# Democrats efforts to "de-legitimize" Trump's election **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [January 12, 2017, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democrats-efforts-to-de-legitimize-trumps-election/776987 "2017-01-12T21:17:44Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2017, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democrats-efforts-to-de-legitimize-trumps-election/776987/61 "2017-01-13T14:28:54Z")
> [@Fotheringay-Phipps](#): > > There are geniuses and fools on either side of every major issue. I’d much rather have someone who agrees with me on the issues running the country, but I’d also much rather have one of the genius types than one of the fools. This is the dilemma I’m having in the UK. Theresa May’s policies are anathema to me, but of all the current frontbenchers from all the parties she is by far the most competent to lead. So I’m left to waffle between having to decide whether I prefer the country led by someone capable but who will implement policies I hate or by someone I agree with who is utterly incompetent and won’t be able to implement anything. ---
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2017, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democrats-efforts-to-de-legitimize-trumps-election/776987/62 "2017-01-13T17:44:00Z")
> [@Gyrate](#): > > This is the dilemma I’m having in the UK. Theresa May’s policies are anathema to me, but of all the current frontbenchers from all the parties she is by far the most competent to lead. So I’m left to waffle between having to decide whether I prefer the country led by someone capable but who will implement policies I hate or by someone I agree with who is utterly incompetent and won’t be able to implement anything. Speaking as somebody whose country is about to be led by someone who is utterly incompetent and will **also** implement policies I hate, I wish I had your problem. 😉 (Sorry, I do in fact sympathize because your situation genuinely sucks too.) ---
**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:** [January 13, 2017, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democrats-efforts-to-de-legitimize-trumps-election/776987/63 "2017-01-13T18:00:21Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > That day of reckoning can be postponed indefinitely, as long as there’s an available excuse or, better yet, an available scapegoat. And there always is. Absolutely. Trump is still going on about Clinton in his early morning addled alzheimer’s tweets. The Trumpistas are going to be blaming Clinton and Obama for every Trump fuckup for the next 4 years. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2017, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democrats-efforts-to-de-legitimize-trumps-election/776987/64 "2017-01-13T20:27:46Z")
> [@Grumman](#): > > That is an accusation that should be thrown at Hillary Clinton. For the past decade, at least, she has repeatedly shown that she is nowhere near as smart as she thinks she is. She tried regime change in Iraq and ruined everything… Do you know who the President was from 2001 to 2009? ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2017, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democrats-efforts-to-de-legitimize-trumps-election/776987/65 "2017-01-13T20:28:12Z")
> [@Bridget\_Burke](#): > > The OP expressed concern that we’re criticizing Trump incorrectly. But the effort to impeach will come from how own party. (They have Pence in the wings.) Actually no. The OP expressed the idea that this is the biggest movement to de-legitimise the Trump Presidency. While I agree it is a big movement I think the Florida 2000 and Birther Movement were even bigger than what the Clintonistas have been doing. ---
**Author:** ![quimper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/7c8e57/32.png) [@quimper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/quimper)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2017, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democrats-efforts-to-de-legitimize-trumps-election/776987/66 "2017-01-13T20:30:22Z")
> [@Gyrate](#): > > One wonders what it will take for those people to understand how many lies they’ve bought into, and how much it will cost them. I’m hoping that you’re right, that Trump supporters were acting in good faith, believe in America, and want everyone in the country to succeed. But the pessimist in me knows that most people chose Trump to hurt the other side, and that as long as everyone in the country is eating shit they’ll be happy. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2017, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democrats-efforts-to-de-legitimize-trumps-election/776987/67 "2017-01-13T21:13:08Z")
> [@Saint\_Cad](#): > > Actually no. The OP expressed the idea that this is the biggest movement to de-legitimise the Trump Presidency. While I agree it is a big movement I think the Florida 2000 and Birther Movement were even bigger than what the Clintonistas have been doing. I’d say this is the second-biggest movement to delegitimize the Trump presidency. The biggest movement to do so tends to post on Twitter at 3 am. ---
**Author:** ![Omg\_a\_Black\_Conservative](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/7ba0ec/32.png) [@Omg\_a\_Black\_Conservative](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omg_a_Black_Conservative)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2017, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democrats-efforts-to-de-legitimize-trumps-election/776987/68 "2017-01-13T21:39:56Z")
> [@Euphonious\_Polemic](#): > > Absolutely. Trump is still going on about Clinton in his early morning addled alzheimer’s tweets. The Trumpistas are going to be blaming Clinton and Obama for every Trump fuckup for the next 4 years. You mean similar to how Obama and the left are still blaming Bush? ---
**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:** [January 13, 2017, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democrats-efforts-to-de-legitimize-trumps-election/776987/69 "2017-01-13T21:46:14Z")
> [@Omg\_a\_Black\_Conservative](#): > > You mean similar to how Obama and the left are still blaming Bush? What is Bush being blamed for that he didn’t do? ---
**Author:** ![Jack\_Batty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jack_batty/32/3201_2.png) [@Jack\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Batty)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2017, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democrats-efforts-to-de-legitimize-trumps-election/776987/70 "2017-01-13T22:12:32Z")
The Iraq War. Apparently, that was Hillary Clinton’s fault. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2017, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democrats-efforts-to-de-legitimize-trumps-election/776987/71 "2017-01-13T22:28:45Z")
It isn’t Bush that’s been getting the blame for thwarting recovery from all the disasters Bush left, and for mindlessly obstructing everything the President has tried to do for eight years no matter what; it’s the Republicans still in power on the Hill and in gerrymandered legislatures across the country. ---
**Author:** ![Omg\_a\_Black\_Conservative](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/7ba0ec/32.png) [@Omg\_a\_Black\_Conservative](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omg_a_Black_Conservative)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2017, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democrats-efforts-to-de-legitimize-trumps-election/776987/72 "2017-01-13T23:02:46Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > What is Bush being blamed for that he didn’t do? Causing the economic crash, for starters. > [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > It isn’t Bush that’s been getting the blame for thwarting recovery from all the disasters Bush left, and for mindlessly obstructing everything the President has tried to do for eight years no matter what; it’s the Republicans still in power on the Hill and in gerrymandered legislatures across the country. Why do you guys continue to peddle this line? Obama was flatly unwilling to work with Republicans (much like Democrats were unwilling to work with Bush from circa late 2006/early 2007, and on multiple occasions decided to state some form of the phrase “Neener neener, I won so Republicans need to get on board”. And, fwiw, gerrymandering isn’t something just Republicans do. Take a look at California, or even at Florida’s 5th district. Both parties do it when they can. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2017, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democrats-efforts-to-de-legitimize-trumps-election/776987/73 "2017-01-13T23:16:39Z")
> [@Omg\_a\_Black\_Conservative](#): > > One, considering he just won an election that the majority of political pundits predicted he’d lose spectacularly against the person who some were calling “the most experienced candidate ever”, I think he has some understanding of politics. As has been pointed out, there’s a distinction between the politics of campaigning and the politics of governing. In Trump’s case regarding the former, he demonstrated an understanding of the intellectual vulnerabilities of the American voter. His ability to govern remains undemonstrated because of his modern-era-unique lack of any experience in public office or military service. ---
**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:** [January 13, 2017, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democrats-efforts-to-de-legitimize-trumps-election/776987/74 "2017-01-13T23:38:10Z")
Apparently the financial crisis of 2007 was all Obama’s fault. 9/11 too. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2017, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democrats-efforts-to-de-legitimize-trumps-election/776987/75 "2017-01-14T00:44:27Z")
Well, here’s a [high ranking Dem](https://www.yahoo.com/news/rep-john-lewis-i-dont-see-trump-as-a-legitimate-president-205832785.html?ref=gs) who explicitly says Trump is not a legit president. ---
**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:** [January 14, 2017, 1:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democrats-efforts-to-de-legitimize-trumps-election/776987/76 "2017-01-14T01:51:51Z")
> [@Omg\_a\_Black\_Conservative](#): > > Causing the economic crash, for starters. Care to explain who is? ---
**Author:** ![Superdude](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/superdude/32/13450_2.png) [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2017, 2:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democrats-efforts-to-de-legitimize-trumps-election/776987/77 "2017-01-14T02:37:33Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > Care to explain who is? That was just Obama being proactive. ---
**Author:** ![Trinopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/2bfe46/32.png) [@Trinopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trinopus)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2017, 5:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democrats-efforts-to-de-legitimize-trumps-election/776987/78 "2017-01-14T05:52:47Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > Well, here’s a [high ranking Dem](https://www.yahoo.com/news/rep-john-lewis-i-dont-see-trump-as-a-legitimate-president-205832785.html?ref=gs) who explicitly says Trump is not a legit president. Shrug: a bit extreme, and hardly worth worrying about. It could go in the Pit as “Stupid Democratic Idea of the Day” and I wouldn’t disagree too strongly. At least it isn’t quite as stupid as the Birthers. ---
**Author:** ![CatandMouse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c89c15/32.png) [@CatandMouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CatandMouse)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2017, 6:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democrats-efforts-to-de-legitimize-trumps-election/776987/79 "2017-01-14T06:42:36Z")
> [@Saint\_Cad](#): > > Natural-born citizen? Check Have you seen his Birth Certificate? I haven’t. And I haven’t noticed anyone demanding to see it either. ---
**Author:** ![marshmallow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/df705f/32.png) [@marshmallow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/marshmallow)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2017, 7:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democrats-efforts-to-de-legitimize-trumps-election/776987/80 "2017-01-14T07:47:41Z")
> [@Gyrate](#): > > Trump promised to Make America Great Again. He promised to build a wall and make Mexico pay for it. He promised to bring back coal jobs and bring overseas factories back to the US. He promised he was going to stop ISIS in its tracks. Many of his supporters believed these things without ever trying to understand **how** he was going to do them, nor noticed that every time anyone asked him how he only ever gave vague assurances. He told them what they wanted to hear and they didn’t want to ruin the illusion. Support for Trump was generally based less on policy proposals and more on tribal identification and anti-status quo sentiment. Liberals will complain more about Trump’s broken campaign promises than his supporters. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democrats-efforts-to-de-legitimize-trumps-election/776987.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/democrats-efforts-to-de-legitimize-trumps-election/776987.md?page=5)