# Trump could be a benefit to Republicans **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [July 13, 2015, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-could-be-a-benefit-to-republicans/725083 "2015-07-13T20:37:10Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2015, 11:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-could-be-a-benefit-to-republicans/725083/21 "2015-07-14T11:42:41Z")
> [@tullsterx](#): > > And you know the word I used is not disrespectful to the people that Obama “mobilized.” You’re just using that word to label me as a “racist” when there is nothing racist about the term “ghetto” and you know it. Quit using racism as a tool in your argument when it has no bearing. Calling a neighborhood “ghetto” may not be racist, but calling people “ghetto” based on race, income, and/or where they live is dismissive, dehumanizing, and yes, probably racist. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2015, 12:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-could-be-a-benefit-to-republicans/725083/22 "2015-07-14T12:43:39Z")
> [@tullsterx](#): > > there is nothing racist about the term “ghetto” and you know it. Neither is “urban” or “inner-city” or “punk” or “thug”, right? Sorry, you’re wrong there. The common understanding, even if you don’t share it, is that all of those are code words. If you use them, you can expect them to be interpreted that way. Any misunderstanding is not the audience’s fault, but yours. ---
**Author:** ![Merneith](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/57b2e6/32.png) [@Merneith](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merneith)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2015, 1:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-could-be-a-benefit-to-republicans/725083/23 "2015-07-14T13:18:04Z")
“Ghetto”, in this context, is a racist phrase. So is the whole, “you’re the REAL racist” schtick. But then, Donald Trump is a racist, too. That’s pretty much all he brings to the party. It’s no surprise to find racism in his supporters. ---
**Author:** ![Uniqueorn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/uniqueorn/32/2807_2.png) [@Uniqueorn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uniqueorn)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2015, 1:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-could-be-a-benefit-to-republicans/725083/24 "2015-07-14T13:27:08Z")
> [@tullsterx](#): > > Don’t you think the viewership of the debates with Trump will be significantly higher? And this could bode well for anyone who might “shine” at the debates. I know there are many irrational haters on this board. But, you have to admit Trump would add a lot of interest and viewership to the debates. How that translates is anyone’s guess, but it has to be better than a lower viewership. Hmm, so maybe he bought the rights to those debates and is doing his best to ensure high ratings? Very intriguing… 😛 ---
**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:** [July 14, 2015, 1:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-could-be-a-benefit-to-republicans/725083/25 "2015-07-14T13:39:05Z")
The ratings will undoubtedly be higher. But what will hurt Republicans is that all of the sound bites played after the debate is over are going to be of Trump. Jeb Bush could give a great performance and it will be lost forever if it happens in the context of Trump promising to invade Mexico if elected. Trump’s mission is to get us talking about Trump. So in my opinion, higher ratings for a debate (heck, I might even tune in to watch, but take a shower afterward) but none of the mainstream candidate(s) will be gaiing any traction as a result. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2015, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-could-be-a-benefit-to-republicans/725083/26 "2015-07-14T14:11:45Z")
> [@Uniqueorn](#): > > Hmm, so maybe he bought the rights to those debates and is doing his best to ensure high ratings? Very intriguing… 😛 Can’t wait for the swimsuit competition, can you? ---
**Author:** ![tullsterx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e9bcb4/32.png) [@tullsterx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tullsterx)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2015, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-could-be-a-benefit-to-republicans/725083/27 "2015-07-14T15:47:53Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > Neither is “urban” or “inner-city” or “punk” or “thug”, right? > > Sorry, you’re wrong there. The common understanding, even if you don’t share it, is that all of those are code words. If you use them, you can expect them to be interpreted that way. Any misunderstanding is not the audience’s fault, but yours. So, how do you propose I state that Obama really boosted the voting participation of lower income African Americans that live in urban areas? Is there a non-racist way for me state that fact? ---
**Author:** ![Buck\_Godot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/buck_godot/32/6573_2.png) [@Buck\_Godot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Buck_Godot)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2015, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-could-be-a-benefit-to-republicans/725083/28 "2015-07-14T16:03:23Z")
> [@tullsterx](#): > > So, how do you propose I state that Obama really boosted the voting participation of lower income African Americans that live in urban areas? Is there a non-racist way for me state that fact? Obama really boosted the voting participation of lower income African Americans that live in urban areas ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2015, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-could-be-a-benefit-to-republicans/725083/29 "2015-07-14T16:04:38Z")
> [@tullsterx](#): > > So, how do you propose I state that Obama really boosted the voting participation of lower income African Americans that live in urban areas? Is there a non-racist way for me state that fact? You just did in your first sentence. Edit: Ninja’d. ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2015, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-could-be-a-benefit-to-republicans/725083/30 "2015-07-14T16:04:42Z")
Unless you’re actually into politics, debates are pretty dull stuff. Trump might attract viewers looking for a laugh but they’ll likely be fiddling with their iPads or something on the couch until they hear Trump’s voice and look up. Unless the first debate is “The Trump Show”, it’s unlikely most of that audience will tune in for Debate #2. ---
**Author:** ![Simplicio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c37758/32.png) [@Simplicio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Simplicio)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2015, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-could-be-a-benefit-to-republicans/725083/31 "2015-07-14T17:54:53Z")
Eh, putting aside on whether the GOP would benefit from higher or lower ratings\*, I seriously doubt Trump will do much for the ratings (and “double or triple” as the OP suggests, is nuts). Anyone who doesn’t follow politics closely wants to see the train-wreck bits will see the clips the next day, without having to sit through Jeb Bush describing his tax-plan or whatever. \*(I don’t really have an opinion, but given how much of a big deal they’ve made of cutting back on the number of debates this cycle, its pretty clear that the GOP itself thinks they’re better off with fewer people seeing the debates). ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2015, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-could-be-a-benefit-to-republicans/725083/32 "2015-07-14T18:12:32Z")
> [@Simplicio](#): > > Anyone who doesn’t follow politics closely wants to see the train-wreck bits will see the clips the next day, without having to sit through Jeb Bush describing his tax-plan or whatever. Or come here. We’ve got people who _enjoy_ that sort of thing. And will be willing to tell us all about it. And then some. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![stillownedbysetters](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/41988e/32.png) [@stillownedbysetters](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stillownedbysetters)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2015, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-could-be-a-benefit-to-republicans/725083/33 "2015-07-14T18:38:04Z")
As a life-long Dem, I rarely watch the Pubbie debates, as I’m unlikely to vote for any of their candidates. This go-around I am likely to watch. The field is so wide that someone is bound to rise from the debates and look like a front-runner. I’m curious to see who that might be. I hope they do invite Trump. While no one else is likely to point out and describe the various elephants in the room, Trump will. If nothing else, it will be interesting to watch how the other candidates refute him. That might take some fancy-dancin’. ---
**Author:** ![Darth\_Panda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ee7513/32.png) [@Darth\_Panda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darth_Panda)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2015, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-could-be-a-benefit-to-republicans/725083/34 "2015-07-14T18:43:37Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > At that point they should just dump the debate format completely and go for hog-calling contests and beer pong. Well fuck, I’d watch that. ---
**Author:** ![Derleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Derleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Derleth)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2015, 2:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-could-be-a-benefit-to-republicans/725083/35 "2015-07-15T02:51:13Z")
> [@stillownedbysetters](#): > > If nothing else, it will be interesting to watch how the other candidates refute him. That might take some fancy-dancin’. Right. They’ll have to seem like they’re refuting him while not saying anything which could be construed as disagreeing with his policies, which are fairly popular among the GOP electorate. (Well, at least his immigration policy, which is also one of the most toxic policies among the general electorate.) [cite](http://fivethirtyeight.com/datalab/donald-trumps-immigration-statements-will-find-a-home-in-his-party/) ---
**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:** [July 15, 2015, 6:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-could-be-a-benefit-to-republicans/725083/36 "2015-07-15T06:54:47Z")
[Trump helps Jeb!](http://www.vox.com/2015/7/14/8962411/donald-trump-polls-bush) Trump won’t win. Jeb is the frontrunner, albeit a weakly. But Trump sucks up all the media attention, making it more difficult for plausible challengers to make their case. Also Overton Window: Trump makes Jeb look like a reasonable guy. Then again, Trump makes [Tancrendo](http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/tom-tancredo-donald-trump-immigration) look dignified. ---
**Author:** ![Derleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Derleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Derleth)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2015, 8:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-could-be-a-benefit-to-republicans/725083/37 "2015-07-15T08:27:05Z")
Unless the people who got excited about voting for Trump decide to stay home once it becomes apparent that it’s Jeb or Clinton. ---
**Author:** ![Bookkeeper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bookkeeper/32/281_2.png) [@Bookkeeper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bookkeeper)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2015, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-could-be-a-benefit-to-republicans/725083/38 "2015-07-16T19:47:26Z")
> [@Measure\_for\_Measure](#): > > [Trump helps Jeb!](http://www.vox.com/2015/7/14/8962411/donald-trump-polls-bush) > > Trump won’t win. Jeb is the frontrunner, albeit a weakly. But Trump sucks up all the media attention, making it more difficult for plausible challengers to make their case. Also Overton Window: Trump makes Jeb look like a reasonable guy. Then again, Trump makes [Tancrendo](http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/tom-tancredo-donald-trump-immigration) look dignified. Note that Tancredo isn’t saying Trump’s positions are wrong, just that he shouldn’t talk so openly about them. ---
**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:** [July 16, 2015, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-could-be-a-benefit-to-republicans/725083/39 "2015-07-16T23:09:00Z")
> [@Measure\_for\_Measure](#): > > Trump makes Jeb look like a reasonable guy. Is Trump being paid to put on his performance, so as to make the other candidates look sane? (Just asking questions!) ---
**Author:** ![msmith537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2015, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-could-be-a-benefit-to-republicans/725083/40 "2015-07-21T15:53:53Z")
> [@tullsterx](#): > > Don’t you think the viewership of the debates with Trump will be significantly higher? And this could bode well for anyone who might “shine” at the debates. I know there are many irrational haters on this board. But, you have to admit Trump would add a lot of interest and viewership to the debates. How that translates is anyone’s guess, but it has to be better than a lower viewership. Viewership might be higher, but that may not benefit the Republicans as it would just mean more people seeing Trump say craz shit. Interestingly, here’s a clip of Trump on Letterman back in the 80s where he actually seems like a normal non-crazy rich businessman. In fact he’s even actually quite modest about his wealth: [![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/XQWXaH4kTs8/hqdefault.jpg?sqp=-oaymwEmCOADEOgC8quKqQMa8AEB-AH-BIAC4AOKAgwIABABGGUgXihGMA8=&rs=AOn4CLBS2i3OKxsiI-yGdWxSZHN6Jk7N0A "Donald Trump on Late Night With David Letterman 1987") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XQWXaH4kTs8) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-could-be-a-benefit-to-republicans/725083.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-could-be-a-benefit-to-republicans/725083.md?page=3)