Trump: Actually, I May Break My Pledge Not To Go Third Party

Townhall.com ^ | November 23, 2015 | Guy Benson

[Kaslin]

Hey, remember this?

The Pledge #MakeAmericaGreatAgain pic.twitter.com/5OVWdxgLn9 Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 3, 2015

After routinely flirting with a third-party run, Donald Trump signed an unambiguously-worded pledge in early September, vowing ;forego a third-party presidential bid if he fails to secure the Republican presidential nomination. Having committed his word,Trump averred that he had "no intention" of reconsidering the promise: "I see no circumstances under which I would tear up that pledge," he said, calling the pledge "total." Now he's mad about some opponents and outside groups announcing plans to attack him, so the thin-skinned and erratic Republican frontrunner is once again changing his tune. Surprise:

Republican presidential frontrunner Donald Trump would not rule out making a run for president as an independent despite signing a pledge over the summer saying he would support the eventual GOP nominee instead of running a third-party bid. "I'm going to have to see what happens. I will see what happens. I have to be treated fairly," Trump said Sunday on ABC's "This Week" when asked about a new guerrilla effort by operatives within the Republican Party to derail Trump's candidacy.

But not to worry, conservatives. He'll be totally reliable on all the issues on which he's completely reversed himself in order to pander to you -- from tax increases, to abortion, to gun control, to government-run healthcare (which he still praises), to immigration rhetoric and policy, etc. His longstanding alignment with the Democratic Party and financial support for Hillary Clinton and Harry Reid shouldn't concern you either. Nor should his ongoing left-wing talking points on "fairness," the Koch brothers, "blame Bush," and expanding the federal bureaucracy. And neither should his abysmally low (34/61) favorability rating among the general electorate, much worse than even his dear friend and benefactor Hillary's terrible numbers. He'll never abandon you in pursuit of his own self-serving interests, or for attention. Incidentally, Trump was given yet another opportunity on Sunday to clear up the "media smear" regarding his allegedly nonexistent support for a national registry of Muslims -- including citizens. He took another pass, declining to answer the question asked of him, keeping things nice and hazy:

Here's the full Trump quote, which seems to be about Syrian refugees, not Muslim citizens. pic.twitter.com/jtnE3Xkk5L Jimmy (@JimmyPrinceton) November 22, 2015

This is more evidence supporting my suspicion that he's deliberately obfuscating. His supporters who insist this is a made-up media hit job can point to his responses focusing on refugees, while other supporters who like the idea of this unconstitutional scheme won't find a denial in there. And then there's this:

GOP presidential front-runner Donald Trump is doubling down on comments that thousands of people in parts of New Jersey with large Arab populations cheered on 9/11. Trump said at a rally on Saturday in Birmingham, Ala. that he watched as the World Trade Center "came tumbling down." "And I watched in Jersey City, New Jersey, where thousands and thousands of people were cheering as that building was coming down," he added. "Thousands of people were cheering." ABC "This Week" host George Stephanopoulos asked Trump on Sunday if he misspoke, noting that "police say that didn't happen and all those rumors have been on the Internet for some time." "It did happen. I saw it, " Trump said. "It was on television. I saw it ... George, it did happen," Trump persisted.

He did not see it, and it was not on television. In fairness to Trump, I distinctly remember hearing rumors about crowds of Muslims in parts of New Jersey openly celebrating on 9/11, but no credible corroborating evidence ever emerged, and local police have strongly refuted the claim. He may have been thinking of this footage showing Palestinians dancing in the streets of Gaza. Conflation is often how false memories form. What's inexcusable, but not surprising, is Trump's reckless, fact-free double-down. But cults of personality will justify and excuse virtually anything. Which helps explain why this vile man still has an approval rating in the low 40's:

Obama: GOP doing the terrorists' work for them; WATCH: https://t.co/bgQyLsQJ2p pic.twitter.com/mMSezkW2UF The Hill (@thehill) November 22, 2015

[Seaplaner]

Go back to you mom's basement and disconnect the internet. You are a pawn of the GOPE.

My good FRiend, we are on the same team.

Hopefully you will feel differently when Mister Trump announces indy, third party (his plan all along, one most strongly suspects.)

.

[detch]

As Ann Coulter said after the Paris attacks, “Donald Trump won the election tonight.”

He’s got everyone befuddled — media, Democrats, GOP opponents.

...and he’s getting ready for the general election, with Ted Cruz as his running mate.

He’ll only get beat if illegal immigrants are allowed to vote.

[euram]

Yes, he also said that President Roosevelt appeared on TV to calm the American people about the crash. I still remember Katie Couric sitting there nodding her head, like she had no idea that it wasn’t true.

[Bob434]

[[Shades of ross Perot.

He handed the 1992 election to Bill Clinton.

It’s hard not to imagine he knew it would happen that way.]]

It was nothing more than a business deal to him- mighta been worth a billion or more to throw the GOP a defeat for bill-

Seems this might just be happening again

[sparklite2]

Clinton would probably not have won without Perot. GHWB’s popularity ratings were so high the democrats couldn’t find a candidate willing to run against Bush. Clinton said, what the hell, and jumped in. As for Perot, whether he played a deliberate spoiler or not, he had as much right to run for the office as anyone else. He didn’t owe the GOP diddley squat and neither do we.

[Olog-hai]

What third party? R and D are one party, so it would be a second party.

[Rebelbase]

“In 2014, Independents comprised 42% of the electorate.”

And if the remainder were split equally between Democrats and republicans each would have 29% of the electorate?

Not buying it.

[Hostage]

The republican conservative base is 19% of the electorate.

Trump/Cruz gain nearly all the base.

Independents comprise 42% of the electorate of which 29% are conservative or lean conservative.

Trump/Cruz gain nearly 29% from Independents.

Reagan democrats comprise 5% of the electorate.

Trump/Cruz gain nearly all the Reagan democrats.

Latinos comprise 8% of the electorate.

Trump/Cruz gain 3% from Latinos.

Blacks comprise 13% of the electorate.

Trump/Cruz gain 2% from Blacks.

Total 58% landslide and likely more as momentum picks up more supporters.

Consequences are that the GOP presidential organization dies. Republicans in Congress will pledge to work with the Independent Trump/Cruz or risk being thrown out by their constituents. Many will switch affiliation to Independent.

2016 will be an historic election with grave consequences to the GOPe. This Freeper remembers Mississippi and Mark Mayfield and will not rest until justice is served. Millions of others have the same view and aim.

[JoSixChip]

Naw. It was because of Perot that we got Clinton.

I just disagree, Bush was a disaster just as his son was. W^3 did as much damage as to America as obumber has done. If not for 9/11 and gore, b^3 would never have been re-elected. Look at at the half assed fight in Iraq and Afghanistan. The DHS and TSA. that is what got obumber elected, well that and mccain.

[wku man]

I'll give you some details.

I was living in Pinellas County, FL on 9-11. Tampa PD (other side of the Bay) had to intervene on the USF campus when a group of "Palestinian" students began celebrating after the first Tower came down. A whole slew of Tampa Boys were headed that way for some Paul Kersey-style justice when the TPD stopped them, saving the Muzzie goat humpers from the a** whuppin' they so deserved. Too bad.

I wonder if, hindsight being 20/20, those cops would have done the same had they known then what we know now about Moose Limbs?

Scouts Out! Cavalry Ho!

[detch]

19% for Perot.

Half of that would have swung the election to Bush.

Duh.

[laplata]

Perot got Clinton elected. “Read my lips” didn’t have that much influence.

[napscoordinator]

Hillary could not be more thrilled and appreciative.

[Hostage]

You have no currency to buy anything. Your money is not legit.

See post #68 for a more accurate assessment.

[ifinnegan]

“He’ll only get beat if illegal immigrants are allowed to vote.”

Not even then.

I see Trump/Cruz with Trump doing one term, Cruz then two terms.

With concomitant majorities in the House and Senate with increases in the percentages conservatives over GOPe.

[UnChained]

“Shades of Rross Perot. He handed the 1992 election to Bill Clinton.”

“That’s mindless BS! Bush is why clinton was elected.”

Mindless BS eh?
here’s the ‘82 Election:

Bill Clinton (43.0%)
George H. W. Bush (37.4%)
Ross Perot (18.9%)

It looks to me like Perot split the vote after all.

[Seaplaner]

You obviously are anti Trump. This author is queer,

You are correct on both counts, my good FRiend.

I suspect Mister Trump is doing what he can to mess w GOP candidates, and then whine about "unfair treatment" and go third party, indy, in order to siphon votes away from the GOP nom and hand the election to his long-time pal, Hillary.

As far as the talented Mister Benson's "preferences", so what?

.

[Hostage]

Perot had nowhere near the charisma and attraction of Donald Trump.

The two are not comparable.

Your analysis (pitiful) FAILS.

[ifinnegan]

Fair enough, but if Perot had not run in 92, Clinton would not have won.

[JoSixChip]

Hopefully you will feel differently when Mister Trump announces indy, third party

Oh, I'm on the Trump train. Short of a better option coming along, that will not change. I am no longer a republican, nor am I beholden to the likes of a politician owned by big money.