[nathanbedford]

[ilgipper]

I think you have it about right. In the final two weeks before Iowa, he re-allied himself with the Washington establishment figures and trashed the most bold conservative in Washington. A guy conservatives have rallied around. Going on offense against Cruz is expected. The vitriol of nastiness and the attacks matching the left/GOPe was enough to change the entire story about Trump. He proved for the moment he is not one of us, but rather one of them. He’s still in position to make a run, but if he had taken a different course in the final weeks, he could have won and been nearly inevitable.

[Political Junkie Too]

Like all narcissists rookies he abandoned his friends and betrayed his supporters immediately it was more profitable to seduce a new group of potential friends, supporters and voters.

That's a little harsh for a close second place, don't you think?

In keeping with your analogy, I fixed it for you.

-PJ

[richardtavor]

I remind everyone that the best dealmaker ever was Satan. It didn’t work out well for mankind. Trump’s bromance with Carl Icahn says a lot. For those who have never had dealings with or against Icahn, he is just as ruthless as Gordon Gecko in the movie “Wall Street.” I have many friends that had their careers destroyed by him, and not because they were bad companies, but because he just decided he had to have them, and carve them up like turkeys and sell the parts...Icahn was the consummate model for the ‘Hostile Takeover’. Perhaps some feel like in order to win, we must sacrifice everything to do so. I understand that business model, but I do not agree with it. If that is the person that Trump heralds, watch out. Conservatism will win out in the long run.

[Wilderness Conservative]

I just thought Trump lost because Iowa picks losers.

[PGalt]

Interesting analysis; thread.

HOORAY Trump
HOORAY Cruz

[Amendment10]

”Trump believed the polls, he thought he had Iowa in the bag, . . .”

Noting that I will vote for Trump or Cruz, Trump explained in his concession speech that his advisors told him not to bother campaigning in Iowa and that he was happy to come in second (my words).

Regarding the polls, I have now seen a bit of evidence that Iowa politics may be controlled by the bully pulpit, Iowans possibly telling the pollsters what they perceived that the pollsters wanted to hear.

I am glad that Trump got burned by the faulty poll numbers because Trump learns from his mistakes.

[Blackirish]

His supporters all said dropping pot of the debate and picking a fight with a woman was genius.

They were wrong.

[Daffynition]

Trump would have done much better if there was a coin toss

Imagine. A coin toss.

[fingers_crossed]

You are right that Trump was/is his own worse enemy. From my perspective I've seen 2 Trumps. A very admirable, very talented and one of the world's most "Can do" individuals. And then a less admirable Trump.

BUT, why did he get where he is in the primaries. Because when he got in, he clearly pointed out issues and problems nobody dared mention. Big problems that if not solved could destroy American.

He pulled back the curtain and opened up our eyes to how much disdain the GOPe has for it's own people. Showing that elites are elites no matter what party they are in. One of the few scriptures they know is "the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters' table" Matthew 15:26-27.

Look at the migrant invasion destroying Europe. Doing actual harm to the average citizens. National leaders who should love their own citizens, with whom they share the same heritage, leaving them totally unprotected. That can happen here people.

By now many people know how he finished the Wollman Skating Rink in Central park in just 6 months, under budget. The city had been working on it for 2 years, was $12m over budget and was nowhere near being completed.

Virtually by himself starting the rebirth of NYC in the 1970s with the renovation of the Commodore Hotel next to Grand Central Terminal. The renovation was a success and is now the world famous Grand Hyatt Hotel of New York. Click Here for Grand Hyatt Pics

Though many of us find things about Trump disappointing and questionable, lets give him a little more time. Let's see how his defeat in Iowa changes him. See if he get's back on the track of bringing up problems and solutions.

See if he really is in this to Make American Great Again, or is he in it just cause he thinks it would make his life complete to be president.

Because we have a very real need for the "good" Trump that started the revival of NYC.

[CodeToad]

Trump, nor Ted or Rubio, dropped the ball. Hell, the turnout was amazing!

[TBP]

Lousy organization.

[Art in Idaho]

He told us what great people Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi were. He had praise for Mitch McConnell. He told us how he could "make deals" with all of them. He flirted with single-payer healthcare. He became less definite on immigration. Trump attacked Cruz from the left on the issue of biofuels in Iowa thus betraying an unseemly eagerness to pander. Trump demonstrated that as president his dalliances with big government crony capitalism would not stop, he would simply be playing the same game from the other side of the table.

Points well taken and all very big concerns for conservatives across America.

If Trump is going to continue his momentum he is going to have to:

1. Clarify what he means by 'make deals' with the the likes of Pelosi and Reid. We conservatives do not want any deals with democrats. Period. We want to dismantle their socialist system they have created in D.C. I know, you're the deal maker, but as you know better than anyone, sometimes it's just best to walk away with no deal. No quarter should be our deal making thought process. The democrat socialists, if you'll pardon the expression, are domestic terrorists in my mind who want to dismantle America. We do not negotiate with terrorists.

2. A definite clarification position statement on health care. Yes, we want Obamacare repealed for sure. We do not want it replaced with anything. We already have Medicare and Medicaid. That's enough. They will eventually go bankrupt as it is. People can discuss medishare accounts and other private healthcare options, but Trump has to clarify this, and soon. For me this is a total deal breaker. No single payer talk. Why? Vladimir Lenin said, "Socialized Medicine is the Keystone to the Arch of the Socialist State." That's why.

3. His personal attacks on Cruz did not help him. Let's keep it at least civil and let's focus on Hillary and everyone focus on their position statements, their platform, what each intends to accomplish as President. The personal attack stuff is not Presidential. Don't act like the left.

4. His past positions on things not conservative that have 'evolved' are still troublesome. How do we know he will maintain his current positions? Whom is he going to appoint to the Supreme Court? We're one Supreme Court justice away from possibly losing the 2nd Amendment. A statement saying her would only appoint a tried and true conservative would help and would garner votes. People are very worried about the Supreme Court.

Certainly some discussion of The Constitution would help and vowing to uphold, protect and defend the Constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic, etc. Discussion of the Constitution, The Founders and our Heritage would help immensely.

There's a lot to like about Trump. If he can overcome these doubts by addressing them head on with clear definitive written policy statements he would be assuage the fears of many people. It would serve his interest to do so this week.