# 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:** 303
### Author:  [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)
#### Post date: [September 8, 2016, 2:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trumps-2016-general-election-campaign/753901/6043 "2016-09-08T14:05:50Z")
This thread is about Trump. Keep it that way. There’s a perfectly good thread about Hillary in this very same forum we don’t need to hijack this one…
adaher, I’ve noted you before about turning everything into a thread about Clinton. Warning issued.
---
### Author:  [@Budget\_Player\_Cadet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Budget_Player_Cadet)
#### Post date: [September 8, 2016, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trumps-2016-general-election-campaign/753901/6044 "2016-09-08T14:15:06Z")
So Trump’s big revolutionary plan to end ISIS immediately? Convene the generals and have them work out a plan.
No, really.
> **[It’s almost like Donald Trump’s secret plan to defeat ISIS never actually...](https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2016/09/07/donald-trump-said-he-had-a-secret-plan-to-defeat-isis-as-of-now-hes-not-planning-to-use-it/)**
>
> Out: his "foolproof" plan. In: A plan to ask other people to come up with a new plan.
HOW IS THIS ELECTION CLOSE?!
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### Author:  [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)
#### Post date: [September 8, 2016, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trumps-2016-general-election-campaign/753901/6045 "2016-09-08T14:15:11Z")
> [@adaher](#):
>
> Depends on the context. Sometimes you have to go with the data you have in your head…
Hillary has data in her head, Trump has voices.
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### Author:  [@skdo23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/skdo23)
#### Post date: [September 8, 2016, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trumps-2016-general-election-campaign/753901/6046 "2016-09-08T14:45:19Z")
[Clinton calls Trump “unpatriotic.”](http://www.cnn.com/2016/09/08/politics/hillary-clinton-donald-trump-2016-election/index.html) This is exactly the kind of attack that I’d expect to unravel him, and bait him into making reckless claims of how badass he’ll be as Commander in Chief. Time to grab some popcorn and watch the fireworks.
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### Author:  [@Catamount](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Catamount)
#### Post date: [September 8, 2016, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trumps-2016-general-election-campaign/753901/6047 "2016-09-08T14:57:47Z")
> [@Budget\_Player\_Cadet](#):
>
> So Trump’s big revolutionary plan to end ISIS immediately? Convene the generals and have them work out a plan.
>
> No, really.
>
> [https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2016/09/07/donald-trump-said-he-had-a-secret-plan-to-defeat-isis-as-of-now-hes-not-planning-to-use-it/](https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2016/09/07/donald-trump-said-he-had-a-secret-plan-to-defeat-isis-as-of-now-hes-not-planning-to-use-it/)
>
> HOW IS THIS ELECTION CLOSE?!
Trump is CEO of Planning to Plan, Inc., brought to you by the Department of Redundancy Department.
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### Author:  [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)
#### Post date: [September 8, 2016, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trumps-2016-general-election-campaign/753901/6048 "2016-09-08T15:19:29Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#):
>
> When one actually looks at the facts, Clinton isn’t especially dishonest.
Most people seem to disagree with you. Her “honesty and trustworthiness” poll numbers are atrocious.
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### Author:  [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)
#### Post date: [September 8, 2016, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trumps-2016-general-election-campaign/753901/6049 "2016-09-08T15:21:08Z")
> [@HurricaneDitka](#):
>
> Most people seem to disagree with you. Her “honesty and trustworthiness” poll numbers are atrocious.
Based on the latest mod post, we should discuss Clinton’s honesty in her own thread.
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### Author:  [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)
#### Post date: [September 8, 2016, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trumps-2016-general-election-campaign/753901/6050 "2016-09-08T15:28:08Z")
> [@Budget\_Player\_Cadet](#):
>
> So Trump’s big revolutionary plan to end ISIS immediately? Convene the generals and have them work out a plan.
>
> No, really.
>
> [https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2016/09/07/donald-trump-said-he-had-a-secret-plan-to-defeat-isis-as-of-now-hes-not-planning-to-use-it/](https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2016/09/07/donald-trump-said-he-had-a-secret-plan-to-defeat-isis-as-of-now-hes-not-planning-to-use-it/)
>
> HOW IS THIS ELECTION CLOSE?!
I think the sense he’s trying to give is that he’ll prosecute the war with ISIS much more aggressively than BHO has.
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### Author:  [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)
#### Post date: [September 8, 2016, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trumps-2016-general-election-campaign/753901/6051 "2016-09-08T16:29:36Z")
> [@HurricaneDitka](#):
>
> I think the sense he’s trying to give is that he’ll prosecute the war with ISIS much more aggressively than BHO has.
HOW will he do this? Using his secret plan that the US military does not know about? His secret knowledge (more than the generals!) about how to do this?
This is the very definition of empty posturing.
Trump seems to think that he will simply command something to happen, and therefore it will. He’s a textbook narcissist. Perhaps we should set him down in front of the rising tide, so he can command it to stop.
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### Author:  [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)
#### Post date: [September 8, 2016, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trumps-2016-general-election-campaign/753901/6052 "2016-09-08T16:32:39Z")
> [@Euphonious\_Polemic](#):
>
> HOW will he do this? Using his secret plan that the US military does not know about? His secret knowledge (more than the generals!) about how to do this?
>
> This is the very definition of empty posturing.
>
> Trump seems to think that he will simply command something to happen, and therefore it will. He’s a textbook narcissist. **Perhaps we should set him down in front of the rising tide, so he can command it to stop.**
Even Trump knows he Canute do that. Maybe.
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### Author:  [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)
#### Post date: [September 8, 2016, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trumps-2016-general-election-campaign/753901/6053 "2016-09-08T16:35:49Z")
Report to nearest re-education center.
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### Author:  [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)
#### Post date: [September 8, 2016, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trumps-2016-general-election-campaign/753901/6054 "2016-09-08T16:45:46Z")
> [@HurricaneDitka](#):
>
> I think the sense he’s trying to give is that he’ll prosecute the war with ISIS much more aggressively than BHO has.
The fact that you used no fewer than three “weaselly” word constructions\* _in the first 6 words_ is really the problem, HD. After everything the man has said and done, you, and his other supporters, _still_ do not have an idea as to what his policy is.
-
“I think”
“the sense”
“he’s trying”
“is that” is also really just a supposition based upon the preceding weasel words, but I’ll let it stand as a mere conjunction. This sentence has already done enough damage to the idea that you understand his position.
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### Author:  [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)
#### Post date: [September 8, 2016, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trumps-2016-general-election-campaign/753901/6055 "2016-09-08T16:49:29Z")
Getting the message out that DJT will start interfering with the military’s internal affairs in a way not seen before in an American President…?
That’s a message that will sell very well here in Military City.
Thanks, whoever, for the idea.
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### Author:  [@steronz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/steronz)
#### Post date: [September 8, 2016, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trumps-2016-general-election-campaign/753901/6056 "2016-09-08T16:52:10Z")
> [@Euphonious\_Polemic](#):
>
> This is the very definition of empty posturing.
This is also why Trump’s strategy of Thruthiness is depressingly effective, people will infer from his non-statements whatever they already wanted to hear. Maybe **HurricaneDitka** has some great strategy that he’s envisioning for how American can “prosecute the war more aggressively” in a manner that doesn’t involve us in a deadly, expensive, and ultimately ineffective quagmire like Bush’s aggressive prosecution of a war against the Taliban and al Queda was, and he’s just attached his vision to Trump’s empty posturing. Or maybe **HurricaneDitka** isn’t envisioning any great strategy but it just comforted by Trump’s soothing words.
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### Author:  [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)
#### Post date: [September 8, 2016, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trumps-2016-general-election-campaign/753901/6057 "2016-09-08T16:59:00Z")
Please Mr. Trump, sir
I don’t wanna go!
(Forward, ho!)
Please Mr. Trump, sir
I don’t wanna go!..
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### Author:  [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)
#### Post date: [September 8, 2016, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trumps-2016-general-election-campaign/753901/6058 "2016-09-08T16:59:18Z")
Trump: “I know more about ISIS than the Generals do.”
Apologist: “What Trump means is that he thinks that the war against ISIS should be prosecuted more vigorously”
Trump: “My cat’s breath smells like cat food”
Apologist: “What Trump means is that domestic policy needs to be alligned more clearly to meet the needs of Americans”
Trump: “Argle bargle, my penis is the biggest”
Apologist: “What Trump means is that his administration will work hard to provide good medical care to all Americans”
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### Author:  [@coremelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/coremelt)
#### Post date: [September 8, 2016, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trumps-2016-general-election-campaign/753901/6059 "2016-09-08T17:38:20Z")
> [@skdo23](#):
>
> [Clinton calls Trump “unpatriotic.”](http://www.cnn.com/2016/09/08/politics/hillary-clinton-donald-trump-2016-election/index.html) .
She’s not wrong. Excerpt from Trump’s statements here:
[https://twitter.com/SopanDeb/status/773701094044295168](https://twitter.com/SopanDeb/status/773701094044295168)
When directly asked about Crimea, he didn’t respond at all and just brushed it off saying “Do you want me to tell you about the things Obama has done”? No cheeto cocksplat, Obama has not invaded a sovereign country and claimed part of it as an integral part of the US. He has not had journalists and political opponents killed (lucky for you) or had non violent activists jailed. If there is any doubt at all that Trump is a Putin patsy, whether knowingly or not, this pretty much settles it.
And he also makes clear the of type of leader he wants to be, an authoritarian strongman, much easier than dealing with this “democracy” stuff. He’s Mussolini Lite, all the fascism without any of the ideology except me, me me,me !
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### Author:  [@SaharaTea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SaharaTea)
#### Post date: [September 8, 2016, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trumps-2016-general-election-campaign/753901/6060 "2016-09-08T17:40:08Z")
> [@Euphonious\_Polemic](#):
>
> Trump: “I know more about ISIS than the Generals do.”
> Apologist: “What Trump means is that he thinks that the war against ISIS should be prosecuted more vigorously”
>
> Trump: “My cat’s breath smells like cat food”
> Apologist: “What Trump means is that domestic policy needs to be alligned more clearly to meet the needs of Americans”
>
> Trump: “Argle bargle, my penis is the biggest”
> Apologist: “What Trump means is that his administration will work hard to provide good medical care to all Americans”
No joke. I was cringing at the mental gymnastics Trump’s military apologists had to perform last night. He’s basically a blank slate for their own opinions.
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### Author:  [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)
#### Post date: [September 8, 2016, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trumps-2016-general-election-campaign/753901/6061 "2016-09-08T17:43:29Z")
Team up with Russia to take over a country and steal all their oil?
Is this a “Lex Luthor”, or a “Doctor Evil” type of plan?
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### Author:  [@Anny\_Middon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anny_Middon)
#### Post date: [September 8, 2016, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trumps-2016-general-election-campaign/753901/6062 "2016-09-08T18:00:00Z")
> [@adaher](#):
>
> Depends on the context. Sometimes you have to go with the data you have in your head. The debate will likely feature several false statements from both candidates, most of which will simply be failure to perfectly organize all the facts and figures that have been placed into their head during debate prep. Clinton will almost certainly do better than Trump, but that’s because **she’s got a better team and better memory.**
Your phrasing here seems to imply that a better team and a better memory are somewhat unimportant.
Frankly, I’d agree about the better memory being unimportant (although I expect the President to have at least an average memory), but Trump would not. (I’d supply a cite to his comments about Clinton’s memory making her unfit to be POTUS but I don’t have time to dig it out right now.)
But the “better team” issue… The inadequacy of Trump’s team sends up a huge red flag about his ability to be a decent POTUS. He can’t seem to get a campaign team to supply him with “all the facts and figures” during debate prep? How the hell is he going to put together White House staff that will supply him with all the important facts and figures he’ll need when, say, meeting with the head of state of another country?
I’d say that the ability to accurately recite relevant facts and figures is a fairly important part of the POTUS role.
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