# Trump's Republican primary campaign **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [September 3, 2015, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-republican-primary-campaign/729828 "2015-09-03T18:00:56Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 117
**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:** [March 5, 2016, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-republican-primary-campaign/729828/2325 "2016-03-05T22:46:52Z")
> [@Leaper](#): > > How do you all think a general election Trump will run and act, in contrast to primary Trump? Will he try to moderate, as mainstream Republican candidates tend to come? Can he? Will he count on the short memories of the public to make non-hardcore supporters forget his previous statements? If nominated, he will definitely pivot to the center. And claim he hasn’t done that. “I got booed on stage by Republican lobbyists - they hated me.” Recall that Trump has [no shame](http://www.vox.com/2016/2/10/10956978/donald-trump-terrifying) (he’s wired that way), and no investment in the Republican Party. He could for example say that Citizens United is a disaster. (He didn’t comment about it during the primaries because he wasn’t asked about it, even if he was.) He could study Sanders’ applause lines and see what works best. Also promise, promise, promise. Factually incorrect claim, factually incorrect claim, factually incorrect claim. Expect media stories about Democrats who swing to the Donald. There will be a few. Democratic victory will rely on elevated Hispanic and African American turnout. Otherwise it won’t happen. But I’d also expect the professional class to continue to trend Democratic. I would hope that middle managers reassess their views, but who knows? So called moderate Republicans will stroke their chin, and explain why this _documented_ scam artist and phony has more integrity than Hillary Clinton. ETA: Fear Itself: No change in tone. Same bluster for a few newish positions and points of emphasis. ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2016, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-republican-primary-campaign/729828/2326 "2016-03-05T22:53:31Z")
> [@Fear\_Itself](#): > > In an upset of poll predictions, NBC News has called Kansas for Ted Cruz. Shades of things to come? Not only that, with over half the vote reported, Cruz has a majority. If it holds, that would be the first such win on the Republican side this year. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2016, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-republican-primary-campaign/729828/2327 "2016-03-05T23:30:26Z")
Is Trump basically just an old-style politician? “Old style” as in late 19th century? ---
**Author:** ![SenorBeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senorbeef/32/2220_2.png) [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2016, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-republican-primary-campaign/729828/2328 "2016-03-06T21:48:47Z")
[Donald Trump makes members of his Orlando crowd raise their right hands and swear to vote in the primary.](http://imgur.com/gallery/YEwF7O1) How can he not be a troll? The greatest troll the world has ever seen. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2016, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-republican-primary-campaign/729828/2329 "2016-03-06T21:53:46Z")
> [@SenorBeef](#): > > [Donald Trump makes members of his Orlando crowd raise their right hands and swear to vote in the primary.](http://imgur.com/gallery/YEwF7O1) > > How can he not be a troll? > > The greatest troll the world has ever seen. And don’t forget his [threat after.](http://www.cnn.com/2016/03/05/politics/donald-trump-florida-pledge-torture/) > [@](#): > > “Now I know. Don’t forget you all raised your hands. You swore. **Bad things happen if you don’t live up to what you just did,** ” Trump said before continuing with his speech. ---
**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:** [March 6, 2016, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-republican-primary-campaign/729828/2330 "2016-03-06T22:00:11Z")
> [@SenorBeef](#): > > [Donald Trump makes members of his Orlando crowd raise their right hands and swear to vote in the primary.](http://imgur.com/gallery/YEwF7O1) > > How can he not be a troll? > > The greatest troll the world has ever seen. No, Marquis de Sade is the greatest troll the world has ever seen. It’s been over 200 years since his death, and he’s still winding people up. Trump is number 2. ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2016, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-republican-primary-campaign/729828/2331 "2016-03-06T23:05:25Z")
I’ve seen and done that raised-right-hand thing in church (Roman Catholic) before as a form of benediction. Perhaps the Trump campaign is surreptitiously funded by the Vatican. That might explain everything: given Pope Francis’s well-known preference for socialist economic systems, it could be the Pope is feeling the Bern! 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Defensive\_Indifference](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/defensive_indifference/32/6502_2.png) [@Defensive\_Indifference](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Defensive_Indifference)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2016, 3:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-republican-primary-campaign/729828/2332 "2016-03-07T03:32:02Z")
> [@Bayard](#): > > After taking criticism for saying the US should waterboard suspected terrorists and kill their families, Trump has “clarified” that he would never order the military to violate international law. > > [http://www.cnn.com/2016/03/04/politics/donald-trump-reverses-on-torture/index.html](http://www.cnn.com/2016/03/04/politics/donald-trump-reverses-on-torture/index.html) > > So… He’s ready to turn over our sovereignty to international courts!!!1! He’s soft on terrorists!!! > > Right? Now Trump says he wants US laws “strengthened” to allow waterboarding as well as more serious torture. Strengthened. So we can “compete” against ISIS. > **[Donald Trump vows to "strengthen" laws to allow torture, waterboarding](https://www.cbsnews.com/news/donald-trump-vows-to-strengthen-laws-to-allow-torture-waterboarding-election-2016/)** > > In a "Face the Nation" interview, GOP front-runner says "I will always abide by the law, but I would like to have the law expanded" ---
**Author:** ![glowacks](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/glowacks/32/5548_2.png) [@glowacks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glowacks)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2016, 3:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-republican-primary-campaign/729828/2333 "2016-03-07T03:38:30Z")
I received a postcard from Donald J. Trump’s campaign (we vote on Tuesday here in Michigan). One of the thing he said he would do was “annihilate ISIS and take their oil”. WTF? The first one, is he suggesting that we just need to try harder, that we’re not doing enough now? The second, well, I guess he’s just playing the bully who likes to take things that aren’t theirs. Also “Repeal and Replace Obamacare”. That’s nice and specific. Everyone says that on that side, but has anyone said exactly what they are going to do instead? From the talk of things they may just repeal Obamacare and replace it with effectively the exact same thing, but this time it’ll be fine because the Republicans passed it. And of course, build a wall and make Mexico pay for it. He’s certainly not backing down with that one. It’s even the top of the list! ---
**Author:** ![GIGObuster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gigobuster/32/421_2.png) [@GIGObuster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GIGObuster)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2016, 3:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-republican-primary-campaign/729828/2334 "2016-03-07T03:41:15Z")
> [@Bayard](#): > > Now Trump says he wants US laws “strengthened” to allow waterboarding as well as more serious torture. Strengthened. So we can “compete” against ISIS. > > [Donald Trump vows to "strengthen" laws to allow torture, waterboarding - CBS News](http://www.cbsnews.com/news/donald-trump-vows-to-strengthen-laws-to-allow-torture-waterboarding-election-2016/) Oh I see where who is his mentor now: “When the president does it, that means that it is not illegal” - Richard Nixon. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2016, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-republican-primary-campaign/729828/2335 "2016-03-08T22:25:12Z")
Now Trump is being endorsed by [a Sandy Hook Truther](http://www.salon.com/2016/03/08/trumps_new_wacko_backer_this_sandy_hook_truther_and_obscure_evangelical_pastor_might_be_the_donalds_most_batsht_endorser_yet/). ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2016, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-republican-primary-campaign/729828/2336 "2016-03-10T01:19:37Z")
[Trump campaign manager reportedly ‘roughed up’ reporter after press conference.](https://www.yahoo.com/politics/trump-reporter-roughed-up-campaign-manager-205228155.html) Granted, there’s little in the way of details or confirmation but it is part of a pattern. > [@](#): > > In yet another clash between Donald Trump’s presidential campaign and the press that covers it, a female reporter was nearly thrown to the ground by the Republican frontrunner’s campaign manager on Tuesday night, Politico reports. > > While Fields did not see who grabbed her, Solov said, a reporter for the Washington Post told her it was Lewandowski. Best part: > [@](#): > > Michelle Fields, **a reporter for Breitbart News** , was attempting to ask Trump a question… ---
**Author:** ![Rick\_Kitchen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rick_kitchen/32/522_2.png) [@Rick\_Kitchen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick_Kitchen)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2016, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-republican-primary-campaign/729828/2337 "2016-03-10T22:43:46Z")
The Trump campaign tried to claim that the reporter was never manhandled, until she posted pictures of bruises all over her arms. At a North Carolina Trump rally yesterday, a white guy punched a black protester in the face. And, of course, the cops arrested the black guy. Eventually, though, the white guy was arrested. But he defends his actions, and says[next time, they’re going to have to kill guys like the protester, because he wasn’t acting like a real American, and he might be a terrorist](http://www.rawstory.com/2016/03/trump-supporter-threatens-protester-after-sucker-punch-next-time-we-see-him-we-might-have-to-kill-him/). ---
**Author:** ![Grsz11](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Grsz11](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grsz11)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2016, 12:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-republican-primary-campaign/729828/2338 "2016-03-11T00:38:32Z")
Trump already has his brown shirts in place. ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2016, 2:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-republican-primary-campaign/729828/2339 "2016-03-11T02:06:11Z")
Brown diapers, at least. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2016, 2:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-republican-primary-campaign/729828/2340 "2016-03-11T02:30:46Z")
> [@GIGObuster](#): > > And another thing: It is really sick to me that a good number of Republicans like Trump deny that many Americans are getting jobs or want to see many lose jobs to get a good chance to win in November. Like FOX news, the game is to minimize or even attempt to discredit the numbers and the good news. You think **that’s** sick?! In 1968, Nixon used his connections to sabotage the Paris Peace Talks – just then on the verge of a peace agreement – just so the Vietnam War would still be there for him to run against in November. It sets a high bar. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2016, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-republican-primary-campaign/729828/2341 "2016-03-11T02:32:43Z")
> [@Leaper](#): > > How do you all think a general election Trump will run and act, in contrast to primary Trump? Will he try to moderate, as mainstream Republican candidates tend to come? Can he? Will he count on the short memories of the public to make non-hardcore supporters forget his previous statements? They won’t get to forget, the Democrat’s ads will be just chock-full of those crazy-ass clips and soundbites. ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2016, 5:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-republican-primary-campaign/729828/2342 "2016-03-11T05:01:28Z")
[Ben Carson to endorse Donald Trump.](https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2016/03/10/ben-carson-plans-to-endorse-trump/) ---
**Author:** ![Lord\_Feldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lord_feldon/32/341_2.png) [@Lord\_Feldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Feldon)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2016, 5:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-republican-primary-campaign/729828/2343 "2016-03-11T05:05:27Z")
Not surprising. He might have been a better fit for Cruz, but Cruz blew that in Iowa. At one point I was wondering if Carson only stayed in the race to suck non-Trump evangelicals away from Cruz out of spite. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2016, 5:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-republican-primary-campaign/729828/2344 "2016-03-11T05:28:34Z")
What Cruz did to him was a cover of the hit single from The Nixon Atwater Ratfuck Band. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-republican-primary-campaign/729828.md?page=116) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-republican-primary-campaign/729828.md?page=118)