[SamAdams76]

This is how most politicians were before Trump came on the scene. They will memorize talking points that have been run through focus groups and then spout them mindlessly and robotically on all the talking head shows and in public appearances.

Trump gets criticism for his brash and unscripted style but it is so refreshing and that is why millions of Americans are supporting him. Those in the Beltway can't understand the appeal because they actually believe that they are the smartest people in the room.

[Calvin Locke]

With the Dems, it was always the "Bush-Cheney-Halliburton" chant to any question.

An LSM type could say, "Congrats on your new grand kid!" The response was always "B-C-H".

[pieceofthepuzzle]

“Those in the Beltway can’t understand the appeal because they actually believe that they are the smartest people in the room.”

Bingo! The question is why do they think that? The answer to that question contains the answer to much of what is wrong in our society at this point in history.

[Hattie]

Uh yes I guess. Everything he says to other candidates is “Liar, Liar, Liar. We used to have debates about policies and beliefs; now it is gang up and call somebody Liar, Liar. I’m tired of it.

[King of Florida]

Don’t forget the inability to answer tough or direct questions. Instead, like a good robot, he pivots — to the nearest talking point pre-programmed in his ROM.

[Eroteme]

They will memorize talking points that have been run through focus groups

I have no doubt you are correct about the focus groups. And I think it was tested before left-leaning independents and GOPe only. No conservatives.

I remember when I first heard the line about waiting to "see what the American people are willing to support." I thought, WTH? "Willing to" support? Ouch. That smacks of seeing how far people will let you impose your own will before they push back. Why not say, what the American people want?

Maybe he really meant to say, he'd first determine the "will of the American people." Big difference. Except, in the hundreds of times he's had a chance to clarify himself, he's chosen to repeat the same curious wording. It's abundantly clear that the nuance is quite purposeful. "What the American people are willing to support" means "What the American people have finally resigned themselves to."

Waiting to see what we're "willing to support" down the line signals a sense of waiting us out. When the political winds of the presidential cycle settle down, our resolve will be neutered for another 4 years. We'll disperse, calm down and get back to our lives. We'll be more reasonable, more "willing to support" the way things are done in Washington, even if only by default.