# Why did Republicans vote for Trump? **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [January 25, 2017, 12:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-republicans-vote-for-trump/778136 "2017-01-25T12:21:23Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2017, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-republicans-vote-for-trump/778136/61 "2017-01-26T16:44:03Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > Sure, I hope we can find some time to squeeze in some work concerning the rights of our Asexual siblings\*, but when your constituents don’t have jobs, or don’t feel secure in their jobs, then you need to put that at the top of the priority list. Does that include those who are currently fighting against Republican efforts to allow employers to fire their LGBT employees just because? Are they allowed to feel secure in their jobs, or is it only the other people who matter? It’s fun to pretend this is all about “pronoun trouble” but let’s not forget that there are much more significant issues at stake here - jobs, housing, medical care, children, marriage and other major, basic legal rights. On the one hand you have a group who is struggling because of global macroeconomic forces neither you nor they can do anything about. On the other hand you have a group who are struggling because the political opposition is deliberately and viciously discriminating against them, something you can do something about. I understand that the reality of the situation is that in order to help the latter group you also have to appeal to the former group, but given that many of those in the former group are apparently happy to screw over those in the latter group it’s a devil’s bargain. Conversely, those who don’t give a fuck about the latter group and are happy to tell the former group that the reason their jobs are in jeopardy is that _those other people_ are taking them have a distinct advantage. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2017, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-republicans-vote-for-trump/778136/62 "2017-01-26T16:55:10Z")
> [@Gyrate](#): > > Does that include those who are currently fighting against Republican efforts to allow employers to fire their LGBT employees just because? Are they allowed to feel secure in their jobs, or is it only the other people who matter? It’s fun to pretend this is all about “pronoun trouble” but let’s not forget that there are much more significant issues at stake here - jobs, housing, medical care, children, marriage and other major, basic legal rights. Please, it’s LGBTQIA employees. 😉 Well, yeah, there are lots of other big issues besides jobs. I was just using that as an example. But maybe the Democrats should consider their messaging, too. When SSM was legalized, the WH was lit up in Rainbow Colors. What did Obama do when the Unemployment rate fell below 5%? A lot of getting your message out there is what people see on a daily basis and what they associate you with. Trump may have had a message that spoke more to the common folk, but he also had a lot of hate thrown in there. A very positive message from the other side with a candidate who can relate to the people, and I’d hope the Dems could overcome Trmupmania fairly easily. ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2017, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-republicans-vote-for-trump/778136/63 "2017-01-26T17:26:36Z")
Priceless. This - > [@sleestak](#): > > Clinton, and more importantly, the liberal wing of the Democratic party are told a lot pf people that their problems do not matter, that if they do not support every socially liberal policy fully and without question they are deplorable and that things like who can use which bathroom are more important than getting better jobs to people who are hurting financially. > > It isn’t about gay rights for the vast majority of people. _It was that gay rights were more important to the liberal politicians than the real world problems these people face._ is followed immediately by this - > [@Leaper](#): > > And there you go. You ignored and proved my point at the same time by contrasting gay rights with “real world problems” and saying you don’t care about social issues. Of course you don’t have to care; you don’t have to face their consequences every day. > > But I can tell you that my friend of 17+ years cares every much about what happens to his marriage to his husband, and what the results say about society’s views at large about him. So yes, if you don’t think that gay people deserve the same legal protections as everyone else, if you don’t care that your narrow views on birth cause actual real people to die, if you don’t see anything wrong with the numbers on police shootings in regards to minorities, how is that NOT “deplorable”? Unless you agree that the fags should be put in asylums and women who have sex are whores and blacks are shot more because they’re more criminal than whites? You can’t make this stuff up. Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2017, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-republicans-vote-for-trump/778136/64 "2017-01-26T18:36:42Z")
Don’t have to. If you tell the truth, imagination is not so required. ---
**Author:** ![rock\_party](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e19b73/32.png) [@rock\_party](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rock_party)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2017, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-republicans-vote-for-trump/778136/65 "2017-01-26T18:40:05Z")
On the transgender thing, it was the right wing media that pounded away on how crazy it was that the Liberals wanted rapists in the restrooms with their little girls. They’re the ones who blow this shit all out of proportion and twist it. Days and days were devoted to it. ---
**Author:** ![Drunky\_Smurf](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drunky_smurf/32/449_2.png) [@Drunky\_Smurf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drunky_Smurf)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2017, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-republicans-vote-for-trump/778136/66 "2017-01-26T19:23:23Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > Don’t have to. If you tell the truth, imagination is not so required. So you are saying that everyones mom is a whore? I don’t agree with that but you can think that if you want to. ---
**Author:** ![Bone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bone/32/407_2.png) [@Bone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bone)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2017, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-republicans-vote-for-trump/778136/67 "2017-01-26T19:48:23Z")
> [@Drunky\_Smurf](#): > > So you are saying that everyones mom is a whore? I don’t agree with that but you can think that if you want to. Please dial back the nonsense. [/moderating] ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2017, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-republicans-vote-for-trump/778136/68 "2017-01-26T20:04:33Z")
> [@rock\_party](#): > > On the transgender thing, it was the right wing media that pounded away on how crazy it was that the Liberals wanted rapists in the restrooms with their little girls. They’re the ones who blow this shit all out of proportion and twist it. Days and days were devoted to it. You can lead a tree to water, but you can’t make him see the whole forest. ---
**Author:** ![Buck\_Godot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/buck_godot/32/6573_2.png) [@Buck\_Godot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Buck_Godot)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2017, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-republicans-vote-for-trump/778136/69 "2017-01-26T20:24:58Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > Then a simple followup would be “Which viable Democratic candidate would you have been willing to switch parties for?” > edited to add: and perhaps “What viable Democratic candidate would have convinced a significant number of Republicans to switch sides?” You should also add in the caveat “After the Republicans and right wing media has spent the 6 months painting said candidate as being more socialist than Lenin or being foot in a mouth crazy uncle, who probably can’t put his pants on without help.” > [@sleestak](#): > > Clinton, and more importantly, the liberal wing of the Democratic party are told a lot pf people that their problems do not matter, that if they do not support every socially liberal policy fully and without question they are deplorable and that things like who can use which bathroom are more important than getting better jobs to people who are hurting financially. She actually didn’t say that. She was only referring to a portion of those people who supported Trumps extreme rhetoric. By definition noone she was referring to in this statement wasn’t going to vote for Trump. As far as the bathroom thing goes, it was the Republicans who first brought it up. Democrats were fine with the status quo. Why aren’t you upset about a North Carolina Legislature that sees policing who goes into which bathroom, and making sure that minorities can’t vote as higher priorities than making their state friendly to business. > [@sleestak](#): > > It isn’t about gay rights for the vast majority of people. _It was that gay rights were more important to the liberal politicians than the real world problems these people face._\* Read that again. The priorities were out of wack for a bunch of people. How about doing things like raising the minimum wage, providing healthcare, supporting unions that might let workers approach their employers on something approaching an even playing field, supporting infrastructure, fighting against ineqaulity. All of these things were supported by Democrats but were stymied by an obstructive congress who was fearful of anyone actually being helped by the Obama administration. I don’t doubt that you and others felt that way, but you’ve been fed a bill of goods. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2017, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-republicans-vote-for-trump/778136/70 "2017-01-26T20:50:50Z")
Those are all good points. The Democrats should keep doing the same thing, and there’s a good chance things will work out differently next time. Complain more about the mean 'ol Republicans and right wing media, though. That’s certainly the most effective part of the strategy. ---
**Author:** ![GrandWino](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grandwino/32/67_2.png) [@GrandWino](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrandWino)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2017, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-republicans-vote-for-trump/778136/71 "2017-01-26T20:57:51Z")
Republicans must have been hoping for some tax increases. That’s their thing right, higher taxes? [Like a 20% import tax on Mexican goods to pay for the wall.](http://www.cnn.com/2017/01/26/politics/donald-trump-mexico-import-tax-border-wall/index.html?adkey=bn) ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2017, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-republicans-vote-for-trump/778136/72 "2017-01-26T21:01:27Z")
When did this turn into an advice and/or blame thread for Democrats? ---
**Author:** ![HeweyLogan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/heweylogan/32/547_2.png) [@HeweyLogan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeweyLogan)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2017, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-republicans-vote-for-trump/778136/73 "2017-01-26T22:44:53Z")
Because you want to know why Trump won. ---
**Author:** ![drad\_dog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/aeb1de/32.png) [@drad\_dog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drad_dog)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2017, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-republicans-vote-for-trump/778136/74 "2017-01-26T22:49:07Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > When did this turn into an advice and/or blame thread for Democrats? Since the election ended. It’s the only way for republicans to keep on blaming liberals, and avoid their own inner conflicts and shame. Did you really expect introspection about politics from the right? This is the hand they’re dealt. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2017, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-republicans-vote-for-trump/778136/75 "2017-01-26T22:49:43Z")
> [@HeweyLogan](#): > > Because you want to know why Trump won. Nope-That was not the question I asked. ---
**Author:** ![Leaper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/4bbf92/32.png) [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2017, 11:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-republicans-vote-for-trump/778136/76 "2017-01-26T23:06:37Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > Priceless. > > This -is followed immediately by this - > You can’t make this stuff up. > > Regards, > Shodan Okay, fine. Then explain to me how someone like my old friend, upon seeing someone say with their vote (or outright, as slee did), “yes, I know your basic humanity is under attack, but I’m going to vote for this guy whose VP thinks you’re going to hell because he says he’ll give me a little more money. You understand, right?”, should react. I’m serious. This is the part about this whole “liberals are to blame for Trump because they weren’t nice” thing I haven’t gotten this entire time. There’s probably something I’m not getting, I don’t know, but so far, I’ve reading this as conservatives saying, “I don’t care about THOSE people [whoever we’re talking about], so I don’t understand why you’re making a big fuss about them. Why are you so mad at me on their behalf? Why are you so mean, just because I want to break up their marriages or take away their health insurance or accuse them all of being rapists? Don’t you have to respect those opinions and let them form our nation’s laws?” Again, I’m serious. How are they supposed to view them and react? Just shut up, smile, take it, and tell everyone what good people they are? Isn’t that completely against basic human nature? When did issues of life and basic humanity become something you’re just expected to agree to disagree on? Do pro life forces do that? ---
**Author:** ![HeweyLogan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/heweylogan/32/547_2.png) [@HeweyLogan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeweyLogan)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2017, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-republicans-vote-for-trump/778136/77 "2017-01-26T23:36:43Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > Nope-That was not the question I asked. And you would have asked this question had she won? Like others have said, I voted for Trump because he’s not Hillary. That and he’s not apart of the Washington cabal. I’m fine seeing the status quo challenged and wanted a candidate that represented that side. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2017, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-republicans-vote-for-trump/778136/78 "2017-01-26T23:51:02Z")
You leave more questions than you answer. “Status quo”, for instance, doesn’t mean all that much. A radical lefty and a reactionary _both_ want to change the _status quo_, but you seem content to imply that either would be appealing to you, just so long as its change from _status qup_. Are you wearing your centrist costume? C’mon, pull the other one, its got bells. Pull the middle one, I give you a nickel. ---
**Author:** ![Leaper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/4bbf92/32.png) [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2017, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-republicans-vote-for-trump/778136/79 "2017-01-27T00:10:13Z")
Well, he just said that’s why he voted for Trump. Maybe now, seeing who he’s appointing to his cabinet, maybe he’s reconsidering. ---
**Author:** ![Arcite](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/67e7ee/32.png) [@Arcite](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arcite)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2017, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-republicans-vote-for-trump/778136/80 "2017-01-27T00:40:39Z")
I voted for Trump, but I’m not interested in “blaming” anyone for him, because I didn’t hold my nose and vote against Hillary. I voted for Trump because I support his positions. In particular, a border wall and restrictions on Islamic immigration are the two greatest proposals I’ve heard from a presidential candidate in my lifetime. > [@Buck\_Godot](#): > > As far as the bathroom thing goes, it was the Republicans who first brought it up. Democrats were fine with the status quo. Why aren’t you upset about a North Carolina Legislature that sees policing who goes into which bathroom, and making sure that minorities can’t vote as higher priorities than making their state friendly to business. This is completely false. North Carolina’s HB2 was passed in response to a [City of Charlotte ordinance](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_Facilities_Privacy_%26_Security_Act#Charlotte_Ordinance_7056) “prohibiting discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity in public accommodations.” Conservatives didn’t start the fight–liberals did by trying to enforce the notion that people should be able to use whichever restroom they wish. That is the radical idea. But as in every other “culture war” battle, liberals push to radically revolutionize society, then when conservatives attempt to simply shore up the status quo, they are portrayed as the aggressors. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-republicans-vote-for-trump/778136.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-republicans-vote-for-trump/778136.md?page=5)