# Trump gets a brownie point from me! **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [November 23, 2016, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-gets-a-brownie-point-from-me/772824 "2016-11-23T17:41:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Me\_Billy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e480ec/32.png) [@Me\_Billy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Me_Billy)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2016, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-gets-a-brownie-point-from-me/772824/1 "2016-11-23T17:41:36Z")
My worries about Trump totally wrecking our country have been reduced a bit the last few days - A good thing! He is backing off of sticking Hillary in jail, repudiating the Nazi saluters, saying he may keep some features of health care, talking to the New York Times, saying things to calm people down, Etc. So basically he is either a big liar and was just saying those bizarre things to get elected. And does not really feel that way… Or he is now LISTENING to advice from those around him and FOLLOWING it. Either one is a good thing in my book. Even Wall Street thinks he is on the right track. One thing to consider is he does have a large business empire, many employees, and experience at doing the wrong things - management wise. So perhaps he will listen to advice before proceeding on anything too radical? (Stay tuned, we will see…) ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2016, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-gets-a-brownie-point-from-me/772824/2 "2016-11-23T17:58:39Z")
I tend to be even more skeptical of him since the lying continues. I just don’t trust the man, nor do I trust the legislative branch to keep him in check. We’ll just have to wait and see. ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2016, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-gets-a-brownie-point-from-me/772824/3 "2016-11-23T18:07:09Z")
I’m cautiously optimistic. Even Obama said that candidates say things during a campaign to get themselves elected that they don’t actually intend to carry out. ---
**Author:** ![Drunky\_Smurf](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drunky_smurf/32/449_2.png) [@Drunky\_Smurf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drunky_Smurf)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2016, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-gets-a-brownie-point-from-me/772824/4 "2016-11-23T18:07:11Z")
> [@Me\_Billy](#): > > So basically he is either a big liar and was just saying those bizarre things to get elected. And does not really feel that way Just like every other politician he was lying. He admitted in the 60 Minutes interview that he was “playing a character”. ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2016, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-gets-a-brownie-point-from-me/772824/5 "2016-11-23T18:07:50Z")
While I have very little confidence in Trump’s ability to grasp the fundamentals of governance, even less confidence in his ability to stick to any particular course of action from one day to the next, I do feel cautiously encouraged by the fact that he seem to be easily influenced by people smarter than he. It’s my sincere hope that his innate ability to want to save his own orange hide will prevent him from picking advisers who will ultimately embarrass him - his decisions to jettison Christie, Gingrich and (I hope!) Giuliani, is an indication of that. So we will see what happens next. But mostly I’m just exhausted by all the hyperventilating - justified as it may be - and just want a break from hearing about that orange buffoon. ---
**Author:** ![dracoi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/90db22/32.png) [@dracoi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dracoi)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2016, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-gets-a-brownie-point-from-me/772824/6 "2016-11-23T18:09:38Z")
So… the good news is “The President lied to get elected.” I can’t wait to hear the bad news… ---
**Author:** ![The\_Tooth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c67d28/32.png) [@The\_Tooth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Tooth)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2016, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-gets-a-brownie-point-from-me/772824/7 "2016-11-23T18:10:22Z")
Adult: Why did you lie? Child: I didn’t mean it! ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2016, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-gets-a-brownie-point-from-me/772824/8 "2016-11-23T18:12:28Z")
> [@Me\_Billy](#): > > So basically he is either a big liar and was just saying those bizarre things to get elected. And does not really feel that way… Hey, four years ago he donated to Hillary’s campaign and said she would make a good president. Whatever. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2016, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-gets-a-brownie-point-from-me/772824/9 "2016-11-23T18:17:25Z")
> [@cochrane](#): > > I’m cautiously optimistic. Even Obama said that candidates say things during a campaign to get themselves elected that they don’t actually intend to carry out. It’s almost like you have to have a public position on the issues and private position on them! 😉 Trump is a loose cannon. It’s hard to say what he’s going to do, so if he surprises me on the upside once in awhile, I’m still concerned what the downside surprise is going to be. I just hope he doesn’t get us into any wars. If we can skate through his term without starting another war, I’ll at least breathe a sigh of relief. ---
**Author:** ![lazybratsche](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ba8739/32.png) [@lazybratsche](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lazybratsche)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2016, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-gets-a-brownie-point-from-me/772824/10 "2016-11-23T18:23:50Z")
> [@QuickSilver](#): > > While I have very little confidence in Trump’s ability to grasp the fundamentals of governance, even less confidence in his ability to stick to any particular course of action from one day to the next, I do feel cautiously encouraged by the fact that he seem to be easily influenced by people smarter than he. The greatest unsung heroes and patriots of this generation may be the faceless bureaucrats that keep the US functioning as usual, despite the ignorance, depraved indifference, and malice of Trump and everyone he appoints. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2016, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-gets-a-brownie-point-from-me/772824/11 "2016-11-23T23:10:10Z")
Don’t get so optimistic about Trump. Remember who’ll be President when he quits of gets impeached. And pray for the longevity of SCOTUS Justices. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2016, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-gets-a-brownie-point-from-me/772824/12 "2016-11-23T23:31:04Z")
> [@Me\_Billy](#): > > My worries about Trump totally wrecking our country have been reduced a bit the last few days - A good thing! > > He is backing off of sticking Hillary in jail, He never had the power to stick her in jail. She’s not off the hook over any ongoing investigations which again, he doesn’t have the power to stop. > [@Me\_Billy](#): > > saying he may keep some features of health care, he said he would fix it, not end health care. There’s a difference. > [@Me\_Billy](#): > > So basically he is either a big liar and was just saying those bizarre things to get elected. And does not really feel that way… or some people never really listened to what he said. > [@Me\_Billy](#): > > One thing to consider is he does have a large business empire, many employees, and experience at doing the wrong things - management wise. So perhaps he will listen to advice before proceeding on anything too radical? (Stay tuned, we will see…) I don’t have any cites handy but a fair number of people have come away from talks with him saying he asked the right questions of their profession. That’s what CEO’s do. His rise to power was the result of a significant undercurrent of dissatisfaction over the handling of the budget, healthcare, jobs, and immigration. His election was a broadside on the political status quo. ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2016, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-gets-a-brownie-point-from-me/772824/13 "2016-11-23T23:35:15Z")
> [@dracoi](#): > > So… the good news is “The President lied to get elected.” > > I can’t wait to hear the bad news… The difference is that most people support a candidate in the hope that they’ll keep their promises. Trump is the first whose supporters hope he’d break them. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2016, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-gets-a-brownie-point-from-me/772824/14 "2016-11-23T23:42:39Z")
> [@QuickSilver](#): > > While I have very little confidence in Trump’s ability to grasp the fundamentals of governance, even less confidence in his ability to stick to any particular course of action from one day to the next, I do feel cautiously encouraged by the fact that he seem to be easily influenced by people smarter than he. The question remaining is _who_ will have influence on him. If it’s Mike Pence, I’m worried. If it’s someone less extreme, I’m less worried. Supposedly, in July, Trump’s older son told John Kasich that if he joined the ticket that Kasich would be given control of domestic and foreign policy; basically everything except for “making America great again”. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2016, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-gets-a-brownie-point-from-me/772824/15 "2016-11-24T00:13:28Z")
Trump Thanksgiving message to the nation is very encouraging. He’s trying hard to bring the nation together. > **[Trump’s Thanksgiving message: We must ‘heal our divisions’](https://thehill.com/business-a-lobbying/307447-trump-calls-for-healed-country-in-thanksgiving-address/)** > > “It is my prayer, that on this Thanksgiving, we begin to heal our divisions.”  Trump has already picked two women for key positions. Nikki Haley and Betsy DeVos. ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2016, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-gets-a-brownie-point-from-me/772824/16 "2016-11-24T00:19:39Z")
Well he sure needs all the brownie points he can get since IMO he starts off a bit behind. Though it would be a bit of a twist, wouldn’t it? Pretending to be \*worse \*than you really are to get elected? ---
**Author:** ![Balthisar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/balthisar/32/2825_2.png) [@Balthisar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balthisar)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2016, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-gets-a-brownie-point-from-me/772824/17 "2016-11-24T00:27:59Z")
> [@Robot\_Arm](#): > > The difference is that most people support a candidate in the hope that they’ll keep their promises. Trump is the first whose supporters hope he’d break them. I didn’t support Trump (I supported a party I know wouldn’t win, and didn’t even achieve 5%), but he was the guy I’d hoped would win. As I’m anti-Hillary but not pro-Trump, I’m glad he’s going to break many of the _stupid_ promises he made to get elected. So, +1 data point toward the alternative hypothesis. ---
**Author:** ![even\_sven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/dfb087/32.png) [@even\_sven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/even_sven)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2016, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-gets-a-brownie-point-from-me/772824/18 "2016-11-24T00:35:25Z")
Nmnm ---
**Author:** ![purplehearingaid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7bcc69/32.png) [@purplehearingaid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehearingaid)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2016, 12:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-gets-a-brownie-point-from-me/772824/19 "2016-11-24T00:38:18Z")
> [@Drunky\_Smurf](#): > > Just like every other politician he was lying. He admitted in the 60 Minutes interview that he was “playing a character”. So he could very well be playing a character right now ! I don’t trust the guy , he scare the shit of me ! ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2016, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-gets-a-brownie-point-from-me/772824/20 "2016-11-24T01:13:19Z")
> [@Drunky\_Smurf](#): > > Just like every other politician he was lying. He admitted in the 60 Minutes interview that he was “playing a character”. Most politicians try to pretend to be a better person than they really are. It’s frightening to think we might have been seeing the “good” Trump this last year and now the mask is going to come off. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-gets-a-brownie-point-from-me/772824.md?page=2)