Who is the real Donald Trump?

[PaleoMan]

I hope you are right. And if the economy picks up between now and 2012, I suspect you are. But unfortunately, being chewed up by the national media is no longer a dis-qualifier to many voters. In fact, quite the opposite. He really resonates with a large portion of the population that is getting larger in these bad economic times.

Rand Paul is smooth and getting smoother. As ST pointed out, he's already defied the odds. In bad times, simplistic answers sound better than they really are. Now, if unemployment gets down to 8% and housing picks up, then Paul is nothing but a curiosity in 2016. But if not, you're looking at the next President of the United States after Obama.

And never in my entire life have I typed out a sentence that I hoped was more wrong.

A PPP poll taken 2 weeks ago has Rand Paul only 9 percentage points (48/39) behind the president in a hypothetical 2012 matchup. The sad part is that he isn't running next year and has no organization. Furthermore, a poll taken by Rasmussen on political corruption revealed that 43% of the citizens polled believe that most politicians are corrupt. What we're witnessing is a sea change in the political consciousness. Old media is dying thanks to it's collusive dealings with the establishment. Citizens are fed up over being repeatedly lied to and exploited. Bush destroyed the republican party and Obama is well on his way to demoralizing the progressive movement, especially among the disenchanted youth. The entire landscape has changed in that the old containment tactics do not work any longer.

[Wonderboy]

I think you're going to need a little better than 8%. Maybe 7.5? Which is entirely likely, imho.

Psychologically, even 7.9 may be enough. Especially if the rest of the economy is clearly improving. Obviously at 7.5%, Obama will be very difficult to defeat because he will be able to show such a clear improvement.

[nots]

Psychologically, even 7.9 may be enough. Especially if the rest of the economy is clearly improving. Obviously at 7.5%, Obama will be very difficult to defeat because he will be able to show such a clear improvement.

I agree with what you are saying, but I do think the GOP will be able to write some pretty effective (if not entirely true) ads saying the unemployment rate is what it was when he took over. For the low information voter,the disinterested voter and those that have given up looking for work that 'clear improvement' may not resonate under some withering ads.

[PaleoMan]

Psychologically, even 7.9 may be enough. Especially if the rest of the economy is clearly improving. Obviously at 7.5%, Obama will be very difficult to defeat because he will be able to show such a clear improvement.

I think he'll still get elected barring some meltdown, which results in $7 dollar gas. His likability numbers are still very high, despite the self-inflicted wounds with poor policy. As crazy as it sounds, he's almost separated his persona from his unpopular polcies.

Another thing he's good at is parrying attacks in a debate format. He's adept at the playing the role of this cerebral moderate, when that's not entirely truth. There is no one on the Republican side than can beat him. Palin has the gusto but not the intellectual capacity to stay on the stage longer than 10 minutes. You need a policy wonk with a fierce edge battering his empty platitudes. And most of all, you have to hit him on his well-documented corporate associations. Goldman Sachs, GE, all the healthcare waivers being issued to friends of the campaign. Very few republicans operate in such a manner, so Obama can rest easy.

[senorsheep]

The notion that Rand Paul is "smooth" is just plain laughable. Every single damn time he gets on any sort of national podium he says something so ridiculous and stupid that he just comes across as either an extremist or totally out of touch. How about his rant involving toilets? I mean, I guess I'd be upset if I didn't have a working toilet for the past 20 years either, but his assertions are just loony. Consumer Reports just graded a bunch of toilets (I swear this is true) and remarked that "the best performers still use the standard 1.6 gallons of water per flush. But some greener models deliver comparable flushing and save hundreds of gallons per year for the same price or less." Hmm, government standards sparking innovation and conservation. Who woulda thunk it? The most humorous part (well, the whole thing was kind of humorous) was when Energy Department official Kathleen Hogan told him she'd help him find a working toilet.

Or, even better, how about when he compared a woman's choice to have an abortion to a consumer's choice in buying light bulbs? Now that was a classic. I mean, how ridiculously tone deaf does one need to be to even make that comparison? In that same rant, he also insinuated that the energy police would threaten to throw someone in jail for not adhering to their standards.

A vote for Rand Paul means a vote for enormous toilets, incandescent light bulbs, and safety from the Energy Department police. Lawn darts for everyone! Lead paint back in our schools!!!

I liked lawn darts. Poosie.

[revo]

Donald Trump, you hitched your horse to a conspiracy theory that proved you've wasted your time. You banged the drum loudly, and when called on it, was made to look like the guy who stays in the poker game with bupkis in order to just to "keep the winner honest."

Donald Trump.....you're fired!

[senorsheep]

The notion that Rand Paul is "smooth" is just plain laughable. Every single damn time he gets on any sort of national podium he says something so ridiculous and stupid that he just comes across as either an extremist or totally out of touch. How about his rant involving toilets? I mean, I guess I'd be upset if I didn't have a working toilet for the past 20 years either, but his assertions are just loony. Consumer Reports just graded a bunch of toilets (I swear this is true) and remarked that "the best performers still use the standard 1.6 gallons of water per flush. But some greener models deliver comparable flushing and save hundreds of gallons per year for the same price or less." Hmm, government standards sparking innovation and conservation. Who woulda thunk it? The most humorous part (well, the whole thing was kind of humorous) was when Energy Department official Kathleen Hogan told him she'd help him find a working toilet.

Or, even better, how about when he compared a woman's choice to have an abortion to a consumer's choice in buying light bulbs? Now that was a classic. I mean, how ridiculously tone deaf does one need to be to even make that comparison? In that same rant, he also insinuated that the energy police would threaten to throw someone in jail for not adhering to their standards.

A vote for Rand Paul means a vote for enormous toilets, incandescent light bulbs, and safety from the Energy Department police. Lawn darts for everyone! Lead paint back in our schools!!!

Ah, hyperbole. Helping add to conversations since 33 AD.

[senorsheep]

You a fan of Rand Paul?

How could I not like a guy who makes Lucky foam at the mouth like a rabid squirrel?

Gah, our smileys suck.

Why do I not get the smiley palette when I reply to a post? Anyone?

[Kevin Seitzer]

Why do I not get the smiley palette when I reply to a post? Anyone?

Because the new vBulletin software knows that your posts are no laughing matter?

[GwynnInTheHall]

How could I not like a guy who makes Lucky foam at the mouth like a rabid squirrel?



Why do I not get the smiley palette when I reply to a post? Anyone?

use the advanced option when replying to a post or posting.

[GwynnInTheHall]

Because the new vBulletin software knows that your posts are no laughing matter?

Try the veal!

[senorsheep]

use the advanced option when replying to a post or posting.

Still need the :toasted: smiley back...

[GwynnInTheHall]

Still need the :toasted: smiley back...

You gotta web cam, we gotta toasted smiley!

[Lucky]

How could I not like a guy who makes Lucky foam at the mouth like a rabid squirrel?

Rand doesn't bother me...he's irrelevant. His 15 minutes were up 15 minutes ago.

I just can't resist pointing out how there are still misguided citizens who think this guy is anything other than an empty suit (with a really nice looking wife).

[revo]

Why do I not get the smiley palette when I reply to a post? Anyone?

It only comes up when using the "Go Advanced" reply.