Despite NY Win, It Was a Bad Week for Trump

Townhall.com ^ | April 22, 2016 | David Limbaugh

[Kaslin]

Despite his big win in New York on Tuesday, Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump has had a pretty bad week. But will it matter? It should -- and just might.

During an NBC "Today" show town hall Thursday, the host read a question from Twitter concerning Trump's views on LGBT issues and how he plans to be inclusive as president. "Speak about North Carolina bathroom law in particular."

Trump responded: "I had a feeling that question was going to come up, I will tell you. Well, look, North Carolina did something that was very strong, and they're paying a big price, and there's a lot of problems. ... North Carolina, what they're going through, with all of the business that's leaving and all of the strife -- and that's on both sides -- you leave it the way it is. There have been very few complaints the way it is. People go, they use the bathroom that they feel is appropriate. There has been so little trouble."

In response to a follow-up question, Trump said he would not support putting new bathrooms in Trump Tower. "I think that would be discriminatory in a certain way."

These politically correct answers from the alleged king of political incorrectness have to be music to the ears of Democrats -- not only those far left enough to agree with Trump's view but all others because they know this will alienate Trump from the tons of Republican voters who recognize such lunacy. Perhaps Trump should have been more forthcoming about his true New York liberal values.

Before you buy into Trump's inevitable walk-back of this disaster, remember how he began his answer: that he had anticipated the question. I'm not sure whether that should be more damning than if his answer had been purely spontaneous, revealing his true feelings apart from political calculation, but it's greatly troubling either way.

Trump says he is concerned about the strife and "the economic punishment (North Carolina is) taking." But it seems he also sees the issue from the perspective of adult men who want to use little girls' bathrooms. Has he even considered this from the perspective of the parents of these girls and all other sane people who don't feel comfortable sharing bathrooms with people of the opposite gender?

Who thinks like this, other than a candidate pandering to new constituencies? Who actually believes that prohibiting grown men from using little girls' bathrooms is discriminatory against the transgender community rather than against the 99 percent of people who have always had the comfort of going to public restrooms without the fear that people of the opposite gender could invade their privacy? Isn't protecting public safety one of government's chief duties?

It will be interesting to see how Trump's infinitely forgiving fans explain this one away or whether they'll even bother to try. I get it; all they think about is unfair trade and "the wall," so maybe they'll explain why Trump wants to tear down public bathroom walls.

Also on Thursday, Trump said he would support raising taxes on the rich, which should concern all economic conservatives who support reducing taxes across the board to stimulate robust economic growth. It should also concern Trump's defenders who believed he was standing by the tax plan posted on his website, which includes a cut to the top rate, from 39.6 percent to 25 percent.

Those convinced that Trump has few ideological moorings and an inclination toward liberal positions are vindicated -- again. No matter what written plans Trump has proposed for use in his campaign, his instincts are to support the liberal position on many issues. And for those who buy that he's made a strong conversion from his previous liberal ways, you should know that there has apparently been no change in Trump's views about taxes since 1991, when he testified as a Democratic expert witness and described Ronald Reagan's tax cuts as "catastrophic."

Those who still believe in the sincerity of Trump's conversion to conservatism should be aware of the other bombshell that exploded this week in Camp Trump, which may be the most troubling of all.

In a private meeting aimed at reassuring concerned GOP leaders about Trump's positions and electability in a general election, Trump's "chief lieutenants" reportedly told them that Trump has been "projecting an image" up to this point in the primary season and "the part that he's been playing is evolving" in a way that will make him more palatable to general election voters. How utterly comforting.

Trump's new campaign guru, Paul Manafort, reportedly told Republican National Committee members that Trump has two personalities -- a private one and another one when he's onstage. "When he's out on the stage, when he's talking about the kinds of things he's talking about on the stump, he's projecting an image that's for that purpose. You'll start to see more depth of the person, the real person. You'll see a real different guy."

So his own campaign chief just comes right out and says Trump has been playing a role -- pretending to be someone he's not? This is just incredible stuff, folks.

For the life of me, I don't understand how Trump's most ardent supporters can feel comfortable relying on his always-shifting promises -- even on immigration. Those who still feel comfortable about his candidacy baffle me.

Yes, Trump won his liberal home state resoundingly, but looking back, this could be one of his worst weeks of the campaign.

[Kaslin]

That is exactly what he said and the video proves it.

[wardaddy]

Really JR zotted I think 5-6

BigUn committed self immolation

Quit crying

You guys bring it on yourselves

[Fantasywriter]

Health issues are interesting too—looking forward to reading more of your comments in the future!

[spacejunkie2001]

typical liberal mindset. get rid of dissenters and anyone that tells the truth.

the truth is, trump is a fake, fraud, conman, loser.

[LS]

“If he makes them go back while he also starts enforcing the border, they CAN’T come back, because they don’t have visas or green cards.”

What he said. 100% correct.

[LS]

I think there is a realization that many of those-—like NR, Ben Shapiro, Jim Geraghty, Jonah Goldberg, and others-—who jumped up and down screaming “conservative principles” really only meant “elect more GOPe so we can keep our goodies.”

[Mike Darancette]

Geez. When are these naval pondering analists going to stop plunging into the toilet

Who cares what Trump says because we know he is amazing and knows what is right for us.

[be-baw]

“Who cares what Trump says because we know he is amazing and knows what is right for us.”

Speak for yourself.

[Nacho Bidnith]

Trump refuses to debate Ted one on one. Why is that? It's because there is a likelihood that he will open his mouth and say something dumb to the effect like, "I'd let tranny's use my bathrooms in Trump Tower" on a national stage with all the cameras focusing on him, and then Trump supporters can wonder whether they've made the right choice - as can delegates whose votes have not yet been cast.

As a Trump supporter, what comes to my mind is that the far Right has become just as deranged as the far Left.

You people constantly complain about the SJW's and what they do, but every time they set a trap to cause more problems, you nuts are happy to jump right into it.

People that used to consider themselves to be "conservatives" are leaving in droves because you Cruz people are becoming as intolerant as the so called "liberals".

Maybe some self reflection is in order here.

[FreeReign]

“If he makes them go back while he also starts enforcing the border, they CAN’T come back, because they don’t have visas or green cards.” What he said. 100% correct.

If there is a legislated legalization amnesty, then of course they could get green cards. That's what a legalization amnesty is.

Question to Donald Trump: You have said that you want to expedite them the non criminals, the good ones back legally. Would you sign off on a Ryan/McConnell touchback legalization amnesty, yes or no?

[Mike Darancette]

I honestly don’t think Trump’s plan is “touchback amnesty.” If I did, I wouldn’t support him.

Check again, I don't trust a President to define "legal"; once Trump is part of the establishment he will "negotiate" and make "deals". There is no mention anywhere that mere illegal entry would disqualify an alien for re-entry, this is nonsensical wishful thinking.

[Mike Darancette]

Oh, I also think that Trump is more electable than Cruz

Walker is more electable than Trump.

[9YearLurker]

I don’t believe so.

[Agamemnon]

We know who he is; we have seen it for years. Trump will only get in trouble if he starts trying to be something he is not.

He's in trouble with a lot of people for what he is and what he's always been. We're not "liars" for calling him out on what he is and what he's always been.

To your credit, it seems that you have the honesty to admit Trump hasn't changed at all, and that he hasn't kidded you, even as all his other acolytes claim that he has somehow become Mr. Wonder Conservative practically over night.

Fact is what he is and has always been is going to come back to bite you and all his supporters in short order, and you'll remember what I am telling you today.

For now, the "image" thing Mr. GOPe Manafort promotes allows you to see what you want to see about him, and project whatever you want him to be on to him, because you have no evidence of core character other than his business expediencies over the years to inform you.

But with all you say you know who is, none of that seems to bother you. No, Cruz, the 97% consistent conservative bothers you.

Cruz bothers you because his consistency holds up a mirror to your own inconsistency. That is what makes you uncomfortable about Ted Cruz and makes a lot on this Board uncomfortable about themselves, and I understand that you all don't like that.

As far as the seemingly changing quality of posters, I've been around here long enough to have noticed that I never had to get into a discussion with a guy who finds surgically sculpted men pretending to be women to be attractive. Assuming you have daughters as I do, just rest assured that they won't have their right to female privacy protected in the bathroom spaces in Trump's Towers.

Funny thing is Target has already received >100,000 complaints for their stance on protecting that 1% of queers at the expense of the 99% normal and the boycott is coming. By contrast not enough Chinese super bankers that he brags all the time that he rents to in Trump Towers are complaining, so this allows him the freedom to cater to proclivities of the NYC Values perverts on his small scale.

"Mr. FreeRepublic" supports Trump. I know that. He's told me that personally on other threads. And I know he'll likely be as disappointed with Trump as you will be when he someday smash-mouths those very people who have elevated him.

If he wins the nomination he'll do it at a time when you will have nothing to say about it.

FReegards!

[Mike Darancette]

A, help write the plan,

And where is that plan written and does it mention how to get back through that amazing door in the wall?

[Fantasywriter]

‘End welfare abuse.

Applicants for entry to the United States should be required to certify that they can pay for their own housing, healthcare and other needs before coming to the U.S.’

The above will apply to illegals that will have been deported. I.e.: they can’t get back in through the gate unless they can prove they will be productive.

Here’s the link to the plan:

https://www.donaldjtrump.com/positions/immigration-reform

[LMAO]

The quality of poster here at FR seems to have changed over the years, or maybe emboldened under the smash-mouth umbrella of the Trump persona they feel more comfortable about outing themselves, particularly in this election season.

---

Most of Trump’s past positions and statements would have normally earned him the RINO label here at one time if he held office.

But since he hasn’t held office before and doesn’t have an actual voting record, it’s allowed his supporters to mold him into their own perfect candidate.

That’s why when you see his more liberal side start to show now that the nomination is all but his, the excuse making starts as it threatens the image they’ve created in their minds. When it comes to the issues of the bathrooms and changing the party’s platform on abortion, we are told to ignore that and his switches. Well, if his core beliefs are “negotiable,” what evidence do they have that he will do anything about illegal immigration

And his stand on the bathroom and changing platform on abortion doesn’t then match his claim of being audited for being a “Strong Christian” and reading the Bible more than anyone.

If the bathroom is is no big deal as the Trumpers say, then what’s the harm of just giving a shout out to the NC Governor on the issue

We are being sold a bill of goods by a talented business man and I doubt even if some do see it, it’ll change their opinion of him

[LS]

Since I don’t trust Mr. Insider St. Ted, I will go with Trump.

[LS]

Answer: sure. Because “touchback” will require you can’t have broken any laws. Oops. Already did. Sorry, Jose.

[Agamemnon]

People that used to consider themselves to be "conservatives" are leaving in droves....

True conservatives don't abandon their positions, nor do they leave in droves as you say, because their conservatism is at their core. It is their identity.

Many pretend to be conservatives, as it suits them, and they may leave in droves, but not being conservative at their core they too easily and willfully turn a blind eye to what a core-beliefs conservative will oppose on principle.

I invite people to do some introspection and ask themselves whether standing in defense of the presumed right of sexually mentally ill men to use women's facilities is a conservative position.

I'll also ask why it is so difficult for one candidate to stand four square with the state of NC on their law upholding traditional bathroom usage without defending the business decisions of corrupt business leaders to punish NC for protecting the right to normative sexual privacy in public bathrooms.

Why is it that today after being here on FR for almost 18 years do I find myself debating such nonsense with people who pretend to call themselves conservatives in the first place?

FReegards!