quote:

I did publish it . . . here on the SIGforum.

Indeed !

quote:

We have had some interesting and talented candidates running for the nomination and I hope we can keep them and all their supporters engaged.

Let us hope that the momentum can be kept and right on into the WH

CNN/ORC poll that came out today

Prediction for next week

Ohio: Trump 41% // Kasich 35% // Cruz 15%

Florida: Trump 40% // Rubio 24% // Cruz 19%

http://www.cnn.com/2016/03/09/...rida-ohio/index.html

quote:

Originally posted by Balzé Halzé:

quote:

If you want to see a true reflection of a man, look at his children. Need I say more?

This is the one thing that always reassures me about Trump whenever I get a doubt about him in my head.

This means nothing. I have known and been associated with some people who are all integrity, honest, hard working the perfect example of what a citizen and parent should be and their kids turned out to be complete jack ass losers.

Plenty examples both ways. I don't judge kids by their parents or parents by their kids.

quote:

Originally posted by ersatzknarf:

Let us hope that the momentum can be kept and right on into the WH

I like Cruz and think he is terrific. But, based on Cruz' performance in office, he seems best at "obstruction." Virtually none of his fellow senators endorse him and he hasn't reformed the system one bit while showing little ability to create a coalition.

However, Trump has shown an ability to "reform" the system. The establishment is not hiding from Cruz but Trump is forcing the status quo to yield. Both Cruz' and Trump's talents are needed but it is hard to see how Cruz could lead reform through Congress.

Trump is a man who thinks in terms of "practical" leverage whereas Cruz seems to rely on "doctrinal" leverage. Practical leverage works on everybody.

At this point, the Democrats in Congress won't yield to a superior doctrine as the president may try to teach it. It will take practical leverage as a primary mode.

The Republican party is a broad resource to reinforce superior doctrine as things get done.

quote:

Originally posted by lastmanstanding:

quote:

Originally posted by Balzé Halzé:

quote:

If you want to see a true reflection of a man, look at his children. Need I say more?

This is the one thing that always reassures me about Trump whenever I get a doubt about him in my head.

This means nothing. I have known and been associated with some people who are all integrity, honest, hard working the perfect example of what a citizen and parent should be and their kids turned out to be complete jack ass losers.

Plenty examples both ways. I don't judge kids by their parents or parents by their kids.

Probably more the exception than the rule.

quote:

Originally posted by Tubetone:
However, Trump has shown an ability to "reform" the system.

Trump has never held office, how has he demonstrated the ability to reform anything?

quote:

Originally posted by Tubetone:

I like Cruz and think he is terrific. But, based on Cruz' performance in office, he seems best at "obstruction." Virtually none of his fellow senators endorse him and he hasn't reformed the system one bit while showing little ability to create a coalition.

However, Trump has shown an ability to "reform" the system. The establishment is not hiding from Cruz but Trump is forcing the status quo to yield. Both Cruz' and Trump's talents are needed but it is hard to see how Cruz could lead reform through Congress.

Trump is a man who thinks in terms of "practical" leverage whereas Cruz seems to rely on "doctrinal" leverage. Practical leverage works on everybody.

At this point, the Democrats in Congress won't yield to a superior doctrine as the president may try to teach it. It will take practical leverage as a primary mode.

The Republican party is a broad resource to reinforce superior doctrine as things get done.

This analysis is brilliant and yields much hope. Thank you

quote:

Originally posted by Tubetone:
Practical leverage works on everybody.

Ah, yes. The Pimp Hand.

quote:

Originally posted by Tubetone:

quote:

Originally posted by ersatzknarf:

Let us hope that the momentum can be kept and right on into the WH

I like Cruz and think he is terrific. But, based on Cruz' performance in office, he seems best at "obstruction." Virtually none of his fellow senators endorse him and he hasn't reformed the system one bit while showing little ability to create a coalition.

However, Trump has shown an ability to "reform" the system. The establishment is not hiding from Cruz but Trump is forcing the status quo to yield. Both Cruz' and Trump's talents are needed but it is hard to see how Cruz could lead reform through Congress.

Trump is a man who thinks in terms of "practical" leverage whereas Cruz seems to rely on "doctrinal" leverage. Practical leverage works on everybody.

At this point, the Democrats in Congress won't yield to a superior doctrine as the president may try to teach it. It will take practical leverage as a primary mode.

The Republican party is a broad resource to reinforce superior doctrine as things get done.

The GDCs have been "getting things done" for decades. How's that worked?

The leverage you speak of is having support, i.e., the votes to "do things your way."

The President can gather support in many ways, horse trading support, fear, pay offs for supporting other measures. It's wonderful when you have the votes because those voting believe in the same things you do, but you can't count on it. Even when they do, Congressmen can demand things they need for supporting things you need/want. Sometimes you must "lead."

quote:

Originally posted by parabellum:

quote:

Originally posted by Tubetone:
Practical leverage works on everybody.

Ah, yes. The Pimp Hand.

Ha . . . and don't think he won't use it too.

I would like to respond to others but am a bit tied up until later.

FWIW

http://www.ijreview.com/2016/0..._content=celebrities

Jon Voight Drops a Presidential Endorsement That’ll Have Hollywood’s Heads Spinning
BY CONOR SWANBERG (2 HOURS AGO) | ENTERTAINMENT, POLITICS
SHARETWEETEMAIL
attends the premiere of "Getaway" presented by Warner Bros. Pictures at Regency Village Theatre on August 26, 2013 in Westwood, California.
Getty - Jason Merritt

Hollywood actor Jon Voight, father of actress Angelina Jolie, has come out and put his support behind a Republican candidate for President.

Voight told Breitbart News that he is endorsing Donald Trump in 2016:

“He’s an answer to our problems. We need to get behind him. The Republicans need to unite behind this man. We need somebody to go in and reconstruct us in a sort of way, get us back to where we were, who we need to be.”
Image Credit: Kevin Winter/Getty Images
Image Credit: Kevin Winter/Getty Images
He continued his support in a statement:

It is true that we Americans have been part of Donald Trump’s life for many years. We were part of his weddings. We were there to see all his children’s births. We were part of his great shows: Miss Universe, The Apprentice — and all know, without a doubt, his life has been an open book.

I, Jon Voight, can say, without hesitation, that Donald is funny, playful, and colorful, but most of all, he is honest. When he decided to run for president, I know he did it with a true conviction to bring this country back to prosperity. He is the only one who can do it. No frills, no fuss, only candid truths.

There are many Republicans fighting to keep him from winning the Republican nomination. You know why? Because he has no bull to sell, and everyone will discover the bull most politicians spew out is for their own causes and benefits. They never dreamed they would be losing control.

I am very disappointed at the talk show hosts, also spewing out lies and propaganda against Donald. Why, I wonder? The only thing I can think of is he represents a form of freedom none of them ever saw before, and they are bewildered about it, and frightened about it.

I pray all Americans who have seen and felt the meltdown of America with the Obama years, to please fight for Donald Trump. He will not let us down. I pray for all good people to see clearly what faces us now. The right vote will save our nation.
Voight also took a shot at Mitt Romney, who has been a very vocal enemy of Trump over the past few weeks:

“We felt so great about his family, we put [Romney’s] picture on our refrigerators and so on, and now he turns around and does this, which is so way out of line.”

quote:

Trump has never held office, how has he demonstrated the ability to reform anything?

I'm assuming you haven't been paying attention to what has been going on, as far as the Republican Party and the primary process is concerned, the last few months?

Perhaps you haven't noticed that Jeb is absent?

quote:

Originally posted by DrDan:

quote:

Originally posted by Tubetone:
However, Trump has shown an ability to "reform" the system.

Trump has never held office, how has he demonstrated the ability to reform anything?

When have any of our elected officials ever reformed anything? Seems like holding office could be a bad thing...

quote:

Originally posted by Czechvar:
When have any of our elected officials ever reformed anything?

You keep asking this. Are you serious? Just off the top of my head:

- Ronald Reagan and Congress reformed the tax code.

- Bill Clinton and a Republican Congress reformed the welfare system in a major way.

- Bill Clinton and Congress reformed the way the banking industry works.

- Chris Dodd and Barney Frank re-reformed the banking industry.

- Barack Obama and a Democratic Congress reformed health care in a major way.

- Ronald Reagan reformed the immigration system by granting amnesty to illegal aliens.

- Clinton and Dem Congress reformed firearms laws with a ban on rifles after George HW Bush had done a similar reform regarding importation.

- Congress reformed the patents system in 2012.

I don't understand what you're getting at.

ShowPro, calm down. We all know you don't like Trump.

That is the first time I have asked that question. Take some deep breaths...

Some of those 'reforms' you listed really sucked.

quote:

Originally posted by JALLEN:
The leverage you speak of is having support, i.e., the votes to "do things your way."

That's what is interesting about Trump. How do we get those votes? An analogy I see is Trump as a poker player. Cruz will play his cards but Trump will also play the players. Trump assesses the person and acts accordingly. Trump digs in and moves his opponents.

Trump is not bound to having a shared doctrine with someone he seeks to move. He aims at trying to get movement in an opponent by conventional and unconventional means. In poker terms, Trump is willing to get an opponent on "tilt" so the opponent gets out of his/her game. Trump unsettles his opponents. Then, Trump tries to get his way. "Low energy Jeb" just didn't know how to deal with it. Trump rolls between telling someone terrible things and then says quickly that he really likes the object of his scorn.

Trump's a negotiator. Jallen, I'm sure you have had times where you knew you didn't have the cards but you played an opponent in court or arbitration to get the best for your client. Working an opponent to a desirable result is leadership too.

The Republicans for years have not been very sophisticated in their approach - in my view. Obama has sat there like a lump. And, it is not just getting the voters fired up that can get something done in Congress. It is making an opponent feel a sense of pressure. Unpredictability is often a key to a strong negotiation.

Using another analogy, we train our horses using a Clinton Anderson method. He teaches that a big ole' horse will never do what you want until you get his feet moving. Once in motion, more things are possible. So, Trumps' method makes some sense to me.

I'd like to see Trump start to work over some of the self-important lawn darts in Washington to see what he could get done. Congress has the lowest approval rating of all branches by far. So, even though there are money interests, I believe Trump will get some feet moving.

Cruz? I do not think he has the concept although he's a wonderful person and stalwart of Conservative doctrine.

I am not sure that anyone could teach Cruz about conservatism. But, Trump has shown a teachability that Cruz and others could provide.

Trump is a businessman and good business people will generally "staff to their weakness." Trump has already said that he wants someone very knowledgeable about the inside the beltway game to help him with his agenda. I have an idea of who he may have in mind but time will tell. But, I do not think Cruz is the one. However, that is not to say that Cruz could not impart a very strong imprimatur on America's stage - a mark that is sorely needed as the old one has its distinctions worn down.

We need both a head knocker and a clarion philosopher at this point. Both scare the GOP establishment but those are our front runners.

(Jallen, I did not write this as a lecture to you. I would not presume. I just used your statement as a starting point for these ideas.)

quote:

Originally posted by showpro:

quote:

Originally posted by Czechvar:
When have any of our elected officials ever reformed anything?

You keep asking this. Are you serious? Just off the top of my head:

- Ronald Reagan and Congress reformed the tax code.

- Bill Clinton and a Republican Congress reformed the welfare system in a major way.

- Bill Clinton and Congress reformed the way the banking industry works.

- Chris Dodd and Barney Frank re-reformed the banking industry.

- Barack Obama and a Democratic Congress reformed health care in a major way.

- Ronald Reagan reformed the immigration system by granting amnesty to illegal aliens.

- Clinton and Dem Congress reformed firearms laws with a ban on rifles after George HW Bush had done a similar reform regarding importation.

- Congress reformed the patents system in 2012.

I don't understand what you're getting at.

Just remember, REFORM is not always a good thing when in the hands of government.

I need to start hearing about Trump's plans. We have all heard how great he is ad nauseam. Time for something a bit more concrete

RMD

That's some twisted stretching of "reformed".

Up is down, down is up, even Megyn Kelly is starting to board the Trump train.

quote:

Originally posted by Czechvar:
ShowPro, calm down. We all know you don't like Trump.

That is the first time I have asked that question. Take some deep breaths...

Some of those 'reforms' you listed really sucked.

Hmmm, could've sworn I've heard that asked multiple times. Maybe not you, sorry. But I'm plenty calm.

Yep, those reforms sucked, many of them. But elections have consequences. Sometimes, large ones.