2016 Presidential Race

P.D.X. · Post by **P.D.X.** » Thu Sep 08, 2016 11:22 am

BSF21 wrote:Is it plenty of people or is it plenty of middle aged and beyond white guys in flyover america who watch cable news networks?

The pick-up trucks and gun crowd in general. The hysteria manifested itself mostly when CO proclaimed itself welcoming to refugees.

Johnnie · Post by **Johnnie** » Thu Sep 08, 2016 11:25 am

Sabo wrote:In all seriousness, I'd love for a candidate for any political race to just say they don't know the answer to something instead of spewing nonsense for two minutes. Or, when asked some leading question by an interviewer to just offer a yes or no answer. Sometimes, that's the only answer needed.

I'm no candidate for president, but I've used this technique when speaking with colonels and people in command. I have to give a political answer involving "contacting the right subject matter expert" or some shit. And then there's the mental judo of using "Yes, if..." and not "No, because..." in the event something that has to be done will require an additional oversight that creates complications. In short, you look stupid and the perception of you is altered. Needless to say, I hate this shit.

As for Aleppo, I forgot the name of the city until the photo of the 5 year old boy that survived the bombing went viral last month.

DaveInSeattle · Post by **DaveInSeattle** » Thu Sep 08, 2016 11:30 am

Gary Johnson said one thing that was disqualifying on a minimally watched morning news/blather show.

Donald Trump said about 20 things that were disqualifying on a nationally televised forum last night.

Which is the bigger story?

Steve of phpBB · Post by **Steve of phpBB** » Thu Sep 08, 2016 11:39 am

P.D.X. wrote:
BSF21 wrote:Is it plenty of people or is it plenty of middle aged and beyond white guys in flyover america who watch cable news networks?
The pick-up trucks and gun crowd in general. The hysteria manifested itself mostly when CO proclaimed itself welcoming to refugees.

It's the macho tough guys who are wetting their pants with fear about the terrists.

And the devout Christians who are vehemently opposed to helping refugees.

Johnnie · Post by **Johnnie** » Thu Sep 08, 2016 12:02 pm

Uneducated Christian white people who have forever voted Republican and refuse to think for themselves can have their latent phobias tapped into and used against them. This is why Fox News makes money. Emotional capital (if such a term exists for what I'm describing) can be manipulated and turned into profit.

Bombard everyone with intentionally misleading media and the stupid people jump into the latest worry without thorough and critical examination. Since the majority of people are stupid (ya know, like the bell curve taught me in 33rd grade) they control the tide.

At least that's how I see it as an armchair sociologist.

rass · Post by **rass** » Thu Sep 08, 2016 12:14 pm

‘What Is Aleppo?’ Gary Johnson Asks, in an Interview Stumble

Correction: September 8, 2016
An earlier version of this article misidentified the de facto capital of the Islamic State. It is Raqqa, in northern Syria, not Aleppo.

Correction: September 8, 2016
Because of an editing error, an earlier version of the above correction misidentified the Syrian capital as Aleppo. It is Damascus.

The Sybian · Post by **The Sybian** » Thu Sep 08, 2016 12:31 pm

Sabo wrote:
The Sybian wrote:This would be refreshing, if not exhibiting a complete lack of understanding a major policy issue:

At least he has the honesty to admit his ignorance, and not try to spin it. Pretty surprising that he admits his gaff is a big deal.
Being refreshing and honesty are two traits that disqualify him from being president.

In all seriousness, I'd love for a candidate for any political race to just say they don't know the answer to something instead of spewing nonsense for two minutes. Or, when asked some leading question by an interviewer to just offer a yes or no answer. Sometimes, that's the only answer needed.

I love the Trump supporters making fun of Johnson for that gaff. What are the odds that Trump is familiar with Aleppo? But he would never admit that. Aleppo? "Terrible. Terrible people, the worst people. But I will destroy Aleppo. I will destroy them so fast your head will spin. My first day in office, Aleppo will be destroyed. I have some of the best people working on Aleppo right now. These people are so terrific, so great, you wouldn't believe how great these people are. The best."

Gunpowder · Post by **Gunpowder** » Thu Sep 08, 2016 12:37 pm

Steve of phpBB wrote: It's the macho tough guys who are wetting their pants with fear about the terrists.

It is hilarious to me how the "tough guy" crowd is just petrified of everything these days.

Joe K · Post by **Joe K** » Thu Sep 08, 2016 12:49 pm

rass wrote:‘What Is Aleppo?’ Gary Johnson Asks, in an Interview Stumble

Correction: September 8, 2016
An earlier version of this article misidentified the de facto capital of the Islamic State. It is Raqqa, in northern Syria, not Aleppo.

Correction: September 8, 2016
Because of an editing error, an earlier version of the above correction misidentified the Syrian capital as Aleppo. It is Damascus.

That's funny, but sadly reflective of how shallow discussions of the Syrian conflict are among the media and politicians. Syria almost always comes up in the context of posturing about who is or isn't "tough enough" on Assad or ISIS or Putin. But I have yet to hear any American politician offer any coherent strategic endgame. Obviously Trump and Johnson are clueless and Clinton mainly just seems interested in talking tough as a way to continue her pitch to Neocons. Although there have been plenty of well placed leaks to make Clinton seem more hawkish than Obama and more Russophobic than Trump, I have no idea what her end goal is.

Post by **brian** » Thu Sep 08, 2016 12:55 pm

Joe K wrote:
rass wrote:‘What Is Aleppo?’ Gary Johnson Asks, in an Interview Stumble

Correction: September 8, 2016
An earlier version of this article misidentified the de facto capital of the Islamic State. It is Raqqa, in northern Syria, not Aleppo.

Correction: September 8, 2016
Because of an editing error, an earlier version of the above correction misidentified the Syrian capital as Aleppo. It is Damascus.
That's funny, but sadly reflective of how shallow discussions of the Syrian conflict are among the media and politicians. Syria almost always comes up in the context of posturing about who is or isn't "tough enough" on Assad or ISIS or Putin. But I have yet to hear any American politician offer any coherent strategic endgame. Obviously Trump and Johnson are clueless and Clinton mainly just seems interested in talking tough as a way to continue her pitch to Neocons. Although there have been plenty of well placed leaks to make Clinton seem more hawkish than Obama and more Russophobic than Trump, I have no idea what her end goal is.

That could be because there really aren't very many or any "good" options just better bad ones and maybe not even that.

mister d · Post by **mister d** » Thu Sep 08, 2016 12:58 pm

Gunpowder wrote:It is hilarious to me how the "tough guy" crowd is just petrified of everything these days.

No, you libtard fucktard, you're petrified of everything and they're just telling it like it is and protecting the country.

Joe K · Post by **Joe K** » Thu Sep 08, 2016 1:06 pm

brian wrote:
Joe K wrote:
rass wrote:‘What Is Aleppo?’ Gary Johnson Asks, in an Interview Stumble

Correction: September 8, 2016
An earlier version of this article misidentified the de facto capital of the Islamic State. It is Raqqa, in northern Syria, not Aleppo.

Correction: September 8, 2016
Because of an editing error, an earlier version of the above correction misidentified the Syrian capital as Aleppo. It is Damascus.
That's funny, but sadly reflective of how shallow discussions of the Syrian conflict are among the media and politicians. Syria almost always comes up in the context of posturing about who is or isn't "tough enough" on Assad or ISIS or Putin. But I have yet to hear any American politician offer any coherent strategic endgame. Obviously Trump and Johnson are clueless and Clinton mainly just seems interested in talking tough as a way to continue her pitch to Neocons. Although there have been plenty of well placed leaks to make Clinton seem more hawkish than Obama and more Russophobic than Trump, I have no idea what her end goal is.
That could be because there really aren't very many or any "good" options just better bad ones and maybe not even that.

I agree with this, but my problem is with the DC consensus that the USA should be involved militarily (even moreso than we already have been), when in my opinion that is likely to lead to further destabilization. Not that we have much diplomatic credibility in that region, but our goal should've have been to try to help avert a full scale, multi-sided civil war rather than debating which side of said civil war to jump in on.

howard · Post by **howard** » Thu Sep 08, 2016 1:32 pm

rass wrote:‘What Is Aleppo?’ Gary Johnson Asks, in an Interview Stumble

Correction: September 8, 2016
An earlier version of this article misidentified the de facto capital of the Islamic State. It is Raqqa, in northern Syria, not Aleppo.

Correction: September 8, 2016
Because of an editing error, an earlier version of the above correction misidentified the Syrian capital as Aleppo. It is Damascus.

The New York Times. Even its corrections are wrong, on very simple factual matters. Like the capital of a country.

This just says it all.

sancarlos · Post by **sancarlos** » Thu Sep 08, 2016 6:27 pm

Johnnie · Post by **Johnnie** » Thu Sep 08, 2016 9:11 pm

I like that. Too bad I hate politicians.

howard · Post by **howard** » Fri Sep 09, 2016 12:39 pm

Nonlinear FC · Post by **Nonlinear FC** » Fri Sep 09, 2016 1:26 pm

So... The stories of the day seem to be surrogates saying Trump no longer is a Birther, despite Trump refusing to actually disavow his racist bullshit that he's been pushing since 2011.

The other is a continuation of Trump's comment that Putin is a stronger/better leader than Obama. Pence doubling down saying there is no debate about it, Putin is a stronger leader in his country, which... Wow.

By this logic, Kim Jong-un is The Best Leader! The Best in his country at leading!

Fucking morons.

mister d · Post by **mister d** » Fri Sep 09, 2016 1:45 pm

Senator Joe Biden campaigning in 2008 saying President Putin is a far better leader than GWB would have gotten him murdered to death. Literally in the literal sense of the word.

Pruitt · Post by **Pruitt** » Fri Sep 09, 2016 2:09 pm

Translates as (according to a Jewish news publication, and not my own weak Hebrew skills) "Trump - to reverse America to great once more."

howard · Post by **howard** » Fri Sep 09, 2016 2:11 pm

(fuck. I wanted to drop on you that Putin wasn't president/leader from 2008-2012. But I looked it up and Medvedev took office on 7 May 2008. I'll have to take my pendantictry elsewhere.)

mister d · Post by **mister d** » Fri Sep 09, 2016 2:13 pm

Google says Biden was named in August so I think that would have worked.

Pruitt · Post by **Pruitt** » Fri Sep 09, 2016 2:15 pm

howard wrote:(fuck. I wanted to drop on you that Putin wasn't president/leader from 2008-2012. But I looked it up and Medvedev took office on 7 May 2008. I'll have to take my pendantictry elsewhere.)

Medvedev was Putin's puppet and mouthpiece. Your pedanticteration is still applicable.

The Sybian · Post by **The Sybian** » Fri Sep 09, 2016 2:26 pm

Nonlinear FC wrote:So... The stories of the day seem to be surrogates saying Trump no longer is a Birther, despite Trump refusing to actually disavow his racist bullshit that he's been pushing since 2011.

The other is a continuation of Trump's comment that Putin is a stronger/better leader than Obama. Pence doubling down saying there is no debate about it, Putin is a stronger leader in his country, which... Wow.

By this logic, Kim Jong-un is The Best Leader! The Best in his country at leading!

Fucking morons.

Actually, Trump already praised Kim Jong Un for his leadership ability. Pence just bashed Obama saying Putin has more of an impact on his people and more power than Obama. So would they like Obama more if he was a fascist strongman dictator who killed his political rivals and dissenters while exerting control over the media? OTOH, they attack Obama for issuing Executive Orders, which is suddenly unconstitutional when Obama does it, but fine for every President before him.

howard · Post by **howard** » Fri Sep 09, 2016 2:30 pm

Pruitt wrote: Medvedev was Putin's puppet and mouthpiece. Your pedanticteration is still applicable.

I wish. Had that been true, Russia would've vetoed the Libyan action in the UNSC, and that war wouldn't have happened. And no ISIS in Libya, no revolution in Mali, on and on. Love the what if history game.

DaveInSeattle · Post by **DaveInSeattle** » Fri Sep 09, 2016 2:50 pm

Nonlinear FC wrote: The other is a continuation of Trump's comment that Putin is a stronger/better leader than Obama. Pence doubling down saying there is no debate about it, Putin is a stronger leader in his country, which... Wow.

Remember, Trump also praised the Chinese gov't for putting down the "riot" in Tienanmen Square

When the students poured into Tiananmen Square, the Chinese government almost blew it. Then they were vicious, they were horrible, but they put it down with strength. That shows you the power of strength. Our country is right now perceived as weak... as being spit on by the rest of the world.

Fucking morons.

Pretty much...

Gunpowder · Post by **Gunpowder** » Fri Sep 09, 2016 3:02 pm

mister d wrote:Senator Joe Biden campaigning in 2008 saying President Putin is a far better leader than GWB would have gotten him murdered to death. Literally in the literal sense of the word.

Well, we were at war then.

Steve of phpBB · Post by **Steve of phpBB** » Fri Sep 09, 2016 4:31 pm

It seems to me that anyone who praises an authoritarian for being a strong leader is completely unqualified for any job in any government in the US. The whole point of the Constitution and Bill of Rights was to prevent "strong" leaders.

Someone was circulating a tweet yesterday supposedly quoting Charles Lindbergh prasing Hitler's strong leadership in 1937. America First indeed.

Pruitt · Post by **Pruitt** » Fri Sep 09, 2016 5:09 pm

Steve of phpBB wrote:It seems to me that anyone who praises an authoritarian for being a strong leader is completely unqualified for any job in any government in the US. The whole point of the Constitution and Bill of Rights was to prevent "strong" leaders.

Someone was circulating a tweet yesterday supposedly quoting Charles Lindbergh prasing Hitler's strong leadership in 1937. America First indeed.

It boggles the mind.

Hey - at least Mussolini made the trains run on time!

If there was any justice, the Republicans would be obliterated as a party. There are bad politicians, there are dishonest politicians, but this goes way beyond policy.

howard · Post by **howard** » Sat Sep 10, 2016 11:00 am

Fits in many threads. But I don't think this thread is absurd enough yet.

rass · Post by **rass** » Sun Sep 11, 2016 10:11 am

rass · Post by **rass** » Sun Sep 11, 2016 10:16 am

I mean, holy shit you guys...

Keg · Post by **Keg** » Sun Sep 11, 2016 10:25 am

We wash Deebo down with the water hose when he overheats in public like this.

Rex · Post by **Rex** » Sun Sep 11, 2016 10:35 am

Might die any moment...more proof who the real Reaganite is in this election.

Gunpowder · Post by **Gunpowder** » Sun Sep 11, 2016 10:59 am

Pruitt wrote:
Steve of phpBB wrote:It seems to me that anyone who praises an authoritarian for being a strong leader is completely unqualified for any job in any government in the US. The whole point of the Constitution and Bill of Rights was to prevent "strong" leaders.

Someone was circulating a tweet yesterday supposedly quoting Charles Lindbergh prasing Hitler's strong leadership in 1937. America First indeed.
It boggles the mind.

Hey - at least Mussolini made the trains run on time!

If there was any justice, the Republicans would be obliterated as a party. There are bad politicians, there are dishonest politicians, but this goes way beyond policy.

Henry Ford and Joe Kennedy were huge fans of Hitler.

Only the good Kennedys got shot.

Rex · Post by **Rex** » Sun Sep 11, 2016 11:03 am

Is this the shock and awe we were promised we'd see once the Democrats got their hands on Trump, which let everyone laugh their way through the GOP primaries?

Johnnie · Post by **Johnnie** » Sun Sep 11, 2016 1:06 pm

Looks like she got hit by a plane, really.

https://vid.me/UjS5

howard · Post by **howard** » Sun Sep 11, 2016 1:24 pm

Johnnie · Post by **Johnnie** » Sun Sep 11, 2016 1:27 pm

EnochRoot · Post by **EnochRoot** » Sun Sep 11, 2016 1:31 pm

If Clinton were advised not to run, what's the over/under on the DNC pleading with Biden to take over with Kaine as his VP?

Post by **brian** » Sun Sep 11, 2016 1:38 pm

EnochRoot wrote:If Clinton were advised not to run, what's the over/under on the DNC pleading with Biden to take over with Kaine as his VP?

About 99 percent. And he'd probably win in a walk. Though that's just my opinion.