was the GOP’s outrage when the citizenship of the president of the United States was challenged? Where was the righteous indignation over the active effort by Republicans to delegitimize the authority of President Obama? There is no place in our country for talk like that. Yet, despite all evidence proving Obama was not an illegal occupant of the Oval Office, the GOP let the racist birther lie fester. Many Republican leaders who knew better looked the other way. When Trump made it the foundation of what many thought would be a presidential run last time around, there was no tut-tutting from the RNC.posted by zombieflanders at 1:38 PM on July 23, 2015 [5 favorites]
And think about this. Even though it knows that it needs Latino votes to win the 2016 presidential election, the RNC couldn’t even muster such a public response to Trump’s “They’re rapists” remark about illegal immigrants. Rather than a deserved public rebuke for such an inflammatory comment, RNC chairman Reince Priebus was reduced to privately pleading with The Donald to “tone it down” on immigration.
In this kerfuffle over Trump’s slam of McCain, the problems of the Republican Party are in high relief. It is saddled with a loud mouth who will say anything and is getting substantial support for doing so, no matter how callous. And its selective outrage — quick response on McCain and crickets on anything else — only enhances its image as a party that couldn’t care less about anyone who isn’t white, Southern, straight or male.
I have to keep reminding myself how early it is still. In the first presidential election I was old enough to vote in (just missed the opportunity to vote for Dukakis) Tom Harkin won the Iowa, Idaho and Minnesota caucuses.....
BTW, if you like this thread you may like my favorite podcast these days (now that Professor Blastoff is no more): Whistlestop.
posted by Cassford at 2:11 PM on July 23, 2015
BTW, if you like this thread you may like my favorite podcast these days (now that Professor Blastoff is no more): Whistlestop.
posted by Cassford at 2:11 PM on July 23, 2015
No worries, mai. Besides, I've upped my game.
Using the latest RealClearPolitics polling, which has Trump on top by almost 5 points(!) and doesn't even list Pataki, I've seeded the candidates:
1. Trump
2. Bush
3. Walker
4. Rubio
5. Carson
6. Huckabee
7. Paul
8. Cruz
9. Christie
10. Kasich
11. Perry
12. Fiorina
13. Santorum
14. Jindal
15. Graham
16. Pataki
And put them in a simple single-elimination bracket.
Some of the match-ups are snoozers (Walker v. Jindal), but overall I'd be shoveling nachos and beer into my 'Murica Hole. I mean, Huckabee v. Perry? What a way to pray the day away! Who will claim the more outside outsider status in Carson v. Fiorina? Which blow hard will blow harder in Cruz v. Christie? A subway series with Pataki and Trump!
posted by Panjandrum at 2:13 PM on July 23, 2015 [10 favorites]
Using the latest RealClearPolitics polling, which has Trump on top by almost 5 points(!) and doesn't even list Pataki, I've seeded the candidates:
1. Trump
2. Bush
3. Walker
4. Rubio
5. Carson
6. Huckabee
7. Paul
8. Cruz
9. Christie
10. Kasich
11. Perry
12. Fiorina
13. Santorum
14. Jindal
15. Graham
16. Pataki
And put them in a simple single-elimination bracket.
Some of the match-ups are snoozers (Walker v. Jindal), but overall I'd be shoveling nachos and beer into my 'Murica Hole. I mean, Huckabee v. Perry? What a way to pray the day away! Who will claim the more outside outsider status in Carson v. Fiorina? Which blow hard will blow harder in Cruz v. Christie? A subway series with Pataki and Trump!
posted by Panjandrum at 2:13 PM on July 23, 2015 [10 favorites]
I'm in CA, and I am really grateful for Trump. He's a reality show star, so he's going to get a lot of coverage. And his comments have been heavily covered by Spanish-speaking media. Between Trump and Obama's executive action on immigration last year, I'm hopeful for a huge turnout that has positive influence for downticket races, too.
posted by persona au gratin at 2:23 PM on July 23, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by persona au gratin at 2:23 PM on July 23, 2015 [1 favorite]
Lindsay Graham Destroys Last Scraps Of Dignity In Blender In Desperate Bid For Attention For Non-Existent Campaign.
Nah. His job isn't to win, and he knows it. His job is to entangle the outliers, so the pre selected don't have to get their hands dirty or waste valuable resources. In NFL terms, Graham is a blocker, and Jeb is the running back.
posted by Beholder at 4:05 PM on July 23, 2015
Nah. His job isn't to win, and he knows it. His job is to entangle the outliers, so the pre selected don't have to get their hands dirty or waste valuable resources. In NFL terms, Graham is a blocker, and Jeb is the running back.
posted by Beholder at 4:05 PM on July 23, 2015
Oh great, now Jeb is making a big stand for #WhiteLivesMatter.
posted by Artw at 4:22 PM on July 23, 2015
posted by Artw at 4:22 PM on July 23, 2015
JEB!'s also (clumsily) pushing for the "phasing out" of Medicare. There's a winner of a campaign plank if I ever saw one.
posted by octothorpe at 4:28 PM on July 23, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by octothorpe at 4:28 PM on July 23, 2015 [2 favorites]
At this point, I have to believe Trump is acting as a double agent for the Dems.
There are more than a couple conservative op-ed writers who are declaring exactly that. Does nobody remember Trump's most 'serious' previous Presidential run? In 2000, not for the Republicans but for Ross Perot's Reform Party, with Pat Buchanan running well to his right and winning? He was even promoting raising his own taxes at the time. He published a book that's still available on Amazon (but I refuse to link to) that promoted quite a few 'populist/moderate' positions. For some time after 2000, he spread his political contributions between both parties, actually giving the D's more Trump Bucks than the R's and visibly cozying up to the Clintons. You could say that his whole "birther" campaign against Obama was (in his mind) a favor to Hillary after she lost the nomination. Trump could very possibly be key to getting Hillary (or any Democrat) elected in 2016.
But what goes on now is not what will decide the election that is still 473 days away. To use TV Sports terminology for the TV News Cycle, this is the Pre-Game Show for a Pre-Season Game. MysticMCJ noted that "We've been on the path to pro-wresting politics for a while," and Trump, whose greatest visibility is from "Reality Competition TV", has become the master of the WWE-style Trash Talk segments. And to its utter shame, the Major Media, Left-Wing and Right-Wing, are all loving the show and passing it on.
Still, considering Trump's most skillful actions of his career have been to drive 4 corporations into bankruptcy while increasing his personal net worth, I'm still perplexed where he's going to profit from this... because that IS his main motivation. I simply cannot believe his declaration that he's doing the campaign "all with my own money"... there have to be people putting dollars into his pockets. I was assuming he was trading his media connections with NBC/Comcast for something better paying at Fox News until Rupert Murdoch personally attacked him, BUT Rupe's not the one making decisions for that channel, Roger Ailes is, and almost every Fox commentator is backing up Trump's anti-immigrant stand (which is NEVER coincidental - you think O'Reilly isn't reading Ailes' scripts?)
Anyway, I'm feeling like I have already wasted too much mind-space of The Not-A-Duck Donald, so I'll leave it at this and concern myself with more serious issues... like whether Dr. Honeydew and Beaker will have a role on the new Muppets show. Muppets are more real.
posted by oneswellfoop at 5:21 PM on July 23, 2015 [1 favorite]
There are more than a couple conservative op-ed writers who are declaring exactly that. Does nobody remember Trump's most 'serious' previous Presidential run? In 2000, not for the Republicans but for Ross Perot's Reform Party, with Pat Buchanan running well to his right and winning? He was even promoting raising his own taxes at the time. He published a book that's still available on Amazon (but I refuse to link to) that promoted quite a few 'populist/moderate' positions. For some time after 2000, he spread his political contributions between both parties, actually giving the D's more Trump Bucks than the R's and visibly cozying up to the Clintons. You could say that his whole "birther" campaign against Obama was (in his mind) a favor to Hillary after she lost the nomination. Trump could very possibly be key to getting Hillary (or any Democrat) elected in 2016.
But what goes on now is not what will decide the election that is still 473 days away. To use TV Sports terminology for the TV News Cycle, this is the Pre-Game Show for a Pre-Season Game. MysticMCJ noted that "We've been on the path to pro-wresting politics for a while," and Trump, whose greatest visibility is from "Reality Competition TV", has become the master of the WWE-style Trash Talk segments. And to its utter shame, the Major Media, Left-Wing and Right-Wing, are all loving the show and passing it on.
Still, considering Trump's most skillful actions of his career have been to drive 4 corporations into bankruptcy while increasing his personal net worth, I'm still perplexed where he's going to profit from this... because that IS his main motivation. I simply cannot believe his declaration that he's doing the campaign "all with my own money"... there have to be people putting dollars into his pockets. I was assuming he was trading his media connections with NBC/Comcast for something better paying at Fox News until Rupert Murdoch personally attacked him, BUT Rupe's not the one making decisions for that channel, Roger Ailes is, and almost every Fox commentator is backing up Trump's anti-immigrant stand (which is NEVER coincidental - you think O'Reilly isn't reading Ailes' scripts?)
Anyway, I'm feeling like I have already wasted too much mind-space of The Not-A-Duck Donald, so I'll leave it at this and concern myself with more serious issues... like whether Dr. Honeydew and Beaker will have a role on the new Muppets show. Muppets are more real.
posted by oneswellfoop at 5:21 PM on July 23, 2015 [1 favorite]
But what goes on now is not what will decide the election that is still 473 days away.
Count it.
Oh great, now Jeb is making a big stand for #WhiteLivesMatter.
Seriously? I'm afraid to google it.
posted by andoatnp at 5:27 PM on July 23, 2015
Count it.
Oh great, now Jeb is making a big stand for #WhiteLivesMatter.
Seriously? I'm afraid to google it.
posted by andoatnp at 5:27 PM on July 23, 2015
Is Trump really only motivated by money though? He seems to be very very fond of media attention, which he is getting in spades. Simply being able to have people pay so much attention to him and say whatever he wants might be worth the money to him. In which case it doesn't matter how he can make money on this or not.
Although he does seem to have been able to turn attention into money before, so maybe (probably) its both.
posted by thefoxgod at 5:29 PM on July 23, 2015
Although he does seem to have been able to turn attention into money before, so maybe (probably) its both.
posted by thefoxgod at 5:29 PM on July 23, 2015
BUT Rupe's not the one making decisions for that channel, Roger Ailes is, and almost every Fox commentator is backing up Trump's anti-immigrant stand (which is NEVER coincidental - you think O'Reilly isn't reading Ailes' scripts?)
Rupert Murdoch Wants to Stop Donald Trump, But First He’s Got to Rein In Roger Ailes
posted by andoatnp at 5:30 PM on July 23, 2015 [2 favorites]
Rupert Murdoch Wants to Stop Donald Trump, But First He’s Got to Rein In Roger Ailes
posted by andoatnp at 5:30 PM on July 23, 2015 [2 favorites]
Ailes' contract was due to expire next year before the election but last month he signed a new "multi-year" contract where he will be reporting directly to Rupert AND his up-and-coming two sons. Oh, it's gonna be fun.
posted by oneswellfoop at 7:48 PM on July 23, 2015
posted by oneswellfoop at 7:48 PM on July 23, 2015
Right pair of little Jofferies they are. the Murdoch empire won't outlast him long, but it may outdo him in awfulness.
posted by Artw at 8:18 PM on July 23, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by Artw at 8:18 PM on July 23, 2015 [1 favorite]
In which case it doesn't matter how he can make money on this or not.
Maybe it's an experimental investment. Gamble that he can get the RNC to give him more as a payoff to quit than he spent.
posted by ctmf at 10:42 PM on July 23, 2015
Maybe it's an experimental investment. Gamble that he can get the RNC to give him more as a payoff to quit than he spent.
posted by ctmf at 10:42 PM on July 23, 2015
What? Just ignore him? No way... here's Time.com's Donald Trump Insult Generator (fairly accurately, the insults are all lame or illiterate)
posted by oneswellfoop at 12:18 AM on July 24, 2015
posted by oneswellfoop at 12:18 AM on July 24, 2015
Hey, my RSS feed consists of almost all people I respect, and even some of them get caught up in Trumpmania... or the need to point out everyone caught up in Trumpmania. Like me? Okay, must walk away now... just walk away.
posted by oneswellfoop at 1:17 AM on July 24, 2015
posted by oneswellfoop at 1:17 AM on July 24, 2015
Donald Trump: The ugly face of capitalist politics
posted by Noisy Pink Bubbles at 2:51 AM on July 24, 2015
posted by Noisy Pink Bubbles at 2:51 AM on July 24, 2015
I still wouldn't trust the American electorate not to vote for him, either.
Yeah, it's all fun and games until the richest, most luxurious troll you've ever seen gets elected president and really classes the place up.
posted by krinklyfig at 4:06 AM on July 24, 2015
Yeah, it's all fun and games until the richest, most luxurious troll you've ever seen gets elected president and really classes the place up.
posted by krinklyfig at 4:06 AM on July 24, 2015
JEB!'s also (clumsily) pushing for the "phasing out" of Medicare. There's a winner of a campaign plank if I ever saw one.
Wow. Way to alienate a major Republican demographic.
posted by krinklyfig at 4:17 AM on July 24, 2015
Wow. Way to alienate a major Republican demographic.
posted by krinklyfig at 4:17 AM on July 24, 2015
If I were that old and had that much cash, I'd probably do something equally as wacky (though I wouldn't run for president)
No more pants. Start over with making pants.
posted by flabdablet at 4:23 AM on July 24, 2015
No more pants. Start over with making pants.
posted by flabdablet at 4:23 AM on July 24, 2015
Walker definitely has a serious shot
He hasn't had any real exposure. Once that happens, his campaign will no longer be able to claim Walker is not a pod person.
posted by krinklyfig at 4:32 AM on July 24, 2015
He hasn't had any real exposure. Once that happens, his campaign will no longer be able to claim Walker is not a pod person.
posted by krinklyfig at 4:32 AM on July 24, 2015
The Economist sees some method in Trump's madness
posted by Noisy Pink Bubbles at 4:38 AM on July 24, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by Noisy Pink Bubbles at 4:38 AM on July 24, 2015 [1 favorite]
JEB!'s also (clumsily) pushing for the "phasing out" of Medicare. There's a winner of a campaign plank if I ever saw one.
Are you kidding? This could actually be a winner! All he has to do is tailor his message to each individual to suggest that the phasing out will occur just seconds after the target no longer needs it. There is nothing more Real American than ensuring other people don't get what you did.
posted by srboisvert at 6:38 AM on July 24, 2015 [8 favorites]
Are you kidding? This could actually be a winner! All he has to do is tailor his message to each individual to suggest that the phasing out will occur just seconds after the target no longer needs it. There is nothing more Real American than ensuring other people don't get what you did.
posted by srboisvert at 6:38 AM on July 24, 2015 [8 favorites]
That Economist link posits an interesting theory. I'm betting that Hillary will win this election with or without Donald siphoning off GOP votes. If the GOP leadership agrees with my assessment of their chances why would they make a deal with Trump? They're going to lose this election if he stays in. They are probably going to lose this election if he pulls out. Hillary has no reason to make a deal with Trump. She'd love him to stay in but I can't think of anything that she can give him that wouldn't piss off everyone, democrat or republican.
posted by rdr at 6:41 AM on July 24, 2015
posted by rdr at 6:41 AM on July 24, 2015
Horrifying thought: Bush/Trump 2016
posted by feckless fecal fear mongering at 7:09 AM on July 24, 2015
posted by feckless fecal fear mongering at 7:09 AM on July 24, 2015
Kinda getting the sense they hate the shit out of each other.
posted by Drinky Die at 8:46 AM on July 24, 2015
posted by Drinky Die at 8:46 AM on July 24, 2015
Horrifying thought: Bush/Trump 2016
Kinda getting the sense they hate the shit out of each other.
Wouldn't be the first Bush to be on a ticket with someone he hated.
posted by Etrigan at 8:51 AM on July 24, 2015
Kinda getting the sense they hate the shit out of each other.
Wouldn't be the first Bush to be on a ticket with someone he hated.
posted by Etrigan at 8:51 AM on July 24, 2015
Horrifying thought: Bush/Trump 2016
Never. Gonna. Happen.
posted by Xavier Xavier at 9:12 AM on July 24, 2015 [2 favorites]
Never. Gonna. Happen.
posted by Xavier Xavier at 9:12 AM on July 24, 2015 [2 favorites]
What it seems like a lot of people aren't getting is that Trump is a serious embarrassment to the GOP and the majority of their current crop of candidates. I suspect epistemic closure has something to do with this. Trump is on record saying he's in favor of universal health care and abortion rights, and that's just for starters. He's donated handsomely to the Clinton Foundation.
There is literally no way any of the mainstream GOP candidates ally with Trump at this point. I leave, perhaps, Cruz out of this equation because (while he's no rube), Cruz seem far more comfortable branding himself as the maverick who disregards the party bosses, whatever the consequences (ask John Boehner what he thinks of Cruz and his congressional antics). This is supported by the closed-door meeting Cruz had with Trump last week or so. Look for Cruz (barring a seriously and universally offensive -- I know -- gaffe on Trump's part) to try and take advantage of the crazy 27% of the electorate who would find Trump anything other than a joke.
Trump is never going to win the GOP nod and I'm confident he's never going to be President. If the RNC had a magic wand, their first wish would be for this whole Trump thing to have never, ever happened.
posted by Xavier Xavier at 9:25 AM on July 24, 2015 [2 favorites]
There is literally no way any of the mainstream GOP candidates ally with Trump at this point. I leave, perhaps, Cruz out of this equation because (while he's no rube), Cruz seem far more comfortable branding himself as the maverick who disregards the party bosses, whatever the consequences (ask John Boehner what he thinks of Cruz and his congressional antics). This is supported by the closed-door meeting Cruz had with Trump last week or so. Look for Cruz (barring a seriously and universally offensive -- I know -- gaffe on Trump's part) to try and take advantage of the crazy 27% of the electorate who would find Trump anything other than a joke.
Trump is never going to win the GOP nod and I'm confident he's never going to be President. If the RNC had a magic wand, their first wish would be for this whole Trump thing to have never, ever happened.
posted by Xavier Xavier at 9:25 AM on July 24, 2015 [2 favorites]
To wit: Cruz, on Senate Floor, Calls Party Leader McConnell a Liar
posted by Xavier Xavier at 9:56 AM on July 24, 2015
posted by Xavier Xavier at 9:56 AM on July 24, 2015
Trump/Christie 2016 - Let's Jersey Shore Up America!
posted by a lungful of dragon at 10:26 AM on July 24, 2015
posted by a lungful of dragon at 10:26 AM on July 24, 2015
Horrifying thought: Bush/Trump 2016
Never. Gonna. Happen.
How much of Trump's persona is real and how much is posturing for cameras is up for debate. Bush/Trump 2016, leading to Trump/____ 2024 might be an attractive proposition for him. It gets him into the White House, lets him do his Trumpy thing, and then runs for President on the back of 8 years as veep. And the benefit of being VP (as Joe Biden has been so useful for) is that you really have no actual power, and very few actual responsibilities, so you get to do whatever you want more or less. (Yes ok, President of the Senate pro tempore). Seems like Trump's dream job.
The real reason, I think, why Trump isn't actually serious about this run (although I truly hope I'm wrong about that because staying in, as I said above, is nothing but good for the non-dinosaur regressive racist woman-hating queerbashing poor-stomping assbags) is that if he won he'd have to give up control of his businesses for 4-8 years. That I don't see happening.
posted by feckless fecal fear mongering at 11:40 AM on July 24, 2015
Never. Gonna. Happen.
How much of Trump's persona is real and how much is posturing for cameras is up for debate. Bush/Trump 2016, leading to Trump/____ 2024 might be an attractive proposition for him. It gets him into the White House, lets him do his Trumpy thing, and then runs for President on the back of 8 years as veep. And the benefit of being VP (as Joe Biden has been so useful for) is that you really have no actual power, and very few actual responsibilities, so you get to do whatever you want more or less. (Yes ok, President of the Senate pro tempore). Seems like Trump's dream job.
The real reason, I think, why Trump isn't actually serious about this run (although I truly hope I'm wrong about that because staying in, as I said above, is nothing but good for the non-dinosaur regressive racist woman-hating queerbashing poor-stomping assbags) is that if he won he'd have to give up control of his businesses for 4-8 years. That I don't see happening.
posted by feckless fecal fear mongering at 11:40 AM on July 24, 2015
fffm: Bush is never in a billion years going to pick Trump as his running mate. I don't know how else to say it.
posted by Xavier Xavier at 12:13 PM on July 24, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by Xavier Xavier at 12:13 PM on July 24, 2015 [1 favorite]
I don't think we'll see Trump on the VP ticket for a very simple reason -- Trump would never ever settle for a role that put him anywhere but the top.
posted by MysticMCJ at 12:21 PM on July 24, 2015
posted by MysticMCJ at 12:21 PM on July 24, 2015
I don't think it's likely; I do think it's possible, particularly if Trump's numbers continue. What was the likelihood that McCain would pick Palin? Trump is Palin with a toupee.
posted by feckless fecal fear mongering at 12:22 PM on July 24, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by feckless fecal fear mongering at 12:22 PM on July 24, 2015 [1 favorite]
oh god now I wish I was good at photoshop
posted by feckless fecal fear mongering at 12:22 PM on July 24, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by feckless fecal fear mongering at 12:22 PM on July 24, 2015 [1 favorite]
Palin, on the surface, made sense. You had to scratch beneath to realize she was a disaster from McCain's perspective.
Trump is beating Jeb over the head with the fact that he is a belligerent moron who does not know how this game is played. Republicans primary voters aren't actually dumb enough to go with Trump. They always have nutball options and they always end up picking McCain or Romney instead. Trump will be dispatched extremely quickly before things get serious by just referencing the multitude of violations of conservative dogma he has engaged in. His current numbers mean absolutely nothing.
posted by Drinky Die at 12:32 PM on July 24, 2015 [1 favorite]
Trump is beating Jeb over the head with the fact that he is a belligerent moron who does not know how this game is played. Republicans primary voters aren't actually dumb enough to go with Trump. They always have nutball options and they always end up picking McCain or Romney instead. Trump will be dispatched extremely quickly before things get serious by just referencing the multitude of violations of conservative dogma he has engaged in. His current numbers mean absolutely nothing.
posted by Drinky Die at 12:32 PM on July 24, 2015 [1 favorite]
I'd be with you, FFF, if it wasn't for the fact that I don't think he'd settle for that.
I know many feel that Trumps antics and habit of pissing off the GOP establishment are going to discredit him, but I'd argue that he's the logical end result of all of the ways that political discourse has been going for the past few years. I don't think that many in the Tea Party, for example, got to where they are now by appealing to policy... They got there by being aggressive and loud shit stirrers. Trump isn't a Tea Partier in philosophy as far as I know, but his persona is a great fit.
His behavior is actively being celebrated by many people, the media is falling all over themselves giving free publicity that you can't buy, and he's putting absolutely everyone else in the campaign on the defensive - and even if they were to aggressively attack him instead, that would just fuel his ego even more, and get even MORE coverage. The thing is, regardless of how anyone reacts on the GOP side, he's considered a threat... He doesn't consider anyone a threat, and honestly, he's right. They can only look worse by reacting, whereas he's transparently psychotic, and outside of criminal activity, there's not much that can be done to damage his persona.
I don't think he'd be in this just to drop out, as there is no evidence that he is the sort of person to back down from anything without seeing it to the bitter end. I stand firm in that I believe there's a greater possibility that he ends up winning the primary than there is one that he goes for VP -- and he's playing one hell of a Trump card (heh) by threatening to go third party if the RNC doesn't treat him with respect.
All of this is incredibly dangerous, no matter what the outcome is - and it's so early, it's really hard to say anything for sure about what is going to happen. There are many many wild cards here.
> Republicans primary voters aren't actually dumb enough to go with Trump
Perhaps those who have traditionally voted in primaries -- The thing is, he could energize more people to vote in those primaries who normally wouldn't, and it's not like primary turnout is historically high. THAT is the part that scares me.
posted by MysticMCJ at 12:38 PM on July 24, 2015 [1 favorite]
I know many feel that Trumps antics and habit of pissing off the GOP establishment are going to discredit him, but I'd argue that he's the logical end result of all of the ways that political discourse has been going for the past few years. I don't think that many in the Tea Party, for example, got to where they are now by appealing to policy... They got there by being aggressive and loud shit stirrers. Trump isn't a Tea Partier in philosophy as far as I know, but his persona is a great fit.
His behavior is actively being celebrated by many people, the media is falling all over themselves giving free publicity that you can't buy, and he's putting absolutely everyone else in the campaign on the defensive - and even if they were to aggressively attack him instead, that would just fuel his ego even more, and get even MORE coverage. The thing is, regardless of how anyone reacts on the GOP side, he's considered a threat... He doesn't consider anyone a threat, and honestly, he's right. They can only look worse by reacting, whereas he's transparently psychotic, and outside of criminal activity, there's not much that can be done to damage his persona.
I don't think he'd be in this just to drop out, as there is no evidence that he is the sort of person to back down from anything without seeing it to the bitter end. I stand firm in that I believe there's a greater possibility that he ends up winning the primary than there is one that he goes for VP -- and he's playing one hell of a Trump card (heh) by threatening to go third party if the RNC doesn't treat him with respect.
All of this is incredibly dangerous, no matter what the outcome is - and it's so early, it's really hard to say anything for sure about what is going to happen. There are many many wild cards here.
> Republicans primary voters aren't actually dumb enough to go with Trump
Perhaps those who have traditionally voted in primaries -- The thing is, he could energize more people to vote in those primaries who normally wouldn't, and it's not like primary turnout is historically high. THAT is the part that scares me.
posted by MysticMCJ at 12:38 PM on July 24, 2015 [1 favorite]
His current numbers mean absolutely nothing.
The GOP establishment probably have a bit of flop sweat oozing out about their image with self-described Republican voters.
The percentage of those with favorable views of the Republican Party has dropped across the board since early this year, including sharply among Republicans, a Pew Research Center poll says.
Fewer than a third of Americans, 32 percent, have a favorable impression of the GOP, a 9-point drop in the poll since January. Pew's survey finds that 60 percent have an unfavorable view.
Positive views of the Republican Party have fallen 18 points since January among those who identify as Republican, from 86 to 68 percent.
When their own Senators are publicly calling each other liars, I could see why a Trump campaign is making them nervous.
Anyway, popcorn futures are strong.
posted by a lungful of dragon at 12:55 PM on July 24, 2015 [1 favorite]
The GOP establishment probably have a bit of flop sweat oozing out about their image with self-described Republican voters.
The percentage of those with favorable views of the Republican Party has dropped across the board since early this year, including sharply among Republicans, a Pew Research Center poll says.
Fewer than a third of Americans, 32 percent, have a favorable impression of the GOP, a 9-point drop in the poll since January. Pew's survey finds that 60 percent have an unfavorable view.
Positive views of the Republican Party have fallen 18 points since January among those who identify as Republican, from 86 to 68 percent.
When their own Senators are publicly calling each other liars, I could see why a Trump campaign is making them nervous.
Anyway, popcorn futures are strong.
posted by a lungful of dragon at 12:55 PM on July 24, 2015 [1 favorite]
Bush/Trump 2016, leading to Trump/____ 2024 might be an attractive proposition for him.
Sure, it might be attractive proposition to Trump, but what's in it for Bush?
That Economist link posits an interesting theory.
I read that piece and I'd summarize it as "This is great news for Trump!" Despite conceding that a good poll six months out from the first caucus is the only thing Trump really has going for him right now, it still tries to build the case that Trump is running to cut a deal with the Republicans. And while I think it's very possible Trump thinks he's going to cut a deal with the Republicans, he's going to need something they want first. Right now he has nothing. It's just too early to tell if Trump will have the staying power or the constituency to be that kind of spoiler. I'm very doubtful, myself.
The thing is, he could energize more people to vote in those primaries who normally wouldn't
I guess he could. Is there any evidence to suggest that he will? Is there any evidence to suggest that the Trump campaign has any clue about how to get out those votes? Is there any evidence to suggest that there is a Trump campaign besides Trump?
Instead, all of the evidence we have at this moment suggests that Donald Trump is a candidate who likes to be outrageous, has negligible coalition-building skills, and has never been elected to any public office, ever. In the face of that evidence, the case for Trump has to rely solely on a belief that everyone really wants to elect an outrageous, impolitic, amateur. And maybe they do. But I wouldn't bet heavily on it.
posted by octobersurprise at 1:07 PM on July 24, 2015
Sure, it might be attractive proposition to Trump, but what's in it for Bush?
That Economist link posits an interesting theory.
I read that piece and I'd summarize it as "This is great news for Trump!" Despite conceding that a good poll six months out from the first caucus is the only thing Trump really has going for him right now, it still tries to build the case that Trump is running to cut a deal with the Republicans. And while I think it's very possible Trump thinks he's going to cut a deal with the Republicans, he's going to need something they want first. Right now he has nothing. It's just too early to tell if Trump will have the staying power or the constituency to be that kind of spoiler. I'm very doubtful, myself.
The thing is, he could energize more people to vote in those primaries who normally wouldn't
I guess he could. Is there any evidence to suggest that he will? Is there any evidence to suggest that the Trump campaign has any clue about how to get out those votes? Is there any evidence to suggest that there is a Trump campaign besides Trump?
Instead, all of the evidence we have at this moment suggests that Donald Trump is a candidate who likes to be outrageous, has negligible coalition-building skills, and has never been elected to any public office, ever. In the face of that evidence, the case for Trump has to rely solely on a belief that everyone really wants to elect an outrageous, impolitic, amateur. And maybe they do. But I wouldn't bet heavily on it.
posted by octobersurprise at 1:07 PM on July 24, 2015
Who said it: Donald Trump or Frank Reynolds?
posted by a lungful of dragon at 1:27 PM on July 24, 2015
posted by a lungful of dragon at 1:27 PM on July 24, 2015
Sure, it might be attractive proposition to Trump, but what's in it for Bush?
Winning the nomination and preventing the confounding effect of Trump running as an independent, which would be Bush/Perot/Clinton all over again.
posted by feckless fecal fear mongering at 1:28 PM on July 24, 2015 [2 favorites]
Winning the nomination and preventing the confounding effect of Trump running as an independent, which would be Bush/Perot/Clinton all over again.
posted by feckless fecal fear mongering at 1:28 PM on July 24, 2015 [2 favorites]
> the case for Trump has to rely solely on a belief that everyone really wants to elect an outrageous, impolitic, amateur. And maybe they do. But I wouldn't bet heavily on it.
Did you see how the last congressional election went? I certainly wouldn't put any money against it. Let's take Tom Cotton, for example. There's an outrageous, impolitic, amateur for you... Yet, he's already getting support for a presidential election in 2020 to the point that the state house approved him to run for it. The only reason he doesn't come off as brash as Trump is because he hasn't had so many years of success to embolden him and possibly a few more fucks to give. After all, this is the guy who wrote the open letter to Iran...
Anyways, a good chunk of the appeal of the Tea party was based on "outrageous, impolitic, amateurs" that didn't speak like normal politicians, and who were "closer to the common man" - at least that was their narrative. A good chunk of the electorate thinks that anyone with political experience is an elitist and a member of the establishment. Do not discount these people.
And again, not to beat this point home, but that's not the only case you can make for Trump. Look at the incident that spawned this thread - He's pushing the other candidates relentlessly, and they occasionally respond absurdly. You can argue that Graham didn't have much to lose here, but Trump will keep being Trump as long as people are reacting and he's getting covered, and there will be slips. I guarantee you that not only is there going to be a moment that is the GOP equivalent of the Dean scream, there will be several.
posted by MysticMCJ at 1:43 PM on July 24, 2015 [2 favorites]
Did you see how the last congressional election went? I certainly wouldn't put any money against it. Let's take Tom Cotton, for example. There's an outrageous, impolitic, amateur for you... Yet, he's already getting support for a presidential election in 2020 to the point that the state house approved him to run for it. The only reason he doesn't come off as brash as Trump is because he hasn't had so many years of success to embolden him and possibly a few more fucks to give. After all, this is the guy who wrote the open letter to Iran...
Anyways, a good chunk of the appeal of the Tea party was based on "outrageous, impolitic, amateurs" that didn't speak like normal politicians, and who were "closer to the common man" - at least that was their narrative. A good chunk of the electorate thinks that anyone with political experience is an elitist and a member of the establishment. Do not discount these people.
And again, not to beat this point home, but that's not the only case you can make for Trump. Look at the incident that spawned this thread - He's pushing the other candidates relentlessly, and they occasionally respond absurdly. You can argue that Graham didn't have much to lose here, but Trump will keep being Trump as long as people are reacting and he's getting covered, and there will be slips. I guarantee you that not only is there going to be a moment that is the GOP equivalent of the Dean scream, there will be several.
posted by MysticMCJ at 1:43 PM on July 24, 2015 [2 favorites]
Winning the nomination and preventing the confounding effect of Trump running as an independent
Yes, but that presumes that A) putting Trump on the ticket would help Bush win the election and/or B) that Trump's threat to spoil the race is something that Bush should fear. There's very little evidence at this time to suggest that either is true.
posted by octobersurprise at 1:44 PM on July 24, 2015 [1 favorite]
Yes, but that presumes that A) putting Trump on the ticket would help Bush win the election and/or B) that Trump's threat to spoil the race is something that Bush should fear. There's very little evidence at this time to suggest that either is true.
posted by octobersurprise at 1:44 PM on July 24, 2015 [1 favorite]
that's not the only case you can make for Trump.
It's the only case you can make for Trump now. If Trump does even moderately well in the primaries, then, well, maybe things will be different. Even so, look where that got Rick Santorum.
posted by octobersurprise at 1:47 PM on July 24, 2015
It's the only case you can make for Trump now. If Trump does even moderately well in the primaries, then, well, maybe things will be different. Even so, look where that got Rick Santorum.
posted by octobersurprise at 1:47 PM on July 24, 2015
A whole video of a man destroying phones, and no Nokia 3310 jokes?
posted by clawsoon at 2:21 PM on July 24, 2015
posted by clawsoon at 2:21 PM on July 24, 2015
Here's to the troublemakers, the Lindsay Grahams...
posted by a lungful of dragon at 2:29 PM on July 24, 2015
posted by a lungful of dragon at 2:29 PM on July 24, 2015
Well, that'll be a big help in the Solaxiant 9 primary.
posted by octobersurprise at 6:40 PM on July 24, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by octobersurprise at 6:40 PM on July 24, 2015 [1 favorite]
There's no stopping the Trump show:
It—Trump—is bigger than the entire rest of the Republican field, which, by the way, has 15 other people in it—governors, senators, very big, very serious people. Trump is bigger than them all.posted by octothorpe at 5:55 AM on July 26, 2015
Trump is so big they are attacking him just to get themselves noticed. Lindsey Graham, the senator from South Carolina, called Trump a “jackass,” so Trump gave out his cell-phone number on national television, and suddenly Lindsey Graham, languishing at less than 1 percent in the polls, was all anybody was talking about. You’re welcome, Lindsey Graham.
Trump isn't trying to deliver for Bush, he's trying to deliver for Scott Walker.
“Wisconsin’s doing terribly. It’s in turmoil. The roads are a disaster because they don’t have any money to rebuild them. They’re borrowing money like crazy. They projected a $1 billion surplus, and it turns out to be a deficit of $2.2 billion. The schools are a disaster. The hospitals and education was a disaster. And he was totally in favor of Common Core!”
posted by peeedro at 12:25 PM on July 26, 2015 [1 favorite]
“Wisconsin’s doing terribly. It’s in turmoil. The roads are a disaster because they don’t have any money to rebuild them. They’re borrowing money like crazy. They projected a $1 billion surplus, and it turns out to be a deficit of $2.2 billion. The schools are a disaster. The hospitals and education was a disaster. And he was totally in favor of Common Core!”
posted by peeedro at 12:25 PM on July 26, 2015 [1 favorite]
That attack on Scott Walker isn't a personal insult or a stunt designed to generate publicity. It's an actual political attack with facts. McCain is not running for president this cycle. Liindsey Graham had no chance of competing for the nomination. Is that the reason for the difference in attack style?
posted by rdr at 3:21 PM on July 26, 2015
posted by rdr at 3:21 PM on July 26, 2015
Trump has got a statement for everyone. He's playing pure populism and neither the GOP establishment nor the corporatized, anemic Democrats know how to counter him, at least not with populism of their own. He's probably not going to become president. But if he did, he'd be the Huey Long of our dumb degenerated times.
posted by Apocryphon at 7:24 PM on July 26, 2015
posted by Apocryphon at 7:24 PM on July 26, 2015
The way to counter him, I think, is opposition research. When the time comes, I expect it will be brutal.
posted by box at 7:49 PM on July 26, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by box at 7:49 PM on July 26, 2015 [1 favorite]
No, the way to beat him is with actual policies that are actually populist.
May we all bear witness to the majesty of the Trump-Sanders debates.
posted by Apocryphon at 12:26 AM on July 27, 2015
May we all bear witness to the majesty of the Trump-Sanders debates.
posted by Apocryphon at 12:26 AM on July 27, 2015
You're right--that's the way for a Democrat to beat him. But he's not going to make it that far.
posted by box at 3:37 AM on July 27, 2015
posted by box at 3:37 AM on July 27, 2015
...the Huey Long of our dumb degenerated times.
Representing null node cortical cavities everywhere, the all important DNR walking brain dead primary base. Zombie populism...
posted by y2karl at 8:21 AM on July 27, 2015 [1 favorite]
Representing null node cortical cavities everywhere, the all important DNR walking brain dead primary base. Zombie populism...
posted by y2karl at 8:21 AM on July 27, 2015 [1 favorite]
"He is on the front page of every newspaper, the top of every newscast. They can’t believe it; they can’t get their heads around it, that this is happening, and not only is it happening, it is the biggest thing in American politics right now. It has consumed American politics."That Atlantic piece couldn't be more absurdly hyperbolic if Trump had written it himself. I'm to believe that an average four and a half point lead six months out from the first primary is consuming American politics? Either a very broad definition of "consuming" or a very narrow one of "American politics," if you ask me.
He's playing pure populism ... He's probably not going to become president. But if he did, he'd be the Huey Long of our dumb degenerated times.
There's nothing populist about Trump, except as "populism" means talking like a game-show host aspiring to demagoguery, and if he did, by some disaster, become President, Huey Long would be much too much to hope for. Huey Long had some principles.
posted by octobersurprise at 12:47 PM on July 27, 2015
I'm to believe that an average four and a half point lead six months out from the first primary is consuming American politics?
If you're not seeing at least as much coverage of Trump as of everyone else running for President combined, then you're not watching/reading/listening to the same news as like 90 percent of the American public. The fact that a guy who has never run for anything before has any lead -- hell, that he has any numbers at all -- is pretty insane, and at least the meta-narrative about the race has been thoroughly hijacked.
posted by Etrigan at 12:52 PM on July 27, 2015
If you're not seeing at least as much coverage of Trump as of everyone else running for President combined, then you're not watching/reading/listening to the same news as like 90 percent of the American public. The fact that a guy who has never run for anything before has any lead -- hell, that he has any numbers at all -- is pretty insane, and at least the meta-narrative about the race has been thoroughly hijacked.
posted by Etrigan at 12:52 PM on July 27, 2015
Donald Trump: Progressive champion?
The Surprisingly Strong Progressive Case For Donald Trump
The populism I'm referring to is his ability as a political outsider to assume any set of policies and ideologies that career politicians are unable to take. And thus, he's able to make empty promises and grandiose statements that appeal to the common man, even if he would be completely unable to make them happen. He's no Huey Long, because our current political climate is much less educated and given to sensationalism than the era the Kingfish, FDR, et al were alive in. And our dumb media, as seen above, is eating it up regardless of which side of the spectrum they are.
posted by Apocryphon at 1:00 PM on July 27, 2015
The Surprisingly Strong Progressive Case For Donald Trump
The populism I'm referring to is his ability as a political outsider to assume any set of policies and ideologies that career politicians are unable to take. And thus, he's able to make empty promises and grandiose statements that appeal to the common man, even if he would be completely unable to make them happen. He's no Huey Long, because our current political climate is much less educated and given to sensationalism than the era the Kingfish, FDR, et al were alive in. And our dumb media, as seen above, is eating it up regardless of which side of the spectrum they are.
posted by Apocryphon at 1:00 PM on July 27, 2015
Oh my fucking god: Conservatives Are Holding a Conversation About Race: An ugly term—“cuckservative”—crystallizes a Republican Party crisis.
GOP DE-EVOLUTION
posted by Golden Eternity at 5:06 PM on July 27, 2015 [2 favorites]
GOP DE-EVOLUTION
posted by Golden Eternity at 5:06 PM on July 27, 2015 [2 favorites]
Wow, googling "cuckservative" is quite the education, split between traditional conservatives who find the term disgusting and upsetting, and CRAZY-ASS HORRIBLE WHITE SUPREMACISTS who are using it with total sincerity and saying things like "not really racist as much as we know what happens to white countries when they stop being white". Searching the hashtag on twitter leads you right down a crazy-hole.
(Also, it will lead you to a lot of other invented words by the crazy wing of the GOP which is all very upsetting and I am not going to repeat.)
posted by Eyebrows McGee at 5:20 PM on July 27, 2015 [1 favorite]
(Also, it will lead you to a lot of other invented words by the crazy wing of the GOP which is all very upsetting and I am not going to repeat.)
posted by Eyebrows McGee at 5:20 PM on July 27, 2015 [1 favorite]
Ex-Wife: Donald Trump Made Me Feel ‘Violated’ During Sex
Michael Cohen, special counsel at The Trump Organization, defended his boss, saying, “You’re talking about the front-runner for the GOP, presidential candidate, as well as private individual who never raped anybody. And, of course, understand that by the very definition, you can’t rape your spouse.”posted by Golden Eternity at 5:55 PM on July 27, 2015 [1 favorite]
That is really not a good defense. That is a pretty fucking awful defense even.
But his target market are awful people and exactly the kind of folks who would defend spousal rape, so maybe it's actually a great defense.
No, no, I'm thinking it's actually just bad.
posted by Artw at 6:13 PM on July 27, 2015
But his target market are awful people and exactly the kind of folks who would defend spousal rape, so maybe it's actually a great defense.
No, no, I'm thinking it's actually just bad.
posted by Artw at 6:13 PM on July 27, 2015
Ex-Wife: Donald Trump Made Me Feel ‘Violated’ During Sex
Oh my God. I had to stop reading, it was that or vomit.
posted by feckless fecal fear mongering at 6:21 PM on July 27, 2015
Oh my God. I had to stop reading, it was that or vomit.
posted by feckless fecal fear mongering at 6:21 PM on July 27, 2015
"His Twitter account on April 16 also retweeted an attack on Clinton: “@mplefty67: If Hillary Clinton can’t satisfy her husband what makes her think she can satisfy America?” Trump said a campaign staffer was responsible and deleted the tweet."
posted by box at 7:13 PM on July 27, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by box at 7:13 PM on July 27, 2015 [1 favorite]
New Hampshire focus group opines on Trump
(NB: have barf bags handy)
posted by Noisy Pink Bubbles at 7:38 AM on July 31, 2015 [1 favorite]
(NB: have barf bags handy)
posted by Noisy Pink Bubbles at 7:38 AM on July 31, 2015 [1 favorite]
Evidently there is some limit to the racism that Trump is willing to tolerate within his campaign: he just fired a staffer for racist social media posts. (No word on if it was via an Apprentice-style "You're fired!")
posted by Noisy Pink Bubbles at 1:23 PM on August 2, 2015
posted by Noisy Pink Bubbles at 1:23 PM on August 2, 2015
In one post, Nunberg allegedly called the Rev. Al Sharpton’s daughter a “n-----.”
I suspect the rule is be as racist as you like but don't use that word.
posted by Artw at 1:31 PM on August 2, 2015
I suspect the rule is be as racist as you like but don't use that word.
posted by Artw at 1:31 PM on August 2, 2015
The GOP crack-up continues: The raging civil war over the disgusting “cuckservative” slur
posted by Golden Eternity at 10:59 AM on August 3, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by Golden Eternity at 10:59 AM on August 3, 2015 [1 favorite]
I have revised my prediction: at the first debate, or at the also-ran debate, someone (I think Christie, Cruz, Huckabee or Santorum are good bets, because they're mostly near the bubble and their brand is kinda assholeish or holier-than-thou) decides that it's a good time to take out the long knives for Trump. Mainstream media feels like they can't ignore it any more, starts doing basic journalism, Trump reacts, digging himself in deeper, alienating mainstream voters and money guys, finds a way to drop out before he self-destructs.
It's not going to go down exactly like this, but I think it'll probably be in the general area. This is a maze where you, like, start from the place where he's not the R nominee and then work it backward.
Horserace!
posted by box at 7:42 PM on August 3, 2015 [1 favorite]
It's not going to go down exactly like this, but I think it'll probably be in the general area. This is a maze where you, like, start from the place where he's not the R nominee and then work it backward.
Horserace!
posted by box at 7:42 PM on August 3, 2015 [1 favorite]
How Donald Trump has fared since his McCain comments, in one chart
posted by Golden Eternity at 7:52 PM on August 3, 2015 [3 favorites]
posted by Golden Eternity at 7:52 PM on August 3, 2015 [3 favorites]
I've watched an embarrassingly large number of Apprentice boardroom debates. And while I realize a lot of that is the magic of editing and Trump paying everyone who surrounds him, he is one of the greatest trolls I've ever seen, meaning he is an expert at shifting goalposts with one hand, throwing insults like flying stars with the other, and whipping whomever is trying to debate him into an frenzy of frustration, and he does this with single-minded, completely sincere self-confidence and determination that he is RIGHT and everyone opposing him is a UUUGE LOSER. In the moment, he fiercely believes every word of nonsense coming out of his mouth.
I predict he wipes the floor with every person on that debate stage. Like, we are going to be cringing at how phony they all come off next to him.
posted by sallybrown at 8:13 PM on August 3, 2015 [5 favorites]
I predict he wipes the floor with every person on that debate stage. Like, we are going to be cringing at how phony they all come off next to him.
posted by sallybrown at 8:13 PM on August 3, 2015 [5 favorites]
Actually, you know what would be an amazing fuck-you move that Trump could pull? Donating money to his Republican opponents' campaigns and then lording it over them.
In other Trump news, he blasted those who go begging the Kochs for money as "puppets."
posted by Noisy Pink Bubbles at 5:09 AM on August 4, 2015
In other Trump news, he blasted those who go begging the Kochs for money as "puppets."
posted by Noisy Pink Bubbles at 5:09 AM on August 4, 2015
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posted by Artw at 7:48 AM on July 23, 2015 [4 favorites]