Name:	architect -	Reply
Subject:	Looking as if
Date:	2/24/2016 8:21:02 AM (updated 2/24/2016 8:23:19 AM)

it will be Trump vs Clinton this November!  A most unfortunate situation...an unhappy but easy "lesser of 2 evils" decision for me.

Name:	HARRY -	Reply
Subject:	Looking as if
Date:	2/24/2016 8:24:09 AM

Me too.

Name:	MartiniMan -	Reply
Subject:	Yep
Date:	2/24/2016 8:29:36 AM

At this point the only hope for a different outcome on the GOP side is for the field to narrow to two, Trump/Cruz or Trump/Rubio, which will not happen.  And I agree that Hillary will be the Dem nominee.  Also agree that it will be the lesser of two evils but I doubt we agree on which is which.......  

Will be even more interesting if Hillary is indicted.  Judge just ruled her minions will have to testify under oath about her email server.  Let's see, risk perjury and jail time or throw Hillary under the bus and risk committing suicide by shooting themselves in the back of the head.....that's what happens when you make a deal with the devil.

Name:	copperline -	Reply
Subject:	Looking as if
Date:	2/24/2016 11:08:06 AM

I'm watching to see how many Conservatives compromise their values to shift into Trump supporters as the race narrows.   For a party that has made it a policy of reject compromise, they are going to have to actively reject core values to embrace Trump.

In the last week, Trump has again stated that his candidacy couldn't be damaged if accused of murder... and that he would like to punch a protester in the face himself.    He's moved beyond making fun of disabled people, calling immigrants rapists & murderers, and insulting women.   

Competent conservative thinkers can't believe that a loose cannon who spouts incendiary rhetoric is going to make the world a safer place.... could they?

Name:	MrHodja -	Reply
Subject:	Looking as if
Date:	2/24/2016 11:12:19 AM

I consider myself conservative and will not vote for Trump in the primary, but if the choice comes down to Trump or Clinton, I will vote for Trump.

Name:	Talullahhound -	Reply
Subject:	Looking as if
Date:	2/24/2016 11:23:29 AM

If Trump is elected he will either be the one of the best preidents or a complete disaster.  I have a feeling there won't be any inbetween.

If it comes down to Hilary or Trump, I will vote for Trump.  I'm listening very carefully to Hilary - and I am a bit disgusted with the way she is using the mothers of criminal thugs who were shot by police, to gain the black vote.  She is shameless.

Name:	copperline -	Reply
Subject:	Looking as if
Date:	2/24/2016 11:28:48 AM

Here's a clip of the next Republican candidate for President that should remind everyone of what this fellow has been doing with his life up to now.   Recorded in 2011.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5NsrwH9I9vE

Name:	Talullahhound -	Reply
Subject:	Looking as if
Date:	2/24/2016 11:57:42 AM

You know, I lived in NJ where I heard more about Trump than before he became a national figure.  He's outrageous and all of his endeavors to make money haven't been the classiest.  I also remember when he bought the Merriweather estate in Palm Beach, only to be rejected by that community as noveau riche and tacky.  He's never met a lawsuit that he didn't like, and when he goes after someone he goes for the jugular. He loves publicity, even negative publicity, to the extreme.  But at heart, he is still smart, and still a very successful businessman.  It's not that I love him; but on the Republican side I think he is far superior to Cruz, who I think is a sociopath, and Rubio who I just think lacks the experience.

I was working in Washington at the end of the Clinton Administration, when everyone breathed a collective sigh of relief when it was over.  In addition to the intern scandal of Bill's, there was another scandal involving Hilary claiming that a bunch of expensive stuff was given as private gifts to them, and she ended up having to return it. I would love to see a woman for President, but for me, she's not the right woman.  I think she is more motivated by being the first woman President than she is about actually doing what is right for the country.   I like Bernie Sanders, because where else would you find someone so willing to say what he thinks, and without unsavory ties?  But sadly, I can't imagine how we would pay for the things he envisions and I'm not necessarily sure his direction is the right direction for the country.

You remember that I voted for Obama twice, believing he could bring the kind of hope and change to the country.  But, he has proved to be a disappointment and I fault him for not doing enough to reach out to Congress.  He's not been dynamic and I think dynamic is what is needed now. 

Think of Teddy Roosevelt. 

Name:	architect -	Reply
Subject:	Looking as if
Date:	2/24/2016 12:16:47 PM

Great video...and lots of people on this forum claim foreign leaders have no respect for Obama!!!  Easy choice!

Name:	lakngulf -	Reply
Subject:	Lesser Compromise
Date:	2/24/2016 1:03:28 PM (updated 2/24/2016 1:04:27 PM)

If we all agree that it will be the "lesser of two evils" then, by definition, values would have to be compromised.  If the candidate follows my thinking down the line then he/she would not be an evil.  But that is not the case.  I agree with Hound that Trump is a better option than Cruz, and I almost agree with her on Rubio.  The kid seems unprepared and we have been dealing with unprepared, that led into "Hey, I can screw this county up, and, They really need to like Muslims more".  It is really a matter of the "lesser compromise".

I think Trump will protect 2nd Amendment. 

I think he will not fight for an end to little human murder. 

I think he will go as far as he can with an immigration plan.  (He has run into many, many deals where he bombasts his plan and then has to modify along the way.  But you have to start from a position of strength and work down.  Again unlike current). 

I think he will know who to deal with in an attempt at economic reform.  He knows laws that affect business, trade, taxes and tarriffs.  He knows who and what is laundried off shore.  He knows how and who is avoiding taxes.  He might cut some loopholes.  He will know more about economic policies than anyone we have had in the past.

I think he is not weak, and will not be offended or afraid to surround himself with capable, competent folks.  He has connections, foreign and domestic.

I am not sure what he will do with the tax code.

I think he would not let the likes of Lois Lerner, Eric Holder, Hillary Clinton, Daniel Werfel, and others go unprosecuted.  There may not be sufficient evidence but he would use his resources to check.

I think he would make the GOP establishment go crazy because he would gather leaders of both parties together and say "OK, here's the problem. Divide into two bipartisan groups and each group come up with a solution.  We come back in one weak and one group is fired"

I think he is a caring man, who knows the workers from top to bottom, and helps the plight of each.

I think we would wind up with another John Roberts on the Supreme Court, who, like Trump, has differening opinions on many, many topics.

I think what he lacks in foreign policy and military knowledge and experience, he more than makes up for it in domestic, and has said repeately, "I will listen to the military folks on that.  They know what they are doing"

His current phrase is "common sense conservative"  and I like that.

OK, I think he is the lesser compromise.

Name:	MrHodja -	Reply
Subject:	Looking as if
Date:	2/24/2016 1:05:23 PM

WWE is entertainment.  Trump is an entrepreneur.  The whole thing was a setup.  At least he is open and honest.  With Trump  you know what you are getting.  With Clinton you get lies, stealing, despicable coverups....if it comes to a choice between the two my decision is easy.

Name:	MrHodja -	Reply
Subject:	Lesser Compromise
Date:	2/24/2016 1:08:04 PM (updated 2/24/2016 1:22:45 PM)

Well said.  

If Trump gets the nomination and truly wants to win, he will back off the incendiary rhetoric and start making concrete proposals to solve some of the sticky problems we are facing to include those caused by Obama's "make America little" campaign.  He is getting everyone's attention, now give them something to get past the YGTBSM factor.

Name:	copperline -	Reply
Subject:	Looking as if
Date:	2/24/2016 1:41:02 PM

I'm going to stick with my prediction of a nomination process that bypasses Trump and creates additional fallout for the GOP, and I think it is pretty likely that conflicted moderate/conservative voters will simply stay home if Trump is their standard bearer.    Better, they will think, to let the Democrats have this round and come up with a better candidate next time rather than stand by a shallow TV personality born into wealth with absolutely no record of public service nor demonstrated concerns about caution, diplomacy, or statesmanship.

If you guys do nominate Trump, I think the GOP forever becomes the World Wrestling Foundation's Party of the Angry White Guys.   So this is what becomes of the party of Lincoln, Eisenhower & Reagan?  This fellow's personality type is what Republicans think a good leader is made of?   GOP credibility is on the line and the track record is completely limited to gridlock on all fronts.   After doing nothing but opposing Obama and trying to shut down the government, you will offer up this guy as your solution to good governance?

I understand the concerns about Clinton, even if I don't agree with all of them.   But to be willing to go this far just to oppose her is beyond reason to me.   

Name:	lakngulf -	Reply
Subject:	More of Same?
Date:	2/24/2016 2:22:48 PM (updated 2/24/2016 2:23:35 PM)

Have you been around for the last seven years?  Is this the best the party of Kennedy has to offer?

Name:	copperline -	Reply
Subject:	Looking as if
Date:	2/24/2016 5:07:26 PM

Hound & Hodja, you are putting a lot of faith in your hope that The Donald will change into a more acceptable person if he gets the support he wants.     He won't.   His character type isn't like that because he has a severely narcissistic personality.   Given more attention & approval, he will continue to expand on his style.  

Wrestling may be entertainment, but it's not like Masterpiece Theatre or even a congenial talk show.  It's a low-brow soap opera for people who like to see other people fight in a strange, make-believe world made up of tough guy characters & menacing evil-doers.   To ticket-buyers, it's an opportunity to watch a public brawl and to the rest of us, it's kind of a pitiful joke.    Trump's decision to associate with WWF as a vehicle for self-promotion is pretty telling.   Note that the winners of WWF bouts are usually determined by whoever can dispense the worst humiliation to their "opponent", it fits neatly into the Trump world view:  there are winners (him) and losers (everybody else).  Moreover, it's fun to laugh at the losers.

Trump cannot handle narcissitic wounds, he responds to public attacks & embarrassments with intense, hostile and impulsive behaviors.   He has a terrible temper problem and cannot hold his tongue when he should be more discrete & reflective.   And when he is angry, his public statements indicate he is blind to the consequences of his actions.   Given the nature of national politics and dangerous international tensions, these are not safe traits for a POTUS..... he is telling us a whole lot about how he will behave under pressure.

On a less serious but equally telling note, take a close look at his "problem" with Megyn Kelly.   I don't think I have ever heard of any examples of M Kelly leveling much criticism at him, so why all the fuss?    Here is a guy with a clear thing for tall, beautiful, leggy blondes who is obsessed with the idea that she just doesn't like him so much that he won't even appear on TV with her.   He's attracted to her, but she isn't showing him the respect or subtle signs of submission his ego needs.... and what he sees is rejection, from a really beautiful, intelligent woman.   So in a huff more akin to my grandchild than a presidential candidate, he storms off & claims to have been mistreated.

I'm not giving up hope on you two but I promise I will not try to talk you into voting for Bernie.    ;)

Name:	MrHodja -	Reply
Subject:	Looking as if
Date:	2/24/2016 5:35:44 PM

Copper, I see your point but I am simply not going to be a part of Hillary Clinton being elected, either by voting for her or not voting at all.  If elected, Trump's shenanigans would be moderated by the Republican Congress, who he would need dearly.  Unlike Obama, Trump would face certain opposition from the Dems AND opposition from enough Republicans to essentially cut him off at the knees.  I just want to know how this once fine country got to the point that our choices are a criminal and an egomaniac.

That Trump is getting as much support as he is tells you how angry the voting populace has become - and unlike you claim, it is a lot more than angry old white men.  That Hillary is getting the support she is (in spite of the apparent fact that she committed felonies by exposing national security information of the highest classifications) tells you how jaded the Democratic voting bloc has become.  It is a sad state of affairs.

Name:	architect -	Reply
Subject:	Mr h and LG
Date:	2/24/2016 5:56:31 PM

In 2009 the Republican leadership invited the T party into the tent just to gain a few seats in congress thinking that they could control the nut cases they invited In once the smoke cleared...they were wrong.  Sometime when you lay down with dogs you get up with fleas.

Now just what things has Obama done in the last 7 years that would be considered so beyond the pale by the average citizen LG? Note I say "average citizen", not the average poster on this forum!  Now, similarily, give me some examples of what you think you might be praising "President" Trump for in 7 years.

Name:	Talullahhound -	Reply
Subject:	Copperline
Date:	2/24/2016 6:53:42 PM

My thinking is that the Trump WWE was likely a charity stunt.  Of course it was preplanned and it didn't end up in a brawl. Neither man hardly mussed their suits. 

People that know Trump as a person, say he is a gentlemen, has a great sense of humor and is actually a nice guy.  He also gives generously to charity.  My guess is that he has figured out that by saying outrageous he gets a lot of free media; as well as intimidating his opponents.  He has tapped into the anger that so many people feel - I think the reason is that he actually says what many people are thinking.  They do want to punch someone - he just says it out loud.  Do I think this makes him dangerous? No.  I'd like someone to punch the Ayattolah in the face.  Why do foreign leaders dislike him?  I think that is may just as well be becasue they perceive he is not someone they will be able to get over on.  But once he is President, despite what they say now, they will deal with him.  Don't forget that in a lot of the world, strength and a certain amount of machismo are respected and expected.  Given his education and background, I feel sure that he can be polite in polite company - but when he sits down to the table, they know he means business.

BTW, he made an announcement today that he will likely pick a VP who is a politcal insider. 

Name:	HARRY -	Reply
Subject:	Looking as if
Date:	2/24/2016 8:34:07 PM

@Copperline, party of the angry white guys......I like that.

Name:	lakngulf -	Reply
Subject:	Mr h and LG
Date:	2/24/2016 9:46:33 PM

How many you need?

refusal to enforce immigration laws, going overboard to promote illegal activity
fast and furious gun running, then claiming executive priviledge on documents
gun running through Benghazi to Syria
The whole Benghazi episode
If you want your doctor you keep
If you like your insurance you keep
Disaster rollout of ACA software, hiring tech folks that had already proven to be incapable
IRS targeting special groups with "more than a smidgen" of wrongdoing
Failure to prosecute Lois Lerner and Danny Werfel
Veterans medical fiasco
Iran "thanks for all this money to help us buy weapons and create nukes" deal
Illegal Excecutive Orders
Crushing any progress the country had made in race relations...promoting false narrative which lead to Black Lives Matter
snooping phone records of Associated Press
Illegal targeting of James Rosen

Name:	lakngulf -	Reply
Subject:	Mr h and LG
Date:	2/24/2016 9:47:28 PM

For Trump good in 7 years, see above under Lesser Compromise

Name:	architect -	Reply
Subject:	Mr h and LG
Date:	2/24/2016 11:15:46 PM (updated 2/24/2016 11:19:13 PM)

Are you for real?!  My guess is that even the average poster on this forum is not in agreement with lots of your nonsense!!!

Obama has deported 23% more illegals in 7 years than W did in 8.

Fast and Furious was planned and authorized by W

Gun running through Benghazi....what the he!! Are you talking about?

Bengahazi has been more throughly investigated by more partisan committees than Watergate and nothing other than poor decisions have been found.

" You can keep your Dr " was a stupid statement based on incorrect information, not a lie.  And, 12 million people who didn't have a Dr now do

Ditto for insurance!

The disasterous roll out of ACA was because the government hired a bad private contractor.  It was fixed and is now working well.  What about that response to Katrina in 2005 speaking of incompetence?

The IRS investigated and held up tax exempt certification to right and left wing extremist groups who should have been investigated because they are blatantly political and NOT "Public service or educational organizations" entitled to tax exemption.

The president is not authorized to prosecute anybody.

The VA medical problems have been going on for years largely because of budget cuts.

The money going to Iran is not your money, it is Iran's money which has been embargoed since 1980.  No interest has been paid on this money in 36 years.  If we do not like how they spend the money we have the right to abrogate the Treaty.

I can guarantee if any of Obama's executive orders are eventually declared unlawful he will reverse them.  Do you think you can guarantee "President" trump will do the same?

Crushing race relations...guess so if pointing out grevious unfair and unlawful acts of discrimination and violence is crushing race relations.

Phone snooping??  Where do you stand on the Santa Barbara I phone issue???

Who the he!! Is James Rosen?

Name:	MrHodja -	Reply
Subject:	Mr h and LG
Date:	2/24/2016 11:30:02 PM

Geez, I thought I was the voice of reason....oh, wait, I didn't agree with Archie...I guess I am now among the great unwashed....