And the converse of this: Some of the CEOs that recently met wit Trump were surprised at him “rambling”, and “not knowing what he was talking about”.
These are people who are supposed to be paying attention to things like “Is this nominee for President insane or not?”, and apparently they were surprised by the reality that is Trump. If these guys can be so steeped in the propaganda, anyone can be. Anything that might pop that bubble is a good thing.
He’s always done that, though. in 2016, he told the coal miners he’d bring back coal. It’s not hard to just tell people what they want to hear. The only difference now is, which people he’s pandering to. I think he knows on some level that he has to expand beyond his MAGA horde if he actually wants to win, and pandering like this is the only way he knows how to do that.
I think this is a big factor. Take a look at some of the witnesses in his recent trial. Even as they were testifying about his crimes, a lot of them still said how proud they were of working for him, how much fun it was, and the like. Even Cohen said things like that. The delusions are powerful.
Apparently now Trump and his crew are changing course on their suggestions that Biden will be a terrible debater. No word on if Joe is better than Cicero.
Ah, but who supposes that they are? They’ll tell you that’s not their job.
The corporate CEO type, being pre-invested in the notion that what counts in goverment is their sweet, sweet tax and regulation cuts, is paying attention to who’s promising THAT. They have programmed themselves to focus on “serious business stuff”, not on the campaign clown show. ”And anyway the media people have always hated all of us capitalists so what’s new if they display something negative about him?”
So they are easy to sell on the idea that it’s all bad faith exaggeration or that the candidate is just putting on the whole wacko show for the sake of views likes and votes, but once he is in the room with them, he’ll drop the act. Then they’re surprised he doesn’t.
When I was a young-un, brave American judges committed a government supremo when he talked like a crazy man. Give a governor of Louisiana a telephone, and he could do most parts of the job from a well-run asylum (although bill-signing had to be done by the lieutenant governor).
Nowadays, impossible.
Well, here we are, 3 days before the debate, which is now getting all kinds of press coverage, think pieces, pre-gaming, etc. It’s starting to become a major news story as the date draws near. I remain 100% convinced that Trump will be there, as I mentioned earlier in this thread.
Does the OP still think Trump will not debate on Thursday? Does any of the OP’s six-point reasoning still hold any water at this point?
I’m cross posting this from another thread:
Trump’s press secretary attacks CNN’s debate moderators while being interviewed by CNN. CNN anchor, like an SDMB mod, gave her a few chances to get back on track and then ended the interview about 30 seconds after it was started.
Well, now we see the trump campaign’s, and therefore trump’s tactics, for this event. Shout from minute one fully intending to be quickly switched off then later claim he was censored and silenced and all those other bad things.
Pure paranoia feeding into pure revenge plays well to the scared Reactionary Right.
My mind immediately went to the “Beat It” video. Gonna be scrubbing that mental image for a while.
On this video, Katie Hunt says “If you’re attacking the moderators you’re usually losing.”
I’m posting this now since even though it may be more relevant on Thursday night after the debate.
I agree. There will basically be three answers that he will give depending on the question.
Foreign policy: Everyone thinks America is a joke thanks to Biden, with me in charge America will realize they can’t push us around anymore. My mere presence in the white house will stop all of these wars.
Domestic Policy: Life was great when I was president, now American cities are a hell hole of crime due to Biden’s importing illegals, and the economy is in the shitter. But everything will get better once I’m in the white house. Illegal immigrants will disappear, there will be no crime, prices will go back to pre-pandemic levels and everyone will be rich.
Legal issues: Corrupt Biden DOJ! Witch Hunt! Politically Motivated! Banana Republic! Biden Crime Family! Hunter! Hunter! Hunter! LAPTOP!
The logical answer is each security detail forms a protective cordon around their guy and tries to hustle him away from the other group. It’ll be oil and water separating, not a scrum pushing into a common center.
Remember that while e.g. trump might want to physically intimidate or attack Biden, trump’s SS team will not.
But picture Jack Smith in the Michael Jackson role at the end.
Trump has picked his running mate and apparently hasn’t told them yet.
When asked if the person he has picked is aware, the former president responded, “No, nobody knows.”
(snip)
“They’ll be there,” [at the debate] the former president added. “I think we have a lot of people coming.”
I don’t know what the actual question was, but I assumed he just flubbed the response. However, thinking about it again, I don’t think that’s the case. I think he hasn’t told anyone yet because he hasn’t decided yet and his ‘they’ll be at the debate’ comment is him just making sure anyone who wants the job shows up at the debate to support him.
Also, I saw the article on my local news site (a fox affiliate) but I’m linking to the identical one here because I think it’s funny that Fox News referred this mystery person as “they”.
I think you’re 100% correct about this. But I’m wondering how large an entourage each candidate is allowed to bring. If Trump brings in 200 Republicans all hoping to be named VP and Biden brings in 10 staff or family members, then Trump has effectively provided himself with an audience–a cheering section. And there isn’t supposed to be an audience at this thing.
Great catch! Those damned woke FoxNews people are RUINING this country with their stupid PRONOUNS!!!1!!!
I’m guessing only a handful will show up. Probably the same people that dressed up like him and showed up at the courthouse, plus a handful of others. Related: Is Vivek both running against him AND hoping to be his VP? Is that a (normal) thing?
Will the entourage be prohibited from making noises that can be picked up by the mics?
So far as I know, Ramaswamy’s suspended campaign has not been re-opened since he closed it in January.
But, yeah, primary opponents through at least modern history have become VP picks. In Vivek’s case he’d be a dark horse indeed as Trump has explicitly ruled him out, from the news stories I’m seeing.
By the way, Donald is already posturing as the Biggest Bully on the Block–the guy who’s actually in charge of all that will happen Thursday night:
Of course his rally-goers thrilled to his Dominance. What a guy!
Of course they should be. Otherwise, how will this debate be any different from ones with an audience of partisan-and-vocal fans?