Posted on 11/15/2015 4:13:36 PM PST by SamAdams76
There was some discussion on another thread regarding the fact that Donald Trump should not be trusted as our Republican nominee due to the fact that he donated a substantial amount of money to Democrats over the years.
This is a valid concern, especially as it is becoming more likely that Trump will be the nominee. And as a Donald Trump supporter, it concerns me as well. So I thought I'd put the facts out there and throw this open to discussion.
Trump himself has been asked about this and his responses can be distilled as follows: In his line of work, which in large part entails building and acquiring properties in New York City, which is mostly controlled by Democrats, it was necessary for Trump to donate to both parties, especially to Democrats, in order to get business done. Further, Trump goes on to say that this is why he is self-financing his own campaign, as he does not want to be beholden to campaign contributors as they have been beholden to him over the years. This is something that Trump hopes to change should he get into office.
Many here will probably not buy that and they will state that Donald Trump should not be our nominee because he cannot be trusted, having supported Democrats in the past. Others here will state that the past is the past, that Ronald Reagan himself was once a Democrat and that this did not stop him from being one of the greatest conservative presidents in our history.
So can Trump be trusted as Reagan was?
To use football parlance, I decided to go to the tape. Below is a chart showing Donald Trump's political contributions each year since 1989. Up until 2010, it appears that Trump gave more or less equally to both parties and in some years, clearly gave more to the Democrats. However since 2010, not only has Trump only given to Republicans but his donations have greatly accelerated.
During the 2011-2014 period, Trump donated nearly $500,000 to Republicans while giving zero to Democrats. This appears to be more donations that the total Trump gave during the 1989-2010 period (21 years).
Now granted, that might not sit will with some folks here either as folks like Mitt Romney and John Boehner representee Republicans during that time.
This all said, we must consider the future of the Republican party and conservatives in general. Are we looking to win the hearts and minds of those who once voted for or donated to Democrats? Or we willing to forgive those who may have supported GOPe in the past such as Romney or McCain? Or do we need to turn our backs on them because they are not pure and cannot be trusted? If we take the latter course, the conservatives may be doomed to minority status, I fear.
Speaking for myself as a Trump supporter, I concede that Ted Cruz is the superior conservative in this race. But I'm not convinced that Cruz can win the nomination and then the general. I would love to be proven wrong on that and I would happily support Cruz should he get the nomination. But as of right now, I believe Trump is the best chance we have to keep a GOPe lightweight like Jebbie Bush or Marco Rubio from getting the nomination and then winning decisively next November against the Democrat.
Below is the graph of Trump donations to both Democrats and Republicans since 1989. I'm looking at recent history and giving Trump the benefit of the doubt. But I'm interested in the opinions of others.
Good post. Good reminder.
He had the option - and he took it. He crossed the Rubicon - but on his timing, not yours or mine.Now he’s crossed it. And we live with the consequences. Whether you or I like it or not. Frankly, I was appalled when he announced, because I was aware of some of his history. And then he stomped all over Megyn Kelly, and has staked out a winning position with his position on opposing invasion. Which Paris simply reveals how solid that position is.
I wish I were more confident about Trump’s actual conservatism and prudence; a principled conservative like Cruz or (ahem) Cruz would make me a lot more comfortable. But there it is, Trump is gonna win IMHO. And the question is how much of a republic he will inherit (assuming he lives to see inauguration day), and how much of a republic he will leave behind him.
“”
All I’m saying is Trump is running for President because he wants to help the country...He’s not running for power or money - he has both already.
Yes, yes we can trust Trump. More so than any other politician running
I believe it is likely he will complete the transition to empire started unknowingly by W and eagerly helped along by the kenyan antichrist.
Whatever gave you the idea that I disagreed?
I still think there was more to inviting hildabeast to his wedding. That was 2005. He plans long term. I have to wonder what kind of intell he had his people pick up at the event.
She’s a good woman.
“But you may praise and worship him as you clearly wish.”
Thank you, I plan on it. Go Trump! I love you man!
“Trump is a dem, thanks anyway”
No he isn’t. Your welcome.
Obviously, you serve trump.
As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.
“Trump’s explanation of why he gives to both Democrats and Republicans is that he is in real estate and to get things done he has to bribe officeholders—and he has no problems with doing so.
Can we trust anyone who believes bribery is they way to make money?”
True and Trump has not hid the fact that he buys politicians because the system allows him to do so. Remember in the first debate when he mentioned he bought Jeb Bush?
I’d rather have a guy the does the buying rather than the giy who is bought
This stuff has already been posted like a hundred times. Over a 20 or so year period Trump donated if you average it out about $24,000 per year. Slightly more to the Dems than the Pubbies. He does business in an almost totally Dem state. He was greasing the wheels for his business deals. So what? The annual amount of his donations was peanuts to start with so it made very little difference in politics anyway.
That’s good. Now I can go to bed.
Please carefully examine the chart accompanying this article.
Yes, and besides, he’s not not going to get more than the 25% 30% 35% 40% 42% he’s getting
I believe it is likely he will complete the transition to empire started unknowingly by W and eagerly helped along by the kenyan antichrist.
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Dr. Carson, you should be ashamed posting such drivel.
And while you're at it, tell me how many Democrat politicians gave as much (more actually) to Republicans over the majority of their pasts, that Democrats voted for?
Republican - they don't call it the "stupid" party for nothing.
Second, Reagan became a Republican because the Democrat party left him.
How many here feel as I do, that the Republican party left us when it touted Romney, Boehner, McConnel, McCain, as "our" guys when we loathed what they stood for?
Trump is part of that Republican party, for all that people hope and wish that he's not GOPe. His solutions inevitably call for more government done his way, and since he's The Donald, a brilliant businessman as he has self-promoted himself, his way he promises will be the right way.
But most important of all, Sam, Reagan was an actor actively involved in that industry's politics. Trump is a self-promoting businessman "real estate mogul" billionaire who made himself a celebrity with a realty TV show that he hosted for seven years, up until two years ago and only cancelled in 2015 because of this race. THAT is why you and the rest of us ever came to hear of him in the first place.
We came to hear of Reagan in the first place because Reagan had honed a POLITICAL COMPASS and POLITICAL PHILOSOPHY.
Trump is a showman -- a sincere American patriot as much as Reagan, but still a showman. Voting for that is a huge and bad risk.
Reagan was a politician and a statesman.
So is Ted Cruz. He is the best risk for this nation now.
Trump is an emotional candidate who appeals to emotional voters. You are willing to vote for him on emotion alone -- his love of country. Jimmy Carter loved this country, too. So did Lyndon Johnson.
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