The 2016 Presidential Election Trainwreck

[New Mexican Disaster]

Hillary is every bit as bad as Trump. Her careless handling of classified information is absolutely and unequivocally disqualifying, if not criminal. She's absolutely subject to blackmail from foreign actors who hacked her server and is a national security risk. Add that to the reality that the IC loathes and resents her because she's publicly done something that would get a rookie analyst banned from government work and probably jailed. Lost in that is how she kept a private server just to avoid FOIA requirements.

She was an awful Secretary of State. There isn't a country where the relationship was significantly strengthened after her four years, which was an impressive feat considering America's standing after Bush's second term.

I think she's more dishonest than her husband and as shady as Nixon. While Trump is delusional and dishonest, she's deeply corrupt and dishonest. She's so incredibly unappealing as a person and a candidate that a useless old white man socialist is giving her a run for her money.

Though I'm a fervent #nevertrump, I'm equally committed to #neverhillary. Both of them can eat shit and I resent the hell out of both parties for enabling these assholes. Here's the thing. I still stand firm that she won't ever be President of the United States. I could well be in denial, but if there ever was a chance for a third party candidate to rise it's now.

Blah, blah, blah.

[myboynoah]

Blah, blah, blah.

No. No. Not "blah, blah, blah, blah." YO is correct. They are both POSes. I can't vote for either of them and am open to a compelling alternative. I don't think we are alone in this thinking. If no one comes forward, I'm writing in Mitt.

[New Mexican Disaster]

No. No. Not "blah, blah, blah, blah." YO is correct. They are both POSes. I can't vote for either of them and am open to a compelling alternative. I don't think we are alone in this thinking. If no one comes forward, I'm writing in Mitt.

Blah, blah, blah.

I'm pretty articulate.

[Omaha 680]

Blah, blah, blah.

I'm pretty articulate.

Indeed. As inspiring as your candidate of choice.

[BlueK]

I'd love for the republicans to know that if they could've found someone with even half a brain, the election was theirs to lose. And I'd like the Democrats to know that no one was really voting FOR Hillary.

Fat chance. What winning party in US history ever thought the result of the election meant anything other than a sweeping mandate? Never.

[BlueK]

If Trump wins the Republican nomination, regardless of whether he wins the presidency, I will officially change my party affiliation to Independent. I can't in good conscience affiliate with a party that would nominate Donald Trump as its candidate.

If Trump and Hillary are the nominees from the major parties I will either vote third party (maybe Libertarian? I haven't decided yet) or write-in Mitt Romney.

If either Trump or Hillary win the election I won't move out of the country but will instead try to endure their horrible presidencies as best I can.

write in is the same as not voting. Maybe most voters don't realize that states throw those write in votes straight into the trash without even adding them up. The only exception is if the person you are writing in is actually a registered candidate. The other case is if say, a real third party candidate doesn't have enough petition signatures to get their name printed on the ballot in that state. You can write in that person's name and at least the state counts it. But writing in someone who hasn't declared as a candidate is the same as not voting. But maybe it will make you feel better. At least voting for a real 3rd party candidate actually helps that party perhaps meet a legal threshold to get onto the ballot next time or to qualify for matching funds or something.

[BlueK]

Let me be clear, much of the libertarian platform resonates with me. When Gillespie and Harsanyi write political pieces, I don't find much to argue with. But the national Libertarian organization as a viable political party? Um, no. Not yet anyways.

I have come to terms with the mathematical and statistical reality that my one vote isn't going to be what throws the election one way or the other. It's not a fact most human beings really want to admit because while it is logically correct it just feels wrong emotionally to most people. What I have found when I've voted Libertarian is that I actually feel more at peace with my decision than I ever have voting for the lesser of two evils. Just get over the fact that your vote out of millions doesn't make the difference in who wins anyway and go with a candidate you like instead of who you hate less.

[BlueK]

if the right independent ran, there is a slight possibility of getting enough votes to prevent anyone from getting 270

That's true. And to some extent I hope for that. A solid, level headed traditional republican running independently would carry Utah probably because Utahns hate both Trump and Hillary. They would probably have to take a few other states to keep someone from getting to 270, and then hope the house of reps votes for them. But that's still a huge longshot.

On the other hand, I think it's also very likely an indy campaign could very well actually end up helping Trump win more than Hillary.

[byu71]

The only positive I can think of coming from a Hillary vs Trump race is that I could go to the voting booth here in Utah and think my Presidential vote actually might matter.

As far as registering independent, I will do some research but I think Trump does best in the states where Independents are allowed to vote in the Republican primary.

After this is all over I wish Ryan would form a coalition and tell Hannity, Limbaugh and their ilk to take their followers and go form their own "conservative" party.

[Shaka]

It's going to be fun watching all the Republicans who were up in arms about the Trump candidacy backpedal like PAC trying to summit Donner.

[byu71]

It's going to be fun watching all the Republicans who were up in arms about the Trump candidacy backpedal like PAC trying to summit Donner's.

The ones who will really have to backpedal are those who claimed they would vote for Hillary over Donald. Backpedaling is second nature to a politician. I heard Carly F. this morning explaining why she didn't really mean the negative things she had said about Ted Cruz.

[BlueK]

T
Hannity, Limbaugh and their ilk to take their followers and go form their own "conservative" party.

I thought almost all of those "conservative" talk show hosts are all in on Trump? They're not conservative. they're just populist rabble rousers like Trump is.

[HuskyFreeNorthwest]

YOhio, have you seen any of the Hitler memes or hilarious John Oliver skits about Trump? Clearly not if you think anyone is close to as bad as him. Lebowski will add you to his email forward chain.

[byu71]

I thought almost all of those "conservative" talk show hosts are all in on Trump? They're not conservative. they're just populist rabble rousers like Trump is.

Trump or Cruz. Who knows what conservative is anymore anyway? A lot of folks who I consider conservative are flexible on immigration and I am with them. However, according to the media conservatives you can't have that position and be conservative.

I don't know exactly how I would define myself anymore except I cringe at the thought of someone thinking I was a liberal.

That is not to indicate I don't think there are a lot of great people who define themselves as liberal, I just am not a fan of lala land.

[Uncle Ted]

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