The Republican Debate ?

[billt]

I remember his Dem ways....but the best president we have had in the last 50 years was a reformed Democrat.

Bingo.

[Solus]

Yeah...I do understand much of that can change....

But my "conspiracy" radar twinged when I saw his friendly interaction with the Clintons.   

It reminded me that the last two times a outspoken businessman ran for president as an independent was when a Clinton was running for the office also (and that is a diminishing  possibility in this election).

Not coming to any conclusions...just noting some circumstances.  Not that it makes any difference at all what the motives are should Trump run as a 3rd part candidate, the result will be the same. 

[billt]

I understand people questioning Trump's political past. Every candidate has one. But he admits to the fact he did what he did in order to achieve the results in business he needed to achieve. He doesn't hide his ulterior motives, and right away get defensive about them, like so many professional politicians do. It's not like he supported some type of uber left wing ideology. At the risk of sounding like Michael Corleone, it was strictly business.

Trump worked and massaged politicians on both sides of the isle, wherever and whenever needed to get things done. To me, that is a qualification of a good President. Regan did that many times, and went down in history as one of the greatest Presidents in our lifetime, perhaps of all time. Trump realizes like so many other politicians don't, it's going to take difficult decisions to straighten out the financial mess this country is in. That requires someone who not only has the ability to wheel and deal. But also plead their case convincingly before others who may not agree with him. Trump can.

If a hard core conservative like Rand Paul or Cruz gets in, the other side, (hard core left), will simply shut them down cold. Much the way the Republicans have shut down Obama. Nothing will be achieved. Normally that could be a good thing. The problem now is that too many things need fixing. Trump knows how to leverage in order to get results. Will he do what he say's he will? That is to be determined. But right now I think most people, including myself, are willing to give him a shot at it. What do we have to lose at this point?

The rest of the field is going to give us what we've had for the last 3+ decades. Out of control debt, coupled with out of control wasteful spending on people and programs who don't deserve any of it. We are nearing the end of the road financially. Trump can turn it around. Albeit a difficult task, if not damn near impossible. But the way I'm looking at it, it's the last shot we'll have before this nation self destructs. If Trump doesn't make it, I doubt he'll come back again. Especially if he continues to spend his own money at the current rate he is. No one could be expected to shell out hundreds of millions of their own money, for a job that pays $400K a year. Regardless of the gold bricks he could pave his own road with, if he got in.

[tombogan03884]

Micheal Corleone makes a hell of a lot more sense than the people condemning him.
We've had example after example of the fact that the "nice" candidates are worthless losers.
How long will it take before you learn that politics is no place for that kind of people.
Just like with lawyers, you don't want one who's a nice guy, you want one who can win.

[billt]

Micheal Corleone makes a hell of a lot more sense than the people condemning him.
We've had example after example of the fact that the "nice" candidates are worthless losers.

As far as I'm concerned, every single candidate, other than Trump is a guaranteed worthless loser.

[Sponsor]

[tombogan03884]

If Trump goes 3rd party he should wake up with his campaign managers head on his bed since it will be an intentional effort to throw the otherwise unwinnable election to the Democrats enemies of civilization.

[billt]

If Trump goes 3rd party he should wake up with his campaign managers head on his bed since it will be an intentional effort to throw the otherwise unwinnable election to the Democrats enemies of civilization.

True. But if we're smart enough to know that, so does he. Which is why I'm betting he doesn't. He's just using that to rattle cages at this point. The guy's got a double digit lead that just keeps getting larger. He's got zero to worry about at this point.

[tombogan03884]

Biggest thing that worries me about Trump is that the only track record he has is for self promotion.
Never forget that his original claim to fame was being the first one to make the banks admit he was "to big to fail".
After so many disappointments I'm worried that Trump is all talk and no substance.
There is no track record as with Cruz, Walker, or even Bernie Sanders or Hillary.
All we are going by is what he says just like the current crop of gutless bastards in DC.

[Rastus]

<snip>
If a hard core conservative like Rand Paul or Cruz gets in, the other side, (hard core left), will simply shut them down cold. Much the way the Republicans have shut down Obama. Nothing will be achieved. Normally that could be a good thing.
<snip>

Shut down?  Really.  My health insurance and my pocketbook sure doesn't feel like the Republican's shut down anything.  Like those invaders from the south...maybe you were thinking about stopping the rabble at the border? 

OK...not trying to be ugly here.  It's just you usually catch yourself before typing something like that....

[billt]

Shut down?  Really.  My health insurance and my pocketbook sure doesn't feel like the Republican's shut down anything.  Like those invaders from the south...maybe you were thinking about stopping the rabble at the border?

My point is regardless if you elect a Republican or a Democrat, unless they have the ability to work with the other side, nothing will get accomplished. Obama won't work with anyone, and neither will the Republican establishment. We've seen that proven. So based on that, why would you think ANY candidate from either of the establishment parties would achieve any different results?

And as far as health care. Do you really think if Obama Care wasn't passed, it would be any cheaper or more available?