# 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:** 162
**Author:** ![asahi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asahi/32/8693_2.png) [@asahi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asahi)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2016, 11:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-republican-primary-campaign/729828/3225 "2016-04-06T11:42:04Z")
Trump’s tricks worked when the field was crowded, when the election was in its infancy and when people found him entertaining. It’s no longer entertaining. More people are watching, and more people are starting to ask themselves “Who’s going to run this place? Who’s going to run the Treasury? Who’s going to hire the next Fed chair? Who’s going to lead the Pentagon?” Most sane people, however angry and frustrated they may be, don’t want someone at the helm whose election rallies turn into soccer match riots. One reason why I’ve predicted the sudden and hard fall of Trump is because Trump will continue to inflict wounds to himself. But the other reason is that Ted Cruz will finally start exploiting those defects in ways that others have not. Moreover, gone are the multi-state races. Cruz can focus on one state at a time. Cruz is like the Nick Saban of political strategy: give him a few weeks to prepare for a single contest, and he will steamroll you. ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2016, 11:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-republican-primary-campaign/729828/3226 "2016-04-06T11:50:20Z")
> [@asahi](#): > > Moreover, gone are the multi-state races. Cruz can focus on one state at a time. Five states have primaries on April 26th, and five more on June 7th. ---
**Author:** ![asahi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asahi/32/8693_2.png) [@asahi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asahi)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2016, 12:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-republican-primary-campaign/729828/3227 "2016-04-06T12:39:30Z")
> [@Frank](#): > > Five states have primaries on April 26th, and five more on June 7th. Props to Frank - for keepin it real. ⭕D Okay, I do stand corrected on this one. I guess what I mean is that Cruz now has more time to prepare than he did in the past, when it was one multi-state race after another. He didn’t have much time to cover states where he was losing. He has a lot of time to devote to states where he’s sagging, particularly in contests he thinks he can win. That’s the difference between now and the earlier successive Super Tuesday races. In any case, I think Trump is in serious trouble. He’s now finding out why it’s important to have a skilled organization at the ground level, and it’s too late to build one on the fly. He built a campaign based on bluster, but his strengths are now going to become his weaknesses. ---
**Author:** ![Steve\_MB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steve_mb/32/5339_2.png) [@Steve\_MB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steve_MB)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2016, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-republican-primary-campaign/729828/3228 "2016-04-06T14:30:39Z")
> [@Gary\_Kumquat](#): > > He’s a second rate demagogue. So, does that make Cruz a first-rate demagogue? ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2016, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-republican-primary-campaign/729828/3229 "2016-04-06T14:51:46Z")
Every poll of NY in the past month has had Trump at \>50%, and Cruz and Kasich at ~20% each. Unless that changes in the next 13 days, he’ll probably pick up 70-80 of NY’s 95 delegates. ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2016, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-republican-primary-campaign/729828/3230 "2016-04-06T14:54:09Z")
Anyone catch [Trump’s post-Wisconsin statement](http://www.businessinsider.com/donald-trump-lost-ted-cruz-wisconsin-2016-4) that was basically a 5-year-old’s temper tantrum with better vocabulary? > [@](#): > > Donald J. Trump withstood the onslaught of the establishment yet again. Lyin’ Ted Cruz had the Governor of Wisconsin, many conservative talk radio show hosts, and the entire party apparatus behind him. Not only was he propelled by the anti-Trump Super PAC’s spending countless millions of dollars on false advertising against Mr. Trump, but he was coordinating with his own Super PAC’s (which is illegal) who totally control him. Ted Cruz is worse than a puppet— he is a Trojan horse, being used by the party bosses attempting to steal the nomination from Mr. Trump. We have total confidence that Mr. Trump will go on to win in New York, where he holds a substantial lead in all the polls, and beyond. Mr. Trump is the only candidate who can secure the delegates needed to win the Republican nomination and ultimately defeat Hillary Clinton, or whomever is the Democratic nominee, in order to Make America Great Again. Shorter Trump: _WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!!!_ ---
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_waldo_pepper/32/12370_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2016, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-republican-primary-campaign/729828/3231 "2016-04-06T15:35:55Z")
> [@RTFirefly](#): > > Anyone catch [Trump’s post-Wisconsin statement](http://www.businessinsider.com/donald-trump-lost-ted-cruz-wisconsin-2016-4) that was basically a 5-year-old’s temper tantrum with better vocabulary? > > > [@](#): > > > > Donald J. Trump withstood the onslaught of the establishment yet again. _What does that even mean?_ If you crow about withstanding the establishment after a _win_ – sure, that makes sense. But he withstood an onslaught by _losing_ to Cruz? That’s like if Kasich were to announce that he withstood Trump yesterday! It’s not worth mentioning! ---
**Author:** ![Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/f04885/32.png) [@Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qin_Shi_Huangdi)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2016, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-republican-primary-campaign/729828/3232 "2016-04-06T16:13:09Z")
> [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](#): > > _What does that even mean?_ > > If you crow about withstanding the establishment after a _win_ – sure, that makes sense. But he withstood an onslaught by _losing_ to Cruz? That’s like if Kasich were to announce that he withstood Trump yesterday! It’s not worth mentioning! Because TRUMP basically got the same percentage of the vote as he’d been polling and this in a state which demographically speaking should be one of the worst for him. Keep in mind Wisconsin is dominated by “Minnesota Nice” WASP, Germans, and Swedish moralist types culturally speaking and is heavily impacted with rich suburbanites who hate TRUMP but hate the great unwashed masses who vote for him even more. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2016, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-republican-primary-campaign/729828/3233 "2016-04-06T16:20:42Z")
> [@Gary\_Kumquat](#): > > He’s a second rate demagogue. From an external point of view, it’s frankly terrifying that there’s a significant percentage of americans who honestly think he should lead them. Final days of the roman empire, I guess. More like final days of the Roman Republic. ---
**Author:** ![Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/f04885/32.png) [@Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qin_Shi_Huangdi)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2016, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-republican-primary-campaign/729828/3234 "2016-04-06T16:23:34Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > More like final days of the Roman Republic. TRUMP is but a Sulla or a Von Hugenburg. If Americans don’t get their act together, we’ll have the real thing pretty soon, who is going to make Donald look like Joe Lieberman. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2016, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-republican-primary-campaign/729828/3235 "2016-04-06T16:24:47Z")
> [@Irishman](#): > > Given the supposed pourosity of the border, perhaps just carry it back over the other way. A drug mule with calves the size of cantaloupes can easily carry a bag of cash or money orders. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_waldo_pepper/32/12370_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2016, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-republican-primary-campaign/729828/3236 "2016-04-06T16:25:13Z")
> [@Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](#): > > Because TRUMP basically got the same percentage of the vote as he’d been polling and this in a state which demographically speaking should be one of the worst for him. Keep in mind Wisconsin is dominated by “Minnesota Nice” WASP, Germans, and Swedish moralist types culturally speaking and is heavily impacted with rich suburbanites who hate TRUMP but hate the great unwashed masses who vote for him even more. Well, good for him; when he loses the whole thing, he can just say he “withstood” an onslaught – and we can all have it explained to us that, hey, he basically got the same percentage of the vote as he’d been polling, and let’s keep in mind that lots of folks can’t stand him or the people who vote for him! Declare victory and go home! ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2016, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-republican-primary-campaign/729828/3237 "2016-04-06T16:27:23Z")
> [@Hank\_Beecher](#): > > It sells itself. Voters already decided that they don’t want Jeb or Rubio. If Trump has the most delegates and votes, but doesn’t get the nomination due to establishment machinations, the GOP will simply be self-administering a coup-de-grace. Trump has them down, is dominant, and is trying to complete the arm bar. If it works, the GOP will then have to tap out and submit to avoid mortal injury. Wrestling metaphors actually seem appropriate here – except, that this is a **real** contest, Trump is rejecting the kayfabe script and earnestly trying to win. ---
**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:** [April 6, 2016, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-republican-primary-campaign/729828/3238 "2016-04-06T16:28:08Z")
> [@Hank\_Beecher](#): > > Yes yes. Hysterical incredulity. So original. Works every time. Until it doesn’t. Then it becomes [the biggest joke on the internet](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvfhmhITkYY). I’m not incredulous, other than that someone who supposedly isn’t a Trump supporter sounds _exactly_ like the drunkest of the Kool-Aid drinkers. I’m sure everyone else here gets the joke. I’ve never seen anyone take being devil’s advocate to this degree. So, c’mon, admit it, you’re voting for Trump, aren’t you? ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2016, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-republican-primary-campaign/729828/3239 "2016-04-06T16:32:57Z")
> [@Hank\_Beecher](#): > > Meanwhile, Trump is way smarter than nearly everyone . . . Not about the things that matter here, government and public affairs. In that area he is a hopeless ignoramus. > [@Hank\_Beecher](#): > > . . . way more successful . . . Robin Williams was successful in his field, but I wouldn’t have put him in charge of a government. A career in real estate and television is no more relevant. > [@Hank\_Beecher](#): > > . . . and much more in touch with the sentiments and concerns of the average American . . . No. His appeal is mainly to the white working class, but a working-class white is not “the average American,” not any more and not for some time past. ---
**Author:** ![Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/f04885/32.png) [@Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qin_Shi_Huangdi)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2016, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-republican-primary-campaign/729828/3240 "2016-04-06T16:33:01Z")
> [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](#): > > Well, good for him; when he loses the whole thing, he can just say he “withstood” an onslaught – and we can all have it explained to us that, hey, he basically got the same percentage of the vote as he’d been polling, and let’s keep in mind that lots of folks can’t stand him or the people who vote for him! Declare victory and go home! Once the big states that are far less moralistic in demographic composition vote, that is to say states that are far more marked by Celtic fire and Latin vigour then the dessicated pseudo-puritanism of the Anglo-Saxon and the Nordic, the tide will definitely once again turn in his favour. Consider for example that the next few big states are his native New York where millions of Irishmen and Italians are marching behind his banner, Pennsylvania which is the ground zero of the Plutocratic caste’s war against the American working-class unmatched in brutality since Stalin’s attack against the Kulaks, and California where immigration issues are primary. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_waldo_pepper/32/12370_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2016, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-republican-primary-campaign/729828/3241 "2016-04-06T16:35:30Z")
> [@Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](#): > > Once the big states that are far less moralistic in demographic composition vote, that is to say states that are far more marked by Celtic fire and Latin vigour then the dessicated pseudo-puritanism of the Anglo-Saxon and the Nordic, the tide will definitely once again turn in his favour. Consider for example that the next few big states are his native New York where millions of Irishmen and Italians are marching behind his banner, Pennsylvania which is the ground zero of the Plutocratic caste’s war against the American working-class unmatched in brutality since Stalin’s attack against the Kulaks, and California where immigration issues are primary. …which you figure still isn’t enough to get 1,237, right? ---
**Author:** ![Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/f04885/32.png) [@Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qin_Shi_Huangdi)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2016, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-republican-primary-campaign/729828/3242 "2016-04-06T16:36:17Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > = > No. His appeal is mainly to the white working class, but a working-class white is not “the average American,” not any more and not for some time past. Certainly they are more the average American then the six-figure neoliberal neocon exurban honourary Likudniks whom the Republican Establishment represents. ---
**Author:** ![Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/f04885/32.png) [@Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qin_Shi_Huangdi)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2016, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-republican-primary-campaign/729828/3243 "2016-04-06T16:37:22Z")
> [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](#): > > …which you figure still isn’t enough to get 1,237, right? I’ve used the online calculators and should he do reasonably well in the remaining states, he should get very near 1,237 and thus be very clearly in the lead regardless of whether he achieves a majority or not. ---
**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:** [April 6, 2016, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-republican-primary-campaign/729828/3244 "2016-04-06T16:42:21Z")
> [@Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](#): > > Once the big states that are far less moralistic in demographic composition vote, that is to say states that are far more marked by Celtic fire and Latin vigour then the dessicated pseudo-puritanism of the Anglo-Saxon and the Nordic, the tide will definitely once again turn in his favour. Consider for example that the next few big states are his native New York where millions of Irishmen and Italians are marching behind his banner, Pennsylvania which is the ground zero of the Plutocratic caste’s war against the American working-class unmatched in brutality since Stalin’s attack against the Kulaks, and California where immigration issues are primary. That’s an amazing amount of jargon for one paragraph. Sounds very like a certain 19th-century German Jew who wrote a book or three. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-republican-primary-campaign/729828.md?page=161) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-republican-primary-campaign/729828.md?page=163)