# 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:** 74

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**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 17, 2016, 11:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trumps-2016-general-election-campaign/753901/1461 "2016-06-17T11:44:46Z")

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> [@GIGObuster](#):
>
> Uh, is Texas a swing state or does Trump knows that he should be concerned about Texas?

Have no idea, but the market I’m in went for Obama in 2008 and 2012, so maybe they were working off that fact?

Otherwise, I’d have no idea why they would air the ad and I don’t even remember what I was watching @ the time.

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**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\
**Post date:** [June 17, 2016, 11:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trumps-2016-general-election-campaign/753901/1462 "2016-06-17T11:57:03Z")

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> [@JohnT](#):
>
> Saw the Lewinski ad here in Texas.

> [@Johnny\_Ace](#):
>
> I live in L.A.

Well, the more money they spend in Texas and California (Texas and California? Really?), the less they have for Ohio and the more peaceful my television watching experience will be.

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**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:** [June 17, 2016, 12:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trumps-2016-general-election-campaign/753901/1463 "2016-06-17T12:34:33Z")

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As I’m sure you already know, Trump only wins the _biggest_ states. The _best_ states, with the most electoral votes and the classiest real estate. He doesn’t have time for those loser states in flyover country!

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**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 17, 2016, 12:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trumps-2016-general-election-campaign/753901/1464 "2016-06-17T12:43:59Z")

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> [@Derleth](#):
>
> Nader is like Sanders: An idealistic man who isn’t given to irrational tirades like Trump is.

Your “idealism” is my “irrational and bad at math.”

[

> [@](#):
>
> Ralph Nader, the former Green Party presidential candidate and lifelong consumer activist, says Donald Trump’s dizzying presidential candidacy hasn’t been all bad, while Hillary Clinton is winning the Democratic nomination by “dictatorship.”
> 
> …
> 
> When asked what positive contributions Clinton has made to the 2016 campaign, Nader called her a “corporatist, militarist Democrat” who would have been defeated by Sanders if every state held an open primary.
> 
> “She’s going to win by dictatorship. Twenty-five percent of superdelegates are cronies, mostly. They weren’t elected. They were there in order to stop somebody like Bernie Sanders, who would win by the vote,” he says.
> 
> To date, Clinton has captured 3 million more total votes than Sanders, but Nader argues the results would be different if independents were allowed to participate in each state.

]([http://www.usnews.com/news/articles/2016-05-13/ralph-nader-donald-trump-has-done-some-good-hillary-clintons-winning-by-dictatorship](http://www.usnews.com/news/articles/2016-05-13/ralph-nader-donald-trump-has-done-some-good-hillary-clintons-winning-by-dictatorship))

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**Author:** ![Derleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Derleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Derleth)\
**Post date:** [June 17, 2016, 12:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trumps-2016-general-election-campaign/753901/1465 "2016-06-17T12:50:26Z")

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> [@Budget\_Player\_Cadet](#):
>
> And Redtube.

The only place where he can finish.

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**Author:** ![Derleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Derleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Derleth)\
**Post date:** [June 17, 2016, 12:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trumps-2016-general-election-campaign/753901/1466 "2016-06-17T12:53:33Z")

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> [@jsgoddess](#):
>
> Your “idealism” is my “irrational and bad at math.”

Yeah, he’s ignorant of many things, including the definition of “corporatist” (hint: It has nothing to do with _business_ corporations) and, yes, the simple arithmetic implied in how poorly Sanders has done in actual caucuses and primaries.

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**Author:** ![davidm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidm/32/225_2.png) [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\
**Post date:** [June 17, 2016, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trumps-2016-general-election-campaign/753901/1467 "2016-06-17T17:59:07Z")

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“Dozens of GOP delegates launch new push to halt Donald Trump”  
[https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/dozens-of-gop-delegates-launch-new-push-to-halt-donald-trump/2016/06/17/e8dcf74e-3491-11e6-8758-d58e76e11b12\_story.html](https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/dozens-of-gop-delegates-launch-new-push-to-halt-donald-trump/2016/06/17/e8dcf74e-3491-11e6-8758-d58e76e11b12_story.html)

> [@](#):
>
> The new campaign is being run by the only people who can actually make changes to party rules, rather than by pundits and media figures who have been pining for a Trump alternative.  
> …  
> First, Unruh’s plan to unbind the delegates will need support from a majority of the convention rules committee, which is scheduled to meet on July 14 and 15 — just a few days before the convention formally convenes. If the proposal passes the committee, it would need to be ratified by a majority of convention delegates the following week.
> 
> Secondly, several delegates are deeply concerned about what they claim are intimidation tactics by Trump, his campaign and some state party leaders.
> 
> One delegate, who requested anonymity out of fear of retribution, wrote in an email that during his state party’s first convention organizing meeting, party leaders told the delegation that if they don’t vote for Trump, “we would be removed from the floor and replaced with an alternate.”

This could be quite a show. I almost feel bad for the Republicans. 😃

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**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 17, 2016, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trumps-2016-general-election-campaign/753901/1468 "2016-06-17T18:14:44Z")

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Apparently the GOP is rattling the tambourines to raise money to finance their convention because the big corporate sponsors that have done it in the past are passing, this time.

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**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 17, 2016, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trumps-2016-general-election-campaign/753901/1469 "2016-06-17T18:41:53Z")

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Ryan does not want to split the party apart, but he’s [not exactly urging](http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory/ryan-republicans-follow-conscience-trump-39940214) his fellow Republicans to rally around Trump:

> [@](#):
>
> House Speaker Paul Ryan says Republican lawmakers should follow their conscience in deciding whether or not to support Donald Trump, the GOP’s presumptive nominee for president.
> 
> The Wisconsin Republican told NBC’s “Meet the Press” that “the last thing I would do is tell anybody to do something that’s contrary to their conscience. Of course I wouldn’t do that.”

Basically, he’s explicitly given everyone the freedom to decide to cut Trump loose if they feel that would help their individual campaigns for House or Senate seats.

I hope he does not get splinters from riding that fence for the next several months.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**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 17, 2016, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trumps-2016-general-election-campaign/753901/1470 "2016-06-17T18:42:58Z")

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> [@Rick\_Kitchen](#):
>
> Apparently the GOP is rattling the tambourines to raise money to finance their convention because the big corporate sponsors that have done it in the past are passing, this time.

Koch brothers, Wells Fargo & Co., United Parcel Service Inc., Motorola Solutions Inc., JPMorgan Chase & Co., Ford Motor Co., and Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc.,

All sponsored in 2012, but will not this time.

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**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\
**Post date:** [June 17, 2016, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trumps-2016-general-election-campaign/753901/1471 "2016-06-17T18:45:32Z")

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> [@davidm](#):
>
> … I almost feel bad for the Republicans. 😃

The next time you find yourself dangerously close to feeling sympathy for the  
Republicans, just go ahead and listen to a few minutes of right wing radio. That oughta clear your head right up.

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**Author:** ![Johnny\_Ace](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/6bbea6/32.png) [@Johnny\_Ace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Ace)\
**Post date:** [June 17, 2016, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trumps-2016-general-election-campaign/753901/1472 "2016-06-17T18:59:33Z")

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Let’s just do a little PolitiFact-style fact check on Nader’s assertion. There were 17 open primaries, one of which (Washington state) gives no info for vote or delegate totals, which would alter the following slightly if known. Of those open primaries:

Hillary won 12, Bernie won 5.  
Hillary got 6,363,559 votes (57.1%) to Bernie’s 4,776,309 (42.9%).  
Hillary gained 906 delegates (63.0%) to Bernie’s 531 (37.0%).

In fact, she did a little better in the popular vote percentage and delegate counts in open primaries than overall.

Sorry, Ralph. No joy for you.

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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:** [June 17, 2016, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trumps-2016-general-election-campaign/753901/1473 "2016-06-17T19:04:37Z")

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> [@Fear\_Itself](#):
>
> Rick Wilson, GOP presidential consultant and active member of the Never Trump movement, [calls the presumptive Republican nominee “Cheeto Jesus.”](http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/gop-operative-lashes-out-at-party-calls-trump-cheeto-jesus-in-epic-tweetstorm_us_57626d13e4b05e4be860ec59?section=)

I still prefer OrangeHitler.

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**Author:** ![OttoDaFe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ottodafe/32/356_2.png) [@OttoDaFe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OttoDaFe)\
**Post date:** [June 17, 2016, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trumps-2016-general-election-campaign/753901/1474 "2016-06-17T19:20:38Z")

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> [@Johnny\_Ace](#):
>
> Let’s just do a little PolitiFact-style fact check on Nader’s assertion. There were 17 open primaries, one of which (Washington state) gives no info for vote or delegate totals, which would alter the following slightly if known. Of those open primaries:
> 
> Hillary won 12, Bernie won 5.  
> Hillary got 6,363,559 votes (57.1%) to Bernie’s 4,776,309 (42.9%).  
> Hillary gained 906 delegates (63.0%) to Bernie’s 531 (37.0%).
> 
> In fact, she did a little better in the popular vote percentage and delegate counts in open primaries than overall.
> 
> Sorry, Ralph. No joy for you.

The Soviet of Washington Democratic primary was purely a beauty contest since all delegates are awarded according to caucus results. For the record, Clinton beat Sanders, 380,760 to 338,283 — nowhere near a reversal of the trouncing he gave her in the caucuses, but enough to generate some (pointless) discussion on the mechanism for awarding delegates.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Defensive\_Indifference](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/defensive_indifference/32/6502_2.png) [@Defensive\_Indifference](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Defensive_Indifference)\
**Post date:** [June 17, 2016, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trumps-2016-general-election-campaign/753901/1475 "2016-06-17T19:21:23Z")

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> [@davidm](#):
>
> “Dozens of GOP delegates launch new push to halt Donald Trump”  
> [https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/dozens-of-gop-delegates-launch-new-push-to-halt-donald-trump/2016/06/17/e8dcf74e-3491-11e6-8758-d58e76e11b12\_story.html](https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/dozens-of-gop-delegates-launch-new-push-to-halt-donald-trump/2016/06/17/e8dcf74e-3491-11e6-8758-d58e76e11b12_story.html)  
> This could be quite a show. I almost feel bad for the Republicans. 😃

Trump is saying that it would be “illegal” to change the rules so that the delegates are unbound. I’m curious if it is actually illegal. Are there any laws that govern how the parties select candidates? I was under the impression that the parties were private entities that could have whatever selection process they wanted and change it at will. Does anyone know for sure? Could the convention pick the nominee with a spirited Rochambo tournament?

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Johnny\_Ace](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/6bbea6/32.png) [@Johnny\_Ace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Ace)\
**Post date:** [June 17, 2016, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trumps-2016-general-election-campaign/753901/1476 "2016-06-17T19:36:12Z")

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> [@Bayard](#):
>
> Trump is saying that it would be “illegal” to change the rules so that the delegates are unbound. I’m curious if it is actually illegal. Are there any laws that govern how the parties select candidates? I was under the impression that the parties were private entities that could have whatever selection process they wanted and change it at will.

If it were somehow painted as discriminatory based on race, religion, etc. (ironic considering the plan’s target), I suppose there could be a legal argument. Otherwise, there are no laws governing internal party rules that I know of.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**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 17, 2016, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trumps-2016-general-election-campaign/753901/1477 "2016-06-17T19:43:45Z")

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> [@Euphonious\_Polemic](#):
>
> Ryan does not want to split the party apart, but he’s [not exactly urging](http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory/ryan-republicans-follow-conscience-trump-39940214) his fellow Republicans to rally around Trump:
> 
> Basically, he’s explicitly given everyone the freedom to decide to cut Trump loose if they feel that would help their individual campaigns for House or Senate seats.
> 
> I hope he does not get splinters from riding that fence for the next several months.

I guess that means that Ryan’s own conscience is clear with supporting the racist idiot. Good to know.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Count\_Blucher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Count\_Blucher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Count_Blucher)\
**Post date:** [June 17, 2016, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trumps-2016-general-election-campaign/753901/1478 "2016-06-17T19:52:11Z")

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> [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](#):
>
> I still prefer OrangeHitler.

[Japan seems to also…?](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZbM6WbUw7Bs)

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Defensive\_Indifference](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/defensive_indifference/32/6502_2.png) [@Defensive\_Indifference](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Defensive_Indifference)\
**Post date:** [June 17, 2016, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trumps-2016-general-election-campaign/753901/1479 "2016-06-17T19:55:15Z")

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Trump tweeted a big “THANK YOU” along with the results of a brand-new poll from someplace called Gravis Marketing/One America News Network. The poll showed him **trailing** Clinton by two points.

> **[Oops! Trump Sends Celebratory Tweet Showing Him Polling Behind Clinton](https://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/trump-tweets-poll-losing-clinton)**
>
> UPDATE 3:29 p.m.: While a May 10 Gravis/OANN poll did show Trump polling at 49 percent support compared to 51 percent support for Clinton, a survey by the pollster released Friday also found that same…

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<div class="post-metadata">

**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 17, 2016, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/donald-trumps-2016-general-election-campaign/753901/1480 "2016-06-17T19:59:40Z")

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> [@Bayard](#):
>
> Trump tweeted a big “THANK YOU” along with the results of a brand-new poll from someplace called Gravis Marketing/One America News Network. The poll showed him **trailing** Clinton by two points.
> 
> [Oops! Trump Sends Celebratory Tweet Showing Him Polling Behind Clinton - TPM – Talking Points Memo](http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/trump-tweets-poll-losing-clinton)

That “brand new poll” is a month old, and OAN is a Fox wannabe.

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