Can’t be only if he goes third party.
Well, two things, for what they’re worth.
First, polls from the election George H.W. Bush lost seem to indicate that he drew equally from both candidates, that the people who voted for Perot would either have stayed home, or chosen the Republican or the Democrat choice in about equal numbers if Perot hadn’t made himself one. I’ve only seen one source for this though, and it’s not common belief (nor was it mine until seeing it), so if there are other links to refute it, please let me know.
Second, Trump has stated more than once that he would not run if his running as an independent weren’t indicated by polling as very likely to be victorious, that he would stand down in order to be rid of the golfer-in-chief. How likely that seems to many people on here has been talked about. He’s also said he thinks the race for the Republican nomination is a greater challenge to him than that for the presidency.
Geez I hope not. Perot was and is right about a lot of the things he said, and it was enough for a big swath of (mostly) the Right to vote for him. Problem was, there were (and still are) a lot of “squishy” Right, and they were too timid to vote for a non-establishment candidate, and we got The Bent One as a result. Perot’s words I think did influence policy after the election, witness the Contract with America.
This time around, that same sentiment exists pre-election time, but Trump very well could play spoiler. He’s too “entertainment” to easily nail the Republican nomination, and very well could end up on a third-party ticket just like Perot did; and if that happens, just like with Perot, he’ll split the Republican/Conservative vote again. This time, however, it won’t be a relatively affable man-of-the-people former Arkansas governor who had executive experience and who could compromise on politics if he had to that gets elected; we’ll be stuck with a hard-left incompetent wannabe-dictator who would have nothing to lose after the election.
At best, Trump might give us Trump. At worse, Trump will give us, Obama II.
There is no upside with Trump. Conservatives can do better.
The correct term is not “New Perot”...
Its “Perot with hair”.
I can do a Perot impersonation, The Donald maybe.
I think there’s more than one way to spoil an election.
That's exactly right. Someone is finally, finally, FINALLY willing to stand up to those arrogant bastards.
Not sure that I support Trump at this time, but he's saying much that has been left unsaid for far too long.
I will not be fooled by Trump. I have seen Arnold in Calif to know what a Trump presidency could look like.
But, I love seeing the country club Republican snobs squirm. They were afraid of Palin so they tried to destroy her. So now they may end up with Trump. They will get what they deserve.
Econ wise, I think Trump would be better than the current President. But, he is definitely not a conservative.
Same comment I always make. Read my lips Bush could not have stabbed the base in the back, and could easily have embraced the issues Perot brought up. Instead he chose to take voters for granted and lost them to Perot.
Textbook result when you fail to campaign to win an election. If Romney wins the nomination or Huckabee or the like, I fully expect Trump to go third party and for people on here to tell people to just pull the party line. I’ll be voting for as conservative as I can get who also campaigns for my vote.
I will not be fooled by Trump. I have seen Arnold in Calif to know what a Trump presidency could look like.
But, I love seeing the country club Republican snobs squirm. They were afraid of Palin so they tried to destroy her. So now they may end up with Trump. They will get what they deserve.
Econ wise, I think Trump would be better than the current President. But, he is definitely not a conservative.
What I’m sick and tired of is a lack of substantial candidates that speak the truth and are willing to say things that are unpopular to address real issues. I agree, Trump is no Conservative; but he puts America first. Is that so bad? Given a choice between Trump and a lightweight politico who will maintain the status quo, I go for Trump. Come on - we need a solid and no BS candidate who is willing to call it like it is. Sarah Palin does this, but I am not convinced she has the gravitas to make a difference; I’m concerned that D.C would run her, not the other way around. The Donald isn’t afraid; and I’m certain he wouldn’t back down.
Trump’s success in the poles is an attempt by the media to choose the Republican nominee. Sadly Fox News is adding fuel to the fire.
Anyone who has to tell you how smart he is as often as Trump isn’t too smart.
I actively supported Perot, wrote letters on his behalf and donated money when he ran. I supported him for three major reasons:
First, his involvement with the POW movement in Vietnam, a subject near and dear to my heart.
Second, his selection of Admiral John Stockdale as his running mate. Admiral Stockdale was, for me, a “broken glass” candidate if there ever was one. A brilliant, principled and honorable man, he was one of my heroes. it was a life goal of mine to meet him and shake his hand, sadly unrealized.
Third, Perot’s apparent acumen as a capitalist and businessman, able to grow a company to highly successful levels and provide jobs for hundreds or thousands of people.
In retrospect, it was the worst political decision I ever made. I discounted the political dynamic, and I do believe regardless of what many said, that his candidacy opened the door to eight hideous years of the grifter Clintons. I regret it to this day.
In my opinion, Trump is Perot without the dogged values of Perot, the support of the military and a man of quality and honor as his running mate. The result will be exactly the same, though the mechanism may be different. Here is how it will happen:
Whether Trump is the primary candidate or a third party candidate, the media, newspapers, television, magazines etc. will be filled with non-hostile puff pieces on Trump. He will get plenty of face time, a lot of it good. It will be very even-handed coverage, if not positive.
If he does not run as a third party candidate outright, the preliminary campaign will be a long, bloody, drawn out internecine battle. The media will make Trump the favorite, especially if Palin or another conservative is the candidate, in order to draw out the battle and drain resources as much as is possible, and cripple one or both candidates to the degree they will be unable to mount a viable campaign against a candidate with a billion or more dollars in his war chest.
Like Obama will have.
Once the general election begins, one of two things will happen: If Trump is the GOP nominee, he will be hammered un-mercilessly from the beginning, and he will fail, because his past in so many ways will be highlighted, explored, delved into, and all of the many foibles, flaws and contradictions (of which there are many, such as the money donated to Rahm Emanuel and his support of government run healthcare in the past) will be brought to light, discussed endlessly by talking heads to the exclusion of anything from the Obama campaign. He is a flawed and ruined candidate from day one, no matter his conservative-sounding statements in the last couple of months.
Obama wins.
But, if Trump is a third party candidate, the kid gloves treatment will continue unabated until election day 2012. Trump will be presented as a very viable candidate for conservatives, but the attraction towards the precious “undecided”, “independent” or “swing” voters will be gently downplayed. This manipulation of the electorate will be carried out while the GOP candidate is pounded for association with the Tea Party values, cutting Medicare and Social Security for the elderly, and so on.
The vote will be split as EVENLY as is possible, and Obama wins.
Mitt Romney: The New Bush?
Perot was running against George Bush Sr. and his challenger, Bill Clinton.
Trump is running against incumbent Barack Obama and his challenger, ????.
There are a lot of very, very, disenchanted middle of the road voters who already gave ‘hope’ a chance.
All we are saying...is give hope a chance. That was Obama’s song to independants in 2008.
What’s his song now? “Born in the USA ... I’m a cool rockin daddy in the USA!”