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.
And no one cares that you are for sale, and so cheaply bought.
And I will be undecieved and unbought.
And you...
“Give me a friggin’ break.”
I won’t give you a break, but I will give you a “friggin’” break, lol. Be nice to Donald now. I know you’ve got it in you.
I’m cool with Donald. I don’t think someone named Megyn should cause his supporters to have fits, and nor should you.
“And no one cares that you are for sale, and so cheaply bought.
And I will be undecieved and unbought.
And you...”
Well, start practicing saying President Trump, because your point of view is going nowhere, especially on this thread, and Trump’s point of view, as well as mine and tons of fellow Freepers, shall prevail. You are on the losing side, in case you haven’t noticed.
Oh, come on now!
Trump is a dem, thanks anyway
He is a most unusual billionaire.
I don’t call the kenyan antichrist by that title. I won’t call the New York antichrist by the title, either.
But you may praise and worship him as you clearly wish.
Rock on, my friend.
I don’t always laugh, but when I do... can’t stop.
His donations history doesn’t even begin to cover the valid concerns - it’s his far-left views on numerous issues - that he’s very open about. Now if you oppose liberal positions on issues in favor of the conservative ones, you are a RINO / agent of the GOPe according to the Trump supporters.
Oh ye of little faith. We shall see.
Please enlighten us on Trump’s far-left views on “numerous issues”.
So again, my point remains - if he’s the brilliant tactician he’s made out to be around here, he surely could have found a way to make the shakedown public. He’s a national media personality, for crying out loud - he’s go the megaphone! What was he scared of?
Again, unless he really wasn’t all that unwilling a player in their game. And in the end maybe there’s your truth - maybe he really is just a sleazy megalomaniac just like his buddy Bill, and they’re having a good laugh together now that they’ve got us greased at both ends.
“As a cynic on these newbie Repubs(Trump & Carson) I think they need more time in politics(as Governor or Senator) to prove they really aren’t phonies.”
Exactly correct. Also, in my opinion, they need to prove they can effectively function in a public office.
Donald Trump would never hire me to work in his business at a executive level without any real time experience, but he wants us to give the highest level job in government. Dr. Carson would never go for someone who had not attended medical school and gone through a lengthy residency in surgery to be a surgeon, but he wants us to let him “practice without a license” as POTUS.
No, the reality is that you need to send time in lower offices where you have a RECORD that can be vetted before you should be given the go ahead for the highest office.
Unfortunately, that simple logic is wasted on many that comprehend it.
This is a picture of the ballroom at Trump’s Florida home... he’s NOT running for the money...
You should change your name to sad sack. From now on, I will see you as that, every time I see your posts.
Solomon had everything too. In the end it ain’t worth nothing. Trump is playing the winning hand with his creator.
Good for you.
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