The Trump Presidency

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Galted wrote:

Pal Joey wrote:Just between us few on here... I have a feeling the Queen likes Trump.

Don't ask me to explain why but their body language seemed to be in a sort of comfortable harmony when they stood beside each other in June or whenever it was. And I think he quite likes all of that pomp and ceremony... as someone who likes being the centre of attention would.

He's a cross between a court jester and a village idiot so she would love him. Probably lets him run round the grounds with the corgis.

Yes... and also the fact that he has just a touch of olde worlde charm (probably brutally drummed into him from the NY Military Academy) despite his apparently frightening unpredictability in this day and age.

Doubt he will, but Trump just needs to play with a straight bat, stick to his Presidential accomplishments, and let Biden make his own errors (which will be inevitable) over these three debates. Biden will have an extraordinarily tough job of appealing to both his base and the independent voters he needs to win the election.

Biden has a winning coalition and has enough voters already..

Doing better than Clinton with Blacks and Hispanics and remember Clinton won the popular vote in 2016.

Biden just has to look competent for 90 minutes and lucid..

Big ask for a guy that is struggling with his memory...

Trump isn't Soft ball Bernie..

Duty281 wrote:Doubt he will, but Trump just needs to play with a straight bat, stick to his Presidential accomplishments, and let Biden make his own errors (which will be inevitable) over these three debates. Biden will have an extraordinarily tough job of appealing to both his base and the independent voters he needs to win the election.

Well that was..... horrendous.

One of the good things about working from home is you can stay up to watch debates...

One of the bad things about working from home is you can stay up to watch debates...

Shocking moderator....A President that is so insecure he won't let the other guy speak and criticise him...When his only hope is to let the other guy speak because he makes no sense when off his talking points..

Biden won by not losing..

Trump's aides must be pulling their hair out.

Worst debate I've ever seen and my bet is there won't be anymore...

The last chance saloon has called time..

Didn't stay up to watch it, but have read the reports. Can't say I'm surprised. Saddened but not surprised. I doubt there has ever been a time when so many non-Americans have pitied the USA so much as in recent months.

You didn't miss much, Julius. It was embarrassing to watch and listen to all three of them. Luckily it was on at 11am here so I got a few things done before and after.

I particularly enjoyed the part where Trump again refused to condemn white supremacists.

Best guide as to no change is...

CNN viewers scoring the debate for Biden 63 to 28..

Telemundo viewers scoring it for Trump 66% to 33%..

Trump energised his base...Biden energised his..

Biden's base is bigger.

TRUSSMAN66 wrote:A President that is so insecure he won't let the other guy speak and criticise him...When his only hope is to let the other guy speak because he makes no sense when off his talking points..

This is it. Trump's constant interruption helped mask some of Biden's hesitancy when answering questions. What kind of strategy is that?

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:

TRUSSMAN66 wrote:A President that is so insecure he won't let the other guy speak and criticise him...When his only hope is to let the other guy speak because he makes no sense when off his talking points..

This is it. Trump's constant interruption helped mask some of Biden's hesitancy when answering questions. What kind of strategy is that?

Reminds me of the South Park parody where Mr Garrison was trying everything in his power to lose the election.

I still can't get over how 2 men in their 70s can display such puerile behaviour in front of hundreds of millions across the world. Just watching some snippets of it again now... it sounds even worse. No dignity, intelligence or compelling leadership from either of them. It's very sad indeed.

Trump got his message across better and avoided spending too much time on topics that weren't to his benefit. Biden tried not to engage with Trump, opting to do that Ed Miliband thing where he stares down the camera and straight into your soul. I wasn't sure it was the best tactic. The moderator did a terrible job, including not pressing for answers on certain questions. Trump's interruptions were appalling, but he did get less speaking time than Biden apparently. Biden also lost the thread of what he was saying, momentarily, a few times, which does raise the question of whether he wants to do this another two times.

My biggest take-away from it was that the results of this election might not be known for up to a week after the election, because of the mail-in ballots. Seems a strange system. I wonder if the election will be as tight as Bush/Gore and it drags on for several weeks?

I think it's a great tactic to stare down the camera and say something profound to the wider audience but in Biden's case it didn't really have the punch... except for the bit at the end when he said something about governing for "all Americans both Democrats and Republicans". That sounds good. But does he really mean it though? I'm not convinced personally.

Trump was off topic several times. When the question about race was asked he ranted more about law and order (which was a separate topic as we all knew) and didn't seem to convey what he's been saying recently about that particular issue - whether he's right or wrong in his claims. He was hopeless on the climate change question too. Didn't answer that so well and sounded like he doesn't fully understand what's involved. It's not just about leaves on the forest floor.

I think it's a decent tactic if you use it sparingly, but if you keep doing it it looks a little weird and insincere.

And yes, Trump was off-topic many times but, from his point of view, it's a clever diversionary tactic. Not so strong on the topic of race, so shift it to law and order. Not so strong on climate change? No bother, start talking about...um...forest management.

Why would Trump divert from the topic of race? He's done more for black Americans than any other president except Lincoln.

Is "not so strong on the topic of race" the new euphimism for "racist"?  

If so, I'd like to see it employed more in news reports so that we can all be clear on what it means:

"Nigel Farage, notably not so strong on the topic of race, was seen desperately trying to gain some attention today by fannying about on a boat in the middle of the English Channel with Ann Widdicombe, also famously not so strong on race."

Days after mocking Biden for wearing a mask, both Trump and Melania have tested positive for Covid-19.

Shame.

Time to drink that bleach, Donny!

Has to be a chance that Trump drops out of the race now if he gets really ill. He is old(ish) and a bloater so good chance of him struggling. Surely that would leave Pence to become nominee seeing how close we are to the vote.

That would change the dynamic dramatically. Biden would still probably win but would shake things up.

Hopefully he's given it to Pence as well.

Can they change the nominee now with postal votes already being mailed in?

Samo wrote:Can they change the nominee now with postal votes already being mailed in?

Not sure actually. That's a really good point. There are well over a million votes already posted in.

You would think there has to be something in the rules to allow it in case an incumbent nominee dies or gets ill.

We should all be sending our condolences to Covid-19 really.

CNN missing the... "Have some class" memo..

Whatever one thinks of Tangerine Man he is the President and the hosts shouldn't be relishing the fact he's obese and may have a greater chance of succumbing.

Not that Fox would be any better should Biden get it.

As Pence would beat Biden not sure they should want the Donald off this mortal coil anyway.

There is going to be the mother of all track and traces in Washington.

Mind the windows Tino. wrote:There is going to be the mother of all track and traces in Washington.

Wonder how many pussies he's grabbed while he's had it.

superflyweight wrote:

Mind the windows Tino. wrote:There is going to be the mother of all track and traces in Washington.

Wonder how many pussies he's grabbed while he's had it.  

Leave him alone, Fly. It's just locker room high jinx. He didn't mean it.

It's the British equivalent of a good bare bum towel whip in the changing room after PE.

We've all done that. Right?

Mind the windows Tino. wrote:

superflyweight wrote:

Mind the windows Tino. wrote:There is going to be the mother of all track and traces in Washington.

Wonder how many pussies he's grabbed while he's had it.  

Leave him alone, Fly. It's just locker room high jinx. He didn't mean it.

It's the British equivalent of a good bare bum towel whip in the changing room after PE.

We've all done that. Right?

I got expelled for doing that in the girls' changing room. Zero tolerance policy apparently, despite me arguing that it was my own bum I was whipping.

So Trump'll be out of quarantine in time for the second Presidential debate. He can ride a high of how he beat this terrible virus, and how tough and awesome he is etc. etc. Which is convenient.

Pence of course has tested negative, meaning he can do the VP debate next week. Very convenient.

And the news cycle in the next two weeks will be dominated by Trump, not Biden. Then add in the sympathy vote which will flood towards Trump as a result, like Bolsonaro after he got stabbed during the Brazilian elections. Highly convenient.

This was announced 33 days before the election and it all seems quite...convenient.

Unless Trump dies as a result. That wouldn't be convenient. That would be 8 years and a few months of Pence.

superflyweight wrote:

Mind the windows Tino. wrote:

superflyweight wrote:

Mind the windows Tino. wrote:There is going to be the mother of all track and traces in Washington.

Wonder how many pussies he's grabbed while he's had it.  

Leave him alone, Fly. It's just locker room high jinx. He didn't mean it.

It's the British equivalent of a good bare bum towel whip in the changing room after PE.

We've all done that. Right?

I got expelled for doing that in the girls' changing room.  Zero tolerance policy apparently, despite me arguing that it was my own bum I was whipping.  

I got expelled for refusing to go in there and squeeze their pussies..

The 200 signatures from disappointed Female students did for me.

Duty281 wrote:So Trump'll be out of quarantine in time for the second Presidential debate. He can ride a high of how he beat this terrible virus, and how tough and awesome he is etc. etc. Which is convenient.

Pence of course has tested negative, meaning he can do the VP debate next week. Very convenient.

And the news cycle in the next two weeks will be dominated by Trump, not Biden. Then add in the sympathy vote which will flood towards Trump as a result, like Bolsonaro after he got stabbed during the Brazilian elections. Highly convenient.

This was announced 33 days before the election and it all seems quite...convenient.

Unless Trump dies as a result. That wouldn't be convenient. That would be 8 years and a few months of Pence.

Quite a conspiracy theory. Who knows?

The idea that a Pence candidacy walks into the White House is a little far fetched I think. He's contaminated by Trump; he went all in supporting Trump's scorched Earth approach. Stands or falls w/ his master.

Pence rating is +1
Trump -16..

Some polls have Florida...Michigan and Ohio quite tight...

A lot of Republicans including leading ones like Kasich and Romney want to vote GOP but won't vote for Trump.

Chuck in the violins of Pence picking up the sword and shield from the stricken President and Biden's unpopularity.

Strongly fancy Pence.

Duty281 wrote:So Trump'll be out of quarantine in time for the second Presidential debate. He can ride a high of how he beat this terrible virus, and how tough and awesome he is etc. etc. Which is convenient.

Pence of course has tested negative, meaning he can do the VP debate next week. Very convenient.

And the news cycle in the next two weeks will be dominated by Trump, not Biden. Then add in the sympathy vote which will flood towards Trump as a result, like Bolsonaro after he got stabbed during the Brazilian elections. Highly convenient.

This was announced 33 days before the election and it all seems quite...convenient.

Unless Trump dies as a result. That wouldn't be convenient. That would be 8 years and a few months of Pence.

I'm certain that if Trump felt that he could benefit from an announcement that he had tested positive, then he would announce it even if it were a complete lie.

If Trump has any sense he will come out from Covid 'A changed Man' ....Undergone a Metamorphosis.

"Yes it took this illness to realise what is important in life and I want to just spend it helping People from now on"

In the next debate....Keep letting Biden speak and reply "Bless you Joe" before every answer.

Be fun to watch.

Worth a try..

IDS Poll...

Does Donald Trump catching Covid 19 make it more likely you will change your vote ??

No........................  68%
Yes..Vote Trump...18%
Yes. Vote Biden... .13%

JuliusHMarx wrote:

Duty281 wrote:So Trump'll be out of quarantine in time for the second Presidential debate. He can ride a high of how he beat this terrible virus, and how tough and awesome he is etc. etc. Which is convenient.

Pence of course has tested negative, meaning he can do the VP debate next week. Very convenient.

And the news cycle in the next two weeks will be dominated by Trump, not Biden. Then add in the sympathy vote which will flood towards Trump as a result, like Bolsonaro after he got stabbed during the Brazilian elections. Highly convenient.

This was announced 33 days before the election and it all seems quite...convenient.

Unless Trump dies as a result. That wouldn't be convenient. That would be 8 years and a few months of Pence.

I'm certain that if Trump felt that he could benefit from an announcement that he had tested positive, then he would announce it even if it were a complete lie.

I don't buy it. I don't think there's a chance in hell he'd cancel rallies voluntarily. His rallies sustain him.

So much BS around the Trump's treatment (or lack of) and how come he's been let out of hospital so quick? (quarantine?). Covid now rampant at the white house. Trump may recover but there will be deaths that will have happened as a direct consequence of his lack of precautions.

I would have thought the most interesting result would have been Trump being too ill to continue. The presidency might be saved for the GOP, who knows. But all those loans and dodgy tax issues won't go away, and with Trump too unwell to hold off the creditors and the law any longer he could get stuck with watching the whole Trump empire collapse without being able to anything about it.

On the other hand if Covid comes back and claims him, it will be a huge factor in dealing with the pandemic going forward. His death may well save many thousands of lives.

Interesting when the next few polls come out to see if Trump gets a bounce...

Close Elections are more exciting...

Penn...Michigan...Wisconsin looking solid for Biden...Trump needs one of them with Florida and Ohio where he is in play.

Massachusetts was one of the worst States when Covid started....Thankfully it's slipping down the list now...

Roxbury has on average an older population compared to other areas in Massachusetts...But it's holding up well on the charts...My folks don't know anybody that has had it yet..

Pence v Harris debate this week hard to call that..

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:

JuliusHMarx wrote:

Duty281 wrote:So Trump'll be out of quarantine in time for the second Presidential debate. He can ride a high of how he beat this terrible virus, and how tough and awesome he is etc. etc. Which is convenient.

Pence of course has tested negative, meaning he can do the VP debate next week. Very convenient.

And the news cycle in the next two weeks will be dominated by Trump, not Biden. Then add in the sympathy vote which will flood towards Trump as a result, like Bolsonaro after he got stabbed during the Brazilian elections. Highly convenient.

This was announced 33 days before the election and it all seems quite...convenient.

Unless Trump dies as a result. That wouldn't be convenient. That would be 8 years and a few months of Pence.

I'm certain that if Trump felt that he could benefit from an announcement that he had tested positive, then he would announce it even if it were a complete lie.

I don't buy it. I don't think there's a chance in hell he'd cancel rallies voluntarily. His rallies sustain him.

Might be a calculated risk, if he comes back quickly as the superhuman messiah who single handedly smacked down covid. A lot of Americans will love that kind of thing.

He should wait to see his first few post Covid diagnosis polls.

Before proceeding.

Could be back in the game or Biden looks Alpha and takes a bigger lead.

Or no change at all...Americans on the whole do seem to have made their minds up. Very few floaters.

Duty281 wrote:So Trump'll be out of quarantine in time for the second Presidential debate. He can ride a high of how he beat this terrible virus, and how tough and awesome he is etc. etc. Which is convenient.

Yes.

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/oct/05/donald-trump-walter-reed-hospital-covid-19

I loved his highly produced, slick, war time leader video. Arriving via chopper, the dramatic removal of face mask at the White House, the salute to his "people". Just needed Morgan Freeman to narrate it and it would have been the total package.

Great address as well telling us all how he beat it and don't let it get in the way of your life (bit difficult if you're already dead/don't have access to the sort of health care he has). I especially loved the "I might be immune, I don't know" line. Lovely stuff, Don.

Literally (correct use of the term) the most narcissistic bell end I have ever seen. In a position of power or not.

Mind the windows Tino. wrote:I loved his highly produced, slick, war time leader video. Arriving via chopper, the dramatic removal of face mask at the White House, the salute to his "people". Just needed Morgan Freeman to narrate it and it would have been the total package.

Great address as well telling us all how he beat it and don't let it get in the way of your life (bit difficult if you're already dead/don't have access to the sort of health care he has). I especially loved the "I might be immune, I don't know" line. Lovely stuff, Don.

Literally (correct use of the term) the most narcissistic bell end I have ever seen. In a position of power or not.

He seemed so juiced up on god-knows-what too.

I'm hoping the locks are extra strong on Melania's bed chamber. She won't stand a chance otherwise. I'm expecting more fireworks inside the WH.

Duty281 wrote:

Duty281 wrote:So Trump'll be out of quarantine in time for the second Presidential debate. He can ride a high of how he beat this terrible virus, and how tough and awesome he is etc. etc. Which is convenient.

Yes.

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/oct/05/donald-trump-walter-reed-hospital-covid-19

His base will lap this up, no doubt at all about that. But I can't think that this display of irresponsibility will help his cause with the rest of the electorate. What's more, it's highly likely that he's jumped the gun in declaring himself better. He's been pumped full of steroids, it's no wonder he feels fantastic. If he gets worse now, after this photo op, it's going to be a 'Mission Accomplished' moment weeks before the election.

Pal Joey wrote:

Mind the windows Tino. wrote:I loved his highly produced, slick, war time leader video. Arriving via chopper, the dramatic removal of face mask at the White House, the salute to his "people". Just needed Morgan Freeman to narrate it and it would have been the total package.

Great address as well telling us all how he beat it and don't let it get in the way of your life (bit difficult if you're already dead/don't have access to the sort of health care he has). I especially loved the "I might be immune, I don't know" line. Lovely stuff, Don.

Literally (correct use of the term) the most narcissistic bell end I have ever seen. In a position of power or not.

He seemed so juiced up on god-knows-what too.

I'm hoping the locks are extra strong on Melania's bed chamber. She won't stand a chance otherwise. I'm expecting more fireworks inside the WH.

Dex mania - a well-known side-effect of that steroid. Only made him worse.

Also, even if he doesn't get significantly worse, I don't think boasting about overcoming a virus that has killed over 200,000 of the people he swore an oath to protect is going to go down well. He's said a few times that he 'gets it' now, but where's the evidence of that?

Assuming Biden- Kamala Harris win the upcoming US election what impact will that have for Britain, the EU, the middle-east and the US economically and socially?  

Biden and Harris have indicated they will make significant changes to the Supreme Court in a process to make it easier for them to effect fundamental change which they say is needed to address systemic racism in the US.

It's all just typical Trump - those that support him strongly will lap it up, those that are opposed to him will see him being a reckless amoral clown. As Truss mentioned a few posts ago, there really aren't many in between these two positions to win over or alienate (recent national polling has about 5-6% undecideds, with Biden at 50-51% and Trump around 43-44%*. Post debate / debacle but prior to the COVID diagnosis, Biden's lead was stretching slightly).

Of course Trump going back to the White House while still on his course of steroid treatment (noting that Dextramethasone is only an effective treatment against the dangerous runaway immune response to COVID-19, not a treatment for mild infection) is likely not that different in terms of facilities to the hospital anyway - he'll have round the clock care from the best available doctors. Worst thing that could happen to him, which is still a real possibility over the next few days, is a relapse requiring re-admission to the hospital or additional treeatment.

Of course you have to remember that even before his swerve into politics, Trump's career had been based on selling his name and image, something of no intrinsic value. He's just continuing the same approach as President, and (as with his business dealings) persuaded enough people that there is a value in what he says. Oh, and as a salesman, he's like one of those rubbish Apprentice candidates who is prepared to say anything to get the sale, regardless of the truth.

* Biden probably needs to win the national vote by at least 3-4% to be sure of an electoral college win, as he is likely to win California and NY, ad big population states with a lot of EC votes, by large margins, while Trump is likely to win Texas by a relatively small margin (Florida, as one of the other big states in terms of EV votes is as usual very close, marginally trending Biden but within the reasonable margin of error of the polls)

New CNN national likely voter poll: Biden 57%, Trump 41%. Poll was taken Oct 1 - 4, largely after Trump tested positive. Among seniors, it's 60% - 39%. An NBC / WSJ poll had Biden leading 62% - 35% among seniors.

https://edition.cnn.com/2020/10/06/politics/cnn-poll-biden-trump-2020-election/index.html

LP
Rather an outlier on the recent Biden by +6 to +10 range, and is only one poll. I think it more likely captures the post debate mood rather than Trump's recent idiocy (pointless limo ride in particular). Stil,l, good news if you want the US to revert to normality again.

MPBA - Make Politics Boring Again.