# Donald Trump's 2016 General Election Campaign
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trumps-2016-general-election-campaign/753901
**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:** 237
### Author:  [@MacCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MacCat)
#### Post date: [August 19, 2016, 4:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trumps-2016-general-election-campaign/753901/4723 "2016-08-19T04:22:06Z")
> [@](#):
>
> “Oh, look at my African-American over here. Look at him,” Trump said. “Are you the greatest?”
[QUOTE=CNN]
Reading from a teleprompter, the businessman vowed as president to address the poverty and unemployment that has disproportionally affected African-American communities and **urged black voters to “give Donald Trump a chance. The result for them will be amazing,” he said. “What do you have to lose by trying something new?”**
[/QUOTE]
Bolding mine
Considering amazing does not necessarily = good…
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### Author:  [@john\_L](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/john_L)
#### Post date: [August 19, 2016, 4:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trumps-2016-general-election-campaign/753901/4724 "2016-08-19T04:37:35Z")
> [@Derleth](#):
>
> Ignoring the majority of your post, I will say I agree with this part: _If_ Trump can maintain his Presidential Façade, and _if_ the Trump Campaigners can themselves refrain from any overtly troglodytic, [COLOR=“red”][COLOR=“red”][COLOR=“red”]treasonous, or terroristic turmoil, he might be able to score a few points off an excessively even-handed moderator lobbing softballs at the recently-reformed recidivist.
>
> yeah… that sounds just like me ! 😃
> However, the moment someone asks a question designed to get under his thin skin, he’ll blow it and embarrass his party even further. He can’t handle a few protestors in his **carefully-controlled** rallies, so what makes you think he’ll be able to handle questions from Democrats in an actual open forum, let alone whatever zingers Clinton will use in her responses?
>
> \*\*carefully controlled ?
> Hillary’s yet to give even 1 OPEN PRESS conference all year ! \*\*
>
> Whining about how unfair life is doesn’t win points with the undecideds, sparky, it only makes you look like a spoiled brat.
**???** **not sure what** **that means ?**
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### Author:  [@FloatyGimpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FloatyGimpy)
#### Post date: [August 19, 2016, 4:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trumps-2016-general-election-campaign/753901/4725 "2016-08-19T04:47:06Z")
I’ve been following along this thread since the beginning. It’s been informative, interesting and entertaining until now. Now it’s full of annoying, shitty, encrypted-grocery list posts by john L. It’s fucking annoying. And there’s no point in putting him on the ignore list as I’ll just have to see his stupid posts in quotes.
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### Author:  [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)
#### Post date: [August 19, 2016, 4:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trumps-2016-general-election-campaign/753901/4726 "2016-08-19T04:47:22Z")
> [@john\_L](#):
>
> **???** **not sure what** **that means ?**
[Here ya go.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alliteration) I think this was covered in Grade 10 English class.
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### Author:  [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)
#### Post date: [August 19, 2016, 4:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trumps-2016-general-election-campaign/753901/4727 "2016-08-19T04:50:10Z")
Um, not a Gallup poll … a review of the past data which is there for all of us to see. Same as the conclusions in the article I linked to as well which reviewed many comprehensive studies.
> [@Washington Monthly](#):
>
> … scholars who have looked most carefully at the data have found that, when it comes to shifting enough votes to decide the outcome of the election, presidential debates have rarely, if ever, mattered. …
>
> … Why are presidential debates so often inconsequential? After all, many voters do pay attention. Debates routinely attract the largest audience of any televised campaign event. And voters do learn new information, according to several academic studies. But this new information is not likely to change many minds. The debates occur late in the campaign, long after the vast majority of voters have arrived at a decision. Moreover, the debates tend to attract viewers who have an abiding interest in politics and are mostly party loyalists. Instead of the debates affecting who they will vote for, their party loyalty affects who they believe won the debates. …
> [@SlackerInc](#):
>
> … in what election can you say any single event was dispositive? I would argue that the debates have much more impact on the race than any other regularly scheduled 90 minute event that occurs every four years…
Well I would argue that the parties’ respective nominees acceptance speeches more regularly have more impact, and that each convention has another 90 minute bit that makes a bigger impact, for better or worse. The Khans certainly had a huge impact for Clinton’s betterment and Clint Eastwood’s empty chair for Romney’s detriment last time. Probably Ivanka’s speech was the most positive impact scheduled event for Trump.
But the more general point is indeed exactly what is the case: a belief that debate performance, or any single ingredient, is going to reliably dramatically alter the course of a campaign has no factual underpinning.
If Trump is able to switch tacts from bombastic to more controlled and run an effective campaign then he may be able to recover some in the polls. I suspect that many are past the point that they can be swayed but maybe. But a stand alone item debate performance means little.
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### Author:  [@MacCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MacCat)
#### Post date: [August 19, 2016, 4:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trumps-2016-general-election-campaign/753901/4728 "2016-08-19T04:55:37Z")
> [@Derleth](#):
>
> However, the moment someone asks a question designed to get under his thin skin, he’ll blow it and embarrass his party even further. He can’t handle a few protestors in his carefully-controlled rallies, so what makes you think he’ll be able to handle questions from Democrats in an actual open forum, let alone whatever zingers Clinton will use in her responses?
I’m predicting he’ll achieve [Dragon Fruit](http://www.materials-world.com/paint-colors/sherwin_williams/energetic_brights/sw_energetic_brights_01.htm)
[If elected, Mr. Trump, I can state unequivocally, will be the healthiest person ever elected to the presidency](http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/donald-trump-joke-logo_us_55ce0945e4b055a6dab019bb)
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### Author:  [@GIGObuster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GIGObuster)
#### Post date: [August 19, 2016, 4:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trumps-2016-general-election-campaign/753901/4729 "2016-08-19T04:56:12Z")
> [@john\_L](#):
>
> make that **" demand "** to Trump campaign then. :rolleyes:
>
> ain’t nothing i can do.
Sure you can, do not vote for Trump and almost all Republicans in the next election or carry water for them as you are doing here. You now know about the friends of Trump, until he dumps them one has to assume that they do represent his values and the plans that Trump has for America.
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### Author:  [@john\_L](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/john_L)
#### Post date: [August 19, 2016, 5:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trumps-2016-general-election-campaign/753901/4730 "2016-08-19T05:13:35Z")
> [@DSeid](#):
>
> Um, not a Gallup poll … a review of the past data which is there for all of us to see. Same as the conclusions in the article I linked to as well which reviewed many comprehensive studies.
> Well I would argue that the parties’ respective nominees acceptance speeches more regularly have more impact, and that each convention has another 90 minute bit that makes a bigger impact, for better or worse. The Khans certainly had a huge impact for Clinton’s betterment and Clint Eastwood’s empty chair for Romney’s detriment last time. Probably Ivanka’s speech was the most positive impact scheduled event for Trump.
>
> But the more general point is indeed exactly what is the case: a belief that debate performance, or any single ingredient, is going to reliably dramatically alter the course of a campaign has no factual underpinning.
>
> If Trump is able to switch tacts from bombastic to more controlled and run an effective campaign then he may be able to recover some in the polls. I suspect that many are past the point that they can be swayed but maybe. But a stand alone item debate performance means little.
if this was a usual potus yr… all those predictions might have merit. it ain’t tho.
it’s a binary choice of 2 hated candidates. no precedent.
biggest IF category is " closet trump voters " … those who’ll never admit it publicly… but may pull Trump lever in privacy of voting booth. ??
we’ll see.
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### Author:  [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)
#### Post date: [August 19, 2016, 5:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trumps-2016-general-election-campaign/753901/4731 "2016-08-19T05:15:59Z")
From I can read Trump’s speech today was indeed presenting the posture that would more likely appeal beyond his base. But conundrum of conundrums is that I have to scroll around to find any coverage of it. See WSJ’s web page for example - it’s there but it is an effort to find it.
Outrageous gets more media play and more prominence. Unfortunately it turns out that not all publicity is good publicity.
And thank you j **ohn L** for expressing your opinions clearly. I disagree but I appreciate hearing them expressed.
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### Author:  [@john\_L](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/john_L)
#### Post date: [August 19, 2016, 5:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trumps-2016-general-election-campaign/753901/4732 "2016-08-19T05:16:22Z")
> [@GIGObuster](#):
>
> Sure you can, do not vote for Trump and almost all Republicans in the next election or carry water for them as you are doing here. You now know about the friends of Trump, until he dumps them one has to assume that they do represent his values and the plans that Trump has for America.
just put that on my to-do list for tomorrow. :rolleyes:
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### Author:  [@GIGObuster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GIGObuster)
#### Post date: [August 19, 2016, 5:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trumps-2016-general-election-campaign/753901/4733 "2016-08-19T05:29:53Z")
> [@john\_L](#):
>
> just put that on my to-do list for tomorrow. :rolleyes:
Get it right, that is for November 8th.
And clearly you are just admitting that Trump will not repudiate the dogs he is lying with, you really need to avoid the fleas that he is **gladly** catching.
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### Author:  [@john\_L](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/john_L)
#### Post date: [August 19, 2016, 5:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trumps-2016-general-election-campaign/753901/4734 "2016-08-19T05:30:25Z")
> [@DSeid](#):
>
> From I can read Trump’s speech today was indeed presenting the posture that would more likely appeal beyond his base. But conundrum of conundrums is that I have to scroll around to find any coverage of it. See WSJ’s web page for example - it’s there but it is an effort to find it.
>
> Outrageous gets more media play and more prominence. Unfortunately it turns out that not all publicity is good publicity.
> And thank you j **ohn L** for expressing your opinions clearly. I disagree but I appreciate hearing them expressed.
thank you too. same feelings here.
long time til Nov. 8.
hope we can toss opinions back-n- forth til then.
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### Author:  [@john\_L](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/john_L)
#### Post date: [August 19, 2016, 5:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trumps-2016-general-election-campaign/753901/4735 "2016-08-19T05:37:04Z")
> [@GIGObuster](#):
>
> Get it right, that is for November 8th.
>
> And clearly you are just admitting that Trump will not repudiate the dogs he is lying with, you really need to avoid the fleas that he is **gladly** catching.
flea powder is out. 😉
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### Author:  [@SlackerInc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SlackerInc)
#### Post date: [August 19, 2016, 6:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trumps-2016-general-election-campaign/753901/4736 "2016-08-19T06:19:21Z")
I was glad to see that [Gallup’s big study of Trump voters](https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2016/08/12/a-massive-new-study-debunks-a-widespread-theory-for-donald-trumps-success/) disproved, hopefully for once and for all, this common misconception (that I’ve been pushing back against for months) that they are a bunch of down-on-their-luck, unemployed or underemployed blue collar whites:
So no need to feel sorry for them. They just like him because they _are like_ him, at least in their viewpoints regarding people who aren’t white guys.
> [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](#):
>
> He’ll probably play Bannon in the next _Game Change_ movie.
>
> Naked Trump statues have gone up in several American cities: [https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2016/08/18/anarchists-unveil-naked-donald-trump-statues-in-several-u-s-cities/](https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2016/08/18/anarchists-unveil-naked-donald-trump-statues-in-several-u-s-cities/)
Here are some NSFW pics from various angles:
[11 photos of NYC’s naked Trump statue - The Verge](http://www.theverge.com/2016/8/18/12538672/nude-donald-trump-statues-union-square-los-angeles-indecline)
And I love that awesome quote from the NYC Parks official statement!
Please, please, \*please \*let it be the case that Trump (the #whinylittlebitch) has seen all this, and is fuming about it.
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### Author:  [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)
#### Post date: [August 19, 2016, 6:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trumps-2016-general-election-campaign/753901/4737 "2016-08-19T06:25:28Z")
I don’t think we’ve mentioned [this](http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_CAMPAIGN_2016_TRUMP_AIDES_UKRAINE_LOBBYING?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2016-08-18-23-24-28) yet in this thread:[
> [@](#):
>
> A firm run by Donald Trump’s campaign chairman directly orchestrated a covert Washington lobbying operation on behalf of Ukraine’s ruling political party, attempting to sway American public opinion in favor of the country’s pro-Russian government, emails obtained by The Associated Press show. Paul Manafort and his deputy, Rick Gates, never disclosed their work as foreign agents as required under federal law.
>
> The lobbying included attempts to gain positive press coverage of Ukrainian officials in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal and The Associated Press. Another goal: undercutting American public sympathy for the imprisoned rival of Ukraine’s then-president. At the time, European and American leaders were pressuring Ukraine to free her.
>
> Gates personally directed the work of two prominent Washington lobbying firms in the matter, the emails show. He worked for Manafort’s political consulting firm at the time.
]([http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US\_CAMPAIGN\_2016\_TRUMP\_AIDES\_UKRAINE\_LOBBYING?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2016-08-18-23-24-28](http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_CAMPAIGN_2016_TRUMP_AIDES_UKRAINE_LOBBYING?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2016-08-18-23-24-28))
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### Author:  [@GIGObuster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GIGObuster)
#### Post date: [August 19, 2016, 6:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trumps-2016-general-election-campaign/753901/4738 "2016-08-19T06:36:00Z")
[Manafort]
♪
[I’m a gremlin… from the Kremlin!](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lKsNenRxFsM)
♫
[/Manafort]
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### Author:  [@Maastricht](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maastricht)
#### Post date: [August 19, 2016, 6:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trumps-2016-general-election-campaign/753901/4739 "2016-08-19T06:40:18Z")
> [@Ukulele\_Ike](#):
>
> Hey, Leni was a genius. Too bad about the whole Nazi thing, though.
I can’t be the first one to make a “Triumph of the Wall” joke, right?
---
### Author:  [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)
#### Post date: [August 19, 2016, 9:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trumps-2016-general-election-campaign/753901/4740 "2016-08-19T09:34:19Z")
John Yoo explains why SCOTUS is not an adequate reason to support Donald Trump:
> **[Op-Ed: Filling Supreme Court vacancies isn't a good enough reason to vote for...](https://www.latimes.com/opinion/op-ed/la-oe-yoo-rabkin-trump-supreme-court-20160815-snap-story.html)**
>
> Many Republicans are trying to persuade themselves to support Donald Trump.
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### Author:  [@John\_Stamos\_Left\_Ear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Stamos_Left_Ear)
#### Post date: [August 19, 2016, 9:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trumps-2016-general-election-campaign/753901/4741 "2016-08-19T09:38:53Z")
> [@Snowboarder\_Bo](#):
>
> I don’t think we’ve mentioned [this](http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_CAMPAIGN_2016_TRUMP_AIDES_UKRAINE_LOBBYING?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2016-08-18-23-24-28) yet in this thread:[url=[http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US\_CAMPAIGN\_2016\_TRUMP\_AIDES\_UKRAINE\_LOBBYING?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2016-08-18-23-24-28](http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_CAMPAIGN_2016_TRUMP_AIDES_UKRAINE_LOBBYING?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2016-08-18-23-24-28)]
I started a new thread about that actually. I felt it was important enough to do so.
Sent from my SM-G920P using Tapatalk
---
### Author:  [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)
#### Post date: [August 19, 2016, 11:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trumps-2016-general-election-campaign/753901/4742 "2016-08-19T11:04:11Z")
> [@john\_L](#):
>
> **???** **not sure what** **that means ?**
john L
It is specifically against the rules here to alter text inside the quote box.
I’m giving you a warning for this. Please learn the rules of the SDMB.
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