# 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:** 77
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2016, 12:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-republican-primary-campaign/729828/1525 "2016-01-24T00:17:14Z")
An interesting idea is that Trump’s campaign started as a prank or at least just an ego game, and along the way he found himself riding the tiger with no idea how to get off without getting eaten or at least mauled. Imagine for a moment the above is true. So next week he decides to announce “I quit the race.” How does he keep his ego intact and more importantly, his image of his ego which is what powers his businesses that power his expensive lifestyle. Not gonna happen. And that’s just for a non-committal “I quit”. How much more complicated for “I quit because …” We know he won’t be able to resist filling in the blank. My bottom line: even if it started as a prank, he’s now riding the tiger and will go all in to win it. The way he escapes the prank with ego & ego story intact is to lose the nomination or failing that, to lose the election. Let’s just hope he doesn’t end up spending the next 4 years pranking the whole damn country. ---
**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:** [January 24, 2016, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-republican-primary-campaign/729828/1526 "2016-01-24T00:19:56Z")
[Trump’ latest retweet is from a Texas and CSA secessionist.](http://www.addictinginfo.org/2016/01/23/well-it-happened-trump-proves-hes-a-traitor-in-favor-of-a-new-confederacy-tweet/) ---
**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:** [January 24, 2016, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-republican-primary-campaign/729828/1527 "2016-01-24T00:20:20Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > An interesting idea is that Trump’s campaign started as a prank or at least just an ego game, and along the way he found himself riding the tiger with no idea how to get off without getting eaten or at least mauled. > > Imagine for a moment the above is true. So next week he decides to announce “I quit the race.” How does he keep his ego intact and more importantly, his image of his ego which is what powers his businesses that power his expensive lifestyle. Not gonna happen. > > And that’s just for a non-committal “I quit”. How much more complicated for “I quit because …” We know he won’t be able to resist filling in the blank. > > My bottom line: even if it started as a prank, he’s now riding the tiger and will go all in to win it. The way he escapes the prank with ego & ego story intact is to lose the nomination or failing that, to lose the election. > > Let’s just hope he doesn’t end up spending the next 4 years pranking the whole damn country. That would be great if he quit the campaign and then endorsed Hillary. 😃 After all, he did support her in the past. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2016, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-republican-primary-campaign/729828/1528 "2016-01-24T00:26:54Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > An interesting idea is that Trump’s campaign started as a prank or at least just an ego game, and along the way he found himself riding the tiger with no idea how to get off without getting eaten or at least mauled. He may have started that way, but at this point I don’t think he even wants to get off. All this adulation makes him think he can actually win now - a look at his competition can only confirm that, too, in his mind and in anyone else’s, for that matter. He ain’t quittin’ ‘til he’s losin’, no reason to - and there is no sign yet that’s going to happen until November at the earliest. ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2016, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-republican-primary-campaign/729828/1529 "2016-01-24T00:28:50Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > My bottom line: even if it started as a prank, he’s now riding the tiger and will go all in to win it. The way he escapes the prank with ego & ego story intact is to lose the nomination or failing that, to lose the election. How does losing salvage his ego? ---
**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:** [January 24, 2016, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-republican-primary-campaign/729828/1530 "2016-01-24T00:32:00Z")
> [@jsgoddess](#): > > How does losing salvage his ego? Better to go to the wire fighting every inch of the way rather than give up in the middle. ---
**Author:** ![Fiveyearlurker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/da6949/32.png) [@Fiveyearlurker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiveyearlurker)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2016, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-republican-primary-campaign/729828/1531 "2016-01-24T00:35:57Z")
Actual Trump quote from today: “I could stand in the middle of 5th Avenue and shoot somebody and I wouldn’t lose voters.” ---
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2016, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-republican-primary-campaign/729828/1532 "2016-01-24T00:36:48Z")
Trump reminds me somewhat of [Alan Clark](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alan_Clark). When Clark was standing for selection for his constituency after a number of scandals, he was asked if he had any more skeletons in the closet, and he replied with a grin, “Lots!” After that, selection was assured. ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2016, 12:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-republican-primary-campaign/729828/1533 "2016-01-24T00:43:18Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > Better to go to the wire fighting every inch of the way rather than give up in the middle. I disagree. Better to quit, especially with a mocking sneer for the rubes. ---
**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:** [January 24, 2016, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-republican-primary-campaign/729828/1534 "2016-01-24T00:45:10Z")
[Trump’s spokeswoman complained that there are no Pure Breeds left, talking about Obama’s and Romney’s fathers not being born in the US](http://gawker.com/donald-trump-spokesperson-decried-lack-of-pure-breeds-1754754451). I guess she forgot to mention that her boyfriend The Donald’s mother was born in Scotland. But then, that’s not a brown country. ---
**Author:** ![Alley\_Dweller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alley_dweller/32/430_2.png) [@Alley\_Dweller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alley_Dweller)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2016, 12:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-republican-primary-campaign/729828/1535 "2016-01-24T00:46:03Z")
> [@jsgoddess](#): > > I disagree. Better to quit, especially with a mocking sneer for the rubes. We were talking about Trump, not Palin. Don’t worry, it’s an easy mistake. ---
**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:** [January 24, 2016, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-republican-primary-campaign/729828/1536 "2016-01-24T00:50:44Z")
> [@Fiveyearlurker](#): > > Actual Trump quote from today: > > “I could stand in the middle of 5th Avenue and shoot somebody and I wouldn’t lose voters.” Considering the sort of people who tend to support him, it might actually gain him voters. ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2016, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-republican-primary-campaign/729828/1537 "2016-01-24T00:50:59Z")
> [@jsgoddess](#): > > I disagree. Better to quit, especially with a mocking sneer for the rubes. Actually, even better would be “I told the RNC that I wouldn’t support them if they pulled anything shady, and I know now that they are trying to take me out. I refuse to help the Republican Party any longer…” ---
**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:** [January 24, 2016, 1:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-republican-primary-campaign/729828/1538 "2016-01-24T01:04:51Z")
> [@Fiveyearlurker](#): > > Actual Trump quote from today: > > “I could stand in the middle of 5th Avenue and shoot somebody and I wouldn’t lose voters.” Since he would be surrounded by supporters, he would lose at least one. And the others would beat him because the screams of pain would disrupt the rally. ---
**Author:** ![PhillyGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ed655f/32.png) [@PhillyGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhillyGuy)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2016, 1:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-republican-primary-campaign/729828/1539 "2016-01-24T01:27:28Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > Since he would be surrounded by supporters, he would lose at least one. On 5th Avenue? The man’s home address is 725 5th Ave, New York, NY 10022 AKA Trump Tower. The reason Donald wouldn’t lose voters if he shot someone on 5th Avenue is that he doesn’t have any supporters there, except, I guess, for his wife. ---
**Author:** ![Locrian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/locrian/32/14146_2.png) [@Locrian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Locrian)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2016, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-republican-primary-campaign/729828/1540 "2016-01-24T01:41:23Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > He ain’t quittin’ ‘til he’s losin’, no reason to -. How about realizing he’s absolutely not qualified to do the job? Like, “Holy shit, I’m not a politician after all!” 😃 ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2016, 1:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-republican-primary-campaign/729828/1541 "2016-01-24T01:56:24Z")
> [@Siam\_Sam](#): > > That would be great if he quit the campaign and then endorsed Hillary. 😃 After all, he did support her in the past. If he pulled that one you could hear the sound of redneck heads asploding from all the way over there in Thailand! It’d be like the biggest batch of popcorn ever popped. It’d be Great! 😃 ---
**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:** [January 24, 2016, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-republican-primary-campaign/729828/1542 "2016-01-24T02:53:43Z")
> [@PhillyGuy](#): > > On 5th Avenue? > > The man’s home address is 725 5th Ave, New York, NY 10022 AKA Trump Tower. > > The reason Donald wouldn’t lose voters if he shot someone on 5th Avenue is that he doesn’t have any supporters there, except, I guess, for his wife. Is his wife a citizen? Can she vote for him? ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Drake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ad7895/32.png) [@Dr.Drake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Drake)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2016, 2:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-republican-primary-campaign/729828/1543 "2016-01-24T02:59:07Z")
> [@Rick\_Kitchen](#): > > Is his wife a citizen? Can she vote for him? According to Wikipedia, she is. Plus, she would be our first Slovenian-speaking First Lady. (I assume, though I’ve found it pays to never underestimate Dolly Madison.) ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2016, 3:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-republican-primary-campaign/729828/1544 "2016-01-24T03:04:19Z")
> [@PhillyGuy](#): > > On 5th Avenue? > > The man’s home address is 725 5th Ave, New York, NY 10022 AKA Trump Tower. > > The reason Donald wouldn’t lose voters if he shot someone on 5th Avenue is that he doesn’t have any supporters there, except, I guess, for his wife. Obviously, the Donald would use the “stand your ground” defense, which probably would make him even more popular with conservatives. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-republican-primary-campaign/729828.md?page=76) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-republican-primary-campaign/729828.md?page=78)