[POLL] United States Presidential Elections 2016

[A2K78]

Yeah poor Chicago, detroit, etc. Will only get worse with Hillary...

Republican or Democrat, truth is politicians on both sides love the drug war and why? Its only the only way that America can legitimately continue to meddle and militarized Latin and Central America(just the war on terror is used to not only prop-up an illegitimate state like Israel but to also continue to meddle in the middle east). In fact Latin and Central America's political and economic problems aren't just a problem of socialism's failure that of the pointless drug war hence why you have problem with people trying to cross the border.

 

[Biggles]

Republican or Democrat, truth is politicians on both sides love the drug war and why? Its only the only way that America can legitimately continue to meddle and militarized Latin and Central America(just the war on terror is used to not only prop-up an illegitimate state like Israel but to also continue to meddle in the middle east). In fact Latin and Central America's political and economic problems aren't just a problem of socialism's failure that of the pointless drug war hence why you have problem with people trying to cross the border.

So I guess you'll be throwing your support behind Bernie Sanders?

 

[Johnnypenso]

"You know the thing I’ll be great at that people aren’t thinking? And I do very well at it. Military. I am the toughest guy. I will rebuild our military. It will be so strong, and so powerful, and so great. It will be so powerful and so great that we’ll never have to use it. Nobody’s going to mess with us, folks. Nobody.”

Trump is an egotistical narcissist with an delusional view of his own talents. He's going to "cut the head off ISIS" & take the oil, without "being particularly warlike"? He's going to "rebuild our military" without increasing the defense budget? He's going to accomplish this how? The US already has a military larger than the 7 next largest militaries in the world combined - this didn't stop 911, it hasn't ended the conflict in Afganistan, Iraq, Syria, Libya. Promising to destroy ISIS & take the oil doesn't sound like a recipe for non-intervention to me.

I've already explained that every US President has been drawn into foreign wars & interventions, regardless of their positions prior to being elected, but Trump has the ego & hubris & stupidity to escalate intervention to a whole new level.

What Trump actually said was he'd build the military and it'll be so great they'll never have to use it. So all your hyperbole about him doing the opposite is just that, hyperbole, speculation, made up out of thin air. And in case you haven't noticed, the U.S. is already fighting ISIS and if they aren't there to win it by destroying ISIS why are they there? What candidate has come out and said, "I will end the war with ISIS and bring everyone home and leave them alone"?

 

[Sanji Himura]

What candidate has come out and said, "I will end the war with ISIS and bring everyone home and leave them alone"?

Jeb Bush has pussyfooted around the issue in a couple of campaign ads that are airing here in Texas. Though, his intention is to continue the mistakes that his brother did by sending more troops there first.

 

[Biggles]

What Trump actually said was he'd build the military and it'll be so great they'll never have to use it. So all your hyperbole about him doing the opposite is just that, hyperbole, speculation, made up out of thin air. And in case you haven't noticed, the U.S. is already fighting ISIS and if they aren't there to win it by destroying ISIS why are they there? What candidate has come out and said, "I will end the war with ISIS and bring everyone home and leave them alone"?

So, he's going to "cut the head off of ISIS quickly" without using the military?

LOL. Hyperbole & speculation?

"You know the thing I’ll be great at that people aren’t thinking? And I do very well at it. Military. I am the toughest guy. I will rebuild our military. It will be so strong, and so powerful, and so great. It will be so powerful and so great that we’ll never have to use it. Nobody’s going to mess with us, folks. Nobody.”


"I'll be great at it ... Military". Trump has zero military experience ... oh wait, I'm forgetting, his stint at a private New York prep school gave him "more training militarily than a lot of the guys that go into the military.”

"I am the toughest guy".

There are endless examples. One of my favourites:

"All of the women on The Apprentice flirted with me - consciously or unconsciously. That's to be expected".

 

[mustafur]

I don't think ending the war with ISIS is a good idea, simply because now it effects everyone and I doubt they will simply leave countries alone that don't want to fight them.

The problem is I doubt they can be properly defeated, when it comes to Iran and middle eastern politics though the West shouldn't be soo aggressive on this front and definitely should not get involved with their conflicts.

 

[A2K78]

So I guess you'll be throwing your support behind Bernie Sanders?

Why would I support someone who shows a disregard for property rights and freedom of association?

Now there are some good things about Sanders e.g. him wanting to bring accountability to the Federal Reserve (though for the wrong reasons) and him not beholding to the national security establishment i.e. neoconservatives but there is no way I could support a committed collectivist.

 

[prisonermonkeys]

I am facinated at why only 3 cannidates on democrat side ran.

On a certain level, the Republicans have been in disarray. They have lacked a clear direction, or at least a voice to rally behind. The depth of the Republican field isn't necessarily a sign of strength, but more a sign that they're uncertain of their future and looking to galvanise it under the final candidate.

 

[Touring Mars]

On a certain level, the Republicans have been in disarray. They have lacked a clear direction, or at least a voice to rally behind. The depth of the Republican field isn't necessarily a sign of strength, but more a sign that they're uncertain of their future and looking to galvanise it under the final candidate.

I believe there will be at least 3 candidates that will make it all the way in the GOP race - Trump, Cruz and Rubio... but Bush will possibly make it too (albeit through his massive finances as opposed to any actual popularity). But even with just three, Trump is virtually guaranteed a good shot at the nomination, because the only likely way to stop him is for just one of the other candidates to go forward and to beat him in the delegate race or win the nomination outright. But since I can't see either Cruz or Rubio pulling out or getting behind the other guy, Trump stands to win.

Here's a question though - in the event that Trump wins the most delegates but falls short of the required amount (50% +1), will the GOP nomination then be decided by horse-trading and back-room deals at the GOP convention? And if that is the case, doesn't it make the entire primary thing a bit pointless, especially if the party refuse to get behind the front-runner (which is likely going to be Trump).

 

[Sanji Himura]

Here's a question though - in the event that Trump wins the most delegates but falls short of the required amount (50% +1), will the GOP nomination then be decided by horse-trading and back-room deals at the GOP convention? And if that is the case, doesn't it make the entire primary thing a bit pointless, especially if the party refuse to get behind the front-runner (which is likely going to be Trump).

Ask that question again when a candidate with pledged delegates retires from the race. Out of those who got them, no one has. We are 19 days from Super Tuesday, and the GOP race will become clear then, if not sooner.

 

[Dotini]

Johnny Depp as Donald Trump (Funny or Die)

 

[Johnnypenso]

So, he's going to "cut the head off of ISIS quickly" without using the military?

LOL. Hyperbole & speculation?

"You know the thing I’ll be great at that people aren’t thinking? And I do very well at it. Military. I am the toughest guy. I will rebuild our military. It will be so strong, and so powerful, and so great. It will be so powerful and so great that we’ll never have to use it. Nobody’s going to mess with us, folks. Nobody.”


"I'll be great at it ... Military". Trump has zero military experience ... oh wait, I'm forgetting, his stint at a private New York prep school gave him "more training militarily than a lot of the guys that go into the military.”

"I am the toughest guy".

There are endless examples. One of my favourites:

"All of the women on The Apprentice flirted with me - consciously or unconsciously. That's to be expected".

What Trump actually said was he'd build the military and it'll be so great they'll never have to use it. So all your hyperbole about him doing the opposite is just that, hyperbole, speculation, made up out of thin air. And in case you haven't noticed, the U.S. is already fighting ISIS and if they aren't there to win it by destroying ISIS why are they there? What candidate has come out and said, "I will end the war with ISIS and bring everyone home and leave them alone"?

I get it. You don't like the guy so you're going to impute your own fears onto the man. Continuing the war against ISIS makes him the same as every other candidate still in the race as far as I know and he's said the military will be so great he won't have to use it. Anything else about warmongering is just fantasy on your part.

 

[Biggles]

I get it. You don't like the guy so you're going to impute your own fears onto the man. Continuing the war against ISIS makes him the same as every other candidate still in the race as far as I know and he's said the military will be so great he won't have to use it. Anything else about warmongering is just fantasy on your part.

I get it, you love the guy so you're going to defend him regardless of how stupid the things he says are. My response was directed at Dotini's comments:

"In the increasingly likely event Sanders or Trump are elected, you will happily find that neither is particularly warlike. Both reject neocon exceptionalism, and neither propose increases to the defense budget."

Trump quite clearly states that he is going to "build up the military". The idea that this will ensure that it will never have to be used is, like practically everything else Trump says, delusional. The turmoil in the Middle East is not going to diminish if the US spends more on its military. It's already massively "so strong, so powerful, so great", but that hasn't deterred ISIS from "messing" with us. In order to achieve anything you would have to actually USE military force, and having delusions about what can be achieved with overwhelming military force is what led to the debacle in Iraq in the first place. So ... the fantasy in entirely on Trump's part ... and those who are taken in by it.

 

[TenEightyOne]

"A military so great he doesn't have to use it". In fairness he wouldn't have to spend on it either... just a department of photoshoppers/social media seeders.

Then the USA would be China, of course.

 

[Touring Mars]

It is tempting to say that Trump is clueless when he makes nonsensical comments such as this, but I don't believe he is. I think he knows perfectly well that it's a crock - but all he needs is for enough people to believe it.

 

[Dennisch]

It is tempting to say that Trump is clueless when he makes nonsensical comments such as this, but I don't believe he is. I think he knows perfectly well that it's a crock - but all he needs is for enough people to believe it.

As in, beating 'real' politicians at their own game.

 

[Biggles]

It is tempting to say that Trump is clueless when he makes nonsensical comments such as this, but I don't believe he is. I think he knows perfectly well that it's a crock - but all he needs is for enough people to believe it.

It's hard to know with Trump. I don't believe he's stupid, & at times (in the past) he has taken some perfectly reasonable positions. However, he has some serious ... character flaws ... that make him temperamentally unsuited to be President of the most powerful country on earth, regardless of any policy positions he may take.

Narcissism:

"1. Has a grandiose sense of self-importance (e.g., exaggerates achievements and talents, expects to be recognized as superior without commensurate achievements).

2. Is preoccupied with fantasies of unlimited success, power, brilliance, beauty, or ideal love.

3. Believes that he or she is “special” and unique and can only be understood by, or should associate with, other special or high-status people (or institutions).

4. Requires excessive admiration.

5. Has a sense of entitlement, i.e., unreasonable expectations of especially favorable treatment or automatic compliance with his or her expectations.

6. Is inter-personally exploitative, i.e., takes advantage of others to achieve his or her own ends.

7. Lacks empathy: is unwilling to recognize or identify with the feelings and needs of others.

Is often envious of others or believes that others are envious of him or her.

8. Shows arrogant, haughty behaviors or attitudes."

In other news: The Congressional black caucus PAC has come out with a strong endorsement of Clinton. This is going to prove a serious obstacle to Sanders gaining momentum with black voters IMO.

 

[Dotini]

It's hard to know with Trump. I don't believe he's stupid, & at times (in the past) he has taken some perfectly reasonable positions. However, he has some serious ... character flaws ... that make him temperamentally unsuited to be President of the most powerful country on earth, regardless of any policy positions he may take.

Good, you are making progress in understanding the phenomenon.

You must understand Trump's constituency is populist nationalists. They hate wars and international do-goodism. He makes money, makes deals and has the strong alpha male looks of a flamboyant Ukrainian oligarch.

 

[huskeR32]

Then the USA would be China, of course.

 

[Johnnypenso]

I get it, you love the guy so you're going to defend him regardless of how stupid the things he says are. My response was directed at Dotini's comments:

"In the increasingly likely event Sanders or Trump are elected, you will happily find that neither is particularly warlike. Both reject neocon exceptionalism, and neither propose increases to the defense budget."

Trump quite clearly states that he is going to "build up the military". The idea that this will ensure that it will never have to be used is, like practically everything else Trump says, delusional. The turmoil in the Middle East is not going to diminish if the US spends more on its military. It's already massively "so strong, so powerful, so great", but that hasn't deterred ISIS from "messing" with us. In order to achieve anything you would have to actually USE military force, and having delusions about what can be achieved with overwhelming military force is what led to the debacle in Iraq in the first place. So ... the fantasy in entirely on Trump's part ... and those who are taken in by it.

Doubling down on the speculation and conjecture I see. Well done. 👍👍

 

[Sanji Himura]

DFW CBS Affiliate is reporting that Jim Webb may get back into the race:

http://news.yahoo.com/ex-virginia-s...vbG8DYmYxBHBvcwMxBHZ0aWQDRkZSVkJLXzEEc2VjA3Nj

 

[Biggles]

Good, you are making progress in understanding the phenomenon.

You must understand Trump's constituency is populist nationalists. They hate wars and international do-goodism. He makes money, makes deals and has the strong alpha male looks of a flamboyant Ukrainian oligarch.

I think you're wrong about this. They may hate "international do-goodism", but they don't necessarily hate wars. Trump supporters are not deeply thoughtful, well-informed individuals. People like that are easily led into supporting foreign wars when they are framed as "protecting America" - just look at recent history: Vietnam, Iraq are just the tip of that iceberg.

Add in a personality that feels compelled to brag: "I am the toughest guy... Nobody’s going to mess with us, folks. Nobody” & you've got a recipe for trouble.

 

[squadops]

American foreign policy does not change, it's the reason people like Ron Paul cannot be elected and it's most likely going to be the reason Hillary will be chosen over Bernie.

 

[Robin]

Secret Chinese government robot in disguise?

 

[A2K78]

American foreign policy does not change, it's the reason people like Ron Paul cannot be elected and it's most likely going to be the reason Hillary will be chosen over Bernie.

I somewhat disagree with you when you considered why Obama(who technically should've been beaten) got re-elected. Voters knew between him and Romney were no different, but instead they re-elected Obama given Romney's extreme pro-Israel foreign policy, especially his pandering to AIPAC.

Anyhow its quite amazing how Charlie and Norah all but cringed when Trump brought up the absurdity of America's foreign policy in the Middle East :

https://www.lewrockwell.com/political-theatre/trump-foreign-policy

Now I'm no fan of Trump but least he seem to have his head on when it come to foreign policy. The same can be said about Sanders when it come to Iran and Syria.

 

[squadops]

Well, I see little difference between say Bush Jr and Obama, maybe one enjoys the toy planes more that the other lol. I see what you are saying however.

 

[Johnnypenso]

I think you're wrong about this. They may hate "international do-goodism", but they don't necessarily hate wars. Trump supporters are not deeply thoughtful, well-informed individuals. People like that are easily led into supporting foreign wars when they are framed as "protecting America" - just look at recent history: Vietnam, Iraq are just the tip of that iceberg.

Add in a personality that feels compelled to brag: "I am the toughest guy... Nobody’s going to mess with us, folks. Nobody” & you've got a recipe for trouble.

"Trump supporters are not deeply thoughtful, well-informed individuals." I see no caveats there. As in "some" or "many" so the inference is all. Do you have some evidence to back up this claim?

 

[prisonermonkeys]

Add in a personality that feels compelled to brag: "I am the toughest guy... Nobody’s going to mess with us, folks. Nobody” & you've got a recipe for trouble.

It's a short drop and a sudden stop from that to threatening to shirt-front Vladimir Putin.

 

[huskeR32]

I somewhat disagree with you when you considered why Obama(who technically should've been beaten) got re-elected.

You care to substantiate this bit at all?

 

[mustafur]

The Thing with Trump that is most unappealing is the fact you know he is likely to change massively once he has the job, the problem is you don't know what that will be.

Atleast with the average politican you atleast know what side of the fence they on.