# 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:** 58
**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:** [June 10, 2016, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trumps-2016-general-election-campaign/753901/1141 "2016-06-10T20:54:03Z")
> [@Sherrerd](#): > > Very true. But that wouldn’t prevent some deep-pockets Pub from quietly handing Trump a check. > > (As if he would declare it…there’s a _reason_ the IRS has been auditing him every year for yea-many years.) Is there anyone dumb enough to actually do that, while hoping to God that Mr. Blabbermouth Braggart will not spill the beans? Even the Koch brothers are steering clear, and are [not even going to help fund](http://www.bloomberg.com/politics/articles/2016-06-10/david-koch-won-t-fund-trump-coronation-in-cleveland)the convention this year. Can you say “ABANDON SHIP!” ---
**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:** [June 10, 2016, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trumps-2016-general-election-campaign/753901/1142 "2016-06-10T21:09:10Z")
> [@Euphonious\_Polemic](#): > > Indeed. And Trump can only raise money for his own campaign $2700 at a pop. The RNC fundraising can get a lot more per individual, ($449,400 to the joint committee) but can only transfer $5400/person over to Trumps campaign war chest. > > I really think that Trump thought he was doing a leveraged takeover of the RNC, and after clinching the nomination, he would have total and personal control over every nickle of the hundreds of millions or so they controlled, as well as total control over every dime in every right-wing PAC. He thought that this money would be his to spend, play with, use as he saw fit. > > Yes, I think he’s just that dumb. He’s going to be personally out tens of millions, and have nothing to show for it but a box of those silly looking hats. That’s what I theorized too, but I don’t think the rules (RNC or Federal Election rulez) allow such a thing. ---
**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:** [June 10, 2016, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trumps-2016-general-election-campaign/753901/1143 "2016-06-10T21:34:31Z")
> [@JohnT](#): > > That’s what I theorized too, but I don’t think the rules (RNC or Federal Election rulez) allow such a thing. They don’t. But I think Trump was too stupid to read the rules, or so arrogant he thought that they would not apply to him. And next week, Trump will be going hat in hand to kiss the rings of the Koch brothers to humbly ask for their benediction (and money). This meeting will go one of two ways. We’ll be able to tell within a week after the meeting. 1. Trump will change his stance on Free Trade, saying that it can be very good for everyone, especially all the public out there. Free Trade is Great! And it won’t disproportionately benefit huge corporations that the Koch brothers control! Pinky Promise! And tax cuts for corporations and the wealthy will DEFINITELY trickle down and so we must cut taxes a LOT! Then, the politicians will suddenly say that Trump has learned a lot, that he’s not REALLY a bigot and a racist, and he’s really a TERRIFIC GUY, and they LOVE HIM. or 1. Trump will not change his stance on Free Trade and taxation, and he’ll continue to get hammered by the media and by Republican politicians. Trump is slowly learning who the REAL billionaires are, and who REALLY owns the press and the politicians. ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2016, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trumps-2016-general-election-campaign/753901/1144 "2016-06-10T22:03:18Z")
> [@Sherrerd](#): > > Well, he does want his 38 million dollars back (as mentioned in Euphonious Polemic’s post, a few above this one). > > That is really the only leverage the party has over Trump, since he cares not a whit about his future in politics. Either he becomes Prez and therefore can rake in masses of cash (think of the prices he can charge for Ambassadorships and Federal Judgeships alone!), or he fails to become Prez and goes back to bilking the rubes with some new variant on Trump University. It’s not as though he has a Senate seat or Governor’s mansion to protect. Actually, when he loses he will make a bundle. Think about the effort companies make to build up prospect lists. Trump will come out of this with a list of hundreds of thousands of people gullible enough to send him campaign donations. Exactly the rubes to buy his crap or to enroll in the next version of Trump U. Maybe this whole campaign is like those trip raffles which will get you invitations to timeshare sales dinners. ---
**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:** [June 11, 2016, 1:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trumps-2016-general-election-campaign/753901/1145 "2016-06-11T01:04:14Z")
I posted this also in the Trump vs Clinton thread: Romney evaluates Trump’s recent character and moves. “Trickle-down racism”… [http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/283115-romney-rips-trump-but-wont-run-as-independent](http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/283115-romney-rips-trump-but-wont-run-as-independent) > [@](#): > > Romney offered a scathing evaluation of Trump’s “character,” describing his past comments and policies as evidence that he’d be a “dangerous” president, saying that he is “too great a departure from the values of our country.” > > “Presidents have an impact on the nature of our nation, and trickle-down racism, trickle-down bigotry, trickle-down misogyny, all these things are extremely dangerous to the heart and character of America," he said. ---
**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:** [June 11, 2016, 2:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trumps-2016-general-election-campaign/753901/1146 "2016-06-11T02:16:57Z")
> [@Sherrerd](#): > > This made me laugh out loud. Yeah, an article doesn’t say Trump is intent on getting his money back, therefore he’s not intent on getting his money back. 😃 I’m sure he’d love his money back, who the hell wouldn’t? But you are just blathering without the remotest clue about campaign finance rules ---
**Author:** ![octopus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/octopus/32/3716_2.png) [@octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/octopus)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2016, 2:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trumps-2016-general-election-campaign/753901/1147 "2016-06-11T02:28:42Z")
> [@Euphonious\_Polemic](#): > > They don’t. > > But I think Trump was too stupid to read the rules, or so arrogant he thought that they would not apply to him. > > And next week, Trump will be going hat in hand to kiss the rings of the Koch brothers to humbly ask for their benediction (and money). This meeting will go one of two ways. We’ll be able to tell within a week after the meeting. > > 1. Trump will change his stance on Free Trade, saying that it can be very good for everyone, especially all the public out there. Free Trade is Great! And it won’t disproportionately benefit huge corporations that the Koch brothers control! Pinky Promise! And tax cuts for corporations and the wealthy will DEFINITELY trickle down and so we must cut taxes a LOT! > Then, the politicians will suddenly say that Trump has learned a lot, that he’s not REALLY a bigot and a racist, and he’s really a TERRIFIC GUY, and they LOVE HIM. > > or > > 1. Trump will not change his stance on Free Trade and taxation, and he’ll continue to get hammered by the media and by Republican politicians. > > Trump is slowly learning who the REAL billionaires are, and who REALLY owns the press and the politicians. If Trump wants to win he’ll play ball. If he doesn’t really want the job or if he’s a genuine nut he won’t. ---
**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:** [June 11, 2016, 2:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trumps-2016-general-election-campaign/753901/1148 "2016-06-11T02:42:52Z")
> [@octopus](#): > > If Trump wants to win he’ll play ball. If he doesn’t really want the job or if he’s a genuine nut he won’t. That’s pretty much what I said: option 1 - play ball with the Koch brothers, and receive money, and nice statements from the Koch politicians and media - an outside chance to maybe win, but at least he won’t be embarrassed. option 2 - defy the Koch brothers, and get no money, no support from Koch politicians and media and be turned into The Biggest Loser In History. I think he’s gonna go with option #1. Look for more teleprompter speeches written by someone else, dog whistles instead of naked racism, acceptance of that lovely free trade concept, and more trickle down economics. And of course, Ryan, Gingrich et. al. saying what a great guy Trump has become. ---
**Author:** ![octopus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/octopus/32/3716_2.png) [@octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/octopus)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2016, 4:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trumps-2016-general-election-campaign/753901/1149 "2016-06-11T04:24:18Z")
> [@Euphonious\_Polemic](#): > > That’s pretty much what I said: > > option 1 - play ball with the Koch brothers, and receive money, and nice statements from the Koch politicians and media - an outside chance to maybe win, but at least he won’t be embarrassed. > > option 2 - defy the Koch brothers, and get no money, no support from Koch politicians and media and be turned into The Biggest Loser In History. > > I think he’s gonna go with option #1. Look for more teleprompter speeches written by someone else, dog whistles instead of naked racism, acceptance of that lovely free trade concept, and more trickle down economics. And of course, Ryan, Gingrich et. al. saying what a great guy Trump has become. I was agreeing with you. ---
**Author:** ![DerekMichaels00](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f14d63/32.png) [@DerekMichaels00](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DerekMichaels00)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2016, 6:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trumps-2016-general-election-campaign/753901/1150 "2016-06-11T06:04:17Z")
Trump is in what he calls “big trouble.” He could [potentially lose Kansas](http://www.kansascity.com/opinion/opn-columns-blogs/yael-t-abouhalkah/article83006987.html), a state no Dem has won since 1964, and before that 1936. Sure, the [Zogby poll isn’t terribly good](http://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/pollster-ratings/) and there’s a bunch of undecideds, but given that Hillary would need a much smaller amount of undecideds to get to 50% than Trump, and even less if a lot of undecideds stay home (because they drop out of the denominator), Trump could be in for a smackdown not seen in generations. ---
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2016, 6:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trumps-2016-general-election-campaign/753901/1151 "2016-06-11T06:09:57Z")
It’s weird though, all the states look close. Maybe the coalitions are different than normal due to the unique awfulness of the candidates. ---
**Author:** ![DerekMichaels00](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f14d63/32.png) [@DerekMichaels00](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DerekMichaels00)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2016, 8:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trumps-2016-general-election-campaign/753901/1152 "2016-06-11T08:02:17Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > It’s weird though, all the states look close. Maybe the coalitions are different than normal due to the unique awfulness of the candidates. still, Hillary’s ahead in more of them than Trump, and her polling numbers are rising due to the end of the primary. The Dems look like they’re doing a great job ending the revolution; I think that’s why Warren is out there on TV and Twitter so much: to steal Sanders’ mantle, and give it to Hillary. Also, Trump might be suffering as a result of the judge thing, and if that’s sustained, he’s toast. Best case for Hillary is that Appalachia becomes to this election what the Deep South was to 1964, tho in all actuality, if she wins, it will be Obama’s 2012 map plus IN, NC, and potentially MO. AR is a stretch but we’ll see. ---
**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:** [June 11, 2016, 12:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trumps-2016-general-election-campaign/753901/1153 "2016-06-11T12:29:30Z")
> [@octopus](#): > > I was agreeing with you. Pistols at dawn! ---
**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:** [June 11, 2016, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trumps-2016-general-election-campaign/753901/1154 "2016-06-11T15:04:43Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > It’s weird though, all the states look close. Maybe the coalitions are different than normal due to the unique awfulness of the candidates. Also states are pretty sparsely polled right now and the most recent ones reflect what _may_ have been Trump’s apex. It’s been 3 weeks since an Ohio poll. The most recently released PPP PA poll for example (tied head to head), the first poll there in over a month, covered 6/3 to 6/5, all before Clinton both cinched it and slammed the ball down on 6/7, and before Trump’s last little to-do. Yes, Obama vs Romney was running Obama +6ish in PA in June 2012 but the race each side had settled into their general modes for a good long time by then. I don’t think the coalitions are so different … they may be more … dramatic … though. Wang’s approach of aggregating state polls is a good one but it becomes more meaningful when there is some recent volume there. ---
**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:** [June 11, 2016, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trumps-2016-general-election-campaign/753901/1155 "2016-06-11T15:51:07Z")
> [@octopus](#): > > I was agreeing with you. Well, we’ll just have to agree to agree then. ---
**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:** [June 12, 2016, 1:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trumps-2016-general-election-campaign/753901/1156 "2016-06-12T01:45:48Z")
[Mitt Romney has been ripping into Trump](http://edition.cnn.com/2016/06/11/politics/mitt-romney-republicans-donald-trump/index.html). Again. He’s been doing a lot of that lately. Geez, I never thought I’d be a Romney fan. ---
**Author:** ![Rick\_Kitchen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rick_kitchen/32/522_2.png) [@Rick\_Kitchen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick_Kitchen)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2016, 2:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trumps-2016-general-election-campaign/753901/1157 "2016-06-12T02:10:09Z")
Trump said his calling Elizabeth Warren “Pocahontas” was offensive to Pocahontas. ---
**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:** [June 12, 2016, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trumps-2016-general-election-campaign/753901/1158 "2016-06-12T02:50:15Z")
> [@Rick\_Kitchen](#): > > Trump said his calling Elizabeth Warren “Pocahontas” was offensive to Pocahontas. Trump says Warren is racist. For just existing, I guess. He’s currently working on the grade 3 insult book “Nuh uh, you are! I know you are, but what am I?” During the debates, Trump will likely use the “I’m rubber and you’re glue” argument. ---
**Author:** ![AnalogSignal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/analogsignal/32/1085_2.png) [@AnalogSignal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AnalogSignal)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2016, 3:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trumps-2016-general-election-campaign/753901/1159 "2016-06-12T03:35:21Z")
The original Hitler was dull grainy black and white. He doesn’t really come across on modern TV. He just looks old. The new Orange Hitler really pops! Yellow hair, orange skin, red ties, and Twitter insults! What more could you want? Orange Hitler is an awesome 21st century reboot of the dictator franchise. ---
**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:** [June 12, 2016, 3:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trumps-2016-general-election-campaign/753901/1160 "2016-06-12T03:40:22Z")
> [@Siam\_Sam](#): > > [Mitt Romney has been ripping into Trump](http://edition.cnn.com/2016/06/11/politics/mitt-romney-republicans-donald-trump/index.html). Again. He’s been doing a lot of that lately. Geez, I never thought I’d be a Romney fan. [http://www.wmur.com/politics/romney-tears-into-gop-for-not-criticizing-trump/40011048](http://www.wmur.com/politics/romney-tears-into-gop-for-not-criticizing-trump/40011048) > [@](#): > > But Romney was also challenged by some questioners who were trying to whip up support for Trump. Romney has pledged to never support Trump, and many of his fund-raisers feel similarly. > > “We’ve got to get behind him,” one man implored the crowd. “These are the cards we’ve been dealt.” Personally I would had responded that the best tactic, in case like today, is for the big money Republicans to fold. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trumps-2016-general-election-campaign/753901.md?page=57) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trumps-2016-general-election-campaign/753901.md?page=59)