# How can Donald Trump win at this point? **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Tags:** trump, kamala-harris\ **Created:** [August 6, 2024, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-donald-trump-win-at-this-point/1005351 "2024-08-06T21:13:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 92
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2024, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-donald-trump-win-at-this-point/1005351/1821 "2024-09-05T20:13:33Z")
Ok, so on Thursdays, I volunteer at the Democrats’ HQ in my small rural county. Usually, I practice my Spanish and read the news, but today was PACKED from 1-4. So see? I’m not always posting doom. ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2024, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-donald-trump-win-at-this-point/1005351/1822 "2024-09-05T20:31:42Z")
Perhaps Trump will win by deferring policy making to America’s Wisest Man™ instead of to the Project 2025 dudes whom He barely knows extremely well… # Trump backs plan that would give Elon Musk broad role in U.S. policymaking The GOP presidential nominee is endorsing a commission that could give Musk responsibilities for auditing federal spending and regulations. [https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2024/09/05/donald-trump-elon-musk-election/](https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2024/09/05/donald-trump-elon-musk-election/) ---
**Author:** ![Jim1](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jim1/32/16477_2.png) [@Jim1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim1)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2024, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-donald-trump-win-at-this-point/1005351/1823 "2024-09-05T20:43:52Z")
He can cheat. Like he did in 2016. Like he tried in 2020. The Republican Party have learned from their mistakes in 2020 and will cheat better this time. They have already placed election officials in key positions in several states to assure a Trump “win” no matter how few votes he gets. They’ve got the fake electors trick sorted out. They’ve got the Supreme Court in their pocket. Russia has annexation of Ukraine at stake and will help all they can… ---
**Author:** ![Aeschines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aeschines/32/16251_2.png) [@Aeschines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aeschines)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2024, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-donald-trump-win-at-this-point/1005351/1824 "2024-09-05T20:48:24Z")
Nice! And thank you for volunteering. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2024, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-donald-trump-win-at-this-point/1005351/1825 "2024-09-05T21:03:30Z")
> [@Jim1](#): > > The Republican Party have learned from their mistakes in 2020 and will cheat better this time. The Democratic Party has also learned from their mistakes and will be better prepared this time. And this isn’t speculation on my part, they’ve declared this and hired a huge legal team. I think it will be harder for the Republicans this time because trying to steal the election is somewhat unprecedented in modern times and they wasted their opportunity to try when people didn’t expect it in 2020. It’s like failing to successfully break into a bank vault to steal money. Sure, you can try to learn your lesson and do better but you’ve already put the bank on alert so it’s just going to be harder next time, regardless of what you try to do to improve. ---
**Author:** ![Aeschines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aeschines/32/16251_2.png) [@Aeschines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aeschines)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2024, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-donald-trump-win-at-this-point/1005351/1826 "2024-09-05T21:16:27Z")
Yes. In addition, in 2020, while they were lying outrageously and unbelievably, at least they could say, “We’re denying this election’s results because _this_ election was dirty.” It was plausible to a certain type of fool. If they do the same thing again, that message can’t work, and it becomes obvious and open that they simply deny the results of any election that they lose. Also, a bunch of people got disbarred and indicted for what they did in 2020/2021. Does the GOP have that many sacrificial warriors this year? I think not. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2024, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-donald-trump-win-at-this-point/1005351/1827 "2024-09-06T00:59:26Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > When independent candidate [Robert F. Kennedy Jr.](https://www.newsweek.com/topic/robert-f-kennedy-jr) was included as an option, Harris cut Trump’s lead to just 2 points. The poll … ONE POLL. Nah. In all likelihood Trump is ahead by four to six. ---
**Author:** ![Odesio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/odesio/32/20003_2.png) [@Odesio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Odesio)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2024, 2:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-donald-trump-win-at-this-point/1005351/1828 "2024-09-06T02:11:14Z")
> [@Aeschines](#): > > It’s a fact that the Dems are blowing the GOP in terms of fundraising, ad spend, and ground game. This is bound to have some effect. It’s very important that you insert the word “away” in there somewhere. “It’s a fact that the Dems are blowing the GOP away in terms of fundraising.” That one word changes the meaning of the sentence drastically. ---
**Author:** ![Aeschines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aeschines/32/16251_2.png) [@Aeschines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aeschines)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2024, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-donald-trump-win-at-this-point/1005351/1829 "2024-09-06T22:30:05Z")
OK, this is big. Dick Cheney has endorsed Kamala Harris: > **[🚨Trump's FEAR COMES TRUE as Top Republican BACKS KAMALA](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uhAEVwi-8Jg%2F)** > > Adam Mockler with MeidasTouch Network breaks down Donald Trump's BIGGEST FEAR: VP Harris being endorsed by DICK CHENEY!Become a member to support me!https://... > **[‘Hell has frozen over’: Nicolle Wallace's reaction to former VP Dick Cheney...](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QYQr0-GixqY%2F)** > > Tim Miller, former spokesperson for the Republican National Committee and Basil Smikle, Democratic Strategist join Nicolle Wallace with reaction to the break... Will this start what I call the “implosion”? I mean, I think it’s already started, but will the submarine collapse now, with more and more Republicans coming out against Trump? It’s possible. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2024, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-donald-trump-win-at-this-point/1005351/1830 "2024-09-06T22:34:26Z")
> [@Aeschines](#): > > OK, this is big. Dick Cheney has endorsed Kamala Harris Not that big, honestly, and completely expected. Cheney has been highly critical of Trump for some time, and called Trump “a coward” in an ad for his daughter’s unsuccessful re-election campaign two years ago. > [@](#): > > “In our nation’s 246-year history, there has never been an individual who is a greater threat to our republic than Donald Trump,” Cheney said. “He tried to steal the last election using lies and violence to keep himself in power after the voters had rejected him. He is a coward. A real man wouldn’t lie to his supporters. He lost his election, and he lost big. I know it. He knows it, and deep down, I think most Republicans know.” Cheney has no role in today’s MAGA-run GOP, and I don’t think this’ll sway many, if any, potential Trump voters. [https://www.politico.com/news/2022/08/04/dick-cheney-trump-coward-ad-00049944](https://www.politico.com/news/2022/08/04/dick-cheney-trump-coward-ad-00049944) ---
**Author:** ![Aeschines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aeschines/32/16251_2.png) [@Aeschines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aeschines)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2024, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-donald-trump-win-at-this-point/1005351/1831 "2024-09-06T23:10:13Z")
I don’t think you’re wrong that this by itself isn’t that big a deal. However, if it allows more Republicans to express that they too are voting for Harris, then it could be an important rivet popping out of the hull. ---
**Author:** ![flurb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/51bf81/32.png) [@flurb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flurb)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2024, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-donald-trump-win-at-this-point/1005351/1832 "2024-09-07T01:38:22Z")
Dick Cheney’s endorsement seems like a bit of a double edged sword. Progressives justifiably despise him, and Harris has some vulnerability there over her Gaza stance. Having the primary architect of the Iraq War on her side isn’t likely to help corral those voters. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2024, 1:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-donald-trump-win-at-this-point/1005351/1833 "2024-09-07T01:44:02Z")
I’m curious if Dubya is still letting Dick tell him what to do and will endorse Harris next. I also wouldn’t be terribly surprised to see previous GOP speakers Paul Ryan and/or John Boehner make a Harris endorsement. Both have spoken out against Trump, but I don’t think either has made a commitment. A Dubya endorsement would mean that every living president except one endorses Harris, which would be pretty cool. ---
**Author:** ![Moriarty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moriarty/32/49_2.png) [@Moriarty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moriarty)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2024, 1:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-donald-trump-win-at-this-point/1005351/1834 "2024-09-07T01:45:46Z")
> [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > I also wouldn’t be terribly surprised to see previous GOP speaker…John Boehner make a Harris endorsement. Surely with tears in his eyes. > **[Tears through the years: John Boehner gets emotional](https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation-now/2015/09/25/john-boehner-crying-emotional-speaker-house/72799814/)** > > House Speaker John Boehner, who just announced that he will give up his House seat at the end of October, is known for being an emotional guy. Here's a compilation of times he couldn't help but let the waterworks flow. ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2024, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-donald-trump-win-at-this-point/1005351/1835 "2024-09-07T02:12:31Z")
Last month, Harris raised three times the funding that Trump did. Spend wisely! (Gift link.) [https://www.nytimes.com/live/2024/09/06/us/harris-trump-election?unlocked\_article\_code=1.I04.AjH\_.E8eVsjDnXA5m&smid=url-share](https://www.nytimes.com/live/2024/09/06/us/harris-trump-election?unlocked_article_code=1.I04.AjH_.E8eVsjDnXA5m&smid=url-share) ---
**Author:** ![penultima\_thule](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/penultima_thule/32/3833_2.png) [@penultima\_thule](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/penultima_thule)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2024, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-donald-trump-win-at-this-point/1005351/1836 "2024-09-07T02:12:53Z")
> [@Aeschines](#): > > OK, this is big. > [@Aeschines](#): > > I don’t think you’re wrong that this by itself isn’t that big a deal. You’ve gotta admire the courage you show in your convictions. **How can Donald Trump win at this point?** 1. The economy, or more precisely the perception of the economy. 2. The 18-29 female (Harris + 38) to 18-29 male (Trump + 13) gap is now over 50 points. The average young American male voter shares Trump’s values. ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2024, 2:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-donald-trump-win-at-this-point/1005351/1837 "2024-09-07T02:22:23Z")
> [@penultima\_thule](#): > > The 18-29 female (Harris + 38) to 18-29 male (Trump + 13) gap is now over 50 points. > The average young American male voter shares Trump’s values. Yet one more thing that makes me want to shake them by the lapels and ask “what the hail is wrong with ya, boy?” ---
**Author:** ![TeroSunbear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terosunbear/32/14748_2.png) [@TeroSunbear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TeroSunbear)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2024, 2:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-donald-trump-win-at-this-point/1005351/1838 "2024-09-07T02:22:52Z")
I’m disregarding Nate now. I will give Trump a 55% chance of getting a ticket to a private nursing home in 2025. Increasing to 60% by 2026. He will use this himself to avoid jail. ---
**Author:** ![JKellyMap](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jkellymap/32/15880_2.png) [@JKellyMap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKellyMap)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2024, 3:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-donald-trump-win-at-this-point/1005351/1839 "2024-09-07T03:24:28Z")
> [@penultima\_thule](#): > > The 18-29 female (Harris + 38) to 18-29 male (Trump + 13) gap is now over 50 points. > The average young American male voter shares Trump’s values. That is off-the-charts insane. The most disturbing fact I’ve heard in a long time. ---
**Author:** ![Great\_Antibob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47c2d/32.png) [@Great\_Antibob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Great_Antibob)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2024, 3:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-donald-trump-win-at-this-point/1005351/1840 "2024-09-07T03:39:22Z")
I don’t see how the Cheney thing helps much at all. That sort of thing helped so well that Liz Cheney got primaried out of her own seat by a landslide. The Republicans who’d listen to a Bush or a Cheney are already “priced in” on the likely voting. It’s about enthusiasm and turnout, and the Republicans who aren’t already virulently anti-Trump aren’t going to exhibit either for Harris because of anything Dick Cheney might say. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-donald-trump-win-at-this-point/1005351.md?page=91) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-donald-trump-win-at-this-point/1005351.md?page=93)