# 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:** 9
**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:** [May 21, 2023, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-trump-still-a-viable-candidate-for-president-really-how/983949/161 "2023-05-21T16:01:53Z")
> [@Velocity](#): > > If you were required to attend a seminar called “Why you shouldn’t lick food off the floor with your tongue,” you might be either annoyed … because you’ve been licking food off the floor with your tongue all your life in secret, and now people are directly telling you that this is unhealthy and disgusting. And they are making you feel bad about yourself. So you object to the seminar because… “WOKE!” ---
**Author:** ![PhillyGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ed655f/32.png) [@PhillyGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhillyGuy)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2023, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-trump-still-a-viable-candidate-for-president-really-how/983949/165 "2023-05-22T22:51:34Z")
I just found [a great answer](https://plus.thebulwark.com/p/gop-abusive-relationship-with-trump) to the thread question. > [@](#): > > 2024 is likely to be decided by the same narrow set of issues that define most presidential elections: jobs and the economy, abortion and _Dobbs_ , guns and crime. . . . > > As one woman told me recently when I mentioned Trump’s conviction in the Carroll case, “I’m not saying that what he did was . . . right. I’m a victim of the same thing.” But, she said, “we have to stay focused on who can run the country. “ . . . > > If Mickey Rourke goes to a bar, gets drunk, gets into a fight, and gets arrested, nobody cares. Because Mickey Rourke is a loose-cannon actor with a hot temper. People expect that kind of thing from him. But if Tom Hanks—America’s dad—did the same thing, it would be breaking news. People would care. > > In other words: People’s opinions of Rourke are so set in stone that they accommodate themselves to expect the worst from him. Reality bends to people’s expectations. After a while, they’re not surprised by it. They begin to make excuses for it. > > The political corollary is that for every scandal a politician survives, he becomes more immune to consequences from the next scandal. P.S. The article quoted above is mostly about why Republicans still like Trump. I selected the parts quoted because I’m afraid they will equally apply in November 2024. ---
**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:** [May 22, 2023, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-trump-still-a-viable-candidate-for-president-really-how/983949/166 "2023-05-22T22:58:37Z")
Must admit, this post made me chuckle. ---
**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:** [May 22, 2023, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-trump-still-a-viable-candidate-for-president-really-how/983949/167 "2023-05-22T23:03:10Z")
I think there is merit to this. We cannot continue to win just on “He’s a poopy-head!” - so I wish the Democrats would spend more time on the issues at hand and how they have helped/not hurt people’s jobs and the economy, pointed the finger at the Republicans more harshly for their actions on abortion, inaction on gun violence, etc. Sure, you can still contrast how Biden has done with that of the poopy-head, but it cannot be all TFG all the time. People need to be motivated to vote - give them a reason to vote our way. ---
**Author:** ![Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/son_of_a_rich/32/5439_2.png) [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2023, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-trump-still-a-viable-candidate-for-president-really-how/983949/168 "2023-05-23T00:14:08Z")
To a certain extent, I think former presidents should be judged by the caliber of people they surround themselves with. I can’t imagine anyone calling his crowd of creeps the best of anything. ---
**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:** [May 23, 2023, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-trump-still-a-viable-candidate-for-president-really-how/983949/169 "2023-05-23T00:30:31Z")
Biden has supposedly shocked some in his party by not filling key election campaign posts and maintaining a skeletal staff. He could easily lose this election. He needs to fundraise, get out the niche group influencers and give them reason to vote, to contrast himself with Trump, while emphasizing the future over the past, rather than coast on assumptions. Trump’s interparty competitors are not likely to criticize him much, and CNN showed the media has learned few lessons and will blindly boost ratings, rather than brook broader responsibility. ---
**Author:** ![PhillyGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ed655f/32.png) [@PhillyGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhillyGuy)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2023, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-trump-still-a-viable-candidate-for-president-really-how/983949/170 "2023-05-23T00:57:04Z")
> [@Dr\_Paprika](#): > > He needs to fundraise . . . Now this brings up another kind of thing that makes Trump viable. Biden is going to fundraise in front of a progressive audience and say something they want to hear that median voters won’t like AKA gaffe. Plus it always looks bad for an incumbent president to be fundraising. > [@Dr\_Paprika](#): > > get out the niche group influencers and give them reason to vote . . . I’m wondering what niche groups you mean. If the influencers you mean are blue collar union leaders, yes. If you mean web influencers of groups that are already completely in his camp – say Dylan Mulvaney – it might be the right thing to do morally, but it will help with that Trump viability. ---
**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:** [May 23, 2023, 1:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-trump-still-a-viable-candidate-for-president-really-how/983949/171 "2023-05-23T01:23:50Z")
It is up to the party to determine which niche groups in which states are required. One presumes a fairly broad coalition of disparate groups who traditionally vote Democrat, are independent, dislike Trump or wish to engage. ---
**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:** [May 23, 2023, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-trump-still-a-viable-candidate-for-president-really-how/983949/172 "2023-05-23T02:27:58Z")
> [@Dr\_Paprika](#): > > Must admit, this post made me chuckle. I live to serve. ---
**Author:** ![Lance\_Turbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lance_turbo/32/6156_2.png) [@Lance\_Turbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lance_Turbo)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2023, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-trump-still-a-viable-candidate-for-president-really-how/983949/173 "2023-05-23T17:40:40Z")
> [@Sam\_Stone](#): > > So if I showed you an example of people being forced to attend DEI lectures as a condition of employment? Are Democrats forcing people to do this or is it lawsuit-phobic HR departments? > [@Sam\_Stone](#): > > How about people being forced to sign a personal diversity and inclusion statement as a condition of employment? Same question here as well. Are Democrats doing any of the things you’re talking about? ---
**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:** [May 23, 2023, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-trump-still-a-viable-candidate-for-president-really-how/983949/174 "2023-05-23T18:21:26Z")
> [@Lance\_Turbo](#): > > Are Democrats doing any of the things you’re talking about? OK, but if there weren’t any Democrats in the world, these things probably wouldn’t be happening. ---
**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:** [May 23, 2023, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-trump-still-a-viable-candidate-for-president-really-how/983949/175 "2023-05-23T18:58:22Z")
Democrats are controlling these companies using mind control rays from the basement of Pizza restaurants. ---
**Author:** ![Lance\_Turbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lance_turbo/32/6156_2.png) [@Lance\_Turbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lance_Turbo)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2023, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-trump-still-a-viable-candidate-for-president-really-how/983949/176 "2023-05-23T19:12:09Z")
> [@slicedalone](#): > > OK, but if there weren’t any Democrats in the world, these things probably wouldn’t be happening. Untestable. Wait… maybe I spoke too soon. They have DEI in countries that don’t have Democrats. So, tested and it failed. ---
**Author:** ![Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/son_of_a_rich/32/5439_2.png) [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2023, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-trump-still-a-viable-candidate-for-president-really-how/983949/177 "2023-05-24T01:29:25Z")
I’ll ask here: has trump ever offered an explanation for his 3 hour dereliction of duty? If so, I haven’t seen it. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2023, 1:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-trump-still-a-viable-candidate-for-president-really-how/983949/178 "2023-05-24T13:26:40Z")
Cheeseburger, cheeseburger, cheeseburger. No Diet Coke, Pepsi. THAT is his excuse. Oh and TeeVeeeeee! ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2023, 1:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-trump-still-a-viable-candidate-for-president-really-how/983949/179 "2023-05-24T13:47:34Z")
> [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](#): > > has trump ever offered an explanation for his 3 hour dereliction of duty? I think you mean “four years”. ---
**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:** [May 24, 2023, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-trump-still-a-viable-candidate-for-president-really-how/983949/180 "2023-05-24T14:16:09Z")
> [@Gyrate](#): > > I think you mean “four years”. Ha, good one. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2023, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-trump-still-a-viable-candidate-for-president-really-how/983949/181 "2023-05-24T14:45:27Z")
Actually, Trump will be a candidate _for_ years. ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2023, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-trump-still-a-viable-candidate-for-president-really-how/983949/182 "2023-05-24T15:13:35Z")
> Another faction are the people who have come to despise Democrats after years of being called ‘deplorable’, dumb, redneck, racist, sexist, homophobe, etc. The old “Waah, they were being MEAN to me” defense. ONE person (Hillary) mentioned the “basket of deplorables” ONCE and that becomes years of being called deplorable. Is the theory that if we don’t call them out on being racist, sexist, and homophobic they’ll stop being that way? Sorry, but truth is a defense against slander and if that gets your fee-fees hurt then tough. People aren’t getting fired for their beliefs. They’re getting fired for exposing themselves as bigots and thus hurting their employer’s reputation, as witnessed this week by Bo Schembechler’s racist son getting fired by U-M. When you’re in the business of recruiting a diverse athletic roster, it isn’t helpful to be exposed as a racist. Diverse workplaces are a fact of life and if you can’t agree to it then perhaps you should consider self-employment. Or consider these complaints: > "I go to work, and I have to sit through a session on DEI and we have Pride flags in the office. I am forced to participate. The horror! Having to see Pride flags! Having to realize that not everyone is just like you! Poor baby! > "I stop for gas on the way home, and the price is way up because some elite thinks I need to pay more. If you think it’s because of some elite thinking you need to pay more or because of that stupid pipeline that was going to transport filthy Canadian shale oil oversees, you’re mistaken. It’s simple supply and demand. Pandemic hit, demand dropped, suppliers drilled and refined less. Pandemic ends, demand rises, supply doesn’t catch up. And it doesn’t matter where the oil comes from, it’s a global commodity sold in global markets. The phrase “energy independence” is meaningless. > “I stop to get groceries, and the out-of-control spending of the Democrats cost me $50 more because of inflation.” Same as gas prices, inflation is related supply chain issues post-pandemic. If there was any relationship to the national debt, then the misguided tax cuts of the previous administration are to blame. And if you believe that mean tweets prevent inflation, then these words are lost on you. “I pick up my kid from school, and suddenly he’s hostile with me and repeating the talking points of the left. And he’s thinking maybe he’s a girl.” Translation, “I long for the good old days we could oppress and villify those who are different.” If your son is having doubts about his gender identity, would you rather have him hate himself for having someone that he doesn’t want to be? The schools aren’t making kids have these questions about themselves. Back in the day, we’d see Milton Berle and Bugs Bunny in drag and somehow we weren’t turning into transexuals. Again and again, the theme is that acceptance of others is evil and must be fought. > “Some parents went to a school board meeting to protest the left-wing agenda, and the President called them terrorists and sent the FBI after them.” No, what happens is that right wing parents go to school board meetings to try to impose a right-wing agenda by intimidation. > “I sit down to watch the news, and it’s endless left wing propaganda.” No, what you’re seeing (if you’re one of the few right-wingers that watches actual news) is reality which has a well-known liberal bias. > “I get sick of it all, so I just want to sit down and have a beer and watch the game. Except the players are wearing Pride colors, and there’s a transgender person on my beer can.” Aw, poor wittle fing! Having to see people show acceptance of people who may be different than themselves. How horrible and oppressed you are! Don’t you long for the good old days when you "normal 'Mer’cans could just beat the shit out of people who differed from you? > “The President was just on TV, in front of a blood-red wall, shaking his fists and delaring that people like me are the enemy.” When did the president do that? I’m guessing never. All these show exactly why Cheetolini is a viable candidate. He gives all these people a permission slip to let out their ugly inner demons out in the open. Only in their twisted minds is acceptance of those who differ translate to oppression of white heterosexual Christian males. It’s this inner seething hatred and feelings of perpetual victimhood that makes bigots love him so much, simply because he hates the same people that they do. For years they ached for someone as full of hate as they are, now they found their “man” and would vote for him no matter how many crimes he commits. ---
**Author:** ![crowmanyclouds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crowmanyclouds/32/19884_2.png) [@crowmanyclouds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crowmanyclouds)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2023, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-trump-still-a-viable-candidate-for-president-really-how/983949/183 "2023-05-24T15:39:46Z")
> [@BobLibDem](#): > > > "I stop for gas on the way home, and the price is way up because some elite thinks I need to pay more. > > If you think it’s because of some elite thinking you need to pay more Actually this one is true, problem is the elite in question isn’t liberals (or whatever snarl term you wish) it’s oil companies that never stop looking for ways to increase profits no matter what the costs of those profits are. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-trump-still-a-viable-candidate-for-president-really-how/983949.md?page=8) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-is-trump-still-a-viable-candidate-for-president-really-how/983949.md?page=10)