# 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:** 8
**Author:** ![XT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xt/32/456_2.png) [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2016, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-vs-clinton-in-the-general-election/754989/141 "2016-05-20T14:59:46Z")
I think that [this](http://www.cnn.com/2016/05/19/politics/trump-clinton-egyptair-804-reaction/index.html) is an early indication of how the real campaign is going to play out with this exchange between Clinton and Trump concerning the lost EgyptAir flight 804. > [@](#): > > CNN)The tragic disappearance of an EgyptAir jet set off a fierce political clash between Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton on how to fight terror and who is fit to be president. > The exchanges, unfolding less than 24 hours after the plane vanished, demonstrated the divergent political instincts and national security visions of two people poised for a general election clash this fall. > > Trump was quick to take to social media – before many details began to emerge about the loss of the plane carrying 66 people from Paris to Cairo. Clinton struck a more cautious approach, waiting until early afternoon to speak. Both went straight to politics. Trump declared terrorism was likely to blame and implied that a “sickness” within Islam and U.S. weakness were the underlying cause. Clinton delivered her most explicit warning yet that Trump’s rhetoric and foreign policy positions make him unfit to serve in the White House. > [@](#): > > “I have concluded that he is not qualified to be President of the United States,” Clinton told CNN’s Chris Cuomo in an interview. > True to his campaign creed that if he is attacked, he will hit back twice as hard, the presumptive Republican nominee issued a statement Thursday evening saying that she is the one unfit for the Oval Office. > “Look at the carnage all over the world including the World Trade Center, San Bernardino, Paris, the USS Cole, Brussels and an unlimited number of other places. She and our totally ignorant President won’t even use the term Radical Islamic Terrorism,” Trump said. > “And by the way, ask Hillary who blew up the plane last night – another terrible, but preventable tragedy. She has bad judgment and is unfit to serve as President at this delicate and difficult time in our country’s history.” Basically, it’s hard for me to even conceive how Trump could win this thing. He’s such a buffoon. ---
**Author:** ![truthSeeker2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7cd45c/32.png) [@truthSeeker2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/truthSeeker2)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2016, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-vs-clinton-in-the-general-election/754989/142 "2016-05-20T15:01:41Z")
> [@QuickSilver](#): > > I never understand what you’re talking about. I’m not entirely certain you do either. What do you not understand? Why is the dollar strong? Because it is the reserve currency - 80% of international trade happens in USD. Why is it the reserve currency? Because Saudi Arabia trades oil with USD. Trump wants lower value of dollar for American goods and services to be competitively priced. He doesn’t bother if he offends radical Islamist and medieval nation of Saudi Arabia. He seemingly doesn’t care if Saudis stop trading oil for USD and thereby USD getting potentially significantly devalued. What do you not understand about global currency or free money? Poorer countries are mostly net importers (having trade deficits). If they distribute free money (free money meaning neither the Govt. has to repay as part of budget deficit, nor the individual has to repay. It is just free money) in their own currencies, their currencies will inflate and countries will go bankrupt. Thus you need a world currency. And I showed in post#103 how the system is currently flawed and how the priorities are misplaced. ---
**Author:** ![Ramira](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ramira/32/344_2.png) [@Ramira](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ramira)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2016, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-vs-clinton-in-the-general-election/754989/143 "2016-05-20T15:16:17Z")
> [@truthSeeker2](#): > > Why do you always seem angry and agitated bro? I am not a bro and not your bro. The observation you do not understand economics has no anger, it is merely a factual observation. > [@](#): > > Does your life depend on stopping Trump from becoming president? And no, Islam is not like other religions at all which can co-exist peacefully. Its a poison. it is nice how you bring in your religious hatred and bigotry into a response about the economics. > [@truthSeeker2](#): > > What do you not understand? Why is the dollar strong? Because it is the reserve currency - 80% of international trade happens in USD. Why is it the reserve currency? Because Saudi Arabia trades oil with USD. The us dollar is not a reserve currency because of the oil trade, it is a reserve currency because it is the currency of the single largest economy in the world and the dominant single currency for the largest economic zone since the WWII and was at the foundation of the entire international exchange since the WWII. but it is entertaining you understand the international currency system through the lens of a religious hatred. > [@](#): > > What do you not understand about global currency or free money? Poorer countries are mostly net importers (having trade deficits). If they distribute free money (free money meaning neither the Govt. has to repay as part of budget deficit, nor the individual has to repay. It is just free money) in their own currencies, their currencies will inflate and countries will go bankrupt. Thus you need a world currency. And I showed in post#103 how the system is currently flawed and how the priorities are misplaced. This paragraph is a very excellent illustration of why there will not be any coherent economic policy selection from you. ---
**Author:** ![truthSeeker2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7cd45c/32.png) [@truthSeeker2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/truthSeeker2)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2016, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-vs-clinton-in-the-general-election/754989/144 "2016-05-20T15:20:32Z")
> [@BobLibDem](#): > > It might help to explain the world currency comment. How would that free up governments’ ability to just give money away? Take it down a step- most of Europe has one currency. **Does that mean that within Europe, governments are giving things away with no intention of paying for them?** It would be the world-government not individual countries deciding how much money is to be given and who are the deserving recipients. ---
**Author:** ![septimus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/septimus/32/410_2.png) [@septimus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/septimus)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2016, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-vs-clinton-in-the-general-election/754989/145 "2016-05-20T15:21:42Z")
> [@truthSeeker2](#): > > after having a world currency, you can do anything you want, like giving free money to poor people which nobody(neither people nor governments) has to ever re-pay. Since it’s a “world” currency, even the U.S. would use it — let’s just call the currency “U.S. Dollar” for convenience. Your proposal, AFAICT, is that the governments of India, etc. would be able to run their own printing presses and print as many of these dollars as they like. Would they be able to print million-dollar bills, or would it be limited to the “Dead Presidents” already in use? And is it just governments that could print? Would I, as an individual, be allowed to print dollars on my own press?) North Korea has already adopted this plan and, IIRC, a criminal cartel in Burma was also printing counterfeit dollars. Should we start by mailing everyone in the world a check for $10 million? Or, anticipating the possibility of inflation, start with $10 billion each? We did have a poster telling us about New Monetary theory; yours must be the Newer or Newest Theory. Any good Google searches if we [del]need a good laugh[/del] want to learn more? ---
**Author:** ![XT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xt/32/456_2.png) [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2016, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-vs-clinton-in-the-general-election/754989/146 "2016-05-20T15:26:31Z")
[QUOTE=truthSeeker2] What do you not understand? Why is the dollar strong? Because it is the reserve currency - 80% of international trade happens in USD. Why is it the reserve currency? Because Saudi Arabia trades oil with USD. Trump wants lower value of dollar for American goods and services to be competitively priced. He doesn’t bother if he offends radical Islamist and medieval nation of Saudi Arabia. He seemingly doesn’t care if Saudis stop trading oil for USD and thereby USD getting potentially significantly devalued. [/QUOTE] Clearly you have no idea what you are talking about. There are several other currencies that are also [reserve currencies](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reserve_currency). The US dollar isn’t one of them because the Saudi’s trade oil in USD (this is wrong anyway). Seriously, you are a prime example of why Trump is doing well…the folks who are in favor of him and his ridiculous assertions are ignorant of even the basics, so it’s easy for him to talk out of his ass and for them to not smell the odor but instead hear words of wisdom. ---
**Author:** ![truthSeeker2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7cd45c/32.png) [@truthSeeker2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/truthSeeker2)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2016, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-vs-clinton-in-the-general-election/754989/147 "2016-05-20T15:40:12Z")
> [@XT](#): > > Clearly you have no idea what you are talking about. There are several other currencies that are also [reserve currencies](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reserve_currency). The US dollar isn’t one of them because the Saudi’s trade oil in USD (this is wrong anyway). > > Seriously, you are a prime example of why Trump is doing well…the folks who are in favor of him and his ridiculous assertions are ignorant of even the basics, so it’s easy for him to talk out of his ass and for them to not smell the odor but instead hear words of wisdom. On the contrary, you have no clue and are behaving arrogantly for no reason. The US is able to have such large trade deficit, such large (and growing) Government debt _and_ such strong currency is mainly because oil is traded in USD. ---
**Author:** ![XT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xt/32/456_2.png) [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2016, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-vs-clinton-in-the-general-election/754989/148 "2016-05-20T15:43:05Z")
> [@truthSeeker2](#): > > On the contrary, you have no clue and are behaving arrogantly for no reason. The US is able to have such large trade deficit, such large (and growing) Government debt _and_ such strong currency is mainly because oil is traded USD. No, you keep putting the cart before the horse and mixing up cause and effect. As for my arrogance, I’m more astonished and shocked by Trump and the Trumpsters…it’s genuinely hard for me to believe that this guy is going to be the candidate of a major US party. Clearly the Republican base has jumped the shark…hell, the party jumped the shark years ago, but this is leaping over that sucker like superman. ---
**Author:** ![Ramira](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ramira/32/344_2.png) [@Ramira](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ramira)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2016, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-vs-clinton-in-the-general-election/754989/149 "2016-05-20T15:53:09Z")
> [@truthSeeker2](#): > > The US is able to have such large trade deficit, such large (and growing) Government debt _and_ such strong currency is mainly because oil is traded in USD. making such assertions only indicate you are not literate in any way in economics. the american currency is strong due to its economic size and the fundamental demand for dollars, not because of the oil - this is simply nonsense. the american government deficit is not unreasonable as [the percent of the GDP](https://research.stlouisfed.org/fred2/series/FYFSGDA188S) given its long history, it is pure money illusion and a innumeracy around the large numbers that drive any idea the us deficits are difficult to handle. ---
**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 20, 2016, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-vs-clinton-in-the-general-election/754989/150 "2016-05-20T15:55:24Z")
> [@XT](#): > > I think that [this](http://www.cnn.com/2016/05/19/politics/trump-clinton-egyptair-804-reaction/index.html) is an early indication of how the real campaign is going to play out with this exchange between Clinton and Trump concerning the lost EgyptAir flight 804. > > Basically, it’s hard for me to even conceive how Trump could win this thing. He’s such a buffoon. I agree that Trump is a buffoon. But I have to dock a few points from Hillary for stating that it appeared to be a terrorist act. That seems premature, particularly since nobody has taken credit for the crash. ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2016, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-vs-clinton-in-the-general-election/754989/151 "2016-05-20T16:04:41Z")
> [@BobLibDem](#): > > I agree that Trump is a buffoon. But I have to dock a few points from Hillary for stating that it appeared to be a terrorist act. That seems premature, particularly since nobody has taken credit for the crash. > [@CNN](#): > > Where Trump was characteristically impulsive, Clinton was more cautious, waiting until until U.S. and Egyptian officials were openly saying that terrorism was the most probable cause of the crash before delivering her response. > > “It does appear that it was an act of terrorism, exactly how of course the investigation will have to determine. It once again shines a very bright light on the threats that we face from organized terror groups,” Clinton told Cuomo. Doesn’t seem premature to me. ---
**Author:** ![XT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xt/32/456_2.png) [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2016, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-vs-clinton-in-the-general-election/754989/152 "2016-05-20T16:09:34Z")
> [@BobLibDem](#): > > I agree that Trump is a buffoon. But I have to dock a few points from Hillary for stating that it appeared to be a terrorist act. That seems premature, particularly since nobody has taken credit for the crash. I’m not sure why when both US and Egypt are saying that’s the most likely cause. Clinton didn’t exactly rush out to claim it was terrorism, but waited until more facts were available and is basically following the governments lead. ---
**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:** [May 20, 2016, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-vs-clinton-in-the-general-election/754989/153 "2016-05-20T16:33:27Z")
> [@truthSeeker2](#): > > It would be the world-government not individual countries deciding how much money is to be given and who are the deserving recipients. Trump is not running for leader of “world government”. As far as I know, he has never brought up a worldwide currency. Given his jingoism, he is the last person in the world that you should expect agree to let the US be governed by something like a UN or agree to hand money to foreigners. So no, what are _you_ talking about? ---
**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:** [May 20, 2016, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-vs-clinton-in-the-general-election/754989/155 "2016-05-20T16:40:57Z")
> [@Telltrev](#): > > I feel like so many of sanders’ voters aren’t going over to Hillary that she’s screwed. She basically shot the demo party in the foot. I believe, when the primary is done, there will be a come to Jesus moment for the Democratic party supporters and all this will be a tempest in a tea cup. Bernie supporters will have to hold their noses and drink their medicine because it’s what’s good for them. ---
**Author:** ![quimper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/7c8e57/32.png) [@quimper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/quimper)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2016, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-vs-clinton-in-the-general-election/754989/156 "2016-05-20T17:44:40Z")
> [@XT](#): > > Basically, it’s hard for me to even conceive how Trump could win this thing. He’s such a buffoon. He’s literally a WWE cariacture [https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/arts-and-entertainment/wp/2015/12/26/6-ways-donald-trumps-wrestling-career-previewed-his-campaign/](https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/arts-and-entertainment/wp/2015/12/26/6-ways-donald-trumps-wrestling-career-previewed-his-campaign/) ---
**Author:** ![ATLHawk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/94ad74/32.png) [@ATLHawk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ATLHawk)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2016, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-vs-clinton-in-the-general-election/754989/157 "2016-05-20T18:00:29Z")
> [@QuickSilver](#): > > I believe, when the primary is done, there will be a come to Jesus moment for the Democratic party supporters and all this will be a tempest in a tea cup. Bernie supporters will have to hold their noses and drink their medicine because it’s what’s good for them. If [Bernie’s subreddit](https://www.reddit.com/r/SandersForPresident/), Tumblr, Twitter, IG, etc. are any indicators, don’t count on that happening. If you want their opinion on Hillary, pay attention on a Tuesday night when the precincts start reporting in. [They dislike her far more than they dislike Trump](https://www.reddit.com/r/SandersForPresident/comments/4k1z09/i_am_not_a_democrat_i_am_a_bernie_supporter_i_am/). ---
**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 20, 2016, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-vs-clinton-in-the-general-election/754989/158 "2016-05-20T19:34:35Z")
> [@truthSeeker2](#): > > Why do you always seem angry and agitated bro? Does your life depend on stopping Trump from becoming president? And no, Islam is not like other religions at all which can co-exist peacefully. Its a poison. You have ZERO stake in whether Trump is elected or not. So do us all a favor and stop telling us what you think WE THE VOTERS should do. ---
**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 20, 2016, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-vs-clinton-in-the-general-election/754989/159 "2016-05-20T19:39:21Z")
> [@BobLibDem](#): > > I agree that Trump is a buffoon. But I have to dock a few points from Hillary for stating that it appeared to be a terrorist act. That seems premature, particularly since nobody has taken credit for the crash. At least she said ‘appeared.’ Trump took less than five hours to assume it as accepted fact. ---
**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 20, 2016, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-vs-clinton-in-the-general-election/754989/160 "2016-05-20T19:45:08Z")
> [@truthSeeker2](#): > > "Donald Trump has now grown his lead over Hillary Clinton in Rasmussen Reports’ first weekly White House Watch survey. > > Trump earns 42% support to Clinton’s 37% when Likely U.S. Voters are asked whom they would vote for if the presidential election were held today. But Rasmussen Reports’ latest national telephone survey finds that 13% prefer some other candidate, while seven percent (7%) are undecided." > > [White House Watch - Rasmussen Reports®](http://m.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/elections/election_2016/white_house_watch) You have a poll, I have a poll. [http://www.msnbc.com/morning-joe/watch/clinton-leads-trump-in-latest-national-poll-689532995976](http://www.msnbc.com/morning-joe/watch/clinton-leads-trump-in-latest-national-poll-689532995976) > [@](#): > > Hillary Clinton is leading Donald Trump in a general election match up 47 to 41 percent, according to the latest NYT/CBS News poll. Yet both candidates are flawed on favorability. Hillary Clinton is leading Donald Trump in a general election match up 47 to 41 percent, according to the latest NYT/CBS News poll. Yet both candidates are flawed on favorability. Poll taken 5/14-5/17. ---
**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 20, 2016, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-vs-clinton-in-the-general-election/754989/161 "2016-05-20T20:50:40Z")
> [@Peremensoe](#): > > How many soldiers are there in a 2,000-mile line? And how long can that number be maintained on continuous sentry duty in the desert, for a billion dollars? I have no idea. And maybe militarizing the border is not the answer. But although I recognize that there is a problem, I have a visceral reaction to the idea of building a wall on the US/Mexican border. It just seems very wrong to me. > [@ATLHawk](#): > > The West Bank barrier is not “unIsraeli” and xenophobic. It’s an effective measure against terror and suicide bombings, which have dropped dramatically since it’s construction began. > > Granted, we’re not faced with suicide bombings but the Juarez Valley isn’t Heaven on Earth. Yuma, Arizona wasn’t paradise either. Yuma did something, however, and things have settled down quite dramatically. Hell, the Mexican government is trying to lock down one of it’s borders. > A border wall is not xenophobic. The very definition of xenophobia is an irrational fear of people from other countries. There is nothing irrational about wanting to protect our citizens from widespread drug violence, murder, rape. Israel and the United States are two very different countries. Israel is surrounded by countries that want them annihilated. The US is not. We are a country of immigrants so in my mind putting up a wall to physically barricade us in & keep people out is in direct contrast to our country’s philosophy of welcoming the huddled masses who want to live in freedom. > [@XT](#): > > Basically, it’s hard for me to even conceive how Trump could win this thing. He’s such a buffoon. He is a buffoon with a disturbing amount of support. He is also one of 2 people who will be the next President of the United States. The fact that Hilary does not have a 50 point lead over him in the polls is mind boggling to me. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-vs-clinton-in-the-general-election/754989.md?page=7) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-vs-clinton-in-the-general-election/754989.md?page=9)