# Clinton v. Trump: Who would make the better POTUS? **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [June 10, 2016, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clinton-v-trump-who-would-make-the-better-potus/757031 "2016-06-10T16:53:19Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2016, 10:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clinton-v-trump-who-would-make-the-better-potus/757031/61 "2016-06-11T10:41:50Z")
And the Democratic Party. The pardons were universally condemned. Reaching to find possible justifications long after the fact is what people do when they realize, “Oh shit! Hillary’s going to run for President! Quick, forget we condemned the pardons!” ---
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2016, 10:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clinton-v-trump-who-would-make-the-better-potus/757031/62 "2016-06-11T10:44:20Z")
Never quite understood the need of Democratic partisans to somehow prove that the Clintons aren’t liars and cronyists. You drew Trump! Save it for 2020 when hopefully she’ll face a sane and honest Republican. ---
**Author:** ![Lobohan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobohan/32/79_2.png) [@Lobohan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobohan)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2016, 10:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clinton-v-trump-who-would-make-the-better-potus/757031/63 "2016-06-11T10:47:19Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > And the Democratic Party. The pardons were universally condemned. Reaching to find possible justifications long after the fact is what people do when they realize, “Oh shit! Hillary’s going to run for President! Quick, forget we condemned the pardons!” So you’re saying the members of the Israeli government are liars? I’m starting to think that maybe, your positions are the result of pre-conceived notions, and you’re just trying to justify them. Hillary=Bad, and you’re searching about for stuff to confirm that. Because you don’t seem to know a lot about the pardons, you just repeat that they were very bad things. What if, now work with me here, what if, a lot of what you think about the Clintons is just like this, stuff you heard, that just colored your perceptions? ---
**Author:** ![Lobohan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobohan/32/79_2.png) [@Lobohan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobohan)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2016, 10:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clinton-v-trump-who-would-make-the-better-potus/757031/64 "2016-06-11T10:49:22Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > Never quite understood the need of Democratic partisans to somehow prove that the Clintons aren’t liars and cronyists. You drew Trump! Save it for 2020 when hopefully she’ll face a sane and honest Republican. I’m not a Democratic partisan. I’m interested in reality, and dislike when people say things in contradiction to it. Your donor objection was incorrect, and I pointed it out. Don’t you care that something you said was rubbish? Now I certainly think the Clintons play the game, but I’d don’t see the evil that you take for granted. ---
**Author:** ![asahi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asahi/32/8693_2.png) [@asahi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asahi)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2016, 11:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clinton-v-trump-who-would-make-the-better-potus/757031/65 "2016-06-11T11:28:27Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > This is not a horserace thread; predictions of election results do not belong here, we have other threads for that. Comments on how the candidates’ campaigns are going, their gaffes and zingers, coups and blunders, do not belong here either, except perhaps insofar as they may shed some light on the topic: Which of the two, Clinton or Trump, would make the better POTUS for the term beginning in 2017? This is a make-your case thread: If you think Clinton/Trump would make the better president, why? This thread is limited to Clinton and Trump; no discussion of a third possibility belongs here. That is why there are only two options on the poll. Let’s keep this focused. This isn’t a serious thread. Sorry, it’s just not. ---
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2016, 11:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clinton-v-trump-who-would-make-the-better-potus/757031/66 "2016-06-11T11:34:27Z")
> [@Lobohan](#): > > I’m not a Democratic partisan. I’m interested in reality, and dislike when people say things in contradiction to it. > > Your donor objection was incorrect, and I pointed it out. Don’t you care that something you said was rubbish? > > Now I certainly think the Clintons play the game, but I’d don’t see the evil that you take for granted. It was not rubbish, because I said DONORS, not donor. He also found time to pardon his brother on his last day in office(who then almost immediately got into trouble again, which means Hillary will be issuing a last day pardon for him), plus quite a few famous Democrats convicted of corruption. Strangely, he couldn’t find any mercy for Republicans. Plus here’s the reaction at the time from prominent Democrats, many of them Clinton allies: [http://www.nytimes.com/2001/02/23/us/clinton-pardons-democrats-this-time-clintons-find-their-support-buckling-weight.html](http://www.nytimes.com/2001/02/23/us/clinton-pardons-democrats-this-time-clintons-find-their-support-buckling-weight.html) ---
**Author:** ![Lobohan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobohan/32/79_2.png) [@Lobohan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobohan)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2016, 11:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clinton-v-trump-who-would-make-the-better-potus/757031/67 "2016-06-11T11:39:20Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > It was not rubbish, because I said DONORS, not donor. > > He also found time to pardon his brother on his last day in office(who then almost immediately got into trouble again, which means Hillary will be issuing a last day pardon for him), plus quite a few famous Democrats convicted of corruption. Strangely, he couldn’t find any mercy for Republicans. > > Plus here’s the reaction at the time from prominent Democrats, many of them Clinton allies: > > [http://www.nytimes.com/2001/02/23/us/clinton-pardons-democrats-this-time-clintons-find-their-support-buckling-weight.html](http://www.nytimes.com/2001/02/23/us/clinton-pardons-democrats-this-time-clintons-find-their-support-buckling-weight.html) I’m not saying the optics weren’t bad. I’m saying, you were wrong. ---
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2016, 11:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clinton-v-trump-who-would-make-the-better-potus/757031/68 "2016-06-11T11:39:25Z")
> [@asahi](#): > > This isn’t a serious thread. > > Sorry, it’s just not. 96% believe CLinton would make a better President. So yeah, pretty close to unanimous. I’m still voting for Johnson. ---
**Author:** ![JKellyMap](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jkellymap/32/15880_2.png) [@JKellyMap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKellyMap)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2016, 11:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clinton-v-trump-who-would-make-the-better-potus/757031/69 "2016-06-11T11:48:02Z")
I was (and I still am) a big fan of both Clintons, but I recall being very disappointed with some of those pardons. It was a lame way to wind down a great presidency. But I think it’s seen mainly as a Bill thing; it deserves to be mentioned briefly during the current campaign as a potential weakness in her potential range of governing styles, but not to be made a big deal of. ---
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2016, 11:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clinton-v-trump-who-would-make-the-better-potus/757031/70 "2016-06-11T11:53:36Z")
It should be a big deal, simply because it’s the only way to hold them accountable for something they were sure they’d get away with since it was the last day of his term. Hillary just assumed you’d forget or stop caring. She’s never lost betting against Americans’ memories. ---
**Author:** ![JKellyMap](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jkellymap/32/15880_2.png) [@JKellyMap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKellyMap)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2016, 12:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clinton-v-trump-who-would-make-the-better-potus/757031/71 "2016-06-11T12:33:44Z")
I don’t entirely disagree, but you use the word “they” too much for this sort of thing. It was substantially a Bill action, though clearly she was a part of it – but not enough to just go around saying “they” so blithely. ---
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2016, 12:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clinton-v-trump-who-would-make-the-better-potus/757031/72 "2016-06-11T12:35:23Z")
We can’t hold Bill accountable and she did have a role, so she’s the one left to take the fall. She’s about the only person around Bill who hasn’t been punished for his deeds yet, so why not? ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2016, 12:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clinton-v-trump-who-would-make-the-better-potus/757031/73 "2016-06-11T12:39:42Z")
Well, OK, but just so you know, she did _not_ have sex with that woman, Ms. Lewinski… ---
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2016, 12:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clinton-v-trump-who-would-make-the-better-potus/757031/74 "2016-06-11T12:44:25Z")
No, but she did help keep Juanita Broadrick quiet for awhile. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2016, 1:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clinton-v-trump-who-would-make-the-better-potus/757031/75 "2016-06-11T13:54:45Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > I’m still voting for Johnson. And if Trump wins, you’ll be partly responsible, since you didn’t vote against him. Clinton is the only one with a chance to win, so only voting for her could stop Trump. I’ve had to tell this to Sanders supporters, but never thought I’d have to say it to a guy who goes on and on about how Clinton is the better choice. ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2016, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clinton-v-trump-who-would-make-the-better-potus/757031/76 "2016-06-11T17:22:33Z")
> [@asahi](#): > > This isn’t a serious thread. > > Sorry, it’s just not. Yet it’s interesting that 5 people have voted that Trump would make the better POTUS. They didn’t say they’d vote for Trump because they are Republican. They explicitly think that Trump would make a BETTER president. More interesting is the fact that these 5 (whoever they are), have not posted anything whatsoever in the way of REASONS why Trump is better. We’ve seen nothing at all - no positive qualities that Trump will bring to this most important job. So come on you 5. Give us ONE REASON why Trump would make a better president. One quality that he can bring to the table that most could agree on. ---
**Author:** ![Bridget\_Burke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7cd45c/32.png) [@Bridget\_Burke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bridget_Burke)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2016, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clinton-v-trump-who-would-make-the-better-potus/757031/77 "2016-06-11T17:46:17Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > Never quite understood the need of Democratic partisans to somehow prove that the Clintons aren’t liars and cronyists. You drew Trump! Save it for 2020 when hopefully she’ll face a sane and honest Republican. So, you’ve got until 2020 to find a “sane and honest Republican.” Good luck. Trump’s humiliating defeat will strengthen Ted Cruz & his ilk with “we should have chosen a \*Real \*Republican!” Meanwhile, we’re discussing two possible futures here. Not the past. ---
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2016, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clinton-v-trump-who-would-make-the-better-potus/757031/78 "2016-06-12T02:31:44Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > And if Trump wins, you’ll be partly responsible, since you didn’t vote against him. Clinton is the only one with a chance to win, so only voting for her could stop Trump. > > I’ve had to tell this to Sanders supporters, but never thought I’d have to say it to a guy who goes on and on about how Clinton is the better choice. I will vote for Clinton if the race is close. ---
**Author:** ![Moriarty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moriarty/32/49_2.png) [@Moriarty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moriarty)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2016, 3:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clinton-v-trump-who-would-make-the-better-potus/757031/79 "2016-06-12T03:51:00Z")
> [@Bridget\_Burke](#): > > So, you’ve got until 2020 to find a “sane and honest Republican.” Good luck. Trump’s humiliating defeat will strengthen Ted Cruz & his ilk with “we should have chosen a \*Real \*Republican!” Paul Ryan will be the candidate next go around. Mark it down. Whether he is sane and honest is an exercise left to the reader (seriously. I’m not certain). ---
**Author:** ![DerekMichaels00](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f14d63/32.png) [@DerekMichaels00](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DerekMichaels00)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2016, 3:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clinton-v-trump-who-would-make-the-better-potus/757031/80 "2016-06-12T03:55:24Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > I will vote for Clinton if the race is close. why not even if its not close? The bigger margin and total percentage Hillary gets, the more exclamation point the sane Republicans can have when purging the Trumpers. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clinton-v-trump-who-would-make-the-better-potus/757031.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/clinton-v-trump-who-would-make-the-better-potus/757031.md?page=5)