# 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:** 119
**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:** [March 12, 2016, 1:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-republican-primary-campaign/729828/2365 "2016-03-12T01:37:43Z")
Yeah, in some neutral color that goes with different pants. Brown, perhaps. And maybe a red armband with a logo on it. ---
**Author:** ![octopus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/octopus/32/3716_2.png) [@octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/octopus)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2016, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-republican-primary-campaign/729828/2366 "2016-03-12T01:41:43Z")
> [@BobLibDem](#): > > I’m honestly torn over this. On one hand, the Trumpers need to see just how much the rest of us hate them and their vile racism and bigotry. On the other hand, I don’t want to cede the moral high ground and let them claim victimhood. Plus, this has the potential to get way out of control and somebody is going to get killed. > I think this will be the new normal- people will organize before his rallies in major cities and disrupt his events. I believe the prudent thing for him to do is scale back the size of his rallies to much smaller venues. So diminish his crowds with the threat of violence? How noble. But if it did come down to a clash remind me what side is better armed? ---
**Author:** ![RandMcnally](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b782af/32.png) [@RandMcnally](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RandMcnally)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2016, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-republican-primary-campaign/729828/2367 "2016-03-12T01:48:28Z")
> [@BobLibDem](#): > > Plus, this has the potential to get way out of control and somebody is going to get killed. I definitely wouldn’t be surprised if someone dies before November. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2016, 1:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-republican-primary-campaign/729828/2368 "2016-03-12T01:52:02Z")
Is anyone surprised that, when a candidate tells his supporters to “[knock the crap out of](http://www.mediaite.com/online/trump-tells-crowd-to-knock-the-crap-out-of-protesters-offers-to-pay-legal-fees/)” protesters, and [promises to pay their legal fees](https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2016/03/10/trump-once-said-he-would-pay-legal-fees-for-people-who-beat-up-protesters-now-that-its-happened-can-he/), that there might be some violence at his rallies? ---
**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 12, 2016, 2:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-republican-primary-campaign/729828/2369 "2016-03-12T02:10:39Z")
Trump complains about having his freedom of speech curtailed by protesters yet has no problem with protesters removed when they stand up. Says the violence is not his fault yet doesn’t regret his words of encouragement and claims the protesters are the instigators. (CNN on air interview with Don Lemon.) ---
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2016, 2:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-republican-primary-campaign/729828/2370 "2016-03-12T02:11:21Z")
The rally site is a few miles from my house. When it was announced as a location many of us locally wondered what they were doing with that choice of venue. My wife specifically stated that coming home tonight she was planning on skirting the long away around the area. Middle of the West side of Chicago, urban college campus. Not friendly turf. Not merely heart of the minority base of Democratic strength but on an activist college campus. There are lots of other nearby venues even in the city that would have been closer to GOP strengths … the All State Arena in bordering Rosemont jumps to mind right away and it is open today as the Chicago Wolves are off. They were intentionally not chosen. This location was chosen in order to provoke a reaction. It will interesting to see what he has in mind for exploiting it. ---
**Author:** ![octopus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/octopus/32/3716_2.png) [@octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/octopus)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2016, 2:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-republican-primary-campaign/729828/2371 "2016-03-12T02:22:57Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > Trump complains about having his freedom of speech curtailed by protesters yet has no problem with protesters removed when they stand up. > Says the violence is not his fault yet doesn’t regret his words of encouragement and claims the protesters are the instigators. > > (CNN on air interview with Don Lemon.) You don’t have freedom of speech at a private event. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2016, 2:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-republican-primary-campaign/729828/2372 "2016-03-12T02:24:52Z")
> [@octopus](#): > > You don’t have freedom of speech at a private event. Right – I think it’s reasonable to have security remove (with minimum force required) disruptive protesters, but it’s not reasonable at all to tell supporters to “knock the crap” out of protesters, and to tell them that he’ll pay their legal fees if they do, as Trump has done. Trump deserves extremely strong criticism for this kind of rhetoric, which harkens back to George Wallace. ---
**Author:** ![octopus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/octopus/32/3716_2.png) [@octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/octopus)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2016, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-republican-primary-campaign/729828/2373 "2016-03-12T02:26:12Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > Right – I think it’s reasonable to have security remove (with minimum force required) disruptive protesters, but it’s not reasonable at all to tell supporters to “knock the crap” out of protesters, and to tell them that he’ll pay their legal fees if they do, as Trump has done. Trump deserves extremely strong criticism for this kind of rhetoric, which harkens back to George Wallace. I agree with you with regards to the problems with advocating violence. ---
**Author:** ![Simplicio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c37758/32.png) [@Simplicio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Simplicio)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2016, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-republican-primary-campaign/729828/2374 "2016-03-12T02:26:36Z")
Eh, Trump is garbage, but I don’t see any upside to trying to shut-down his rallies. Its just going to make the opposition look as unhinged as he is. “He started it” type wining isn’t going to help. ---
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2016, 2:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-republican-primary-campaign/729828/2375 "2016-03-12T02:54:27Z")
> [@octopus](#): > > You don’t have freedom of speech at a private event. First blush I agree but … The bulk of the protesters were outside of the building. They certainly have freedom of speech there. The arena is the property of the University, not Trump’s private property. Not sure who has the legal right to limit speech in that venue. As I stated in another thread that this … whatever we call it … is being discussed - this location is an activist populated university in the heart of a poorer urban minority dense neighborhood of democratic stronghold. You think that maybe Trump was wanting to provoke something? You think maybe he has some plan of how to attempt to exploit this to motivate his base to vote over the next few days? Y’know, just maybe? You gonna organize a protest? Have a circus going on outside. Clowns, jugglers, so on. Do not demonstrate fear, mock. It would be more effective than dancing to the tune he hums. ---
**Author:** ![PhillyGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ed655f/32.png) [@PhillyGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhillyGuy)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2016, 2:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-republican-primary-campaign/729828/2376 "2016-03-12T02:58:54Z")
> [@BobLibDem](#): > > On one hand, the Trumpers need to see just how much the rest of us hate them and their vile racism and bigotry. It is not true that “the rest of us” – being the people who aren’t pro-Trump – hate the Trumpers. Speak for yourself. As far as showing the Trumpers that millions of people hate them, Donald makes sure his followers catch that. That why he says “'I think Islam hates us.” A problem for Trump is how to move to the center for November without losing his anti-PC edge. Provoking the occasional street battle, as in Chicago today, could, unfortunately, work. While descending to Trump’s level should be legal, it’s a bad idea. I’m not a fan of most demonstrations. I distrust those who are too certain they are correct. Living up to your convictions can be admirable. I admire [the sanctuary movement.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sanctuary_movement) Someone going to a Trump rally and popping up a Bernie sign, I don’t admire. Like many of us, I’m uncertain as to who is worse, Trump or Cruz. So should I hate Cruz supporters as well? I’m afraid of the answer! ---
**Author:** ![Derleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Derleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Derleth)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2016, 3:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-republican-primary-campaign/729828/2377 "2016-03-12T03:23:44Z")
> [@octopus](#): > > But if it did come down to a clash remind me what side is better armed? The police. ---
**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:** [March 12, 2016, 3:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-republican-primary-campaign/729828/2378 "2016-03-12T03:30:08Z")
> [@PhillyGuy](#): > > It is not true that “the rest of us” – being the people who aren’t pro-Trump – hate the Trumpers. Speak for yourself. Fair enough. My point is that in your typical Trump rally you’ve got thousands of people who get their news from Hate Radio, Faux News, and Facebook memes. They show up and they hear Trump tell them what they already believe. They’re reinforced by each other cheering on every hateful syllable. How do you get through to them? It seems to me that they are willfully ignorant that there are other points of view. But maybe having opposing people show up and demonstrate just how vile their bigotry is will snap some of them out of their trance. Maybe these unrests will make Trump so toxic to the Republican establishment that they endorse Hillary. I think having a few events disrupted is a small price to pay for stopping this fascist from gaining any more traction than he already has. ---
**Author:** ![Hank\_Beecher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hank_beecher/32/7275_2.png) [@Hank\_Beecher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hank_Beecher)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2016, 3:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-republican-primary-campaign/729828/2379 "2016-03-12T03:31:27Z")
> [@DSeid](#): > > First blush I agree but … > > The bulk of the protesters were outside of the building. They certainly have freedom of speech there. > > The arena is the property of the University, not Trump’s private property. Not sure who has the legal right to limit speech in that venue. The right to free speech does not include the right to fully disrupt events like this. That’s why we can have things like college basketball games, recitals, lectures, and yes, political rallies. > [@](#): > > As I stated in another thread that this … whatever we call it … is being discussed - this location is an activist populated university in the heart of a poorer urban minority dense neighborhood of democratic stronghold. > > You think that maybe Trump was wanting to provoke something? You think maybe he has some plan of how to attempt to exploit this to motivate his base to vote over the next few days? Y’know, just maybe? This seems plausible. > [@](#): > > You gonna organize a protest? Have a circus going on outside. Clowns, jugglers, so on. Do not demonstrate fear, mock. It would be more effective than dancing to the tune he hums. I agree. ---
**Author:** ![Grsz11](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Grsz11](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grsz11)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2016, 3:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-republican-primary-campaign/729828/2380 "2016-03-12T03:38:13Z")
Trump maybe didn’t light the match, but he sure as hell stacked the pallets and doused them in gasoline. ---
**Author:** ![Hank\_Beecher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hank_beecher/32/7275_2.png) [@Hank\_Beecher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hank_Beecher)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2016, 3:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-republican-primary-campaign/729828/2381 "2016-03-12T03:38:44Z")
> [@BobLibDem](#): > > Fair enough. My point is that in your typical Trump rally you’ve got thousands of people who get their news from Hate Radio, Faux News, and Facebook memes. They show up and they hear Trump tell them what they already believe. They’re reinforced by each other cheering on every hateful syllable. How do you get through to them? It seems to me that they are willfully ignorant that there are other points of view. But maybe having opposing people show up and demonstrate just how vile their bigotry is will snap some of them out of their trance. Maybe these unrests will make Trump so toxic to the Republican establishment that they endorse Hillary. I think having a few events disrupted is a small price to pay for stopping this fascist from gaining any more traction than he already has. Is that really what you think of when you think of Brownshirts and fascists? People who respond to the disruption _of their own rallies_ by manhandling the disruptors out the door? The side trying to curtail the free expression and assembly of those who’s political opinions they object to would be more reasonably compared to fascists, not the people who’s rally was shut down. ---
**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 12, 2016, 3:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-republican-primary-campaign/729828/2382 "2016-03-12T03:42:42Z")
> [@Derleth](#): > > The police. So Trump, then? It seems like only the anti-Trump protesters are the ones being arrested _in situ_. Though that White supporter did get arrested after the fact for punching the protester yesterday. ---
**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 12, 2016, 3:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-republican-primary-campaign/729828/2383 "2016-03-12T03:44:40Z")
> [@Hank\_Beecher](#): > > Is that really what you think of when you think of Brownshirts and fascists? People who respond to the disruption _of their own rallies_ by manhandling the disruptors out the door? > > The side trying to curtail the free expression and assembly of those who’s political opinions they object to would be more reasonably compared to fascists, not the people who’s rally was shut down. Until today, the vast majority of the “violence” has come from the Trump side. Until Trump becomes President, there is still such a thing as free speech. Forcing people out of an arena for standing silently is the disruptive part. ---
**Author:** ![octopus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/octopus/32/3716_2.png) [@octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/octopus)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2016, 3:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-republican-primary-campaign/729828/2384 "2016-03-12T03:46:44Z")
> [@Derleth](#): > > The police. You think the police are pro rabble? How many populate American prisons again? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-republican-primary-campaign/729828.md?page=118) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-republican-primary-campaign/729828.md?page=120)