2016 Election Thread

[Craig Arko]

 

This is a good, but scary read.

 

http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2016/04/america-tyranny-donald-trump.html#

"And what mainly fuels this is precisely what the Founders feared about democratic culture: feeling, emotion, and narcissism, rather than reason, empiricism, and public-spiritedness. Online debates become personal, emotional, and irresolvable almost as soon as they begin. Godwin’s Law — it’s only a matter of time before a comments section brings up Hitler — is a reflection of the collapse of the reasoned deliberation the Founders saw as indispensable to a functioning republic.

 

Yes, occasional rational points still fly back and forth, but there are dramatically fewer elite arbiters to establish which of those points is actually true or valid or relevant. We have lost authoritative sources for even a common set of facts. And without such common empirical ground, the emotional component of politics becomes inflamed and reason retreats even further. The more emotive the candidate, the more supporters he or she will get."

[nicksaviking]

So a few weeks ago Cruz and Kasich made their gentleman's agreement (sarcasm intended) to divide up the remaining states and go at them individually to try to stop Trump. Cruz got Indiana, and he's currently getting slaughtered by Trump there.

 

Is it just me, or did this plan have a clear and laughable possible flaw to it? Obviously these guys thought that Cruz voters would instead vote Kasich and Kasich voters would instead vote Cruz. Did they not consider the possibility that Ted Cruz is such a completely unlikeable guy that Kasich voters very well may prefer Trump, and if not Trump, they likely just won't vote at all?

 

The worst thing about Ted Cruz? He makes me root for Donald Trump simply because nothing is funnier than Ted Cruz with egg on his face, and Trump has eggs with Cruz's name written all over them.

[USMCTwin]

 

So a few weeks ago Cruz and Kasich made their gentleman's agreement (sarcasm intended) to divide up the remaining states and go at them individually to try to stop Trump. Cruz got Indiana, and he's currently getting slaughtered by Trump there.

 

Is it just me, or did this plan have a clear and laughable possible flaw to it? Obviously these guys thought that Cruz voters would instead vote Kasich and Kasich voters would instead vote Cruz. Did they not consider the possibility that Ted Cruz is such a completely unlikeable guy that Kasich voters very well may prefer Trump, and if not Trump, they likely just won't vote at all?

 

The worst thing about Ted Cruz? He makes me root for Donald Trump simply because nothing is funnier than Ted Cruz with egg on his face, and Trump has eggs with Cruz's name written all over them.

 

Not only that, but I think it also works to further motivate, if that's possible, Trump's base. They were quick to point out 'look how the establishment is trying to screw us'. He kind of thrives on perceived slights like that.

 

[TheLeviathan]

 

Not only that, but I think it also works to further motivate, if that's possible, Trump's base. They were quick to point out 'look how the establishment is trying to screw us'. He kind of thrives on perceived slights like that.

 

In this case it's not just perception but reality.  I am rooting for Trump in some ways too - man I dislike Cruz.  Seeing him lose to a joke like Trump destroys everything about who he says he is.  The establishment is actually backing him and he still can't get anyone to like him.  

 

I hope after this he crawls into a hole and never comes out again.

[nicksaviking]

 

In this case it's not just perception but reality.  I am rooting for Trump in some ways too - man I dislike Cruz.  Seeing him lose to a joke like Trump destroys everything about who he says he is.  The establishment is actually backing him and he still can't get anyone to like him.  

 

I hope after this he crawls into a hole and never comes out again.

 

There are plenty of the "establishment" types who have long feared the long term effects of Cruz. Surely most suspect that Trump is a short term nuisance. I suspect guys like John Boehner aren't happy with losing this election but are grateful they may be able to kill two birds with one stone in the process. Cruz is done after this, and Trump is likely an anomaly, the Republicans will likely regroup and figure out how to figure out how to get the "anti-establishment" voters back. If that's possible.

[ashbury]

and figure out how to figure out how

They probably should form a committee to look into how to form a committee to look into the mechanics of doing this.

[nicksaviking]

So according to Trump and the National Inquirer, Ted Cruz's dad used to chill out with Lee Harvey Oswald.

 

I'm not so sure Trump should be using that as a black mark against Cruz, some of those would-be voters might not be so bummed about pops involvement in taking out a Kennedy.

[TheLeviathan]

So according to Trump and the National Inquirer, Ted Cruz's dad used to chill out with Lee Harvey Oswald.

 

I'm not so sure Trump should be using that as a black mark against Cruz, some of those would-be voters might not be so bummed about pops involvement in taking out a Kennedy.

I always assumed the worst person his dad hung out with was Ted himself....

[USAFChief]

 

So according to Trump and the National Inquirer, Ted Cruz's dad used to chill out with Lee Harvey Oswald.

 

I'm not so sure Trump should be using that as a black mark against Cruz, some of those would-be voters might not be so bummed about pops involvement in taking out a Kennedy.

The level of bizarre in this election is beyond anything I've experienced.  Way beyond. 

 

You have the leading R candidate citing bat-stuff crazy National Enquirer absurdities...without batting an eye.  And seemingly without most of the media or any of his supporters going "What??!?  Are you SERIOUS???!?"

 

It's just...what the heck has happened?

[Craig Arko]

The level of bizarre in this election is beyond anything I've experienced.  Way beyond. 

 

You have the leading R candidate citing bat-stuff crazy National Enquirer absurdities...without batting an eye.  And seemingly without most of the media or any of his supporters going "What??!?  Are you SERIOUS???!?"

 

It's just...what the heck has happened?

Reality television.

[TheLeviathan]

Cruz goes out with the most unintentionally hilarious speech ever.

[PseudoSABR]

It's really going to happen.  Donald Trump, your Republican Nominee for President of the United States. 

[USAFChief]

It's really going to happen. Donald Trump, your Republican Nominee for President of the United States.

I remained convinced until tonight that wouldn't happen.

 

Wow.

[PseudoSABR]

 

I remained convinced until tonight that wouldn't happen.

Wow.

You fought the good fight, my friend.

[nicksaviking]

I remained convinced until tonight that wouldn't happen.

Wow.

We'll hold your horses, don't forget we still have Cruz's dad's connections. If they can get to a president, Trump's gigantic misshapen head should be an easy target.

 

Castro would still likely be game, but Putin and the Russians and the mob appear to like Trump. Really is going to depend on what flavor you like your conspiracy theory.

[gunnarthor]

Good lord.  Does anyone remember when the GOP had guys like Arlen Spector or Jim Jeffords?  

 

Clinton has to be favored in, what, 27 states?  The Dems could take back the House with Trump at the top of the ticket.  Unreal.

[Squirrel]

Good lord.  Does anyone remember when the GOP had guys like Arlen Spector or Jim Jeffords?  

 

Clinton has to be favored in, what, 27 states?  The Dems could take back the House with Trump at the top of the ticket.  Unreal.

Yeah, that would be something but I really think the House is 'safe' given the gerrymandering, but this election has been unpredictable so who knows. But the Dems should have no trouble retaking the Senate. While I know many of you aren't fans of Clinton, I'm hoping the Clinton/Senate can do a few things right, but we'll see.

[PseudoSABR]

http://img.wennermedia.com/620-width/ted-cruz-elbows-wife-02-3f1328cb-9d66-4f21-8fca-81af3d9a3012.gif

[USMCTwin]

It is surprising to me we have a republican nominee before the democratic nominee. 

 

This will be the first presidential ticket I don't vote Republican. I have to hope for a 3rd party run or I'll just write in a candidate so I can still be a part of the process. Very disappointing for me.

[stringer bell]

I would say that the Donald and Hill are equally as likely to be the nominees. Technically, neither have clinched the nomination, but only an indictment or pictures of Trump "in bed with a live man or dead girl" would upend a Trump-Clinton matchup.

[nicksaviking]

 

I would say that the Donald and Hill are equally as likely to be the nominees. Technically, neither have clinched the nomination, but only an indictment or pictures of Trump "in bed with a live man or dead girl" would upend a Trump-Clinton matchup.

 

I'm still not sure that wouldn't help him with his supporters.

 

This is just so bizarre. I live in a Red State, I have a lot of Red relatives and friends, and I still don't personally know anyone who supports him.

[Hrbowski]

I will not be a vichy republican, or support Trump like a communist because of the party. GO HILLARY!!

[ashbury]

It is surprising to me we have a republican nominee before the democratic nominee. 

 

This will be the first presidential ticket I don't vote Republican. I have to hope for a 3rd party run or I'll just write in a candidate so I can still be a part of the process. Very disappointing for me.

Let's touch base on this again in late October. The messaging machines for both parties may lead conservatives to re-think Trump as a better alternative to Clinton. Who knows, Sanders may even flip enough superdelagates to change the parameters entirely.

[nicksaviking]

 

I will not be a vichy republican, or support Trump like a communist because of the party. GO HILLARY!!

 

I know that isn't easy to say, so let me just say I'm encouraged and expectant that plenty of folks will eschew party politics to stop something like this from happening. Good luck to us all.

[USMCTwin]

 

Let's touch base on this again in late October. The messaging machines for both parties may lead conservatives to re-think Trump as a better alternative to Clinton. Who knows, Sanders may even flip enough superdelagates to change the parameters entirely.

 

I understand where you are coming, but for me not voting for Trump is a moral issue. A quote from C.H. Spurgeon sums up my feelings quite well on this one, "Of two evils, choose neither." Will there be a number of Republicans that hold their nose and vote Trump, sure. My vote will not be amongst them.

[ashbury]

"Of two evils, choose neither."

Where that is an option, I agree. When instead one of the evils is virtually certain to be chosen, distinctions must be made.

[TheLeviathan]

Voting Kodos is looking better by the day eh?

 

http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/bf/87/a0/bf87a040df75a346d0c4a68db192edbf.jpg

[Craig Arko]

[ashbury]

This is an example of why I tell any politician who will listen, "Please, try not to lose too many wars, OK?"

[twinsnorth49]

Ok, it's not time to get worried is it? I mean, so far I've just treated this as some big, funny joke.........it's a joke right?

 

I was only kidding about the masonry stuff, now it's looking like a pretty good idea.