# Trump can't win **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [August 12, 2016, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-cant-win/762585 "2016-08-12T18:33:59Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![JackieLikesVariety](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackielikesvariety/32/296_2.png) [@JackieLikesVariety](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JackieLikesVariety)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2016, 1:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-cant-win/762585/61 "2016-08-13T13:24:11Z")
> [@Jack\_Batty](#): > > First, they’d have to put someone in charge of balloons and streamers. I suppose one person could order the food \*and \*the alcohol, but I’d suggest delegating. this is so mean but I laughed. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2016, 1:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-cant-win/762585/62 "2016-08-13T13:40:35Z")
[Politico (yes, I know):](http://www.politico.com/story/2016/08/donald-trump-electoral-votes-gop-insiders-226932) > [@](#): > > ‘Trump is underperforming so comprehensively…it would take video evidence of a smiling Hillary drowning a litter of puppies while terrorists surrounded her with chants of ‘Death to America,’’ said an Iowa Republican. ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Lendervedder](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_lendervedder/32/8488_2.png) [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2016, 1:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-cant-win/762585/63 "2016-08-13T13:44:12Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > [Politico (yes, I know):](http://www.politico.com/story/2016/08/donald-trump-electoral-votes-gop-insiders-226932) Wait, what’s wrong with Politico? ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2016, 1:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-cant-win/762585/64 "2016-08-13T13:50:40Z")
> [@Happy\_Lendervedder](#): > > Wait, what’s wrong with Politico? It’s not an unabashed Trump cheerleader therefore dishonest. Sad. ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2016, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-cant-win/762585/65 "2016-08-13T14:08:05Z")
Maybe he mixed it up with [politicususa.com](http://politicususa.com) which isn’t particularly impartial. Politico is pretty good. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2016, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-cant-win/762585/66 "2016-08-13T14:32:18Z")
> [@Happy\_Lendervedder](#): > > Wait, what’s wrong with Politico? Very sloppy reporting, lots of rumors printed as fact, often appearing invented. ---
**Author:** ![Morgenstern](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Morgenstern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgenstern)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2016, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-cant-win/762585/67 "2016-08-13T14:44:57Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > Very sloppy reporting, lots of rumors printed as fact, often appearing invented. I was watching a Trump spokesman on CNN this morning. This young lady was blessed with the a special gift. No matter what Trump said, she could interpret it to mean something other than what Trump actually said. All the other citizens of this world lack that gift and actually assign normal meanings to the words he uses. I can see how that might appear sloppy to one of his supporters. ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2016, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-cant-win/762585/68 "2016-08-13T14:51:11Z")
Hmm, I haven’t noticed that but I usually reach them through a google search for specific stories rather than perusing their headlines. My impession is that they call rumours what they are. Eta: are we now calling ElvisL1ves a Trump supporter? Sweet lord. ---
**Author:** ![Blue\_Max](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/9de053/32.png) [@Blue\_Max](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blue_Max)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2016, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-cant-win/762585/69 "2016-08-13T15:03:42Z")
It is unwise and incorrect to say that Donald Trump can not win the election. I think that’s been covered widely. Trump’s best odds are going to be: 1. Economic Disaster. If the economy starts to actually play into what Trump is saying instead of simply continuing its slow growth, this could revitalize and put him over the top. 2. Terrorism. Trump has made big bets against Muslims with his proposed ban on them. If there is a large terrorist attack on the USA, the shrill calls for emotional, short sighted reaction will be thrown to Trump. 3. Some lunatic shoots Hillary. Didn’t work out so well for the democrats when someone shot RFK, did it? * * * I think with every passing day that none of these things happen, Trump’s odds will converge on 0%. The man ultimately stands for a “blame the other” set of policies that would do a lot of harm to this country and perhaps the world. But we need to get to election day without those things happening. And maybe, just maybe, the GOP will decide to finish this themselves–abandon Trump and close out any hope on their side. This is happening in degrees already; perhaps it will ultimately happen on a larger scale. ---
**Author:** ![Leo\_Krupe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ebca7d/32.png) [@Leo\_Krupe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Krupe)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2016, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-cant-win/762585/70 "2016-08-13T15:56:20Z")
> [@Morgenstern](#): > > If Trump wanted Hillary to win he’d do stupid things like mock people with disabilities, disrespect gold star families, call on Russia to hack American emails and call on 2nd Amendment supporters to take up arms against Hillary. Until he does stupid shit like that, Trump has a chance. Unless Hillary cheats. Or the election is rigged. Or a giant came through the window and messed up the bed and made a lot of noise. Yeah. It was a giant. A giant will keep Trump from winning. ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2016, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-cant-win/762585/71 "2016-08-13T17:05:05Z")
> [@Morgenstern](#): > > I was watching a Trump spokesman on CNN this morning. This young lady was blessed with the a special gift. No matter what Trump said, she could interpret it to mean something other than what Trump actually said. All the other citizens of this world lack that gift and actually assign normal meanings to the words he uses. I can see how that might appear sloppy to one of his supporters. All Trump supporters on the news do this. I saw one say that Trump didn’t say what the clip they played showed him saying. And then say “but we really should be talking about Benghazi.” I suspect backstage they are tearing their hair out wondering how they are going to be able to deodorize yet another Trump turd. They are really actors. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2016, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-cant-win/762585/72 "2016-08-13T17:22:50Z")
Politico earned its rep long ago. It’s wise not to trust them even when you like what they say. ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2016, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-cant-win/762585/73 "2016-08-13T17:48:46Z")
I really don’t know what you’re talking about. I don’t particularly “like what they say” and you are the first time I’ve had someone tell me I shouldn’t trust them. ---
**Author:** ![BigAppleBucky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigapplebucky/32/178_2.png) [@BigAppleBucky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigAppleBucky)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2016, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-cant-win/762585/74 "2016-08-13T17:51:40Z")
> [@bobot](#): > > I, for one, do not feel comfortable speaking of Trump’s campaign in the past tense at this stage of the game. Don’t get me wrong, it would be a great relief to be able to. Agreed. I’ve never been a huge Hillary fan, but, by God, Trump is a horror show. He’s running a Max Bialystock campaign and yet his supporters still love him. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2016, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-cant-win/762585/75 "2016-08-13T17:55:14Z")
Horrorshow, my droogies, horrorshow. Just needs more Beethoven. ---
**Author:** ![Morgenstern](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Morgenstern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgenstern)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2016, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-cant-win/762585/76 "2016-08-13T19:08:47Z")
> [@Blue\_Max](#): > > It is unwise and incorrect to say that Donald Trump can not win the election. I think that’s been covered widely. > > Trump’s best odds are going to be: > > 1. Economic Disaster. If the economy starts to actually play into what Trump is saying instead of simply continuing its slow growth, this could revitalize and put him over the top. > > 2. Terrorism. Trump has made big bets against Muslims with his proposed ban on them. If there is a large terrorist attack on the USA, the shrill calls for emotional, short sighted reaction will be thrown to Trump. > > 3. Some lunatic shoots Hillary. Didn’t work out so well for the democrats when someone shot RFK, did it? > > * * * > > I think with every passing day that none of these things happen, Trump’s odds will converge on 0%. The man ultimately stands for a “blame the other” set of policies that would do a lot of harm to this country and perhaps the world. But we need to get to election day without those things happening. > > And maybe, just maybe, the GOP will decide to finish this themselves–abandon Trump and close out any hope on their side. This is happening in degrees already; perhaps it will ultimately happen on a larger scale. It’s clear, Trump won’t win. Trump is the reason why, nothing else. ---
**Author:** ![Try2B\_Comprehensive](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/try2b_comprehensive/32/65_2.png) [@Try2B\_Comprehensive](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Try2B_Comprehensive)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2016, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-cant-win/762585/77 "2016-08-13T19:23:09Z")
The votes have not yet been cast and counted, folks. ---
**Author:** ![Sherrerd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sherrerd/32/8_2.png) [@Sherrerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sherrerd)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2016, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-cant-win/762585/78 "2016-08-13T20:22:50Z")
> [@Blue\_Max](#): > > It is unwise and incorrect to say that Donald Trump can not win the election. I think that’s been covered widely. > Trump’s best odds are going to be: > > 1. Economic Disaster. If the economy starts to actually play into what Trump is saying instead of simply continuing its slow growth, this could revitalize and put him over the top. > > 2. Terrorism. Trump has made big bets against Muslims with his proposed ban on them. If there is a large terrorist attack on the USA, the shrill calls for emotional, short sighted reaction will be thrown to Trump. > > 3. Some lunatic shoots Hillary. Didn’t work out so well for the democrats when someone shot RFK, did it? … And 1. Enough Democratic-leaning voters hear “Trump can’t win” and believe it, and therefore decide they needn’t bother to vote. That’s a genuine danger. > [@DonLogan](#): > > I’m not a crosstabs kind of guy, but I’m not hearing the word “undecideds” much in the polling results this year. Maybe the pollsters are not giving it as an option? … . In pretty much every poll reported you’ll notice that the numbers don’t add up to 100. The numbers reported, of course, are percentages of registered voters (usually–sometimes it’s people who are registered and also “likely to vote”) who say they intend to vote for Trump or for Clinton, or sometimes for Trump or Clinton or Johnson or Stein. In each case, whatever is left over when you subtract the numbers given from 100 is “voting for Other or undecided.” ---
**Author:** ![NeonMadman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/58f4c7/32.png) [@NeonMadman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NeonMadman)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2016, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-cant-win/762585/79 "2016-08-13T20:38:26Z")
> [@Sherrerd](#): > > Your reading of Trump’s character is that he would _willingly_ put a big “LOSER” label on himself? > > (And for the purpose of helping out Hillary Clinton, yet?) Probably not. Like I said, it’s just a nagging, recurring idea that keeps popping into my mind now and then. And, of course, I dismiss it as irrational. But, then, I ask myself, if he _was_ trying to lose deliberately, what would he be doing differently? And I can’t come up with a solid answer. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk ---
**Author:** ![Trinopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/2bfe46/32.png) [@Trinopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trinopus)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2016, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-cant-win/762585/80 "2016-08-13T21:21:37Z")
> [@Blue\_Max](#): > > . . . Trump’s best odds are going to be: > > 1. Economic Disaster. . . . > > 2. Terrorism. . . . > > 3. Some lunatic shoots Hillary. . . . I’d add number four, Clinton melts down in the debates. Trump might needle her just enough for her to snap and say something unguarded. Certainly, this is unlikely – so are points 1, 2, and 3. But it’s something that could happen, and would definitely give the s.o.b. a boost. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-cant-win/762585.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-cant-win/762585.md?page=5)