Topic: U.S. Election Thread 2016

[Jake]

Too much of a socialist?

waaaaaaay too much.

[Jake]

and just so that we are clear, I think some of his ideas are great and we should strive for them: free college, single payer healthcare, higher minimum wage - but how will he pay for this? by raising taxes. I pay enough in taxes -

[Mike]

Too much of a socialist?

waaaaaaay too much.

A higher minimum wage doesn't mean raising taxes.  A single payer healthcare system might raise your taxes but could lower your insurance cost (though a lot of single payer systems still have a secondary market).

We could possibly cover some of the costs by not fighting unnecessary wars in a land we've been fucking up for 30+ years because we "bomb baby bomb" instead of trying to understand the social and political environment of the region.

[charlie]

I haven't studied Sanders positions enough to really know whether I'd prefer him over Clinton, but it's certainly possible. I don't think it really matters though since he is still a huge long shot and I'd almost rather have Clinton anyway since I think she has a better chance at winning the general election. Relative to politicians in general I don't mind her at all.

As far as the Republicans go I've seen enough to know that I don't want a Republican. And I really don't want Trump or Cruz. Rubio is the most likely Republican candidate and is very conservative, yet he also has a better chance of winning against Clinton than Trump or Cruz, so really he's the most "dangerous". There are others still with a chance but none that have broken into the top group yet.

My vote won't really count in the primary or general election, though, so really it's just me watching it all happen.

[Rob]

So summing up: Trump doesn't stand a chance, we just hear all about him because the press find him "interesting".

[ober]

@RobR, yeah, pretty much.

@Jake, most of your party currently considers Obama to be a socialist and you also consider most of your candidates to somehow be a relief from whatever he put in place.  My own father has a little piece of paper on his desk that says 'With Regan we had Johnny Cash and Bob Hope.  With Obama we have no cash and no hope'.  Yet I haven't seen much put out by any of the GOP candidates that would some how infuse each American with cash.  Most of them just want to repeal obamacare and leave millions without healthcare.  Oh, and they want to drive women's rights into the stone age on top of it.

My father-in-law mentioned something about Bloomberg running as an independent.  I think that would be an interesting thing to throw in the mix.

@Charle... I get what you're saying, I just don't think Sanders necessarily has a worse chance of winning... and frankly I don't think Clinton has enough support to win.  There are a lot of people that hate her (justified or not).  And I would take Rubio over Cruz or Trump... but then again I don't know much about him.

[micah]

<img>silly snowplow meme</img>

Government services != Socalisim

[Jake]

My father-in-law mentioned something about Bloomberg running as an independent.  I think that would be an interesting thing to throw in the mix.

I heard that too! I think Bloomberg might be good, but he would pretty much ban all guns

[Jake]

You guys are saying that there is no way the Trump even gets the nod. I dunno, I thought that way a few months ago as well...no way 'man! but now shit 's gettin' real. And he is still around! I really hope something changes soon...are there any other viable candidates from the left?

On the plus side - I pumped gas at $1.64 over the weekend. Thanks Obamer!

[Mike]

<img>silly snowplow meme</img>

Government services != Socalisim

I don't take the snow plow thing serious (for one I don't live in an area with snow).  Obviously, taken literally the image is wrong.  But the issue is that what some people call government services others are calling socialism.

You guys are saying that there is no way the Trump even gets the nod. I dunno, I thought that way a few months ago as well...no way 'man! but now shit 's gettin' real. And he is still around! I really hope something changes soon...are there any other viable candidates from the left?

One thing to remember is that there are a TON of electors that don't come from the primaries.  So if the party really doesn't want him he won't get it.

Too bad there isn't a "None of these assholes, bring us a new group of candidates" options.

[charlie]

You guys are saying that there is no way the Trump even gets the nod. I dunno, I thought that way a few months ago as well...no way 'man! but now shit 's gettin' real. And he is still around! I really hope something changes soon...

Actually, I said I really doubt Trump gets the nomination and there's no way he gets the Presidency. Also, nothing has really changed from where it was several months ago. We still haven't had any primaries or caucuses, and we still haven't had many candidates drop out. You shouldn't have expected anything to change by now.

Trump's biggest vulnerabilities are when it actually comes time to vote, and when some of the also-rans drop out and their support coalesces around Rubio (or somebody else). Once both of those things happen and he's still the front-runner, we can "worry" a bit more.

are there any other viable candidates from the left?

There's only one candidate on the left that has a good chance (Clinton), and only one that has even a remote chance (Sanders). There won't be anybody else unless Clinton drops out or dies or something.

[hans]

Clearly you guys don't live in a state that elected a former wrestler as your governor. I think there's much to be said about the temperament of the population at the moment which I'd give a better than average chance Trump could win the GOP and even an election. Let's also not forget that now days it's often the candidate with the biggest budget that wins. Honestly I'm not really excited about any of the choices, but on the bright side, the rest of our government seem to be really good about stalling the agenda of a president so maybe it won't matter too much.

[Mike]

Clearly you guys don't live in a state that elected a former wrestler as your governor.

We elected Arnold and Reagan.

[charlie]

You guys are saying that there is no way the Trump even gets the nod. I dunno, I thought that way a few months ago as well...no way 'man! but now shit 's gettin' real. And he is still around! I really hope something changes soon...

Actually, I said I really doubt Trump gets the nomination and there's no way he gets the Presidency. Also, nothing has really changed from where it was several months ago. We still haven't had any primaries or caucuses, and we still haven't had many candidates drop out. You shouldn't have expected anything to change by now.

Trump's biggest vulnerabilities are when it actually comes time to vote, and when some of the also-rans drop out and their support coalesces around Rubio (or somebody else). Once both of those things happen and he's still the front-runner, we can "worry" a bit more.

So... uh... time to worry a bit.

Trump is now a big favorite to get the most delegates. He might not get more than 50%, though, since both Cruz and Rubio have a bunch themselves. So while after tonight I guess I have to say that Trump is the favorite to win the nomination, there's still a lot of shenanigans that can happen.

Oh, and Sanders' chances are getting smaller and smaller.


And Rob, I'd now put Trump's chance at becoming the President at around 25-30%. Crazy.

[ober]

It really blows my mind that we're in this position.  I don't know how people can be so blind to the insanity.

And yeah, I hate to say it, but I think Bernie is done.  I guess he 'feels the bern'.