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Is it True Donald Trump Cannot Win the Presidency?
The New York Times ^ | October 12, 2015 | David Leonhardt

Posted on 10/12/2015 5:44:24 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet

A reader writes, “Everyone says Donald Trump can’t win. Exactly why not?”

David Leonhardt, editor for The Upshot, considers the question:

Can Donald Trump win the Republican nomination? Sure, it’s within the realm of plausibility; he’s now been leading the polls for months, after all. But it seems highly unlikely because it would violate just about every historical pattern of presidential races.

No modern candidate has received a major-party nomination — and perhaps no candidate in American history — while being opposed by the party’s elites: donors, media figures, politicians and others.

Elite support matters because they have the ability to shape public opinion through endorsements, public criticism and other means. Many voters don’t follow campaigns very closely. They don’t dig through position papers or watch hours upon hours of debates. They’re influenced by what they hear.

In every recent Republican presidential campaign, a couple of contenders — often with resumes atypical of a serious candidate — have shot to the top of the early polls, only to fade as they face scrutiny and criticism. What’s fascinating about Mr. Trump is that he has, if anything, endured harsher criticism, and yet he has also remained atop the polls for longer.

Perhaps Republican primary voters have grown so fed up with the country and their party that they’re willing to dismiss the collective opinion of Republican elites (which now seems to favor Marco Rubio or Jeb Bush). But it really would be unprecedented for the party to nominate someone like Mr. Trump, Ben Carson or Carly Fiorina....

(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Culture/Society; Philosophy; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: davidleonhardt; moretrumpdoomporn; newyork; newyorkcity; newyorkslimes; trump
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

Unprecedented. That is fine with me in this instance. The world is a much different place and convention is the unconventional. Let it go our way for once.


101 posted on 10/12/2015 8:26:31 PM PDT by Rona Badger (Heeds the calling wind.)
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To: waynesa98
I sometimes feel like its the end times, then most of the times I don't....I don't think we will know when or where or what until that day comes...

I do know one thing...if something happens to Trump during this election, we are sunk...I know there are other supporters out there that don't believe that, that their candidate is the only one, but you look at the base Trump is building...it's strong, it's unshakable, and it's building....I just hope that he will be in the Oval Office to help America and her people....

Those that are running for House and Senate seats this election are probably not going to be re-elected, there is to much out there that they have done for the people to trust them again...

God Bless America, she needs You.....

102 posted on 10/12/2015 8:29:46 PM PDT by HarleyLady27 (I have such happy days, and hope you do too!!!)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

He’s got a good point. How could we possibly know who to vote for without help from the party’s elites, donors, media figures, politicians and others. We’re so lucky to have them!


103 posted on 10/12/2015 8:37:59 PM PDT by PUGACHEV
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

The article is correct in saying that the elites nominate the candidate. But that is in history. The voters in 2015-16 are more angry than in recent history. The article completely ignores the anger factor among republican voters.

Democrat voters are not as angry, but many are not happy what Obama has given them.

Here are the top issues that have Americans worried:

54% - The availability and affordability of healthcare
53% - The economy
51% - The possibility of future terrorist attacks in U.S.
46% - The Social Security system
46% - The size and power of the federal government
46% - The way income and wealth are distributed in U.S.
43% - Hunger and homelessness
43% - Crime and violence
39% - Illegal immigration
38% - Drug use
37% - Unemployment

Middle class democrats have also suffered in context of above issues.


104 posted on 10/12/2015 8:48:38 PM PDT by entropy12 (When you vote for a candidate, you are actually voting for his/her rich donors!)
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To: editor-surveyor

The metro-fuzzy-socialist megalomaniac, as you call him, must be what Americans want in 2016 based on how far ahead he is of other candidates.


105 posted on 10/12/2015 8:51:28 PM PDT by entropy12 (When you vote for a candidate, you are actually voting for his/her rich donors!)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

Frankly, we in the real world believe Trump has every opportunity to win the Presidency. Just as every other candidate standing on stage. The fact is the man is not dropping out and going nowhere else. Just because you wish it does not guarantee you will see it happen. To beat the man and be the last man standing would be to work hard, long hours and doing more than any other to make it happen. Doubt that many would care to make the commitment. Donald continues to do so day after day. Oblivious to the naysayers who attempt to swat him down. Dream On...and grow up. There is no fairy princess or tooth fairy in the real world.

I STAND WITH DONALD TRUMP! I STAND WITH ISRAEL!


106 posted on 10/12/2015 9:44:03 PM PDT by V K Lee (from TRUMP to triumph follow the step!! TRUMP TRUMP TRUMP MAKING AMERICA GREAT)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet
Everyone says Donald Trump can’t win. Exactly why not?

No one knows, just like "Assad must go" but no one knows why (one of Lindsey Graham's meaningless rhetoric).

107 posted on 10/12/2015 9:52:41 PM PDT by BerryDingle (I know how to deal with communists, I still wear their scars on my back from Hollywood-Ronald Reagan)
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To: entropy12

60%+ say no way Trump.

He’ll never climb that mountain.

That’s just the facts of primary election politics.


108 posted on 10/12/2015 10:11:36 PM PDT by editor-surveyor (Freepers: Not as smart as I'd hoped they'd be)
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To: V K Lee

.
You are not a part of the real world; you are in FanTrumpasty land.


109 posted on 10/12/2015 10:13:33 PM PDT by editor-surveyor (Freepers: Not as smart as I'd hoped they'd be)
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To: editor-surveyor

It is not Conservative to prefer foreigners over your fellow Americans. That is what H-1b visas do. Cruz is an H-1b visa pimp.


110 posted on 10/12/2015 10:24:02 PM PDT by central_va (I won't be reconstructed and I do not give a damn.)
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To: editor-surveyor

And from this point of view, that would make you a ‘patsy pasty’

The only horn you may encounter would be on a bull. Enjoy the music.


111 posted on 10/12/2015 10:33:16 PM PDT by V K Lee (from TRUMP to triumph follow the step!! TRUMP TRUMP TRUMP MAKING AMERICA GREAT)
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To: entropy12
In case you haven't seen this which was posted earlier today. What do we have here? In the latest national poll...

- - - -

"BOOM ! ...– CBS Poll: Trump Is “The Most Electable” Candidate…"

"Q17. Regardless of how you intend to vote in 2016, which one of these Republican presidential candidates do you think has the best chance of winning the general election in November 2016?"

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3347619/posts

- - -

And that turns out to be Trump on top by far as the most electable. It goes against the usual talking points of the Trump haters.

112 posted on 10/12/2015 10:37:22 PM PDT by Red Steel
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To: Red Steel

Thank you so much for this Ping!


113 posted on 10/13/2015 12:00:22 AM PDT by entropy12 (When you vote for a candidate, you are actually voting for his/her rich donors!)
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To: editor-surveyor

You and I don’t agree on this. If Trump were this big leftist as you suggest, the establishment would be 100% behind him, since they back only leftist losers and ringers.


114 posted on 10/13/2015 7:09:11 AM PDT by fieldmarshaldj (Resist We Much)
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To: fieldmarshaldj

The GOP establishment only get behind those that owe their future to them.

Trump does not. Most of his grease is with the Democrat establishment (Clintons, in particular)

Yes their ultimate goals are about the same, but they are protecting their territory.
.


115 posted on 10/13/2015 9:32:55 AM PDT by editor-surveyor (Freepers: Not as smart as I'd hoped they'd be)
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To: Red Steel

.
>> “And that turns out to be Trump on top by far as the most electable.” <<

.
You really don’t understand!

Trump may be the most un-electable candidate. At any rate, he is definitely not electable.
.


116 posted on 10/13/2015 9:35:44 AM PDT by editor-surveyor (Freepers: Not as smart as I'd hoped they'd be)
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To: V K Lee

.
Non-sequitur!
.


117 posted on 10/13/2015 9:48:01 AM PDT by editor-surveyor (Freepers: Not as smart as I'd hoped they'd be)
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To: editor-surveyor

Fact is, neither party establishment wants him. If he were a leftist, they’d be moving heaven and earth to get him the nomination.


118 posted on 10/13/2015 9:54:33 AM PDT by fieldmarshaldj (Resist We Much)
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To: editor-surveyor

Repeating a demonstrably false claim won’t make it suddenly true.


119 posted on 10/13/2015 9:55:33 AM PDT by fieldmarshaldj (Resist We Much)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

If Obama can win, almost anybody can win.


120 posted on 10/13/2015 9:56:35 AM PDT by Dante3
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