Countdown to Extinction: The 2016 Presidential Election

[Mirror Image]

But I forget, Democrats rely on a double standard and selective memory.

And Republicans rely on their own self-righteousness, holier-than-thou opinions and talking points to make themselves appear to be the epitome of political rightness. I've been really enjoying watching their party self-destruct these last couple of elections. If anything, it makes for good popcorn-munching.

[PerfectWagnerite]

Since Trump is so filled with conspiracy theories, do you mind if I spout off one of my own and please indulge me for a second: it is quite possible Trump was a Democratic plant and he knew he was going to throw in the towel last night as part of a plan to tear the Republican Party down from top to bottom. Fair-fetched? I'm quite sure, but I've just never seen someone do so badly unless we look back at John McCain's massive failure of a campaign, which his biggest misstep was bringing that batshit crazy Alaskan governor, Sarah "I Kill Many Moose And Smile About It" Palin.

Not too far off really. I think he is actually good friends with Bill and Hillary. The entire thing might be an act.

Anyway pretty sickening what he said about aborting babies 4 days from birth. Again prone to sensations and not reality: go around the country and see whether you see women lining up at clinics to abort their children 4 days before they are due. Gimme a break.

And if he doesn't know Putin (he is likely telling the truth there) how does he know what Putin thinks of Hillary?

[Karl Henning]

There were much better ways to answer the Hildebeest, so many missed opportunities!

He missed a TON of opportunities - he brought up emails once, but otherwise his attacks were lame and weak. Bringing up the Clinton Foundation was really foolishly walking into a trap, given that his own foundation is fraudulent. He had to know the 6-foot portrait retort was coming. Had to.

Indeed.  His lack of mental focus, discipline, and preparation told in all three debates.  Thank God, he was himself.

[Mister Sharpe]

Since Trump is so filled with conspiracy theories, do you mind if I spout off one of my own and please indulge me for a second: it is quite possible Trump was a Democratic plant and he knew he was going to throw in the towel last night as part of a plan to tear the Republican Party down from top to bottom. Fair-fetched? I'm quite sure, but I've just never seen someone do so badly unless we look back at John McCain's massive failure of a campaign, which his biggest misstep was bringing that batshit crazy Alaskan governor, Sarah "I Kill Many Moose And Smile About It" Palin.

I wondered the same thing about a year ago...but I think there is very little for Trump in that scenario. He would never be a fall-guy - he sees himself a winner in the Game of Life. He is obsessed with his brand and would not willingly do anything to detract from its "allure". His rise does reveal the intellectual poverty - and desperation - of the GOP.

[Karl Henning]

But I forget, Democrats rely on a double standard and selective memory.

I like your sense of irony!

[(poco) Sforzando]

And if he doesn't know Putin (he is likely telling the truth there) how does he know what Putin thinks of Hillary?

Probably read it in the New York Times.

[Karl Henning]

People say that, I don't know, it's on the internet somewhere.

[(poco) Sforzando]

Her Roe v. Wade answer (seeing governments in China and Romania regulate women)

Good to know she got in something for our dear Florestan.

[Florestan]

Her Roe v. Wade answer (seeing governments in China and Romania regulate women)

Huh?

[Mirror Image]

Not too far off really. I think he is actually good friends with Bill and Hillary. The entire thing might be an act.

Anyway pretty sickening what he said about aborting babies 4 days from birth. Again prone to sensations and not reality: go around the country and see whether you see women lining up at clinics to abort their children 4 days before they are due. Gimme a break.

And if he doesn't know Putin (he is likely telling the truth there) how does he know what Putin thinks of Hillary?

Yes, he's such a wart on many people's side. I just hope Americans choose to have laser surgery to have this wart removed.

[North Star]

Huh?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Decree_770

[Florestan]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Decree_770

Ah, that one! I thought she referred to contemporary Romania, hence my reaction. 

[Mirror Image]

I wondered the same thing about a year ago...but I think there is very little for Trump in that scenario. He would never be a fall-guy - he sees himself a winner in the Game of Life. He is obsessed with his brand and would not willingly do anything to detract from its "allure". His rise does reveal the intellectual poverty - and desperation - of the GOP.

You very well could be on the mark here and I agree that Trump is someone whose ego would never let him take a hit for anything. I think the fact that the GOP is distancing themselves from him speaks volumes. Anyone know if Paul Ryan has said anything since last night's debate? How about Mitch McConnell?

[Karl Henning]

For entertainment purposes only:

Trump won the third debate

[Karl Henning]

What 20,000 pages of hacked WikiLeaks emails teach us about Hillary Clinton

[Mirror Image]

For entertainment purposes only:

Trump won the third debate

Oh jeez....someone wrote 'delusional' in response to that article and I'm right behind them. I read the first two paragraphs and then rolled my eyes.

[Karl Henning]

The dominant narrative of this election goes something like this. Hillary Clinton is a weak candidate who is winning because she is facing a yet weaker candidate. Her unfavorables are high, her vulnerabilities are obvious, and if she were running against a Marco Rubio or a Paul Ryan, she would be getting crushed. Lucky for her, she's running against a hot orange mess with higher unfavorables, clearer vulnerabilities, and a tape where he brags about grabbing women "by the pussy."

There's truth to this narrative, but it also reflects our tendency to underestimate Clinton's political effectiveness. Trump's meltdown wasn't an accident. The Clinton campaign coolly analyzed his weaknesses and then sprung trap after trap to take advantage of them.

So, there it is.  The GOP sowed the seeds of its own destruction by the elites' cynical misuse of its base.  Rubio or Ryan would have run a much stronger campaign against Clinton, but the disaffected masses roundly rejected the "respectable" candidates in favor of El Tupé;  and El Tupé had a ceiling which he was never going to crack, without becoming some other person.  Or anything human.  Yes, merely human would have been good.

[Karl Henning]

Oh jeez....someone wrote 'delusional' in response to that article and I'm right behind them. I read the first two paragraphs and then rolled my eyes.

At first I thought it was a satire.

But, no . . . .


In fairness, maybe he wrote it before the debate, and then just didn't bother watching.

[(poco) Sforzando]

At first I thought it was a satire.

But, no . . . .


In fairness, maybe he wrote it before the debate, and then just didn't bother watching.

QFT: "He didn't implode, he didn't blither, he didn't continually interrupt Hillary Clinton and he didn't even sniff much."

I don't know about the blither part, but he didn't sniff much. That should mean a win.

[Brian]

Lest sanantonio claim again that Trump is pulling an Al Gore, here's Al Gore's concession speech:

http://mobile.nytimes.com/2000/12/14/us/43rd-president-his-remarks-gore-says-he-will-help-bush-bring-american-together.html

"Let there be no doubt, while I strongly disagree with the court's decision, I accept it. I accept the finality of this outcome, which will be ratified next Monday in the Electoral College. And tonight, for the sake of our unity as a people and the strength of our democracy, I offer my concession."