47 replies to this topic

[ᗅᗺᗷᗅ]

Let's get ready to rrrrrrrrrrrrumble!!!

 

Barring something catastrophic, the 2016 presidential race will be between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump. Both will likely lock up their nominations in the next few weeks.

 

Right now, on May 29, 2016, the momentum sure seems to favor Trump. Nobody likes either one of them (in a recent poll Trump and Clinton tied at 57% disapproval), in fact they are the most unpopular candidates in modern election history, at least. Maybe ever. Given that, Trump has the advantage, as his supporters are more energized, and he can claim the mantle of "change." Hillary Clinton is a weak candidate with a lot of baggage whose biggest qualification is that she is an experienced and able administrator. While this may be true, "Experienced and Able Administrator" does not exactly fire 'em up. Like it or not, Clinton represents the status quo. Donald Trump represents something else. No one is entirely sure quite what, exactly, as Trump himself emits a series of vague generalities and quasi-socialist policy. But it's something different, and for a restive population that may be enough. I have underestimated Trump every step of the way, so maybe I am just overcompensating now. Or maybe I have been burned by the Democrats seizing defeat from the jaws of victory too many times before. But I believe that if the election were held today, Donald Trump would win. The afore-referenced ABC News/Washington Post poll agrees, giving it to Trump 46% to 44% for Clinton nationwide. While other recent polls have given Clinton a narrow lead, the mere fact that she is this vulnerable now, and he hasn't even really started yet, does not bode well for Democrats.

[ᗅᗺᗷᗅ]

Vice presidents are going to matter big time in this race, I reckon. Any ideas? I think Elizabeth Warren is a natural for Clinton. People have gotten used to the idea of Hillary Clinton as the First Woman President, so it doesn't carry as much punch as it once did. But the first all-woman ticket? That would rekindle those flames. Plus Warren fires up the Bernie-bloc, which will enthusiastically embrace her. That would go a long way toward closing the enthusiasm gap with Trump.

As for Trump, I literally have no idea who he might pick. A rational person might think that he would be well served to choose an experienced politician, someone who knows how the levers of government actually work. But rationality went out the window a long time ago. It could be Dennis Rodman for all I know.

[Chancellor Gunn]

But rationality went out the window a long time ago.

This entire election in a single sentence.

[rotty]

Since Trump wants to dick his daughter, I think it will be her  

[Phate]

One of the reasons I've heard for the close polling is that Trump has a current boost in numbers for being his party's nominee, whereas Clinton is not yet confirmed in that. NPR's political analysts seem to think she'll get a boost when (if, hopefully) she clinches the Democratic nomination.

[KingTopherXXIII]

.....vs Johnson! There is a third option no matter how hard you try to ignore the fact.

[Redezra]

Vice presidents are going to matter big time in this race, I reckon. Any ideas? I think Elizabeth Warren is a natural for Clinton. People have gotten used to the idea of Hillary Clinton as the First Woman President, so it doesn't carry as much punch as it once did. But the first all-woman ticket? That would rekindle those flames. Plus Warren fires up the Bernie-bloc, which will enthusiastically embrace her. That would go a long way toward closing the enthusiasm gap with Trump.

As for Trump, I literally have no idea who he might pick. A rational person might think that he would be well served to choose an experienced politician, someone who knows how the levers of government actually work. But rationality went out the window a long time ago. It could be Dennis Rodman for all I know.

I'm holding out for a Trump/Palin ticket.

[Thrash]

Warren sure would be a good choice for Clinton, two blatant liars who follow "do as I say, not as I do".

[King Biscuit]

.....vs Johnson! There is a third option no matter how hard you try to ignore the fact.

 

1% polling in the last election isn't a real 3rd option.

Sadly.

[Shokkou]

.....vs Johnson! There is a third option no matter how hard you try to ignore the fact.

 

1% polling in the last election isn't a real 3rd option.

Sadly.

Hey, you never know. Last election we didn't have a situation where both candidates inspired such hatred from their opposition, and certainly not from some of the people on their own side. If ever there was an opportunity for a third party to make waves, this election is it.

[KingTopherXXIII]

.....vs Johnson! There is a third option no matter how hard you try to ignore the fact.

 
1% polling in the last election isn't a real 3rd option.
Sadly.

I bet Trump had less than 1% last election....

[King Biscuit]

 

.....vs Johnson! There is a third option no matter how hard you try to ignore the fact.

 
1% polling in the last election isn't a real 3rd option.
Sadly.

 

I bet Trump had less than 1% last election....

 

Of coarse he didn't, because he wasn't the GOP nominee, nor did he make the general.

Speaking of conventions... fun fact.

The naked guy at the Libertarian convention?

I went to H.S. with that dude.

[ᗅᗺᗷᗅ]

Gary Johnson will likely do better this election than last time, but I think his boosters are forgetting that he is a deeply flawed candidate himself. He was just a meh governor of New Mexico who was widely criticized for his authoritarian tendencies. He was only elected the first time because it was a three-way race (which is a little ironic considering his position this time as a potential spoiler). He also left his sick wife for a younger woman. If voters got to know him more closely they would probably not like him much better than Trump or Clinton. Bottom line: Johnson is a political gadfly who runs for the Libertarian nomination because he has no chance of winning the Republican one. While his presence could definitely have an impact, there is effectively zero chance that he will win 270 electoral votes. At best he would throw the election to the House, and even that is highly unlikely.

 

As for Trump's daughter, I doubt she is going to be his running mate. While there are no rules against two people who are related to one another running together, it would look really, really bad. There are rules about people from the same state running together, which is why Dick Cheney had to change his address back to Wyoming to run with Dubya. Not that Ivanka couldn't just move to New Jersey or something. Still it seems pretty unlikely!

[Thrash]

Trump's daughter is hot as hell.

[ᗅᗺᗷᗅ]

Trump's daughter is hot as hell.

 

She certainly is. Who says money doesn't buy happiness?

[Eye Teeth]

Vote Trump. The interesting thing will be is what will Bernie supporters do? He basically hates everything Clinton is friendly with. The big corporations and banks. And will typical GOP voters, unite behind Trump, despite disliking him? I think Johnson may get 5-10 percent of the total vote, but everyone will go for one of the two major parties, as always. Though Trump is cool, because he is an outsider, not establishment.

[KingTopherXXIII]

Johnson is on the rise....

[ᗅᗺᗷᗅ]

Clinton hammered Trump pretty hard in her recent foreign policy speech. I didn't watch it because I don't care enough, but it's getting rave reviews. The talking heads are saying it is the best speech of her political career. Certainly it seems to have gotten under Trump's skin, along with the recent revelations about Trump University, his comments about the "Mexican" judge, increasing pressure to release his taxes, etc, etc. When Newt Gingrich is calling out your uncouth behavior, you know you've had a bad week. But he's had bad weeks before. If history is any guide he will try to seize control of the media narrative again next week with some outrageous statement.

 

It's almost like it's reality TV.

[Shokkou]

>Clinton is getting rave reviews

>from people who have a vested interest in her winning

And?

 

Gee, Trump's never been called out for his comments before. Surely this will be the turning point in the presidential race.

Edited by Shokkou, 06 June 2016 - 04:35 AM.

[Justavictim82]

He basically hates everything Clinton is friendly with. The big corporations and banks. And will typical GOP voters, unite behind Trump, despite disliking him? I think Johnson may get 5-10 percent of the total vote, but everyone will go for one of the two major parties, as always. Though Trump is cool, because he is an outsider, not establishment.

Wut. Trump is anti-corporation and banks? He IS a corporation.