http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/ted-cruz-drops-out-2016_us_561c5138e4b028dd7ea4e838
QuoteWASHINGTON â€" Facing an increasingly narrow path to the nomination and failing to thwart Donald Trump’s dominance, Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) withdrew from the 2016 presidential race on Tuesday.
“Tonight, I’m sorry to say that path has been foreclosed,†Cruz said in a speech Tuesday night in Indianapolis, “but the voters chose another path.â€
“We are suspending our campaign,†he added.
As Trump barreled toward the 1,237 delegates required to win, Cruz’s campaign in recent weeks resorted to increasingly desperate measures, mounting a last-ditch effort to win the Indiana primary, one of the only remaining primary states that gave Cruz a chance of winning. But Indiana turned out to be the final nail in the coffin â€" Trump won handily in the Hoosier State, including among social conservatives, a demographic that in theory favored Cruz.
To reinvigorate his campaign, Cruz last week named former presidential candidate and Hewlett-Packard CEO Carly Fiorina as his running mate, even though candidates typically do not name their running mate until they have amassed enough delegates for the nomination.
His campaign also announced a plan to coordinate with the campaign of Ohio Gov. John Kasich, the other remaining candidate. Kasich’s team agreed to pull resources out of Indiana and cede the race there to Cruz. However, this effort quickly backfired, when each candidate caused confusion by diminishing its importance. Kasich said voters in Indiana should still vote for him.
Like many of the GOP candidates and party leaders, Cruz underestimated the strength of Trump’s appeal. Initially, he often defended Trump instead of attacking him, strategizing that he could pick up Trump’s supporters if the businessman exited the race.
But when it became apparent that Trump’s populist and nationalist rhetoric was resonating with Republican voters, with the reality television star dominating the majority of the primaries, Cruz began to target Trump on the debate stage and on the campaign trail â€" to little avail.
Once positioned as a strong threat to become the Republican presidential nominee, the Texas senator was the first candidate in either party to officially declare his intent to run for the presidency in 2016. Bypassing the typical first step in a presidential campaign â€" the exploratory committee â€" he kicked off his campaign in March of 2015 with a rousing speech at Liberty University, the Christian university founded by the Rev. Jerry Falwell.
“What is the promise of America? The idea that â€" the revolutionary idea that this country was founded upon, which is that our rights don’t come from man. They come from God Almighty,†he said in his announcement speech.
A star of the tea party movement, Cruz made social conservatism and religious liberty a fundamental part of his pitch to voters. He highlighted his staunch opposition to gay marriage on the basis of religious freedom, particularly after the Supreme Court decision in June 2015 that legalized gay marriage nationwide. In response, Cruz said he would introduce a constitutional amendment to hold elections for Supreme Court justices.
Over the summer, he held a religious freedom rally in the key state of Iowa, during which he proclaimed that “there is a war on faith in America today, in our lifetime†and bemoaned the “persecution†of Christians.
But despite touting his conservative credentials and fashioning himself as an anti-establishment candidate, Cruz never quite managed to rally conservatives around him.
The Texas senator was hugely unpopular among his colleagues, with most GOP lawmakers reluctant to endorse him until it became clear he was the only viable option to potentially halt Trump’s momentum. Only then did Republicans begin backing him, though many gave tepid reasons for doing so and perceived him merely as the lesser of two evils when compared to Trump.
Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) announced his support of Cruz just weeks after joking that he wanted to murder him.
Former House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) told students at Stanford University that Cruz was “Lucifer in the flesh†and “a miserable son of a bitch.â€
Cruz’s campaign never had the enthusiasm and fervor of Trump’s insurgency. For example, when Cruz introduced himself at the second GOP debate in September, the audience responded with silence.
And while Cruz portrayed himself as an outsider, most voters viewed him as an establishment candidate, compared to the brash, take-no-prisoners Trump.
As the reality of Cruz’s downfall and Trump’s presumptive nomination begins to sink in, the Republican party faces a serious dilemma: whether to support Trump as the party’s nominee and potentially hand Democratic front-runner Hillary Clinton the presidency, or risk further damage to the party with Trump at the helm.
Soon after Cruz’s announcement Tuesday, Republican National Committee chairman Reince Priebus urged his party to unite around Trump.
But it’s unclear if Cruz will now back him. He didn’t mention Trump in his speech Tuesday night, and when pressed by NBC’s Chuck Todd on Sunday, he repeatedly dodged the question.
“Why can’t you answer the question of whether you can support Donald Trump or not?†Todd asked Cruz.
“But Chuck, Chuck, Chuck,†Cruz interrupted. “Let me finish this point I’m making.â€
Ahead of the Indiana primary, Cruz continued to place his bets on a contested convention and tried to make the case that he was the best alternative to stop Trump. But in the end, no one could stop him.
Once again god's chosen son bites the dust. If Kasich is still anywhere in the picture, I don't see him.
Cue Glen Beck's cry face in 3...2...1...
(http://i.imgur.com/XapoybV.gif)
So graceful.
I have yet to find a puking emoticon that is spewing enough vomit to properly convey what I feel for America right now.
Quote from: TomFoolery on May 03, 2016, 10:55:41 PM
I have yet to find a puking emoticon that is spewing enough vomit to properly convey what I feel for America right now.
I think people lose sight of the fact that Cruz is a pretty fragrant piece of shit as well.
I don't know if the stench has lessened or if it has merely changed flavors.
Quote from: TomFoolery on May 03, 2016, 10:55:41 PM
I have yet to find a puking emoticon that is spewing enough vomit to properly convey what I feel for America right now.
If this was the general election, it'd be puking my guts out with you, but this is just the nomination. They were going to pick either a narcissistic blowhard or Satan in the flesh. I think America lucked out, to be honest. As bad as "the donald" is, Cruz is worse.
Quote from: Nonsensei on May 03, 2016, 11:10:29 PM
I think people lose sight of the fact that Cruz is a pretty fragrant piece of shit as well.
No, I didn't lose sight of that either. I would just rather watch my family get autopsied than watch Donald Trump get elected. My hate for Cruz is only slightly lesser. It's true that a shit sandwich with a garnish is still a shit sandwich, but the shit Donald's pushing is a special brand of ripe.
Thank.
Fucking.
Hell.
I would have hated it if Cruz won. Now we're sure he won't.
I can't lie. If someone put a gun to my head and made me vote for either Cruz or Trump, I would vote Trump.
Trump is a result of whats wrong with America, but Cruz is part of the group of people that brought it to this point.
Quote from: Nonsensei on May 03, 2016, 11:23:25 PMI can't lie. If someone put a gun to my head and made me vote for either Cruz or Trump
I would just take the bullet.
Ted Cruz (http://www.ontheissues.org/Senate/Ted_Cruz.htm) on the issues:
Planned Parenthood sells body parts of unborn human beings. (Sep 2015)
Allow vote to end Planned Parenthood's funding. (Aug 2015)
Prosecute Planned Parenthood for criminal violations. (Aug 2015)
Overturn Supreme Court with anti-gay marriage Amendment. (Oct 2014)
Abolish the U.S. Department of Education. (Apr 2015)
Defend Judeo-Christian values against liberal fascism. (Apr 2015)
Opposes the unrelenting assault on traditional marriage. (Mar 2015)
2nd Amendment is ultimate check against government tyranny. (Jun 2015)
Defeat ObamaCare; rein in the federal government. (Jul 2011)
Defund, repeal, & replace federal care with free market. (Jul 2010)
Fierce advocate of recruiting and growing the military. (Jul 2011)
Illegals are an economic calamity for low-wage Americans. (Nov 2015)
Build a wall instead of massive amnesty plan. (Dec 2015)
Defend Ten Commandments and "under God" in the Pledge. (Jul 2011)
Endorsed Member of the Tea Party movement. (Aug 2012)
Rated 100% by the AU, indicating opposition to separation of church & state. (Jan 2013)
Basically, he's the Jim Jones to Trump's Pat Robertson.
the Evangelicals either weren't influential enough or behind him in sufficient numbers to bring about his nomination. The takeaway from this for me is that the fundies are losing ground, and this is proof that their power in politics is (hopefully) waning.
Quote from: stromboli on May 03, 2016, 11:42:46 PM
the Evangelicals either weren't influential enough or behind him in sufficient numbers to bring about his nomination. The takeaway from this for me is that the fundies are losing ground, and this is proof that their power in politics is (hopefully) waning.
Yeah, they're really going back to basics with this illegals and Mooslims stuff.
So, was Hillary just elected????
Quote from: Mike Cl on May 04, 2016, 12:18:26 AMSo, was Hillary just elected????
It depends on how powerful Trump's campaign becomes. I expect a close (<5 percentage points) election. As mind-boggling as this is, that guy has incredible support. And that was as an outsider to the Republican establishment. After the GOP leadership and party loyalists get behind him, he's going to come at Hillary hard. And what's more, expect his brand of stink to be the new Republican mainstay for years to come.
I'm more worried about the split among democrats in the HRC, BS fight which could open the door for a Trump presidency. There seems to be just too many from both the HRC camp and the BS camps unwilling to back the other. I really wonder just how many Bernie supporters are willing to sit out the election and not vote at all and blame it all on HRC if trump wins..or vica versa..
I was never really ever worried about Cruz winning the general election. He played his hand long ago before he even announced his candidacy.
Quote from: TomFoolery on May 03, 2016, 10:55:41 PM
I have yet to find a puking emoticon that is spewing enough vomit to properly convey what I feel for America right now.
Cruz would be even worse than Donald. I'm personally glad to see him gone.
Quote from: AllPurposeAtheist on May 04, 2016, 03:06:08 AM
I'm more worried about the split among democrats in the HRC, BS fight which could open the door for a Trump presidency.
I was never really ever worried about Cruz winning the general election. He played his hand long ago before he even announced his candidacy.
I think the number of people, democrat and independent who do not like Clinton are under estimated when thinking about Nov. The ones who think BOTH sides offer nothing new.
Trump isn't playing the game and stands out as something different. If he starts acting like a grown-up, he is going to enchant those dem/blue leaning ind's vs Clinton.
Quote from: chill98 on May 04, 2016, 05:53:06 AM
I think the number of people, democrat and independent who do not like Clinton are under estimated when thinking about Nov. The ones who think BOTH sides offer nothing new.
Trump isn't playing the game and stands out as something different. If he starts acting like a grown-up, he is going to enchant those dem/blue leaning ind's vs Clinton.
In the primary, Trump's opponents had to dance around his blatant bigotry to avoid offending the base. Clinton will have no such disadvantage, and can go straight for his throat. The sentiments that Trump panders to will not serve him in the general election.
Well, that's one piece of human garbage gone. Now to dump the Donald.
What was all that talk about the Republican inner circle being out to kill Trump's nomination, whether he numerically won the nomination or not? Is that still going to happen? It's a dicey strategy to so openly flaunt the expressed desire of the voters. I wonder if that was just some rumored hype the media seized onto?
Quote from: stromboli on May 03, 2016, 11:42:46 PM
the Evangelicals either weren't influential enough or behind him in sufficient numbers to bring about his nomination. The takeaway from this for me is that the fundies are losing ground, and this is proof that their power in politics is (hopefully) waning.
I always thought of the evangelicals as a minority in the Republican Party, but a minority that is essential for the party's survival. Without them, the party
speaks panders primarily to the wealthy elite, and that's just not enough to win today.
Quotehttps://www.yahoo.com/news/trumps-former-rivals-split-on-his-emergence-as-040141384.html
Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., who had run against Trump earlier in the year, blasted him on Twitter and predicted Trump’s victory would get the party “destroyed†in the general election.
Well, maybe so, but Trump is the choice of the Republican voters. Cruz is not. How would nominating one of the guys that voters don't want be any better than nominating the guy they do want?
Quote from: Hydra009 on May 04, 2016, 12:34:42 AM
It depends on how powerful Trump's campaign becomes. I expect a close (<5 percentage points) election. As mind-boggling as this is, that guy has incredible support. And that was as an outsider to the Republican establishment. After the GOP leadership and party loyalists get behind him, he's going to come at Hillary hard. And what's more, expect his brand of stink to be the new Republican mainstay for years to come.
Yes, that may be the case. Trump's weakness may be the apparent support he has. He also has historic dislike %'s as well. And if Hillary can build those dislike numbers, then it may be a cakewalk. Or not......................
Cruz represented something specific, a Dominionist with biblical aspirations. Donald has no specific agenda other than pushing the buttons that make his set group, the white "majority" (which no longer exists) flock to his banner. If the unions gather behind Hillary along with people not of the white fold, feminists and certainly Hispanics, Hillary can win.
We shall see. Much left to be settled. but don't count The Donald out, flim flam still sells in the U. S.
Quote from: stromboli on May 04, 2016, 08:55:08 AM
Cruz represented something specific, a Dominionist with biblical aspirations. Donald has no specific agenda other than pushing the buttons that make his set group, the white "majority" (which no longer exists) flock to his banner. If the unions gather behind Hillary along with people not of the white fold, feminists and certainly Hispanics, Hillary can win.
We shall see. Much left to be settled. but don't count The Donald out, flim flam still sells in the U. S.
We know he's good at tapping into the desires of the conservative voters. Next, he has to appeal to the liberals. If he can, then he gets to do whatever he wants, and at that point, I have no idea what to expect. We know he can amass a fortune, and bully for that. According to a blurb I heard on NPR a while back, everything he touches doesn't turn to gold, and much of his fortune, as is the case with the rest of Corporate America, has been amassed by the deep pockets of the government. One of his casinos now headed towards bankruptcy, was built on outrageous promises of backing that convinced a local board to help fund his project. The backing never came. He scaled back his plans, took a bunch of government revenue, and built a failing project. But of course, most of the money came from taxpayers. It's hard to imagine him as a statesman working for the good of others. I don't expect him to help America much. But then, few politicians help much. Nothing that I know about him signals anything positive for the commoners or the middle class. So far his promises that appealed to Republicans are just pipe dreams. He's good at selling himself. Beyond that, I don't see much of anything else.
Quote from: SGOS on May 04, 2016, 06:51:02 AMWhat was all that talk about the Republican inner circle being out to kill Trump's nomination, whether he numerically won the nomination or not? Is that still going to happen?
They tried. Clearly, it didn't work and now they're stuck with him. Their main problem was that the vote was split among several fundie candidates and they wouldn't drop out to pool their votes with one candidate until it was too late.
Quote from: Mike Cl on May 04, 2016, 08:43:26 AM
Yes, that may be the case. Trump's weakness may be the apparent support he has. He also has historic dislike %'s as well. And if Hillary can build those dislike numbers, then it may be a cakewalk. Or not......................
Hillary has rather large disapproval numbers (http://elections.huffingtonpost.com/pollster/hillary-clinton-favorable-rating) herself. Although not as bad as Trump (http://elections.huffingtonpost.com/pollster/donald-trump-favorable-rating), it's still bad. Dems need to wake up and smell the coffee. This isn't going to be a cakewalk. And although Trump's primary rhetoric was terrible, it wasn't directed at us. Expect him to run to the center and to do a fairly convincing job of it. If Hilary doesn't get broader appeal, she might even lose this race and give us Supreme Leader Trump.
Quote from: SGOS on May 04, 2016, 09:31:19 AM
We know he's good at tapping into the desires of the conservative voters. Next, he has to appeal to the liberals. If he can, then he gets to do whatever he wants, and at that point, I have no idea what to expect. We know he can amass a fortune, and bully for that. According to a blurb I heard on NPR a while back, everything he touches doesn't turn to gold, and much of his fortune, as is the case with the rest of Corporate America, has been amassed by the deep pockets of the government. One of his casinos now headed towards bankruptcy, was built on outrageous promises of backing that convinced a local board to help fund his project. The backing never came. He scaled back his plans, took a bunch of government revenue, and built a failing project. But of course, most of the money came from taxpayers. It's hard to imagine him as a statesman working for the good of others. I don't expect him to help America much. But then, few politicians help much. Nothing that I know about him signals anything positive for the commoners or the middle class. So far his promises that appealed to Republicans are just pipe dreams. He's good at selling himself. Beyond that, I don't see much of anything else.
Not as hard to amass a fortune when you inherit millions from your dad. He has also declared bankruptcy a few times. What bothers me most about Trump is that he puts himself ahead of any other agenda, including environmental ones. I truly fear he would blow off Global Warming as president, along with other needful issues.
Quote from: Hydra009 on May 04, 2016, 11:20:08 AM
Hillary has rather large disapproval numbers (http://elections.huffingtonpost.com/pollster/hillary-clinton-favorable-rating) herself. Although not as bad as Trump (http://elections.huffingtonpost.com/pollster/donald-trump-favorable-rating), it's still bad. Dems need to wake up and smell the coffee. This isn't going to be a cakewalk. And although Trump's primary rhetoric was terrible, it wasn't directed at us. Expect him to run to the center and to do a fairly convincing job of it. If Hilary doesn't get broader appeal, she might even lose this race and give us Supreme Leader Trump.
What does scare me is that America seems to revel in being stupid. The Stupid Fucking Americans are large in number and like the theists, reasons and logic don't exist in their heads. So, yeah, Hillary does need to pay attention and run a good campaign.
Quote from: stromboli on May 04, 2016, 08:55:08 AM
Cruz represented something specific, a Dominionist with biblical aspirations. Donald has no specific agenda other than pushing the buttons that make his set group, the white "majority" (which no longer exists) flock to his banner. If the unions gather behind Hillary along with people not of the white fold, feminists and certainly Hispanics, Hillary can win.
We shall see. Much left to be settled. but don't count The Donald out, flim flam still sells in the U. S.
Therein lies the major issue; Hillary (and the Democrats) are somewhat reliant on demographics that do not historically bother to vote. And with a candidate as "meh" as Hillary... I just don't see her pulling in these potential voters as well as Obama did thanks to actually being relatable.
Say what you want about the people Trump votes for, but (for the worst) they at least get out and vote come election day and that is the single most important thing in an election, and I don't think he has done enough to scare Democrats into actually showing up and voting.
I see the future...
(http://i.imgur.com/tBRXE9F.jpg)
John Kasich has dropped out of the race. Its over, Trump wins the Republican nomination.
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/05/us/politics/john-kasich.html?_r=0
I'm noticing that the last two dropouts were identified as suspended. I wonder if that's to keep their foot in the door for some kind of inner party power play?
The religious lunatic is out of the race, now all america had to look forward to is age of the money hording tycoon.
With Kasich dropping Republicans are backing Hilary now, in desperation. Trump may have destroyed the GOP but if he's elected for 4 years and wrecks America as well, then the Republicans will be history. They'd much prefer a conservative Democrat to win the Presidency and for them to have a chance next cycle. I also expect possibly a last ditch party move to try and upset Trump. The Donald on the other hand is prepping out happily against Hilary and skipping his way to the middle of the field, and encouraging Bernie to run as an independent to siphon votes away from Hilary. Many Sanders supporters won't vote for Hilary and may even give a vote to Donald if he plays his cards right. I see his victory when Sanders fails, and America will deserve every second of having Donald Trump for President.
Fuck me. Donald Trump won the nomination.
I never thought I'd say those words in that order.
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/05/us/politics/trump-gop.html?ribbon-ad-idx=4&rref=politics&module=ArrowsNav&contentCollection=Politics&action=keypress®ion=FixedRight&pgtype=article
Shit just gets weirder. The very idea that Republicans can even consider siding with a female Democrat is Apocalyptic. Might have to move into that cave after all......
Quote from: SGOS on May 04, 2016, 06:06:38 PM
I'm noticing that the last two dropouts were identified as suspended. I wonder if that's to keep their foot in the door for some kind of inner party power play?
They always say they have suspended their campaigns. Its fancy political lingo for "i got my ass beat"
It seems the kabuki theater gets more exciting every time this election thingy comes around...
:jamband: :jamband: :jamband: :jamband:
:bounce8: :bounce8:
The world reacts to Trump nomination (http://www.bbc.com/news/election-us-2016-36202175)
QuoteIn Germany, conservative Die Welt says "the craziest US presidential election campaign begins", and that "the unthinkable has come to pass".
And Germany knows a thing or two about election mistakes.
Quote from: Hydra009 on May 04, 2016, 07:54:08 PM
The world reacts to Trump nomination (http://www.bbc.com/news/election-us-2016-36202175)
And Germany knows a thing or two about election mistakes.
The US equivalent was actually in 2000. In 1932 Hitler won the most votes, but it was Hindenburg who made him Chancellor. In 2000 Shrub didn't even get the most votes, but the SCOTUS made him President. Then the burning of the Reichstag aka 9/11.
I wish the rest of the world would fear the US. We need to dump most of the rest of the world, except for a few raw materials.
Hopefully this is the last time we'll have to see Cruz's ugly phizzog.
(http://a5.files.thedailybanter.com/image/upload/c_fit,cs_srgb,dpr_1.0,q_80,w_620/MTM2NjQzODc3MTg2NjQzNTUx.jpg)
think the whole Trump campaign is about to go full blown "center of the road". This is going to be fun to watch. Frankly I don't think a president can "ruin" a country, and maybe, were he to win, the idea that we should suspend the bleeding of funds to the rest of the world may be an interesting see.
I really don't care for Hillary, nor Trump, but I think Trump would be a more interesting show.
Quote from: Munch on May 04, 2016, 06:33:33 PM
The religious lunatic is out of the race, now all america had to look forward to is age of the money hording tycoon.
I would take Andrew Carnegie for $1 billion (Jeopardy). Don't like tycoons? Then elect a Gandhi. I would take the Gilded Age US from 1890 to 1910 when we scared the kippers out of the British Empire.
Quote from: stromboli on May 04, 2016, 07:17:56 PM
Shit just gets weirder. The very idea that Republicans can even consider siding with a female Democrat is Apocalyptic. Might have to move into that cave after all......
Hillary has been a closet Republican her whole life ... same as Bill. Hillary is also clearly the man in their relationship. So she is neither female, nor Democrat.
OK I need insight.
So if Trump loses -fingers crossed- this is actually much better than another republican candidate losing at this stage -generally speaking- means worse for the republican party, is that true?
I mean, Trump becoming the candidate and losing at this stage is better than him losing from the beginning?
Well, so much for the 'deep bench' of candidates that the rubes had to offer this election cycle..
Here's an interesting find: Trump is a little strapped for cash (http://www.opensecrets.org/pres16/candidate.php?id=N00023864) atm. He'll no doubt get new funds soon, but the primary was more of a struggle for him than one might think.
Quote from: drunkenshoe on May 05, 2016, 01:25:17 AM
OK I need insight.
So if Trump loses -fingers crossed- this is actually much better than another republican candidate losing at this stage -generally speaking- means worse for the republican party, is that true?
I mean, Trump becoming the candidate and losing at this stage is better than him losing from the beginning?
I think it's a combination of strategic and wishful thinking that people are talking about. The perception is that Hillary, the obvious Democrat, would walk all over Trump in the general election, so Democrats wanted him to win the primaries. But there's no guarantee that he would be easier to beat than Ted Cruz or anyone else. No one knows for sure what's really going to happen.
It's like a game of poker. You realize the cards in your hand are crap, but you're hoping that everyone else gets worse crap. Or sometimes you think your cards are great, but in the end, they turn out to be really horrible crap. But when it's all over, you're just thankful to go home with your shirt.
Quote from: SGOS on May 05, 2016, 05:31:32 AM
I think it's a combination of strategic and wishful thinking people were talking about. The perception is that Hillary, the obvious Democrat, would walk all over Drumpf in the general election, so Democrats wanted him to win the primaries. But there's no guarantee that he would be easier to beat than Ted Cruz or anyone else. No one knows for sure what's really going to happen.
It's like a game of poker. You realize the cards in your hand are crap, but you're hoping that everyone else gets worse crap. Or sometimes you think your cards are great, but in the end, they turn out to be really horrible crap. But when it's all over, you're just thankful to go home with shirt.
Thanks, SGOS.
Or the negatives for Trump and Hillary are so great, a third party candidate (say Jill Stein) manages to get a plurality (not majority) of the vote, and thus the Electoral College). It is expected that this general election (assuming nothing happens at the conventions and Hillary isn't arrested by the FBI) will be spectacularly dirty, enough to make Nixon blush. Then Independents can make their presence even more powerful .. bwahaha.
Quote from: drunkenshoe on May 05, 2016, 01:25:17 AM
OK I need insight.
So if Trump loses -fingers crossed- this is actually much better than another republican candidate losing at this stage -generally speaking- means worse for the republican party, is that true?
I mean, Trump becoming the candidate and losing at this stage is better than him losing from the beginning?
That's how I see it. I mean, the Bush's said they will not support Trump. So, the Rep. party will be torn apart in what could be considered a civil war. A tiny fraction of the will vote for Hillary. Most that are against Trump will just not vote. In either case, it is a win for the Demo party, and for the country. It will be fun to watch the Rep. party implode. Or so I hope happens. With the huge number of Stupid Fucking Americans who vote, no telling................The Donald could win. If that happens it will not be a pretty picture.
I don't count trump out by any stretch, because he got this far appealing to specifics that make him popular. He has no conscience and no scruples. He will do what gets him the win. Any way you slice it, it will not be a pretty election.
When an actor got elected President in 1980, the Earth was destroyed. We are on Earth 2.0 ... like in Hitchhiker's Guide ... and don't know it.
If I don't see another Democrat president again in my lifetime, that is OK with me ... Kennedy, Johnson, Carter, Clinton, Obama ... bah, humbug!
Eisenhower, Nixon, Reagan, Bush Sr, Bush Jr ... mostly good, though Bush Jr is the exception that proves the rule ;-)
Quote from: Mike Cl on May 04, 2016, 12:18:26 AM
So, was Hillary just elected????
I am sure the American voters are smarter than voting for a demagogue mouthpiece. Trump gets an average of say 45% of the conservative vote right now and the more he talks, the more he shows that he has the IQ of a spittoon. The only thing this guy has going for him is the gift of the gap. Inherited millions, went bankrupt 4 times and telling himself and others constantly how smart he is. The sad thing is that out of 320 million folks, Trump and Clinton are the only choices. Without sounding condescending, I am glad to be Canadian. We got a lot of shit on our plate too, but the bar in this (your) election contest has been set very low. The language and the personal attacks don't bode well for the position of the most powerful politician on the Planet. Just sayin'... as a foreigner.
Quote from: reasonist on May 06, 2016, 03:21:39 PM
I am sure the American voters are smarter than voting for a demagogue mouthpiece. Trump gets an average of say 45% of the conservative vote right now and the more he talks, the more he shows that he has the IQ of a spittoon. The only thing this guy has going for him is the gift of the gap. Inherited millions, went bankrupt 4 times and telling himself and others constantly how smart he is. The sad thing is that out of 320 million folks, Trump and Clinton are the only choices. Without sounding condescending, I am glad to be Canadian. We got a lot of shit on our plate too, but the bar in this (your) election contest has been set very low. The language and the personal attacks don't bode well for the position of the most powerful politician on the Planet. Just sayin'... as a foreigner.
Yeah. Just sayin'...............as a native of the USA. Sigh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Quote from: reasonist on May 06, 2016, 03:21:39 PM
I am sure the American voters are smarter than voting for a demagogue mouthpiece. Trump gets an average of say 45% of the conservative vote right now and the more he talks, the more he shows that he has the IQ of a spittoon. The only thing this guy has going for him is the gift of the gap. Inherited millions, went bankrupt 4 times and telling himself and others constantly how smart he is. The sad thing is that out of 320 million folks, Trump and Clinton are the only choices. Without sounding condescending, I am glad to be Canadian. We got a lot of shit on our plate too, but the bar in this (your) election contest has been set very low. The language and the personal attacks don't bode well for the position of the most powerful politician on the Planet. Just sayin'... as a foreigner.
Ancient Athens was a shit hole too ... Plato said so. But then Plato was part of the 1% club.
Quote from: reasonist on May 06, 2016, 03:21:39 PMI am sure the American voters are smarter than voting for a demagogue mouthpiece.
I hope so, too. But you never know. We did have W, after all.
QuoteWithout sounding condescending, I am glad to be Canadian. We got a lot of shit on our plate too, but the bar in this (your) election contest has been set very low. The language and the personal attacks don't bode well for the position of the most powerful politician on the Planet. Just sayin'... as a foreigner.
Yeah, I know. Believe me, I wouldn't put this guy in charge of an eraser, let alone a country. But it's a two-party system. And the frontrunners of each party are pretty much guaranteed ~40% of the vote. Elections hinge on just a few percentage points per state and voter turnout is low. So, it's going to be a close one.
Quote from: Hydra009 on May 06, 2016, 07:06:48 PM
I hope so, too. But you never know. We did have W, after all.
Yeah----and twice, too!
Quote from: Mike Cl on May 06, 2016, 07:08:03 PM
Yeah----and twice, too!
In all fairness, he only won once.
Quote from: _Xenu_ on May 06, 2016, 07:21:17 PM
In all fairness, he only won once.
There was no fairness in that! But to the woe of our country and the world, he did serve twice. Now he needs to serve his time in prison.
Quote from: stromboli on May 03, 2016, 11:42:46 PM
the Evangelicals either weren't influential enough or behind him in sufficient numbers to bring about his nomination. The takeaway from this for me is that the fundies are losing ground, and this is proof that their power in politics is (hopefully) waning.
Aaaaaahhhhh yes.......................the Thumpers. Now I remember the chief reason I bailed on the GOP in '08. No room for social liberals like me anymore. It (their waning power) is indeed sad; once they were ascendant; now they're just despondent.......................but, nothin' a good Jumpin' fer Jezus session couldn't fix; I'll wager!
FYI: In case any of you would like to join me in applying to Don for VP:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zrxI1n9G0UE
After reading the first page of this thread; I detected a curious note of the Hunter Thompson Syndrome (aka Fear and Loathing); in several of the well thought out and heartfelt posts; for the prospect of a Trump Candidacy/Presidency. Verging on despair really; in a couple of instances. You know there actually is a
reasonable alternative to the now disintegrated GOP, and those We Want Free Treats clowns in the Other Party. :asmile:
It's been the third largest party in the US for more than 25 years now. It's long past time for both the Elephants and Donkeys to be relegated to history. And.....................I'll throw in a bag of candy if you'll get in the car with us! :santasleigh:
Speaking of W, he says he won't support Trump (and neither will Jeb). You have to be pretty horrible to not be on good terms with that slimeball. But Cheney offered his support (http://www.slate.com/blogs/the_slatest/2016/05/06/dick_cheney_will_support_donald_trump.html). Let's hope he doesn't offer to help the Donald find his running mate.
Quote from: Hydra009 on May 06, 2016, 07:52:52 PM
Speaking of W, he says he won't support Trump (and neither will Jeb). You have to be pretty horrible to not be on good terms with that slimeball. But Cheney offered his support (http://www.slate.com/blogs/the_slatest/2016/05/06/dick_cheney_will_support_donald_trump.html). Let's hope he doesn't offer to help the Donald find his running mate.
Lets hope it is not Cheney.
I have a confession. Deep down I secretly hope Trump wins. I hope he wins and I hope he is actually able to do the things he claims he will do.
There is a really sick part of me that is in love with the thought of all of those racist white trash supporters spending the next four years waking up every morning to the harsh reality that not only does their messiah not love and adore them and only them, he actually doesn't give the slightest little itty bitty fuck about any of them.
And, should he actually be able to accomplish the things he claims he will do, I relish the thought of standing in the super market and watching each and every one of those idiots walk through the vegetable isle demanding to know why onions are $10 each just so I can calmly explain that 'well you won't work for less than $25 an hour Jethro so what the fuck did you think was going to happen when you got rid of all the migrant labor you fucking moron?'
Yeah, I have issues.
Quote from: Johan on May 06, 2016, 08:59:10 PM
I have a confession. Deep down I secretly hope Trump wins. I hope he wins and I hope he is actually able to do the things he claims he will do.
There is a really sick part of me that is in love with the thought of all of those racist white trash supporters spending the next four years waking up every morning to the harsh reality that not only does their messiah not love and adore them and only them, he actually doesn't give the slightest little itty bitty fuck about any of them.
And, should he actually be able to accomplish the things he claims he will do, I relish the thought of standing in the super market and watching each and every one of those idiots walk through the vegetable isle demanding to know why onions are $10 each just so I can calmly explain that 'well you won't work for less than $25 an hour Jethro so what the fuck did you think was going to happen when you got rid of all the migrant labor you fucking moron?'
Yeah, I have issues.
There is a small part of me that supports you in that thought. And I mean small. But revenge has always turned to ashes for me--so why would this be any different?
Quote from: Johan on May 06, 2016, 08:59:10 PM
Yeah, I have issues.
Well, you made this utopian chuckle.
Quote from: Mike Cl on May 06, 2016, 09:08:14 PM
There is a small part of me that supports you in that thought. And I mean small. But revenge has always turned to ashes for me--so why would this be any different?
It wouldn't be. Not even a little. I never claimed to have our best interests in mind. :wink:
Quote from: Johan on May 06, 2016, 10:25:06 PM
It wouldn't be. Not even a little. I never claimed to have our best interests in mind. :wink:
:)
Quote from: Johan on May 06, 2016, 08:59:10 PM
I have a confession. Deep down I secretly hope Trump wins. I hope he wins and I hope he is actually able to do the things he claims he will do.
There is a really sick part of me that is in love with the thought of all of those racist white trash supporters spending the next four years waking up every morning to the harsh reality that not only does their messiah not love and adore them and only them, he actually doesn't give the slightest little itty bitty fuck about any of them.
And, should he actually be able to accomplish the things he claims he will do, I relish the thought of standing in the super market and watching each and every one of those idiots walk through the vegetable isle demanding to know why onions are $10 each just so I can calmly explain that 'well you won't work for less than $25 an hour Jethro so what the fuck did you think was going to happen when you got rid of all the migrant labor you fucking moron?'
Yeah, I have issues.
Why do you think you are entitled to $1 onions instead of $10 onions? Do you read The Onion? Why do you think you are entitled to exploit foreign labor, both at home and abroad? Why do you think it is OK to make laws, and then turn a blind eye to them? Of course maybe the particular laws are crap .. but maybe in your self righteousness (I feel this emotion too) you think you are special, that the laws don't need to apply to you or to apply to some protected group. I happen to be pro-Hispanic, but I don't care for drug gangs. I want some laws, and for the laws to be enforced, but I don't want to go all Medieval on people.
Or do you hate that the majority of Americans don't live in San Francisco, read Karl Marx, and have gay relationships? There are times when my hatred of my fellow Americans is intense, so I am not being hypocritical about this. There was an occasion in the distant past, when I hated my employer, and wanted them to fail. And I got a real thrill, then they did fail and fail big ... that was roughly about things that I thought were lacking that should have been noticed and corrected by management. I got an evil laugh out of that failure. Though I realize now, that was wrong. Because it was ego, about me being better than everyone else, in spite of my humble position.
Quote from: Baruch on May 06, 2016, 11:16:00 PM
Why do you think you are entitled to $1 onions instead of $10 onions? Do you read The Onion? Why do you think you are entitled to exploit foreign labor, both at home and abroad? Why do you think it is OK to make laws, and then turn a blind eye to them? Of course maybe the particular laws are crap .. but maybe in your self righteousness (I feel this emotion too) you think you are special, that the laws don't need to apply to you or to apply to some protected group. I happen to be pro-Hispanic, but I don't care for drug gangs. I want some laws, and for the laws to be enforced, but I don't want to go all Medieval on people.
Or do you hate that the majority of Americans don't live in San Francisco, read Karl Marx, and have gay relationships? There are times when my hatred of my fellow Americans is intense, so I am not being hypocritical about this. There was an occasion in the distant past, when I hated my employer, and wanted them to fail. And I got a real thrill, then they did fail and fail big ... that was roughly about things that I thought were lacking that should have been noticed and corrected by management. I got an evil laugh out of that failure. Though I realize now, that was wrong. Because it was ego, about me being better than everyone else, in spite of my humble position.
And I thought Johan had issues.
Quote from: gentle_dissident on May 07, 2016, 12:17:47 AM
And I thought Johan had issues.
This is a political string. I have no reason to give liberals or conservatives any slack. But I have some of the same feelings as Johan ... when I am hating ... because at times I hate too. Commiseration. But maybe with a 12 step group for people who hate people ... we can get better ;-) I am different from pr126, but not entirely different. Are you entirely different?