USA 2016 Presidential Election Thread

[leicsmac]

Of course you can, the nuclear weapon argument is one that leaves us at the top table for the minute but people are changing and a lot in the West seem to be that naive these days they think we could still carry on as normal without them and demand the same things from countries like Russia and China, unlikely of course but it's not beyond total possibility that we elect leaders that would give up our capablilities over the next 50 years or so.

You can already see China flexing it;s muscles through investment, they are basically becoming the new colonial masters of African with what they have done over the last twenty years and no one seems to have noticed.

I'd actually say Putin is putting on that act you speak of, he is still claiming to the contrary of anyone else but Assad that he is striking against ISIS when in reality he's just wiping out all the anti government rebels to leave the rest of the World between a choice of backing Assad or ISIS to make sure his buddy can stay in the leaders chair, the advantage also being a continued destablised Turkey and Kurdish populations.

Regarding nukes, I still maintain the position I was rhapsodising about a while back whereby two nations with reasonably opposed ideologies and just enough nuclear weapons to destroy each other would be enough for global stability on that score. There's no need for additional proliferation beyond some perceived intimidating factor at the negotiating table which is null and void when you have the inevitability of escalation anyway.

China is certainly flexing its financial muscle, especially in Africa as you say, but I think people overrate economic power when it comes to the truly big picture. I mean, in the room with the king, the priest and the tycoon all offering gold to the sellsword, it's the sellsword that had all the power, isn't it? And the Chinese will never be able to outfight the U.S. militarily.

I think it's reasonably obvious that Putin is in business purely for himself in Syria. I don't think the obfuscation is even any good...he's not interested in PR because he doesn't have to answer to his people, not really anyway. He's certainly not claiming to western audiences that he's there in the interests of "the Syrian people".

[Robin JD Popley]

On Trump. As much as I hope he doesn't win the GOP nomination, I know he would ignite the passionate American patriot again. He would probably be a very popular domestic President in time too, my concern is with the rest of us. I like people who take a basis of getting things done but you don't always have to shout the loudest to do it; that's why I hope the GOP Ticket is Rubio-Kasich.

 

Pragmatism comes in many forms - antagonism is not one of those.

[ramboacdc]

seriously can trump stop winning now? this feels like its the build up to some v for vendetta bullshit! 

[leicsmac]

Super Tuesday will tell us a lot about the nomination. Trump is pretty far ahead so far, but that day will make it clearer about whether or not he can keep momentum.

[MPH]

My Favorite trump quote from last night:

 

 

" I love the poorly educated "

[Carl the Llama]

My Favorite trump quote from last night:

 

 

" I love the poorly educated "

Hmmm I'm not fond of taking a quote out of context to slur against somebody even if they are as monumentally bell-ended as Trump.

[Detroit Blues]

seriously can trump stop winning now? this feels like its the build up to some v for vendetta bullshit! 

 

There's no stopping the trump. We can only hope to contain him (to 1 term).

[leicsmac]

The whole issue regarding Planned Parenthood is a pretty big symbol of what the Repubs as a whole stand for. Even Trump is saying that he'd defund it now, despite the work it does for disadvantaged women regarding cancer treatment and the like.

 

It's a testament to their media machine and the male-led, "do as I say" family structure in most parts of the South that they get anyone who isn't White Anglo Saxon Christian to vote for them at all, considering how much contempt they have for every other demographic.

 

Economically, I can see some of their points. Socially...not so much.

[leicsmac]

So John Kasich's healthcare plan is for the government to pay for hospitals and doctors to provided high quality healthcare.

 

Wait, there's a name for that...oh, yes! It's called a single payer socialised healthcare system isn't it?

 

But of course they can't say that - lot of dirty words in that sentence, after all.

[DJ Barry Hammond]

So John Kasich's healthcare plan is for the government to pay for hospitals and doctors to provided high quality healthcare.

 

Wait, there's a name for that...oh, yes! It's called a single payer socialised healthcare system isn't it?

 

But of course they can't say that - lot of dirty words in that sentence, after all.

Doesn't exactly slip of the tounge does it - SPHS is a little better. But hey the NHS acronym will be up for grabs in a few years time!

[leicsmac]

Plus points for Trump there - the only one in the field that actually entertains the idea of negotiating an end to the Arab-Israeli conflict rather than just bankrolling one side to keep it going.

[MPH]

Plus points for Trump there - the only one in the field that actually entertains the idea of negotiating an end to the Arab-Israeli conflict rather than just bankrolling one side to keep it going.

 

 

 

I'd love to know his solution and what he plans on negotiating with and on what compromises he plans on forcing Israel/ Hamas to accept...

[leicsmac]

Superb op-ed piece in the NYT about the current dysfunction in American politics:

 

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/02/26/opinion/the-governing-cancer-of-our-time.html

 

 

I'd love to know his solution and what he plans on negotiating with and on what compromises he plans on forcing Israel/ Hamas to accept...

 

Yeah, that's true. But rather looking for a solution than feeding one side arms and money (as well as blocking any discussion of the matter in the international arena) to keep the situation going.

[Guest MattP]

Clinton looks pretty much guaranteed the nomination now after the weekend.

Looking forward to tomorrow, still think Cruz will win Texas but Trump could all but wrap up the nomination come the morning.

[leicsmac]

Super Tuesday is going to tell us a lot. On the Dem side, it's going to show if Bernie can actually keep the fight up for another few rounds or whether Hillary has an easy run to the nomination henceforth; on the Repub side, Rubio needs a huge showing to challenge Trump and show he can go up against him as an establishment candidate, and I expect Cruz will run out of steam.

[Guest MattP]

Bernie is finished, his support base is young white liberals and little else. Ethnic minorities who usually vote democrat are more likely to vote for Trump than Sanders.

I think this will all be pretty much sorted by Wednesday, Clinton v Trump, could be one hell of a battle.

[leicsmac]

Bernie is finished, his support base is young white liberals and little else. Ethnic minorities who usually vote democrat are more likely to vote for Trump than Sanders.

I think this will all be pretty much sorted by Wednesday, Clinton v Trump, could be one hell of a battle.

 

You honestly think most ethnic minorities would pick a man practically guaranteed to further marginalise a large portion of them over Sanders? That's a reach.

 

That being said, they probably wouldn't go for Bernie either and so likely stay at home come election day, which is practically the same thing.

 

FWIW I think that he'll do enough to be able to hang on after this Tuesday, but end up conceding around early April once more delegates have come through...which is good, as I don't think an easy run to the nomination would be good for Hillary in a November matchup.

 

Hillary v Trump in November will only be close if either Bernie supporters shuffle off in a huff or some kind of dynamite regarding an FBI investigation/emails/etc manages to stick to her. Otherwise it'll be a curbstomp.

[Guest MattP]

Definitely, Bernie has nothing among ethnic minority voters, Trump is still picking up 40% of support from Hispanics.

Bernie or bust campaign makes that possible.

Every chance it could be close, Clinton almost seems as much of a marmite figure as Trump at times, she is the establishment.

I still think Hillary will win but it's not going to be a curbstomp; Trump support is gathering, people now not afraid to get behind him.

[leicsmac]

Fair enough, I find it amazing and amusing that Trump can command that amount of the Hispanic vote given the remarks he's made about them. Effect of powerful words and powerful media, I guess.

 

And given what Trump stands for (or more accurately some of those within his party and their social policies), people not being afraid to get behind him is actually a little scary.

 

I certainly think there's going to be massive polarisation given the attitudes of people towards Hillary and Trump, but I honestly can't see him winning both Florida and Ohio as he needs to.

[MPH]

  I would consider myself to be a republican Sympathizer in many ways, but the thought of Donald Trump being the president here fills me with sheer horror.

 

 

 

 

It also makes you question the bizarre concept of only having two main political parties to choose from. If there were more political parties to choose from- a little bit more like The English system , then you could be pretty sure he'd be in a different political party. a more centralist party.

 

 

 

I actually know several people who said they will vote for him through gritted teeth simply because they Hate Hilary more than him. It's all very odd. I really dislike american politics.

[FireFox]

How difficult is it to condemn the KKK?

[Detroit Blues]

How difficult is it to condemn the KKK?

Trump doesn't want to upset his base

[leicsmac]

Can I mention once again how scary it is that someone with views like Trump (and, by extension, those around him) actually has a chance, however small, of actually running the show come November?

[Detroit Blues]

Can I mention once again how scary it is that someone with views like Trump (and, by extension, those around him) actually has a chance, however small, of actually running the show come November?

I think it's going to happen. He's the clear favorite to win the Republican primary. Well certainly have a better idea after tomorrow night.

Then all that stands in his way is Hillary.

[leicsmac]

I think it's going to happen. He's the clear favorite to win the Republican primary. Well certainly have a better idea after tomorrow night.

Then all that stands in his way is Hillary.

 

That's about the size of it.

 

As an aside, I'm on the verge of flipping out at a good friend via Facebook who insists that getting Bernie as the Dem nomination is the only way to stop Trump and if Hillary is nominated she won't win.

 

Well, yeah you plank - if you and other Bernie fans engage in that kind of divisive bullshit and take your ball and go home just because Bernie isn't the nominee of course Trump will win! Honestly, the consistent failure of reasonably liberal people to actually stop infighting, engage in some intersectionality and put up a united front when it matters flat-out pisses me off.