# 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:** 54
**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:** [March 1, 2024, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-trump-still-a-viable-candidate-for-president-really-how/983949/1064 "2024-03-01T18:44:58Z")
> [@TeroSunbear](#): > > How does speaking unknown languages make them more threatening? In addition to the other comments: Because it exposes you as someone who is stupid and does not know other languages. ---
**Author:** ![EddyTeddyFreddy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eddyteddyfreddy/32/18796_2.png) [@EddyTeddyFreddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EddyTeddyFreddy)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2024, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-trump-still-a-viable-candidate-for-president-really-how/983949/1065 "2024-03-01T18:46:43Z")
Also, that the other-speakers are too stupid to speak English. Clearly subhuman. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2024, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-trump-still-a-viable-candidate-for-president-really-how/983949/1066 "2024-03-01T18:57:58Z")
> [@EddyTeddyFreddy](#): > > Xenophobia That looks like a foreign word. Next you’ll be suggesting Arabic numerals be taught in public schools! ---
**Author:** ![EddyTeddyFreddy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eddyteddyfreddy/32/18796_2.png) [@EddyTeddyFreddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EddyTeddyFreddy)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2024, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-trump-still-a-viable-candidate-for-president-really-how/983949/1067 "2024-03-01T18:58:21Z")
Or algebra! ---
**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:** [March 1, 2024, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-trump-still-a-viable-candidate-for-president-really-how/983949/1068 "2024-03-01T21:46:14Z")
> [@EddyTeddyFreddy](#): > > algebra! I don’t care _what_ kind of bra it is, that’s the sort of things girls should learn at home, and boys should never learn! 😡 ---
**Author:** ![EddyTeddyFreddy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eddyteddyfreddy/32/18796_2.png) [@EddyTeddyFreddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EddyTeddyFreddy)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2024, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-trump-still-a-viable-candidate-for-president-really-how/983949/1069 "2024-03-01T22:24:37Z")
Not even how to snap the strap? ---
**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:** [March 1, 2024, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-trump-still-a-viable-candidate-for-president-really-how/983949/1070 "2024-03-01T22:27:31Z")
> [@EddyTeddyFreddy](#): > > how to snap the strap? That’s dangerously close to snapping jock straps, and I think we all where that leads. ---
**Author:** ![EddyTeddyFreddy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eddyteddyfreddy/32/18796_2.png) [@EddyTeddyFreddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EddyTeddyFreddy)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2024, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-trump-still-a-viable-candidate-for-president-really-how/983949/1071 "2024-03-01T22:28:45Z")
Wedgies? ---
**Author:** ![scudsucker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scudsucker/32/14101_2.png) [@scudsucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scudsucker)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2024, 7:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-trump-still-a-viable-candidate-for-president-really-how/983949/1072 "2024-03-02T07:40:42Z")
The jockstrap I was issued after my vasectomy (first one I’ve seen) kind of had an open ass, with the two staps going over the buttocks, rather than a full underpants or g-string, so a wedgie would be impossible. No material near enough to the bum crack. Also to keep on topic, when I say open ass, I partly refer to Trump. Ditto for bum crack. But also… this is getting so far off topic that I’ll take my jockstrap and go home. ---
**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:** [March 2, 2024, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-trump-still-a-viable-candidate-for-president-really-how/983949/1073 "2024-03-02T18:07:40Z")
> [@PhillyGuy](#): > > One reason Trump is viable is that potential supporters hear the crazy stuff he says and give him the gift of interpreting it into something that sounds normal. That has been happening since day one and led to the Qanon movement, where they search for secret “codes” in what he says because they think he’s giving hidden messages to the faithful in how he fights the Deep State. He’s a living Nostradamus. But I’ll push back a bit; anyone giving him that much leeway is not a _potential_ supporter. For a person to try to pick out gems amongst the turds of his speeches, they have to already be a believer. Nobody on the fence is going to go through those gymnastic rationalizations. It’s up to others to interpret for him. An undecided voter isn’t going to hear his word salad and be convinced, but they might hear Fox News or a radio personality, or some acquaintance giving their interpretation of what Trump _meant_, and if that matches what that person wants to hear, then they might come on board. ---
**Author:** ![Love\_Rhombus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/love_rhombus/32/10694_2.png) [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2024, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-trump-still-a-viable-candidate-for-president-really-how/983949/1074 "2024-03-02T21:51:21Z")
A question I heard asked on a podcast-how should anti-Trump ads be arranged? Play up the weird and stupid things he says, or the weird and scary things? ---
**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:** [March 2, 2024, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-trump-still-a-viable-candidate-for-president-really-how/983949/1075 "2024-03-02T22:00:20Z")
> [@Love\_Rhombus](#): > > Play up the weird and stupid things he says, or the weird and scary things? [![](https://jordanforeman.com/assets/images/why-not-both.jpg) ](https://jordanforeman.com/assets/images/why-not-both.jpg) It’s not like “stupid” and “scary” are mutually exclusive. In fact, if you’re letting someone run the country, stupid is **extremely** scary. ---
**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:** [March 2, 2024, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-trump-still-a-viable-candidate-for-president-really-how/983949/1076 "2024-03-02T22:29:32Z")
> [@Atamasama](#): > > It’s not like “stupid” and “scary” are mutually exclusive. Here’s a good example of stupid _ **and** _ scary: > [President Trump has suggested multiple times to senior Homeland Security and national security officials that they explore using nuclear bombs to stop hurricanes from hitting the United States, according to sources who have heard the president’s private remarks and been briefed on a National Security Council memorandum that recorded those comments.](https://www.axios.com/2019/08/25/trump-nuclear-bombs-hurricanes) ---
**Author:** ![Love\_Rhombus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/love_rhombus/32/10694_2.png) [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2024, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-trump-still-a-viable-candidate-for-president-really-how/983949/1077 "2024-03-02T22:32:43Z")
Yes, maybe a mix of both. Some might respond more to making fun of him, and others to his frightening stuff ---
**Author:** ![Leaper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/4bbf92/32.png) [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2024, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-trump-still-a-viable-candidate-for-president-really-how/983949/1078 "2024-03-02T22:46:06Z")
One of my dreams for the upcoming election is that Trump’s arrogance and fear of going to jail overcome his laziness and he micromanages every important aspect of his campaign. What to say, where to spend, everything. After all, the people around him are snakes or inferior incompetents; only HE can be trusted to save himself. ---
**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:** [March 3, 2024, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-trump-still-a-viable-candidate-for-president-really-how/983949/1079 "2024-03-03T01:13:25Z")
Trump understands enthusiasm better than Biden does. (However the 47% is lower than what 538 has been saying for yonks.) > **[Voters Doubt Biden’s Leadership and Favor Trump, Times/Siena Poll Finds](https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/02/us/politics/biden-trump-times-siena-poll.html?unlocked_article_code=1.Z00.rggc.mCUhYG-GvPf0&smid=url-share)** > > The share of voters who strongly disapprove of President Biden’s handling of his job has reached 47 percent, higher than in Times/Siena polls at any point in his presidency. ---
**Author:** ![PhillyGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ed655f/32.png) [@PhillyGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhillyGuy)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2024, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-trump-still-a-viable-candidate-for-president-really-how/983949/1080 "2024-03-03T01:41:18Z")
> [@Dr\_Paprika](#): > > (However the 47% is lower than what 538 has been saying for yonks.) Yes, and 538’s [Biden approval average is NOT at a record low](https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/biden-approval-rating/). I approve of the New York Times sponsoring polls, and they cannot be expected to pay for polls without reporting on them. However, hitting a new high or low, on an individual poll, will periodically occur even if there is no change in the underlying opinion being measured. I think that happened here. ---
**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:** [March 4, 2024, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-trump-still-a-viable-candidate-for-president-really-how/983949/1081 "2024-03-04T16:42:19Z")
What did Mencken say about the American public? (He was very Conservative.) > **[No Matter Race, Age or Gender, More Voters Say Trump’s Policies Helped Than...](https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/04/us/politics/trump-biden-policies-help-hurt.html)** > > Times/Siena polls highlight how comparatively well-regarded Donald J. Trump’s policies are, even by groups that were affected by policies that Democrats hope will be motivating issues in 2024. ---
**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:** [March 6, 2024, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-trump-still-a-viable-candidate-for-president-really-how/983949/1082 "2024-03-06T19:26:15Z")
Manipulation is easy. ---
**Author:** ![Fugazi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/f08c70/32.png) [@Fugazi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fugazi)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2024, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-trump-still-a-viable-candidate-for-president-really-how/983949/1083 "2024-03-06T19:36:05Z")
We know that poll is bogus right off the bat when they talked about DJT’s policies as if he had some. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-trump-still-a-viable-candidate-for-president-really-how/983949.md?page=53) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-trump-still-a-viable-candidate-for-president-really-how/983949.md?page=55)