# The Trump Administration: A Clusterfuck in the Making **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [December 7, 2016, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070 "2016-12-07T00:25:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1226
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2018, 4:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/24505 "2018-08-26T04:17:42Z")
> [@Bryan\_Ekers](#): > > Or one of Trump’s illegitimate children, as will soon be detailed from the files of the National Enquirer. Bat Boy. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2018, 4:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/24506 "2018-08-26T04:28:10Z")
> [@Measure\_for\_Measure](#): > > I think boilerplate condolences wouldn’t play too badly. "We had our differences, but… " > > Last evening, Trump decided to make no mention of McCain during a GOP dinner. [Trump Skips Mention Of McCain At GOP Dinner - TPM – Talking Points Memo](https://talkingpointsmemo.com/news/trump-skips-mccain-mention) > > ETA > Obama’s condolences for McCain: [https://twitter.com/WestWingReport/status/1033522423658946560](https://twitter.com/WestWingReport/status/1033522423658946560) [INDENT] "John McCain and i were members of different generations, came from completely different backgrounds, and competed at the highest level of politics. But we shared, for all our differences, a fidelity to something higher-the ideals for which generations of Americans and immigrants alike have fought, marched, and sacrificed. We saw our political battles, even, as a privilege, something noble, an opportunity to serve as stewards of those high ideals at home, and to advance them around the world. We saw this country as a place where anything is possible - and citizenship as our patriotic obligation to ensure it forever remains that way. > > "Few of us have been tested the way John once was, or required to show the kind of courage that he did. But all of us can aspire to the courage to put the greater good above our own. At John’s best, he showed us what that means. And for that, we are all in his debt. Michelle and I send our heartfelt condolences to Cindy and their family. [/INDENT] > > Trump tweets: [INDENT] My deepest sympathies and respect go out to the family of Senator John McCain. Our hearts and prayers are with you! [/INDENT] Coulda been worse. Coulda been “Womp, womp.” ---
**Author:** ![aurora\_maire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aurora_maire/32/328_2.png) [@aurora\_maire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aurora_maire)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2018, 4:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/24507 "2018-08-26T04:33:18Z")
> [@Measure\_for\_Measure](#): > > I think boilerplate condolences wouldn’t play too badly. "We had our differences, but… " > > Last evening, Trump decided to make no mention of McCain during a GOP dinner. [Trump Skips Mention Of McCain At GOP Dinner - TPM – Talking Points Memo](https://talkingpointsmemo.com/news/trump-skips-mccain-mention) > > ETA > Obama’s condolences for McCain: [https://twitter.com/WestWingReport/status/1033522423658946560](https://twitter.com/WestWingReport/status/1033522423658946560) [INDENT] "John McCain and i were members of different generations, came from completely different backgrounds, and competed at the highest level of politics. But we shared, for all our differences, a fidelity to something higher-the ideals for which generations of Americans and immigrants alike have fought, marched, and sacrificed. We saw our political battles, even, as a privilege, something noble, an opportunity to serve as stewards of those high ideals at home, and to advance them around the world. We saw this country as a place where anything is possible - and citizenship as our patriotic obligation to ensure it forever remains that way. > > "Few of us have been tested the way John once was, or required to show the kind of courage that he did. But all of us can aspire to the courage to put the greater good above our own. At John’s best, he showed us what that means. And for that, we are all in his debt. Michelle and I send our heartfelt condolences to Cindy and their family. [/INDENT] Not only could Trump never write anything like this, if he read it, he wouldn’t have the slightest clue what it meant. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2018, 4:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/24508 "2018-08-26T04:34:11Z")
> [@](#): > > …Our hearts and prayers are with you! “Almighty, Lord of Hosts, Eternal…” “Yeah, yeah, skip all that, what do you want, Gabe?” “Well, its a prayer, Lord. From Donald Trump.” “You’re shitting me.” ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2018, 4:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/24509 "2018-08-26T04:36:09Z")
> [@aurora\_maire](#): > > Not only could Trump never write anything like this, if he read it, he wouldn’t have the slightest clue what it meant. About halfway through, he would probably figure out that it was not going to have his name in it, so, _b o r I n g_. ---
**Author:** ![not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/not_what_you_d_expect/32/3246_2.png) [@not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/not_what_you_d_expect)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2018, 4:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/24510 "2018-08-26T04:45:08Z")
Hearts? I demand proof! ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2018, 4:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/24511 "2018-08-26T04:50:57Z")
Sorry McCain died, and I’m glad he was a thorn in Chump’s side, but at the end of the day was still a fucking Republican. ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2018, 5:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/24512 "2018-08-26T05:24:05Z")
> [@Siam\_Sam](#): > > Sorry McCain died, and I’m glad he was a thorn in Chump’s side, but at the end of the day was still a fucking Republican. You know, if you’re going to have a two-party system, you’re always going to have one party you do’t like, and if you’s going to have one party you don’t like, it might as well have people like John McCain in it. ---
**Author:** ![Measure\_for\_Measure](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/measure_for_measure/32/557_2.png) [@Measure\_for\_Measure](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Measure_for_Measure)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2018, 6:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/24513 "2018-08-26T06:11:18Z")
> [@Alessan](#): > > You know, if you’re going to have a two-party system, you’re always going to have one party you do’t like, and if you’s going to have one party you don’t like, it might as well have people like John McCain in it. Not so actually. From the 1950s - 1970s, plenty of folk split their ticket, i.e. voted for different parties on different ballots. ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2018, 6:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/24514 "2018-08-26T06:15:42Z")
> [@Alessan](#): > > You know, if you’re going to have a two-party system, you’re always going to have one party you do’t like, and if you’s going to have one party you don’t like, it might as well have people like John McCain in it. > [@Measure\_for\_Measure](#): > > Not so actually. From the 1950s - 1970s, plenty of folk split their ticket, i.e. voted for different parties on different ballots. Right. The present polarization is way off the charts. There used to be such things as Liberal Republicans and Conservative Democrats, but no more. McCain was a relic of those days. ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2018, 6:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/24515 "2018-08-26T06:16:41Z")
> [@Measure\_for\_Measure](#): > > Not so actually. From the 1950s - 1970s, plenty of folk split their ticket, i.e. voted for different parties on different ballots. “Both sides suck” dead-enders notwithstanding, there actually WAS a time in my lifetime when both parties were basically the same, with minor differences in policy. Both Republicans and Democrats once had a full spectrum of political views…both had conservative, moderate and liberal wings. The political osmosis didn’t really start until the 60s. The Civil and Voting Rights Acts triggered the splitting of the Democratic Party, and the filtering is almost done. 99% of the liberals are Democrats (or Greens, or Independents) now, and 99.999% of “conservatives” are Republicans. There are almost certainly more Republican liberals with their eyes screwed shut desperately believing their party is still their grandfather’s GOP than the other way around. ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2018, 6:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/24516 "2018-08-26T06:18:00Z")
> [@Measure\_for\_Measure](#): > > Not so actually. From the 1950s - 1970s, plenty of folk split their ticket, i.e. voted for different parties on different ballots. Because there were decent people on both sides - people like McCain. ---
**Author:** ![Measure\_for\_Measure](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/measure_for_measure/32/557_2.png) [@Measure\_for\_Measure](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Measure_for_Measure)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2018, 6:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/24517 "2018-08-26T06:49:30Z")
Condolences from 4 former Presidents: George W Bush: [indent] “Some lives are so vivid, it is difficult to imagine them ended. Some voices are so vibrant, it is hard to think of them stilled. John McCain was a man of deep conviction and a patriot of the highest order. He was a public servant in the finest traditions of our country. And to me, he was a friend whom I’ll deeply miss. Laura and I send our heartfelt sympathies to Cindy and the entire McCain family, and our thanks to God for the life of John McCain.” [/indent] Bill Clinton: [indent] “Senator John McCain believed that every citizen has a responsibility to make something of the freedoms given by our Constitution, and from his heroic service in the Navy to his 35 years in Congress, he lived by his creed every day. He was a skilled, tough politician, as well as a trusted colleague alongside whom Hillary was honored to serve in the Senate. He frequently put partisanship aside to do what he thought was best for the country, and was never afraid to break the mold if it was the right thing to do. I will always be especially grateful for his leadership in our successful efforts to normalize relations with Vietnam. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife, Cindy, his mother, Roberta, his children, and his entire family.” [/indent] George HW Bush: [indent] “John McCain was a patriot of the highest order, a public servant of rarest courage, Few sacrificed more for, or contributed more to, the welfare of his fellow citizens — and indeed, freedom loving peoples around the world.” "Another American maverick and warrior, General George Patton, once observed: ‘We should thank God that men such as these have lived,’” he continued. “To that I can only add my gratitude to John’s wife Cindy, his wonderful family, and the people of Arizona who permitted this great and good man to serve with such distinction in the world’s greatest deliberative body.” [/indent] Jimmy Carter: [indent] “John McCain was a man of honor, a true patriot in the best sense of the word. Americans will be forever grateful for his heroic military service and for his steadfast integrity as a member of the United States Senate. Rosalynn and I extend our sincere condolences to Senator McCain’s family and to the people of Arizona whom he represented so forthrightly for so many years.” [/indent] > [https://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2018/08/26/us/ap-us-obit-mccain-reaction.html](https://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2018/08/26/us/ap-us-obit-mccain-reaction.html) ---
**Author:** ![Budget\_Player\_Cadet](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/budget_player_cadet/32/205_2.png) [@Budget\_Player\_Cadet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Budget_Player_Cadet)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2018, 7:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/24518 "2018-08-26T07:07:17Z")
> [@Alessan](#): > > Because there were decent people on both sides - people like McCain. You don’t get to go along with what the republican party has become and still claim to be decent. There hasn’t been a decent republican since 2010. It’s the same principle as when a rally with 100 people has 5 people waving nazi flags, and this means all 100 are nazis. You are complicit, you are responsible. ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2018, 7:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/24519 "2018-08-26T07:37:53Z")
> [@Measure\_for\_Measure](#): > > Trump tweets: [INDENT] My deepest sympathies and respect go out to the family of Senator John McCain. Our hearts and prayers are with you! [/INDENT] Wait, does that mean Trump has one? Of his own, I mean, not bought at a butcher’s. ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2018, 8:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/24520 "2018-08-26T08:18:54Z")
> [@Nava](#): > > Wait, does that mean Trump has one? Of his own, I mean, not bought at a butcher’s. As I recall, that is how he spells “hard-on”. ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2018, 8:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/24521 "2018-08-26T08:33:59Z")
> [@Budget\_Player\_Cadet](#): > > You don’t get to go along with what the republican party has become and still claim to be decent. There hasn’t been a decent republican since 2010. It’s the same principle as when a rally with 100 people has 5 people waving nazi flags, and this means all 100 are nazis. You are complicit, you are responsible. So you’re saying he should have gone over to the Democrats, or quit politics? How would that have made the Republican party better? The Republicans are not going away. They can get better, they can get worse, they can even change their name, but they’ll always be here. Same thing with the Democrats. You’re stuck with them both, which means that it’s a net benefit for everyone if they both have good people. ---
**Author:** ![Budget\_Player\_Cadet](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/budget_player_cadet/32/205_2.png) [@Budget\_Player\_Cadet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Budget_Player_Cadet)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2018, 9:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/24522 "2018-08-26T09:09:49Z")
> [@Alessan](#): > > So you’re saying he should have gone over to the Democrats, or quit politics? How would that have made the Republican party better? The Republicans are not going away. They can get better, they can get worse, they can even change their name, but they’ll always be here. Same thing with the Democrats. You’re stuck with them both, which means that it’s a net benefit for everyone if they both have good people. Yes, he absolutely should have caucused with the dems. Or quit, if he can’t stomach that. You don’t get to work with the nazis, vote with the nazis 90+% of the time, and then expect to be called a good person because you were better than the average. Fuck that noise. ---
**Author:** ![smithsb](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smithsb/32/12107_2.png) [@smithsb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smithsb)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2018, 9:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/24523 "2018-08-26T09:12:08Z")
The Myth of John McCain. A maverick up until the actual vote. He voted to confirm all the “best men/DeVos” morons, grifters, racists, and sycophants put forth by Agent Orange. Rand Paul takes over the maverick mantle - he’s more easily bought. Iraqis probably don’t share many of the thoughts expressed above (0% of the million+ dead ones). > **[The Myth of John McCain](https://splinternews.com/the-myth-of-john-mccain-1828587230#mlz3byomj0g5hckk13vc2pc4.3mb239gm0rgvt)** > > John McCain is dead. How will he be remembered? How should he be remembered? These are two separate questions, which is fitting, because there were always two John McCains: the vision of a selfless, honorable statesman who wasn’t afraid to fight the... ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2018, 9:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/24524 "2018-08-26T09:13:47Z")
> [@Budget\_Player\_Cadet](#): > > Yes, he absolutely should have caucused with the dems. Or quit, if he can’t stomach that. You don’t get to work with the nazis, vote with the nazis 90+% of the time, and then expect to be called a good person because you were better than the average. Fuck that noise. No, you don’t work with Nazis. You kill Nazis. So either you’re in favor of killing all the Republicans, or you have to accept their existence. If you want the U.S. to be a democracy, you have to accept one of the basic rules of democracy: you don’t get to pick your opposition. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070.md?page=1225) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070.md?page=1227)