Donald Trump

[WinePusher]

What do you make of this guy? If he actually wins the presidency (which is a real possibility) what country will you move to?

Imo, he's highly entertaining to watch, and I'm eagerly awaiting the first republican presidential debate to see how crazy it'll be. The only real benefit of him entering the race is that it'll cause people who were probably apathetic when it came to politics to tune in and inform themselves on the issues.

[help3434]

[Replying to post 26 by Paprika]

What is with the scare quotes around "conservatives"? Are you saying that those who don't like Trump are not real conservatives? Would those that used to define conservatism like Russell Kirk and Robert Taft support this flamboyant, intemperate, demagogue?

[Paprika]

[Replying to post 26 by Paprika]

What is with the scare quotes around "conservatives"? Are you saying that those who don't like Trump are not real conservatives?

I say that many are.

Would those that used to define conservatism like Russell Kirk and Robert Taft support this flamboyant, intemperate, demagogue?

I don't know much about them, but I'd think they'd rather someone who stands firm on a critical issue (ie immigration) rather than the majority of the Republican candidates, - beholden to their billionaire donors, (almost all of whom would go along with Democrats with importing immigrants because of cheap labour) - and hence who would merely go along with the progressive flow.

[Danmark]

[Replying to post 20 by jeager106]

Trump is showing more and more what a petty and thin-skinned person he is.

Yes, and placing a 'T' in front of his name hasn't changed his character.

[AdHoc]

[Replying to post 26 by Paprika]

What is with the scare quotes around "conservatives"? Are you saying that those who don't like Trump are not real conservatives?

I say that many are.

Would those that used to define conservatism like Russell Kirk and Robert Taft support this flamboyant, intemperate, demagogue?

I don't know much about them, but I'd think they'd rather someone who stands firm on a critical issue (ie immigration) rather than the majority of the Republican candidates, - beholden to their billionaire donors, (almost all of whom would go along with Democrats with importing immigrants because of cheap labour) - and hence who would merely go along with the progressive flow.

Can you define "real conservative" for me Paprika?

It seems to me that Mr. Trump has some very extreme views on women, immigrants and even how to respond to challenges.

Mr. Trump believes if someone strikes you on the cheek you should hit that person as hard as possible so they will think twice about hitting you again.

Sounds like a disciple of Anton Lavey to me...

Is this true conservatism?

[Danmark]

I'd like to make a point about Trump's poll numbers. They are completely misleading. They reflect the fact there are 17 or so Republican candidates. 16 of them are relatively normal GOP types who split the vote. One of them is an outlier, trump.

His 25%, approximately, share of the vote has virtually no upside. Eventually GOP voters, the RNC, the other candidates, or all three will realize they have to cooperate and Trump will be out on his rump. Otherwise the RNC will be committing suicide.

What would be really interesting is a Bernie Sanders vs. Trump election.
'Tis a consummation
Devoutly to be wished.

[Paprika]

Can you define "real conservative" for me Paprika?

Someone who actually sticks to conservative views instead of gradually moving leftwards as the mainstream moves left.

It seems to me that Mr. Trump has some very extreme views on women, immigrants and even how to respond to challenges.

Mr. Trump believes if someone strikes you on the cheek you should hit that person as hard as possible so they will think twice about hitting you again.

Sounds like a disciple of Anton Lavey to me...

Is this true conservatism?

Given that we're talking about a prominent political figure here, there's both actual acts and misrepresented acts and plain falsehoods. Document what you think is 'extreme' else I'll just take it as parroting of the typical media insinuation and sliming of a politician of the opposite 'side'.

[Paprika]

I'd like to make a point about Trump's poll numbers. They are completely misleading. They reflect the fact there are 17 or so Republican candidates. 16 of them are relatively normal GOP types who split the vote. One of them is an outlier, trump.

His 25%, approximately, share of the vote has virtually no upside. Eventually GOP voters, the RNC, the other candidates, or all three will realize they have to cooperate and Trump will be out on his rump. Otherwise the RNC will be committing suicide.

There have been so many prophecies that Trump would have gone up in flames spectacularly (eg after 'McCain is not a hero', his exchanges with Kelly) and they haven't yet come to pass. But hope springs eternal.

What would be really interesting is a Bernie Sanders vs. Trump election.
'Tis a consummation
Devoutly to be wished.

There I'm with you. What's the better is that they both appear very sincere on severely limits on immigration.

[AdHoc]

Can you define "real conservative" for me Paprika?

Someone who actually sticks to conservative views instead of gradually moving leftwards as the mainstream moves left.

Ok so a hypothetical person whose beliefs never change.

It seems to me that Mr. Trump has some very extreme views on women, immigrants and even how to respond to challenges.

Mr. Trump believes if someone strikes you on the cheek you should hit that person as hard as possible so they will think twice about hitting you again.

Sounds like a disciple of Anton Lavey to me...

Is this true conservatism?

Given that we're talking about a prominent political figure here, there's both actual acts and misrepresented acts and plain falsehoods. Document what you think is 'extreme' else I'll just take it as parroting of the typical media insinuation and sliming of a politician of the opposite 'side'.

I'd say its fairly extreme to say a female reporter is menstruating just because she asked you a hard-hitting question that you didn't like.

I certainly wouldn't describe that as conservative behaviour...

[Paprika]

Can you define "real conservative" for me Paprika?

Someone who actually sticks to conservative views instead of gradually moving leftwards as the mainstream moves left.

Ok so a hypothetical person whose beliefs never change.

Not really. Someone who holds to old principles and tries to conserve them instead of trying to conserve what the liberals propounded 1-2 generations ago (as most Yankee 'conservatives' do). Of these Chesterton described “The whole modern world has divided itself into Conservatives and Progressives. The business of Progressives is to go on making mistakes. The business of Conservatives is to prevent mistakes from being corrected. Even when the revolutionist might himself repent of his revolution, the traditionalist is already defending it as part of his tradition."

In short, these 'Conservatives' merely conserve liberal positions.

It seems to me that Mr. Trump has some very extreme views on women, immigrants and even how to respond to challenges.

Mr. Trump believes if someone strikes you on the cheek you should hit that person as hard as possible so they will think twice about hitting you again.

Sounds like a disciple of Anton Lavey to me...

Is this true conservatism?

Given that we're talking about a prominent political figure here, there's both actual acts and misrepresented acts and plain falsehoods. Document what you think is 'extreme' else I'll just take it as parroting of the typical media insinuation and sliming of a politician of the opposite 'side'.

I'd say its fairly extreme to say a female reporter is menstruating just because she asked you a hard-hitting question that you didn't like.

I certainly wouldn't describe that as conservative behaviour...

[/quote]
1) How is that 'very extreme views on women'? It's at most a counterattack.
2) It conserves the good ol' tradition of political mudslinging.