# Does the Trump candidacy signal a paradigm shift in US politics? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [September 3, 2015, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-trump-candidacy-signal-a-paradigm-shift-in-us-politics/729861 "2015-09-03T21:42:52Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2015, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-trump-candidacy-signal-a-paradigm-shift-in-us-politics/729861/61 "2015-09-04T22:09:16Z")
There’s a minor paradigm shift happening at Gallup apparently. See [this chart](http://content.gallup.com/origin/gallupinc/GallupSpaces/Production/Cms/PMCMS/uhqayavql0apmpejewojjg.png) for evidence. Favorability polling on Republican candidates includes Jim Webb. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Nylock](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/77aa72/32.png) [@Mr.Nylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Nylock)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2015, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-trump-candidacy-signal-a-paradigm-shift-in-us-politics/729861/62 "2015-09-04T22:14:22Z")
> [@jsgoddess](#): > > There’s a minor paradigm shift happening at Gallup apparently. See [this chart](http://content.gallup.com/origin/gallupinc/GallupSpaces/Production/Cms/PMCMS/uhqayavql0apmpejewojjg.png) for evidence. > > Favorability polling on Republican candidates includes Jim Webb. Both the ladies and the men like Santorum equally - I was a little taken aback by that. ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2015, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-trump-candidacy-signal-a-paradigm-shift-in-us-politics/729861/63 "2015-09-04T22:14:51Z")
> [@Mr.Nylock](#): > > Sometimes I think his statement the “Mexicans are rapists” might be some sort of weird political genius. It’s sort of pitting the feminists who would never want to appear to be defending rapists against the pro immigrant faction creating some sort of liberal confusion similar to what destroyed Lisa Simpson’s Grammbot. What clever wiles! Of course I can’t ever appear to be defending someone a Republican labels as a rapist because of his skin color and national origin! That would sure cause me to melt down! ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Nylock](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/77aa72/32.png) [@Mr.Nylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Nylock)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2015, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-trump-candidacy-signal-a-paradigm-shift-in-us-politics/729861/64 "2015-09-04T22:25:14Z")
> [@jsgoddess](#): > > What clever wiles! Of course I can’t ever appear to be defending someone a Republican labels as a rapist because of his skin color and national origin! That would sure cause me to melt down! I think you - and most dopers - could handle it. The US population as a whole, I’m not so sure about. As I said before, I don’t follow politics much so many of my opinions may seem off the wall. ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2015, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-trump-candidacy-signal-a-paradigm-shift-in-us-politics/729861/65 "2015-09-04T22:26:30Z")
There are now **three** political parties. The Democrats, the Republicans, and the party gestating inside the Republicans. Trump is the baby kicking. ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2015, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-trump-candidacy-signal-a-paradigm-shift-in-us-politics/729861/66 "2015-09-04T22:28:42Z")
> [@Mr.Nylock](#): > > I think you - and most dopers - could handle it. The US population as a whole, I’m not so sure about. > > As I said before, I don’t follow politics much so many of my opinions may seem off the wall. Somehow, I think my fellow feminists can figure it out. ---
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2015, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-trump-candidacy-signal-a-paradigm-shift-in-us-politics/729861/67 "2015-09-04T22:37:07Z")
> [@Mr.Nylock](#): > > Both the ladies and the men like Santorum equally - I was a little taken aback by that. Women are more religious than men, so I’m not surprised that religious conservatives would do better among women than conservatives with a more secular bent. > **[Why Are Women More Religious?](https://news.gallup.com/poll/7432/Why-Women-More-Religious.aspx)** > > A mountain of Gallup survey data attests to the idea that women are more religious than men, hold their beliefs more firmly, practice their faith more consistently, and work more vigorously for the congregation. In fact, gender-based differences in... ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Nylock](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/77aa72/32.png) [@Mr.Nylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Nylock)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2015, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-trump-candidacy-signal-a-paradigm-shift-in-us-politics/729861/68 "2015-09-04T22:41:23Z")
> [@jsgoddess](#): > > Somehow, I think my fellow feminists can figure it out. But that’s what I don’t get. It seems that there has been no huge outcry, or the kind of outcry I would have assumed from such a statement. He made the statement, lots of people were pissed off, and nobody had an effective counter. I don’t think it really has anything to do with feminists per se (that is a different path to go down) but it seems as if liberal and even moderate thinkers have just really lost a large segment of the population in such a complete way that extreme statements and positions are now acceptable. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Nylock](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/77aa72/32.png) [@Mr.Nylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Nylock)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2015, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-trump-candidacy-signal-a-paradigm-shift-in-us-politics/729861/69 "2015-09-04T22:42:33Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > Women are more religious than men, so I’m not surprised that religious conservatives would do better among women than conservatives with a more secular bent. > > [Why Are Women More Religious?](http://www.gallup.com/poll/7432/Why-Women-More-Religious.aspx) Umm . . . . there’s another meaning for the word santorum:p ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2015, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-trump-candidacy-signal-a-paradigm-shift-in-us-politics/729861/70 "2015-09-04T22:54:02Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > I cannot discount the possibility that he’s watched too many movies and is trying the “Finally, An Honest Man Runs For President” schtick. To paraphrase Jack Warner, “No, no. Jimmy Stewart for president. Trump for that sleazy real estate developer, Mr Potter.” It may be early in the season, but I already have a daughter claiming she’ll do the classic “move to Canada if Trump’s elected” thing. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2015, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-trump-candidacy-signal-a-paradigm-shift-in-us-politics/729861/71 "2015-09-04T22:56:47Z")
What bugs me is that Trump isn’t actually honest. Much as people mistake partisanship for extremism, people often mistake bluntness for honesty. ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2015, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-trump-candidacy-signal-a-paradigm-shift-in-us-politics/729861/72 "2015-09-04T23:23:39Z")
> [@Dr.Drake](#): > > I think it’s a disconnect. Individuals never did have the power: being a white male didn’t get you anything, it just prevented certain doors from closing. The angry seem to feel entitled to something they never had to begin with. > > The institutionalized system favoring whites still DOES exist, albeit in attenuated form, but people aren’t seeing their privilege, because it’s hard to see the lack of a negative. This is nothing new. **Only a Pawn in Their Game** is exactly about this. But I agree it is still true today. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2015, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-trump-candidacy-signal-a-paradigm-shift-in-us-politics/729861/73 "2015-09-04T23:24:51Z")
> [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](#): > > There are now **three** political parties. > The Democrats, the Republicans, and the party gestating inside the Republicans. > Trump is the baby kicking. For the win. Although I’m not sure so it’s a baby. It might be an Alien [Alien (film) - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alien_(film)) ---
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2015, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-trump-candidacy-signal-a-paradigm-shift-in-us-politics/729861/74 "2015-09-04T23:28:37Z")
One can acknowledge white privilege and still think the methods chosen to correct it are poorly thought out. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Drake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ad7895/32.png) [@Dr.Drake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Drake)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2015, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-trump-candidacy-signal-a-paradigm-shift-in-us-politics/729861/75 "2015-09-04T23:38:14Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > One can acknowledge white privilege and still think the methods chosen to correct it are poorly thought out. Of course. I don’t think that’s what’s happening in the Trump circus, though. I don’t see a lot of nuanced discussion of racism or ethnocentrism. ---
**Author:** ![Octarine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/22d042/32.png) [@Octarine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Octarine)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2015, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-trump-candidacy-signal-a-paradigm-shift-in-us-politics/729861/76 "2015-09-05T00:35:01Z")
> [@up\_the\_junction](#): > > My best guess is the US needs another political system. This one is out of a Terry Pratchett novel. I don’t know about you, but come November I’m voting Lord Vetinari for Lifelong Benevolent Dictator. ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2015, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-trump-candidacy-signal-a-paradigm-shift-in-us-politics/729861/77 "2015-09-05T01:16:29Z")
> [@Mr.Nylock](#): > > But that’s what I don’t get. It seems that there has been no huge outcry, or the kind of outcry I would have assumed from such a statement. He made the statement, lots of people were pissed off, and nobody had an effective counter. I think you and I don’t experience reality the same way. > [@](#): > > I don’t think it really has anything to do with feminists per se (that is a different path to go down) but it seems as if liberal and even moderate thinkers have just really lost a large segment of the population in such a complete way that extreme statements and positions are now acceptable. I’m fascinated to hear that liberals and moderates are to blame for Donald Trump being a racist asshole that some conservatives are embracing. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Nylock](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/77aa72/32.png) [@Mr.Nylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Nylock)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2015, 1:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-trump-candidacy-signal-a-paradigm-shift-in-us-politics/729861/78 "2015-09-05T01:24:23Z")
> [@jsgoddess](#): > > I think you and I don’t experience reality the same way. > > I’m fascinated to hear that liberals and moderates are to blame for Donald Trump being a racist asshole that some conservatives are embracing. Like I said, I am not really a political person and I do not think my thoughts are necessarily reality, but they are some of the actual thoughts I have had on the subject. If it is something that I can share with people and have an interesting conversation about then it is worth discussing. Your tone sounds very dismissive and heated so I’m not really interested in continuing any conversation on this subject with you. ---
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2015, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-trump-candidacy-signal-a-paradigm-shift-in-us-politics/729861/79 "2015-09-05T02:00:11Z")
> [@Dr.Drake](#): > > Of course. I don’t think that’s what’s happening in the Trump circus, though. I don’t see a lot of nuanced discussion of racism or ethnocentrism. True, but there’s not much nuance in Black Lives Matter either. That’s why Trump should lead if he wants to be taken seriously. Democrats have responded to the racial angst in their base by proposing concrete solutions. Trump hasn’t done that. ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2015, 3:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-trump-candidacy-signal-a-paradigm-shift-in-us-politics/729861/80 "2015-09-05T03:33:52Z")
> [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](#): > > There are now **three** political parties. > The Democrats, the Republicans, and the party gestating inside the Republicans. > Trump is the baby kicking. Damn… should have read \*\*LSLGuy’s \*\*post first. Ninjaed! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-trump-candidacy-signal-a-paradigm-shift-in-us-politics/729861.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-the-trump-candidacy-signal-a-paradigm-shift-in-us-politics/729861.md?page=5)