President Donald Trump

[B-Fly]

Because I think it's likely Kasich will get clubbed like a baby seal in a GOP primary, especially if it's he against Trump mano a mano. Revo's original concept is far more dangerous, IMO - Kasich running as an independent will be far more damaging, especially if the Dems run someone from the left, like Sanders or Warren.

I agree that Kasich running as an independent would be far more beneficial for Democrats. I think a strong primary challenge against Trump from one or more experienced Republicans who reject Trump's nativism and reckless violations of positive presidential and socio-political norms would be good for the GOP longer-term and ultimately good for the country, even if Trump survives the primary challenge. I'd love to see Kasich, Collins, Rubio, Romney, Flake, Corker, Sasse, Murkowski, heck, even Christie or Fiorina, or an even more distant centrist like Christie Todd Whitman, give it a go.

[Sour Masher]

Because I think it's likely Kasich will get clubbed like a baby seal in a GOP primary, especially if it's he against Trump mano a mano. Revo's original concept is far more dangerous, IMO - Kasich running as an independent will be far more damaging, especially if the Dems run someone from the left, like Sanders or Warren.

I fear kasich wouldn steal more votes from sanders or any far left candidtate than he'd draw voters from trump.

[chancellor]

I fear kasich wouldn steal more votes from sanders or any far left candidtate than he'd draw voters from trump.

We're probably both prisoners of our own convictions on this one. I see a lot of people who'd never, ever vote for a Sanders or Sanders-like candidate who'd welcome the opportunity to not vote for Trump. OTOH, you probably see a lot of centrist/blue dog Dems who'd never, ever vote for Trump but would welcome the opportunity to vote for a more centrist candidate. Maybe we're both right.

[B-Fly]

I fear kasich wouldn steal more votes from sanders or any far left candidtate than he'd draw voters from trump.

Mike Bloomberg would probably steal more votes from Sanders or another far left candidate than he'd steal from Trump. I think Kasich has a long enough record of conservatism to steal voters who could never vote for a liberal but who find Trump distasteful and/or dangerous.

[Sour Masher]

We're probably both prisoners of our own convictions on this one. I see a lot of people who'd never, ever vote for a Sanders or Sanders-like candidate who'd welcome the opportunity to not vote for Trump. OTOH, you probably see a lot of centrist/blue dog Dems who'd never, ever vote for Trump but would welcome the opportunity to vote for a more centrist candidate. Maybe we're both right.

Yes, both things are likely true. As B-Fly says, who it affects more likely depends on the candidate. Although, you pegged my perspective--I not only fear a left wing independent taking votes from a Sanders ticket, I fear a centrist would too. But you may be right that Kasich in particular would peal more republicans who can't stomach voting for Trump again than blue dog dems wary of what Sanders' socialist policies would do to their tax rates.

[gcstomp]

As it stands today, I am not at all inspired that we even have a strong dem who could survive a campaign cycle intact. Best bet is a dark horse not on radar.

[Sour Masher]

As it stands today, I am not at all inspired that we even have a strong dem who could survive a campaign cycle intact. Best bet is a dark horse not on radar.

I'm with you. Every candidate I can think of scares me in some way. On the other hand, maybe all it will take to beat Trump in 2020 is any breathing body not named HRC. IDK. I have underestimated Trump before.

[Hornsby]

I think that it's better than a coin flip chance that Trump isn't the GOP candidate in 2020, fo any number of reasons. Health, political pressure, WH implosions, or any of a dozen other reasons, including feeling butthurt that people really DON'T love him after all. Might be wishful thinking, but I think that if he does manage to run in 2020, he'll be destroyed in a landslide.

[Mithrandir]

Another reason I loathe Trump:

https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/publisher-news/article/76047-trump-renews-bid-to-eliminate-library-funding-nea-and-neh.html

[Sour Masher]

Another reason I loathe Trump:
https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/...a-and-neh.html

Less access to books and art, more guns, tanks, and bombs. These important funds are so tiny compared to the defense budget increases, you'd think the militarty could do with one or two less stealth fighters or battleships. That would cover all of this.

[revo]

*sigh*

“President Trump’s longtime personal pilot is on the short list to lead the Federal Aviation Administration, two administration officials briefed on the matter said Monday.

John Dunkin, who flew Trump on his private Boeing 757 during the 2016 campaign, is among a small group of candidates to head the agency that regulates US civil aviation, Axios first reported.”

https://nypost.com/2018/02/26/trumps-personal-pilot-on-short-list-to-lead-faa/

[gcstomp]

Trumps appointments have not been merely unqualified, but often ironically so. We do not have safeguards in place ensuring quality appointments, nor have we needed them, as there has always been an assumption of decency in highest office. Prior Presidents always put forth at least a semblance of good faith effort in having solidly qualified people but we have what appears to be an active plan to diminish the departments that are saddled with unqualified appointments. I had such low expectations for Trump, but he has managed to disappoint even that.

[revo]

Hope Hicks out.

#morehottieslesschaos
#nochaoshere

[B-Fly]

While I don't necessarily trust Trump to stick by the ideas/policies he outlined yesterday to address mass shootings, I believe the Democrats should immediately jump to support them and put the pressure on Trump and the GOP to follow through. This may be an only-Nixon-could-go-to-China moment that should not be allowed to go to waste!

[B-Fly]

LOL. RedState.com's banner reads "Yes, Trump's Big Stupid Mouth is a Real Problem"

https://www.redstate.com/patterico/2018/03/01/yes-trumps-big-stupid-mouth-real-problem/