# How is trump still a viable candidate for president? Really, how? **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Tags:** trump\ **Created:** [May 12, 2023, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-trump-still-a-viable-candidate-for-president-really-how/983949 "2023-05-12T14:28:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 24
**Author:** ![Tatterdemalion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/43a26b/32.png) [@Tatterdemalion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tatterdemalion)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2023, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-trump-still-a-viable-candidate-for-president-really-how/983949/464 "2023-08-19T17:28:46Z")
> [@Dr\_Paprika](#): > > Is there a collective general name for Trump supporters? I’m thinking something equivalent to _juggalos_ for fans of Insane Clown Posse or “dittoheads” for Limbaugh… Don’t we already have deplorables? ---
**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:** [August 19, 2023, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-trump-still-a-viable-candidate-for-president-really-how/983949/465 "2023-08-19T17:48:35Z")
magats ---
**Author:** ![SuntanLotion](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/suntanlotion/32/16165_2.png) [@SuntanLotion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SuntanLotion)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2023, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-trump-still-a-viable-candidate-for-president-really-how/983949/466 "2023-08-19T17:49:30Z")
Maganuts. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Drake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ad7895/32.png) [@Dr.Drake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Drake)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2023, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-trump-still-a-viable-candidate-for-president-really-how/983949/467 "2023-08-19T17:59:49Z")
> [@Atamasama](#): > > The Constitution already has conditions where a candidate is made ineligible to run. Yes, but I don’t think it’s as clear-cut as you & the _Atlantic_ are making it out to be. If it were, I’d agree with you. My evidence that it is not is simply that this Constitution provision is not being enacted. _Why_ it’s not clear cut is a critical question. Fomenting insurrection as a sitting president is enough for me, personally. But not, evidently, for those currently in positions of authority, nor for about a third of the country. ---
**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:** [August 19, 2023, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-trump-still-a-viable-candidate-for-president-really-how/983949/468 "2023-08-19T18:05:46Z")
> [@Dr.Drake](#): > > Yes, but I don’t think it’s as clear-cut as you & the _Atlantic_ are making it out to be. If it were, I’d agree with you. I never said it was clear cut. I have no idea where you got that from. In fact, I think there is absolutely no chance of excluding him from being POTUS based on it. SCOTUS is going to let the voters decide. I expect even the left judges will, because they don’t want courts interfering in the election process. I’ve made that opinion on these boards before. Don’t put your hopes on this. I am just saying that it’s worth at least **trying** to enforce our laws. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Drake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ad7895/32.png) [@Dr.Drake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Drake)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2023, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-trump-still-a-viable-candidate-for-president-really-how/983949/469 "2023-08-19T18:09:03Z")
Re: clear-cut, I meant “it” to refer to the fact that he had, in fact, violated this Constitutional provision. I think he did, but millions upon millions don’t agree. But I agree that we should enforce our laws, especially when those violating them come from positions of power and privilege. ---
**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:** [August 19, 2023, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-trump-still-a-viable-candidate-for-president-really-how/983949/470 "2023-08-19T18:18:10Z")
> [@Dr.Drake](#): > > Re: clear-cut, I meant “it” to refer to the fact that he had, in fact, violated this Constitutional provision. I think he did, but millions upon millions don’t agree. Got it. I’m not entirely sure either. I think he tried to steal the election, in fact the evidence overwhelmingly shows that, and I believe he instigated the 1/6 riots intentionally as a delaying tactic to support that effort. But I am not sure that counts as “insurrection” in a legal sense. The fact that none of the rioters have been charged with insurrection suggests that it doesn’t apply, at least in the eyes of the DOJ. This article explains it. > **[Rebellion or Insurrection | 18 U.S. Code § 2383](https://www.thefederalcriminalattorneys.com/rebellion-or-insurrection)** > > Review 18 U.S.C. 2383 rebellion or insurrection law which makes it a crime to incite, assist with, or participate in a rebellion against United States authority. I’m not firmly against the idea he might have done so, but I’m not convinced of it either. ---
**Author:** ![slicedalone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slicedalone/32/12515_2.png) [@slicedalone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/slicedalone)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2023, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-trump-still-a-viable-candidate-for-president-really-how/983949/471 "2023-08-19T18:59:23Z")
> [@Atamasama](#): > > And that has already been weaponized, or have you forgotten the Birther Movement? (Pushed by Trump himself, ironically.) It would be kind of sweet to elicit from Trump how, precisely, he would have had Obama removed from the Democratic ticket because of his foreign birth, and then follow through on those steps to disqualify him from the Republican ticket. ---
**Author:** ![PhillyGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ed655f/32.png) [@PhillyGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhillyGuy)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2023, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-trump-still-a-viable-candidate-for-president-really-how/983949/472 "2023-08-19T19:19:41Z")
> [@Dr.Drake](#): > > I’m trying to think beyond Trump. Father Time will take care of him. What I _don’t_ want is to establish a precedent where candidates we don’t like get removed from the ballot, because there’s a certain major political party that will take advantage of that. I want to agree with you, and basically do. However, Trump being kept off the ballot might make 2024 such a strong year for the GOP as to discourage any such future election interference. > [@Atamasama](#): > > I am just saying that it’s worth at least **trying** to enforce our laws. If you mean it’s worth trying to enforce most laws some of the time, I’d agree. But if we are talking about trying to enforce every constitutional law almost all the time, I seriously disagree. Instead I think just the opposite – excuses for not enforcing the law should be usually be seized. While it is impossible to pre-specify when authorities should look the other way, I think that giving voters their democratic choice of candidate is a good reason to ignore Section 3 of the 14th amendment. Let’s leave enforcement of that provision up to the voters. ---
**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:** [August 19, 2023, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-trump-still-a-viable-candidate-for-president-really-how/983949/473 "2023-08-19T19:34:31Z")
> [@Aspenglow](#): > > It makes me smile. Me, too, but I can’t wrap my head around people thinking the actual acts weren’t disqualifying, yet the indictment is. As others have noted, one of the few logical explanations is “that his acts were fine, and the indictment is bogus — but he’ll now be too distracted, or unelectable.” ---
**Author:** ![DesertDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/desertdog/32/11503_2.png) [@DesertDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DesertDog)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2023, 9:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-trump-still-a-viable-candidate-for-president-really-how/983949/474 "2023-08-20T09:14:47Z")
> [@slicedalone](#): > > It would be kind of sweet to elicit from Trump how, precisely, he would have had Obama removed from the Democratic ticket because of his foreign birth, and then follow through on those steps to disqualify him from the Republican ticket. You are assuming, of course, you’d get a coherent answer? ---
**Author:** ![Horatius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/horatius/32/3572_2.png) [@Horatius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatius)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2023, 1:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-trump-still-a-viable-candidate-for-president-really-how/983949/475 "2023-08-21T01:52:11Z")
Welll, this absolute bullshit is probably a part of it: > In the [CBS News/YouGov](https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-poll-indictments-2023-08-20/)survey, Trump voters were asked to pick who they feel tells them the truth. Trump gathered 71 percent of the vote, friends and family gathered 63 percent, conservative media figures had 56 percent, and religious leaders gathered 42 percent. The poll was conducted between August 16-18 and interviewed 2,061 U.S. adult residents. The margin of error is plus or minus 3 points for the sample overall. > **[Trump voters trust ex-president more than their family and friends: Poll](https://www.newsweek.com/trump-voters-trust-ex-president-more-their-family-friends-poll-1821138)** > > The former president now holds his largest lead yet over Florida Governor and 2024 Republican candidate Ron DeSantis in Sunday's new poll. ---
**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:** [August 21, 2023, 2:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-trump-still-a-viable-candidate-for-president-really-how/983949/476 "2023-08-21T02:13:00Z")
Wow, Dear Leader, indeed. How so many North Koreans could be so brainwashed always baffled me…but it’s right here, right now. ---
**Author:** ![Leaper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/4bbf92/32.png) [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2023, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-trump-still-a-viable-candidate-for-president-really-how/983949/477 "2023-08-21T02:39:23Z")
I would’ve been interested in seeing the poll asking about non-Trump conservative politicians. ---
**Author:** ![FlikTheBlue](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fliktheblue/32/10972_2.png) [@FlikTheBlue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FlikTheBlue)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2023, 11:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-trump-still-a-viable-candidate-for-president-really-how/983949/478 "2023-08-21T11:47:42Z")
> [@Horatius](#): > > Welll, this absolute bullshit is probably a part of it: Definitely. I’ve come up with the hypothesis that one of the big differences between Republicans and Democrats is this. Republican voters want to be told what they want to hear even if it’s BS. Democrats want to be told the truth. Whether it’s COVID-19, global warming, the ascendence of the Chinese economy, and so on, that seems to be a common trait. I don’t think it was always this way, but the Republican politicians were forced to adopt this strategy due to having previously relied on the strategy of winning socially conservative senior citizens. As it’s turning out, being the type of person who wants to listen to BS rather than the truth isn’t a trait that discriminates based on age, and they have now seemingly solved the problem of what to do when there base starts dying of old age. ---
**Author:** ![solost](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/solost/32/11776_2.png) [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2023, 12:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-trump-still-a-viable-candidate-for-president-really-how/983949/479 "2023-08-21T12:16:59Z")
> [@Horatius](#): > > Welll, this absolute bullshit is probably a part of it: > > > In the [CBS News/YouGov](https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-poll-indictments-2023-08-20/)survey, Trump voters were asked to pick who they feel tells them the truth. Trump gathered 71 percent of the vote Jeez Louise. 🤦‍♂️ Apparently it really is true that, if you just constantly boast about how great (and in this case, how trustworthy) you are often enough, you can brainwash a good percentage of people into believing it. Makes me wonder how many other professions this strategy would work on… _I am the greatest surgeon, certainly in this hospital and probably in the world! The most highly skilled surgeon ever!!_ _But doctor, 6 patients in a row have died on your operating table._ _Fake news, spread by the other surgeons, who are jealous of me, and hate this hospital! They are enemies of good health! In fact, I can’t share details right now, but in two weeks I’m going to perform the most complicated, greatest transplant surgery ever attempted. It will be celebrated in medical journals for years to come!_ _Wow, we can’t wait to see it happen, doc!_ ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2023, 12:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-trump-still-a-viable-candidate-for-president-really-how/983949/480 "2023-08-21T12:48:52Z")
Agree w @FlikTheBlue two posts up. Trump doesn’t tell the truth. But what he does that’s different from the typical politician is that he sounds sincere in his righteous anger. He sounds like he really does hate all the things he rails on about. His followers key off the hate that they love and the sincerity they crave. Even if it’s actually false sincerity. trump has that unvarnished genuininess that he’s really channeling his inner 6yo. Which he is, since 6yo is the only personality he has. This sells great to other people who are happily 6yos on the inside too. Unlike the typical focus-grouped pol delivering anodyne blandnesses and cringingly corny slogans. That to 6yos sounds just like the waah-waah-waah trombone sound of teachers on the _Peanuts_ animated cartoons. Of course the fact there’s an entire RW media chorus repeating trump’s every falsehood as facts certainly helps. It’s not really clear which of those two entities is writing the script, but they’re doing a hell of a duet harmony. Which really appeals to people who like their world unrealistically consistent and simple. ---
**Author:** ![snowthx](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowthx/32/10660_2.png) [@snowthx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snowthx)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2023, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-trump-still-a-viable-candidate-for-president-really-how/983949/481 "2023-08-21T17:45:54Z")
I think those poll-takers are just going “Heh! Let’s mess with the libs and say Trump is more truthful than my family. Heh!”, since taking a poll like that has the dopamine upside of feeling like you owned the libs, with zero risk. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Drake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ad7895/32.png) [@Dr.Drake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Drake)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2023, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-trump-still-a-viable-candidate-for-president-really-how/983949/482 "2023-08-21T18:43:39Z")
Do poll-makers and poll-answer-solicitors not think about this, and naively presume everyone is truthful? Or is this accounted for in the margin of error? Or somewhere in between: they assume people lie, but not as much as they actually do? Though I note that the poll (from [CBS News poll finds Trump's big lead grows, as GOP voters dismiss indictments - CBS News](https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-poll-indictments-2023-08-20/)) asked about whether they “feel what they tell you is true.” I can’t tell if that’s whether this is from the perspective of Trump (i.e. he is sincere) or the voter (believes Trump) or ambiguous. ---
**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:** [August 21, 2023, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-trump-still-a-viable-candidate-for-president-really-how/983949/483 "2023-08-21T19:09:43Z")
Jenna Ellis, one of Trump’s “elite strike force team” of lawyers who was recently indicted in Fulton County George Tweeted the following: > [@Jenna Ellis](#): > > I was reliably informed that Trump isn’t funding any of us who are indicted…I totally agree this has become a bigger principle than just one man. So why isn’t MAGA, Inc. funding everyone’s defense? One of the things I don’t get is how Trump is able to win the loyalty of so many people when he publically throws his supporters under the bus. Why are his supporters so loyal when Trump has demonstrated he’s willing to burn any of them when it’s convenient? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-trump-still-a-viable-candidate-for-president-really-how/983949.md?page=23) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-trump-still-a-viable-candidate-for-president-really-how/983949.md?page=25)