ADVERTISEMENT

WHY DON’T GOP VOTERS CARE ABOUT TRUMP’S LIES?

cigaretteman

HB King
May 29, 2001
78,700
61,012
113
Almost six months have passed since Donald Trump overtook Jeb Bush in polls of Republican voters. At the time, most pundits dismissed the Trump phenomenon as a blip, predicting that voters would soon return to more conventional candidates. Instead, however, his lead just kept widening. Even more striking, the triumvirate of trash-talk — Mr. Trump, Ben Carson, and Ted Cruz — now commands the support of roughly 60 percent of the primary electorate.

But how can this be happening? After all, the antiestablishment candidates now dominating the field, aside from being deeply ignorant about policy, have a habit of making false claims, then refusing to acknowledge error. Why don’t Republican voters seem to care?


Well, part of the answer has to be that the party taught them not to care. Bluster and belligerence as substitutes for analysis, disdain for any kind of measured response, dismissal of inconvenient facts reported by the “liberal media” didn’t suddenly arrive on the Republican scene last summer. On the contrary, they have long been key elements of the party brand. So how are voters supposed to know where to draw the line?

Let’s talk first about the legacy of He Who Must Not Be Named.

I don’t know how many readers remember the 2000 election, but during the campaign Republicans tried — largely successfully — to make the election about likability, not policy. George W. Bush was supposed to get your vote because he was someone you’d enjoy having a beer with, unlike that stiff, boring guy Al Gore with all his facts and figures.

And when Mr. Gore tried to talk about policy differences, Mr. Bush responded not on the substance but by mocking his opponent’s “fuzzy math” — a phrase gleefully picked up by his supporters. The press corps played right along with this deliberate dumbing-down: Mr. Gore was deemed to have lost debates, not because he was wrong, but because he was, reporters declared, snooty and superior, unlike the affably dishonest W.

Then came 9/11, and the affable guy was repackaged as a war leader. But the repackaging was never framed in terms of substantive arguments over foreign policy. Instead, Mr. Bush and his handlers sold swagger. He was the man you could trust to keep us safe because he talked tough and dressed up as a fighter pilot. He proudly declared that he was the “decider” — and that he made his decisions based on his “gut.”

The subtext was that real leaders don’t waste time on hard thinking, that listening to experts is a sign of weakness, that attitude is all you need. And while Mr. Bush’s debacles in Iraq and New Orleans eventually ended America’s faith in his personal gut, the elevation of attitude over analysis only tightened its grip on his party, an evolution highlighted when John McCain, who once upon a time had a reputation for policy independence, chose the eminently unqualified Sarah Palin as his running mate.

So Donald Trump as a political phenomenon is very much in a line of succession that runs from W. through Mrs. Palin, and in many ways he’s entirely representative of the Republican mainstream. For example, were you shocked when Mr. Trump revealed his admiration for Vladimir Putin? He was only articulating a feeling that was already widespread in his party.
Meanwhile, what do the establishment candidates have to offer as an alternative? On policy substance, not much. Remember, back when he was the presumed front-runner, Jeb Bush assembled a team of foreign-policy “experts,” people who had academic credentials and chairs at right-wing think tanks. But the team was dominated by neoconservative hard-liners, people committed, despite past failures, to the belief that shock and awe solve all problems.

In other words, Mr. Bush wasn’t articulating a notably different policy than what we’re now hearing from Trump et al; all he offered was belligerence with a thin veneer of respectability. Marco Rubio, who has succeeded him as the establishment favorite, is much the same, with a few added evasions. Why should anyone be surprised to see this posturing, er, trumped by the unapologetic belligerence offered by nonestablishment candidates?

In case you’re wondering, nothing like this process has happened on the Democratic side. When Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders debate, say, financial regulation, it’s a real discussion, with both candidates evidently well informed about the issues. American political discourse as a whole hasn’t been dumbed down, just its conservative wing.

Going back to Republicans, does this mean that Mr. Trump will actually be the nominee? I have no idea. But it’s important to realize that he isn’t someone who suddenly intruded into Republican politics from an alternative universe. He, or someone like him, is where the party has been headed for a long time.

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/12/21/opinion/the-donald-and-the-decider.html
 
Also, people act like he's such a brilliant businessman even though he's ran 4 companies into bankruptcy.
 
He scares most sane people. He scares me and I'm far from a liberal.

He's arrogant, ignorant, unethical and unqualified. Not a good combination.

This and I'm not a liberal either.

I'm bothered by the fact that he demonstrates absolutely no ability to be tactful or diplomatic. You can't lead the free world by being a giant douche to anyone who dares to disagree with you.

David Cameron may have to be leader of the free world for a while because no one will unite behind Trump.
 
Your party voted in Barack Obama, twice.

What do you care about a politician being truthful?

You also support Hillary Clinton who flew into a war zone under sniper fire, remember that?

STHU, hypocrite.
 
This and I'm not a liberal either.

I'm bothered by the fact that he demonstrates absolutely no ability to be tactful or diplomatic. You can't lead the free world by being a giant douche to anyone who dares to disagree with you.

David Cameron may have to be leader of the free world for a while because no one will unite behind Trump.

Could you imagine Trump at the United Nations yelling at people? Could you imagine him representing our great country?

I shudder to think of it.
 
Could you imagine Trump at the United Nations yelling at people? Could you imagine him representing our great country?

I shudder to think of it.

Maybe you will understand how embarassing the last 7 years have been for so many Americans who actually believe in the ideals of this country.

Unlike some wench who has never been proud of her country until her husband was voted into the white house.
 
Maybe you will understand how embarassing the last 7 years have been for so many Americans who actually believe in the ideals of this country.

Unlike some wench who has never been proud of her country until her husband was voted into the white house.

She kept her mouth shut after she entered the White House...so I was pleasantly surprised.
 
That statement revealed her true colors.

She freely admitted she hated America her whole life and has acted like it. Liberals don't have a problem with it because so many agree.

Wait...when did she admit she hated America? I'm far from a Michelle Obama fan...but you really think she hates America?

Do you think President Obama hates America, too?
 
Could you imagine Trump at the United Nations yelling at people? Could you imagine him representing our great country?

I shudder to think of it.

I hadn't even thought of that. I was mostly thinking of private talks. . . how's it going to go when Germany isn't prepared to do what the Donald wants it to do and he suggests that Merkel is having her period. Or France is and he basically tells the media that the French are all pussies.

The guy has no soft leadership skills. He can lead people that he can fire if they don't do what he wants and replace them. But if you have someone who doesn't have to follow his every direction he has no ability to convince them that his course of action is the best.

This could have some rather long term implications. How many countries are going to want to continue their alliances with us when we have shown that we are capable of electing such a buffoon as our head of government?

Seriously David Cameron or Merkel may have to take charge over the free world.
 
  • Like
Reactions: BrianNole09
Wait...when did she admit she hated America? I'm far from a Michelle Obama fan...but you really think she hates America?

Do you think President Obama hates America, too?

yes I think Michelle Obama hates America, her and her husband are doing everything they can to undermine this country. Most divisive President in history and it is intentional.
 
I hadn't even thought of that. I was mostly thinking of private talks. . . how's it going to go when Germany isn't prepared to do what the Donald wants it to do and he suggests that Merkel is having her period. Or France is and he basically tells the media that the French are all pussies.

The guy has no soft leadership skills. He can lead people that he can fire if they don't do what he wants and replace them. But if you have someone who doesn't have to follow his every direction he has no ability to convince them that his course of action is the best.

This could have some rather long term implications. How many countries are going to want to continue their alliances with us when we have shown that we are capable of electing such a buffoon as our head of government?

Seriously David Cameron or Merkel may have to take charge over the free world.

Totally agree.

As incompetent as President Bush the 2nd was, at least he was reasonably tactful in his dealings with the world. Bush made the American people look like complete idiots for electing him, TWICE, but Trump would take that to another level.
 
Umm same reason Dem voters don't care about Hilary's lies.

Both sides are trained not to.

Sorry ciggy but this article is absolutely terrible. You have to be a real dem hardliner to try and pretend that your politicians don't lie as well and it's only the other guys doing it.
That and I do not support his lies. I will not vote for Trump. Can you say the same and all Hillary's lies affecting your vote?
 
Totally agree.

As incompetent as President Bush the 2nd was, at least he was reasonably tactful in his dealings with the world. Bush made the American people look like complete idiots for electing him, TWICE, but Trump would take that to another level.

Obama is an international laughingstock with his red lines and "JV" comments. We need someone with balls again.
 
yes I think Michelle Obama hates America, her and her husband are doing everything they can to undermine this country. Most divisive President in history and it is intentional.

That's just not true, by a long shot. There were many more divisive Presidents in history. George W. Bush, Lincoln, Nixon and LBJ, to name a few.

The reason our country is so divided is because half of voters are nutcases like you.
 
Also, people act like he's such a brilliant businessman even though he's ran 4 companies into bankruptcy.

Since he's worth 10 billion dollars, I'd say he's pretty successful. Out of all the dealings he's completed, four isn't that bad. Do you expect him to be perfect?
 
Since he's worth 10 billion dollars, I'd say he's pretty successful. Out of all the dealings he's completed, four isn't that bad. Do you expect him to be perfect?

He's not worth 10 billion dollars...not even close. His Dad also set him up and lent him millions of dollars. He was born on 3rd base.

I think driving 4 companies to bankruptcy is pretty bad...while screwing investors and lenders out of billions of dollars. And the fact that he says he's "proud" of doing it shows how oblivious he really is.
 
This and I'm not a liberal either.

I'm bothered by the fact that he demonstrates absolutely no ability to be tactful or diplomatic. You can't lead the free world by being a giant douche to anyone who dares to disagree with you.

David Cameron may have to be leader of the free world for a while because no one will unite behind Trump.

Really? This is all Obama has done for seven years.
 
He's not worth 10 billion dollars...not even close. His Dad also set him up and lent him millions of dollars. He was born on 3rd base.

I think driving 4 companies to bankruptcy is pretty bad...while screwing investors and lenders out of billions of dollars. And the fact that he says he's "proud" of doing it shows how oblivious he really is.

People have actually calculated that if he had simply taken his inherited wealth and invested it in an indexed account, he would be wealthier now than he actually is.
 
  • Like
Reactions: BrianNole09
Obama is an international laughingstock with his red lines and "JV" comments. We need someone with balls again.

Those were definitely not wise things to say, but he's not an international laughing stock, not by a wide margin. Bush could barely complete sentences and was DEFINITELY an international laughing stock. I know because I traveled the world and was constantly asked why Americans elected Bush TWICE. No one understood it.

In the end, Obama did the right thing with the red line comment and disarmed Syria of chemical weapons while staying out of their civil war.

If you think Trump would do any better...well, there is just no reasoning with you.
 
  • Like
Reactions: cigaretteman
Not to mention, Trump openly admits to milking this bought-off duopoly. He, and people like him, are what helped create this Oligarchy we now live in. In a sense, having him as president would be appropriate. What better way to lead a nation of corrupt plutocrats and worker bees than one of the most well-known self-aggrandizing celebrities who epitomizes what the nation has become.
 
People have actually calculated that if he had simply taken his inherited wealth and invested it in an indexed account, he would be wealthier now than he actually is.

That was a flawed analysis. If Trump did NOTHING, he would have needed to draw money from his investments to support his lifestyle, which would have changed the math dramatically.
 
Really? This is all Obama has done for seven years.

Really so when did Obama publically say that a woman was on her period because she confronted him? When did Obama make fun of the looks or voice of his opponents? Especially in such a childish way that Trump has done?

The most tactless thing Obama has done was call Kanye West a jack***. But that was a private conversation that a microphone just happened to pick up. So beside the fact that Obama was in fact correct about Kanye West, it being intended as a private conversation I would say that is pretty forgiveable.

Trump has said crap like that in public speeches.
 
Really so when did Obama publically say that a woman was on her period because she confronted him? When did Obama make fun of the looks or voice of his opponents? Especially in such a childish way that Trump has done?

The most tactless thing Obama has done was call Kanye West a jack***. But that was a private conversation that a microphone just happened to pick up. So beside the fact that Obama was in fact correct about Kanye West, it being intended as a private conversation I would say that is pretty forgiveable.

Trump has said crap like that in public speeches.

Seriously?

Do you remember Obama calling (white people) "bitter" people who "cling to guns or religion or antipathy to people who aren't like them"?

Want more examples of divisive rhetoric from this president? There are plenty:

* "If you've got a business — you didn't build that."

• "We are the ones we've been waiting for."

• "I mean, I do think at a certain point you've made enough money."

• "I will cut taxes — cut taxes — for 95% of all working families."

• "We can't drive our SUVs and eat as much as we want and keep our homes on 72 degrees at all times."

• "Get in Their Faces."

• "The Cambridge police acted stupidly."

• "Those who have done well, including me, should pay their fair share in taxes."

There's more. He once said his grandmother "is a typical white person," told Latinos they should say "We're going to punish our enemies and we're gonna reward our friends," and complained about "our own right-wing domestic terrorists who are subverting the American democratic process."

Earlier this year, a Gallup Poll found Obama to be, in the words of the Washington Post, "The most polarizing president. Ever."

Clearly, he has become the president of some Americans and not others. But that was his choice — and his plan all along.



Read More At Investor's Business Daily: http://news.investors.com/ibd-edito...ama-most-divisive-president.htm#ixzz3uz1IQzgS
Follow us: @IBDinvestors on Twitter | InvestorsBusinessDaily on Facebook
 
Seriously?

Do you remember Obama calling (white people) "bitter" people who "cling to guns or religion or antipathy to people who aren't like them"?

Want more examples of divisive rhetoric from this president? There are plenty:

* "If you've got a business — you didn't build that."

• "We are the ones we've been waiting for."

• "I mean, I do think at a certain point you've made enough money."

• "I will cut taxes — cut taxes — for 95% of all working families."

• "We can't drive our SUVs and eat as much as we want and keep our homes on 72 degrees at all times."

• "Get in Their Faces."

• "The Cambridge police acted stupidly."

• "Those who have done well, including me, should pay their fair share in taxes."

There's more. He once said his grandmother "is a typical white person," told Latinos they should say "We're going to punish our enemies and we're gonna reward our friends," and complained about "our own right-wing domestic terrorists who are subverting the American democratic process."

Earlier this year, a Gallup Poll found Obama to be, in the words of the Washington Post, "The most polarizing president. Ever."

Clearly, he has become the president of some Americans and not others. But that was his choice — and his plan all along.



Read More At Investor's Business Daily: http://news.investors.com/ibd-edito...ama-most-divisive-president.htm#ixzz3uz1IQzgS
Follow us: @IBDinvestors on Twitter | InvestorsBusinessDaily on Facebook


I'm not talking about stuff that you disagree with I'm talking about having a lack of tact. Those are two different things.

The closest one that you have there to a lack of tact is "Get in their faces" and the Guns and religion comment. None of that is anywhere close to the lack of tact that Trump has displayed at every turn in this campaign.

And the business one is such a misquote that it's sad that you would post it. He said you didn't build that in reference to roads and other public works that businesses use in order to be profitable.
 
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT