4 ms·

Say whatever you will but I will take solace in the fact that no matter how badly Trump does, it would be worse under Cruz.

EdSharkey 10y ago
How do you figure?
- mc32 10y ago
  Not the OP but Cruz was an ideologue (would apparently not compromise) engaged in risky tactics (shut down government) , was disliked by colleagues and religion was above all else. The country does not need a priest or pastor in chief.
  - EdSharkey 10y ago
    I get all that. I will note that what you say is phrased like talking points from Cruz' enemies designed to make him 1-dimensional, but at least you provided some simple examples to back up some of your statements. Back to my original question: how does the GP figure that a Cruz presidency would be worse than a Trump one? Does Trump have any negatives for you? Can you weigh Trump's policy statements, demeanor, and history against Cruz'?
    - mc32 10y ago
      If one were to take Trump literally, then yes, he would have some very negative aspects --but so would Bernie. As far as I can read mr. Trump which isn't to say I'm right, I think he's a quite an adroit pragmatic populist who when it becomes necessary will adjust his more extreme positions and bring them in alignment with the average sentiment of the population. His having been a business person, I don't think he'd take catastrophic action on trade in order to satisfy a vague promise. He may seek to curtail illegal immigration by simply enforcing e-verify for all jobs --that way, you might stay here, but there is no point if you can't get work. At the same time I could imagine a guest worker program, to give people who are willing to comply, an avenue to work here. He may reframe the whole NRA/2nd amendment rights issue to a less polarized one. I think he's not apt to vilify the LGBTQ community as a Cruz would likely do. Cruz was only about his "base". I think Trump has a good chance to expand beyond his core constituency, disaffected working class and non-ideological conservatives. He has the personality to pull in blue collar blacks as well as blue collar Americans of Latin American descent. He may well alienate undocumented immigrants and people who sympathise with them, but he may risk that, for the time being.
      - EdSharkey 10y ago
        Okay, I think you're projecting in a lot of your assessment of Trump, but that's just my dumb opinion. I hear Trump's words and his "Big City boss" approach to governing doesn't appeal to me, and I don't believe is going to be productive. I take it you think he will tack to the populist center, but I have no clue what he'd do on a whole range of issues based just on what he has said. It's like "Hope America Change Again" should be his slogan. He's boorish when it comes to women and sexuality. His foreign policy statements continue to be a hot mess; he's either feigning ignorance or is actually ignorant on world issues when he shoots from the hip. Demonizing Mexico/Mexicans and China for show, stoking up hate for votes. The "Rafael Cruz may have been part of the JFK assassination" antics was a completely crazy stunt and unnecessary given where the campaigns stood in Indiana. Alluding to his adequate dick size in a presidential debate. And on and on, Trump isn't funny or refreshing to me ... Domestic policy-wise, yes, there might be some bright spots (like his tax plan). Anywhere he is cagey or ambiguous on his policy statements or has done an about-face, he is a complete enigma (was for late-term abortion and now is for punishing mothers for getting abortions should abortion become illegal.) BTW, I don't blame you for projecting, a lot of people love the guy and want to see him succeed!
        clevernickname 10y ago
        >He's boorish when it comes to women and sexuality. It's funny that people say this, when Bill Clinton repeatedly raped and took advantage of women and Hillary helped cover it up.
        EdSharkey 10y ago
        Then I'm sure you'll applaud me when I oppose Trump! I don't want to be inconsistent, after all. You see, I'm a conservative, and I said at the time that predator Clinton deserved jailtime for what he did. Impeachment and disbarment wasn't enough for an executive that had sex with his 20-something _intern staffer_. That's straight-up criminal, go to JAIL, pig! But let's not re-litigate the past, you're right, let's focus on Trump. What don't we know about this creep's sleazy activities? Let's see the tax returns! Trump University was a scam that hurt vulnerable people! The casino biz is full of colorful characters, I'm curious about his business partners and finances. Did he really visit that rumored "sex island" along with _Bill Clinton_? How young were the girls/boys he diddled there, if he did go? Are any of the rumors of mob ties to Trump substantial? Enquiring minds want to know!! And then Trump sounded like a Grade-A perv when he said on mic that he'd want to date his daughter if they weren't related. Noone should talk sexually about their kids that way, SICK! For Pete's sake, sorry to vent, but WTF is the appeal of this guy?? I know Evangelical Christians that voted enthusiastically for the guy, it's madness!
  - dnautics 10y ago
    Why is shutting down the government risky?
    - mc32 10y ago
      It incurs costs both financial and political. And really, it's antithetical to being a politician. It's like being a physician and wanting to not cure people. Being a politician and simultaneously wanting to have things shutdown is anathema.

EdSharkey 10y ago

How do you figure?

mc32 10y ago
Not the OP but Cruz was an ideologue (would apparently not compromise) engaged in risky tactics (shut down government) , was disliked by colleagues and religion was above all else. The country does not need a priest or pastor in chief.
- EdSharkey 10y ago
  I get all that. I will note that what you say is phrased like talking points from Cruz' enemies designed to make him 1-dimensional, but at least you provided some simple examples to back up some of your statements. Back to my original question: how does the GP figure that a Cruz presidency would be worse than a Trump one? Does Trump have any negatives for you? Can you weigh Trump's policy statements, demeanor, and history against Cruz'?
  - mc32 10y ago
    If one were to take Trump literally, then yes, he would have some very negative aspects --but so would Bernie. As far as I can read mr. Trump which isn't to say I'm right, I think he's a quite an adroit pragmatic populist who when it becomes necessary will adjust his more extreme positions and bring them in alignment with the average sentiment of the population. His having been a business person, I don't think he'd take catastrophic action on trade in order to satisfy a vague promise. He may seek to curtail illegal immigration by simply enforcing e-verify for all jobs --that way, you might stay here, but there is no point if you can't get work. At the same time I could imagine a guest worker program, to give people who are willing to comply, an avenue to work here. He may reframe the whole NRA/2nd amendment rights issue to a less polarized one. I think he's not apt to vilify the LGBTQ community as a Cruz would likely do. Cruz was only about his "base". I think Trump has a good chance to expand beyond his core constituency, disaffected working class and non-ideological conservatives. He has the personality to pull in blue collar blacks as well as blue collar Americans of Latin American descent. He may well alienate undocumented immigrants and people who sympathise with them, but he may risk that, for the time being.
    - EdSharkey 10y ago
      Okay, I think you're projecting in a lot of your assessment of Trump, but that's just my dumb opinion. I hear Trump's words and his "Big City boss" approach to governing doesn't appeal to me, and I don't believe is going to be productive. I take it you think he will tack to the populist center, but I have no clue what he'd do on a whole range of issues based just on what he has said. It's like "Hope America Change Again" should be his slogan. He's boorish when it comes to women and sexuality. His foreign policy statements continue to be a hot mess; he's either feigning ignorance or is actually ignorant on world issues when he shoots from the hip. Demonizing Mexico/Mexicans and China for show, stoking up hate for votes. The "Rafael Cruz may have been part of the JFK assassination" antics was a completely crazy stunt and unnecessary given where the campaigns stood in Indiana. Alluding to his adequate dick size in a presidential debate. And on and on, Trump isn't funny or refreshing to me ... Domestic policy-wise, yes, there might be some bright spots (like his tax plan). Anywhere he is cagey or ambiguous on his policy statements or has done an about-face, he is a complete enigma (was for late-term abortion and now is for punishing mothers for getting abortions should abortion become illegal.) BTW, I don't blame you for projecting, a lot of people love the guy and want to see him succeed!
      - clevernickname 10y ago
        >He's boorish when it comes to women and sexuality. It's funny that people say this, when Bill Clinton repeatedly raped and took advantage of women and Hillary helped cover it up.
        EdSharkey 10y ago
        Then I'm sure you'll applaud me when I oppose Trump! I don't want to be inconsistent, after all. You see, I'm a conservative, and I said at the time that predator Clinton deserved jailtime for what he did. Impeachment and disbarment wasn't enough for an executive that had sex with his 20-something _intern staffer_. That's straight-up criminal, go to JAIL, pig! But let's not re-litigate the past, you're right, let's focus on Trump. What don't we know about this creep's sleazy activities? Let's see the tax returns! Trump University was a scam that hurt vulnerable people! The casino biz is full of colorful characters, I'm curious about his business partners and finances. Did he really visit that rumored "sex island" along with _Bill Clinton_? How young were the girls/boys he diddled there, if he did go? Are any of the rumors of mob ties to Trump substantial? Enquiring minds want to know!! And then Trump sounded like a Grade-A perv when he said on mic that he'd want to date his daughter if they weren't related. Noone should talk sexually about their kids that way, SICK! For Pete's sake, sorry to vent, but WTF is the appeal of this guy?? I know Evangelical Christians that voted enthusiastically for the guy, it's madness!
- dnautics 10y ago
  Why is shutting down the government risky?
  - mc32 10y ago
    It incurs costs both financial and political. And really, it's antithetical to being a politician. It's like being a physician and wanting to not cure people. Being a politician and simultaneously wanting to have things shutdown is anathema.