The 2016 Presidential Election Trainwreck

[byu71]

Out of curiosity, what does the Republican Party you would prefer look like? Like Ted and Topper, I identify as a libertarian. I don't believe the Republican Party will ever be the libertarian (small L) party I hope it would become. But I do hope that at the least the GOP becomes the party that emphasizes fiscal conservatism instead of social conservatism and that is less willing to go to war. Social conservatism will never fully leave the party, but I really wish they would be a little more open minded than they currently are. I don't necessarily mind a foreign policy that is active in the affairs of the world, but I would prefer that influence to be the result of smart and shrewd diplomacy, not just rushing to war.

Trump is the harbinger of death for the GOP. At this point the party is destroyed even if Trump does not get the nomination. After this election (which I think HRC wins), then Trump and those in positions of leadership that backed him will be essentially expunged from the party. Their political careers will be done. History will not look at this time kindly. BUt out of the destruction there is hope that a smarter, more philosophically robust Republican party will emerge. My hope is that the new leaders of the party will be the Rand Pauls, the Justin Amash's, the Thomas Massies, and the Jeff Flakes.

The republican party is done for me if Rand Paul becomes one of the leaders. I am ok with libertarians but not isolationist if that is what a libertarian is.

Another reason I wish Romney would have won is Trump would be running as a Democrat and Cruz would be running in the new really, really, really conservative party

[pelagius]

Out of curiosity, what does the Republican Party you would prefer look like?

I think you can infer from the other stuff of said up above. I can live with a neo-con republican party and I can live with a reformo-con republican party. My ideal would be a fiscally conservative/free trade republican party that emphasized technocratic competence (authentic Mitt Romney conservatism). I would prefer that conservatives don't suggest that the gold standard is viable (I'm an economist with a PhD from the University of Chicago ... It may be necessary as a pander but it's beyond stupid). I prefer conservatives that don't want to abolish the fed, etc.

I'd be very surprised if the future Republican party looks like any of the above things.

[USUC]

The republican party is done for me if Rand Paul becomes one of the leaders. I am ok with libertarians but not isolationist if that is what a libertarian is.

Another reason I wish Romney would have won is Trump would be running as a Democrat and Cruz would be running in the new really, really, really conservative party

The tag isolationist that libertarians get tagged with is a joke. Republicans label anyone who isn't a hawk as isolationist. There is much more to foreign policy than starting or joining in senseless wars that are against our country's interests.

This is another reason why the establishment GOP is done. People are sick of wars.

So, would you say Paul would be worse than Trump?

[byu71]

The tag isolationist that libertarians get tagged with is a joke. Republicans label anyone who isn't a hawk as isolationist. There is much more to foreign policy than starting or joining in senseless wars that are against our country's interests.

This is another reason why the establishment GOP is done. People are sick of wars.

So, would you say Paul would be worse than Trump?

Lol. Thanks for the choice. You could have included bernie, hillary and Cruz

[Jeff Lebowski]

I think you can infer from the other stuff of said up above. I can live with a neo-con republican party and I can live with a reformo-con republican party. My ideal would be a fiscally conservative/free trade republican party that emphasized technocratic competence (authentic Mitt Romney conservatism). I would prefer that conservatives don't suggest that the gold standard is viable (I'm an economist with a PhD from the University of Chicago ... It may be necessary as a pander but it's beyond stupid). I prefer conservatives that don't want to abolish the fed, etc.

I'd be very surprised if the future Republican party looks like any of the above things.

Welcome to the middle, brother!

Pro tip: Don't waste your vote on libertarian candidates.

[old_gregg]

Welcome to the middle, brother!

Pro tip: Don't waste your vote on libertarian candidates.

better yet, don't waste your time voting!

[Dwight Schr-ute]

Pulled this out of my six year old's school folder tonight. Kids these days...

[Jeff Lebowski]

Pulled this out of my six year old's school folder tonight. Kids these days...

WTH? What's with the "again" edit?

[Dwight Schr-ute]

WTH? What's with the "again" edit?

I know right?! He clearly says he's a Democrat, which of course means he thinks America hasn't ever even been great yet.

[pelagius]

Welcome to the middle, brother!

Pro tip: Don't waste your vote on libertarian candidates.

I'm obviously not a libertarian.

[pelagius]

better yet, don't waste your time voting!

I vote; mostly because I teach my children the virtuous lie that they should vote ... blah blah blah. I also donate to campaigns (just a fun and easy irrationality that I enjoy).

[Jeff Lebowski]

I'm obviously not a libertarian.

lol @ Uncle Ted

[pelagius]

lol @ Uncle Ted

Are you going to get me an HRC shirt?

[Uncle Ted]

[byu71]

Are you going to get me an HRC shirt?

It is very late at night so this could be a thought of someone who is very very tired. How many of us threaten to not vote for Trump when finally go in and see hillary and trump will vote for Trump but lie to everyone who asks