# Trump vs Clinton in the General Election **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [May 17, 2016, 1:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-vs-clinton-in-the-general-election/754989 "2016-05-17T13:19:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2016, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-vs-clinton-in-the-general-election/754989/81 "2016-05-18T20:04:03Z")
It’s the “rules” only in the sense of “I can get away with it”. If that’s taken to its logical conclusion, then nothing’s going to work very well. Obama rightly criticized many of Bush’s signing statements. It’s time to roll that back, and now also to roll back Obama’s novel ideas of executive power. Executives should not be able to decline to enforce the law when specific resources are dedicated to that task. Enforcement is about priorities, not “I wanna” vs. “I don’t wanna”. ---
**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:** [May 18, 2016, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-vs-clinton-in-the-general-election/754989/82 "2016-05-18T20:08:12Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > It’s the “rules” only in the sense of “I can get away with it”. If that’s taken to its logical conclusion, then nothing’s going to work very well. Exactly. Welcome to the new age. ¯\_(ツ)\_/¯ ---
**Author:** ![Bone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bone/32/407_2.png) [@Bone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bone)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2016, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-vs-clinton-in-the-general-election/754989/83 "2016-05-18T20:12:58Z")
> [@CarnalK](#): > > Well, them’s the rules. Similar to it being perfectly proper to leave the Supreme Court a man short for the year (or however long). Whatcha gonna do? ¯\_(ツ)\_/¯ Exactly. If Trump detailed how he’d cripple the ACA by not enforcing its provisions, re-interpreting other provisions, and refuse to defend challenges to it thereby resulting in it’s demise, I think the question of whether he has the power to repeal it is answered. Not technically repeal, but the result would be the same. I’m not sure if that would yield a net increase in his support. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2016, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-vs-clinton-in-the-general-election/754989/84 "2016-05-18T21:15:33Z")
Presidents can work through congress to repeal legislation. Not every desire to repeal indicates that it would be done outside the lines. In addition to that, the executive’s ability to selectively enforce congresses actions is part of the checks and balances. We don’t want the power wielded to readily by any branch of government. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_Ace](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/6bbea6/32.png) [@Johnny\_Ace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Ace)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2016, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-vs-clinton-in-the-general-election/754989/85 "2016-05-18T22:26:43Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > You’re doing alright. Specifically how? If you’re attempting to insult me, I want it down in black and white rather than a nebulous implication. ---
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2016, 3:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-vs-clinton-in-the-general-election/754989/86 "2016-05-19T03:51:06Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > Presidents can work through congress to repeal legislation. Not every desire to repeal indicates that it would be done outside the lines. In addition to that, the executive’s ability to selectively enforce congresses actions is part of the checks and balances. We don’t want the power wielded to readily by any branch of government. The executive does not need, nor should he have, the ability to selectively enforce the law, except to prioritize enforcement based on limited resources. Or if he has serious constitutional concerns. “I’d rather not because this is inconsistent with my political priorities” is not a valid reason for executive discretion. It’s a blank check for Republican presidents to engage in all kinds of mischief that they couldn’t before. GOP Presidents have historically chosen to approach laws they don’t like with lackadaisical enforcement. Now they can just announce that they will prioritize only the worst offenders and not go after minor offenders at all, despite sufficient resources to do so. That can be applied to environmental law, tax law, labor law, etc. ---
**Author:** ![Bone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bone/32/407_2.png) [@Bone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bone)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2016, 4:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-vs-clinton-in-the-general-election/754989/87 "2016-05-19T04:02:19Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > . “I’d rather not because this is inconsistent with my political priorities” is not a valid reason for executive discretion. Cite that this isn’t valid? The fact that it’s happening undercuts your point. I would rather it not be so but it is. Yes the rationale can be applied widely. President Trump would have the power to cripple beyond repair the ACA. Agree? ---
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2016, 4:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-vs-clinton-in-the-general-election/754989/88 "2016-05-19T04:03:25Z")
True, but as I said, it’s in the “i can get away with it” category. At least so far, the courts are holding up his most egregious use of this asserted power. And who knows it might be useful for a Republican President to really push the issue so that we can force change. Presidents carry out the law, they don’t make it. I do not see Presidential discretion as a valid check on the legislative branch. Once a law is passed and is accepted by the executive branch and the judicial branch, enforcement should be a cooperative process. ---
**Author:** ![Ambivalid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a5b964/32.png) [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2016, 5:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-vs-clinton-in-the-general-election/754989/89 "2016-05-19T05:33:51Z")
> [@truthSeeker2](#): > > She is comfortably ahead in actual terms sir. Polls don’t represent actual situation at this point. “Actual terms” that are determined how, exactly? You’re talking gibberish. ---
**Author:** ![Ambivalid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a5b964/32.png) [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2016, 5:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-vs-clinton-in-the-general-election/754989/90 "2016-05-19T05:44:30Z")
> [@truthSeeker2](#): > > Let Sanders get out of the way. let her become the clear cut nominee. Then polls will show actual picture and she will be leading by more %age points against Trump in the polls at that point. This is a non-answer. ---
**Author:** ![truthSeeker2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7cd45c/32.png) [@truthSeeker2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/truthSeeker2)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2016, 5:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-vs-clinton-in-the-general-election/754989/91 "2016-05-19T05:53:45Z")
> [@Ambivalid](#): > > “Actual terms” that are determined how, exactly? You’re talking gibberish. My assumption is that many who are voting ‘undecided’ in the polls as of now are democrat voters who are Bernie supporters. when Bernie is out of contest, they will vote ‘hillary’ instead of ‘undecided’. ---
**Author:** ![Ambivalid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a5b964/32.png) [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2016, 6:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-vs-clinton-in-the-general-election/754989/92 "2016-05-19T06:05:08Z")
> [@truthSeeker2](#): > > My assumption I stopped there. ---
**Author:** ![truthSeeker2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7cd45c/32.png) [@truthSeeker2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/truthSeeker2)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2016, 6:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-vs-clinton-in-the-general-election/754989/93 "2016-05-19T06:11:25Z")
> [@Ambivalid](#): > > I stopped there. Everything is opinions at this point. I am stating my opinion on the ‘actual situation’. ---
**Author:** ![Enola\_Gay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/3ab097/32.png) [@Enola\_Gay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enola_Gay)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2016, 2:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-vs-clinton-in-the-general-election/754989/94 "2016-05-19T14:12:46Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > ACtually, they do, they are just poor at predicting the situation in November. There is little doubt that Clinton would easily win if the election were held today. I’m not so sure about that. The [polls from this week](http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2016/president/us/general_election_trump_vs_clinton-5491.html) show Trump leading over Clinton. Months ago, she had a double digit lead over him.The trend is disturbing. ---
**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:** [May 19, 2016, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-vs-clinton-in-the-general-election/754989/95 "2016-05-19T14:15:31Z")
> [@Enola\_Gay](#): > > I’m not so sure about that. The [polls from this week](http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2016/president/us/general_election_trump_vs_clinton-5491.html) show Trump leading over Clinton. Months ago, she had a double digit lead over him.The trend is disturbing. I’m not buying it. Right now the Sanders campaign is in its death throes and his supporters may be telling pollsters they’d rather vote for Trump. When Sanders endorses Hillary, the ship will right itself. ---
**Author:** ![truthSeeker2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7cd45c/32.png) [@truthSeeker2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/truthSeeker2)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2016, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-vs-clinton-in-the-general-election/754989/96 "2016-05-19T14:58:34Z")
> [@BobLibDem](#): > > I’m not buying it. Right now the Sanders campaign is in its death throes and his supporters may be telling pollsters they’d rather vote for Trump. When Sanders endorses Hillary, the ship will right itself. sounds correct. ---
**Author:** ![Enola\_Gay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/3ab097/32.png) [@Enola\_Gay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enola_Gay)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2016, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-vs-clinton-in-the-general-election/754989/97 "2016-05-19T15:08:56Z")
You guys will be eating crow this time next year when our Commander in Chief Trump is launching nuclear attacks on that Bimbo Merkel and Lyin Putin. ---
**Author:** ![truthSeeker2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7cd45c/32.png) [@truthSeeker2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/truthSeeker2)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2016, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-vs-clinton-in-the-general-election/754989/98 "2016-05-19T15:13:03Z")
> [@Enola\_Gay](#): > > You guys will be eating crow this time next year when our Commander in Chief Trump is launching nuclear attacks on that Bimbo Merkel and Lyin Putin. I am one of the few Trump supporters on this forum btw. ---
**Author:** ![Enola\_Gay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/3ab097/32.png) [@Enola\_Gay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enola_Gay)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2016, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-vs-clinton-in-the-general-election/754989/99 "2016-05-19T15:15:30Z")
> [@truthSeeker2](#): > > I am one of the few Trump supporters on this forum btw. Serious questions: why do you support him? How do you think the world will perceive the US if he is elected? ---
**Author:** ![truthSeeker2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7cd45c/32.png) [@truthSeeker2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/truthSeeker2)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2016, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-vs-clinton-in-the-general-election/754989/100 "2016-05-19T15:22:36Z")
> [@Enola\_Gay](#): > > Serious questions: why do you support him? How do you think the world will perceive the US if he is elected? I like his policies. He encourages balance in trade, lower dollar, local manufacturing. Like his views on middle east, Syria, terrorism, Russia etc. I am not American. My country’s PM was denied visa by the US, but now next month he will address joint session of US congress. So don’t worry abt the world. World leaders are mostly practical and hypocrite. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-vs-clinton-in-the-general-election/754989.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-vs-clinton-in-the-general-election/754989.md?page=6)