Image 01 Image 03

Post-Debate Impression: Trump has mastered the art of making Jeb seem small

Post-Debate Impression: Trump has mastered the art of making Jeb seem small

Was this Jeb’s last hurrah?

https://twitter.com/politicoroger/status/676964796277891072

The CNN Debate just ended, and I have only one clear impression — Donald Trump has so completely emasculated Jeb Bush that this may be Jeb’s last hurrah.

Before getting to that, I don’t think there was a clear winner. Trump was Trump; I don’t think he gained or lost support based on this performance. He reiterated his pledge not to run independent, clearly and unequivocally.

Rubio was very good … except that for the first time people (particularly Rand Paul) hit him over the head hard on the Gang of 8 bill. I thought Cruz had some strong moments, but I just don’t know that this will catapult him. Of the others, the only one who made any impression was Carly Fiorina, when she went after Hillary; but she played the gender card pretty hard, so I don’t know if that turned people off.

Now the big impression.

Donald Trump has mastered the art of making Jeb look small. Even when Jeb scores a substantive point about Trump, Jeb lessens his own stature for the fight after Trump mocks him.

Here is an exchange that some Jeb supporters tweeted out as supposedly Kaboom! on Trump. The issue was Trump’s statement that he would “take out” the families of terrorists as a deterrent. Substantively, Jeb was fine.

But visually Jeb just looked weak.

Here’s another one. They both seemed childish. That hurts Jeb, not Trump.

https://youtu.be/4w6-NfsTb-A

Trump is kryptonite to Jeb Bush.

Whether it’s “fair” or not is irrelevant.

DONATE

Donations tax deductible
to the full extent allowed by law.

Comments

I cringed when Carly played the gender card. She’s not ready for prime time.

This was Rubio’s worst debate and Cruz did well. Christie did well. Trump did well.

Say goodbye to it, Jeb.

    rabidfox in reply to pesanteur. | December 16, 2015 at 7:16 pm

    And yet,the commentators at Fox are holding to the narrative that Jeb won the debate. I’d like some of that stuff they are smoking.

To be honest, it doesn’t take much to make Jeb look small. Even if nothing else is accomplished by this election, Trump has risen in my opinion sharply.

The audience was packed with RINOs. That Trump’s comment about being strong would elicit no response and Bush’s desperate rejoinder would get waves of applause makes no sense otherwise.

    That’s what you get when you submit to CNN producing a GOP debate.

    So why was CNN allowed – for the umpteenth time – to host a GOP debate? Because the hacks running the GOP are democrats.

      I agree. It was clear to me that in the early part of the debate Wolf goading Rubio and Cruz into a pissing match. Those two are the candidates that the Democrats fear most and he was carrying water for the them (surprise).

      I think Rince Prebus wanted CNN to cut the ground from under Cruz and Trump. They kept lofting softballs at Jeb! And Jeb! kept flubbing them.

We watched as a family. Even the 13-year-old agreed that Jeb Bush was on the stage for comedic relief. Sad. Just sad.

Well Donald Trump is kicking ass in the Washington Post poll.
http://imgur.com/GbHkxxT

That’s what you get with H1B programmers!

I favor Cruz, but I thought Trump did well tonight by restraining his impulsiveness and presenting a fairly reasonable persona. Trump is improving his style every week. He is learning to “play by the rules” at least nominally.

I felt that Cruz also did well. The others, not so much.

I was particularly interested in the brief interaction between Trump and Cruz, initiated by Trump, when Trump reached over and gave an affectionate gesture to Cruz. What did that mean? It couldn’t be nothing.

    pesanteur in reply to nomadic100. | December 16, 2015 at 12:46 am

    I agree.

    Lady Penguin in reply to nomadic100. | December 16, 2015 at 4:00 am

    Trump is not a fool, regardless of how unpolished or rough around the edges he may seem to the Establishment NE Republican elites.
    Of course, one wouldn’t even pretend thinking that with Cruz, because he likely is the smartest and sharpest man in the room.

    Both of them are taking it to the Establishment GOP (and the media) and regardless of anyone’s disdain for Trump, he did indeed bust open the doors to the entire scheme and sham that has been enabling the GOP-E, the Malignant Media and the Democrats to choose our candidates and elect “Republicans” who enable the Democrats.

    Monday night, Brit Hume had a snarky diatribe about Cruz, one could hear the negative implications embedded. It tells us all we need to know about those so-called FOX “conservatives.” They’re desperate for Rubio…

      Midwest Rhino in reply to Lady Penguin. | December 16, 2015 at 10:55 am

      yeah, there’s a group on FOX that seem all in for Rubio, against Cruz and show snarky contempt for Trump. They even go dishonest to push their man.

    MattMusson in reply to nomadic100. | December 16, 2015 at 9:20 am

    Both Trump and Cruz know that together they will be unstoppable in the primaries. If Trump gets Cruz supporters – he wins. If Cruz gets Trump supporter – he wins. But, they attack each other without alienating the other’s camp.

Bush had some good zingers, but Trump overpowered.
I thought Rubio and Christie did the best. Cruz grandstanded too much.

Trump was the only candidate on that stage with a history of helping Democrats get elected, and saying that Hillary would make a terrific president, and blaming the mortgage crisis entirely on Bush, and saying that the economy generally does better under Democrats, and praising Canada’s health-care system.

A couple of days ago he attacked Scalia from the left, and defended ethanol subsidies, and took the side of the Senate RINOS against Cruz.

Trump is a RINO if anyone is.

    Radegunda in reply to Radegunda. | December 16, 2015 at 1:06 am

    This was supposed to be a reply to pesanteur’s comment about RINOs. How Trump came to be considered a solid conservative is a yuuuuge mystery.

      Lady Penguin in reply to Radegunda. | December 16, 2015 at 4:09 am

      Actually, most of us, who are strong conservatives do not view Trump as a “conservative.” That’s a media pushing meme. We just happen to see him as one willing to break down the doors, allowing others to turn over the tables in the Ruling Classes’ Temple.

      If one can’t be strong for a nation’s security – her borders – vetted and controlled and appropriate immigration – then all the rest of our so-called conservatism is meaningless. Nationalism and patriotism are 2 core tenets of my love for America…our Constitution embedded them along with our Judaic-Christian foundation in the establishment of America.

        Radegunda in reply to Lady Penguin. | December 16, 2015 at 11:59 am

        Many Trump fans really do imagine him to be a purer conservative than anyone else, which is why they shout “RINO” when someone points out his flaws.

        Most of his fans want him to smash things up in superhero fashion, but give little thought to what he would build to replace what he has broken.

        Trump himself has not been consistent on that, because he has no real governing philosophy except that he thinks he’s a great. Even on immigration he’s been inconsistent. And immigration is NOT the only thing that matter. We could still get the Canadian-style health care that Trump admires.

        The fandom’s focus on Trump’s smash-em-up style is not a sign of thoughtfulness. Besides, Trump just bashed Cruz as a “maniac” because he wasn’t cooperating nicely with McConnell and all the Senate RINOs.

        Trump is inconsistent even on what his fans worship him for.

        His fans love it when Trump bashes everyone else, or makes childish faces, but they cry foul when anyone criticizes him. It’s cultish.

        People who complain about Obama’s narcissism LOVE the egomaniac Trump. People who complain about Obama’s imperial presidency long for Trump to take a hatchet to the political system and save the country single-handedly. The more outrageous and egomaniacal and imperious he is, the more they love him.

        Those who revere Trump have no basis at all to criticize the Obama cult. And Trump would not have a cult following if he hadn’t been a TV celebrity before deciding he would run for president, and be a Republican.

          mariner in reply to Radegunda. | December 16, 2015 at 1:11 pm

          You don’t understand Trump or his supporters nearly as well as you believe you do.

          That’s mighty handsomely painted straw man though.

          Ragspierre in reply to Radegunda. | December 16, 2015 at 3:14 pm

          Mariner, you don’t even know what a “straw man” is.

          Try pointing out a “straw man” in anything above.

    Radegunda-Your brief outline of Trump’s history of supporting Democrats and blaming Republicans reminds me of Romney’s problem with Obamacare. The Democratic attack ads write themselves.

    Additionally, Trump gets get kudos for saying he now would never leave the party to run as an independent. As I recall, he said the same thing at a previous debate, just before he threatened to do just that.

      Radegunda in reply to davod. | December 16, 2015 at 12:06 pm

      Trump fans have demonstrated that they will always forgive him for everything and anything — including things they excoriate in other politicians.

      Despite his wide swings in his political views, they tell themselves that he’ll be more uncompromisingly principled than anyone else; that he’ll do exactly what he says — except when they say “he’s a negotiator” so he’s just tossing things out as a starting point!

      It’s very bizarre. But TV celebrities are judged on different standards.

    Conservatives aren’t worried about whether Trump can check every box on the Edmund Burke list of conservative bona fides. He gets important stuff, like controlling immigration, fighting terrorism and avoiding bad trade deals. Those issues resonate, and he knows it.

    What conservatives know is that the country’s situation has grown so dire in so many areas that only a personality with steel, vigor, determination and even ruthlessness can possibly make things right. Getting every detail correct — but not having the stamina or forcefulness to carry out the plan — won’t cut it.

    http://www.lifezette.com/polizette/trumps-commanding-performance/

Jeb must never have heard about the nail whose head sticks up the highest is the nail that gets pounded down and trump is the hammer man.

You gotta admit, Professor, there is a little of all of us in Trump.
He can make Jeb go jiggy in a millisecond. In some primal way it make you want to laugh.

Thanks for your post, Professor. This is classic old school LI that made you famous. That saddle must feel familiar.

It’s not so much Trump making Jeb look small. It’s more that Jeb allows us to see how small Jeb really is.

Trump is like the little kid who yells out “the Emperor has no clothes” and allows us to admit what we knew all along.

Jeb has seemed out of place from the start and tonight was further confirmation. I voted for him for governor, buy he is simply not a consideration, wrong time, wrong place in history. Cruz was impressive and Trump did well. Rubio has the albatross of amnesty and how many more times will he throw out his new American century line. Bottom line, let’s narrow this race to four people – the rest need to go home and let the adults take over (Cruz, Trump, Rubio, and Christie).

    Not Christie, never. So for from post debate polls the line up looks like, Trump, Cruz, Paul, and Rubio.

      Carl in reply to betty. | December 16, 2015 at 9:34 am

      Sorry Betty, but I go with snapper 451. Paul is the oddball in this group and will never have a chance so why waste our time. Christie did well and I strongly believe we need a governor in the Final Four. Kasich may not have it (if I see him chopping those hands again I will retch) but he is correct. Only governors have the experience to step into the Presidency and even then some get overwhelmed by the job. Look at history. One-term Senators (like Cruz, Rubio, Obama and Hillary) can talk a good game but when the rubber meets the road experience in governing pays off. And Trump is just a buffoon, as someone else has observed.

Trump is a clueless buffoon. He was caught looking stupid about the nuclear triad two weeks ago, couldn’t bother to look it up.

Jeb made no headway, but he was right that Trump cannot insult his way to the White House.

    betty in reply to Estragon. | December 16, 2015 at 8:16 am

    Trumps at 40, Jebs at 3.

    Jeb thought that all he had to do was stand holding his entitled hand out and the GOPe was going to drop the nomination right into it and the presidency after that.

    Well, Jeb, GOPe, the best laid plans might be the beginning of an old saying but it was the end of your plot.

    wukong in reply to Estragon. | December 16, 2015 at 10:52 am

    This is like the question “Who is the President of Upper Volta?” If the questioner had detailed the element of the “Nuclear Triad” Trump probably could have given a reasonable answer.

    Actually Trump’s answer on the nuclear triad question was brilliant. He is a brand master. He clearly understands at this point in the race and how the media wish to portray him, the very last thing his brand needs is to provide the media with a video of him detailing how he wants to build up and improve our nuclear, land, air, and sea forces. CNN and NBC et al would have loved to have been able to run stories about Mr. Trump being crazy and no temperament and restraint for handling nuclear launch codes and then include in it a video of Trump talking about making our nukes bigger, better and stronger.

    Trump being the genius he is and has been in the campaign was not going to give them such a video. Instead the only video they got of Trump talking about anything with the word nuclear in it was Trump talking about how cautious and careful the president must be with our nuclear forces and any talk of the use of nuclear forces.

    Brilliant !!!!!!!!!

    Of course their are plenty of pundits, paid and amateur who have no understanding of business, marketing or branding who think the precise scientific answer is the only one that can be given. That is why their candidates are at 15% and less in the polls and Trump is at 40% plus.

    Trump is brilliant and knows his brand and understands the needs and desires of his target market. The pundits, here and elsewhere, not so much.

    Ragspierre in reply to Estragon. | December 16, 2015 at 5:54 pm

    Geri would try to spit-shine any T-rumpian turd…with his tongue.

    What’s your priority among our nuclear triad?

    TRUMP: Well, first of all, I think we need somebody absolutely that we can trust, who is totally responsible; who really knows what he or she is doing. That is so powerful and so important. And one of the things that I’m frankly most proud of is that in 2003, 2004, I was totally against going into Iraq because you’re going to destabilize the Middle East. I called it. I called it very strongly. And it was very important.

    But we have to be extremely vigilant and extremely careful when it comes to nuclear. Nuclear changes the whole ball game. Frankly, I would have said get out of Syria; get out — if we didn’t have the power of weaponry today. The power is so massive that we can’t just leave areas that 50 years ago or 75 years ago we wouldn’t care. It was hand-to-hand combat.

    The biggest problem this world has today is not President Obama with global warming, which is inconceivable, this is what he’s saying. The biggest problem we have is nuclear — nuclear proliferation and having some maniac, having some madman go out and get a nuclear weapon. That’s in my opinion, that is the single biggest problem that our country faces right now.

    HEWITT: Of the three legs of the triad, though, do you have a priority? I want to go to Senator Rubio after that and ask him.

    TRUMP: I think — I think, for me, nuclear is just the power, the devastation is very important to me.
    __________________________________________

    “Brilliant”…

    Remember the dope Ness interviews first before Andy Garcia in “The Untouchables”? Yeah. That guy.

Could it be that Trump is only in the race to clear the PC thorn bushes out of the way for Ted Cruz?

Trump would land on his feet once he jumped out.

This debate was more about senate votes and phones and encryption and very little about Hillary and Obama. Not much substance here. I am a little concerned now that once again the RNC is messing up the opportunity to win in 2016 with having the likes of CNN moderate these debates.

Jeb does not need Trump to make him look small. Also, does anyone think that in the post-Obama world the US needs someone as president who easily is made to look weak and small?

    davod in reply to Cleetus. | December 16, 2015 at 8:54 am

    By the same token, unless Trump is lying for the crowd, he would make Obama’s Constitutional transgressions seem amateur.

I think the biggest loser last night was Rubio.

If Jeb! did not do well (obviously he didn’t) the establishment money men were prepared to push all their chips in on Rubio.

The problem is, Cruz landed several body blows to Rubio, and exposed his lack of core values.

The GOP is not happy this morning.

    When the Estab have no alternative but to pick between Trump & Cruz we are assured a tea party friendly President till 2020 or 2024.

    Both are very capable of doing what has to be done.

    I won’t endorse until sometime next year.

Jeb! is a dork.

No amount of money or contrived ads will change his body language, demeanor, or disposition.

Rubio was critical of Cruz’s reason for not signing off on defence funding bills – the federal government having the authority to detain U.S. citizens permanently with no due process.

“If you’re an American citizen and you decide to join up with ISIS, we’re not going to read you your Miranda rights. You’re going to be treated as an enemy combatant—a member of an army attacking this country,” Rubio said.*

However, Cruz offered an amendment to remove that item from the bill.

From my perspective, who decides you meet the requirements of the clause. We live in a time where US Government agencies have been used to attack political opponents of the government. Is it a step too far to envisage detention without due process of U.S. citizens who are political opponents of the government.

*http://winteryknight.com/2015/12/16/cnn-debate-ted-cruz-hammers-marco-rubio-over-support-for-amnesty-and-libya-disaster/

    David Jay in reply to davod. | December 16, 2015 at 10:06 am

    “…political opponents of the government.”

    That is the differentiation. Political opponents versus military opponents.

    And the current resident of 1600 Pennsylvania doesn’t understand that: ISIS is the JV, but Republicans must be utterly destroyed.

    Lee Jan in reply to davod. | December 16, 2015 at 11:50 am

    When it comes to Obama, it’s not a far cry to envision gulags where his ‘enemies’ are taken and never seen or heard from again. NO government should ever have that power.
    Further, Obama would have us live in a country where only he has the firearms. NEVER NEVER NEVER

Apparently, T-rump thinks our “nuclear triad” is that three-cornered hat that some guys wear to a TEA party rally.

http://www.powerlineblog.com/archives/2015/12/trumps-nuclear-howler.php

      Ragspierre in reply to Gary Britt. | December 16, 2015 at 10:54 am

      But, T-rump butt boi, we know you’ll always excuse and suck Duh Donald.

      Many of us care that he’s a dolt. AND many of use recognize that Shapiro was on your hit-list just last week.

      Just like Rush and Levin this week.

      Pathetic.

        PhillyGuy in reply to Ragspierre. | December 16, 2015 at 12:17 pm

        you mean just like your blind loyalty to an unlikable Terd Cruz? When Terd starts talking, I feel like slapping him and telling him to talk normally.

        Ragspierre in reply to Ragspierre. | December 16, 2015 at 12:44 pm

        But I do criticize Cruz when he’s wrong, you moron.

        For instance, he was wrong in his support for the nice crazy clerk who refused to do her sworn duty WRT marriage licenses.

        You just use your own crazy BS to slime Cruz. OK. You’re allowed to be an unthinking slob.

          PhillyGuy in reply to Ragspierre. | December 16, 2015 at 3:30 pm

          sure you little numbskull. After watching Terd closely, I am convinced he doesn’t know how to connect with people with his public persona. He has this weird sing-song delivery that actually seems emotionally flat at the same time. He’s not a leader. He’s a lecturer.

          Ragspierre in reply to Ragspierre. | December 16, 2015 at 3:37 pm

          You just use your own crazy BS to slime Cruz. OK. You’re allowed to be an unthinking slob.

        If Trump is a dolt then cruz, rubio and all the rest must have negat8ve IQs and zero executive skills because Mr. Trump is kicking there arses without spending any money. The biggest symbol of just how smart and just how effective is Trump as an executive can be found in the results of his campaign. Mopping the floor with all the smart guys spending millions of other peoples money. Cruz Rubio et al spend millions and get nothing for it just like all the other failed washington politicians.

        Rags you are a moron desperately seeking validation for your pitiful existence. A waste of skin.

          Ragspierre in reply to Gary Britt. | December 16, 2015 at 2:13 pm

          By the stupid you sponsor, Kenye West and Kim Kardasian would be considered political geniuses.

          Heh…!!!

          And, Geri, I’m not a demonstrated liar and bung sucker like you.

When Carly pointed out that while other CXOs of other companies brought new technologies to market as she tanked Hewlett Packard and the other CXOs who are not failures like herself brought prosperity to America that she should be President, because she wants to emulate the successful CXOs for all of America.

Well, Carly…, standing along side of you, I saw one successful and prominent CEO, who has built many businesses all across the world, and hasn’t failed as miserably as you. Why shouldn’t we go with successful instead of aspirational contenders for President of the United States?

    Midwest Rhino in reply to Paul In Sweden. | December 16, 2015 at 11:41 am

    I don’t see any point in trashing her since she is basically out of the running, and is still good against Hillary. But she broke the glass ceiling, then didn’t do so great. I’d like to see her keep revealing (bashing) Hillary, but not from the war on women side … just as a woman, that doesn’t see Hillary as good for America.

    Carly might fill the VP role as attack dog and historic first woman VP, but there may be better options. Maybe Gov. Martinez wold check the right identity politics boxes?

      Paul In Sweden in reply to Midwest Rhino. | December 16, 2015 at 1:21 pm

      ” But she broke the glass ceiling, then didn’t do so great.” …and then did not sweep up after her mess. Being someone that fits the mantra, agenda, the outfits for the photo ops and crashing through the glass and causing a downturn in the economy and that of the company that was forced to hire her does not in anyway inspire confidence.

      Pointing out that she was hired due to her gender, sex, all the other alphabet soup acronyms and then failing miserably to me only proves that we should – Think back on, “I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin[their belief that they were originally born as Unicorns in Human bodies, that although they were born with both XY not XX and have fathered seven children but now believe they are a six year old little girl], but by the content of their character[and their previous accomplishments].” -Martin Luther King, Jr.

I’m still for Cruz, but the way “RINO” type Republicans, even the pundits, dislike Cruz, I fear he wouldn’t get past Hillary. Trump is not running as a conservative really, and would have broader crossover appeal. And he has money, and those commoners despised by the DC Cartel might rally to the voting booth for Trump.

Trump still stumbles on some things, but he keeps saying he’d get the best people. I think with all the business he does, he’d do that better than politicians that put too many political hacks in positions of responsibility. Obama has lying “commies” all the way down, and overrules his military advisers.

Trump would (hopefully) be more willing to turn over the tables of the “money-changers” than most that have lived off the temple of political power their whole lives, and have a long list of special interest owners to which they must cater. A big shake up is coming, but with Hillary it would just be a big shake down. (or something).

The Trump bashing is not helpful since he could well be the candidate. He’s wrong on Scalia, but the “mismatch” name and the “slower track for blacks” is easily portrayed as racist. It needs to be framed better.

“Smart blacks often fail because they are advanced too quickly, thereby forcing them to fall behind, which counteracts the whole idea of promoting them in the first place.” I was friends with a guy high up in Chevron (long ago) that said they had the same problem with advancing women too quickly, to accomplish the diversity thingy. We end up with the disdained “diversity hires”.

He should have learned the triad thing since he missed it before, but he is juggling a lot of balls. He doesn’t have a position on that or much about the “war on terror” on his site. He’ll have to develop that, and some other positions.

Trump lightly attacked Cruz on not working with his fellow senators, but I don’t think that makes Trump into “reach across the aisle McCain”, since Cruz has the contempt of most of his own party. The tea party may like that Cruz stance, but how does that work in the general election?

anyway, that’s my review. Trump is a workhorse, which would be nice after slacker Obama. But he has some politics to learn still … he won’t really know what to do about the triad till he sees it from the inside, but he could maybe Google it in the mean time. ha

    Hal Jordan in reply to Midwest Rhino. | December 16, 2015 at 8:48 pm

    I’m a Cruz supporter too. I don’t believe that most Republicans hate him (unless you’re referring to the RNC). I also don’t believe it helps our cause to bash the other Republican candidates. I see way too much of that in blog discussions (but not from you).

    It looks like the Republican nominee choice is coming down to Cruz or Trump. I believe either one would make a fine President. Although I am hoping Cruz wins, it would be wonderful to watch a President Trump shouting “You’re Fired!” to clean up unnecessary cabinet positions.

By the numbers: if a strong American economy is desirable (leading to strength across the board) stats are telling as to just whom is suited to produce results

http://www.nbcnews.com/meet-the-press/jeb-bushs-35-million-least-effective-tv-ad-campaign-presidential-n480286

The biggest ad spenders so far (for TV and radio):

Team Bush: $35.6 million ($34.6M from Right to Rise Super PAC, $900K from campaign)

Team Rubio: $15.5 million ($8.7M from Conservative Solutions Project, $2.2M from Conservative Solutions PAC, $4.6 million from campaign)

Team Clinton: $11.5 million ($11.3M from campaign, $200K from Priorities USA Super PAC)

Team Kasich: $8.8 million (all from two outside groups)

Team Christie: $7.7 million ($7.3M from America Leads Super PAC, $400K from campaign)

Team Sanders: $7.2 million (all from campaign)

Team Carson: $2.8 million ($2.7M from campaign, $134K from 2016 Committee Super PAC)

Team Graham: $2.7 million ($2.5M from Security is Strength Super PAC, $170K from campaign)

Team Cruz: $1.2 million ($860K from campaign, rest from outside groups)

Team Fiorina: $1.0 million (all from CARLY For America Super PAC)

Team Paul: $960,000 ($837K from America’s Liberty PAC, $125K from campaign)

Team Trump: $217,000 (all from campaign)

The attitude that a candidate Trump has, is very unusual . I think it is just the kind of President that we need at this moment in time. We have a pres. who hates America, and is without a doubt, trying to destroy us. We don’t need another Dictator/Queen, to trash our Constitution and break the laws that He/She doesn’t like. We can’t survive another Marxist/Communist Regime.We need someone who wants to instill America’s values. We have had people in charge that wants to kill all Tradition. They try to trash all hero’s or Famous Builders of the Country. We have a chance to have a leader, who is not a member of the ” Good ole Boys Club.” He doesn’t have obligations to appoint incompetent people in Gov. Jobs. Many of the ” Takers,” are very nervous.

    We don’t need another Dictator/Queen, to trash our Constitution and break the laws that He/She doesn’t like.

    So that counts Trump out.

      “So that counts Trump out.”

      Laughing. It’s pretty clear that Trump, Cruz, and Carson have reached an understanding.

      President Trump
      VP Carson
      AG Cruz (SC later)

      My official prediction. Subject to change of course…

    Ragspierre in reply to bobgood1. | December 16, 2015 at 4:57 pm

    http://hotair.com/archives/2015/12/11/trump-as-president-i-will-mandate-the-death-penalty-for-anyone-who-kills-a-police-officer/

    Duh Donald (aka Hooting Monkey) seems to misunderstand the whole concept of “republican democracy”, along with the whole notion of “constitution”.

      Of course trump did not say what the headline in the link reads, or the headline in the linked article.

      Click Rags link and listen for yourself. Then you will understand the distortion applied by TDS sufferers to any and all things trump.

      Ragspierre in reply to Ragspierre. | December 16, 2015 at 7:48 pm

      “One of the first things I’d do in terms of executive order, if I win, will be to sign a strong, strong statement that would go out to the country, out to the world, anybody killing a police man, a police woman, a police officer, anybody killing a police officer, the death penalty is going to happen,” he said.

      Plus…

      https://twitter.com/DanScavino/status/675136350090371072

        “One of the first things I’d do in terms of executive order, if I win, will be to sign a strong, strong statement that would go out to the country…”

        We have our disagreements with respect to trump. The headline “Trump: As president, I will mandate the death penalty for anyone who kills a police officer” which is not the way I read his actual words. The actual words say he will, in “terms” of an executive order, sign a strong “statement” for the death penalty.

        I think the headline twists that quite a bit.

          Ragspierre in reply to Barry. | December 16, 2015 at 8:07 pm

          I think he was very clear, and so did his campaign, and you’re the one with TDS.

          Barry in reply to Barry. | December 16, 2015 at 9:14 pm

          Of course you do. Your night job is work in a pretzel factory.

          If you listen in context, consider the group he is speaking to, it doesn’t mean what you think it means.

          Ragspierre in reply to Barry. | December 16, 2015 at 9:38 pm

          Sure it does, and you are happily lying to yourself.

          It meant what he said, and what his campaign said.

Was this Jeb’s last hurrah?

Let’s hope so. I didn’t thing anyone could make Trump look presidential – I swear, Bush did. That was so unnecessary and childish.

    Barry in reply to JoAnne. | December 16, 2015 at 7:42 pm

    His last “hurrah” was some time ago. He just doesn’t know it. A smarter guy would have recognized it’s over by now. Jeb! just ain’t smart.

Conservatives aren’t worried about whether Trump can check every box on the Edmund Burke list of conservative bona fides. He gets important stuff, like controlling immigration, fighting terrorism and avoiding bad trade deals. Those issues resonate, and he knows it.

What conservatives know is that the country’s situation has grown so dire in so many areas that only a personality with steel, vigor, determination and even ruthlessness can possibly make things right. Getting every detail correct — but not having the stamina or forcefulness to carry out the plan — won’t cut it.

http://www.lifezette.com/polizette/trumps-commanding-performance/

    Ragspierre in reply to Gary Britt. | December 17, 2015 at 12:27 am

    But, Gari, you lying SOS, you are not a “conservative”.

    You’ve openly declared “this election is not about conservative principles”, and for you that’s true.

    You are simply an Obamic supporter of a slightly different stripe. You want a strong man of YOUR persuasion.

    Conservatives want a Constitution, and a man or woman who will honor it and lead from it. T-rump is NOT that person, as you’ve admitted, along with the fact that you don’t care.

    At least be SLIGHTLY honest.

      Yawn…..

      Your bullshit is so repetitive and boring.

      Without borders, a wall on the border and enforcement of our immigration laws we don’t have a country and the constitution becomes just a piece of paper.

      Trump gets that. There is no more important issue.

      Moron.

      Ragspierre in reply to Ragspierre. | December 17, 2015 at 10:56 am

      “…the country’s situation has grown so dire in so many areas that only a personality with steel, vigor, determination and even ruthlessness can possibly make things right. Getting every detail correct — but not having the stamina or forcefulness to carry out the plan — won’t cut it.”

      See, these are exactly the sentiments of a good lil’ Brown Shirt or Black Shirt. Along with your slavering man-crush on a narcissist with delusions of grandeur.

      Not those of an American conservative.

Putin thinks Trump would improve relations with Russia and is talented and outstanding.

Moscow (AFP) – Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday described US Republican presidential hopeful Donald Trump as a talented and outstanding man, welcoming his stance on Russia.

“He is a very outstanding man, unquestionably talented,” Putin told journalists after his annual press conference in Moscow.

“I will get along — I think — with Putin, and I will get along with others, and we will have a much more stable — stable world,” Trump said. “I would talk to him. I would get along with him.”

    Ragspierre in reply to Gary Britt. | December 17, 2015 at 11:07 am

    Demonstrating…again…your lack of judgment and height of stupidity.

      LOL. Yeah because improving relations with t g e 2nd largest nuclear power in the world is such a bad thing…

      Moron.

      This from the guy who defends those who want to start world war 3 with a stupid after it is way too late Syruan no fly zone.

      Your infantile stupidity knows no bounds.

        Ragspierre in reply to Gary Britt. | December 17, 2015 at 12:05 pm

        Duh Donald…THE candidate endorsed by the reconstituted KGB…!!!

        Yeah. That’s a winnah…!!!

          Putin is certainly a KGB master. An “endorsement” of trump could be seen as something else entirely.

          Not an endorsement but a show of respect. One can have respect or not for one’s adversaries. Putin has respect for Mr. Trump, certainly has none for Obama.

          Using your theory of things then Obama must be Putin’s worst nightmare because he never says anything good about Obama. Or maybe you have inadvertently once again shown just how shallow and superficial is your thinking.

          Since you Rags don have any I can understand why it is a concept you don’t understand and are so confused.

          Ragspierre in reply to Ragspierre. | December 17, 2015 at 1:18 pm

          Gee, now if he can get the endorsement of the ChiComs and the mullahs in Iran, he’ll have a LOCK on the nomination…!!!

          Mr. Trump absolutely will get the respect of the Chinese and the Mullahs in Iran. Just like Reagan had their respect. The fact that Mr. Trump has this and several other things in common with Reagan is a good thing. It prevents wars and mistakes in judgment.

          Rags likes it better if our adversaries have no respect for our President. I guess he prefers a president that has things in common with Obama as opposed to Reagan.

          Not very conservative or thoughtful on Rags part, but his posts continually show that he is all about infantile bluster and thoughtfulness has nothing to do with his thinking.

          Ragspierre in reply to Ragspierre. | December 17, 2015 at 3:41 pm

          More convoluted, nonsensical bung-sucking.