Posted on 01/22/2016 11:40:24 AM PST by Teacher317
It is clear that we are almost evenly divided between Trump and Cruz (tip of the hat to DoughtyOne for the Caucus threads). It is also clear that in about 1-3 months, one will almost surely be the chosen candidate, and one will not. It is also clear that Freerepublic will still be here with both factions still being active (and hopefully not just for the "I told you so" moment that may come).
With that in mind, I'd like to make an effort at seeing if there is any way to bridge the gap between the two factions here. If you are adamantly for one, and against the other, and if you cannot possibly vote for "that other guy", then please don't bother posting here. It won't be productive. Thanks!!
So.... for this discussion, as in the Caucus threads, let us please stick to something close to this format:
I support ________.
I will / will not vote for (the other) if he is the eventual candidate, but my main concerns will be ______________________.
However, I think that he will be good if elected, because ______________
I would be more likely to react positively to (the other candidate) if posters here __________________.
I will vote for Trump if he is the eventual candidate.
but my main concerns would be that:
he may not actually be terribly conservative,
that he may start a trend of celebrity and wealthy candidates,
he is not terribly statesman-like, and his mouth and ego could bring huge issues in the future,
he promises to use the same approach as Obama and bypass Congress, and 16 consecutive years of that would be a very bad thing.
However, I think that he will be good if elected, because he is masterful at handling the media and the PC nonsense, he is amazing at picking people to accomplish tasks, and his election would be a massive repudiation of the GOP, RNC, Democrats, and media (each of whom deserves a massive kick in the 'nards, which Trump seems more than ready, willing, and able to provide).
I would be more likely to react positively to Trump supporters if posters here were not so dang SURE that Trump will do everything that we like, and nothing that we don't like, despite there being zero evidence to support these hopes. That seems dangerously short-sighted to me.
Worth a shot.
Also, please everyone donate to Free Republic!
Nice try. Won’t work. Thanks for trying though.
No, there's a lot of deadbeats intent on trashing the place like drunken frat boys at a free keg party.
Teacher317,
Ditto! I am disappointed by the low level of discourse that has become the norm between enthusiastic Trump supporters and enthusiastic Cruz supporters. It is surprising that some on both sides are certain that their guy will be great and the other will be a disastrous sell-0ut. Ad hominem attacks are common. A scorched earth policy will do great harm.
I Stand With Ted. (And I will actively support Trump if he becomes the nominee.)
Oldplayer
I will vote for Trump if he is the eventual candidate over any Democrat, as being the lesser of two evils, just as I did with Bush.
My fear is that Trump as President will not be in the least beholden to the conservative movement, since he has such broad appeal amongst the masses.
George Santayana said, “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.”
A study of Italian Fascism can reveal much of what is going on today in relation to Obama’s Marxism and how Trump has tapped into the frustration with GOPe.
Italian Fascism was highly nationalistic, and if we were comparing it to modern times, it would come across much like Trump. Studying it would be helpful for those who can’t figure out Trump’s positions (pro Government healthcare, strong arm against illegals, etc.).
One big difference is Trump wavers between isolationism and “bomb the crap out them.” Italian Fascism was not isolationist.
Mussolini was rabidly anti-Marxist, and rode a wave of populism to power. Trump is not exactly like Mussolini, but philosophically and personality wise there are some frightening similarities.
I support Trump.
I WILL vote for Cruz or any other GOPer if he is the eventual candidate, but my main concerns will be their electability to overcome Democrant and fraudulant votes. Also concerned of Freepers sitting out b/c of indifference to Trump.
However, I think that Trump will be good if elected, because he is a no nonsense executive who does what it takes to accomplish a goal.
I would be more likely to react positively to (the other candidate) if posters here understand that opinions on issues do sometimes change in time due to circumstance, and to tone down the petty name calling and general immaturity.
Seems to me it’s about 10-15 posters here who are causing all the ruckus here....makes me wonder what their true intent is.
I’m starting to think they’re establishment types who want to see both frontrunners destroyed making way for Bush or Rubio.
They’ve done nothing but bring FR into the gutter, it’s sad and pathetic to see.
Trump. or I am staying home for the first time ever.
I will vote for anyone (or anything) that is not a democrat.
I support Trump.
Oh, and Cruz.
You'll find that most of the troublemakers are "The Cruz Way or The Highway". They have a certain common characteristic, too.
The reasonable Cruz supporters aren't like these "others".
I'm a "Trumpkin", and I was a Cruz 2nd supporter till yesterday, after these "others" ignored JR and trashed Sarah Palin.
I prefer Cruz because he is a principled Conservative.
Trump doesn't appear to be particularly Conservative: however he is independent of the party machine and would be effective in breaking the grip of the one-party state.
Trump is a populist and a nationalist (which I regard as a good thing especially compared with the left's seedy internationalism). He would also govern in every conceivable way better than any of the Democrats.
I support Trump and I predict that in about 2 mos when it becomes painfully clear he will be the GOP nominee everyone will jump on board and start trashing the Dems in anticipation of the general election. Just like in 2012. :-)
I am leaning, but not sold, on Cruz.
I really, really *want* to like Trump. He needs to explain his recent conversion to Conservatism, stop talking like a foul-mouthed fratboy (maybe that’s redundant), and demonstrate some kind of commitment to what he’s saying now vs. what he said just a few years ago.
However, if Trump is the nominee, i’ll pull the lever for him, in opposition to Fat Bottomed Girl or the socialist.
We go through this every election cycle. It’s what makes this place fun. You gotta have thick skin to be a FReeper. I’m sure if John Adams and Thomas Jefferson were running today, half of us would support Adams and half would support the slave owner.
pro Government healthcare....wrong.
Q: ObamaCare is one of the things you call a disaster.
TRUMP: A complete disaster, yes.
Q: Saying it needs to be repealed & replaced.
TRUMP: Correct.
Q: Now, 15 years ago, you called yourself a liberal on health care. You were for a single-payer system, a Canadian-style system. Why were you for that then and why aren’t you for it now?
TRUMP: As far as single payer, it works in Canada. It could have worked in a different age. What I’d like to see is a private system without the artificial lines around every state. I have a big company with thousands of employees. And if I’m negotiating in BY or NJ or CA, I have like one bidder. Nobody can bid. You know why? Because the insurance companies are making a fortune because they have control of the politicians. They’re making a fortune. Get rid of the artificial lines and you will have yourself great plans. And then we have to take care of the people that can’t take care of themselves. And I will do that through a different system.
Source: Fox News/Facebook Top Ten First Tier debate transcript , Aug 6, 2015
So I guess Reagan was dangerous too....he rode the same type of popularity in the 80’s
The level of thinking here is getting absurd.
I will vote for either if nominated.
I think Trump has a better chance of winning.
The flame wars are a waste of energy.
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