# The Trump Administration: A Clusterfuck in the Making Part Deux (Part 1) **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [June 22, 2020, 3:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083 "2020-06-22T03:36:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 145
**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 29, 2020, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/2897 "2020-08-29T17:24:33Z")
> [@Rick\_Kitchen](#): > > At the convention, former US Ambassador to Germany Richard Grennell said that Individual 1 “charmed” Angela Merkel. When asked about it, she looked bemused and declined to answer. I’m guessing she made her Save throw, it being vs. Wisdom. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2020, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/2898 "2020-08-29T17:53:50Z")
> [@k9bfriender](#): > > That means that once the deferment is over, I now have a big tax bill to pay all at once. Yup. > [@k9bfriender](#): > > Employees could be in a worse spot. Also yup. > [@k9bfriender](#): > > It’s pretty obvious what they are doing, boosting wages now, and then, after the election, it won’t matter to them if they win, and if the dems win, then they blame them for the “sudden” tax bills. That’d be another yup. The Pubbies win either way. ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2020, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/2899 "2020-08-29T18:01:48Z")
I don’t follow - the guidelines have stated for many weeks now that the payroll tax deferrals would need to be paid back, early next year IIRC (don’t want to fire up the work computer to verify dates). I opted for us not to take them at the company I work for for that reason. Was the White House claiming differently? ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2020, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/2900 "2020-08-29T18:05:15Z")
Trump is saying that if he wins, they won’t have to be paid back. It’s a classic sales pitch for a bad idea: here’s a taste of something good, just ignore the bad thing that will follow. And hey, if you give me this thing, I’ll make sure the bad thing never happens. It’s the same pitch that stereotypical drug dealer or pimp would make. ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2020, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/2901 "2020-08-29T18:07:06Z")
Ah, thanks. Hard to keep up. ---
**Author:** ![k9bfriender](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k9bfriender/32/3283_2.png) [@k9bfriender](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/k9bfriender)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2020, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/2902 "2020-08-29T18:27:34Z")
> [@Snowboarder\_Bo](#): > > It’s the same pitch that stereotypical drug dealer or pimp would make. And cable company. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2020, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/2903 "2020-08-29T18:51:40Z")
> **[Trump’s Strategy: Make ‘Wobbly Republicans’ Think Their Party Is Great Again...](https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/29/us/politics/trump-swing-voters-.html)** > > The Trump campaign wants to lure back moderates who believe that the president has lurched too far right and openly courted extremists. > …As part of this strategy, Republicans and the Trump campaign are attempting to focus voters’ minds away from the pandemic and economic crisis and on a narrower set of cultural issues. For example, the nation is in dire straits, they say, not because of Covid-19 deaths or double-digit unemployment or racial discord, but because of liberals who want to “cancel” conservatives, criminals who are rampaging from the cities into white suburbs and a Democratic presidential ticket that is a “Trojan horse” for Fidel Castro-style authoritarianism. > > These topics often consume conservative media, are already appearing in ads from the Trump campaign and his allies — and were mentioned repeatedly over the four nights of the Republican National Convention. > > To complement the drumbeat of panic about the radical left, convention speakers stressed their personal experiences with the president and shared affirmations about his character — a man of “deep compassion” and “endless kindness” with an “exceptional work ethic,” they said. And they attempted to refute the idea that he dislikes Black people, women and immigrants, calling those divisive characterizations by the left and distortions of a media “fog machine.” Ben Carson, the only Black member of Mr. Trump’s cabinet, said people who called the president racist “could not be more wrong.” > … 🤢 🤥 ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2020, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/2904 "2020-08-29T19:27:29Z")
Too late for Republicans who have actually been paying attention. > **[Over 100 Ex-Staff Members for John McCain Endorse Joe Biden (Published 2020)](https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/27/us/politics/john-mccain-biden-trump.html)** > > The group endorsement of Mr. Biden is the latest effort from anti-Trump Republicans to lure conservatives and moderates away from the president, who often clashed with the former Arizona senator. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2020, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/2905 "2020-08-29T19:35:56Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > Do you have a link to this endorsement? Hey, I found it! Had to change the search to “recent”. > City News Headlines > Serving Kankakee County since July 2, 1972 > August 14,2020 > City News endorses Joe Biden and Kamala Harris for White House … > Member of the Kankakee County Chamber of Commerce > llinois (sic) oldest African American owned weekly print newspaper > **[James Taylor](https://www.facebook.com/james.taylor.1088893/posts/10221225357731081)** > > City News Headlines > Serving Kankakee County since July 2, 1972 > > August 14,2020 > 1. Two black judges in Kankakee County history in 167 years … - an Editorial by James Taylor Sr. > > 2. Curtis, Wheeler... ---
**Author:** ![Hamlet](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hamlet/32/2818_2.png) [@Hamlet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hamlet)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2020, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/2906 "2020-08-29T19:42:04Z")
[quote=“Ann\_Hedonia, post:2889, topic:911083, full:true”]Frankly, the onl vision I have of my life under the Biden administration is the vision of a life where I can turn on the news or open my computer without being constantly aggravated by that bombastic bully Trump. That’s plenty for me but I’m concerned that there are people we need that need more than that, and they need to step it up somehow. The Democrats are experts at snatching defeat from the jaws of victory, and I’m depressed that they’re at it again. [/quote]I am so fucking tired of this “Democrats don’t have a plan” bullshit. If you don’t know what the Democrat’s plans are after the election, that’s your own damn fault for not paying attention. Just a few days ago, [Senate Democrats unveiled a plan to combat climate change](https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-climate-change-democrats/us-senate-democrats-unveil-400-billion-a-year-plan-to-tackle-climate-change-idUSKBN25L27P). The House passed a bill to [fund the USPS](https://www.cnbc.com/2020/08/22/usps-news-house-passes-postal-service-funding-bill.html) to combat Trump’s attempts to steal this election. They’re presented a stimulus plan, a larger plan put together with Bernie, and their own platform (unlike the “We’ll do whatever bullshit the president says” Republican one). If you’re pissy that the Democrats have chosen the high road of dealing with the issues and treating the American people like grownups, have at it. They have chosen, in direct contrast of the Republicans, to focus on actual issues and not rely on fear and hatred to get votes. It may not be the best way to reach the 40% of the population that bask in their own ignorance and hate and who will support Trump no matter what. But the Democrats taking the high road will serve this country better. ---
**Author:** ![Senegoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senegoid/32/6606_2.png) [@Senegoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Senegoid)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2020, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/2907 "2020-08-29T19:58:35Z")
> [@Hamlet](#): > > If you’re pissy that the Democrats have chosen the high road of dealing with the issues and treating the American people like grownups, have at it. They have chosen, in direct contrast of the Republicans, to focus on actual issues and not rely on fear and hatred to get votes. They need to make more noise about it. The Dems are too quiet, too soft-spoken, too (ahem) civilized. In contrast, Repubs are too loud, too noisy, too raucous, too bombastic. That gets the attention. Dems need to find the way to get more attention to all their platforms. ---
**Author:** ![Senegoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senegoid/32/6606_2.png) [@Senegoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Senegoid)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2020, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/2908 "2020-08-29T20:01:17Z")
> [@WaPo article quoted by ThelmaLou](#): > > But absolving Americans of these debts requires an act of Congress, something lawmakers from both parties have been reluctant to do. Aha! They’ve updated this since I read it earlier today. It originally said “…something lawmakers from both parties have been remiss to do.” Yeah, I thought that seemed like the wrong word there. ---
**Author:** ![k9bfriender](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k9bfriender/32/3283_2.png) [@k9bfriender](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/k9bfriender)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2020, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/2909 "2020-08-29T20:02:53Z")
They tried that, and people complain about the protests. ---
**Author:** ![Senegoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senegoid/32/6606_2.png) [@Senegoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Senegoid)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2020, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/2910 "2020-08-29T20:05:17Z")
> [@k9bfriender](#): > > They tried that, and people complain about the protests. I meant the candidates themselves and their campaigns need to be more vocal, more out there, maybe more bombastic? Where are all the Kimberly Guilfoyles in the Democatic campaigns? ---
**Author:** ![k9bfriender](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k9bfriender/32/3283_2.png) [@k9bfriender](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/k9bfriender)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2020, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/2911 "2020-08-29T20:10:31Z")
Should dems go that route? Should we prey on the fears of the other, use volume instead of rationale to get out point across? ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2020, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/2912 "2020-08-29T20:13:07Z")
Or Babylon 5. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/CnR3Tyrg_10/maxresdefault.jpg "Susan Ivanova No boom today HQ") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CnR3Tyrg_10) ---
**Author:** ![Senegoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senegoid/32/6606_2.png) [@Senegoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Senegoid)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2020, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/2913 "2020-08-29T20:18:32Z")
> [@k9bfriender](#): > > Should dems go that route? > > Should we prey on the fears of the other, use volume instead of rationale to get out point across? I wonder. Is there a way for Dem candidates (Biden/Harris in particular) and their campaigns to be more vocal and get more attention, short of going full Repub hate/scare/fear mongering? Do Democrats have any campaign style analogy available to compare with the Republican shit show? (Without actually becoming a shit show?) ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2020, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/2914 "2020-08-29T20:29:41Z")
> [@Hamlet](#): > > I am so fucking tired of this “Democrats don’t have a plan” bullshit. If you don’t know what the Democrat’s plans are after the election, that’s your own damn fault for not paying attention. Oh, I’ve been paying attention. A lot. This is the problem: > [@Senegoid](#): > > They need to make more noise about it. The Dems are too quiet, too soft-spoken, too (ahem) civilized. In contrast, Repubs are too loud, too noisy, too raucous, too bombastic. That gets the attention. Dems need to find the way to get more attention to all their platforms. As I said upthread: > [@ThelmaLou](#): > > Trump & Co. are capturing people’s **imaginations** (not in a good way, but vividly, for sure). They are painting a loud, scary picture in fluorescent colors. The Biden picture is pastels and watercolor, and it needs to be stronger, brighter, and show specifics. Stronger, brighter, and LOUDER! Would you disagree with that? Do you think the Biden message is being heard by… um… typical, non-reading, can’t-think-for-themselves, scared, easily-manipulated voters over the daily ~~RPGs~~ tweets and scare-bombs being launched by trump & co.? ---
**Author:** ![k9bfriender](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k9bfriender/32/3283_2.png) [@k9bfriender](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/k9bfriender)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2020, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/2915 "2020-08-29T21:07:28Z")
Ah Ivanova. If only you were US born so you could be President. (I don’t have to click the link to hear _that_ speech) > [@Senegoid](#): > > Do Democrats have any campaign style analogy available to compare with the Republican shit show? (Without actually becoming a shit show?) I really don’t think so. It is a shit show that attracts shit show people. they don’t have reason, rationale, logic, facts, morality, ethics, or the law behind them, so they just fling shit. ---
**Author:** ![Hamlet](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hamlet/32/2818_2.png) [@Hamlet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hamlet)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2020, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/2916 "2020-08-29T21:39:53Z")
[quote=“ThelmaLou, post:2914, topic:911083, full:true”]Stronger, brighter, and LOUDER! Would you disagree with that? Do you think the Biden message is being heard by… um… typical, non-reading, can’t-think-for-themselves, scared, easily-manipulated voters over the daily ~~RPGs~~ tweets and scare-bombs being launched by trump & co.? [/quote]Who the fuck cares if that 40% of the population that support Trump hear Biden’s message? They’re hopeless. Screaming louder won’t change a thing. They are a lost cause and nothing will change their minds. They’re immune to facts, logic, and hypocrisy. What the Democrats need to do is convince the socially liberal/fiscally conservative Republicans, the moderates, and the undecided. And screaming and yelling is not likely the best way of doing that. On one particular point, though, I would agree. I think the Democrats need to be much more loud and righteously indignant over this administration’s handling of the pandemic. Those are real lives lost, many of which could have been prevented by an even adequate response. And it continues to this day. That, I think, is the one point where Democrats should be “louder”. ETA: This is the third time, and third separate way, I’ve tried to get the goddamn quote tags to work. Argh!! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083.md?page=144) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083.md?page=146)