# Why doesn't Trump's childishness simply disqualify him outright in your mind? **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [January 2, 2017, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-doesnt-trumps-childishness-simply-disqualify-him-outright-in-your-mind/776184 "2017-01-02T23:26:50Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Frylock](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ce7236/32.png) [@Frylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frylock)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2017, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-doesnt-trumps-childishness-simply-disqualify-him-outright-in-your-mind/776184/1 "2017-01-02T23:26:50Z")
I can’t believe this question hasn’t occurred to me before today. It really is my fundamental criticism of Trump-as-president, but somehow I have failed to articulate it until now. He’s childish. That he is childish I take to be so obvious it doesn’t even need arguing. Is that not the case for everyone, or can we start from that point? Given that, I’m curious, how does childishness not immediately disqualify him in your mind? I will take the most evil, exactly-the-politically-worst candidate over a childish candidate any time. A politically terrible evil schemer can screw up a lot of people’s lives and set us back decades. A childish person can do all the same, for sure, but also has a much higher chance of literally getting us all killed. This is not to speak of simply what it says about the character of the country that its head of state would be childish. So, why is this not the case for you? You are happy to have Trump in office? Does his childishness just not enter into the calculus? Or do you think there are things about his presidency that are positive enough, somehow, to override his childishness? (To me that’s a bit like saying there are numbers prime enough to override the negativeness of negative one but… I want to hear from you.) ---
**Author:** ![OldOlds](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/a3d4f5/32.png) [@OldOlds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OldOlds)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2017, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-doesnt-trumps-childishness-simply-disqualify-him-outright-in-your-mind/776184/2 "2017-01-03T00:24:30Z")
Well, I realize you’re asking the not-me crowd, but if OK I will say: It absolutely disqualifies him. He’s an orange shit-stain on the nation, and an embarrassment, and I can honestly say that if a left equivalent of Trump were the choice I’d vote for something else, including a Republican if reasonable. I could easily vote for a Romney or a Huntsman in that case. Sadly, too many people view their party affiliation as akin to religion and so they don’t see it that way. ---
**Author:** ![Tread](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/53a042/32.png) [@Tread](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tread)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2017, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-doesnt-trumps-childishness-simply-disqualify-him-outright-in-your-mind/776184/3 "2017-01-03T00:39:33Z")
Childishness wouldn’t automatically DQ a candidate for me because, there is due process in making things happen, the POTUS is not like a Kim Jong-un, he has limits in place they will ( in theory) prevent a hissy fit reaction, and will be limited in how far he can go, so a childish leader, that is more in line with my idea of how the country should move, is preferable to a mature leader, who is 180 out of my ideology. ---
**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:** [January 3, 2017, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-doesnt-trumps-childishness-simply-disqualify-him-outright-in-your-mind/776184/4 "2017-01-03T00:54:37Z")
Offhand, I’d say because the Republican base doesn’t care. Maybe we always wanted to know what would happen if we put a five year old in the White House. Now we’ll find out. ---
**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 3, 2017, 1:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-doesnt-trumps-childishness-simply-disqualify-him-outright-in-your-mind/776184/5 "2017-01-03T01:10:13Z")
You can’t just say “it’s so obvious I don’ have to prove it”. His supporters are just going to say int’s not obvious to them. All 3 of them on this MB will probably say that. And the idea that you’d take an evil-to-the-core person as president over someone who is childish makes your argument more than silly. It’s dangerous. If Trump is childish, I’ll take Trump over Hitler any day. ---
**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:** [January 3, 2017, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-doesnt-trumps-childishness-simply-disqualify-him-outright-in-your-mind/776184/6 "2017-01-03T01:15:39Z")
Folks, be patient. We’re only 18 days away from President Trump, and we’ll have 4 years to criticize has every word and deed, and he’ll almost certainly give us a lot of material to work with. ---
**Author:** ![TimeWinder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bcef8e/32.png) [@TimeWinder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TimeWinder)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2017, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-doesnt-trumps-childishness-simply-disqualify-him-outright-in-your-mind/776184/7 "2017-01-03T01:17:23Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > And the idea that you’d take an evil-to-the-core person as president over someone who is childish makes your argument more than silly. It’s dangerous. If Trump is childish, I’ll take Trump over Hitler any day. Nobody’s making that claim, are they? Or are you claiming that Hillary is “evil to the core?” Because if you’re going to compare one of the candidates to Hitler, and you chose _Hillary_ as your closest match, I strongly suggest that you or the information sources you’re using are not in touch with reality. ---
**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:** [January 3, 2017, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-doesnt-trumps-childishness-simply-disqualify-him-outright-in-your-mind/776184/8 "2017-01-03T01:18:46Z")
[QUOTE=John Mace;19891934And the idea that you’d take an evil-to-the-core person as president over someone who is childish makes your argument more than silly. It’s dangerous. If Trump is childish, I’ll take Trump over Hitler any day.[/QUOTE] Being evil and childish aren’t mutually exclusive and are not in the case of the orange skinned ferret wearing shitgibbon. ---
**Author:** ![msmith537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2017, 1:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-doesnt-trumps-childishness-simply-disqualify-him-outright-in-your-mind/776184/9 "2017-01-03T01:22:01Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > And the idea that you’d take an evil-to-the-core person as president over someone who is childish makes your argument more than silly. It’s dangerous. If Trump is childish, I’ll take Trump over Hitler any day. That’s basically how Trump won the election. The Right convinced people that Hillary Clinton was a manipulative, evil email deleter who probably killed Vince Foster. And because many people on the right are looking for any excuse to not vote for someone whose going to steal their guns and turn everyone into gay socialists, they say “well, Trump may be a childish jerk but at least he’s not Hillary”. I don’t see the difference. Nobody wakes up in the morning and says “I think I’m going to do something evil today”. They just do what they want without regard for the consequences. Much in the way a spoiled child would. ---
**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 3, 2017, 1:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-doesnt-trumps-childishness-simply-disqualify-him-outright-in-your-mind/776184/10 "2017-01-03T01:22:22Z")
> [@BobLibDem](#): > > Being evil and childish aren’t mutually exclusive and are not in the case of the orange skinned ferret wearing shitgibbon. Cite that it’s (or was) a ferret? ---
**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 3, 2017, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-doesnt-trumps-childishness-simply-disqualify-him-outright-in-your-mind/776184/11 "2017-01-03T01:29:27Z")
> [@msmith537](#): > > That’s basically how Trump won the election. The Right convinced people that Hillary Clinton was a manipulative, evil email deleter who probably killed Vince Foster. And because many people on the right are looking for any excuse to not vote for someone whose going to steal their guns and turn everyone into gay socialists, they say “well, Trump may be a childish jerk but at least he’s not Hillary”. > I don’t see the difference. Nobody wakes up in the morning and says “I think I’m going to do something evil today”. They just do what they want without regard for the consequences. Much in the way a spoiled child would. We’ve had a billion threads to debate why Hillary lost. I’m not about to engage in another one, so I’m happy to let your opinion stand as just that-- your opinion. But children aren’t inherently evil. They also can be taught. An adult is much less likely to change his ways. And the idea of choosing between a child and pure evil is not something I’m particularly interested in debating, either. If you disagree with me, then I’m happy to agree to disagree and leave it at that. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2017, 1:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-doesnt-trumps-childishness-simply-disqualify-him-outright-in-your-mind/776184/12 "2017-01-03T01:34:26Z")
As usual, when a question like this is posed (I’ve done it, and so have others), NO Trump supporter comes forward with a straightforward, defensible answer. That’s because there is NO defense for their boy, and they know it. ---
**Author:** ![Hampshire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hampshire/32/4887_2.png) [@Hampshire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hampshire)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2017, 1:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-doesnt-trumps-childishness-simply-disqualify-him-outright-in-your-mind/776184/13 "2017-01-03T01:39:11Z")
> [@BobLibDem](#): > > Offhand, I’d say because the Republican base doesn’t care. Maybe we always wanted to know what would happen if we put a five year old in the White House. Now we’ll find out. I’d say it’s what the Republican base relates to. “I love Trump! He talks and thinks just like I does!” ---
**Author:** ![Frylock](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ce7236/32.png) [@Frylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frylock)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2017, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-doesnt-trumps-childishness-simply-disqualify-him-outright-in-your-mind/776184/14 "2017-01-03T01:41:04Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > You can’t just say “it’s so obvious I don’ have to prove it”. His supporters are just going to say int’s not obvious to them. All 3 of them on this MB will probably say that. I’m not certain of that without having seen it for myself. > [@](#): > > And the idea that you’d take an evil-to-the-core person as president over someone who is childish makes your argument more than silly. It’s dangerous. But of course, in my post, I explained why I think it’s safer, not more dangerous, than picking the childish candidate. Hitler was childish too btw so that’s not going to be a good comparison. ---
**Author:** ![HeXen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c89c15/32.png) [@HeXen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeXen)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2017, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-doesnt-trumps-childishness-simply-disqualify-him-outright-in-your-mind/776184/15 "2017-01-03T01:41:56Z")
I straight up just flat out do not give a f\*\*\*. Don’t care what OP thinks, nor anyone else here. My support is for his ideas, his abilities and his balls. Something other politicians lack. > [@ThelmaLou](#): > > As usual, when a question like this is posed (I’ve done it, and so have others), NO Trump supporter comes forward with a straightforward, defensible answer. > > That’s because there is NO defense for their boy, and they know it. We don’t have to defend anything. He’s going to be President, it’s a done deal. Say whatever floats your boat.🆒 ---
**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:** [January 3, 2017, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-doesnt-trumps-childishness-simply-disqualify-him-outright-in-your-mind/776184/16 "2017-01-03T01:43:36Z")
> [@msmith537](#): > > That’s basically how Trump won the election. The Right convinced people that Hillary Clinton was a manipulative, evil email deleter who probably killed Vince Foster. And because many people on the right are looking for any excuse to not vote for someone whose going to steal their guns and turn everyone into gay socialists, they say “well, Trump may be a childish jerk but at least he’s not Hillary”. > I don’t see the difference. Nobody wakes up in the morning and says “I think I’m going to do something evil today”. They just do what they want without regard for the consequences. Much in the way a spoiled child would. I think Trump won the election because people repeatedly made incorrect assumptions about voters. Mace is right – no amount of calling Trump childish is going to convince his voters that he is. If anything they’ll just dismiss these types of diatribes as examples of liberal elitism. The voters will judge him based on how the country functions after January 20, and I think he’ll start delivering the goods not long afterward. ---
**Author:** ![Frylock](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ce7236/32.png) [@Frylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frylock)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2017, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-doesnt-trumps-childishness-simply-disqualify-him-outright-in-your-mind/776184/17 "2017-01-03T01:43:47Z")
While I recognize the use of the word “childish” might be seen as inviting fighting words like the ones people are offering here, I want to clarify, I think the characterization of Trump as childish is pretty objective and I would not at all be surprised that, at least on thinking about it, Trump supporters would agree with the characterization even while hating using that word to make that characterization. I am actually, really actually, not trying to start a fight here. I personally don’t see the insults people have offered in this thread against Trump supporters as particularly progress-making. ---
**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:** [January 3, 2017, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-doesnt-trumps-childishness-simply-disqualify-him-outright-in-your-mind/776184/18 "2017-01-03T01:48:46Z")
> [@Frylock](#): > > I’m not certain of that without having seen it for myself. > > But of course, in my post, I explained why I think it’s safer, not more dangerous, than picking the childish candidate. > > Hitler was childish too btw so that’s not going to be a good comparison. I’ve seen all sorts of articles, op-eds, message board posts, and social media rants from Trump’s critics and I guarantee you that none of them – not a single one – have changed anyone’s mind or made anyone regret their vote. Particularly in light of the fact that Trump hasn’t even taken office yet, it just comes across as post-election Haterade. You can say that Trump is a child – I won’t disagree with you. But you’re not getting those who voted for Trump to jump onto your wagon. And you probably won’t. ---
**Author:** ![Frylock](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ce7236/32.png) [@Frylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frylock)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2017, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-doesnt-trumps-childishness-simply-disqualify-him-outright-in-your-mind/776184/19 "2017-01-03T01:50:35Z")
(See for example the Trump supporter who did respond here–they didn’t disagree that Trump is childish, and they explained why this isn’t a dealbreaker: because they don’t give a fuck, their words. So as I said, calling Trump childish is not a way to start a fight, I honestly think it would be acknowledged by Trump voters, and so the question really is “why is it okay,” not “is it true in the first place,” _pace_ **John Mace** above. ---
**Author:** ![Frylock](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ce7236/32.png) [@Frylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frylock)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2017, 1:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-doesnt-trumps-childishness-simply-disqualify-him-outright-in-your-mind/776184/20 "2017-01-03T01:51:36Z")
> [@asahi](#): > > I’ve seen all sorts of articles, op-eds, message board posts, and social media rants from Trump’s critics and I guarantee you that none of them – not a single one – have changed anyone’s mind or made anyone regret their vote. Particularly in light of the fact that Trump hasn’t even taken office yet, it just comes across as post-election Haterade. You can say that Trump is a child – I won’t disagree with you. But you’re not getting those who voted for Trump to jump onto your wagon. And you probably won’t. But my post isn’t designed to convert anyone. It’s fairly explicit about that. What I want to know is, from Trump supporters, why they don’t find his childishness a dealbreaker. Like, again–I’m actually asking a question I actually would like to see answers to. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-doesnt-trumps-childishness-simply-disqualify-him-outright-in-your-mind/776184.md?page=2)