U.S. Presidential Election 2016

[Tchuck]

^True, but I don't think he's polling nearly as well in other upcoming states. I have a feeling he's going to get slaughtered after NH.

 

May as well be. That's why New Hampshire will be very important. If he can crush Hillary there, pick away at the confidence of their supporters, maybe swaying undecided voters... You never know!

[bodyparts]

How about all candidates go for a quick game of duck, duck, cruz goose to determine who will lead the country?

Edited February 3, 2016 by HipsterHillbilly

[Svip]

How about all candidates go for a quick game of duck, duck, cruz goose to determine who will lead the country?

 

No, the Supreme Court already did that in 2000, and look how that went.

[am30]

Here's what they should do. Instead of involving the general public in a the charade of democracy, put all the candidates into a ring and let them fight it out. Last one out wins. Or maybe put them in a jungle somewhere. Turn it into a real fight for survival. In fact, this is how wars should be fought seeing as these are between politicians and other such idiots.

[Svip]

I don't know, Trump is the only one who has been a professional wrestler. Albeit briefly.

[am30]

He'd spend too much time talking crap and trying to bully everyone else to do anything else.

 

His competitors would probably unite against a common enemy and eat him, then they'd turn on each other.

[Not A Nice Person]

^True, but I don't think he's polling nearly as well in other upcoming states. I have a feeling he's going to get slaughtered after NH.

Well she BARELY beat him in Iowa despite her backing with Wall st. Prison lobbyists and media and he has serious momentum esp with young people turning out to caucus for him, young people voted for him instead of hillary it was like 84%

Edited February 3, 2016 by Sayuri

[Svip]

As you should be able to tell from Iowa right now (both on the Democratic and Republican side), voters make up their mind rather late. Particularly in primary elections, where there is more to choose from than in a general election. In other words, Clinton's numbers seem very good for her in Nevada and South Carolina, but those numbers are soft and untested. Polling in those states after New Hampshire next week will likely change the picture a bit.

 

In short; it is way too early to say anything. But it is not wrong to conclude that Sanders has an uphill battle ahead of him. But Clinton's campaign isn't going to be a walk in the park either.

[Not A Nice Person]

Rand Paul dropped out.

[gooeyhole]

Rand Paul dropped out.

He's very popular among young conservatives I think he has a bright political future ahead of him. I doubt he'll ever become president though. He will be blacked out like his father before him if he reaches Ron Paul 2012 levels of popularity.

[Svip]

And now Trump is demanding a recount, re-election or that Cruz's votes be nullified. Apparently he accuses Cruz of fraud.

[am30]

And now Trump is demanding a recount, re-election or that Cruz's votes be nullified. Apparently he accuses Cruz of fraud.

 

This is what he'll do every time he loses. The guys is nothing more than a spoilt brat who will sulk when things don't go his way.

[Skeever]

What happened to the whole "I'm thankful to have come in 2nd place" shtick he was toting yesterday? He might just be known as the whiniest President in history if he gets elected and throws a fit over social media every time something doesn't go his way.

A bit sad to hear Rand Paul dropped out. Didn't agree with everything he had to say, but he was one of the better candidates this time around. I just hope that Christie, Bush, Kasich and some of the other RINOs drop out soon.

[Svip]

I have long been a proponent of trying to cast Trump as a rational actor, or at least somewhat rationally. That his behaviour with the media, the outbursts and the ridiculousness was all part of a persona he was creating, because he understood that media coverage means rising in the polls, which in turn means more media coverage. As if he was deliberately exploiting the media for his own benefit.

 

There definitely was some truth to that assessment, considering how he basically was using the media for free constant ad time. But this accusation I am not sure of. So far, even his most ridiculous outbursts in this campaign have at the very f*cking least been somewhat issue based, or attacking another candidate's electability (like Cruz being Canadian). But this one is neither of those things. It makes him appear as a sore loser. And I am not sure that's what his supporters see in him.

 

If we follow my rational actor theory, then Trump cannot for a moment truly believe that the RNC would actually redo the Iowa caucus or nullify Cruz' votes (even if the RNC are terrified of Cruz). So according to this theory, Trump's accusation of fraud would be a strategic or tactical move going into New Hampshire, but in that aspect, it makes no sense to me.

 

I must admit, I felt my theory actually started cracking when Trump skipped the Fox News debate. Some may describe it as bold and it would be appealing to his supporters, but it never materialised in a rise in the polls and definitely not more votes. Hell, it may even have done the opposite of that.

 

This gives me pause to believe that Trump is basically just doing what he wants to do. This also explains the way he is trying to explain his loss in Iowa.

 

First he outperformed expectations (well, he didn't). Then it was because Cruz had spent more than him. Then it was because Trump just wasn't familiar with the whole caucus system and that he was basically a rookie. And now, it's because Cruz specifically stole the election from him!

 

Which makes him seem closer to a spoiled brat than a man with a plan. You could potentially argue that he is doing this to stay in the media spotlight instead of Cruz following Iowa, but with such a sore message? He is only emphasising the point that he lost if keeps talking about it, and by saying that he doesn't understand the caucus is another way of saying 'don't elect me, I don't know the f*ck I'm doing'.

 

There is no doubt that the media narrative of Trump's inevitability and indestructibility is cracking, the media itself is definitely sticking to this story. And that narrative might affect his supporters. If he continues to whine about it, that will only damage this façade further. His initial graceful concession speech would have been a great way to finish it off and then move onto New Hampshire. Now he is just a whiner.

Edited February 3, 2016 by Svip

[gooeyhole]

IDK man Cruz screwed over Ben Carson hard and is a slimeball overall. The media is running with it because they want Rubio. The Rubio is surging meme came out of nowhere and after that he randomly does really well in Iowa even though he was doing awful in Iowa polls. Plus his biggest donor is Microsoft which helped count the votes but that's going into conspiracy territory.

[GTA_stu]

I guess Trump might not have been aware of the alleged fraud during his concession speech, but now that he's more aware of it he's doing his best to highlight it. I don't know how widespread it was or how much difference it will have actually made, but trying to paint himself as the victim and Cruz as underhanded and malicious isn't actually all that dumb I'd say.

[Svip]

Eh. I see your point, and I did consider that. But I don't think Ted Cruz's position is all that intentionally fraudulent. Cruz has already apologised to Carson and Carson have accepted the apology. That could be part of the ruse, true, but I think the easiest explanation is that Cruz's campaign made a mistake. It would only be fair if they were punished for it in some way, but his votes nullified? That might be a bit steep.

 

Secondly, for any other candidate, appearing as a victim might benefit them, but I don't think Trump is the kind of character to appear like a victim. Moreover, the people most who are mostly preaching Trump's position in this are already fierce Trump supporters.

 

To put it bluntly; Trump is at best preaching to the choir.

[gooeyhole]

If I was Hillary I'd be praying for Cruz to win the nomination because his dishonest tendencies would help nullify Hillarys reputation as untrustable.

Edited February 3, 2016 by Canadian Badass

[seven50iL]

 

 

Poor Jeb! The dude has wasted so much money.....here's a good laugh guys

[am30]

I guess Trump might not have been aware of the alleged fraud during his concession speech, but now that he's more aware of it he's doing his best to highlight it. I don't know how widespread it was or how much difference it will have actually made, but trying to paint himself as the victim and Cruz as underhanded and malicious isn't actually all that dumb I'd say.

 

I don't think he knows what fraud is. He's acting the sore looser rather than being graceful in a narrow defeat. Having seen how he acted in bullying people out of their homes in these parts, I'm hardly surprised.

 

If those voting had half a brain, they'd have been aware of all the facts before casting their vote. He should be angry at the stupidity of those voting - let's face t, all politicians lie and manipulate those they want to vote for them. That being said, he's making the assumption that he would have won.

[seven50iL]

 

That's the issue Canadian, I am here to express my politcal view; not here to "win" a silly forum debate like other people on here.

 

Yeah right.. Which is why you lied about copy pasting half your post, and then when exposed responded like a cocky dumbass, because you are extremely genuine. Because you are here to have a genuine exchange of thoughts.

 

I'm still wondering though, genuinely, why you'd support Trump. It isn't even clear what policies he supports. If you look up what his ideas are they are a combination of flip flopping and pure stupidity and ignorance. He's basically a loud clown, a real life charicature. If he even becomes president, which is very unlikely because he gets beaten in match-ups with every Democrat in polls, he'd be impeached within a month because of some overt failure and because everyone thinks he is an idiot.

 

Edit: btw, seven50IL, can you work on those hideous massive quotes you make. They hurt my brain.

 

Simmer down Sally. Stop acting like my points were not correct in some ways...since you seen the link, I even thanked him for making that great point, but you failed to mention that. On the other hand, the Fox thing worked in his favor and got free media. (In matter in fact he was the 1st person mentioned when the debate started if you even bothered to see it) I saw it the following day to support Trump though.

 

Sure he did not win Iowa unfortunately but Reagan did not either and he became president after. I support Trump because he's a real dude and cares about the future of America. Have you personally read his policies are you are just taking people words off articles online? Im just a black guy in college trying to make it by like everyone else. But you know how leftwing media is; black people cannot think for themselves and if they are not a liberal they are "racist" or a "Uncle Tom". Im assuming you're black as well since you life in north Africa so you should understand where im coming from. (Im Zimbabwean/Malawian but born here) I've been to both countries as well; really beautiful..especially lake Malawi.

 

Sorry bro Im not trying to be another broke boy college kid with debt working @ Starbucks at 25....that's for the birds! It seems like you just want to start a argument with a conservative.

[Flachbau]

Rand Paul dropped out.

 

Really sad to hear about this. He polled better than Jeb.. I think it was just the wrong time for Rand. I would like to see him run again in 2020, and maybe he'll have greater momentum and supporters. It's hard for any Republican Candidate, besides the top three, to really get the attention they deserve. The media can be a bitch sometimes.

[El Dildo]

Rand Paul is cool, so that sucks.

 

but if there's one thing the GOP doesn't understand, it's anything that has to do with "cool."

[make total destroy]

i really can't believe jeb bush thought he even had a chance

 

his biggest campaign setback happened 13 years ago.

 

 

 

 

and rand 'healthcare is literally slavery y'all' paul is totally not 'cool'. unless you mean like 'this motherf*cker has a cold-ass heart' kind of cool.

[El Dildo]

you're reading too far into "cool."

 

the guy has negro curly hair and wants to let all drug users out of prison.

in the GOP that's about as cool as the other side of the pillow.

[make total destroy]

well to be fair 'cool' and 'GOP' have probably never been used in a sentence until just now

 

edit: except maybe as 'the GOP is not cool'.

Edited February 3, 2016 by make total destroy

[Svip]

 

Edit: btw, seven50IL, can you work on those hideous massive quotes you make. They hurt my brain.

Im assuming you're black as well since you life in north Africa so you should understand where im coming from. (Im Zimbabwean/Malawian but born here) I've been to both countries as well; really beautiful..especially lake Malawi.

 

I am pretty sure Eutyphro is Dutch.

[GTA_stu]

North African/Dutch, p much the same thing now anyways.

[Smith John]

North African/Dutch, p much the same thing now anyways.

 

C'mon now, stu. You know I agree with you on much, but this type of spiel - be it in jest or not - is only going to further their ammo.

[860]

I really don't like Trump whining about the Iowa votes. Makes him look like a crybaby.

 

He didn't invest in Iowa because he was told he wouldn't succeed there anyway. His team expected him to be 5% behind Cruz and he came in 3,4% points behind. He did relatively good. He should've just used his 2nd position to wake up some of his supporters who have been so reassured of his inevitable victory that they were just gonna stay home instead. "He's gonna win, easy. Don't worry about it. Might as well just stay home and order some pizza".

 

I don't like the choice, but I don't think it'll be the end of him. He'll be first in New Hampshire.