The 2016 Presidential Election Trainwreck

[BlueK]

Interesting read on why people opt for The Dump.

Who Goes Trump?

Good article. I think it hits right on. It is absolutely about character why someone like Romney (or despite my disagreements about his hawkishness, John McCain) would not give in to the Trumpster, but someone like Giuliani or Gingrich has.

"Characterological defect as an explanation for Trump support is even more pronounced among the candidate’s elite enablers; people in positions of power and influence who, unlike Trump’s less-economically secure supporters, cannot appeal to their pitiable life station as justification for backing the most unqualified person ever to win the presidential nomination of a major political party. From Roger Stone to Roger Ailes to Steve Bannon and the bigots at Breitbart, the cast of characters composing Trump’s inner circle is, without exception, a collection of loathsome—some might say deplorable—individuals. The significance of personal character becomes especially clear when one contrasts a Trump-supporting public figure with his or her non-Trump supporting peer.

Take Eric Metaxas and Erick Erickson. Both are evangelical Christian conservative media personalities, the former a Trump supporter, the latter a mainstay of the #NeverTrump movement. Reading Erickson over the past year, one witnesses a fundamentally decent man grappling with what it means to be a Christian in the face of a Republican nominee who so wantonly disregards fundamental biblical teachings. For speaking out against Trump, Erickson and his family have been subject to constant death threats from the nominee’s supporters."

Contrast Erickson with Metaxas, a Trump proponent and what passes these days for a conservative evangelical “intellectual.” Metaxas is a biographer of abolitionist William Wilberforce and anti-Nazi pastor Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Christians of heroic moral conscience and courage who are also heroes to the country’s liberal elites. Writing recently in The Wall Street Journal, Metaxas audaciously likened voting for the fascistic Trump with Bonhoeffer’s joining the Valkyrie plot to kill Adolf Hitler. Metaxas can make this claim with a straight face because, like many other Trump supporters, he has been peddling a form of apocalyptic political extremism that sees the Democratic Party as hell-bent on a mission to destroy America.

Turning to conservative talk radio, consider Sean Hannity and Glenn Beck. Both men have played a role in poisoning our political discourse with their uncompromisingly partisan ranting that demonizes political adversaries as traitors. But it is only Beck who has reflected upon his past divisiveness and repented for it. “I think I played a role, unfortunately, in helping tear the country apart, and it’s not who we are,” he remorsefully told Fox News’ Megyn Kelly in 2014. Today, not coincidentally, it is Beck who opposes Trump, while Hannity serves as his most loyal mouthpiece.

[BlueK]

Agreed. Elections have consequences. If she is President, she should get to appoint and have confirmed her choices. Within reason of course. From what I know of Garland, he is certainly within reason.

Agreed. To not do so is basically mocking the Constitution. If the President who won the election appoints someone who isn't obviously unqualified, they should be confirmed. The opposition party gets their chance if they win the next election. It's how it's supposed to work. The extreme polarization is eventually going to be what kills our free country.

[byu71]

One of the reasons I like this board is that there are definitely opinions opposed to mine. Amongst my friends, family and associates here at work, not one of them has said they will vote for Hillary (both men and women). I myself have told them I will probably vote for McMullin even though that got me dirty looks from the friends I golf with.

Not one person has told me they thought Trump was anything above a dirt bag, although most of them said they will vote for them.

Reasons the ones who are voting for Trump:

1) They dislike the policies of the democrats. Although most said they would vote for someone like Biden over Trump.
2) Two of the ladies said they think Trump has to be a good businessman and therefor better for the economy.
3) They think Hillary is a bigger dirt bag than Trump. I suspect if these folks were dems though, there thought would be
the opposite.
4) Don't want four more years of Pres. Obama. Again policy.
5) Supreme court Justices mentioned a lot. Surprisingly to me even a couple of my atheist friends mentioned this.
6) One of my friends, who I admit is Trump like when it comes to ego, said he is tired of the "f'en elite" telling the rest of us
what is right and what is wrong. I will admit he is one of my best friends and I told him I agree.

No one even mentioned immigration which was interesting because that is what launched Trump.

A staff member where I play golf is an older, hispanic women. She is the greatest and believe it or not she has told me I am her favorite. We don't talk politics, just how is your family, did you go dancing again, (someone's name) is such an asshole when it comes to tipping (not me). Based on gender and being hispanic I would guess she is voting for Hillary. If she asked my opinion, I would tell her if that is the conclusion she has come to, do it.

[frank ryan]

One of the reasons I like this board is that there are definitely opinions opposed to mine. Amongst my friends, family and associates here at work, not one of them has said they will vote for Hillary (both men and women). I myself have told them I will probably vote for McMullin even though that got me dirty looks from the friends I golf with.

Not one person has told me they thought Trump was anything above a dirt bag, although most of them said they will vote for them.

Reasons the ones who are voting for Trump:

1) They dislike the policies of the democrats. Although most said they would vote for someone like Biden over Trump.
2) Two of the ladies said they think Trump has to be a good businessman and therefor better for the economy.
3) They think Hillary is a bigger dirt bag than Trump. I suspect if these folks were dems though, there thought would be
the opposite.
4) Don't want four more years of Pres. Obama. Again policy.
5) Supreme court Justices mentioned a lot. Surprisingly to me even a couple of my atheist friends mentioned this.
6) One of my friends, who I admit is Trump like when it comes to ego, said he is tired of the "f'en elite" telling the rest of us
what is right and what is wrong. I will admit he is one of my best friends and I told him I agree.

No one even mentioned immigration which was interesting because that is what launched Trump.

A staff member where I play golf is an older, hispanic women. She is the greatest and believe it or not she has told me I am her favorite. We don't talk politics, just how is your family, did you go dancing again, (someone's name) is such an asshole when it comes to tipping (not me). Based on gender and being hispanic I would guess she is voting for Hillary. If she asked my opinion, I would tell her if that is the conclusion she has come to, do it.

you're a nice and charismatic guy so I'm not surprised you are her favorite.

[BlueK]

Oh those silly Evangelicals:

Televangelist Frank Amedia, who leads Touch Heaven Ministries in Ohio, says he was told by God last year that Donald Trump would be the GOP presidential nominee and he believes God "raised up" the real estate mogul to help pave the way for the Second Coming.

http://www.christianpost.com/news/te...coming-164922/

[Applejack]

One of the reasons I like this board is that there are definitely opinions opposed to mine. Amongst my friends, family and associates here at work, not one of them has said they will vote for Hillary (both men and women). I myself have told them I will probably vote for McMullin even though that got me dirty looks from the friends I golf with.

Not one person has told me they thought Trump was anything above a dirt bag, although most of them said they will vote for them.

Reasons the ones who are voting for Trump:

1) They dislike the policies of the democrats. Although most said they would vote for someone like Biden over Trump.
2) Two of the ladies said they think Trump has to be a good businessman and therefor better for the economy.
3) They think Hillary is a bigger dirt bag than Trump. I suspect if these folks were dems though, there thought would be
the opposite.
4) Don't want four more years of Pres. Obama. Again policy.
5) Supreme court Justices mentioned a lot. Surprisingly to me even a couple of my atheist friends mentioned this.
6) One of my friends, who I admit is Trump like when it comes to ego, said he is tired of the "f'en elite" telling the rest of us
what is right and what is wrong. I will admit he is one of my best friends and I told him I agree.

No one even mentioned immigration which was interesting because that is what launched Trump.

A staff member where I play golf is an older, hispanic women. She is the greatest and believe it or not she has told me I am her favorite. We don't talk politics, just how is your family, did you go dancing again, (someone's name) is such an asshole when it comes to tipping (not me). Based on gender and being hispanic I would guess she is voting for Hillary. If she asked my opinion, I would tell her if that is the conclusion she has come to, do it.

Everyone you work with is voting for Trump? No wonder one of them lights up your restroom.

[myboynoah]

Oh those silly Evangelicals:

Televangelist Frank Amedia, who leads Touch Heaven Ministries in Ohio, says he was told by God last year that Donald Trump would be the GOP presidential nominee and he believes God "raised up" the real estate mogul to help pave the way for the Second Coming.

http://www.christianpost.com/news/te...coming-164922/

Dopes. Real Dopes.

Counterpoint.

An Election Is Not a Suicide Mission

I love this:

So when Loki or the Joker or some still-darker Person promises the righting of some grave wrong, the defeat of your hated enemies, if you will only take a chance on chaos and misrule, the wise and courageous response is to tell them to go to hell.

[byu71]

Everyone you work with is voting for Trump? No wonder one of them lights up your restroom.

I don't think I said that, but if I did let me summarize what I meant to say.

Family, friends, associates at work.

None voting for Hillary.

All think both are dirt bags.

"Some, maybe 70% are voting for Trump"

Some would vote for a dem over Trump if the right dem.

[BlueK]

Everyone you work with is voting for Trump? No wonder one of them lights up your restroom.

I only know of one person out of the hundreds I work with who are voting for Trump. Granted, there are possibly others who haven't spoken up, maybe they perceive to be vastly outnumbered by the dozens I've heard say they can't vote for him. This isn't a hotbed of liberalism either. It's Texas. But on the other hand, Trump doesn't do well with anyone under age 40, which describes most of whom I work with.

[byu71]

you're a nice and charismatic guy so I'm not surprised you are her favorite.

Hey, nevermind the stuff I said about you being emotional with politics sometimes. You are rational and right on with your opinions all the time.

[Applejack]

I have never met a Trump supporter in real life. People tell me that they exist, but I am dubious.

[BlueK]

Dopes. Real Dopes.

Counterpoint.

An Election Is Not a Suicide Mission

I love this:

Also from the article you posted:

And what is striking is how many conservatives seem to have internalized that reality and justified their support for Trump anyway, on grounds that are similar to ones that the mainstream pro-life movement has rejected for four decades: Namely, that Hillary Clinton would usher in some particular evil so severe and irreversible that it’s better to risk burning things down, crashing the plane of state, or whatever metaphor for Trump’s potential effect on the republic you prefer, than to allow the other political party to hold the presidency for the next four years.

It is not just pro-life writers (including Zmirak, I should note) making versions of this argument. It is constitutional conservatives arguing that permitting another progressive president would make the Constitution completely irrecoverable, so better to roll the dice with a Peronist like Trump. It is immigration restrictionists arguing that Clinton’s favored amnesty for illegal immigrants would complete America’s transformation into Venezuela, so better to roll the dice with a right-wing Chávez. It is a long list of conservatives treating an inevitable feature of democratic politics — the election of a politician of the other party to the presidency — as an evil so grave that it’s worth risking all the disorders that Trump obviously promises.

It is a hard thing to accept that some elections should be lost, especially in a country as divided over basic moral premises as our own. But just as the pro-life movement ultimately won real gains — in lives saved, laws altered, abortion rates reduced — by accepting the legitimacy of the republic even as it deplored the killing of the unborn, so today’s conservatism has far more to gain from the defeat of Donald Trump, and the chance to oppose Clintonian progressivism unencumbered by his authoritarianism, bigotry, misogyny and incompetence, than it does from answering the progressive drift toward Caesarism with a populist Elagabalus.

[hostile]

I have never met a Trump supporter in real life. People tell me that they exist, but I am dubious.

I have. One guy I work with has been blowing Trumps horn for a while now. He's an idiot though so it doesn't surprise me.

This election has been interesting. As I drive around my neighborhood I haven't seen one Trump sign. There are a few Clinton signs. Most of the lawn ads are for the local school board candidates.

[Omaha 680]

I have never met a Trump supporter in real life. People tell me that they exist, but I am dubious.

You need to come down from your perch and have more real-life contact with the unwashed masses. I come in contact with a lot of union construction workers and railroad employees. A lot of them have bought what Trump is selling (whatever that is).

[BlueK]

I have. One guy I work with has been blowing Trumps horn for a while now. He's an idiot though so it doesn't surprise me.

This election has been interesting. As I drive around my neighborhood I haven't seen one Trump sign. There are a few Clinton signs. Most of the lawn ads are for the local school board candidates.

Trump isn't terribly popular in Texas even though he'll probably carry the state by a slim margin. I haven't seen many signs at all from either side, which is surprising given the emotions around this election nationally at least. During past elections I've seen way more signs.