Do people not realise that every time Trump is thwarted by judges his grip on power

[redgunamo]

I wonder if he thinks 'everyone's been doing this the same way for years, concensus and deals and compromise, fúck it, let's try sheer will and braggadocio'.

It might even be worth a go.

Yes, that's the way. A long-term criticism of Republican candidates and presidents is that they always meekly accept whatever their opponents say about them, for fear of causing offense. You know, to darkies or women or whatever. Trump fans adore him in large part because he actually fights back.

It seems refreshing, if nothing else.

[Burney]

I was talking specifically about people who voted for him either because he wasn't Hillary or he was running on a Republican ticket - not people who were dogmatically behind what he stands for (whatever that is). Do you not think this is significant body of votes?

The problem his opponents (Dem and Rep) have is that for business as usual to return, Trump's Presidency really has to be a disaster. If it isn't, the paradigm of what a 'good' presidential candidate looks like in the voters' minds could shift permanently to their disadvantage. That's why they actually have to relentlessly push the negatives - even to the point of creating them themselves.

[Peter]

I wonder if he thinks 'everyone's been doing this the same way for years, concensus and deals and compromise, fúck it, let's try sheer will and braggadocio'.

It might even be worth a go.

Isn't it more likely that he is incapable of behaving in any other way?

Behind the scenes he is cutting deals and acting as a mouthpiece for parts of his party. He'll play the game with the pro-lifers to keep them on side for long enough.

[Sir C]

Isn't it more likely that he is incapable of behaving in any other way?

Behind the scenes he is cutting deals and acting as a mouthpiece for parts of his party. He'll play the game with the pro-lifers to keep them on side for long enough.

Possibly. On the one hand the chap appears to be a drooling retard, but in the other he seems to have played a highly effective game, so he could be a genius.

[Peter]

The problem his opponents (Dem and Rep) have is that for business as usual to return, Trump's Presidency really has to be a disaster. If it isn't, the paradigm of what a 'good' presidential candidate looks like in the voters' minds could shift permanently to their disadvantage. That's why they actually have to relentlessly push the negatives - even to the point of creating them themselves.

Not really. For a return to normalcy they simply have to ensure that they don't allow a **** like him to gain a major party nomination. As long as the voters are restricted to the choice of two mainstream puppets all will be well again.

[Peter]

Possibly. On the one hand the chap appears to be a drooling retard, but in the other he seems to have played a highly effective game, so he could be a genius.

I doubt he is a genius or an idiot. What he likes is a balanced mind. So you can show him the dreadful consequences of the thing he wants to do and he wont care, regardless of how bad it is. This is what makes him dangerous (and potentially effective).

[redgunamo]

I doubt he is a genius or an idiot. What he likes is a balanced mind. So you can show him the dreadful consequences of the thing he wants to do and he wont care, regardless of how bad it is. This is what makes him dangerous (and potentially effective).

That's part of his point though, ain't it. It was apparently "balanced minds" that led to things becoming so bad that they elected *him*.

[Sir C]

I doubt he is a genius or an idiot. What he likes is a balanced mind. So you can show him the dreadful consequences of the thing he wants to do and he wont care, regardless of how bad it is. This is what makes him dangerous (and potentially effective).

Or he might not believe in your dreadful consequences. He may think them a price worth paying.

[Burney]

Not really. For a return to normalcy they simply have to ensure that they don't allow a **** like him to gain a major party nomination. As long as the voters are restricted to the choice of two mainstream puppets all will be well again.

Might not be that easy. The longer he's around and succeeding, the more the mainstream will have to shift to meet him.

[Peter]

That's part of his point though, ain't it. It was apparently "balanced minds" that led to things becoming so bad that they elected *him*.

Yes, of course. But when you consider that he is Commander in Chief with direct control of the military, a mind that refuses to be sidetracked by potentially catastrophic consequences is a rather worrying thing.

Thus far, the bravado has been largely promises and posturing. Hopefully it stays that way.