# 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:** 229
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2016, 2:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trumps-2016-general-election-campaign/753901/4563 "2016-08-18T02:02:39Z")
> [@MN\_Maenad](#): > > I have a hare-brained idea about this - Trump figures that he won the primaries because he got a whole lot of angry white voters to come out and vote in the first time since forever. He also figures that the only possible reason why all the states aren’t voting 80% Republican HAS to be because of similar blocks of white people not voting. So, all he has to do is get those people to vote and voila, President Trump. I don’t think your idea is hare-brained. I heard almost these exact words out of the mouth of Bimbette Trump Surrogate Kaleigh McEnany today on CNN. The Trump Tewels are doomed to disappointment, I’m afraid. Quite a number of our angry white voters are otherwise occupied (har!) with legal matters arising out of their high jinx at a certain Oregon wildlife refuge earlier this year, and even though we are a vote-by-mail state, they lose their eligibility to vote while incarcerated for felony charges. Oh, well. Most of those are out-of-staters, anyway. ---
**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 18, 2016, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trumps-2016-general-election-campaign/753901/4564 "2016-08-18T02:04:46Z")
> [@leftfield6](#): > > So, JohnL, when we are 60 or 30 days from Election Day, and your guy is still trailing bigly, will it mean anything then? I trust you will still be here, right? > > Kellyann good on TV? We have different definitions of good, I guess. i’ve already said that 1st debate in sept. is pivot point for Trump. he needs perception of win from public… not media. how many times have you seen her on tv ? ---
**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 18, 2016, 2:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trumps-2016-general-election-campaign/753901/4565 "2016-08-18T02:11:06Z")
[QUOTE=Donald Trump] Look, having nuclear — my uncle was a great professor and scientist and engineer, Dr. John Trump at MIT; good genes, very good genes, OK, very smart, the Wharton School of Finance, very good, very smart — you know, if you’re a conservative Republican, if I were a liberal, if, like, OK, if I ran as a liberal Democrat, they would say I’m one of the smartest people anywhere in the world — it’s true! — but when you’re a conservative Republican they try — oh, do they do a number — that’s why I always start off: Went to Wharton, was a good student, went there, went there, did this, built a fortune — you know I have to give my like credentials all the time, because we’re a little disadvantaged — but you look at the nuclear deal, the thing that really bothers me — it would have been so easy, and it’s not as important as these lives are — nuclear is powerful; my uncle explained that to me many, many years ago, the power and that was 35 years ago; he would explain the power of what’s going to happen and he was right, who would have thought? — but when you look at what’s going on with the four prisoners — now it used to be three, now it’s four — but when it was three and even now, I would have said it’s all in the messenger; fellas, and it is fellas because, you know, they don’t, they haven’t figured that the women are smarter right now than the men, so, you know, it’s gonna take them about another 150 years — but the Persians are great negotiators, the Iranians are great negotiators, so, and they, they just killed, they just killed us. [/QUOTE] I’d like to hear _that_ one read in Zapp Brannigan’s voice. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2016, 2:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trumps-2016-general-election-campaign/753901/4566 "2016-08-18T02:11:20Z")
> [@amarinth](#): > > If he doesn’t trust our intelligence, where does he expect to get information from? The FSB? MSS? A magic 8 ball? Where? [“I get my military advice from watching shows.”](http://www.breitbart.com/video/2015/08/16/trump-i-get-my-military-advice-from-watching-shows/) Link to Breitbart because fuck 'em both. ---
**Author:** ![GIGObuster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gigobuster/32/421_2.png) [@GIGObuster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GIGObuster)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2016, 2:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trumps-2016-general-election-campaign/753901/4567 "2016-08-18T02:43:25Z")
> [@john\_L](#): > > i’ve already said that 1st debate in sept. is pivot point for Trump. > he needs perception of win from public… not media. [Donald Trump Drives A Stake Through The GOP’s Heart: ‘I Don’t Want To Pivot’](http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/donald-trump-doesn-t-want-to-change) ---
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2016, 2:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trumps-2016-general-election-campaign/753901/4568 "2016-08-18T02:48:21Z")
So reading [the NYT’s coverage on his shake-up](http://www.nytimes.com/2016/08/18/us/politics/donald-trump-stephen-bannon-paul-manafort.html?hp&action=click&pgtype=Homepage&clickSource=story-heading&module=first-column-region®ion=top-news&WT.nav=top-news&_r=0) I had abrief doubletake: > [@](#): > > On a conference call Wednesday morning, Jason Miller, a Trump spokesman, said the moves had been well received, pointing to favorable coverage on the MSNBC show “Morning Joe.” John, Jason … you can’t change more than that? ---
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2016, 2:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trumps-2016-general-election-campaign/753901/4569 "2016-08-18T02:59:47Z")
Interesting bit from that NYT article … > [@](#): > > … the possibility that the coming weeks could resemble a conservative publicity tour more than a conventional White House run, fueled speculation that Mr. Trump was already looking past November. > > In recent months, Mr. Trump and his son-in-law, Jared Kushner, have quietly explored becoming involved with a media holding, either by investing in one or by taking one over, according to a person close to Mr. Trump who was briefed on those discussions. > > At a minimum, the campaign’s homestretch offers Mr. Trump, who has begun to limit his national media appearances to conservative outlets, an opportunity to build his audience and steer his followers toward the combative Breitbart site. … In that context Roger Ailes’ involvement makes some actual sense. Hopes that more the mainstream GOP may have to both take back the wheel and keep the resentful Whites in the car after a sizable Trump loss may be fading: he’ll keep stoking the fires and making money off of the rubes for a while yet. ---
**Author:** ![Evil\_Economist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/c89c15/32.png) [@Evil\_Economist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evil_Economist)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2016, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trumps-2016-general-election-campaign/753901/4570 "2016-08-18T03:00:12Z")
[“You guys are down…” “Says who!?”](https://twitter.com/brooklynmutt/status/766024275253927936) ---
**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 18, 2016, 3:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trumps-2016-general-election-campaign/753901/4571 "2016-08-18T03:01:57Z")
> [@GIGObuster](#): > > [Donald Trump Drives A Stake Through The GOP’s Heart: ‘I Don’t Want To Pivot’](http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/donald-trump-doesn-t-want-to-change) ??? not sure what that has to do w/ anything. unless you think polls will remain the same after 1st debate . ?? ---
**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 18, 2016, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trumps-2016-general-election-campaign/753901/4572 "2016-08-18T03:05:48Z")
> [@DSeid](#): > > Interesting bit from that NYT article … In that context Roger Ailes’ involvement makes some actual sense. > > Hopes that more the mainstream GOP may have to both take back the wheel and keep the resentful Whites in the car after a sizable Trump loss may be fading: he’ll keep stoking the fires and making money off of the rubes for a while yet. using Al Gore playbook huh ?? … Jazeera :smack: ---
**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 18, 2016, 3:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trumps-2016-general-election-campaign/753901/4573 "2016-08-18T03:09:59Z")
> [@john\_L](#): > > i’ve already said that 1st debate in sept. is pivot point for Trump. > he needs perception of win from public… not media. > [@](#): > > Gallup election polling trends since the advent of televised presidential debates a nearly a half-century ago reveal few instances in which the debates may have had a substantive impact on election outcomes. The two exceptions are 1960 and 2000, both very close elections in which even small changes could have determined who won. In two others – 1976 and 2004 – public preferences moved quite a bit around the debates, but the debates did not appear to alter the likely outcome. > **[Presidential Debates Rarely Game-Changers](https://news.gallup.com/poll/110674/presidential-debates-rarely-gamechangers.aspx)** > > Gallup election polling trends over the last half-century reveal few instances in which the presidential debates may have had a clear impact on election outcomes. The two exceptions are 1960 and 2000 -- both highly competitive elections, not unlike... But hey, maybe he’ll blow us all away. ---
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2016, 3:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trumps-2016-general-election-campaign/753901/4574 "2016-08-18T03:10:54Z")
Reading **john L** immediately after watching that “You guys are down…” “Says who!?” is very entertaining! ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2016, 3:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trumps-2016-general-election-campaign/753901/4575 "2016-08-18T03:18:33Z")
> [@CarnalK](#): > > But hey, maybe he’ll blow us all away. Well, he _is_ full of hot air. ---
**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 18, 2016, 3:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trumps-2016-general-election-campaign/753901/4576 "2016-08-18T03:21:15Z")
> [@CarnalK](#): > > [http://www.gallup.com/poll/110674/presidential-debates-rarely-gamechangers.aspx](http://www.gallup.com/poll/110674/presidential-debates-rarely-gamechangers.aspx) > > But hey, maybe he’ll blow us all away. was just my opinion. a gallup link doesn’t change it. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2016, 3:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trumps-2016-general-election-campaign/753901/4577 "2016-08-18T03:21:28Z")
> [@Siam\_Sam](#): > > Well, he _is_ full of hot air. And he very generously shares it. ---
**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 18, 2016, 3:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trumps-2016-general-election-campaign/753901/4578 "2016-08-18T03:30:20Z")
> [@DSeid](#): > > Reading **john L** immediately after watching that “You guys are down…” “Says who!?” is very entertaining! even Don Lemon runs this clip. laugh away fellers . ha! ---
**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 18, 2016, 3:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trumps-2016-general-election-campaign/753901/4579 "2016-08-18T03:32:08Z")
> [@john\_L](#): > > was just my opinion. > a gallup link doesn’t change it. :rolleyes: So historical information from a long respected opinion watcher doesn’t make any impact? ---
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2016, 3:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trumps-2016-general-election-campaign/753901/4580 "2016-08-18T03:34:30Z")
> [@john\_L](#): > > was just my opinion. > a gallup link doesn’t change it. :rolleyes: No question that the past is no guarantee of future performance. But it does say something that facts about the past have no impact on your opinion. ---
**Author:** ![GIGObuster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gigobuster/32/421_2.png) [@GIGObuster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GIGObuster)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2016, 3:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trumps-2016-general-election-campaign/753901/4581 "2016-08-18T03:36:46Z")
> [@john\_L](#): > > ??? not sure what that has to do w/ anything. > unless you think polls will remain the same after 1st debate . ?? :rolleyes: We are talking here about his “pivot point”, **there will be no pivot** , and that is coming from the horse’s mouth. (That looks more like the ass of it) Fell free to contradict Trump, but that will sound only like wishful thinking. ---
**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 18, 2016, 3:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trumps-2016-general-election-campaign/753901/4582 "2016-08-18T03:46:04Z")
> [@CarnalK](#): > > So historical information from a long respected opinion watcher doesn’t make any impact? > [@DSeid](#): > > No question that the past is no guarantee of future performance. But it does say something that facts about the past have no impact on your opinion. you guys need to stop long enough to actually read what is posted , before you jump off into ya " we know what you meant " analysis crap that you like to do. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trumps-2016-general-election-campaign/753901.md?page=228) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trumps-2016-general-election-campaign/753901.md?page=230)