# 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:** 227
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2016, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trumps-2016-general-election-campaign/753901/4523 "2016-08-17T21:16:29Z")
> [@CarnalK](#): > > What do you think they are going to be telling him? I think people are making a bit too much of a big deal about this. From what I’ve read this meeting “is expected to cover major threats and emerging concerns around the world.” Do you think Russian or Chinese intelligence don’t already have the same basic info? They’re not giving him the launch codes and Balkans battle plans. > > Funny how the “confidential” bits of Clinton emails were kind of laughed off around here but this is somehow frightening. I agree. He’s not getting anything that would do major or lasting harm to U.S. interests if it got out. Maybe embarrassing, but that’s all. We can think of it as a test: can he keep his yap shut about it? ---
**Author:** ![yanceylebeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yanceylebeef/32/12290_2.png) [@yanceylebeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yanceylebeef)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2016, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trumps-2016-general-election-campaign/753901/4524 "2016-08-17T21:20:53Z")
I wasn’t sure where to put this, but this thread seemed the most apt. [The guy who wrote Benghazi Mom’s speech for the RNC isn’t voting for Trump.](http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/opinion/oped/bs-ed-lifelong-republican-20160817-story.html) Awkward. ---
**Author:** ![DoctorJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doctorj/32/2904_2.png) [@DoctorJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DoctorJ)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2016, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trumps-2016-general-election-campaign/753901/4525 "2016-08-17T21:29:14Z")
Supposedly President Obama has the final say over what information is given to the candidates in their intel briefing. If I were Obama, Trump’s briefing would be a manila folder containing only a photo of the President with one hand firmly grabbing his nuts. ---
**Author:** ![Sherrerd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sherrerd/32/8_2.png) [@Sherrerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sherrerd)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2016, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trumps-2016-general-election-campaign/753901/4526 "2016-08-17T21:35:10Z")
> [@Measure\_for\_Measure](#): > > This is a great post, so it’s worth nit-picking. Let’s go through the assumptions of someone running for the President: [ul] > [li]Serious[/li][li]Average or above average intelligence[/li][li]Average or above average mental stability.[/li][/ul] Trump certainly isn’t serious at all. I’d argue that he is of average or above average intelligence. And that his narcissism puts him below the waterline in terms of mental sanity. > > That last paragraph is fully consistent with the hypothesis that Trump is a guy of middling intelligence who has spent his life surrounded by sycophants and has a less than expansive comfort zone. Trump has a skill set. He can read a room brilliantly and the author of Art of the Deal notes that Trump very much uses his ability to lie through his teeth to his advantage. It was his secret weapon back in the 1980s, before inattention to his businesses caused them to crater. > > Trump is not a numbers guy, not a policy guy, not a newspaper guy. He’s a TV guy. But lots of people of average intelligence are like that. It’s just that most people of all intelligence levels have somewhat better self knowledge than Donald Trump. Not that extensive self knowledge is common: the bar isn’t high. Yes. Had Trump been born poor (with not a sycophant in sight), he might still have had his ability to read an audience and tell them what they want to hear. But he’d have had to exercise that ability on a much smaller stage. Perhaps he’d have been that cliché of the con-man arts: a used-car dealer. He’d have had to learn to control his combativeness and suck up insults, because he’d have lacked the insulation that rich kids get (at least those rich kids born to less-intelligent-but-more-entitled parents). Most of all, he’d have lacked the glamour that wealth conveys to its possessor in the eyes of a particular type of onlooker. Someone posted in this folder, recently, about an acquaintance who was starry-eyed about Trump’s riches and who attributed all good qualities to him because, hey, rich people are just _better_ than the rest of us, right? (It’s a distorted view not limited to the poorly-educated; F. Scott Fitzgerald had it in spades.) For this reason I’m convinced that exposing Trump’s _actual_ net worth and the extent of his business failures is absolutely critical. For millions of his fans, he can do no wrong _because he’s a billionaire_. If he’s not a billionaire, he will lose their faith. And it’s important that happen, _because Trump wants to be President and he will do everything he can to get his hands on the White House_. ---
**Author:** ![davidm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidm/32/225_2.png) [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2016, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trumps-2016-general-election-campaign/753901/4527 "2016-08-17T21:37:21Z")
> [@Euphonious\_Polemic](#): > > I am worried that Russia seems to be working pretty hard to destabilize the United States, and this election is their big chance. I would not be at all surprised to hear that Putin’s goons are working over how to trigger scenarios like you describe above. > > Trump’s team seems to be equivalent to Putin’s team at this point. I am seriously concerned about this. Not so much because it might work to get Trump elected. I think that’s possible but unlikely. I’m just concerned about the suffering and damage that Putin could cause if his goal is to cause political unrest. Unfortunately, I don’t think it would be difficult for Putin to cause or enable some kind of major terrorist attack or economic shock. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_waldo_pepper/32/12370_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2016, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trumps-2016-general-election-campaign/753901/4528 "2016-08-17T21:44:44Z")
> [@yanceylebeef](#): > > I wasn’t sure where to put this, but this thread seemed the most apt. > > [The guy who wrote Benghazi Mom’s speech for the RNC isn’t voting for Trump.](http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/opinion/oped/bs-ed-lifelong-republican-20160817-story.html) > > Awkward. He sticks up for Reagan. He sticks up for Eisenhower. He even sticks up for Nixon. _“But the only prospect more terrifying than voting for Hillary Clinton is not voting for her. The reality of American politics today is, she is the only choice.”_ ---
**Author:** ![The\_Tooth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c67d28/32.png) [@The\_Tooth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Tooth)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2016, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trumps-2016-general-election-campaign/753901/4529 "2016-08-17T21:57:29Z")
Probably the wrong place for this, but what’s so terrifying about Clinton? Uninspiring, maybe, but terrifying? I guess right-wingers scare easy. ---
**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 17, 2016, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trumps-2016-general-election-campaign/753901/4530 "2016-08-17T22:06:31Z")
> 20 second CNN clip, must be seen to be believed. Michael Cohen, Trump’s lawyer… “says who?” ---
**Author:** ![Chisquirrel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6bbea6/32.png) [@Chisquirrel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chisquirrel)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2016, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trumps-2016-general-election-campaign/753901/4531 "2016-08-17T22:08:36Z")
> [@JohnT](#): > > [x.com](https://twitter.com/DylanByers/status/766021779361968128) > > 20 second CNN clip, must be seen to be believed. Michael Cohen, Trump’s lawyer… “says who?” The stony glare afterwards was a bit unnerving. ---
**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 17, 2016, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trumps-2016-general-election-campaign/753901/4532 "2016-08-17T22:09:02Z")
Wonder what Mike Pence thinks of his Breitbartian Lord and Master? ---
**Author:** ![raventhief](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/raventhief/32/4_2.png) [@raventhief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/raventhief)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2016, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trumps-2016-general-election-campaign/753901/4533 "2016-08-17T22:26:40Z")
> [@JohnT](#): > > [x.com](https://twitter.com/DylanByers/status/766021779361968128) > > 20 second CNN clip, must be seen to be believed. Michael Cohen, Trump’s lawyer… “says who?” WOW. That’s just…wow. ---
**Author:** ![Yersenia\_Pestis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/e495f1/32.png) [@Yersenia\_Pestis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yersenia_Pestis)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2016, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trumps-2016-general-election-campaign/753901/4534 "2016-08-17T22:28:13Z")
Everyone needs to take a chill pill! I just saw a TV with Gary Bauer that called the latest Trump shake up a “home run! After a great week of great speeches!” Gary freakin Bauer!! LOL ---
**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 17, 2016, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trumps-2016-general-election-campaign/753901/4535 "2016-08-17T22:35:14Z")
“All of them.” To be found in all of Sarah Palin’s newspaper readin’! ---
**Author:** ![john\_L](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c2a13f/32.png) [@john\_L](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/john_L)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2016, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trumps-2016-general-election-campaign/753901/4536 "2016-08-17T22:38:50Z")
> [@GIGObuster](#): > > [Zogby is one of the worst pollsters.](http://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/pollster-ratings/) > > [And the polls usually become important just about now.](http://www.vox.com/2016/8/11/12426346/trump-polls-today) > > Most Poll watchers and poll aggregators report right now that Clinton is up by about 7 nationwide. > > Nighty Nights… 🙂 > [@john\_L](#): > > **no 100 plus days** after convention on their graphs. ?? > [@CarnalK](#): > > Sorry, you’re wrong. Polls 2 weeks out from the convention have good predictive value. > > [Presidential candidates leading polls at this point in the campaign have almost always won | Vox](http://www.vox.com/2016/8/11/12426346/trump-polls-today) > > On a personal note, would you consider using sentences and capitalizing? You’ll notice you’re the only guy here posting like the comments section of a news site. you’re worried about no caps on 2 sentences w/ total of 9 words. ?? while other posts are nothing but ad hominem attacks on Trump ? that’s funny. maybe your time would be better spent on reading and facts ? i already gave reason why Vox article is wrong , doesn’t apply. ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2016, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trumps-2016-general-election-campaign/753901/4537 "2016-08-17T22:44:31Z")
> [@JohnT](#): > > [x.com](https://twitter.com/DylanByers/status/766021779361968128) > > 20 second CNN clip, must be seen to be believed. Michael Cohen, Trump’s lawyer… “says who?” [Say, 'What poles?" again.](https://memegenerator.net/instance/71105287) ---
**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:** [August 17, 2016, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trumps-2016-general-election-campaign/753901/4538 "2016-08-17T22:52:37Z")
[QUOTE=john L] you’re worried about no caps on 2 sentences w/ total of 9 words. ?? while other posts are nothing but ad hominem attacks on Trump ? that’s funny. maybe your time would be better spent on reading and facts ? i already gave reason why Vox article is wrong , doesn’t apply. [/QUOTE] I am not sure I understand your reason for the Vox article being wrong. And I do read facts and stuff. I even defend Trump when I think people are making wrong accusations, despite me wanting him to lose. So I can worry about that and still make a style suggestion to you. It would really add a little seriousness to your posts. Just sayin’. ---
**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:** [August 17, 2016, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trumps-2016-general-election-campaign/753901/4539 "2016-08-17T22:55:42Z")
> [@john\_L](#): > > i already gave reason why Vox article is wrong , doesn’t apply. I too would like to see the reason you gave why the Vox article is wrong. i could not seem to find this explanation anywhere. ---
**Author:** ![john\_L](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c2a13f/32.png) [@john\_L](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/john_L)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2016, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trumps-2016-general-election-campaign/753901/4540 "2016-08-17T22:59:38Z")
> [@CarnalK](#): > > I am not sure I understand your reason for the Vox **article being wrong.** > > And I do read facts and stuff. I even defend Trump when I think people are making wrong accusations, despite me wanting him to lose. So I can worry about that and still make a style suggestion to you. It would really add a little seriousness to your posts. Just sayin’. 100 plus days ---
**Author:** ![john\_L](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c2a13f/32.png) [@john\_L](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/john_L)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2016, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trumps-2016-general-election-campaign/753901/4541 "2016-08-17T23:02:06Z")
> [@davidm](#): > > And it’s not just Manafort. yep. Podesta Group too. ie—John & Tony Podesta ---
**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:** [August 17, 2016, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trumps-2016-general-election-campaign/753901/4542 "2016-08-17T23:02:48Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > I don’t doubt that at all. I think he wants to win. I’ve said from the beginning that this is the real Trump. Those who know him have always said this is how he always acts…If he were planning anything, his behavior would be different. > > But I don’t think he wants to be president, and I don’t think he really planned on it going this far back when he started. I think he actually didn’t realize what he was getting into when he started. > > Being president wasn’t a job to him but an achievement. A way to glorify himself. And when it actually seemed like he had a chance, he took off with it. > > I actually think it’s less that he thinks this will help him win, and more that he doesn’t really know how to act in any other way. And only people who agree with him does he keep on. I think Trump goes back and forth. There are days when his ego gets the better of him and he probably gets excited about the possibility of winning, but it must have crossed his mind that he would actually have to be president, and being president of a massive governmental bureaucracy and all of the enormous responsibilities that come with it are just something that seems to frighten him. The behavior speaks for itself. He actually had a lead on Clinton, and his lead was partly because he had backed away from his repeatedly race-baiting remarks about a federal judge – well that and Hillary’s FBI debacle. But here’s the thing, Hillary still is dealing with that debacle – and badly, I would add. Trump is not blind. Paul Manafort was not the reason Trump collapsed. Quite the opposite, he is the reason he was able to fend off a late primary season surge from Ted Cruz. Trump knows that. His family knows that. Trump just didn’t like being told be an outsider who’s a political insider that he’s wrong. And he knows by now that doubling down on the crazy is not going to work. You might argue that he’s so delusional that he doesn’t believe the polls, but guess what? This is the work of a desperate man, so he obviously believes those polls despite all the bullshit to the contrary. Trump does not really want to win, but he doesn’t want to be humiliated either. The tricky part is, he could accidentally win. The odds of that are quite low right now, but still within the realm of the possible. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trumps-2016-general-election-campaign/753901.md?page=226) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trumps-2016-general-election-campaign/753901.md?page=228)