How do Republicans defeat Donald Trump?

[lucas80]

A few months back LC made a comment in a thread about how he could rattle off 10 good reasons why Trump wouldn't be President. Something like that. I challenged him to name them, but he never responded. This is not to call out LC, but, as Trump continues to hold his percentages in the polls I am curious as to what narrative or dirt you Republicans think would be effective against Trump.
The establishment leadership seems to be having a problem finding a good line of attack. Lindsey Graham lined up behind Bush today, and I think you'll see a few more endorsements, and the pack will thin out after Iowa, New Hampshire, and South Carolina. How does the establishment take back the nomination?

 

[moral_victory]

I'm curious what percentage of trump supporters are registered for their party or are even aware of caucusing or are going to primary in their states.

 

[SCHawkFan]

I have thought that Trump would eventually implode, but last night in the debate, they did not lay a glove on him. It was probably his best performance to date. I think he actually hurt Cruz during the birther and New York values exchanges.

I hate to say it, but I believe Trump will still be standing come the convention. The hope the GOP has to stop him would be a contested convention. If he does not have the majority, a compromise candidate could emerge. It is crazy.

 

[pablow]

I think it's checkmate for the Republican establishment. The GOP has been badly abusing it's conservative base and it's payback time. This is gonna be so much fun to watch.

 

[soybean]

I have thought that Trump would eventually implode, but last night in the debate, they did not lay a glove on him. It was probably his best performance to date. I think he actually hurt Cruz during the birther and New York values exchanges.

I hate to say it, but I believe Trump will still be standing come the convention. The hope the GOP has to stop him would be a contested convention. If he does not have the majority, a compromise candidate could emerge. It is crazy.

Thing is that Trump is not stupid. He has the capacity to learn and growth as a canidate and I suggest he has done just that.

 

[BondHawk]

I'm curious what percentage of trump supporters are registered for their party or are even aware of caucusing or are going to primary in their states.

Wait - you mean you can't just vote on the internet somewhere?

 

[moral_victory]

Wait - you mean you can't just vote on the internet somewhere?

Not just yet.

 

[SCHawkFan]

National Review pretty much sums up my feelings from last night.

For some time now, people who believe in the theory of Donald Trump’s inevitable demise have thought that he’d either say something so outrageous that voters would finally reject him or he’d perform so poorly in debates that voters would flee to more polished candidates. Well, it’s safe to say that the outrageous comments theory had been discredited, and — after tonight’s debate — it’s clear that Trump isn’t going to beat himself in direct competition with his colleagues.

Read more at: http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/429821/trump-won-republican-debate

 

[lucas80]

Sex scandals? His monumental appetite to sue people? The fact that he was a Democrat for most of his life with very questionable lineage on social issues? I think the establishment coalesces after the early contests, but how is he brought down? Pick at his vanity and temper causing him to storm out of the party?

 

[What Would Jesus Do?]

Step #1 to defeating Trump is to pick one person to back among the also-rans.

If Cruz is your alternative, you've gone from bad to worse.

David Brooks has been pushing Rubio. A reasonable choice. Not that I would vote for him, of course, but he could be that guy. OTOH, as Brooks said, Rubio is starting to position himself as Cruz lite. Not a good idea.

Jeb is probably a better choice, but he just can't deliver a good debate performance.

Christie is more New York than Trump, and in all the wrong ways. Kasich is hard to take seriously - great credentials, terrible packaging.

So pick Rubio or Bush.

Step #2 is to change the topics of conversation. It seems like 50% of the discussion is on radical Muslim terrorists and the rest of the time it's whatever Trump has made the new topic of discussion. Just stop. Talk about other things. In particular, talk more about things that will be top issues in the general election.

 

[Herkmeister]

Sex scandals? His monumental appetite to sue people? The fact that he was a Democrat for most of his life with very questionable lineage on social issues? I think the establishment coalesces after the early contests, but how is he brought down? Pick at his vanity and temper causing him to storm out of the party?

I know from a close friend that he cheats at golf. Need more be said?

 

[unIowa]

I'm curious what percentage of trump supporters are registered for their party or are even aware of caucusing or are going to primary in their states.

That is the only thing that keeps him from winning IMO. He was magical last night.

 

[unIowa]

Step #1 to defeating Trump is to pick one person to back among the also-rans.

If Cruz is your alternative, you've gone from bad to worse.

David Brooks has been pushing Rubio. A reasonable choice. Not that I would vote for him, of course, but he could be that guy. OTOH, as Brooks said, Rubio is starting to position himself as Cruz lite. Not a good idea.

Jeb is probably a better choice, but he just can't deliver a good debate performance.

Christie is more New York than Trump, and in all the wrong ways. Kasich is hard to take seriously - great credentials, terrible packaging.

So pick Rubio or Bush.

Step #2 is to change the topics of conversation. It seems like 50% of the discussion is on radical Muslim terrorists and the rest of the time it's whatever Trump has made the new topic of discussion. Just stop. Talk about other things. In particular, talk more about things that will be top issues in the general election.

Thing is, Radical Islam won't allow themselves to be taken out of the news. The more they escalate the more support (R and D) Trump gets.

 

[lucas80]

The establishment kept assuming Trump would implode, or get bored and quit. He is getting stronger. I wonder if there are secret meetings being held in Palm Springs to anoint a single challenger to Trump?

 

[IMCC965]

The establishment kept assuming Trump would implode, or get bored and quit. He is getting stronger. I wonder if there are secret meetings being held in Palm Springs to anoint a single challenger to Trump?

Paranoid much? And what's wrong with that? There's only been ONE challenger to Hillary and he is now kicking her excessively large ass.

 

[BondHawk]

He was magical last night.

Oh Moses smell the roses....

 

[uniFIGHTuniFIGHT]

I think it's checkmate for the Republican establishment. The GOP has been badly abusing it's conservative base and it's payback time. This is gonna be so much fun to watch.

What I don't get about this is that I don't see how Trump is a conservative. That's probably the only thing Cruz is right about.

 

[lucas80]

Paranoid much? And what's wrong with that? There's only been ONE challenger to Hillary and he is now kicking her excessively large ass.

Boy, it always goes to the bottom of the chum bucket with you when it comes to women.

 

[ottumwan in tx]

I dunno how but jeb will be involved

 

[CeMar_Clone]

Boy, it always goes to the bottom of the chum bucket with you when it comes to women.

Billary has to be pushing 250. Considering what POTUS does to men, Billary is would be scary looking 1 year into office.

 

[pablow]

The establishment kept assuming Trump would implode, or get bored and quit. He is getting stronger. I wonder if there are secret meetings being held in Palm Springs to anoint a single challenger to Trump?

You can bet your ass that Karl Rove and the boys are plotting. But if you game this forward, they have no real options left - they're trapped. But it remains to be seen if the little rodents start chewing there own legs off.

I'd guess that 80% of likely voters from both parties consider this state of affairs to highly entertaining. I sure do.

 

[Run&Blade]

Is the conservative base the religious nuts that can't have enough guns and big enough military?

Is the base the people that want true spending cuts in the military and a true path to getting rid of the deficit?

 

[tarheelbybirth]

Is the conservative base the religious nuts that can't have enough guns and big enough military?

Is the base the people that want true spending cuts in the military and a true path to getting rid of the deficit?

There you go.