The reason you bear the burden of persuasion is that Trump is way ahead in the polls, and if you want to reverse that you have to convince his supporters that they should rethink their position.
Let me just say that insulting them, calling them blind and stupid is not generally a persuasive argument. You need to point out some significant fact that they have actually overlooked, rather than one that they weighed set aside, or you need to point to some significant presumption that their support depends upon and that is significantly flawed, e.g. that GOPe are not in fact sell-outs and have their best interests at heart, or that mass Muslim immigration and the lawlessness and cultural disruption it brings are in the long term best interests of the voter, or some such.
It's a heavy lift and some of the "best minds" on the so-called conservative side have attempted it, to the injury not only of the position they are trying to sustain, but of their own personal reputations and standing in the community.
“...The reason you bear the burden of persuasion...”
Bull Butter!! Are you *seriously* asserting that Trump did *not* initially say he was in favor of assault rifle bans; That Trump did *not* say that he supported abortion? That Trump did *not* say that he supported the Kelo decision? Need I go on with his history? And then just today, are you *seriously* asserting that Trump did *not* say he was reaching out to the party establishment to cut deals with them (not that he had any interest in fighting them); That Trump did *not* say that he preferred the big fed-govt over the states?
Seriously? It’s *my* burden of proof to prove what Trump himself has said? Believe it or not, *I* don’t speak for him... I truly don’t.
So those are not *my* words and I’m not seeking to convince anyone. I’m just amused at the hypocracy and how many ways Trump supporters can twist logic and reason to cover for his own statements and positions. All I’m doing is repeating *Trumps* words and positions that he has held. If you don’t like it, your argument is with Trump, not me. The fact he enjoys the cult of personality that surrounds him does not change his words, now does it? But it sure says something about his supporters though, does it not?
Like I said, how can Trump supporters *NOT* trust their own eyes and ears each time he (consistently) demonstrates his “NYC-Values” center-left political philosophy? It’s what he grew up with. It’s what he knows best. It is what he consistently demonstrates as his *FIRST INSTINCT* when asked about a given issue. We should not be surprised at it, yet Trump supporters rationalize it away here on FR daily - illogically or otherwise - in order to make peace with themselves, I guess. That’s ya’lls burden to bear, not mine.
Bottom line - in order to have a discussion, it requires the Trump side at least *pretend* to be intellectually honest. Clearly, you would rather avoid that conversation. It’s not my burden of proof to provide provenance of Trumps very own, *well-known* words and positions. If you want to deny the obvious, there is nothing anyone could do to penetrate that “Trump-Criticism-Burka” you guys have tightly wrapped around your heads.
Good luck with your candidate. I await his next center-left position that he reveals every few days (if he stays true to form) and how you guys will rationalize it.