# 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:** 315

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### Author: ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)
#### Post date: [September 12, 2016, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trumps-2016-general-election-campaign/753901/6283 "2016-09-12T14:30:26Z")

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As Josh Marshall, pundit in chief over at _Talking Points Memo_ recently noted regarding The Deplorables, the Trumpniks did everything but deny.

> [@](#):
>
> …As far as I can tell, none of the Trump campaign pushback to Clinton’s “basket of deplorables” comments have said anything about the people Clinton was talking about not being racist, not being misogynist or by whatever definition not being ‘haters.’ It’s not referenced once. Check out the statements after the jump.
> 
> Does that strike you as a bit odd…

[http://talkingpointsmemo.com/edblog/did-they-forget-to-mention-something](http://talkingpointsmemo.com/edblog/did-they-forget-to-mention-something)

So, sure, they are repulsive scumbags with vile opinions, but it was rude of Hillary to say so, and hurt their feelings.

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### 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: [September 12, 2016, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trumps-2016-general-election-campaign/753901/6284 "2016-09-12T15:09:17Z")

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> [@Gyrate](#):
>
> …Reminds me of the famous Dennis Skinner incident in the UK Parliament: At one point Skinner commented that “Half the Tory members opposite are crooks.” When instructed by the Speaker to withdraw the remark, Skinner quipped, “OK, half the Tory members aren’t crooks.” 😃

I don’t know half of the country half as well as I should, and I like less than half of the voters half as well as they deserve. Won’t vote for me? Sad.

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### Author: ![GulfTiger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e79b87/32.png) [@GulfTiger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GulfTiger)
#### Post date: [September 12, 2016, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trumps-2016-general-election-campaign/753901/6285 "2016-09-12T15:47:15Z")

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> [@Merneith](#):
>
> Right - you said it was “Trump’s Tweet this morning”, but it’s actually a tweet from Fox & Friends, repeating a comment he made on their TV show. It neglects the part where Donald says that Clinton’s health is now an issue in the race.

:smack:

An error on my part by missing those details.

A lot like the New York Times when they repeatedly describe Hillary’s incident as a “stumble” when the details are that she was seized up in a catatonic state and had to be picked up an shoved into a van.

Details, details.

Good point by you.

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### Author: ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)
#### Post date: [September 12, 2016, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trumps-2016-general-election-campaign/753901/6286 "2016-09-12T15:54:48Z")

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> [@GulfTiger](#):
>
> A lot like the New York Times when they repeatedly describe Hillary’s incident as a “stumble” when the details are that she was seized up in a catatonic state and had to be picked up an shoved into a van.

Who diagnosed her catatonia?

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### Author: ![Merneith](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/57b2e6/32.png) [@Merneith](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merneith)
#### Post date: [September 12, 2016, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trumps-2016-general-election-campaign/753901/6287 "2016-09-12T16:02:14Z")

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> [@GulfTiger](#):
>
> :smack:
> 
> An error on my part by missing those details.
> 
> A lot like the New York Times when they repeatedly describe Hillary’s incident as a “stumble” when the details are that she was seized up in a catatonic state and had to be picked up an shoved into a van.
> 
> Details, details.
> 
> Good point by you.

I mean, speaking of details, fainting or stumbling is not remotely the same thing as catatonia.

My actual point here is that, reality matters.

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### 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: [September 12, 2016, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trumps-2016-general-election-campaign/753901/6288 "2016-09-12T16:04:53Z")

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Well there’s no doubt that “stumble” underplays reality. She clearly had to be carried into the car.

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### Author: ![jsc1953](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/5daacb/32.png) [@jsc1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsc1953)
#### Post date: [September 12, 2016, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trumps-2016-general-election-campaign/753901/6289 "2016-09-12T16:05:29Z")

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> [@Fear\_Itself](#):
>
> Who diagnosed her catatonia?

Somebody on a computer in his mom’s basement.

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### Author: ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)
#### Post date: [September 12, 2016, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trumps-2016-general-election-campaign/753901/6290 "2016-09-12T16:05:57Z")

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> [@CarnalK](#):
>
> Well there’s no doubt that “stumble” underplays reality. She clearly had to be carried into the car.

That implies her feet left the ground. I saw no evidence of that.

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### Author: ![TonySinclair](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/49beb7/32.png) [@TonySinclair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TonySinclair)
#### Post date: [September 12, 2016, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trumps-2016-general-election-campaign/753901/6291 "2016-09-12T16:07:03Z")

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> [@Ann\_Hedonia](#):
>
> To Who it My Concern
> 
> I am a real doctor that went to school and everything. I examined Donald J Trump and it is my doctor opinion that he is the healthiest individual alive on the planet. His blood tested positive for everything.
> 
> Urinalysis and Colonoscopies were not required. His energies are in such perfect balance that he does not urinate or defecate. He does not even have a rectum, he has no need for one. His skin is tough as steel and he is impervious to any sort of physical injury, up to and including bullets. And he has the sexiest hair on Earth.
> 
> His specific results are as follows. The A stands for AWESOME !!
> 
> Lungs 100% A++  
> Intestines 100% A++  
> Stomach 100% A++  
> Pancreas 100% A++ - he has the BEST pancreas !!  
> Liver 100% A++  
> Hands 100% A++ and they are HUGE, in the 110th percentile for size.
> 
> While examining his penis and testicles, I was overcome with such a crippling sense of inadequacy that I locked myself in my office and wept for an hour. Speaking as a medical doctor, I cannot understand why any woman would want to have sex with any man that isn’t Donald J Trump.
> 
> It is my medical doctor opinion that Donald J Trump will live forever.
> 
> Signed  
> Dr. John Baron, a real doctor

I’m not formally accusing you of plagiarism, but sounds suspiciously like my own medical exam.

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### 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: [September 12, 2016, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trumps-2016-general-election-campaign/753901/6292 "2016-09-12T16:22:08Z")

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> [@Fear\_Itself](#):
>
> That implies her feet left the ground. I saw no evidence of that.

You have got to be kidding. Did you not see the video? Just because her feet were dragging on the ground doesn’t mean she wasn’t carried.

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### 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: [September 12, 2016, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trumps-2016-general-election-campaign/753901/6293 "2016-09-12T16:25:57Z")

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> [@Anny\_Middon](#):
>
> The image prominently includes Pepe the Frog. (Since I’m not at all cognizant of alt-right shit, I would never have known that Pepe is a white supremacist mascot.)

Every time I start to think I’m on top of right-wing symbolism they surprise me. I guess that’s on purpose–they don’t want the outsiders to get the references, but it makes it a pain to spot the dog whistles. We need a website that tracks this stuff.

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### Author: ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)
#### Post date: [September 12, 2016, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trumps-2016-general-election-campaign/753901/6294 "2016-09-12T16:33:45Z")

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Today’s first Trump item:[

> [@](#):
>
> Donald Trump is accusing Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen of keeping interest rates “artificially low” for political reasons.
> 
> Trump said on CNBC that Yellen is trying to keep the economy rolling to benefit President Barack Obama.
> 
> He said: “I think she’s very political and to a certain extent, I think she should be ashamed of herself.”
> 
> Trump is also claiming that the Justice Department and FBI are also making decisions for political reasons.
> 
> He said he “used to think” the Justice Department and FBI were independent, "but that’s obviously not possible because Hillary Clinton is guilty as hell and everybody knows it.’

]([http://elections.ap.org/content/latest-trump-says-yellen-should-be-ashamed-herself](http://elections.ap.org/content/latest-trump-says-yellen-should-be-ashamed-herself))

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### 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: [September 12, 2016, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trumps-2016-general-election-campaign/753901/6295 "2016-09-12T16:40:01Z")

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> [@Evil\_Economist](#):
>
> Every time I start to think I’m on top of right-wing symbolism they surprise me. I guess that’s on purpose–they don’t want the outsiders to get the references, but it makes it a pain to spot the dog whistles. We need a website that tracks this stuff.

That seems to be quite the opposite of how Pepe got Nazified.  
[How Pepe the Frog Became a Nazi Trump Supporter and Alt-Right Symbol](http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2016/05/26/how-pepe-the-frog-became-a-nazi-trump-supporter-and-alt-right-symbol.html)

> [@](#):
>
> And then, recently, things took a turn: Pepe became socially unacceptable.
> 
> Turns out that was by design.
> 
> @JaredTSwift is an anonymous white nationalist who claims to be 19 years old and in school someplace on the West Coast. He told me there is “an actual campaign to reclaim Pepe from normies.”  
> \<snip\>  
> “We basically mixed Pepe in with Nazi propaganda, etc. We built that association,” @JaredTSwift said.
> 
> He sent me a “rare Pepe,” an ironic categorization for certain versions of the meme: Pepe, his eyes red and irises swastika-shaped, against a trippy rainbow backdrop. “Do with it what you will,” he said.

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### Author: ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)
#### Post date: [September 12, 2016, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trumps-2016-general-election-campaign/753901/6296 "2016-09-12T16:41:21Z")

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I was missing the edit window, but I found [the actual CNBC article](http://www.cnbc.com/2016/09/12/trump-says-fed-chief-yellen-should-be-ashamed.html) and he says a lot worse things:[

> [@Donald Trump](#):
>
> Any increase at all will be a very, very small increase because they want to keep the market up so Obama goes out and let the new guy … raise interest rates … and watch what happens in the stock market.

> [@](#):
>
> [Obama] wants to go out. He wants to play golf for the rest of this life. And he doesn’t care what’s going to happen after January.

]([TRUMP: Janet Yellen should be ‘ashamed’ of what she’s doing to the country](http://www.cnbc.com/2016/09/12/trump-says-fed-chief-yellen-should-be-ashamed.html))I’d love to find a complete transcript because he says even more crazy things in the audio available at the CNBC site.

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<div class="post-metadata">

### Author: ![Merneith](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/57b2e6/32.png) [@Merneith](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merneith)
#### Post date: [September 12, 2016, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trumps-2016-general-election-campaign/753901/6297 "2016-09-12T16:46:09Z")

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> [@CarnalK](#):
>
> Well there’s no doubt that “stumble” underplays reality. She clearly had to be carried into the car.

Yeah, she fainted. Fainting is not catatonia. After a brief rest, she was up and walking around again just fine.

Look - Catatonia is not a synonym for “passed out”. Catatonia is a real and severe medical problem associated with schizophrenia or brain infections, or occasionally with drug interactions and withdrawls.

From Wiki -

> **[Catatonia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catatonia)**
>
> Catatonia is a complex neuropsychiatric behavioral syndrome that is characterized by abnormal movements, immobility, abnormal behaviors, and withdrawal. The onset of catatonia can be acute or subtle and symptoms can wax, wane, or change during episodes. It has historically been related to schizophrenia (catatonic schizophrenia), but catatonia is most often seen in mood disorders. It is now known that catatonic symptoms are nonspecific and may be observed in other mental, neurological, an Ther...

> [@](#):
>
> Diagnostic criteria
> 
> According to the DSM-V, “Catatonia Associated with Another Mental Disorder (Catatonia Specifier)” is diagnosed if the clinical picture is dominated by at least three of the following:[9]
> 
> ```
> stupor (i.e., no psychomotor activity; not actively relating to environment)
> catalepsy (i.e., passive induction of a posture held against gravity)
> waxy flexibility (i.e., allow positioning by examiner and maintain position)
> mutism (i.e., no, or very little, verbal response [exclude if known aphasia])
> negativism (i.e., opposition or no response to instructions or external stimuli)
> posturing (i.e., spontaneous and active maintenance of a posture against gravity)
> mannerism (i.e., odd, circumstantial caricature of normal actions)
> stereotypy (i.e., repetitive, abnormally frequent, non-goal-directed movements)
> agitation, not influenced by external stimuli
> grimacing
> echolalia (i.e., mimicking another's speech)
> echopraxia (i.e., mimicking another's movements)
> 
> ```

It is not a temporary fainting spell. It doesn’t clear up a few hours later. Calling Clinton’s faint, “catatonia” is simply incorrect.

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<div class="post-metadata">

### 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: [September 12, 2016, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trumps-2016-general-election-campaign/753901/6298 "2016-09-12T16:49:57Z")

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For God’s sake, I didn’t need a lengthy definition of catatonia. You said “reality matters” and reality is she didn’t merely “stumble”.

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### Author: ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)
#### Post date: [September 12, 2016, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trumps-2016-general-election-campaign/753901/6299 "2016-09-12T17:04:33Z")

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> [@pathrunner](#):
>
> I am far more concerned about what Hillary has done compared to what Trump has said.

[It’s really too bad no one has started a thread about her campaign, isn’t it?](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=792121)

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### Author: ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)
#### Post date: [September 12, 2016, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trumps-2016-general-election-campaign/753901/6300 "2016-09-12T17:06:23Z")

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> [@CarnalK](#):
>
> For God’s sake, I didn’t need a lengthy definition of catatonia. You said “reality matters” and reality is she didn’t merely “stumble”.

And in your version of “reality” she is either in perfect health, or she is catatonic?

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### Author: ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)
#### Post date: [September 12, 2016, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trumps-2016-general-election-campaign/753901/6301 "2016-09-12T17:08:43Z")

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> [@CarnalK](#):
>
> For God’s sake, I didn’t need a lengthy definition of catatonia. You said “reality matters” and reality is she didn’t merely “stumble”.

Seems like you did.

Re pneumonia: sometimes people have it for a while before they know it. When people get a cough, they don’t usually assume _pneumonia_ right off the bat.

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### Author: ![Merneith](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/57b2e6/32.png) [@Merneith](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merneith)
#### Post date: [September 12, 2016, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trumps-2016-general-election-campaign/753901/6302 "2016-09-12T17:16:30Z")

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> [@CarnalK](#):
>
> For God’s sake, I didn’t need a lengthy definition of catatonia. You said “reality matters” and reality is she didn’t merely “stumble”.

Reality is - even if, in your opinion, the magnitude of Clinton’s swoon is insufficiently expressed by the word, “stumble”, it is still incorrect to say that she has catatonia.

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