# Donald Trump's 2016 General Election Campaign **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [May 4, 2016, 2:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trumps-2016-general-election-campaign/753901 "2016-05-04T02:37:34Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 195
**Author:** ![aurora\_maire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aurora_maire/32/328_2.png) [@aurora\_maire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aurora_maire)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2016, 4:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trumps-2016-general-election-campaign/753901/3883 "2016-08-09T04:18:46Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > Yup; this pretty much follows his pattern of being “presidential” (i.e., not making ridiculous tweets) for about 3 days, before the dam bursts and Trump Being Trump resumes. It just amazes me how his supporters have been all giddy about how he read from a teleprompter for an hour and stayed on message. You can just see them trying to convince themselves that he has really changed and everything is going to be fine now. It’s pathetic how low their expectations are and if he can just reach them, he’ll win this thing! ---
**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:** [August 9, 2016, 4:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trumps-2016-general-election-campaign/753901/3884 "2016-08-09T04:32:02Z")
> [@aurora\_maire](#): > > It just amazes me how his supporters have been all giddy about how he read from a teleprompter for an hour and stayed on message. You can just see them trying to convince themselves that he has really changed and everything is going to be fine now. It’s pathetic how low their expectations are and if he can just reach them, he’ll win this thing! Especially cuz most of them have spent the past 8 years making fun of teleprompters and Obama’s apparent inability to give a speech effectively without one. ---
**Author:** ![SlackerInc](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slackerinc/32/275_2.png) [@SlackerInc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SlackerInc)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2016, 5:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trumps-2016-general-election-campaign/753901/3885 "2016-08-09T05:34:47Z")
Did anyone see Giuliani on _This Week_ yesterday? What a joke. Asked over and over to defend Trump (the #whinylittlebitch), he constantly demurred and looked for any segue, no matter how absurd, to pivot to attacking Hillary instead. Here’s a taste, after Martha Raddatz had already clearly gotten irritated with this dynamic: > [@](#): > > RADDATZ: Mayor – Mayor Giuliani, I – I want to go back to this again and – and stick with Trump, if we can, because you are on here as a Trump surrogate. > > This week, he was called unfit to be the next commander-in-chief by a very long list of people. Let me read it – President Obama, a group of former cabinet officers, senior officials and career military officials, a veterans organization with 100,000 strong petition said it on Thursday and the former acting director of the CIA, Mike Morell, who is my next guest, said it Friday in an op-ed, saying that Trump is dangerous. > > Does that not concern you? > > GIULIANI: It doesn’t concern me at all. The fact is, I find – I find it a lot more concerning to me that Hillary Clinton was extremely careless in the handling of national security information… And on and on and on like this. Then there was this absurdity: > [@](#): > > RADDATZ: Mayor Giuliani, Donald Trump has been raising questions about whether this election could be rigged. You’ve lost elections in the past and never really said anything like that. > > Is that an appropriate thing for him to be saying? > > Do you believe this election could be rigged? > > GIULIANI: I think what he’s taking about is the very unfair media coverage that Republicans get. I know all of those of you in the media don’t believe this but you really don’t treat us the same way. Yyyyeah. I’m sure that’s exactly what Trump meant. :rolleyes: The capper though was this claim, which really got my attention. Which was the idea, since Rudy repeated it three times: > [@](#): > > Did she – did she short-circuit when she said she’s going to raise taxes on the middle class? > > Well, first of all, she is going to raise taxes on the middle class. I actually think that’s the only truthful thing she’s said in about three weeks. My heart leapt into my throat. “Please tell me Hillary didn’t say this. She couldn’t have, could she? But here’s a major figure, stating it confidently on national TV.” After some quick Googling, I determined that it was a baldfaced lie, and a clear indication of a truly desperate, and despicably dirty, campaign. The “basis” is [this video](https://youtu.be/Iq8X0mbhJGw?t=16) of a Hillary appearance. If you read the subtitles as you listen, you might be persuaded that she says “we are going to raise taxes on the middle class”. But if you just listen, it’s clear that she says “aren’t”. Not to mention, you know, _logic_. > [@Ambrosio\_Spinola](#): > > It’s much more likely that his tax returns would show that he doesn’t have $500M income or anywhere close to it. He’s notoriously touchy about [claims he isn’t as wealthy as he claims](http://www.vulture.com/2016/08/donald-trump-roast-off-limits-joke.html), and there’s quite a bit of speculation out there that he doesn’t have as much money as he claims, even to the point where [some doubt that he’s even actually a billionaire](http://talkingpointsmemo.com/edblog/top-ten-reasons-to-doubt-trump-is-even-a-billionaire). No doubt he’s got a fair bit of money, but I bet this is why he’s so adamant that they not be publicly released. I’m 95 percent sure this is the main issue. ---
**Author:** ![Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kolak_of_twilo/32/73_2.png) [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kolak_of_Twilo)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2016, 6:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trumps-2016-general-election-campaign/753901/3886 "2016-08-09T06:20:23Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > Sorry for the double "nm"s. From what I understand, it’s Redditors spoofing Don’s style of made-up accusations against him. This is what the dishonest press wants you to believe. I’ve heard there are many people, important people, the best sources are talking about it. Maybe it’s right, maybe it’s wrong but the lying media refuses to cover it. I think we deserve, the American people deserve knowing what type of donations Trump made to NAMBLA. There are major questions here, so I’m told, and the press just doesn’t want to cover them. I’m hearing this from majorly important sources. Sources at the highest level. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2016, 8:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trumps-2016-general-election-campaign/753901/3887 "2016-08-09T08:39:43Z")
Could be worse. At least he’s not the Zodiac killer. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_Ace](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/6bbea6/32.png) [@Johnny\_Ace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Ace)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2016, 8:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trumps-2016-general-election-campaign/753901/3888 "2016-08-09T08:54:41Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > Could be worse. At least he’s not the Zodiac killer. You sure about that? Many people are saying it. ---
**Author:** ![Maastricht](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a88e57/32.png) [@Maastricht](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maastricht)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2016, 9:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trumps-2016-general-election-campaign/753901/3889 "2016-08-09T09:19:22Z")
[The Guardian](https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/jul/07/donald-trump-sexual-assault-lawsuits-norm-lubow) says that the rape case against Trump by ( at the time) 13-year-old “Katie Johnson” is apparently fake. Set up by two known pranksters out for laughs and/or money. if that is true, [HuffPo was wrong last month](http://www.huffingtonpost.com/lisa-bloom/why-the-new-child-rape-ca_b_10619944.html), even though the claims were entirely plausible. ---
**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:** [August 9, 2016, 10:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trumps-2016-general-election-campaign/753901/3890 "2016-08-09T10:13:51Z")
That never made sense to me anyway. I mean why would the major contributor to NAMBLA be interested in a 13 year old _girl_? ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2016, 10:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trumps-2016-general-election-campaign/753901/3891 "2016-08-09T10:26:40Z")
> [@Jack\_Batty](#): > > I mean why would the major contributor to NAMBLA be interested in a 13 year old _girl_? He’s an equal-opportunity sexual predator. Crooked Hillary doesn’t even have time to exploit children of _one_ gender. Sad! ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2016, 10:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trumps-2016-general-election-campaign/753901/3892 "2016-08-09T10:35:29Z")
> [@Biggirl](#): > > [50 Republican leaders say Trump would be a terrible president.](http://www.politico.com/story/2016/08/gop-letter-national-security-trump-226801) The signatories include at least one female (and not an under-50 model, so “uggggh!”) Muslim immigrant, Shirin R. Tahir-Kheli. So, you know, the kind of person that Trump doesn’t want to have anything to do with unless it’s to sell them overpriced crap. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2016, 10:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trumps-2016-general-election-campaign/753901/3893 "2016-08-09T10:43:21Z")
Trump’s people announced that two prominent Portland hotel owners, Gordon Sondland and Bashar Wali, would be hosting his upcoming rally in Seattle. [This came as some surprise to Sondland and Wali](http://www.oregonlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2016/08/northwest_hotelier_listed_as_t.html), who say they’re not hosting the event, and in fact do not support Trump at all. > [@](#): > > Mr. Sondland is a first generation American whose parents were forced to flee Germany during the years leading up to World War II and Mr. Wali is a Muslim American who emigrated to this country from Syria. They are both acutely aware of the sacrifices people make to become citizens of our country and grateful to the men and women of our military who serve our country and protect our liberties. > > In past election cycles, Mr. Sondland has been supportive of the Republican party’s nominees for President. However, in light of Mr. Trump’s treatment of the Khan family and the fact his constantly evolving positions diverge from their personal beliefs and values on so many levels, neither Mr. Sondland or Mr. Wali can support this candidacy. > > Mr. Sondland and Mr. Wali will not be hosting or attending any fundraisers for the Trump campaign in Seattle or Portland. I wonder if Trump just assumes that if he declares a certain person is supporting him, that they’ll fall into line. ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2016, 12:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trumps-2016-general-election-campaign/753901/3894 "2016-08-09T12:28:38Z")
According to Politico, 11% of Republican Senators (6 of 54) have already announced they wont vote for Trump. ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2016, 12:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trumps-2016-general-election-campaign/753901/3895 "2016-08-09T12:33:49Z")
Florida Republican Hispanic spokesperson resigns because of Trump. [Hispanic Florida Republican Party Spokesperson Leaves Because Of Trump](https://www.buzzfeed.com/adriancarrasquillo/hispanic-florida-republican-party-spokesperson-leaves-becaus?utm_term=.axqGYe1pX#.lxe6pYzMX) > [@](#): > > “I’m thankful for my almost two years with the Florida GOP, however, moving on gives me a great, new opportunity to continue promoting free market solutions while avoiding efforts that support Donald Trump,” Gaitan said in a statement to BuzzFeed News, declining to comment further. ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2016, 12:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trumps-2016-general-election-campaign/753901/3896 "2016-08-09T12:35:45Z")
> [@JohnT](#): > > According to Politico, 11% of Republican Senators (6 of 54) have already announced they wont vote for Trump. I can’t find this story. To my knowledge, only Kirk and Collins have so announced. ---
**Author:** ![MacCat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maccat/32/216_2.png) [@MacCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MacCat)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2016, 12:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trumps-2016-general-election-campaign/753901/3897 "2016-08-09T12:41:33Z")
> [@Frank](#): > > I can’t find this story. To my knowledge, only Kirk and Collins have so announced. Ben Sasse - Nebraska also ---
**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:** [August 9, 2016, 1:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trumps-2016-general-election-campaign/753901/3898 "2016-08-09T13:16:28Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > Is there a link to the actual CBS news report? That doesn’t look like a particularly trustworthy website. I can’t BELIEVE you don’t like the STYLE of their WRITING! ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2016, 1:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trumps-2016-general-election-campaign/753901/3899 "2016-08-09T13:46:29Z")
I will say that, so far, last Wednesday’s “intervention” has had some positive effects on his campaign. He has stayed away from Twitter, been on-message, and was far more disciplined yesterday than at any time in this campaign. However, I’m not too sure that going to the city of Detroit and calling it a “wasteland” sits very well with the city leaders he was talking to. And his complete mischaracterization of the cities problems and the depths of them, to those people who _actually live there_ and know better, didn’t sit well with them. Notably, a number of MI Republicans declined to appear. However, the most surprising no show was William “Clay” Ford Jr… who only happens to be President of the DEC. I guess he had grass to mow or something. ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2016, 1:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trumps-2016-general-election-campaign/753901/3900 "2016-08-09T13:49:30Z")
> [@Frank](#): > > I can’t find this story. To my knowledge, only Kirk and Collins have so announced. Sorry, read it it Politic’s playbook [http://www.politico.com/tipsheets/playbook/2016/08/buzz-campaign-insiders-media-execs-doubt-trump-will-debate-clinton-susan-collins-not-voting-for-trump-more-ailes-news-from-sherman-bdays-bill-burton-ken-vogel-215766](http://www.politico.com/tipsheets/playbook/2016/08/buzz-campaign-insiders-media-execs-doubt-trump-will-debate-clinton-susan-collins-not-voting-for-trump-more-ailes-news-from-sherman-bdays-bill-burton-ken-vogel-215766) ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2016, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trumps-2016-general-election-campaign/753901/3901 "2016-08-09T14:23:11Z")
There is a moment during Trump’s convention speech where he obviously goes off-script and says something akin the following, with a wink and a shrug: “Nobody knows how to play the system better than I. Nobody.” Anybody remember this and, more importantly, tell me where it is? ---
**Author:** ![leftfield6](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leftfield6/32/18780_2.png) [@leftfield6](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/leftfield6)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2016, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trumps-2016-general-election-campaign/753901/3902 "2016-08-09T14:29:56Z")
> [@JohnT](#): > > There is a moment during Trump’s convention speech where he obviously goes off-script and says something akin the following, with a wink and a shrug: “Nobody knows how to play the system better than I. Nobody.” > > Anybody remember this and, more importantly, tell me where it is? At the RNC. [![]( " - YouTube") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nsx2IyhGlow) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trumps-2016-general-election-campaign/753901.md?page=194) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trumps-2016-general-election-campaign/753901.md?page=196)