POP! Goes the Democrat!

Like I said, history tells us that someone like Trump gets elected because of the prevailing conditions left in place, left in place by the predecessor. By definition.

The last time the Republicans reacted so strongly to a Democrat, his name was Jimmy. And the result was Reagan. Fortunately for the country (in most people’s opinions), the results were more positive in that instance.

Not sure I agree. Republicans weren’t calling for someone like Trump. It’s not as if they were prepared to have someone like him come in. Nor was it something universally loved by Republicans. I think the circumstances surrounding his election have minimal things to do with Obama. You had the perfect storm on the Republican side of the primary that lead to him. No one took him seriously on the right and by the time they realized he had serious momentum the field couldn’t even attempt to adjust. He was the sideshow who no one was going to take seriously and the pundits were already wondering if America would really be stuck with a third Bush or second Clinton.

And he was arguably the least likely to win a general of the whole field. Luckily Dems had been in power already (we love cycling) and they also ran a historically disliked candidate.

I’m not sure history helps with someone like him because I don’t think any election resembles that primary and general. Regan was a TV star but that’s pretty much where the similarities end. People had a general sense of what they would get with Regan. He was by no means a complete unknown and pretty consistent. Trump was someone who flip flopped on everything he used to be for and gave pretty much 0 plans for how anything would happen.

If Obama had a significant impact on the Republican primary I would argue it is far more because of the results in 2008 than the conclusion of his presidency. The shellacking lead to the Tea Party, RINO’s, and a general lost feeling for what a modern Republican was. It helped lead to skepticism of some of the career politician elected front runners. And it paved the way for the disdain of the moderate Republican.

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I repeat your words.

“They” are the people who felt like Obama trolled them, for eight years.

After the election, I stopped watching the news, and I don’t read tweets. If one does that, the Trump years haven’t been that bad… :wink:

Smart man.

Though we will have to disagree on Obama being the reason Trump won that primary. He may have had a factor in the sense that all previous Presidents will have an impact but I think the reasons I listed are more significant. Trump had things in common with Obama that the Republicans despised with every fiber of their being until it was in someone wearing their colors. But that’s because both parties are full of shit when they aren’t in power.

As I said the issues brought up by the beat down they took in 08 may have had far more to do with Trump winning than anything Obama actually did as a President. It’s not as if Republicans on the whole were calling for someone like Trump and with his qualities to enter the field. It’s just they liked what they heard when he arrived.

What’s weird is I follow politics a shit ton less than I used to. Was very into it from about 17-25. I actually get most of my news from here. As in someone posts something that happened that’s interesting and then I do a little looking into it. If I didn’t enjoy talking to people on this forum I would generally have a very limited sense of things. I pretty much watch zero live tv with the exception of sports. And I never listen to talk radio except again sports talk.

I have no idea when I last watched an actual cable news program like Fox or MSNBC other than something like it’s on in a waiting room. It’s probably been a full decade.

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I finally got around to watching a dem debate last night.

I’d vote for a mayor Pete ticket in a heartbeat right now. Everything he said, and the way he carries himself and speaks to other people struck exactly the right chords for me. His youth and inexperience scare me a bit though, and at times he is a little too rehearsed… But I’ll NEVER fault someone for over preparing (luck = preparation + opportunity). I would love to see Bloomberg as his VP so mike could bring more backroom political know-how and also do he could go down and sling mud with trump while Pete stays on the highroad. Those together are my ticket right now.

Biden is just too old, which sucks because I really like the guy. Klobachar seems like she eats children. Bernie is just angry and too far left… Though I really do appreciate his motivations. Warren is also too far left for me, but seems like she has the temperament I’d want in my POTUS.

I like Pete too. I care about who can win a bunch, and Pete has his issues. I am not sure how well his sexuality is going to play with some voters. I know I have heard that southern black voters do not have a high average opinion of him. I think it is sad that him being gay even matters. Seems like a guy with good morals, which matters a lot to me.

Yes sad that we are in a spot where his biggest weakness is his sexual orientation. Meanwhile the actual President who has been accused of sexual abuse numerous times, multiple marriages, and pays off porn stars.

But at least he ain’t queer!

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It’s insane to me that anyone could pick Trump over Pete on moral grounds. Actually makes me angry to know people think that way.

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It does seem that the US is going in the right direction as far as equal marriage rights, and people’s opinions of LGBT people. We are not where we need to be though, IMO.

People are entitled to their own moral compasses.

While true, I also have the right to think and say they are idiots.

Of course you do.

I think a paradigm shift is needed as regards our discourse across the board. We all seem like low brow tribalistic cretins at this point

Well, it can be argued that his issues are past while Buttigieg’s are present. Also: Buttigieg…bootyguy…buttguy…maybe not the best name.

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Sure. People are entitled to think inter-race relationships are morally wrong and sinful and would be a disqualifier for the POTUS. They would be entitled to think that one sin would out weigh all the years of wanton urepentent sinning of all types by trump.

You’ve gotta really stretch hard to make the argument Pete is morally inferior to trump. Like Gumby on a hot day hard.

Then just to start one would have to argue that homosexuality is immoral, which is not an easy one to win, IMO.

But Trump doesn’t think that.

Indeed we do…(myself included!).

I also agree with you @gorija that people “deserve/are entitled”? to their own moral compass.

My issue is when that moral compass shifts depending on whether one is part of one’s tribe or not…or whether someone is being judged or being the judge.

Human nature?

Probably.

Hypocrisy is definitely a human trait. It reeks but boy do we love it :grimacing:

It’s exactly why I believe principles are so important.

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