Got to watch the Trump speech live on my flight home from Atlanta. It was great. When the exit music started playing, I think i about lost it. I had the stewardess bring me another Woodford Reserve at that point. Seemed appropriate.

It's high time Americans dictate the narrative. Americans determine our destiny. It's high time America stood up for its own interests. Time our country puts ourselves first. Are you American? White. Black. Latino. Asian. Whatever. Then Trumps basic message should resonate with you.

Anyone who says the Presidency isn't about theatre since JFK is a liar. You need to be more than just someone who looks good on paper. Trump is acing the job interview.

This Larceny ain't so bad. Pouring another.

Really, it just gets better and better....

I need to see his official birth certificate.

I think he was born in Texas.

I don't know if this has been mentioned in all these pages, seems to me a common pattern for the MSM is to provide all kinds of attention and coverage for a potential Repub candidate, a goodly bit of it somewhat favorable, or at least "gentle", the candidate does well in the polls.

Then if/when said candidate gets the nomination, the same media goes into full attack mode to expose and amplify every crack in the sidewalk, the candidate looses. They pulled this with both Romney and McCain.

quote:

Originally posted by Scoutmaster:
I don't know if this has been mentioned in all these pages, seems to me a common pattern for the MSM is to provide all kinds of attention and coverage for a potential Repub candidate, a goodly bit of it somewhat favorable, or at least "gentle", the candidate does well in the polls.

Then if/when said candidate gets the nomination, the same media goes into full attack mode to expose and amplify every crack in the sidewalk, the candidate looses. They pulled this with both Romney and McCain.

That is absolutely the template. The media will not go into full blown attack mode until after the nomination. Once that nomination is sewn up, you will see 'investigative report' after 'investigative report' and every bit of dirty laundry, whether verified or true, will be aired on the R nominee. Every accusation, like Dirty Harry's ridiculous assertion that Romney didn't pay any income taxes for 10 years, will be aired like they are the truth. That income tax thing was the top story for weeks while Romney was trying to campaign - every press opportunity, all the questions were about his taxes even though he had released all the information already.

Trump is going to be really dismayed when he figures out that all the grand and glorious stuff he plans can't be done without the herd of cats at the other end of Pennsylvania Avenue, who have their own ideas about some of these things, their own needs, their own bases to mollify.

In every spate of hard times we have had to endure, there has always been a great orator, communicator, who had an ability to get people stirred up to a greater degree than most others.

In the '30's, it was Huey Long and Father Coughlan. They effectively railed against all the circumstances that people feared and hated, and promised solutions for all the things folks yearned for and reacted to, "a car in every garage and a chicken in every pot." They attracted impressive followings, and drove the political class nuts.

Texans had their own Pied Piper. W. Lee O'Daniel was a flour salesman and singer who formed his own band and hosted a regular noontime radio show heard statewide, which gave him his nickname after a catchphrase used frequently on air – "pass the biscuits, Pappy"—and propelled him into the public spotlight. By the mid-1930s, "Pappy" Lee O'Daniel was a household name in Texas. As a national magazine reporter wrote at the time: "At twelve-thirty sharp each day, a fifteen-minute silence reigned in the state of Texas, broken only by mountain music, and the dulcet voice of W. Lee O'Daniel." The show extolled the values of Hillbilly brand flour, the Ten Commandments and the Bible." Wikipedia.

O'Daniel was elected Governor in 1938 and again in 1940, then ran for Senate in 1941 upon the death of Morris Shepard. He won the special election, becoming the only man to win an election against Lyndon Johnson. Although personally very popular, his time in public office was, ahhhh, errr, uhhh, undistinguished. He had no idea what he was doing or how to do it. His most impressive contribution to our life and culture was a song he wrote and recorded, "Beautiful, beautiful Texas."

quote:

Originally posted by JALLEN:
Trump is going to be really dismayed when he figures out that all the grand and glorious stuff he plans can't be done without the herd of cats at the other end of Pennsylvania Avenue, who have their own ideas about some of these things, their own needs, their own bases to mollify.

Yeah, but he's tremendous. And...China.

quote:

Trump is going to be really dismayed when he figures out that all the grand and glorious stuff he plans can't be done without the herd of cats at the other end of Pennsylvania Avenue, who have their own ideas about some of these things, their own needs, their own bases to mollify.

Trump may have one advantage that nobody else has ever had: He owns most of that herd of cats. Literally. Like he has said, they have all begged him for money, many more than once and on a regular basis, and Trump was happy to buy...err... give it to them.

Trump, unlike the MSM, probably does know where all the bodies are buried since he helped pay for it.

Further Trump has the money and muscle to effectively fight back against the MSM bullshit. And again, unlike most others Trump doesn't seem to care who he pisses off.

I think we, the general public, are about to see something only the very, very rich ever see-the true exercise and meaning of "Fuck You Money".

quote:

Originally posted by JALLEN:
Trump is going to be really dismayed when he figures out that all the grand and glorious stuff he plans can't be done without the herd of cats at the other end of Pennsylvania Avenue, who have their own ideas about some of these things, their own needs, their own bases to mollify.

In every spate of hard times we have had to endure, there has always been a great orator, communicator, who had an ability to get people stirred up to a greater degree than most others.

In the '30's, it was Huey Long and Father Coughlan. They effectively railed against all the circumstances that people feared and hated, and promised solutions for all the things folks yearned for and reacted to, "a car in every garage and a chicken in every pot." They attracted impressive followings, and drove the political class nuts.

Texans had their own Pied Piper. W. Lee O'Daniel was a flour salesman and singer who formed his own band and hosted a regular noontime radio show heard statewide, which gave him his nickname after a catchphrase used frequently on air – "pass the biscuits, Pappy"—and propelled him into the public spotlight. By the mid-1930s, "Pappy" Lee O'Daniel was a household name in Texas. As a national magazine reporter wrote at the time: "At twelve-thirty sharp each day, a fifteen-minute silence reigned in the state of Texas, broken only by mountain music, and the dulcet voice of W. Lee O'Daniel." The show extolled the values of Hillbilly brand flour, the Ten Commandments and the Bible." Wikipedia.

O'Daniel was elected Governor in 1938 and again in 1940, then ran for Senate in 1941 upon the death of Morris Shepard. He won the special election, becoming the only man to win an election against Lyndon Johnson. Although personally very popular, his time in public office was, ahhhh, errr, uhhh, undistinguished. He had no idea what he was doing or how to do it. His most impressive contribution to our life and culture was a song he wrote and recorded, "Beautiful, beautiful Texas."

You're exactly right JALLEN. I'm thoroughly enjoying the Trump Express and thought his speech last night was very entertaining. I'm also am loving his perspective in immigration - finally someone is talking sense! But,as Para says, there's a long way to go between now and the election, and we haven't even gotten into the nitty-gritty stuff yet. We have to be mindful of the process and treat Trump as we would any other prospective candidate. I have a ton of questions yet, in addition to the things you outlined above. I'm curious what he will do with taxes and the tax code, spending (especially entitlements), foreign policy. He will really have to start laying some things out before I'll feel comfortable. At this point the good and bad is that he has no voting record to look at and he's still largely an unknown. I'll be rooting for him though! I'm digging this election process so far and he's why.

quote:

Originally posted by Gustofer:

quote:

Originally posted by JALLEN:
Trump is going to be really dismayed when he figures out that all the grand and glorious stuff he plans can't be done without the herd of cats at the other end of Pennsylvania Avenue, who have their own ideas about some of these things, their own needs, their own bases to mollify.

Yeah, but he's tremendous. And...China.

And I'll be dismayed if we put a RINO in the Whitehouse and we get business as usual. Other than Cruz, Trump, Walker, and maybe Carly, we get a RINO. And we could do worse than Paul.

quote:

Trump is going to be really dismayed when he figures out that all the grand and glorious stuff he plans can't be done without the herd of cats at the other end of Pennsylvania Avenue, who have their own ideas about some of these things, their own needs, their own bases to mollify.

Jeb would be a much better choice.

quote:

Originally posted by Jimineer:

quote:

Originally posted by Gustofer:

quote:

Originally posted by JALLEN:
Trump is going to be really dismayed when he figures out that all the grand and glorious stuff he plans can't be done without the herd of cats at the other end of Pennsylvania Avenue, who have their own ideas about some of these things, their own needs, their own bases to mollify.

Yeah, but he's tremendous. And...China.

And I'll be dismayed if we put a RINO in the Whitehouse and we get business as usual.

As will I and, I suspect, most of us.

I hear a lot about Trump in that he is not a real conservative.
I am tired of litmus tests and the 2 parties.

Let's rally around someone who puts America first even if they do not support every little pet position we hold.
Let us rise to the task at hand that is beyond party labels.

What is good for America will be good for all of us, rich or poor, left or right, black or white, and/or dem or repub.

Right now, I have to say, I am supporting Trump.

quote:

Pied Piper

I am quite impressed by Mr. Trump's tempering of his rhetoric. Subtle, but it's there.

Apparently, gone are the days of the wild and wacky life-of-the-party character and in its place, what we are seeing today, is a seemingly inexorable perfection of the technique employed communicating about the things that need to be said. That in two weeks' time. Now, today.

I'd say, give whomever is coaching him a raise. If in the end, he turns out to be just one more of the pack...well...it's not like it has never happened before. I also had high hopes for Millard Fillmore.

You have to give him this, he wastes no money on pollsters and speechwriters apparently.

quote:

I also had high hopes for Millard Fillmore.

Maybe Trump could revitalize the Whig Party if the republican nomination doesn't go his way?

None of us are teenagers on our first date. We've all been burned before. So thanks for the warning daddy.

quote:

Originally posted by JALLEN:
Trump is going to be really dismayed

Trump doesn't get "dismayed." He has never been dismayed in his life. Pumped up, riled, pissed off-- yes.

That's why I'm supporting Jeb. Jeb gets dismayed. Or, as he puts it, consternado. Muy consternado, hombre.

A fair assessment to this point. Trump is forcing some of the hard questions in his own blunt way, but it's shaking people out one way or the other, which is what is needed.


2016's top candidates struggle to change the subject
WASHINGTON (AP) — It wasn't supposed to be this way.

Nearly six months out from the first votes of a presidential campaign, candidates should be fleshing out who they are and what they stand for.

Instead, some of the best-known 2016 candidates are toting heavy baggage that's proving to be a big distraction from the conversations they'd rather be having with the American people.

Like it or not, Hillary Rodham Clinton's still forced to talk about her email. And Jeb Bush is still trying to distinguish himself from his famous brother and father.

Donald Trump, meanwhile, is stoking flames over immigration policy that are fueling his campaign for now but also risk consuming it. And other Republican candidates are finding their own messages knocked off-kilter as they're forced to respond to Trump's ideas.

The current distractions for Clinton and Bush are inevitable to some extent but also partly their own making.

For two such well-known candidates, the getting-to-know-you phase of the campaign requires a healthy dose of new ideas, says GOP pollster David Winston.

Absent something new, "the story line tends to drift to the negative," says Winston, and that trend is particularly pronounced in a time of general voter dissatisfaction with political discourse and the direction of the country. Neither candidate was able to keep from drifting off course, he says.

Once news emerged early on that Clinton had used a private email account and server as secretary of state, the not-yet-announced candidate knew she'd have to deal with the consequences. But her campaign miscalculated the staying power of the issue and the various investigations it would spawn.

Clinton's low-key campaign launch, in which she did more listening than talking, didn't do anything to quell the swirling controversy. And her subsequent attempts to change the subject to topics like her economic and education proposals came too late to contain the damage.

Now, the clearly frustrated candidate is trying everything from humor to fact-checks to put the issue to rest. She's blaming government bureaucrats, GOP enemies and fixated reporters for what her campaign insists is an overblown emphasis on the matter.

A somewhat cocky Clinton joked during a speech earlier this month about getting a Snapchat account, saying, "I love it. Those messages disappear all by themselves."

Four days later, pressed on the email issue by reporters in Las Vegas, Clinton threw up her arms and declared, "Nobody talks to me about it other than you guys."

Dan Schnur, director of the University of Southern California's political institute, says Clinton seemed to be relying, at least initially, on an old playbook.

"The lesson that the Clintons learned in the 1990s is that it's not necessary to immediately make all information available, and if you wait long enough, the tables eventually turn," Schnur said. "So even if there are a lot of smart people sitting at her campaign table telling her otherwise, human nature is going to influence her to try to duplicate a past success."

Bush, for his part, knew from the beginning that he'd need to distinguish himself from his father and brother's presidencies.

He had an I-am-my-own-man answer practiced and ready to go.

Yet he still managed to fumble questions about whether he'd have invaded Iraq as his brother did. And his turns of phrase about "evil-doers" and the burdens of presidential decision-making clearly echo those of his brother George W. Bush, undercutting his efforts to distinguish himself.

In both Clinton and Bush's cases, says Schnur, no matter how hard campaigns try to anticipate challenges and be ready for them, "It always sounds better at campaign headquarters than it does out on the trail."

"It's not that hard to sit in a conference room and strategize about how to handle a potential problem," Schnur said. "The problem is the other candidates and the media and the voters don't always react to that strategy the way you want them to."

While Clinton and Bush keep trying out new tactics to stow their unwanted baggage, Trump shows no inclination to move past the political flashpoint of immigration, even though some of his comments have been criticized by Republicans as well as Democrats.

Trump seems happy to tap into a subset of voter disquiet, and to force GOP rivals to take a stand on proposals such as his call for a giant wall on the southern border and to deny automatic "birthright citizenship" to anyone born in the U.S.

For now, that's helping him "ride a wave having to do with his chutzpah," says University of Texas political scientist Bruce Buchanan. But ultimately, Buchanan says, it could be a big problem for his candidacy and Republicans overall.

You can bet the party that vowed to make nice with Hispanics after the GOP's poor showing with Latino voters in 2012 didn't aim for its candidates to spend August talking about "anchor babies."

For all of the candidates, much of what's being talked about in August 2015 could well be largely forgotten by the time people cast votes next year.

But this summertime chatter is sure to contribute to the overall impressions of candidates that voters are developing.

"It's shaping the context for how voters make their decisions," says Winston. "You don't want the initial thought in everybody's mind to be, "'Wow, they have a lot of baggage."

http://news.yahoo.com/top-2016...26740--election.html