Posted on 02/16/2016 7:17:18 AM PST by AT7Saluki
The other GOP candidates are finally starting to fight on Donald Trump’s terms, to judge by the slugfest that was Saturday night’s debate. But it speaks volumes — whole encyclopedias — about the ignorance of our political and media elites that they’re only now realizing that much of what Trump’s been doing is just busting balls.
It’s a blue-collar ritual, with clear rules — overtly insulting, sure, but with infinite subtleties. It can be a test of manliness, a sign of respect, a way of bonding and much more.
Rule No. 1: You can wince, but don’t squeal.
Rule No. 2: Bust right back, if you can.
Not knowing how to play is no excuse. And not getting it shows you have no idea how a huge swath of America lives — the Americans whom Trump has made his base.
From the start, Trump targeted the (mostly) white working class, which happens to be 40 percent of the country. And he’s done it not just with issues, but with how he talks — the ball-busting, the “bragging,†the over-the-top promises.
(Excerpt) Read more at nypost.com ...
Now they're begging to get back to the issues. Unfortunately for them, in most cases THEY are responsible for "the issues" that need to be talked about.
I agree, I cannot think of a reason for an open primary. It reeks fraud.
You just described my son. *sigh*
I haven’t had a favorite in the race up to this point because I felt many were well-qualified and would have considered it perfectly acceptable supporting any of them.
That was when I considered Trump a joke.
Now I’m seeing Trump as a threat to the conservative cause. To some, that may be a good thing. To me, it’s a very dangerous thing that so many are willing to follow him to a destination that not one of them can define; except that it’s going to be “GREAT”.
I thought it was bad that the Dems were willing to support an apparition like Obama. Now I’m seeing it on my side.
And I’m left wondering if I’m on a side anymore.
That’s exactly what I’d say. Not until someone garners a true majority (>50%), will there be a win.
If Trump can do this, fine. But I suspect he won’t.
Doesn't Trump have enough positives that you can point me to, other than try some stupid mind game?
Exactly
If you look it up, which I strongly encourage you to do, think of Trump siding with Medea Benjamin of Code Pink when you read the definition.
“Ask Aaron Burr.”
This country wouldn’t be in the mess we’re in today if we could handle disputes like those guys did.
Trump is winning this race for a simple reason, and the GOP has no one to blame but themselves for it. Had they not been selling America down the drain for the past several decades Trump would likely never been more than a joke... but there are forces at play here as I have stated many places.
First, Trump has the X factor, no other player on the Republican side has it, Christie was the only other player who had it in the republican field... so that’s a huge strike against just the pragmatic chances of any other republican winning.... However the X factor alone does not guarantee you a win. IF that’s all Trump had, he’d not be enjoying the success he is.
Second, Trump has a simple concise and easy message, a message that one would think should be a GIVEN for any politician.... I will put America First. Period. The GOP and their Neocon Sycophants have not put America first in decades... they work for their money men and no one else, the rest be screwed. The “conservative” stand on free trade has always been repugnant and destructive.. but hey who cares if we destroy our manufacturing base and the peoples lives that go with it, as long as our backers put a few more billions in their back pockets and pass a few bucks back to the GOP its all good. The Iraq war was a disaster, it left our military in a shambles and the middle east a wreck... But hey, who cares, not our kids losing limbs or leaving our grandkids without moms or dads.
That’s it. Cruz out there arguing he’s the real conservative is not going to win. You can only have an election centered around liberal v conservative if the electorate believes that both sides are at their core putting Americas best interests first. At this point the electorate no longer believes this, so to try to argue this guys a real conservative or more conservative, or more liberal is a stupid argument to be making because it won’t win you anything. Doesn’t matter which party controls the white house, or the ideology, the nation continues to be sold down the tubes, and people are sick of it. Cruz tactically is trying to win using an argument that never works, even in more traditional times. No one, no one has ever won an primary or national election by simply saying I’m the most conservative guy, even Reagan wasn’t foolish enough to think he could win simply by giving that as an argument.
Trump is winning and short of the establishment voting bloc coalescing around someone soon and not fragmenting in any major way toward Trump, he’s not only on a path to win the nomination, but the White House as well, and by a wide margin.
If someone you view as a traditional conservative wants to win, they have to do be willing to accept that the GOP has made some massive mistakes, and not just “in failing to oppose Obama”.. which they have, but that in and of itself is not enough... they have to be willing to admit that they have made major mistakes on Economic Policy, Foreign Policy and that they have ignored the electorate. Then and only then do they have a chance... if they are not willing to do that, they aren’t going to win. Even if they do that, there is no guarantee they will win, but its the only way they have any chance of having the electorate remotely give them a shot.
They won’t do that however, because their money men won’t let them, and it requires them to go against stupid dogma that has found its way into modern “conservatism” that isn’t conservative at all. When you make a mistake you have to learn from it, the american people have learned that regardless of which party wins, they get screwed, they’ve had enough...... GOP is unwilling to be honest and admit they have policy stands that have been proven to be destructive... They want to win, they have to own up to them, and then follow through on putting America first.
Trump may be a disaster as a President, or he may be quite competent... who knows, but what the electorate is clearly telling both parties quite clearly is, WE DON’T BELIEVE YOU!, WE DON’T TRUST YOU!, WE AREN’T GOING TO TAKE IT ANY MORE!. THIS IS OUR COUNTRY, AND WE AREN’T PUTTING UP WITH YOUR CRAP ANY LONGER.
Like it or not, that’s what is going on this election cycle, and the fact that neither party can adapt to this reality shows you just how completely owned they are by a few handfuls of donors.
Well I can tell you I am not an elite, I am attending a four year private university, one which I have been saving money for three years to be able to afford to attend, my parents live paycheck to paycheck, but make more money than the government allow Pell grant recipients to make. I am living on cafeteria food and ramen noodles. I support Cruz because a personal history of conservatism matters, both trump and Cruz attended ivy league schools, Cruz went in as a conservative and came out one. I am not elite, and I suspect Cruz has a lot of supporters who aren’t either. I think claiming anyone opposed to trump as being an elite is very liberal, class warfare like tactics.
You sir, are humorless.
“You sir, are humorless.”
And why would I care?
That is precisely why he decided he would have to step it.
Kind of like putting one's money where one's mouth is.
It is Cruz supporters saying that we Trump supporters are uneducated idiots, maybe you should read the posts from your side!!! Calling us names does NOTHING TO ENHANCE YOUR CAUSE!!!! I firmly believe Cruz does not have the practical life experiences to run this country at this time!!! Our country is a MESS telling me I am uneducated for my beliefs is quite elitist if you ask me!!!!
Trump is seriously pissing off his 2nd largest block of support, Cruz supporters like me.
I agree, A persons education holds no bearing on their support, we live in a wonderful country where you can support whomever you want for whatever reason you want. If you look through my postings you will see me mostly calling the support of Trump a cult following, which if you look at the things coming out of some of their mouths you will see it is quite scary. For instance what Trump says doesn’t matter, not what he said last year, or ten years ago, or twenty only what he says now. Also I just read this on here today from a Trump supporter, Cruz should get out now, and he can run again in 2024 where he will have to go through Ivanka Trump. Thereby advocating for family rule, one of the reasons why no one on hear wants Clinton or Bush. In fact we were a country where Alexander Hamilton stood up and advocated for Family rule an suggested Washington’s family for it. He was soundly discounted and any hope he had of political elected office was gone. Hamilton was a very ambitious man, eventually he would have wanted to run for president, but it had to be mentioned and when he mentioned it he killed his political future.
I am sure he is an upstanding guy.
Well that didn't take me long. Reminds of a Zen Koan:
Samurai warrior to Buddhist Monk: Please oh wise one enlighten me on the difference between heaven and hell.
Monk: Why would you think that a lowly ignorant brutal lout like yourself could achieve enlightenment?
Samurai: You good for nothing filthy monk, how dare you insult me with such demeaning talk.
Monk: That is hell.
Samurai: Oh, now I see oh wise Master.
Monk: Ant that is heaven
Andrew Jackson didn’t have a problem with it. (He’s NOT my favorite president, but he and Trump have things in common).
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