Posted on 06/22/2015 5:08:15 AM PDT by SeekAndFind
After Donald Trump’s bizarre announcement last week that he was running for president, it occurred to me that many observers are misreading Trump.
Many consider him a joke. Not true. Trump knows when he is being outrageous — and acts that way consciously to build his brand. Some consider him a menace, pointing out polls that show he would do well if he abandoned the GOP after the primaries and ran as an independent. But Trump is too smart to waste money on a futile effort to capture 270 electoral votes. He will conclude — like Michael Bloomberg, another billionaire — that American politics is a two-party duopoly.
But just maybe Trump is a double agent for the Left. He is nearly a cartoon version of what a comedian such as Stephen Colbert considers a conservative — the kind of conservative Colbert played on Comedy Central until this year. He reinforces all the Left’s negative stereotypes of conservatives as ignorant blowhards. During his announcement speech last week, Trump said of Mexican immigrants: “They’re bringing drugs. They’re bringing crime. They’re rapists, and some, I assume, are good people.” Offered a chance to expand on his remarks on MSNBC, Trump said:
They’re sending us not their finest people. And it’s people from countries other than Mexico also. We have drug dealers coming across, we have rapists, we have killers, we have murderers. I mean it’s common sense — what, do you think they’re going to send us their best people, their finest people? The answer is no.
Trump’s comments led the news in the Spanish-language media, prompting Jonathan Capehart of the Washington Post to observe that Trump might singlehandedly “keep the Republican Party out of the White House.”
Donald Trump seems eager to alienate sane voters by embracing conspiracy theories wherever he can find them.
Indeed, Donald Trump seems eager to alienate sane voters by embracing conspiracy theories wherever he can find them. He sees links between autism and pharmaceutical companies. He revived “birtherism” in 2011 when he declared he didn’t believe Barack Obama had been born in the U.S. The birther movement, let’s recall, was originally driven by some of Hillary Clinton’s liberal supporters. Britain’s Daily Telegraph reported that in April 2008, “an anonymous email circulated by supporters of Mrs Clinton, Mr Obama’s main rival for the party’s nomination, thrust a new allegation into the national spotlight — that he had not been born in Hawaii.” The first lawsuit to make birther claims was filed by Phil Berg, a Democratic attorney and a Hillary Clinton supporter. When Trump revved up birtherism again in 2011, it distracted attention from real Obama scandals and made conservatives who bought into it look ridiculous.
RELATED: The Art of the Con, by Donald Trump
Trump’s flights of fancy go far beyond birtherism, though. He has on several occasions said his preferred vice-presidential running mate would be Oprah Winfrey, telling ABC News this month: “I think Oprah would be great. I’d love to have Oprah. I think we’d win easily, actually.”
In reality, Donald Trump simply flies his own flag of convenience as the head of the Opportunist Party. As a businessman seeking political access, he could be excused for making occasional contributions such as the ones he made to former Obama chief of staff Rahm Emanuel and Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid. But through the last presidential election, a majority of his political contributions went to Democrats. And then there is Trump’s decision to declare himself a registered Democrat from 2001 to 2009. He explained to the New York Daily News that he did so because he didn’t like George W. Bush and because “most of the politicians I know are Democrats.”
Indeed, all that hanging around Democrats really rubbed off on him. In a 2000 book, he declared “we must have universal health care” and said it should look a lot like Canada’s system: “Doctors might be paid less than they are now, as is the case in Canada, but they would be able to treat more patients because of the reduction in their paperwork.” As recently as last year, Trump was still praising single-payer medical systems overseas.
RELATED: Witless Ape Rides Elevator: Donald Trump Is in the Race
At the same time that he was plumping for single-payer health care in 2000, Trump called for a one-time 14.25 percent net-worth tax on individuals and trusts with a net worth of over $10 million. He has also called for a 20 percent tax on importing goods. All this has led talk-show host Glenn Beck to declare: “Donald Trump is a progressive. He’s not a conservative.”
Trump is also one of America’s premier crony capitalists. In 2005, Trump was asked his opinion of the Supreme Court’s controversial Kelo decision, which allowed public authorities to seize private land and turn it over to private interests for “economic development.” He told Fox News: “I happen to agree with [the decision] 100 percent.”
Small wonder. In one of many notorious examples of eminent-domain abuse, in the 1990s Trump fixed his sights on the home of Vera Coking, an elderly homeowner whose tiny house in Atlantic City stood in the way of a planned limousine parking lot next to a Trump casino. John Stossel, who interviewed Trump about the Coking case for ABC News, told me: “Trump blathered on about how roads and public hospitals would never be built without eminent domain, but he was stumped when I pointed out he was seizing buildings for private business use. He simply didn’t understand the difference.” When Stossel accused Trump of being a bully to Coking, he was told by the billionaire off-camera, “Nobody talks to me that way!” But, Stossel concluded, “someone should.”
RELATED: Donald Trump’s Yuuge Hypocrisy
The Institute for Justice, a public-interest law firm that successfully staved off Trump’s efforts to seize Coking’s home, explained the Trump MO:
Unlike most developers, Donald Trump doesn’t have to negotiate with a private owner when he wants to buy a piece of property, because a governmental agency — the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority or CRDA — will get it for him at a fraction of the market value, even if the current owner refuses to sell.
Actually, I don’t believe Trump is a double agent acting in the interests of liberals to discredit conservatism. But (to borrow some phrasing from Trump’s conspiracy vocabulary), he is playing the useful idiot for the Left. He might as well be doing it on purpose.
— John Fund is national-affairs columnist for National Review Online.
I wrote this: I’m not pledging to vote for him, but what he says is music to my ears
So then you rudely come back and write this:
You, on the other hand, see he pisses off the wrong people, and you jump into the kool aid and shut down your brain.
What is wrong with you, seriously. I am sorry that I am fed up to here with political correctness crap. it is refreshing to at least hear something different.
But this is where you miss it....NO ONE is arguing that. NO ONE....PERIOD. You came off as if your ability to see the value in Trump's charge at the PC crowd is somehow unique and elevates you. It doesn't. We ALL agree on that. If it weren't for that, no one would pay any attention to him. He'd be just another RINO, and on the issues, overall, he IS a RINO's RINO.
I’m an touched by your pity. But why don’t you address the quote by McConnell. I have seen this posted many times, and so far, no Cruz supporter will acknowledge the quote, or the vote.
“And FTR, you don’t understand squat about the trade deal(s) either.”
I understand that Obama salivates over it, the RINOs push for it, Cruz votes for it. You should immediately contact Senator Sessions, Rush Limbaugh, etc. who say the bill is a disaster,and explain the trade agreements from the standpoint of your superior knowledge, although I think Senator Sessions knows a few points you don’t, considering he has studied it and you have not. You can’t, TPP is top secret.
do you even know the difference between the TPP and the TPA and “fast track?”
I didn’t think so.
And do you know how unseemly it is to pick on one flaw (if it is a flaw) of a truly conservative candidate overall while worshipping at the altar of a man who has been demonstrably liberal and Democrat for most of his adult life? ANSWER: DAMNED unseemly. Embarrassing.
“pick on one flaw”
Normally, that is true, but voting with Obama on this is NOT just a flaw; it ends the country as we know it. So far, Trump has come not come any where close to that. You seem to be unable to make the connection between Obama’s main agenda for his second term and Cruz’s support of it. It goes against ALL his campaign rhetoric about the Constitution, etc.
“worshipping at the altar of a man”
That applies to you Cruz supporters; if Trump came out in support of ANY of Obama’s agenda, I would drop support for him immediately.
You are lying to people about that.
You have been corrected but continue to lie, you have no credibility.
Trump has wanted Oprah as his veep, (meaning the next president after the 69 year leaves office or dies), since 1999.
“You are lying to people about that.
You have been corrected but continue to lie, you have no credibility.”
Sean Hannity asked Trump directly about that on his TV show. Trump explained that it was a joke. Now, who is doing the correcting? Obviously, it would be completely stupid to want Oprah, an entertainer, on his ticket, and the statement itself bears witness it was a joke.
Now, about Cruz supporting Obama and his agenda?
I am a Cruz supporter. I said in another post, i have voted for him 3 times. Once in the primary, the runoff, and the general election.
I am so sick and tired of the game playing. My other senator Cornyn uses this tactic, you vote for one bill, that then causes a lower vote requirment for the real bill.
Then, you campaign on the fact that you voted against the bad bill. But of course it passed anyway.
I understand that tpa also sets parameters on the tpp bill, like that would stop Obama from changing it after passage, just like he did Obamacare.
I hope Cruz changes his position, if not, there are very few candidates left. Maybe somebody new will jump in.
**”That statement dissolves any credibility of the author, (Trump only said it once as a joke)”**
You are still lying, Donald Trump (whose favorite president is Clinton) wants Oprah, and has since 1999.
TRUMP PUMPED TO HIT STUMP – WANTS TO RUN WITH OPRAH ON HIS TICKET
By Deborah OrinOctober 8, 1999 | 4:00am
The Donald and The Body met in Manhattan last night to discuss The Presidency, which Trump wants to seek with Oprah Winfrey as his running mate.
Trump and Minnesota Gov. Jesse “The Body” Ventura talked politics over dinner – hours after Trump announced he’s starting an exploratory committee to study a White House run.
Asked by The Post afterward if he’s running for president, Trump said: “Yeah, I am.”
Trump said earlier that he needs an exploratory committee “because so many people have put so much pressure on me to run. I would not be running if I thought I couldn’t get the nomination and win.”
Trump says he wants Oprah as veep because “she’s great,” and if she joins him in the race, “we’ll win.”
The National Review is a hugh and series RINO publication.
One more thing, I am a Cruz supporter, but please don’t lump me in with all the rudeness on this thread. i am embarrassed.
“You are still lying,”
I am going by what Trump said, and what Sean Hannity accepted.
Lying, in case you don’t understand, is saying something untrue in an attempt to deceive. Sometimes, someone can say something, believing it to be true, and not attempting to deceive. Can you understand the difference?
So you know for a fact that Trump named Oprah, and has named Oprah since 1999, and you take a conman’s recovery efforts to pretend differently, as fact.
So you are still lying.
Why did Trump want Oprah in 1999?
What candidate would step on his own presidential announcement with such an elaborate, and sincere sounding “joke”?
“”According to Donald Trump, a 2016 ticket of Trump for president and Oprah Winfrey for vice president would be a lock for the White House.
“I think Oprah would be great. I’d love to have Oprah,” Trump told ABC News. “I think we’d win easily, actually.”
Trump announced his presidential candidacy in a speech at Trump Tower in Manhattan Tuesday, sitting with ABC’s George Stephanopoulos at his high-rise for his first interview as a candidate.
Trump floated Winfrey as a possible running mate in 1999, when he considered running for president as a member of the Reform Party, in an interview with Larry King.
“She’s great, she’s talented, she’s a friend of mine,” Trump told ABC’s Stephanopoulos when asked if Winfrey is still on his VP shortlist.
“She’s a good person. I’ve been on her show. In fact, I was on her show her last week, she said, ‘Could I be on her show with the whole family?’” Trump said. “I like Oprah. I mean, is that supposed to be a bad thing? I don’t think so.”
Donald Trump—Announces Cabinet possibilities, willingness to spend $100 million
November 28, 1999
“”Trump said others he would consider as possible Cabinet members include Rep. Charles Rangel (D-New York) as secretary of housing and urban development and retired Gen. Colin Powell as secretary of state.
As for possible choices for treasury secretary or vice president, Trump mentioned General Electric head Jack Welch. “He’s ... probably the greatest corporate leader in the history of a major company,” Trump said. “Somebody like that would be absolutely incredible.”
Trump also mentioned talk show host Oprah Winfrey again as a possible running mate, even though Winfrey has said she is not interested.””
“However, Trump backtracked on his pro-Winfrey comments on Wednesday during an appearance on Fox News’ Fox and Friends, saying the he and Stephanopoulos were simply joking.
“He said that as a joke,” Trump said. “All of a sudden, they say, Donald wants Oprah. Give me a break.”
1.) The “backtracked” word is used by this writer.
2.) Stephanopoulos is a paid Clinton operative. This is not the first time he has injected comments into the presidental race to stir things up. Remember Romney and birth control?
3.) Your article conflates 1999 with 2015.
4.) Get over “You are still lying” meme, I am unmoved.
You first lied to people, trying to sell that it was some off the cuff “joke” that he said “once”.
That was a lie, it is a desire that he has expressed seriously in 1999 in his presidential plans, and then again in 2015, in the first interview to advance his announcement, just as post 53 shows.
This is some “joke” to be making when you first announce for president, and in your all important first interview.
“”According to Donald Trump, a 2016 ticket of Trump for president and Oprah Winfrey for vice president would be a lock for the White House.
“I think Oprah would be great. I’d love to have Oprah,” Trump told ABC News. “I think we’d win easily, actually.”
Trump announced his presidential candidacy in a speech at Trump Tower in Manhattan Tuesday, sitting with ABC’s George Stephanopoulos at his high-rise for his first interview as a candidate.
Trump floated Winfrey as a possible running mate in 1999, when he considered running for president as a member of the Reform Party, in an interview with Larry King.
“She’s great, she’s talented, she’s a friend of mine,” Trump told ABC’s Stephanopoulos when asked if Winfrey is still on his VP shortlist.
“She’s a good person. I’ve been on her show. In fact, I was on her show her last week, she said, ‘Could I be on her show with the whole family?’” Trump said. “I like Oprah. I mean, is that supposed to be a bad thing? I don’t think so.”
“This is some “joke” to be making when you first announce for president, and in your all important first interview.
‘According to Donald Trump, a 2016 ticket of Trump for president and Oprah Winfrey for vice president would be a lock for the White House.”
*****************************
‘All important first interview”??
Trump did not say that last week. Stephanopoulos was referring back to 1999. That is the deception of the excerpt you are quoting.
Notice:
“She’s great, she’s talented, she’s a friend of mine,” Trump told ABC’s Stephanopoulos when asked if Winfrey is still on his VP shortlist.” That is why “still” was used by Spephanopoulos (with a smirk).If it helps you, I WOULD NOT EVER vote for Oprah on anybody’s ticket.
You keep lying.
Since Trump wanted Oprah for his vice president in 1999 ( and Rep. Charles Rangel (D-New York) as secretary of housing and urban development), Stephanopoulos asked about his preference for her again.
From ABC News:
“ABC News Donald Trump Says He’d ‘Win Easily’ If He Ran With Oprah”
Jun 16, 2015, 3:50 PM ET
“According to Donald Trump, a 2016 ticket of Trump for president and Oprah Winfrey for vice president would be a lock for the White House.
“I think Oprah would be great. I’d love to have Oprah,” Trump told ABC News. “I think we’d win easily, actually.”
Good Morning America
“According to Donald Trump, a 2016 ticket of Trump for president and Oprah Winfrey for vice president would be a lock for the White House.
“I think Oprah would be great. I’d love to have Oprah,” Trump told ABC News. “I think we’d win easily, actually.”
Trump announced his presidential candidacy in a speech at Trump Tower in Manhattan Tuesday, sitting with ABC’s George Stephanopoulos at his high-rise for his first interview as a candidate.
Trump floated Winfrey as a possible running mate in 1999, when he considered running for president as a member of the Reform Party, in an interview with Larry King.
“She’s great, she’s talented, she’s a friend of mine,” Trump told ABC’s Stephanopoulos when asked if Winfrey is still on his VP shortlist.
“She’s a good person. I’ve been on her show. In fact, I was on her show her last week, she said, ‘Could I be on her show with the whole family?’” Trump said. “I like Oprah. I mean, is that supposed to be a bad thing? I don’t think so.”
from Breitbart news, June 17:
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump said that he was only joking when he said he would make Oprah Winfrey his vice president in an interview broadcast on Wednesday’s “Hannity” on the Fox News Channel.
Trump said that while Winfrey is a “friend” of his, when he was asked by George Stephanopoulos, “who’s actually a really nice guy,” about his VP pick, both were joking. And his answer was “done in the form of a little sarcasm and a joke,” and that the vice presidency is “obviously” “not for her.”
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