With a gun to my head I'd take Trump over Cruz

[sggatecl]

champ...not for nothing...and even considering the numerous fights we have had on the political boards through the years...and at times I've REALLY disliked you...

but I would seriously write you in as POTUS over any of the clowns we have before us today. I know you would push your socialist agenda and that would irk me no end...but I'd write in Spartanmack as your VP so that in the back of your mind you would know if you went too far with the socialist stuff, some Tea Bagger might put Spartanmack into the presidency...so you'd tone things down just to spite him and make sure he didn't become president.

Champ/Spartanmack 2016...now THAT's a ticket I can get behind.

I legitimately LOL'd. :cheers:

 

[KAWDUP]

Honestly with Trump I'd be most worried about foreign policy. Less than 6 months in to his first term even our allies will be pointing their ballistic missiles at us. I can see it now, at some state dinner he'll make some comment like he always does, aloof of how far his words will actually go or be scrutinized, something like how he thinks Angela Merkel's a big rug-muncher or something. Then we asked about it he'll smirk and say "You know what I meant", and wave the question off.


Also, thank you for the huge LOL moment. Literally was laughing so hard almost at tears over "cow tow".

It was semi-deliberate - I pretty much knew it wasn't spelled that way, but when I looked at it, I smiled and left it. After looking it up, though, I think it is spelled kowtow.

BTW - my man has already disgraced himself, and has no chance at all at the nomination. I kind of liked Ben Carson at the very start of the process. Not so much now. I can honestly say I am undecided. I know more about who I will refuse to even consider, but I imagine most are in that boat.

Still a long ways off, maybe someone will step up - never know.

 

[Michchamp]

It was semi-deliberate - I pretty much knew it wasn't spelled that way, but when I looked at it, I smiled and left it. After looking it up, though, I think it is spelled kowtow.

BTW - my man has already disgraced himself, and has no chance at all at the nomination. I kind of liked Ben Carson at the very start of the process. Not so much now. I can honestly say I am undecided. I know more about who I will refuse to even consider, but I imagine most are in that boat.

Still a long ways off, maybe someone will step up - never know.

jesus h. ... look, you're a smart guy. For the last 35 years, the GOP's solution to governance has been tax cuts - all of which primarily served the wealthiest, (and that's not an assumption on my part), deregulation, and higher defense spending coupled with militaristic foreign policy. SINCE 1980. And they've largely gotten their way over that entire time. Even during the 90's Clinton signed NAFTA, and continued deregulating business and industry. and where has all this gotten us?

and whenever they've been out of power, they rely predominantly on racism and xenophobia to appeal to voters.

and you still expect them to produce a viable candidate?

the only moderate Republican president since 1980 was George HW Bush, and you see how well regarded he is by the rest of the party.

 

[tinselwolverine]

Hey we have another exciting Republican debate tonight.

 

[grandy]

Is there anyone in the US who would actually be a good candidate these days?

I still lean toward writing in Joe Lieberman or someone other than the ones being forced upon The People. I know, I know...the Dems view him like he's Darth Vader...but just like Darth, they should still see the good in him as he still has many Dem leanings and is about as Moderate as a candidate could possibly be.

The problem with this particular election is that a moderate stands no chance in the Republican primary. On the other side, the DNC decided long ago that Hillary was the nominee, preventing (or rather suppressing) any competition. Bernie is keeping close, but I'm not sure how long that lasts.

Perhaps there's hope for 2020, but everything just feels incredibly divided right now.

 

[KAWDUP]

jesus h. ... look, you're a smart guy. For the last 35 years, the GOP's solution to governance has been tax cuts - all of which primarily served the wealthiest, (and that's not an assumption on my part), deregulation, and higher defense spending coupled with militaristic foreign policy. SINCE 1980. And they've largely gotten their way over that entire time. Even during the 90's Clinton signed NAFTA, and continued deregulating business and industry. and where has all this gotten us?

and whenever they've been out of power, they rely predominantly on racism and xenophobia to appeal to voters.

and you still expect them to produce a viable candidate?

the only moderate Republican president since 1980 was George HW Bush, and you see how well regarded he is by the rest of the party.

Would like to see a larger field on the Democratic side because I don't think Hillary is all that great, but if forced to pick one, I can't imagine who else. Unless someone is actually able to make hay out of the FBI investigation into her personal E-mails (not likely), I doubt she is losing right now.

If forced to pick a Republican candidate with the experience to not look like a fool, I would have to pick Kasich. He hasn't looked great in the debates, though, looking a little desperate to be heard, and he really isn't polling well, but as I said it is quite a long way still. In my opinion, Iowa, New Hampshire, and South Carolina aren't really the bellwether states. Florida will go a long way toward clearing up the field a bit. That certainly gives an advantage to Marco Rubio or Jeb Bush. I'd expect voter turn-out to be pretty much the same as the previous general election if one of them turns out to be the nominee.

As I mentioned, I am undecided, but we are going to get stuck with one of them, that is the only thing I am pretty sure about.

 

[tinselwolverine]

Would like to see a larger field on the Democratic side because I don't think Hillary is all that great, but if forced to pick one, I can't imagine who else. Unless someone is actually able to make hay out of the FBI investigation into her personal E-mails (not likely), I doubt she is losing right now.

If forced to pick a Republican candidate with the experience to not look like a fool, I would have to pick Kasich. He hasn't looked great in the debates, though, looking a little desperate to be heard, and he really isn't polling well, but as I said it is quite a long way still. In my opinion, Iowa, New Hampshire, and South Carolina aren't really the bellwether states.

I've been disappointed in how Kasich has come off.

What Iowa and New Hampshire do is establish a real front runner and give that candidate momentum; it's the same with both parties.

 

[zyxt9]

Clinton...ugh...nope, can't do it yet. Might depend on her running mate. In fact, that might be the deciding factor this election since the presidential nominees will suck. Who is the VP? That might at least I still hope that the Pres nom will one day be removed from office and the good VP candidate can take over.

Maybe...

But they will probably put up a Palin-esque VP on both sides so that the entire nation forgives any and all impeachment offenses and everyone hopes they survive through January 2021.

 

[grandy]

I seriously want the "None of the Above" option on ballots everywhere (not just Nevada), but with a do-over if the option wins. I think it could be a popular choice this time around.

 

[KAWDUP]

and whenever they've been out of power, they rely predominantly on racism and xenophobia to appeal to voters.

I didn't actually mean to let this one stand without response.

You are way over-stereotyping the party. You leave out way too many rational non-racist voters. I am sorry that you are so jaded.

. . . and BTW . . . racism and xenophobia are not limited to the just the right side of the voting population. One has more than the other, but I certainly don't consider that some kind of shining endorsement for either one.

 

[tinselwolverine]

I seriously want the "None of the Above" option on ballots everywhere (not just Nevada), but with a do-over if the option wins. I think it could be a popular choice this time around.

A person can ostensibly achieve this by going to the polls and not voting; simply turning in an unpunched ballot - I think it's described as a no vote.

I've no voted before.

 

[KAWDUP]

A person can ostensibly achieve this by going to the polls and not voting; simply turning in an unpunched ballot - I think it's described as a no vote.

I've no voted before.

. . . or just stay home. Be counted among the nearly half of the registered voters who did in 2012.

I guess turning in a ballot is a stronger statement, but both are copouts. No right to complain (or at least I won't listen) if you don't figure something out about who is the lesser evil for you. You may not agree with some of the candidates positions, but putting your head in the sand certainly does not help either.

 

[grandy]

I think it at least makes some statement. I feel that not voting shows either laziness or a lack of caring for the whole process, a nota vote at least displays some level of unhappiness. I also can't bring myself to vote for the lesser of two evils, if two shitty candidates are put out there, I'm going 3rd party.

 

[Spartanmack]

I think it at least makes some statement. I feel that not voting shows either laziness or a lack of caring for the whole process, a nota vote at least displays some level of unhappiness. I also can't bring myself to vote for the lesser of two evils, if two shitty candidates are put out there, I'm going 3rd party.

Assuming the 3rd party candidate is better or would you vote that way just to make a statement, knowing that candidate can't win? Usually the 3rd party guys are even bigger wackos.

 

[tinselwolverine]

Hey can anybody tell me what time the debates are on tonight? It's a little inconvenient for me to look it up right now.

 

[grandy]

Assuming the 3rd party candidate is better or would you vote that way just to make a statement, knowing that candidate can't win? Usually the 3rd party guys are even bigger wackos.

A little of both I guess, I'm much more likely to find a 3rd party candidate that aligns with my views than either of the major candidates.

I strongly disagree with Republicans on most social issues and some environmental issues and I disagree with Democrats on gun control and most economic issues...I'm screwed either way.

It feels like there's no winning with these candidates, but I want to at least make an effort to vote.

 

[sggatecl]

Hey can anybody tell me what time the debates are on tonight? It's a little inconvenient for me to look it up right now.

There will actually be two debates - one starting at 6pm ET/3pm PT, with Carly Fiorina, Mike Huckabee, Rand Paul and Rick Santorum. Then, at 9pm ET/6pm PT, the ?frontrunner debate? will begin, with the rest of the candidates: Donald Trump, Ted Cruz, Marco Rubio, Ben Carson, Jeb Bush, John Kasich and Chris Christie.

 

[JScottWriter]

There will actually be two debates - one starting at 6pm ET/3pm PT, with Carly Fiorina, Mike Huckabee, Rand Paul and Rick Santorum. Then, at 9pm ET/6pm PT, the ?frontrunner debate? will begin, with the rest of the candidates: Donald Trump, Ted Cruz, Marco Rubio, Ben Carson, Jeb Bush, John Kasich and Chris Christie.

Wow, Carly got moved back to the kids table.

 

[sggatecl]

Wow, Carly got moved back to the kids table.

It's kind of amusing that they haven't moved Bush and Kashich there too.

 

[Gulo Blue]