It was not my intention to watch the first GOP presidential nominee debate on Fox News last night. I sort of fell into watching it because there was nothing else on. Still, my intent was to merely make a few jokes and then go to bed. I ended up watching almost the entire thing, live-tweeting the trainwreck and I’m still not really sure what happened. Why does everyone hate Rand Paul? Why did Chris Christie’s bangs look so terrible? Why is Mike Huckabee such a terrible human being? Still, everyone is talking about Donald Trump. My initial read is that while Trump said some terrible things and “made news,” he actually behaved better than I was expecting. Like, he waited to be spoken to, he didn’t interrupt people (except the Fox News moderators) and you could see the little wheels in his brain moving: “Keep it klassy, Trump, keep it klassy.” So here are some Trump-tastic highlights:
We Need Brain. This was actually uttered at the tail end of one of Trump’s answers and it is now a Trump Truism: “We need brain in this country to turn it around. That I can tell you right now.” We Need Brain.
Fat Pigs. Megyn Kelly asked a pointed question, whether Trump would apologize or take back comments he’s made about women over the years, that various women are “fat pigs, dogs, slobs, and disgusting animals.” Trump said: “That was just about Rosie O’Donnell.” Megyn: “For the record, it was well beyond Rosie.” Kelly was hitting two bright orange birds with one stone: she made him sound like a misogynist and an intemperate a—hole (he is both). Trump’s reply was: “I think the big problem this country has is being politically correct. I’ve been—I’ve been challenged by so many people and I don’t frankly have time for total political correctness. And to be honest with you, this country doesn’t have time either…And honestly, Megyn if you don’t like it, I’m sorry. I’ve been very nice to you although I could probably not be based on the way you have treated me. But I wouldn’t do that.”
Hillary Clinton. There was so much Hillary-bashing, it just became crazy after a while. But at one point, Trump was asked about donating to Hillary’s Senate campaign (I guess he gave to her campaign in 2000?) and this is how he explained it: “I gave to many people…With Hillary Clinton I said be at my wedding, and she came to my wedding. She had no choice because I gave.” What was shocking is that there was NO FOLLOWUP on that. Seriously, he gave money to Hillary Clinton… just so Hillary would come to his 2005 wedding? WTF?
Eh, those were the only big headlines for Trump. I was surprised by how few of the other candidates really went after him. It felt like Jeb Bush was pulling his punches (Jeb just looked uncomfortable the whole night) and only Rand Paul attacked Trump. I know Rand Paul isn’t anyone’s favorite person (and he’s not mine either), but I give Sen. Paul a lot of credit for how he handled himself about the issue of warrantless wiretaps. If he had a better sparring opponent (rather than Chris Christie spewing 9/11 grief-p0rn on everyone), that would have been a really great, substantive debate about privacy, constitutionality and the law.
Photos courtesy of Getty, WENN.
“We Need Brain” sounds like a Zombie rallying cry. Maybe the marmot is hungry.
What’s really funny to me is that, in some circles, “Brain” is slang for oral sex. So yes, Donald. This is the one thing I will agree with you on, ever. We need Brain
Eww, oral sex plus Trump equals vomit.
Hmm. Something the Donald and I can agree on. Scary.
Forgive me, I try not to induce any vomiting before 9 am. I’ll buy you a ginger ale.
How did that happen?
I thought it said “We need Brian”. Who the eff is Brian, I thought. Isn’t it Bernie, and isn’t he on the other team? What do we need him for?
It’s taken me ages to write this comment because I’m now in Monty Python zone and a battle to the death with the Sixlets as to the funniest quote. I still maintain it’s the entire wordassociationfootball piece. Anyway. The one germane to this conversation I suppose is an oldie but a goodie.
HE’S NOT THE MESSIAH, HE’S A VERY NAUGHTY BOY.
Sixer, I LOVED the Life Of Brian.
For the Sixlets:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WoaktW-Lu38
Thanks, Sixer, we need more Monty Python to counter The Donald. Always look on the bright side of life
Life of Brian is my fave, Kiddo. T’others here all like Holy Grail best. Here’s the word association thing, which I think is a work of utter genius (although there are some Britishisms in there) – http://www.montypython.net/scripts/word-ass.php.
But the Donald and Brian thing does have mileage, doesn’t it?
WE NEED THE BRIAN STEM FIELD.
That’s tickling me.
For good measure, Trump’s brain:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yH97lImrr0Q
Another classic, but Brooks
Yay! Major classic! If we’re moving onto Brooks, could we say that Donald McWig’s Mexican remarks were clearly not offensive at all. He was simply channelling the rape, murder and arson joke from Blazing Saddles?
Where’s BRIAN when you need him?
Oh come on, nothing beats the dead-parrot sketch. “It’s probably pining for the fjords”. (A quote that is strangely applicable to Trump’s hairline.)
One of my favorites is the Woody and Tinny Words sketch.
I might have to report this thread.
I’m trying to quickly scroll past this section but then I catch a glimpse of “oral sex and Trump” and I become physically nauseous. I’m not exaggerating. I actually feel sick right now.
Shamblinator! This is your fault. You owe me beers and blackberry kush.
Kittens4ATVsafety.com…OMG, your name made me pee, lmao.
Wren, That was a good sketch. Do you think Trump is woody or tinny?
More of a PVC sort of word, don’t you know, Kiddo!
Kittenopolis! I apologize, to you and to everyone that I made ill with my observation. It was the first thing that popped into my head, and I shared before I thought about the fact that I was talking about oral sex and The Toupee with a Mouth in the same sentence. Forgive me, I beg of you. I’m NOT a pervert. Kiddo cut me off before I could finish my sentence. I clean my own toilets.
Anyway, Kittentoxicated, I’m packing my Medicali for you and I’ll buy you a keg in celebration of Jennifer Anniston’s secret wedding.
His Rosie O’Donnell comments were telling of his inability to Keep it Klassy.
And the Greeks shall inherit the earth!
I believe one of the comments MK quoted had The Donald saying something like, “You’d look good on your knees” to a female contestant on Celebrity Apprentice.
That’s exactly what I was thinking. There’s an awesome Halloween costume/standup joke in there somewhere.
Somewhere Pinky cries into a beer over being left out and forgotten.
Pinky or Penny?
Ha!
Yes! Pinky and the Brain!😀
If somebody gave Donald Trump an enema, he could be buried in a matchbox.
This is awesome in its awesomeness.
Damn! I have second hand burns from that comment.
I want to make sweet love to this comment.
Maybe he meant We need Brian Williams,
It was terrible. I just wanted someone to hold me and tell me everything would be OK.
Next time watch with Long Island Ice Teas, it takes the pain away.
Vodka/tonic also works.
Here, have some chocolate.
How can TIME say he won that debate…he was petty, petulant, and pouty. He wasn’t as terrible as I thought he would be, but he’s still an arrogant a$$hole. I feel like I’m having a nightmare I want to wake up from.
I know. It’s mind bogglingly frightening.
We had a drinking game set up and I had to quit 15 minutes in so I wouldn’t die from alcohol poisoning. So much crazy I couldn’t decide if I was frightened or amused
Jerk!!
I hate myself for laughing (out loud) at the Rosie O’Donnell bit.
I laughed too, it was really funny.
The entries thing was funny. It shouldn’t be but it was a circus even the Fox News anchors winked at the cameras a couple times.
Seriously, that Rosie thing was hilarious! “We need brain’ will live on forever as Trupm’s rallying whimper. This man is just-I mean, is this real, or is he actually going to do a Presidential Reality Show?
The man is non-stop entertainment. But I think he went down in flames last night.
He was interviewed on several morning shows and asked about Hillary.. He said the thing about telling her to “come to the wedding’ for a donation was a JOKE..
I think the whole thing is an utter mess all around. These are the people that want to be the leader of our Nation..
Wait, wait, hold up. That wasn’t SNL? Thought I was watching the funniest episode EVER!
I kept telling my friends that I was waiting for the moderators to stop and say “Live from New York, it’s Saturday night!”
LOL! all caps, you deserve it.
So entertaining. But I would cringe if he became president.
I don’ t live in the USA, so I have no idea how it is there, but is that really a possibility? Does he have THAT many supporters among politicians and the population? Or is he just delusional?
He has support among republican voters right now. I believe he is the front runner. I don’t see that lasting too long. He is too much of a ticking time bomb.
Honestly no, he could win the republican primary but general no. Last night there was one person on that stage that stood a shot against Hillary and he will be dead in the water in the primary because he isn’t crazy conservative enough he is moderate.
It’s why they kept blaming Obama for their mistakes and in actions and name checking Hillary it’s because they are all scared. They know they aren’t resonating with the general population.
He might be getting strong support right now but there’s no way he’d ever be elected. At least that’s what the rest of the GOP is telling itself.
I think a lot of people are tired of the corruption of career politicians. It’s not a coincidence that three GOP candidates have no political experience (Trump, Carson, and Fiorina).
At the beginning of campaign seasons, a lot of polling popularity is based on name recognition, and Trump has that in spades. That’s also why Bush (and Clinton) are doing so well.
As one of the lone Republicans on this website, I also want to say that I thought it was a good debate–especially considering the number of candidates involved. Don’t believe all the rabid hatred of Fox News and Republicans. Yeah, there are some crazies, but there are crazies in every party. 🙂
At the same time though, while Trump is ‘leading in the polls’-he’s also leading in the poll of asking republican voters ‘who would you never vote for out of the republican candidates?’ He’s not going to win-saying John McCain isn’t a war hero and that women who breastfeed are disgusting are the tip of the iceberg.
I just can’t bring myself to get worked up over anyone until 2016. 428 days out from the election and having a debate when there are 24 republican candidates and 5 dems is a waste of time and makes everyone fatigued. What is anyone from any side going to say at this point that isn’t on line with the party? What is anyone going to say that I don’t already know? There are no surprises-american elections have just become about who f’s up the least in the 2 years leading up to voting day.
Hey vilebody! I’ll come out of the GOP closet and stand by you. LOL! I watched it and once it started, thought it was a good debate. When do you ever see candidates going after each other like that? Talking to each other? Some of the questions were stupid. I cringed at the “What has God told you” question at the end, but appreciated how both Rubio and Kasich dodged that bullet. I didn’t think Trump “won.” My most memorable moments weren’t Trump at all. They were Rand Paul and Chris Christie going at it over wire-tapping. Paul had won that point until he overreached and criticized Christie for hugging Obama. That was a big miscalculation. My second most memorable part was John Kasich’s answer regarding marriage equality. My “winners” (if there are such things in a debate like that) were Rubio and Kasich. Both did very well for themselves. My “loser” is Scott Walker who just got completely lost in the fray.
When you have so many candidates vying for the nomination, it kind of forces them to be outrageous in order to stand out somehow. That’s why Trump is resonating so strongly right now. The man has always known his way around a sound bite, so it’s no surprise that he’s hitting so strongly. Our country has the combined attention span of a flea these days, and a morbid fascination with awful people, so Trump is the perfect president for us.
Edit: Sarah, I thought that the wiretapping debate Really stood out as well. The Obama hug thing annoys me because it was a moment in time where it was wholly appropriate (after Hurrican Sandy, emotions were running high here at the NJ Shore.) I would have planted a huge wet kiss on Obama for showing support when we needed it.
Crispie Cream destroyed the state of NJ.
A certain segment of our population is delusional, so, who knows – he could become the R nominee, but never president(I pray, I pray, I pray and I’m not even religious).
You would be delusional if you believe Hillary Clinton can go a day without telling a lie or America would elect another socialist like Bernie Sanders into office.
I agree. I think the whole campaign season really needed Trump (as long as he has no chance of even getting nominated). Personally, I think Hillary is sacrificing farm animals for a Trump/Palin ticket.
LOL I can’t even fathom the mess that would be Trump/Palin.
OMG I can’t even imagine what that would be like, and I don’t even live in the States right now. I live in the UK and feel that I would have to move even farther away from my home country if that were the case….you know, in case any of the stupid accidentally got on me.
I’ve told Mr. bluhare I’m moving back to England if he becomes president. I said it about Bush, but I really mean it about Trump.
You better start packing… If not Trump, a Republican will take the oath of office in January 2017. That date can not arrive soon enough! Hopefully, there will be something left of this Country.
You’re good Bluhare. That whole party is a giant clusterf*ck and they have alienated the majority of the female and minority voters so it’s quite a long shot for them really. What’s crazy is that I realized that there are 1 or 2 somewhat decent eggs in there (like Kasich) who showed to be quite moderate and reasonable and didn’t spend their time yelling about “the women-folk and their abortion pills”. I couldn’t believe how many of those doofuses where BRAGGING about defunding Planned Parenthood as if taking away lower income women’s access to health care is something to be proud of! This is WHY the likelihood of a GOP president is a pipe dream. Someone (looking at you Carson) needs to have balls enough to admit that PP is medically beneficial to many struggling or uninsured people in this country.
No matter what Judd says, Obama inherited a HUGE mess from Bush and righted the country. I don’t love him, he betrayed the liberal base of his party, but he will be followed by another Democrat.
The crazy was thick on that stage last night: Walker refusing to say he wouldn’t let a mother die rather than abort a fetus, Rubio wanting to give immigration status only for rich people, the other clowns who showed up in the Clown Car and that they all HATE immigrants, which guarantees they will lose the Hispanic vote for a generation. If this is what the Repubs have to offer, they will never win another presidential election in my lifetime. They need to overhaul heir party and lose the crazy, cause the only one on that stage with a chance would have been Kasich, but he’s not looney enough for Repub primary voters.
It was a bad hair night. I was SO disappointed that nobody asked Huckabee why he was a child molester apologist. Cowards.
Megan Kelly was hosting. Isn’t she the one that did that ridiculous interview with the Duggars?
Yeah, they are all up the Duggars’ behinds themselves, but I was hoping maybe a Facebook questioner would say something.
Probably because they all are … sickos
The candidates had very little time to speak; most, including Huckabee, literally had less than six minutes in speaking time. With this in mind, of course the moderators were going to prioritize current event issues rather than past reality tv scandals. I don’t know if you watched the debate, but I think the moderators really made sure to ask tough questions right from the get-go.
Yes, I thought they did a good job. I just loathe him and wish somebody would call him out on his cover ups of crimes by his son and the Duggars.
ita
plus huckabee is a non factor, it wouldnt make sense to waste your time on him
I so agree! And Trump was awful. Rand Paul was pretty good from what I saw. I really like Ben Carson and Carly Fiorina.
Agree! I can only think Huckabee was one of the special 10 bc he has/had a fox news show. there is no way in hell, he will be a serious contender for the primary let alone the general election. I wish Carly would have been one of the 10 and Huck could have taken a bench seat. He offered nothing
Dr. Carson is one intelligent and articulate man. I think politics is too ugly a game for such an admirable man.
This was nothing more than another reality show for Trump. There is no way he will ever get elected, period! With his outrage and spew, I can’t figure out his end game. He is a smart business man who has lost a lot of $$ from his controversial comments so what gives? Summer entertainment?
“Dr. Carson is one intelligent and articulate man. I think politics is too ugly a game for such an admirable man.”
He’s intelligent in some areas, but gave you heard his comments on issues like gay marriage? He’s incredibly ignorant on many issues.
^^^ This!!! Exactly. Pu$$ies! Even Santorum made a public statement denouncing Josh Duggar and his FUBAR Family after the Child
Molester and Filthy lying hypocritical
family was exposed.
Not Huckabee! Gross. Go away. Megyn Kelly should have nailed him on that one.
Using a sexist insult ” Pu$$ies”?
It explains why you are a Republican.
I liked Carson a lot. It would be great to have someone that’s not already feeding off the political juggernaut and has actually had a real career other than full-time politician.
KAY!!! Wrong you are! I am NOT, and never have been a Registered Republican.
Please stop. I am free to comment my posts in here like anyone else.
Time for us to change the topic. And you should never assume.
Thank you
@Kay- so does it now explain what she’s a democrat??? #stupid logic
Meagan Kelly stuck a fork in him..hopefully his sophomoric bullying and holding that party hostage is coming to an end. For the record, I’m a registered independent.
I’m going to be really, REALLY worried if Trump ever becomes president. it would be a nightmare for everybody, Europe included.
I’m really hoping for everyone involved – and by that I mean the world – that this is a Palin situation. He’s the car crash everybody is fixated on and loves to watch just to see what happens next. But people cannot possibly vote for him and then look their children in the eye.
I think Merkel would not run again if this was even a remote possibility. The woman has had it with crazies.
Apparently Planed Parenthood is enemy number one with these aholes. Which reaffirms why I’m a democrat. This is the party that openly has a problem with anyone who isn’t a white, wealthy christian. I cannot believe that there’s people who are ok with the openly homophobic and misogynistic attitude they have. It’s frightening. I’m so concerned if one of these jackasses gets elected.
We cannot afford to have one of these jerks as President. To much is at stake.
They are against non rich white Christian MALES. It was very clear to me last night that these men don’t feel that my gender deserve medical care or rights. My race and economic status doesn’t matter. My gender made me second class.
Absolutely! If you don’t fit into their cookie cutter mold, then you will be forgotten. It reminds me of a country club mentality. There is no representation for the rest of us. I’m starting to believe that there is a war against women, people of color, LGBT and anyone else who doesn’t “fit in.”
I was so pissed when Jeb Bush was bragging about defunding Planned Parenthood in Florida, knowing that Florida’s current governor chose not to expand Medicaid under Obamacare. Think of all of those women of low income who need exams, pills, and other medical care who won’t be getting it.
True, but race does matter. The Republican party is racist. Straight up. Mostly out of ignorance, but yeah. They pretend that race doesn’t exist, while serving up “blame the colored people” rhetoric over and over again, like that welfare queen myth they love to push.
Personally, it is unfathomable to me how anyone can be a Republican these days. I guess you could say I’m prejudiced against Republicans. Not something I’m proud of; I wish I could overlook it. But my brain really does not allow me to understand them. There’s so much contradiction in the party’s fundamental stances. They’re always talking about freedom, but then turn around and want everyone to live in a white christian theocracy. But hey, different strokes for different folks.
It’s really interesting to read that you feel that there is a war against women and minorities. I was unaware of this until recently but there is a surprisingly strong and growing mens’-rights movement. So (some) men also feel marginalized nowadays.
Karen Straughan is one of the female voices. She is on YouTube. Aaron Clarey on captaincapitalism has his own website and Youtube though he speaks more about economics rather than pure gender dynamics.
It’s been really interesting to read their perspectives from my personal experience growing up with a lot of women.
Hi Jess thanks for joining us and trying to figure it out.
As for “you feel that there is a war against women and minorities. I was unaware of this until recently”
It’s not a feeling, it’s fact that many women are dying at the hands (and guns) of men AND due to poverty and lack of access to doctors, as well as tighter abortion restrictions. It’s a fact that black people are far more often than white people killed by police, very often without cause. The use of the word “war” may sound strong, but when one group of folks kills another group of folks…what else works? This goes beyond job discrimination and cultural bias, which are bad enough.
” but there is a surprisingly strong and growing mens’-rights movement. So (some) men also feel marginalized nowadays.”
That movement began as an outgrowth of feminism and was less about political rights — men have had those since the beginning of time — and more about the right to be emotionally vulnerable and expressive. If men feel marginalized, what are they on the margins of: political power? economic rights? cultural representation? greater safety? better health care? better jobs? higher incomes? Be patient with us if we cannot understand this new sense of oppression; women have not yet taken over the world, nor have “minorities,” and men are welcome to work towards a world of equal rights. Otherwise this just sounds like a bunch of whining by people who were raised to think they would have all the toys — and find out they have to share with others.
I bow down to you!!! You said everything I tried to articulate,but you said it way better then I. I agree with everything you said and I thank you for being direct and correct.👍
“So (some) men also feel marginalized nowadays. ”
Those in power will always complain when it is suggested that they do not abuse that power, but rather share it.
EXACTLY Tiffany. Nobody will protest louder against a shift in the status quo than those in power.
Aims, you are a Democrat because of Planned Parenthood? Bless your heart….
I’m a Democrat because almost every Republican I know (and I live in a pretty liberal area) dislikes “pushy” women wanting equal rights, blacks not wanting to be killed and anyone not Christian. In other words, they are racist, sexist and the farthest from Jesus’ example I can imagine.
I’m a Democrat because I have a moral compass and a brain.
You guys, is it just me or do you smell the distinct odor of troll? Judd? Are you trolling? Be honest now….we’ll know if you’re not…
Aims thanks and keep steering by your moral compass!
What embarrasses and scares me is how many people in this country take this idiot seriously and think he is making a lot of good points. While I am thoroughly enjoying watch the GOP squirm over not being able to control the monster they helped create, I am nervous about how far he has the potential to take his hateful rhetoric.
Ditto. It makes me really sad that anyone, ANYONE, could consider voting for him.
it scares the crap out of me, to be honest
Yes. It’s, as one pundit put it, what our country’s fixation on celebs and style over substance hath wrought.
Look how many took Palin seriously.
So many that they drowned McCain…
Me too The Fact They clapped for this Hemorrhoid with Spun sugar hair Bashing a woman, that less than 6 minutes were spent on Police Brutality, the thinly Veiled Misogyny at Hilary …. Too bad their Base at Large is so damned Xenophobic and Uneducated and Fake Christian They would realize that out of all those creepy dead eyes F*cks Their best Chance for electability and moderation and actual presidential behavior ( No, Huckabee/Carson Is not a Running for Town Pastor) lies with Kasich… which he sounded too Compassionate and Normal for them to elect him so there is that
Trump is resonating with frightened baby boomers ( my parents love the guy). That’s a huge problem for the rest of us, as they actually vote. I love a good political debate as much as the next armchair politico, but the biggest problem in any election is: no matter how passionate the debate, very few of us will actually go to the polls.
We get the leadership we deserve.
Not all Baby Boomers are frightened, or if they are, they’re frightened BY Trump, not WITH him.
Election Day should be a day off and there should be a penalty for not voting. How can we talk about democracy without reinforcing the power of the vote?
grabbyhands, that is EXACTLY the way I felt when Obama was running….. Scary, right?
Whoop! Fish on!
You need Brain but I always liked Pinky better. Maybe this time they really will take over the world!
(Where are my children of the 90s at?!)
I saw someone say Pinky above too … do you mean Pinky or Penny? When I see Brain I think of the dog on Inspector Gadget … and isn’t his niece Penny? 😀
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pinky_and_the_Brain
😉
ahhhh today is such an educational day! First on the Anniston thread and now this one. Thanks Celebitches! I was thinking Inspector Gadget, Penny and Brain 😀
I’m here! I’m here! What’d I miss? Narf!
Why, why, why does a man with that much money insist on swanning around with hair that looks like a wad of mess someone pulled out of a shower drain?
Tracy, I don’t know, and I have spent so much time thinking about it I’m start to wonder about my own sanity. W.T.FFFFFFFFFFF? It looks like fluff from a dryer. It’s insane! He has millions, billions of dollars. He could get a hair transplant. A wig. Shave his head. Just go with the half bald thing. Anything he did would look better than what he’s doing. What does he think when he looks in the mirror? This will surely fool everyone? Why, Tracy, why?
LOL! GNAT, please calm down. He isn’t worth having a coronary over.
Positive thoughts from this Canadian. I feel for all you in the US. And I thought our politicos were ridiculous.
Thank you, Chrissy. I bet none of your politicians have hair like that.
Under that fop he actually has a full head of hair. Unbelievable, I know, but he is not actually going bald. I’ve seen him pull it back and show people.
I think at this point so many people have joked about it he’s keeping it out of spite.
I hate to say it but I’m with you on that. There are a few possibilities. 1) Nobody has told the man the truth since 1980. 2) Body dysmorphic disorder. 3) He’s trolling us.
The thing is, I can’t care enough to get quite as upset as you because WHAT is happening with the orange face??? The face is what I’m confused about! I desperately want to recommend a better self tan for the man, they are out there!!! And if his wife doesn’t want to bring it up, can’t she just switch the tube? Have someone fill a whole stash of it with better self tan? Does she even like her husband??? None of our politicians (Germany) will win a beauty pageant but they look respectable at least.
Goddamn it. Put a lace front on it, have a minion make a trip to Sephora and be done with it.
He did have a transplant, back in the day, then beat the sex out of Ivanna for recommending her plastic surgeon for the job. Ah, those were the days! (Sung to the All in the Family tune.)
Good old fashioned Narcissism. He really does think hes attractive!
I thought all the candidates on the stage were impressive except for Trump, Paul and Christie.
They were all impressive except for Trump, Paul, Christie, Huckabee, Kasich, Carson, Walker, Rubio, Cruz and Bush.
Made me chuckle Kitten!
I’m as liberal as they come and the Ohio gov was ok. He seemed like a good man (only one on stage, well Carson seems like a fine human just not up for president) that has put the best interest of his state above political issues. He is dead in the water but I saw a lot of huge liberals on social media point out he was the only one who could be an actual challenge to Hillary, I wouldn’t vote for him but I’d listen to the debates. Everyone else on that stage nope i would vote for the Obamas dog before them, as Bo would do a better job.
I agree with K. The. Carson guy seemed alright but Kasich was the only one who looked like he could actually be a viable candidate and maybe had half a brain. It was very entertaining to watch, even though they scare me.
The amount of pretentious, sniveling testosterone in that room made me want to cry. We desperately need more women in politics. Oh how I wish Warren were running!
Agreed, K and Absolutely. (Thanks for the chuckle, Kitten. Sigh. I chuckle through the shared pain.)
Kasich would be the one to fear as having a viable chance vs. the Big H, imo; I really don’t want him in the office (love him taking credit for the balanced DC budget that Clinton tax policies made possible, or that Ohio’s top 5% benefitted most… I’ll stop), but he’d be the one I feared least if he won. Happily, I think Team Rediculous is too myopic and too divided to elect someone with such a ‘soft spot’ for ‘entitlements’ (known to the rest of the civilized world as basic social services).
And, yes, Lord, I would love to see Elizabeth Warren run. Make it so. I still haven’t let go of my fantasy that she might be compelled to do so… or tag along as VP of Higher Conscience on a ticket. Do we need to make a visitation on the road to Democratic Damascus happen?
As a side note, I was forced to endure Fox blaring on the gym TV yesterday; it didn’t take a mensa candidate to figure out EXACTLY how the debate focus was going to play out after hearing their blathering talking points assault my poor earholes. What I suspect WAS a genuine surprise for many of them was how poorly Walker performed; he was being very clearly positioned & talked-up, pre-debate, as the voice of reason after the DonaldFollies packed up caravans and left. I was a little surprised myself how much they let their obvious disdain for old Jebediah show, though. Man, he looked like a constipated schoolmarm.
@Belle de jour, thank you for respecting my senior senator and wanting her to run for president, but please, please I beg you, don’t recruit her to run. Notice I described her as SENIOR senator despite the fact she has only been in office since January 2013? We had a senate race in 2006, a senate race in 2008, a special election senate race in 2010, a senate race in 2012, a special election senate race in 2013, which resulted in a special election congressional seat race and several special elections for state seats, and a senate race in 2014. Plus we get bombarded with NH Senate race commercials so every time we turned on a television or radio in 2014, we heard about Scott Brown’s attempt to unseat Jeanne Shaheen. And NH’s Kelly Ayotte is already running radio ads here for her race next year, I guess just in case any of us are considering a move to NH to vote for her in 2016. We’re rather tired of Senate races here. Please let our Senator Warren stay with us so we don’t have to have another senate race until 2018, please. Please!
@Lilacflowers: mea culpa. I realize it was very selfish of me to actually want to approach a voting booth again… but, well, damn. The heart wants what it wants.
Ahem. It’s not perfect, but perhaps if we could persuade Franken to show up at Mass like a good boy… would that be a deal we could work with? Minnesotans are too nice to be openly resentful, yah?
I also watched, and my response is devoid of snark. I wanted to hear more from–and was truly interested in listening to–Rand Paul, Rubio, and Kasich. Enjoyed the sparring between Paul & Christie on privacy and Constitution. Kasich on foreign policy. I think Rubio will need more leadership experience in senate to be viable but I tend to agree with him on several issues. ANd FWIW, I found the Bush dialogue on education interesting
From the moment he entered the race, I have found Kasich to be the most viable candidate, which means he won’t get the nomination.
Truthfully that debate was just an audition for financial support from the Koch brothers.
@Lama Bean….your point is excellent. The purpose of the debates at his juncture is to learn more about the candidates, and I did realize I don’t know much about Kasich and that is a deficit in my knowledge. His foreign policy comments caught my attention. ANd unfortunately your reference re the Koch brothers is likely on target as well.
Yes, but his is not the brain we need, particularly running the country.
Exactly.
How can any woman, gay person, people of colour and anyone who isn’t a fundementalist Christian vote for these men? How?
They aren’t which is why they won’t win the general election- the republicans learned nothing from 2012. The country has changed They need to acknowledge it.
Democrats changed, too, and not for the better (I’m a new independent). They don’t seem to tolerate any dissent, and whoever does not silently accept Obama as Messiah is automatically labeled the most awful traitor, called names etc. That’s not how a consensus is built, that’s a nascent dictatorship.
Bravo-you realize most democrats feel that Obama is republican in democrats clothing, right? He lost democratic rock star status years ago.
Well, I’m a woman and not a christian and I will vote republican. I simply think that they are correct on more issues than democrats. Although it’s a fine line; I think that both parties are pretty well corrupt at this point, so it’s a matter of voting for the lesser of two evils.
You should look closer into the sexist and misogynistic politics of that party and then come back and say they are the same.
+1 same here.
They both live for big donations but what they would do with the big donations is very different. However, if you think that the Republican perspective on issues like environmental science, civil liberties, human rights, worker rights, violence against women (including by gunfire), freedom from religious intrusion, access to health care, public education, income inequality, militarized policing, most of every tax dollar going to the military, and corporate control of how our society works is “correct” then more power to you. Theirs is the kind of world you want to live in. And maybe theirs is the kind of world you think you can *afford* to live in.
Thank you, Who ARE these people?, for tirelessly putting it all in a succinct, efficient and comprehensive paragraph. Truly.
SamiHami, I’m not being snarky, I promise, but I genuinely would like to hear from a woman who plans on voting Republican. As you say, you feel both parties are corrupt (fair point) so what is it about the Republican party that you feel you agree with more.
Belle du jour, thanks heaps! One does what one can. ; )
The key word is when someone says positions are “correct.” Not that “I like their policies” or “I agree with their opinions” but that they are “correct.” That’s kind of authoritarian thinking is so black and white, so rigid. It’s one of the main differences between people who are politically moderate and people who are politically locked in.
Thank you. Agree. As for the “misogynistic” complaints: they want to save babies. It’s called birth control if you dont want to get pregnant. The dems would rather sell off the baby parts for cash, vs keeping them alive. GOP all the way on this topic alone. I will say I liked Carson’s stance on a flat 10% tax for all. Very intriguing and fair.
They don’t want to save babies, they want to CONTROL WOMEN, big difference! If they cared about those babies, then they would care about what kind of medical care, education and opportunities that child will be given throughout their life! They wouldn’t be trying to shut down programs for single parents and lower income children at every turn.
“Why’d you have that baby if you can’t take care of it?”
Um, because you shut down every abortion provider in my state
“Why didn’t you use birth control in the first place?”
Um, because you empowered my boss to deny me bc coverage on my insurance that we can barely afford anyway
“Why didn’t you just keep your legs closed in the first place?”
Um, because your entitled asshole son date raped me
“What did you do to provoke him, then?”
Um, I have a vagina?
“Well…you’re still a whore!”
And that is why I will never vote for you, asshead!
LOL!!!! Palapa, you win!!!! That’s exactly how I feel the Republican party views women. Why any woman of childbearing age would vote for them still blows my mind.
Plus, reproductive choices like birth control, plan B and abortions help with our overpopulation problem as well. If these Repubs were REAL business people they would realize that population control is one of the major keys to getting our economy and available resources back in to order.
@Who ARE these people?, re the ‘correct’ word:
One sad irony being, of course, that sneering shade mentions of ‘politically correct’ got guffaws & hoots from the debate audience last night.
Have come to the conclusion that I will never understand people who willingly subjugate themselves to man-made ignorance and oppression, nor those who are so willing to impose strictures supporting those same ‘values’ upon others.
Hypothesis: most of this is fear-based. The world is a scary place… and true freedom is even scarier. A black and white spectrum of limited ‘correct’ reality seems to be a comfort & the perfect rubric for many to use as a lens for limited perspective, empathy, understanding and flexibility.
Republicans: they care about you until you are born.
My own personal bumper sticker.
Me too. I’m a woman & I also plan on voting Republican. This country simply cannot afford to take in everyone that wants to come in(we shouldn’t want to, either) & we def CAN’T afford to keep paying people for making bad life decisions(low income ppl having children out of wedlock, etc.)
” It’s called birth control if you dont want to get pregnant.”
How can you write that when the GOP has been staunchly AGAINST birth control and a woman’s access to it? They bring suprem court cases so employers can deny it to their employees. They defund planned parenthood so women can’t get meds through their clinics. They support laws that allow pharmacists to deny birth control prescribed by the woman’s DOCTORS.
@Tiffany – Thank you for your fact-based response. That initial quote reflected the so-called reasoning behind a party tack that often seems so smug & entitled & sanctimonious & hypocritical to me that it makes me almost physically ill when addressing it. Yet again, over and over.
Their entire premise of a false dialectic involves theological imposition and a tautological nightmare of pseudo-debate. I’m glad you had the energy left to make your valid, empirical points. Yet again, over and over.
Once more into the breach, dear friends, once more!
Exactly. Everyone in the audience last night looked the same. White middle aged. This party, in a few years will be over, because their base will be dead. I cannot even imagine why anyone would vote for these people. They all seem so outdated in their thinking. Last night I was enraged by the noise they were spewing that I couldn’t find any humor. It’s outrageous and wrong.
They were gunning after Obama,which was to be expected, while totally forgetting to acknowledge the horrific Bush administration. Which again, shows me that they have zero reflection. I’m truly terrified if this is what we have to endure for the next 8 years.
I’m a Democrat, and what are we offering as an alternative? An entitled liar who should be in jail? A woman who invents stories to make herself look better? Who has lied repeatedly and frequently over the course of her sleazy career and set up an illegal account while Secretary of State so she could increase her slush fund? No matter who wins, we are in serious trouble. I’m looking seriously at these people from last night because we are asking people to put aside total lack of character and outright corruption just to avoid the equally repulsive traits of the Republicans, such as the one (sorry I forget which) who said he would let the mother DIE before permitting abortion. There is no where to turn. I feel so hopeless.
Yeah, except for the two Latinos and African-American you seem to have missed.
@GNAT-I’m guessing you don’t like Bernie Sanders either.
May I politely ask why?
I’m really dreading the next election. There really aren’t any good choices, and I voted for Hilary in the last dem primary.
@GoodNames,
Thank you a thousand times for this post! I don’t understand how Hillary Clinton has gotten so much traction despite her truly disturbing behaviors. Perhaps another democratic nominee will come to the fore. There is no way I could ever vote for Clinton, or another Bush, for that matter. I wish Americans would just say no to families with dynastic ambitions. That isn’t how our country is supposed to work.
Look, I don’t care what party label is posted on the “winner”. What I do care about is the beliefs, behaviors, and competence of our next President. Right now I am not feeling good about it at all. Trump is fine as a $&!t stirrer. That’s good sometimes. He is unelectable but can force other candidates into making their positions clear which I am all for.
IDK, it’s all just depressing to me right now.
One thing I always keep in mind is that the next president will likely be nominating Supreme Court justices and those appointments will affect the shaping of the United States far beyond that president’s term in office. That is why I will never vote for a Republican.
“They were gunning after Obama,which was to be expected, while totally forgetting to acknowledge the horrific Bush administration.”
Oh, but they hilariously, inadvertently did – at least regarding the Father-Son Bush dismal employment legacy – when they questioned Jeb! about his own job growth promises:
‘Paraphrase of question to Jeb!: You’ve promised four percent economic growth and 19 million new jobs—19 million would be triple what your father and brother created together… ‘
@Kittens
No, I’m fine with Bernie, I just don’t think that anybody but Hillary is taken seriously right now. I would do backflips if he won the nomination, I just don’t think anyone can beat Hillary at this moment. However, here’s the good news. I’m almost always wrong about elections. I am usually left open – mouthed with shock at the result. So maybe I am wrong again.
Carson is black and Rubio is Cuban. I think stereotyping leads both parties to dogmatism and intolerance, to say nothing about being a lie. Stereotyping is always a propaganda and a lie, always.
Hillary is a biological woman. That does not make her any less of a monster, a real one.
I recently had someone, who is a Latino immigrant by the way, tell me he thinks Trump has some good ideas and says what everyone is thinking but too afraid to say. I was completely baffled. Then upon more discussion, it was clear this guy knew nothing about Trump, his businesses, bankruptcies, etc. He’s completely uninformed and just going off a few soundbites. Scary.
There are people who may vote republican because they agree with them on economic and foreign policy issues while still being pro gay and pro women’s right. Alas neither party’s platform reflects my beliefs and my political leanings and so I vote on both sides of the aisle. Both parties have their share of idiots and ridiculous soundbites.
This is where I land. Socially I’m pretty liberal. I don’t care who loves/marries who as long as we are talking consenting, mentally competent adults. I am pro women’s rights, but I do have serious concerns with abortion being treated so lightly as a method of birth control.
But regarding foreign policy, illegal immigration and the economy in general? Yes, definitely conservative.
It’s a great big country with room for lots of differing opinions. I don’t understand why a country that is supposedly so tolerant has so many people that are intolerant of people who have different points of view. Can’t we disagree without demonizing and name calling?
“I do have serious concerns with abortion being treated so lightly as a method of birth control.”
Have you ever known anyone that had an abortion? Because many women I know have, it is not cheap enough for anyone to be using it as birth control. That is a myth created to vilify women’s reproductive choices. It is way cheaper to use condoms or bc pills (even if your insurance doesn’t cover them) than to just say, “Oh I’m going to sleep around and then just get a quick clean out if I get knocked up!” that’s silly. Abortions are not easy and require time off from work, aftercare, prescription medications, follow up appointments, etc… and although it is the right decision for many women, it doesn’t make it any less emotional, stressful or sad.
And yes, we can live a country where we can agree to disagree on certain topics but we will have major issues if we expect to govern others by our own private standards and crying “intolerance” when they refuse to tolerate your own intolerance.
this is how i feel. i think the 2 party system has us painted into a corner with 2 parties that are de factor corporations with a vested interest in the status quo. im not a huge fan of either. im more likely to choose the republican party platform based on on the budget and foreign policy. although that’s just theory not necessarily what either will do.
i may go third party
The daughter of a friend of my mother’s sat down next to her one night and in conversation about abortions asked my mother how many she’d had. My mother said none and the girls sat there aghast and skeptical. She really didn’t believe that a woman could live her life and not have had at least one. These are the women that concern Sami. They are out there and find comfort in the availability of abortion while they are socially irresponsible with their sexual choices. Granted – these are their lives and not my own, but it’s true that there are people out there who use abortion as a plan C birth control method.
@Kay: I agree with you Unfortunately there are a lot of people who aren’t cis white men but who agree with the Donald Trumps and Mike Huckabees of society on social issues, whether they’re Christian, or, sometimes atheist. (There are some MRAs who aren’t religious, for example. But you don’t have to be religious to internalize problematic ‘traditional values’, because those ‘values’ have been mainstream thinking in American society and elsewhere for centuries.’) Then there are people who don’t agree with conservative and republican stances on those issues, but who support the party for economic reasons.
To me, Ted Cruz won this one.
Trump was interesting, but I see him as entertainment value only.
Jeb came across better than I expected, but I still don’t like him for prez.
Same with Christie.
Ben Carson is clearly extremely intelligent, but I don’t see him as a politician or president.
Mario-maybe another year, but he’s not ready.
Rand-bland, nothing noteworthy
Kasich, Walker, Huckabee-zzzzzzzzz
LMAO
Are you serious? ! I’m absolutely flabbergasted to read your comment. I cannot wrap my head around why anyone would vote for this party and Ted Cruz is so dangerous it’s scary. He will enforce how believes we should live our lives. Our reproductive rights are hanging on by a thread. Equality and social programs will be gone.
This is the 21st century. We need someone who understands that.
“He will enforce how believes we should live our lives.”
That seems to be what the left is doing right now.
I will Never apologize for being pro choice and a defender of equality for all. NEVER! !!
@SamiHami: “He will enforce how he believes we should live our lives.”
“That seems to be what the left is doing right now.”
Why? Because a person can no longer spout bigoted 1950’s garbage without getting criticized for it?
@Sami
No, one is telling you to believe what they believe, they are just asking you to politely butt out of their private lives that have NOTHING TO DO WITH YOU.
If Scott marries Tommy, why does that bother YOU? No one is asking you to go and get gay married, too. And if you have a business that refuses to serve homosexuals, then YOU SHOULDN’T be in the service industry! The last set of business owners who tried to do that were met with the Civil Rights movement.
Rubio is my guy. I’m not excited about any of them, unfortunately. But he’s the one id most like to see win.
I’m with you……….I tend to agree with a lot of what Rubio says. However he needs more seasoning in Senate leadership roles before he’s a viable candidate. But he is one to watch and if he continues on his current pathway, he’ll be a contender in future years.
Maybe he could be a corrupt Dept. Secretary for a few years..seems to be all you need to do to qualify for the Presidency these days.
Wait seriously the only person last night who wouldn’t strip the civil liberties of women and minorities was gov. K from Ohio (I can’t spell his name) yeah he was boring. But my god he was at least not a fasicist.
He sounded reasonable which tells me he won’t last long in this primary.
Exactly Tate. He’s the John Huntsman of this election cycle. Not extremist enough to appease the base.
Exactly Tate and Tiffany if the republicans want to become a viable party again they need people like him and huntsman, you know reasonable do what is in the best interest of those that elected them. Not the rest of the scary utra conservative wing nuts that were on the stage.
But yeah like huntsman this gov is dead in the water because the base won’t elect him:
I’m not a Republican, but if they aim to clean up their party they need to elect more guys like Kasich. I’m not going to lie, he kind of appealed to me, but I don’t know his whole platform yet. He just didn’t seem as big of a misogynist bubble dweller as the rest of his stage mates. I’d like to read up more on him and Carson, too. They seemed interesting. But like someone upthread said before, it is BECAUSE they are more balanced and moderate that they will sink in this party, which is too bad. They likely could’ve helped clean up the GOP’s image if allowed. It seems like the GOP instead chooses to elevate these villanous caricatures like that clown Ted Cruz or Mike Huckabee.
The whole Republican field is bad this time around. I don’t think that they have a viable candidate. And if Trump ever really does become President, I’m moving the next day! His temper is way too out of control!
I agree. There’s no one I’m excited about or actually want to go out and knock on doors for. I’m pretty disillusioned with politics entirely. Both sides, every one of them has so much scandal, so dirty, so many sneaky deals and lobbyists, etc. sigh. I don’t think a reasonable, normal personCOULD win. You need to have millions to run and fund yourself, and you have to make back room deals to get support, and by the end you’ve sold your soul and your policies to get to office. Boo.
There’s not one viable candidate. There were governors and senators up there. I don’t understand how any of them were ever elected.
@ FingerBinger – I live in NJ, and I can attest that Chris Christie got into office in NJ because he sold himself as a moderate candidate. Our state newspaper has been calling him out on how he has so drastically changed his position on practically everything since throwing his hat in the ring.
I’m not sure why, but the Republican candidates seem to be in a competition for who can be the most drastically conservative. I read a very interesting article somewhere about how the biggest problem with this election is that the candidates are all too extreme. Democratic candidates (aside from Hillary, who has yet to take a concrete position on just about anything) are all too liberal and the Republican candidates are all too conservative, and the American people feel like there is no one out there who actually speaks for them. This is why Trump is having his moment in the sun.
Running for party nomination requires a different set of positions than running in the general election.
The got elected by majority of people not voting and the awful minority voting.
“The whole Republican field is bad this time around. I don’t think that they have a viable candidate.”
As a Democrat, I feel this way about the Democratic candidates as well. Maybe this is an unpopular view, but Hillary doesn’t thrill me. She is a typical “say anything for votes politician,” and almost all polls have nearly half of those polled saying they find her to be dishonest and untrustworthy. I wish another candidate would throw their hat in the ring, but there has only been talk about Joe Biden and although I like him as a person, I’m not interested in him as a president.
Yeah there is nobody that I’m at all excited about. I keep hoping someone good is going to come out of the woodwork, but it doesn’t seem likely.
Because our “liberal” media have painted him as a socialist, Bernie Sanders, who says things like politicians have sold out the middle class and we are now an oligarchy, is painted as extreme. Oh, and Pope Francis, also, who Fox News called the Most dangerous person in the world.
God help us with the stupidity in this country.
Look at Bernie Sanders, please!! He is a long shot at this point, but I will support him in the primary and as long as I can. I think Bernie is the real deal.
Trump is now a serious contender. His cluelessness about immigration history and policies is amusing. Huckabee is the worst. At least Donald was entertaining.
Huckabee shouldn’t even be taken seriously. This is the man who previously said he wished Beyonce and Jay Z were more like the Duggars, and then after the scandal with that family broke, he staunchly defended them. He’s gross and so incredibly out of touch.
Donald:”a single payer health care system like what’s in Canada and Scotland is touted as one of the best healthcare systems in the world. We need something like that here instead of Obamacare.”
Paul: “Everyone knows the single payer system is a nightmare and you want to bring that here?”
Raccoon Hair: “I never said that. When did you hear me say that?”
Great. Now we have to give Megyn Kelly props for something.
IKR? Her shiny pink lips and blond mullet are so distracting when she is trying to be taken seriously.
I will say I was impressed she didn’t take trumps bait.
This whole election makes me cry.
J.Eyre – I dunno, the repub clown fest is pretty disturbing, but only if they have any real chance of winning the general election. I suspect that after Jeb wins the nomination, a few of the other clowns will continue their run as independents or as members of some even nuttier fringe party. The dems, for all their faults, will probably pull together. I don’t think we’re in danger of Hillary, Sanders, or Biden running as an independent against whoever wins the dem nomination.
Thanks for spelling her name right.
The bar is so low for Fox News Readers that Kelly gets a ton of credit for doing anything even close to sensible. She always takes the easy shots.
Plus, as she read the questions she sounded more like a Miss America judge than a debate moderator.
Every time I look at Donald Trump, I remember how someone ( I think MK on D listed) described his hair as ” a flattened guinea pig” Just makes me laugh.
As someone who owns guinea pigs that actually look like Donald’s hair (except curly) that made me LOL!
Oh, haha! Here we go.
http://www.ilonacats.co.uk/Longhaired%20Guinea%20Pig-1.jpg
Don’t insult guinea pigs like that! Lol. I’ve had a few, one with an awesome lustrous sticky-outy coat that maybe looked like trumps hair when she was wet.
How cute!
Think of Trump as the Republican Party’s id unleashed. He says all the vile things civilized, intelligent people will not consider. Truly, Trump is doing nothing but burnishing his brand. He will drop out, which is a shame. Were he to be the Party’s nominee, that would ensure a Democratic White House.
Can we throw everyone out and start over? I do agree with Trump on the political correctness….we have freedom of speech. If you want to be an idiot and say something stupid…do it! It’s your choice to let the words hurt you. We have much bigger things to worry about.
“I do agree with Trump on the political correctness….we have freedom of speech. If you want to be an idiot and say something stupid…do it! It’s your choice to let the words hurt you. We have much bigger things to worry about.”
The problem with certain things isn’t just that they hurt or offend people. It’s that the things that attitudes expressed toward certain groups of people can- and have- effected how they’re treated. It’s no coincidence that the groups of people whom the most vile slurs and stereotypes specifically targeted at them are also the ones who have held the least political and social power.
How many slurs can you think of that specifically target POC, (including the ones that are directed at women who date men who aren’t white, because that’s still a racial slur meant to dehumanize the person they’re dating based on race), at people who are gay, lesbian, or bisexual, at WOC, at women in general, at Jews and Muslims, and at transgender people?
Now think of all the slurs that specifically target cisgender heterosexual white men. You can’t come up with many, can you? There’s a reason for that. The inequality is clear.
You do have free speech. You can say what you like about people without going to jail. But the people who have a problem with what you say have free speech too, and aren’t obligated to continue supporting you (financially, employment-wise, or otherwise) or hold back their criticism of you once you say something bigoted.
It might seem trivial to you, but I imagine you might be worried if you were Latino and your country elected a man who thought you and your family were all rapists and murderers. I am worried that we might elect a man who thinks that. Because it’s not true. It’s racist. It’s stupid and ignorant. And his only response when he’s called on it is a sarcastic sorry if he isn’t “politically correct.” Political correctness is the least of the problem. How about either knowingly slurring an entire group of people with a malicious lie, or being so stupid that you actually believe all Latinos are rapists and murderers? And he has been insisting for weeks that he had “proof” that the Mexican government was sending us all of their criminals. His “proof” turned out to be that a Mexican border guard told him so.
Or a grown man calling a woman he doesn’t like a fat slob? Or telling a woman she’d make a pretty picture on her knees? As a woman, is that the kind of man you want leading this country?
People don’t say politically incorrect things in a vacuum. They say them because they believe them, and usually the belief is based on ignorance, prejudice, hatred, fear, anger, insecurity, stupidity or all of the above. So I think it’s something substantial to worry about.
I agree. That is not Presidential behavior in the least.
Well, Native Americans would love to throw out all the white assholes who came into the New World, stole their lands, infected them with diseases and forced them into reservations.
Buffoons, all of ’em!
(And the vast majority of Dems are just duplicitous P’sOS…)
But wait – Trump touted single-payer health care???? He’s right, but probably only because he doesn’t want to have to pay the insurance for his employees …
I came away from that debate not despising Trump more— but!
New found appreciation for Ben Carson. I still like both Rubio and Cruz.
Jeb Bush did nothing. I do not want another Clinton or Bush in the White House and I will say (although I don’t believe he would be a good President and I would never vote for him)—-
Trump was being truthful in his comment about the PC bullsh*t and mantra in the States. He was right on about that.
He is NOT the right person for the job.
Ben Carson COMPLETELY stole the show with his closing comments. It was music to my ears.
Thank You
PC bullshit, you mean not being racist, sexist, homophobic?
Jesus Christ!!!!!!!
No, Kay. Thats not at all what I meant. And Trump is all of those things you said.
My comment, in general– is that here in the States– in GENERAL– there is constantly too much emphasis on being Politically Correct.
No matter which side you lean to or how you chose to vote– Freedom of Speech is in our First Amendment Rights and I, for one, am tired of having to watch my words and not say the “right” things.
We all, individually, have the right to speak our minds. I repeat– Trump is all of the adjectives you described him
as. I am not any of those things. I am
merely more conservative fiscally but bery Liberal on all of the Social Issues. Tired of having ranting Liberals critisize every word out of others mouths and label every one and everything— unless of course they are all Scumbags, Pedophiles, Murderers and Rapists and up to an including White Collar Criminals and the criminally insane and then all bets are off.
Hope I clarified my position without starting a political date here on a Celebrity Gossip Website.
Thank you
It’s been said about 13344586969 times, on this site included: the first amendment protects your freedom of speech from government intervention and prosecution. Not from the ire of public opinion, that is other private citizens like yourself. You (not you in particular, you in general) can be a jerk and shunned by society but no govt can send you to prison.
I don’t get why so many proud Americans are so ignorant of our fundamental law.
Kay – Is using the Lord’s name in vain politically correct?
I’m an Atheist so it doesn’t concern me but the right wingers have no problem using Christ, the Bible and Christianity to justify their bigotry. So I think they are far worse since they pretend to believe in him.
@RUP– Yes, thank you for the actual literal description of our Right to Freedom of Speech.
I concur also– Keep Politicians OUT OF OUR WOMBS!! Period.
This is most definetely just ONE of the many places I do not agree with staunch Republicans.
In addition— there are many more topics we need the American Government to be a LOT less involved in. Let’s start looking at all the places America hasFAILED. That would be a good beginning and there are far too many of those to list.
I still like to believe I may be from one of the strongest and greatest nations in the world– but let’s all be honest—its is not the best by any far stretch of the imagination.
There is so much America can do to become “great” again.
For me personally, I agree with most here— looking at all the various candidates from both sides— I’m not so sure we have the best choices this election.
@NGBoston: “We all, individually, have the right to speak our minds… Tired of having ranting Liberals critisize every word out of others mouths and label every one and everything…”
Free speech gives individuals the right to criticize you and withdraw their support from you for bigoted things you say.
I gave the debate a shot last night with an open mind and ended up feeling so angry by what was being said at certain points that I had to change the channel. I’ve always considered myself a moderate voter, meaning I can go either way, but if this is what the Republican party has become they can count me out. l’m still reeling over the fact that Scott Walker said he wants to outlaw all abortions including cases of rape and instances when giving birth could cost a mother her life. There is something so damn unnatural about a group of men trying to decide what women should and shouldn’t be able to do with their bodies, and believing they have a right to make things illegal all because of their personal beliefs.
Politics in America have become such a deplorable joke. Our country was founded so that people could worship freely without their religion playing a part in their politics, and now we have our elected officials, who are there to serve simply as our advocates/the voice of the people shoving their religious beliefs down our throats. I’m not voting for a president who wants to make gay marriage or abortions illegal all because he/she doesn’t believe in them. One’s personal religious beliefs don’t dictate how others around them should handle themselves. If they can’t separate their religious beliefs from their jobs, they shouldn’t even be politicians. This is where politics in America have gotten all screwed up.
I don’t think Donald Trump dominated at all, I think he bombed last night. I think the only reason Trump is gaining the popularity he is, is because no one is happy with the candidates for this election. I come from a family of Democrats, and a few of my relatives are starting to kind of shrug their shoulders about Donald Trump and say things like, “Well, at least we know he can’t be bought” and “At least he isn’t a career politician.” This doesn’t mean any of us would actually vote for him, but the candidates on both sides of the aisle are leaving a lot to be desired and that is why Donald Trump is having his moment. It’s the same old crap. We have two “legacy” candidates, and the rest just seem to be a bunch of loons.
the last thing this country needs is another Bush or Clinton in the White House.
@ MEME— ITA!!!
The first two paragraphs of this post are brilliant just brilliant and sum it up perfectly. Perfect
Scott Walker was especially vile. I’m biiiiiiig on body language, and he just screams “LIAR, BACKSTABBER, SHADY!” to me every time I see his dishonest, punchable face. I don’t like him at all.
This is what the candidates bodies said to me last night:
Trump: I’m better than everyone else here, but I’ll play along with these peasants!
Bush: Please don’t judge me by my dopey brother’s f*ck ups, I’m just a sweet, kind man who just wants a chance to make my own f*ck ups!
Rubio: I hope everyone can focus on my great hair, smile & canned lines and no one notices how completely incompetent and full of shit I am.
Christie: Calm down Chris you’re on national TV… you can’t try to eat Rand Paul and his pube wig for talking trash.
Walker: I hope no one asks ME about the Hillary email scandal, I can’t take another pimp slap from the Koch brothers…
Paul: I’m angry! Agghhhhh! F*ck you Trump, but thanks for the $$$! Screw Hillary! You hugged Obama! Aghhhh!
Kasich: I kind of don’t hate people who aren’t white men, you guys!
Cruz: How long can I make unnecessarily long pauses or extend out generic phrases so people don’t realize I don’t know how to actually fix anything, just fight with people.
Carson: I kind of don’t know my way around politics, but I’m a brain surgeon, surely I can figure it out better than these clowns have!
Huckabee: F*ck women!!!
Brilliant!! I can’t believe people are falling for Rubio’s “I have a clue what I’m doing,” act. What a dope he is.
Like it or not, Donald Trump has hit a nerve in this country. I, too, am sick of all this political correctness crap and having my tax money go to support people who aren’t here legally. My grandparents were immigrants and they went through the proper channels to become citizens and never took a dime from the government until retirement.
Trump is a boon for the Democrat party. I hope he’ll stick around for a long time and mobilize as many potential Republican voters. Voting for Trump is the surest way we’re going to have a Democrat president.
Otherwise your ideas/rhetoric are not new and not with merit. You’re probably the proponent of high walls at the southern border built with illegal labor.
That’s your opinion. I’m not alone in my views and you can dismiss them all you like. I’m a proponent of giving our borders and our country safe. I am neither a Democrat or a Republican but I can say most Democrats are extremely rude when responding to someone who doesn’t think the way they do. Trump HAS hit a nerve and if you don’t recognize that, well that’s your problem.
@meme – Same here. My dad also worked three jobs when my sister and me were little so that my mom could stay home with us, so when I hear things about raising the minimum wage to $15 for fast food workers because they can’t make a sustainable living where they work, I’m puzzled. Life has been hard for a lot of people who’ve made a go of it all on their own. Where I live in NJ, undocumented immigrants get reduced college tuition to attend our state college, Rutgers University. It’s hard to find something like that to be fair when I have friends who waited for YEARS for their citizenship to come through.
At the end of the day, I think too many people automatically give presidents credit without acknowledging that they’re surrounded by brilliant people in their cabinet who make the majority of their decisions for them. I think the appeal that Trump is having is largely with blue collar, middle class Americans–the same people that career politicians have been ripping off and completely ignoring for decades.
I’m a registered Democrat and I hate that Hillary Clinton gets lauded as some incredible politician when she has never really had many grand accomplishments in any of the positions she has held, and she is now trying to base a lot of her platform on going after big businesses and banks when the majority of them have contributed enormous sums of money to The Clinton Foundation as well as her campaigns. There is a reason the amount of people who find her untrustworthy and dishonest is so high in the polls.
I’m immensely disappointed in the candidates for the 2016 election and I don’t feel confident that any of the candidates would be good for the country.
@rup – “You’re probably the proponent of high walls at the southern border built with illegal labor.”
That’s some assumption. Your argument is irrelevant. The United States got plenty done without “illegal labor” over the years, so please let that silly argument rest. There is nothing wrong with immigration and in America, we are all descendants of immigrants, but our country can’t sustain an open border policy.
rup is just being rude. I made no such claim about any wall but I don’t believe in open borders. Other countries don’t just let everyone in and let them live in their countries forever.
Who’s talking about open borders? Do we have an open border policy right now? Enlighten me. And don’t call me names if you don’t have anything to say.
Again, I stick by my point. Trump is a boon for the other side. You’re right that he catalyzed and gave a public face to a part of the public opinion, one that I consider ugly and dangerous.
Things have changed a LOT since your Dad worked three jobs. I’m in my mid-50s and I remember being able to get a job where you walked in, if they liked you, they hired you and trained you. My Mom got trained as a legal secretary that way. I worked in the travel industry for years that way. Now they won’t even see you. You have to send resumes online or fill out questionnaires online and you’re lucky if you get called in for an interview. Places no longer will train you in jobs like the ones I mentioned. You now have to have a college diploma for legal secretarial skills or in travel and tourism for them to even look at you. When my husband got hired by his company 27 years ago they told him he was ovequalified because he had a chemistry degree…now that same company won’t even look at applicants for basic tech positions without a university degree! My son’s gf just graduated with an Honour BA in Fine Art and got an award for high grades, made the Dean’s list and despite having lots of qualifications and busting her butt for jobs, she ended up only being able to get a job as a Barista at Starbucks. Then, she finally got interviewed for a receptionist at a hair salon and her salary was less than I was making when I quit my job as a promotion coordinator for a book publisher in 1988! But things cost a hell of a lot more now than they did in 1988! So you can’t compare what happened years ago…what your Dad did to now. Things are completely different. When my Mom bought the house I grew up in in Toronto it cost just over $40,000. Now that house is selling for over a million dollars. It’s insane!! Where my grandparents used to have a cottage an 1.5 away from Toronto…that same cottage is now selling for over $200,000. And the debt coming out of university here is outrageous, especially when you factor in all the things they need now that we didn’t need when we attended like computers and software that is required! All I needed for university was binders, paper and a pen. I used to be able to work at a minimum wage job for the summer and save my money and it would pay my tuition (at UofT) but that’s not possible now. My youngest son worked two jobs and still didn’t make enough to pay for his first year without serious help! And the engineering program he’s in now makes the students sign a pledge they won’t work during the school year because the homework is so extensive that they won’t have enough time (and it is extensive). If you want people to be off of welfare and not take from social services, then give them a living wage where they can actually afford to pay for rent and food and yes…we have basic free health care in Ontario but it doesn’t cover things like prescriptions if you need antibiotics or dental or eye care. You need to buy additional insurance for that (some companies pay part of it or offer it as part of wages). Point is…living is expensive, especially if you have kids. People can drone on about how it was in their day, but times are different. Things were a heck of a lot less expensive when my Mom was in her twenties and the land she was able to buy (or my grandfather) for pennies in Toronto became worth a heck of a lot of money later on. That’s no longer possible now. Everything is different
@Suzy from Ontario, you’re absolutely right, point noted. My family and I were actually just discussing this recently when my parents were struggling with money (more like drowning in medical bills). After the Affordable Care Act was passed, my mom’s hours got cut back because many large companies have found a loop hole to get out of paying for people’s insurance by cutting down part-time workers to only 20 hours a week. We live in NJ, with the highest cost of living in the country. We’ve recently come to the conclusion that my parents are going to have to move out of the state if they ever want to retire because they simply can’t afford to stay here. As a matter of fact, New Jersey has the highest rate of people moving out the state and the lowest rate of people moving in, in the entire country.
The minimum wage debate is a tough issue. I know first hand how hard it is to make a go of it. Full time work is so incredibly hard to find without a degree and training in a specific field. Unfortunately though, $15.00 for fast food workers has now led McDonalds to do away with all of their cashiers. As of, I believe, 2017 or 2018, McDonalds will be switching to self-checkout and getting rid of a large sum of their employees. Other fast food employers will surely follow suit. So now these people won’t just be having a hard time making a go of it because they don’t make enough money, they won’t be making any money at all. This change removes the option of fast food work from the table all together for those looking for employment, because these companies will no longer be hiring the way they used to and will opt to use computers to do jobs that people used to do.
There has been a lot of criticism about the $15.00 minimum wage hike, and most detractors call for people to look to Puerto Rico as an example of why it doesn’t work. In Puerto Rico, only 40% of the adult population is employed or actively looking for work. The rest are economically idle or working in the “grey economy.” The reason for this is because employers hire less people because they don’t want to pay that much. So when taking into consideration how hard it is to make a go of it now, how hard finding employment really is without a degree or even with one, if we have even less jobs due to the fact that companies just don’t want to hire people in an effort to save money, we have a potentially disastrous situation.
It is a tough issue because there doesn’t seem to be a clear solution. I would love to be able to say “the government should force these companies to not seek out loop holes that hurt workers in the end” but that doesn’t seem like it will ever happen. Big companies get to do whatever they want to save money, the rich remain rich, the middle class is all but dead, and the poor just continue to get poorer.
Daria Morgendorffer – so sorry to hear about your parents and possibly having to move. That is so not right!
It’s tough to find a good solution, especially when companies have all the power and can take the jobs overseas where they pay pennies per hour. There’s no way that North America can compete with that! The disrespect they show to workers (both in Canada and the US) by cutting salaries or benefits to people who have given their whole lives to the company…it’s so unfair! And medical bills… the health system of a country should never be one that can bankrupt a family when someone gets sick. When you are ill, or dealing with a very ill family member, that’s more than enough stress without worries about losing your home or not having enough money to pay your bills, especially the ones for medicine that you need to survive! It’s hard not to look at other countries that provide so much more for their citizens. It feels like greed of the shareholders and high-ups in these corporations and companies are making it impossible for hardworking folks who just want to have a comfortable living where they can buy a home and put food on the table. Too many of these billionaires have offshore accounts to avoid paying taxes…often paying less than their low level employees! That’s outrageous! And our governments are making it easier and easier for them to do what they want and put more money in their pockets. I don’t know what the answer is but the gulf between rich and poor grows wider and wider and it’s not because the poor are lazy and the rich aren’t. There are bad apples everywhere but when people are working from morning till night and still can’t put food on the table or could end up on the street if their child gets seriously ill, something is wrong. Like you said: the big companies get to do whatever they want to put more money in THEIR bank accounts, the rich continue to get richer and the middle class is the new poor while the poorest just continue to barely survive if at all. Babies and kids should not be growing up homeless or in shelters! Meanwhile some of these CEOs make more money in a year than they could spend and it’s not because they work harder. A lot of them were, as my husband says: “Born on third base but thinking they hit a home run on their own merit” and that describes a lot of the politicians out there including many in this debate. It seems like everyone is bought and paid for by lobbyists (which to me seems like legalized bribery). They all talk a big game about the people and how they care but …
Trump is racist, sexist, homphobic like the rest of the GOP. If he reflects your views then it says everything I need to know who you are.
In Europe right wing extrimist and fascist spew the same xenophobic rethoric as the Republicans and the last time those views took control over Europe it ended in the WWII.
You would love for the Gop to be those things so that you could be the righteous one. However..you cannot steriotype a whole group of people. Is ben carson racist? Is caitlyn jenner homophobic? Is carly fiorina against women?
Carson and Fiorina don’t give shit about blacks or women. They are in for their own interests. He’s a homophobe and she bankrupted Hewlett Packard.
Meme, I agree with you he has struck a nerve. No I’ll never vote for him because he isn’t a viable candidate. No I don’t agree with every thing that comes out of his mouth ….and yes it is my belief he is playing this for reality TV purposes. Now let’s go back to what we do agree about……he’s struck a nerve. A lot of people have swallowed back bile out of political correctness.
For example …While Trump’s answers for “how to fix” are weak, I actually agree with his assessment of the impact of illegal immigration. I think illegal immigration is out of control–I lived in Texas for 30 years and I know the impact of it very well. Amnesty and dreams acts etc aren’t the answer to fix a problem-they reward and encourage the activity. But to say that outloud…..you are called racist (and that’s probably the more polite thing that is said) in many circles.
Another example: He’s also right….we don’t send skilled negotiators to deal with the likes of China and Iran. We send lifetime politicians whose entire DNA is wrapped up in being liked by as many people as possible. We need to get tougher and stand strong on these critical issues. This IRAN nuke deal? PuhLeez. Someone said last night (I forget who right now)…”There is no such thing as a politically correct war” and I thought that was on target.
Trump can be a clown yes–but he’s struck a nerve because he is naming the problems a lot of people agree with but have been cowered into silence. I just wish he had good answers to solving the problems. But naming them is a refreshing change to some.
ANd someone will surely follow behind me with some “Mur-I-cah” snark comment because what I said here isn’t consistent with a lot of vocal posters on this board. ANd candidly–that phrase just pi$$e$ me off .
Dirty Martini:
So you want another war?
Of course, it wouldn’t affect you but the people in that region and Europe that would be invaded with even more refugees.
You coplain about immigration?
If the number of illegals that come to the US were as many as all the refugees that are currently coming to Europe you would be shooting them dead at the border.
America’s warmorgering has destabilized the Middle East, Isis would never have that much power if the US didn’t cause chaos in that region and now you want more.
How much will another war cost?
Do you think Russia and China will just let that happen?
You complain about immigration but not about Ted Cruz shutting down the government and causing billions of dollars to be lost.
@kay I do not appreciate the demonization. Your response is exactly what another poster here pointed out….DIsagree in principle with the liberal left, prepare to be insulted and vilified as a person.
Words are important–they mean something. You can certainly disagree with a position, without being disagreeable and insulting another person.
No I do not WANT a war….I don’t believe the Iran deal will stop one. (You could have stated “The intent of deal is to stabilize the region and avoid military weapons escalation and avoid war”……….rather than personalize me into being war-mongering.)
“You’d be shooting them dead at the border.” Really?
In addition to not accepting your assessment of me as being pro-war and pro-violence, here’s another error in your response: I’m no fan of Ted Cruz…..in fact none of my posts have even referenced him good or bad…..and Ted Cruz (and his antics) is in no way connected to my belief that immigration reform is sorely needed, but that amnesty and Dream Acts shouldn’t be part and parcel to it. There are lots of issues my post didn’t cover, so why you plucked out Ted Cruz is unclear to me.
This is a gossip site, not conducive for deep political analysis. Suggest you and I move on to matters we can agree on (most likely just how crazy bad The Donald’s hair is) or just move on, period.
Agree 100%. I would consider myself a moderate, but it is frustrating how liberals TEND to put words in other peoples mouths and attack as soon as someone’s opinion is different from their own.
Obviously Dirty Martini DOES NOT want a war.
The Second World War was, ahem, politically correct if you think it was appropriate for the Allies to respond to the threat of Fascism that overtook most of Europe, some of North Africa, all of Japan and other parts of Asia.
But, if you were a Nazi or Italian Fascist or part of the Emperor’s Japan, yes, I suppose you might see it differently.
“No war is politically correct” is one of those glib statements by someone who never worked in the military or never had a family member there, or by someone who never lived in an innocent region or country under fire.
No war is humane, I’ll give them that.
@who ARE these people……
Upon reflection the person last night making that statement was Dr. Carson, and unless I am mistaken — you are correct that he doesn’t have a military background. Doesn’t make his opinion any less valid. Political correctness generally means you are so milquetoast you offend no one. Wasn’t it Churchill who also said “You have enemies? Good, it means you stood for something at least once in your life.”
Your reference to WWII is oversimplified in its application to what Carson said last pm by focusing on its genesis and not the era in its totality. While the US entering it was politically correct for the reasons you named–the weak response of the EUropean democracies to fascist aggression — how it ended was also was the beginning of the nuclear era and the Cold War and decolonization of the THird World. There was plenty of concern about the impact of those things happening, and their impact in today’s world.
We can’t change history although we certainly try and rewrite it or recite it inaccurately or in out of context soundbites.
Is the use of nuclear weaponry ever politically correct? Pick a side. I say yes, but I’ll be damned if living here in the world of 2015 I don’t think those that said no back the day had very meaningfully valid points that have come home to roost.
Others will say that WWII ended the US isolation from the rest of the world but earlier in this thread I’ve also read how the US interference has destabilized the rest of the world.
Damned if you do, damned if you don’t. Just damned all the way around it appears. Carson’s statement makes sense to me.
@kay – “So you want another war?”
I hate to break it to you, but this Iran deal is going to inevitably lead to another war regardless of what sort of spin you try to put on it. The part that people keep leaving out is the part where Ayatollah Khomeini continues to vow to fund and support terrorism. You should really be asking yourself if you support another war if you support this deal. What about Syria? Iran has pledged to continue to fund Bashar al-Assad in his war against his own people. The same guy who used nerve gas on innocent Syrian civilians causing thousands of excruciatingly painful deaths, many of which were children.
“America’s warmorgering has destabilized the Middle East, Isis would never have that much power if the US didn’t cause chaos in that region and now you want more.”
If you say so. Gird your loins because ISIS is about to become a lot more powerful once Iran begins arming them with the money that we’re releasing to them when the sanctions lift. Not sure why so many liberals want to just laugh off the fact that the Supreme Leader of Iran has vowed to rail against the US and support and fund terrorism. What’s your take on the image sent out by the Ayatollah’s people on his Twitter account showing a faceless African American figure with an American flag pin on his lapel, obviously supposed to be President Obama, holding a gun to his own head with threatening words about how Iran didn’t start the war, but they’ll end it. This was put up AFTER the deal had been made. I’m always reading these comments that liberals make about how the whole Iraq war was about weapons of mass destruction that George H.W. Bush and his administration gave to the Iraqi people in the first place, so there is a huge double standard at play here. We will end up fighting a war against amped up terrorists who will have a huge arsenal to use against us because we will be inadvertently funding them by giving Iran money. It’s nice to be think that the good citizens of Iran are going to see this money, but their government is ruled by hardcore, religious fanatics who don’t want to progress and they’ll continue to suffer underneath that theocracy.
So again, I have to ask you, who exactly wants to wage war here? The people who don’t want to make a deal with a country who is threatening to use our own money against us in the form of terrorism, or those who do want to support the deal because they erroneously believe that Iran shares the same views and ideas that the majority of the modern world does and that diplomacy is something they’re actually interested in?
Not discounting your views where you lose me, is that when discussing border control people only discuss the southern border aka mexico which is racist. People are coming in illegally from all borders and from all countries but we don’t say anything. Yes people should come here legally but if we are going to discuss reform then we have to discuss the problem in its entirety not just attack Mexico.
Also it’s great your family didn’t take government money but the majority of the country has in some form even if it’s student aid and there is nothing wrong with helping people when they need it. Also just like border control the majority of people in the system don’t abuse it they just struggle to get out of the system. Could we look at better ways to manage it? Yes probably. But what we really need to do is look at why people are getting trapped in it in the first place and those are hard questions that politicians don’t want to answer because they don’t fit in sound bites.
I completely agree with your post, especially the second paragraph. The cost of living in this country is an enormous problem and there is no hope is sight. No politician wants to discuss it. It also doesn’t help things that we as a country continue to vote for politicians who have personal interest in the companies and banks that are essentially killing us financially and making it so hard to live here. The majority of our politicians pad their pockets with money given to them by groups like the NRA pharmaceutical companies and this is why we never progress or make any real changes and the American people continue to suffer and things get worse.
Both the Democrats and the Republicans are making all of these false promises to “help the middle class” this time around and yet no one has come up with any strong or believable ideas on how they’re actually going to do that. I think this is why people are acting xenophobic–a lot of people, whether they’re right or wrong, feel like if we can’t help ourselves, we surely can’t help anyone else.
I had illegal immigrants in my family. They just overstayed their visa for years and would love to become legal here but the red tape and costs are outdated and it was easier to go to canada as skilled immigrants. The US missed out. My Uncle and his wife own a fantastic bakery in Quebec now.
…..interesting conversation…
My other favourite thing Trump said was: We don’t have time for tone! (when he was called on his rudeness and sarcastic attitude). A real diplomat that one…not!
He’s very focused on time, isn’t he? America doesn’t have time for tone, political correctness, or apparently anyone who isn’t a fat, bloated white guy. So apparently he’s going to make America great again in under ten minutes. Kind of like Seven Minute Abs for politicians.
Okay I’m asking this with no snark-can anyone who is ‘pro-Trump’ and ‘like what he has to say’ please tell me what it is that Trump believes or stands for? Even if I don’t like anyone else Hilary/Jeb/Bernie/Rubio/Cruz/Huckabee/Paul etc etc-or what they have to say, I at least KNOW what they represent and what they are arguing for.
I have no idea what Trump stands for other than Trump.
So far what I’ve seen from Trump is
1) Mexicans are rapists and criminals and we need to build a wall,
2) John McCain isn’t a war hero because he was captured
3) Women who breastfeed are disgusting
What are his views on any social or economic policy? All I see is someone grandstanding for attention.
I’m a democrat, and I must admit…I saw the whole debate last night, which seemed somewhat unorganized because they had so many contenders which was not their fault. I just didn’t like that the questions asked couldn’t be asked to everybody. I would have liked to hear the answers that everybody had to give. It got a little racy last night when Rand Paul and Chris Christie got into an argument, but I wanted it to dissipate quickly so that the debate could move on. I don’t like Megyn Kelly with a passion, but I must admit that I was proud of her when she challenged Donald Trump on all of his misogyny. As a person that was looking for substance from the candidates last night, I found that most of them skirted the questions being asked them and kept bringing up their past because they have no answers for the problems facing America.
At first I thought it was a Donald joke: “I’m running for P.”
Ya know I wonder if that bozo could be the next prez. Can you see that? World leaders dealing with it? I would move to Canada.
“Another example: He’s also right….we don’t send skilled negotiators to deal with the likes of China and Iran. We send lifetime politicians whose entire DNA is wrapped up in being liked by as many people as possible. We need to get tougher and stand strong on these critical issues. This IRAN nuke deal? PuhLeez. Someone said last night (I forget who right now)…”There is no such thing as a politically correct war” and I thought that was on target.”
The main negotiators for the deal with Iran weren’t politicians.
There’s no such thing as a politically correct war? What does that even mean? Paying attention to most of the Republicans who hate this deal, they don’t seem to hate based on actual policy or fact, but because it’ll prevent them from going to war with Iran.
Swallowed back bile because of political correctness? What does that even mean? Because you think you can’t say what you really think? Oh, you can, but you’ll probably get called on it.
> We send lifetime politicians whose entire DNA is wrapped up in being liked by as many people as possible.
I don’t know about negotiators but most ambassadors are political appointees who have know nothing about the countries they are sent to. It is offensive to the locals. Too similar to the Roman Empire method of operation.
I wonder what the ages of women who post here are, I think it would open eyes regarding their political leanings.
Oops, I put it in the wrong place.
Well, I’m 53 and I’m Bernie Sanders all the way!! #feelthebern !!!!!!
Shouldn’t there be more criteria as to who is allowed to run for President? I don’t know maybe some actual political experience? How about being a senator or something for at least 4 years beforehand? All it takes is a big mouth and money huh?
I’d rather someone have military or business management experience than senate experience. Being a leader requires Leadership experience.
The government, whether federal, state or local, is not a business, nor is it the military. Different aims, different goals, different, different different.
The government is a huge bureaucracy.Most of all it requires solid management skills.
But it’s still not the same thing as running a business, it’s not the same end game. You can have people successfully at running a business and running, say a government department, but just because you successfully, or unsuccessfully in the case of some candidates, ran a business, it doesn’t it mean it mean you can run the country.
“But while we might all grant that there are exceptions, the general question still stands: does it make sense to run government like a business? The short answer is no. Bear in mind, first, that “efficiency” in the private sector means profit. Hence, to ask that the government be run like a business is tantamount to asking that the government turn a profit. The problem in a nutshell, is that not everything that is profitable is of social value and not everything of social value is profitable.”
http://www.forbes.com/sites/johntharvey/2012/10/05/government-vs-business/
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/not-all-spending-is-created-equal/2015/05/11/db47bc96-f7fb-11e4-9030-b4732caefe81_story.html
Its america..anyone can be anything..you decide with your vote.
Is it even possible to have fair coverage of these events? I am awaiting the dem debates where any are given half the vitriol seen in this comment section (and others, because its worse on Facebook).
I feel like its impossible for most to sit with a neutral mind and listen to what others have on the table. Kasich and Fiorina were surprising to me and I hope to hear more from them because they came across fairly moderate. I’m an Independent though…thats just my approach. I wish we didn’t have political parties in this country.
and the whole Rosie O’Donnell thing….I remember when that went down and Rosie gave as much as he did. They were both horrible to eachother back then and Fox had no reason bringing that up in the present day.
“Is it even possible to have fair coverage of these events? I am awaiting the dem debates where any are given half the vitriol seen in this comment section (and others, because its worse on Facebook).”
Spot on. I totally agree with this and your entire post. There is a major bias, but I feel like that’s everywhere. Left-leaning outlets have their bias, right-leaning have theirs and there is pretty much no in between. I have a major problem with the sainthood that has been bestowed upon Hillary Clinton as some political warrior when her track record is shady at best, but sadly this is the way the media seems to be handling things.
He’s gross, sexist, racist, and only taken seriously by the ‘mad as hell and not going to take it’ independents.
The base is using him as some kind of gestaltish Greek chorus but no conservative will vote for him (he’s not pro life and that is their litmus test).
I was disappointed that none of the men took him to task over his childish behavior towards Kelly. I’m hoping they are just allowing him to implode, because he will. Because he is ridiculous.
Donald Trump is so far beyond the goal post …
I hear that the Democrats aren’t entirely unhappy about his campaign as his campaign is a pain in the *** for the Republicans.
It was funny when Megyn Kelly asked him when he actually became a republican, because he sounds so much like a democrat. I thought, he probably knew he couldn’t win against a democrat (namely, Clinton).
I wonder why he bothers to campagn? He has very few chances from the start as his antics appeal to a rather small margin. Nevertheless his campaign is likely to rip off votes from the Republicans as some people might be disgusted with the Republicans because he campaigns as a Republican. Others might think that such antics go too far even for the Republican Party in general and vote Democrat.
So why does Trump do something that is rather bad for the Republicans?
This debate reminded me of a high school presidential debate. I remember the year when the popular, punk loudmouth guy won the election, for no reasons other than what I just stated about him. It was interesting to say the least!
I came out of that debate liking Ben Carson – he’s softspoken, intelligent .. and had a few good jokes in there. I was surprised to see that Huckabee was also pretty funny… He had me laughing out loud a couple of times. He seemed to have the most personality, aside from Trump.
I’m Canadian, though so I don’t get a vote .. (Our debate was on last night as well, and it was intelligent, but not nearly as entertaining)
I’ll note that your comment reminds me of why debates can do more harm than good, because you’re commenting on their personalities, not their actual policies and policy proposals. In theory a debate at this level should actually deal with policies. But when you have 10 candidates in one debate and seven in the other, it’s not remotely the ideal situation for an actual exchange of ideas.
While it is true, I did only comment on their personalities – on a gossip blog – I also think Ben Carson’s ideas and points were the most promising. I also wasn’t as invested in their policies, being Canadian.
I agree, it felt like there were too many candidates (which gave Trump even more of a chance to stand out) .. our leader debate in Canada was only 4 people. It was almost too serious at times though, and I found myself wishing they’d let some of their personalities show – even though it’s supposed to be the policies that matter.
The personality comment wasn’t specifacally point at you, it’s a general problem: “Oh, I like so and so, he/she was very nice and funny in this debate”, without any knowledge of actual policies and politics, voting history, business history, etc.
Carson scares me, because of his ideas and policy proposals. He may have been a good pediatric neurosurgeon but he’s spectacularly unqualified to be President.
I watched the Canadian debate and thought their personalities showed through fine. I can find entertainment elsewhere & try to separate personality from policy and leadership style.
That said, the way Harper looked at Mulcair sometimes? Like a guy who had a knife tucked in his sock and wished he could use it.
See? Plenty of personality!
I noticed a lot of them didn’t actually say what they would do to fix the issue despite that being the question. Instead they would rail about the problem and how the other side or their opponents have made the problem worse, but so few had any real answers about what they would do to improve the problems. It seems like it’s all about throwing mud at everyone else without giving much in the way of real world solutions.
I can’t wait for our election here in Canada. I will definitely be voting …hoping to vote out the guy in charge right now. Not that the alternatives are a whole lot better. That’s part of the problem…too many of these politicians are all cut from the same cloth and their words and promises don’t stand up or mean much.
Fox did a great job…much harder on their party than the media ever was on obama!
mark: Fox promotes the GOP’s propaganda, what tough questions are you talking about.
Huckabee is a people’s person, he is instantly likeable, until you learn what he actually thinks .
Exactly! He was the likable one.
Trump is a blustering baboon, he had no answers, just empty rhetoric and the way he answered that woman’s question should have been enough to make anyone who was considering voting for him to change their mind. He takes pride in his prejudice and used the excuse that he is not politically correct to avoid answering to his misogyny,
I fully believe he is a plant by the GOP to appear as radical as possible in order to make the rest of them seem less crazy and unsuitable.
I weep for America because it’s so disheartening and astonishing so many think he is anywhere close to being fit to be any sort of politician, let alone President of the United States.
Trump is the epitome of the “Ugly American” archetype that makes a a lot of the world dislike Americans. He is rude, ignorant and has a loud mouth that he uses to insult everyone and everything he disagrees with and he doesn’t care if he knows the facts or not. He’s like the playground bully sneering at the other kids who have less money, hurling insults at them because he thinks that makes him look better…but imo, it just makes him look like a buffoon and an idiot. He has no class. No diplomacy. He doesn’t seem to really be all that intelligent. He’s a blowhard and a narcissist and I can’t stand him. I shudder to think of him as President of the US. He doesn’t understand that you can’t just go around blowing other countries up if you don’t like them. He thinks like like some tough Commando-type in a Hollywood movie or something. Well this is real life and you are responsible for the welfare of millions of people. You don’t just go around insulting other presidents or trampling all over their cultural identities, making blanket statements about Mexicans or the Chinese or Russia. Another world war with nuclear weapons could destroy everyone. Maybe the rich think they are rich enough to escape it all and maybe they are, but it would be a nightmare for everyone else on the planet!
He is! Shame on him. There are great Americans here and he ruins for them all.
I thought Ben Carson won…he had some great moments!
me too! I figured he’d be the most talked about – after Trump.
Canadian observer here: why do people hate Rand Paul so much? He seems like a decent conservative candidate who isn’t obsessed with 9-11pandering or blowing the ghost of Reagan. Also, the Ohio governor seemed quite capable. This was really interesting to watch after the Canadian debate, which was also on yesterday.
Ps- trump was a mysoganistic tool. I actually could feel Megyn Kelly’s rage all the way here in Alberta.
I like Rand Paul.
I agree with Rand Paul about the need to dismantle the surveillance state. After that, there’s very little that I’d agree with him about.
As for Gov. Kasich, he’s my governor. He was in the House of Representatives for years, though he was never my rep, he was still close enough to my district that I paid attention to him. He, for the most part, has been has being more of an old-style moderate conservative.
When he won election as gov. in 2010, he started enacting, and trying to enact, policies that weren’t that moderate, he appeared to be heading toward the same policy path as Govs. Walker and Scott. He got enough push back that he started to moderate. Since his election he’s maintained a more moderate, for a current day Republican, stance on policies.
Is he really this moderate? I don’t know, I never voted for him, and won’t vote for him, and don’t trust him. Is he the most moderate of the current crop of Republican candidates? Probably.
I don’t think he’ll win. But he’ll be an appealing VP option for whomever (whoever?) gets the nom.
Hi O,
Also from Alberta. How did you think CDN debate went? Also, I couldn’t watch the US debate as it wasn’t showing on Fox channel. How did you see it?
I thought Elizabeth May was awesome. She kept everyone on their toes. It actually
Made me consider voting green. Trudeau was dissapointing. mulcair didn’t really shine and Harper was just lying his face off. It was a good debate! What did you think?
I watched the gop debate on YouTube this morning. I tried streaming On the fox website (and felt a little dirty) but I couldn’t get it.
Truly, Elizabeth May was a dream leader. Smart, capable, on point yet still pleasant about it. But strategic voting is the way to go for ABC — Green only if that’s the likely winner in your riding.
It was on Fox here in Ontario (the American debate)
Most people are on board with Rand Paul’s perspective on the overreaching power of the federal government, particularly when it comes to the violation of civil liberties and shrinking privacy rights of citizens. It’s the comments he’s made in the past that have a sexist or racist bent that have really soured his relationship with a lot of moderates.
Rand is racist and sexist, fits right in with the GOP.
It is just bizzare that in the most powerful country on Earth we have only clowns wanting to be the leader of the country. There are no decent smart capable people on the top, and haven’t been for a while. I really feel like Alice on Wonderland.
I don’t argue with “we need brain” part but I am not seeing any brains there, only loud mouths.
My conclusion is that every single one of them is a marionette, except maybe Rand Paul. But if he is elected he’d probably quickly turn into Obama #2 – an empty space. The system will consume him.
It really feels like the level of intelligence has gone way down in recent decades. These candidates are so extreme and dare I say, delusional, in many ways. Any one of them becoming president would scare me. Even the ones that sounded normal and sensible in the debate have said so many bizarre things that have been reported in the weeks leading up to the debate. None of them seem to be living in reality.
I just couldn’t believe how STUPID they sounded. Do they think they are fooling
People? We know when you aren’t answering the questions! And the Jesus pandering…I’m catholic and I was disgusted.
He called Megyn Kelly a bimbo on twitter.
The leading GOP nominee for President didn’t like a question he was asked and resorted to calling her a bimbo.
How presidential.
He’s such a bully! And a chauvinistic jackhole! If elected, he’d reverse so much progress made in the USA.
yes, he’s a misogynistic tool. I am shocked any woman would consider electing someone who has this much contempt for women.
And basically threatened her at the debate when she brought up his rudeness and sexism saying: “I’ve been very nice to you, although I could maybe not be based on the way you’ve treated me.”
Well, it’s her job as a reporter to ask questions like that and call him on his words and behaviour. To be rude and say what he did? That’s beyond immature and outrageous for a Presidential candidate. Apparently after the debates, on Twitter, he ran down all the Media, calling them stupid, and blaming them for making him look bad. He cannot every accept responsibility himself for doing or saying anything wrong. He’s disgusting
If he became president I think I’d personally boycott America, part of me would wither and die. He’s such a pig! He reminds me of the biggest bully in school.
As an Independent I thought the Donald made some good points but again I don’t think the general public will vote for him. But he needs to find a way to say want he is trying to say without making people cringe. I would respect him if he came out and said that the only reason we have an open border system with Mexico is to get the drugs in and cheap labor for both large and small businesses. I’d give him huge points on that…but saying he would build a wall that he knows darn well the illegals would just tunnel under does not win points. I think it is going to be a long, long campaign season. At least he didn’t try and protect Josh Duggar the way Huckabee did. That man should hang his head in shame.
How come no one asked the Donald if he raped his wife, or his stance on wife rape? Glad i tuned into reruns of the Daily Show.
He is a complete fool. What do I believe? He’s throwing the GOP so the Dems look like the best quality.
We are headed for disaster if we don’t get somebody that has a brain for finances and the ability to run this country. There is so much wrong. I think people like Trump because he’s not a seasoned politician and he is a very successful businessman. He must be doing something right. If it comes down to Donald or Hillary my vote goes to Donald.
But…but…Donald is not very successful. He inherited his money and has gone bankrupt several times over. Trump Entertainment Resorts filed for bankruptcy for the fourth time in 2015. Here’s more about his failures: http://time.com/3988970/donald-trump-business/
Please don’t assume anything just because his buildings are glitzy. With the Internet, it’s easier than ever to do your homework on the candidates.
By the way, US finances are in pretty good shape. The recovery is well underway, though Republicans continue to block legislation that would roll back Wall Street exploitation and unfair taxation that bolsters the 1% (and undercuts the 99%). Obama averted another Great Depression, too. Trumponomics would start another one. Every country has debt. Deficits are the real issue.
I read every single comment. I think it’s impossible for people to have differing views on politics and not get snarky and calling names. It just isn’t possible. I’m gonna be so glad when the elections are over!!
I am researching and planning on voting third party. Yes I am throwing away my vote. But I think it enough people do it, it’ll make it clear we’re sick of the way politics are handled here. And I think that’s why Trump is polling so high. System is broke!
Obama did not deliver his many promises..we are more divided and unemployed than ever. Ben Carson for prez!
Obama underestimated the sheer animal hatred the right-wingnuts and their Tea Party lapdogs have for him – he assumed that at the end of the day, Congress would do the decent thing by their own constituents – plenty of whom desperately NEED and USE the social programs their representatives keep pillaging and bemoaning. I don’t like everything about Obama, but if he were a hybrid of Eleanor Roosevelt, Albert Einstein, George Washington, and %$#%#% BRUCE WAYNE, he’d still face a stacked deck, because the people against him hate him more than they like anything else – including their own country.
Here’s what “divisive” means whenever you hear Faux News & Friends using it: we did some shameful crap, he talked about it, so he’s “dividing us.”
Obama passed a nationalized health insurance law as promised and pulled troops out of Iraq as promised. Unemployment has gone down. Divisions are due to an oppositional Congress and blatant nationwide racism — which he overcame to do what he said he would do.
We can agree to disagree. Unemployment is still high and there are still troops in iraq..in fact the middle east is increasingly violent. Obama has spent trillions of dollars on a stimulus that has not yielded the results. He has spent more than any president. Its nice to get health care and free birth co trol…but america no longer has the funds to pay for the population..we are broke..just like hillary when she left the white house…lol
That was W. Bush.
Just speechless. Please advise where I can get this new free birth control and free health care, which, by the way, was never the goal of the ACA. You should read it some time.
Ol kay…you cannot say “that was w bush” come on…you have to ackowledge that obama had many shortcomings…even chris matthews no longer feels the tingle on his leg. He was all show..and very little substance..a manchurian candidate if you will. Nice man…not a good prez. Move on.
Lilac..i never mentioned the ACA..the point of my comment was that of course…everyone wants more from the government..such as free college..but obama promised things we cannot afford. Here i am getting out of debt on a tight budget when he is just charging it up! The gop is not evil bad guys taking from poor..they just acknoledge we can no longer afford things and have to make cuts somewhere.
For the record, Trump isn’t “politically incorrect” – he’s a crude, sexist, misogynist animal who has zero regard for half of his would-be constituency. The women he’s insulted and attacked weren’t arguing that he should call them “womyn” or “gyno-Americans” or change his employee handbooks to gender-neutral pronouns. He told a woman on The Apprentice that “it must be a pretty sight” to see her on her knees – that was on national television. He goes off like a rabid dog because a woman is pumping breastmilk, then goes on a Twitter rant about her like a 12-year-old boy. This isn’t some down-to-business pragmatist with no time for political correctness… this is just a bigoted clown with no impulse control.
For all the women who support Trump, the misogynist moster.
This is what he said on CNN after the debate about Kelly.
http://uproxx.com/webculture/2015/08/donald-trump-megyn-kelly-on-her-period/
“When talking to Don Lemon about the debate, The Donald said that Megyn Kelly had “blood coming out of her…whatever” during the debate. He might have meant eyes (because he’d just been talking about eyes), but it’s possible (nay, likely!) that our future president was letting everyone know that Kelly was on her period”
He accuses her being on her period and can’t even say vagina but calls it whatever.
He said
“You could see there was blood coming out of her eyes,” Trump told CNN’s Don Lemon on Friday night. “Blood coming out of her wherever.”
*** the last part is what was gross.. Implying I suppose that she was on her period.. or “whatever”..and there are actual women that think this sack of shit should be President. and we wonder why we cant’ advance as far as we should.
he is pissed that she dared ask him questions about how he talks and refers to women.. HOW DARE SHE..
Look at him and those who are his fans call criticism political correctness.
Look at women in this comment section defend him simply because they agree with his racism and xenophobia while ignoring how misogynist he is.
@kay…..not sure I’ve actually seen too many people come out and SUPPORT him to be the next President on here. What they have said is he in essence is shaking the republican party up, and he’s opening up dialogue on some matters and that’s a good thing. Not the same thing as supporting him for President. I think he is behaving badly in the process……what he said about Megyn was inexcusable. No one here really thinks otherwise…..but the fact he even is getting any traction whatsoever is something the republican party as a whole has to contemplate WHY and consider the adjustments they need to make. Again, a good thing.
He is extreme and not viable. But the process itself will create some republican self correction is my bet (and hope).
I like ben carson and carly. Thats the ticket! I like how trump speaks his mind…but would not vote for him. By the way kay…you cannot blame all of obamas shortcomings on bush. Remind me of that and for the next 8 yrs when a repub is in office if anything goes wrong i will shoulder shrug and say obama!
Well, OMG, OMFG and associated other interwebz acronyms. I’ve just watched The Last Leg, a UK satirical news show, and they showed a Ted Cruz campaign ad entitled Machine Gun Bacon. What the effing WHAT?
Suddenly, Donald McWig looks marginally less ridiculous to me.
PS: In that ad, Ted Cruz looked like the evil shape-shifting alien infiltrator pretending to be a human in a dystopian sci-fi TV show.
Mind you, just so that you guys don’t feel entirely alone in being subjected to maniacal politicians, I will give you a recent quote from David Cameron, the UK Prime Minister:
“For too long, we have been a passively tolerant society, saying to our citizens ‘as long as you obey the law, we will leave you alone.'”
Yep. He actually said that. And he WON an election.
Omg what a perfect way to describe him. He always looks so shiny and off. Like he learned about humans from books.
Well at least he acknowledges their collective need for it.. That’s something right?
Whatever..its not about trump per se…its about being sick and tired of establishment. I will throw up if hillary or bush makes it in…we need fresh
He looks completely mental when he smiles. It is utterly unnatural.
Devil Possession?
Yawn. It’ll be Bush v Clinton. The rest is filler. And as usual regardless of who wins nothing will change.
How true!
My favorite line of the entire debate came from Dr. Ben Carson who said he’s the only person whose ever removed half a brain, yet if one goes to Washington, one would think someone beat him to it.