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.
This is not correct. He gives only to Democrats and exclusively to Hillary Clinton. /S/
If you back him (Cruz), he will win.
lol.
I’ve noticed the anti-Trump chorus has piped down recently.
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During what years was Trump registered as a Democrat...
Looks like he was pretty pissed off at George W by 2006.
Even more fed up the year Obama came around... almost nothing contributed.
Trump aside, I don’t think we should give a rat’s arse what the future of the GOP is other than ending it.
Personally I wish Trump and Cruz would totally extract themselves from the GOP machine. they would both gain supporters because many indys will not vote for a GOP anything.
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?
All this tells me is that he’s good at sticking his finger in the air to feel the prevaililing political winds, as evidenced by his lopsided 2006 giving habits. So I guess we can thank him for helping create Speaker Pelosi and Obamacare.
I’m almost inclined to vote Cruz for all the whining Trump supporters do . . . .
Seems giving was consistent towards both parties until 2010. Validates what he said he was doing as a businessman.
Glad to see this. I too checked awhile ago... When Trump attacked the super pacs. Following the money is eye opening..
Are you in real estate building? Have you got multi-billions of dollars in the bank? Do you have huge building and resorts and golf courses all over the world?
No I didn’t think so....
If you are in business, you must pay the price of admission, whether it is national, state, county or local!
I’m a Cruz supporter, but I would happily vote for Donald Trump is he receives the nomination. But I will be voting for Cruz in my state primary. It’s refreshing to have two candidates I could vote for.
I’m thinking that the cost of doing business in New York explains a bit of it.
I'm not averse to having the Republican Party go the way of the Whigs and have something better replace it. But not sure how practical that is.
After the events in Paris on 11/13, I will be adding this to my posts for the next week. I'm certain our turn is coming again soon. We stand united against Islamic extremists.
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
Yes, and besides, he's not not going to get more than the 25% 30% 35% 40% 42% he's getting now.
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