# Clinton v Trump - The Stretch Run Thread **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [September 30, 2016, 11:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clinton-v-trump-the-stretch-run-thread/767277 "2016-09-30T11:21:19Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 81
**Author:** ![jsc1953](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/5daacb/32.png) [@jsc1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsc1953)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2016, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clinton-v-trump-the-stretch-run-thread/767277/1603 "2016-10-11T15:23:17Z")
> [@TokyoBayer](#): > > My God, these guys are crybabies. Seriously. They’re jumping all over Martha Raddatz for being mean to Donald, demanding that she be fired. Grow up. ---
**Author:** ![Morgenstern](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Morgenstern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgenstern)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2016, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clinton-v-trump-the-stretch-run-thread/767277/1604 "2016-10-11T15:25:37Z")
Remember, Trump already has an appointment in late November in San Diego where he’ll face that “Mexican” judge and defend his Trump University scam. I wonder what will be in the mind of the judge as he calls that case? ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2016, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clinton-v-trump-the-stretch-run-thread/767277/1605 "2016-10-11T15:35:03Z")
Yeah right, he or other Trumpetistas may want to challenge. And competent judges across the various states may say “Counselor, please watch as I crumple your filing, lob it into the trashcan and set it on fire. Dismissed with prejudice.” ---
**Author:** ![Merneith](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/57b2e6/32.png) [@Merneith](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merneith)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2016, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clinton-v-trump-the-stretch-run-thread/767277/1606 "2016-10-11T15:39:40Z")
> [@Fiveyearlurker](#): > > Nobody is claiming that Trump himself found the news article. But if it was public, I’m sure he has someone on his staff capable of doing an internet news search. > > I hate defending him, and I’m not ruling out this direct connection, but this, unfortunately, is not a smoking gun because personally, the easiest answer is that his staff found this and ran with it. I disagree entirely that your scenario is the easy answer. It might be the easy answer if Donald had people on staff researching facts and useful information, which Donald would then remember and discuss. You know. Like normal politicians who had a basic curiosity about the world today. Donald isn’t that guy. Instead, the one and only fact Donald is quoting just happens to be the plagarized phony bit. In your scenario, we have to believe that someone on Donald’s staff “just happened” to read the Sputnik article in the brief few hours before it was taken down. And that staff member “just happened” to print the paragraphs with the plagarized lines. And Donald “just happened” to innocently pay attention when the staff member showed him the article. And Donald “just happened” to plan a theatrical reveal around the plagarized lines. Your scenario is actually a long sequences of coincidences that led to Donald making a performance about citing the plagiarized propaganda. I don’t believe it’s a coincidence. Donald has shown himself repeatedly to have deep ties with the Russian government. The Russian government, otoh, has been shown repeatedly trying to influence the election on Donald’s behalf. The simple solution is that this is more of the same. Someone in Russia wrote the email, planted it in Wikileaks, published it on known propaganda outlet, Sputnik, and then tipped Trump’s people on where to look (and really - of course they did. There’s no point in going to the trouble planting propaganda if you can’t be sure that someone’s going to see it. You wouldn’t just slip it into the mess of wikileaks material and then wait around who knows how long without a way to draw attention to it.) The whole point of faking the email was to give Donald something to hit Hillary with. I don’t believe that it’s just an innocent coincidence that Donald immediately zeroed in on the fake story and proceeded to hit Hillary with it. I don’t see that as the simple solution. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2016, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clinton-v-trump-the-stretch-run-thread/767277/1607 "2016-10-11T15:41:14Z")
> [@Morgenstern](#): > > Remember, Trump already has an appointment in late November in San Diego where he’ll face that “Mexican” judge and defend his Trump University scam. I wonder what will be in the mind of the judge as he calls that case? I think he can keep his personal feelings walled off from the proceedings. ---
**Author:** ![oft\_wears\_hats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/7993a0/32.png) [@oft\_wears\_hats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/oft_wears_hats)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2016, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clinton-v-trump-the-stretch-run-thread/767277/1608 "2016-10-11T15:41:24Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > Trump refusing to concede is an irrelevance. “Conceding” is a gentlemanly thing to do, but it’s not, technically a thing in the electoral process. If Clinton wins, as is the overwhelming likelihood, the electors go through the motions and then she’s inaugurated. He can say he didn’t lose all he wants. I can also say I’m the Pope. Both positions are equally pointless. The election of the President is beyond the powers of Clinton or Trump to affect beyond their campaign efforts. > > … The problem with an individual citizen refusing to accept the election results is minimal. The problem with thousands of citizens refusing to accept the result is also likely minimal for the reasons you describe. The problem with a major presidential candidate refusing to accept the results is non-trivial, to say the least. Trump contesting the election - in the bombastic, fact-starved way that we know he will - is bad because he **will** be given a soapbox to stand on. Trump will be in a position to influence the thinking of millions of people. Trump will continue to erode confidence in our electoral system while nurturing the seething resentment that propelled him into the general election in the first place. At a minimum, it will increase polarization and cast a pall over Hillary’s historic moment and her right to govern. It is a virtual certainty that Trump **will** contest the results, due to his inability to accept failure and his desire to remain the center of attention. I’m still not sure how much damage it will ultimately do (that largely depends on how close the election is), but I don’t envision it as harmless, impotent grumbling. Hillary needs to win by a wide margin in multiple states that have paper backup ballots. If, for example, Pennsylvania clinches the win for Hillary, Trump’s inevitable challenge will have more weight and things will get very, very ugly. ---
**Author:** ![Merneith](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/57b2e6/32.png) [@Merneith](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merneith)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2016, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clinton-v-trump-the-stretch-run-thread/767277/1609 "2016-10-11T15:44:14Z")
I wouldn’t be surprised if Donald immediately announces his intention to run again for 2020. He likes these campaigning rallies and he likes the money he makes renting his property to his campaign. ---
**Author:** ![Fiveyearlurker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/da6949/32.png) [@Fiveyearlurker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiveyearlurker)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2016, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clinton-v-trump-the-stretch-run-thread/767277/1610 "2016-10-11T15:53:24Z")
> [@Merneith](#): > > Your scenario is actually a long sequences of coincidences that led to Donald making a performance about citing the plagiarized propaganda. My scenario requires that someone on Trump’s staff have a google news alert set up, which I’m pretty certain (though, admittedly not 100%) they are competent enough to do. ---
**Author:** ![Merneith](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/57b2e6/32.png) [@Merneith](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merneith)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2016, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clinton-v-trump-the-stretch-run-thread/767277/1611 "2016-10-11T15:58:49Z")
No. Again - your scenario requires the Russian propagada team which is working to get Trump elected to create some propaganda and post it online for a few hours, which, “coincidentally” trips the “coincidental” Google Alert of someone on Trump’s staff who “coincidentally” highlights the plagarized bits, and then “coincidentally” shows them to Donald, who “coincidentally” finds them so compelling that he just “coincidentally” turns the plagarized propaganda into a theatrical announcement of Hillary’s wrongdoings. ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Lendervedder](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_lendervedder/32/8488_2.png) [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2016, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clinton-v-trump-the-stretch-run-thread/767277/1612 "2016-10-11T15:59:26Z")
> [@Merneith](#): > > I wouldn’t be surprised if Donald immediately announces his intention to run again for 2020. He likes these campaigning rallies and he likes the money he makes renting his property to his campaign. This time…as a Democrat! Get ready Madam President! ---
**Author:** ![Fiveyearlurker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/da6949/32.png) [@Fiveyearlurker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiveyearlurker)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2016, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clinton-v-trump-the-stretch-run-thread/767277/1613 "2016-10-11T16:03:11Z")
> [@Merneith](#): > > No. Again - your scenario requires the Russian propagada team which is working to get Trump elected to create some propaganda and post it online for a few hours, which, “coincidentally” trips the “coincidental” Google Alert of someone on Trump’s staff who “coincidentally” highlights the plagarized bits, and then “coincidentally” shows them to Donald, who “coincidentally” finds them so compelling that he just “coincidentally” turns the plagarized propaganda into a theatrical announcement of Hillary’s wrongdoings. I think you are using the word “coincidentally” where the word “inevitably” fits better. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Stainless\_Steel\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_stainless_steel_rat/32/5727_2.png) [@The\_Stainless\_Steel\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Stainless_Steel_Rat)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2016, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clinton-v-trump-the-stretch-run-thread/767277/1614 "2016-10-11T16:06:31Z")
> [@JohnT](#): > > TRUMP UNSHACKLED: > > [https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/785842546878578688](https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/785842546878578688) His campaign should be playing Bon Jovi’s “Blaze of Glory” as his entrance music: > [@](#): > > …I’m going down in a blaze of glory > Take me now but know the truth > I’m going down in a blaze of glory… ---
**Author:** ![Enginerd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/bcef8e/32.png) [@Enginerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enginerd)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2016, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clinton-v-trump-the-stretch-run-thread/767277/1615 "2016-10-11T16:09:20Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > Trump refusing to concede is an irrelevance. “Conceding” is a gentlemanly thing to do, but it’s not, technically a thing in the electoral process. If Clinton wins, as is the overwhelming likelihood, the electors go through the motions and then she’s inaugurated. He can say he didn’t lose all he wants. I can also say I’m the Pope. Both positions are equally pointless. The election of the President is beyond the powers of Clinton or Trump to affect beyond their campaign efforts. If you think Trump’s current attack on the party is a big deal, just wait until the RNC concedes and Trump doesn’t. ---
**Author:** ![FlikTheBlue](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fliktheblue/32/10972_2.png) [@FlikTheBlue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FlikTheBlue)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2016, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clinton-v-trump-the-stretch-run-thread/767277/1616 "2016-10-11T16:22:29Z")
> [@JohnT](#): > > Dude. > > Have you not been following Trump on Twitter this morning? > > “It is so nice that the shackles have been taken off me and I can now fight for America the way I want to.” > > “With the exception of cheating Bernie out of the nom the Dems have always proven to be far more loyal to each other than the Republicans!” > > “Disloyal R’s are far more difficult than Crooked Hillary. They come at you from all sides. They don’t know how to win - I will teach them!” > > Cite: [x.com](https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump) I am following that. What I have doubts about is if this will cause a significant number of his supporters to actually vote just for Trump, or if they will remain loyal Republicans and vote straight ticket despite Trump’s rantings. ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2016, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clinton-v-trump-the-stretch-run-thread/767277/1617 "2016-10-11T16:23:50Z")
> [@Fiveyearlurker](#): > > I think you are using the word “coincidentally” where the word “inevitably” fits better. Yeah, how does “coincidentally triggering the coincidental Google alert” make any sense? That’s what it’s supposed to do. ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2016, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clinton-v-trump-the-stretch-run-thread/767277/1618 "2016-10-11T16:45:55Z")
[Trump on his way to victory.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wcW_Ygs6hm0) Well, at least as I see him now. ---
**Author:** ![Tzigone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/839c29/32.png) [@Tzigone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tzigone)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2016, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clinton-v-trump-the-stretch-run-thread/767277/1619 "2016-10-11T16:50:20Z")
> [@](#): > > What I have doubts about is if this will cause a significant number of his supporters to actually vote just for Trump, or if they will remain loyal Republicans and vote straight ticket despite Trump’s rantings. Tell me about it - I want poll numbers on how many plan to vote Trump, but not vote R down the line. That would have voted R otherwise. ---
**Author:** ![Merneith](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/57b2e6/32.png) [@Merneith](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merneith)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2016, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clinton-v-trump-the-stretch-run-thread/767277/1620 "2016-10-11T16:50:40Z")
> [@Fiveyearlurker](#): > > I think you are using the word “coincidentally” where the word “inevitably” fits better. Again - we know that Donald doesn’t read the news. Why on earth would you consider it “inevitable” that Donald would “just coincidentally” see, remember and quote the exact plagarized portion of an obscure Sputnik article that was faked by the Russians whom we know are working to get Donald elected? If Donald wasn’t in on it, then it’s just lucky chance that he happened to see and quote the plagarized Russian propaganda. I don’t believe that “it was all just a series of coincidences” is a simpler answer than, “Donald was tipped off about the planted story”. ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2016, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clinton-v-trump-the-stretch-run-thread/767277/1621 "2016-10-11T16:54:15Z")
> [@Merneith](#): > > Again - we know that Donald doesn’t read the news. Why on earth would you consider it “inevitable” that Donald would “just coincidentally” see, remember and quote the exact plagarized portion of an obscure Sputnik article that was faked by the Russians whom we know are working to get Donald elected? > **[Google Alerts](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Google_Alerts)** > > Google Alerts is a content change detection and notification service, offered by Google. The service sends emails to the user when it finds new results—such as web pages, newspaper articles, blogs, or scientific research—that match the user's search term(s). In 2003, Google launched Google Alerts, which were the result of Naga Kataru's efforts. His name is on the three patents for Google Alerts. > Google reported the system was not functioning properly as of 2013: "we're having some issues with Al... ---
**Author:** ![oft\_wears\_hats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/7993a0/32.png) [@oft\_wears\_hats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/oft_wears_hats)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2016, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clinton-v-trump-the-stretch-run-thread/767277/1622 "2016-10-11T16:55:19Z")
[CNN host Carol Costello shuts down interview with Katrina Pierson](http://www.politico.com/story/2016/10/katrina-pierson-cnn-carol-costello-fight-229602) > [@](#): > > CNN host Carol Costello seemed to have had enough of Donald Trump spokeswoman Katrina Pierson, cutting an interview short on Tuesday when Costello saw the interview “going nowhere.” > > Pierson was trying to pivot the conversation with Costello and Angela Rye, former executive director of the Congressional Black Caucus, to Hillary Clinton’s record on Syria and away from Trump’s bombshell tape. But Costello pointed out that Pierson’s boss had his mind focused on other topics, namely bashing his fellow Republicans. On the whole, a relatively decent performance for Ms. Pierson. I was expecting her to say that Hillary Clinton made those comments back in 1938. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clinton-v-trump-the-stretch-run-thread/767277.md?page=80) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clinton-v-trump-the-stretch-run-thread/767277.md?page=82)