Posted on 01/13/2016 4:49:16 PM PST by conservativejoy
Over at Conservative Review today they have an in-depth piece looking at Trump's questionable political history, from his positions on everything from immigration to Syria to even support for Mitch McConnell.
Here's an example:
On September 8, 2015, Trump said the following about the Syrian refugees: "I hate the concept of it, but on a humanitarian basis of what's happening, you have to." Just a day later he partially reversed course:
I think we should help, but I think we should be very careful because frankly, we have very big problems. We're not gonna have a country if we don't start getting smart.
Then he went on to promote a ban on Muslim immigration. This proposal set off an imbroglio within the political world that completely washed away the fact that Trump's first thoughts were to follow the groupthink.
Conservatives need to know if Donald Trump is really the man who will put Americans first and demolish the "dummies" in Washington or if his lack of a coherent philosophy will lead him to reflexively parrot the very politically correct talking points he so vehemently assails and yet has so often adopted. Is Trump who we think he is on immigration or is he pragmatically trying to tap into a frustration to win the primary with a plan to revert to his original talking points after winning?
Indeed we covered that both here and here, where Trump literally switched positions one day apart. I think that's what we call pandering.
And this is just one example.
Considering how Trump has switched positions during this very campaign on important issues (like Syria or Cruz eligibility, etc), which version of Trump will he be when he gets to Washington and decides he wants to get stuff done? Who or what will he support in the name of 'doing business' to get legislation through? Will he be as tough as he is now or will he turn into much more of a compromiser in the name of ‘doing business’?
I really think that's an open question, especially based on his past 'business' relationships.
Cruz is not eligible. Either you support the constitution or you don’t.
Everything I see here proves that Trump is going to win. Trump supporters cantthink, while Cruz supporters yell nothing but labels....conservatism....whatever that NO LONGER means if Cruz is your model!
So, you have no problem with his understanding of the State of the Union as we know it?
Openly defending progressivism AND a birther?
Damn. You’re not doing well at all.
I have a problem with his liberalism and with his character. Was my post not clear?
No it isn’t clear at all. What issues are you concerned most about with a Trump Presidency?
It’s not hard.
Issues dealing with yours and my time on this planet. If you will.
An awesome and important question, and one that I hope you'll allow others to answer as well...
For me, I'm confident that he will be great on immigration and the economy... although the concern still exists that he may not follow Constitutional principles in doing so, and instead opting for the Obama approach so as to "get things done". Trump admires efficiency far more than he admires following the rules, in my mind anyway. After those, there is nothing that we can be sure that he "will do as President", which is also troubling. The religious freedom issues are still in play, as are ObamaCare, gun rights, etc. Then there is the troubling precedent of electing the wealthy, or celebrities, and both groups tend to be mostly clueless idiots (as is the majority of the electorate). Trump has always been about Trump, and I believe that his motivation in office will be about proving to the globe that he is the best businessman ever... again, not the worst thing in the world, but also could be problematic as egomaniacs like Obama are something we need to get away from, not double-down on.
Substantive enough?
As I’ve said before, you are nothing but a label follower. I believe in the constitution. If you wish to call that a birther, go right ahead to your heart’s content. It doesn’t have any effect on me, just shows how unlearned you are. Of course I realize you couldn’t read or understand Vattel’s treatise, it’s far too complicated for you. Which means, of course, you don’t understand the Declaration of independence either. Poor thing!
I’m doing much better than you are, dearie!
Then I suggest you read it again. Slowly, if necessary.
" What issues are you concerned most about with a Trump Presidency?"
Looks like you should have vetted your candidate, doesn't it?
"It’s not hard."
Vetting isn't hard to do, but some of you would rather keep your heads in the sand about your progressive hero, ignore everything out of his mouth that reveals his core liberal values, and just keep on Trumping.
By the way, I invite you and any other Trump supporters on the thread to condemn the open defense of progressivism just posted by your fellow fan. But you won't. You never do. Anything goes as long as the Trump pompoms are being waved.
So explain this to me.
Why is it okay for you to question Trump's commitment to his stated policies based on his past statements, but it's not okay for me to question Cruz's financial backing based on every other elected official's financial backing?
Furthermore, I don't care who "runs" Cruz's superPAC. I want to know who's CONTRIBUTING to it and how much.
Speculating on who gives to Cruz, and what Cruz has to promise to get it based on who's RUNNING his superPAC is "sell you the Brooklyn Bridge" territory.
Finally, your recitation of Trump's positions is as dishonest and corrupt as conflating terrorism with freedom fighting.
Well, Thats a good start.
From what I have known about Mr. Trump is he is very proud of his accomplishments. He understands the politics of capitalism.
His learning curve will come with the Presidency.
I believe him on getting rid of Obama’s executive actions and I believe him on getting rid of the left on attacking the Constitution.
I don’t believe he will change any law except for Obamacare.
That one will be tough.
I do believe he will strengthen the military and make our border secure. That will be a second priority.
His first priority will be trade. He will make China pay for locking their currency to ours. They were warned of this 30 years ago and we did nothing.
China turned the USA into a service economy.
Thanks for your nothing answer. Move along, food is scarce.
Don't be a fool. You think the left didn't learn anything from Reagan's victories?
Your logic is about as sound as The Battle of Agincourt "proving" you can win a war with swords!
The pathetic thing is that you even need an explanation, rather than just being honest with yourself and opening your eyes to really see what you’re supporting.
I’m just asking for a breakdown of what you support and what you think the candidates will do.
Calling somebody a name really doesn’t cut it. I guess I’m old school.
I’ll make it finer to the point.
No Trump has ever entered the race.
Where are the candidates and what is the topic?
Fair Enough?
I guess what I am asking for is for you to declare what YOU support on the issues and how your candidate will get this done.
Just saying that somebody else didn’t do this or that really doesn’t do anything for your reason or conclusion.
I haven't questioned Trump's commitment to his stated policies.
I have simply pointed out Trump's current policies that I disagree with.
I have simply pointed out Trump's past positions that have changed for the better, recently.
You can come to any conclusion that you want.
Furthermore, I don't care who "runs" Cruz's superPAC. I want to know who's CONTRIBUTING to it and how much.
I've been posting that for weeks. The Wilks brothers, Neugebauer and Robert Mercer. All together they total about 35 million.
They are all some combination of conservative, evangelical, anti illegal immigration and pro energy.
Finally, your recitation of Trump's positions is as dishonest and corrupt as conflating terrorism with freedom fighting.
No, not at all. Your response to my list is dishonest.
Well, I hope he will do the things he has promised. He can if he wants to and doesn’t fall under some bad influences.
He can certainly delegate and figure out how to get things done and he doesn’t mind taking heat.
The last couple of days I think he’s taken a hit because of his contemptible and dismissive treatment of Ted Cruz. How dare he suggest Ted get out of the race. Ted is Number 2 or sometimes number one in all the polls.
While this has eroded some of his respect among conservatives and Cruz supporters, I’m not sure it’s enough to take him down at this point.
If debates mattered, he might lose some support because he’s been horrible in the debates, but they don’t seem to matter.
I just hope and pray that if he does get the nomination he can win and that he won’t slip back into liberalism.
Maybe the things you cite will be enough. Anyway, better than Hillary.
But I don’t think he is nearly as oriented on downsizing the government as Ted Cruz is.
Ted Cruz would cut out a huge number of costly government agencies that do more harm than good.
I don’t think Trump has thought of any of this. He’s a big picture guy. If he will listen to some conservative advisers he might do something... but I’m not sure he listens to anyone.
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